Thursday, 24 April 2025

Shoah, Remembrance and Independence

 

24th of April, 2025

Yom HaShoah

565 days since the 7th of October 2023

 

Today Israel commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day. The eerie sound of the two minute siren as Israel came to a standstill. This year commemorating the 80th year since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenhau, a Nazi concentration camp and extermination camp in occupied Poland where more than 1 million people were murdered as part of the Nazis' of which 1.2 million were Jews. The "Final Solution" to the Jewish question. The camp was liberated by the Soviet Red Army. The secret held by the Western leaders could no longer be kept, the horrors of that camp was to be repeated in the liberation of Bergen Belsen by the British troops, and so on throughout the Reich.

 

President Herzog gave a moving and important speech at the Yad Vashem ceremony last night. “I call upon you from the bottom of my heart: Let us unite together, the entire House of Israel. Let us turn these days – the Ten Holy Days – from now until Independence Day, into a moment of National responsibility. Let us lower the flames. Let us mend our hearts. While nothing compares to the scale and systematic killing of the Holocaust, it’s impossible to be unmoved by the terrifying testimonies from the heart of the horror on October 7th and not be shocked by the echoes of that historical catastrophe. Nonetheless, their stories can also be viewed as part of a larger victory for the Jewish people, returned to their land.”

 

Hamas captivity survivor Eli Sharabi, whose wife and two daughters were murdered during the October 7th Hamas massacre, and whose brother was killed in captivity, shares powerful words from Auschwitz on Holocaust Memorial Day.  https://youtu.be/yXQkdOybraA?si=5EWGqkvO8xlaJlbJ

 

We heard the incredible stories of bravery and survival from those who suffered first hand, evidence that is fast disappearing, and from members of the Knesset who stood and told the stories of their families. This is a tragedy that was not only European, North African countries were overcome by the Reich and their Jews inevitably suffered. The Libyan Jews, the Tunisian Jews and more. The bravery of those survivors, their pride in our incredible country, Israel where they rebuilt their lives and repopulated their families, Survivors with grandchildren and great-grandchildren serving in the IDF in this insane war against a barbaric enemy. But wait, think about what I just wrote. Survivors of the Holocaust, the clear intention to wipe Jews off the face of the earth, serving in the Israeli army! The sheer miracle of those few words should bring tears of joy to each and every one of us. As one feisty 95 year old survivor declared ”Let them come at us! We’ve survived worse and look at where we are! We are here in our homeland, standing proud and knowing that our lives are being protected by Jews. (She can be excused for not mentioning the other faiths) Here we are in our HOMELAND!” What a woman, what incredible people they are, those raggedy, hungry, beaten folk who came to Israel and built a new life, a new country, and new generations.

 

The true miracle was seen in the 32nd European Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships. Try this for starters.

Gold  Ella Ben Zvi and Nurit Luria

Gold Israel Men’s Group

Gold Israel Women’s Group

Gold Ran Aviv and Jonathan Markovich, Juniors

 

Then the DOBRO World Cup, OSIJEK world championship

Gold for Artium Dolgopiat in the ground exercise at the World Cup. Artium, the most decorated Israeli athlete of all time, gave his Olympic Gold to the fund for the Hostages

Gold Polina Grossman kickboxing

Gold Ron Pyatov parallel bars

 

What was the expression “Jews can’t run”? Ha!

 

Volunteering for NGO LeMa’anam (For their Sake), Israeli Arab Doctors, Christian Yosif Boulos and Muslim Fadi Badarna, provide home visits for the now elderly Holocaust Survivors in the wake of October 7th. “Meeting these people, hearing their stories, and being able to help — even in a small way — is a great privilege. Medicine for me is not just a profession but a way to express solidarity, humanity and hope for a better future for all of us.”

