210226 Heroes, Harmony and Hamantaschen

 

210226

 

26^th February 2021

 

Shabbat Shalom and Purim Sameach. I hope this missive finds you well.

 

Purim, so many traditions which depend upon the land of the dispersion, taking on the flavours of wheresoever your family found safe haven – or not. I was fascinated to see an invitation to a Purim event by the Jewish community of the Gulf, yes the Arabian Gulf. Last night the keynote speaker was His Excellency Dr Khalid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Hamad Center for Peaceful Coexistence. Megilla reading by Rabbi Dr Ellie Abadie.  Wonderful news of unexpected friendships. Impact-se discovered that the Emerati school syllabus already contained a class in Moral Education…an example we should follow.

 

The story of Purim goes far beyond hamantaschen (Triangular cookies representing Haman's hat or ears) and noisy greggers (noisemakers) to drown out Haman's name when reading the story of Esther. It is a story of a brilliant plot which included much feasting and bribery, a plot created by Esther's Uncle Mordechai (the real hero of the piece) and carried out by Esther. It is the story of how gullible a leader can be when he spends too much time in revelry and relinquishes power to his Grand Vizier who convinces him to kill an entire people. Of course "the people" refers to the Jews of Shushan, the Jews, the ever convenient scape-goat – a situation repeating itself today. We need a Mordechai to lead us out of the mire of the current rampant anti-Semitism whose claws reach far beyond the borders of Shushan and reach a town near you.

 

Israel is suffering the terrible results of an enormous oil spill along her shoreline. Whales and turtles alike are being washed up along the beaches and fishing is banned due to the tar and oil that make the fish inedible, a tragic situation. How? When? Who? The greatest tragedy is that it appears to be intentional. https://www.timesofisrael.com/tarred-and-shuttered-anatomy-of-the-oil-disaster-thats-closed-israels-beaches/

 

Saturday Night Live show’s co-head writer and presenter Michael Che's remark “Israel is reporting that they vaccinated half of their population, and I’m going to guess it’s the Jewish half.”  horrified me. That a presenter on a major television programme feels free to make such a clearly racist remark is a sad reflection on American society. If allowed to pass without demanding a retraction American Jewry will suffer repercussions or have to deny their connection with Israel. Che is so misinformed that he doesn't know that we gave thousands of vaccines to the PA and 100,000 Palestinians who cross into Israel each and every day to work, received the vaccine at the border.

 

This heartwarming story shows the true relationship between Israelis of all faiths. Maher Ibrahim ensured that an Orthodox Covid patient heard the Shema Yisrael prayer as he lay on his deathbed  "I knew it was important, we have one God"  The patient's daughter said: "This is where peace begins" The family did not manage to say goodbye to him and pray for him before his death. Medic Maher Ibrahim knew what must be done and without knowing the exact words he prayed for the patient in his final moments. In an interview he said: "We wanted to do something, it was the obvious thing, we have one God. I don't know all the prayers but I knew how important it was for him to even hear the words 'Shema Yisrael', I realised that the family was stuck in traffic and could not get there before he passed away. We knew he was a religious man, having bonded with him for a month, and we knew the family wanted to come for the prayer. We said it for them so that he would it would be the last thing he heard. I told his daughter when she arrived, it was important to me that she knew. Our mission is to be human before we take care, regardless of race, religion and gender."

 

Sport is supposed to be apolitical but rarely is! Saeid Mollaei, a 2018 judo world champion, fled Iran for Germany after Iranian authorities put pressure on him to drop out of the 2019 world championships in Tokyo to avoid a potential final round against Israeli contender Sagi Muki. Saeid just won a silver medal in the Tel Aviv Grand Slam world judo championship, thrilled that he is now free to challenge whoever he wishes!!

 

Another piece of sports news –If the COVID pandemic in Europe is still serious enough in May and June of this year that athletic events will have to be held without spectators, there is a possibility that the UEFA Euro2021, as well as key games in the Champions League and European League, might be held in Israel, president of the Israel Football Association Oren Hasson announced Sunday. What a turn around!

