Yohanan is 90

Brother Yohanan is a pioneer of the kehillot, as linguist and musician having made an enormous contribution the kehillot over the past 60 years. The chapel was filled to capacity, with many friends of Yohanan present including some of the older generation, with the notable presence of Elisheva and Antionette from Haifa. Also present were Father Abbot Charles from the Benedictine Monastery in Abu Ghosh, Father Frans Bouwen from the White Fathers in Saint Anne, Yohanan’s publishers and members of Yohanan’s family, here from France.

During the mass celebrated by Father Michel Remaud, Yohanan preached, sharing with those present a few anecdotes from his years in the Middle East, beginning with the time he spent studying Lebanese Arabic in Lebanon and then his experiences working on the kibbutz and volunteering as a postman in Afula. The mass was a time to give thanks for the gift of Yohanan’s life and his enormous contribution to the life of the Hebrew speaking kehillot.

After mass, a sumptuous reception was shared by all present. On a table were placed some of Yohanan’s many publications including manuals to learn Arabic and dictionaries that he has compiled. After being filled with the good food, those present came back into the chapel to hear a few more anecdotes from Yohanan and to sing a specially composed birthday song, written by Benny, the seminarian.

We wish Yohanan a happy birthday and many more years of creativity!

Watch a short clip on Yohanan in French here