Einstein, Katzrin and Truths

 

23^rd of August 2024

371^st of October, more than 10 months of anguish and heartbreak

 

Shabbat Shalom! I wish you a peaceful Shabbat.

 

A hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life depend upon the labours of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I received and am still receiving."

Albert Einstein

 

This quote by Albert Einstein, the man who felt he was not worthy of becoming the First President of Israel, reminds me of our dependence upon the soldiers, officers, volunteers, warriors and pioneers without whom none of us could survive, indeed we would not be here in this wonderful, resilient country. Of late we need reminding that Israel is the country she is because of the people, the ordinary people who despite the government have continued giving and giving and giving back.

 

The recent recruitment statistics to the IDF reflect the true patriotism, the good type, of young Israelis who have surpassed the recruitment expectations to the IDF combat units. Young Israelis are motivated and we’re proud that they will form the next generation of leaders.

 

It was a difficult week for so many reasons. Imagine a beautiful, peaceful, rural town on the slopes of the Golan Heights. Hardly a modern town, Katzrin is an ancient Talmudic town with the remains of synagogues built in the 4^th and 6^th centuries. Formerly Syria, taken in a famous battle at the end of the 6 Day War after Syria attacked Israel. This week, Katzrin suffered a barrage of 50 missiles in one day and homes were destroyed. Hezb-Allah again. It is constant. In just one day over 180 missiles fell on this area.

 

The IDF found 6 bodies in a tunnel, no, not 6 bodies, 6 Israelis who were kidnapped, held in dark tunnels, tortured and then after months of suffering, shot and left where they were. It is small consolation that their families were able to hold funerals. The bodies of hostages Nadav Popplewell, Yagev Buchshtab, Yoram Metzger, Haim Peri, Alexander Dancyg and Avraham Munder most of who were what we call peaceniks who used to help bring Gazans to Israel for medical treatment and ensured that Gazans found work here too. The reward for their kindness and trust in the power of love was a death one would not wish on anyone. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-815465

 

Talking of misplaced anger against Israel – can you imagine any other country that ensures that 90% of its enemies’ citizens are immunised against polio? Yes, 90% of Gazans were immunised by Israel in the first quarter of 2024 hopefully preventing a catastrophic outbreak. 

 

I am not sure if you remember but Lebanon was intended as a Christian country, a Christian haven among the Islamic countries that surround them, abutting the proposed Jewish State. Beirut was known as the Pearl of the Middle East and life was good until two things happened. In order to make the two states contiguous, the two borders were joined with a Moslem area in between, then, Yassir Arafat arrived on the scene and the Christian dream was lost. In a cynical speech a Lebanese pro Hezb-Allah journalist wrote the following https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-815412

I still remember, during my first visit to Israel in 1963, visiting the border which was nothing more than a car park type barrier and we all had photos taken with the Lebanese border guards! The equilibrium of the entire area changed as borders were changed and created after the Sykes-Picot agreements.

 

Talking of changing borders and creating countries, look at Europe! Right up until the end of the 19^th century, indeed after 1945, countries switched and changed borders, fought and stayed. Apparently, their self-righteous attitude to Israel’s borders is not based on self-reflection.

 

History has a tendency to repeat itself if the warnings are not read and acted upon. Tomorrow, Shabbat, the 24^th of August, is the anniversary of the Hebron Massacre. Hebron was still a predominantly Jewish city, indeed the original home of King David before he chose to live in Jerusalem. It was still the time of the British Mandate, the year 1929 and the local Moslems massacred over 60 Jews, destroyed synagogues and burned homes. Pogroms were not only in Europe, they happened time and again in the Middle East

 

Since I always try to be honest with you there are three facts that many people don't understand and distress normative Israelis. The situation and the government have not only given birth to but encouraged Jewish bullies who take the law into their own hands and have terrorised Palestinians. I believe that they should be arrested, tried and serve a prison sentence just like any terrorist.

 

After the conscription of haredi young men was brought into action, young men of the Jerusalem Wing rioted in the streets outside the Recruitment offices in Jerusalem. Their demonstration became violent and despite their small numbers they managed to wreak havoc with workings of the entire city. More and more young Israelis are turning away from religion thinking that these hooligans are representative of Judaism while they are burying their friends who fight to save our country.

 

The third admission is much harder. War is cruel and people die, innocent people die. The claim that everyone who died in Gaza is a terrorist, a member of Hamas, cannot be justified. We do everything in our power to prevent the killing of innocents, to keep the number of civilian casualties as low as possible but when the enemy uses children as human shields, it isn’t possible. We do not celebrate the deaths of Gazans, we mourn their suffering too. Eytan Chitayat explains “Tactical Civilian Sacrifice” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUmEA-yG70g

 

One of the sad aspects of this war is that none, not one of the Moslem countries, indeed any country, despite their verbal or political sympathies, has taken in any refugees from Gaza! Oh except for Canada.

