Itamar, Amit, Lotem and Ilai enjoying the snow

• During the last week we have celebrated Chanuka, the Festival of Lights. We took part in some of the nightly lighting of candles (1 to 8 depending on the day) and the singing of Chanuka songs. Click for some pictures.
• Our three Eilat grandchildren, Itamar, Amit and Ilai and granddaughter Lotem Segoli joined us for three days during the Chanuka vacation. Doreen prepared a program for them, a visit to the Florentie Circus, a trip to the Hermon to see the snow (see picture above), and the new Harry Potter spin-off movie "Fatastic Beast". More pictures here.
  
• Last week I wrote about the delicious vegan sufganiyot (doughnuts) that  Vered has prepared for us. See the recipe on our Family Recipe page.  And while you're there check out the special potato zucchini latkes recipe.
  
• It seems like the latest craze is costume pyjamas. See Limor, Amit and Ilai Levy showing off their pyjamas.
• Ilai Levy's class went on a school trip to Coral World  and Ilai proudly showed her classmates a baby crocodile.
• Next week we will be in Sde Boqer to celebrate Maayan Segoli's barmitzvah. He has been preparing for it - click for a picture.
• If you haven't managed to see Doreen's account of our Portugal trip you can access it here.
• And a happy, succesful, healthy and wonderful 2017 to all our relatives and friends.

1st Candle of Channuka at the home of Vered and Aviv Ron

back: Maayan Segoli, Vered Ron, Mikhal and Moran Segoli, Doreen, Susan Nathan
front: Zoe Segoli and Lior Ron
Not in the picture: Aviv Ron, Lotem Segoli, me

• Two days ago we returned from a most enjoyable trip to Portugal. Part of the time we stayed with bridge friends Connie Goldberg and Rui Marques and toured the Lisbon area and environs. We also spent some days in North Portugal visiting interesting towns and places. All in all it was a great trip, and Doreen has written about it. Read what she wrote, with pictures, by clicking here.
• Grandson Maayan Segoli is becoming quite versatile in his cooking, and prepared a delicious tiramisu. See pictures.
• We were happy to have second cousin Susan Nathan (see Levy/Hershovitz family tree) as a guest this weekend. Although she lives in Israel we have not seen each other for many many years and it was very pleasant catching up on family matters. Click for a picture of Susan and Doreen at Caesaria.
  
• We wish all our relatives and friends a very happy, successful and healthy 2017.  In the meantime, enjoy the Channukah/Christmas/other festivities.

We are in Portugal and yesterday was our 52nd Anniversary. We celebrated by driving along the Douro Port Wine Route, with a stop at the winery Quinta do Tedo on the bank of the Douro River to taste their delicious Port wine and lift a toast to 52 years of  friendship and love.

• We have been a week holidaying in Portugal and enjoying every day. We spent the first few days in Caiscais near Lisbon visiting the sites in the area and enjoying the hospitality of friends Rui Marques and Connie Goldberg.  We're in the north, near Porto at the moment, and return to Israel  in 4 days. Pictures and comments on our trip by Doreen will hopefully be in next week's update.
• Granddaughter Dani Ron is in Prague enjoying her visit with some friends, and exeriencing the Christmas atmosphere there. See picture.

Me, Beverley Taylor, Sydney and Ari Lossin

Doreen and I spent a lovely morning reconnecting with second cousins Sydney Lossin and Beverley Taylor. Sydney and her husband Ari live in Asseret and although we have fairly regular email contact we have not met for about 20 years, even though we have lived in Israel for over 50 years. Beverley lives in London and this was the first time we have met. See Matz family tree.

• Granddaughter Danielle is back from her trip to Amsterdam and getting ready for a nice long "post-army" trip.
  
• Daughter Vered Ron and husband Aviv are back from their short trip to Paris. (see picture)
  
• Doreen joined sister Louise Braverman on a visit to Sarona with Louise's school friend from Barnato High School in Johannesburg, Anita Etzman. (see picture).
• Tomorrow we fly to Portugal for a  holiday. This is the first time we will have visited Portugal and we are both looking forward to it. We will stay some of the time with bridge friends Rui and Connie and also, of course, do some touring.

