irony, Demonstrations and Alon Ohel

31^st of October 2025

755 days since the 7^th of October 2023

9^th of the Hebrew month of Heshvan 5786

 

 

Shabbat Shalom dear friends, lots to report, good bad and ugly, but, as always, with the sun shining on our lives

 

You may well ask why I still put the number of days since the horrendous events of the 7^th of October, 2023; basically, because even now, two years on, that day rules our lives and our emotions.

 

Yesterday many of those emotions came to boiling point. We didn’t attack the demonstrators; we did moan about the road closures at the entrance to Jerusalem and on the CocaCola intersection in Bnei Brak, but inside we boiled in frustration. About 250,000 Haredi demonstrators blocked both roads, with the intention of - here I will split into two thoughts -supporting the learning of Torah over defending the country and/or the slogan of “Die before conscription”, in other words, refusal to defend the very country they live in and for many, refusal to recognise this incredible Jewish country that nurtures them. Since Torah above all is another slogan surely most of the heroes of the Torah fought bravely, indeed were called to defend our country. I watched able-bodied young men climb huge cranes on the building site next to the demo, risking their lives, yet unwilling to serve in the IDF. Their Rabbis believe that if they go into the IDF they will lose their religious identity, become secular, despite the fact that the IDF has created totally kosher and halachically sound (according to Jewish law) divisions, and that is what they teach their Yeshiva (Jewish school) students. It is my belief that if their beliefs are so tenuous then they have a problem. Young Israeli fathers, sons and husbands are risking their lives, serving 500 days of Miluim (reserve duty) away from their families, just because the IDF is short of capable young people. These young men who minds have been sharpened by their study of the Torah, must, should, have to, understand that others are enabling their normal lives by risking and losing theirs.

 

A fascinating scene, caught on camera, at the central bus station in Jerusalem. Two moving staircases carry young Haredi boys and men up to street level whereas the down staircase carries soldiers on their way home from duty. The amusing and telling fact is that all the soldiers had big smiles on their faces, waving to those on the up staircase whereas the young haredi men stared in disbelief at those next to them. The scene held an ironic sense of reality.

 

I know, other demonstrations have closed roads, however they last a short time, pray for the return of hostages, clear up after themselves and carry Israeli flags. Yesterday, after the majority had left for home, young men of the Jerusalem Faction, threw bottles and planks at police, seriously injuring one, and ran riot. Rabbi Jeremy Rosen explains the history of where the Haredi community is today https://jeremyrosen.com/2021/04/whats-wrong-with-us.html  

 

A truly magical Israeli moment happened in the Central bus station in Jerusalem when an Orthodox soldier sat and played the piano for hundreds of Haredim on their way to the demonstration. What was that we said about irony? Love it! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-cPoR6QaDwc

 

Enough of that, so many things are happening in this neck of the woods that it is crazy to concentrate on this incident – although obviously its connection to the 7^th of October is clear.

 

Slowly, ensuring the pain continues, the bodies of the slain hostages are returning. As the ambulances containing their remains pass through their former homes, the streets are lined with Israelis holding flags which they drop to half mast as the cortege passes, and as it reaches to Abu Kabir, the forensic institute for identification, police stand to attention and salute.  In a surprise admission the Red Cross actually put out a press statement that they regret not having done enough in regard of the hostages. In a strange twist of fate Israeli human rights organisations have taken the step of insisting that the international Red Cross should reinstate the right to visit Palestinian prisoners in Israel. It has now gone before the Supreme Court. Yet another Middle Eastern irony!

 

Talking of pain, of division in this little country, it is an incredible 30 years since the assassination of Prime Minster Yitzchak Rabin at a peace rally in Tel Aviv. Perhaps the culmination of the left-right division. Yitzchak Rabin, a straightforward speaker who was the antithesis of a politician. He was a shy military leader who did not fit the pattern of politician and was reluctantly willing to sign an agreement with the enemy of Israel, pushed to shake hands with him by President Clinton. I knew him, watched him, admired him, miss the fact that he was not a great orator but when he spoke, he spoke the truth. His assassination by a Jewish extremist broke us. It is my belief that we never fully recovered, the rift never healed. Had he been Prime Minister now, the 7^th of October would probably not have happened, the Hilltop Youth would be in jail and who knows, maybe, just maybe, an agreement with the haredim may have been reached. His government was formed on June 3, 1974, by the Alignment party with coalition partners including the National Religious Party, and the National Security and Police Minister was Shlomo Hillel, an experienced and fine man who understood national security better than anyone else of his generation. We are still mourning the loss of a great man who sought to unite rather than divide.

