Participants offer blessings for a group member who isn't able to attend. They also share a happy occasion. Gladys Reed, a resident who is not Jewish, attends because she is interested in learning more about Judaism and its practices. She's told it is the Jewish Sabbath, a holy day that begins at sundown Friday. Blanche Cohen, a former New Yorker, lights the Shabbat candles and recites the blessing.
Participants continue the readings, going around the table.
When the service ends and the challah is shared, memories start to flow. Sawyer Larson, the only man present, recalls his former housekeeper, a woman who wasn't Jewish, who baked challah. A professional storyteller and teacher of Yiddish, Landsman shares her own story. She was born in Russia, coming to America as a small child. Frank, whose parents came from Russia and Romania, also loves Yiddish.