The Aftermath

 

27^th June 2025

 

Shabbat Shalom.

 

“In War: Resolution; In Defeat: Defiance; In Victory: Magnanimity; In Peace: Good Will.”
Sir Winston S. Churchill

 

So another war is over, or so it seems. The traffic jams are back, parties abound, the restaurants are full, and Jerusalemites were asked to bake cake for Shabbat, for those who lost their homes. In fact, so many people answered the call for cakes that they had to send out a new message to stop baking! Seven young soldiers killed in Gaza, a hostage whose body was returned from Gaza in a brave mission, a mother, her son and his girlfriend who were murdered by a missile just before the ceasefire with Iran. We know that our freedom, our existence, comes at a very high price but we will not be beaten down, life goes on and tonight we will celebrate Shabbat by extending the table to accommodate 17 people, yes we are back entertaining the family after cancelling twice. 14 Ravivs, 3 Silvers and lots of discussions with the neighbours about parking spaces! We aren’t the only ones to get back into family Friday night meals! We recover quickly but we never forget.

 

It has been very easy to slip into normal life. Our sleep is undisturbed by a barrage of ballistic missiles; our phones don’t suddenly make that dreadful noise warning us to go into the safe room or shelter; women no longer sleep in their brassieres just in case they have to run to the public shelter; the snacks have been removed from our safe room and basically life has returned seamlessly to it regular pattern. If I can go back to the beginning of this missive, why are we still uneasy? This week alone, seven young soldiers killed in Gaza, a hostage whose body was returned from Gaza in a brave mission, a mother, her son and his girlfriend who died in their safe room from a direct hit by a missile just before the ceasefire with Iran.

 

Perhaps the uneasiness stems from knowing that the Iranian people are still under the fanatical theocracy of the Ayatollahs who spread their poisonous hatred throughout our world, making tiny Israel and the Jewish people their target. While the Western world falls deeper into Jew-hatred, the Gulf States in particular are seeking friendship with Israel. A Harris Poll has just shown that 50% of young Americans support Hamas! The disinformation is working.

 

The obvious heroes of the Israeli missions were the pilots who flew thousands of kilometres with perfect accuracy, night after night, day after day, but the unseen heroes are those who prepared the missions; the Secret Service, the scientists, planners, engineers, they too deserve praise. In fact, the Israel Aircraft Industries and the innovative armaments have become top earners for Israel. Every country wants our knowledge! Actually, the sales began before the Iran war. In the 3 months of January, February and March this year, international orders to the value of $26 billion for the Israel Aircraft Industry. Innovation in the field was brought on by necessity and became a major source of income

 

But the loss was huge. We lost 28 people, many injured and up to 9,000 people lost their homes/ A vast number for a tiny country and obviously, each person lost is a tragedy, but on the other hand, our defence systems prevented far greater tragedies and loss. The safe rooms built into homes, the public shelters and warnings of incoming missiles all saved lives, defence against a vast and super-rich country whose missiles blew buildings apart.

 

Like it or not, the President of the United States came through. Britain and France helped on the fringe, he came in feet first and the B2 bombers finished the job we had prepared, to end the nuclear facilities. Again. Like it or not, the two leaders, Israeli and American, formed a formidable team against a demagogic enemy. I am avoiding the F-bomb, as shocking as it was, hardly the behaviour of the leader of the Western world but I understood that he was piqued by the insistence of both parties to throw caution to the wind in order to save face and be the one who threw the last punch, thus threatening his hard work brokering an already fragile cease-fire between the two countries. I don’t know if we destroyed the nuclear facilities or set them back, but the sheer audacity of this tiny country, a real David and Goliath situation, will hopefully make them think again about starting with us. Maybe two countries were involved but this war was for everyone in the West. I am not sure that his statement about ending the Netanyahu trial is fair; not sure it is his place to make demands from our legal bigwigs, but I understand where he is coming from. We need closure and we need a government that is representative of the majority, in other words, if we get another term with Netanyahu, we just want him to choose his partners carefully, partners who care for the country, partners who serve the country, who love this country.

