180329 Passover, Easter and love

180329

Shabbat Shalom! Pesach Sameach! A good Easter and a Holy Good Friday.

I love it when we all celebrate together – it is our inherited past and what we share rather than our differences. Gosh wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone embraced what they share instead of their differences?

This week I have been thinking a great deal about human nature and how we have changed since I was a child. Today there is a tendency to put people into boxes – to categorise. If one really thinks about it nobody fully fits into any category, be it religious, national, colour or creed, we are all different, all totally individual. So why is there so much hatred toward those who are different to us if we are not really different, perhaps externally, dress, prayer, hair colour, home, but as Shylock said "If you prick me do I not bleed"? We all weep, bleed, hope, love, it is only when "the other" is unacceptable that we become inhuman, cold and cruel.

Mireille Kroll z"l, knew what hatred can do. An 85 year old Holocaust survivor she hoped to continue into her old age with honour. A friendly kind woman she knew one of her attackers, a neighbour, who together with another beast, entered her apartment shouting Allahu akbar, stabbed her 11 times then burned her body. Why? Because she was Jewish. There was a big demonstration in her honour, attended by the Prime Minister of France – but fine words and demonstrations cannot halt the tide of hatred, only new laws can, if at all. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/28/world/europe/mireille-knoll-murder-holocaust.html

In the most recent US cabinet shake up John Bolton has entered the scene as National Security Advisor to President Trump. The choice of Bolton suggests that a strong, security minded, unafraid to stand up to those who would love nothing more than to take over the leadership position from the United States. As Ambassador to the United Nations he presented a strong and united front to those same enemies and despite the suggestions of the left wing press he is not war-hungry!

The British Labour Party and its leader Jeremy Corbyn have finally been taken to task for their frequently expressed anti-Israel stance which was barely concealed and of late blossomed into poisonous anti-Semitism. An orderly but determined demonstration was held outside the Houses of Parliament, led by a Jewish group but far from exclusively Jewish, stating their disgust with a party that Harold Wilson would have disowned.

That's it! No more bad news………. My dishes are changed, much of the food for tomorrow's Seder is already cooked; Zvi has gone for his haircut and final falafel  before Pesach - yes Martin, he is in Abu Ghosh – then we can work out the logistics of fitting a Seder Table with 22-24 people around it in our limited space apartment!! Of course, the minute that we all finish our Passover cleaning Libya visits Israel in the form of a sandstorm. We are lucky, very little came to Jerusalem but Rachel's veranda in Givat Ze'ev looks like a beach!!!

My favourite video of the season comes from my favourite President – Ruvi Rivlin. He managed to combine his Passover greetings with Israel's 70^th and I love it. The song which should have been chosen as Israel's national song (not anthem) is of course Al Kol Eleh, above all this, which talks about the honey and the sting of life in our wonderful land. Watch it through – don't be put off by the Hebrew speech he starts with. I promise you will love him as we all do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu0yY_ug5Kw&sns=fb

The story of Pesach (Passover) is exciting and complex and I can't help wondering if we would have spent all that time wandering in the desert had a London Cabbie been nearby, after all learning the Knowledge takes 2 years at least before you get your taxi-drivers licence. See what this lovely London Cabbie says about Pesach

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjN2-U0G1tE

Each home has its own favourite Passover foods and each ethnicity has special dishes. I have no intention of boring you with the full list but I found this very funny video on Janglo – the website for English speaking Israelis. Enjoy https://www.janglo.net/index.php?option=com_adsmanager&page=display&catid=99&tid=441339

That's it! I am sorry but I am exhausted! I wish you all a truly wonderful Passover, as my parents used to say a "Freiliche Pesach". May we always look for what binds us and as the lovely Rabbi David Geffen would say – All you need is love to change the world. Lu Yehi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJoZ9R4i-N0

Remember, when you sing "Next Year in Jerusalem" mean it. My only sadness is that none of my family, not children nor siblings, will sit at our Seder Table. They have no idea what an incredible pleasure it is to hear Zvi's mellifluous reading of the Haggada. If everything goes right, however, our lovely Tomer Silver will be released from the army together with at least one lone soldier and join our table. I still remember when he was barely 3 years old how he stood on a chair and recited the 4 questions.

