210723 Brain Freeze and Mahane Yehuda

 210723

23rd July 2021

 

Good Shabbat, a blessed Eid al Adha, have a safe and beautiful weekend

 

I hate saying "I told you so" but sadly the raucous parties, pubs and huge crowds at the Euro 2020 football games, especially the final, have put Britain, or rather England, into the red. Thanks to the idiocy of the open, no mask policy I cannot go to my incredible grandson Zachary's bar mitzvah. Not that our former policy helped here! We are also slowly creeping toward the red after a wave of Covid brought in by travelers who did not isolate. When will we be rid of this pandemic? Partly when  everyone is inoculated, when a green pass is the only way to go to malls, cinemas, theatres, wedding halls or fly so that the utter selfishness of the anti-vax idiots begins to hurt them. When governments worry less about votes and care more for voters. Populism kills. There is good news on the horizon though. Israel is to become the first country in the world to test the Oravax oral COVID-19 vaccine https://www.jpost.com/health-science/israel-to-become-first-in-world-to-test-oral-covid-19-vaccine-674563

 

Prime Minister Bennet spoke out about the major problem of non-acceptance of Haredi, Orthodox, and any other strains of Judaism. It is far from a one sided lack of tolerance of which we feel the results every day. Our young people are moving away from traditional Judaism and that is very sad. It started with the Greeks, the Hellenists, who recognised that if you ban Shabbat, kosher food and circumcision the Jews will disappear on their own.

 

I think Bennet is right. It doesn't comfort me but his assessment is correct. The Haredi community bears a huge responsibility by taking Judaism so far that it is unattainable to the ordinary mortal so the vast majority simply moves away; parents are responsible for a lack of example and finally the State of Israel, in teaching Judaism, taught a cold history lesson rather than a warm, caring Jewish lesson. The draconian control of the Rabbinical Courts has driven many to either marry abroad or hold hippy style weddings and too many Tel Avivim have decided not to perform brit milah (circumcision) on their baby boys. The non-acceptance of the Haredi community for anyone who is not like them (and vice versa) has created a vacuum. Thus, Bennet is right, the need for a "lighter" Judaism, a more forgiving Judaism, has become abundantly clear, otherwise we lose our youngsters right left and centre.

The situation on the egalitarian, interdenominational area of the Kotel (Western Wall) last week ON TISHA B'AV, when an extreme Haredi group tried to take it over, was an example of the need for change. Sinat Hinam – unwarranted hatred - brought us down too many times

https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-state-of-israel-needs-a-judaism-that-is-more-personal-and-accountable/

 

Who would have thought that ice-cream with strange names and flavours would become a top political and diplomatic story? Ben and Jerry's and its parent company Unilever, had a "brain-freeze" gave in to BDS and risked the jobs of hundreds of workers and denied both Israelis and Palestinians in the disputed territories the right to a bit of sweetness in their lives! The PC misreading of the situation here in Israel is staggering. Far more disturbing is that the Board wanted to boycott all of Israel. The problem is that if one boycotts the Israeli company it will fold and jobs will be lost. The Israeli company is a separate entity. Ess mein kinder! https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/who-cares-what-ben-jerry-s-think-about-the-israel-palestine-conflict-

 

The Olympics in Japan. The Japanese government took the unpopular but brave decision not to allow any crowds to any of the competitions – pure sport without interference or fear. It is the 17^th time Israel has competed in Olympic events and this year we have sent 89 athletes of every category to Tokyo. Today Zvi's parliament will be watching the opening here in our lounge, while munching on pizza and I will ask them to stand for a few moments in memory of the Israeli athletes murdered by the PLO at the Munich Olympics. Of the top hopes for Gold Blue-and-white judoka Sagi Muki represents one of the country’s top medal chances in Tokyo and is a perfect ambassador off the mat as well. Linoy Ashram is not only number one in the world rankings in rhythmic gymnastics but is at the very top of her form. In fact, we have a really outstanding team. May our athletes come home with lots of medals, pride in their achievements and camaraderie that is only achieved in sport. It is worth remembering that Jewish sportsmanship began with the Maccabiah Games where young Jews from around the world compete.

