28th October 2026
19 Cheshvan
5787 (י״ט בְּחֶשְׁוָן
תשפ״ז)
Good morning, good afternoon or good night, depending where you are
in the world, and most importantly, Shabbat Shalom.
Of course I’m disappointed by the election results, although we still have
no definite conclusion. With so many parties involved, confusion reigns, and we
now enter the complicated business of President Herzog deciding whom to ask to
form a government and whether that person can put together a viable coalition.
In the meantime, Netanyahu will continue to head the interim government.
What I find particularly difficult to
understand is how almost those living in Sderot in the South, a town that
suffered so terribly, not just on the 7th of October, but through
twenty years of rockets and repeated threats, could vote for Likud. Not the
Likud of their grandparents, but the party it has become today, with all the
questions of corruption, failed leadership and responsibility for the
catastrophic events of 7th of October and the subsequent war. I
struggle to understand how people can look at what we have endured and still
put their faith in those who were in charge when the warnings went unheeded.
But this is a democracy, and the picture is clearly more
complicated than any of us might wish. The coming weeks will be full of manoeuvering,
negotiations and, no doubt, surprises. I hope that somehow this extraordinary
political conundrum leads us to a happier outcome and to a government that puts
the country and its people before anything else, a government worthy of the
amazing people of Israel.
Perhaps that is the most worrying thing of all: how easily
political loyalty can survive even the most painful questions of
responsibility. We deserve answers, accountability and leaders who put the
country before themselves.
When I think of Israel, I think of so much more than its
government. This is my home, the country I chose, the place where our families
live and most of our grandchildren are growing up. It is also a country of
extraordinary kindness, courage, generosity and hope. I see it in the people
around me every day, and I cannot believe that the failings of our leaders
should make us lose sight of all that is good.
I know that people will disagree, sometimes profoundly, about the
choices Israelis make at the ballot box. I don't expect everyone to share my
views, and I certainly don't ask anyone to turn a blind eye to what is wrong. I
only hope that those who feel disillusioned can leave a little room in their
hearts for the Israel they once cared about — for its people, its spirit and
all that it might yet become. We are living through difficult times, and
perhaps it is precisely now that we need the friendship and understanding of
those who love us. I still believe in this country, even when it breaks my
heart. And I hope that, whatever our disagreements, we can continue to believe
in its future together.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the elections is the huge Arab turnout.
On the one hand it utterly disproves the accusations of apartheid, but on the
other the Arab parties may well hold the balance in the Knesset meaning that
they can veto almost every law put forward. I have long held the view that
Mansour Abbas should be included in any government, but I worry about the other
parties because he, unlike some of the Jewish parties, believes that Arabs should
serve the country, probably not in the IDF, and accept Israel as a Jewish
homeland. Abu Ghosh, long regarded as a community very much part of Israeli
society, saw an impressive 78% voter turnout. Many residents felt deeply
threatened by Ben Gvir’s inflammatory rhetoric which is strongly reflected in
their vote: 56% voted for the Joint List, which takes a more oppositional
stance towards political cooperation with Israel, while 35% supported Mansour
Abbas’s Ra’am, which has chosen a more pragmatic path of working with Israeli
governments.
I went to my Movement class and I’m sure you can guess what the
main subject of our conversations was. Ultimately we released all our tensions
of the last few days with fabulous music and dance under the instruction of
Gali. What struck me is that several members of our group were observers in the
polling stations and all said that the atmosphere between the representatives
of all the parties was exceptional. Haredi and secular, left and right, Arab
and Jew, everyone behaved with the utmost respect. It made me very proud.
The next subject is particularly sensitive and
goes back many years. Jerusalem is facing a delicate and increasingly urgent
land dispute involving extensive areas of prime real estate, particularly land
originally owned by the Greek Orthodox Church. Under 99-year leases signed in
the early 1950s, the Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) holds rights to the land
beneath hundreds of homes in desirable neighbourhoods Although the leases don’t expire until
2051–52, negotiations stalled in 2025, leaving homeowners in limbo concerning
the future of their homes. This week, the High Court pressed KKL-JNF to go back
to the negotiating table and try to reach a solution which will protect
residents’ rights while resolving a delicate and complex dispute involving
church property, private investors and neighborhoods that are an important part
of Jerusalem’s fabric. The Armenian Church also owns large areas of central
Jerusalem, also on 99-year lease, and a similar legal battle continues
Just curious, did your news outlets report on the fact that
on the 26th of October, just days ago, Jordan carried out airstrikes
against ISIS targets in Syria after a deadly attack on a Greek Orthodox church
in Karak, Jordan, in which nine people were killed? Hmm, thought not.
I remember many years ago a friend of Ron Carner z"l
came to our apartment. Ron told us that he was an exceptional
investigative journalist and had something important to show us. That’s how we
met Steve Emerson. The "something important " was a
translated video of Yasser Arafat, even before the Intifada, speaking of his
true aim, the destruction of Israel, while he was still being courted by the
world's leaders. Today Steve runs the Investigative Project on Terrorism and
just completed a report 5 part report on Abdul Al Sayed, the Democratic
candidate for Michigan and supporter of the Moslem Brotherhood. Americans
should have learned their lesson with Mamdani,
Please read his deeply disturbing report on Abdul Al Sayed, the 5th
and probably most damning. https://www.investigativeproject.org/9467/el-sayed-in-the-brotherhoods-orbit-part-5.
