Pain politics and lovely visitors

25th November, 2022 Shabbat Shalom! I hope that all my American friends had many things to be Thankful for yesterday. Even if in many ways Thanksgiving has lost its original meaning, the idea of giving thanks for what we have when on the other 364 days of the year we tend to complain, is, or can be, life changing. Sadly yesterday, and the day before were not good days in Israel although many of us gave thanks that we, and our families, are alive. I didn’t need to be told that there had been terror attacks, the number of ambulance and police sirens rushing past on Road Number One told me that something ghastly had happened. It may not have reached your news media, but two explosive devices were placed, very strategically, at bus stops on the outskirts of Jerusalem. One at the major intersection of Ramot where miraculously no-one was killed although it is usually packed at 07:15, a bus had just passed through and picked up all the waiting passengers so the bus stop was empty; at the other bus stop and hitchhiking site, right near the Calatrava Bridge on road number one, a 16 year old Canadian Yeshiva student lost his life and another 18 people were hurt. Both bombs were well thought out, caused total chaos since both main entrances to Jerusalem were closed, cars sitting, unable to proceed for hours, this was not a moment of anger but the work of professional criminals taught to hate over the last 74 years and before. The anger, the sheer unadulterated hatred has been carefully nurtured by terror organisations, terror organisations accepted and paid for by the governments of your countries. Two days ago, a 19 year old Druze decided to repair his car in Jenin, believing that since his native tongue is Arabic he would be safe. He had an accident, was taken to hospital and then it happened – members oof the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, took him, pulling all the infusions out of his arm, killed him and kidnapped his body. His family told the Israeli government that they did not want his body to be exchanged for anyone, they refused to risk the lives of soldiers of the IDF. Our diplomats used every diplomatic tool at their disposal but since the family is not an official body, they succeeded in contacting the powers that be in Syria and Lebanon and incredibly, the Tanzim, the “army” of the PA, sat with the kidnappers for 6 hours to convince them to return the body. I am sure that the Druze community were able to use threats that an official body cannot which facilitated the return of Tiran Ferro’s body for burial. As you probably know, we don’t have a government yet, possibly Benjamin Netanyahu will not succeed in forming a government, because of the partners he chose to enter the fray. When entering a battle one takes only trustworthy, loyal allies otherwise they undermine every move and can lead to defeat. That is the story of Benjamin Netanyahu and the recent elections. Ben Gvir, having gained seats has suddenly calmed down, his pre-election histrionics having served their purpose but Smotrich is an idealist, adamant and unmoving in his demands, demands that cannot be met by any leader of a democratic country. The coalition negotiations are at an impasse because Smotrich wants Ministerial positions that would change the status quo of Israel’s Jewish religious life and the status of non-Jews in Israel – in other words to change the face of Israel’s multi-faceted society. As power hungry as Netanyahu may be he is, after all, a pragmatic leader who cannot counter extremism if he wants to be taken seriously in the wider world. The damage done by the election success of both Smotrich and Ben Gvir has damaged our relationship with even our most loyal allies. The perception is that we have become a less tolerant society, less democratic which is not true on one level, because democratic elections reflect the leanings of the people, but true on another – Israelis always lean to the right when there are attacks, and immediately prior to the elections there were several lone attacks. Outside Israel, in countries where stabbings and shootings are commonplace, the Israeli electorate’s swing to the right has brought condemnation, a lack of understanding that really disturbs me. I have never been on the right of the political map, was deeply concerned by the election results, but would never consider withdrawing my loyalties, I would never be that fickle. I am however, horrified by the level of anti-Israel, anti-Semitic propaganda found today in the USA, particularly in the universities. Today it is predominantly verbal but already changing to physical. A dear friend who had a very high position in New York’s academic world, came home one day and said “That’s it, I cannot stay here for one more day. We are packing up and going to Israel” They did, their life did a 180 and they are happier than ever! The secret is not only to see the writing on the wall but to understand what is written. I am not suggesting that the entire diaspora move to Israel, that would be ridiculous, but I never want to see the situation where life becomes so untenable that everyone wants to go elsewhere. Talking of going elsewhere, our dear friend Valeri Silver thought he would enjoy his retirement but today he is busier than ever! Valeri spends a great deal of his time at Ben Gurion Airport, meeting Ukrainians and Russians who want to either make Aliya (become citizens according to the law of return) or request asylum. The amount of paperwork to check eligibility for either situation is lengthy, much less than other countries but those who fled the war in Ukraine or the ever-increasing anti-Semitism in Russia, need a friendly face to overcome language and bureaucracy. Valeri not only helps with the