7th of November 2025
16th day of the Hebrew month of Heshvan
Shabbat Shalom!
I made a conscious decision today to ignore the ghastly news and write
about the wonderful week that Zvi and I had, while quietly understanding that all
is not rosy in our world, in fact, very far from it. Yes I know that suddenly
the Big Apple feels far less safe than it did two days ago; that Melbourne has
become a crucible of hate; that most countries outside this region hold a deep
antipathy, well orchestrated and very real; within our region the Islamic
countries are more reasonable, understand our dilemma and want to be closer to
Israel and her innovations. Ironic really, but than last week I pointed out the
irony of so many situations toward Israel and the Jews. Come to think of it
perhaps the most ironic is Hollywood – Hollywood, created by Jews who nurtured the
film industry from its birth until today; no, actually the most ironic is that
Jews voted for a man who is too young and inexperienced to understand the intricacies
of New York City, has no real experience in City Hall and has declared war on
Israel. I am absolutely certain that Christians didn’t vote for him! There was a horrific hurricane that all but
destroyed Jamaica; Hurricane Kalmaegi hits Vietnam and the Phillipines although
these are regular happenings, nature can be cruel as well as beautiful. Yes the
world has many tragedies, many wars, yet for some reason, for many so-called
peaceniks, we are the be-all and end-all of sin.
Perhaps one of the biggest questions is “What is the guilt of the
media in the current wave of Jew-hatred? Are journalists naïve? Are journalists
the victims of the clever and well prepared anti-Israel propaganda of Qatar or are
their editors the puppets who are well paid by the well oiled propaganda
machine which started in 1993 in the Marriott Hotel in Philadelphia. You can
read about the build-up in an academic, but concise report from the George
Washington University. Well worth your time. https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs5746/files/2023-10/hamas-networks-final.pdf
That’s it! From now on we are going to
be happy, lift our spirits and read about some incredible, hopeful and happy
events.
On the emotional level, Sylvan Adams, a Canadian Jewish
Billionaire, just gave $100,000,000 towards the rebuilding of Soroka Hospital
which was seriously damaged by an Iranian missile. It’s not his first donation
to projects in Israel, and probably won’t be his last, but for me this one is
special because of one amazing lady – Rachel Heisler is the heart behind Soroka
USA and her heart was broken by the destruction of the most important hospital
in the South of Israel which serves Israelis of every manner, Jews, Muslims,
Bedouins, everyone equally.
On the diplomatic level, India and Israel have signed a memorandum
of understanding to enhance defense industrial and technological cooperation. Hardly
surprising when you consider that India was created as a country, splitting
into a Hindu country and a Muslim country Pakistan (then East and West
Pakistan). India has the same problems as us and the cooperation and alliance
is a natural way forward.
I learned a new word this week; actually, I learned many but this
one stuck in my mind, epistemology. Epistemology is the theory of knowledge,
especially with regard to its methods, validity, and scope. Epistemology is the
investigation of what distinguishes justified belief
from opinion. It fascinated me as did many aspects of our visit to the Hebrew
University Campus on Mount Scopus, where sociologist and expert on Latin
American Jewry, Professor Judit Liwerant explained her newest book, a 700 page
tome of information and explanation which went well above my head, despite
being in English, as Professor after Professor discussed the contents. Judit
and Danny Liwerant are exceptional people for whom Israel is of high importance
in their lives. Danny served as World Chair of Keren Hayesod (the fund-raising
arm of the Jewish Agency) and many committees of that august organisation. Special people who have been Zvi’s close and loyal
friends since the 1960’s and mine for the last 35 years.
Nadia Beider is a young, beautiful, brilliant young woman who
happens to be religiously observant. I met Nadia at the book launch and
immediately fell for her purpose, eloquence and humour. Nadia teaches students,
50% Muslim and 50% Jews, about racism and antisemitism in educational
institutions. We spoke about Impact-se and the similarity of our purpose. It’s
amazing what one can learn when you just strike up conversation with another
human being.
