170519
19th
May 2017
Hello
dear friends, I hope you are well. Just by the way, it isn't that our
politicians/leaders are any worse than before it's just that now we know about
it! The Sacred Cow is dead. For so many years, indeed until the current era of
the Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook we were in the dark and totally dependent
upon a press (and media) from whom we received our filtered information. Today
the people on the spot are faster than those who report it. Just a thought.
There
are few things that worry me about this Presidential visit apart from the
horrendous traffic jams that inevitably accompany Presidential visits. I am not
worried that President Trump will visit the Kotel (Western Wall) without either
the Prime Minister or President; just fine with me if he wants to make it a
family affair. That way they can mingle with the participants of the many Bar
Mitzvas that take place on a Monday (Yom Shayni) because that is a day one
reads from the Torah. All participants have been through security checks and it
will provide the children an extra story to tell their grandchildren! I am also
not concerned by the fact that they decided that there will not be a tripartite
meeting between Abbas, Trump and Netanyahu during the visit. For me all talks
taking place out of the limelight are infinitely better than those in the glare
of the media. I am not worried (even delighted) that the President will not be
visiting Ramallah but rather going to Bethlehem – although the chances of him
meeting any of the Christians who will tell him about their plight is minimal.
I am not crying for those who have been evicted from the King David – that's
the price one pays for US Presidential visits and they have all been found
alternative accommodation for a night!!!
I
am actually pleased that his delegation has chosen to visit Yad Vashem after
all. He probably won't manage to tour but intends laying a wreath on the
Eternal Flame in the Hall of Remembrance – something I did on my first visit to
Israel in 1963. I can never forget what Zvi did with a 400 strong group of
young leaders he brought to Israel many years ago. He asked each person to take
a small candle and lay it on the name of the many Concentration Camps on the
floor of the hall where they had lost family or knew survivors. Each of us
stepped forward in silence and walked to the appropriate camp. It was both chilling
and important as we cried that we would never forget.
I
am pleased that the delegation will be here for Jerusalem Day, marking 50 years
since reunification, but a bit worried that it will be a dampener since none of
the parades will take place as planned – security. 50 years – incredible. Gosh
I remember on that 1963 visit, having to look over the Old City from Kibbutz Ramat
Rachel and then having to duck for fear of being shot at by Jordanian troops.
Who'da thought that some 30 years afterward Zvi and I would travel to Petra in Jordanian
Army Helicopters!!!!!
For
19 years the Old City was under Jordanian Rule – a time when we could not reach
any of our religious sites, especially not the Kotel and the Temple Mount. For
the sake of peace we chose to leave the Temple Mount in Jordanian hands – and sadly
we still cannot pray there – visit sometimes but not pray. In that time
Jerusalem has thrived, grown and diversified, with 52 Christian Denominations,
8 Moslem Denominations and about 650,000 Jewish denominations!!!! It is, as Zvi
loves to say, a city from Wall to Mall! This is an interesting list of Jerusalem
facts – http://www.jns.org/latest-articles/2017/5/15/50-jerusalem-facts-for-the-50th-anniversary-of-its-reunification#.WR7EDuWGM2w=
Sprot
and Culture Minister Miri Regev showed the world what matters at the Cannes
Film Festival when she appeared on the red carpet in a stunning dress – with paintings
of Jerusalem around it! Haaretz and the Guardian said it was controversial
others found it "interesting" http://cdn.timesofisrael.com/uploads/2017/05/Regev-195x293.jpg
Lag
b'Omer (the 33rd Day of the counting of the Omer) is a strange
festival cum holiday that everyone enjoys and few understand. This year it was
even less understandable because we celebrated the 33rd Day on the
34th unless you were religious (Don't ask). It is an upside down
semi-festival which celebrates the end of the plague which killed many of Rabbi
Akivas students. Strange, but perhaps a deeper meaning is that through that
plague they learned to respect each other. Anyway it is a time of bonfires and
barbeques, music and weddings – because during the counting of the Omer (from
Passover to Pentecost) one is not allowed music and celebration – a bit like
Lent. http://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/lag-baomer/
On
Tuesday I met my dear friend Sheila Zucker on the glorious patio of the King
David Hotel. It was obvious that something big was happening and then we saw
the new USA Ambassador arrive, the new Greek Ambassador and another I can't
remember. There was an official reception taking place after they had presented
their credentials to President Rivlin. I love that place – always something
happening or somebody arriving. After a delightful brunch Sheila left and
Pircha Lottner arrived. What an interesting lady who has changed profession
even more than I!! As we sat together one of my favourite people came to sit
near us – Former Ambassador to the UK and the UN Ron Prosor. A real mensch. Of
course I went to chat with him, couldn't resist! In the even the lovely Peter
Cooper came to visit.