Aviv at the Blue Mountain in Sinai

Old Photos series: In June 1990 we went on a  jeep tour of Egyptian Sinai, together with friends. It was an quite an eventful tour;  a jeeps tour. During the 5 days of the tour we had to change vehicles 16 times, using 8 different vehicles - inluding one that was confiscated off the road with us in it. It didn't have a valid license. On one of the nights we arrived in darkness at our sleeping point. When we woke up in the morning, in the middle of the Sinai desert - our guide and jeep were nowhere to be seen.  But we were next to an incredible mountain painted in vivid blue, We explored "Blue Mountain" as we explored the possibility that we had been abandoned and had no idea where we were. Our guide did eventually reappear with a 'new' jeep. A Belgian artist, Jean Verame, had painted some rock formations blue to commemorate the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel. On another day we dehydrated in the hot summer sun, together with our jeep that overheated and it seems it needed more water than us!  Altogether a most memorable trip.
Colin and Louise Kessel were on the trip with us and sent us the itinerary and vehicle changes.

• Granddaughter Danielle has gone for a short "post-army" trip to Amsterdam.
  
• Daughter Vered Ron and husband Aviv are in Paris for a few days.

Lunch time - preparing a trout caught in the Wind River, Wyoming

Another in the Old Photos series: In 1995 Doreen and I went on a long RV (motorhome) trip in Western USA -Utah, Colorado, South Dakota, Idaho, Wyoming, We visited many of the canyons and parks the West is famous for, and also met family. We lived and ate in the motorhome and parked in campgrounds. We hiked, climbed, rode bicycles, and fished. In Wyoming I was lucky to catch a reasonably sized trout in the Wind River and I'm sure Doreen and I enjoyed the meal.
Click for other pictures of our 1995 RV trip.

• Granddaughter Lior Ron is back from a school educational trip to Poland.
  
• Granddaughter Danielle, now an ex-soldier, leaves this week on a post-army trip with first stop Amsterdam
• This past week Israel has experienced large forest fires with much damage to property and nature. Apparently many or most of the fires were deliberate and politically motivated. Read Doreen's column on these 'terrorist fires'.

Grandaughter Danielle Ron finished her compulsory army duty this week after two years in service. She marked her first day as a civilian by cutting her army ID and wearing her favourite jeans. Click for her last picture wearing uniform.

• Grandson Itamar is recovering from his operation and will be back at school this coming week. The procedure went smoothly and everything was successful. After two week's rest he was back to normal. Click here for a picture.
  
• We spent the last 4 days in Eilat where I was a Tournament Director at  the Red Sea Bridge Festival. It is always enjoyable - a mixture of  family, work and meeting old friends both from Israel and overseas. This year we spent a couple of nights in a hotel near the Festival venue and enjoyed the rest and the view.
  
• While we were in Eilat granddaughter Amit Levy celebrated her 11th birthday. Click for pictures.
  
• Son Aviv Levy spent the last week sailing from Greece to Herzliya, Israel, helping to crew the yacht Jacquelina. He arrived back in Eilat in time to help us finish our steaks at the El Gaucho restaurant.
• Granddaughter Lior Ron is on a school educational trip to Poland.
  
• The Eilat  Festival provided us with an opportunity of meeting Judy Rand whom we have not seen for some time. Judy was presenting the prizes to the winners of the special Rand Cup Competition in memory of her late husband Nissan who had contributed so much to Israel and European bridge.

Doreen and Friends in Paris

Doreen, Levia Paswell, Vered Ron, Yael Paperna (standing), Ora Eitan

While I was in Zagreb (see below) Doreen took the opportunity of flying to Paris with three friends. Our daughter Vered joined her for part of the time. Doreen is still there and reports that she is having a wonderful time. Click for 2 more pictures.

• Grandson Itamar needed an operation last week. The procedure went smoothly and everything was successful. After a week's rest he was back to normal. Click here for a picture.
  
• I am writing this from Zagreb in Croatia, where I am officiating at the European Bridge Champions' Cup and participating in a meeting of the Executive Committee of the European Bridge League.
• Both Doreen and I will be arriving home this coming Monday, in time for a 4 day trip starting Wednesday to Eilat for the Red Sea Bridge Festival..

