April 2025 - Happy
birthday to me!
Joannie was also very happy to celebrate my birthday - or at least to enjoy all the attention as everyone tried out our new mattress
April 25 - Doreen and I celebrate my 85th
Doreen writes:
When we arrived at 6.45pm there was a crowd of people waiting outside with their bottles of wine
or sodas (the restaurant only serves water). We whiled away the time to 7 pm by talking to a
pleasantly inebriated man, drinking beer, who informed us that the restaurant has place for 45 people
and the staff is terrific. Next door there used to be a kiosk open 24/7 where one could buy wine and
drinks before entering the restaurant. The shop is being renovated and was covered by green sacking,
but people kept on crawling out from an entrance at the back.
We began to speak to one of the men
from the kiosk who insisted we take some ice creams. We knew that a lot of food awaited us, but on
his insistence I took two ice-cream cones and said I would ask the restaurant to freeze them until after
dinner. But there was no freezer there and I had to persuade the last of the diners from the 5pm sitting
to take the ice-creams.
We chose a tasting menu which was meat prepared in a huge oven/smoker, enclosing about 5 different ovens. The tasting menu included four different meats prepared in the restaurant, as well as sauerkraut,
beans, a salad and a bottle of water. We had brought a bottle of excellent wine and Pellegrino. The food came in ample proportions and everything was delicious. The efficient staff, who were running about serving, took the time to answer our questions in full.
April 2025 - Doreen, Louise and Shirley
We enjoyed a visit to long time friend Shirley Poluck. Louise, Doreen's sister joined us . We have been friends with Shirley and her late husband Gordon, from the ulpan we attended in Netanya, 60 years ago. Shirley lives in England and we have seen her fairly regularly over the years in London and in Israel. when she visits her daughter.
April 2025 - The grandfather clock
We visited my cousin Shirley. We are always happy to see her. When I was in my teens I would often go to spend a holiday with Uncle Joe and Aunt Ethel and cousins Shirley, David, and Miriam in Uitenhage, South Africa. I also spent time in nearby Port Elizabeth with the Solomons, Shirley's relatives on her mother's side. I was always fascinated by the grandfather clock in the home of Shirley's grandparents, Rosie and Wolfie, and was allowed to "wind" the clock. Every time I visit Shirley the clock brings back memories of the happy and carefree times I spent there.
April 2025 - Lunch in Gedera
We enjoyed lunch and the company of relatives at a very good restaurant in Gedera.
Family portraits by Maureen Fein.
Our three children - Aviv, Vered and Moran
April 2025 - Pesach
We had a most enjoyable seder at the home of daughter Vered and Aviv Ron. We didn't "passover" any of the haggadah and the atmoshphere, spirit and food were all excellent.
We were happy that the Steven and Hefzibah and son Alex Rudofsky could join us for the seder. They are old friends of Vered and Aviv and Steven is a cousin of our good friends Aura and Hilton Greenberg.
The evening ended with our tradional rendering of echad mi yodea - Who Knows One
Then Alex showed us how to 'sing' chad gadya to our delight, and we have now added it to our repetoire.
Cyprus visit - April 2025
We aim to do or visit at least one new thing on each trip to Cyprus and so far this visit in the beginning of April has been highly successful in this regard.
We started off on the right foot by drinking martinis using the three quarter empty bottle left after granddaughter Dani's visit. We visited the Academic & General Bookshop in Larnaca. This bookshop is a change from the modern bookstores we find today. Shelves upon shelves of books arranged in subject matter and workers who know and understand the books they have, like in the 'good old days.' We bought a couple of novels connected to Cyprus and hope we'll have time to read them.
Then we visited an exhibition of Ice Age animals in a large square in central Larnaca. We were impressed by the standard of the exhibits and by the full descriptions (in English) describing each animal. We usually think of mastodons and dodos and saber-tooth tigers but were pleasantly surprised to learn so much more about the many other animals like the giant beavers the size of a human and the wooly rhino.
We decided to take the old coastal road and not the highway to Limossol to the Bridge Festival. It was very pleasant driving with views of the sea which of course took longer, but we were in no hurry. We stopped in Zygi on the way and had coffee at the small marina there.
