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Getting Real

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As we inch closer to Beyond BT’s blogaversary and I reflect on the year past, one of the preeminent aspects that sticks out in my mind is the friendships we have been able to take from the virtual world to the real world. Having had the opportunity to meet with fellow bloggers over the past year has been an unbelievable experience. Some of you, I have had the pleasure of meeting in a larger social gathering or function, others I have had the joy of sharing in your simchas and still others I have had the pleasure of dining with (thanks for the sushi, Ezzie).

Of course, the greatest opportunity for personal meetings was afforded by the BeyondBT Shabbaton where so many of us were able to spend an entire Shabbos together. Perhaps the primary goal of Beyond Teshuva is to build community. For many of us, that is done (and IMHO done well) here on the blog if only for the fact that many of us are separarated by continents. For those of us within driving distance however, the Internet will never be a substitute for a personal meeting.

With that in mind, I extend a personal invitation to join us this Motzei Shabbos at BeyondBT’s Birthday Melava Malka. If you don’t want to come to meet me or if you’ve already met me and you’ve had your fill, come for the music –“Searching for Meaning – A BTs Spiritual Journey in Music and Monologue”, come for the pizza and ice cream and, most importantly, come to help us continue bringing Beyond Teshuva to the next level.

See you there?

The location is Congregation Ahavas Yisroel, 147-02 73rd Avenue in Kew Gardens Hills at 8:00 PM. The cost is $5 per person and we’re serving pizza and Ice Cream. Some people are afraid of coming to Queens and getting lost, but this address is really easy: just take the Grand Central or the Van Wyck to Jewel Avenue eastbound to Main Street. Make a right on Main Street going south. (or take the LIE to Main Street southbound). Once you’re on Main Street, make a left on 73rd Avenue (going east), and go one long block to CAY. That’s just one turn off of Main Street!

Please RSVP either in the comments or by email at beyondbt@gmail.com.

13 comments on “Getting Real”

  1. Leah,

    Welcome.”After the Return” is a great book, I’ve had the opportunity of learning with and from both Rabbi Newman and Rabbi Becher and we have quoted from the book many times here on the blog.

  2. Hello,

    I just discovered this site, and I can’t wait to delve in (after Shabbos).

    I’m a five-year Ba’alas Teshuvah and I’m sure I share the same challenges as anyone here. I’m looking forward to exploring.

    As a helpful hint for newbies, I highly recommend a book called “After the Return,” by
    Rabbi Mordechai Becher and Rabbi Moshe Newman (Feldheim). My only regret is not having found this book, or a site like this, BEFORE I began my crazy rollercoaster journey of return.

    I am grateful for the learning that I have done at my husband’s website, the most recent iteration of a number of discussion forums about Judaism from an Orthodox perspective that were instrumental in putting me on the path to teshuvah, but it’s also nice to find a place to share concerns, ideas and support. Magnificent!

    Thanks, Good Shabbos, and TTYL

    Leah

  3. Looking forward to seeing everyone who can make it. Baruch Horowitz-how about going out of town and coming?

  6. Here’s the tentative schedule:

    8:00-9:00 PM – Pizza & Schmoozing
    9:00-10:00 PM – Searching for Meaning – A BTs Spiritual Journey in Music and Monologue
    10:00-11:00 PM – Ice Cream & More Schmoozing

  8. BTW, that’s a Right on Main St. from Jewel.

    Don’t know yet if we’ll make it… we’re at an aufruf in Hillcrest for Shabbos, and I don’t know what the story is for Motzei Shabbos yet. But it sounds like fun. :)

  11. Mark!

    I appreciate the invite. I have actually made it in less than 2.5 hours (please don’t do the math.) David is a friend of mine (although he may not admit it) and KGH is a second home to us. We have a Bat Mitzvah party that evening but I will be appearing at a Shul near you fairly soon. Thanks again!

  12. AJ, Both David and I went to SUNY Albany (at different times), so we know that you can make it in less than 3.5 hours. If you leave right after Shabbos, you can definitely make a good part of the MM. We’ll put you up on Moetzae Shabbos, so you can tour KGH on Sunday and take a nice drive back up to Albany.

    Whaddya think?

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