 

Ben Gurion Airport is back in business! Everyone is on their way home, either to or from Israel. The first “foreign airline” to return to our runways was Air Dubai, again showing the firm friendship that has become stronger and stronger On Passover when we read the story of the 40 year trek from slavery to freedom, we say “B’chol Dor v’Dor” In every generation they rise up against us, but the Almighty saves us time and again. Slowly, other airlines will come back when they realise that they’ll lose the revenue of the intrepid Israeli holidaymaker! Israelis love to travel and see the world, although it is becoming more and more problematic to speak Hebrew or wear a Magen David. I really don’t understand the whole upsurge of anti-Semitism but on the other hand it happens every so often, with the emphasis on the often. It’s as if it is always under the surface just waiting to emerge. There are situations that cannot be avoided, overt hatred of Jews as opposed to tacit hatred of Jews, but why oh why don’t we get the fact that being self-hating or in denial doesn’t protect us from attack?

 

I want to understand something. We in Israel have Moslem politicians, Moslem Mayors, just because they are Moslem doesn’t make them anti-Israel, but if someone is openly anti-Israel, if he has a tendency to incite to hatred, why on earth would he be elected as Mayor of a city with a strong Jewish identity? You know what I mean! The elections for New York’s Mayor are really disturbing. I don’t want to go into detail because you want to hear about what is happening here, not what I think of New York!!

 

It’s time to change the tone of this missive, I don’t know about you but I want some good news, news that won’t be ruined by the Iranian Ayatollahs.

 

For the first time, two Israeli players, Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf, have been drafted into the NBA, both by the Brooklyn Nets. Ben Saraf, an Israeli league MVP, and Danny Wolf, a standout US college player, join Deni Avdija as the only Israelis in the NBA. Traditionally there have been Israeli players, but this is exceptional.

 

Almost like clicking the light switch, everything reopened, as I indicated at the beginning. The Creativity Class went ahead, the lectures in the village hall next to us, the yoga, Mind and Movement, woodworking, all filled, everyone chatting about how wonderful it is to get back to business, until we discover that the pain is still there. I hate to keep mentioning it but until the hostages, alive and dead, are brought home we can’t heal as a society. I have a feeling that the demonstrations will return, but mostly, Hostage Square will be overflowing tomorrow night.

 

I was thinking, the family that will sit around our table tonight everyone over 18 (except me because I arrived too late) will have served in the IDF. The fact fascinated me. Anyway, we will sit outside on the veranda in the wonderful balmy air of Jerusalem. Everyone else comes from, for me, the debilitating humidity of the shore and the flat lands. Oh how I love the air on a Jerusalem evening, the breeze through the pine trees is redolent of the scent of Israel, the unmistakable mixture of pine and heat, a scent that I love. I spent much of the last housebound time working on the mirpesset and I have to say it is spectacular. I moved the exquisite camellia into a flower pot worthy of it’s beauty and tended to the needs of the fruit trees. The seeds extracted from particularly flavourful tomatoes and ppers are doing very nicely thank you! I even have some baby green tomatoes! The acorn squash seeds are also growing well, slowly creeping across the tiles, but no results yet, just glorious yellow flowers. The little apple tree is doing very well, even though the Indian Mynah birds seem to get to the juicy apples before I do. The strawberry tower is also producing fruit, in fact I feel inordinately pleased with my crops, a farm in a box!

 

I must go and set the tables, prepare my part of the dinner and then I am determined to go to Rachel today. I haven’t seen the children for too long. Talking of children, my amazing grandson, Joshua, graduated from high school yesterday. Resplendent in his green robes his broad smile representing his delight at starting a new phase in his life. Rachel and I couldn’t be there, Rachel’s flight was cancelled due to the war, but Daniel’s father Philip was there and his wife Barbara faithfully sent us photos. I loved the one of Joshua and his beautiful Mummy, Karen. It was a mixture of great pride at his success and deep sadness that we couldn’t be there. This weekend my granddaughter Olivia has her graduation ball, very different to the American formality. Liv will receive an excellence award but she’s too humble to tell me what for!  

 

OK as I said, loads of stuff to prepare and if I don’t take the meat out of the freezer then we won’t have anything to eat tonight. I really don’t want 17 hungry folks on my hands.

 

What music do you want? You really ought to tell me if you have favourites! I’ll choose today and then I promise that your favourites will appear.

