091026
26th October 2009.
Yesterday a huge bomb exploded outside Canon Andrew White's Church in Baghdad. Andrew reports that at least 132 people died and 600 were injured in this horrific blast. The damage to the church would have been far greater had a storm not blown down a huge tree at the entrance to the day before protecting the interior.
Thank G-d Andrew is safe and as far as he is able to ascertain, his staff is too.
We have become too inured to death in other parts of the world. We have become too inured to the fact that most of these horrific events are religion based. The world cannot continue as we know it if any religion, or sector of it, believes it must kill to prove it has the answer.
Life for the citizens of Baghdad became just a little bit more peaceful for a short period but now the terrorists believe they are about to win and their confidence has given them the freedom to kill.
We wish Andrew a peaceful day in which to bury those who lost their lives in this sectarian insanity and the strength to carry on.
www.frrme.org
Monday, 26 October 2009
Friday, 23 October 2009
Shabbat Shalom from Sheila
091023
23rd October 2009.
Shabbat Shalom!
There are a few events in ones life which stand out above all others in their excellence and quality – the 2009 Presidents Conference on Tomorrow is one.
President Shimon Peres spoke from his heart http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Speeches+by+Israeli+leaders/2009/Pres_Peres_addresses_Israeli_Presidential_Conference_20-Oct-2009.htm as he gathered an array of brilliant minds to find solutions to today's problems for a better tomorrow. They came because President Peres is a most singular man, an exceptional diplomat, a great statesman and an impressive mind – some of you may disagree with his politics - but his magnetic ability to initiate and accept new opinions and thoughts into his wide comprehension makes him a unique being in a sphere which does not pay compliments with ease. Above all, as Prime Minister Netanyahu said, he is a determined and proud Zionist.
Prime Minister Netanyahu made two very important statements hidden in his welcoming speech. One that within 10 years solar energy will be a feasible energy resource which will replace our dependency upon fossil fuels and that he is immediately forming a think tank committee to ensure his prediction come to fruition. The second was a call to Abu Mazen to take up the challenge of telling his people the truth – everything on the table – and bring them to peace. http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Speeches+by+Israeli+leaders/2009/Speech_PM_Netanyahu_President_Conference_20-Oct-2009.htm
Tony Blair brought rare humour to a serious Conference http://www.presidentconf.org.il/en/ (click on is picture under the main screen).
Professor Irwin Cotler, Efraim Halevy, Mort Zuckerman sat on a panel chaired by Dr. John Ruskay, to help us understand everything from why there is an international law against genocide of which the caring agencies of the world barely avail themselves, to the threat from Iran; The inimitable Dov Maimon, a deeply religious Jew encourages and embraces diversity of thought and belief; Zhang Qianhong a Chinese Jewish Studies professor who wrote the book "History of Israel"; Susan Rice, the US Ambassador to the United Nations gave a long but impressive speech, until she used the "O" word (occupation) and was surprised when her words thereafter were less acceptable! Young men who have already changed our future by creating Slide, Paypal, Wikipedia, Skype sat on a panel with moguls of advertising and media explaining how to utilize the web to reach our goals.
The educated opinion is that Iran is more scared of Israel than Israel of Iran (to say nothing of the USA) and the Tarzan-like chest beating of Ahmedinejad is to garner popularity inside Iran. Every time Iran hears from outside sources that Israel considers bombing their nuclear facilities it increases his sense of self-importance.
One of the most impressive panels was that of moderate Moslems who see the future so differently to their radical counterparts.
The world economy; the cyber-world; the increased importance of China and India in the world scene; security and the threat of international terror; Israel's place in this world and this world's place in Israel; a greener and kinder future and how to achieve all of the above. Great minds appeared on the platforms of Binyanei Ha Uma in Jerusalem and did so much more than discuss, they used their infinite abilities to find answers. Ambassadors and Ministers from many, many countries came to hear wisdom in the hope of taking thoughts back to their countries.
You may laugh, but my greatest moment came as I was walking upstairs to the Ladies!!!! Walking downstairs was Professor Ada Yonath! I almost fell as I leaned forward to shake her hand on her incredible achievement of winning a Nobel Prize for her undaunting work. She of course was more concerned that I remain upright than any compliment given. What a woman!!! I have other quieter heroes who do not go in for public speaking but support others in their determination to better the world. The marvelous Dan David without whom so many projects could not get off the ground and my old friend Lord Stone who quietly searched out others who want to find peaceful and green solutions. I cannot even begin to talk of the marvelous people I met in the corridors and halls, but it must be said that President Peres created a truly amazing Conference – as only he could.
My brain was hurting as the Conference drew to an end last night. I must step back to understand how the multitude of views expressed augur our future.
Leaving the Conference for a short while, Zvi spoke before and I met with wonderful people of the New York Federation who are working to find a new paradigm for the relationship between the Diaspora and Israel to entice the next generation of Jewish leadership on both sides of the Atlantic to present a strong future. Dr. John Ruskay spoke at both occasions and we were deeply impressed by his depth of knowledge and insight and ability to present his thoughts.
As you can imagine I did not have time to look at my beautiful Jerusalem outside although the Jerusalem in the Conference was no less impressive. The attendees spoke of our city with such love, Jews, Christians and Moslems alike. This isn't "just another city" this is Jerusalem, Yerushalyim, Ir Shalem, Shiloh, Ariel a city so important, beautiful, spiritual and meaningful that it has another 65 names in the Tenach.
Today is already Friday and we have guests for Friday night supper and the traditional – or less than traditional – meal must be prepared! I have not even opened the blinds to look at the veranda – thank heaven for yet another Israeli invention – drip irrigation- so my plants and flowers have survived!
Next week is the Jewish Agency Board of Governors Assembly and Zvi and I will miss the lovely Lester Rosenberg of Chicago and wish him a speedy and ongoing recovery – we need you Lester!
With much love from Jerusalem as she slows down and enters into the wondrous peace of Shabbat
Sheila
23rd October 2009.
Shabbat Shalom!
There are a few events in ones life which stand out above all others in their excellence and quality – the 2009 Presidents Conference on Tomorrow is one.
President Shimon Peres spoke from his heart http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Speeches+by+Israeli+leaders/2009/Pres_Peres_addresses_Israeli_Presidential_Conference_20-Oct-2009.htm as he gathered an array of brilliant minds to find solutions to today's problems for a better tomorrow. They came because President Peres is a most singular man, an exceptional diplomat, a great statesman and an impressive mind – some of you may disagree with his politics - but his magnetic ability to initiate and accept new opinions and thoughts into his wide comprehension makes him a unique being in a sphere which does not pay compliments with ease. Above all, as Prime Minister Netanyahu said, he is a determined and proud Zionist.
