In the Jewish tradition, the anniversary of the death of a loved one is a special day, an occasion to recall the individual, to mourn their passing and to cherish the memories they left behind. We are approaching a particularly important first anniversary of death, so I wanted to post something a little more serious, a little more somber, to honor the memory of a loved one, whose passing affected so many.

Just over a year ago, after a life of more than seventy years, Fink’s Bar and Restaurant finally closed its doors. Open since before the State of Israel was born, Fink’s was the oldest bar in Jerusalem, and easily the most popular. It saw the likes of visitors like Marc Chagall, Kirk Douglas, Leonard Bernstein, Paul Newman, Henry Kissinger, and others. Everyone who was anyone ate and drank there, whether political leaders, cultural icons, or other figures of fame. Foreign correspondents from around the world came to Fink’s whenever they were based in Jerusalem, and the bar’s fame spread until Newsweek called it “one of the best bars in the world.” The bar was also featured by Time Magazine and Reader’s Digest.

According to legend, CNN’s team in Baghdad made a reservation via satellite when the first Gulf War ended – they wanted to celebrate properly.

The bar itself was quite small – half a dozen tables and some stools – but its popularity never waned, until the end. Located right in the center of Jerusalem, the bar offered anything and everything you could want, from drinks to caviar to shrimp to goulash.

Dave Rothschild, manager of the bar for many years until his own death, was known to treat regulars like kings – even to the detriment of the rich and famous who might have waited for a table.

So, now, Fink’s has closed its doors. But while you cannot visit it any longer (bars don’t usually have gravestones), you can still honor its memory. Google Fink’s and read about it.
Or check out these links,

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/jerusalem/D38685.html
http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/index.php?menuID=2&subID=205 http://www.tbsoc.com/sermons/reflections15.html

To Fink’s: we miss you, we’ll never forget you. Rest in peace.

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