tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20092233869446356452024-03-15T09:44:00.210+02:00Shabbat Shalom - the view from my verandaJournalists write "knowingly" on the situation in Israel without ever living here; without first hand knowledge of what it means to live in this tiny country in the midst of a rather unfriendly neighbourhood.
I write without vengeance, without hatred, just what I experience,the view from my veranda and the thoughts in my head.
My archive is available at www.lingomatics.com/Shabbatshalom/index.htmlSheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.comBlogger773125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-90637041346554165252024-03-15T09:43:00.002+02:002024-03-15T09:43:17.989+02:00Scared, Sacred or Scarred<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">15<sup>th</sup> March 2024<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">161<sup>st</sup> day of October<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Scarred and Scared<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shabbat Shalom dear friends. For a change I want to begin with a
letter from a friend. It fascinated me and helped me understand many aspects of
what it means to be both here in Israel and in the country of one’s residence,
the USA, during this particularly worry time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I arrived in Israel three days before the war started. On Shabbat morning
I wake up to the news of what Hamas had done and that the war had started. I
was staying with my brother and sister in law in Natanya. Of course, it was a
shock to the system, to say the least. After the first few moments, I felt
grateful that I was in Israel with my close family. I would have gone crazy had
I heard the news in Los Angeles, were I live. Of course, I started to receive
phone calls from my children and grandchildren to come back to the US. By then,
I had relaxed and my mind was made up. It took a few days and phone calls, back
and forth, to make them understand that I was not afraid. That I knew the IDF
would take care of all of us and, most of all, I could not abandon my family in
Israel. That I would have felt like a coward! That my life was NOT more
valuable than theirs! Most of all, that I would never be able to forgive myself
nor live with myself! Finally, they all understood. I assured them that I would
fly back the day and time I was scheduled to return, which I did three weeks
later.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I must admit that my fear is much greater being in Los Angeles than it was
while I was in Israel. I never thought that there would be such antisemitism!
In Israel, we all thought that, finally, after such an horrific attack by
Hamas, the world would get it! That did not quite happen. Most of all, what is
of extreme concern to me, are the acts of terrorism that, I believe, will take
place. I must admit, unlike while in Israel, and I have been to Israel many
times, now I am terrorized! I have never felt this way before! I worry about my
family here, my friends and the Jewish community.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There has been uproar here since the
<b>Sefardi Chief Rabbi, Yitzchak Yosef</b> warned of a mass exodus of
ultra-Orthodox Jews from Israel if the government were to revoke their
exemption from conscription to military service. </span>Sadly, just as
young Haredi men are beginning to understand the need to join the IDF, this has
created yet another rift in our society. It is all too close to “sinat Hinam”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie
Joly</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> made an incredible claim while on an
official visit to our area. She has devoted $1 investigating sexual harassment of
Palestinian women! Not a word about October 7<sup>th</sup>, not a word about
the continued situation of the hostages. Yes, Canada. We remember Canada’s
response to the Jewish refuges during WW2. Apparently, nothing has changed. I
know who one of your advisors is but I can only say, “Look out Canada’s Jews”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Do you remember</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> the Yazidi women? In 2019 thousands and
thousands of Yazidi women and children were captured by Islamic State in Syria
and Iraq and sold into slavery, raped, beaten and their husbands killed. Not a
word from the world, except for the wonderful Canon Andrew White, silence,
nobody cared. Islamic State is a brother group to ISIS, Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
Israeli women and children were taken into captivity, raped, murdered and what
happens? The world turns against us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Hillel Fuld</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> made some exceptional points about the
hypocrisy of current world reactions to the War in Gaza. My lovely friend
Stanley Roth brought my attention to this. Well worth reading. <a href="https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/385215">https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/385215</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background: white; mso-background-themecolor: background1;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">UNWRA </span></b><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">was
at the top of the agenda for the </span><span style="color: #212121; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Over 20
parliamentarians from various countries actively promoting pro-Israel
legislation through Christian faith-based diplomacy were invited to discussions
at the Jerusalem Chairman's Conference, organized by the Israel Allies
Foundation</span>. The conference heard Members of Knesset and visited the
South. They also learned the fact that 1,468 UNWRA employees are active members
of Hamas and Islamic Jihad while 50% of UNWRA employees have a first-degree
relative who is a member of one of the terror organisations. I am so proud of
Impact-se (<a href="http://www.impact-se.org/">www.impact-se.org</a> ) as the
organisation which warned the world about UNWRA through their violently
anti-infidel, anti-Israel schoolbooks.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Israel Katz in UN</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">. <a href="https://youtu.be/WofBFUYEKQ4?si=ANZfB9NqV1heSvvz">https://youtu.be/WofBFUYEKQ4?si=ANZfB9NqV1heSvvz</a>
Thanks to USA, France and UK and to Japan. For arranging this meeting. Forget
his accent, listen carefully to his message “Close your eyes and imagine that
the Nova Field was your field”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Not everything is bad news</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">. </span><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In
the Israeli Bedouin settlement Bir al-Maksor, which means Broken Well, Ramadan
began with a parade with the Israeli flag held high</span>. The settlement is near
the Jezreeel Valley. I must say that it warmed the hearts of many an Israeli
Jew.<span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sarah Idan</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, the former Miss Iran who stood up to the
theocratic dictatorship of the Ayatollas, stood beside <b>Mia Schem</b> at Sir Elton
John’s Oscar party in Hollywood.</span><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> Sara
made a powerful fashion statement wearing a dress she designed. The dress included
the names of </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">19 Israeli women
still held hostage in Gaza. Thank you Sarah Idan for standing with the hostages!</span><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> Sarah designed her own dress, with broad
yellow sashes declaring “Bring Them Home” and Mia Schem, looking beautiful and
proud, her arm still in a cast, showing the world that despite the untold
horror of captivity as a hostage with Hamas, she is living and thriving. Israeli
women will not be cowed by the dire brutality of Hamas.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">World famous boxer <b>Floyd Mayweather</b>,
not only sent supplies including bullet proof vests and so much more in his
private plane immediately after October 7<sup>th</sup>, he came again to Israel
to visit the South and to declare his absolute support for Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Mike Freer</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> is a Member of the Tory Party and a Minister
in the UK. He is Gay and, like his PM Rishi Sunak, really understands what is
happening. Here he speaks out about the inanity of LGBTQ support for Gazans
i.e. Hamas <a href="https://youtu.be/_yOVH8crRv8?si=qMlAdlZ0kiKEnj1T">https://youtu.be/_yOVH8crRv8?si=qMlAdlZ0kiKEnj1T</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Purim, the story</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> of a brave woman, a cheating husband, a clever
man and the usual, same-old same-old story of a cruel, but powerful man,
leading his King astray, telling such far fetched lies that he convinced him
that he must kill all the Jews in his Kingdom. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Purim is so much more than getting cross at
Haman, the cruel man, and eating triangular cookies! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, since we are on the good news section
of this week’s missive, let’s talk about those cookies. Patisseries and
bakeries are festooned with every kind of filling that a small triangular
pastry case can possibly contain! The traditional poppy see or Pereg, chocolate,
that wonderful dried fruit paste called mincemeat, hundreds and thousands and
some very sophisticated ones that our grandparents would never have recognised!
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
grew up calling them Hamantschen or Haman’s hats or tricornes. Zvi grew up
calling them Oznay Haman or Haman’s Ears and today the joke is that they should
be called Oznay Sinwar, since Sinwar is as cruel as Haman, is the leader of
Hamas and has big ears! Yes, Israelis have a black sense of humour, we’ve been
given no choice. By the way, don’t forget that Haman got his comeuppance and
suffered the same fate as he ordered for Mordechai. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">What is the relevance of Purim
today. My dear friend Rabbi Jeremy Rosen always seems to come up with the explanation
I search for and always at the right time. Purim is not for another week or so
but our current situation begs this analysis. <a href="https://jeremyrosen.com/2024/03/why-purim-matters.html">https://jeremyrosen.com/2024/03/why-purim-matters.html</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quote from the first paragraph. </span><span style="background: #F7F7F7; color: #404040; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Purim matters so much this year. It tells a never-ending
story. We were threatened with destruction. We responded by finding ways to
combat the threat. We did not capitulate. We called out evil as it
was. We celebrated our survival by emphasizing charity, friendship, and
gratitude, strengthening our communities, all positive qualities, building not
destroying. We did not rejoice in needless pain or seeing others suffer. Purim
makes another point. That one reaction to evil is to laugh at it. Not to
exclude fighting it of course. But to show that evil however horrific, can also
be laughed at. There are many other ways of fighting evil. Just
think of </span><em style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Charlie Chaplin’s</span></em><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><em style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The</span></em><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><em style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Great Dictator,
and Mel Brooks’ The Producers.</span></em><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> Often as effective as serious analysis. </span><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Many of you heard about the One
Family Organisation started during the 2nd Intifada by Chantal and Marc
Belzberg. Since that time One Family has grown into the number one support for
Israelis of every age, faith no matter where they live, Israelis who have been
injured or family members killed in terror attacks. Kinneret Chaya was horribly
injured in that first wave of terror and their support for the Boosany family
was superb which is when I fell in love with both the Belzberg family and One
Family. Thousands upon thousands have been given love and assistance by One
Family and now at long last they have been officially recognised. One Family is
the recipient of the Genesis Prize. Mazal Tov to the Belzberg Family. Never has
a prize been more deserved. <a href="https://onefamilytogether.org/about-us/">https://onefamilytogether.org/about-us/</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Eden Golan is a fabulous representative
of Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest singing Hurricane. It’s just a few weeks
since she won the “Star is Born” competition to be the Israeli representative
and what struck everyone, panel and public alike, is her professionalism and
confidence, especially in one so young. At the demand of the powers that be in
the contest they insisted the words of the song be changed since there was a
slight suggestion that the original words mentioned her pain after October 7<sup>th</sup>.
Do listen. She has a fabulous voice. <a href="https://youtu.be/lJYn09tuPw4?si=APKyb0O8pXgiIjcu">https://youtu.be/lJYn09tuPw4?si=APKyb0O8pXgiIjcu</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shulem Lemmer breaks all the
preconceived ideas we have of a Haredi man, and he has the voice of an angel.
Life is tough for all of us at the moment and here, together with Dovid Hill,
he sings a beautiful song of dreams of a better world. <a href="https://youtu.be/ajpRIBwFYjU?si=HdXFE5i-8Rs-QFw0">https://youtu.be/ajpRIBwFYjU?si=HdXFE5i-8Rs-QFw0</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Am Yisrael Chai is so much more than
a call, it is a statement, it is a call of hope, a call to remember that we
have suffered worse than this but if we will just unite we are strong. This too
will pass. Eyal Golan with Am Yisrael Chai <a href="https://youtu.be/2p3rtnQ_7y4?si=QowBALhkCp1mBO4P">https://youtu.be/2p3rtnQ_7y4?si=QowBALhkCp1mBO4P</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This weekend, this Shabbat, this
Sabbath, it’s hard to be calm, to believe everything will be alright,
especially for Jews and Christians in an ever confusing world, but I hope and
pray that you will find your quiet place, your calm zone, your place of belief
that we are stronger than any disinformed public. Find the beauty in spring
flowers, in kindnesses, in smiles, don’t fall into the abyss of disbelief. We
ae strong, we have an inherited memory that good always wins over evil.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I wish you Shabbat Shalom, a
peaceful Shabbat, with all the love in the world from Jerusalem OUR beautiful
city, the fulcrum around which the world revolves.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sheila<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background: white; mso-background-themecolor: background1;"><span style="color: #212121; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background: white; mso-background-themecolor: background1;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-22643092396811103062024-03-08T11:31:00.003+02:002024-03-08T11:31:33.718+02:00Avoidable<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">8<sup>th</sup> March 2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">153<sup>rd</sup> of October<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shabbat Shalom dear friends. Shabbat Shalom today, International Women’s
Day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I thought that the slogan “Me Too except for Jew” was exaggerated,
but as time went on and not one women’s organisation condemned the vile attacks
of Hamas, the demonic instances of necrophilia, sadism, paedophilia, genital
mutilation of women (and men) and so much more was totally ignored in a frenzy
of Jew hatred. Finally, after 5 months a United Nations report has stated
clearly all of the above. Finally, out of the hundreds of women’s
organisations, the least likely of all has chosen, under immense pressure, to
admit the truth. Hamas is a Mephtistophelean military dictatorship that like
Mephisto, sold its soul to the devil. May God help those still in captivity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Special Representative</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> of the Secretary-General of the UN (SRSG) Pramila
Patten </span>came to Israel at the request of the Israeli Government, to
perform a complete investigation of the events of October 7th. They produced a
damning but incomplete report, partly because so much evidence was tainted by
the first responders who unknowingly removed evidence and partly because of
Jewish tradition to bury the dead immediately. Of course, she visited, and I
quote from the report “the Occupied Territories”, I believe in the hope of
finding evidence of Israeli sexual mistreatment of prisoners in Israeli jails
which clearly did not exist. Nonetheless, and despite very “fluffy” language,
the report could not deny the demonic actions of Hamas. <a href="https://www.un.org/sexualviolenceinconflict/press-release/israel-west-bank-mission/">https://www.un.org/sexualviolenceinconflict/press-release/israel-west-bank-mission/</a>
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Most women in Israel</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> are feisty, clever, strong and women are at the
forefront of the battle against Hamas, Hezb-Allah. It was a tank with 4 young
women that fought off Hamas terrorists on October 7<sup>th</sup>, eliminating
over a hundred; It was a grandmother, Rachel Edri, a Safta, who, for over 20
hours of being held at gunpoint and an unpinned grenade, convinced terrorists
that if they just left them alone, they would be rewarded with canned pineapple,
tea and her home-made cookies; it was young women IDF spotters who warned of
the impending Hamas attack, reporting highly suspicious movement on the border.
Their warnings were ignored by an officer who did not pass the information
higher, many of the spotters were killed, but that is another story. Women also
created a secret and unique weapon for the arsenal against terror, a precise
guided missile called Iron Sting. Here those amazing, clever women explain. <a href="https://youtu.be/GZGp1PDVokE?si=lV1MyzfQ_pSvID3h">https://youtu.be/GZGp1PDVokE?si=lV1MyzfQ_pSvID3h</a>
</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">The ever generous United
States</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> has made air-drops of
food into Gaza. Don’t be fooled, it isn’t because aid has not been arriving
into that awful place, it’s because the United States and President Biden are
fully aware of the fact that Hamas grabs all aid that comes into Gaza on the
hundreds of lorries that cross the border every day. The aid that is parachuted
in has a greater chance of reaching the people because the landing sites are
unknown in advance. In the meantime, Israeli aid to Gaza has increased. Yes.
That’s what I said, Israeli aid to Gaza has increased. Have you ever, but ever,
heard of a country at war against a diabolical enemy whose only aim is to wipe
one off the face of the earth, sending humanitarian aid?</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">In order to facilitate
aid the US government is building a pier off Gaza City. Since the violent piracy
of the Houthis access is very limited and since the US troops will be
delivering the aid will also oversee delivery it is another way to ensure that
the aid goes to the people</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Many years ago</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">, on a mission headed by Malcolm Hoenlein, I met
with the then Palestinian Prime Minister <b>Salam Fayaad</b>. Fayaad had a
plan, based on the plans of the leaders of the nascent State of Israel. Just as
Jews were encouraged to join the British Army, Mandate Police, serve as clerks
in the offices of Mandate administration, thus learning how to run a country,
an army, a police force etc, he wanted the Palestinians to do the same but in
the Israeli equivalents. His vision was for an organised Palestinian State. Sadly,
his vision was not to the taste of the leaders and he soon found himself out of
office, out of politics and back in the business world. A rare rational voice
in the PA he was interviewed for the Jerusalem Post. <a href="https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-790376">https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-790376</a>
</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">I really do my best to
be apolitical</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">, a far as is humanly possible,
but our current situation is beyond politics. Our current kakistocracy has
caused untold damage internationally, internally and ultimately brought us to
war and death. The Mount Meron disaster, the deaths of pilgrims to the tomb of Rabbi
Shimon Bar Yochai was avoidable. Yes, avoidable. The official report of the
disaster points clearly to the top, to Benjamin Netanyahu who ignored the
warnings, ignored the demand of the officials responsible for the Mount Meron
site to close as too dangerous to hold the vast number of pilgrims to see the lighting
of the flame on Lag b”Omer, the 33<sup>rd</sup> day of the counting of the
Omer. One official said that after his warnings, directly to the PM, Mr
Netanyahu stood in Mount Meron with the Haredi leaders, expounding the importance
of the site and inviting the thousands to come and “celebrate”. 45 people died
on the steps of Mount Meron. Equally, Netanyahu continued what he blindly
called “negotiations” with Hamas right until days before October 7<sup>th</sup>,
insisting he had the situation under control. Cabinet Members Smotridge and Ben
Gvir are sadly quoted as it they are the consensus in Israel, causing untold
damage in the foreign media without any redress. On the other hand, General and
Former Chief of Staff Benny Gantz took a major decision very much against the
wishes of the Prime Minister, and as a member of the War Cabinet, met with
senior members of the United States administration, continuing to London and a
meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. I must be said that Rishi Sunak
has not only risked his political career in his absolute support of Israel, he
is risking his life and that of his family by taking such a firm stand against
Hamas. Back to Benny Gantz, He didn’t demand any special treatment or private
planes, no entourage or security, he just went to do what he felt was right
since nobody was willing to meet with Netanyahu. Someone had to be the adult in
the room and explain our position.</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Wow, I hope</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> you had the patience to read what I wrote, every
word is carefully chosen to ensure that you have the verbal ammunition to face
those who choose to believe the “River to the Sea” brigade. One way to respond
to their inanity is to say “It’s not Hamas, it’s not Hezb-Allah, it’s not the
Houthis, IT’S IRAN STUPID” While the eyes of the world are on Israel and Hamas,
Iran has almost certainly completed their nuclear programme!!!</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">I usually keep music to
the end but there is one song, one special song, a blast from the past, which
embodies International Women’s Day. <b>Helen Reddy</b> wrote a song about one
woman’s struggle for recognition as a strong, independent, capable human being.
<b>I Am Woman</b> is about women all over the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://youtu.be/ZrVLL7soS1U?si=LlQ7sTNYN3JWtXYF">https://youtu.be/ZrVLL7soS1U?si=LlQ7sTNYN3JWtXYF</a>
I dedicate it to the phenomenal Israeli women soldiers in the IDF with a depth
of gratitude that is hard to express. They are not Amazons, they are mothers,
grandmothers, wives, leaders in business, nurses, doctors, teachers all of whom
chose to put on the IDF uniform and serve our beautiful country</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">On Sunday Zvi</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> and I headed off to the Khan Theatre, that
beautiful old building that housed pilgrims, travellers and their animals in the
early Ottoman period. The play, the premiere, was about am amateur troupe in a
play, about a play in 1931 Poland. The subject of said drama was Dreyfuss, and
the members of the troupe, both imaginary and actual, talked about the situation
that brought about the Dreyfuss Trial. I love the Khan actors, really brilliant
and more often than not they write their own original material. If you can
imagine a play about a play about Dreyfuss which was funny, clever and left you
thinking, that’s Dreyfuss!</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Monday</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> was a relatively quiet day, and <b>Tuesday</b>
was a complete surprise! When Merle and Frank Friedman suggested that I go with
them to a lecture about Anna Karenina I have to admit that I wasn’t really
looking forward to it. I couldn’t have been more wrong! I sat in rapt attention
as the speaker, the lecturer, explained the scenes and how the story unfolds.
Although I read the book many years ago and found is interesting if long, there
were so many hidden messages of love, betrayal and sheer snobbery that I had
not realised. Loved every minute than went for lunch in Kibbutz Kiriat Anavim,
to the Pop-up coffee shop and its wonderful chef. That evening, our Mind and
Movement session was very special. Again, a sense of empowerment for women. <b>Yesterday</b>,
Nattie and Yolli Zonshein popped in for coffee on their way through to
Jerusalem, that wonderful popping in as only good friends can, and then I met a
friend in the local Mall, more for the chat then the coffee and in the evening
I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>went to my “Creativity” group while
Zvi went to a rehearsal of the Jerusalem Symphony Choir who are loth to let him
go!!</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Why do I tell you about
my week?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably because I want you to
know that while traumatised, we are not cowed. We go about our busy lives,
spending more time with friends but basically supporting each other in a very
positive manner. Indeed, we have a way of thanking the Almighty for “Little
Gifts” Matanot Ktanot. <a href="https://youtu.be/GvvXB2f3lFw?si=XjANIzxgzI9XXCCi">https://youtu.be/GvvXB2f3lFw?si=XjANIzxgzI9XXCCi</a>
</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Probably the most terrifying
aspect of October the 7<sup>th</sup> is the response of the world. We are
castigated, blamed, threatened, in a manner that took Jews all over the world
by storm. From Melbourne to Montreal, from Minnesota to Manchester, Mexico
City, Madrid, Miami everywhere, Jews are attacked. “From the River to the Sea”
is yelled by people who just hate, no other reason because they don’t even know
what river and what sea!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many years ago,
Bob Dylan understood the situation. His song “Neighborhood Bully” in 1983, but
like so many of his songs it is prophetic, sadly appropriate to today. Listen
carefully to the words, I wouldn’t call them lyrics because it is a determined scream
to the world for understanding just who is the aggressor in these parts and it
isn’t us. <a href="https://youtu.be/-ETdLfXI6r8?si=qvizQw2l-LERvFOS">https://youtu.be/-ETdLfXI6r8?si=qvizQw2l-LERvFOS</a>
</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Since Dylan had a way of
slurring his words, such deeply important words so here they are. <a href="https://www.bobdylan.com/songs/neighborhood-bully/">https://www.bobdylan.com/songs/neighborhood-bully/</a>
</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">At this moment, indeed
as we are chatting, my amazing 15 year old grand-daughter Ayala is running in
the Jerusalem Marathon! Not the whole distance, but 10 kilometres is pretty
good! Her proud Mum is there to ensure that the event is recorded in photographs
and on her way through the 40,000 thousand participants and even more
spectators, she snapped the Shalva team as they ran too. Soon I will get myself
ready to go to Rachel’s and hear all about it! This evening we will spend our
Shabbat Dinner with Amiad and Noga and family and tomorrow, tomorrow, rain
permitting, we will go for our walk above the reservoir. I cannot get enough of
that view and there are always new people to chat with.</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Our veranda is exquisite!
All the spring flowers are starting to emerge, mostly still in bud form but I
know that in a couple of days the iris, ranunculus, daffodils, grape hyacinth,
freesia will all burst into a blaze of colour. Actually, perfect timing since
our upstairs neighbour’s son is marrying and I want her overseas guests to see
how beautiful her surroundings are. Most of all, or best of all, the tiny apple
tree is in blossom! I am so excited! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Incredibly scented, pink and white, exquisitely
formed blossom that gives promise for a fruitful summer.</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">I wish you a peaceful
weekend, a Shabbat Shalom. May your prayers come true, your family be well and
your faces turned toward Jerusalem, our beautiful Capital City which today is
the site of great festivity as runners of all races, colours, creeds, shapes
and sizes run through her streets, in pride instead of fear.</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">With love</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Sheila</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-57940431274615014902024-03-01T10:18:00.003+02:002024-03-01T10:18:34.467+02:00In Nova's Fields<p> </p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">1<sup>st</sup> March, 2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">October 144<sup>th</sup> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shabbat Shalom, I wish you a peaceful weekend<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I want you to imagine a beautiful sunny day, driving down road 232,
the verges covered in fabulous carpet of wild red anemones, so famous in the
south of Israel. We had driven down this road many times in the past to see the
“Red South” or Darom Adom, to walk through the fields of calaniot (anemones) as
far as the eye could see. On Monday, we didn’t wander through any fields and
the red flowers reminded me of Flander’s Fields, the killing fields of World
War One. As we drove along the road, between the Kibbutzim of Re’em and Be’eri,
the bus fell silent, in all our minds, the ghosts of running young people
seemed tangible, almost visible, as they ran from the barbaric savagery of
Hamas.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I wanted to go south to the killing fields of the Western Negev,
perhaps “wanted” is the wrong word, but somehow we hadn’t managed to go , which
became a blessing since being on an organised tour, hearing the explanations,
meeting Kibbutz members, meant that we saw and understood what one can never
understand when alone. The World Zionist Organisation, as part of their annual
meetings, had arranged buses to several Kibbutzim in the area and we chose Bus
number 2 which was supposed to go to Kfar Aza but due to an “incident” we went
to Kissufim instead. At first one is struck by the sheer beauty of the Kibbutz;
it’s not just a matter of agriculture, there are sculptures, gardens, each home
growing their own private patch of colour, or so it had been before October the
7<sup>th</sup>. All we could see now were burnt homes, each with a number on it
to show that the IDF, Zaka, forensic pathologists and archaeologists (yes
archaeologists) had been through to ensure the removal of all human remains and
evidence. In fact, Kissufim was terribly damaged, hostages taken but “just” one
family was murdered. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their elder son and daughter were not at home,
but the parents and little brother were. When they refused to leave the safe
room, the terrorists simply set their home on fire with obvious results. Itay,
Etti and 15 year old Sagi burned alive, hugging each other<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We met their daughter Tomer, an amazing young soldier, just 26
years old, who took strength from her mother’s teachings to turn even the most
tragic of events into something positive. Tomer told us about her family, life
in Kissufim, in all but perfect English, her positivity magical, but I couldn’t
concentrate on her words, I was transfixed by the bright pink bicycle in its
stand next to what had been the front door. A bright pink bicycle belonging to
Ettie, untouched by the fire and destruction, as if waiting for her to come and
ride around the kibbutz. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Although I was with Zvi, with the group of eminent leaders, I felt strangely
alone. When we arrived at the memorial to both the slaughtered and the
kidnapped, I left the group and walked alone among the fields of red anemones,
sensing the terror, the utter confusion, of those running where I walked. They
came to Re’em for a weekend of love, just like in the ‘60’s, in my youth, but instead
of love it became hate of such proportions that it shook our world to its very
core. I felt their cries “Where is the IDF? Where are the Police? Who let this
happen?” I didn’t have an answer for them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Eylon Levy, the excellent MFA Israel spokesman, wrote a Nova
Festival version of “In Flanders Fields”. It is only available on Facebook but
hope you can see it <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/2747294985419698">https://www.facebook.com/reel/2747294985419698</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Every single day we learn of fallen soldiers, their names and
photographs on our television screens. It has been said that the faith of the
parents in our beautiful country can be compared to the story of Abraham and
Isaac. </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Each parent, spouse, child, is showing their
faith in the country they love by sending their loved ones into battle never
knowing if there will be a ram hiding in the bush that will save their child.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">The Gazans are suffering horribly. No, not from
the IDF response to October 7<sup>th</sup>, although that is a dreadful
situation, but rather from the actions of Hamas. Hundreds of trucks brought
staple foodstuffs into Gaza yesterday, as they do every day, and as happens
every day, none of it goes to the people. As the trucks rolled in starving
Gazans rushed the trucks, too many getting trampled to death in the rush. Hamas
claimed (of course) that Israeli soldiers killed “hundreds” but the IDF drones
prove their lie. The IDF fired in the air to stop the frenzy, but it was the
stampede,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the risk taken to feed their
families, that killed them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">The WZO (World Zionist Organisation) meetings
were held this week in Jerusalem. The closing plenum was very special for Zvi,
and for me. After decades of effective and important contributions to the
workings of the Jewish world, representing Maccabi World Union, Zvi retired
from his position. The WZO chose to give him a special award for his untiring
work and honourable representation. It is so well deserved, an honour and
recognition from the leaders of that venerable organisation. It’s a shame that not
one of the leaders of Maccabi was there to see it although the delightful young
woman who will take his place in the WZO was there with a big bouquet of
flowers that she bought herself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">I know it seems strange to you, but
simultaneously, we had a good week. On Shabbat, accompanied by our wonderful
friend Kim Taylor, we went for a glorious walk in the nature reserve opposite
our home. We were rewarded by a carpet of wild cyclamen, (rekafot), which came
out to greet the sun after weeks of rain. Of course they were joined by the
almond blossom (shkediot) and the sudden appearance of spots of red anemones.
Luck was on our side when we found a group of lovely Israeli tourists sitting on
our favourite bench, overlooking the reservoir below. The moved over to make
room for me and while Zvi and Kim continued on the path I spent a delightful
twenty minutes discovering where they were from, that they were here to visit
friends in Bet Zayit, and they promise dot come and visit us at home on their
next time. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On Monday, as I wrote, we left early for the
journey southward, ending our experience with a mind-blowing Israeli meal in
Ashkelon and a visit to the Absorption Centre for Ethiopian immigrants. The
Absorption Centre was an antidote to the sadness of the morning, beautiful little
girls dancing, a brilliant young man who initiated a Hi-Tech course for young Ethiopian
immigrants, families and a a wonderful man who blessed the special bread which
he gave to each of us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On Tuesday we went to vote in the local
elections then collected Kim and went to the plenum of the WZO where Zvi
received his honour. I then came back home to prepare for a special meeting of my
“Mind and Movement” group. Since the hall where we normally meet was in use for
the elections, I offered our home and everyone brought food while I provided a
huge pot of soup. The 10 of us managed to dance, to music our leader, Gali, had
chosen specially for me, in other words, of the ‘60’s. It was so much fun!
