In Times of Love and War

 

8^th August 2025

671^st of October 2023

15^th of the month of Av 5785

 

“Falsehood flies, and truth comes limping after it, so that when men come to be undeceived, it is too late; the jest is over, and the tale hath had its effect.”

Jonathan Swift

 

Shabbat Shalom dear friends. I was looking for something entirely different when I came across the quote above and it seemed so appropriate for our current situation that I put it as a headline to today’s missive.

 

The lies abound but sadly the government, or rather Cabinet members, keep many lies alive by their thoughtless statements. Actually, not thoughtless, dangerous. Calls to reoccupy Gaza are not only misguided they’re dangerous and the majority of Israelis are against it. Such a move would cost more soldiers’ lives, many of them reservists who have already sacrificed deeply, leaving young families behind for months. Israel’s army is stretched thin, partly because nearly two-thirds of the eligible population, including most Haredim and Arabs, do not serve.

 

Reentering Gaza would mean governing over two million people raised to hate us, a reality that would only strengthen claims that Israel is a colonial occupier. Even neighboring Arab countries refuse to take on the responsibility of ruling Gaza. The rational solution is not reoccupation, but placing the Palestinian Authority in charge, under close supervision from Egypt and a Western country. Crucially, the hostages are believed to be held in Gaza City. Any large-scale incursion would all but guarantee their deaths. We must not sacrifice them to make a political point or score a hollow military victory. Last night the Security Cabinet decided to deepen the fight but not to occupy Gaza.

 

This debate has already claimed the position of former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, who, though new in his role, took responsibility for October 7 and planned to step down after the war. He was replaced by Gen. Eyal Zamir, who initially was perceived by the government to support intensified attacks on Hamas, but now strongly opposes reentering or controlling Gaza. His stance has faced a Knesset vote. Let us hope he holds firm; for the sake of our soldiers, our sanity, and our future.

 

This week we saw the horrifying, recently released videos of hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski; skeletal, desperate, Evyatar forced to dig his own grave with his last ounce of strength, Rom, unable to stand, and we can only imagine that the other 18 living hostages are in a similar near death state. I doubt if there was even one among us who succeeded in holding back tears at the sight of their plight.  The anguish of their mothers, and fathers, is unimaginable, hearts torn out and ripped apart. Anyone who has a heart must feel it too. MK Simcha Rothman, who represents Smotrich’s party, refused to watch the videos. He spoke calling them “Hamas propaganda” intended to demoralise Israeli society. “It’s a grave mistake to watch or broadcast these videos,” he said. “I won’t volunteer to let Hamas’s psychological missile enter my eyes and heart.” No words.

 

As Eilon Levy said, “In the video you see who is starving in Gaza, the hand that passed a can of food to Evyatar was fat, well fed. Levy also stood before vast supplies of staple foods on the Gaza side of the border, foods that have not been distributed by the UN. Israel, incidentally, allocated $1 BILLION in aid to Gaza!

 

One cannot defeat Hamas, not Israel, not the West, and certainly not with conventional thinking. The fundamental mistake is in assuming Hamas behaves like a rational actor. They are not swayed by money, they have enough; they do not seek international affection or diplomatic legitimacy; they are unmoved by American threats or Western incentives; Hamas is a movement of religious zealots, guided solely by the teachings of their religious leaders and their interpretation of the Qur’an. That is their only compass — and nothing else matters. When Yahya Sinwar was imprisoned in Israel, no interrogation technique could break him. He remained silent until the Mossad approached Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, his spiritual authority. Only when Yassin gave the instruction did Sinwar begin to speak. That account, which I believe fully, was told to Zvi by a former Mossad operative whose name must remain confidential.

