31st May 2025
2011 - Lior's Batmitzvah
We had a follow up for Lior in 2024 when we took her and Dani to London for their 'batmitzvah trip!'
Lior is currently in New York with friends.
2011 - Lior's Batmitzvah
Granddaughter Lior Ron celebrated
her
batmitzah in 2011at the swimming pool in Hofit, where we lived at that
time. If I remember correctly the whole family was there (except of
course for Zoe who was not yet born). It was a very enjoyable occasion
at the perfect venue which included also the use of the swimmimg pool.
We had a follow up for Lior in 2024 when we took her and Dani to London for their 'batmitzvah trip!'
Lior is currently in New York with friends.
THIS
WEEK'S NEWS
- We have returned from our two week visit to USA.
- Congratulations to grandson Maayan Segoli on receiving an Appreciation Certificate from the Physics faculty of Ben Gurion University.
24th May 2025
With "new" relative Alice Gullotta
We are still in New York and
contacted Alice whom we have never met. We met her late father Phil
Solomon a couple of times but never Alice. Alice is Doreen's
second cousin, see Nochimovitz
family tree. We were delighted meeting her and spent a few happy hours
talking about our respective families.
THIS
WEEK'S NEWS
- We have been busy this last week in America. (Click here for some pictures).
- After meeting last week with Frankie Klaff and her husband David we spent a few days with our close friend Nina Schafer in Philadelphia. In New York we renewed contact with Florence Levin (see Gordon/Glasser tree) and with Anita Hock (Nochimovitz tree) . Unfortunately we were not able to meet Jonathan and Lynn Hock as Lynn had contracted Covid.
- We saw a few shows and thoroughly enjoyed them: Otello with Denzel Washington, Death Becomes Her and Pirates (based on The Pirates of
Penzance) in New York and The Thirty
Nine Steps, a very loose and hilarious adaptation of Hitchcock's
movie.
- Tonight we saw the opera Salome
at the Metropolitan. The audience loved it but we were very
disappointed. The singing was good, Strauss' music of the opera is
always powerful and very good but the production, in our opinion, was
terrible. The Met has taken an opera taking place in biblical times and
transformed it into a Victorian setting evidently concentrating on the
deep psychological problems of Salome. An example: Salome's traditional
Dance of the Seven Veils was shared by 7 'look alikes" of Salome at
different ages and with no dancing. And the setting! Black and white
with various figures crawling around with various animal heads, what
for I don't know.
- We have hardly done any shopping while we were here. We leave on Monday for Israel. Maybe tomorrow we will make up for it!\
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
17th May 2025
Dave Rothschild, Frankie Klaff, me, Doreen at Longwood Gardens
Dave Rothschild, Frankie Klaff, me, Doreen at Longwood Gardens
This week we were in New York
enjoying the big Apple.
Today we travelled to Maryland to
visit Frankie and David,
longtime friends dating from our days in
Durban. They took us to Longwood Gardens which is beautiful and we saw
a lovely fountain display there. (See
another picture here).
In a few days we will visit another close friend, Nina Schafer, and then return to New York for a few more days.
In a few days we will visit another close friend, Nina Schafer, and then return to New York for a few more days.
THIS
WEEK'S NEWS
We
spent the last 4 days in New York. See
some pictures.
THIS WEEK'S PICTURES
10th May 2025
(This is another picture taken from October 2010 to February 2012 when this site was not updated)
Thirteen years ago when we moved to our present apartment in Kiryat Hasharon Netanya we wanted to establish a composter similar to the one we had in Hofit. We had heard that the best way to do this was to start with vegetable scraps and add worms and then keep on adding vegetable material and the worms 'would take care of it'. But where to get worms? Agrolan solved the problem by mailing us worms via Israel post! The venture has been very successful. Part of our success in growing avocados, lemons, papayas, vegetables etc. is due to the hard work of the descendants of those worms who are still producing compost and enriching the soil.
