100531
31st May 2010.
Urgent update on Gaza Flotilla
http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2010/Israel_Navy_warns_flotilla_31-May-2010.htm
CNN Turkey reported that when the Israeli Marines boarded the ships the "Peace" demonstrators became extremely violent and attacked the soldiers with knives, iron bars and even guns.
There was no need for this flotilla. Israel provides aid to Gaza every day – each and every hour of each and every day more aid is trucked into Gaza by Israel than was on all of the boats in this flotilla. It is all a fabrication to garner world sympathy – as always at Israel's expense. The intention of the flotilla was provocation and PR – and as a democratic country whose citizens demand truth from their leaders we do not have the responses required. If provocation is your chosen weapon do not be surprised if you provoke.
Members of the flotilla were heard chanting: khaybar khaybar ya yahud, Jaish Muhammad Sawfa Ya'ud - זיכרו את ח'יבר, יהודים, צבא מחמד עוד יחזור - Remember Khaybar, Jews, the army of Mohammad is coming back
Muhammad's war against the Jews of Khaybar (628) was very harsh. At first he sent disguised guests to the homes of the leaders of Banū Naḍīr who then killed their hosts. Muhammad's victory over the Jews of Khaybar, some of whom were held in esteem by the enemy, was also aided by the treachery of a Jew who showed the Muslims the secret entrances to one of the fortresses……maybe a Jew such as Miri Weingarten of Jews for Justice for Palestinians http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0012_0_11088.html
The IDF boarded the "Gaza Flotilla" last night with the intention of checking the cargo for arms but not harming those on board. When they boarded they were met with gunfire and were attacked by clubs. The result is horrific but I have no doubt that Israel, as always, will stand alone in the dock before the jury of international opinion. What would the USA have done? What would the UK have done? What would the Saudis have done? What would any other country have done and the world would be with them?
For those who love Israel do not judge Israel for last night's actions. No other country in the history of the world has faced such a determined, wily, vicious and brutal enemy on its own doorstep in a constant war of attrition yet survived. We are fighting for our very existence against a rabid and fanatical enemy.
Erdogan of Turkey spends all his energy in currying favour with Iran and Syria by denigrating turkeys main ally – Israel - rather than taking care of issues at home and was slipping in the polls due to his demagogic behaviour and he needed a boost – which is why this Turkish initiated flotilla set sail. His actions probably provided the perfect tool for his continued attempts to cause Turkey to regress to pre-Ataturk days.
We cannot sit back and allow their malicious lies and calumny to continue. Rayeed Salah has been seriously injured – most probably because any shots came from his direction and the soldiers responded. The IDF video will tell the truth – let us hold judgment until then.
I wish you a better week and Israel an understanding world
Sheila
Monday, 31 May 2010
Friday, 28 May 2010
Shabbat Shalom - Gaza Flotilla
100528
28th May, 2010
Shabbat Shalom everyone. I hope this letter finds you well.
The papers and media here are filled with reports on the "humanitarian aid" Flotilla organized by the Turks with the support of too many Europeans, they present the antithesis of a humanitarian group.
Noam and Aviva Schalit, parents of Gilad Schalit, offered to support the Free Gaza Flotilla if they presented a demand that Hamas permit the human rights organisations to visit their son and allow him aid packages or letters from home. The members of the campaign refused! And you thought they were human rights activists...
As to the claim of bringing essential aid - how ludicrous can one get? Israel provides more aid in one day (and every day for the last umpteen years of the so-called siege) than these clowns are providing in one ship. Ergo - this is a publicity stunt –a very successful one to a world every ready to believe their new-speak Goebbels lies. Whatever we do does not look pretty for the cameras but we cannot sit back and do nothing.
This link gives you a run down of Israeli aid to Gaza http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/Behind+the+Headlines/Israeli_humanitarian_lifeline_Gaza_25-May-2010.htm
If their need is so extreme why did masked gunmen from an Islamist group burn down a UN summer camp for children and teens in Gaza on Sunday. The top UN aid said the assailants tied up the guard, burned tents and vandalized bathrooms and left behind three bullets and a note threatening to kill Ging and others unless the UN cancels its activities for some 250,000 Gazan children. Amazingly the Head of UNRWA in Gaza supports the flotilla – is he scared of them too? Maybe he uses the wonderful swimming pools, fine dining restaurants and sumptuous hotels in Gaza City as recompense for his assent?
Just in case you choose to believe the tales of siege and starvation in Gaza check out this article by Tom Gross and understand that it is not Israel which is starving Gazan's but their own leaders because hungry they need Allah. http://www.tomgrossmedia.com/mideastdispatches/archives/001114.html
Just in case you feel that the Moslems of Gaza are the underdogs read this which is one of hundreds of reports on the persecution of Christians in Gaza. http://spectator.org/archives/2009/05/11/persecuting-christians-in-gaza
The Australian Government announced that one of Israel's diplomats has been asked to leave the Israeli Mission in Canberra as a result of the Passport affair in Dubai. The opposition party led by former Prime Minister Downey expressed its chagrin at this action calling it currying favour with Israel's detractors. The Australia/Israel relationships have always been exceptionally strong. The Israeli Secret Service, assuming the accusations are true, did what every other country's secret service does – often working together. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/24/2908049.htm
Dr. Malcolm Hoenlein gave a wonderful speech when accepting the Guardian of Zion Award at the King David this week. He held us transfixed as he spoke of the need to stand up to the onslaught both in the media and within our own communities, not to allow apathy to win. I hope to receive a transcript of Malcolm's speech to send to you since we all need to absorb his message. His words have been haunting me since Sunday as he spoke of his late Mother whose love for Israel was so great that as she became older and her eyesight failed she would "walk" the streets of Jerusalem in her mind conveying her dedication to our city through her memories. http://www.conferenceofpresidents.org/content.asp?id=63
This week we had visitors from Edmonton! Zvi's long-time friend Barry Slawsky with his sisters Fern and Phyllis and friend Christine wanted to see everything! Zvi is an outstanding guide and among so many sites we went to Givat ha Tachmoshet (Ammunition Hill) where they met with one of Israel's greatest heroes who is so famous he needs only one name – Katcha http://njjndev.com/njjn.com/051508/mwIsraeliHeroRecalls.html http://www.jafi.org.il/education/noar/sites/ammohill.htm The Herzl Museum http://www.jerusalemfoundation.org/project_overview.aspx?TAB=0&MID=550&CID=565&PID=660 the Old City Shouk, The Kotel and Davidson Center http://www.archpark.org.il/panorama.shtml Indeed everywhere that we felt would be of interest to them.
Friends ask me if we lose hope when we see the reports of alleged crimes that Israel is said to commit when we know full well that our protestations of innocence fall on deaf ears. The answer is no….. never!
We cannot afford to lose hope – it is our National Anthem after all! You must not lose hope either. Each and every one of you who writes a letter to your local politician or to the press, each and every one of you who attends rallies and demonstrations, each and every one of you who stands up to be counted is cause for hope. Most importantly each and every one of you who comes to visit Israel and see how different the fact is from the perception will make a difference.
This is the time that we need leadership in the Jewish world; leadership that is capable of motivating and inspiring a new generation to stand up and fight – someone who can speak and people will listen – someone who has not become jaded by years of public office and diplomatic babble. We need someone who understands the Diaspora and whose infectious enthusiasm will bring about change and our world will wake up and react. Only by motivation to pull together can we survive.
I just popped out onto the mirpesset (veranda) and realized that I am late with my letter. The shopping mall car park is almost empty; the streets are silent and the aromas settling. Zvi will soon be home from his parliament in Angel's coffee shop in Nayot where they clean up the coffee machines and parcel up the excess patisseries to be distributed to the poor. Soon my Jerusalem will turn pink as the sun prepares to set, pink to accompany the bride of Shabbat.
Shabbat Shalom from this oft beleaguered but ever unsullied city – Jerusalem.
Sheila
28th May, 2010
Shabbat Shalom everyone. I hope this letter finds you well.
