Peace on Earth and Shabbat Shalom

 

25^th December 2020

 

Shabbat Shalom to all and a special wish for a blessed Christmas Day to all my Christian friends.

 

"Peace on earth and goodwill to all men" What a beautiful wish, one which we should wish for every day of our lives. Can you imagine how wonderful life would be if we could let those words out of our mouths and into our hearts?

 

The Christmas tree in Nazareth is spectacular this year, a thousand coloured lights shining in a perfect triangle pointing up to heaven; Bethlehem Road in Talpiot has the usual decorations, sparkling and welcoming on the short road to the City of Bethlehem, even though visitors to both places are very limited. Watching both on television is something of an anti-climax but it's the best we can do during this very strange period of our lives.

 

I'm going to write a short summary of events in Israel, because I hope you are all, whatever your religion, enjoying the prospect of a beautiful day.

 

We are going into our third closure, lockdown, quarantine, curfew, sequestration – whatever the word or description is means that so many people will be lonely and without work or the money to feed their families that it makes this Christmas a difficult one. Hotels and restaurants that have stocked up for the holiday season are left with food that will go to waste unless donated to the poor. The Covid-19 situation has been mismanaged the world over, with a tsunami of repercussions that nobody could fortell. The world order has changed and it is basically up to us to ensure that it changes for the better.

 

Prime Minister Netanyahu has been on a vaccine hunt for many months now, cajoling and coaxing the major drug companies to ensure that Israel received the maximum number of vaccines, and he succeeded. Israel tops the world chart of inoculations per capita. Quite an achievement. The Health Funds really got their act together and created large inoculation stations. Zvi had his first vaccine this week (I'm on the 28^th) and the efficiency was truly magnificent. The vaccination station was in the Pais Basketball Arena, just near us. Plenty of parking, a huge reception hall with well spaced chairs for the pre- and post-vaccination waiting. First he registered, showing his ID card and was given a number; we sat and waited, an LED sign showing the numbers and a voice calling each number proved that the patients were called at a surprisingly fast rate. There were 10 stations with a nurse and a volunteer checking that the right person came for their jab and that they had no recent medical problems which could interfere with the inoculation. We then sat for the obligatory and usual 15 minutes to make sure there were no sudden surprises and went home! It really was amazingly efficient.

 

That efficiency has resulted in Israel being top of the world chart for inoculations per capita – next in line is the UK then the USA.

 

Yet another repeat situation that has overtaken the country is……you guessed it….another round of elections, our fourth in two years! The party map is changing by the minute with defections and new parties being formed. In may cases it is out with the old and in with the new. The entire process is too complicated to bore you on Christmas Day and for those masochists among us here is a timeline from Gil Hoffman https://www.jpost.com/israel-elections/election-timeline-all-the-important-dates-until-the-election-and-beyond-653046 and an analysis of the economic  repercussions from Joshua Schuman https://www.jpost.com/israel-elections/israel-pays-economic-price-for-fourth-election-in-two-years-653149  

 

All passengers arriving from the UK this week have been taken to compulsory isolation in various hotels in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem after the discovery of the "UK Variant" Covid-19. The entire operation was horribly botched since there was no forewarning and the passengers had none of their requisites for an overnight stay let alone a 10 day stay. Of course, in the day of the cellphone video proof of their situation became obvious. The army did its best to rectify the situation since none of the hotels were prepared, no staff because there were no guests and – oy a balagan! I was, however, very proud of the "Brits Living in Israel" Facebook group led by Anton Delin who immediately jumped into action and provided everything needed to the "incarcerated" Brits. I would not fly anywhere right now but many think differently even though 4 passengers were found to have the new variant.

 

Just to make things worse, an even more potent variation has appeared from South Africa. The Israeli Cabinet made the decision that all countries are considered red and all arrivals have to go into a 10 day isolation, mostly in Corona Hotels, until they test negative.

 

That's enough doom and gloom although the truth be told there was one terrible incident when a beautiful, joyful, mother of 6, Esther Horgen z"l, went running through the countryside near her home, as she did virtually every day, and was brutally murdered in a terrorist attack. Our amazing IDF has virtually halted all terrorist activity and I know that a single murder in over a month is not impressive to anyone living in the West, but this is different, this perpetrator had been taught hatred on a daily basis in his school, hatred of Jews, hatred of Israelis irrespective of their beliefs.

