Brits, Russians and Moslems

 

26^th August, 2022

 

Shabbat Shalom! Did you miss me? I felt really guilty about not writing last week, I think the first time in many, many years, but soon got over it! Instead of writing I spent Friday morning with my children and grandchildren walking through the English countryside picking blackberries which I turned into a blackberry and apple crumble using the incomparable Bramley Apples which disappear in a delicious fluffy mouthful!

 

As you can well imagine my sojourn was just amazing with all three families coming together from Israel, New York and Leeds all for Gideon’s 50^th birthday celebrations which were stupendous! Not only did all the grandchildren get to know each other and renew their love for each other, seeing Gideon and Rachel hugging was special and my two daughters in law couldn’t stop smiling and …… Gideon and Stephanie’s famous hospitality reached new heights. All of their closest friends, including many from childhood, were at the party, the food didn’t stop coming (catered by Jason Millan) and the love was tangible. We celebrated each other and of course Daniel was always in our minds, always uniting us never causing pain.

 

Rachel, Yosef, Talia, Ayala and I stayed at Julian and Hayley’s home, yes really! They were in the States on holiday and without a second thought offered us their home together with instructions on all the machines and dishes in the house! Through their generosity we learned about Borehamwood, a suburb of London, and the incredible Kosher shops, restaurants, coffee shops and bakeries on Borehamwood High Street. Julian is my dearest friend Valerie’s (and Martin’s) younger son. Valerie and I “grew” our children together in the tiny Reading community and Julian’s response when I told him how grateful I was for their kindness was “Auntie Sheila (I love that this 50 year old still calls me Auntie Sheila), you were my second Mum for so many years and I spent such wonderful days in your house, this is a natural way to say thank you” Wow!

 

Thanks to Rachel’s bravery at driving me to Oxford in a gear car on the other side of the road, I also managed to see my siblings, Ronnie, Sandie and Doreen at my lovely cousin Lynne’s and Mike’s; had lunch at Susan’s, tea at Valerie and Martin’s and had the most glorious walk through the best parts of my past. The warmth and love enveloped the Israeli clan, of course including the Seligs and Rob Rab.

 

I should start at the beginning. Our flight included a group of British Moslems from Derby, near Birmingham, quite a large group led by a Sheikh and an Imam. The delightful young man sitting next to me had joined the group at the last minute, together with his two brothers. He was born in Pakistan and raised by his grandparents, whereas his father had remarried and come to Britain and had two more sons. His name is Adnan and when I asked him what he thought about Israel he looked me in the eye and said “Gobsmacked” which for the uninitiated means wow! He talked about his amazement at the freedom of movement and prayer in the Old City for all faiths, of the fun in the new city, of the sense of ease walking everywhere with the traditionally dressed Imam and Sheikh, and his dismay that Israel is portrayed so badly in the general media and often in Mosques. He and his brothers are coming back on their own and bringing their families to see the real Israel.

 

Actually Noor Dahri, an observant Moslem and Zionist, came to Israel and wrote thus

“I visited Aqsa Mosque and Kotel (wailing wall) and prayed in both places.

I was so ashamed of to see that I had free access to any Jewish religious area in Kotel to pray and no any single religious Jew ever bothered to stop me but Jews weren’t even allowed to come closer to Damascus Gate! (One Jewish came close and said “God Bless you” when I was filming video).

Where is freedom of religion and expression. We Muslims have right to go anywhere in Israel but Jewish people have no right to even go to certain areas of Jerusalem. This is the great example of Muslims Apartheid in Jerusalem.”

 

 

I have described much of our visit above so it’s time to get you up to date with what happened in the last two weeks that you don’t already know!!

