16th October 2026
6th Cheshvan 5787
Shabbat Shalom dear friends. I hope this missive finds you well.
This week it’s Parashat Noach, the story of Noah and the Ark. What
a week Noah must have had! Imagine building an enormous ark, rounding up two of
every animal and keeping the whole lot fed and watered for forty days and
nights. I wonder how many times Noah wished he’d booked a cruise instead!
Eventually, the rain stopped and God gave us the rainbow as a
promise never to destroy the earth with another flood. Sadly, the flood may
have washed away the old world, but it clearly didn’t wash away human folly.
Thousands of years later, we are still struggling with hatred, violence and the
simple business of learning to live alongside one another. The rainbow was not
just a symbol of hope; it was a reminder of our responsibility to one another.
And if Noah could manage an ark full of animals without losing the plot, surely
we humans can do rather better at sharing the planet!
Our lovely friend Dr Kimball Taylor
sent me an article suggesting that we are losing the social media battle because
we don’t strategise, we defend rather than initiate. The medieval accusations of
the blood libels against Jews have taken different forms, but the underlying
danger is all too familiar: Israel, and Jews everywhere, are portrayed as
uniquely evil and we know that lies can travel around the world before the
truth has even put on its shoes, especially when backed by prejudice and clever
dissemination of falsehoods gives them such fertile ground. Social media has
made it possible for these claims to spread at extraordinary speed, often
stripped of context and nuance. What troubles me most is how easily accusations
can become accepted as truth, and how quickly hostility towards Jews can be
presented as a moral virtue. The echoes of medieval Europe are deeply
disturbing. We have not done well in combatting the lies so far, now it is a
case of recognise and STRATEGISE.
Just a word about the ignorance of the demonstrators. The
black-and-white keffiyeh that they all wear proudly in demonstrations against
Israel’s actions against Hamas is actually the Keffiyeh of Fatah (PLO), yet in
Gaza in 2007, Hamas slaughtered any and all Fatah members when it seized power.
The lines of confrontation in the Middle East have become
increasingly confused, with Iran-backed Houthis attacking Saudi Arabia and
threatening shipping in the Red Sea. Yet there is an important and unexpected
positive reaction to Iran’s aggression; it is pushing countries towards greater
cooperation rather than driving them apart. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are
standing together against the Houthi threat, while plans for a permanent UAE
Embassy in Herzliya have just received approval, on the 13th October. Six years
after the Abraham Accords, that is a significant step forward. The dangers are
very real, but so is the possibility that shared threats may bring Israel and
its Arab neighbours closer and perhaps lay the foundations for a more stable
region.
Talking of Embassies, yet another has opened and the
Ambassador of Colombia presented his credentials to President Herzog and the Embassy
has opened in Jerusalem.
I have to admit that I am not a big fan of the pre-election
period! I want it clean, I want to know the what, how, where and when,
presented in a clear and understandable manner, as I always say, a manifesto. I
don’t want to hear the accusations of misconduct, mismanagement and corruption
(however accurate), I want to know what they will do to bring about change.
Currently our education system has gone from 3rd in the world to 30th,
even allowing for the war it is bad. I want to know how it is possible that
despite our vibrant hi-Tech and military exports, we are still in financial
trouble and most of all, I want an answer, a clear and determined solution, not
an empty promise, of how to bring two thirds of our population into serving the
country in some shape or form. I want a government that will remind us that we
are one, wonderful, productive, crazy country that must pull together. I want a
Noah, a leader who is capable of building a huge vessel, bringing in the
animals, ensuring they don’t eat each other and finding a safe landing place.
Of course, there are those who are devoted to the current PM and then there
are those of us who yearn for change. Even worse there are those who say that
if Netanyahu is returned to office, they will leave the country, alternatively,
if he is not, then there are many Israelis, who now live abroad who want to
return home. The constant angst of the charges and court appearances, the
questions about whether the PM was warned of the impending disaster of October
7th, exacerbated by the current accusations as a result of the libel
case brought by former Head of the Secret Services (Shabak) Ronen Bar alleging
that the Prime Minister knowingly published false accusations about his (Bar)
conduct before the October 7th attack to shift responsibility from himself.
Until there is a National Inquiry, a full investigation into how on earth the
slaughter of so many Israelis, young and old, took ANYONE by surprise, we
cannot heal.
Walter Bingham, the world’s oldest working journalist and
incredible human being, celebrated his 102nd birthday by sky-diving!
Born in Germany, Shoah survivor who found refuge in Britain then made Aliya to
Jerusalem, is one of the brightest, most fascinating people I have ever met.
Happy Birthday Walter.
Through hard earned excellence, Israel and
Magen David Adom’s first responders, both doctors and paramedics are now spreading
their expertise. Doctors and paramedics from the USA are here learning how to deal
with major disasters, and small ones. I’m sad that the Israelis gained their
knowledge through events that should never have happened, but glad that their expertise
is being spread to help others.
Baroness Deech is one of Israel’s greatest proponents in the UK.