 

John and Rachel Goldberg have campaigned ceaselessly, as have all the parents of the hostages, for  the return of the hostages and for their son Hersh to come home. Standing proud, Rachel has spoken to Presidents, Prime Ministers and Kings to free their son from the cruel captivity of Hamas. They stood before the Democratic Convention this week, fearing that they would not receive a warm reception but the entire stadium, Convention Hall, burst into “Bring Them Home” leaving Rachel bent and sobbing in emotion. https://youtu.be/timEH-JIslI?si=PkiZoAt9-KdpZvBw Their reception was warm and sympathetic, but will the future Democratic leader be as kind and sympathetic to Israel?

 

As I have observed in the past, aside from an obsession with the news, life has taken on a surreal quality of “life as usual”. We had dinner with our neighbours in the second round of our local “Come Dine With Me”, a delicious dinner with our new friends. We went to the Jerusalem Theatre to see a wonderful play by a local playwright, where we met with old friends. We saw friends, went to the pool, indeed led a normal life, but a life on the edge of concern, distress and anger. If you came to visit you probably wouldn’t notice any difference in our attitude, unless you delved deeper. Carmel Sarano, my kind-of niece/cousin, travels back and forth from the UK, spending her time visiting soldiers to see what they need and Sheba Hospital Rehabilitation Unit, sitting and talking to the recovering soldiers. I suppose that life as usual has built us into the most resilient people.

 

I visit Rachel during the week too, whenever we both have time. Givat Zeev is, in the words of the usual BBC or CNN line, a settler town, but in fact it is just a couple of kilometres from Jerusalem and a fine example of cooperative living. At the entrance of Givat Zeev sits a petrol station and a parade of shops. The businesses there, the plant nursery and the huge car wash, are owned by Palestinians from “over the green line” their cars with Palestinian number plates and all. The guards at the entrance are Druze and most of the residents Jews, it can work!

 

As I drive back from Givat Zeev toward home, I pass two cities on the road, to my left is Ramallah and on my right is Jerusalem. Ramallah is growing at an incredible rate, skyscrapers, spanking new buildings everywhere and on the right Jerusalem. Never a word is said about the growth of Ramallah, now right up to the border, yet every building in Jerusalem is criticised and analysed. It brings double standards to a new level.

 

Anyway, I was thinking about that view of Jerusalem, from the vista point next to Samuel’s Tomb. The view is breathtaking, the white Lego-like buildings stretch as far as the eye can see, a complex mosaic of human activity, trees everywhere. Before houses or buildings are completed, trees are planted along the new roads, giving a warmth to the scenery and a sense of beauty to the residents. Beauty, sculptures, parks, playgrounds with multicoloured slides and swings are an essential part of new neighbourhoods.

 

The first thing many Israelis create, sometimes before they furnish their homes, is a garden, even if their balcony is just one square metre! We are so proud of our greenery! In fact, the friends we ate with this week have a tiny balcony which was jam packed with greenery and they managed to grow the tomatoes and runner beans that we ate with our dinner! Our veranda (a larger version of a balcony) is doing very nicely thank you. The little lime tree is bending under the weight of the 20 or so fruits that I found yesterday and there’s even a simultaneous second blossoming. The orange tree, no bigger than the lime tree, has about 12 fruits and the apple tree is in full bloom; the fruits of the kumquat and little lemons are too small to count but they will be on their way by the time I get back. Get back? Oh didn’t I tell you? I’m flying with Rachel to see my British and NYC family! I’m so excited and very happy that we booked El Al because the other airlines are somewhat erratic in their flights to Israel!

 

Yahoram Gaon is an icon of Israeli song. Here he sings about his beloved country. Shalom Lach Eretz Nehederet which means Shalom to you wonderful country. https://youtu.be/__oEmwpEmTc?si=OLXpOmW6bKxJWlkJ

 

If there is a song that epitomises the people of Israel, Jew, Bedouin, Druze, men, women everyone, it’s this song. Hopefully you will be able to see the subtitles. It’s all about how everyone, from bus drive to teacher, from students to CEOs, from farmers to barmen, all change into volunteers in the IDF. https://youtu.be/aYGd4HOend4?si=BHjN1BXwd6iSuoDO

 

Satchmo, Louis Armstrong, just to hear his name brings a smile to the lips of even the toughest human being. He reminds us that despite it all, this is a wonderful world. https://youtu.be/CaCSuzR4DwM?si=AtvJypQ2nEdmY5l4

 

Shabbat Dinner tonight will be just the two of us. I will have Zvi’s harmonious Kiddush (blessing over the wine) all to myself. Next week I will hear Gideon’s baritone sing the Kiddush in their home in London, my grandchildren, now really grown up, smiling at the idea of being together and wishing that Yosef, Talia and Ayala were with us too. Me? I’ll be smiling, perhaps a tear or two, but proud of the way that each and every one has turned out. Sammy, definitely the most beautiful of all. Sammy who cannot express his feelings in words but manages to let us all know exactly how he feels toward us, Sammy who taught us what unconditional love means, will just look sideways at his Daddy, happy with the familiarity of the prayer. Tradition. Tevye the Milkman understood that our survival relies upon traditions that are handed from generation to generation, the simple things. May your home be filled with tradition that you learned at your parents table and will proudly pass down to future generations.

 

Shabbat shalom from Jerusalem which shone like the star she is, under this week’s huge full moon.

