Contemplation in the Mamad

 

3^rd April, 2026

16th of Nisan, 5786

 

Shabbat Shalom! Is it really Friday today? Between the missiles from Iran and the Houthis and the rockets from Hezb-Allah and then the joys of Seder Night and matza crumbs all over the apartment I forgot completely that I owed you a newsletter!!

 

To all my Christian friends, I wish you a spiritual Good Friday, a blessed Easter Sunday and a weekend of peaceful contemplation.

 

Why speak of peaceful contemplation at all? Because when I listen to some of today’s anti-war leaders — those who refuse cooperation, restrict support, or insist that distance will somehow keep them safe — I cannot help but think, with real unease, of Neville Chamberlain and his promise of “peace in our time.” It is not a comfortable comparison, but history teaches us that good intentions and hopeful words are not enough when faced with brutality, bad faith, and open aggression. There are moments when the desire to stay out of conflict risks becoming a dangerous form of moral blindness.

 

Chamberlain’s later wartime speech, delivered on September 3^rd 1939, at 11:15, words which marked the beginning of WW2, were far more honest: Commonwealth “Now may God bless you all and may He defend the right. For it is evil things that we shall be fighting against, brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression and persecution. And against them I am certain that the right will prevail.” Recognition that there are times when evil, oppression, and persecution must be confronted, not wished away. If history teaches us anything, it is that turning away from the threat does not make it disappear it only delays the moment when right must finally stand against wrong.

 

It’s very comfortable to allow Israel to be the vanguard, for us to break into our Seder Night 5 times as sirens herald another rush into the mamad, while those outside Israel enjoy a peaceful family seder, but we are, without question the canary in the coal mine and although your problem is not missiles on your heads, it is in many ways yours is more pervasive, killing off standards and traditions, even Christian Holidays, be they British or American or Australian, or Canadian. I know that most of you are fully aware of our situation, your support and love keeps us going, but do you also understand our anger? Do you realise that while the Ayatollahs and their proxies are determined to wipe us off the map, the West is blaming us for forcing Trump into war? Doesn’t anyone realise that nobody, nothing, can force Trump into anything he doesn’t want? OK your petrol costs more at the pump but if they fully close the Straits of Hormuz to shipping, everything will cost more! OK digression over…..

 

Actually, my digression simply takes another departure. A common complaint is, “Why are you bombing the poor Lebanese”, presumably the only side shown by BBC and CNN. First of all we aren’t, we are bombing the interlopers, Hezb-Allah, who turned a thriving Christian country into  the fierce internal enemy and attacker of Israel, a ferocious and murderous Iranian proxy currently sending rockets and missiles every half hour on towns and villages in the north, a gloriously beautiful north which has been physically destroyed, acting from well below the Litani in a clear infraction of UN Resolution 1701 which called for Hezb-Allah to retreat behind the 29 mile buffer zone bordering Israel,  in practice from the Litani River (another river that most people don’t know) to Israel’s border.

 

We lost another four beautiful boys in the battle on the Lebanese border. Noam Madmoni, 22; Maxsim Entis, 21; Gilad Harel, 21; Ben Cohen, 21. We lost them in a battle we didn’t want. May their young souls rest in peace and their families be consoled by the incredible support of the families of other lost soldiers.

 

Did you know that Iran’s covert operations are active in Kenya and Tanzania, close enough that Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Uganda's president has blitzed X with posts such as "We stand with Israel because we are Christians," he wrote, adding in another post, "Uganda is the David that was forgotten and neglected by the world. We will defeat the giant, Goliath." Uganda, like Fiji, has offered to join Israel in the fray. The Fijian UNIFIL troops were, if I recall, the only ones who really upheld UN1701 and took part in Israeli everyday life. They even played for the Israeli team in 7 a side Rugby!

 

I have deep reservations about the recently passed Israeli law introducing the death penalty. Not only has capital punishment in Israel been reserved for crimes against humanity and used only once in the case of Adolf Eichmann, but the wording of this law appears to apply to Arab terrorists alone, rather than to all terrorists. That distinction is deeply troubling. We know, painfully, that terrorism is not confined to one community, from the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin to the violence of Jewish extremists against Palestinians today, we have our own dark examples. A law that is not applied equally risks undermining the very moral and legal foundations it seeks to defend, which is why Israeli human rights organisations and several Knesset members have appealed to the Supreme Court to have it overturned.

 

On March 29, 2026, one Israeli policeman blocked the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Palm Sunday Mass, marking an unprecedented restriction on Christian leadership. Although the restriction was lifted when the Israeli Authorities learned about it, one has to put it into perspective. The Western Wall Plaza of the Kotel was empty too, the restrictions on any areas that do not have safe rooms or shelters, and the Old City, which was built long before Iran became an enemy, has neither, were advisable. Hence restrictions on all religions, even the Temple Mount, to the chagrin of the Islamic Authorities, were inevitable. So, before the usual rush to judgement, and unwise decision of one policeman, one must consider the circumstances.

 

As we celebrate Pesach, we are reminded that this season also carries deep and painful memories. We still mourn the victims of the Park Hotel massacre in Netanya in 2002, when a Hamas terrorist Abdel-Basset Odeh, dressed as a woman, entered the Seder night dining room filled with families and elderly guests and detonated a suitcase bomb, killing 30 people and injuring around 140. Hamas claimed responsibility, and although the planners were later sentenced to multiple life terms, the passage of time has not eased the loss. For many, Pesach remains not only a celebration of freedom, but also a quiet moment of remembrance for those whose Seder night was stolen, and a solemn reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring need to protect it. otelHo

 

This short video of Douglas Murray put everything into perspective https://youtube.com/shorts/ji2PxgAjL-E?si=b7rUw_ofD2EPBPrj

 

 