 

Yesterday Rachel and I went to Mahane Yehuda Market! For the first time in so very long we masked up and took our granny shopping trolley and set off, filled with excited expectation. Our first stop was at Tsidkiyahu's to say hello and wonder at the huge array of olives, roasted garlic and onion, salads of every nature and of course the pre-Shabbat fare of kubehs, "sigarim", meat patties and vegetarian delights – have you ever noticed that apart from the wonderful fresh chopped salad, most Middle Eastern food is fried?. We then spent the next two hours just wandering, trying not to trip people up with the shopping trolley,enjoying the huge display of grapes, piled high creating a wonderful display, sweet fresh figs, huge and juicy, incredible ostrich-egg sized mangoes, black shiny cherries sold by the kilo and the atmosphere. I visited the man who Ruth and Yozek recommended for the best herring and bought Zvi a treat. It was like going on vacation, exploring and finding new things without the danger of flying!

 

There is no market in the world with the atmosphere of Mahane Yehuda. I don't know if it is the rainbow of humanity, each and every colour complementing the other or the cacophony of fifty languages all at full volume! The friendliness of the costermongers, shouting their wares and in response to my "Can I have a kilo of cherries" always seem to add those few extra grammes and when asked to take them off respond "Why? Would you deny the children those extra few cherries? Take them and enjoy" I never have the desire to argue…..after why argue with logic like that? I was asked why so many shoppers and costermongers were without masks and the answer is twofold – one it is debatable as to whether the covered section of the market is indoors and secondly – we are at a very high percentage of inoculation. Anyway, I was masked, Rachel was masked, we had fun and that is a rarity in these days!!!

 

As you know, Zvi cannot resist yet another challenge, another opportunity to help. His latest is called Hakol Zahav – which can be translated as either as Everything is Gold or the Golden Voice. The sole purpose of the group is to sing for the lonely, elderly or sick. Steven Linde, the wonderful former editor of the Jerusalem Post who now edits the Jerusalem Report (well worth a visit to the website) put and article all about them in last week's issue. https://www.jpost.com/jerusalem-report/ronit-banit-brings-music-to-the-elderly-672660

 

So I'd better sort out the "nasherie" for Zvi's parliament friends and also make sure I have everything for tomorrow's brunch with friends, here on our veranda. It will almost certainly be with all sorts of quiches (one of the latest Israeli staple foods) tons of cut veggies, cheeses, and the fun of being with people that one hasn't managed to see for months. We are in the season of the water melon, those wonderful, quenching, sweet, oh so Israeli fruits, different to the Greek ones, mostly without seeds. Watermelon goes so well with feta or Bulgarian cheeses……yum. Today is men, in fact men watching sport, so popcorn, dips, pizza and chocolate cake!!! Tomorrow is another matter…..I need to think healthy! I love entertaining, love a home filled with people, laughter and chatter…….within the limits of Covid. Me, I'll be here, talking to you rather than in there with the men.

 

So, what have you been up to over the last week? I'd love to hear from you, know that you are alright; find out what is happening in other countries and how you and your families are passing the strange times. I am spending lots of time making our veranda beautiful, it pleases me and and is so good for the soul. I am extra thrilled by the little lemon tree my Cardiff girlfriends bought me years ago. It really wasn't happy in our old home, I fought and fought to keep it alive……here it is thriving!!  Believe it or not there are dozens and dozens of baby lemons and now it also has fresh blossom…..so happy!

 

So what tunes do you want? That's another thing I want you to tell me…..like a "Desert Island Discs" on the Veranda!!!

This song was beautifully received by all of you so I'm putting it again. We Got This – Katan Aleinu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHVAWnCXBkU

 

Yitzchak Rabin had a terrible voice, he grunted rather than sang but, if we all think back to that dreadful day, that day in November, this was the last song he sang. Shir le Shalom – Song for Peach. Sung here by Shiri Maimon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr5wRdxBXgI

 

Uzi Hitman wrote the music to the prayer Adon Olam. There are many versions but this is the favourite! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6sgT7zoqOs

 

I wish you a Shabbat Shalom, a day of remembering that we are all one people, irrelevant of our ways of expressing our beliefs…..we are all here on this earth and the way each and every one of us behaves to the others changes us all, one by one.