At Yaffa Loew's 70th birthday party
Shai Aroyo, Denise Braverman, Louise Braverman, Doreen, Yaffa, Vered Ron, Danielle Ron, Yahel Braverman, Moran Segoli with Zoe

Lotem Segoli is 11 !

  A last look at Times Square before our return home after our American vacation.

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

Another Gardening Project

The Netanya Municipality has just made 100 small plots or patches available to residents for planting vegetables. We registered for a plot and on opening day the area was filled with mainly families planting seedlings supplied by the municipality. Later we will plant our own seeds. The watering is done automatically so that's one thing we don't have to worry about when we're away.
This is a nice addition to our fruit trees, peppers and vegetable patch at home.

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

16 July, 2016

Mikhal Receives Good News

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

• We're back from our 2 week stay in Budapest, and preparing for our next trip in a few days time to the European Open Youth Bridge Championships. The Championships will be in Liepaja in Latvia, and we are flying there via Moscow where we'll be for a few days.
• Son Aviv Levy and family will also be overseas this week on holiday in Aija Napa in Cyprus. Have a greatt time!
  
• And also overseas are the Segolis who are in America. They spent a few days in Los Angeles ( where Maayan and Lotem locked horns) and are now in the Galapagos. We received this picture of granddaughter Zoe with a new friend.
• What does a 4 year old do at supper when she is very very tired from all the travelling but doesn't want to sleep because of the delicious french fries waiting for her on her plate. Click for Zoe's solution.
• Ilai came up to Tel Aviv this week with Dad Aviv for a doctor check-up and enjoyed a meal with Granny Doreen.
• Last week in honour of daughter Vered's 50th birthday I posted a picture of Doreen with baby Vered. They liked the picture so much that they decided to re-enact it, as can be seen here..

• We are still in Budapest. (see "This Week's News" from last week.). The Championships finished this evening with 2 gold medals for Israel, an outstanding achievement. Two young girls won the Women's Pairs Championships beating 60 pairs from 38 European countries, and at the other end of the age scale the Israel Senior team beat 23 countries to take the gold. The Women's teams also achieved an excellent result - 5th out of 23 countries. The Open team disappointed a little but still came a respectable 13th out of 37 countries. Click for pictures of the winners.
  
• It was most interesting being at a European event at the same time as the "Brexit" vote. It was of course the hot topic of conversation  and it was very interesting to hear the views of people from so many different  European countries, including of course England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
  
• Doreen utilized the stay in Budapest to visit many places, including some of the many sites of Jewish interest. (see pictures). She also had the stitches (see archives) removed from her cheek and the scar is barely noticeable.
  
• By chance Jose and David Keyson were visiting Budapest and staying at the same hotel as us and it was a wonderful and completely unexpected surprise to suddenly see them in the lobby of the hotel.(see picture) Jose is the daughter of our good and long-time Dutch friends Hans and Lottie Reijzer whom we often see (for example),  and also a good friend of daughter Vered.
  
• The Segolis, Moran, Mikhal, Maayan, Lotem amd Zoe are on their way to the Galapogos Islands for what I am sure will be a fascinating visit for them. They will also spend some time in California visiting friends from when they studied there.
• Moran has updated the Segolis site.Click to see in Hebrew  and in English.

• We wish a speedy recovery to son Aviv Levy who underwent an operation to remove polyps in his nose. He spent a few days in hospital, but is now back home and feeling well. See picture.
• Also "in the wars" is granddaughter Lotem Segoli who crashed into a wall while trampolining and broke her arm. We hope it's not too painful, Lotem, and wish you a speedy recovery too.
• We are in Budapest. I am officiating at the 53rd European Bridge Teams Championships and Doreen is keeping me company, seeing the sites and resting. See picture.
• Moran has updated the Segolis site.Click to see in Hebrew  and in English.