When Peter was still studying he lived in Reading for a while and was a regular visitor. I was thrilled when he came to Israel as he was when I did!!! He married the beautiful Yaella and has four children – much water under the bridge. There is something so special about old friends.
When Peter was still studying he lived in Reading for a while and was a regular visitor. I was thrilled when he came to Israel as he was when I did!!! He married the beautiful Yaella and has four children – much water under the bridge. There is something so special about old friends.
Wednesday
evening we went to the Jerusalem Theatre for a fascinating and infinitely
disturbing performance. "A Light at the End of the Tunnel" Before
entering you were asked if you want a happy ending or a sad ending – I chose
happy Zvi chose sad!!! Imagine a stage split lengthways, on top an air-headed
morning show hostess and below IDF soldiers and two Hamasniks in a Hamas
tunnel. The walls collapse trapping the soldiers and above are the air-head who
becomes a news-caster and an Israel politician, a Palestinian politician and a
UN representative. I leave the rest up to your imagination! Our audience chose
the sad end.
Yesterday
Rachel Yosef and I had cause to be in Hadassah's Paediatric Department (don't
worry all is well) and yet again I was amazed to see the melding of peoples,
both medical staff and patients. The emergency from a Bedouin family whose
little boy fell and broke bones, the Haredi family deeply concerned for their
son, the confused Mother from Ramallah who was treated with enormous respect
and attended by an Arabic speaking doctor and social worker and so on and so
forth. As we watched them come and go all day I was struck with the deep
respect between the nurses and doctors both toward each other and the patients
irrespective of colour or creed. I don't know if you realise but in Israel at
least one half of the medical staff is Moslem and it is irrelevant, except that
we certainly couldn't manage without them or they us.
As
I took Rachel and Yosefeleh back to Givat Ze'ev, we drove over Samuel's Tomb
and suddenly a huge flock of cranes dived and soared before us. It was
spectacular against the blue sky and the panoramic view of Jerusalem. Did you
know that hundreds of thousands of cranes come to Israel as a stop on their
migration route. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/travel/1.757475
I
have not written about the various altercations between the US President and his
staff – none of my business!
I
chose this rendition of Jerusalem of Gold because I cannot forget sitting in
the audience at Israel's 50th Independence Day and experiencing the
magic of the late Ofra Haza. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72QC8EGnxTw
How
can I end without the beautiful psalm – in the language that King David wrote
it 3,000 year ago. If I forget the Oh Jerusalem, let my tongue cleave to my
cheek. If I do not raise Jerusalem to the head of my joy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Irm-0IKPGic
Tonight
I am not cooking!!! Well almost! We are going to our friends Meira and Michael
Partem for Shabbat dinner. It is so exciting, no work at all because tomorrow
we celebrate little Yonatan's 3rd birthday at Noga's parents home.
Gosh what a gorgeous little boy!!
I
have one more song, a special song for a special boy. My grandson Samuel George
– this is for you and for all the special children in the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3nF2KHmQ60
With
love from Jerusalem, open and free. I will end with a quote from Pastor
Dumisani Washington
Dear Mr. President,
While in
Israel, go to the Western Wall and pray. It belongs to the Jews, but they're
great about sharing.
Signed,
Pastor Dumisani Washington
Pastor Dumisani Washington
Sheila
Thank you Sheila!
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