Truths and Stories

117th February 2023 Shabbat Shalom! How are you! Since I promised you to always tell the truth I will begin with the situation here in Israel, but on condition that it is taken in context with what is happening in the rest of the world, with the natural and man made disasters happening at this very moment. It’s as if man is not content with the hurricanes, earthquakes, cyclones, man has the needs to impose far greater tragedies of his own. I don’t want to list them all but just remember that Israel is not an island of dissention and belligerence, even though the UN seems to think so! So, what is happening here? On the one side we have an example, the ultimate example of democracy at work with quiet determined demonstrations, last week no less than 300-350,000 people found their way to Jerusalem to express their dismay at the actions of our government. They came in by packed trains when Miri Regev, Minister of Transport, refused to put on additional trains, crowded buses, sat quietly in long traffic jams and then walked to the Supreme Court. Not lefties, as the current coalition labelled them, people of all beliefs, with and without Kippa, left, right and centre, just ordinary families expressing their dismay at what is happening. There was no violence, just proud Israelis carrying flags. I am not yet physically up to joining in the crowds yet, but waved, tooted and supported anyone walking toward Jerusalem. If that demonstration is not the ultimate expression of democracy I don’t know what is. Now to the intended judicial changes; yes there are changes needed, reforms, but as I said last week, they must be considered and well thought out, with a gavel not a sledge hammer. During his term as President of the Supreme Court Aharon Barak made many changes to the judiciary, some of which need reversing, some of which are totally acceptable, but the fear of most Israelis is that the changes on the table now are very personal – hardly surprising when the Prime Minister himself has been indicted and a man who was accused and indicted for incitement to terror is in the position of Minister of National Security. There are those who stand up (not enough) and when exceptional Israeli journalist Alon Ben David was given the “speak out” slot on Channel 13 he turned to the real heroes in the current government, heroes of Israel, and asked why they developed feet of clay and are scared to speak out against the travesty. That’s it, I have so many wonderful things to tell you that I think that’s enough depression! First of all, Maccabi Tel Aviv has made history! They are the first Israeli team to get through to the final round of the European Volleyball Challenge Cup! Well done the team, well done Israel! As I told you last week, my lovely friend Jill is here with me while Zvi is gallivanting around LA, San Diego and now in his beloved Mexico City with more friends and family than he can count. I’ll tell you very quickly why he loves Mexico and why his family are there. After Zvi’s Bar Mitzva, his family, Kalman, Alla and the two children, Zvi and Meir, set off on an adventure – as representatives (shlichim) of the Jewish Agency, Hebrew teachers in the biggest Jewish School in Mexico City, the Yiddische Schule. In order to do this David ben Gurion said that anyone leaving on a mission had to change their name to an Israeli sounding name, to Hebraisize their name, so the family became Raviv instead of Rybak. The newly named Raviv family were happy to go to far off Mexico because almost all of Kalman’s family, except he himself, had gone to Mexico City from Europe before the war. Kalman, of course, was saved from the Holocaust by coming to Israel, sadly all his siblings were lost, as was Alla’s family, so the cousins in Mexico were the closest they had to family. As usual I digress! So Jill and I have been very busy. Friday night at Rachel’s was absolutely wonderful. She is an astonishing cook and Jill was thrilled to find all her favourites on the menu. Rachel had made a special Challah for me without any seeds on top, as always delicious! The children had guests staying over for Shabbat and Igal sang the very beautiful, very different melody for the blessing over the wine to start the meal. On Shabbat Jill and I went for a walk along the newly replenished reservoir in nearby Beit Zayit (meaning House of Olives), what Jill loved most was the fact that all the walkers, whether families or very intense, suitably attired runners, called out “Shabbat Shalom” some even reminding us how far it was to the dam. It was so refreshing! After Shabbat we went to visit one of my very favourite people, the amazing Tema Gaba and of course her daughter Sue who is my lovely friend. Tema is over 100 years old and bright as a button, full of stories from Cardiff, South Wales where Sue and I grew up and hasn’t lost her amazing sense of humour. I was such a delight to see her in her new home and sip a good cup of tea together. On Tuesday we went to Shaare