Tallit & Frisbee

Today we came down to Northhampton to put the fringes - called tzitzit  - on Tamar's tallit. It is done in a particular way, involving specific knots, windings, and a simple prayer. Tamar, Ellen, Jerry and I each took a corner. Normally, we would have done this with Rabbi Ricky, but she is in L .A., and getting back just before the bat mitzvah, so we were following a YouTube instruction video! Ellen was created to do this sort of thing, but I was not, and I had to undo mine several times to get it right (lots of prayers!). Time was running out and I was behind, so I asked Ellen to finish mine. The tallit is beautiful and Tamar is happy. It will be lovely with her black and white dress.

     Jerry holding the tallit with tzitzit. 

Then we went to Max's Ultimate Frisbee Tournament. He is on the Northhampton High girl's team, BDU (Blue Devils Ultimate - he was she when the season started). Northhampton is an ultimate frisbee Mecca - there were teams from all over New England there, maybe 20 or more teams playing simultaneously. BDU was playing PVPA (Pioneer Valley Performing Arts school). BDU won 12-8. Max made two goals. But competition is not the thing. There is a very cooperative culture around UF, the teams help and encourage each other and at the end they seranade each other with songs created just for the occasion. It's neat to see. 

                Ultimate Frisbee

       Max in his BDU shirt

On the field - seven members on a team

            Final seranade