Letter from Jerusalem. Jerusalem Day, Stephen Hawkings and Syria.

130509

9^th May 2013

Shabbat Shalom lovely people! Shabbat Shalom. Yesteerday was Yom Yerushalyim – Jerusalem Day, so I will try to get through the news as quickly as possible to tell you all about the incredible sight of thousands of young people singing dancing and marching with flags from all corners of the city to the Old City.

The day went almost without mishap. Some over zealous youngsters called out abuse to Arab residents of the Old City and I am happy to say that they were summarily arrested; there was an incident whereby the Mufti of Jerusalem was arrested for incitement to hatred which has created a diplomatic contretemps with Jordan and Egypt.

Anyway – in the meantime the main news flashes starting with Israel's decision to eradicate several arms caches which were bound for Hezb-Allah in Lebanon. Not only dangerous but also against international law governing arms. We did what had to be done. The Syrians tried to claim that we used nuclear material but they were obviously trying to cover up their own use of nuclear materials should there be an international investigation! The reaction from other Arab countries was quiet – they are aware of what is going on. Here is the explanation Confident strikes on Syria send a message to the nervous US http://www.timesofisrael.com/confident-strikes-on-syria-send-a-message-to-the-nervous-us/

Jamal Tirawi was released from his 30 jail sentence on a technicality. Few knew his name, but, it wasTirawi who sent the homicide bomber to My Coffee shop on March 30^th 2002. That was the terror attack in which Kinneret Chaya was so terribly injured. Incredibly, Tirawi regrets his terrorist past and believes that today he would never have done such a dreadful thing. He was interviewed in his elegant and opulent home in the "refugee camp" http://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-convicted-of-terrorism-set-free/

That well known genius Professor Stephen Hawking was coming to the Presidential Conference in Jerusalem in June., but deicided to cancel because he suddenly became concious of the plight of the Palestinians!!! Cambridge University, where he teaches, said, “Not at all – he is just too sick to travel”. Well, there has now been a retraction of the retraction and he is not coming in order to boycott Israel!!! When you think of how many Israeli innovations are keeping him alive and the fact that Hadassah has just make a huge breakthrough in the treatment of ALS – I wonder how long his boycott of Israeli medical advances will last!!!! So I am asking a favour. Get voting NOW - but NOW!!! Was Stephen Hawking right to boycott President Peres Conference and Israel. VOTENOW http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/poll/2013/may/08/stephen-hawking-boycott-israel

A great article by our friend Danny Adeno Abebe about the financial and social situation of Jerusalem tells us that Jerusalem is doing just fine thank you. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4377163,00.html

Yesterday, Jerusalem Day, was the anniversary of the liberation of the Camps in Europe and Memorial Day for those who fell on their perilous journey from Ethiopia to Jerusalem. Pres Peres at wreath laying ceremony, remembered that President Bush (Snr) sent USAF aeroplanes to bring Ethiopian refugees from Sudan. "Many of those who departed for the journey didn't make it to the Jewish homeland. Today, at this huge event, the State of Israel honors their memory and their bravery. The story of the 'Exodus from Ethiopia' encapsulated the ethos of our people, courage - your spirit was a source of pride not only for your community but for us all. Here, standing by our national flag, we salute you all. Here and now, beside this monument, we bow our heads in memory of those Ethiopians who perished on their journey to Israel. To us they are heroes who fell in the line of duty." Here are the children of the Sheba Choir singing their journey. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKcRKzbSeJM

I was in Mahane Yehuda twice this week and Shouk Ramle once!!! I took Jill and Victor to my favourite coffee shop, Mizrachis, for a delicious light snack and …....... of course a a cup of Cafe hafuch! I had the most delicious “sandwich” imaginable. Toasted croissant (freshly baked) with melted camembert, thinly sliced pears and rocket! Gosh it was gooooooood! We sat and watched the world go by. As Victor observed, Arabs and Jews, Haredi and secular, Christian Priests and men with long flowing earlocks........... all bustling and rushing to get to the most delicious piece of fruit or the freshly roasted nuts and seeds. It was delightful!

JERUSALEM DAY celebrates the reunification of Jerusalem after just 19 years of division. All of us who are of a certain age remember that magical moment when Motta Gur said the immortal words “Har haBayit b'yadenu” The Temple Mount is in Our Hands.

At 10:20 on June 7th 1967, the third day of the Six-Day War, Raphael Amir of the Israel Broadcasting Services announced, "At this moment we are going through the Lion's Gate in a jeep with the Deputy Chief-of-Staff and the commander of the Central Command. I am now in the shadows cast by the gate. Now we are in the sun again, in the street. We are inside the Old City. The soldiers are up against the walls." In the background could be heard noises of shooting and soldiers shouting, "To the Wall! To the Wall!" http://www.sixdaywar.org/content/ReunificationJerusalem.asp

-Hundreds of thousands of young people- parades, dancing and singing – it was heartwarming. Zvi and I took Jill and Victor to David's Citadel to meet Mayor NIr Barkat and wife who hold a reception for invitees - Jerusalemites - every year. The Citadel is wonderful, sitting and looking at the work of Suleiman the Magnificent – watching the guests, Jews, Moslems, Christians, Bahai and Druze clambering up to the great heights of the ramparts above us – needless to say from our very comfortable seats listening to the children's orchestra playing Jerusalem songs.

