Read Online Monday the Rabbi Took Off by Harry Kemelman - Free Book Online Page A

He’s doing a book on the country. His son. Roy, is there, too. at the university.11
    “How nice. Is he doing graduate work?”
    “Oh, no.” said Betty Deutch, “he’s quite young. He’s at Rutgers and is taking his junior year abroad.”
    “By all means give your brother our address.” said Rabbi Small. “We’re at Five Victory Street, care of Blotner. Your brother and nephew might like a Sabbath meal family style once in a while.”
    “Oh, Dan will appreciate that.” She jotted down the address. “I’ll write him in the next day or two.”
    Bert Raymond came hurrying up. “They’re beginning to arrive,” he said. “Now I suggest that I stand here, and as they come in. I’ll introduce them to you. Rabbi Small, and –”
    “I think they know me,” said Rabbi Small dryly. “Why don’t you have Rabbi and Mrs. Deutch stand next to you and after you introduce the guests to them, they’ll move on and perhaps say good-bye to us.”
    “Yeah. I guess you got a point there. Let’s do it that way.” The couples shifted places and just in time for Raymond to call out to the first people that came through the door: “Hyuh5 Mike. Rabbi Deutch, I want to present Myer Feldman. one of the mainstays of the temple. And Rosalie. Rabbi Deutch, our new spiritual leader, and Mrs. Deutch.”
    For an hour Raymond presented the members of the congregation. Rabbi Small was amazed to learn how many were “mainstays” or “pillars” or at the very least, “terrific workers.” They came in a steady stream for an hour, and then it slacked off, and the rabbis and their wives felt free to circulate among the guests. The Smalls soon found themselves at the opposite end of the room from the Deutches. People sought them out to wish them a safe journey, to suggest places that they should be sure to see, to give them travel tips they had found useful, to press on them the names of friends and relatives, all of whom seemed to be important people who would be overjoyed to entertain them.
    Shortly before six. Miriam, mindful of her commitment to the baby-sitter who was taking care of Jonathan, suggested they ought to get started.
    “I guess it’s all right.” said Rabbi Small. “They’re really here to see Rabbi and Mrs. Deutch.”
    They made their way to the Deutches and shook hands and wished each other luck. “And when do you leave for Israel?” asked Rabbi Deutch.
    “Thursday.”
    “Oh, I was hoping we might get to see each other again, but we’ll be going back to Connecticut for a couple of days.”
    “We’ll be busy, too,” said Rabbi Small.
    “And don’t worry about your congregation.” said Mrs. Deutch. “Hugo will take good care of them.” She hesitated. “You’re not worried about the bombings, are you?”
    “Here or there?”
    “Oh, that’s good.” She pulled at her husband’s arm.
    “I just asked Rabbi Small if he were worried about the bombings, dear, and he said, ‘Here or there?’”
    Her husband looked at her expectantly.
    “You know” – a hint of impatience in her voice – “the bombings on the campuses here.”
    “Haw-haw, of course. Very good. Rabbi. And a proper commentary on our society. A very good title for a sermon, too. Do you mind if I use it?”
    Rabbi Small grinned. “With my compliments. Rabbi.”
    Rabbi Deutch offered his hand again. “Well, go in peace and come home in peace.” he said in Hebrew. He chuckled. “Here or there. Very good.”
    As they drove home. Miriam asked. “Well, what do you think of them?”
    “They seem to be all right. I didn’t get much chance to talk to them.”
    “They’re pros. David.”
    “Pros?”
    “Professionals. I’ll bet they won’t have any trouble with the congregation or with the board. They know just what to say at all times and how to say it. They’ll have the congregation eating out of their hand – and liking it.”
    Later, much later, for they had gone to the Raymonds for a bite of supper, when they were back in