Wednesday went by too quickly racing back and fore and in the evening Zvi took
our Kim to the airport for his interminable flight to LA and then home to
Marianne in Alberta. Yesterday was a highly pleasurable Creativity group in the
library and that brings us to today. March the 1<sup>st</sup>; St David’s Day;
the special day for all Welsh men and women wherever they may be in the world,
the Welsh Saint’s Day. I’m off to a St David’s Day gathering in Jerusalem where
I will see old friends from my childhood, some of whom are Welsh speakers, all
of whom have a warm place in their heart for Wales.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Before we sing together I want to give you two
videos that I feel are important. One is a young Israeli explaining why it’s
important to him that he’s a Jew. <a href="https://youtu.be/w-QEgAOJ3Ok?si=2r-ORxbZ1craO6-L">https://youtu.be/w-QEgAOJ3Ok?si=2r-ORxbZ1craO6-L</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second is truly heartwarming as Assita
Kanko, Member of the European Parliament on UNWRA, speaks about anti-Semitism.
Assita grew up in Burkina Faso <a href="https://youtu.be/bkk7bytytYA?si=0L2s9reX5RG0L8M1">https://youtu.be/bkk7bytytYA?si=0L2s9reX5RG0L8M1</a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">My first song takes us back to Woodstock in
1969, the exceptional Joe Cocker and the song that has taken me through my
hardest times, With a Little Help from My Friends. Without you, our friends, we’d
be lost <a href="https://youtu.be/5P5yXUZ-QCI?si=tKk95aUUsj1qIoXy">https://youtu.be/5P5yXUZ-QCI?si=tKk95aUUsj1qIoXy</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Avishai Cohen sings a Song of Hope. If ever we
needed it it is now. <a href="https://youtu.be/R84GNvcwh5w?si=dTa089GioIWAJJye">https://youtu.be/R84GNvcwh5w?si=dTa089GioIWAJJye</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Finally, Hope, Tikvah, HaTikvah <a href="https://youtu.be/GQCu9kl68Tg?si=zvxL3C5-QZ_7GHpx">https://youtu.be/GQCu9kl68Tg?si=zvxL3C5-QZ_7GHpx</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Shabbat Shalom dear friends. I send you love
from Jerusalem and wish you peace, security, a sense of self, a determination
that we will cope yet again. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Sheila<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-51130027518726684672024-02-23T12:11:00.001+02:002024-02-23T12:11:05.253+02:00Adar, Terror and Hope<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">23<sup>rd</sup> February 2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shabbat Shalom dear friends. A peaceful, kind weekend to one and
all irrespective of how you pray, to whom you pray and in which direction. I wish
you well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Ramadan</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> is one of the Five Pillars of the Moslem faith. It is celebrated
on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and entails a month of daytime
fasting and after sunset, holding family feasts. It is a month of fasting,
praying and celebration of Mohammed’s revelation. It should be a month of contemplation
and prayer, but it has changed its face in the Middle East, no that’s not true,
it has changed its face in this tiny part of the world. It has become and
excuse for violence, terror, killing, maiming and death. A religious festival
became an explosion of terrifying anger that has spread its ugly wings to too
many corners of our world, destroying lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yesterday</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, ordinary people sat complaining and moaning about the usual
morning traffic jam bringing ordinary working folk into southern Jerusalem. It
happens every morning, just like traffic jams everywhere in the world, and this
one is exacerbated by the need for a border control, because the town of Maaleh
Adumim, just a few kilometres from French Hill, on the way to the Dead Sea, is
surrounded by Arab villages, of which most of the residents work in Jerusalem.
Traffic Jams are annoying, but we can’t do anything about it, we don’t have
cars on high wheels like Dick Dasardly! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, yesterday a traffic jam became a
death trap with nowhere to escape the three terrorists who intentionally caused
an accident, jumped out of their hire car and ran shooting wildly at drivers and
passengers, determined to kill everyone. A young man who was released from
miluim just days ago still had his personal weapon, got out of his car and
together with a policeman who was on his way to work, successfully shot the perpetrators,
but not before one young man died, 8 were injured and many were traumatised.
Can you imagine hiring a car, driving from Hebron with the sole intention of
killing as many Israelis as possible?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Itamar Ben Gvir</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> used the opportunity for a rant encouraging
ordinary citizens to carry guns. His childish, racist rants are now all too
familiar. Here in Israel, in order to achieve a gun licence, one must pass
psychological tests, learn to shoot at an official range, and renew your
licence on a regular basis. You cannot shoot someone just because you are suspicious,
otherwise you will be arrested as someone we know who shot at a burglar in his
house. Our gun rules are very strict and woe betide the soldier who doesn’t
keep his personal weapon beside him at all times, even if he is at home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yehuda and Shomron</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, the Biblical Judea and Samaria,
was occupied by Jordan, from 1948 until 1967 and the 6 Day War. Yes, it was
Jordanian for just 19 years! The Kingdom of Judah and the Kingdom of Samaria.
In fact, i<span style="background: white; color: #202122;">n 1947, the Biblical terminology
was used by the </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: start; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" title="United Nations"><span style="background: white; color: #3366cc; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">United Nations</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #202122;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Partition_Plan_for_Palestine" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: start; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" title="United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine"><span style="background: white; color: #3366cc; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Partition
Plan for Palestine</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #202122;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> with the statement: "the boundary of the hill
country of Samaria and Judea starts on the </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_River" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: start; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" title="Jordan River"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Jordan River</span></a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">at the Wadi Malih
south-east of Beisan and runs due west to meet the Beisan-Jericho roa</span><span style="background: white; color: #272727; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">d and then follows the western side of that road in a
north-westerly direction to the junction of the boundaries of the Sub-Districts
of Beisan, Nablus, and Jenin”. No mention of “to the Sea”!</span><span style="background: white; color: #202122; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> F</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">rom about 1977, it has accumulated various
eponyms – West Bank, Occupied Territories, Occupied Palestinian Land, East
Jerusalem (even though it isn’t in the East), basically it is land that was fought
over and occupied by many ancient peoples but nobody ever doubted that it was
Biblical, recognised in the Old Testament, the Tenach. More than 3,000 years
from the time of that famous poet, King David and well before. So folks, from
now on, no West Bank, no occupied land, when talking to journalists or even to
each other, it is Judea and Samaria or we can revert to our origins and call it
Yehuda v’ Shomron.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Udi Levy -</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> who was head of economic warfare in the Mossad, Israel's
famous spy agency, until 2016 - says he told Mr Netanyahu many times that
Israel had the means to crush Hamas, which controls Gaza, "by using only
financial tools". </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We could have
stopped Hamas using just financial warfare, their investments of $422
million in 2018.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Levy says he never got a response to his
proposal from Mr Netanyahu. I have the full list of Hamas’s multi-million
dollar investment portfolio. If you want to see it just let me know.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I want you to meet Hamid Abu Arar</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, father of 9. Hamid grew up in Gaza but lived in the village
of Aroer in the Negev. He and his wife Fatima were on their way to work on
October 7<sup>th</sup> when Hamas attacked. Fatima, who was pregnant, was
driving and was killed instantly, Hamid was injured but grabbed their baby and
found somewhere to hide for hours on end. While he hid, he called the emergency
services to no avail. He overheard the terrorists talking of their plans so
when he finally heard Hebrew being spoken and understood that the IDF was
there, he took his clothes off, held his 7 month old baby, to show that he had
no weapons, and told the soldiers of the overheard Hamas attack, saving many
lives. Interior Minister Moshe Arbel chose to reward Hamid for his bravery and
presented him with permanent resident status in a ceremony. Arbel declared that
the true Children of Abraham must fight evil.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A farce was avoided</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> in one of the most exquisite buildings in London. A
Ramallah based, supposed Palestinian Human Rights Group, Al Haq launched a case
urging the suspension of UK arms sales to Israel. The legal challenge against
the UK Department for Business and Trade was launched in December and summarily
dismissed by the Court <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Jews are today’s litmus test</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, the canary in the coal mine of Western society. If you
are an observer of changes in society you will note that in many places, places
near you, the object of hatred is swerving, nay veering from Israel to the
Jews. When hatred is projected on to the Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben
and is at the corner of Parliament, it may have been a step too far. The House
of Commons held speech after speech condemning the anti-Israel, anti-Semitic
rallies particularly after the Sottish National Party called for sanctions
against Israel. I hate to think what will happen next but I worry for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">That’s it! Gloom and doom don’t fit my current
mood </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">or the Hebrew month of Adar. I just got back
from one of the most positive events in a long time. Let me introduce you to
Shauli Yosipon, a wonderful man who lives in the village of Motza with his wife
Rachel and four daughters. Shauli became a mosaic artist later in life and has created
mosaics for many local sites. This morning was Shauli’s birthday, a good day
for a delightful event. Let me go back 4 months and the outbreak of war, the national
trauma of October 7<sup>th</sup> and the need to be together. Shauli had
already planned a mosaic to mark the 90<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the
founding of the “Yishuv” literally meaning settlement, just 8 miles from
Jerusalem where pilgrims walking to the Temple would stop to rest on their way
to honour the “foot festivals” of Pesach, Shevuot and Succot. I say 8 miles
because the chosen site of the large mosaic is where the original pilgrim’s
milestone once stood. Going even further back, as I have explained, Motza and our
neighborhood of Arza, are on the ancient road to Jerusalem, the so-called 7 Sisters,
or Sheva Achiot, and it was here that the first <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>modern settlement outside Jerusalem was built.
Motza is also the site of an ancient Neolithic settlement many thousands of
years old. </span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Babylonian and Jerusalem
Talmuds, and Rashi discuss the meaning of the name </span>and Motza’s
residents were exempt from taxation. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motza">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motza</a>
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">OK, back to Shauli and his mosaic! This
morning was the ceremony to reveal the finished mosaic! What a glorious humble
ceremony. Shauli’s mother was there as the initiator of the idea, and the
amazing lady who placed the very first stone in the mosaic. We sat in the
spring sunshine, and Shauli’s work brought a much needed smile. Shauli thanked Mohammed,
Ibraham and Akram for their help in bringing the project to fruition, and of
course Shalom Goldstein, the local council head, for his unwavering support. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As always, at any ceremony today, we blessed
the soldiers who protect us, wished the wounded a speedy return to health and
consoled the families of those who were lost. Thank you Shauli, you made my day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Interestingly, when Zvi used to take
dignitaries to the 6<sup>th</sup> floor of the Municipality he would always
describe multicultural Jerusalem as a human mosaic. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Lucy Aharish breaks barriers</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">! She grew up in the only Moslem family in a Jewish town,
she’s a woman from the periphery, married to a Jew and is one of the most
successful journalists in Israel. Lucy has no fear of speaking out about October
7<sup>th</sup>, the rapes, the broken bones, the savagery of burning babies, of
killing mothers in front of children and children in front of mothers, and the
silence of the Women’s Groups all over the world about it all. Here she talks
about being and Israeli Moslem married to a Jewish actor/soldier in an
interview with Bari Weiss. Fascination and enlightening <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LIcd7wHlCE">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LIcd7wHlCE</a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This has been a week with many positive
happenings. On Sunday a group of girlfriends came for brunch and a catch-up. It
really was delightful. On Monday we went to see a movie with the Dagans, on
Tuesday I went to my “Mind and Movement” session which always lifts my spirits,
on Thursday, that’s yesterday, more girlfriends came for lunch, but not just
for lunch, first we went for my favourite walk over the reservoir. Since some
came from Raanana and Herzliya the glorious sunshine, the open vista with the
softly undulating hills of the Jerusalem forests, the Beit Zayit dam and the
rain filled reservoir and vineyards. Life was made even better since everyone brought
something to eat so I didn’t need to cook! Zvi, yet again proved that he is not
a misogynist by joining us in our “Picnic on the veranda”. The only thing that is
missing in our nature trail is a picnic table. This afternoon our incredible
friend Dr Kimball Taylor (aka Kim) is making the long journey from a small town
in Alberta, Canada, to take his place at the WZO meetings in Jerusalem. I love
it when Kim comes to stay, he lights up our lives with his joy at returning “home”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I’m off to my Rachel when I finish talking to
you. I definitely need to finish off my week with hugs from the huggiest family
in the world, to say nothing of the cup of tea and freshly made bread roll with
her famous egg salad that will await me. Zvi has gone to his parliament in the
Botanical Garden then he will go to the airport to bring Kim home. Tonight’s
Shabbat dinner will not be big but it will be delightful as Amiad returns from
Miami and he, Noga, Ella and Yonatan are coming to join Zvi, Kim and I for
dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We all need music to lighten our load and this
week is no different.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The people of the towns and villages of the
South (and North) have been refugees in their own country. What they miss most
of all is the companionship of small societies, their friends, to help them
heal. Be’eri, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>lost so many and so much
really needed to get back together somehow and Koolulam came up with the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>how and where and Idan Reichel with the song.
It says it all “Everything that was here will change tomorrow” Listen to the
words, the hope in their song and their eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><a href="https://youtu.be/hptZdP_hulY?si=0MGcjIB_YCZHqKTs">https://youtu.be/hptZdP_hulY?si=0MGcjIB_YCZHqKTs</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Arik Einstein is an Israeli legend. Lyricist, playwright,
singer, comic actor, serious actor and wonderful representative of Israel. Here
he sings of how we, you and I, can change the world <a href="https://youtu.be/UUgCUgDUBmA?si=9ctiOY8reaty0kZG">https://youtu.be/UUgCUgDUBmA?si=9ctiOY8reaty0kZG</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Idan Amedi is a true Israeli hero although he
would be angry if he knew that I said that. He could have just carried on with
his music and acting careers, but instead, on October 7<sup>th</sup> he donned
his IDF uniform and headed for Gaza. Idan was very seriously injured in the
explosion that killed 7 of his fellows, but he was determined to display a rare
strength in his humility and his recovery has been nothing short of miraculous.
He goes each day to the rehabilitation centre of Sheba hospital, determined to fight
back. Of course you know him as Sagi Tzur, the elite fighter commander in Fauda,
a role very close his real life. Here he sings the theme song of Fauda. <a href="https://youtu.be/WqmtMDlo7Y0?si=6noD3nkkilm8V-6p">https://youtu.be/WqmtMDlo7Y0?si=6noD3nkkilm8V-6p</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">So, another weekend, another Shabbat, 140 days
that the hostages left in Gaza are missing from their family Shabbat table. We
must never give up, we have to bring them home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I wish you a peaceful weekend, a true Shabbat
Shalom. I send you love from the most beautiful city in the world, Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sheila <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-62003007228771608402024-02-15T23:36:00.003+02:002024-02-15T23:36:50.158+02:00From Yarmouk to Rafah<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">15<sup>th</sup> February, 2024</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">October the 132nd</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shabbat Shalom! </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This week was Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten
period. My childhood memories of Shrove Tuesday was of ladies dressed in frilly
aprons racing each other down the streets of the city while tossing pancakes!
Not thick fluffy pancakes but something more reminiscent of crepes.</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Last Shabbat Zvi and I</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> went for a long walk along the path which leads
through the nature reserve with glorious views over the now full reservoir. The
spring flowers were abundant and the view simply breathtaking. After a
newspaper article describing it as the most beautiful view in Israel, we were
no longer alone with our view, as many people discovered it, even if they took
their cars on the stony path rather than walk it! </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I look around me as I drive down the road and I see the puff
balls of pink and white almond blossom (shkediot), the pink of the wild
cyclamen (rakefot) , the bright red of the anemones (calaniot) against the rich
green foliage after the rains. The reservoir is full, reflecting the new
foliage of the bushes and trees that surround it, the air is fresh and crisp,
and we are at war. Young lives are lost before they are lived, children will
grow up without a father and young women have to be mother and father to their
children. Add to that the vile anti-Semitism that, like a boa constrictor, is strangling
freedom in just about every corner of the globe from Stockholm to Sydney and
from New York to Melbourne. Both the beauty and the evil are real, one
diametrically opposed to the other, yet walking side by side. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We are all aware</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> of the outrage in the world for Israel’s oppression of
the Gazans in our war against Hamas. I’m just curious, have you ever heard of Yarmouk?
</span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">On Dec 16,
2012, the Syrian air force, on the orders of Assad, bombed Yarmouk killing many
civilians (the real number may never be known). Tens of thousands of
Palestinians fled Yarmouk & were displaced without anywhere to go &
without knowing if/when they may ever return. Over the next 6 years, in the
largest Palestinian city in Syria, Palestinian civilians were indiscriminately
slaughtered, tens of thousands fled, and then Assad laid total siege to the
remaining tens of thousands of Palestinians during which men, women, children,
the elderly, the infirm, & babies were all forced to stay in Yarmouk
without electricity, without water, with minimal access to food, and with
little to no access to any medication or first aid of any kind. Of course you
weren’t aware of Yarmouk, because no-one cared because it was a cruel dictator
not Israel trying to survive.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Another question</span></b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">. Remember last week I wrote about the
apparently disappearing medication that poured into Gaza? Well, the two
wonderful men who were released from captivity in Rafah by our special IDF
troops, said that they never received any medication!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The highly sophisticated</span></b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> missiles
have been launched with greater frequency on the north of Israel, all the
beautiful towns and villages that you loved to visit have been systematically
destroyed. Yesterday they targetted Sfat or Safed, the exquisite ancient
spiritual town, knowing full well that the HQ of the IDF operations in the
North were close by. Tragically a young soldier was killed and others injured.
It’s an awful thing to say but we are used to the daily recitation of names of
beautiful young people who have lost their lives defending ours. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The photograph</span></b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> which needed no explanation, indeed is the
epitome of hope in this ghastly war, was that of <b>Fernando Marman and Luis
Har</b> as they arrived at Sheba Hospital and were reunited with their
families. After 4 months of near starvation, they lost huge amounts of weight,
barely subsisting on the meagre rations that Hamas grudgingly gave them, but as
they clung together with their loved ones, we understood that they were home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">134 hostages are still in Gaza</span></b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> and their families are in a living hell,
not knowing who is alive and who died in captivity<span style="background: white; mso-shading-themecolor: background1;">. </span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-shading-themecolor: background1;">Since it is high time that Israel preempted rather than
defended in the Hague, tired of waiting for our government to do something,
anything, around 100 representatives of family members of the kidnapped flew to
the Netherlands on Wednesday to file an official complaint against Hamas and
its leadership at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, according to
the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.</span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <a href="https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-786843" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-786843</span></a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Simultaneously
and without consultation with the War Cabinet, the Prime Minister brought the
Israeli representatives back from the Beirut Conference on the release of
hostages.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Bedouins were among</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> the hostages, the dead and many bravely risked their lives,
going back time and again to take young people to safety, their one aim to save
others from the horrors of October 7<sup>th</sup>. This week a ceremony was
held in the FOZ (Friends of Zion) Museum in Jerusalem to honour the Bedouin
heroes of October 7<sup>th</sup>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Eylon Levy</span></b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, spokesperson for the Israeli Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, became famous for his raised eyebrows when interviewed on CNN
at the beginning of the war. This week he interviewed <b>Marcus Sheff</b>, CEO
of Impact-se (<a href="http://www.impact-se.org/">www.impact-se.org</a> ) about
UNWRA’s part in the October 7<sup>th</sup> terror attack and the conditioning
of Palestinian children to be martyrs, kill and be killed, Jihad, which led to
the October 7th massacre of Israelis. <a href="https://youtu.be/Rt3DlOO-5KY?si=TX1Jeo9xaP6E9rXT">https://youtu.be/Rt3DlOO-5KY?si=TX1Jeo9xaP6E9rXT</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The final proof that UNWRA</span></b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> was
complicit in all of Hamas activities came t</span><span style="background: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">his
week. Beneath UNRWA’s Gaza HQ, the IDF uncovered one of Hamas’s most
significant and top secret assets; a subterranean data center used by the
terror group for intelligence and communications. The terror group built the
server farm, complete with an electrical room and living quarters for the Hamas
IT staff, directly below the UN agency’s complex in Gaza City’s Rimal
neighborhood, to ensure Israel would never target it.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It was a busy week</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> but for me the highlight was definitely my
visit to the Impact-se office as Chair of the Board. Such a brilliant group of
young people, specialists in Arabic and the Middle East, they are responsible
for the translation and reports on the school books of many nations, experts in
both Sunni and Shiite teaching. It gives me great pleasure to be in the company
of great enthusiasm, efficiency, determination to make this a kinder, better
world where the child abuse of hate education will become a thing of the past.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">While most of the Western Media</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> has turned on Israel, Sky Australia has been
even handed, in fact supportive of Israel in their reporting of the Gaza War. Chris
Kenny, on his opinion show, tells it like it is, no holds barred. He criticises
his own government and the “weak trio” – well worth a listen <a href="https://youtu.be/dn278aYtodg?si=hmrTjI4iB4w--B9c">https://youtu.be/dn278aYtodg?si=hmrTjI4iB4w--B9c</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Each morning I wake up</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, check my emails, bring the newspaper in from
beside the door, make my coffee and crackers and take it all outside to our
veranda. I sit and read the paper but all the time listening to the tell-tale
high tweet of the sunbirds. Their tiny, iridescent black bodies, flit from
flower to flower, drinking their sweetness from the bottom of the flower,
darting and playing with each other at what seems like the speed of light.
Somehow the news in the paper is less depressing as I watch them. They make me
smile, indeed I am still smiling as I go on to Wordle and Spelling Bee. The
sunbirds (Tsufiot) hover over the citrus trees, as if chattering to each other
admiring the abundance of limes, lemons and kumquats, of course I agree with
them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The weather</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> has been rather cool, I dare not say cold
because most of you have been suffering in the ice and snow, but there is a
definite nip in the air. I should point out that our table and chairs outside
are under cover so I don’t get wet in the fairly constant rain. I can’t
complain about the rain since the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) is full, the
waterfalls of the north are crashing down the hillsides and Mount Hermon’s
pistes are covered in fresh white snow. The shame is that all of the latter are
unreachable because of the danger from Hezb-Allah.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Tomorrow morning we will go to Tel
Aviv to celebrate the bat Mitzva of Ori, Leor and Shiri’s third daughter. Her birthday
was some time ago and the Bat Mitzvah party date has been changed four times
poor girl. At first because there were missiles raining down on Nes Ziona, then
because too many were on Miluim but now….it will happen tomorrow. Admittedly
much smaller than intended, but with loads of love!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A group of Malawan</span></b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> A Capella singers and the song Home, about
the prayer for the return of the Israeli hostages in Gaza. They sing in Hebrew.
Apparently, the people of Malawi understand the situation infinitely better
than some Western leaders <a href="https://youtu.be/QzJpEwpYsLA?si=Vedd10x_OSrpUq_7">https://youtu.be/QzJpEwpYsLA?si=Vedd10x_OSrpUq_7</a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In today’s turmoil one tends to forget the good things,
the beautiful relationships that exist despite, which is why I love this song,
and the version. <b>What a wonderful Wor</b>ld<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><a href="https://youtu.be/R0xoMhCT-7A?si=D_ngOXcOEDqFDjEu">https://youtu.be/R0xoMhCT-7A?si=D_ngOXcOEDqFDjEu</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Lecha Dodi – Come My Beloved</span></b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> – is sung
on a Friday night to welcome the bride of Shabbat. Why bride? Pure and beautiful,
just as Shabbat. I love this rendition by the wonderfully eccentric, Rabbi
Shlomo Carlebach<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://youtu.be/NC19kaPCMYM?si=25wJtvRKz7d-3k-j">https://youtu.be/NC19kaPCMYM?si=25wJtvRKz7d-3k-j</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">My prayer </span></b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">does not change from week to week. I pray
to see the hostages home, safe if not sound. I want the families of those who
fell at the hands of Hamas buried here in Israel to find relief of the awful
unknown of whether they are alive or not. I want this war to end, although I
know it cannot yet. I want, I pray that Hamas will really fall and that the
utterly corrupt United nations, be it UNWRA or the so-called Security Council
disbanded and a logical, fair, honest organisation take its place. I want so
many things, especially that Tal’s husband will come home safely from months of
Miluim in the South. Who’s Tal? My lovely young neighbour who is coping with
three small children alone while her husband fights for our security. I want a
fair world where my friends in the Diaspora do not feel under threat.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I wish you a beautiful Shabbat or Sabbath Day. With love
from Jerusalem, our Jerusalem. May God keep you and bless you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sheila<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-41918133287821465832024-02-09T11:27:00.000+02:002024-02-09T11:27:00.043+02:00Ben Gurion to Haniya<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">9<sup>th</sup> of February, 2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">October 126th<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shabbat Shalom dear friends. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Did you know that ”email message” in Yiddish is Der Blitsbriv? It’s
amazing how Yiddish, an old European Jewish language, is still morphing,
changing with the times. Most of the Jews of Eastern Europe communicated with
each other in Yiddish, yet that language did not die with the Holocaust, it is
thriving and ever growing, a bit like us!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">On the 8<sup>th</sup> of February</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, 1940, the
Lodz Ghetto was announced and the Jews began heading, with what few belongings
and all the courage they could muster, to the crowded conditions of the Ghetto,
leaving their homes behind. Despite their sense of foreboding, they prayed for
the best, after all they had no alternative, there was no Jewish homeland. Like
Jews all over the world, they were, and are, visitors in another’s home.