Our Seder night was delightful! We sang Vehi Sheamda twice, once in our traditional family tune and once in the more modern version but most importantly we relayed to the children that although it’s tough and living in Tel Aviv they have to spend too much time going up and down stairs to their mamad, we will survive this as we have all the past attempts to make us disappear instead of which we watched all our enemies  fizzle out and disappear, even the huge and powerful Roman and Ottoman Empires! Much to our delight our cousins Sergio and Sara drove down from Netanya, unperturbed by the threat of missiles from Iran; Amiad, Noga, Ella and Yonatan came from Tel Aviv, Ira and Sheli from Ashkelon, Judy and Zamir from Tel Aviv and Tomer from Jerusalem. We had made arrangements just in case, for whoever wanted to stay over, but in the end just Sheli chose that option. Everyone read a paragraph, Sergio in Spanish and although Ira and I can read Hebrew, she read in Russian and I did in English as per family tradition! As usual there was far too much food because once you have had the eggs in salt water (many versions of what that represents)

 

Funnily enough nobody questions why it took 40 years for the Children of Israel, led by Moses, to walk the relatively short distance from the Red Sea (Reed Sea) to the Promised Land Clearly one reason is because the Children of Israel hadn’t invented WAZE, but what else? One explanation that I really like is that we were so argumentative that poor Moses, who was doing his very best to obey God's message met with dissatisfaction and confusion. The perfect example is the golden calf that greeted Moses when he came down from Mount Sinai, but it's not the only one. He was so frustrated at one time that he lost his cool and was denied entry to the Promised Land by the Almighty. Anyway, when they got to the Holy Land and The mission involved one leader from each of the twelve tribes, who scouted the land for 40 days to decide whether this was really all they had been led to believe. Most of the scouts got scared or just lazy and told lies about giants and put doubt into the people's minds until two honest scouts, Caleb and Joshua came back carrying grapes, and declared it the land of milk and honey.

 

Anyway, back to the Seder, the children had great fun searching for the Afikomen, Yonatan was thoroughly frustrated that his big sister found it after a harrowing 15 minute search!! I hope that your family seder was delightful and delicious.  I really want to try and see Rachel today, although I think her children will be elsewhere and, let’s face it, I won’t be getting my usual freshly baked challah roll with egg salad today!

 

So it really is Friday and although I’m scared to tempt fate, I have managed to get through my writing without a siren and Zvi managed to get off to his parliament. Now that all the local parliaments have relocated to the Harel Mall where there is a public shelter, I’m have a sneaky feeling that he won’t find parking. They most certainly have a lot to talk about this week!

 

If you don’t shed a tear to hear this song, to remember our pride at Paul Newman’s performance as Ari Ben Canaan in the movie Exodus, then you are too young to remember the movie! Here the golden voice of Andy Williams sings the theme song written by Pat Boone. Never more appropriate https://youtu.be/3JsfWgxSH3g?si=1n_meyi96rzfSS_t

 

In this world of fragmentation and disunity, perhaps we can find in our hearts to discover “One Love” It’s so long since I gave you Koolulam so today we find unity for this song, for Jerusalem, for all of us.  https://youtu.be/TZzK29_V8jQ?si=ZtivXih4T6HSwJUG

 

Louis Armstrong knew more about Judaism and Israel than most. His version of "Let My People Go" tells the story of Pesach. I love it. https://youtu.be/fHbC8Nhd46s?si=CiBCydVtjwBITPcl 

 

That’s it folks! May your prayers this festival, whether you are Christian, Jew, Moslem or non-believer, may your prayers be for togetherness, to defeat hatred by reaching out to those whose arms are ready to accept love and avoiding those whose hearts are closed. Remember that we are strong because we live to love, love to live and love life.

 

Shabbat Shalom, with all my love from Jerusalem, glistening white after the rain, the view from our veranda. I’ll be  thinking of you when I light my Shabbat candles tonight.

Sheila

Clean cupboards under fire

 ​CLEAN CUPBOARDS UNDER FIRE

27^th March 2026

8 Nissan 5786

903 days since October 7^th

 

Shabbat Shalom dear friends, Shabbat Shalom and grateful thanks to everyone who has written, called, thought of us during this “campaign”. Why campaign and not war? Because if war is declared the “winner” is liable for compensation.

 

Last week was Eid el Fitr, Nissan and the Persian Nowruz and the Feast of the Annunciation, this week we have Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and of course we have Pesach! Seder night on Wednesday night, and that’s what I want to talk about, well, that and a few other things.

 

Pesach, Passover, Pascha, by any name it usually involves a great deal of cleaning, polishing, sorting, scrubbing, and the occasional philosophical debate about crumbs. This year, however, with cluster missiles occasionally flying overhead and rather more time than planned spent in safe rooms, mamads, miklatim, or the less dignified crouch at the side of the road in case an intercepted missile decides to land on one’s car, I have come to a simple and liberating conclusion: Pesach cleaning will have to be somewhat perfunctory this year.

 

In truth, we do not generally eat from the windowsills, under the bed, or in the shoe cupboard, although crumbs do have an extraordinary talent for travelling to unlikely places. The apartment, and particularly the kitchen, is already quite respectably clean, so I am prepared to accept that this year is indeed different from all other years. Rolls of Sellotape will be deployed to seal off cupboards with great ceremony, and the Pesach dishes will take up temporary residence on the shaish, the universal Israeli word for kitchen worktops, even if it technically means marble. It may not be textbook Pesach preparation, but under the circumstances, it feels entirely appropriate and, dare I say, faintly efficient.

 

I have already written to you about the sirens, the azaka (warning), the persistent tch tch tch of the pre-alert, and the now familiar routine that sends us calmly but quickly towards the nearest safe place. Much as we may grumble, we are quietly grateful for it, because when a missile leaves Iran we usually have about ten minutes to gather ourselves, collect phones and family members, and reach the mamad. Ten minutes, in Israeli terms, feels almost luxurious.

 

Those living in the north, however, do not enjoy quite the same advantage. While we found ourselves complaining about ten missiles in one day, some with cluster warheads, the north faced closer to six hundred rockets overhead in one day. It puts Pesach cleaning rather firmly into perspective; in many northern communities, towns and kibbutzim, simply getting through the day safely is quite enough to be getting on with.

 

A big question is whether or not we should evacuate those in the line of fire. We did it after October 7^th when Hezb-Allah had their last determined effort to kill Israelis, but since then only 43% have returned to their homes and if even more leave, we will have lost the north, a tragedy on every level. It is what happened to beautiful Lebanon and I don’t want it to happen to northern Israel.

