Name droppers

Name droppers are the dullest of people. I heard Prince Charles say that in 1998 at a Gala Fundraising dinner for one of Sting's "save the Indians and the forests" projects. I was wedged between Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Alan Sugar at the time and I remember a very fascinating conversation that I had with the Dalai Lama, who was sitting opposite. It went like this:

DL: Please can you pass me the salt.

Zvi: In what way?

DL: What?

Zvi: What?

DL: Please pass me the salt.

Zvi: Is that a metaphor for something?

DL: No. It's for my soup.

Zvi: Ah! Amazing!

At which point the Dalai Lama tapped Cher on the shoulder and asked her to pass him the salt!

HRH Prince Charles, the Dalai Lama and me (out of picture, left)

100% true!

Speaking (sic) of conversations, I also remember something that Shlomo Carlebach ztl once said to me (he once performed an incredible kindness for me and my wife - maybe for another time), "Sometimes when you walk into a shul people look at you as if they wish you were dead." That comment made a deep impression on me and affected the way that I treat visitors to my shul. I was reminded of this because of something rather special that happened today - I received a "Welcome Pack"!!

Contents of Welcome Pack (in order of importance)

• Bar of chocolate wrapped in gold paper
• Bag of sweeties
• Vessel for washing before eating bread
• Embroidered towel for drying hands prior to partaking of bread
• Laminated decorative bentscher
• List of members of the shul - phone numbers and addresses
• Telephone directory for Beit Shemesh

I was overwhelmed by this most surprising and thoughtfully constructed gift! And I am certain that my good friend, Kirk Douglas, would be too.