15 December 2014 Dear G-d, How do you do it? How do you organise for people, those with us and those whose souls have departed this earth, to appear in one’s life at the most opportune moments? Loren So here I am, sitting quietly in seat 48C on my flight from Bangkok to Tel Aviv, somewhere between India and the north east coast of Africa. Silence reigns supreme, except for the whirring noise of the plane’s engines. Dots of light appear overhead, flecks in the overriding darkness … it seems that sleep eludes a few other souls as well. So we use the time to read, write or watch current and old movies. El Al’s entertainment system on board is somewhat archaic; passengers can only watch or listen to what is currently playing on each channel. I decide to listen to music and access the play list on channel 3, which has songs in both English and Hebrew. Many are familiar to me and bring back memories of different places, times and experiences in my life. And suddenly I hear Israel Kamakawiwoʻole’s version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and I smile joyfully as the tears begin to flow! Hedy is with me on this journey, if not in body then at least in soul! (https://youtube/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Some years ago in the staffroom at Yavneh, I heard the most beautiful rendition of the well-known song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” emanating from one of the computers. I was drawn towards the music in an inexplicable way … the pure and melodic voice, the accompanying sounds of the mandolin and the minor key all came together, engulfing me in their harmonious beauty. I listened to this song over and over again and each time, the tears flowed more freely. So what’s new, you ask. Free flowing tears are part of my genetic make up. Very true … but this was different. One day, pure curiosity led me to do some research as to who sings this song. YouTube gladly provided the answer: Israel Kamakawiwoʻole . And after three weeks of a self-induced emotional roller coaster triggered off every time I clicked the play button, I typed Iz’s name into Wikipedia to glean some information about this very large man with the voice of an angel. What appeared on the screen was extremely interesting, recommended reading for all those interested in the contribution of individual human beings to musical culture around the world. But the clincher for me was the date that Iz died – 26 June! This is the day that my mother Hedy died – and suddenly, the riddle of my eerie connection to this song was solved.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 21:21:35 +0000
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