congratulations from friends and family

Note: If you would like to have your wishes added,
please send an E-mail to George                        

Hi Fifi!!

Happy 51st Birthday!  I wish we could be there to celebrate with you.  You
looked stunning when we saw you at Keren’s wedding – no older than 35! J
(hahaha…).  Keep doing whatever it is you are doing because you look
beautiful.  Even though you may be 51, uou will always be my baby sister. 
You are so young at heart and vibrant!  It was a pleasure to see your
beautiful family a few months ago, and to see how wonderful a job you have
done raising your kids.  We only wish we could see them and you more often.

I think about our childhood and mom and dad often.  Do you remember sleeping
together in the same bed in Lebanon?  It doesn’t seem like so long ago. 
Beirut will always be a good memory to share and to have.

As we share these memories, I think too of the memories our children have
created together – biking and hiking through Switzerland, making pancakes,
brushing their teeth together, and now in Chicago, walking through the
streets and sharing our home with you.  I cannot wait to see these kids
grown up, with families of their own – making the same mistakes, falling
into the same paths, and realizing in the end, they have created thousands
of beautiful memories to have and to hold, just as we did.

So, happy birthday to you.  May you shine in this upcoming year, as you have
shined throughout your life.

Not to forget, happy 25th anniversary to you and George!

Love,

Your older sister, Ahouva
 

1953

You were born in 1953.

If you were a violin with that age, you wouldn't be one of the best.
As a wine you would be first-rate.
As a book you would just be getting expensive.
As a forest you would be young...
 

As a human being and friend you are much more than words can express !

(After Yehuda Amichai)
 

Happy Birthday Fortunee,

Inez

Dear Fortuna, 

It's unbelievable, but according to your husband, who, after all, is a mathematician, you have started the second half of your first century! May you end it as young, happy and beautiful as the first half, surrounded by your family and friends.

 Masal Tow, Mabrouk.

 Tami and Jacques

Fifi mon amie chère 

Fifi tu te souviens de nos jeunes années,
D’où a jailli la source de notre amitié,
De cette époque où nous étions si belles,
Libres et Joyeuses face à nos destinées,
Toi la brune, sauvage, forte et déterminée,
Moi la blonde, fragile, hésitante, naturelle,
Toutes deux si gaies,si libres ,toi si futée.
Puis sur la vie ta route Fifi tu as tracé,
Ta maison, ta famille à Jéru as construit,
A Paris moi aussi un chemin j’ai suivi,
Des chagrins, des bonheurs ont égrainé nos vies,
Aujourd’hui toutes les deux nous sommes plus agées ,
Les études, le travail, les enfants, les maris,
Ont fait de nous les Femmes que nous sommes aujourd’hui,
Le lien qui nous unit jamais ne s’est usé,
Et ensemble chaque fois que nous sommes réunies,
C’est un peu comme si trente ans sont effacés.
 
Mylène  

here's to good times and good friends!!!

love to Fortuna 

from David and Yael

 

---

 Dear Madame Fortunée,

I am a secret admirateur of your person. Sometimes I catch a glimpse of you de loin, and I cannot but admire your beauté, élégance, poise and self-assurance. I know from people who are closely acquainted with you that you are an excellente hôtesse, with a great sens d’humour, you are the life of a party, you have énormément d’amis. Your dinner-parties are legendary, your cuisine is sublime.

I would like to address you la parole one day, but I know you are happily marriée to a very competent, handsome, intelligent, sensitive, well-dressed (well maybe not well-dressed) gentleman and my nothingness would never dare come entre vous deux. I happen to know how much he appreciates his épouse even though he sometimes hides his affection and appreciation under the somewhat gruff macho demeanor that is de rigeur de nos jours.

Please continuez to be the same person you are forever and ever!

Veuillez croire, s’il vous plait, à mes sentiments les plus distingués,

                                                                 votre admirateur anonyme

 En nous promenant ce matin, nous sommes passées par le marché et avons acheté :

    - un énorme bouquet d'amour,
    - une tonne de bonheur
    - des milliers de baisers bien sonores
    - et un châle de tendresse bien enveloppante,

ET TOUT CA SUR UN PLATEAU EN OR GRAVE D'UN BON ANNIVERSAIRE !

HELENE ET AVIVA
 

My Dearest Foos Foos -

Happy Birthday to you!!!  Congratulations on your good fortune to have a
full life.

I think of you often and many of my fondest memories are of the adventures
we had together in Israel.  Everytime I think of you, it makes me smile. 
You are such a vivacious, beautiful girl who has not changed one bit since
our youth.

