Day one....

So the flight was fine and quick-Maggie was right there to pick me up and off we went. Her home is lovely and her parents were glad to see me :) we did a few errands and had brunch and then it was off to Gratz. We decided I can drive......hope "we" are right!! I registered and joined several other students in the lobby area where tables were set for dinner and I felt like I was in the sixth grade again with no friends and a pimple on my nose. I was invited to join a group (thank goodness)and the introductions began. I quickly realized I was one of only a few non-Jews at the table and began to not understand a lot of what was being said. We were invited to change tables at dinner and thankfully I ended up sitting with my instructor, Josey Fischer, who was wonderful at explaining and answering my questions like when did women start wearing yamakas? (about 20 hrs ago) can you explain kosher food (too long of an explanation) and why is that woman wearing black? She is Hasidic-didn't know women dressed differently too. so even before class started I had my first lesson! Our class discussions mostly centered on why the Jews going back to biblical times with a lot more explanations about Jewish beliefs. Looking forward to tomorrow.....