Jerusalem Clocks, Adar and the Kinneret

 

28^th March, 2025

30^th Shvat, 5785

1 year, 5 months and 20 days since October 7^th

 

Shabbat Shalom, Chodesh Tov (new month) the month of Adar is almost behind us and Nissan comes in tonight. A holy Eid-l-Fitr

 

If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill; may my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth
If I do not remember you; if I do not consider Jerusalem My highest joy. Psalms 137

 

Some people I met recently forgot the words of the psalm and believe that Jerusalem is the source of the problem rather than the source of jealousy and our enemy’s belief, understanding, that if Jerusalem falls then Israel falls. The government is irrelevant to our enemies, they understand that Jerusalem is the heart of all our prayers, all our hopes and has been for three thousand years. The stones upon which we walk today are the very stones where the words of the psalms were written by King David, thousands of years ago, the stones where Jesus walked, the site of the test of Abraham with Isaac, in other words, the very basis of our two faiths. To refuse to come to Jerusalem is to give in to the existential threats which surround us.

 

In a lighter mood, I forgot that our clocks went forward, or is it back, no forward, and when I looked at my phone and it said 08:00, I leapt out of bed to bring in the newspaper, scan the news, to see what is relevant for you, do the puzzles, then wordle. I then go out onto our veranda, check all the plants, trees and flowers, look at Jerusalem glistening in the distance and here I am. A little late, but with you 100%.

 

As I’m sure your news outlets reported, we are still in a state of political chaos. I am not sure why they ignore the horrific situation in many Asian and African countries, but they seem intent upon demonizing our government in general and Benjamin Netanyahu in particular. I’m no fan of either, as I have expressed in the past, but this concentrated defamation of Israel and the Israeli government is out of all proportion to its importance. As war rages in Ukraine, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Afghanistan and so on, the media seems obsessed with Israel. Our war is defensive and yes, Gazans die, yes life is tough in Gaza, but there are too many lies told, such as Gaza is the densest population, no it isn’t; there is a siege on Gaza, no there isn’t (most African countries would be thrilled to receive that amount of food aid); that Israel started the conflict, well we all know the answer to that one; and worst of all, they all seem to have forgotten the darkest day of Israeli history, October 7^th 2023. There is only one way to change their view, apart from changing their advertisers, that is to write to them! My motto is “If the media does not inform us we must inform the media

 

It never fails to amaze me how different countries choose their allies, those with whom they wish to have friendly relations. Since the cooling of relations with Turkey, did I say cooling of relations? I should have said the relations of Turkey with our enemies, our relations with Greece have warmed considerably. The most recent example of this warmth, even understanding came when the Greek Embassy in Israel chose to hold the national day celebration in kibbutz Be'eri.

 

Al Quds is Jerusalem in Arabic. Last Sunday Moslems all over the world “celebrated” Al Quds Day. I put celebrated in inverted commas for a very good reason. Celebrations usually entail extreme anti-Israel elements and the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia needed to strengthen their security as thousands “celebrated” anti-Israel rallies. Surprisingly, the turnout was disappointing for the organisers, I wonder why?

 

Daniel Hagari, the highly effective IDF spokesperson who coped with the toughest period in Israeli history with dignity and respect, has been fired. Why? Possibly because he made a one sentence statement criticising the administration. His firing follows others in highly sensitive positions including Head of Intelligence Ronen Bar, and Chief of Staff Herzi haLevi, probably because they disagree with the Netanyahu government. Both admitted making miscalculations before October 7^th and took full responsibility. They all demanded a Commission of Inquiry into the Gaza war in general and October 7^th in particular. The new Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, is a highly experienced and decorated soldier and will certainly do an excellent job, which has nothing to do with why HaLevi was fired.

 

Apart from thoughts of his family, one thing ran through the mind of Keith Seigal, for the 484 days of dire conditions and starvation. Keith dreamed of pancakes! Not just any pancakes, but pancakes made to hus own special recipe. Keith’s pancakes were made by Israelis to honour him during his captivity and something very special is happening as I write. In Sarona, in Tel Aviv, “Keith’s Pancakes” has opened, just for two days, and Keith himself will make them together with his wife and daughter. That’s so Israeli. Instead of lemons to lemonade we choose the sweetness of pancakes. By the way, slowly Keith has gained weight and is much healthier.

