HARDER TO BE A MENSCH THAN A MASTER!

The Jewish New Year took precedence over delivering the blog on the usual day, (Monday). My husband and I are living a secular life for the most part, but Jewish holidays are very accented here as in most of Israel. This was to be the day God finished his job of creating the world about 5000 years ago! We give it a two day close down (all public transport and 99% of stores closed (100% on Yom Kippur next week).

So, this past week I have been thinking about the many masters in Art, Literature, Mathematics, Philosophy, Science, Inventions (now High Tech), Plumbers, Electricians, and a mountain of others who help to make our lives smoother. I have recently met a few Menschen (Yiddish) who are just caring, thoughtful, gentle people who are a pleasure to run into unexpectedly! After considering why I like to fall into the graces of such people, I realized that they do not dwell in large numbers! They remember details about you that you want remembered. They have a compliment to offer you when most needed and least expected. There are usually no prizes handed out for their contributions, (although I have a good friend here who has been awarded "Volunteer of the Year").

Some have a dignity that is difficult to describe---they wear it, walk it, speak it, and never leave the house without it! I am very attracted to it. I remember once remarking to someone--ultra many years ago----that I would love to be "demure", if only for a few hours!

Well, I have been told that I am "a real mensch", a very caring person, and I do make an effort to be that. It is not fully natural, however, or at least it does not always feel that way. I do know, though, that it has to be easier, for me anyway, than being a master!

Funny how many masters are so wound up in their mastery that they fail at being a mensch------a great Yiddish (also German, of course) word is the noun "menschlekeit": the practice or quality of being a fine and real human being.

So I am offering a welcome substitute for genius---BECOME A MENSCH---or more of one if you are one already!

It seems people need us as much as plumbing and court trials!

Yom Kippur coming up---next week---fasting for your sins---after apologizing this past week for any offense or insult we may have incurred upon any individual or group.

Fun to be with you,

MISS RHEINGOLD

WHAT REALLY MAKES YOU HAPPY?

There is a story by Sholom Aleichem that I heard at a summer camp comfortably over fifty years ago. I was a counselor who was sitting in the bunk of the head counselor who chose to tell a few of us this tale. The title may have been the name of the principal character, "Bunsche Schweig". I am not certain. He was so good during his lifetime that God offered him anything he wanted ----from all the glory and physical luxuries that appeared in the physical world. God listed all the good he had done while alive, constant deeds for others, taking care of those who needed help.

He had been a simple man, certainly not a wealthy one!

He is not regretting having passed away (funny how we do avoid the word "died"), but he does have one important request."What is it?" God asked.

"Could I have a hot roll and coffee?" he replied.

Now, this week I am feeling lazy after an overloaded week that just passed, and did not have a blog theme floating through my mind. However, I was able to have my delight just about every day after my exercise class.

A beat-up frothy machine made ice coffee (just about all artificial ingredients!)----very low cost, served so frothy the straw can hardly pass through it!It gives me an inordinate amount of high level pleasure!

I so look forward to it, usually sipping it alone before taking a bus home, that I know I can say (or even write) it is probably the first thing I would request if God interrogated me!

Maybe we all have a simple pleasure that makes us a little embarrassed to mention when the question posed is,

"What really makes you happy?"

My second abundant pleasure comes from a manicure when needed which I set up by appointment on the phone.

I look forward to the day and hour approaching. Am I deep? Yeah, pretty much, but the smaller pleasures sit at the base of my emotional spine!

I enjoy a smile or friendly nod on the street or on the bus from a light weight friend or even a stranger (there are always a few of those who think they know me).

I am a sucker for a morning kiss from my husband; we have no house pets in Eilat, but they were always lap welcomed when we did.

A friend's email or phone call------sheer delight! Last, but not least, entering a Yoga class early and watching people arrive and stretch out on their mats.

Ok! I have revealed my simple side-----the deeper pleasures to be discussed in a future blog---there are many!!

Happy Jewish New Year (coming up soon!)

Miss Rheingold

STEEL RESISTANCE!

Having had the much needed retreat from Eilat----- a needed contrast, shall we say, there is the return and the desire to share (especially when asked ) about our experience and impressions.

I did this openly in last week's blog, (not sure I really like that word!), but, here, I am with all Jews, especially older ones who cannot even hear the German language being spoken or referred to. Many have asked:"How could you want to go to Germany?"

.

I have been pretty apologetic about our enjoyment, appreciation of the hospitality we received, and the new look of Berlin, so diverse in its population, it pretty much spells out:

W-E-L-CO-M-E.

I have been warned about the past being repeating itself. This can also be true in families, I retort.

We have to live our lives alert, to be sure. Can there ever be a second chance offered to the young people growing up there? An interesting statistic: 52% of the people currently living in Berlin were not born there!

Now, that does not mean all are of a non- German nationality. It is an indication, though, that the population is far more diverse than in the time of Hitler. War is strife. Prejudice is strife. Inability to forgive and to blame us for the sins of our fathers is strife. Do we also receive the blessing of the good deeds of our fathers (mothers understood)?

