210813
Shabbat
Shalom to everyone but especially to my amazing, clever, gorgeous and kind grandson
Zachary who will celebrate his Bar Mitzva this weekend and thanks to Covid I
can't be with him or with my family. If only people were less selfish and more
understanding that this is a scary pandemic perhaps I could have been there to
hug my loved ones. Anyone would think it was a contravention of ones rights to
wear a mask or honour isolation rules; it ain't easy but it protects our right
to live healthy lives. Yiddish is an expressive language – whether a joke or a
story it somehow takes on a life of its own in Yiddish. No point in making
plans in there strange times and the Yiddish expression מענטש טראכט אונד גוט לאכט – Mensch
Tracht und Gott lacht, which means Man plans and God laughs.
Phew! I
thought that Covid-19, SARS 2 or whatever you choose to call it was out of the
headlines, but here we are back in trouble and possibly headed for another
closure. The American Centre for Disease Control has put us on a level 4 list,
a no-go list, because our numbers are rising, as they are in Florida and California,
and I can't go to my beautiful grandson's Bar Mitzva. Please before flying anywhere;
think twice if you really can't cope without the annual holiday abroad. Try
glamping, camping, hoteling or touring near home. Israelis have discovered the
phenomenal sights all over the country from nature to museums, from white water
rafting to visiting the Old cities. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g293977-Activities-Israel.html
I had
my 3rd inoculation two days ago and apart from a slight temperature
for a couple of hours I feel fine, I feel exactly as I did before the jab but
more confident!!
The
Druze are a fascinating religion which developed out of the peaceful Ismaili
Islam and do not identify as Moslems. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druze_in_Israel
One of their tenets demands absolute
loyalty to the country in which they live. This week Lebanese Druze caught the
Hezb-Allah operative responsible for a rocket attack on Israel and made his
life very uncomfortable, had him crying with fear as they crowded around his
car. Please understand, Hezb-Allah has brought Lebanon, that beautiful country,
to its knees and in the eyes of the Lebanese Druze that is treason. As with the
Israeli Druze, who pretty much to a man, serve in the IDF, Border Guard and
defend Israel with pride and courage, they live on the Golan Heights, but the
Lebanese side. https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-says-hezbollah-man-who-launched-rockets-seen-near-border-in-plain-clothes/
Lebanon
is not the only country in our area devastated by extreme Islam – it is hard to
find one that isn't. However Turkey, that once favourite country for Israeli
tourists, is fast diving into third world status. Erdogan has repeatedly chosen
the wrong side and is now paying. Horrific fires consume the country and he has
no money for firefighting aeroplanes to quench the fires! So sad.
Minister
of Finance Avigdor Liberman is contemplating taxing soft drinks in plastic
bottles, indeed all plastic disposables. I understand the logic of banning or
taxing disposable tableware but the problem with taxing plastic bottles (and
what about wrappings) is the alternative which is glass – and glass-making requires
a huge amount of dirty energy! On the other hand it's a great way for the
government to make money!!!
The
Poles have taken their denial of their responsibility in the Holocaust to new
levels. Not only did their government claim that Poles were never part of the
German death machine but they now deny that land and properties appropriated by
their government at the time should be either returned to their owners or be
given restitution. The same government demands that Israel give restitution to
Arabs from 1948. My father fled Poland in 1910 after a spate of yet more
pogroms and he always said that Anti-Semitism is in the very bones of the
Poles. It would appear that he was absolutely right. https://apnews.com/article/europe-middle-east-poland-laws-aff8252937db7f5b8e3653f71e7726bb
I have
decided that Wikipedia twists truth too. When the usual banal claims of
occupation rose again this week I decided to check out which countries have
appropriated land after wars, and there are many, very many! Why am I cross?
Because the first few on the list – separated by a little box, is Israel and
the "occupied territories"!! See for yourself that we are so far from
the only country that won a war and annexed the land. Some are logical some are
cruel some are hard to understand but I can promise you that we are the only
country among the long list that gives those residents full medical care, education,
social security etc https://en.m.wikipedia.org/
I
forgot to tell you that last week I finally managed to meet up with Joy Wolfe,
the legendary British lady, journalist, fighter for Israel and stalwart of the
British Jewish Community. It's always so refreshing to talk to Joy and we sat
in a gorgeous local coffee shop that bakes all its own pastries making it
really difficult to forgo – so we didn’t! I was very concerned about the
current situation in the UK, the lack of positive action by most of the Jewish
organisations to combat rising anti-Semitism – actually reflecting what I hear
from friends in Canada, USA and most of Europe. Keeping a low profile doesn't
help folks.
