161007 Hurricane Matthew,Prince Charles, Shiloh, Yom Kippur

161006

5^th October 2016

Shabbat Shalom dear Friends – did you know that today is International Smile Day?

I am sure that the people of the Caribbean Islands, Georgia and Florida are not smiling as yet another storm hits. Who said that it is paradise on earth in the Bahamas – right now it is closer to purgatory with many dead. We all have our challenges to face but this is dreadful. Haiti is, yet again, a victim of the worst of the Hurricane Matthew; partly because the housing is so poor and partly because their government and unending poverty has left them unprepared. One thing I do know is that the incredible people of IsraAid stayed on to help rebuild and give psychological and educational aid to the people of Haiti since the devastating earthquake. IsraAid is already on the ground. http://www.israaid.co.il/projects/haiti

This has been a week of late news – late because it is all after the fact! Prince Charles, as I told you, went to visit his grandmothers grave on the Mount of Olives. It was not an official visit (indeed his attendance at the funeral of Shimon Peres was private not official) it was respect for his exceptional paternal grandmother, Princess Alice of Greece who is buried beside her mother in Gethsemane, the Church and Convent of Maria Magdalena, a Holy Christian site and nothing to do with anybody's peace process. The media decided his visit was kept a secret, that he went over the green line………. Indeed, after the fact the media in general is making a real mish mash out of a private tribute. I am still delighted by his regal kippa! http://www.yadvashem.org/yv/en/righteous/stories/princess_alice.asp

If you heard that Israel attacked Gaza this week – we did. Actually not Gaza per se and we didn't attack but apart from that the reports are accurate. Israel responded to 2 rocket attacks on Sderot by searching and responding to the rocket sites. Sadly, while returning from the response Major Ohad Cohen-Nov z"l died after ejecting from his F16 fighter jet. May his soul rest in peace.

The American administration is angry that there is new building in Shiloh, (Yehudah and Shomron). What they don't tell you is that Shiloh is one of the "large areas of Jewish habitation", is in the Binyamina region and the houses are being built for those Jews evicted from the illegal, hilltop settlement of Amona by Supreme Court injunction. To suggest that the so-called peace talks are failing because of a few houses is ludicrous. It is failing because instead of attacking the crux of the problem the USA. Europe, UN and so many other bodies have failed to understand that one side, the one they see as belligerent, has done everything in her power to make peace and the other, the one they see as the victim, has not honoured any of its commitments, starting with their school curriculum. Go to the Impact-SE website http://www.impact-se.org/  and understand that from birth Palestinian (indeed all Arab countries) schools teach hatred of Israel and of Jews and Christians. All the above organisations and countries need to start there.

A group of women decided to take a small boat from the southern tip of Europe and head for "war stricken and blockaded" Gaza. They were taken into custody by the Israeli Coast Guard, which included predominantly women soldiers. Trouble is that before they left they made videos saying that if the videos are seen by the world that means they were captured by the "Occupying Israeli Forces"! Oh come on! If these women, including a few Israelis and a Nobel Prize winner, really cared about Human Rights, surely there are many places in our region where the very existence of women deserves their attention? Do they recognize that the only entry for aid and goods to Gaza come through Israel's Kerem Shalom Crossing? Do they know that Egypt closed off Gaza entirely? No of course not.

Rosh Hashana is behind us and Yom Kippur before us. The ten intervening days ) are days of introspection, atonement – Selichot ( asking forgiveness) North African Jews perform the rite of Selichot for 40 days. It is a time to rethink our manner and way of life – hopefully finding reason to change and the strength to do so. The tenth day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei; 10 days after the creation of man in the form of Adam; 10 days of repentance until the ultimate repentance, Yom Kippur. Why? Why should we repent if we didn't do anything bad? We are asked to repent the sins of humankind, the unintentional sins including those when we said "Gosh did you hear about ****, they say he did so and so" Admit it, we all do it!

