150821 Iran, Khaled abu Toameh, Huchabee, Trump, Tel Aviv

150821

21st August, 2015

Shabbat Shalom from Tel Aviv! Yes here we are in Jerusalem's smaller neighbour, enjoying meeting with friends and seeing how the other half lives!

The Israeli media is no better than your media for taking things out of proportion. For instance, Tel Aviv has a number of bridges, fairly short but take traffic over the Yarkon River. One such bridge, rather insignificant and ugly, has to be blown up, in order to prepare the foundations for Tel Aviv's light rail (tram) system. It's name is "Gesher Maariv" the Maariv Bridge, named for the newspaper. The demise of this particular bridge reached headlines proportion on the national news for a whole week and........ a group of young people who have no idea of its significance or lack thereof, held a vigil demonstration at the mythical bridge!!!!! Hey guys, it's a bridge and the only people who will be seriously affected are the businessmen near it, until the tram is in operation. We went through it in Jerusalem and it was tough but now, the light rail is incredible above all expectations. In truth I am thrilled it reached the headlines because that means nothing worse was going on - or was it?

A political earthquake is taking place in the USA over the so called "Iran Deal". http://www.maurice-ostroff.org/evaluating-the-nuclear-deal-on-its-merits-part-2/

Mike Huckabee went to Shiloh and declared it part of Israel http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Who-needs-Iowa-Huckabee-to-hold-fund-raiser-in-West-Bank-settlement-412418

Donald Trump has been calling a spade a shovel and while the media is horrified the public is amused and interested.

President Obama, while still in office, began fundraising one billion dollars to build a library and complex in his name when he completes his Presidency. In Israel they put Prime Ministers on trial for much less!!!!!!! 

  

A homicide bombing in Bangkok killed 20 and injured many more. It would appear it was not just the opposition party but far more sinister.

A super terrorist whose gory job was to recruit suicide/homicide bombers, Mohammad Allan, went on hunger strike and due to his resultant medical condition he has been released from prison but held in hospital. The ethics of force feeding are explained here by the exceptional Maurice Ostroff. http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-ethics-of-force-feeding-are-not-straightforward-2/

Khaled Abu Toameh writes beautifully, speaks eloquently and tells the world the truth - the simple truth. The other day he wrote about the Ethnic cleansing of Palestinians - an accusation usually directed at Israel, http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/6314/ethnic-cleansing-palestinians and another excellent article which displays the ignorance created by the rhetoric of the PA to such an extent that young Palestinians join the Islamic State- aka ISIS, their oppressors  http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/6375/palestinians-islamic-state

Mariah Carey came to Israel. The media made a big deal of her refusal to be swayed from this visit but then why should she? Why do we think that it is heroic to come to Israel "despite"? She came to Israel because she wanted to and refuses to listen to bully boy racists. Israel loved you Mariah, loved your performance and didn't even complain when you began the show an hour and a half late!!!! http://www.haaretz.com/life/music-theater/.premium-1.671948

September 6th Israel versus Wales in Cardiff in a UEFA European Football Championship qualifier at Cardiff City Stadium. My family will be there and I hope they have a flag in each hand!!!!

The week began beautifully with a wedding. The son of Elihu and Niva Ben Onn got married and it was a truly beautiful, very Israeli affair. Food before and after a gorgeous outdoor chuppa and a lovely welcome from Elihu to their guests. For those who don't know Elihu has a radio programme talking predominantly to Hebrew speakers all over the world about what they do and where they are. Well worth listening into him on Reshet B.

We came to Tel Aviv for a few days, visiting friends and generally enjoying life. I will not have to cook Shabbat dinner because we are going to Eilata and Shmulik for dinner but not before popping in on Gloria, glorious Gloria Goldstein for a Shabbat kiss. Today we visited Orly and Yossi, yesterday we saw Irit and Yitzik, tomorrow Zvi's cousin Dalia and the weather has calmed down a bit so it isn't too bad.

Both yesterday and today I had the honour of getting to know our friend Flory Haritons family. Her Mother Dalia is such a delight, as is her Aunt......... indeed I thoroughly enjoyed being with them. My only problem about being in Tel Aviv is that I don't get that special Shabbat feeling. I don't see the grandchildren, do not drive past the incredible panorama atop Samuels Tomb, can't watch the city going to sleep, no sunset from our veranda...... yet, don't let anyone tell you differently, Tel Aviv also goes into Shabbat mode!!!

