December
2015 - A luncheon for some friends.
Yaffa, Doreen and Vered
December 2015 - Frankie Klaff's 70th with Oren, Amalia and Asher
Dave and Frankie - Amalia, Asher, Oren and Frankie
(see Goldberg family tree.).
December 2015 - Wishful thinking?
Two Jews stand next to a Christmas tree in a Muslim restaurant in Abu Gosh. This is after we attended a classical Christmas concert in the nearby church, where the orchestra and most of the audience were Jewish. This is what we had hoped to find in Israel - where people of different religions could rejoice in each's customs and culture without feeling threatened.
December 2015 - married 51 years
We celebrated our 51st wedding aniversary by exchanging cards (bought secretly in London a few weeks ago) and going out for dinner to an excellent fish dinner.
December 2015 - Channuka
At the home of Shuli and Eitan Haberman
Click here for This Week's Picture archives, and for a picture of Zoe celebrating channuka.
December 2015 - The Grandchildren visit and make a Potato Clock
The Segoli and Eilat Levy families visited us for the weekend. After Friday night dinner we handed out Chanukah presents. Among the presents was a kit to make a clock from the electricity generated by two potatoes. The kids enjoyed setting it up and it worked perfectly.
November 2015 - Doreen prepares Makluba
The Rons came over for dinner and Doreen prepared a special vegan makluba expecially for our two vegan grandchildren, Danielle and Lior. There was no chicken in it of course, and zucchini was substitued for eggplant because of allergy problems. It was delicious!
See Doreen's recipe for traditional makluba
November 2015 - A concert at St Martins in the Field
A highlight of our visit to London was an unusual and thoroughly enjoyable experience at a concert at St Martins in the Field. During the interval the conductor explained the main theme of the 2nd Movement of Beethoven's 5th Symphony with the help of the orchestra spread out among the audience and playing from sheetmusic held by the audience. (see picture)
November 2015 - Award Ceremony
I presented the silver medals to the Duch team BC'tOnstein, the runners-up at the European Bridge Champions' Cup.
November 2015 - A visit to Milton Keynes
We spent a weekend at Horwood House, just outside the town of Milton Keynes in England. I attended the European Bridge Champions' Cup and an executive meeting of the European Bridge League. Doreen used her time there to visit Woburn Abbey and the famous Bletchley Park complex (see picture) where the World Wart II code-breaking machine was developed by Alan Turing and his assistants.
Left: Doreen and some "bridge" wives: Doreen, Carolle Harris, Claude
Aubry, Brenda De Pauw, Hildur Olafson
Right: Good friends Bill Pencharz (a former EBL President) and his wife Marianna, with the current EBL President Yves Aubry.
November 2015 - A hike to see the helmoniot in the desert.
After meeting Twitter the Segolis and the Eilat levys went on a hike in the desert to see the flowering helmoniot (daffodil family.)
November 2015 - Getting to know Twitter
The newest member of our family is Twitter the cockatiel. Twitter joined us a month ago by appearing at our verandah and adopting Doreen. Wee took Twitter to the Segolis in Sde Boqer. On the way we dropped in to the Rons. The Eilat Levys were also visiting the Segolis, so all our children and grandchildren had the opportunity to say "welcome" to Twitter. Both Twitter and the family were very excited - the children were delighted, especially as Twitter likes copying whistles and movements. Twitter was a little overwhelmed at first but later joined in the celebration.
See some more pictures here, and on the pages of Itamar, Ilai,
Maayan, Lotem,
Lior and Zoe,
and a video here.
Mikhal Segoli's 40th birthday
Mikhal's 3-day birthday celebration included a traditional brunch at Beresheet in Mizpeh Ramon
October 2015 - With Colin and Louise Kessel, and Frankie and Dave
Frankie Klaff (see Goldberg
family tree) and Dave Rothschild are visitng Israel and are staying
with us for part of the time. Her sister Sybil celebrated her
80th
birthday so they have been busy with family, but we managed to enjoy a
good meat meal at the Alabama Restaurant with Colin and Louise Kessel.
October 2015 - Visit of Buzz Aldrin
Our good friend Morris Kahn visited Coral World in Eilat with Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon (see article in Wikipedia). Buzz talked to the children about his experience, and then Aviv took him on a dive to see the sharks. (see This Week's Picture, and another picture of the girls with Buzz)
Neil Armstyrong was the first man to walk on the moon, and immediately after him Buzz also stepped onto the moon. This US postage stamp shows the picture Neil Armstrong took of him.
October 2015 - We
are adopted by Twitter
Our house pets may increase from one (Flopsy the dog) to two (Twitter the cockatiel). Twitter showed up on our veranda, chirping loudly, and fell instantly in love with Doreen. Doreen is on a trip so it has now tranfered its attentions to me and follows me around the house, followed by Flopsy who I think does not have good intentions. We'll have to decide soon what to do with it.
October 2015 - Mikhal Segoli in Malaga for a conference.
September 2015 - Full moon eclipse
There was a total eclipse of the moon on the 27/28th and Shai Arroyo, niece Denise Braverman's companion, took this fantastic time delay picture.
September 2015 - A trip to Sicily
Our good friend Morris Kahn invited us to join him and Ariella on his yacht Antares III for a sail around the Aeolian Islands off the coast of Sicily. Flying from Tel Aviv to Palermo on Morris's private plane (see picture) was an absolute delight, sitting on comfortable armchairs around a table and enjoying sushi and salads.
We are spending our first night off the coast outside Cefalu, and in the morning we start the trip.
September 2015
- The Rons enjoy the island of Lindos
The Rons enjoy a few days on the island of Lindos in Greece. Unfortunately granddaughter Danielle fell down some steps and badly strained her arm which was put in a splint. (see picture).
