Cyprus

 220616

16^th June 2022

 

Shabbat Shalom!

 

I'm ignoring the politics and diplomacies of this world, not because it doesn't influence our every day life, or the price of fuel which has affected everything else, but because Zvi and I are off to Pathos, in Cyprus, tomorrow morning.

 

I should tell you that the last time Zvi surprised me with a vacation it was less exciting and more traumatic than being told at midnight that we were going away for a few days to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Imagine sitting in the car on the way to dinner with friends in Tel Aviv when suddenly Zvi took the Ben Gurion turn-off. I think I threatened to jump out of the car until he told me that we were on our way to Antalya in Turkey. Of course I was horrified "What about clothes? Passport? Medicines? Make up"? All logical questions but he had packed everything I remember nothing about the journey but will be ever grateful of the holiday because we met Norman and Lola Cohen, who became such dear friends. Of course that's one vacation that we will not be taking right now – the Iranians are threatening to kill any Israelis in Turkey – which does not thrill Erdogan and caused Foreign Minister Lapid to warn Israelis to come home immediately. Incredibly they are still flying out there! As Forest Gump said "Stupid is as stupid does"

 

Back to Cyprus. Our wonderful downstairs neighbours, who have our house key, obviously agreed to take care of everything and then the husband, Naftali, said "Give my best to my birthplace, Nicosia" of course I understood what he meant, his family were in the British POW camp in Cyprus after WW2 and before 1948. For me my memories are so different. Cyprus was the source of lunchtime entertainment with my beautiful Zeidy, my grandfather who I adored. Each day he would collect me from my school across the road from their house and take me home for lunch, cooked by my Bubby, grandmother, who was a terrific cook. After lunch we just had time for the radio programme from BFPO (British Forces Posted Overseas) where soldiers got to speak to their loved ones and play a tune. The moment anyone says Cyprus my mind goes back to "Famagusta calling, Famagusta calling" – or  "Nicosia calling" my childhood memories are so warm and undoubtedly Naftali's are quite different. He has promised to come up with his wife Yael and tell us his story over a glass of good wine and some cake when we return.

 

This has been another crazy week filled with meetings, arrangements and general craziness so we are really looking forward to a real rest and a lot of spoiling!

 

So dear friends, that's it! I am not even referring to our sadly failing government. Much to my surprise Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak came out, in a well publicised interview, extolling the successes of this government despite the shenanigans of the opposition. This opposition led by a one man band and his followers, rather than preparing itself for a return to government has spent all its time deriding the current government and voting against everything including votes important to their supporters! I am proud of the successes of the government under impossible odds. I hope and pray that enough members of the Likud will defect and join forces with them.

 

Professor Gerald Steinberg is not only erudite, his analyses of the Middle East wake us up

1967 -2022 Ending 55 years of Temporary Drift and Chaos

https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/article-708978

 

Before I end I want you to think about the words of the late Charles Krauthammer, The Weekly Standard, May 11, 1998

"Israel is the very embodiment of Jewish continuity: It is the only nation on earth that inhabits the same land, bears the same name, speaks the same language, and worships the same God that it did 3,000 years ago. You dig the soil and you find pottery from Davidic times, coins from Bar Kokhba, and 2,000-year-old scrolls written in a script remarkably like the one that today advertises ice cream at the corner candy store."

 

Just think about it. Inside Israel and outside Israel, everyone is trying to change us, perhaps, as Charles Krauthammer wrote, there are many things worth hanging on to.

 

The first song this week has nothing to do with Israel, it isn't religious but it is the basis of our lives on this earth. Lean on Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YapAxPfRyI

 

Everyone knows the song Dona Dona, even if it's just the Joan Baez version. Her eit is sung in Yiddish, English and Hebrew – something for everyone to join in! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGz3Zm0IVzw

 

Now for a real treat! I told you all about the Cantus Choir Concert in the Jerusalem YMCA, conceivably the most beautiful building in Jerusalem. The concert was fabulous, packed house and ecstatic audience, well I have the YouTube of them singing "You Raise Me Up". You may recognise the handsome, tall guy at the back!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkupB1JUsDs

 

Hopefully I'll have lots of stories to tell you next week but for the meantime, I've said goodbye to all my beautiful trees, the little lemon tree is smothered in blossom and baby lemons; the kumquat is similarly full of blossom and then the lime and orange trees promised to produce blossom before we get back. The flowers are well watered and should be fine until we return.

 

Be well everyone, take care, Covid isn't leaving us so just take precautions.

 

Shabbat Shalom to each and every one of you. I'm actually thrilled, no recipes for you this week because I won't be cooking!!

 

With love from Jerusalem, take care of her while we are gone.

Sheila

 

 

So Sorry We won - Not

 220610

10^th June 2022

 

Shabbat Shalom! How are you? I hope this week has been kind to you.

 

Andrea Bocelli gave a performance in Tel Aviv on Wednesday night before an audience of over 20,000, and from what I hear, it was simply stupendous! Our lovely friends Anita and Robert Simons were there and Anita waxed lyrical about the performance as a whole, especially since Bocelli brought his children with him and they sang alongside their father. Israeli soprano Shiri Maimon sang alongside him her beautiful voice melding perfectly with his. Before the show, Bocelli met with former US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, who at the singers request gave him the priestly blessing for success. Bocelli visited Jerusalem on Thursday, praying at both the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. I imagine that standing at the Kotel and feeling the ancient stones, he was able to sense the history far more deeply than those of us who are with sight.

 

A friend wrote on Facebook that this week the number one movie is Top Gun; the number one in the British charts is a song by Kate Bush and the USA is in a proxy war with Russia and I responded that we are in 1984. I found so many appropriate Orwell quotes that I was spoiled for choice. Appropriate to what? Well, pick your democratic country and you will find a quote to describe the current political chaos. We live in a dystopian world of untruths, doublespeak and Newspeak. Here in Israel the determination of the Opposition to bring about the downfall of the current government that they were willing to voter against laws that they were morally bound to pass. Boris Johnson is failing; Joe Biden weakening. The quote I chose is "The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history" Make of it as you will.

