Shabbat Shalom letter from Jerusalem

101022
22nd October 2010.

Shabbat Shalom

I very nearly used my broken ankle as an excuse not to write this week, but Rosa called to tell me that I only had an hour or so to decide before Shabbat and too many people would worry, especially Pola!!!!!

Incredibly on November 4th it will be 15 years since Yitzchak Rabin's assassination. Th Hebrew date just passed with a large gathering in his memory but strangely for me it is the dreadful 4th of November that I remember.
Just ten days prior we stood listening to him speak before a crowded Rotunda, the Hall linking the Senate and the House, as we celebrated the opening of the United States Jerusalem 3,000 celebrations. The day was especially historic since the previous day, as my husband sat in the gallery, the Senate voted overwhelmingly to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem!
Just ten days prior to his death I received my last hug from this shy, exceptional man who preferred his “wounded soldier” citizen to the room full of politicians.
Just ten days prior to his death when Israel felt invincible from without and within.
Just ten days before a Jew raised his gun and took away not only a Prime Minister but our innocence and our invincibility.
I find it odd that the left have made him their symbol, although he was far from left-wing; the press has chosen him as their idol although he would have shown them his feet of clay, and the right have vilified him for deeds he never did.
Yitzchak Rabin, son of Rosa Cohen, was the archetypal soldier; Israeli; Sabra; hero; man, and I miss his shy disposition and humility horribly.
May his soul rest in peace, his memory be preserved and his prayer for a safe and secure Israel be fulfilled.

This article by Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren, is an essential read. I give you a snippet and you can open the link to read it all.
An End to Israel’s Invisibility
By MICHAEL B. OREN Published: October 13, 2010



http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/14/opinion/14oren.html?_r=1&ref=contributors
NEARLY 63 years after the United Nations recognized the right of the Jewish people to independence in their homeland — and more than 62 years since Israel’s creation — the Palestinians are still denying the Jewish nature of the state. “Israel can name itself whatever it wants,” said the Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas, while, according to the newspaper Haaretz, his chief negotiator, Saeb Erekat, said that the Palestinian Authority will never recognize Israel as the Jewish state. Back in 1948, opposition to the legitimacy of a Jewish state ignited a war. Today it threatens peace.



Today I received a message that The Australian reported that when Australian troops in Afghanistan requested help from Dutch Air Troops the Dutch refused help and Australian soldiers died as a result.http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/dutch-refused-to-help-in-battle-digger/story-e6frg8yo-1225942059838

The Anzacs (Australian and New Zealand troops) have always fought for democracy and freedom in each war that their allies needed them from WW1 WW2 Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, et al. Apparently the Dutch have become infected with European PC'ism which is causing their near downfall.

The Dutch are investigating the Australian claims suggesting that they already had airfire cover from US and UK air forces. I hope the original report was wrong.



I have very little to report, today being the first day I have actually succeeded in hobbling and leaving my room to wander around with some independence. I am having great fun with my wheelchair which does amazing wheelies...... and thank G-d inflammation, infection and break are all doing well!! Visitors have been tended by my amazing husband and we all manage!



We have had wonderful visitors, one left one came....... Louise Gilbert with whom I worked in the UK, and Dr Kimball Taylor, yes our lovely friend Kim. Life will always go on as normal....... no dramas in this household.

Please remember that history is in the eyes of those who were there and those who wish to take credit for everyting. It was once said that history is the view of the victor but today history is the realm of the first to publish!! Avoid those who would sully your name, or the names of those who make history. They are not historians but rather mean spirited people who want to take history and make it their own.



I wish you Shabbat Shalom of optimism and hope, prayer, contemplation and joy.

With love from an ever beautiful, ever spiritual, ever charming Jerusalem

Sheila