September 2015 - Meeting Aaron Miroz
We were delighted to get the opportunity to see Aaron Miroz again. Aaron is the fish expert for the Coral World aquariums around the world. We have known Aaron for over 40 years since he was a diver for the Eilat Coral World when I was the manager there. We have kept up a close relationship since then and our original professional friendship developed into a personal friendship.
Rosh Hashanah 2015
We spent the Rosh Hashanah long weekend in Eilat at the home of Aviv and Limor with all our children and grandchildren (except for Danielle who was in the army.)
Rosh Hashanah - September 2015
September 2015 - Amsterdam
No visit to Amsterdam is complete for me without eating the delicious fresh herring sold in stalls around the town. I tried nearly all of them.
September 2015 - A visit to the Kooijmans
On our short visit to the Netherlands we took the opportunity to travel to Gouda to spend a most enjoyable day with Ton and Annalie Kooijman. Ton is Chairman of the World Bridge Federation Laws Committee, and was the examiner at the first International Tournament Director course I did. We have known Ton and Annelie for many years and have met them in many places including in Israel.
September 2015 - Some repairs around the house.
Preparing to change a broken chair seat.
August 2015 - The Eilat Levys vacation in Crete
Aviv took advantage of the vacation trip to Crete for a
long overdue haircut at a salon.
August 2015 - The Rons spend a relaxing weekend at the Mitzpe Yamim resort.
August 2015 - Wishing bon voyage to the Aviv Levys
Just before school started the Aviv Levys went on a short vacation to Crete.
The Segolis were with us for the weekend and on Saturday we all went to the airport to wish the Levys a safe and happy trip to Crete.
August 2015 - Moran and Mikhal Segoli in Iceland.
Here are two more pictures of Moran and Mikhal's trip to Iceland. Moran remarks that after a visit to Iceland it appears as if God was using photo shop when He created Iceland!
August 2015 - Moran and Mikhal in Reykjavik, Iceland, in front of the Hallgrimur Church
Son and daughter-in-law Moran and Mikhal are visiting Iceland. Looks cold there!
August 2015 - The Grandchildren spend a week with us.
More pictures on the pages of Itamar,
Amit, Ilai,
Maayan, Lotem,
Zoe
and Lior,
and on This Week's Picture.
See also pictures of last week's activities, and last week's Picture of the Week.
Moran and Mikhal Segoli, skippered by sister Vered
August 2015 - A visit to the Eretz Yisrael Museum
The Eilat and Sde Boqer grandchildren visited the Eretz Yisrasel Museum. They visited the museum and also participated in a workshop on building moveable toys. Later, at home, they put the finishing touches to their toys.
July 2015 - Receiving an EBL Plaque
The closing ceremony of the Youth Competitions took place this evening and together with the European Bridge League President Yves Aubrey I presented the medals to the winners. This was the first time in years that I was not Chief Tournament director, but there was a surprise for me. I was presented with a special plaque for my years of service to the EBL and for serving for so many years as Chief Tournament Director of the Youth Competitions.
The participants
in the Bridge Youth Championships
July 2015 - Tromso Staff Party
At the farewell staff party we were given woollen hats in memory of the cold in Tromso
With all the Tournament Directors (judges) of the Championships
Doreen at the Tromso Botanical Gardens
July 2015 - Tromso, Norway
In Tromso, officiating at the European Open Bridge Championships.
June 2015 - The Europa docks right by our window
We woke up one morning, opened the blinds, and were greeted by the sight of the ship Europa just docking at the wharf in front of our hotel.
It was on this same ship that Doreen and I sailed from Durban, South Africa to Italy on our honeymoon. Seeing the ship again brought back many many happy memories.
The ship is small by modern standards, and has been converted into a luxury cruising ship. Doreen wanted to board "for old times sake" but the security personnel would not allow it.
June 2015 - The Midnight Sun
We are in Tromso, Norway,a city in the Arctic Circle, for the European Open Bridge Championships. I am an official at the Championships and also will be attending meetings of the European Bridge League Executive Committee. As Tromso is in the Arctic Circle we witnessed the phenomenon of the "midnight sun". Basically the sun never sets and there is light 24 hours a day. This picture was taken at midnight from our hotel room window without any artificial lighting or "photo-shopping."
Mikhal Segoli is participating in a conference in New Hampshire, USA. She added a few days to her stay to enjoy the surroundings.
June 2015 - Celebrating 3 birthdays
June is a busy month for our immediate family - three birthdays: Doreen on the 11th, son Aviv's on the 21st and daughter Vered's on the 28th.
This year Moran decided to have a joint birthday party. He invited us all to his house in Sde Boqer to spend the weekend. The joint birthday idea was a surprise, although Doreen was told that it was for Aviv's birthday and she prepared 2 birthday cakes to be decorated by the children.
Moran prepared a delicious lunch (a la his cooking lesson in Vietnam) enjoyed by all.
After lunch the kids were taken to another room where they prepared for the birthday surprise, before rushing in and singing "happy birthday dear Aviv, Vered and Granny". A lovely surprise and a lovely weekend.
June 2015 - Decorating birthday cakes for Aunt Vered and Uncle Aviv
Doreen had baked two cakes and the children had a wonderful time decorating them. Note the fish for Aviv's cake, and the roses for Vered's. For the cake recipe, click here.
There are more pictures on the pages of Itamar, Maayan, Amit, Lotem, Ilai and Zoe.
June 2015 - A walk to Gev Yamin
Gev Yamin is a natural waterhole in the desert near Sde boqer. This year has been a very wet year and even though it's summer there was a lot of water in the pool. Soon it will dry up until next winter.
June 2015 - Vered goes sailing in the Greek Islands for her International Skippers Licence
Daughter Vered Ron went on a sailing trip as part of her qualification for an International Skipper Licence. The stopovers on the Islands added greatly to the enjoyment of the sailing.