 

Today, 55 years ago, we were in the middle of conceivably the shortest war in history, just 6 days, yet the longest war in history because, sadly, we are still fighting it. As Abba Eban said at the time "This is the first war in history which has ended with the victors suing for peace and the vanquished calling for unconditional surrender"

 

Ephraim Kishon, the Hungarian/Israeli satirist and author, wrote a prophetic book "So Sorry We Won" fully understanding that we had lost the underdog position for ever. Kishon's best-known quotes include: “Israel is a country so tiny that there is no room to write its name on the world map” and “It is a country where nobody expects miracles, but everybody takes them for granted.” It is, of course, even today a country at the center of the theatre of the absurd whereby we are demonised, vilified and stigmatised by those with whom we share our core values.

 

After just 19 years of Jordanian rule over the Old City, we could return to our Holy sites. I still remember that day October the 4th 1967 when I walked up towards the Western Wall with my father and brother. It was the eve of Rosh Hashanah and finally we were able to go and pray at the wall.It wasn't even remotely like the Kotel one visits today; there was no plaza and there was rubble everywhere, only half of the current section of the retaining wall of the Temple Mount could be seen, all had been hidden as it was built upon, and we moved forward together to touch the ancient stones. I can never recapture those moments, there was something raw and deeply spiritual about the newly unearthed structure and of course there was, as yet, no separation between men and women. For those who would argue that point I have photos of that day.  Today it is a major tourist site with truly magnificent displays, exhibits, tunnels and museums but for me it cannot recapture the raw beauty of 1967. https://thekotel.org/en/

 

As I bring us back to today, despite the perfidious behaviour of most of our former allies, the acceptance of sheer lies, nay calumny, by the supposed beautiful people of the left, we have some excellent new allies, countries whose leaders understand the Middle East and are ready to move forward and learn from the only democracy in the Middle East. The Abraham Accords have opened doors that we always thought were firmly slammed in our face and locked with multiple keys, but just as they say that every leader needs an enemy to prove his leadership, so we can disprove that old adage. It began with the Emirates and through the desire to make enormous changes in the language used in their schoolbooks many other nations in the MENA region are moving forward beside Israel. Please please look at the www.impact-se.org reports on the willingness for change expressed by many of the very countries that our politicians (and theirs) called us enemies.  I promise you that it will make your day – especially when you read about the response of the EU to the PA's refusal to take hate out of their curriculum!

 

My favourite quote of the week comes from the wonderful Hen Mazzig who spreads Israel's word all over the world.

You can love Israel without hating Palestinians

You can love Palestinians without hating Israel

 

Sunday was Shevuot, the Feast of Weeks,

 

On Monday morning I met with my friend Rabbi David Greenberg and his group at the Inbal Hotel in Jerusalem. I was thrilled when Rabbi David asked me to speak to the group at breakfast before they left on their day's trip, and as we sat around the tables outside the dining room, in the beautiful atrium of the hotel I explained who I was then what I do (and Zvi of course although he was at a different appointment) I then asked for questions. Those questions centred around the question of hasbara – of Israel success or lack of it, in getting our point of view, our stories, over to the mass media. My response was met with disbelief as I explained how much information is disseminated and never picked up. There are very few journalists who dare to go against the owners and advertisers of the large media outlets. I was thrilled at the knowledge of many of the group and especially one gentleman who was incredibly well informed. I don't know his name, I know he is a physician at Mount Sinai Hospital. Throughout the brief encounter I saw Arlette's smiling face supporting me – thank you Sari, your friend is very special.

 

In the afternoon Rachel suddenly appeared with Talia and Ayala which was great fun. I always have a frozen roll of Talia's favourite home-made cookies in the freezer, waiting to be sliced and baked while Ayala prefers……well anything that I can bake or make in an instant!!

 

On Tuesday Rachel and I met with Gaby and Alex at Shalva to discuss the July opening of Dr Dan's Room, the Studio for Dance, Music and Drama in Shalva. I cannot believe that after two years and Covid hold-ups, the Room is not only ready but young people are already enjoying it. Volunteers from the Khan Theatre and the Jerusalem Music Academy will ensure that the children have every chance of taking their hard earned skills forward. With every day I know that this is the most beautiful way to keep my exceptional son Daniel's memory alive in a manner that he would have loved. The opening isn't the end of the project, it is only the beginning and for me the Shalva Family has taken me in with open arms and eased my grief with their love. https://give.shalva.org/daniel

 

In the evening we met with Anita and Robert Simons, all the way from Sydney Australia, for a delicious supper at Naya, in nearby Beit Nekufa. That place is ridiculously busy. It was only after trying every possible time to book a table for four that they finally managed to fit us in at the ridiculously early hour of 18:30! It was wonderful to catch up with them and then we called in to show them our new apartment before Zvi took them back to the King David.

 

Wednesday was a quiet day, a chance to catch our breath, it was also my sister Doreen's birthday! I can tell you her age because none of you would believe it if you saw her. At 84 she is still beautiful, slender, bright and busy!

 

Actually Wednesday was not only birthday celebrations and a quiet day. Various forests and woods surrounding our home on the final climb up to Jerusalem, were set alight, arson, and I was tempted to say "We plant trees and they burn trees" and a particularly left wing friend said that I shouldn't generalise. Believe me I'm the last person to generalise. 99% of Palestinians would never even think of burning trees and resultant danger to human life – but the fact is that young Palestinians started the fires. How do I know? Because each of the separate fires had several points of conflagration.

 

Yesterday I was in the German Colony of Jerusalem. I love that area and every road tells a story. Apparently it was where all the German Christian Pilgrims used to stay and many bought homes. One visitor was Adolph Eichmann. Anyway when the British Mandate came in all the old German names of the narrow, tree lined streets were changed so that now the streets are called Josiah Wedgewood, Lloyd George, John Henry Patterson (Commander of the Jewish Legion in WW1) and Wyndham Deedes (a Zionist British General). The architecture is gorgeous and right in the middle of the main street, Emek Refaim, is the Templar Cemetery. Well worth a wander!

