19th
December 2025
29th
of Kislev, 5786
Third
week of Advent
Shabbat
Shalom dear friends
We
were shaken to the core by the terror attack in Australia at Bondi Beach, a
place synonymous with openness, joy, and freedom. What should have been a
Chanukah gathering — a moment of light, community, and celebration — turned
into horror when innocent people were targeted by men driven by hatred. The
attack was not only aimed at Jews who had come together that night; it struck
at the very values Australia prides itself on: tolerance, safety, and the right
to live openly without fear.
Hundreds
of surfers
paddled out on Bondi Beach in a demonstration of unity with the Jews of their
community. Bondi Beach Jewish community sings "Oseh
Shalom" (עושׂה שלום) or "He Who Makes Peace" – a
heartfelt Jewish plea for universal peace, wholeness, and an end to conflict,
often sung during times of need and Jewish communities around the world sent
condolences, actually that isn’t accurate, people of all faiths around the
world sent condolences and dismay at the horror of that day. Waltzing Mathilda,
that oh so Australian song, was sung in a memorial at Bondi https://youtu.be/U52AfCqj-LI?si=UuAQ0xGDdZ5N7gBr
and Nova Peris, Olympian, former Senator and representative of the Australian
Indigenous peoples, spoke beautifully.
In
the aftermath,
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has rejected claims that his words or policies
contributed to rising hostility toward Jews and Israel, yet many Australians
feel that years of political “wokeness” and moral equivocation have allowed
antisemitism to fester in plain sight. As the world mourns those killed and
injured the Islamic State put out statements praising the Bondi attack. Even
more chilling are claims that threats were issued against Ahmed al Ahmed, the
man widely credited with saving lives by confronting one of the attackers,
turning a would-be hero into a target for extremists. In that contrast lies the
tragedy of our moment: light met with darkness, courage answered by hate.
As
Mohammed Ehab
wrote, every time a shooting happens in the West, Muslims hold their breath,
knowing that if the attacker is Muslim, the backlash will fall on millions of
innocent people through suspicion, harassment, and fear. He argues that Muslims
living in non-Muslim countries carry a responsibility to live peacefully and
represent Islam with integrity, and that those who reject this responsibility
damage everyone. That fear is now shaping policy too, from the UK criminalizing
chants like “Globalise the Intifada” to President Trump banning entry to the
U.S. for holders of Palestinian travel documents and citizens of several
Islamic states.
Something
broke in South Africa
this week — quietly, politely, and disturbingly familiar. Through votes and
procedures at the University of Cape Town, exclusion was dressed up as
“justice,” reviving a form of inverse racism that echoes the moral rot of
apartheid. “Zionist” has become a convenient stand-in for “Jew,” allowing
discrimination to hide in plain sight. This is not about Gaza or humanitarian
concern; it is the procedural, sanitized push to remove Jews from public life.
UCT didn’t debate — it enforced a purge. And history tells us that apartheid
never returns all at once; it creeps back under new names.
Food
for thought
from a Yemeni speaker at the United Nations. Why does nobody care about Yemen
while 188 motions are considered about Israel and Gaza? https://youtu.be/IH-Jfo7-eBI?si=rBRDpMmqug0GST9n
Still
in the UN,
The Executive Board of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization, has unanimously elected Qatar's representative, Nasser
bin Hamad Al Hinzab, as its chairperson. Just when we think they cannot sink
any further.
However,
as friendships
grown in this region, it’s just been revealed that the UAE is the customer in a
massive Israeli defence contract worth $2.3 billion. Amnesty, Oxfam and other
Jew hating “human rights” groups are predictably seething. So much for BDS!
The
shooting at Brown University, a private Ivy League school known for
wealthy, high-achieving students, occurred in a preparatory class taught by
economics professor Rachel Friedberg, who was not present. During the attack,
the shooter reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar.” But the shooter doesn’t appear
to be a Muslim. Prof. Friedberg researches immigration economics in the U.S.
and Israel and has testified before Congress and Knesset committees.
Chanukah
is here!
This evening, before lighting the Shabbat candles, we’ll light the fifth candle
on the chanukiah — and yes, chanukiah, not menorah. The menorah is the ancient
seven-branched candelabrum of the Temple in Jerusalem, destroyed long ago but
never forgotten, and it remains one of Judaism’s most powerful symbols. The chanukiah
is different: a nine-branched lamp used only for Chanukah, with the shamash
lighting the others, reminding us of the miracle of the oil when the Temple was
rededicated after desecration. Even in the shadow of destruction, Chanukah
celebrates renewal, resilience, and the enduring light that refuses to go out.