So, all together now NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM!!

With love, Shabbat Shalom from our beautiful Jerusalem.

Sheila

180323 Pesach politics and stuff

180323

23^rd March 2018

Shabbat Shalom! Hope you are well and had a good week. I am feeling very self-righteous because this morning I managed to clean my fridge, oven and hob…… with a little help from a friend!!! I now feel that Pesach (Passover) is nigh and I will be ready. Of course there is still lots to do but the really difficult and important stuff is done!!! If you aren't Jewish then I must explain – spring cleaning has nothing on Passover cleaning!!! Every corner and cupboard is cleaned, the contents emptied and stored and the shelves lined – then the new kosher for Passover things go in. Not just food but dishes, utensils and pots – everything! I know it is hard work and every year as Zvi "schlepps" the dishes up 3 flights of stairs from the store-room he grumbles that today the dishes are well glazed so why do we need it! Of course he would be very sad without his Parent's porcelain dinner set with the gold rims; my parents Seder plate with the little bowls for each of the dishes which represent our journey from slavery to freedom – the story we read each Seder night.

As always, food is a big thing! As I told you before, Zvi's explanation of each Jewish holiday is "They tried to kill us – we won – now let's eat". Strange how history repeats itself – you would have thought the world would have learned by now!

The central object on the Seder Table is the Seder Plate. Parsley to represent new growth; grated horseradish to represent the bitter times; charoseth, in my house a wonderful mix of apples, ground almonds, cinnamon, wine and lettuce, represents the cement which the Jews used in Egypt or alternatively the cement which binds us as a people; a burnt hard boiled egg; a lamb shank or chicken neck to represent the burnt offering and salt water to represent the tears of a slave. The meal goes thus:- We bless the wine, then matzo, then parsley dipped in salt water, then we pray and ask questions, then we read the story in Aramaic, then serve the bitter herbs and the charoses on matza and then the meal begins. Hard boiled eggs in salt water, chicken soup with matzo balls, main course, dessert,  we then let the Prophet Elijah in the house and let him have a sip of wine set out specially for him, say grace after meals, read more of the story then we sing!!! Not any songs of course. One favourite is "Who Knows One" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XU-3IuzPEE  another is "Only One Kid" which reminds me of the old lady and the fly!!This is a sedate version, I chose English so that everyone could understand https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIvd9QdsLn0 but in our house we do it differently!! Of course we sing the song but we make appropriate noises for the cat, dog, stick, bull, fire engine etc, and roundly booooooh the Angel of Death while cheering loudly for HaKadosh Baruch Hoo – the Almighty. It wakes the children, shocks visitors and is generally great fun!

The biggest story here in Israel is the release of papers that confirm that Israel destroyed the Syrian Nuclear Reactor. The act was undoubtedly a good and brave one and the heroes of the tale are clear, as is the villain. President George W Bush, acting on the advice of the State Dept and his Military Advisors, was against the bombing, fearing that it would bring about a dirty war in the area, but Prime Minister Ehud Olmert listened to his own military and secret service advisors and decided to go ahead. Then Defence Minister Ehud Barak was against and was kept out of the circle of control. After the event President Bush, describing Prime Minister Olmert said "That man has balls". In the aftermath of the revelation everyone, all of those involved, are still positive, knowing they saved us from a tyrant having nuclear power, except Barak. Sour grapes do not suit anyone. Credit where credit is due. https://www.timesofisrael.com/three-minutes-over-syria-how-israel-destroyed-assads-nuclear-reactor/

In a separate, extensive and brilliant interview on his own life, Ehud Olmert came out well and it was clear his love and admiration for Aliza, his wife. His greatest regret is that Aliza and their children suffered.

