Heroes one and all

 

29^th of March 2024

 

Shabbat Shalom, a blessed Good Friday and a Holy Easter.

 

I remember the time when we used to think it funny to say “Chaos reigns and we all get wet” but I stopped laughing on October 7^th. Chaos reigns in an ever confused and threatening world. Chaos in a world of inverse morality. Of course, it’s scary but please don’t give up hope, there are still an awful lot of good people who are trying to right the wrongs.

 

I started this missive counting my fears and concerns instead of my blessings, our blessings, and I just deleted a half hour of writing! It’s not my way, it’s not what you want or need to hear, so let’s try to turn the news on its head and look at the good side of bad news.

 

President Biden is conceivably the greatest friend, US President, that Israel has ever known. An unapologetic Israphile who has put his determined support before his further political aspirations.  His recent statement has been misinterpreted. He never said that the IDF mustn’t enter Rafiah, he said he wants a day-after plan.

 

There is much shouting about Shifa Hospital. All I can tell you is that Shifa is a hospital like Mengele was a doctor. No hospital I know hides an arsenal of anti-tank weapons, RPGs and is a bolt hole for terrorists.

 

The Israeli Supreme Court came to the decision yesterday that young, physically fit Haredi men are no longer automatically exempt from military service and Yeshivas whose student do not enlist to the IDF (places of Jewish learning) will no longer receive government funding. What can possibly be positive about angering an entire sector and risking the fall of the current government? It gives the young Haredim an opportunity to be part of the country they live in – to be acceptable by all. As to causing the fall of this government……… say no more.

 

It may not be in the news, but the war in the north is heating up with hundreds of rockets destroying Israeli towns and villages irrespective of who lives there.  The UN directive that there be a 30 kilometre no-go area north of the border was broken years ago! Southern Lebanon has become a Shiite stronghold (contrary to UN resolution 1701) since King Hussein exiled Yassir Arafat and his cohorts after an attempted coup in which the King killed some 10,000 PLO supporters. Thank heaven most towns and villages have been evacuated but imagine being told that you are leaving your home for an unknown period “for your own good” and after six months of your family all living in a hotel room you discover that what was your home is a mere shell. That’s what the residents of Kiriat Shmona and many other towns and villages, face.

 

Israeli heroes come in all shapes and sizes

 

Amit Soussana, a beautiful young Israeli lawyer, was captured by Hamas and for 5 long months kept quiet about her captivity. She chose to tell her horrific story of rape and abuse to the New York Times, hardly a pro-Israel media outlet. A heroine indeed  https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1nn8yxyc

 

Idan Amedi, Israeli singer and personality, joined his soldiers on October 7^th and was terribly injured. He spoke openly of his recovery, the psychological turmoil, in a single interview, asking to be left in peace. This week he was invited to light a torch at the forthcoming ceremony on Yom Ha’atzma’ut (Israel’s Independence Day) for bravery and refused it with the words “If they want to present me with the honour for my music or words, I would accept it with pride but not as a hero because there are many heroes and I am just one of them”

 

Kinneret Chaya Boosany Twig is my personal heroine. Tomorrow is the 22^nd anniversary of the terror attack on “My Coffee Shop” on Allenby Street in Tel Aviv. Kinneret was critically injured that day, found by paramedic Itzik Kochav, rushed to hospital with a 2% chance of living, changed her name to Kinneret Chaya (Kinneret lives) and after a three year recovery supported by her parents, siblings and entire family, and despite all medical knowledge of burn victims, is now a happily married mother of four amazing children! One day I will publish the story, having recorded almost every day of her recovery and determination to have a bright and beautiful future.

 

The young people of Israel are my heroes! In the world happiness index for under 30’s, Israel came in second. Why? Because unlike young people in the West, they know what they want, they know why they are here, they have served their country and come into adulthood with a sense of community, responsibilty and family. For some reason that I cannot fathom, they may be tattooed all over but they are heroes one and all.

 

After the Yom Kippur War, Zvi had arrived home for a few hours from the front and was in the shower when suddenly he heard huge crash! His mother was in the kitchen listening to the news when the death of soldier Zvi Raviv was announced. She knew that he was home, knew that it was a different Zvi Raviv, was even making him food but to hear it announced was more than her frayed nerves could handle. This week, history repeated itself when we received several phone calls after the news that soldier Lior Raviv had fallen in Gaza reminded us of the greatest fear of every parent. Thank heaven our Leor Raviv is too old to fight, was safely working crazily in his office and is doing well.