Zedek Hospital where I am happy to say my surgeon is absolutely thrilled with my progress and proud of my determination to get stronger, walking every day and doing my physio. From there, we went to the Deer Park, one of the many green lungs of Jerusalem, where we saw lots of deer, grazing in family groups next to the natural lake. Finally for the most exciting, emotional part of the day – Shalva! Shalva is a miracle. This was the first time Jill had seen Shalva and especially Dr. Dan’s Room. Covid had kept her away for too long. After a delicious lunch we met Gaby, the wonderful Gaby, who took us directly to Dr. Dan’s Room and the acting class that was in session. As Purim approaches the youngsters were in the first stages of a play all about Esther, Mordechai and the wicked Haman….still at the ad lib stage. They were amazing, clever funny and having so much fun! Whoever said that children with Down’s Syndrome cannot act is crazy, they really hammed it up especially Benzi who did a real “drag queen” effect as Esther! The minute we walked in the room he started acting and had us giggling. At the end, as the lesson finished, the drama teacher, Edna, asked each of them to step forward and say what were the best things of their week, what were they grateful for. Some spoke more some less, some clearly some mumbled but each and every one of them said that their drama session with the incredible Edna was the highlight of their week. I admit a tear or two amid the laughter because one thing I am absolutely certain of, that my amazing son Daniel z”l would have loved it. The next day we went to collect Rachel and then on to Modiin, a fantastic new town half way between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, situated right next to Maccabim and Reut, towns that trace back to Judah Maccabi and the very first Jewish fight for independence. Next day my friend and neighbour Naomi Baba came for lunch. Naomi told us of her family’s origins right here in Israel, their sojourn in the States then return. I love hearing the stories of dispersion and return. Yesterday, wow! Yesterday we set off for the Kibbutz that was Jill’s home for two years, Berot Yitzchak, right near Ben Gurion Airport. It was the first time that Jill had been back since the passing of her teacher and mentor Katy, which was hard but we were welcomed with open arms by Katy’s daughter in law Tsippi and son Eliahu. The stories we heard were real “only in Israel” stories! We notice that the civilian aeroplanes overhead, on the flight path to Ben Gurion airport, were almost incessant, which prompted Tsippi to tell us this story. One of the kibbutz members passed away and the funeral was to take place but the family ralised that the noise of the planes overhead would make eulogies impossible. They called the Airport Authorities, explained the situation and the landings were re-routed for the duration of the funeral! One of the friends who came to Tsippi’s home to visit Jill was Ada, who was a nurse, like Jill, both in hospital and on the Kibbutz. When I mentioned that Zvi and I had moved and now live outside Jerusalem, Ada’s eyes lit up and she talked of her childhood and Motza Illit! “There used to be a Convalescent home in Motza Illit, it was a beautiful building and my mother worked there as a nurse” I told her that is where we live, that the convalescent home is now our cultural centre! She was so excited. Today we will take a walk as always but hopefully just around our complex, believe you me it is beautiful enough here that we don’t need to go anywhere in search of beauty. Tonight we are back at Rachel’s for Friday night dinner, then home to rest after a crazy week! I often ponder the fact that despite awful things going on around the world, as I pointed out earlier, not only the natural disasters but wars, famine, cruelty, invasions, ethnic cleansing, each and every day in this insane world of ours, indeed right here on our doorstep, so why concentrate on Israel? Why does the United Nations ignore the horrors, the utterly undemocratic behaviour of leaders throughout our region yet find the time to censure Israel at every step. Do we do it too? Do diaspora Jews tend to be ashamed of this miraculous little country? Do you assume that what you read in the NYT, the Guardian, the LA Times is the truth – that Israel is anti-democratic, an apartheid state? The current government, which I don’t necessarily support, is a million times better than almost any country to the south of us, indeed to the east and west of us. So why? Why is there one rule for the Palestinians and one for Israel? Anti-Semitism is the first port of call and undoubtedly part of it, a major part of it, but not the only one. So why? I’d love to hear your theories, your reasoning why a huge media giant like CNN, that purports to support human rights blah blah blah, concentrates on this small piece of real estate because I am at a loss. I know that friends in India, particularly Hindu/Indian friends (indeed the