If you think you get the news, the whole news, on your media network news, think again. This is a story they will never tell because it denies their cant of 30 years. The torture of Palestinians by Palestinians https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/12064/palestinians-torture-human-rights Unfortunately they are far more interested in a girl who bashed a soldier going to prison than the true suffering of the Palestinians. Incredibly after the USA and UK, among others, chose to put conditions on UNWRA aid to the Palestinians, the Europeans did a charity drive to give them money outside the regular funding.

Washington Councilman Trayon White was recorded saying that Jews (The Rothschild's in particular) control the weather and that's why it snowed again! How insanely racist can one get? Mark Steyn has the perfect response. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=63&v=fkpQyF_ckRs

President Trump has appointed Ambassador John Bolton as his National Security Advisor and one of Bolton's first moves was to talk to Khaled Abu Toameh a brilliant journalist and analyst of the Middle East in general and the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts in particular. I have been saying for years that Khaled is the one to talk to get a full picture. Khaled is a proud Israeli, a Moslem, who wishes only the best for the Palestinians and is a humble, erudite gentleman – what could be better?

Professor Nava Ben Zvi and I always make promises to meet but never seem to manage it. This week Nava received a truly well-deserved honour – she is the recipient of the Israel Prize for education. Nava is a forward thinker, encouraging and helping to found the Open University and the Hadassah College to make education within reach of everyone. Navaleh – kol ha kavod.

Sir Eric Pickles is the UK Government Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues and a huge supporter of Israel. Sir Eric spoke here in Jerusalem about the Jewish contribution to Britain. http://m.jpost.com/Diaspora/Sir-Pickles-Without-Jews-Britain-would-not-tick-properly-546843

Time to get back to the cupboards, but not before telling you a bit about our week.

Monday was Zvi's birthday! He went to Tel Aviv to be with his twin "brother" Itzik Lev while I met with friends from Cardiff, one of whom I have known since we were 4! There is something very special about meeting with friends who already know from whence you came. On Wednesday afternoon we met with Ruth and Jozek (I know I spelled it wrong) to see a wonderful rendition of Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel at the Khan Theatre. The production was put on by the students of the Academy for Music and was outstanding. The Khan was once an Inn for the camel travelers on the Silk Route and the conversion to a theatre is gorgeous. Afterwards we went with lovely friends of Ruth and Jozek for supper at the First Station where there were many children's activities taking place.

While I have been cleaning the apartment Zvi has been in Nes Ziona with the children to give their parents a couple of days off but he comes back after Shabbat and he and Leor will do the schlepping of all 13 boxes of Pesach pots, pans, cutlery, utensils and dishes………. So I need to be sure the cupboards are ready to receive them!!! The entire country smells of cleaning materials and the noise of vacuum cleaners and scrubbing brushes is prevalent…… I love Pesach but have only one complaint. Why is it that the moment I get everything sparkling I then dirty it all by cooking up a storm for 20 people?

So what song do think I chose first? What is appropriate on every level? Pat Boone wrote it and many singers have sung it, it makes on think of Paul Newman and Eva Marie Saint and is the theme song of a movie I wish someone would remake. Exodus sung by Cantor Arye Leib Hurwitz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVaRAjkdu7o

Next? Go Down Moses! The unique and brilliant Satchmo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf6jBP4YXwo

I hope that we will speak before Pesach – I may write to you on Wednesday, just to check up on how you are doing.

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem – city of glorious sights and sites, especially the View from Our Veranda

With love

Sheila

180306 Israeli hospitals, South Africa, Friday night

180316

16^th March, 2018

Shabbat Shalom to everyone. I also want to wish my Thai readers a happy Thai New Year!

The old Yiddische saying goes "Man makes plans and G-d laughs" Of course it sounds so much better in that wonderfully expressive language and as usual – is right on the nose!

First of all, everything is fine but I had cause to spend rather a lot of time in both the Ambulatory and the hospital ER, with a friend let's say. Israeli hospitals, possibly more so than any other country, are a people-watchers dream. The full rainbow, the gamut of Israeli society is in the patients and the staff. Parents are interesting, either they are attentive and calm, attentive and hysterical or at the other end of the scale, ensure their children's iPhones are charged so that they can get on with texting their own messages. That isn't the greatest fascination however, nor is it what makes Israeli hospitals different to all other hospitals.

