Shabbat Shalom fro Jerusalem

120831

31^st August 2012.

Shabbat Shalom, dear Friends. I hope this letter finds you well wherever you may be.

Rachel Corrie has been a boon to Israel haters all over the world but, as a court in Haifa decided this week, Rachel Corrie should not have been where she was and thus her family is not due compensation!  She came to Israel with provocation in mind, together with a group of pro-Palestinian activists. The Army spokesperson and the police warned the group that they should not g into the area considered highly dangerous and a war zone. We are not talking Tiananmen Square and a lone figure in front of a tank in an otherwise deserted square, Rachel Corrie stepped in front of a tank in an area of contention and danger filled with rocks and brush – she should not have been there. I am sorry that her family suffered a tragedy but it is not Israel's fault. If only the so deeply moved and sensitive world would pay the same homage to our Rachels – the ones who didn't incite or invite their own deaths. These Rachels were just going about their daily routine when terrorists, those who Rachel Corrie supported, took their lives in the most heinous fashion.http://www.tomgrossmedia.com/TheForgottenRachels.html 

Ban Ki Moon, the eighth and current Secretary-General of the United Nations, after succeeding Kofi Annan in 2007 finally did what he and his predecessors should have done many years ago. He stood up in front of the Conference of non-Aligned Countries in Teheran and demanded that they stop their constant threats for the annihilation of Israel, a Member country of the UN and the denial of history, of the Holocaust. His words were predominantly aimed at Ahmedinejad and Khameini but many countries attending this particular conference should heed his words. Hopefully they are not empty words but carry a strong message of change.   http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/un-chief-slams-iran-over-holocaust-remarks/yqvcypdo?preview=true 

Pat Condell is an occasionally offensive, always cuttingly outspoken atheist who is conceivably one of the last of true grit Brits who maintain the original British ability to speak clearly, in an elegantly intelligent manner and use irony and honesty to debunk myths. Here he ridicules the pseudo-intellectuality of The Guardian and its readers - which equally applies to the NY Times or the LA Times.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOgV6Fvc8wc  Check out his entire youtube site it is worth it

I doubt that you heard of last nights bombardment of Hamas missiles on Southern Israel or that it resulted in a direct hit on a house in Sderot. No one was hurt because we are a country prepared for this war of attrition. The residents were awoken from their clumber by a "Red Alert" siren and raced down to the shelter, thus saving their lives. No-one should have to live like that.

Sadly, not everyone is sweet and well brought up in Israel and I am ashamed, deeply ashamed of two incidents last week.

In one incident Israeli Jewish teenagers beat up a young Arab in the centre of Jerusalem. The perpetrators are in detention awaiting trial. Israel is ashamed by their behaviour and Speaker of the Knesset Rubi Rivlin visited the injured boy in hospital to apologise on behalf of the country and offer his help.http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4272224,00.html

In the second incident 12 and 13 year old boys from the Israeli settlement of Bat Ayin threw a Molotov cocktail at a passing Palestinian taxi – badly injuring those inside.  We are disgusted and angry that Israel's name is dirtied alongside these terrorists. Tag Machir (Price Tag) is a Jewish terror organization and the fact that so far no-one has died as a result of their lunacy is pure luck. They do not represent my views, or of anyone I know. Their actions are the antithesis of Judaism. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4274254,00.html

The activist cry of siege and oppression in and on Gaza is a myth. Of course there is no siege (only maritime to prevent arms shipments) and of course Israel not only allows foreign aid into Gaza but provides huge amounts of aid herself. Taking all of that into consideration Khaled Abu Toameh asks a simple question.How Many Millionaires Live in the "Impoverished" Gaza Strip? His answer came in the unlikely form of an investigative report published in the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, there are at least 600 millionaires living in the Gaza Strip. The newspaper report also refutes the claim that Gaza has been facing a humanitarian crisis because of an Israeli blockade.http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/3308/gaza-millionaires

The Southern United States, and New Orleans in particular, has again suffered a terrible storm. I pray that everyone will be safe and have homes to return to.