Despite the fact that we are rather like the worker bee whose work is the basis
of nature, we are treated as a cuckoo who must be thrown out of the nest. Both sets
of our parents had left Poland, mine in 1910 and 1920 whereas Zvi’s parents,
who left in 1934 and 1935, were saved because they came here, to the nascent
state of Israel. Despite going back to Poland and begging their families to
leave, all of them felt they were safer there. Sadly all perished, only Kalman
and Alla survived, here in their own land. I don’t believe in Never Again, I
believe in Never Forget.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Always curious</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, I had a look at what happened on this day in
history. 30 years ago today Shimon Peres signed an accord with Yassir Arafat; 40
years ago, the headlines could almost have been of today, except for the
hostages, when the USA left Lebanon with the suggestion, intention, assumption,
that Israel would patrol her own border with that imminently dangerous area; 50
years ago today the British miners strike created havoc yet great
neighborliness as everyone gathered around our log fireplace by candlelight; 60
years ago today the Beatles went on the Ed Sullivan show, the beginning of the unofficial
social reforms together with Mary Quant and Vidal Sassoon. Isn’t it strange how
one can find life fascinating when searching for thoughts to take one away from
reality.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As news leaks out</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> about more and more deaths among
the hostages, the issue becomes more and more urgent. Hamas were not only
body-snatchers on October 7<sup>th</sup>, they are holding on to the bodies of
those they have killed, either murdered or simply denied urgent medication, an
untenable situation for the families and for the nation. As I told you last
week, every hour of every day on Israel television, is dedicated to news and families
of hostages or fallen soldiers are invited to join the panel of experts to tell
their story. The bravery of the families is astonishing, but outside Israel the
displaced Israelis are often forgotten. Over 140,000 people have been asked to
leave their homes in the South and the North and they are living in hotels, the
intention to protect them from the bombardment by both Hamas and Hezb-Allah,
but emptying the towns and villages goes against everything that David Ben
Gurion believed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In March 1955</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> there was a wedding in Patish, a moshav near
Gaza, when Fedayeen terrorists came in from Gaza and threw hand grenades at all
the guests. When Ben Gurion came to support the moshavniks (members of the
Moshav) he saw several packing their bags to go elsewhere. To paraphrase his
long speech, Jews do not run away any more. I feel that demanding that all
those people leave their homes, albeit to prevent deaths and damage, the
message to our enemies is that they have won, the Jews are running again. The “Old
Man” who’s courage was legend, would not have approved. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Another David Ben Gurion</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> quote is even more appropriate. The
UN in Hebrew is haUmot hameuchedet, or UM; which Ben Gurion, when informed of
the UN demands said “Um Shum” or United Nations is nothing! They were useless
even then!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Back to today</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, I cannot escape from what is happening, the
lies told and the facts on the ground. Israeli Brigadier General Dan Goldfus
took foreign journalists to Khan Yunis to show them the extent of the most
recent tunnel discovery. Tiled walls, a kitchen, bedrooms, dining room and a
cage for the hostages. <a href="https://youtu.be/_tOG8qUhxPk?si=PZiU_8QGTTQpWg7y">https://youtu.be/_tOG8qUhxPk?si=PZiU_8QGTTQpWg7y</a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The conditions under which those
hostages were and are held, those who are still alive, were inhuman. Barely
fed, no air, no light, no medication. Those who were held in private homes were
kept in even worse conditions, constantly threatened by their “hosts”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We now face the Catch 22</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> situation of prisoners for the
hostages, both the survivors and the bodies of those who did not. It was
announced that at least 32 of the remaining hostages are dead and possibly another
20 also did not survive. If you remember the last prisoner release was in
exchange for Gilad Shalit. At that time Ehud Olmert was firmly against the release
of prisoners with blood on their hands, but Benjamin Netanyahu chose to agree
to the deal and could be seen at the multitude of photo ops with the Shalit
family. Among the 1,047 prisoners released was Yahyeh Sinwar, and we all know the
result. The prisoners who may be released in any deal for the release of the
hostages, are almost all proven terrorists with blood on their hands, but the
level of their atrocities is wide. The most serious is Marwan Barghouti who was
responsible for the First and Second Intifadas. Barghouti was always considered
the most dangerous, highly intelligent, he was exiled to Jordan in 1987 for
terror activities then returned to lead the Tanzim, the Fatah military arm. He
was caught in 2002 and convicted to 5 terms of life imprisonment. His release
is being considered but it is essential that if released, he understands that
it was secured by Israel not by Hamas. Despite the bloody history of Hamas
against Fatah in Gaza, when Hamas murdered any and all Fatah supporters, if he
feels gratitude to Hamas he may just join them with disastrous results. Like
everything in this part of the world, it’s complicated!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To understand the depth of our pain, our longing for the return of
the hostages, Jerusalem Municipality, Safra Square and empty beds. <a href="https://youtu.be/o-b7M0oaQFM?si=xru75DYTPTwYD47x">https://youtu.be/o-b7M0oaQFM?si=xru75DYTPTwYD47x</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Rafah is on the so-called Philadelphi Corridor</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> and
the final stage for the IDF battle against Hamas, despite strong objections
from Egypt. It is where most arms were smuggled into Gaza. Egypt, very wisely,
created a safe zone on their side of the Egypt-Gaza border, clearing a wide
swathe of land of housing that abutted the border. Of course when Israel tried
to do the same on the Gaza side of the border with Southern Israel we were
accused of just about every sin in the book! Both Egypt and Israel must protect
themselves from the crucible of hate that is Gaza. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Did you know that the USA hit 85 sites</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> in Iraq
and Syria this week? All were linked, like Hamas, to Iran’s IRGC militias. I
think the media were too busy condemning Israel to even notice!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This week Jordan and Holland</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> answered the Hamas request for
medicines. Seriously? What about those truckloads of medicines that we saw
going into Gaza after they demanded 1,000 times the medication Israel provided
for the hostages? If you go back to the video of the tunnel you will see boxes
of medicine thrown on the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Time and again Israel</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> shows inhuman generosity when
dealing with the sick from Gaza, but this one is exceptional! Ismail Haniya is
the leader of Hamas, residing in luxury in Qatar. At various times members of
Haniya’s family have been treated in Israeli hospitals. Haniya’s niece, who lives
in Israel, gave birth to a dangerously premature baby who was taken to Soroka
Hospital and treated with the utmost care, as are all patients. Israel
celebrates life not death but that leaves no impression upon the cruelty of
Hamas. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Nova Peris is an Aboriginal heroine</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">. An
Olympian athlete she has proudly represented the indigenous peoples of
Australia and now she supports the indigenous people of this land. Truth
telling is her aim. What a wonderful lady. <a href="https://youtu.be/fpt6p6IF58E?si=nqqdjr6Tv3XOCrtN">https://youtu.be/fpt6p6IF58E?si=nqqdjr6Tv3XOCrtN</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yuval Freilich</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> already won the Gold Medal in the European
Fencing Championships and has now won Gold in the Doha Grand Prix. Yuval has brought
more than personal and national honour, Hatikva was played in Qatar. Wonders
will never cease. Yuval is not the only Israeli athlete to bring in the prize
this week! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sharon Kantor</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> won the Gold in the iQFLiO World Windsurfer
Championships in the Canary Isles<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Last night</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> we drove up to Netanya for the combined
birthdays of Sergio and Sara Verbitzky. I thought I would be rather lonely as
the only non-Spanish speaker in the room, but in fact it was a delightful
evening and many of the guests came to talk to us! Such lovely friendly people
especially the Mexicans! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first lady
that we spoke to was Miriam Zaga who came on Aliya with her job some 20 years
ago. To say that Miriam works with Naaleh is wrong, it is her vocation. Naaleh brings
young people from all over the world who make Aliya before their parents. I love
this programme. Read all about it. <a href="https://naale-elite-academy.com/program/">https://naale-elite-academy.com/program/</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yes it has been another busy week</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> and I
succeeded in knitting my 23<sup>rd</sup> hat for soldiers! It’s so relaxing!
One visitor was Gaby Hirsch. Gaby has been my link to my son Daniel z”l
although she never met him. Gaby guided me through the creation of Dr. Dan’s
Room, the studio for the performing arts in the magical Shalva Centre where
people with special needs are given the opportunity to be part of society and
their parents to know that their children are just as beautiful as everyone else’s,
in fact more special. Gaby is going on to a new and exciting position and I,
along with everyone who knows her will miss her smiling face. Good luck Gaby;
love you arms and legs. <a href="https://give.shalva.org/daniel">https://give.shalva.org/daniel</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Perhaps it is most appropriate that my first song is with the <b>Shalva
Band and All You Need is Love.</b> You’ll see Gaby in her office, Shalva
soldiers, happy children and volunteers along with the Band <a href="https://youtu.be/wvhhae73wnk?si=W1xGGLAQVzShur27">https://youtu.be/wvhhae73wnk?si=W1xGGLAQVzShur27</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Natanel Hershtik</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> has the voice of an angel, His
father, Naftali Hershtik, was the Cantor of the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem
and Natanel is a loving son of his parents and of Israel. Here he sings the
prayer for the IDF, for our soldiers <a href="https://youtu.be/uL-yEVU18Cc?si=5lJ2IDVexRc3kH2w">https://youtu.be/uL-yEVU18Cc?si=5lJ2IDVexRc3kH2w</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">One day we will live in peace <b>One Day</b> a very different Koolulam.
<a href="https://youtu.be/EuHwoz8K3tM?si=O-Up15dUiUUtuFMR">https://youtu.be/EuHwoz8K3tM?si=O-Up15dUiUUtuFMR</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I wish you a weekend of peace, a weekend of kindness, of calm, of
Shalva.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shabbat Shalom from beautiful Jerusalem where the sun finally came
out after weeks of rain. I can’t wait to go to the Nature Reserve opposite for
our weekly constitutional to see the reservoir overflowing with the recent
rainwaters and the spring flowers showing their faces to the sun<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">With love<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sheila<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-6801784459679902902024-02-02T10:43:00.001+02:002024-02-02T10:43:02.012+02:00UBNWRA exit stage left<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The 2<sup>nd</sup> of the 2<sup>nd</sup> 2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shvat 23<sup>rd</sup> 5784<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">October the 118<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shabbat Shalom dear friends, Shabbat Shalom from a very wet, windy
and rainy Jerusalem. Shabbat Shalom from a very busy week in Israel’s life. As
usual I will try to give you a balanced look at our lives, what it means to be
at war with a cruel enemy which hides under the guise of the underdog. It’s a
strange world that we live in where Western poli</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">ticians understand the situation and the public doesn’t! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I listened in rapt attention</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> to the Congressional Hearing on UNWRA’s role,
particularly UNWRA’s hate teaching and role in the October 7<sup>th</sup>
massacre. I am so proud of Impact-se and our role in changing the world for the
better but rarely more than at the hearing as our CEO Marcus Sheff, presented the
schoolbooks taught in UNWRA schools and their part in hate teaching. Marcus,
unlike most others, presented with professional sang froid, without drama, the
facts. UNWRA was and is undoubtedly the catalyst for hatred. Of course one can
also quote the horrifying figures of corruption and profligate waste of money
within the organisation, but corruption occurs everywhere, the greatest crime
of UNWRA is promoting hatred of such dimensions that it led to a massacre. For
those with patience, the entire Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing
on UNWRA. Presenting the UNWRA control of education in Gaza and its effect,
Marcus Sheff, CEO of Impact-se, appears at 1 hour exactly and at 1 hour and 35
minutes. <span style="color: #000099;"><a href="https://www.congress.gov/committees/video/house-foreign-affairs/hsfa00/zkBp1zgggtc" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">https://www.congress.gov/committees/video/house-foreign-affairs/hsfa00/zkBp1zgggtc</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">UNHCR</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> the United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees, takes care of refugees throughout the world,
refugees whose situation is beyond terrible and they do so with efficiency. Refugee
status in the rest of the world lasts for two years but UNWRA has succeeded in
making refugee status for Palestinians a multi-generational status. UNWRA must
be disbanded and allow UNHCR to take over the position. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Israeli satirical TV show <b>“Eretz Nehederet”</b>
or Wonderful country, did a very funny skit on UNWRA, in English, proving yet
again that Jews have survived every conceivable horror with a sense of humour! </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><a href="https://youtu.be/1RBnP05DGjw?si=e6fHp-2ZnUkZfnxp" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc;">https://youtu.be/1RBnP05DGjw?<wbr></wbr>si=e6fHp-2ZnUkZfnxp</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The war goes on</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, Hezb-Allah chooses to continue launching missiles at
the almost empty towns, villages and kibbutzim in the north and Britain and the
USA have been joined by many other countries in combatting the Houthis and
their attempted blockage of ships. If ships do not go through the Suez Canal,
Egypt loses essential revenue, so they may well join the fray. It is incredible
how Iran, the master puppeteer is bringing chaos to the world both directly and
indirectly. It is tangible in the Middle East but sadly clear in the West
through demands for Sharia law in societies opposed to changing from open Christian
societies to one governed by an oppressive way of life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The hostage situation</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> has reached boiling point here in Israel. We are fully
aware of the price paid to release the hostages, both those who survive and
those who do not. We learned a terrifying lesson over the Gilad Shalit case. We
released 1,047 prisoners, many of whom had blood on their hands, for one
soldier. I wanted to see Noam Shalit hug his son but the price was beyond all
logic. Ehud Olmert voted against it but Netanyahu chose, at the last minute, to
include one Yahya (pronounced Yichyeh) Sinwar among the released terrorists
with blood on their hands, his release created a domino effect of terror. Yahya
Sinwar, mastermind of October 7<sup>th</sup>. It is a dilemma beyond reason but
one shared with the most supportive American President in Israel-USA history.
Yes I know you don’t like the last statement, know that you want to think of
him as a doddery old man but he has been steadfast in his support.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Each and every day</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, each and every hour, the families of the hostages and the
fallen appear on our television screens. Their stories are part of our lives,
an important part of our lives and despite the known dangers, we want our
hostages home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Jerusalem Post</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> reported that Qatar is funding the families of hostages
in their fight to bring their family’s home. It would appear that the Qataris
are playing all sides. <a href="https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-784799">https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-784799</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I spoke yesterday</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> to a dear friend who visits the wounded soldiers in
hospitals. She told me that the soldiers who are in the convalescent department
of Sheba Hospital do not want to leave hospital. The bond they have formed has
become their lifeline. Only they understand the disruption caused by the
physical and emotional turmoil. Wouldn’t it be amazing if they could live
together, with their families, in a kibbutz-style area, so that they could heal
together, support each other, not break the bond which ties them until their
last day?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Dr Nir Boms</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> is a Middle East analyst and currently serving in the IDF, as he has done
since the beginning of this conflict. It is Nir who introduced me to Impact-se,
for which I will be ever grateful. I have taken the liberty of taking a small
part of his most recent report from the front, because it is of ultimate
importance to understanding this conflict.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“For many years now, the Iranian people have been trying to
demonstrate to the world that they neither support nor condone the policies and
actions of the Islamic regime. In fact, they want nothing to do with the
worldview and sentiments of the revolutionaries who brought the Islamic
revolution to fruition. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The support given to Israel after
the October 7 attacks is yet another clear signal to the world of an enormous
schism between the Iranian people and the Islamic regime of Iran. Iranians wish
nothing to do with the Islamic regime, the revolution that brought it into
existence, nor the mentality of activists who supported it. Similar to the
Islamist regime in Gaza, the Islamic Republic in Teheran has brought nothing
but pain, suffering, and destruction to its people and the region at large.
Iranians have long realized it. The question is – will the free world realize
it as well?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A very quick roundup of thoughts.</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Normalisation</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> with Saudi Arabia, which is closer than you think, is the ultimate defeat
of Iran. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Americans</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, in our current situation, would have rejected anyone labelled a loser, a
fact we need to learn. It’s time for change. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yair Lapid</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> is ready to change his former position and join the government on
condition that the extremists are thrown out, in order to prevent the upheaval
of elections. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">You will be surprised</span></b><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> to hear that there is a great deal of good news too – Besorot Tovot.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Horfeish</span></b><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> is a Druze town in
the North of Israel. A wonderful lady called Ibtisam lives there and has a
restaurant which, after October 7<sup>th</sup>, she made kosher so that all of
those who wish can eat there. A few days ago, a man was sitting in a nearby
coffee shop and noticed a group of soldiers who were not eating. He offered to
buy them food, thinking it was a matter of cost, but they said that they couldn’t
because the food there was not kosher. He immediately called Ibtisam to find
that the restaurant was already closed. “Bring them to me! I’ll open the
restaurant for them” She then began cooking, preparing them a feast, without
charge. It is typical of the Druze community, who have served with great honour
in the IDF too. As a result of their loyalty and bravery, change will be made
in the Basic Law to ensure that they have a place of honour.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Cedrick Garin</span></b><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> z”l, a fallen soldier
who came to Israel with his mother from the Philippines some 17 years ago, was
a brave young man who loved Israel. His civil status was uncertain but last
week Interior Minister Moshe Arbel paid a condolence call on Cedrick’s mother
and young wife to inform them that they had both received honorary citizenship
and to thank them for Cedrick’s bravery. Moshe Arbel of the Shas Party, has
proven his humanity time and again. Zvi and our friends Prof. Shimon Shetreet
and Meishi Schreiber went to the Shiva (mourning ) at the Garin family home and
found that there were many, many visitors and each had brought them food along
with their condolences. Prof. Shetreet has done his best to visit as many
families as possible to show compassion and unity with them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I wish you could</span></b><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">
have been a fly on the wall when I went shopping this week in a large local
supermarket. Standing in front of me in the line for the cashier was a Moslem
lady in full, and beautiful, Arab dress. We started chatting, one of my
favourite aspects of shopping, and touched on the current situation. She was
from Abu Ghosh very aware of what is happening, and we helped each other with
loading our goods on to the conveyor belt. As we parted with a huge smile and
thanks, we wished each other peace. She said “Inshallah” and I said “B’ezrat
HaShem” both of us meaning may it be God’s will. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our daily life</span></b><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> continues as usual
with obvious changes. We have not been to the cinema lately, which we have
sworn to change next week. Continuing with normal life in times of chaos is
essential to one’s sanity. Going to courses, meetings, discussions, knitting
hats for soldiers, making sandwiches, working for the better of one’s community
and of course supporting those who need it, to show our enemies that we can
still enjoy life is of ultimate importance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I finished my 20<sup>th</sup></span></b><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> hat for soldiers and decided that I would do for the family as
well! I find it so relaxing to sit and knit. It means I don’t have to think
about the war, about anything in fact. The pattern is so simple that I can
watch the news and still continue knitting!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When our conversation is over, Zvi will go to his
parliament in the botanical gardens, a sad parliament because we lost one of
our most loved members, Eli BenTovim z”l <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this week and I will head off to Rachel to see
the children too. Zvi will then go to get Gili, Ori and Yuval and bring them to
our home for Shabbat while their parents take a well deserved break to celebrate
20 year since they met. I have already made most of the food including Ori’s
favourite crepes with maple syrup for dessert! I’m just about to prepare the
crust for the pizzas and make the lasagne, not the usual Shabbat dinner but the
one they requested. Tomorrow will be much more traditional and if the rain will
just stop for an hour, we will go off to the nature reserve to check out the
wild flower situation!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And so to music.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yachad is a song about opening our hearts to love and
peace. <a href="https://youtu.be/S_Jmyu6MQHc?si=zx0PpbdgnfymW1Bb">https://youtu.be/S_Jmyu6MQHc?si=zx0PpbdgnfymW1Bb</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Brothers in Arms</span></b><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">
was written many years ago by a British Jew, Mark Knopfler, and it is said he
wrote it to honour the IDF. I don’t know if it is true but this song, in my
mind, does just that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">These mist covered mountains</span>, Are a home now for me,
But my home is the lowlands, And always will be<span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br aria-hidden="true" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Someday you'll return to</span> Your valleys and your farms</span>,
And you'll no longer burn to be</span><br aria-hidden="true" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Brothers in arms</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><a href="https://youtu.be/p_zfB4zV3nY?si=3PfANg6HZPtuW8Cf">https://youtu.be/p_zfB4zV3nY?si=3PfANg6HZPtuW8Cf</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu – Peace will be upon us- a prayer
and a song. <a href="https://youtu.be/VcdCidGNaYo?si=iRHIdgoyxrWcqPSC">https://youtu.be/VcdCidGNaYo?si=iRHIdgoyxrWcqPSC</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I wish you a peaceful Shabbat a weekend of kindness,
of good new and of good health. We can only control our own tiny part of the
world but as I always say “The Power of One” can change our world and
ultimately the whole world. Bringing love may be a banal statement but its
power is infinite.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shabbat Shalom from beautiful Jerusalem, to you all,
my friends. Please write and tell me how you spend your weekend. I love hearing
from you<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sheila<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-7340519606453373422024-01-26T09:39:00.003+02:002024-01-26T09:39:52.652+02:00Trees and remembrance<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">26<sup>th</sup> January, 2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shabbat Shalom dear friends<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Perhaps <b>Charles Dickens</b> was a prophet when he wrote<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“It was the best of times, it was the worst of
times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the
epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light,
it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of
despair.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Surely the supre</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">me evidence that our world is upside down is that the
International Court of Justice in the Hague, an outpost of the United Nations,
has chosen to pass judgement on the ludicrous South African genocide accusation
against Israel on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The ultimate irony
is that the International Court of Justice and the UN were created to replace
the League of Nations and the Permanent Court of International Justice which were
disbanded because they failed to address the Holocaust<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The world was silent</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> at the slaughter of Moslems in Syria, Yemen, Libya,
Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Moslems killed by Moslems, yet when Israel defended
herself after the horrendous attack of October 7<sup>th</sup>, the entire world,
led by Islamic activists, turned on us! Not the leaders, the people. Riots and
violent demonstrations against Israel throughout the West, were more contagious
than Covid and twice as deadly. The clouds of war are gathering and most of the
Western world, Western society, is complacent and silent not understanding the
words of their leaders. President Biden and Prime Minister Sunak took the
decision to fight the piracy of the Houthis in Yemen, the Iranian armed
terrorists, verbally backed by other countries, but just like the USA until
Pearl Harbour, they did not wish to enter the fray in our part of the world
until their ships were attacked. I know that you won’t like my last statement
but it is sadly true. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The 75<sup>th</sup> anniversary</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> of the founding of the Knesset went without ceremony,
the Members of Knesset too bound up in this war that we did not want and the
Cabinet too busy ejecting the families of hostages from open meetings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The most frequent accusation</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> against Israel is that of apartheid, so, I thought I
would tell you about one or two of our heroes, of beloved soldiers who fell
this week. They were Filipino (Cydric Garin), Peruvian (Yuval Lopez), Ethiopian
(Daniel Zegeye), Jewish (Rabbi Elkana Vizel), Christian, Moslem, Druze and Bedouin
(Ahmad Abu Latif), each and every one a hero, each and every one a proud
fighter of the IDF, each and every one receiving the honour they deserved at
their military burial, each and every one mourned. In fact, I want to tell you
all about Cydric. Cydric Garin, age 23, came from San Mateo, just north of
Manila, the Capital city of the Philippines, and came to Israel with his mother
some 17 years ago. Cydric was a rebellious child but after enrolling in the IDF
Givati Unit, he found his niche, was immediately accepted and loved and earned
an outstanding soldier award by the Southern Command. The IDF is a true melting
pot of people whose love of Israel and understanding of our threats is what
binds them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">One of the most emotional ceremon</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">ies this week took place in Kibbutz Be’eri, to be exact,
in the Be’eri Forest, on Tu b’Shvat, the festival of the new trees. With the
help of KKL-JNF, the families of the 364 people killed at the Nova festival and
the 40 members of Kibbutz Be’eri who were taken captive, participated in a tree
planting ceremony, 404 trees to form a memorial forest. Giving new life, new
memories to the place where their loved ones lost their lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">What is Tu b’Shvat</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">? </span><span style="background: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Tu b’Shvat is a Jewish holiday
occurring on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat. It is also called Rosh
HaShanah La'Ilanot, literally "New Year of the Trees". <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An Ilan is an Oak tree. In contemporary
Israel, the day is celebrated as an ecological awareness day; trees are planted
in celebration and we all eat fruits and nuts each of which has a specific
blessing.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Red Cross</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> came to the Israel Government demanding to check on the conditions
of the Hamas prisoners in Israel. The senior members of the IDF said yes and
the government almost agreed, but Itamar Ben Gvir, with whom I have little agreement,
said no “Not until the Red Cross visits and reports on the condition of the
hostages in Gaza” For the first time ever I agree with him. The Red Cross not
only hasn’t demanded to visit the hostages, their new Director was the shamed
Director of UNWRA!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Not all is
gloom and doom</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, thanks to
wonderful people along the way, they are beacons of light in a dark world. </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Imagine a senior officer in the middle of War choosing to
take time off and donate a kidney to a complete stranger. A</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
few days later he went to meet the recipient of the kidney. The epitome of the humanity
of the IDF, saving lives both in and out of uniform<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> is the Executive Director of the American friends of
Soroka Hospital, a wonderful lady and dear friend. Rachel’s husband Joel is a renowned
Urologist at Sloan Kettering Hospital and they have both watched and cared for
the growth of Soroka Hospital, in Beer Sheva, watching it grow from a few huts to
a large and very important Medical Facility. In addition to the normal day to
day activities of a hospital, Soroka has borne the brunt of the injured since
October 7<sup>th</sup>, over 2,600 soldiers and civilians, performing miracles
along the way. Why am I telling you all this? Because on Monday Zvi and I
headed off down the main highway to Beer Sheva and Soroka Hospital for the
official opening of the <b>Dr Joel Sheinfeld Urology Centre in Soroka Hospital</b>.
The centre is state of the art, with treatment rooms equipped with the very
latest technology, a bright and hopeful centre. The obvious love extended to Rachel
by the senior staff of the hospital was tangible; the fact that they all came
to honour her and Joel when soldiers were being helicoptered in to the ICU
every few minutes is a sign of deep respect for Rachel’s untiring work. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Elon Musk</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> was completely ignorant of the facts about the current conflagration and
about Israel in general. Being South African perhaps he believed the apartheid
accusations? Unlike others, Elon Musk came to Israel, visited Be’eri, talked to
survivors, went to Auschwitz and finally understood. In fact, his understanding
reached the point of “I’m Jewish by association” Let’s see if his words will be
translated into action on “X” and all the dire anti-Semitic posts removed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Three short video clips of huge importance. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Ben Shapiro and Piers Morgan</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> talk about “Gas the Jews” <a href="https://youtu.be/Ji9zcj9MdOY?si=eAJIxECiUDYk_VPi">https://youtu.be/Ji9zcj9MdOY?si=eAJIxECiUDYk_VPi</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Oded Rahav</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, a man of peace, speaks out “Humanity is at a crossroads” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://youtu.be/u6z87_e9jPM?si=Hdin3M765f-m1fMf">https://youtu.be/u6z87_e9jPM?si=Hdin3M765f-m1fMf</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Member of Knesset <b>Boaz Bizmuth</b> had
prepared a speech to the European Parliament but instead spoke his mind. “You
should be ashamed” </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><a href="https://youtu.be/m4uOCqv8aeU?si=VPpNRj-7Tb9h5EKS" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc;">https://youtu.be/m4uOCqv8aeU?<wbr></wbr>si=VPpNRj-7Tb9h5EKS</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">January 24<sup>th</sup>
was World Education Day</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">. It was hate education,
the inculcation of hatred from day one, that ultimately led to October 7<sup>th</sup>
as the PA and UNWRA refused to remove hatred from their schoolbooks. Impact-se
(<a href="https://www.impact-se.org/">https://www.impact-se.org/</a> could
change all that, is prepared and ready to teach the next and following generations
of Palestinians to respect the other; we just need the world to demand the way
they teach their children.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Zvi and I </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">returned to two very important places this week. Hostage Square, right next
to the Tel Aviv Museum and the Israeli Opera, was almost empty on a Saturday
morning allowing us to really look at the installations, at the faces of those
at the long, long table set for those who have not returned, may not return
from captivity. On Wednesday we went back to the Chabad centre in Jerusalem
hoping to help with the sandwich-making again, but there was little for us to
do! The place had so many volunteers that all that was left for me to do was
slicing cucumbers! People from every walk of life, adults and children, special
needs and just folks who want to help. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As with everything in Israel, there is a story
behind the simple act of making sandwiches. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A child called Li’el asked his mother
for extra sandwiches each day at school, not for himself, for children who
couldn't afford. He grew up to be an officer in the IDF. He was close to his
soldiers and reminded them to smile because a smile lights the world. Li’el
fell in battle and this project is in his name. By day sandwiches, by night
barbecues for soldiers in the north and in the south <a href="https://www.jgive.com/new/en/usd/donation-targets/115193/about?fbclid=IwAR0SZWcnM3QGxMmMEjYRdTLhvDoO6SKlu9DuAjhGtnKEsUt5RhrxWL7zwI4" target="_blank"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">https://www.jgive.com/.../usd/donation-targets/115193/about</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I think I told you that as a result of the current situation people
in our neighborhood have organised all sorts of social events, one of my
favourites is “Yetsira” handicraft. One of the women heard me talk about the
sandwich-making and told me that the children at her school are among the
recipients, many with fathers away fighting in Gaza, and the delight on their
faces at they receive their mid-morning sandwich.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It’s raining, it’s pouring but my old man isn’t snoring! The rain
is so strong that for the first time in ages I didn’t sit out on the veranda to
eat my breakfast and read the paper before doing Wordle! I missed the fresh air
but there is a limit even to my resilience and British stoicism in the face of
bad weather! Mount Hermon is already covered in snow, wonderful skiing snow but
the usual crowds of curious visitors are kept away by the Hezb-Allah missiles.
Shame really, Israelis have taken to the piste with delight.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And so to songs. <o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yaron Chitiz z”l</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> from Ra’anana fell in Gaza. Zvi
went to the funeral which was attended by thousands. His father worked in Keren
Hayesod in South Africa before the family came on Aliya This song was written
in his honour. My thanks to Merle Friedman for sending it to me. Sim Shalom <a href="https://youtu.be/pxRb_BQ6MXs?si=S1Em_1aqTzvq6A7x">https://youtu.be/pxRb_BQ6MXs?si=S1Em_1aqTzvq6A7x</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yesh Bi Ahava</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> by Arik Einstein, I have love within, is not a
new song but so appropriate. I have love within and it will win. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://youtu.be/I1Zro9rVJ-E?si=1tHXvGzljVCJ2YnK">https://youtu.be/I1Zro9rVJ-E?si=1tHXvGzljVCJ2YnK</a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Katan Aleinu</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> – No Problem. Israeli singers, a beautiful
video, the story of our strength. We love, we hug, we help, we hold our heads
up high. Even this untenable situation is “Katan Aleinu”. We have been in worse
situations and we are still here. <a href="https://youtu.be/v10zZx3L9NQ?si=4W5Rry_hJOYDMMN3">https://youtu.be/v10zZx3L9NQ?si=4W5Rry_hJOYDMMN3</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Let’s all pray for Besorot Tovot, for good news. We must show the
world that we are strong, our heads are high, Israelis, indeed all logical people,
irrespective of provenance, must speak out without fear and this too will pass.
