Showing up with Steven Mandel

Those of you who are from Edmonton, you don't need to be told that Steven Mandel is the mayor. To those of you who are not from around here:

Steven Mandel is the Mayor of Edmonton. He is Jewish.

He happened to be at the Jewish Synogogue that I attended on the last two Saturdays. I was doing a "research project" for my world religion class. The first time I went (see the Feb25 post), two thirds through the service, I looked to my left, and sitting at the end of the pew? Yes, none other than Steven Mandel. Now, usually, I'm not one to be all "agog" around those who are in politics, but it struck me as odd that he showed up with 20 minutes left. The Jewish service starts at 9, and ends at 12:30, and he was there around noon. (I should mention that he appeared long enough to recite the designated passage of scripture for the passing of a loved one.) I should also mention that after his designated assignment was complete, he left.

To make a short story VERY long, one my friend coined a phrase. It means "TO SHOW UP LATE". As of right now, add the phrase "SHOWING UP WITH STEVEN MANDEL" to your lexicon. It can be used in several contexts. For instance, if I was late for class, I could tell my mom that "my bus was late and I showed up with Steven Mandel". Or if I was planning to go to a party and was intending on being fashionably late, I would say that "I'm planning to show up with Steven Mandel".

Now that we have covered this, let's move on to the real story.

I went to the synagogue on Feb25 (as you have read). I learned a lot. But I didn't have enough to write my paper. I had to "interview" an 'informed member of the community.' I used my wonderful procrastination skills, and ended up having to get an extention on my paper because of this interview. ANWAY, through a series of frustrating events in which neither the secretary nor the rabbi phoned me back, I found myself showing up with Steven Mandel on Saturday morning. I went alone this time.

Because I had shown up with Steven Mandel, I asked a man who was standing at the door where I should sit. I explained that I was a university student, and that I was visiting, and I really wanted to talk to someone after the service. So he looks around, and says to me, "see that lady with the big hair, sitting in the back bench??" "yah" "go sit with her, and tell her you're new."

UH??!?!!? Ok. I'll just walk over to this strange lady, and interrupt her service, and announce the fact that I know nothing.

I did. I went over, and introduced myself, and blamed my rudeness on the man at the back. She smiled, and promptly began explaining EVERYTHING that was going on. She explained all of the pictures on the walls, and the readings. She explained all the gestures, the songs, the Hebrew and the Aramaic... everything. There was no question that she didn't answer. AND THEN, half way through, she asked me if I wanted to attend the Kosher meal afterwards. It was incredible. She helped me understand the things that I didn't understand when I sat through the first service.

This isn't the best part though. That little conversation didn't count as an "interview". The interview was supposed to give me a look at what it means to be a Jew, and how life is different for her than for me.
OK. on to the story.

The meal, also was fascinating. First of all, because I decided that I would find it difficult to eat kosher food 24-7. Secondly because I was introduced to this lady's friend. Between them both, they agreed to answer all my questions, and to sign my release form. They answered all the questions I asked about life and how their actions are shaped by the Torah (Old Testament). It was especially neat to see two ladies with two different perspectives on their religion. The even cooler part was that one of the ladies is a personal friend of my prof.

God was so cool on Saturday. There are two other girls who have been phoning the rabbi at this synagogue for over a month, trying to make an appointment for an interview, and trying to get their release forms signed. God arranged the whole thing for me. I was in awe.

I still am in awe. The way God made the details work out was incredible.

The part that really topped off my Saturday was the privilege to go to church and sing on the worship band, and have it miraculously work out. We were unable to have a practice during the week, so our first rehersal was an hour before the service. But God worked it out, and showed up in power. What a great finish to a suprising day.

I am standing in awe of him and his power.
Truly God is good to me.