 

This weeks Torah reading “Lech Lecha” meaning Go Forth, foretells today’s situation. The Almighty sends Abram and Sarai (Abraham and Sarah) forth and bequeaths the Land of Israel to Abraham and his seed. Ironically (there’s that word again) Sarah couldn’t conceive and told Abraham to take another wife to give him an heir. He chose Hagar, who gave birth to Ishmael.  As usual two women in one house didn’t work, Sarah complained that Hagar was disrespectful, Hagar was distressed at the way that Sarah treated her and she left the house with her son. Apparently, after leaving, they didn’t cope well in the desert and Ishmael fell ill which is the start of the whole story of the descendants of Abraham and his son Ishmael. The rest, sadly, is history.

 

Anticipating the inevitable “day after,” IMPACT-se has spent over a year developing a comprehensive alternative curriculum for Gaza—free from antisemitism, violence, and the martyrdom culture that fuelled the horrors of October 7. Our curriculum is already being taught to 2,000 Gazan children in educational settings in Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis and is soon to expand to 6,000 students across two additional locations. An alternative to extremist jihadi education in Gaza’s schools is now a living reality.

Crucially, our curriculum is now supported by key international partners. Most importantly, the U.S. State Department has expressed its support, and we are working directly with the U.S. administration’s lead on Gaza education on curriculum development, teacher screening, and training—ensuring a values-based, scalable implementation. This marks a significant breakthrough toward replacing extremist education in Gaza. https://www.impact-se.org/

 

I love Eylon Levy, am furious that he was fired as Israel’s spokesman in the Foreign Ministry. His response to Ben Cohen of Ben and Jerry’s suggestion of an ice-cream flavour in support of Hamas is iconic! Please see this 40 second vid and have a good giggle https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQZPYuRDfgd/?igsh=OGxxdzNzMTB5ajAx

 

A diversion from the local news, my son Gideon and his son (my grandson!) Zachary arrived last Sunday for a short but exciting visit. They were on the first British Airways flight from London, the first flight since war broke out. When the plane landed, the ground staff stood and applauded the crew as they left the plane! Only in Israel. So began an incredible two and a half days in Jerusalem, two and a half days where we successfully fitted two weeks worth of activity. It is a long time since Zacky had been here, and his memories were faint, so we set out to really “do” Jerusalem and ensure that he had loads of good Israeli food. One of the days Yosef took his uncle and cousin on a trek up north to visit springs and waterfalls of the Golan. They climber tracks and swam in freezing pools, Yosef running like a gazelle over the rough ground and climbing hills, smiling as Gideon and Zacky bravely tried to keep up with him. That night we are at a local meat restaurant.  We went to the Kotel with Rachel, Talia and Ayala, I took the car into the Kotel parking while they walked back up through the Jewish Quarter. We then went to Mahane Yehuda which I believe to be the most “Yerushalmi” place in Jerusalem. It was great fun and we had lunch in “Pita Basar” a fun food place in a market full of good food places!  That night they met up with Ira, Sheli and Tomer and we just ordered Pizza, preferring to talk than cook! The next morning Zvi took them to the Knesset to meet Meirav Cohen, an excellent Member of Knesset, Zacky ready with highly relevant questions, and Zvi combined it with a visit to the National Library. They then packed and I took them to Tel Aviv for R&R. Sadly they are already home after a rushed visit but it was absolutely wonderful. Both of them well informed, reading material about Israel and doing their best to understand the complexities of this wonderful mosaic of humanity.

 

Beds changed and our lovely friend Kim Taylor arrived last night after a gruelling journey from Western Canada. Kim will take part in the Keren Hayesod/Jewish Agency Board meetings this week, an important member of both the Aliya and the Government Relations Committee. Tomorrow we are very excited that our Australian Ian Gandel is coming to us before a YPO mission begins. We have so much to talk about. Then, on Sunday as Kim leaves Zvis cousin Jack Gottlib is coming to stay before leaving for home in Mexico. That is our life, and thank heaven tourism is back and thriving in Israel.

 

And so to music, which for me is food for the soul

 

For the first time since being abducted to Gaza over two years ago, released hostage Alon Ohel sat behind a piano in public, this time on the set of Israel’s beloved satirical show Eretz Nehederet, the country’s version of Saturday Night Live. It was more than a television moment; it was a national heartbeat. As Alon’s fingers brushed the keys and the first notes of “Under the Sky” — the classic by Meir Ariel and David Broza — filled the studio, not a single eye remained dry. I dare you not to shed a tear https://youtu.be/uAcGsa87Mt0?si=_BD6Nz1Dr0i87Ke3

 

The second song was beloved of Yitzchak Rabin. As a member of the Palmach, before the founding of the State, he felt the camaraderie, brother’s in arms, was an essential part of the fight, camaraderie in Hebrew is Reut. https://youtu.be/4SP3jOQY6bc?si=udY1HT4ssFcZBSNF

 

Talking of Brother in Arms, Mark Knopfler wrote this song long ago but for me it is deeply relevant today. The Brother in Arms organisation here in Israel with Hebrew lyrics. I love it. You already know the English Lyrics.  https://youtu.be/GHNY_L5Hw1w?si=_IytIRrilrXXyopT  May their IDF uniforms be used for ceremonies alone, may they all come home to the safety of an Israel at peace with her neighbours.

