The Day that Gadi and Agam came home

 

30^th January 2025

2^nd of Shevat, 5785

482 days since 7^th of October

 

Shabbat Shalom

 

 

I don’t know how to express my horror at the scenes yesterday morning as we watched what was meant to be a joyous moment as two more hostages were released. We stared open-mouthed in disbelief, then in a deep nauseating fury as the bloodthirsty, baying, gloating mob seemed to engulf the two Israelis. I honestly thought they would not get to the Red Cross vans alive. They were paraded, a final humiliation as if 16 months of bondage, of being held in inhuman conditions, was not sufficient. We saw Arbel, her terrified face occasionally visible in the mob, but Gadi seemed to be engulfed and we thought he was lost. Incredibly, as they sat in the Israeli Air Force helicopter, he simply hugged Arbel, a hug to tell her it was alright, they were going home. Gadi Moses was kidnapped without his hearing aids or glasses. He spent 16 months in captivity, hearing and seeing little, yet, while surrounded by a baying mob he held his head high. His first words when he finally stepped off the helicopter were “I want to rebuild Nir Oz” the kibbutz from which he was kidnapped on October 7^th. https://youtu.be/w80ZXXjk5wk?si=XwVU40HLBDNwuQi4

 

Each and every one that returns is met with love, not just from their family but from the entire nation. One scene that struck at my heartstrings was that the four observers who returned less than a week ago, Liri Elbag, Daniela Gilboah, Naama Levi, and Karina Arayev, were busy making posters to welcome Agam Berger home. As soon as Agam had reunited with her family, they met her in the hospital and the five girls hugged and wept in relief that all the observers who survived the storming of their base had come home.

 

Last week I described our national mental state as like a tsunami of emotions, the sheer unadulterated joy at seeing families reunited, praying that they can overcome the diabolical trauma of the last 16 months, grieving the young lives lost, the names of the soldiers who fall and realizing that we have a government that is, for whatever reason, incapable of doing what they are meant to do – protect our people. As Lucy Aharish stated, “someone who cannot bring 90 people home cannot govern 10 million”.

 

Western leaders suggest that various countries in the region take in Gazans until the basic structures of Gaza can be rebuilt. They really don’t understand, cruel as it may sound, nobody wants them! No country in this region will take responsibility for a people that has had hatred inculcated into every aspect of their lives for 50-60 years! Gazans have nothing else; the concept of free thought has been brainwashed out of them replaced by a bloodthirsty demand for vengeance. It is something that few leaders understand, or choose to ignore and put the onus on other countries, especially on Israel, to come up with a solution.

 

Education either raises people up beyond all expectation, teaching them to live full and worthy lives, or it can drag them down into a Sargasso Sea of hatred and despair. Hamas thrives on the self-fulfilling prophesy of hate-filled education. Impact-se revealed this week that Hamas is already prepared to go back to the schoolbooks that bred generations of violence, culminating in the 7^th of October. Thus Israel has banned UNWRA from East Jerusalem.

 

George Orwell wrote “The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it.” So it is in too many Western societies. University campuses in the USA and the UK; Australia, is suffering from the syndrome of hating truthtellers, Canada too, both countries suffering from Woke governments who would not know the truth if it hit them in the face, which is precisely what is happening now. Most of Europe is waking up but it may well be too late and Scandinavia is lost.

 

This week the world outside Israel commemorated International Holocaust Day, the 80^th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz by the Russian troops. Ironically the 27^th of January was declared International Holocaust Day by the United Nations, that man-made body which has not, in any way, shape or form, tried to prevent another Holocaust. Ceremonies were held in Jewish and non-Jewish communities worldwide, with great dignity.  However, not everywhere. In a ceremony in Dublin, the Irish President Higgins made a sly comparison between the Shoah and Gaza (Palestine) an unconscionable comparison. There is no comparison to the calculated and organised decimation of the Jews of Europe, ethnic cleansing. Those who make that comparison are blind, deaf and stupid. The burgeoning population in Gaza denies genocide and to suggest that Israel had genocidal intentions is to turn the truth on its head. Sadly, the sole intention that binds the Palestinian people is the genocidal dissolution of Israel.

 

And so to our week

On Monday evening we met Nancy and Harry Bloomfield in the gorgeous and delicious Eucalyptus Restaurant, right opposite the walls of the Old City in the Artists quarter of Chutsot ha Yotser. I love the food prepared by the Chef Owner Moshe Basson. All food is based on Biblical herbs and recipes and although Moshe, an old friend, was not there last night Zvi called him so that he could say hello to Nancy and Harry. The conversation is always lively when Harry is around and it bounced from current politics to English language, especially concerning the word Verandah, which is yet another English word emanating from the Indian during the Raj, and my use of said verandah. However it was fun and delicious as always, Nancy and I hobbling through the ancient stones to return home.

 

On Tuesday I had a wonderful surprise guest as Sharon Voss came to visit! I really love Sharon but somehow, despite both of us moving out of central Jerusalem to the rural beauty of this area, we don’t seem to get together. I was very excited when Sharon actually like my rather strange creations in Crafting group!!!

