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Reuven Stagler had a different vision for Alameda Gardens and its shul

“It’s like you’re running your own little show within this kehillah, is what I’m trying to say, I guess”

“It’s just not the sort of kiddush we’re used to here,” Reuven said, aiming for an amiable tone. He would be the reasonable leader, appealing to logic and not emotion

It was that line that effectively ended the conversation, the menahel using Heshy’s own words to checkmate him

“Akiva, trust me, this is something unhealthy,” Reuven insisted. “My only question is what I’m seeing and how to react”

“But then I’ll never know what a Leil Shishi is,” she said playfully, but he missed that it was a joke and got all serious