• Daughter Vered Levy-Ron is overseas attending the DRUPA Exhibition in Dusseldorf, Germany. DRUPA is the largest printing related exhibition in the world, and the Landa Group exhibited there. Vered is VP for Business Development for Landa Labs, the Landa Group's innovation arm, which explores nanotechnology for use in alternative energy, industrial coatings, cosmetics, packaging, drug delivery and other fields. Click for some pictures of Vered at the setting up of the Landa exhibition.
• Last Saturday evening Doreen and I took part in a protest march in Tel Aviv against the racist and extreme rightist actions of the present Israel Government. Click here for a picture.
• It's that time of the year - just before the summer break - when Israeli schools organize school trips for their pupils. Grandson Itamar's trip was to the Negev desert, and included the visit above. Maayan's trip was  connected with his age group's barmitzva year and was mainly to the Jerusalem area. Click for pictures.   
• Granddaughter Dani was chosen to be one of the Air Force's representatives accompanying youth visiting Israel on a taglit tour, which aims to get American Jewish youth acquainted with Israel. Pictures here.
• Doreen has had a cancerous growth removed from her cheek near her nose, and needed 8 stitches. She feels fine, and although swollen, the site seems to be healing well.

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

• Son Aviv is back from his sailing trip with friends in the Medierranean. See picture.
• This week we celebrated the holiday of Lag B'Omer. The traditional holiday has lost much of its meaning and is now marked mainly by the lighting, on every available space, of giant bonfires where meat and other food is barbecued. It is our dog Flopsy's favorite holiday as he scrounges around looking for dropped pieces of meat and chicken. The bonfires don't do much good to the environment, and are a fireman's nightmare. At Sde Boqer our grandson Maayan informed us that his class had decided not to make bonfires due to the harm to the environment. When we were younger we used to make a modest fire and use the coals for a barbecue. The kids would wait patiently for "Dad's fireworks" - steel wool heated in the fire and swung around attached to a long wire. This has been continued to great effect by son Aviv. See picture.
• Grandson Maayan is the latest family member to finish an  underwater diving course. The Segolis are in Eilat for the weekend and Maayan made his first dive after the course with Dad Moran. Congratulations, Maayan! Pictures here.

This week our son Moran Segoli celebrated 25 years since graduating from the Sde-Boqer Environmental School. About 30 ex-pupils (without spouses) from the class of 1991 gathered at his house and 15 slept over.  The celebration was part of the wider celebration of 40 years since the founding of the school, and a few hundred graduates attended and enjoyed the opportunity to meet, get updates and remember past times.

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

• We returned from our trip to Italy. (see last week). Although it was only for a week, we managed to visit many places, most of which (despite many many visits to Italy in the past) we visited for the first time.
  
• One arrives, one departs. Daughter Vered Ron has returned from her busuness trip to the USA and son Aviv is sailing in the Mediterranean with friends to Greece and the islands.

Doreen and I arrived in Rome, Italy three days ago. We hired a car and made our way northwards to Lucignano where I am attending a bridge meeting of the European Bridge League. We are staying at the villa of fellow executive member, Fillipo Palma, who has a winery, and who has royally hosted us.  On the way we visited some interesting sites. Click here for some pictures. In two days we return to Rome for a couple of nights and then return to Israel.

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

• I had some problem with one of my eyes a few days before leaving for Rome, and had laser treatment which I hope will prove to be of assistance.
  
• Daughter Vered Ron is in the USA on a business trip.

We have been in Athens for 2+ days and return to Israel late tonight (Saturday). I was here to make arrangements for a Bridge Workshop next January. Unfortunately for us, there is a general transportation strike here - no buses, trams, rail or metro and this somewhat restricted Doreen's plans, but my bridge meetings went very well. Click for some pictures here.

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

• Granddaughter Zoe Segoli fell and broke her arm (see picture). Get better quickly Zoe! We were reminded that her big sister Lotem broke her arm just before she was due to fly to South Africa with us a few years ago.But there's no problem with her arm now - click to see a painting she made a few days ago.
  
