Wednesday 30 September 2009

Succot and Tabernacles Sameach from Sheila

090923

29th September 2009.

Chag Succot Sameach, Happy Festival of Tabernacles.

Welcome to the thousands and thousands of Christians who have come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles with the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem http://www.icej.org/ . Welcome and Shalom.

Glen Beck is known for the strong, sometimes excessive emotion and levity of his monologues on Fox News, but even his greatest detractors could not find fault with this interview of Former US Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton on the subject of President Obama's speech to the General Assembly of the United Nations. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tifr101lGvQ

Very deep and real concerns were raised in his interview with John Bolton but I was infinitely more concerned by the reaction of the Assembly. When President Obama mentioned Israel's security, there was silence, when he mentioned a contiguous Palestinian State applause broke out. No-one there cared that such a move, the fusion of two very different peoples, would mean that Israel had no contiguous State! Goebbels would be proud of the UN, and apparently of the President, because it is clear that their brainwashing is a resounding success. Unless we all get up on our hind legs and shout it is too late; not for Israel, but for us all.

The United Nations gave voice to a uniformed and armed Yassir Arafat, who ranted and raved to great applause and now handed over the podium to anti-democratic tyrants who shoot and maim their opponents and allowed them to spit their malevolent, mendacious venom in the supposed hallowed halls without compunction.

Muammar Ghaddafi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvOo5LK22sg

Mahmoud Ahmedinejad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EBgqgIWuoc



The best liar is he who makes the smallest amount of lying go the longest way. Samuel Butler



After three British Moslems were convicted of a foiled attempt to blow up 7 aeroplanes with drinks bottles, an American/Afghani immigrant pleads not guilty to an even bigger conspiracy. http://www.investigativeproject.org/1440/ny-terror-suspect-enters-not-guilty-plea



Steve Emerson was the first and strongest voice on Islamic terrorism and much maligned when his book Jihad in America was published. He was considered a hot-head and fear-monger until September 11th when his words became the terrifying truth and he became a Presidential Advisor. Steve has an excellent website outlining and addressing all our concerns. Be informed. http://www.investigativeproject.org/



Doesn't America see the writing on the wall? Don't the European leaders see that it is not Israel that presents a threat? Are we waiting for that bomb, that rocket, the planes that fall out of the sky, that 9/11 to wake us up again? And how long 'til we fall back into that dreamland where good always wins through?



The scandalous (failed) attempt by British Lawyers to have Minister of Defence Ehud Barak arrested for war crimes has some surprising funders. Read Tom Gross' blog http://media.nationalreview.com/post/?q=Y2RkMzk3NmRiZWVhM2YzOTBjM2IxZDdhMDI0OTg5OTg=



The incomparable Maurice Ostroff has been in constant contact with Judge Richard Goldstone, a fellow South African, and has prepared a summary of his, and our, deep reservations of the Goldstone Report on "Operation Cast Lead" in Gaza. It makes fascinating reading and backs up what I said earlier – The United Nations demands half truths in its reports in order to back its preconceived ideas.

http://www.2nd-thoughts.org/id235.html



A lie which is half a truth is ever the blackest of lies. Alfred, Lord Tennyson



Our greatest asset is our ability is to celebrate. On the 6th, 7th and 8th of October there will be a direct transmission from Times Square New York and the Tel Aviv Port which will be decorated as a mini-Times Square! Let's all gather in both places and wave!!! http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3781464,00.html



As soon as stomachs were sated after Yom Kippur, the sound of hammers and electric drills echoed long into the night as young and old, religious and secular worked on the first stages of their Succah (Tabernacle). Verandas throughout the land sport huts of wood or fabric. The festival starts on Saturday night and continues for a week of food, food more food and visitors! Those of you who delight in my epicurean descriptions, hold on to your seats!! Borsht, goulash, kibbeh, holishkes and sarmis fill the streets with the amazing aromas of a people dispersed for 2,000 years. The most diverse recipes I could find for Sukkot are http://www.epicurious.com/tools/searchresults?type=advanced&threshold=39&att=192



The streets of religious neighbourhoods are packed with stalls for Succah decorations, children milling between the feet of the adults checking out the bags of sweets! The principle search is for the best etrog and lulav. The inspection of both is intense, choosing the purest of any species is essential. "On the first day you shall take the fruit of a citrus tree, palm branches, boughs of thick trees and brook willows, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days." (Vayikra 23:40) "The fruit of the beautiful tree" is the etrog; "date palms" refers to the palm stem [lulav]; "a branch of the thick-bough tree" is the myrtle [hadas]; and "willows" of the brook" is the willow branch [arava].