 

So how are you celebrating Purim? The government has put a "Seger Lila" a night closure restriction for last night, tonight and tomorrow night, in other words banning parties. Tel Aviv and Rishon le Zion decided that it didn't suit their lifestyle and have been holding huge parties, raves etc, without masks or green passes to prove they have been inoculated. It infuriates me because for them Purim is an excuse for a party, knowing nothing of the incredible story of Purim. On the other hand, the traditional "Tisch" (feast filled with Torah study and dancing) of the Haredi communities will be almost impossible to halt – proving Zvi's theory that the defiant actions against the Covid restrictions are "those who have no God and those who only have God"

 

It was so much fun to see children, finally able to go to school, dressed up in fancy dress for Purim. From tiny pre-schoolers to 18 year olds, they take their costumes very seriously. These days there are fewer Queen Esthers and more characters from Frozen but all want to be heroes and heroines! My favourite is the "Covid" microbe – a child inside a huge balloon with disposable cups around it! I love the home-made costumes not the shop bought ones – that's a cop-out! Incredibly one of the favourite Haredi costumes is a soldier in the IDF and a favourite secular costume is a Haredi man! Even newsreaders wear funny wigs!

 

One very important tradition is that of "Mishloach Manot" a tradition which began by giving food to the poor but today involves sending little baskets (or great big ones) containing sweet foods. Again I love the home-made rather than the bought ones! Another tradition is that one should imbibe until one cannot tell the difference between evil Haman and heroic Mordechai. The purpose? So that one doesn't hold grudges, doesn't develop hatred for ones enemies but rather that one finds forgiveness for everyone. Out of this tradition came the "Adloyada" celebration, parade and street parties. Adloyada – Ad Lo Yada – until he didn't know.

 

Zvi's fall made the Jerusalem Post!! We couldn't believe it but Greer Fay Cashman thought it an event worth reporting on! He is healing at an incredible rate, his bruises fading fast, his arm hurting less and he has already had three of the eight stitches removed, the remainder on Sunday. He still looks like he went 3 rounds with Evander Holyfield but basically back to his normal self.

 

Yesterday we went to see the progress (or not) in our new apartment. The trees are planted in the public gardens, in fact the public areas (within the project) are coming along beautifully. Perhaps the best part of this move is not the beautiful apartment and new beginnings (even at 75 one can have new beginnings) but rather the amazing cooperation between all future neighbours. We have 4 or 5 WhatsApp groups to help each other solve problems, to pass on names of good electricians or plumbers etc. and when we met up with the project manager for the builder, once he got over Zvi's wounds, he and Zvi swapped jokes in Yiddisch. This move feels right. Of all the 17 moves I had until I met Zvi, only 4 since we met, this one makes me happy. Our building only has 5 apartments and all the neighbours are open to good neighborliness, even friendship. I will not run out of a cup of sugar this time.

 

So what next? Tonight, since we live in Jerusalem, it will be a normal Shabbat candle lighting and a normal Torah reading – everywhere else in the world last night and today the Story of Esther is read and festival feasts prepared, the reading in the synagogues tomorrow will be from the Book of Esther. In Jerusalem, indeed in walled Jewish cities, Purim is celebrated on Sunday, Shushan Purim. Shushan was the walled city where Esther, Mordechai, Achasuerus, Haman (boooooo) and most of the Jews lived. Jerusalem, still special in every way.

 

So what music should I choose this week?

 

The Maccabeats tell the story of Purim in Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgJInVvJSZg

 

The Shalva Band sings about raising your eyes to the sky, of course the two lead singers are blind but still they lift their eyes to absorb the warmth of the sun. We have so much to learn from them https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-NIHBHb9DU

 

Uziah Zadok was only 12 when he pulled at the heartstrings of everyone who heard him sing. Here he sings "Shma Yisrael" with English subtitles. Truly magnificent and so appropriate as we live in surreal and distressing times of uncertainty. The words give us strength and his voice lifts our heart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aHtBoQ8jpY

 

I wish you a Shabbat Shalom and please, read the story of Purim, Megillat Esther is available in whatever language you are comfortable with. The message is so strong and sadly appropriate for our times. Queen Vashti's refusal to dance naked before the King's drunken guests was an incredibly brave act of feminism and our heroine Esther used her feminine wiles to change history and ensure that Haman received his own cruel medicine.

 

Don't worry, even though the view from our veranda will change, this view, the whole of Jerusalem before us in its beauty, the sunrises over the horizon inspiring me to optimism and our walks, exploring our surroundings, will continue………. Just a different panorama but my emotions stay the same.

 

With much love

Sheila

 

 

     

 

210119 Zvi's fall

 

210219

19^th February 2021

 

Good Shabbes dear friends.

 

I just wanted to drop you a note to explain why I'm not writing my long missive today.

 

Yes we had snow, albeit for a short time and yes President Biden and PM Netanyahu had an hour and a half long conversation, apparently a very friendly one, and yes we are out of closure but life has been a bit too exciting lately.

