I spent an enjoyable Rosh Hashana in London.
Dinner at my uncle Brian and auntie Ruth's was lovely. Eating in the dining room at their wonderful penthouse flat close to the famous department strore, Harrods, in London's Knightsbrige brought back strong childhood memories.
I particularly remember the exciting food she used to serve, especially the chocolate teddy bears. These were mild-chocolate coated bears filled with deliciously soft ice cream. Sadly, they are not made any more, so I had to accept a boring, grown-up apple tart for my dessert. Pity.
My mother did look lovely in her new dress. We were also joined by my cousin Daniel, Brian and Ruth's eldest son, his wife Laura and their two children Josh and Nina who, by my calculation, are your third cousins. Josh is an accomplished cello player. Although only 16, he's already performed at London's Wigmore Hall and is clearly destined for a great musical career.
I went to my mother's schul in Northwood, which really has a warm community atmosphere. I took with me a prayer book from my father's bookshelf. When I opened it, he had inscribed it to my mother as a New Year's gift from when they were living in Jerusalem in 1983. I always enjoy going to this community because people there remember my father and speak so well of him. I was sitting next to two people who knew him well and were recounting some of his jokes and interesting observations.
It is at times like this that I so strongly miss my father, although he always feels that he is with me on these ocassions.
Having then returned to Prague, I have spent only 36 hours here before now leaving again for the airport from where I am writing this blog. I am heading for London to connect with an American Airlines flight to New York. More about this in my next blog.
Grandpa Jonathan
Prague, Czech Republic