formalities but also explaining their rights to social security help and language lessons. The process takes place at the airport and then they are taken to hotels and hostels to begin the process of absorption into Israeli society, given all the help they need to continue. As you may remember, Valeri and his lovely wife Ira (Irene) came to Israel on Aliya just one year after I did. Zvi met them when on a Jewish Agency/ Keren Hayesod visit to Moscow in 1990 and when they arrived, they found a friend in Zvi, I loved them immediately and we became family. Their children, Tomer and Shelley, are loved as much as our own. After many years of assisting Aliya from communities in Russia, Valeri is now the first contact for those who come home. Another community that made Aliya is the Ethiopian community, and they brought a beautiful festival with them, the festival of Sigd which takes place 50 days after Yom Kippur on the 29th of the Hebrew month of Heshvan. Sigd has become a national festival and tells the story of the longing for Jerusalem, for Israel, while in exile in Ethiopia. https://m.knesset.gov.il/en/about/lexicon/pages/sigd.aspx Israeli research, especially medical research is known the world over. The most incredible of all recent results is a new non-invasive procedure for the removal of cancerous tumours, which has proven successful in animals. A new non-invasive technology using low-frequency nanobubble-enhanced ultrasound mechanotherapy has been developed in Tel Aviv University. Since I cannot begin to understand the complexities here is the link https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-723059 Where we live is steeped in history. Motza, established in 1854, and Motza Illit have many wonderful historic sites and Zvi brought a group of VIPs to see it for real! The stump of a tree planted by Theodore Herzl and trees planted by all subsequent Israeli presidents; a beautiful building the architecture of which is based on the White House and was built in the 1920’s as a respite for members of the Histadrut union; the Seven Sisters Road so called because it has 7 hairpin bends, much to the surprise of visiting friends! We really want the Avenue and the area leading to the pillboxes to be beautiful, to give the area a well-earned renewal. I am thrilled to say that our home is once again filled with visitors! Covid changed everything but this week was proof that life is returning to normal. Zvi had a wonderful week of speaking Spanish I admit to my chagrin because I am not good at languages) not only with his cousin Jack and Jack’s lovely lady friend Lina, but with David Efron, the Honorary Consul for Israel in Puerto Rico and a dear friend who popped in for a few hours and Zvi met with Isaak Guttin - all of whom wanted to visit to the Western Wall and the Old City with their special guide, Mr. Zvi Raviv. My special guest this week was Joy Wolfe, who always has wonderful stories to tell about the British Jewish Community. I got to meet with Marcus Sheff CEO of Impact-se, who gave me a quick update of the incredible advances we have made in changing the schoolbooks of those who previously were taught to hate us. We told him that one friend, deeply worried by the changes in US attitude to Israel, asked if we would consider studying the schoolbooks in US schools, but since the US is a democratic country in which each state, indeed each school area, decides upon the content of its schoolbooks research is impossible. In dictatorships there is no such freedom so schoolbooks are decided from the top. I was very disturbed by the suggestion that there is a need for change though. Let’s face it, tolerance and understanding may be lacking in a child’s home but must be introduced in schools at a very young age. The rain finally arrived last night and according to the weather forecasters, winter is actually here! I admit that I love the rain and it needs to be really cold for me to forego my breakfast on the veranda. In fact, two days ago Joy, David, Zvi and I sat outside on the veranda for our lunch! I love entertaining on the veranda, not only because the view is breathtaking, but that way there is no mess indoors! I get very excited when guests wax lyrical about the veranda, its size and the amazing array of flowers and fruits. Actually most are thrilled that the cuttings I steal wherever I go are taking root very nicely and beginning to spriggle! Of course, any visitors to our home also get a tour of the complex and the history thereof. My history lesson is of the emotional ties and the fact that Theodore Herzl, who was a very sick young man, came to visit Motza because it was said to have the purest air in the whole of Israel, whereas Zvi remembers exact dates and all the relevant personalities, giving everything a factual aspect. I have to ask you a question. When you read your newspaper or listen to the reported news, do you accept what is written or do you understand that every word is one person’s opinion rather than factual? As the fight for advertisers becomes the sole purpose of most media outlets we get less and less truth. For instance, one Israeli news outlet reported that a Qatari football fan shunned an Israeli reporter, yet that self same reporter filmed a wonderful piece of meeting Iranian fans and when he said he was from Israel they hugged him! It is all about perspective. Perhaps journalists should read this weeks Torah reading about lying! So, the evenings are closing in, Shabbat arrives really early and preparations are more hurried than in the lazy, hazy days of summer! The aromas remain though as each house prepares traditional food. Whether it is chicken soup with kneidlach or Kubeh soup; cholent or hamin; gefilte fish or “chraimeh” which should not be confused with “chrane” or horseradish and