 

Tonight we have a quiet Shabbat meal, perhaps we will invite a couple of neighbours for a tipple and "pitsuchim" (nuts, crackers etc) after supper because it promises to be a wonderful balmy night. The streets of central Tel Aviv came alive, as of about 10 minutes ago. The Tel Aviv Gay parade has begun. It is a festive parade with a serious purpose, not just a reason to dress outrageously and dance in the street. Here the Gay parade is to put forward the rights of Gay couples, the right to be recognised as a couple by law.

 

Tomorrow we are meeting our lovely friends Judy and Michael Baum for Shabbat lunch. I love them! If you haven't ready any of Michael's books you really should, they are rivetting and you can learn a great deal about the archaeological digs here in Israel. Especially The Third Tablet of the Holy Covenant and Aaron's Rod. Perhaps we will go for a walk, Zvi and Michael talking local politics and Judy and I just enjoying our walk.

 

The first piece of music isn't singing, has nothing to do with music and isn't in Israel but I guarantee you will love it! This is what I pray that Dr. Dan's Room in Shalva will create – the chance to excel. Never think that just because a child is born with Down's syndrome that they cannot be stars. https://youtu.be/MMucfdhnzMA

 

Shlomi Shabbat is one of my favourite Israeli singers. This song, this tribute to Jerusalem, is one of those rare songs that does this beautiful city justice. I hope you love it as much as I do https://youtu.be/_kQCTlFuCqQ

 

We are a tribe, a tribe of brothers and sisters no matter who we are or to whom or what we pray. We are meant to pull together, to strive for the same goals and not to be torn apart as our politicians (or some of them) would have. Eastern, Western, Ashkenaz, Sefarad, Mizrachi, Ethiopian, Yemenite, Moroccan, Egyptian, Anglo, Russian or Polish we are one. We are a Tribe of Brothers and Sisters https://youtu.be/HrcnYpZT6w4

 

With love from Jerusalem,

Sheila

 

 

 

 

 

The Jubilee, Pentecost, Shevuot and another crazy week

 220603

3^rd of June 2022

 

Shabbat Shalom! I hope you are well and that your week left you smiling

 

For those of us who love Queen Elizabeth the 2^nd, Wasn't yesterday's ceremonial event glorious? Everything from the various regiments of the Guards, the horses (and the truck that went around collecting their residue) the crowds in the Circle and the Mall, the sheer joy of the occasion and finally the Queen, Her Majesty is such an appropriate title for a truly majestic lady, and her family appearing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to the roar of joy from the crowd. This 96 year old stood throughout the fly past (I loved the aeroplane formation of 70 in the sky) bending to explain what was happening to her great grandson and chatting away with her son, a smile breaking out on both occasions. Her leadership may be titular but her example is supreme.

 

The police were everywhere but did not touch anyone and smiled constantly, alert but polite and discreet. As they say you can take the Brit out of Britain but not Britain out of the Brit!! I love Israel, wouldn't live anywhere else but Britain is best at creating an atmosphere of pomp and circumstance without exaggeration or bling!

 

So to this week in the world of the mundane, everyday life of us ordinary folk.

 

Perhaps I'll start at the end then work back, not backwards but…..you know what I mean!

 

Yesterday I had a phone call from the CEO of www.impact-se.org , the research institute of which I am so proud to be Chairman of the Board. Anyway, Marcus Sheff (CEO) called to update me on so many advances that I couldn't stop smiling for hours. Open the link and you will see the incredible advances made by the team in the sphere of Tolerance in Education in th entire MENA region and of course Israel, all sectors. More and more Islamic countries have come to the realization that if they want normalization in their relations with the West (as opposed to Iran) they have to change the way they teach their children – hate teaching cannot continue. Indeed hate teaching is against the Koran and against the basic tenets of their religion.

 

Let me go back to the beginning!

Since our "limousine" breathed its last drop of petrol, after 19 years of excellent service (a tiny Daihatsu whose paintwork had long given up in the Israeli sun) and two busy people tried to manage with one car, we went to look at alternatives. Electric? Hybrid? Petrol? We are still deciding! I was at home while Zvi went to a rehearsal for ……..wait that comes later!

 

One Monday Gaby Hirsch, from Shalva, came for a cup of coffee to help me decide when to organise the official opening of Dr. Dan's Room, the incredible Studio for Music, Dance and Drama in the name of my beautiful son Daniel who was killed in an accident two and a half years ago while riding through Central Park. https://give.shalva.org/daniel

 

In the afternoon we went to the shloshim (30 days after someone passes away) of our dear friend Frida z"l. Here in Israel the tombstone is laid after 30 days, not a year as in the Diaspora. It was very moving, a beautiful ceremony and since Frida was a singer with an exceptional voice, we al sang her favourite song, which coincidentally is mine too. Lelechet Shevi Acharaich – a love song to Israel. https://youtu.be/FQLU1a-rnGA

 

Tuesday and I had lunch with the Queen of Cardiff. Tema Gaba is an institution, a wonderful incredible lady celebrated her hundredth birthday this week. I love sitting and talking with her, enjoying her world of knowledge and sweet memories of my parents. Tema, like the Queen, served in the British Army during WW2 and any opportunity to hear her tales of those times lights up everyone who knows and loves her. I wish you could meet her, a wonderful Welsh Lady! Unlike the Queen there was no big celebration, no fly past, no Grenadier Guards,  just joy in knowing someone who really did humble but great things in her life.

