I've been at the Lauder camp for three evenings. Last night after the end of Sabbath services, Havdolah, there was a type of candle lighting, with Rabbi Shudrich drinking some beer as part of the ceremony. After, there was dancing in circles and singing. After a break Rabbi Lieber returned and sand Yiddish songs until almost midnight (The Liebers were leaving the next day and as I had really come to like the Rabbi and his family I went to shake hands goodbye with his wifeÉafter deciding not to give the typical American hug we use so often when we feel close to someone...and she pulled her hand back as certain orthodox people are not allowed to physically touch the opposite sex.).

Earlier in the evening Eva asked me if I wanted some beer and I told her to bring back about eight bottles of Zywiec pints...just this past weekend I discovered that this exact beer is sold at my local beer distributor in Ardsley, NY; I had not seen it since last in Poland...she came back and said we would have it later.

After Rabbi Lieber finished playing, a bunch of young people, along with Maciek Hen the seemingly official camp guitarist, went to my and Max's room to sing Beatles songs (exclusively)...anyone who knows me, knows that this alone is a dream come true.After spending much time in our room singing, a very old woman with bright red hair appeared at our door and was obviously disturbed by this. It was 1:30 A.M. So we went out down the road and continued until about 4:30 A.M....signs of light.

While singing I found myself bouncing back and forth in much the same way that the Hasidim and Orthodox do while praying. Also, all the lai-lai-lai's were so much like the Rabbi's dai-dai-daiing and for a moment I sort of understood that much of what the orthodox do is to sing and drink some wine and love lifeÉand in so many respects it is much like what I enjoy...but they are so formal and they do this singing everyday and I don't always do it even every year. Everything that they do is so formal. Anyway, all of the people I was singing and drinking with are the New Jews of Poland...the exact people I came here to meet and photograph.

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