What was brilliant and very clear during our interactions and what we were able to perceive there, is that Germany is far ahead insofar as city planning, education, and social equality (all pay 10% of their income to rebuild East Germany) even though it does not get a 100% vote, and opportunity for higher education.

Manners seem to come naturally. Humor is dry, that I will concur.

Physical attention to one's body seems to be taken seriously---their bikes are NOT electric as they are here in Israel. That appears to be the major mode of transport. Having been to many parts of Germany in the past I was very sad, indeed, no, appalled, to see the growth of astounding obesity that has already developed earlier in Israel, visited upon us as we strolled around the myriad of monuments, fountains, and palaces. There is a stark contrast between healthy bodies and ones so overfed (young and old) that they no longer resemble human beings!

All in all we made new friends ---our hosts---a young arty couple--- who were genuinely welcoming not having known us before at all--a connection through friends gave us the kindness of true hospitality and the beginning of an honest friendship.

I have hope and belief that the Germany of the future will lead us all to more conscious living, if we give them a chance. Who is "we"? Let's start with the Jews---the holiday of Rosh Ha Shana (NEW YEAR) is coming right up.

It is a practice to ask forgiveness and to extend it offering an acceptance of someone's apology.

Three times is the maximum---then it is to be let go!

In the Torah it is written: "We are to be the light unto the nations"---I do not care who picks up that role---but some group has to! Individuals alone do not appear to have been sufficient.

Can't we learn to live together? At my approaching demise, that is all I would want to witness --- (that and perhaps smoother skin!) Ok, Vanity , thy name is woman! Shakespeare nailed it.

Tchuss (Ciaou in German),

Miss Rheingold

ARMS OPEN TO RECEIVE

Miss Rheingold-----(German name)

No pee for free in Berlin! But oh, what clean and well furnished toilets as is everything in that city, just about. Berlin is a broad, open city, lined, coddled, and shaded by a magnificent assortment of trees. Buildings sparkle with high polished cleanliness, a sheen of beauty and caring. No trash on the streets, no dog dumps, how do they do it?!

 

Polite to the core----echoing “Good Mornings”(Guten Morgen)and “Thank yous” (Danke) proudly and musically pronounced just about everywhere. The contrast coming out of Eilat is that of having an electric shock!

Berlin houses a 15 mile zoo that can be walked through as one would an entire city! Every species of animal known on the planet of taken care of with the attention of a happy mother for its child. The beauty of the grounds is astounding.

A vacation in a new location offers new air to breathe, as each breath takes in the new surroundings and faces (many on bikes following marginalized bike routes).My last trip to Berlin was a fast run through crossing the border into East Berlin for a night with a new highly sociable American gay buddy I had just met on the train from Paris, circa 1963.

It seems as if you are going to live there, you should major in German and minor in Italian! Although that may be highly influenced by the August tourist factor!

The overall kindness, the cleanliness, the efficacious, expedient city transport is out of a Sci –Fi film. The art of elegant advertising is equal to the Russian metro walls. The seating arrangements on the local trains are perfect for volume of seats----the trains are quiet and managed to high perfection. There is no graffiti! The subway decorum fully disqualifies New York City! All ticket purchases are mechanized and  pre-charged according to distances covered. The prices are high for these, but the maintenance supposes well paid salaries.

Miles of perfectly maintained windows peering from the polished surfaces of houses and monuments---many ---many---squares---towers---cafes---and full recognition of the past---and the horrors of THE WALL!

Museums are numerous—there are exhibitions of Hitler days in the National museum---- downstairs--- separated ---- Every moment above there is filled with a brilliant history of art and beauty-all had me bursting with anger and charged my brain with the question:

WHY couldn’t this nation have led the world into peace, harmony, and esthetic proportions? W-H-Y??? Where does evil originate?

There is so much hegemony here---turned for the GOOD!

Most of the local Germans are built like human towers with proportioned features and abundant gold hair. Sadly, obesity has taken its toll as in most nations----it seems so out of place here! It is mostly the women here who have allowed this perversion.

This city seems to embrace being civilized. The language is rich in expression and fine grammar-----Thanks to my early Yiddish exposure and my German studies while living in France, I have maintained a good deal of conversational German and much enjoyed using it freely here.

I did prepare for weeks before our trip as well with an Austrian Yoga teacher.

We visited a Hatha Yoga Center there ---- glorious --- and were invited to take a class.

BEAUTY

EARNEST

RIGHTEOUS

LIABILITY

INTERDEPENDENT

NEO CLASSIC

The most beautiful and reliable city I have been in---what a contrast to our present space on the planet! 

We were most graciously received by new friends in a spacious, sunny and imaginative old European style apartment. The best part was a three day visit form a couple who live in Alsace. Our 23 rd anniversary of being together was a deep and dreamlike experience!

Will continue on Mondays in the future,

Miss Rheingold---TCHUSS!