Firstly, the doctors and medical staff, each and every one of them is superb, some chirpier than others but all are kind. So what's different about that? Well the Senior Physician in ER was an Arab, the Junior was an Ashkenazi Jew, the nurse was Druze and the patients were just about every conceivable mix including one prisoner in chains, accompanied by two policemen, who grinned at us all!! Everybody waited the interminable wait for attention in hospital whereas with equal patience we were seen almost immediately in the ambulatory ER. Of course it was a horrendously busy night and there weren't enough beds but I didn't see one member of staff snap at a patient.

The most amazing are the volunteers. "You look tired, here I brought some sandwiches, would you like one?" said one lady who had gone out to the local bakery, bought a load of bread rolls and filled them at home just o give them away to those who needed food in the ER. They hold the hands of those who have no family and go from bed to bed to cheer people up. Then of course there are the Magen David Adom volunteers, the paramedics, the youngsters who give of their time to ride on the ambulances and help – amazing people, amazing country.

I have to tell you about Dr Karame. Dr Karame is soft spoken, an incredible physician, elegant and almost stately in his treatment of patients with unending patience. Dr Karame is Arab and is the senior physician in Terem (Ambulatory ER) in  Talpiot in Jerusalem and I promised him I would write about him!!!!

Perhaps all of the above, the volunteering and the medical care, are part of the reason Israel is still the 11^th happiest places on earth. Since the poll was conducted by the UN I think their typing finger slipped and we are really the happiest on earth. The Scandinavians did well, which is weird considering their lack of sunshine, but logical considering their social welfare system. Anyway, here are the statistics. https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2017/05/F170502YS11-e1493720684325.jpg

It seems incongruous that South Africa and particularly black South Africans, believe that Israel is an apartheid state. South Africa where Jews led the campaign against Apartheid, believing the can and rhetoric about Israel? Well, our lovely friend Danny Adeno Abebe is currently in South Africa as an emissary for Habonim Dror and Danny has taken on the cause of teaching South Africans the truth. http://www.sajr.co.za/news-and-articles/2018/03/15/an-ethiopian-israeli-s-take-on-israel-apartheid-week-in-sa

In the United States however, support for Israel among Americans has reach an all time high. http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Poll-US-public-sympathy-for-Israel-at-record-highs-545071

In politics, Tillerson is out Pompeo is in; Theresa May throws Russian "diplomats" who were known to be spies, out of the UK after the poisoning of an ex-spy; Netanyahu somehow manages to hold his coalition together preventing June elections; Saudi Arabia says if Iran has nuclear power then they will get it too; Superman came to visit Jerusalem, Dean Cain was seen in photo ops with almost every politician……………………….. and Justin Trudeau is ridiculed in India for his family's "fancy dress" https://tribune.com.pk/story/1642715/4-indians-fiercely-ridicule-justin-trudeau-wearing-fancy-dress/

Some 70+ countries got together to raise money for UNWRA…………. Yes you read that perfectly correctly. UNWRA is the main cause for strife and corruption in Gaza, has squandered all the vast funds give n to them up to now on encouraging terrorism, their schools rife with incitement to hatred which made the USA and UK and some other countries revoke their funding thereof and other stupid countries to perpetuate!!!!