 

Impact-se (www.impact-se.org) determined to reveal and repair lack of tolerance in education wherever it appears, not just in the MENA region, decided to prepare a report on Russian schoolbooks and the report revealed a disturbing lack of tolerance, even distain, toward Ukrainians, not just recently. I am so proud to be Chairman of the Board because we don’t concentrate on the obvious but change our world quietly. The report https://www.impact-se.org/wp-content/uploads/Russia-Ukraine-Report-4.pdf  Please excuse the long link but I couldn’t find another media report on the Russian attitude to Ukrainians https://www.haaretz.com/2022-08-24/ty-article/.premium/saviors-of-ukraine-russian-textbooks-littered-with-demonization-of-ukrainians/00000182-d113-d972-a7d6-d99f7fb90000

 

The West seems set upon self-destruction by entering yet another nuclear agreement with the Iranians who have never upheld the promises in the past. The latest report from the International Atomic Energy Agency states that the Iranians are but 10% away from capability.  Should the current policy toward the Iranian nuclear capability continue Israel will have no option but to destroy the facilities alone. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert did not heed George Bush and ordered the destruction of the Syrian reactor - imagine what would have been had he listened, had he not recognized the danger to Israel, and Assad, who had a free hand in slaughtering 500,000 Syrians and used chemical weapons on his own people had a nuclear facility. It doesn’t bear thinking about. Danger thousands of miles away takes on a very different light when a stone’s throw away. Ask the Saudis, Qataris, Emeratis, Bahrainis, all of whom know that they are also in the line of fire. Iranian schoolbooks emphasise Iranian hatred of the United States, determination to eradicate Israel and world domination through Islam.

 

One of the guests at Gideon’s 50^th birthday party was Dr Dan Lasserson. The lovely Dan was and is a senior doctor concerning Covid among the geriatric sector in Britain. He was amazed (should I use the word gobsmacked again?) when Rachel explained to him what happened, after the mistakes of the initial stages of Covid in the Haredi communities here in Israel, the Haredi community gathered together and helped each other, bought oxygen machines, tanks and oxymetres for those who needed it, ensured helplines and on-call doctors. I also learned that each child in the Haredi school system that wants to pass their bogrut (baccalaureate) must do a full course in first aid and CPR and perform many hours of volunteer work. As a doctor Dan was amazed and impressed, as an Israeli I realised that the secular community has a great deal to learn from the Haredi community…….. Of course there will be cries of “but they do not serve in the IDF and so on” I agree but that does not negate their sense of community.

 

The United Nation’s Pillay Report, conducted by former human rights head Navi Pillay, concerning Israeli treatment of Palestinians was slanted and mendacious as one would expect. All of us have a hard time explaining the truth about Israel but thank Heaven there are a few who do so beautifully. Yosef Haddad is an Israeli, a Moslem, an Arab and served in the IDF, he also speaks out. Here he tells the Security Council exactly what he thinks of the Pillay Report https://youtu.be/WAbDcq9BORE  

 

Pillay obviously never heeded the words of Former UK PM Tony Blair

“The best answer to the de-legitimisation of Israel lies in the character of Israel itself and in the openness, fair-mindedness and creativity of ordinary Israelis. That character and those people built the State of Israel. They remain its guardians. They are why to de-legitimise Israel is not only an affront to Israelis but to all who share the values of a free human spirit.”

 

Hadassah hospital has revealed a huge breakthrough in the treatment of Aortic Aneurisms. They can save lives without open heart surgery!! https://hadassahinternational.org/patients-with-aortic-aneurysms-face-a-devastating-choice-but-now-theres-hope-in-an-experimental-new-treatment-and-hadassah-is-helping-lead-the-way/

 

I think you are now up to date! It was a truly incredible visit to the UK. To be with all my grandchildren together was so fulfilling, so heartwarming and to be with all the family, my daughters in law, Philip and Barbara, the friends, siblings, cousins…..and to walk in a British field to pick blackberries…..all amazing. I must tell you of one special moment on Shabbat. Philip spent some time with Rachel and her children all of whom are used to the Mizrachi tunes and version of the grace after meals. Philip decided to sing the very Ashkenaz tunes of our childhood that I thoroughly enjoyed. Yosef, Talia and Ayala love for their Saba (grandpa) so much and they learned that there is more than one way to pray, after all the words have the same meaning.

