Open Writing

The new Synagogue was completed early in 1991 and there was much celebration. I was one of those especially honoured by being asked to participate in the official re-opening ceremony by carrying into the new building one of the scrolls of the law that had been just as ceremoniously removed nearly three years earlier. I was quite proud to do this as I felt that all my involvement was being recognised.

Soon after, my official retirement was arranged for July 1991, and it was agreed that a Testimonial Fund for me was to be advertised in the Synagogue's monthly publication. This produced £950, of which it was 'leaked' to me that £500 had been given by one minor synagogue member, the remainder from dozens of £5, £10 and £20 gifts from other minor members who, it would seem, felt that I had enriched their lives in some way and wished to acknowledge that fact. Unfortunately I do not have a record of the list of donors, but I think I recall accurately, although I could be wrong, that none were from major members of the Synagogue. It was additionally agreed that I would be honoured with a celebratory and public farewell, and was given a suitcase by the Synagogue as a leaving gift. I could not help but be a trifle privately amused when I recalled the words of the late Synagogue cemetery Secretary, Joe Foreman when, after 50 years of his extremely loyal and dedicated work, he had been given a cheque for £100 at his retirement. "Not bad" he had said to me afterwards, "£2 per year!"

When I later saw the same suitcase as mine in a nearby shop window for £64, I realised that I had done better than him at £64 after 20 years. My replacement lasted just over a year and, over the years since my retirement, I understand there have been at least seven attempts at finding a suitable person to fill the position satisfactorily. So I must have been doing something right to have lasted 20 years!

Also in the summer of 1992, I experienced what at the time was thought to have been a heart attack. An examination by a specialist only highlighted the fact that he could not confirm this, and that to do so he would require me to have an angiogram, a medical term that necessitated my having a probe inserted into my heart via a vein located in my groin. The whole episode took place over a twelve-hour period in one day when it was shown that I had not had a heart attack, but that I did have a slightly blocked artery that might cause one in months or years to come. I recall with some amusement when a nurse came into my room to prepare me for the procedure, when I needed to be shaved in that area. She asked me if I would prefer to do it myself but I declined. She handled me very gently and all was satisfactory. But during the next hour three more nurses came in at intervals offering to shave me, and were I assume disappointed to learn that they had been beaten to it! I offered to show them the proof but they declined. Bearing in mind that I was 66 at the time, I accept that I was being paid a compliment.

However, I was warned that the second operation was far more serious and would require me to stay in hospital for several days whilst I recovered. To remove the blockage would require me to experience an angioplasty, when an anaesthetist and a heart surgeon would be required to stand by "in case of emergency". I received a local anaesthetic in my groin area and the probe inserted into an artery there, which soon after arrived in my heart. I was fully conscious and was expected to make comments on what I was feeling. I could also see what was going on internally on a monitor placed above me. It was really quite an experience in itself. Since the area could not receive a tourniquet to stop the blood coming out of the wound, a padded device rather like a rolling pin was strapped on around my body with elasticised bandages. I felt somewhat like a trussed up chicken.

I was placed in my bed on my back with no pillows, and told that I was not to move for at least twenty-four hours so that the wound could heal naturally before the removal of the dressing. However during the first night, at a periodic check up, the nurse realised that there was a blood seepage showing on the dressing, the extent of which she marked with a biro. A further check about twenty minutes later showed that the mark had been covered by more blood and that I was leaking at a dangerous level, which had to be rectified at once. I was of course fully conscious at this time and aware of the comings and goings. Also, by this time, the anaesthetic had worn off, so that I could feel the various hands moving over my person. My night attire was quickly removed and the nurse apologised "for exposing me". The original dressing was removed and one of the nurses placed one hand in my groin, applying extreme pressure to the wound to stem the flow and, with her other hand, gently held away that part of my anatomy that was attempting to be a nuisance in the situation. She remained like that for about ten minutes and, whilst I was fully aware of what was going on and aware of my reactions, I felt it was necessary to lighten the situation and said something like "Do what you have to. Under different circumstances we both could have enjoyed it!"

Shortly after, a replacement dressing was applied, which proved satisfactory, and I was on the mend. After three nights, when my back gave me more trouble than my operation, I was allowed home. I was now probably in a far better state of health than before and I felt good. My only regret was that, in all the excitement, I forgot what that particular nurse looked like and was unable to give her my personal thanks when I left.

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If you wish to make a donation to the Elsa Benedyk Memorial Fund, set up by her friends and colleagues entirely without Raymon’s knowledge to provide funds to support the children's ward of the Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem to commemorate her life of work with children in her nursery schools, it would be most gratefully received. The amount that you give will not be revealed to Raymon. He is not a trustee of the fund. Your cheque, payable to the Fund, should be sent to the fund's Treasurer Mrs I Dokelman, 14 Charville Court, 30/32 Gayton Road, Harrow, Middx HA1 2HT.