4. Food should ideally be dropped off earlier in the day so we can heat stuff up. If you live in the Heights and are bringing food it would be great if you heated up stuff first and then brought it to us.
Sometimes I think I do this more for myself then my stated noble intentions.
AP HaLevi was by my house this past Shabbos and being that he had just returned from holy soil overseas, he came bearing all sorts of holy goodies. Some got seforim, others mikveh water, but I was zocheh to receive his extra copy of the newest Na Nach CD – Purim Edition, of which he had accidentally bought two.
We listened to an excellent track, one that mixed classic trance with classic Purim - and it got me thinking. Since the initial first night rikud on Rosh Chodesh Adar outside the new Glueck beis midrash there hadn’t been much Adar spirit in the air of Washington Heights. With Purim just seven days away it was apparent that something had to be done.
I decided we would bring a giant speaker to Y.U. and position it in Garritanya’s room, conveniently located at the end of the hall in Morg facing Amsterdam Avenue and blast this new Purim Na Nach into the street in an attempt to bring great joy to the whole city.
Next, we needed to assemble a group of the biggest crazies that Y.U. has to offer to come and dance when the music would be played. The only way to do that would be to build up unfounded hype that something grand was going to take place in the street at that time. I put up signs, of course with the YU emblem attached, that there would be “A Gathering” on Tuesday on the corner of 186th Street at 12:15 . Everyone should just wait there and then react when something happened.
The big day came and I started to have my doubts if the Na Nach music was going to cut it. Hype had built up. What was going to happen at 12:15 everyone wanted to know? Some expected circus animals, others a Na Nach truck. I sat patiently in the room, the shades closed, the speaker in position. I locked the door. I set up the camera to catch the action and then at the right moment began to play the music.
At first nobody knew what to do. Everyone stood there looking up at Morg uncertain where the (not quite loud enough) music was coming from.
When the Na Nach track ended, I made a game-time decision to go to Purim Tish which came through at a much louder volume. The rikud began to grow and grow. I attempted to switch to another song but when one switches from one song to another on an iPod there is a brief moment of silence in the process. In that moment, I heard someone knocking on the door.
“Security. Open Up. It’s security. Open the door.”
Security had been notified that there was loud music blasting into the street from one of the rooms in Morg. I knew they were here to stop me and take me away, maybe even send me to Siberia, and so there were two things I could do at this point:
1) I could open the door and try to explain to the Amalekite rent-a-cops what exactly was going on in our month of Adar and why this music was necessary.
OR
2) I could not open the door and not explain it to them.
I chose route 2. I realized, however, that they would sooner or later get a key and make there way into the room. Garritanya was outside in the circle and I was cornered. I put the camera down, still running, and began to think of where I could hide so that when they inevitably breached the bolted door I would not be found.
First I tried to squeeze into the small closets that Morg provides. Not happening. I’m a small fellow but not that small. And then it struck me. It was a move I must have made up in my early years at Camp Mesorah, and later used at Reishit during morning wake-up. What does one do when they don’t want to be bothered by their counselor/division head/madrich while rounds are being made for Shacharis? You curl up into the smallest ball you can, and crawl to the end of the bed, partially hanging off, so that it looks like blanket is just rolled up on the edge of the bed.
I stayed there, heart beat pounding, breathing fast, waiting for the Amalekites to break through and try to steal Purim. Keep in mind: There was absolutely no reason to do this. Had I merely opened the door and explained to them that the music was over and we were sorry if it caused a disturbance, they probably would have left. But this way was much more exciting.
From the darkness under the Lubavitch blanket, I heard the rikkud getting stronger outside. I sang along quietly under my blanket, waiting for what I knew was bound to happen. And then they broke through.
I think it was two of them, maybe three. They had walkie-talkies and were speaking Spanish. ‘Don’t breathe too heavily,’ I thought. ‘They might see the blanket moving.’
“Where is he?” one said to the other. “This is very funny,” said the other one.
I felt them looking around the room. They approached the speaker by the window.
“You think it could be a bomb or something?” one said to the other as he looked at the speaker.
‘Are you serious?!’ I thought. ‘Aside from the fact that it is clearly a giant speaker and not a bomb, the last thing I need right now is for them to go and call the bomb squad and have them come with their sniffing dogs to find me under this blanket.’
They started talking into their radios in Spanish.
They left for a while, though in my mind I began to dream up crazy scenarios, thinking that they were still standing in the room, silently, waiting for me to make a wrong move and come out of hiding. And so I waited under the blankets. I had managed to make a little air opening for myself so I could get some oxygen. Lying still and covered for twenty minutes can get kind of hot and uncomfortable.
When I heard them come in again, I realized I had missed my opportunity to escape and that nobody had been in the room all along. They figured that whoever was involved in this must be outside dancing and after a brief discussion they decided that they would wait for him to come back in the hallway rather then surprise him in his room.
Garritanya returned and a brief discussion ensued outside. Garritanya, himself, was unsure how I was able to leave and lock the door behind me since I didn’t have a key. He came into the room with them, now accompanied by the assistant Head of Housing. I laid still.
