A Diamond in the Rough

by Marilyn Land

  Harry’s thoughts were beginning to see the light. “I love Max and Reba Lerner like parents. In fact, after leaving my parents behind when my wife and I came here from Russia, they became surrogate parents to us, and ultimately surrogate grandparents to our children.

  “Honestly, I could never bring myself to leave Max. He is getting up in years, and he has had several health issues recently, as has his wife. From time to time, Max has alluded to my looking elsewhere, but I never took him seriously.”

  Their meeting over, they shook hands. “Please give me your decision by week’s end. I hope you will accept. I think it will be a good fit for both you and The Diamond Trading Company, and I look forward to working with you. We’ve had a slight change in plans; Albert Werner will soon be leaving for South Africa, and for the foreseeable future, I will be replacing him as overseer of daily operations.”

  Marcus left the Café and walked up the street to the right. Harry left the Café, literally flew across the street, bounding into the store embracing Max in a big bear hug.

  When they finally broke apart, Max saw that Harry was crying.

  At supper, no one ate. Everyone was so excited at Harry’s news of the offer from De Beers. He insisted that Max and Reba come to dinner and be a part of the discussion and any decision that was made. At last, Ada said, “Please eat something. We can continue to talk while we eat, and after dinner when the girls are in bed, we can have tea and dessert and come to some conclusions.”

  Harry agreed. “Ada is right. She has prepared a wonderful meal, and it shouldn’t go to waste.”

  Jacob was so excited. He helped clear the table and did the dishes while Ada put the twins to bed. At last, things had calmed down somewhat. Ada put the kettle on for tea and brought the honey cake she had made that very afternoon to the table. Now each of them would express their feelings and discuss the offer.

  Max began by relating how his mission got started.

  “Just after the holiday season, one evening when I came home from the shop, Reba told me that De Beers was building a new facility in Hatton Garden. We had noticed the construction going on for months, but no one seemed to know who the occupants would be. When Reba met her friends for lunch that day, a new sign had been erected announcing that it would be a De Beers entity.

  “A few days later, I decided to visit their corporate offices just up the street from the construction site. I inquired about the positions that would be available, and if they were hiring to fill those positions from outside the Company. I was put in touch with Albert Werner who worked with me to get all the information he needed about you. They also interviewed other people, and evidently came to the decision to offer you one of the available positions. When Marcus Hirsch walked into the store, I had no idea who he was, as I had never met him. I also had no idea that they had decided to make you an offer.”

  Harry was still somewhat amazed and in awe at everything that had happened that day.

  “Max and Reba—there are no words to express my gratitude to both of you for all you have done for all of us. As I told Mr. Hirsch, you are parents to Ada and me, and grandparents to our children, and we love you unconditionally. Before I can consider accepting the offer, I have to know what your plans are for the both of you. Can you continue to run the shop without help, or do you plan to sell it and retire?”

  Max gathered his thoughts for a moment.

  “Reba and I have been slowing down lately, and we certainly know we are not getting any younger. The business has been good to us, and we are quite comfortable financially. We have you to thank for all you brought to the business, not to mention the many new customers from outside the East End.

  “Our needs are not great, and for whatever time we have left, we will be fine. We have no family other than all of you, and when you came into our lives all those years ago, we couldn’t believe our good fortune. We intend to keep the shop open for the near future, and Jacob can continue to work with me. He’s quite capable even though he is so young, and I love having him around. And, you are welcome to use the workshop if the need arises apart from your new job. That said, Reba and I think you should accept the offer.

  “We look forward to spending many happy occasions together as a family while watching the children grow up and become fine young adults. Keeping the shop will keep me busy with something I love to do, and Reba has her women’s clubs and luncheons to keep her busy.

  “As I have already said, it would please us greatly if you accepted the position. Allowing us to take the journey with you is all we ask.”

  Ada had always felt in her heart that Harry was destined to achieve far more than working for Max Lerner. She too loved Max and Reba, but at times she was frustrated by Harry’s reluctance to seek employment elsewhere. It bothered her that he put his dreams and goals aside so he wouldn’t risk disappointing the Lerners. She now realized that he would not have disappointed them at all. She and Harry had both underestimated Max and Reba’s love and devotion.

  “I agree with Harry wholeheartedly that no words can express our gratitude to you both for all that you have done for us, but you have gone far beyond what we could have ever imagined when you contacted De Beers on Harry’s behalf.

  “I am certain there are many details to work out, questions to ask, and considerations to be given to any doubts we may have, but I’m seeing this as a once in a lifetime opportunity, a very good thing; and I think above all, Harry should accept this offer for himself. I sense that this will give him a chance to fulfill his dreams and attain the goals he set for himself all those years ago when we left Minsk and came to London.”

  Jacob, who sat and listened with all the reserve he could muster, was about to burst at the seams. He remembered the walk he and his father had taken to Hatton Garden. That night, Harry had proclaimed he envisioned his own Jewelry Emporium on that very site. Jacob never forgot that conversation.