PM of Britain) recognise the similarities between our countries yet nobody doubts the existence of India as she is, LDS friends who understand persecution understand. What is even worse – maybe, is the infighting. Perhaps Zvi is right, we are living Hegel’s prophecy. So confusing. Enough of this down in the dumps attitude, back to the joys of Shabbat. As I came up in the lift (elevator) from our underground car park I could easily distinguish which country of their dispersion each neighbour came from by the aromas rising. There is a joke that if a Kurdish mother doesn’t prepare Kubeh Soup on a Friday lunchtime the family is so confused that they set off for work on Saturday! Even there, from whence you came decides the type of kubeh soup. Kubbeh Khamo (yellow kubbeh), Kubbeh Khamusta (sour kubbeh), Kubbeh Adouma (red/beet kubbeh), Kubbeh Bamia (with okra and tomato paste), Kubbeh Za'atar (with Hyssop and Lemon juice); then there is chraime, a spicy fish dish from Morocco, gefilte fish and kneidlach soup from the Eastern European kitchen, the Yemeni Jachnun being prepared to sit in the oven overnight beside the Cholent, aka Hamin. If ever a country marched on its stomach, it’s Israel! And so to music. Victor Hugo said “Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” The late Ehud Manor wrote about Israel. He loved this country, understood her foibles, used his songs to remind us that this is the only Jewish state in the world. Ayn Li Eretz Aheret, I have no other country is on my regular playlist. I particularly like this rendition. https://youtube.com/watch?v=pyFK0m-OGNo&feature=share If anyone understood what it meant to be persecuted it was Paul Robeson. Black, he won a scholarship to Rutgers University in 1915, received his law degree from Columbia University which history buffs will recognise as nothing short of a miracle at a time when being black in the USA excluded you from further education. Paul Robeson, with his incredible, operatic bass baritone, loved Judaism and later became a very vocal supporter of Israel. His rendition of Go Down Moses reminds us that we left slavery and came to this very land to find freedom. https://youtu.be/w3OjHIhLCDs To end this missive I wanted to share a song by the Shalva Band, for obvious reasons, when I came across this incredible video. In addition to wonderful songs it tells the stories of members of the band; Tal who learned sign language so that his friends who are hard of hearing can enjoy the music too, Dina who came from India as a child, suddenly blind and hopeless in her home country she prayed to come to Israel, Anahel, all of them come with stories that Shalva brought them hope and joy. Listen to their spoken word as well as their beautiful songs. I promise that you will come away a better person, a happier person. https://youtu.be/7vQFGfTMU7o I wish you a Shabbat Shalom from beautiful Jerusalem. As I sat here, writing to you, I looked out of the window to the blue skies above and realised that our very own almond tree is in blossom! Delicate pink blossoms on the sapling right next to our study, if that isn’t a sign of hope I don’t know what is! Sending you all much love and wishes for joy this week, hope that our world will be just that little bit kinder. Sheila

Turkey Gratitude and Charity

10th February, 2023 Good morning, Shabbat Shalom! I hope this missive finds you well. Today, this week, this contentious world came together to help a country that has suffered a horrific tragedy. Turkey is no stranger to the horrors of earthquakes but the sheer proportion of this quake and its consequences has left the country bereft and the tens of thousands dead or missing. The quake also affected Syria and even Israel although we barely felt it. The reaction of every country that has the ability to help, to send aid, has been heart-warming. The Israeli IDF team has set up field hospitals and search and rescue teams in the hope that they may find people alive in the rubble; IsraAid has set up clinics to provide psychological and practical help not just now but into the future; and many others. In the small town of Antakya the bodies of Saul and Fortuna Cenudioglu z”l, leaders of the small Jewish community were identified by the rescue team of Zaka. When tragedy hits a country, especially with the speed and magnitude of this one, politics, diplomacy even wars are irrelevant, the ultimate goal is to alleviate, to rescue, to help the people. Back to the inanities and insanities of political life here in Israel. When one is brought back to reality by such huge human tragedies just across the Mediterranean, we should take a more balanced view toward our own problems. I have a sneaky feeling both sides of the argument will consider my next statements somewhat controversial, so hold on to your seats. A bill was put forward in the Knesset by Shas leader Arieh Deri to limit the activities of women at the Kotel causing the expected furore in both the media and the secular community. The bill