Yom Kippur - Ramzan - Dashera

Magen Chasidim Synagogue before sunset in the streets of Bycullah: The streets of the Bazaar on the way full of young muslim boys, with white kurtas and white skullcaps also, bargaining for sweets and food to break their fasts just as we were starting ours; Hindu temples blaring repetitve cheerful music to celebrate Dashera, the tenth ( and loudest?)day of the Navratri festival.

I went to two Bene Israel synagogues during Yom Kippur, taking off my chupples ( sandals) at the doorway of the sanctuary as is the custom here on auspicious days. Both Tifferet Israel syagogue and Magen Chasidim were scrubbed clean with white cloth covering surfaces of the bimah and ark ( here called Haichal), and even parts of the floor.

Two of the boys that I teach in the afterschool program at Sassoon school helped with the services and I couldn't have been prouder. These children, while they may have some 'formal' jewish education at schools or in synagogue, are mainly taught by their parents and members of the community. It is something incredible.