Shabbat Shalom, Eid al-Adha Karim

30th June, 2023 Shabbat Shalom! Eid al-Adha Karim, or blessed Feast of the Sacrifice. It never fails to amaze me how similar the three monotheistic religions really are. Yes of course they all come from the same root, but when I wished my Moslem readers “Eid al-Adha Karim” I referred to the festival celebrating the binding of Isaac, the Akedah, or rather celebrating the fact that Isaac was not sacrificed because his father Abraham has passed the faith test. We share so much that one would think that Jews, Christians and Moslems would understand each other and even accept each other – but that subject is an entire tome within itself. As usual I have to tell you what’s going on here, but I promise you that this week the good news far outweighs the current news. The good news/bad news this week is that rockets didn’t land in Israel; the bad news is that they were launched from Jenin. Apparently, the rockets were aimed at the Gilboa Region which is ironic since it was the Gilboa Council that worked side by side with the people of Jenin to rebuild. Most Israelis had never heard of Brighton, a beautiful seaside town in the UK which sports a glorious Indo-Saracenic Pavilion, designed by John Nash, at the behest of King George IV as a summer palace. However, this week our television screens were not full of gorgeous architecture or the beautiful sea shore, but rather of Sara Netanyahu watching Film Producer Arnon Milchen give evidence in her husband’s trial. Due to Arnon Milchen’s ill health the trial was moved to Brighton for his testimony. The excesses of fine cigars and pink champagne which began as gifts and became demands is hair-raising and deeply distressing, showing yet again a total disregard for the norms of moral leadership. Only time will tell but the insidious remarks about the highly respectable senior judge is creeping into the remarks from the PM’s office. Judicial reform is still high on the priorities of this government and the statements as to what will and won’t be part of the bill put forward to the Knesset changes daily. Perhaps that is one of the reasons that the Netanyahu invitation is still not coming forward from the White House. Former Israeli Police Commissioner Roni Alsheich caused a storm, when, during an interview, he said that he truly believed that Netanyahu would resign once indicted, or that the Likud Party would choose another leader. He was sure that for the sake of the country, Netanyahu would leave his post and concentrate on his trial as he told Ehud Olmert to do. Alsheich was always outspoken and during his tenure he “cleaned up” the upper echelons of the police. His tenure was cut short by Gilad Erdan, the then Minister of Police. The rest is history. There was almost a coup-d’etat in Russia. It looked powerful, made a lot of noise but the Wagner revolution failed with its tail between its legs. Putin is still Russia’s all powerful, swaggering dictator. New York’s Mayor Eric Adams is to form a Jewish Advisory Council with representation from all sectors of New York’s diverse Jewish community. “Members of the newly-formed council will focus on all issues affecting Jewish New Yorkers, including public safety, quality of life, and education, and will ensure Jewish communities across New York City are connected with all of the city’s resources and services available” A very important move in the light of increasing anti-Semitism. Our under 21 football team has done it again!! With a late goal against the Czech Republic on Wednesday night the team secured their place in the Quarter-finals of the European Cup Under 21’s. They play Georgia at home for a place in the Semi-finals. The final four teams qualify for the Paris Olympics next summer. Zvi and I avoid the Israeli version of the TV reality show Big Brother, just not our taste. However, we heard about Yanky and felt the urge to watch. Yanky is the opposite of the usual contestant, he’s a sweet faced, young, Haredi who chose to enter the Big Brother House without compromising his beliefs in any way. Each member of the house was given a task and Yanky’s was to put on the IDF uniform, do a (limited) physical test course and salute his fellow “soldier” with a sharp, clear “Ken hamefaked” - Yes Officer. At the end he sat before Big Brother and told him that even before entering the Big Brother House he intended joining the IDF because he received so much from his country that he wanted to give back. Not a dry eye in the house or in any of the houses around Israel. I often tell you about the humanity of the IDF and its acceptance of young special needs soldiers. That is true in almost every case but the elite pilot’s course is different. High physical profile, high intellectual profile, intense personality tests, just to get into the course. Once there 50% drop out in the first months, and so on until there are just a very few left to graduate. However, this graduation of the Pilot’s Course had one student who stood out, I cannot give you his name but know that he was born with a congenital form of stutter, very severe, yet he was accepted and overcame all the tests and his stutter! He was interviewed and although we were not allowed to see his face, his smile was in his voice. Bravo! Superwoman and very proud Israeli actress Gal Gadot has been chosen to have a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. She is the first Israeli actress or actor to receive the honour and she will accept it as an Israeli. Love her! The Jerusalem Film Festival begins on July 13th with the film “Golda” starring Helen Mirren who will come for the occasion. I will never forget meeting Helen Mirren during a press conference and when the CNN reporter asked her why she loved Israel she responded “Why on earth shouldn’t I? It isn’t that I love Israel it is that I admire Israel. I love being here” The City of Efrat is 40 years old! Situated in Gush Etzion, the brainchild of Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, Efrat is not a townful of settlers but rather a beautiful middle class dormitory town. A beautiful place to live, at peace with its neighbours. Mahane Yehuda is 100 years old! That most Jerusalemite market, filled with colour, aromas, costermongers shouting their wares, delicious halva of every flavour and colour, Tzidkiyahu’s deli, fruit and veg straight from the fields, piled high such as never seen before, fish so fresh it almost jumps into your shopping bag and every variety of bread, knaffe, rugelech and baklava imaginable! Filled with happy excited people, it is my favourite place in Jerusalem. The metamorphosis on a Thursday evening as the stands close is phenomenal. Suddenly chairs and tables appear from nowhere and the young people pour in from all over the country as the market becomes one big bar with music and fun!! If you are here and want to know what celebrations are taking place https://www.jerusalem.muni.il/en/experience/allevents/100_machne/ That felt so good. Life here is so wonderful and I always wind up telling you depressing news but today, lots of