No spin (at least not in Utah)

As some people know, (and the “some” mainly consisting of my wife and children), I have become slightly obsessed with a new workout called Spinning. So much so, that I have recently completed the certification needed for becoming a licensed Spinning instructor and I now teach several classes at the gyms in our neighborhood. Spinning entails a series of exercises on a stationary bike meant to simulate a cycling ride in order to maintain proper form and training during the off hours of cycling.  Focus, endurance, musicality and even spirituality come into play while engaging in Spin.

This past week I was on a business trip in Utah. While there is usually a gym located in most hotels, a Spin class would be highly unlikely. What was I to do without that physical and metaphysical rush one gets from attending a Spin class? As luck would have it, I wouldn’t be totally without any level of physical exertion. My colleagues and I had decided in advance that we would spend some quality time on the slopes in beautiful snowy Utah as a supplement to our scheduled meetings. I, for one, had my heart set on meeting Mitt Romney while we were in Utah, as he is well connected in that State. However, if Mitt wasn’t in town, skiing for a few hours sounded like a good plan.

On my inbound flight to Salt Lake City, a thought crossed my mind. There we were, on the heels of Yeshiva week winter recess, and this trip would potentially serve as motivation for a family trip. But one item was missing. As I mentioned, my Spin instruction usually combines both the physicality of exercise as well as an element of spiritual thought, which provokes focus. The physical exercise would most definitely present itself while skiing, especially since the lack of snow in Utah provides for a challenging and grueling terrain...but I wasn’t sure if Utah would contain that element of Judaism that could provoke a spiritual thought process.

Thus, I recanted my idea that this might be a good family trip for Yeshiva week and altered my train of thought. I decided to personally make the best of my trip as I thought of my Tefillin that I had, of course, packed so that I would at least be able to get in a good dose of spirituality every morning in addition to the physical ski runs.

As my flight continued, I couldn’t help but think about what Jewish life was like in Utah. After all, it’s a highly religious state. Our friend Mitt Romney’s own spirituality is rooted right there within the Mormon faith. “You know,” I thought to myself, “If Mitt is a

religious man and politically speaking, a friend of the Jewish people and the State of Israel....I just wonder what I will find in Utah.” I figured that certainly I would not locate my favorite Mauzone kasha varnishes, which I had neatly tucked away in my carry-on, but maybe, just maybe, there could be some sign of Jewish spirituality in that state.

Finally, I arrived at the Salt Lake airport ready to head to my hotel. The drive from the airport, albeit short, included a bit of a circular turn around at the main town entrance to Deer Valley. This made for some confusion in locating my final destination even with a GPS.  As a guy not afraid to ask for directions, I asked someone at the town circle how to get to my hotel. “Sure” he politely responded, “Just about a half a mile up after that second (confusing) roundabout and a quick left on Queen Esther Drive. You will see it right there.”

I was shocked. “Did this guy from Utah just tell me to take a quick left on Queen Esther Drive?” I pondered to myself, “No, it couldn’t be, I must of heard wrong, I’ll just drive along and look for Queenster Road or Questra Drive.”

But I did not, in fact, hear wrong. About half a mile up the road I did indeed hit Queen Esther Drive and made my left turn into the hotel driveway. Though I found the street name interesting, I didn’t think too much about it. Rather, I chalked it up to an odd coincidence relative to my thought process on the plane ride over to Utah.

Once I settled into the hotel, I decided to unpack and take a ride into town to see some of the sights. Main Street was the place to be with some very beautiful shops featuring some of the local artists. And well, wouldn’t you know it, as I explored, I happened upon, no, not a Queen Esther store, but a beautiful crafts shop in town featuring not one piece of Judaica artwork, but an entire gallery display of mezuzahs, menorahs, Challah boards and the like. In the Five Towns this would be a non-event but in Utah?! “What’s the deal,” I asked the hippy-like, Birkenstock wearing, curator name Billy Bob. “What do you mean,” he responded, “It’s just our collection of Judaica.”  I held back any further question for fear of displaying my ignorance of the fact that apparently people in Utah have an affinity for Judaic art. I was comforted by the apparent Jewish presence in Utah when I thought there would be none.

When I woke up to ski the following morning, I met up with a few of my colleagues and noticed an unfamiliar face among them. My coworker introduced him to the group as Aaron Kotler, also a visitor to Utah and an avid skier. He would be our mountain guide for the day. As we were gearing up, something caught my eye. As our guide clicked into his bindings, I noted that the Volkl emblem on his skis had been artistically transformed into a Star of David. My friend Ben must have noticed this too because he suddenly asked, “Would your name, by any chance, happen to be the same namesake of the famous rabbinic dynasty?” To which Aaron responded, “Yes!” After a bit of chatting and getting to know our expert guide we found out that he is none other than HaRav Aaron Kotler and CEO of the Lakewood Yeshiva and grandson of the late Rav Aaron Kotler ZT’L. And this great introduction occurred in Utah!

In addition to the Rav’s fabulous skills as our mountain guide as well as his skiing talent, we shared some amazing stories of Chizuk and spirituality over dinner at the only Glatt kosher restaurant in Utah, “Bistro at the Canyons.” It is a warm feeling when you travel halfway across the country, meet a Rav who offers you a private mountain tour and have a fabulous Glatt kosher meal followed by a Minyan for Maariv.