 

Wednesday and Rachel and Yosef, together with Yosef’s friend Raphael, drove down to an army base beside Gaza to present the soldiers with 30 warm jackets that friends had contributed. They were absolutely thrilled. The timing was right because the next day they went into Gaza where the nights are cold and anyway, they deserve every gift that they receive. These incredible youngsters put their lives on the line to protect us.

 

Last evening we met up with friends on Gaza Street. Really, not only called Gaza Street but the private home of the Netanyahu family is just down the road. Many streets in Jerusalem begin at the Old City and were the roads to Bethlehem, Hebron, Jaffa etc, the roads that merchants travelled with their wares. Anyway back to Gaza Street aka Azza Street. I had a rather problematic day so decided to go with Zvi to meet his musical friends for a bite to eat. As usual the subject turned to the history of Jerusalem – well hardly surprising since Zvi really is an expert – and what everyone calls the “old Knesset” on King George Street. Apparently Ben Gurion had no intention of moving the parliament from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem until there was a final political arrangement with the Arabs. However, he heard rumours that the Arab population intended making Jerusalem, the Holy City, into their symbolic city, so decided to move the Knesset to Jerusalem. The first sittings were held in the Jewish Agency building, and on March 13th 1950, the Knesset moved to Froumine House, a former biscuit factory on King George Street and Knesset sittings were held there for more than 16 years when the current Knesset building was dedicated in 1966.

 

When someone that you love passes away it doesn't matter how old or how young it's always a shock. Tema Gaba z”l  represented my childhood, my parents friends and everything that was good about the community and Cardiff in South Wales. At the incredible age of 102 she kept all of her daughter Susan's close friends listening in rapt attention to the stories she brought from our hometown, stories about our families and our parents that we thought were forgotten. I love the fact that after many many years living in Israel she still had that lovely lilting Welsh accent that warmed my heart. We will talk about her with great fondness, her smile and her penchant for lovely hats, for many years to come. May her soul rest in peace and the family be consoled among the mourners of Zion

 

I forgot to tell you that last Shabbat Zvi and I crossed the road to the Nature Reserve for a little walk in the glorious fresh air that our area is famous for.  We set off under blue skies and crisply cool air and then almost immediately I saw it! The huge almond tree that I saw last week in my movement class, standing proud with its pinky white blossom, harbinger of spring and better things to come. As we walked we found wild cyclamen, both light and dark pink, seemingly emerging from the stoney ground, proving that things here can grow if left to their own devices.  We met people along the way “Shabbat Shalom” and “B’sorot Tovot” which is a wish for good news.

 

Tonight Zvi’s boys and their families are coming for Shabbat Dinner. Once they walk through the door they don’t allow me to move! They serve the food, clear the table, put everything back in its place and turn what could be a working night into a very enjoyable one.

 

And so to music.

Shiri Maimon is an Israeli singer with a beautiful voice. She has used that voice to spread the word of the plight of the hostages and to sing this amazing song “I’m Coming Home” https://youtu.be/f5-q8x8ERnM?si=Ee9yPu1pmu7L7YmE

 

Stevie Wonder sang this song many years ago and it has been my favourite, among many favourites, since I first heard him sing in concert.” A Place in the Sun”. Listen to the words and you will see how appropriate it is for these troubled times https://youtu.be/f5-q8x8ERnM?si=Ee9yPu1pmu7L7YmE

 

The words of the final song need no complicated translation because they repeat the blessing “Shabbat Shalom Umevorach” A blessed and peaceful Shabbat, over and over again and is what we all sing before getting down to the serious stuff of blessings over the wine, the Challah (bread) and then the meal. It is a joyful way to bring everyone to the table. The late Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach sings https://youtu.be/Zh2Dv_W-Xqw?si=km97JEUyLY8gtWdz  

 

I often write about Rachel’s children because I see them most frequently but I am equally in love with my grandchildren outside Israel, Sammy, Olivia and Zachary in London, Joshua and Callie in New York, Zvi’s grandchildren Amit, Gili, Ori, Yuval, Ella and Yonatan here in Israel but don’t live right next to us and I am equally proud of each and every one of them, bless the day they were born. There is something so special about grandchildren, the Hebrew expression “basar besari” the flesh of my flesh probably expresses it best of all. The fact that these human beings are the result of our children is a miracle! Grandchildren are our future, the future of life on earth, so teaching them to love, the think, to rationalise and to make this world a better place is the most important inheritance we can leave behind us. It’s all about education and every day we understand that education to think for themselves can change the direction of everyone around us is a step in the right direction.

 

I think back all those years ago when Pastor Mike Evans knelt before Kinneret Chaya and told her “You can turn your scars into stars and bitter into better” and that is what we have to do now. We cannot seethe, turn our anger into a sick society and call for revenge, we have to prove our own strength and teach, teach, teach.

 

This weeks Torah reading speaks of the death of the first born, the plague that broke Pharoah, the plague that finally forced him to set the Jewish slaves free. We do not need to impose plagues, the time has passed, we are free and here in our own land. We just have to learn to stand tall in the face of adversity. However, one thing, the first law God asked of us upon leaving Egypt, was to honour a Jewish calendar, Jewish months (lunar) and so we do until today. Today is the second day of the month of Shevat, 5785.

