22nd of August 2025
28th of the Hebrew month of Av in the year 5785
669 days since Israel responded to the attack of October 7th
Shabbat Shalom dear friends. Almost time to wish you a good month
as we near the Hebrew month of Elul
The month of Elul, the last month of the Jewish year, is a
time of introspection, repentance, and preparation for the High
Holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur). It's a period of
self-reflection and seeking forgiveness, with a focus on returning to God and
making amends for past actions. The blowing of the Shofar (ram's horn) is
a key custom during Elul. It serves as a wake-up call, reminding people to
reflect on their actions and prepare for the High Holidays. The name
"Elul" is often interpreted as an acronym for the phrase "Ani
L'dodi V'dodi Li," which translates to "I am my Beloved's and my
Beloved is mine". This refers to the relationship between the Jewish
people and God, and Elul is a time to strengthen that connection but more than
anything else we must strengthen our connection with each other and recognise
our allies, our allies in the understanding that this is really our land, as is
written in our Bible, our shared Bible. Yes, it really goes back five thousand,
seven hundred and eighty five years.
Did you know there are cholera outbreaks in Congo and South Sudan;
diphtheria in Somalia; floods in Vietnam; wars in Ukraine, Sudan, Congo,
Myanmar, and beyond? In every crisis, Israel is among the first to send aid.
And yet — only one country dominates the headlines, and rarely in a
complimentary way.
Just this August, Syrian Druze in Sweida were brutally attacked by
Syrian forces — torture, rape, slaughter. It barely made the news. Meanwhile,
the Syrian leader is welcomed abroad as a statesman, while Israel is condemned.
I share this not to make you sad on Shabbat, but to remind us: when
“yafeh nefesh” (beautiful souls) condemn
Israel without context, they ignore who starts the wars, who spreads hate, and
who builds bridges and who will change the very nature of your country. Yes,
antisemitism is rising — but blaming Israel for it is not only false, it
excuses those who welcome despots while disparaging our leaders.
What can you do? How can you turn the tide of hatred? Choose your
Member of Parliament, your Representative, your local politicians, police
chiefs, university presidents and major donors, even school PTAs. Write a
letter, write lots of letters, not in anger, that never works, but with clear
explanations and suggest that they are clearly not doing enough. Be concise,
firm and helpful. WRITE
150 children were banned from a French holiday village and the
director was arrested
For more than a century, Australia and Israel shared a deep bond —
from the bravery of the Australian Light Horse at Beersheba in 1917 to decades
of close friendship and support. Sadly, under the current government this
relationship has come under strain, with critical remarks from Prime Minister
Albanese toward Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu. Through it all, the
Australian Jewish community has remained a bridge between the two nations.
Contributing so much to Australian society in business, medicine, culture, and
public life, they continue to embody the shared values of courage, resilience,
and friendship that have long united Australia and Israel. This contretemps
will surely be over soon when elections will be held in both countries
Steven Spielberg made a TikTok video of his one minute talk on antisemitism.
He doesn’t discuss Israel, just of the beginning of his path to Schindler’s
list and the Holocaust Survivor’s Testimonies https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNoBnXqN3vU/
I have to approach the elephant in the room.
In order to enable the governments decision to enter Gaza city
(which until now has been outside the war but where the Hamas leaders are
hiding behind the hostages) 60,000 orders have been sent out to miluimnikim
(remember that’s the men and women who go back time and again, some serving 500
days out of the 669 days of the war, leaving their young families, serving the
country) 60,000 call-ups of soldiers that are physically and mentally exhausted,
when in the meantime young, healthy, able-bodied Haredi men have taken to the
streets in violent protest, closing main arteries, swearing that they would
rather die than serve Israel. The irony of their statement is clear – they are
willing to die against Israel but not defending Israel. Nobody is asking them
to abandon their Torah studies but rather to give back to the country that has
their backs, because while they study Torah others are dying to protect them. It
is literally tearing us apart. It causes young people to abandon their religion
because they see these social parasites, I know that sounds harsh, as
representatives of Judaism while their friends die and lose limbs and suffer PTSD,
they marry, start families, don’t work, etc. They, the Israeli young quite naturally
rebel against Judaism.
In the meantime there is a tiny ray of hope. Eli Beer, Founder and
CEO of Hatzolah, believes that through Hatzolah he can find a way to bring the Haredi
youth into the Israeli mainstream. He hopes that through public service in
Hatzolah he can approach the divisive question of Haredi military enlistment and
the draft exemption law.
That’s it, I’ve exposed the elephant and feel better for expressing
my feelings.
In the meantime, some great events have taken place. For instance :-
Israel has opened an Embassy in the African country of Zambia. Ofra
Farhi: is the Israeli ambassador to Zambia, and non-resident ambassador to
Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Botswana. As I have said, new doors are opening in the
Gulf States and Africa as they close in Europe.