Sheila

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Hostages Hopes and Medals

 

Hostage, Hopes and Medals Edit

By sheila | August 16, 2024

16th August, 2024

314 days since October 7th

Shabbat Shalom, Shabbat Nachamu – the Shabbat of Comfort

Shabbat Nachamu is the Shabbat after Tisha b’Av (the 9th of the Hebrew month of Av a fast day of deep mourning) when we remember the horrific disasters, both self-induced and imposed that fell upon the Jewish people. Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat of Comfort when we are supposed to put disputes and internecine fighting aside and repair our social wounds. Sounds amazing and worth trying.

Yes, I’m still here despite rumours to the contrary. I haven’t decided whether Iran is all bluff and bluster, creating a sense of deep tension in the whole area or simply cooking up a dastardly plan! Whatever happens I am absolutely certain that they are using the opportunity that they created, the havoc, death and destruction through their proxies, to complete their nuclear facilities. Well, they certainly made the world look the other way didn’t they?

The headline read “British Foreign Minister announces that 60,000 Brits ready to be evacuated from Israel” which sounded pretty scary. However, there are only about 23,000 Brits in Israel and none of us intend going anywhere, this is our chosen home. But, wait a minute, I checked, and the British Government statistics actually state that the 60,000 includes Gaza, which is really odd because we left Gaza in 2005. The moral of the story is, don’t believe a word that is written in the press or spoken by a politician!

I’ll give you a very quick rundown of the latest news and the why’s and wherefores.

First the good news. Despite the best efforts of the anti-Israel lot, we got 7 medals in the 2024 Olympics. Not bad eh? One Gold, 5 Silver and a Bronze.This news gave us all the fillip we needed, finally good news and those amazing young women of the Rhythmic Gymnastics broke into a spontaneous Hatikva together with the Israelis at the arena.

The much talked about Tzir Philadelphi, or Philadelphi Corridor, was originally a clear, uninhabited strip created between Egypt and Gaza to prevent the passing of weapons and terrorists between the two. Riddled with tunnels and a major passage for arms and terrorists, Egypt was loath to allow the IDF to discover their murky secret, that they were allowing the misuse of the area, simultaneously stopping any Gazans from entering Egypt. So, the IDF decision to go into the Corridor against USA demands, was right and at least 50 tunnels were blown up over the last few days.

The remaining hostages have been at the forefront of our lives for 314 days. It doesn’t stop politicians being politicians, wreaking havoc with our peace of mind, but every single normative Israeli lives and breathes bringing them home. We are not naïve, we know that many have been killed already and those remaining have undergone diabolical torture and will never be the same, but those who are still alive and those whose families want to give their loved ones a funeral, are our top priority. I don’t believe that our Prime Minister is heartless, I don’t know if he is doing everything in his power to bring them home or if he has other priorities but I know one thing, he agreed to the Gilad Shalit exchange, giving 1,027 terrorists for one soldier, (including the release of Sinwar which led to October 7th) so what is the delay? A sidebar, Ehud Olmert refused the Shalit exchange as too dangerous.

The north of Israel, the picturesque villages, towns and kibbutzim, home to Druze, Jews, Circassians, Christians, Bedouins, in fact the mosaic of Israelis, have been destroyed by Hezb-Allah missiles. Thousands or trees and agricultural land burned to a crisp and the outside world, the media, doesn’t report it. Even the slaughter of Druze children barely made the front pages. We spend a fortune on protecting our population, safe rooms, shelters, Iron Dome and even demanding that people abandon their homes to prevent death, but the emotional cost of leaving one’s home for 314 days is high.

The government just stopped payment on hotels for the population of southern Israel, along the border with Gaza, telling them to go home, but the booms of an ongoing war in the near distance is horribly disturbing.

This week I don’t want to write about the government. The cracks are showing, but when one comes down to the nitty gritty, this coalition is the people’s choice

I look around me and I see a lifeboat of civilization in a raging sea of oppression, this little country has given so much to an utterly ungrateful world. When you think back it started with BDS and has grown from there in a carefully laid out plan leading to extreme acts of anti-Semitism and ultimately finger pointing at Israel as if we are the enemy. My analogy of lifeboat and stormy seas is rising to a tsunami and it’s time to remember my motto “The power of one” and act, obviously without violence, but rather with our pens. There will always be nay sayers, I remember when I started this newsletter I met with derision from all sides “What on earth do you think you can do that will have an effect?”  or “Why bother, it’s not worth the effort, nobody will listen” Well, if you will allow me to explain what one person can create, just one perfectly ordinary woman, I’ll explain. I brought the personal side of story of the Second Intifada, the truth of the horrendous bus bombs to both CNN and BBC by befriending correspondents; with Zvi, visiting the families of those who died in those bombings; and the story of Kinneret Chaya, my very own adored heroine, to the world, explaining that bombs on buses and in coffee shops don’t just kill, they destroy bodies and minds, but that we can recover, never quite the same, but thriving nonetheless. Even the NYT wrote about Kinneret Chaya! I caught spies (yes honestly) here in Jerusalem, just one of many adventures with Canon Andrew White, including, together with Canon White who was still in Baghdad, we saved Ezekiel’s Tomb in Iraq; as Chair of the incredible team of Impact-se, I have watched a glimmer of hope as this magical organisation has brought tolerance where once there was only hatred, thus changing the future of the region’s children and giving hope a chance; and you, each and every one of you, you are my greatest success because you are thirsty for the truth, you are willing to spread what I hope is a fair truth, as an Israeli whose eyes are everywhere. Zvi and I are not so very different from other Israelis, each of whom does whatever they can to stand up and speak out. In fact, perhaps my greatest achievement is the work helping Zvi, such important work for Israel and for Jerusalem.