The papers and media here are filled with reports on the "humanitarian aid" Flotilla organized by the Turks with the support of too many Europeans, they present the antithesis of a humanitarian group.
Noam and Aviva Schalit, parents of Gilad Schalit, offered to support the Free Gaza Flotilla if they presented a demand that Hamas permit the human rights organisations to visit their son and allow him aid packages or letters from home. The members of the campaign refused! And you thought they were human rights activists...
As to the claim of bringing essential aid - how ludicrous can one get? Israel provides more aid in one day (and every day for the last umpteen years of the so-called siege) than these clowns are providing in one ship. Ergo - this is a publicity stunt –a very successful one to a world every ready to believe their new-speak Goebbels lies. Whatever we do does not look pretty for the cameras but we cannot sit back and do nothing.
This link gives you a run down of Israeli aid to Gaza http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/Behind+the+Headlines/Israeli_humanitarian_lifeline_Gaza_25-May-2010.htm
If their need is so extreme why did masked gunmen from an Islamist group burn down a UN summer camp for children and teens in Gaza on Sunday. The top UN aid said the assailants tied up the guard, burned tents and vandalized bathrooms and left behind three bullets and a note threatening to kill Ging and others unless the UN cancels its activities for some 250,000 Gazan children. Amazingly the Head of UNRWA in Gaza supports the flotilla – is he scared of them too? Maybe he uses the wonderful swimming pools, fine dining restaurants and sumptuous hotels in Gaza City as recompense for his assent?
Just in case you choose to believe the tales of siege and starvation in Gaza check out this article by Tom Gross and understand that it is not Israel which is starving Gazan's but their own leaders because hungry they need Allah. http://www.tomgrossmedia.com/mideastdispatches/archives/001114.html
Just in case you feel that the Moslems of Gaza are the underdogs read this which is one of hundreds of reports on the persecution of Christians in Gaza. http://spectator.org/archives/2009/05/11/persecuting-christians-in-gaza
The Australian Government announced that one of Israel's diplomats has been asked to leave the Israeli Mission in Canberra as a result of the Passport affair in Dubai. The opposition party led by former Prime Minister Downey expressed its chagrin at this action calling it currying favour with Israel's detractors. The Australia/Israel relationships have always been exceptionally strong. The Israeli Secret Service, assuming the accusations are true, did what every other country's secret service does – often working together. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/24/2908049.htm
Dr. Malcolm Hoenlein gave a wonderful speech when accepting the Guardian of Zion Award at the King David this week. He held us transfixed as he spoke of the need to stand up to the onslaught both in the media and within our own communities, not to allow apathy to win. I hope to receive a transcript of Malcolm's speech to send to you since we all need to absorb his message. His words have been haunting me since Sunday as he spoke of his late Mother whose love for Israel was so great that as she became older and her eyesight failed she would "walk" the streets of Jerusalem in her mind conveying her dedication to our city through her memories. http://www.conferenceofpresidents.org/content.asp?id=63
This week we had visitors from Edmonton! Zvi's long-time friend Barry Slawsky with his sisters Fern and Phyllis and friend Christine wanted to see everything! Zvi is an outstanding guide and among so many sites we went to Givat ha Tachmoshet (Ammunition Hill) where they met with one of Israel's greatest heroes who is so famous he needs only one name – Katcha http://njjndev.com/njjn.com/051508/mwIsraeliHeroRecalls.html http://www.jafi.org.il/education/noar/sites/ammohill.htm The Herzl Museum http://www.jerusalemfoundation.org/project_overview.aspx?TAB=0&MID=550&CID=565&PID=660 the Old City Shouk, The Kotel and Davidson Center http://www.archpark.org.il/panorama.shtml Indeed everywhere that we felt would be of interest to them.
Friends ask me if we lose hope when we see the reports of alleged crimes that Israel is said to commit when we know full well that our protestations of innocence fall on deaf ears. The answer is no….. never!
We cannot afford to lose hope – it is our National Anthem after all! You must not lose hope either. Each and every one of you who writes a letter to your local politician or to the press, each and every one of you who attends rallies and demonstrations, each and every one of you who stands up to be counted is cause for hope. Most importantly each and every one of you who comes to visit Israel and see how different the fact is from the perception will make a difference.
This is the time that we need leadership in the Jewish world; leadership that is capable of motivating and inspiring a new generation to stand up and fight – someone who can speak and people will listen – someone who has not become jaded by years of public office and diplomatic babble. We need someone who understands the Diaspora and whose infectious enthusiasm will bring about change and our world will wake up and react. Only by motivation to pull together can we survive.
I just popped out onto the mirpesset (veranda) and realized that I am late with my letter. The shopping mall car park is almost empty; the streets are silent and the aromas settling. Zvi will soon be home from his parliament in Angel's coffee shop in Nayot where they clean up the coffee machines and parcel up the excess patisseries to be distributed to the poor. Soon my Jerusalem will turn pink as the sun prepares to set, pink to accompany the bride of Shabbat.
Shabbat Shalom from this oft beleaguered but ever unsullied city – Jerusalem.
Sheila
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Free Gaza from Hamas
Dear Friends
This is not a regular bulletin but rather a cry for sanity.
Please spread this email to all your local and national media outlets before the flotilla of blind leftists who erroneously believe the media hype that Gaza has no food because of Israel grabs the limelight.
They know not what they do, they see not what they ought and they speak of what they do not see or know.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXhcmQmOuds
http://vodpod.com/watch/3693062-free-gaza-from-hamas
This is not a regular bulletin but rather a cry for sanity.
Please spread this email to all your local and national media outlets before the flotilla of blind leftists who erroneously believe the media hype that Gaza has no food because of Israel grabs the limelight.
They know not what they do, they see not what they ought and they speak of what they do not see or know.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXhcmQmOuds
http://vodpod.com/watch/3693062-free-gaza-from-hamas
Friday, 21 May 2010
Shabbat Shalom letter from Jerusalem
100521
Friday 21st May 2010.
Shabbat Shalom to you!
The world's eyes are so firmly fixed on the Middle East – and misunderstanding the implications of what they see – that they ignore dangers far closer to home. Hugo Chavez is a classic megalomaniac/ sociopath who is quietly manipulating his own country and most of Latin America at the same time. He is a very dangerous man. His treats against Venezuelan Jews represent clear and present danger http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1L34I7TFws&sns=em About two or three years ago my husband saw the signs and managed to persuade the then Prime Minister to ensure Jewish Agency emissaries went to persuade Venezuelan Jews to leave. The Jews truly believed that their social position would save them, now we know that it will not. Will we never learn? Does anyone else care?
Professor Noam Chomsky was denied entry from Jordan to Israel at the Allenby Bridge on Sunday. When he asked Israeli authorities for the reasons for the decision to block his entry, he was told that it would be sent in writing to the US embassy. Of course this made the headlines in te media but when British pop star Elton John was banned from performing at a private concert in Egypt because he is gay the media falls silent. He was forced to call off the concert because the government-controlled Egyptian Musician Union bans gays. Mr. John will still perform in Israel, where gays are welcome.