 

Mothers, Jews and Arabs, Israelis and Palestinians, all dressed in white, walk the desert hills, hug and love, and pray for togetherness, for peace, that their children will know peace. I pray that their prayer comes to fruition. https://youtu.be/YyFM-pWdqrY?si=EF-iXP_cj-rFdlzu

 

You don’t have to be a mother, a woman, to worry about your children. Arik Einstein was a father and wrote this song about children leaving the nest. His feelings are no less just because he is a man.” Oof Gozel”, Fly gosling. Fly Fledgling. https://youtu.be/ez1e2VPsRFw?si=zCKE-FfSE_F6ti-u

 

Uzi Hitman wrote and sang simple songs which expressed the thoughts of all Israelis. No fancy twists and turns of complex musical grandstanding, just simplicity, honesty and I love them, they lift my soul. “Born for Peace, is one of my absolute favourites https://youtu.be/4fz18D68Vdw?si=7X428XBqxpe3Nb-V

 

Shabbat shalom lovely people. Most people in Israel, when making a wish or just a plan, say “B’Ezrat hashem” or with the help of the Almighty. B’Ezrat Hashem I will meet with my childhood friends this week. Our meeting was deferred thanks to some huge missiles and constant alarms on our phones, so this forthcoming get together will have special meaning.

 

Thank you for your messages of support and love. A special thank you to my two sisters, Doreen and Eddie, for their daily calls just to say they care, to make sure that we are alright. Thanks to the Mexican family who demand a full update from Zvi every day. His Spanish explanations are exceptional.

 

Shabbat Shalom and much love from our veranda, overlook the city we all turn to, we have been praying to for millennia. Shabbat Shalom and love from our home to yours

 

Sheila

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The day the lion roared

 

22^nd June 2025

The day the lion roared after a year and a half since October 7th

 

Today may not be a comfortable day here in Israel but we are ready for whatever the vile, despotic, perpetrator of the most heinous crimes in recent times has in store for us.

The Iranian regime has been the cause of deaths all over the world, not just in Israel, not just through its proxies. They were ultimately responsible for 9/11, for the Embassies, for 7/7, don't think it is just Israel, we just made the news.

Say what you will, this is America at its finest, not waiting until we were destroyed, but recognising a need to destroy the greatest threat to world peace.

 

In all probability the news media is saying that the Americans are saving Israel – which of course puts the onus on our backs, but the fact is that this is vengeance for all the incidents above, for the war in Afghanistan, Iraq, indeed the entire region. I remember when the Allied troops went into Iraq, I wrote that they were fighting the wrong enemy, it was Iran that was behind everything.

 

The surreal part of the whole situation is that the minute the “get out of jail free” announcement from the Home Command came through on our telephones, life went back to normal. Of course we checked on family and friends but I went to the front door to pick up the newspapers, we made coffee, I went out onto the veranda to skip through the newspaper although everything was obsolete, day old, but the puzzles still called me. I did Wordle, not as well as my clever friend Averil but nonetheless got there, spelling bees to sharpen my mind, changed the bedclothes and put them in the washing machine……….. in other words, life went back to normal immediately. I told you that it is surreal, surreal that we in Israel have become used to the missiles, the reaction is by rote, the trauma will come later.

 

Together with the USA we have taken out the Iranian cyber facility, their nuclear sites and please G-d their ability to set their fierce proxy dogs on us. Time will tell but here in Israel we feel that at last someone is on our side. This isn’t a matter of politics, not a matter of Democrat versus Republican, nothing to do with whether you love or hate Donald Trump, or Benjamin Netanyahu for that matter, it is all about removing the greatest threat to modern society we have ever known

 

Many people ask about the "safe room" so here is an official explanation

In Israel, the Home Front Command mandated safe rooms (Mamads) in new residential construction after the Gulf War, primarily due to the threat of Scud missile attacks. This resulted in the creation of the "Mamad" (Merhav Mugan Dirati), a reinforced, private room within each apartment, or a shared safe space on each floor, called a "Mamak". These spaces were designed to withstand blast and shrapnel from conventional weapons and offer protection against potential chemical and biological attacks. Obviously there are many places where there are only public shelters, but then that is also safe and very friendly. If you find yourself on the highways and byways, there are roadside shelters called Miguniot. Israel ensures the safety of her citizens, all citizens, we defend and secure, but fight back when we are attacked.

 

Apparently the skies and airports will reopen at 14:00 which may sound incredible from where you are and the announcement may change depending upon the situation.

 

That’s all folks, I’m going to hang the washing because it’s a beautiful sunny day with blue skies and of course while I am outside, I’ll have a wander through the trees and flowers to tell them not to worry, we will beat the big bad wolf.