Prime Minister Netanyahu made two very important statements hidden in his welcoming speech. One that within 10 years solar energy will be a feasible energy resource which will replace our dependency upon fossil fuels and that he is immediately forming a think tank committee to ensure his prediction come to fruition. The second was a call to Abu Mazen to take up the challenge of telling his people the truth – everything on the table – and bring them to peace. http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Speeches+by+Israeli+leaders/2009/Speech_PM_Netanyahu_President_Conference_20-Oct-2009.htm
Tony Blair brought rare humour to a serious Conference http://www.presidentconf.org.il/en/ (click on is picture under the main screen).
Professor Irwin Cotler, Efraim Halevy, Mort Zuckerman sat on a panel chaired by Dr. John Ruskay, to help us understand everything from why there is an international law against genocide of which the caring agencies of the world barely avail themselves, to the threat from Iran; The inimitable Dov Maimon, a deeply religious Jew encourages and embraces diversity of thought and belief; Zhang Qianhong a Chinese Jewish Studies professor who wrote the book "History of Israel"; Susan Rice, the US Ambassador to the United Nations gave a long but impressive speech, until she used the "O" word (occupation) and was surprised when her words thereafter were less acceptable! Young men who have already changed our future by creating Slide, Paypal, Wikipedia, Skype sat on a panel with moguls of advertising and media explaining how to utilize the web to reach our goals.
The educated opinion is that Iran is more scared of Israel than Israel of Iran (to say nothing of the USA) and the Tarzan-like chest beating of Ahmedinejad is to garner popularity inside Iran. Every time Iran hears from outside sources that Israel considers bombing their nuclear facilities it increases his sense of self-importance.
One of the most impressive panels was that of moderate Moslems who see the future so differently to their radical counterparts.
The world economy; the cyber-world; the increased importance of China and India in the world scene; security and the threat of international terror; Israel's place in this world and this world's place in Israel; a greener and kinder future and how to achieve all of the above. Great minds appeared on the platforms of Binyanei Ha Uma in Jerusalem and did so much more than discuss, they used their infinite abilities to find answers. Ambassadors and Ministers from many, many countries came to hear wisdom in the hope of taking thoughts back to their countries.
You may laugh, but my greatest moment came as I was walking upstairs to the Ladies!!!! Walking downstairs was Professor Ada Yonath! I almost fell as I leaned forward to shake her hand on her incredible achievement of winning a Nobel Prize for her undaunting work. She of course was more concerned that I remain upright than any compliment given. What a woman!!! I have other quieter heroes who do not go in for public speaking but support others in their determination to better the world. The marvelous Dan David without whom so many projects could not get off the ground and my old friend Lord Stone who quietly searched out others who want to find peaceful and green solutions. I cannot even begin to talk of the marvelous people I met in the corridors and halls, but it must be said that President Peres created a truly amazing Conference – as only he could.
My brain was hurting as the Conference drew to an end last night. I must step back to understand how the multitude of views expressed augur our future.
Leaving the Conference for a short while, Zvi spoke before and I met with wonderful people of the New York Federation who are working to find a new paradigm for the relationship between the Diaspora and Israel to entice the next generation of Jewish leadership on both sides of the Atlantic to present a strong future. Dr. John Ruskay spoke at both occasions and we were deeply impressed by his depth of knowledge and insight and ability to present his thoughts.
As you can imagine I did not have time to look at my beautiful Jerusalem outside although the Jerusalem in the Conference was no less impressive. The attendees spoke of our city with such love, Jews, Christians and Moslems alike. This isn't "just another city" this is Jerusalem, Yerushalyim, Ir Shalem, Shiloh, Ariel a city so important, beautiful, spiritual and meaningful that it has another 65 names in the Tenach.
Today is already Friday and we have guests for Friday night supper and the traditional – or less than traditional – meal must be prepared! I have not even opened the blinds to look at the veranda – thank heaven for yet another Israeli invention – drip irrigation- so my plants and flowers have survived!
Next week is the Jewish Agency Board of Governors Assembly and Zvi and I will miss the lovely Lester Rosenberg of Chicago and wish him a speedy and ongoing recovery – we need you Lester!
With much love from Jerusalem as she slows down and enters into the wondrous peace of Shabbat
Sheila
Friday, 16 October 2009
Shabbat Shalom from Sheila
091015
15th October 2009
Shabbat Shalom to friends all over the world – Jew, Christian and Moslem. Peace, Paz, Shalom, Salaam.
Last week I alluded to meetings held between PM Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas during which Abbas encouraged Israel to go into Gaza and wipe out Hamas – at whatever human cost. I was unable to find proof, other than my husbands own eyes. Finally I found an English translation of the Ma'ariv article. Something has caused Abbas to do an about-turn on the Goldstone report, but here is the article. http://www.counterfire.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2107:fatah-urged-continuation-of-gaza-massacre&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=53
President Obama is upset that Fox News is unkind to him and stated in an interview that it is hard to hear bad reports all day long. George W. Bush withstood unprecedented criticism and ridicule for eight years. In 1949 President Harry S. Truman warned his staff not to concern themselves over criticism about their appointments: "I'll stand by you but if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen."
Some of you were surprised that I did not write to bemoan the decision to bestow the Nobel Peace Prize on President Obama. The prize is bestowed upon long-serving public figures who have given their lives to diplomacy and toiled endlessly to bring about peace, for “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between people and pursuit of peace”, it is not a reward for being President of the United States! Ambassador Yoram Ettinger http://yoramettinger.newsnet.co.il explained that unlike the other Prizes this is at the behest of politicians not the Nobel committee! Thorbjorn Jagland, former Prime Minister of Norway and Ex-President James Carter pushed their last minute candidate upon a surprised committee and surprised recipient. http://yoramettinger.newsnet.co.il/Front/NewsNet/reports.asp?reportId=274007 Jimmy Carter wins again.
