24th June, 2022
25th
Sivan 5782
Shabbat
Shalom, I hope you are well and the new Covid variant hasn't got you!
I'm
fascinated by the way that the Covid virus, itself a variant of the SARS virus,
is constantly morphing into new forms, challenging our scientists and even our
politicians, almost certainly never to be eradicated. There are several
pharmaceutical companies, small research institutions that believe they have
the answer but unfortunately do not have the loud voices of big, highly
profitable companies. Just this week there was a piece on Israeli television
about one such company that, right from the beginning, is certain they have an
answer, but they didn't succeed in getting to the former government with what
they say is a cheap and effective solution. Sadly I only saw the end and didn't
catch the name of the company.
Morphing, adapting to one's
surroundings, adapting to new norms, adapting to society's huge changes over
the last 20 years, in fact over the last 10 years, OK let's admit it, every day
brings changes to which we have to adapt, especially how to use the written
word. One of the saddest aspects of the world of sms, Twitter, Facebook,
WhatsApp is that the principle of
"once a word has left your mouth you cannot get it back" while
still applicable is not used and harsh words are forever in the ether. This can
be on person to person exchanges or it can be used for "fake news",
character assassination, bullying and incitement to terrifying acts of violence
or abuse. As technology leaps ahead at the speed of light the restraints and
laws are unable, or unwilling to control their horrific results.
Morphing can be a good
thing, as long as we aren't talking about a virus! Each and every day we adapt to change, adapt
to our ever changing situation, adapt to our religious reality. We no longer
live in tiny villages and shtetls, we live in the big wide world and trying to
hang on to the tenets of our ancestors without accepting the world outside and
understanding it can lead to a total erosion of our past………I could go on and on
about continuity but I won't because you know how I feel.
Hands
up
who can understand Israeli politics. OK hands up anyone who understands politics
but especially Israeli politics! I never thought it possible to have a surfeit
of democracy but apparently there is. The current government, made up of
disparate views, succeeded in passing a budget that was held up for 3 years
plus, in working together, left and right, Arab and Jew, in a truly democratic
and special manner which gave hope to all of us in the centre who are sick and
tired of the lies, shenanigans, indictments and divisive policies of the
previous 12 years. To resign from a position of
power, to hand over that power while speaking of one's successor with amity and
admiration, is unique. To do so with grace and love of country even
rarer.
We, in Israel have become used to swaggering
self-satisfaction and refusal to relinquish power and, quite honestly, Naftali
Bennett's speech moved me deeply. Some thrive upon the poisoned slings and
arrows of politics and it is rare to find a self-effacing leader but we did. He
brought impossible factions together despite the sneering backstabbing of the
opposition's leader and his lackies. I am certain that time and history will be
kind to Naftali Bennett.
The
opposition and its leadership have resorted to many dirty tricks and lies over
the last year but Bennett and Lapid rose
above the malicious tactics of the opposition. Naftali Bennett was labelled an
extreme rightist, yet it is he, and his government, who included two Arab
parties, Meretz, Avodah, New Hope, Yamina, Blue and White and Yesh Atid giving
us a truly representative government. I'm disappointed that they were not able
to survive, pray that they will form an even wider coalition and come back
fighting.
President
Biden
has decided to come to Israel and to Saudi Arabia despite our political changes.
He knows Prime Minister Lapid and recognises the importance of his visit. I can
promise him a very warm welcome here. Of course he knows everything there is to
know about Jerusalem having listened in rapt attention to Zvi's explanations
while we were in the Jerusalem Municipality all those years ago. Of course I am
joking but I can say that of all the politicians who visited during that time
he was staunchly pro-Israel.
Despite
the many anti-Israel statements by the Turkish leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan
(pronounced Erdowan) the Turkish Security Forces have worked hand in glove with
the Israeli Security Services have successfully foiled the Iranian attempt to
murder Israelis vacationing in Turkey (in fact anywhere) – particularly in
Istanbul. At least 14 potential terrorist attacks have been foiled. I am disturbed
at the number of Israelis who ignored the warnings of our Security people and
went on vacation there anyway but deeply grateful for the successful cooperation.
Zvi and I have been to Turkey several times and found the people warm and
friendly. The biggest difference, I am told, is that whereas pre-Erdogan
Istanbul the women wore Western dress, more and more are wearing burkas.
Basically, Attaturk is spinning in his grave, but when it came down to the
wire, our common desire for security came through.
This
is International Pride Month. I don't always understand why there should
be specific times to be open and tolerant, I would have thought one should
always be open and tolerant but maybe
I'm wrong. One of the biggest stumbling blocks we, at Impact-se have
encountered in our quest for tolerance in education in the MENA region concerns
LGBTQ representation, nowhere more so than in the Palestinian Authority. This
article discusses it. https://www.jpost.com/opinion/
Question.
Grasshoppers!