 

I can’t remember if I told you but last Saturday Zvi’s boys and families decided to take a chance and come to us for lunch. Since we came home from Albania and going anywhere has become an adventure, and not necessarily a pleasant one, we have hardly seen them, so they braved the roads, obviously having schooled the children in the procedure if a warning comes through on their phones, and we had a wonderful time, especially since Shiri’s parent, Galia and Menashe, invited themselves – my favourite kind of guest!! When they left I called each and every one to ensure that they got home safely, truthfully I do that anyway but it became an imperative when they were on the road and not near their mamad!

 

I rarely put a video of anything from Sky UK but this one shows exactly what it feels like to be on the highway when the siren wails. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIoVE1Kt2FU

 

While many of us are still negotiating cupboards, Sellotape, and the finer points of Pesach preparation, the rather tired and depleted IDF is engaged in something far more practical, an operation affectionately known as “Operation Roaring Matza,” preparing the kitchens that feed our soldiers for Pesach. Wherever they may be stationed, very often far from home, they will still sit down to a full and traditional Pesach Seder on the first night of Passover, a quiet reminder that especially in difficult times, familiar traditions carry great importance.

 

At the same time, the strain on the IDF is becoming increasingly clear and raises the wider question of shared responsibility. In a small country such as ours, where everyone benefits from the safety and security the IDF provides, it seems only reasonable that more people take part in some form of national service, with exemptions for the truly exceptional in both Torah and academic study.

 

There are encouraging examples. This week the Haredi Netzah Yehuda unit entered Lebanon and fought with notable courage, demonstrating that those who serve do so with honour and commitment, a thoughtful reminder that shared responsibility strengthens us all.

 

From talking of that which strengthen us, we must also speak honestly about that which weakens and shames us. The so-called Hilltop Youth and other violent Jewish extremists bring disgrace upon us all. Their attacks on ordinary Palestinians are indefensible and run contrary to everything we believe in and have fought to uphold. Violence against innocent people, by anyone and under any banner, is terrorism — and it must be called out as such. It damages the reputation of the many decent, law-abiding families who live in Yehuda and Shomron and who simply wish to build their lives in peace. What is perhaps most troubling is the sense that not enough is being done to stop it. We see too few arrests, too little accountability, and far too little urgency. Terrorism is terrorism, regardless of religion or ideology, and a country built on law, justice, and moral responsibility must act decisively to confront it.

 

Tonight sees the eve of Shabbat haGadol, the Great Shabbat and its vital Torah Reading- Parshat Tzav, which reminds us that holiness is found not in grand gestures but in daily responsibility, discipline, and quiet service. The priests were commanded to keep the fire on the altar burning constantly, a symbol of steady commitment even in difficult times. As we approach Pesach, this message feels particularly powerful: our strength lies in continuity, in holding fast to our values, our faith, and our moral clarity, even when the world around us feels uncertain. Shabbat HaGadol calls on us to prepare not only our homes, but our hearts, to carry forward the enduring flame of responsibility, resilience, and hope.

 

Guess what? Despite everything that has happened and is happening and our moans about the dystopian government, we, Israel, is number 8 in the world happiness report! It may sound ridiculous it may sound counterintuitive but we know how to enjoy life. We are well above the UK (29), USA (23), Australia (15), Canada (25) and almost everywhere you live. Of course, our friend Leo-Dan Bensky is pleased with the results because Finland is number one again! How on earth can we be up there near the top? What is the magic element that makes us happy when we are surrounded by enemies, missiles and bad press that has reached heights unhears of for a tiny strip of land? What makes most Israelis happy? Unity under pressure? Maybe? But I think it is something very different, it is family, community, love for our soldiers, the generosity of spirit that shows concern for those around us; it is tradition. Traditional family gatherings, Kubeh Soup on a Friday lunch and Chicken soup on Friday night. It is truly family get togethers shared with neighbours, it is open doors to strangers who have nowhere else to go, so many aspects of life that make one happy. It has nothing to do with politics or our determination to argue it out, it is the freedom to laugh even when life isn’t funny.  

 

Zvi has gone to his parliament, actually even that relates to this “Campaign”. One member decided that it was too dangerous to meet so the took a poll and he was the only one who didn’t want to meet! Actually, if I back track a little, I joined Zvi’s mini-parliament this week and was amazed that most of the parliaments had relocated to the Harel Mall! So many groups of men all believing that thewy had the answers to the world’s problems and one or two women’s parliaments where they spoke about family with a smattering of politics and what excellent series was on Netflix this week. Women  know that we can’t solve the world’s problems but we can improve our family’s mood by bringing home the fun of meeting friends. Anyway, yet another digression, I was thrilled to see that the mall was full of shoppers searching for appropriate gifts for family and friends at Pesach.

 

Yesterday, in between missile attacks, I managed to finally get my hair cut. A new hairdresser, very close by, and I finally feel like a human being! The best part is that I spent time with my lovely friend Merle Friedman who lives right above the salon.  In fact, merle and Frank are coming for Friday night supper and I will make her favourite comfort food dinner; one pot chicken dinner. My favourite too. I have a “kitchen sink” soup in the fridge and an apple, rhubarb and strawberry crumble and I think we should be pretty full by the end!

 

This is a special time for all of us, no matter the direction of our prayers. We have to pray for the people of this region, that we will now security even if peace is elusive; I pray for you, for greater understanding and less anger in this upside down world. Let’s celebrate our identity! Yes that’s what I wish you all, every las tone of you, celebrate our identity.

 

This song has a strange title yet it expresses everything that is the miracle Israel today, How Are You Still Alive?  https://youtu.be/SDLgg21DemQ?si=4eCboOQOeptqfFfr

 

Marina Maximilian Blumin sings Hazakim Beyachad, Strong Together, with the wonderful men of the TV programme Zehu Zeh. It is in Hebrew so I will give you a precis of the lyrics. I will not apologise for loving this country, there is no other like her. Wherever we came from, be it Baghdad or Poland, we came home and we will not give up, we were always diverse and they try to split us apart but together we will overcome. https://youtu.be/N0nXqaRhPWM?si=FjD9PRjlwy0UD4Bm

 

Vehi Sheamda is probably the most important song sung at the Seder service on the first night of Pesach, in fact it is the story of being Jewish. It tells us that throughout the generation enemies rose to annihilate us, but the Almighty saved us each time. I pray that He will save us from our enemies and from ourselves. https://youtu.be/dJyptA5iqMA?si=_6Iy4ZcikYeKqAAD

 

Shabbat Shalom, be strong, be proud, love who you are and we will win through this too.

