Don't follow rules blindly

I watched the recently-released film, The Social Network, on board my flight from London to the U.S. today.  While I didn't rate it as a great movie, it tells the fascinating story of the creation of Facebook, which is really taking the world by storm.  It's quite apt that I was heading to Boston, where the now-world's largest social networking website was launched in 2004.  By the time you read this, my dear Yael, you may wonder why I am so amazed by what is seen as an extraordinary phonomena right now.

Facebook was founded by the then 20 year-old Mark Zuckerberg with his university friendss and fellow computer science students.   The website's membership was initially limited by the founders to Harvard students, but was quickly expanded to other colleges in the Boston area.   It rapidly added support for students at various other universities before opening to high school students, and, subsequently to anyone aged 13 and over. At the time of writing, there are 600,000 Facebook members, that's almost 10 percent of the world's population.  Facebook is now worth 6 billion US dollars and Zuckerberg is the youngest billionair on the planet.  Incredible for a service that didn't exist just six years ago.

The best part of this astounding story is that Zuckerberg initially hacked into the protected areas of Harvard's computer network to establish the precursor to Facebook  Called Facemash, the service was  quickly shut down by the university administration. and the 20 year-old undergraduate was charged with breach of security, copyright violation, and invasion of privacy, and faced expulsion. Ultimately, however, the charges were dropped.

The moral of this tale is that extraordinary innovations aren't necessarily driven by conventional behaviour.  While they may be there for good reasons, rules often need to be broken for revolutionary ideas to take hold.  My dear Yael, as you go through life, I would encourage you not follow rules blindly.


Grandpa Jonathan
Boston, USA

Amsterdam to London

After two successful days of meetings in Rotterdam, I took the fast train from Rotterdam to Amsterdam's Schipol airport where I flew to London for Friday night dinner at your great aunt Beverley's.  I spent a lovely evening there together with my mother and two of Bev's children, Tom and Annie.

It'll be a flying visit, as I leave tomorrow for the United States.


Grandpa Jonathan
London, UK

Bath time

I left Israel as the sun started to appear, while reflecting on the three wonderful days spent with you.  In spite of the sadness of Nahum's death and concern about Anne's health, seeing you, my darling Yael, was pure joy.  You are already so alert and interested in everything around you.  Apart from your noisy protests each time you are placed in the car baby seat, you are a very easy going and adorable baby.  You bring joy to us all.

I'm also so impressed by the way in which your parents are bringing you up.  I am sure that their relaxed and loving approach is the key to why you are so content.  As I went to sleep on my early flight from Tel Aviv to Prague this morning, I had this cute image in my mind of you taking a bath last night, when I took photos for which you will certainly not be thanking me in years to come.

Happily, my connnecting flight from Prague to Amsterdam was on time, and I then took a fast train to Rotterdam to arrive on schedule for my client meeting.

We may live in differant countries, but as I prepare for bed this evening, I promise myself that I will make every effort to see you often.  So.....see you soon!

Granpda Jonathan

Rotterdam, Netherlands

May Nahum rest in peace

While your mother stayed at home with you, your father and aunt came with me to Nahum's stone setting this morning.  It was a gloriously sunny day and his grave is situated on a beautiful Jerusalem hillside where he will rest in peace after such a long and terrible illness.

His brother David, who settled here some years before Nahum, spoke emotionally about how his father had asked him to look after his younger brother when he came to live in Israel.  Choking back the tears, David movingly said that now that he can no longer fulfil that duty, he wanted to care for the rest of the family, for Susan and the four sons Nahum had left behind.

Nahum was my brother in law and friend.  It is so difficult to come to terms with the fact that I will never see him again.  But I have very fond memories of a man who everyone liked.  He will be sorely missed.


Grandpa Jonathan
Jerusalem, Israel

Our trip to see great grandma Anne

I was sad to see the effect that the stroke has had on your great grandmother, Anne, who we visited today at her special care home in Ranana.  I drove your parents, your aunt Rachel and you to visit her today.  She was asleep when we first arrived, so we went for lunch at the harbour at Hertzliah Pertuach.  This was your first view of the sea.  We returned to find great grandma Anne sitting in a wheelchair in a room with many other elderly people in various states of incapacity.

While it was gratifiying to find that she knew who we were, it is clear that the series of strokes that she has had in recent weeks has left her in a poor state.  She has only limited sight and movement, and is quite confused.  But she was very happy to see us all.

I first met Anne Kennard 31 years ago, when she was the formidable headmistress of Kerem House kindergarten in London's Hampstead Garden suburb.  She was a large, stern woman with a sharp tongue who many people actually feared, particularly parents whose children went to her school.  Both your father and Rachel went there, and I can tell you that I was quite scared of her.  She is now a completely differant person.

I'm so sorry to see her in such a helpless state.  I just hope that she is not suffering.  Clearly, her condition will now only marginally improve, if at all, but I hope that she can love her final days with dignity and derive happiness from her large and loving family.  Your presence brought a sparkle to her eyes.

After returning to Jerusalem, we went to a memorial service for Nahum at his schul in Ramot.  Susan introduced the proceedings, and your uncle Amichai, the eldest of Nahum's four sons gave a lovely tribute in his memory, and the rabbi gave a shiur.  It's so hard to believe that he has gone.


Granpda Jonathan
Jerusalem, Israel

Yael, you have grown so much

I arrived in Israel at the crack of dawn for a three day visit.  It's been more than three months since I last saw you, and I can't beleive the change. When we were together in London, you still weighed only around three kilos, and you are now an enormous seven kilos.

You've already taken over the apartment, with your equipment and toys in evidence everywhere.  And as you don't like being alone, you are taekn everyewhere, even into the bathroom where you are held in your father's arms while he shaves, with you watching in fascination.

You aunt Rachel is also in Israel for a week's recuperation after her exams.  I spent much of the day with her, wandering around Jerusalem, having lunch and doing some shopping for dinner which I prepared at your place.  I found a lovely piece of fresh tuna in the Machanah Yehudah.  It was the first time your mother had eaten fresh tuna, which I lighly sauteed in virgin olive oil.  We washed down the meal with a couple of bottles of 2008 shiraz from the Adir Winery at Kerem Ben Zimra.

Your parents wouldn't permit me to give you any of the wine, but I assure you that we will have plenty of opportunity to share a bottle or two together when you get older.


Grandpa Jonathan
Jerusalem, Israel