What's the point?

So, the point of this new endeavor is not to show off our honeymoon photos (though we think they're rather nice). The point is actually to share the trials and triumphs of our life as frum Jews here in Victoria, British Columbia, on the West Coast of Canada.

Here's the background. After meeting a fabulous, charming, and all around wonderful Canadian via my best girlfriend and shadchan, M.H., we got married three weeks ago. My husband has been living in Victoria for the past 18 years, but only became frum in the past few years. Together and with H'shem's help, we look forward to enjoying a lifetime in this beautiful, seaside town.

Victoria is a Canadian paradise. I can see the mountains on the Olympic Peninsula from our dining room window. As my husband said to me at lunch today, we can throw the kayak on top of the car and be sitting in the ocean in ten minutes. We can be in the country at my inlaws house in less than twenty minutes. There are many reasons why we've chosen to live here.

But (there's always a 'but'), the Jewish community here is scattered. Less than a handful of frum families live here. Getting kosher food is a scavenger hunt, not to mention the other necessities of Jewish life.

It is my hope that we can write frankly about our life here. It is also my hope that, with H-shem's help, we will be able to add something to the Jewish community in Victoria. Finally, it is my hope that these writings might help attract some new families to the community. Over the years I have spoken to many frum people who wish they didn't have to live in the run down urban or suburban areas where frum communities are generally found. They have told me of their desires to be able to enjoy nature a little more and escape the concrete. If this sounds like you, check back here from time to time. I don't know what H-shem will send our way, but we'll bring it all to you here - live from Victoria.