I think I have a recessive Jewish gene that has lain hidden for many years. I didn’t find out I was Jewish until I was 8.
New school in North London. My mother told me ‘if they ask if you want to go to Jewish or non-Jewish prayers, say Jewish.’
First scary day, more new information to retain. I went to Jewish prayers.
No one knew this, I never told anyone.
I joined the synagogue in Finchley when my husband left me the first time, before I went and got him back. I didn’t think I could manage three small children alone.
As soon as my mother heard we were separated she said:
‘Now you can join a synagogue’
So I did.
My husband came back, and I stayed joined to the synagogue. And then he became involved in everyone’s bar and bat mitzvahs.
One Saturday there was an event at the synagogue, a Saturday afternoon event, a concert by a woman I’d never heard of. Her name was Debbie Friedman and she was indescribably wonderful. Her songs touched me so deeply I started to sob. But I was alone, and embarrassed and in the middle of an upset marriage, so I choked back the sobs as she sang song after Jewish song. I play her song ‘Mi Sheberiach’ to people whenever I can.
It’s a prayer for healing, and moves me deeply. Debbie Friedman was famous, she’d sung at Carnegie Hall, I don’t know how she ended up at Finchley Reform Synagogue deep in the heart of north London, what a coup and who knew? Not I.
There was a program recently on PBS, Public Broadcast System, featuring three cantors singing Jewish songs in a synagogue in Amsterdam. I play it sometimes it seems to touch a place inside me. The timbre of the voices, the melody, the slightly mournful melodies, the religious overtones, this stirs me deeply.
They sing a song called `Jerusalem Shel Zahav.’ It means: Jerusalem of Gold. My family made a video of ‘The’ bar mitzvah it was used in the opening shots of the synagogue. It is beautifully done, my family, the Green family made videos of every special party, celebration, occasion.
Sometimes when I miss my family, I play the video of my mother’s 90th birthday party, except she was only 89!
I remember getting a phone call a year early, asking me to provide a guest list of relatives. The important rich people were already on their radar and in their cell phones. Luckily I was prepared.
I think the party went ahead a year early because the fabulous hotel and sensational cabaret had already been booked.
In fact when Paul Anka sprung out singing ‘Diana,’ fabulous song for those old enough to remember, I was sure this was the reason.
So I always call it the ‘89/90th birthday party.’ It lives in my mind as that forever.
The video is almost on a par with my son’s bar mitzvah video and he’s nearly 36 now.
We have a family photo, rare but true from the family birthday party. We have more photos from Georgia’s bat mitzvah a few years later.
These were special magical occasions curated by me and paid for by Philip and Tina. Applause, let’s give credit where credit is due.
But I wrote Simon’s speech, specially the part where he says:
‘I didn’t like getting dressed and my mum says you can do it the easy way…or the hard way. And I always chose the hard way, just like her.’
BIG LAUGHTER.
BIGGER TRUTH
STILL AM!
