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Sunday 24th January: Buenos Aires, Argentina,South
America :
Shavua Tov family worldwide! Here in the South, Shabbat Just has finished. We have in BAires 35ºCelsius!! A gut Woche. Gabriel.
P.S: Craig. I wait for the 2º wonderful map to give a
present to a important Livishe Rab in Buenos Aires,in the
name of our family. He has learn In Israel 12 years in
Ponevez Ieshiva With the Rab Shcach. The Rab. Shcach born in
Norh Lithuania in Yabovelik very close to Yager. Ponenez (
the original town in Lite), also was very close to Yager (
see the map).
Love Gabriel
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| Saturday 23rd January. I don't often send Shabbas Greeting to my family. I should but I forget and then I read the lovely Shabbas greetings from Feival and from Stan and some other family members occasionally. However, I was having a reflective moment this Shabbat and this came across my desk and I wanted to share this moment with my family and my friends. It reminded me of a quote by Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre who said A man can do good all his life but should he make one mistake then he will be remembered for that mistake as opposed to anything good that he did. So when you read and watch this , while perhaps not everyone's favourite person, we should also remember that the person we are discussing did a lot of good as well. However what is it that we remember him for today? American President, Richard Nixon, will forever be remembered for his involvement in the Watergate scandal, which ultimately brought about his political demise. But in the following excerpt from his final speech to the White House staff in August of 1974, it is clear that Nixon knew all about greatness, and was familiar with Kipling’s assertion that when faced with triumph and disaster, we should “Treat those two imposters just the same.” After reminiscing on the events which had led to his resignation he offered his insights on what greatness really meant to him: I heard a little quote in the speech last night from T.R. [Theodore Roosevelt]. As you know, I kind of like to read books. I am not educated, but I do read books — and there’s another one I found as I was reading, my last night in the White House, and this quote is about a young man. He was a young lawyer in New York. He had married a beautiful girl, and they had a lovely daughter, and then suddenly she died, and this is what he wrote. This was in his diary. He said, “She was beautiful in face and form and lovelier still in spirit. As a flower she grew and as a fair young flower she died. And when my heart’s dearest died, the light went from my life forever.” That was T.R. in his twenties. He thought the light had gone from his life forever — but he went on. And he not only became President but, as an ex-President, he served his country, always in the arena, tempestuous, strong, sometimes wrong, sometimes right, but he was a man. It is only a beginning, always. The young must know it; the old must know it. It must always sustain us, because the greatness comes not when things go always good for you, but the greatness comes and you are really tested, when you take some knocks, some disappointments, when sadness comes, because only if you have been in the deepest valley can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain. Always give your best; never get discouraged, never be petty. Always remember - others may hate you, but those who hate you don’t win unless you hate them. And then you destroy yourself.
A little by-line about Sartre's existentialist thoughts and how these could sometimes grate one group over another. He looked at the reasons for an act as opposed to the act itself: Following the Munich massacre in which eleven Israeli Olympians were killed by the Palestinian organization Black September in Munich 1972, Sartre said terrorism "is a terrible weapon but the oppressed poor have no others." Sartre also found it "perfectly scandalous that the Munich attack should be judged by the French press and a section of public opinion as an intolerable scandal." (I wonder if we should always look at the other side of each story? Is that what Sartre was saying? Maybe that us where we all go wrong in the I'm right and you are wrong culture that we live in. Put your moral distaste aside and before you pas an opinion , first see what the other side is trying to do and trying to say. If no one listens then the other side to your own position will either accept or reject your position and will either act or not act on that decision. Was Sartre asking what lead up to the terrible act of terrorism in munch? The aftermath was biblical of course but even that started to become terrorism, So when is terrorism right and when is it wrong, Was Sartre offering up that question of what is one mans ethics is not necessarily another mans ethics.. However, and despite that apparently aberrant remark ( well, as far as Jews and Israelis are concerned) Sartre was generally supportive of Israel and Zionism Shabbat Shalom, Craig |
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My niece Dani
replied to me Hi everyone Last night, as I do most Friday nights, I did something that my granny Sarah always used to do. She told me that wherever her and grandpa Jack were, she would carry her Shabbat candlesticks with her: these were tiny ones:) so if they were caravanning around Europe or in later years in Miami or even later years in Spain, she’d light Shabbat candles ‘on the road’ so to speak. So I have always done the same thing. Wherever I was, wherever I moved and travelled...I tried to emulate the ritual she had begun. Justin, my husband is agnostic so he doesn’t share in the ritual but watches me with interest. I light them , say thanks for the week that has passed, look out at the mountains around me and say a quiet prayer. I read these emails every Friday or Saturday and the messages often resonate with me. Craig I received the poster this week as well, it was waiting for me when we returned from our summer holiday up the coast. It is incredible. What can I say? It is just so amazing all the work that has gone into this family history. Again, mazeltov. Hip hip hooray. Enjoy your weekend everyone Dani Justin Jack and Isla xxxx |
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| I was very(very)
happy to receive a response to my greeting from y lovely
daughter in law, Nina and my grandson Max Coussins
That is lovely thanx Craig.