 

The incredible emotional strength of Eli Sharabi is legendary. Here he speaks of his ordeal in English. A true gentle-man, an example to us all. Next time we whine about little things, remember Eli. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHbJVR6NIhd/?igsh=MnZjOHk1ZW84NHhp

 

I remember the days when brilliant raconteur and actor Stephen Fry denied his ancestry, but my goodness things have changed. This week I watched his film “Treasure” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9462944/

 

If you remember, I wrote early last week because we were off on a trip to the North, to the area around the Kinneret, the Sea of Galilee. It was amazing. Our friend Noam chose random friends to join the tour which was highly successful; our driver, Ibrahim tackled the winding roads from Druze village to museums and fascinating churches……. But let me start at the beginning. Our first stop was at a miniature museum in Yokneam. After retirement, Moshe Samter began creating tiny synagogues, churches, mosques, pharmacies, in fact minute versions of may wonderful places, all from bits and pieces he found. From there we went to a Druze village and met the owner of the restaurant who is an IDF injured soldier. He proudly told us of his time as a soldier in the paratroopers, with his brigades flag behind him on the wall. We visited the archaeological site of Magdala where a wonderful Irish nun told us of the meaning of the various aspects of the ancient synagogue and the origins of Christianity in Judaism. Gosh Its’s hard to remember it all! We went to a Neo-Catholic site. Fabulous architecture, obviously Italian in its sophistication, and the Hebrew speaking priest who sang Shema Yisrael to us in Hebrew. In all, wonderful people, exquisite views, and to cap it all a story from our friend Mickey Cohen about his grandfather who came to the nascent state in 1891 as a teenager, got together with others and formed one of the first official villages. All in all, a highly successful visit.

 

A few years ago, I told you about an exceptional man by the name of Israel Twitto. An autodidact, barely schooled from a poor home, Israel built himself up, studied life in general and innovations in particular; he now has over 150 patents in his name, but that isn’t his true claim to fame. Israel created a different society, a microcosm of the perfect society. His factory, which began producing parts of air conditioners, is in the Barkan Industrial Park, near Ariel, which many would call in the settlements. Israel Twitto employs workers from the PA and new immigrants. They all receive excellent salaries, full social and medical cover and are able to live good lives. If a young man shows promise Israel pays for his education and he returns to the factory as a departmental manager; if a worker is ill or his child falls ill, he pays for their treatment in Israel; indeed a fine man, a humble man, a brilliant man and I thank the day that Prof. Shimon Shetreet took us to visit him. This week Israel Twitto reached the fine age of 80, just like Zvi, and Shimon was at both their celebrations!!  

 

Yesterday Zvi and I made a rare trip to the city, not because we don’t like it, it’s just such a hassle parking and the traffic jams are impossible! We had a good reason though, to meet our friends Alan and Bonnie Cohen. Our political views are diametrically opposed but they are such good people. Alan has a wonderful way of controlling Zvi’s emotional objections to Alan’s views, he simply says he can’t hear Zvi if he raises his voice. Zvi tries so hard to quote historical proof of his point of view but even though I love Alan, his explanations do not convince.

 

Just a quick reminder for those who say, Israel and the west bank or that Israel commandeered land. I found this fascinating photo from an archive. A map from 1922 outlining the territories of this area as outlined by the British Mandate. https://www.flickr.com/photos/am-jochim/37123876645/

 

As I sit writing to you, I look out of our study window and see the beautiful green almonds on the little tree outside. Our study doubles as a safe room which comes in handy when the Houthis decided to send long range missiles! Actually, a couple from Gaza added to the excitement. Anyway, back to the green almonds. Actually not the Almonds because I’m not responsible for the common ground, only for our veranda! Everything is either blooming or producing new leaves, and blossom promising a good crop this year. The little orange tree is covered in blossom and despite still bearing last years crop, the kumquat tree is also in blossom. The limes are a bit behind but the apple tree (my favourite apple, Ana, has a short shelf life and if picked immediately from the tree, still warm from the sun, is like a sunburst of flavour) already has baby apples on it. The freesias make for scented evenings and the really unusual Irises stand tall, a combination of pale blue, yellow and white, they are magnificent. Each time I step outside I feel a glow of pleasure.

 

I’m not trying to avoid the renewal of demonstrations; it just hurts too much to talk about it. What were once political became demonstrations for the return of hostages rather than anti-government, but the sacking of Ronen Bar and Daniel Harari turned the corner and while always fighting for the return of the hostages, whose lives are clearly in greater danger with the return to Gaza. It saddens me deeply that the voice of the people is not heard. Democracy may be upheld in democratic elections but all too easily those elected can turn the tables and become an autocracy.

 

Back to Shabbat, the weekend and normal Israeli life. When I finish our chat I am going to see Rachel and the children. It is a rare chance to see everyone at once, now that they are not children they are not always at home. Their happiness and hugs at my entry are worth the world. I love the drive over to see her. The almond blossom is still out and the view of Jerusalem from the heights of Samuel’s Tomb is spectacular, like a white jigsaw puzzle interspersed with a million trees; then down the hill to Givat Ze’ev. Coming home is just as wonderful. As I pull in to the car park, the aromas of Shabbat begin. From chicken soup with kneidlach to Hamin, just starting its journey to overnight in the oven. I love the mixture of cultures, of food cultures that make up the real Israel and as I go up in the lift, the aromas change continent!

 

And so to song!!!

