The solution was a mere few feet away. I just had to act on it

The women’s section in the Boro Park Amshinover shul could barely fit my nephew’s family (he was the youngest of many, kein ayin hara), and his mother’s friends (beloved by all, she had a lot).

Then we heard it would be a double simchah; another mispallel’s son was getting married the same week as my nephew.

Would the shul expand like the Beis Hamikdash?

Well, the walls couldn’t expand, so our hearts would have to.

I arrived at shul earlyish on Shabbos morning, when there was still ample place to sit. One woman, then another one, entered the shul, filling up the ezras nashim. It was as if droplets of water had suddenly formed a large puddle, then caused a flood.

Two older women walked in. I could no longer stay put; the newcomers had nowhere bekavodig to sit.

The solution was a mere few feet away. I just had to act on it.