 

Two young grand-daughters came to stay to see the snow, which doesn't fall in Nes Ziona! On Wednesday, we decided to take them for a lovely walk in the Park ha Mesilot to see spring flowers. was an exciting day. It was a freezing cold day, but we had fun pointing out all the glorious spring wildflowers, cyclamen, almond blossom, lupins and bright red poppies. Then it happened, Zvi tripped and fell flat on his face – literally – from his 2 metre height flat on his face. Broken nose + 8 stitches on his nose, abrasions on all his joints. Luckily he had taken his glasses off because they were steaming up.

I tried to lift him after checking he could move, but wasn't successful and he couldn't lift himself. Two cars stopped to help, the men lifting him up onto a bench, taking care of him, stopping the horrendous bleeding, and waiting with him while I raced to bring the car to take him to hospital.....Both families were Israeli Arabs.....both helped without even giving us their names so that we could thank them. I want you to know that they were Arab, Israeli Arab families, because all you ever read in the media is that we fight each other all the time which just isn't true. They were superb.

 

In Shaare Zedek emergency they did all the tests, CT of his head and so on and then he came home.

 

In the meantime he is turning all sorts of colours on his face, black and blue, but being very brave. I just took him back to Shaare Zedek because the pain in his right arm suggests that the X-ray missed a hairline fracture.

 

So as you see – I have too much on my mind, and two grand-daughters who will wake up to find that Saba is back in hospital emergency!!!

 

I wish you, and us, a good Shabbat.

With much love from Jerusalem

Sheila

 

 

210205 Jabs, Jerusalem and the Judiciary,

210205

5^th February 2021

 

Shabbat Shalom! How are you?

 

Isn't it strange that now that the world has opened up and we can reach even the most remoted corners of the world, but we can't go anywhere? Yes of course that was a rhetorical question, yes it is strange, but when a virus has over 4,000 variants it is an annoyance we must accept.

 

This morning's Israeli newspaper reports tell us the only .06% of Israelis get Covid-19 after the second shot (vaccine) and none of them seriously, which means it works!  Of course there are crazy people who refuse to allow "unknown" substances to be injected into their bodies, but that's their problem – they are as self-centred as those who refuse to allow their children to receive the childhood inoculations thus causing the return of measles, TB and chicken pox. I'm very proud of the efficiency of the Israeli health funds (Kupot Holim) in distributing and exercising the vaccination, the nearest country in the number of patients who received the vaccine is the Emirates with a tiny population and endless finances.

 

Sadly, the number of deaths and patients in critical condition is high too, mostly due to the actions of the Haredi and Arab communities, who have acted irresponsibly, holding big celebrations and refusing to close schools and places of prayer. Very sad.

 

Hopefully Israel will open up again next week. Shops, stores, malls, parks, museums and life in general will return to some semblance of normal. Obviously we will still wear masks but that's just common sense. Maybe we can even get together for Purim! If you remember it was Purim parties that set this whole ghastly Covid-19 off when people ignored the warnings.

 

Since we are leading up to yet another splenetic, turbulent election (number 4 in 2 years) even the couple of days between a Friday easing of restrictions and a Monday easing of restrictions became a political issue rather than a medical one. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/coronavirus-government-meeting-on-lockdown-rescheduled-for-thursday-657781

 

Benny Gantz is against opening up stores and malls on a Friday because last time they were over-run and nobody stuck to distancing -  Monday is probably a better day.

 

Talking of Benny Gantz – apparently it doesn't pay to be an honest and polite politician! Sadly, I don't think he stands a chance in the next "anyone but Bibi" election, but in his quiet manner he has done a great deal to hold back the unyielding, bulldozer internal policies of the last government. Finally, the Netanyahu trial will begin, no more excuses or defermentFor the country's sake I pray he will be innocent, but sadly, that's just a dream.

 

Jonathan Sacerdoti writes of the investigation into bias in the BBC Arab news. In fact the entire Middle Eastern Department, headed by Jeremy Bowen is utterly skewed. In 2004 several of us forced the BBC to perform and internal report on anti-Israel bias. It was written by the former senior news reporter at the BBC, Malcolm Balen, and cost the British taxpayer nearly 350,000 pounds and was hidden, they refused to publish it. Well this one was published! https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/shame-of-bbc-arabic-as-systematic-bias-revealed-1.511433 If only the unquestionable bias of CNN, as serious as that of the BBC, were investigated instead of hiding under the guise of free speech.