 

We await the release of the three hostages who are due to come home tomorrow. I pray that they will not have to suffer the baying mob of yesterday and will come home safely to their loving families.

 

Shabbat Shalom dear friends. Stay strong, stay safe and stay close

Sheila

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lu Yehi - Let it be

Lu Yehi – Let it Be Edit

By sheila | January 24, 2025

​24th January, 2025

Shabbat Shalom. I hope this missive finds you well

In November 1942 Winston Churchill said “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” And so it is for us, for Israel, for the families of the hostages, for the whole of Israel. While it is true that we do not have a leader such as Winston Churchill, a leader capable of rallying the hearts and minds of the people, in fact I’m not sure any of the countries this missive goes out to have a leader capable of rallying the hearts and minds of the people, but that’s another matter entirely.

What a week!! What a week of high hopes, dashed dreams and the return of three incredible young women to their families, yes, Doron, Emily and Romi came home. The jubilation was tempered with fears that once their joy at surviving the unbelievable had waned, the truth of their time in Gaza would arise like an emotional tsunami. Even as we speak the fear that the emotional torture of Hamas could stop the exchange in its tracks. The 4 hostages due to come home this weekend could change, dashing all our hopes. Hopefully the threats of President Trump will ensure their return and the return of all the hostages, alive and dead.

I must admit that watching the sheer joy of Emily, her incredible fortitude and somehow very British attitude to the entire situation brought a smile while the sudden emotional collapse of Doron and Romi brought tears. Both reactions were so natural; their uncertainty when handed over to the Red Cross; their relief at being handed over to the young soldiers who were to bring them to the helicopters and finally as they ran into the arms of their families, the joy was contagious. Emily’s hand, two fingers amputated after she was shot on October 7th, has become a symbol of their return. Her bandaged, disfigured hand ironically forms the sign language for I love you.

Chief of Staff, Herzi HaLevi, true to his word, decided to resign his post with the following words:-

“On the morning of October 7, under my command, the IDF failed in its mission to protect Israel’s citizens. The State of Israel paid a heavy and painful price—in lives lost, in hostages taken, and in those wounded both physically and emotionally. The courageous acts of many—security forces personnel, IDF soldiers and commanders, and brave civilians—were not enough to prevent this great disaster. My responsibility for this terrible failure accompanies me every day, every hour, and will remain with me for the rest of my life. In recognition of my responsibility for the IDF’s failure on October 7, and at a time when the IDF has recorded extraordinary achievements and restored Israel’s deterrence and strength, I request to conclude my tenure on March 6, 2025. This decision was made long ago. Now, with the IDF holding the upper hand in all theaters of combat and with another hostage return agreement underway, the time has come.”

One of Halevi’s final decisions is to clear Jenin of the terrorist cells from which many attacks emanated. The IDF went in and hopefully have made Jenin a livable home once again for its residents.

A new President of the United States was sworn in this week. The ceremony, due to the extreme cold in Washington, was held in the Rotunda, that beautiful hall between the Congress and Senate.  If I may digress, Zvi and I are familiar with the Rotunda, where in 1995, the opening of the “Jerusalem 3000” celebrations were held. It was the last time either of us met with Yitzchak Rabin, my last hug, but, as I said I digress. The ceremony was, as always beautiful, and yet again I recognised what a deeply religious country the USA is. “In God We Trust” is not only on the country’s fiduciary currency, it is the ethos of the Founding Fathers until today. The words of the hymns, the beautiful voices of the choir, the three religions represented, the elegance of the First Lady, the quiet, distinguished presence of President and Dr Biden and the expected surprise of President Trump’s speech. His manner and intentions are somewhat shocking, but the United States has a full range of stops and balances before any law is passed. One of his statements, actually, not in the actual speech, was that all Gazans should be sent to Indonesia – the amazement of the Jakarta government who had never heard of the idea! I have no intention of repeating the litany of intended changes to the world map, I’m sure you registered every one.

Still in the USA, Congressman Brian Mast Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee makes a truly magnificent speech against the ICC and their determination to arrest the Israeli Prime Minister and former Minister of Defence Gallant.  https://youtu.be/m9sez9pJUgU?si=6fEJ0FZZdXosutv_  

Just in case you think that I’m the only writer in the family, I want to include this posting by Zvi. I found it fascinating.

Dear Friends,

In Hebrew, there is a saying: “You either kill the guard or eat the grapes.” The time for human sacrifice is over! Hamas has received a bitter lesson that will serve them for a generation. Don’t be fooled by the “celebrations”—Gaza is a total “rubble.” Most homes in the areas we fought are no longer habitable. The education system, governing bodies, as well as electricity, water, roads, and all services are destroyed. Hamas knows that the assistance of Arab and Western countries in rebuilding Gaza depends on a different kind of regime. They may be part of the regime, but they will not lead it! Remember, they are Sunni, who were abused and used by the Iranian Shiites to “conquer” the Sunni countries! Israel and the Palestinians were merely an excuse.

Now, Israel faces the problem that 5 million Arabs who call themselves Palestinians will not “disappear”! But if we can eradicate the extremist Muslim elements, we will be able to build a better future for all. The new regimes in Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, and perhaps others will join us to do that! We assisted the Sunni world in overcoming the Shiite threat, and they KNOW it.

