48 Hours

It is just after midnight on Wednesday, which means that it is suddenly Thursday.

In less than 48 hours, Judah's bar mitzvah will begin!

So much to report, but first, the useful information for our guests.

Be prepared for heat. For those unaccustomed to (premature) summer in the city, a few words of advice:

• Dress lightly
• Carry water at all times
• Plan to be indoors as much as possible

We will be supplying water bottles through the weekend. Think of your upcoming Shabbat in Manhattan as akin to that trip you took during college to the Negev. Remember how the tour guide kept telling you to drink? Well, we will be doing the same.

Also....puhleeeze....do not get all ungapotched! Really, this is Morningside Heights, not the Upper East Side. The attire for the Bar Mitzvah is relaxed. Yes, Judah will wear a suit during the synagogue service but do not be surprised if you see him in shorts, a tee and crocs later in the day. We strongly encourage guests to bring comfortable, more casual attire for Shabbat afternoon.

Regarding staying indoors, we have arranged to make the Journalism School building available for our out-of-town guests throughout Saturday. After our luncheon, you are free to stay, socialize or read inside the World Room on the 3rd floor. Therein, you will find snacks, drinks, games, newspapers, magazines and....other guests!!!

Of course, if you are undaunted by the heat, please take the opportunity to enjoy a walk through Riverside Park, Central Park, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine or the sprawling Columbia campus itself.

For those who arrive on Friday at 6 pm, in time for Judah's cello recital, a light reception will be served. Following Kabbalat Shabbat, dinner will take place in the social hall for the out of town guests.

And for Shabbat, don't worry that the hospitality will begin only after lunch. Please check out our breakfast buffet at Ramath Orah on Shabbat morning (in the social hall; available between 8:45 and 10:15) and come back for Seudat Shlisheet in the same place at 7 pm.

For those who live outside of Manhattan, we know that the city is sometimes a confusing place. To reduce the chances of getting lost, those guests who will be bunking down with us for the weekend, whether in hotel rooms or guest rooms or with families, will receive a welcome packet when they arrive that will contain a map and a schedule and snacks.

IMPORTANT: All boys who are staying in apartments or with families should arrange to meet us at Ramath Orah on Friday afternoon, between 5 and 5:15, at which point they will be escorted to their host homes by family members. The boys -- as well as the girls who are staying with a classmate and everyone else -- should return to the synagogue by 6 pm for the concert.

All guests at Union Theological can check in independently. Welcome bags will be waiting, marked with guests' names, at the facility.

All guests at Kings Crown must let us know the time of your arrival and we will arrange to have a student meet you on 116th Street and escort you to your room. Please let us you if you will be arriving AFTER 7 pm. We might need you to meet us at Ramath Orah with your key.

All guests at East Campus will be met by Carey King IF they are arriving between 4:30 and 5:45. Carey and a student will meet you at our place on W116th Street and then escort you to your room. Guests who arrive AFTER 5:45 will be told to contact another student who will be stationed on W116th Street.

Check in tomorrow for last-minute information. Also, you will find really cool info about Judah Touro, the role model for Judah Goldman's chesed project.

Our house is filled with all kinds of fun stuff, waiting to be unleashed at the bar mitzvah. What do I mean? Special personalized Japanese fans, custom-made chopsticks, beautifully-wrapped candy that gets thrown on Saturday, benchers...and other fun stuff!

We literally cannot WAIT for the fun to begin in less than 48 hours!

Judah's MOM Shira