091127
Friday, November 27th 2009.
Shabbat Shalom and to all my American friends, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, commemorating a time when Christians were persecuted, founded a nation and "settlers" was not a dirty word.
I want to write a different Shabbat Shalom letter today. Of course I will give you the news but I want to take you around my Jerusalem – as if you were a journalist who was trying to suggest that this is not a just society.
Mendel Kaplan z"l was a strong, fervently Zionist, outstanding Jew who gave his heart and soul to Israel. Mendel and Jill, his devoted and loving wife and partner, walked the walk – intolerant of those who just talk the talk. Always one to speak his mind and seek justice without "niceties" Mendel was a great Jewish leader and a fine man. Before the 1988 elections for Mayor of Jerusalem Zvi suggested and Teddy Kollek approved the initiative to persuade Mendel to become Mayor of Jerusalem but he chose to become Chairman of the Jewish Agency instead feeling his talents better served. His honesty will be missed in the double-speak world of Jewish Diaspora Affairs. May his soul rest in peace and his family know no more sorrow. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1129725.html
I was horrified to read that a Florida middle school has decided not to take criminal action against 10 pupils who organized a "Kick a Jew" Day at school but to suspend them for a day and hold 20 minute lessons on tolerance in the school. No wonder our society has no concept of responsibility for their actions. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/134628
The world is turning on its head, Kick a Jew Day and then this in Australia – a country which has zero tolerance for terrorism or its values. http://www.youtube.com/user/trueausse#p/a/u/1/081-MHMLRh8 Watch it and absorb.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a 10 month moratorium on building in Yehuda and Shomron (West Bank disputed territory). While I am more than aware that it takes a hawk to make peace and a dove to make war this does not seem to fit either category. Not a man to take decisions lightly I am certain he was in a "no choice" situation, but I would understand it far more if the demanded "freeze" were even handed. I recognise that Mayor of Jerusalem Nir Barkat has not made the PM's situation easier by his strong and possibly inflammatory statements but it is surely racist to insist that only Jews stop building homes without demanding the same of the other side of this complex equation. Maybe I could accept it if our enemies, whose demands are constantly appeased, would stop planning our annihilation.
A particularly Israeli paradox- a couple was waiting at the "trampiadah" – a hitch-hiking point- beside a petrol station in Kiriat Arba, close to the Biblical City of Hebron when a terrorist leapt at them with a knife shouting Allahu Akbar as he stabbed them. An off duty security guard stopped the terrorist who was seriously injured. All three were taken to Hadassah Hospital in Israeli ambulances for treatment. They will all receive the best of Israeli medicine. Israeli paradox or not?
Now for your tour. Imagine you are a journalist from CNN or the New York Times and I have been given 24 hours to convince you that Israel is a democratic, multi-cultural society. I assume you have a skimming knowledge of the Biblical meaning so I will take you to my Jerusalem rather than the Old City.
Let's start in Gilo, currently in the news. As we climb the wide road from Pat to Gilo we see the marvelously colourful metal statues of people running, waiting climbing and standing which run the full length of the grassy central reservation (go on Arlene laugh)we turn left to a breathtaking vew of Jerusalem, from Nebe Samuel to the Old City, the town centre to Baka to Talbieh. Up to the top of the hill and to the glorious view of Bethlehem and its multitudinous minarets, the lone steeple of the Church of the Nativity proof of its former glory. We drive slowly to take in the brilliant artists who painted the wall built during the Intifada when Palestinians were shooting from Beit Jalla – give us lemons we always make lemonade! Back through the busy commercial centre we head back down the hill to Beit Safafa and my favourite store. Inside you will hear the stories of the head family in Beit Safafa, who recognize their freedom here in Israel where they suffer from bureaucracy just like us!
Down the hill to Pat, a poor Jewish neighborhood of Jerusalem where we see the difficulties of poverty and lack of education so familiar to a big city and then on to Bet Hanina and its grand villas with "Eiffel Tower" satellite receivers to get the Arab stations.
Shouk Ramle and its cornucopia of trivia, delicacies, spices and cheap clothes reflect the rainbow although no place reflects it more vividly than Mahane Yehuda. The costermongers and the throng reflect the full gamut of humanity. From ultra-orthodox Jews to black clad Orthodox Christians; from noisy tourists to even noisier customers; from the famous falafel stand to the elegance of the coffee shop; Jews, Arabs, Christians, Moslems, Druze, religiously reverent and impiously scantily clad the atmosphere bears no tension nor antipathy, just mingling and a zealous determination to choose the finest produce for their home. The jokes among the costermongers are in both Hebrew and Arabic since most of them are either Israeli Arabs or Jews who fled Arab countries.
The Malha Shopping Mall and the City Centre complete the openness and from there our tour takes a strange turn as we head for either Hadassah or Sharei Zedek Hospitals. The emergency rooms and the wards reflect the equality of this society far more than any other place. Israel has socialised medicine we do not differentiate between the insurance haves and have nots and the array of patients, doctors and nurses reflect the fact. We do not discriminate; Israel was created with specific and strong moral codes which are in place today despite the attacks upon our very existence.
If I could I would then take them to the United Nations Central Command which is in the former British Governor Generals home in Talpiot. It is an exquisite building with views over both Jerusalem and Bethlehem and the seat of one of the most influential people in the world – but I can't. We were in the building just once many years ago and it was only because the then Central Commander of UN in the ME was General Ganguza an open minded Italian who invited us to supper and was kicked out for doing so. 98% of the staff are Palestinian and Israelis are not welcome!!!
To complete our day I would invite them to supper on our "mirpesset" our veranda. I would suggest they bring anyone they wish to sit with us and talk freely and openly on any subject they wish; in particular I would ask them to discuss our day and what we saw and heard. We could discuss the fact that Israel protects the right of Moslem prayer on the Temple Mount http://www.answers.com/topic/temple-mount to the detriment of Jews and Christians at the demand of Moslem leaders who claim that for non-Moslems to walk on the Temple mount would defile the site! We could discuss that while it is difficult for Arabs to pass through barriers it is harder for Jews who are not allowed through at all! We could discuss the fact that Israel gives medical, agricultural and financial aid to developing countries and has first response teams to fly to disasters all over the globe http://mashav.mfa.gov.il/mfm/web/main/missionhome.asp?MissionID=16210& and http://www.israaid.org.il/ whereas the PA only takes and never gives.
My virtual tour was somewhat selfish since I haven't left home for 12 days having been struck down by some virus – and I miss my usual traipsing around – wandering through the streets, alleyways and markets of this fascinating city.
Being a good Yiddische Momma I must return to my pre-Shabbat preparations. Zvi has gone to his Parliament in the coffee shop at the petrol station so I can do some cooking without him sending me to bed!
I wish you a beautiful Sabbath – remember that every day is Thanksgiving – with or without the turkey!!!
Shabbat Shalom
Sheila
Friday, 27 November 2009
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Shabbat Shalom from Sheila
091119
19th November 2009.
Shabbat Shalom
This week I was angry. Not the anger that one feels toward those whose hatred is overt but rather the anger one feels toward those who claim undying friendship yet fail to deal an even hand.
Let me describe the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Gilo for you. White stepped buildings typical of Jerusalem's hillsides roll down toward the Israeli Arab neighborhood of Beit Safafa; they have an incomparable view over Jerusalem to the Old City. The railway line which formed the pre-67 border with Jordan is just down in the valley and one sees clearly where the old border cut Beit Safafa in half, splitting families who are now united under the Jerusalem Municipality and consider themselves Israeli.
Gilo is home to nearly 50,000 people, good regular folk who just want to go about their lives. There are medical clinics, drug stores, local corner shops and stores, pizza parlours and a good shopping mall; there are parks and schools, old people's homes and normal, normal life. These are not extremists they are people just like you and me and the popular Jerusalem neighborhood needs more homes. To call a press conference stating that building in Gilo is the only stumbling block to peace is an insult to our intelligence and treachery in the first degree. The greatest stumbling block to peace is the fact that our neighbours are sworn to kill us! The greatest stumbling block to peace is that we are told to stop building on disputed (formerly Jordanian) totally empty land while the Palestinians build at a phenomenal rate with impunity.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat stated: "Israeli law does not discriminate between Jews, Muslims, and Christians or between eastern and western Jerusalem. The demand to halt construction by religion is not legal in the United States or in any other free place in the world. I do not presume that any government would demand to freeze construction in the United States based on race, religion or gender and the attempt to demand it from Jerusalem is a double standard and inconceivable."
So why was I so angry? Why was this day different from all other days? Because not one TV report mentioned the fact that simultaneously the Jerusalem Municipality is building housing in Arab neighborhoods too! The announcement came over the wires exactly as the others but only IMRA chose to pick it up. http://imra.org.il/story.php3?id=46452
All the major US Emissaries from Dennis Ross to Martin Indyk leave their positions and tell of the unyielding stance of the Palestinians yet, while "on duty" they refuse to speak up. No-one refers to the fact that the Two State Solution was executed in 1948!!!