Syria. I have no words, I do not understand why the ethnic cleansing of non-Alowites has been allowed to continue unabated. It is as logical as allowing Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. I recall President Peres speech where he was amused to read of India's unsuccessful search for a State Executioner. "I have no problem with a country that cannot find anyone to work as an executioner having nuclear weapons but countries like Iran, who have ready executioners should not"

Talking of Shimon Peres. Zvi and I were invited by KKL Chairman Effie Stenzler to the ceremony of the Society for a Beautiful Israel in which KKL received the award of the most important organization toward that aim. 110 years of KKL and everything that entails, from trees to towns, from desalinization to agricultural breakthroughs, KKL is the most successful and effective of organizations. The ceremony was held on the lawns of the Presidents House (and this time I managed to walk across the lawn without breaking my ankle) and President Peres rose to speak he yet again thrilled an amazed his audience with his memory and knowledge, his erudition and eloquence and most of all his sense of humour.  “KKL-JNF represents an entire people, not just a country,”  Well done Effie, well done KKL and thank you Mr President. http://www.kkl.org.il/eng/about-kkl-jnf/green-israel-news/august-2012/beautiful-israel-award/

The Paralympic Games is taking place in London and Israel already got  a bronze medal http://cifwatch.com/2012/08/28/israels-paralympic-team-in-london/ The incredible story of how the Paralymics began, by an orthopaedic surgeon at the famous Stoke Mandeville hospital, a refugee from the Shoah. Fascinatinghttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19374513

This week we went to collect our gas masks – for us and for all the children and grandchildren since they think we are over-reacting!  Since I have told you often, no event in Israel takes place without food. Zvi stood in line, armed with everybody's ID cards, I sat in Aroma til he arrived enjoying my wonderful coffee and a "half" sandwich – which is enormous in itself.  A lady came to speak to me as I sat enjoying my treats, a huge pile of gas mask boxes beside me and wanted to take a picture of us sitting eating lunch and chatting over coffee. I asked why "To show my friends back in the States" she responded "they don't understand the paradox of life here. You sitting having a lovely time and laughing with your husband in a shopping mall while the gas masks are beside you" "Aha" said I " You should tell them that this is the perfect example of Israeli schizophrenia" I responded. "We are lucky because unlike the USA and Europe we know exactly who are enemies are, recognize that it has always been the same and will never change and we are prepared. If we stop enjoying ourselves then this war of attrition will be lost" It's true dear friends. We are the hors d'ouevres you are the main course!

Children went back to school this week – and we have two little grand-daughters starting Kita Aleph (1^st year) Uniforms and excitement and exhaustion all combined in a highly successful operation. May they learn and continue to be "curiouser and curiouser " and become adults who give back to the world.

I was fascinated to discover that an ancient Navaho Moose symbol was on sale on ebay…….. just take a peek!   http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&hash=item2a210a6510&item=180942955792&nma=true&pt=US_Fine_Necklaces_Pendants&rt=nc&si=NYLwrZb%252BlHP77UDmkohUGbLQQ5o%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc#ht_4162wt_984

Jerusalem is quietly closing down. The shops are emptying as everyone goes home to prepare for Shabbat. Either sleeping or cooking! Tonight we celebrate Zvi's eldest sons birthday and as most families in Israel we will gather for the traditional lighting of the Shabbat Candles, our little grand-daughters joining me in the beautiful ceremony to welcome the bride of Shabbat into our home their faces glowing with pride in the candlelight;  Kiddush, as Zvi sings the blessing over wine in his wonderful bass-baritone voice just as his father did and mine; the ha Motseh – the blessing over the two Challot, the traditions which hold us firmly together as a family and as a people.

The song I chose for you this week is "Halleva'I" sung beautifully by Boaz Sharabi. More of a prayer than a song   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwEatU285N8&feature=related 

I wish you Shabbat Shalom and much love from Jerusalem, the most incredible and fascinating city in the world that I am proud to call home.

With much love

Sheila

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem

120824

24^th August 2012.

Shabbat Shalom, dear Friends. Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem and a confused correspondent in a progressively topsy turvy world.

It seems that the moral and ethical standards my parents taught me are now considered out of date, obsolete. The leaders who were our moral compass and  stood up for right now kow tow to evil and spout rhetoric about the Middle East to veil their own ineptitude when faced with economic crises and the Jews have become the scapegoat yet again. Of course the Jews are not the butt of the rhetoric, I hear you say, it is Israel. After all Israel is the cause of all the problems, isn't it? If only that pesky little country would disappear all would be fine.

Syria is killing thousands of citizens each week and preparing to use chemical weapons acquired from Iraq (I told you they got them 6 months before the Allies went into Iraq) on either their own people or you know who; Iraqi's are killing each other with explosive devices on children's buses because we left a terrible mess there expecting democracy in a country that should be split into three ethnic entities; Egyptians are killing Coptic Christians because we decided to swap one dictator for another without considering the consequences; Lebanon's  Nasrallah, leader of Hezb-Allah, is threatening to wipe out Israel and the West simply thinks he is a clown; Iran's puppet of the Ayatollas, Ahmedinejad is preparing to wipe out all Jews but Israel in particular; all of the above invoke the death penalty for homosexuality, allow honour killing and are guilty of ethnic cleansing; In the Philippines the Moslem minority is killing the Christian majority;.... but who does South Africa's government choose to boycott as apartheid? Yup, you guessed it, Israel.  http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=7ebbfeed472a5a9f564cff7e8&id=b8cd059da8&e=6ef8d498cd 