Now I am going to ask you something very important, use that power of one! When you see something that is just wrong in a newspaper, online, heard at a meeting or in universities and schools don’t cringe and walk away, be ready to stand up and be counted.

Before I wrote this morning, I did a “tour” of our veranda, checking that the horrid mealybugs had not multiplied. I always start with the view, well this is called “The View From My Veranda”, and the sunrise over Jerusalem which takes my breath away every single day. The lime, kumquat, orange and lemon trees are laden with young fruits and blossoming yet again, ready for a second crop. The apple tree, my very favourite type, the simple Anna apples, is blossoming with new life. I can’t wait to pick the fruits which are only good when fresh off the tree. No fancy genetic changes here, just simple apples bursting with flavour, their skin a light green with a beautiful pinky/red blush! The hibiscus bushes, purple, orange, buttercup yellow, dark Bordeaux and bright crimson, are enjoying the change in weather; the days are still hot but mornings are gently warm, dew-laden, mist laying over the wadi next to us while evenings are balmy, a perfect combination.

Zvi is sitting next to me at his computer and suddenly told me some very important information! Yesterday was the 61st anniversary of his recruitment to the IDF! He was 18 years old and came back to Israel after 5 years with his parents in Mexico City where they were sent as Hebrew teachers in the Yiddische high school. He travelled home through New York where he auditioned for Juilliard. He was accepted, well with his voice how could he not, but chose to come home and enlist. That is so Israeli but even more, it is very Zvi; first and foremost, his beloved country.  There was one major problem to his enlistment, the IDF managed to find him and ill fitting uniform but not footwear! They simply didn’t have size 50 regulation shoes so for the first months of his service he had to wear sandals rather than cut the toes out of the regulation boots!

Life goes on. Surprisingly normal life goes on. This morning Zvi will meet with his friends at the Botanical Gardens restaurant, Caffit, in a private room since they don’t want to be disturbed by the happy sounds of families enjoying their Israeli breakfast. An Israeli breakfast is very different to an American breakfast or a full English breakfast, actually it is usually very healthy! Typically, it is two eggs of choice, a salad, either chopped or green, an array of savoury spreads, each nestled in its own little dish, delicious crusty bread, a coffee of choice and a fruit juice of choice. On the other hand, you may prefer a shakshuka, eggs “poached” n either a green sauce with spinach or traditional with a spicy tomato and bell pepper sauce. Of course if you are in an hotel, well that would take an entire page to describe the delicacies there!!

I’m off to Rachel where she just informed me that the egg salad and hot from the oven bread roll, commonly known as a bulkeh, are ready and waiting. I’m very proud of her children, of my grandchildren. Yosef, as I said, is volunteering in Shalva and Talia is about to start her year of volunteering (shnat sherut), living away from home, just coming back for Shabbat, and serving the country. That’s what it is all about, teaching one’s children to see beyond their screens.

So that’s it for another week. Fear not, I’ll be back next week. Remember that 3 US aircraft carriers and 2 British aircraft carriers are lying in wait for any Iranian misconduct and the Saudis have given their airspace for any action. Don’t read the news, most definitely not the headlines, perhaps you can write something that will make the headlines instead?

You already know that my very favourite Israeli song is Al Kol Eleh, the Honey and the Sting. Here the IDF Orchestra joins the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and our beautiful soldiers to play and sing this song which says more about life here in this tiny dot of land than any other. https://youtu.be/tLjucRUyd4Y?si=sfcKLXYUxm5PdSQs

Am Yisrael Chai, (the people of Israel lives), as you’ve never heard it before! Eyal Golan is a top Israeli singer who has spent the last 10 months visiting soldiers in their bases and families of hostages. He isn’t alone, many of the top stars have given their time and their hearts to us. I love the hope in this song. https://youtu.be/2p3rtnQ_7y4?si=Bc3Q2bIwOYr_Jp7X

The late Uzi Chitman was a songwriter and singer. Perhaps his most famous song sounds like a children’s melody but it has a much deeper meaning. He sings of his dream that God came down and created peace and then expresses his sadness that when he awakens from his dream and discovers it is a dream, it isn’t real. https://youtu.be/uVr1Qdp-tI4?si=HEbJH_MK9cc8Zd1o  

That’s it for another week. I hope you have enjoyed this unusual missive, less news and more of who we are as a people.

Shabbat Shalom, may today, Shabbat Nechamu, live up to its name. Sending you love from Jerusalem, from those of us who understand how much you care. Please God may Uzi Chitman’s dream come true.