Israel’s Ishay Ribo took the stage at Woodstock, New York, with
more than 14,000 people from near and far. It was the largest Jewish music
event of the year and the first of its kind at this iconic venue.
Israel’s Omri Danon won the men’s junior gold medal at the 2025 UEC
Mountain Bike Downhill European Championships in La Molina, Spain. The Israeli
national anthem in Spain
The flamingos in Israel's Hula Valley are enjoying their summer
vacation so much that they have decided not to migrate this year.
Israeli paraplegic table tennis player Caroline Tabib won the gold
medal at the US Open.
Despite the war, Israel is still ranked in the first 10 of the
world’s happiest countries, well ahead of where most of you live! How can that
be? Lousy government, hostages, war and yet, happy! The answer can probably be
in the closeness of families, Friday night family get-togethers, friendships,
open houses, good neighbours and the fact that we enjoy life – despite. So you
see, you can come here and enjoy life too!
Want to find good news items – go to www.verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com
Our social life has been somewhat limited this week. Why? You may
well ask. We have had workmen here all week, closing in part of our veranda –
don’t worry the trees and flowers remain intact – with glass windows and doors.
The purpose is not only to double the size of our lounge, but to allow for even
more guests to enjoy the view! The workmen, mostly Arab Moslems, have been
delightful. Most live not far from us and speak perfect Hebrew. What fascinated
me is that the older men drink “bots” literally translated as mud, or Turkish
coffee, and the younger men asked for espresso! They have worked diligently, and
the extra space is taking shape. Can’t wait for you to visit!
I say limited but it didn’t stop us meeting friends, going out for
coffee or neighbours popping in to see what is going on! We went to friends in
Raanana, the home of Zahava and Ami Sever, together with our cousins Yossi and Rachel.
You have to understand what a visit to the Sever home means. Zahava set out a table that was laden with
goodies of every conceivable nature, all presented aesthetically. Salads
galore, in fact everything was wonderful. The delightful and delicious display
was explained thus “I am addicted to the radio and need something to do while
listening and so I cook”! Tonight, we are going to Bonnie and Alan Cohen’s home
for Friday night dinner. When they came to live in Israel from far off
California, we became good friends and we even got married in their home!
Really! Tied the knot in their salon and then stood under the wedding canopy
outside their home, with Rabbi David Rosen officiating, followed by dancing in
the street afterwards! Nearly 30 years ago and we still love going to their
home.
You will hear many of the former hostages say that we must learn to
dance again, that we mustn’t allow terror to take away the joy of music and
that’s my theme for today’s offerings
Tirkedi is a plaintive song about a young girl dancing. Listen
to the words and see the background which lists names, many, many names, of
those who were slaughtered on that ghastly day in October 2023. https://youtu.be/EDm5wQp4AMs?si=zZtQpbInlydag4-7
This song was written during the Covid virus, but it fits our situation now.
“Katan Aleinu” We got it! 40 Israeli musicians got together. I
absolutely love this one! Sing along, I promise it will raise your mood! https://youtu.be/lHVAWnCXBkU?si=I36M58HRigTXSUqu
Have you ever heard a musical police force? Well, you are about to!
This rendition by our police and border guards is about “Shevet Achim v’Achiot”
a Tribe of Brothers and Sisters. If I am completely honest, there have been
changes here as Ben Gvir gained control of the police, but when you come down
to it, they are all just human beings. https://youtu.be/OwVhpiQzlUM?si=DyZrGTzoUTixtsJz
Shabbat. The Sabbath Day, what is it really? For
Jews it is Saturday, for Christians it is Sunday (except for Mormons (LDS) in
Jerusalem it is Saturday) and for Moslems it is Friday. We all know when but
the big question is why. Of course, in the creation, Genesis, God rested on the
seventh day and so do we, but what, other than a day of rest, what do we do? Do
we pray, as a community? do we go to the beach or wonder at nature on a trek?
do we meet up with friends or family? In Judaism one doesn’t need a Rabbi to
lead prayer, in fact the synagogue was a communal meeting place first before it
became a place of prayer, so how do you do it? I’m fascinated to know.
For me, Shabbat is a day to gather strength, morally, physically
and as I light the candles to bring in the bride of Shabbat, I take a moment to
think of loved ones, present and those who have shuffled off this mortal coil,
leaving us only sweet memories. A certain peace falls over our home. Those candles
bring a sense of change, of goodness, of warmth. It is a day to forget dissention, to allow your
thoughts to regroup, to choose what is important in life.
Be well, be strong, believe and it will get better. I wish you
Shabbat Shalom from our veranda to yours. As the world goes mad Jerusalem still
displays her 9/10ths of the worlds beauty. In fact – we had a window put in to
the new extension so that we can look at Jerusalem in the distance and dream of
a better world.
Shabbat shalom dear friends, Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov (A good
month)
Sheila
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