Sure you feel the sense of a real Shabbat more in Jerusalem but Tel Avivim also have a siesta before families meet up for a Shabbat meal. Tel Aviv also slows its pace, sure many go clubbing afterwards, but then in Jerusalem too. 

No recipes this week so I will try to find you better music instead! The first video isn't musical but is music to my ears. The Shabbes Project is a wonderful worldwide project for people to try a real Shabbat just for one day to know how it feels. https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=56&v=S2EkDLqszHs

Idan Raichel is an amazing musician and his Project exceptional. Here they sing a song for Shabbat. The words are simple.  On Sabbath day I shall praise the living God of my salvation and I shall make sacrifices of spices on the day of the return of my temple. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRlpiFza7bI

A little more traditional (!) is a beautiful niggun - music without words. Most of the niggunim are written in the minor key and tend to be somewhat maudlin, but this one is called the Happiness Niggun so I thought I would leave you with a smile on your faces! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px3u5EvMTM4

With much love from Tel Aviv - after Shabbat we go back to Jerusalem and feel the fabulous fresh mountain air on our faces. After all these years the climb up - the Aliya - to Jerusalem still gives me goose bumps of the best kind. The anticipation as we begin to see the white city before us is inexplicable and exceptional. Love it!

Shabbat Shalom to one and all, whatever you are, whoever you are, from whence you come is irrelevant - what matters is the path you choose.

Sheila 

-- 

If the media does not inform us we must inform the media

Sheila's blog http://shabbatshalom-theviewfrommyveranda.blogspot.com/

Facebook      Sheila Silver Raviv
Involvement   http://www.impact-se.org/   http://www.yurishtern.org.il/eng/content.php?id=17

Shabbat Shalom letter from Jerusalem

120225
25th February 2012

Shabbat Shalom dear friends!

It seems that the only country not afraid of Iran is Israel, a fact disconcerting to countries much, much bigger! We live in a tough neighbourhood and bullies are rife, if we were scared of them we would have packed our bags and run years ago. We made a decision, never again to be sheep to the slaughter. Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Obama will meet over the Iran situation on March 5th and maybe the two countries which have the most to lose will listen to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait who understand that the current Iranian leadership is a danger to EVERYONE. What I fail to understand is how the world (through the IAEA) used Mohamed El Baradei, since exposed as Moslem Brotherhood, to be our watchman over the Iranian nuclear programme. The Iranian danger to the USA is known http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/press_display.asp?id=2185

Syria and the killing has reached diabolical proportions. In an insane attempt to silence the media the troops targetted the press centre in Homs killing senior journalist Marie Colvin whose final report described seeing a little baby die. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2104711/Marie-Colvin-dead-Chilling-warning-days-killed-Homs.html

Khaled abu Toameh, Moslem Arab, Jerusalemite and outstanding journalist, speaks on behalf of Israel at many US campuses, was speaking at the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organisations here in Jerusalem, told us he feels safer with Hamas and Fatah than on some US campuses! In a panel discussion moderated by David Horovitz, Khaled told us of the horrific bus accident just a short way from his home when children died. Despite Palestinian claims, he said that the first people on the scene were the IDF, followed by MDA and Zaka. The Palestinians just stood by!!! Khaled also told us about the foreign press. Once he informed them of a situation that put the IDF in a good light and only two journalists responded, so he made up a story claiming Israelis abused Pal children and he would take them to see and every one wanted to go and report.. Khaled told them he would call them the next day to take them to the place and never did!

The Conference of Presidents, led by the exceptional Dr Malcolm Hoenlein brings Jewish leaders to Israel to hear our spokepersons, meet our politicians and IDF and transmit the information to leaders in the USA. One discussion was headed by Steve Linde, the new Editor of the Jerusalem Post, as we left the discussion I met Marc Belzberg of One Family Organisation. Unlike the JA Victims of Terror Fund which closed leaving survivors of terror attacks high and dry, One Family has never abandoned them and the founders, Marc and Chantal, ensure the survivors are cared for. as their nightmares never end. http://www.onefamilyfund.org/article.asp?id=3307