Since I began with psalm 137, why not continue with psalm 137? Yaacov Shwekey with “If I forget the O Jerusalem” https://youtu.be/fAFWMQnrU9E?si=mEW8gq_o59GVtiPz

 

Idan Amedi, Jerusalemite, soldier, singer, songwriter, lyricist from the heart, wrote this song 12 years ago. Since then, since October 8^th, he served as a reserve soldier in Gaza, was seriously wounded, physically recovered but every world of this song explains the pain of those who served, many of whom face years of rehabilitation, physical and phycological. https://youtu.be/DPeCNCkydXc?si=dUpg6QRaegWlso1w

 

Uzi Chitman z”l, as opposed to Idan Amedi, wrote simple, hopeful, almost childlike songs. This one is a favourite of mine. Born for peace. https://youtu.be/06FEj7FYEsE?si=sWeio7f7hegDjuiL

 

I wish you a peaceful weekend, a Shabbat Shalom and remember the words of the Talmud “The highest form of wisdom is kindness”

 

With much love from Jerusalem

Sheila

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

530 and 80

19^th March 2025

 

Today is a very important day in history. 80 years ago, on the 19^th of March 1945, in the city of Jerusalem, a boy was born to the Rybak family, to Kalman and Alla Rybak. Their joy was all encompassing because they were both the sole survivors of the Holocaust, both families had been slaughtered by the Nazis. Kalman and All’s lives were saved because they were both in the nascent State of Israel. Zvi’s birth certificate says he was born in Palestine, although the political term Palestinian had not yet been created. It says his identity is Palestinian, that Kalman and Alla are both Palestinian but they would not be recognised as such today. They named him Zvi which means antelope or deer although Zvi actually turned out to be a lion fighting for his country, not with a gun but with his words and actions. Happy birthday my love. I know how worried you are about our beloved country but it will be alright, after all, this is just a matter of politics!!

 

I know that you don’t like to hear about the political chaos that we face, but I promised you honesty and I will always live up to that promise. Israel is in the midst of a political crisis, one that feels like it’s tearing the country apart. Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, composed of ultra-right-wing and ultra-Orthodox parties, (the emphasis on the ultra, not on religiosity) has pushed through a divisive judicial overhaul that has sparked massive protests. Tens of thousands of Israelis, from all walks of life, have taken to the streets, fearing that this reform would undermine the very foundation of Israel’s democracy. The sense of betrayal is palpable, as citizens watch their government attempt to weaken the judiciary, while the country’s unity continues to fracture along ideological lines. At the same time, the violence in the West Bank and a renewal of the battle with Hamas added to Netanyahu’s legal troubles and the storm of controversy surrounding his leadership make it feel like Israel is teetering on the edge of a defining moment in her history.

 

Gradually Netanyahu is dismissing anyone who disagrees with him, the latest being Ronen Bar, Head of the Shin Bet and one of the leaders in the hostage negotiations. To complicate matters even further former Head of the Shin Bet, Nadav Argaman, has not only stated that Netanyahu mishandled the lead up to the diabolical Hamas attack on October 7^th, but that he has damning information too. Indeed, many former heads of secret service departments have come forward. The people, us, people like us, are furious. We have taken to the streets for two crucial reasons. The release of the remaining hostages whose lives are hanging by a thread and the determination of the ordinary people to overthrow this government. Our problem is that we don’t have a viable opposition.

 

Roni Alsheikh, former Head of the Israeli Police said - "Who can be happy to live in a country where everyone who fulfills their state duty is fired? Who can reconcile themselves to the emergence of a country where loyalty is to the government and not to the state, to the king and not to the kingdom?

 

I hadn’t realised the importance of the British system of opposition. A shadow cabinet is formed, produces policies and ensures not only opposition of the current government but policy making for the future. Instead of simply raising the failures of the current government they produce a solution.

 

That was not easy. I love this country and there is so much to love. The people are exceptional; our miluimnikim literally give their lives for us; our youngsters are brave and willing to defend their country and the future; ordinary people volunteer in almost every field, ensuring that the families of those who serve, those who survived and those who fell to Hamas’s day of slaughter, everything from going to funerals to visiting Shiva houses to simple things like buying warm jackets so that soldiers will feel the love. We are an incredible country of great beauty, both physical and emotional, and we will win through, after all, this isn’t our first round with fate!!

 

There were many British citizens either killed or kidnapped resulting in a damning report of October 7^th and Hamas and the British Parliament produced  a harrowing report of Hamas atrocities

https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2025/03/18/uk-parliament-presented-with-harrowing-report-on-hamass-october-7-atrocities/

 

100 Druze religious leaders from Syria came to visit Muafeq Tarif the Druze leader in Israel and to visit the Tomb of Jethro, their spiritual prophet near Tiberius. The visit takes place after Israel's Defence Minister promised to protect the Syrian Druze if they are threatened by the new Syrian government, and to offer them work in Israel.