 

It’s time for a bit of British backbone, with the best song to lift our spirits. Originally sung by Vera Lynn, this rendition is with Andre Rieu…. Watch the audience! https://youtu.be/-liqnstteLQ?si=y0T7_ueVq0ayilTY

 

With love

Sheila

 

 

 

Almonds and Raisins

 

Friday the 20^th of June, 2025

24^th day of the month of Sivan 5785

622 days since the 7^th of October and we still have hostages barely alive in Gaza

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

As the TV hosts say “By popular request” I am writing again, but this will be a short one because I am afraid of boring you! Talking of boring, life in this region is never boring. When you are surrounded by potential enemies on every border and the puppet king in Iran decides to send at least 10 metres long ballistic missiles as a wake-up call, life becomes less boring.

 

Beersheva has become a major target and again last night. Perhaps they are after the high-tech industry there, although hitting an oncology department in a major hospital hardly counts as a legitimate target! Please understand, first and foremost that the Geneva Convention rules only apply to Israel, even when we are attacked, we’ve already come to the decision that the rest of the world doesn’t understand the Middle East or the implications of living in our neighbourhood.

 

Leor and three of his four girls just popped in for lunch and the pool. It’s such a treat even if my cleaner just finished making the apartment gleam! We ate outside on the mirpesset (hope you remember what that is) chatting away and then I heard something that they forgot to tell us on the television. The Weizman Institute and the Ben Gurion University Research Centre are also targets, indeed the Weizman Institute, a research institute of international renown, has been badly hit, research of years, maybe decades, has been lost because although whatever was on paper or computer can be reclaimed, the specimens that are the basis of all research cannot. Much of the country’s cancer research takes place in the Weizman Institute

 

As I sit on our veranda – mirpesset – or if I am pottering, taking care of the plants and trees, I often hear the planes overhead, our planes, our pilots, our incredible air force, I say a little prayer for them to come home safely. They really are the heroes of this conflict, flying thousands of kilometres to fight the fight for us, for Israel, for all of us.

 

As you know, I do my best not to bring politics into my missives, especially right now when we are literally fighting the fight of the entire world against Iran, but I have to mention this because it was surreal, certainly to me. Our Prime Minister stood in front of the rubble of destroyed buildings in a city in the centre of Israel, after a missile killed people in their homes, and he spoke to the people, as he indeed should. However, one sentence in an otherwise empathetic speech made me angry. When talking of the effect on those in the damaged buildings, people who lost everything, he said that his family was also affected by this war because they had to postpone his son’s wedding celebrations! What? I’m sorry to mention it, but it was so inappropriate. We are in a war for our very lives and the wedding should not have been a huge affair in the middle of a war.

 

Sorry about that, I know that you prefer me to speak only of the rosy side of Israel, but we have to accept that politicians will be politicians under even the worst situations.

 

Talking of politicians, Former President Clinton spoke (albeit haltingly) about the situation and agreed that we had to do something about Iran, agreed that even as the war continues, we must go into some form of negotiations, agreed that Prime Minister Netanyahu (for a change he gave due respect in using his full title) was hanging on to his position and could stay there for many years to come.

 

Politicians are a strange bunch but every so often one decides that his moral compass takes him to places that may cause him to lose his seat. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz chose to speak out during the G7 summit in Canada. He expressed strong support for Israel in its attacks on Iran.

“This is the dirty work Israel is doing for all of us. We are also victims of this regime. This mullah regime has brought death and destruction to the world” 

 

Most people around the world have forgotten about Gaza, although the war continues and the determination to bring back the hostages has not lost its urgency. The lies about starvation in Gaza also continue. I can only say that most countries in Africa would give anything to have the amount of food and supplies that the Gazans receive, despite the best efforts of Hamas. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation  has distributed a total of 33,450,142 meals, yes that’s what I wrote, it’s not a typo. The organisation says that this amounts to 572,640 boxes. The group added that, on Thursday, all aid distribution at all sites proceeded without incident... “despite operating in one of the most volatile and complex environments in the world, our dedicated team on the ground continues to deliver life-saving aid to the people of Gaza – safely, efficiently, and without incident.” In addition, 74 truckloads of aid went through from Israel.

 

With all the “balagan” that wonderful Hebrew word for utter chaos, the families of the hostages are terrified that their children, husbands, fathers still in captivity, will be forgotten. We cannot let it happen. We have to keep on fighting their fight, their personal war to bring their loved ones to safety, out of the tunnels of Hamas and PIJ where they receive daily beatings and humiliation. There are no meals given out by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation for them. Nobody cares if they starve to death while those above them are now receiving daily rations. The families are going through a form of heartbreak that is almost impossible to imagine, no I am wrong, it is beyond imagination or nightmare. The Hostage Square demonstrations have thinned out to almost nothing, not because we have forgotten them but because people are scared off by the Iranian missiles. We have to find another way to show our support, to heal the huge hole in their lives knowing that even if their loved ones return, they will never be the same.