On Sunday morning we decided
to visit the area north of Paphos on the west coast. We were amazed to
see that the area was so well populated. We had expected a few villages
dotted here and there and didn't realise that the area is a popular
tourist destination. Also it seems that many expat Britons live there.
On the way to Coral Bay, a popular swimming beach, there were dozens of
restaurants and pubs. We had heard that there was a Sunday market in
the village of Pegeia a few minutes drive from Coral Bay and after much
difficulty finally found the delightful market consisting mainly of
local items.
Niece
Denise Braverman is enjoying a break in Italy with her partner Shai
Arroyo.
April 2025 - Choosing a mattress
We decided to buy a new mattress to replace the one we have had for many many years. We thought it would be hard work to choose but we certainly enjoyed trying out the various options.
Doreen, son Aviv and I at Morris Kahn's 95th birthday event.
My former boss and now good friend Morris Kahn celebrated his 95th birthday at an event organised by "Lead", an organisation he established and finances. "Lead" is an organization 'whose purpose is to help youth choose and adopt for themselves their own leadership identity. Namely, to choose to live their lives as leaders and influencers, and not as passive followers.'
Michal at Maureen'sexhibition
Our daughter-in-law Mikhal visited Maureen Fain's portrait exhibition and and found it "amazing".
Purim, March 2025 - Shalach Manot
The joyous Festival of Purim is characterised by at least 3 things:
Reading the Scroll of Esther, dressing up in fancy dress and
shalach manot -the giving of a small gift basket .
We were delighted to receive a shalach manot gift from our neighbours
the Zafrans and in fancy dress too.
March 2025 - Vered and Aviv enjoy a short trip to Greece
Daughter Vered Ron and Aviv spent a few days in Greece. This lovely picture with a beautiful view was taken in Nafpaktos.
March 2025 - Maureen's portrait exhibition
Doreen and friend Caroline Collins visited the exhibition of portraits by our long time friend Maureen Fain. Maureen is a widely respected artist and Doreen and Caroline were full of praise for the wonderful portraits on display.
March 2025 - Dani and friend in Larnaca
Granddaughter Danielle Ron and her friend Lior spent an enjoyable weekend in Cyprus at our apartment there. in addition to the walks, sights and restaurants they also prepared some of their own meals
Mikhal on Judicial Independence
Our daughter-in-law Mikhal, a professor at Ben Gurion University, is one of the authors of a paper published in the Conservation Science and Practice Journal titled "Judiciary Independence: Why should conservation ecologists care?" We found it very timely and interesting.
Below is the abstract of the paper: (You can read the complete paper here. )
March 2025 - Itamar and Maayan play tennis.
We were happy to hear that grandsons Itamar Levy and Maayan Segoli
are playing tennis and seem to be following in former champion
Granny Doreen's footsteps.
Moran and Zoe ski
Son Moran Segoli and granddaughter Zoe had a wonderful time skiing in Breuil Cervinia Italy.
See also here.
February 2025 - With Maureen in Cyprus
Maureen Fain is a long time friend from Durban days. Doreen and Maureen were at school together and we have much, including memories and friends, in common. We see her regularly but it was extra special spending 5 days together in Cyprus.
See also here.
February 2025 - Another KFC
An addition to my collection of family and KFC all over the world: Kigali Rwanda
Other KFCs:
Beersheva Israel, Wuhan China, Brasov Romania, Moscow Russia, Shenzhen China, Mongolia and Istanbul, Berlin Germany, Belfast N.Ireland, Prague Czech, Madeira, Wroclaw Poland, London., Nicosia Cyprus, Sinai Egypt, Netanya Israel, New Delhi India, Marrakech Morocco, Larnaca Cyprus
February 2025 - The Masons
Thank you, Bridget, for sending these pictures of your lovely children Orla and Kalum (see Glasser family tree)
(see also)
With Jose and David and sons
We enjoyed a meal at the Rons with the Keyson family. Jose is the daughter of our late friends Hans and Lottie Reijzer and we keep up regular contact.
Itamar and Amit go skiing
Grandchildren Itamar and Amit Levy are in Bulgaria on their maiden skiing holiday, and seem to be having a wonderful time. We know how adventurous you are but please stay on the bunny or green slopes this time. The blues and blacks can wait till next time.
