David Miliband, former UK Foreign Minister, is the chairman of the International Rescue Committee. I have seen him a number of times on TV and he always speaks with passion and clarity. I am looking forward to reading his short TED book. If it lives up to my expectations, I may drop it off at the White House.

But today, let’s not be too heavy. Have you seen the film, now showing on Netflix, The Thursday Murder Cub? If not, I think you should. Two hours of understated British humor and charm at its best.

A former convent (or its equivalent) has been turned into the most comfortable and appealing senior living facility imaginable. Each resident’s room is luxurious, matched only by the feel of the common areas. And the folks who live there are obviously special. After all, they include Helen Mirren, Ben Kingsley, and Pierce Brosnan.

And these three, along with a woman now in the hospice wing of the facility (a former police detective), have formed a small, elite group dedicated to solving “cold cases”, which were left unsolved by the local constabulary. Now led by Mirren (a former MI6 agent), and with the addition of Celia Imrie, a new resident with a medical background, they work to solve a 30 year old case with single-minded intent, diverted only by three contemporary killings that take place along the way.

I liked everything about the film, but especially the acting of Mirren and Kingsley, and especially especially Kingsley, to whom any role could be assigned, and in which he would look a natural. I wonder if he will still be as good when he reaches my age; he always seems to be just about 13 months behind me.

Before I get to Miliband’s Rescue, I need to finish Ignazio Silone’s Fontamara. Written in 1933, Fontamara tells of an Italian peasant village, its residence isolated from the rest of the world, which comes face to face with fascism at its worst.

It is structured more or less as a series of connected short narratives, spoken by various residents of the village, which together paint a full picture. The book was widely read and praised during the years preceding, and the years of, World War II.

Throughout all the tragedy and hopelessness of the book, there are flashes of humor which reminded me of, of all people, Shalom Aleichem. Yes, there is, I guess, quite a bit of similarity between Fontamara and Chelm.

Like just when the argument between the rich landowner and the peasants of the village over the usage of creek water for irrigation seemed impossible to settle. When giving half of the water to the town and half to the landowner satisfied neither, someone suggested “Let’s each take 2/3”.

Everyone was satisfied until the landowner took his 2/3. You can see that happening in Chelm, yes? Perhaps it did.

Last night was the second Haberman Institute class, taught by Gideon Amir, devoted to changes in Judaism during the Second Temple period. I jotted down some interesting tidbits. Tonight, U. of Maryland professor Marsha Rozenblit is speaking for Haberman before a live audience in Potomac. And tomorrow, is the second of Geraldine Gudefin’s three part Haberman series on Jewish communities in Asia.

Last night and tonight, I provide the opening words. That is one way to make sure I attend.