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