June 2015 - A visit to the Tzippori National Park
Tzippori is a National Park in the western Lower Galilee, where the remains of a city were discovered. They include mosaics, a system of streets, public buildings, dwellings, a central market, bathhouses, synagogue, churches, a fortress and, of especial interest to the children, a theatre and an amazing system of aqeducts with channels, water reservoir, and tunnel.
There are more pictures on the
pages of the children: Itamar, Maayan,
Amit,
Lotem, Ilai
and Zoe
June 2015 - Picking vegetables in Saba Eitan's garden.
There are more pictures on the pages of Itamar, Maayan, Amit, Lotem, Ilai and Zoe and also on the Miscellaneous Activities and Archives pages.)
June 2015 - A visit to Atlit.
Doreen writes:
With our Eilat grandchildren, Itamar, Amit and Ilai, I drove to the Atlit Detention Camp.
This is a restored national heritage site that re-creates a detention camp during the British Mandate over Palestine. Following a series of White Papers, and even after the Holocaust, the British were determined to prevent Jewish immigration, even Holocaust survivors, from entering Palestine. Ships that were detected were brought to Haifa Port and many Ma’apilim (Illegal immigrants) were brought by trains to the camp surrounded by barbed wire where they were required to undergo disinfection and showers - horribly traumatic for Holocaust survivors. The main difficulty of the detention was coping with boredom.
We were fortunate on our tour to meet Avraham Leon, who came on the Theodore Herzl at the age of 13, the sole survivor of his family. After 13 days at sea the ship arrived at Haifa and the Jews were promptly sent to a British detention camp on Cyprus where he spent a number of months and later brought to Atlit were he spent a few days, released when the State of Israel was declared. For the children it was most interesting to meet some-one who had actually been a prisoner at the camp – history alive!
Another lesson to be learnt is that even the worst relations between countries can be repaired and turned around.
June 2015 - A visit with Eddie Nemenoff
We visited Eddie Nemenoff and Yael Nemenoff on Kibbutz Kfar Hanassi. Eddie was the Habonim shaliach in Durban when Doreen and I were dating against her parents' wishes, and Eddie was a go-between for us. He was also a friend and we shared a common love for bridge. We hadn't seen him or Yael since his 80th birthday 6 years ago.
At the Habonim reunion in May we heard that Eddie was ill and we visited him. Unfortunately Eddie no longer has the use of his throat and vocal chords and is fed intravenously. Nevertheless we reminisced and carried on a lively conversation with the aid of his scratch pad.
We were also happy to see Yael again and exchange details about our families.
We had lunch with ex-Durbanite Naomi (Levine)Forster and her husband Bennie at their house on the kibbutz and even though we had seen each other at the reunion it was nice seeing her again.
May 2015 - Seeing the Keysons again.
We were happy to again meet up with Jose and David Keyson and son Naphtali at dinner at the home of the Rons.
The Keysons live in the Netherlands and they and their children are close friends with Vered and Aviv and their children. This is carrying on a 'tradition', for Jose's parents, Hans and Lottie Reijzer have been our close friends for over 50 years ever since we first met on a Hebrew ulpan. We see each other fairly regularly, in Israel or in the Netherlands, or on holiday together (see here for example)
May 2015 - Shavuot holiday - a long weekend in Eilat
(For more pictures of the Shavuot weekend in Eilat see also the pages of Itamar, Maayan, Amit, Lotem, Ilai and Zoe.)
We picked up our Sde Boqer grandchildren and drove to Eilat to enjoy the long weekend of the Shavuot holiday together with our Eilat grandchildren and Mikhal, Aviv and Limor. On Friday we went to Coral World and the children played, jumped and generally enjoyed themselves.
That night we enjoyed a barbecue on the beach near Coral World and slept there.
After breakfast the next morning at the Levys, the morning activity was a visit to the historical Timna site.
On Monday evening we took the Segoli children back to Sde Boqer and returned exhausted to Netanya.
For more pictures of the Shavuot weekend in Eilat see also the pages of Itamar, Maayan, Amit, Lotem, Ilai and Zoe.
May 2015 Flopsy is lost
We spent a few days
in Sde Boqer earlier in the week babysitting the Segoli chioldren and
looking for our dog Flopsy who was lost for about 15 hours until found
by
the Security patrol miles from the house. The poor dog - 15 years old
- is almost completely deaf and partially blind but sometimes thinks he
is still a puppy and goes exploring, running and dashing regardless.
May 2015 - Moran enjoys Australia on a motorbike
While in Townsville on his work visit to Australia Moran and his local
friend George went on a 2 day motorbike tour. When brother Aviv heard
about it, he was not going to let his brother outdo him and also went
for a
bike ride.
May 2015 - Moran visits the Hakims in Sydney
In Sydney on his Australian visit Moran contacted relatives Ros and Claude Hakim (see Nochomovicz/Nickel family tree) and enjoyed meeting them again.
May 2015 - Aviv saves a turtle
Son Aviv received a
call from the Nature Reserves Authority about a turtle in distress. He
swam and located the turtle that had a fishing hook embedded in its
neck. He carried the turtle back to land (picture on the left) and with
the help of a colleague removed the hook and returned the turtle to the
sea (picture on right).
May 20125 - Moran learns Thai cooking
Son Moran Segoli is in Australia finishing his project and work there. On the way he spent some days in Thailand, and from all accounts had a wonderful time there. Apart from diving and generally enjoying himself, he also did a cooking class and we look forward to tasting his Pad Thai on his return.
May 2015 - The "sixties" Habonim Reunion at Kibbutz Tzora.
