The Scene:  Bris of Greenstein Family.  Orthodox synagogue.

In attendance: the Greenstein’s Orthodox friends, non-Orthodox friends and relatives of both persuasions.

The service is about to begin.  Friends and relatives file in to the main lobby.

Enter stage left – Karla Greenstein, a first cousin of Melinda (the baby’s mom).  Karla is a 37-year-old mom and reading intervention specialist.  She is excited to be at the simcha, but insecure in her choice of outfit and quite intimidated about entering an Orthodox synagogue (for the first time).

Enter stage right – Chava Leah Kohn, 31 years old, mom, reading intervention specialist, and friend of Melinda’s. Orthodox born and bred, Chava Leah has had limited interactions with non-Orthodox Jews and is nervous about what to say if someone will ask her a question about Orthodoxy that she can’t answer.

Karla sees Chava Leah across the room.

Karla’s stream of consciousness:

omg i’m wearing the wrong thing i knew i would be wearing the wrong thing.  i wore a dress, but no one said it had to be BLACK and SO LONG obviously the leggings aren’t quite the new skirt just yet oy why is she looking at me like that where do i stand?  are men and women supposed to be separate or something oh no look those orthodox are all mingling and socializing ok i guess its ok.  phew.  should i ask that woman where to go she’s obviously in the know oh no i would look too stupid what if i say something to offend her oh this is very stressful i gotta find somewhere to put this gift where’s the table for gifts oh there’s melinda lemme go say hi

Chava Leah sees Karla across the room. 


Chava Leah’s stream of consciousness:

oh that woman looks a little lost and confused i should really go over to her and ask her if she needs help no that would look stupid who am i to be like the hall monitor no can’t do that but don’t want to leave her hanging either so nice how she’s wearing a dress to be respectful wow i should really go introduce myself and be a mensch no i’m much too shy what will i say what if she asks me something and i don’t know how to answer i’ll feel like such a fool she’s so cute her outfit’s really cute i wonder if i look so out of style in my clothes does she think i’m like totally out of date come on just go over and say hi what’s the big deal no i can’t it’s too weird oh she’s leaving oh there’s melinda

Chava Leah approaches Melinda just as Karla leaves.

They exchange brief smiles.

Karla exits stage right.

Chava Leah exits stage left.



Curtains.