With love from our veranda and its amazing view of Jerusalem, shining in the distance after the rains.

 

Sheila

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If the media does not inform us we must inform the media

My Website http://www.theviewfrommyveranda.info/

Facebook      Sheila Silver Raviv
Involvement   http://www.impact-se.org/ 

Back in the Mamad

 

25^th March 2026

901 days since the 7^th of October Massacre

 

Midweek Update

 

Well, here I am once again making use of a quiet moment in the mamad, rather than getting on with my Pesach (Passover) spring cleaning, as Iranian missiles have a way of interrupting even the best laid plans of mice and men. The cupboards remain only half sorted, the windows still waiting for attention, and I find myself sitting, thinking, and writing to you instead. In truth, I am feeling rather tired of it all. I am not an angry person by nature, but there are moments, like right now, when I have to admit that I am angry. What evil can make half of the world turn on us? People who have little or no idea of what is actually happening here, or what daily life under sirens and uncertainty really feels like.

 

A recent poll in March 2026, antisemitic incidents in the US  during 2024–2025 were increasingly linked to anti-Israel activism, with studies suggesting that in 2024, 68.4% of recorded incidents were linked to far-left ideology. Apparently, liberalism is highly illiberal.

 

I don’t know who burned the Hatzolah ambulances in London, although the police have already caught 2, but incredibly, not only have the Brits given replacements but Keren Hayesod has raised a million pounds for Hatzolah.

 

And yet, even in this frustration at the outside world especially among those who couldn’t even find us on a map, life continues in small and familiar ways. Pesach preparations will resume, the cupboards will be finished, and the rhythms of home will carry on as they always do. Perhaps what we are feeling is not only anger, but a deeply human longing for normality, for understanding, and for a little more honesty and compassion in how the world sees one another. Even in the mamad, with spring cleaning on hold, these quiet moments remind us why resilience, patience, and hope remain so important.

 

Tel Aviv, Rishon le Zion, Arad, Dimona, so many places that have suffered physical damage, the trauma of those saved by their mamad or miklat only to leave and find themselves homeless, their home utterly destroyed, is enormous, but at least the cost in human life is miraculously low.

 

That’s the down side, the very serious side of the last few days but there is an up-side! When there is a hatra’a, a warning, Zvi and I go into the mamad and I always turn to channel 13 news to see what where and when the siren is about to go off and the Iranian missile is about to be intercepted and very large pieces of fall to the ground. When the siren is in Tel Aviv the reporters, obviously go into shelters or in this case into underground car parks that serve as shelters. As the cameras roll you see people coming down the escalators chatting, as if going to a party, no panic whatsoever, leaving their restaurants and bars, still holding their wine glasses, enjoying a sip as they toast each, smiling even under these circumstances, some even managing to dance. Perhaps there is little more surreal than being in a very crowded supermarket, when everyone's warning alerts, that loud tch tch tch sound, go off together, we traipse slowly into the shelter, usually the store room, and then when we get the all clear we just go back to our trolleys and keep right on shopping!

 

By the way, the Iranian demands before a ceasefire are limited, limited but impossible to fulfil. Full control of the Straits of Harmuz (without thought of Saudi Arabia and the Emirates), Reparations from the USA and Israel, A complete cessation of all attacks on Iranian officials and allies (Hamas and Hezb-Allah) by Israel and the U.S, including no repeat of war against Iran. From their demands it is patently clear that they have no intention of stopping the aggression.

  

So that’s it! I promise that I will write in greater detail on Friday but in the meantime, I wanted to reassure you that we are alright. I even had a visit from Rachel and Yosef this afternoon, which gave me a wonderful break in my Pesach cleaning, better than stopping for a missile or two!

 

To recognise the 900^th day after October 7^th I ask you to remember Bar Cooperstein who was serving as a guard and paramedic at the Nova Festival and was kidnapped to Gaza. Bar’s father had a severe brain injury after an accident and I’m sure that you remember his determination to speak a few words when he heard his son was coming home after 738 days of sheer hell. This song, performed by Bar and his brother Elizur is both honest and emotive.

https://youtu.be/UHrez87kcsQ?si=sXwwqPPlWMxkzD6o

Be strong wherever you are, don’t be worn down, we are stronger than any inane, ignorant bully.

With love to you from both of us

Sheila

The Wandering Thoughts of An Israeli Under Fire

 

20th March 2026

2nd of Nissan, 5786

 

Shabbat Shalom, Eid Mubarak and of course a huge Happy Birthday to my Zvi

 

"In war, the Gordian Knot of diplomacy is often untied only by the steel of the sword." The question is whether to slice it like Alexander the Great or to find a way of untying it.

 

 

In Wednesday’s midweek update, I touched on something that feels increasingly important to say clearly: it is not only Jewish Israelis who have been affected, but all Israelis regardless of faith, background, or belief. In the north of Israel, many Muslim Arab villages have suffered terribly, their communities caught in the same wave of violence. In recent days alone, terror does not distinguish between people.

 

Missiles fired from Iran have brought fear, trauma and uncertainty, but it is physical, identifiable, we know from whence the threat, we know who is shooting what and at whom. However, outside Israel there is a terrifying rise in antisemitism. Synagogues have been targetted, and Jews are afraid to openly express their identity, whether it’s placing a mezuzah on their doorposts or wearing a kippah in public. This does not arise in isolation; it has been carefully crafted through disinformation, misunderstanding, and narratives that deepen the divide, encourage anti-Semitism and cloud the facts rather than foster clarity.

