I had never seen gemstones that large outside of a museum case. Several of the ladies, hands wrapped around their drinks, wore rings with stones as big as the olives in their glasses.
Joel and Miriam, the host and hostess, had owned a liquor store before retiring and had a large bar for their guests. We had built a relationship over several years with Joel and Miriam and were honored to be invited to Miriam’s 80th birthday party.
Kris and I made our way from the smoky living room to the dining room. We met a man dressed completely in simple black sitting at the dining room table who stood out from the other party-goers. Actually, Kris and I stood out more than he did. We were the only Gentiles and about 55 years younger than most of the guests, while he was their beloved rabbi.
One quiet afternoon, several months later, I sat at that same table with Miriam and Joel. . As I simply related the beautiful Christmas story, Miriam lit a cigarette, her face deeply furrowed with wrinkles from age and from...