Dugo, Demos and Decisions

28th July, 2023 Shabbat Shalom dear friends. Shabbat Shalom. So, we made it past the 9th of Av, most of Israel realizing that “sinat hinam” or unwarranted hatred is a bad idea, but that we can still continue fighting in our own way against what is felt to be an undemocratic law. I'm so proud of Israelis. I see incredible involvement in the politics of today both through young and old, people in wheelchairs and on crutches, who go to demonstrations to make their voices heard. I see the 63 no the 65% of people who didn't vote for this government, including those who voted Likud, not just talking the talk but walking the walk, makes me very, very proud. One doesn’t have to be against the government to be proud that ordinary folk are willing to get out there, whatever the weather, and stand up for their beliefs. I learned something yesterday that fascinated me. As I told you last week, Tisha b’Av is a fast day because of the number of tragedies that happened on that day in history. One particular fact stood out above others. It is believed that Rabbi and teacher Yochanan ben Zakai called out the Rabbis of the 2nd Temple, the Rabbis were the politicians of the time, for corruption and made it very public. It began a revolution and he then left Jerusalem with a number of students thus able to continue teaching after the Temple was destroyed. Of course, I have simplified, maybe over simplified, the situation, but it proves that history repeats itself over and over again. We have to be careful that since the Third Temple has not yet been built, that we do not bring about the downfall of Israel as we know it, the Start Up Nation. Too many companies, doctors, hi-techers, have already threatened to leave. This is a wonderfully democratic nation and the demonstrations are the living proof of our freedom of expression. We are an amalgam of determination, argument, fun-loving, travellers, healers, ready to help any nation that needs us and driven by a need to make the world a better place. Don’t think the current situation is in any way dangerous or irreconcilable, we will overcome As you well know I am diametrically opposed to Itamar Ben Gvir or his extreme views, but even a broken clock is right twice a day! No I'm not being cynical in this case. Tisha b'Av, is a very important day of fasting and remembering the disasters that befell us on that date, a day of mourning for the fall of the Temples. Itamar Ben Gvir went up to the Temple Mount and reiterated that Jews (and Christians) should be free to walk, to pray, albeit with respect for others. The Temple Mount is holy to all three monotheistic religions and is not the private property of any. This was a week in which our Prime Minister fainted again, was taken to hospital, underwent surgery, albeit minor, to implant a very special and expensive pacemaker, was kept in for 2 days and left the country in the hands of Yariv Levine. I wish Mr Netanyahu well, healthy and able to spend much more time with his family. When he went on US television and claimed that the Reasonableness Standard is just a minor law, ………………………………. Hanan Ashrawi, Palestinian politician, was welcomed to Canada. I resent her celebrity because, as a Christian woman by ignoring the plight of Christians in the PA, she has allowed the world to believe that there is not a problem. In other words, she has betrayed her own people. I’m not going to spend your time writing about the current political situation because Israel is so much more than what is happening politically, although it is taking all of our time and energy right now, I want to tell you about everything else! The Israel Antiquities Authority searches every nook and cranny, every cave and rock, in the area near the Dead Sea. Close to Ein Gedi, in a cave atop a cliff, they found a coin just lying at the entrance to the cave; not just any coin but one from the time of the Jewish Revolt against the Romans. The coin is dated 66/67 CE, at the time of the destruction of the Second Temple and has the words “Holy Jerusalem” embossed on it. Black Christians honoured Rev Dr Martin Luther King this week by marching down Martin Luther King Street in Jerusalem, 55 years after his death. Dr King was due to bring thousands of Christians to Jerusalem to preach to them on the Mount of Olives. Dr King firmly supported Israel as the “land from which Christianity burst forth” About 100 Christians who belong to the group which regrets the animosity toward Jews by the Christian Church ascended to the Temple Mount to honour Tisha b’Av. Ironically, they were led by Rabbi Yehuda Glick. The group also hosted 27 hours of prayer. David “Dugo” Leitner became an Israeli folk hero, not for fighting in the IDF but for surviving. A survivor of the horrific Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and