Irene Lancaster's Diary

Bernie Ecclestone, Hitler and a little Polish town called Jaslo.

This is probably the most poignant blog that I have ever written.

Maybe some good will come out of the Bernie Ecclestone fiasco after all.

On Friday, just before 6.00 pm, I was contacted by The Times and asked to comment on Bernie Ecclestone's words on Hitler, which were described by the journalist concerned, as 'some seriously pro Nazi comments'.

As it happens, some neighbours had invited me for Shabbat and had asked me to come round early for a general chat before the meal.

So I told the journalist that I only had 10 minutes. I was wished a cheery 'Shabbat Shalom' by said journalist, who also added that various important Jewish organisations had already been interviewed on the subject and not to worry.

I thought no more about it, and reckoned that the article might take up a couple of lines somewhere towards the back of the paper, or maybe on a blog.

This was not to be. On Saturday, the whole of page 3 was taken up with the Ecclestone affair:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/formula_1/article6633340.ece

In a way, I was glad that I hadn't commented. What could I have said? If I had pointed out lack of height, a penchant for dangerous sports and the will to power, no doubt I would have been sued.

Because all those people who condemn Hitler, but say 'he got things done' are missing the point. In the early stages of Nazism at least, the regime was very careful to obtain feedback from the public. And when they found that the public didn't mind the violence and the gassings (and not only of Jews), then they thought they had carte blanche. So it isn't quite true that the whole thing was not democratic. What is certainly was was the 'bystander' approach. Most people are not perpertrators of evil, but bystanders, who just stand by and let things happen:

http://www1.yadvashem.org/education/newsletter/english/sixth/main_article.htm

Just as most people involved in the dangerous sport of formula racing are those thousands or millions who do not take part, but watch it, and thus gain some vicarious pleasure from it.

And today, there is another article in The Times, by their correspondent in Germany, Roger Boyes:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6662556.ece

It's about the little south Polish town of Jaslo. It's the first time that I have read about this town in a British newspaper, or in the English language altogether. And why did the name leap out? Because this is the home town of my mother, my uncle, my aunt and their parents, all of whom are now dead.

And because the article is about a tree that was planted in honour of Adolph Hitler 67 years ago, and which the town's mayor (a woman) wishes to cut down.

Roger Boyes is so right when he comments:

The Nazis had a thing about trees, perhaps because of their curiosity about ancient Teutonic tree-worship or perhaps because they wanted to shape nature to their will

But it's not just the Germans. Fascism is many things. But one thing it most definitely is is the desire to dominate, control and employ power (sometimes of a spiritual nature) to bend others to one's will and whims. It is a terrible thing, and is most evident in those who have problems in childhood and adolescence. Often these people also worship their mothers as saints and have either absent or abusive fathers. Hitler was certainly one of these.

Last week's biblical reading was about Balaam and his ass:

http://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/700008/jewish/Privacy-and-Modesty.htm

Balaam had great spiritual power. According to some, even more spiritual power than Moses. So what went wrong? Balaam tried to use this power for his own ends, rather than to be used as a vehicle through whom God works. His was the quintessential 'will to power'

There are many people like this in modern life. As someone said in a letter to The Times today, it is not getting things done that counts, but getting the right things done. And - one might add - in the right way!

Which is why I accessed some internet sites on Jaslo and found mention made of my own uncle, a lawyer, who had been banished to Siberia with his parents, my grandparents, during the Holocaust. He returned after the war and was then exiled from Poland during the corn failures of 1968, when the tiny remnant of remaining Jews were accused of being 'Zionists'.

My uncle ended up in Sweden, where his son - my cousin - lives to this day.

His name is also Bernard, by the way, just like his father, my mother's older brother:

http://home.earthlink.net/~jackherzig/jaslo/

http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/krosno/KrosnoJaslo5OldJaslo.htm

Meanwhile, my lovely friend, Marjorie, has sent me this by Barbra Streisand:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WjBuMQNqxs&NR=1http://www.youtube.com/watch

Yes, somewhere there really is a place for us and maybe all the Jaslos that were destroyed by the will to power have prevailed after all.

To be an Israeli, or not to be a Jew - that is the question

Two interesting pieces in The Times give pause for thought. They make you think, 'What is a Jew' and 'What is an Israeli'.

