COMMUNITY MAGAZINE April 2021

30 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE Would you have the courage to travel to Egypt and check out your ancestors’ roots? Meet Esther and Reuven Guttman, a couple who had the pluck to do just that. The Guttmans booked a five-day vacation to Egypt, on their way to Israel, in July 2019. What better time to share their exciting story than around the time of Pesach – the holiday celebrating our physical and spiritual liberation from Egypt, a place of bondage and “narrow straights” (as indicated by the Hebrew word for Egypt, “ Mitzrayim ”). Reuven, an Ashkenazi Jew with Hassidic roots, is a seasoned traveler who performs his due diligence before choosing a destination. Preferring to visit attractions with a personal tour guide, he makes all his arrangements in advance. Reuven’s wife, Esther, is of Syrian and Turkish descent, and is Reuven’s avid and equal travel partner. The couple’s primary motivation when selecting their destinations are the country’s history, culture, and art. They have journeyed extensively in Europe and the Middle East. They were enthralled at the thought of seeing Egypt. Esther’s paternal roots are Egyptian, and Reuven still remembers the Yiddish expression from childhood, “ Ven de Yidden zenen arois fun Mitzrayim – When the Jews went out of Egypt.” Were the Guttmans concerned about the political environment in Egypt, post Arab Spring? Reuven explained that he doesn’t draw attention to himself when he travels. He puts on a hat for eating, drinking, and praying as required halachically. Both respect the customs of the venues they visit, especially in countries where women dress modestly. Esther and Reuven arrived in Cairo on a Sunday and stayed at the beautiful Four Seasons Hotel on the Nile. Their tour guide, Ibraham, an Egyptian Muslim, first took them to an impressive mosque and other historic sites. A Phone Call From the President On their second day in Egypt, Reuven asked Ibraham if they could visit any of the remaining synagogues. Ibraham seemed taken aback by Reuven’s request, and explained that the synagogues have been closed for decades. As Reuven and Esther were well aware, most Jews left Egypt after the 1948 War of Independence. Ibraham walked away, explaining that he needed to make a phone call. When he returned, he said that they would need go to the Consulate to obtain government approval for a visit to a synagogue. Ibraham’s response had unnerved them, but the Guttmans made an effort to stay calm. It made sense that the ELLEN KAMARAS A NewYork Couple’s ROYALWELCOME TO EGYPT Esther replied proudly, “I am a direct descendant of the Rambam.”