On Thursday and Friday we went to a reunion of 1960's members of the Habonim youth movement. Most of the two hundred people there live in Israel but there were also many who now live in other countries. The event was impeccably organized by ex-Habonimites who live on Kibbutz Tzora. It was a resounding success and the experience of meeting old friends, some of whom we haven't seen for 50 years, was amazing.
There were 31 participants who had belonged to the Habonim movement in Durban and it was extra-special seeing again the people who had played such important roles in our youth.
A pre-reunion lunch with Errol and Estelle (nee Rothschild) Sapir
Five graduates of the Durban Girls High School class of 1961 - (maiden names): Ilana Rubinstein, Doreen Glazer, Maureen Konigsfest, Eleanor Gamsy, Aura Bilchik
Doreen, Maureen, Eleanor, Ami Mendelson (nee Nachamkes), <back>Yvonne Heitner (nee Nussbaum)
Basil Porter, showing what would have happened had he not become a doctor
There were also short speeches and presentations
-some humorous, like Steve Ascheim's imitation of a speech by the late Chief Rabbi Rabinowich of SA
- some serious and thought provoking, like the talk by Professor Gidi Shimoni about our alienation from mainstream South African politics and ideology and today a growing parallel feeling of alienation about what is happening here in Israel.
The evening was MC'ed by Jackie Metzger
After the evening programme and the excellent meal, there was a campfire, followed by an impressive "mifklad esh" featiuring the Habonim emblem.
April 2015 - The Belmans visit
Mike and Laura Belman, Doreen, Levia Passwel, Eitan
We were very happy to welcome long-time friend from our Durban days,
Mike Belman and his wife Lorna. Levia Passwell joined us for dinner at
home. We last saw the Belmans about 7 years ago when they visited
Israel (see picture.)
Mike and Lorna are here for the ex-South African Habonim Reunion at
Kibbutz
Tzora next weekend.
April 2015 - Eilat Old girls' Club
Left, f/b: Doreen, Yael Paperna, Ziona Glassman
Right f/b: Ruti Erez, Caroline Livneh, Louise Braverman (honorary Eilati!)
Every now and then Doreen gets together with some ex-Eilati girl
friends for a brunch. Some of them met again this week. (Click for a
picture of a previous meeting, with
links to other meetings. )
April 2015 - Eitan's turns 75
It was my 75th birthday a few days ago. Daughter Vered and Aviv joined Doreen and me at a new restaurant near us for a very tasty meal.
April 2015 - The Bravermans in Eilat
Denise, Adam, Tamara, Charlotte (friend), Melly
Thanks to ex- brother in law, Melly Braverman, for the picture of him with his children Adam and Tamara and Denise. Adam and Tamara were on a visit from England to Israel.
1957 - Grocery store coupons
Daughter in law Limor sent us some fascinating and historical pictures of coupons (5 lira, 1 lira and 500 prutot) issued in 1957 by the first grocery shop in Eilat, which was owned by her grandparents Albert and Aysha Ohayon. According to Limor's mother Margalit the coupons were good for anything from "bread to parafin oil for heating". I always thought this kind of coupon was modern - it's interesting to see that even 60 years ago they were used.
April 2015 - Mikhal Segoli visits Paris
Mikhal Segoli and her mother Yael and sisters (in the picture, Ofi) are visiting and enjoying Paris for a week.
April 2015 - Vered and Aviv Ron celebrate their wedding anniversary
just the 2 of them, without the children!
April 2015 - A trip to Prague
Doreen and I flew to Prague where I had to arrange for a bridge event there.We are spending 6 days here. After the meeting today I went with Doreen to the city centre and of course couldn't resist a delicious Czech sausage.
April 2015 - Raphael Cotton visits.
We enjoyed having Raphael Cotton (Levy and Matz family trees) stay with us for a couple of days on his visit to Israel from South Africa.
April 2015 - Enjoying a fish meal
April 2015 -
Pesasch 2015
This year we hosted the Passover Seder at our home in Netanya and managed to squash in 20 people. It was a most enjoyable seder with enough tradition and more than enough food. The highlight was the rendering of Ehad Mi Yodea by Doreen, Dani and Lior (see picture) and video.
(Thanks to Aviv Ron for most of the pictures - the good ones!)
We finished the seder in style singing passover songs and Israeli
hits from now and long ago. Granddaughter Danielle and Gabi Dvir
accompanied the songs with appropriate gestures and actions.
March 2015 - Exhibition and Study Day "Israeli Food Culture" in honor of Dalia Lamdani.
Dalia, in front, with Doreen, son Moran, me and friend
Caroline Livneh
Dalia Lamdani has donated her collection of over 1,000 books about the sociology and culture of food as well as about cooking in Israel and all areas of the world to Haifa University where they will be exhibited and will form an important part of the research into the culture of food and cooking. We attended the opening of the exhibition this week.
Dalia, an internationally recognised food historian, has been a friend since our days in Eilat (see pictures of Dalia and an "Eilati reunion") and our meetings and conversations with her are always delightful and interesting. A few months ago a book she wrote was published, and Doreen wrote about it and Dalia in Doreen's Column.
March 2015 - Itai Nickel's barmitzvah
Itai is the youngest son of Warren and Yael Nickel. Warren and his brothers Richard and Louis are Doreen's first cousins. The Nickel brothers are of the same age group as our children and they consider themselves cousins. Warren, Yael, Nevo and Itai live in Eilat, and Warren and our son Aviv work for the same company.
The barmitzvah and celebration were enjoyable, although we all missed Grandpa Julius Nickel who passed away last December.
Rachel Karlsblad1, Doreen's
sister Louise Braverman, Caroline Livneh, Yael Paperna, Ziona Glassman,
Yaffa Loew1, Doreen, daughter Vered Ron, Ruthi Erez,
1: see Schank family tree.Yaffa, Doreen and Vered
December 2015 - Frankie Klaff's 70th with Oren, Amalia and Asher
Asher
- Frankie
Dave and Frankie - Amalia, Asher, Oren and Frankie
December 2015 - Wishful thinking?