  “Papa, I know I am young and not yet a man—I won’t be a Bar Mitzvah for two more years, but if I have a vote, I think you should accept. I think De Beers is pretty smart to want you, because you’re the best!”

  Ada rose from the table and went to the cabinet and retrieved five wine glasses and a bottle of wine. She poured the wine and handed each of them a glass, including Jacob. It was, after all, a very special occasion.

  She raised her glass: “To all of us, L’Chaim—To Life; may God always be with us to guide us and bless us. Amen”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  It took fifteen years, but Harry believed good things come to those who wait, and he definitely considered his offer from De Beers a good thing! The new facility opened a month after his initial meeting with Marcus, and during that month, Harry learned more about diamonds and the diamond industry than he could have ever imagined he did not know.

  The building was state-of-the-art for the 1930s, and the rooms where the sales meetings/auctions were to be held were beautifully furnished and conducive to making their clients feel right at home while offering their bids.

  Marcus introduced Harry to his tailor and saw that he was outfitted with suits, shirts, and all the accessories needed to deal with their distinguished clients.

  The first meeting held in May 1935 was a huge success, and Harry was quite pleased with his efforts in helping achieve that success. Not only was he charged with seeing that the bidders were welcomed and made to feel at home, it was his job to answer any and all questions they had, and in order to do that, he acquainted himself with their backgrounds and the companies they represented in advance of the meetings.

  Although he was busier than he had ever been, each night when he arrived home for supper, his family eagerly awaited to hear about his day. Each nightly conversation began with Harry’s detailed explanation of what he had learned, what he had accomplished, and what was in the works for the future, if anything new had been introduced. On days when there had been an auctio
n, the excitement in his voice spoke volumes as he told of bidding wars, mergers, and concessions that the bidders negotiated among themselves. Of course, all of this was relayed with total anonymity, and Harry never mentioned the companies or individuals with whom they did business.

  As supper wound down, the conversation always ended with the children and what was happening at school. Jacob, Rose, and Rachel were all doing well; Jacob was also keeping up with his Hebrew lessons. There had been no more summons from Rabbi Levin to speak with Harry, and when he inquired about Jacob’s progress when he was at Shabbat Services, the Rabbi smiled and winked his approval. In just eighteen months, Jacob’s Bar Mitzvah would take place.

  Many of his friends had already had theirs, and there were quite a few coming up in the months leading up to his. He didn’t particularly look forward to the services on Saturday morning, but eagerly attended the evening parties. They generally included the boys and girls from his synagogue, but many of the families had relatives that lived in the East End that belonged to any one of the numerous other synagogues, and it was always fun to meet new friends that you didn’t see everyday.

  On the last Saturday in September 1936, Jake and his two best friends, Henry Rosen and Sid Golden, set off to attend the party for Ivan Portman.

  The party was in full swing when they arrived at the social hall, and when the boys walked in, they immediately spotted many of their other friends. These parties were just for the young people, and it was a good way to meet boys and girls their age that didn’t attend their school or belong to their synagogue. Most of the time, these new faces were cousins or friends of the family of the Bar Mitzvah boy.

  Jacob looked around the familiar room where in a few months his party would be held and his eyes came to rest on the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Her flaming red hair came to her shoulders, framing her face and accenting her blue-gray eyes that seemed to be looking directly at him. He wanted to look away; he tried to look away; but he was mesmerized.

  He had never had a girlfriend and was often chided by his friends who told him he was too serious and spent too much time working at Max Lerner’s shop. However, that hadn’t deterred the many young girls who tried to gain his favor but failed to do so.

  It seemed like forever, as he stood caught in her gaze, but when Ivan suddenly appeared beside her, Jacob seized the moment and decided to congratulate his friend and get an introduction.

  His eyes still on the beautiful redhead, Jacob offered his hand to Ivan and said, “Mazel Tov my friend. You did good.”

  Ivan took Jacob’s hand. “Thank you. It won’t be long before I’ll be extending my congratulations to you.”

  Noticing that his friend’s attentions were not solely directed to him, he stepped back and said, “Jacob Lyons, I’d like you to meet my cousin Alexandra Portman.”

  Jacob smiled and nodded, “Pleased to meet you.”

  Just then, Ivan excused himself and went to greet a group of friends who had just arrived.

  Alexandra seemed to be under the same spell as Jacob. Although Ivan had excused himself and left, neither made a move to do the same. Not willing to give her the chance to walk away, he suggested they get some punch and something to eat.

  They spent the better part of the evening getting to know each other.

  “As you know, my name is Alexandra Portman—Ivan’s first cousin—our fathers are brothers. My father is a physician and my family lives on the outskirts of London. I have two older brothers, one who is in medical school, and the other who will soon follow in his footsteps. You could say I plan to do the same—that is enter the medical field—I want to be a nurse and help as many people as I can. And please call me Lexi; no one calls me Alexandra except my parents when they’re unhappy with me.”