In 2007 when then Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert asked the Americans to help Israel in bombing the nascent nuclear facilities in Syria, Condoleeza Rice strongly advised President Bush to continue the diplomatic tack with Syria, despite recognising that they were quickly achieving nuclear capability.  PM Olmert knew what had to be done and after tell the American President he his intentions but not giving them details he ordered the bombing of the site. His actions saved the entire area - the question is whether it is now too late, after too much diplomatic persuasion, to act with the same determination in Iran. “Evil draws its power from indecision and concern for what other people think.” Pope Benedict XVI .http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=273920 

If you believe that the evil countries cannot acquire the uranium they greedily amass to remove you and me from the face of this earth......... think again and see this video made by Israeli television (English subtitles) in the Congo. It wa sent to me by Serge, a young Congolese student currently in South Africa campaigning against the South African governments determination to boycott Israel. Serge helped the reporter and appears in this video. It runs for about 50 minutes and is essential viewing.  http://vimeo.com/47391690

In yet another example of closing eyes to evil and choosing the wrong foe for fear of waking the dragon, this article questions the decision of so many churches to side with the very people who are killing Christians rather than the only country in the Middle East where the Christians are ensured freedom of faith and prayer and their numbers are increasing. ISRAEL ASSAILED AND ISHMAEL ABSOLVEDhttp://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/op-ed/Christian+churches+risk+poisoning+relations+with+Jews/7079317/story.html

The real Israel is shown in our work overseas. Mashav, IsraAid, Zaka, Save a Child's Heart, so many Israeli NGO's and government ministries extend the hand of friendship and aid to the world. WShile the enormous countries hummed and hahed Israel had teams on the ground in Haiti, and they remain dealing with the psychological and economic problems left after the disaster. We rushed to help in the Pacific after the Tsunami, even to Sri Lanka which initially refused to accept aid from the Jewish State. Just check out the list of our deeds in www.mfa.gov.il and go to Mashav. The last country to receive much needed aid was Japan, read what they had to say.  http://www.jspace.com/news/articles/japanese-delegation-expresses-the-nation-s-gratitude-for-israeli-aid/10394

  

Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney has chosen his running mate. Paul Ryan is young but well known in Washington. We in Israel watch the election race with fascination as the very diverse candidates begin to raise their particular issues and skeletons fly out of the closets. We noted that Romney chose another financially savvy person to run with him to lead a great country whose economic situation is not improving. Tactically brilliant but only time will tell if he can pull it off. It is hard to "turn" Americans from their favoured political party and there are issues which apparently over-ride security and economy.  

The West Wing episodes dealing with the debates and campaign appearances of the Jimmy Smits and Alan Alda characters are re-running right now in Israel. I wish the real campaign and the issues addressed were as clear but then in the fictitious campaign we see the background discussion, the staff and the real people.

Prince Harry had a terrific time while on vacation in Las Vegas. The young soldier partied and the world got to see just how much he enjoyed himself. What amazes me is that the British media, so open and uncensored on every other subject, accepted the Royal request not to print the pictures.

Israel is less than 01% of the world's population but three of our universities reached the top 100 in the London Times Higher Education review.  http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2011-2012/top-400.html

After all the high profile events surrounding the London Olympics, which I thought went extremely well, we now come to the Paralympics which begin next week. The youngsters of Bnei Akiva are going to Heathrow to welcome the Israeli Paralympics team this Sunday (26 August). at 13:00 This team is made up of war heroes and victims of terror all of whom have exactly the same hopes and determination as their able-bodied equivalents.  This time however we stand a great chance of coming home with gold!!!http://israel21c.org/social-action-2/israels-paralympic-team-goes-for-the-gold/?utm_source=Newsletter+8%2F22%2F2012&utm_campaign=August+22%2C+2012&utm_medium=email

Israel has been a huge childrens playground this week. Schools re-open next week and there is not a park, theatre, museum or zoo which doesn't have special events. Even the shopping malls are more like fun fairs!! Books are bought, clothes fitted, shoes broken in and the new style school-bags chosen. We have two grandchildren off to Kita Aleph (class one) and their fine, wheelie back-packs are bought with great ceremony and the equipment within.

As their final treat Zvi and I took four little grand-daughters to Ain Yael, right next to our home. It was so much fun! They learned to weave Indian eyes, create mosaics, frescos and fresh hot pita bread which they shaped with mucky hands and then the "madrich" put it on the "upside down wok" on top of the log fire. It was delicious, kinda earthy, but delicious. They met a Roman Smithy, Leather worker, fletcher and peeked into a Roman home. Even the animals took on a new light as they pecked and trotted the "Roman" paths.

