for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com OCTOBER 2, 2014 • The CourieR SUN 55 VICTORIA SCHNEPS-YUNIS [email protected] Memories and prayers As I began the celebration of the New Year in my new synagogue, I couldn’t help but remember the days of my childhood going to Shul with my mom and dad and then the huge family feasts after the services. And so the tradition continues. Since my 8-year-old Blake was beginning his training for his bar mitzvah, my daughter chose a synagogue a block away from where I had been a member. To keep the family together, I joined Temple Sinai, a reform congregation, very similar to the one I attended as a child growing up in Brooklyn. What I loved about both services are the beautiful choirs that add to the power of the prayers. At the Rosh Hashanah service, we ask God to write us in the Book of Life that is sealed a week later on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year. It is believed that by fervent prayer, judgment will be tempered. I find the hours in the sanctuary a time to reflect, to be in the moment and take in the aura created by the rabbis and cantors. For me, the tradition is so powerful that I felt I had to be there and I was glad I was. I’m grateful that all my children cherish family gatherings and during the holidays we had two family feasts. One with my family and the next night at Stu’s daughter Mimi’s house, where the tradition of togetherness carries on to the next generation. A night of fun with Elmo With my three grandchildren and my daughter Elizabeth, we made our way to Nassau Coliseum to see the imaginative “Sesame Street Live: Let’s Dance!” show. We had seats on the floor almost touching the enormous stage, and the closeness thrilled 3-year-old Addie and 5-yearolds Jonah and Morgan. The eternally popular characters made their way off the stage and danced within touching distance. Jonah ran up to Cookie Monster to hug him but Addie was too frightened to follow suit, but her face did have a grin from ear to ear that held firm through the entire energetic, colorful performance. The characters even got the parents up and dancing. Who can’t be enchanted by the perpetually engaging beloved characters of “Sesame Street”? It was a night to cherish. The Mets are winners. And so were we. My Blake and Jonah accompanied me to see the Mets play in their next to last game at Citi Field and then enjoy a concert after the game. It was a picture-perfect night as we made our way to the owner’s box. Saul Katz’s sonin law Brendan O’Brien had invited me to see the game there perched just above home plate. We arrived at the suite, an inviting, warm and luxurious airconditioned room, which was like a combination of a living room, dining room and bar. It had a glass wall that overlooked the field, and on the other side of the wall, we could sit on plush leather chairs in an open air balcony. There were many TV screens inside and out, giving a bird’s-eye view of what was going on on the field. A buffet dinner was waiting for us with a large tray of Blake’s favorite food—sushi. On the break front were warm platters with hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken fingers and shrimp with linguine. Of course there were bags of Cracker Jacks, popcorn and peanuts to enjoy throughout the game! After a few innings, we were escorted down to the field where seats awaited us just behind home plate. What a view! We could touch the players if it wasn’t for a steel fence to protect us from a ball hitting us. In fact, the security guard was afraid Jonah would get hit because it was hard for my beloved boy to stay off the fence, so he enticed Jonah to sit closer to the Houston dugout where he would be safer. Jonah willingly followed him when he said, “Want a ball, kid?” And our guard thrilled Jonah by giving him one of the fouled balls! Dear Jonah asked the ball boys, “Could I have one for my cousin?” I loved how he was thinking of Blake. Jonah never gave up, asking for a ball through several innings but none became available. I was amazed how friendly and unintimidated he was talking with the ball boys and another boy sitting near us. The Mets were not scoring until we went back to the suite for the ninth inning. I believe it “isn’t over ‘til the fat lady sings” and sure enough at the bottom of the ninth the Mets scored and won the game against the Houston Astros 2 to 1. We all cheered and cheered with delight. To end the magical evening was a concert following the game. The screeching girls in the stadium overwhelmed me as soon as Austin Mahone began his performance. In fact, the screeches were so loud even my boys put cups over their ears. I was enjoying the scene so much I lost track of time until my daughter Samantha called to ask where I was. When I told her we were still at the game she sharply said, “Do you know it’s 11!” Well I quickly said goodbye to our hosts. It was a night we all will always remember! victoria’s secrets tweet me @vschneps Dynamic $1000 off Lumineers $500 off Invisalign DENTAL WORK Free Whitening included the inViSiBle WAy to Some excluSionS Apply StrAighten teeth third generation dentist 175-15 Jamaica avenue, Jamaica 718-297-4100 • 718-297-4106 Morgan, Addie and Jonah at “Sesame Street Live: Let’s Dance!” The owner’s suite at Citi Field The shofar (ram’s horn) blowing is always my favorite part of the service My Blake and Jonah at the Mets game
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