 

Pope Francis, passed away this week after a long illness. Originally from Argentina, he was the first Catholic pontiff from the Americas, and began his career as a Jesuit priest in Argentina and later served as archbishop of Buenos Aires and a cardinal. He knew the Jewish community in Buenos Aires and was present at the Memorial service at the AMIA Jewish Centre after the catastrophic bombing of that place. He also placed a memorial plaque in the Cathedral for Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish Diplomat who saved many Jews. In his last days he changed direction and expressed dismay at the war in Gaza, but will be remembered as a man of the people.

 

I have a question. Did you notice that I didn’t write last week? By the way, I really love to hear from you, although it’s lovely to hear your delight at receiving my missives when we meet, I’d love to receive your thoughts. Anyway, I was in hospital (for a change), this time in Cardiology, some think because I had never been in that department before!! After a couple of disturbing episodes I went to Shaare Zedek Hospital where they were phenomenal. The ER cubicle was so up to date I thought it would take off! Up in Cardiology they did the final few tests, and immediately took me into surgery to install a pacemaker. Zvi and Sheli were as incredible as always, ensuring my confidence, this time Rachel was poorly with a virus but when she came to the hospital she asked one of the nurses who did the surgery “Oh he is the head of department” How’s that for good luck. Anyway, I’m obviously on my way to recovery with  my new machine, Zvi, Rachel and Sheli are still watching over me and friends visit.

 

Zvi has been rehearsing like crazy because his choir is appearing in the Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day) celebrations on Mount Herzl next week. Apparently they held rehearsals, recordings, dress rehearsals and more rehearsals. Exhausting but I’m sure he will be the star he always is. He also had a performance for the Eve of Holocaust Memorial Day involving more rehearsals. Of course with Zvi busy Rachel, Sheli and I could enjoy some very girly movies!

 

Tuesday night a one minute siren will herald the beginning of Remembrance Day, conceivably the most solemn day in the Israeli calendar. The families of the fallen visit the graves of their loved ones and at 11:00 a two minute siren will sound, not the vibrato of the terrifying warning of Houthi missiles, but one long and painful tone, echoing throughout the country. Cars, buses, trains, everyone stops where they stand to honour those who died so that we could be free. It is a day of great solemnity, of remembrance, of the all too recent pain the families of all those who died fighting Hamas, again and Hezb-Allah, the dead of all our many wars, wars we never wanted, wars we couldn’t avoid.

 

The sudden change from deep sadness to great joy takes but a few moments after the changing of the guard on the hill named after Theodore Herzl. Suddenly, the music changes from minor to major key, the lights go on and the dancers come out to celebrate Independence!  Israel is a fine and beautiful lady celebrating her 77th birthday! It will surely be televised all over the world, try i24 news! Don’t forget, get your binoculars out so that you can pick out Zvi on the centre stage with the choir.

 

And so to music.

 

Bo’I Ima (come Mother) is a Russian folk song adapted to Hebrew the lyrics tell of the deep longing of a child for its mother. It ends with the words, “sit with me until I grow up.” Performed by Holocaust survivor Shoshana Trister & Ivri Lider. In Hebrew and Yiddish https://youtu.be/qetzeHGADes?si=1RFajCCD3F-NsGFm

 

Daniel Weiss’ parents were slaughtered by Hamas barbarians on October 7th, but he is able to sing, he must sing to prove that he is alive. In this song he goes to his home. I’ll let him speak for himself. https://youtu.be/mcq3dqK0n18?si=-k-c0vxvliDHUr1w

 

The incredible André Rieu & The Platin Tenors performing Exodus Song live in Maastricht.  https://youtu.be/RDkYUfJPjE0?si=Hwbp_ta8jlhfnrFL

Just see the words of the song written by Ernest gold with lyrics by Pat Boone for the movie

 

This land is mine God gave this land to me

This brave and ancient land to me

And when the morning sun Reveals her hills and plains

Then I see a land Where children can run free

So take my hand And walk this land with me

And walk this lovely land with me Though I am just a man

When you are by my side With the help of God I know I can be strong

Though I am just a man

When you are by my side With the help of God I know I can be strong

To make this land our home If I must fight,

I'll fight To make this land our own Until I die, this land is mine

 

With all my love to each and every one of you. Don’t forget to say hello, just a note, I’d love to hear from you.

