New year heralds historic changes

Today is 1.1.11, and this first day of 2011 heralds two historic changes.  Estonia becomes the 17th country to introduce the Euro, and Brazil's first woman president takes office.

With the euro woes of Greece and Ireland prompting some to suggest that the currency is on the rocks, it is encouraging to see a new member of the Eurozone today.  It is quite remarkable to think that Estonia was a part of the Soviet Union until just 20 years ago.  Who would have ever imagined back then that this small Baltic state with a population of little over a million, would ever have acceded to the European Union, yet alone the Euro.

While we are becoming somewhat more accustomed to female leaders, they are still relatively rare.  For a country of the size of Brasil, it is very encouraging to see Dilma Rousseff sworn in today as Brazil's first woman president, succeeding the incredibly popular President Lula. 

By the time you read this, I really do hope that the Euro will be a successful currency embraced by all of Europe, incoluding Britain, and that there will be nothing remarkable about any woman being appointed to any job in the world.


Grandpa Jonathan
Prague, Czech Republic

Monet to Warhol

It was a pleasure to take my mother to a wonderful art exhibition in Prague today which presented 80 works of modern art spanning the beautiful tranquility of Claude Monet to the crazy flambouyance of Andy Warhol.  It was my dear mother who first introduced me to the joys of roaming art galleries.  I remember her taking my sister, Beverley and me to various exhibitions in London as a child.

I always think it is a good idea to try a pick out one piece of work from an exhibition which I particularly liked.  On this ocassion, it was Monet's famous and tranquil Water Lillies which gave me a real thrill to see "in the flesh".

Now that my mother walks so slowly, a gentle meander around a beautiful art gallery in Prague couldn't be better.  She really enjoyed herself, and I know how happy she is to spend time with me.

I then took her for a lovely lunch in a Japanese restaurant.  So we had a really good day of diverse culture.


Grandpa Jonathan
Prague, Czech Republic

Nahum Bedein

Sadly, my darling Yael, you will never know your uncle Nahum Bedein.  After a four-year corageous battle with renal cancer, Nahum passed away today in a Jerusalem hospice where he spent his final days.  He was just 55, two years older than me and far, far too young to die.

I first met Nahum 31 years ago.  He had married Susan, the sister of my then wife-to-be, Veronica.  He warmly welcomed me into the extended Kennard family.  He was full of fun and good humour, and I always enjoyed his company.  He was a lovely brother-in-law.

Born in Philadelphia as Neal, he changed his name to Nahum when he made aliya. He leaves behind his mother, Miriam Bedein who still lives in Philadelphia (his father, Philip, died some years ago); brother, David; sister, Helen Miller; his wife, Susan, who is your great aunt; and four sons: Amihai,; Yehezkel; Gilad, Lior and two granddaughters: Amit and Lia. 

Nahum was an easy-going, happy-go-lucky character.  In spite of his terrible illness, he remained upbeat and positive.  The treatment he had to endure was quite horrible, and yet I never heard him complain.  Above all, Nahum had a huge heart.  He was tactile, always hugging me tightly when we met.  He was so very proud of his four boys, as well as his two beautiful granddaughters.  Thankfully, he was able to live long enough to enjoy the weddings of two of his sons and to welcome into the world his grandchildren.

It was Nahum who reached out to me during my marital difficulties.  Unlike many others, he was unjudgemental, proactively offering his support and friendship.  I considered Nahum as a good friend, and I will miss him.

You will not remember Nahum, my darling Yael, but I brought him to the hospital to meet you when you were just two days young.  Inevitably, there will be many older family and friends who will have passed on by the time you read this.  But I want you to know that Nahum was a terrific fellow who you would have liked very much.  May fond memories of him endure, and may he rest in peace.


Grandpa Jonathan
Prague, Czech Republic