If we are talking about repeating lies which have no foundation in truth perhaps the biggest lie, so prevalent and fashionable at the moment is that of anti-semitism and anti-Israel cant. Perhaps it is worth listening to Rabbi Jonathan Sacks theory as to what are the foundations of anti-semitism "The Mutating Virus" https://youtu.be/uwN1WuDwIf0

We had family to us for first day Rosh Hashana lunch, then a group of diverse friends came for second day. It was wonderful, totally spontaneous and the food was basically ready for the 14 of us. Canon Andrew White came with Hano, Ilan and Cilla Horowitz, Leah and Yehuda Ressler, Rina and Yechiel HalOr, Dvorit and Meishi Schreiber and Prof Gabby Barkay and Ester. The conversations ran thick and fast because all had heard of each other but none knew each other! Andrew gave us a short insight into life in Baghdad for the last Jews and Rina and Cilla discovered they had a common close friend!

The vast quantities of food consumed over the past weeks will simply increase with a 25 hour hiatus over Yom Kippur. Since I have a vast number of guests over Succot I need to precook otherwise it becomes just too much. Yesterday, Zvi went to stay at his son Leors home to babysit the girls because Shiri, Leors wife, gave him a birthday treat and they had a beautiful night in a fancy hotel including dinner. What a great idea and it gave me time to cook!!! I made Potato Kugel, stuffed mini veggies (with rice and herbs) which I layered into a tall container, cooked and then when the time comes I will heat and turn out onto a platter, layer upon layer of tiny green courgettes, baby sweet peppers of bright red orange and yellow, onions carefully peeled off and rolled, cabbage leaves……….. I hope the plan works out!! I baked lemon cakes and fruit cakes and right now I have to go and make that most British-Jewish of dishes "Fried Gefilte" Mmmm delicious!!

Some people have already built their Succahs/Tabernacles. I wonder if someone will complain to the UN that there is a great deal of illegal building in Israel this week – perhaps the judgement is that the buildings must come down within eight days of usage!!!! Succah may be a simple job, special fabric that one wraps around poles on the balconies or it may be a more solid Succah made of sections of light wood – one thing all have in common is the "Schach" or roofing. In the UK we used any greenery that we could legally clip, but in Israel the  acceptable Schach is Palm leaves, huge fronds which cover even the largest of Succahs. In the religious communities most buildings forego their parking area for a communal succah, rather than each home building separately, but in general those families with children build their own.

I want to wish any Moslem readers a good Muharram – the Moslem New Year which fell almost at the same date this year. Here Druze soldiers celebrate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yjz45xEzNvM

I must go and fry my fried gefilte fish, it really is delicious I promise. I already collected Yosef from school, hugged the girls and drove back home over the height of Har Shmuel – past Nebe Samuel (Samuels Tomb) past the panorama of Jerusalems hills back home to the best view of all – the view from our veranda. The stores are closing now, the last frantic shopping to replace the goods used in cooking for Rosh Hashana replaced, the aromas rising from busy kitchens whch means it is time to find some beautiful songs.

First and foremost I want to post something from The Boss, Bruce Springsteen who has decided that it is high time he came to perform is Israel. If Springsteen is looking for the Human Touch – I promise he will find it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85cNRQo1m3A

How can I take us to Yom haKippurim without Kol Nidrei, the opening prayer. Cantor Helfgott, together with Maestro Yitzchak Perlman – breathtaking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOzmq887oKE

I am still deeply moved by David D'Or singing Avinu Malkeinu at the funeral of Shimon Peres z"l at the special request of Shimon Peres z"l. We say this prayer on both Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur – here it is with translation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7IMU40EjLc

Anyone in Israel on November 1^st – the Bat Dor Ballet Ensemble is putting on a charity performance at the Jerusalem Theatre to raise essential funds for the Yuri Shtern Holistic Care Centre for Cancer Patients and their families.  http://www.diplomacy.co.il/diplomatic-magazine/science-a-tecnology/3565-150-holistic-therapists-volunteer-treat-cancer-patients-in-hospital-s-oncology-department-and-in-yuri-shtern-holistic-care-center In fact - all donations will go to a truly magnificent cause

If at any time I have hurt you, though without ill intent, I beg your forgiveness and assure you I will do better in the coming year.