The United Kingdom became the first Western country with voting rights on the UN Human Rights Council to clearly state that it would not endorse the Goldstone Report or the draft resolution based on that report, which had been placed before the council's two-day special session that opened Thursday in Geneva. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1255547727737&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull
Yet again Israel was the first country to send aid to disaster areas. The Philippines suffered another disaster from huge tidal waves which wiped out entire areas ncludng the capital Manila. Israel, under permanent threat from her neighbours and from the UN and Western "do-gooders" is always the first on the scene whatever the natural disaster. We are not insular; we are by nature an ebullient, generous country with experts trained by necessity who now reach out to help others. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1255450643472&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Im Tirtzu http://imti.org.il/show_art.php?id=18 is a student organization which describes itself as moderate neo-Zionist and is doing excellent work on Campus to confound Israel's detractors. They also have a wonderful line in T-shirts!!!! http://www.cafepress.com/imti
Some people talk about their dreams while others fulfill them. Andrew Rogers, of Melbourne Australia, fulfills his dreams in a spectacular manner. He travels the world building enormous creations, some 2 kilometres across. http://www.andrewrogers.org/ Andrew's works can be seen in Turkey and he expressed concern over the strained relations between Turkey and Israel. Diplomatically Turkey is moving closer to the rogue Moslem states and turning away from the West and the principles of Attaturk. Prime Minister Erdogan's attempts to demonise Israel were not filtering through to the Turkish people so he used the media to reach out. He commissioned a television series to appeal to the ordinary people, a series which has shocked Israel to the very core portraying the IDF in horrific scenes of carnage and oppression. The only thing missing from the video is a hook-nosed, bearded Jew drooling over the blood of children. This report includes two videos from the series. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1255547725070
Israelis are shocked because those self-same IDF soldiers who are depicted as cold-blooded killers are those IDF whose rescue teams rushed to the aid of Turkish civilians following the devastating earthquake of 1999.
Tel Aviv comes to London! Leicester (pronounced Lester) Square and was transformed into Bohemian Tel Aviv Spitalfields Market became Mahane Yehuda as easyjet, a bargain airline company, announced their new route from London to Tel Aviv. http://www.easyjet.com/en/book/experience_tel_aviv.html Israeli Ambassador to the Court of St. James Ron Prosor was happy to join the events, probably in search of falafel and a good coffee!!!
I went to Mahane Yehuda yesterday! When my friend Judith called me up and suggested going to the shouk I moved so quickly I didn't even hang up the phone!!! Gosh I love that place and now is the season that I love it most of all. The fruit and vegetables are at their prime- fresh, seasonal and local every bite fulfilling the promise of the flavour that nature intended. Judith and I have specific vendors for specific items, the courgettes from one, the fresh green herbs from another and the firm peppers, red, yellow, purple, orange and two shades of green, from the third. Fish can only come from "David Dagim" who has fresh fish from Europe as well as from the Red Sea. David knows how to mince exactly the right combinations for the various cultures – on condition you bring him one to taste after cooking!! I admit avoiding those fishmongers where the still live carp are liable to jump out of their boxes onto your feet! Most amazing are the fruits, piled high teasing ones senses with unbeatable sun ripened succulence as if freshly plucked from the tree or vine. A profusion of dried fruits beckon – their sticky sweet/sour smell heralding their appearance long before they appear. My favourite is the sun-dried pineapple, nothing added the flavour explodes in your mouth. Cheeses galore, spices in abundance, olives in wine, oil, spicy and plain, Judaica, a cornucopia of Jewish life each costermonger bellowing out his wares as the finest! We rested in the very fashionable coffee shop and I had the best sandwich I can ever remember!!! Freshly baked croissant filled with finely sliced Brie and pear……delicious – of course washed down with an incomparable Café Hafuch!
So dear friends, Zvi has just taken his little grand-daughter to explore and enjoy the Bloomfield Science Museum and I am finishing off the Shabbat preparations. Most of the treasures bought in the shouk are now transformed into our Shabbes meals. The white tablecloth is on the table and I am getting ready to sit out on our veranda with a good cup of coffee and watch Jerusalem slow down, grow more peaceful as the beautiful bride of the Sabbath brings a quiet serenity to the Golden City.
I wish you Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem.
With love
Sheila
15th October 2009
Shabbat Shalom to friends all over the world – Jew, Christian and Moslem. Peace, Paz, Shalom, Salaam.
Last week I alluded to meetings held between PM Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas during which Abbas encouraged Israel to go into Gaza and wipe out Hamas – at whatever human cost. I was unable to find proof, other than my husbands own eyes. Finally I found an English translation of the Ma'ariv article. Something has caused Abbas to do an about-turn on the Goldstone report, but here is the article. http://www.counterfire.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2107:fatah-urged-continuation-of-gaza-massacre&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=53
President Obama is upset that Fox News is unkind to him and stated in an interview that it is hard to hear bad reports all day long. George W. Bush withstood unprecedented criticism and ridicule for eight years. In 1949 President Harry S. Truman warned his staff not to concern themselves over criticism about their appointments: "I'll stand by you but if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen."
Some of you were surprised that I did not write to bemoan the decision to bestow the Nobel Peace Prize on President Obama. The prize is bestowed upon long-serving public figures who have given their lives to diplomacy and toiled endlessly to bring about peace, for “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between people and pursuit of peace”, it is not a reward for being President of the United States! Ambassador Yoram Ettinger http://yoramettinger.newsnet.co.il explained that unlike the other Prizes this is at the behest of politicians not the Nobel committee! Thorbjorn Jagland, former Prime Minister of Norway and Ex-President James Carter pushed their last minute candidate upon a surprised committee and surprised recipient. http://yoramettinger.newsnet.co.il/Front/NewsNet/reports.asp?reportId=274007 Jimmy Carter wins again.
The United Kingdom became the first Western country with voting rights on the UN Human Rights Council to clearly state that it would not endorse the Goldstone Report or the draft resolution based on that report, which had been placed before the council's two-day special session that opened Thursday in Geneva. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1255547727737&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull
Yet again Israel was the first country to send aid to disaster areas. The Philippines suffered another disaster from huge tidal waves which wiped out entire areas ncludng the capital Manila. Israel, under permanent threat from her neighbours and from the UN and Western "do-gooders" is always the first on the scene whatever the natural disaster. We are not insular; we are by nature an ebullient, generous country with experts trained by necessity who now reach out to help others. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1255450643472&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Im Tirtzu http://imti.org.il/show_art.php?id=18 is a student organization which describes itself as moderate neo-Zionist and is doing excellent work on Campus to confound Israel's detractors. They also have a wonderful line in T-shirts!!!! http://www.cafepress.com/imti
Some people talk about their dreams while others fulfill them. Andrew Rogers, of Melbourne Australia, fulfills his dreams in a spectacular manner. He travels the world building enormous creations, some 2 kilometres across. http://www.andrewrogers.org/ Andrew's works can be seen in Turkey and he expressed concern over the strained relations between Turkey and Israel. Diplomatically Turkey is moving closer to the rogue Moslem states and turning away from the West and the principles of Attaturk. Prime Minister Erdogan's attempts to demonise Israel were not filtering through to the Turkish people so he used the media to reach out. He commissioned a television series to appeal to the ordinary people, a series which has shocked Israel to the very core portraying the IDF in horrific scenes of carnage and oppression. The only thing missing from the video is a hook-nosed, bearded Jew drooling over the blood of children. This report includes two videos from the series. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1255547725070
Israelis are shocked because those self-same IDF soldiers who are depicted as cold-blooded killers are those IDF whose rescue teams rushed to the aid of Turkish civilians following the devastating earthquake of 1999.
