Yom Kippor in Ra'anana

We'd been repenting for weeks -- well 10 days, and finally Yom Kippor arrived. I'd briefed the kids about the facts -- 4 times as many biking accidents as a usually day, emergency rooms over flowing with scapes and bruises. Luckily we played things safe and walked to shul. We decided to attend Kehilat Ra'anan, the reform shul for Kol Neidre, Sharit and Neilah for several reasons -- the kids are getting comfortable there, and since we are members, we actually have a row of seats with our names on it. Hol Neidre was standing room only, so it was nice to know we had a spot. The kids lasted for about 10 minutes, and after the 3rd repitition of Kol Neidre, scrambled out and gave up their seats to others.

After shul, Ronit saw here friends from Gan running accross the street, so she very quietly asked me, could she too cross the street alone? Sure! It's Yom Kippor. She spent the next 10 minutes running back and forth across the street, entirely enjoying her new found freedom. Kids were biking everywhere, and there was even a kid riding one of those small battery powered ATVs for kids. I couldn't help but think that it was on the edge of being approriate. I suppose there really are now rules, other than now cars, but that seemed like a car.

On our way home we crossed Ahuza street --- the main drag of Ra'anana. As expected it was crowded as can be. All of Ra'anana was out walking, biking, or skating the street. I can't quite say that it felt like Yom Kippor, or certainly not my conception of Yom Kippor. Of course there were plenty of people returning from Shul too. Margalit, Miriam and I walked down Ahuza to Yad Libanim so that we could soak up the secular feeling of Yom Kippor.

Overall the fast was very easy this year. Dani also decided to fast (with a few drinks of water, because we had stressed that he must drink). We had a lively debate about whether or not the early daylight savings time helped make the fast easier -- perhaps it did. I think the abbreviated Neilah service of Kehilat Ra'anan didn't hurt either. We raced back home for a quiet breakfast -- somewhat missing our regular minyan crowd.

Alas, no pictures from YK. I was tempted to bring a camera to photograph Ahuza, but it didn't seem in the right spirit.