Incidentally, Gilo is part of a contiguous city - part of Jerusalem - all the photos you saw which indicate that it is a settlement on the top of a hill were taken from the formerly Christian Palestinian village of Beit Jalla or the formerly Christian town of Bethlehem. You can see the protective wall which was built when the Palestinians were shooting at Gilo.
The Palestinian Authority intended unilaterally declaring statehood, or not - depending upon with whom one speaks. Terrific! It would cut our taxes by at least 10%; mean that we wouldn't have to give free water, gas, electricity and hundreds of trucks of aid each week if the Palestinian Authority became an independent state. Unfortunately I think they did their sums and decided that they prefer milking us all dry instead. Vast quantities of money have been sunk into the PA, money which should have relieved hunger in Africa and Asia, but has been squandered on the corrupt Palestinian leaders by countries who want to keep everyone's attention on this tiny area so that no-one will notice their own mismanagement at home. http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/2000_2009/2002/6/International%20Financial%20Aid%20to%20the%20Palestinian%20Aut . I know where my tax money goes since it is all published http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2009/Increased_humanitarian_aid_Gaza_after_IDF_operation_Jan_2009.htm but I am not sure that you do.
This week Zvi gave one of his entertaining and informative speeches before the marvelous and highly appreciative Buffalo Mission in the King David Hotel. The hotel was buzzing with the Saban Forum attended by President Clinton, Governor Schwarzenegger, Senators Joe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham. They met with PM Netanyahu and many other Israelis but in essence they talked, travelled to Ramallah came back to the finery of the King David and went home. Good intentions have done nothing to bring peace but the attendees enjoyed Israeli hospitality at its finest.
One of the finer aspects of Israeli generosity to the PA is shown in medicine. Whether through the free passage of Palestinian patients to Israeli hospitals for treatment or the training of PA medical professionals at Haifa's Rambam Hospital this week for a seminar on the treatment of cancer http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1258489190455&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter
Israel's scientists are rated number four in the world in scientific activity and publications. Not bad for a little country eh? http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1128738.html
Just in case you had any doubts as to Israel's contribution to our world "Tikkun Olam" click on the link and watch this outstanding video and then send it to everyone you know. I believe it was inspired by the brilliant letter by Barry Shaw http://97.74.65.51/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=875 after attempts to boycott Israel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbIQto3KPUM&eurl
In Judaism we are told that we must leave the world a better place than that we found. This Israeli team has built a hospital in Equatorial New Guinea where they live with the nationals and serve them, teaching and nursing. This Youtube video shows you the side of Israel and the Israelis we want the world to know - the real one. Sorry it is in Spanish and Hebrew but the message is clear without words. http://www.youtube.com/v/JkI537wmYY0&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1
Incidentally the Governors of Trondheim University in Norway halted another attempted boycott. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1127734.html
This amazing video, Mexican entry to the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival is required viewing for Mr Ahmedinejad, David Irving, Jeremiah Wright and Mahmoud Abbas whose doctoral thesis was on the premise of Holocaust revisionism, indeed anyone heartless enough to claim there was no Holocaust. http://www.youtube.com/user/SFJewishFilmFestival#p/a
It rained again this week and my veranda is rewarding the Heavens with a sudden surge of growth and colour. The Jacaranda tree is losing its leaves, gathering strength to produce its long lavender flowers next spring; the vivid purple bougainvillea flowers are so bright from the wash and dry cycle that one needs sunglasses to look at them; the fuchsia, relieved that the scorching sun of summer has finally gone is greening up and producing flowers in abundance; the oranges are rounder, bigger and plumper slowly reaching their luscious edible state as are the kumquats; the "hadass" (box hedging) are green and fragrant, the herbs flourishing and best of all the pomegranates are bursting with pride at their sheer fecundity offering succour to the tiny "tsufit", an iridescent black native bird rather like a humming bird in shape and habit, as their fruits explode to reveal the bright, red juicy treasure within. Imagine all of this with the beauty of Jerusalem in the background. How lucky are we?
I wish you and yours a wonderful weekend, a fine Shabbat, a beautiful Sabbath day of peace and warmth, love and kindness.
With love from a spectacularly beautiful Jerusalem, white stones gleaming and glistening after the cleansing rain.
Sheila
19th November 2009.
Shabbat Shalom
This week I was angry. Not the anger that one feels toward those whose hatred is overt but rather the anger one feels toward those who claim undying friendship yet fail to deal an even hand.
Let me describe the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Gilo for you. White stepped buildings typical of Jerusalem's hillsides roll down toward the Israeli Arab neighborhood of Beit Safafa; they have an incomparable view over Jerusalem to the Old City. The railway line which formed the pre-67 border with Jordan is just down in the valley and one sees clearly where the old border cut Beit Safafa in half, splitting families who are now united under the Jerusalem Municipality and consider themselves Israeli.
Gilo is home to nearly 50,000 people, good regular folk who just want to go about their lives. There are medical clinics, drug stores, local corner shops and stores, pizza parlours and a good shopping mall; there are parks and schools, old people's homes and normal, normal life. These are not extremists they are people just like you and me and the popular Jerusalem neighborhood needs more homes. To call a press conference stating that building in Gilo is the only stumbling block to peace is an insult to our intelligence and treachery in the first degree. The greatest stumbling block to peace is the fact that our neighbours are sworn to kill us! The greatest stumbling block to peace is that we are told to stop building on disputed (formerly Jordanian) totally empty land while the Palestinians build at a phenomenal rate with impunity.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat stated: "Israeli law does not discriminate between Jews, Muslims, and Christians or between eastern and western Jerusalem. The demand to halt construction by religion is not legal in the United States or in any other free place in the world. I do not presume that any government would demand to freeze construction in the United States based on race, religion or gender and the attempt to demand it from Jerusalem is a double standard and inconceivable."
So why was I so angry? Why was this day different from all other days? Because not one TV report mentioned the fact that simultaneously the Jerusalem Municipality is building housing in Arab neighborhoods too! The announcement came over the wires exactly as the others but only IMRA chose to pick it up. http://imra.org.il/story.php3?id=46452
All the major US Emissaries from Dennis Ross to Martin Indyk leave their positions and tell of the unyielding stance of the Palestinians yet, while "on duty" they refuse to speak up. No-one refers to the fact that the Two State Solution was executed in 1948!!!
Incidentally, Gilo is part of a contiguous city - part of Jerusalem - all the photos you saw which indicate that it is a settlement on the top of a hill were taken from the formerly Christian Palestinian village of Beit Jalla or the formerly Christian town of Bethlehem. You can see the protective wall which was built when the Palestinians were shooting at Gilo.
The Palestinian Authority intended unilaterally declaring statehood, or not - depending upon with whom one speaks. Terrific! It would cut our taxes by at least 10%; mean that we wouldn't have to give free water, gas, electricity and hundreds of trucks of aid each week if the Palestinian Authority became an independent state. Unfortunately I think they did their sums and decided that they prefer milking us all dry instead. Vast quantities of money have been sunk into the PA, money which should have relieved hunger in Africa and Asia, but has been squandered on the corrupt Palestinian leaders by countries who want to keep everyone's attention on this tiny area so that no-one will notice their own mismanagement at home. http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/2000_2009/2002/6/International%20Financial%20Aid%20to%20the%20Palestinian%20Aut . I know where my tax money goes since it is all published http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2009/Increased_humanitarian_aid_Gaza_after_IDF_operation_Jan_2009.htm but I am not sure that you do.
This week Zvi gave one of his entertaining and informative speeches before the marvelous and highly appreciative Buffalo Mission in the King David Hotel. The hotel was buzzing with the Saban Forum attended by President Clinton, Governor Schwarzenegger, Senators Joe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham. They met with PM Netanyahu and many other Israelis but in essence they talked, travelled to Ramallah came back to the finery of the King David and went home. Good intentions have done nothing to bring peace but the attendees enjoyed Israeli hospitality at its finest.