Max was just talking about you last night - he does a lot
actually - saying he misses seeing you and your beard!!
He is at football practice at the moment!!
Sending big hugs to you both.
Nina x
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| My friends in New York, Rhoda and
Irving Kleiman sent this:
Lovely message for this peaceful (?) winter afternoon. |
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| Friday 22 January 2010
I have decided to learn more yiddish, not so much
to be erudite, but to tell more yiddishe jokes.
On the other hand, how much trouble can it cause,
you tink I hef notin besser to do. ich hob nisht. Halb a gute
shabbos mein mishpocha.
fon Feivel, Dvorah, Moishe Benyamin, Dovid Shimon
and Daniel Michail.
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| Thursday 21st January 2010: Stan Morrison has sent us a link to his son and daughter in laws wedding website
The
following is a link to Allon and Christie's wedding website. |
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'A
Yiddishkeite for Hannukah'
TWAS THE FIRST NIGHT OF HANNUKAH
AND OY VAT A SHOCK! SOMEONE OUTSIDE WAS PICKING OUR LOCK! BUT THERE AT THE DOOR STOOD A ZAYDA IN BLUE AND HE WORE ON HIS KUPP A BLUE YARMULKA, TOO! HIS PUNIM WAS SHAIN- EVERYBODY WOULD LOVE IT! 'ROUND HIS NECK HUNG A CHAIN WITH A GOLD MOGEN DOVID! HE WORE SILKEN TSITZES BENEATH HIS WOOL VEST, AND A SMALL FLAG OF ISRAEL WAS DRAPED ON HIS CHEST! HE SAID: "I'M NO BURGLAR, SO PLEASE DON'T BE NERVOUS. I'M THE SPIRIT OF HANNUKAH, HERE AT YOUR SERVICE!" "MENCHEN ALL CALL ME REB SHALOM SHAPIRO! WITHOUT ME, THIS YOM-TOV WOULD NEED A NEW HERO!'" "I VISIT ALL YIDLACH, AND BRING - KINNAHORRA- GOOD FORTUNE AS BRIGHT AS A GLOWING MENORAH!" "ICH SHLEPP LOTS OF BLESSINGS AND CHANUKAH GELT, AND JOYS THAT ARE TAKKA THE BEST IN DER VELT! "IF YOU KNOW NICE MENCHEN, I'LL VISIT THEM QUICK, AND I'LL BRING THEM GEZUNT AND A HOUSEFUL OF GLICK!" SO WE SENT HIM YOUR WAY, AND SHOOK HANDS AND WE PARTED. AS HE SHOUTED, "SHALOM!" OUT THE DOORWAY HE DARTED! HE RAN TO A WAGON WITH HORSES AHEAD. HE FED THEM SOME BAGELS, AND HERE'S WHAT HE SAID:
"LET'S GO, MOISH AND MENDEL!
MAKE QUICK, MOE AND YUSSLE! PLEASE GIVE A RUSH, MALKAH! HEY, HYMIE, PLEASE HUSTLE!" THEY RACED LIKE THE WIND AND GALLOPED SO SHNELL, ALL HIS CLOTHING BLEW OFF, AND HIS GATKES AS WELL!