 

Observant Jews will not be celebrating today since it is a minor fast mourning a major event. The 10^th day of the month of Tevet remembers the siege of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar which ultimately led to the destruction of King Solomon's First Temple and the conquest of the Kingdom of Judah. Fascinating to think that if that had not been the case the constant battles over Judea and Samaria might never have happened. I know "if only" has never helped anyone but it links nicely with Bethlehem, Jesus and Judea and of course the claim that Judea and Samaria are not Jewish at all.

 

Back to Christmas and a story that fits everyone, everyone who loves a happy ending. My children grew up on a wonderful television and book series called Ivor the Engine, written and narrated by Oliver Postgate. It was set in Wales and held the children enraptured by the soft Welsh accent, Jones the Steam, Idrys the Dragon and the sheer beauty of the stories. Daniel Postgate, the late Oliver Postgate's son, happens to be my nephew and here he reads "Bluebell's Christmas Mission" https://youtu.be/0eKEpzrbgZg

 

This morning I woke to a glorious sunny morning, after two days of blessed rain. The panorama before me glistened in the sun, the pinky white Jerusalem stone showing its true beauty after nature's laundry had washed the Saharan dust of last week.

 

Wouldn't it be wonderful if "goodwill to all men" could be our motto for the coming year? Tikkun Olam is exactly that – to leave this world a better place than we found it. Just imagine if those harsh words that were on the tip of your tongue were swallowed instead of being spat out? Tikkun Olam is not giving to charity, it is not instead of our prayers and it isn't something to replace our identity, Tikkun Olam is to be proactive, to make our street, town, city, country a better place for those who are unable to help themselves. After all, a country is judged on how it provides for the weakest sectors of its society.

 

This week's Torah reading teaches us about tolerance and forgiveness as we reach the climax of the story of Joseph. After Benjamin finally travels to Egypt and stands before the great Joseph, Joseph finally reveals who he is to his younger brother. His first question is after his father's welfare and then, when Benjamin asks if his brother is angry Joseph tells him "No, everything has a purpose and G-d wanted me here so that I could save my people in a time of famine and distress" As we know the story ends well and Joseph is able to hug his father etc, but think about what he said and its depth of meaning. He didn't eat himself up in hatred of his brothers or thoughts of revenge, who had, after all, thrown him into a pit and sold him to Egyptians out of jealousy since he was his father's favourite, he recognised that nothing happens in a vacuum, every situation, no matter how seemingly hopeless, can be turned into Tikkun Olam.

 

Here's a happy Shabbat song and it's in English! Remember to be proud of who you are and your age old traditions, irrespective of how you pray. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_L_1wuOqLQ

 

Imagine a Jewish immigrant, Irving Berlin, writing the greatest Christmas song ever written! Sounds crazy but it's true and I love it! Here Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra sing White Christmas. May your days be merry and bright! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMl4Pls41qI

 

People often ask me "What do you really want from this world" or "What do you pray for Israel and for the world"? It expressed in this song The Prayer. Simple and pure for us all to be kind and tolerant of others………… can you imagine how beautiful it would be? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYJCYr1I-Sk

 

I wish you well, however you pray, whatever your identity, whoever you love, wherever you are.

 

I wish you a Shabbat Shalom and much love from Jerusalem where it all starts for us all. This beautiful city that I am proud to call home.

Sheila

 

     

  

201218 Inoculation, Extradition and Education

 

201218

18^th December 2020

 

Shabbat Shalom dear friends. Only 4 more days until Christmas Eve, 5 days until Christmas Day and 6 days until Boxing Day. Incredible to think that 2020 is almost over accompanied by a huge sigh of relief.

 

As we see more and more anti-Semitism in the guise of anti-Israel sentiment I am reminded of Sir Winston Churchill's prophetic speech in 1936

 

‘They go on in some strange paradox, decided only to be undecided, resolved to be irresolute, adamant for drift, solid for fluidity, all-powerful to be impotent…Owing to past neglect, in the face of the plainest warnings, we have entered upon a period of danger. The era of procrastination, of half measures, of soothing and baffling expedience of delays, is coming to a close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences…We cannot avoid this period, we are now in it.’

 

There is only one way to stop the tsunami of hatred and that is to change what children are taught. Tolerance must replace hatred, for the sake of our children and the sake of our world. More of that later.

 

There are many philanthropists in this world, many good people who never forget from whence they came, but few reach the level of good works of the Lowy family from Australia. Lady Shirley Lowy, matriarch of the Lowy family, passed away this week in Tel Aviv after the family made Aliya, leaving her family bereft and thousands of friends mourning. Her son Stephen, a really good man, is the Chair of the Board of Governors of Keren Hayesod/UIA following in his parents footsteps of philanthropy in general and a strong connection to Israel. May the family know no more sorrow.