See Itamar's and Amit's pages for other pictures
January 2025 - Vered in Rwanda
Daughter Vered is in in Rwanda with a small group on a hiking and sightseeing holiday. Seeing these pictures brought back nostalgia and memories of our lives in Africa.
January 2025 - Games at the 60th
At the end of our 60th Anniversary brunch the grandchildren entertained us with some games they had prepared and adapted from popular Internet games. (Strands, Spotle, Connections, Timeguessr ). At the family dinner later in the evening there were some more games. The data for the games included information gathered from this site (see example). We enjoyed and were very impressed at what they had done.
January 2025 60th Anniversary Celebration.
At about lunch time there was a knock on our door
SURPRISE!!
The family had come to celebrate my 85th birthday
The family had come to celebrate my 85th birthday
Joannie was also very happy to celebrate my birthday - or at least to enjoy all the attention as everyone tried out our new mattress
and of course there is never an event
without Moran's selfie
April 25 - Doreen and I celebrate my 85th
Doreen writes:
To
celebrate Eitan’s birthday we
went to Alabama, a meat restaurant near us and open on Friday nights.
An
unusual restaurant; it is it has three sittings like a ship or hotel
rather than
a usual restaurant.
When we arrived at 6.45pm there was a crowd of people waiting outside with their bottles of wine
or sodas (the restaurant only serves water). We whiled away the time to 7 pm by talking to a
pleasantly inebriated man, drinking beer, who informed us that the restaurant has place for 45 people
and the staff is terrific. Next door there used to be a kiosk open 24/7 where one could buy wine and
drinks before entering the restaurant. The shop is being renovated and was covered by green sacking,
but people kept on crawling out from an entrance at the back.
We began to speak to one of the men
from the kiosk who insisted we take some ice creams. We knew that a lot of food awaited us, but on
his insistence I took two ice-cream cones and said I would ask the restaurant to freeze them until after
dinner. But there was no freezer there and I had to persuade the last of the diners from the 5pm sitting
to take the ice-creams.
We chose a tasting menu which was meat prepared in a huge oven/smoker, enclosing about 5 different ovens. The tasting menu included four different meats prepared in the restaurant, as well as sauerkraut,
beans, a salad and a bottle of water. We had brought a bottle of excellent wine and Pellegrino. The food came in ample proportions and everything was delicious. The efficient staff, who were running about serving, took the time to answer our questions in full.
We
finished our meal with
little glasses of
delicious malabi and a light and foamy cheesecake.
I
had sent a picture to Eitan’s cousin Shuli,
whom we knew had eaten there. They invited us over for a drink, but I
said I
had had too much wine. Yes, replied Shuli, I see that from the mistakes
in your
WhatsApp.
April 2025 - Doreen, Louise and Shirley
We enjoyed a visit to long time friend Shirley Poluck. Louise, Doreen's sister joined us . We have been friends with Shirley and her late husband Gordon, from the ulpan we attended in Netanya, 60 years ago. Shirley lives in England and we have seen her fairly regularly over the years in London and in Israel. when she visits her daughter.
April 2025 - The grandfather clock
We visited my cousin Shirley. We are always happy to see her. When I was in my teens I would often go to spend a holiday with Uncle Joe and Aunt Ethel and cousins Shirley, David, and Miriam in Uitenhage, South Africa. I also spent time in nearby Port Elizabeth with the Solomons, Shirley's relatives on her mother's side. I was always fascinated by the grandfather clock in the home of Shirley's grandparents, Rosie and Wolfie, and was allowed to "wind" the clock. Every time I visit Shirley the clock brings back memories of the happy and carefree times I spent there.
April 2025 - Lunch in Gedera
We enjoyed lunch and the company of relatives at a very good restaurant in Gedera.
Yaakov and Ziva Bortenstein, Yaffa
Loew, me, Doreen's sister Louise and Doreen
Family portraits by Maureen Fein.
Maureen
Fain, the well known artist and our good friend, has drawn portraits
of some members of our family
and this week was my turn. She came for lunch and I sat without moving
for about an hour. The result above is quite flattering.
Maureen recently had an exhibition of her portrait works.
Maureen recently had an exhibition of her portrait works.