One of the finer aspects of Israeli generosity to the PA is shown in medicine. Whether through the free passage of Palestinian patients to Israeli hospitals for treatment or the training of PA medical professionals at Haifa's Rambam Hospital this week for a seminar on the treatment of cancer http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1258489190455&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter
Israel's scientists are rated number four in the world in scientific activity and publications. Not bad for a little country eh? http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1128738.html
Just in case you had any doubts as to Israel's contribution to our world "Tikkun Olam" click on the link and watch this outstanding video and then send it to everyone you know. I believe it was inspired by the brilliant letter by Barry Shaw http://97.74.65.51/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=875 after attempts to boycott Israel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbIQto3KPUM&eurl
In Judaism we are told that we must leave the world a better place than that we found. This Israeli team has built a hospital in Equatorial New Guinea where they live with the nationals and serve them, teaching and nursing. This Youtube video shows you the side of Israel and the Israelis we want the world to know - the real one. Sorry it is in Spanish and Hebrew but the message is clear without words. http://www.youtube.com/v/JkI537wmYY0&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1
Incidentally the Governors of Trondheim University in Norway halted another attempted boycott. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1127734.html
This amazing video, Mexican entry to the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival is required viewing for Mr Ahmedinejad, David Irving, Jeremiah Wright and Mahmoud Abbas whose doctoral thesis was on the premise of Holocaust revisionism, indeed anyone heartless enough to claim there was no Holocaust. http://www.youtube.com/user/SFJewishFilmFestival#p/a
It rained again this week and my veranda is rewarding the Heavens with a sudden surge of growth and colour. The Jacaranda tree is losing its leaves, gathering strength to produce its long lavender flowers next spring; the vivid purple bougainvillea flowers are so bright from the wash and dry cycle that one needs sunglasses to look at them; the fuchsia, relieved that the scorching sun of summer has finally gone is greening up and producing flowers in abundance; the oranges are rounder, bigger and plumper slowly reaching their luscious edible state as are the kumquats; the "hadass" (box hedging) are green and fragrant, the herbs flourishing and best of all the pomegranates are bursting with pride at their sheer fecundity offering succour to the tiny "tsufit", an iridescent black native bird rather like a humming bird in shape and habit, as their fruits explode to reveal the bright, red juicy treasure within. Imagine all of this with the beauty of Jerusalem in the background. How lucky are we?
I wish you and yours a wonderful weekend, a fine Shabbat, a beautiful Sabbath day of peace and warmth, love and kindness.
With love from a spectacularly beautiful Jerusalem, white stones gleaming and glistening after the cleansing rain.
Sheila
Shabbat Shalom from Sheila
091119
19th November 2009.
Shabbat Shalom
This week I was angry. Not the anger that one feels toward those whose hatred is overt but rather the anger one feels toward those who claim undying friendship yet fail to deal an even hand.
Let me describe the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Gilo for you. White stepped buildings typical of Jerusalem's hillsides roll down toward the Israeli Arab neighborhood of Beit Safafa; they have an incomparable view over Jerusalem to the Old City. The railway line which formed the pre-67 border with Jordan is just down in the valley and one sees clearly where the old border cut Beit Safafa in half, splitting families who are now united under the Jerusalem Municipality and consider themselves Israeli.
Gilo is home to nearly 50,000 people, good regular folk who just want to go about their lives. There are medical clinics, drug stores, local corner shops and stores, pizza parlours and a good shopping mall; there are parks and schools, old people's homes and normal, normal life. These are not extremists they are people just like you and me and the popular Jerusalem neighborhood needs more homes. To call a press conference stating that building in Gilo is the only stumbling block to peace is an insult to our intelligence and treachery in the first degree. The greatest stumbling block to peace is the fact that our neighbours are sworn to kill us! The greatest stumbling block to peace is that we are told to stop building on disputed (formerly Jordanian) totally empty land while the Palestinians build at a phenomenal rate with impunity.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat stated: "Israeli law does not discriminate between Jews, Muslims, and Christians or between eastern and western Jerusalem. The demand to halt construction by religion is not legal in the United States or in any other free place in the world. I do not presume that any government would demand to freeze construction in the United States based on race, religion or gender and the attempt to demand it from Jerusalem is a double standard and inconceivable."
So why was I so angry? Why was this day different from all other days? Because not one TV report mentioned the fact that simultaneously the Jerusalem Municipality is building housing in Arab neighborhoods too! The announcement came over the wires exactly as the others but only IMRA chose to pick it up. http://imra.org.il/story.php3?id=46452
All the major US Emissaries from Dennis Ross to Martin Indyk leave their positions and tell of the unyielding stance of the Palestinians yet, while "on duty" they refuse to speak up. No-one refers to the fact that the Two State Solution was executed in 1948!!!
Incidentally, Gilo is part of a contiguous city - part of Jerusalem - all the photos you saw which indicate that it is a settlement on the top of a hill were taken from the formerly Christian Palestinian village of Beit Jalla or the formerly Christian town of Bethlehem. You can see the protective wall which was built when the Palestinians were shooting at Gilo.
The Palestinian Authority intended unilaterally declaring statehood, or not - depending upon with whom one speaks. Terrific! It would cut our taxes by at least 10%; mean that we wouldn't have to give free water, gas, electricity and hundreds of trucks of aid each week if the Palestinian Authority became an independent state. Unfortunately I think they did their sums and decided that they prefer milking us all dry instead. Vast quantities of money have been sunk into the PA, money which should have relieved hunger in Africa and Asia, but has been squandered on the corrupt Palestinian leaders by countries who want to keep everyone's attention on this tiny area so that no-one will notice their own mismanagement at home. http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/2000_2009/2002/6/International%20Financial%20Aid%20to%20the%20Palestinian%20Aut . I know where my tax money goes since it is all published http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2009/Increased_humanitarian_aid_Gaza_after_IDF_operation_Jan_2009.htm but I am not sure that you do.
This week Zvi gave one of his entertaining and informative speeches before the marvelous and highly appreciative Buffalo Mission in the King David Hotel. The hotel was buzzing with the Saban Forum attended by President Clinton, Governor Schwarzenegger, Senators Joe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham. They met with PM Netanyahu and many other Israelis but in essence they talked, travelled to Ramallah came back to the finery of the King David and went home. Good intentions have done nothing to bring peace but the attendees enjoyed Israeli hospitality at its finest.
One of the finer aspects of Israeli generosity to the PA is shown in medicine. Whether through the free passage of Palestinian patients to Israeli hospitals for treatment or the training of PA medical professionals at Haifa's Rambam Hospital this week for a seminar on the treatment of cancer http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1258489190455&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter
Israel's scientists are rated number four in the world in scientific activity and publications. Not bad for a little country eh? http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1128738.html
Just in case you had any doubts as to Israel's contribution to our world "Tikkun Olam" click on the link and watch this outstanding video and then send it to everyone you know. I believe it was inspired by the brilliant letter by Barry Shaw http://97.74.65.51/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=875 after attempts to boycott Israel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbIQto3KPUM&eurl
In Judaism we are told that we must leave the world a better place than that we found. This Israeli team has built a hospital in Equatorial New Guinea where they live with the nationals and serve them, teaching and nursing. This Youtube video shows you the side of Israel and the Israelis we want the world to know - the real one. Sorry it is in Spanish and Hebrew but the message is clear without words. http://www.youtube.com/v/JkI537wmYY0&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1
Incidentally the Governors of Trondheim University in Norway halted another attempted boycott. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1127734.html
This amazing video, Mexican entry to the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival is required viewing for Mr Ahmedinejad, David Irving, Jeremiah Wright and Mahmoud Abbas whose doctoral thesis was on the premise of Holocaust revisionism, indeed anyone heartless enough to claim there was no Holocaust. http://www.youtube.com/user/SFJewishFilmFestival#p/a
It rained again this week and my veranda is rewarding the Heavens with a sudden surge of growth and colour. The Jacaranda tree is losing its leaves, gathering strength to produce its long lavender flowers next spring; the vivid purple bougainvillea flowers are so bright from the wash and dry cycle that one needs sunglasses to look at them; the fuchsia, relieved that the scorching sun of summer has finally gone is greening up and producing flowers in abundance; the oranges are rounder, bigger and plumper slowly reaching their luscious edible state as are the kumquats; the "hadass" (box hedging) are green and fragrant, the herbs flourishing and best of all the pomegranates are bursting with pride at their sheer fecundity offering succour to the tiny "tsufit", an iridescent black native bird rather like a humming bird in shape and habit, as their fruits explode to reveal the bright, red juicy treasure within. Imagine all of this with the beauty of Jerusalem in the background. How lucky are we?
I wish you and yours a wonderful weekend, a fine Shabbat, a beautiful Sabbath day of peace and warmth, love and kindness.
With love from a spectacularly beautiful Jerusalem, white stones gleaming and glistening after the cleansing rain.
Sheila
19th November 2009.
Shabbat Shalom
This week I was angry. Not the anger that one feels toward those whose hatred is overt but rather the anger one feels toward those who claim undying friendship yet fail to deal an even hand.
Let me describe the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Gilo for you. White stepped buildings typical of Jerusalem's hillsides roll down toward the Israeli Arab neighborhood of Beit Safafa; they have an incomparable view over Jerusalem to the Old City. The railway line which formed the pre-67 border with Jordan is just down in the valley and one sees clearly where the old border cut Beit Safafa in half, splitting families who are now united under the Jerusalem Municipality and consider themselves Israeli.
Gilo is home to nearly 50,000 people, good regular folk who just want to go about their lives. There are medical clinics, drug stores, local corner shops and stores, pizza parlours and a good shopping mall; there are parks and schools, old people's homes and normal, normal life. These are not extremists they are people just like you and me and the popular Jerusalem neighborhood needs more homes. To call a press conference stating that building in Gilo is the only stumbling block to peace is an insult to our intelligence and treachery in the first degree. The greatest stumbling block to peace is the fact that our neighbours are sworn to kill us! The greatest stumbling block to peace is that we are told to stop building on disputed (formerly Jordanian) totally empty land while the Palestinians build at a phenomenal rate with impunity.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat stated: "Israeli law does not discriminate between Jews, Muslims, and Christians or between eastern and western Jerusalem. The demand to halt construction by religion is not legal in the United States or in any other free place in the world. I do not presume that any government would demand to freeze construction in the United States based on race, religion or gender and the attempt to demand it from Jerusalem is a double standard and inconceivable."