good news. This has been a fairly uneventful week in the life of the Ravivs apart from Zvi’s various choir rehearsals. One delightful event was when my two grand-daughters, Talia and Ayala, announced that they wanted to come and stay over – just because! It was great and Rachel brought them and we even had time for a movie at home. When I think of it it’s very special when a 17 year old and a 14 year old choose to stay with Saba and Safta. Talia has a school project to write about someone’s experience during the founding of the State of Israel. She chose Zvi’s lovely father Kalman and Zvi happily related his father’s experiences as British Mandate Policeman Number 81, as a sports teacher, the new waves of immigration at a time when everyone was poor and of course of his father’s invention which then spread cross the world “Mishmeret ha Zahav” the crossing guards who save so many lives. In Israel the guards are older children but in the UK the “Lollipop Ladies” were introduced about 4 years later. I love the fact that young Israelis really want to know how the founders of the State of Israel lived. Tonight Shabbat, Zvi and I are on our own! Yes I know it sounds impossible but it’s true. Just the two of us and the candles, the blessings and the peace and quiet of our amazing home. This week I have had many visitors, sunbirds who love the sugary liquid from my special feeder and drink the nectar from the flowers, woodpeckers busily trying to break open the green almonds on the tree outside my window and ordinary common or garden sparrows which dart in and out. I picked the apples from the tree and they were absolutely delicious, I love “Anna” apples, so crisp. The citrus trees are all producing tiny fruits and we have unseasonal scrumptious strawberries! Last night there was a summer party next to the Big House and we met neighbours from the village and tomorrow we will spend time with Ronit and Yossi. Since I do not need to cook for guests, I will have time to go to Rachel today and see Yosef, Talia and Ayala. The special treat afterwards is driving over Samuel’s Tomb and stopping for a few minutes at the vista point to soak up the amazing relief map that is Jerusalem stretched out before me, hill after hill of glistening white buildings. Tomorrow hopefully we will see Amiad and Leor and families, a special weekend indeed. Music, indeed the food of love, it calms the fevered brow and all the other schmalzy but accurate descriptions. Koolulam again!! A Revolution of Joy! Sheer joy https://youtu.be/0fBM6a3Gzh0 Birthright Israel aka Taglit, is a project to bring young people on their first trip to Israel, all in. They have an amazing time, meet friends from all over, travel the length and breadth of Israel and discover that everything they heard prior to arriving here, was wrong. Israel is a fabulous place for young people – so much so they even sing about it! Shevet Achim Beyachad https://youtu.be/gHAd2D_0u5k I always loved Shlomo Artzi. In fact, I learned Hebrew through his songs, the words poetic and clear. It was at the time of cassettes and I used to listen carefully and stop the cassette when there was a word I didn’t understand and look it up in the Hebrew/English dictionary. Neither Zvi nor I have ever been to a Shlomo Artzi concert but this Tuesday, with thanks to Debby and Samuel Bettsak, we are going to hear him in the incredible amphitheatre of Caesarea. My favourite song 35 years ago was “Under Mediterranean Skies” about the complexities of life in the Middle East alongside the mundane of everyday life. He sings with his son Ben in the most loving father son video ever made. https://youtu.be/qgqd2VB3TA8 So it is time to say goodbye, adieu, Shabbat Shalom. I wish you a beautiful Shabbat in which you give yourself time to reflect, to go for a walk, to ray or to bless whichever suits you. When God rested, created a day of rest, it was probably the most important social contribution to humanity imaginable. A day to gather one’s thought, to be with one’s family and to give mind and body a break. Shabbat Shalom dear friends, Shabbat Shalom Sheila

Bad news - Good news

23rd June, 2023 Shabbat Shalom! Twenty seven years ago our home was a flurry of activity, of joyous activity, and I will tell you all about it, but first I must try to explain life in the Middle East. I promise to leave you with a sweet taste before I close. The town of Eli is on route 60, not far from the town of Ariel, in Samaria. Just outside the town is a petrol station and in that petrol station is a popular restaurant. This week two terrorists, armed with guns and an assault rifle drew up in cars with Israeli number plates and shot at those just outside. Elisha Altman (18) Harel Masoud (21) Nachman Mordof (17) and Ofer Feierman (63) were killed instantly and another four were injured. Most definitely a heinous act and one that the IDF and the security services are dealing with. The killing of four people at a small restaurant in a petrol station was foul and horrific terrorism, however, we are not revengeful people and the rampage of young LOUTS, I would venture to call them Israeli terrorists in the West Bank town of Turmus Ayya is beyond the pale. It is true that the terrorist came from Turmus Ayya, but the village is not guilty, the families of the terrorists will be questioned and it shames all of us when Jewish terrorists go on what can only be called a pogrom. The attack on Eli is said to be a reaction to the military action in Jenin. Jenin is the fulcrum, the centre of terrorist activity, the home of Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas, each trying to show that they are more violent than the other. A very different picture from the Jenin I visited years ago; a Jenin built up with the help of the Gilboa District Council. I was there with Malcolm Hoenlein and the Conference of Presidents and we heard Salaam Fayyad talk about his hopes to build a relevant police force and civil administration in the way that the Jews had in the nascent state, by learning from the Brits. Oh how it has changed. One subject that I have avoided but must address is the internecine killings in the Israeli Arab community. Over one hundred killings so far this year. The Arab Members of Knesset are very vocal about the need to stop the violence, but are wary about the need to control guns, illegal guns which are the root of the problem. Family honour and criminal gang warfare are increasing at a terrifying rate. There are just one million Druze in the world, predominantly in Israel, Syria and Lebanon. A somewhat secret society, based upon Islam, they are loyal to whatever country they live, utterly loyal. Some of our finest and bravest fighters in the IDF are Druze. The Druze who live on the Golan Heights are torn in their loyalties. Since 1967 the Golan Heights is in Israeli hands, but many Druze who live on the heights have family in Syria. A few years ago, the Israeli government gave permission for a private company to buy land on the Golan Heights to build a turbine wind farm on Mount Bnei Rasan. The local Druze in