With love from Jerusalem, the most beautiful city in the world which will come to a total halt as the Rabbis prepare to sing Kol Nidrei and nary a vehicle will move until Ne'ilah (the closing) is ended. Nothing moves except emergency vehicles, Israel wears white and walks, families together, talking and conversing in a way they forget during the year as cellphones remain on bedside tables.

Shana Tova to everyone, whatever their origin, whatever their creed, colour or leaning. May we all learn to respect and show tolerance to the "other" whomsoever they may be

Sheila

Yom Kippur 2012

120924

24^th September 2012.

“The Middle East is replete with both new and old threats. One should not underestimate these threats, but not be alarmed by them either. Israel is stronger today than ever.” -- Shimon Peres, President of the State of Israel 

It is almost Yom Kippur or Yom haKippurim – the Day of Atonement. My apologies have been made, my intentions reviewed and along with Jews wherever they may be- I promise G-d to be a better person this year than I was last.

Netanel Yahalomi, z"l aged just 20, was killed when terrorists opened fire on IDF soldiers securing the construction of the fence along the Israel-Egypt border. The terrorists, dressed in civilian clothing, followed a group of African migrants. When the migrants arrived at the border, several soldiers left their post to offer them water. The terrorists emerged from behind the migrants, and opened fire killing Netanel. When our soldiers returned fire, killing three terrorists, a suicide belt worn by one of the terrorists exploded. IDF sappers found a large number of firearms and explosives on the terrorists, including and RPD machine gun, a rocket propelled grenade, Kalashnikovs, ammunition, grenades, and more. http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism+Obstacle+to+Peace/Memorial/2012/Victims/Netanel_Yahalomi.htm

The riots and killing spree engendered by an ill conceived and badly made video, began with the rape and assassination of, Ambassador Christopher Stevens, a fine American diplomat who was dragged alive through the streets of Benghazi (I will not show you the horrific photographs I received as a journalist or refer to his diary because it is disrespectful to his memory) expresses an intolerance not seen in this world for 70 years. The rampages and attacks upon American Embassies throughout the Moslem world, the burning of American flags shows unbelievable ingratitude and bestiality unseen outside their own countries. The misuse of freedom of speech in OUR countries and its consequences was behind my short essay in the Times of Israel. "Never in their wildest nightmares did those who fought hard to achieve freedom of speech believe it could be turned on its head to deny democracy rather than defend it." http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/freedom-of-speech-is-a-two-way-street/   

Jon Stewart got it right. Reaction to a stupid internet video? What about Monty Python? What do Jews do if really riled by anti-Jewish material? We write a letter to the NY Times! Assessing the situation with humour he really hit the nail on the head.   http://www.dumpert.nl/mediabase/6363201/51310487/daily_show_over_innocense_of_muslims.html Pat Condell, on the other hand, also made a video about the riots – his views are somewhat less delicate!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCXHPKhRCVg 

Sadly this letter began with some less than pious (but essential) thoughts but as Yom Kippur fast approaches I want to change my tone to a more contemplative and beautiful direction. I want to think of Jerusalem as she dresses herself for Yom Kippur. At first the city closes down much as she does on Shabbat, but the silence is deeper and the sense of prayer descends tangibly over the entire country, not just Jerusalem. Traditional "aruchot mafsekot" (pre-fast meals) are prepared as families sit down to foods their families have eaten over the generations. Some eat a hard boiled egg and bread whereas others eat a full meal with chicken soup and roast meats – each insisting that their way to prepare for the fast is the most effective!  Then each family dresses in white and as the siren calls out the beginning of Kol Nidre. Suddenly the streets are silent, not a vehicle moves, Israel is atoning, their entreaty as one for a kinder world. One cannot appreciate the beauty of a country without the daily hubbub and clamour until it happens. The silence encourages prayer, contemplation, peace and contentment while the chest beating promises to better ourselves are accompanied by atonement for the worlds ills.

