Revenge of the Levites

If you're a regular reader of the blog, you'll no doubt remember the August 31 post entitled "Five Reform Jews Walk Into a Conservative Synagogue in Ra'anana..."  It was our first time in the synagogue and I ended up having the second aliyah that day, in my role as a Levite.

Fast forward to today.  Jan and I go to services, arriving promptly at 9:30 for the 8:30 start.  There were probably 25 or so people there.  Not too bad.  To our surprise, they were already in the middle of the Torah service -- a little earlier than we expected.  And they're on the second aliyah, yes the one for the Levite.  Someone else was having the aliyah -- whew!  Moritz approaches the gentleman behind us for the fourth aliyah (of seven) and then tells us -- both of us -- that we'll be after him.  So our turn comes and Moritz says "יעמדו חמישי, משפחת לוי ("ya'amdu ha'chamishi, mishpachat Levy -- Come on down for the fifth [aliyah], Levy family").  Imagine Bob Barker and the Price is Right.  But much less cheering when your name is called.

You'd have thought that the College of Cardinals had sent up plumes of white smoke, announced "habemus Papam," and introduced the Chief Rabbi of Israel as the new Pope.  Or perhaps, somewhat closer to home, you'd have thought that the Republicans and Democrats said, "Enough with all of our bickering -- let's work together."

The uproar that resulted from those four simple words was astounding.  No, never, under no circumstances is a Levite allowed to have an aliyah other than the second.

So what happened?  Jan had her first solo aliyah.  And I was asked to lift the Torah after we were done reading it so that a young man (probably studying for his bar mitzvah) could dress it.  Not too bad for a consolation prize.

The best part:

The kiddush after services is top notch here.  Today we were presented with two alcohols to choose from: Jack Daniels and cachaca, a Brazilian rum.  Or as the rabbi called it, "firewater".