 

Wednesday Zvi had another rehearsal……. Yes you already know, that comes later…and I managed to sneak in a quick visit to Rachel and the children to be renewed with their hugs. You would think that the climb up to Samuel's Tomb and the view, the panorama of Jerusalem laid out in front of me, would become everyday, but it doesn't. Each time I look out over my city I am amazed anew. Such incredible beauty, even the new city, built of gleaming white stone, is beautiful stretching before me in a huge jigsaw of hills, houses, highrises and cranes – yes the national bird of Israel is the building crane! We just don't have enough housing especially as the wave of new immigrants is growing, surprisingly from the USA and the West.

 

Finally we come to Thursday and the truly magnificent concert of the Cantus Choir of the Jerusalem Academy of Music was held in the YMCA theatre. The YMCA is conceivably the most beautiful building in Jerusalem. Situated opposite the King David Hotel its cupolas and towers, arches and gardens dominate the eye and the atmosphere is wonderful. The theatre has a high, decorated cupola and a full proscenium arch with a second cupola behind it. One by one the choir filed onto and up on the stands and magic happened. Each and every song, conducted by the beautiful and talented Ronit Banit, resounded from the stage to the full audience. We were captivated. I'll try to make a YouTube for you. Instead of going out to a coffee shop our friends Eva and Eli came to us for coffee and cheeses and we had such a lovely time.

 

The funny part is that the city was empty because there was a huge and very well organised, joyful Gay Parade nearby in the Bell Park. We feared that nobody would get to the concert because of the level of traffic and lack of parking, but in fact, I came straight into the city from the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus with barely another car on the road and suddenly, right at the gate to the YMCA a perfect parking spot was waiting just for me!

 

Another fascinating fact about the Gay Parade. For many years it was held in various Israeli cities but not in Jerusalem, for a million reasons, but it was a Haredi Mayor who made the decision to allow the Gay Parade in Jerusalem and apart from one tragic incident when a crazy man killed a young participant , Shira Banki z"k who as marching to support friends, it has been a wonderful and colourful addition to the Jerusalem calendar.

 

Talking of parades, after the Flag Parade last week and the disruption caused by two factions of the extreme right, Defence Minister Gantz is considering declaring both Lehava and La Familia  terrorist organisations.

 

I did an upside down missive this week – I felt the need to write about lovely things instead of only politics and shootings.

 

Uri Zohar, a major player on the Israeli stage and screen, passed away yesterday at the age of 86. Zohar began as a secular Jew, became a Haredi Jew yet never lost his tolerance for the opinions of others and continued to influence many. Together with Arik Einstein, two of his children married two of Einstein's children, he made an iconic skit called Lul, about the various 'Aliyas" to Israel showing that nothing is new and each new wave of immigrants has to adapt to life here, as everywhere. Brilliant and very funny! https://youtu.be/PVDrqFGfAdY

 

I learned something this week, in fact today, from an article written by Liat Collins in the Jerusalem Post. I hadn't realised that the Ottoman Empire, which occupied this land for 70 years, expelled the Jews of Jaffa in 1914. Moslems were allowed to return to Jaffa but Jews were not and they are mostly buried in Kfar Saba. https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-708455 . So much we don't realise, so much that preceded the State of Israel. Even we sometimes accept that we must be guilty of something because the media tells us we are all the time.

 

Almost the end of the Counting of the Omer, nearly the Feast of Weeks, Shevuot.   Rabbi Jeremy Rosen describes beautifully the relevance of Shevuot, of the words we use and the kindness we should express. If you want to understand the real meaning of Shevuot, of the festival and of the reading of the story of Ruth, beautiful Ruth who chose to be a Jewess and became a true Jewish heroine by following her mother in law Naomi. "Shevuot is so much more than "Whither thou goest I goest"  https://jeremyrosen.com/2022/06/shavuot-2022.html

 

This weekend and Shevuot which follows on the tails of Shabbat we will be eating only milk products – no meat or chicken – more of a tradition than a law. Cheesecakes galore, blintzes of every description and the supermarkets sport shelves after shelves of Israeli cheeses hard, soft and white varieties, yoghurts, creams, butter and the world famous Israeli cottage cheese which unlike its namesake in the rest of the world, has no "marbles" it is soft and creamy and like all the cheeses there is a 5% alternative which tastes just as good! We have a crazy schedule of friends and family, because this is Israel and everyone invites or is invited for the festivals. Barely a table lays bare, all burgeoning with delicacies and most with 10, 15, 20 and 30 diners! We are a country that entertains at home, rather than restaurants. We are a country of great cooks, men and women cook at home, usually a combined effort, and a very informal manner. Children are very much seen and heard and part of the scene, never sent to bed at 6 o'clock they join in conversations, unless it is boring and turns to politics in which case they are excused to go and play until dessert!!

 

Time to go and prepare the food that I will be taking with me to each home. Herb and lemon baked salmon for tonight; my yummy lemon cake for tomorrows brunch (one comes home from the synagogue and immediately eat rather than waiting until lunchtime);  blintzes and crepes for tomorrow evenings holiday meal. No cooking for Monday evening after the festival ends because we are going to the annual party in the home of Meme and Liora, a party that was on hold during Corona (Covid-19) and has joyfully come back on the scene.

 

You already had one song right at the beginning of this missive so let's find two more!

 

This is one to join in! Everybody, no matter what their faith, knows Hava Nagila. Here Harry Belafonte and Danny Kaye sing together https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZutenWFKSlE

 

The next song is my mantra, Smile sung by Nat King Cole, his voice reaches into the depths of my soul and the song, the song has so much deep meaning and an important message. Here with clips of the inimitable Charlie Chaplin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rkNBH5fbMk

 

I wish you a good weekend, on Sunday Christians celebrate Whitsun, or Whit Sunday the British name for Pentecost, the seventh Sunday after Easter – you see, we have so much in common. The counting of the Omer (between Passover and Shevuot) is 49 days and Pentecost is…..7 weeks! When I was a child this was a Christian festival but has since changed its name to Spring Bank Holiday. Not sure that is progress but that's today's world. Jews will be celebrating Shevuot and the giving of the most important laws of today's society, the 10 commandments and they social laws that every society abides by today.

