BS"D

This is being sent as a blind-carbon-copy post to everyone who contacted
me about observing Shabbos and Kashrus at the LLLI Conference, as well
as to the Lactnet and Yalad lists (if someone is willing to forward this
to TLC I would appreciate it).

To all who responded to my inquiries on Lactnet, Yalad, and TLC
(forwarded) - Thank You, and please accept my apology for not getting
back to you sooner.  With our trip to Washington just a week away, I'm
finally gathering up your addresses and processing all this.

Here's what I have in mind:

I"YH, I'm going to Washington with my family and we're staying at the
Hilton and Towers, where the conference is.  The closest orthodox shul
is about 1 mile from the hotel, which should be quite walkable on
Shabbos, G-d willing.  On Friday evening, however, we would much prefer
to get a minyan together at the hotel (for Mincha, Kabalas Shabbos, and
Maariv) to make things a bit easier, and so our "guys" won't have to
walk in an unfamiliar area at night.  My husband is a mourner saying
Kaddish, so he especially needs to pray with a minyan.  So far (bli ayin
hara) we have 5 who count for a minyan, so we're looking for at least 5
more fellows.  We're hoping to "borrow" any of your husbands,
post-bar-mitzvah sons, etc., who will be coming with you to the
conference.  I also posted a "Jewish Men Needed" request on the online
conference roommate bulletin board at the LLLI website
<http://www.lalecheleague.org/total/wwwboard/wwwboard.html>.  If any of
you know anyone who is not online who would be able to add to the Friday
night minyan, please let me know.

As for the Shabbos meals, I feel it would be best for us all to be on
our own as far as food is concerned, so that no one will feel
uncomfortable about Kashrus.  We'll be arranging our own Shabbos food
and eating together in our hotel room as a family.  The Saturday kosher
lunch provided by the hotel could be problematic if they think they are
going to heat it up on Shabbos - I'll see if I can request the frozen
meal ahead of time and save it for after Shabbos or whatever, and I'll
be bringing plenty of other food for my family and me to eat together
during the time provided for lunch.

On Friday night, however, it would be great if those of us who are
spending Shabbos at the hotel can get together *after* dinner for some
socializing.  Perhaps "bring-your-own-nosh" or something like that?
Please feel free to share your ideas.

Looking forward to meeting you all in person!

--
Deanna Goldberg, BS, BCCE
Certified Childbirth Educator
Yalad List Owner
mailto:[log in to unmask]

PS - The room keys are electronic - we're still figuring out how we're
gonna handle that, other than keeping at least one family member
stationed in the room at all times to open the door on Shabbos.  I have
a call in to the head of Security at the hotel to see if he has any
suggestions.  Anyone have any experience dealing with this?

PPS - Hope we all get a low floor :-)