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

 

 

 

 

 

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