I can't help but be reminded of Jerusalem Day two years ago when I was stuck in the worst traffic jams near Mount Herzl with our Canadian friends the Kovens and the Robins and the car phone went. It was Andrew White calling me from Ezekiels Tomb in Iraq......... which was the beginning of a highly successful reclamation of the Tomb. A real international effort which succeeded in bringing together Moslems, Christians and Jews as only the Vicar of Baghdad can! Andrew went there at my behest and it culminated in a very emotional conversation with the Imam of the Tomb thanking me for bringing him and Andrew together. If it can be done in war torn Iraq – why not here????

Just about to go off to Christian Embassy for their wonderful Jerusalem Day reception on their lawn. There we will meet up with Earl and Kathleen Cox, Lola and Norman Cohen and so many other wonderful people all welcomed by the director Juergen Buehler into one of the most exquisite buildings in Jerusalem.

I have some congratulations this week. Barry and Cristine Slawsky are nearing the end of their 8 month honeymoon and we had the pleasure of seeing them at the Dan.

Guiora Esrubilsky, President of Maccabi World Union, has been Vice-President of the World Jewish Congress. Mazal Tov dear Guiora and Marta

I guess I should congratulate my grandson Joshuas class at the birth of 5 wonderful ducklings, a spectacular birth that I stayed up to watch on the CCTV in the classroom. It was absolutely rivetting!!!!

So that's it for today. I hope you will please, please vote and comment in the Guradian poll concerning Stephen Hawking

I wish you a Shabbat Shalom for tomorrow. Remember to be proud of Israel, of Jerusalem and of being who you are. There are too many people out there who are trying to change both history and the worlds perception of who we are.......... it was attempted before; it is called dehumanisation.

My daughter Rachel was very upset that I didn't tell you that there are camels at the side of the road to Givat Zeev!! There were two but suddenly there are now three! What fun!

With love from Jerusalem, the most beautiful, meaningful and spiritual city in the world

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Shevuot Sameach

24^th May 2012

Dearest Friends, Shabbat shalom

First and foremost I am happy to give you an excellent update on the health of our wonderful friend Canon Andrew White. After returning to Baghdad from Jerusalem Andrew became very ill and gave us all a scare – including himself. A prayer session went across national borders and religious denominations and thank G-d Andrew is feeling much better. He has not yet returned to his favourite occupation of Facebooking, but is really on the mend. Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes which were duly sent on to him.

Israelis know what it means to be refugees, unwanted and rejected, but this determination to be welcoming has proven a serious issue, a fast growing issue. Refugees and work-seekers (the majority) from Eritrea, Sudan and many other African countries came to understand that while the majority of countries reject them before they take one step on their land, Israel will not. It has caused an enormous influx of those who pay a fortune to Bedouin bandits who rape, beat and kill them and then arrive on the Israeli border where they manage to get through from Sinai. However, the dreadful problem that this has created, particularly in old Tel Aviv neighborhoods and in other cities is that these illegal immigrants have gathered, homeless and jobless and are involved in crime, particularly burglary, mugging and personal violence. Until now the only answer from the Government is to build a fence on the border with Sinai but the people who live in these areas decided to demonstrate, but instead of demonstrating against the government they demonstrated against the refugees turning on people because of the colour of their skin. Those who need asylum should receive it those who are here for work, in a country which has unemployment, should be sent home. I am embarrassed that MK Miri Regev incited the crowd- personally I would call for her dismissal.

The Attias family died in dreadful accident this week and Israel is in shock. http://www.timesofisrael.com/seven-year-old-car-crash-survivor-rachel-attias-to-be-released-from-hospital/ The brakes on the car failed as they returned home after a family function, and the father, driving the vehicle called the police to say he had lost control of the car. Only little Rachel aged 7 survived, her parents and 5 siblings died. Rachel told police she tried to wake Mummy and Daddy up but they kept sleeping. The car had just passed it's test but a very important issue came out of this tragedy. Do you know what to do if your brakes fail? Please check this on line if you wish but – use your gears – even automatic cars can be used manually – and go into lower and lower gears until the car slows then gradually use your hand brake for the final stop. http://autos.aol.com/article/what-to-do-if-your-brakes-fail/

Here we go again. Talks on Iran, yet another futile attempt at “talks” with the Iranians while they merrily ignore our protestations and continue their quest for nuclear power to use against......... YOU!
Diplomats and politicians alike perpetuate the myth that the Iranian target is Israel when all know that Saudi Arabi, Kuwait, Dubai and the United States and Europe are the real targets. For several years those same diplomats and politicians allowed the Iranian nuclear international watchdog to lie to them about the Iranian capability. A man who has been revealed as a front for the Moslem Brotherhood led the team – Mohammed El Baradei. Remember, please absorb the famous words of Billy Connolly “Hypocrisy is the Vaseline of Political Intercourse”

Jerusalem Day celebrates the reunification of Jerusalem after 19 years of Jordanian rule when it was split. I still relive the deep emotion when on the Eve of Rosh Hashana 1967 I went with my father to the Kotel (Western Wall) and gave thanks for the fact I could now stand there! Jerusalem tends ot become a very rowdy party of young Hesder Yeshiva students who sing and dance the night away in Sacker Park before heading off to the Kotel in the morning.. a sea of white shirts and blue and white flags. Jerusalem turns white and blue as we rejoice our Capital City, our Jerusalem.