The weather is beginning to wear us down, 30 -35 degrees every day but, aaaah but then comes evening. The Jerusalem evenings are a boon. Balmy, gentle breezes cool us off as we sit on our veranda, taking in the incredible view. The clear skies above us and the lights of Jerusalem before us, who could ask for anything more?

The Jerusalem Friday is beginning, the epicurean aromas starting to filter upwards from our neighbours. Shoshana has already started on her "Marak Kubeh" her Kubeh Soup so it will be ready when all of her 6 children come for lunch.

Chaim and Daisy are on vacation so we won't get the Tunisian chicken, but Kobi and Irit will send us the scents of Kurdistan. Pour home has absorbed all the ethnicity of our surroundings. Today I prepared Moroccan chicken with prunes and apricots and 'Ptitim" with onions and mince (does anyone know what ptitim is in English?) I love the variety, the rainbow of sounds, aromas, accents and tastes that make up our building, our city, our country. Today an extra aroma will emanate from our building as I make the first Challot ever with my brand new bread-maker a surprise gift from my lovely Zvi!

As your song for Shabbat I decided there is only one that fits the insanity of our world – and my favourite song of all time. Al Kol Eleh by Naomi Shemer sung by Yossi Bana'i. Don't forget the hope.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbw2FTYHCTg

Shabbat Shalom dear friends, Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem the city I love more than any other, our city, our capital, the most open and beautiful city in the world.

With love

Sheila

Shabbat Shalom letter

120817

17^th August 2012

Shabbat shalom!

I just want you to know that I am not, nay I refuse to discuss whether Israel should or shouldn't attack Iran and whether or not an attack could cripple or destroy the Iranian nuclear facilities. I am so tired of the hype when in fact none of us knows what really, but really could or should happen and even less about what is truly happening in Iran. It feels as if I am caught in a movie like Wag the Dog where one cannot believe anything for the amount of words spouted by politicians and media – it makes it hard to differentiate between truth and hype. President Peres decided to weigh in with his opinion this week – which blind-sided the Prime Minister – while entitled to his opinion he should not express it publicly without consultation with the Government.

What is truly behind the trans-Atlantic machinations over Iran and attack or not? Is it all pre-election plotting so that Mr Obama will suddenly come up with a solution on November 5^th? This is an excellent explanation of the current situation.

I have long felt that India and Israel have far more in common than we have differences. Born at almost the same time; partition was as a result of fierce fighting between the Moslems and Hindu both of whom claimed the same land; people on both sides were displaced but only Pakistanis demand reparation; India thrived on her brain power while Moslem Pakistan goes into deeper and deeper poverty; the Moslems that remained in India fight against India from within; Hindus who found themselves on the Pakistani side of the border feared for their daughters and forced conversion to Islam. India also has a neighbour with Nuclear capability which threatens them on a constant level and fight over land claimed by both countries, Kashmir, which almost brought them to an all out nuclear war. Sanjeev Bhaskar, a British born actor comedian whose family came to Britain after partition, 60+ years ago, decided he wanted to find his fathers village and the BBC recorded his journey, He was amazed at the difference just crossing the border to find the village his father lived in as a child. It makes fascinating stuff – watching it as an Israeli. If you have a chance watch the series.

I know it is getting boring, but there is yet another “Freedom Ship” filled with well-intentioned but utterly ill informed lefties off to free Gaza from the apparent “siege”. This ship, SV Estelle, is leaving Gothenberg in Sweden for Gaza. Make no mistake, since any fool knows that vast amounts of both physical and fiscal aid pour into Gaza where the standard of living is a million times better than 90% of countries around the world, these people use Gaza as a front for their very real hatred of Israel .

I don't understand what is happening in Egypt. As Morsi, the Moslem Brotherhood leader says he wants peace with Israel while reviewing the Camp David Accords, is allowed troops in Sinai against the peace agreement, hopefully to clean up a lawless and violent situation, sacks his Intelligence head for not listening to Israel's warning about the attack on his troops and then sacks his entire military leadership. All a bit much for me to understand but her eis a possible explanation. http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2012/08/13/cairo-coup-another-obama-success/

I share a hero with Professor Alan Dershowitz. Professor Irwin Cotler is a fine, honest and moral politician and a fine academic, and one of Israel's most important defenders. Please read the beautiful and moving letter Professor Cotler wrote to Count Dr. Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee concerning the 11 Israeli athletes slain at the Munich Olympics 40 years ago.