 

Despite calls of genocide, I just wanted you to know that the Gazan population has increased tenfold over the last years. Despite calls of starvation, the number of food trucks, aid for Gazans, has increased enormously, of course it is all appropriated by Hamas but know that we are not the guilty party here. The ones who are not starving are the Hamas leaders who live in luxury in Qatar, $11 billion worth of luxury https://nypost.com/2023/11/07/news/hamas-leaders-worth-11bn-live-luxury-lives-in-qatar/

 

Since my attempt at positivity is not complete please read an excellent article about the sheer brilliance of Hamas media strategy. It is a must-read. https://www.futureofjewish.com/p/the-stunning-dystopian-strategy-behind

 

Eitan Chitayat speaking about the fact that Israel’s fight against terror is also America’s fight, and that of the West. https://youtu.be/ikbCfCaYzik?si=YWBCtfVtUdPDY6ii

 

April the first for me is one of the most important days of my life, after the births of my children of course! It is the day I officially made Aliya. April 1^st 1991 was no April Fool’s Day for me! I will never forget that Zvi came all the way in to the gate to take me upstairs to the hall where I would be given my ID card, my Teudat Zehut, my Israeli citizenship. I had no idea what the future held but knew that I was finally fulfilling a dream I held since 1963, my first visit to Israel. I have seen wars and Intifadas, lost loved friends, watched the world turn on its head hating my beloved country, but have never, for one moment regretted coming here, being at the fulcrum of the Jewish people. I have had unbelievable adventures with Canon Andrew White (we both had dreams of being spies); been taken to secret sites by Malcolm Hoenlein; helped Zvi in his many ventures to promote phenomenal causes in Israel and abroad; become Chair of the most effective educational research institute (www.impact-se.org ) that has changed the way that children see those different to themselves in most of our region; seen Zvi’s children marry and become parents; felt the ultimate joy when Rachel not only came to live here, proudly Israeli, but to be present at the births of all three of her children. No regrets, of course it is hard being far from my children and grandchildren in London and NYC and my siblings, but despite being a huge price, the cause of more than one tear, it is one I learned to live with.

 

Since my Aliya I have seen miracles every day Think about the miracle of the Russian Aliya, which as you know Zvi and Yona Yahav were catalysts. The Russian immigration is conceivably the single most important happening in Israel’s history, bringing fine scientists, doctors, teachers, politicians and some of the bravest of brave soldiers in the IDF. They are hard-working, hungry for culture and know the difference between oppression and democracy and enjoy the ability to speak freely.

 

As we enter the month after Purim and before Passover, the shops are filling with Pesach foodstuffs. Cereals are disappearing, snacks are changing, slowly the shelves will be scrubbed clean and paper laid down to bring in the new Passover foods, the variety and possibilities dependent upon whether you are of North African origin or European origin (actually we are all from here before the dispersion but that’s another argument entirely). North African and Ethiopian Jews are allowed to eat Kitniot or legumes, such as rice, lentils etc, over Passover whereas the European Jewish diet is far more limited without those luxuries. Many young Israelis have changed from Ashkenaz to Sefardi believing that such rules are just too difficult. I feel as they do but cannot bring myself to make a change that both my parents and Zvi parents would have raised their eyebrows! I’ve prepared my shopping list but have yet to begin cleaning cupboards ready for changing the dishes – yes that too! Nobody said it’s easy being a traditional Jew but my goodness, the feeling that everything is new and sparkling and “different” makes I all worthwhile. We have a relatively small Seder Night (the first night of Passover and traditionally the site of the Last Supper) So far we will be just 16 so our table will extend sufficiently to accommodate us all. Any other details will wait for a couple of weeks!

 

I started the last paragraph because my prayer, our prayer, is that the remaining 133 hostages will come home, that they will sit with their families whose suffering in inconceivable, that the warmth of the table, the familiarity of the service, the familiar reading of the Haggadah (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haggadah )  will ease their pain of being held by cruel and depraved captors. We can but pray, we can but hope that the intervention of others will bring about their return, alive or dead.

 

This week was much as normal with delightful sidetracks. On Tuesday Noy came to visit! Noy and her friend are collecting Grandma recipes and she came to watch me make my Mother’s and Grandmother’s recipe for bread pudding. She intends bringing a group of others to watch and learn so that these recipes aren’t lost. On Wednesday, Rachel and I went to the plant nursery to choose our summer planting. It is an interesting pant nursery, in Givat Ze’ev, owned by two Palestinian brothers whose parents live in Canada. Yesterday was really wonderful. We drove to Ra’anana to our lovely friends Merle and Frank Friedman for a delicious lunch. The other Guests were Naomi and Tuvia, two amazing people. Naomi created Bet Issie Shapiro following a dream of her late father Issie and Tuvia brought hydrotherapy to Israel. I told you, Israeli heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Since our clocks went forward last night I am running late but determined to go to see Rachel and the children as soon as I finish!

 

And so to song, to music, because if it truly is the food of love, we all need it.

 

Idan Amedi writes beautiful words, the words of a man who loves his country, fights for his country yet prays for peace. This song is not new but it could have been written yesterday. No More, words and music by Idan Amedi https://youtu.be/qQepsm0Rc0U?si=u9oBj2cGMisj5lKs

 

Vehi Sheamda is a song and a prayer recited on Passover. It tells that no matter how many times we have been the subject of hate, put into slavery, the Almighty always comes to save us. Yaacov Shwekey and Shlomi Shabbat  https://youtu.be/qnnKFpiP1hs?si=gBg_7KE1XjqiUSRk

 

Finally, Stand By Me sung by Music Travel Love and a singer from Abu Dhabi whose name I should remember, but I think his name is Arqam. I just love this https://youtu.be/4ONfrkskNp4?si=cXKFnQfwYucwW3d7

 

Dear wonderful friends. I wish you a peaceful weekend, whether you pray in Synagogue, Temple, Mosque, Church or Cathedral is irrelevant, pray for a kinder world, pray for kindness.