The brand spanking new Gandel Rehabilitation Centre in the Hadassah
Mount Scopus Campus is not only the most phenomenal, state of the art,
rehabilitation centre with equipment one could only dream of, it was built with
the generosity of exceptional donors and I had the honour of touring the
facility with the son of the donors who is one of most beautiful people I have
ever had the honour to love. In fact the entire Gandel family has a special
place in our hearts. The centre wasn’t ready to open its doors on the 7th
of October, in fact quite a long way from it, but within two days the
underground car park, which was still covered in rubble, was up and working as
a spanking new safe room hospital including equipment and security. The
facility serves patients with both physical and psychological needs. In fact, it
proves that for every need there is a solution. I met a man who had been completely
paralysed from the neck down, bed ridden for 3 months and he was sitting at a
specially adapted stationary bicycle, working hard. He told me that his injury
was at C2/3 and was amazed that I had the same injury and was on my feet and
walking. We met two soldiers, injured in this ghastly war, both working hard to
return home to their families. I am so proud of the family that donated this
facility, I can’t mention their names or where they are from for reasons that sadden
me.
I recognize that I'm known for my superlatives and last night Zvi
and I were at a concert in the Jerusalem Theatre which required, no demanded
the use of every possible superlative related to a musical event. The concert
honoured the genius of Andrew Lloyd Webber; the genius of Maurice Ravel and the
absolute unbelievable genius of the Jerusalem symphony orchestra. Gil Shohat is
an internationally recognised Maestro, conductor, pianist and composer and last
night he declared that after working with them for this concert he knows that the
Jerusalem symphony orchestra is one of the greatest orchestras in the world,
not the greatest in Israel. The performances of the singers was superb and
then came the culmination of the classical section of the programme with first
half of the Waltz by Maurice Ravel, written in Paris during World War I. The
waltz expresses the pain of the destruction of Europe something all too familiar
today with all the emotions and tensions therein. The singers, more familiar
with opera than modern music, were Nimrod Grinbaum and Daniella Lugassi, both absolutely
brilliant as they sang the songs we love joining forces in a duet of “Funiculi Funicula”
surprisingly written to commemorate the first funicular on Mount Vesuvius! The
finale was Daniella Lugassi and Nimrod Grinbaum sang “Let the Sunshine In” from
Hair. Suddenly Daniella jumped down from the stage and held the microphone to
Zvi who sang with her!! He was overjoyed, not only because she has the voice of
an angel but also because she is an exceptionally beautiful young woman!!
Dear lovely people, I’m not naïve nor am I living in a bubble, I
simply believe that for the sake of one’s sanity one must remember that there
are beautiful things in this world and one must hold them close and savour each
and every moment. Life is too short for pessimism, it helps no-one, can only
cause greater stress. If we recognise that we still have what to fight for then
we are lost.
And so to music
I chose as the first piece, Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman in
Phantom of the Opera not only for its riveting beauty but because it was one of
the duets performed last night. Perhaps this, with songs written specifically
for Sarah Brightman’s 5 octave voice, expresses the genius of Andrew Lloyd
Webber https://youtu.be/oZDcSrODALQ?si=cckmA91Ym5r3X_Rw
In absolute contrast, we have a young friend who is a brilliant
violinist, indeed played at my 70th birthday celebrations. Her name
is Alexandra Babakhanov and here she plays Shir haMaalot. Shir haMaalot or
Psalm 126 the words of which are mor appropriate today than you can imagine.
“When the Lord returned the captives of Zion, we were like people
in a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with
exultation: then said they among the nations, The Lord has done great things
for them. The Lord has done great things for us; so we rejoiced! Bring back
our captives, O Lord, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears
shall reap in joy. Though he goes on his way weeping, bearing the store of
seed, he shall come back with joy, bearing his sheaves.”
https://youtu.be/uo1yi5IUjtI?si=RnVWPA3580C0nIlf
This rendition of “Mi Ha’Ish” (Who is the man) is accompanied by
both the hustle and bustle of every day life in Israel and the observance and
visits the Western Wall. A beautiful song with deep meaning imploring us to see
the good in all and to refrain from evil. I loved it. https://youtu.be/7egFvn8i4ak?si=KcUUuCYQ9uCretyB
So that’s it! I hope you enjoyed this positive missive. By telling
you about the more beautiful side of life I help myself to remember that even
on the darkest night many single lights can brighten the darkness. Be a light,
bring hope, and when you light your Shabbat Candles tonight know that that
small act repeated 13 million times all over the world will bring us together
and united we stand. Perhaps we can add a little prayer for future great
leaders to change the current moral trajectory of the world.
Shabbat Shalom to one and all. Thank you for your patience over the
years, your words of thanks are misplaced because by writing to you I have to
be pragmatic and think about my thoughts in order to present a fair picture to
you.
With love and prayers from Jerusalem, the most beautiful, tortured
city so precious to all three monotheistic religions.
Sheila