Two Jews stand next to a Christmas tree in a Muslim restaurant in Abu Gosh. This is after we attended a classical Christmas concert in the nearby church, where the orchestra and most of the audience were Jewish. This is what we had hoped to find in Israel - where people of different religions could rejoice in each's customs and culture without feeling threatened.
December 2015 - married 51 years
We celebrated our 51st wedding aniversary by exchanging cards (bought secretly in London a few weeks ago) and going out for dinner to an excellent fish dinner.
December 2015 - Channuka
Vered and Lior Ron
-------------------------------------------- Maayan and
Ltem and Mikhal Segoli
At the home of Shuli and Eitan Haberman
December 2015 - The Grandchildren visit and make a Potato Clock
The Segoli and Eilat Levy families visited us for the weekend. After Friday night dinner we handed out Chanukah presents. Among the presents was a kit to make a clock from the electricity generated by two potatoes. The kids enjoyed setting it up and it worked perfectly.
On Saturday the
family went for a walk along Nahal Alexander where Doreen explained
about Alexander Yanai and his connection to the story of Channuka.
November 2015 - Doreen prepares Makluba
The Rons came over for dinner and Doreen prepared a special vegan makluba expecially for our two vegan grandchildren, Danielle and Lior. There was no chicken in it of course, and zucchini was substitued for eggplant because of allergy problems. It was delicious!
See Doreen's recipe for traditional makluba
November 2015 - A concert at St Martins in the Field
A highlight of our visit to London was an unusual and thoroughly enjoyable experience at a concert at St Martins in the Field. During the interval the conductor explained the main theme of the 2nd Movement of Beethoven's 5th Symphony with the help of the orchestra spread out among the audience and playing from sheetmusic held by the audience. (see picture)
November 2015 - Award Ceremony
I presented the silver medals to the Duch team BC'tOnstein, the runners-up at the European Bridge Champions' Cup.
November 2015 - A visit to Milton Keynes
We spent a weekend at Horwood House, just outside the town of Milton Keynes in England. I attended the European Bridge Champions' Cup and an executive meeting of the European Bridge League. Doreen used her time there to visit Woburn Abbey and the famous Bletchley Park complex (see picture) where the World Wart II code-breaking machine was developed by Alan Turing and his assistants.
Right: Good friends Bill Pencharz (a former EBL President) and his wife Marianna, with the current EBL President Yves Aubry.
November 2015 - A hike to see the helmoniot in the desert.
After meeting Twitter the Segolis and the Eilat levys went on a hike in the desert to see the flowering helmoniot (daffodil family.)
November 2015 - Getting to know Twitter
The newest member of our family is Twitter the cockatiel. Twitter joined us a month ago by appearing at our verandah and adopting Doreen. Wee took Twitter to the Segolis in Sde Boqer. On the way we dropped in to the Rons. The Eilat Levys were also visiting the Segolis, so all our children and grandchildren had the opportunity to say "welcome" to Twitter. Both Twitter and the family were very excited - the children were delighted, especially as Twitter likes copying whistles and movements. Twitter was a little overwhelmed at first but later joined in the celebration.
Mikhal Segoli's 40th birthday
Mikhal's 3-day birthday celebration included a traditional brunch at Beresheet in Mizpeh Ramon
October 2015 - With Colin and Louise Kessel, and Frankie and Dave
October 2015 - Visit of Buzz Aldrin
Our good friend Morris Kahn visited Coral World in Eilat with Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon (see article in Wikipedia). Buzz talked to the children about his experience, and then Aviv took him on a dive to see the sharks. (see This Week's Picture, and another picture of the girls with Buzz)
Neil Armstyrong was the first man to walk on the moon, and immediately after him Buzz also stepped onto the moon. This US postage stamp shows the picture Neil Armstrong took of him.
Our house pets may increase from one (Flopsy the dog) to two (Twitter the cockatiel). Twitter showed up on our veranda, chirping loudly, and fell instantly in love with Doreen. Doreen is on a trip so it has now tranfered its attentions to me and follows me around the house, followed by Flopsy who I think does not have good intentions. We'll have to decide soon what to do with it.
October 2015 - Mikhal Segoli in Malaga for a conference.
September 2015 - Full moon eclipse
There was a total eclipse of the moon on the 27/28th and Shai Arroyo, niece Denise Braverman's companion, took this fantastic time delay picture.
The
full Moon of September 27/28 was a Supermoon – the Moon was
closest to the Earth, at its perigee, as it turned into a full
Moon. It is also called a Blood Moon due to its reddish glow (clearly
seen in Shai's terrific photo.)
Total eclipses of Super Full Moons are rare. The last one was in 1982 and the next one will only happen in another 38 years.
September 2015 - A trip to Sicily
Our good friend Morris Kahn invited us to join him and Ariella on his yacht Antares III for a sail around the Aeolian Islands off the coast of Sicily. Flying from Tel Aviv to Palermo on Morris's private plane (see picture) was an absolute delight, sitting on comfortable armchairs around a table and enjoying sushi and salads.
We are spending our first night off the coast outside Cefalu, and in the morning we start the trip.
The Rons enjoy a few days on the island of Lindos in Greece. Unfortunately granddaughter Danielle fell down some steps and badly strained her arm which was put in a splint. (see picture).
September 2015 - Meeting Aaron Miroz
We were delighted to get the opportunity to see Aaron Miroz again. Aaron is the fish expert for the Coral World aquariums around the world. We have known Aaron for over 40 years since he was a diver for the Eilat Coral World when I was the manager there. We have kept up a close relationship since then and our original professional friendship developed into a personal friendship.