 

Australians are relieved this week as the nightmare of Malka Leifer came to an end and a new chapter in bringing her to justice began. I believe you are familiar with the drawn-out legal battle to have Malka Leifer extradited to Australia to face charges of child sexual abuse. Her legal team used Israel's legal system to the fullest, but this week, after 74 court appearances and appeals Israel’s Supreme Court rejected her final appeal. Despite a process that often takes weeks if not months, Israeli Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn signed her extradition order within a day. Leifer will be back in Australia within two months to face her victims. The question on everybody's lips is who paid for her extortionate legal expenses.

 

The vaccine arrived in Israel and tomorrow night the vaccinations begin. Too many ridiculous and dangerous fallacies are circling the world, suggesting that the vaccine is dangerous, changes ones DNA etc. Do you remember the lies that circulated about wearing masks and the suggestion that here was no pandemic that it was all a political intrigue? So the stories of the vaccine are given the false veracity scaring people into falling ill and extending the pandemic. I can promise you that Zvi and I will run to the clinic to receive our vaccine the minute we are called.

 

The moment that Israel signs any kind of treaty or accord Israelis feel the need to travel and see that country. 50,000 Israelis already travelled to the UAE, yes, you heard me, 50,000 Israelis in the UAE since the Abraham Accords and many visitors from the Emirates came here, each talking of the beauty of Israel and the warmth of the people. There is a downside though, the Israeli Government has not declared the UAE as a "red" state and many Israelis have brought Covid-19 back as a memento of their trip, some even having to stay in the UAE until better. In fact, the number of Israelis taking advantage of the current open skies policy is terrifying. We have enough problems without adding to the causes of infection. Shopping malls and stores are not the problem, travel and large weddings or funerals without masks are a huge and utterly negative contributor.

 

Despite the fact that he was my son Daniel's Rabbi in Oxford University, I don't often cite Rabbi Shmuley Boteach as my source. In this week's opinion piece in the Jerusalem Post, he hit the nail right on the head. American Jews have become so factionalised that hatred is rife. https://www.jpost.com/opinion/americans-have-gone-insane-hating-each-other-opinion-652355

 

It isn't only the treaties and accords that caused a peak in pique in the Palestinian Authority leadership. Thanks to the brilliant work of Impact-se, the Norwegian Government decided to cut their 20 million krone aid to the PA unless the PA takes hate speech out of their school curriculum. IMPACT-se’s report, delivered to policymakers, showed that no changes were made to the 2020-21 curriculum, despite promises made by Palestinian officials to the visiting British and Norwegian Foreign Ministers and other European politicians and diplomats. The textbooks contain antisemitism, incitement to violence, hate and do not recognize Israel or a peaceful settlement with Israel. On the other hand Impact is working with the UAE, is helping Bahrain and Morocco to change their school books and, wait for it, Saudi Arabia too!

 

We know that the teaching of hatred and violence affects specific countries but the terrifying fact is that those teachings filter down throughout the West too and create an untenable situation of inculcated hatred for "the other". That is our next objective, to bring tolerance to all sectors of society, wherever you may be, through tolerant education. https://www.timesofisrael.com/anti-semitism-and-anti-zionsim-leaving-saudi-textbooks-monitoring-group/

 

Relations with Morocco have almost always been warm, but now we not only have a treaty with Morocco, they are teaching Jewish studies in their schools!

 

The latest agreement is with Bhutan. Bhutan? What or where is Bhutan? Bhutan, between India and China, is a secret gem, discourages visitors and is one of the world's unspoilt countries. They have virtually no internet, they live a simple life, are happy with their lot and it sounds just wonderful.

 

John Le Carre, genius author, fascinating man passed away this week. He spoke of his affinity to Israel and the Jews in an interview 22 years ago. https://www.timesofisrael.com/when-john-le-carre-poured-out-his-soul-on-jews-and-israel/  

 

Don't you love Gal Gadot? She and Jimmy Fallon taste each other's traditional food, here Fallon bravely eats gefilte fish….. It's really funny  https://youtu.be/4rsY-YZavlM

 