 

With much love from Zvi and I, here overlooking Jerusalem, looking out to the world.

Sheila

 

 

210716 Calamities, Covid and Digs

 210716

16^th July 2021

 

Shabbat Shalom dear friends. Here I am again, telling you my thoughts on the world and hopefully enlightening you just a little bit about what really happens here without the angle of the BBC or CNN.

 

http://www.theviewfrommyveranda.info/calamities-covid-and-archaeology/

 

Two days ago I wrote to my family in the UK worried about the impending floods – which were meant to hit the British shores. In the end Britain wasn't hit and the storm took a turn southward and Germany is suffering devastating floods. It is believed that deaths are in the hundreds. Water, that essential element to life can also take life in a moment.

 

Saturday night the fast of the 9^th day of the month of Av, Tisha b'Av, begins. Most people have no idea of the significance and implications of that day. "What it's all about? It isn't like Yom Kippur"? is the usual comment. In one sense it is many Yom Kippurs in one, but it is not about atonement, it is a day of huge sadness. So many horrendous events took place on the 9^th of Av, too many to be ignored. Predominantly the destruction of both the First and Second Temples; the defeat of the Bar Kochba rebellion causing the deaths of 580,000 Jews; the expulsions of Jews from England, France and Spain; SS commander Heinrich Himmler formally received approval from the Nazi Party for "The Final Solution." As a result, the Holocaust began; in modern times the AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires took place on the 9^th of Av…… and so it goes on through the centuries and millennia.

 

The overwhelming reason behind the destruction of both Temples is hatred, in Hebrew we say "Sinat Hinam" which is the opposite of "Ahavat hinam" or free love. Internecine hatred almost wiped out the Jewish people. The reason I found it important to state came to me in a headline – a headline that chilled my bones, my Jewish bones. A poll taken in the United States found that 25% of American Jews believe that Israel is an apartheid state. https://www.timesofisrael.com/poll-finds-a-quarter-of-us-jews-think-israel-is-apartheid-state/  I have not yet decided whether they are self-hating, gullible or just plain stupid! They care not that Jews and Christians are treated as second and third class citizens in most of our neighboring countries, they just jump to a conclusion fed them by the media and the Palestinian disinformation machine. I will bet that none of them have ever been here or realise that I, as a Jewish Israeli, cannot go into the PA.

 

Following the fallacious beliefs of that 25%, can they explain how Arabs are in government and in the Knesset, and the new Covid-19 commissioner for Israel happens to be a Druze? Prof. Salman Zarka was the Director General of Ziv Hospital in Sfat (Safed), an epidemiologist by profession, IDF Centre for Medical Services, reservist in the IDF and highly qualified for the position…… https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/s1rfj8n6o  

 

Prof. Zarka has his work cut out. Israelis love to travel and the last government lifted travel restrictions for Israelis, although retaining the limitations on incoming tourism. As a result the infection rate has leapt up. PM Bennet sent out a WhatsApp message to Israeli citizens begging them to take care and meet outdoors only, especially when visiting older relatives; he, together with Minister of Health Nitzan Horowitz and Defence Minister Gantz, has also asked everyone to wear masks indoors, in malls, cinemas, theatres and other places of gathering. The pain of not seeing family is tangible…..I hope and pray I can get to the bar mitzvas of two of my grandsons. It is believed that the current wave of Covid was started by just two people – one came back from India through Cyprus, without telling immigration that he was in India and not going into isolation.

