M is for May, Magical Moments and Marriage

Three weeks ago we set off for England in preparation for our son Ben’s wedding to Tali Kaye. We came back ten days before the wedding to prepare for the wedding itself but also for Ben’s Aufruf on the Shabbat before. After a difficult April, with Mum breaking her hip at Pesach, May got off to a rocky start with Eliya being unwell. We had been so excited to move the kid’s flights to the UK forward, to enable them to be with us for the aufruf, but for a while it looked like they might not be able to come at all. The day before they were due to fly the doctor gave Eliya the all clear but it wasn’t until they sent me a picture of themselves on the plane that I was able to relax! From that point on we were able to look forward to the wedding and savour the magical moments as they occurred.

First were the videos and photos Gila sent from the airport. Eliya was fascinated by everything around him. He looked serious for the security guard checking his passport photo and flirted unashamedly with everyone.

Next was their arrival. Malcolm went to the airport to collect them, but Ben and Tali also went to surprise them. It was a tearful reunion, partly joy but partly relief at finally getting there.

We had not told my Mum that Gila was coming early and her reaction when they popped in to say goodnight was memorable, as was her reaction the next day when my niece Judith came over with her son Robin, 6 months older than Eliya. Gila has not been to England for three years and it was very special for my mother’s only two granddaughters (8 grandsons - not that we're counting Mum!) to see each other and for their babies to meet.

Shabbat and the aufruf provided further magic. Ben's oldest and closest friend Jacob Freedman, who he was at nursery, primary and secondary school with (same class all the way through) and then Uni, made Aliyah several years ago and was due to marry his Israeli fiancée, Hen, last summer. Unfortunately, the wedding was postponed twice due to covid. With the new date only three weeks after Ben’s wedding and Jacob and Hen coming over to the UK for the wedding it made sense for them to have a joint aufruf in Borehamwood Shul where they had grown up. It was very special being surrounded by our family and friends, sharing the occasion with the Freedman family and watching both boys and their fathers - and even my father - being called up to the reading of the Torah. Shul was followed by lunch at home for our family and Tali’s family and then tea in the Freedman’s garden. No photos because it was Shabbat but the memories of the day are imprinted on our minds.

Thursday 19th May dawned fair – which was just as well as we hoped to have the chuppah outside, making the most of the beautiful gardens at Micklefield Hall. Tali and her mother Sarah had put a huge amount of work into the detail and it was worth it. The incomparable Lauren, Micklefield’s event manager, ensured that everything on the day went exactly as we had hoped. It truly was the perfect day and I will let the pictures do the talking. Some kindly sent by family and friends and a sample from the official photographer Poppy Carter

Preparation

Chuppah

Party

We continued the celebrations with Friday night dinner at home as the newly combined Gordon/Kaye family and then with Sheva Brachot at a local restaurant.

Last but not least, it was, for me anyway, a happy coincidence that the Elizabeth Line opened just before we went home. My obvious companion for a day on the trains was my Dad. At 95 he still has a bucket list - and a trip on the Elizabeth line was on it. The Galapagos Islands are also on it but I am less likely to be able to facilitate that! Visiting the new stations at Nine Elms and Battersea are also on my list but he has already done those with my niece who has followed in my footsteps at Tfl. Nevertheless we had a great day out, enjoying getting out at some stations to explore. Amazingly Dad can still use the escalators which give you a much better perspective of the stations than the lift - a bit nerve wracking for me though!

We returned home to Israel, exhausted, but very happy. Ready for a rest – no chance!!! Ben and Tali have already arrived, and Samuel arrives tomorrow – for Jacob's wedding on Wednesday of course. What could be better! Tali's family arrive next week for another wedding so why miss an opportunity to continue celebrating. So next week we are hosting a party at home for our Israeli family and friends and will have our children and all Tali’s family with us.

With our next party, several weddings and a kiddush to celebrate the wedding and our 2nd Aliyah anniversary – not to mention concerts and art exhibitions booked, we are looking forward to a very Jolly and Joyous June and July