suggested that women who dress or act immodestly (a rather general description) at the Kotel, the Western Wall, could be liable to either six months in prison or 10,000 shekels fine. There are two aspects to this bill, one being that it is a distraction by the politically wily Deri who made the headlines until the PM came riding in on his white horse and proclaimed that nothing would change the status quo, however it is still lurking in the background and the secondly, that there is a small group of women whose aim is provocation, and has been so for the last twenty years or more. Led by Anat Hoffman, this group is not satisfied with the egalitarian section of the wall, where they can do, dress and act as they wish, but use provocation to gain attention when entering the regular section. I am all for women taking part in services, prayers, traditions but not for the sake of provocation. Israel is not the Taliban nor does it ban women from taking part as in Mosques or Christian Orthodox Churches but centuries old rules should be negotiated not shattered. The actions of this very small group of women plays right into the hands of the extremists. Somehow, ghosts of the Holocaust keep reemerging into our lives. I don’t mean the tragic, horrific loss of family, the cruel and highly organised death camps, I mean the proof that giants of industry, predominantly but not exclusively, American giants of industry and society who were complicit in the Nazi killing machine. This video tells the story of the Fords, Rockefeller, Bush, indeed far too many who supported Hitler’s aims. The funding of Nazi Germany by American Billionaires. https://rumble.com/v1fr8nd-86931337.html Israeli Presidents, unlike American Presidents, have a predominantly titular leadership role. They greet visiting diplomats and world leaders and present the acceptable face of politics to the world, a job that most do with distinction. President Herzog is presented with a dilemma, his political and social view is diametrically opposed to that of the current government particularly in the case of judicial reform. President Herzog has spoken out on the issue, asking for more debate and less demand. The Minister of Justice, Yariv Levin, promised in depth discussion of the proposed reforms but the fact is quite the opposite as reforms are being rushed through the Knesset without the opportunity of rebuttal. There are several Likud Members of Knesset who are against the manner of the reform and only time will tell if they have the courage to speak out. Democracy will allow for a reversal of the reforms, in four years’ time. And so to theocracies, or should one say imagined theocracies or accusations thereof. Did you know that in Britain the Monarch is the Head of the Anglican Church yet it is as far as one can imagine from being a theocracy? In the USA “In God we trust” is basic to the very core of that democracy and each session of both the Congress and Senate is opened by a prayer. Israel is a Jewish state, the only Jewish state in the world based on Jewish principles, a simple statement of fact. But this is no more a theocracy than those countries whose populations are mainly Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or Shinto and recognise their significance. Are they all theocracies? Of course not and neither are we. Our identity is as a Jewish State which brings with it a responsibility to grant freedom of faith, prayer and creed to all who live here. Rabbi Jeremy Rosen explains it far better than I ever could. https://jeremyrosen.com/2023/02/israeli-theocracy.html Did you know that Barcelona and Tel Aviv were twinned cities? Well they aren’t any more because the Mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, decided that she didn’t want to be twinned with an Israeli city which abuses human rights. Yes I know it is ludicrous but that her perception. However, the Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, immediately decided that Madrid would twin with Tel Aviv! Of course, being politicians, one Liberal one conservative, it was probably a knee-jerk decision with political gains, but I like it anyway. Israelis are really good at the Japanese martial arts! I am not sure if it is the athleticism or the competitiveness but we are! Gili Shahrir has just won a gold medal at the Paris Grand Slam Judo Competition. Well done!! My physiotherapist, Yonatan, lives in Tekoa. Tekoa is what most of you choose to call a settlement! The name means to blow a trumpet or horn or shofar (ram’s horn) and originates in the Bible as the home of Amos. What fascinated me is that the town abuts the Arab village of Te-koa, with the same origins. As I was doing my exercises Yonatan explained that despite the outside view of Tekoa, the cooperation between the two towns is a constant and their local industry of mushroom growing is a shared enterprise, with workers from both the Israeli and the Palestinian towns. As he spoke I thought about the huge difference between perception and