Our veranda is spectacular at this time of year. The pomegranate tree bears its pink and red fruits proudly as it stands before the autumnal landscape of Jerusalem. The kumquat trees are still hiding their tiny fruits amongst the greenery – with the promise of tuning bright orange very soon. Talking of oranges – despite drought and searing heat the tiny, metre high orange tree has produced three perfectly formed fruits! The herbs thrive on the dish-water irrigation and the Hadas provides a fragrant green border. The hibiscus is showing off its huge orange and peach flowers next to the scarlet "Valerie" fuchsias and the outrageous purple of the bougainvillea.



With love from Jerusalem, centre of the world and city of pilgrimage to Jews and Christians on this most auspicious of festivals. Chag Sukkot Sameach

Sheila



AS I WRITE THE NEWS IS COMING IN OF A DEAL WITH HAMAS FOR A CURRENT VIDEO TAPE OF GILAD SCHALIT WHICH WILL BE DELIVERED TO HIS PARENTS IN EXCHANGE FOR ISRAEL RELEASING 20 WOMEN PRISONERS. It is important to note that 19 of the prisoners are from the West Bank and only one from Gaza, which is Hamas showing the people of the West Bank that President Abbas can bring them prosperity but only Hamas can get prisoners released

Sunday 27 September 2009

gmar hatima tova

090927

27th September 2009.



Shana Tova, Shevua Tov and Gmar Chatima Tova

(Happy New Year, a Good Week and May you be written in the Book of Life)



Rosh Hashana came and went with the usual vast quantities of food, prayer and repentance. Today we are on the verge of Yom Kippur. Despite popular belief, Yom Kippur is not only about fasting; it is about praying so deeply that one is beyond the need for food, beyond the need for worldly things but rather, deep in repentance, atonement and prayer for a better, purer, kinder world – and a better self.



Ahmedinejad of Iran spoke and too many listened. The mere fact that such a controversial leader who constantly threatens Western society verbally and actually, should be given free reign to spurt his poison is beyond my understanding. Had the same dictates prevailed in the time of his hero Adolph Hitler, who was also democratically elected, he too could have stood before the Assembly to rationalize his policies. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1024097.html



Last night it was revealed that Iran has been secretively building a large, 3,000 centrifuge, nuclear facility for military use deep inside a mountain close to the Holy Shi'a Moslem city of Qom, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qom . Israel and the USA were aware of its existence but Mohammed El Baradei chose not to disclose this terrifying fact while reaping the Nobel Prize for Peace. It is not only Israel that is within range – all of Europe is in danger and far further afield.



Thanks to Tom Gross for sending this marvelous video of an Israeli satirical programme (with subtitles) in response to all the idiocy which surrounds the UN in general and the Human Rights Commission in particular. Thank G-d Israelis know how to laugh at ourselves and those who behave in a risible, yet dangerous manner. http://media.nationalreview.com/post/?q=OTdjMzIwZDEyYzk1N2MzOTAzYmIyOTNiN2RmZDRlOGM=&p=1



Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke before the Chamber of the United Nations Assembly in calm and measured tones despite the strong message contained in his speech. He did not rant nor rave, he did not point the finger; he simply stated facts, of the Holocaust, of Israel's amazing progress and contribution to the world and of his fear that the UN would heed the words of a dictator with a fearful agenda rather than America's greatest ally. Applause came when our Prime Minister said he looks toward the day when Palestinians will live in freedom in their own state and at the end of his speech, considered by many to be of historic importance. http://blogs.jta.org/politics/article/2009/09/24/1008134/netanyahus-un-general-assembly-speech



Brava Canada. Not only did the community put up a brilliant fight during the Toronto Film Festival anti-Israel campaign; not only did the Canadian Ambassador lead the walk-out during Ahmedinejad's farcical performance at the UN for which David Koschitzky, Chair, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto thanked him ; now the community has initiated the "Buycott" Israel campaign. Jessica Glesby sent me this link http://www.buycottisrael.ca/form.php





Talking of Canada Leonard Cohen performed in Israel to a packed audience at the Ramat Gan Stadium despite death threats. The performer offered to give the profit from his performance to Israeli and Palestinian causes but they refused. He offered to give a performance n Ramallah but they refused. His songs are strong, even though his voice is weak and he wowed the audience by chanting the Priestly Blessing at the end of the night. Be patient, it is at the end of the video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6Y1x2y3qyg