Israeli Government Authorities have decided to hand over lands owned by the Jewish National Fund to Arab farmers in the Galilee. The government watchdog Ometz has filed a request with State Comptroller asking him to look into the matter. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/news.aspx/137566
Tensions rose before Shevuot when a rogue gang of Haredim, a tiny minority who are acting against their own leaders, decided to wreak havoc outside the Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon where a new fully protected emergency room is to be built. They protested the moving of old graves which are not even Jewish graves to complete the building next to the main hospital. They took the issue to the Supreme Court but both the court and the Prime Minister gave the go-ahead to the building. They fought police and then wreaked millions of shekels worth of damage in Jerusalem's religious neighbouroods destroying public property. Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat has told them that he will not endanger his municipal workers and they will have to do without municipal services for the foreseeable future. It is so sad when religion loses its direction. Whatever happened to pikuach nefesh? I know they don't read newspapers but they must know that the city was bombed from Gaza and needs and underground facility. I love my religion, I think it is fine, tolerant and considerate and doesn't resemble this angry and intolerant group. http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3890514,00.html
I was very excited to receive a phone call from my friend Renee this morning telling me about a marvelous initiative taken by Prof. Guy Bechor. Tomorrow at 10:30 Herzliya Marina a flotilla of small boats will sail to Ashqelon in positive support of Israel in response to the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's anti-Israel Gaza flotilla purportedly in memory of Rachel Corrie. There will be full press coverage so look out for the story and react positively in your newspapers. Erdogan insists he simply supports blockade stricken Gaza and is not anti-Israel. I have no doubt that before leaving on his flotilla he and most of the yacht owners will leave their sore side mansions and go to one of the fine restaurants in Gaza City http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_puiuvWHQ4 and stay at one of the 5 star hotels http://www.aldeira.ps/ . How much aid has Turkey sent to Gaza? How much Israel is providing is an open book. http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/humanitarianaid/palestinians/ the trouble is that no-one opens the covers!
Shevuout in Jerusalem is very special. White clothes, white cheese and a determination to do things better and have a better understanding of the meaning of the laws that G-d gave us so many thousands of years ago. We misbehaved when Moses came down from Sinai and we still haven't the patience to understand. We tend to either take it all just too literally which makes us rigid in all our demands in our faith or we refuse to accept the beauty of what we were given and reject it in an equally rigid manner. Rabbi Jeremy Rosen, my dear friend and mentor says everything I wanted to say….. but much better – and not for the first time! http://jeremyrosen.blogspot.com/
Last night we went to an outstanding concert at the Jerusalem Theatre. The concert was one in the Jerusalem Symphony series. The programme included American composers and ended with a symphonic interpretation of West Side Story including an outstanding young Israeli pianist. The entire audience was on its feet at the end! If you are visiting or live within reachable distance you really should come to the concerts. http://www.jso.co.il/en/default.asp
Despite warning to the contrary have a facebook account. It is an amazing tool for hasbara outreach and also finding old friends. I read Barry Shaw and Barry Rubin and many others who understand the Middle East. If you are on facebook please look them up.
Todays Shabbat Shalom is running late. I just went out onto the veranda to take a deep breath of air before the next heatwave its and found myself entranced by the view. The shopping mall is in its final throes before closing its doors; the roads are emptying and the stillness is descending over the city like a blanket of peace; aromas rise from my downstairs neighbours – kubeh soup, rice flavoured with Hawaij and raisins, spicy meat-stuffed vegetables, chicken cooked for hours in a tajeen, kneidelach and chicken soup, and the predominant pungent smell of roasted aubergines and peppers. This is a country that cooks – and cooks well each adopting the cuisine of other countries. My mother in law, the indomitable 96 year old Ala, is convinced that the Italians stole Lokshen and just called it pasta! My food is ready…. The long list of family favourites completed.
I think I am going back outside now I want to watch the last buses pull into the depot and their drivers go home to freshen up for Shabbat. I have to check if my tomatoes are ripe growing out of the orange trees earth where someone was too lazy to put their tomato in the rubbish and the seeds turned into a productive Triffid! The air is sweet, the quiet calm entrancing and the only sound is that of the Muezzin calling the faithful to prayer in the Beit Safafa neighbourhood. I so love this entrancing city, I love its diversity and its colour, its history and innovation, but most of all I love it because it is home.
With much love from Jerusalem
Sheila
Friday 21st May 2010.
Shabbat Shalom to you!
The world's eyes are so firmly fixed on the Middle East – and misunderstanding the implications of what they see – that they ignore dangers far closer to home. Hugo Chavez is a classic megalomaniac/ sociopath who is quietly manipulating his own country and most of Latin America at the same time. He is a very dangerous man. His treats against Venezuelan Jews represent clear and present danger http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1L34I7TFws&sns=em About two or three years ago my husband saw the signs and managed to persuade the then Prime Minister to ensure Jewish Agency emissaries went to persuade Venezuelan Jews to leave. The Jews truly believed that their social position would save them, now we know that it will not. Will we never learn? Does anyone else care?
Professor Noam Chomsky was denied entry from Jordan to Israel at the Allenby Bridge on Sunday. When he asked Israeli authorities for the reasons for the decision to block his entry, he was told that it would be sent in writing to the US embassy. Of course this made the headlines in te media but when British pop star Elton John was banned from performing at a private concert in Egypt because he is gay the media falls silent. He was forced to call off the concert because the government-controlled Egyptian Musician Union bans gays. Mr. John will still perform in Israel, where gays are welcome.
Israeli Government Authorities have decided to hand over lands owned by the Jewish National Fund to Arab farmers in the Galilee. The government watchdog Ometz has filed a request with State Comptroller asking him to look into the matter. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/news.aspx/137566
Tensions rose before Shevuot when a rogue gang of Haredim, a tiny minority who are acting against their own leaders, decided to wreak havoc outside the Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon where a new fully protected emergency room is to be built. They protested the moving of old graves which are not even Jewish graves to complete the building next to the main hospital. They took the issue to the Supreme Court but both the court and the Prime Minister gave the go-ahead to the building. They fought police and then wreaked millions of shekels worth of damage in Jerusalem's religious neighbouroods destroying public property. Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat has told them that he will not endanger his municipal workers and they will have to do without municipal services for the foreseeable future. It is so sad when religion loses its direction. Whatever happened to pikuach nefesh? I know they don't read newspapers but they must know that the city was bombed from Gaza and needs and underground facility. I love my religion, I think it is fine, tolerant and considerate and doesn't resemble this angry and intolerant group. http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3890514,00.html
I was very excited to receive a phone call from my friend Renee this morning telling me about a marvelous initiative taken by Prof. Guy Bechor. Tomorrow at 10:30 Herzliya Marina a flotilla of small boats will sail to Ashqelon in positive support of Israel in response to the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's anti-Israel Gaza flotilla purportedly in memory of Rachel Corrie. There will be full press coverage so look out for the story and react positively in your newspapers. Erdogan insists he simply supports blockade stricken Gaza and is not anti-Israel. I have no doubt that before leaving on his flotilla he and most of the yacht owners will leave their sore side mansions and go to one of the fine restaurants in Gaza City http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_puiuvWHQ4 and stay at one of the 5 star hotels http://www.aldeira.ps/ . How much aid has Turkey sent to Gaza? How much Israel is providing is an open book. http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/humanitarianaid/palestinians/ the trouble is that no-one opens the covers!
Shevuout in Jerusalem is very special. White clothes, white cheese and a determination to do things better and have a better understanding of the meaning of the laws that G-d gave us so many thousands of years ago. We misbehaved when Moses came down from Sinai and we still haven't the patience to understand. We tend to either take it all just too literally which makes us rigid in all our demands in our faith or we refuse to accept the beauty of what we were given and reject it in an equally rigid manner. Rabbi Jeremy Rosen, my dear friend and mentor says everything I wanted to say….. but much better – and not for the first time! http://jeremyrosen.blogspot.com/
Last night we went to an outstanding concert at the Jerusalem Theatre. The concert was one in the Jerusalem Symphony series. The programme included American composers and ended with a symphonic interpretation of West Side Story including an outstanding young Israeli pianist. The entire audience was on its feet at the end! If you are visiting or live within reachable distance you really should come to the concerts. http://www.jso.co.il/en/default.asp
Despite warning to the contrary have a facebook account. It is an amazing tool for hasbara outreach and also finding old friends. I read Barry Shaw and Barry Rubin and many others who understand the Middle East. If you are on facebook please look them up.
Todays Shabbat Shalom is running late. I just went out onto the veranda to take a deep breath of air before the next heatwave its and found myself entranced by the view. The shopping mall is in its final throes before closing its doors; the roads are emptying and the stillness is descending over the city like a blanket of peace; aromas rise from my downstairs neighbours – kubeh soup, rice flavoured with Hawaij and raisins, spicy meat-stuffed vegetables, chicken cooked for hours in a tajeen, kneidelach and chicken soup, and the predominant pungent smell of roasted aubergines and peppers. This is a country that cooks – and cooks well each adopting the cuisine of other countries. My mother in law, the indomitable 96 year old Ala, is convinced that the Italians stole Lokshen and just called it pasta! My food is ready…. The long list of family favourites completed.
