180518
18th
of May 2018
Shabbat
Shalom! There is so much to write about and so little that you think you
already know about our current situation that I am going to precis the entire
political and diplomatic scene into one paragraph.
1.
Yes, Israelis are thrilled about the
American Embassy moving to Israel even though it should have happened in 1995
2.
No, the Gaza riots have nothing to do
with the return of the Embassy to Jerusalem
3.
The Guatemalan Embassy is here too –
I can see the big banner on their offices from our veranda! The strange thing
is that they are in the same building as the journalist who basically ignored
them!!!
4.
Yes at least 50 of the 62 who were killed in
the Gaza border riots were members of Hamas.
5.
Yes Hamas successfully blew up the
lifeline for food, and fuel at Kerem Shalom
6.
Yes Hamas refused Israeli medical aid
7.
Yes rockets and live ammunition hit
Sderot and firebombs hit Kibbutz Nahal Oz
8.
No, Israeli soldiers do not want to
kill and are not trained to kill without very good cause
9.
Yes the Gazans are downtrodden and oppressed,
without food or services but not because of Israel. Hamas is a cruel regime
that kills its own people without a second thought; stones gays; performs
honour killings on a daily basis and does not allow any freedom.
My
answer is to do as the Egyptians did and cut a swathe between the current unsubstantial
fence and a wall to separate the two entities completely. A wall that goes deep
enough to prevent tunnels.
If you
think about it , we have peace with Jordan because they wanted peace with us;
we have peace with Egypt because they wanted peace with us – they accepted our
hand of friendship. We do not have peace with the Palestinians because they do
not want it – they spurn all attempts.
I am
past being angry at the media – their ignorance of the true situation is
astonishing but even more I am furious, but furious at the mental incapacity of
Jews who believe themselves liberal and sophisticated actually saying Kaddish
(prayer for the dead) over those killed in the Gaza demonstrations with big
black signs with their names.
It
actually thrills me to say that both the NYT and the Guardian wrote with great
intelligence about the rioters aims.
My
niece Ruth sent me this excellent and concise article in the Toronto Sun which
sums up the situation http://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/malcolm-heres-the-real-story-on-the-palestinian-protest
CNN
asked David Keyes, the PMO spokesperson "Doesn't the fact that all the
deaths are on one side mean the response is disproportionate?" David Keyes
– "How many Jews need to die to make it even?" Keyes is brilliant, just brilliant. I hope you
have Facebook because I cannot find it on the Prime Minsters spokesperson site.
https://www.facebook.com/davidkeyespmo/videos/1750307501702844/
What
can one say about the Turkish President? He actually accused us of genocide of
Palestinians – Yeah sure the Armenians just dropped dead alongside the greeks
and Kurds? If we really committed genocide than why is the number of
Palestinians increasing ever year? Well one could say he is an insane meglalomaniac!!
Sunday
and I met my lovely friend Ruth Dodzuik-Justitz for lunch at the Botanical
Gardens. It was wonderful eating our favourite Sweet Potato Oreganatto salad
facing the lake where all the water lilies were putting on a fabulous show, earning
their real name Lotus.
Monday
was especially exciting for Rachel and I as we set off to brave the ghastly
traffic jams of Tel Aviv – actually WAZE took us a roundabout route which
helped us avoid the worst of the traffic. Our purpose was intense, we were
about to meet up with my son Gideon (the QC) who had business here for 2 days.
It was every bit as exciting as we thought and while he had meetings we decided
that we should go for a walk to Shouk HaCarmel. It's OK but has nothing in
comparison to Mahane Yehuda. It hasn't got the spirit, the joy, the fun of
Mahane Yehuda. The people pushed and shoved instead of chatting to everyone.
Just not the same!!!