 

I hear you ask, “What did Zvi do while you were busy gallivanting?” He had a ball with his grandchildren! He spent a few nights sleeping at Leor and Amiad’s homes then when Amiad and Noga had to have some home repairs done he took Ella, Yonatan and Ori to the new indoor fun fair in Mishor Adumim, then he brought them to us to swim and sleep, he fed them their favourite pizzas, in fact he had a wonderful time! Both of us had special grandchildren time.

 

Gideon’s playlist at the party made me recognise why so many of you relate to the music that ends each missive. The songs accompanied the fabulous atmosphere in fact they complemented the atmosphere. So I have to be extra careful in my choice this week.

 

Steve Lawrence translated this song from the Yiddish “Where Can I Go” the story of a lost people turning to a land of our own! I dedicate it to his wife Eydie Gorme z’l, who passed away last week https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7AjIAFqG6o

 

Dire Straits performed in Jerusalem in 1985, a huge concert in the Sultan’s Pool under the walls of the Old City. Mark Knopfler sang his own song in his haunting voice “Brothers In Arms” written in honour of the IDF. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o66MdP3kpKo  So much water has flowed under many bridges in the nearly 40 years since this YouTube video was made but the atmosphere is the same.

 

This song by Westlife is almost a prayer, it expresses incredible love, be it for the Almighty or for each other, it expresses the love of a child to parents and in the case of Shalva it expresses what we all pray for – that we become the best person we can possibly be. You Raise Me Up   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bxc9hbwkkw

 

You Raise Me Up also describes the man my eldest son Daniel was. He raised us all up in his gentle urging, his are and his example. He was present the entire time, for all of us, while together. He was there yet so horribly missed. It will be his birthday next week and we will celebrate his birth and his presence, all he was to us and what he still is, but life is hard without him.

 

This week’s Torah Reading is Re’eh In Hebrew that can be spelled in two ways, one meaning evil and one meaning perception. Coincidentally this week’s reading asks us above all to perceive the difference between good and evil and to make the right choices. There are many laws and customs outlined clearly but above all we are expected to make the right choices, to choose good.

 

I wish you a Shabbat Shalom, an excellent weekend surrounded by friends and family, warmth and love.

 

With love from Jerusalem, even more beautiful upon returning.

 

Sheila

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love Recovery and Good friends

 

12^th August 2022

 

Shabbat Shalom everyone! How are you today?

 

Did you know that yesterday was Tu b’Av, the 15^th day of the Hebrew month of Av and a day of love. Very different to the highly commercial Valentine’s Day, not only because in fact St Valentine wasn’t a very nice man, it is a day when young girls would dress in white, run and hide in the fields, from the young men of the village and come home with a potential husband! Not only did the girls have the last word on who they chose but it was so romantic, probably very unWoke, and fun! A day of romance rather than money-making and this year it was even more appropriate than ever because my late parent’s anniversary fell on……Tu b’Av! They married on the 11^th of August 1935 and taught all of us, their children, what it meant to be in love.

 

Last week we were under a deluge of rockets and missiles but in a truly exceptional operation, called Operation Breaking Dawn, yet another strange name the combination of our Prime Minister Yair Lapid and our Minister of Defence, the former Chief of Staff of the IDF Benny Gantz, the entire operation was over in 2 days and many of the leaders of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a proxy of Iran, were  “removed”. When we say pinpoint killing that is exactly what it is. Our video proof shows a tall apartment building and the missile literally entering through a specific window and killing 15 of the PIJ top men without touching any of the other apartments. The very next day the “clean-up” began, payments to those who lost earnings during those two days or whose houses were hit by rockets and of course, ensuring help to those who were traumatised by the constant sirens and booms. Imagine living for generations in a bucolic setting, farming and raising children in freedom but, and this is a horrific but, every short while your kibbutz is bombarded with rockets and missiles and your children traumatised. Everyone speaks of Sderot, a town on the border which is often paralysed by Hamas or PIJ, but somehow, children huddling in a shelter instead of romping in the fields reaches even deeper into my heart. Anyway, hopefully the combination of effective leaders, Lapid, Gantz and the amazing Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi who ensures that his soldiers have a moral compass as well as a military one, will buy us a long period of Hudna.

