13th March, 2026
24th of Adar, 5786
Shabbat Shalom to you, to every one of you! I’m back in every sense
of the word!!!
“If I can turn one extremist fanatic into a moderate
peacemaker, then I am satisfied that I have achieved my life goal.” Professor
Mohammed Dajani Duoad.
Last night, as it is every night, brought the now
familiar Israeli wake-up calls, a disturbingly loud “tch tch tch tch” sound over
and over on one’s cellphone, a sound to ensure that one is awake to hear the
siren. A sound that never becomes familiar. That’s the hatra’a, the alert
that flashes onto our phones warning that missiles have left the Iranian
launchers and are on their way. Only then the siren sounds on our phones and
throughout the suspected trajectory area. Like everyone else, we get up and
walk quickly to the mamad, the safe room, close the heavy metal door,
ensure the heavy metal cover is over the window and settle down watching the
news on the computer (or playing games), listening out for the booms which tell
us that Iron Dome and Or Eitan have done their job. We are deeply thankful to
have a mamad in our apartment and do not need to race to the public shelters, we
wait for the all-clear, and then return to bed until the next interruption. If
this is meant to be a war of attrition, they clearly forgot to factor in the
Israeli determination to continue living a normal life, aware of where the safe
area (shelter) is. Cafés remain open, restaurants full, shopping malls busy,
all of them, of course, equipped with shelters. This morning I sat on the Veranda,
the sky a bright blue, the sun warming the crisp air, reading the newspaper,
doing my puzzles and eating breakfast while looking at my fruit trees, checking
the number of limes in various stages of ripeness, carrying on with the small
rituals of an ordinary morning as though nothing at all had happened - which,
in its own quiet way, is an act of defiance.
Our allies in the Gulf region are in the same situation,
undecided whether or when to retaliate. The Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan,
have suffered the constant battering of Iranian missiles, but the world, as
usual concentrates on us, even suggesting, through careful innuendo, that we
are to blame!
Those who are in close touch with Israeli media, know that the
north of Israel has been bombarded night and day from Hezb-Allah within Lebanon
having rebuilt along the ceasefire line despite UN Security Council Resolution
1701, adopted unanimously in 2006, which calls for a “permanent ceasefire, the
disarmament of all armed groups (specifically Hezb-Allah), and the
establishment of a buffer zone between the Litani River and the Blue Line, free
of any personnel/weapons other than Lebanese state forces and UNIFIL”. Yesterday
several houses were destroyed in a Bedouin village in the north of Israel by a
missile from Iran, 58 people were injured. The missile was one of a barrage
from Iran coordinated with missiles launched from Hezb-Allah
Only 43% of residents in the north of Israel have
returned to their homes since the 12 day war, many homes were destroyed and the
fear of constant barrages from Lebanon is a further deterrent. They are beyond angry
that money that should have gone to rebuild their homes, towns, villages in
this week’s budget, has gone to those who do not serve in the IDF and don’t
even recognise the State of Israel. If we are not very careful we will lose the
north of Israel, and, with the constant increase of Bedouin wives imported from
Gaza, the south too.
Is Mayor Mamdani a proud American or defender of
the Caliphate? “Today's military strikes by the United States and Israel mark
a catastrophic escalation in an illegal act of war aggression.” His position is
terrifying, and I cannot believe that Jews voted for him! I’m sorry, I know
that it is not my business but the man is dangerous and his wife more so. His
wife “liked” a claim that October 7th was a fabrication!!!
Alternatively in the UK, The British Home
Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has approved a request by MP Sarah Sackman and the Metropolitan
Police to ban the Al Quds Day Rally "I expect to see the full force
of the law applied to anyone spreading hatred and division instead of
exercising their right to peaceful protest."