I think I am going back outside now I want to watch the last buses pull into the depot and their drivers go home to freshen up for Shabbat. I have to check if my tomatoes are ripe growing out of the orange trees earth where someone was too lazy to put their tomato in the rubbish and the seeds turned into a productive Triffid! The air is sweet, the quiet calm entrancing and the only sound is that of the Muezzin calling the faithful to prayer in the Beit Safafa neighbourhood. I so love this entrancing city, I love its diversity and its colour, its history and innovation, but most of all I love it because it is home.
With much love from Jerusalem
Sheila
Shabbat Shalom letter from Jerusalem
100521
Friday 21st May 2010.
Shabbat Shalom to you!
The world's eyes are so firmly fixed on the Middle East – and misunderstanding the implications of what they see – that they ignore dangers far closer to home. Hugo Chavez is a classic megalomaniac/ sociopath who is quietly manipulating his own country and most of Latin America at the same time. He is a very dangerous man. His treats against Venezuelan Jews represent clear and present danger http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1L34I7TFws&sns=em About two or three years ago my husband saw the signs and managed to persuade the then Prime Minister to ensure Jewish Agency emissaries went to persuade Venezuelan Jews to leave. The Jews truly believed that their social position would save them, now we know that it will not. Will we never learn? Does anyone else care?
Professor Noam Chomsky was denied entry from Jordan to Israel at the Allenby Bridge on Sunday. When he asked Israeli authorities for the reasons for the decision to block his entry, he was told that it would be sent in writing to the US embassy. Of course this made the headlines in te media but when British pop star Elton John was banned from performing at a private concert in Egypt because he is gay the media falls silent. He was forced to call off the concert because the government-controlled Egyptian Musician Union bans gays. Mr. John will still perform in Israel, where gays are welcome.
Israeli Government Authorities have decided to hand over lands owned by the Jewish National Fund to Arab farmers in the Galilee. The government watchdog Ometz has filed a request with State Comptroller asking him to look into the matter. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/news.aspx/137566
Tensions rose before Shevuot when a rogue gang of Haredim, a tiny minority who are acting against their own leaders, decided to wreak havoc outside the Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon where a new fully protected emergency room is to be built. They protested the moving of old graves which are not even Jewish graves to complete the building next to the main hospital. They took the issue to the Supreme Court but both the court and the Prime Minister gave the go-ahead to the building. They fought police and then wreaked millions of shekels worth of damage in Jerusalem's religious neighbouroods destroying public property. Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat has told them that he will not endanger his municipal workers and they will have to do without municipal services for the foreseeable future. It is so sad when religion loses its direction. Whatever happened to pikuach nefesh? I know they don't read newspapers but they must know that the city was bombed from Gaza and needs and underground facility. I love my religion, I think it is fine, tolerant and considerate and doesn't resemble this angry and intolerant group. http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3890514,00.html
I was very excited to receive a phone call from my friend Renee this morning telling me about a marvelous initiative taken by Prof. Guy Bechor. Tomorrow at 10:30 Herzliya Marina a flotilla of small boats will sail to Ashqelon in positive support of Israel in response to the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's anti-Israel Gaza flotilla purportedly in memory of Rachel Corrie. There will be full press coverage so look out for the story and react positively in your newspapers. Erdogan insists he simply supports blockade stricken Gaza and is not anti-Israel. I have no doubt that before leaving on his flotilla he and most of the yacht owners will leave their sore side mansions and go to one of the fine restaurants in Gaza City http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_puiuvWHQ4 and stay at one of the 5 star hotels http://www.aldeira.ps/ . How much aid has Turkey sent to Gaza? How much Israel is providing is an open book. http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/humanitarianaid/palestinians/ the trouble is that no-one opens the covers!
Shevuout in Jerusalem is very special. White clothes, white cheese and a determination to do things better and have a better understanding of the meaning of the laws that G-d gave us so many thousands of years ago. We misbehaved when Moses came down from Sinai and we still haven't the patience to understand. We tend to either take it all just too literally which makes us rigid in all our demands in our faith or we refuse to accept the beauty of what we were given and reject it in an equally rigid manner. Rabbi Jeremy Rosen, my dear friend and mentor says everything I wanted to say….. but much better – and not for the first time! http://jeremyrosen.blogspot.com/
Last night we went to an outstanding concert at the Jerusalem Theatre. The concert was one in the Jerusalem Symphony series. The programme included American composers and ended with a symphonic interpretation of West Side Story including an outstanding young Israeli pianist. The entire audience was on its feet at the end! If you are visiting or live within reachable distance you really should come to the concerts. http://www.jso.co.il/en/default.asp
Despite warning to the contrary have a facebook account. It is an amazing tool for hasbara outreach and also finding old friends. I read Barry Shaw and Barry Rubin and many others who understand the Middle East. If you are on facebook please look them up.
Todays Shabbat Shalom is running late. I just went out onto the veranda to take a deep breath of air before the next heatwave its and found myself entranced by the view. The shopping mall is in its final throes before closing its doors; the roads are emptying and the stillness is descending over the city like a blanket of peace; aromas rise from my downstairs neighbours – kubeh soup, rice flavoured with Hawaij and raisins, spicy meat-stuffed vegetables, chicken cooked for hours in a tajeen, kneidelach and chicken soup, and the predominant pungent smell of roasted aubergines and peppers. This is a country that cooks – and cooks well each adopting the cuisine of other countries. My mother in law, the indomitable 96 year old Ala, is convinced that the Italians stole Lokshen and just called it pasta! My food is ready…. The long list of family favourites completed.
I think I am going back outside now I want to watch the last buses pull into the depot and their drivers go home to freshen up for Shabbat. I have to check if my tomatoes are ripe growing out of the orange trees earth where someone was too lazy to put their tomato in the rubbish and the seeds turned into a productive Triffid! The air is sweet, the quiet calm entrancing and the only sound is that of the Muezzin calling the faithful to prayer in the Beit Safafa neighbourhood. I so love this entrancing city, I love its diversity and its colour, its history and innovation, but most of all I love it because it is home.
With much love from Jerusalem
Sheila
Friday 21st May 2010.
Shabbat Shalom to you!
The world's eyes are so firmly fixed on the Middle East – and misunderstanding the implications of what they see – that they ignore dangers far closer to home. Hugo Chavez is a classic megalomaniac/ sociopath who is quietly manipulating his own country and most of Latin America at the same time. He is a very dangerous man. His treats against Venezuelan Jews represent clear and present danger http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1L34I7TFws&sns=em About two or three years ago my husband saw the signs and managed to persuade the then Prime Minister to ensure Jewish Agency emissaries went to persuade Venezuelan Jews to leave. The Jews truly believed that their social position would save them, now we know that it will not. Will we never learn? Does anyone else care?
Professor Noam Chomsky was denied entry from Jordan to Israel at the Allenby Bridge on Sunday. When he asked Israeli authorities for the reasons for the decision to block his entry, he was told that it would be sent in writing to the US embassy. Of course this made the headlines in te media but when British pop star Elton John was banned from performing at a private concert in Egypt because he is gay the media falls silent. He was forced to call off the concert because the government-controlled Egyptian Musician Union bans gays. Mr. John will still perform in Israel, where gays are welcome.