Doreen
Our three children - Aviv, Vered and Moran
Granddaughters Lior and Danielle Ron
April 2025 - Pesach
We had a most enjoyable seder at the home of daughter Vered and Aviv Ron. We didn't "passover" any of the haggadah and the atmoshphere, spirit and food were all excellent.
We were happy that the Steven and Hefzibah and son Alex Rudofsky could join us for the seder. They are old friends of Vered and Aviv and Steven is a cousin of our good friends Aura and Hilton Greenberg.
After a long search the afikoman was finally found (by
Moran) and everyone waited expectantly to see if it was genuine,
The evening ended with our tradional rendering of echad mi yodea - Who Knows One
Then Alex showed us how to 'sing' chad gadya to our delight, and we have now added it to our repetoire.
Cyprus visit - April 2025
We aim to do or visit at least one new thing on each trip to Cyprus and so far this visit in the beginning of April has been highly successful in this regard.
We started off on the right foot by drinking martinis using the three quarter empty bottle left after granddaughter Dani's visit. We visited the Academic & General Bookshop in Larnaca. This bookshop is a change from the modern bookstores we find today. Shelves upon shelves of books arranged in subject matter and workers who know and understand the books they have, like in the 'good old days.' We bought a couple of novels connected to Cyprus and hope we'll have time to read them.
Then we visited an exhibition of Ice Age animals in a large square in central Larnaca. We were impressed by the standard of the exhibits and by the full descriptions (in English) describing each animal. We usually think of mastodons and dodos and saber-tooth tigers but were pleasantly surprised to learn so much more about the many other animals like the giant beavers the size of a human and the wooly rhino.
We decided to take the old coastal road and not the highway to Limossol to the Bridge Festival. It was very pleasant driving with views of the sea which of course took longer, but we were in no hurry. We stopped in Zygi on the way and had coffee at the small marina there.
Niece
Denise Braverman is enjoying a break in Italy with her partner Shai
Arroyo.April 2025 - Choosing a mattress
We decided to buy a new mattress to replace the one we have had for many many years. We thought it would be hard work to choose but we certainly enjoyed trying out the various options.
Doreen, son Aviv and I at Morris Kahn's 95th birthday event.
My former boss and now good friend Morris Kahn celebrated his 95th birthday at an event organised by "Lead", an organisation he established and finances. "Lead" is an organization 'whose purpose is to help youth choose and adopt for themselves their own leadership identity. Namely, to choose to live their lives as leaders and influencers, and not as passive followers.'
Michal at Maureen'sexhibition
Our daughter-in-law Mikhal visited Maureen Fain's portrait exhibition and and found it "amazing".
Purim, March 2025 - Shalach Manot
The joyous Festival of Purim is characterised by at least 3 things:
Reading the Scroll of Esther, dressing up in fancy dress and
shalach manot -the giving of a small gift basket .
We were delighted to receive a shalach manot gift from our neighbours
the Zafrans and in fancy dress too.
March 2025 - Vered and Aviv enjoy a short trip to Greece
Daughter Vered Ron and Aviv spent a few days in Greece. This lovely picture with a beautiful view was taken in Nafpaktos.
March 2025 - Maureen's portrait exhibition
Doreen and friend Caroline Collins visited the exhibition of portraits by our long time friend Maureen Fain. Maureen is a widely respected artist and Doreen and Caroline were full of praise for the wonderful portraits on display.
March 2025 - Dani and friend in Larnaca
Granddaughter Danielle Ron and her friend Lior spent an enjoyable weekend in Cyprus at our apartment there. in addition to the walks, sights and restaurants they also prepared some of their own meals
Mikhal on Judicial Independence
Our daughter-in-law Mikhal, a professor at Ben Gurion University, is one of the authors of a paper published in the Conservation Science and Practice Journal titled "Judiciary Independence: Why should conservation ecologists care?" We found it very timely and interesting.
Below is the abstract of the paper: (You can read the complete paper here. )
We discuss the impact of democratic
political governance systems on ecological and conservation research,
education, and practice,
focusing on radical proposed changes to
the judicial
system in Israel. This judicial
reform has already begun to restrict academic freedom and environmental
laws,
adversely affecting regulatory actions. We
are concerned about the weakening enforcement
of environmental laws, increased power to polluting industries,
future
defunding of ecological
research and
nature conservation
programs, reduced
cross-border collaborations in ecological research, and restrictions on
the
academic teaching of ecology and evolution. Concerns related to
Israel's unique
biodiversity are particularly pressing in light of the constant threats
from a
rapidly growing population, high development pressures, and frequent
military
actions. International experience suggests that weakening judicial
oversight of
government actions in other
countries
is generating similar
threats on a global
scale. Therefore, ecologists and
conservation biologists should actively be involved in the protection
of
liberal democracies and judicial independence.
