Modeh Ani

 ​29^th of November, 2024

420^th of October

Kaf Tet b’November

 

Shabbat Shalom dear friends and of course Happy Thanksgiving.

 

It is strange but I feel that each and every one of you is a personal friend. You have held me up when life became difficult and I share my deepest feelings with you, my greatest fears for our beautiful country, so friend you are, even though we may never have met.

 

I begin with a declaration.

I am a Jew and I am an Israeli. That gives me a dual responsibility to feel for the pain of others as well as my own pain. It's easy to say that whatever is happening over our borders was brought upon by their own actions, and it's true, however, we have to recognise that even when there is no choice but to hurt our enemies we have to feel some kind of empathy. There are days when I really don't want to and then I remember the first line of this paragraph. I am a Jew and I am Israeli that's a dual responsibility to feel empathy even for my enemies. Most proponents for Israel have a habit of talking about our pain and ours alone and even though our pain is deeper than one can ever imagine, we are human and we have to act in a humane manner so please excuse me if I stand for the morals of my faith and express empathy for the broken people of Gaza.

 

Jewish tradition says that upon waking one says Modeh Ani, a short blessing of gratitude thanking God for giving us back our soul after sleep. It is a fascinating thought and it is a beautiful thought, to say thank you for allowing us to wake up, even to the world as it is today. I suppose it is Thanksgiving every day without the Turkey

 

77 years ago today, 29^th of November 1947, when the United Nations still remembered its role, a vote was taken to create the Jewish Homeland on the Jewish land. The delineation of that State was clear, Arab land and Jewish land. In the war that began almost immediately those lines changed dramatically as the tiny nascent State gained ground, but Israel triumphed, Israel the name chosen by David Ben Gurion when he declared the State in May 1948 against the votes of his cabinet.

 

Did you know that the first ever official camel race took place in the Negev Desert this week! I kid you not! Thousands of spectators arrived to see the spectacle of Negev Bedouin riders on camelback racing through the sands. Thousands of Israeli Jews and Bedouins fascinated by a new sport, a new escape from their recent reality, leaving memories of October 7^th and constant rocket fire behind them. I wonder if it will catch on as an accepted stop on the tourist route!

 

Do you know what Sigd is? It is a festival celebrated 50 days after Yom Kippur. It has become a singularly Ethiopian festival, although it actually celebrates the return to our land from dispersion. Ethiopia’s Jews lived there for at least 15 centuries, arriving as merchants and artisans and lived a normal Jewish life until facing religious persecution over many years. More than 90,000 Beta Israel, Ethiopian Jews, emigrated to Israel, made Aliyah, since 1977. Because they lived in complete isolation from other Jewish communities for centuries, some Beta Israel holidays and celebrations do not exist in other Jewish communities and vice versa. This week the leaders of the Ethiopian community held prayers overlooking Jerusalem.

 

Had the United Nations kept to its founding charter, the world would be a very different place today. It never fails to amaze me how the organisation that was formed to prevent war not only failed on that count but openly and clearly encourages those who wage war. They have not prevented one single war, one single instance of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and cruel and oppressive regimes are often encouraged. I not only speak of UNWRA, HRC and all the other sub-committees and organisations within the realm of the United Nations. Surely any organisation that can include Iran in the Human Rights Council cannot be taken seriously, but it is. The ICC, the International Criminal Court, that chose to single out Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Chief of Staff Gallant is a prime example. We all know that there are too many oppressive regimes in Africa and the Arab world but yet again the Blood Libel rules.

 

The world’s press announced that “A cease fire has been reached in the Israel-Lebanon war”, putting Israel first suggests we started this horrible war, not the thousands of rockets and missiles and drones on October 8th. Anyway, we hope that it will hold. My first thought is that we will not hear the frightening words “it has been announced” which precede the names of fallen soldiers. Secondly, we have no argument with the people of Lebanon, never have, never will, it isn’t the people of Lebanon that launched missiles and drones, it is Hezb-Allah. Hezb-Allah, the terrorist proxy of Iran, has been declared a terrorist organisation throughout the Western world, not Lebanon.

 

We are constantly castigated for fighting back when attacked, even for fighting back after October 7^th. But if any of the so very righteous countries were attacked, what do you think they would do? What would their response be? What do you think your country would do?

