210416 Old memories, New beginnings

210416

16^th April, 2021

 

Shabbat Shalom, Ramadan Kareem

 

We have mourned for the Shoah and cried over those we lost to war and terror, switching in a flash and a bugle call to the celebrations of Independence.

 

Two wonderful things happened for Zvi and I on Yom Haatzmaut (Independence Day). To his delight and excitement Zvi discovered that the great-grand-daughter of his father's cousin in Mexico was one of the torch lighters at the celebratory ceremony on Mount Herzl, chosen for her humanitarian work throughout the world, and that this young woman (Gabriela Sztrigler) linked us to a wonderful family here in Jerusalem, a family that hailed from Mexico and knew all of Zvi's family there and here. It was Gabriela's great grandfather who had welcomed Zvi's family to Mexico and seen them through the tragedy of losing Zvi's little brother Meir. Both Zvi and I were thrilled to invite Gabriela and her lovely Mum Samantha for breakfast next day. We sat together on our verandah, eating home-made Shakshuka and salads, recreating the family ties while watching the air display for Yom Haatzmaut.

 

This has been a time of re-finding lost relatives, and thankfully discovering that they are wonderful people! Indeed, as if it weren't enough for me to discover a lost relative, the lovely Frank Eppel in far off Nova Scotia, when I spoke to Frank and his wife Jen………. Wait, let's go back a bit! When packing some old papers I discovered some beautiful love letters from Daddy (in Cardiff) to Mummy (in London) and the newspaper announcement of their wedding, including the names of the Best Man, Groomsman, Bridesmaids and a glorious description of Mummy's dress. As I looked closely at the tiny print I saw "Best Man Joe Eppel and Groomsman Max Glicker" Of course I photographed it and sent it to my siblings and also to Frank. Frank's wife Jen immediately wrote back "I used to babysit for the children of Max Glicker" You could have knocked me down with a feather!!!! Such wonderful discoveries.

 

The ceremony was beautiful! If you want you can watch the whole recording, https://youtu.be/efzQCVVBRh8 including Gabriela's presentation, with a special surprise at 27 minutes or you can just watch the "surprise" or you can go straight to the sound and sight of doctors, medics and nurses singing a Koolulam https://youtu.be/fOMpTmLhA9Q

 

As we sat outside, enjoying our Israeli breakfast I began thinking about our veranda and what it has meant to us, both of us. So many people, of every walk in life, have watched our electric blinds rise up to reveal the view, the vista, Jerusalem stretching before them, from the city centre, over Baka, Talpiot, Beit Tsafafa, Gilo, Manahat, Ramat Sharett, right off into the horizon. Ooohs and Aaahs know no class, political affiliation or religion and just as today we enjoy the sounds and aromas of a thriving city, so 20 years ago we watched the horror of terror, of hatred as palls of smoke and the thud of explosions told us that hatred has yet again been taught and resulted in death and maiming of innocents. That ghastly period is controlled, as is the hate education through the new curriculum introduced by Impact-se in East Jerusalem, but it continues in France, Belgium and sadly in Britain, much less, but exists.

 

I then got to thinking about the meals served either on the veranda or just inside in the warmth looking out! I devised a method of creating menus, not for the" posh" look but so that I could always look back chronologically and find out what our guests ate last time they visited- my pride would never allow me to serve them the same meal twice! I have served vegan, gluten free, sugar free, lactose free and once Gluten, Sugar and Lactose free in one meal! Guests from Israel (obviously) USA, UK, Jordan, Mexico, Belgium, France, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Germany, Qatar, the Emirates….. in fact I had better stop there because I'm sure that I will miss out some friends and don't want to hurt them! Best of all, this veranda has seen hundreds, indeed thousands, of family meals, Friday night meals with Zvi's wonderful voice singing out Kiddush (blessings over the wine) and Hamotze (blessing over the challah) resounding over the entire neighbourhood. From the time when tiny children (Yosef was the first after Tomer and Shelly) crawling around on the fake grass so they wouldn't hurt themselves or slip on the tiles when they climbed out of the paddling pool to a place where teenagers take selfies in front of the view.