beetroot hot sauce which goes with gefilte fish, “chraimeh” means forbidden in Moroccan Arabic and is fish, either pieces or balls, in a spicy red sauce – yummy. Sorry I went off track again….. anyway, whatever your epicurean traditions, enjoy! That’s all Folks! And so to music The first song is called “Someone is here with me” from Kuloolam. Never feel alone, always be strong and be the best person you can be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_jUEaR86Lw On November the 29th, 1947 the Unnited Nations voted in favour of recognition of the State of Israel. https://m.knesset.gov.il/en/about/pages/nov29.aspx Just in case you forget the history and the pride of being part of Israel, before Abba Kovner understood the diaspora truth of “So Sorry We Won” we all watched “Exodus” Ari ben Canaan and the story told https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1sSfNHghZc&t=5s Finally, you and I can exercise the power of one. Each and every one of us can change the world if we are just willing to stand up for what is right, what is fair. Can you imagine if we all held hands and chose to be vehicles for change? What if we actually managed to bring tolerance and freedom to this crazy, angry world. Arik Einstein sang about it many years ago https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndSuL7WDVRY&t=2s Wishing everyone a beautiful Shabbat, irrespective of where you are, in which direction you pray and what words you use to reach out. With much love from Jerusalem Sheila

Journalists, politicians and a few home truths

18th November 2022 Hello! Shabbat Shalom! Hope you are well. Can I begin with a question? Why on earth does the USA feel that they have to investigate the death of one specific journalist when at least 45 journalists have died in war or revolution situations this year? Could it be because it involves the Israel Palestinian situation? Would anyone know the name Shireen Abu Akleh if she had died anywhere else in the world? It isn’t because she worked for Al Jazeera because nobody knows the name Tairq Ayyoub who was killed by American fire on Al Jazeera’s Baghdad office; Taras Protsyuk, 35, killed when an American tank fired a shell directly at the Reuters suite; Jose Couso, 37, a cameraman for the Spanish television channel Tele 5; British ITV News correspondent Terry Lloyd, who was killed by American troops on the southern Iraq warfront, all in Iraq. Of course, I am only aware of those killed by US fire, but please, understand that people die in wars and war correspondents are reporting from the most dangerous sites. War is ugly and our Defence Minister, Benny Gantz is rightly offended by the US insinuation that the investigation into the death of Shireen Abu Akleh was anything but thorough. I used to think that holding Israel, the IDF, to a higher standard than any other army in the world was a compliment, which it is, until those standards are used as a weapon. A while ago, I wrote about the industrial estate in Ariel, a town oft described as a settlement. The industrial estate, right on the border with the PA, employs equal numbers of Palestinians and new immigrants giving equal rights to both. Indeed in Yisrael Twitto’s factory he pays their medical insurance (there is none in the PA) and salaries equal to the Israeli standard. He also sends bright young workers to University at his expense. Why am I telling you about Ariel? Because this week a terrorist stabbed two security guards at the industrial estate, ran and stabbed two more people at the petrol station nearby, stole a car and rammed vehicles as he drove against the traffic on the main road. He killed 3 innocents and severely injured 3 more before being shot. I am certain that the 19 year old terrorist had no idea that he had chosen an oasis of cooperation to kill, or did he? It’s a given that we mere mortals cannot understand the machinations of politicians. They have a totally different mindset, sometimes I think that their thinking is totally vertical, whereas most of us have an element of lateral thinking. Imagine, you fight hard to achieve something then when the power is in someone else’s hand you fight the very thing that you put forward but the first thing you do when back in power is to put that thing high on your agenda. Did you understand what I just wrote? because I don’t understand the mindset or the action! Let me explain. As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led the discussions to repeal the necessity for Israelis to have visas to enter the USA, to have a visa waiver, and almost succeeded, but when the Bennet/Lapid government came to sign he decided he was against it! Now that he is back in power, he will push it through to ensure his signature is on the agreement. So confusing! Life is not easy for the newly re-elected Prime Minister. Benjamin Netanyahu is conceivably the brightest and most experienced politician on the Israeli political scene but this time his partners in the potential coalition are far further right than his centre right Likud and their idealistic extremism does not stop them from making impossible demands. As I said last week, I doubt very much that Mr Netanyahu will succumb to the carefully scripted histrionics of Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. Ben Gvir, most certainly not my cup of tea, is much more realistic whereas Smotrich honestly scares me. The fat lady has not sung a note yet, the discussions with all parties in the coalition will continue but the PM does not have an easy time ahead. The realization that Mrs Ben Gvir carries a hand weapon has created a storm of criticism, particularly as it was very apparent in a photograph taken with Sarah Netanyahu. Diplomatic relations are warming up with Turkey and conversations are taking place