Israel
Post Registered Parcel
Contents of parcel
(This is another picture taken from October 2010 to February 2012 when this site was not updated)
Thirteen years ago when we moved to our present apartment in Kiryat Hasharon Netanya we wanted to establish a composter similar to the one we had in Hofit. We had heard that the best way to do this was to start with vegetable scraps and add worms and then keep on adding vegetable material and the worms 'would take care of it'. But where to get worms? Agrolan solved the problem by mailing us worms via Israel post! The venture has been very successful. Part of our success in growing avocados, lemons, papayas, vegetables etc. is due to the hard work of the descendants of those worms who are still producing compost and enriching the soil.
THIS
WEEK'S NEWS
- In
a few days we will fly to USA and spend about two weeks in New York and
thereabouts. We hope to see family and enjoy ourselves on what is
almost
certainly our last trip to America.
- We
have just returned from Cyprus so have been busy preparing and tying up
loose ends before our USA trip but we still had time to enjoy a meal
with Morris Kahn at his house and today we invited out
dear friends Colin
and Louise Kessel and Geoff Bethlehem for lunch.
- Congratulations and good luck to daughter Vered who has has joined Octopus as CEO. Octopus brings together physical, digital, cyber, and OSINT sources into a single Fusion platform, helping over 130 organizations across defense, homeland security, critical infrastructure, smart cities, tech and finance stay ahead of threats through real-time, insight-driven action. Octopus seamlessly integrates disparate technologies and massive volumes of data into one unified platform and its actionable-intelligence solution enables optimal protection against physical security incidents, cyber attacks, infrastructure failures, and much more.
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
3rd May 2025
Relaxing and a light lunch on the verandah at Nigazi
Relaxing and a light lunch on the verandah at Nigazi
We are in Cyprus at our apartment
in Larnaca enjoying a few days with daughter Vered and Aviv Ron. We've
visited a few places but mainly
are enjoying the relaxing time spent with them. Vered and Aviv
delighted us by preparing a light and delicious lunch for us this
afternoon.
THIS
WEEK'S NEWS
- This
week, as we have done for so many years, we celebrated
Independence Day with a delicious and varied lunch at the home of Terry
and Carol Kessel.
We always enjoy this event not only for the food but also for the opportunity to meet old friends, some of whom we only see once a year at the Kessels. - Granddaughter
Zoe Segoli has joined the granddaugher
seamstresses.
- During the last few weeks we've enjoyed eating with long-time friend Morris Kahn and his sister Leone. We've met at our house, at Morris' and at the Nishi restaurant. Pictures here.
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
26th April 2025
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!
At about lunch time today there
was a knock on our door and Doreen asked me to see who it was.
Surprise! My wonderful family had come to celebrate my 85th birthday.
It was moving, so wonderful to see them all, and once again marvel
at the fantastic relationship that our grandchildren have with each
other and with us. We had a lovely time and enjoyed a delicious sushi
dinner.
THIS
WEEK'S NEWS
- Last evening Doreen and I celebrated my birthday at the popular Alabama Restaurant near us. It was a great experience and Doreen has written about it.
- A couple of weeks ago we visited my cousin Shirley. We are always happy to see her. Shirley has a grandfather clock which always brings back fond memories of my youth.
- We enjoyed a visit to long time friend Shirley Poluck. We have been friends from our first days in Israel 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.
- This coming week, as we have done for so many years, we will celebrate Independence Day with Terry and Carol Kessel and many friends. After that we will fly to Cyprus with daughter Vered and Aviv Ron for a weekend visit.
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
Doreen has written her thoughts on celebrating pesach in these troubled times.
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
15th March 2025
Purim/Harucon 2025: Ilay and Will
THIS
WEEK'S NEWS19th April 2025
Eitan - by Maureen Fain
Maureen recently had an exhibition of her portrait works.
THIS
WEEK'S NEWSEitan - by Maureen Fain
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.
- Granddaughter Lotem Segoli spent a night with us this week and she and Doreen enjoyed an icream together.
- We and Doreen's sister Louise enjoyed lunch and the company of relativesYaakov and Ziva Bortenstein and Yaffa Loew at a very good restaurant in Gedera.
- After sending her Pesach message last week Doreen was asked by an overseas friend to explain why she had written what she had. See her reply.
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
12th April 2025
Pesach Seder at Vered and Aviv
We has 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.