Israeli Government Authorities have decided to hand over lands owned by the Jewish National Fund to Arab farmers in the Galilee. The government watchdog Ometz has filed a request with State Comptroller asking him to look into the matter. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/news.aspx/137566
Tensions rose before Shevuot when a rogue gang of Haredim, a tiny minority who are acting against their own leaders, decided to wreak havoc outside the Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon where a new fully protected emergency room is to be built. They protested the moving of old graves which are not even Jewish graves to complete the building next to the main hospital. They took the issue to the Supreme Court but both the court and the Prime Minister gave the go-ahead to the building. They fought police and then wreaked millions of shekels worth of damage in Jerusalem's religious neighbouroods destroying public property. Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat has told them that he will not endanger his municipal workers and they will have to do without municipal services for the foreseeable future. It is so sad when religion loses its direction. Whatever happened to pikuach nefesh? I know they don't read newspapers but they must know that the city was bombed from Gaza and needs and underground facility. I love my religion, I think it is fine, tolerant and considerate and doesn't resemble this angry and intolerant group. http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3890514,00.html
I was very excited to receive a phone call from my friend Renee this morning telling me about a marvelous initiative taken by Prof. Guy Bechor. Tomorrow at 10:30 Herzliya Marina a flotilla of small boats will sail to Ashqelon in positive support of Israel in response to the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's anti-Israel Gaza flotilla purportedly in memory of Rachel Corrie. There will be full press coverage so look out for the story and react positively in your newspapers. Erdogan insists he simply supports blockade stricken Gaza and is not anti-Israel. I have no doubt that before leaving on his flotilla he and most of the yacht owners will leave their sore side mansions and go to one of the fine restaurants in Gaza City http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_puiuvWHQ4 and stay at one of the 5 star hotels http://www.aldeira.ps/ . How much aid has Turkey sent to Gaza? How much Israel is providing is an open book. http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/humanitarianaid/palestinians/ the trouble is that no-one opens the covers!
Shevuout in Jerusalem is very special. White clothes, white cheese and a determination to do things better and have a better understanding of the meaning of the laws that G-d gave us so many thousands of years ago. We misbehaved when Moses came down from Sinai and we still haven't the patience to understand. We tend to either take it all just too literally which makes us rigid in all our demands in our faith or we refuse to accept the beauty of what we were given and reject it in an equally rigid manner. Rabbi Jeremy Rosen, my dear friend and mentor says everything I wanted to say….. but much better – and not for the first time! http://jeremyrosen.blogspot.com/
Last night we went to an outstanding concert at the Jerusalem Theatre. The concert was one in the Jerusalem Symphony series. The programme included American composers and ended with a symphonic interpretation of West Side Story including an outstanding young Israeli pianist. The entire audience was on its feet at the end! If you are visiting or live within reachable distance you really should come to the concerts. http://www.jso.co.il/en/default.asp
Despite warning to the contrary have a facebook account. It is an amazing tool for hasbara outreach and also finding old friends. I read Barry Shaw and Barry Rubin and many others who understand the Middle East. If you are on facebook please look them up.
Todays Shabbat Shalom is running late. I just went out onto the veranda to take a deep breath of air before the next heatwave its and found myself entranced by the view. The shopping mall is in its final throes before closing its doors; the roads are emptying and the stillness is descending over the city like a blanket of peace; aromas rise from my downstairs neighbours – kubeh soup, rice flavoured with Hawaij and raisins, spicy meat-stuffed vegetables, chicken cooked for hours in a tajeen, kneidelach and chicken soup, and the predominant pungent smell of roasted aubergines and peppers. This is a country that cooks – and cooks well each adopting the cuisine of other countries. My mother in law, the indomitable 96 year old Ala, is convinced that the Italians stole Lokshen and just called it pasta! My food is ready…. The long list of family favourites completed.
I think I am going back outside now I want to watch the last buses pull into the depot and their drivers go home to freshen up for Shabbat. I have to check if my tomatoes are ripe growing out of the orange trees earth where someone was too lazy to put their tomato in the rubbish and the seeds turned into a productive Triffid! The air is sweet, the quiet calm entrancing and the only sound is that of the Muezzin calling the faithful to prayer in the Beit Safafa neighbourhood. I so love this entrancing city, I love its diversity and its colour, its history and innovation, but most of all I love it because it is home.
With much love from Jerusalem
Sheila
Sunday, 16 May 2010
Ezekiel Unscathed - Shevua Tov
100516
Sunday 16th May 2010.
In my last Shabbat Shalom I told you all about Canon Andrew White's visit to Ezekiel's Tomb in Iraq. His excitement and delight at the condition of the tomb, after the rumours and multiple articles to the contrary, was such that he called me another twice from Iraq to express his joy and of course to wish me Shabbat Shalom!
Jonah Mandel interviewed me about the Tomb and about Andrew for the Jerusalem Post and this is the resulting article. Unfortunately in the print version they called me Sheila Regev but Jonah immediately corrected it in the internet version!
http://www.jpost.com/JewishWorld/JewishNews/Article.aspx?id=175556
Since further good always comes out of such acts of selflessness I am happy to report that Andrew and my determination over the last 10 years to expose the plight of Christians in the PA may well come to fruition since Jonah is also preparing an article and hopefully we will work together on it.
Have a wonderful week and if anyone wants to see photographs of Andrew at the Tomb just go to the Facebook site WE LOVE CANON ANDREW WHITE where I placed them!
With love from Jerusalem
Sheila
Sunday 16th May 2010.
In my last Shabbat Shalom I told you all about Canon Andrew White's visit to Ezekiel's Tomb in Iraq. His excitement and delight at the condition of the tomb, after the rumours and multiple articles to the contrary, was such that he called me another twice from Iraq to express his joy and of course to wish me Shabbat Shalom!
Jonah Mandel interviewed me about the Tomb and about Andrew for the Jerusalem Post and this is the resulting article. Unfortunately in the print version they called me Sheila Regev but Jonah immediately corrected it in the internet version!
http://www.jpost.com/JewishWorld/JewishNews/Article.aspx?id=175556
Since further good always comes out of such acts of selflessness I am happy to report that Andrew and my determination over the last 10 years to expose the plight of Christians in the PA may well come to fruition since Jonah is also preparing an article and hopefully we will work together on it.
Have a wonderful week and if anyone wants to see photographs of Andrew at the Tomb just go to the Facebook site WE LOVE CANON ANDREW WHITE where I placed them!
With love from Jerusalem
Sheila
Thursday, 13 May 2010
Shabbat Shalom letter from Jerusalem
100513
13th May 2010.
Shabbat Shalom Dear Friends
Last week I wrote about lunch with our dear friends Keith and Dee Beville from Australia and of their lifes work within the Australian Jewish Community. If my words suggested that they were dissatisfied with any of the institutions or organisations, please know that it was unintentional. Their contribution should not be tainted by my poor choice of words which was meant to indicate their excitement for the future rather than a criticism of the past or present. My apologies.
Israel has joined the prestigious OECD which sounds more like a psychological problem than a monetary organization!!!!! http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/IsraeliEconomy/Economic_News/FM-Liberman-welcomes-OECD-resolution-10-may-2010.htm
Prof. Gabby Barkay spends his life sifting through history, digging up proof of every aspect of our time in this amazing Biblical Land. In celebration of Jerusalem Day he was joined by several Members of Knesset to work on the mounds of rubble he saved from extinction from the Temple Mount http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=175342
Dr Barkay not only received permission to redeem the 700 truckloads of our history as reported in this article - he initiated it, went himself to dangerous sites deep I the PA to ensure its return when others claimed the earthworks dug out by Sheikh Raeed Salah were lost forever. He worked tirelessly on the first several truckloads with virtually no funding. An outstanding speaker who inspires all who listen to his "adventures" with the past, Gabby is an exceptional specialist on Jerusalem. Thank you dear Gabby for going where others fear to tread!
A short while ago I became aware of rumours that Ezekiels Tomb in Iraq, south of Baghdad in the village of Al Kilf had been severely damaged. http://www.thejc.com/blogpost/save-ezekiels-tomb-now My information came trough the Julius family in the UK. I wrote to Canon Andrew White who spoke to the locals who claimed it was not true. Unwilling to accept hearsay evidence, upon his return from a lecture tour of the States, Andrew drove 3 hours with 30 bodyguards to check out the site for himself.