Yom Kippur in Jerusalem is a truly spiritual experience – for religious and secular Jerusalemites alike. The city begins to wind down at 14:00 as public transport and radio shut down and even the enormous cement factory near Ramleh shuts of the machinery for the one 25 hour rest of the year. At 16:00 families gather to eat the pre-festival meal, from the full meal of chopped liver or pastellas, Kneidlach or Kubeh soup, roast chicken with roast potatoes or turkey breast stuffed with rice and fruit and then the inevitable dessert all of which make you pray that you will not have to eat another mouthful for at least a week, to the "sensible" folk who take a small boiled egg to reduce their stomach size. At about 17:00 everyone changes into their finest and lightest clothes, take out the family prayer book for Yom Kippur, a well fingered Machzor passed down through the centuries or a shiny new Bar-Mitzva gift - and head off to the synagogue for Kol Nidre. White clad parents and children walk as the City, and the country, comes to a standstill, absolute calm as vehicles are silenced and Kol Nidre begins. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvWxoYULWrw



The stillness is almost eerie as the sun sets crimson, reflecting on the glistening white stone of the city, only the occasional dog barking disturbs the purity of the night – but a noisy element lies in wait! Children have been oiling their bicycles and skateboard wheels for days in preparation for this night as the empty streets and highways of Jerusalem's hills become one great big race-track for the pre-barmitzva children of the city. Whoops of delight interspersed with a strange almost guttural rumbling as tiny tots on trundle trucks vie for space with highly sophisticated articulated skateboards are the backdrop to a hum of prayer, each in the traditions of their ancestors and the lands of their dispersion. From the restrained and swaying prayer of Eastern Europe to the wailing and emotional prayer of North Africa – including the noisy auction of Aliyas (calling to the Torah). Families walk home after the service and the still of the night is complete as we dream of a better, kinder world – although most of us would settle for a more rational world which rewards acts of kindness and finds cruelty repugnant. Tomorrow night when Yom Kippur draws to an end our prayers reach their climax, the shofar is sounded and the Heavens open to accept our atonement and our prayers for the coming year. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2683419944205365912#docid=8288453026136065415



May you be inscribed in the Book of Life – Gmar Chatima Tova.

With much love from Jerusalem

Sheila



PS For those of you who telephone family and friends in Israel, our clocks went back an hour last night!

Thursday 17 September 2009

Shabbat Shalom and Shana Tova 5770

090917

17th September 2009 - Rosh Hashana 5770



Incredibly another year has passed. We have been misunderstood and loved; maligned and lauded; proud and ashamed; stood tall and bent our heads before bullies. We must understand who and what we are in order to stay a strong people and continue "Tikun Olam" – making this world a better place. Breast-beating is not sufficient.



It was hard choosing what to wish for you and your families, over and above the obvious. My wish list responds to the Goldstone Report and the general rise in anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment.



Know who you are so no-one can tell you that you are someone else.

Learn our history, our Bible, our moral code, our sages, our example, our science, our physical presence and contribution to the countries we live in.

Never be afraid to say "I am a Jew".

Lies and calumny cannot change reality, so be prepared to stand up, write up and speak out before the lies become the assumed truth.

Do not suffer censorship in the name of religion. Hiding our teachings or our history cannot be tolerated in order to appease others. There is room in this world for every form of worship and thought; if we all accept those who are different to us, within and without – and are accepted by them in return.

Israel is a fine country built on the land of our ancestors, where, despite the exile Jews have lived for 3,000 years, and a fine example of democracy and freedom. Certainly one of the most beautiful countries, Israel has indisputably made the greatest contribution to modern intellectual and medical knowledge.

Remember that it is not a sin to defend yourself. Prepare for war but pray for peace and work toward it with all your heart. Had the Goldstone Commission looked into the Second World War, or Afghanistan, Korea, Iraq or Waterloo, they would have found that the standards of conduct would not be to their liking either. The Commission ignored the cruelty of Arab to Arab and chose to denigrate Israel.

Raise your pens and take action to change perceptions. Ensure that the world knows that an Israeli house is just as important as a Palestinian one.

Take time to teach your children from whence they came so that they will know to reach into their future.

Dream great dreams because without great dreams we lose hope.