 

Chabad Rabbi Zvi Kogan z”l was kidnapped and murdered while serving in the UAE. It not only shocked the Chabad community, the Jewish community but it shocked and distressed the UAE. They acted quickly and the perpetrators, three Uzbeki infiltrators, have already been caught. May his soul rest in peace.

 

I digress again to the situation in Canada. Canada emerged as a beacon of moral clarity on the global stage under Prime Minister Stephen Harper but has changed utterly since Trudeau’s election. This situation may appear familiar to others but this article was written by Canadians Zina Rakhamilova and Jonah Hart. “The Canada we once knew and loved now feels unrecognizably distant. Since well before October 7, 2023, Canadian Jews – and, indeed, many average Canadians – have been abandoned. Hateful antisemitic and anti-Canadian protests have erupted nationwide, where agitators openly glorify Hamas and Hezbollah terrorists while desecrating the Canadian flag. Calls to “globalize the intifada” and praise for the groups responsible for atrocities have become alarmingly common.” I receive distressed calls and mail from Australians and Brits as well as Canadians, but nobody seems to know what to do about it. Liberal and tolerant have given way to woke, which means one cannot criticise anyone’s right to protest unless you are a Jew. What a frightening world.

 

The fascinating truth is that MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Moslem countries are closer to Israel than ever before, while the West is Woke! The work of Impact-se, particularly since the Abraham Accords, has created a fascinating change in their approach and incredibly the Bahraini textbooks have not only taken anti-Semitism out but will now contain reference to Israel, including a world map with Israel as a recognised country! Of course they are not alone, Impact-se has changed the textbooks of most of the MENA countries, some more than others, excepting (surprise surprise) the PA and Gaza! Changes in East Jerusalem’s schools is of great importance, led by the wonderful Professor Mohammed Dajani Douadi.

 

What have we done this week? Well, it rained! We prayed for rain on Succot (Tabernacles) and boy were our prayers answered! Most of the rain fell along the shore but Jerusalem had enough to clear the air of summer dust and of course the wonderful news of snow on Mount Hermon, together with the ceasefire, heralds the possibility of a good skiing season!

 

Zvi has been busy with parliaments (mini and maxi), his usual choir and now another choir “to help out a friend who needed basses”, and all his work on various Boards of Governors. I am back to my usual activities. I went to the pool to say that I am coming to water aerobics next week and to explain to our instructress my new needs; I went to my craft group which I go to just because I love the ladies there. It should be known that my creation, which most of the people had great success with, was a tangled web of undecided colours!! Oh well, you can’t win them all. Finally, and most importantly, yesterday I went to my mind and movement class. Our leader, teacher and mentor, Gali, explained that she will not be holding the class next week because she has been asked to take classes for the hostage families, to help them through dance and movement, to help them find a tiny peaceful place for a few minutes, to learn how to find peace in torment. She is a wonderful young woman and we are all so proud of her. This quote explains our class

 

“Dancing is not rising to your feet painlessly like a whirl of dust blown about by the wind. Dancing is when you rise above both worlds, tearing your heart to pieces and giving up your soul.”

― Gabrielle Roth

 

Wow, we have arrived at music again! I decided not to refer to the trial of our Prime Minister or the decisions of his Cabinet. Why not? Because sadly our situation is echoed all over the Western world. For some reason we are very bad at choosing those who lead and represent us. It must be said, however, that President Biden has been a true friend to Israel and has acted throughout with great dignity, often going against his party. If you disagree, go ahead and argue, but that’s my opinion and I stick to it!

 

Back to music. It was a hard choice this week because like dancing, music should lift your spirits.

 

Perhaps Modeh Ani? That prayer upon waking? Omer Adam, one of the top Israeli singers, performs this beautiful interpretation of the prayer. Simply beautiful. https://youtu.be/npRw36_Ftmc?si=XoAgUtF9iiG_lkxK

 

The late Arik Einstein was not only or should I say not just a popular singer, representative of our generation, he wrote most of his songs himself. This song, called Song After the War, seems so appropriate now, as we pray for the return of the hostages and an end to this ghastly war. https://youtu.be/yzAuKps9OYY?si=xYTV7t_YIDdaiOYy

 

I love Boaz Sharabi’s voice, and his ability to write and produce amazing songs both for himself and for others. Halleva’i has no direct translation but probably If Only is the closest, Halleva’i is Boaz Sharabi’s most famous song, with lyrics written by Ehud Manor, and has become a prayer for peace and brotherly love. https://youtu.be/hwEatU285N8?si=1vi1zZ9DYGtcdEaZ

 

Brotherly love, such a beautiful expression. Brotherly love between faiths, brotherly love between nations, brotherly love in families, brotherly love between neighbours……Halleva’i. Hate is a choice just as love, but hate destroys and love builds. Let’s build, just as the homes of Northern Israel, Southern Israel and Gaza, yes I want them to have their homes rebuilt too, let’s build anew.