So why was I so angry? Why was this day different from all other days? Because not one TV report mentioned the fact that simultaneously the Jerusalem Municipality is building housing in Arab neighborhoods too! The announcement came over the wires exactly as the others but only IMRA chose to pick it up. http://imra.org.il/story.php3?id=46452
All the major US Emissaries from Dennis Ross to Martin Indyk leave their positions and tell of the unyielding stance of the Palestinians yet, while "on duty" they refuse to speak up. No-one refers to the fact that the Two State Solution was executed in 1948!!!
Incidentally, Gilo is part of a contiguous city - part of Jerusalem - all the photos you saw which indicate that it is a settlement on the top of a hill were taken from the formerly Christian Palestinian village of Beit Jalla or the formerly Christian town of Bethlehem. You can see the protective wall which was built when the Palestinians were shooting at Gilo.
The Palestinian Authority intended unilaterally declaring statehood, or not - depending upon with whom one speaks. Terrific! It would cut our taxes by at least 10%; mean that we wouldn't have to give free water, gas, electricity and hundreds of trucks of aid each week if the Palestinian Authority became an independent state. Unfortunately I think they did their sums and decided that they prefer milking us all dry instead. Vast quantities of money have been sunk into the PA, money which should have relieved hunger in Africa and Asia, but has been squandered on the corrupt Palestinian leaders by countries who want to keep everyone's attention on this tiny area so that no-one will notice their own mismanagement at home. http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/2000_2009/2002/6/International%20Financial%20Aid%20to%20the%20Palestinian%20Aut . I know where my tax money goes since it is all published http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2009/Increased_humanitarian_aid_Gaza_after_IDF_operation_Jan_2009.htm but I am not sure that you do.
This week Zvi gave one of his entertaining and informative speeches before the marvelous and highly appreciative Buffalo Mission in the King David Hotel. The hotel was buzzing with the Saban Forum attended by President Clinton, Governor Schwarzenegger, Senators Joe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham. They met with PM Netanyahu and many other Israelis but in essence they talked, travelled to Ramallah came back to the finery of the King David and went home. Good intentions have done nothing to bring peace but the attendees enjoyed Israeli hospitality at its finest.
One of the finer aspects of Israeli generosity to the PA is shown in medicine. Whether through the free passage of Palestinian patients to Israeli hospitals for treatment or the training of PA medical professionals at Haifa's Rambam Hospital this week for a seminar on the treatment of cancer http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1258489190455&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter
Israel's scientists are rated number four in the world in scientific activity and publications. Not bad for a little country eh? http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1128738.html
Just in case you had any doubts as to Israel's contribution to our world "Tikkun Olam" click on the link and watch this outstanding video and then send it to everyone you know. I believe it was inspired by the brilliant letter by Barry Shaw http://97.74.65.51/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=875 after attempts to boycott Israel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbIQto3KPUM&eurl
In Judaism we are told that we must leave the world a better place than that we found. This Israeli team has built a hospital in Equatorial New Guinea where they live with the nationals and serve them, teaching and nursing. This Youtube video shows you the side of Israel and the Israelis we want the world to know - the real one. Sorry it is in Spanish and Hebrew but the message is clear without words. http://www.youtube.com/v/JkI537wmYY0&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1
Incidentally the Governors of Trondheim University in Norway halted another attempted boycott. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1127734.html
This amazing video, Mexican entry to the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival is required viewing for Mr Ahmedinejad, David Irving, Jeremiah Wright and Mahmoud Abbas whose doctoral thesis was on the premise of Holocaust revisionism, indeed anyone heartless enough to claim there was no Holocaust. http://www.youtube.com/user/SFJewishFilmFestival#p/a
It rained again this week and my veranda is rewarding the Heavens with a sudden surge of growth and colour. The Jacaranda tree is losing its leaves, gathering strength to produce its long lavender flowers next spring; the vivid purple bougainvillea flowers are so bright from the wash and dry cycle that one needs sunglasses to look at them; the fuchsia, relieved that the scorching sun of summer has finally gone is greening up and producing flowers in abundance; the oranges are rounder, bigger and plumper slowly reaching their luscious edible state as are the kumquats; the "hadass" (box hedging) are green and fragrant, the herbs flourishing and best of all the pomegranates are bursting with pride at their sheer fecundity offering succour to the tiny "tsufit", an iridescent black native bird rather like a humming bird in shape and habit, as their fruits explode to reveal the bright, red juicy treasure within. Imagine all of this with the beauty of Jerusalem in the background. How lucky are we?
I wish you and yours a wonderful weekend, a fine Shabbat, a beautiful Sabbath day of peace and warmth, love and kindness.
With love from a spectacularly beautiful Jerusalem, white stones gleaming and glistening after the cleansing rain.
Sheila
Friday, 13 November 2009
Shabbat Shalom from Sheila
091113
Friday 13th November, 2009.
Shabbat Shalom! I hope you are well.
Just because we are paranoid doesn't mean no one hates us! Israelis, are the major cause of instability in the world and the annihilation of the "Palestinian People". President Shimon Peres' visit to South America has been cancelled due to security considerations and Brazilians have likened Peres to Hitler. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3804608,00.html Those who do so are ignorant of the past, gullible to the cant of the present and are using their hatred to change the future. Shimon Peres of all people. Born in Poland he came with his family to the nascent State in 1934, to become one of the most respected Statesmen in the world, highly educated, known for his unstinting, although sometimes contested, efforts toward peace in this arena. If there is anyone today to be compared to Hitler then choose an ignorant, vicious xenophobe like Ahmedinejad. They would do well to read the words of Ambassador Yoram Ettinger http://yoramettinger.newsnet.co.il/Front/NewsNet/reports.asp?reportId=220981
To see the Dore Gold – Richard Goldstone debate at Brandeis University last week please click on this link http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1257770030998
The murders at Fort Hood have raised many questions and fears. An educated man suddenly becomes a religious fanatic and kills 13 people, maiming many more while screaming "Allah U Aqbar".
Misinformation suggests that poverty begets terrorism but that is far from the truth. Most of the major terrorist leaders are not only wealthy but highly educated, a surprising number are medical doctors. In this arena wealthy leaders keep the ordinary people in poverty to maintain power over them. In Fort Hood, the United States of America, an educated psychiatrist who served his country in the military was inducted into a vile sector of a religion which is becoming more and more violent and killed in the name of that religion. The press and government reports chose to remove the word Jihad from their texts. Political correctness will be the death of us – literally. We are not new at the PC game as Daniel Pipes writes so well http://www.danielpipes.org/7737/sudden-jihad-inordinate-stress-ft-hood
Sadly we have our own, though very rare, insane terrorists. Yaakov Teitel came on Aliya from the United States. He kept up the appearance of a normal, kind man, father of 4 married to another English speaker. He was far from normal, he killed an Arab out for a walk, two border policemen and maimed the child of a Messianic Jew. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/man-of-hatred-shocks-the-land-he-calls-home-20091106-i25x.html At the risk of being extreme – I hope he rots in jail for going against everything that Judaism maintains.
Ban Ki Moon has finally urged the Lebanese Government to implement Security Council Resolution 1701 and disarm the Hezb-Allah. The Lebanese Government, however, is acting out of fear of retribution and chosen to ignore the call. How short our memories can be. Lebanon, "Pearl of the Middle East", Christian Democracy, has become a battleground which is in danger of a rout by the Moslem extremists – Hezb-Allah – Allahs Warriors. Another piece of misinformation is that the Middle East is a single fight between Moslems aka Arabs and Jews aka Israel, but this is far from the truth as the Christians of this area will tell you. Dr. George Habash, a Christian Arab from Lydda, did not understand the ever growing monster he gave birth to by aligning his FDLP with the PLO in the late '70's.
President Abbas is thinking of stepping down. His Presidency has no country and he and his would be his allies recognise that if he steps down, elections will be held and Hamas will win. It is essential to understand that Gaza and the West Bank have nothing in common. They came from different countries; they hold different views and West Bank Arabs spent a great deal of time in and with Israel learning that there is a better way. A contiguous Palestinian Authority would destroy even the minimal democracy which exists on the West Bank. For this reason, and maybe only this reason, Israel and the USA are hoping that Abbas will recant on his intentions.