http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/48727

While talking about Canada, a country which he displayed great moral stamina concerning Israel, despite rather frightening anti-Israel activity on University campuses, their national airline, Air Canada's magazine talks about Jerusalem http://enroute.aircanada.com/en/articles/tale-of-a-new-city.html?quicklink&EMS_MID=EMSx25x31784

Congratulations to our good friend Katherine Fernandez Rundell who won the elections for State Attorney for Miami Dade for her 5^th term. Well done Kathy!!! http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/08/14/2952000/longtime-miami-prosecutor-wins.html

Cary Greenberg is a friend. We have never met although we share a friend in Irit Lev who introduced us by “cyber shidduch”. Cary has become one of my most involved readers, taking Israels case more and more and with greater and greater confidence and knowledge. Sacramento Council decided to become sister city with the Israeli city of Ashkelon. As with any issue concerning Israeli it became a bone of contention as local protesters came armed with what I believe to be racist Anti-Israel placards. Cary arrived at the Council to support the bid for sister city, and met a Rabbi who had an idea for silent support. Her is what Cary wrote - “I am not as religious as most. Last night I put on Tefillin at a Sacramento city council meeting where they were to make the decision as to whether or not Ashkelon, in Southern Israel, was to be our sister city. The Palestinian contingency was there with it's usual misguided supporters including self proclaimed Jews for Peace holding placards denouncing Zionism. I felt so proud wearing Tefillin for the third time in my life to make a statement without saying a word. I think I felt as proud as Ali Reisman did winning her Olympic gold medal after floor exercises to the tune of Hava Nagila.” Well done Cary – the power of one+one+one+one and congratulations to Sacramento – the new sister city of Ashkelon. http://www.jta.org/news/article/2012/08/15/3104021/sacramento-approves-sister-city-relationship-with-ashkelon-despite-opposition

Last week I told you about Zvi's choir “Ha Kol Yehcasi”s win at the national choir competition finals in the Tel Aviv Musuem. Well now you can hear them – sorry about the quality of the picture due to the psychedelic lighting behind them!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFVmsac0xKI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

This week was busy without doing anything exciting to report to you!!! I spent a great amount of time on Skype seeing my sisters and getting first hand reports of a big family event. My beautiful Great-niece Carly married her James in a beautiful wedding in Wales. Her parents did her proud and her grandparents looked pretty amazing too!!! I really wish I could have been with them but, that's life I guess.

Every so often I see a video which gives me goosebumps and this video of Israel's Pavarotti did just that.Yevgeni Shapovalov came as an immigrant to Israel with little but his incredible voice. Now, his Hebrew is excellent, his voice superb so please, just listen as he sings Hatikva in the magical surroundings of the Tower of David Park within the Tower of David Museum. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVGuP68VTQU

http://www.youtube.com/embed/fwBzd2U8NVc?rel=0 My special Shabbat shalom gift this week is a wonderful video which shows Israel in her full glory!!

So remember Cary's story and his message of determination to make a difference.

Shabbat shalom dear friends. I wish you a peaceful, meaningful week

With much love from Jerusalem, our Jerusalem, King David's City, Capital of Israel.

120817

17^th August 2012

Shabbat shalom!

I just want you to know that I am not, nay I refuse to discuss whether Israel should or shouldn't attack Iran and whether or not an attack could cripple or destroy the Iranian nuclear facilities. I am so tired of the hype when in fact none of us knows what really, but really could or should happen and even less about what is truly happening in Iran. It feels as if I am caught in a movie like Wag the Dog where one cannot believe anything for the amount of words spouted by politicians and media – it makes it hard to differentiate between truth and hype. President Peres decided to weigh in with his opinion this week – which blind-sided the Prime Minister – while entitled to his opinion he should not express it publicly without consultation with the Government.

What is truly behind the trans-Atlantic machinations over Iran and attack or not? Is it all pre-election plotting so that Mr Obama will suddenly come up with a solution on November 5^th? This is an excellent explanation of the current situation.

I have long felt that India and Israel have far more in common than we have differences. Born at almost the same time; partition was as a result of fierce fighting between the Moslems and Hindu both of whom claimed the same land; people on both sides were displaced but only Pakistanis demand reparation; India thrived on her brain power while Moslem Pakistan goes into deeper and deeper poverty; the Moslems that remained in India fight against India from within; Hindus who found themselves on the Pakistani side of the border feared for their daughters and forced conversion to Islam. India also has a neighbour with Nuclear capability which threatens them on a constant level and fight over land claimed by both countries, Kashmir, which almost brought them to an all out nuclear war. Sanjeev Bhaskar, a British born actor comedian whose family came to Britain after partition, 60+ years ago, decided he wanted to find his fathers village and the BBC recorded his journey, He was amazed at the difference just crossing the border to find the village his father lived in as a child. It makes fascinating stuff – watching it as an Israeli. If you have a chance watch the series.