fact of most of these small towns especially since until the woke description of a settlement it usually referred to a pioneer town, a positive description – it is only when describing anywhere outside the green line of Israel does it become an insult an offensive descriptive noun. This week the skies opened and the rains came down with a vengeance. While it made life temporarily uncomfortable, Mount Hermon’s ski slopes are covered with wonderful fresh snow and just a few hundred kilometres drive away the desert is blooming! Just in time for Tu b’Shvat! Israelis are going north to ski or south to see the sea of red, the wild anemones, which change the rich desert earth from arid to green and red. I haven’t gone south this year but on the other hand there isn’t a park or nature walk that is not covered in the wild flowers that I love so much. Perhaps tomorrow, Jill and I will go for a little walk over the road so that I can show here the reservoir filled by natures irrigation. Oh by the way, Jill arrived in Israel during one of our heaviest downpours but even that couldn’t cast a shadow on her delight at being back in Israel after a Covid break of 3 years. We have been busy in the best possible manner, seeing old friends and sightseeing what we could through the curtain of rain! We met with Dana and Betty at the Israel Museum, starting our day in a most delightful way, catching up on the intervening years. Betty is a volunteer at this incredible museum, which incidentally has been designated as one of the finest 10 museums in the world, in fact she is now responsible for the entire army of volunteers and organised for us to join a tour. The tour was of the works of Sigalit Landau who has her studio in Tel Aviv but her works express her love of the Dead Sea and her distress at the ecological disaster caused by the dredging works of both Israel and Jordan. Sigalit grew up in Jerusalem and at every chance her family would travel down to the Dead Sea Forming her special relationship with the salty depths. Her art is based on shapes, each of which has deeper meaning than appears, which are then immersed in the waters of the Dead Sea for months until encrusted withsalt crystals. Absolutely phenomenal especially when explained by our exceptional guide Barbara. https://www.imj.org.il/en/exhibitions/sigalit-landau-burning-sea When we got home two telephone calls changed out plans! One from Rachel, Yosef and Talia who informed us that they were on their way to see Jill and from Jill’s lovely friend Uriel who also wanted to hug Jill. It was a delightful evening, supper for everyone was on the table within minutes and the conversation didn’t stop! Yesterday we took it relatively easy and had an early lunch at the delightful “Pop Up” café in Kiriat Anavim. There was great excitement since the resident chef just won the Israeli Chef Games! Pop Up isn’t a fancy shmantzy restaurant but rather a lovely, welcoming, wooden table coffee shop with delightful young waiters and a garden which bears resemblance to a bower, filled with flowers! Today will be a delight. I don’t even have to cook! We have been invited to meet with Cheryl Schur, a friend from Canada in the small town of Ein Keren. Home to Hadassah Hospital, St. Mary’s Well and the golden onion domed Russian Orthodox Convent, St John the Baptist Monastery and the Sisters of Zion Convent, another 4 churches and at least a dozen fun restaurants. It will be fun to introduce Jill to Cheryl and catch up on Cheryl’s news. Tonight will be extra special as Jill and I are going to Rachel’s for Shabbat Dinner. First of all it is very special for me to be with my Israeli grandchildren at a dinner table, a Shabbat Dinner table, apparently together with several other surprise guests and to hear my son in law’s kiddush (blessing over the wine). He has a delightful voice and sings a very different melody to Zvi’s. His is a Kurdish melody, an Eastern Jewish melody, really beautiful. I can’t wait!! Rachel is a phenomenal cook, truly delicious and varied. Her chraime style fish, a zillion salads and as many roast potatoes as survive the day of Yosef, Talia and Ayala pinching them! I can already imagine Jill’s face as we sit around the table – all of us trying very hard to refrain from filling up on her challot. Incidentally talking of challot, she baked me the most incredible heart shaped challah for my Hebrew birthday….it was scrumptious and very well appreciated! Zvi is having so much fun! He has left Los Angeles and is now in San Diego having spent time with both family and old friends unencumbered by my complaints because they always speak Spanish! Zvi’s wonderful parents, Alla and Kalman Raviv, were teachers in the Yiddische Schule, as I believe I told you last week, and at the ripe old age of 13, just after his bar mitzva, they headed off to Mexico City to serve as Hebrew teachers. The LA and San Diego sections of his journey are to spend time with the family members who have moved to the USA, and included a visit