170609
9th
June 2017
Shabbat
Shalom dear friends. I hope you managed to keep up with the constant news this
week! Perhaps I should do a run down and then we can talk about other things.
Let's
begin with the British elections of yesterday. If one looks at the map of
the British Isles one could well be fooled into thinking that the Conservatives
enjoyed an overwhelming victory! http://www.bbc.com/news/election/2017/results
Britain does not have a proportional
representation form of government – it has constituency voting and constituency
representation so sheer numbers are irrelevant. One must also hope that the
Ulster Unionists, the Liberal Democrats etc will join Mrs May rather than
Labour. The big losers are the Scottish Nationalists!!!!
Next
question,
how can a country that has suffered horrific terror attacks in the last few
weeks give such a boost to a man who openly talks of his friends in Hamas and
Hezb-Allah? It's very simple. My generation grew up with free university
education, free health care, easy social welfare and it was wonderful but in
the long run it broke the bank of Britain and slowly means-testing and
austerity replaced it. At that time it was very popular to hate Margaret
Thatcher who, it turned out, revitalized the British economy. Jeremy Corbyn has
hidden behind empty promises of returning to free university education for all
and all the former social benefits. He has hidden his foreign policy agenda, hidden
his anti-Semitism, forgotten to mention his alliances but the idea of lots of
goodies convinced a younger generation who forgot the price paid. The only
promise which I can honestly agree with is his determination to help those with
chronic illness. Add to all this the undoubted fact that Theresa May lay back
on her laurels and didn't campaign. Corbyn went out to the people and convinced
them. In Hebrew victims are Corbanot – sadly Brits have fallen Corbanot to
Corbyn.
Can Mrs
May survive it? I don't know but the alternative is Boris Johnson – brilliant but
unpredictable. We could conceivably have two leaders, one each side of the
Atlantic, both of whom speak their minds and have weird hairdos!!!!
London
Bridge
and environs is a thriving area filled
with pubs, clubs and restaurants. It is the epitome of London nightlife.
Perhaps that is the reason three fanatics in a white van ran rampage killing 8
people and injuring at least 50 others. Yet again attacking the Western style
of life. Through my deep sadness at the loss of life I found this headline the
most distressing http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/08/london-bridge-terror-ringleader-funded-benefits-mentor-ordered/
The perpetrator used his social benefits to fund the attack. No words.
Teheran was rocked by a
terror attack which they did not fund. Members of their Parliament died and
there was talk of a coup d'etat.
Qatar has been shunned by
the other Sunni Arab countries who have chosen the path of less resistance –
not peace but less resistance. Understand, Qatar is enormously powerful having
bought up any available real estate, football teams, hotel chains, airlines, indeed
anything that is for sale. They founded and own Al Jazeera. This headline
staggered me – they own more of London than the Queen http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/03/17/qataris-london-queen/
and if you are quietly saying "Stupid Brits didn't see it coming" try
this for size https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/qatar-is-suddenly-investing-heavily-in-the-us-bankrolling-dcs-city-center-other-projects/2013/12/17/1ffaceca-5c6a-11e3-95c2-13623eb2b0e1_story.html?utm_term=.e309c7b4eaaa Washington Civic Centre? Qatar and Iran share
an oil field which is apparently sufficient for them to break the Sunni based
coalition. They don't need anyone!!!!
In the
words of someone on the inside, Donald Trump wrote "Jerusalem, Capital of
the State of Israel" in all 6 of his Middle East speeches and all 6 times
the State Department took it out. However the understanding in the Middle East is
that one cannot mess with this President. He can be louder, crasser and more
determined than any of them and that is something they understand. The
Presidential visit has its successes, unlike his predecessor Trump recognises
that democracy cannot be imposed, it has to be attained. Nothing anyone can do
will reverse the damage of the Carter Administration, but it is changing.
One
excellent choice made by President Trump is the American Ambassador to the
United Nations, Nikki Haley. She has spoken out loud and clear on the
misuse of power of the Human Rights Council – its constant lambasting of Israel
while ignoring horrendous violations elsewhere. Well Nikki Haley arrive in
Jerusalem this week for meetings with the PM, the President and many other
bodies. As with everything else, her visit was without fuss, but elegant and businesslike.
She made it clear that she will not countenance bullies – and that the USA may
just remove its funding of the UNHRC. Sorry to gloat but always said that is
the only way! http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Nikki-Haley-in-Jerusalem-UN-cannot-continue-to-bully-Israel-496121
A
dear friend
made a promise about 6 years ago, Josephine Linden told me she would
come back to visit Jerusalem and that her husband Tom would come with
her. Since she made that promise while on a glorious cruise with the Gandel
Family, I didn't hold her to it, but she reiterated her vow every time we
met! Well, Josephine and Tom arrived and we had a ball. Zvi did a phenomenal
job as their guide, not missing a single important site, and I joined in for
the Mount of Olives and Mahane Yehuda. They loved it and of course Zvi's
explanations and historical knowledge brought everything into clear
perspective. I am thrilled to say that they loved every moment and I got to
show them my favourite place. The market lived up to its reputation – buzzing with
activity before Shabbat, the throng enjoying the noise and bustle, discovering
the sweet cornucopia of fruits and vegetables, each one giving a good kvetch to
the produce to ensure its freshness. It is the season of cherries, apricots,
peaches and nectarines and the air is redolent with their perfume. We then went
to check out the famous Mahaneyuda Restaurant and were deeply disappointed.