Tel Aviv comes to London! Leicester (pronounced Lester) Square and was transformed into Bohemian Tel Aviv Spitalfields Market became Mahane Yehuda as easyjet, a bargain airline company, announced their new route from London to Tel Aviv. http://www.easyjet.com/en/book/experience_tel_aviv.html Israeli Ambassador to the Court of St. James Ron Prosor was happy to join the events, probably in search of falafel and a good coffee!!!
I went to Mahane Yehuda yesterday! When my friend Judith called me up and suggested going to the shouk I moved so quickly I didn't even hang up the phone!!! Gosh I love that place and now is the season that I love it most of all. The fruit and vegetables are at their prime- fresh, seasonal and local every bite fulfilling the promise of the flavour that nature intended. Judith and I have specific vendors for specific items, the courgettes from one, the fresh green herbs from another and the firm peppers, red, yellow, purple, orange and two shades of green, from the third. Fish can only come from "David Dagim" who has fresh fish from Europe as well as from the Red Sea. David knows how to mince exactly the right combinations for the various cultures – on condition you bring him one to taste after cooking!! I admit avoiding those fishmongers where the still live carp are liable to jump out of their boxes onto your feet! Most amazing are the fruits, piled high teasing ones senses with unbeatable sun ripened succulence as if freshly plucked from the tree or vine. A profusion of dried fruits beckon – their sticky sweet/sour smell heralding their appearance long before they appear. My favourite is the sun-dried pineapple, nothing added the flavour explodes in your mouth. Cheeses galore, spices in abundance, olives in wine, oil, spicy and plain, Judaica, a cornucopia of Jewish life each costermonger bellowing out his wares as the finest! We rested in the very fashionable coffee shop and I had the best sandwich I can ever remember!!! Freshly baked croissant filled with finely sliced Brie and pear……delicious – of course washed down with an incomparable Café Hafuch!
So dear friends, Zvi has just taken his little grand-daughter to explore and enjoy the Bloomfield Science Museum and I am finishing off the Shabbat preparations. Most of the treasures bought in the shouk are now transformed into our Shabbes meals. The white tablecloth is on the table and I am getting ready to sit out on our veranda with a good cup of coffee and watch Jerusalem slow down, grow more peaceful as the beautiful bride of the Sabbath brings a quiet serenity to the Golden City.
I wish you Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem.
With love
Sheila
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach
091008
8th October 2009.
Shabbat Shalom, Moadin le Simcha, Chag Sameach, Happy Tabernacles!
WE DUNNIT! Professor Ada Yonat of the Weizman Institute won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry 2009 for her undaunting research into ribosome culture and structure toward the creation of antibiotics effective against diseases unresponsive to current medication. To congratulate the Professor, the first Israeli woman to win a Nobel Prize, who accepted the Prize with humility, grace and humour, write to ada.yonath@weizmann.ac.il. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3786746,00.html
Zvi and I went to Eilat last weekend. The city was buzzing with children and the hotels were jam-packed for Succot. The weather was perfect, and the evenings balmy as the sun set over the Red Sea. It was a glorious break together with two of our grandchildren (and their parents!). After the 4 hour drive through the Negev desert with its exceptional acacia trees http://www.biolib.cz/IMG/GAL/76708.jpg ; the Ramon crater http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makhtesh_Ramon and the miraculous Dead Sea http://www.bibleplaces.com/deadsea.htm , we went straight to the hotel, switched on the television in fear, pain, anticipation and no small amount of relief, to see the video broadcast of Gilad Schalit. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1118449.html
The video clearly shows his fear, his frail body, his constant concerned glances toward his captors, but it shows he is alive, relatively healthy and coherent. As he uttered the names of his parents, Noam and Aviva, his face changed, a yearning fleetingly apparent, and fear that his weakness may show. Unlike political and terrorist prisoners in Israeli jails who get frequent visits from Red Cross representatives to ensure their human rights, Gilad, son of Aviva and Noam, whose crime was that he was an Israeli soldier on undisputed Israeli land at Kerem Shalom, does not know that fellow soldiers in his platoon died when he was captured. Gilad has no Red Cross visits, no rights. The women for whom the video was exchanged, were near the end of their sentences, are all well fed, well tended and clearly had conjugal visits since one went home with a small child, and they had the opportunity to study – something they could not do in their own anti-feminist society.
Was it worth the release of twenty women to get the video? Absolutely.
Young Moslems have been throwing stones on the Temple Mount, and in Arab neighborhoods around Jerusalem after the Northern Islamic Movement of Israeli Arabs led by Sheikh Raeed Salah (yes he of the excavations and destruction beneath the Temple Mount), and Ismail Haniya of Hamas, stated that not only is Israel not Jewish, that the Temple Mount predated by Harm el Sharif, but that Jerusalem never has been and never will be the city of the Jews. It is irrelevant that Judaism celebrates 5770 years, King David's Jerusalem over 3,000 years and Mohammed's Islam began in 622 CE!
Their promulgation of Holocaust revisionism assumes that Israel was created as a result of the Holocaust and as a consequence Israel has no right to exist. As thousands of Jews flocked to Jerusalem to hear the ancient priestly blessing at the Kotel, Raeed Salah claimed that the Jews were coming to "take over" Al Aqsa Mosque. He has been arrested for incitement. The Arab desire to exterminate Jews is not new witnessed by this video of the relationship between the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Adolf Hitler. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLRTe-lZMB0
Avdat is a World heritage site- a Nabataean Village which includes a Byzantine Church lovingly excavated by Israeli archaeologists. Avdat was on the Incense Route. This weekend Bedouin men – one a guard at the site, vandalized, threw paint, broke pillars and destroyed many years of work on the relics. Destruction of proof of our pre-existence is paramount. http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasen/spages/1119364.html
The Jerusalem Parade takes place every year at Sukkot/Tabernacles with the participation of over 70,000 Jews and Christians, veteran soldiers, scouts, B'nei Akiva and all who celebrate the city, the festival and our shared values. The participation of so many thousands of Christians is ensured by the hard work of the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1028944.html
By contrast Gan Sacher held the Red Bull Soap Box Festival – flying go-carts!!!
Bravo to Israel 21C (www.israel21c.org) for spreading this story of an Israeli cure for the virus which is devastating the bee population of the world on to most of the major news networks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHBV8BYs7mk. Bravo to Israel for originating the cure. If the bee population dies, no plants are fertilized and our world ecology changes drastically in a manner which puts Al Gores fears into a cocked hat.