Yesterday saw the dedication of the Keren Kayemet (JNF) Israeli Memorial to September 11th. We met beside Binyanei Ha Uma in Jerusalem for the short ride to the site, and inevitably leaving very late which gave me the opportunity to talk to the assembled folk and make new friends from New Jersey. We drove out of town, under the Calatrava Strings Bridge (inspired by Davids Harp and the 70 names of Jerusalem in the Tenach) toward Mevasseret Zion. At Mevasseret we turned sharply off the road and began a "Safari" through the Judean Hills arriving at the site, nestled in the hills, apparently solitary yet visible from the main Jerusalem Tel Aviv highway. The Memorial itself is a Bronze American Flag at half mast and buried underneath it in a glass box is a metal beam from te World Trade Centre. Representatives of the countries of victims of that terrible day were there and also the families of Israeli victims. Politicians spoke, poets recited and singers sang and all I could think of was of the day that America was raped of her innocence and this war was to be fought every day, at home, on her soil, not thousands of miles away.
I went to Mahane Yehuda this week! Zvi and I met our friend Rachael there for breakfast in the trendy coffee shop. Always a paradox we sat eating highly sophisticated food while the usual "tumult" of yelling costermongers, the "allo allo" of the push-carts bringing in fresh produce carried on around us as in the earlier days of this colourful market. After breakfast we went shopping. First stop was the cheese shop whose selection would satisfy any epicure. The colours are easy transmit http://images.google.co.il/images?q=mahane+yehuda+market+photos&oe=utf-8&rlz=1R1RNFA_en___IL340&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=YRv9Srn5D8igjAfdrKyLCw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBIQsAQwAA
But the aromas are something else – you have to be there. Have you ever smelled Hawaiij? Or fresh cinnamon sticks…not the usual neatly curled ones but the fiery broken twiggy ones which give ten times the flavour. Halva? Halva of thirty different varieties. Mangoes and passion fruit vie with papaya and guava, which in turn are overtaken as one passes the fish shop where the ladies shout out to David how they want their fish cleaned, cut and chopped and with what and in what proportions. Every time I go to Mahane Yehuda I promise myself that I will buy only what I need. I am so restrained in a supermarket but here…. every piece of fruit calls to me in its ultimate ripeness and picked-from-the-vine freshness.
The variety of people matches the variety of produce. Burkas beside men in long black garments and payot (earlocks), free spirited, miniskirted teenagers beside the "Taliban" Jewesses who cover themselves from head to toe and then put scarves over their capes so that not a single outline of their bodies is visible. Religious affiliation is expressed by style of head covering or lack of it! I pray for the day when I can freely shop in a market in Ramallah or Gaza City in the same way that the young Moslem women shop in Mahane Yehuda.
Tourism reached an all time October high for Israel. Keep coming – we want to see you all!!!!
I wish you Shabbat Shalom, Salaam and Peace from Jerusalem.
Love
Sheila
Friday 13th November, 2009.
Shabbat Shalom! I hope you are well.
Just because we are paranoid doesn't mean no one hates us! Israelis, are the major cause of instability in the world and the annihilation of the "Palestinian People". President Shimon Peres' visit to South America has been cancelled due to security considerations and Brazilians have likened Peres to Hitler. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3804608,00.html Those who do so are ignorant of the past, gullible to the cant of the present and are using their hatred to change the future. Shimon Peres of all people. Born in Poland he came with his family to the nascent State in 1934, to become one of the most respected Statesmen in the world, highly educated, known for his unstinting, although sometimes contested, efforts toward peace in this arena. If there is anyone today to be compared to Hitler then choose an ignorant, vicious xenophobe like Ahmedinejad. They would do well to read the words of Ambassador Yoram Ettinger http://yoramettinger.newsnet.co.il/Front/NewsNet/reports.asp?reportId=220981
To see the Dore Gold – Richard Goldstone debate at Brandeis University last week please click on this link http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1257770030998
The murders at Fort Hood have raised many questions and fears. An educated man suddenly becomes a religious fanatic and kills 13 people, maiming many more while screaming "Allah U Aqbar".
Misinformation suggests that poverty begets terrorism but that is far from the truth. Most of the major terrorist leaders are not only wealthy but highly educated, a surprising number are medical doctors. In this arena wealthy leaders keep the ordinary people in poverty to maintain power over them. In Fort Hood, the United States of America, an educated psychiatrist who served his country in the military was inducted into a vile sector of a religion which is becoming more and more violent and killed in the name of that religion. The press and government reports chose to remove the word Jihad from their texts. Political correctness will be the death of us – literally. We are not new at the PC game as Daniel Pipes writes so well http://www.danielpipes.org/7737/sudden-jihad-inordinate-stress-ft-hood
Sadly we have our own, though very rare, insane terrorists. Yaakov Teitel came on Aliya from the United States. He kept up the appearance of a normal, kind man, father of 4 married to another English speaker. He was far from normal, he killed an Arab out for a walk, two border policemen and maimed the child of a Messianic Jew. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/man-of-hatred-shocks-the-land-he-calls-home-20091106-i25x.html At the risk of being extreme – I hope he rots in jail for going against everything that Judaism maintains.
Ban Ki Moon has finally urged the Lebanese Government to implement Security Council Resolution 1701 and disarm the Hezb-Allah. The Lebanese Government, however, is acting out of fear of retribution and chosen to ignore the call. How short our memories can be. Lebanon, "Pearl of the Middle East", Christian Democracy, has become a battleground which is in danger of a rout by the Moslem extremists – Hezb-Allah – Allahs Warriors. Another piece of misinformation is that the Middle East is a single fight between Moslems aka Arabs and Jews aka Israel, but this is far from the truth as the Christians of this area will tell you. Dr. George Habash, a Christian Arab from Lydda, did not understand the ever growing monster he gave birth to by aligning his FDLP with the PLO in the late '70's.
President Abbas is thinking of stepping down. His Presidency has no country and he and his would be his allies recognise that if he steps down, elections will be held and Hamas will win. It is essential to understand that Gaza and the West Bank have nothing in common. They came from different countries; they hold different views and West Bank Arabs spent a great deal of time in and with Israel learning that there is a better way. A contiguous Palestinian Authority would destroy even the minimal democracy which exists on the West Bank. For this reason, and maybe only this reason, Israel and the USA are hoping that Abbas will recant on his intentions.
Yesterday saw the dedication of the Keren Kayemet (JNF) Israeli Memorial to September 11th. We met beside Binyanei Ha Uma in Jerusalem for the short ride to the site, and inevitably leaving very late which gave me the opportunity to talk to the assembled folk and make new friends from New Jersey. We drove out of town, under the Calatrava Strings Bridge (inspired by Davids Harp and the 70 names of Jerusalem in the Tenach) toward Mevasseret Zion. At Mevasseret we turned sharply off the road and began a "Safari" through the Judean Hills arriving at the site, nestled in the hills, apparently solitary yet visible from the main Jerusalem Tel Aviv highway. The Memorial itself is a Bronze American Flag at half mast and buried underneath it in a glass box is a metal beam from te World Trade Centre. Representatives of the countries of victims of that terrible day were there and also the families of Israeli victims. Politicians spoke, poets recited and singers sang and all I could think of was of the day that America was raped of her innocence and this war was to be fought every day, at home, on her soil, not thousands of miles away.
I went to Mahane Yehuda this week! Zvi and I met our friend Rachael there for breakfast in the trendy coffee shop. Always a paradox we sat eating highly sophisticated food while the usual "tumult" of yelling costermongers, the "allo allo" of the push-carts bringing in fresh produce carried on around us as in the earlier days of this colourful market. After breakfast we went shopping. First stop was the cheese shop whose selection would satisfy any epicure. The colours are easy transmit http://images.google.co.il/images?q=mahane+yehuda+market+photos&oe=utf-8&rlz=1R1RNFA_en___IL340&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=YRv9Srn5D8igjAfdrKyLCw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBIQsAQwAA
But the aromas are something else – you have to be there. Have you ever smelled Hawaiij? Or fresh cinnamon sticks…not the usual neatly curled ones but the fiery broken twiggy ones which give ten times the flavour. Halva? Halva of thirty different varieties. Mangoes and passion fruit vie with papaya and guava, which in turn are overtaken as one passes the fish shop where the ladies shout out to David how they want their fish cleaned, cut and chopped and with what and in what proportions. Every time I go to Mahane Yehuda I promise myself that I will buy only what I need. I am so restrained in a supermarket but here…. every piece of fruit calls to me in its ultimate ripeness and picked-from-the-vine freshness.
The variety of people matches the variety of produce. Burkas beside men in long black garments and payot (earlocks), free spirited, miniskirted teenagers beside the "Taliban" Jewesses who cover themselves from head to toe and then put scarves over their capes so that not a single outline of their bodies is visible. Religious affiliation is expressed by style of head covering or lack of it! I pray for the day when I can freely shop in a market in Ramallah or Gaza City in the same way that the young Moslem women shop in Mahane Yehuda.
Tourism reached an all time October high for Israel. Keep coming – we want to see you all!!!!
I wish you Shabbat Shalom, Salaam and Peace from Jerusalem.
Love
Sheila
Friday, 6 November 2009
Shabbat Shalom from Sheila
091106
6th November 2009.
