On the other hand
Every Thursday, I walk to our local public library in order to stock up on another week’s supply of books and return those already read.
The sight of young children from elementary schools also choosing books to read brings back memories from the distant past. At a time when the internet and smartphones and tablets were more science fiction than reality, our primary school organised weekly trips to the main library in Wellington, where we would sit in class groups as the librarian explained how to find various subjects for our class projects or leisure reading.
I mention this because for an increasing number of pupils these days books are a vanishing item. It is therefore gratifying to see that the People of the Book are still reading books. For dati (religious) Jews who do not use electronic items on Shabbat or Chagim, books are an essential part of their lives.
In Israel, at least, the art of reading books is still alive and well.
JEWISH MOSAIC
Growing up in New Zealand, we were blissfully unaware of the rich and ancient traditions of Sephardic Jews.
It was only after we made aliyah that we were able to learn and experience how our fellow Jews from other parts of the world lived. For the first time in our lives, we attended Synagogues, where the liturgy and tunes originated in Persia, Yemen and Morocco. Having been brought up on kneidlach, gefilte fish and chicken soup, all of a sudden, our taste buds had to cope with spicy dishes and exotic eastern menus.
As more Israelis from diverse backgrounds and family histories get married, the creation of new blended traditions and cultures becomes the norm.
For those who are still unaware of this development, here is a fascinating video that tries to explain the background.
MOVING MOMENT AT THE KNESSET
In 2008 in Mumbai, Islamic terrorists murdered six Jews as they stormed the local Chabad House, including Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg, the Chabad Rabbinical couple who were in charge of Jewish outreach.
Their two-year-old infant, Moshe, was saved owing to the brave and quick action of his Indian non-Jewish nanny.
At the opening session of the new Knesset after Israel’s recent elections, Moshe, now aged sixteen, was asked to recite Psalm 122 in memory of his murdered parents.
This must have been one of the most emotional moments of any Knesset session in recent memory.