The biggest achievement of this dreadful war was the destruction of the “Circle of Fire” around Israel, built by Iran over 40 years! We were “lucky” that Nasrallah believed his own foolish statements, because if he had joined Hamas, we could have been in much more trouble. We would still have won, but at a much higher cost!

I am not afraid of ANY outside threat, only the internal cohesion of our society! Israel was established as a “Jewish and Democratic” state. Yet, after 76 years, half the country wants it to be more “Jewish,” and the other half wants it to be more “Democratic.” If we cannot find a “painful” compromise between both sides, we will either go down the path of a “Civil War,” like the US or Mexico 100-150 years ago, or see the destruction of the third attempt to establish Jewish independence. Both previous attempts failed—not because of external threats, but because of internal strife!

We will go through a difficult period. I am sure we will overcome it with “joy” while the hostages return, and “sorrow” while we receive the remains of those victims who did not survive. We will see “Victory Parades” on the Palestinian side, but we will always remember the words of Pyrrhus II: “If we win another such battle against the Romans, we will be completely lost.”

There is no question who won the war.
Am Yisrael Chai! Remember that!
Look after yourselves and be good.
Zvi

Isn’t it wonderful?

King Charles will attend a commemoration service at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Memorial in Poland to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the former Nazi death camp on January 27th. The service will be live streamed. King Charles has always been close to the Jewish community, if you recall he opened his home to Chief Rabbi Mirvis so that he could attend the Coronation ceremony on a Saturday. He is also patron of many Jewish organisations.

Last night was very tense! It was the final of the competition to choose our representative in the Eurovision Song Contest. I know that it is not a big thing for Americans but, well it is for us! The final four were all excellent performers. Daniel Weiss, with the voice of an angel, who lost both his parents on October 7th; Valery Hamati, a Christian Arab from Jaffa, whose voice reached the skies; Moran and Red, a brilliant singer and a large purple puppet; and finally, Yuval Raphael, a Nova massacre survivor who sang her heart out and won. Yuval is an excellent choice. She took her pain, her ghastly trauma and turned it into a performance that took the hearts of the country. Those terrifying hours of hiding in a concrete shelter, talking to her father who kept telling her to play dead, have culminated in a fine representative to the internation music contest. Facing those booing crowds will be nothing compared to what she already survived.

This is the song which started her rise up the ladder to success. It’s called Anyone and if you listen to the words you can tell why it is so appropriate and the judges cannot help but shed a tear. https://youtu.be/b1pV-8Asjok?si=LWk7ybs0dhQ_3g25

It is 50 years since the death of the great Cantor and opera singer Richard Tucker a truly magnificent voice. I am going to be selfish and give you the song that my Mummy used to sing to me “Roshinkes mit Mandlen” Raisins and Almonds. A beautiful lullaby. As always, the words are so much more than a simple lullaby, it is the words of a mother telling her little son Yiddeleh of the day when he will be free and rich…..   https://youtu.be/DQhDraX2hwI?si=KTdUCJuN2jbBetY2 

During the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Naomi Shemer heard the Beatles singing Let It Be and wanted to translate it to Hebrew. However Ehud manor told her that instead of a simple translation she should write a new song, a song that tells the Israeli story. Here Chava Alberstein sings to the soldiers of the Yom Kippur War – a prayer  May It Be  https://youtu.be/0jbIo5KGLVw?si=Vi8cEQ3EdkdHzdlN

Yesterday I went to my Movement Class and as we heard the music a thought kept going through my head, a reminder of what I used to tell my children about the oak and the willow. When the storm rages the oak, the solid strong trunk of the oak tree cracks and falls whereas the willow, its branches waving in the wind, survives to live another day. Bend with the troubles, be flexible but keep your roots firmly planted in your beliefs. As we moved, danced to the music, one woman suddenly shouted, “Look, look! A Shkediah!” We rushed to the window and there it was, our first almond blossom! A glorious tree, high on the hill, a cloud of white against the green. It gave us hope, relief, an omen of better things to come. The next morning I woke to a gorgeous double rainbow which ended close to our building. Surely two good omens?

This morning Zvi is going to visit our dear friend, Zvi’s close friend Prof. Gabby Barkay, professor of archaeology and anthropology and a dear and special man. A few buddies will go, as they do regularly since Gabby has been in Hadassah Hospital. From there he will go to his parliament. I will go to Rachel to see Talia, home from Netanya where she is doing her National Service, Sherut Leumi, which involves voluntary work in schools, teaching maths and caring for the minds of young children. Yosef finally got to meet his close friend who has been serving in the IDF both north and south and came home for the weekend to the incredible news that, thanks to Yosef’s initiative, and Rachel’s determination, the entire platoon has warm jackets to wear under their uniform. It’s cold both in the north and the south. Then there is Ayala, too young to serve but definitely not too young to volunteer! I can’t wait for their hugs. Then home, rest and off to Tel Aviv to Amiad and Noga for Friday night dinner. Again, the high spot is the children, Ella and Yonatan. Ella is almost 12, Bat Mitzva. Zvi is so thrilled that she is taking her role seriously, wants to understand the “parasha” her reading from the Torah. She was born on the Jewish new year for trees, the day when every Israeli child goes to plant a new tree.