of the Death March, Dugo came to Israel and was so emotionally tied to the day that he, a lone 14 year old, began the Death March on the 18th of January, 1945 that he chose to commemorate that day and his subsequent survival and arrival in the Promised Land in a very special way. Dugo ate a felafel every January 18th ever since his Aliya. His story impressed so many here in Israel and even outside Israel, that January 18th became Dugo Day! Dugo was a very special man and led March of the Living many times and each time that he reached the ovens which took his parents he would yell out their names. I think his story is of ultimate importance, not because of felafel but because of his willingness to tell his story and involve young people. Here Dugo tells his story, https://youtu.be/-60daJoVyzs it must be heard for years to come because Dugo passed away this week at the age of 93. May his soul rest in peace and his family be consoled among the mourners of Zion. The skies over Europe are blazing, the weather steaming and we have to learn to take care of our earth. On Sunday Zvi drove to Tel Aviv to attend the dedication of a square in the name of our friend Jojo Naim’s Mother Rovina Arbarbanel Naim. A fine honour indeed. On Monday we went to the David Efron Dance Centre to watch the children in rehearsal. Such enthusiasm and joy in their dance, not hiphop but good old Israeli dancing led by the wonderful, amazing Liron Mussachy, daughter of our good friend. I love that the children of Hora Yerushalyim maintain the traditions, the Israeli folk dancing that brought joy to simpler times. Tuesday my colleagues of Impact-se came to me for a meeting. One advantage of where we live is that it’s convenient for almost everyone! I am overcome with admiration for the people I work with and the magical work they perform to bring tolerance to a world that is increasingly intolerant. Do look at the website, it is astonishing. www.impact-se.org On Wednesday we had a special treat. Yosef, my 18 year old grandson, came to stay. I think it’s a huge compliment that he loves to be with us! We went looking for parking near our favourite coffee shop – Pop Up Café in Kiriat Anavim – but despite several turns around the block not one parking spot was to be found! Everyone was out enjoying food before the fast! We came home and I made him his favourite edamame and mushroom pasta. He wasn’t at all bothered and at Zvi’s suggestion he watched the Israeli series “Red Skies” on the television. Trouble is he was so into the series that he caught up five episodes!! Yesterday was Tisha b’Av and we stayed home. Traditionally all restaurants and places of entertainment stay closed on Tisha b’Av, although some Tel Aviv restaurants decided to flout tradition and open their doors I happen to believe that the current political situation is not an excuse to be anti-religious, or anti-religion but rather to honour our traditions. But then I don’t live in Tel Aviv…….. and please don’t inundate me with accusations that I am anti-Tel Aviv, I’m not at all. It’s all about a mind set. Tonight we will spend Friday night with our friends Ronit and Yossi Dagan and then tomorrow evening we have been invited to Gigi and Ehud Tirosh so I don’t have to cook at all! As soon as I finish writing to you I will head off to Rachel and the family on that drive that I love! I actually stopped to take a photo for you last week but somehow it just didn’t do justice to the panorama of Jerusalem, barely distinguishing the hills covered in white homes and tall towers before me…… disappearing into the distance in two directions – toward the sea on the right and Bethlehem and Ramallah on the left. I will not be writing for two weeks! I am off to the UK to see my family. Gideon, Stephanie, Sammy, Olivia and Zachary will be joined by Karen, Joshua and Callie and then I will go to Cardiff to see my siblings Doreen and Ronnie and families. I will see friends when possible but I am so excited that I will have five grandchildren in one place hat it will be on the hop!! I often wonder if we learn anything while sitting and learning for major events like Tisha b’Av. Have we learned not to hate? Have we learned to accept that we are all different? I’m not just talking about Israel, nor Jews, but rather the world in general. We have a tendency to expect everyone to think our way. So to music. Kabbalat Shabbat means to receive Shabbat, the bride of Shabbat. Here Kippalive sings a medley of Friday night songs https://youtu.be/xZyHBNnRUoI Miri Mesika sings of patience, positivity and hope. Perhaps we all need it right now. https://youtu.be/9eDzojXuMZY I have given you this song many times, but never too many times. Bridge Over Troubled Waters is what we need now in our ever increasingly angry world. The Shalva band, Tariq al Menhali and Arqam sing with the Jerusalem Symphony led by Gil Shochat. https://youtu.be/uIbc7PL8VZ8 So, I’ll see you in a few weeks. I will have the joy of being with my London and NYC grandchildren for Shabbat as Gideon sings Kiddush in his glorious baritone voice. Please, I beg of you, talk to someone you disagree with, not to convince them of your point of view but to hear why they think what they think. Shabbat Shalom Sheila

