170223
23rd
February, 2017
Shabbat
Shalom dear friends.
This
has been a fascinating week which began with a surprise, a breath of fresh air,
as Nikki Haley, US Ambassador to the United Nations held her first press
conference at the UN. She confidently walked to the podium and spoke out with
rare honesty about the imbalance of time and money spent on the Palestinians
when so many awful things are taking place in the world and time which should
be spent on solving those problems was spent on castigating Israel, the only
true democracy in the region. She was a phenomenally supportive saying, "The
United States is determined to stand up to the UN's anti-Israel bias" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv8Hqlubst4
Israelis
have been torn apart by the trial of a young soldier who killed a terrorist,
who had attacked fellow soldiers but was already lying on the ground. Elor
Azaria's parents chose to take the trial to the country rather than
accepting the services of an IDF lawyer. They encouraged the media hype over
what should have been an IDF court martial and left the country confused. Would
it affect the way young soldiers reacted to attacks? Would they risk their own
lives for fear of court martial? Would it embolden terror attacks? The matter
was complicated by the fact that Elor Azaria himself changed his story many
times and his parents turned it into a political issue. The verdict came out
this week, he received a sentence of 18 months imprisonment, leaving everyone
equally confused. Do we want to punish our soldiers for reacting? No, not
unless they do it out of political conviction rather than necessity.
If you
truly believe that the anti-Semitic attacks in the USA are caused by Donald
Trump, think again. Louis Farrakhan has been determinedly campaigning
for attacks "Disabuse the Jews" is his cry, "Disabuse the Jews
of their belief that they are chosen and that Palestine is theirs" His
hatred for Trumps pro-Jewish stance is obvious. If you have FB please watch
this video https://www.facebook.com/100005668335033/videos/601151220083817/
Rabbi
Jeremy Rosen
wrote a fascinating blog this week about the complexities of Benjamin Disraeli,
Prime Minister of Britain. Well worth reading. http://jeremyrosen.blogspot.co.il/
I
flew back from the UK on Sunday, Gideon took me to the airport and as
always, saying goodbye to my family was painful. Without time to unpack, early
next morning Zvi and I arrived at the Inbal hotel for a small but exciting
taste of Dr Malcolm Hoenlein's ability to put together a brilliant
programme for his Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish
Organisations. The speakers came from across the political gamut, from far
right to fairly left – from Bennet to Boughie. Even those with whom I disagree
had important and highly relevant things to say. Bennet made important
statements about education, about the need for every child in Israel to have
the opportunity to learn the 3 R's, history, geography and the sciences. Isaac
(Boughie) Herzog is not on the left of the political spectrum unlike many
members of his newly reformed party. He speaks clearly and when a questioner
referred to the religious importance of Israel he reiterated that his family history
follows his grandfather who was the Chief Rabbi of Israel and his father who
was President, traditional Jews for whom Judaism was paramount. Herzog also
referred to the secret Aqaba meetings and the plan set out by then Secretary
Kerry. It is his belief that the talks were scuppered because Netanyahu made up
his coalition with the far right after Herzog's own party vilified him for
wanting to form a coalition with Netanyahu; however, the press claims that the
talks ended because Secretary Kerry did not pressure the Palestinians to recognise
Israel as the Jewish State – an obvious prerequisite.
Yair
Lapid
chose to be interviewed rather than stand and speechify. Currently the front
runner in the polls, he has grown politically over the past few years. He spoke
well and addressed the concerns of the questioners. When asked about the
threats of violence from the PA if the Embassy is moved to Jerusalem, he said
"Since when have the USA and Israel made policies under the threat of
violence" He also quoted his late father whose last words were "Take
care of our family and take care of our country". Yair Lapid feels
strongly that this must be a Jewish State and doesn't believe in separation of
religion and state. Both Lapid and Herzog believe that Israel is a country for
all Jews and we must give the same tolerance to Jews of different leanings as
we do for other religions. Perhaps the
subject which touches my heart and I am sure yours too, is hasbara, Israeli PR.
It was
surprising how closely all the speakers, irrespective of party, right and left,
had the same core beliefs in education of our children and the need for
reconciliation work between the different Jewish factions. All feel that we
must bring two sectors into our society, ensure that their children have a chance
to improve their social and financial position through education – the Haredi
Community and the Moslem Community – neither of whose educational institutions
fulfil the basic learning requirements. That is a broad statement because more
and more Haredi schools have improved their curriculum but nonetheless it needs
attention.