 

All of this leads to one unavoidable conclusion: we should withdraw from Gaza, even temporarily, even under the framework of a “hudna”, to bring home the hostages, or what remains of them. To fail to do so risks fracturing Israeli society into pieces and placing diaspora Jews in greater peril. Don’t take my word for it — take the word of a group of esteemed former chiefs of Israel’s security services, police, and the Mossad: https://youtu.be/DsuGv-5bzNM?si=B20Hki4DEO7rISPY

 

The Security Cabinet of the Knesset just voted to go deeper into Gaza and take over large areas. Surely a devastating decision, nationally and internationally

 

So many countries are rushing to recognise a Palestinian state  but few pause to ask whether it meets the basic legal criteria according to the Montevideo Convention of 1933. A state must have defined borders, a permanent population, a functioning government, and the ability to conduct foreign relations. Palestine has none of these. Still, I’ll admit something that might surprise you: under very strict and realistic conditions, recognition might actually help. I don’t want to rule over another people. I don’t want one shared state. And I certainly don’t want to become a minority in the only Jewish homeland we have. Israel was created as a refuge, a Jewish state on ancient lands, a country where all religions can pray freely and safely. If a Palestinian state existed, it would be held accountable under international law, for its leadership, its finances, and for providing a future for its people. Refugee status would end. Dependency would end. And maybe, just maybe, some of this endless cycle would end too. The world is pouring more than $30 billion annually into maintaining the current situation. Is that really helping anyone?

 

Last Thursday, my heart broke. A group of 180 Israeli soldiers walked through the gates of Auschwitz-Birkenau, not in protest, but in mourning. As part of the “Witnesses in Uniform” programme of the IDF, they came to honour six million slaughtered Jews and reclaim their heritage. But at the site of Jewish annihilation, Polish police told them to lower their flags, the symbol of survival, nationhood, and return.

 

If, like me, you wonder what you can do to make things better in your communities and towns but don’t know how, Jay Ruderman has made it easier through his own vast experience. The book is called Find Your Fight https://www.amazon.com/Find-Your-Fight-Causes-Matter/dp/1637560478 and Jay encourages us to act with advice on how to do it.

 

However, it’s not all bad! There are many places in this confused and gullible world that are waking up from their nightmare.

 

One of the most prestigious of Oxford University colleges, St Anne’s, has for the first time ever launched a scholarship specifically for Jewish and Israeli undergraduate students. Four scholarships will be open to Jewish undergraduates or Israeli undergraduates of any or no faith, to be enrolled at St Anne’s College.

 

A proud moment for Israeli medicine! The Reducer, a groundbreaking heart implant developed at Ihilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv, has just been approved for use in Israel. Placed via simple catheterization, this tiny device improves blood flow and eases severe chest pain. Over 75% of patients report major improvements in quality of life. Innovation made in Israel. Now saving lives

 

Gal Raviv (no relation) scored an incredible 32 points in an Israeli win in the Women’s Under 20 Basketball Championships, winning over the reigning champions France! Israel beat France, the current champions, 81-74, securing a place in the quarterfinals and confirming its spot in Division A for next year’s tournament. Brava to all the team!!

 

Israel's Leviathan natural gas field has signed the largest export agreement in the country's history, worth up to $35 billion to supply gas to Egypt. The deal, announced by Israel’s Yitzchak Tshuva, Director of the Delek Group, will ease a major natural gas shortage in Egypt and secure deeper relations between the two countries

 

After a conversation with friends yesterday I felt the need to contact our old friend Canon Andrew White! Andrew’s speech is very slurred but he was so excited as we talked on Chat about our adventures. He said that the Ezekiel's Tomb episode (which I wrote about last week) was a highlight in his life. Incredibly, after 30 years of severe MS, he still gives sermons from his bed and dreams of coming back to Jerusalem for gefilte fish in the King David Hotel.

 

After another busy week with lots of events and last night, after a community event in the park with an excellent jazz singer, we went to our local amphitheatre where many famous Israelis perform before taking their act to major venues. Last night was the inimitable Yehoram Gaon, still going strong, maybe even stronger after all these years. 6,000 people, the front section filled with pilots, soldiers and injured soldiers from the rehabilitation unit in Sheba Hospital, all of whom were invited personally, and we all sang along with Yehoram Gaon and he regaled us with stories about his father, a teacher of Hebrew and Hebrew Grammar at the teacher’s training college in Jerusalem.