Don’t forget that the Israeli national anthem is called The Hope<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">With much love from Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-33801392386559784252024-01-23T20:36:00.003+02:002024-01-23T20:36:42.856+02:0021 plus 3<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">23<sup>rd</sup> January 2024<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Midweek update<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Israel is in mourning today after losing 24 soldiers yesterday.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">3 officers were lost in fighting and 21 soldiers in a
horrific incident while clearing a safe zone on the Gaza side of the border
just 600 metres from Kibbutz Kissufim. They were so close to home, flattening buildings
which overlooked the Kibbutz, which had endangered the lives of Kibbutz members
each day for years. It was hoped that by creating a safe zone they could return
to the Kibbutz, to their homes, those whose homes are still standing. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The soldiers were placing explosives, ready to clear the
building when Hamas launched an RPG missile which caused the explosives to
ignite before the buildings were cleared of soldiers. The soldiers who died were
Christian, Jewish, Moslem, religious and secular, each and every one a
reservist volunteer who gave his life defending this country.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Every soldier has a family, and many reservists have
wives and children, and each and every one of them has a name which is read out
in our news bulletins, but announced only after their families have been
informed. The deep respect and gratitude toward the families is expressed in
the thousands of ordinary citizens that go to each funeral, visit each home with
the prayer that by enveloping them in love it will dull the obvious pain. Many
more people line the route to the cemetery, holding flags as a guard of honour.
We are all together in our pain.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Please, open this article in Haaretz. Look at the faces
of the young men who died, see who they were because they died fighting against
an enemy that is threatening our country, your country, all over the world;
fighting the Iranian proxies whose tentacles are slowly but surely grasping the
young people of the world. <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-01-23/ty-article/21-soldiers-killed-in-deadliest-incident-for-israel-since-start-of-gaza-ground-offensive/0000018d-35af-d81e-abdf-3daf470e0000">https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-01-23/ty-article/21-soldiers-killed-in-deadliest-incident-for-israel-since-start-of-gaza-ground-offensive/0000018d-35af-d81e-abdf-3daf470e0000</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I send you love and wishes for a better day tomorrow <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Sheila<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-6670264720065393722024-01-19T11:08:00.003+02:002024-01-19T11:08:58.436+02:00Shabbat Shalom Kfir<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">19<sup>th</sup> January, 2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shabbat Shalom. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Happy birthday to little <b>Kfir Bibas</b> who was one year old
yesterday. There was a big birthday party in Tel Aviv but sadly Kfir wasn’t
there. He spent his very first birthday in Gaza, a hostage to the barbarity that
is called Hamas. Kfir, Ariel, Shiri and Yarden Bibas were all kidnapped from
Kibbutz Nir Oz on that fateful morning of October 7<sup>th.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></sup>There is not one person with a heart
who did not cry at the sight of Shiri’s agonized face grasping those two little
“Ging’ies” to her chest. In Israel posters bearing their photos are everywhere,
songs have been written about them, the sane world has begged for their
release, but either their captivity is considered too good a hostage or, God
forbid, they are no longer alive. I know your hearts are breaking too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Something I hadn’t realised</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> is that most of the kibbutzim on
the Southern border were founded by the Aliyah from South America. Soon after
the founding of the State of Israel, some 70,000 young people from Jewish youth
groups in South America came to Israel with the sole intention of building
agricultural communities which is the central ethos of Kibbutz life. It is
their descendants, their children and grandchildren who were killed like lambs
to the slaughter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Essential medication</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> has been delivered to Qatar who delivered
to the Red Cross who delivered to Hamas who hopefully delivered to the surviving
hostages who have been without any medication for over three months. The Hamas
demand that any and all medication intended for the hostages be multiplied by
one thousand, yes one thousand. In other words, the medicine for Colitis, for
Asthma, for heart disease and for high blood pressure is multiplied by one
thousand and the international community complied. Still, we have no idea who
is dead and who is alive; where they are, what their medical condition is or
whether they will ever come home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Piers Morgan</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> has carefully recorded and faced Israel’s
enemies over the past 105 days, but perhaps the most telling interview was with
Thomas Hand who explained the situation from a personal point of view, with his
daughter Emily, who was a captive in Gaza, sitting beside him, stroking her
Daddy’s cheek when he became emotional. It is exceptional, heartwarming,
frightening and beautiful <a href="https://youtu.be/12SJzBGTbqE?si=8gQOqp8gdvA--F8R">https://youtu.be/12SJzBGTbqE?si=8gQOqp8gdvA--F8R</a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Israel has become</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> one big displaced person’s camp.
Admittedly in hotels, fed and cared for but the thought of putting farmers,
country children, kibbutznikim, into hotels in towns is painful. They all want
to go home, well, most of them, those whose homes are not destroyed, but their
villages and kibbutzim are still under rocket fire, both in the south and in
the north. Yes, Hamas and Islamic Jihad claim that their people are starving
yet have plenty of money for rockets and missiles. The North and Hezb-Allah is
a different story but just as tragic.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Ra’anana is a wonderful</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> dormitory town in the central
region. Thriving yet in a gentle, almost sleepy way, with wonderful parks, tree
lined streets and a busy shopping centre. This week the quiet of Ra’anana was
broken by a ghastly terror attack in which 19 people were injured and Edna Blueshtein
was killed when the terrorists stole her car at a car wash, stabbed her, and
then rammed a bus stop on the main road just as children came out of school.
Originally they wanted to celebrate the action of their Hamas brothers by
stabbing as many Jews as possible but then decided to mow them down with a stolen
car instead. Hamas celebrated of course.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Iran.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> On January 16<sup>th</sup> 1979 the Shah left Iran, exiled by an
American President who then encouraged Ayatollah Homeini to take control of
that previously thriving country with vast funding for their activities. The
determination to create an Islamic Empire is paramount on the minds of the
Ayatollahs. Currently close to war with Pakistan and the Kurds, Iran uses
proxies to fight their war in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, Yemen indeed, almost every
area of conflagration is controlled by Iran. If you were to look back over my
newsletters I told you that for many years the body that oversaw (oversees) Iran’s
nuclear facilities was headed by Mohammed El Baradei, a Member of the Moslem
Brotherhood! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">82 years ago tomorrow</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, German officials sat down at a
table in the Berlin suburb of <b>Wansee</b> and worked out the final solution for
the Jews. The intent of the highly documented meeting was to ensure that no
Jews remained in Europe. Comparison to today’s world uprising against Jewish
communities under the guise of anti-Israel sentiment proves that history does
repeat itself. Anyone who blames Israel for October the 7<sup>th</sup> has no
sense of history, indeed is ignorant of what Israel stands for and is a
supporter of rape, beheading, burning babies alive and all the horrors
perpetrated by Hamas. Indeed they are complicit in all of the above.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Strangely</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, so many wonderful things have come out of the horror of the
attack. I have written about the sense of community and the need for us to be
together; about the sandwich making and the volunteer fruit and vegetable
pickers; of the hat knitting for soldiers; of donations of equipment for
soldiers and clothing and furniture for those displaced families, but there is
so much more. A Bedouin family from Rahat who used to work in Kibbutz Nir Oz
now cook up a storm of fabulous traditional food for the remaining kibbutz
members who watch over the crops and flocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Group of Eritrean refugees who live in and around Tel Aviv went down
south and set up barbecues for the soldiers as they came out for a few hours of
R&R. <a href="https://www.jns.org/eritrean-migrants-barbecue-for-israeli-soldiers-near-gaza-border/">https://www.jns.org/eritrean-migrants-barbecue-for-israeli-soldiers-near-gaza-border/</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I don’t want you to get the impression</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">
that we sit at home, quivering in our safe rooms eating bread and water, Israelis
do everything to maintain a normal life, or rather not a normal life but to
show our enemies that we will not be cowed. We still go out for amazing Israeli
food, although many of the restaurants once filled with tourists are now filled
with Israelis. Friends are still arriving from all over the world; the lovely Rebecca
and Harold Finger came to check out our veranda so that Harold could take
photos to send to Stanley Roth who loves to hear about the trees and plants. On
that subject the lime, lemon and kumquat trees are all heavily laden with fruit.
Harold and Rebecca are here for an extended period looking for places to
volunteer and as they say “to spend money here in Israel”. Such special people
who really understand the importance of this tiny sliver of land to the Jews
around the world in the Diaspora. Their stay coincided with an Australian Keren
Hayesod study mission and although they had already visited the destroyed kibbutzim
of the south, they ensured that everyone else did too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our friend Sha’ela sent Zvi home from a meeting with a huge bag
full of the great big juicy lemons from her tree!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Life is filled with meetings</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> and activities from singing in
choirs (Zvi), movement classes (me) creativity sessions, inviting and going to
friends and doing our best to celebrate what we have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last Friday night was supposed to be just
another delightful evening at Amiad and Noga’s home but my goodness it was so
much more! As I walked through their front door, I saw an extra table in the
room and with a very loud “SURPRISE” the children and adults, joined by about 8
friends, leapt out at me singing Happy birthday!! Both Leor and Amiad had
cooked up a storm, including my very favourites – Amiad’s ceviche and Leor’s
quiches. Zvi sang his kiddush, to the delight of all present, and we sat down
to a real party. It was so wonderful to spend an evening without talking about
the situation or politics, just laughing with the children who kept coming to
hug me! Zvi had also been cooking, but that was cooking up a plan to get me to
Amiad’s without knowing about the party! Gili, Leor and Shiri’s second
daughter, made a magnificent birthday cake to round off the fabulous evening.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Exodus 10 (Bo)</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> is the Torah portion this week and Jeremiah
the reading from Prophets. We read about the last of the 10 plagues God brought
upon the Egyptians and about the gift of a Jewish calendar (tomorrow is the 10<sup>th</sup>
of Shvat) and the law which leads up to Pesach, Passover, Pascha, and removal
of all bread related foods from the house whereas reading from the Prophets
reveals God’s promise to save us from our enemies. Basically, long before Islam
we suffered the jealousy and hatred of our enemies but, hey folks, we are still
here!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Israel’s singers</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, from the most famous to the least
known, have been going around the hospitals singing to the injured, hoping to
stimulate comatose patients to wake up and to make others smile, to help the
families too. Perhaps the most poignant of all is this song “Call me Gingie”
about little Kfir. <a href="https://youtu.be/wId08EiSIkA?si=4ipzONrRyQKS_NlZ">https://youtu.be/wId08EiSIkA?si=4ipzONrRyQKS_NlZ</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Eyal Golan</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> sings “Am Yisrael Chai” – the Jewish people
lives. This is the spirit that keeps us going. <a href="https://youtu.be/2p3rtnQ_7y4?si=frY7hqgvRtbt37aC">https://youtu.be/2p3rtnQ_7y4?si=frY7hqgvRtbt37aC</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In every Jewish home</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> on Friday night, before the Shabbat
meal, the family, or to be exact the spouse sings a song of praise to his wife!
Yes really. “A woman of worth, who will find?” I love it! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here the Chief Cantor of the IDF sings with
the Rabbinical Choir of the IDF as they enjoy a Friday night supper together. <a href="https://youtu.be/2p3rtnQ_7y4?si=frY7hqgvRtbt37aC">https://youtu.be/2p3rtnQ_7y4?si=frY7hqgvRtbt37aC</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Dear wonderful friends, I am so grateful to you for forcing me to
think logically, to put impossible situations into words and to feel the warmth
that emanates from you, dear readers. Each and every one of you that responds
to my missives warms my heart in a way I cannot express. I wish you a good
weekend when hatred is forgotten and kindness becomes the watchword.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I’m off to Rachel and Zvi is going to his parliament in the
Botanical Gardens then tonight we will be with Nattie and Yolli Zonszein for
our Shabbat dinner. I love our Friday routine of writing, sending, going to
Rachel to see the family and eating one of Rachel’s amazing bread rolls and Zvi
going off to save the world. Life is what you make it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Please take care, I need you!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shabbat Shalom, with love from Jerusalem, the beautiful, golden
centre of our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sheila<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-19485845116655220192024-01-12T10:54:00.003+02:002024-01-12T10:54:51.771+02:00100 Days - Shabbat shalom<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">12<sup>th</sup> January, 2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shabbat Shalom dear friends, Shabbat shalom and Chodesh Shvat Tov –
the new month in the Jewish calendar is the month of Shvat which is supposed to
be the month of good news, of b’sorot tovot. Even the initials in Hebrew
suggest good news is on the way; I wish it would hurry up!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There are so many things that I fail to understand in this upside
down world of ours where right is wrong and wrong is right, and evil is
rewarded, but for the life of me I don’t understand how the South African
regime, one of the most corrupt and cruel regimes in the world, is taking
Israel to the International Court of Justice, which by the way is yet another
arm of the United Nations, and the world stands by! Of all the examples of
injustice in the world right now this has to be the epitome.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yesterday the lawyers </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">presenting South Africa’s case spoke,
and, sadly, quoted the miserably inappropriate ministers in Netanyahu’s
government and their demands for the annihilation or exile of the Palestinians
in Gaza, as if they are the policy makers of the Israeli government. Their
statements were taken as proof of Israel’s and the IDF’s intent for genocide of
the Palestinian people. Had Netanyahu immediately disassociated himself from
their outbursts perhaps it could have helped but, you know what I feel about
the fact he did not. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not an injunction,
nor is it a legal case, it is a trial to decide if this is a plausible claim on
the part of South Africa with the clear intent to besmirch Israel’s name. Today
our legal representation will easily deny every claim but what if the somewhat
biased panel of judges choose to accept the South African case as plausible?
Then every soldier of the IDF, from Generals to Privates, can face criminal
charges in any country in the world. It is an untenable situation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The saddest sight today</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> was to see the parents and families
of hostages standing on the border with Gaza with megaphones, shouting their
love and determination to bring their loved one’s home, just in case they may
hear. Many of the hostages that were released told of how their captors kept
telling them that nobody cared about them and no-one would fight for their
release. Psychological torture indeed. Equally, many families of the hostages
travelled to The Hague and stood in the freezing cold Dutch winter trying to
make their voices heard, talking to any journalist who was prepared to hear
their voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The top echelon of Hamas</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> began planning the October 7th massacre in 2014. Each
detail, every diabolical detail, was carefully planned. The workers who came
over the border and were taken into homes, kibbutzim and villages, treated as
family, carefully mapped every room in every home, knew who was where, which
enabled the terrorists to find and torture, rape, burn and slaughter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Never believe that it was spontaneous. It was
a carefully planned with a level of evil unseen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">How on earth did we get to this</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">? How was Hamas
able to convince a gullible world that they are the good guys after what they
did on October the 7<sup>th</sup>? How on earth did they convince a gullible
world that there was a siege on Gaza when we were providing all their staple
needs? How is it possible that their leaders live in incredible luxury while
the people starve and nobody sees it? The IDF reached the home of Marwan Issa,
second in command to Mohammed Deif, in Khan Yunis (described as a refugee
camp). They found a gorgeous modern mansion with beautiful green lawns, a
fabulous pergola and swimming pool. Right there in the supposed refugee camp is
a luxurious neighborhood for Hamas leaders! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, he had already escaped, probably to
Qatar with the others.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">How many times do you join in the cry of “<b>Hep Hep Hoorah</b>” or
Hip Hip Hooray? Did you know that it was the victory shout of the Crusaders?
Did you know that it meant <em><span style="background: white; color: #606060; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Hierosolyma</span></em><i>
</i>est Perdita, Jerusalem is lost, the old battle cry equivalent of “From the
river to the sea”? I have always hated it, tried to explain why not to use it….but
thanks to our friend Stanley Roth who sent me this article, it is explained
much more clearly than I ever could<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://fathomjournal.org/opinion-from-the-river-to-the-sea-is-the-postmodern-hep-hep/">https://fathomjournal.org/opinion-from-the-river-to-the-sea-is-the-postmodern-hep-hep/</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The vast majority of Israelis </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">pray that this
impossible government will accept the latest Qatari plan to end this phase of
the war and allow for the release of the hostages, those who are still alive.
While demanding the end to the fighting it also demands that the Hamas leaders
be exiled from Gaza. Who knows if it will work or where they will go. Ismail
Haniya, the supposed head of Hamas, is living in Qatar already, and it is said
that even he didn’t understand the level of evil of Sinwar. Qatar demands that
no assassinations take place on their soil which raises a further question, but
is this dystopian government capable of making such a decision or will the
decision be taken by the War Cabinet? For the sanity and unity of Israelis, the
hostages must come home, alive or in a coffin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This war is wider than you think</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">. Australia has
always stood by her allies through every war, and I mean every war, and this
one is no exception. Australian troops have joined British and American troops
in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, to defend shipping against the Yemenite Houthi
marauding piracy against any ships carrying goods to Israel. Bahrain, Canada
and Holland have also sent troops. Are you aware that US and UK troops have
launched rocket attacks on Yemeni towns? This BBC article explains who the
Houthis are and why we, the allies, are attacking them <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67614911">https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67614911</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sunday will be my birthday</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, Sunday the fourteenth of January. Sunday
will be exactly one hundred days since October the 7<sup>th</sup>, the hostages
will have been in captivity for 100 days of hell. At exactly 11:00 Israel will
stand still for 100 minutes in tribute to those hostages still in the tunnels
of Gaza. No buses, no trains, no shops, no restaurants, nothing. It is the people’s
protest to this government to bring them home and that we are willing to pay
the price, including the return of the displaced persons of the south to their
homes, or what remains of their homes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Walter Bingham</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> is the world’s oldest Journalist. “I don’t
realise how old I am until I pass the mirror” Walter is an incredible man,
still as alert and astute as ever and he has just celebrated his 100<sup>th</sup>
birthday! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we sat in the Jerusalem
Press Club together to hear various and varied speeches Walter always asked the
most pertinent and cutting questions, right up until today! I suggest that you
listen to and watch this interview with Walter to warm your heart up after all
of the above. <a href="https://youtu.be/FQvDSOWN8r8?si=FsY3_H6paBUh1DoK">https://youtu.be/FQvDSOWN8r8?si=FsY3_H6paBUh1DoK</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Rachel and I</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> decided to go for a walk in the nature reserve
opposite our home before the rains returned. It was a glorious day, a real
Jerusalem winter’s day with a combination of a hilltop chill and warm
springlike sunshine as we crossed the winding road of “Sheva Achiot” the Seven Sisters,
named for the seven hairpin bends as the roads winds its way down the hill. We walked
the stony path with its deep runnels made by years of winter rain flowing down
the grassy hill, on the search for spring flowers as we went. I admit to an obsession
with those first harbingers of spring. We found but a few, although the leaves
emerging from the undergrowth promised many more, a few brave wild cyclamen,
the famous Israeli Tormos, a wild form of lupin, standing tall, proud of its
leaves, and to complete our joy, the first almond blossom, just a few lone
flowers on the bare branches of the wild Almond trees – not exactly the cloud
like blossoms of next week but each individual flower gave us a sense of things
to come! The culmination of our walk was the view over the reservoir below; the
tree covered hills leading down to the dam in Beit Zayit, the half-filled lake
it will create after this week’s rains and the vineyards, row after perfect row
of vines alongside the waterline. The perfect quiet of our walk, meeting only
the occasional runner or dog walker, gave us a peaceful break from reality and an
emotional and spiritual refill. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Last Shabbat we visited Sergio and Sarah, Zvi’s cousins who made
Aliyah from Mexico, to see their incredible new apartment overlooking the sea
in Netanya. As promised, we went for a walk along the seafront promenade, busy
with people strolling walking their dogs and just enjoying the sunshine. It
never fails to amaze me how much warmer the coastal plain is compared to the
Jerusalem Hills! Just a Saturday afternoon with no worries, walking along the
calm sea – or so it seems. Sergio loves my soups so of course I took one with
us and we sat in their beautiful salon, all the furniture and lighting, each piece
a work of art, as Sarah explained that they didn’t bring anything with them
because Israeli design is so exquisite – I must agree!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As always, I am off to see Rachel and the children in a few
minutes, drawn by the aromas of her delicious cooking for Shabbat. I love sitting
with the children and hearing their rapid talk about their week. It grounds me,
brings me joy to see our future. After a Friday afternoon nap, we will go to Amiad
and Noga and the family for Shabbat dinner. Tomorrow I may persuade Zvi to come
back to the nature reserve to check out the situation of the wild flowers, in
the knowledge that the almost constant rains will have filled the reservoir. On
the other hand, perhaps, the path will be a muddy quagmire and we will turn
back to the warmth of our apartment and a nice cup of tea.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For once the choices for music were easy. I hope you will love them
as I do<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Tamir Grinberg</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> is an Israeli singer/songwriter who wrote this
haunting song about the return of the hostages. A beautiful song, in English, “All
I’m fighting for is to bring for is to bring you home, bring you home” <a href="https://youtu.be/wOVTFlTkwDs?si=_rq3ShYY5M6hvxV9">https://youtu.be/wOVTFlTkwDs?si=_rq3ShYY5M6hvxV9</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Idan Amedi</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> doesn’t sing to the troops, he is one of the
300,000 reservists and although he could easily have made a different choice,
he chose to serve in Gaza. In the terrible accident during an operation to blow
up a Hamas tunnel, he was seriously injured, thank heaven on the way to
recovery but this Israeli singer is a hero, something he denies, knowing he was
“just doing his duty for the land he loves” . He wrote this song months before
October 7<sup>th</sup>, but it tells of our humble heroes. <a href="https://youtu.be/qQepsm0Rc0U?si=gZKE-8hmgMWPVwOK">https://youtu.be/qQepsm0Rc0U?si=gZKE-8hmgMWPVwOK</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Pete Seeger</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> represents the Sixties dream of peace more
than almost any other singer and his songs carry deep meaning until today, none
more than “We Shall Overcome” Listen carefully as he talks of those who do
nothing and sings “We are not afraid” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://youtu.be/1osKWCDXl40?si=i1U4s13zj7kUcjch">https://youtu.be/1osKWCDXl40?si=i1U4s13zj7kUcjch</a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">With much love from the beautiful, rain washed hills of Jerusalem.
We will survive this as we have survived every other challenge in the past. A
special thank you to all our Christian friends, especially those who come here
and go to The Hague, for your unswerving support for Israel<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I wish you a Shabbat shalom, a peaceful Sabbath and a weekend of
blessings<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sheila <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-66701932636950547132024-01-05T10:13:00.002+02:002024-01-05T10:13:20.225+02:0091 days and counting<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Friday, 5<sup>th</sup> January 2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">May this be a Shabbat Shalom<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“We are not defined by those who hate us but rather by those who
love us”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In my New Year resolutions I promised to begin by writing
something, anything positive, and I want you to know that many wonderful things
happened this week alongside the tragedies of everyday life, but it would be
unrealistic to ignore the truth too. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">One of the most important aspects is that a many miluimnikim –
reservists, have come home, at least for a short time with their families. The
destruction of Gaza that was imposed upon the Gazan people by the actions of
Hamas, is extensive, but it will be razed to the ground and rebuilt; the
destruction of the towns, villages of the Salad Trail, which abuts Gaza, can be
rebuilt but the lives of the families of hostages and those young people who
died will never be the same. Equally, the towns in the North of Israel are
constantly bombarded from Lebanon and some 200,000 people from North and South,
are refugees in our own country and hundreds of young soldiers who are severely
injured, many amputees but their mood is positive and their beds surrounded by
well wishers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Having understood all of the above, I will tell you about my week. Oh,
and before everyone blames us for the bombing attack in Teheran, ISIS has
claimed responsibility. Oh, and we “don’t know” who killed Salah Al-Arouri, the
Hamas Deputy Leader who lived in Lebanon. As to the insanity of the Western
World toward Israel, <b>Brendan O’Neill</b> probably said it best when he
quoted 17<sup>th</sup> Century Jewish philosopher Baruch Spinoza’s reaction to the
diabolical murder of a Jewish family <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">‘<b>Ultimi barbarorum</b>.’ Rough translation: ‘You are
the greatest of barbarians.’ Here is his article entitle “The unholy alliance between
wokeism and barbarism” <a href="https://breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2023/12/brendan-oneill-unholy-alliance-between.html">https://breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2023/12/brendan-oneill-unholy-alliance-between.html</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Israelis have been overwhelmed</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> by the incredible people of every faith who have come to
volunteer, to console, to support and to just show up. It has been so heartwarming
to receive quick messages that friends have come from as far afield as
Australia, New Zealand and the USA or nearby such as Turkey, the UK and Europe.
This expression of love by people of all ages has had a profound effect on all
of us, an effect that often counteracts the demonstrations of hate. Thank you. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Both the New York Times and the London
Telegraph</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> have performed very serious research into the
sexual aspect of October 7<sup>th</sup> and come to the conclusion that horrendous,
cruel and violent rapes was one of the intentions of the attacks. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">60 Minutes</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> is not known for being especially pro-Israel, but October 7<sup>th</sup>
shook them to the very core and their reportage has been very fair. This
interview with Yarden Roman-Gat says so much <a href="https://youtu.be/ixynqr-88gE?si=H_tsO-iOC7z_s_H7">https://youtu.be/ixynqr-88gE?si=H_tsO-iOC7z_s_H7</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On 2</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">9</span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> December
2023</span></span></span></b><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">, the Republic of South Africa instituted
proceedings against the State of Israel before the International Court of
Justice </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">concerning </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">alleged violations by
Israel of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment
of the Crime of Genocide in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">and requested the ICJ to indicate provisional measures.</span>
Genocide? The population of Gaza is increasing steadily and since 2005 Israel
has not been in Gaza! I think the greatest insult to our intelligence is that
South Africa is not only one of the most corrupt and violent countries in the
world, it boasts one of the highest rates of rape in the world, one every 26
seconds. I think that just about sums up the ineffectual idiocy of the ICJ and
the entire United Nations.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">So you see, although my New Years Resolution
was to begin with good news, I had to include some simple facts of this upside
down world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">I haven’t seen a lot of Zvi over the last few
weeks because he was rehearsing with the Choir of the Jerusalem Symphony
Orchestra for a huge concert at the Henry Crown Auditorium of the Jerusalem
Theatre But before that I want to tell you about Monday evening.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Young adults of Shalva</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"> took part in a specially devised play in the Khan Theatre in
Jerusalem with the incredibly patient and gentle encouragement of two of the
actors in the theatre’s troupe. I don’t know if you understand the months of
preparation and rehearsal to bring these young people to the stage, some of
them severely challenged, from autism to Down’s Syndrome and other challenges.
The patience of the actors in guiding them on stage was superb. My favourite
has to be the young woman who played the Princess. For weeks leading up to the
big evening she would tell anyone who would listen that she was a princess.
Anyway, I digress for a change. The evening I attended was the dress rehearsal,
and the audience was made up of the volunteers and parents, most of whom could
not believe that their children would ever achieve such stardom. I sat with our
friends Ronit and Yossi Dagan and the wonderful Gaby Hirsch who helped me every
step of the way to achieve Dr. Dan’s Room, the Studio for the Performing Arts
that we founded in Shalva to honour my son Daniel z”l. In many ways it was you
those of you who helped me to achieve the studio which ultimately allowed these
young people to perform. Daniel would have definitely loved it. <a href="https://give.shalva.org/daniel">https://give.shalva.org/daniel</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On <b>Tuesday</b> Zvi was at rehearsals
virtually all day, he kept the actual programme secret but was so thrilled that
neighbours, friends, family and especially his two sons, Amiad and Leor, came
to the concert. The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra came in and then the choir. Usually
Zvi is the tallest and most identifiable in any situation but in both choirs
with whom he sings, he is one of three or four others of the same height, so it
was when the choir walked on stage and took their place, unfortunately partly hidden
behind the orchestra. The concert began with Hatikvah and was a mixture of instrumentals,
the official Jerusalem Symphony singers and the choir and it was superb! The
programme consisted of classical pieces, Israeli songs and for most of us the
culmination was when the choir sang “Bring Them Home” that oh so appropriate song
from Les Miserables.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Wednesday</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"> was
spent preparing for the Impact-se Board Meeting Zoom in the evening. I read
every page of the 27 page report with amazement. How such a small organisation,
or should I say such a small research institute into tolerance in education,
can achieve such astonishing results, being taken very seriously as a source of
information by governments in most Western countries, never fails to amaze me.
Indeed, in my opening remarks as Chair, I expressed my admiration for the achievements
on “The Hill” in Washington, in Brussels with the EU, in the UK and the seats
of power in many European countries all of whom fund UNWRA to the detriment of
our entire region. It is essential that you understand that it is not just
hatred for Jews and Israel that is taught in these schools, it is hatred for
all of us who are not believers, we are all included in the terms INFIDEL. Indeed
one of our next projects is to research the effect of such hate education on
the Christian communities (what is left of them) in UNWRA schools. One small office,
one huge step for mankind. Our CEO Marcus Sheff and COO Arik Agassi who lead the
incredible, ridiculously small team, deserve all our gratitude for their
determination to bring tolerance where there was hatred following in the illustrious
footsteps of the founders of Impact 27 years ago. <a href="https://www.impact-se.org/">https://www.impact-se.org/</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Thursday</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"> was a sheer
delight as I met with old friends in Modiin. I don’t know if you have ever
eaten an Israeli breakfast but the variety is wide, always accompanied by a
freshly chopped Israeli salad. We sat in the sunshine, enjoying each other’s
company and incredibly succeeded in spending three hours without talking about “ha
matzav” the situation. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Thursday evening and we had another meeting in
the village library, this time to make beautiful, fabric covered notepads under
the instruction of the incredibly creative Shirli Sheela. It was great fun and
the idea of women meeting for whatever reason, just to be together is one of
the most interesting aspects of this war. We will finish the notepads next
Thursday, but I’m afraid that my folded corners leave a lot to be desired!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">And so we are back to Friday and to Shabbat.