The way forward to genuine peace, in Hebrew it has one word, Shalom, but in Islam it has three levels. Hudna, a cease-fire, Salaam (peace as long as it is convenient for you) and finally Sulch (forgiveness and true peace).

 

For me, and many Israelis, the photograph of Lapid and Gantz, walking along arm in arm, heads close together, deep in consultation, gave us hope. So different, so important.

 

Incidentally, long before the new elections were announced, two fine men, Benny Gantz and Hilik Tropper, made a promise to Shalva that they would come to play basketball with the Shalva Team. They did so without any publicity, just a video from one of the Dad’s which the press caught up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vEvTvgQfmE

 

Most of you will be surprised to know that several thousand Gazans already have work permits to cross into Israel, obviously they go through security on their way, and as a result of an agreement probably with Hamas (or not) the plan to allow some 10,000 further work permits for Gazans to cross over into Israel has been granted. At the same time after just a two day break, the truckloads of staple foodstuffs, fuel and of course electricity supply have been reinstated. Perhaps the least spoken about but perhaps one of the most important aspects of this group of leaders is that they chose not to free any prisoners, terrorists, in the “deal” to end Operation Breaking Dawn.

 

I try not to write about the internal problems of the USA, it isn’t my place, but this really got my goat. The City University of New York union delegates, who are charged with representing the entire CUNY faculty, created a group called “Not in Our Name.” In a public letter, they declared Israel to be a “settler colonial state” that commits “ethnic cleansing” and “genocide” and “funds Nazi militia groups.” The delegates further pledged to “create networks and programs within the CUNY Jewish population to . . . unlearn Zionism.” I cannot begin to understand. If you want to put your name to protest please sign the petition. https://www.change.org/p/university-student-senate-abolish-antisemitism-at-the-city-university-of-new-york/psf/promote_or_share

 

“Keep this law because that is what will make the nations of the world think of you as wise and understanding, and when they hear about these laws, they will say that surely this must be a wise understanding nation to have them.”  Deuteronomy 4:6  But is it true? Was Moses just a little too hopeful and maybe naïve? Rabbi Jeremy Rosen considers this in todays short precis of the Torah reading this week.  https://www.jwire.com.au/shabbat-vaetchanan-do-they-admire-us/

 

Israel is not only a country whose founding fathers wrote freedom of prayer and religion into it’s declaration of independence, Israel has never held back the advancement of women. Major Dana (family name not given for obvious reasons) is the Commander of an Iron Dome missile defense battery. The Islamic Jihad just fired 1,000 rockets at Israel. About 160 fell short in Gaza. Iron Dome intercepted more than 95% of the rest, saving thousands of lives. Thank God for Maj. Dana & her comrades.

 

As we get closer to yet another round of elections and two party primaries have already produced their expected and unexpected results I could not but think of what Sir Winston Churchill said of democratic elections

“At the bottom of all the tributes paid to democracy is the little man, walking into the little booth, with a little pencil, making a little cross on a little bit of paper—no amount of rhetoric or voluminous discussion can possibly diminish the overwhelming importance of that point”. —House of Commons, 31 October 1944

 

Blessing Akawasi Afrifah represented Israel at the European Athletics Championship and came away with a Gold Medal and a world record run, the first Israeli to run the 200 metres in under 20 seconds. Born and raised in Israel his father worked in the Ghanaian Embassy and Blessing, a true Blessing, became an Israeli citizen. Just a short while ago Lonah Chemtai Salpeter honoured us with Israel’s first ever medal in a Marathon in the world Athletics Championship in Eugene Oregon. I love the rainbow of Israeli society.

