During the Second World War, evacuated to non-Jewish households, I encountered Christianity at home and in school.

The Christian use of religion as a personal love affair both shocked me, and attracted me.

For some years I deserted religion in favour of Marxism. The republic of goodness seemed more attainable than the Kingdom of God.

Early on I saw the repression and idolatry of Stalinism, and when it cracked, I was open to religion again.

My mother was a modern woman with a limited interest in religion. When the sun set and the fast of the Day of Atonement ended, she shot from the synagogue like a rocket to dance the Charleston.