between the leaders. It has been a long journey for the Turkish leader who has taken his country on a myriad of attempted alliances after Turkey was refused entry into the EU. Once lose ties with Israel became strained to breaking point when the “Mavi Marmara” incident hit the headlines but gradually Erdogan has come to understand that his country’s alliance with Israel was the most logical. If I tell you that Israelis are off to Qatar in their thousands, would you believe me? Well they are. The World Cup will take place this week and thousands of Israelis have flown to Doha for the colossal event. Obviously, there are fears of diplomatic incidents but since Qatar is a virtual dictatorship in which those who break the law are severely punished, I believe that the powers that be will ensure the safety of Israelis, indeed of all their football fans, after all this is the first World Cup to be held in the Middle East! Many of you have never heard the name Yosef Haddad, probably thought he was just another Israeli, but in fact he is not “just” anything! Yosef Haddad is a young Arab Moslem Israeli who got fed up with the false reporting of life for Arab Israelis and after his studies set out to change the world! In this podcast entitled “You don’t have to be Jewish to be successful in Israel” he speaks out for those Arab Israelis who have succeeded in every sphere. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF6bxLnEuhU&t=2s Which reminded me of a cartoon put on Facebook by the wonderful Prof. Mohammed Dajani Douadi showing four men, two on each side of a tree. On the one side the Palestinians where the man on the ground is holding the man climbing up, preventing him from achieving his goal whereas the other side has two Israelis and the man on the ground is pushing the climber higher to achieve his goal. I was fascinated. Incidentally Prof. Dajani is from a very old and proud Jerusalem Palestinian family and spends his life working toward peace. He is on our International Advisory Board at www.impact-se.org and is a very special person. Talking of Impact-se, last week I forgot to tell you that I had a wonderful visit from Nancy Epstein, a Board member of Impact. It was so wonderful to actually meet her, enjoy her company rather than just seeing a friendly face on a Zoom meeting! As you well know I love to cook, have always felt that the secret to good food lies in the amount of love one puts into the process, but this week we enjoyed going to restaurants since I’m not quite back to standing and cooking. We actually went to the Pop Up Café in Kiriat Anavim on two consecutive days, once with some girlfriends and then with Zvi’s cousin Jack Shapiro and his lovely partner Lina. Waxing lyrical about the atmosphere of the coffee shop is obvious, as I said it’s like sitting in a bower, surrounded by beautiful plants and trees, and both the food and the service are excellent. Jack hasn’t been to our new home so it was really exciting. The next day, after a home cooked shakshuka, Zvi took them on a jam packed day in Jerusalem, starting at the Kotel (Western Wall) with a quick drive around the Old City, then to the Biblelands Museum https://www.blmj.org/en/about/ and on to the Herzl Museum https://www.itraveljerusalem.com/ent/herzl-museum/ , which is more of a fantastic walk through Herzl’s life than a museum visit, where they were met by Zvi’s close friend and Herzl expert Dr. Motti Friedman who created the museum, finally they went to the new memorial to fallen soldiers of the IDF next to the entrance to the Mount Herzl cemetery https://english.mod.gov.il/About/Legacy/Pages/National_Remembrance_Hall.aspx . Exhausted but happy Jack and Lina came home for a short rest then we set off for another restaurant, Naya in the nearby moshav of Beit Nekufa where we met Nattie and Yolli Zonszein for a Mexican reunion since the three men were all at high school together in Mexico City, the “Yiddische Shule” or Yiddish School where Zvi’s parents were teachers on loan from Israel. Indeed an evening of memories rekindled The following day, after I served everyone breakfast, we went for a walk around our complex, with a fantastic history lesson from Zvi. We walked the Presidents Avenue next to our apartment building, starting with the trees planted by Theodore Herzl and Woolfson and all subsequent Presidents soon to be joined by Isaac Herzog, perhaps next to his late father’s tree. We then had a tour of the exquisite building around which our complex was built. Originally built as a sanatorium for the Union (Histadrut) workers of the original health fund (kupat holim) its architecture is reminiscent of the White House, a truly elegant structure. Jack and Lina then left for Ra’anana and Zvi and I rested! This morning we were invited to our young neighbours for coffee which was delightful then Zvi headed off for his Friday Parliament and I sat down to write to you!! This evening we will go to Amiad and Noga for Shabbat dinner so that I do not need to prepare food. On Sunday Zvi will be showing an interested group the Avenue of the Presidents taking them down the many steps to the lower level and the pill boxes which defended the road to Jerusalem during the War of Independence in 1947-48, indeed the war which continues until today. It never fails to amaze me how every inch of Israel holds either Biblical or historic importance. If music be the food of love play on The late Chief Rabbi of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, Rabbi Jonathan Saks introduced this rendition of Oseh Shalom, giving extra meaning to the prayer, the words of which are “He who makes peace in his high places He shall make peace upon us And upon all of Israel And say Amen” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVM6x4BechI Bob Dylan wrote “Neighborhood Bully” as a commentary of the way that the world treats Israel and the Jews. A must listen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr3gyxCm6pU On a much happier note, in the old days whenever an El Al flight began to land in Ben Gurion Airport the tannoy on the plane would play Hevenu Shalom Aleichem, a traditional song of greeting, but today it is just ordinary muzak, which is rather a shame; however, the Jerusalem Music Academy decided to right the wrong and greeted a delighted group of young people with the old song in a brand new fashion. I know I have played it before but hey, it’s wonderful!