Sheila

Ariel, Iran and the Fast of Av

 

9^th of August 2024

307 days since October 7^th

The 5^th day of the month of Av, 5784

 

 

Shabbat Shalom! Hope you are doing well and not too overwhelmed by our world situation and our leaders and potential leaders. When it comes down to it, it all depends upon us.

 

Little Ariel Bibas, that beautiful little red-headed boy in all the posters, had his 5th birthday this week. Ariel and his little brother Kfir, didn’t have a big party, in fact they didn’t even have a little party and we do not know their fate because 307 days ago they were viciously kidnapped, with their parents, and held in captivity or worse. I pray with all my heart that those two beautiful little boys and their Mummy and Daddy are alive and will be brought home soon.

 

We “disposed” of Ismail Haniya in Teheran and now Yahya Sinwar is the self-declared “political” leader of Hamas, indeed a fine reward for being the initiator of a rampage of barbaric killing, raping and kidnapping. Perhaps now he will leave his underground life, hidden away in a tunnel surrounded by our hostages to ensure his own safety, hiding like Nasrallah, afraid to die but happy to send others to their death.

 

First of all, thank you for your concerned wishes, it really is heartwarming to hear from you and realise how much you care. I wrote about Tisha b’Av last week. Tisha b’Av or the 9^th day of the Hebrew month of Av, is a fast day, a day of recollection of the multiple disasters that befell the Jewish people, both Temples falling, indeed a litany of dreadful events, a time of fasting and remembrance and sadness because some of the disasters are self-imposed, caused by internecine fighting and hatred, some imposed by cruel oppression. Rabbi Jeremy Rosen explains the reasons and reaction of this important fast day and its relationship to other religions. https://jeremyrosen.com/2024/08/the-ninth-of-av-fasting-and-self-flagellation.html

 

Many feel that we are headed for a disaster of Biblical proportions, but, I am not sure why, I believe that much of what is happening right now is terror, not the kind we are all too familiar with burning buses and falling skyscrapers, but the drip drip dripping terror of a war of attrition. Interestingly there is no explanation of the term “War of Attrition” in the thesaurus, but it means that by small incidents one wears down one’s enemy through fear, wearing down their desire to stay. Another step in Israel’s war of Independence, our right to exist. In a typically Israeli reaction to threats, our concerns are turned into creativity, practical creativity. My favourite news story of the week is that once the snacks and drinks are in the safe room, Israeli women face another major problem, serious enough to hit the front page of several newspapers. “Should we go to sleep wearing our bras in case the siren rings out in the middle of the night and we have to run to the safe room” I love it! As always, Eylon Levy explains it all with great eloquence. https://youtu.be/HCQ0DNvWx1k?si=qG7V9LHsy-h3t7_M

 

The call for conscription of able Haredi young men has begun, not without its opponents, in fact our overworked police force has had its hands full with the demonstrations, actually quite violent demonstrations of young Haredi men fighting conscription tooth and nail. Sad really, when approached by a reporter one very angry young man claimed to have no connection with Israel and expressed fear that the IDF would cause his like to become secular. If your faith is that strong, why on earth would you fear losing it? On the other extreme the Mayor of Tel Aviv has banned all prayer in open public places stressing segregated prayer, even if that is what tradition calls for.

 

I promised myself that today’s letter would be positive; that instead of talking politics I would tell you about the amazing events of this week, of how I sit each morning, coffee and crackers, the morning paper, the puzzles therein (after scanning the news obviously) then Wordle and Spelling bee, and talk to Rachel. Where do I do all this? On our veranda of course! I sit and out of the corner of my eye I see my favourite little birds darting in and out of the flowers and drinking the sweet water in my feeder. They are so clever! They sit atop one of the bamboo sticks supporting the citrus trees and check out the area, then tweet to all the others that it is safe to come and take the nectar from the flowers. I then look over to my left, at the sun rising over the misty outline of Jerusalem.  When I started writing the newsletter in 1999, it was to inform all our loved ones about what was happening here, especially during the 2^nd Intifada, a terrible time, but we are still here, in fact we are probably the most resilient of people because despite it all, or maybe because of it, we cannot be held down! We go to theatres and cinemas, our restaurants are full to the brim, we promenade in town centres and we are a country of very few babysitters because children come everywhere with us!

 

I may be an optimist but I don’t walk around with blindfolds and ear muffs, Israelis are concerned, some terrified, as we all are, but perhaps because we have suffered the litany of disasters of the 9^th of Av, now we are back where we belong, in the Land of Israel, where we farm the land, innovate and initiate in the medical and Hi-tech fields, we built wonderful cities; created a caring if somewhat vociferous society and we thrive against all odds! This week we also proved that despite the old saying about Jewish athletes, Israel is slowly but surely collecting some bright and shining medals at the Olympics! Our television, normally tuned to the news, has found its way to channel 5, the sports channel, as we watch with bated breath when the Israeli athletes take the floor or ride the waves. The floor exercises reflect the Russian Aliya, the swimmers too, and then there are the windsurfers, sheer excitement. The national pride of the Olympics takes on an innocence that we miss in our crazy world and gives us perspective. Like many athletes Artium has a fascinating story which brought him to win a Silver Medal for Israel in the Floor Exercises,  https://youtu.be/QYuEAdbzDig?si=25D6cHWHSIDSRR2h  

 

On the 28^th of August the real heroes come into sport as the Paralympics follow the Olympic Games and we will watch the wonder of people who have overcome even the most extreme of physical limitations to regain their love of sport and surpass any medical prognoses!!