 

My friend Bryan Isaacs came to visit and this is what he said. “My visit to Israel from March 7-12 felt like many previous visits. No sign of war, seeming harmony between Jewish and Arab Israelis in Jerusalem during Ramadan etc. What was noticeable was a sad absence of tourists. The purpose of my visit was to dedicate an ambulance to Magen David Adom (MDA) in memory of my beloved wife, Helga z”l. I’ve been a small donor to MDA for over 20 years but the October 7 war prompted me to do something significant. I persuaded three friends to match my donation and, on March 10, we unveiled 4 ambulances at the new MDA Blood Center. We were told that this was the largest one-time donation of ambulances to MDA. This morning’s news is of renewal of the Gaza war and I fear that these new, shiny ambulances will be called to duty.”

 

Purim was incredible every town in Israel had parades. Shushan Purim, which is celebrated in Jerusalem, and all cities surrounding in a wall. It is a special day when we celebrate the triumph over evil in the Persian town of Shushan. My grandchildren went to the Shouk, to Mahane Yehuda, in the evening where thousands and thousands of youngsters from all over Israel danced and had a ball. Let me explain. When the shops and kiosks of the market close, their blinds come down and the chairs and tables come out. Mahane Yehuda becomes a huge music bar! Obviously with food as well, after all, this is Israel. It is so wonderful to see young Israelis from age 16 to 60 dancing and laughing as if there is no war, nobody wants to kill us and the time to just have fun is here.

 

Since I started this missive with Zvi’s 80th birthday, let me begin at the beginning. First the dinner part with four March 80 year olds to which Rachel and Ayala walked in with huge 80 balloons; then lunch in Tel Aviv organised by Zvi’s boys, with many friends and some I should have invited but I wasn’t entirely responsible for the list and we ran out of room!  Saturday night was the choir Purim Party, not officially Zvi’s birthday, but great fun and games and fancy dress; Monday and Zvi’s friends from his mini-mini-parliament came for brunch; Tuesday and the mini-parliament came for brunch, today, his birthday was mostly spent answering the phone but after hours of thought I finally managed to persuade him to accept my idea for his birthday present! It’s impossible to buy something for a person who believes they have everything despite explaining that to accept is to give. Anyway, I found the perfect gift!! Next week we are going to hear the Israeli Opera in La Boheme, surely an opera that one can enjoy no matter how many times you hear it.

 

What about Gal Gadot then!! A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! What was so special is that she honoured her beginnings, “Who would have thought that a girl from Rosh HaAyin would be standing here today”! She brought her four children, her husband and sat on the ground touching her well-earned star. Well done Gal, you didn’t let Hollywood go to your head, you have become one the greatest proponents for Israel, never fearing to speak out. We love you!

 

In case you are wondering why I’m writing today and not on Friday; we are going north tomorrow!! We are travelling with friends, a coach not private cars, so the element of camaraderie will make the weekend even more enjoyable. We will visit many historic sites and will have lunch in a Druze village. It’s impossible not to be moved by the Galil, not just by the beauty of the landscapes but by the deep emotions that each place stirs. From the sacred sites to the ancient ruins, every corner of the Galilee holds a piece of something much larger than yourself. There’s a quiet intensity to this region, one that invites you to slow down, breathe in the history, and leave with a sense of connection that’s hard to put into words. Whether Jew or Christian, Moslem or Bahai, the Galilee isn’t just a place to visit; it’s a place that touches your soul. The north has suffered horribly from the onslaught of Hezb-Allah rockets and missiles but nothing can spoil the sheer beauty.

 

When I think of the Galil I think of the beautiful kibbutzim, vineyards and the Hula Valley. The pioneers thought that the ecological answer to malaria and disease was to drain the valley, but then about 50 years ago we understood that the marshes must return or the huge flocks of White pelicans, herons, storks and cranes will have nowhere to rest on their migration. Now thousands upon thousands of birds flock to the valley’s marshes, an incredible sight. I don’t know if we are stopping there but I can always ask! See for yourselves! https://youtu.be/0SOvmwo3bjY?si=mPCOOSgqbKUN6ngJ

 

I chose the music carefully, wanting to honour our heroes. Idan Amedi is from a large and well known Jerusalem family. Idan Amedi is a huge star in Israel and you probably know him from his role in Fauda. On October the 8^th 2023 he, and most of the cast of Fauda, put on his uniform and headed south to defend this country. Idan a soldier in the Engineers fought bravely until January 8^th when a house was booby trapped and he lost 6 of his men suffering severe injuries himself. Since that day he has been performing for injured children and soldiers. He hates to be called a hero but he is https://youtu.be/qQepsm0Rc0U?si=LkryYCxSTmlmLyLu

 

Ishay Ribo and Omer Adam sing a prayer. I love the words, their music and the meaning of this song. Listen carefully, the prayer is there  https://youtu.be/PcJ_cXib_TU?si=fnasA52pRafsgHMM

 

I know That this song is familiar because I have given it to you before but it seemed the most appropriate for today despite being written and recorded during Covid by 40 Israeli stars who got together to sing, to give hope to us all. Katan Aleinu - We Got This. https://youtu.be/lHVAWnCXBkU?si=njqqNKgyjIkCg3f4

 

I pray that the Red Sea of hate will open and our hostages, those who have beaten all the odds and still live, those who succumbed to the atrocities of Hamas and those whose bodies were snatched on Black Saturday, will come through to freedom.