Rahm Emmanuel provides great material for stand-up comics. I beg your pardon on the expletives not deleted at the end but it is a marvelously funny skit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG93iKvB1iM&NR=1
Fellow South Africans, former members of that wonderfully active Jewish community, have responded brilliantly to Judge Richard Goldstone after his report on Operation Cast Lead for the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Barbara Fix wrote a personal letter to her old mentor http://israelgreatest.blogspot.com/2009/10/letter-to-goldstone.html and Maurice Ostroff an analysis of the report http://maurice-ostroff.tripod.com/id237.html I urge you to read both.
So many issues are hidden from us in our democracies! The decision taken by the Palestinian Authority not to support the Goldstone Report has been hushed up, and the reason they took that decision has been totally removed from the media. A t story appeared in the Israeli newspaper Maariv a few days ago then disappeared. The story claimed that before Operation Cast Lead Abu Mazen and several members of his cabinet had numerous meetings with PM Olmert, Defence Minister Barak and Israeli Ministerial counterparts asking them to go into Gaza and decimate the Hamas operation. The meeting was recorded and when the Goldstone Report loomed PM Netanyahu threatened to release the tape if Abu Mazen supported it – hence the reversal by the PA. The story disappeared completely and if Zvi had not read it with his own eyes I would not have known of its existence. Now we know why there has been a virulent anti-Abbas campaign in the PA since Operation Cast Lead.
This morning Zvi and I met our old friends Earl and Kathleen Cox of Front Page Jerusalem News. Kathleen and Earl have proven their friendship to us, to Israel and to Jerusalem over and over again as, showing deep respect for Judaism, they not only talk the talk but walk the walk. http://www.frontpagejerusalem.com/site/index.php
Sukkot has special aromas. Childhood memories of the intense fragrance of over-ripe fruit hanging from the Succah roof enhanced by the citrus and myrtle of the Lulav and Etrog mixed with the sweet Kiddush wine and cakes which awaited us after the service at the Cardiff Synagogue, for me embody sukkot,. Those aromas re-awaken memories of the Rabbis, the congregation, the friends, holding tight on to my parent's hands not to be lost in the crush and the warmth of belonging found in a small community. True that today my friends from Wales are spread over the globe, but a surprising number from that tiny Welsh community made Aliyah (500 out of 3,000 Jews) and this Sukkot five of us and our husbands (one Welsh too) will sit in our succah, share memories and create new ones. I love my new and very special friends, but admit that I am more and more aware of the comfort that binds those of us with shared memories.
With much love from Jerusalem, centre of our world, heart of our hearts
Sheila
8th October 2009.
Shabbat Shalom, Moadin le Simcha, Chag Sameach, Happy Tabernacles!
WE DUNNIT! Professor Ada Yonat of the Weizman Institute won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry 2009 for her undaunting research into ribosome culture and structure toward the creation of antibiotics effective against diseases unresponsive to current medication. To congratulate the Professor, the first Israeli woman to win a Nobel Prize, who accepted the Prize with humility, grace and humour, write to ada.yonath@weizmann.ac.il. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3786746,00.html
Zvi and I went to Eilat last weekend. The city was buzzing with children and the hotels were jam-packed for Succot. The weather was perfect, and the evenings balmy as the sun set over the Red Sea. It was a glorious break together with two of our grandchildren (and their parents!). After the 4 hour drive through the Negev desert with its exceptional acacia trees http://www.biolib.cz/IMG/GAL/76708.jpg ; the Ramon crater http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makhtesh_Ramon and the miraculous Dead Sea http://www.bibleplaces.com/deadsea.htm , we went straight to the hotel, switched on the television in fear, pain, anticipation and no small amount of relief, to see the video broadcast of Gilad Schalit. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1118449.html
The video clearly shows his fear, his frail body, his constant concerned glances toward his captors, but it shows he is alive, relatively healthy and coherent. As he uttered the names of his parents, Noam and Aviva, his face changed, a yearning fleetingly apparent, and fear that his weakness may show. Unlike political and terrorist prisoners in Israeli jails who get frequent visits from Red Cross representatives to ensure their human rights, Gilad, son of Aviva and Noam, whose crime was that he was an Israeli soldier on undisputed Israeli land at Kerem Shalom, does not know that fellow soldiers in his platoon died when he was captured. Gilad has no Red Cross visits, no rights. The women for whom the video was exchanged, were near the end of their sentences, are all well fed, well tended and clearly had conjugal visits since one went home with a small child, and they had the opportunity to study – something they could not do in their own anti-feminist society.
Was it worth the release of twenty women to get the video? Absolutely.
Young Moslems have been throwing stones on the Temple Mount, and in Arab neighborhoods around Jerusalem after the Northern Islamic Movement of Israeli Arabs led by Sheikh Raeed Salah (yes he of the excavations and destruction beneath the Temple Mount), and Ismail Haniya of Hamas, stated that not only is Israel not Jewish, that the Temple Mount predated by Harm el Sharif, but that Jerusalem never has been and never will be the city of the Jews. It is irrelevant that Judaism celebrates 5770 years, King David's Jerusalem over 3,000 years and Mohammed's Islam began in 622 CE!
Their promulgation of Holocaust revisionism assumes that Israel was created as a result of the Holocaust and as a consequence Israel has no right to exist. As thousands of Jews flocked to Jerusalem to hear the ancient priestly blessing at the Kotel, Raeed Salah claimed that the Jews were coming to "take over" Al Aqsa Mosque. He has been arrested for incitement. The Arab desire to exterminate Jews is not new witnessed by this video of the relationship between the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Adolf Hitler. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLRTe-lZMB0
Avdat is a World heritage site- a Nabataean Village which includes a Byzantine Church lovingly excavated by Israeli archaeologists. Avdat was on the Incense Route. This weekend Bedouin men – one a guard at the site, vandalized, threw paint, broke pillars and destroyed many years of work on the relics. Destruction of proof of our pre-existence is paramount. http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasen/spages/1119364.html
The Jerusalem Parade takes place every year at Sukkot/Tabernacles with the participation of over 70,000 Jews and Christians, veteran soldiers, scouts, B'nei Akiva and all who celebrate the city, the festival and our shared values. The participation of so many thousands of Christians is ensured by the hard work of the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1028944.html
By contrast Gan Sacher held the Red Bull Soap Box Festival – flying go-carts!!!
Bravo to Israel 21C (www.israel21c.org) for spreading this story of an Israeli cure for the virus which is devastating the bee population of the world on to most of the major news networks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHBV8BYs7mk. Bravo to Israel for originating the cure. If the bee population dies, no plants are fertilized and our world ecology changes drastically in a manner which puts Al Gores fears into a cocked hat.