Shabbat Shalom Dear Friends.
On the 2nd of November 1917, Lord Balfour wrote a letter to Lord Rothschild. This letter was the Balfour Declaration, the basis for the creation of the State of Israel. http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Peace+Process/Guide+to+the+Peace+Process/The+Balfour+Declaration.htm
Lord Balfour can rest easy that his determination to care for the small number of non-Jewish residents in that part of the land designated for the Jewish People has been heeded. Palestine (Israel and Trans-Jordan) was indeed partitioned and made into the Jewish State of Israel as declared and the Arab State of Jordan to appease the Hashemites. In a further act of appeasement to the Arabs the Jewish State was then cut further to approximately 1/10th of its originally intended size, which was still not acceptable to the Arabs who attacked, and attacked and attacked and the ultimate size of Israel is still infinitely smaller than originally intended. When the media refers to the "occupied Territories" they refer to land that Lord Balfour designated as the Jewish half of the equation.
Incredibly it is 14 years since the devastating news that our Prime Minister, Yitzchak Rabin had been shot and killed while leaving a Peace Rally in Tel Aviv. This shy man's final act as Prime Minister was to sing "Shir ha Shalom" before an audience of thousands. There are those who loved him for trying a new path, there are those who hated that path but all will agree that on that fateful day Israel lost her innocence, as Jew assassinated Jew because he disagreed with his politics. I miss the man, the leader and the innocence. We are supposed to be different.
Israeli Secret Services and the wonderful men and women of the Israeli Naval Commandos (Shayetet) uncovered an enormous arms cache hidden aboard a German ship, the Francop. The ship had undergone customs inspection in Egypt but without specific knowledge they could not have known that hidden behind bags of agricultural polyethylene was a huge arsenal. Using state of the art equipment the Israelis were able to look behind the wall of innocent looking bags to see the hidden treasures. The IDF have been able to identify the source as Iran and the intended recipients as Hezb-Allah. Of course the Syrians deny all knowledge of the armaments; but then as all of a certain age and nationality will recognise "Well they would, wouldn't they?" http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/News/today/09/11/0505.htm
The Goldstone kerfuffle continues. In a non-binding resolution in the United Nations the vote to endorse the Report were 114 for, 18 opposed and 44 abstentions, not a surprising result. Endorsed in principal by those who have something to hide in their human rights record, it allows them to enjoy respite as long as Israel is on the chopping block. Our friend Laura Ross has been commissioned as part of the United States Mission to the United Nations – a very positive move on the part of the US Government and a well deserved position for Laura.
The United States Congress, exercising due democratic process voted overwhelmingly to condemn the findings of the Report. http://www.theisraelproject.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=hsJPK0PIJpH&b=689705&ct=7632761 See also the Brandeis debate between Gold and Goldstone http://blog.unwatch.org/?p=514
If Israel were not at the mercy of misrepresentation and politicking the United Nations would recognise that no-one is more critical of Israeli comportment in warfare than Israel. Major Kemp was right; the IDF is the most moral of armies. The internal investigation of Operation Cast Lead was underway before we withdrew and we do not need a defunct and corrupt organisation to tell us how to clean our own house. The preliminary results are public. We have nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Law/Legal+Issues+and+Rulings/Examination_allegations_by_IDF_Oct_2009.htm
The Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah is the most recent to hit the news. The Arab residents are angry because a Jewish family has moved into the neighborhood. If that happened in any other country, that someone was denied the right to live where he chose based on colour creed or faith it would be called racism. Where have our values gone wrong? Why is the perception so distorted? The right of Arabs to live in Jewish areas is protected by law. Why can't Jews live in Arab areas? Incidentally, if you heard about the disruptions on the Temple Mount over the last short period, I would like to explain the cause. Sheikh Raeed Salah and others are convincing young Moslems that the Jews are taking over the Temple Mount and want to invade their Mosque (Al Aqsa) which has been theirs since time immemorial. We just want to be able to go to visit our Holy sites (Jews and Christians) when it is not prayer time for the Moslems. We have to put things into proportion. This country, of which these people are citizens, ensures the right to prayer and faith of all peoples. That includes us!!!
Easyjet the British bargain airline carried out their advertising campaign with great panache. The not only built Mahane Yehuda in Spittlefields Market and Tel Aviv in Trafalgar Square last month http://www.easyjet.com/en/book/experience_tel_aviv.html , they chose the 2nd of November, Balfour Day to begin their service. Israelis are not thrilled that the leg room is limited and of course, that there is no food service on board. Israelis without food – perish the thought!
Israelis are brilliant at innovation I haven't decided if it Tikkun Olam or the innate belief that we always know better!!!! http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1311023934&play=1 You really must watch this amazing interview with Dan Senor on CNBC in which he explains how Israel has managed to become a leader in business innovation. One observation which caught my eye is that not only are our young people aware of their problem solving capabilities, honed by the National Service, but their bosses understand how to utilize their skills from their service records. Dan Senor and Saul Singer wrote the book 'Start-up Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle,' http://www.startupnationbook.com/
This morning I did something I loathe, I went to the shopping mall on a Friday! Every one of the six coffee shops and the huge food hall were packed. I told you Israelis eat!!! The place is filled with the full rainbow of society – Jews of all varieties, the Haredi men trying hard not to brush up against the scantily clad young women – Israeli Arabs in a similar variety of attire, from jeans and T-shirt to full burkas, and confused tourists who didn't know that Israelis rush everywhere….. determinedly!!!
And so to bed…. Jerusalem is now slowing down. Zvi and his friends are at the Angel's coffee shop, in the petrol station, noisily putting the world to rights the typical Friday lunchtime pastime for people of a certain age, men and women. The car park of the Mall is thinning out, the streets emptying and the citizens heading toward a light lunch and bed. Aah siesta – such a clever invention! As usual I still have a few last minute delicacies to prepare to surprise Zvi's wonderful 96 year old mother. She may not remember what she ate but she will enjoy it at the time.
We wish you Shabbat Shalom and much love from our beautiful City of Gold.
With much love
Sheila
6th November 2009.
Shabbat Shalom Dear Friends.
On the 2nd of November 1917, Lord Balfour wrote a letter to Lord Rothschild. This letter was the Balfour Declaration, the basis for the creation of the State of Israel. http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Peace+Process/Guide+to+the+Peace+Process/The+Balfour+Declaration.htm
Lord Balfour can rest easy that his determination to care for the small number of non-Jewish residents in that part of the land designated for the Jewish People has been heeded. Palestine (Israel and Trans-Jordan) was indeed partitioned and made into the Jewish State of Israel as declared and the Arab State of Jordan to appease the Hashemites. In a further act of appeasement to the Arabs the Jewish State was then cut further to approximately 1/10th of its originally intended size, which was still not acceptable to the Arabs who attacked, and attacked and attacked and the ultimate size of Israel is still infinitely smaller than originally intended. When the media refers to the "occupied Territories" they refer to land that Lord Balfour designated as the Jewish half of the equation.
Incredibly it is 14 years since the devastating news that our Prime Minister, Yitzchak Rabin had been shot and killed while leaving a Peace Rally in Tel Aviv. This shy man's final act as Prime Minister was to sing "Shir ha Shalom" before an audience of thousands. There are those who loved him for trying a new path, there are those who hated that path but all will agree that on that fateful day Israel lost her innocence, as Jew assassinated Jew because he disagreed with his politics. I miss the man, the leader and the innocence. We are supposed to be different.
Israeli Secret Services and the wonderful men and women of the Israeli Naval Commandos (Shayetet) uncovered an enormous arms cache hidden aboard a German ship, the Francop. The ship had undergone customs inspection in Egypt but without specific knowledge they could not have known that hidden behind bags of agricultural polyethylene was a huge arsenal. Using state of the art equipment the Israelis were able to look behind the wall of innocent looking bags to see the hidden treasures. The IDF have been able to identify the source as Iran and the intended recipients as Hezb-Allah. Of course the Syrians deny all knowledge of the armaments; but then as all of a certain age and nationality will recognise "Well they would, wouldn't they?" http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/News/today/09/11/0505.htm
The Goldstone kerfuffle continues. In a non-binding resolution in the United Nations the vote to endorse the Report were 114 for, 18 opposed and 44 abstentions, not a surprising result. Endorsed in principal by those who have something to hide in their human rights record, it allows them to enjoy respite as long as Israel is on the chopping block. Our friend Laura Ross has been commissioned as part of the United States Mission to the United Nations – a very positive move on the part of the US Government and a well deserved position for Laura.