Music screaming out, diners crushed together – we went off to the delicious
Sima Restaurant where the food was typically Jerusalem and absolutely
scrumptious and the staff delightful!!!
Zvi
decided we should go to see Mea Shearim and the Haredi preparations for
Shabbat, a "Zvitours" speciality. All went really well, we
found parking with ease and set off on our wanderings. Our first shock was the
signs which proclaimed "Judaism rejects Zionism" "Zionist
Occupation in any part of the Holy Land is Heresy and Crime" and
Palestinian flags. Understand there are few newspapers in Mea Shearim – they read
their news on posters. Then it happened – we realised there was a huge angry
crowd gathering and didn't understand why. The rabble grew more and more
aggressive and then we saw him, a lone young soldier walking through Mea
Shearim. The abuse and eggs thrown (one landed right near Josephine) horrified
me. We tried to help soldier and Zvi ran to stand and walk with him while I
called the police. We were in a minority but refused to leave him. It turned
out to be a police sting – and 11 were arrested. Do they call themselves Jews?
Well they certainly do not represent any part of Judaism I know. The ludicrous
part is that they are exempted from national service anyway! I am very pleased
to say that when I told my Haredi grandson Yosef about what happened he asked
me if I managed to punch on of them – when I said that would not serve the
purpose he just said he was proud of Saba Zvi and I and that the rioters were a
disgrace. You see not every Haredi is like that. The reason they are rioting is
because they have to go to the enlistment centre to receive their exemption
papers!!! Incidentally – we got a parking ticket!!!
On
Monday night we met Robert and Anita Simons and went for dinner in the
IMA restaurant. I love Robert and Anita, such honest good people. Anyway while
sitting in the restaurant which serves traditional Middle Eastern food, friends
walked in, Naomi and Daniel Furman. It was very exciting when Daniel
told us he received an honour from the Hebrew University and then to our
amazement he turned to Robert and told him he was responsible for his continued
volunteer work with the University because years ago he realised that Robert
came faithfully to every important meeting of the HU, all the way from Sydney, Australia.
"If he could come from Australia, I could come from Tel Aviv!" Not
the only people Robert has influenced since, all those years ago, he met a
young man called Zvi setting up Keren Hayesod Young leadership worldwide!!!
And
so to Jerusalem,
the beautiful birthday girl, the entrancing, deeply spiritual woman, who
becomes more beautiful every year. Ilana, Eddie and Denise Podolsky are
in Israel, all the way from San Diego, for a ceremony at the Museum of the
Diaspora, honouring Denise (aged 11) and her Shorashim (Roots) work on her
family. She was chosen out of thousands of entries! They came to Jerusalem and
of course we met in Mahane Yehuda (where else) then headed off to Mamilla for a
quick bite to eat and then climbed the steep steps past the Italian Restaurant
and wandered down a little, filled with excited anticipation – we were going to
see the much talked about "Sound and Light Spectacular".
Thousands and thousands of people crowded around the Jaffa Gate and then it
happened; the show began!! I have never ever seen anything like it! On the
walls of the Old City, history played out before our eyes, singers sang, Biblical
passages, Jacobs ladder, Abraham and Isaac, "The Temple Mount is in our
hands" came to life in a manner that took my breath away. The production
is superb, the experience without equal. An apt celebration of the
reunification of this unique city.
I took
a break to go and see the grandchildren – that's why I am a bit late today. No
apologies, my priorities are absolutely spot on!! After I gave Talia her 11th
birthday gift of a hair straightener (yeah I know but that's what she wanted!)
lots of hugs and kisses, stories of their week, talk of their school trips this
coming week and of course hugging my daughter too, I took my booty (4 absolutely
scrumptious challah rolls fresh from Rachels oven) I made my way back over
Samuels Tomb, wondered afresh at the panorama and came back to the air
conditioning at home – good grief it is hot!!!
Zvi has
been official babysitter this week, both in Tel Aviv (Altneuland
translated by Nahum Sokolov into Hebrew) with little Ella and Yonatan and last
night in Nes Ziona (The banner or pennant of Zion) with Amit, Gili and
Ori. This morning he got the girls up bright and early and they went off to be
with their cousin Denise for her big moment.
The
first song is of deep meaning for Jerusalem – a child's dream come true https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NIxqHJrL68
We
cannot bring back those who died in the fight for Jerusalem or in the 6 Day War,
indeed any war, but the song says rather than shedding bitter tears we should
sing of peace https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz8O0OcAA3c
Meir
Banai of a famous theatrical family that grew up near Mahane Yehuda, wrote
about the Old City and the Mercy Gate, through which the Messiah will come (or
come back). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOcUZsckkyU
Tomorrow
we will meet Canon Andrew White at Lola and Norman Cohens for tea. A
wonderful group of people – the best
anywhere, all of whom have a special love for this amazing city.
Shabbat
Shalom dear friends. I wish you peace and the return of that joy felt by Jew
and Christian, at the thought of returning to our Holy places.
With
love from Jerusalem
Sheila
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