Rabbi of Crawley, So much to answer…
I didn’t realise there was a Hasidic kehilla in Crawley. Unless a few kids fell off their overcrowded coach on their way back from a Shpatzeer in Brighton.
Manchester is great, especially with Gabi Lock and the various other characters that populate our rain sodden streets. You have to take a walk in the Irwell River valley next time you’re up here. Make sure you have a police escort so you don’t get mugged.
Ah, Macclesfield! I once met a Vizhnitzer family there. I had to ask what they were doing in Macclesfield of a Sunday night. Apparently they were on route back to the Hackney Riviera, from a weekend in Llanddudno, where the Rebbe spends his summer holidays. (That is true, btw).
Washington is ok, because chances are you’ll blink while passing it, so it doesn’t bother anyone. (For our US co-CR’ers, that is the original Washington, where your Geordie Washington’s family originates – again, that is true.)
I spent a few afternoons in the Toon. the locals all got colds when they saw me. They sneezed in the traditional “A-Jew!” style, along with the “What time’s the bus Jew?” and “Jew got the time?”. I know the previous Mara d’Asra of Newcastle, Rabbi Black, currently Rav in Kenton, down your way.
Gateshead, however, is the Yerushalayim d’Eiropa. A shomer Shabbos only kehilla, growing at a fast rate, now 130 years old.
Yes, I probably have been to Crawley, if stacking over Gatwick airport counts…
(I enjoyed that!!)