201016
16th
October 2020
Good
Shabbes, happy weekend and hello everyone! I hope you are well and keeping your
sanity under lockdown and restrictions.
There
are so many jokes about 2020 not being included in our age because we didn't
really live it but on the other hand – yes we did. We learned so many new skill
sets, expressing our love for family through words instead of hugs; speaking
with our eyes because the rest of our faces are hidden behind masks; living
together, unable to visit or entertain, without picking on everything our
housemates do, and finally, discovering that if we are bored it is our own
fault. So many things.
The
Festivals this year
went by without the usual gatherings, but the High Holy Days, Succot and Tabernacles
came around anyway. I know for a fact that thousands of people who could never
manage to come to Jerusalem did so on the International Christian Embassy in
Jerusalem (ICEJ) Zoom celebration. Many synagogues and Temples did Zoom
services which were better attended than the usual services and people like us
who are lucky enough to live in Israel, sat outside on the street for the
festival services! For Jews the last day of the festivals completes the weekly
reading from the Torah, the story of our life on earth. We complete the story
and carefully wind the huge Scroll back to the beginning and rejoice both the
completion and the new beginning. Adam and Eve find themselves back in the
Garden of Eden where life was simple, everything provided and concerns unknown –
ignorance is bliss. Then it happened, Eve was coaxed by a slithering persuader
to taste the delights of the Tree of Knowledge and "bob's your uncle"
we've been curiouser and curiouser ever since. The question is, is ignorance
really bliss? To believe OUR truth without listening to "opposing counsel"
may be much easier on the brain but is it wise? As usual, Rabbi Jeremy Rosen
explains…… http://jeremyrosen.com/2020/10/adam-and-eve.html
My
favourite moment
of all the festivals was on Simchat Torah when Rachel called me on her WhatsApp
video to show Igal and Yosef dancing around the room with a Chumash (the Torah
in book form). Obviously there was no synagogue service for the usual
jubilation and dancing with the Torah Scrolls at the end of reading, Corona put
an end to that, so they found their own way of celebrating – and Zvi loved it
so much he joined in here!!! Unlike in the Diaspora, one is allowed to do
everything on Simchat Torah
Rabbi
Jonathan Sacks,
former Chief Rabbi of Great Britain and the British Commonwealth, is a great
communicator. His ability to communicate in an open and honest manner took a
new turn this week as he announced that he has cancer. He didn't hide his
illness and unlike so many who are still superstitious about the word he said
cancer – and our prayers go out to him wishing him a Refuah Shlema – a full
recovery.
So
why the title Festivals, Frailties and Fury this weekend. So much fury around –
be it in the American elections, the Palestinians or the Israeli demonstrations
and against the Haredi community here.
One
very interesting
find by one of my readers "In
my office, which used to be the Jerusalem offices of "Haaretz"
newspaper, they left a file of archived articles behind. This morning I was
looking at their weekend supplement for 19th December 1969. There is a long
article about Hebron. The article constantly refers to the Arab
residents "Arabs". Not once does it call them
"Palestinians". So even Haaretz hadn't heard of the Palestinian
nation in 1969"
Another
cause of fury
is aimed at the Haredi community in general and their reaction to the Corona
restrictions, but as always, generalisation is racist. I put two very important
articles on Facebook this week, announcing statements by both Yehuda Meshi
Zahav and the Karliner Rabbi, as devout and pious Jews, members of the Haredi
and Hassidic communities, stating that the current behaviour is unacceptable.
It's a tiny minority which is tainting an entire sector and endangering us all.
The
third is the violence
between the anti and pro Bibi sectors – we all know what happens when the violent
few affect the democratic many.
Talking
of the democratic many….. with a small "d". As I have told you a
hundred times, I not only don't understand the American political system I do
my best not to discuss it except when it touches on Israel. I can only say that
the example shown by our leaders deeply affects the behaviour of our young
people. It is time to return to debate – no slanging matches. Incidentally –
it's the same here….. the calls to order are a joke, what a shame there is
no-one in the Knesset calling "Order, Order" like the late George
Thomas did as Speaker of the House of Commons!