Once I finish talking to you, I will head off to see the grandchildren and
Rachel. I decided to leave the cooking until I get back, just in case I run out
of time, because Shabbat<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>still very early.
Being with them gives me an incredible fillip, a boost to my morale, just arriving
to the aroma of freshly baked challot which permeates the entire area, to walk
in the door to the sound of “Safta” and the accompanying hugs – the hugs of
teenagers should never be taken for granted – and my cup of good Yorkshire tea
and a freshly baked bread roll with Rachel’s amazing egg salad. Nothing in the
world beats it!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Tonight we will have a quiet Shabbat. The
candles of each of our neighbours lighting our world just a little, and
tomorrow we are going to spend in Netanya with Zvi’s cousins Sergio and Sarah who
came to Israel on Aliya from Mexico and have never regretted a moment of their
new life in Israel. First we will walk along the glorious promenade beside the
sea and then go to visit their new apartment and have lunch and hear stories of
their new life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Prince Stephane Legar</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"> arrived in Israel from Togo and immediately became a hit
with our young people. Here he sings his thanks to all the soldiers, to Iron
Dome, Magen David Adom to the Israeli journalists who risked their lives to
show us the truth…..to everyone who is essential to our security. “You are in my
heart” <a href="https://youtu.be/W9wsmmkZxjE?si=OhoWP0ihHkgtWlKg">https://youtu.be/W9wsmmkZxjE?si=OhoWP0ihHkgtWlKg</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">As a tribute to Shalva and the children of
Shalva who learn that incredible lesson, that they can be anything, never held
back by those who say they can’t. Remember that young people from Shalva now
serve in the IDF. Here is Yaacov Shewkey, “I Can Be” <a href="https://youtu.be/C3nF2KHmQ60?si=w0hMEKKaJ7H8Mqn1">https://youtu.be/C3nF2KHmQ60?si=w0hMEKKaJ7H8Mqn1</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">“Ani Chayal” I am a soldier. Recorded 10 years
ago this song by Shlomo Artzi tells an all too familiar story. In this video
you see him talking to his Mother, a Holocaust Survivor. <a href="https://youtu.be/mFWuKakl1TA?si=zTMQsenvmWLcKcGd">https://youtu.be/mFWuKakl1TA?si=zTMQsenvmWLcKcGd</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">I wish you a peaceful Shabbat, I wish us all a
peaceful weekend in which we can enjoy the most important people in our lives.
Hopefully I will not need to update you this week unless it is exceptional news
- B’sorot Tovot, good news.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">With much love from Jerusalem<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Sheila<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #343a40; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-38290639655365460592024-01-01T16:24:00.003+02:002024-01-01T16:24:18.444+02:002024 or October the 87th<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">1<sup>st</sup> of January 2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I want to wish everyone a wonderful New Year, a peaceful 2024, but I
received a poster this morning which simply said <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I hardly noticed New Year’s Eve this year, for us in Israel it is
October the 86<sup>th</sup>”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Each year since 1999 I write about the year that was and the year I
hope will be, and I knew exactly what to wish for us all, but last night, at
the stroke of midnight, Hamas bombarded the entire lower half of Israel with a
barrage of missiles, just to make sure that nobody enjoyed the New Year’s Eve
parties and it confused me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Israel found out who her friends are since October 7<sup>th</sup>.
President Biden has proven himself to be a true friend, a man who has put his political
future on the line for what he believes in. British PM Rishi Sunak went as far
as to bring in David Cameron as his Foreign Minister to ensure support for
Israel. Perhaps the most surprising truthtellers of the year were both the New
York Times and the London Telegraph who did not shrink from printing the truth
of October 7th calling the lies of the deniers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Here’s my list of wishes and prayers for 2024<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">My prayer, my greatest wish for this amazing country is that we
will have leaders that are worthy of the citizens who have proven themselves
time and again over the past 87 days, that despite political differences we
have come together on every level. We deserve a government that not only
represents us but a government that will heal the rift once this ghastly war is
over.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I wish for the hostages to come home, all of them; that those who
came home and those who will come home, will live healthy, productive lives,
despite the time they spent in the hands of Hamas<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I wish all of our soldiers could come home to their families very
soon and heal from the horror of war.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I wish to see the “Salad Trail” kibbutzim and villages rebuilt and
their families back in their rebuilt homes, honouring those who will never come
back by living life to the full<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I want to see an end to extremism in the world, be it left or right
or that unholy coalition of Islam and the insurrectionist left. It is time to
recognise the difference between truth and fiction. To paraphrase - No more
lies, no more bloodshed<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We must protect our children from the insinuation that Jews are
guilty of all the ills of the world, an insinuation that permeates our
institutes of supposed higher learning<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Most of all, I want the tears of sadness to become tears of joy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This morning my friend Ruth Tamir sent me a wonderful clip put
together by a group I had never heard of before called QOTESOFIL and it really
sums up the irony and even some comedy of the last year<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://youtu.be/plXRdNnE4yk?si=fj-vtcxsnvbJ5DML" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">https://youtu.be/plXRdNnE4yk?si=fj-vtcxsnvbJ5DML</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Michael Ordman produces a “Good News From Israel” letter virtually
every week. Not only full of information it is full of good news and although
it may surprise you to know, even at this time Israel is full of good news! Our
scientists are still working on new drugs and our hi-tech on new innovations.
Here is his end of 2023 posting </span><a href="https://verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com/2023/12/israels-good-news-newsletter-to-31st.html"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">https://verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com/2023/12/israels-good-news-newsletter-to-31st.html</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Now to my New Year resolutions! You will be able to tell me if I go
astray!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I pledge to be honest with you and with myself<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To begin each missive that I write with something positive<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To tell you about our walks in the nature reserve across the road<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To ask you to send my missives on to whomsoever you wish, but to
keep them whole because each paragraph has its context in the whole<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To make those around me smile<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To always remember that words aren’t always necessary when someone
is sad, a hug serves much better<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To sing! To dance! To laugh! To hug! To smile at everyone you meet
even if you don’t know them – in fact especially if you don’t know them! To
live life to the full<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To regret the things I do not the things I don’t do<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To always remember to say thank you and sorry<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Finally, and most importantly never to forget the power of one. We
each and every one of us has the power to change the world. It may be by
talking to someone, or writing a letter or best of all, meeting others who also
possess the power of one. One plus one plus one plus one – we can change our
world<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The power of one can take many forms.
27 years ago Yohanan Manor, a Professor from the Hebrew University, began a campaign
to change the way children are educated in many countries in our area – the bring
tolerance and understanding through education. That dream not only became a
reality but has evolved to become a driving force in changing attitudes in many
Middle Eastern and North African countries. I just finished reading the annual
report of Impact-se and I want you to know that I came away utterly amazed that
so much positivity, so much can be achieved by one small organisation in such a
short period of time. The countries around the world who use our reports as the
standard by which they expect children should be taught, is wide and
impressive. In fact, Impact-se has become the most positive aspect of the last
few years and promises to be the greatest force for change in our world. We are
not an oversized organisation that uses most of its funding for administration,
we are just 5 brilliant young researchers, one COO and one CEO in a modest
office, but we punch well above our weight. Just take a look, again <a href="https://www.impact-se.org/">https://www.impact-se.org/</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I wish the people of Gaza, who have suffered
horribly for the sins of Hamas, will rebuild their lives and their homes, that
the vast sums of international funding will be used to better their lives
instead of building tunnels and buying armaments. Equally on this side of that
breached border, Israelis will return to the rebuilt kibbutzim, moshavim and towns,
to tend the cattle, hens and fields and all of us can sleep soundly in our
beds. I pray that this war will end soon, we didn’t want it and we want our
boys and girls home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Finally, I wish us all, whichever
direction we pray, the right to be who we are irrespective of our ethnicity. It
all comes down to kindness and tolerance of those who are different to us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The ultimate song, prayer of hope is
“Ve Hi Sheamda”which tells of the many attempts to kill us but each time we
stand back up again. This has no translation, but was recorded at a rally in
Washington DC <a href="https://youtu.be/d0Jd8XuIJOY?si=R_rqN8we2czhLD0X">https://youtu.be/d0Jd8XuIJOY?si=R_rqN8we2czhLD0X</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">One of my fondest memories of a
Habonim outing to the wonderful forest surrounding Castell Coch near Cardiff
when I was about 15 years old, was when one of the group took out a guitar and
began to sing this song. Theo Christie is no longer with us, although two of
his brothers will be reading this missive, but he taught us so much about the
meaning of this song, Pete Seeger’s “If I Had a Hammer” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://youtu.be/jjepLJ3xdyc?si=LVKJ1u_EjMlz05z7">https://youtu.be/jjepLJ3xdyc?si=LVKJ1u_EjMlz05z7</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hammer of justice, the bell of freedom
and the song about love between my brothers and my sisters all over this world.
We cannot let the Dementors win.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Nothing to do with war, peace or
anything other than sweet memories of New Year’s Eve with the Young marrieds
group in Reading Berkshire. Here is proud Scot Rod Stewart singing Auld Lang
Syne <a href="https://youtu.be/Al7ONqrdscY?si=JoiM7ywXLOM21l0O" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc;">https://youtu.be/Al7ONqrdscY?<wbr></wbr>si=JoiM7ywXLOM21l0O</span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I wish you peace. Happy 2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sheila<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-11331003192922652352023-12-29T12:09:00.003+02:002023-12-29T12:09:38.811+02:00Shabbat Shalom Peace be with you<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">29<sup>th</sup> December 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shabbat Shalom.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I can’t help thinking about the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1992 when
she described the year as “Annus Horribilis” I think it is safe to say that
this has been annus horribilis for Israel and for the Jewish people throughout
the world. Right became wrong and cruel became acceptable, the world turned
upside down.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I woke up this morning</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> determined to write a positive
Shabbat shalom, to find stories that lift our spirits, and then I read an
article sent to me by Kinneret Chaya’s sister Nitzan. I tend to avoid most
articles in the New York Times because their negativity toward Israel depresses
me but this article depressed me for a very different reason; it is terrifying
in its honesty describing what happened to women and girls on the 7th of
October. No holds barred. So honest that it comes with a warning, it is
essential reading and every single women’s organisation should be forced to
read it before choosing to ignore the diabolical events of that day. Me Too? No
never, ever like this. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/28/world/middleeast/oct-7-attacks-hamas-israel-sexual-violence.html?mwgrp=a-dbar&smid=em-share" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc;">https://www.nytimes.com/2023/<wbr></wbr>12/28/world/middleeast/oct-7-<wbr></wbr>attacks-hamas-israel-sexual-<wbr></wbr>violence.html?mwgrp=a-dbar&<wbr></wbr>smid=em-share</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Something we all know</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, we all saw, is that the
Palestinians do not receive the aid sent by all your donations – and ours Musa
Abu Mazourk is a Hamas leader. He wrote. “The aid that comes to Gaza must be
distributed to the resistance fighters and what remains is then distributed to
the people. The attempt of some citizens to seize aid, as happened today in
Rafah, will be fought with all force, and the people must offer what is expensive
and what is cheap for the sake of the resistance, not steal the food of the resistance”
In other words, either join Hamas or your family starves.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Another blogger, @hodajanat wrote<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Suddenly we discovered that Gaza, which is
inhabited by 2 million people... has 36 hospitals. There are Arab countries
with 30 million citizens and do not have this number of hospitals.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Suddenly we discovered that Gaza was getting
water, electricity, gas, and fuel for free from Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Suddenly we discovered that Gaza was receiving
$30 million a month from Qatar alone<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And $120 million a month from UNRWA, $50
million a month from the European Union, 30 million dollars a month from
America. There are Arab countries drowning in debt and cannot find anyone to
help them, even with one million dollars.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Suddenly we discovered that Gaza was not
besieged, and all goods were entering it, as were foreigners and people of
foreign nationalities. Its residents were traveling to Egypt and from there to
the rest of the world, and Fafo is the biggest example.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Suddenly we discovered that Gaza was living
better than many Arab countries...and its people were living better than many
Arab peoples.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Suddenly...we discovered that our minds were
besieged by a programmed lie...by the (Muslim) Brotherhood media<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Armenians </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">have had a presence in Jerusalem since in 1915, after the Armenian
genocide, many Armenian Christians found refuge in Jerusalem and formed the
Armenian Quarter with it’s beautiful, open churches. Sad to say that this week,
masked Moslems beat up Armenian priests leaving some in critical condition in
Hospital. Where is the outcry, as usual absent, for them and not for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I hope I can now</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> get to my promise to myself to tell
you about the positive and try my very best to stick my head in the sand for a
few moments. As I have explained many times, the Druze communities in Israel,
the Israeli Druze, are not only incredibly loyal, not only fine soldiers in the
IDF, but feel great empathy with the Jewish Israelis. Not for the first time a restaurant
in one of the Druze villages has gone kosher, in the past it was for tourists,
but now, in the midst of the war, one Druze restaurant has not only gone kosher
but is giving free meals to soldiers. It warms my heart. <a href="https://m.jpost.com/israel-news/article-779574" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc;">https://m.jpost.com/israel-<wbr></wbr>news/article-779574</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #131313; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Not everyone is against us</span></b><span style="color: #131313; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">! Not all Moslems hate us!
Moderate Moslems are speaking out and <b>Dalia Al-Aqidi</b> knows what she’s
talking about. Being an Iraqi journalist, she has witnessed the horrible acts
both Al-Qaeda and ISIS did in her country. And still, “what ISIS and Al-Qaeda
have done combined, cannot be compared to what Hamas has done to the Jewish
people”, she tells us.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://youtu.be/N5UVBRPLk2A?si=pTuHNav5IM664K9N">https://youtu.be/N5UVBRPLk2A?si=pTuHNav5IM664K9N</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">At the risk of repeating myself</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, Israelis, of
all creeds, have amazed me. I am so proud to be a part of this incredible
country and incredible people. Through the sadness of funerals of heroes that
lost their lives, their short lives, thousands leave their jobs, literally thousands
arrive to support families they have never met yet feel a deep empathy with.
Add to that the myriad of good deeds, the barbecues for soldiers, meals for
displaced families, knitted hats for soldiers, opening up their homes for
families whose homes were destroyed, cooking for the Shiva, the 7 days of
mourning, going to Hostage Square through rain and shine to support the
families of the hostages, I could go on and on. We are a caring people, a
caring army fighting to keep this tiny tract of land. Gosh I am so proud of
everyone, except our government of course!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I wish you could</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> all read Hebrew because several
articles in the local press have celebrated the 100<sup>th</sup> anniversary of
the founding of our Historic Building, right here on our estate. It really is
gorgeous. Built in the style of the White House (really!) but in wonderfully
pinkish beige Jerusalem stone, it was the convalescent home for the Union and
for those who had influence. Situated in a glorious park with views toward Ein
Kerem and Jerusalem, with the finest air in all of Israel, we are the luckiest
people in the world that our estate, 230 families of all ages, got to live
here. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Actually, as I believe</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> I told you before, the White House,
is only part of Arza’s history. Long before the convalescent home was built, a
certain gentleman by the name of Theodore Herzl came to visit and planted a
tree. He was told that the sapling was a beautiful cypress, but in fact it was
a simple fir tree, which was actually cut down by the cohorts of Haj Amin El
Husseini, the Mufti of Jerusalem and friend of Hitler. The planting of the tree
led to the forming of the Avenue of the Presidents alongside our veranda. The
steps leading down the side of the hill sport the trees planted by most subsequent
Presidents and just around the corner, to the right at the bottom of the steps is
one of many pill-boxes guarding the main Tel Aviv Jerusalem Road. We live
amidst history!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Friends are coming to Israel</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, volunteering, going south to
support the few residents still there, to understand the destruction left
behind by the Hamas attack and going North where Hezb-Allah is pounding towns
and villages. Yes, as if what happened to the South and is happening in Gaza
wasn’t enough, the North is also suffering rockets and missiles on their heads.
Most towns have been evacuated but the farmers of the kibbutzim, moshavim and
egg producing chicken farms have no choice but to return and feed the animals,
those that have not fled or been killed, and for one farmer, to keep Israel
supplied with eggs. A few missiles came from Syria too. Add to that the renewed
Houthi piracy of ships Bab el Mandeb. Houthis, whose real name is Ansar Allah,
are so named after Badr-al-din el Houthi, declared war on Israel but all their
drones and missiles were shot down by US ships in the Gulf, so they changed
their tack and concentrated on what has been described as the worst shipping
bottleneck in a determined attempt to draw the USA into the war. By the way,
yes, I know I am obsessed with this war but then it is obsessed with us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Israelis love CNN’s John Vause</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> Not just for
his fair reporting back in the 3nd Intifada, but for his tears two days ago.
John couldn’t hold back his tears<span style="background: white; color: #333333;">
on air on Tuesday while reading a letter from the mother of Israeli hostage Noa
Argamani. Liora Argamani wrote, to President Joe Biden. "I am terminally
ill with Stage 4 brain cancer. All that's running through my mind before I part
ways with my family forever is the chance to hug my daughter, my only child,
one last time." She further wrote, "I want to get to see my Noa at
home."</span> Since John was our neighbour and dear friend during his time
in Jerusalem, I’m not surprised.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">What amazes those</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> who come is that life goes on, not
as usual, far from it, but we all go out to restaurants, meet in each other’s
homes, do all of the things I have outlined above and best of all meeting old
friends and showing their support. Support, a smile, a letter, a note, a phone
call, all make a huge difference to our lives. In fact, your reading what I
write, what many of us write, is of huge importance to our morale. Just as we
feel that we are not just forgotten but that the worst day of our lives has
brought condemnation, not of Hamas but of Israel; when the torture is blamed on
us, and then a few words in Facebook, or an email or WhatsApp, give us hope
that everything will be alright.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We are having a quiet Shabbat</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, just the two
of us, to rest before Zvi’s big week. He, as part of the Jerusalem Symphony
Choir, is singing in a big concert at the Jerusalem Theatre on Tuesday and on
Monday I am going to the incredible play, written especially for the young
people of Shalva, tailored to their abilities. It makes me so proud that a
project such as this came out of Dr. Dan’s Room, the studio for dance, drama
and music that we established in Daniel’s name in the Shalva Centre. Zvi just
left for his parliament in Caffit in the Botanical Gardens and I will head off
to Rachel and the children to wish them a Shabbat Shalom and if I’m lucky, she
will make me a good cuppa and a home made bread roll with egg salad for my
lunch<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And so back to the beginning</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">. Another year has passed, thank
heaven 2023 is almost over. What awaits us in the next year? Who knows but we
will ultimately win through this ghastly period. A new year and new start.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">What do I wish you for 2024? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Understanding. Above all understanding both for us and by us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Empathy, kindness, freedom of religious expression, to be loved and
love, to come together instead of fighting each other. I wish all children that
they will be taught tolerance of those who differ, to be taught peace not war,
living not killing. Most of all, that we be accepted, as we are, each to his or
her own, without judgement or violence. To celebrate our differences.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Wow! What songs fit that wish? What better than 1,000 musicians and
singers in the Roman Amphitheatre in Caesarea? HOME by Ehud Manor to honour the
hostages and those lost in this war. <a href="https://youtu.be/XyI2GPDDLWc?si=h9F2nrNA7kcobjsz">https://youtu.be/XyI2GPDDLWc?si=h9F2nrNA7kcobjsz</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shiri Maimon and Tamir Greenberg sing “I’m Coming Home” to honour
the hostages and the soldiers who are fighting for our very existence. “Let the
rain wash away the tears of yesterday” <a href="https://youtu.be/0ieaEZaknss?si=jQW7Eb-D3B3NvMy3">https://youtu.be/0ieaEZaknss?si=jQW7Eb-D3B3NvMy3</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I played this song once before but it is worthy of many times.
Yaakov Shwekey singing the prayer for the soldiers of the IDF, as he said “The
best soldiers in the world” <a href="https://youtu.be/suKZK8O_x2s?si=jgw6oo0keKZk5f4X">https://youtu.be/suKZK8O_x2s?si=jgw6oo0keKZk5f4X</a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I have one prayer for 2024 it is that
the soldiers of the IDF will serve their time in peace not in war.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I wish you a “Good Shabbes” a weekend of good news, of safety to be
who you are, whoever you are.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">With love from Jerusalem<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sheila <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-84031122736478569722023-12-26T10:50:00.004+02:002023-12-26T10:50:43.082+02:0080 days of Miluim<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">26<sup>th</sup> December 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Happy Boxing Day!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Do you remember the word “<b>miluimnikim</b>? The reservists who
volunteer to serve in the IDF and have been an essential part of the troops
fighting a tough battle in Gaza, a fight to remove the oppressive, cruel, actually
diabolical regime of Hamas? Well, let me explain something, each of these
heroes has a family, they left businesses, studies, law offices, medical
practices, restaurants, in fact just about every type of work, they just dropped
everything without a selfish thought in their heads, because they knew that
their fight was just. They had to stop the strong possibility of October 7<sup>th</sup>
becoming a regular occurrence. For many of them they left their families
without a breadwinner, their businesses are failing and the war must continue
until Hamas is wiped out. I felt the need for you to understand that this is
not an army of regular soldiers fighting a battle overseas, this is a citizen’s
army of people, men and women, who know that the enemy is on our doorstep.
Their sacrifice is ultimate and some have not been home in the 80 days of
fighting, or maybe popped home for a few hours before returning to the field.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When I write that this is a people’s army, I mean a real people’s
army. Men and women from every walk of life, irrespective of professor or
street cleaner, come together in a mixed unit. That is particularly true of
tank units, but also of the soldiers in the field, those who risk and lose
their lives every minute of every day. The IDF is the greatest social leveller
imaginable and the relationships formed during their army service remain
throughout their lives. The number of serious injuries is frightening, but they
all get the absolute support of the people, the IDF and the social services for
the rest of their lives. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When this cruel
war is over, it will be fascinating to see if their political differences,
those that created a frightening split in our society, will return or dissipate
in the rubble of Gaza. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A few minutes ago I received a message from a dear friend that her
son in law is in Soroka Hospital, the hospital that received the bulk of the
injured. He is in critical condition with head injuries and the family is
around his bed, praying and supporting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yesterday Zvi and I had lunch with old friends, Stanley and
Charmaine Roth and Harold and Rebecca Finger who are here from far off Sydney,
Australia with a Keren Hayesod Mission; the third couple to complete our table
were Inbal and Marcus Sheff. Marcus is the CEO of Impact-se (<a href="https://www.impact-se.org/">https://www.impact-se.org/</a> ) of which I
am the proud Chairperson of the Board and yesterday, we were all fascinated
listeners as Marcus answered Stanley’s questions, explaining the critical importance
of Impact and school education so clearly shown to us recently. After October 7<sup>th</sup>,
the correlation between hate education and terrorism has become an important
subject in the international forum and Impact’s success in changing the school
curriculum of many countries, such as the Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia,
even Qatar, replacing hate with tolerance has come to the forefront in many
countries. Impact-se has all the necessary reports, showing a clear correlation
between school textbooks and violent hatred and our next project is to produce
a viable alternative to the UNWRA/ Palestinian Authority/Hamas curriculum. I
was so proud of Marcus but even more so of the Roths and Fingers who never fail
to support Israel in every way possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We were deeply distressed to hear of the increase in anti-Semitic
incidents and lack of sympathy for the horrors of October 7<sup>th</sup>. It
was unimaginable that such things would happen in Australia, but they are – but
then these incidents are happening all over the world and as I listened to
Charmaine and Rebecca’s distress, repeated by Canadian, American and British
Jews, I feared for the future of so many communities. Perhaps he deepest hurt
comes from the women’s organisations that care not a jot about the vile and
violent rapes of Israeli women by Hamas.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It is far from being a Jewish problem. I was sad to see that several
stores on London’s Oxford Street closed their doors, dimmed their Christmas lights
as the pro-Palestinian rally chose to ruin London’s Christmas. It made me sad
and mad since apparently to be pro-Palestinian means sucking the joy out of
everything. Actually that self acclaimed, ”quintessential, queer, English Jew” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stephen Fry, the oh so brilliant Stephen Fry,
decided to record a somewhat regal Christmas message declaring his dismay at
the changes in the country that welcomed his grandparents, but in a wonderfully
eloquent, regally British manner. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://youtu.be/G7uUGJhiehM?si=FruX59zRdkiEBBrK">https://youtu.be/G7uUGJhiehM?si=FruX59zRdkiEBBrK</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Colonel Richard Kemp is also very British, a veteran of Afghanistan
and a firm and constant defender of the IDF which he has described as the most
moral army in the world. Here he writes about the influence of Hamas. <a href="https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-779122">https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-779122</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Orange County, Florida, may just as well have started burning books
as they purged nearly 700 books from their school libraries. They deemed Saul
Bellow’s Herzog and Rebecca Walker’s Black, White and Jewish as unsuitable since
they are deemed offensive for public and school libraries. In other words, any
reference to Jewish life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Issa Anis Kassisiah has a very important role in Jerusalem – he is
the Jerusalem Santa and instead of Rudolph he rides a camel! For many years now
Issa brings a smile and lots of joy to children and adults like in the city. Indeed,
Issa, a Jerusalem Christian, is the only certified Santa in town! He studied at
the Charles W. Howard Santa School in Michigan and each year he opens his house,
which is filled with every imaginable Christmas favour, a sleigh, Sata’s
workshop, chocolates, candy canes and of course Santa’s workshop, all open to
the public. Normally he has about 25,000 visitors but this year perhaps 10,000.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Dr Zohar Raviv (no relation) talks about October 7<sup>th</sup>
that it must not be yet another horrific event in our Jewish timeline of
victimhood. Jewish living is the identity not defensive by nature but of the
ever living people L’Haim! <a href="https://youtu.be/mfDZDprdxjU?si=edjhfca2j9bapkFN">https://youtu.be/mfDZDprdxjU?si=edjhfca2j9bapkFN</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Omer Adam is a highly successful Israeli singer and a total mensch.
When reservists go home for a few hours, their home could well be a long bus
ride from base, cutting short their time with their family. Omer Adam decided
that his contribution to the IDF would be to pay for taxis to take soldiers
back to base. His incredibly generous thought has already cost him nearly 2
million shekels but has brought<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>few precious
extra moments to those who put their lives on the line for us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I have returned to knitting! It is actually very calming, an essential
aspect when watching the 24/7 news, hearing the names of the fallen soldiers,
understanding the number of families that have lost their fathers and of course
seeing that orange warning that pops up telling us which towns are under red
alert. So you see, knitting is a good thing, especially since I am knitting
warm hats for soldiers to wear under their helmets since it gets very cold at
night, both in the North and the South. Until now I haven’t joined one of the
social knitting groups because I love the emotional attachment as to who gets
the hats and so far they have all gone to the children of friends. It started
with Tomer and Sheli whose hats await their visit home from the north; my
neighbour’s son has been home just three days out of the 80 days of this war;
Hannah and Danny’s son came home for a few hours and he got one too, they all
got special portable cellphone chargers from Zvi, to share with their unit. As
a “reward” we received a video of Hannah’s son walking in the door and his
children running to him in excitement. Whatever we do is not enough to thank
them for their devotion and bravery. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shalva, the concept, the fact and the place all represent hope;
hope for change and making the best of what we are given, turning fear into
joy. Here the Shalva Band sings for evacuees, returnees and the families of hostages,
indeed for all of us. This is a song normally sung at the entry of Shabbat but
the words ring true any day of the year and express hope for the coming year. Shalom
Aleichem, Peace be with you <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://youtu.be/EBoMYQu8sDo?si=8x9M1Wc5yF5Emgi2">https://youtu.be/EBoMYQu8sDo?si=8x9M1Wc5yF5Emgi2</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Four years ago Koolulam was in Kibbutz Be’eri and recorded this
beautiful song. Nobody could predict how appropriate it was to be as Be’eri was
destroyed on October 7<sup>th</sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“One
Day”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://youtu.be/EuHwoz8K3tM?si=y4IhqXNUQQ8QuH1O">https://youtu.be/EuHwoz8K3tM?si=y4IhqXNUQQ8QuH1O</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I wish you a peaceful, loving Tuesday, until we meet again for the
Shabbat Shalom missive<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sheila<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-92205129083086439792023-12-22T11:11:00.002+02:002023-12-22T11:11:18.114+02:00Shabbat Christmas and bicycles<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">22<sup>nd</sup> December, 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shabbat shalom and a very Merry Christmas to you all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Merry Christmas, Bon Noel, Hyvaa joula! Feliz
Navidad! Nadolig Llawen, and of course a hopeful and much kinder New Year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I woke up this morning </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">to find that one of the requests
from the refugees from the South of Israel is bicycles; children’s bicycles.