It was lovely to see you and your charming son, Noam, in Denver.  I hope to
meet your other children some day soon.  You and Georges are a lucky pair. 
Shana habah Jerusalem!

Love and Kisses,

Coos, Coos
 

Sweet Fortuna,

(you don't look a day over 26) You epitomize for me the perfect Jewish woman, living in the Holy Land, caring for your children,
securing your husband, working for the French Press, a great baker,
a beautiful person both inside and out.  I am so glad you are my daughter's
friend and we spent a such jolly time together in Jerusalem. Good health
and happiness for another 50 years. In admiration and with love

Marcia Shpall
 

Chère, dear Fortuna!

 Do you remember? The trails on which we hiked through the hills and villages of Nepal … The smiling people we met on the way … The problems and difficulties common in their lives and the talks we had about what we saw … Our laughter, sitting together in the cozy tent, waiting for dinner … The colourful landscapes full of sun … I do remember and am sure you do too. Thinking of the good time and the precious experiences we shared, I wish you - - - HAPPY TRAILS! May your life be full of sun, colour and smiling faces! And may your health be strong to enjoy the little things you encounter on the way of your daily life.

Take care, namasté, Christine

On a rainy afternoon in September some members of the Zur-Szpiro and the Burke family sat together and suddently  Auntie Fify came into their minds….

Aaron: “She has the most wonderful kids!”
Ezra:  “I can’t believe her age – she looks so young!”
Alicia: “She has a lot of personal style”
Eli: “She has an incredibly youthful spirit!
Naomi: “ She always smells so beautifully – once she left a scarf at our house and I could immediately tell it    was hers….”
Jonathan: “Sisters-in-law don’t come like her – she is one of a kind!”
Eli: "She manages to combine having a job and looking after a family."
Jonathan: “Anybody living with Geza should be applauded; mind you anyone who lives with Eva…!”
Evi: “She manages to complain and still be respected”
Ezra: “She is an amazing cook!”
Mia:” How she keeps in shape!”
Naomi: “She is always ready to laugh!
Alicia: “I wish my parents would give me the freedom Fify gave her children!”
Naomi:”I’m always happy to be around Fify”
Aaron: “She is a very good – possibly the best ululator in the family!”
Evi: “Only she can cook for 30 people, work during the day, and still look fantastic in the evening to receive her guests!”
Jonathan: “They should definitely call on her when making peace with the Arab world”
Shoshi: “She is extremely hospitable”
Ezra: “She is an amazing linguist!”
Evi: “She has great taste in presents!”
Naomi: “I am happy to be around her because she is always in a good mood!”
Shoshi: “She is so pretty, thin and a very good dietician!”
Alicia:”She brings the family together and enjoys parties!”
Shoshi: "She is a real Zionist!"
Evi: ”She is an excellent daughter and as a daughter-in-law is the only member of the family who can drink a glass of wine with Papa!”

 

Fortuna - le plus beau butin que la Suisse ait jamais ramené du Liban!!!

  Nous t'aimons, nous aimons ta famille, nous aimons tes anniversaires - et
nous te souhaitons qu'il y en aura encore beaucoup à suivre!

  Mazal Tov de la part de Daniela, Timna, Noa et Ben Segenreich
 

Salut Fifi,

J'ai croisé Mylène qui m'a dit que c'était bientôt ton anniversaire,
Alorsje t'envoie un petit mot à cette occasion.
J'espère que cela va pour toi, la santé, les enfants, la famille.
Je t'embrasse bien fort.

    Bon anniversaire Fifi
 

                                                    A bientôt

                                                     Chantal
 

"Dear Fify, Mazel Tov and much love on your Birthday.  I hope that you have a wonderful day, and a successful and happy year, surrounded by your family.  Though we are not all together today, I very much look forward to our next big family reunion.  I so love being with you all, and have so many fantastic memories from all our holidays together.  I particularly remember you encouraging me to dive on our summer vacations; always from the highest platform, and would also offer many gifts as a reward.  However, I was never as brave as Sarit, who would leap off, barely looking, and though I desperately wanted all the presents, I was too scared to jump!!  Thank you for three wonderful cousins, and taking care of the character that is our uncle!!  Wishing you all the best on this special day, and hope to see you soon.  Lots of love, Alicia"

Hope you are all well, much love to all.

alicia
 

Impressions of Fify – on reaching the age of 50-something!

Michael and I had been going out for a couple of years already and, after gaining our Master’s degrees while in the US, we treated ourselves to a well-deserved holiday – a tour around the States, before starting our jobs.  Being a good son and brother, Michael kept in close contact, with regular phone calls to the family (ie daily!).  On one such phone call, we were given the exciting news that Geza had not only met a special woman, but was planning to marry her within a few short months – unexpectedly making it to the altar well before us!