I wish you a Shabbat Shalom, a weekend to remember and please, please God, we will see four more hostages coming home this weekend and the remainder coming home very soon. Never give up hope, that’s our National Anthem – HaTikva.

With much love

Sheila​ 

469

 

17^th January 2025

 

Shabbat Shalom dear friends. Shabbat Shalom to you, your families and all your loved ones.

 

469 days and I cannot celebrate the impending release of the hostages without a deep sense of dread, dread for them, dread for their families and dread because I know what the expression “blood on their hands” means when referring to the barbarians who will be released from Israeli prisons in any exchange. The release will not be of all the hostages, they will be released little by little, the families riding a roller coaster of hope and despair and their loved ones are not being released on that day. A roller coaster of hope and despair because they know that their loved ones are a mere shell of their former selves and no amount of love and devotion can bring back the lives they lost.

 

Nonetheless, we are all prepared to play the political game if it will save even one life, ease just one pain, maybe even bring us all together from the fractured society we became. Perhaps now we can begin to heal as a society and concentrate on rebuilding the true Israeli spirit because our younger generation have really shown us what it means to be loyal, to answer the call to defend our beautiful country without a second thought. If anyone thought that the pioneer spirit was lost, it may have been lost in our complacent age group but not our youngsters, they have been phenomenal. At 18 years old they were already adults, at 25 years old they were ready to leave their studies and serve, at 35 years old they left their young families, their pregnant wives, their jobs, all to defend without question what we took for granted. Too many, nearly 900 soldier’s lives lost in a war we didn’t want but had to fight. Each and every one has a name and a photograph shown on the evening news, each and every one has thousands at their funerals and each and every funeral is televised. We can never ever express our gratitude to their families.

 

Perhaps the most ludicrous aspect to come out of this war and this period is that a man who was denied entry into the IDF because of his extreme (and illegal) views, became the Minister for Internal Security and the vociferous exponent of police violence against any noncompliant voice, and now, now that we are on the brink of signing some form of treaty, some form of cease fire, he is threatening to leave the government if it goes ahead. I can only pray that he does so. Netanyahu will then have to choose between Ben Gvir and his band of thugs, and the newly elected President Trump. No matter who voted for whom, the sane choice is clear, the choice is for a continued and thriving State of Israel or further internal strife and external suicide.

 

The truthteller strikes again! I know that you always love me to be the Pollyanna in the room, but it would be an insult to your intelligence if I pretended everything was honey, when you know full well that the sting can be fatal.

 

Please God the hostages come home and the dead are brought home for burial; to give the families closure, two things must happen to heal our society, to prevent it imploding. Haredi serving in the IDF is a trickle and frankly that doesn’t bother me as much as those thugs who demonstrate against it and dare to call our policemen and women Nazis – however – both Haredi and Arab young men must serve in some form, not necessarily as soldiers, but certainly to give a year or two years of their lives to community service. Of course, it is preferable that they do so in the wider community but I accept that it would be much more acceptable in their own environment.  I think it could create a much more caring society and they could follow the example of the incredible young women of the orthodox community who choose to serve in hospitals and, for instance in Shalva where they are phenomenal with the children.

 

Talking of Shalva, I was there this week with my lovely cousins Joanna and Judith. We didn’t have a great deal of time and the ever busy and helpful Yuval took time out to show us around and take us up to Dr. Dan’s Room. Both cousins were so impressed and Jo, Joanna, was deeply moved, giving me a warm hug of understanding, because all those years ago in Reading she developed a deep connection to Daniel for whom she babysat. We calmed ourselves down in the Shalva Restaurant. Dr. Dan’s Room is in constant use, giving huge pleasure to the children and is always in need of new equipment. https://give.shalva.org/daniel

 

While I was in Shalva Zvi went to meet our friend Shimon Pepper in Modi’in. As Zvi says, Shimon lives in the States but his heart is right here in Israel.

 

The potential arrest of any Israeli soldier or for that matter any Israeli politician who sets foot in various countries has been (potentially) thwarted - The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Thursday to sanction the International Criminal Court in protest at its arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister over Israel's campaign in Gaza. The vote was 243 to 140 in favor of the "Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act," which would sanction any foreigner who investigates, arrests, detains or prosecutes U.S. citizens or those of an allied country, including Israel, who are not members of the court. Actually, when you think about it the ICC is an illegitimate court because it has no real power to enact its “laws”

 

The only way to counter hatred is to teach tolerance and that is the aim of Impact-se. We had our international Board Meeting this week. My part as Chairperson is to introduce the meeting, greet the participants and the major work is done by our incredible CEO, Marcus Sheff. Our work, the work of the team, is every widening and although the news about changes in education in our region is positive and hopeful, the schoolbooks in Europe and elsewhere in the so-called Western societies is somewhat less so. I’ll tell you more when the next report comes out.

 

The horrific wildfires continue in California. The power of the flames has left even the super-rich and famous homeless. One can only pray that it will end soon and no more danger to life and limb.

