161020 Succot, Russian Fleet, UNESCO, USA elections

161020

20^th October 2016

Shabbat Shalom dear friends. Shabbat Shalom, Moadim le simcha, Chag Sameach, Holy Tabernacles. Succot is on her way out and Simchat Torah is getting nearer. Our Succah this year is spectacular, I decided to have curtains on the side which faces the view so that we can hold them back and see the spectacular view while honouring the tradition of sitting in our Succah.

It is fascinating as to why we spend a week in the Succah….. why would a people with perfectly good houses suddenly build a relatively flimsy extension and eat and even sleep in it? There are many explanations from harvest time, remembering our 40 years in the desert, gratitude for what we have, to returning to nature…………. All of which seem fine but let's look deeper. Why did we have to wander in the desert for 40 years? Look I know they didn't have WAZE but 40 years? One explanation is that G-d wanted the generation of slavery to die off and the generation of freedom to build the new land; another says it was a punishment for their mistrust in Moses and the building of the Golden Calf (and all the subsequent revelry and orgies) and the hope that after 40 years they would have learned to accept the social, moral and religious rules of the 10 Commandments. Personally I think it is combination of them all.

Life in this crazy world didn't stand still just because it is Succot! If only.

The Russian fleet is currently passing through the English Channel, being carefully watched and followed by the British Navy, on their way to Syria. It doesn't fill me with hope, nor with dread; it deeply concerns me. It makes the choice of American President even more important.

Watching the debates make my heart sink. When will we hear policy? Who will set forth a manifesto? Who will stop the personal insults and name calling first? This is not a personal matter, they are not playing at school debates, Americans have to choose someone who can face down the impending threat of Russian intervention in an already inflammatory situation. My greatest fear is that neither of the candidates can do it. Sorry Americans, but I want a President who can lead the United States and thus lead the world. I don't want to be Czechoslovakia any more.

UNESCO, what is there to say? Inanity that has become both irrelevant and highly dangerous.   The denial of the Temple Mount's Jewish origins insults Judaism and Christianity equally. Zvi, who has strong Mexican ties, was very surprised at the Mexican vote in favour of the proposition since the President said no and the Ambassador to UNESCO is a pro-Israel Jew. You will be glad to know the vote was rescinded, the Ambassador is staying and all is well. Irina Bokova, the Head of UNESCO spoke out in dismay at the ratification of the proposition. As a result she received death threats! http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Head-of-UNESCO-receives-death-threats-following-Jerusalem-resolutions-470332

As you know, I am on the board of Impact-se, an organisation that set the criteria for tolerance in education for UNESCO and provides data through research to many governments http://www.impact-se.org/latest-news/ . If we can't educate the adults then at least we have to save the children.

Incidentally, if they want to claim the Holy Bible isn't Jewish we can show them this video of how the archaeological scientists have found a way to read the Ein Gedi Scrolls – the earliest scrolls of the 5 Books of Moses https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GduCExxB0vw

Last week I failed to report on the killing of two people by an Israeli Arab terrorist. The incident, quite apart from our deep sadness at those who were killed, has caused an uproar because the perpetrator was supposed to be in jail but begged the court to give him an extra month before going into jail, to organise his finances. On the day he was meant to report to the police he acted out his Facebook threats. May the souls of his victims rest in peace. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4864512,00.html

A major subject of discussion in Israel concerns the young soldier, Elor Azaria, who after a terrorist had attacked his fellow soldiers and was neutralized, still shot and killed him. His defence is that he thought the terrorist was reaching for his belt, a dangerous situation, but the soldier, rather than being tried in military court, is being very publicly tried in the civilian court. The media refers to him as the shooting soldier and in effect his life is paraded before the court and the cameras. Naftali Bennet has come out suggesting he has suffered enough and this very public trial will cause other young soldiers to be overly cautious in dangerous situations. Strangely enough, although I am a pacifist by nature, I agree with him. http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Bennett-calls-for-pardoning-Hebron-shooter-469712

I found this quote which fits the situation – although I still want our soldiers to think before pulling the trigger, they don't always have the time.

