(These journal entries from Russia were written by hand during various moments of relative quiet during our trip. I have transcribed them to share part of our trip with all of you.)

After spending most of the year, albeit it sporadically, writing an online journal, having a pen in my hand feels a bit odd, and yet, a bit comforting. I’m currently on a plane bound for St. Petersburg. That’s Russia, not Florida. Tomorrow is the first night of Passover, and Julia and I are part of a group of 53 students and significant others from HUC Jerusalem that are going to the Former Soviet Union for the holiday. The idea is that we’re going to lead seders, do educational programs, and generally help uplift the spirits of the Progressive (i.e., Reform) Jewish communities in the FSU.

The fact that 53 of us are currently in-flight to all different corners of the FSU is just the latest chapter in this story that includes the raising of almost $150,000, lots of planning, and the creation of a whole logistical network to make it all happen.

Our partner for the week is Josh Brown, a fourth-year rabbinic student who is also returning to LA next year. We’re hoping to benefit from his additional rabbinic experience as we lead seders. On top of that, he’s just a fun, cool guy who has already proven to be a great travel partner on previous trips within Israel.

At this point, I have very little in the way of expectations. We’ve been so preoccupied with my knee surgery (just a week ago yesterday) and prior to that, with Emily’s surgery, that I haven’t spent much time pondering what this experience will be like. We know that St. Petersburg is home to one of the larger and better organized Progressive synagogues in the FSU. Evidently the rabbi is fantastic, and we consider ourselves lucky to be going to such a popular, metropolitan city. However, over Shabbat, we’re heading to Murmansk, a city located at the northern edge of Russia, above the Arctic Circle. Needless to say, despite the fact that Passover is usually associated with the coming of Spring, we have packed our winter hats, coats, and gloves.