 

I wish you Shabbat Shalom, a Shabbat where the leaders of this crazy world understand that given half a chance, we really are a light unto nations. As Golda Meir said “There are many Arab nations with thousands of square kilometres of land and Israel is just 1% of it” It’s time to let us live in peace.

 

With love from Jerusalem

Sheila

 

 

Isaiah, Arabella and Eliya

 

24^th of October 2025

 

 

Shabbat Shalom, wishing you a peaceful weekend.

 

Isaiah once envisioned a world redeemed — “And they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4). Yet he also called out, “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of your dwellings; do not hold back, lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes” (Isaiah 54:2). Between these two visions lies the eternal struggle of our people, the yearning for peace and the command to survive. But this week, when the government advanced a motion put forward by Avi Maoz, choosing Isaiah’s second vision, expansion over reconciliation, that choice felt deeply wrong. With almost no members of the Knesset present in the plenum and the vote sliding through with ease, the act carried the sting of arrogance, not prophecy. I was furious, and I was not alone. J.D. Vance expressed his outrage, condemning the recklessness of a government that speaks in Isaiah’s language yet forgets the prophet’s dream. The motion passed with ease, but at the cost of our moral disquiet, and of that distant vision where swords are meant, at last, to become ploughshares.

 

To add insult to injury, Smotrich responded to the Saudi normalisation proposal, saying that if it means accepting a Palestinian State that they should keep riding camels in the desert!  I am appalled! His stupidity can create a situation of further isolation of Israel. Saudi Arabia has been a constant and powerful ally of Israel for many years, since the Olmert Prime Ministership. In fact, if you look carefully at the proposals put forward by the USA and supported by Turkey, Qatar and most of the Arab countries, it is the peace proposal put forward by Ehud Olmert all those years ago. Three wars later………..

 

In the meantime, rather than Egypt rebuilding Gaza, Turkey won the biggest raffle prize in recent history. A somewhat motley crew of countries will oversee the situation, keeping Israel and Hamas apart. Turkey and Qatar have long supported Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, purveyed anti-Israel and antisemitic activities, and promoted Islamist ideologies that are anathema to Western ideals. On the other hand, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt have outlawed the Muslim Brotherhood, eschewed radical Islamism, and, at least in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, have tamped down on anti-Israelism and antisemitism accepting changes in their schoolbooks and working with Impact-se to change their children’s future..

 

A thought that has been bothering me. If the Palestinians consider themselves a sovereign nation, and if they believe that Israel is the cause of their dispossession, why is it that almost all of them carry Jordanian ID cards?

 

The last living hostages are home. Their reunions with loved ones still vivid in all our thoughts. Our relief tempered by anger at those who wrought barbaric acts on our people. As Israel begins to recover, we have to face a new dilemma, what should be done with the terrorists of October 7? Around 250 members of Hamas’s Nukhba unit, the men who murdered, burned, raped, and abducted, now sit in Israeli prisons, awaiting trial.  Can Israeli jurisprudence, faced with such brutality, provide justice or simply follow the law?

 

Steve Wikoff and Jared Kushner have worked miracles. Their work is between a rock and a hard place, between terrorists and a government with unrealistic demands. Steve Witkoff who visits, hugs and listens to the families of hostages and went to visit released hostages to hear their stories and Jared Kushner, the stalwart whose expressionless face hides a very determined but sympathetic character. I, in fact virtually all Israelis, are deeply grateful for the work they have done, for the Trump administration’s determination to turn a deeply complex situation into a business deal, however, while deeply grateful, it must be remembered that we are an independent Jewish State and not the 51^st state of the USA. The recent visits of J D Vance and now Mario Rubio are of great importance, expressing their support of Israel and the Trump plan, apart from halting traffic between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to allow J D Vance’s motorcade of some 20 big black limos, safe passage. Everyone was scrambling for information as when and where the road closures were taking place since it was announced that his schedule was fluid! The Times of Israel suggested that J D Vance and Mario Rubio were sent to “Bibi-sit”

 

Reports suggest that there are only between 3-9 Jews left in Syria, but incredibly, Rabbi Henry Hamra, the son of the former Chief Rabbi of Syria is running for the Syrian Parliament, a Jewish Candidate after a 58 year ban. Perhaps there is hope after all.