the village of Majdal Shams, objected for many complex reasons which I will try my best to explain in as few words as possible. All other Druze soldiers in the IDF receive a piece of land to build themselves a home upon their release from military service, however, the Golan Druze cannot and to add insult to injury if they build a home on land near their village the are fined a vast sum, a sum they cannot afford to pay. A Catch 22 situation. The Druze community relies upon tourism for their livelihood, with wonderful restaurants, and now they believe that these huge wind turbines will take up swathes of land and ruin the quiet life. The demonstrations have been taking place since 2018 and only now have become rowdy as a result of their frustration and instead of continuing negotiations and a court order from the Supreme Court of Israel to stop the work, Internal Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir announced that he will go ahead with the turbine farm irrespective of the court order and the views of the Druze, and if they don’t like it they can go to Syria. Yes, Ben Gvir again. The demonstrations against this government continue, the biggest after Shabbat, each Saturday night, with smaller ones on Thursdays. A wider and wider configuration of demonstrators join the fray, and more and more support for Benny Gantz as the rational centrist leader. We have had enough of extremists. MK Rothman, Chairman of the Knesset Legal Committee, however, compared our demonstrations to the attackers of Turmus Ayya. Amit Becher won the elections for the position of Chair of the Israeli Bar Association. His opponent Effi Naveh, himself under a legal cloud, was the preferred candidate of this government and the pre-election shenanigans were most unpleasant, but as a result, the turnout for these elections was double that of the past, a sign of the times, and the anti-reform candidate won. The Impact-se reports on UNWRA and their hate teaching has caused the Europeans, UK, Norway and many other countries including those in the Middle East, to cut funding of that organisation, and the UNWRA CEO Lazzarini is crying bankruptcy which brought hopes of them changing their policy; however, this week the United States, after already reinstating the UNWRA funding, has increased it by $16.2 million! It wasn’t just the increase but that fact that it was announced immediately after the horrific terror attack on Eli. US funding since its 2021 reengagement with the UNRWA now amounts to $917, 646,436 over 2 years. That’s your American tax money teaching hate! Not everything in the Middle East is hate and killing, certainly not here in Israel. We make a lot of noise but that’s because we can. This is the only country in the Middle East where criticizing one’s leaders and government is not punishable by death! The Abraham Accords is a resounding success and many of the countries of the MENA region are changing the paradigm of their schoolbooks from hate-speech to tolerance and we have opened trade routes and air lanes with just about everyone. More Israelis have visited the Emirates than anywhere else, although Portugal is very popular! Last night was a perfect example of coexistence. Right in the middle of Jerusalem, next to the Jeshurun Synagogue and the Jewish Agency building there is a monastery named for Marie-Alphonse Ratisbonne, a Jewish convert to Catholicism. The building is exquisite, huge and finished in 1917, recently most of it became residential property but the church and its high vaulted ceiling remains. Last night Zvi and I went to a concert of folk songs by many famous composers including Rimsky Korsakoff, Rachmaninoff, Bruckner and Byrd sung by the astonishing Musika Aerterna Choir under the baton of Iliya Plotkin. The choir consisted of almost exclusively immigrants from the FSU, some since 1990 and some much more recently after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It was a truly spectacular evening. As promised I will now get to the reason our home was a flurry of activity 27 years ago. Picture the scene. Gideon and Rachel sitting on the floor surrounded by gypsophilia, aka Baby’s Breath, and ribbons which they expertly and beautifully decorated four long poles with. My friend Jill was helping them, her scissors expertly cutting the ribbons to the right length, all of us in pyjamas. Why? Oh, I forgot to tell you, the poles were the poles of the Chuppah or wedding canopy for Zvi and my wedding! So, let me set the scene. We were in the middle of the Jerusalem 3000 celebrations and Jerusalem was preparing for the ceremony to announce the illumination of Walls of the Old City. Zvi had spoken to the organisers and they promised to quieten the rehearsals during our wedding ceremony. Since our friends Alan and Bonnie Cohen lived in the almost empty David’s Village, formerly Mamilla, they helped us close of their street, Zvi “borrowed” some police barriers, and the caterer set up tables. Friends from all over the world, who were in Israel for the Jewish Agency meetings, mingled with our Israeli friends and of course our family, and Zvi and I stood underneath the aforementioned canopy, the newly lit Old City Walls behind us. Rabbi David Rosen, younger brother of Jeremy and the late Mickey Rosen, performed the ceremony; Gideon, Leor, Amiad and Valeri held the canopy poles, Kalman and Alla stood for Zvi and my lovely cousins Jean and Stuart Lipman stood in for my parents, Rachel and Jill held my flowers. Our friends Tsemed Re'im, Yisrael and Benny suddenly appeared singing the last blessing of the seven, surprising us with their amazing harmony. “If I forget thee oh Jerusalem” ended the ceremony and as Zvi broke the glass – 300 shofars (ram’s horns) sounded! Yes it was from the rehearsal below! The party began and Yisrael and Benny gave us a wonderful wedding gift of a performance. It was amazing. So now you know why there was a mess in our home and to what purpose! 27 years of rare togetherness, wonderful arguments, shared grandchildren and a determined love of Israel, the Israel we defend with words; the Israel that Kalman and Alla fought to create. Rachel and I managed to meet up with Poodle, the amazing wonderful Poodle who always puts a smile on our faces. There are a few people in this world (not enough) who without even saying anything, manage to lift one’s spirits, radiate a sense of warmth, surrounding one with love. Daniel really knew how to choose his friends! Song number one? It really has to be by Tsemed Re’im! Kol Sasson v’kol simcha, kol chatan v’kol calah. Translated it means Every joy and every celebration, every groom and every bride, surely appropriate for our wedding anniversary!! https://youtu.be/oErAED2_jkI On the top of the wonderful Shalva building, on top of the world, the Shalva Band and Buba Myses sing HAPPY!! Probably the most appropriate song for Shalva. https://youtu.be/ch7MmFlzPmY “Give us the will to love” from the Grande Synagogue de Paris, yes, it is a new one from Koolulam. It is so beautiful it made me cry, just seeing the families coming together to