On Tuesday, as I was sitting in one of Jerusalem's interminable traffic jams I received a phone call from Canon Andrew White at Ezekiel's tomb!!!! I could barely see trough my tears and nearly bumped the car in front of me. He was shouting down the phone that everything was perfect and the Hebrew letters intact and he managed to obtain a promise from the local Mullahs that the site will not be touched and all will be well. What a man!!!!
On that same Tuesday Andrew was awarded the prize for the best Christian book in Britain "The Vicar of Baghdad" and on Wednesday he received the first ever Iraq Peace Prize presented by Grand Ayatollah Hossain Al Sader. The Grand Ayatollah said that "nobody had served Iraq like Canon White, the fact that he has been in Iraq for so long searching for peace is an encouragement to all Iraqis of all faiths".
On Tuesday we celebrated the 43rd Jerusalem Day, a multi-faceted celebration of the re-unification of the City of Jerusalem after 19 years of division between Jordan and Israel from 1948-1967. On that fateful day the tearful voice of Motte Gur "Har habayit beyadenu" the Temple Mount is in our hands fulfilled Nomi Shemers prediction that the shofar would once again be blown on the Temple Mount. Little did we know that the Temple Mount would be retaken within Israel by those who try to remove evidence of our history from the holy site.
The day was also a memorial for those who fell in the Six Day war to free Jerusalem for all faiths as well as a celebration of our City of Gold, Capital of the State of Israel. The Veterans March in the centre of town was joined by scouts and young soldiers and representatives from amny union and organizations; the ceremony on Givat ha Tachmoshet and a http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=175319
Jerusalem is an exquisitely beautiful, fascinating mosaic made up of a rainbow of colours and creeds. Jerusalem is also Israel's biggest city with over 774,000 residents http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUeXtem8uBQ&feature=fvw
The Ethiopian immigration to Israel has a romantic ring but it was a tortuous journey for a people who suffered horrific anti-Semitism, exile to a remote mountain region – even branding, yet throughout their suffering they prayed to come back to Jerusalem. A Ceremony on Mount Herzl in recognition of the struggle of Ethiopian Jews to come to Israel and to commemorate those who died on the walk to Sudan http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3888718,00.html Shlomo Gronich and the Sheba choir tell the story of the "Masa" the journey from Africa to Israel, of the moon in the sky over the desert as they walked endlessly and painfully toward their destination "One last push and we will be on our way to Jerusalem" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FjtD3mKrIE&feature=related and Zahava Ben gives us an Eastern hue to the Golden City http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msXQJoE9igg&feature=related
What is a Jew? How often have you heard the question without getting an acceptable answer? Kobi Oz produced this wonderful recording of "I am a Jew" Ani Yehudi which includes the full scope, ambit, range and rainbow of Jews. I love it!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Zw7Kico7Oo&NR=1
Last week I forgot to write about the highlight! Maccabi World Union opened its congress with an outstanding evening at the Cameri theater in Tel Aviv. We took over the theatre for an extraordinarily exciting rendition of Fiddler on the Roof with Natan Datner. Phenomenal evening and gorgeous crowd of people. Well done Eyal Tiberger – Kol ha Kavod and Chazak ve-Amatz!!!!
This week has been a joy. My sister Eddies close friends Andrea, Larry, Nici and Sol flew all the way from Toronto to learn about Israel for themselves. They went North and South and then settled to a few days of the Sheila Tour of Jerusalem. We did just about all the places I talk about including Gilo, Beit Safafa, Ben Yehuda, Mahane Yehuda, shopping in the Old City, the new city and the mall (!), the Herzl Museum, the Supreme Court and so much more and they were so excited about every place that it was a joy for me to spend time with them. Of course we ended up wit a celbratory supper at "Zion ha Gadol" wit my jet-lagged husband!
Zvi came home from a wonderful trip to China with the Hora Jerusalem Dance Troupe where together with David D'Or they opened the Israeli Pavilion at Expo Shanghai. David d'Or's most famous song is "T'shmor al ha Olam Yeled" (Take care of the world my child) where he bewails the fact that we didn't do a good job of watching over our world and it is now up to the children - with the wonderful line "If all the love in the world ends only you can keep it going" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC6KiNORXqY&feature=related
I pray that our children will understand to keep our world from harm and notice that we didn't do a good job. I pray that their rebellion will be to prove that they can do better.
I want to wish my cousin Hannah and her new husband a wonderful marriage and apologise for the fact that I didn't manage to go to the sheva brachot. I hope that next time they will all come to our veranda and have a celebration together. Mazal Tov Bobby, Eleanor, Jean and Stuart!!!
Shabbat Shalom to you all from Jerusalem. Jerusalem which has blossomed, grown and become open and free for 43 out of her 3,000 years, becoming more beautiful by the day. Not bad eh?
With much love
Sheila
13th May 2010.
Shabbat Shalom Dear Friends
Last week I wrote about lunch with our dear friends Keith and Dee Beville from Australia and of their lifes work within the Australian Jewish Community. If my words suggested that they were dissatisfied with any of the institutions or organisations, please know that it was unintentional. Their contribution should not be tainted by my poor choice of words which was meant to indicate their excitement for the future rather than a criticism of the past or present. My apologies.
Israel has joined the prestigious OECD which sounds more like a psychological problem than a monetary organization!!!!! http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/IsraeliEconomy/Economic_News/FM-Liberman-welcomes-OECD-resolution-10-may-2010.htm
Prof. Gabby Barkay spends his life sifting through history, digging up proof of every aspect of our time in this amazing Biblical Land. In celebration of Jerusalem Day he was joined by several Members of Knesset to work on the mounds of rubble he saved from extinction from the Temple Mount http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=175342
Dr Barkay not only received permission to redeem the 700 truckloads of our history as reported in this article - he initiated it, went himself to dangerous sites deep I the PA to ensure its return when others claimed the earthworks dug out by Sheikh Raeed Salah were lost forever. He worked tirelessly on the first several truckloads with virtually no funding. An outstanding speaker who inspires all who listen to his "adventures" with the past, Gabby is an exceptional specialist on Jerusalem. Thank you dear Gabby for going where others fear to tread!
A short while ago I became aware of rumours that Ezekiels Tomb in Iraq, south of Baghdad in the village of Al Kilf had been severely damaged. http://www.thejc.com/blogpost/save-ezekiels-tomb-now My information came trough the Julius family in the UK. I wrote to Canon Andrew White who spoke to the locals who claimed it was not true. Unwilling to accept hearsay evidence, upon his return from a lecture tour of the States, Andrew drove 3 hours with 30 bodyguards to check out the site for himself.
On Tuesday, as I was sitting in one of Jerusalem's interminable traffic jams I received a phone call from Canon Andrew White at Ezekiel's tomb!!!! I could barely see trough my tears and nearly bumped the car in front of me. He was shouting down the phone that everything was perfect and the Hebrew letters intact and he managed to obtain a promise from the local Mullahs that the site will not be touched and all will be well. What a man!!!!
On that same Tuesday Andrew was awarded the prize for the best Christian book in Britain "The Vicar of Baghdad" and on Wednesday he received the first ever Iraq Peace Prize presented by Grand Ayatollah Hossain Al Sader. The Grand Ayatollah said that "nobody had served Iraq like Canon White, the fact that he has been in Iraq for so long searching for peace is an encouragement to all Iraqis of all faiths".
On Tuesday we celebrated the 43rd Jerusalem Day, a multi-faceted celebration of the re-unification of the City of Jerusalem after 19 years of division between Jordan and Israel from 1948-1967. On that fateful day the tearful voice of Motte Gur "Har habayit beyadenu" the Temple Mount is in our hands fulfilled Nomi Shemers prediction that the shofar would once again be blown on the Temple Mount. Little did we know that the Temple Mount would be retaken within Israel by those who try to remove evidence of our history from the holy site.