I
love the symbolism
of the Chanukiah, of Chanukah, and this year our determination to thrive, our
resilience is paramount. For me every additional candle brings more light into
the world. Interestingly, in Hebrew, light as in flame or lamp is used to
describe a person who is enlightened, someone who brings knowledge and
illumination to their surroundings.
And
so to Christmas!
Actually, we are celebrating three religious festivals this month. Chanukah
which began five days ago, then on the night of the 24th Christmas
Eve and Christmas Day and Ramadan on the 26th. There are four
Israeli cities that celebrate all three festivals, Jerusalem, Haifa, Jaffa and Nazareth,
where Christmas trees stand beside Chanukiah and the Crescent all lit up
together to represent unity in a manner which is sadly rare in this world.
Religious Jews go into Santa’s grotto, while priests and monks wish passers by “Chag
Chanukah Sameach” Happy Chanukah! We live side by side, not always in harmony
but as friendly neighbours. The municipalities of those cities ensure that we
all feel the warmth of the decorations that light our streets. Interestingly, Bethlehem
Road in Jerusalem, is lit all the way to the border, showing the way to hope for
the Christians of that city and Jerusalem’s Christians enjoy free Christmas
trees from the city. It’s hard to explain to those who have never been here,
but we live together without conflict and the cities I mentioned, where many
religions and denominations are represented, are truly multicultural.
Two
days ago
the International Board of Impact-se met by Zoom to hear of the incredible
achievements of the organisation that I’m so proud to Chair. I really suggest
you go to the website and understand that the world can change and is changing
in this region, if you just take hate teaching out and put tolerance and
understanding into schoolbooks. https://www.impact-se.org/
I
was in Shalva this week. Rachel and I went to a meeting there and once again were
enchanted by the sheer beauty and joy of the place. This centre for people with
disabilities and their families, from age two weeks to young adults is a source
of joy, of understanding and education. If you want to feel the heartwarming
atmosphere of Shalva just watch this. It takes you from the very beginning to
the incredible facilities in the Centre https://youtu.be/sVPokzGY9eE?si=sNNC4ffAs0XfkV_F
Tonight
Zvi and I will be together, all the children have other plans! I love it, the quiet,
the real sense of Shabbat. I cheated this week, I’m not cooking our dinner!
Yesterday Rachel and I were in Shilat, next to the city of Modi’in, actually,
that is very important to the story of Chanukah, it’s where Matityahu refused
to give up his Jewish laws and then told his sons to fight the Greeks/Syrians
hence the Maccabees or Hammers began fighting for Jewish existence, a bit close
to the current truth for my liking. Anyway, I digress. So Rachel and I went for
a late breakfast at one of our favourite restaurants and then did some Chanukah
shopping right next to a ready-food place. I’d never been tempted but we went
in to take a look. I bought Kubehs, actually the Iraqi Jewish traditional red
(beetroot based) soup and some meat moussaka which looks delicious and a fellow
customer insisted that it is just like home made! I’ll report on the results
next week. Just as Israeli life is multicultural in so many ways so the Israeli
cuisine has become a conglomeration. Zvi and I are 100% Ashkenazi but I cook
food from the Jewish Diaspora, but then I also cook Japanese and Mexican food!
This
weekend we will visit friends to light candles, eat latkes those delicious
fried potato pancakes. I like mine with thickly grated potatoes so that they are
crispy, and lots of sufganiyot (doughnuts). In truth I’m not a doughnut fan but
give me latkes with sour cream on the side and I am a happy bunny. OK so back
to the friends who tend to make Chanukah
parties every year and we do a communal lighting of the candles and after the
blessings we all sing the song Maoz Tzur.
With
the madness in the world, I thought that the most appropriate song is all about
a Christmas cease-fire in World War One, between British and German soldiers.
Paul McCartney wrote this song dedicating it to the possibility of peace. It’s called “Pipes of Peace” https://youtu.be/B3q4Up5ugTc?si=dNwqzcrcYfqWMF5h
This
next song gave me goose bumps. While they were recording in the streets of New
York with the Children’s Choir of NYC, onlookers joined in. Enjoy “We Are Lights” https://youtu.be/nRSqCaUvUlU?si=UyVYvergaFuOroHb
When
we were young! This song started a trend, in fact Bob Geldorf started a trend
of giving through song. Try to see how many of them you remember or are still
around today! On the other hand, see who is till open and caring and who has
fallen for the woke disinformation about Israel. https://youtu.be/RH-xd5bPKTA?si=D4nmEYhr66-c8Jqo
That’s
it! There are so many reasons to send you blessings for all our festivals. I
wish you peace, joy, family, friends and time to mourn, time to rejoice and
most of all time to love.
Shabbat
Shalom, Chanuka Sameach, a Joyful Christmas and a peaceful Ramadan from
Jerusalem, the city we all love.
Sheila
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