Midweek update REasonableness

25thJuly, 2023 Mid-weekupdatehttp://www.theviewfrommyveranda.info/reasonableness-standard-mid-week-update/  It’sbeen a long time since I wrote a mid-week update but since one should neverrely upon the international media for reports on what is happening here inIsrael, since they always have an ulterior motive, in fact I don’t rely uponany media reports except the ones with reporters on the spot. Actually eventhat isn’t always accurate because in one “on the spot reports” from thedemonstrations, as the reporter came on camera I heard a “Now” in thebackground and everyone started with noisemakers and flag waving……….. so, letme try to be rational, fair and true to myself and explain the last months,weeks and last night in as few words as possible. If emotions run into theexplanation I will not apologise because, I am in a state of confused emotions. Letme start with something most people do not know, about a wise lady called Dorothy de Rothschild, whose familydonated the money to build both the Jerusalem Knesset and later the exquisiteSupreme Court building. She made only one deeply symbolic demand.....that theSupreme Court building be slightly higher than the Knesset, because the law mustalways supersede the vagaries of politics. The planned, new, PrimeMinister’s Office will also be, symbolically, lower than the Supreme Courtbuilding Today is the morning after the vote in the Knesset. Ican't pretend that I am not terribly disappointed in members of a party thatonce upon a time was great, a party founded on the principles that built thisgreat democracy. However, this is still a thriving democracy with elements ofwhich we should be very proud. I am concerned that the shekel nose-divedagainst the dollar but equally know that despite the protests of even the mostsenior IDF soldiers, should the call come they will fight to protect us. The demonstrations which began with a relatively smallnumber of concerned people and grew and grew into a nationwide movement as peoplejoined in, like the walk from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem which began with a fewhundred and grew along the way to many thousands. In 99% of cases thedemonstrations are quiet, civil and orderly but of course the young get veryemotional and sometimes angry and on occasion do things that are best leftundone. One of the saddest sights last night was watching formerChief of the Israeli Navy, Yoav Gallant, currently Minister of Defence, going toeach of the major players of this contentious law, trying to persuade them tohold back, present the law another day in a different form, but withoutsuccess. Despite his efforts he still voted with the government as did all of theLikud party. That over, what is the Reasonableness Standard and whatare its implications. I think we all understand the basics, by dint of its veryname, the Reasonableness Standard, and I knew that it would seriously cut theability of the Supreme Court to censure the Knesset, that’s very clear, but Ilooked for a simple explanation and found it, strangely enough in an articlefrom 2019, during Mr. Netanyahu’s last term of office. I had no idea it was onthe cards so long ago. This is from the Israel Democracy Institute.  https://en.idi.org.il/articles/27020  The demonstrations will continue and my heart goes out tothe young policemen and women who no matter what they feel, whatever theirpolitical alliances, have to keep the rule of law, keep the traffic moving andcontrol the demonstrations - unfortunately receiving little financialcompensation. There are several claims lodged to the Supreme Courtdeclaring the new law illegal, the first from the Movement for Quality ofGovernment led by Eliad Shrager…. watch this space. I'msitting having my breakfast outside on the veranda looking around me enjoyingthe few minutes before the heat falls upon us. Like Israelis, reading thenewspaper filled me with trepidation, concerned for the frightening split insociety.. And then it happened. Aboutsix little tiny birds, their black feathers iridescent in the sun, came tovisit. They aren't hummingbirds, despite their ability to hover, their wingsflapping at a phenomenal rate, they're called Sunbirds and they drink nectar fromthe base of flowers rather than long tongues as the hummingbird. They are quitespectacular and have a wonderful little chirp. As they went from hibiscus tohibiscus from tree to tree the happy song ringing out in the morning, I beganto realise that there's so much hope in the world!  