On May 9, 2019, our NYC Young Leadership Council gathered at GoldBar for a Yom Ha'atzmaut…
Get to my hotel. Informed my room is on the third floor. I know better than to accept a low room in Midtown Manhattan. Ask for a higher floor. Offered something on 10. “Anything higher?” I ask. The guy offers to show me a room on 22. “Great,” I say, and off we go.
As we take the elevator up, he asks what brings me to New York. I tell him I live in Israel and come here for work every month or so. We keep chatting.
He shows me the room. It’s great. I take it.
As we head back to the elevator, he asks where I live in Israel.
(I am familiar with this line of questioning)
Me: “I live in Jerusalem. Have you been?”
Him: “Yeah, I did Birthright in 2014.”
(Of course he did)
Me: “Oh, cool. How was it?”
Him: “It was amazing. Life-changing.”
(Naturally)
Me: “That’s so great. Have you been back since?”
Him: “Nah, I’d love to, but it’s hard with work.”
(An opening)
Me: “Have you heard of Masa…?”
Aaaaaaaand scene.
Only in New York, kids. Only in New York.