We gave
our returning Olympic team a huge welcome at Ben Gurion Airport! Front and
centre was Linor Ashram who won a Gold for Athletic gymnastics but everyone got
a cheer. Now our Paralympic Team is off to Tokyo for the prestigious Paralympics,
often forgotten by the media but of huge importance and cache. Our Paralympic teams
are world class, world renowned and bring us huge respect. Time to recognise
their achievements and the achievements of each and every team from each and
every country. https://www.jns.org/thrill-of-victory-and-agony-of-defeat-paralympic-athletes-are-already-winners-say-israelis/
Think
about the word disabilities. Dis-abilities, someone who is not able to. That is
one word that the superb Kalman and Malki Samuels refused to accept that word
when their son Yossi became blind and deaf. Malki understood the importance of
giving respite to the overstretched parents and began to care for other
children too, starting with just 5 children plus Yossi who was also
hyperactive. Today Yossi is an expert on wines and communicates his brilliant
mind through finger language. By the way, Malkii doesn't have children in her
home any more…….. so let me remind you!
Yesterday
morning I went with my 3 very best friends to visit Shalva, the most beautiful,
incredible centre for children and young adults with widely varied
disabilities. Shalva is exceptional and the largest centre of its kind in the
world. Gaby Hirsch took us through an amazing video about the creation of
Shalva and then throughout the building, 11 stories of pure joy! We then went
to visit Dr Dan's Room https://give.shalva.org/daniel
going over the incredibly exciting plans which are beginning to come to
fruition thanks to your incredible generosity. Rather than talking about the
hope, beauty joy and sheer fun that Shalva brings to families that are
stretched to their emotional limit why don't you watch this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8dFK3WFemI
Last
night Zvi and I went to Tel Aviv to the ever welcoming home of Nattie and Yolli
Zonszein to meet with a few friends from Zvi's days at the Yiddische Schule –
the Jewish School in Mexico City. Clearly we split up into those who spoke
Spanish at great excited speed about their schooldays and of course about their
teachers Alla and Kalman Raviv, and those who, like me, don't speak Spanish and
we spoke in a mixture of English and Hebrew over the excited tones in the
lounge!
Today I
am really excited because my two cousins, actually the daughters of my beloved
cousins Cyril and Irene Silver, are coming to visit! Actually Joanna, Debbie
and her husband Zeev will be here in a very short while and I'm still preparing
food!!
Tonight
Gideon and Zachary will go to the synagogue, and tomorrow morning then on
Monday Zachary will read his Torah portion. I don't know if I told you but
their Rabbi, the incredible Jonathan Wittenberg, has done them the huge honour
of lending them his family's Sefer Torah, yes, the Wittenberg Torah, so that he
can do his "bit" at home and those of us who are unable to be there
can see and hear him on Zoom. How strange and sad is the time in Covid-19.
Vayikra from Leviticus is perfect for a 13 year old boy. Gory details of what
to do with the heifer to cleanse it for an offering.
I must
go to finish cooking and set the table. I left Zvi peeling eggs as our friends
came to see the new apartment and take ideas on building etc. Always busy at
the Raviv household!!
When
thinking of songs for today I had one in mind already. No need for research! The Shalva group with "One Day" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN5n4eSNGIA
We have
a tendency to ignore the things for which we should be grateful and concentrate
on what is missing. This will put you in a grateful mood! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alI7YGMOMH8
I love
the Revivo Project and their incredible Eastern Jewish music. I'm sorry that
the translation is in Spanish but I'm still reeling from yesterday! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7lMA7aUTQI
So, my
heart is in London, with Zachary and all my family. I love you with all my
heart and I'm so proud of Zac who is an AVID Chelsea fan so the rest of you can
switch off or sing along with Zac. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uchOo5HU95s
Take
care of yourself and of those around you. We have to beat this pandemic and
cannot do it if everyone thinks of their own comfort – wear a mask, only travel
if you have no choice and get the inoculation!
Shabbat
Shalom to you all wherever you may be. With much love from Zvi, me and our
veranda
Sheila
No comments:
Post a Comment