Sometimes to protect the flock we have no choice but to kill the wolves

Last night we were meant to go to one of the most exciting evenings of the Jerusalem calendar  - the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem's Israeli Spectacular. Thousands of Christians here for the Tabernacles celebrations gather in the basketball arena and put on a phenomenal show of support for Israel. Today there was a huge parade. I say we were meant to go because we didn't! I have a rotten cough and couldn't gather the strength to go out!! This gives you an idea of the excitement engendered https://vimeo.com/163663497 . Of course our dear friend Canon Andrew White spoke at several sessions.

Talking of Christians, Bethlehem, that city so important to Christianity, has become a very difficult place to be Christian, indeed a tiny Christian minority. Our friend Boutrus, a wonderful man, lives in Bethlehem with his wife and 5 children and crosses over to Jerusalem every day to find work. Boutrus is a house painter and handyman, but he cannot make ends meet. He is in trouble, along with most of Bethlehems Christians. The world seems to have lost its moral compass.

In 10 days my favourite organisation, the Yuri Shtern Holistic Centre, which cares for cancer patients and their families at Shaare Zedek Hospital, is putting on a spectacular evening at the Jerusalem Theatre with a special performance by the Bat Dor Ballet Company. If you are in Jerusalem come, I can tell you where to get tickets. November 1st, 2016. It is an outstanding cause https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sbk511x4oYI

The family came for first night Succot and all 17 of us squeezed into the succah! I was a bit cleverer this time and put all the food out buffet style. It was much more fun and much less work!!! As always Zvi performed the blessings beautifully and somehow sitting in the succah as the full moon rose through the curtains it was even more special. After 20 years the view still takes my breath away. It was so much fun that on Shabbat we are again 17, 17 friends are coming for Shabbat lunch. I love entertaining, enjoy others enjoying our view, love to make people laugh, to let them know that they are always welcome. It is the way I grew up. Mummy always kept one extra place setting on the sideboard, just in case someone came unexpectedly she could quickly put the extra place setting without a fuss.

And so to music!

I can't decide if I loathe this song or if it amuses me. Shaking the Lulav! At least it teaches us how to shake the lulav in the succah!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gODQ0pgR64Y

For those of short memory, it isn't so long since we were not allowed near our holy sites. The sense of longing was intense and expressed by Naomi Shemer in a song of yearning. The song won the Israel song contest and then miraculously the yearning became reality over a war that lasted just 6 days – Har Habiyit b yadenu – the Temple Mount is in our hands. Naomi Shemer added an additional verse expressing our joy at finally reaching our cherished sites. Yerushalayim Shel Zahav – even UNESCO can't take that away from us https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH8gtdDA5x0

Zvi and I wish you and yours a peaceful Shabbat and a joyous Simchat Torah…… My childhood memories are of great joy and dancing in the synagogue in Cardiff and the children being given sweeties (still a rarity in post war UK) and "Callers Nibbits"!! It was a time we were allowed, even encouraged, to make noise! If you still don't believe our sheer joy in the Torah, in the Bible, just watch this amateur video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwSLwiX2WjM

With love from Jerusalem, and remember, it doesn't matter what anyone says……… it is ours!!

Sheila  

161014 Kippur, Bob Dylan, UNESCO, Succot, ICEJ,

161014

14^th October 2016

Shabbat Shalom dear friends.

I hope that Yom Kippur passed easily, a day of reflection and of true determination to do better this year. I looked for synonyms for atonement but they all seem rather harsh, even penance is not quite the same, perhaps because our all-encompassing determination to be a better person, or a better people, softens the sense of punishment. Before heading out for the synagogue I wrote "Tonight is Kol Nidrei, heralding 25 hours of prayer, contemplation and atonement, a time to rethink our lives and question our motives, as a people. We must consider our loyalties, our words, to apologise is not to atone.......... to atone is to change, to admit our faults and do better."

Have you read Parashat Yona (The story of Jonah)? I mean really read it - the  Torah reading for Yom Kippur.
There are so many highly relevant aspects to this particular story.
G-d specifically asked Jonah to go to Nineveh (Mosul today) because the bad guys were taking over the city. Jonah didn't want to tackle the big city guys so he ran off to Tarshish on a boat. The historian Josephus said that Cilicia in Asia Minor and its capital is Tarsus, is Tarshish, however Jonah fled his responsibilities to the but ultimately after some time spent in the belly of a large fish (submarine?) because his shipmates realised he was bringing them bad luck and stormy seas, he decided he had better head of and take on the evil people of Nineveh. So many Jonahs in the world today are abrogating their responsibilities and heading for the easy route – and of course hurricanes, tsunamis and tornados are rocking our boat daily. Indeed, one just hit the Caribbean, Florida and Georgia. Message there somewhere?
Seriously, read it. It sounds straight from CNN!!!