One of the greatest bones of contention within Israel is the matter of obligations and rights. One third of Jerusalem's population pays income taxes; one third of Jerusalem's population serves in the IDF; one third of the population pays municipal taxes; but, everyone receives social benefits irrespective of his/her contribution. This situation caused a terrible social rift as both the Haredi community (ultra-orthodox) and the Arab community of Jerusalem are financially dependent upon those who go to the IDF and work and tend to feel little responsibility for the society they live in. I am not suggesting that all Haredi families are parasites nor all Arabs – I am more than aware that some work, pay their fiscal dues, although the level of illegal work (un-taxed) is high and serve their country. David Ben Gurion, at the founding of the State, naively decided that 300 Yeshiva students should be excused conscription, ensuring the Jewish character of the State and excluded Arabs from conscription that brother would never fight brother, although both Bedouin and Druze volunteer for the IDF as brave and true defenders of Israel. The Tal Law had to be changed to ensure that ALL citizens become useful members of Israeli society. Attorney Yehuda Ressler fought hard to bring about this change and this week the Supreme Court declared the Tal Law without legal basis and the government will introduce a new law to ensure that everyone pays his/her part in defending this country – if not in the IDF then in Sherut Leumi - Public Service. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=258782
In contrast Prof Gerald Steinberg writes of Israel's thriving society in the newly formed Times of Israel - http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/israels-vibrant-democracy/

While in New York we had so much fun with our little grandson Joshua and his Mummy and Daddy. We went to see the Paper Bag Company performance with Nana Ellen, to the Natural History Museum and by train out to the Coney Island Aquarium where we all got blown away – literally! We had dinner with Lenny and Ruth Cole where we had a wonderful time with each other and with our waitress Jennifer Press; I met my lovely Arlene Wittels and Deborah Davidson at the Met; we ate Nattie Zonszeins haute cuisine and Zvi managed to spend lots of time with Yolli, Dr Joel Zonzsein, his endocrinologist and best buddie. We spent a glorious evening remembering a dreamy cruise with the Gandels with Josephine, Tom, Joyce and Fred and I met my childhood friend Rabbi Jeremy Rosen -we never have enough time to say all we want to tell each other! We went to the 9/11 Memorial which is breathtaking and finally on our last morning we met up with Rivka and Michael.

We tried to go each evening to the Shiva to spend time with the Lindenfeld/Sheinfeld family and honour Marta Sheinfeld z”l Mother of our friend Helene. One night Zvi took the evening service and on the final night the family's Rabbi from Chabad Coconut Grove, Yaacov Fellig gave a wonderful speech about Marta z”l; her character, her humility, her generosity and her legacy to her family. The Shiva is an essential ritual giving the family time to mourn, remember, talk and relate their feelings to friends.

The flight home was long, very long, but we arrived happily to the hustle and bustle of Israel's ultra-modern Ben Gurion airport, our luggage arriving at the baggage claim before we did, and raced to Tel Aviv to clean up, change clothes and go to the sumptuous wedding of Yair and Yuliah. It was fabulous. The next morning I saw my grandchildren and got all the hugs I had missed for 3 weeks while Zvi went to the parliament, I wrote a quick Shabbat Shalom to you and the children came for Friday night supper – in other words back to normal!!

Jerusalem, ah Jerusalem. Nothing changed in our absence except a change in neighbours and the sound of the power drill as they pull up the floors and make their mark on their new home! So good to be home, Shuk Ramle, walking in Mamilla with Rosa, even my visit to the supermarket was special, no small packs of plastic covered plastic fruit and veggies, the vegetables, morning picked, are piled high in mountains of shiny purple aubergines, small green cucumbers, wonderful juicy red tomatoes, large, moist, crispy bunches of parsley, coriander, mint and dill; potatoes, yams and huge onions which still have the life giving soil on them, bright orange pumpkin hacked into irregular shapes, seasonal, cheap, imperfect shapes and perfect taste. Multi-coloured hills of spices perfume the air - Israelis say “ta'am shel pa'am” the taste of yesteryear. Israelis don't buy a few, we buy huge bagsful!! Cooking is a national hobby and it's good to get back home to the aromas of 140 traditions!!!

Purim is creeping up on us and the shelves are filled with “Hamantaschen” Hamans Ears, filled with dates, or poppy seed, or raisins, or jams indeed almost every possible flavour. It is probably the most appropriate of festivals right now as one talks of the evil coming from Persia, from the town of Shushan as the Grand Vizier, Haman, spoke evil of the Jews, convincing the King that they wanted to take over his world. It took a woman, Esther, guided by her Uncle Mordechai, to convince the King that indeed the evil one was Haman and thus saved the Jews while Haman was led through town, backwards on his own white horse for all to see his idiocy. Ahmedinejad – take note. Every Purim families prepare “Mishttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhloach manot” - gift packages (of food of course!) to give to friends and neighbours – usually of sweet treats to ensure that those you know have a truly festive Purim to celebrate our success over the evil Persian. Zvi has a philosophy that every Jewish festival is “They tried to kill us, we won now let's eat”!!!