We went
back to collect Gideon and head off to Jerusalem. Even WAZE couldn't save us
from the traffic!!! My voice on WAZE is Simon and Simon was terribly
apologetic, changing his mind every so often to try to extricate us from the
standstills! Finally we began to move and found ourselves on the main highway
Route Number One, still pretty busy and then turned off to the 443 and headed
home, but not without a visit to Rachel's where Igal, Yosef, Talia and Ayala
pounced on "Dod Gidi"
That
evening I intended going with Zvi to the presentation of the "Yakir
Yerushalyim" awards to see our dear friend Prof Gabby Barkay receive his
well deserved award for his undaunting work on the Sifting Project and many
other archaeological projects. However……… I have no intention of going anywhere
that wasn't next to Gideon so we just "hung out" which was my
greatest joy. I didn't feel bad since the driver came to pick him up for the
airport at 06:30 next morning!
On
Wednesday I was to meet Canon Andrew White, Hanna and Esther for Gefilte Fish
at the King David. Easier said than done when the entire street was a security
area….. Both the Prime Minister and the President were at the Hotel for a
reception for the Guatemalan President and Ambassador!!! It was wonderful for
people watching but not for parking!! As always our supper was a joy, not just
the food but we are never lost for things to tell each other! Andrew and I have
had many an adventure together. Sadly he can no long get up our stairs to hear
Zvi's wonderful rendition of Kiddush, but we always get together. We sat
outside on the veranda of the historic hotel as the sun came down. The
impeccable veranda overlooking the walls of the Old City is also for people
watching and greeting friends. Alan and Bonnie Cohen came to say hello and I
introduced Member of Knesset Tsachi Hanegbi to Andrew – an important connection
for both.
Yesterday
Talia and Ron Carner and Barry and Monica Gurland came for lunch. Barry and
Monica brought their adorable grand-daughter Karen with them – she is an
absolute delight and exceptionally adult for 11. Today they went first to Yad Vashem
and then to the Herzl Museum – always a good mix – from desperation to hope.
Tonight
is Shabbat and tomorrow Shevuot – we will be 20 for supper. I have already made
most of the salads (remember Israeli salads don't have lettuce!!!) Aubergine
and Labaneh; Courgette and egg; stuffed mushrooms; Moroccan mushrooms; Rachel's
cucumber salad; mushrooms in balsamic vinegar; gosh a load more – I had to stop
cooking because the fridge is full. Yes Arlene – my fridge is full!! I'll bake
salmon, lasagna and pasta for the children and all will be well.
Of
course Shevuot is much more than cheesecake and blintzes. It is the celebration
of receiving the Torah – the 2 tablets of stone – that have guided our lives
for thousands of years.
My
favourite part of Shevuot is the reciting of the Story of Ruth – Megillat Ruth.
If you read the story carefully it teaches us tolerance, acceptance, the wisdom
of Naomi in recognizing her daughters in law and of course the beauty of her relationships
with those daughters in law. When the three women, Naomi, Ruth and Orpah, lost
their husbands Naomi decided to go to a new land, the land of Moab and Ruth
chose to go with her (the famous saying "Whither thou goest". At that
time Naomi didn't need her daughters in law to take courses and exams to prove
they were good Jews – it was obvious and clear. The reward for Ruth's loyalty
and love, caring for Naomi through thick and thin, was that she met a new love,
a good man called Boaz. I have the honour of having two incredible friends and
one family member who chose to be Jewish and they are the most incredible
Jewesses I know – real Yiddische Mommas. We have a lot to learn from Naomi who
for me is the real heroine of the story. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Ruth
I know I keep mentioning the Yuri Shtern Holistic Center
for Cancer Patients and their Families but I love this organisation! Now a big
big Mazal tov to the Yuri Shtern Center
we just received an award from the Minister of Health! Kol hakavod to Lena, Varda, Sivan and Orit and
all the volunteers and administrators! http://www.israelgives.org/amuta/580475085
Shevuot! 10 Commandments – This song – it is
actually for children but hey! It's great! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq4h3Opy-Xc
I love our President! Reuven Ruvi Rivling is so
amazing at bringing the people together. The beginning and the result https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xmy1V65ZioY
and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxzR9Z-kG6Q&t=14s
Mazal Tov to the Windors, the Royal Family who
have a simcha this weekend!
So – Shabbat Shalom, Chag Sameach and remember
that we must be proud of who and what we are.
With much love from our veranda – with its view
over Jerusalem. Jerusalem Capital of the State of Israel.
Sheila
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