Shabbat Shalom from our veranda with Jerusalem glistening in the distance

Sheila

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, 11 April 2025

Pesach, the 552nd of October

 

11th April, 2025

13th Nissan 5785

552nd of October

 

 

Shabbat Shalom dear friends, Shabbat Shalom and a peaceful Pesach.

 

“Justice doesn’t always arrive in sweeping gestures or loud declarations. Sometimes, it walks softly into a room and says, “This isn’t right”—and the world begins to shift.

 

Our very special friend Dr Kim Taylor wrote these words which best describe this festival. “This Passover, as we remember Moses' brave "Hineni" at the burning bush, we are reminded that each of us is also called to respond: "Here am I." Just as Moses stood ready to serve God and lead Israel to freedom, we were also invited to stand with courage, faith, and purpose. In every generation, our "Hineni" matters through acts of kindness, compassion, and devotion to our people, our faith, and Israel. May this sacred season inspire us to bring healing where there is pain, courage where there is fear, and hope where there is uncertainty.” 

 

Tomorrow night we will all remember and pray for the 59 Israelis who are still in the dire conditions of Hamas captivity. As we celebrate our freedom we fear for their lives and their families who have an empty chair at their Passover meal.

 

Almost time for Passover and the reading of the story of our Exodus from Egypt – from slavery to freedom. After the blessing over the wine, the youngest child at the table asks four questions beginning with “Why is this night different to all other nights” the entire service responds to this innocent question, in Hebrew and ancient Aramaic. Of course, the children need to be amused in order to hold their attention so there are lots of songs and the children often argue about who will read about the four sons – The Wise, The Questioner, The Wicked and The One who doesn’t know how to ask. What is the purpose of this description of four sons? the four sons actually represent the four generations of assimilation.

 

14th of Nissan 2448 the first Paschal lamb was sacrificed by the Jews in Egypt to be eaten at the first ever Passover Seder as described in Exodus. It was so much more than an act of bravery, the sheep was considered holy by the Egyptians of that time, it was an act of defiance when the Jewish slaves realised they were about to leave Egypt and start their tortuous journey to the Promised Land. When you think about it, each generation has brought its challenges, each generation has brought out the innate racism that defines a persecuted nation; through the Inquisition, the Blood Libel, the expulsion the of Jews of Arab Lands, the Holocaust and the persecution and slaughter of today’s Jews. That is what Passover and the Seder or service of the first night (or nights if you live outside Israel) is all about – remembering our tortured past. This history is described in the beautiful song Vehi Sheamda, which is sung at the Seder table but sadly is true of today. Here it is sung by Daniel Weiss whose parents were killed on October 7th. https://youtu.be/fY1wgTq9SRM?si=-IO2yL7YzLbBALJZ  The words are simple, the message important, “And this (The Almighty's blessings) is what protected our fathers and what keeps us surviving. For, not only one arose and tried to destroy us, but rather in every generation they try to destroy us, and the Almighty saves us from their hands.”

 

On the 27th of March 2002, just 3 days before Kinneret Chaya was saved from a horrific bombing in a coffee shop in Tel Aviv, the Park Hotel in Netanya was filled with excited families preparing for the communal Seder held in the hotel when a suicide Hamas bomber came into the foyer and blew himself up causing horrific damage and killing 30 people and injuring more than 120. As the song repeats, there is nothing new about killing Jews, it’s just the names that change.

 

Song is an easy way to hold attention while telling a story, Y-Studs is an acapella singing group who will tell you the story of Pesach in about 4 minutes!! It’s very clever https://youtu.be/hLAAdCC9x5M?si=4_jkxKNSXIfLIdMH

 

Just a small but fascinating fact. 36 times the Torah commands us that we must honour the stranger not oppress them but to live and care for them. 36 times this commandment is repeated. Why? Because we were strangers in Egypt treated cruelly and today we are strangers in many lands.