The first is a blog by Ruth Gledhill about the Jewish antecedents of the composer, Felix Mendelssohn. His music was dismissed as 'Jewish' by the Nazis, even though he himself was not.

In her brilliant fashion, Ruth links this conundrum to the recent refusal of a Jewish school in London to allow entry to a prospective pupil who was not regarded as Jewish in Jewish law, despite being so according to the definition of a Jew in English law:

http://timescolumns.typepad.com/gledhill/2009/06/mendelssohn-what-happened-when-the-nazis-realised-he-was-born-jewish.html

Ironically, I believe that the Race Relations Act was first introduced into this country to prevent just this type of racial discrimination against the Jewish community, in the knowledge that to be Jewish is not necessarily to be Jewish religiously. However, Jewish schools which are denominationally Orthodox have a real dilemma, in that the Orthodox Jewish definition of a Jew is based in Jewish law and not necessarily in the law of the land.

The other article - a real gem - is a tongue-in-cheek appreciation, by David Baddiel, of Jewish comedian, Sacha Baron Cohen:

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article6578591.ece

This particularly paragraph rang a bell:

'But here's the thing about Sacha. He's not just Jewish; he's half Israeli. So ask yourself which Jews are not full of self-doubt; which Jews aren't frightened of confrontation; which Jews are, not to put too fine a point on it, a bit mental? Yes. Sacha Baron Cohen is the Mossad of comedy, fearless, up for a fight, havoc-causing, secretive, and often, pissing a lot of people off.'

There's certainly some truth in this. When I was living in Israel, it wasn't facing Syria and Lebanon that frightened me, nor the threat of imminent war from Hamas or Hezbollah, nor the crazy Israeli driving, nor  - after some time - the different varieties of creepy crawlies which inhabited the apartment at different times of the year (not to mention the rat in the toilet). No, what I really found scary was the babel of Ukranian and Russian voices which would enter the apartment with increased frequency, in order to mend the new washing machine, the telephone cable, the TV, or the computer (sometimes all at once). To start with, I couldn't understand them, even when they did speak in Hebrew, but what I really found culturally different was their absolute certainty that everything they were doing was always and absolutely one hundred percent right, even when the washing machine flooded after their visit, or the workings of the computer were even more impenetrable after they had tampered with it. Luckily, I eventually found an expert who was as English as me, i.e. relatively sane, even after living in the country for around 20 years, who was, in addition, a computer-mending genius, but never ever thought so himself, being innately modest. What a gem he was!

Talking about Mossad, I actually worked for Israeli intelligence myself for a short time. It appears that around 300 people applied for the job. And no, the job wasn't as some some undercover agent, but the rather sober one of analysing data on terrorist attacks already in the public domain, including information gathered from BBC reports.

Apparently, my apparent self-deprecating and hesitant approach at interview was so novel as to be regarded as depicting an interesting mind.

Equally, when I became a translator and editor, I was advised not to state that I spoke Hebrew, French and German fairly well, but that I was actually quadrilingual, something I couldn't ever bring myself to do. I still got the jobs, though, probably because what they needed was someone who was on time, and whose English wasn't bad. 

To me this is the real clash of cultures: the Jewish predisposition to be cerebral and the Israeli predisposition to 'go for it'.

Maybe the two cultures should learn something from each other - in the meantime, even our various definitions of Jewishness are causing problems in ways that were never intended and pushing us to find a definition of Jewishness (if that were possible) which would cross the divide between the religious, the ethnic and the cultural. Because, who would want to be the pawn in the middle?

A land flowing with milk and honey

It's a month since our daughter, Kalela's, wedding in Israel. Here are some photos (the password is 'Israel'):

http://www.pbase.com/ronengoldman/kalela_and_sagi_wedding

Whilst she was in India recently, our other daughter, Esther, designed the chuppah (the white and gold material covering over the posts), as well as my dress (green) and hers (turquoise). My hat, known as a fascinator, was made by Esther's friend, Anna, via e-mail correspondence. Here is Anna's website:

http://hatsbyanna.com/

Ironically, our fortnightly theological dialogue group will be discussing Jewish marriages this weekend.