 

I want to tell you about an amazing friend called Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld. Rachel is the Executive Director of the American Friends of Soroka Medical Centre. Rachel loves Soroka, she lives and breathes Soroka, visiting frequently and leading the fundraising and information for Soroka. Can you imagine her heartbreak when the hospital was hit by an Iranian missile – twice? Rachel, I just want you to know that I will help you find a way to rebuild what was destroyed and together with good people the hospital will be bigger and better than ever.

 

So, how are we going to spend out Shabbat? Obviously we will not have visitors, the children and grandchildren will stay close to their safe rooms rather than travelling on the roads at night. Perhaps we can catch up on some sleep, the disturbed nights of this week have left us jet-lagged! I will suggest a walk in our park to Zvi, he’s always ready to walk with me and as long as we don’t do that traditionally English thing (I’m Welsh anyway) and go out in the midday sun! The greatest advantage of where we live is that children can go out to play, be it football or skateboarding, right here and they enjoy freedom while within reach of a mother’s call to the safe room. I really don’t want you to think that we are all sitting at home quaking in fear, waiting for the next bombardment, it takes more than the Iranians to knock the determination to live our lives out of us. One of my favourite things is that in our creativity group we are all “creating” at home! We do whatever we do and then put a photo up on Whatsapp, each giving the other a boost as we compliment our work.

 

Actually, yesterday I went to my movement class, as I think I told you, and on the way home I had a wonderful conversation with one of my fellow dancers. She lives right next to the village library and organises get togethers (is that grammatically correct) for the village and our community. Anyway as we each went our separate was she looked up at the historic building in our park and told a wonderful story of how she and her husband were married right here in the Big House and the park many years ago, certainly before our buildings were even thought of! She told me that she brought in chairs, music, catering and guests, despite the challenge that everyone insisted she couldn’t pull it off – the underestimated Tirza!!! I love these stories and told her that she had to write it down for posterity.

 

I had two lovely phone calls this morning. One from our very special friend Pauline all the way from Melbourne, Australia and one from my lovely Jill in Leeds, UK. Obviously I also speak to my son Gideon in the UK who is probably more up to date with the news than I am and with Rachel right here in Jerusalem. Anyway, I wanted to tell you what an incredible fillip it is to our state of mind when we realise how much people care. I know it is tough for you to be so far away with hearts so close to us.

 

That’s it! I did promise that I’d make it short and after all everything is relative. Zvi has gone to his parliament, in a very limited form, not in the Botanical Gardens but in our local mall where there is a shelter within easy reach. Me, I’m not going to Rachel and family, not going over the hill of Nebe Samuel (Samuel’s Tomb) won’t see the fantastic panorama of Jerusalem, but I’ll be thinking of all of the above and in a minute will drive Rachel nuts by doing a Whatsapp video while she is in the middle of kneading the Challah with her hands covered in the aromatic dough!! I will have to be satisfied with my view of Jerusalem in the distance, the scent of the pine trees and the lemon blossom, the knowledge that we can do this, we can rid the world of a cruel, despotic, theocratic regime that has brough chaos to the world.

 

Shabbat Shalom,  I  wish you a weekend filled with blessings and good will

שבת שלום ומבורך,

What’s that? You want a song? OK I’ll put on my thinking cap but on condition. The condition is that I want to hear from you!!

 

Shulem Lemmer sings the entire and original rendition of October Rain. He writes - “In these times, when we're focused on not drowning in the hurricane of hatred and antisemitism, our personal feelings often take a backseat. Since that dreadful day in October, our hearts and minds have been solely focused on our land and people. From the moment I heard this song, I felt compelled to cover it, as it conveyed so much of what we've struggled to express in recent months. The original "October Rain" was deemed "too political" for the world stage, leading to the release of a more neutral version, "Hurricane." I am sharing "October Rain" in its raw, authentic form to voice our nation's true sentiments”

Still so appropriate

https://youtu.be/D2gBJ58drtg?si=nZB1bUFEwLF1AFXa .