I pray that the next demonstration will be one of jubilation as the last men and women come home.

I pray that this Passover the empty chairs at the tables of broken families will be filled with their loved ones.  

I pray that hatred will stop. Enough.

 

With love

Sheila

 

 

 

  

Purim. Persia and Perseverance

 

14^th March, 2025

Purim, 5785

 

Purim Sameach. Shabbat Shalom. Ramadan Kareem and a holy St Joseph’s Day

 

Once, in a speech in the White House, Sir Winston Churchill said “Jaw jaw jaw not war war war” meaning that it is always better to talk than to fight. To find a diplomatic solution. However, when there was no option but to defend his country from invasion by Hitler’s forces, Churchill was a legendary war leader whose primary concern was the morale of the people.

 

The news, both local and international, is full of leaders who go back on their words then deny ever saying them. Why are we surprised? I don’t know because politicians have been doing it since time immemorial! President Trump now says that he will not clear Gaza and turn it into Disneyland, and has come up with much more logical suggestions; Netanyahu promised that the hostages and the families are his prime concern yet speaks of continuing the war, then claims that his court trial has, and I quote “Put me through hell” after screaming at the judges. There are new negotiations with Hamas, a new list of hostages has been presented to them and they will choose which of the few haggard and broken hostages remaining will come home. Yet again, Hamas makes the decisions.

 

The misinformation at America’s Universities, and universities all over the world, has predominantly been funded by Qatar. Brown University is considered one of the United States finest. The Choices Program in the University has come under suspicion, for good reason; Qatar Foundation International (QFI) has covertly shaped the Choices Program curriculum, influencing how over one million students learn about the Middle East.  Over multiple editions, the Choices Program has erased key historical facts, distorted maps, and rewritten history to cast Israel in a negative light. I have said umpteen times that Qatar cannot be trusted, it is not the Emirates, nor Saudi Arabia, Qatar speaks with forked tongue. They hold out the hand in friendship while plotting the downfall of modern society as we know it. Countries must choose their allies according to their interests and it is not in the interest of any Western country to accept the underhand infiltration of Qatar into our lives.

 

Well, that was a fun start to this week’s missive! I actually wanted to start with Purim, to make comparisons between Haman and Hamas. Haman was the bad guy of the story, the Megillat Esther, the Book of Esther, our heroine; Haman was the Grand Vizier to the King, King Ahasuerus, aka Xerxes. Ahasuerus was married to a lady by the name of Vashti and in one of his male orientated evenings the King asked Vashti to dance (some say naked) before the men. She refused (Yeah) and the King decided to look for a replacement. He invited many beautiful and nubile females to parade in front of him so that he could choose one. Oh, I forgot to tell you that Haman had it in for the Jews, (well who doesn’t) and had persuaded the King to kill all the Jews in the capital city of Persia, Shushan. Anyway, back to Esther, or rather to her Uncle Mordechai who overheard the plans and suggested to his niece Esther that she enter the girlie parade in order to get close to the King and see what could be done. Of course, she was an outstanding beauty and the King chose her as his companion. She captured the King’s heart and when she heard that Haman’s plan was to parade her Uncle Mordechai around Shushan on a white horse, but backwards, she spoke to the King, explained that she was a Jewess and changed his mind. When Haman came to King, Ahasuerus heard of the white horse plan and that is exactly what he did to Haman! Mordechai was the hero but Esther was the real heroine and we read her story both on the eve and then the day of Purim. Many cities around Israel hold an “Adloyada” a strange name which is derived from the command that we become “tiddly” on Purim, but for a very good reason – the command is to drink until we cannot define between good and evil “Ad lo yada” (until we don’t know) so that we will not become embittered and demand revenge.

 

Yes, I know that was a somewhat superficial explanation but hopefully enough to give you an outline. Just one more fact about Purim. Apparently, Haman wore a tricornered hat so we eat Hamantashen or Haman’s Hat cookies with all sorts of fillings other than the traditional poppy seed. The funny thing is that in Hebrew, or in Israel, these cookies are called Haman’s Ears! Strange really, once it was Haman, then in modern times it was Khomenei now it is Khamanei, all in Persia – Iran

 

On the 26th of August 1910, Clara Zetkin, a German Jewess, made an appeal for an annual women’s day, with general women’s suffrage as the most important initial demand. She made this appeal during the second international conference of socialist women in Copenhagen. Today, International Women’s Day has finally been accepted and celebrated. Most would not approve of Esther’s approach as told in the Purim story, but they cannot deny that this incredible woman made her place in Jewish History.