 

We had a singing evening during the 2^nd Lebanon War when everyone was so depressed, all the songs were from the founding of the state, of course ending with Al Kol Eleh. It was a friends bring friends evening and we managed to fit about 80 people in, all leaving feeling a little lighter than when they arrived.

 

Our children and grandchildren have all enjoyed the freedom of our home…..such beautiful memories. Now……… now is the time to make new memories! The parties will take place again on our even bigger veranda in the new apartment. The children will be thrilled to visit and play in the freedom of our attached and private park with two playgrounds and lots of other children who live in the project. We have already made friends with our neighbours – in fact we went to one of our neighbours to watch the Yom Haatzmaut ceremony – our first party since Covid 19 came into our lives. Obviously we wore our masks to arrive but then, on the advice our friend and resident doctor who ensured everyone had been inoculated months ago, we took off our masks and sang our heads off! That future neighbour also happens to be an old friend from Zvi's choir. Itzik made a delicious onion soup and was thrilled to find my spinach and cheese penne bake because his Mother used to make it!! Everyone brought something – even if it was just a smile!!

 

So, dear friends, there is a beautiful light at the end of the dark tunnel of isolation, closures, fear and so much worse. For Zvi and I, our lives will continue in much the same vein but in far greater comfort. No more discussions about who gets the computer…..we will have two in our specially designed office. We have a very neat dining table which grows to seat 20 people and the new kitchen has bar seating on the opposite side to me so friends can chat without entering my space (hahaha). We have a huge veranda (120 sq metres) with shaded seating, room for a lovely table and lots of room for friends. Best of all I have room to grow whatever I wish. In fact the builders answered my prayer and the large plot next to the entrance to our apartments is destined to become a communal herb garden with me as head gardener!!!

 

Just as we are moving to a new home so Israel will discover that her new reality will be just fine. I don't know who will lead the country but we are strong, we are determined and if we'd just stop trying to prove each other right then we can concentrate on recovering from Covid with dignity and great success. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MArV8tRKZPQ

 

So many songs to choose from, all related to our desire for peace. The word Shalom is constant as poets and lyricists alike reach out for the elusive. One of my favourite is Shalom Aleichem, sung on Friday night as the bride of Shabbat reaches out for peace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=913jZFL1bdE

 

Once upon a time, many years ago, as El Al came in to land in Israel, they played Hevenu Shalom Aleichem (We brought peace t you) I'm not old fashioned but, yes, I miss it!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB4RMIWroMY

 

I am thrilled to be able to tell you that as the limitations thrust upon us by Covid are lifting, so we are able to go ahead with "Dr. Dan's Room", a drama, music and arts studio in Shalva, the miraculous centre for people with special needs here in Jerusalem. The plans are wonderful and now we can begin to carry them out! The Shalva Band will rehearse there, children from tiny to teen and beyond will benefit from the facilities and my incredible son Daniel's life of giving to others will be honoured by the joy his room will bring. His ability to calm the stormiest of situations are best expressed by the Shalva Band in this beautiful song. "Bridge Over Troubled Waters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIbc7PL8VZ8

 

Shabbat Shalom. With all my love from this veranda, this mirpesset, that has brought so much joy to so many as they wonder at the "View from our Veranda", Jerusalem.

 

Sheila

 

For anyone who wishes to make Dr. Dan's Room even more beautiful

https://give.shalva.org/daniel

 

 

 

  

210413 From Sorrow to Celebration

From Sorrow to Celebration

 

13^th of April 2021

1^st Iyar 5781

 

יוֹם הזִּכָּרוֹן לַחֲלָלֵי מַעֲרָכוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל וּלְנִפְגְעֵי פְּעוּלוֹת הָאֵיבָה‎‎  

'Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars of Israel and Victims of Actions of Terrorism

 

It is said that Israelis understand how to mourn better than any other country. It isn't the sense of deep mourning for those lost in fighting an enemy whose hatred is stronger than their desire for a fruitful life. We mourn those who died, soldiers and victims of terror, from tonight at dusk until tomorrow at nightfall when we celebrate the birth of our nation in a truly spectacular manner.