 

Thursday night. 22:45 until 01:28. I was busy writing to you, although it is late, and then it happened; we have been under fire of cluster missiles, in and out in and out 4 or 5 times. Just as you think that there’s time to go and get a drink, or  something to munch on, the hatra’ah, that awful tch tch tch goes off again causing one’s heart to go into one’s shoes, no matter how calm an exterior we may display or brag about, how pragmatic a personality it disturbs ones equilibrium, then the siren on our phones, then the siren in the area, then the booms, sometimes closer, sometimes further, the booms that tell us that Iron Dome or another form of interception has yet again prevented a missile reaching its target, but it is simultaneously comforting and discomforting wherever they are. I told you that we are lucky, we have a mamad in our home, I can sit comfortably and write to you, but at least 50% of Israelis if not many more than that, don’t have that luxury, don’t live in new buildings where it is compulsory. They have to go up and down, down and up every time anew.

 

It's now 08:45 and the hatra’a just went off on my phone followed by a siren, perhaps I should stop writing to you, each time I sit down to tell you about our week we get a ******* multi-headed missile from Iran! I haven’t heared the booms yet so nothing has landed, unless it is still on its way. I’m just going to check the news on my computer. The newsreader, Eli Rachlin is in the safe room studio with a spokesman for the IDF and for Magen David Adom reporting on the situation and explaining about the diabolical missiles that have warheads that split on impact or when intercepted. The supposedly small off-shoots are dangerous enough to break through walls and explode and destroy cars. A good reason why we are told, when on the road, to distance ourselves from the falling shrapnel, which is conceivably more dangerous than the missile head itself.

 

OK no booms, hopefully a false alarm, or we got it before it arrived. Hmmm I wonder what to eat for breakfast? My usual cottage cheese and crackers with a good cup of coffee or should I treat myself to something more interesting? I know, smoked salmon instead of cottage! What on earth is she going on about breakfast you may ask, a second ago she was telling us that missiles may be flying over her head. Welcome to our world. We go from the safe room to a normal, mundane life in seconds – it keeps us sane.

 

Sitting facing my favourite view in the world, the view from my veranda, actually of our veranda, I began to think of what to tell you. I make little notes all week and send them to myself in emails so that I won’t forget what I want to say. Well, what I want to say has nothing to do with those notes on politics, diplomacy, war and response, it has to do with what I saw while sitting, eating my crackers and smoked salmon and that essential cup o’ Joe. I saw trees, beauty, I saw apple and orange blossom, harbingers of spring and I saw exactly what we are fighting for. All those notes that I made, thinking of you all week, are irrelevant, the reason we are in shelters, safe rooms and are willing to fight back is because this view, these trees, the blue skies and the ability to sit and admire the view are what, for Israel, this is what it is all about.

 

Most of the news reports tell us that Americans are against this war because the price of crude oil has gone up and it affects their lifestyle, before you get defensive I know that’s not you, but the wider public doesn’t understand that a few cents on their petrol bill doesn’t compare to a constant bombardment which ultimately  threatens your very existence, yes you, it means all of you, not just us.

 

A quick run down of news that I cannot run away from – Oh, sorry you will have to wait. It’s now 10:38 and we have another hatra’a to break in to my thoughts. Luckily the computer is right here in the safe room.

 

Lebanese President Aoun has called on the EU to help with establishing a ceasefire, support for the Lebanese Army and dismantle Hezb-Allah. That means that Christians could get back Lebanon and Northern Israel would be safe

 

Princess Noor Pahlavi is calling on the world to remove the Ayatollahs regime and return Iran to the free society it once was.

 

My amazing friend Liz Harris sent me a spot poll of people in the streets of London and New York asked random people how many Jews they think are in the world. Their responses were incredible, from between half a million to two billion! Of course, the answer is about 13 million, less than .02% of the world’s population. The presenter found a passage in the Tenach that said that although we may not be great in number, the Almighty will ensure that our name is great. I can’t decide if that’s a blessing or a curse but then I look at the contribution of Jews to the world and I understand that the curse or renown is a blessing

 

Stephen Fry is a brilliant actor/humourist/satirist who made this very short video called I am Stephen Fry “I am a Jew” https://youtube.com/shorts/65wE2wFR5f8?si=7w7DEa-jPk_OUpxr  

 

We just got the all clear and then immediately another hatra’a and siren. Luckily, we hadn’t left the safe room. Just waiting for the boom and the message that we can go back about our business. No sooner had I finished the sentence when there was another siren and now a cluster of booms, not too far away. The authorities are on the spot, although we can’t say where it is, but a private house was utterly destroyed. Thank heaven the people had left the house and gone to the public shelter.

 

Good grief, as my favourite cartoon character Linus would say, good grief, another one.  Oh well, every onward.

 

Meanwhile the Al Quds day march didn’t happen in London this week. The annual hate march was banned and only a small number turned up for a static demonstration in support of the Iranian regime. Across the river, a counter demonstration by pro-Israelis and anti-Regime Iranians took place as planned.

 

My friend and mentor Rabbi Jeremy Rosen writes every week about current events and their relationship to the Torah or Talmud. This is an excerpt from today’s wisdom. “We are living through the most turbulent, challenging and frightening world that I have ever experienced. Rationally I despair. Thank goodness I have a spiritual dimension that provides me with a non-rational dose of optimism. We have survived such a continuum of alienation and isolation, finding ourselves at odds with almost every world civilization and power at some stage or another, that this present state seems more normal than exceptional.” Dear Jeremy, my thoughts precisely. He also quotes Brandolini's law of 2013, which compares the considerable effort of debunking misinformation to the relative ease of creating it in the first place. The adage states:

“The amount of energy needed to refute bullshit is an order of magnitude bigger than that needed to produce it.”

 

My goodness, my usual tendency to digress has gone berserk this week, but I hope that you understand why. Incidentally, your response to my midweek update really warmed my heart.

 

Another digression but a natural progression – This week, yesterday to be exact, Zvi celebrated his 81st birthday in style. He met with friends in Café Ella and received the most beautiful bouquet of flowers; his Facebook page received over 300 messages of congratulation and we then went with our friend Sam Alberanes to our coffee shop where we celebrated with a cupcake resplendent with hundreds and thousands and a candle presented by Yisrael who I told you about a couple of weeks ago. The good news is that Yisrael is coping with the sirens and booms far better than we expected. This is a horrific time for people with PTSD. Anyway, back to Zvi, he received congratulatory phone calls from Canada, Mexico, the USA and the UK. Our granddaughter Talia, Rachel’s daughter, even sang happy birthday to him from Lima airport Peru where she was about to catch a plane back to Panama and the Safdie family. Sally, you are amazing, the way Talia feels so at home while on her travels so far from home is very special.

