Scraps from the Bethesda Geniza: My broadcasts on BBC Radio Wales
While cleaning out the attic, I discovered a trove (not quite a “treasure trove”)--some of my old writings. Among them is a big folder of my talks from “Morning Thought” on BBC Radio Wales from back in the early 1980's. This was my “fifteen minutes of fame.” Some of these talks made “network,”and were broadcast throughout Britain.
Being the only non-Orthodox rabbi in Wales, I was given opportunities which never would have happened if I didn't happen to have my own “country.” For instance, I worked with Lord Lawrence Olivier and Jackie Gleason as a consultant on the 1983 HBO film “Mr. Halperin, Mr. Johnson,” – and got to call them “Larry” and “Jackie”! One day, while working on the set, I was offered a role playing a rabbi (imagine that!) in a scene with them. I had to turn it down as the shooting was scheduled for Passover—ending my career as a thespian before it started. Alas, poor schmendrig. Sic transit gloria mundi.
Anyway, in hindsight, I am pleased with some (not all) of these talks and, hope to share some of them on this website. They may be of interest. I used to say “I promise to tell the truth. I doubt it will be the whole truth. I will be utterly amazed if it is nothing but the truth.”
Here is one talk-- a bit of broadcast archeology. It this the piece I gave the morning Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer. All eyes were glued to the service at Saint Paul's in London that day, but was Charles was “our” Prince in Wales, and that had a special significance. (Mind you, not all Welsh people are thrilled that the Prince of Wales hasn't been Welsh for centuries.) When I finished, they played a traditional Welsh Male Voice Choir singing “God Bless the Prince of Wales.”
The wedding was beautiful. For all that, the marriage was a disappointment.
“Morning Thought” was always broadcast during prime drive time as part of the Beeb’smorning program. The presenter was Chris Stuart. After leaving Wales, I never heard Chris again until years later when I watched Diana's funeral on TV here in Maryland. Flashback. It was narrated by“veteran” broadcaster Chris Stuart.
Here is the text of my talk the day of the wedding:
*************************************************************************************************
Rabbi Kenneth L. Cohen
Morning Thought, BBC Radio Wales
Wednesday, 29th July 1981—about 8:40 a.m.
For Broadcast
“He is wearing the crown that his mother placed on his head on his wedding day, on the day of his gladness and joy.”-- Song of Songs 3:11
Good morning, Chris--
Well, today, in case you haven't heard, is the Royal wedding. At long last, the world's most eligible bachelor has taken the plunge and, of course, we in Wales wish our Prince, Charles and his chosen, Diana, our new Princess, happiness and health and the time to enjoy them both. Lady Diana will be the first Princess of Wales this century and the ceremony, which will be witnessed, by means of modern telecommunications, by over half a billion individuals – more people than were alive when this Principality got its last Princess. Hardly a quiet affair!
Nevertheless, while all eyes are on events and pageantry in London, the consecration of the love of a man and a woman is a very private affair. Marriage is a contract between two individuals and in spite of all the titles and ceremony we are celebrating the unification of two very real people. It is our common humanity which binds us all together and gives us the opportunity to reflect on our own relationships.
By now we have all heard that Lady Diana will not be taking the vow to “obey”her husband. Here tradition will give way to change, precedent to innovation.
He marriage of Adam to Eve was also a very private affair, but one which also as been the focus of much attention – ever since. According to the account in Genesis II God said “I will make a help meet for him.”The Hebrew “ezer kenegdo” which is more properly translated: a helper who is “opposite” or “opposed to him.” Woman was intended to be man's equal partner.
We read in the Talmud “God did not create woman from man's head, that he should command her; nor fromhis feet, that she should be his slave; but form his side, that she should be nearest his heart.”
The Royal marriage will, in many ways, be a trend setter. May it be blessed with concord and love and be an example to us all as a blissful union of a man and a woman joined together by the God who is eternal King of all nations.
Let us pray:
May He who gives dominion to kings and princes, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom bless Charles, Prince of Wales, and his chosen bride, Lady Diana Spencer. Who are this day to be united in the bond of Holy matrimony. May they be privileged to fashion a home harboring affection and harmony, peace and companionship, good health and well-being. Help them constantly to be worthy of love. May their life together be illuminated by Your light. May they be ever faithful to the finest within themselves, to each other and to You. May their union stand as an example to all who live in this Principality, in this Kingdom, in the Commonwealth and all nations. May those who bless them be blessed, and let us say Amen.