 

The juxtaposition of mourning and celebration seems anathema to the outside but an emotionally essential part of the Israeli determination to survive.

 

Memorial candles are lit in homes, army camps, schools, synagogues, and public places, and flags are lowered to half mast.

 

Tonight at 20:00 precisely, the siren will wail its mournful message throughout this nation, the eerie sound falling on a silent people who pay tribute to those who fell so that we could live. Jews, Circassians, Druze, Bedouin, Christians, Moslems all fought and fell for the State of Israel and Jews, Circassians, Druze, Bedouin, Christians and Moslems lost their lives to terror.

 

Gentle music plays on all stations of both the television and radio and the names of each and every one of the fallen is read aloud. Tonight and tomorrow the families of the fallen visit the graves of their loved ones in military cemeteries led by senior officers in the IDF and an Israeli flag is placed on every single grave.

 

Tomorrow, at precisely 11:00 the siren will flood the country as if with the keening of mothers for their sons and fathers for their daughters as everyone stands to attention, heads bowed, whether at work or walking in the street; on a bus, driving, at home or in town, everyone stands, heads bowed in gratitude, sadness and respect for the two minutes of the siren.

 

Ceremonies take place all over the country, each religion following their own traditions. The Haredi Jews say Tehilim or Psalms in memory of those who died, most standing in silence together with us, the mourners of Zion.

 

The final ceremony takes place at nightfall, right next to the largest military cemetery on Mount Herzl where after the changing of the standard (flag) and guard, the music becomes upbeat, the flags come out, the fireworks and fun begin and the Independence Day celebrations begin. The sudden change from desolation to celebration is complete. Life continues and we, as Israelis, must celebrate life and not dwell on our loss. It has been suggested that we are a schizophrenic people, able to change so quickly, but that's how we survive, that's how we survived the Holocaust, by embracing life and determinedly looking forward and building a new future.

 

Thursday will be a day of beach, barbeques, picnics and discovering new aspects of this gorgeous country. Believe it or not while we will be enjoying glorious sunshine, many will be skiing on Mount Hermon!

 

For Zvi and I, the blue and white flag is flying over our wonderful view and every street light, whether in town, city or highway, sports an Israeli flag, proudly declaring that we not only survive but thrive! Our National Anthem is The Hope – HaTikva, which says so much more than anything else about Israel. We will continue to innovate, initiate, discover and create because we will always look forward, while remembering from whence we came. Israel is a homecoming, an ingathering of the dispersion, not created out of the flames of the Holocaust but a natural progression of an oppressed people finding freedom.

 

Lu Yehi was written by Nomi Shemer to honour those soldiers that fell in the Yom Kippur War. She wrote it after hearing the Beatles "Let It Be". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfMoeK6UVB0

 

If I were to choose a song which exemplifies Israel, it has to be Al Kol Eleh! Yes I know that you have heard it many times but it is THE song. Koolulam and Shlomi Shabbat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxzR9Z-kG6Q

 

Hatikva – The Hope sung by our young soldiers of the IDF  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQCu9kl68Tg

 

Translation of the Hatikva:

As long as in the heart within, The Jewish soul yearns, And toward the eastern edges, onward, An eye gazes toward Zion.

Our hope is not yet lost, The hope that is two-thousand years old, To be a free nation in our land, The Land of Zion, Jerusalem.

 

 

I wish you a good month, the new month of Iyar in the Hebrew year of 5,781. A good month and best of all

Happy 73^rd birthday to the most beautiful lady in the world….Medinat Yisrael!!

 

With much love

Sheila   

210402 Knesset Kitniot and Kinneret Chaya

 

210402

2^nd of April 2021

 

Shabbat Shalom, Pesach Sameach, a Blessed Good Friday and a Holy Easter.

 

Jews have entered a 49 day Omer period of prayer, restraint and holding back from excess, while Christians have just ended the 40 days of Lent; We have so much more in common than that which separates us.