to the Magic Castle with Alan Cohen! After the weekend he will head off to Mexico City where he will have reunions galore of the school and of course with the family too numerous to mention. I know he will return exhilarated and exhausted. I’m so thrilled he kept up his contacts. I couldn’t decided whether to give you this first song. It is sung by an Arab and a Jew in Arabic with subtitles and speaks of peace among neighbours, peace among faiths, of tolerance and love. It is so different to my usual choices but I felt it important. I hope you like it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s4sae9GiaE How can I go yet another week without Koolulam? Actually I can’t, this song written by Arkady Duchinfits the theme of caring for our world and exuding love. “I have love inside me and it will triumph” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J98XBmoZAi4 The Shalva Band broke barriers, as one says these days, they burst through the glass ceiling. They prove in the most beautiful manner that disabilities need not hold you back, that it all depends upon what the world is willing to see in everyone, to find the best they can ever be. Shalva proved that each person has beauty and abilities that emerge given half a chance. A Million Dreams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnnOWLm3oxI&t=6s I am always amazed at how the weekly reading from the Torah mirrors our daily lives. This week we read from Jethro, Moses father in law, who advises Moses to appoint magistrates and judges to help him in the task of administering the Children of Israel, a team, a board, a group of those who understand and can help, rather than unilaterally making decisions. Jethro was a wise man, and gave his son in law good advice. As I said, each week the Torah reading seems to mirror our lives today. I wish you Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem, our city, the city loved by the three monotheistic religions and revered by two of them. Sheila

Trees, Terror and Travel

3rd February 2023 12th Shvat, 5783 Good morning, Good Shabbes, Shabbat Shalom! The wonderful healing rains came down this week, preparing the earth for Tu b’Shvat, the new year for trees – Jewish Ecology! The custom of planting trees and eating fruit began in the 16th century in the town of Sefat by the followers of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, the father of Kabbala, as a time of purification and was then adopted in 1801 by the Jewish Teachers Union and the Keren Kayemet to encourage tree planting in the Holy Land. So, the very welcome rain will ensure the growth of healthy young saplings that each child will plant on Monday. I wish the healing rains could wash away our political predicament but it isn’t that easy. In truth the PM is, thus far, succeeding in quashing any extreme moves on the part of his cabinet, but that leads to a different problem. What has warmed my heart is the form that the demonstrations has taken, a quiet, orderly and deeply emotional rebellion in which rather than expressing anger and disorder the “rebels” wave the Israeli flag and gather to hear speakers and personalities before disbanding and walking home. It is happening in most villages, towns and cities. Last week, after Shabbat, a man from East Jerusalem took his car and a gun and headed for one of the poorest areas of Jerusalem, a neighborhood of predominantly new immigrants and the poorest sectors of Israeli society. First he saw a woman crossing the street and shot her dead, she wasn’t Israeli, was not a Jew and was from Ukraine; he went on to find a group of people outside the synagogue and began shooting, killing and maiming in cold blood. A couple, one a guard and one a dinner lady in Hadassah Hospital, heard the shots and rushed out of their home to help, they both died. The first person on the scene was a paramedic from East Jerusalem, a Moslem, a good and important part of Israeli society – such is life in Israel. The following day a 13 year old boy took a gun, an illegal gun, from his home, walked in to the street in the Old City and shot Jews walking by on their way home from prayers. It later came out that he was a student at a PA school, Al-Furqan Islamic School for Boys, that was reported on by Impact-se for hate education, sadly, yet again, proving that terror is taught in PA schools. The IDF operation in Jenin had nothing whatsoever to do with Neve Yaakov or the Old City; the IDF operation in Jenin was to wipe out a gang of terrorists planning a major attack. Friends, I know I say this all the time, but, shootings and stabbings happen all the time in most Western countries, here, each one is a tragedy, each killing, shooting, destroys families especially when those killings are religiously based, hatred, it kills the family of the perpetrator and the perpetrated against. Somehow Israel has become the headline country, maybe to deflect attention from the failings of others? Talking of guns, the Neve Yaakov terror attack raised a