In the meantime, here is the latest edition of Common Ground, the journal of the Council of Christians and Jews. This Spring the entire edition was devoted to the Book of Psalms. There were contributions from leaders of all the major Christian and Jewish denominations, as well as four articles by people living in Manchester: the Bishop of Manchester (the national President of CCJ), Revd Lisa Battye (currently participating in a CCJ-sponsored educational course at Yad Vashem), Revd Steve Williams (interfaith advisor for the diocese) and myself:

http://www.ccj.org.uk/Common%20Ground%20Spring%202009.pdf

Religion was the topic of conversation again when The Science and Medical Network invited me to address their Manchester branch on the subject of:

Why Dawkins is Wrong: Science and Religion in the Middle Ages.

The audience consisted mainly of doctors and scientists who appreciated the close links between science and religion in the work of many Spanish and Persian mediaeval Muslims and Jews.

And last Thursday I held a Day School on Interfaith Dialogue, at Manchester University

http://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/coursespublic/

It was interesting to learn that one of the co-Directors of the Department had been born in Haifa. What is more, one of the course participants was a member of the Bahai Faith, who had recently been on pilgrimage to the Bahai Centre in Haifa. He described Haifa as 'paradise'. He also added that it is just as well that the Bahai's two main centres are in Israel, because only the Jewish community could really understand what the Bahais had gone through:

http://irenelancaster.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/06/the-relationshi.html

I am delighted to report that one of the participants in this Day School was so keen that she has asked to join our theological dialogue group.

Then, this weekend, close friends are celebrating the bar mitzvah of their son at our synagogue. I've just received a magnificent fruit basket as a gift from their aunt, who I'm hosting for the occasion.

Funnily enough, exactly two years ago in Jerusalem, I gave a sermon on this very sedra, Shelach Lecha, which is all about the spies who go out to spy the land of Canaan and bring back unfavourable reports.

Here's the English version of the sermon:

http://irenelancaster.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/06/sermon_at_sicha.html

All I can say is that judging from the photos of our daughter and her new husband on an Israeli beach, the spies got it wrong and Israel really does fulfill the dreams of many.

Tony Blair is guest of honour for first Gala Dinner of the Israeli-Palestinian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Last night I attended the reception and first gala dinner of the Israeli-Palesinian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Speeches were made by the Vice-Prime Minister, Silvan Shalom, Tony Blair and Deputy Foreign Minister, Danny Ayalon.

The event started and finished with the choir of the Jewish-Arab Centre in Jaffa, who had just performed for the Pope. In 2007 I had taught music to members of the choir at the Church of Scotland School in Jaffa, and it was great meeting up again. The CEO of the IPC was amused to hear from them that they had learned such gems as 'Yellow Submarine' from me, as well as a potted history of Liverpool.

Mrs. Blair was photographed with the girls later.

The main speeches of the evening started with Mr. Shalom . He spoke about the importance of finding peace with the Palestinians, as well as with the rest of the Arab world. Economics and politics should work hand-in-hand, he stated. Moderate Arabs must be supported. He pledged that the Israeli government would work towards this goal, and asked for Tony Blair's assistance. 'Today' Mr. Shalom said, 'We are making history'.

After the hors d'oeuvres of salmon, aioli and roquette, Tony Blair took the stand. He spoke of a three-part project of economics, politics and security working hand-in-hand for bothy Israelis and Palestinians. The economic dimension, he feels, is critically important. The aim is 'transformative change', especially on the West Bank, where growth, jobs and higher living standards would be of enormous benefit. He also advocated a new approach to access and movement for Palestinians, which would especially help business people.

He said that it would be good if this approach could be extend to Gaza as well. However, he recognized the security issues which would be involved in such a move. He reiterated that economics and politics depend on each other. 

From his vast experience of different religions, cultures and ethnic groups all over the world, he had found that the great desire of all was to be awarded dignity and self-respect and to be dependant on no-one but oneself. 

This did not entail only an absence of violence, but also the dignity to shape one's own destiny. Economic growth and enterprise could play their part in the realisation of these aspirations. Business can transcend the divide. 