Last Friday night was incredible.. Around our Shabbes table were
3 Swedes (the people not the veg), 2 Argentinians, 1 Suisse, 1 Belgian, 2 Poles
2 Sabras and 1 Welshwoman
I made very traditional food from all the countries of dispersion - Israeli salads, Stuffed vine leaves,  Hamusta Kubeh soup, Hungarian Chicken paprika, local grilled spring chicken in date honey, red rice, saffron rice, grilled cauliflower and we had very British poached apples and pears and citrus salad for dessert.
The best part was getting to know each other. Each person said where they are from and a synopsis of their history. 
One of our guests, someone Zvi had known for 40 years, suddenly opened up and told us the story of his life. In Belgium of WW2, his Mother was taken by the Nazis to Auschwitz when he was 2 1/2, and gave him to a neighbour to hide him. The naighbour never told a soul he was Jewish. Indeed when the Germans came on suspicion of his ethnicity they asked him to pull down his trousers – he remembered that his parents told him he must never do that for anyone so he refused. He went through many tribulations until he was 7 and his Mother miraculously came looking for him. He was in an "orphanage" where his Jewish identity was hidden. She stood looking at each child, frail and unsure what he looked like after all those years. As he walked down the stairs he suddenly saw his Mother and they were never separated again. He kept his story secret for 50 years until he discovered others who were at the orphanage and they all met - when the emotional flood waters opened.
He went on to be a famous Israeli urologist and we all sat in rapt attention.
That's what I love about welcoming strangers into our home. The three Swedes were talking about it for days.

OK no time whatsoever before Shabbat so I don't have time to tell you of the mimosa tree, the bright pink cherry trees or the plethora of blooms and blossoms on our veranda!!!

Here is music instead!!

Israel's entry into the Eurovision song contest this year is somewhat different, but in a strange way I think I like it although most of you will hate it……….. which means it could be a winner!!! http://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/watch-israeli-eurovision-entry-is-shock-early-favourite-to-win-contest/

And now from the ridiculous to the simply sublime. Andre Rieu et all and the wonderful theme song of Exodus, "This Land is Mine" I dare you not to shed a tear

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QggP7d647fQ

Shabbat Shalom everyone with much love from Jerusalem, the city we longed, nay yearned for 2,000 years of dispersion.

Sheila

180309 Uri Lubrani, Nikki Haley, Embassies

180309

9^th March, 2018

Shabbat Shalom dear friends. I have no idea if you are getting this missive or not because Gmail has been playing games with me and many of you are not receiving my news. I have finally found someone really good to build my website, thank you Renee, so hopefully it will all be sorted out soon.

If there is one thing that Israel learned from the Intifada, apart from how to defend ourselves, it is learning how to deal with trauma, for the injured, for the by-standers and for the families. A team of Israeli psychologists went to Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida to hold sessions with the teachers and educators of that school in trauma management for their students. https://www.israel21c.org/israel-steps-in-to-help-teachers-after-parkland-shooting/  Such sessions take place wherever and whenever needed. Once someone I know laughed at the idea that Israel could possibly provide aid to Canada – well we offer aid to many countries who are bigger and richer than us as well as to those smaller and poorer. Israel is a tiny country with a big heart and many volunteers who are ready to go anywhere in the world to provide succour, be it practical or emotional.

Guatemala is not the biggest country in Latin America, indeed most Westerners have no idea where it is at all, which is a shame because Guatemala is a brave and principled country that is the second to pass a decision to move its Embassy to Jerusalem – apparently Greece is next.

The United States has chosen a propitious day to move its staff and physical Embassy to Jerusalem, May 14^th the date that Israel declared her independence. The Embassy will run on skeleton staff at first, in the current Consulate in the Arnona neighborhood of Jerusalem, while a more logical site will be found. It is said that the former Diplomat Hotel is under consideration.

The first time I went to the Diplomat Hotel was in 1971 when it was still a 5 star hotel, even if they didn't know how to soft boil an egg for baby Daniel! The hotel later became an absorption centre when the former Soviet Union opened its doors and let our people go. The Diplomat was also the site of the emotional ceremony the day after Operation Solomon when we met and welcomed the beautiful, dignified Ethiopian immigrants on the morning after their escape. I can never forget the deep respect and love they showed toward the person behind their Aliyah, Uri Lubrani, who passed away this week. The speed of their flight was so great that they were told to bring only the clothes on their backs and up to one and a half kilos of hand luggage, that's all. They stood in their white Shabbat robes clutching the red roses we were all given as Uri Lubrani walked in each and every one of them, in silent homage, held out their rose toward him. I still choke up when I think of the dignity of their gratitude. Uri Lubrani, you were a hero. May your soul rest in peace.