March 2025 - Itamar and Maayan play tennis.
We were happy to hear that grandsons Itamar Levy and Maayan Segoli
are playing tennis and seem to be following in former champion
Granny Doreen's footsteps.
Moran and Zoe ski
Son Moran Segoli and granddaughter Zoe had a wonderful time skiing in Breuil Cervinia Italy.
See also here.
February 2025 - With Maureen in Cyprus
Maureen Fain is a long time friend from Durban days. Doreen and Maureen were at school together and we have much, including memories and friends, in common. We see her regularly but it was extra special spending 5 days together in Cyprus.
See also here.
Very near to the Sea Caves in Protaris,
near the Aya
Napa area is another beautiful attraction - the Kamara tou Koraka
natural sea bridge.
We enjoyed an excellent curry meal at
the Balti Restaurant.
In Omodos, even though we have visited
a few times, we discovered for the first time the delightful Paradosi
Cafeteria with the owner's large collection of teapots, home-made laces
and lots of other things. Highly recommended!
February 2025 - Another KFC
An addition to my collection of family and KFC all over the world: Kigali Rwanda
Other KFCs:
Beersheva Israel, Wuhan China, Brasov Romania, Moscow Russia, Shenzhen China, Mongolia and Istanbul, Berlin Germany, Belfast N.Ireland, Prague Czech, Madeira, Wroclaw Poland, London., Nicosia Cyprus, Sinai Egypt, Netanya Israel, New Delhi India, Marrakech Morocco, Larnaca Cyprus
February 2025 - The Masons
Thank you, Bridget, for sending these pictures of your lovely children Orla and Kalum (see Glasser family tree)
(see also)
With Jose and David and sons
We enjoyed a meal at the Rons with the Keyson family. Jose is the daughter of our late friends Hans and Lottie Reijzer and we keep up regular contact.
Jose,
Doreen, Dani, Nadav, Asal, Naftali, Gideon, Lior, David, me, Aviv,
Vered
Itamar and Amit go skiing
Grandchildren Itamar and Amit Levy are in Bulgaria on their maiden skiing holiday, and seem to be having a wonderful time. We know how adventurous you are but please stay on the bunny or green slopes this time. The blues and blacks can wait till next time.
See Itamar's and Amit's pages for other picturesJanuary 2025 - Vered in Rwanda
Daughter Vered is in in Rwanda with a small group on a hiking and sightseeing holiday. Seeing these pictures brought back nostalgia and memories of our lives in Africa.
January 2025 - Games at the 60th
At the end of our 60th Anniversary brunch the grandchildren entertained us with some games they had prepared and adapted from popular Internet games. (Strands, Spotle, Connections, Timeguessr ). At the family dinner later in the evening there were some more games. The data for the games included information gathered from this site (see example). We enjoyed and were very impressed at what they had done.
January 2025 60th Anniversary Celebration.
Last
December 16th was our 60th
anniversary. We celebrated
it on 10th January at a catered
brunch for family
and friends. The food was beautifully presented and delicious. More
importantly the atmosphere was festive and truly wonderful. Towards the
end of the party we distributed copies of Doreen's cookbook "Memories
for the Future."
Family and friends are very important to us, and it was heartwarming to see and feel so much love. Our grandchildren were wonderful and enjoyed themselves - not only did they help but they also interacted with our guests. After the celebration they presented games they had made based on the family. More on this next week.
Of course hundreds of pictures were taken (thank you AvivR) and I have chosen just a few representing our family and friends.
Family and friends are very important to us, and it was heartwarming to see and feel so much love. Our grandchildren were wonderful and enjoyed themselves - not only did they help but they also interacted with our guests. After the celebration they presented games they had made based on the family. More on this next week.
Of course hundreds of pictures were taken (thank you AvivR) and I have chosen just a few representing our family and friends.