 

Zvi and I have been studying in a course about AI. I admit I was not overly enthusiastic, I like to write my own pieces, draw my own drawings and come to my own conclusions but, much as I hate to admit it, it is fascinating. I gave it the minimum of information and this is what it came up with

 

The View from My Veranda: Jerusalem
By Sheila Raviv

As I sit on my veranda in Jerusalem, the views before me are both breathtaking and burdened with history. To the west, the sun is dipping below the horizon, casting long shadows over the city’s ancient walls. To the east, the hills rise up, with their subtle echoes of both triumph and tension. Jerusalem is a city that has always been, and will always be, marked by its contradictions—its beauty, its pain, its holiness, and its political complexity.

From here, the city appears peaceful, almost serene. The sounds of children playing in the streets, the hum of traffic winding through narrow alleys, the calls to prayer drifting over the rooftops—it all seems to flow together in a strange harmony. Yet beneath this calm surface, the political currents of this city run deep and fast.

Every time I look out at the view, I am reminded of the struggles that shape this place. The political climate here is as layered and varied as the city's many faiths, cultures, and histories. The ongoing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, the shifting balance of power in the Knesset, the impact of global politics on the local community—all of it intertwines with daily life in ways that often feel invisible, yet are always present.

Just last week, I overheard a conversation at the local café—a place where neighbors meet for morning coffee, where the politics of the day inevitably creep into even the most casual exchanges. One man spoke passionately about the new government policies, which he felt were tilting the city further towards division, while the woman next to him shook her head and argued that peace was only possible through understanding and compromise. The conversation turned into a heated debate, as it often does here, where every opinion feels personal and deeply tied to the future of the land.

As I sip my tea, I wonder about the future of Jerusalem—the future of its people, its politics, and its very identity. Is it possible for a city so entrenched in its own history to find peace? Or will the view from my veranda continue to be marked by the tensions of old, the weight of unresolved conflict that no one can ignore?

It’s a question I don’t have an answer to. But here, in the stillness of the evening, as the lights of the city twinkle below, I cling to a quiet hope—that maybe one day, the view from my veranda will offer more than just a glimpse of the past and present. Maybe it will be a window into a future where peace and coexistence are more than just ideals, but a reality.

Until next time,
Sheila

 

UNREAL!!! That was created by AI with only a few words, a few hints. I hope I won’t be obsolete soon!!

 

Anyway, back to me instead of AI and I want you to know that I had the best birthday ever! I have had 3 days of spoiling as never before! Firstly, I was spoiled by my girlfriends, then by my neighbours, then by the women in my course and this morning in my mind and movement class. It was so special that not only did I get to choose the music at the end but before we left, each of the women in the class gently put their hand on my shoulder and gave me a blessing, a wish for the next year. It was so beautiful.

The one song that had us all singing, my choice but everyone agreed is Simon and Garfunkle’s Bridge over Troubled Waters, surely that is what we all need in this crazy world. It really touched me when they all realised the my name was Silver – listen carefully to the lyrics     https://youtu.be/WrcwRt6J32o?si=IZzvcfkNRHzyqIH5

 

Daniel Weiss and Valerie Hamarty simply must be the representatives of Israel in the Eurovision Music Competition. Daniel lost both his parents on October 7^th and Valerie is a Christian Arab and they both sing with such purity and emotion that it must happen. Their rendition of Hurricane with the original words https://youtu.be/K17yan6Ttl0?si=e0NNifNGFb1j_Uyv

 

What could be more appropriate as our final song than my favourite “Al Kol Eleh” also known as the honey and the sting. The Israel Philharmonic, the IDF Orchestra and singers singing the song which tells it all. https://youtu.be/tLjucRUyd4Y?si=HnH9s4RAvjuUVSFz

 

Oh, I nearly forgot to tell you, my hairdresser, Yaniv, decided to give me a birthday gift of a streak of purple in the front of my hair. I absolutely love it! I’ve had compliments everywhere I go and it is really fun! I promise it is nothing like the blue rinsed matrons of old, this is really cool!

 

Shabbat is almost here. Netanyahu’s office confirmed that an agreement has been finalised, but said that the government won’t meet to approve it until Saturday night, which will delay the return of the first few hostages from Sunday to Monday. They will arrive in a trickle, but the tsunami of emotion will be tangible, spread of days maybe weeks. The hospitals are ready with special units and maybe, just maybe Jon and Rachel Polin Goldberg can, in her words, use the numbered tape they have stuck to their chests for 469 days will be used to close packages instead.

 

I wish you peace of mind and acceptance,

Shabbat Shalom

Sheila

 

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The Honey and the Sting

 

10^th January, 2025

10^th of Tevet 5785

462 days of captivity for those hostages that may just be alive

 

 

Shabbat Shalom dear friends. This week has been both wonderful and incredibly sad, a true representation of the honey and the sting. It’s strange, someone asked me why I left the green green grass of Wales for the arid deserts and multicultural society of Israel. My answer is twofold. Life here has deep meaning, each and every citizen is important and has a purpose in the big picture, and of course, I came home. Wales will always be in my heart as the country that gave safe haven to my parents and many others Jews who fled the pogroms and Shoah and the community that gave me my sense of Israel and Judaism, but here it is home and even if the missiles fly, or maybe because of the purpose of those missiles, I, we, aren’t going anywhere.