 

So the 4th elections are over, the indecision continues and the negotiations for a coalition began. Benjamin Netanyahu did many good things during his tenure, but it is time for change, time for him to attend to his legal issues. The belief that Israel will fall apart if he leaves is ludicrous. We are a very strong nation of wonderful, feisty people and despite our arguments, we all contribute to the success of this amazing country. A good leader is very important, as the Covid-19 pandemic has shown, but that doesn't mean exclusive tenure. It is time to unite rather than continue the created divisions that have torn us apart recently.

 

There is a new star on the Israeli political stage; his name is Mansour Abbas https://www.knesset.gov.il/mk/eng/mk_eng.asp?mk_individual_id_t=1007 . Abbas is a dentist who studied at the Hebrew University, clever, young and a supporter of both the Moslem Brotherhood and Hamas. He speaks of becoming part of Israeli society rather than a separate entity within, he gives hope unlike the Joint List of Eiman Odeh and Dr. Ahmed Tibi who are generally thought to have done nothing to deal with the ghastly violence in the Israeli Arab society. The strange aspect is that he garnered enough seats in the Knesset to gain recognition in the fight for a sane coalition to oust Netanyahu – I must reiterate, it isn't to oust Likud, just Netanyahu. Next week, President Rivlin will call the leaders of the various parties to discuss who will be given the task of forming a government. Logic would suggest that the centre-right parties would form a bloc but Gidon Saar and Naftali Bennet have expressed a determination to join a wide political coalition rather than sit with Bibi. It's going to be an interesting few weeks….

David Horovitz wrote in the Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/from-the-head-of-an-israeli-islamic-party-a-primetime-plea-for-coexistence/

 

A light at the end of the Israel/PA tunnel (not one built by Hamas or Hezb-Allah!) came this week with a paper published by two academics who studied together in Oxford. Hussein Agha and Ahmad Samih Khalidi wrote a powerful article entitled “The End of the Road: The Decline of the Palestinian National Movement.” They have now published “A Palestinian Reckoning: Time for a New Beginning.” Instead of reiterating problems, they outline an alternative strategy in which Egypt and Jordan take part. A breath of fresh air

https://www.jpost.com/opinion/recalibrating-the-diplomacy-of-middle-east-peace-opinion-663262

 

Seder night came and went and most of us added an extra prayer to the fascinating story of our Exodus from slavery to freedom. Thank you G-d for allowing us to be a big happy family again. So far there are no Covid repercussions for the family gatherings since the Seder. The person we should really be thanking for Israel's incredible success in controlling the pandemic is a 47 year old doctor called Sharon Elroy-Preis, the Head of Public Health in the Ministry of Health. She began the negotiations with Pfizer last year, thus saving the lives of thousands of Israelis.  

 

Israelis love to travel and visit the incredible natural beauty of Israeli lakes, rivers, brooks, hills and………snow! One positive aspect of the pandemic is that Israelis discovered that one doesn't need to fly anywhere to discover glorious sights and sites right here in our little country. After the rain of the winter, flowers bloom in the rockiest of places, even in the arid Negev Desert and the Northern valleys are spectacular. Kayaking on the River Jordan, Skiing on the Hermon, swimming in the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret), seeing ancient monuments, walking along the coastline or just walking the country trails. We went to the Castel, a Crusader Fortress https://www.parks.org.il/en/new/castel-national-site/ , and as we climbed up the trail I was entranced by the display of wild flowers, from poppies to blue iris, from wild cyclamen and lupins to fine old trees in full blossom. As we reached the upper area around the remains of the Castel the evidence of the War of Independence became apparent. Trenches which hid the Israeli troops from the Jordanian army snake their way to the top, the vantage point over the old road to Jerusalem, the "Seven Sisters" named for the seven sharp hairpin bends toward Jerusalem. Never in my wildest dreams, when I hung on for dear life as our bus took us toward Jerusalem in 1963 did I think that Zvi and I would come to live on the fourth sister! Today the Castel is famous for its fine wines, indeed in the Jerusalem Hills there are no less than 90 wineries. You should try some, we have come a long way from the old sickly sweet Kiddush wines!! To see Israel at her most beautiful https://www.youtube.com/embed/vtdpP0_kBMw?rel=0