 

Oh all right, one more. When I was a little girl my beautiful Mother used to sing a Yiddish song, she wasn’t a great singer, indeed didn’t sing a great deal, but this was her favourite, and it brings back memories of a far distant childhood and a mother who was taken from us too soon. Roshinke smit Mandlen, Raisins and Almonds. A lullaby https://youtu.be/wsqZCcjxeuA?si=0nUiuHZWm5bSYPds

 

May God bless you that you may be surrounded by kindness and love

 

Shabbat Shalom

Sheila

 

PS It wasn’t that short was it? Before Stanley and Barry tell me that I give them a headache I will apologise!!! Don’t forget to write and say hello

 

PPS. What can I tell you, apparently the powers that be didn’t want you to miss out on anything! We just came back from the pool at a somewhat faster pace than usual. We had the warning message on our phones and almost as we walked in the door, we got the alarm both on our phones and in the village. We are now 6 of us in the mamad which tells you just how lucky we are. First reports suggest injuries in Haifa, I hope I am misinformed. Shabbat Shalom seems more like a dream

Early Shabbat Shalom

 ​20^th June 2025

622 days of captivity for at least 20 hostages who are still alive

 

Shabbat Shalom although it’s only Thursday

 

Nothing so focuses the mind as the prospect of being hanged. Mark Twain

 

00:30 Here we are back in the safe room, filling our time, waiting to hear if we can go back to bed or whether more missiles on the way. Watching the news on our computers and ironically finding out about the political barometer of the pizza in Washington, apparently it all depends upon how many extra hours the civil servant’s work. It may sound a ludicrous subject to discuss on the news when virtually all of Israel is sitting in their safe room (if they are lucky), their building shelters or their community shelters, but I suppose we are all looking for something to lift our spirits amuse us.

 

It would appear that the pizza barometer is high, as the United States decides whether to join Israel with more than a few refuelling aeroplanes or whether the Iranians are serious about going to the negotiation table

 

Whew, only the regulation 10 minutes and we shot down the missiles and the shrapnel has fallen without any injuries. Time to go back to sleep and report to you tomorrow. Or Heller is the military reporter of Channel 13 Israel news and I have a feeling that his family hasn’t seen him all week and his ability to keep reporting without sleep has beaten the record of human endurance!

 

We will meet again tomorrow but I was staggered to find out that there was a Pro-Iran Demonstration or rally in Times Square yesterday. The 'Solidarity of Iran rally' was organized by the socialist pro-Palestine Bronx Anti-Iran coalition, which called for support for "the brave Iranian and Palestinian people." with the banner 'Iran make us proud, burn Tel Aviv to the ground” and “US drones in the sky, Iran’s missiles will reply!” Are they serious?  Where are the arrests? To me these chants are treason they take free speech and trample on it!

 

Oh well, as we said, the world is upside down. Good night for now. Let’s hope we can stay in our beds until the morning.

 

07:10 and this time we had the warning and now the siren has sounded twice on our phones and outside over the entire area. At least we managed a few hours of sleep. Over our heads I hear the sounds of children running to their safe room, the neighbours grandchildren after their own home was destroyed a few days ago. The names of the towns and villages which are in the line of the trajectory of the Iranian  ground to ground missiles including our area. It’s strange, I feel no panic, no fear, obviously discomfort although we worry about the rest of our family, spread throughout the centre. The report is of four “nefilot”, four missiles actually made it through the Iron Dome defence.  Soroka Hospital has been damaged. The oncology ward was hit, thank heaven all the patients were moved yesterday to the safe area but then you must remember that oncology wards have radioactive material. All the patients of that ward have been moved to other oncology hospitals around Israel. A very important aspect of Soroka Hospital is that any and all soldiers hurt in Gaza are brought there to the trauma unit, which now means that they must be sent much further away. My first fear was for Sheli who is studying in Beersheva, but she is in the shelter. Ramat Gan and Holon were hit too

 

Yes we are in the safe room (mamad) and it is inconvenient but our pilots fly 2000 km in the middle of the night perform the acts they need to perform and fly back home, the first responders risk their lives going in to damaged buildings, our soldiers ae on permanent alert, so I have no right to complain that I spend half an hour in the mamad watching television on my computer. People in communal shelters, community spirit like London WW2, while checking their phones to see how their family is faring during the 30 missile bombardment.

 

09:20 and I am walking through our park to the hall where we do our Movement class. The park is just as beautiful as always and the sun is still bearable. We began our class with a relaxation exercise and then the music. We began with soft, contemplative music and ended after nearly an hour with noisy fun music – oh and in the middle we had an alarm so gathered in the mamad of the hall together with one young man who arrived for his class in woodworking a little early!

