211231
31st
December, 2021
That's
the last time I write 2021 unless I'm talking about the past – and no, I'm not
going the make a list of what happened over the last year, nor a list of
"the most effective people" of that year, because the real movers and
shakers of this world are the quiet, behind the scenes people who don't make
anyone's list.
Shabbat
Shalom everyone!
Shabbat Shalom and more importantly Shalom Aleichem. I often talk about the
amazing institution called Shalva, but the word שלווה is what I wish you, Shalva means serenity,
composure, tranquility – all qualities that have been lost in the mire of political
Covid.
We
lost our patience
over the last surreal period, and it showed in our driving, reactions and
behaviour toward each other. We were confused and angry at what we cannot
control and blamed our leaders, who by the same token are confused by this
erratic enemy too; a virus takes no prisoners and has no known path so our
leaders are in an equal state of confusion and their path is far from clear.
They take the best medical advice available but the rules of the game keep
changing, both they and we have to change with them. So, when I wish you Shalva,
I wish you composure to face the challenges of the next year.
We
lost our stability,
so I wish you composure to face whatever comes our way
We
lost our ability
to see, hug and love our friends and families, so when I wish you Shalva I wish
you calm and the words to let them know that you love them just as much
We
lost our financial security, so I wish you Shalva, calm to pull in our belts and
pray for better times
We
lost our health
and that is the hardest of all. I wish you the tranquility to help those who
need you and accept the help of those who love you.
Perhaps
the most important aspect of the Covid period is that responsibility for
educating our children has returned from schools to the parents. Of course it
always should but times changed and I'm not talking about mathematics or
geography, I mean the moral leadership that modern parents have abrogated, have
passed on to schools, the teaching of how to treat those different to
ourselves, weaker than ourselves or poorer than ourselves. We have failed
miserably, ably aided and abetted by the internet and it's time to don the
parental gowns and take responsibility for our failures.
That's
it. No more Covid talk…….
Many
people have eulogized Bishop Desmond Tutu. He certainly brought South Africa
out of its darkest hour through his support of Nelson Mandela, side by side
with many Jews who bravely fought Apartheid, but he was an out and out
anti-Semite and his attitude toward Israel was beyond the pale. Melanie
Phillips wrote, what in my opinion, is the most eloquent description of the man
and the myth. I quote "Desmond Tutu did some great things. But he had a
monstrous side too" https://melaniephillips.substack.com/p/the-airbrushed-feet-of-clay
Palestinian
Authority President Mahmoud Abbas came to visit Israeli Minister of Defence
Benny Gantz's home for a quick cuppa and a chat. Really! I believe it is a very
important event, one of huge significance because when one sits in a person's
home over a cup of tea one changes the entire paradigm of the relationship from
enemy to colleague. We have to find a way to accept that we will never think
alike, but that is no reason to incur violence. We have to find a way to live
as neighbours despite our differences – something which begins with learning
about each other in schools, discussing openly, tolerance in education. Adults,
particularly politicians, have a tendency to use belligerent rhetoric to reach
the lowest common denominator of their citizens through a common enemy, and it
is time to stop to enter a new era, a new paradigm of thinking what is best for
one's people.
Talking
of new paradigms
and neighbours, last night we had a huge party in the wonderful building in our
park, the fabulous edifice created in the image of the White House. The party
celebrated the opening of our spa and of the success of the building committee
in weathering the spurs and arrows of infighting. It was amazing to see
everyone dancing, eating (well it was a Jewish affair) laughing and chatting
together, all arguments forgotten. Neighbours are rarely what we want, let
alone what we expect, but then neither are we! Yesterday turned our
neighbourhood into a community and that brings me back to the chat over a cuppa
of two leaders, out of the public eye, one of whom realised that he can't get
everything he wants by being a bully. Just
so that you understand the situation, the Israeli security forces, police and
IDF, work very closely, many times in tandem, with their Palestinian
counterparts, nothing is the way you read in the media.
Talking
about the media, the BBC had a field day and was thrilled to air the news that
the current Archbishop of Canterbury, Welby, agreed with a statement suggesting
that the numbers of Christians in Israel is being decimated due to ill-treatment!
What drivel! The numbers of Christians in Israel is increasing daily as they flee
the oppression in the PA! In the very near future you will see a response from
both Canon Andrew white and former Archbishop George Carey.
Yesterday
was an especially good day! First of all the sun shone brightly before the rain; and
I received a phone call from my grand-daughter Ayala that she and Talia want to
come "just to be with you Safta"! What grandparents wouldn't be
thrilled? We went to collect them and brought them home and we went for a
wonderful long walk, chatting all the way, when we met a lovely neighbour, Adi,
schlepping two huge bags to the big house. Of course the girls immediately took
the bags from her, carried them to the big house then stayed to prepare the
place for that night's party. Then every grandmother's dream – they came back
here to bake cookies and watch "Anne of Green Gables" or as it is
called today "Anne With an E" Trying on clothes, giggling with Saba
Zvi and talking about everything that most parents are too busy on their cell
phones to discuss…..especially the fact that Rachel explains and discusses
every subject they raise with the children, as indeed I did.