 

A major part of Passover is the origin of Spring Cleaning! Scrubbing and scouring, brushing and clearing, removing any crumb of leavened products. Best explained by my wonderful friend Rabbi Jeremy Rosen with his usual sense of humour, “Passover 2025, Are We Crazy?” https://www.jwire.com.au/pesach-2025-are-we-crazy/

 

There are many miracles in our history but the greatest miracle is the fact that we are here, we survived and we have a truly magnificent country of our own! Each and every one of these miracles is remembered during the Passover Seder, but even that apparently serious litany of disasters is celebrated in song. This particular one has a special relevance and addition at our table, led by Sheli and I, we make a strange ululating sound at the end of each verse! Anyway, here is Dayenu which has no direct translation but basically means “even that would have been sufficient” In other words, the blessings keep coming https://youtu.be/CZgDNPGZ9Sg?si=_UhoUA3HJnTAhECA

 

Zvi came back from his trip to Rome with his two boys (Amiad and Leor) and two Bat Mitzva grand-daughters (Ella and Ori) and we were just talking about the fact that many of the world’s greatest artists were fascinated by the Passover Seder, or the Last Supper, each depicting the faces of the Apostles in a different manner. Anyway, back to Rome and the Vatican where the artist Raphael’s huge tapestry of the last supper is displayed. Our connection, our mutual ethics, our determination to leave this world better than we find it, is what we must always remember, not our few differences or the language or the direction of our prayers.

 

So, The chicken soup is made, the kneidlach (matzo balls) are in the freezer and I am taking life easy this year and we have ordered much of the food from a local kosher caterer, but still the really traditional aspects are left to me. I have prepared the burnt egg, shank bone (actually a turkey neck!!) and am about to grate the horseradish, preferably out of doors with a double mask and not breathing from the pungent fumes that each morsel exudes! The horseradish represents the bitter times. Next on the list is the Charosis or combining using my family’s recipe. Grated sweet apples, ground almonds, a little wine or grape juice and finely chopped lettuce, a very popular version rather than the very very sweet Sefardi version of chopped dates and nuts. One explanation is that this represents our unity as a people, the cement of a shared belief and tradition – something we really need in our world of strongly expressed opinions and internecine fighting. This afternoon, Sheli and Tomer are coming to help Zvi set up the tables and move the furniture, after all seating 23 people is not always easy. Once the tables are in place my parents Seder plate comes out of its protective covering, Zvi’s parents’ beautiful dinner service comes out of its careful packing and we prepare for the prayers and traditions of generations from both our families. I think that’s what it is all about, tradition, just as Tevye’s song in Fiddler on the Roof. By carrying out the traditions we honour our parents, their parents and all of those who died because they were Jews. We prove that no matter what is thrown at us we survive and thrive.

 

Tomer and Sheli are staying for Shabbat dinner, after all celebrating Shabbat overrides any exhaustion induced by the Passover preparations. We will light the Shabbat candles together, aware of the very special connection of our families and of their parent’s determination to have two pure Israelis who were and are ready to fight for our country and our people, putting their personal wishes aside, knowing that the time will come for them to study and begin their civilian lives. Their parents, Ira and Valeri z”l represent everything that Zvi fought for from his student days until today, the freedom of Jews to come home, home to Israel.

 

I wish you, each and every one of you, a Shabbat Shalom and a peaceful Pesach in the week leading up to Good Friday and the festival of Easter.

 

Just a quick reminder that tonight is Shabbat, Shabbat Shalom https://youtu.be/mCQRyLXx-AQ?si=8SqSbLUEfa1xr3aw

 

With love from Jerusalem, after all our Passover Seder ends with the song “Next Year in Jerusalem” so easy to fulfil that one – just buy a ticket!

 

Sheila

Friday, 4 April 2025

May all your troubles be as thin as matzo and they will surely pass over

 4th April 2025