sing their wish to love, just love. Watch the way they look at each other, how parents hug their children…….. https://youtu.be/23dc_Eb3pUY And so another week draws to a close, another Shabbat is about to light our lives. Tonight our table will embrace friends from Colombia, El Salvador, Finland, Argentina, USA, Panama and us two Israelis…..well, one Israeli born and one Welsh born Israeli! Zvi insists that I tell you who is coming! He’s worried they may be upset if I don’t! So, here goes – Ambassador Susi and Dave Hassenson, Ambassador Addis and Ronen Nevo, Sam and Debby Bettsak, Julio and Monika Jarak and last but far from least, Ronald Bakalarz, who has promised to sit and help me if everyone descends into Spanish! The food is almost cooked, the salads made and since the weather has changed to produce balmy evenings I think we will sit outside on our veranda and I can tell them all about our burgeoning apple tree, limes, kumquats, oranges and believe it or not – strawberries! I will think of you all as I light the Shabbat Candles, wonder what you are doing, how you will celebrate this day. I will light my two brightly coloured “Daniel” candles, something I learned from Justin or Paddy -the trio of unbroken friendship of Poodle, Paddy and Dancam. I wish you could hear as Zvi sings the blessing over the wine, it really is spectacular. Love, let love into your lives, learn to hold back harsh words and never forget to tell your children they are wonderful, exceptional people. A parents smile means everything as I learned from my Daddy’s smile as I entered the room. Shabbat Shalom dear friends With love Sheila

Wins Wonders and Wishes

16th June, 2023 Shabbat Shalom, Gut Shabbes, Good morning and I wish you a good weekend. In fact I wish you everything good and kind in this world I want to start this week’s missive with this week’s Torah reading. It is so appropriate for our world in general and Israel, in particular. The name of the portion is Sh’lach or send. It’s the portion where the Children of Israel finally get really close to the Promised Land, the land of Canaan, and Moses sends out 12 spies to check out the potential of the unknown. The spies or scouts were gone for 40 days (a repeating number in the Bible) and they came back with wonderful fruits, a huge bunch of grapes, a pomegranate and a fig, none of which they had ever seen before. All well and good, but 10 of the spies reported that the Canaanites were huge aggressive giants not worth fighting; only Caleb and Joshua came back with positive reports, saying that the land was the ideal place to settle. Of course, the Children of Israel, chose to believe the 10 scaredy cats, made a huge fuss, rebelled and wanted to go back to the familiar slavery in Egypt. It was that “Diaspora” mentality that caused the Almighty to send the Children of Israel to wander another 40 years in the desert, to ensure a bright and confident generation, born to freedom, emerge rather than one that preferred slavery to the unknown. Why appropriate? Because we not only need a wise leader, but honest and fearless reports as to the feasibility of where we live. I watch current reports of world leaders, and our own, and not one is a Moses, a Caleb or a Joshua. The late Berlusconi, Chirac, Sarkozy, de Kirchner, Trump, Boris Johnson and Benjamin Netanyahu all under a cloud and the list is endless. My fear is that when leaders not only cheat but behave in an entitled bullying manner, above the law, that they convey a similar message to the people of their country Between Covid and such leadership people become more aggressive, less civil. Well, that was not a happy start to this newsletter, but I promise that once the essential report is out of the way we will go back to being positive and optimistic! Political confusion continues here in Israel, while those of you in the US and UK are watching the dramas concerning your former leaders unravel. Of course, the standard response to all accusations is a river in Egypt – denial – but time and the law will prevail. The demonstrations continue, the huge one each Saturday evening in Tel Aviv is far from the only one. Each town, city and village has a demonstration, well managed and in virtually all cases very well behaved. Zvi goes to the Jerusalem demonstration which takes place outside the Presidents House, which includes many of our friends, whereas his boys tend to go to the big demonstration in Tel Aviv. No matter what the press may say, these demonstrations of concerned people, educated people who fear for the direction the country is going; conceivably the ultimate expression of democracy. In a 413-13 vote the United States Congress passed a Bill to create a Special Envoy to the Abraham Accords. The bi-partisan bill has yet to go before the Senate but it is so logical and important it is unlikely to meet dissention. The Special Envoy will hold Ambassadorial rank and will hopefully ensure the already highly important and effective Abraham Accords which have changed the face of the area. As UNWRA continues teaching from its hate-filled schoolbooks, describing Jews as dogs and pigs, encouraging the use of suicide belts and so much more, their funding has been seriously reduced yet they continue on the same hateful path. The US State Department has included Impact-se recommendations in its new framework agreement with UNWRA in the PA and Gaza. The impact of Impact-se’s reports are taking hold. For the latest news from Impact-se https://www.impact-se.org/ The two subjects came together when Yossi Klein Halevi spoke to an AJC congress about the question of Jews in the United States, the Diaspora, being involved in Israeli policy making. I think his whole speech was highly relevant and I agreed with 99% of what he said but I was most impressed by his response to Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli between minutes 8-10. https://youtu.be/HmNvYhYnTrU Minister Chikli, spoke immediately before him and Klein Halevi responded to Chikli’s claim that the demonstrators in Israel were BDS activists “Stop defaming loyal Zionist opposition”. I highly recommend clicking and listening. Israel's team in the UEFA Under 20's Football World Cup in Argentina didn't win the championship, they came in 3rd, but they certainly won the teamsmanship medal! No macho chest beating for this team, but rather brotherly hugs from team members and coach alike with each goal throughout the tournament. I'm most proud of the composition of the team; there were Jews, Moslems, Ashkenaz, Sefaradi and Mizrachi, in other words, ISRAELIS. Israelis, who played their hearts out for our country. The 3 goals scored in that final game express the real Israel – Ran Binyamin, Omer Senior and Anan Khalaili. The World Beard and Moustache Championship is the next competition for Israelis, yes, honestly! 12 hirsute, bewhiskered Israelis headed for Germany and the competition, their team title? 