Defending Jerusalem from intruders is not a new thing - Christopher Colombus' did not only found the New World, his prime aspiration was to rid Jerusalem of Islam – he really was the first settler on every level eh??? http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/20/opinion/garcia-columbus-jewish/index.html?c=weekend-homepage-t

 I just looked up the Capital City of Israel on a site giving all Capital cities. Only one had an asterisk after it- it said Jerusalem*. Why? Here is their explanation * The executive, judicial, and legislative branches of the State of Israel are all located in Jerusalem but the Embassies are located in Tel Aviv. WHEN WILL THE USA RELOCATE THEIR EMBASSY TO JERUSALEM CAPITAL CITY OF ISRAEL? The others will follow and so will peace.

In the meantime the Palestinians “celebrated” Nakba (disaster) Day. The disaster of one minute country in a sea of enormous Islamic States being returned to its indigenous peoples after 2,000 years of dispersion – had they accepted statehood in 47 they could have been celebrating independence instead of continuing the myth of disaster that paralyses their young people and their progress toward statehood.

I love this – love it! Scientists in the Israel Aricraft Inductries have created a beautiful spy butterfly!!! Quite apart from its possibilities in “fly on the wall” situations it opens a whole new world of CCTV to http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=4294

We celebrated Jerusalem Day in the exquisite grounds of the Christian Embassy in Jerusalem. This is the first, but not the last, of these wonderful receptions to celebrate Jerusalem in a place of tolerance and love. Jurgen Buhler, Director of the Embassy, David Parsons, PR, Jay and Meridel Rawlings, Shaya Ben Yehuda of Yad Vashem, Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Naomi Tsur and so many other wonderful people as we sat on a balmy Jerusalem evening inhaling the redolence of jasmine and lavender in the perfectly manicured gardens listening to the fountain and looking at the pinkish, beige Jerusalem stone building of outstandingly beautiful architecture. http://int.icej.org/about/inside-embassy Our evening was made even more wonderful thanks to Harold Finger of Sydney, Australia, who introduced us to Alan and Eva Gold. Alan is an author of high repute and success who is conducting the primary research for a trilogy about Jerusalem. We were so happy with Harold's introduction and have become firm and loving friends with this adorable and clever couple.

I had an American style High Tea with Hadassah in French Hill, at the invitation of Danby; arriving in my one and only large, Ascot style hat! Zvi spent two days at the Maccabiah Conference looking toward next years spectacular event and we were so busy hardly managed to see our beautiful grandchildren!!!

Shevuot is upon us. Shevuot or Pentecost is one of the Foot festivals of pilgrimage. Shevuot comes from Sheva or Seven in Hebrew; Seven times seven or seven weeks after Passover, seven weeks of contemplation and restraint, counting each day (the Omer) toward the festival which celebrates the giving of the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai. The Torah, the basis for all our modern laws and todays social structure for democracy. Moses was chosen to by G-d to receive the Torah for his people because of his humility and purity, just as today humility is the most essential and least evident quality necessary for brilliant leadership.

Cheesecakes abound, cheesecakes and blintzes or what Israelis insist upon calling “Blintches”. Supermarkets refill the shelves of white cheeses on a constant level as their customers buy far more than anyone can possibly use no matter how much they bake, roast and fry! Todays shoppers have double duty buying to do and then begin to cook. The succulent dishes of Shabbat meats, giving the Jerusalem air a familiar multi-cultural redolence give way to the cheesy, fishy, milky, aromatic dishes of Shevuot. A clean white blanket clothes the city as children and adults alike dress in pure white, white kippot, white clothes and in the religious areas white robes or “kittels”. It is wonderful to think of a time when we were so close to the Torah, so observant of the life-rules given that religious differences were irrelevant and hearts pure. We gave up the Golden Calf and chose to care about each other. Todays Golden Calf of iphones and ipads, mansions and Gucci or on the other extreme Admors and Rabbis who have lost their humility and form cliques have all taken us far from our ideals. May be it is time to return to the purity of those social laws, discard the insistence upon minutae and look at the whole the Torah which gave us modern society at its best.

The view from our veranda is as exquisite as always. Each time I step out into the fresh air, surrounded by the sapphire blue lobelia, the scarlet petunias, the orangey red pomegranate flowers, the white scented lemon blossom and the herb garden in the far corner. Stepping forward I see Jerusalem, ah Jerusalem. I see trees where there were none, planted by KKL, I see beautiful white stoned houses where there was nothing, I see tall towers and low housing wher nothing stood and I see the Arab neighborhood of Beit Safafa where we, Israelis, are happy they live. I see Jerusalem, the Jerusalem I prayed to return to every day, every festival every marriage every happy event. We never forgot Jerusalem – it is just a rotten shame that the world did.

With much love from the most beautiful city in the world.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem

120517

17^th May, 2012

Shabbat Shalom everyone! How are you?