 

Shabbat Shalom to you, Chag Shevuot Sameach and loads of love in your life, through friends, family and just people who pass by

 

With love from beautiful Jerusalem

Sheila

 

 

 

 

 

Jerusalem Day 2022

 20529

29^th May 2022

28^th Iyar,5782

 

Happy Jerusalem Day!

 

Today commemorates that joyous moment of the 6 Day War, when Lt General Motta, (Mordechai) Gur, uttered the magical words "The Temple Mount is in our hands"  Har ha habyit by'adenu. Dreams, nay yearning, of 2,000 years came true, we could finally visit our holy places. Which had been in Moslem hands…….. but wait…..What's wrong with what I just wrote? It was after just 19 years of Jordanian rule, from 1948 until that day in 1967.

 

The Six Day War started when 4 armies attacked Israel simultaneously. It is said that if you don't know where you have been you cannot know where you are going. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLqbXfOJbus

 

The Temple Mount was shared until that time, Jews, Christians and Moslems all went up to their Holy places and it saddens me that we are banned from praying on our holiest site. In my extensive travels around the globe I have visited many a church, cathedral, chapel, temple, mosque and of course synagogue and never have I been stopped or stopped anyone else from praying. When we repeated the prayer "Next Year in Jerusalem" or recited the words of King David "If I forget the Oh Jerusalem"  it was never for the shopping mall or the King David Hotel, it was for the Temple Mount. Jews everywhere, from Toronto to Wales; from Gondar to Johannesburg; from Manhattan to Mexico City, all just prayer for and prayed to one place, Jerusalem.

 

Last night we were in the home of Danny Adeno Abebe, born in far distant Gondar, Ethiopia. Danny invited a few people to hear the story of his journey, his Masa, through the eyes of a barefoot 8 year old goatherd. When Danny and his family left Gondar one day in 1984 together with his entire village, they did not set out for Israel, they didn't know anything about Israel. They had one dream, Jerusalem.  Danny today bears no resemblance to Adeno the barefoot boy – he is a brilliant journalist, an author and speaker and best of all married to Aviva and they have four gorgeous children and a dog called Milky. Happily his Mother is my friend. This song gives you a little glimpse of the trek, this one much later but still with one aim, to come to Jerusalem. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKcRKzbSeJM

 

President Herzog wrote a beautiful tribute to the City of Jerusalem. " There is no other city in the world like Jerusalem. A city that people pine for, a city that they face to pray, and for whose sake they pray, a city to which so many look up. A city that serves as common ground but is often also a locus of friction. A city that contains a bit of everything: the spirit of sanctity and the vibrancy of day-to-day life. Jerusalem is a city whose one million inhabitants reflect the entire mosaic of Israeli society and its complexity, a city whose name means peace, yet a city that has also known many wars."

https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/city-of-hearts-president-herzog-on-jerusalem-day/

 

So, Jerusalem Day. One day in the year Jews, a small number and carefully picked, are allowed to pray on the Temple Mount and enthusiastic youngsters from various Yeshivas, Ulpanas, high schools etc carry Israeli flags down Agron Street turn left and enter the Old City through the Damascus Gate and continue to the Western Wall where they will dance and sing Hatikva. Of course there will be the usual stone throwing, demands that Jews be stopped from going through the Damascus Gate, claims of destruction of the Mosque but in fact it is thousands of young people expressing their joy at being in Jerusalem!

 

It is a day of celebration, but sadly not without the ultimate threat of the enemies both within and without.

 

Meir Banai z"l was a member of Jerusalem's most famous theatre family. All born and bred right here in the city their love for Jerusalem clear. Meir wrote this song about the Mercy Gate, the Gate through which the Messiah will come. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOcUZsckkyU

 

 

Yaakov Shweckey sings If I forget Thee Oh Jerusalem https://youtu.be/j1WsdQHtSUg

If I forget thee, O Jerusalem,
let my right hand forget her cunning.
Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth,
if I remember thee not;
if I set not Jerusalem above my chiefest joy.

 

Remember all of you, whatever your faith, wherever you pray and in which direction you face, a welcome awaits you in Jerusalem. This is a fabulous city, it bubbles with activities, phenomenal food, of course Mahane Yehuda; our parks are lush, our trees many, the botanical gardens exquisite and if you have never been before, prepare to be surprised – it is a world apart from the way it is presented in the media. Come and walk in the footsteps of King David, of Jesus and the ancestors of those who live here today

 

See you soon

Happy Jerusalem Day!!

 

 

 

Lies, Damned Lies and news from the Middle East

 220520

20^th May 2022

 

Shabbat shalom! Hope this missive finds you well.

 

Lies soar on the wings of calumny. MIT did an entire study on the efficiency of lies as opposed to the truth. The result of their research "Falsehood diffuses significantly faster than the truth and the lie becomes the remembered truth"

 

Such it is in the Middle East.

 

The case of Shireen Abu Akleh is an obvious example, the most recent example, but how many of you remember Mohammed Al Dura? On the 30^th of September, 2000 Israel was blamed for the killing of a 12 year old who was crouching, hiding behind his father, the photograph captured and spread like wildfire. The resulting riots and world condemnation was overwhelming. As far as I am aware nobody publicised the results of the autopsy which showed that it was a Palestinian (Gaza) bullet that killed Mohammed. So it is with Shireen Abu Akleh, the difference being that the PA will not give Israel access to the body, the bullet or the results of the autopsy. The reason is obvious but the media will never investigate the truth. The result? Riots in both Israel and the PA and worldwide condemnation.