 

So, back to the Israeli elections. The lists closed last night after a great deal of moving and merging between parties, especially by those who would not have passed the electoral threshold alone. The hope of the electorate is that there will be less parties and an effective government that can actually serve to term (4 years) without scandal and an opposition that plans our future rather than concentrating on personal attacks. Here you have a description of each party and their candidates. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/israel-election-2021-all-the-official-party-lists-so-far-1.9508075

 

Monday evening Israel time, midday in Bedford, NY, Rabbi David Greenberg opened his weekly Zoom chat with his congregants. I have a long relationship with the community and Rabbi Greenberg, and thoroughly enjoy their company and curiosity. It was a delight to see familiar faces of Sari, Harriet and Bob and tried hard to answer their questions. Some took me by surprise and some forewarned me. Harriet (Gigi) is fascinated by our Supreme Court, both the building and the workings, and all were amazed to hear the our Supreme Court judges hear some 20,000 cases a year as opposed to the 100-150 cases that actually reach the Judges in the USA. Our Supreme Court accepts all and any complaints against Civil Servants as well as the more complex legal cases and appeals. Even Joe Bloggs, John Doe or as he is known in Israel "Buzaglo from Hadera" can have his case heard. Compulsory retirement is at 70 but they then move to the central tier of the 3 libraries where they consider and advise on any cases at the sitting judges request. A brilliant system.

 

Among the many questions, personal, political and general Israeli questions, just one confounded me. I had never heard of QAnon, at least not by name. To my ears it sounds too close to the brown-shirts of the thirties, a frightening, right wing movement best described here https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/how-three-conspiracy-theorists-took-q-sparked-qanon-n900531   How can such a negative organisation have grown from an internet game into a threat to the very substance of the USA?

 

Isn't it strange? The entire world berated Israel for not giving the Palestinians Covid vaccines but none of them offered to do so themselves. The job of any government is to care for their citizens first and foremost and then to worry about others. The Oslo Accords were thrown at me, by people who had no idea that it is clearly stated that the PA is responsible for their own, but Israel is used to looking after the PA and we sent them 5,000 vaccines for their Israeli trained medical staff. Russia is sending them more, but sadly the PA refuses to waste their hard earned aid money on its citizens, it only wants what's free. It is a country of "shnorrers" or beggars whose leader live in huge palaces. Incredibly, the Lebanese have refused to vaccinate their "Palestinian refugees" and nobody said a word.

 

 

The world lost two brave men who taught the world so much. One, Professor, Psychiatrist and Rabbi Abraham Twersky who guided me through the toughest of times in my life (before Zvi) through his book "When Do The Good Times Start". A great Rabbi, he changed lives. The second was Sir Tom Moore who at 99 years old walked round and round his garden accepting sponsorship for Britain's National Health workers, raising 45 million pounds and won hearts around the world – they both succumbed to Covid.

 

One woman who influenced my life in indescribable ways my beautiful, incredible friend Arlene Wittels passed away this week. I first met Arlene many years ago as I walked in to a friend's home and saw her sitting there with Sandy Cahn. I fell in love with her vivacity, her leadership and her incredibly warm and loving character. Although I didn't manage to see her for 2 years, I will love her always. Whenever I did a big cook, I used to take a photograph of my jam packed fridge and send it to her. Why? Because Arlene didn't cook and it made her laugh right until the end when life was so hard. My heart goes out to her Milty and her children the loves of her life. https://jewishwomen.org/remembering-jwfny-founder-arlene-wittels/

 

I am happy to say that this has been a far less busy week although Impact-se has uncovered even more "hate speech" in the teaching of children in our region. Anotehr exciting aspect is that although we can't get to Shalva I had a Zoom meeting with the musical director and heard his wonderful thoughts of which musical instruments and sound equipment he has dreamed of for years and also to the general director of activities etc on how to decorate "Dr. Dan's Room". Their dedication is truly magnificent.

Zvi and I have been planning our move, thinking about what we need to take with us, what to buy and where to put it. Yesterday we went to the apartment to meet the kitchen worktop fitters. These days even an outing like that is cause for excitement! We managed to spend time out on the verandah taking in the new view, so different from our Jerusalem vista but just as beautiful. Alongside our apartment is the "Avenue of the Presidents" the first tree planted by Theodore Herzl. Opposite, trees planted by KKL, right next to the grove planted in the name of Zvi's little brother who was tragically killed in an accident in Mexico. It is a new start for us, new beginnings, but close to our Jerusalem. I love this city, the sheer variety, the rainbow of humanity, the mosaic of faiths and architecture…..there truly is no city that comes close to its fascinating diversity. As Zvi always says Jerusalem is a city from Wall to mall – and so much in between. Right in the middle is Shouk Mahane Yehuda, the epitome of Jerusalem's heterogenity. The costermonger putting on his tefillin (phylacteries) in the morning, turning Eastward to the Temple Mount beside the Moslem stall holder kneeling on his prayer mat, turned toward Mecca. The long black robes of the Armenian and Greek Monks, the hijabbed mother buying for her large family; the Haredi woman with her entire brood behind her; the men talking to their wives on Facetime making sure that they buy the right produce, and if in doubt showing her; tourists fascinated by all of the above and the sounds, aromas and colours of the shouk that we all miss so much. Maybe next week.