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ_nbinWkvE By the way, I am very happy to tell you that my surgeon is very pleased with me! That’s all folks! As Shabbat nears, the time for contemplation and family, I wish you a good weekend. With love from Jerusalem Sheila

The Honey and the Sting

11th day of the 11th month 2022 Shabbat Shalom dear friends “The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns; the pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious to the rose.” ― Kahlil Gibran On the anniversary of the loss of lives in World Wars and two days after the anniversary of Kristallnacht it is perhaps hard to see the rose, especially with the world in its current ghastly state, but roses abound as the bright red poppies which bloomed in the mud and blood of Flanders Fields. Today, at the Cenotaph War Memorial in London, at precisely the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, silence will be observed as Royalty, Ministers, Old Soldiers all stand to attention. Each and every one of them with a red poppy on lapel, and wreaths of red poppies will be laid to honour those who fought that we may be free. The question on everyone’s lips and the concern in everyone’s mind is whether Benjamin Netanyahu will succeed in creating a viable coalition while clipping the wings of the birds of prey who want to join him. The name Itamar Ben Gvir is on the lips of the world and the pages of virtually every newspaper in the West and rightly so. As far as the vast majority of Israelis are concerned, nay distressed at his success, his antipathy to what we stand for sometimes masks the similarity between his rants and those of the very people he claims to hate! However, since we are talking about roses not thorns, I must place my trust in the experience and ability of Netanyahu to avoid an international outcry. I await the result of the coalition list. I understand that the concerns of the Diaspora Community are twofold and both aspects are valid. In terms of “How do we look to the outside world” I don’t really have an answer, but Israel is most certainly held to a higher standard than any other country, including yours! Really. When you look at the number of countries which have troops far from home on lands that have been “occupied” and realise that those self-same countries spend a great deal of time, and air-time berating Israeli occupation it gives a degree of balance to our situation. The other aspect which may well affect the relationship between Diaspora Jews and Israel is the threatened changes in the level of religious control. In truth, I cannot see any of these changes taking place but the disconnect may well take place anyway. The rose and thorn? The Jewish Agency has decided to ensure security of the egalitarian section of the Western Wall but I am sad that it is necessary. So? what are the results of the USA by-elections? I understand that it is all much closer than expected but since I do not really understand the electoral system in the USA I would love someone to explain it to me! So far it is 48 seats to the Republicans, 46 to the Democrats and 2 to small parties which looks as if there is no clear majority. Does that matter? Does it affect future resolutions? The rose here is that unlike the thorns of the last elections with riots and storming of Congress, things seem to be much more civilised but we still have two years until the Presidential elections. Is the Kristallnacht history still relevant today? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristallnacht Can our children and grandchildren understand what began on that fateful day when anti-Semitism became overt? How did dehumanisation culminate in the beginning of the end for European Jewry? If we don’t tell the story and compare it to what is happening today then we are preparing to repeat history. I see the horrors that young Jews suffer at University, particularly in the USA but nearly everywhere in the West, and I fear for their future. When I lived in the UK, actually in London, I was very active in an organisation called AJ6, the Association of Jewish 6th Formers (the last two years of high school) preparing them for University and the tacit anti-Semitism that they would meet there. The emphasis on tacit, whereas today it is overt and even acceptable and I fear that today’s youngsters are not prepared, gather all their information from TikTok and Instagram, have lost their pride in being Jewish and in Israel because we, their parents and grandparents did not ensure that they were educated in who they are and where they come from. How do we know that the Palestinians are not garnering enough media space? They immediately put forward a resolution to the International Court of Justice in the Hague! Yet again the old trope of Israeli occupation tantamount to annexation of lands beyond the 1967 borders is going before the Court this week after consideration by the United Nations. Of course, the result is a forgone conclusion and while it doesn’t actually affect Israel it is an uncomfortable diplomatic situation for Jerusalem. In fact the PA are planning a diplomatic blitz (in the words of Khaled Abu Toameh) based on Smotrich/Ben Gvir to raise their profile. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-722036 So what about a few roses? Qatar has direct flights from Ben Gurion Airport for the Mondial, the World Cup! Lonah Chemtai Salpeter became the second fastest woman in the New York Marathon just 7 seconds behind the winner! Lonah came to Israel from Kenya, fell in love and married her trainer and has proudly draped herself in the Israeli flag with each and every win. Brava! Promises and handshaking were the order of the day at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm el Sheikh Egypt. All the participating countries pledged to improve their ecological record but I’m not sure anyone is watching over their progress. President Isaac Herzog headed the Israeli delegation at the conference. Few people are aware of the 8th Abu Dhabi Assembly for Peace a true rose among the thorns. It is the meeting of the minds of good people from the full gamut of religion and religious observance with the intention of understanding each other while retaining our individual identity. I am very proud of the fact that Rabbi David Rosen represents the very best of Judaism in this and many such gatherings. Thank you David. This was a good week for Zvi and I. Our wonderful friend Kim aka Dr Kimball Taylor, came on his 61st visit to Israel in order to attend the Jewish Agency for Israel Meetings in Tel Aviv. Kim sits on the Aliya Committee bringing a totally fresh aspect to their work and then he came to stay with us. We are being very careful not to overload me with visitors but Kim is a member of the family and basically knows where everything is in the fridge and clears up after himself. It’s also good to hear that my surgery was amazing from the lips of the good doctor!! It has been a week-ful of birthdays! Ori, Shiri, Rachel and Ayala on consecutive days! I decided to take Rachel out for lunch a day early, and Yosef came along for the ride. We went to my new favourite coffee shop on the edge of Kibbutz Kiriat Anavim. Kiriat Anavim or town of grapes, was built on land bought from the village of Abu Ghosh in 1912. The area has blossomed, as has the relationship with Abu Ghosh and the coffee shop not only has delicious food, delightful young waiters but is set in a veritable bower of plants. My lovely friend Betty called in for a surprise visit and a delightful catch-up and then Monica and Evan Minkoff popped in after a day with Zvi and on their way to the airport and home to Denver Colorado. I am really doing very well and have been given an excellent regime of physio from my local clinic. So far it has been really helpful although when Zvi and Kim decided to climb up to the Castel right next to our home, I admit that I backed out! https://en.parks.org.il/reserve-park/castel-national-site/ Doing one and a half kilometres on our complex is quite enough for me! We had rain! As usual Tel Aviv was flooded but there is more than one advantage to living in the Jerusalem Hills! We don’t flood and our plants, trees and fields get life giving water. Suddenly yellow patches along the road turn lush and trees lose their summer dust, their true colours shining through. The white Jerusalem stone buildings glisten in the sun and the world seems to have a cleaner, fresher look. Our veranda looks spectacular! The tiny lime tree has over twenty limes and more coming daily as the sunbirds do an excellent job of fertilizing the fragrant blossom; the kumquat tree has a lot of fruit although rather small this year but the lemons are fast changing colour from green to a vibrant yellow. Small fruits but filled with juice. The various coloured hibiscus are thriving in the gentle sunshine and I discovered that cuttings from my new bright red hibiscus, a get-well gift from my siblings, can be propagated easily! In other words, the work put in earlier in the year is paying off in a glorious display! This week’s Torah reading, Vayera from Genesis, is deeply relevant to today as the story of Abraham, Sarah, Hagar and Ishmael reaches a head. Who would have thought that a family dispute thousands of years ago could culminate in today’s wars. Heavenly guests tell Sarah she is pregnant and the Almighty destroys Sodom and Gemorrah, then Sarah gives birth and insists that her handmaiden Hagar with Abraham’s son Ishmael, be sent from their home. Talk about complications! And now to music. I can’t think what fits all the roses and thorns of a week in the Middle East but I promise to try. This song about Jerusalem sung by Gad Elbaz really touched my heart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZoXAPj_zZ8 I know that your favourite is Koolulam and here they take the rose and thorns and bring a beautiful song in a new recording from September this year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9R57G02nW8&t=1s Al Kol Eleh – Above all this – is about the honey and the sting, the rose and the thorns. I love this rendition by Yonina https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWp4KgvyPYw&t=5s The lyrics are basically the recipe for life. Every bee that brings the honey, Needs a sting to be complete; And we all must learn to taste the bitter with the sweet. http://www.hebrewsongs.com/song-alkoleleh-bikel.htm To everyone, to my family beside me and in far flung places, to my friends both near and far, we wish you a good weekend, a Shabbat Shalom, and more roses than thorns, more honey than stings. Shabbat Shalom and much love from Jerusalem. Remember that Israel is both your mother and your child, you care for her as a child loves her mother and she cares for you in the same way that a mother loves her child. We don’t always agree but the love that binds us overrides any disagreements. With love Sheila

Elections and so much more

