Page 10 - Kol Bogrei Habonim - November 12
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IRGUN VATIKEI HABONIM UK
ST IVES, CAMBRIDGESHIRE, APRIL 2012
“Never mind the weather as long as
we’re together.”
SALLY MALNICK, LONDON
N In the morning, some visited Ely Cathedral with
ice weather for ducks…. moorhens,
coots and swans - plenty of those
its famed hammer beam roof, carved angels and
gliding happily on the river past our
‘mediaeval wonder of the world’ chose instead
hotel’s picture windows while we mortals stained glass. Those already familiar with this
sheltered from the constant downpour. to go by boat round St Ives, local guides
explaining the history and the many natural and
In the middle of April’s rain-sodden drought, 34
of us gathered for our 12th get- together in St man- made sites we passed. Kind of them to
Ives, Cambridgeshire, a charming 11th century venture out for us, as the weather wasn’t
market town, little changed over 1000+ years. It welcoming.
boasts a statue to Later, during the
Oliver planned free
Cromwell, who time, some
once lived and stayed dry while
farmed there - a others braved
controversial the rain and
edifice as half explored the
the locals are town on foot.
proud of their Before dinner
past resident and Martin Nelson
half still hostile.
spoke on “The
Fortunately, Jews in Sub-
Nick, Denise and Saharan Africa”.
Great River Ouse (in fairer weather)
Phil had organised a He took us on a well-researched journey from
full programme for the weekend to keep us migration through North Africa to Nigeria,
entertained as well as dry. Settling down after a Ghana, Somalia, Ethiopia, The Cameroons,
first rate Shabbat dinner, a Bedouin in traditional Kenya, South Africa and many others, The
dress greeted us. This turned out to be Avi visual aid this time was not living but consisted
Shivtiel, a living visual aid to his fascinating talk of helpful slide presentation of a map of the
‘Were our ancestors Bedouin?’ We learned a lot region and the written names of some
about early tribes, their travels and customs, still unpronounceable tribes. We learned that their
practised today. Avi’s winning presentation style claim to be Jewish has no scientific evidence,
coupled with his depth and breadth of but is based on their adherence to familiar
knowledge never ceases to impress. rituals, dietary laws and practices.
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