Good luck to Joseph Cedar and his film “Footnote” in the Oscar voting. “Footnote” is an outstanding movie, go and see it! http://mubi.com/notebook/posts/cannes-2011-joseph-cedars-footnote

So I have written enough, much more than usual! I would hate to bore you! However I have two Mazal Tovs in the family.
The first is my beautiful, adored grandson Samuel George (aka Samsam) who is 7 years old this week. Samsam who taught us all so much and is going to show the world that he can do ANYTHING.
The second is my big brother Ronnie who is exactly 10 times older than Samsam this week. Happy 70th birthday Ronnie - can't believe you are that old.............. gosh I will soon be catching you up!!!!

I wish you Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem, heart of our hearts and our faith, most beautiful and multifaceted city in the world, city of white stone which glistens in the rain, glows in the sunrise and turns gold in the sunset and draws at my heartstrings each and every day.

Shabbat Shalom

With love

Shabbat Shalom letter from Jerusalem

110318
18th March 2011

Shabbat Shalom to you all!

What a crazy news week. A still unfolding tragedy in Japan as a natural disaster created a man made disaster; insanity in Libya as Ghadaffi continues his murderous determination to retain power; varied Arab and Moslem states are changing guard and a family was killed in one of the most inhuman acts of terror yet devised and the world of media didn't care.
THEY HAVE NAMES Ruth Fogel Udi Fogel Yoav Fogel Elad Fogel and baby Hadas Fogel

As always in Israel, each horrific story gives birth to acts of incredible humanity and kindness.

A Palestinian woman was found in distress giving birth to her baby which was born with the help of an IDF paramedic and paramedics from Itamar. The baby was born blue with the umbilical cord around its neck. The soldiers and paramedics worked and saved the mother and child who were taken to hospital in Israel. This story shows the difference in an ideology which glorifies life and an ideology of the glorifies of death. The IDF forces and local paramedics saved the life of a Palestinian woman and her newly born infant near the settlement where the Fogel relatives are sitting Shiva http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4043536,00.html

Rami Levi is a supermarket mogul who started in Jerusalem and has widened his empire – a very wealthy man. One day last week one of the Fogel family recognised the man who came to Itamar and walked into their kitchen laden with groceries for the family and their guests and began to fill their fridge and cupboards and did so every day of the Shiva. When asked what he was doing he responded that they should get used to his face because he would be coming every week to fill the fridge and freezer until the surviving children of the Fogel family reach the age of 18. Such stories fill my heart with hope and joy when men such as Rami Levi can show such generosity and kindness – such soul.
Where Is The Outcry Against Arab Apartheid? By Khaled Abu Toameh

Mohammed Nabil Taha, an 11-year-old Palestinian boy, died this week at the entrance to a Lebanese hospital after doctors refused to help him because his family could not afford to pay for medical treatment. The tragic case of Taha highlights the plight of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who live in impoverished refugee camps in Lebanon and who are the victims of an Apartheid system that denies them access to work, education and medical care.

Ironically, the boy's death at the entrance to the hospital coincided with Israel Apartheid Week, a festival of hatred and incitement organized by anti-Israel activists on university campuses in the US, Canada and other countries. It is highly unlikely that the folks behind the festival have heard about the case of Taha. Judging from past experiences, it is also highly unlikely that they would publicize the case after they heard about it. http://www.hudson-ny.org/1953/arab-apartheid

There's 192 Countries That Exist In The World & We Give Foreign Aid To Over 150 Of Them!" Rep Poe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ocVj6UWiDI

The Victoria was a ship crossing the Mediterranean Sea – or so it seemed. The Israeli Coast Guard asked the ship to stop http://idfspokesperson.com/2011/03/15/videos-of-navys-request-and-subsequent-boarding-of-the-victoria/ and the arms cache they found http://www.flickr.com/photos/israel-mfa/5528995843/


Trinny and Susannah started their Israeli season last night. For the first time ever, in any country, they decided to appear at the opening of the season. The funniest moment was when Trinny stood in front of a group of people all of whom wanted to be chosen for a make-over and suddenly shouted “Will you wait for me, I do the choosing here – you Israelis are so pushy!” When asked why they chose to come to the opening and throw a big party Susannah said "I love it here and want to buy a holiday home. Israelis get such a bad rap outside Israel and we love you" They decided that Israel is fun, fascinating and has beautiful women!