We were delighted for him, but could not help wondering who (or whom, according to Geza) could fit the name ‘Fify’, as she was introduced to us. Naturally, we found the name rather amusing and could not help but imagining a small fluffy poodle.

Given the circumstances of geography and timing, we were in the strange position of not being able to meet our future sister-in-law (or sister-in-law to be, in my case) until a mere few days before the wedding.

We found out quickly that Fify was far from being a frothy little dog type but a beautiful, spirited, independent and proud woman.  Apart from admiring her exotic beauty, I was quickly impressed by Fify’s apparently easy relationship with Mutti and Papa – indeed thanks to Fify, we ALL call them ‘Mutti and Papa’.  This neatly helped solve the dilemna I had had with Michael’s parents – do I call them Mr and Mrs Szpiro – too formal, Marta and Benno – heaven forbid, Mummy and Daddy – since we weren’t even engaged – and I never even called my own parents that!

Well, this epitomised Fify’s character – direct, uncomplicated, humorous and many other attributes besides. Though Fify introduced herself as Fortuna, she has always been Fify for us, but then again, Michael is Michi, George is Geza, Eva is Evilein, you get the idea!

We immediately hit it off, and despite our different backgrounds, we had one great and most important thing in common – the Szpiro’s! Being married to the Szpiro sons has given us endless topics of conversation - issues to discuss (and, dare I say, sometimes fume over) but, more importantly, lots of merriment about our experiences as part of the powerful, dominating, but embracing Szpiro clan. We were delighted to be joined by Jonathan, Evi’s husband, before long.

We have never quite acquiesced in the expected roles of subordinate little wives within the family – both being feisty, determined women – but I doubt that either Geza or Michael would really like or be happy with such a wife! – No, really not!

Fify has been much more successful at deftly carving out space to combine the role of wife, mother, working professional, independent woman. Whenever we meet, Fify tries to encourage me to grasp more freedom for myself, though she still has some way to go…

I owe her some thanks to helping me to finally realise one of my lifelong dreams - to go on safari in Africa, as an early celebration of my own impending 50^th birthday.  We enjoyed our unique time together last Spring, touring around Cape Town’s countryside; joining the tour with Fify and Geza’s special friends Barry and Barbara, and others, together with our youngest daughters Mia and Noga. 

I hope that Fify continues to have many more adventures in her daily life and travels, in the best of health and happiness, and I look forward to more special times together in the future.

Happy Birthday and lots of love, Susan x

And for VERY special congratulations from Michael & Co: please click here

[Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote, Part II, Chapter LXVI]

"The prize must be worth the toil when one stakes one's life on Fortune's dice."

[Dolon 1 to Hector 1. Euripides, Rhesus 182]

"He is a foolish mortal who thinks his luck secure and so rejoices; for Fortune, like a madman in her moods, springs towards this man, then towards that; and no one ever experiences the same unchanging luck."

[Hecabe 1. Euripides, Trojan Women 1204]

"I am not in the least surprised, as I know that heaven is always willing something new, and likewise that all things, strong or weak, increasing or decreasing, are being changed by Fortune, who drives them with imperious necessity according to her whim."

[Pausanias, Description of Greece 8.33.1]

To my dear lovely sister,

Let me wish you a happy and healthy 50th birthday. I hope from my heart that all your wishes may come true. We are living very far away, but I still feel like you are very close to me. For any advise that I need, not only from a sister but from a real good friend, you are always there. I will never forget all the time that you spent with mom aleha ha'shalom when she was well and when she was not well. She always spoke nicely about you, you kept her very happy and you were always there for her. May you be blessed for that. Maybe we don't spend enough time together, but when we do we always have a great time, especially when we were in Milan and shopped together, it was lots of fun.

It is a shame that we can not celebrate your birthday together, but I still wish you, from deep down in my heart, a happy and healthy birthday and many, many more to come in good health and happiness

          WE ALL LOVE YOU; ELI, RIMONA OREL, JACKIE, AND SARAH SHIRAN

Bonjour Fortunée,
Je m'explique maintenant le rire heureux de Noam quand j'ai appelé le 12
chez vous à Jérusalem pour te souhaiter un Joyeux Anniversaire...
Si c'est pour te rajeunir d'un an, c'est parfait : joyeux 50eme
anniversaire, Fortunée. Que la vie t'apporte santé, bonheur et bonne
route pour tes enfants. C'est le plus important.
Je t'embrasse très fort et à bientôt.
                                                        Carmen Rouhban
 

happy birthday !!

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