 

Gadi Mozes came back from 482 days in Hamas captivity. Gadi is 80 years old. His first words on his release were that they must rebuild Nir Oz the kibbutz that is his home and from whence he was kidnapped. Nir Oz, a small kibbutz community of 400 lost over a quarter of its members. 100 were either slaughtered or captured.  His incredible statement that “We are not the tired travellers; we are the pioneers of a new path” expresses the bravery of this tiny community. Gadi said that the community has gone through “moments of terror and fear. I saw on your faces the existential question marks and the lack of security. I saw the fear and the anger over our abandonment and neglect by those who were responsible for our security, but I want to buckle down, to roll up my sleeves and to join all those who want our home, Nir Oz, to return to being a warm and vibrant home, a home that has culture and education, health and creativity, hope and security.”

 

Time and again I am breathless with admiration for those who come back from the gates of hell and have no thoughts of vengeance.  

 

Zvi has been forced into a level of inactivity, actually, inactivity is not a word that relates to Zvi so everything is relative! He underwent cataract surgery on Sunday, although “underwent” is something of an exaggeration. He went in smiling and came out a quarter of an hour later, still smiling but with a patch over his eye. Apart from the drops every few hours, that’s it! His vision is now 20/20, or 6/6 depending upon where you live and he has to get used to living without glasses except for reading. The ophthalmology day surgery clinic of Shaare Zedek was run by the beautiful Nurse Maayan, with her amazing construction on her head, immaculate make up, perfect manicure and a huge smile, often bursting into laughter.

 

Purim just reminds us that over the centuries, or millennia, there have been many enemies, they keep popping up in virtually every generation. Just like the song “Vehi Sheamda” that we sing on Pesach Passover

 “That which stood for our ancestors​ applies to us as well.
For it was not only one individua​l who stood up against us to destroy us.
Rathe​r, in every generation they stand up against us to destroy us.
But the Almighty, Blessed Be He, redeems us from their hands.”

 

Why are we tested so often? Could it be to remind us what we tend to forget? Do we take Judaism (or Christianity) for granted and can’t be bothered to follow the rules? If we were to stand tall and be proud of what we are, would those who hate us dare to attack? Those are questions I ask my self on a regular basis. Let’s face it, there is a definite trend toward extremes neither of which represent the heart and soul of Judaism. Perhaps it is time to come together in the face of a common enemy?

 

This morning Rachel sent me what is perhaps the most ironic fact of this celebration of Esther and Mordechai’s triumph over the King of Persia, is that whereas the Jews of virtually all the Arab and Moslem States have disappeared, in Iran the Chief Rabbi Yehudah Grami led the Purim celebratory dancing outside the Great Synagogue, undisturbed. Whereas Jews in the West have to take care to hide our celebrations, indeed, in many supposedly free countries to hide our Judaism, there, in Iran, Jews are free. Definitely food for thought.

 

Now food for your soul.

 

Yuval Raphael saw too much on the 7^th of October. She hid in a concrete roadside bomb shelter near the Nova Festival, buried under the bodies of her murdered friends as Hamas terrorists stormed in, sprayed bullets, and threw grenades at the dozens of terrified young people hiding inside. For seven hours, she lay motionless, covered in blood, mostly the blood of her friends, waiting for an Israeli rescue that took too long to come. She called her father to tell him what was happening and, trying to calm her as she lay with the bodies of her friends on top of her, he gave her the advice that saved her life, to lay still and play dead. Yuval took all her fears and placed them in her incredible talent, the voice of an angel. "I decided I wasn’t going to live my life with PTSD. I wanted to turn my pain into something meaningful," she said. She took a chance and entered the exhaustive competition to choose the Israeli representative to the Eurovision Song Contest. Here you hear her sing the Israeli entry, New Day Will Rise in English, French and Hebrew.

https://youtu.be/IzniNjG4Xto?si=Em-jpiRJVcFzL8q7

 

Two other competitors were Valerie Hamati and Tamir Greenberg. Their rendition of Halleluya is absolutely riveting. So different in their styles they make beautiful music together. https://youtu.be/irEpp0NsgkI?si=H7kHQows9tmPmzNY

 

The old saw that love makes the world go round has more than a little truth in it. James Taylor understood, and in his song “Shower the People” he sings of showing your love, tell people that you love that you love them, Shower the people you love with love and it will be alright. https://youtu.be/VmRwsKTJJo8?si=j-PakjQRvq07_7Hv

 

This Shabbat remember to tell everyone in your life that you love them. I want to be remembered for my smile not for my frown. Give love, make your loved ones smile, you’d be surprised how it changes your life and theirs.