Perhaps we should learnfrom them that there is another way, one doesn’t have to drink from the top ofthe flower but rather from the base. Last night while having dinner I discoveredthat an old friend was related to David Ben-Gurion! Ben Gurion’s name originalname was Grin before it was Hebraicised. Adv. Yair Green is a direct relativeof the great man whose strength and determination are legendary. David BenGurion, a true leader, went against the Knesset majority, understood his placein history and declared the State of Israel! Yes,it is the day after the night before and yes, I'm very disappointed but I stillhave hope that this amazing country will come out of it changed and maybe better,for the fact that we're together. So many people came together, including youngpeople who care so deeply for this country that they are willing to give up onnights on the town to join nights on the street in what became a fight for ourlegal system. Iwish you a good day. I promise you that no matter what , we still live in themost amazing little country in the world.  -- If the media does not inform us we must inform the mediaMy Website http://www.theviewfrommyveranda.info/Facebook      Sheila Silver Raviv Involvement   http://www.impact-se.org/ 

Zamburot, Bastille and Golda

14th July, 2023 Shabbat Shalom! Happy Bastille Day! Bastille Day, the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille. The big question is whether one can be happy at what is happening in France today. The Bastille is not in danger but the country is as French towns and cities burn and looting is rife and French Moslems run riot after a young man was shot by police. I couldn’t help but compare what is happening in France to our demonstrations here, 27 weeks of demonstrations throughout the country and but for a few unnecessary events, it has been orderly, not so quiet with the “Zamburot”, those ghastly noisy fog horns, breaking into the nights, posters, shouts of “Shame” and “Democracy” but generally people standing waving flags (yes stopping traffic for a short period) on any and every square, bridge and intersection determined that their voice be heard. After the resignation of the Tel Aviv Commissioner of Police who refused to follow demands of tougher measures, the police were less “gentle but it was reported that at least 350,000 people demonstrated around the country, worried citizens of every sector. I had no idea what the reasonableness law entailed, and why it is so disturbing, so I read up on it. It has passed the first reading in Knesset with every member of the coalition voting for, not one with enough moral strength to vote against. It comes from British law, invoked centuries ago. The International Commission for Jurists describes it as “Reasonableness”, a standard of review often used by courts for making a determination as to the constitutionality or lawfulness of legislation and regulations, particularly in common law jurisdictions, and through which judges will assess whether the questioned law or practice can be justified vis-à-vis the objectives targeted and the constitutional rights to be protected.” It is of such importance that I will stand on squares, bridges and intersections to ensure it is not removed from the Israeli Courts. This cobbled together coalition government will not lead us away from the straight and narrow path, a path leading to unbridled power. So that’s the scoop as my big sister Eddie would say. Luckily life in Israel is still amazing on a day to day level which is why we give up our evenings to demonstrate – we want to preserve the way of life that put us in the top ten countries of happy citizens. Here’s a round-up of the week’s events Helen Mirren is here again, this time for the opening of the Jerusalem Film Festival with her film about her heroine, Golda Meir. She said “I am very happy to see the huge demonstrations and believe it is a pivotal moment in Israel’s history. Israel has the highest number of paramedics per capita in the world! Magen David Adom, Hatzolah and others, train our youngsters, Jews and Arabs, from an early age. Bravo! Israeli football player Manor Solomon has joined the long list of Israeli players to be signed by British teams. Solomon signed this week with Tottenham Hotspurs aka Spurs! Good luck! Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the commonwealth was knighted by King Charles in Windsor castle for his remarkable contributions to the Jewish community interfaith relations and education. If you recall, Rabbi Mirvis was invited to stay at the home of King Charles so that he could attend the Coronation without breaking Shabbat. Israel was mentioned far more frequently In the Human Rights Council than North Korea, Pakistan, Nigeria or Sudan, a group of countries including Austria, Britain, Canada and Italy, led by US Ambassador Michele Taylor, were “deeply concerned” at the Commission of Inquiry’s “long-standing disproportionate attention given to Israel in the council.” In an “open-ended mandate with no sunset clause” or closing date. Using the reports of Impact-se (www.impact-se.org ) the European Union has condemned the incitement to hatred in the Palestinian schoolbooks, which we now know are basically written by UNWRA. Last night I went to the opening of a fascinating exhibit at the Museum of Islamic Art in Jerusalem, right next to the Jerusalem Theatre, with my friend and neighbour Naomi. The Turkish Ambassador, His Excellency Sakir Ozkan Torunlar was present for the opening the exhibition told the story of food in the region, predominantly of the Arab Food traditions, utensils from the past and present and examples of local food presented by several chefs, including Chef Moshe Basson of Eucalyptus, in Jerusalem, whose dishes refer to Biblical times and of Rashta restaurant in the village of Ein Rafa. Ranham Barhom, the owner and head chef was at the ceremony with his wife and two beautiful little girls who sat next to me. Yaron Zidkiyahu sat with us, Yaron’s family represent food in Jerusalem, all of which started in Shouk Mahane Yehuda which was equally central to the exhibit. My favourite moment was when Museum Director, the wonderful Gilad Levian, spoke of his grandmother’s cooking, everything on the “ptiliah” something close to a camping stove on steroids, which was the only method of cooking in those days. His description of the aromas which bring back so many beautiful memories I think that those “ptiliot” forced a type of cooking that warmed the hearts of entire families. Next week President Isaac (Bougie) Herzog is going to the United States to meet with President Biden. It is not the first time that they have met, and certainly not the last, but it is clear that the President of the United States is unhappy with Israel’s current government, several members of which have been less than polite about him and about the United States, which shows their ignorance and their lack of understanding. The PM has already told President Herzog what he can and can’t discuss – but what he doesn’t understand is that Herzog may speak quietly and politely but never ever doubt that he will speak of exactly what he deems important. I love meeting old friends! This week I invited just a few for lunch on our veranda. Those who live nearby arrived at record speed but sadly those from Ra’anana couldn’t come because of the demonstration at Ben Gurion Airport. I couldn’t decide if that demonstration was fair, thinking of lost flights and blocked roads, but in fact, to my surprise, flights were on time and all passengers caught their respective flights. The logistics were difficult but ultimately, lunch was delightful as were the guests and their welcome home-made contributions toward lunch. There is something very special about meeting up with old friends. It’s as if a conversation held 50 years ago simply continues without hesitation. Eli and Harley Ungar are special people, very special people. They were beloved friends of my late son Daniel and have ensured that the friendship toward Daniel’s family has not waned in any way. On Thursday, yesterday, I met them at the entrance to Shalva, on Harley’s first visit. I saw the look of amazement on her face as she walked in the door to a bright, happy, noisy lobby, to be met by Sophie who then took us straight up to Dr. Dan’s Room, the studio we created to honour Daniel. Gosh I love the place. As Sophie took us around Harley’s amazement just grew as we saw the workshops, playroom, classrooms and sleepover areas which all help people with special needs to enter their lives armed with the tools of social interaction and independence. We then went down to the excellent coffee shop where we were joined by Kalman Samuels, creator of Shalva, together with his wife Malki, and Kalman spoke of Yossi, their incredible son, and of their determination to bring inclusion into Shalva. As we finished our delicious lunch a young woman came up to us, requesting to speak to Kalman “I just want to tell you that you changed our lives. You gave us hope and joy in our little boy who was born with Downs’ Syndrome and made us realise that we are parents just like everyone else” She proudly showed us her baby boy, sleeping peacefully, a beautiful child who I know will brow to be the very best he can possibly be. Kalman’s book https://www.shalva.org/dreams-never-dreamed/ is a fabulous read. 51 years ago my middle son Gideon stood up on the Bimah of the beautiful Reading Synagogue and sang his Bar Mitzvah, this