Yom Kippur in Israel is different to anywhere else in the world. Not a sound, not a car, bus, train, motorcycle – nothing moves….. just children happily playing in the streets safe in the knowledge that no crazy driver will appear, and families walking to and from prayer or just enjoying the quiet opportunity to promenade. As Judy Lash Balint said – it is the festival of no traffic lights! http://jerusalemdiaries.blogspot.co.il/2016/10/welcome-to-israels-day-of-no-traffic.html?view=flipcard

It seems nothing in life is easy for Israel and no sooner had we finished praying than the bombshell dropped – UNESCO. Yes I know that the UN is irrelevant but the UNESCO decision that the Temple Mount is not Jewish is insanity!! To deny the Jewish connection is of course to deny the Christian connection, after all when Jesus went to the Temple Mount he did not visit Al Aqsa. To deny the Temple Mount is to deny the entire Judeo-Christian belief system. Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, Netherlands, USA and UK all voted against the motion, all the other nations either voted for the motion or abstained. One person on Facebook said "The difference between UNESCO and G-d is that G-d doesn't believe He is UNESCO" Of course we are the stupid ones, you and me and our free thinking countries. We continues to pay our dues and homage to that ludicrous organisation called the UN that has Libya and Saudi Arabia on its Human Rights Council. Time to change the world and stop our leaders acting like Jonah, avoiding the evil that stems from Nineveh. In the words of King David, Psalms 83:4  They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”

Perhaps one of the most disappointing aspects is that both Haiti and Nepal abstained. Their gratitude is apparently tempered by their desire to stay in the good books of the oil nations.

The UN and the US Administration should prepare themselves for a massive building boom in Israel! It began after sunset on Wednesday and reached a peak today. Small huts with large palm fronds as roofing appeared on roofs, in gardens, on verandas – indeed throughout the country. No need to get a court order to pull them down though – they will only be in use for 8 days!!! Yes folks, it is Succot, Tabernacles! Fancy wooden sided Succot; flimsy fabric sides; some simple shanties; some just a string to form the separation – all count, all legal, all decorated with surprising Christmas glitter and Chinese manufactured hanging decorations!!! The weather is far too hot to hang fruit so we buy our glitter balls and multi-coloured ornaments, trinkets and sparkly chains and children paint pictures of fruits to hang on the walls. This is one of two harvest festivals and so much more. The huts, or Tabernacles, represent the 40 years of wandering in the desert; the Lulav and Etrog, blessed each day, contain palm fronds, myrtle, willow and the rather special fruit which is not a lemon (citrus medica or citron), translates as the fruit of the beautiful tree. Men spend hours choosing the finest Etrog, inspecting every millimeter for imperfections. Each Succah incorporates the seven species -

For the L-rd your G‑d is bringing you to a good land: ... A land of wheat, barley, grapes, figs and pomegranates; a land of oil-yielding olives and [date] honey

If "man is a tree of the field and fruit is the tree's highest achievement, there are seven fruits that crown the human and botanical harvest. These are the seven fruits and grains singled out by the Torah as exemplars of the Holy Land's fertility: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. The Succah is not only for the family, the true purpose is to invite guests and for guests to come and sit in the Succah. Of course, we will have many people visiting over Succot. The first night we will be 20 people sitting down to dinner, all family or in-law family then over the week many friends will visit. Traditional foods tend to incorporate fruits, but include memula'im, or stuffed vegetables, where one takes every imaginable autumnal vegetable and fill them with rice, meat, herbs and then slowly bake it for hours in a lemony, herb juice. Fruit cakes, strudels, baked apples, almonds and raisins……….. actually, almonds and raisins are traditional celebratory fare – there is even a Yiddish lullaby that my Mummy used to sing to me called Rozhinkes Mit Mandlen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdKkPupLiYM

The prayer for rain is central to Succot – without rain trees will die, crops can't grow and the earth will blow away. It is not an incantation, but rather a yearning for rain such as that given to Abraham…………. http://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-prayer-for-rain/

Next week we will attend the special Gala Israel evening at the new Pais Arena to celebrate Tabernacles. The evening, indeed the entire Tabernacles pilgrimage and events, is organised by the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem under the watchful eye of its Director, the lovely Juergen Buhler. The Arena will be full to capacity as tens of thousands of Christians come to show their support of Israel, of Jerusalem and of their own faith. We are very honoured to be among the invitees, it amazes me each year that so many Christians love us – perhaps we are too used to being denigrated to notice the love that comes our way.