Rosh Hashanah 2015
We spent the Rosh Hashanah long weekend in Eilat at the home of Aviv and Limor with all our children and grandchildren (except for Danielle who was in the army.)
Rosh Hashanah - September 2015
-
We will spend Rosh
Hashanah, the Jewish New Year with our children and
grandchildren in Eilat. The Rons set out for Eilat early and spent the
night with the Segolis in Sde Boqer. Bright and early the next morning
they went for a desert walk before resuming their trip to Eilat.
September 2015 - Amsterdam
No visit to Amsterdam is complete for me without eating the delicious fresh herring sold in stalls around the town. I tried nearly all of them.
September 2015 - A visit to the Kooijmans
On our short visit to the Netherlands we took the opportunity to travel to Gouda to spend a most enjoyable day with Ton and Annalie Kooijman. Ton is Chairman of the World Bridge Federation Laws Committee, and was the examiner at the first International Tournament Director course I did. We have known Ton and Annelie for many years and have met them in many places including in Israel.
September 2015 - Some repairs around the house.
Preparing to change a broken chair seat.August 2015 - The Eilat Levys vacation in Crete
Aviv took advantage of the vacation trip to Crete for a
long overdue haircut at a salon.August 2015 - The Rons spend a relaxing weekend at the Mitzpe Yamim resort.
August 2015 - Wishing bon voyage to the Aviv Levys
Just before school started the Aviv Levys went on a short vacation to Crete.
The Segolis were with us for the weekend and on Saturday we all went to the airport to wish the Levys a safe and happy trip to Crete.
August 2015 - Moran and Mikhal Segoli in Iceland.
Here are two more pictures of Moran and Mikhal's trip to Iceland. Moran remarks that after a visit to Iceland it appears as if God was using photo shop when He created Iceland!
August 2015 - Moran and Mikhal in Reykjavik, Iceland, in front of the Hallgrimur Church
Son and daughter-in-law Moran and Mikhal are visiting Iceland. Looks cold there!
August 2015 - The Grandchildren spend a week with us.
Horse riding -- Getting
ready to go to the circus -- a visit to the Crusader Castle
in Akko (Acre)
An easy way for 6 grandchildren to
shower
See also pictures of last week's activities, and last week's Picture of the Week.
Moran and Mikhal Segoli, skippered by sister Vered
August 2015 - A visit to the Eretz Yisrael Museum
The Eilat and Sde Boqer grandchildren visited the Eretz Yisrasel Museum. They visited the museum and also participated in a workshop on building moveable toys. Later, at home, they put the finishing touches to their toys.
July 2015 - Receiving an EBL Plaque
The closing ceremony of the Youth Competitions took place this evening and together with the European Bridge League President Yves Aubrey I presented the medals to the winners. This was the first time in years that I was not Chief Tournament director, but there was a surprise for me. I was presented with a special plaque for my years of service to the EBL and for serving for so many years as Chief Tournament Director of the Youth Competitions.
July 2015 - Tromso Staff Party
At the farewell staff party we were given woollen hats in memory of the cold in Tromso
The Executive members of the
Championship Committee (me, with Josef Harsanyi, Yves Aubry and Jan
Kamras)
With all the Tournament Directors (judges) of the Championships
Doreen at the Tromso Botanical Gardens
July 2015 - Tromso, Norway
In Tromso, officiating at the European Open Bridge Championships.
At
a meeting of the Executive Committee. Doreen agreed to play with
me at a special midnight bridge competition for staff and spouses.
Reindeer,
polar bear and reconstrucion of a Viking house.
After
a cable car ride, a wonderful view of Tromso - and the sun - at
midnight. (see also the picture from last week)
June 2015 - The Europa docks right by our window
We woke up one morning, opened the blinds, and were greeted by the sight of the ship Europa just docking at the wharf in front of our hotel.
It was on this same ship that Doreen and I sailed from Durban, South Africa to Italy on our honeymoon. Seeing the ship again brought back many many happy memories.
The ship is small by modern standards, and has been converted into a luxury cruising ship. Doreen wanted to board "for old times sake" but the security personnel would not allow it.
June 2015 - The Midnight Sun
We are in Tromso, Norway,a city in the Arctic Circle, for the European Open Bridge Championships. I am an official at the Championships and also will be attending meetings of the European Bridge League Executive Committee. As Tromso is in the Arctic Circle we witnessed the phenomenon of the "midnight sun". Basically the sun never sets and there is light 24 hours a day. This picture was taken at midnight from our hotel room window without any artificial lighting or "photo-shopping."
-
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Mikhal Segoli is participating in a conference in New Hampshire, USA. She added a few days to her stay to enjoy the surroundings.
June 2015 - Celebrating 3 birthdays
June is a busy month for our immediate family - three birthdays: Doreen on the 11th, son Aviv's on the 21st and daughter Vered's on the 28th.
This year Moran decided to have a joint birthday party. He invited us all to his house in Sde Boqer to spend the weekend. The joint birthday idea was a surprise, although Doreen was told that it was for Aviv's birthday and she prepared 2 birthday cakes to be decorated by the children.
Moran prepared a delicious lunch (a la his cooking lesson in Vietnam) enjoyed by all.
After lunch the kids were taken to another room where they prepared for the birthday surprise, before rushing in and singing "happy birthday dear Aviv, Vered and Granny". A lovely surprise and a lovely weekend.
June 2015 - Decorating birthday cakes for Aunt Vered and Uncle Aviv
Doreen had baked two cakes and the children had a wonderful time decorating them. Note the fish for Aviv's cake, and the roses for Vered's. For the cake recipe, click here.
There are more pictures on the pages of Itamar, Maayan, Amit, Lotem, Ilai and Zoe.
