It began — as most good stories do — at KJ.
As he ate apples and honey, Pinchas Fogel realized something important.
He wanted 5787 to be a New Year of adventure.
He consulted Google Maps and made an itinerary,
then departed from JFK Airport.
Pinchas spent Yom Kippur in France, where he said no to baguettes and croissants and prayed for forgiveness in the Great Synagogue of Paris.
He spent Sukkot in the Amazon Rainforest, surrounded by the sounds of animals, underneath a starry sky.
In Iceland, Pinchas lit Chanukah candles under the Aurora Borealis. He was not sure which light was more beautiful.
On Purim, he heard Megillah from the Jewish Quarter of Venice, surrounded by people dressed in masks from the Carnevale di Venezia.
In Morocco, Pinchas arrived at the Seder wearing a djellaba, traditionally worn by Moroccan Jews on the holiday of Pesach.
On Shavuot, he enjoyed the unique fluffy cheesecakes of Japan, surrounded by cherry blossoms.
Pinchas had explored the world. He had gone on many adventures. And yet something still didn’t feel...
right.
He decided to try just one more place. As he landed in Ben-Gurion Airport right before Rosh Hashanah, Pinchas smiled.
On Rosh Hashanah 5788, he danced and sang: This year in Jerusalem!
Pinchas Fogel sets off in search of adventure and finds it. Sukkot in the Amazon Rainforest. Chanukah in Iceland. Pesach in Morocco. But as it turns out, adventure isn’t always enough. Sometimes, Pinchas learns, our souls are looking for more.
Rosh Hashanah 5787 Written by Morah Ruthie Hollander Dedicated to the wonderful children of KJYD, who have taught me the right way to go on adventures.
Fun Fact: Jules Verne first published Around the World in 80 Days in 1872 — the same year KJ was founded!