week’s Parasha or Torah reading, the double portion of Matot and Maasei – Matot meaning Tribes and Maasei meaning Journeys. In those days he sang a clear sweet soprano as opposed to his equally beautiful baritone of today. Since that day my admiration for him has grown and grown, not only for his incredible achievements, admiration for him and his wonderful family, but maybe most of all for his choice of partner in life, the amazing Stephanie. Rabbi Jeremy Rosengives a wonderful explanation of the reading, I hope this link works! https://mailchi.mp/7a922cbaae19/where-you-should-live?e=58fea4332b Tonight we have special guests, Zvi’s younger son Leor, his wife Shiri and the four girls, Amit, Gili, Ori and Yuval. The menu will be varied, White fish in spicy sauce for Leor and Zvi, salmon for Shiri and Yuval, pizza for all the rest, the pizza dough is currently in the fridge awaiting the requested toppings. A huge green salad and a chopped salad will accompany, plus a courgette salad and a Moroccan mushroom salad. I am happy to have a little bit of each. It’s just too hot for most desserts so I may well just go and buy some ice cream – welcomed by all. I will set the Shabbat table outside where hopefully the evening will change from searing heat to a quiet balmy warmth. We’ll see. I’m about to head off to see Rachel, and to pass through my favourite vistas. I always top on the way to by flowers to decorate her table from one of the youngsters that set up sunshades and sport a huge variety of flowers in buckets of water. They are at almost every intersection both in towns and on the main roads, where passers by stop their cars to buy flowers to take home for Shabbat. On my way home I’ll buy the Challot, the plaited loaves that represent the manna from heaven, two on the sixth day so that we rest on the seventh. On the way home I will stop opposite Nebe Samuel – Samuel’s Tomb – and take in the phenomenal vista of a city reborn, of modern Jerusalem, a city that never fails to fascinate. I’ll think of you as I stand there in wonder at the rolling hills, the dazzling white buildings as far as the eye can see. If music be the food of love play on – ah if only. There are occasions where I repeat songs, because their message is of great importance. I love this song, Lean on Me, sung by Koolulam, creates a sense of togetherness, Jews, Christians, Moslems, Hindus, it is irrelevant, all moderate thinkers, everyone who cares for the world around them, this is an anthem. https://youtu.be/UzPL6INO5KI The Shalva Band has reached heights that nobody ever thought young disabled people could reach, no matter how talented, they changed the paradigm of acceptance, a paradigm change made by Kalman and Malki Samuels and Shalva. v https://youtu.be/JnnOWLm3oxI Finally, the last song expresses our prayer that “Yihyeh Beseder” It will be alright. We are going through a tough time but we are a strong democracy and after all we are have survived far worse. Love this song! Katan Aleinu – for which there is no literal translation – We can do it is the nearest https://youtu.be/lHVAWnCXBkU Shabbat Shalom dear friend. Thank you for your patience on this rather long missive, but it all needed to be said! Shabbat Shalom to you all wherever you may be. With love from Jerusalem, the city I love, the city we love, the City of David, where 3,000 years ago, a King sat on its ancient stones and wrote poems to Jerusalem in the exact same language that we speak today. Sheila

Praying, fighting, singing

7th July, 2023 Shabbat Shalom! Happy anniversary to my sister Eddie and Ray. 66 years of pure love – and incredibly 66 years since I was your bridesmaid. Happy birthday to my incredible, funny, clever, loving son Gideon who never fails to challenge my thinking and so contributes every week to this missive. I know, normally I don’t start my missives with personal notes, but 66 years is pretty good going for a marriage these days. I was thinking about good stories, a positive start to this week’s newsletter and their marriage sprang to mind. As to Gideon, his analytical thinking is a lesson to us all. It has been a week of important news, sad news and the odd ray of light to lift our spirits. The question of Haredi enlistment in the IDF was brought before the Supreme Court by the Movement for Quality in Government led by Advocate Eliad Shrager concerning the “Reasonableness” of any law passed by the Knesset. This covers many subjects but this explanation clarifies much ” Reasonableness comes into play in the judiciary’s other supervisory function. It is a test rooted in Israel’s British legal heritage, part of a tradition of judicial review of decisions by the executive branch. Far from thwarting the will of the people, judicial review is meant to ensure that public officials, from the prime minister