When we left Israel, over two weeks ago, we hoped to be able to escape the heavy cloud hanging over us since the vile assault on Israel on 7th October and the subsequent war in Gaza and fighting in the north. Spending time with friends, first in the Netherlands and later in Leipzig, where a friend from England was singing in a choir as part of the Bach Festival there, certainly helped to distract us, but in the modern world of instant communications there’s no escaping the knowledge of the dire situation in our homeland.
Wherever we went we found hospitable friends as well as kind and friendly strangers, not to mention the cultural, artistic and musical delights of Europe. It’s difficult to pinpoint any particular highlight, whether it be the fabulous Kroller-Muller museum in the heart of the Netherlands, the fascinating Sans-Souci palace built in Potsdam by King Friedrich II of Prussia for his private enjoyment and intellectual pleasure, and the temporary exhibition of portraits by Modigliani in the Barberini Museum, also in Potsdam.
As inveterate music-lovers who rarely let a week go by without attending at least one concert when we’re at home in Israel, our stay in Leipzig to coincide with the annual Bach Festival there was an unforgettable experience. Bach lived and worked there for most of his adult life, during which he produced countless musical works of genius. We were able to attend an unforgettable performance of his St. Matthew Passion in the St. Thomas Church, where Bach was in charge of the music performed there on a weekly basis, and most of which he composed to order. In addition we attended two performanccs of Bach cantatas given by visiting choirs, one of them from Southport, England in which a friend from my time at university participated. The choir that sang in the St. Matthew Passion was from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and both choirs did an excellent job even though they had to sing in German.
Another delight of travelling is being able to enjoy food cooked by someone else, and when we could do this in the company of friends, that added to the pleasure. We were able to enjoy the delicacies prepared by our friends in the Netherlands and share two interesting meals in Leipzig with our friend from Southport, and on one occasion were even joined by members of her family who had come to hear her sing. That really was a lot of fun.
Leipzig was also home to several other composers and musicians, and we were able to tour the former homes of Clara and Robert Schumann as well as that of Felix Mendelssohn, using spiffing up-to-date interactive systems to listen to items of information and pieces of music.
And now we are in our French home and have been welcomed by friends here with ‘aperos’ and an introduction to a recently-established English-Scottish tea-room where scones and tea are readily available. It is good to know that for the next two weeks we won’t be going away again until we return to Israel to face the grim reality there. But we will be glad to be near our nearest and dearest once more, and look forward to being together with them again sitting in our comfortable Jerusalem home.
From Dorothea's Desktop 
True, in today’s bleak reality [for us in Israel], it is difficult to let go and enjoy the totally-different world of the Netherlands, Leipzig, and France. But you’ve done well so far! So do your best to relax, and make the most of it. We’re still here (touch wood…). Your lovely Jerusalem home is still there. Your nearest and dearest will be happy to see you upon your return!