7th December, 1981

Dearest Rita and Lex,

Another year is drawing to a close and it is time to wish you all the best for 1982 – above all, good health and good spirits.

Hopefully, there is a letter on the way from you so that we can catch up on all your news and, perhaps, if we are lucky, there will be another photo of your grandson.

This morning we woke up to a white world. It is ages since we had snow in December, and the world looks transformed. Simon and I went out early to take pictures, some of which will go to David, who is still working in Israel, just to remind him what snow looks like. But then, Jerusalem often has snowfalls, and people come from far and wide to enjoy the sight and the fun.

Ruthie phoned yesterday to say that she has bought herself a padded coat and looks like a walking duvet. This is in anticipation of their trip to China on the 20th of this month. They are going for three weeks; flying with Chinese Airways over the Gulf States and the Himalayas and once there, they will cover enormous distances. I must say they are adventurous. Last year they were in Egypt and spent Christmas day with a Coptic family where Father Christmas called on camel-back! Ruthie is now a fully fledged economic adviser at the Treasury, a very responsible post and unusual for anyone so young (and a woman). This keeps her very busy and bambinos are not even a twinkle in the eye – though we would love to have a little one in the family. David and Noga are also not obliging – but what can you do?

Some years ago, David turned esoteric and found himself much in demand as a teacher. The centre where he works has over 500 students. So you see one never knows what ones children develop into.

Daniel is articled with a top firm of Solicitors in the City, with world-wide connections. He has been with them for three months and has just heard that he is going to be sent to Madrid for six months to their offices there. He is already immersed in Spanish, of which he got a smattering during his sojourn in Mexico. He leads a very interesting life and is a very interesting person.

Simon finished university this year with a very good degree. Both he and Jonathan managed to be included in a French Government sponsored scheme ‘Connaissance de la France’ over the summer. Jonathan went to the largest man-made lake in France where he learned sailing and was introduced to the local industries, crafts and general way of life; and Simon went to a mountainous region to find out all about the area and met very interesting people. They also spent some time in Spain but never met there. Simon is finding it very difficult to know what to do with himself – whether to carry on with his academic studies, go into industry, or take up an art course, possibly graphic design, as he has always had a hankering to be involved in creative things. I hope he can sort himself out soon, as indecision drains ones energy. I think his main problem is being afraid of making the wrong choice.

Jonathan is in his last year at university and loving it now. He felt a little young to start with but has now found himself a stunning girl friend from Barbados and he feels he has at last caught up. His special project for his course is the Law of the Sea and he managed to get some money out of his university to go to Geneva for the conference (this was in August) and also became accredited to the Student Union paper, so he had Press card and all, and found it quite fascinating.

The other lawyer in the family, apart from Danny, is of course Leslie, who is making his name as a barrister and he and Ruthie are tremendously proud of each other.

Nick and I are keeping well and are enjoying life. We are planning another trip to Israel early next year and may fly to Italy, to visit the family, and then take a boat to Haifa. This would make a pleasant change from a straight flight to Tel-Aviv.

We hear a great deal about life in Australia from our friends in Melbourne. You obviously read a great deal about events here. There are great changes but things are very interesting. And the arts flourish.

We send our love and hope to hear soon,

Lore and Nick.