170210
10th
February 2017
Shabbat
Shalom dear friends
Yes we
are back home and I was very moved by the number of you who asked what happened
to us! Well, I tried to write to you, indeed wrote but then found I didn't have
the means to send it!!! Never mind, perhaps it was better that I didn't send it
so that fewer feathers will be ruffled. Since we arrived in time for the
inauguration we were also in time for some rather over-exmeited reactions!!!!
So,
since we last spoke Zvi and I had a truly rotten experience with Expedia who
forgot to tell me that our flight from Barcelona to Miami had been cancelled
some 4 months ago (they continued sending me reminders) and we found ourselves having
to stay overnight in Barcelona, not exactly a punishment but a rather large
expense since none of the airlines took responsibility since they get at least
one such incident every day with Expedia!!! Anyway, a delightful, if very cold,
walk through the Ramblas and a night in a hotel we set off for Miami and David
Efrons home.
I will
not write too much about the elections and inauguration but just to tell you
that Davids partner, Kathy Fernandes Rundle, Miami State Attorney who is very
high up in the Democratic hierarchy, said it simply and clearly; the elections
are over and it is time to move on and prepare for the next ones. In my opinion
all the demonstrations against President Trump; the shunning of friends over
their votes; the reactions of Democratic Congressmen; the angry and pointless
outbursts and the fact that CNN still hasn't accepted the results do not
enhance the USA or democracy.
Just by
the way, it is not the first time that racial profiling was in place in the
USA! President Obama did it against Iranians to such a ludicrous extent that
our own then Minister of Defence Shaul Mofaz was refused entry! Just 7 out of
56 Moslem States are on a hiatus of entry into the USA excluding Christians who
seek refuge. Probably because not many Christians blow themselves up in either
aeroplanes or shopping malls.
Incidentally,
anti-Trump mania reached the House of Commons when the Speaker, who is by
definition apolitical, announced that President Trump would not be welcome in
the Houses of Parliament because he is racist and sexist! After all the
tyrants, despots, and so on that were welcomed it is a disgrace and a fall from
honour. Melanie Phillips talks about this and much more http://melaniephillips.com/hysteria-double-standards-sheer-bad-manners/ iincluding the fact that nobody seems bothers
that Jews and Israelis are banned from so many Arab and Moslem countries!!!!
There,
that's finished!
Israel
has been on the back burner of the news, except for the issue of settlements
(surprise surprise) and Prime Minister Netanyahus visit with Theresa May, the
British Prime Minister which apparently went very well. Actually Mr Netanyahu
has had his hands full recently with the legal authorities finally questioning
his hedonism. This morning I heard an excellent interview on Israeli radio with
one of the other cabinet members where the interviewer asked the MK "Had
the person being investigated been Ehud Olmert who you castigated for his
"gifts" while you were on the Opposition Bench would you have been as
lenient as you clearly are to the PM's wrongdoings?" Incidentally PM
Olmerts entire case was built on $15,000 whereas the extent of gifts Mr
Netanyahu has received makes that look minimal. Isn't it strange, the case
against Mr Olmert was because he raised election funds and Mr Netanyahu because
he accepted gifts (a lot of gifts), both of which would not be considered a
crime in most countries – except the two I have lived in!!!! No doubt that will
raise a few eyebrows from all of you but, hey, that's why you read what I have
to say!!!!
A very
big issue here is that on the day we arrived there were riots. Haredi riots.
The riots were not even against being called up to the IDF but rather because
in order to get the title of conscientious objector you have to appear at the
induction centre and that is what they are rioting about – harming the policemen
who were sent to keep order and disrupting traffic. If they are so against this
amazing nation, hate Israel, think we should all pray all day and not work or serve
the country then they should also not receive social security to study; free
medical service; social services; roads, transportation and all the services
given by the taxpayers. I am all for religion; I adore our Judaism and our
principles; I think that there is no religion with traditions of giving like
ours; Many of them came here from elsewhere and have not taken Israeli
citizenship so that if they do earn they do not need to pay taxes.
If they
don't want to be part of society and refuse to contribute to that society then
let them leave. Gosh, you see, this normally very moderate and balanced author occasionally
gets worked up. I don't want to offend my religious friends because as far as I
am aware none of them fall into this category, they all work hard and
contribute to society in general no matter where they live.
One
constant question on peoples lips was "Why isn't Saudi Arabia on the
banned list" Well, Saudi Arabia is as much in the line of fire as Israel,
in fact even more so. In case you hadn't realised the Middle Eastern
conflagrations are all about the Sunni/Shia divide. Iran is Shia Moslem and
Saudi Arabia is Sunni which makes them a clear target. President Obama decided
to fall on the side of the Shias who represent only 15% of Islam, including
Iran and her satellite organisations of Heb-Alla and Hamas, leaving the others
outside – not very wise. Saudi Arabia is Sunni and now turns to Israel for her
defence weaponry and technology. The materials and operators fly to either
Cyprus or Jordan and then on to Saudi Arabia in unmarked planes and set up the
defence systems. Read here http://tinyurl.com/zzdexvp
"Safta
and Saba, what was the high point of your visit?" asked Talia. Well
obviously for me it was visiting my NYC family and getting to really know my
little grand-daughter Callie who at 3 years old only kinda remembered me and
spending time with the amazing Joshua – and of course Daniel and Karen and for
Zvi it was going to Mexico and seeing his family there. Having said that our
sojourn in Miami was filled with great experiences and wonderful visits. Our
initial purpose for travelling was that after a talk in the community of Rabbi
David Greenberg in Bedford, NY Bob and Faith Krasnow invited Zvi to talk at his
wonderful synagogue in West Palm Beach. They really did us proud and Zvi was,
as always, fascinating. I don't know how he does it, his eloquence is unmatched
and happily the community of Bet El were thrilled. I was extra excited because
a group of readers came especially. In shule the Rabbi asked a highly pertinent
question "Who was the Mother of Jesus"? a somewhat surprised
community looked back at him but almost everyone knew the answer "Now tell
me what Moses mother was called"? almost silence – only two of us knew the
answer Talia Carner confidently called out "Yochevet" while mine was
an uncertain whisper. "Indeed Yochevet, and none of you knew the most
important woman in Jewish history!" A point worth contemplating! How many
of you knew Yochevet or the one who watched over baby Moses or the one who
saved him?