 

Shabbat Shalom from OUR beautiful Jerusalem

Sheila

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where's Eylon

 22^nd of March 2024

12^th Adar II 5784

167^th of October

 

 

Shabbat Shalom dear friends.

Shabbat Shalom, Purim Sameach, Ramadan Kareem and a blessed Holy Week beginning with Palm Sunday

 

Do you remember the old story about the teacher who sees two children fighting in the playground, one of whom is beating the living daylights out of the other? What’s going on here? Asks the teacher. Who started this? To which the angrier of the two children responds. It all started when he hit me back. Sound familiar.

 

We have been horrified, confused, angry and dismayed at the inverse reaction to the barbarism of October the 7^th, and the subsequent war, but it seems to get worse by the minute. Canada, after their Foreign Minister visited the area, made a public statement that they would stop providing Israel with armaments. Actually Canada doesn’t provide Israel with armaments, just some spare parts and we actually provide them but the person reading the newspaper or watching the news doesn’t care, Israel must be the bad guy. Even British Foreign Minister David Cameron, a long time supporter of Israel, demanded that the Red Cross be allowed to visit the Hamas prisoners yet has not demanded that they visit the hostages, who for 167 days have lived in abject fear and dire conditions. A ceasefire is demanded to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. The situation for the average Gazan is dreadful, but nobody recognises the fact that hundreds and hundreds of aid trucks are going into Gaza and are then appropriated by Hamas leaving the ordinary people to starve. Basically, Israel is portrayed as the evil colonialists while leaders around the world announce that we have the right to defend ourselves. The ultimate dismay was the cartoon in La Presse, the Canadian French speaking newspaper, portraying Benjamin Netanyahu as a vampire as in the 1922 movie Nosferatu. Are we in 1935 or is it already 1938?

 

You often claim that we have terrible hasbara, or public diplomacy, and I always defended the spokespersons, saying that it was just because nobody was listening, but after the suspension of one of our best young spokesmen, Eylon Levy, the one with the expressive eyebrows and perfect English, both Oxford and Cambridge educated and oh so eloquent, I’m now convinced you are right because Eylon Levy has been suspended by the Foreign Ministry! Why? Unconfirmed but logical explanation is that Mrs Netanyahu objected to his popularity and the fact that he had attended demonstrations against the Judicial Reform. When the media quote Ben Gvir and Smotrich’s verbal Terrets and we are led by a Prime Minister who is hated throughout the world, right or wrong, our story, the story of constant terrorism and dead Israelis is already forgotten.

 

I’m sorry to be so pessimistic but my usual optimism is replaced by fear for Jews around the world. A Habad House in Miami was torched; a Jewish coffee shop in the Upper West Side of Manhattan was daubed with red paint and so on. Young Jewish students do not know where it is safe to go to Universities and colleges…… but why? We have good Christian friends throughout the world, their support lifts my spirits, but still, the situation begs the question, why the Jews? Do the left love and admire the stifling rule of Sharia Law? Surely not, so why do they support it?

 

I received the letter from Dina Rubina from many friends. Her lecture was cancelled for spurious reasons and she wrote back to the organiser, a perfect response. https://truthofthemiddleeast.com/dina-rubina-open-letter/

 

 Anyway, I think I have exhausted the questions and doubts and want to go back to my positive thinking.

 

Actually, before I move on, perhaps we should all watch this interview of Douglas Murray by a South African reporter. He is about the only person capable of such brilliant argument against intentional disinformation. https://youtu.be/Flggg8Fyzu8?si=l5sG80hPzR8-DPS2  

 

Here’s a surprise. Despite everything that’s happened – and is happening – Israel is the 5th happiest country to live in, out of a total of 143. According to the just-released World Happiness Report, the UK is in 20th place (down one from last year’s survey) and the US is 23rd, down eight places from 15th in 2023.

Topping the poll is Finland, which has held the accolade for seven years now, followed (in order) by Denmark, Iceland and Sweden. Iraq comes in at 92, Iran is 100, Egypt 127, and Afghanistan comes in last at 143. Surprisingly Palestine features in the survey and comes in at 103 – down four points from last year.

 

As I have explained in earlier missives, the funerals of soldiers lost in battle are attended by hundreds, ordinary Israelis who support the families as they support the families of the hostages. Zvi and our friend Prof. Shimon Sheetrit go to the homes, the Shiva houses, houses of mourning, to support and express their solidarity with the family. Yesterday they went to the home of the Perez family. Captain Daniel Perez z”l  died on October the 7^th, but his body was taken to Gaza, like many others. However the Chief Rabbinate decided that for the comfort of the families, a funeral ceremony could be held until the ultimate return of the body. I am so proud of Shimon and Zvi who go to comfort families as often as possible. It is considered a mitzva, a good deed to console and comfort and Israelis have really come forward.