The BBC has completed its task. That august institution that once upon a time was the ultimate in elegant honest news has become a left-wing, irresponsibly biased organisation which is ungovernable and feels no responsibility to represent those who pay their licence. Never since the days of Goebbels have so many been fooled by so few......... Their constant demonisation of Israel has finally reaped its reward, in a recent poll of their viewers and listeners Israel was voted among the four most threatening countries in the world to the Western way of life. Hmmmmmmmm what're we going to do – kill by hi-tech and medical research?http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-ranked-third-behind-iran-and-pakistan-for-negative-influence-in-bbc-survey/ 

Talking of killing with kindness – Israel 21C reports this week on the top twelve Israeli innovations which save the third world from starvation – let the Bloody Biased Corruption put that in their pipe and smoke it!!! http://israel21c.org/technology/the-top-12-ways-israel-feeds-the-world/

Mark Twain said “It is easier to fool people than convince them they have been fooled” a fact the PA and the media rely upon.

This week the Arab world in general and Palestinians in particular “celebrated” Nakba (disaster) Day by shooting, setting ablaze, rock and stone throwing and general disorder. Their anger at the founding of the State of Israel is mistakenly directed at Israel when in fact it should be pointed at themselves and their leaders. Imagine if, in 1947, they had accepted what was offered to them and lived beside us in peace; they would be amongst the leading technological countries in the world, they would have everything we have and more; they could have harnessed all that excess energy of their young people to build a country instead of turning becoming so jealous they are incapable of building a future.

Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) is upon us. This is the day we celebrate the re-unification of the City of David after just 19 years of its division. Despite the constant disinformation of the media, Jerusalem was Jordanian for only 19 years (1948 to 1967), during which period many Jewish and Christian sites were either destroyed or simply left derelict. During the War of Independence (1948) the battles over Jerusalem were especially difficult and our wonderful friend Shalom Dror z”l was a hero of the fight for the neighborhood of Katamon, ironically his eldest son died in the battle for the Temple Mount in 1967. This year Shalom will not be at the ceremony on Ammunition Hill but other heroes will. Jerusalem is a thriving wonderful city, the only one in the entire Middle East which guarantees freedom of faith and prayer to all its citizens, whether Moslem (8 denominations), Christian (52 denominations), Druze, Bahai, Makoya, Buddhist and of course Jews (about 500,000 denominations – so who is going to agree!). Zvi and I will be celebrating in the glorious gardens of the Christian Embassy in Jerusalem with visitors from Australia, Eva and Alan Gold – OK Harold? Here we see Jerusalem, 4,000 years in 5 minutes! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mR2W43t6tI

A clear problem in Israel today is one that I have often spoken about, that of divisions in Israeli society caused by uneven distribution of responsibility and obligation. The current, newly formed coalition has put this issue to the forefront of its priorities determined to find a logical solution to an illogical problem caused by Ben Gurions naivete. If one reads the media one could mistakenly think that all Haredi families shirk responsibility both in the workforce and in defending this country which is just not true. A wonderful example is the Sztrigler family, for whom we have a special love; warm, deeply religious and every member of the family served or serves in the IDF and holds a good job. The Horowitz family that I met a few weeks ago are the same, it doesn't harm their religiosity and it strengthens their link to this country and all of its citizens. One cannot bury ones head in the sand and ignore our responsibility to each other just as one cannot ignore the fact that Arab members of Israeli society who do not serve in some capacity also miss out and none can be equal footing until they give back to the country.

On Thursday we drove up the fast highway to Haifa and the wedding of Zvi's cousins daughter on the shorefront which was lovely – hugging family we don't see often enough. Sunday more family then we drove inland to the glorious village of Timrat to meet Zvi's sons future inlaws who really were delightful and welcoming. The view from Timrat across the Jezreel Valley was breathtaking, still green after the wonderful rainfall of this winter, the agricultural land producing Israeli delicacies.

Saturday, Shabbat, was special, so special because our friend Canon Andrew White came to Shabbat lunch with two of his friends and we were joined by Professor Gabby Barkay of whom I speak often. Gabby helped Andrew and I in the Ezekiels Tomb project and Zvi's lovely Canadian relatives, the Pomerants came too Andrew, larger than life (he is even bigger than Zvi!) and one of this earths last living altruists, spoke of his life in Baghdad; every day filled with danger from every corner, he cannot travel anywhere without some 35 bodyguards from the Iraqi forces, he is confined to the compound of St Georges Church yet his congregation is multi-cultural all finding solace in the purity of his love and His love. Andrew is fighting Multiple Sclerosis and seems to be winning at the moment, managing to fill each day with twice the activities of a healthy man; travelling the world educating, speaking, helping, loving and explaining, bringing people together. If the Allies would listen to Andrew Iraq would be a better place and the world in general. Intensely intelligent he manages to use his excellent mind to bring people together when all hope of such is long past. Andrew relishes Jewish tradition and loved Zvi's somewhat hoarse Kiddush! - by the evening his temperature reached 40 degrees!!!

On Sunday I took my childhood friend Averil and her niece Naomi around Jerusalem in a flying visit. We went from north to south, leaping out of the car to catch the spectacular panoramas of the city from every conceivable angle, looking over Bethlehem from Gilo and then to the city centre heading straight for Mahane Yehuda Market for lunch to absorb that most Jerusalem part of Jerusalem. Even though Sunday is not the ideal market day since many stores declare the day off, the winding alleys are still redolent with the aromas of spices, herbs and mountains of fresh strawberries and nectarines, loquats and peaches and shiny purple aubergines (egg plant). As if the display was not enough we went to the Olive Oli stand to sample six different types of olive oil advancing toward the sweet sticky halva and pungent, delicious gourmet cheeses. Lunch, sitting outside the coffee shop watching the world go by, was, of course, delicious!