972Beards!! I think I told you that Zvi has two “parliaments”, the main one on a Friday in the Botanical Gardens Caffit restaurant and a “mini-parliament” on a Tuesday in a local coffee shop. I often join the mini-parliament after doing my shopping in the supermarket, and this week a gentleman sat down at the table next to ours, took out a fan, computer and all of his work equipment. Within moments we were all chatting. It turns out that he wanted to meet with the local Mayor and bring businesses to our area. It took no time whatsoever for one of our group, Meshie Schreiber to help this fellow set up what he wanted, including meeting the Mayor! At this point we introduced ourselves by name and it turned out that Meshie and this gentleman has the same name – Schreiber but his family had Hebraicised their name to Sofer! Such an Israeli situation! The other day I was very happy to visit friends in the beautiful retirement village of Protea Hills, just a ten minute drive from where we live, it is in the village of Shoresh. Shoresh has the most magnificent views over the Jerusalem Hills and clear, pollution free air. Both of these special friends are from my home city of Cardiff in South Wales and have made history because this is the first time that Protea Hills has welcomed both mother and daughter in their midst. It is such a joy to delve into our former Welsh life with both Tema, aged 101 and full of life and history, and my friend Sue, eliciting such happy memories. This is the season for visits of friends from the lower hemisphere of mother earth and last weekend was no exception. Friday night dinner was wonderful! Our Australian visitors have a special place in my heart, Robert and Anita Simons from Sydney and Anita’s grandson Jesse, who is serving in the IDF and is one of the most delightful young men I have met in a very long time. Our other guests were Drs Arik and Ora Schiffer who had served as emissaries to Australia many years ago, and Merle and Frank Friedman and the conversation flowed wonderfully after Zvi’s famous kiddush! Merle and Frank stayed over and the very next morning was a “Coffee on the Lawn” event on our estate. Our apartments, all 240 of them, are built on an historic site which includes the glorious building of the former convalescent home of the Israeli Union, and the Avenue of the Presidents, trees planted by all the Israeli Presidents, beginning in with the man who started it all, Theodore Herzl! The buildings surround the gorgeous building and the lawns, trees and park which have been preserved. Everyone brought something, cakes, fruit, veggies and drinks and young families sat on the huge mats sat out under shade and the “older” families sat around getting to know each other better. It was delightful! As always happens several of the people in our group discovered that we have mutual friends, so Laura and Uri, we are all meeting at our place in the next few weeks! I mentioned Anita and Robert Simons, who just a couple of weeks ago hosted a parlour meeting in Sydney for my lovely friend and CEO of Impact-se Marcus Sheff, and are now in Jerusalem. On Wednesday we met up with the lovely Gaby Hirsch for lunch and a tour in Shalva. Needless to say, they were completely blown away by the sheer beauty and joy of Shalva, the sounds and sights of happy children and young adults and the state of the art facilities. As always, Gaby kept the best for last, or should I say the most important in my life because everything in Shalva is the best – Dr. Dan’s Room, the Studio for the performing arts in the name of my late son Dr. Daniel Cammerman, that came to fruition through the generosity of incredible friends, kind people we barely know, and of course Daniel’s patients and colleagues. With donations to the Remembering Daniel campaign from 25 shekels to $20,000 each and every one an expression of love. A music therapy session was taking place and watching these amazing youngsters singing their favourite songs when they could barely speak, coming forward to talk to the musician who treated them with such deep respect and the joy on their faces when they were asked to sing their favourite song along with the recording was precious, no not precious, priceless. https://youtu.be/wjcgIeMVwcA Today, Friday, we will go to the cemetery in Jerusalem for the memorial to Zvi’s parents, the wonderful Kalman and Alla (Rybak) Raviv. According to tradition on reads from the prayer book, both the prayer for those who passed on and blessings which begin with each of the letters of their names. I have told you the stories of Kalman and Alla, a story which is that of the founding of this little country, of bravery, determination, love of country, love of Judaism and recognising what tragedies await in their native Poland. Both achieved the honour of receiving “Yakir Yerushalyim” the literal meaning “beloved of Jerusalem” for their incredible work for the country, the City and the children of Jerusalem through their teaching and creation of the now world famous children’s school crossing guards, which Kalman began several years before Britain and the USA. They are buried in a beautiful area reserved only for “Yakir Yerushalyim” beside former Mayors, Judges and poet Naftali Herz Inber, the poet whose words became Hatikva. Only close family will be present and will come to us for an early Shabbat dinner afterwards. Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the history of the Rybak-Raviv family is that although Kalman and Alla were Hebrew teachers in Mexico for just 5 years, an entire generation of their students now speak Hebrew and 60 years later still speak of their teachers with deep affection. A clear proof that good teachers can change the world. So, time for music. When I asked you what you like best you all said that you love what I choose so that’s what I’ll do. One of the youngsters in Shalva was asked what his favourite song is and he shyly announced, Shalom Aleichem, the beautiful blessing which we sing before Shabbat. He wanted the traditional tune and I wanted to give you something a bit different so here we have a Georgian group (FSU not USA) singing https://youtu.be/lNtqhLbUGwA A beautiful song, a prayer, a blessing all in one. Ten Li Yad, Give Me Your Hand. I simply love this rendition. https://youtu.be/SVm0bVmLChA The song “You Raise Me Up” is one of the theme songs of Shalva and I don’t know if you realise it but it suits our relationship too. Writing to you forces me to be pragmatic about even the most tragic of situations. You have seen me through the Intifada, the killing of an Israeli Prime Minister, personal tragedies and worries and celebrations. You saw me through the death of my incredible, beautiful son Daniel, so this song is a thank you because you really do raise me up, make the unbearable possible. https://youtu.be/9bxc9hbwkkw I wish you a beautiful weekend in which the current civic anger doesn’t touch you or your loved ones. I wish you tolerance and love in whatever corner of the world, whichever half of the hemisphere you live and to those in North America I wish you rain to quench the fires that blaze uncontrollably. Shabbat Shalom dear friends, Shabbat Shalom to you and yours from Jerusalem, glistening in the distant hills, every beautiful, ever spiritual. With love Sheila

