180504
4th
May 2018
Shabbat
Shalom my friends. I hope you are well.
Rhetoric. When does rhetoric
become disinformation and disinformation propaganda and propaganda incitement
to hatred?
Rhetoric
is
defined as "Language designed to have persuasive or impressive effect on
its audience, but often regarded as lacking in sincerity or meaningful content"
Today's rhetoric is far more sinister and has become propaganda - and, as
Goebbels proved, is an alternative truth that is more acceptable than reality.
Mahmoud
Abbas
stated clearly that the Jews deserved their fate in the Shoah since they were
usurers etc – although carefully avoided mention of the homosexuals, Catholics
and communists. Even the New York Times condemned his words calling for his
resignation, admittedly while condemning Israel and settlements but nonetheless
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/27/opinion/sunday/mahmoud-abbas-resign.html
A Rabbi
spoke at a ceremony to commemorate those who died in an Italian transit and
extermination Camp – Risiera di San Sabba – and was booed and faced with
Palestinian flags. Of this instance Didier Lestienne wrote
“It should not be said that those who booed
the rabbi are ‘young people without culture and without historical memory’.
Maybe orchestrated, but not innocent.” Sadly, regardless of whether they
were put up to it or not, so many young Europeans have been brainwashed into
believing a very different narrative that it has now entered the European and
Muslim mindset. If you doubt me, just look at Britain, where the Labour Party,
the main opposition and soon possibly the government, has to all intents and
purposes adopted a narrative that discriminates against any Jew seeking to
assert his or her right to a homeland. Across Europe Jews are now told to hide
their identity.
Thanks
to Jeremy Rosen for the quote
We
should not be complacent, it is all too easy to say "Europe is lost", it
can happen anywhere in the world. The rhetoric became lies and is now indoctrination
verging on brainwashing. Jews are not acceptable, we are told to hide our identity
and disappear. Don't buy your children Magen Davids, don't wear a kippa – as if
we are the ones guilty of inciting violence upon ourselves.
It is
not new. On this newsletter I have oft referred to the fact that FDR refused to
enter WW2 until his own country was attacked in Pearl Harbour – not by the
Third Reich but by Japan, a totally different enemy. It was against American
moral codes. Now we know why. FDR was not just an anti-Semite, he believed in
eugenics. He didn't accept Jewish refugees because he wanted them spread thinly
all over the world. I got my answer as to why he refused to take the USA into a
just war and refused Churchill's pleas to bomb the railway lines of death http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-arts-and-culture/260862/m-project-franklin-delano-roosevelt-jews
Reactions
to PM Netanyahu's Iran Nuclear danger speech were mixed. Some said it was
too theatrical, some suggested it wasn't news but rather old information but
nobody doubted the genius of the Israeli Secret Service in removing the files
and discs to give actual proof. Here is the speech, it starts in Hebrew but is
predominantly in English. https://tinyurl.com/y7ejj4nd
Laugh
at the theatrical approach of the PM but an Israeli satellite company reports
and displays unusual activity at the Iranian Nuclear facility in Qoms https://www.timesofisrael.com/
President
Trump
has put forward a proposal that Israel transfer 4 Arab neighborhoods of
Jerusalem to the Palestinian Authority – Jabl Mukaber, Shoefat, Issawiya and
Abu Dis. The strange thing is that this was exactly the proposal of Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert, a proposal that Mahmoud Abbas walked away from. It is a
good proposal, it is a logical proposal since all four neighborhoods consider
themselves Palestinians anyway, even though they receive all the municipal,
health and social services of Israel. I think it is an excellent idea to give
them a jolt of reality to live in an utterly corrupt society, without any
social benefits, that they have been supporting for years.
Incidentally
Israel has just signed a $775 million deal with the Palestinian Authority for
an independent electricity supply for the West Bank – excluding Gaza where the
people suffer long electricity cuts. Why not Gaza? Partly because the PA is
sick of paying and never getting money back from Hamas but mostly to squeeze
Hamas until they leave.
Enough
sadness – enough news
– let's go into our wonderful social life this week!
The
week started last weekend with our grand-daughter Gili's 9th
birthday and Irit Lev's Mum Dita's 90th!
Both were real celebrations.
On
Monday
Jill and I went down to Shouk Ramle to search out bargains and absorb
the atmosphere – the very noisy, bustling atmosphere. A market in every sense
of the word the site is empty during the week, a huge covered space which holds
no secret of what happens from 07:00 on a Monday morning. Market traders arrive
from all corners of Israel, in time to spread out their wares in semi-permanent
sites next to the Malha Train Station. From baby clothes for 5 shekels to
beautiful kitchen ware; from disposable cookware to designer soft furnishings;
from rows upon rows of brightly coloured sweets and dried fruits to stickers……
yes stickers, my grandchildrens favourite. In fact last time Daniel and Karen brought
Joshua and Callie all the way from New York we went to visit the site of
Safta's gift purchases and took photos with the delighted owners. Jill found
some delightful bargains to take back to the UK and a particularly gorgeous
pseudo Sportsac!!
