14th February, 2025
Tu b’Shvat 15 Shvat, 5785 the New Year for Trees
Shabbat Shalom! Today is a very important day in the Jewish
calendar, today ecology was born; today is Tu b’Shvat. The festival of Tu
B'Shvat itself does not originate in the Torah. It is first mentioned in the
Mishna (the first written collection of the Jewish traditions that are known as
the Oral Torah) where it is referred to as Rosh Hashanah L'Ilanot or the New
Year for the Trees. All those years ago the wise sages declared that we need to
ensure future generations, to ensure that our earth remains green and that the
rain will fall. Jewish children all over the world plant a tree, learn about
nature and ecology even if we don’t call it that modern word. Just incidentally,
Keren Kayemet (and JNF) have planted no less than 247 million trees since its inception
in the fifth Zionist Congress in Basel in 1901!
My quote of the week is aimed at everyone, everywhere!
One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that
you end up being governed by your inferiors.
Plato
Before I talk about the talks between various
leaders and the President of the USA, I want to address, yet again, the Iranian
nuclear facilities and abilities. Let’s begin with Mohammed ElBaradei, the head
of the IAEA years ago, who was, in fact, a member of the Moslem Brotherhood,
hardly an objective observer. Since then there have been so many mistakes in attempting
to contain nuclear research in Iran. The best explanation of the problem was
given by the exceptional Shimon Peres at the President’s Conference. Remember
that it was Shimon Peres who brought the Dimona facility to Israel. So, imagine
the situation, 3,000 people sitting in a conference waiting for the words of
wisdom from our host, Shimon Peres. As we waited, he was sitting alone on the
stage, reading a newspaper seemingly ignoring us. After a few minutes of
silence, he lowered the newspaper and looking straight at us he said
(paraphrase) “Did you know that for the last 6 months, the Indian government
can’t find an official hangman to replace the one that retired” the audience
was hooked but confused “I believe that I prefer relations with a country that
cannot find someone who wants to be a hangman than a country where everyone
wants to be a hangman” We were stunned at his theatrical performance and the
deep wisdom of his statement. Then he was talking about Iran, today I would
link it to the Palestinians, certainly the Gazans.
Which of course brings us to the Trump plan. As
I said last week, it sounds beyond rational thought, but, since the original
thought was a buffer zone, and of course that didn’t work, since we know all
too well that Gaza is now a disaster area, mostly because in order to blow up
the tunnels and arsenals the houses that stood above such tunnels were
inevitably destroyed, a solution must be found. The people need to go somewhere
in order to rebuild, and most of all, the amazing people of the Western Negev
aka the Southern Border, could return to their homes, their fields, their
crops, schools, businesses and families without fear of another massacre.
Nothing has worked thus far, nothing, not a single day of peace and security
and believe you me, the will to slaughter has not been quelled. By the way,
yesterday a rocket was launched at Israel and fell within Gaza killing a 14
year old child in a refugee camp.
Last week I told you about a friend who came up with a perfect plan, not as
extreme as the Trump Plan for sure, but an excellent plan and exchange of
land that could have given the Palestinians a contiguous state and Israel a
greater level of security. He gave me permission to name him. Advocate
Yehuda Ressler, a name well known in Israel, and I’m sure that he would be
more than happy to show anyone who is interested the beautifully prepared map
and plans.
The hostages are still coming home from hell, one, two and
three at a time, unbearably painful for them, for their families and for us,
ordinary Israelis. The pain is beyond understanding, we each know someone who
knows someone whose family is waiting either to hold their loved ones or to
bury them. Sadly, we have long understood that kindness is considered weakness
in our neighbours’ eyes, that chest beating is considered strength, despite the
sense that it is ugly and offends our sensibilities. The next few days will
either prove that the recent chest beating is effective or we made another
miscalculation.
Gillian and Pete Brisely live in the Welsh town of Brigend.