huge question. Because the neighborhood is predominantly religious or new immigrants, there are very few reserve soldiers so nobody carries a gun to protect the residents against exactly such attacks. As a result, the national requests for a gun licence has increased enormously. In Israel in order to receive a gun licence, which does not allow anything further than a handgun, the process takes about 9 months. The applicant needs to undergo psychological tests, training, proof that he/she is physically capable and proof that he/she has no criminal past. The only people one sees with handguns are guards, police and soldiers and those who have passed all the above requirements. The only problem is that criminals and terrorists do not exactly abide by the laws for carrying arms. I am not normally given to quoting the National Post, a somewhat right leaning publication, but this piece by Brendan O’Neill exposes with stark honesty the question of bias in the media. Brendan O’Neill: “The woke hatred for Israel is no longer just strange — it’s dangerous. They made more noise over a massacre that exists mostly in their imaginations than they did over a massacre in the real world.” https://nationalpost.com/opinion/the-woke-hatred-for-israel-is-no-longer-just-strange-its-dangerous/wcm/ee61b77d-801b-4e8a-b251-337090b3408f/amp/ If I gave you a map of Africa could you put a finger on Chad? Chad is in Central Africa, right between Niger and North Sudan, is named after Lake Chad, was part of the French colonies and is predominantly desert. The north of Chad is predominantly Moslem, the South is Christian, both Protestant and Catholic with a small minority of Moslems. This week, after a long period of negotiation, Chad decided to open its Embassy to Israel, to renew full diplomatic relations. Now South Sudan has begun direct talks to renew diplomatic relations with Israel. What strange times we live in, right is wrong and wrong is right. As the West becomes more and more antagonistic toward Israel the Islamic countries become warmer and warmer in their attitude toward us! Judicial Reform is top of the news here and apparently in the world, incredibly reaching headlines and the inevitable suggestions of instability which can have a detrimental effect on our economy! Quite honestly, it is an internal affair which we need to address not an international outrage! The proposed changes are the basis of the demonstrations all over Israel, although it is not the reforms themselves which has angered the populace but the manner of the intended implementation. A case of a sledge hammer rather than a judge’s gavel. The fact is that some form of judicial reform is essential, some need updating and others need change, but not forcibly it must be democratic change. It is so complex I don’t want to bore you but I maintain that a judge’s gavel is preferable over a sledgehammer when it comes to the banner of democracy. This week has been busy (what week isn’t?) but not crazy! It began with the wonderful Poodle, aka Alex, and my Rachel. We met, intending to have lunch in Caffit in the Botanical Gardens, partly because I wanted to tell you about (nay wax lyrical) the beauty of the pond and its water lilies, but lo and behold, it was closed for “shiputzim” which is a general word for repairs or renewal or any building work. We were so disappointed but remembering that all we wanted was to be together to talk we walked 50 metres to the coffee shop in the plant nursery. It really wasn’t the same, to begin with it was self service and limited menu and I had to do without my favourite salad, Oreganatto with sweet potato. However, we managed anyway and the quiche was delicious. We spoke of cabbages and kings and family and of course of Daniel and Dr. Dan’s Room in Shalva. Poodle, so named for her hairstyle so many years ago in Carmel College with Daniel and Justin, is an exceptional woman who exudes warmth and love. Rachel and I will walk a million miles for one of her smiles!! On Monday I went to visit our lovely friend Dina who sadly lost her mother recently. The Jewish tradition of Shiva, seven days of mourning in which people come to visit and console, is very special and of huge importance in the grieving process. Dina sings with Zvi, a beautiful soprano, and a dear friend. Zvi wanted to come with me but was called to an urgent babysitting stint in Nes Ziona, with Leor’s 4 girls, a task he loves! Tuesday morning and Rachael Risby Raz came visiting! It is always fun to hear the latest news from Rachael, whose enthusiasm is contagious. Actually Rachael brought me a most appropriate gift – cans of seeds! Really! Apparently an Israeli idea, one takes the plug out of the bottom of the can, open the top, add water and hey presto! Herbs grow! Obviously we spoke of the current political situation and how different it was when Rachael worked for our former Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert. Yesterday we popped in to see our friends Yossi and Ronit Dagan. We went