The
girls were absolutely thrilled that Saba Zvi is now a Television star! What? I hear you
ask – a television star? How? Why? Where? Patience is a virtue but I'll put you
out of your misery right now!
There
is a regular morning TV spot on Israeli Channel 13 all about collections
or various items of historic or curiosity value, and our home is full of them
thanks to Zvi's mother's determined collecting of anything that could be of
historic importance. We met an internet auctioneer some months ago and became
friendly with him and when I called him to remind him that we have some more
fascinating artifacts he asked me to go on his morning television spot. Of
course I said no, really not my thing, I write I am not a performer, but that
Zvi would love to do it! He was a star! The stories behind the cameras, 8 mm movie
cameras and projectors from the 40's and 50's still in their original boxes
with instruction books were fascinating; the Golda Meir and David Ben Gurion
puppets were the favourites of the presenters but everyone was fascinated by
the unique collection of pre-State letters, programmes and pamphlets relating
to the theatre group created at the Hebrew University by Zvi's mother Alla in
the early 40's. I often complain about the boxes and boxes, and boxes of items that
fill the potential guest room and store room but in fact they are filled,
mostly, with the history of Israel. I loved the fact that when Talia saw the
video of Zvi's appearance her reaction was one of curiosity and dismay that she
had never seen any of the amazing artifacts and "please Saba tell us about
them we need to know about real history". Of course what makes Zvi a star
is not only his story-telling ability but the fact that he grew up in a home
filled with the importance of history alongside two people who made history.
Kalman and Alla Raviv who lost every tiny shred of close family in the Shoah and
understood the meaning of our past in creating our future.
Two
added bonuses of collecting the girls from Givat Ze'ev and taking them
back home is that I get to see the glorious panorama of Jerusalem from the
heights of Nebe Samuel- Samuel's Tomb, both in day and night. No matter how
many times I see it I am in renewed awe of its sheer beauty. Jerusalem,
Yerushalyim, Ariel, Moriah, Neve Zedek, Shalem – just a very few of the 70
names for Jerusalem in the Bible. As I look over the new city I wonder what new
name should be added to the 70, perhaps City of Miracles - Ir Pla'im, as I look
over the skyline of what grew out of an ancient, spiritual, Biblical city and
spread its wings to become a thriving metropolis. Here we joke that the
national bird of Israel is the "building crane" and it is really
true. It seems that every time I put on Waze to find an address for me he takes
me on a different roundabout route because of the huge amount of new building
going on in the city. However, as usual I digress – that doesn't change from
year to year! The view, the panorama, the rolling hills of white houses and
tall skyscrapers that never fail to take my breath away. In the coming year,
years, I pray that this city, this view, this panorama will continue to grow,
to flourish and to be accepted as the Jewish miracle as a multicultural, free
city which accepts all races and faiths with open arms. If only the
international media would take off their jaundiced, embittered spectacles and
really look at the miracle that is Israel…………..but perhaps that is too much to
ask for. Oh, and the other bonus of taking them home? I got to hug Rachel and
Yosef too!!!
The
words of this song cross every barrier and obstacle because of one word,
Together. Together, one at a time, we can change our world, together. https://youtu.be/JIdADujEf2g
I always loved Louis Armstrong, long before I got
to hear about his life. His song "Wonderful World" teaches us to
recognise every beautiful moment in our lives. If I had one prayer for you it
is to recognise that we really do have a wonderful world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWzrABouyeE
Adon Olam, probably the prayer on most lips after
the Shema. Here the Revivo Project sing it with such joy, joy that I want you
to take into 2022. Sorry no subtitles, but each song in this medley is giving
thanks to the Almighty for everything we see around us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgCrmxR_1to
That's
it. Time to get cooking, to put the white cloth on the table, the best china
and prepare the apartment for Shabbat. Time to think about all of those I want
to hold close but can't; time to stand up for those who cannot stand up for
themselves and time to remember that just because someone is different does not
make them wrong. This week's Torah reading tell of our release from slavery and
escape toward the Promised Land, it tells of the miracles that God showed the
Children of Israel through Moses, yet they were hard to convince of Moses
leadership and they rebelled exactly as we do today. Some lessons, no matter
how old and proven, are not learned!
I wish
you a peaceful Shabbat and a wonderful 2022 in which you see the miracles and
beauty around you despite the disappointments and cancelled events.
With
love from our veranda and from that incredible city, the centre of our world,
Jerusalem.
Sheila
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