 

The international Olympic committee has suspended all cooperation with Indonesia and their global sports federations will not to hold any events there after the country denied visas to all Israeli gymnasts.

Olympic gold medallist and reigning world champion Artem Dolgopyat is among the 12-member Israeli gymnastics team banned from competing at the world artistic championships in Jakarta this week because of Indonesia’s firm pro-Palestine stance.

 

I was thinking about the sudden desperation of some countries to hang on to the coat-tails of the Trump plan, amongst them Britain and the somewhat wishy-washy Keir Starmer. Suddenly this brilliant excerpt from “Yes Prime Minister” came to mind. Just two minutes and it sums up Europe, Canada, Australia, the US State Department and of course the Home Office policy of the UK. So clever. https://youtu.be/JdTUwtujH-g?si=46F6F8SEfD8MOxu_

 

Over the last two years many of the miluimnikim, the volunteer reserve soldiers who have served anything from 200 to 500 days of service in Gaza, have not only left their families, wives and young children, to fight, but have also left their businesses which in many cases have failed because they were off to war. A new website has opened urging us all to buy their goods https://www.shopgreenforsoldiers.com/

 

Too often the desire to welcome the newly freed hostages is overwhelming. Overwhelming for men who have been in solitary confinement in dark tunnels, ill treated and often beaten to deal with the hulabaloo, albeit well meaning, of their welcome has been difficult. So, last Sunday, all the employees in the Ayalon Mall had their phones confiscated, were sworn to secrecy, and the Mall closed its doors to the public, the employees stayed on while 18 of the 20 freed hostages had a shopping spree! Amazing!

 

This week I went to a great restaurant, simple but delicious, and our server was called Milcah. Apart from the fact that she was delightful and helpful, I was fascinated by her name. Milcah was the daughter of Zelophehad, Abram’s youngest brother, who had passed away without sons. They were five sisters who stood before their leaders and simply asked for what was fair — their father’s land. They weren’t out to change the system, yet in their quiet courage, they planted the first seed of equality that would blossom generations later, the seeds of feminism.

 

Zvi and I went on a tour behind the scenes of the new National Library. We had already seen the exceptional architecture, but this time we not only saw the holograms of ancient books we went down into the bowels of the building and saw the robots which bring the correct containers of whatever books one needs for research. It was other worldly!! At one point the guide asked if anyone knew why the building is designed with a roof which dips in the middle.  Zvi was the only one with the answer (of course). When Ruvi Rivlin was President, he said that the shape of the Library was irrelevant but he insisted that when he stood on the balcony of the Knesset, he could to see Mount Herzl, site of the grave of Theodore Herzl, the visionary of Zionism.

 

It was indeed a crazy week, all good things, and next week will be even better since Gideon and Zacky arrive, albeit for a very short visit, but when one hasn’t seen one’s son and grandson for over a year even one hour is an eternity! They go back on Thursday and the lovely Dr Kim Taylor arrives so that we can spend Shabbat together. So exciting. Tonight, the Ravivs are coming for dinner, less than usual only 14 of us, but first Rachel and Talia are popping in. Tomorrow we are with the Zonszeins and so we are enjoying life to the full.

 

Yesh bi Ahava, should be the anthem of Israel. Yesh bi Ahava means I have love within. Just think about the words and you will know what I mean. https://youtu.be/I1Zro9rVJ-E?si=61x51sqSd-uYftlj

Talking of love, according to Yehoram Gaon, we haven’t loved enough! There’s so much more love we can and want to give if only given the chance. Od Lo Ahavti Dai, the song that everyone that loves Israeli dancing has danced to! https://youtu.be/OEki0DUmoGM?si=99RddKv96OD4UBzX

 

Shir Tikva is a song of hope, of a new day, turning a new leaf, this day is a new beginning, never give up hope. In the sweet voice of Miri Metsika. https://youtu.be/MifWVsMglMw?si=P7MLeChGImh_uE0V  

 

I was amazed to learn that Arabella Kushner, 14 year old daughter of Ivanka and Jared Kushner, handwrote a little note for each of the 20 hostages released this week. The notes were delivered personally by Jared Kushner.

 

As Shabbat nears, I always feel a sense of new beginnings, of hope and prayer. I understand your fears, not just the Jewish communities, churches are attacked too, but I have a feeling that the tide is turning.  

 

Perhaps the epitome of strength, love, survival and hope for the future is encapsulated in something that happened yesterday Eight months after returning from 505 days in Hamas captivity, Eliya Cohen proposed to Ziv Aboud who survived in a shelter that claimed sixteen lives. Eliya bought the ring before October 7, never imagining that their world would shatter before he could give it to her. Their love endured separation, fear, and loss, waiting until the last living hostages were freed. Now, at last, what began before the war has become a story of survival, faith, and love as they were carried high on the shoulders of friends in celebration!