 

I hope and pray that our friends and family in California are safe. The earthquakes and bush fires are terrifying, indeed I often think of the natural disasters, the power of fire and water, the uncontrollable danger to life and limb that living in such places presents (and the hurricanes of Miami and large tracts of land in the USA), and now hundreds of people died in Tibet and Nepal from a violent hurricane and quite honestly I feel safer with missiles flying!! Please look after yourselves wherever you are. Stay safe.

 

The question of judicial reform has raised its head yet again. The surprise factor is that Gidon Saar and Yariv Levine, after an impasse of two years had no choice but to accept a compromise suggested by two people who lost their children on October 7^th; one a former Minister and the other a former Chief of Israeli Fire Fighters. Finally, one less fight for the people of Israel. The change will come into effect in the next Knesset sitting. Apparently those of us who criticised Saar for joining a government that he clearly and vocally disliked were wrong.

 

The PM underwent surgery this week, a simple masculine operation, and, incredibly against medical advice, two days later released himself to come to the Knesset for a vote (ashen and weak) apparently Ben Gvir called the vote and demanded that both the PM and Boaz Bismuth (who was sitting Shiva for his father) attend the vote. The PM immediately went back into hospital. Apart from stupidity there is nothing special about that, however, the PM cancelled his court appearance in which he was to give evidence, for medical reasons!

 

Each day of this war brings tragedy. Soldiers, young and reservists, are dying. Yesterday three more, each of them has a family, our news tells us all about them and we watch their funerals, each and every one. Yesterday we discovered that two of the remaining hostages had been killed, we don’t know how but they survived until recently, and the probability is that father and son were together. Youssef al Ziyadne and his son Hamza, Israeli Bedouins from Rahat, whose family suffered the horror of uncertainty for 461 of the 462 days since October 7^th when they were kidnapped from Kibbutz Holit. Youssef’s children, Aisha and Bilal, were released in a hostage exchange after 40 days of captivity.  The eulogy was given by Youssef’s close friend Farhan al-Qadi who blamed the government’s inaction on the hostage release for Youssef’s death. It is believed that they were together throughout their captivity. Those kidnapped and held in dire conditions, in dark, dank tunnels, starved and tortured will not be released until this war is over, and even then, they may well be killed before we get to them. The list that was given is a cruel game played by someone, not real.

 

Australia is suffering too many anti-Semitic attacks in the guise of anti-Israel activity. Unlike the USA and Canada, however, there is one excellent media source, unless I am much mistaken, owned by Rupert Murdoch, which is honest in its reportage of this war, this arena, both the Australian and Israeli scene concerning Israel. Dave Sharma was the Australian Ambassador to Israel. His children went to Israeli schools and he was very open (still is) about his love for this country. Dave is a Member of the Australian Parliament. I want you to listen to this interview on Sky News Australia you will see why I want Dave Sharma for Prime Minister!!!  https://youtu.be/b6bCaS1uw_Q?si=ALk_aoh-L7BcdI8K

 

Talking about Australia, two Australians were among the recipients of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour this week. The auspicious list of recipients is Frank Lowy and Mark Leibler of Australia, Trevor Chinn from the UK, Ronald Lauder and Julie Platt from the USA, Maurice Levy from France and of course Malcolm Hoenlein who belongs everywhere. President Herzog presented the awards on Thursday but the night beforehand we were invited to a dinner at the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem to honour their new President, Dr Malcolm Hoenlein. It’s very difficult to quantify his work and who he is and how, despite leading the Jewish world, everybody loves him! Try looking him up on Wikipedia and you may see a tiny portion of what he has done for the world but for me, he is the provider of great adventures, fascinating information and a friendship that does not require constant contact, just the knowledge that they care deeply. So let me tell you about the dinner.

 

First of all, we met, congratulated and hugged Malcolm, then, as we found table number 6, we discovered that another couple were already seated next to us. Of course, we struck up a conversation with Rikki and Abe from Melbourne, Australia and so enjoyed our first meeting that we exchanged business cards and decided to meet again. Abe was born in Jaffa, grew up in Austria and ended up in Australia where he met the lovely Rikki. When I joked that he lived in Vienna like Herzl he commented “Yes but I lived to see his dream come true right here in Israel” After a beautiful cantorial rendition of the prayers for the State of Israel and the soldiers of the IDF, a very few people stood up to speak, including our friend Prof Yonatan Halevi, President of Shaare Zedek Hospital, so appropriate since Malcolm’s late mother had been a nurse in Shaare Zedek in Germany. All spoke of Malcolm’s untiring efforts and ability to reach political and diplomatic heights unknown to others. Such was the speech of former Attorney General and Deputy Supreme Court President Eliyakim Rubenstein, with one heartwarming addition when he spoke of the hostages and the war, urging the government to increase their endeavour to bring the hostages home since their efforts until today have been insufficient. I’m not sure that the room appreciated his stating his disappointment but he did receive applause. Malcolm, ever humble, spoke beautifully of his belief in a higher power that led him to do what he has done since a student, genuine Tikkun Olam, making the world a better place for our children, grandchildren and all the generations to follow.  He emphasised that we cannot hide behind a cloak of ignorance, we must look to the past to change the future.  As we were leaving, I saw another exceptional man and friend, Marc Belzberg across the room, we hugged and spoke of Kinneret Chaya which is how we met. Marc, together with his beautiful, dynamo (yes dynamo not dynamic which is too weak a description) wife Chantal created “One Family” the organisation which takes care of the injured, whether as a result of terror attacks or soldiers, and their families. Meeting exceptional people is uplifting and enriches one's life in ways that are difficult to quantify. Hearing good people has a ripple effect of wisdom, of learning, that can rarely be matched. 