So Prince William is coming to the Middle East. He will visit Jordan, Israel and the PA, the first official visit of a British Royal. They have come privately, both Prince Charles and Prince Philip but the Foreign Office, about as friendly toward Israel as the US State Department, has always vetoed an official visit because of political alliances both past and present. What fascinates me is not the fact that Prince William is coming but who persuaded the FO to organise it? Have they actually woken up to the reality of who their genuine allies are? This article puts forward a fascinating perspective. http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Prince-Williams-visit-may-not-be-too-late-544384  Equally fascinating is the open letter to Prince William written by Michael Dickson, the wonderful Director of Standwithus Israel. http://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/opinion-dear-prince-william/

A wise man once said that

Freedom of speech does not absolve a man of responsibility for what he says.

I believe that we, in the free world, took the freedom and forgot the responsibility. As children we were taught that once a word has left your mouth you cannot take it back and it can cut a person into shreds just as efficiently as a scalpel but leave greater scars. So it is with incitement, the ripples of the words thrown so easily onto still waters can kill and maim. Hatred, once thought to be a two way street has become rampant, conceivably the worst pandemic disease of our century.

Among the rhetoric of hate from Palestinians, Farrakhan, Sharpton, Hamas, and many more,  one voice stands out above all others, Ambassador Nikki Haley. If one reads her biography one begins to understand why her loyalties stand so firmly with Israel. Nikki Haley comes from a Sikh family. Her real name is Nimrata Randahawa and her parents were born in the Punjab, India. Called Nikki since childhood she upholds the principles of her parent's faith and is unafraid of those who would deny her a voice. When told to "shut up" by Saeb Erekat Nikki Haley stood tall and said that not he, not anyone, would stop her standing up for what is right.  Here she speaks at AIPAC  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di_Lh0rXx2Q  or if the full speech is more than you wish to listen to, try this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L-YNeXvOJw "I always knew what the capital of Israel was. I tis not created by the position of the Embassy, America did not make Jerusalem the capital city, President Trump simply did what American Presidents had the courage to do what others did not"

For International Women's Day I wrote
I am the daughter of one of the strongest and sweetest woman of all time, my Mother, Betty Glicker Silver who passed away 55 years ago, long before her time, yet managed to teach, by example, how to be a good and loved woman through WIZO, through chesed, through her elegance and humility and through the unconditional love she showed her children. She taught me that each human being is worthy, irrespective of his/her provenance - including me.

I am the daughter in law of Alla (Lia) Raviv Hendler, Mother of Zvi Raviv, who during her 97 years taught an entire generation of children how to be good people and showed me that kindness and love can teach a child to be a mensch whereas force can never do so. She survived great sadness with a smile and a hand held out to all in need.

I am a lucky woman. I hope they made me who I am today. I am no less proud of the next generation and the one after that with great confidence that the chain of strong women will change their world.

History has taught Jews very little. What? How can you say such a thing? Oh easily and the wonderful Brenda Katten says it so much better than I. Jews of Europe and Israelis who choose to live there – you are sitting on a time bomb.  http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/HERE-AND-THERE-Jews-get-the-hell-out-of-Europe-taste-freedom-544527

Just in case you think nobody is helping the Syrian civilians……….. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggeNBCvH2xA

Prime Minster Netanyahu had what appears to be excellent meetings in Washington, particularly with President Trump. The accusations and investigations deepen but affairs of State must go on.

To take us away on a flight of fancy, Zvi organised a fantastic two days of choirs from all over Israel and from Sweden. It culminated in a fantastic show last night and a seminar this morning. He did a phenomenal job as always and the theatre was full to capacity. The biggest surprise was when the Swedish choir, almost exclusively non-Jewish, sang in Hebrew!!!!

When is a perfect segway into this weeks music!!!!