The week will end with Simchat Torah – indeed the story told in the Torah will end to begin again. Perhaps the UNESCO people should read it – or even part of it – to see who started what and where. The mere suggestion that the Temple Mount is not Jewish is an omen of what the world will become if we don't stand up and shout.

The people of Israel extend our love and consolations to the people of Thailand on the death of their King. Bhumibol Adulyadej, known as King Bhumibol the Great, was the ninth monarch of Thailand from the Chakri Dynasty as Rama IX was born in Cambridge Massachusetts in 1927 and served as a gentle and levelling influence on his people. While in Bangkok we saw the total reverence in which he was held. May his soul rest in peace.

Almost Shabbat again, the Chagim leave me very confused because the days seem to roll into one, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Succot, Shmini Atzeret, Simchat Torah………… and barely time to shop and cook in between!!! Nothing and no-one will ruin the sense of festivity in the air in Israel – most certainly not the United Nations!!! We don't need UNESCO to tell us what is and isn't ours – we read about it every Shabbat and every Festival!

Who'd a thought it? Bob Dylan, aka Robert Allen Zimmerman – Shabtai Zisel ben Avraham is a Nobel Laureate! Such a brilliant choice. A brave one too. – Dylan summed up the story of Israel, not only in Neighbourhood Bully https://vimeo.com/101836593 (Lyrics below)  but also in Blowin in the Wind. A genius of literature, of poetry, he captured our plight. https://youtu.be/vWwgrjjIMXA

I owe you one more song, perhaps one that is joyful, to match our current festivals. This is for those who think Tel Aviv is just a place of beaches and restaurants. Simchat Torah – the Joy of the Torah, in Rabin Square https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO4qWWR6jyM

In case you are surprised – no I am not going to talk about the American elections. I think that both the campaigns have fallen deep into mud-slinging rather than policy statements and don't want to be involved. Can I just say, however, that in 1^st Class – the armrests don't go up!

Today I am going to sit on our veranda, perhaps Zvi will come too before he heads off to his Parliament, no longer in the petrol station now it is held in the University Coffee Shop. I sit, often in the evening, to see the sun set on this fabulous, vibrant and special city. We have a hammock, what Americans call a garden swing, and I sit and slowly swing to and fro, taking in the sheer magnificence of what this tiny country has achieved in less than 70 years. From barren, uninhabited hills we have tree-lined avenues in sweeping neighbourhoods, Jewish and Moslem, and influx of millions of people who fled oppression – be it from the Arab countries, Africa or Eastern Europe – all in homes carrying on the traditions they brought with them, Jewish traditions. Football Stadium, Basketball Arena, Tennis club, Hi-Tech Centre, Open University, shopping malls, all open to all comers – this is a miracle and I have the privilege of sitting and swinging and reflecting………… before lighting the Shabbat Candles.

Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom – again a sweet year, A Holy Tabernacles and Chag Succot Sameach.

With love from Jerusalem

Sheila

Herewith the words to Neighbourhood Bully

Well, the neighborhood bully, he's just one man
His enemies say he's on their land
They got him outnumbered about a million to one
He got no place to escape to, no place to run
He's the neighborhood bully.

The neighborhood bully he just lives to survive
He's criticized and condemned for being alive
He's not supposed to fight back, he's supposed to have thick skin
He's supposed to lay down and die when his door is kicked in
He's the neighborhood bully.

The neighborhood bully been driven out of every land
He's wandered the earth an exiled man
Seen his family scattered, his people hounded and torn
He's always on trial for just being born
He's the neighborhood bully.

Well, he knocked out a lynch mob, he was criticized
Old women condemned him, said he should apologize
Then he destroyed a bomb factory, nobody was glad
The bombs were meant for him. He was supposed to feel bad
He's the neighborhood bully.

Well, the chances are against it, and the odds are slim
That he'll live by the rules that the world makes for him
'Cause there's a noose at his neck and a gun at his back
And a license to kill him is given out to every maniac
He's the neighborhood bully.

