THE JEWISH CEMETERY OF MARRAKECH. SHABBAT SHALOM TO ALL MY RELATIVES REGARDLESS OF THEIR RELIGION

I have visited various Jewish cemeteries around the world where only memories linger on in the streets where Jewish people lived and died for hundreds of years. 

Penang, Malaysia 

Cochin, India (including Mala)

Kingston, Jamaica 

Havana, Cuba

Iquitos, Peru

As shabbat was approaching I wanted to visit the Jewish Cemetery of Marrakech where a very large prosperous community once lived. Most of the Jews migrated to Israel and France after the establishment of Israel. The local Berber people while being Muslim were not antagonistic towards Jews but the politicians were Arab and Muslim and sided with their brethren in condemning Israel

What a glorious history is the one here. Many of the learned Rabbis are buried here, only they get shrines and all other hundreds of sites are just plain tombs with nothing to distinguish. We very seldom hear about the great rabbis of Morocco, where in the west we are so aware of the Great Hassidim of the past. 

Israel and Morocco has reopened their relationships and there are two daily flights between Tel Aviv and Marrakech and every one, especially the Berbers, are excited about the hordes of Israelis who would descend upon them. Many of the small shop keepers begged me to teach them a few words of Hebrew, Muslims welcoming Jews back, a good feeling indeed and unique to Morocco and heartwarming.

So to my mishpochah every where in the world, Peace be with us, our people and Israel.

special burial site for the Cohanim

On a personal note, I am happy to see this friendship between Muslim Berber and Israel as well as the Emirati, Kuwaiti and Bahraini, Sudanese people. These relationship would set a stage to heal the years of wounds and also soothe the memories of Jewish lives lead in these parts. The Jewish histories of both Morocco and Iran stand out in their glory. 

Shabbat Shalom

9 Kislev 5782

 

JEWISH NEW YEAR 5782 WITH ALL LOVED ONES IN THE HEART .. FROM MIAMI WITH LOVE

The Jewish New Year has already begun for me. Second year in a row, that there would be no communal get together. 

So be with the people who mean friendship over a period of time.. lucky to be able to do that in Miami.

Dr M and Mrs G

The Samos brought back memories of Durban and Jo'burg and Cape Town.. the country of birth of Mrs G.

So let the new year begin with tantalizing taste, a little bit exotic..

Dr M poured a nice drop of the wine.. soft and not too harsh on the stomach. May this year be blessed with plenty of wine to drink.

AND MOST OF ALL FRIENDSHIP. we were chatting at their home, then a short drive, but pleasant scenery, to a restaurant outdoors with good service and delicious food.

The Year has begun well.

when we came back to their home, we were sitting and chatting until 1 am, a record 9 hours of schmooze as we like to call it.. conversation touching on all humanistic aspects of life.. proud of our liberal tradition and our abhorence to all forms of extremism.

slow drive along the coastal roads with small townships with spanish memories, now completely anglicized, some still holding on to the charm of the pre-tourist days, the others embracing the tourists with abandon, with modern cuisine, bars, music, fusion of all sorts and a general air of enjoyment.

Dr M had chosen an open air restaurant , he was greeted warmly by the staff and thus I got more than my share of friendliness from the staff. 

Dr M having eaten there many times made excellent recommendations.

I liked this dish: Crispy Eggplant, goat cheese, orange and calabrian chili

I got the honour of choosing the wine. a sauvignon from Loire to pay homage to my association to that land 

We had gone to bed after 9 hours of conversations and in the morning , in no hurry, we ate some smoked salmon ..May this year be a year of eating a lot of fish..

My friends in Cuba are always close to my heart and I received greetings from them not for the Jewish New year but for them every day is a good day..

The morning was gorgeous and i was able to sit alone observing the clouds and feel the air and the warmth.

Just as I said good bye to Dr and Mrs MG, a message came from my clinical associate about an Indian patient I was concerned about. I had to convey to him on this sunday morning the good news about his health and he said. You made my day.

So the Jewish New Year has begun with Healing ..

My destination was the beach house of Mr and Mrs JS and as soon as I entered the house, they said that I must stay the night. A welcome invitation indeed.

Another greeting from Cuba wishing a good day. I am concerned very much about my island and the difficult times they are going through..

As the New Year begins I join the 15 million Jews in this world in welcoming the year and as the greetings below says..

LET THERE BE PEACE LOVE AND HEALTH TO ALL THE PEOPLE

Malaysia. Kerala. Iran.

To people who sacrificed their time during the past year of covid isolation. Thank you, MA.

There are some special people who I have to thank, really they dont need to be thanked as they are always in my heart .

Sr Carlos, he is my travelling friend, fond of linen suits, sunglasses and panama hats

Le petite poete de la Côte Sauvage

To my two good christian friends from Cochin, RN and MM. thank you and may you share my hope for a wonderful year of less suffering. Perhaps we can meet soon in your wonderful coastal land.

Many people kept up correspondence during these long months of isolation

Thailand

Cambodia 

Malaysia 

Kerala 

Qatar

Israel

Iran 

Colombia

Mexico

Cuba

Brasil

My Indian relatives and patients 

So the Jewish New Year has begun for me, it has begun well and I want TODOS OS POVOS all the people to enjoy the peace and happiness of the New year..

L SHANAH TOVA TIKKETEVU  5782

RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE AND ACCEPTANCE IN COCHIN, KERALA, INDIA. MADE ME CELEBRATE ONAM IN PARIS

 My day had begun in Paris, and I was slowly wandering around the Left Bank of Paris when I received a short video from a very devoted Catholic friend of mine from Cochin in Kerala, India.

He was wishing me a Happy Onam. I wrote to another friend in Kerala for an explanation of Onam and was reminded that it is a Kerala specific festival of flowers and food and while Hindu in origin, well celebrated by others.

My last visit to Cochin was to bring in the year 2020 at the delightful Bristow Bungalow Lighthouse Hotel in the company of some good friends (old and new). I have not had a chance to taste Kerala or for that matter South Indian Cuisine since then.

I suddenly remembered the neighbourhood around Rue Chapelle and Gare du Nord in Paris where there is a concentration of Sri Lankaise and Tamoul expatriates and refugees with multitudes of Tamoul restaurants..

Bus no 58 meandered along giving me a vista of the changing demography as the bus moved north.. around Gare du Lyon, there were such a melange of colourful costumes from Africa and soon one could feel the sensation of Incense floating around.

I was in the Tamoul Neighbourhood of Paris.

It was nice to see old and new migrants from Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and also refugees from the war in Sri Lanka as well as some people from Mauritius or Reunion who looked more integrated (in dress, behaviour and comportment).. I enjoyed walking around the main street with signs in Tamoul and the smell of Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur of which this was a poor copy.

I had come here in search of a Dosai and celebrate ONAM knowing that Tamouls do not celebrate Onam. 

During that day faithful friends from Kerala, christian and Hindou were sending Onam greetings.. 

Tamoul area of Paris..

Regular haircuts in Paris are more expensive than this, but these barbershops which resembled barbershops in Kuala Lumpur and Tamil Nadou had character..

I ordered a Sri Lankan Dosai, which was a mistake, these were much like thick pancakes. I wanted a Masala Dosai or Ravi or Ghee Dosai.  ah well..  Next Dosai in Cochin, Kerala..