 

Zvi is about to leave for his parliament, again in the local mall. It never fails to amaze me, in a good way, that the mall is as bustling and lively as always. The coffee shops full and people chatting as if nothing else was happening. The supermarket is filled with shoppers buying the goods toward Pesach, and gifts for the family. I can’t decide if it is resilience or the fact that we are a stubborn people, we are determined to carry on our lives despite. Maybe it is inherited; inherited history of survival. Anyway, we won’t give up on our Aroma coffee, or any of the amazing delicacies that every parliament, male or female enjoys.

 

I intended letting you off with a relatively short missive but my pen had wings today. I don’t apologise for the inconsistencies therein. I thought of changing it, making it more lucid, shorter, but on the other hand, nothing is lucid, nothing is dependable except our own ability to overcome all obstacles. So dear friends, please accept my digressions, my drifting excursions into confused thought which bring you into the average Israeli mind today.

 

And so to music, to song, the expression of emotion through sound. 

 

Bella Ciao is a song dedicated to all women who are in a war zone but particularly the women of Iran. In Farsi, Hebrew and Arabic with English subtitles, it is a cry for togetherness, for unity. https://youtu.be/kBJoGGfNzUg?si=WIMkJiQJ4zAUiKQ2

 

Shalom Aleichem, Peace be with you, the song we sing before Shabbat. Have you ever thought that almost every song, every Israeli song, every Israeli greeting mentions peace, craves peace. We are not a belligerent people. We are a people that love to argue, but not to fight. Enjoy this beautiful song, maybe sing along! https://youtu.be/Y9cNstcOCIU?si=Hw2XbNyP-vVaK0sw

 

Many accuse me of being an optimist, actually that isn’t an accusation, it’s a compliment! Without optimism life becomes painful. When in doubt I simply sing that insane song from Life of Brian. “Always Look on The Bright Side of Life” with its irreverent reverence for positivity. Go on, I dare you not to sing along with Eric Idle but don’t forget the key change in the middle! https://youtu.be/JrdEMERq8MA?si=5AXt3EGiVdYCBnQl

 

That’s it folks. I’m not going to Rachel today, she doesn’t want me to be out on the road without need. She is right, when friends tell me that when there is a siren and they are en route, they are alright crouching down at the side of the road but cannot get back up again, I admit that I can’t even get down let alone back up again!! So I’m going to get our supper ready, set the table for two, then open it up for the 14 or 15 for lunch tomorrow. Don’t worry most of the food is already in the fridge or freezer, I’m good but not that good that I can do it all in one go!!

 

I wish you Shabbat Shalom and please, be proud of who you are, of what you are, not what you are perceived to be, the real honest you. Jew, Christian, Moslem, Bahai, LDS, Druze, we should wear our identity as a badge of pride not be afraid. Accept others, accept those different to ourselves and the world would already be a better place.

 

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem, the View From Our Veranda. I promise to think of you tonight as I light the Shabbat candles, will you think of us?

 

With much love

Sheila

 

 

Midweek Update

 

18^th March 2026

 

Mid-week update

 

The Canary in the coal mine – an early warning; before technology, a canary was taken into the coal mine as an early warning of coal gas which would kill miners.

 

In case it has not yet dawned on people, this is not just our story, it is yours as well. Israel is the canary in the coal mine, the early warning too many choose to ignore. But we are not passive, not sitting ducks or any other unfortunate fowl; we are, if anything, the rare bird that fights back, fiercely, to defend herself.

 

I began writing this just after midnight, having managed barely an hour’s sleep, sitting with Zvi in our mamad in relative comfort while Iran once again attempts to advance its caliphate ambitions by firing at whoever happens to be in range — and let us be clear, it is not only Jews. Earlier in the day, while Rachel and Yosef were with us, the first time in a month, a missile carrying a cluster warhead was intercepted, though shrapnel fell in Abu Ghosh. Miraculously, no one was hurt. Then, soon after falling asleep came another hatra’a, that sharp warning on the phone, followed almost immediately by the siren. Another missile. Then another. Three in quick succession, all cluster warheads. One cannot help but wonder what Jeremy Bowen of the BBC or their counterparts at CNN might say if it were their own families running for shelter, crouching at the side of the road, or huddled in a safe room. What language would they use if it were London or New York under fire?

 

Sometime towards the early hours we were released and returned to bed, knowing it was only an interlude.

 

Morning brought the kind of news that lands heavily and stays. A couple in their seventies in Ramat Gan were killed by shrapnel from a cluster munition; whether they failed to close the door of their mamad or did not reach it in time is ultimately beside the point. A neighbour, realising that their building had been hit, went to check on them and found the apartment destroyed, the safe room door open.

 

And in the north — Nahariya, Kfar Blum, Majdal Shams — every town, village and kibbutz has been under relentless fire from Hezbollah. Jews, Christians, Druze, Bedouin, Circassians — it makes no difference. For nineteen days now, the rockets have fallen indiscriminately, and last night was among the worst. Of course, the reports in most countries only talk about the IDF fighting the poor Lebanese. Understand, we have no fight with the Lebanese, only with Hezb-Allah.

 

The North, the soldiers who protect us and the women, like Ora Hatan from the moshav of Shtoolah, who spend their waking hours preparing warm and loving food for the soldiers when they come out for a short break. These women epitomise our society. Ora doesn’t have a mamad and the local shelter is too far away so the morning programme on Channell 13 decided to ask for a company to volunteer to donate a “migunit” shelter for her. Diana and her company came through to the tears of gratitude from Ora. What were Ora’s first words? “The government didn’t do anything for me but private people, a private company came to my rescue. I want everyone in your company to come and I will cook them a real Kurdish meal.”