Indiscretions and lapsus linguae

9th June, 2023 Shabbat Shalom! Yesterday the temperature went up into the mid-30’s Celsius and the forecast said that today would be hotter but with occasional showers. Are they serious? It began at about 05:15 this morning with several huge claps of thunder, actually not thunder claps, more like a 3,000 audience applause! Thunder of the rolling kind, followed by torrential rain and high winds. I ran around the apartment closing windows and mopping up wet patches where the rain had changed course to horizontal! In truth, we needed it after last weeks Sahara visit, it washed away that sandy deposit, but admittedly it came as a surprise. Storms in June are not that frequent but then if I had to choose between stormy weather or stormy politics, I’ll take the rain any day. Last Sunday the unimaginable happened. The border with Egypt is considered a safe place to serve in the IDF, but last Sunday it became a living hell. Sgt. Lia Ben Nun, 19, Staff Sgt. Ori Yitzhak Iluz, 20 were on guard duty watching for drug traffikers, when an Egyptian policeman crossed the emergency border and shot them to death. He was chased and the situation ended in a gun battle with the perpetrator, and Staff Sgt. Ohad Dahan, 20 died in the crossfire. Such a tragedy. Apparently the Egyptian policeman had become inculcated with hatred at his mosque and acted on his own volition. May their young souls rest in peace and their families know no more sadness. The lack of experience in international affairs of the new Israeli government, despite the wide experience of Netanyahu, has engendered a reprimand from both President Biden and the White House. Call it criticism, lapsus linguae, indiscretions but nonetheless lack of respect for the USA. Foreign Minister Eli Cohen openly criticised Vice President Kamala Harris when she said that Israel must maintain an independent judiciary, he suggested that she hadn’t even read the material and Advisor to Netanyahu on Foreign Affairs Gilad Zwick said that President Biden was unfit for office. A major diplomatic gaffe that could well affect our relationship with a deeply pro-Israel President The Israel Day Parade took place in New York City on Sunday, mostly without incident. The attempt to disrupt the proceedings by a number of people who are against this government’s policies did not succeed in spoiling the day. I am still unsure as to whether people who live outside Israel should express their legitimate anti-Netanyahu feelings by playing into the hands of our detractors; with huge placards and, even though I am utterly against MK Rothman’s snatching of the megaphone, I am not sure what my reaction would have been if I was constantly harassed by someone shouting insults in my ear with a megaphone. I am ambivalent as to the value of the anti-Israeli government actions by those who do not live here. I know that I am raising a hot potato subject but, I worry. One of my major concerns is anti-Semitism on campus, particularly in the USA. I was horrified to read that Harvard, seat of higher learning, is the number one campus on the anti-Semitism (aka anti-Israel) list. Then, thanks to Brenda Katten’s article in today’s Jerusalem Post magazine, I learned that during World War 2 Harvard and Yale both invited Nazi sympathisers to speak! If you look at the list of large donors to those esteemed institutions of learning you will see that Jews are high on the list. So what went wrong? I ask myself whether the new generation of Jews understands what the world was like before Israel existed? Do they realise that their new found confidence stems from the recreation of this little country? Are they aware of their own country’s racist past? I venture to guess not. I mention the USA but it could be almost anywhere, sadly the disease of anti-Semitism among the young is highly contagious. If you think that the Children of Israel's infighting began with the recent demonstrations, think again! This week's Torah portion with the difficult name of Bahalatecha or your ascent, tells us that Moses had plenty of problems but he decided that perhaps the wisest route was to collect 70 wise men (well the women didn't have a say in those days) and ask their help in governing the people. The Children of Israel moaned that they didn’t like the manna from heaven, they wanted meat not bread; Moses father-in-law left the tribe because Moses didn’t take his advice and Miriam, she just moaned. No nothing new under heaven! Sadly violent crime in the Arab sector is growing at an alarming rate. In the past the Israeli police tended to allow the village or town leaders to ensure order but it has reached horrific proportions, all most all criminal based, but the level of illegal guns in that sector has risen horrifically. Yesterday 5 innocents died in a gun battle. 98 Arab Israeli citizens have died in gun related crimes in the first six months of 2023. It has become a major issue that must be addressed. We all know that there are lions in Africa, but the African Lion Joint Military co-operation is a very different animal. The military leaders of 18 countries, predominantly African, gathered to discuss interaction and co-operation. For the first time ever Israel and the IDF were invited to take part in the meetings in Morocco. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana visited the Moroccan parliament and 12 members of the Golani Brigade joined the African Lion exercises. https://www.africom.mil/article/35209/african-lion-23-begins This week Israelis were glued to their televisions watching the Israel Under 20’s football team beat Brazil. The entire country was ecstatic! Reality set in yesterday as Uruguay beat our brilliant young team in the quarter final. It is worth noting, however, who scored the three winning goals against Brazil. Adnan Khalaili an Israeli Arab, Hamza Shibli an Israeli Bedouin and Dor Turgeman an Israeli Jew. Robbie Williams wowed everyone in his packed concert in Israel and then came Guns and Roses whose concert brought 60,000 delighted fans to Hayarkon Park. Bands and major singers are coming to see us, regularly expressing their love of Israel. They all describe this as the friendliest and most welcoming country on their tours. Last weekend was delightful and I didn’t need to cook at all! Shabbat dinner was with our cousins Rachel and Yossi Ribak. Ribak was Zvi’s family name until, under the direction of David Ben Gurion, all emissaries and teachers who went to other countries for the Israeli government had to Hebraicise their names hence Zvi is now Zvi Raviv. The next day we were with Nurit and Danny Baram for brunch where we were delighted to meet up with old friends and relax. From there we went to see Rina and Yechiel HalOr, who we hadn’t seen for far too long! Zvi is on the Boards of two Jerusalem institutions (among all the others) and on Wednesday evening we were invited to the final student performances of graduates from the Jerusalem Music Academy in the Hebrew University on Givat