 

His first song rang true with the entire audience. Shalom Lach Eretz Nehederet -  Peace To You, Wonderful Country

 https://youtu.be/__oEmwpEmTc?si=P8OVbBp1EZDRHCVb

 

Hanan Ben Ami is coming to perform in our amphitheatre next week. This song, a song he wrote just a year ago, expresses what so many of us feel “even in hellish times this is still the Garden of Eden” The name of the Song is Moledet, Homeland.  https://youtu.be/9wYEWx1291g?si=wM5GcCLphocOO_vm

 

Finally the song written and sung by Moshe Ben Ami that expresses our prayers for peace – for EVERYONE. Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu – Peace will come to us. The words need no complicated translation, they repeat time and again, “Peace will come to us, peace will come to us and to everyone. Peace for us and for the whole world.” https://youtu.be/L4Uzxn0lV6g?si=uy0fTOhPmD4UKlbh

 

You see, I tried to shorten what I wrote so that Stanley wouldn’t complain, but so many things happened and you’ll have to manage without everything I deleted! Stanley, even without my description of the veranda and its view!

 

Perhaps I should have put the song “Lo Nafsik l’Shir” – We won’t stop singing – as one of the songs because this country will not stop singing. We sing when we are happy, we sing when we are sad and even at funerals where many of the top Israeli singers go to the funerals of soldiers and former hostages at the family’s request, willingly giving of themselves

 

Tonight is the eve of Tu b’Av, the 15^th day of the Hebrew month of Av, the Jewish day of love, just 7 days after Tisha b’Av, the 9^th day of Av, which is a day of fasting and deep mourning. (for those who wish to know more about this festival please see below)

 

Shabbat is a time for singing. We sing ancient songs, not just the blessings over wine and bread. Some are just hummed, called niggunim, they are the most soulful, bringing with them memories of the “shtetl” the Jewish enclaves in Eastern Europe. We sing, we just sing.

 

So I wish you Shabbat Shalom and want you to know that we miss you. We miss your visits. So many go to countries where we are hated but fail to come here, to the one place on earth where you are welcomed with open arms.

 

With much love

Sheila

 

Celebrating Tu B’Av: A Night of Love, Light, and New Beginnings

As the full moon of Av rises, so too does the spirit of one of Judaism’s most beautiful, lesser-known holidays — Tu B’Av (the 15th of Av), our own Jewish festival of love.

Originally rooted in moments of unity and renewal for the ancient Israelites, Tu B’Av has evolved into a modern celebration of romance and joy. In biblical times, it marked reconciliation, hope, and even the beginning of new love stories. Young women of Jerusalem would dance in white dresses in the vineyards of Shiloh, symbolizing equality, possibility, and new beginnings and the young single men would follow hoping to find a bride.

Today, Tu B’Av is celebrated across Israel and Jewish communities worldwide as a time to cherish love,  romantic and communal. Flowers are gifted, music fills the streets, and couples often choose this auspicious day for engagements and weddings.Let’s take this opportunity to open our hearts, send a sweet message, or simply reflect on the beauty of love in all its forms.

Wishing you a Tu B’Av filled with warmth, connection, and new light. 🌕

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NYT, Manchester and Tadela

 

1^st of August 2025

7^th of the month of Av, 5785

665^th of October

 

Shabbat Shalom dear friends. Gosh you have no idea how important you are to me. By writing to you I feel a closeness and it forces me to think pragmatically in a world that has become insane.

 

Tomorrow night we enter the fast day of the 9^th of Av, Tisha b’Av. Tisha b’Av commemorates many tragedies in Jewish history, but predominantly the destruction of both Temples. Those two tragedies were caused by that destructive emotion, Sinat Hinam, baseless hatred. In a world that is spinning out of control with hatred, violence and anger, reflected in the meteorological situation, we seem to have learned nothing from history. I really want to write about the wonders of Israel, and there are many, but, dear friends, I have to be realistic too.

 

I just saw a headline in an article sent to me by Dale Hoffman. It reads “How is it that a leadership that demonstrated astonishing competence in the 12-day war with Iran has stumbled this badly to explain and execute any coherent strategy in Gaza?” Is it that Israel wants to please everyone, especially the USA? Well, that can’t be the answer, not with the wild statements of members of the Cabinet which are reported as Israeli policy. So why?

