Number 128: Wonderful always spending time with family and friends in Israel – but difficult within a limited time period to integrate that with spending “quality time” with Maya who in 2011 / 2012 was studying at the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies on Kibbutz Ketura and who had been away from home for some…

Number 127: In June 2006, during Maya’s matric mid-year break, Ray, Maya and l left on a grand Italian Tour. In December 2005 Yair was offered to lead a group of Habonim Chanichim on the “Shorashim” Programme trip to Israel during the June 2006 school holidays. We were not yet able to commit to travel…

Number 125: During my time at Theodor Herzl School: 1963 – 1974, only Orthodox Jews were allowed entry. To my father’s z”l intense frustration, as a School Committee Member, he could not convince it to accede to a Legal Colleague’s application for his daughter to enter the school. Reason: Reform Jews Not Allowed!! At our…

Number 124: We had passed through Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport often – and thought: maybe its time to explore Istanbul itself!  So in July 2009 – we did!! Politically hostile Turkey, especially when viewed through today’s 2021 lens, does not align with our experience on the ground: Energetic, pulsating, ancient, rich Jewish history, varied, beautiful, sailing…

Number 123: Pollock of my childhood: Best bodysurfing beach in the country!  Powerful waves!! But beware the dumpers when inexperienced!!!   Once caught – you’re out of control, disoriented, swirling around, face forcefully pounded into the sand, painful, out of breath. Pretty much my experience when Sheryl left for Ulpan, Israel, April 1982, a few short…