Well, he got no allies to really speak of
What he gets he must pay for, he don't get it out of love
He buys obsolete weapons and he won't be denied
But no one sends flesh and blood to fight by his side
He's the neighborhood bully.

Well, he's surrounded by pacifists who all want peace
They pray for it nightly that the bloodshed must cease
Now, they wouldn't hurt a fly. To hurt one they would weep
They lay and they wait for this bully to fall asleep
He's the neighborhood bully.
Every empire that's enslaved him is gone
Egypt and Rome, even the great Babylon
He's made a garden of paradise in the desert sand
In bed with nobody, under no one's command
He's the neighborhood bully.

Now his holiest books have been trampled upon
No contract that he signed was worth that what it was written on
He took the crumbs of the world and he turned it into wealth
Took sickness and disease and he turned it into health
He's the neighborhood bully.

What's anybody indebted to him for?
Nothing, they say. He just likes to cause war
Pride and prejudice and superstition indeed
They wait for this bully like a dog waits for feed
He's the neighborhood bully.

What has he done to wear so many scars?
Does he change the course of rivers? Does he pollute the moon and stars?
Neighborhood bully, standing on the hill
Running out the clock, time standing still
Neighborhood bully.

Shabbat Shalom from Sheila - Harper, Tibi, UNESCO, Dan Shechtman

140124

24^th January 2014

Shabbat Shalom dear friends. Hope you had a good week and you are in a good mood because there is a vast amount of news this week, although I promise to skip through the tough ones.

Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper spoke with both conviction and emotion in the Knessethttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZmbQG0I5lo and amused the nation with his lively rendition of Hey Jude for the Prime Minister of Israel and a wide audience. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/01/22/harper-sings-hey-jude-israel_n_4644521.html Israelis absolutely love the Canadian PM and expressed it warmly at the Kotel.

Dr. Ahmed Tibi is a former Deputy Speaker of the Knesset, now a Member of Knesset and a physician who dishonoured his position, his country and himself when he had the gall to heckle Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper as he spoke before the Knesset plenum. Tibis claims that a fellow Member was underprivileged because he had no running water or electricity in his home was disproven and Tibi, who also complained that Arabs are second class citizens was shown to be a liar. Incidentally it was Tibi who screamed at Ariel Sharon on that fateful day on the Temple Mount. http://www.algemeiner.com/2014/01/22/israeli-channel-exposes-false-claim-of-arab-mk-who-heckled-pm-harper/

Israeli secret services discovered a plot to kill as many Israelis as possible as they were enjoying ia concert at Jerusalem's largest concert hall. The plot was by Jerusalem Arabs, some with Israeli identity cards, who are open members of Al Qaeeda. The plot was discovered, the men arrested and the attack prevented. http://www.bicom.org.uk/news-article/18427/

UNESCO chose to cancel an exhibition on the history of Jerusalem due to pressure from the Arab countries. The exhibit, “Book, People, Land - The 3,500 Year Relationship of the Jewish People With the Holy Land”, put on by the Simon Wiesenthal Foundation, will now go ahead in June thanks to pressure from Canada and the USA. http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/UNESCO-looks-to-hold-Land-of-Israel-exhibit-in-June-338941

If the above worries you, then consider this -

Former Egyptian MP Mustafa Bakri Threatens To Massacre Americans In Egypt If Al-Sisi Is Assassinated;We Have 90 Million Ticking Bombs. If Anything Happens To General Al-Sisi, No American Will Be Left On The Face Of The Earth - Not In Egypt, Nor Anywhere Else

http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/7778.htm

The most horrific thing I have seen for a very very long time is the Hezb-Allah baby. Dressed as a Shahid the parents received rewards galore from the Lebanese hospital! Thanks to Shirlee Finn for thishttp://jewsdownunder.wordpress.com/2014/01/23/newborn-lebanese-baby-joins-hizbullah/

Desptie these distressing events there are moments of relief. I call it Divine intervention. The Jihadist who was killed by the Taliban, maybe he wasn't wearing his Gaza Marathon T-shirt, or maybe he just thought he was immune http://weaselzippers.us/british-far-left-supporter-of-islamic-terrorists-in-israel-killed-by-taliban-suicide-bomber-in-kabul/

Or the Neturei Karta, anti-Israel man in Holland who was beaten badly by anti-Semites in Holland.

http://www.yourjewishnews.com/2013/06/n27859.html

Not everything is dark and frightening – far from it so in the words of Monty Python – Now for something completely different!

