'The Brothers Ashkenazi' by I.J. Singer

Set in pre-war Lodz, during the years of revolutions, wars, pogroms and anti-Semitism comes a story complete with joy, tragedy, perseverance and triumph. The Brothers Ashkenazi, twins, Meir Simcha (Max) and Jacob Bunem (Yakub) are destined for success, in different ways. They both grow in wealth, affluence and influence, but learn that all one takes to the next world is a good name, a healthy reputation. As they grow in age, they grow apart, however brothers remain brothers.

The story is written with great detail and description about an era of Eastern Europe that was rife with commerce, development and hardship. Singer captures the movement, the fluctuation and craziness of the characters in exquisite thoroughness. Singer puts The Brothers Ashkenazi back together again.

'Sacred Trash' by Adina Hoffman & Peter Cole

Hoffman and Cole team up to write a narrative on what some called 'the 8th wonder of the world' - the lost and found world of the Cairo Geniza.

The book is about discovery, tradition and rescue of holy Jewish literature of 900 years in age from Fustat (Cairo) Egypt.

With a dynamic team of research scholars including, Solomon Schechter, S.D Goiten and many other 'Geniza' experts, the authors narrate a story of immense historical importance, filled with richness, colour, depth and lucidity.

What may be 'trash' to some, is a 'treasure' to others.

A Royal April

I write from Sydney, Australia after a wonderful visit to my homeland for Passover (Pesach). It was a fabulous trip, a first for MDL. We had precious family time plus we visited and saw some of the great Australian sites. Pesach, as usual in Anglesea was leaven free. Thanks to all the hardworking team for making a real beautiful Chag (holiday). Let us hope and pray that what we read aloud at the Seder “next year in Jerusalem” actualizes.

As the academic year winds down in the North, the South readies itself for ski season. New Zealand is still one of the choicest of options even though Christchurch lies in a heap of rubble.

Apparently #osamaisdead. Barak Obama announced to the world that Osama Bin Laden, the worlds’ most wanted man was captured and killed by American forces in Pakistan. Possibly Obama found Osama to boost his re-election campaign. Media sources have been waiting a long time for this newsworthy story including the broadsheet, tabloid and electronic newsfeeds. Conspiracy theories will be created and perhaps Obama was upset that he did not receive an invite to the Royal Wedding and in turn, Will and Kate’s media fame was overshadowed by the death of Evil Osama. Details to ensue.

April 1st brought snow to New York (this is not a April fools joke) while a Government shutdown was avoided in Washington D.C. The Australian Dollar continues to strengthen and a high of 1.10 USD was recorded in late April. Meanwhile the Japanese government approved a quake budget of 4 trillion Yen to assist in the cleanup and recovery after the mass earthquake and tsunami. Samsung is suing Apple, but that seems to happen every day.

It was a Royal April as Will and Kate tied the knot in London. Thousands upon thousands came to London to see David and Posh Beckham’s outfits (and Kate’s dress). The Empire State Building turned 80 while Israeli teenagers got a taste of Justin Bieber as he performed in Tel Aviv.

Fighting continues in the Middle East and Africa. In Libya, NATO attacked Gaddafi and succeeded in killing Gaddafi’s son (G senior still on the run). The fighting also claimed the lives of notable Journalists Tim Hethrington and Chris Hondras. In the Ivory Coast, French forces captured dictator Laurent Gbagbo. Syria has problems too, as does Bahrain and was forced to cancel its Formula 1 championship race.

Manchester United will not win the treble this season and Fernando Torres finally broke his goal-scoring drought for Chelsea (at a cost of 50 million pounds). Sri Lanka might have been bribed to lose the world cup final (but India and Tendulkar were the better team).

Yom Hashoa, the day of Holocaust remembrance passed and we remember all the pure and holy souls who died in the sanctification of G-D’s name during World War 2. Yom Haatzmaot, Israeli Independence Day approaches and let us all join in unison and pray that the ‘David’ can once again defeat the ‘Goliath’ and keep Israel safe.

Dayenu.