The day was also a memorial for those who fell in the Six Day war to free Jerusalem for all faiths as well as a celebration of our City of Gold, Capital of the State of Israel. The Veterans March in the centre of town was joined by scouts and young soldiers and representatives from amny union and organizations; the ceremony on Givat ha Tachmoshet and a http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=175319
Jerusalem is an exquisitely beautiful, fascinating mosaic made up of a rainbow of colours and creeds. Jerusalem is also Israel's biggest city with over 774,000 residents http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUeXtem8uBQ&feature=fvw
The Ethiopian immigration to Israel has a romantic ring but it was a tortuous journey for a people who suffered horrific anti-Semitism, exile to a remote mountain region – even branding, yet throughout their suffering they prayed to come back to Jerusalem. A Ceremony on Mount Herzl in recognition of the struggle of Ethiopian Jews to come to Israel and to commemorate those who died on the walk to Sudan http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3888718,00.html Shlomo Gronich and the Sheba choir tell the story of the "Masa" the journey from Africa to Israel, of the moon in the sky over the desert as they walked endlessly and painfully toward their destination "One last push and we will be on our way to Jerusalem" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FjtD3mKrIE&feature=related and Zahava Ben gives us an Eastern hue to the Golden City http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msXQJoE9igg&feature=related
What is a Jew? How often have you heard the question without getting an acceptable answer? Kobi Oz produced this wonderful recording of "I am a Jew" Ani Yehudi which includes the full scope, ambit, range and rainbow of Jews. I love it!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Zw7Kico7Oo&NR=1
Last week I forgot to write about the highlight! Maccabi World Union opened its congress with an outstanding evening at the Cameri theater in Tel Aviv. We took over the theatre for an extraordinarily exciting rendition of Fiddler on the Roof with Natan Datner. Phenomenal evening and gorgeous crowd of people. Well done Eyal Tiberger – Kol ha Kavod and Chazak ve-Amatz!!!!
This week has been a joy. My sister Eddies close friends Andrea, Larry, Nici and Sol flew all the way from Toronto to learn about Israel for themselves. They went North and South and then settled to a few days of the Sheila Tour of Jerusalem. We did just about all the places I talk about including Gilo, Beit Safafa, Ben Yehuda, Mahane Yehuda, shopping in the Old City, the new city and the mall (!), the Herzl Museum, the Supreme Court and so much more and they were so excited about every place that it was a joy for me to spend time with them. Of course we ended up wit a celbratory supper at "Zion ha Gadol" wit my jet-lagged husband!
Zvi came home from a wonderful trip to China with the Hora Jerusalem Dance Troupe where together with David D'Or they opened the Israeli Pavilion at Expo Shanghai. David d'Or's most famous song is "T'shmor al ha Olam Yeled" (Take care of the world my child) where he bewails the fact that we didn't do a good job of watching over our world and it is now up to the children - with the wonderful line "If all the love in the world ends only you can keep it going" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC6KiNORXqY&feature=related
I pray that our children will understand to keep our world from harm and notice that we didn't do a good job. I pray that their rebellion will be to prove that they can do better.
I want to wish my cousin Hannah and her new husband a wonderful marriage and apologise for the fact that I didn't manage to go to the sheva brachot. I hope that next time they will all come to our veranda and have a celebration together. Mazal Tov Bobby, Eleanor, Jean and Stuart!!!
Shabbat Shalom to you all from Jerusalem. Jerusalem which has blossomed, grown and become open and free for 43 out of her 3,000 years, becoming more beautiful by the day. Not bad eh?
With much love
Sheila
Friday, 7 May 2010
Sheila's Shabbat Shalom Letter
100507
7th of May 2010.
Shabbat Shalom dear friends
Another Moslem turned upon the country that gave him safe haven, but thank G-d there was no harm to the thousands of innocent folk in Times Square. It seems the press is concentrating on the fact that it was a foiled and amateurish attempt rather then on the fact that the perpetrator found it terrifyingly easy to place an explosive filled car in the centre of Manhattan.
Racial profiling is against everything the democratic West believes in but it is illogical to refrain on moral grounds when it saves lives. If we don't begin to spot check those who fit a specific type we are lost.
It looks like the Conservatives have won the elections in the UK. Let's hope they will stand up to the Europeans who are trying to drag the UK down with them. If they get a clear majority it could bode well for Israel too. Each day of the EEC I thank G-d they don't want us!
This week Member of Knesset David Rotem told a wonderful group of Mormon doctors (more of that later) a story of how he discovered tat the fact he was Israeli was registered with a triple x on his entry to the USA. Triple X? Hi risk visitor. He questioned the people at the entry point asking how many Israelis had ever hi-jacked a plane and flown it into an American building or bombed tourist areas…his questions were met by silent determination.
The Goldstone Report caused dismay at its lack of balance or logic. The Richard Goldstone presented to us was a fine jurist who tried to be even handed although rejected by Israel. South African friends said he was the only one of their community who did not work to bring about the fall of Apartheid. Goldstone's actions during the Apartheid era show that he always does as he is told not as he should. Yediot Aharonoth reports
"Jurist Richard Goldstone was responsible for sending at least 28 black South Africans to death when they appeared before him during the Apartheid regime.
Goldstone, who headed the UN committee which investigated alleged war crimes perpetrated by the IDF during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza, handed down the sentences while serving as a judge in the South African Court of Appeals. Goldstone presided during the 1980s and 1990s, and wrote in one of his rulings that the gallows are the only deterrent for killers.
He responded to the report by saying that he was a part of the system and had to respect the laws of the state, occasionally having to enforce laws he was opposed to. The former judge was also responsible for sending four men accused of violent acts to receive lashes alongside the upholding of other racist laws.
"I was just following orders". Heard that somewhere before?
Zvi thoroughly enjoyed Israel Day in Shanghai!!! David d'Or sang and the Hora Jerusalem Dance Troupe danced. Apparently the Chinese sense of organization left a great deal to be desired but the Israel Pavilion is a true reflection of the innovation and imagination of this tiny but phenomenal country. file:///C:/DOCUME~1/Raviv/LOCALS~1/Temp/Israel%20Day%20at%20Expo%202010%20in%20Shanghai%206-May-2010.htm
Our beautiful friend Dr. Kimball Taylor brought a terrific group of 75 LDS doctors from Canada and the USA. One of his aims is to bring understanding between the two faiths, Jews and Mormons.
The group travelled the length and breadth of Israel (not difficult) and met with Israeli doctors and studied health care in Israeli hospitals. On their penultimate day Zvi and I met them in the Knesset. Zvi explained the history and workings of the Knesset and then MK David Rotem spoke and answered questions followed by Jerusalem gynaecologist and MK Rachel Adato who has devoted her life to health care in general and women's health care in particular. Dr Adato told the group how in Israel it is irrelevant whether one is rich or poor, Christian, Moslem or Jew, the system is equal to all as is the treatment. When serving in ER she ad sewn up the self-inflicted wounds of failed suicide bombers with equal care to Israeli patients.
Professor Arieh Eldad is on the far right of the political map but he too, as a plastic surgeon, had treated Arabs from the PA with equal care to Israelis. Prof. Eldad explained that it was as a surgeon, seeing the horrors of terrorism and violence during the Intifada came to the realization that he wanted to change our world and to do so through the political arena. Today he and Dr Adato sit on health related Knesset committees, irrespective of party or creed – even with MK Dr. Ahmed Tibi!
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon spoke on the political and international level of Israel's current position under the new restraints of the Obama government. He likened us to Czechoslovakia during WW2 when Chamberlain convinced the allies that if we just gave Hitler the Sudetenland he would be satisfied and we would have "Peace in our time" Czechoslovakia crumbled as Hitler's megalomania became apparent – the only world leader to recognize the danger was Winston Churchill. We have absolutely no intention of becoming the modern day Czechoslovakia and the West Bank is most certainly not the Sudetenland, but the megalomania of our enemy is the same. We came home and we will defend that home as we see fit. The world must recognize that Jordan is the de facto state of Palestine in the original 2 state solution before any rational decisions can be made.