  Jacob laughed. “OK, Lexi it is.” He told her all about his family and the twins; his father working for De Beers; how he idolized his father who taught him to cut and polish diamonds; how he loved working at Max Lerner’s shop in his spare time; how he hated his religious lessons but looked forward to becoming a Bar Mitzvah next January; and last but not least, that diamonds were his future—taking a rough rock and turning it into a thing of beauty was a special talent that he intended to put to good use.

  When the party ended, they said their reluctant goodbyes.

  “Thank you for a great evening; I really enjoyed the time we spent talking. Most of my friends think I’m too serious for someone who is only twelve. Just the fact that I know what I want to do with my life blows their minds. If I invite you to my Bar Mitzvah party, will you come?”

  Lexi smiled, and again Jacob thought how beautiful she is. “Of course, I will come. And one more thing, I’m going to call you Jake; it’s less formal and now that you are about to become a man in a few months, I think it suits you.”

  There was no question that Jacob was absolutely and totally taken with Lexi Portman.

  Although unsettling reports continued to pour out of Germany, many still did not believe them, while others who had relatives involved and did believe them were unable to be of help.

  In August 1936, the Summer Olympic games were held in Berlin. Hitler managed to somewhat fool the world by putting on a good show. But as he watched, Jesse Owens became the first American track and field athlete to win four gold medals in one Olympiad. Jesse Owens’ success offered a strong rebuttal to Adolph Hitler’s theory of Aryan supremacy; he was not only an American—he was a black American—which was especially significant, since he had chosen the games to show the world the revival of Germany and white supremacy under the Third Reich.

  On the evening of 11 December 1936, a radio address shocked the UK. After ruling for less than one year, Edward VIII became the first English Monarch to voluntarily abdicate.

  The royal family’s disapproval of Edward’s married mistress, Wallis Warfield Simpson, did not deter his intent on marrying her. However, before he could discuss his intentions with his father, King George V died in January 1936, and thus Edward ascended to the throne.

  On 12 December 1936, his younger brother, the Duke of York, was proclaimed King George VI. In less than one year, three Kings sat on the English throne.

  Four months passed quickly, and the day of Jacob’s Bar Mitzvah arrived. Londoners in January 1937 had seen an extremely wet but milder winter with cloud-free days sandwiched in between drenching rainstorms about once a week until the very end of the month when snow finally arrived.

  Saturday, 16 January 1937, was one of those cloud-free days with sunshine to spare. The Great Central Synagogue on Rotary Square was packed with friends and congregants all there for the Lyons family. For a brief moment, Harry wished that his parents and his brothers could be there, but he and Ada were very proud of Jacob and nothing could possibly take away from their happiness and blessings of the special day.

  How different this day was compared to his own meager Bar Mitzvah in Russia, where everyone was watching and waiting for something bad to happen.

  As Jacob chanted his Haftarah, Rabbi Levin sat on the Bimah with a smug smile upon his face—how could he have ever doubted Jacob’s ability or his own, for that matter, to teach him?

  As the services came to an end, and the many guests began filtering into the adjourning room where tables of food and drink had been set up, two men came forward and approached Harry and Ada as they were accepting the good wishes and congratulations from the many congregants.

  At first Harry stood stunned, not believing who stood before him. Then in an instant, he was hugging Benjamin and Sydney, his brothers. He had no idea they were coming; no idea when they had arrived, but he simply didn’t care.

  Sidney left Cuba years before and both of the brothers were now together in South Africa. They had decided to travel to London to see the brother they had not seen for seventeen years. What better time would there be than to see their nephew become a Bar Mitzvah? Th
ey had arrived the day before, but thought it best to keep a low profile and not take anything away from Jacob. They were planning to be in London for a week, and there would be time enough to catch up on all the years they had not seen each other.

  What a day? From the sunshine on a winter’s day to meeting his uncles for the first time to making his parents, sisters, Max and Reba Lerner, and, of course, Rabbi Levin, proud of him. Lexi had come to the services and was coming to his party later that evening. Jacob could hardly contain his excitement.

  As he stood with his family, Lexi came up to him. “Jake, you were truly perfect. Mazel Tov.” Jacob introduced her to his parents, and then she walked over to see other friends.

  Harry and Ada looked at one another, and Ada whispered to Harry, “I guess our Jacob or should I say Jake is growing up.”

  As they continued to welcome their guests, Ada wondered. Who is this beautiful young lady, Lexi? What kind of a name was Lexi? She had never heard the name before. Jacob seemed quite pleased to see her, to say the least, and since she didn’t recall having seen her before at their synagogue or anywhere else, was quite certain she didn’t live in the East End. Yes, Jacob was growing up.

  The party that evening at the social hall was packed. Jacob had a lot of friends, and it seemed that each and every one had come. Aside from accepting congratulations throughout the evening, and spending a brief few minutes with his parents when they brought his uncles by to see the hall and the setup for the young people, he never left Lexi’s side.

  All too soon, as the evening was coming to an end, he realized that since Lexi had come into his life, he had changed a great deal. Although it had only been a few months since they met, there was no denying she was his first love, and truth be told, his feelings for her ran deep; he adored her.