- Common Ground•s 39th Annual Birmingham Street Art Fair Jews gather In Paco's Gallery courtyard in Puerto Vallarta for Shabbat services. Finding Family Puerto Vallarta gallery hosts Shabbat services during winter. Jeannie Weiner Special to the Jewish News 0 ver several decades of travel- ing to Mexico, I have attend- ed Jewish services in Mexico City and Acapulco, but never in Puerto Vallarta. This year was the exception, and the experience was exceptional. When the Friday night services began, it was 80 degrees with a per- fectly clear blue sky. Participants gath- ered in the back courtyard of Paco's Gallery in the Old Town neighborhood in downtown Puerto Vallarta. The gal- lery, behind an enormous banyan tree, is owned by Frank "Paco" Rudin and his wife, Gail Winston. After walking through the gallery, congregants find themselves outside with tall walls and a colorful mural as backdrop. This particular Friday night in March, the patio was nearly filled with 80 American and Canadian tourists, residents of Puerto Vallarta and Mexican Jews from various cities, including Guadalajara. Homemade binders served as prayer books in English and Hebrew. The men grabbed black yarmulkes from a crate. Challah, wine and Sabbath candles were on a small table facing us. This was the third service held at Paco's this year. These services began about three years ago when the Rudins were asked if the courtyard could be used for Sabbath services. A mailing was sent and about 25 people came. Since then, Bill Trachtenberg, a surgeon from the New York area, leads the service with participation from guests and other lay leaders. Bill's wife, Pauline, serves as caterer. An astounding array of goodies are offered after services. Frequent travelers to Mexico are amazed to see bagels with cream cheese and lox. Additionally, a large table is spread with homemade pastries and wonderful fresh Mexican fruit. What brings Jews to Banderas Bay in Mexico? Beautiful weather, the crys- tal blue Pacific Ocean, the friendliness and warmth of the Mexican people, fresh food, glorious flowers and low prices for almost everything. The once-sleepy town known for housing Liz Taylor and Richard Burton during the filming of Night of the Iguana is now a major resort area of Mexico. Most visiting Jews in Puerto Vallarta are just learning about the newly orga- nized Jewish community. After services, Paco's owners are enthusiastic. "People really love the ser- vice," says Gail. "And," adds Frank, "there's no mem- bership fee:' Sabbath services are held once a month during the winter months. A Passover seder with kosher food attracts a large number of people who gather at a downtown restaurant, the Riverside Cafe. The monthly service draws Jews who grew up in traditional homes and those who have had little Jewish insti- tutional experience. One family rents a room in a downtown hotel so they can walk to Paco's. David and Candy Cutner of Southfield attended the services in February. "We learned of the services through word of mouth at the pool at our resort. We were so excited to go that we took two buses to get there. More than 150 Jews came to the ser- vice. Standing room only. We were so proud and honored to attend:' Many of the Jews living in Puerto Vallarta said the service allows them the opportunity to gather together to celebrate the Sabbath and to meet other Jews. If you're there in the winter months, check out services at Paco's Gallery at 512 Veustiano Carranza. Phone: (322) 222-8168. ❑ BirminghamStreetArtFair.com Sept. 21 & 22 Saturday, 10am - 6pm • Sunday, 10am - 5pm On Old Woodward in downtown Birmingham Featuring the Annual Art Auction to benefit Common Ground presented by Common Ground %&#/;(,,CO31& rrraae to 4o,e CommonGroundHelps.org vot ■ V-r- FOTZCif-- r Carl: Year Round Swim Lessons! 4 months - 12 years of age 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio 30-minute weekly lessons 90 degree pools r egistering for classes is easy with our online registration and flexible scheduling. Classes run 7 days a week! Iso offering: Weekly Family Swim and Seasonal Family Swim Events Recreational Swim Team and Quairdec Swim Team Meets Parties for all occasions Metro Detroi Grand Rapids Lansing Chicago Pittsburgh Cleveland Columbus Indianapolis Visit our website for location details! www.goldfishswimschool.com September 12 • 2013 29