Tuesday's meeting with Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Naomi Tsur and my lovely friend Lord Stone of Blackheath was fascinating. The meeting was held in a small restaurant in the Municipality campus adjacent to the walls of the Old City, between the Jaffa Gate and Damascus Gate in a beautiful modern campus, but the restaurant is in a building whose walls still showing the scars of conflict from many, many years ago. As we sat, watching the light rail (tram) pass us by, somewhat incongruous on the ancient street, Naomi told us of her plans for “Green Pilgrimages” to Jerusalem; pilgrimages which can be religious or cultural to learn of and to teach about green answers to the worlds ecological problems while absorbing the spirituality of the city that King David chose as his and where he wrote his psalms irrespective of the path one takes to that spirituality. “Green Pilgrimage” - If anyone is interested in contacting Naomi about the Green Pilgrimages I will be happy to give you her email.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmXHIeFn2C4

The rest of the week is a blur of meetings and grandchildren, old friends and new and yesterday it ended on the veranda of the King David Hotel eating lunch with 5 girlfriends to celebrate Dana's birthday. This wonderful hotel, elegant and historic, has a veranda overlooking the old city, the ancient walled fortifications framing the beauty of Jerusalem. One sits and feels surrounded by history. The names of Presidents and Prime Ministers line the floor of the main hallway and the high decorated ceilings tell of the conversations held in the meeting rooms. I love it!

Today we will see all our friends from around the world for Shabbat in in Kfar Maccabiah near Tel Aviv as the Maccabi family meets to plan the 2013 Maccabiah. What a spectacle that will be! I love the Maccabi family – sport and love know no boundaries and I will see our friends from Turkey and Hong Kong, USA and Peru, UK, Australia and Timbuctoo!!!! I love it!

Time to go dear friends, I could go on but I fear exhausting your interest! Before leaving you I thought you would enjoy this short explanation of what Jerusalem means to Jews by Chief Rabbi of Great Britain and the Commonwealth Lord Sacks http://www.ou.org/torah/article/rabbi_sacks_on_yom_yerushalayim#.T7XR5-j9Old

With much love from this wonderful, vibrant, beleaguered, misunderstood yet marvellously happy city

Shabbat Shalom to you all, whatever your faith, whatever your path – let it be one of love.

Sheila

Shabbat Shalom letter from jerusalem

110603

3rd June 2011

Dear lovely people, today I not only nearly missed the Shabbat boat – cooking too much as usual – but I was trying to get my brain around the number of things I want to tell you without boring you to death!!!

This week Israel celebrated Jerusalem Day with wonderful parades, shows, specials at the museums, children's activities, rejoicing and prayer. The reports in the media were only of the unnecessary rumpus, on both sides of the political fence, of those who don't want to celebrate but rather want to make points and be right – rather than to be happy for one day of the year. I feel that one does not always have to create dissention. I love to see the flags out, hear the children singing Jerusalem songs in the nursery school down the road, appreciate the parties and barbeques in the evening and know that in 1967 Israeli soldiers re-united Jerusalem after a 19 year period of Jordanian rule in which we were not allowed to pray at our shrines and ancient Biblical sites, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was left to crumble, the Via Dolorosa uncleaned and the Mount of Olive tombstones smashed and used as road paving. When Shuly Natan sang Nomi Shemer's song "Jerusalem of Gold" just before the 6 Day War, it came from a place of longing and yearning for the very heart of our ancient beliefs; when she added the final verse after the 6 Day War – which says that we can now go to our Holiest of sites – which then included Jericho – our hearts sang with pride. Somehow time and the tide, nay Tsunami of lies has washed away the truth and made us appear to be the occupiers of our own land. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JZT5fKD9bM after this original recording we returned to the Old City, we pray at the Western Wall, we were allowed on the Temple Mount for a short period, we drove to the Dead Sea via Jericho but still they call our Biblical Jerusalem Arab East Jerusalem – only 19 years and they talk of time immemorial.

British Ambassador to Israel Matthew Gould declared his commitment to Israel and the principles of Zionism on Thursday, at an evening dedicated to his new pet project: raising awareness and support for Kibbutz Eshbal, a young community in the Lower Galilee dedicated to helping children at risk from all segments of the population.

“I hope that this is not controversial, and if anyone believes that it is then they need to take a good look at their values and ask why they would object to me supporting a project like this,” said Gould, who is the first Jewish ambassador to represent Britain here. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?ID=222636&R=R1

Talking of Ambassadors, arguably the best Ambassador in a long time has been Ron Prosor, Israel's Ambassador to the Court of St. James and prospective Ambassador to the United Nations. Ambassador Prosor did us proud under impossible circumstance. Thank you Sir and good luck in the unfriendly waters of the United Nations. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/8551220/Israel-and-Britain-are-allies-in-the-fight-for-democratic-values.html

