CLEAN CUPBOARDS UNDER FIRE
27th March 2026
8 Nissan 5786
903 days since October 7th
Shabbat Shalom dear friends, Shabbat Shalom and grateful thanks to everyone who has written, called, thought of us during this “campaign”. Why campaign and not war? Because if war is declared the “winner” is liable for compensation.
Last week was Eid el Fitr, Nissan and the Persian Nowruz and the Feast of the Annunciation, this week we have Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and of course we have Pesach! Seder night on Wednesday night, and that’s what I want to talk about, well, that and a few other things.
Pesach, Passover, Pascha, by any name it usually involves a great deal of cleaning, polishing, sorting, scrubbing, and the occasional philosophical debate about crumbs. This year, however, with cluster missiles occasionally flying overhead and rather more time than planned spent in safe rooms, mamads, miklatim, or the less dignified crouch at the side of the road in case an intercepted missile decides to land on one’s car, I have come to a simple and liberating conclusion: Pesach cleaning will have to be somewhat perfunctory this year.
In truth, we do not generally eat from the windowsills, under the bed, or in the shoe cupboard, although crumbs do have an extraordinary talent for travelling to unlikely places. The apartment, and particularly the kitchen, is already quite respectably clean, so I am prepared to accept that this year is indeed different from all other years. Rolls of Sellotape will be deployed to seal off cupboards with great ceremony, and the Pesach dishes will take up temporary residence on the shaish, the universal Israeli word for kitchen worktops, even if it technically means marble. It may not be textbook Pesach preparation, but under the circumstances, it feels entirely appropriate and, dare I say, faintly efficient.
I have already written to you about the sirens, the azaka (warning), the persistent tch tch tch of the pre-alert, and the now familiar routine that sends us calmly but quickly towards the nearest safe place. Much as we may grumble, we are quietly grateful for it, because when a missile leaves Iran we usually have about ten minutes to gather ourselves, collect phones and family members, and reach the mamad. Ten minutes, in Israeli terms, feels almost luxurious.
Those living in the north, however, do not enjoy quite the same advantage. While we found ourselves complaining about ten missiles in one day, some with cluster warheads, the north faced closer to six hundred rockets overhead in one day. It puts Pesach cleaning rather firmly into perspective; in many northern communities, towns and kibbutzim, simply getting through the day safely is quite enough to be getting on with.
A big question is whether or not we should evacuate those in the line of fire. We did it after October 7th when Hezb-Allah had their last determined effort to kill Israelis, but since then only 43% have returned to their homes and if even more leave, we will have lost the north, a tragedy on every level. It is what happened to beautiful Lebanon and I don’t want it to happen to northern Israel.
I can’t remember if I told you but last Saturday Zvi’s boys and families decided to take a chance and come to us for lunch. Since we came home from Albania and going anywhere has become an adventure, and not necessarily a pleasant one, we have hardly seen them, so they braved the roads, obviously having schooled the children in the procedure if a warning comes through on their phones, and we had a wonderful time, especially since Shiri’s parent, Galia and Menashe, invited themselves – my favourite kind of guest!! When they left I called each and every one to ensure that they got home safely, truthfully I do that anyway but it became an imperative when they were on the road and not near their mamad!
I rarely put a video of anything from Sky UK but this one shows exactly what it feels like to be on the highway when the siren wails. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIoVE1Kt2FU
While many of us are still negotiating cupboards, Sellotape, and the finer points of Pesach preparation, the rather tired and depleted IDF is engaged in something far more practical, an operation affectionately known as “Operation Roaring Matza,” preparing the kitchens that feed our soldiers for Pesach. Wherever they may be stationed, very often far from home, they will still sit down to a full and traditional Pesach Seder on the first night of Passover, a quiet reminder that especially in difficult times, familiar traditions carry great importance.
At the same time, the strain on the IDF is becoming increasingly clear and raises the wider question of shared responsibility. In a small country such as ours, where everyone benefits from the safety and security the IDF provides, it seems only reasonable that more people take part in some form of national service, with exemptions for the truly exceptional in both Torah and academic study.
There are encouraging examples. This week the Haredi Netzah Yehuda unit entered Lebanon and fought with notable courage, demonstrating that those who serve do so with honour and commitment, a thoughtful reminder that shared responsibility strengthens us all.
From talking of that which strengthen us, we must also speak honestly about that which weakens and shames us. The so-called Hilltop Youth and other violent Jewish extremists bring disgrace upon us all. Their attacks on ordinary Palestinians are indefensible and run contrary to everything we believe in and have fought to uphold. Violence against innocent people, by anyone and under any banner, is terrorism — and it must be called out as such. It damages the reputation of the many decent, law-abiding families who live in Yehuda and Shomron and who simply wish to build their lives in peace. What is perhaps most troubling is the sense that not enough is being done to stop it. We see too few arrests, too little accountability, and far too little urgency. Terrorism is terrorism, regardless of religion or ideology, and a country built on law, justice, and moral responsibility must act decisively to confront it.