 

The British Government has demanded that social media honour the definition of Anti-Semitism as set out by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. Let's see if Mr Zuckerberg complies!! https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309811

 

Incredible! Fantastic! Exciting! When Zvi and I chose our new home we knew it was an important site, but not the extent of its importance in the history of this land. A 9,000 year old settlement has been uncovered in the Tel Motza dig https://www.telmoza.org/, incredibly enough much of which was discovered when the changes to Road Number One were made; since sections of the road are on stilts it allowed the archaeologists to work underneath! Last night we went to a lecture on the subject in our local community centre. The lecture was given by two young women archaeologists, spurred on by their mentor Prof. Hamoudi Khalily, Deputy Director of the Israel Antiquities. Here are two links, one announcing the find and the other with incredible photographs of Tel Motza, the largest ancient settlement ever found!

http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/motza-neolithic-settlement-07412.html

 

This week, Rachel and I finally went to meet with the amazing team at Shalva, the unique and beautiful centre for people with special needs in Jerusalem. Over the last eighteen months of Covid few activities have taken place and the walls remained silent for too long. On Monday, however, it was abuzz with excitement and laughing children because finally and at last it was activity day!!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjcgIeMVwcA The purpose of our visit was to talk about who Daniel was, is and always will be. Dr. Daniel Cammerman, adored husband, father, brother, son, friend and paediatrician. I managed to get through talking about my boy and his beautiful family, thanks to Rachel's support, and with thanks to the team who, like us, want the Dr. Dan's Room, the Music, Drama and Dance Therapy Room in Shalva to reflect everything that Daniel loved. For the hundreds of you who donated to Dr Dan's Room, I am proud to tell you that it is underway, finally, after a long Covid-delay! The room has been used in its bare state but by October it will be beautiful and serve a wonderful purpose. If you still want to donate toward this amazing cause, or just read about Daniel, click on https://give.shalva.org/daniel

 

Many years ago, while on a holiday in Antalya, in Turkey, we met a delightful couple who were to influence our lives in many ways. Our paths crossed on so many issues, all good, from hasbara, connections with the Christian community and our mutual love of Canon Andrew White. Norman and Lola Cohen; Lola and Norman, truly good people. We loved our Saturday afternoon tea, with Andrew White, at their home, Lola making a terrific cuppa and shortbread biscuits, scones with cream and jam and then listening to Norman's stories and witty Biblical explanations. Norman has been sick for some time now and last week, at age 98, he passed away. My heart goes out to Lola and their daughters who have lost an amazing man but have so many beautiful memories.

 

The veranda looks amazing! I love spending time out there, despite the searing heat, trying to stay in the shade as much as possible. It is huge! I was so thrilled to discover that Zvi and I would have a really large entertainment space (Zvi's favourite activity) but filling the 120 square metres is a challenge. We brought some plants with us, but we have added to the citrus tree collection, in addition to the Kumquat, Lemon and orange trees we now have a lime tree. The little lemon tree which struggled in our old home, is thriving! It is not only sporting dozens of baby lemons, but has decided to come out with a second blossoming! The kumquat is so covered in blossoms that its healthy green leaves have disappeared under a blanket of white flowers! Despite have arrived just two weeks ago, the lime tree is already sprouting new leaves and branches and the orange tree…………. well, one cannot win them all. Zvi's sons, Amiad and Leor and families, bought us a fabulous housewarming present of a garden sofa and chairs, it is sheer luxury to sit outside on a balmy evening and eat supper, surrounded by the trees, birds and lovely neighbours!

 

Talking of birds, my favourite winged visitor is the "tsufit" or Sunbird. They are tiny, hover over the flowers to take the sweet pollen; they aren't humming birds but are similar in the way they hover and dart from flower to flower. The male is a beautiful iridescent black and his mate is a soft sable brown. They often visit in pairs and I try to photograph them but they are far too clever for me, even the slightest movement sends them off to the neighbours garden instead! They love the hibiscus flowers and instead of using long tongues inside the flower like the humming bird they pierce the base of the flower from the outside reaching the pollen. They cause the flowers to drop but it is worth it just to catch sight of them.