 

As talks with Hamas fall apart, the painful truth can no longer be ignored: Israel cannot achieve both of its goals, bringing every hostage home and defeating Hamas. The hostages, 20 of whom are still alive, are not just individuals. They are symbols, woven into the soul of Israeli life. Their faces cover walls, bus stops, entryways and hearts. Leaving even one behind is unimaginable. But reality is harsh. Hamas trades lives for power. Every deal so far has come at a heavy cost, a pause in fighting, the release of terrorists, and the grim message that abducting Jews brings rewards.

 

A quote from an Australian newspaper, sent by our dear friend, Linda. “Israel’s conduct cannot and should not be exempt from even searing criticism. But constantly repeated, the imbalance in emphasis absolves Hamas of its responsibilities, encouraging a simplistic, one-sided narrative in which Israel is the sole actor. One thing is certain: they won’t hear about them on the ABC, which has consistently ignored the rapidly deteriorating situation in Sudan. The figures are stark: a search of material added to the ABC website in the last month does not find a single hit for “Sudan” and just one for “Darfur”. But it does find 5750 hits for “Gaza” and 3380 for “famine and Gaza”. 

 

The New York Times refused to report on the Holocaust despite knowing the facts because the then owner, Arthur Hays Sulzberger, a Jew, didn’t want to newspaper to be “too Jewish”. Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr., whose family has controlled the paper since 1896, is both the paper's publisher and the company's current chairman. After this week’s report and photograph of an emaciated child blaming Israeli starving of the Gazans, 55 million saw the headline but just 88,000 saw the correction. Is that accountability? can it change the fact that people have seen it and made that judgment?

 

Why then, despite claims that “all lives matter”, are some tragedies so much worthier of our attention and compassion than others, whose sheer scale is vastly greater? I have said all along that in actual fact, in world diplomacy and journalism, black lives really don't matter, but Palestinians own the rights to all sympathetic journalism. Why? Ask yourselves.

 

Perhaps part of the answer lies in this interview. I wish I knew the name of the speaker who so eloquently explains how the KGB formed the PLO, with Yassir Arafat, and their plan to involve the black American community by suggesting the colonial apartheid lies about Israel. https://youtube.com/shorts/8S6zqe-pTZ4?si=2EnLITYo0nayyXWG

 

There is also a partial answer in this July 2025 report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) https://www.uscirf.gov/ highlights Iran’s ongoing violations of religious freedom both domestically and worldwide. The report focuses on the Iranian government's intensified persecution of religious minorities including Baha’is, Jews, Christians, Sunnis, and other non-Muslim groups following a military escalation in June 2025. It documents systematic discrimination, arbitrary arrests, and harassment aimed at suppressing religious expression and identity across borders.

 

8.8 on the Richter Scale! Horrendous! Unimaginable! Like hatred the shocks spread all over the world, through the Pacific and on to a multitude of countries. Luckily, no subsequent damage was felt and the tsunami was minimal.

 

I wish a Shabbat Shalom to Steve Witkoff who should be back from a visit to Gaza to check on the disinformation about the shortages.

 

Not everyone is bad. Not everyone is bent on world domination, most of us just get on with life, loving our neighbour, helping those in distress, growing our families to be tolerant, caring, good people. Perhaps it is worth reminding you of the better side of humanity.

 

In a show of mutual support, proving it can be done with the right leaders, Jewish and Moslem leaders in Greater Manchester, UK, have come together to sign a joint declaration calling for peace and better understanding between their communities. With tensions running high over the war in the Middle East, and local relations described as the worst they’ve been in years, this moment of unity couldn’t have come at a better time. The declaration was signed on Tuesday at the University of Manchester, with local politicians and community figures there to show their support and back this hopeful step forward.

 

Twenty-seven years ago, during a violent uprising in Ethiopia, Tadela was forced to make an unthinkable choice, to leave her newborn daughter in the safe care of Jewish neighbours and fled for her life. Decades later, that moment came full circle. When Tadela was reunited with her daughter at Ben Gurion Airport, she fell to the ground in tears of gratitude. The baby she once left behind had made Aliyah with the neighbours, grown up to be a healthy, happy woman in Israel, and become a doctor. There are still many beautiful stories here in Israel, whatever colour one’s skin may be.