Although there was no Spin class in Utah that day, there was fabulous and unexpected spirituality. Quite simply, it’s wonderful to just feel great about being reminded that you are Jewish, even in Utah!

This past week I was on a business trip in Utah. While there is usually a gym located in most hotels, a Spin class would be highly unlikely. What was I to do without that physical and metaphysical rush one gets from attending a Spin class? As luck would have it, I wouldn’t be totally without any level of physical exertion. My colleagues and I had decided in advance that we would spend some quality time on the slopes in beautiful snowy Utah as a supplement to our scheduled meetings. I, for one, had my heart set on meeting Mitt Romney while we were in Utah, as he is well connected in that State. However, if Mitt wasn’t in town, skiing for a few hours sounded like a good plan.

On my inbound flight to Salt Lake City, a thought crossed my mind. There we were, on the heels of Yeshiva week winter recess, and this trip would potentially serve as motivation for a family trip. But one item was missing. As I mentioned, my Spin instruction usually combines both the physicality of exercise as well as an element of spiritual thought, which provokes focus. The physical exercise would most definitely present itself while skiing, especially since the lack of snow in Utah provides for a challenging and grueling terrain...but I wasn’t sure if Utah would contain that element of Judaism that could provoke a spiritual thought process.

Thus, I recanted my idea that this might be a good family trip for Yeshiva week and altered my train of thought. I decided to personally make the best of my trip as I thought of my Tefillin that I had, of course, packed so that I would at least be able to get in a good dose of spirituality every morning in addition to the physical ski runs.

As my flight continued, I couldn’t help but think about what Jewish life was like in Utah. After all, it’s a highly religious state. Our friend Mitt Romney’s own spirituality is rooted right there within the Mormon faith. “You know,” I thought to myself, “If Mitt is a

religious man and politically speaking, a friend of the Jewish people and the State of Israel....I just wonder what I will find in Utah.” I figured that certainly I would not locate my favorite Mauzone kasha varnishes, which I had neatly tucked away in my carry-on, but maybe, just maybe, there could be some sign of Jewish spirituality in that state.

Finally, I arrived at the Salt Lake airport ready to head to my hotel. The drive from the airport, albeit short, included a bit of a circular turn around at the main town entrance to Deer Valley. This made for some confusion in locating my final destination even with a GPS.  As a guy not afraid to ask for directions, I asked someone at the town circle how to get to my hotel. “Sure” he politely responded, “Just about a half a mile up after that second (confusing) roundabout and a quick left on Queen Esther Drive. You will see it right there.”

I was shocked. “Did this guy from Utah just tell me to take a quick left on Queen Esther Drive?” I pondered to myself, “No, it couldn’t be, I must of heard wrong, I’ll just drive along and look for Queenster Road or Questra Drive.”

But I did not, in fact, hear wrong. About half a mile up the road I did indeed hit Queen Esther Drive and made my left turn into the hotel driveway. Though I found the street name interesting, I didn’t think too much about it. Rather, I chalked it up to an odd coincidence relative to my thought process on the plane ride over to Utah.

Once I settled into the hotel, I decided to unpack and take a ride into town to see some of the sights. Main Street was the place to be with some very beautiful shops featuring some of the local artists. And well, wouldn’t you know it, as I explored, I happened upon, no, not a Queen Esther store, but a beautiful crafts shop in town featuring not one piece of Judaica artwork, but an entire gallery display of mezuzahs, menorahs, Challah boards and the like. In the Five Towns this would be a non-event but in Utah?! “What’s the deal,” I asked the hippy-like, Birkenstock wearing, curator name Billy Bob. “What do you mean,” he responded, “It’s just our collection of Judaica.”  I held back any further question for fear of displaying my ignorance of the fact that apparently people in Utah have an affinity for Judaic art. I was comforted by the apparent Jewish presence in Utah when I thought there would be none.

When I woke up to ski the following morning, I met up with a few of my colleagues and noticed an unfamiliar face among them. My coworker introduced him to the group as Aaron Kotler, also a visitor to Utah and an avid skier. He would be our mountain guide for the day. As we were gearing up, something caught my eye. As our guide clicked into his bindings, I noted that the Volkl emblem on his skis had been artistically transformed into a Star of David. My friend Ben must have noticed this too because he suddenly asked, “Would your name, by any chance, happen to be the same namesake of the famous rabbinic dynasty?” To which Aaron responded, “Yes!” After a bit of chatting and getting to know our expert guide we found out that he is none other than HaRav Aaron Kotler and CEO of the Lakewood Yeshiva and grandson of the late Rav Aaron Kotler ZT’L. And this great introduction occurred in Utah!

In addition to the Rav’s fabulous skills as our mountain guide as well as his skiing talent, we shared some amazing stories of Chizuk and spirituality over dinner at the only Glatt kosher restaurant in Utah, “Bistro at the Canyons.” It is a warm feeling when you travel halfway across the country, meet a Rav who offers you a private mountain tour and have a fabulous Glatt kosher meal followed by a Minyan for Maariv.

Although there was no Spin class in Utah that day, there was fabulous and unexpected spirituality. Quite simply, it’s wonderful to just feel great about being reminded that you are Jewish, even in Utah!