SOON HE WAS SO KALT
THAT HIS TUSHIE TURNED BLUISH! HE MOANED AND HE HOLLERED IN ENGLISH AND JEWISH! SO DON'T ACT EMBARRASSED, AND PLEASE DON'T BE RUDE WHEN THAT FROSTBITTEN ZAYDA ARRIVES IN THE NUDE! QUICK WRAP HIM IN BLANKETS! DON'T BEAT ROUND THE BUSH AND TIE A HOT WATER BAG ON HIS COLD TUSH! QUICK FEED HIM SOME CHICKEN SOUP HEISS AS CAN BE AND GIVE HIM SOME SHNAPPS AND A GLEZ'L HOT TEA! 'CAUSE HE BRINGS YOU A HOUSEFUL OF CHANUKAH WISHES AS WARM AND GESHMOCK AS PLATE OF HOT KNISHES! HE BRINGS THEM FROM OUR HOUSE SO FRIENDLY AND BRIGHT, SO YOUR HOUSE WILL KEEP GLOWING WITH HANNUKAH LIGHT. PLUS JOY SWEET AS TSUKKER, AND PEACE AND GOOD-CHEER AND EVERYTHING FRAYLACH EACH DAY OF THE YEAR! AND NONE IN YOUR FAMILY WILL BE A SHLEMAZEL, FOR LIFE WILL BRING EACH OF YOU SIMCHAS AND MAZEL AND ALL THROUGH THE YEAR YOUR HOPES WILL COME TRUE, AND HIMMEL WILL BLESS YOUR MISHPOCHA AND YOU!!! SO HERE TO YOU ALL
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11th December 2009
Photograph sent in by Feival today. Even under extreme difficulty we are still able to try and celebrate Hanukah.. Its easy to forgive and always difficult to forget. As long as we allow the wounds to fester of what is unfair, cruel and indeed impossible to fathom why, we will never be at peace with ourselves. Maybe that is why we live with forgiveness but always remember that some people are not like us and of course , thank g-d we are not like them. However, if anything like this every starts to happen again I will be first in line to do unto others what they would, like to do unto me. Happy Hanukah from Craig Coussins
Happy Chanukah
Phillip and family.
Best wishes and love to all of you there from all of us
here! :)
Hag Sameach
Stan and Jani
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December 4 2009
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Once in Majorca was a Synagogue, however, at the
time of the Inquisition, it was taken over by the Church and
forgotten.
When my friend, Menashe, took me there, you could
still see the stain where the Mezzuzah was ripped from the wall.
Just recently, king Carlos of Spain, has
announced that he would make sure there would be funds to
restore the destroyed Synagogues in Spain but had not found many
as they had been wiped from the face of the country except for a
few, namely in Toledo and Madrid.
I met a jeweller who was wearing a Star of David
around his neck and I asked him if he was Jewish, he replied
that he had Jewish descendants but now he only kept a few of the
symbols as his descendants had converted to Catholicism.
What amazed me was that he told me that Spain
lost tens of thousands of Jews to conversion and that it was
rumored King Carlos himself had Jewish
connections and now when ever I visit Majorca again, I am sure I
will use that old expression. "You know, He/She looks Jewish".
Anyone else got a story!
Shabbat Shalom to all
Love Philip, Denise, Mark, Darren and Daniel
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 Sedur Meal 1875
Friday 27th November
As the days get shorter and colder, I find myself looking forward to Denise lighting the Shabbas candles and the glow that settles on the table reminding us of who we are and how we got here.
So, L'chaim to all of you and to those that are no longer
with us, be at peace,
Grandpa and Grandma, Mum and Dad, I miss you very very much.
Love Philip, Denise, Mark, Darren and Daniel
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When you break bread on
Friday night remember that we are all there with you, maybe not in body but
in spirit and so we can wish each other Shabbat Shalom like our forefathers
and mothers have done for generations. With love from Fieval
7th September 2009:
To all my family, I wish a safe, healthy and joyous Shabbat and to all the families of the victims of the terrorist attacks on the United States, perpetrated on Sept 11th 2001, may your sorrow be softened by the memories of your loved ones in happier times. may G-d bless everyone. Shabbat Shalom,
Philip, Denise, Mark, Darren and Daniel
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  Friday 20th November Picture of Garnet Hill Schul, Glasgow If we dwell on the past, we go blind in one eye,
if we forget the past, we go blind in two eyes.
Reb Hillel
Shabbat Shalom to one and all. May your table
tonight be filled with food to sustain you and to enjoy and may
the company be with the ones you love.
And to those who may be alone, well, you are
not, because we are all here and there, thinking of you and to
know that you are loved.
With love,
Philip, Denise, Mark, Darren and Daniel
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Friday 27th November
Dear Family, Shabbat Shalom!
Our fondest love and warm thoughts go out to you all.
We woke up yesterday to a very strange phenomenon - there
was light, bright light and a huge fiery globe in the sky.
We were taken aback - shocked in fact but then we realized
it was only the sun...........phew! It lasted all day and
was really lovely. Dad and I got to clean up the garden a
bit and put up some Hanukkah lights on the trees around the
garden - you all know Dad's love for blue
lights...........must get that checked out one day.
It's Dad's birthday on Monday 30th and we are going to
Cigalle and Craig's place for a little celebration on
Sunday. Dad, who is always getting complements on how young
he is, is of course bemoaning the fact that another year has
past and he is now indeed a senior citizen............If you
ask me though I would put his age at around 13 or so - you
know that difficult age!! Seriously though he has made me
laugh for many years now and his young at heart demeanour
and his silly jokes are a big part of why I love him so
much.
