Shabbat Pizza
Pizza is quite possibly the best tasting food on the planet. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a sucker for Indian, Persian, Thai, Mexican, BBQ…actually, I’m a fan of all things edible. And New York is the place to be for pizza. Hadar and I have a ritual of grabbing a pie from Nick’s on the UES every Wednesday night…but as good as it is, the best pizza I’ve had comes from the little town of Carbondale, IL at a little place called Quatro’s.
By itself, the pizza is unbelievable. The sauce is zippy, the cheese is piled on, and the crust is a perfect combination of crispy on top and chewy on down. But on a night out with fellow Camp Ben Frankel staff it’s heaven.
I only get back to Carbondale about once a year now, but I always make sure to get my fix. This year is a bit of an exception because in addition to my concert next Monday, I spent last Shabbat at CBF.
As anyone who has spent a Shabbat at any summer camp knows, camp Shabbat is in of itself unbelievable. Everyone is dressed up, the Chadar Ochel is decorated, and there’s a tangible spiritual energy in the air. This year at camp was exceptional. If the full rainbow and camp-wide “Shabbat Shalom, Sheldon” weren’t enough, the incredible ruach at CBF this year was awe-inspiring. At CBF, (pronounced see-baf by those in the know) we are like the Maccabees. Small but mighty. Kabbalat Shabbat, led by Jay, was less of a service and more like an ocean of swaying and singing. Shabbat songsession, led by Ben, Ken, Mollie, Michael, and a slew of other campers come counselors, led to irreparable damage to two of our tables during a raucous Yiddish medley. I just sat back and smiled.
On my way out of camp on Saturday night, rejuvenated by Shabbat, but heavy hearted by the need to depart, I made sure to assuage my soul with a slice from Quatro’s. Perfect.
See you at camp!
SL