• Daughter Vered Ron leaves for a business trip to USA tomorrow.
• We'll be in Israel for 3 days and then fly to Italy for a week. This update from Greece - next update from Italy! I'll be at bridge meetings most of the time and Doreen (and I for a few days) will enjoy the Italian countryside.
• Moshe Kirshner, husband of relative Rochelle (nee Bortenstein, see Schank family tree), had his picture in the press this week accompanied by a long article "The farmer who is smashing the fruit market". Moshe a fruit farmer, and his wife, were disgusted to see that fruit he was selling to wholesalers at ILS 3 a kilogram was being sold in supermarkets at prices ranging from ILS 15 to ILS 40. He offered to sell the fruit (mainly nectarines and peaches) directly to the public for NIS 5-NIS 6 and put his offer on facebook. The response has been overwhelming.  Click here for see the picture and read the article in Hebrew.

• While the grandchildren were with us during chol hamoed Doreen took them to some places of interest, and today, on their last day, daughter Vered took them to see the "My Selfie and I"  exhibition at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.
  
• Zoe's birthday is also during pesach and we celebrated it on the day after the seder. Pictures here.
• Moran has updated the Segoli site - see it here   in Hebrew or in English.
• I have added some pictures received from son-in-law Aviv Ron to last week's pesach page about the seder and the hikes after the seder.
• In a few days Doreen and I will fly to Athens where I hope to arrange a workshop for bridge next year. So the next update will be from Athens.

• While at Sde Boqer some of the family enjoyed a rare swim in a large waterhole in the desert caused by the recent heavy rains.
  
• Moran has updated the Segoli site - see it here in Hebrew  or in English.
• Doreen went to Jerualem to see the exhibition of childhood friend Maureen Fain. See picture.

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

• An enormous MAZALTOV to daughter Vered and Aviv Ron on their 25th wedding anniversary this week. They celebrated quietly with a romantic dinner.
• On the way back from Eilat after Itamar's barmitzvah, Moran took Doreen to his project at the Research and Development Station where he works. See picture.

Yesterday Doreen bought a new smartphone and while waiting for it to be updated we had coffee at the shopping mall. Doreen thought she recognised someone at the next table and went up to her, and was greeted with "Doreen!". It was ex-Durbanite Janice Friedberg (nee Sacks). Suddenly the man on the left said "Anthony Levy". I didn't recognise him at first but then realised it was Stephen Berman, a classmate from high school and close friend when we were young. We saw Janice a few years ago (see picture etc) and have had email contact, but Stephen and I had not seen each other for a least 50+ years. It was a wonderful surprise. Stephen and Joyce have come to live in Israel and we will definitely see more of them.
Click here for a picture of our Matriculation Class at high school: I am at the extreme right of the back row, and Stephen is second from right (sitting) in the front row.

• You really realise your grandchild is not a child any longer when the first call-up for compulsory military service arrives. Granddaughter Lior received hers a few days ago. feelings.
  
• We are enjoying having old friend from our St Thomas days, Mina Orenstein, stay with us. Doreen and Mina went to Sde Boqer for a couple of days to look after our Segoli grandchildren  and Doreen took her to buy wine from grapes grown in Avdat in the negev desert. (see picture.). Today we went to a truly wonderful concert by our favourite baroque group "Barocade" at Abu Ghosh.
• Granddaughter Lotem Segoli sent us this short video of her doing a somersault. I tried countless time when I was young, and never managed. Well done, Lotem!

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

• A warm welcome to colleague and friend Jan Kamras who has recently made aliya and come to live in Tel Aviv. Jan is a fellow member of the European Bridge League Executive Committee. He came over for dinner last night and I will now be seeing him in Israel as well as in various places around Europe for meetings and competitions.<>
• <>Grandchildren Maayan and Lotem Segoli helped their dad pick lettuces at the experimental Research and Development farm where he works. Picture here.

---

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

• I am writing this in Lausanne, Switzerland, waiting for a train to Geneva Airport and a flight back to Israel. I have been here since yesterday, attending a meeing of the Executive Committee of the European Bridge League.
• Purim, the festival of parades and fancy dress, falls this coming week, and the traditional adloyada (parade) festivites took place today at Midreshet Sde Boqer, where the Segolis live. Click for pictures of Maayan and Zoe at the celebration.
  
• Our long-time friend from our Virgin Island days, Mina Orenstein, is visiting Israel. She spent a couple of days with us, and is now with her family for a week or so. She will spend some time with us from next week and we are looking forward to her company.
  
• Click for March birthdays and anniversaries.