Rahm Emmanuel provides great material for stand-up comics. I beg your pardon on the expletives not deleted at the end but it is a marvelously funny skit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG93iKvB1iM&NR=1
Fellow South Africans, former members of that wonderfully active Jewish community, have responded brilliantly to Judge Richard Goldstone after his report on Operation Cast Lead for the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Barbara Fix wrote a personal letter to her old mentor http://israelgreatest.blogspot.com/2009/10/letter-to-goldstone.html and Maurice Ostroff an analysis of the report http://maurice-ostroff.tripod.com/id237.html I urge you to read both.
So many issues are hidden from us in our democracies! The decision taken by the Palestinian Authority not to support the Goldstone Report has been hushed up, and the reason they took that decision has been totally removed from the media. A t story appeared in the Israeli newspaper Maariv a few days ago then disappeared. The story claimed that before Operation Cast Lead Abu Mazen and several members of his cabinet had numerous meetings with PM Olmert, Defence Minister Barak and Israeli Ministerial counterparts asking them to go into Gaza and decimate the Hamas operation. The meeting was recorded and when the Goldstone Report loomed PM Netanyahu threatened to release the tape if Abu Mazen supported it – hence the reversal by the PA. The story disappeared completely and if Zvi had not read it with his own eyes I would not have known of its existence. Now we know why there has been a virulent anti-Abbas campaign in the PA since Operation Cast Lead.
This morning Zvi and I met our old friends Earl and Kathleen Cox of Front Page Jerusalem News. Kathleen and Earl have proven their friendship to us, to Israel and to Jerusalem over and over again as, showing deep respect for Judaism, they not only talk the talk but walk the walk. http://www.frontpagejerusalem.com/site/index.php
Sukkot has special aromas. Childhood memories of the intense fragrance of over-ripe fruit hanging from the Succah roof enhanced by the citrus and myrtle of the Lulav and Etrog mixed with the sweet Kiddush wine and cakes which awaited us after the service at the Cardiff Synagogue, for me embody sukkot,. Those aromas re-awaken memories of the Rabbis, the congregation, the friends, holding tight on to my parent's hands not to be lost in the crush and the warmth of belonging found in a small community. True that today my friends from Wales are spread over the globe, but a surprising number from that tiny Welsh community made Aliyah (500 out of 3,000 Jews) and this Sukkot five of us and our husbands (one Welsh too) will sit in our succah, share memories and create new ones. I love my new and very special friends, but admit that I am more and more aware of the comfort that binds those of us with shared memories.
With much love from Jerusalem, centre of our world, heart of our hearts
Sheila
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Succot and Tabernacles Sameach from Sheila
090923
29th September 2009.
Chag Succot Sameach, Happy Festival of Tabernacles.
Welcome to the thousands and thousands of Christians who have come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles with the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem http://www.icej.org/ . Welcome and Shalom.
Glen Beck is known for the strong, sometimes excessive emotion and levity of his monologues on Fox News, but even his greatest detractors could not find fault with this interview of Former US Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton on the subject of President Obama's speech to the General Assembly of the United Nations. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tifr101lGvQ
Very deep and real concerns were raised in his interview with John Bolton but I was infinitely more concerned by the reaction of the Assembly. When President Obama mentioned Israel's security, there was silence, when he mentioned a contiguous Palestinian State applause broke out. No-one there cared that such a move, the fusion of two very different peoples, would mean that Israel had no contiguous State! Goebbels would be proud of the UN, and apparently of the President, because it is clear that their brainwashing is a resounding success. Unless we all get up on our hind legs and shout it is too late; not for Israel, but for us all.
The United Nations gave voice to a uniformed and armed Yassir Arafat, who ranted and raved to great applause and now handed over the podium to anti-democratic tyrants who shoot and maim their opponents and allowed them to spit their malevolent, mendacious venom in the supposed hallowed halls without compunction.
Muammar Ghaddafi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvOo5LK22sg
Mahmoud Ahmedinejad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EBgqgIWuoc
The best liar is he who makes the smallest amount of lying go the longest way. Samuel Butler
After three British Moslems were convicted of a foiled attempt to blow up 7 aeroplanes with drinks bottles, an American/Afghani immigrant pleads not guilty to an even bigger conspiracy. http://www.investigativeproject.org/1440/ny-terror-suspect-enters-not-guilty-plea
Steve Emerson was the first and strongest voice on Islamic terrorism and much maligned when his book Jihad in America was published. He was considered a hot-head and fear-monger until September 11th when his words became the terrifying truth and he became a Presidential Advisor. Steve has an excellent website outlining and addressing all our concerns. Be informed. http://www.investigativeproject.org/
Doesn't America see the writing on the wall? Don't the European leaders see that it is not Israel that presents a threat? Are we waiting for that bomb, that rocket, the planes that fall out of the sky, that 9/11 to wake us up again? And how long 'til we fall back into that dreamland where good always wins through?
The scandalous (failed) attempt by British Lawyers to have Minister of Defence Ehud Barak arrested for war crimes has some surprising funders. Read Tom Gross' blog http://media.nationalreview.com/post/?q=Y2RkMzk3NmRiZWVhM2YzOTBjM2IxZDdhMDI0OTg5OTg=
The incomparable Maurice Ostroff has been in constant contact with Judge Richard Goldstone, a fellow South African, and has prepared a summary of his, and our, deep reservations of the Goldstone Report on "Operation Cast Lead" in Gaza. It makes fascinating reading and backs up what I said earlier – The United Nations demands half truths in its reports in order to back its preconceived ideas.
http://www.2nd-thoughts.org/id235.html
A lie which is half a truth is ever the blackest of lies. Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Our greatest asset is our ability is to celebrate. On the 6th, 7th and 8th of October there will be a direct transmission from Times Square New York and the Tel Aviv Port which will be decorated as a mini-Times Square! Let's all gather in both places and wave!!! http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3781464,00.html
As soon as stomachs were sated after Yom Kippur, the sound of hammers and electric drills echoed long into the night as young and old, religious and secular worked on the first stages of their Succah (Tabernacle). Verandas throughout the land sport huts of wood or fabric. The festival starts on Saturday night and continues for a week of food, food more food and visitors! Those of you who delight in my epicurean descriptions, hold on to your seats!! Borsht, goulash, kibbeh, holishkes and sarmis fill the streets with the amazing aromas of a people dispersed for 2,000 years. The most diverse recipes I could find for Sukkot are http://www.epicurious.com/tools/searchresults?type=advanced&threshold=39&att=192
The streets of religious neighbourhoods are packed with stalls for Succah decorations, children milling between the feet of the adults checking out the bags of sweets! The principle search is for the best etrog and lulav. The inspection of both is intense, choosing the purest of any species is essential. "On the first day you shall take the fruit of a citrus tree, palm branches, boughs of thick trees and brook willows, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days." (Vayikra 23:40) "The fruit of the beautiful tree" is the etrog; "date palms" refers to the palm stem [lulav]; "a branch of the thick-bough tree" is the myrtle [hadas]; and "willows" of the brook" is the willow branch [arava].