Chanuka is over, well the last candle lighting is over. We had some lovely experiences, some actual some virtual. We lit candles with all our future neighbours, each bringing a chanukiah and singing together, outdoors obviously. We lit with Zvi's boys and families; we had virtual candle lighting with various organisations and of course by ourselves. I had a wonderful visitor this week – Kinneret Chaya's big sister Nitzan. It was such a delight and of course we sat out on the famous veranda and I made her shakshuka while she brought wonderful bread from a local bakery to mop up the delicious spicy juices. We had a surprise visit from Eli and Eva, "just for coffee on the mirpesset (veranda)" and in about 20 minutes I made special cookies and a chocolate cake – after all it is Eli's 70^th birthday! In fact today, Eva is taking most of the choir on a tiyul (tour) near Bet Shemesh. Since it is over rather rough countryside I decided my hip wouldn't be happy so stayed home to write to you! Since you can't come to tour Israel. Here's a tour brought to you! https://israelisbeautiful.com/

 

This week Yosef Eliyahu, my beautiful, amazing grandson, reached the ripe old age of 16. We had a very limited celebration, just his parents, sisters and two lots of grandparents, but we made enough noise for an entire party! Talia baked and decorated a magnificent cake and my favourite part was when Ayala appeared with a broomstick covered in 16 balloons which she jiggled about and the birthday boy had to try and burst all the balloons.

Gideon and Stephanie, all the way away in London, celebrated 20 years of marriage. It's incredible to see how the years have flown but their love produced 3 incredible children and I adore all of them. Mazal Tov to all.

 

The sunrise from the veranda have been spectacular this week, even through the torrential rain. We are lucky in Jerusalem, we live on a series of hills but the coastal plain suffered flooding, spectacular flooding. Incredibly the Kinneret, the sea of Galilee, is already almost full and winter is just beginning. Soon they will be able to open the sluice gate and allow the water to flow down to the Dead Sea.

 

On the 18^th of December last year we took a group of lovely friends on a tour of Jerusalem, winding up for lunch at "Missedet Ima" an excellent Middle Eastern restaurant near Shouk Mahane Yehuda. Life was good, food was excellent and the company marvellous. Suddenly, I received a phone call from my son Gideon. Leaving the room I heard "Mum there's been an accident in New York" He waited until Zvi and I rushed home to tell me the full news, Daniel had not survived the accident. Of course we, the entire family, flew immediately to New York for the funeral. The outpourings of love and admiration were overwhelming and for that I am ever grateful but as another mother who lost her son, Camille Fox in far off Australia, said "It is a silent paralysing internal ache"

 

Nothing will bring Daniel back but I beg of you to cherish every moment with your children. Never ever be too busy to hear what they have to say, always give them loving confidence to be the best they can be and never take them for granted. Fill every day with joy and love, reach out to others who may be in pain and be proactive; defend what is precious to you and do everything in your power to heal this broken world. That is what Daniel would have wanted me to say to you.

 

Tonight Zvi and I are on our own, but not before I go to hug Rachel, remind her and the children just how much I love them and thank heaven that they live close by. If I remember I'll stop at the new vista point and take a photo of the mosaic, the panorama of Jerusalem from Samuel's Tomb. I chose to be alone, with my Zvi and my thoughts. Even I reach the point where I just don't want to be with anyone else.

 

Music. I wonder what music would suit this strange week?

 

Adon Olam – Lord of the Universe – is so familiar to every Jew that one cannot help but join in with whichever music is chosen. Sweet memories of Reading Shule. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvOtcWEFWo8

 

Once upon a time the late great Nat King Cole sang a Christmas song which reached out to all of us, irrespective of our religious beliefs. This beautiful rendition is by his daughter Natalie and Andrea Bocelli. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVHvIGf1i0s

 

Bob Geldorf always thought out of the box, a rebel with a cause. He began the whole idea of a vast number of stars singing a Christmas song to raise money for the children of Africa back in 1984. Understanding that all the big organisations were top heavy and a tiny percentage of the money raised by them ever reached those who most needed it he went personally to the poorest towns and villages and without taking one penny for himself he disbursed the monies raised and oversaw the purchases. Her eis a joyous version of the song that began social consciousness in the pop world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gifrd7ljNL4

 

I wish you a good Shabbes, a day of thought and contemplation, and as you open the last 4 windows on your advent calendar, think of how we could change our world by accepting each other for what we are – not trying to force or change those around us. The Emerati visitors, when asked what most surprised them when they came to Jerusalem and all the Holy Sites of the 3 monotheistic religions, is that they were enlightened by the tolerance and acceptance of their traditional dress by every Israeli they met.

 

I just received the best phone call any Safta could get. Ayala has been dreaming of my vegetable patties (ktsistot) all week since she had them here and so please, please, since I'm going to visit them anyway, can I prepare some for her!! Since I watched her devour about 12 of them while watching Gilmore Girls I could hardly refuse!!