While
Jill and I were browsing bargains Zvi took Irit Lev's family from Seattle on a
tour of the Old City. They learned so many new things, different things,
special things that anyone who has not been to Israel in general and Jerusalem
in particular cannot understand. They were amazed at the number of Arabs who
live and work and have normal lives in Jerusalem. They firmly believed that
Israel was the apartheid state the left claim and Arabs weren't allowed here!!
Gosh it makes me furious – Israel is a wonderful free society for all her
citizens.
We
enjoyed a total Goldstein week – lunch in Mahane Yehuda with Michael and
Dorothy which was absolutely wonderful and then we had an extra special
surprise when they came for breakfast with a lovely fruit salad, of course I made
Shakshuka and we sat around the kitchen table………. after a tour of the verandah
then later today I will be with Gloria in Tel Aviv for a chat and a coffee. Not
that I will be satisfied with a short visit – hopefully we can meet again next
week! What!!!! I can hear your cries of dismay from here, but don't worry a
description of our Mahane Yehuda visit follows!
Mahane
Yehuda,
that most Jerusalem of Jerusalem sites. It began as a place for farmers to sell
their produce and today is a phenomenal bustling social experience. The
costermongers still shout their wares, from incredible, "straight off the
tree and field" fruits and vegetables, heaped in a glorious multicoloured display,
to the designer jewellery store, unbelievable variety of halva, tisanes and
spices whose scent fills the entire shouk. Dodging trolleys is the name of the
game and of course meeting friends. Yaron Tzidkiyahu is a friend and an
important political figure in Jerusalem and of course in the shouk where his father
was one of the senior figures. Tzidkiyahus not only has the best pickles and
ready food but also the best of Israeli cheeses, all kosher, all absolutely delicious.
At night it changes face completely as the shutters of the stalls come down the
chairs and tables come out and Mahane Yehuda becomes one big night
club/bar/coffee shop and the average age goes down to 21!
On
Wednesday Dr Motti Friedman, aka Mottle, came for a cuppa. I love to
make a tisane from mint, lemon grass, ginger and cinnamon stick – I am happy to
say that Mottle agreed. He and Zvi chatted and decided – they really enjoy each
other. Mottle is the founder and emeritus expert on Theodore Herzl and any
conversation with him on history is special. That's why he and Zvi get on so
well!!
And
so to Lag b'Omer,
the day of celebration and joy during the more sombre days of the counting of
the Omer. http://www.jewfaq.org/holidayb.htm Lag b'Omer, what is the meaning of Lag
b'Omer? Well yes it is the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer and
represents the determined bringing of light to Judaism by Rabbi Shimon ben
Yochai and visiting his grave in Meron. For me it is about Rabbi Akiva.
Rabbi Akiva was Bar Yochais teacher and during the Omer a plague raged amongst
his students. Rabbi Akiva told them it was because they did not show respect
one to another, they lacked love but on Lag b'Omer the plague ended and they
learned respect. Hence the lighting of bonfires as beacons to respect. If only
the lighting of beacons also indicated respect and love of each other today.
Today
and tomorrow the Giro bicycle race is in Israel, the first time that it
has been held outside Italy. It is so exciting! Today it begins in Jerusalem
with 10k time trials around the Walls of the Old City and nearby neighborhoods http://giro-bigstartisrael.com/eng/about.html
Finally
a truly magnificent woman received the honour of the Israel Prize her name is Miram
Peretz. She came from a family
of emigres from Morocco who did not speak or read Hebrew. Today speaks of her
heart in perfect, high Hebrew. Israel Prizewinner Miriam Peretz is a powerful woman, an inspiration to one and
all. She lost two sons to Arab terror while serving as IDF soldiers. She also
lost her husband to a broken heart after the loss of their first son.
Overcoming the tremendous natural sadness from her huge loss, she now spreads
love, joy and appreciation to all who hear her. With English subtitles, the
most incredible speech.
https://israelunwired.com/the-speech-of-the-century-that-everyone-is-listening-to/
So,
what else? Music of course!!!
Netta
Barzilai is the antithesis of a skinny pop star and certainly of the various
country representatives in the Eurovision Song Contest. She is happily
overweight, sings the funkiest song ever heard in the contest and present a
totally different face of Israel. It is the front runner!! I love the song, Zvi
hates it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CziHrYYSyPc
I just
found this song and I love it! Women sing - 70 years old https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oLVmKqj1fI
So
that's it!
Shabbat
Shalom to you all, wherever you may be, whatever you do, whoever you are. May
your Sabbath be one of thoughtful kindness and love
With
love from Jerusalem and our View from the Veranda
Sheila
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