I know it is getting boring, but there is yet another “Freedom Ship” filled with well-intentioned but utterly ill informed lefties off to free Gaza from the apparent “siege”. This ship, SV Estelle, is leaving Gothenberg in Sweden for Gaza. Make no mistake, since any fool knows that vast amounts of both physical and fiscal aid pour into Gaza where the standard of living is a million times better than 90% of countries around the world, these people use Gaza as a front for their very real hatred of Israel .

I don't understand what is happening in Egypt. As Morsi, the Moslem Brotherhood leader says he wants peace with Israel while reviewing the Camp David Accords, is allowed troops in Sinai against the peace agreement, hopefully to clean up a lawless and violent situation, sacks his Intelligence head for not listening to Israel's warning about the attack on his troops and then sacks his entire military leadership. All a bit much for me to understand but her eis a possible explanation. http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2012/08/13/cairo-coup-another-obama-success/

I share a hero with Professor Alan Dershowitz. Professor Irwin Cotler is a fine, honest and moral politician and a fine academic, and one of Israel's most important defenders. Please read the beautiful and moving letter Professor Cotler wrote to Count Dr. Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee concerning the 11 Israeli athletes slain at the Munich Olympics 40 years ago.

http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/48727

While talking about Canada, a country which he displayed great moral stamina concerning Israel, despite rather frightening anti-Israel activity on University campuses, their national airline, Air Canada's magazine talks about Jerusalem http://enroute.aircanada.com/en/articles/tale-of-a-new-city.html?quicklink&EMS_MID=EMSx25x31784

Congratulations to our good friend Katherine Fernandez Rundell who won the elections for State Attorney for Miami Dade for her 5^th term. Well done Kathy!!! http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/08/14/2952000/longtime-miami-prosecutor-wins.html

Cary Greenberg is a friend. We have never met although we share a friend in Irit Lev who introduced us by “cyber shidduch”. Cary has become one of my most involved readers, taking Israels case more and more and with greater and greater confidence and knowledge. Sacramento Council decided to become sister city with the Israeli city of Ashkelon. As with any issue concerning Israeli it became a bone of contention as local protesters came armed with what I believe to be racist Anti-Israel placards. Cary arrived at the Council to support the bid for sister city, and met a Rabbi who had an idea for silent support. Her is what Cary wrote - “I am not as religious as most. Last night I put on Tefillin at a Sacramento city council meeting where they were to make the decision as to whether or not Ashkelon, in Southern Israel, was to be our sister city. The Palestinian contingency was there with it's usual misguided supporters including self proclaimed Jews for Peace holding placards denouncing Zionism. I felt so proud wearing Tefillin for the third time in my life to make a statement without saying a word. I think I felt as proud as Ali Reisman did winning her Olympic gold medal after floor exercises to the tune of Hava Nagila.” Well done Cary – the power of one+one+one+one and congratulations to Sacramento – the new sister city of Ashkelon. http://www.jta.org/news/article/2012/08/15/3104021/sacramento-approves-sister-city-relationship-with-ashkelon-despite-opposition

Last week I told you about Zvi's choir “Ha Kol Yehcasi”s win at the national choir competition finals in the Tel Aviv Musuem. Well now you can hear them – sorry about the quality of the picture due to the psychedelic lighting behind them!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFVmsac0xKI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

This week was busy without doing anything exciting to report to you!!! I spent a great amount of time on Skype seeing my sisters and getting first hand reports of a big family event. My beautiful Great-niece Carly married her James in a beautiful wedding in Wales. Her parents did her proud and her grandparents looked pretty amazing too!!! I really wish I could have been with them but, that's life I guess.

Every so often I see a video which gives me goosebumps and this video of Israel's Pavarotti did just that.Yevgeni Shapovalov came as an immigrant to Israel with little but his incredible voice. Now, his Hebrew is excellent, his voice superb so please, just listen as he sings Hatikva in the magical surroundings of the Tower of David Park within the Tower of David Museum. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVGuP68VTQU

http://www.youtube.com/embed/fwBzd2U8NVc?rel=0 My special Shabbat shalom gift this week is a wonderful video which shows Israel in her full glory!!

So remember Cary's story and his message of determination to make a difference.

Shabbat shalom dear friends. I wish you a peaceful, meaningful week

With much love from Jerusalem, our Jerusalem, King David's City, Capital of Israel.

Shabbat Shalom letter

120810

10th August 2012

Shabbat Shalom dear friends. I hope this letter finds you well.

Now that the almost triumphs and deep disappointments of the Olympics for are over we can relax and admire the efforts of the athletes.  Our expectations were really unrealistic for such a tiny country, but hope springs eternal eh?

