December 30, 2023
18th Tevet 5784
Torino, Italia
The Bar Mitzvah Service of George Richard Goldman.
Today is George’s Day. The day begins at 10:30 at the Principi di Piemonte Hotel here in Torino. The hotel is only 400 meters from the Airbnb, so walking was in order. As is usually the case, especially so in Italy, we arrive at 10:30 and find we are the only guests to arrive. By 11 the place was filled with cousins, friends, family and people who know George. People have come, quite literally, from all over the world to help George celebrate this milestone and joyous occasion that marks his transition into adulthood.
The celebration was held in the Sala delle Feste here at the Principi di Piemonte Hotel. The hotel is an historical venue decorated in the liberty art deco style in the heart of the city. It is absolutely beautiful.
The service was lead by George’s Bar Mitzvah instructor and mentor Todd Shotz. Yoni Avital was the cantor. At the beginning of the service several family members were able to take the time of express their wishes and share some wisdom for George. It was an interesting mix of English, Italian and Hebrew. Which followed the theme of the service.
The service was about two hours long, but it wasn’t boring or tiring. It was fun and interesting.
After the service we were led to buses which took us to the Palazzo della Luce. The palace of light. Ok that is the literal translation of Palazzo della Luce. The truth isn’t quite so eloquent. The building was designed by Carlo Ceresa in 1915 to house a savings bank. Yes, it was inspired by the architecture of the late1800’s and has a superb Juvarrian façade.
However, it didn’t get finished and was sold unfinished to the Piemontese Hydroelectric Society (Sip) in 1925. It was finally finished in 1928 at which time is housed the offices of Sip, one of the largest companies in Italy engaged in the production and distribution of electricity. It also housed Siptel, a telecommunications company and Eiar, a radio station. The first Italian public radio broadcasts came from this building: if in fact the original nucleus of Rai, the Italian TV station which was based in Rome, had it general management established in this building. On February 11, 1929 (in conjunction with the signing of the Lateran Pacts) with a solemn ceremony in the hall of honor on the first floor the official inauguration of "Radio Torino" took place. In 1962 the energy industry was nationalized, and the ownership was transferred to Enel. Recently it was acquired by a real estate fund who has begun the restoration of the building.
The restoration appears to be complete, but it is a large building and there wasn’t an opportunity see it all.
Unfortunately, shortly after the Bar Mitzvah I started to feel poorly. It was just so cold, but it was only my teeth which were chattering. By the time we arrived at the Palazzo my stomach was turning somersaults. I was trying very hard to push through and just ignore it all and everything was fine until the Grand Antipasto Piemontese.
Truffles and I aren’t friends. I know many people swear by them and love them, but to me they are mushrooms that taste like dirt, and smell about the same. The Grand Antipasto Piemontese included three delicacies. A poached egg on toast with white Alba Truffle, Thistle flan with fondue and white Alba Truffle, and roman style artichokes. The last one being a favorite.
We sat down for dinner/lunch and when they came by for the first course of handmade pasta, a signature agnolotti in a roast reduction with Parmesan Cheese, I had to wave the waiter off. It looked great, and equally sure it would have tasted great but the fever overtook me and I just had to leave.
I told Mary I was going to have Harry V accompany me back to the Airbnb by taxi and he would return with the keys. The staff was very kind in ordering a taxi, giving directions to the taxi driver of where to take me, and they were to bring Harry V back to the party. Fortunately, I made it into the Airbnb just before disaster hit.
Harry V made it back to the palazzo. He was able to enjoy the second course of brasato al Barolo, beef slowly cooked with roasted potatoes, Which cousin Jeff had the never to tell me was come of the best beef he has ever had. Coming from a guy from Chicago that probably means something.
Dolce, dessert, was a selection of Fabrizio Racca’s cakes: Tre cioccolati, extra cioccolato and cremino. If one had only had the strength and stomach to stay. There were, of course, four different wines missed; Primo Secolo Brut, by Cocchi, Nebbiolo by Vajra, L’Avvocatta Barbera d’Asti by Coppo and Moscato by Le Filiere. One can only imagine how wonderfully the Moscato would have paired with the chocolate dolce.
Harry V apparently accompanied Mary back to the Airbnb. When, or how are unknown. It was a rough night.
Buonanotte is usually the sign off, this time it is Brutta nottata. Tomorrow is another day. Ciao, a domain Enrico.
Yes, I will try and get photos of the events. Still learning how to add photo. I’ll get there. In this case someone will have to send photos.
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