Our veranda is spectacular at this time of year. The pomegranate tree bears its pink and red fruits proudly as it stands before the autumnal landscape of Jerusalem. The kumquat trees are still hiding their tiny fruits amongst the greenery – with the promise of tuning bright orange very soon. Talking of oranges – despite drought and searing heat the tiny, metre high orange tree has produced three perfectly formed fruits! The herbs thrive on the dish-water irrigation and the Hadas provides a fragrant green border. The hibiscus is showing off its huge orange and peach flowers next to the scarlet "Valerie" fuchsias and the outrageous purple of the bougainvillea.
With love from Jerusalem, centre of the world and city of pilgrimage to Jews and Christians on this most auspicious of festivals. Chag Sukkot Sameach
Sheila
AS I WRITE THE NEWS IS COMING IN OF A DEAL WITH HAMAS FOR A CURRENT VIDEO TAPE OF GILAD SCHALIT WHICH WILL BE DELIVERED TO HIS PARENTS IN EXCHANGE FOR ISRAEL RELEASING 20 WOMEN PRISONERS. It is important to note that 19 of the prisoners are from the West Bank and only one from Gaza, which is Hamas showing the people of the West Bank that President Abbas can bring them prosperity but only Hamas can get prisoners released
29th September 2009.
Chag Succot Sameach, Happy Festival of Tabernacles.
Welcome to the thousands and thousands of Christians who have come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles with the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem http://www.icej.org/ . Welcome and Shalom.
Glen Beck is known for the strong, sometimes excessive emotion and levity of his monologues on Fox News, but even his greatest detractors could not find fault with this interview of Former US Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton on the subject of President Obama's speech to the General Assembly of the United Nations. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tifr101lGvQ
Very deep and real concerns were raised in his interview with John Bolton but I was infinitely more concerned by the reaction of the Assembly. When President Obama mentioned Israel's security, there was silence, when he mentioned a contiguous Palestinian State applause broke out. No-one there cared that such a move, the fusion of two very different peoples, would mean that Israel had no contiguous State! Goebbels would be proud of the UN, and apparently of the President, because it is clear that their brainwashing is a resounding success. Unless we all get up on our hind legs and shout it is too late; not for Israel, but for us all.
The United Nations gave voice to a uniformed and armed Yassir Arafat, who ranted and raved to great applause and now handed over the podium to anti-democratic tyrants who shoot and maim their opponents and allowed them to spit their malevolent, mendacious venom in the supposed hallowed halls without compunction.
Muammar Ghaddafi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvOo5LK22sg
Mahmoud Ahmedinejad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EBgqgIWuoc
The best liar is he who makes the smallest amount of lying go the longest way. Samuel Butler
After three British Moslems were convicted of a foiled attempt to blow up 7 aeroplanes with drinks bottles, an American/Afghani immigrant pleads not guilty to an even bigger conspiracy. http://www.investigativeproject.org/1440/ny-terror-suspect-enters-not-guilty-plea
Steve Emerson was the first and strongest voice on Islamic terrorism and much maligned when his book Jihad in America was published. He was considered a hot-head and fear-monger until September 11th when his words became the terrifying truth and he became a Presidential Advisor. Steve has an excellent website outlining and addressing all our concerns. Be informed. http://www.investigativeproject.org/
Doesn't America see the writing on the wall? Don't the European leaders see that it is not Israel that presents a threat? Are we waiting for that bomb, that rocket, the planes that fall out of the sky, that 9/11 to wake us up again? And how long 'til we fall back into that dreamland where good always wins through?
The scandalous (failed) attempt by British Lawyers to have Minister of Defence Ehud Barak arrested for war crimes has some surprising funders. Read Tom Gross' blog http://media.nationalreview.com/post/?q=Y2RkMzk3NmRiZWVhM2YzOTBjM2IxZDdhMDI0OTg5OTg=
The incomparable Maurice Ostroff has been in constant contact with Judge Richard Goldstone, a fellow South African, and has prepared a summary of his, and our, deep reservations of the Goldstone Report on "Operation Cast Lead" in Gaza. It makes fascinating reading and backs up what I said earlier – The United Nations demands half truths in its reports in order to back its preconceived ideas.
http://www.2nd-thoughts.org/id235.html
A lie which is half a truth is ever the blackest of lies. Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Our greatest asset is our ability is to celebrate. On the 6th, 7th and 8th of October there will be a direct transmission from Times Square New York and the Tel Aviv Port which will be decorated as a mini-Times Square! Let's all gather in both places and wave!!! http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3781464,00.html
As soon as stomachs were sated after Yom Kippur, the sound of hammers and electric drills echoed long into the night as young and old, religious and secular worked on the first stages of their Succah (Tabernacle). Verandas throughout the land sport huts of wood or fabric. The festival starts on Saturday night and continues for a week of food, food more food and visitors! Those of you who delight in my epicurean descriptions, hold on to your seats!! Borsht, goulash, kibbeh, holishkes and sarmis fill the streets with the amazing aromas of a people dispersed for 2,000 years. The most diverse recipes I could find for Sukkot are http://www.epicurious.com/tools/searchresults?type=advanced&threshold=39&att=192
The streets of religious neighbourhoods are packed with stalls for Succah decorations, children milling between the feet of the adults checking out the bags of sweets! The principle search is for the best etrog and lulav. The inspection of both is intense, choosing the purest of any species is essential. "On the first day you shall take the fruit of a citrus tree, palm branches, boughs of thick trees and brook willows, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days." (Vayikra 23:40) "The fruit of the beautiful tree" is the etrog; "date palms" refers to the palm stem [lulav]; "a branch of the thick-bough tree" is the myrtle [hadas]; and "willows" of the brook" is the willow branch [arava].
Our veranda is spectacular at this time of year. The pomegranate tree bears its pink and red fruits proudly as it stands before the autumnal landscape of Jerusalem. The kumquat trees are still hiding their tiny fruits amongst the greenery – with the promise of tuning bright orange very soon. Talking of oranges – despite drought and searing heat the tiny, metre high orange tree has produced three perfectly formed fruits! The herbs thrive on the dish-water irrigation and the Hadas provides a fragrant green border. The hibiscus is showing off its huge orange and peach flowers next to the scarlet "Valerie" fuchsias and the outrageous purple of the bougainvillea.