Our expectation that the IOC would honour the 11 slain Israeli athletes on the 40th anniversary of the Munich Olympics was also unreal, especially since our own representative on the IOC, Alex Giladi, voted against it. If only he had the same respect for the dead that British Prime Minister David Cameron expressed in a beautiful speech in London's Guildhall, along with widows of those killed, cabinet ministers, Israeli embassy officials and Olympic chiefs.. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/9457934/World-must-never-forget-Olympic-Munich-massacre-says-David-Cameron.html 

You all played your part, you asked your Rabbis and Ministers and Yizkor was said for the athletes and I was deeply moved by the words of Aly Raisman on her Gold Medal performance (to the tune of Hava Nagila)  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2185361/Olympics-2012-U-S-gymnast-Aly-Raisman-reveals-gold-medal-winning-routine-tribute-1972-Munch-Games-massacre.html?ITO=1490

On a  lighter note, do you know why the marathon is such a strange length? You can blame that on the Brits too! http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_is_an_Olympic_Marathon_26_miles_long 

I received an  email from veteran journalist Marlin (Moshe) Levin, who told me that he received an amazing letter from Serge, a Congolese student now continuing his studies in South Africa. Serge spent time studying here in Israel too and he sent Marlin a copy of his letter to the South African Government concerning  their terrible, misinformed decision to declare Israel an Apartheid State and their intended boycott of Israel. Serge spoke of the incredible treatment he received in Israel and the freedom of all colours and creeds here. His letter was informed, well worded and erudite. I wrote to thank him on your behalf. If he is willing I urge Communities around the world to invite him to speak. I have his email if you are serious........ we in Israel should laud him for his efforts.

Those cruel Israelis are at it again! The brother in law of Hamas leader and Gaza PM Haniya suffered serious heart problems that could not be treated in Gaza and was transferred to an Israeli hospital, accompanied by his wife, to be  treated in Israel. I promise you he received and will receive the best of treatment.  http://www.yourjewishnews.com/Pages/22013.aspx 

We caught Israeli Arabs in a terror plot to attack Israelis. The enemy within had a stash of explosives all ready to kill their countrymen..... yes Israeli Arabs.   http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=5342 

Israeli intelligence warned the Egyptian intelligence that an attack on their forces was planned in Sinai. The Egyptian Head of Intelligence could not believe that Moslem would kill  Moslems during the Holy Month of Ramadan. He was mistaken, horribly mistaken as rebel gangs attacked and killed 15 Egyptian soldiers. Israel managed to thwart their attempt to enter Israel. The Head of Intelligence lost his job!  http://www.jpost.com/VideoArticles/Video/Article.aspx?id=280182 

Next I send you two articles which help, each in its own way to understand the current horrors of Syria and the next point of combustion, Kurdistan. The first article concerns Syria and is written by Nir Boms with whom I am proud to sit on the Board of IMPACT-SE  Syria Nir Boms - IMPACT-SE  http://www.thecommentator.com/article/1483/syria_a_day_before_tomorrow 

The second addresses the problem of Kurdistan, Occupied by Turkey and Iran it is a rebellion waiting to happen http://jcpa.org/article/the-future-of-kurdistan-between-turkey-the-iraq-war-and-the-syrian-revolt/ 

We never learn. We still trust the basic ability of mankind to be good, because we are too lazy to think differently. We sit in our comfortable homes with our flat screen TV's, our ipads, iphones and comfortable lifestyles and think it will all be fixed before the advertisements.  It won't, it wasn't and it never will be if we don't do it for ourselves.

A telegram was sent to the World Jewish Congress by their representative in Switzerland  in 1942 to tell them about the Final Solution and its enactment. They didn't listen, they didn't take it seriously. We must learn that when someone says he wants ot kill you he means it.  http://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/news/12176/70_years_ago_riegner_telegram_alerts_world_of_nazi_holocaust 

Herman Schotanus is a friend, in fact  Herman and his wife Gerda became good friends when Herman came to Jerusalem during the "Jerusalem 3000" celebrations with Chistenenvoorisrael led by the legendary and beloved Pee Koeliwijn. One of the dreams of the Dutch Christians was to repair the famous Montefiore Windmill so that it would become a working mill, not just a landmark. As one famous man said "If you will it it is more than a dream" - the  Windmill is turning again!!!!  http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/jerusalem-s-iconic-windmill-to-resume-its-daily-grind.premium-1.453655 

