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11th March, 2022
Shabbat Shalom. Today we sense the need for
Peace, Shalom, Salaam, Mir and Myr.
These last two weeks we have learned to say
Lviv instead of Lvov, Kharkiv instead of Kharkov and Kiv instead of Kiev - and
watched in horror as a people who just recently learned what freedom means are
bombed without mercy – and for what? I always say that there is nothing new
under the sun, which is iterated by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen's explanation of this
week's Torah reading (www.jeremyrosen.com
). Vayikra.
"The Book of Exodus that we have just
completed, provided us with two examples of leadership. On the one hand, there
was Pharaoh, an omnipotent autocrat, rooted in a static and immovable mindset,
who was unable to comprehend the inhumanity of his policies or an alternative
narrative. On the other hand, Moses, a revolutionary, was animated by ideals
and spiritual inspiration. Both sought order, one through oppression, the other
through inspiration.
Pharaoh was concerned only with
the preservation of power through force and oppression expecting others to
carry out his orders. Pharoah expected his inner circle of oligarchs, priests,
magicians, and advisors to support and reinforce his policies. Moses was
brought up in different societies and therefore was able to evaluate and
differentiate systems and policies. Moses challenged authority and fixed ways
of thinking.
I have in mind the revolting Putin who is so
blinded by his ambition that he brooks no opposition and like Hitler and Stalin
(and of course Pharaoh) he cannot see how counter-productive force is in the
long run. He is reinforced by his yes men and facilitators. He has
sown the seeds of his own failure and will be remembered not as the man who
rebuilt Russia but as the bully who so violently attacked civilians and tried
to crush the spirit of Ukraine."
We are all horrified and somehow helpless as we sit glued to the news, appalled
by the execrable tragedies unfolding before our eyes. I have asked the question
"Why are we moved by this war, this invasion, when such horrific acts take
place every day in the MENA region and in Africa, even South America, is it because
they are white, European, Christian"? I have some less pleasant answers
but somehow, this one feels near to home. Our countries help where possible but
need to hold back before it becomes a world war, something Putin undoubtedly
recognised. Israel has opened her doors, clearly to Jewish refugees who are
offered instant citizenship but also to many non-Jewish refugees who
immediately upon landing are given work permits. Israel is accepting
refugees at a rate far above her size; hotels are filled and schools are
hurriedly turned into dormitories for orphans…. Jewish orphans cared for by
Chabad in Ukraine and brought by them to Israel. Israel has no orphans and this
is a sad turn of fate. Orphans who cannot be adopted because their parents are
still alive but abandoned their babies and have not signed any document
allowing these children to be adopted. Our field hospitals are already on the
ground, our first responders have been working furiously for over a week and
the field hospital is in place. A fascinating, but sad reality is that suddenly,
understanding the urgency of the situation, over 14,000 Russian Jews have also
applied for Aliya. They have seen the writing on the wall. If you think this is
the first time Russia has killed Ukrainians, you are wrong. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holodomor
Ironically, a pre-Holocaust Yeshiva in Poland is being used to
house refugees from the evil of war.
President Herzog flew to Istanbul to
meet with Turkish President Erdogan. When one remembers that Erdogan is conceivably
the most openly anti-Israel leader in the region one may wonder why! Israel and
Turkey have many economic ties, although very little in the way of diplomatic
ties after the Marmara Affair but, as always, Erdogan see beyond the bitter
words to "What's in it for me" and his aim is to initiate relations
so that he can benefit from Israel natural gas and create an Israel- Turkey gas
line which will then allow him to carry natural gas into Europe. What he didn't
expect is that instead of a belligerent representative of Israel who would come
with his own demands he met with a gentle, polite softly spoken Isaac (Bougie)
Herzog, a negotiator supreme. President Herzog completed his time in Istanbul
with a visit to the Neve Shalom Synagogue, scene of 3 horrific terror attacks.
Today we saw that Neve Shalom not only stands, but stands proudly. https://m.jpost.com/middle-
This week many Maccabeans arrived from all over the
world. Lovely, lovely people. I dare not begin to name names because I will
undoubtedly offend someone by leaving them out but - among those people was
Sadi Beceren. Sadi, a lovely man and a long time Maccabi leader in his native
Istanbul and after the usual hugs and niceties our conversation led to Erdogan.
What became clear is that the vast majority of Turks have no quarrel with
Israel and cannot wait to get back to full diplomatic and friendly relations.
In his quest for power Erdogan courted just about every evil leader in our
region, a courtship which demanded anti-Israel rhetoric after being refused
entry to the EU.