 

Surprisingly, we, both in Israel and the Diaspora, promulgate the same lies on a different stage. The very basis of Israel's existence is the Jewish religion, the traditions, yet the very same people, women, who happily cover their heads and honour the Moslem laws when entering a Mosque demand breaking the age old laws of Judaism claiming they demean women. First of all virtually every religion puts the woman in the home, raising the children, often separating men and women during prayer; Judaism is the only religion which actually has a special blessing for the women of the home before Shabbat (Eshet Chayil) and finally, why change the traditions which harm no-one since Judaism is so flexible already with many streams of both belief and tradition. Why am I raising this subject when discussing lies? Because, in truth, it is the greatest stumbling block in our relationship with Diaspora, or more specifically, American Jewry. Call it misunderstanding, call it whatever you wish but our prayers over 2,000 years of dispersion, were not for the Tel Aviv beach or the streets of Meah Shearim, they were for the Kotel, the Wailing Wall, the Old City, the Temple Mount, every depiction of our prayers show the Holy Sites, all the other places are non-denominational, have no religious significance so why force change rather than reach compromise? The more we fight among ourselves the more our common enemies rejoice.

 

What do supermodels have in common with media hype and lies? Bar Rafaeli responded to the vituperation of Bella Hadid on Instagram. Hadid's Instagram page has become a propaganda tool against Israel. She and her sister Gigi have some 80 million followers between them and their sole purpose has become to condemn Israel and blame Israel for the current wave of terror. Never undermine their influence, their inanity is what ttracts young people to believe them and so the calumny continues.  Bar Rafaeli wrote mourning the 3 who were killed in Elad, spoke of the wave of terror attacks, and ended her post with a challenge to Hadid to repost it.

 

How can one stop the rot of disinformation? Start young, teach tolerance, be patient because the lies have been taught for generations, the situation cannot change in a moment, it takes a generation, but we have to start now. The fascinating truth is that those very countries that taught their children to hate Israel, the Jews and Christians (while adopting our prophets) have reached out to change and introduce tolerance into their education curriculae while the Western countries have gone backwards into teaching intolerance in the guise of political correctness.

 

So back to my question – how do we stop the rot of or disinformation? To begin with we take note of the work of IMPACT-se (www.impact-se.org ) and look into our children's schoolbooks.  The woke trend is tantamount to burning books and destroying statues, by disallowing books of historical importance, yes I mean Uncle Tom's Cabin, Gone With The Wind, Little Black Sambo (which incidentally is about India and a little black hero) – how can we explain to our children that we have improved our society since then? To deny history is to lie, because we are nothing if not the result of our past.

 

Back to Israel! So this week the government has suffered another blow as their ability to govern is eroded by those on the right and the left leaving them. Of course it is an obvious danger when so many views come together in a coalition, but I hope they survive. The hooha about the cost of security installations for the PM's home in Raanana while the Prime Minister's Residence is being made livable, are unfair. He did not make any of the said decisions it was the Security Services who simply went ahead without consulting with local government as required! On the other hand we had two Members of Knesset, Arab Members of Knesset who abused police officers. Ahmed Tibi, Former Deputy Speaker of the Knesset who studied medicine at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, screamed abuse at the police and in the plenary of the Knesset, took the podium and called a female Knesset Member "scum of the earth" demeaning the Knesset and the police in one week. The second incident involved Knesset Member Ofer Cassif who hit a police officer on the head because they asked him to stop and identify himself as he got close to riots.  What kind of example do they show to their constituents, especially the young ones?

 

Enough doom and gloom! I actually had a lovely week!

 

On a glorious Sunday morning I headed off to Gilo to collect my wonderful friend Lola Cohen. Lola and her late husband Norman were very involved in Christian/Jewish relations both here and in Britain. Our friendship with Canon Andrew White drew us together but the truth is that Lola's Shabbat afternoon teas (Yorkshire of course) and the incredible scones with jam and cream and homemade butter shortbread confirmed our friendship! Anyway, we hadn't managed to get together for too long so we decided to "spur of the moment" and headed off to the Botanical Gardens. Oh joy! Not only the humungeous, now famous  Caffit's "Oreganatto Batata" a sweet potato, feta cheese salad, that we shared, I wish I could adequately describe the calm, sitting beside the pond, surrounded by people enjoying the veranda, the lovely young waiters, the great food, the glorious weather, but most of all the phenomenal display of water lilies! No wonder the lotus is the stuff of mythology and legend, they are spectacular! Pink, yellow, red with the lily pads bearing rather noisy croaking green frogs. What a delight and of course the conversation with Lola is always enlightening. I find her admission that she will be 90 years old in a month unbelievable! Ad meah ve esrim (until 120 is an old Hebrew blessing)

 

The next morning Zvi and I headed off to Shaare Zedek Hospital where Zvi became Van Gogh – a small surgery on his ear!! Sitting waiting for the surgeon, then the biopsy results etc gave me the opportunity to do what I love best……people watching. The mix of society, rich and poor, young and old, Arab and Jew, all sitting together either waiting or seeing patients. Yes in this supposedly religiously Jewish hospital many senior doctors are Arab. Watching the friendly interaction, the same conversations in dozens of languages, the same gesticulations engendered by trepidation before going in to the various doctors – I wish you could have been there to see the real Israel, obviously without the medical necessity!

 

On Tuesday both Rachel and I had reason to be in Jerusalem so we decided to be spontaneous (twice in one week) and meet up in Talpiot! We found a small cafe at the back of the shopping mall, quieter than most so allowing conversation, with the most fabulous freshly made salads and vegetable patties! Everything looked amazing and we got to choose our favourites for our meal. It was a delicious delight and to have time with my amazing daughter without husbands or children was a rare and special time.

 

Wednesday night saw Lag b'Omer, the 33^rd day of the counting of the Omer which I described last week. Thousands went to Meron to the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, the man who wrote the Zohar and opened the secrets of the Torah to his students. The rules changed dramatically after the tragedy of overcrowding in which 45 people lost their lives in a stampede. This year the numbers were limited and all went well until some zealots rushed the grave of the great Rabbi. For those who wish to discover more https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/112515/jewish/Rabbi-Shimon-Bar-Yochai.htm

 

Zvi has been very busy rehearsing for the concert of Cantus, the choir of the Jerusalem Academy of Music, which will be held in the YMCA in two weeks. He loves to sing and has a glorious bass-baritone! Last night's rehearsal culminated in him collecting a delightful visitor on his way home. Alan Podolsky ended his Israel trip and came home with Zvi. I love Alan, in fact I love Alan's parents and siblings, his aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents! Alan's parents are the only ones in San Diego all the others are in Mexico City.

