The Hanassi Blog does not usually carry reports on what happens at our weekly se’udah shelishit—but last week’s was different. It was sponsored by Geoffrey Gilbert in memory of his mother, for whom he has yahrzeit this week, and Geoffrey’s words so touched Pessy Krausz that she sat down after Shabbat and wrote her recollection of Geoffrey’s words. We share them with you here:
Many readers may have heard the Yiddish song A Brivele der Mamen (A Little Letter to Mama) written in 1938, describing a mother’s pain when her son, who left Poland for America, forgets to write a letter to the mother he left behind. Last Shabbat, when Geoffrey Gilbert, who together with his wife Judy, sponsored se’udah shelishit, the very reverse was true.
In his usual low-key gentle tones Geoffrey proceeded to explain about his grandma, who lived to the remarkable age of 103; she only visited Israel once in her life but returned to England with a small bag of its holy soil which she requested to be buried with her. He then told us of his mother, who came to be in their family home in London for the last 20 years of her life until she passed on aged 97.
With a small gesture Geoffrey opened the ruby red Chumash in front of him, drawing out a pure white page. You could hear the proverbial pin drop as he unfolded it, explaining that throughout the years his mother, and in his lifetime his father also, had read the weekly portion from it. It was to her dear son that she entrusted this precious volume in the knowledge that he would treasure and use it too.
Geoffrey’s mother’s words created a lump in our throats—but more was to come. Geoffrey had dedicated this evening not only to the memory of his beloved mother, but to the one who had so lovingly looked after his mother throughout those years. His wife Judy! It seems that Geoffrey’s mother also appreciated Judy—and enjoyed playing her part in looking after their children and feeding them: he might get a phone call to his surgery and, when this skilled orthodontist was told “Your mother is on the phone!”, being a most devoted son, he would take the call, only to be told “Geoffrey, it’s pasta night. Take Judy out!”
Ending with his thoughts on this week’s Torah portion, Geoffrey focused on the word “Achuzah” (אחוזה, a special portion), as Israel is described. He mentioned how, if we are not deserving, the land will throw us out. On the other hand. we must strive to be worthy of it and cherish it. Obviously both Geoffrey (Gershon Yitzchak) and Judy (Gittel) have done just that. Though neither like to be in the spotlight, they have lit up the Hanassi community with their thoughtful sponsorships and by running events on many occasions, not least by being among those who created a memorable Shul breakfast celebration to mark Israel's 77th birthday.
Mother would have been proud of both of you! Her memory is indeed for a blessing.
If you’ve not heard A Brivele der Mamen, you can listen to it here.