June 2015 - A walk to Gev Yamin
Gev Yamin is a natural waterhole in the desert near Sde boqer. This year has been a very wet year and even though it's summer there was a lot of water in the pool. Soon it will dry up until next winter.
June 2015 - Vered goes sailing in the Greek Islands for her International Skippers Licence
Daughter Vered Ron went on a sailing trip as part of her qualification for an International Skipper Licence. The stopovers on the Islands added greatly to the enjoyment of the sailing.
June 2015 - A visit to the Tzippori National Park
Tzippori is a National Park in the western Lower Galilee, where the remains of a city were discovered. They include mosaics, a system of streets, public buildings, dwellings, a central market, bathhouses, synagogue, churches, a fortress and, of especial interest to the children, a theatre and an amazing system of aqeducts with channels, water reservoir, and tunnel.
June 2015 - Picking vegetables in Saba Eitan's garden.
There are more pictures on the pages of Itamar, Maayan, Amit, Lotem, Ilai and Zoe and also on the Miscellaneous Activities and Archives pages.)
June 2015 - A visit to Atlit.
Doreen writes:
With our Eilat grandchildren, Itamar, Amit and Ilai, I drove to the Atlit Detention Camp.
This is a restored national heritage site that re-creates a detention camp during the British Mandate over Palestine. Following a series of White Papers, and even after the Holocaust, the British were determined to prevent Jewish immigration, even Holocaust survivors, from entering Palestine. Ships that were detected were brought to Haifa Port and many Ma’apilim (Illegal immigrants) were brought by trains to the camp surrounded by barbed wire where they were required to undergo disinfection and showers - horribly traumatic for Holocaust survivors. The main difficulty of the detention was coping with boredom.
We were fortunate on our tour to meet Avraham Leon, who came on the Theodore Herzl at the age of 13, the sole survivor of his family. After 13 days at sea the ship arrived at Haifa and the Jews were promptly sent to a British detention camp on Cyprus where he spent a number of months and later brought to Atlit were he spent a few days, released when the State of Israel was declared. For the children it was most interesting to meet some-one who had actually been a prisoner at the camp – history alive!
Another lesson to be learnt is that even the worst relations between countries can be repaired and turned around.
June 2015 - A visit with Eddie Nemenoff
We visited Eddie Nemenoff and Yael Nemenoff on Kibbutz Kfar Hanassi. Eddie was the Habonim shaliach in Durban when Doreen and I were dating against her parents' wishes, and Eddie was a go-between for us. He was also a friend and we shared a common love for bridge. We hadn't seen him or Yael since his 80th birthday 6 years ago.
At the Habonim reunion in May we heard that Eddie was ill and we visited him. Unfortunately Eddie no longer has the use of his throat and vocal chords and is fed intravenously. Nevertheless we reminisced and carried on a lively conversation with the aid of his scratch pad.
We were also happy to see Yael again and exchange details about our families.
We had lunch with ex-Durbanite Naomi (Levine)Forster and her husband Bennie at their house on the kibbutz and even though we had seen each other at the reunion it was nice seeing her again.
May 2015 - Seeing the Keysons again.
We were happy to again meet up with Jose and David Keyson and son Naphtali at dinner at the home of the Rons.
The Keysons live in the Netherlands and they and their children are close friends with Vered and Aviv and their children. This is carrying on a 'tradition', for Jose's parents, Hans and Lottie Reijzer have been our close friends for over 50 years ever since we first met on a Hebrew ulpan. We see each other fairly regularly, in Israel or in the Netherlands, or on holiday together (see here for example)
May 2015 - Shavuot holiday - a long weekend in Eilat
(For more pictures of the Shavuot weekend in Eilat see also the pages of Itamar, Maayan, Amit, Lotem, Ilai and Zoe.)
We picked up our Sde Boqer grandchildren and drove to Eilat to enjoy the long weekend of the Shavuot holiday together with our Eilat grandchildren and Mikhal, Aviv and Limor. On Friday we went to Coral World and the children played, jumped and generally enjoyed themselves.
That night we enjoyed a barbecue on the beach near Coral World and slept there.
After breakfast the next morning at the Levys, the morning activity was a visit to the historical Timna site.
The next day we visited the Extreme
Sport attraction. The children had a wonderful time climbing walls,
walking on tightropes and swinging platforms, jumping, swinging and
much more. The pictures are on the children's
individual pages
Aviv and Limor prepared a barbecue that evening with delicious food and salads and we were happy that cousins Warren and Yael Nickel and children could join us.
After the barbecue, Aviv set up the pool in his yard, and the next morning was spent swimmimg and splashing. Zoe was particularly delighted, screaming "I'm swimming, I'm swimming" (see picture and video).
Aviv and Limor prepared a barbecue that evening with delicious food and salads and we were happy that cousins Warren and Yael Nickel and children could join us.
After the barbecue, Aviv set up the pool in his yard, and the next morning was spent swimmimg and splashing. Zoe was particularly delighted, screaming "I'm swimming, I'm swimming" (see picture and video).
On Monday evening we took the Segoli children back to Sde Boqer and returned exhausted to Netanya.
For more pictures of the Shavuot weekend in Eilat see also the pages of Itamar, Maayan, Amit, Lotem, Ilai and Zoe.
May 2015 Flopsy is lost
May 2015 - Moran enjoys Australia on a motorbike
May 2015 - Moran visits the Hakims in Sydney
In Sydney on his Australian visit Moran contacted relatives Ros and Claude Hakim (see Nochomovicz/Nickel family tree) and enjoyed meeting them again.
May 2015 - Aviv saves a turtle
May 20125 - Moran learns Thai cooking
Son Moran Segoli is in Australia finishing his project and work there. On the way he spent some days in Thailand, and from all accounts had a wonderful time there. Apart from diving and generally enjoying himself, he also did a cooking class and we look forward to tasting his Pad Thai on his return.