 

That brings us up to tonight! We will be 18 for supper, but that number may grow, I never know with Zvi! He and Alan have gone off to Jerusalem to meet with Victor and Mirta Solnitsky from Argentina, to give them a tour and a visit to the Kotel then they will come back here to see our new home and rest. Since the number of guests for dinner is somewhat fluid, flowing upwards that is, I have already prepared most of the salads and two quiches. Wait. Lets start at the beginning. Kiddush (the blessing on the wine) from Cantor Zvi Raviv, the blessing on the Challot (plaited bread) will be performed by Mr Yonatan Raviv (8 years and one week) and then….edamame for starters to get all the children sitting down, followed by cream of celeriac soup, onion quiche and sweet potato quiche, beetroot, kohlrabi, potato, cucumber, courgette, cabbage, caprese, chopped and green salads, baked salmon, then for dessert we will have home made apple pie and ice cream!! All this on the veranda which is ablaze with colour and scents. The weather promises to be balmy so I managed to set everything up outside, which also gives the children the freedom to run around rather than being told to sit by the table! I have a feeling that there will be lots of Spanish spoken tonight. Zvi loves to use his Spanish and we will have 5 family members who speak Spanish so I will make quite sure that I sit with Zvi's boys and families, despite the fact that the lingua franca is English!!

 

Time to get back to my preparations. We borrowed an extra table from our downstairs neighbours and I always say that it's the same amount of work for 6 people as it is for 20, the trouble is that Zvi always takes me seriously!

 

Since we spoke of Mexicans, of special friends and family Zvi and I wish Nattie and Yolli Zonzsein a huge MAZAL TOV on the birth of a new grandson. We are so thrilled for them especially since they are now in the same country, the same vicinity, as their daughter Merav, after making Aliya 2 years ago. Never mind that it took Yolli some 35 years to be convinced by Nattie that this is home- he loves it and has adjusted perfectly!

 

What was that you said? Isn't it time for music? Yes it is and even better it's Koolulam time!

"There's someone with me here" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_jUEaR86Lw&t=2s

 

Yismachu – Rejoice a beautiful Shabbat Song performed by the two Yitzchaks Perlman and Helfgot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxyWkx6CfSI

 

Since that was probably the ultimate in Ashkenazi prayer let's go straight into an Eastern Jewish Shabbat prayer!! Lecha Dodi is the song we sing to welcome the bride of the Sabbath, the same words a different melody!

"Come out my Beloved, the Bride to meet;

The inner light of Shabbat, let us greet." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNVuZdWy_04

 

I wish you a peaceful weekend and above all the ability to distinguish between truth and lies.

 

With all my love from Jerusalem, centre of our world, Jews, Moslems and Christians, this is where we can join together in harmony if we just accept that true faith is individual not imposed.

 

Shabbat Shalom

Sheila

 

 

 

 

 

Independence and Elad

 220506

6^th May, 2022

 

Shabbat Shalom dear friends.

 

Remembrance Day was deeply emotional as we remembered the lives lost to defend our beautiful little country then in an exceptionally prestigious and meaningful Yom Ha'atzma'ut  - Independence Day ceremony, this year's beacon lighters were of the people and for the people leading to a decision to have only silent fireworks at the end, so that those with PTSD would not be terrified, we went into a day of family outings, all the wonderful fun that I described in my last letter……..and then

 

Last evening two young men, whose minds have been twisted by the heinous incitement of their society took axes, hatchets, machetes, I don't know how to describe them, went to a religious town, yes guys within the green line – not that it makes any difference – and went on an orgy of bloodthirsty slaughter, killing 3 men, injuring more, leaving 16 children without fathers and an entire town in mourning. Why did they choose Elad? Probably because this is a Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) town, few of the citizens had guns to resist, to defend themselves, to retaliate.

 

I am sure you can imagine the sadness of Israelis, but perhaps the response of the Palestinian and Hamas leaders will help you understand. Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, expressed delight, yes I said delight, at the success of the attack and encouraged young Palestinians "and Israeli Arabs" to continue the "good work" whereas Mahmoud Abbas, leader of the Palestinian Authority condemned the attack. Hamas is on the rise among young Palestinians, even within Israel although to a much lower extent. Jordan, which has control of the Temple Mount/Al Aqsa Compound, together with the WAQF and Fatah, are deeply concerned and have now banned Hamas flags on the Temple Mount in an attempt to lower tensions. Khaled Abu Toameh, conceivably the best honest reporter, informing us of events within the Israeli Arab community explains https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-705979

 

Subsequent Israeli Governments have given in to the demands of the WAQF concerning Jewish and Christian prayer on the Temple Mount, given in and in principle disallowed either faith from praying on their holy site in order to calm the incitement, but it didn't work. We are unable to control the level of incitement within the Mosques and the determined inculcation of the young and disenfranchised; to inseminate disinformation into already angry young people doesn't take more than oppression and a Goerring style proliferation of lies. When I say oppression I am not suggesting Israeli oppression, you have to understand the leadership of both the PA and Gaza whose very power lies in keeping their population both poor and unhappy while accumulating vast fortunes from the aid funding of our countries, the UN and EU!

 

As is the way here in Israel I have to change the emotional direction of this missive, accepting the ramifications of all of the above. Indeed, through Impact-se and its professional leadership, Marcus Sheff and Arik Agassi, something quite exceptional happened as a result of their meeting with the EU. Of course, as Chair I was aware of the impending meeting but nobody was prepared for the result! The EU, aware of the incitement in the PA/Hamas/UNWRA school curriculum is considering defunding.