With love from Jerusalem, centre of the world and city of pilgrimage to Jews and Christians on this most auspicious of festivals. Chag Sukkot Sameach
Sheila
AS I WRITE THE NEWS IS COMING IN OF A DEAL WITH HAMAS FOR A CURRENT VIDEO TAPE OF GILAD SCHALIT WHICH WILL BE DELIVERED TO HIS PARENTS IN EXCHANGE FOR ISRAEL RELEASING 20 WOMEN PRISONERS. It is important to note that 19 of the prisoners are from the West Bank and only one from Gaza, which is Hamas showing the people of the West Bank that President Abbas can bring them prosperity but only Hamas can get prisoners released
Sunday, 27 September 2009
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!
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!
Thursday, 17 September 2009
Shabbat Shalom and Shana Tova 5770
090917
17th September 2009 - Rosh Hashana 5770
Incredibly another year has passed. We have been misunderstood and loved; maligned and lauded; proud and ashamed; stood tall and bent our heads before bullies. We must understand who and what we are in order to stay a strong people and continue "Tikun Olam" – making this world a better place. Breast-beating is not sufficient.
It was hard choosing what to wish for you and your families, over and above the obvious. My wish list responds to the Goldstone Report and the general rise in anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment.
Know who you are so no-one can tell you that you are someone else.
Learn our history, our Bible, our moral code, our sages, our example, our science, our physical presence and contribution to the countries we live in.
Never be afraid to say "I am a Jew".
Lies and calumny cannot change reality, so be prepared to stand up, write up and speak out before the lies become the assumed truth.
Do not suffer censorship in the name of religion. Hiding our teachings or our history cannot be tolerated in order to appease others. There is room in this world for every form of worship and thought; if we all accept those who are different to us, within and without – and are accepted by them in return.
Israel is a fine country built on the land of our ancestors, where, despite the exile Jews have lived for 3,000 years, and a fine example of democracy and freedom. Certainly one of the most beautiful countries, Israel has indisputably made the greatest contribution to modern intellectual and medical knowledge.
Remember that it is not a sin to defend yourself. Prepare for war but pray for peace and work toward it with all your heart. Had the Goldstone Commission looked into the Second World War, or Afghanistan, Korea, Iraq or Waterloo, they would have found that the standards of conduct would not be to their liking either. The Commission ignored the cruelty of Arab to Arab and chose to denigrate Israel.
Raise your pens and take action to change perceptions. Ensure that the world knows that an Israeli house is just as important as a Palestinian one.
Take time to teach your children from whence they came so that they will know to reach into their future.
Dream great dreams because without great dreams we lose hope.
The supermarkets and shopping malls are full to bursting as all Israel searches for gifts for the Festivals, new clothes for the children and food, food, food. The aromas of diverse cultures, each of whom brought their epicurean traditions with varying levels of spiciness, depending upon how far north their families found respite before coming home, testify to the fact that the intense cooking has started. The predominant smell is that of blackened aubergine and peppers – the precursors to all salads! Tomorrow the soups begin – the fish is fried, the tables set. Homes are sparkling, the white tablecloths hanging on washing lines ready for family gatherings on Friday night and Shabbat and Sunday and the "Selichot" (repentance) prayers have been said. http://www.ou.org/chagim/elul/selichotprinc.htm Thousands came from all over Israel to pray at the Western Wall and to walk the stones of history, our history. Jerusalem is preparing for a new year, a fresh start and deep prayer for greater justice and equality in our deeply flawed but incredibly hopeful world.
If I have hurt or harmed you in any way during 5769 then I apologise. I never intentionally hurt anyone, but such is the way of human behaviour and I promise to do better in the coming year.
To Uri Scharf – I hope you see that I already gave you enough "air"!
Zvi and I wish you a joyous year of health and fulfillment, traditions and blessings, family and friends.
Shana Tova u mevorach (a Happy and blessed New Year)
Sheila
17th September 2009 - Rosh Hashana 5770
Incredibly another year has passed. We have been misunderstood and loved; maligned and lauded; proud and ashamed; stood tall and bent our heads before bullies. We must understand who and what we are in order to stay a strong people and continue "Tikun Olam" – making this world a better place. Breast-beating is not sufficient.
It was hard choosing what to wish for you and your families, over and above the obvious. My wish list responds to the Goldstone Report and the general rise in anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment.
Know who you are so no-one can tell you that you are someone else.
Learn our history, our Bible, our moral code, our sages, our example, our science, our physical presence and contribution to the countries we live in.
Never be afraid to say "I am a Jew".
Lies and calumny cannot change reality, so be prepared to stand up, write up and speak out before the lies become the assumed truth.
Do not suffer censorship in the name of religion. Hiding our teachings or our history cannot be tolerated in order to appease others. There is room in this world for every form of worship and thought; if we all accept those who are different to us, within and without – and are accepted by them in return.
Israel is a fine country built on the land of our ancestors, where, despite the exile Jews have lived for 3,000 years, and a fine example of democracy and freedom. Certainly one of the most beautiful countries, Israel has indisputably made the greatest contribution to modern intellectual and medical knowledge.
Remember that it is not a sin to defend yourself. Prepare for war but pray for peace and work toward it with all your heart. Had the Goldstone Commission looked into the Second World War, or Afghanistan, Korea, Iraq or Waterloo, they would have found that the standards of conduct would not be to their liking either. The Commission ignored the cruelty of Arab to Arab and chose to denigrate Israel.
Raise your pens and take action to change perceptions. Ensure that the world knows that an Israeli house is just as important as a Palestinian one.
Take time to teach your children from whence they came so that they will know to reach into their future.
Dream great dreams because without great dreams we lose hope.
The supermarkets and shopping malls are full to bursting as all Israel searches for gifts for the Festivals, new clothes for the children and food, food, food. The aromas of diverse cultures, each of whom brought their epicurean traditions with varying levels of spiciness, depending upon how far north their families found respite before coming home, testify to the fact that the intense cooking has started. The predominant smell is that of blackened aubergine and peppers – the precursors to all salads! Tomorrow the soups begin – the fish is fried, the tables set. Homes are sparkling, the white tablecloths hanging on washing lines ready for family gatherings on Friday night and Shabbat and Sunday and the "Selichot" (repentance) prayers have been said. http://www.ou.org/chagim/elul/selichotprinc.htm Thousands came from all over Israel to pray at the Western Wall and to walk the stones of history, our history. Jerusalem is preparing for a new year, a fresh start and deep prayer for greater justice and equality in our deeply flawed but incredibly hopeful world.
If I have hurt or harmed you in any way during 5769 then I apologise. I never intentionally hurt anyone, but such is the way of human behaviour and I promise to do better in the coming year.
To Uri Scharf – I hope you see that I already gave you enough "air"!
Zvi and I wish you a joyous year of health and fulfillment, traditions and blessings, family and friends.
Shana Tova u mevorach (a Happy and blessed New Year)
Sheila
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