This morning, I had the pleasure of running into David Bogner of Treppenwitz fame. I happened to be at the Brit Milah (circumcision) of a mutual friend’s 8-day-old son, when I gazed over at the tall man* standing next to me. Lo and behold, I immediately recognized him as David, whom I had the pleasure of meeting at the Israeli blogger bash late last year.
It was actually 8 months ago that David and I found ourselves together at the funeral of the baby’s uncle, David Daniel Wolicki, who was tragically taken from this world at the age of 40. David and I were among the mourners, but had not, at that stage, met each other. In fact, to each other, we did not even exist.
Now, 8 months, and an Israeli blogger bash later, it would be fair to say that not only do we exist to each other, but we also communicate almost every day. Well, at least through our blogs, which are part our our respective daily reading diets.
Being a regular reader of Treppenwitz, I gain a real insight into David as a person. What he writes is an honest representation of his thoughts and feelings, without the sarcasm and smokescreens common to blogs (mine included).
And how do I know that Treppenwitz captures the real David? Well, when David writes of making sure to pick up hitchiking soldiers, and providing them with coffee, I get the impression that he is mensch (a good guy). This is confirmed in the real world when I find out he drove all the way from Efrat to Beit Shemesh in extremely rainy and foggy conditions, in order to show up at the Brit Milah. When David writes about his various guests at the Shabbat table (including many anglo-Israeli bloggers), I get the impression that he is a very generous person. This is confirmed in the real world when he extends a Shabbat invitation to my wife and I!
Yep, it is no wonder David is fast becoming the “Mr Popular” of the anglo-Israeli blogger scene. It is certainly a title he deserves.
Update: Of course, David’s entry on this morning far exceeds mine in terms of eloquence.
* I stand at 6″2. David is at least an inch taller than me.