Actually, I am not telling a whole truth. While it is true that the silence is (almost) complete; families walk to synagogue dressed in white and the sense of piety is tangible, there is another sound which pervades the "holy silence"……. Children having fun!!! The empty streets become one giant playground of scooters, bicycles and rollerskates. Young children run and play and yell and giggle in the streets without the fear of a car coming round the corner an activity that tends to continue until their parents come out of synagogue after Kol Nidre and well beyond.

Kol Nidre is a truly beautiful, mournful prayer which opens the Day of Atonement. Particularly soulful it has been sung by great and small my two favourite versions are a million light years apart – Al Jolson in "The Jazz Singer"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVhAXr_5Ag4&feature=related and Johnny Mathis, a non-Jew who puts so much soul into his prayer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30HKyLhGCjk My Kol Nidre and Kippur will be spent on our veranda, quietly praying to myself from the prayer book I used as a child sitting beside my Mother in the old synagogue in Cardiff. My reasons for praying at home are multiple – the synagogues near us are Moroccan, Iraqi, Kurdish, Sefardi, Reform and many other unfamiliar forms – all perfectly good but unfamiliar -  and the Ashkenaz synagogue, our family synagogue, which prays with my childhood tunes and follows my Machzor, is too far for my legs to take me. In truth, I love the solitude which allows me to pray undisturbed. My style of religion is my own; my prayers go out over Jerusalem which lies before me as if a prayer within herself.

Jerusalem, ah Jerusalem. It is time to pay heed to King David and the Prophet Isaiah who understood that Jerusalem was our heart and if we do not honour Jerusalem and protect her she will stop beating. Come travel with me through Jerusalem, If I forget thee.. http://vimeo.com/15034110 

Finally, Benny Gatz, Commander in Chief of the Israel Defence Forces wishes you all a Shana Tova, a Happy New Year.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FFaQw3RElc&feature=em-subs_digest

Gmar Chatima Tova dear friends – may you be inscribed in the good book and let's all pray that next year will bring enlightenment where there is darkness; wisdom to our leaders, whoever and wherever they may be; that the oppressed will break free; that the ideals of democracy may just filter through the wall of hatred that brings only bitterness and fear and that joy will come into all our lives.

With love from both Zvi and I and our beloved home, Jerusalem

Sheila

PS If you go into my blog on Times of Israel please leave a commenthttp://blogs.timesofisrael.com/freedom-of-speech-is-a-two-way-street/   

Shabbat Shalom - Gmar Chatima Tova

111007

Friday 7th October 2011


Yom Kippur is almost upon us. Hopefully we have all spent time in contemplation of our own actions and the actions of those around us to seek ways to make our world just a little better.

This week one Israeli made me so proud I could burst and others made me angry. I will begin with the latter because I want to leave a sweet taste in my mouth and yours.

Some Israeli vandals, nay Israeli hooligans, burned a mosque in an Israeli village which has always been friendly with its neighboring kibbutzim and true to Israel. I am incensed and disgusted. They have been arrested and President Peres and Israel's chief rabbis are among the Jews in Israel and abroad who have strongly condemned an arson attack on a mosque in northern Israel.
The rabbis made a solidarity visit to the Israeli Arab village of Tuba Zanghariya, near Galilee, on Monday (Oct. 3), soon after vandals torched the mosque. I beg “Slicha” from the villagers and pray that it will not harm their relationship with all of us, normal Israelis who wish them no harm.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/05/chief-rabbis-shlomo-amar-yona-metzger-burned-israeli-mosque_n_996908.html

Now that is out of my way........ I am so proud of Professor Daniel Shechtman. Not only for winning the Nobel Prize for chemistry, not only because he brought our tenth Nobel home but because despite being vilified and shunned by his fellow scientists he knew what he saw and he continued with his research until it was proven beyond all possible doubt.......... and made them eat their insular snobbery and refusal to think outside the box.
Professor Shechtman won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his controversial discovery of non-repeating patterns in atoms called quasicrystals.