 

Did you know that Scottish Jews have their own Tartan?  Yes really. Scottish Jews have a fine history, producing Members of Parliament, Ministers and so much more in medicine and business. Now they can add to their list of honours!  https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/jewish-tartan

 

After three long years in which Covid paralysed Australia and made travel almost impossible, the wonderful Pauline and John Gandel arrived in Israel for two short and crazy days with daughter Lisa who runs the family Foundation. I cannot begin to describe the friendship, the warmth, the love between Pauline and John and ourselves but it meant that despite a crushing schedule, we got to see them twice to catch up on “everything”! They come to Israel for many reasons but this time it was to see the progress made on the Gandel Rehabilitation Centre in Hadassah Hospital on Mount Scopus. The generosity of the Gandel family is legend in their native Melbourne and they have many projects here in Israel but I think this is my favourite. An essential addition to the famous hospital it opens state of the art possibilities to those injured by illness, accident and war. There are many wealthy people in this world but few who always look out into their surroundings seeking ways to make life better for all. I love the entire Gandel family for so many reasons one of which, perhaps the most important, is the determined sense of a close Jewish family that the lovely Pauline keeps as her priority.

 

I must get on with my writing, the only problem with our new study set up is that since we now have side-by-side computers the temptation to chat and discuss tends to cause me to digress from the issue at hand and as you well know, I digress without reason anyway!

 

Last night we had a “Bira and Shira” (Beer and Song) evening on the area next to the Big House put on by our local council. Actually there wasn’t any beer but rather some excellent Israeli wines. It was gorgeous because the band played both wonderful Israeli songs that I knew and also Beatles songs all of them dedicated to the romance of Tu b’Av. In fact, my favourite part of the evening was watching the local children dance in unison and with gusto! As my friend said “It’s just like the old days when the kibbutz children used to be like family”

 

In a very short while we will set of for the centre of Jerusalem to the gorgeous Yoel Solomon Street, the pedestrian street with multi-coloured parasols overhead, to the Piccalino restaurant and the birthday brunch in honour of the 75^th birthday of one of our newest Olim. Professor Jozek Dodziuk-Justitz and his lovely wife Ruth.  After many years in New York City they came home and enjoy every moment with new and old friends.

 

This evening, for Shabbat Dinner, we are with Leor, Shiri, Amit, Ori and Yuval, only three girls since Gili is on her Bat Mitzvah trip with her other grandparents Menashe and Galia. And tomorrow we will have Shabbat lunch with our newest Olim friends, Merle and Frank Friedman from South Africa. Old friends for Zvi but new Olim to Israel.

 

Sunday and Rachel, Yosef, Talia, Ayala and myself will board a flight to London where we will not only celebrate Gideon’s 50^th birthday (last month) but all 8 of my grandchildren will be in one city at one time and I will be so full of love that I have been dreaming about it for weeks! Zvi will stay here to guard the country and drive to be with his grandchildren without me asking for the car! In addition to family events we will all try to see old friends and a few cousins but our priority will be Gideon, Stephanie, Sammy, Olivia and Zachary, and of course Callie and Joshua.  On the Thursday we are driving to Oxford to meet up with my siblings, Doreen, Ronnie and Sandie and my cousins Lynne and Michael and while we natter about family things Rachel will take the children to see Exeter College where Uncle Daniel studied and walk along the banks of the Isis, hopefully explaining why the Thames is called the Isis in Oxford, perhaps even hiring a punt to complete the experience and sit on the grass to picnic.  In fact what I’m trying to tell you, gently, is that the chances of my writing next week are highly limited because as much as I love you all……. But am thrilled to say that I will be caught up in my family!