Mr. Blair had observed from the example of the Jewish-Arab Choir, as also at the Tel Aviv Award Ceremony the previous night, the importance of self-interest. One of the other award recipients had said that his prize money would go partially to pay off his mortgage. Self-interest is important. The majority of people would like peace and a better life for themselves and their families. Construction should triumph over destruction. 

The final speech was by Deputy Foreign Minister, Danny Ayalon. He said: 'We shall never agree on narratives of history. We are now building a new narrative of the future - of peace, and the economic track will start without pre-conditions.' He pointed out the presence in the room of the Governor of the Bank of Israel.

And the next day, the American tourist using the neighbouring computer told me how lovely Cherie Blair had been to her when they had met in passing in the foyer.    

Tony Blair receives an award from the Dan David Foundation at Tel Aviv University

Last night we were waiting in the lobby for our daughter, when in walked Tony Blair with Cherie and entourage. She looked straight ahead. He responded to our greetings of 'Hi', with a lovely 'Hello'. Even reception was impressed.

The hotel is under new management and today the head of guest relations asked me if everything was in order. She apologized for all the nerves of yesterday, but apparently President Shimon Peres arrived in the afternoon, as well as the Mayor of Rome. Today, it's a famous Russian actress, and the Blair entourage are still here.

At Tel Aviv University last night, Mr. Blair received an award from the Dan David Foundation.

http://www.dandavidprize.org/

He is sharing this award between Africa and his former constituency in the North East of England. According to the wife of one of the other prize recipients, cosmologist Professor Paul Richards of Berkley in California, Mr. Blair will be giving half his award towards the purchase of DDT-impregnated nets for Africa, which will be distributed by churches, synagogues and mosques. This will go some way to eradicating malaria. The other half will be donated to minority and under-privileged children in his old constituency.

Meanwhile the wedding moves closer.

The Elusive Tony Blair

You could tell that Tony Blair was arriving, because today the entire hotel staff appeared to be on spilkes. I did tell them that it wasn't such a big thing. After all, Cherie did go to the school opposite me in Liverpool and would they feel like that about Netanyahu? Immediately they got the point and relaxed.

At breakfast Maria from 'guest relations' asked if everything was OK and escorted me up to my room. Apparently, the window to the balcony was in need of a fix and as 'mother of the bride' I was due wine, chocolates and fruit. I asked where she was from and she said 'Vladivostock'. She met her Israeli lawyer boy-friend in Thailand.

According to Maria, the hotel is full of Prime Ministers and Presidents from all over the world, though I haven't recognized anyone as yet. I am using the hotel facilities to write this blog, and one of Tony Blair's security team is seated next to me. We agreed that the weather was pretty hot and I explained what a sharav is!

Tomorrow is the daughter's hen night and some of the family are going up to wedding venue in the centre of the country in order to see to various things.

I shall have my early morning and late afternoon swims and take it very easy, thinking about the speech I am hoping to make on the big day.

And who knows, maybe Tony Blair will make an appearance sooner or later!

The most important question is not whether the Pope's visit was a success, but whether Tony Blair will attend our daughter's Israeli wedding

It's our daugher's wedding on Thursday, which is also Yom Yerushalyim (Jerusalem Day). What a great omen!

We've now been in Tel Aviv for a couple of days. The flight with KLM via Amsterdam was superb and my services as a translator were used ad hoc by security (what a joke)!

In Tel Aviv, the Dan Hotel has offered a very special deal, and the views of the Mediterranean from the King David Lounge are unparalleled. However, the weather is hotting up tomorrow (36 centigrade is forecast).

Maybe that's because Tony Blair is coming here to receive an award and is staying in our hotel. It appears that Cherie is here already!

How do I know? An American plonked himself down opposite me this afternoon and asked where I was from. When I told him, he asked me if I was with the Tony Blair contingent. Naturally I took this whole question with a pinch of salt, but he was a doctor from New Jersey, after all. So I trotted along to reception and they confirmed the veracity of the statement.

So if I see Tony around I will of course invite him to our daughter's wedding. After all, the venue is so out of the way that only the most seasoned terrorist would waste their time trying their worst, and probably get lost in the process (together with quite a few of the guests, I fear).

Will keep you posted.