We had lunch with my Dad and Beverly last Sunday and it was
very nice. Dad is getting very frail but still has his
hearty appetite and we had a lovely time. He will be 96 in
May so every day he is with us is a gift. He always asks
after each of you; how your doing and are you happy, etc.
Dad and I had a movie and dinner date with Barb and Bob
tonight (Sat) and we saw Pirate Radio - fantastic movie and
you all should see it. It was funny, moving and altogether
great! And, the music was amazing and brought back many
memories. It was great to see Bob and Barb and catch up.
They really are lovely people and we fee blessed to have
them in our family.
So love and hugs to you all, both near and far. We love and
miss you lots. You are always in our hearts.
Mum and Dad Morrison
Dear Family, Shabbat Shalom to you and yours; we wish you a lovely weekend and a good week to come.
Well, we've all been shot!! In the arm that is. H1N1 vaccines
have now been released to the general public here in BC, so that's
done and out of the way. Got to wonder if we really need to be
vaccinated or is it all blown out of proportion.
Here's to a flu free season for everyone............
This week has been stormy; heavy rain, high winds and flooding in
some areas but not in town yet, thank goodness. Extreme weather
everywhere and we read that in Cockermouth UK some have had to be
rescued by boat right in the middle of the town!!
Dad and I are well and getting prepared for Hanukkah, our
bright light in this dark and rainy season and we're looking
forward to getting together to celebrate, light the candles and
eat lots of latkes and soofganiot.
We gathered us usual for Shabbat dinner at our place. Allon
(Christie was working), Cigalle and David were there but Craig is
working a late shift for the next while so he isn't able to join
us. We miss him and hope it isn't long before his shift changes
again. David entertained us with a song or two (in both English
and Hebrew) and we hope he can be persuaded to perform at our
Hanukkah party. Click on:
www.canadadesign.ca//CIMG4640.AVI - so adorable. This is quite
a large file so hope you can open it.
Jackie reports that all is good in Montreal. Little Nina is
growing fast and anxious to get into trouble and her big sisters
are doing great in school. Gali and I talked this morning and all
is good on their side of the pond. Micheal was studying hard and
Gali and Ginger (their kitty) were fighting over some knitting
wool!! I wonder who won............... :-)
To those far off, we miss you lots and to those close by we'll see
you soon.
Always in our hearts, we love you all,
Hugs and kisses,
Mum and Dad Morrison
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Friday 13th November 2009
 Far down below, in the darkest corner of the walk-in cupboard, were three large glass jars.
Each one was sealed not only with the
glass stopper, they had a further piece of newspaper over
the lids tied with string.
What was in the mysterious jars that had
to be secured in such away. Was Grandpa Hyman making "Moon
shine" and thus letting it ferment. No, it was my grandma
Annie's "oogerkies"
My Grandma would then let me help set the
table before we ran off to the Chevra Kadisha Shul.
 Can
you imagine or remember the billowing of the starched white
damask table cloth, that everyone had and no matter how many
times it was cleaned, the wine or chrein stains couldn't
come out.
The silver candle sticks that were always
polished brightly and the silver salt and pepper holders.
The little silver spoon resting on a
little crystal bowl filled with the strongest red
horseradish.
The lonely wooden round board with the
embroidered cover waiting for the fresh challa.
The white fleishik plates and the large
heavy fleishik cutlery, like soldiers in rank.
The chairs laid out, grandpa Hymans chair
would be recognized by the wine stains on the white
tablecloth as to where he would sit and pour out the heavy,
sweet sabbath wine and spill some of it where he sat.
Grandma would have already made the
helzel and sewn it up and was in the oven with the roast
fowl.
The raisins would have already been
soaked for the lockshen pudding.
The sweet and sour cabbage soup would be
going into a large bowl with the biggest soup ladle you
could imagine.
The silver kiddush cup and the small wine
glasses on parade.
And as I closed the door of the empty
room and made myself ready for shul, grandma making sure my
brother and I were warm, off we would go.
I will hold these memories dear to me and
as other family members would like to share their shabbat
stories with all of us, I will always share
 mine,
because they are all of ours.With love to you all and drop a little wine on the table cloth,
Philip, Denise, Mark, Darren and Daniel
Craig has supplied us with what
Sophie Tucker has to say about it!
Jewish Recipes; Just like your Bubby used to make-Click
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Feel free to respond to Feival' s greetings as these can only bring us a little closer.