 

After the dinner Zvi and I crept away to the surprise birthday party of a dear friend Dina (Shiro) Sofer held in a tiny theatre in the grounds of the Bell Park, right next to the model of the Liberty Bell. The performance was not of some stranger singing to Shiro, she sang herself in her amazing pure voice, singing out Israeli songs with great passion. The perfect end to a perfect day. As we walked back to the car, humming along the way, a group of young Israeli Arabs were playing basketball in court along the path, clearly having fun. Just another aspect of Israeli life.

 

After that minor digression, well it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t digress and anyway, who wants politics all the time, we all need a break to speak of good people along the way.  I want to talk about Syria. Now is the time, the very short opportunity, to influence the new powers in Syria. We must be firm, no supplicatory approaches, as a strong leader in the region offering a better alternative to constant upheaval and war. It could well be a game changer in the region.

 

Talking of game changing in the region, we held the Annual Board Meeting for Impact-se this week. Our 31 page report was staggering! How could such a small team, in an even smaller office space in Ramat Gan, possibly fill 31 pages of successes! The research reports and the ever growing phenomenon of countries in our region and further afield, that want to change the way they teach their children and turn to Impact-se to take hatred out and introduce tolerance for the other, is encouraging and the amount of work put in by the small team led, of course, by Marcus Sheff and Arik Agassi, Marcus taking on the international aspects and Arik the team, makes me prouder than I can possibly express. We prove yet again that one doesn’t need a large, bombastic, costly team and accommodation to be successful! Just check out the website and see why I am so proud to be the Board Chair. www.impact-se.org

 

On the 10^th of Tevet (today) 586 BCE the Babylonian leader Nebuchadnezzar began the siege of Jerusalem, the walls were breached and on the 9^th of the Hebrew month of Av the Temple was destroyed and the Jewish people exiled (taken hostage) to Babylon. Hence the fast day on the 9^th of Av. Another January milestone, albeit more recently, on the 13^th of January, 1898, Emile Zola wrote the famous open letter entitled “J’Acuse” forcing the revision of the trial of Alfred Dreyfus. Another important event took place the next day on January 14^th 1946. I was born!!

 

If there is something we have to do to make this world livable, it is to close the Pandora’s Box of hatred. It is possible, it will take great effort, it demands unity where right now there is discord and dissent, coming together in rational and unified effort to take our world back to the moral code and simple intelligent thought of our childhood. As you know, I love to quote Winston Churchill, partly because he was so clever, nay brilliant, and partly because he managed to express the wisdom of great leaders with incredible wit. One that probably sums up our current situation is “The malice of the wicked was reinforced by the weakness of the virtuous.” Or possibly “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” And finally, to our incredible IDF ‘Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.’

 

We had a very normal week, busy, busy because that’s what we like. I went to my craft session and yesterday to my movement class and Zvi went to his Mevasseret, Tel Aviv and now Jerusalem parliaments. Last night was a very Jerusalem night. We went to a lecture about AI and the human brain then an exceptional concert of the Jerusalem Symphony together with Dan Biran’s Band, the concert in honour of Dan Biran. The musicians and programme were outstanding and to my own surprise I stayed wide awake and enjoyed every moment. Afterwards we met so many old friends including Gideon Selinger who reads and comments on my newsletter every week!

 

Gosh, I had so much to write about this week, but on the other hand the week is coming to an end, tonight we will celebrate the arrival of the Bride of Shabbat. As always, Zvi will sing the Kiddush (the blessing of the wine) it’s crazy but after 33 years I still get teary when he sings; the children will say the blessing over the Challah and then we will eat, and eat, and eat…….. well it is Shabbat!!

 

Our first song is really a Chanukah song but fits our life every day. It’s all about the light shining forth from the simple act of candle lighting. Enjoy https://youtu.be/xfDoGqDkP50?si=qQAMhoJXBqAfch7I

 

Hanan Ben Ari sings about being a father, a parent. I just discovered this song and love it! https://youtu.be/gkmUhUw30Yg?si=8mvFn7PZO_JfiCbY

 

Finally, to honour Peter Yarrow z”l of Peter, Paul and Mary. Peter Yarrow passed away this week. He always expressed his love of Israel, indeed Zvi met him here, always supportive. If I Had a Hammer, written by Pete Seeger in the ‘60’s but oh so relevant today https://youtu.be/XxWTDcP9Y5E?si=-4J6n7168lc-7c1N

 

I wish you a Shabbat Shalom, a truly peaceful and contemplative weekend, whether it is Shabbat or the Sabbath day, whichever direction you pray, pray for peace and the return on the remaining 98 hostages before the number goes down.

 

With much love from our beautiful veranda overlooking Jerusalem,