A Trip to Manhattan . V, XX (Change red print ?). OO

Hello everyone,

Cousin Marcia

Waldorf Astoria

   Shortly after Al's cousin Marcia, moved to L.A, she volunteered    to stay at home with our five years old Karen, so Al and I could go on a well needed short vacation by ourselves... We used this opportunit to have a reunion with Al's childhood friends from New Jersy, who became my close friends as well... This group came to visit us in P.R (Getting Engaged) and later, were gusts at our wedding in New York  We decided to meet an in Manhattan for five days and were excitedly making plans! Because of Al's past Hotel connection; he was able to arrange large and beautiful rooms, at the famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel... We haven't seen most of these friends since our wedding and everyone was delighted and excited to be together again!

   We began our day with a 'Loud breakfast' at the hotel's dinning room; trying to make plans for our five days together in the "Big Apple"... This was not easy to do; with ten people who have different opinions... However,  we eventually came to an agreement... We'll begin the day by climbing the stairs of the 'Statue  of Liberty' and later, take the elevator, to the Tallest Building in the U.S: The Empire State Building. We decided to take a walk in China Town, have lunch and visit the Museum of Natural Art, see a show in Radio City, look at galleries and antique shops and go on a visit of Central Park... All the places I got to know when I lived in Manhattan, before I left for Puerto Rico and met Al.   (♪ New York, New York, It's a Wonderful Town! ♪).

  By the end of the third day, some of us (mainly the women) had blisters on our feet, after walking all over town... We were X ex-hosted, and deciding to spend the early part of the following day, at the hotel ordering Room Service and meeting in the lobby for a drink, before our evening activities. We should  have Dinner in one of the finest and well known restaurants, in Manhattan and later, see a show in one     of the theaters, on 37 Street... Albie (my husband) who used to be the Food and Beverage Manager at   the Hilton Hotels in Puerto Rico, had some "Gastronomical Connections" with several restaurants in      Manhatten so after dinner, we would go to see a show, which our friends reserved sits for, well before    our arrival... On the fourth evening, after a delicious French dinner, at one of the 'known restaurants'       we walked to 42nd street, heading for the theater, 'Rubbing Elbows' with women in Evening Gowns     and well dressed men, wearing tailored suits and ties... As we were walking towards the theater, I suddenly had a strange experienced, which I can only describe as being "Out of this world!"

Broadway and
42nd St. (day)

Broadway and
42nd St. (night)

   "The part which I call "I", slipped out of my body through the Crown Chakra (the soft part of the baby's head) floating about 40 feet above, like a tiny golden cloud... This "New I", was looking down at "Shira" who was walking with our group of friends, talking and Laughing' while 'Shira' below, seemed to have      a wonderful time... I was 'floating above without a  'Body!'  I was a part of enormous, pure and refined ''Loving Energy', a kind of "Transparent Intelligence" which I suddenly realize was GOD... This"Loving Energy", was encompassing every one and everything, I  understood and realizing how 'All' was 'One': The grains of sand a drop of water, the Human race, the Animal and Plants kingdoms, as well as our planet Earth and others like it! I was 'Owe Stricken', realizing that just like me, the entire universe is made  out by 'Shimmering Threads', of the same pure Light and Love, which was enveloping me...  

   It seemed as if I was "up there" for eternity and at the same time, just a few seconds...The next thing           I remember, was sitting in the theater with our friends, engulfed by Aromas of expensive perfumes...           I didn't tell anyone, about this amazing experience, not even my husband, for fear people may think           I am "Out of My Mind" (Which in a way I was) Nor did I share this amazing experience until now...

Our friends from the East Coast---	Karen with the Torah	Karen with parents and grandparents	Lighting the candles	Our friends from the West Coast

  About two years, after my "Spiritual experience" in Manhattan, Al and I were invited by a couple of    our friends in L.A, for a BBQ... I was introduced to the hostess' younger brother, who has jut spent a    year in Israel, as part of his up coming Ordination Requirements of becoming a Reform Rabbi... The     two of us talked about Israel and the, that unlike the United States, where one can choose between  Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Judaism; In Israel there was no other choice: There was just the          Orthodox Movement! After I talked for a whilewith this young man, I said: Judging by the way you      talk and present yourself, I could never imagine you as a Rabbi...You seem like a Hippy more then a  Rabbi..." He looked at me and smiled; "You are very perceptive Shira!Actually, I used to be a Hippie     and lived in a commune in Northern California, until one day, as I was sitting on a tree stump at the    middle of a small grove, I went s through an amazing experience!"  To my astonishment, this future  Rabbi, proceeded X to describe the' Very Same experience, which x I went  through in Manhattan... X"Floating out of the body, through my crown chakra, being enveloped by an incredible Loving      Energy and experiencing Unity, Love and the feelings of Oneness, which connects each particle,              in God's creation...  X Can you see why, after such  powerful,spiritual experience, I would decide             to become a Rabbi!" He said... For some reason, I did not share with him, My almost 'Identical'    Spiritual Experience... Even now, so many years later, I can not understand why I did not...

 With Love and Light,
Shira