See a few pictures here.
<>THIS
WEEK'S NEWSPesach Seder at Vered and Aviv
l-r: Danielle, Aviv, Vered, Lior
Ron, Michal, Maayan, Zoe Segoli, Aviv Karni, Lotem Segoli, Alex,
Hefzibah,
Steven Rudofsky, Doreen and me. (Moran taking the picture)
We has 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.
See a few pictures here.
Doreen has written her thoughts on celebrating pesach in these troubled times.
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
Monday 7th April 2025
THIS
WEEK'S NEWSWe returned today to our flat in
Larnaca after having taken part over the weekend in the Limossol Bridge
Festival. There were 98 pairs and we were satisfied to finish in the
middle (46th place).
We enjoyed the the hotel and the bridge and played in the late afternoon. We took the opportunity to visit the north west coast of Cyprus above Paphos.
We aim to do or visit at least one new thing on each trip to Cyprus and so far this visit has been highly successful in this regard.
On Thursday we return to Israel in time for the passover seder.
We enjoyed the the hotel and the bridge and played in the late afternoon. We took the opportunity to visit the north west coast of Cyprus above Paphos.
We aim to do or visit at least one new thing on each trip to Cyprus and so far this visit has been highly successful in this regard.
On Thursday we return to Israel in time for the passover seder.
- We are deeply saddened
by the death of our dear friend Pam
Bethlehem. In addition to physical
problems as a result of an accident she had not been well for some time
but she bore her afflictions bravely and with good humour. Our deepest
condolences to husband Geoff and her children.
- Niece Denise
Braverman and her partner Shai Arroyo are visiting Italy
and sent us a picture.
- 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.
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
29th March 2025
February 2012: Sharon and Joe Leibowitz visit
clockwise: Joe Leibowitz, Braham Kansky, Cheryl Tal, Aviv Ron, Dina Levy, Wendy Kansky, Jonty Levy, Sharon Leibowitz, Malia Levy
(This is another picture taken from October 2010 to February 2012 when this site was not updated)
On their way back from South Africa (where they celebrated her mother Winnie's 90 birthday) to Australia cousin Sharon and Joe Leibowitz paid a short visit to Israel, and we enjoyed the get-together of the Levy cousins. (Shirley and Nathan Kansky were overseas).
(and happy birthday today to Joe!)
THIS
WEEK'S NEWSFebruary 2012: Sharon and Joe Leibowitz visit
clockwise: Joe Leibowitz, Braham Kansky, Cheryl Tal, Aviv Ron, Dina Levy, Wendy Kansky, Jonty Levy, Sharon Leibowitz, Malia Levy
(This is another picture taken from October 2010 to February 2012 when this site was not updated)
On their way back from South Africa (where they celebrated her mother Winnie's 90 birthday) to Australia cousin Sharon and Joe Leibowitz paid a short visit to Israel, and we enjoyed the get-together of the Levy cousins. (Shirley and Nathan Kansky were overseas).
(and happy birthday today to Joe!)
We'll
be in Cyprus next
week at the Limassol Bridge Festival. This will be the third time we've
taken part and we have always enjoyed the friendly atmosphere at this
event.
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
22nd March 2025
Happy Birthday Aviv
Gal, Lior, Aviv, Vered, me, Doreen, Dani
THIS
WEEK'S NEWSHappy Birthday Aviv
Gal, Lior, Aviv, Vered, me, Doreen, Dani
Last night we celebrated the 65th
birthday of son-in-law Aviv Ron. We went to a new for us, restaurant
Sushi Room, which was very noisy but the food was very good. It was a
lovely evening.
- 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.
- Our daughter-in-law Mikhal visited Maureen Fain's portrait exhibition and and found it "amazing". See Picture.
15th March 2025
Purim/Harucon 2025: Ilay and Will
Granddaughter Ilay Levy and her
friend
Will Mayzenberg stayed with us
this weekend preparing for the anime and manga extravagena at Binyanei
Ha'uma in Jerusamem tomorrow, the Harucon Convention. Conveniently the
Convention coincides with Purim so fancy dress served a double purpose.