 

Shabbat Shalom. I wish you a peaceful Shabbat. With much love from Jerusalem my favourite place in the world

Sheila​

--

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/ 

The Law is an Ass

 

22^nd of November 2024

21^st Heshvan 5785

 

Shabbat shalom to you, wherever you may be in this upside down world. Prepare yourselves for a long missive!

 

Charles Dickens wrote “The Law is an Ass” in Oliver Twist, meaning that the law, when applied too rigidly or too flexibly, can be blind to the realities on the ground and the requirements for justice. The Law most represents a donkey (ass) when an international court is misused to forward political aims, ignoring true criminals or criminal leaders in this case, and indicts, for the first time in its history, the leader of a democratic state.

 

For those who still don’t know of what I write, The United Nations (already a big question mark) International Criminal Court has decided to indict both Prime Minister Netanyahu and Former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes. Who knows, we are not perfect but war is a dirty and cruel state, however, the question that has not been asked is who started this war? Who slaughtered, raped, burnt and kidnapped? Who rained rockets, missiles and explosive drones upon whom? Who is the true criminal, the one or ones who should be indicted? Why? Why Israel? Understand that it is not the Israeli Prime Minister on trial, it is the State of Israel and our very existence.

 

The last time that the International Criminal Court attempted to indict Israeli leaders, Canada and Australia had leaders who were 100% supportive of Israel and they fought the decision; both countries are now led by so called “liberal” leaders. At that time, we had a strong, brilliant Attorney General, Adv. Yehuda Weinstein, a fighter for justice, who succeeded in quashing the indictment. Sadly, that has not happened in this case, so far. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-830139

 

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King said “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

 

Last week, IMPACT-se published a new report which highlighted the endemic links between UNRWA’s education system and terror organizations. The report analyzed extremist institutional teaching material taught in UNRWA schools in Gaza, where Hamas commanders and operatives have been doubling up as UNRWA school principals. Perhaps that is a good place to start in the ICC!

 

61 years ago, on the 22^nd of November 1963, an American President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, was assassinated while driving in an open car through Dallas Texas. 61 years! As the announcement came over the television news, our doctor came downstairs to tell us that my incredible, beautiful Mother, Betty Silver, has passed away. The tragedies may not be compared, but for me, for my family, the two are inexorably linked.

 

800. 800 IDF soldiers have lost their lives fighting for this little country’s survival. We cried, horrified at the number of families, mostly young families that lost husbands and fathers. We cried on Wednesday and another four soldiers died since then. 804. Unbearable. 804 soldiers, 101 hostages, we must find a way to end this war without endangering our future.

 

Incidentally, the world has blamed Iran for supplying new weapons to Hezb-Allah, soldiers on site have discovered up to the minute RUSSIAN weapons in the Hezb-Allah arsenals.

 

As you know, I am not a great fan of the current version of Prime Minister Netanyahu. His brilliant past as a spokesperson for Israel is marred by those he chose to stand with in his Cabinet. No, I’m not talking of the Haredi Members of the Knesset, that’s a different internal argument entirely, I am talking about the extremists whose views are tearing us apart as a society. When settlement leader Daniella Weiss, without the knowledge of the Chief of Staff or the Southern Command, was taken in an IDF vehicle into northern Gaza to scout out where to build Jewish settlements, something is horribly wrong; when Ben Gvir and his party spout hatred, don’t accept Arab citizens, something is horribly wrong, and I know some of you feel I shouldn’t mention such things, but today we are not out in the Diaspora where we must keep our mouths shut, here we can complain. It’s a bit like the new immigrant from Russia who was asked to answer questions about his aliya. It went thus “How was life in Russia – I can’t complain. How was the availability of food in Russia – I can’t complain. Was it tough to be under a dictatorship – I can’t complain. Finally, Sergei, how is life in Israel? You can answer with as many words as you wish. Life in Israel is hard, as a new immigrant I need to start life afresh. So, you are saying that life in Israel is harder than in Russia. – No but here I can complain!