Tonight sees the eve of Shabbat haGadol, the Great Shabbat and its vital Torah Reading- Parshat Tzav, which reminds us that holiness is found not in grand gestures but in daily responsibility, discipline, and quiet service. The priests were commanded to keep the fire on the altar burning constantly, a symbol of steady commitment even in difficult times. As we approach Pesach, this message feels particularly powerful: our strength lies in continuity, in holding fast to our values, our faith, and our moral clarity, even when the world around us feels uncertain. Shabbat HaGadol calls on us to prepare not only our homes, but our hearts, to carry forward the enduring flame of responsibility, resilience, and hope.
Guess what? Despite everything that has happened and is happening and our moans about the dystopian government, we, Israel, is number 8 in the world happiness report! It may sound ridiculous it may sound counterintuitive but we know how to enjoy life. We are well above the UK (29), USA (23), Australia (15), Canada (25) and almost everywhere you live. Of course, our friend Leo-Dan Bensky is pleased with the results because Finland is number one again! How on earth can we be up there near the top? What is the magic element that makes us happy when we are surrounded by enemies, missiles and bad press that has reached heights unhears of for a tiny strip of land? What makes most Israelis happy? Unity under pressure? Maybe? But I think it is something very different, it is family, community, love for our soldiers, the generosity of spirit that shows concern for those around us; it is tradition. Traditional family gatherings, Kubeh Soup on a Friday lunch and Chicken soup on Friday night. It is truly family get togethers shared with neighbours, it is open doors to strangers who have nowhere else to go, so many aspects of life that make one happy. It has nothing to do with politics or our determination to argue it out, it is the freedom to laugh even when life isn’t funny.
Zvi has gone to his parliament, actually even that relates to this “Campaign”. One member decided that it was too dangerous to meet so the took a poll and he was the only one who didn’t want to meet! Actually, if I back track a little, I joined Zvi’s mini-parliament this week and was amazed that most of the parliaments had relocated to the Harel Mall! So many groups of men all believing that thewy had the answers to the world’s problems and one or two women’s parliaments where they spoke about family with a smattering of politics and what excellent series was on Netflix this week. Women know that we can’t solve the world’s problems but we can improve our family’s mood by bringing home the fun of meeting friends. Anyway, yet another digression, I was thrilled to see that the mall was full of shoppers searching for appropriate gifts for family and friends at Pesach.
Yesterday, in between missile attacks, I managed to finally get my hair cut. A new hairdresser, very close by, and I finally feel like a human being! The best part is that I spent time with my lovely friend Merle Friedman who lives right above the salon. In fact, merle and Frank are coming for Friday night supper and I will make her favourite comfort food dinner; one pot chicken dinner. My favourite too. I have a “kitchen sink” soup in the fridge and an apple, rhubarb and strawberry crumble and I think we should be pretty full by the end!
This is a special time for all of us, no matter the direction of our prayers. We have to pray for the people of this region, that we will now security even if peace is elusive; I pray for you, for greater understanding and less anger in this upside down world. Let’s celebrate our identity! Yes that’s what I wish you all, every las tone of you, celebrate our identity.
This song has a strange title yet it expresses everything that is the miracle Israel today, How Are You Still Alive? https://youtu.be/SDLgg21DemQ?si=4eCboOQOeptqfFfr
Marina Maximilian Blumin sings Hazakim Beyachad, Strong Together, with the wonderful men of the TV programme Zehu Zeh. It is in Hebrew so I will give you a precis of the lyrics. I will not apologise for loving this country, there is no other like her. Wherever we came from, be it Baghdad or Poland, we came home and we will not give up, we were always diverse and they try to split us apart but together we will overcome. https://youtu.be/N0nXqaRhPWM?si=FjD9PRjlwy0UD4Bm
Vehi Sheamda is probably the most important song sung at the Seder service on the first night of Pesach, in fact it is the story of being Jewish. It tells us that throughout the generation enemies rose to annihilate us, but the Almighty saved us each time. I pray that He will save us from our enemies and from ourselves. https://youtu.be/dJyptA5iqMA?si=_6Iy4ZcikYeKqAAD
Shabbat Shalom, be strong, be proud, love who you are and we will win through this too.
With love from our veranda and its amazing view of Jerusalem, shining in the distance after the rains.
Sheila
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Involvement http://www.impact-se.org/
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