 

I’m sure that none of you ever thought of Israel as a centre for real ale, or country breweries, but then we always aim to surprise! Several Israeli breweries have chosen to label their beers for the IDF and one Israeli family decided to name a beer for their son who fell fighting Hamas on October 7th. Tomer Nagar z”l loved the beer of the Glentz brewery and at the family’s request one can now drink the Tomer Beer, “a rough, unfiltered beer that leaves one with a taste for more”.

 

Almost Purim. In so many ways we are in the midst of a repeat of the Purim Story. Hamas = Haman = Sinwar; a determination to wipe out the Jewish people by convincing a King that it was the only way to save his Kingdom. The big difference is that we don’t have a Mordechai or a Queen Esther.

 

My favourite aspect of Purim is not the fancy dress, the parades or the parties but rather the fascinating determination to get tipsy (not drunk) until one cannot define between evil and good. A strange concept indeed, but a wise one. So many bad things in this world happen out of vengeance, the holding of old fights and arguments in one’s mind and the wars that result. If one cannot determine between good and evil, if one can go beyond seemingly retributive justice, the world would be a very different place.

 

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion has decided that the Odloyada (from the Hebrew Od Lo Yeda or in a way innocence) the name coming from the above precept, will take place on the streets of Jerusalem. His decision was made not to fly in the face of our current situation or the hostage families, but rather to show that we are strong and must continue with our lives, despite it all.

 

So Purim and the story of Esther and her clever Uncle Mordechai. I’m sure that this story of bravery would not stand by the criterion of Women’s Movement, indeed I suppose most would say that Vashti was something of a heroine because she refused to dance before King Ahasuerus (aka Xerxes) buddies, which didn’t exactly please him, and that Esther’s use of her feminine wiles was degrading, which confirms my opinion that one should never judge history by today’s standards. OK let’s start from the beginning. King Ahasuerus had a nasty Vizier called Haman who was a profound anti-Semite (yes even then). Ahasuerus was a bit of a party boy, but not very bright and easily influenced by the wicked Vizier, aka Haman. Haman convinced Ahasuerus to kill all the Jews especially Mordechai who was far too clever and thought up the plan to send his beautiful niece Esther to convince Ahasuerus to save the Jews. When asked what Mordechai’s planned punishment was to be, Haman said that he should ride a white horse, backwards, throughout the city of Shushan, Persia, and hanged publicly. Esther persuaded Ahasuerus that Haman was a bad man and he should suffer the fate he planned for Mordechai (I hope that you are following this saga). Anyway, nearly 3,000 years later we still celebrate Esther’s bravery by reading her story in synagogues throughout the world. Children (and adults) get to wear fancy dress and hold parties and in the synagogue, when Haman’s name is mentioned, we make noises to drown out his name so that we will not think of vengeance. Yes I know most of you know the story but I like my take on it!!

 

Guess what, apparently it wasn’t enough that James Bond was married to a Jewess (Daniel Craig), Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the latest actor in the running to play 007. The highly sophisticated actor is a natural choice.

 

We celebrated Zvi’s birthday this week, by inviting a dozen close friends to a local winery in Kibbutz Zova. As the rain turned to a torrential downpour we were worried that nobody would turn up, but they did and once the noise of the rain on the roof subsided, it was a delightful get together. In fact it was the third “celebration” for Zvi. At the weekend he joined in the party for his granddaughter’s 6^th birthday and for the first time in his life, six men got together and raised his chair! He was so excited!

 

Today is a quiet day for us after a crazy week. Zvi will go to his parliament in the Botanical Gardens and discuss the world’s problem but I decided to stay home today, to recover from the awful cough that everyone seems to have.

 

Purim demands celebration, even when we may not feel like it.  Here the Maccabeats sing the story of Purim for you Raise Your Glass https://youtu.be/kgJInVvJSZg?si=9KucrVvfbtNXnKoU

 

I had never heard of Avishai Cohen but then his name came up when I was searching for songs about hope. I really like this one and hope you do too https://youtu.be/R84GNvcwh5w?si=G6n06isnFbidk7lj

 

Whenever I feel that the world is against us, and this is not the first time, I think about the wonderful Simon and Garfunkel song “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” and find myself singing along with it. What we need right now is that bridge, that leader who will give us the sense that he or she has our back, cares deeply about us https://youtu.be/WrcwRt6J32o?si=QQCfDofgAdP22pp5

 

Nearly Shabbat, Palm Sunday, Purim, Ramadan, time for contemplation, and determination. Jerusalem is so very beautiful after the rains, its pinky white stones glistening, clean and pure. Surely this world has enough space for all of us, what ever our faith, whichever direction we pray in, whether we stand, kneel or prostrate ourselves, whatever our language, whatever name we give to the Almighty.

 

Time to understand who is the oppressive aggressor and who is the oppressed.