 

Talking of “out in the Diaspora” life in countries that not only accepted their Jewish communities but welcomed them with open arms has become difficult for Jews. Canada is one example but Australia, Australia was the place that families who went through the Holocaust found peace and the good life as far from Europe as they could possibly get. The communities of Melbourne and Sydney have given to their chosen home, not only in their love of country, but by building hospitals, medical research centres, museums, being good citizens in every way. Suddenly, they hear “From the River to the Sea” even Death to Jews. Synagogues, Jewish centres and restaurants are being attacked and those who remember the Holocaust know where that leads. As in Canada, the situation is exacerbated by a, so called liberal government, that has allowed what former governments would have shut down in a flash. It makes me sad. I have many Australian friends, some are like family, some are family, and they really do not deserve the situation. We talk about the takeover of Europe, but sadly it is time to look at ourselves.

 

Gosh, I hope I haven’t depressed you but I know that you rely on me to be honest, and honesty requires reporting the truth, not a prettified version. However, as Monty Python used to say (I love Monty Python, so clever) Now for something entirely different. Actually, when I think of Monty Python, not just the television programmes but perhaps most of all their movies, it reminds me of the days when nobody, no political party, no religion, no colour, was out of bounds for their humour. They were as far from Woke as possible and none of us took offence!

 

Women in the Bible are often brave, strong, warriors for justice. Those that are specifically named even more so. When a little girl is born or she has her Bat Mitzva (coming of age), she is blessed thus “May she grow to be wise and strong like our matriarchs. May God make you like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah.”  Or “May you be like Ruth and like Esther” is added since these women were strong and feisty. So it is today.  Israeli women do not take a back seat in the IDF, they are fighters, pilots, on the front line and that includes religious women. The only difference being that their battalion is women only, for obvious reasons. Israeli women are strong like their matriarchs and respected as Abraham respected Sarah. (this week’s reading from the Torah, Chayei Sara Genesis 23:1-25:18 )

https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-830063

 

Did you know that the Kafiyya and its pattern are not Palestinian at all? The kaffiya comes from Mesopotamia and represents the fishing culture of that country until it was overcome and the people were forced to convert to Islam. This is fascinating. I had no idea until my friend Monica sent it to me. I hope you have Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/thetravelingclatt/reel/DCg7T9_tE1n/

 

Shlomo Artzi, arguably Israel’s most popular singer for the last 40 years has his birthday this week. Actually, if I may digress (when don’t I digress?) Over 12,000 tickets for the reunion shows of the “The 16th Sheep”, a group with Yehudit Ravitz, Gidi Gov, Yoni Rechter and David Broza, sold out within minutes of going on sale Tuesday morning. What is amazing is that the group, all are over the age of 60 yet youngsters fought to get tickets, sitting on line for hours! Hakeves Hashisha-Asar (The Sixteenth Sheep) is based on a children’s book written by Yonatan Gefen z”l and set to music.

 

Back to Shlomo Artzi, is now over 70 but his young audience knows every word of every song and sing along with him at packed concerts. So the first song, my first choice is his latest production. He sings of a simpler world with the sun in our pockets. The subtitles are in Spanish but if you click on the subtitles box there is an English translation https://youtu.be/ZMmT6lTMC4Q?si=7wI69fUtsG1yW0rn

 

The late Uzi Hitman wrote a children’s song, a prayer to the Almighty called Elohim Sheli, My God. He asks the questions of a child with the words of all of us. https://youtu.be/uVr1Qdp-tI4?si=_Oz8wJ2baNxdqeq6

 

The Israeli search for the next singer to represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest has shown incredibly talented young singers, this week, Daniel Weiss’ sweet voice made us all cry. Daniel is from Kibbutz Be’eri the South of Israel and on October 7^th his father Shmulik was killed outright and his mother Yehudit was taken hostage and killed. Daniel is barefoot because growing up on Be’eri he was always barefoot and it represents the freedom of kibbutz life. By chance that he was not in the family home on that fateful day. Here he sings Ani Gitara – I am a guitar which was his father’s favourite song that they used to sing together. https://youtu.be/z8JrHEVGykA?si=l5TUKu0txghLEfGj  He ends his song with the words “Mother, Father, thank you”

 

Take a breath, I know the tears flow.