 

Yoni and Nina Tokayer are a fascinating couple who formed a singing duo called – you guessed it – Yonina! Their popularity has taken them aback but if you listen to this song, watch their video including their baby girl Ashira, you will know why!The sheer joy of their songs….. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alI7YGMOMH8

 

Yonatan Raziel is a talented Israeli musician, from a musical family. I love this prayer/song. Katonti – I am unworthy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZYivKwVmJc

 

If there is one thing that holds us together, that holds us up, it is the prayer for peace. Peace is the subject in virtually every Israeli song and poem, we even greet each other with the world for peace. I believe I have given you the next song before, but in this ever hate-filled world it expresses our desire to live in peace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d_i2F2LlF8

 

I wish you a good weekend and pray above all that we learn the lessons of the 9^th of Av and learn tolerance of those who don't look like us, don't pray like us, don't vote like us in fact learn to respect everyone irrespective – you don't have to agree with them!

 

With much love from the ancient settlement of Motza! Do you remember when the words settlement and settler were positive? They were certainly positive 9,000 years ago!!!

 

Shabbat Shalom to all…..with love

Sheila 

 

 

 

210702 Palestinians and Presidents

 

210702

2^nd July 2021

 

Shabbat Shalom dear friends.

 

Most of us outside Florida had never heard of Champlain Towers or of the people who lived there. Sadly the horrific collapse of the building could so easily have been prevented, the incident and sheer criminal negligence has everyone thinking of the horror of its collapse and the demise of those inside. Apparently the building was shaking and moving for several minutes before the collapse and a few people escaped. Teams of responders from Florida, the US Army and the IDF have been working 24 hours a day to reach those trapped inside, so far to no avail. The Home Front Command’s search-and-rescue delegation continues to work to find and pull survivors from the rubble. Col. Elad Edri, deputy commander of the delegation said “We still believe that there are survivors and we are working to rescue them” Miracles have happened before.

North America is suffering a searing, life threatening heatwave, and global warming is blamed, however, this is not the first time, and probably not the last, that such weather conditions prevail. It happened in 1936 then again 1976 and the hottest ever recorded temperature in North America was in 1913 in Death Valley – 56C – 134F. To put things into perspective, 56C is a normal summer temperature in Varanasi India, which doesn't help the people of Vancouver who are not used to temperatures over 25C!

 

The first disagreement within the new government of Israel has come about early in their coalition and from the expected sources. Ra'am and Meretz are up in arms about the proposed "Family Reunification Law" which disallows Palestinian citizens of Israel bringing family members who live in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip into Israel to live with them, even if they are their children or partners.

It isn't, wasn't and never will be a secret that rebellion is a death sentence in the PA. The Palestinian Authority justice minister and head of the investigation committee into the death of activist and dissident Nizar Banat says Banat was subjected to physical violence and his death was “unnatural”. Nizar Banat was an open critic of the Palestinian leadership, a brave man indeed. Here Khaled Abut Toameh writes about the lack of press freedom in the PA. https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/17515/palestinian-police-state I do not understand the world media that lauds the actions of the PA and yet criticises Israel on every single issue despite absolute journalistic freedom here.

In future I will not refer to the "scorched earth policy" of the Gazans as "balloons" but rather call them by their real name – incendiary devices intended to burn farmland, crops, parkland and animals all carefully tended, built and loved by Israelis close to the border with Gaza. Those balloons also have far more abhorrent intentions, dressed at children's toys they are meant to be seen by children and explode on them. Here in central and northern Israel a box of matches has become another weapon in the arsenal of destruction in towns and villages around the country as Palestinians continue the scorched earth policy burning down thousands and thousands of trees planted over the last 100 years by KKL.

Time for some good news! Gal Gadot gave birth to a little girl called Daniella. "Wonderwoman" indeed, thrilled to be a Mum. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/gal-gadot-gives-birth-to-new-baby-girl-672388

President to be Isaac "Bougie" Herzog has done a brilliant job as Chairman of the Jewish Agency, repairing the damage of his predecessors, determined to rekindle the connection between Israel and the Diaspora, particularly with the American Jewish community, and using his undoubted gentlemanly personality to reach out.