 

With love from our beautiful city, Jerusalem

Sheila

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If the media does not inform us we must inform the media

My Website http://www.theviewfrommyveranda.info/

Facebook      Sheila Silver Raviv
Involvement   http://www.impact-se.org/ 

Scared, Sacred or Scarred

 

15^th March 2024

161^st day of October

 

Scarred and Scared

 

Shabbat Shalom dear friends. For a change I want to begin with a letter from a friend. It fascinated me and helped me understand many aspects of what it means to be both here in Israel and in the country of one’s residence, the USA, during this particularly worry time.

 

“I arrived in Israel three days before the war started. On Shabbat morning I wake up to the news of what Hamas had done and that the war had started. I was staying with my brother and sister in law in Natanya. Of course, it was a shock to the system, to say the least. After the first few moments, I felt grateful that I was in Israel with my close family. I would have gone crazy had I heard the news in Los Angeles, were I live. Of course, I started to receive phone calls from my children and grandchildren to come back to the US. By then, I had relaxed and my mind was made up. It took a few days and phone calls, back and forth, to make them understand that I was not afraid. That I knew the IDF would take care of all of us and, most of all, I could not abandon my family in Israel. That I would have felt like a coward! That my life was NOT more valuable than theirs! Most of all, that I would never be able to forgive myself nor live with myself! Finally, they all understood. I assured them that I would fly back the day and time I was scheduled to return, which I did three weeks later.

I must admit that my fear is much greater being in Los Angeles than it was while I was in Israel. I never thought that there would be such antisemitism! In Israel, we all thought that, finally, after such an horrific attack by Hamas, the world would get it! That did not quite happen. Most of all, what is of extreme concern to me, are the acts of terrorism that, I believe, will take place. I must admit, unlike while in Israel, and I have been to Israel many times, now I am terrorized! I have never felt this way before! I worry about my family here, my friends and the Jewish community.” 

 

There has been uproar here since the Sefardi Chief Rabbi, Yitzchak Yosef warned of a mass exodus of ultra-Orthodox Jews from Israel if the government were to revoke their exemption from conscription to military service. Sadly, just as young Haredi men are beginning to understand the need to join the IDF, this has created yet another rift in our society. It is all too close to “sinat Hinam”

 

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly made an incredible claim while on an official visit to our area. She has devoted $1 investigating sexual harassment of Palestinian women! Not a word about October 7^th, not a word about the continued situation of the hostages. Yes, Canada. We remember Canada’s response to the Jewish refuges during WW2. Apparently, nothing has changed. I know who one of your advisors is but I can only say, “Look out Canada’s Jews”

 

Do you remember the Yazidi women? In 2019 thousands and thousands of Yazidi women and children were captured by Islamic State in Syria and Iraq and sold into slavery, raped, beaten and their husbands killed. Not a word from the world, except for the wonderful Canon Andrew White, silence, nobody cared. Islamic State is a brother group to ISIS, Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Israeli women and children were taken into captivity, raped, murdered and what happens? The world turns against us.

 

Hillel Fuld made some exceptional points about the hypocrisy of current world reactions to the War in Gaza. My lovely friend Stanley Roth brought my attention to this. Well worth reading. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/385215

 

UNWRA was at the top of the agenda for the Over 20 parliamentarians from various countries actively promoting pro-Israel legislation through Christian faith-based diplomacy were invited to discussions at the Jerusalem Chairman's Conference, organized by the Israel Allies Foundation. The conference heard Members of Knesset and visited the South. They also learned the fact that 1,468 UNWRA employees are active members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad while 50% of UNWRA employees have a first-degree relative who is a member of one of the terror organisations. I am so proud of Impact-se (www.impact-se.org ) as the organisation which warned the world about UNWRA through their violently anti-infidel, anti-Israel schoolbooks.

 

Israel Katz in UN. https://youtu.be/WofBFUYEKQ4?si=ANZfB9NqV1heSvvz Thanks to USA, France and UK and to Japan. For arranging this meeting. Forget his accent, listen carefully to his message “Close your eyes and imagine that the Nova Field was your field”

 

Not everything is bad news. In the Israeli Bedouin settlement Bir al-Maksor, which means Broken Well, Ramadan began with a parade with the Israeli flag held high. The settlement is near the Jezreeel Valley. I must say that it warmed the hearts of many an Israeli Jew.

 

Sarah Idan, the former Miss Iran who stood up to the theocratic dictatorship of the Ayatollas, stood beside Mia Schem at Sir Elton John’s Oscar party in Hollywood. Sara made a powerful fashion statement wearing a dress she designed. The dress included the names of 19 Israeli women still held hostage in Gaza. Thank you Sarah Idan for standing with the hostages! Sarah designed her own dress, with broad yellow sashes declaring “Bring Them Home” and Mia Schem, looking beautiful and proud, her arm still in a cast, showing the world that despite the untold horror of captivity as a hostage with Hamas, she is living and thriving. Israeli women will not be cowed by the dire brutality of Hamas.

 

World famous boxer Floyd Mayweather, not only sent supplies including bullet proof vests and so much more in his private plane immediately after October 7^th, he came again to Israel to visit the South and to declare his absolute support for Israel.

