210820
20th
August 2021
Shabbat
Shalom to everyone, wherever you may be, however you pray, to whom you pray.
How on
earth do I start this missive? Afghanistan, forest fires and arson, the return
of Covid? (not that it ever really left us) Caliphate, Rockets? I will try to
explain all of it but in no particular order since I cannot truthfully give
preference to any one situation.
http://www.theviewfrommyveranda.info/afghanistan-and-arson-booster-and-bar-mitzvah/
The
forest fires around Jerusalem this week were almost certainly arson. The
Fire Department investigation has shown that in the fire which raged near
Hadassah Hosspital there were three simultaneous points of combustion,
(discovered by an American reconnaissance satellite). Several towns and
villages were evacuated including Moshav Ramat Raziel and Kibbutz Zova; sadly
Eitanim Psychiatric hospital had to be evacuated causing enormous distress to
the patients. The second fire near Shoresh has yet to be investigated. Most
were able to return to their homes after the firefighters deemed it safe, but
some homes were nothing but ashes. Of course there are raging forest fires in
other countries, a sad fact of summer heatwaves, parched earth and careless
picnickers; the difference is that this is intentional, nationalist and
religious based. The fires of hatred led to the arson of a hundred years of
tree planting and careful husbandry of wild life.
One
pinpoint of hope is that Israeli and Palestinian fire fighters worked together
to fight the flames of hatred.
To
link the arson to what is happening in Afghanistan does not stretch the
imagination too far, although instead of burning trees the Taliban is killing
people; their list of Afghani Christians providing them with the ability to go
from Christian house to house and taking the residents or worse. The level of their
preparedness is terrifying; they also go from house to house taking any girl
child over the age of 12 to what purpose one can only imagine. It is abundantly
clear that the American troops could not stay, former Presidents understood
that and a plan for their withdrawal was approved long ago, but not carried
out. Those who shout and claim that it is all about American politics do not
understand the Middle East or the Taliban, or the Caliphate or, sadly, extreme
Islam. The purpose is World domination a simple fact ignored by the West and
Western leaders. Sadly subsequent US Administrations ensured that the troops
fought but not that an alternative government be formed. One cannot expect a
theocratic, tyrannical leadership will simply give up power if there is not a well-established,
confident leadership to take its place, backed by a loyal army to control the
rebels. The Middle East is far more complicated than any Western Leader
understands, far stronger and infinitely more powerful. If we don't wake up
they will rule the world. I received a description of what is happening to the
Christians of Afghanistan from Canon Andrew White – who was the one who alerted
us all to what happened to the Christians of Iraq, Gaza and the PA. This isn't
about Islam versus Judaism………
As I
look at the paragraph above I am amazed at myself. My leanings are definitely
toward centre left, human rights, tolerance and acceptance of the other, but we
have to look reality in the eyes and understand that someone, some brave
leader, a modern day Winston Churchill, will have to stand up and say that such
cruelty is unacceptable.
Hamas
decided to close the pincers along with Hezb-Allah in the north and arsonists
in the centre. Rockets, Missiles, fires – all with the same purpose but they
can't scare us away. Whatever they throw at us we have already known worse.
Covid
is back in Israel
and its variants are coming with it. Let's face it Covid 19 is in itself a
variant – another name for it is SARS 2. The reason for its return is obvious
and backed up by research – not that we needed it – Why oh why do people have
to travel? What did anyone leave behind on one of the many beaches? Crowded
airports, museums, trains, planes, restaurants……travellers bringing their
variant home, not isolating or having tests (over 6,000 police reports of those
who left their homes when they were meant to be in isolation have been given
out). Put that together with the utter self-centeredness of those who do not
inoculate. There are countries in this world that would give anything for the
chance to get a vaccine and still, in the West there are those people who are
so adamant in their ignorance, don't want to be vaccinated. Why? Oh poor
things, it's against their civil rights!!! All, yes, virtually all of those in
serious condition in hospitals are unvaccinated – perhaps that tells you
something!