 

While my heart is filled with pride at the tenacity of the Israeli teams, I cannot but think about the Olympics of 1972 when 11 Israeli athletes were killed in an attack by the PLO and its consequences. I just want them to do their best and come home safely to a resounding welcome.

 

This is just for fun. The most pro-Israel place in the world…… https://youtu.be/UBKhP97VTTY?si=Bl0qeBzo1rx5rft_

 

A moment of pride as a Bedouin filmmaker wins a prize https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-811957

 

So what have we been up to this week? Gosh, so much. Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin.

 

As I told you last week, we had Zvi’s boys and their families for Friday night dinner, altogether we are 12 people but once here they really help. On Shabbat we went to our friends the Schreibers and met some wonderful new friends. Monday and we went to a fascinating play about death, old age and …… no really, as always, the Khan Theatre Troupe managed to cover just about all our over 70 fears and make them funny!  On Wednesday we had a fascinating new experience! The local council (just the village and our estate) decided to initiate a “Come Dine With Me” paring up three couples each time, couples who don’t know each other. We went to Yael and Sharon who put on a fantastic meal and we got to know each other and the other couple, Catherine and Ro’i. Thursday, that is yesterday, my girlfriends of our creative craft group met up at our place, luckily everyone brought something toward dinner and after sitting around the table and “creating” we each read out our blessing for another, I did one for Dalia, and our wishes for the year and finally revealed that we had each created a special blessing for our teacher and “glue” who calls each and every one of us her “beloved” and means it. I must mention the fact that while we all sat praising each other, Zvi, after having given the first of two status reports in Spanish, this one to cousins Billy and Ruth Shapiro, came into the kitchen while we all sat outside, and cleared the dishes, loaded the dishwasher, wiped the surfaces and then went back to give his second Spanish report to his cousin Jack in Mexico. Sometimes I think that they know more than we do about what is happening, in the same way that my son Gideon, although in London, often gives me an in-depth report. It is truly heartwarming.

 

Finally, tonight. Tonight, for Shabbat Dinner, we have guests, of course. Zvi’s cousins (and my dear  friends) Yossi and Rachel Ribak, Itzik and Yehudit Matalon, Ora and Avner Rosengarten and Danny and Aviva Abebe. A fine mixture of Professors, Doctors, nurses, Prime Minister Rabin’s advisor and a journalist, most of whom don’t know each other, just the way I love it. Since we have a request for gluten free in the group, this will be my menu. Ceviche, beautiful white sweet corn and a Caprese Salad with home grown basil. The Entrée will be Crusty salmon, Sea Bream chraimeh (a spicy Middle Eastern sauce) roasted veg, a big green salad and I am not sure about the rest. Dessert? A Gluten Free almond plum pie and probably chocolate mousse but maybe a pavlova or maybe I’ll break my own rules and buy a cake! True it’s a predominantly fishy meal but that’s what I love. We love entertaining and in the present circumstances, being with friends, creating new relationships, being together are of ultimate importance. When there is a threat from the outside we must stick together and form a diverse but united front.

 

The highlight of my day yesterday was a visit from my grandson, Rachel’s eldest, Yosef and his young friend Sofia.  They are both volunteering in Shalva, finding a common love of people with special needs. I won’t make it to Rachel today, but we plan a whole day out in the week to compensate. Zvi and Yosef are off to Mexico together in September which will be a great adventure for Yosef and a chance for Zvi to show him his beloved and beautiful Mexico.

 

My choices of songs reflect the current situation and the past 10 months of uncertainty, grief, compassion and dismay at the reactions of the world to our tragedy.  

 

Waiting for the sun to return and the quiet all around us. Our soldiers still find joy, freedom and release in music…I don’t have a translation for this song but I have the feeling you will enjoy it anyway!! Sung by Hatikvah 6 https://youtu.be/A_VrsevsKlY?si=GSne45NfcSJp-g-G

 

Omer Adam has spent much of the last 10 months singing for and with the IDF troops and for the families of the hostages. Here he sings the beautiful song Rikma Enoshit or Human Tissue. It’s all about relationships, that we are after all, all made of the same stuff. Again sorry no translation but… https://youtu.be/_7j5Mp393p4?si=EOf9CqjQK25R6W8n

 

Finally, one of the most beautiful songs written by a truly magnificent young woman, Sarah Samuels, daughter of Kalman and Malki Samuels the founders of Shalva. Sarah dedicated her life to the Shalva Band and her adored big brother Yossi, whose story led to the founding of Shalva. Sarah is getting married soon and her dream in life is to have a career in music. I think her voice is special and her message in this song that she wrote for our hostages still in Gaza, is very special. https://youtu.be/2KTfIJmJ52A?si=Nq61kL5EqmO9MjTS

 

Don’t give up hope whatever the Iranians and all their proxies and like minded nut cases have in store for us, we are better, stronger and most of all we have a thirst for life that is unmatched in this crazy world. Israelis love life, are obsessed with their children, which then overflows into their grandchildren, giving out love and sustenance on every level. It builds strong people, it means that as opposed to most of the world where young people have no direction, Israeli youngsters have a huge sense of purpose. Yes, we will be fine, this is just another hiccup in the passage of time.