The United States Congress, exercising due democratic process voted overwhelmingly to condemn the findings of the Report. http://www.theisraelproject.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=hsJPK0PIJpH&b=689705&ct=7632761 See also the Brandeis debate between Gold and Goldstone http://blog.unwatch.org/?p=514
If Israel were not at the mercy of misrepresentation and politicking the United Nations would recognise that no-one is more critical of Israeli comportment in warfare than Israel. Major Kemp was right; the IDF is the most moral of armies. The internal investigation of Operation Cast Lead was underway before we withdrew and we do not need a defunct and corrupt organisation to tell us how to clean our own house. The preliminary results are public. We have nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Law/Legal+Issues+and+Rulings/Examination_allegations_by_IDF_Oct_2009.htm
The Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah is the most recent to hit the news. The Arab residents are angry because a Jewish family has moved into the neighborhood. If that happened in any other country, that someone was denied the right to live where he chose based on colour creed or faith it would be called racism. Where have our values gone wrong? Why is the perception so distorted? The right of Arabs to live in Jewish areas is protected by law. Why can't Jews live in Arab areas? Incidentally, if you heard about the disruptions on the Temple Mount over the last short period, I would like to explain the cause. Sheikh Raeed Salah and others are convincing young Moslems that the Jews are taking over the Temple Mount and want to invade their Mosque (Al Aqsa) which has been theirs since time immemorial. We just want to be able to go to visit our Holy sites (Jews and Christians) when it is not prayer time for the Moslems. We have to put things into proportion. This country, of which these people are citizens, ensures the right to prayer and faith of all peoples. That includes us!!!
Easyjet the British bargain airline carried out their advertising campaign with great panache. The not only built Mahane Yehuda in Spittlefields Market and Tel Aviv in Trafalgar Square last month http://www.easyjet.com/en/book/experience_tel_aviv.html , they chose the 2nd of November, Balfour Day to begin their service. Israelis are not thrilled that the leg room is limited and of course, that there is no food service on board. Israelis without food – perish the thought!
Israelis are brilliant at innovation I haven't decided if it Tikkun Olam or the innate belief that we always know better!!!! http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1311023934&play=1 You really must watch this amazing interview with Dan Senor on CNBC in which he explains how Israel has managed to become a leader in business innovation. One observation which caught my eye is that not only are our young people aware of their problem solving capabilities, honed by the National Service, but their bosses understand how to utilize their skills from their service records. Dan Senor and Saul Singer wrote the book 'Start-up Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle,' http://www.startupnationbook.com/
This morning I did something I loathe, I went to the shopping mall on a Friday! Every one of the six coffee shops and the huge food hall were packed. I told you Israelis eat!!! The place is filled with the full rainbow of society – Jews of all varieties, the Haredi men trying hard not to brush up against the scantily clad young women – Israeli Arabs in a similar variety of attire, from jeans and T-shirt to full burkas, and confused tourists who didn't know that Israelis rush everywhere….. determinedly!!!
And so to bed…. Jerusalem is now slowing down. Zvi and his friends are at the Angel's coffee shop, in the petrol station, noisily putting the world to rights the typical Friday lunchtime pastime for people of a certain age, men and women. The car park of the Mall is thinning out, the streets emptying and the citizens heading toward a light lunch and bed. Aah siesta – such a clever invention! As usual I still have a few last minute delicacies to prepare to surprise Zvi's wonderful 96 year old mother. She may not remember what she ate but she will enjoy it at the time.
We wish you Shabbat Shalom and much love from our beautiful City of Gold.
With much love
Sheila
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Soviet Jewry - 40 years after
091000
October 2009
40 years have passed since the first National Union of Israeli Students demonstrations organised by a few determined leaders at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, demonstrations which acted as a catalyst to challenge the Israeli Government and Jewish Agency to initiate the worldwide campaign for Soviet Jewry. As always, the heroes remain uncelebrated while others take the credit. "Success has many parents whereas failure is an orphan" and this is one of the greatest success stories of our time.
In May 1969, while both were students at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Yona Yahav, then National Chairman of the National Union of Israeli Students, approached Zvi Raviv asking him to form a committee to take on the concerns of the Jews in Russia who were being persecuted. Raviv was surprised and unaware of the problem so Yona Yahav arranged for them to meet a new Russian immigrant in Tel Aviv. Raviv agreed, on condition that they do not waste the entire night and made dates later in the evening. They went to Tel Aviv where they met Dov (Boris) Sperling. The stories that Sperling told of the situation for Jews in the Soviet Union held them spellbound, so much so that they forgot their dates. Dov told the young men tales of persecution and exile on long train journeys to freezing Siberia, stories which awoke their inherited memory of times not long past when Jews were persecuted then taken on train journeys to the gas chambers.
On their return to Jerusalem they reflected upon the tales of oppression and persecution and they seemed far fetched to the two young men and they spent the next several weeks researching and checking every detail, finding to their amazement that Dov Sperling had not exaggerated one detail. It was all true. What disturbed them even more was that the Government of the State of Israel, well aware of the terrible situation, was doing nothing overt to declare the situation, other than some minor covert activity and polite diplomatic moves.
Zvi and Yonah understood that the need to save the Jews of the Soviet Union was paramount. They began a movement among the students of the Hebrew University. They led the students in demonstrations, carrying huge banners proclaiming "Let My People Go" echoing Moses' biblical proclamation to free the Children of Israel. Their intention to halt studies for one hour by calling out the entire student body to demonstrate disturbed the Dean of the University who called Zvi to his rooms. He told him that they could not demonstrate on University land and disrupt the daily curriculum; the planned hour-long demonstration of tomorrow had to be cancelled. Faced by this force of authority, Raviv simply suggested that if the University banned the demonstration the student body would be called to strike for an entire day. The Dean decided that an hour-long demonstration was preferable.
The one hour student demonstration was broadcast live on the popular show "B'Chatzi ha Yom ( At noon) and the size and volume of the demonstration reached the Secret Services (Shabak) who contacted the three ringleaders telling them to cease and desist from their demonstrations. Undaunted, the three asked for a meeting with the PM. To their surprise the call came to come to the Prime Minister’s Office for a twenty minute meeting. They walked in, three strapping young men, Zvi Raviv, Yona Yahav and Avi Plaskow (z"l) faced by this tiny, but formidable woman. Mrs. Meir explained to them that the Government of Israel had chosen the quiet diplomatic route to help the Jews of the Soviet Union since it was unwise to make waves and endanger the Jews under the communist regime. She then politely dismissed them, believing her words to have hit their target. She was mistaken.
"Mrs Meir", said Raviv, "We will continue demonstrating and carrying posters and sending out postcards, because in twenty years time, when I will have children and they will ask me what I did to save the Jews of the Soviet Union, I want to have an answer, unlike my father’s generation who did nothing and so we lost six million Jews"
"You do not know your history, young man" responded Mrs Meir surprised at this insolence "We sent in paratroopers".
"Actually, Ma'am, I am a history major. We sent in 37 paratroopers most of whom did not manage to reach the ground safely", Raviv retorted.
"But then we didn't have a country" defended Mrs Meir.
"Now we do", said Raviv.
Raviv incredulously recognised the fear of standing out and standing up as a Jew, right here in the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel. 20 years after the Holocaust, Prime Minister Golda Meir had not yet absorbed the fact that there was a Jewish State and her Diaspora mentality was obsolete. His words had shocked her into acknowledgment.
Mrs. Meir invited them back into her office asking them a hundred questions as to strategy, feasibility, education, absorption of such a large number of possible immigrants. To each question Yona Yahav (currently Mayor of the City of Haifa) pulled out a file of calculations and suggestions. Instead of the 20 minutes allotted to them they stayed in the Prime Minister’s Office for nearly an hour and a half. As they left, feeling justified in their chutzpah, they understood the gravity with which Mrs. Meir took their words when they saw who she kept waiting. Outside her office were a very impatient Vice-Premier Yigal Alon and Head of the Mossad Zvi Zamir, somewhat surprised to see three students leave her office on such warm terms with the PM.
Three days later Mrs Meir’s private personal secretary, Adi Yafe, called Yona Yahav to inform the students’ organisation that a paper had been placed before the Cabinet in a special session and an extraordinary vote had been taken to "go public" in the State of Israel’s fight to save Soviet Jewry and bring them home.
The Prime Minister agreed to appear on the same stage as former Refuseniks and to openly advocate the immigration of Jews from the Soviet Union to Israel. The Government of Israel stood behind its words diplomatically, financially and emotionally
The campaign went world-wide and communities and organisations, including the 35's, began to pressurise the Soviet Government under the banner of "Let My People Go", silent vigils at Russian cultural events, sending post-cards to Russian Embassies demanding the freedom to leave and the wonderful SACSJ "Hands across the Embassies" in London. In 1977 while with Keren Hayesod Zvi organised the first "Yachdav" Mission of young leaders from different 30 countries. He met Avital Scharansky who told him of her husband Anatoly’s imprisonment and impending exile to Siberia. Zvi invited Avital to speak before Yachdav giving her her first platform before an international audience. Avital went on to speak to hundreds of audiences around the world and her determination to free Anatoly (Natan) Scharansky became symbolic of the struggle for all Soviet Jews.
