Jeff invited me to a Jewish dinner put on by the Temple in Benton, Illinois when we were both teenagers. I felt at home. Jeff as well as several of my friends were Jewish. I have always believed that I am in part Jewish on my mother’s side of the family. One of the finest leaders that SIUC had was Sam Goldman. He is a mensch!

I saw a newscast where my friend of many years ago, Glenn, and a church group touring the Holy Land were having difficulty getting a flight out of Israel. I remember what a kind and considerate person Glenn is as well as his departed wife Pam. MJ and I as well as Jeff and Margo stayed with Glenn and Pam many years ago for a night or two.

The heinous carnage that Hamas has wrought upon the people of Israel is beyond description. Israel is revered by all three major religions. There is no precept of any of these faiths that validates crimes against humanity…genocide…

Israel has captivated my imagination for all of my life. It is not only the homeland of the Jewish people…it is the home of my faith. I still want to visit Israel. The Jewish people fascinate me. Their dedication to their faith is unparalleled.

The Wailing Wall is a remnant of the Old Temple. People from all over the world go to the Wall to pray and place a paper with their prayer in the cracks of the ancient structure. My prayer is for the Dove Of Peace…

‘My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;’