Interfaith relations in the modern age

The BBC has appointed a Muslim to be in charge of their Religion and Ethics unit. Ruth Gledhill of The Times has blogged on this here:

http://timescolumns.typepad.com/gledhill/2009/05/muslim-appointed-head-of-religion-at-bbc.html

On Sunday, The BBC's religion and ethics programme, The Big Questions, came from Bury Grammar School. The questions ranged from data protection, through surrogate mothers to how the media portrays religions and religious leaders. The whole thing was rather fraught, so I made a point about Jewish humour and also mentioned that all religions and groups have humour. Humour is a good way to deal with the insults received by the various religions against their idea of God:

At the end I was thanked for this input by two young female Muslim members of the audience. You can see the whole thing here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007zpll

The importannce of religion was highlighted this week by the Pope's presence in Israel. The Times has dissected by the speech he made in Jerusalem. Much was made of the suffering of Christians in Israel.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6261820.ece

However, the Catholic Tablet has rightly stated that Haifa is a beacon of race and religious relations, probably the best place for inter-ethnic harmony in the whole Middle East. Certainly, all the groups living in that city seem to get on very well and December is the time to celebrate each other's festivals. I can't access the article by Anshel Pfeffer online, but here is a link to the current edition.

http://www.thetablet.co.uk/article/13054

Meanwhile, another very powerful blog by Ruth Gledhill on the visit, here:

http://timescolumns.typepad.com/gledhill/2009/05/jews-christians-and-muslims-write-open-letters-to-pope.html

Today,  I've been asked to organised a visit to our synagogue by a local church group, complete with kiddush and there is also an invite for Jews and Christians to a local mosque in Bury.

These are only ripples - but ripples do grow into waves and who knows - maybe, in the not too distant future, Christians, Jews and Muslims from the Greater Manchester area might take a trip to Haifa and the north, possibly the most beautiful part of Israel, which we're also trying to plan:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haifa

There they will be able to see for themselves just how all the different groups which make up the Israeli patchwork quilt actaully do get along with each other.

Book launch in Prestwich: Tales of a Wandering Jew

On Monday, the paper-back version of my book, Deconstructing the Bible, was launched in a small library in Prestwich, a couple of streets away from where I was born. The Times has written an article about the launch here:

http://timescolumns.typepad.com/gledhill/2009/04/deconstructing-the-bible.html

Most thrilling was that my younger daughter, Esther, had just arrived from India and had come up to Manchester specially for the launch.

Also among the audience were friends and colleagues from various study groups: a former Muslim Mayor of Manchester, the Head of the Black Pentacostalist Church in the North West, the Canon Theologian of the Anglican Cathedral, a BBC radio producer, a violinist from Salford Symphony orchestra, members of the Jewish community (including small children) and others who were just interested in having a party, which is what it was.

Kosher nibbles were provided care of the publisheres, Taylor and Francis. The whole thing was organised by St. Denys bookshop, affiliated to the Anglican Cathedral (they are starting their own blog, by the way) here in Manchester.

And Revd Steve Williams, who I taught for the first time 22 years ago, hosted and introduced the whole event on behalf of Bury Libraries.

Later, The Times, invited him to write a few words about the event, which appear in the link above.

I wore a very smart outfit which I had bought in Israel in aid of the Hadassah-Israel charities, so Marilyn Dori, if you see this blog, thanks a million for all your great help in every way in Haifa!

Photos of the event were taken by my friends, Jonathan Kemp and Revd Keith Trivasse, and The Times has used some of them in their article.

A member of the audience, former journalist, Natalie Wood, has also blogged on the event here:

http://alwaysperfectlywrite.today.com/2009/04/29/left-at-the-end-of-the-earth-he-still-abides-with-us/

Talking of Keith, the next day, on behalf of the Muslim-Christian Forum

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_060123islamex.shtml

I was invited to visit the Islamic Centre in Bury, in response to an invitation from Keith himself and his Muslim counterpart, Hassanat Ahmed, a lovely guy, who was most welcoming and hospitable. The subject matter was the somewhat delicate subject of Interfaith Dialogue in Israel, but I tried as best I could from my own experience to discuss how well integrated minority groups are in Haifa, especially in the academic and medical professions.

The question session was interesting. I was asked why there are not more Sephardi faces on the BBC. What is the meaning of the word 'Israel', and if Israel is a secular country.