 

Mike Freer is a Member of the Tory Party and a Minister in the UK. He is Gay and, like his PM Rishi Sunak, really understands what is happening. Here he speaks out about the inanity of LGBTQ support for Gazans i.e. Hamas https://youtu.be/_yOVH8crRv8?si=qMlAdlZ0kiKEnj1T

 

Purim, the story of a brave woman, a cheating husband, a clever man and the usual, same-old same-old story of a cruel, but powerful man, leading his King astray, telling such far fetched lies that he convinced him that he must kill all the Jews in his Kingdom.  Purim is so much more than getting cross at Haman, the cruel man, and eating triangular cookies!  However, since we are on the good news section of this week’s missive, let’s talk about those cookies. Patisseries and bakeries are festooned with every kind of filling that a small triangular pastry case can possibly contain! The traditional poppy see or Pereg, chocolate, that wonderful dried fruit paste called mincemeat, hundreds and thousands and some very sophisticated ones that our grandparents would never have recognised!   I grew up calling them Hamantschen or Haman’s hats or tricornes. Zvi grew up calling them Oznay Haman or Haman’s Ears and today the joke is that they should be called Oznay Sinwar, since Sinwar is as cruel as Haman, is the leader of Hamas and has big ears! Yes, Israelis have a black sense of humour, we’ve been given no choice. By the way, don’t forget that Haman got his comeuppance and suffered the same fate as he ordered for Mordechai.

 

What is the relevance of Purim today. My dear friend Rabbi Jeremy Rosen always seems to come up with the explanation I search for and always at the right time. Purim is not for another week or so but our current situation begs this analysis. https://jeremyrosen.com/2024/03/why-purim-matters.html   I quote from the first paragraph. Purim matters so much this year. It tells a never-ending story. We were threatened with destruction. We responded by finding ways to combat the threat.  We did not capitulate. We called out evil as it was. We celebrated our survival by emphasizing charity, friendship, and gratitude, strengthening our communities, all positive qualities, building not destroying. We did not rejoice in needless pain or seeing others suffer. Purim makes another point. That one reaction to evil is to laugh at it. Not to exclude fighting it of course. But to show that evil however horrific, can also be laughed at. There are many other ways of fighting evil.  Just think of Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator, and Mel Brooks’ The Producers. Often as effective as serious analysis. 

 

Many of you heard about the One Family Organisation started during the 2nd Intifada by Chantal and Marc Belzberg. Since that time One Family has grown into the number one support for Israelis of every age, faith no matter where they live, Israelis who have been injured or family members killed in terror attacks. Kinneret Chaya was horribly injured in that first wave of terror and their support for the Boosany family was superb which is when I fell in love with both the Belzberg family and One Family. Thousands upon thousands have been given love and assistance by One Family and now at long last they have been officially recognised. One Family is the recipient of the Genesis Prize. Mazal Tov to the Belzberg Family. Never has a prize been more deserved. https://onefamilytogether.org/about-us/

 

Eden Golan is a fabulous representative of Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest singing Hurricane. It’s just a few weeks since she won the “Star is Born” competition to be the Israeli representative and what struck everyone, panel and public alike, is her professionalism and confidence, especially in one so young. At the demand of the powers that be in the contest they insisted the words of the song be changed since there was a slight suggestion that the original words mentioned her pain after October 7^th. Do listen. She has a fabulous voice. https://youtu.be/lJYn09tuPw4?si=APKyb0O8pXgiIjcu

 

Shulem Lemmer breaks all the preconceived ideas we have of a Haredi man, and he has the voice of an angel. Life is tough for all of us at the moment and here, together with Dovid Hill, he sings a beautiful song of dreams of a better world. https://youtu.be/ajpRIBwFYjU?si=HdXFE5i-8Rs-QFw0

 

Am Yisrael Chai is so much more than a call, it is a statement, it is a call of hope, a call to remember that we have suffered worse than this but if we will just unite we are strong. This too will pass. Eyal Golan with Am Yisrael Chai https://youtu.be/2p3rtnQ_7y4?si=QowBALhkCp1mBO4P

 

This weekend, this Shabbat, this Sabbath, it’s hard to be calm, to believe everything will be alright, especially for Jews and Christians in an ever confusing world, but I hope and pray that you will find your quiet place, your calm zone, your place of belief that we are stronger than any disinformed public. Find the beauty in spring flowers, in kindnesses, in smiles, don’t fall into the abyss of disbelief. We ae strong, we have an inherited memory that good always wins over evil.

 

I wish you Shabbat Shalom, a peaceful Shabbat, with all the love in the world from Jerusalem OUR beautiful city, the fulcrum around which the world revolves.

 

Sheila

 

 

 

 

 

Avoidable

 

8^th March 2024

153^rd of October

 

Shabbat Shalom dear friends. Shabbat Shalom today, International Women’s Day.

 

I thought that the slogan “Me Too except for Jew” was exaggerated, but as time went on and not one women’s organisation condemned the vile attacks of Hamas, the demonic instances of necrophilia, sadism, paedophilia, genital mutilation of women (and men) and so much more was totally ignored in a frenzy of Jew hatred. Finally, after 5 months a United Nations report has stated clearly all of the above. Finally, out of the hundreds of women’s organisations, the least likely of all has chosen, under immense pressure, to admit the truth. Hamas is a Mephtistophelean military dictatorship that like Mephisto, sold its soul to the devil. May God help those still in captivity.

