The Gathering

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I have been MIA for the last while because life has been very very busy here. The Irish Jewish community is very small but what it lacks in numbers it punches way above it's weight in actions and deeds. At it's height we had 5,000 members and now it's about 1500. We have had several Lord Mayors, Government Ministers, etc and have always figured highly in Irish public life.  Lots of the community over the years  left these shores like the rest of the Irish and can now be found in the USA, Canada, Australia,UK, Israel and further afield.   This year is the year of 'The Gathering, a government led initiative to encourage those with Irish roots to come home and experience a wonderful welcome.  The Irish Jewish Community undertook it's own Gathering. One action packed week where walking tours of 'Little Jerusalem', Tours of our Jewish Museum, Sports events, talks and evenings of music and dinners were organised.  Some of you may know that my eldest daughter Jessica is a Musician  and I nagged her for three months to contact the organizers and offer her musical talent for the event.  To say the week has been a resounding success is an understatement.  I have reconnected with friends from my childhood and teenage years and memories long consigned to the depths have come to the surface.   Wednesday evenings event was a gala dinner in the Dublin Convention center for 500 people.  Jessica sang her own composition and a duet with her cousin Jenni that I am linking here.  ( Jessica's voice is the first one you will hear) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPUh532jdng&feature=youtu.be

[a.k.a. Rodney]

מהחבר שלך היהודי בשיקגו
מזל טו
עבודה נהדרת
יש הרבה מאתנו כאן
(Translation: "from your friend in Chicago. Mazal Tov, good job/well done
There are many of us here"

[F, Calla & Luca]

Gee Sheila I thought there were 300 people total : )

[Sheila & Finnley]

Well F, I think Plattsburgh is one of those places where there are very few Jewish people. If I had to guess, I'd say way under 300. I'm sure many more though, when the university is in secession. ;)

Nicky, your daughter and niece have beautiful voices. Thank you for sharing their talent.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Both women sounded so beautiful. What a wonderful event. It's amazing how few Jews there are in some places so I guess even 1500 is a lot. Coming from New York it's easy to forget most of the world and even most of this country isn't so diverse.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Mazel Tov! Your daughter has a beautiful voice and they both sound very lovely together!

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Beautiful!!

You have every right to "kvell".