4th November 2022 Shabbat Shalom! I hope this missive finds you well. “The fault lies not with the mob, who demands nonsense, but with those who do not know how to produce anything else.” Cervantes in Don Quixote So the Israeli elections took place and the results must be accepted, whether we like it or not. The true test of democracy is when your party does not win. Like it or not we must accept the democratic process. I happen to believe that the media is partly to blame for the rise of the extreme right because every single newscast for the last few months reported on the aggressive histrionics of Itamar Ben Gvir, supporter of Meir Kahane, with the inverse effect of making him a hero not the anti-hero they intended. As the individual terror attacks increased, his melodramatic gun waving seemed almost sane and two men, neither of whom served in the IDF hold the balance. I hope and pray that this isn’t a green light to the “Hilltop Youth” to run amok. Although I did not vote for Benjamin Netanyahu, I accept his win. He is a very clever man and a brilliant speaker, but his campaign, claiming that both Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz are “left wing” has put him in bed with two parties that will hold him hostage over policies that are against the principles of the Likud Party and the good of the entire country. The electoral manipulations and name-calling created an atmosphere as if the undoubted diplomatic and political successes of the last 18 months dissipated into thin air. Perhaps, hope against hope, he will recognise the danger and ally with the centrist parties, only the next few weeks will tell as the President calls upon him to form a coalition. When it comes down to it, everything depends upon demographics and whether the centrists came out to vote or went on vacation. 27 years ago, on the 4th of November 1995, a peace rally was held in Tel Aviv attended by many politicians including Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin. Yitzchak Rabin often complained that the level of security was too constrictive, indeed when he invited us, together with Ehud Olmert, to join him at an event in the State Department in Washington, just 9 days previously, we were amazed at the lack of security as we simply walked in to an event with President Clinton. We had no idea that would be the last time we saw him. I’m sorry, I digress, the purpose of mentioning security was that prior to the above-mentioned peace rally, the level of incitement by the extreme right can only be described as murderous incitement to hatred and as a result a Prime Minister, a former Chief of Staff was assassinated and Israel still hasn’t recovered. Rabin’s understanding of the birth of the Jewish nation, his combination of Chief of Staff, Defence Minister and Prime Minister who was born in Mandate Palestine can no longer be repeated. Please listen to his interview on American television to fully appreciate the great man that he was. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kCfqCHbFas Possibly the most ironic fact that came out of the final recount of votes is that Avigdor Liberman gained a seat and Torah Judaism lost a seat. A sad fact is that the left wing Meretz party is out of the Knesset caused by internal turmoil, a poor campaign and the understanding that their policies are no longer attractive. One of the first responses from over the border came from Jibril Rajoub, Secretary General of Fatah’s Central Committee and Minister for Football (really) in the PA, who came out describing the potential government as militant and racist. General Rajoub is no longer an active terrorist but was, and despite his continuing refusal to accept the State of Israel has all his money (lots of it) in a Bank Leumi account under the name of Gil Regev!!! Last week, one of the only Christian villages still remaining in the Palestinian Authority, the village of Beit Sachur between Bethlehem and Jerusalem, held a Christmas Fair. At last something both fun and entirely Christian in a village where finding work is almost impossible and most come into Israel to work. Two young thugs came into the village and tried to disrupt the event and the Priest threw them out. Sorry two young Moslem thugs came into the village and tried to disrupt events and the Priest bravely threw them out. They came back with a couple of dozen cohorts and stoned and beat up the Christians at the fair. It didn’t even rate a mention in the media! However, Melanie Phillips wrote about it I ask you to read her report. https://melaniephillips.substack.com/p/the-jihadi-onslaught-against-christians Sadly, Bethlehem is now barely 10% Christian. I love Rabbis, indeed clergy of all faiths, who look outside their own world. My dear friend Rabbi Jeremy Rosen did just that this week as he talked about a religious leader who he admired, Pope John 23rd. Pope John had the rare ability to see the world as it really was not as he had been taught, he changed that world in uncountable ways. Please read this excellent essay. https://jeremyrosen.com/2022/11/pope-john-23rd.html Racist, anti-Semitic attacks, both verbal and physical, have increased dramatically in the USA. American Universities have become a hotbed of hatred toward Jewish students in an overt and terrifying manner. I have written to Deans and Proctors of Universities asking why they do nothing about it. The answer is inevitably “Freedom of Speech” which is undoubtedly the least acceptable response. Freedom of speech? Freedom and democracy mean that all sectors are protected from hatred, not just one sector and no sector should be targetted. Kanye West is the latest example and his followers are mindlessly accepting his rants. If only he and his ilk could hear Rev Dr Martin Luther King speak of the Jews, who