Why on earth would people who have lost everything, who currently have no homes
to go back to, who lost family members, why bicycles? Because it is the thing that
their children most miss, the ability to just get on a bike with friends and
feel free, not just to be enclosed in a hotel room with five other people. The
feeling of freedom is more than being able to go where you want, for children who
grew up on farms, kibbutzim and villages, it is getting on a bike and feeling
the wind in your face.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Negotiations are continuing</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> to release the remaining hostages.
We understand that it means releasing security prisoners “with blood on their
hands”. The Israeli security prisons have, for many years now, become the cerebral
intelligence network of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Fatah. Marwan Barghouti, who led
the 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> Intifadas, has long been known as the
brains behind the planning of further attacks by Fatah and a “community” leader
within jail. Israel refused insistent demands to release him for Gilad Shalit
but Yahyeh Sinwar was released and instead of an Intifada, this vile excuse for
a human being masterminded October 7<sup>th</sup>. This is a security Catch 22
whatever way one looks at it. Since prisoners in Israel, even mass murderers,
are given every right demanded by international law. They meet to pray, they
meet to eat, they meet during open-door time and they are allowed cell-phones,
to say nothing of conjugal visits. These rights give them ample time to plan
attacks. Why the preamble to my next statement? Because the world needs to know.
To release prisoners whose crimes were so great that they received sentences,
like Barghouti, of 127 years, for murderous attacks killing may Israelis, may
sound insane, but that is the demand of Hamas to save our hostages, those who
are still alive, and the picture on everyone’s mind is that of the Bibas
family, a young mother grasping her two little red-headed babies to her breast,
her face contorted in fear.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Last week I wrote</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> to you about the Director of a Gaza
hospital admitting that his hospital was a centre for Hamas. Well, here you see
him spilling the beans, freely and openly to the Israeli Secret Service. <a href="https://youtu.be/aUesVWAOUbM?si=wQCAD2s3OMz5O_cA" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc;">https://youtu.be/aUesVWAOUbM?<wbr></wbr>si=wQCAD2s3OMz5O_cA</span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Mothers of hostages</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> were invited by Donna Karan to
speak at an event in New York. Outside the event anti-Israel protesters banged
on doors to interrupt the speakers and in the end these women, mothers whose
children were kidnapped, raped, held in dire conditions, could only leave the
event under police protection. What is the world coming to? This is New York
City!! Manhattan! The most sophisticated, cultured city in the world? I think
not.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Hillary Clinton</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, who had a huge wake up call after October 7<sup>th</sup>,
said that the parents, families of hostages should ask Hamas for a Christmas
release of hostages, as if Christmas holds any importance for these radical Moslems.
In terms of the West, it was a fine suggestion, but probably the most naive
belief that brought a wide and wicked smile to the faces of Hamas. They know
not anything about this season of kindness and good will because they have
none.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There are several organisations</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> which go
south, even into Gaza itself, to bring relief and a barbecue to the soldiers, young
and old, who are fighting a cruel and tough guerilla battle. I told you about
Chabad, but they are far from alone. Each evening, food trucks and private
cars, loaded with meat and salads, head south, set up their portable barbecues
and bring cheer and music to the soldiers. One particular story touched my
heart. A 14 year old boy took his hard saved pocket money and then collected
from anyone he could and with the help of his parents he cooks for the soldiers!
Children in Israel are so much more grown up and responsible than children in
the rest of the West. I’m not sure whether it is the preparation for the
responsibility of IDF service or whether it is the fact that they are so free
and rather than being driven everywhere they walk or catch buses, be it school
or going to friends. Independence is a very important part of their upbringing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Just in case you think that UNICEF,</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> the
United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, is even handed in its
care for children all over the world, think again. It is all over the world
except Israel. The Shurat haDin Organisation made calls to UNICEF in several countries
asking to send donations specifically to help Children in Israel during this
war. One responder actually claimed that Gaza is Israel! I am rarely shocked
these days but this really shocked me to the very core. <a href="https://youtu.be/IGktjz6gHDo?si=_9ILli5ybAyvb6WA">https://youtu.be/IGktjz6gHDo?si=_9ILli5ybAyvb6WA</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This is the time of year</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> for Christian tourism. Normally
Christians throng to Bethlehem, Nazareth, Haifa and many Christian sites around
the country but, sadly, not this year. Bethlehem will be deserted on Christmas
Day, the pews of the Church of the Nativity, atop a hill in Bethlehem, are usually
filled to capacity but no-one is coming on pilgrimage, there are few flights
for those who choose to come anyway. The Christian community of Bethlehem
itself has dwindled to 15% of the citizenry and it makes me sad. Christmas
trees are still given to Jerusalem’s Christians by the municipality as in every
year; the Carol Concert will almost certainly take place in the Brigham Young
University concert hall; the bells of the churches of St. John, the YMCA, the
Dormition and the Scottish Churche will ring out but like JK Rowlings
Dementors, the joy has been sucked out of this Christmas. My childhood memories
of Santa, decorating our neighbours trees, Carollers and wonderful parties
still remain strong in my mind though. Rabbi Leo Dee, who lost his wife and
daughters in a horrific terror attack, used to live in London, this is what he
wrote on the subject <a href="https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-778911">https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-778911</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Someone wrote this week about the difference between most wars that
the USA has fought, is that while those wars took place thousands of miles from
home, this one is on our doorsteps and in our homes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Protection of communities</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> “If I am not for me, who is” has
become an essential part of Jewish life. Rabbi Jeremy Rosen writes this week
about just that subject and the ineffective quiet diplomacy as opposed to the
highly effective CST in the UK. Well worth reading <a href="https://jeremyrosen.com/2023/12/if-i-am-not-for-me.html">https://jeremyrosen.com/2023/12/if-i-am-not-for-me.html</a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In the meantime</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, life goes on in a very Israeli way. I met
some friends in Tel Aviv this week, in a large shopping mall in Ramat Aviv and
it was full to the gunnels, especially all the restaurants. Tel Aviv which
suffers many missiles each day! It is a peculiarly Israeli way of telling our
enemies that we are strong, resilient and will not be cowed – and of course
that food is the most important element in any Israeli family, be it at home or
in a restaurant it must be a culinary delight. As a people watcher I enjoyed
watching friends gathering, probably talking about the “matzav” the situation,
almost certainly about the government and of their concern for both our
soldiers and of course the hostages and their families. We are a people that
needs to be together. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Once upon a tim</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">e, Aviv Gefen was a rebel, not just a rebel he
wrote songs about his generation, using words that should not be heard in
polite society! As the nephew of Moshe Dayan, himself a rebel, it seemed
incongruous but now, Aviv Gefen the family man has changed, done a 180 and
spends a great deal of his time talking to and entertaining soldiers and the
families of hostages. Here, singing a song that he wrote with released hostage Mia
Leimberg, I’m sure you remember her arrival back home with her little white dog,
a Shitz Tzu named Bella,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>bringing a
smile of relief to all who saw her. Well Mia loves to sing and she just made a
music video with Aviv Gefen. I couldn’t find a translation but I don’t think it
matters! The song Black Sunrise, “Children woke to a morning without playing in
the garden and since then it doesn’t leave us”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><a href="https://youtu.be/SqlqoDFBiJY?si=YSE86jus4IesIPyz">https://youtu.be/SqlqoDFBiJY?si=YSE86jus4IesIPyz</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This rendition</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> of the blessing for the soldiers of the Israel
Defence Forces is so special I couldn’t resist the sweet voice of the singer
Neriya Granot <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://youtu.be/UlGy2nPg9uQ?si=o4X3qj0KKzymL6af">https://youtu.be/UlGy2nPg9uQ?si=o4X3qj0KKzymL6af</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To end, <b>Tom Jones, Dylan Thomas, the Treorchy Male Voice Choir</b>
and <b>A Child’s Christmas in Wales</b> way back in 1970. As they say, “You can
take the girl out of Wales but not Wales out of the girl” <a href="https://youtu.be/tfDnCYN015c?si=Glpge0yLfPkwqkx3">https://youtu.be/tfDnCYN015c?si=Glpge0yLfPkwqkx3</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This is a time when we must celebrate our similarities, forget our
differences and stand up for our beliefs, beliefs that echo our determination
to pray as we see fit. Ride may come before a fall, but pride in who and what
we are make us stand tall, form a defensive circle holding hands and looking outward.
I wish you Shabbat Shalom and a beautiful Christmastide filled with blessing
and promises for a better future. I pray that the hostages will soon come home,
that we will lose no more soldiers and that the families of those who lost
their sons and daughters will be consoled and that somehow, who knows how, the
tide of hatred will be stopped by a wall of love. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I send you love from Jerusalem, so precious to us all,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sheila<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-33960440606670304002023-12-19T22:26:00.003+02:002023-12-19T22:26:22.286+02:00Midweek<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">19<sup>th</sup> of December 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shalom, shalom<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">OK I admit it, I have been putting off writing to you. After the
tragedy of Friday I cannot bear to even think about the families of the three
young men, three hostages who somehow succeeded in escaping their captors, who were
mistakenly killed by our own troops.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Perhaps I should start by explaining that the rules, the absolute
rules of the IDF that even when faced by an enemy who is clearly unarmed and
holding a white flag, is to down arms, to cease all fire. Having said that,
these soldiers had been involved in fierce fighting, scouring houses with booby
trap and terrorist cells around every corner and doorway for two months solid.
I’m not excusing their reckless behaviour but at least one of them was traumatised
to the point of being terrified, so that even when his senior officer yelled to
him to cease fire he continued. After surviving 70 days of dire conditions in
captivity, three young men died. <span style="background: white; color: #141414;">Yotam
Haim, Samer Talalka, and Alon Shamriz – may their souls rest in peace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For anyone who doubts that hospitals,
kindergartens and schools were used by Hamas as weapons stores should listen to
the testimony of the Head of Kamal Adwan Hospital, Ahmad Kahlot, said that
Hamas took over the hospital storing weapons in the basement and using the
hospital as a base in Jabaliya. The fact is that many Hamas operatives, even
those of high rank, are singing like nightingales to the Secret Services (Shabak)
and to their amazement they are treated
according to the Geneva Convention for War prisoners.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We have known about the vast tunnel
system built by Hamas with your tax money but nobody actually expected the
tunnel that was discovered this week. At least 4 metres wide and 3 metres tall,
50 metres deep in the ground and 4 kilometres long, perfectly engineered by
Yahyeh Sinwar’s brother Muhammed, the tunnel had only one fault – it met the
solid, reinforced cement, underground wall the length of the border with
Israel! The tunnel is large enough for a Jeep to drive through without any
problem, its walls slid and beautifully engineered. More of your tax money!
Talking of which, neatly wrapped up in plastic bags the troops found over a
million dollars in dollar and shekel bills in a Hamas leader’s house!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As the IDF gets closer and closer to
the hostages, they found a large underground chamber with evidence that many of
the hostages were tied to chairs and hidden behind a plaster wall but sadly by
the time the soldiers got there they had been moved. In another cruel act,
Hamas released a video of three elderly male hostages, their heads virtually
shaved and their beards long in the fashion of Hamas, reading a written speech.
They looked thin and distressed but, if the video is as recent as we are led to
believe, alive. Negotiations are underway again, to release as many as possible
of the remaining hostages. It will mean releasing some serious terror offenders
but time is running out and Hamas knows that the lives of the hostages is
paramount, which they use against us yet again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Somehow, nobody notices that while pleading
poverty, Hamas has plenty of money for missiles which they are still launching
with great regularity. Just in case you believe the rubbish about a siege on
Gaza, staple foodstuffs have been coming through Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings.
Atop the trucks Hamas operatives brandish weapons as the starving crowds rush
the trucks hoping to steal something to feed their families because all the
food goes to Hamas supporters! The Northern border is also subject to barrages
of missiles, but the North is far more dangerous to the South because they have
the power and the clear backing of Iran. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Of course things are not all bad,
remember I told you that we are not capable of hiding in our homes trembling in
fear – we still go out. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Zvi and I went back to the Chabad
House to make sandwiches, but this time we took a friend with us. Philip Bloom
is from Boston and has been coming to Israel to volunteer for months at a time
for 35 years or more. The Rabbi asked Philip to light the memorial candles to
the soldiers who lost their lives and take part in the prayer for their souls. Philip
then told us that he had brought something very special for the soldiers. The students
of the Beis Yaakov school in Boston had written beautiful letters to soldiers
and although Philip had handed out several to soldiers he met, he still had
many. Since Rabbi Shlomo was going down to Kibbutz Be’eri that evening to make
a barbecue for soldiers he offered to take them with to the delight of the soldiers
who made a special video for the students. Well done Philip.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yesterday I took part in a fascinating
webinar. It was an ELNET <a href="https://elnetwork.eu/">https://elnetwork.eu/</a>
webinar Chaired by the wonderful Joan
Ryan and David Hirsh was the speaker. David spoke so cleverly, without embroidery,
and he answered Joan’s questions with great eloquence. As he said, October 7<sup>th</sup>
and the responses to October 7<sup>th</sup> showed us who people really are. I
am very proud that Impact-se works closely with ELNET. One of the main subjects
discussed was Anti-Semitism, how to deal
with it and ultimately how do we prepare our children and grandchildren to deal
with it. It reminded me of my work with AJ6, or the Association of Jewish 6<sup>th</sup>
Formers – young Jews between the ages of 16-18, preparing, writing, material to
ensure that they had all the necessary information at their fingertips to draw
out when needed, when faced with an anti-Semite. We brought groups to Israel
and taught them everything they needed to respond. Instead of running or stammering
and irrelevant answer or worse, they were prepared. Sadly, soon after I left,
AJ6 was absorbed into the Union of Jewish students and disbanded, nothing to
replace it. If ever it was need it is now – I beg of someone to revive AJ6 in
the UK and to create its equivalent everywhere else.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When someone was brutally honest my
father always said “He isn’t backwards in coming forwards” which could easily
describe Bill Maher. I so enjoyed this particular monologue <a href="https://youtu.be/KP-CRXROorw?si=_ZikXtJ7FkwFi_3C">https://youtu.be/KP-CRXROorw?si=_ZikXtJ7FkwFi_3C</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A whole slew of stars have chosen to
stand with Israel by coming to Israel. They don’t take the easy route either. Jerry
Seinfeld and Michael Rapaport are among them and chose to speak to the families
of hostages, to visit Be’eri, to talk to grieving families and to generally
raise the morale of young Israelis.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As Churchill said during World War 2
“</span><span style="background: white; color: #101010; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Now this is not the end. It is not
even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.</span>”
We have a long way to go before the people of the kibbutzim, towns, moshavim
and villages, the green lands of the Salad Trail of the Western Negev will be
rebuilt and re-established but they will, it will just take time.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #101010; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #101010; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Ayn li Eretz Aheret – I have no
other country - <a href="https://youtu.be/kiOic1JiMQA?si=HW5M-Hih0A26xkQk">https://youtu.be/kiOic1JiMQA?si=HW5M-Hih0A26xkQk</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #101010; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #101010; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I was thinking and thinking what
music is appropriate to end this missive and no matter where I went, I cam back
to the same song. Neighborhood Bully by Bob Dylan. <a href="https://youtu.be/-ETdLfXI6r8?si=5S5ByucAYC64iiRc">https://youtu.be/-ETdLfXI6r8?si=5S5ByucAYC64iiRc</a>
</span><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The lyrics aren’t clear as he sings
them so here they are. In the meantime I wish you a good week, I hope you are
all getting really excited as Christmas nears, who knows maybe with a miracle
or two it really will be the season of joy and goodwill<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, the neighborhood
bully, he's just one man<br />
His enemies say he's on their land<br />
They got him outnumbered about a million to one<br />
He got no place to escape to, no place to run<br />
He's the neighborhood bully.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The neighborhood bully he
just lives to survive<br />
He's criticized and condemned for being alive<br />
He's not supposed to fight back, he's supposed to have thick skin<br />
He's supposed to lay down and die when his door is kicked in<br />
He's the neighborhood bully.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The neighborhood bully
been driven out of every land<br />
He's wandered the earth an exiled man<br />
Seen his family scattered, his people hounded and torn<br />
He's always on trial for just being born<br />
He's the neighborhood bully.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, he knocked out a
lynch mob, he was criticized<br />
Old women condemned him, said he should apologize<br />
Then he destroyed a bomb factory, nobody was glad<br />
The bombs were meant for him. He was supposed to feel bad<br />
He's the neighborhood bully.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, the chances are
against it, and the odds are slim<br />
That he'll live by the rules that the world makes for him<br />
'Cause there's a noose at his neck and a gun at his back<br />
And a license to kill him is given out to every maniac<br />
He's the neighborhood bully.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, he got no allies to
really speak of<br />
What he gets he must pay for, he don't get it out of love<br />
He buys obsolete weapons and he won't be denied<br />
But no one sends flesh and blood to fight by his side<br />
He's the neighborhood bully.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, he's surrounded by
pacifists who all want peace<br />
They pray for it nightly that the bloodshed must cease<br />
Now, they wouldn't hurt a fly. To hurt one they would weep<br />
They lay and they wait for this bully to fall asleep<br />
He's the neighborhood bully.<br />
Every empire that's enslaved him is gone<br />
Egypt and Rome, even the great Babylon<br />
He's made a garden of paradise in the desert sand<br />
In bed with nobody, under no one's command<br />
He's the neighborhood bully.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now his holiest books
have been trampled upon<br />
No contract that he signed was worth that what it was written on<br />
He took the crumbs of the world and he turned it into wealth<br />
Took sickness and disease and he turned it into health<br />
He's the neighborhood bully.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What's anybody indebted
to him for?<br />
Nothing, they say. He just likes to cause war<br />
Pride and prejudice and superstition indeed<br />
They wait for this bully like a dog waits for feed<br />
He's the neighborhood bully.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What has he done to wear
so many scars?<br />
Does he change the course of rivers? Does he pollute the moon and stars?<br />
Neighborhood bully, standing on the hill<br />
Running out the clock, time standing still<br />
Neighborhood bully.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span> </p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-73103545731305997122023-12-15T11:18:00.003+02:002023-12-15T11:18:40.293+02:0070 days, Shabbat Shalom<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">15<sup>th</sup> December, 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shabbat Shalom dear friends<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">70 days and we are still fighting, still praying for the hostages
and they still launch missiles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When Churchill was asked why he bombed
Dresden he answered with one word “Coventry”</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When Roosevelt was asked why he bombed Hiroshima and
Nagasaki he said one thing Pearl Harbour”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When we are asked why are you bombing Gaza, we say “October
7<sup>th</sup>”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #040c28; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Isaiah</span></b><span style="color: #040c28; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> the Biblical proponent of peace, spoke
of swords and ploughshares, and so much more. He wrote </span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #040c28; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is
near, saith the Almighty; and I will heal him</span><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">. But
the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up
mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For some reason</span></b><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> the world was distressed that the Hamas
operative (terrorists) who gave themselves up, were stripped to their
underpants. Are you serious? When there is a possibility, even probability,
that they may carry explosive belts, of course they were stripped to their
underpants! The most recent group to surrender their arms did so by the
hundreds and were stripped only of their tops, wearing their smart jeans and
shoes. The long line of men, two and three abreast, hundreds of them, who
understood that they could not win this war, surprised even the most seasoned
soldiers. Understand, Gaza above ground is tiny, the few towns are overcrowded,
not as they would have us believe the most overcrowded in the world, because
they have never been to Mexico City, Mumbai, Kolkata or even Manhattan! However
the underground tunnels are vast, some say between 300 to 500 kilometres of fully
equipped tunnels. Fully equipped? Built by engineers, fitted with furniture,
offices, internet, everything they could possibly need – boundless, limitless
facilities for terror. The darker corners of these tunnels are equipped to hold
the hostages for whom the nightmare must seem endless. I just pray they have
survived to be set free as soon as possible. I wonder what the price is? Since
there are no less than 70 <b>Billionaires </b>in Gaza I think I know the answer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Talking of money</span></b><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, many families of Palestinians depend upon
working in Israel to sustain a normal way of life. Most Israeli companies that
employ Palestinians, for example in the Barkan Industrial area of Ariel
(considered a settlement by international consensus although a large town with
a university) Palestinian workers get Israeli salaries, work conditions and
medical insurance, none of which is available in the PA, a brilliant initiative
led by Israel Twitto. For many of them, due to the attack by Hamas, they now
have no entry into Israel, or very limited entry during the war. Hamas used the
house by house intelligence gathered by Gazans who worked in Israel for the
attack on October 7<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Golani Brigade is</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> famous for its fearless fighters. We have lost so
many in this war that it has shocked all of us to the very core. The number of Golani
regular soldiers lost is 88 and the number of officers lost is</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 103. As I have told you many times, in the IDF the
officers lead the men and women into battle, they do not direct from behind.
The number of soldiers we have lost including 7 October is a terrifying 444
including the tatspataniot the young women lookouts of October 7<sup>th</sup>.
Indeed in this war more women soldiers have died than any other.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Every minute of every day</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> our hearts are with the families of the hostages, both
those who returned and those who are still in unknown and terrifying
conditions. Those who returned are beginning to tell the stories of constant fear,
suffering, starvation, rape and so much more. The children were told that
nobody cared and no-one would come to save them, surely a scar on their lives
forever, much more than the beatings and hunger. I cannot imagine hearing of
the terror stories and the sadness of the families. Sadly, more and more bodies
of hostages and soldiers are found as the IDF goes further into Gaza. Just this
morning it was announced that 3 more bodies were found. I don’t know how to translate
the Hebrew word “Achzariut”. The direct translation is cruelty, but it is so
much more. Hamas not only took live hostages they are also body snatchers,
caring only to terrify Israelis, the purpose of terrorists. It is important to
understand that they don’t care if they kill, capture, afflict, torment,
persecute only Jews. They care not if their victims are Jew, Moslem, Christian,
Hindu, it is enough that they are Israeli. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Israeli top brass</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, political and military, met with </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Red Cross President Mirjana Spoljaric</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> in the IDF HQ this week. She was given essential medications
for the hostages with a demand that the Red Cross perform the duty for which it
was formed. Of course her response was that she would try!!! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I am lost for words</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> at the unbearable wokeness of the Universities in the
USA but <b>Eden Alterman</b> sums it up perfectly. He does it beautifully,
showing the stupidity of ignorance though music. Definitely one to click on!! <a href="https://youtu.be/3AgOmk7ue04?si=zHc3m4KwRH8OvtFq">https://youtu.be/3AgOmk7ue04?si=zHc3m4KwRH8OvtFq</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As Christmas approaches a little Israeli girl
writes a letter to Santa, begging him to bring her Daddy home. <a href="https://media.bringthemhomenow.net/media/Israeli+children+Christmas+letter+to+Santa/1_q7rq8dhj/320287072">https://media.bringthemhomenow.net/media/Israeli+children+Christmas+letter+to+Santa/1_q7rq8dhj/320287072</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In my last missive</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> I spoke of the success of Impact-se’s CEO Marcus Sheff
in convincing the Swiss Government to defund UNWRA. Sadly, the vote, which
passed the lower house, was defeated by the upper house by just 2 votes. We don’t
give up however, if the clear evidence in our reports of UNWRA’s incitement
through the PA and Gazan schoolbooks was not enough, then we will get further
proof. Actually, I am not sure that any proof with convince the Swiss well known
for their false claims of neutrality! If clear evidence that 85% of terrorists
are taught in UNWRA schools using their hate filled teachings is not convincing
enough, then shame on them. Finland understood the need for change, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Impact-se reports are taken very seriously by
the EU, UK, USA, Norway, Finland, Germany indeed almost every other country and
the Swiss. Why do I think about World War 2 and their proclaimed neutrality?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I have enormous respect for <b>Noa Tishbi</b>.
So much more than her beautiful actress persona, this Israel is a brilliant proponent
for Israel. I still don’t understand why Netanyahu fired her but ….. just listen
to her with Piers Morgan. She is eloquent, straightforward and responds
beautifully. Just listen to the end, to her closing statement <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://youtu.be/qFkKw93jqAA?si=_hlErkjDY5mpnmnl">https://youtu.be/qFkKw93jqAA?si=_hlErkjDY5mpnmnl</a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Until very recently</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> none of us, or few of us had ever heard of the Houthis
in Yemen, although they have wreaked internal havoc in that country. The Houthis
are a Shia Islamic terror group and they have joined Hamas/ISIS in their
efforts to wipe us off the map. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their
latest acts are basically acts of piracy on any ship bound for Israel. The
latest was a Norwegian cargo ship which they boarded and prevented from
delivering their cargo of goods. It should be said that, like the vast majority
of Gazans, they have never met a Jew, let alone an Israeli because any Jews in
Yemen and Aden were thrown out in 1949/50 and 50,000 were brought to Israel <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in a complex operation by the Israeli
government called “On The Wings of Eagles” Indeed, the Jews of almost all Moslem,
Arab countries fled and were brought to Israel which means that this generation
of hatred has never actually met a Jew! I come back to Impact-se and our work
to change the perception of Jews and Christians and Hindus, indeed the “other”
in the schoolbooks of the Arab world, indeed the Moslem world. Again, I give
you our website because it makes fascinating reading <a href="https://www.impact-se.org/">https://www.impact-se.org/</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This week</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, as so many weeks before it, we were with friends almost every night.
Lighting the Hannukah candles became am excuse to be together. Thursday, if you
remember Zvi led the candle lighting and singing at the Khan Theatre before his
concert; Friday night with Leor and family, also celebrating Amit’s 17<sup>th</sup>
birthday; Shabbat lighting with Ira, Valeri and Tomer; Sunday with the choir;
Monday just Zvi and I; Tuesday at my Mind and Movement class, each of us
expressing a blessing and prayer as we lit our candle; Wednesday with our
lovely friends Yossi and Ronit; last night, the 8<sup>th</sup> day we lit
alone, the candlelight joining that in every window in our estate each and every
one praying that their light emanating from the eight candles will bring light
to our world of darkness. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Even in these dark times</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> we find time to smile. This week the Israeli satirical
TV show (sometimes cruelly so) was joined by American actor <b>Michael Rapaport</b>,
who stands firmly with Israel. A very clever skit of “Hogwarts” with Michael
Rapaport as Dumbledore “We are here today to discuss the question of
anti-Mudbloodism in Hogwarts” for the uninitiated Mudbloods are non-wizards. <a href="https://youtu.be/jW_k-mUfzhE?si=FMvVKopGo9EGHBWD">https://youtu.be/jW_k-mUfzhE?si=FMvVKopGo9EGHBWD</a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>JK Rowling</b> understood exactly
what was happening in our world when she wrote her Harry Potter series. It
doesn’t take a genius to know who the Dementors are, those who suck out the joy
and souls of all they meet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I am thrilled to say that many friends understand
that, despite it all Israel, is still a wonderful place to visit, to take part,
to learn, to be here with us. The Bloomfields are here now and the Fingers and
Roths are about to arrive. It is truly heartwarming. It is exactly what we
need. Yes, of course the diplomats are important and their support essential
but it’s you, our friends that we need to see. The strange aspect is that I feel
infinitely safer here than anywhere else and so do many other friends. As an
instance, Rachel and the girls, Talia and Ayala, felt like a night out and
headed off to the Shouk, Mahane Yehuda. Evenings transform the shouk from alleyways
of fruit, vegetable, fish, ready food and bakery stands to one huge night club/bar,
full of young people from all over Israel, having fun, drinking, dancing and
having fun. We are not a people that hides away in our safe rooms, we are not
afraid to wear our Judaism openly and we will not be put down no matter what.