During his time at Keren Hayesod, the fundraising arm of the Jewish Agency, Zvi spoke throughout the world to raise awareness of the plight of the Soviet Jews. He worked with communities in the four corners of the globe to raise funds to enable Jews to come home. The "Let my people go" posters led demonstrations all over the world. The lobbying of international diplomats encouraged Perestroyka and allowed the Jews to leave for home. The dream was fulfilled in 1990 when the trickle of Jews coming home from the FSU became a flood, culminating in over a million new Israeli citizens and over half a million free citizens in other countries of their choice.
In 1991 Zvi Raviv went to Moscow with a group of Keren Hayesod leaders from around the world. As they reached Red Square he took something out of his pocket and unraveled a huge Israeli Flag. The group of people stood to be photographed in Red Square, Moscow proudly flying an Israeli flag, next to the Kremlin, not knowing that the man who set the wheels in motion here in Israel was the one with the flag in his pocket.
Two American tourists passing by were heard to say "Now I have seen everything"!
There are many people throughout the world who worked with zeal and devotion to bring the plight of Soviet Jews to the public notice of their countries – too many to mention, but there was a genesis within Israel that deserves recognition. A genesis that enriched and enlarged our little country with fine scientists, doctors, artists and a whole new generation of Israelis. Israel is a richer country for that day in October 1969 when three students with a great deal of Chutzpah and a strong memory of the unthinkable disaster that befell the silent Jewish people just over 20 years previously, set the wheels of history in motion.
Ultimately the true heroes of this story are the hundreds of Jews within the FSU who spearheaded the fight because they were willing to stand up and speak out for all Soviet Jews and place themselves in unthinkable danger so that they could fulfill their dream to be recognised as Jews with the right to openly practice Judaism and above all, to emigrate to Israel, to come home.
October 2009
40 years have passed since the first National Union of Israeli Students demonstrations organised by a few determined leaders at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, demonstrations which acted as a catalyst to challenge the Israeli Government and Jewish Agency to initiate the worldwide campaign for Soviet Jewry. As always, the heroes remain uncelebrated while others take the credit. "Success has many parents whereas failure is an orphan" and this is one of the greatest success stories of our time.
In May 1969, while both were students at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Yona Yahav, then National Chairman of the National Union of Israeli Students, approached Zvi Raviv asking him to form a committee to take on the concerns of the Jews in Russia who were being persecuted. Raviv was surprised and unaware of the problem so Yona Yahav arranged for them to meet a new Russian immigrant in Tel Aviv. Raviv agreed, on condition that they do not waste the entire night and made dates later in the evening. They went to Tel Aviv where they met Dov (Boris) Sperling. The stories that Sperling told of the situation for Jews in the Soviet Union held them spellbound, so much so that they forgot their dates. Dov told the young men tales of persecution and exile on long train journeys to freezing Siberia, stories which awoke their inherited memory of times not long past when Jews were persecuted then taken on train journeys to the gas chambers.
On their return to Jerusalem they reflected upon the tales of oppression and persecution and they seemed far fetched to the two young men and they spent the next several weeks researching and checking every detail, finding to their amazement that Dov Sperling had not exaggerated one detail. It was all true. What disturbed them even more was that the Government of the State of Israel, well aware of the terrible situation, was doing nothing overt to declare the situation, other than some minor covert activity and polite diplomatic moves.
Zvi and Yonah understood that the need to save the Jews of the Soviet Union was paramount. They began a movement among the students of the Hebrew University. They led the students in demonstrations, carrying huge banners proclaiming "Let My People Go" echoing Moses' biblical proclamation to free the Children of Israel. Their intention to halt studies for one hour by calling out the entire student body to demonstrate disturbed the Dean of the University who called Zvi to his rooms. He told him that they could not demonstrate on University land and disrupt the daily curriculum; the planned hour-long demonstration of tomorrow had to be cancelled. Faced by this force of authority, Raviv simply suggested that if the University banned the demonstration the student body would be called to strike for an entire day. The Dean decided that an hour-long demonstration was preferable.
The one hour student demonstration was broadcast live on the popular show "B'Chatzi ha Yom ( At noon) and the size and volume of the demonstration reached the Secret Services (Shabak) who contacted the three ringleaders telling them to cease and desist from their demonstrations. Undaunted, the three asked for a meeting with the PM. To their surprise the call came to come to the Prime Minister’s Office for a twenty minute meeting. They walked in, three strapping young men, Zvi Raviv, Yona Yahav and Avi Plaskow (z"l) faced by this tiny, but formidable woman. Mrs. Meir explained to them that the Government of Israel had chosen the quiet diplomatic route to help the Jews of the Soviet Union since it was unwise to make waves and endanger the Jews under the communist regime. She then politely dismissed them, believing her words to have hit their target. She was mistaken.
"Mrs Meir", said Raviv, "We will continue demonstrating and carrying posters and sending out postcards, because in twenty years time, when I will have children and they will ask me what I did to save the Jews of the Soviet Union, I want to have an answer, unlike my father’s generation who did nothing and so we lost six million Jews"
"You do not know your history, young man" responded Mrs Meir surprised at this insolence "We sent in paratroopers".
"Actually, Ma'am, I am a history major. We sent in 37 paratroopers most of whom did not manage to reach the ground safely", Raviv retorted.
"But then we didn't have a country" defended Mrs Meir.
"Now we do", said Raviv.
Raviv incredulously recognised the fear of standing out and standing up as a Jew, right here in the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel. 20 years after the Holocaust, Prime Minister Golda Meir had not yet absorbed the fact that there was a Jewish State and her Diaspora mentality was obsolete. His words had shocked her into acknowledgment.
Mrs. Meir invited them back into her office asking them a hundred questions as to strategy, feasibility, education, absorption of such a large number of possible immigrants. To each question Yona Yahav (currently Mayor of the City of Haifa) pulled out a file of calculations and suggestions. Instead of the 20 minutes allotted to them they stayed in the Prime Minister’s Office for nearly an hour and a half. As they left, feeling justified in their chutzpah, they understood the gravity with which Mrs. Meir took their words when they saw who she kept waiting. Outside her office were a very impatient Vice-Premier Yigal Alon and Head of the Mossad Zvi Zamir, somewhat surprised to see three students leave her office on such warm terms with the PM.
Three days later Mrs Meir’s private personal secretary, Adi Yafe, called Yona Yahav to inform the students’ organisation that a paper had been placed before the Cabinet in a special session and an extraordinary vote had been taken to "go public" in the State of Israel’s fight to save Soviet Jewry and bring them home.
The Prime Minister agreed to appear on the same stage as former Refuseniks and to openly advocate the immigration of Jews from the Soviet Union to Israel. The Government of Israel stood behind its words diplomatically, financially and emotionally
The campaign went world-wide and communities and organisations, including the 35's, began to pressurise the Soviet Government under the banner of "Let My People Go", silent vigils at Russian cultural events, sending post-cards to Russian Embassies demanding the freedom to leave and the wonderful SACSJ "Hands across the Embassies" in London. In 1977 while with Keren Hayesod Zvi organised the first "Yachdav" Mission of young leaders from different 30 countries. He met Avital Scharansky who told him of her husband Anatoly’s imprisonment and impending exile to Siberia. Zvi invited Avital to speak before Yachdav giving her her first platform before an international audience. Avital went on to speak to hundreds of audiences around the world and her determination to free Anatoly (Natan) Scharansky became symbolic of the struggle for all Soviet Jews.
During his time at Keren Hayesod, the fundraising arm of the Jewish Agency, Zvi spoke throughout the world to raise awareness of the plight of the Soviet Jews. He worked with communities in the four corners of the globe to raise funds to enable Jews to come home. The "Let my people go" posters led demonstrations all over the world. The lobbying of international diplomats encouraged Perestroyka and allowed the Jews to leave for home. The dream was fulfilled in 1990 when the trickle of Jews coming home from the FSU became a flood, culminating in over a million new Israeli citizens and over half a million free citizens in other countries of their choice.
In 1991 Zvi Raviv went to Moscow with a group of Keren Hayesod leaders from around the world. As they reached Red Square he took something out of his pocket and unraveled a huge Israeli Flag. The group of people stood to be photographed in Red Square, Moscow proudly flying an Israeli flag, next to the Kremlin, not knowing that the man who set the wheels in motion here in Israel was the one with the flag in his pocket.
Two American tourists passing by were heard to say "Now I have seen everything"!
There are many people throughout the world who worked with zeal and devotion to bring the plight of Soviet Jews to the public notice of their countries – too many to mention, but there was a genesis within Israel that deserves recognition. A genesis that enriched and enlarged our little country with fine scientists, doctors, artists and a whole new generation of Israelis. Israel is a richer country for that day in October 1969 when three students with a great deal of Chutzpah and a strong memory of the unthinkable disaster that befell the silent Jewish people just over 20 years previously, set the wheels of history in motion.
Ultimately the true heroes of this story are the hundreds of Jews within the FSU who spearheaded the fight because they were willing to stand up and speak out for all Soviet Jews and place themselves in unthinkable danger so that they could fulfill their dream to be recognised as Jews with the right to openly practice Judaism and above all, to emigrate to Israel, to come home.
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