 

I wish you a Shabbat Shalom, a peaceful Sabbath,

 

With much love from our veranda where the camellia is beginning to open its fragrant buds, the freesias are blooming, the apple tree has a million pink blossoms, the Jerusalem Hills that surround us are covered in wild flowers and the South is blooming with bright red anemones. Spring has sprung, hope springs eternal

 

Sheila

 

 

 

  

 

 

Trump, Eli Sharabi and Hostage Square

 

7^th of March 2025

7^th of Adar, 5785

518^th of October

 

Shabbat Shalom, Ramadan Mubarak, have a peaceful weekend

 

David ben Gurion said “If Jerusalem will fall there will not be a State.” Not Tel Aviv, nor Haifa, Jerusalem, the City we should not forget.

 

I want to begin with a quote from our dear friend Dr. Kimball Taylor who is here for the JAFI (Jewish Agency for Israel) meetings. We had the rare opportunity of a few extra days with him due to the crazy demand for flights! I was talking to Kim, as they say “of cabbages and kings” and he told me about an interview he gave to promote the cause of JAFI and Israel in the world. I quote Kim directly, as he spoke in the recording, because I feel that it encompasses so many elements of our life here in Israel.

 

“I love the story of father Abraham and his tremendous faith in being willing to offer his son Isaac up to God. At that point he did not know that there would be a ram in the thicket, but fortunately there was and he was spared the agony of losing his only son. Today, in Israel, tens of thousands of parents, every day, are called upon to lay the lives of their sons and daughters upon the altar of freedom not knowing if there will be a ram in the thicket to save them. Sadly, for many of them, they are not offered such a reprieve. We owe these people our freedom. We need to pray for these parents and to pray for all of Israel that they will be protected that they will come home safely just as Isaac was able to return home to with his father Abraham”

 

There are more than two sides of President Trump and this week we saw both of them. A belligerent  Zelensky showed us that the meeting he had with President Trump was probably staged but he knew his role, not a happy one, as Ukraine became the Czechoslovakia of the undeclared war with Iran. The other side of Trump was when the former hostages were received in the Oval Office and he sat listening to every word they said, not interrupting, clearly moved by each of them.

 

I think that we were all shocked by the interchange between Vance, Trump and Zelensky. By siding, or appearing to side, with Russia, the USA then opens a channel to Iran. Putin's ego is massaged by making him central to such channels. Through Putin Iran can be persuaded, through promises, to stop financing their proxies, thus securing Israel and Jordan. Iran no longer has access to Lebanon since Syria fell.

A convoluted scheme indeed. Sometimes, if the situation calls for diverse tactic one needs to deal with the devil to reach one’s goals.

 

Talking of dealing with the devil, Eli Sharabi was over 500 days in captivity by the cruellest of cruel captors, Hamas. His story captured the hearts of anyone who has a heart as he returned home, haggard, skeletal and broken by the news that his beloved wife and daughters were killed on the Black Saturday. I say broken but Eli is an exceptional man, capable of looking beyond his pain and tragedy and finding strength in his love for everyone.  Ilana Dayan is a strong and determined investigative journalist on Israeli television. While a gentle soul in her private life she is unwavering is seeking the truth. Eli Sharabi asked her to interview him and the result was highly emotional and brilliant. I was entranced by this man who came out of the gates of hell and has no need for vengeance. Please, take the time to watch and listen, the English subtitles are excellent. https://vimeo.com/1062681067/e63e614963?share=copy

 

The students of Michigan University reached the depths of odious, repugnant behaviour when they desecrated a memorial to the Bibas family. The sheer evil reflects much more than ignorance.

 

Ramadan is an important festival in Islam, fasting during the day and feasting by night. It should be a period of contemplation and prayer, but the current wave of incitement to hatred has changed all that. This week they have been Terror attacks in Sweden, German and Austria as well as those in Israel. The whole of Europe is on high alert as Islamic Jihad, Isis and other Hamas supporters “celebrate” Ramadan in a manner not known to any rational religious thought. Those who still believe that Israel is the reason, even the cause, have a rude awakening as they learn that extreme Islam has simply put Israel as the arch enemy to hide the real purpose. Believe you me I have the honour of knowing many Moslems, not in the “some of my friends are….” but real friends who abhor the realm of terror as I do. The Gulf States despise the perpetrators of terror, maybe excluding Qatar, and are doing whatever it takes to take hate education out of their children’s schools.

 

Talking of terror (yet again my lateral thinking takes you places you never thought you would go). What about Islamist Extremist terror against Christians? A Report from the Gatestone Institute disturbed me beyond sadness. After forces from the al-Qaeda affiliated Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) terrorist group conquered Damascus and overthrew Syria's Assad regime in December 2024, they urged the residents of the Valley of the Christians to surrender any weapons they kept for self-defence, telling them that civilians would not be harmed. Since the jihadists' takeover of Syria, however, around 500,000 Christians in the country have been faced with increased persecution and abductions. On February 16, more Christians were abducted from another village in the area. Their kidnappers, according to sources on the ground, are torturing them. Christian clergy are not allowed to walk outside in any clothing that makes them recognisable as priests or pastors. Crosses have been removed from church buildings." So when you see the reports that it is all about Israel, it isn’t. It’s not only about Jews either, it is everyone that does not conform. The Syrian leader may now wear a suit and tie but his heart is still in the garb of dissent.