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

• Son Aviv and Limor are in Poland on a work organised trip. (Click for some pictures).They return today.
• While Aviv and Limor were in Poland, Doreen went to Eilat to look after Itamar, Amit and Ilai. Yesterday I joined her and later today or tomorrow we will return to Netanya.
• Congratulations to grandson Maayan Segoli on 1st place in the local Mind Olympics! Next month he will represent his district in the Negev Regional Mind Olympics. We're all very proud of you - good luck for the next stage. (Click to see his certificate.)
  
• Click for March birthdays and anniversaries.

• We are back in Israel  from our London trip with our two grandsons Itamar and Maayan.
• Congratulations to Dave Rothschild on the marriage of his daughter Louise to Sean Barron in South Africa (See picture). From reports on Whatsapp it was a wonderful wedding and family affair. Dave is a long time friend from our youth and is married to Frankie Klaff (see Goldberg family tree).
• Daughter Vered Levy-Ron is enjoying a skiing trip overseas with a friend. See picture.
• In a few days time son Aviv Levy and Limor are going to Poland on a work organised trip.  Doreen will be in Eilat youth-sitting while they are away. I won't be able to join her as I have some very important bridge meetings that I can't miss.

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

• As reported above, we are in London with our grandsons.

A few weeks ago I wrote about Doreen's Banana Flambe, and Doreen gave us her recipe. She mentioned that the flambe recipe was also good for guavas, mangoes and peaches, nothing about pineapple. But last night when Vered, Aviv and Lior came for dinner, she prepared Pineapple Flambe (using rum instead of brandy). It was delicious!

• In response to a request from her cousin Vanessa (Glasser) Tarazza in Johannesburg, Doreen sent her some information about the family. She has slightly changed what she wrote, to make it easier for our grandchildren to understand. You can read it on her column here.
• Next week we travel for a week to London with our two barmitzvah-age grandsons, Itamar Levy and Maayan Segoli. We are all very excited about the trip. More from London next week!

A big "mazal tov" to my aunt Winnie Levy on celebrating her 94th birthday in CapeTown, South Africa. In Israel we say to someone on his/her birthday "until 120". Well, Winnie you're well on your way. (see Matz and Hershovitz family trees.)
Click for another picture, and for a picture of son Charles, whose birthday is two days later.

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

• Doreen found the connections between ancient Rome and the Holy Land fascinating, and has written her thoughts on this. Read her impressions in Jerusalem in Rome.
• Doreen's views on the group Breaking the Silence elicited some responses from friends, to which she has written her reply.

We are in Prague, Czech Republic. I am organizing a course for bridge International Tournament Directors (judges) in Europe. The course consists of tests, practical exercises and lectures, and the picture above shows me explaining the procedure for reviewing or appealing a decision.

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

• As noted above, we are in the Czech Republic. I have been busy with the course, but Doreen has had a chance to visit some of the places missed on our previous visits, and revisit some too. She will write something on this next week.
• You can read the Segoli family update in Hebrew  or in English.

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

Another picture from the "Old Photos" collection.
In the 1970's we used to go often to the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). We would spend a weekend relaxing, swimming and fishing. We usually took our niece Denise and nephew Rael ז"ל with us - especially as Rael so enjoyed fishing. In the picture we can see Denise, Aviv, Doreen, Vered and me - for some reason Rael was not on this trip (and of course Moran was not yet born).

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

Grandson Maayan likes looking through Doreen's cookbook, choosing a menu, and then preparing it. He wanted to bake a pie, and found a recipe in the cookbook for a pie pastry shell. The recipe included the words "bake blind: line shell with aluminium paper..... and bake in a hot oven". I didn't know this but "bake blind" refers to baking a pastry that is empty and will be filled later. Maayan has a lovely sense of humour and the above picture is Maayan's interpretation of "bake blind" !

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

A visit to the Haifa Museum of Art: In front of a work by Andy Warhol
  Today we joined the Segolis, son Moran and grandchildren Maayan, Zoe and Lotem, for a visit to the Haifa Museum of Art to see an exhibition "From Andy Warhol to the present day". Although not quite my "cup of tea" the exhibition of pop art was interesting and enjoyable.

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

THIS WEEK'S NEWS