Gillian and Pete had a beloved daughter Lianne who came to Israel as a
volunteer on kibbutz, fell in love and married, after going through conversion
to Judaism. Lianne and her husband Eli had two beautiful daughters, Noiya and
Yahel. Gillian and Pete’s only grandchildren. They came to Israel often to see
their family on Kibbutz Be’eri and adored their son in law Eli. You saw Eli
come back from the hell hole called Gaza to learn that Lianne, Noiya and Yahel
has been slaughtered and worse on the fateful day in October. Please listen to
them https://youtu.be/oetoLSgZEW0?si=bqzbb6Cfj9XQfsiO
When we saw the release of the three men, Eli Sharabi, Or Levi and
Ohad Ben Ami emaciated and emotionally devastated, the way they were paraded, so
weak they were held up by masked, armed and hooded Hamas terrorists, our hearts
sank. However, not everyone thinks as we do and are clearly susceptible, for whatever
reason, to the Palestinian propaganda. Julia Hartley-Brewer interviewed
journalist Yvonne Ridley concerning that and other releases. The interview
turned into a very heated discussion, but helps us to understand how blind the Palestinian/Hamas
flag waving supporters are. https://youtu.be/m0KM4LUrRUs?si=XWaDRWd_JicOjPf8
Despite it all, or maybe because of everything that
happens around us, every attempt to break our emotional resolve, to keep life
as normal as is possible, we all keep going, keep on living our lives.
Our week began on Friday after I wrote to you, Zvi and I
went to a fascinating event in the Tel Aviv theatre Tzafta, not a show or a
play, it was an event to honour Israel\USA expert and professor at Bar Illan
University Eitan Gilboa. Born in the then tiny town of Binyamina, growing up
with many future leaders whose parents were true “halutzim” or pioneers, where
Betar and Hapoel were close friends, political views a basis of discussion, his
fascination with his sphere of knowledge is infectious, his determined search
for truth exceptional and despite giving his expert opinion on an average of
three television programmes a day, nobody knows his actual political leanings.
A rare treasure.
Did you see Shira Hass’s dress at the opening
premiere of Captain America? It was golden yellow with a gathering at the back
in the shape of the hostage ribbon. What a wonderful thing to do. Incidentally
have you noticed that Israeli women are excellent superwomen and it isn’t just
in the movies! Many of them have become outstanding spokespersons for Israel.
Friday and Saturday were family days then Tuesday
evening I met Zvi at the Khan Theatre where he sang with the choir conducted by
our beautiful friend Ronit Banit with Hilleli (known as Leli) Shemer who recounted
her relationship with her famous mother, Nomi Shemer and how her mother grew up
in Kibbutz Kinneret where most of the members, including her parents, had grown
up in Vilna. The evening was absolutely delightful. My only problem is that our
very special friend Prof. Gabby Barkay, caught me out in a lie. Actually, I
wasn’t lying, just misinformed. I thought that the Khan, because of its name,
which translates as Inn, was just that, an inn for the traders on the silk
route. I was so wrong! Gabby, an expert on everything Jerusalem (in fact on any
subject you choose) gave the real description. Apparently, in ancient times,
the Khan was actually a silk factory where they had silk worms and produced
fine silk! I had no idea. In fact, I cannot think of anyone except Gabby who
would know that!
On Wednesday we split ways, Zvi going to Tel Aviv to have discussions
on the revived basketball team of HaPoel Jerusalem and I went to Modiin to meet
friends. It’s really an excellent middle of the road meeting place. That evening,
I went to my craft meeting, where women from the village, of all ages, meet up
to create, and crazy as it sounds, I decided to make a “Kitchen Witch” to
ensure the success of whatever I bake!
Thursday morning and we met our wonderful friends Merle
and Frank Friedman for a Tu b’Shvat ceremony and brunch, incorporating all
the 7 species traditionally eaten on this day. We sang special songs and
learned many things about Tu b’Shvat, not only is it a new year for trees, but
it signifies the end of the winter harvest and the sowing of the spring crops.