 

With much love from beautiful Jerusalem

Sheila   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

201120

20^th of November 2020

 

Hello! Bonjour, Guten tag, אַ גוטן טאָג, buongiorno, يوم جيد, buenos días, hyvää päivää, diwrnod da, יום טוב, and most importantly Good Shabbes and Shabbat Shalom. Gosh that was fun! If I missed your language out then please let me know! In fact, I would love you to write back to me so that I know I'm not talking to myself.

 

I discovered a fascinating photograph of money and flags that were issued during the Mandate period – this British Palestine Pound of 1927, clearly the legal currency of the time, was in Hebrew and English.

The flag of 1939, pre-State, was depicted in the Larousse Encyclopaedia  as half blue and half white with a yellow star in the centre! It is amazing what one finds if one is curious enough! Of course none of the discoveries will help the racism of the United Nations which just confirmed the 2016 UN Security Council Resolution 2334 which called on its member states to ensure that they do not participate in actions of de facto annexation – of course they care not a jot about annexations in other countries, only Israel- in other words they support BDS.

 

Despite the very warm relationship we now have with the Emirates, they voted with the 126 majority against us.

 

Talking of the Emirates, the Abraham Accords (notice it is not called a peace treaty) are proving to be a warm and important treaty which is very much to the benefit of both nations in finance, business, tourism and cultural exchange. In the Middle East that is a huge step forward. Bahrain, Saudi Arabia all are recognising our existence (another big thing in the ME) and even Sudan. Of course we all know that Sudan has slavery, slaughters opponents willy-nilly etc etc, but hey, the UN believes they are honoured members of their inner circle and has never condemned their policies, actions or annexations!!!

 

Another UN Resolution, presented by Israel, promoting entrepreneurship between countries in the region was voted down by Bahrain, UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and all the countries currently promoting entrepreneurship with Israel! Told you, this is the Middle East!

 

During the Clinton Administration the decision was made to label anything made in the disputed territories "Made in the West Bank" which included areas of Jerusalem, not recognising that 1 million Palestinians depend upon those factories and businesses for a living. 4 Republican Senators are hoping to change that before the change of government so that all products will be labelled "Made in Israel", in the USA at least. Remember the Sodastream fiasco when hundreds of Palestinians lost their jobs because the factory was situated in Mishor Adumim so that Palestinians would have a means of earning? https://www.timesofisrael.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-sodastreams-move/  In fact, Secretary of State Pompeo, in his visit to Israel this week, assured us that all products from Israel will be appropriately labelled "Produce of Israel".

 

I don't know if this is appropriate or not but when Zvi told me about it, it really tickled my sense of the ridiculous! Prime Minister Netanyahu is undergoing a standard procedure this week and Replacement Prime Minister Gantz will be sworn in as Prime Minister. Nothing odd about that except that the procedure is a colonoscopy, all 10 minutes of it! So ludicrous that the PM is unwilling to stand by his pledge to hand over power but …… you undoubtedly see the inanity of the situation!!

 

There are so many divides in our lives – religion, politics, pro and anti so many things, but also between those who have lost a child and those who have not. In general the anti-government demonstrations are quiet, although those opposed to the demands for Netanyahu's resignation have been a good deal more than vociferous and this week they just went too far. The Farkash family in Caesaria have taken part in anti-government demonstrations and an opposing demonstration became abusive as demonstrators stood outside the Farkash family home for more than an hour shouting abuse at the bereaved mother, such as "There is a God and he punished her. May she lose another child." It was the home of fallen IDF pilot Capt. Tom Farkash. Words fail me. The Likud party distanced itself from the guilty parties but their words were insufficient and hollow and since removed from their website

 

Emmanuel Macron, the French leader, needs to make some very tough decisions since the decapitation of history teacher Samuel Paty because he "demeaned the name of Mohammed". The Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin ordered a 6 month closure of the Mosque which the 18 year old Chechnian Jihadi prayed. The decisions are of Napoleonic proportions as explained by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen http://jeremyrosen.com/2020/11/napoleon-and-macron.html  

 

We are all fed up of hearing about the Covid-19 vaccine race. Pfizer, Moderna, Sputnik V and now a new name has come on the scene, Acturus. Israel is “first in line, or at least in the front position of that line” to receive four million doses of a vaccine being developed by the small California-based messenger RNA therapeutics company known as Arcturus, according to its CEO Joseph Payne. What is never publicized is that of all the vaccines that Israel buys we also give to the PA and other neighbouring countries.

