Lu Yehi – Let it Be Edit
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
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