I was up all night. Again. Seems every time I fly, I stay up all night. My bags were packed by midnight - so what did I do until the sun rose? I tried to find where to go in Paris and how to get there. Once I land - I go to the hotel and I have about 5 hours before my first official event - so I have free time to see this beautiful city my mother in law was born in, a city I have dreamed of seeing since I was a little girl.
Now, I have another picture of this city in my head. One that is not just beautiful, and chic, but one that has a deep history. Not just from Herzl, but also during the Holocaust - which today we are commemorating. My Mother in Law was a child - just 3 years old- when her mother had to take her from village to village in order to escape the Nazis in France. When it got too much for them, her mother was left with no choice but to leave her children in the care of some Christians. My Mother in Law was left in a Non Jewish home, (and her siblings were placed in other homes and orphanages in the country, as well). Her mother then told her that she is not Jewish - she was never Jewish - her real parents are these Christians who she is going to live with now. Imagine that.
We are so blessed that her Mother and Father survived the war, and were able to come back and take their children home. Last year I read the book "Sarah's Key", by Tatiana de Rosnay, and that has added a new dimension to the city for me. The book is fantastic - and I highly recommend it for any adult interested.
So thats it for now, my flight to Charles De Gaulle Airport leaves New Jersey in less than 3 hours. Thank you Daniel for giving me the ability to do this. I wish you were with me.
Now, I have another picture of this city in my head. One that is not just beautiful, and chic, but one that has a deep history. Not just from Herzl, but also during the Holocaust - which today we are commemorating. My Mother in Law was a child - just 3 years old- when her mother had to take her from village to village in order to escape the Nazis in France. When it got too much for them, her mother was left with no choice but to leave her children in the care of some Christians. My Mother in Law was left in a Non Jewish home, (and her siblings were placed in other homes and orphanages in the country, as well). Her mother then told her that she is not Jewish - she was never Jewish - her real parents are these Christians who she is going to live with now. Imagine that.
We are so blessed that her Mother and Father survived the war, and were able to come back and take their children home. Last year I read the book "Sarah's Key", by Tatiana de Rosnay, and that has added a new dimension to the city for me. The book is fantastic - and I highly recommend it for any adult interested.
So thats it for now, my flight to Charles De Gaulle Airport leaves New Jersey in less than 3 hours. Thank you Daniel for giving me the ability to do this. I wish you were with me.
I can't wait to read more about your trip! Thank you for sharing it! Here are some more books you may have already read, but if not, would surely enjoy: "Suite Francaise" by Irene Nemirovsky, and "Those Who Save Us" by Jenna Blum. Shalom!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment - I have Suite Francaise - and tried to start but never could get into it - I will try it again when I get back to the U.S, and as for Jenna Blum I definitely will check it out! I have been unable to connect to the internet for the last couple of days - either due to time or location, and I hope to make at least one more post before shabbat begins in an hour. If not, then after Shabbat tomorrow...
ReplyDeleteShabbat Shalom!