8th July 2026
Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Bazeh — We are one people, bound by a shared
responsibility for one another.
I owe the amazing Maccabeans from three countries an apology.
When I heard that Australia, Britain and Canada were not sending
their usual huge youth delegations to this year's Maccabiah Games, I assumed
they had simply become overly cautious. I couldn't have been more wrong.
On Sunday, over lunch in our home, our Canadian friends Bill and
Ellen Izso, Jeffrey and Samara Freeman and the wonderful Roy Saloman, explained
the real story to Zvi and I. Bill, who had the heartbreaking responsibility of
making the final decision, Told us after the Canadian Government travel warning
insurance companies simply refused to insure hundreds of young athletes
travelling to Israel. Faced with that reality, there was no responsible
alternative.
His words struck me. "How can I bring hundreds of youngsters
here," he asked, "when I cannot guarantee that Iran or Hezbollah
won't launch rockets and that they will always have somewhere safe to
run?"
Jeffrey and Samara happened to be in Israel on the 7th
of October, 2023 and witnessed something no insurance company could ever
calculate. Hotels, guest houses, apartment buildings and private homes opened
their doors without hesitation to anyone needing shelter. Jeffrey's conclusion
was simple: despite everything, he feels safer in Israel than anywhere else in
the world. Unable to fly home because the air space over Israel was cleared,
they chose to do so much more than wait for a flight; they conquered fear and day
after day drove south to the Gaza envelope to help farmers harvest fruit and
vegetables after foreign workers had fled and Gazan labourers, obviously, could
no longer enter Israel. Jeffrey was delighted to tell us that he learned to
drive a tractor so they could move large crates of fruit. Such actions helped
the farmers to survive.
Sometimes the headlines tell only half the story.
Last night our dear friends Bill Izso and Claudia de Benedetti were
among those honoured with the Yakir Maccabi Award. They received it because,
quite simply, they "get it".
They understand that the Maccabiah is about far more than medals.
It is about bringing young Jews to Israel through sport, creating friendships
that span continents and strengthening the bond with Israel. Bill told us that
his own journey into Maccabi leadership began under the guidance of the
wonderful Roy Saloman, who mentored him by leading through example. It is now
Bill and Claudia who are passing that same spirit on to the next generation.
We couldn't be prouder to call them friends.
I sat down at six o'clock this morning intending to tell you about
what I did last night.
I walked the few metres to the "Big House" auditorium to
hear a talk by Sapir Berman. I went out of curiosity and left deeply moved.
Sapir began life as Sagi Berman, who went on to become one of
Israel's leading football referees. Today she is a beautiful, confident woman
who chose to undergo her transition in full public view, beneath the glare of
media headlines and in one of the most macho professions imaginable. With
extraordinary warmth, humour and honesty she spoke about finding the courage to
become herself, and about the unwavering love of her parents, her brother and
her football family, who stood beside her throughout that journey.
Why am I telling you this?
Because beyond everything else, Sapir is proudly Israeli. We often
speak of physical courage in Israel. Last night we were reminded that moral
courage deserves our admiration too. She took us from laughter to tears and
left us with one unforgettable message: conquer fear, but never lose yourself.
Perhaps what her story says even more about Israelis and Israeli society is
that she is still loved, still admired and still speaking to audiences so that
they will accept others.
The people I've written about today, Bill and Claudia, Roy Saloman,
Sapir Berman and so many others, are all different but share something
precious: they have the courage to remain true to themselves and to care for
others. Perhaps that is the real meaning of Am Yisrael Chai. Not simply
that the People of Israel live, but that we never allow fear to decide who we
are.
Now I really am signing off. The suitcases are packed, I’m about to
meet friends for one last coffee, the medicines are organised (an unavoidable
reminder that we're no longer twenty!) and then Rachel will take us to the
airport. I can’t end without sending special love to my son Gideon for his
birthday tomorrow and to my amazing big sister Eddie and her lovely husband Ray
for their 69th anniversary today. 25,202 days of absolute love and
partnership.
Be well. Care for one another. Stand tall, know who you are and
never let fear stop you from being yourself.
As always, I'd like to leave you with a song. When looking for just
the right song I discovered something special. We have songs to welcome people
home, but none to say goodbye. Perhaps that's because, in Israel, we never
really say goodbye. We simply say Lehitraot – until we meet again. So,
I'll leave you with Koolulam singing Bob Marley's One Love in
Jerusalem's Tower of David, where Jews, Christians and Muslims sing together.
Shalom. Salaam. One Love. Until we meet again.
https://youtu.be/TZzK29_V8jQ?si=3QaBxxfke1CMyr-o
With all my love from Jerusalem.
Sheila
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