 

Nas Daily posted a short video about Iran and Israel in the 1960’s. Worth watching and learning about the friendship that was and the hatred that became Iran. https://youtu.be/dCY9-rDNtCw?si=LDKUzk8aUpIJFguR

 

Further to the light explanation of Iran/Israel relations, we at Impact have just released an up to date report on Iranian textbooks. Just to give you an inkling of what is happening and why.

“Iran’s textbooks reflect and reinforce the regime’s militarization, belief in martyrdom, and specifically emphasize anti-US and Western sentiment. The curriculum promotes a revolutionary worldview, embedding militant activity and nuclear ambition within a wider narrative of ideological struggle.

Please click here to read IMPACT-se’s most recent analysis of Iran’s curriculum. Iranian textbooks promote hostility toward the West, depicting the US as a satanic enemy intent on destroying Iran and its Islamic values. Western norms like secularism and liberal family structures are portrayed as threats, while dissenting Muslims or those partnering with the US and Israel are labelled illegitimate.

For example, a Grade 9 textbook on ‘Defense Readiness’ claims that the “Death to America” slogan derives from faith in the nation of Iran, which opposes America’s “arrogant disposition,” and calls for death to the “tyranny, aggression, slaughter, terrorism, sanctions, and antihuman policies of the American government.” A Grade 10 ‘Defense Readiness’ textbook explicitly claims that ISIS was formed by the United States.

Iran’s school textbooks include shocking incitement, urging students to chant “Death to Israel” and teaching that Israel “must be wiped out,” embedding hatred into religious rituals and national identity.”

 

If you think that history doesn’t repeat itself-

After Haman's fall, Mordechai issued a new decree:

"The king's secretaries were summoned to write the decree that Mordecai had dictated. on the 23rd day of the third month, the month of Sivan..." (Esther 8:9). It was written for the Jews in their own language (the language that we speak today)

What did it say? "The king had granted the Jews of every city the right to assemble and defend their lives, to destroy, kill, and annihilate any armed force of any people or province that attacked them, including children and women, and to plunder their property. » (Esther 8:11) That's when History changed:

Fear turned into fire, and the Jews were no longer victims, but fighters. This Thursday, today, is that date.

The 23rd of Sivan.

 

Not everything is bad news. I received this from a friend. When good people do good - the heart expands.

My dear friend, Shay Ezra the owner of Ezra Restaurant in Jerusalem - opened the restaurant today in a reduced feature of take-away and deliveries, according to the instructions of the Home Command.

Suddenly a group of 25 fighters from the Shimshon-Kfir unit, came in after returning from their commander's funeral on Mount Herzl. Without thinking twice, Shay welcomed each and every one of them with a hug; sat them down, indulged them with barbecue meats, salads, hot wraps, all the way from the appetizers (the traditional multitude, nay cornucopia, of salads and Iraqi pita straight from the taboon oven) main courses, drinks, desserts. When the fighters asked to pay - Shay refused. So Israeli, so very Yerushalmi (Jerusalemite)

 

Please dear friends, don’t forget Mordechai, his plot to confuse the evil plans of Haman, his decision to dictate the words which changed us from obedient people to feisty combatants for justice. We ae fighting the war against evil, against the determined efforts to change our world, this irritating little country will continue to challenge those who would see us gone, those who encourage death and destruction to all who do not follow the antithesis of freedom. We mourn our losses but just as I did today, we come out of each attack and dance, or just go to work until the next bombardment. I grew up on stories of the Brits during WW2 when most of Britain’s towns and cities were bombarded for nearly 6 years; one of the most popular songs we sang then was written in WW1, "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag" to continue to the second line “and smile, smile, smile” https://youtu.be/suV26OS_XV0?si=3Zo6U_nPW_R6hECr  I know it’s really hard for you out there in the world, you worry about all your loved ones here, even me!!!

