160520
20th
May 2016
Shabbat
Shalom dear friends.
Thank
you, thank you, thank you for your wonderful wishes and concern for Talia and
Ayala. They are doing remarkably well as their bruises begin to fade and their
sleep is less disturbed. Indeed their school is gathering all 1,000 girls for a
huge party of thanks today and Talia is speaking before the entire school!!
For
anyone finding it difficult to follow the Israeli political scene and what just
happened in our Ministry of Security, Zvi wrote a simplification for you
Bogie
got upset with Bibi. Bibi wanted to get rid of Bogie, but then heard Sisi. Bibi
turned to Bougie. Bougie was with Bibi, but while Bibi had talks with Bougie he
also flirted with Ivet. So, Bougie left Bibi and went to argue with Sheli.
Meantime, Ivet became Sisi so Bibi gave him the ministry of Bogie.
In
short, Bibi stayed as Bibi, Bougie got Sheli, Bogie is out and we got Ivet
Liberman! However – it isn't over so watch this space……………………….
Seriously
though, I am sad that the Labour Party (aka Zionist Union) didn't jump at the
offer to join the government thus giving it a much wider political range,
indeed had Yair Lapid also joined it would have given us a more representative
government. I know the press loves to hate Ivet Liberman but his bullish
appearance belies a wily and able politician. Bougie (Isaac) Herzog is much stronger
than his puppy-like appearance but is pulled down by his party and Bogie
Yaalon, who was a Chief of Staff of the IDF, decided to go public with his
disagreements rather than approaching the PM.
The
disagreement over the punishment of the soldier in Hebron who shot and killed
a terrorist who was already on the ground is clear. The soldier claimed, after
the fact, that he thought the terrorist was dangerous, but we don't kill for no
reason, yes a terrorist but we don't kill unless in a situation of mortal
danger. That is the difference between the IDF and all other military bodies in
the world. Can you imagine an American (or indeed any) soldier on guard getting
placed on trial for murder for killing a terrorist? The young soldier is a
proclaimed member of Kach (right wing Kahane party).
Yet
another Egyptian aeroplane seems to have gone down for no apparent reason
and President Sisi suspects terror. Why? Because he is fighting terror,
together with us, and their answer is to kill innocents.
Terror
is not only what you see reported on CNN, ABC, BBC, Sky or any of the other
stations. Every day, every minute thousands are victims to the horrific terror
of Islamic fundamentalism. If it isn't close to home we tend to wash over it.
Nigeria is sinking and her Christians dying; Syria, Yemen, Tunisia, Mali,
Sierra Leone, I could go on and on but the sad fact is that Africa doesn't get
the coverage and the carnage is diabolical. Boco Haram doesn't disappear after
kidnapping 300 Christian girls from school and subjecting them to rape, beating
and murder; our lack of concern encourages them to continue undisturbed.
Not
everything is dark and ominous though, there are beams of light at the end of the
tunnel that are not trains. My lovely friend Canon Andrew White has a
new and truly magnificent project. In the Jordan Valley lie some ancient
churches but most are inaccessible because both Israel and Jordan laid land
mines along that length of the River Jordan during the Six Day War. One very
important Christian site was cleared by Israel about 5 years ago "Qasr
El-Yahud" or Crossing of the Jews, the site where Joshua led the
Israelites and the Ark of the Covenant over the river to safety. More than
300,000 pilgrims come to the site where Jesus was baptized and enter the waters
in white robes, blessed by priests on the Israeli and Jordanian sides of the
River Jordan, just metres apart. It is wonderful.
Anyway
back to Andrew White. Andrew and the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation
in the Middle East, together with the Halo Trust are clearing the
minefields to allow access to the churches. Israeli authorities have been wary
to clear up until now for fear of damaging the ancient structures but through negotiation
and careful planning it is going ahead.
This is
an excellent report except being the BBC they had to accuse Israel for the
mines and emphasise the Occupied bit.
Khaled
Abu Toameh
is the journalist who dares. Here Khaled describes the awful methods of torture
in the PA and Hamas http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/7192/palestinians-torture
My
love and admiration for Rabbi Jeremy Rosen is well known. This week he wrote
about something that touches us all, helping someone in trouble – especially after
the incredible generosity and help afforded to the girls after the bus crash. http://jeremyrosen.blogspot.co.il/
He writes
"In 1964 Kitty
Genovese was stabbed to death late one night in Queens, New York by Winton
Mosely who said that he simply wanted to kill a woman. He was sentenced to
life, and a few weeks ago he died in prison. The case generated immense
publicity because it seemed that a lot of people heard her scream and no one came
to her rescue even after she was left bleeding to death.
Israel has a law requiring citizens to go the
help of another. Its legal system is a compound of Ottoman law and British law,
and they do not require going to someone’s aid. But the third element, Jewish
law, most certainly does. The Torah explicitly says, and we read it last week
in Leviticus 19, “Do not stand by (while) the blood of your neighbor (is being
spilt).” For us it is a moral, religious obligation to protect someone under
threat of danger. Not only, but Jewish Law as reflected in the Shulchan Aruch
insists that one should even be prepared to risk danger to do so. "
Since
the trauma of the accident two days of visitors have cheered us up! Claudio Grubner surprised us and it was
such a delight to spend time with him. He had amazing, highly relevant
questions about politics and diplomacy in Israel and of course Zvi was
delighted to explain – in detail. Our second visitors were Roy Solomon and
his lovely Binnie. They called us from a walking tour of the Old City
"We have to see the Veranda"!!! Zvi went to get them and brought them
home. Oh the joy of watching their delight to find every tree I had described
and the view, oh the view. The weather chose to be perfect so we sat outside
sipping a tisane of herbs from our veranda, talking and relaxing. They couldn't
decide where to go after our visit, but I knew! Mahane Yehuda market…… on a
Thursday evening it is full of Shabbat shoppers and fresh produce, of course
they were thrilled with the idea and I await their report!
We
are going away for a while so I may not be in a position to give you the usual
reports. We are heading toward Denver, Colorado and Monika Minkoff; Helena,
Montana to Barry Slawsky's 70th Birthday Bash then to New York to
see my son Daniel's beloved family, Karen and the two children Joshua and Callie.
Gosh I miss them! We will see lots of friends too and we are going north to
Bedford, to Shaarey Tefila Temple to speak to Rabbi David Greenbergs
community on June 8th. They haven't met Zvi so are in for a treat!
Music
music music. This week I have a problem. Binnies favourite song is Al Kol Eleh,
but I don't want to repeat my favourite songs too often. Will you bear with me?
She is such a lovely lady and this version has transliteration! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJQg29FLVDY
Yaacov
Shwekey
is a musical phenomenon, his songs uplifting. We Are a Miracle is the ultimate
, I can be stronger, I can be greater – Everything I need in inside of me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3nF2KHmQ60
Be
well, be strong and believe in yourselves. Remember the power of one.
With
much love from Jerusalem
Sheila
A British soldier got life in prison for shooting a wounded terrorist.
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