Final
mention on the subject of fury – Am I the only person who believes that
Erdogan is recreating the Ottoman Empire? In 1915 the Turks massacred over 1
million Armenians and now the Azerbaijani-Armenian war over Nagorno Kharabash
has Turkey written all over it.
My
quote of the week
is one we can all relate to. Not short but a synopsis of leadership
“A king does not abide within his tent while his men bleed and
die upon the field. A king does not dine while his men go hungry, nor sleep
when they stand at watch upon the wall. A king does not command his men's
loyalty through fear nor purchase it with gold; he earns their love by the
sweat of his own back and the pains he endures for their sake. That which
comprises the harshest burden, a king lifts first and sets down last. A king
does not require service of those he leads but provides it to them...A king
does not expend his substance to enslave men, but by his conduct and example
makes them free.” Gates of Fire
Enough
of the tough news -
The
research of www.impact-se.org has taken two leaps
forward – we have an agreement, in principle, to work with the Education
Ministry of the United Arab Emirates and our Bill 2343 https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2343/text?r=2&s=1
is about to be presented to Congress in the USA. So proud of you Marcus and the
Impact team.
President
Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin
has proven to be an exceptional President. He made a speech at the opening
session of the Knesset which touched on all aspects of our concerns. Please
read it, it is honest, emotional and brilliant https://www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-of-rivlin-speech-tribalism-is-breaking-out-stop-please-stop/
Sunday,
18th October, the 4th Christian Media Summit will
take place. If you are interested in taking part https://gponewsletter.ravpage.co.il/cms2020
Something
very special happened yesterday – I had a phone call from Kinneret Chaya!
She never fails to amaze me in her openness, positivity and fun. Imagine being
burned within an inch of one's life in a terror attack, surviving, being told
one can never have children, undergoing umpteen surgeries, marrying and having
four children. Gosh I love her so much! To understand who she is, why I
consider her my personal miracle, please please read http://www.theviewfrommyveranda.info/kinneret-chaya-boosany-twig-7-years/
We are all guilty of bemoaning our lot, but KC is someone who blesses every
moment of her life.
This
has been a week of Zoom meetings for both of us. One very exciting
one was to prepare for an amazing Shalva www.shalva.org
Fundraising Show with Lior Suchard…… apparently I will be in the audience! My
other Zoom meeting was supremely important for me as Chairperson of Impact-se
because we heard a full report of our activities from Marcus Sheff. So proud.
So far Zvi and I have successfully co-ordinated our Zoom timings – let's see
what next week brings!
The
Veranda
is looking spectacular and the sunrise gets more beautiful every morning as the
clouds scud across the sky reflecting bright scarlet and gold. The hibiscus
plants are enjoying the warmth of autumn rather than the searing heat of summer
– orange, soft pink and buttery yellow they brighten the mornings. The little
orange tree has produced 3 huge oranges which are now turning colour, the
lemons are growing beautifully and the kumquat tree is producing more fruits by
the day – still dark green but in profusion. Red peppers, lemon grass, an
avocado tree from seed, lemon balm, mint (nana) sage, tarragon and so much
more! Yes I love sitting and enjoying my domain! We exercise each day to the
routine of Avri Gilad on the television and then walk each evening, I usually
do 2 kilometres and Zvi much more but the other day I managed 4 kilometres –
and my new hip was delighted!!!
I'm
ashamed to say that I cannot remember who asked me for the 1930's Yiddish music
but here it is. The Barry Sisters with lyrics so you can sing along!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swPn8E644sA
Now for
something completely different. This is one for all my Christian readers – and because
I adore Sidney Poitier. Amen! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn6w255CGkk
Since
almost all of us are yearning to see family and friends and have not been near
an airport for such a long time I thought you'd enjoy this one! Haveinu Shalom
Aleichem from Ben Gurion Airport!! The singers and musicians are from the
Jerusalem Academy of Music and my Zvi is on the Board of Directors of the
Academy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ_nbinWkvE&list=RD7KGgvrAgqLo&index=17
That's
it! I miss you and send loads of love from our home to yours.
Shabbat
Shalom to all
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