At the liberal congregation called Judaica, our email contact, Helene met us at the gate to the villa where they meet. A congregant has given them use of it for 3 years, rent free. Helene wanted to let us know that the congregation "while liberal is not really liberal." Women can be president of the congregation and sit with the men, but cannot give a d'var Torah, wear a kippah or tallit, or lead the service. We reassured her that we would follow their minhag. As most of the 60-100 family members are from Algeria, Tunis or Morocco, the service follows Sephardi custom. The d'var Torah, which I (Debbie) could follow in French, was well done by their "teacher." Jean Jacques spoke about Vayakhel: The importance of creating community through hands-on work as in the work of building the tabernacle, that the 6 days of work lead up to Shabbat, and that the phrase "lo teva'aro" should remind us not to create fire on Shabbat but also to extinguish flames of anger especially on Shabbat. Indeed, to share in the work of the congregation, each family takes responsibility for a kiddush/oneg during the year and several young congregants participated in leading the service. Their part time rabbi was in Toulouse with his other part time congregation. The board kindly hosted a very full and delicious Shabbat dinner in our honor following the service. We had a great time visiting with them and enjoyed their hospitality very much.
Earlier in the day we passed through the old port.