Where were we over the last couple of weeks? Zvi
and I decided to go to Albania so that Zvi could have expert dental treatment
in an amazing modern clinic! Until we flew there, I didn’t even know where
Albanie was or that it’s on the Aegean Sea. We took a wonderful walking tour
through the centre of Tirana, and learned what a fascinating society it is,
with a rich and complex history. After centuries of occupation, under the
Ottoman Empire and the cruel communist rule of Hoxha (pronounced Hoja), Albania
has emerged as a remarkably tolerant and kindly society. There is no official
religion: roughly 45% of the population identify as moderate Muslims, about 25%
are Russian Orthodox, 20% Catholic, and the rest follow a mixture of other
faiths or none at all. One hardly sees a hijab; miniskirts are far more common,
and the Italian influence is everywhere. Italian is a second language and the
local food reflects it, excellent pizzas and pasta on every corner. Albania, or
what we managed to see, is a country coming out of the poverty of a cruel
communist regime. Tirana shows both sides, fabulous new architecture,
crumbling Soviet style housing; wide open squares and narrow passages. Lovely people,
warm and tolerant, open to all as only those who suffered themselves can be. It’s
become a popular holiday destination for Israelis and I’m told that the
mountains and lakes are exquisite.
Purim in Habad was fun! Habad is housed in a pseudo-castle
and the festivities included a speech by the community leader and, of course,
Zvi met an old friend from his Maccabi days, Damian Brickman. The Rabbi
insisted that Zvi give a little speech, and there was dancing and singing; it
was fun!
War broke out a couple of days after our arrival in Tirana
and after the week’s dental treatement, we did everything we could to get a
flight home. In the end, El Al contacted us to go to their rescue hub, Athens. We flew from Tirana to Athens, and then the
cavalry arrived. El Al truly is the most extraordinary airline in the world.
Tell me another airline whose crew will willingly fly into a war zone to bring
their people home. They sent a Dreamliner to Athens so they could triple the
number of passengers, took us to Ben Gurion Airport, changed crews, and
immediately flew back to collect more Israelis. As we boarded, the crew hugged
us, actually the truth is that I asked for a hug and they all came and hugged
me, I was so emotional that I was going home. When we landed, they wished us a
safe return home. We arrived at our door at three in the morning, relieved
beyond belief to walk in to the familiar.
Nothing has ever felt quite so good as
our own bed, our own shower and our own kitchen. I couldn’t be bothered to go
out for bread, so I simply baked some. The washing was done next morning, the
bags unpacked, and after a brief collapse into sleep our wonderful neighbours
appeared. The downstairs neighbour with pashdida, the upstairs neighbour
with vegetables and chocolate cake. I had soup waiting in the freezer, and Zvi made
me scrambled eggs. A great relief after my only real complaint about Albania?
The hotel breakfast served cold fried eggs, a crime no civilisation should
tolerate.
While in Tirana, something incredible happened. Stranded in
Albania, walking down a street in Tirana with someone from our group, making
conversation, he asked where I was from. “Motza Illit,” I said “Where are you
from? “Petah Tikva.” He responded. “We have a few friends in Petah Tikva.” “Who?”
he asked. “Yaffa and Moshe Boosany. They live on Bayliss Road.” He stopped
walking. His jaw quite literally dropped. He stared at me for a moment and then
said slowly, “That’s my sister.” He was Kinneret Chaya’s Uncle Natan! Of
all the streets in Tirana, of all the people in a tour group of strangers, we
had somehow ended up walking side by side. We immediately took a selfie and
sent it to Yaffa and Kinneret Chaya, followed by video calls much to their
amazement. I could hardly stand; my legs went wobbly and I found myself
somewhere between tears and joy. I showed him photos from over the years and
the video of Kinneret Chaya speaking so beautifully at my 80th birthday
party. It was one of those small miracles that seem to follow Israelis wherever
in the world we happen to be.
On Monday I had a very Israeli experience. I went to Shaare Zedek Hospital
for a regular checkup, obviously checking that non-urgent visits were still happening.