 

What songs? Love songs obviously but which ones? Hebrew or English? Israeli or…….

 

What else but Heart to Heart – a song of love. Shir le Ahava https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Jmyu6MQHc

 

A love song to Israel, a love song to the only country we have. This little Jewish country which tries so hard to get it right. Ein li Eretz Aheret, I have no other country

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMD-g_YP2wA

 

When I was in Ulpan, the Hebrew language school Ulpan Akiva at Ramat Poleg run by Shulamit Katzanelson 35 years ago, one of the ways to learn Hebrew was through song. I was in the choir and my solo was this incredible song, a love song to Israel. The music was composed by Nurit Hirsch and the lyrics by Ehud Manor. This week Nurit Hirsch celebrates her 80^th birthday   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQLU1a-rnGA

 

I wish you love in all aspects or your life. To give, to receive and to spread.

 

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem,

Sheila

 

 

 

 

 

Mourning Motza and Music

 

5^th August 2022

 

Shabbat Shalom everyone.

 

I hope and pray that all our friends in California and Europe where brush and forest fires abound are safe and sound.

 

Thoughts for the day as we near Tisha b’Av. Tisha b’Av, the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, the day on which we mourn the destruction of the Holy Temple and so many other horrific disasters  - Both Holy Temples destroyed, Jewish expulsion from England, Jewish expulsion from Spain (Inquisition) both World War One and World War Two began. What do all the above have in common? Hate. Just hatred, refusal to accept the other and a determination to destroy. In Judaism, as I said last week, this is know as Sinat Hinam – unwarranted hatred. This time is relevant for all of us, as I always say, whichever way you turn to pray. So let’s try to put a few facts on the table and consider whether the current rate of ant-Israel rant is warranted or not.

 

This is where I intended quoting Shylock “do we not bleed” etc, but then I thought about the warnings of disaster that were ignored. Ze’ev Jabotinsky was a born leader. He expended huge amounts of energy trying to warn the Jews of Poland of impending disaster.

JABOTINSKY’S TISHA B’AV PROPHECY Warsaw, Tisha B’Av, 1938 

“For three years that I have been calling on you, Jews of Poland, the glory of world Jewry, with an appeal. I have been ceaselessly warning you that the catastrophe is coming closer. My hair has turned white and I have aged in these years, because my heart is bleeding, for you, dear brothers and sisters, do not see the volcano which will soon begin to spurt out the fire of destruction. I see a terrifying sight. The time is short in which one can still be saved. I know: you do not see, because you are bothered and rushing about with everyday worries … Listen to my remarks at the twelfth hour. For God’s sake: may each one save his life while there is still time. And time is short.

I want to say one more thing to you on this day of the Ninth of Av: Those who will succeed to escape from the catastrophe will merit a moment of great Jewish joy — the rebirth and rise of a Jewish State. I do not know if I will earn that. My son, yes! I believe in this just as I am sure that tomorrow morning the sun will shine once again. I believe in this with total faith.”

 

Black and brown Jews fled to Israel from violent anti-Semitism in Arab and African countries. Most Israelis are people of colour and/or children of refugees, making the cry of colonialism and apartheid all the more ludicrous. Jews come in every colour, shape and size; in every level of religiosity. That’s a fact. Why fight amongst ourselves just because we differ, surely there are enough people in the world who hate us without hating each other? To me it is irrelevant whether, as a Christian, you pray in Church, Chapel, Cathedral or Temple and as a Jew it matters not to me, on a personal level, whether you call yourself Haredi, Orthodox, Masorti, Traditional, Conservative, Reform, Liberal or Reconstructionist, all I ask is that you respect each other’s choice and keep the traditions of our ancestors who ensured our survival as a people.