She sits in the House of Lords and is highly respected by all. Thanks to my
childhood friend Monica Black who sent me this truly magnificent, concise
speech by the Baroness. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DebopKkAUau/?obrf=MTQxZWx2MGhhdnE0ZQ==
Zvi and I are hooked on the series “The Tudors”. It
isn’t new but is brilliantly written and the acting is superb. Anyway, apart
from that, we are now on Series 2, Episode 2 and the build up to the religious war
between Henry the Eighth and the Catholic Church is at its height. The
similarities to what is happening now in Israel is stunning! Worth watching the
series just to see how this battle progresses. It bears a frightening
resemblance to Jezebel (follower of Baal) and Ahab who allowed his Queen to
dictate the worship in the Holy Land. Sounds familiar?
Zvi has many rehearsals in preparation for the visit to Berlin’s
Lewandowsky Music Festival in December. It may seem a long way away but
it’s a really large choir and the liturgical pieces are quite complex. Anyway,
he had a rehearsal on Monday, then went to the photographic exhibition of our
friend Meishi (Moshe) Schreiber at the Jerusalem Theatre where he met up with
Australian Jyl Bell and her friend Shosh. They came back to us for an early
supper and a wonderful chat. In the
meantime, I spent a real mother daughter day with Rachel, looking for clothes
in Tel Aviv for my grandson Yosef and Tsofia’s wedding next month and got back
just in time to put together surprise supper!
Talking about Australians, on Wednesday, my lovely friend and
neighbour Gila, took me to visit her sister Margot and her husband Benny
Dudkevitch in Moshav Ramat Raziel, a glorious village in the Jerusalem
Corridor. Both of them were very serious
journalists, Benny in radio and Margot a military correspondent for the
Jerusalem Post including the period during the 2nd Intifada. Thanks to Benny’s gardening, raising
fascinating and rare plants and the incredible peace and quiet of the village,
especially since their retirement, he has produced a place to rest one’s soul. Certainly,
during Margot’s time as military correspondent, just sitting and listening to
the birds must have provided her with a haven of peace. Loved every second
especially Benny’s enthusiasm for each plant. I came home with cuttings and
instructions! Gila and Margot came to Israel many years ago and have never
regretted it.
Before I leave to Rachel’s she just this minute sent me an fascinating
video of the release of fish to feed the White Pelicans in the Hula Valley to give
them strength for their long winter migration. It really is a fantastic sight
and shows yet another aspect of Israel and our care for the environment. I love
listening to the child’s excitement, even if we don’t understand her
words. https://www.instagram.com/reels/Deh2EG9AFJ4/
Our home really is a confluence of nations! Tonight our friend
Sammy Bettsak, from Panama and Atlanta, is coming for Shabbat Dinner; Monday
and we go to Tel Aviv where I will meet with our Impact-se team (a wonderful mixture of origins) and continue
to meet up with Perla Jinich and daughter (Mexico) at the home of Nattie and Yolli
Zonszein (Mexico and Israel) on Wednesday Kim Taylor (Canada) is arriving to
stay with us before joining the Jewish Agency meetings; then on Friday night Keith
and Deidre Beville are coming for Friday night dinner; Shabbat we will have
lunch with Bryan Isaacs (Wales) and take Kim to Tel Aviv for his meetings. I’m
not even going into next week!!!
So the excitement is growing for Yosef and Tsofia’s wedding next
month, it’s amazing to have a “simcha” a happy event, to look forward to. Sheli
and Amit went dress shopping together, and today I’ll hear many more stories when
I get to Rachel. I haven’t even thought of what to make for supper but I’m not
worried, it will come together. Shabbat always comes together no matter how
many people turn up.
Our next song was written and set to music by David
Deor many years ago but is so appropriate to today. Shmor al HaOlam Yeled.
Take care of this world child because we didn’t manage. Ask for subtitles. https://youtu.be/2_zgDjMv1UA?si=r5x5Ci_2zr6xOhOa
Next, one of my favourites. It opens with Don
Quixote and Pancho Sancha riding into the sunset and the song is Arik
Einstein’s Ani v’Atah -You and Me. You and Me can change the world https://youtu.be/iOv9wSI8Qe4?si=8VNtAPOEjV8ab4rE
Finally an uplifting song that you can sing
along with! Hallelujah as you have never heard it before. Shulem Lemmer
in concert in Jerusalem. He is everything I want to see in a Haredi man quite
apart from his incredible voice. https://youtu.be/-orFQA3fCyA?si=Dh87vywKItgJo788
I have always been a fan of Don Quixote whose fight was not against
windmills but rather against ignorance and stubborn determination against
change. David Deor and Arik Einstein really “got it” and as I have been saying
for 26 years “The Power of One”, that’s you and me, is the only way to save our
confused world.
I wish you a beautiful weekend, a beautiful Shabbat and remember You
and Me Can Save the World.
With love from Jerusalem and our amazing veranda.
Sheila
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