To my dearest family, children, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors. Shalom, Peace, and security.
What a week ? hard to describe in writing, looks like the western, civilized, world stood on its toes.
The four Jewish victims, killed on Friday, in a kosher Deli in Paris were buried today, in Jerusalem.
Thousand attended. Here, I must add a very personal foot note. I heard the critics Benjamin Netanyahu faced for telling the French Jewry to return to Israel. (We, Jewish people, when coming to Israel, say : "we are returning"). I understand his call to return was an alarm note to the government of France. Frankly, I am proud of Bibi for saying what is on the mind of Million of Israelis. If one is not safe, life is threatened, and no security, then just LEAVE. There is a home
for the wondering Jew in Israel.
And another foot note. French President, Holland, sent his partner, lady friend, Segolin Royal
to represent him in the funeral. She spoke French, simultaneously translated.
No make up or any hair tricks, beautiful lady in a blue coat. I felt, she genuinely, heart felt, with the grieving families. Kudos to the lady !
This appropriately brings me to another chapter in the life of my mother, Pearl.
Her call to return to to the land of Israel- Palestine at the time, was experiencing antisemitism, and her "gut feeling" that Poland is not safe and Europe started to burn as she
told me. Many Jews, in that decade left for America or like my mother, to the land of Israel.
And as we know, the one who left behind, was left behind. Out of a total 13 siblings, a brother
Chaim-Dovid who left for America, and a sister, my aunt Yehudit who went to Israel, survived.
I never had grandparents. As a child, I thought, grandparents are old people they die when one is born.
In 1937 Pearl's eye operation was declared a success. She returned to the Slutzky's home after their return from vacationing in Alexandria, Egypt, and continued to care for Mrs Slutzky.
In the evenings she was free at liberty to leave the house. She spent many of those evenings at the Hershfinger's home.
As a young child, I remember visiting the Hershfingers often. My memory of this home was the large entry room with the massive table in the middle and a row of chairs around. On the entire wall facing the entrance, was a built in breakfront and shelves on top. A large tea kettle my mother called a "TCHAINEEK" , (I think it was a Samovar) was permanently placed on the breakfront, were guest helped themselves to tea. On the shelves were at display silver articles, all for sale. Candelabras, Candalesticks, Wine goblets, Chanukah Menorahs, Fruit balls etc.
At the time, when I visited the place, Mrs. Hershfinger, always held her grandchild, Meir Yedidya
on her lap. Zipora, the Hershfingers daughter, died about 3 weeks after giving birth and Meir was raised by his grandmother. My mother used to take Meir to the Rothschild boulevard for "fresh air", placing him in the stroller with my brother. But her main duty was to take Meir to the children's clinic on HaShachar street.
Going back to 1937, when my mother is a regular visitor at the Hershfingers. Pearl is small built,
dark curly hair, amber Yellow color eyes ( a very recessive gene), not a smiley type, strong willed, smart, and must admit, opinionated. while the tea was served, and silver goods were sold a Shidduch (match making) for my mother was thought after.
On HaKishon street lived a young man with his parents. His name was Noah Mardix. Good looking, making a living as an upholsterer. However, Noah was born with Club Feet. He wore
special shoes and had a noticeable limp. The idea for the Shidduch was, Noah with the club feet and Pearl with the cross eyes, a perfect match. Noah was invited and unbeknown to my mother about the arrangement, she, as usual, came for a regular visit.
Noah, very bashful, asked his brother in law, Yaakov to accompany him. Yaakov, a young widower left with a 2 year old child, he was raising. Very good looking, quiet, and gentle, agree to escort Noah. They all sat around the table, mingling with other guest and silver buyers, drinking tea from the Tchainick, making small talks. Late in the evening they left.
Once Noah & his escort Yaakov left, Mrs. Hershfinger asked my mother how did she like Noah.
Well, her answer put a silence in the Hershfingers home. Pearl said: Noah, I did not like, but his friend, (who at this time she did not knew Yaakov's name,or his familial connection to Yaakov), I like very much. Once the Hershfingers, recovered from their surprise, they told my mother that he is a widower with a child. This news did not faze Pearl, she just said, it is OK I like him. I think, about 3 month later, On the 16th day of the month of Sivan in the year 5698, correspond with June, 15, 1938
My mother Pearl and my father Yaakov Edelstein got married. In their wedding K'tubah (Jewish marriage contract) Pearl used the Hebrew translation to her name, P'nina.
The day after their wedding, they both picked up my sister Sarah, who was 4 years old, from the kindergarten and brought her home with them.
More to come.
Only in Israel.
Love, Miss you all. Your Ima, Savta, The Shvig, Estherika, Ludmilla, Me Esther.
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