If you ask Herman which city is the Capital of Israel he would have no problem telling you in a loud and clear voice YERUSHALYIM - but the Guardian newspaper (and the US Government and many other media sources ) disagree.  However......... incredibly the Guardian apologised - still didn't accept Jerusalem as the capital but apologised for saying that the capital was Tel Aviv, claiming that it was because Tel Aviv is the commercial capital of Israel. By those standards NYC is the capital of the USA; Toronto of Canada; Melbourne of Australia and so on. Yes Guardian we believe there was no ill intent - millions wouldn't but.... actually millions don't and never will.  http://www.timesofisrael.com/guardian-admits-we-were-wrong-in-calling-tel-aviv-israels-capital/

And so to this week in the Raviv household!!! Well to start with I am currently sitting in the Tel Aviv museum coffee shop as Zvi and his friends rehearse. Their Choir "Ha Kol Yechasi" is one of just 10 choirs to reach the final of the Israel Television competition to see who is the best! One friend, whose name I choose not to reveal, just told me of her daughter, who has mild CP. The young woman just finished basic training in the IDF and when they chose to be very careful with her, she went and spoke with her senior officer telling him that she is perfectly capable of doing everything and please stop thinking she is stupid and cannot......... I am so proud of her!!!!

You will be happy to hear that I went to three of your favourite places this week!!! On Monday I took Tamara, Zvi's Mexican cousins daughter, to Shouk Ramle where she discovered that thousands of people can descend upon one crowded and stuffy market, on a boiling hot day to look for cheap things they didn't need in the first place!

On Tuesday I met my friend Raya in the Botanical Gardens for a delicious breakfast, there is nothing as delicious, varied, colourful and healthy as an Israeli breakfast. We came early so had a table in the shade beside the lake. Who could ask for anything more? Breakfast is a shared affair, indeed most meals are so generous that one should always go with a friend who is willing to eat half! On Wednesday I took Tamara to the shouk........ should I say THE shouk, Shouk Mahane Yehuda! I wanted her to see the colours, smell the fruit and veggies, hear the costermongers shouts and generally absorb the sense of this most Jerusalem of places.

To start our morning in the right fashion we sat in my favourite spot, Mizrachis Coffee Shop, on the stoop, watching the world go by while eating (yes eating again) another and very different Jerusalem breakfast. We didn't find tourists to strike up conversations as I do when I am with my darling Arlene - she and I find people wherever we go - but we watched the incredible variety of people as they passed us by, from over-dressed haredi men and women and hijabi clad Moslem women, to priests, nuns, and ordinary folk. Tamara could not believe the sheer variety of the fruits and vegetables and as we got closer to the Halva stand......... WOW! Halva in just about every flavour  including sugar free halva for my Zvi. The stand owner was offering all and sundry to taste his wares......... scrummy!!! Tamara was convinced that the peaches were bigger, the plums sweeter, the mangoes yellower, the aubergines (eggplant) shinier and the herbs more aromatic than any other........ I agree!

Actually, there was a fourth place, our veranda. We sat together watching the moon rise orange and huge on the horizon as I showed her the herbs, rosemary, basil, melissa (lemon balm), sage, hyssop, louisa, mint and spearmint, thriving in the shady corner, as shady as a corner can be in the searing heat of this summer; the plethora of tiny green lemons, the kumquats and the two pomegranates that survived the sun. We sat on a balmy Jerusalem evening, thankful for the breeze and mountain air, wondering at the view beneath us, each speck of light a world in itself, a family in the rainbow of Jerusalem, under the stars.

So dear friends, another week has passed. The bride of Shabbat is coming closer, Jerusalem will don her white wedding gown and the wedding feast will take form, the aromas of generations of tradition filling the air, Tel Aviv will celebrate a very different Shabbat in the form of the fun day for outings and beach. I love Jerusalem. I love the fact that living in Jerusalem carries a responsibility, not a heavy one, just the feeling that life has a deeper meaning, more than being part of the now and me generation, Jerusalem teaches one that we have a past, an inheritance, that we don't exist in a void. Jerusalem, her very name is a prayer, a longing and hope. Jerusalem, I am so lucky that it is my home. Yerushalyim shel Zahavwww.youtube.com/watch?v=JH8gtdDA5x0

Shabbat Shalom everyone especially to my nephew Steven, his wife Claire and their beautiful daughter Carly who is marrying the delightful James on Sunday. I fell in love with the young couple when they came to visit us in Jerusalem last year because James decided that he could not live a Jewish life without coming to Israel and he fell in love with Jerusalem. Mazal Tov my loves Mazal Tov to you and all the Blooms.

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem, the City we love, the city that is without question or doubt the Capital of the State of Israel

Sheila

Sorry I got carried away today and wrote a long letter but there was so much to tell you!!!!

STOP PRESS!!! Zvi's choir got the gold!!!!!! They came equal first out of the top ten choirs in Israel!! What an exciting moment.