To quote Monty Python - And now for something completely different!!!!
Let's take a look at the real Israel, the genuine wish for Tikkun Olam and the desire to help.
Sir Bob Geldof was here in Israel to receive an honour from the Ben Gurion University. He stated that Israel's care for the poorest areas of the world should bring great accolades. He should know, he didn't trust the "aid" organizations and their wasted monies, he began with Band Aid and each year went to Africa to ensure the money went to the intended communities.
Issraaid http://www.israaid.org.il/ not only reached out to Haiti with the first field hospitals but while others left Haiti and Japan they remain to ensure social and psychological help continues long after the headlines.
Save a Child's Heart http://www.saveachildsheart.org/ reaches out to children the world over to provide the best care imaginable to cure heart diease. At least half of their patients are brought in from the Palestinian Authority.
Golda Meir went to Africa in the 50's and came home with the idea for Mashav the International Centre for Women "How can a country move ahead if it ignores 50% of its population" Initially only for women this incredible training centre is thriving and changing the third world by empowering women and teaching men to understand their importance. http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/VideoLibrary/MASHAV_Lending_hand_changing_world.htm?lang=english
The Hebrew University in Jerusalem has an exceptional programme to improve the way of life for African countries. Senior Pears Foundation alumni cite valuable Hebrew University experience in helping them to cope with health issues in Africa. http://www.huji.ac.il/cgi-bin/dovrut/dovrut_search_eng.pl?mesge126708681432688760
ZAKA formed as a first response team within the Haredi community during Israel's horrific time of terror attacks ZAKA has proven itself more than capable of acting as first response in international disasters. http://www.zaka.org.uk/
These are just a few of the true faces of Israel, not the media cant, the Palestinian lies – by the way, when was the last time you heard of a Palestinian team going to the aid of Japan, Turkey, Haiti or anywhere else? Tiny Israel, tiny, beleaguered Israel still looks out to find those to help.

Today as I went on my morning walk I saw many children walking to school with decorated plates of fruits. Almost Shevuot, Pentecost, the Feast of Weeks, the end of the counting of the Omer (the 49 days after Passover) a time of begging forgiveness and of prayer – of reading the book of Ruth. The Torah was given by G‑d to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai more than 3300 years ago. Every year on the holiday of Shavuot we renew our acceptance of G‑d’s gift, and G‑d “re-gives” the Torah. We wear white for purity and eat cheese, cheesecakes, blintzes…indeed anything with cheese, milk or yoghurt!

Back to the cooking, tonight we have a wonderful and varied list of guests. Nancy, Harry and Jon Bloomfield are here from Montreal Canada, Lea and Yehuda Ressler, Prof. Shimon and Miri Shitreet and my wonderful friends Jenny and Brian Bell who haven't been to our place for Shabbat dinner for probably 30 years – and since their home in Ra'anana was my support and bolt-hole when I most needed it I think it is high time we returned the compliment!!!! I cannot wait to see their faces when Zvi begins the Kiddush in his incredible bass-baritone voice using the simple glass Kiddush cup his father sang over for so many years rather than the multiple silver ones – the view of Jerusalem at night behind him. Traditions hold us together and make us who we are, without traditions we have no past and little future.

I wish you Shabbat Shalom dear friends. Take out some small item from your past, from your parents or grandparents home and enjoy it. As Michael Doppelt said this week as he sat on our veranda "I can never forget my grandparents – I carry them with me at all times" We are what we are because of what they taught us.
Shabbat Shalom, Chag Shevuot Sameach and much love from Jerusalem, East, West, South or North, divided for 19 years of her 3,000 year history and free, beautiful, flourishing and ours.
Sheila

Shabbat Shalom letter from jerusalem

110527

27th May 2011

Shabbat shalom dear friends
How are you? I hope you are well and looking forward to fine weather, sunshine and kinder times.

Rarely have I heard a more varied set of opinions than those concerning President Obama's speech prior to Prime Minster Netanyahu's arrival at the White House! He certainly dropped a "J" bomb when he suggested "retreating" to the '67 borders… could it be that he doesn't realize that means us giving Jerusalem, the Jewish Quarter, the Armenian Quarter, the Christian Quarter, the Western Wall, Southern Wall, Ofel, Temple Mount and all the Christian sites that we negotiated with Jordan in exchange for peace after a mere 19 years that they were in Arab hands? Does he understand that there is no Palestinian people? Does he include my husband and many of his friends born into Mandate Palestine. When freezing building in the "settlements" he went further than Abu Mazen could have dreamed. We need YOUR voice to shout out to your representatives. Pastor Leo Giovinetti did it with his flock, now I want you and your synagogues and churches to do the same.

If you doubt the power of one look at the site of Philippe Karsenty of France. He fought against France 2 television after their rigging of the Mohammed Al Dura piece that convinced the world that a child was intentionally killed by IDF fire, when in fact he was not killed and there was no Israeli fire! Monsieur Karsenty fought, appealed and won; not that anyone on the Western media told you but France 2 is guilty of rigging a news item to intentionally disinform their viewers against Israel. http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/french-court-vindicates-al-dura-hoax-critic/
Philippe is now running for Mayor of Neuilly-sur-Seine Sarkozy's former constituency, and he needs the votes of anyone with French citizenship overseas. Go to his Facebook site and find out how!

I met Philippe through Barry and Carol Shaw. Barry and Carol came to Jerusalem with four purposes. To hold a meeting with Philippe; to be introduced by me to meet and discuss hasbara with Jurgen Buhler the delightful new Director of the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem in their phenomenally beautiful home; to promote his excellent new book ISRAEL - RECLAIMING THE NARRATIVE www.israelnarrative.com and of course, to stand on our veranda to see the view.