 

Do you know what Mehlella (Supplication), Amata Saww (Day of Gathering) or Sigd (Prostration) is? It is the most important day in the Ethiopian Jewish community's calendar. Once considered the Ethiopian Yom Kippur it has evolved and is celebrated on the 29th day of the Hebrew month of Marcheshvan. Since 2008, it has been recognized as a state holiday for all Israelis and many Israelis of Ethiopian origin come on pilgrimage to Jerusalem dressed in traditional costume, to the Haas Promenade overlooking Jerusalem and hold joyous celebrations.

 

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are celebrating 73 years of marriage! Yes I am watching the 4^th season of The Crown and find it fascinating how they worked through every problem and came out as a successful couple. I wonder what they will do to celebrate. On his birthday Prince Charles gave a donation to The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation and in November 2008 on their 61^st anniversary the Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip conferred an honorary knighthood on Shimon Peres.

 

This week was a social highpoint – we actually saw real people! I not only met my friend Ronit on the bench opposite for a coffee and cheese croissant from our coffee shop which has just opened for take-away and we had a delightful catch-up chat. On Tuesday Zvi went to Tel Aviv and met his old friends Yitzik Lev and Yolli Zonszein. On Wednesday I met Shifra for a lovely walk along the ancient brook of Ein Lavan, the sun was shining and the air crisp, perfect. That evening Siggi and Mendy came to visit and Mendy and I discovered a mutual love of flora. Of course we discussed every petal and leaf, and he taught me lessons on how to keep my orchids alive. Of course during both events we wore our masks and kept our distance but it was such a delight to be with real people! Yesterday I decided to get in the car and go to see Rachel and family, no reason just because I missed them. It was such a delight to see the children doing their school work and just getting on with life as it has become. Rachel even stopped cooking for Shabbat for a couple of hours!! Tomorrow we will see Zvi's boys and families. Any thoughts of sitting outside might be a bit of a problem since glorious rain and storms are already washing Israel's shores. Keeping our distance is difficult but essential with 6 gorgeous grandchildren with us who just want to be cuddled but have to keep their distance.

 

Every morning my son Gideon calls on his drive into Central London and we talk about our day, the world at large and of course the children. Hearing his voice sets me up for whatever the world has to throw at me and arguing with him is such intelligent fun!

 

Zvi, when he isn't deep in the Zoom meetings of the Jewish Agency or arguing with some very opinionated people on Facebook, has been walking every evening with Motti Friedman, a wonderful friend, expert on the life of Theodore Herzl, who created the Herzl Museum here in Jerusalem. Motti walks our usual 2 kilometres and then Zvi goes off for another 3 or 4 kilometres, round the beautiful old village next to us, down the main road all the way to Teddy Stadium and then back up the steep parallel road and home. He often calls in at the supermarket to buy huge and sweet pomegranates which he then expertly deseeds and at 08:35 every morning we exercise with Avri Gilad on the TV morning show! We came to the conclusion that vegetating is not the wisest solution to the pandemic!

 

This week's Torah reading reveals that even a wise and gentle young man like Jacob is capable of cheating his farmer twin Esau and lying to his father when it comes to receiving a birthright. Why on earth would he do that, taking advantage of his father's blindness, even worse why would his mother collude with him? https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/4937127/jewish/The-Deception.htm

 

 

And so to our musical interlude

 

Firstly, a fascinating compilation by The Genesis Prize about Jewish influence in music. It's so enlightening! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTk21PhgB2E

 

Even if you don't understand Yiddish there is something in the intonation that reaches deep down into one's kishkes (guts) and makes you either laugh or cry!! I don't know what it is but see for yourself as Sassi Keshet and Dudu Fisher sing for Yiddishspiel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeG0YFFjGGw

For me it brings back my parents, especially my beautiful Mother who passed away on the 22^nd of November 1963 – yes indeed as the announcement of JFK's death came over the news the doctor came to give us the sad news.

 

Naomi Shemer wanted to write a song to honour the soldiers of the IDF who lost their lives in the Yom Kippur War. When she heard the Beatles song "Let It Be" she was prompted to write the beautiful Lu Yehi – May it Be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDyHGjawbL4

 

Shabbat. Such a short word, with such deep meaning; the one day of the week when instead of chasing one's tail one is actually instructed to rest, pray, contemplate and of course to eat. One doesn't need to be Jewish to celebrate Shabbat; it may be on a different day or a different religion but it is Shabbat, Sabbath Day, the Lord's Day, the Day of Rest, and it is irrelevant when it falls or what it is called, it represents a renewal of the spirit. After lighting the Shabbat Candles I look out at the view from our veranda and I give thanks. No matter what tragedies befall us we have so much to be thankful for. I posed a question on Facebook "In one word how would you describe this pandemic" So many answered with a thesaurus of dismal dismay and I was overjoyed by the occasional "challenging". It is challenging but as long as we are on our feet and functioning there is always hope.