The supermarkets and shopping malls are full to bursting as all Israel searches for gifts for the Festivals, new clothes for the children and food, food, food. The aromas of diverse cultures, each of whom brought their epicurean traditions with varying levels of spiciness, depending upon how far north their families found respite before coming home, testify to the fact that the intense cooking has started. The predominant smell is that of blackened aubergine and peppers – the precursors to all salads! Tomorrow the soups begin – the fish is fried, the tables set. Homes are sparkling, the white tablecloths hanging on washing lines ready for family gatherings on Friday night and Shabbat and Sunday and the "Selichot" (repentance) prayers have been said. http://www.ou.org/chagim/elul/selichotprinc.htm Thousands came from all over Israel to pray at the Western Wall and to walk the stones of history, our history. Jerusalem is preparing for a new year, a fresh start and deep prayer for greater justice and equality in our deeply flawed but incredibly hopeful world.



If I have hurt or harmed you in any way during 5769 then I apologise. I never intentionally hurt anyone, but such is the way of human behaviour and I promise to do better in the coming year.

To Uri Scharf – I hope you see that I already gave you enough "air"!



Zvi and I wish you a joyous year of health and fulfillment, traditions and blessings, family and friends.



Shana Tova u mevorach (a Happy and blessed New Year)





Sheila

Sunday 13 September 2009

Assaf Ramon z"l

090913

13th September 2009.



I am so sad to report that Lieutenant Assaf Ramon, eldest son of the late astronaut Ilan Ramon, was killed today in a tragic accident. Ramon's F16 fighter plane crashed into a stony hillside and the pilot was killed instantly.

The children of those killed in the line of duty do not need to serve in combat units, indeed they need to volunteer and receive the remaining parents consent to do so.



Our hearts go out to Rona Ramon whose heart is broken again with tragedy.



Assaf completed his pilot's course with honours just two months ago following in the footsteps of his father, Ilan Ramon, some 35 years ago. Col. Ilan Ramon became the first Israeli to fly into space, but tragically the Colombia space shuttle he was in crashed as it returned to earth in 2003.

Assaf was 15 when he lost his father. Even then, he announced his desire to follow in his path and become a pilot.

May their souls rest in peace and may Rona and son Yiftach know no more sorrow.

Friday 11 September 2009

Shabbat Shalom from Sheila

090911

11th September 2009.



Shabbat Shalom dear friends.



11th September 2001. Incredibly it is now eight years since we watched the in disbelief as two aeroplanes, one after the other, struck the symbols of capitalism and the success of democracy in the most horrific spectacle imaginable; knowing it was a terror attack but praying it was a freak accident so we would not have to consider that man could be so inhuman, so calculating, so cruel and so catastrophically brain-washed to perform such an act of insanity. We thought it would change the free world and make them understand the enemy but it didn't because we are just too "PC" to perform spot checks. We are too "PC" to denounce the hatemongering performed by clean cut white people too, but their insidious form of hatred does not include mass murder – this time.



As we remember those murdered, not in cold blood but with seething hatred, we have to recognize that it can and probably will happen again until we find a way to seek out those who would perpetrate such atrocities and those too cowardly to act themselves but send them on their deadly task. We owe the memory of the 3,000 innocents and their families to ensure the safety of our children. We owe the memory of the brave firemen and police that we will continue their tasks in protecting life.



An even bigger massacre was planned from the UK. Ever alert undercover police successfully foiled a plot to perform the biggest terror attack of all time by blowing 7 passenger planes out of the sky simultaneously, to "outdo" the 9/11 attacks, using apparently innocent drinks bottles filled with peroxide. Police caught them and the courts sentenced 3 terrorists- all British born and bred – who changed the face of flying. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6825404.ece



Prime Minister Netanyahu paid a visit to Russia and didn't tell the press!!!! How dare a Prime Minster, leader of his country, choose to remain silent on a diplomatic mission!!!! I presume that it was for the good of Israel and subsequent to the Foreign Ministers visit to the FSI.



Torontonians came out and voted with their feet and their buying power when the Toronto Film Festival threatened to become yet another anti-Israel platform for the Islamic right and the loony left. If you have any doubt as to the motives of those involved the co-director of the international film festival showcasing "Tel Aviv" said the city "remains contested ground". The so-called Toronto Declaration claimed that such films by Israeli or other film-makers was an insult to the Palestinian people. I suggest you check very carefully the names of the artists on the list – and boycott them. http://torontodeclaration.blogspot.com/ We should all react like the Torontonians and be there when needed to show them that we no longer walk single file to the gas chambers.



