Shmulie's Judaica Shop

So at Kutz, i tried on some Tzit Tzit for the experience, and to remind me to be holy - in other words, make moral decisions, and think about my actions.  So I decided to go and buy a pair.  On my way home from my senior portrait brought me down Pico Street, or as locals know it - the Chood.  This is the jewland of beverly hills, and houses such restaurants as 'Eilat Burger', 'milk and honey' and 'pico kosher deli'.  The area also holds Shmulie's Judaica Shop - with everything you need to be jewish.

The moment i walked in it was a complete environment change - from the sweltering 90 degree weather outside, to the air conditioned climate inside.  Everything was jewish - there were little kids playing with kippot on their heads, amused by the action figure of 'mitzvah man'.  The walls were coated in jewish literature, and there were basketfuls of kippot and talitot.  I, a somewhat ignorant of the orthodox lifestyle REFORM Jew felt out of place to some degree, and even more awkward as the bearded stereotypical orthodox man asked me what he could help me with.  "yeah, where are your tzit tzit"? i asked.  to which he responded, "right over here, are you ashkenazi or sephardic"?   I told him i was ashkenazi and he found me a pair of tzit tzit - but they were all cloth, and that wouldn't be to nice to wear on a hot summer day.  

We quibbled over the size - 18 it was decided.  Now, what kind of material he asks.  I told him i would like mesh, because it's not very hot, nor is it heavy.  No such luck.  They only had size 18 in cotton, or they had sort of an undershirt with tzit tzit hanging off.  finally, the guy brings out a mesh pair of tzit tzit - size 14.  They fit well enough, so i say ok.  as i'm buying it the man gives me a post card showing the three kidnapped Israeli Soldiers.  I tell him i already am aware and show him my bracelet with their names and my dogtag showing the same.  He said, "Great! So you can send in a post card!"  "no, i'm alright, i've already written to my governor many times about the issue - and i went to the rally in New York".  I tell him i've been at Jewish Leadership Camp and he laughs at the name 'Kutz'.  "What is that, somebody's name?  what?"  i tell him i don't know, thank him, and get the hell out of there.  On one hand - i don't know the difference between ashkenazi and sephardic, but on the other - i'm wearing a pair of tzit tzit so i guess i balance out.