Ram. Amazing young musicians, singers of opera and popular music, a group whose singer sang Arab traditional music and a choir that raised the roof. From there we raced to the Jerusalem Theatre for a performance by the various age groups of Hora Yerushalayim. Before the performance we met with and chatted to Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion. He knows that we didn’t vote for him but he is doing a good job. After he gave a delightful introduction the performance began. I was astonished by the sheer professionalism of dancers whose ages ranged from 6 to 60. All amateurs who have attended rehearsals after school and work for months on end. They are based in the Efron Dance Centre in Jerusalem, donated by our friend David Efron. Yesterday saw a huge and festive Gay Parade in Tel Aviv. Luckily the only disturbances were the traffic jams, and a great time was had by all culminating in a party in the Park. In Israel the Gay parade is not only for the Gay community but for everyone. Yesterday I met my lovely friend Ronit Dagan for a quick coffee in our local shopping mall then came home to cook. Tonight our wonderful friends Anita and Robert Simons, from Sydney, Australia, are coming to dinner. They will be joined by Arik and Ora Shiffer and Merle and Frank Friedman. Amazingly nobody has allergies, no vegetarians or vegans and I have a free hand in my choice of food. I decided that we will start with salads, chopped liver and egg salad, then move on to Rachel’s delicious beef, Sticky chicken, veggies and potato kugel ending with Eddie’s plum flan and home made parev ice-cream. I think that they will enjoy! I had planned to eat outside on the veranda, but despite the now clear blue skies I don’t trust the weather! Tomorrow, weather permitting, our estate has a “Coffee in the Square” for all the 240 families who share this heaven on earth. I love it, a chance to turn unfamiliar faces into friends. What music fits this strange week? Do you prefer the English language songs or the Israeli songs? There is no question that we are a people who love to argue, to criticise but when it comes down to it, we are one tribe, one people. https://youtu.be/oBLAlJ5s1Aw Hannan Ben Ari is an Israeli singer and songwriter. His songs are wonderfully melodic. Here famous Cantors, religious Jews, sing his songs. Sorry there isn’t aren’t translations but you can be delighted and surprised as I. https://youtu.be/MO2rgwQBFR8 Here Hannan Ben Ari dedicates this song “ Aluf ha Olam” or “World Champion” to the One Family organisation https://onefamilytogether.org/ which was started by Chantal and Marc Belzberg during the Intifada to guide, help, strengthen those who experienced loss and trauma during those ghastly times. Their strength has grown and their work is phenomenal https://youtu.be/2jATxza1i_0 I wish you a good weekend, a Shabbat Shalom. Hopefully, just as this morning began with storm clouds, thunder and torrential rain yet now the skies are blue, the sun is shining, so it will be for you and for us. With love from Jerusalem, the City that is above politics, above religious fighting. The city which enjoys 52 Christian denominations, 8 Moslem denominations and nearly a million Jewish denominations! I believe that what is happening now in Israel is the ultimate expression of democracy, of every man and woman’s right to pray as they choose, to live a life that is within the law but as they choose to live it – a democracy. Shabbat Shalom everyone! Sheila PS I loved your messages telling me about your week. Keep it going!

Only good News Today

2nd June 2023 Shabbat Shalom! How are you? When I ask how you are I really want to know so please let me know. Today I decided that I’m not going to talk about what is in the media, certainly none of the gloom and doom on which they thrive, just about the wonderful aspect of living in Israel and our everyday life, which bears no resemblance to the picture presented by the sensationalist press. So where should I start? The lords and ladies were not a’dancing but the largest ever official delegation from the British House of Lords visited Israel on a four-day fact finding mission, in a reflection of increasingly close relations between Jerusalem and London. The cross-party group of 20 Peers, including former Conservative Party Leader Michael Howard and longtime Labour lawmaker David Watts, arrived in Israel on Sunday. Since I have inside information through my childhood friend Lord Stone of Blackheath, aka Andrew, they also visited the PA and Gaza to get the full picture. Talking of Andrew, my brother Ronnie found a load of photos and books including a photo of Andrew, aged about 18, at a party in our playroom in Cardiff, site of many a party. Paraguay is joining the increasing number of countries moving their Embassies back to Jerusalem. In fact there is one, the first, European country, Hungary, that has expressed the intention to move the Embassy back to Jerusalem in the very near future. The winds of change are turning in our direction, of course to the chagrin of many! Talking of winds, last evening gale force winds appeared out of nowhere! Try to imagine a searing hot day, unseasonably so at 37 degrees centigrade, when suddenly the little trees on our veranda began to bend and furniture slid across the tiles. Don’t worry, I managed to save everything, ensuring that the stakes supporting the trees were firmly in the earth! The first thing I did of course was to call the neighbours on the top floor to check that they hadn’t been blown away – they are fine, feet firmly on the ground. We had been on a quick visit to some neighbours, the Zroya family who when we asked, on the neighborhood WhatsApp if anyone knows a good lighting advisor immediately invited us to visit. Their apartment is absolutely gorgeous, their company even better their little spaniel called Toy is as friendly as Orna and Shalom and after a few hours (yes really) of chatting, we started to walk the 100 metres back home when we met two other neighbours who were busy watering trees and planting geraniums in the large planters outside our homes. Of course, we took note and next morning went out to buy geraniums for the planter outside our building! I want you to understand the real sense of what it means to live here in Israel. We know our neighbours, we care about each other, if one is sick we all pull together to help. We have entered the Jacaranda season, their bright purple flowers forming a glorious canopy above the buildings and all important shade. Israelis love the countryside and every weekend they determinedly find new untouched nature walks and “nahalim” streams to wade through, hills to climb, picnic spots with tables to lay out the spread brought with them in cold boxes. The countryside here is spectacular in its variety, this country is like a tiny ecological world of its own, within a couple of hundred kilometres one has the snowy peaks of Mount Hermon, the bird sanctuary of the Hula Valley, the forests planted by KKL around Jerusalem, stalactite caves, the ever increasing areas