A strange, almost eerie silence is descending on Israel, on all of Israel – no cars, no buses, no trains, no noisy motor bikes, no movement that isn't by walking. The shops have already closed, families are preparing the “Aruchat Mafseket” the final meal before the fast. Wherever I went today (indeed this week) shopkeepers and shoppers alike called out “Gmar Chatima Tova” Shana Tova – Tsom Kal (Fast easily). Religious and secular alike say these familiar, traditional blessings. Today all over the country people are doing “Kapparot” - few still use a live chicken to dispel their past sins, most use a cloth with money in.......... it is more politically correct and less cruel!!

Zvi and I went to shouk Mahane Yehuda this week, to buy in all the root vegetables and non-perishable foods before the insane rush next week. The Arab costermongers, along with the Jewish ones were wishing everyone Chatima Tova.Shana Tova and the colours seemed even brighter than usual, the voices had a sense of urgency as everyone chose the best fruit and vegetables, and of course the freshest fish. When I say fresh fish I am not joking, they are still jumping! Sometimes they jump out of the crates and straight into the path of unwary shoppers!

I asked Israeli friends for their forgiveness for anything I may have done, unwittingly, which may have hurt them as I do of you now. I beg forgiveness and promise to gather strength through my prayers to think a little harder before putting words to paper or opening my mouth!!

So, as I said, the kneidlach are bobbing merrily in the chicken soup – soup filled with the vegetables we picked so carefully in Mahane Yehuda. Leeks, Carrots, Onion, Courgettes, Parsnip, parsley and of course the herbs and spices that make that special aroma and taste....... turmeric, garlic, black pepper, hawiij, and of course a few sprigs of thyme, sage, rosemary and the scent of my veranda.

Almost silent, expectancy – both religious expectancy and the excited expectancy on the faces of the children as they wait for the last car to pass and parents allow them to ride their bicycles up hill and down dale to their hearts content!

Remember to pray for kind thoughts and change – change for positive thinking, different, out of the box thinking to bring about peace and tranquility in our insanely instant world. It took over 20 years of ridicule for Professor Shechtman to receive acceptance – it will take us longer. Think like Mahatma Ghandi and Rev. Dr Martin Luther King Jr, like Theordore (Benjamin Zeev) Herzl, have a dream and make it come true.

Gmar Chatima Tova

With love from Jerusalem, centre of our lives, our hearts and our prayers.

Not just Shana Tova, Shana ha ba'ah b'Yerushalyim!

Sheila

gmar hatima tova

090927

27th September 2009.



Shana Tova, Shevua Tov and Gmar Chatima Tova

(Happy New Year, a Good Week and May you be written in the Book of Life)



Rosh Hashana came and went with the usual vast quantities of food, prayer and repentance. Today we are on the verge of Yom Kippur. Despite popular belief, Yom Kippur is not only about fasting; it is about praying so deeply that one is beyond the need for food, beyond the need for worldly things but rather, deep in repentance, atonement and prayer for a better, purer, kinder world – and a better self.



Ahmedinejad of Iran spoke and too many listened. The mere fact that such a controversial leader who constantly threatens Western society verbally and actually, should be given free reign to spurt his poison is beyond my understanding. Had the same dictates prevailed in the time of his hero Adolph Hitler, who was also democratically elected, he too could have stood before the Assembly to rationalize his policies. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1024097.html



Last night it was revealed that Iran has been secretively building a large, 3,000 centrifuge, nuclear facility for military use deep inside a mountain close to the Holy Shi'a Moslem city of Qom, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qom . Israel and the USA were aware of its existence but Mohammed El Baradei chose not to disclose this terrifying fact while reaping the Nobel Prize for Peace. It is not only Israel that is within range – all of Europe is in danger and far further afield.