 

Please, write and tell me if you enjoy my newsletters, I'd love to hear about your day too!

 

With much love from beautiful Jerusalem

Sheila

 

 

 

 

 

201106 US Elections and Yitzchak Rabin 25 years

 

201106

6^th November, 2020

 

Shabbat Shalom! Wish you all a good weekend. No point in worrying, what may happen, or may not……it already has!!

 

I sense that the world in general and the USA in particular is in a state of turbulence, agitation with extreme conflicting emotions roiling inside her. Here in Israel we have seen it before, 25 years ago, when opposition leaders incited its followers to the extent that a Prime Minister was shot to death, assassinated, when leaving a peace rally. He looked so happy up there on the stage, singing in his rough gravelly voice, his usual shy expression complemented by a huge smile, singing about peace. Indeed the song was Shir l'Shalom, a song to peace. Yitzchak Rabin was not a left-winger, he didn't keep a flock of white doves to release every time he spoke, indeed he was very much a Zionist of the old school, what in Hebrew one calls a "bitchonist", Israel's security was paramount, but as a former Commander in Chief of the IDF he also understood that Israel couldn't continue the animosity without trying to reach some form of agreement. What I am trying to say is that words killed Yitzchak Rabin. I see a repeat of those words here and I definitely see a repeat of the abusive verbal incitement in the USA.

 

Back to the subject in hand, who will be the next US President, which way will the final count of the votes go and will the people accept the result or will they riot? Perhaps the final count will show that out of about 330 million citizens of the US the decision of who will be the next President will be counted in the thousands. When Trump was elected the left, the far left rioted, will the right riot now if Biden wins? I lived in the US in the '60's, falsely remembered for flowers in one's hair and free love, the number of riots and killings was horrendous, and two great leaders, Bobby Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King were assassinated. It piqued my curiosity of civil unrest in the US. I was staggered when I read the list, the very long list. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_incidents_of_civil_unrest_in_the_United_States

 

It takes courage to accept defeat, whether it is an argument with one's spouse, in court or in national elections. It is a sign of true democracy to accept the leader you didn't choose. We will not know who will lead the free world for a few days, so please, please, remember that what you want more than anything else is for the USA to get someone who cares more about his country than about himself. One of my favourite quotes is this  "A politician looks forward only to the next election. A statesman looks forward to the next generation."

 

Vladimir Putin's family has asked him to step down from office as his Parkinson's Disease takes a turn for the worse. The man whose machismo knows no bounds appears to have reached the end of his political road, taken down by his health not his opponents.

 

Benjamin Netanyahu's determined effort to sully the reputations of all the officers of the law and judiciary, almost all of whom he chose in the first place, seems to have reached an all-time high, with some of his closest allies in the Knesset using threatening language on air against Avichai Mandelblitt, the Attorney General, if Mandelblitt doesn't drop the indictments against Netanyahu.

 

Perhaps the world order is changing, but let it be through legal channels not through riots, hatred and death.

 

Going back to that fateful evening, the 4^th of November 1995, in the centre of Tel Aviv, when Yitzchak Rabin was assassinated by another Jew, I ask myself whether we have learned any lessons. Yitzchak Rabin was loved by Presidents and Princes, Kings and Prime Ministers, they all came to his funeral, President Clinton coined a phrase "Shalom Haver" and for a short time our stunned country stopped the words of hate, but I see them rise again, I see the extremism that killed Yitzchak Rabin, the man I was so proud to call friend, raise its ugly head again. A temperate political climate is slipping away in Israel and in the USA. The quiet rallies of those who want to see our Prime Minister face his accusers in the Court of Justice have become louder and the right wing "La Familia" have become more and more violent in opposition. I watch the "discussions" on television and hate the fact that instead of elegant debate always descend into screaming matches which giving a terrible example to those who watch. So no, I don't think we have learned any lessons from the earthquake of Rabin's assassination and I pray that we come out of this period intact. I disagree with the behaviour of my Prime Minister but I would never wish him, indeed anyone, harm.

 

Well that was a bundle of fun wasn't it? I assumed that you would want me to tell the truth, even when it isn't what you want to hear.