 

My week began by singing “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” with an assorted group of about 25 proud Welsh people in a busy shopping mall in Jerusalem. Actually, we sang several Welsh songs with gusto while shoppers looked on in confusion. We all looked normal but then they had no idea that you can take the Welshman out of Wales but you can never take Wales out of the 500 Jews who made Aliya!!!

 

From our meet I went off to the airport to collect Kim and come home to hear the tales of an LDS family in Western Canada! Kim is everything I write about him. Friend, brother, listener and having him to stay with us is a joy.

 

We all had Shabbat lunch with our lovely friends Ronit and Yossi Dagan and then after Shabbat we went to Hostage Square with our friend Ruth Tamir who kindly let us park in their car park. There were thousands upon thousands of people there, but since we arrived fairly early Ruth and I moved toward the front and people moved aside to get me a free place on the railings next to the stage. It was deeply moving as the families of those still in Gaza, under diabolical conditions, stood together with the placards holding pictures of their loved ones. After standing for over half an hour I needed to find a chair! I realised that I had to get from our wonderful perch at the front all the way to the back, through a sea of people. I started walking and that sea of people parted like in the Bible story! Nobody pushed, people just extended hands to help me through until I found the tent with chairs. I believe that my little story illustrates the kind of people that come to Hostage Square. It isn’t political, there were people of every political belief, it is all about the Hostages and supporting the families. Yes of course there were determined cries of “Achshav” NOW! Concerning obtaining the release of those still in captivity and the bodies that the Hamas body snatchers took with them to Gaza. The parting of the people to let me through said so much about those who go to Hostage Square.

 

Most of this week was our usual insane schedule but last night was spectacularly joyous! Zvi decided to have an early birthday party for his 80^th, because he celebrates together with three other friends, all of whom celebrate their 80^th, born within days of each other. Yolli Zonszein, Samuel Bettsak and Daniel Liwerant plus the ridiculously young Yitzik Lev who has a couple of years to go! Zvi ordered Mexican food (he’s so generous that we couldn’t manage even half the amount) and then Rachel, Ayala and Yosef arrived with the biggest balloons I have ever seen pronouncing 80! It gave me so much joy to see the warmth and love that they exude which is returned by all they meet.

 

I’m sure there will be lots of birthday parties, Zvi already mentioned bringing friends from his various parliaments to come home instead of to the coffee shops to chat and celebrate. Sounds good to me! Any chance to celebrate to forget the dirty politics that are dragging us down further and further into depression. We have to take the example of Eli Sharabi and find joy even through the tragedy.

 

Tonight I will see an old friend, Bryan Isaacs, the big brother of an even older friend Stephen Isaacs, and the Uncle of a wonderful young woman, a baker whose support for Israel warms my heart, Tami Isaacs! Generational love! Bryan is coming for dinner to catch up on the 60 years since I last saw him!!

 

My goodness I’m late today but for a very good reason. Actually two very good reasons! One is because the electrician came back because last night, as we were about to sit down to dinner, we the electricity decided to leave us in darkness. Thanks to our neighbour we managed to get some light but something was seriously wrong with the system and this morning Michael came to put it right. Then my wonderful, fascinating neighbour Yael popped in and as usual  we got chatting and I lost all sense of time. So much as I would love to continue our conversation, I have to get the table laid for Shabbat, have a quick clean and prepare to light the candles so excuse me if I run.

 

Songs and music warm my heart even in the darkest days so here we go

 

It is 25 years since the beautiful Israeli singer Ofra Haza passed away. Perhaps you all know her rendition of Jerusalem of Gold which she sang at the 50^th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem.  https://youtu.be/L8Co7IzOyhw?si=XG_XQxiTEvcitul0

 

What does an Israeli, held in captivity in a tunnel for 490 days, beaten and starved, loses the use of his right hand, do when he is released? He sings a song about the sunshine in his life. Use the cc button for translation https://youtu.be/nflbvTepb4k?si=2dW5PS2faKOEWw7r

 

Omer Adam is one of the most popular Israeli singers who spends a lot of his time singing for injured soldiers and in this song he prays for a return to love and joy. https://youtu.be/uhSZKAcJs38?si=1LohGGuvsr8xIl-_

 

I wish you a Shabbat shalom, a shabbat of peace and love while the world continues in its uncaring manner. Remember how you feel is up to you, the world around you, your personal space depends upon how you make it.

With love from Jerusalem, glimmering in the distance.

Sheila