 

We all worry about our brave pilots, soldiers and everyone who defends this little country. There is a beautiful prayer which I remember was recited each week in my synagogue in the UK. Here it is sung by a child, Nerya Granot,  https://youtu.be/UlGy2nPg9uQ?si=MfXsbXIBzRWcvfem

 

Keren Peles is a famous singer/songwriter here in Israel. Many of the Israeli stars sing for the soldiers and Keren is no different. This video was made a few years ago, before Covid, before October 7^th, before this ghastly war. I love it! She sings with a young woman fighter. “You Suddenly Appeared” https://youtu.be/KGSBrPc9-os?si=5cFJK9hi4yb9diU-

 

I hope that I will have nothing more interesting than the recipes for our Shabbat Dinner. I hope and pray that there will be nothing special to report although it is my belief that we have to respond to last night’s attacks. For those who don’t understand, this is not a case of responding to something that we started, just remember that they have been attacking us for years through their proxies. I wish you peace of mind and all of Israel a peaceful Shabbat without fear.

 

I promise that we will talk soon

Shabbat Shalom

Sheila​

--

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/ 

Mid-Week Update

 

15^th June 2025

 

It’s now 02:30 and the warning message came on to our phones, waking us out of a deep sleep. This is the first message accompanied by a strange ticking sound. This message gives us time to wake, go to the loo, get a blanket, whatever you need, or if you are in a building, to get downstairs or in some places, to get to the communal shelter.

02:39 and the second warning to go to the safe area

02:42 the sirens are heard on our phones, loud and clear and outside in the area that is on the trajectory, the siren that wails into the night telling us that the missile is in our area.

02:44 and from the safety of our mamad, safe room, or shelter I can hear muffled booms as Iron Dome does its job

02:52 and they announced that the Houthis are at it too

5 or 6 missiles or shrapnel have fallen in the centre of the country

03:01 and Eli Bean CEO of MDA is reporting on damage to a building and some injured. 2 major centres of damage.

03:03 we see pictures of an apartment block with an entire corner blown off it. We do not know where, it is never reported so that we don’t tell the enemy

03:07 Report of 12 hurt in Bat Yam, 10 in Tel Aviv and 4 in Bilu Junction. First responders go from floor to floor, room to room to check for injured residents.

03:13 Report of several hits, in Gush Dan, near us in Jerusalem

03:16 The latest attack is over and we can climb back into bed but to keep one ear open for further sirens

 

We are among the lucky ones, our safe room is well furnished, we each have a computer on which we can watch the live broadcast from the shelter of the television station with cameras searching the skies to see where the missile falls. The sky is like a firework display. I’m very happy to be in our safe place. Zvi even brought a footstool so that I can put my feet up.

 

On the screen the names of all the towns and villages that are in danger roll on the screen. Incredibly even our little “Yishuv” or village is up there. The incredible volunteers and paramedics of MDA, Zaka and Hatzolah are out there as are the police and soldiers, checking on injuries and reporting damage to buildings. Sadly, we have this down pat, it’s hardly our first rodeo. I am again amazed by the efficiency, and bravery, of the teams. The TV journalists are reporting from their shelters so they send to sound as if they are down a well, which they are in a sense.

 

I feel guilty as I sit in comfort, a guilty can of Coke and Whatsapping the family to check on their safety and sanity. I know that some of them are squashed into a tiny space, others are sitting on the stairwell and others have slept at the home of their family with a shelter. We just heard that in an earlier missile 5 people died in the Arab village of Tamra, in the lower Galilee. Ghastly.

 

I’m off to sleep now, we can talk tomorrow. I hope that this missive gave you some insight into one night in Israel. I believe that the subterfuge surrounding our attack on Iran is truly phenomenal. While the world was concentrating on our undoubted political chaos, the “Royal wedding” of Avner Netanyahu and under cover of the trial of Benjamin Netanyahu, we were planning the most brilliant attack on military personnel and nuclear facilities of the cruel Ayatollahs

 

Morning of the 15^th and we are licking our wounds. Over 250 ballistic missiles were fired at Israel in six massive barrages, with approximately 25 impact sites identified across civilian and residential areas, Bat Yam and Tamra were worst hit and the damage is overwhelming. Tragically, we are mourning 10 fatalities, including 2 children and more than 220 people have been injured including 2 in critical condition.

 

We are paying the price for the entire world. The Iranian threat to you and yours is very real, be it through military attacks or through changing the entire moral characteristics of your country. The other MENA region countries recognise it, but apparently the West is too namby pamby to do anything about it.

 

Have a good day and be aware, please remember, we are the canary in the mineshaft. The CNN, BBC etc reports actually say “Israeli assault on Iran” Are they insane? Have they been asleep for the last 617 days? Have they no moral compass?

 

Again, the flowers are still blooming, the sky is still blue, the sun is shining, but a cloud hangs over the world

 

With love

Sheila