210416
16th
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 2nd 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
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