If there is one prayer on the lips of everyone in Israel, it is that our children and grandchildren will not need to serve in a Defence Force – that we will not have enemies. A dream, a prayer, a plea https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfMoeK6UVB0

International Women's Day has nothing on Jewish tradition. Every week, on Friday night, the head of a Jewish household is expected to praise his wife for all she does, that her worth is great than pearls or precious gems. Imagine having the entire IDF choir around your table when they sing Eshet Chayil https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8FfonjTD9E

Shabbat Shalom dear friends. I wish you a week of joy.

With love from the View from our Verandah

Sheila

180302 Sochnut BOG, Kim, Purim

180302

2^nd March 2018

Shabbat Shalom, Shushan Purim Sameach and happy St David's Day!!!

Yesterday I was a panther and Zvi was a rather sinister looking Moroccan in his Djelaba that he bought in Morocco with Barry Slawsky! It was fun doing the make up and even more fun to see all our friends arrive looking just as crazy as we did……….that's Purim!!! When I was a child everyone dressed as either Queen Esther or Mordechai the Jew – nobody really wanted to be the evil Haman, or even dumb King Ahashueras let alone Queen Vashti but today it's different, virtually anything goes. In fact if it were today most of the characters in the story would be accused of sexual harassment, incitement and corruption but instead as we read the story each year on Adar 13 we remember that not only did a simple Jew and his beautiful niece save the Jews of Persia, Hodu and the Cush from execution, as per the edict of the King's Viceroy Haman, but Haman got just desserts and was executed after being paraded around town on a mule - a fate he intended for Mordechai. The celebration is for the fact that we stood up for ourselves – no Persian dictated our fate then and certainly not now.

Yesterday morning I drove to Givat Ze'ev to hear the Megillat Esther – the scroll of Esther - read in the synagogue as I sat with Rachel, Talia and Ayala. Doesn't get more special than that.

This week Zvi and I concentrated on learning what is happening in the Jewish World rather than the greater world as we attended the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency meetings in Zichron Yaakov. Zvi is a member of the Board, representing that marvellous organisation Maccabi World Union – a job he does with great distinction and I am a fly on the wall.

It is such a shame that most people, especially Israelis, have no concept of the excellent work, amazing projects, executed by the Jewish Agency, if they have heard of the Sochnut at all. It is not just a vehicle to enable Aliya, far from it. The projects in Israel and abroad are many and varied, for Jews, Christians and Moslems alike.  We started in the centre of Zichron Yaakov, one of the first Jewish cities in Israel. Here the Baron Hirsch decided to being the young Baron Rothschild to found the first wineries and ultimately made Israeli viticulture an essential part of the economy.

We talked to young graduate immigrants in a wonderful Ulpan (Etzion) in Haifa, where they learn Hebrew, apply for work in Israel and receive accommodation for their first 6 months. We went to a Druze village where we met children in a mentoring programme in good citizenship and self-confidence – their mentors being those who went through the same courses in the past. The children were so happy and fulfilled, and we all helped them make the Druze flag, each table creating a coloured shape finally putting them all together to form the Druze flag. http://www.symbols.com/symbol/druze-flag  As we got off the bus to see the spectacular view from the village over towards Lebanon and Syria our bus driver Nahil told us a little about himself. He is Druze, born in Israel, served as an officer in the IDF then in the Israeli police for nearly 20 years. After his retirement he decided to drive tour buses. As we stood together and he realised I spoke Hebrew he said to me "I don't know why all these people go back to America and Berlin when here in Israel it is Gan Eden – the Garden of Eden. We have everything! If we look over the countries around us for two minutes we can see how amazing Israel is in comparison to anywhere in the world"

Of course the Jewish Agency meetings are an awful lot of gas and gaiters – that is inevitable, and not a small amount of politics among the lay leaders, but the real heroes are the permanent staff who perform miracles, quietly.

Each time I accompany Zvi to these events I am impressed by the strong and clever women who ensure vital discussion on essential issues. Helena Glaser from WIZO, Judit Liwerant, Ellen Hershkin and Marlene Post from Hadassah and so many more, women play a huge role in preparing the ground for future generations. I am even more impressed by the common sense suggestions so eloquently (and vociferously) put forward by my husband and of course by Danny Lamm.