I know that Jurgen Buhler will do a fantastic job because his heart is in the right place and his belief in Israel unquestionable. The outgoing Director, Rev. Malcolm Hedding is off to the United States but hardly leaving the Embassy behind and certainly continuing his incredible advocacy of Israel. Malcolm has spoken out for Israel for many years but of late the idea that Israel is an apartheid state has incensed him above all other accusations. A former South African who fought Apartheid with all his heart Malcolm is insulted that a free society such as Israel be compared to that oppressive and foul regime – thus insulting the Africans who fought so hard for their freedom. Malcolm, we wish you great success, happiness, fulfillment and await your return to the Jerusalem you love so much.

How can one compare the Palestinian Authority to Israel? An impossible question so vast its responses. I was taught that a society is as good as the way they treat their weakest members. These next two videos will explain that difference with need for further explanations. The first tells the story of a child with special needs taunted and persuaded to walk toward a group of IDF soldiers with an explosive belt strapped to himself and a detonator in his hand. The soldiers saw the belt, ducked and then gently took the button from his hand, disarmed him and took him to an Israeli hospital http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YBgUCX9gEs&feature=youtube_gdata_player
The 2nd talks of Muhammad Kunbar and Jafar Tawil from the Arab neighbourhood of Beit Tsafafa, Jerusalem, mentally challenged young men who will represent Israel in the Special Olympics in Athens playing tennis. http://www.israeltenniscenter.com/htmls/my_story_muhammad_jafar.aspx?c0=13715&bsp=13448
One could point to the difference in the treatment of women, the IDF has appointed Major General Orna Barbiviai, mother of 3, the first Major General in the IDF
http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=222412

It's Maccabi time again! I love it when dear friends arrive from all over the world and gather in Kfar Maccabiah amid great celebration. The purpose is to plan the next Maccabiah but the warmth and joy of the Maccabiah family is exceptional. Allen and Maida Gerskup are here from Toronto and came to Jerusalem to see us before the big celebrations begin. They requested lunch in the Botanical Gardens, after my descriptions and were not disappointed! Not only did we get lots of OTH tasters because our neighbours daughter, the beautiful Gal, is a waitress there while studying, but because they know me! We sat beside the lake on a glorious balmy day, Oreganetto, sweet potato salads huge before us, and watched the display of children in various colour hats carrying Israeli and Jerusalem flags. As we left our delicious fare, Zvi stopped to ask one child from where they came. "Taibeh" was the response. Taibeh is an Israeli Arab town in the north of the country and here they were with their school, loving every moment of celebrating Jerusalem Day! Where are CNN and the BBC when you need them?

Jerusalem Day, a proud moment in our history when after 19 years of Jordanian rule Jerusalem was taken in a fierce series of battles culminating in the words of Motte Gur "Har haBayit beyadenu" The Temple Mount is in our hands. In the words of Chief of Staff Yitzchak Rabin
“I felt truly shaken and stood there murmuring a prayer for peace. Motta Gur’s paratroopers were struggling to reach the Wall and toudh it. We stood among a tangle of rugged, battle-weary men who were unable to believe their eyes or restrain their emotions. Their eyes were moist with tears, their speech incoherent. The overwhelming desire was to cling to the Wall, to hold on to that great moment as long as possible.”

Last night we went to Mamilla for supper with Deidre and Keith Beville who are here with The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council under the Directorship of Colin Rubenstein ‏http://www.aijac.org.au/?id=aboutaijac It was delightful sitting, talking about the world in the Café outside the very house that Theodore Herzl stayed in when he visited Jerusalem to speak with Kaiser Wilhelm; in the glorious city that we longed for and redeemed, on a wonderful soft Jerusalem evening with the full rainbow of humanity passing by in absolute freedom.

Gosh I am a lucky woman.
Shabbat Shalom and a memorable Jerusalem Day
With much love from Jerusalem, heart of our world
Sheila

Shabbat Shalom letter from Jerusalem

100513

13th May 2010.

Shabbat Shalom Dear Friends



Last week I wrote about lunch with our dear friends Keith and Dee Beville from Australia and of their lifes work within the Australian Jewish Community. If my words suggested that they were dissatisfied with any of the institutions or organisations, please know that it was unintentional. Their contribution should not be tainted by my poor choice of words which was meant to indicate their excitement for the future rather than a criticism of the past or present. My apologies.



Israel has joined the prestigious OECD which sounds more like a psychological problem than a monetary organization!!!!! http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/IsraeliEconomy/Economic_News/FM-Liberman-welcomes-OECD-resolution-10-may-2010.htm



Prof. Gabby Barkay spends his life sifting through history, digging up proof of every aspect of our time in this amazing Biblical Land. In celebration of Jerusalem Day he was joined by several Members of Knesset to work on the mounds of rubble he saved from extinction from the Temple Mount http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=175342

Dr Barkay not only received permission to redeem the 700 truckloads of our history as reported in this article - he initiated it, went himself to dangerous sites deep I the PA to ensure its return when others claimed the earthworks dug out by Sheikh Raeed Salah were lost forever. He worked tirelessly on the first several truckloads with virtually no funding. An outstanding speaker who inspires all who listen to his "adventures" with the past, Gabby is an exceptional specialist on Jerusalem. Thank you dear Gabby for going where others fear to tread!