for a few minutes and before we knew it Ronit had prepared a three course meal for us! A wonderful Hummus soup, borekas, salads – a very Israel light supper. Such an Israeli situation, popping in for two minutes and receiving the warmth of a family meal and hospitality. Yet again the topic of conversation ran the gamut of discussion of the current government and our determination to be vessels of change. Ronit runs courses for retirees in the community centre in the neighborhood of Givat Massuah, in Jerusalem and Yossi is an historian, concentrating on Jerusalem. Givat Massuah means the height or hill of the beacon, because once upon a time before iPhones, the hills was the site of the beacon announcing Shabbat, festivals or any important situation. Today it is a lovely neighborhood overlooking the road to Bethlehem, Beit Jallah and a large part of Southern Jerusalem. Now that we are back to being a two car family, yes I am now allowed to drive after 3 months post-surgery, I hope I will manage to see Rachel and the children before Shabbat. Zvi will go to his parliament and I will prepare supper for Leor, Amiad and families, just 12 of us which is very manageable. We decided on a simple meal – Veggie soup to suit the cool and rainy weather, a side of beautiful salmon, roasties, stuffed mini vegetables (tiny sweet peppers and courgettes, and of course onion, which is separated into layers which then wrap the stuffing) a big green salad and Amiad is bringing his famous cabbage salad and a chopped salad and various ice-creams to go with the fresh fruit for dessert. Oh, I almost forgot! I make a petit beurre and chocolate brittle with all kinds of treats inside! Zvi will sing the Kiddush, the blessing over the wine and then we will sit down and do what all families do, chat, argue, discuss and try to listen over the noise! Rachel just called me to sing happy birthday and of course Zvi joined in! Today is my Hebrew birthday and I didn’t realise. It’s fine to have two birthdays as long as I don’t grow by two years each time!! Tomorrow night Zvi is off to Los Angeles, San Diego and Mexico City on a family and friends visit. He really earned this trip by being incredible during my recovery period, not that he needs an excuse to see the family. It never fails to amaze me how he has remained in touch with schoolfriends from the Yiddische Shule, the Jewish high school in Mexico City where his parents taught for five years on behalf of the Jewish Agency from 1958 to 1963. I wish him a wonderful trip and hopefully he will not be too busy to call me every so often! While Zvi is away my friend Jill will come to stay for two weeks. Covid stopped her regular travels to Israel ad this was the perfect opportunity. We will go to Jill’s kibbutz, have lots of visitors and generally enjoy our time together. So it’s that time! Time to say farewell for this week and think about how each and every one of us can change our crazy world for the better. Remember my motto? The power of one. We can each do something in our own way, writing a letter, creating a group who care, so many ways. The first song is called “Ayn Li Eretz Aheret” or I have no other country. The lyrics are clear, even if we are dissatisfied with changes and will not keep quiet, this is till our only country, the country I love, this is my only home. I wish it was in English but this version is so beautiful https://youtu.be/jtR6HF3MQKw What happens when a secular American Jew finds religion after being utterly lost? He becomes a Reggae singer! Matisyahu created a wonderful song of peace and brotherhood. One Day. https://youtu.be/WRmBChQjZPs The Shalva Band was created as a natural progression of the Shalva Centre in Jerusalem. Shalva was created by Malki and Kalman Samuels to show the world that people with special needs of every imaginable type, can reach the peak of their abilities. Just as their son Yossi, who is blind deaf and has ADHD learned to communicate and today is a fully fledged sommelier. The Band travels the world singing, is living proof that its members are stars, beautiful, talented stars. Here they sing Leonard Cohen’s Halleluyah in Canada. Breathtaking. https://youtu.be/6AJIdSNV64Y Sending you all our love from beautiful Jerusalem. Hopefully the rain will stop long enough to go for a walk and see the incredible almond blossom, those pink puff-balls that cover the hills, the wild flowers, cyclamen, poppies, quills, anemones, so much joy to be found if we just choose to look. This weeks Torah reading shows us that instead of talking of the difficulties of leaving Egypt the Almighty sweetened bitter waters, split the waters of the Red Sea, provided Manna from heaven (incidentally that’s why we have two challot instead of one on Shabbat because we received two portions before the Sabbath) so dear friends, we can see the bad in the world but life is so much better if we recognise the good. After all as the song says – Ayn Li Eretz Aheret – we have no other country. Shabbat Shalom Sheila