| |
African Group
Bengali Women
Japanese Elders
Jewish Community
> Peggy Fink
> Carole Gold
> Ricky
> Etel Shephard
> David Waldman
Young Asylum Seekers
Individual Reminiscences
|
|
Ricky
I come from an Italian-Jewish secular home in Durban, South Africa. My mother was not religiously observant. My grandfather was a professor of Philosophy and my father worked in a bank in Italy. Before World War II began in the late 1930s, my father asked to be transferred to South Africa.
My father was Sephardic, a Mediterranean Jew and my mother was Ashkenazi, a European Jewess, born in France of Dutch origin. I myself married a Jewish man in 1968 in London and became more observant. My husband and I met in France where we were both students – he too was of both French and Italian origins. My husband was a journalist in Europe.
I came to the UK in 1996 and was able to settle as I still had Italian citizenship. I moved to Cambridge in 2001.
After my husband and I separated, I was invited to come to Hereford College to teach modern languages, this was in 1996. My eldest daughter was already married and living in Sheffield, so I decided to take the post. Hereford College, during my time there and under my leadership, extended a project with Italy to teach business language. So I went to work in Italy for two years.
I am a real animal lover and take my dog and cat everywhere with me, no matter where in the world I go – often at a great expense!
In 2001 I moved to Bassingbourn (in Cambridgeshire) and worked in the Department of Foreign Affairs and the EU. I found Cambridge to be non-cosmopolitan, a very closed shop and exclusive.
I found a Jewish connection in the CJRA and threw myself into the community at large. I was the Chairperson of the Ethnic Forum in Cambridge. The initial impact of moving here was difficult but it is getting easier.
My Name
I was a late arrival to my parents – the late lamb. I am much younger than my two brothers and all my cousins.
I am named after one of my mother’s relatives, Richter. My full name is Ricky Ann Sara – Sara after my father’s mother.
My mother totally rejected religion but was very traditional. I have fond memories of my mother crocheting my clothes. Father worked as an administrator for the bank and I was brought up to feel Jewish but to remain broad-minded.
 Click image to enlarge
|
My Object/Image
I’ve brought in a crocheted top my mother made for me when I was young and still living at home. Even though my mother was secular, she was very family orientated and extended her hand of friendship to anyone in need, be they Jew or non-Jew.
I was brought up to respect everyone and tried to pass this along to my own children.
This top reminds me very much of my mother and the firm values she gave to her family. |
Food
I’ve brought in a potato dish made up of mashed potato with pieces of mozzarella cheese, parmigianio and an egg. I sprinkled breadcrumbs on it and baked it in the oven until it became quite crispy. This dish can be eaten hot or cold.
As a child I was a fussy eater and this dish reminds me of my mother’s diligence in encouraging me to try different dishes – especially those with potatoes, which I like. This food is a comforting memory from home.
> back to top
|
|