A short while ago I became aware of rumours that Ezekiels Tomb in Iraq, south of Baghdad in the village of Al Kilf had been severely damaged. http://www.thejc.com/blogpost/save-ezekiels-tomb-now My information came trough the Julius family in the UK. I wrote to Canon Andrew White who spoke to the locals who claimed it was not true. Unwilling to accept hearsay evidence, upon his return from a lecture tour of the States, Andrew drove 3 hours with 30 bodyguards to check out the site for himself.

On Tuesday, as I was sitting in one of Jerusalem's interminable traffic jams I received a phone call from Canon Andrew White at Ezekiel's tomb!!!! I could barely see trough my tears and nearly bumped the car in front of me. He was shouting down the phone that everything was perfect and the Hebrew letters intact and he managed to obtain a promise from the local Mullahs that the site will not be touched and all will be well. What a man!!!!

On that same Tuesday Andrew was awarded the prize for the best Christian book in Britain "The Vicar of Baghdad" and on Wednesday he received the first ever Iraq Peace Prize presented by Grand Ayatollah Hossain Al Sader. The Grand Ayatollah said that "nobody had served Iraq like Canon White, the fact that he has been in Iraq for so long searching for peace is an encouragement to all Iraqis of all faiths".



On Tuesday we celebrated the 43rd Jerusalem Day, a multi-faceted celebration of the re-unification of the City of Jerusalem after 19 years of division between Jordan and Israel from 1948-1967. On that fateful day the tearful voice of Motte Gur "Har habayit beyadenu" the Temple Mount is in our hands fulfilled Nomi Shemers prediction that the shofar would once again be blown on the Temple Mount. Little did we know that the Temple Mount would be retaken within Israel by those who try to remove evidence of our history from the holy site.

The day was also a memorial for those who fell in the Six Day war to free Jerusalem for all faiths as well as a celebration of our City of Gold, Capital of the State of Israel. The Veterans March in the centre of town was joined by scouts and young soldiers and representatives from amny union and organizations; the ceremony on Givat ha Tachmoshet and a http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=175319

Jerusalem is an exquisitely beautiful, fascinating mosaic made up of a rainbow of colours and creeds. Jerusalem is also Israel's biggest city with over 774,000 residents http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUeXtem8uBQ&feature=fvw



The Ethiopian immigration to Israel has a romantic ring but it was a tortuous journey for a people who suffered horrific anti-Semitism, exile to a remote mountain region – even branding, yet throughout their suffering they prayed to come back to Jerusalem. A Ceremony on Mount Herzl in recognition of the struggle of Ethiopian Jews to come to Israel and to commemorate those who died on the walk to Sudan http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3888718,00.html Shlomo Gronich and the Sheba choir tell the story of the "Masa" the journey from Africa to Israel, of the moon in the sky over the desert as they walked endlessly and painfully toward their destination "One last push and we will be on our way to Jerusalem" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FjtD3mKrIE&feature=related and Zahava Ben gives us an Eastern hue to the Golden City http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msXQJoE9igg&feature=related



What is a Jew? How often have you heard the question without getting an acceptable answer? Kobi Oz produced this wonderful recording of "I am a Jew" Ani Yehudi which includes the full scope, ambit, range and rainbow of Jews. I love it!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Zw7Kico7Oo&NR=1



Last week I forgot to write about the highlight! Maccabi World Union opened its congress with an outstanding evening at the Cameri theater in Tel Aviv. We took over the theatre for an extraordinarily exciting rendition of Fiddler on the Roof with Natan Datner. Phenomenal evening and gorgeous crowd of people. Well done Eyal Tiberger – Kol ha Kavod and Chazak ve-Amatz!!!!



This week has been a joy. My sister Eddies close friends Andrea, Larry, Nici and Sol flew all the way from Toronto to learn about Israel for themselves. They went North and South and then settled to a few days of the Sheila Tour of Jerusalem. We did just about all the places I talk about including Gilo, Beit Safafa, Ben Yehuda, Mahane Yehuda, shopping in the Old City, the new city and the mall (!), the Herzl Museum, the Supreme Court and so much more and they were so excited about every place that it was a joy for me to spend time with them. Of course we ended up wit a celbratory supper at "Zion ha Gadol" wit my jet-lagged husband!



Zvi came home from a wonderful trip to China with the Hora Jerusalem Dance Troupe where together with David D'Or they opened the Israeli Pavilion at Expo Shanghai. David d'Or's most famous song is "T'shmor al ha Olam Yeled" (Take care of the world my child) where he bewails the fact that we didn't do a good job of watching over our world and it is now up to the children - with the wonderful line "If all the love in the world ends only you can keep it going" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC6KiNORXqY&feature=related



I pray that our children will understand to keep our world from harm and notice that we didn't do a good job. I pray that their rebellion will be to prove that they can do better.



I want to wish my cousin Hannah and her new husband a wonderful marriage and apologise for the fact that I didn't manage to go to the sheva brachot. I hope that next time they will all come to our veranda and have a celebration together. Mazal Tov Bobby, Eleanor, Jean and Stuart!!!





Shabbat Shalom to you all from Jerusalem. Jerusalem which has blossomed, grown and become open and free for 43 out of her 3,000 years, becoming more beautiful by the day. Not bad eh?

With much love

Sheila