Facing Tomorrow – the fourth Israeli Presidential Conference
was held at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem last week.
4500 participants came from around the world to attend and
dozens of press releases and blogs have been written on this mega-event.
Tiny 84-year-old Dr. Ruth Westheimer was a big hit with audiences.
One could say that Dr. Ruth, whose feet have trouble reaching the floor,
was even bigger and better than last year.
International guest panelists spoke of the future.
Retired Chief-of-Staff Gabi Ashkenazi was one of the few speakers
who spoke in Hebrew and was a popular presenter.
The session rooms were overcrowded and I could not get inside,
so I spent a lot of time walking the halls.
I spotted Abe Foxman, National Director of ADL giving an interview
and Natan Sharansky on his way to speak at a session.
During an opening plenary session, Ayaan Hirsi-Ali
shared some of her impressive life story and experiences of Islam.
In her talk she mentioned her age as 42; she smiled when I told her
that someone in the crowd tweeted that she looks more like 24.
Stanley Fisher (right), Governor of the Bank of Israel, is always popular.
The convention center was full of important people with important ideas.
But, due to his recent leg injury, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
did not speak at the closing session on Thursday.
There were three special sessions on Thursday for bloggers,
one was a question and answer session with President Shimon Peres.
Finally I had a chance to get in a session and have a good a seat.
But I did not attend the last day of Facing Tomorrow 2012.
Wednesday night I got the dreaded, but expected call
that my mother-in-law had passed away.
Ruth Brooks Spanglet z”l was born in America 89 1/2 years ago.
She never went to college,
but her two children earned post graduate degrees.
Her legacy includes twelve devoted grandchildren and
twenty-six great-grandchildren (with more on the way),
all of whom now must face a tomorrow without Bubby.
A friend of mine wrote a wonderful piece on what she found missing
at this conference of big names and creative ideas – the mention of family.
Families like Bubby’s are the real tomorrow and the hope for the future.
May all the mourners of Zion be comforted soon.
.
Wishing you all much comfort in your wonderful memories of Bubby Ruth. Her name will always be such a blessing to you all…thank you for sharing this with us…
thank you
HaMakom yenachem…
I’m glad we met up. You could have flashed your colorcoded name tag to get in. That’s what I did.
NOPE last year I got passed every line and into every session. This year the security blocked me at every door. But I loved meeting and talking with everyone in the halls. What a hard edit this time, cutting out so many names and photos.
ברוך דיין אמת
Thanks for sharing the photo-view of the conference. And your personal touch is appreciated… Baruch Dayan Haemet.
We didn’t actually get to meet… hopefully soon!
Great coverage of the event and what a BEAUTIFUL photo of your family!
Thanks Sara
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May you be comforted among the mourners of Zion.
I knew your mother-in-law when I lived in Be’er Sheva. She was a lovely lady.
Thanks Jeannette!
Amen, Amen to your last 3 lines. Bubby has left
quite a legacy for tomorrow in the smiling faces of your last photo. Beautiful tribute to a lovely lady!
So sorry to hear about your mother-in-law, Bubby Ruth. Baruch Dayan Emet. We were thinking about you here in Silver Spring.
Thank you Debby
Great ideas depend on great people. When we look back at our lives, very few will say “I wish I had spent more time at work!” Family, family, family. That is where the satisfaction comes from.
Hamakom yenachem etchem.
In South Africa, we alway say, to the bereaved family, on the passing of a blessed soul “we wish you long life” and so I wish you and your beautiful family, long life. I really don’t know why we say this, maybe one of your South African bloggers can tell me.
Thanks Avril.
Avril Have not heard from you in so long, missing your wonderful comments. Hope all is well?
Hi, I read all your posts – I think that I have gone through a bit of depression at the situation and decided that I was actually addicted to u-tube and the digusting fights and insults. I found that any reaching out and defending Israel on my side, was met with rudeness by flat-lined brains who refused to even try to see any of our truth. I decided to take a break from all the filth, to cleanse my soul am trying to send only messages of tolerance and understanding. Not working, but am trying. I do appreciate that you ask how I am. Bless you!
What good timing for the month of Elul, “messages of tolerance and understanding” is what everyone should be concerned with! Shanah tovah!
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