A new year in Novosibirsk, I found the Chabad house on day two of searching, which seems to be the only gig in town. The synagogue was extremely difficult to find, which I think is not an accident. I followed several false leads, ended up poking my head into the Catholic church across the street. A kind priest showed me the way.

I canceled classes for the new year, so I have a four-day weekend. It makes for a welcome pause after a very involved first week of immersion.

Some students from my "business English" class just stopped by to wish me a happy new year. They wanted me to tell them all about matzo, which I did!