On Monday evening we set off for Mount Herzl and a beautiful reception to honour Herzog's years as Chairman of the Jewish Agency and wish him well on his tenure as President of the State of Israel. The reception was held in the beautiful grounds of the Museum, close to the Military Cemetery of Mount Herzl, where so many heroes are buried and Presidents, Prime Ministers and Chiefs of Staff lie, a reminder of the struggles which built this country and of the great and lesser leaders of the past.

Master of Ceremonies was Yaacov Hagoel, formerly Chairman of the World Zionist Organisation who will become Chairman of the Jewish Agency in Herzog's stead. Yaacov Hagoel is a very able and diligent man who understands the needs of the Jewish Agency. Of course there were many speeches lauding Herzog's work, each describing his determination to do well, his connection with the world, his "blue blood", his grandfather who was the Zionist leader, Chief Rabbi of Ireland, of his father the former President Herzog, and his continuing the fine name of Herzog. He then stood up on the podium, holding on to the lectern and said very few words "Thank you to everyone gathered here for their kind words" his hope to do a good job and then "There is one person here who gave me my first opportunity by sending me on my first ever speaking tour and his name is Zvi Raviv. Apparently he saw in me what others missed" We were so proud!! At last, at long last, someone who showed gratitude for Zvi's selfless determination to help others represent Israel. Oh yes, Isaac "Bougie" Herzog is a mensch.

In a marvellous new advance Yair Lapid inaugurated the new Israeli Embassy in Abu Dhabi while there on an official visit this week and outgoing Israeli President Reuven Rivlin had an excellent farewell meeting with President Joe Biden, confident of Biden's loyalty to Israel.

Two lovely things happened to us on Tuesday, one was my chat with the incredible Tema Gaba, aged 99, who lives in Jerusalem but spent most of her life in Cardiff. Tema is an incredible woman full of stories of Cardiff life, people, happenings and stories, her mind just as alert as ever. It is such a joy talking to her from every aspect, particularly because she knows my history better than I do! Tema was a close friend of my beautiful Mother, Betty Silver, who passed away when I was 17, and Tema speaks of her and reveals so much about my Mum that I never had the opportunity to learn. Whatever happens in your life, listen to the stories of incredible people like Tema and learn about from where you came.

Four years ago, on the 29^th of June, Zvi and I met with Nancy and Harry Bloomfield, for lunch in Jerusalem and lo and behold, they came for lunch this Tuesday, 29^th June for lunch in our new apartment. I loved Nancy's enthusiasm from the moment she walked in the door to each and every room – seeing the beauty beyond the remaining unopened boxes and cartons! It was too hot to eat outdoors on the veranda so we inaugurated our new dining table and talked and chatted about family, friends, work and gossip……as old friends do.

It was a lovely week in which I got to see Rachel and the girls twice, once here and yesterday when we went off to the heat of Modiin searching for gardening ideas for our veranda. On Sunday, despite fasting for the Fast of Tammuz, the girls had a ball, climbing and swinging in the play areas in our park; yes despite being 15 and 12 they really know how to have fun without the help of their cell phones or tablets! I got to talk to my wonderful NYC grandson Joshua on WhatsApp, he is growing so fast and I cannot get to be with him but at least he managed to speak about his excitement of heading off to camp again this year!

Each time I leave Givat Zeev I feel the excitement of climbing that last hill, past the grazing camels, the vineyards and finally arriving at the view, THE view, the panorama of Jerusalem from Samuel's Tomb. I never tire of the sight! Here Arieh OSullivan tells us about it  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2L9m1YVktA  

Many years ago, immediately after Zvi's bar Mitzva, the Rybak family changed its name to Raviv and headed off to serve the Israeli government and the Jewish Agency as Hebrew teachers in Mexico City, in the Yiddische Schule School. There they found exceptional warmth within the community and many family members and until today Zvi speaks of warmth and love of his friends and schoolmates. This week they held a class Zoom and Zvi gave them a lecture on the current government coalition and of course of our life here. His talk was a resounding success, indeed, he must have been good because I achieved several new readers after his speech! Welcome to them!