Yet again I am struck by the significance of everything we see and learn from
the Bible and Jewish tradition. The event was held very close to our home in
the beautiful surroundings of Beresheet. In fact, the building isn’t finished,
as the extremely muddy state of the car park proved. Never mind, we can get the
car washed this morning to remove the mud!!
Last night we went to the Tower of David,
nestled in the ancient walls that surround the Old City of Jerusalem to
celebrate the 80th birthday of another Jerusalem/Herzl expert, our
friend Dr. Motti (aka Mottle) Friedman. Of course it was a big secret, a
surprise party, and I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more, teacher,
initiator, expert and lovely man. Walking up the steps from the Mamilla Mall
toward the Jaffa Gate, or rather toward the opening beside the Jaffa Gate
(widened to appease the German Kaiser) and into the magical Tower of David
Museum, we were struck once again at the majestic walls and the mix of the
people walking in and out of the Old City. Anyway, the surprise was complete,
Motti and Rivka’s daughter Esther MC’d the evening beautifully and then we went
on a tour of the newly refurbished museum. What struck me was the fact that the
museum not only records the various religious periods, the entire exhibit, each
and every room, honours all three monotheistic religions without preference. It
makes me so proud. The museum is well worth a visit, even worth the many steps
that presented quite a challenge for me.
Today, Friday we are off to Tel Aviv again but this time for a very
special party. Ella Raviv, our granddaughter, beautiful Ella, is Bat Mitzva! It’s
a very small party, she’s not into big affairs, but it will be very happy. What
I loved best is that she called Saba Zvi for explanations so that she would
understand the Bible reading on her special day. She is called Ella because it
means tree and she was born on Tu b’Shvat! Her name was chosen, not only
because of the Jewish date but also in memory of Alla, Zvi’s wonderful mother.
And so to music
Ehud Manor, the exceptional Israeli songwriter and poet,
was born in the tiny Moshav of Binyamina. Binyamina. Binyamina gave birth to
many leaders and academics, the children of pioneers, of Shoah Survivors, among
them Eitan Gilboa, the Olmert family and many more. This song, wistful and now
sadly relevant, is sung at memorial ceremonies. The words are so true Mishu,
Someone. https://youtu.be/YHx9xDAHOIE?si=7-L-FQUrq0LtvDux
Since I wrote of Nomi Shemer and Tu b’Shvat, the next song
is very relevant. Called the Eucalyptus grove, Nomi Shemer herself sings of
when her mother first came to the nascent state, how her parents built her a
home and planted trees, Eucalyptus trees to drain the malarial swamps. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My9HiZIPsak
So many songs pray for peace, that oh so elusive peace, peace of
mind. Perhaps we live in the wrong part of the world but frankly it’s
everywhere. Yedid Nefesh is a
very special song/prayer, for that elusive peace of mind. https://youtu.be/Qd4J1EiW6wc?si=jr-cJJtqI6R3vEx9
As I said, yesterday I was in Modi’in and on my way home got stuck
in the worst traffic jam. I have a tendency to give in to the situation, listen
to music, talk on my phone (hands free) rather than get cross because losing
one’s cool doesn’t help, there is no escape! Anyway, I took the opportunity, as
I crept my way up to Jerusalem, to see the buds and light green leaves indicating
renewal, the almond blossom, the wild cyclamen and even a patch of multi coloured
Calaniot, or wind flowers or anemones! Normally, when one is one the highway
these things pass too quickly but the virtual standstill gave me a special
opportunity.
So that’s that. I pray that the planned next hostage release will
go well; I pray that they will be able to stand on their own legs; I pray that
the disgusting excuses for human beings will not put them through either
ceremonies or hordes of baying creatures, will not give them goody bags and
will allow them some dignity at the end of their nightmare.
I wish you a Shabbat of love, of family and of sweet thoughts
With love from Jerusalem the city so beautiful that everyone wants
a part of it
Sheila