of wineries and the cornucopia of the Salad Trail – each filled with the sound of happy children! Shavuot at Meme and Liora Blums home was fabulous. They are such warm and hospitable people and it was lovely to see many old friends in their garden. Isn’t it strange how we lost touch with people we really care for during Covid and it is so wonderful to renew those friendships. Do you know the joke about Israelis? “What does a Frenchman bring for dinner? Wine. What does a Brit bring for dinner? Flowers. What does an Israeli bring for dinner? A friend!” So of course (we checked first) we took our lovely friends visiting from the US and Mexico Raquel Birman and David Finkelstein, along to the Blums and they were staggered! The incredible friendliness of Israelis, the way that our friends came to introduce themselves and talk to them was so unfamiliar to anyone who comes from elsewhere. Friday night dinner here with Deidre and Keith Beville from Melbourne Australia, Ora and Avner Rosengarten and Irit and Yitzik Lev. The conversation flowed easily, they all loved the menu and everyone was fascinated by Avner’s work as a forensic pathologist. After Shabbat we collected Deidre and Keith and went to the First Station for supper. The First Station itself is so much more than a tourist magnet with restaurants and craft stands, its history is deep, like almost everything in Jerusalem! The train line from Jaffa was opened in September 1826 and became a highly popular form of transport but as Jerusalem grew it became obvious that the Station was in the wrong place and it was moved to the entrance of Jerusalem. What on earth to do with the beautiful buildings? Bring in restaurants and music for the people of Jerusalem! What to do with the train tracks? Form a wonderful boardwalk/ cycle track all the way from the German Colony to the Biblical Zoo, about 8 kilometres. As we meandered back to the car I suddenly saw two familiar faces! Alan and Shoshi Wallis. Alan is a truly wonderful physiotherapist who introduced cranio-sacral balancing to Israel. Robbie Williams is back in Israel. An outspoken fan of this country, Robbie went for a walk in Tel Aviv a couple of days ago and found a young busker, sitting on a wall singing his famous song “Angel”. Without a second thought he sat on the wall and joined in. I’m not sure the busker understood that this was the real Robbie Williams and continued playing, with great sang froid! See for yourselves https://youtu.be/s2NVpdHJ678 Incidentally when asked what his favourite Israeli food is his instant response was………. Hummus! I often speak about the good neighborliness of living in Israel and last Tuesday it again came to fruition as two of my neighbours, Naomi and Yael, took me along to a movement class in our local community centre. It was amazing. We were encouraged to do what we were capable of, which meant that some of the women were contortionists and some of us just danced. The movements encouraged us to open up and the game with soft footballs helped us to remember the names of each and every one of those present. Since our road is tortuously steep Zvi came to collect me for the very short walk home but I felt so happy, verging on the self-satisfied, that I had joined a movement class when 6 months ago………. But I said that this week is only good news!! The Jerusalem Gay Parade went off without any untoward events yesterday and ended in a huge party in Independence Park, created for the 200th anniversary of the USA. It was attended by a huge variety of Israelis including a few special politicians. So tell me, how did you like the good news newsletter? Nothing about Iran, the Palestinians, danger, politics, just our ordinary every day life in Israel. Of course we were very busy with our various Board meetings and Zvi’s singing but that’s all good news too! I would love to know what you think, love to hear your opinions and whether the picture I have painted resembles your foregone conclusions about this fascinating country. I’m not claiming that all is rosy but then nowhere is. We are an argumentative people but that is infinitely better than being complacent. We know who our enemies are and are ready whereas most countries around the world are wearing blinkers and remain unprepared. It is now 10:00 and the temperature is already 33 degrees Celsius and climbing, clearly a day to stay indoors! This evening we will have Shabbat Dinner with Zvi’s lovely cousins Rachel and Yossi Ribak who I absolutely adore and then tomorrow we have brunch with Nurit and Danny BarAm, visiting with Rina and Chilik HalOr then home to collapse and relax in preparation for another crazy week! Yesterday I managed to get to Rachel’s and see the two girls, Ayala and Talia. Half of our grandchildren are in the middle of their preparation for or actual Baccalaureate and are working hard, but always have time to give Safta a hug! Rachel and I then went to the little shopping centre at the entrance to Givat Zeev. The very best Sushi and stir-frys in the entire area is right next to the huge plant nursery owned by two Palestinian brothers where we chose our geraniums and a couple of herbs. If only the journalists of the NYT and Guardian would go to there and be find that we CAN all live together in harmony. Today is our daughter-in-law Noga’s birthday and the family, Amiad and the gorgeous Ella and Yonatan have a planned a day full of celebrations! Happy birthday Noga! And so to music. Of course I must begin with Robbie Williams Angel. He isn’t swayed by the BDS, knows that Roger Waters is insane and comes happily to Israel to eat Hummus. https://youtu.be/pv-XrJkUKY0 I know that you love Koolulam but did you know that Koolulam is a social-musical initiative aimed at strengthening the fabric of society. The project centers around mass singing events in which large groups of non-professionals come together to form a collaborative musical creation. Koolulam brings together people from all walks of life to do one thing: stop everything for a few hours and just sing – together. I’m sorry that there is no translation but I know that you will enjoy it anyway. https://youtu.be/8pdPoBfiuaA Shabbat, after all this missive is entitles Shabbat Shalom from Sheila. There are a myriad of beautiful Shabbat songs, Shabbat prayers, Shabbat blessings, so many that is it difficult to choose. This week however, I thought we should continue the good news, the thankfulness for what we have during the week and on Shabbat. Each day as we wake, we make a special prayer thanking the Almighty for returning our soul, our very being when we awaken. Modeh Ani, a prayer I used to say with my Mummy when I was a child, just one of the beautiful memories of my magical childhood. Modeh Ani, I give thanks. https://youtu.be/Fj2Wr46pgRQ So dear friends, I hope I have eased your concerns, made you smile and prepared you for the weekend. I wish you a Shabbat Shalom as I go out onto our veranda to look over the view of Jerusalem in the distance, Jerusalem of Gold, and the wonderful colours of the flowers on our veranda. With love Sheila