When one looks at all of the above, of
cruel leaders and in Herzog's case a quiet diplomat, it leads directly to Purim
which takes place next Wednesday. Purim is not just fancy dress and being too
tipsy that one cannot tell good from bad; Purim is about an evil, megalomanic
leader, his evil Prime Minister and quiet diplomacy, admittedly using the wiles
of a beautiful girl but nonetheless, it proves that nothing changes. "Ve'Nahafochu"
means basically – we will turn upside down. On Purim you determine to turn the
current situation on its head, to turn evil to good, to change things that
don't work. CocaCola simply turned their labels upside down…. https://www.chabad.org/
Away from gloom and doom! We had a great week! We met
with Rebecca and Harold Finger from Sydney, Australia. Rebecca and Harold are
the perfect recipe for a Jewish leader, as a couple. They do everything, every
wonderful act of being a Jewish leader, together with grace and kindness. They
are also fun! I have to thank Impact-se for bringing us even closer together! While
talking about Sydney, the news media has been so caught up with Ukraine that
few know that beautiful city of Sydney has been inundated with torrential rain,
flooding and storms. Thankfully, so far, our Sydney friends have written to say
they are alright.
Last night we got to meet with Nattie and
Yolli Zonszein, Irit and Itzik Lev and Judit and Danny Liwerant for a quadruple
birthday celebration. Al four men have birthdays, but Danny's was actually on
the day. I loved the reaction of the young waitress when she heard that there
were four Piscean men "All of you are Pisces? I pity your wives" A
quiet female giggle was heard but luckily none of the men realised. We met in
Tel Aviv and on the way home were met by unbelievable torrential rain – hard to
drive, but luckily great roads. In Israel, even at midnight the roads are busy,
as Telavivim come to Jerusalem events and Jerusalemites go to events in Tel
Aviv!
Tonight we will go the opening Shabbat dinner of the Begin
Symposium https://www.begincenter.org.il/the-begin-symposium-march-2022/
together with Barry and Monica Gurland. Menachem Begin, who fought when he had
to and made peace when he knew he must. A true leader without any illusions of
grandeur.
After Shabbat I have a fun event – right here in Arza – at the
pool. Ladies of a certain age and over are all invited to a 'Girl's
Evening" at the pool, bathing costumes and all (sorry but not me) for a
pre-Purim party!!I'm really looking forward to it!
Almost done, about to have my breakfast then get myself ready to
go to Rachel's and get my cuddles from Yosef, Talia and Ayala. I won't see them
for a couple of weeks because……… finally and at last I am going to London to see
Gideon and Stephanie, Sammy, Olivia and Zachary. To make everything perfect, my
niece and nephew, Claire and Steve Bloom (who did an incredible job of
collecting goods for refugees) will bring my siblings, Doreen, Ronnie and
Sandie, to London to see me! I am bot nervous and excited beyond imagination
that I will be with everyone (but especially the children) after nearly 3 long
years.
Before I go I have to tell you about a wonderful
initiative by an amazing young woman, a dear friend of Daniel's from Carmel
College. Her name is Rachel Feuerstein and she puts together beautiful sets of
Shabbat necessities for travel. Rachel decided that every set that people buy
go toward the Ukrainian refugees coming to Israel. I'd love you to take a look.
They are gorgeous gifts whatever the situation. https://www.
Rachel just called to tell me that I must finish
on a happy note. "Tell them about the flowers" Well, Zvi and I
usually go into Jerusalem through the back road, toward Hadassah Hospital in
Ein Kerem. I love it and drive Zvi crazy with my oooohs and aaahs ever two
seconds as I see the puff balls of the almond blossom (shkediot), the carpets
of wild rosemary, crimson calaniot (anemones), pink wild cyclamen which seem to
grow out of the very rocks, tall, stately asphodel and purple lupins….spring is
around the corner even if it is pouring rain outside!
The first piece of music that I could not resist was sent to me
by my niece Rochelle.
A violinist in the London Symphony Orchestra initiated
a video in which 94 violinists from around the world play (virtually) together
with violinists in Ukraine, from their bunkers and homes. Moving and
exceptionally beautiful https://www.facebook.com/100044486977736/videos/728324734820514
It was another war, another fight, another time but when Bob
Dylan wrote "Blowin' in the Wind" it was all wars, all freedom, the
story of the human plight, the human right to be free of oppression. https://youtu.be/vWwgrjjIMXA
I
am stepping right outside my comfort zone with the next song! I wanted to give you "Rozhinkes mit Mandlen (Raisins
and Almonds) a traditional Yiddish lullaby, but instead you get a hip hop Purim
song about strong Jewish women! Actually it makes sense after International
Women's Day because, Esther, the heroine of the story was a strong woman,
prepared to plot, together with her Uncle Mordechai, for the downfall of Haman,
the Chief Vizier of Shushan, Persia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-EyNyy2qqw
Time to go! I wish you a wonderful weekend, a great Shabbat. It
is irrelevant to me how you pray or if you pray, as long as your invocations
never turn to imprecations and your heart is open to all who need it. Zvi's
wonderful Mother used to say "If someone asks for something it is a sign
that they need it" Both of our Mothers gave with a full heart and a
helping hand.
Under the shadow of modern day Hamans, my prayer for this week
is that human beings, wherever they may be, lift their heads from under the
heavy boulder of oppression and raise their children in freedom and tolerance.
With love from Jerusalem, the city of gold, the city which embraces
the full rainbow of humanity.
Shabbat Shalom and a wonderful Purim. Remember to read the story
of Purim to your children. Teach them that they can be brave.
Sheila