 

I was sitting with Rachel and Talia and Rachel told me of the words of former US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman. He wrote what I believe about the young people of Israel. Before October 7^th we thought that they were a hedonistic generation, like young people everywhere, but they are different. They have turned out to be the most phenomenal generation equal to the original Halutzim (pioneers) who fought to ensure a land for the Jews. The young people of Israel are not only not hedonists they are strong, clever, proud of their country and ready to fight for our right to be here on our land. I am confident that they will make great future leaders understanding that the fate of Israel lies in their hands. They, the best generation we could possibly dream of are capable of making this land a light unto nations again.

 

Shabbat, autumn in the air, balmy evenings, sometimes a chill in the air. The fruit trees are laden with fruits, late apples, limes, oranges, lemons, kumquats, all grown in pots, and of course my amazing hibiscus. The view over Jerusalem was hazy this morning, a gentle autumnal haze, now clear in the midday sun. The table is laid for dinner, all set ready for the blessings over wine and challah….and the blessing of family, friends and all comers.

 

I wish you a peaceful Shabbat filled with love

 

Sheila

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trump and Sweet Returns

 

17^th of October 2025

25^th of Tishrei 5786

 

 

Shabbat Shalom dear friends, Shabbat Shalom to all of those who spent even one day in Hamas captivity and came home and Shabbat Shalom to the families of those who did not survive the 741 days of Hamas torture.

 

This weeks parasha, , reading is a providential foresight. Taken from Isaiah 42

To open the eyes that are blind to bring prisoners out to confinement and those who sit in darkness out of the dungeon

 

Did you realise how extraordinary we are, we Israelis? Just two days after their loved ones were finally returned home, battered, broken, and scarred in body and soul after enduring unthinkable suffering in captivity, many of the families of the former hostages went to the funerals of those who never came back. They didn’t take time to recover or to hide from the world; they went to stand beside the bereaved, to cry with them, to hold them, to remind them that grief shared is grief slightly less heavy. Irrespective of race or religion, Bedouin, Druze, Muslim or Jew, in those long, harrowing months, they had become one family united by pain, endurance, and love deeper than words. And so they came, because that’s what family does. Matan Angrest, still haunted by his time in the dark tunnels, stood at the grave of Daniel Perez z”l, his fallen officer, and spoke, his voice shaking, of bravery beyond call. Two days after coming home, he came not to be comforted, but to comfort. That’s who we are, a people wounded but unbroken, bound by compassion for each other’s pain. Symbolically, the hostages came to freedom through Kibbutz Re'im where it all started.

 

Jubilation, sadness and fear. Erin Molan is an Australian pro-Israel broadcaster. Here she speaks to Hassan Yousef Mosab. Now, in the wake of President Trump’s historic Gaza Peace Plan and the release of the hostages, Mosab sounds the alarm on what the world is NOT seeing. He warns that while people are rightfully celebrating peace and progress, a deeper and more dangerous truth may be hiding beneath the headlines. https://youtu.be/kKFpyTRPllg?si=1Sc4C8A_tCFJii_r

 

Most of you know of Noa Argamani, who the moment she was released went to hold her mother who was close to death and was the first to travel to every world leader possible to plead for the release of the hostages. Well, Noa was reunited with the love of her life, Avinatan Or and said “Now we can heal together”. Or Tal Kuperstein who, years after a catastrophic stroke, with help, stood up for the first time and wrapped his arms around his son Bar on his return to Israel. Each and every one is a miracle of endurance, but perhaps most of all, the incredible Einav Zangauker who fought like a lioness for her cub and for all the families, as she hugged her Matan. Matan in Hebrew is gift.

 

It's not all pain and to watch the reunification of families and buddies was heart warming as we watched them hug, weep, laugh and joke. We learned that they don’t want to be in sterile conditions, wrapped in cotton wool, as we thought with the first releases, they want to rejoice their freedom. Each and every one of the reunions was special and deeply emotional, as one would expect, not only for the families but for all of us as we are glued to our televisions seeing the culmination of the hours of standing in all weathers in Hostage Square, on bridges and towns, carrying flags, determined to BRING THEM HOME.