 

We send you love, we wish you a Shabbat Shalom, a good Sabbath Day and let’s stop arguing as to who is right. There is no place for hatred amongst ourselves. Walk a mile in their shoes.

 

With all our love from Jerusalem, the city with 70 names in the Bible. Indeed, the prayers that Christians and Jews recite every day are in fact poems, psalms written right here, sitting on the boulders of Jerusalem, in the same language that we speak today, by David, a young shepherd boy, a handsome young man who became a great King.

 

With love as always

Sheila

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

300

1^st August 2024

 

Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov, the new month of Av. Shabbat Shalom to all of us who enjoy our freedom to celebrate the Sabbath as we wish, as we have always done.

 

300 days and incredibly 115 hostages are still held in captivity, in all probability in the darkness of tunnels and worse still in the darkness of unimaginable cruelty and loneliness. Who knows the horrors they suffer at the hands of those who have been taught hatred from birth, through their schooling, 12 years of incitement to hatred through their schoolbooks, through the auspices of the UN, conceivably the most anti- Israel (thus anti-semitic) organisation founded to ensure peace and freedom for all.

 

Just a few days ago children were playing football in the Druze village of Majdal Shams, in the north of Israel. 12 of them died and 37 were injured when a Hezb-Allah missile landed so close by that they didn’t stand a chance. The video shows that they were running for the shelter beside the playing field as the missile hit. A huge crater and burned bicycles were evidence of the force and of the fact that it came from very close over the Lebanese border. Fate has it that most of the families have relatives in the Druze villages over the border in both Syria and Lebanon and they are furious, but to no avail. This could not go unpunished, 12 Israeli children, irrespective of how they pray, 12 Israeli children playing football had to be avenged. Thus the pinpoint killing of Fuad Shukr, right hand man of Hassan Nasrallah was inevitable since Nasrallah himself, Secretary General of Hezb-Allah, doesn’t emerge from his bunker for fear of death. I’m sure that your news media showed destruction but in fact it was pinpoint, when I saw the long distance photograph the only building damaged was the one in which he was hiding away. In all probability, another evil, deadly mind will take his place but they had to know that we love our children.

 

The very next day, Hamas’s evil mastermind of October 7^th, Ismael Haniya, felt confident enough to leave his multi-million dollar home in Qatar to attend the inauguration of the new Iranian President in Teheran. It was the moment we had been waiting for. Israel had an agreement with Qatar that none of the Hamas leaders would be eliminated on Qatari territory so the opportunity was singular and “whoever” performed the task did so with incredible accuracy, as Haniya lay in his bed, in the “secure area” of the Ayatollahs, the device, which had been planted some time ago, was activated and Haniya went to meet his maker. The risk was enormous, in this part of the world losing face is deemed a deep humiliation and the Iranians lost face. Of course, there will be repercussions and nobody knows how or where, but part of the torture imposed by these terror countries is to raise the angst level as we await the response. Nobody knows where or when but security everywhere must be increased They may attack the “little devil” or they may attack the “big devil” the mercurial, volatile minds of these men who oppress their own people and terrify others is almost impossible to read.

 

With his usual sang froid Josh Howie puts everything into perspective https://youtu.be/yd4ERCEnsEA?si=fCDR6sHnoE1qiCHi

 

On a positive note, perhaps, Anjul Choudry, British barrister and inciter to hatred on the highest level was released from prison just a few years ago, but continued his vile path of destroying everything British, all the high values of King and country, through his publications and preaching. This week Choudry was convicted of incitement to hatred (by any other name) and given a life sentence to exceed 28 years in jail. Don’t fear though, he will not be with other prisoners to poison their minds, he will be kept separate to stew in his own bitter juice. A huge triumph for the legal system and for the upholding of British values.

 

8 soldiers, military prison officers, have been accused of severe maltreatment of Hamas prisoners, members of Nukhba. A clear infringement of the rights of the prisoners and they should be tried and duly punished. However, since nothing is that simple in Israel, right wing extremists, including members of the Knesset and even Ministers, charged the gates of the bases in question, forcing their way in and threatening the soldiers guarding the aforementioned prison officers demanding their release. Their action shook the rest of us to the very core, to threaten our soldiers is beyond the pale. We love our miluimnikim but like everyone else they are not all perfect and if they cross the moral and legal line they must be punished. Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi “The storming of a military base and the disruption of order at the site are severe behaviors that are unacceptable in any way. We are at war, and such actions endanger the security of the state. I strongly condemn the incident, and we are working to restore order at the base"

 

A few, a very few of you were surprised or upset by what I wrote about the PM and his Washington speech last week. I’m sorry, actually, no I’m not. We Israelis have heard his speeches, heard his empty words about our current situation for the last 300 days. We are at war, it is not the time for speeches to Congress no matter how many standing ovations he got, he needs to convince us, the Israeli people, that he has a plan, that this ghastly war  is not in vain, that he is genuinely working to bring our hostages home, that the constant news that more and more hostages are dead will stop, that our soldiers can come home to be with their families and that there will not be any more orphans. So if I offended your sensibilities I’m sorry but then again, I’m not, because virtually all of you read what I write because you know that you can trust my words, that I won’t lie to you or paint a false picture. This country is in tatters emotionally and there is one man to blame. He chose his government, his cabinet, from those least worthy of positions of power, men and women who have caused the worst schism in Israeli society yet.