 

And so to Shabbat, the day of rest. The Sabbath. For some of us it is on Saturday and for some it is on Sunday, the seventh day, all depending upon from where one counts the beginning of the week. I often think of our similarities, our beliefs, our determination to live in a just world, in a world of kindness, and I believe that we must somehow fight to get that back. Our belief in values, in respecting the other, those who differ from us, should be paramount in our lives and somehow it has been pushed into the background by the imposition of different, less tolerant, views. So perhaps this Shabbat, this Sabbath, we not only pray for a kinder world but actually employ the bases of our beliefs.  

 

Growing up in Wales our friends were of every colour and creed. Being one of few Jewish girls in my high school we had a Jewish assembly each morning as the main school had a Christian religious assembly, then were invited to join in the last part which included the Lord’s prayer and the Welsh national anthem. Sadly, all of the above no longer happens, apparently religion isn’t woke. Sorry, that was meant to be positive, so, growing up in Wales showed me that respect for each other is the basis of a free society. All our neighbours knew that we kept our Sabbath and they kept theirs and it was truly beautiful.
We never needed to be ashamed of the Mezuzas (the littles boxes on Jewish entrances) on our doorposts

 

Gosh that was digressing with a capital D, but I want to say that we have to re-introduce love of our identity back into our lives. So, I send you love, I send you a Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem. I especially send love to Herman and Gerda, our beautiful friends from Holland, from the Dutch Christians for Israel, who never fails to lift my spirits with their love and support and to Kim Taylor who is now flying home after joining the Jewish Agency Conference.

 

With much love

Sheila

 

 

 

 

Dementors and Heroes

 

1^st November, 2024

 

 

Shabbat Shalom. Hope that you had an interesting, even fun, Halloween, or to call it by its real name, All Hallows Eve.

 

I am a fan of J K Rowling, indeed I have been a fan ever since my eldest son Daniel z"l gave me the first book as a present many years ago. I always felt that Rowling had a deep understanding of terror and terrorists, the dark reality of Islamic terror, something that came out in her terrifying characters, the Dementors.

 

"Dementors are among the foulest creatures that walk this earth. They infest the darkest, filthiest places, they glory in decay and despair, they drain peace, hope, and happiness out of the air around them. Get too near to a Dementor and every good feeling, every happy memory will be sucked out of you. If it can, the Dementor will feed on you long enough to reduce you to something like itself... soulless and evil. You will be left with nothing but the worst experiences of your life."

 

Many of the soldiers are religious, what is known as Modern Orthodox. This week an exceptional teacher, Captain Rabbi Avraham Yosef Goldberg z”l, died in action in Southern Lebanon after more than 220 days of reserve duty. His family wrote of his wishes.

A statement from the Goldberg family on Monday said that it would welcome “politicians from any party or camp,” to the Shiva (mourning period) but only if they arrive in pairs — one from the coalition and one from the opposition. The family’s statement echoes the spirit of Rabbi Goldberg and his principles during his lifetime: bridging gaps and building bonds. His widow, Rachel Goldberg spoke out saying that her husband appealed to yeshiva students to join the IDF “they need to understand that the people of Israel need them.”

 

Most of the Miluimnikim, the reservists, have left their families, their businesses, their professions, for 200 even 300 days this year answering to the call to defend our little country. Their young families have to manage without them for months on end knowing that they are in very real danger every moment. That is why we are angry at those who do not serve, not only Haredim, but Israeli Arabs and the Israeli elite.  Some of each of the above groups do serve but not in realistic numbers that could relieve those who do. So many of the volunteer reservists are religious, and many of the fallen are too, although once on the battlefield religious and political differences fade into oblivion with just one objective in sight. Large families, beautiful children now fatherless, the only kisses that small children can give their fathers are on photographs, so that they won’t forget them or their bravery. Young families who became single parent families, joining a club that nobody wants to belong to. Their faith, their love of Israel, their prayers help them through. Obviously, there are many secular families in the same rocky boat, but it never fails to amaze me how faith can help through the mourning process.