The EU says it will ‘raise concerns’
over Syrian schoolbooks glorifying jihad and anti-Semitism
The statement follows the publication on October 19 of a report by
the Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education
(IMPACT-se), the Israel-based body that reviews schoolbooks against UNESCO
standards. Impact-se is on the ball yet again and our extensive research and reports
are taken very seriously. As ever I am more than proud to be the Chair of the
Impact-se Board.
Our lunch with Bryan Isaacs last weekend was lovely! What made me laugh is
that we both left Wales more years than I care to remember, but were both
surprised to be told that we still have Welsh accents! It was so delightful as
we walked along the boardwalk in Jaffa’s Old Port. The shipping boats moored
along the edge, the fishing nets heaped in careful piles and a few fishermen
selling their catch of the day. We were so happy that Samuel Bettsak joined us
too. Until recently my only memories of Bryan were when I was 14 years old and
coming back from 2 months with my French relations. Bryan helped me carry the wonderful
doll, resplendent in her national costume, that I won for our float in the Nice,
Battle of Flowers! We both recalled that the aeroplane was a Dakota, propellers
of course, and to fly from Paris to Cardiff, we would take off in Orly, land in
Bournemouth, take off from Bournemouth and land in Bristol, take off from
Bristol and finally, after over 3 hours flying, land in Cardiff, Rhoose
airport!!! I know that was a bit of a rambling yarn but it’s absolutely true!!
Last night Zvi and I went to a concert of folk songs, in
Hebrew called “Shira b’Tsibur”. Basically, the audience enjoy singing wonderful
Israeli folk songs which are projected onto a screen so we can all join in. Under
normal circumstances I really enjoy such evenings but last night something
happened so that I couldn’t join Zvi’s wonderful Bass-Baritone and the rest of
the audience. A lady with an enormous head sat in front of me and I couldn’t
see the screen! She bobbed to the music, rocked side to side thoroughly
enjoying the atmosphere! Oh well, at least I enjoyed the brilliant accompaniment
of our friend Ronit on the piano.
I’m not going to Rachel today but I really have to tell you about a
fabulous experience I had on Wednesday evening. It was the celebration of the “Hina”
(Henna) and “Hafrashat Challah” which is a fascinating ceremony based around
the bread making of the Challah. A part of the dough, actually a tithe (one
tenth) is taken off the risen dough and a prayer said, but when it concerns a
bride to be, in this case my incredible grandson Yosef’s beautiful bride Tsofia.
It included many blessings for her future life with Yosef. Tsofia, was glowing!
A wonderful, warm, beautiful girl, this ceremony, held in her family home,
surrounded by her loving family, both old and new, simply lit her up. After the
Challah ceremony came the henna part. Tsofia danced with a bowl filled with a
henna concoction and each guest had a wad of the concoction put on their palms
with a little gold disc to hold it in place until the henna had created a brown
spot. Every aspect of the evening expressed sheer joy and the music and masses
of food continued well into the night. Needless to say, Rachel, Talia, Ayala
and Yosef’s other Safta Pnina and Aunties all shed tears of happiness at each
stage of the ceremony!
Tonight the family is coming, probably just 12 of us but I never
know for sure. I learned from my Mummy that one should always have an
additional set of cutlery and plate, just in case another person dropped in. No
complicated dishes this week, lots of salmon, sea bass with roasted peppers, antipasti,
a big green salad, various other salads all starting with roasted pepper soup!
For me that’s a simple meal.
And so to music! Music saves my soul, saves me from feeling down
and gives me hope. You just have to listen to the words carefully.
Rak b’Yisrael, which means Only in Israel, is one of my favourites.
Just listen and read the subtitles, it really tells you who we are. https://youtu.be/i-7EvfJje88?si=UNOjEO6EAyShaJfD
Halleva’i has no direct translation, maybe hopefully. The late lyricist
Ehud Manor wrote the words that express our prayers and Boaz Sharabi added the
beautiful music which he then sings. Amazing. https://youtu.be/hwEatU285N8?si=SYAgnyCactoYWHrn
Hachayim Shelanu Tutim which is a very Israeli expression which
translates to Our life is Strawberries meaning our life is wonderful!! A
wonderfully funny cynical song by Hanan Ben Ari which suits Yosef and Tsofia,
indeed all young couple setting out on their new life together. Life here is
ultimately a bowl of strawberries!!! https://youtu.be/ATOhZp_FZQ0?si=MlBLYX_mDauBBpSZ
Shabbat Shalom dear friends. I really hope that although today’s
newsletter has many serious aspects you had fun with the enjoyable ones. I
suppose that’s the essence of life, wherever you live. If you have a positive
view life is really wonderful.
With all my love flying across the miles from our home in Jerusalem
to yours.
Sheila
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