At the last Presidential Conference on Tomorrow, several months ago, Zvi met with a delightful and brilliant man called Dan Shechtman Nobel Laureate for Chemistry, wise and apolitical. Zvi took him aside and suggested he enter the race for President of the State of Israel since President Peres, who returned the dignity to that post, was retiring. When we returned from Thailand a few weeks ago Dan Shechtman sat beside us on the flight and again Zvi raised the option. Well, it worked! Prof. Dan Shechtman has announced his interest in becoming the 10th President of the State of Israel. Someone outside the rat-race and dirt of politics, a dignified and erudite man and remember – if it were not for a Chemist way back during WW1 the Balfour Declaration would never have been written and we would not have had our first President,Chaim Weizman. Appealing no? This article is called “Don't know much about politics” but anyone who has worked in academia may argue!! http://www.jpost.com/Features/Front-Lines/Middle-Israel-Dont-know-much-about-politics-339237

A few days ago I went to collect some laundry from down the road. The owner was out and a delightful young man, sporting a Taglit T-shirt served me. Why is that so amusing? Because the young man was a Moslem Arab who clearly had no idea what was written in English on his T-shirt. I loved it!

I didn't get to Mahane Yehuda this week. Zvi volunteered and he had a great time going to all our friends there – tasting the goods and enjoying the atmosphere. He brought me amazing goats cheeses from Shmulik, tehina filled meat-balls from Yaron, who discusses the political situation mushroom-filled “cigarim” from Boaz and then he walked past the kiosks with Judaica, jewels, fruit, pure unsweetened dried fruit, seeds of just about every type and flavour (here sunflower seeds come in at least 10 different varieties and pumpkin seeds too- with and without the shell), past David Dagim where the fish is so fresh it is still a'jumpin' and finally to our usual fruit and veggie stand where he is greeted with “Ahalan” “Ma shlomcha?” – and bought aromatic tomatoes on the vine and incredible cucumbers that actually taste sweet! This amateur video captures the aromas, the sounds, the cornucopia of delicacies and the ultimate Jerusalem that is Mahane Yehuda!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae9m4Ahp1xs

Since Zvi's foray into the epicurean delights of Mahane Yehuda I have far less cooking today but that doesn't stop the aromas rising from Shoshana, Michal, Daisy, Sarit and Meira. Oh gosh I love the culinary mix of this wonderful society! I borrow from everyone as long as it isn't too spicy. Most of our friends find me a great source of amusement when faced with “harif” (spicy) food! I am know as the local “vousvousit” which come from the original Eastern European Jews who when faced with strange foods would say “vous is dous?” or What is it? White tablecloths are washed and ironed ready for the Shabbat Table; fine linen, fine crockery and cutlery, silver candlesticks; silver wine goblets and the embroidered cover for the Challah or Shabbat bread. All ready for the blessings and songs so special to Shabbat. This week I have something special – we have a competition which is a bit like the X Factor but gentler. Two amazing young people sing here with Idan Reichel. It is in Hebrew but enjoy...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxKeIJwweTo

A Shabbasdik touch with Eliyahu ha Navi – Elijah the Prophet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Utimc22qqjk

To go out on a limb I absolutely adored this rendition of Shema Yisroel and hope you will toohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hdG1aXlExI

The Torah Portion this week is Mishpatim, or Judgments which set out the laws for the Israelites and standards to live by. A truly important portion (starting with Exodus 21:1-24:18). It is incredible that we follow these very laws until today. The laws that give our society a moral compass http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mishpatim

I just got back from Givat Ze'ev. Whether in Palavanis corner store, Nehamas Bakery and its myriad of challah types constantly coming out the oven to be grabbed instantly by eager customers with burnt hands (!!!) to the fish shop and even at the traffic lights everyone is calling out “Shabbat Shalom” one to the other. Strangers and friends alike “Shabbat Shalom” and as one leaves the store there is a final “Shabbat Shalom le coolam” Shabbat Shalom Everybody. Gosh I love it – it is so real, so Jewish, to beautiful – Shabbat Shalom. I couldn't stop smiling on my journey home over Samuels Tomb – smiling and loving the panorama. It never fails to amaze me that as I looks over the grazing goats and sheep to the Palestinian Authority it is as if one drew a line in the land. On our side there are trees and flowers and landscaping and on the other side of the road – stark wilderness with barely a blade of grass for the animals. Why? It cannot be lack of funds, we did it when there was no money now reaping the benefits of our labour and we do not get billions of dollars from the UN. I guess it is deeper than that. It is such a shame because beautiful surroundings and greenery change society for the better. If you cannot buy a plant then plant a seed – for tomorrow.