 

On November 2^nd 1917 British Foreign Secretary Lord Arthur James Balfour sent a letter to Lord Rothschild, prominent member of the Jewish community and close friend of Chaim Weitzman, expressing his and Prime Minister Lloyd George's firm belief in the need for a Jewish homeland. That letter came to be known as the Balfour Declaration the very basis of the establishment of the State of Israel.

 

The 6th of November 1962 saw the UN finally condemn the cruel Apartheid regime of South Africa; 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected President; 1917, Lenin led the Bolshevik Revolution; 1985 the Iran Contra Affair; 1989 Lech Walensa led the Solidarity rebellion. What will history have to say about November 6^th 2020?

 

I often talk about our wonderful friends/family, Ira, Valeri, Tomer and Shelly, and this week we have some wonderful news about Shelly. She passed her officer's course and had the ceremony just in time before the skies opened and the rain fell. Due to the pandemic we couldn't actually go to the base but it was recorded on Zoom. So proud of you Shelly!!

 

Shelly's family made Aliya in 1991 just one year after I made Aliya – Aliya literally means to go up, to ascend, to rise by coming to live in Israel; to become an Israeli citizen. The Israeli Government has decided to commemorate Aliya, from before the declaration of the State of Israel until today, by creating "Aliya Day". I always remember that when Zvi spoke of Aliya (today he is on the Aliya Committee of the Jewish Agency) he said "We mustn't forget that even when one moves from village to village one loses one's status, and when one moves from country to country the only thing that stays with you is your accent as you tackle a new language, a new society and a new social standing." It is obviously true, unless you decide to remain stuck in a society of people who came from your country of origin, but unlike other countries it isn't a matter of relocation, one is coming home. Zvi's parents made Aliya, before the State, in 1934 and 1935 respectively, leaving their families behind. They became part of society here because so many of their friends had done the same brave Aliya, the lucky ones who realised that Europe was becoming more and more dangerous for Jews. Their Aliya saved their lives as the 3^rd Reich took every single member of their family who remained in Europe, believing things would get better. Jews from North Africa, 900,000 of them who fled oppression came home on Aliya, indeed some came on the wings of eagles (from Yemen), and in recent years the Aliya from both Ethiopia and the FSU. An ever growing number are coming voluntarily from Western Countries as young Jews realise what a wonderful life they can build for their children right here in this tiny piece of land of opportunity. Read about it here https://www.jpost.com/opinion/celebrating-israels-revival-on-yom-haaliyah-569522 

 

Did you know that the Sea of Galilee, the Kinneret, which had suffered drought which led to a disturbing lowering of her waters, is already pretty full after last winter's rains and now, after the rains of this last week, her waters are rising beautifully and winter hasn't even arrived yet! The rains were wonderful, accompanied by noisy thunder and spectacular lightening. The coastal towns got the brunt of the rains, streets turning into rivers and car parks into lakes, admittedly not of monsoon standards but after complaining that the rains would never come we got a month's worth in one day!! I am not sure if it is my Welsh upbringing but I love the rain! In fact if it rains again this evening I'm going to put on my gabardine mac (and for the Brits amongst you I'll put on my wellies too) and go for a wet walk!

 

This morning we woke to sunshine! The pinkish, white stones of Jerusalem are glistening after the rain. Always beautiful the city is even more wonderful after the dust of summer has been washed away. The sand of Sahara sand storms and summer dust has been washed off our veranda and the trees, herbs and flowers have revived after the never ending heat. This week Rachel, Yosef, Talia and Ayala came to visit and we cut the first ripe orange off the little tree. There are two more which will be picked by Leor and Amiad's children – one for each family! Today is little Ori's 9^th birthday but unfortunately we can't go to celebrate thanks to Corona.

 

I was so thrilled to find this article in the Times of Israel which told the story of the Harlem Yiddisher Cantors. Click on the music as well as reading the story. It's wonderful! https://www.timesofisrael.com/yiddisher-black-cantors-from-100-years-ago-rediscovered-thanks-to-rare-recording/

 

Shalom Aleichem, the song that welcomes Shabbat. I wish you Shalom, Shabbat Shalom, Peace, Pax………. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szSb2abAaWU

 

The song that Yitzchak Rabin sang on the stage just minutes before his assassination was a song of peace. Here Shiri Maimon sings it for you with translation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr5wRdxBXgI

 

We wish you a Shabbat Shalom, a peaceful weekend, one that sends a message of togetherness.

 

With love

Sheila