180223
23rd
February 2018
Shabbat
Shalom dear friends. Shabbat Shalom
I don't
know about you but I am sick of corruption, politics, supposed diplomacy and
guns – actually guns should have been number one on my list of fears. I know
that there are many of you who believe that your freedom depends upon owning at
least one weapon. As one person said if all teachers carry weapons and a
shooter comes in the classroom it will mean that two shooters are in a
classroom full of children.
A
fascinating article about why school shootings don't happen in Israel https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/.premium-why-school-shootings-don-t-happen-in-israel-1.5406039
In
another strong speech in the UN by US Ambassador Haley after she was
ungraciously told to shut up by Palestinian spokesman Saeb Erekat, Nikki Haley responded
that she will not shut up and although the PA may find the "moving of OUR
Embassy to Jerusalem" it is the American Embassy and it will happen. She
pointed out that Jason Greenblatt and Jared Kushner sat behind her ready to
negotiate and make a better life for the Palestinian people. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJAAytsMZaQ Incidentally that same Saeb Erekat who
lambasts and incites against Israel expressed anger that Israeli doctors are
not willing to put him at the top of the transplant list here in our hospitals.
UN
idiocy of the week?
Appointing Syria to the pole position fighting the subjugation of peoples https://www.unwatch.org/u-n-elects-syria-top-post-fighting-subjugation-peoples/
The
IDF revealed
that in August they foiled an attempted Islamic State aeroplane bombing of a
flight leaving Sydney, Australia. https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-reveals-it-thwarted-attempted-islamic-state-bombing-of-australian-flight/
Canon
Andrew White
is in the British Channel Island of Alderney. Since he has been just
about everywhere it may appear to be unremarkable that he is in Alderney, but
it is and his reason for being there is even more remarkable. Alderney was one
of 3 British Channel Isles that were occupied by the Third Reich, Guernsey,
Jersey, all suffered under Nazi rule but Alderney was different. There were
four camps on the island, two work camps and two death camps. 40,000 souls were
lost. Canon Andrew is determined that they will not be forgotten http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3363742/Inside-Britain-s-Nazi-death-camp-Channel-Islands.html
This
has been an incredible week! My NYC son Daniel, wife Karen and children Joshua
and Callie have been staying with us, which of course means that I have been to
many places I normally don't visit! We went to see the Jerusalem Aquarium
which, as our guide and educator Shai said, is still in "run in"
mode. If this is the run in then the final stage will be amazing because we all
adored it! When there was a break in the rain on Monday we took off to the Jerusalem
Biblical Zoo. It is truly wonderful, the animals are in the closest
possible copy of their natural habitat and although it isn't huge it allows one
to wander through beautiful areas. From there we went to Rachels where the
cousins played as if they are together every day – and Auntie Rachel made her
famous pizza for all.
Then
came the Galita Chocolate Factory on Kibbutz Tzuba, which I wouldn't
miss for anything!! A course teaching us to make chocolate houses, lollipops,
pralines, with an array of toppings in front of you as you build your chocolate
dream under expert instruction………. Eating at least 50% of the incredible rich
chocolate made on site. In the evening Sagi and Ditty Daren came over for
supper with their 3 children and we had some of the chocolate treats for
dessert.
I admit
I was too tired to go to the Bloomfield Science Museum, but I know they
had a ball, rushing in the door to tell me all about the games they recognised
and the new ones too! Rachel, Yosef, Talia and Ayala came for supper
afterwards.
Yesterday
we went together to the Kotel, the Western Wall. The entire plaza was
jam-packed with Israelis and tourists alike. Bar Mitzva boys were led in by
musicians and drummers, families dancing and singing, the embarrassed but proud
youngsters under chuppas of all natures – from Tallit to Israeli flag, as they
went to read from the Torah for the very first time beside the towering wall.
The children were amazed. We also went to look over the newly extended egalitarian
prayer area of the Western Wall, the Kotel – the one that some tried to claim
did not exist.
What
most impressed Joshua and Callie? The newly opened Supermarket opposite; the
view from the veranda each morning over Jerusalem; our very large electric blinds
which Joshua loved raising to see that view; picking lemons and kumquats; the
newly emerging orange blossom; the vast array of craft equipment I have stored
in the playroom and of course their Daddy laughing at me yelling "Look at
the wild cyclamen" every time I saw beautiful pink delights at every turn in the
road.
Unfortunately,
timing meant that I missed the Conference of Presidents meetings and seeing Dr
Malcolm Hoenlein, but sorry Malcolm, it was worth it!
Yesterday
my miracle grandson was 13- Samuel George, Sammy, Samsam. 13 is the age
of responsibility for Jewish boys but Sammy has taken responsibility for making
our family smile for every day of his 13 years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3nF2KHmQ60
Happy
birthday to my brother Ronnie today.
Our
delightful, special friend Dr Kimball Taylor is making the interminable journey
from Cardston, Alberta to Israel because he loves Israel and us!! Kim is coming
to be with us on Saturday evening – and then we will all go to Zichron Yaakov
for the Jewish Agency Board Meetings. I hope that some decisions will be
made, that they will not forget their purpose for existing which is to create a
bond between the Diaspora and Israel – an unbreakable bond. Will report.
Purim! Apart from the
dreadful habit of Israeli boys to explode caps at each other it is a festival
of joy, parties, fancy dress, mishloach manot or gifts of food and fun and
general celebration. I think you all know the story of the wicked, Jew hating
Haman who convinced King Achasuerus of Shushan, Persia, to kill all the Jews
and of Mordechai who took his niece Esther to enter a beauty contest, win,
become Queen and convince the King that Jews were OK and Haman a bad man. Well
although while we read the "Megillat Esther" – the Story of
Esther - in the synagogues and recount Hamans evil motives, we are encouraged
to drink alcohol (honestly) until tipsy. A strange tradition? Yes and no. The
command is to drink only until one cannot tell the difference between Mordechai
and Haman – in other words, vengeance is considered a sin, so one should drink
until one does not feel anger over Haman. I have a problem with it, I don't
drink a lot and sadly see a direct correlation between ancient Persia and
today's Iran. I don't want to wreak vengeance but I wish Esther would appear
really quickly!
Rabbi
Jeremy Rosen
makes a wonderful comparative between all the religions and Purim http://jeremyrosen.com/2018/02/purim-carnival.html
And so
to music!!
Maccabeats
and the story of Purim https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgJInVvJSZg
From
Shushan to Teheran
– Jews all over the world have prayed for just one thing, something that runs
through every song, poems and prayer – Peace. Former Chief Rabbi of Great
Britain and the Commonwealth, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, initiated this amazing
recording. Oseh Shalom – a prayer that there shall be peace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVM6x4BechI
Shabbat
Shalom with much love from both of us, here in Jerusalem.
Sheila
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