I have recently written my memoirs which deal with my early life, exodus from Germany, arrival in M'bro and the setting up of the factory in Guisborough.
I hope to get whole book published but in the meantime the Evening Gazette has printed a series of articles extracted from my memoirs.
The web-site is great; it just shows that there are more people from Middlesbrough than in it.
On another subject; you are all very much in our thoughts these days. The situation looks unpromising but for the first time there appears to be a body of opinion no longer wholly condemnatory of Israel. Freddy Fishburn London, England
On 01 December 2001, Tanya Smollan and Oren Kaplan were engaged. The excitement is over, just the nachus remains. The venue, food and music were wonderful, the ambience very "Smollan"!!
Tanya and Oren made a havdalah bethrothal to each other breaking the traditional plate. It was all very lovely. Best of all, I sat in shul aching for Daniel as he could not get off work to come to London from Cape Town. As I arrived at lunch they asked me to help Emil with the salad from his car. I opened the door and there was my darling son. I cried for the rest of the day. It was all wonderful and we missed you all. Carole Smollan London, England
Just a note to say I'm not missing!! I have lived in Darras Hall on the outskirts of Newcastle Upon Tyne for the last 20 years. My married name is Roff. My parents Vic and Sylvia Couriel followed us here about 18 years ago and live at the bottom of the Road my husband and two children live in.
Seeing my name on the Missing Persons list caused much laughter since mum and dad come for a meal every Sunday evening. There was some jesting as to whether they should come for a meal next week, if I am missing.
You do a great job with your web site. It has got dad surfing at 83, which is not bad!
By the way Gerald Kay lived for a number of years in Gosforth and at one time had a jewellery shop on Gosforth High Street. Susan (Couriel) Roff Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Updated Newsletter interesting - the tabulation of the Middlesbrough and Stockton cemeteries was a wonderful job and brought back memories of names long forgotten. Barney Gatoff Israel
Dear David: Happy 60th birthday!
I have in my possession a small book about Jewish traditions given to me on my 2nd birthday in 1945 and signed "from Michael and David' in your mother (A"H)'s handwriting. If you are not my longest-term friend you are pretty close to it. And long may this friendship continue - bis 120! Hoping you have a happy and fulfilling day and many more happy and healthy years to come. Michael Bharier Providence, RI, USA