Our Trip to Washington DC

Many people think I am crazy for wanting to take a group of teenagers to different cities for youth group trips, but honestly, I love it. First of all, we have a great group of kids who are very responsible and follow directions. Secondly, I like visiting cities and seeing great sites. Thirdly, the chance to have real conversations and develop friendships happens on these types of trips. Our trip to DC was no different.
Friday morning we met to travel in mini-van convoy to Buffalo for our flight to Washington. Our travel was so smooth that despite a delay in our flight, we actually made it to our hotel earlier that I expected. We decided to head downtown and walk around before our scheduled dinner at 6th and I synagogue for Shabbat. Not being an expert on the DC subway system it took us some time to figure out the ticket system. Its not a flat fee, you pay based on time of day and distance. Also you have to use your ticket to enter and exit the system. But the subway was so clean, even carpeted, it was a pleasure to ride. With some trial and error we figured it out and made our way downtown. As we exited on Pennsylvania Avenue we realized we were in the heart of DC. To our left we could see the Capitol, to our right, the White House. We started walking and noticed to our delight the Canadian Embassy. Surely they would love to see some Canadian teenagers. That was our first lesson in this post 9-11 world of extra tight security. We couldn't even walk in the door before we were told to go through the x-ray machines and produce picture ID, just to enter the lobby. They told us the embassy was closed but we did get to sign our names in the Visitors book. We started heading towards the Mall to see the sights and on the way found the most amazing President Obama souvenir store, where everyone picked up a t-shirt, shot glass or bobble head for their collection. There is such energy and excitement about the new President, his face and slogans adorn shops all over town. We then walked for another hour to the synagogue.
6th and I is an old synagogue that was active over 50 years ago but as Jews moved to the suburbs, had been abandoned. It was bought by a Church who used it for 50 years then they too decided to move and it was left empty once again. It was going to be razed, when a group of Jewish investors decided to purchase and refurbish it. Its a gorgeous builiding with high ceilings and beautiful painted murals and stained glass. It is an active Jewish community now, with different groups coming in for worship services and events all the time. On this particular Friday night, it was a special 20-30's night Shabbat dinner and Shwarma dinner. Luckily they invited us to join, as over 250 people were in attendance. The night began with light snacks and cocktails. The service at 7 pm was led by Rick Recht, one of the most prolific Jewish songwriters of the GenX. There was a band and excellent music and everyone was singing. After services we had an incredible dinner and we filled up the social hall. There was such energy in the room, they only expected around 100 people but it was packed. We savored our dinner and then headed back to the hotel for a late night swim.
Saturday was our busiest day. We began with a tour of the Capitol again with security checks. We walked through gazing at the beautiful murals and statues, and listened to the "whisper spot". Afterwards we took the subway to the White House. This tour is so hard to get you have to have a congressperson arrange it, luckily the congressional office in Florida where I used to work helped us out. We arrived at the gate but our names weren't on the list. Apparently we were on a different list. We patiently waited for almost an hour until they straightened it out. Finally we were in and got to walk through 2 floors of this gorgeous house, it was the highlight of the whole weekend for most of us. I was particularly interested in seeing the dining room table where President Obama hosted the very first White House Passover seder this past April.
After the White House we got lunch at 5 guys burgers, known as one of the best burgers in town and we were not disappointed. We went to the Smithsonian Luce Center for American Art to see some masterpieces. We then took the subway to the Ballston Mall for some free time and dinner At night we saw the comedy sports improv show, which was excellent and kept us all laughing. by 10 pm we were exhausted but we had to end Shabbat with havdallah, and where else but at the Lincoln Memorial. The guards there was somewhat apprehensive but we lit the candle and sang the prayers under the watchful eyes of Abraham Lincoln.
Our last day began with a visit to the Holocaust Museum. Its a self guided tour that mixes history and narrative with memorials. Its a difficult but important museum that everyone should visit at least once. We continued afterwards to visit the other memorials on the Mall including the Washington Monument, the WW2, Korean War and Veitnam war memorials, each powerful displays of the countless wars of the past century. We took the subway back to the hotel, got some lunch and headed back to the airport.
Everyone had a great time, and Fonda and I had it easy as chaperones. Next year, another trip, maybe Chicago or Boston or Montreal - we'll see what happens.

Rabbi Wise