Over a
million Israelis have already had their booster (3rd vaccine) and now the 40 to
60 age group are getting theirs.
Since I
was in contact with someone who as later ill with Covid, I went to be tested,
once on Monday, at the amazing drive-through testing centre next to the Kraft
Sports Centre here in Jerusalem. Wow! I couldn't believe my luck, just one car
in front of me. I took my second test yesterday. I left the house in plenty of
time to get to the same centre for opening time at 14:00, got stuck behind a
garbage truck and arrived at 14:04…..to discover that no less than 100 cars had
beaten me to it!! Since the testing centre is in a cul de sac I had no way of
going home and trying later so I just sat in the queue and made phone calls! Of
course one call was to the lovely CEO of Impact, Marcus Sheff, to catch up on
what is happening in the world of Tolerance in Education, to my children, a
couple of girlfriends and then I suddenly realised that the baby steps of
moving forward, I had really advanced and the end was in sight. As I saw the
young man who checks one's ID and gives you the appropriate stickers for the
test vials approach, I said a thank heaven, he heard me and pointed up on the
hill beside us where there was a big sign with the first line of Shema Yisrael
" Sh'ma Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Eḥad: Hear,
O Israel: the LORD is our God, the LORD is One." – the very important prayer we say
every day. Only in Israel! Anyway, 100 cars and passengers were tested and I
was already on my way home within 25 minutes.
In
most countries around the world the shadow of early AIDS and HIV
misinformation of the 80's meant that even after testing homosexual men could
not donate blood. Israel has just changed its policy, thanks to Minister of
Health Nitzan Horowitz. Horowitz, himself homosexual, understood the slurs and
misconceptions that still abound and put forward the change in policy which was
accepted.
Last
weekend was amazing. I was so upset that I couldn't go to London to be with
everyone for my beautiful grandson Zachary's Bar Mitzva, as was Rachel, but we
decided that it would be irresponsible. From Thursday until Monday we were in
contact on WhatsApp, joining in whenever possible and then on Monday, Zachary
had his big day. He and all the family decided that he would be called up to
the Torah reading on a Monday since one cannot do a Zoom in the synagogue on
Shabbat (obviously). We watched as Saba (Grandpa) Philip did the entire morning
service, then Gideon came on and called up Zachary. I was so thrilled, he sang
out his Torah portion in a clear and beautiful voice, well taught by Gideon. We
were all thrilled to see Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg appear on the screen,
joining in when appropriate then running upstairs in their holiday home to get
a shofar and give a good loud "tekiah", which did not do any favours
to the microphone!! All in all, it was wonderful and the ensuing party, just a
very few people in the garden, was capped by Zacky and Olivia whacking the
beautiful 13 piñata that Auntie Rachel sent from Israel, which after several attempts and with one
almighty thwack from Zacky the party favours inside rained over the attending
guests! So much fun even if it was from afar.
Gosh I
hadn't realised the time! I need to get cooking! In the hope that we could have
a family Rosh Hashana here in the new place I have already made lots of food
and frozen it so not only am I doubtful that we can meet up, even outside on the
veranda, there's no room left in the freezer. So today it will be
"orange" soup, Moroccan fish,
veggie patties, roasted cauli, chopped salad and probably a fruit crumble for
dessert. It's going to be fun that's for sure…..
Right
now I don't have to cook for our lunch because a neighbour just popped in for a
chat and brought us falafel!!
We are
all fed up with distressing news and increasing isolation so here's something
to cheer you up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oszKeU7lEs
Happy!!
One
Israeli artist always sings of hope, of change – everything that was here will
change from tomorrow and we can repair everything that is broken https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CNTvEQZ6nQ
This is
one for the Spanish speakers among you. Such a wonderful song by Shwekey and
Shlomi Shabbat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xuzcC-qNSk
With
all our love and wishes for a safe, healthy, peaceful weekend – a Shabbat
Shalom – from Jerusalem, still on the view from our veranda!
Sheila
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