downwards, do not flout the will of the people by abusing or exceeding their powers under the law. Some feel that the courts’ use of the reasonableness test in this area has gone too far, by examining the substance of decisions rather than the decision-making process; others disagree. At any rate, Israel’s current minister of justice plans to abolish it altogether. “ One of the main subjects under discussion is the enlistment, or rather non-enlistment of Haredi Israelis into the IDF, a release law which comes to an end after July. Is it reasonable that a particular sector of society is released automatically from serving in an essential defence force by right? The question always rises after young people in the IDF face extreme danger, even more than usual, in order to protect us all and the weight of responsibility lies only on one third of society. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-748977 Tel Aviv Police Commissioner Avi Eshed had enough. He stood before the microphone, proudly wearing his police uniform, and explained why he was leaving the force after many years of loyal service. He could no longer serve under Ben Gvir, a Minister for Internal Security that demanded that he use extreme force to stop the demonstrations which take place week after week, month after month, on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv. Until now Commissioner Eshed put forward specific rules to both demonstrators and police, and with very few exceptions the demonstrations went off without incident. The change in attitude was apparent in the spontaneous demonstrations which followed Eshed’s speech, much the same as those in support of Yoav Gallant when Netanyahu fired him. Immediately people left their homes and work and arrived at demonstration sites throughout the country. Unfortunately, the police felt freer to react strongly and at one point, had his bodyguard not jumped in to save the situation, Ehud Olmert, who was simply standing holding his flag, would have been pushed and shoved by one over-eager policeman. MK Meirav Michaeli was less fortunate but at least she wasn’t hurt. Despite the election pledge of this government, the number of terror attacks has increased, taking advantage of the disturbing split in the citizens and dissatisfaction with the leadership. On Tuesday, in a quiet suburb of Tel Aviv, a terrorist drove his truck into a bus stop and then stabbed those nearby. 8 people went to hospital with varying degrees of injury. Next day, David Yehuda Yitzchak died as the IDF left the operation in Jenin. Jenin, as I have said before, has become the centre for terror organisations, where the brains behind the attacks have their centres, sadly in schools, kindergartens and of course Mosques, preventing most pin point attacks from the air, requiring on the ground operations. Yesterday Shiloh Yosef Amir was killed in a terror attack near his home. I don’t know if it is clear, but in Israel, we know everyone, or know someone who knows the injured or killed. Whereas in other countries killings, shootings, stabbings, take place every day without hitting the headlines, here, we know them, the soldiers are everybody’s sons. Thousands went to the boy’s funerals, thousands who just wanted to say thank you to the families and support them in their grief. May their souls rest in peace. The last thing I want you to believe is that terror rules our lives or that we are cowed into submission. Life goes on, indeed life here is still wonderful, active, intense and highly enjoyable, wea re a people that loves to go out, to promenade, to stop for a coffee, to meet and chat in the park. Of course, we love to complain but that’s fine. Let me give you the week’s rundown in the Raviv family. Of course, virtually every day or evening Zvi has rehearsals in at least one of his choirs, so I won’t include those in our packed social schedule. On Sunday I met Betty and Dana for a coffee in the excellent coffee shop of the Israel Museum where both volunteer and in the evening Zvi sang in a concert at the Jerusalem Theatre with the choir Hakol Yachassi. On Monday Rachel and I headed off for the Dan Hotel near the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus to meet my Daniel’s close friend Eli. We love Eli! He was there for a conference but took time out to spend time with us. Hopefully I’ll be with Eli and his lovely wife Harley for a visit to Shalva next week, a visit to Dr. Dan’s Room. Where was I? Oh yes Tuesday. Zvi had his mini-parliament made up of local friends and then we drove to Herzliya where we met with Julio Jarak and then collected Debby and Sam Bettsak and headed off to the most phenomenal evening we’ve had in a long time – Shlomo Artzi in concert in the Caesaria amphitheatre. Caesaria, unfortunately better known for being the private