Uziya Zadok was only 13 when he wowed Israel with his rendition of "Shema Yisrael" He captured the prayer and made it his own cry for peace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aHtBoQ8jpY

You all love Koolulam and they have produced a new video, the response to the disturbances and hatred over the last months. They give hope with Mishu Iti Kan - Someone is with me here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_jUEaR86Lw

Matanot Ktanot - Small Gifts is sung by Avraham Fried and Rami Kleinstein, all about the small gifts that we take for granted. The translation is in Spanish in honour of my new Mexican readers. So often we don't see the rainbow, the joy of a child passing by, friends returning from prayer, the Shabbat Candles, the food on the table, the family around us, we tend to forget them in our very human state of moaning. It is such an amazingly beautiful life, celebrate it, remember your Matanot Ktanot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgTb5ktUJOU

That's it! We wish you a beautiful weekend, a contemplative Shabbat in which you remember all those amazing gifts we receive every day of our lives. One of my favourite moments is as I light the Shabbat Candles, I know that from that glow my day of rest begins, whether with the laughter of the children or just Zvi and I, it is irrelevant, it is Shabbat.

With love from the Jerusalem Hills

Sheila

 

 

 

 

 

210709 Birthday Bougie and Bennet

 210709

 

Shabbat Shalom! Hope you are well and the heatwave of the last weeks is passing.

 

Yesterday was one of the three most important dates of my life, July 8^th, 1972, My son Gideon Saul was born. Gideon Saul has lived up to his name and his Torah Reading his whole life. Never one to follow the crowd he stands for justice not only in his work life but in any situation. Gideon has given me the most incredible family, his wife Stephanie, Sammy, Olivia and Zacky. Gideon, even saying his name makes me smile. Happy birthday my love.

 

Gideon's Bar Mitzvah Torah Reading of Matot and Masei (Numbers 30:2-36:13) is of great relevance today. How many of us stay silent in the face of racism, cruelty, corruption? How many of us don't want to make waves when we see and hear anti-Semitism? How many of us find the Ostrich position more comfortable than fighting for what is right? Silence is assent. How often do we face acts of injustice or callousness with silence? A derogatory joke in our presence; an act of selfishness or cruelty; simply reading of political oppression, all of these instances summon us to choose a side. We can either verbalise our opposition immediately, or, through our silence, become allies of the act or words we abhor. There is no neutrality. Silence is assent.

 

Israel has a new President. Isaac (Bougie) Herzog gave a truly magnificent speech both in the Knesset and at his entry to the President's House, where he spent much of his childhood as the son of President Chaim Herzog. He carries himself with dignity and brings a very different ability to the position – he has spent most of his life speaking to and learning about the Diaspora and his connection and affiliation to those who live outside Israel is absolute.

 

A new dawn on Israel Diaspora relations in the Knesset. PM Bennet and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid have already reached out to both the world's political leaders and Diaspora leaders ensuring a closer relationship. President Joseph Biden has spoken several times with PM Bennet and Yair Lapid has just returned from a meeting in Rome with US Secretary Blinken. Naftali Bennet met secretly with King Abdullah of Jordan last week, to heal the fractured relations with Jordan. Yair Lapid and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi met at the Allenby border crossing and Israel agreed to provide a further 50 million cubic metres of water to ease the Jordanian situation. In his historic visit to the UAE Lapid said "Israel wants peace with its neighbors – with all its neighbors," Lapid said in a speech at the inauguration of the Embassy in Abu Dhabi. "We aren't going anywhere. The Middle East is our home. We're here to stay, and we call on all the countries in the region to recognize that and to come talk to us."

 

The much talked about "Citizen Law" nearly brought down the new government this week. Despite initiating the proposed law, Former PM and Leader of the Opposition Benjamin Netanyahu chose to fight it tooth and nail with the sole purpose of scuppering any chance of Israel keeping its current government. The proposed changes refer to the ability of non-Jewish Israelis to bring family members into Israel and for those family members to gain citizenship. It sounds simple but the implications are obvious and the fact that Bibi fought it …..I know you will be angry with me for saying what I think but the situation disgusts me.