The
discussion at the luncheon session was "Freedom of Press in Israel"
with an esteemed panel whose political leanings were as diverse as their media.
Each was disturbed by the Bibipaper "Israel haYom" which was, and is,
funded by Sheldon Adelson and since it is free it is now the most influential
with the widest readership and reports only positive things about the PM. While
others report on the ongoing police investigation of the PM's gifts and possible
corruption, Israel haYom does not. It was also suggested that the Prime Minister's
Office tries to influence what is printed in the other papers and TV news.
Remember – I am just reporting what was debated.
To
understand the importance of the man and the mission one simply needs to meet
with Dr Malcolm Hoenlein. His standing among the senior US politicians is
without match, his work untiring and his determination unparalleled. I feel
very honoured that we are invited to events. Just see the website to understand
http://www.conferenceofpresidents.org/mission
Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Australia! He was warmly welcomed by Prime
Minister Malcolm Turnbull with this excellent article in the Australian. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/welcome-mr-netanyahu-the-first-israeli-pm-to-visit-australia/news-story/047d61e185967150349c6f93cc1831eb The reader comments were disturbing but new trade agreements and travel
opportunities eased my concern!!!
There
is one problem to being a modern, dispersed family, while I adore being with
each of the children and their families, I miss those I am NOT with! I had so
much fun with my New York and London family and will return to my Friday school
collection and hugs here in Jerusalem followed by Shabbat with Zvi's boys Leor
and Amiad and their families… but then I want us all to be together around one
big table. One can dream after all.
Spring
is around the corner although the air is still crisp and winter is not over.
The harbinger in the UK is the fields of snowdrops and crocuses; here in Israel
it is the shkediot – the almond blossom which covers the Jerusalem hills like
clouds of pale pink blossom. The desert is blooming, – Darom Adom – the Red
South, the Negev blooms, the land is covered with scarlet poppies, Jerusalem
too. Calaniot, scarlet poppies, Rakafot, pink wild cyclamen as the land drinks
the rains of winter before the heat of summer. Perhaps the most famous song is
Calaniot, by the late Shoshana Damari although she actually refers to the
poppies of Flanders Field https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaL7mllWVG4
Zvi is
in the city with my "machutan" Nachshon, my son in laws father,
sitting a restaurant on Ben Yehuda Street absorbing the passersby, enjoying the
atmosphere. Perhaps he will go to Mahane Yehuda for me to see what fruit is
freshest on season and buy himself some treats in Tzidkiyahus
"hamutsia". Oh my I could go crazy tasting each one of the olives and
salads!!!
The
Shabbat music that Yaron Tzidkiyahu would love is Eastern or Mizrahi music – it
is much happier than Ashkenaz music! Here Revivo sings Shabbat Songs with
friends, get ready to clap!! http://www.iba.org.il/program.aspx?scode=2168072
You
always ask me for recipes, rather difficult for me because I rarely prepare
things the same way twice! Today I found you a video of how to prepare Moroccan
Hamin (Cholent) and I must say it looks so good I will do it next week!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M65pGa2knw
So dear
friends, finally Shabbat at home. Last week I lit the Shabbat candles with
Stephanie and Olivia, tonight I will light candles in the knowledge that in
each of our children's homes Shabbat candles will bring in the bride of
Shabbat, the childrens faces lit by the glow of the candles as they follow the
traditions of their grandparents and the generations before them.
I just
went outside onto the veranda for you, to see the glorious view, to see Jerusalem
in all her glory. I don't know if the US Embassy will come to Jerusalem soon,
but come it will and then the dream of British Ambassador Gerard Cowper
Coles will come true. He told me that each time he came to Jerusalem he
used to go to the potential site of the British Embassy and touch the ground
"One day the Americans will move their Embassy here and then I can follow
suit immediately". Three British Ambassadors have passed through since,
but his dream may just come true.
With
love for a beautiful Shabbat all the way from Jerusalem, our city, heart of our
faith, where King David wrote his psalms, where Jesus walked, where Abraham
took his son Isaac, Jerusalem……………………….
Shabbat
Shalom
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