I fail to understand the reasoning of those supposed "bleeding hearts" who are apparently intellectually brilliant and so very, very stupid and naive as to who is doing what to whom. Their grasp of history is tainted by their anti-Semitic feelings and they truly believe that it is we who stole the land from the Palestinians – without recognizing that the West Bank was part of Jordan and Gaza of Egypt. While never claiming that we do or did everything right, we still come out as the good guys of the story. If the tables were turned would Palestinian trucks be trundling back and forth with humanitarian aid for us? Did you hear a word from them about the rape and beating of those who oppose Ahmedinejad? http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6829921.ece or that in the countries they support over Israel that homosexuals are stoned to death?



We have so much to be proud of – from medical research which saved the lives of millions to security measures which save the lives of travelers and shoppers alike; computer firewalls; chat (ICQ was the first!); and of course the cellular phone. Our Israeli Pavilion at the Beijing Expo is the ultimate in beauty and ingenuity – therefore truly representative of Israel. Architect Haim Dotan has done us proud

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc6rmT_1BjM



Katyusha rockets were fired at the North of Israel a few minutes ago, with no injury. Lebanese officials are searching out the culprits. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3775485,00.html



OK, now for truth time. I am so sorry that I told you I had flu and I was deeply moved by your concern, but it was a ruse. My big sister Doreen and her husband Melvyn were celebrating their Golden Wedding and I travelled to the UK to be at their party, but it was all a big secret until I walked in the door!! Had I realized your concern I would have made up a different story! The party was wonderful, Doreen as beautiful as ever and their four children, spouses and their children put on a brilliant show. I was also privileged to be at the 1st birthday of Zachary, my grandson, little brother of Sammy and Olivia, but missed the 40th birthday of my eldest son Daniel in New York. I know that he knows that I adore him – after all he is the best bout of flu (even then I mixed up flu with early pregnancy sickness) any mother could ever wish for. I am the luckiest woman in the world with amazing children and although we are scattered we are still closer than almost any family I know.



I got off the plane at dawn and joined the rush of humanity out of the airport. As I left gate number 2 I was greeted by the "sherut" driver "Yerushalyim, Yerushalyim". The sherut is a spectacularly Israel invention. They are minibuses which run between cities and also meet travelers at the airport. Don't think that they just go to Jerusalem – they are sorted into north, south, east and west for convenience! I opened the "sherut" window to smell that smell. I don't what it is, a mixture of pine, citrus, heat and Israel, I breathed in deeply and knew I was home. My daughter-in-law Stephanie knows just what I mean – she has the same sense of smell! The driver who held a high verbal and angry conversation concerning one of the other drives, kept switching hands on the wheel according to his gestures – as if the other guy could see his descriptive hands. We stopped next to Abu Ghosh for the first drop-off, then to Ein Kerem, Beit ha Kerem, Bayit ve Gan and finally me. Every step of the way my excitement grew as I neared our apartment building and climbed the stairs, crossed the threshold (poor Zvi struggling behind me with the suitcases) I couldn't wait to open the shutters and see Jerusalem spread before me. Home again, home again.



I have to thank my remarkable daughter-in-law Stephanie for letting me be Safta, in every sense of the word, to her and Gideon's amazing children. To all our children I wish Shabbat Shalom and to Joshua Manasse Cammerman - happy 2nd birthday beautiful, happy, gentle boy.



Shabbat Shalom to you all from me, your friend in Jerusalem.

Love

Sheila

Shabbat Shalom from Sheila

090911

11th September 2009.



Shabbat Shalom dear friends.



11th September 2001. Incredibly it is now eight years since we watched the in disbelief as two aeroplanes, one after the other, struck the symbols of capitalism and the success of democracy in the most horrific spectacle imaginable; knowing it was a terror attack but praying it was a freak accident so we would not have to consider that man could be so inhuman, so calculating, so cruel and so catastrophically brain-washed to perform such an act of insanity. We thought it would change the free world and make them understand the enemy but it didn't because we are just too "PC" to perform spot checks. We are too "PC" to denounce the hatemongering performed by clean cut white people too, but their insidious form of hatred does not include mass murder – this time.



As we remember those murdered, not in cold blood but with seething hatred, we have to recognize that it can and probably will happen again until we find a way to seek out those who would perpetrate such atrocities and those too cowardly to act themselves but send them on their deadly task. We owe the memory of the 3,000 innocents and their families to ensure the safety of our children. We owe the memory of the brave firemen and police that we will continue their tasks in protecting life.