 

I often talk about Impact-se (www.impact-se.org) (well as Chair of the Vaad what do you expect?) and here is a video of our CEO Marcus Sheff talking about the excellent tolerant schoolbooks of the UAE and our new report on Indonesia. Indonesia a country, almost a sub-continent, made up of 100+ islands and about 100 different ethnic groups, and their levels of tolerance. Very important as the largest Moslem country in the world.   https://youtu.be/g3bQf-Ewr5o?si=A5Xy_PybKIxP-Z7i

 

Israeli rhythmic gymnast Meital Maayan Sumkin wowed the crowd and the judges at the Challenge Cup in Cluj, Romania, winning gold in hoop and bronze in ribbon. Her achievement highlights a strong showing by the Israeli team, now preparing for next month’s World Championships in Rio. Kol hakavod, Meital!

 

Ofer Caldron, who suffered the horrors of Hamas captivity, dreaming of riding once again with his cycling buddies, rode a lap of honour on the Champs Elysée. Another former hostage, Jimmy Pacheco from the Philippines was working as a caregiver and his patient was slaughtered. Jimmy was released in November 2023. This week, in a deeply moving tribute, he welcomed the birth of his baby daughter, whom he has named Israela.

 

Finally, our week. As usual it was busy! Zvi had his usual choir rehearsals and several meetings, including a Zoom in Spanish for his former schoolmates in Mexico. My “Mind and Movement” group came to me for our end of summer get together on Tuesday morning and we danced on the veranda then sat to eat and chat about our concerns and joys. Tuesday evening was our Impact-se Vaad meeting, on Zoom since we are on opposite sides of the world! As I said in my opening words, each report that Marcus gives me I am simply flabbergasted by the work of the team. It is work that gives me hope for the future.

 

On Wednesday I met with my old friend Sheila Zucker, who after 6 years has finally managed to return to Israel. We had a ball, laughing a great deal, commenting on the fact that we both allowed our hair to go white and enjoying a delicious meal in Naya restaurant. That night Ira, our lovely Ira came to stay and yesterday we went to a Golden Wedding party of our friends Ido and Sarita. It was so beautiful, held in their exquisite garden, on the patio beside the pool. The band was stupendous, really great jazz, the food delicious, and the company of our friends around the table lifted my spirits. Zvi has driven to Tel Aviv for a memorial ceremony for a friend and then he will collect four grandchildren who will come to stay overnight. Ori, Ella, Yonatan and Yuval. Their choice of food will determine our menu tonight and tomorrow. It took a bit of work to rearrange the furniture in the spare bedroom to accommodate the extra two mattresses, but I know that they will all want to stay together.

 

And so to another week, exciting on the international level, on the personal level and a little too exciting on the Israeli level. I say exciting but one thing that few seem to understand it that despite the over-stating of the media, we really live a safer and more normal life than most of you out there in the world!

 

Remember, please, the story behind Tish b’Av; that we must avoid internecine fighting, whether it is which branch of Christianity is “best”, or whether one branch of Judaism is holier than the next or which form of Islam is closer to Mohammed. We are all human beings and hatred just brings destruction with it.

 

Perhaps Dr. Tom Lehrer, legend of the 60’s who passed away this week, put it best in his iconic song “National Brotherhood Week” https://youtu.be/aIlJ8ZCs4jY?si=tpW309GiLJD9UsTq

 

Koolulam again! The Party is Over was written by Naomi Shemer, The first words are “To rise tomorrow morning with a new song in my heart to start over from the beginning” which tells you so much about the Israeli character. Enjoy https://youtu.be/-P0Gnvk5Kmk?si=ahVfGO7amIKNb4jc

 

If I were to choose one song that expressed everything about Israel it would have to be Al Kol Eleh, The Honey and the Sting. Listen carefully to the words, to the voice of Shlomi Shabat and the 12 thousand singers of Koolulam. I bet you can’t refrain from singing along!! https://youtu.be/oxzR9Z-kG6Q?si=6BPIYyIHO0lhDOg6

 

On that hopeful note I wish you all a Shabbat Shalom. At the beginning I expressed my love for each of you and although it may sound strange, since I don’t know most of you, but I really do. I don’t care in which direction you pray, in which language, I care that you care enough to read my words.

 

With all my love from our bountiful veranda with its view over Jerusalem.

Sheila