Garritanya apologized and said that he realized that it had been loud but it was just a few minutes, a stunt for the month of Adar. The name ‘Josh’ came up but a last name had not been mentioned. They questioned him about this Josh person.
You never really know a person until they are put under pressure and asked to talk about someone else in a situation that they think is “behind-their-back.” Garritanya shined in his moment, as any true Lubavitcher would.
“What’s Josh’s last name?” asked the security guard. “Why do you need to know his last name?” replied Garritanya. “So you’re not going to give us his last name?” “Not until you tell me what is going to happen.” “Ok, so you’re not going to give us his last name.” “No, not until I know what you need it for.” “Okay, that’s all I need to know,” said the security guard.
In the mean time they continued to search the room. They looked in the closet that I had first tried to get into and then even in the compartment above the closets, as if I would have been able to somehow manage to hoist myself up into a 2 x 2 ft. box seven feet off the ground.
Garritanya took charge now.
“Okay, so you have my name, you know where I live, is there anything else you need from me right now?” “I guess not.” “Okay, then have a nice day.”
The entourage left the room. I heard the door click. I popped out from under the covers. “Hello.”
We both lost it. Garritanya had been uncertain as to how I had escaped but still left my camera, shoes, phone, glasses and jacket all behind.
We sat there whispering for a few moments, leaving enough time to make sure that nobody was still outside. We checked the hallways. The coast was clear.
I thanked him for his commitment, packed up my things, and headed out. I tried to think of something holy as I exited the building, like someone escaping from the grips of Amalekites, but all that came to my Western mind was the end of Shawshank or Ocean’s Eleven, as if I had just pulled of the greatest scheme, though in reality I had just hid from a bunch of YU security guards.
I walked into the street, a free man, still shaking a little, but one step closer to the great and awesome day of Purim.
So you're still all invited, but now you have to tell us that you're coming.
Due to peer pressure stemming from fear that Purim is going to be too hefker (if there is such a thing) and that we will end up with 400 deli rolls and no seats, we've decided to make the following RSVP PAGE just so we know what we need to get in terms of tables, chairs, and to make sure there is sufficient food at the feast...
If you don't want to make anything/can't make anything/can't convince your girlfriend/kallah/wife/mother to make something, you can still come. You could also donate money ($10-15) which we'll use towards other things that we're going to buy anyways.
You are cordially invited to a gala Purim gathering... Where: 495 West 186th Street - Apt. 5C When: Next Sunday, the First day of the Holiday of פורים How do I gain access: Bring one cooked dish* and as much wine as you want Can I bring a friend: You can bring the whole world What time will it begin: I'm not sure Anything else I should know: Also not sure. I will update as things become more clear. *-It's always weird to collect money from people for these things and then go buy food with that money. Rather then do that, if everyone brings one or two cooked dishes (ex. a kugel, some chicken, a deli-roll...) then we will have more then enough foods.
As I sat waiting for my flight to arrive to take me from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago back to JFK, I noticed a good chaver of mine checking in in the distance. I waved to Max and he made his way over to where my parents and I were sitting.
We sat there talking and it was then when he asked me if I could do him a favor. He told me that he had a friend, newly religious, who was to get married in a little less then a month. The chassan's family was not really religious, and the chassan himself was concerned that there wouldn't be the level of yiddishe simcha and dancing that he so wanted on his day of marriage. He had asked Max that if he knew anyone who could come to add to the simcha he should invite them. And so Max asked me if I would come.
From that moment on I knew this was a job for the Stollel.
I told Max to get back to me closer to the wedding and I would post it on Stollel blog in an attempt to gather some of the Stollelnicks together for this Yiddishe Simcha, despite the fact that nobody knew either the chassan or kallah.
The responses came fast and furious. "Down," said the Cheese Choker in response to the posed question: "Anybody down?" TzidkasAzriel said, "Down" soon after. Gaby, DSchwartz, and others followed. Rides to the Rose Castle were being arranged and the Stollel was quick in action.
As we arrived, we found out that the chassan was Sefardishe Yid and so there was no official chassan's tisch. The badekin took place right after the shmorg.
The badekin was a great success and TzidkasAzriel was on the scene to capture the post-badekin interview.
The notorious G.I.D. was spotted spitting hot fire as we waited by the chuppah.
The righteous members of Project Recharge found ways to occupy themselves while we waited.
Because nobody knew either the chassan or kallah we were learning all about them as the morning progressed.
And then it happened.
Nobody expected it.
We then knew the level of righteousness of the chassan as he accepted upon himself the greatest tikkun on behalf of all of Israel, the tikkun of Big Bird.
The wedding procession continued in a traditional manner.
We danced the chassan and kallah to the yichud room singing tunes of redemption and rebuilding.
~
The Stollel is not known for sitting around and twiddling thumbs and so despite the fact that chassan and kallah had been danced to the yichud room, the Stollel rikud continued into the main hall.
The band was taken aback, confused as to how the chassan and kallah could have been here so soon. They soon realized it was just a bunch of neo-hassidim and joined in.
