So.
The moving thing.
We have bookcases. We bought 9 from Ikea. I work in publishing and to my dismay the furniture stores lacked bookcases. I asked my coworkers who have houses and more books than I have (difficult as that is to believe) where they bought those bookcases and depending on who was talking they either had bookcases installed into their home (too rich for my blood) or went to Ikea.
We went to Ikea.
Now, as the books leave the boxes, I start feeling more at home. It helps.
So, the Jewish High Holidays are coming up quickly. We've moved. I really don't fancy driving for over a half hour to go to shul on the High Holidays--especially not Yom Kippur. So I start looking around. I find ones that I might consider joining (since we really don't know the area all that well) and I start calling to find out how much High Holiday tickets are.
An aside here, as a Jew, I know that if I want to attend High Holiday services I have to pay. This is the time of year that the submarine Jews (those who surface twice a year) come up. If you go no other time you go now. Jews are forbidden to handle money ON the holiday, so you have to pay before. I understand this and I also know this is how synagogues stay. I get this, I am not trying to get anything for free--but I would like to be able to judge how much I pay, and to say if something is too rich for my blood...to say so and still be allowed to pray.
Anyway. The first shul I called was very nice and said that the price of a single ticket was $200. HOLY SH**!!! I ask if there is a way to pay less. They said if they have room towards closer to the holiday I can go on a waiting list--space is limited. I do establish that I'll be going to the shul to see them, but I might do it at a later time. They were nice.
The next one is $250, or, if I want, I could go to the family with young children's service which is free. I explain that I am infertile. I explain that going to a service like that would be torture for me. She says "So you don't have kids, so don't bring them."
Next.
The next one is $600. Per Person. I ask if there's a way for a possible new member to pay something less. I am told that if I think this is expensive I should see the dues.
Next.
I think I found one where I will go for the High Holidays. $100 per ticket, they will take less if I need to give less (actually $100 is what I usually donate where I have been going.)
I have a problem with the stereotype of the "rich Jew." In the case of the $600 ticket--how dare they--in these economic times decide that Jews aren't having as hard a time as others. I've been VERY lucky--I know that. But it means that I'm going to hold on to more of my money.
Now I'm going to pray that my snark isn't going to cost me something for the coming year.
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