|
I'm not at LU anymore, I actually graduated in 1999, I was just so proud that I had figured out how to put links in my signature that I put in the link.
Lawrence is in a semi-small paper mill town in Wisconsin, and I was one of about 10 Jewish students on a campus of 1200. I didn't have a car, and the only synagogue in town was at least five miles away. So I would usually just celebrate with the other Jewish students, and it was all very nice until my senior year when I went into the dining hall to make myself a sandwich. There was no matzoh, even though I was usually able to scrape up a few pieces the years before. I got the attention of a cafeteria worker:
ME: "Hi, would you happen to have any matzoh?"
HER: (makes a quizzical face) "You mean mozzarella cheese?" (remember, this school's in Wisconsin)
ME: "No, it's an unleavened bread...it's Passover...I'm Jewish."
HER: "I have no idea what you're talking about, but let me get my boss, you can talk to her."
ME: "Thank you."
BOSS LADY, a few minutes later: "Hi, can I help you?"
ME: I was wondering if there was any matzoh to be had, since it's Passover and I don't eat regular bread."
BOSS LADY: "What's matzoh?"
ME: It's unleavened bread, made without yeast. Jewish people eat it for a little over a week this time of year to celebrate Passover...you've always had it in past years."
BOSS LADY: "I'm afraid we don't have what you're talking about, but if you tell me where to get some, I'll be happy to purchase it."
ME: "You can get it at Woodman's (the largest grocery store in Appleton). Just go to the Jew aisle and get some of the boxes labeled 'Passover Matzoh.' It's fairly easy to find."
BOSS LADY: (writes down what I say) "Sure, no problem."
ME: "Thank you very much."
And she bought some. Bless her heart.
The next year, when I was student teaching (instrumental music), I learned that there were exactly 3 Jewish students in the junior high of 600 that I was teaching at. I taught all my students the condensed version of the story of Hannukah, and how to play dreidel. They were so awesome, during the holidays a group of students bought me a sequined dreidel full of Hannukah ghelt...probably because they thought it was cool that I played the Adam Sandler Hannukah song on the stereo in the band room between classes.
|