BAND-AIDS IN SHUL

 
I might go to shul this Saturday because I have a band-aid on my nose. I have a fond recollection of old guys in shul with band-aids on their heads. Old guys with skin cancer, biopsy scars, MOHs surgeries, whatever. When I was younger, I’d see a lot of men with band-aids on their domes or noses or ears, and I’d think these guys are old.

A spot on my nose was biopsied the other day. Gotta wear the band-aid. The bump will probably be cancerous. Why not?  Mild skin cancers (like basal cell) go with the territory for old Ashkenazi Jews. At least Litvaks.

I’m wondering what the kiddish meal will be. Sometimes the meals are insubstantial. But I’m thinking this will be good. And I really need to show off my band-aid.

Back from shul . . . Blintzes and borscht, salad, and a ton of dessert. A sermon about how when there’s a big event, like a Red Sea miracle, the Jews love it and then complain three days later. What have you done for me lately? The big event is often a catalyst for changing. Sometimes you change big-time with a Red Sea-level event. Or slowly, with little changes, like saying something nice to somebody in shul. One day at a time, so to speak.

Nobody commented on my band-aid, and I even had an aliyah. The rabbi asked the congregation who was the tallest prez, and I guessed Trump, and it turned out it was Lincoln. But I got the aliyah anyway. That’s a thing – audience participation — at my synagogue.

There were about 100 people at the service. At least 85 were over 60 years old and band-aid ready. I thought I’d see others with band-aids. I didn’t look hard enough, probably. I didn’t see any other band-aids.

I have a couple more MOHs coming up. Keep looking.

—

[This happened a couple months ago.]

—

Yiddishe Cup plays 7:30 Thurs., Aug. 20, at Park Synagogue, Wain Pavilion (outdoors), Pepper Pipes, Ohio Free. Donations encouraged for Magen David Adom.

Yiddishe Cup plays 2:30 Sun., Aug 30, at the Coventry PEACE Park, Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Free.