Even at funerals, among the tears stars of the stage and music volunteer
themselves to sing the favourite songs of those killed while defending us. Israel
is different from almost anywhere else. Obviously, the funerals of the Bedouin soldiers
or the Druze soldiers are different, but we refuse to sink into a communal depression,
we have to fight on. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I’m sure that</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> you are as much in need of good news as I am and this
week we received some excellent news. Our dear friend <b>Prof. Judit Bokser
Liwerant</b> became an emeritus Professor of Political Science at the National
University of Mexico in Mexico City and received a great honour for her
Excellent in Research. Judit is an expert in the history of the Jewish
Community of Latin America and also lectures at the Hebrew University in
Jerusalem. She is a member of the National Commission Against Discrimination,
where she collaborated in the enactment of the Federal Law against
Discrimination, condemning antisemitism. In 2002 she was appointed a member of
the Human Rights Council. Judit is an exceptional person, a wonderful friend
and a great example to us all. Her husband Daniel is a life-long friend of Zvi’s
and I am proud to have been adopted by them as an equal friend.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Zvi sings with the <b>Jerusalem Symphony Choir</b>
which joined the A Capella Ensemble to form a forge to be reckoned with! They
recorded this amazing rendition of Bring Them Home. It is truly magnificent,
recorded in Christ Church, Jerusalem, which has amazing acoustics. You will note
that the photographs of those still in captivity are on each seat of the pews. If
you watch as well as listen you will see Zvi. <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O1Xx8WNgxXBLJnbIwgLsIMeB1d16-zp3/view">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O1Xx8WNgxXBLJnbIwgLsIMeB1d16-zp3/view</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">35 musicians, 35 strings from all over the world
play Jerusalem of Gold in support of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Bring
Them Home”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://youtu.be/GoEl6R5RXF0?si=yhQwuVcniXyX1mor">https://youtu.be/GoEl6R5RXF0?si=yhQwuVcniXyX1mor</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot has the voice of
an angel. Zvi and I had the honour of meeting him, albeit fleetingly, in the garden
of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, where he was attending a conference. We
were struck by his humility and by his love of Israel. Here he sings the Prayer
for the safety of the soldiers of the IDF. “May HE bless the soldiers of the
Israel Defence Force” <a href="https://youtu.be/M354UmD1ujU?si=xdHt7l2hqzQ7xpZk">https://youtu.be/M354UmD1ujU?si=xdHt7l2hqzQ7xpZk</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">So we must hold our heads high, understand our
similarities not emphasise our differences. Those of us who honour the Almighty,
know that He wants us to stand together against evil must never give up hope or
forget to stand tall against a common enemy. That enemy is not Islam it is the
diabolical misinterpretation of Islam. As we near the Christmas season, the
season of good will to all men and hope for our future, let’s do everything in
our power to spread love, understanding, tolerance and acceptance, all of which
light the world overpowering the darkness that seeks to enslave us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I wish you a Shabbat Shalom, a weekend of
inner peace and joy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">With love from Jerusalem<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sheila <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-80529921816952614462023-12-12T16:44:00.003+02:002023-12-12T16:44:53.652+02:00Miluiminikim<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">12<sup>th</sup> December 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">6<sup>th</sup> night of Chanukah and the 9<sup>th</sup> day of
Advent. </span><span style="background: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">I have so much to tell you as I haven’t written
for a few days, I decided I needed a break Sorry and grateful thanks to those
of you who worried about me!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">I am starting with something wonderful with the
prayer that I will have other hopeful stories for you today. At a time when too
many people are scared and hiding their Jewish identity, dear friends, the
Isaacs family in London, celebrated Chanukah in Tami’s bakery right on a main
road in Hampstead, by lighting their Chanukiot (Chanukah candlesticks) for the
whole world to see through the shopfront. I’m so proud of them and of the Karma
bakery. Incredibly some of the Chanukiot were actually challot (bread) in the
shape of the traditional 9 armed lamp.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Another fascinating story for Chanukah is that
each night Zvi and I light the Chanukiah which was made out of spent bullet
casings for his father, Kalman, by one of his soldiers after the War of
Independence in 1948. Each candle holds a blessing that finally, our war of
independence, of recognition, will finally end.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Miluimnikim!</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"> OK it’s
quite a difficult word mil-oo-im-nik-im, meaning reservists in the IDF. Men and
women who have served their allotted time in the IDF but then volunteer to
serve in times of need. As I think I told you 120% of possible miluimnikim
immediately volunteered after 7/10 amounting to some 350,000 reservists. Thanks
to the efforts of the amazing “Achim le neshek” or Brothers in Arms, and many
other incredible organisations, they are well equipped and some people, some
exceptional people even fly to Israel and bring suitcases full of warm coats
for the soldiers who have not been home in over a month. One such person is
Carmel Sarano, who happens to </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">be a family member, and she is a non-stop proponent for Israel. So proud
of her and she gave me permission to tell you about it, as humble as she is. Her
Instagram account is <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blossom_adorable/">https://www.instagram.com/blossom_adorable/</a>
and she posts very important material every day.</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Back to the
miliumnikim</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">. The vast
majority are family men and women with small children, businesses, offices,
which they leave behind to save our country and by the way, to save you too!
The enemy is not just here, not just over our borders (and some within). The
enemy is winning the battle for our youngsters, for the next generation of
leaders and it does not bode well for the future of the West unless someone
wakes up. It is all very nice to claim that the sight of half naked Hamas
operatives handing over their weapons does not make good propaganda, but nobody
complained when the captured Israeli soldiers were stripped naked in captivity.
The AlJazeera claim that the clip of the rather plump man handing over weapons
was staged was disproven by (surprisingly) the BBC fact checkers who said it
was genuine. Actually, the claims that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gazans are starving was disproved by the size of the captive Hamasniks….or
it proves that if you are a member of Hamas you get food if not you starve. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sorry I got
sidetracked again</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, the
miluimnikim are brave, seasoned soldiers and sadly giving their lives to save
Israel. So many young widows and orphans it is ghastly. Each morning and
evening on the news, we are given the names and photographs of the fallen, thousands
go to the funerals of our heroes and at each funeral friends and family members
give a “hesped” or eulogy. It is heartbreaking as they speak through their
tears. The bravery of those left behind amaze me.</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The ethos of
the IDF</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> is that it
is led into battle by its officers and this week we saw a former Chief of Staff
and Member of the war cabinet suffer the loss of his son and his nephew within
days of each other. Gadi Eizenkot and is wife Hannah lost their son Gal
fighting in Gaza and within two days came the news that his nephew Maor had
also fallen in battle. As he spoke of his son, Gadi Eizenkot, the man, allowed
the tears to fall freely.</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The hostages</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> who have returned home
are talking<b>. Stephen Spielberg</b> is recording their testimonies which tell
of the horrors of their captivity, the conditions, the lack of food, of being
held in dank, dark places and of beatings, rapes and worse, the constant
determination to scare the living daylights out of the children. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This article in the Wall Street Journal is
honest, terrifying and describes the insanity of <b>October 7<sup>th</sup></b>.
I believe you should read it and then ask yourselves why all the women’s
organisations, literally ALL the women’s organisations have said nothing, done
nothing, as if heard nothing, like the three wise monkeys <a href="https://wallstreetjournal-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=07c3acd6f_134ae4d">https://wallstreetjournal-ny.newsmemory.com/?publink=07c3acd6f_134ae4d</a>
</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To understand
Israeli society</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, just look
at the actions of the families of those who have returned and their continued
and loyal support of the families of those who are still in captivity, for whose
health and wellbeing we are deeply concerned. In fact, Hostage Square beside
the Tel Aviv Museum, is packed every day with volunteers and visitors who want
to show their loyalty to the families; the hospital beds of the injured are
surrounded by well wishers and people who bring home made delicacies for the
families; young men, amputees, are determined to get well enough to go back and
join their comrades in arms; this is a different society from anything you have
ever known. Of course, it’s easy to say, “stop the war, stop fighting, give
Hamas what they want and then they’ll return the hostages. We did that with
Gilad Shalit and the result was October 7<sup>th</sup>.</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">During the <b>Congressional
hearings</b> Senator Hawley questioned Secretary of Homeland Security Mayorkas
about the possibility of deporting pro-Hamas students on student visas and the
incredible revelation that one of his immigration officers posted River to the
Sea and death to Israelis on her web pages but is still employed by Homeland
Security. The responses of Mayorkas are of the same standard as the University Presidents
</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><a href="https://youtu.be/qD4PjPnxeas?si=UfySGHeBf4Ne4cXS" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc;">https://youtu.be/qD4PjPnxeas?<wbr></wbr>si=UfySGHeBf4Ne4cXS</span></a>
On the subject of University Presidents, apart from the resignation of one, at
least one University has had the courage to do something.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>Changing tack once again</b>,
are you aware of the fighting in the North of Israel, that missiles are
launched on Israeli towns and that entire communities are now evacuees? The </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Timeline
is fascinating, so different to Gaza. Remember that Beirut was once known as
the Pearl of the Middle East, with thriving tourism and economy. What happened?
1. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Black
September after Arafat’s attempted coup against King <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hussein of Jordan 2. Hussein killed some 10k
Palestinians (remember Jordan is also Palestine) 3. Syria refused to take them
and pushed them into Lebanon 4. Lebanese war, basically Christian against Moslem,
Christians fought with Israel, South Lebanese Army who then wrought revenge on
the Palestinians in Sabra and Shatilla, then fled to Israel where they live
until today 5. America and Israel left; Iran came in 6. Hezb-Allah, Iran’s
proxy, basically took over, Christians lost control and Lebanon fell into utter
disarray. Why this pincer attack? Very simple. Add two and two and it brings us
right back to Iran and her proxies Hezb-Allah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Houthi,
and their purpose is to dispose of the little Satan and move on to the big
Satan, which is the Goldener Medinah taking in Europe on the way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Beauty and bravery</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> in the face of Hamas inhumanity. Young
survivors of October 7<sup>th</sup> put on a fashion show, here we see b</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">rave
survivors of <span data-track-module="internal-body-link">the ruthless
October 7<sup>th</sup> massacre to model dresses inspired by the brutal
atrocities. Each model who took to the catwalk was either a survivor who
witnessed the massacre, or had lost a loved one. <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12851169/Beauty-bravery-face-Hamas-terror-Survivors-October-7-massacre-extraordinary-fashion-outfits-including-wedding-dress-bullet-hole-worn-model-fiance-died-trying-save-lives.html">https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12851169/Beauty-bravery-face-Hamas-terror-Survivors-October-7-massacre-extraordinary-fashion-outfits-including-wedding-dress-bullet-hole-worn-model-fiance-died-trying-save-lives.html</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Since I know that the current situation confuses me I can’t imagine
how confused children are! If you wonder how to explain to your children, this
video by <b>Eytan Chitayat</b> does the job beautifully without scaring them. <a href="https://youtu.be/NKVpq3OGn9Q?si=wGIq5_h4S3ILCW69">https://youtu.be/NKVpq3OGn9Q?si=wGIq5_h4S3ILCW69</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">OK,
history lesson over</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">!
I just went out to get some more wool to knit hats for soldiers. Actually, I am
cheating, my granddaughters loved my knitting so much that I made them one hat
each in a lovely light grey and then Yosef wanted one too, so he’s next, then I’ll
go back to knitting for soldiers to keep their heads warm under their helmets.
Obviously it’s cold up on the Golan but it’s also getting cold at night in
Gaza, anyway, anything we can do to make their lives a bit easier. I just came
back from buying some more wool at the Hobby shop just five minutes from home
and I saw at least five young fathers, in full uniform, collecting their
children from school and kindergarten. Those young fathers are, of course,
miluimnikim, reservists, young fathers, husbands, professionals and artisans, who
have come home from the front for a few hours and going back to who knows what.
It is very much part of our lives and yet, and yet, Zvi and I have been with
friends almost every night this week. Chanukah parties, performances, dinner
parties, all accompanied by the lighting of the Chanukah lights. Two nights ago
we were at our friends Sima and Uri with the choir and each of us held a candle
and the person next to us gave us a blessing. The candle lighting included an
additional prayer to bring home the hostages and our boys and girls of the IDF.
Yes, our very being is absorbed in this battle for our survival.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
an hour or so I’m going to my mind and movement class and then tomorrow I will
go to meet a friend for coffee and in the evening we are going to dinner at the
Dagans. The determination to have a normal life in a surreal situation is
paramount. Zvi goes to his rehearsals with both choirs, we try to get to the
Habad sandwich making once a week and hopefully Zvi will manage to go to the
South to pick fruit and vegetables on the kibbutzim. Me, I write to you and try
to help our wonderful CEO at Impact-se.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As
you know I am a great big softie and this song brought me to tears, and I’ve
listened to it many times! Shulem Lemel and Andrea Boccelli. When they do a
duet it is heavenly. Fall on Me <a href="https://youtu.be/bZDyaIKoSHU?si=X-l2tz1ghtdPIexJ">https://youtu.be/bZDyaIKoSHU?si=X-l2tz1ghtdPIexJ</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jonny
Turgel sang Acheinu, Our Brothers (and Sisters) to the background of the huge
pro-Israel rally in London. I chose this because it shows that we do not back
down. <a href="https://youtu.be/66FU0U9ukag?si=6qnGKpYIJic-d406">https://youtu.be/66FU0U9ukag?si=6qnGKpYIJic-d406</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
believe that’s it for today. Don’t be upset if I don’t write every day, I
promise to keep you informed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
you light your Chanukah candles or open the window of the Advent Calendar, I
want you to add a prayer, please. Pray for the release of the 137 hostages
still held in inhuman conditions, children, men women, elderly, pray for their
return home so that we can hold and support them through their ordeal. Pray for
the soldiers, every one of them, pray that they return home to their families.
Pray that there will be no more orphans.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
the words of Isaiah. “</span><span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
that we may walk the paths of the Almighty. And we shall beat our swords into
ploughshares, and our spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword
against nation—neither shall they learn war any more.</span>” <b>NEITHER SHALL
THEY LEARN WAR ANY MORE</b> – That is what my work and the work of Impact-se is
all about.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Sending love<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Sheila</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-26312932779028810742023-12-07T17:47:00.003+02:002023-12-07T17:47:28.407+02:00The Crucible<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">7<sup>th</sup> December 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shabbat Shalom and Chanukah Sameach.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Tonight, we light the first candle of Chanukah, the commemoration
of the victory over the evil of those who desecrated the Temple. We fought back,
thanks to the bravery of a family who lived near Jerusalem and decided that
they did not have to sit back and take it, they fought back and we are here to
prove it. The symbol of one container of oil in the lamp that lasted for eight
days is just that a highly symbolic story but one that lights our lives. The
revolt against the Hellenists, the Greeks, who denied us all our traditions and
laws. They didn’t beat us they just banned circumcision, Shabbat, prayer,
kosher meat… in other words they stopped us being Jewish! Judah Maccabi was
born in a place now called Maccabim-Reut, a beautiful town still populated by
Jews because one man and his entire family fought for the right to be Jews.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Had anyone told me</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"> that the outcome of the horrific attacks of October 7th
would be a resurgence of anti-Semitism such as the world has not seen since
1936, I might not have believed you or I would have said that I wrote about it
years ago and was shouted down. However, here we are; elite universities in the
USA are not only allowing but encouraging anti-Semitic attacks both verbal and
physical. The melting pot has become a crucible of hate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I have an ongoing discussion</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> with a friend as to the difference between
free speech and freedom of speech; freedom of speech allows one to speak out
but within the limitations of both good behaviour and the law, free speech is a
free for all without any consideration of consequences. Here is one small
example of a Congressional debate on the current wave of hatred toward Jewish
students on the Elite campuses of MIT, Harvard and Penn. There were many more
instances during this session but I chose this one which shows the inanity of
the woke responses of those representing high academia </span><a href="https://youtu.be/pRRDr1Q4KfE?si=IK6FErcmdcSkblvG" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">https://youtu.be/pRRDr1Q4KfE?si=IK6FErcmdcSkblvG</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I am furious</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> that I am worrying about the safety of my
family and friends in the USA, indeed in most Western countries, instead of our
soldiers in the IDF who are defending Western society at this very moment and
the returning hostages whose stories give us sleepless nights. I don’t know if
you are aware of the atrocities of Hamas, under strict instructions from Sinwar
but let it be said that identification of the bodies of women and girls killed
on that day could not be carried out by family members because their faces were
disfigured by torture. I won’t go into further detail but please read this
article written with tears </span><a href="https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-776654"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-776654</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Lucy Aharish</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> is an Israeli journalist and broadcaster,
probably the most representative Israeli possible. She grew up in Dimona, was
the only Moslem in school, dressed as Queen Esther on Purim and wore blue and
white on Yom HaAtzmaut. She is a proud Moslem who married a Jew and is a wonderful
proponent for the Jewish state. As a journalist she interviewed a Hamas leader
and accused him even then of atrocities. Her monologue, recorded in her home,
is well worth five minutes of your time. </span><a href="https://youtu.be/j2L-L1G6c04?si=N6v_1XoBszPcGQ-Z" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">https://youtu.be/j2L-L1G6c04?si=N6v_1XoBszPcGQ-Z</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Something rather wond</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">erful happened to one little
Irish/Israeli 9 year old for whose release we all prayed for. <b>Emily Hand</b>,
whose father’s plea when he discovered that she was captured and not dead as
first reported and who incidentally still speaks in a whisper singe her abduction,
has always loved Beyonce. When Beyonce heard Emily’s story, she immediately
invited her to a concert “anywhere in the world that she chooses”. There are
still good people out there in the big wide world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I won’t apologise for having given you so many links, something
that I usually avoid, but please, each and every one is essential so open them,
listen and learn. I did.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Last Friday</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> I went down into the village to a friend’s
house. Tami had invited the wonderful women from my mind and movement group for
brunch, each of us contributing something to the feast. Each and every one of
us commented on how important being together has become since October the 7<sup>th</sup>
and this group of women of varied ages is exceptional. I haven’t decided if
it’s the movement class or the type of person who goes to the movement class
that made us all such good listeners.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">On Friday evening we went to our friends Tsiona and Yorai for
Friday night Shabbat Dinner. Yorai made a lovely kiddush and we sat and talked
about the situation, the world and the importance, yet again, of friendship
over a delicious meal. On Shabbat we went to Amiad and Noga’s for lunch, always
a treat and we came home in time for me to light a memorial candle for my son
Daniel z”l who brought so much light into the world just by entering a room. On
Sunday morning, on a rainy day in London, a group of very close friends met for
the morning service in honour of the anniversary of Daniel’s passing. Gideon
and Stephanie, as is their wont, laid on a feast for after the prayers and my
children’s father, Philip, did the prayers. I can never get used to the fact
that Gideon has to say the Kaddish prayer, although Rachel and I said the
prayer alongside him here in Israel. Many thanks to Daniella and Barbara I was
able to take part through the wonders of modern technology.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">On Monday Zvi and I were back to sandwich making in Habad with Nancy
Bloomfield who found it as enjoyable as we do, especially on the tuna
production line! Sadly, at the end of the morning the local Habad Rabbi called
us together to say special prayers for another fallen soldier from the
neighborhood. From Habad Nancy and I headed to Shalva where we met with the
wonderful Gaby who showed Nancy around. It’s so hard to describe Shalva to
those who have only ever known institutions for special needs children. Shalva
is a joyful, bright, sunny, happy place and Nancy was just blown away by the
work and play of Shalva. In sharp contrast to the sadness of the fallen soldier
Shalva was full of joy at the return from Gaza of Ofir Engel the son of the
Director of Sport at Shalva Yoav Engel. The young people of Shalva rushed to
tell us of the good news. One aspect of the returning hostages, young and old
alike, is their concern for those still in captivity. Last Shabbat, on our
visit to the Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, we were struck by the deep love shown
to the families of the hostages both by others and for each other, equally for
those still waiting anxiously for news and those whose loved ones are already
home. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Tonight, Zvi and the Jerusalem Symphony Choir are performing in the
Khan Theatre. </span><span style="color: #040c28; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">The Khan was built on the ruins of an ancient inn from the
Crusader period</span><span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">. It served caravan travellers who arrived in
Jerusalem after nightfall when the gates of the Old City were locked. In later
years, the building housed a beer-cellar and a carpentry workshop.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">
Today it is a thriving theatre with its own troupe. First Zvi will light the
first candle of the Chanukiah in the beautiful courtyard. A Chanukiah is quite
different to the Menorah. The Menorah, the symbol of Israel, has 7 arms whereas
the Chanukiah has 9; 8 to represent the 8 days that the oil lasted and one for
the Shamash, or servant light. After the candle lighting and the inevitable
sufganiyot, or doughnuts, we will all go inside to the theatre for the
performance. Tonight’s performance is both for and in aid of the evacuees from
the north and south of Israel and members of the Khan. I’m very excited and as
you can imagine so is Zvi!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I thank heaven every day that our lives are so full, our days so
busy and our determination to give back unshakeable. Despite our concerns, our distress, our deep
worries for our boys and girls fighting a terrible enemy, we find time to sing
and even to dance, both of which soothe our soul and ease our pain .<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">You all remember Bohemian Rhapsody, well now we have Chanukian
Rhapsody!!! The story of Chanuka! </span><a href="https://youtu.be/9P30ckBf1wk?si=KJB6Lntj7YzMb_2s"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">https://youtu.be/9P30ckBf1wk?si=KJB6Lntj7YzMb_2s</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Hanerot Hallalu, these lights, is the traditional song before
lighting the first candle and thereafter for eight days. It too tells an
important story of how the 8 candles represent the bravery and heroism of those
in each generation that ensure our survival. </span><a href="https://youtu.be/w7F4ynFgydQ?si=zdnNfD2-n1MwF2Pm"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">https://youtu.be/w7F4ynFgydQ?si=zdnNfD2-n1MwF2Pm</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A repeat, I know, but so important. Koolulam and Bring Them Home
NOW! Koolulam brings us all together in song, irrespective of creed, colour or
place. We must be strong and let our
voices ring out. </span><a href="https://youtu.be/6y2laYXcBdU?si=Qb0zCS_meW082gyH"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">https://youtu.be/6y2laYXcBdU?si=Qb0zCS_meW082gyH</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I wish you light, be it through our Shabbat Candles or our Chanukah
candles, a light that may just bring light to an ever darkening world. I wish
you the strength to stand up to bullies, the belief that good always wins over
evil and the love to bring us together as one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shabbat Shalom and much love from Jerusalem and our home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sheila<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span> </p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-30834017706003956442023-12-01T14:36:00.003+02:002023-12-01T14:36:46.195+02:00Day 55<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">1<sup>st</sup> December 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shabbat Shalom to you and to all your family.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The extended ceasefire is over</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">. It was due to
end at 07:00 this morning but before that hour rockets were fired at Israel and
the decision was taken for troops to re-enter Gaza. The hope of soldiers being
home for Shabbat was shattered along with the hope for further hostage
releases. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit stated on Friday morning that "Hamas
violated the agreement and additionally fired toward Israeli territory.
The <a href="https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/gaza-news/article-775101" target="_blank">IDF has renewed combat</a> with the Hamas terrorist
organization in the Gaza Strip." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Senator Marco Rubio </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">of Florida was approached by a “woke”
woman asking if he will call for a cease fire in Gaza. “No I won’t because Hamas
has to be wiped out” watch this please. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0SG9t8tcGy/?igshid=NGEwZGU0MjU5Mw%3D%3D">https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0SG9t8tcGy/?igshid=NGEwZGU0MjU5Mw%3D%3D</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yesterday morning,</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> Thursday, we woke to a telephone
call from Rachel. In Israel if someone calls at 07:40 you can be sure it isn’t
good news. I turned on the television news only to find that in addition to the
stories told by released hostages and the pain of the families of those still
in Gaza, there had been a terrorist attack. I checked back with Rachel as to
where she was and thank heaven she was nowhere near the site of the attack. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Two Jerusalem Arabs</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> had driven their car beside the “trampiada”,
the main bus stop and hitchhiking spot as one leaves the main road of Jerusalem,
jumped out of their car with an M16 assault rifle and pistol and shot anyone
they could see at the bus stop. 3 people died instantly and several were
injured. succumbed to his wounds later. According to the security forces, both
men had become members of Hamas. They lived in Tsur Bacher, an Arab neighborhood
of Jerusalem, and were Israeli citizens. Hamas is a cancer, and I use that word
with great caution, not a cancer that can be cut out and treated but one that
has metastacised throughout the Palestinian society and slowly, slowly
throughout the world. It is ISIS. It is Al Qaeeda. It is a danger to all. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A tragic story has accompanied the attack. Yuval Castleman, a young
lawyer from Mevasseret, was driving into Jerusalem when he saw what was
happening. Without a second thought he jumped out of his car and ran across the
road, went down on one knee and shot the terrorists. As he stood up two
soldiers mistook him for a third terrorist and shot him. He shouted don’t
shoot, don’t shoot in Hebrew but they continued and he succumbed to his wounds.
Tragically today would have been his birthday.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The United States and Israel</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> are talking of removing Hamas from
Gaza, but where would one send them? I have repeated over and over again the
simple fact that when the children of any society are taught to hate they will
grow up to kill. We must change the paradigm as Impact-se has already done in
so many of the countries in the MENA region. So far, the PA had objected to any
change to the extent that we are number one on their hate list, literally! Many
European countries are already withholding their aid to UNWRA and Palestinian
education until they allow us to change their curriculum.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As I’m sure you understand</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, we watch the releases of hostages
in rapt attention, looking for their expressions for the forced smiles, the pretence
of kindness by their captors and the relief on the faces of the Red Cross
workers as they are handed over. My last missive gave an account of the pain
and distress of returning children and yesterday, the first two of what should have
been many hostages gave a clear sense of what they had suffered. Two young
women, both so full of life when kidnapped, returned scared, terribly thin and
pale, unable to force an expression, not even of relief. One can only imagine
what Mia Schemm and Amit Soussana suffered. Among the further 6 hostages
released were Aisha and Bilal Zaidna, two of the three Bedouin siblings taken
on October 7<sup>th</sup>. <a href="https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bk8hqyis6">https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bk8hqyis6</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Prof. Henry Kissinger</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, the legendary Secretary of State
and National Security Advisor under both Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, he of
the gravelly voice and strong German accent, passed away at the age of 100 on November
29<sup>th</sup>. Born in Furth in Germany he reached the heights of American
intellectual society, became an international figure on the issue of Middle
Eastern Affairs and was outspoken on Israel. A most controversial diplomat he
was both hawk and dove who was involved in the bombing of Cambodia yet part of
the end of the Vietnam War.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Everything that is sacred</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> to Western society, especially
anything related to Christianity, tradition, Christmas the celebration of the
birth of a baby who was to create a faith with high moral standards proving
that Jews lived here 2,000 years ago, everything is subject to disorder. Why
the preamble? Everything sacred is being destroyed and contaminated by the
hatred elicited by the belief that Israel is the enemy and Hamas is the
underdog. Last evening the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree in
Rockefeller Center was disrupted by “Free Palestine” louts. </span><a href="https://youtu.be/_qhDOdU817s?si=Oe1TayXHRwqdwWQ_" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">https://youtu.be/_qhDOdU817s?<wbr></wbr>si=Oe1TayXHRwqdwWQ_</span></a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Rabbi Jeremy Rosen</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> has lived in many parts of the
world, but for the last 30 years has lived in New York City where he thought it
would be safe to live as a Jew. He was aware of the anti-Semitic undercurrent
in the UK where it was not overt but present, but never expected to find it in
NYC. When he saw and heard the anti-Israel signs and the overt anti-Semitism it
hurt, as it has for so many Jews in that wonderful City. Please read his
writings on the subject. <a href="https://jeremyrosen.com/2023/11/elegy-for-new-york.html">https://jeremyrosen.com/2023/11/elegy-for-new-york.html</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jeremy Rosen was my childhood friend, along with younger brother
Mickey z”l. As life went on, he became the beloved headmaster of my elder son
Daniel in Carmel College and four years ago he became our family’s support when
Daniel died in a tragic accident in Central Park. I cannot believe that four
years have passed, four years without my morning call as Daniel walked across
Central Park to his work as a paediatrician and teacher in Mount Sinai Hospital
and Uptown Pediatrics. Daniel was a very special person, brilliant, gentle,
funny, kind and everyone who met him fell under the magic of his special
personality. He engendered loyalty in his friends, a loyalty which he fully returned
and it is those amazing friends who keep his memory alive through their
continued love. His patients and their parents still talk about him, write
about him, express their love for him and in some small way it helps. As a
family we mourn but never dwell, he would have been very cross if we had. On
Saturday evening I will light a memorial candle to my son and on Sunday, I will
go to Shalva, to visit the studio for the performing arts, the music therapy room
that we created in Daniel’s name in that truly magnificent centre. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://give.shalva.org/daniel">https://give.shalva.org/daniel</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This morning I was invited to friends in the village, a lovely
girly morning of new friends from our “Thought and Movement” class, comforting
each other at the constant salvo of psychological traumas from the evil
brilliance of Hamas. Friendship has become more and more important as a support
system. It was amazing. Great food, spinach shakshuka and gorgeous fresh
salads, in a marvellous house, beautiful patio overlooking the vineyards and reservoir
of Beit Zayit. The steps to get there were a challenge but so very well worth
it as we sat in the sun talking about what was important to each one of us, our
families. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This evening we are invited to
more friends for Shabbat dinner. The need for friendly contact has become
essential to our wellbeing, to our ability to cope with a world that has gone
mad.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">With the renewed fighting, yet again instigated by Hamas, we fear
for the lives of the remaining hostages but sadly, have been presented with no
alternative. The attempt at a pincer warfare with Hezb-Allah in the north and
Hamas in the South does not bode well for a quiet Shabbat but we will win, fear
not. The cost is high but we have no choice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">HaGivatron from Kibbutz Geva, probably the most famous of all Israeli
choirs, with a song about the Negev, that it is not the same Negev, but that
the sun will shine once again. Watch it through, it is amazing. <a href="https://youtu.be/JfTMfW6GGU0?si=uAIiA01WKoqGj7vq">https://youtu.be/JfTMfW6GGU0?si=uAIiA01WKoqGj7vq</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Many have recorded Bring Them Home, each beautiful. This particular
rendition is by Shmuel Lemmer and his audience, each carrying the photograph of
a hostage, is made up of Holocaust Survivors.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><a href="https://youtu.be/1IiqIDCYZRs?si=Rlac2Vmtu7G1M1P3">https://youtu.be/1IiqIDCYZRs?si=Rlac2Vmtu7G1M1P3</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I wish you a Shabbat Shalom, a weekend of quiet and thoughtfulness.