home of the Netanyahu’s is actually a fascinating archaeological and historic site. https://en.parks.org.il/reserve-park/caesarea-national-park/ Shlomo Artzi’s career spans decades and he is still as strong of voice and personality as when he was 20. The audience, from teenagers to pensioners, sang every word with him, stood on their feet and waved arms, and generally had a ball. It was indeed a spectacular spectacular! We loved every second and I sang every word on the way back to Jerusalem. Wednesday morning and I met my friend Mel Brickman in Kumkum (Kettle) a tea house on Bethlehem Road. We had scones with cream and jam for breakfast – although we hoped to get crumpets the poor waitress had no idea what we were talking about! The tea was good although I had to ask for an extra tea bag for the pot and they had no Tea Cosy! It was lovely nonetheless, the two of us in the pretty garden of the tea house. That evening Zvi and I were back on the road to the Ronit Farms, a glorious wedding site out in the country near Kibbutz Gaash, for a truly magnificent event. As I have often related, Zvi is still very close to several of his old high school friends from the time when his parents were Hebrew teachers in Mexico, at the “Yiddische Schule” and among his favourites is Dina Garber. Dina’s grandson Alan was marrying his Jessica – two young people, one from Mexico, one from France via Israel who met in San Francisco and fell in love. It was gorgeous! Yesterday was the fast of Tammuz, the 17th day of the month of Tammuz which heralds the three weeks of mourning which end on the 9th of the month of Av, Tisha b’Av. https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/947558/jewish/What-Are-the-Three-Weeks.htm As soon as I finish writing to you I am going to see Rachel and the children. Gosh I love it! Her Shabbat preparations remind me so much of when my children were small, the aromas, the challot rising on the side, then coming out of the oven just waiting, her challot so much more interesting than mine used to be – she experiments with spices, seeds, and designs. For some reason I always arrive just as the bulkes, the little challah rolls, come out of the oven ready for the butter to melt into its aromatic flavours accompanied by a cup of good tea, with the hugs, kisses and stories of Yosef, Talia and Ayala, who despite being teenagers are still as loving as ever. Tonight, Shabbat. Shabbat, just the two of us, time to be together and talk about our insane life! Zvi’s beautiful kiddush will be just for me, something I treasure as nothing else. Tomorrow we will spend Shabbat with our/my old friends Yaffa and Martin Glass after visiting Zvi’s son Amiad, Noga, Ella and Yonatan who are just as loving as Rachel’s family! It will be good to catch up with Yaffa and Martin and know that they are happy since moving here. As I look out on our veranda, on the fruit trees which hold so much promise of a fine harvest, the hibiscus, petunias, geranium, Passiflora, Black Eyed Susan and look forward to going with friends to the concert of arias in Jerusalem Theatre after Shabbat, I am grateful. Grateful that life is full, grateful that we are very involved, grateful that we live in a country where criticising the government is not a death sentence as in so many countries. Grateful that life is busy. Which of course brings us to the music. I tried and tried to find a good video of Shlomo Artzi singing in Caesaria on the night we were there in the ancient amphitheatre. A concert there is the peak that all Israeli singers hope to attain and he has performed there over 200 times! This gives you the sensation, the feeling – the entire audience knew every word of every song! https://youtu.be/8pOmgSJSwLE If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget her cunning. Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, If I remember thee not; If I set not Jerusalem above my chiefest joy. Yaakov Shwekey, in Caesaria too. With the poem, prayer of 3,000 years https://youtu.be/j1WsdQHtSUg 73 years since the Law of Return, July 5th 1950, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_Return was passed in the Knesset, the date chosen to coincide with the anniversary of Herzl’s death. Since that day millions of Jews from all corners of the dispersion have come home. To honour that day, the Israeli Police sing “Yerushalyim Shel Zahav” Jerusalem of Gold in honour of that day. It is so beautiful. https://youtu.be/O5mCq1NCGrE Shabbat Shalom dear friends. I often wonder if you know how important you are to me. Some of you, in fact a surprising number, I know personally and many I know because you care, because you write to introduce yourselves. I wish you a peaceful weekend, I wish Israel a peaceful weekend. Sending love from Jerusalem, our city, the centre of our world Sheila