“Of course”, said the receptionist “We are waiting for you” I left home giving
myself plenty of time to find parking, usually a 45 minute search in both the
huge outside and the even bigger underground car park. At Rachel’s request, I
headed straight for the underground car park expecting to go down the spiralled
drive down some 8 floors, hoping to find an empty space. To my utter amazement
it was a sea of green lights! I decided to go down to a space next to the lift
(elevator) but wait, there was a barrier across from floor 2 to the rest of the
car park. The penny dropped, everything from floor 2 down had been turned into
hospital wards! Shaare Zedek is just one
of almost all Israeli hospitals that have gone underground, protecting its
patients from the bombardment. On Tuesday I met with my lovely friend Gila in
the coffee shop on our estate, an absolute joy and two minutes from our homes.
Yesterday I received a call from a dear friend in Sydney,
Australia. His dismay was obviously for what we are currently undergoing but
most of all, he is dismayed at his own country. Jews predominantly arrived in
Australia after the Holocaust, survivors, as far as they could from Europe, and
they built their lives anew, faithful to their adoptive country, those who are
successful in business give back to society in museums, hospitals, many, many
charitable causes survive through the philanthropy and pride of Australian
Jews. Their love and trust has been betrayed, their government doesn’t protect
them and sadly they are not alone in the world because it is happening in a
country near you. Just yesterday an attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield
Township, had been carried out by Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, Lebanese, who entered
the United States on a visa issued to foreign-born spouses of U.S. citizens.
It's nearly Shabbat, just a few hours to get everything
ready. Tonight our lovely friends Merle and Frank Friedman are coming for
supper. I’m delighted to say that they will be our neighbours! Zvi is about to
go to his parliament, the third since our return. They don’t meet in the
Botanical Gardens when Iran decides to disturb their discussions, they meet in
our local shopping mall where there is a shelter should the siren go off. I can
already tell you what discussions will take place, the budget! The fact that
soldiers, miluimnikim families are fight to survive financially yet the budget
has given 5 billion shekels to the Haredi parties. I know some of you don’t
like my mentioning it, but it is breaking us apart.
Back to being positive! The joy of being home is
indescribable. We feel safe here, we know that everything has been done to
ensure our safety. For many years now all new builds must have either
individual mamads or shelters and anyway, this is home! More and more I realise
that the only truly safe place for Jews is here in Israel, but more of that
next week.
Shabbat will start with lighting the Shabbat Candles, with the
prayer and a private moment of contemplation and the prayer that the light from
the candles will bring light to our confused world; Zvi’s beautiful kiddush,
the blessing over the challah (special bread) and then food. Starting with “Orange
soup”, a delicious vegetable soup made of orange vegetables and leeks; chicken
with roast potatoes, cauliflower and broccoli, followed by pears poached in
wine. We have so much to talk about, especially their exciting new apartment!
Music, yesterday I went to my “Mind and Movement” group and what
started as a tentative attempt at moving to music (in the middle we danced our way into the shelter!!)
we all began to feel the music and move to release all our worries and
tensions. Fabulous.
First is the new Israeli entry to the Eurovision Song Contest. I
still haven’t decided if it’s a winner and I wish they had chosen a different
name, but you judge for yourselves. Noam Bettan sings in Hebrew, English,
French and Arabic. Michelle. https://youtu.be/xWCnWSoG8nI?si=Cauc3kGNtoG4IMZn
Vehi Sheamda is a prayer said on Pesach (Passover, Pascha) here you
hear Daniel Weiss and YStuds. https://youtu.be/fY1wgTq9SRM?si=uC7sLozkDw5IFBAs
The meaning? In every generation since
the beginning of time they have risen up against us but the Almighty saves us
each time
The prayer for the IDF, for our soldiers, always brings me to tears
and the superb voice of Natanel Hershik together with the Maccabeats is the
ultimate. It was recorded when Benny Gantz was Minister of Defence. https://youtu.be/uL-yEVU18Cc?si=oWzDmEIA-SxaIaHu
We are home, I am making Shabbat, we will survive, this and all
attempts to wipe us out. We are strong as long as we unite, as long as we
believe, as long as we keep our spirits high
With all our love from Jerusalem and our beautiful “View from My Veranda”
Sheila
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