God save the Prince of Wales!
While cleaning out the attic, I discovered a trove (not quite a “treasure trove”)--some of my old writings. Among them is a big folder of my talks from “Morning Thought” on BBC Radio Wales from back in the early 1980's. This was my “fifteen minutes of fame.” Some of these talks made “network,”and were broadcast throughout Britain.
Being the only non-Orthodox rabbi in Wales, I was given opportunities which never would have happened if I didn't happen to have my own “country.” For instance, I worked with Lord Lawrence Olivier and Jackie Gleason as a consultant on the 1983 HBO film “Mr. Halperin, Mr. Johnson,” – and got to call them “Larry” and “Jackie”! One day, while working on the set, I was offered a role playing a rabbi (imagine that!) in a scene with them. I had to turn it down as the shooting was scheduled for Passover—ending my career as a thespian before it started. Alas, poor schmendrig. Sic transit gloria mundi.
Anyway, in hindsight, I am pleased with some (not all) of these talks and, hope to share some of them on this website. They may be of interest. I used to say “I promise to tell the truth. I doubt it will be the whole truth. I will be utterly amazed if it is nothing but the truth.”
Here is one talk-- a bit of broadcast archeology. It this the piece I gave the morning Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer. All eyes were glued to the service at Saint Paul's in London that day, but was Charles was “our” Prince in Wales, and that had a special significance. (Mind you, not all Welsh people are thrilled that the Prince of Wales hasn't been Welsh for centuries.) When I finished, they played a traditional Welsh Male Voice Choir singing “God Bless the Prince of Wales.”
The wedding was beautiful. For all that, the marriage was a disappointment.
“Morning Thought” was always broadcast during prime drive time as part of the Beeb’smorning program. The presenter was Chris Stuart. After leaving Wales, I never heard Chris again until years later when I watched Diana's funeral on TV here in Maryland. Flashback. It was narrated by“veteran” broadcaster Chris Stuart.
Here is the text of my talk the day of the wedding:
*************************************************************************************************
Rabbi Kenneth L. Cohen
Morning Thought, BBC Radio Wales
Wednesday, 29th July 1981—about 8:40 a.m.
For Broadcast
“He is wearing the crown that his mother placed on his head on his wedding day, on the day of his gladness and joy.”-- Song of Songs 3:11
Good morning, Chris--
Well, today, in case you haven't heard, is the Royal wedding. At long last, the world's most eligible bachelor has taken the plunge and, of course, we in Wales wish our Prince, Charles and his chosen, Diana, our new Princess, happiness and health and the time to enjoy them both. Lady Diana will be the first Princess of Wales this century and the ceremony, which will be witnessed, by means of modern telecommunications, by over half a billion individuals – more people than were alive when this Principality got its last Princess. Hardly a quiet affair!
Nevertheless, while all eyes are on events and pageantry in London, the consecration of the love of a man and a woman is a very private affair. Marriage is a contract between two individuals and in spite of all the titles and ceremony we are celebrating the unification of two very real people. It is our common humanity which binds us all together and gives us the opportunity to reflect on our own relationships.
By now we have all heard that Lady Diana will not be taking the vow to “obey”her husband. Here tradition will give way to change, precedent to innovation.
He marriage of Adam to Eve was also a very private affair, but one which also as been the focus of much attention – ever since. According to the account in Genesis II God said “I will make a help meet for him.”The Hebrew “ezer kenegdo” which is more properly translated: a helper who is “opposite” or “opposed to him.” Woman was intended to be man's equal partner.
We read in the Talmud “God did not create woman from man's head, that he should command her; nor fromhis feet, that she should be his slave; but form his side, that she should be nearest his heart.”
The Royal marriage will, in many ways, be a trend setter. May it be blessed with concord and love and be an example to us all as a blissful union of a man and a woman joined together by the God who is eternal King of all nations.
Let us pray:
May He who gives dominion to kings and princes, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom bless Charles, Prince of Wales, and his chosen bride, Lady Diana Spencer. Who are this day to be united in the bond of Holy matrimony. May they be privileged to fashion a home harboring affection and harmony, peace and companionship, good health and well-being. Help them constantly to be worthy of love. May their life together be illuminated by Your light. May they be ever faithful to the finest within themselves, to each other and to You. May their union stand as an example to all who live in this Principality, in this Kingdom, in the Commonwealth and all nations. May those who bless them be blessed, and let us say Amen.
God save the Prince of Wales!