 

101 hostages are still held in captivity under who knows what conditions. 101 Hostages alive or dead we do not know, their families fearing the knock on the door. Rachel Polin Goldberg opened the door before the soldiers approached. “The dread of hearing the knock on the door with such bad news was something that I didn’t think I could bear,” To understand the conditions of both the hostages and the families please, watch this, hear this. https://youtu.be/VhBlSucz4VM?si=0HA9R7wL4rOSh4VT

 

Lebanon is very different to Gaza. The Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, although a Sunni Moslem, wants to find a compromise, does not support Iranian backed Hezb-Allah. The Druze and Christian Lebanese want Hezb-Allah gone and again unlike Gaza, they have political and actual power for change. In principle it now depends upon the United Nations and of course UNIFIL in activating and abiding by Resolution 1701 which demands a weapons free zone of 10 kilometres within the Lebanese border. The weapons stores and tunnels are different too, large and the tunnels are relatively luxurious. When you see vast explosions reported after Israeli bombing, it is the weapons stores - the Iranian missiles and weaponized drones that are killing Israelis by the day.  Imagine hundreds of attacks every day on your town, your country. I wonder how long it would take before your government forgot that it helped arm terrorists and fought back.

 

I can’t avoid the upcoming US elections, try as I may. I’m really glad that I don’t have to vote, we have enough problems with our own choices! Yesterday I had a meeting with the wonderful CEO of Impact-se, Marcus Sheff, to update me on the huge advances we have made, and the subject came up, inevitably this election determines who will lead the Western World against the China, Iran, Russia triple threat. We spoke of the polls and of the reportage, both are predominantly in CNN, NY Times and other supposedly intellectual media. The ordinary people, those who vote as their parents and grandparents voted are not considered because they are not influenced by the elitist media since they are not interested! The average Joe, quite rightly, wants to know how this election will affect his pocket, who will help him to feed his children not what is happening in far distant lands. As to who will win, I have no idea but I wish the United States of America a leader who will unite the people while realizing the impact of what they say and do on the rest of the world. I wish they had the eloquence of Bill Clinton who has never doubted who is right in our region. Just listen to this short video. https://youtu.be/eBCBP9mwTG4?si=eGgtdUIOxjPPW5Zn

 

Talking of Impact-se and our CEO Marcus Sheff, one of the purposes of our meeting was a progress report and I am happy to report that the work of the team continues unimpaired by politics and wars because only by teaching tolerance, unteaching hatred, can we begin to hope for any possibility of stability and peace in this region and beyond. Our research is extending beyond the Middle East, our influence upon education, on tolerance in education still has daily successes as leaders in the Middle East begin to understand that their countries can never progress, can never succeed if the children are taught to hate, to learn insular, closed policies which do not accept “the other”. Most countries have woken up, but there are still some who speak with forked tongue, predominantly Qatar. The world is waiting for the Israeli government to come up with a “Day After” plan, well just so that you know that Impact-se has a programme ready for the re-education of the Palestinians, the detoxification of young minds. www.impact-se.org

 

Did you know that the Israeli Government voted to ban UNWRA activities in our region? Well, if you click on the Impact-se link above, you will understand why. UNWRA in Gaza, and not only in Gaza, encouraged and even took part in October 7^th. Impact-se warned of the activities of UNWRA four years ago when due to Covid, their curriculum was put online and one of our incredible young researchers, Itam, found it and the research proved that UNWRA schools were inciting to hatred and encouraging Jihad and UNWRA teachers were also active members of Hamas. Instead of berating Israel’s decision it should be lauded.

 

There’s so much more to tell you but I think that with the best will in the world, we can only absorb so much tough news before needing some light diversion, or as Monty Python used to say “And now for something entirely different”

 

Jerusalem has several theatres, from the huge multi hall Jerusalem Theatre, to the wonderful Khan theatre and many smaller halls, all busy, all showing a huge variety of drama and music all sold out performances. The same for Tel Aviv. One piece of news that really pleased me is the opening of a new patisserie in Sderot! In fact, the reopening of an excellent shwarma restaurant, felafel, Middle Eastern restaurant, fine dining and sushi, all sorts of food options are feeding the returning residents and of course the soldiers who are posted there. Delivery services are back for take-away and although many residents are still unable to return to their burnt out homes in the Western Negev, southern Israel, the area is slowly but surely beginning to revive. Even under the current circumstances Israelis love to eat!