May 2015 - The "sixties" Habonim Reunion at Kibbutz Tzora.
On Thursday and Friday we went to a reunion of 1960's members of the Habonim youth movement. Most of the two hundred people there live in Israel but there were also many who now live in other countries. The event was impeccably organized by ex-Habonimites who live on Kibbutz Tzora. It was a resounding success and the experience of meeting old friends, some of whom we haven't seen for 50 years, was amazing.
There were 31 participants who had belonged to the Habonim movement in Durban and it was extra-special seeing again the people who had played such important roles in our youth.
A pre-reunion lunch with Errol and Estelle (nee Rothschild) Sapir
Five graduates of the Durban Girls High School class of 1961 - (maiden names): Ilana Rubinstein, Doreen Glazer, Maureen Konigsfest, Eleanor Gamsy, Aura Bilchik
Doreen, Maureen, Eleanor, Ami Mendelson (nee Nachamkes), <back>Yvonne Heitner (nee Nussbaum)
Basil Porter, showing what would have happened had he not become a doctor
There were also short speeches and presentations
-some humorous, like Steve Ascheim's imitation of a speech by the late Chief Rabbi Rabinowich of SA
- some serious and thought provoking, like the talk by Professor Gidi Shimoni about our alienation from mainstream South African politics and ideology and today a growing parallel feeling of alienation about what is happening here in Israel.
The evening was MC'ed by Jackie Metzger
After the evening programme and the excellent meal, there was a campfire, followed by an impressive "mifklad esh" featiuring the Habonim emblem.
The
next morning, breakfast, then a serious session on the legacy of
Habonim. Afterwards a 50 minute walk up the mountain for refreshments
and a continuation of our discussion of the legacy of Habonim.
April 2015 - The Belmans visit
Mike and Laura Belman, Doreen, Levia Passwel, Eitan
April 2015 - Eilat Old girls' Club
Left, f/b: Doreen, Yael Paperna, Ziona Glassman
Right f/b: Ruti Erez, Caroline Livneh, Louise Braverman (honorary Eilati!)
April 2015 - Eitan's turns 75
It was my 75th birthday a few days ago. Daughter Vered and Aviv joined Doreen and me at a new restaurant near us for a very tasty meal.
April 2015 - The Bravermans in Eilat
Denise, Adam, Tamara, Charlotte (friend), MellyThanks to ex- brother in law, Melly Braverman, for the picture of him with his children Adam and Tamara and Denise. Adam and Tamara were on a visit from England to Israel.
1957 - Grocery store coupons
Daughter in law Limor sent us some fascinating and historical pictures of coupons (5 lira, 1 lira and 500 prutot) issued in 1957 by the first grocery shop in Eilat, which was owned by her grandparents Albert and Aysha Ohayon. According to Limor's mother Margalit the coupons were good for anything from "bread to parafin oil for heating". I always thought this kind of coupon was modern - it's interesting to see that even 60 years ago they were used.
April 2015 - Mikhal Segoli visits Paris
Mikhal Segoli and her mother Yael and sisters (in the picture, Ofi) are visiting and enjoying Paris for a week.
April 2015 - Vered and Aviv Ron celebrate their wedding anniversary
just the 2 of them, without the children!April 2015 - A trip to Prague
Doreen and I flew to Prague where I had to arrange for a bridge event there.We are spending 6 days here. After the meeting today I went with Doreen to the city centre and of course couldn't resist a delicious Czech sausage.
April 2015 - Raphael Cotton visits.
We enjoyed having Raphael Cotton (Levy and Matz family trees) stay with us for a couple of days on his visit to Israel from South Africa.
April 2015 - Enjoying a fish meal
The week-long Passsover holiday is a
great opportunity for family
meetings with our children and grandchildren. Most of us were together
for the seder,
then the Eilat Levys stayed with us (click here), the Segolis
joined us
for Friday night dinner, and on Saturday we joined Vered and Aviv and
the Segolis at a fish restaurant at the Herzliya Marina.
This year we hosted the Passover Seder at our home in Netanya and managed to squash in 20 people. It was a most enjoyable seder with enough tradition and more than enough food. The highlight was the rendering of Ehad Mi Yodea by Doreen, Dani and Lior (see picture) and video.
(Thanks to Aviv Ron for most of the pictures - the good ones!)
March 2015 - Exhibition and Study Day "Israeli Food Culture" in honor of Dalia Lamdani.
Dalia, in front, with Doreen, son Moran, me and friend
Caroline LivnehDalia Lamdani has donated her collection of over 1,000 books about the sociology and culture of food as well as about cooking in Israel and all areas of the world to Haifa University where they will be exhibited and will form an important part of the research into the culture of food and cooking. We attended the opening of the exhibition this week.
Dalia, an internationally recognised food historian, has been a friend since our days in Eilat (see pictures of Dalia and an "Eilati reunion") and our meetings and conversations with her are always delightful and interesting. A few months ago a book she wrote was published, and Doreen wrote about it and Dalia in Doreen's Column.
March 2015 - Itai Nickel's barmitzvah
Itai is the youngest son of Warren and Yael Nickel. Warren and his brothers Richard and Louis are Doreen's first cousins. The Nickel brothers are of the same age group as our children and they consider themselves cousins. Warren, Yael, Nevo and Itai live in Eilat, and Warren and our son Aviv work for the same company.
The barmitzvah and celebration were enjoyable, although we all missed Grandpa Julius Nickel who passed away last December.
Itai reading from the torah, with grandfather Cohen, father Warren, and the Rabbi looking on.
Then on Friday night the
Rons joined us for Shabbat dinner. 