 

Perhaps the words of Nuseir Yassin, better known as Nas Daily, sum up the feelings of most Israelis. Nas is an Arab Israeli whose vlogs began as a trip around the world, looks at the world through the eyes of a proud Israeli and a proud Palestinian in his local short videos, known as vlogs. This is just over a minute long and well worth your time. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5pq4zMTdI9M

 

Trump. One could say that he trumped the entire Middle East and, on the surface, perhaps he did. His “bull in a china shop” approach may just have “trumped” the quiet, in some cases “woke”, diplomatic approach. Basically, he called everyone to order. I admit that I was entranced by his speech, albeit with his strange syntax, but he was clear in his intentions, praised his team of the wonderful, compassionate, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and then he did it. I cannot believe it was spontaneous, probably requested, but it was grossly out of order. Israel is a nation of definite and clear laws and procedures and to speak to the Israeli President in a patronizing manner “he’s a nice guy” asking him to grant a pardon to Israel’s Prime Minister was grossly out of order. As grateful as we may be, it was inappropriate for a leader of another country to interfere in the judicial process of Israel. The judicial process demands that the person to be granted a pardon is first found guilty, expresses regret for their actions and only then can he/she be given the pardon at the behest of the President and only the PRESIDENT OF ISRAEL.

 

I really try to stay away from the internal politics of Israel but the fact that the Speaker of the Knesset intentionally did not invite the Attorney General or the President of the Supreme Court to the Knesset for President Trump’s speech is a disgrace to his supposedly apolitical position. It was an intentional snub and he replaced them with Likud members present and past, in a purely political move. Also left of the list were former Ministers, always official invitees to such events in the Knesset. He invited only those who are supporters of the current government.

 

I wish I had been a fly on the wall of the Sharm el Sheikh Conference! Unfortunately, our Prime Minister was not there, held back by the threat of Erdogan of Turkey that if he came then Erdogan would turn his plane around and refuse to attend. I still wish he had gone and tested the threat of Erdogan. I am so scared that Turkey and its megalomanic leader has become the strong man of the area. Instead of Egypt taking charge of the rebuilding of Gaza, surely the most logical logistically, Turkey has probably won the contract. Egypt speaks the same language, is a direct neighbour and is in desperate financial need. In truth, Turkey and Erdogan’s determination to rebuild the Ottoman Empire, scare me, really scare me. Atatürk is spinning in his grave.

 

Succot (Tabernacles) was relatively quiet, or so it seemed. In fact we were with several of our neighbours, impromptu breakfast with Yael and Naftali; a quick visit from a lovely French neighbour; an unexpected visit from Yosef and his lovely girlfriend Tsofia; another impromptu day meeting Julio Jarak for a lovely chat; visiting Yossi and Rachel in Kfar Saba for a delicious lunch and then going to Ra’anana to say hello to my childhood friends Jennifer and Brian. It was wonderful, my favourite kind of day. Finally, yesterday two local friends, Zalman and Hannah popped in. Tomorrow Irit and Itzik will come for Shabbat Lunch to catch up on their Seattle visit.

 

Yesterday, Mohammed came to sort out the drip irrigation system on our veranda. I am so excited! Whilst it was a pleasure to water and inspect each bush, tree and flower, it was a responsibility and when we went for a couple of days to Eilat I worried for their wellbeing! Mohammed went from trough to pot, carefully assessing the amount of water needed, sweeping away all the dead leaves that I could manage and all with a broad smile. He said in all his years he had never seen such a beautiful veranda. Of course I agreed. I picked the first orange of the season, from one of the little orange trees, and Zvi and I shared it; it tasted amazing! Before eating we repeated the blessing, the prayer of thanks for bringing us to this day. The prayer that we should all be saying after seeing the families reunite, בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה  Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, shehecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higianu la-z'man hazeh

Translation - Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has given us life, sustained us, and allowed us to reach this day. Amen.

 

Today would have been our lovely Valeri’s birthday. Ira, Tomer and Sheli are going to be with his family in Ashkelon, but Zvi and I send them all our love. We miss him horribly. Family is not necessarily a blood relationship, it can be a sense of belonging together and the Silver family, yes they have the same surname as my maiden name, is family in every sense.

 

Since you already know the words, now you can sing along to the song! I love this upbeat, happy rendition. Cantor's Yanky Lemmer and Pinchas Cohen singing Shehechiyanu https://youtu.be/6RaQd4Azwlg?si=U0r3bWIoYEqRUfVz

 

Daniel Wais lost both of his parents on that fateful, horrific day in October 2023 but he would not fall into the trap of constant mourning, he honoured his parent’s memories by rising up, singing their favourite songs and here, together with Y-Studs he sings Vehi Sheamda. A Passover song that applies year round. The words of the prayer are clear “That which stood for our ancestors​ applies to us as well. For it was not only one individua​l who stood up against us to destroy us. Rathe​r, in every generation they stand up against us to destroy us. But the Holy One, Blessed Be He, redeems us from their hands. https://youtu.be/fY1wgTq9SRM?si=Qj2zMTXuWr_0GAa5

 

I still remember the very first time I ever heard this song. It was with Habonim youth group in Cardiff, in the park beside Castel Coch, and one of our group began to sing, his name was Theo Christie z”l and to this day he is sorely missed, but the memory of his introduction to this joyous song remains. If I Had a Hammer, sung by Trini Lopez with Andre Rieu. https://youtu.be/NC91QRXkbSA?si=KWEIu9TM4juU9syF

 

Please God, the bell of freedom will ring out loud and clear for all the people of the world.

