A few months later I received an invitation to their wedding and a few weeks later had great pleasure in attending the neighbourly nuptials at the Temple one Sunday afternoon with about 60 guests forming a huge circle around the happy couple under the "Chuppah" (wedding canopy).
The wedding at Temple Beth Israel.
Yes, the bride was noticeably nervous and was attended by her daughter acting as Matron of Honour. Their tiny toddler grandson, carefully carrying the ring on a white velvet cushion, perfectly performed his decorous duties at the appropriate time.
Unbeknown to most of the other guests and I was the fact that the Edgars had been attending conversion classes for some time - Graham having started on his own, later joined by Stella who initially wasn't interested. The Rabbi was delighted they'd decided to become formally married and everyone joyfully joined hands and danced a "Hora", a traditional Israeli song to the truly thrilling tune "Havanagillah", after which all pleasurably partook of a wonderful wedding breakfast.
It was later revealed that this couple, originally from New Zealand, had been married for approximately 30 years - and so another substantial brick of multiculturalism was added to the solid foundations of TBI with it's many barmitzvahs & batmitzvahs (13 year old boys & 12 year old girls) of Asian birth as well as adult folk from all around the world...
Congenial close ties have been established between some Sudanese Muslim families and TBI members with children of similar ages, visiting each other's homes & sharing outings, picnics etc. - more evidence of the importance attached to the necessary need for the direct dissemination of more information about diverse cultures in this confused mixed-up world...
Since writing the above, another delightful couple, Graham & Chris Smith, firm friends of the Edgars, have also become TBI regulars and I'm fortunate to have them sitting right next to me.
'till next time - in about 10 days
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