I wish you a beautiful Shabbat with people who love you and that you love in return. Maybe Prime Minister Harper should have sung All We Need is Love?

Shabbat Shalom from beautiful Jerusalem. It really is a truly special city and by the way, remember the song Ein li Eretz Aheret?

“I have no other country. Even a word in Hebrew seeps into my skin and my soul. With broken body and broken heart – even if my land is burning- This is my home” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C37rb4br-Jc

Shabbat Shalom letter from Jerusalem

111104

4th November 2011

Shabbat Shalom dear friends. I hope this letter finds you well.

I am so excited this Friday morning since I awoke to the sound of rain, heavy rain, glorious, life giving rain! Admittedly I am equally thrilled that it didn't rain yesterday or the day before which gave me the opportunity to sit in the crisp autumnal sunshine of Jerusalem with my lovely cousin Debbie and with Nancy and Harry – but more about that later!

Have you noticed that Western diplomats involved with Israel and her neighbours are critical of Israel when in power and suddenly when they leave their positions they write books and the truth comes out........ Israel has been flexible and agreeable whereas the Palestinians have been rigid and against any solution however equable? Dennis Ross did it, Tony Blair did it and now Condoleeza Rice is doing it in her new book. She quotes Ehud Olmert's offer to the PA as the most generous ever and Abbas did not consider it a starting point for negotiations. By the same token how can the USA, UK, and most of Europe play the outraged idealists concerning a few homes being built in Jerusalem, when they know full well that the Palestinians are building as if there is no tomorrow within Jerusalem city limits!!!

Judge Richard Goldstone wrote a truly surprising and accurate article in the NY Times refuting any claims that Israeli society resembles the South African Apartheid regime in any way or form. Professor Gerald Steinberg writes “Confronting former allies after an honest change of heart is tough; Richard Goldstone deserves to be embraced and congratulated.” http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=244036&R=R7

UNESCO voted to accept the Palestinian Authority into its once august midst. UNESCO UN-Educated UN-Scientific UN-Cultured and UN-Organised The Palestinian educational system does not in any way or form meet UNESCO's criteria, their books deride the Infidel (that's Jews and Christians) and deny the existence of Israel. Please read the academic report of IMPACT-SE presented to UNESCO on the lack of tolerance in PA. schooling http://www.impact-se.org/research/pa/index.html

This isn't a first for UNESCO however. Thanks to Barbara Ledeen for this wonderful quote.
When Golda Meir visited Princeton – when no longer Prime Minister in 1978 - , at a question and answer section in the main auditorium of the university, one of the students asked her: “Why was it that UNESCO had rejected Israel and accepted the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) for membership/associate membership.
Golda replied that that was a question that should be addressed to UNESCO, not to her.
The student responded: That is of course correct but it would be interesting to know your opinion, why UNESCO made these decisions.
Golda replied: As you know, UNESCO stands for the United Nations Education, Science, and Culture Organization. We must assume that these gentlemen, after due consideration, came to the conclusion that the PLO has more to contribute to education, science, and culture than Israel does.
The audience roared with laughter and applauded.

The USA, Canada and Israel rescinded their payments to UNESCO, as they should, but more surprisingly Ban Ki Moon came out with a statement to the PA that he did not support their method of entering the UN through all the subcommittees – a rare statement of great substance.

The South of Israel is still subject to rocket attacks. Egypt warned Islamic Jihad that if they don't stop launching missiles then they will pay the consequences and Western leaders have intimated that Israel must not respond. Maybe we are too polite or just too attentive to world opinion?