They spent hours and hours on Friday and Saturday preparing their
costumes, makeup, hair and so on, resulting in the impressive
appearances.
- 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.
Click here for an abstract
and a link to the paper.
- 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.
- Granddaughter Danielle Ron and her friend Lior are back after spending an enjoyable weekend in Cyprus at our apartment there. See Pictures
- Doreen and friend
Caroline Livneh 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 works on display. See picture.
- Daughter Vered Ron and Aviv spent a few days in Greece and are back in Israel. See picture.
- 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.
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
8th March 2025
Granddaughters Danielle and Lior Ron 2011
Granddaughters Danielle and Lior Ron 2011
(This
is
another
picture taken from October 2010 to February 2012 when this site was not updated)
A lovely picture of the sisters taken in September 2011 by Dad Aviv.<>
THIS WEEK'S NEWS
- Granddaughter Danielle Ron and her friend Lior are spendng a weekend in Cyprus at our apartment there. Dani is enjoying a break from her studying and exams.
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
1st March 2025
Proud congratulations to daughter-in-law
Mikhal Segoli on the publication of the book she compiled and edited.
To get an idea of the depth of the subjects covered you should open the
publisher's page and from there view the
table of contents.
THIS WEEK'S NEWS
- The Segolis sans granddaughter Lotem and the Rons sans granddaughter Danielle joined us for a Friday night dinner. Moran bought some flowers and Zoe showed her talent for arranging the flowers.
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
22nd February 2025
Zoe skiing in Breuil Cervinia Italy
Son Moran Segoli and granddaughter Zoe had a wonderful time skiing in Italy.
Zoe skiing in Breuil Cervinia Italy
Son Moran Segoli and granddaughter Zoe had a wonderful time skiing in Italy.
THIS
WEEK'S NEWS
- We returned earlier this week from an enjoyable visit to Cyprus with
Maureen Fain.
- We enjoyed a brunch with Sarah and Dudley Kessel at the home of Noga and Basil Porter. We have met the Kessels a few times at the Yom Haatzmaut gatherings at Carol and Terry Kessel but we were very happy to get to know them as a lovely and interesting couple.
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
15th February 2025
Doreen and Maureen Fain in the snow in Troodos, Cyprus
Doreen and Maureen Fain in the snow in Troodos, Cyprus
Doreen and I are in Larnaca, Cyprus
with our guest Maureen Fain. Maureen 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.
THIS
WEEK'S NEWS
- Most of the wandering Levys
have returned from their travels: Grandchildren Itamar and Amit from skiing in Bulgaria, then in Copenhagen and Amsterdam; and
son-in-law Aviv Ron from
photographing at the Prayag Maha Kumbh Mela Festival in India.
- Now it's the turn of son Moran and granddaughter Zoe to travel. They are skiing in Italy.
- Daughter-in-law Mikhal Segoli is still in India for a
conference.
- Many thanks to grandchildren Itamar and Amit Levy for the KFC picture from Amsterdam. It joins the collection of all the KFCs seen by the family during their various travels.
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
8th February 2025
November 2011 - the Levys off to school
November 2011 - the Levys off to school
(This
is
another
picture from October 2010 to February 2012 when this site was not updated)
The Eilati Levy Ilay, Amit and
Itamar on their way to school.
THIS
WEEK'S NEWS
- Grandchildren Itamar and Amit Levy have finished their skiing trip to Bulgaria and are now visiting Copenhagen and Amsterdam.
- Daughter Vered Ron returned early today from her trip to Rwanda with a small group on a hiking and sightseeing vacation.
- Thank you Vered for an addition to my KFC collection.
- Son-in-law Aviv is in India with 400 million visitors taking photographs at the Prayag Maha Kumbh Mela Festival.
- Daughter-in-law Mikhal Segoli is also in India for a
conference.
- In a few days we fly to Cyprus and will be joined by Maureen
Fain, a long time friend from
Durban days.
- Bridget Burrows Mason (see Glasser
family tree) sent me some pictures
of her lovely children.
- 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.