Thanks to Tom Gross for sending this marvelous video of an Israeli satirical programme (with subtitles) in response to all the idiocy which surrounds the UN in general and the Human Rights Commission in particular. Thank G-d Israelis know how to laugh at ourselves and those who behave in a risible, yet dangerous manner. http://media.nationalreview.com/post/?q=OTdjMzIwZDEyYzk1N2MzOTAzYmIyOTNiN2RmZDRlOGM=&p=1



Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke before the Chamber of the United Nations Assembly in calm and measured tones despite the strong message contained in his speech. He did not rant nor rave, he did not point the finger; he simply stated facts, of the Holocaust, of Israel's amazing progress and contribution to the world and of his fear that the UN would heed the words of a dictator with a fearful agenda rather than America's greatest ally. Applause came when our Prime Minister said he looks toward the day when Palestinians will live in freedom in their own state and at the end of his speech, considered by many to be of historic importance. http://blogs.jta.org/politics/article/2009/09/24/1008134/netanyahus-un-general-assembly-speech



Brava Canada. Not only did the community put up a brilliant fight during the Toronto Film Festival anti-Israel campaign; not only did the Canadian Ambassador lead the walk-out during Ahmedinejad's farcical performance at the UN for which David Koschitzky, Chair, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto thanked him ; now the community has initiated the "Buycott" Israel campaign. Jessica Glesby sent me this link http://www.buycottisrael.ca/form.php





Talking of Canada Leonard Cohen performed in Israel to a packed audience at the Ramat Gan Stadium despite death threats. The performer offered to give the profit from his performance to Israeli and Palestinian causes but they refused. He offered to give a performance n Ramallah but they refused. His songs are strong, even though his voice is weak and he wowed the audience by chanting the Priestly Blessing at the end of the night. Be patient, it is at the end of the video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6Y1x2y3qyg





Yom Kippur in Jerusalem is a truly spiritual experience – for religious and secular Jerusalemites alike. The city begins to wind down at 14:00 as public transport and radio shut down and even the enormous cement factory near Ramleh shuts of the machinery for the one 25 hour rest of the year. At 16:00 families gather to eat the pre-festival meal, from the full meal of chopped liver or pastellas, Kneidlach or Kubeh soup, roast chicken with roast potatoes or turkey breast stuffed with rice and fruit and then the inevitable dessert all of which make you pray that you will not have to eat another mouthful for at least a week, to the "sensible" folk who take a small boiled egg to reduce their stomach size. At about 17:00 everyone changes into their finest and lightest clothes, take out the family prayer book for Yom Kippur, a well fingered Machzor passed down through the centuries or a shiny new Bar-Mitzva gift - and head off to the synagogue for Kol Nidre. White clad parents and children walk as the City, and the country, comes to a standstill, absolute calm as vehicles are silenced and Kol Nidre begins. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvWxoYULWrw



The stillness is almost eerie as the sun sets crimson, reflecting on the glistening white stone of the city, only the occasional dog barking disturbs the purity of the night – but a noisy element lies in wait! Children have been oiling their bicycles and skateboard wheels for days in preparation for this night as the empty streets and highways of Jerusalem's hills become one great big race-track for the pre-barmitzva children of the city. Whoops of delight interspersed with a strange almost guttural rumbling as tiny tots on trundle trucks vie for space with highly sophisticated articulated skateboards are the backdrop to a hum of prayer, each in the traditions of their ancestors and the lands of their dispersion. From the restrained and swaying prayer of Eastern Europe to the wailing and emotional prayer of North Africa – including the noisy auction of Aliyas (calling to the Torah). Families walk home after the service and the still of the night is complete as we dream of a better, kinder world – although most of us would settle for a more rational world which rewards acts of kindness and finds cruelty repugnant. Tomorrow night when Yom Kippur draws to an end our prayers reach their climax, the shofar is sounded and the Heavens open to accept our atonement and our prayers for the coming year. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2683419944205365912#docid=8288453026136065415



May you be inscribed in the Book of Life – Gmar Chatima Tova.

With much love from Jerusalem

Sheila



PS For those of you who telephone family and friends in Israel, our clocks went back an hour last night!