 

It is not a case of racism! Looking at the facts, over 250,000 Arabs have received Israeli citizenship under family reunification but I am pushed to find any Jews that were accepted as citizens into the PA or any of our Moslem neighbours.

 

Defence Minister Benny Gantz and Chief of Staff Kochavi performed a ceremony this week dedicating a memorial to the brave soldiers of the Southern Lebanese Army who fell in the fighting alongside Israelis, including Gantz and Kochavi. Some 2,700 SLA fighters chose to live in Israel as Israelis. “The border was closed, but for you, the circle was never closed,” Kohavi said to the bereaved families in attendance.

 

In a fascinating move the United States has expressed a preference in who will take over from Mahmoud Abbas as leader of the PA. I totally approve! I met Dr. Salaam Fayad many years ago when the exceptional Dr. Malcolm Hoenlein invited me to go with him on a visit to Jenin. The man is impressive, his plans give hope for independence to the PA; he wants to imitate Israel's learning from the British bureaucracy during the Mandate, forming a police force, financial institutions, government departments, education which is why he was shunned and resigned his former position as Prime Minister to Abbas' Presidency. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salam_Fayyad

 

Daniel and Jill Meron are about to end their highly successful run as Israel's Ambassadors to the Czech Republic. Daniel is the official Ambassador but this is a real husband and wife team. As he left Daniel said that the Czech Republic is Israel's greatest friend and supporter in Europe. Well done to the Meron family and welcome home! https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/ambassador-to-czech-republic-hit-jackpot-in-eus-most-pro-israel-country-672550

 

One of Zvi's favourite projects hit the news this week. Read all about it! https://www.jpost.com/jerusalem-report/ronit-banit-brings-music-to-the-elderly-672660

 

This has been a busy week! Visitors, meetings, Zooms and gardening, although admittedly we haven't even attempted the last dozen boxes of as yet unknown belongings. Unpacking is exhausting!! On Monday my friend Sue popped in on her way home from visiting her Mum Tema, about whom I wrote last week. We had lovely visitors for lunch on Tuesday – loads of doctors which at our age can be rather useful! We sat outside on the veranda and I sported my lovely new tablecloth of bright flowers…just to brighten everyone's day. Yesterday was wonderful, we met up with Zvi's cousins Yossi and Rachel and together with mutual friends we went to our favourite restaurant "Na-Ya" in Beit Nekufa. Tonight we have Zvi's boys and families and a full set of parents from all sides! Zvi and Rachel have finally persuaded me that once the number of diners goes over 15 I need to do a buffet. Most of the salads are made, 3 quiches and a large side of salmon ready to be cooked, potatoes and cauliflower ready to roast, separately of course and as yet an unknown pasta dish for the children. Tomorrow we have old friends but new immigrant family and friends, Spanish speaking, coming for tea and I invited 3 Israelis so that I have with whom to talk!! Other than that……

 

So what music do you like? Koolulam is obvious but I can't put them every week! So let's start with a tribute to the United States, after all you celebrated your birthday this week too! "God Bless America" sung in Yiddisch by the cast of Fiddler on the Roof https://youtu.be/riHMRZsv3nc

 

I can't decide if I love this video or……What do you think?  Gad Elbaz "Drink LeChaim" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCh-yxlcEY8

 

We tend to worry and fret over the small things as if they are life changing yet if we would concentrate on the small things, the small gifts of life our lives could be so much better! Here two beautiful children sing of "Matanot Ktanot" Small Gifts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvvXB2f3lFw

 

One of the excellent small gifts of this weekend is that my adored nephew and niece, Steve and Claire, are joining Gideon, Stephanie and family on their holiday in Cornwall to celebrate Gideon's Birthday. Wish I was there. I just had a video call with Rachel and Talia so I could see Rachel make the Challot and chat to Talia……another small gift.

 

I wish you a beautiful weekend, a Shabbat filled with love and family.

 

With love from Jerusalem, even if I now see her beauty from a distance

Sheila