 

The Rabbis and sages claim that the litany of disasters begin and end with baseless hatred, giving the ultimate example of Kamza and Bar Kamza, here it is explained in a series of videos. https://www.alephbeta.org/playlist/baseless-hatred-sinat-chinam

 

Last two items that cannot be ignored then only positive and healthy news and stories!

 

Firstly, the PA raised the salaries of the Hebrew University terrorist’s families “due to inflation”. That’s your money by the way

Secondly: For those of you who think Iran, nuclear bombs and threats is all about destroying Israel, here’s the latest quote from Iran: We will ‘build nuclear warheads’ and turn NY into ‘hellish ruins”

 

Now to happier things, positive news and this week’s activities in the Raviv household.

 

One of the major challenges in the Diaspora, for everyone, is the verbal defence of Israel. Yosef Haddad is Israeli, Moslem and Arab and here he blows all the stereotypes into smithereens as he shows us “You don’t have to be a Jew to be successful in Israel!” https://youtu.be/MmMJAOyaaPk

 

Zvi and I went to pick up our “new” car this week and I noticed a man, an amputee, coping brilliantly with manoeuvering his way through the maze of desks and cars in order to greet everyone. I had to talk to him, well as you know already, Zvi and I chat to strangers on a regular basis, and as he neared where we were sitting, I complimented him on his wonderful manner and beautiful smile. He then told me his story. He was already injured during his IDF service, and one day he was on a bus when a terrorist, with an explosive device boarded the bus. This man fought the terrorist, got him off the bus onto the pavement and lay on top of him holding him down and keeping his hand from pressing the button to explode until police came. We were in the presence of a real hero, not a film star, his name is unknown but a real, honest hero who fights his PTSD every day of his life by smiling and greeting people bringing sunshine into the lives of others

 

For football fans (the football that involves only feet) Messi and Neymar brought the entire team to play in Israel and introduce them to this wonderful country https://www.timesofisrael.com/messi-neymar-lead-paris-saint-germain-to-french-champions-trophy-in-tel-aviv/

 

Sunday was a good day! It began with spending time with Rachel, Talia and Ayala in the centre of Jerusalem. My three girls are so loving and caring, really watching over me! I then came home and in the evening was a momentous event! The wonderful Lola Cohen, born in Birmingham, married and lived in Leamington Spa, who together with her late husband Norman worked for understanding between Christians and Jews. Lola well deserved the marvellous fun party thrown for her by her two daughters, Stephanie and Gail, surrounded by friends. Still fighting the good fight at 90. Lola – Ad 120

 

The funny part was my journey to Stephanie’s home in Gilo. Apparently an accident had blocked the main roads to Gilo and WAZE sent me through a tiny back road, which is quite normal but this road not only wound and twisted it’s way up the hillside the “sleeping policemen” (road humps) were more like sleeping elephants! I have never seen anything quite like it. I swear each hump must have been at least a metre high. Honestly!

 

Yesterday began rather earlier than expected. The technician was due to arrive at 07:00 so I was awake but he called me at 05:50 to say he was close! A hurried shower and we both threw our clothes on to welcome David with the new computers. Yes folks, at this very moment we are both sitting comfortably at our own computers at the long desk which was made ready a year ago when we moved in!! David was very kind, so much so I forgave him for interrupting my usual morning routine of coffee, crackers with amazing Israel Cottage Cheese, the newspaper, puzzles, crossword, Wordle and Spelling Bee while sitting in the shade on our veranda (mirpesset) watching the sunbirds drink from the special feeder I bought together with Lola Cohen! Anyway, as happens in Israel, David and I began a discussion about “Sinat Hinam” and the 9^th of Av. David is what we call here, Dati Leumi, which means religious but utterly loyal to Israel. Anyway we spoke of acceptance and how he tried to explain to his Rabbi that it is irrelevant how a man prays, but rather what a man does. A good man is David.

