Dear Marion,

Thank you very much for your letter. It would be redundant
for me to tell you, I'm happy that you've been feeling well.
Please continue to keep me informed "in real time", if you're
so inclined, about the medical ups and downs of your existence.

Thank you also for forwarding the cruise information from the
Jerusalem Post. Margaret and I haven't quite decided which
of the cruises we'd like to take, but we're leaning toward
the 14 day Russia Baltic Cruise from July 3, to July 17.
I think renting five cabins and getting a sixth one free is
a terrific idea, and just my style, considering that in the
three houses that keep me busy we have 20 bedrooms with 12 1/2
baths. In that perspective six cabins actually seems a little
bit cramped, but accepting such privation in good humor
I consider beneficial discipline and, realistically, one
can get used to anything. Speaking of which, would you like
to come along? The only compelling objection to my mind is
that I would really, really love to get involved in the
"Enrich Your Relationships Workshop" with Rabbi Steven Weil
on the July 3 to July 10th Alaska Cruise, but I can't be in
two places at the same time. I'll have to decide, but it'll
be very difficult to make up my mind.

The last paragraph of you letter is worrisome and makes me
feel guilty. You say:

"A subject you write about that, up to now,
leaves me at sea, is the faultline and
contradiction / confrontation between
the individual and the community. 
This has never presented itself as a
dilemma to me in a profound or interesting
sense, so I'm very pleased that you have
erected it as something for me to think about." 
 
I really didn't mean to leave you at sea, honestly, I didn't.
That's why you should go on one of those cruises, that take
you all over the map, without ever leaving you at sea;
One of the ships has: "rock climbing walls, bowling alleys,
#1 rated kids programming, top rated shows etc", and
guaranteed no contradiction/confrontation between the
individual and the community. That's a silly ideas which 
should never have been mentioned, ruins your relationship to
your fellow believers, not to speak of your fellow cruise
travelers, keeps you from being a responsible voter,
a loyal subject of your president, prime minister,
king or queen, keeps you from being a good citizen, a good
policeman, a brave soldier, a trustworthy prison warden,
a dependable executioner. Contradiction between the individual
and the community is something you mustn't think about at all.
Don't do it.

Jochen