 

Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the UN (SRSG) Pramila Patten came to Israel at the request of the Israeli Government, to perform a complete investigation of the events of October 7th. They produced a damning but incomplete report, partly because so much evidence was tainted by the first responders who unknowingly removed evidence and partly because of Jewish tradition to bury the dead immediately. Of course, she visited, and I quote from the report “the Occupied Territories”, I believe in the hope of finding evidence of Israeli sexual mistreatment of prisoners in Israeli jails which clearly did not exist. Nonetheless, and despite very “fluffy” language, the report could not deny the demonic actions of Hamas. https://www.un.org/sexualviolenceinconflict/press-release/israel-west-bank-mission/

 

Most women in Israel are feisty, clever, strong and women are at the forefront of the battle against Hamas, Hezb-Allah. It was a tank with 4 young women that fought off Hamas terrorists on October 7^th, eliminating over a hundred; It was a grandmother, Rachel Edri, a Safta, who, for over 20 hours of being held at gunpoint and an unpinned grenade, convinced terrorists that if they just left them alone, they would be rewarded with canned pineapple, tea and her home-made cookies; it was young women IDF spotters who warned of the impending Hamas attack, reporting highly suspicious movement on the border. Their warnings were ignored by an officer who did not pass the information higher, many of the spotters were killed, but that is another story. Women also created a secret and unique weapon for the arsenal against terror, a precise guided missile called Iron Sting. Here those amazing, clever women explain. https://youtu.be/GZGp1PDVokE?si=lV1MyzfQ_pSvID3h

 

The ever generous United States has made air-drops of food into Gaza. Don’t be fooled, it isn’t because aid has not been arriving into that awful place, it’s because the United States and President Biden are fully aware of the fact that Hamas grabs all aid that comes into Gaza on the hundreds of lorries that cross the border every day. The aid that is parachuted in has a greater chance of reaching the people because the landing sites are unknown in advance. In the meantime, Israeli aid to Gaza has increased. Yes. That’s what I said, Israeli aid to Gaza has increased. Have you ever, but ever, heard of a country at war against a diabolical enemy whose only aim is to wipe one off the face of the earth, sending humanitarian aid?

 

In order to facilitate aid the US government is building a pier off Gaza City. Since the violent piracy of the Houthis access is very limited and since the US troops will be delivering the aid will also oversee delivery it is another way to ensure that the aid goes to the people

 

Many years ago, on a mission headed by Malcolm Hoenlein, I met with the then Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayaad. Fayaad had a plan, based on the plans of the leaders of the nascent State of Israel. Just as Jews were encouraged to join the British Army, Mandate Police, serve as clerks in the offices of Mandate administration, thus learning how to run a country, an army, a police force etc, he wanted the Palestinians to do the same but in the Israeli equivalents. His vision was for an organised Palestinian State. Sadly, his vision was not to the taste of the leaders and he soon found himself out of office, out of politics and back in the business world. A rare rational voice in the PA he was interviewed for the Jerusalem Post. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-790376

 

I really do my best to be apolitical, a far as is humanly possible, but our current situation is beyond politics. Our current kakistocracy has caused untold damage internationally, internally and ultimately brought us to war and death. The Mount Meron disaster, the deaths of pilgrims to the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai was avoidable. Yes, avoidable. The official report of the disaster points clearly to the top, to Benjamin Netanyahu who ignored the warnings, ignored the demand of the officials responsible for the Mount Meron site to close as too dangerous to hold the vast number of pilgrims to see the lighting of the flame on Lag b”Omer, the 33^rd day of the counting of the Omer. One official said that after his warnings, directly to the PM, Mr Netanyahu stood in Mount Meron with the Haredi leaders, expounding the importance of the site and inviting the thousands to come and “celebrate”. 45 people died on the steps of Mount Meron. Equally, Netanyahu continued what he blindly called “negotiations” with Hamas right until days before October 7^th, insisting he had the situation under control. Cabinet Members Smotridge and Ben Gvir are sadly quoted as it they are the consensus in Israel, causing untold damage in the foreign media without any redress. On the other hand, General and Former Chief of Staff Benny Gantz took a major decision very much against the wishes of the Prime Minister, and as a member of the War Cabinet, met with senior members of the United States administration, continuing to London and a meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. I must be said that Rishi Sunak has not only risked his political career in his absolute support of Israel, he is risking his life and that of his family by taking such a firm stand against Hamas. Back to Benny Gantz, He didn’t demand any special treatment or private planes, no entourage or security, he just went to do what he felt was right since nobody was willing to meet with Netanyahu. Someone had to be the adult in the room and explain our position.

