GRANDFATHER

We had spent part of the morning in the ‘TEMPLE’at Kracow- this beautiful old shul with its stained glass windows and its dull lights. Its atmosphere and character is one of worship, contemplation and meditation.Its age and state of repair/ disrepair gives the feeling of Jewish participation and involvment through time.

It was raining for most of the day which gave added cold and damp to the atmosphere.

We came back in the evening for the Yom Hashoa Service.Each person said their moving piece, one girl sang and the candles were lit for each group.

Three survivors went up to light their candles;then one survivor,Meir from Bersheva recited the kaddish; afterwards everyone sang hatikvah, which was most moving.

When this was finished and everyone was milling around, I turned and saw the grandfather with his red yamulka turn and look lovingly at his grandson.This was the look of unconditional love that only a grandfather or grandmother gives to their grandchild. In that instant I was moved to tears.I felt all the sadness and loss of not having had grandparents. I wept.

Mike Kaufmann