 

The Jews of Morocco celebrated the end of Pesach with the Mimuna, producing a cornucopia, a plethora of colourful, sugary, delicious petit fours and a rather strange crepe-like dessert called a moufletta. Traditionally the house, big and small alike, is open to friends, family and strangers alike, each tasting the delights set out on the tables. The host and hostess dress in traditional Moroccan celebratory robes, or djelabas and the music in the background is also traditional. You know what? Instead of me waxing lyrical, Look for yourself! https://www.israel21c.org/photo-of-the-week-celebrating-mimouna/

 

I am going to see Rachel and family this morning. I haven't seen them for a whole week and I miss being with the children, who are fast becoming adults! They are such warm and loving children, despite becoming teenagers they still know how to hug us all! Of course this week she isn't baking Challot because we are still in Passover but I'm certain there will be a vast amount of food in her refrigerator. Here in Israel you would be hard pushed to find an empty refrigerator, we love our food, we demand freshness, all fruit and veggies are seasonal and both men and women love to cook! Of course there is the fifth question on Pesach, "Why, on this night, does half the population eat pulses on Passover and half do not?" I am slowly, but very slowly, coming round to the fact that it is ridiculous that Middle Eastern Jews eat beans, peas, rice and so on, during Passover while European Jews do not.  As Rachel says, "Mum, it's time we all kept the same rules" It would make life so much easier to eat "kitniot" then I wouldn't need my reading glasses to go shopping!

March the 30^th is ever etched into my mind. On March 30th 2002, in the middle of the Intifada, a beautiful young student was working as a waitress in a Tel Aviv Coffee Shop, on Allenby Street. A young fellow walked into the café and she approached him, asking if he wanted anything to drink. As she walked back behind the bar he simply pressed a button and blew himself up. Our beautiful young woman lay on the floor, the blazing bar on top of her, determined to survive. The MDA paramedic, Yitzchak Kochav, made a final check around the burnt out café and suddenly saw something move. With mighty strength he lifted the bar to find a horrifically burned body underneath. Even in that state Kinneret managed to smile at him. He took her to the hospital never leaving her side, even when her family arrived. I can never forget the phone call from Orly telling us what happened. Kinneret, daughter of our close friends Moishe and Yaffa, was given a 2% chance of survival, burned on 85% of her body. That night a Rabbi visited her in hospital and told the family to change her name from Kinneret to Kinneret Chaya – Kinneret Lives.

As those of you who have been with me for many years know, I recorded every move every new thing, her first mouthful, her first steps, her first visit home, every moment of her miraculous recovery. This young woman who defeated medical science, is now a married lady with four children! Yes, with all the scars and damaged lungs she never gave up. I love her more, though we rarely see each other. I can never forget the moment I went to see her – the first visitor allowed – a tiny charred figure on a pile of green pillows, and through her induced coma she turned her head and smiled at me. Yes, the 30th of March is etched in my very soul. 29 years later KC is thriving. She was told she would never have children and today she is a happily married lady with 4 beautiful little ones! KC I love you Happy re-birthday Kinneret Chaya.

That's it folks!

One of my favourite Israeli songs tells the story of each of us whose children grow up and away. Oof Gozal – Fly away fledgling, by Arik Einstein https://youtu.be/ez1e2VPsRFw

 

"Ani Nodadeti Le Shalom" I was born for Peace by Uzi Chitman – so many Israeli songs are about peace…. https://youtu.be/4fz18D68Vdw

 

Since it is still Pesach, a song from the Passover Haggadah. In these uncertain times of renewed racism, especially against Jews, it is somehow important to hear the lyrics. I warn you though, you will find yourselves singing it for months – the haunting melody doesn't leave me. Vehi Sheamda by Yaakov Shwekey and Yonatan Raziel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y784Uw96Rbs

 

Good Shabbes, Shabbat Shalom and a blessed Holy Easter period.

With love from the city that is so special for each and every one of us

Sheila

 

By the way, did you know that Henry VIII wrote to a Rabbi in Italy to get permission to divorce Katherine of Aragon and the Rabbi refused?