Rhythms of Life.
MAX: Max, interviewed by Lisa or talking with other family members We watch every morning, people getting up, 6:00, and each and every one wants to be the first to go on the boardwalk and watch the sunrise and sunset. A lot of fun when you get there early in the morning, when you come to pray, to daven.
So there's all kinds. The jealousy between one and the other, even to get an aliyah, you know what that is, is so big, heh heh, that they go through all kinds of intrigues to get an aliyah. But lately, you know I got a friend he's my second in command. I can't see in front of my eyes, I only see the big letters. Not the small letters, I can't see! I only remember by memory what there is, from using it all my life.
NARRATOR: Lisa, backgrounding/commenting. With nothing to do all day, the people in hotels like the Jackson ascribe much importance to the most trivial events. The sunrise is a reminder that they have lived through another night, and perhaps brings them hope that they will live to see it once again. It is just one of the many daily routines that ceremoniously maintain their awareness of their present position in life.
Prayer is more than just another time-filler, for it returns many to a God and way of life that had receded while they were struggling to survive. To be part of the aliyah gives them a sense of importance as well as drawing them closer to God. Max, though, tempered the heaviness with an acknowledgement of the antics involved. Once again, adapting himself to his situation, he made sure that he would be able to join in the prayers.