Purim is around the corner. Let's try to bring down the latest Vizier of Shushan with a clever plot eh?
Go on, admit that a smile crept across their face at the thought!!!!

Each city's “Adloyada” is in the last throes of preparation – Mardi Gras has nothing on this!!!! Ad lo Yada.. until he doesn't know. One is supposed to imbibe alcohol on Purim so that one cannot tell the difference between friend and foe - not to imbibe until drunk but to prevent vengeance and revenge since one cannot distinguish between Haman and Mordechai. Today it has evolved into a grand parade with different schools, dance groups and choirs taking part. Representatives from many countries march in their national costumes and enjoy the sheer joy of this festival. Purim is truly the story of good over evil – of a woman willing to act as a spy, to use her womanly powers to help a Persian King understand that his Grand Vizier was a megalomaniac and xenophobe (sound familiar?). Queen Esther together with her brave advisor and uncle Mordechai succeeded in proving that Haman was a negative and cruel element in the Court and turned him into a laughing stock paraded riding backwards on his horse through the streets of the city. Mordechai was more than an advisor however, he gathered all the pure souls of Shushan in the town square and they prayed together "Ashrei ha-ish asher lo halach be-atzat reshaim…" (Happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked and in the way of sinners he does not stand and in the place of scorners he does not sit.)

Proof of the fact that the truly pure souls belong to children is seen during the week approaching Purim here on the streets of Jerusalem. Queen Esthers and Batmen; wicked Haman and Bratz; gentle Mordechai, Dora the Explorer, cowboys and policemen; hair of all colours and beautiful shining faces thrilled with their Purim outfits. Tiny children dressed as clowns and ballerinas as they go to kindergarten and school for party after party after party!

Hamentaschen, Haman's Ears, Haman's Purse, It really doesn't matter what you call them what matters is the taste. Once upon a time the were simple tri-corner pastry cases filled with poppy seed or mon, today they have become an epicurean delight filled with everything from chocolate to dulce di leche, mixed fruits, marmalade, crème anglais indeed virtually anything you wish! The stores that don't have hamentaschen have fancy dress outfits and everyone has a smile!

I am late today – but that gives me the chance to tell you that the shopping mall is emptying, the cars and buses taking everyone home to have a rest before Shabbat. I went out onto the veranda with my little grand-daughter Amit dressed in a wonderful white dress with pink hearts – her cheeks pink with both make-up and excitement her blonde curls dancing in the sun as she happily skipped about. She looked so wonderful – a future Esther maybe? This is a country of many Esthers – Israeli women are strong because they had to be and soft because they want to be – no Persian Vizier will convince us to bow our heads. We are proud and intend staying here in our home forever.

Tonight as women over the world light the Shabbat Candles, add a prayer for the Fogel family, for the souls of those who perished and to console those who survive. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=136222329781916&index=1

I wish you and yours a truly peaceful Shabbat to celebrate the wonderful things that surround us, by recognising the beauty of what we have we can defeat those who only see evil.

Love from the glorious city of Jerusalem as she goes to sleep in readiness to welcome the bride of Shabbat.
Sheila

Shabbat Shalom letter

100730

Friday 30th July, 2010.

Shabbat Shalom

Israel suffered a terrible tragedy this week when an IDF helicopter carrying six young officers went down while on a Romanian/Israeli military exercise. Those who lost their lives are Lt. Col (Res.) Avner Goldman (48); Lt. Col. Daniel Shipenbauer (43); Maj. Yahel Keshet (33); Maj. Lior Shai (28); Lt. Nir Lakrif (25) and Sergeant 1st Class Oren Cohen (24). May their souls rest in peace and their families know no more sorrow.

Oliver Stone, whose horrendously violent and sick movies are no longer in vogue resorted to an equally violent response for his inadequacies. So Hitler was right eh? Let's see if Hollywood has the ****s to shun him as they didn't with Mel Gibson's "in vino veritas" outburst. By the way, if it is true that Americas Jews run the media and politics why is their press and the State Department so anti-Israel? At least Haim Saban, unlike the ADL, decided that Stone is persona non grata and is prepared to cancel his option http://www.jpost.com/ArtsAndCulture/Entertainment/Article.aspx?id=182995
Khaled Abu Toameh wrote two outstanding articles this week. Palestinian Victim's No-one Cares About http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/Palestinian+victims+talks+about/3316751/story.html which addresses the maltreatment of Palestinians in just about every other Arab country and Palestinians in Gaza invest $20m. in new resorts concerning local tourism and investment in Gaza and the West Bank in resorts and lunar parks– British PM Cameron should read it before currying favour with the Turks! http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=182943



