The Jewish Community in Helsinki, Finland seemed to me warm and "megubash". There seems to  be cooperation between the Chabad and the community. There is a very active couple there as Shlichim of Beni Akiva who work very hard. I was there on a Shabbat when there was a bat mitzvah. After shul, the mother of the bat mitzvah girl made an effort to come over to me and tell me I was very welcome to join in the community sit down Kiddush. That was very nice.

Avi Hovav the caterer speaks English and Hebrew. He had already invited me to the Kiddush! The conf organizers hired him to provide me with food at the hotel and even at a dinner in a restaurant. Privately I purchased food from him for Shabbat. It was delicious, plentiful and prepared in the best of taste.

There is a hotel right next to the community center/synagogue. A Radisson I believe. I did not stay there but the rabbi told me they are familiar with Shabbat stuff like opening doors, etc.

Right next to the community center is a small shop with kosher supplies. The variety was small. Some cold cuts and salads. And packaged goods. For me, Avi was the choice for Shabbat. I had a fridge in my room and he gave me paper plates and cutlery.

In March, I stayed in a very small but lovely hotel about a four minute walk from the community center shul. It was where my meetings took place. The Hotel Helka. What was great about it was that it was  a VERY low tech building. No sensors in the room, regular lights, and plugs. The only problem was the electronic door.  I was able to tape up the door and leave it open when I left. I put my valuables in the hotel safe. The main entrance to the hotel does have an automatic door. But the adjoining restaurant had a regular door and from 12:00 on Shabbat the restaurant was open so coming on and going out was not even a problem, the staff was also very very nice.

Audrey Gerber, audrey@audreygerber.com / www.audreygerber.com

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