" The motions are based on a report by IMPACT-se presented to a joint Foreign Affairs, Budget, Budgetary Control and Education and Culture Committee hearing of the parliament, as well as to the Commission in an April 20^th testimony, by the invitation of the Parliament, and in a series of meetings with IMPACT-se’s leadership prior to vote." PA textbook resolution vote: 357 in favor, 259 against, 24 abstentions 
The full text of the resolution condemning the PA is available here (par. 170). The world is slowly slowly understanding that terrorism begins in schools.

This year the change in the manner of leadership was astonishing. The Speaker of the Knesset, who traditionally leads the Independence Day Celebrations on Mount Herzl, brought with him a humility that has been missing for the last 12 years, giving a short speech of welcome. The ceremony itself, the beacon lighters were chosen for their incredible, selfless contribution to Israeli society and the world at large, the songs were Israeli, the dancers, soldiers, presenters and the audience all braved the unusually cold, windy weather with a smile…..in fact why don't you just watch and enjoy – with simultaneous English translation from i24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mza32QsYIqQ See how many faces you recognise! All the beacon lighters were deserving and I was especially thrilled to see my friend, Kalman Samuels, the incredibly humble founder of Shalva, speaking of his son Yossi and the real force behind Shalva, his wife Malki. You will see Avi Samuels using finger language to tell Yossi about his father's speech.

 

The next morning, bright and early a very different ceremony took place in the President's House, the ceremony commending "Hayalim Mitstainim" Outstanding soldiers. Each and every one, from every walk of Israeli life, brought a tear of pride to our eyes. Each and every one received a word of gratitude and encouragement from President Herzog.

 

As the traffic jams near every park, forest and lake became longer and longer nobody got angry, they all recognised that families were off for a day of birthday parties, celebrating Israel's 74^th birthday. We were supposed to go to the annual "parliament" barbecue at the Schreiber families garden, but unfortunately our hostess was unwell so rather than be alone we invited a very few close friends to partake of whatever fare could be found in the Raviv freezer The multiple salads took a few minutes to prepare, which left us with the meat. Despite being 100% Israeli (actually his birth certificate says that he is and was Palestinian) Zvi, unlike both his sons, is not a great fan of barbecues or "mangal". Our wonderful upstairs neighbour Benny came down to check the feasibility of using our barbecue for the first time in 5 years – after a thorough overhaul by yours truly – and pronounced it safe and ready so I happily placed the chicken pieces and the home-made burgers on the grill so that our aroma filled smoke joined that of most of our neighbours. All was well until the gas balloon ended! A hurried return to the kitchen ensure lunch but I admit I was disappointed.

 

Halfway through the meal we heard the sound of aeroplane engines. Was this the promised fly past? We rushed from the table and stood expectantly on the veranda, eyes to the sky……but somehow nothing happened! The only compensation was that we got to laugh with our neighbours who did the same! I hope next year's fly past will compensate! Our meal ended with the very best chocolate mousse ever (sorry Jill)! Ruth Dodziuk-Justitz showed her Suisse origins and we all enjoyed every mouthful!

 

As Zvi finished clearing up, (we have a deal, I prepare and he clears up) we made a good cuppa, he made his "special" omelette, and turned on the evening news. All sense of celebration, of fun, of joy disappeared as we watched in horror the desperately sad results of a terror attack. More than 26 Islamic countries, More than 24% of the world's population identify as Moslem, yet this tiny piece of ancient Jewish land, our heritage, offends by its very existence. This beautiful 74 year old lady is a blot on their vast landscape Does it depress me, yes of course, but we had to get up this morning and show our enemies that they cannot break us, we are here and will not be moved.

 

I am reminded of the Dementors in the Harry Potter stories. Dementors feed on human happiness and generate feelings of depression and despair in all those in close proximity, "soul-sucking fiends"……..I sense that JK Rowling knew exactly what she described.

 

It never fails to amaze me how little even supporters of Israel know about us. I love the conversations where people ask intelligent questions and I had just such a conversation when I was in the UK a short time ago. I visited dear friends Adrian and Barbara, together with my friend Jill, and as we sat in their lounge they began to ask questions that were so important to all of you if you stand a chance of answering the lies.  Here is a quiz for you, with different questions to theirs but worth seeing what you do or don't know anyway. http://www.freepubquiz.co.uk/israel-quiz.html

 

Today is Friday, almost Shabbat, and time to gather ourselves, prepare the Shabbat meal, to light the candles with a prayer that the light of the candles will spread warmth and peace. Tonight Leor and Shiri, with their four girls, Amit, Gili, Ori and Yuval are coming to us for Shabbat Dinner and Rachel, Yosef, Talia and Ayala are in Leeds to have Shabbat with Rachel's father Philip to celebrate his 80^th birthday. Hopefully Gideon will be with them too. A modern family indeed, spread all over the world held together by tradition

 

Adon Olam – Lord of the Universe- is the prayer that takes me back to my childhood. It is the final prayer of the Shabbat service and pictures of my father, grandfather and all around me folding their prayer shawls as they sang to the chosen melody of the week. I love this version, led by IDF Cantor Shai Abramson sung by the IDF coir relaxing….I just love it and it restores my mood with its beauty. Without translation, just enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3tLlG07X-Q  

 

When an Israeli prays for good news all around say "Hallevai" Ehud Manor was the greatest poet/lyricist of Israel and his words ring true today. Boaz Sharabi wrote the melody and here he sings Halleva'I - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwEatU285N8

 

The last song was written by a young man called Robert Zimmerman in the '60's, at a time when we thought we could change our world His words have proven to be too prophetic of our times today. Blowin' in the Wind https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWwgrjjIMXA

 

I wish you Shabbat Shalom, a weekend of prayer for this tortured world. Who knows, perhaps by educating our children to accept those different to them, whether by colour, creed, speech, language or nationality…only by teaching our children can we learn to be tolerant human beings raising tolerant human beings.

 

With love, as always, from Jerusalem

Sheila