Our wonderful friend Dr Kimball Taylor was staying with us for the Board of Governors meetings. Kim brings a different perspective to all the discussions, while being an integral part of the Board Kim is able to look at what is happening and the effect it has on "the world" through fresh eyes. Kim is a senior member of the LDS and an equal Israphile with Canon Andrew White!!!!

We drove back to Jerusalem filled with thoughts, questions and doubts, made all the more interesting because we dropped Danny Lamm at the airport to wend his way back to Melbourne. As we arrived our lovely family member Shelly Silver was waiting for us. Shelley, a girl scout, came to Jerusalem with a double purpose, to go to a Purim party and to volunteer at our local scout hut.

The next morning Kim and I went to Shaare Zedek hospital to meet up with Varda and Lena of the Yuri Shtern Holistic Centre to see the phenomenal work the organisation does. Since Kim is a doctor his conversations with patients, spouses and therapists held deep meaning. Kim also met with oncologist Ora Rosengarten, a dear friend, who gave him the scientific, medical perspective that not only does it alleviate nausea and trauma, but that after therapies the patients are more receptive to treatment. It never fails to make me cry, not because I don't want to be in the oncology department but because I am so proud to be a minute cog in the incredible wheel that is the Yuri Shtern Centre. We never have enough money, obviously since all the therapists are volunteers and we do not charge anyone, patients or family, for treating them in Shaare Zedek . We desperately need your help to continue with both therapies and courses – please any amount will be happily accepted http://www.israelgives.org/amuta/580475085

While I was preparing for the Choirs Purim party Zvi and Kim went to the Friends of Zion Museum in the centre of Jerusalem. The Museum, the brainchild of Pastor Mike Evans and created under the watchful eye of his son Michael, is a tribute to the relationship between the Jewish State and our Christian friends. Well worth a visit. https://www.fozmuseum.com/

From there they went to the Ai Wei Wei exhibit at the Israel Museum – wish I had had time to go again!!!

Kim then left for the interminable journey back to Cardston, Alberta, and I finished the last touches of the Purim party – and our fancy dress!!! The party went wonderfully, loads of food, singing Israeli songs old and new and just being together. We are a very huggy lot, my favourite kinds of people! Merav and Igal stayed to help us put the house back in order and we managed to be in bed for 01:30. Really! Thirty people arrived and 19:30 and didn't want to leave!!!! Incidentally nobody guessed the origin of the Welsh flag hanging on the wall in honour of St David's Day!!!

Today we go to Nes Ziona to see the children, then Rehovot to say goodbye to a dear friend and finally to be home for a quiet Shabbat dinner – ALONE

During our very busy week the world didn't work out its problems. Even more poor souls were killed in Syria and Yemen, the lies and power struggles continue unabated, talk of corruption is government abounds and as individuals we try to do our best to be good people. One exceptional piece of news is that Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge are coming on the first ever official visit to Israel and the PA. Prince Philip and Prince Charles have both been on private visits but this will be with full ceremony. Excellent.

Yesterday I was sad to hear that the exceptional Dr Malcolm Hoenlein is retiring from his post as Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Major Jewish Organisations in the USA. Malcolm is an exceptional leader, a great mentor and probably the most effective person I have ever met. His love of Israel is unmatched and he has the ability to present that view to the US Administration. I have a feeling that this is not Malcolm's swan song – he has so much still to give. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Hoenlein

Gosh, time to get myself ready for the day! I chose special music today – this one is called One Day and is a song of hope from just about every sector of Israeli society https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqvKDCP5-xE&feature=youtu.be

This song has a special meaning – One call away, the disaster relief and humanitarian work of the IDF https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xpg6t1aCpi4

Shabbat – Lecha Dodi  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWmcQpzUMHY

Today in Jerusalem and Tsfat it is still Purim ' Shushan Purim, celebrated in walled cities only, yes another day of happily inebriated men!!!

Shabbat Shalom lovely people. Remember the power of one? Well Mordechai understood and look what one man achieved.

With love from Jerusalem

Sheila