As Zvi was preparing to leave the house for his China flight we heard the bang banging of a suitcase coming up the stairs! Michael Grubner came all the way from Vancouver to volunteer with Magen David Adom as a paramedic and was staying with us before his course began… the problem was his lovely Dad Claudio forgot to say when he was arriving! Michael and I had so much fun – he is a terrific young man who has chosen to begin by devoting himself to MDA, to interviewing with the IDF to see if he is able to enlist and to find himself a gorgeous Israeli wife!!!
Dee and Keith Beville of Melbourne called to say they were in Jerusalem and invited Michael and I to go for lunch at Zion ha Gadol. They are marvelously involved people who would love to see changes in the elitist structure of the Jewish world. They know that young people are put off by the fact that the top levels of KH, UJC, UIA and the Jewish Agency are taken by a hierarchy which depends upon huge donations. They recognize the need for change whereby the Jewish Diaspora becomes much more inclusive and young people see a future in which they play a part.
Tonight I will eat Shabbat supper with my little grandchildren. I finished cooking for Zvi's Mum Ala and my veranda is looking phenomenal after a week of work. Michael helped me move the tree, yesterday I planted masses of petunias to provide summer colour and added two baby tomatoes and two peppers to the fruit and veg. The lobby of the apartments now sports a mass of Bizzy Lizzy I planted at the huge windows which overlook Jerusalem.
Next week I will have fun with Andrea, Larry, Nici and Sol who came all the way from Toronto – Andrea and Larry's first time! Tey want to see my Jerusalem – Mahane Yeuda, Gilo, downtown, the shopping mall and Shouk Ramle.I called to see how they were doing and Andrea said "This is the most amazing country in the world. Beautiful, historic and so much fun! I can't wait to come back and I haven't even left yet!"
Shabbat Shalom from the most amazing country in the world.
Love
Sheila
7th of May 2010.
Shabbat Shalom dear friends
Another Moslem turned upon the country that gave him safe haven, but thank G-d there was no harm to the thousands of innocent folk in Times Square. It seems the press is concentrating on the fact that it was a foiled and amateurish attempt rather then on the fact that the perpetrator found it terrifyingly easy to place an explosive filled car in the centre of Manhattan.
Racial profiling is against everything the democratic West believes in but it is illogical to refrain on moral grounds when it saves lives. If we don't begin to spot check those who fit a specific type we are lost.
It looks like the Conservatives have won the elections in the UK. Let's hope they will stand up to the Europeans who are trying to drag the UK down with them. If they get a clear majority it could bode well for Israel too. Each day of the EEC I thank G-d they don't want us!
This week Member of Knesset David Rotem told a wonderful group of Mormon doctors (more of that later) a story of how he discovered tat the fact he was Israeli was registered with a triple x on his entry to the USA. Triple X? Hi risk visitor. He questioned the people at the entry point asking how many Israelis had ever hi-jacked a plane and flown it into an American building or bombed tourist areas…his questions were met by silent determination.
The Goldstone Report caused dismay at its lack of balance or logic. The Richard Goldstone presented to us was a fine jurist who tried to be even handed although rejected by Israel. South African friends said he was the only one of their community who did not work to bring about the fall of Apartheid. Goldstone's actions during the Apartheid era show that he always does as he is told not as he should. Yediot Aharonoth reports
"Jurist Richard Goldstone was responsible for sending at least 28 black South Africans to death when they appeared before him during the Apartheid regime.
Goldstone, who headed the UN committee which investigated alleged war crimes perpetrated by the IDF during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza, handed down the sentences while serving as a judge in the South African Court of Appeals. Goldstone presided during the 1980s and 1990s, and wrote in one of his rulings that the gallows are the only deterrent for killers.
He responded to the report by saying that he was a part of the system and had to respect the laws of the state, occasionally having to enforce laws he was opposed to. The former judge was also responsible for sending four men accused of violent acts to receive lashes alongside the upholding of other racist laws.
"I was just following orders". Heard that somewhere before?
Zvi thoroughly enjoyed Israel Day in Shanghai!!! David d'Or sang and the Hora Jerusalem Dance Troupe danced. Apparently the Chinese sense of organization left a great deal to be desired but the Israel Pavilion is a true reflection of the innovation and imagination of this tiny but phenomenal country. file:///C:/DOCUME~1/Raviv/LOCALS~1/Temp/Israel%20Day%20at%20Expo%202010%20in%20Shanghai%206-May-2010.htm
Our beautiful friend Dr. Kimball Taylor brought a terrific group of 75 LDS doctors from Canada and the USA. One of his aims is to bring understanding between the two faiths, Jews and Mormons.
The group travelled the length and breadth of Israel (not difficult) and met with Israeli doctors and studied health care in Israeli hospitals. On their penultimate day Zvi and I met them in the Knesset. Zvi explained the history and workings of the Knesset and then MK David Rotem spoke and answered questions followed by Jerusalem gynaecologist and MK Rachel Adato who has devoted her life to health care in general and women's health care in particular. Dr Adato told the group how in Israel it is irrelevant whether one is rich or poor, Christian, Moslem or Jew, the system is equal to all as is the treatment. When serving in ER she ad sewn up the self-inflicted wounds of failed suicide bombers with equal care to Israeli patients.
Professor Arieh Eldad is on the far right of the political map but he too, as a plastic surgeon, had treated Arabs from the PA with equal care to Israelis. Prof. Eldad explained that it was as a surgeon, seeing the horrors of terrorism and violence during the Intifada came to the realization that he wanted to change our world and to do so through the political arena. Today he and Dr Adato sit on health related Knesset committees, irrespective of party or creed – even with MK Dr. Ahmed Tibi!
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon spoke on the political and international level of Israel's current position under the new restraints of the Obama government. He likened us to Czechoslovakia during WW2 when Chamberlain convinced the allies that if we just gave Hitler the Sudetenland he would be satisfied and we would have "Peace in our time" Czechoslovakia crumbled as Hitler's megalomania became apparent – the only world leader to recognize the danger was Winston Churchill. We have absolutely no intention of becoming the modern day Czechoslovakia and the West Bank is most certainly not the Sudetenland, but the megalomania of our enemy is the same. We came home and we will defend that home as we see fit. The world must recognize that Jordan is the de facto state of Palestine in the original 2 state solution before any rational decisions can be made.
As Zvi was preparing to leave the house for his China flight we heard the bang banging of a suitcase coming up the stairs! Michael Grubner came all the way from Vancouver to volunteer with Magen David Adom as a paramedic and was staying with us before his course began… the problem was his lovely Dad Claudio forgot to say when he was arriving! Michael and I had so much fun – he is a terrific young man who has chosen to begin by devoting himself to MDA, to interviewing with the IDF to see if he is able to enlist and to find himself a gorgeous Israeli wife!!!
Dee and Keith Beville of Melbourne called to say they were in Jerusalem and invited Michael and I to go for lunch at Zion ha Gadol. They are marvelously involved people who would love to see changes in the elitist structure of the Jewish world. They know that young people are put off by the fact that the top levels of KH, UJC, UIA and the Jewish Agency are taken by a hierarchy which depends upon huge donations. They recognize the need for change whereby the Jewish Diaspora becomes much more inclusive and young people see a future in which they play a part.
Tonight I will eat Shabbat supper with my little grandchildren. I finished cooking for Zvi's Mum Ala and my veranda is looking phenomenal after a week of work. Michael helped me move the tree, yesterday I planted masses of petunias to provide summer colour and added two baby tomatoes and two peppers to the fruit and veg. The lobby of the apartments now sports a mass of Bizzy Lizzy I planted at the huge windows which overlook Jerusalem.
Next week I will have fun with Andrea, Larry, Nici and Sol who came all the way from Toronto – Andrea and Larry's first time! Tey want to see my Jerusalem – Mahane Yeuda, Gilo, downtown, the shopping mall and Shouk Ramle.I called to see how they were doing and Andrea said "This is the most amazing country in the world. Beautiful, historic and so much fun! I can't wait to come back and I haven't even left yet!"
Shabbat Shalom from the most amazing country in the world.
Love
Sheila
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