 

I know that you love hearing about our veranda, after all that is the title of my newsletter, so here is today’s report. The oranges on the little orange tree are ripening fast and yesterday I picked one and oh boy was it sweet! The limes are changing colour too, their lighter skins belying the wonderful green flesh inside. So different to the sharp, tart lemon, the lime has a much gentler flavour. Looking at those little trees, barely as tall as I am, spindly trunks, held tightly in their flower pots, yet producing bounteous fruits and I thought how similar they are to this little land, bound by its surrounding enemies, yet always thriving even during war, cruel war, that is imposed upon us. As I await the ripening fruits on the Kumquat and mini-lemon trees I remember that and it pleases me no end.

 

The clocks went back, or is it forward I find it so confusing! I swear that I get jet lag each time! Shabbat will come in much earlier tonight. Zvi will go to his parliament in the Botanical Gardens much earlier because they need to finish earlier, which may or may not give them enough time to put the world to rights. I wonder what the 10 or 12 highly intelligent and opinionated men will talk about today. I’m absolutely certain that their thoughts and decisions will be better than any government that we have or will choose next week. I would love to be a fly on the wall, in fact have been to a few sessions, but I think it more important to prepare for Shabbat! I find that too much talk promotes dissent rather than action, but that’s just my view and all of the men, right left and centre, enjoy the openness of their conversations.

 

Tonight’s supper, just Zvi and I, is going to be traditional. Chicken soup with kneidlach (delicious dumplings), roast chicken with roast potatoes, broccoli (Zvi hates it so don’t tell him), a chopped Israeli salad (my favourite) and I haven’t decided on dessert yet. I wish you could join us, sit with us, feel the warm glow of the Shabbat candles, hear Zvi’s beautiful blessing over the wine, enjoy our regular banter over the latest news and just be here. I can’t wait for the 15^th of November, because the wonderful Kim Taylor will be sitting at our table, joining us in every sense of the word. He’s coming for the Jewish Agency Meetings (yes this member of the LDS Church is not just welcome but very effective on various committees) which will be held in Tel Aviv (another thing I have to add. Why in Tel Aviv when Tel Aviv has rockets and Jerusalem is the capital city of Israel) and Kim wants to be with us so he’s arriving 2 days early so that he can spend Shabbat with us. Again, I digress as usual, but….. did you know that the Brigham Young University holds its prayers on a Saturday (Shabbat) on the Jerusalem Campus?

 

So, Simchat Torah and the anniversary of the October 7^th massacre has been and gone with many tears, ceremonies and not a small helping of anger; you’ve had a tour of our veranda and its cornucopia of citrus, you know what we are having for supper so it is probably time for some music.

 

 

Katan Aleinu! Loosely translated means We go this. Israeli singers recorded this during Covid but it fits our current situation. We got this, we will survive and so will you. We have met ignorance and misguided young people before and came out the other side. https://youtu.be/lHVAWnCXBkU?si=25qJ11SpTHHKmZIm

 

Hanan Ben Ari sings Moledet, a love song to Israel pledging loyalty and love for our homeland. Wonderful lyrics, words of true love https://youtu.be/9wYEWx1291g?si=kI9w9oSxAXuO9NsA

 

When I was working in London, with AJ6, a wonderful organisation for school students in their last two years of high school, preparing them for university and the anti-Semitism they may encounter on campus. The organisation is no longer, a terrible oversight considering the current challenges the young people face every day. But again, I digress, I drove everyone completely crazy because day and night (yes sometimes the work meant staying late) I played one song, one very important song, which eventually caught on and all the students and counsellors were singing it too. It is my favourite Hebrew song. It is the story of our little country. The Honey and the Sting – Al Kol Eleh – above it all.  https://youtu.be/Gbw2FTYHCTg?si=lygxjxQLJEjSLiiA

 

So nearly Shabbat. Zvi is getting ready to leave for his parliament, I will set the table, put the candles in their candlesticks ready for Shabbat and we will await to see what this weekend will bring.

 

I wish you peace, I wish you kindness, I wish you time to consider what you want for tomorrow, for our children’s future. Remember that here in Israel, we are fighting your fight too. Jew, Christian, Moslem, Buddhist, Hindu, all that we really want is to be able to raise our children to a better future without hate.

 

Shabbat Shalom from both of us. As I look over at the most beautiful city in the world, glistening white on the horizon, I pray for peace, real peace and understanding.

 

With love

Sheila