 

This is what it means to live here: to move between the ordinary and the unthinkable in the space of minutes, to hold fear and resilience in the same breath, and to understand, perhaps more clearly than most, that what begins here rarely ends here.

 

Another missile, also a cluster, and 07:50 found us back in the mamad. It’s over again and we will shower, dress and go about our business. This morning we are going to the local shopping mall to buy gifts for our Seder night (the first night of Passover and Jesus’ Last Supper). We are expecting a much smaller Seder night this year, only 16 diners, but I have my doubts that family will be able to come if the missiles are still flying.

 

I’ll see you on Friday morning as always. With love, as always, from our veranda and the view of Jerusalem that after 35 years, still takes my breath away

Sheila

 

Tirana, El Al and Sirens

 

 

13th March, 2026

24th of Adar, 5786

 

Shabbat Shalom to you, to every one of you! I’m back in every sense of the word!!!

 

 “If I can turn one extremist fanatic into a moderate peacemaker, then I am satisfied that I have achieved my life goal.” Professor Mohammed Dajani Duoad.

 

Last night, as it is every night, brought the now familiar Israeli wake-up calls, a disturbingly loud “tch tch tch tch” sound over and over on one’s cellphone, a sound to ensure that one is awake to hear the siren. A sound that never becomes familiar. That’s the hatra’a, the alert that flashes onto our phones warning that missiles have left the Iranian launchers and are on their way. Only then the siren sounds on our phones and throughout the suspected trajectory area. Like everyone else, we get up and walk quickly to the mamad, the safe room, close the heavy metal door, ensure the heavy metal cover is over the window and settle down watching the news on the computer (or playing games), listening out for the booms which tell us that Iron Dome and Or Eitan have done their job. We are deeply thankful to have a mamad in our apartment and do not need to race to the public shelters, we wait for the all-clear, and then return to bed until the next interruption. If this is meant to be a war of attrition, they clearly forgot to factor in the Israeli determination to continue living a normal life, aware of where the safe area (shelter) is. Cafés remain open, restaurants full, shopping malls busy, all of them, of course, equipped with shelters. This morning I sat on the Veranda, the sky a bright blue, the sun warming the crisp air, reading the newspaper, doing my puzzles and eating breakfast while looking at my fruit trees, checking the number of limes in various stages of ripeness, carrying on with the small rituals of an ordinary morning as though nothing at all had happened - which, in its own quiet way, is an act of defiance.

 

Our allies in the Gulf region are in the same situation, undecided whether or when to retaliate. The Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, have suffered the constant battering of Iranian missiles, but the world, as usual concentrates on us, even suggesting, through careful innuendo, that we are to blame!

 

Those who are in close touch with Israeli media, know that the north of Israel has been bombarded night and day from Hezb-Allah within Lebanon having rebuilt along the ceasefire line despite UN Security Council Resolution 1701, adopted unanimously in 2006, which calls for a “permanent ceasefire, the disarmament of all armed groups (specifically Hezb-Allah), and the establishment of a buffer zone between the Litani River and the Blue Line, free of any personnel/weapons other than Lebanese state forces and UNIFIL”. Yesterday several houses were destroyed in a Bedouin village in the north of Israel by a missile from Iran, 58 people were injured. The missile was one of a barrage from Iran coordinated with missiles launched from Hezb-Allah

 

Only 43% of residents in the north of Israel have returned to their homes since the 12 day war, many homes were destroyed and the fear of constant barrages from Lebanon is a further deterrent. They are beyond angry that money that should have gone to rebuild their homes, towns, villages in this week’s budget, has gone to those who do not serve in the IDF and don’t even recognise the State of Israel. If we are not very careful we will lose the north of Israel, and, with the constant increase of Bedouin wives imported from Gaza, the south too.

 

Is Mayor Mamdani a proud American or defender of the Caliphate? “Today's military strikes by the United States and Israel mark a catastrophic escalation in an illegal act of war aggression.” His position is terrifying, and I cannot believe that Jews voted for him! I’m sorry, I know that it is not my business but the man is dangerous and his wife more so. His wife “liked” a claim that October 7^th was a fabrication!!!

 

Alternatively in the UK, The British Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has approved a request by MP Sarah Sackman and the Metropolitan Police to ban the Al Quds Day Rally  "I expect to see the full force of the law applied to anyone spreading hatred and division instead of exercising their right to peaceful protest." 

 

Where were we over the last couple of weeks? Zvi and I decided to go to Albania so that Zvi could have expert dental treatment in an amazing modern clinic! Until we flew there, I didn’t even know where Albanie was or that it’s on the Aegean Sea. We took a wonderful walking tour through the centre of Tirana, and learned what a fascinating society it is, with a rich and complex history. After centuries of occupation, under the Ottoman Empire and the cruel communist rule of Hoxha (pronounced Hoja), Albania has emerged as a remarkably tolerant and kindly society. There is no official religion: roughly 45% of the population identify as moderate Muslims, about 25% are Russian Orthodox, 20% Catholic, and the rest follow a mixture of other faiths or none at all. One hardly sees a hijab; miniskirts are far more common, and the Italian influence is everywhere. Italian is a second language and the local food reflects it, excellent pizzas and pasta on every corner. Albania, or what we managed to see, is a country coming out of the poverty of a cruel communist regime.  Tirana shows both sides, fabulous new architecture, crumbling Soviet style housing; wide open squares and narrow passages. Lovely people, warm and tolerant, open to all as only those who suffered themselves can be. It’s become a popular holiday destination for Israelis and I’m told that the mountains and lakes are exquisite.

 

Purim in Habad was fun! Habad is housed in a pseudo-castle and the festivities included a speech by the community leader and, of course, Zvi met an old friend from his Maccabi days, Damian Brickman. The Rabbi insisted that Zvi give a little speech, and there was dancing and singing; it was fun!

 

War broke out a couple of days after our arrival in Tirana and after the week’s dental treatement, we did everything we could to get a flight home. In the end, El Al contacted us to go to their rescue hub, Athens.  We flew from Tirana to Athens, and then the cavalry arrived. El Al truly is the most extraordinary airline in the world. Tell me another airline whose crew will willingly fly into a war zone to bring their people home. They sent a Dreamliner to Athens so they could triple the number of passengers, took us to Ben Gurion Airport, changed crews, and immediately flew back to collect more Israelis. As we boarded, the crew hugged us, actually the truth is that I asked for a hug and they all came and hugged me, I was so emotional that I was going home. When we landed, they wished us a safe return home. We arrived at our door at three in the morning, relieved beyond belief to walk in to the familiar.