Pat Condell is a very clever and totally anti-establishment Brit whose irreverent, but highly relevant videos say what we think. Mr Condell is not PC and is prepared to take the flak http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1N1zhUm84w “Is it racist to say that the Palestinians are the most tiresome cry-babies whose problems are all self inflicted? It probably is”

Since we last spoke we said goodbye to Kim, Robert and Deanna after their frantic week of filming for a documentary on Israel in general and Jerusalem in particular. As soon as I have a link I promise to send it to you and you will find it on the Children of Israel Foundation website.

On Wednesday I met my dear cousin Debbie Gelbard at the Jerusalem YMCA for a wonderful glass of mint tisane and some naughty desserts! The Jerusalem YMCA is conceivably the most beautiful building in Jerusalem. It was so delightful to spend time with Debbie and catch up on our family news, sitting in the last rays of sunshine. As we sat enjoying one another I noticed a young man on the grass who took out his prayer mat, bent his knees bowed down towards Mecca, prayed and then got up and went on his way. So very Jerusalem; sitting in a Christian garden, overlooking the famous King David Hotel, watching the open prayer of a Moslem in a public place. If only Jews and Christians could openly pray in Moslem countries.

Yesterday we met up with Nancy and Harry Bloomfield of Montreal, Canada and Jerusalem. Nancy and Harry have two sons studying in Israel and they simply love Jerusalem! They chose our lunchtime venue and I applaud their taste! The Anna Ticho Artists House is situated right in the centre of town, next to both the original Hadassah Hospital and Rav Kook's House. The Anna Ticho House sits in its own beautiful gardens, inside is a gallery of her works and a restaurant and outside is a large tree lined terrace with tables set with placemats showing her exquisite etchings. The meal was a delight, the company outstanding and my goodness do I enjoy every time Nancy exudes love. She made me laugh when she told me that after arriving exhausted from the long journey from Montreal she immediately went to Shouk mahane Yehuda. A friend called her from Canada to check is she had arrived safely and when the friend asked where she was she said in the Shouk. “Why on earth would you go straight to the Shouk?” asked the friend “Because I wanted a Sheila moment” said Nancy!!!! Apparently you love my stories about the shouk, its sounds aromas, colours, people and atmosphere. I will have to go again next week to absorb some new senses!!

Talking of Canada, Canadian Prime Minister Harper isn't afraid of the Arabs – not only because he has incredible natural resources and enough oil in Alberta to ignore their wealth but because he is a principled man who is not afraid to speak his mind. Now THAT is a leader.

Since I am always persuading you to come to Jerusalem and experience the joys thereof I thought this article essential to your travels. The top 10 public toilets in Jerusalem!!!! http://israel21c.org/travel/the-top-10-toilets-in-jerusalem


Today began early. Zvi and I met with our dearest friend Bernardo Romanowsky for breakfast at Angel's Coffee shop in the gas station of Nayot! It was delicious. You guys don't understand that an Israeli breakfast is so vast and so healthy........... let me explain. One example of many is the “Israeli breakfast” which means an omelette of any combination (I love the herb one), a freshly cut chopped salad in a bowl, an assortment of avocado, tuna and aubergine salads in tiny presentation dishes, three types of white cheese, a freshly squeezed fruit juice and – of course – Cafe hafuch!!!! There are other assorted breakfasts but this is almost a foregone conclusion for most diners! The tiny table was groaning as beside us the first Parliament sitting took place – thank heaven smaller and less vociferous than Zvi's Parliament- and the waitresses all come to say hello, kiss the regulars and even the chef comes to greet everyone at this simple diner. Having spent delightful time with Bernardo, talking about everything from family to baking, to health I came home to write to you!!! Zvi will be back soon and I will drop him at his Parliament and escape to my daughters home to be with the grandchildren, read stories, play games and just cuddle them ensuring they know just how much Safta loves them. Yosef says I love him to the sky and back; Talia says I love her trimillion and baby Aylah just stands akimbo with her arms wide as she can get! I love that my daughters home is filled with the aromas of Shabbat, especially her amazing home baked Challot (she got it from me you know!) My drive back home will thrill me and fill my heart as I pass Samuels Tomb to the sight of Jerusalem set out in her glorious entirety, fresh and glisteningly clean from the blessed rainfall.

Finally, use your last chance to vote for the Dead Sea as one of the new 7 Wonders of the World since the voting ends on 11.11.11 www.new7wonders.com



Shabbat Shalom dear friends, Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem, the most beautiful city in the world, centre of our hearts, hopes and prayers.