Jews settled in every corner of the globe during thousands of years, and in those diaspora lands of exile they were always singled out as the outsiders, as Jews. Yet in Israel, we bring with us the scent, the look and the mind set of the countless lands we wandered through.
A miniature United Nations, we come in every shape and color and language. There is friction between different ethnic groups but never hatred or violence. We are a family. Current DNA research has proven that Jews are all related, linked to the gene pool of the Israelites of the Biblical Land of Israel.
This gives me a real kick and I especially feel privileged that my own family are multi-ethnic Jews. My beautiful grandchildren come in all colors and enjoy a genetic mix of Africa-Ethiopia, Spain, Venice, Poland, Russia and the US, back to the Middle East.
This poem appears in my current volume of poems, "Stories of Exile and Love"
GRANDMOTHER
First came dreamy-eyed Rachel
child at the well, a jug on her shoulder,
she shyly offers water to Eliezer
come to find a bride for Jacob.
Next is our wild-eyed clever beauty
dark as Queen Sheba and as wise,
don't try to trick her,
she will catch you in it.
Three is twinkle-eyed
and pigtailed mischief,
the child her father was
with riddles and comic relief.
Four is our Greta Garbo,
pearl complected and grey-eyed,
she is Russia, haloed blond hair
frames her cameo face.
Five is our bright boy, a prince born,
with the green-eyes
and high cheeks of my father,
who brought him to me in a dream.
Six returns us to Ethiopia
a round-eyed beautiful babe
with fat black toddler legs
running towards me
Sometimes they play-walk
in a row, "like we were born,"
connecting each to the other
in a golden chain of love,
that reaches back
that reaches forward.
Oh Lord, that I would be allowed
to see the generations
they will bring forth.
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