 

Wow, I hope you had the patience to read what I wrote, every word is carefully chosen to ensure that you have the verbal ammunition to face those who choose to believe the “River to the Sea” brigade. One way to respond to their inanity is to say “It’s not Hamas, it’s not Hezb-Allah, it’s not the Houthis, IT’S IRAN STUPID” While the eyes of the world are on Israel and Hamas, Iran has almost certainly completed their nuclear programme!!!

 

I usually keep music to the end but there is one song, one special song, a blast from the past, which embodies International Women’s Day. Helen Reddy wrote a song about one woman’s struggle for recognition as a strong, independent, capable human being. I Am Woman is about women all over the world.  https://youtu.be/ZrVLL7soS1U?si=LlQ7sTNYN3JWtXYF I dedicate it to the phenomenal Israeli women soldiers in the IDF with a depth of gratitude that is hard to express. They are not Amazons, they are mothers, grandmothers, wives, leaders in business, nurses, doctors, teachers all of whom chose to put on the IDF uniform and serve our beautiful country

 

On Sunday Zvi and I headed off to the Khan Theatre, that beautiful old building that housed pilgrims, travellers and their animals in the early Ottoman period. The play, the premiere, was about am amateur troupe in a play, about a play in 1931 Poland. The subject of said drama was Dreyfuss, and the members of the troupe, both imaginary and actual, talked about the situation that brought about the Dreyfuss Trial. I love the Khan actors, really brilliant and more often than not they write their own original material. If you can imagine a play about a play about Dreyfuss which was funny, clever and left you thinking, that’s Dreyfuss!

 

Monday was a relatively quiet day, and Tuesday was a complete surprise! When Merle and Frank Friedman suggested that I go with them to a lecture about Anna Karenina I have to admit that I wasn’t really looking forward to it. I couldn’t have been more wrong! I sat in rapt attention as the speaker, the lecturer, explained the scenes and how the story unfolds. Although I read the book many years ago and found is interesting if long, there were so many hidden messages of love, betrayal and sheer snobbery that I had not realised. Loved every minute than went for lunch in Kibbutz Kiriat Anavim, to the Pop-up coffee shop and its wonderful chef. That evening, our Mind and Movement session was very special. Again, a sense of empowerment for women. Yesterday, Nattie and Yolli Zonshein popped in for coffee on their way through to Jerusalem, that wonderful popping in as only good friends can, and then I met a friend in the local Mall, more for the chat then the coffee and in the evening I  went to my “Creativity” group while Zvi went to a rehearsal of the Jerusalem Symphony Choir who are loth to let him go!!

 

Why do I tell you about my week?  Probably because I want you to know that while traumatised, we are not cowed. We go about our busy lives, spending more time with friends but basically supporting each other in a very positive manner. Indeed, we have a way of thanking the Almighty for “Little Gifts” Matanot Ktanot. https://youtu.be/GvvXB2f3lFw?si=XjANIzxgzI9XXCCi

 

Probably the most terrifying aspect of October the 7^th is the response of the world. We are castigated, blamed, threatened, in a manner that took Jews all over the world by storm. From Melbourne to Montreal, from Minnesota to Manchester, Mexico City, Madrid, Miami everywhere, Jews are attacked. “From the River to the Sea” is yelled by people who just hate, no other reason because they don’t even know what river and what sea!  Many years ago, Bob Dylan understood the situation. His song “Neighborhood Bully” in 1983, but like so many of his songs it is prophetic, sadly appropriate to today. Listen carefully to the words, I wouldn’t call them lyrics because it is a determined scream to the world for understanding just who is the aggressor in these parts and it isn’t us. https://youtu.be/-ETdLfXI6r8?si=qvizQw2l-LERvFOS

Since Dylan had a way of slurring his words, such deeply important words so here they are. https://www.bobdylan.com/songs/neighborhood-bully/

 

At this moment, indeed as we are chatting, my amazing 15 year old grand-daughter Ayala is running in the Jerusalem Marathon! Not the whole distance, but 10 kilometres is pretty good! Her proud Mum is there to ensure that the event is recorded in photographs and on her way through the 40,000 thousand participants and even more spectators, she snapped the Shalva team as they ran too. Soon I will get myself ready to go to Rachel’s and hear all about it! This evening we will spend our Shabbat Dinner with Amiad and Noga and family and tomorrow, tomorrow, rain permitting, we will go for our walk above the reservoir. I cannot get enough of that view and there are always new people to chat with.

 

Our veranda is exquisite! All the spring flowers are starting to emerge, mostly still in bud form but I know that in a couple of days the iris, ranunculus, daffodils, grape hyacinth, freesia will all burst into a blaze of colour. Actually, perfect timing since our upstairs neighbour’s son is marrying and I want her overseas guests to see how beautiful her surroundings are. Most of all, or best of all, the tiny apple tree is in blossom! I am so excited!  Incredibly scented, pink and white, exquisitely formed blossom that gives promise for a fruitful summer.

 

I wish you a peaceful weekend, a Shabbat Shalom. May your prayers come true, your family be well and your faces turned toward Jerusalem, our beautiful Capital City which today is the site of great festivity as runners of all races, colours, creeds, shapes and sizes run through her streets, in pride instead of fear.

 

With love

Sheila