incidentally walk beside him from Selma and fought the fight with him. Until the Jews, no not only the Jews of the United States, all good folk, react and shun those responsible, life for the American Jew will become untenable. We had an interesting week, quite apart from the elections! Lots of visitors who make me feel so much better about being at home, and Zvi went to his audition with the newly formed Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra choir and was accepted!! Of course, anyone who knows him is not surprised, his mellifluous, bass baritone is world renowned – well amongst friends anyway! I am walking regularly, trying to build up toward my two kilometres a day and I walked to the polling booth with Zvi, which in itself was a lovely social event, meeting many people in our estate on our way and in the kindergarten where it was held. People are so friendly and caring as they cheer me on my way. One of my favourite aspects of Israel is that we all talk to strangers, irrespective of introductions, we just do it! Nattie and Yolli Zonszein came to visit and the “boys” went of on a Jerusalem exploration and Nattie and I sat out on the veranda enjoying the glorious weather, the colours of the hibiscus bushes, the burgeoning lime, kumquat and lemon trees and just being together. When the boys came back we went for lunch nearby in the Pop-Up Café in Kiriat Anavim with its glorious gardens making one feel so at home. Galia and Menashe came all the way from Yavneh and we just sat together “noshing” and talking about the world. Neighbours popping in and doing normal things is deeply appreciated as my recovery advances and of course a visit from Rachel lifts my mood enormously – her smile and a hug makes the world seem right. Perhaps this is the time to tell you that Zvi has been amazing! Caring and taking on all sorts of duties that I still can’t do. Impact-se (www.impact-se.org ) held a Zoom Board Meeting and I was so happy, as Chair, to see the faces of the board members as Marcus Sheff, our exceptional CEO, brought excellent reports of the changes in our region, changes which give hope in a seemingly hopeless period of time. I believe that the positivity of our work keeps me balanced and believing in the ultimate good of human beings. The weekly Torah portion this week is Lech Lecha – Go Forth – which tells the story of our people on so many levels. Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael…… https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/3161/jewish/Lech-Lecha-in-a-Nutshell.htm As soon as I finish this missive, we are going to visit a young couple right here in the estate for coffee, but beforehand we will pop in to another young couple where the wife, mother of 3 young children, is recovering from very painful surgery for a persistent injury sustained in the terror attack on Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem - 2002 when she was a child. And so to music! All those years ago, in what is now known as Rabin Square in Tel Aviv, Yitzchak Rabin joined in singing Shir Le Shalom, a song to peace in his off-key, gravelly, smoker’s voice before a Jewish zealot killed him and for many the hope he represented. Here Shiri Maimon sings https://youtu.be/Kr5wRdxBXgI Mosh Ben Ari wrote a song, a prayer for peace, a song of few words repeated over and over again. Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu – Peace will come to us - and to everyone. Salaam, Shalom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4HViPVymlo&t=2s Continuing the theme of peace, of accepting each other, of opening our hearts to those who are different this song is called Song to Love or Together. In Hebrew and Arabic the words “Speak of Hope” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Jmyu6MQHc That’s it! Today promises to be very exciting on many levels. For Zvi, he is relieved of his caring duties and he will go to his parliament which will undoubtedly be quite noisy today as they discuss the election results and what they believe the compilation of the future government under the Prime Ministership of Benjamin Netanyahu will be. Then, at about 16:00 Zvi will go to Ben Gurion airport to collect our wonderful friend Dr Kimball Taylor from his marathon flights from Calgary in Canada and bring him home. Kim is here for the Jewish Agency meetings where he is a very active and important participant. Despite or maybe because of his LDS beliefs Kim is a very active participant of the Jewish Agency and pro-Israel activities in general. He also happens to be one of our very closest friends. This evening I will be leaving the environs of Jerusalem for the first time since my surgery, as we all set off for 11 year old Ori’s birthday, family Shabbat Dinner where we will meet up with Zvi’s cousin Jack Shapiro who is here from Mexico! It’s all very exciting! Unfortunately I will not see Rachel before Shabbat since I am still not allowed to drive, which, incidentally, is driving me crazy!! Perhaps the greatest lesson we Israelis have learned this week is that one must not give up hope, must accept the results of elections without rancour and work hard to prepare for the future. Shabbat Shalom dear friends. I wonder if you know how much I care for you, each and every one of you. I have grown to know you, to feel your pain and your joy. That’s why I beg of you, wherever you may be, stand by us because we are family. We may disagree but when it comes to the bottom line, we must stand up for each other. With all my love from Jerusalem, a city so beautiful, so spiritual that wars are fought over her. Her beauty is so great, her heart so big that there is enough for all her residents and the whole world to share. Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom, a peaceful Sabbath, Sheila