(Something to keep in mind: Nobody on either side knew who any of these sidelocked, scraggly bearded, horn-blowing individuals were.)
We managed to find some empty seats and sat down to begin the festive meal.
The glass elevator began to rise and the band began to play. The band-leader roared:
"For the first time..."
And nobody knows really knows what happened next.
(Note: Possibly the fastest coerced chassan on the shoulders pick-up featuring Corey Fuchs)
The Stollel lined up to show off their moves, first before the chassan, then before the chassan and kallah.
The band continued by playing the song of the day. After all, today was Rosh Hodesh Adar.
And so the wedding came to a close.
While we could have used Pinchas ben Elazar to finish the simcha by eliminating the Bnos Moav, the Stollelnicks packed up into their wagons, another wedding under their belt, and drove off into the sunset.
It's Coming... ~-~ In the derech of our great teacher and rabbi, we at the Stollel also take a look back at Feburary 2009 of last year to see how far we have come. (There are some excellent posts there...Tu Bshvat, Raz, before Tzavei was Tzavei, Adar Happy Minyanim and much more) STOLLEL FEBRUARY 2009 ARCHIVES ~ Also: I have been informed that there is a HAPPY MINYAN tomorrow. 8:30. Schottenstein. ~ A gutten chodesh to one and all...
UPDATE: This is going to be great. - There are various cars leaving from the Heights for this great simha. If you are in the Heights and need a ride, let me know. - The members of Project Recharge will be leading a tour of NYC public transportation and will be hiking their way to the Rose Castle. To join them see Adam Friedman or Dani Kaye. - There are rumored to be various vehicles departing from Queens Headquarters as well.
Anyone who can should make an effort to come. It's going to be a strictly Yiddishe wedding where the sole goal is bring simha to the chatan and kallah on their joyous day.
*Guest Stars* Moshe Chaim Gaby Moshe Lorenzo Yummy 2/3 of Tzavei Zev Rocklin Project Recharge Thriller Tanut Roovain K/S Dovid'l Weinberg Zlou and his daughter, Shoshanalou and many more... ~
As per our new blogging format, I just received the following email from the person who has requested the presence of the Stollel at the aforementioned Yiddishe Wedding...
i really just recieved an email from the chosson that contained the following message:
"(2) it also seems that the probability of me having very, very few family & friends is growing due to weather. so it's possible that there will be a some empty seats that friends you bring can fill in terms of actually eating."
im sending this to you guys so you can see how hes really not expecting much of anything at his wedding. i cant even begin to imagine what it would mean to have a wedding without family or friends there. we need the entire stollel. like mamash no joke. ill help sponsor peoples transportation if money is an issue, but we need everybody. if we could coordinate transportation so then that would be great, since i have a few people on the side that i asked who want to travel together. the chupah starts at 12:15.
i think it would be really nice if the guys could even be there by the time the chupah ends so they can dance benzi and rakefet over to the yichud room too. they can then have some of the potentially open seats, and then to commence with G-d willing tons and tons of dancing.thanks again for all your help.
Tizku lemitzvot!
What better way to begin the Hodesh of Adar... Please only comment below if you are planning on going or if you have ideas/plans regarding transportation etc.
It seems that the new format for posting on this blog is that I merely post messages that are sent to me (via text, email, word of mouth...) that seem relevant to the Stollel.
I recieved the following text message this morning...
matzah baking with rebbe reichman tomorrow. bus leaving at 2. maybe post it. gabby said big tikkun. And so it will be. Matzah Baking trip with the Rebbe tomorrow. That's all I know.
I have a friend who needs some help. hes an out of towner who is new to the whole orthodox judaism thing, and hes getting married to a different friend of mine in a week.
the problem is that he is not expecting many guys to be coming and he is worried that his wedding will be lacking the intense ruach that he so desperately wants at this momentous simcha!
thats where i need your's and stollels help. we need guys who have the ability to harness tremendous amounts of ruach. we need shofarot, we need dancing and singing and simcha all around. essentially, we need the stollel.
it will be in true crashers style, whoever gets hungry can feel free to eat off my plate:)
The wedding is next Sunday - Rosh Chodesh Adar - 12:30 chuppah at Rose Castle
Are we making a minyan for the recitation of Esther's scroll? If yes we should divide the perakim. I will take a chapter. I would take the first chapter but I don't know if that is too selfish.
And yet another week of Moshe Chaim sightings (new glasses?)... ~ With the recent engagement of the Bus, and other Stollel members set to wed or engage shortly, Rav Machlis discusses the relationship of a father-in-law and son-in-law found in this weeks Torah portion, Parshath Yithro.
See 3:42-4:15 for beautiful father-son interaction.
Y.U. Crown Heights Shabbaton Join your friends for a beautiful Shabbos in Crown Heights! w/ Rabbi Yossi Jacobson & Rabbi Chaim Miller & Rabbi Avi Garritano
Thank you for all your tefillos for my uncle's brother, Chaim Fischel ben Fayga a"h.
He unfortunately passed away on Shabbos, but I strongly believe that all our tefillos went somewhere to help him, however Hashem worked out the details.