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
1st February 2025
The headline of the Jerusalem Post article
The headline of the Jerusalem Post article
A long article on the
work of our daughter-in- law Michal appeared in this week's edition of
the
newspaper Jerusalem Post. We are all so very proud of you, Michal. The
full article can be accessed directly from the Jerusalem
Post or read in PDF
format here.
THIS
WEEK'S NEWS
- Grandchildren Itamar and Amit Levy are in Bulgaria enjoying a skiing holiday.
- Daughter Vered Ron is in Rwanda with a small group on a hiking and sightseeing vacation.
- Tomorrow son-in-law Aviv flies to India to join the 400 million visitors at the Prayag Maha Kumbh Mela Festival.
- We are all overjoyed and thankful that some hostages have been released. We hope the cease fire will continue and lead to a permanent settlement.
- Son Moran celebrated his birthday with his family this week. He received a very special birthday present with the release of the Thai agricultural worker Sriaoun Watcharawith and 4 more Thais. He had been in contact with and helped Watchara's family. Moran was very active in helping the many displaced Thai agricultural workers following the October 7th atrocities and. liaised between the army and transfer services to facilitate their evacuation.
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
25th January 2025
Pula Arena in Pula Croatia - August 2011
Pula Arena in Pula Croatia - August 2011
(This is
another
picture from October 2010 to February 2012 when this site was not updated)
I was a tournament director at the World Youth Bridge Congress in Opatija, Croatia in August 2011. Doreen and I spent about a week touring Croatia before the Congress started. One of the attractions we visited was the impressive Pula Arena, a Roman Amphitheatre in Pula on the southern tip of the Istrian Peninsula. The Arena is reminiscent of the better known and larger Rome Coliseum and still retains its complete circuit of walls.
Doreen and I loved Croatia and visited there a number of times. We saw and enjoyed a lot of Croatia - Zagreb, Opatija and Rijeka, Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Plitivice National Park, Zadar and more by car, ship, yacht and plane. See an account of a previous trip to Croatia in July 2010.
I was a tournament director at the World Youth Bridge Congress in Opatija, Croatia in August 2011. Doreen and I spent about a week touring Croatia before the Congress started. One of the attractions we visited was the impressive Pula Arena, a Roman Amphitheatre in Pula on the southern tip of the Istrian Peninsula. The Arena is reminiscent of the better known and larger Rome Coliseum and still retains its complete circuit of walls.
Doreen and I loved Croatia and visited there a number of times. We saw and enjoyed a lot of Croatia - Zagreb, Opatija and Rijeka, Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Plitivice National Park, Zadar and more by car, ship, yacht and plane. See an account of a previous trip to Croatia in July 2010.
THIS
WEEK'S NEWS
In response to Doreen's vegan
cookbook Sue Burrows Glasser sent this definitely not vegan recipe for biltong written by her
father Stanley to his granddaughter Bridget. (see Glasser
family tree.).
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
18th January 2025
Frankie
Klaff receiving Lifetime Achievement AwardCongratulations to Frankie Klaff (Goldberg family tree) on receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from Playful EMDR. Playful EMDR is a community of EMDR therapists and play therapists working to give children the best possible treatment. EMDR is a psychotherapy method to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. Frankie has long been considered by the EMDR International Association to be among the leaders in this field.
Since our youth days in Durban Frankie has been one of Doreen's closest friends. The friendship only deepened when she married my late cousin Vivian Klaff. She is now married to Dave Rothschild who is also a close friend from our Durban days.
THIS
WEEK'S NEWS
At the end of our 60th Anniversary brunch
the grandchildren entertained us with some games they had prepared
based on popular Internet games. At the family dinner later in the
evening there were some more games. The data for the games included
information gathered from this site. We enjoyed and were very impressed
at
what
they had done.
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
11th January 2025
Yesterday we
celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary 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 in next week's post.
Of course hundreds of pictures were taken by our son-in law Aviv Ron, our official photographer, 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 in next week's post.
Of course hundreds of pictures were taken by our son-in law Aviv Ron, our official photographer, and I have chosen just a few representing our family and friends.
THIS WEEK'S NEWS
- Thanks to cousin Sharon and Joe Leibowitz in Australia for sending a picture of their grandchildren.
THIS WEEK'S PICTURE