Be proud of who you are, of how you pray, of what you are part of, because only
then can we be sure of winning this battle for our way of life. With love and
appreciation of each and every one of you. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sheila<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-15498533881708839792023-11-29T22:30:00.003+02:002023-11-29T22:30:33.205+02:00For the Children<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">29<sup>th</sup> November 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shalom dear friends. Shalom<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I hope you don’t think that I had abandoned you for the last few
days, but the strange mixture of elation at the return of hostages, sadness for
the families of those still in captivity and horror at the stories that are
slowly coming out, stories of beating of children, of forcing children to watch
the horror of October 7<sup>th</sup> on video, of them being kept in cages, being
moved from pillar to post under threat of more beatings if they made a sound. Little
Emily Hand is still talking in whispers, even with her father, for fear of
punishment. Hamas even kidnapped the bodies of three dead soldiers knowing full
well that we will do all we can to return them for burial. All of the hostages
were found to be undernourished with terrible rashes probably caused by the
fact that they were not allowed to wash or change clothes for the two months of
captivity. One of the Israeli children was held in dire conditions in the attic
of an UNWRA teacher, the father of 10 children! Another by a doctor who
continued to tend children in hospital but kept the Israeli child locked up
without food.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The huge theatricals of the Hamas handover, with multiple new
ambulances on standby, was definitely out of Pallywood, much more than meet the
eye. For instance, when one elderly lady was being helped down from the Hamas
vehicle to be handed over to the Red Cross, the ear of one very clever
Australian friend, Stanley Roth, caught the words “Keep waving” to which she
complied. Hamas supporters have been storming the vehicles, banging in the sides
causing even greater trauma to the hostages inside.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Not only Jews were kidnapped. One Bedouin family lost one member
and four others were kidnapped while yet another used his minibus to save the
lives of dozens of Israeli youngsters. Yosef Zaidna has been sent photographs of
his children stripped to the waist with guns pointed at them. Despite the
requests of the Israeli government he has no idea where his children are.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Why? Why the hatred? I know that generations of Gazans have been
inculcated with hate education, as I explained and we at Impact-se have proven
it time and again, but there is so much more. What gives an entire people the
right to torture, to kill, rape, decapitate? While searching for an answer I
came upon this quote from Mark Twain, Samuel Clemens, which fascinated me by its
accuracy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">On the Jews<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"If the statistics are right, the Jews constitute but one
quarter of one percent of the human race. It suggests a nebulous puff of
star dust lost in the blaze of the Milky Way. Properly, the Jew ought
hardly to be heard of, but he is heard of, has always been heard of. He
is as prominent on the planet as any other people, and his importance is
extravagantly out of proportion to the smallness of his bulk.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">His contributions to the world’s list of great names in literature,
science, art, music, finance, medicine and abstruse learning are also very out
of proportion to the weakness of his numbers. He has made a marvelous
fight in this world in all ages; and has done it with his hands tied behind
him. He could be vain of himself and be excused for it. The Egyptians,
the Babylonians and the Persians rose, filled the planet with sound and
splendor, then faded to dream-stuff and passed away; the Greeks and Romans followed
and made a vast noise, and they were gone; other people have sprung up and held
their torch high for a time but it burned out, and they sit in twilight now,
and have vanished.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Jew saw them all, survived them all, and is now what he always
was, exhibiting no decadence, no infirmities of age, no weakening of his parts,
no slowing of his energies, no dulling of his alert but aggressive mind.
All things are mortal but the Jews; all other forces pass, but he
remains. What is the secret of his immortality? "<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Indeed, what is our secret and what induces such hatred, especially
among the young. In Mark Twain’s own home land the universities have become
crucibles of hate, of racism which have reached such a point that the Deans of
MIT and Harvard have been called before a Congressional Committee and Berkley
and NYU have been sued.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Highly detailed plans for the elimination of Yahya Sinwar,
architect of October 7<sup>th</sup> and so much more, were presented to
Netanyahu by three subsequent heads of the Israeli Secret Services and each
time he stopped them. I cannot say more, but the inadequacies and errors compound.
<a href="https://m.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/gaza-news/article-775527" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc;">https://m.jpost.com/arab-<wbr></wbr>israeli-conflict/gaza-news/<wbr></wbr>article-775527</span></a>
Even Sinwar’s own son says he must be eliminated and the sooner the better.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Enough doom and gloom I am in a terrible mood since Hamas announced
that those two incredibly beautiful little red headed babies, the Bibas family,
who captured our hearts as they were captured in their Mother’s arms to an
unknown fate in Gaza. Apparently taken from captivity by a Gazan doctor and
taken to his home where Hamas claims they were killed. The IDF spokesman
refuses to accept any such news “In the IDF we do not accept rumours. Every
detail is checked and double checked’ My heart sank as Hamas yet again played
its psychological games.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Today we went to the Habad Centre again to make sandwiches for the
children in Ashkelon, Ashdod and many other towns affected by the war. Israeli
children start school early and the younger children aged 6 to 12 stop for “Aruchat
Eser” the 10 o’clock snack. The sandwich making is very organised. The first stage
is when the bread rolls are cut ready to accept the filling – the exact number
according to the requests of the recipients, and each filling of tuna and
pickles, hummus with cucumber and tomato, chocolate spread and so on. I was on
the tuna table and if I say it myself, I’m pretty efficient. We all wear black
plastic <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hygienic gloves and approximately
one fistful of tuna is right for each roll. The two French ladies next to me
were more interested in talking than sandwich filling but I really got into the
swing of things (after all I was never very good at French) so when I used up
my allotted amount of tuna I went into the kitchen and made up another huge
batch. I loved the variety of volunteers, from schoolgirls to pensioners, men
and women. Zvi chose to be a shlepper this time, ensuring the supplies for the
production lines and taking the prepared sandwiches to the ladies on the rolls
of plastic film to wrap them. A small contribution indeed but an important one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Zvi’s choir has been back singing for the refugees from the north
and the south, refugees in their own country. The choir of the Jerusalem
Symphony recorded a magnificent rendition of “Bring Him Home” which I hope to
send you at the weekend, as soon as it is up on YouTube. We have been ordering
fresh vegetables and fruit grown in the south and brought to our area, without
going through the retail suppliers. The money going straight to the growers. Admittedly,
I’m not sure what to do with the 15 kilos of oranges Zvi brought home but they
last forever! Lots of exercise juicing them!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This evening some new friends came for “tea”. Rachel and Shauli
Yosipon are both very involved in the community and Shauli began a beautiful
mosaic project turning it into a community project, each week adding more and
this week end the final pieces will be placed on the mosaic. Shauli also told us
that he used to work in the sphere of raising milk cows and the fact the
Israel, through Kibbutz Afikim, is the number one producer of special equipment
and the feeding of said cows, all over the world! He took up mosaic after his retirement.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It fascinates me how many ways one can find to be involved. There
is a hat-knitting group, knitting warm hats for soldiers, another making
knitted teddy bears for the refugee children. Every supermarket has a list of
items that soldiers need, from wet-ones, shampoo and toothpaste to specific
snacks so that we can all buy one or two items which will be put in a box ready
for the truck to take it to them. This is a country of volunteers. We may have
an ineffectual government (dystopia or kakistocracy) but my goodness what an
incredible people! Amiad, Zvi’s elder son, and his group, have just delivered
the latest, state of the art helmets for soldiers, ensuring that they are safe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Enough, I hope I have left you with a lighter heart than when I
began. You have certainly helped me!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Am Yisrael Chai – Sung by Eyal Golan. Specially written and
produced for this trying time. <a href="https://youtu.be/2p3rtnQ_7y4?si=MEJl4kEsimILRDoM">https://youtu.be/2p3rtnQ_7y4?si=MEJl4kEsimILRDoM</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“The good days will come because even on the darkest night there is
a small star to light your way”. An entire generation of young Israelis is
singing this song. It has no translation but you can feel the hope. Out of Depression
was written and sung by Yagel Oshri <a href="https://youtu.be/9XIZ_T_vg_E?si=VC53G4TOna1HQAEy">https://youtu.be/9XIZ_T_vg_E?si=VC53G4TOna1HQAEy</a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I send you love, I wish you love, I wish you hope and good health
and above all “Bsorot Tovot” Good news.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sheila<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-15973199880423667212023-11-24T10:37:00.003+02:002023-11-24T10:37:49.377+02:0050 days<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">50 days<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">24<sup>th</sup> November, 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Shabbat Shalom. Let’s hope and pray that this Shabbat at least 13
hostages, the little children and tiny babies, will be sent home to Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The psychological games continue as Hamas reneged on yesterday’s
release and changed it to 16:00 today, just before Shabbat. What is the hold up
this time? As my friend Anne Behar said “They can find 10,000 dead within
minutes but can’t find 25% of the children abducted on the 7<sup>th</sup> of
October.” Hamas refuses to allow the Red Cross to visit the remaining hostages
after the release of the first group.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The IDF has informed the very few that their loved ones are coming
home, but to be prepared for their psychological and physical state. Every
single day, several times a day, soldiers, specially trained soldiers of the
IDF, call the families of the hostages to check on their wellbeing. I cannot
imagine the deep sadness of those whose loved ones are not coming home – yet. The
families have, in their deep sadness, formed a cohesive support group and each
one is happy for the few, but I cannot, as I said, imagine their emotional
state having to wait, yet again; not knowing under what conditions they are being
held.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Ismael Haniya is a billionaire. He is the “Prime Minister” of Gaza
yet lives in opulent luxury Qatar where he is reported to have watched the
horror of October the 7<sup>th </sup> on
Al Jazeera, “prostrating himself in joy” at the scenes. Haniya was sentenced to
life imprisonment in 1989 but released in a prisoner exchange in 1992 since
when he has been one of the masterminds of Hamas. I can never forget the release
of Haniya and over a thousand other terror prisoners as they headed north in
buses; they were released in exchange for the bodies of three Israeli soldiers
Benny Avraham, Adi Avitan and Omar Souad who were abducted from Har Dov, on the
Lebanese border in 2000 and held by Hezb-Allah. We met all three parents, felt
their agony, heard their prayers that their children may still be alive and if
not at least to have a body to bury and sit shiva over. Benny Avraham’s parents
used to come to our home to rest between Knesset visits. Chaim would fall
asleep in the big armchair. He said the it was the only time he was able to
rest. All three boys were dead, but their parents didn’t know that and Chaim
literally died of a broken heart. To understand the irony of Israel’s high moral
standards; in 2002 Ismail Haniya received lifesaving brain surgery in Israel’s
Assaf HaRofeh Medical Centre! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yahya (pronounced Yichyeh) Sinwar, one of the other founders of
Hamas and the mastermind behind the 7<sup>th</sup> of October massacre, was
also released from Israeli jail. He served 22 years of 4 consecutive life
sentences before being released in exchange for Gilad Shalit. The rest is
history. I can remember a sense of doom as the world rejoiced the return of
Gilad Shalit and the then and now Prime Minister Netanyahu greeting him in
triumph. It was a great day for the Shalit family but at what price? Many of
the terror prisoners will go to the Ofer Prison prior to their release,
possibly straight into the West Bank. The Ofer high security prison brings
forth many thoughts for me. My friend Jill, during one of her volunteer stints,
help clear the files and so on of the former IDF controlled prison before it
was turned into a high security, high walled prison under private (not really)
supervision. It is also only a few kilometres from where Rachel lives and right
next to the border control to Ramallah. The proximity to Ramallah is hardly
surprising since Ramallah stretches many kilometres along the border, beside
the Jerusalem Modi’in road.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Many of you have asked me about the work of Impact-se the
organisation which I am proud to act as Chair of the Board. I tend to describe
it in simple terms, because it is complex and very refined work and research by
a small but exceptional team, culminating in reports on tolerance in education,
predominantly in the MENA region, which are then taken to governments around
the world who take major decisions based upon said reports. Clearly, the events
of the 7<sup>th</sup> of October required a rethinking of funding to the PA by governments
of the European Union, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Britain, Australia, the USA,
basically all influential governments who fund the education systems of the
Palestinian Authority and UNWRA. To understand the complexity here is the most
recent report on the hate education of the PA which most of the above are now
defunding based on our reports. It is highly detailed and therefore not short,
but very important. <a href="https://www.impact-se.org/wp-content/uploads/Education-for-Terrorism-in-Palestinian-Schools.pdf">https://www.impact-se.org/wp-content/uploads/Education-for-Terrorism-in-Palestinian-Schools.pdf</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This has been another tense week, but a week in which both Zvi and
I were very busy. Zvi and his choir, Hakol Yachassi, go to the various
Jerusalem hotels to sing to refugees from both the South and the North. Zvi
also goes to rehearsals of his other choir, the Jerusalem Symphony Choir, where
he meets with friends while preparing for their next concert. We both went back
to make sandwiches, as I told you I changed from cheese to tuna and Zvi from
bagging to schlepping! I went to Movement, Art Studio, and of all unusual
things, met with other women in the village library and we all made felt birds!
Really! I know it all sounds flippant, but it is all about interdependent
support, we need each other, even if we don’t mention the sons, daughters and grandchildren
who may well be on the front line in Gaza, we are together, irrespective of
what we do. If it is something that helps the country, the hostages, the IDF or
the refugees, all the better but it is essential to our sanity that we are
together. One of my favourite projects, which I did not take part in, was the
knitting of hats for soldiers. This little village sent hundreds of warm
beanies for soldiers on the Golan where it is already very cold. Of course, my most
important activity is writing to you, telling you about the situation from my
perspective, from Israel’s perspective heads the list. By the way, you often
ask if you can forward my newsletters; of course you can! I prefer them being
forwarded as a whole rather than out-takes but even that is better than nothing!
Don’t forget, the website is </span><a href="http://www.theviewfrommyveranda.info/" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">http://www.theviewfrommyveranda.info/</span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A really funny outcome of this war is apparent in the IDF, all of
the men, at least most of them, have moustaches, lip-rugs! It’s partly because
beards and helmets don’t go together but it has become a real fashion
statement, an emblem of their service against Hamas. From Viva Zapata to
handle-bar they take selfies to prove their devotion to the hairy upper lip! I
can only hope that they will shave them off when the hostages are all home,
safe and – no I cannot even pray for safe and sound, but at least home in the
loving arms of their family, those who still have families.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I want to tell you about one problem that I have, quite apart from
all of the above; my keyboard is slowly fading! Both the Hebrew and the English
letters are disappearing and it’s a very new keyboard! It may sound as if I am
making excuses for my typos, but honestly, if I hadn’t learned to touch-type
many years ago (gosh is it really 60 years ago?) I would be in real trouble. I
must call the supplier but never seem to have time!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Zvi has gone to a neighbour to see the final stages of a big
mosaic, a mosaic made by many people in Motza, as another “therapy” group. It
will take pride of place at the entrance to the village. Hopefully he will come
home with lots of photographs that I can put on Facebook. After the neighbour
he will head of to Jerusalem, to the Botanical Gardens restaurant “Caffit”
where his parliament has a separate room where they meet each Friday lunchtime.
The parliament is made up of Professors, politicians, journalists, civil
servants and a couple of businessmen. It used to be co-ed but the women decided
that we had better things to do on a Friday and many women have their own Friday
parliament.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Tonight, Zvi’s boys and their families will be with us for Friday
night supper. The table is once again extended (it goes from small corner table
to a one that can set up to 20 diners), and I set it yesterday so that I can
write to you, finish the cooking and still get to see Rachel and family before
Shabbat. We will be 14 for Shabbat dinner, not too many, and the pea soup, the
children’s winter favourite, is made, I made a few salads last night and
luckily my stash of food in the freezer will be raided for the main course; bolognaise
for the children and Rachel’s delicious beef for the adults. Roasted sweet potato,
cucumber salad, cabbage and pomegranate salad, a big green salad, oven chips
for the children (they can’t do without them) a tomato salsa salad and anything
else that comes to mind. Dessert is taken care of, Gili and Ella want to make
cakes and I bought profiteroles and yesterday I made a wonderful chocolate
sauce with some almond milk so that it would not be milky! Very exciting!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Since music is so important to our wellbeing, I want to go back to
giving you more than one song. This song by Shlomo Artzi is not new as one sees
from the video of a young and still handsome man, but his words, his music and
his strength have not waned in their power. <a href="https://youtu.be/nrhOtJS3psQ?si=VxR_QMOgG9v4-gaB">https://youtu.be/nrhOtJS3psQ?si=VxR_QMOgG9v4-gaB</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Ayn li Eretz Acheret – I have no other country. The original beautiful
song <a href="https://youtu.be/pyFK0m-OGNo?si=tPk7nyvhsdGB1voD">https://youtu.be/pyFK0m-OGNo?si=tPk7nyvhsdGB1voD</a>
and the real, emotional rendition made after
the 7<sup>th</sup> of October. It may be difficult to watch but so is the truth.
<a href="https://youtu.be/kHkdzTIR1Gk?si=6tMUl-J-wSXklwhg">https://youtu.be/kHkdzTIR1Gk?si=6tMUl-J-wSXklwhg</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As I sit talking to you, I pray, with all my being, that Hamas will
not renege yet again and the 13 hostages will be freed. I pray that the tiny people
will forget the horrors and go on to lice good lives and that those still in
captivity will come home. Amen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I wish you a Shabbat Shalom. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sheila<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span> </p>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-34425560328153733032023-11-22T15:16:00.003+02:002023-11-22T15:16:28.364+02:0022nd November 202322nd November 2023
Shalom dear friends. Last night a decision was made, a painful, almost impossible decision was made by the government to hold a conditional ceasefire and release of convicted terrorists in exchange for about 50 hostages, apparently women and children. It will be a gradual exchange, probably 10 hostages a day.
A list has been of 300 Palestinian detainees who could be released has been announced on Israel’s Justice Ministry website. Most are aged 17 or 18, with the overall age range 14-59. The majority of the detainees - 274 of 300 - are male. Also listed are the offences of the detainees. They include attempted murder, throwing a bomb, creating an explosive or incendiary object, throwing stones, contact with a hostile organisation, grievous bodily harm and arson on nationalist grounds.
The release of the terrorists has many ramifications, if you remember we released well over a thousand convicted terrorists in exchange for Gilad Shalit, also under a Netanyahu Government, including the mastermind of October the 7th Yahya Ibrahim Hassan Sinwar. Sinwar brought hatred, poverty, corruption and cruelty to the people of Gaza and tragedy of huge proportions to the people of Israel. How do we take the decision to release more terrorists? Because there is no option, no choice. Babies and mothers, elderly women and children must come home, and of course the men and boys. Israel is lost if we don’t bring them home.
As President Herzog said: "The reservations are understandable, painful, and difficult, but given the circumstances I back and support the decision of the Prime Minister and the Government to move forward with the deal to release hostages. This is a moral and ethical duty that correctly expresses the Jewish and Israeli value of securing the freedom of those held captive, with the hope that it will be the first step in returning all the hostages home. The State of Israel, the IDF, and all the security forces will continue to act in every way possible to achieve this goal, alongside the restoration of the absolute security of the citizens of Israel."
Finally, after 6 and a half weeks of sheer hell, the Red Cross is going to see the hostages. They will oversee the exchange and will finally give a report on their state of health. One cannot imagine the conditions, whether they have been given medication or whether their wounds have been tended.
Please God tomorrow morning at 10:00 the cease fire will begin, although Hamas often keeps the rockets coming until the last minute. Then, and only then, will we know for sure that some of the hostages will be freed. They will immediately be taken to centres, probably hospitals, where their medical state and their mental state will be assessed. Even small children were under threat of rape so we will not know anything until they are released. Quite frankly I don’t care about the terrorist prisoners. They have been treated well, fed well, their every need watched over by Amnesty and the Red Cross, all of which gives you an example, gives the world an example of the difference between a democratic humane society and a gang of terrorists. We will get them eventually I promise, but first and foremost, we must get those innocents back.
In all the descriptions of the IDF, the honest ones, we are described as a humane army. This video clip shows IDF soldiers encounter with a group of Gazans fleeing South. What you see is soldiers giving them water and the pluga (company) medic who squats down to help a sick child whose mother is worried. https://youtu.be/x_stYYQl6gc?si=K8ODFzivNmneeBgf
Listening to parents, brothers, sisters, partners, children, friends of soldiers lost in battle, hearing their descriptions of their lost loved ones, Zvi and I are overwhelmed by the descriptions of incredible leaders, young men and women who, in civilian life, cared for others, known by all in their communities, excellent students – and we came to understand how exceptional this army is. So many are officers, bearing out the long-believed adage when describing the IDF, “The officers lead their men into battle”
The United Nations Women’s Organisation released a report last week. The report did not mention the specific instructions of the Hamas leadership to rape women and little girls because the women and little girls raped were Israeli. The report expressed concern for the women of Gaza! November 25th is the United Nations International Day for the Prevention of Violence against Women, all women unless they are Jewish. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDm-RX-XSmU
On a very different note, do you remember the video of the Maoris doing a Hakka, well this video really explains why they love Israel and more importantly, how they stopped a pro-Hamas rally with an amazing Hakka for Israel. Here they are in Brisbane. https://youtu.be/kFwLHY5gKBc?si=BWEtczfre_PIGjir
Congressman Brian Mast asking relevant questions of two ladies who thought they understood the situation here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bbEi8PrXZQ
Zvi and I went to the Chabad sandwich filling station again. This time I switched from cheese, cucumber and tomato to tuna and pickle while Zvi went over to the packing station, each bag clearly marked with Hummus, cheese, tuna or chocolate spread. It is so important to feel that you are doing something, even making sandwiches. I came home and taught my friend and neighbour how to knit because our village has a “knit a hat for a soldier” drive. Zvi wasn’t home because he and his choir went to sing at a hotel where many refugees are staying. Israelis are of one heart, irrespective of religion.
60 years ago today a young, handsome President was in his open car in Dallas Texas when a gunman shot him and killed him. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated and the world went into shock. That day, that moment is burned into my brain for a very different reason. Also the death of a young person, my Mother. As my brother Ronnie and I heard the news of the assassination, Dr Grossman came downstairs and gave the bitter news of my Mother’s passing to my father. 60 years ago. So when people ask me if I remember where I was when Kennedy was killed, yes I most certainly do.
I know how much you love Koolulam and today I give you a truly beautiful rendition of Madonna’s Like a Prayer dedicated to the hostages. Sung by people who care, from around the world. https://youtu.be/6y2laYXcBdU?si=0coRafGJ5SSH_suH
I hope and pray that I can write tomorrow and tell you that at least some of the hostages have come out alive and maybe, just maybe, that they are whole.
With love, as always
Sheila
Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009223386944635645.post-21695491538326027762023-11-19T21:46:00.003+02:002023-11-19T21:46:53.878+02:006 Weeks6 Weeks
19th November 2023
Shevua Tov. Which means I wish you a good week, or most certainly a better week.
First and foremost, I am relieved to tell you that the Zaka announcement that they took out 200 bodies was false and if I may say, irresponsible. In the official press conference, we were told that 75 bodies had been taken out from Al Shifa hospital by an IDF team and after initial DNA testing it was found that 70 were Palestinian and 5 Israeli.
On Friday I wrote that I do not believe in free speech, which is not the same as freedom of speech. Well the hatred is spreading. This scene, if in Germany or the UK would have culminated in multiple arrests and a great deal of public anger but when a group of Nazis, carrying Swastika flags, march through Wisconsin, the Mayor, while speaking out against them, suggested the public ignore them because they too have the right to free speech. You think I am making it up? https://www.wisn.com/article/neo-nazi-group-marches-through-wisconsin-state-capitol/45882415#
The acceptance of Hamas in many US universities is reminiscent of 1933 when the fact that German universities had purged their Jewish faculty members and hosted book-burnings did not deter friendly overtures from schools such as Harvard, Columbia, and MIT. In 1933, MIT president Karl Compton pressured Jewish students to refrain from sending a protest message to Adolf Hitler over the persecution of Jews in Germany. In 1937, Compton sent an MIT representative to participate in the bicentennial celebration of the Nazi-controlled University of Gottingen. Sad to say nothing is new under the sun. MIT students were among the first to cheer the Hamas pogrom. On October 8 – while over 1,200 dead bodies still lay strewn throughout towns in southern Israel – the MIT Coalition Against Apartheid declared that it “hold[s] the Israeli regime responsible for all unfolding violence.” The statement endorsed the right of the pogromists “to resist oppression,” that is, to slaughter the Jewish infants who, apparently, were oppressing them.
Israelis, indeed Jews and Christians all over the world have always considered the IDF, Mossad and Shin Bet as infallible and it has been a traumatic realisation that they dropped the ball and over a thousand innocents died. According to an internal report, the lookouts warned, months before the October 7th attack, that they had seen unusual training and other actions taking place next to the border, with more and more people suddenly getting near the fence. They felt that their warnings were being ignored so one decided to go directly to a senior commander in the area and was told "I don't want to hear again about this nonsense. If you all bother us again with these things, you'll be court-martialed." It would seem that it was not only the government that failed to heed warnings.
We cannot undo what has been done, we can only try to bring as many hostages as possible back home to their families. There is talk that with the arbitration of Qatar and the USA there might be a deal on the table for an exchange of hostages, although one cannot rely upon Hamas to adhere to any deal, unless under threat from its financiers. The outside pressure must be absolute with clear consequences for violation of any agreement.
In the midst of national trauma and distress, something good has happened. We all, virtually all, have come to understand that all the divisions, the split in our society that emanated from a cruel strategy within this government, have all but disappeared. The togetherness that always typified our society is returning. As we hear the names of the soldiers lost in battle an entire society understands through the pain of loss it is irrelevant where one’s family was born or in which direction you pray, but rather where they are today – Israeli through and through.
Talking of Israeli through and through, I am so proud of my husband, you know him well, Zvi, Zvi Raviv. Yesterday, together with Valeri and Sheli Silver and thousands of others, Zvi joined the marchers, the families of hostages and their supporters on their march from Tel Aviv to the Knesset, and he walked over 11 kilometres from Hemed Bridge to the Calatrava Bridge at the entrance of Jerusalem. He did not allow himself to give in because of his age, he literally kept right on to the end of the road. Why? Because that’s what we do, we support each other in times of need. We go to the funerals of people we don’t know because perhaps they won’t have a quorum, and then find that thousands attend the funeral of each and every one lost to this war we didn’t want.
I had never heard of Eitan Chitayat, probably because I am 77 and not 25 any more. This podcast of his is worth every second of our listening time. Despite the title it is very calm, accurate and speaks of the way every Israeli, every Jew feels right now. Please, please take the time. https://youtu.be/TS4vQr5BZLg?si=ad9Khw1tD4Ewk9XU
I left you for a few minutes to watch the press briefing by the IDF spokesman Daniel Agari. The CCTV cameras inside Al Shifa hospital show clearly that after the massacre of October 7th hostages were brought into the hospital, some bound some severely injured. There is a clear video of kidnapped Thai and Nepalese men. The IDF found vehicles used to take the Hamas terrorists into Israel and a stolen IDF Jeep. This and other proof that the hostages were brought through the hospital has been presented to the necessary international authorities as absolute proof (as if needed) that Hamas committed war crimes. They hid behind a hospital full of patients, hid essential medication and dug a spider’s web of tunnels, using the hospital as a cover. In addition, the Hamas claim that captured Israeli soldier Noa Marciano, whose body was brought back for burial, was killed by IDF fire was a lie. Pathology has shown that while she was slightly injured when her captor was killed, she was then killed by a member of Hamas. Lies, lies and more lies. Goebbels got it right when he said that if you repeat a lie often enough it becomes the truth. Hopefully I will have a link to the press briefing by tomorrow.
This has been a strange missive, jumping from sad to positive and back to disbelief but I suppose that is life in Israel in a nutshell.
Netta Barzilai as you have never seen or heard her. No tricks, no weird clothes, just a young woman singing acapella of her longing for the love of her life who is lost, lost https://youtu.be/8OkP8Xn10iY?si=q8xYYPzsx1HzrAOL
Sending you love and prayers for your safety in a dangerous and unpredictable world and ours in a fight for our very existence.
Sheila
Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455156881957213662noreply@blogger.com0