What on earth do grasshoppers have to do with the Torah and this week? As
always, when I am searching for a way to relate Bible readings to our life
today I turn to my lovely friend Rabbi Jeremy Rosen. This week we read about
the 12 "spies" that Moses sent to check out this land. Why put
"spies" in inverted commas? Because Moses never called them spies,
more like couriers or observers who could come back with their opinions of the
land. Jeremy writes "They
returned from exploring the land and their reports were divided (like
Supreme Courts today) into two very different opinions. They all agreed it was
fertile and rich, “a land flowing with milk and honey.” But ten of them said
that the people were too strong, too powerful and they felt inadequate,
overpowered, and in modern psychological terms, inferior and insecure. They
described themselves as feeling like grasshoppers Chagavim, and they said that that that was precisely what the
Canaanites thought too “and so we were in their eyes.” How did they know? They
overheard them talking, said Rashi. Only Joshua and Caleb came back with
positive reports. Read how Rabbi Rosen relates it to today https://www.jwire.com.au/shabbat-shelach-lecha-grasshoppers/
I see those who see obstacles and run
and those who see obstacles and find a way around them.
I
haven't heard any grasshoppers or cicadas near our home but I am so
thrilled with the constant visits of the little sunbirds to my new birdfeeder.
It is a container of sugar water with several flower shapes from which the
sunbirds feed. I am entranced by the iridescent black males and the tiny brown
females. They give a sweet chirp as they drink and often the males stand atop a
bamboo stick calling out to others to come and imbibe! I have a problem at the
moment, I cannot go past a plant nursery with bringing something home! Our
veranda is huge and despite all attempts to fill it with colour there is always
room for more petunias or begonias! Zvi took me to Pop Up, one of my very
favourite cafes for breakfast yesterday (our 26th wedding
anniversary) and I relished in the surroundings – barely room for tables with
blossom trees, flowers, hanging baskets forming a veritable bower with
delicious food being served between. Not only did we enjoy our Croissant Croque
Madame and the delightful waiter called Ran, the surroundings made us smile.
One of several coffee shops and restaurants with the same owners; all Kosher,
all of very high culinary standard – including the coffee shop in Shalva.
That's
a perfect Segway
into the next paragraph! On July 3rd we are holding the official opening
of Dr. Dan's Room, the studio for the performing arts which honours my
incredible son, Dr. Daniel Cammerman, who was tragically killed in an accident
in Central Park two and a half years ago. Out of inexplicable personal tragedy
we have succeeded not only in ensuring that Daniel's name is on a project, this
is so much more. From the minute I walked in through the doors to that
phenomenal entrance hall filled with words of hope on the walls, butterflies
hanging from the ceilings and the joyous sound of happy children I knew this
was where I wanted to create something for Daniel. He would have loved this
place, not only as a paediatrician but as uncle to my phenomenal, beautiful, oh
so special grandson Sammy. I was met by Gaby – yes Gaby not Gabby – whose warmth
and kindness grew into a deep friendship, together with Avi and Kalman Samuels
who have taken me in as family, the Shalva family. So many of you have made
this dream come true with your generosity to "Remembering Daniel" the
name Gaby chose for the campaign. Although Dr. Dan's Room is complete, it
doesn't herald the end of my relationship with Shalva. I want to be involved,
to remain part of the Shalva family. I don't know if you understand the scope
of Shalva worldwide https://vimeo.com/204855149
Paphos,
Cyprus. Last Thursday we took our hand luggage and set off for Terminal One in
Ben Gurion Airport. It was surprisingly organised, probably because school
holidays had not started yet. We were whisked through (there are very few
advantages to having disabled status but that is one of them) and the delightful
woman at the check-in security decided that we were not security risks and gave us a pass
so that I needn't stand in line! The flight was not bad despite being Ryanair, just
50 minutes flight and we were in Paphos. The people were very friendly,
actually I have to admit most businesses were British owned(!) and very chatty,
and we walked almost everywhere. The archaeology is amazing, the mosaic park
phenomenal and huge, the Greek influence and mythology in Cyprus is fascinating
and we had a wonderful time, if too short. We hadn't time to discover the
Jewish element of Paphos, probably because we didn't know there was one! We
knew there was a Chabad House and little kosher shop but not this fascinating
aspect https://www.chabad.org/
Two
day ago Rachel, Yosef and I headed off to Tel Aviv for a very special meeting.
Lunch with my British cousins on my father's side! Rachel obviously knows Ian
and Sue but not Steven and Debbie. Yosef had never met any of them before and I
was thrilled by the way he held a political debate with Steven in perfect
English. Not bad for a 17 year old Israel! It was such a joy to sit in a
relaxed atmosphere and get to know everyone anew.
If
music be the food of love play on
Every
member of the Shalva Band has turned disabilities into abilities, those you see
and those you don't. A Million Dreams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnnOWLm3oxI
To
Give, to give of ourselves. I always say that until we know how to receive love
we cannot give love. Boaz Sharabi is a fine singer, and I know this is not the
first time I've given you this video but I truly love it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E7Xtl2IXjs
Whenever
I feel down, whether it's the political situation, BDS, Roger Waters, Iran,
guns, natural and personal disasters this song picks me up. Katan Alenu! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHVAWnCXBkU
The best pick me up ever!!
Shabbat
Shalom to you all, wherever you may be in this world; whether you face
Jerusalem, Mecca or pray in Latin, Arabic, Hebrew, English, Spanish……. All irrelevant
if you pray for peace and tolerance in our insane world.
My
heart goes out to the wonderful Gaby who just wrote to me to tell me of the
passing of her sister Judith. May her sweet soul rest in peace. In Hebrew one
says "May you be consoled among the mourners of Zion and know no more
sorrow"
With
love from Jerusalem, the centre of our world, the fabulous mosaic, rainbow of
humanity trying to get along together, sometimes succeeding although not
always, but we always try!
Sheila
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