25th August, 1988

Dear Rita and Lex,

It is terrible how quickly time passes and here I am, feeling terribly guilty at having left my friends waiting such a long time for an answer to a lovely letter and not having said thank you before for the delightful photos. You certainly look a happy family and the grandchildren are gorgeous! It was also a real pleasure to see you together with your sister and I can well imagine what it meant to you to be united even if only for three weeks. I remember Eleanor quite well from the days when you were with the Goodwins in Barnet. The wedding picture is also charming and I was really interested to hear about the doings of your adventurous family. My compliments to you both – you look as young as ever.

For my part, I am enclosing snapshots of Jonathan’s and Jaki’s wedding and a picture of Ruth with her trio. Michael will soon be six, Paul is four and Stephen 14 months.

I haven’t got pictures yet of Daniel’s and Jayne’s wedding, which took place last month – four weeks after Jonathan’s. The next family event will be end of August beginning September when David and Noga are expecting their first baby. They have just moved house and are madly busy getting settled. In December they are booked to visit Australia but I do not know if they will be in Melbourne. David, in fact, has been offered an interesting job in Sydney and they are quite tempted to have a go. Who knows, you may find me visiting your part of the world after all!

First, however, all being well, I am off to China on 15th September. It will be a three week cultural tour ending in Hong Kong. Daniel and Jayne decided to come along, too, which is nice for me.

Later in the year I shall probably have to go to Israel to see to some family affairs. Judging by your concern, I can see you have been influenced by what the papers say. The picture looks quite different when you are in the country. There is tremendous vitality and energy and progress. When I was there last September in the Old City in Jerusalem, I felt safer than I do in London.

About my daughters-in-law; Jaki, who has been doing Youth Work, has been accepted on a 4 year postgraduate course – in counselling – something she has been wanting to do; Shayne (Simon’s wife) is starting a 2 year postgraduate course in dance therapy which will qualify her to work with a team of doctors, psycho-therapists etc; Noga is active in the computer world and Jayne is a librarian by training but is moving on to interior decorating at which she is very gifted.

I hope I have given you a chance to catch up with some of our news.

Congratulations to the new grandfather. Is it boy or girl?

With my love and good wishes,

Lore.

*Notes on pink background accompanied photos and may be by Rita.