Ishmael Khaldi is a Moslem diplomat; Ishmael Khaldi is an Israeli diplomat, the former Deputy Consul in San Francisco and senior advisor to Minister Avigdor Lieberman; a fact which crushes media truisms; that Avigdor Lieberman in particular and Israel in general are anti-Arab. In the words of Ishmael Khaldi "If Israel were an Apartheid state I would not have been appointed" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishmael_Khaldi

A Major Humanitarian Medical Conference has been held in Israel under the auspices of Stan With Us. Medical students, medical aid workers and doctors from all over the world attended. Kol ha Kavod Stand With Us http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ejiy6eCgII



Who is a Jew is once again an urgent topic. MK David Rothem tried to devolutionise the conversion process but his Knesset Bill was shot down by both Ultra-Orthodox and Reform leaders and the process remains in limbo. Many Russian immigrants are awaiting conversion and an answer must be found to their dilemma. Please read Rabbi Jeremy Rosens honest approach to the impasse. http://jeremyrosen.blogspot.com
Antithisis – the Zionist Rapper- makes Aliya. Samuel Green, the British Zionist rap artist whose profits go to charity, makes it clear, Israel is the place for him. Samuel, keep up your great hasbara work and remember that the adventure of Aliya is the natural result of your Zionism http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhJL651NLr8

The City of David is exceptional in both its beauty and its history. Enjoy this virtual visit http://www.cityofdavid.org.il/hp_eng.asp



Jill and I were sitting in the Mamilla Mall "people watching" while drinking a delicious Café Hafuch. We were mulling the glorious rainbow of humanity which passed us every moment. Ultra Orthodox, Priests in long black robes, girls flirtingly dressed, Moslem women in long robes, black, white and pink tourists and then I saw her…… a strange vision of a woman with Payot (side curls), kippa (skullcap), tzitzit (fringes), short shorts and red high heels!!!! I am all for the rainbow of humanity but surely there is a limit!!!



David Cameron is the Conservative Prime Minister of the UK; Conservative governments have traditionally been pro-Israel but Mr Cameron quickly showed his true colours, as indeed did Mr Obama in the USA. Each and every one of you can do your bit. Write to your local politicians, national politicians, representatives at every level and don't wait for a response before writing again!!!! Write, talk, speak out, research your facts and respond. Being PC and polite is fine in ordinary social conversation but holding back and prying for the best is not the way through this. Speak out and speak up! Finland has a tiny Jewish community but they, together with Christians for Israel, stood up and declared their support for Israel at a particularly rabid anti-Israel demonstration! Leo-Dan I don't want you to think your community goes unnoticed! http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Blogs/Message.aspx/3670



The moonrise over Jerusalem has been spectacular over the last few days. I guess it is recompense for the unbearable heatwave we are suffering!! The Shabbat cooking is over, as the top floor in our building I get all the aromas but do not return them….. thus my wonderful family tradition of fried gefilte fish balls stays my secret while I am privy to Shoshanas Kubeh soup; Michal's Hamin; Rivka's Syrian rice with sweet prunes and pine nuts; Daisy's sweet peppers filled with rice and lamb; ah I could go on for hours but will content myself with my own kitchens culinary delights…unless of course I decide to pop down to Shoshana for a quick taste!!! The veranda is even more beautiful than usual. The pomegranates growing and plumping out to be ready for Rosh Hashana; the Kumquats still like tiny olives before becoming beautiful orange fruits and of course the tiny orange tree which has been beaten by the heat and only has 3 fruits and finally my herb garden. Suddenly we have a garden since putting down artificial grass….. yes I know ….I laughed at the idea too but when one has only ceramic tiles as an option then artificial grass is the closest one can get to luxuriating in green!! Zvi was amazed to find himself talking about "our garden" as he sat on the 4x3 metre carpet!!!



Last but not least I want to express gratitude and admiration for Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Ileana is Israel's strongest and most loyal friend anywhere in the world of politics. She stands behind her loyalties, never hiding behind party politics and is a true leader. Please read http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Editorials/Article.aspx?id=182968 and discover what morals and ethics politicians should follow. Thank you, dear Ileana. Zvi and I are proud to call you and Dexter our friends.



Shabbat Shalom to you all wherever you may be in this wonderful wide world. Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem the heart of our world, my home and yours.

Sheila