There was great interest in the fact that at Haifa University there was until recently a prayer room for Muslims, but not for Jews. I was asked why by a small child, and I said that probably the Jewish students and staff just hadn't asked for one!

After my talk, there was a lively discussion between members themselves on Forum business, which reminded me of a typical shul meeting. And then kosher fish-balls and accompanying veg were served, courtesy of the local Jewish deli in Bury New Rd! What an amazing surprise. And somehow very moving.

I was thanked for coming, told I was brave for venturing into unknown territory, and invited to future meetings of a Sufi nature, something I write about in the book on ibn Ezra:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sufism

Tonight, my daughter Esther and I attended a Yom ha-Atzmaut party in Prestwich, invited by Jonathan Kemp's wife, Sarah. This reminded me so much of the barbecues commonly held in Israel on this day:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yom_Ha'atzmaut

Israel is just 61 years old. One of the Christian members of the Muslim-Christian Forum had been critical of Israel, but admitted that she had last visited it only 10 years ago. That is a sixth of its whole life ago. Just as if Britain were judged on how it was in the 17th century: you know - The Civil War, witch-hunts and the like!

The feeling of the place was incredible and I truly experienced a great warmth. Things seem to be happening in Bury and I hope that one day Christians, Muslims and Jews will all sit down together, as they did at my book launch, and begin the real task of repairing the world as one.

On sharing a birthday with Adolph Hitler

Today is my English birthday and I'[m 58. I can't wait till I'm 60 and can travel the length and breadth of the country for free, or at least at a reduced rate.

It's also Hitler's birthday and Haaretz has an interesting article on the irony of today falling on Holocaust Remembrance Day:

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1078858.htm

This Pesach has been wonderful. The weather was remarkably sunny and warm. The shul services were excellent and I made many new friends who invited me for the Seders and other meals. There was also the outing to a Cromwellian stately home in Clitheroe; the panic of having to find a pharmacist open on Good Friday for one of my guests who became very ill; and today the flowers from both my children and future son-in-law - in Israel and India respectively.

On Tuesday, the local paper telephoned to interview me about the forthcoming launch next Monday of the paperback version of Deconstructing the Bible.

http://www.routledgepaperbacksdirect.com/books/Deconstructing-the-Bible-isbn9780415444446

The journalist (a history graduate from Cambridge) had just found out that she was not to be made redundant as a result of the credit crunch. Thank goodness, as she is brilliant!

At lunch time the photographer came round and took about 20 photos, two of which were chosen for the local papers.

This morning, when I woke up, the garden looked and smelled like Eden itself. I attended the usual Monday morning piano and bassoon session and then went to the library. There, a Muslim woman told me that she was thrilled that I had written the book on the Jewish genius, Abraham ibn Ezra, and was looking forward to attending the book launch next Monday. She had read the article in the Salford Advertiser:

http://www.salfordadvertiser.co.uk/news/s/1108875_books_peace_message

Both my children rang to wish me mazel tov. Various friends sent Happy Birthday wishes on Facebook, by e-card, or by snail mail.

All my life, my response to the fact of being born on the same day as Hitler (although the Hebrew birthday is on Erev Pesach) has been to try and work for understanding between different peoples and religions. My grandmother died in the Warsaw Ghetto.

Who would have thought that both my parents would have survived the Holocaust in Poland and that In one month my daughter will be married in Israel to an Israeli. Tel Aviv, her home town, is 100 years old this year. I will have Israeli grandchildren.

My Polish mother studied at the Sorbonne in Paris, (one of the best universities in the world) until the Nazis took it over. Today, my book is being taught in that university's department of Jewish Studies. My Polish Dad ended up being stationed in Scotland during the war. Today, my book is on the curriculum at Aberdeen University, one of the finest theology departments in the country. What a riposte to Hitler!

To be honest, I should have been born on April 21st, but the consultant was going on holiday and induced me one day early. So I would have shared a birthday with the Queen and been a sensible and practical Taurean!

As ibn Ezra would have said: 'It's all in the stars'

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/beliefs/Issues/Magic_and_the_Supernatural/Practices_and_Beliefs/Astrology/Medieval.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Dictator