Rememberance Sunday

Yesterday in the UK was Remembrance Sunday. I wore my poppy, a Manchester United poppy of course, proudly. I honoured the memory of my great uncle Sergeant George Kesten, my grandmother’s only brother, who died aged 19. George came to the UK when he was just 17 years old on the famous Kindertransport. When he heard what was happening in Europe he volunteered for the RAF. As he spoke fluent German, he was placed in the 101 Squadron , an elite squadron whose activity was to scramble the Germans’ radios. On 4th November 1944, his plane was shot down and he was killed in action.  

Obviously I never met him, but always heard stories and was proud of my great uncle, a hero who served the UK. I am a proud British patriot and will always be there to serve my country if needed.

It was only fitting that my synagogue brought in a new Torah scroll yesterday on Remembrance Sunday, as those that died for our country are remembered just like the legacy of the holy torah scroll is remembered. I sent my brother, the cantor of the synagogue, videos which Esther filmed. I apologised and said “I wasn’t well, that’s why I didn’t come.” To which he replied, “Every time there’s a prayer you are conveniently ill, but this time there was food and you didn’t come, so you must really have been not well......”

That was hilarious, though true to a point. At some times that are important I’m suddenly ill, God has his plans....

In memory of all the soldiers who died in battle, I conclude with the prayer: 

Ose shalom bimromov, hu yaaseh shalom aleinu v’al kol yoshvei tevel, amen, which means 

May God create peace on earth and may we see no more strife and no more people falling in battle. Amen..

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