 

A month after his son Omer was killed by mortar fire in Gaza, the former Olympic medalist and trainer Oren Smadja joined the national Judo team in Paris: 'We will go to the competition with our heads held high'. Peter Paltchik proved him right, winning a bronze medal in Judo and then a few minutes later judoka Inbal Lanir won the silver in her class! We are on our way. Nobody can extinguish our spirit.

 

We won Olympic medals in mathematics and physics too! The Israeli student national teams earned 11 Olympic medals in the International Mathematical Olympiad in the United Kingdom and the European Physics Olympiad in Georgia. The Israeli maths team won two gold, two silver and two bronze medals amid fierce competition from 609 participants representing 108 countries. The Israeli physics team secured one gold medal and four silver medals during the competition against 256 participants from 55 countries.

 

Impact-se does it again!! The Senate Appropriations Committee confirmed that UNWRA will not receive funding until, at least October 2025, a decision based upon the Impact-se report on UNWRA hate education and its repercussions.

 

This week’s reading from the Torah is Mattot and Maasei, a double parasha or reading and is the longest of the entire year. It has special meaning for me because it was the Bar Mitzvah reading for my son Gideon, just before we had to leave our beloved community in in the beautiful and historic synagogue in Reading, Berkshire. Gideon still had his pure boy soprano voice, little knowing that he would develop a fine baritone within a short period! It is an important reading, not only because it recounts the places where the Children of Israel stopped on their 40 year journey to the Promised Land, but also the enemies they faced. Today, in today’s woke world, colonialism and conquering invoke anger yet there is not a country in existence today that was not won through war, triumph and colonialism. Well worth reading. https://www.jwire.com.au/shabbat-mattot-massei-rosh-chodesh-av-tuesday-conquering-the-land/  

 

It probably seems strange to anyone outside Israel but basically, for those of who are still in our homes, have not become refugees, life is almost normal. Of course, we are all glued to the TV news or checking our phones, but we go to the pool, do our exercises, shop for everyday foodstuffs and go to the cinema, theatre and restaurants. To all intents and purposes, life goes on, until it doesn’t; we are a resilient people, a resilience that has no bearing on from whence we came or the direction of our prayers. Volunteering takes many forms, and surprisingly virtually everyone does it to the best of their ability. Young people learn about volunteering before leaving school and then many choose to do their Sherut Leumi, a form of National Service, either instead of or before their IDF service which sets them on an important path in life. In other words, we may show our love of country through demonstrations in support of the families of hostages or celebrate our freedom by demonstrating against the current government which is perfectly legitimate as long as it is combined with love of country.

 

Tomorrow, the 301^st day after October 7^th,  I will go to see Rachel and family, Zvi will go to his parliament in the Botanical Gardens and then we will get ready for the evening when Leor, Shiri, Amit, Gili, Ori and Yuval together with Amiad, Noga, Ella and Yonatan will come to sit on our veranda, in the balmy evening air of the Jerusalem Hills and we will have Shabbat Dinner together. I love that the children all join in with Saba Zvi’s kiddush (blessing over the wine) and then rush to be the one to break bread, with the blessing over the Challah. Traditions over the centuries, honouring our parents and grandparents, knowing that we are following traditions of many generations and giving the children something to teach their children. On Shabbat we will go to our friends Meishi and Dvorit Schreiber, and meet up with old friends for lunch.

 

Life certainly goes on, we will not be broken and no amount of induced hatred will stop us from thriving.

 

Music, for me, represents life. Whether the key is major or minor depends upon the circumstances, but play on it will. You could say that I was born to the melodies, born to peace, like Uzi Chitman https://youtu.be/4fz18D68Vdw?si=FHZYNX6d_k6cRh3u

 

It’s no secret that I absolutely adore Shlomo Artzi, the quintessential Israeli singer whose songs always carry a message in their melodic lines. This one is not new to you and certainly not to me, indeed it helped me learn Hebrew. Here he sings with his son who is now very much an adult. Under Middle Eastern Skies https://youtu.be/qgqd2VB3TA8?si=I54QRCE9-imf1L1h

 

Finally Hallevai, which means if only, sung by Boaz Sharabi. Listen carefully to the words. https://youtu.be/hwEatU285N8?si=CRP4mo3dp0c6DemW

 

I wish you peace, tolerance, kindness and above all belief in the future. It is a tough world but if we all stand up and prove that our faith cannot be broken, this too will pass and our children and grandchildren will  build a better future.

 

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem

Sheila