 

I wish you a Shabbat Shalom from my beautiful and freshly reorganised veranda. May your lives blossom and bear fruit as the tiny trees that respond to the love I pour on them. May all the returnees find peace and the families of those who did not come home alive, find consolation.

 

With much love and wishes for a peaceful Shabbat wherever you live, however you pray, even if you don’t pray but you are a good person, I send love.

 

Sheila

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Habiyta - Coming Home

 

18 Tishrei 5786

734 days, 7th October 2023 – 10th October 2025

 

Golda Meir, in 1973 after the Yom Kippur War said “Perhaps it is too early yet to say in the aftermath of the war for we are actually living and ceasefire in a war which is not yet ended”

 

Shabbat Shalom dear friends. Perhaps the first hopeful Shabbat for two years, putting the Simcha (joy) back into Simchat Torah.

 

Shabbat is nearing and shalom, that oh so impossible dream, is just beyond reach. The incredible fact is that, if the dream comes true, it is through the entry of Turkey and the Arab countries into the picture, and the determination of one American President. Turkey has spent the last 15 or 20 years looking for acceptance, rejected by the EU, backing the enemies of the West and now, finally finding an ally for an international cause in President Trump. Like him or not, President Trump did it; his team, from Steve Witkoff to Jared Kushner succeeded; where negotiations failed, threats worked.

 

After the tears of the magnificent 2-year memorial performances in Tel Aviv’s HaYarkon Park, nobody expected the news that they, the hostages, albeit shadows of who they were, are coming home to their distraught families. But it happened, the announcement came yesterday "Reports from Egypt: Hamas has started to gather the hostages to safe places" and Einav Zangauker, laughing and crying simultaneously, understood that her Matan was coming home. Einav Zangauker who kept our heads high, Einav Zangauker, the lioness who took on the world, learned to speak out with brilliant eloquence and was determined as only a mother can be. Einav hugged and was hugged by everyone in Hostage Square.

 

An agreement was signed by Israel, the USA and Hamas in Egypt and after two long years they will come home. The hospitals involved have prepared sterile areas, separate bedrooms with beds for a loved ones too. Food is a huge element because after two years of starvation their intake must be carefully monitored and of course their physical scars must be tended as their deep and terrifying psychological scars. Specialist medical staff returned from vacations; their expertise gained over and through the previous returns home.

 

So many heroes. There is no one hero in the war that we have been subjected to. There is no one hero because our soldiers not only fought to their last breath, they saw things that no human being should see. Our soldiers are our heroes, they are our children and they are the future of this country. Heroes like Zaka, Magen David Adom and the hundreds of paramedics who have risen to the cause. This country is different from any other country at war because everything is personal, it is right here in our midst and on our doorstep. We don’t fly thousands of miles to fight and we go to every funeral and sit with the families in the Shiva (seven days of mourning).

 

 In the Middle East nothing comes without a price and that price is the release of almost 2,000 convicted terror prisoners of which 250 are serving life sentences. They, the 250, will be sent either to Qatar or to Turkey who will hopefully ensure that they don’t continue their plans for another October 7^th attack.

 

One incredible aspect of this war, is that young people, be it young Israelis flying from all corners of the world to come home and defend this country; volunteers young and old who came from far and wide to support and help; who have fed soldiers, cared for soldiers wives and widows, cared for the elderly who have lost their grandchildren and gone south to help rebuild those houses that were destroyed on that ghastly day  in October.

 

The rampant anti-Semitism throughout the world, may or may not lose impetus, not because its origins bear no relationship to facts or even to Gaza, its manipulations clear through clever lies. It is called DARVO (an acronym for "Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender") is a reaction that perpetrators of wrongdoing, may display in response to being held accountable for their behaviour. Research indicates that it is a common manipulation strategy of psychological abusers. DARVO is a tactic used by a perpetrator to avoid accountability for their actions. The perpetrator denies the harm or abuse ever took place. When confronted with evidence, the perpetrator then attacks the person that they had harmed, or are still harming. Finally, the perpetrator claims that they were or are actually the victim in the situation, thus reversing the positions of victim and offender.  Like in “Free free Palestine”

 