 

Nothing has ever felt quite so good as our own bed, our own shower and our own kitchen. I couldn’t be bothered to go out for bread, so I simply baked some. The washing was done next morning, the bags unpacked, and after a brief collapse into sleep our wonderful neighbours appeared. The downstairs neighbour with pashdida, the upstairs neighbour with vegetables and chocolate cake. I had soup waiting in the freezer, and Zvi made me scrambled eggs. A great relief after my only real complaint about Albania? The hotel breakfast served cold fried eggs, a crime no civilisation should tolerate.

 

While in Tirana, something incredible happened. Stranded in Albania, walking down a street in Tirana with someone from our group, making conversation, he asked where I was from. “Motza Illit,” I said “Where are you from? “Petah Tikva.” He responded. “We have a few friends in Petah Tikva.” “Who?” he asked. “Yaffa and Moshe Boosany. They live on Bayliss Road.” He stopped walking. His jaw quite literally dropped. He stared at me for a moment and then said slowly, “That’s my sister.” He was Kinneret Chaya’s Uncle Natan! Of all the streets in Tirana, of all the people in a tour group of strangers, we had somehow ended up walking side by side. We immediately took a selfie and sent it to Yaffa and Kinneret Chaya, followed by video calls much to their amazement. I could hardly stand; my legs went wobbly and I found myself somewhere between tears and joy. I showed him photos from over the years and the video of Kinneret Chaya speaking so beautifully at my 80^th birthday party. It was one of those small miracles that seem to follow Israelis wherever in the world we happen to be.

 

On Monday I had a very Israeli experience. I went to Shaare Zedek Hospital for a regular checkup, obviously checking that non-urgent visits were still happening. “Of course”, said the receptionist “We are waiting for you” I left home giving myself plenty of time to find parking, usually a 45 minute search in both the huge outside and the even bigger underground car park. At Rachel’s request, I headed straight for the underground car park expecting to go down the spiralled drive down some 8 floors, hoping to find an empty space. To my utter amazement it was a sea of green lights! I decided to go down to a space next to the lift (elevator) but wait, there was a barrier across from floor 2 to the rest of the car park. The penny dropped, everything from floor 2 down had been turned into hospital wards!  Shaare Zedek is just one of almost all Israeli hospitals that have gone underground, protecting its patients from the bombardment. On Tuesday I met with my lovely friend Gila in the coffee shop on our estate, an absolute joy and two minutes from our homes.

 

Yesterday I received a call from a dear friend in Sydney, Australia. His dismay was obviously for what we are currently undergoing but most of all, he is dismayed at his own country. Jews predominantly arrived in Australia after the Holocaust, survivors, as far as they could from Europe, and they built their lives anew, faithful to their adoptive country, those who are successful in business give back to society in museums, hospitals, many, many charitable causes survive through the philanthropy and pride of Australian Jews. Their love and trust has been betrayed, their government doesn’t protect them and sadly they are not alone in the world because it is happening in a country near you. Just yesterday an attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, had been carried out by Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, Lebanese, who entered the United States on a visa issued to foreign-born spouses of U.S. citizens.

 

It's nearly Shabbat, just a few hours to get everything ready. Tonight our lovely friends Merle and Frank Friedman are coming for supper. I’m delighted to say that they will be our neighbours! Zvi is about to go to his parliament, the third since our return. They don’t meet in the Botanical Gardens when Iran decides to disturb their discussions, they meet in our local shopping mall where there is a shelter should the siren go off. I can already tell you what discussions will take place, the budget! The fact that soldiers, miluimnikim families are fight to survive financially yet the budget has given 5 billion shekels to the Haredi parties. I know some of you don’t like my mentioning it, but it is breaking us apart.

 

Back to being positive! The joy of being home is indescribable. We feel safe here, we know that everything has been done to ensure our safety. For many years now all new builds must have either individual mamads or shelters and anyway, this is home! More and more I realise that the only truly safe place for Jews is here in Israel, but more of that next week.

 

Shabbat will start with lighting the Shabbat Candles, with the prayer and a private moment of contemplation and the prayer that the light from the candles will bring light to our confused world; Zvi’s beautiful kiddush, the blessing over the challah (special bread) and then food. Starting with “Orange soup”, a delicious vegetable soup made of orange vegetables and leeks; chicken with roast potatoes, cauliflower and broccoli, followed by pears poached in wine. We have so much to talk about, especially their exciting new apartment!

 

Music, yesterday I went to my “Mind and Movement” group and what started as a tentative attempt at moving to music (in the  middle we danced our way into the shelter!!) we all began to feel the music and move to release all our worries and tensions. Fabulous.

 

First is the new Israeli entry to the Eurovision Song Contest. I still haven’t decided if it’s a winner and I wish they had chosen a different name, but you judge for yourselves. Noam Bettan sings in Hebrew, English, French and Arabic. Michelle. https://youtu.be/xWCnWSoG8nI?si=Cauc3kGNtoG4IMZn

 

Vehi Sheamda is a prayer said on Pesach (Passover, Pascha) here you hear Daniel Weiss and YStuds. https://youtu.be/fY1wgTq9SRM?si=uC7sLozkDw5IFBAs  The meaning? In every generation since the beginning of time they have risen up against us but the Almighty saves us each time

 

The prayer for the IDF, for our soldiers, always brings me to tears and the superb voice of Natanel Hershik together with the Maccabeats is the ultimate. It was recorded when Benny Gantz was Minister of Defence.  https://youtu.be/uL-yEVU18Cc?si=oWzDmEIA-SxaIaHu

 

We are home, I am making Shabbat, we will survive, this and all attempts to wipe us out. We are strong as long as we unite, as long as we believe, as long as we keep our spirits high

With all our love from Jerusalem and our beautiful “View from My Veranda”

Sheila