We saw
many friends and family, in fact I don't want to start naming names because I
don't want to hurt anyone!!! Friends gathered friends to hear our views on what
is happening here and our relationship with the USA and the new President. I
must mention one name though, Rabbi David Steinhardt who invited me to speak to
a small group at his shule in Boca Raton. We have known David for some time and
despite my reticence at speaking his warmth gave me confidence and for the
first time in my life I stood up and spoke clearly and even Zvi said I did
well! Perhaps it was because very special friends were in the audience – I have
to mention Audrey in particular. Her tears of joy when we met, having been
through so much together during the time when Kinneret Chaya was injured, were
joined with those of Sari Singer, Jane and Harvey. Kinneret Chaya, one of the
main reasons I will never stop writing. Kinneret Chaya, daughter of close
friends, blown to smithereens by a terrorist in Tel Aviv, given a 2% chance of
survival and now a mother to 4 exquisite children. Those of you who do not know
her miraculous story – just ask me and I'll send it to you.
Rachel
collected us from the airport together with a vast amount of luggage – Zvi cannot
go to Mexico without going with his cousin Ruth to the markets, and buying, and
buying – all good stuff but it took one whole suitcase!!! We managed to get everything
in and then dropped Rachie home before heading off to our freezing cold
apartment! I didn't have to strength to unpack just dropped into bed leaving it
all for the morning.
As I
drove to see the children this morning it was as if we had never been away.
Climbing the hill of Ramot, over Samuels Tomb, down the other side to Givat
Zeev, the children calling every two minutes to see where I was – happy. Their
excitement was total and I realised I was home – where I am meant to be.
Driving back to Jerusalem I couldn't help but glance over that phenomenal
panorama of Jerusalems many hills set out like a beautiful white puzzle of
small houses, behind them small apartment blocks growing in height until the
tall modern buildings of the city completed the horizon. It really is
spectacular.
My
veranda survived the cold and the flowers are blooming, even the hibiscus said
hello! Tomorrow we will be with Zvi's boys and their children which made me
think – what a glorious month this will be – I got to see all of my children,
all of Zvi's children and all of OUR grandchildren all within a short period of
a month. Life couldn't be better.
No
sooner have landed than I am off again, this time to London on an extremely
exciting visit. On Monday morning my amazing son Gideon Saul is being invested
as a Queens Counsellor in the House of Lords and then at the Court of Appeals (like
the Supreme Court) and I will be there to burst with love, admiration and
pride. My son will be a bigwig – literally – as he dons a new robe and a long
wig which will be his court uniform from now on. Gideon Saul is a special
person who has a strong sense of justice and determination which foretold of
his calling. Thanks to his beautiful and equally clever wife Stephanie he has
achieved his dreams and long may it continue.
Zvi
just got back from his parliament where the main topic of conversation was all
of the above!!!!!
Music,
music is the spice of life, the reason to smile the reason to cry – music brings
back memories almost as easily as scents, smells aromas, so let's try to bring
back some good memories with the following:-
Tu
b'Shvat
is generally known as the New Year for Trees, but that is a misnomer, it is the
festival of potential both human and agricultural – it is a time to plant, a
time to grow a time to think of future crops. Here is a short song of Tu
b'Shvat in Yiddish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ7IFrddikw
Perhaps
this little video about Israel is also appropriate for Tu b'Shvat - All about
Israel in 4 minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKXPWtt4c4Q
Naomi
Shemer
is arguably Israels greatest poet/songwriter. One day she heard the Beatles Let
it Be and decided that she would write a song of hope in the same vein - her
prayer for peace is clear and beautiful Lu Yehi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfMoeK6UVB0
Oseh
Shalom
– May He make peace https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-3JMe9lLkY
So dear
friends, old and new, it is time for Shabbat. I am sorry I didn't manage to
talk to you for a few weeks but here we are now, deep in our conversation as if
there had been no break. I have to admit I missed you too.
Tonight
it is just Zvi and I but the prayers will be full, the traditions complete and
the light that Shabbat brings will fill our home. It is always good to be back
but no matter where we are Zvi's glorious voice will fill my heart as he sings
the Kiddush – the blessing over the wine.
May G-d
bless you and keep you safe from harm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=618IKgQ2wys
Shabbat
Shalom from Jerusalem, ever beautiful, ever golden, ever ours.
Sheila
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