An even bigger massacre was planned from the UK. Ever alert undercover police successfully foiled a plot to perform the biggest terror attack of all time by blowing 7 passenger planes out of the sky simultaneously, to "outdo" the 9/11 attacks, using apparently innocent drinks bottles filled with peroxide. Police caught them and the courts sentenced 3 terrorists- all British born and bred – who changed the face of flying. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6825404.ece



Prime Minister Netanyahu paid a visit to Russia and didn't tell the press!!!! How dare a Prime Minster, leader of his country, choose to remain silent on a diplomatic mission!!!! I presume that it was for the good of Israel and subsequent to the Foreign Ministers visit to the FSI.



Torontonians came out and voted with their feet and their buying power when the Toronto Film Festival threatened to become yet another anti-Israel platform for the Islamic right and the loony left. If you have any doubt as to the motives of those involved the co-director of the international film festival showcasing "Tel Aviv" said the city "remains contested ground". The so-called Toronto Declaration claimed that such films by Israeli or other film-makers was an insult to the Palestinian people. I suggest you check very carefully the names of the artists on the list – and boycott them. http://torontodeclaration.blogspot.com/ We should all react like the Torontonians and be there when needed to show them that we no longer walk single file to the gas chambers.



I fail to understand the reasoning of those supposed "bleeding hearts" who are apparently intellectually brilliant and so very, very stupid and naive as to who is doing what to whom. Their grasp of history is tainted by their anti-Semitic feelings and they truly believe that it is we who stole the land from the Palestinians – without recognizing that the West Bank was part of Jordan and Gaza of Egypt. While never claiming that we do or did everything right, we still come out as the good guys of the story. If the tables were turned would Palestinian trucks be trundling back and forth with humanitarian aid for us? Did you hear a word from them about the rape and beating of those who oppose Ahmedinejad? http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6829921.ece or that in the countries they support over Israel that homosexuals are stoned to death?



We have so much to be proud of – from medical research which saved the lives of millions to security measures which save the lives of travelers and shoppers alike; computer firewalls; chat (ICQ was the first!); and of course the cellular phone. Our Israeli Pavilion at the Beijing Expo is the ultimate in beauty and ingenuity – therefore truly representative of Israel. Architect Haim Dotan has done us proud

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc6rmT_1BjM



Katyusha rockets were fired at the North of Israel a few minutes ago, with no injury. Lebanese officials are searching out the culprits. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3775485,00.html



OK, now for truth time. I am so sorry that I told you I had flu and I was deeply moved by your concern, but it was a ruse. My big sister Doreen and her husband Melvyn were celebrating their Golden Wedding and I travelled to the UK to be at their party, but it was all a big secret until I walked in the door!! Had I realized your concern I would have made up a different story! The party was wonderful, Doreen as beautiful as ever and their four children, spouses and their children put on a brilliant show. I was also privileged to be at the 1st birthday of Zachary, my grandson, little brother of Sammy and Olivia, but missed the 40th birthday of my eldest son Daniel in New York. I know that he knows that I adore him – after all he is the best bout of flu (even then I mixed up flu with early pregnancy sickness) any mother could ever wish for. I am the luckiest woman in the world with amazing children and although we are scattered we are still closer than almost any family I know.



I got off the plane at dawn and joined the rush of humanity out of the airport. As I left gate number 2 I was greeted by the "sherut" driver "Yerushalyim, Yerushalyim". The sherut is a spectacularly Israel invention. They are minibuses which run between cities and also meet travelers at the airport. Don't think that they just go to Jerusalem – they are sorted into north, south, east and west for convenience! I opened the "sherut" window to smell that smell. I don't what it is, a mixture of pine, citrus, heat and Israel, I breathed in deeply and knew I was home. My daughter-in-law Stephanie knows just what I mean – she has the same sense of smell! The driver who held a high verbal and angry conversation concerning one of the other drives, kept switching hands on the wheel according to his gestures – as if the other guy could see his descriptive hands. We stopped next to Abu Ghosh for the first drop-off, then to Ein Kerem, Beit ha Kerem, Bayit ve Gan and finally me. Every step of the way my excitement grew as I neared our apartment building and climbed the stairs, crossed the threshold (poor Zvi struggling behind me with the suitcases) I couldn't wait to open the shutters and see Jerusalem spread before me. Home again, home again.



I have to thank my remarkable daughter-in-law Stephanie for letting me be Safta, in every sense of the word, to her and Gideon's amazing children. To all our children I wish Shabbat Shalom and to Joshua Manasse Cammerman - happy 2nd birthday beautiful, happy, gentle boy.



Shabbat Shalom to you all from me, your friend in Jerusalem.

Love

Sheila