 

As soon as David left us with our new technical toys I ate a quick breakfast and fulfilled my promise to Yosef to take him to Decathlon to get some sports gear. Only problem is that Decathlon is about 70 kilometres away! It was so much fun to talk to him, my incredible 17 year old grandson. We spoke about the car, about his future and of course about what an amazing person he is. It’s a huge compliment to their parents that all three of Rachel’s children are growing into warm, loving, huggy adults.

I came home, collected Zvi and we went off to the supermarket! Well although he was busy he won’t let me carry anything! You must understand that most of the managers and workers in the supermarkets are Arab, local (Abu Ghosh), many are students, mostly women, and here, unlike in Europe,  there is no problem with them wearing a hijab, any more than it would be a problem for them to cover their hair as religious Jews do.

We got back home, put the groceries away and collapsed into a stupor almost forgetting to eat lunch!

 

Then after a crazy day, last night one of our neighbours held a delightful evening of “Shira b’Tzibur” – the highly inadequate translation is a singsong. We just walked down our row of homes to Building 17 2^nd floor, with my salad contribution, meeting and greeting other neighbours headed in the same direction. Zvi sang his heart out to the delight of everyone present, it made the rest of us amateurs more confident of singing out loud because he drowned out our mistakes!! It was such a delightful way to meet neighbours we had not yet connected with and one of them spoke of the history of our ”Yishuv”

 

Through Zvi’s encyclopaedic knowledge I have already told you the story of the Avenue of the Presidents which lies right under our veranda https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/herzls-tree/ , and of the “White House” Convalescent Home in our park, but there is so much more including the exceptional Tel Motza excavations. Firstly Motza Illit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motza_Illit and then the excavations https://www.telmoza.org/ You can even register to the dig!

 

Tonight our wonderful friends Danny and Judit Liwerant, Zvi’s friends from his teenage years in Mexico,  a friend of theirs and our Jerusalemite friend Eli Ben Tovim, are coming for Shabbat Dinner. It will be a fascinating evening of shared memories and Jewish history. There is just one problem, I haven’t prepared the food yet! I’m absolutely certain that by about 15:00 I will be ready to drive over to Rachel’s to get my Shabbat hugs from everyone and to make that climb up to Samuel’s Tomb so that I can stop the car at the new Vista Point and draw a deep breath as I look over all of Jerusalem like a huge relief map set out before me. Once I love to remind myself of the high buildings which acted as my compass, but today there are innumerable tall buildings as Jerusalem grows and grows.

 

And so to music.

 

Ladino is the language of expulsion, the language of the Sefardi (Spanish and Portuguese) Diaspora, just as Yiddish is the language of the East European Diaspora. Here Yehoram Gaon sings Adio Querida, which many believe to be a love songs of a lover leaving his/her lover but in fact it is a song of sadness, disappointment and even hatred for Spain where the Jews gave their all, were perfect citizens and then the expulsion came. Adio Querida https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMV1fcH9Hzo I admit that I love it when Zvi sings it but he has never recorded it!

 

There are many joyous songs to welcome the Sabbath and this little video expresses the tradition of inviting others to join the Shabbat table. It is irrelevant whether you have a mansion or a humble bedsit, the Jewish wish to share food with those who need it is always present. https://youtu.be/Bjd539KCwFw

 

So dear friends, this is a real “Shehechyanu” the prayer for new things new places, new food and new experiences so I thought, why not for new computers! It has been so much fun sitting beside Zvi and holding conversations as I write. He helps me find words in English that I forget (yes really) and it just feels so much more interesting!! Basically this is not a prayer, it gives thanks to the Almighty for bringing us to the day, to the moment, in which we can experience new things https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zt1YAdyT1I  

 

With much love and wishes for a Shabbat Shalom, a Sabbath of Peace, whether you celebrate on Friday night and Saturday or on Sunday. Greetings from your friend who gives thanks every day for the honour of living in Israel.

 

Sheila