There are some friends whose loyalty has never been in doubt. The ICEJ, the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem, was formed all those years ago when the other Embassies of too many countries abandoned Jerusalem, and until today they hold the Tabernacles parades and spread the truth about what happens here. The ICEJ is a worldwide organisation, but then there are the single, special people, word warriors like our friend Earl Cox and Dr Mike Evans who not only writes prolifically but created the FOZ (Friends of Zion) Museum in Jerusalem. These men and women care about Biblical Israel and understand that Jews are just the hors d’ouevres, Christians are the main course. Which brings me to Bill Maher. Bill Maher says things that others fear to say https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPaiigKjGsP/?igsh=cnMxNGNudnVxaWh6

  and by the way, Aayan Hirsi Ali would agree as would her husband Sir Niall Campbell Ferguson whose podcast I will listen to today.  https://www.youtube.com/live/X2ijLzeXLSA?si=4PlOtEIo0Y-f_b6v 

 

The Haredi soldiers of the Hashmona’im Troupe are finally leaving Gaza and they are doing it in style! A feast, dancing and singing they are homeward bound.

 

As you can imagine, this has been a week of emotional highs and lows. Last weekend we were in Eilat with Zvi’s boys and their families. It was lovely and we chose to celebrate Leor’s birthday then because his actual birthday is on October 7^th. Eilat is a fun place, Israel’s only tourist centre and it was packed. Israelis don’t want to fly off to their usual holiday destinations for fear of being physically and verbally attacked – except for the more adventurous ones who explore Japan, Sri Lanka and the South pacific. The hotel was full of young families, beautiful happy toddlers splashing in the children’s pool or racing down the hotel’s long lobby. It really was enjoyable, especially for the girls who used the excuse that Eilat is a tax-free city to spend their parent’s money!!

 

The drive home was a little less enjoyable! We never do the four and a half hour drive in one go, always stopping for a coffee and to stretch our legs. At each petrol or charging station we saw reminders of our national pain – stickers covered the walls of the coffee shop entrance, stickers with the names and faces and quotes of the hostages. It was a stark reminder that the nuisance of the long drive was truly irrelevant in comparison to the truth of our situation.

 

The day before yesterday was very special. Justin Selig and three of their four children came to visit! Rachel, Talia and I took them down to our lovely family coffee shop and the Yemenite fare of Motzleh, where Zvi joined us and we caught up on all their news. Justin was and always will be my late son Daniel’s best friend. They were the two “nerds” (studious and not fashionable) of Carmel College from the age of 10. The two families were close and Daniel and Justin spent their Gap Year together. A special relationship indeed.

 

And so to Shabbat with all the anticipation of what the next few days will bring. Anticipation and trepidation mixed in with hope for the future. Apparently the main road to Jerusalem will be closed tomorrow although we thought that President Trump’s visit would be later.

 

Our songs this week are songs of hope, songs that will lift your spirits and bring us together no matter where we are in the world.

 

The first song was written well before the 7^th of October but became an anthem for the hostages. “Bring Them Home” the call “Coming Home” the song. https://youtu.be/0ieaEZaknss?si=oGlfx9aJQhBb1kwf

 

Another Anthem for 2 years is “Habyita” Come Home, here sung by a very special group of people, in Hebrew with English subtitles. https://youtu.be/QzJpEwpYsLA?si=ARHAeSZnjBApG6Mf

 

As children of the 60’s, Zvi and I remember this song as one of hope and determination to win the fight over evil. When I asked Zvi which song exemplifies our time, he immediately said “We Shall Overcome”  "I'll Overcome Some Day" was a gospel music composition by the Reverend Charles Albert Tindley of Philadelphia that was first published in 1901 and became the symbol of the March in Alabama of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. https://youtu.be/1osKWCDXl40?si=_zkirYYHhSopn3lP  

 

On the 8^th of October Zvi wrote this current war is the final stage of Israel’s War of Independence, a war that has been a constant in our lives since 1947 in the United Nations. It isn’t the end but perhaps as Churchill said in November 1942 “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning”.

 

Oh my goodness, this promises to be a memorable Shabbat; a memorable Succot, Tabernacles. Please God by next week I can write about the arrival of the hostages, no the arrival home of the returnees, home to their loving families so that they, all of us, can heal.

 

These two years we have learned the devastation brought about by hatred. The devastation brought about by vengeance and teaching your children to hate. The next step is to un-teach, to re-teach the children of Gaza, to give them back their childhood, to rebuild what is destroyed in Israel and in Gaza, to try to take hate out of our lexicon and replace it with a prayer for peace.

 

Shabbat Shalom from our home to yours, from Israel, Jerusalem, where it all started 3,000 years ago when King David founded a city on a hill and began to write poetry which became Psalms which we all recite.

 

With much love from our Veranda and its view over Jerusalem.

Sheila