Up at 11am, and confirmed that the wifi is not working in the place and Martina is trying to get is resolved. I did not have a chance get to the Vodafone store on Thursday, so was not able to get any calls, WhatsApps or texts. I headed out around 2pm and started walking toward where I recalled the Vodafone store to be before leaving home – and who is walking toward me on the next block but Nan – huge hugs for a long time! We walked out of centro (town center) to her car, then drove to her house for lunch with Mauro who was just back from his daily bike ride downtown (they’re around a 20-minute walk). After a lovely lunch continuing to catch up, we drove to the Vodafone store and had the same trans salesperson I’ve had the two previous times – how cool. Got the phone set up, and Nan drove me closer to the apartment. It was getting close to 5:30pm when I would take a taxi to the seder at Villa Viviana just outside the city.
The drive up to the venue was delightful and this old palazzo was beautiful with a great view over Firenze and its architecture. I had found the seder through the World Union of Progressive Judaism put on by Shir Hadash. I learned it was the first time the 20 family units that make up the congregation had been together in person for 2 years, and I was made to feel right at home. Shir Hadash does not have a permanent rabbi, but the visiting rabbi from the US happened to be there for the seder. There were about 45 people, and I was seated with one of the women responsible for starting the congregation, along with her family. Great conversation with the service in English, Hebrew and Italian. I left around 10:15pm with a congregant, Ivan, who is the retired head master of a school, and he was able to drop me off fairly close to my apartment.
The drive up to the venue was delightful and this old palazzo was beautiful with a great view over Firenze and its architecture. I had found the seder through the World Union of Progressive Judaism put on by Shir Hadash. I learned it was the first time the 20 family units that make up the congregation had been together in person for 2 years, and I was made to feel right at home. Shir Hadash does not have a permanent rabbi, but the visiting rabbi from the US happened to be there for the seder. There were about 45 people, and I was seated with one of the women responsible for starting the congregation, along with her family. Great conversation with the service in English, Hebrew and Italian. I left around 10:15pm with a congregant, Ivan, who is the retired head master of a school, and he was able to drop me off fairly close to my apartment.