 

We have a new way of meeting friends. This week I met with Ronit and Efrat on the bench in the square opposite, dinking excellent Israeli "Café Hafuch" (literally meaning upside down coffee) from the coffee shop and chatting about our lives. One person who actually came into our home was my dear friend Susan, we grew up together in Cardiff. As you can imagine we have so much to talk about, since our get-togethers are rare and usually on WhatsApp! For me it was a good excuse to bring out my lovely round china teapot and brew a good cuppa of Yorkshire Tea!

 

Yesterday when we got back from the apartment I went for a little walk, waiting for the "light rain" promised in the forecast.  Just as I got in the door the "light rain" started. The noisiest, heaviest hail storm imaginable followed by a downpour with thunder and lightening!!

 

I hope I will manage to see Rachel and family today, I really miss it when I don't and anyway, I really love sitting down, hearing of the children's week, with a good cup of tea and one of Rachel's little challas with egg salad! Tomorrow we will see Amiad and Leor's families, even though it's in the garden with masks it's just lovely. Ella will be 8 years old!

 

Songs, hmm what songs fit the title Jabs, Jews, Jerusalem and Judiciary?

 

This song is for all of you, especially those of you having a tough time at the moment "You've Got a Friend" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIQK4bCb8Ms

 

Yaakov Shwekey sings this beautiful blessing for the "best soldiers in the world" the IDF, the soldiers of Zahal. Mi Shebrach – Those who blessed our forefathers bless the soldiers of Israel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suKZK8O_x2s

 

Shalom Aleichem is traditionally sung when returning from the synagogue on Friday night to welcome the angels that accompany them. It is a liturgical poem written in Safed in the 17^th century. There are many very different renditions but I love this joyous one sung by Cantor Avraham Fried! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdCBebC87Ak  

 

That's it! Time to get cooking and set the table. Even when it's just the two of us we set the Shabbat table, best china, challah, Kiddush and good food……….it's so special it would be sad to miss out on the beauty of candle lighting. Just like the Seligs, I light two special Daniel candles, just because.

 

Shabbat Shalom, be well, take care and stay hopeful that we can all meet together on our new veranda

With much love from both of us in Jerusalem

Sheila

 

Please say a special prayer for Canon Andrew White. What they thought was a relapse in his Multiple Sclerosis was actually Covid-19.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

210129 Government, Green and Gevalt

 

210129

29^th January 2021

 

Shabbat Shalom! How are you? Did you know that I'm green?

 

No, don't worry, it's not some obscure new virus, being green in Israel means that the Ministry of Health has issued a "Green Passport" for you. That means you have had both vaccinations and a week to ten days later they issue a certificate, you get it automatically on-line and print it, carry it with you and you can go to the cinema, theatre, anywhere you fancy! Sounds wonderful doesn't it? Trouble is nothing is open, there's nowhere to go and the government, or rather the "Corona Cabinet" has decided to convene in another week instead of yesterday. In the meantime the government is earning nicely from all the fines related to gatherings and shops opening. We are stuck at home, no schools, no stores, no museums and no parks….

 

It is a strange combination of successful vaccination (soon half of the population will have received the first vaccine and one third the second) and utter management chaos on the situation. Why? It's all politics. Politics kept the skies open. Politics initiated flights to and from Dubai which culminated in an infection rate of 2.9 persons per traveller upon return which is insane; politics kept the police back from entering certain areas so their infection rate went through the roof; politics has allowed schisms in society that have never been before; worst of all it was infection by example as those in power fought to stay in power rather than worry for the daily bread of their constituents. Yes I know, no worse, or better than anywhere else but at least we have the vaccines. In the Pfizer research based here in Israel it was found that the Pfizer vaccine is 92% effective. In other words keep your masks on but see the grandchildren!!!!

 

I'm waiting for grown-ups to inhabit the "House that James built", the House that Dorothy, Madame Dorothy de Rothschild, declared as the culmination of her husband's father's dream for the State of Israel. When Ossip Klawein's design won the competition to build the new Knesset building atop a hill in Jerusalem, the chosen ones understood the miracle that was a Jewish State. That government, led by David Ben Gurion, understood that they were there to serve the people. Perhaps Dorothy, recognised what the future held and decided to donate and oversee the building of the new Supreme Court Building, a magnificent structure, her only demand being that it sit higher than the Knesset, to indicate that the government is never above the law. The resultant building is a triumph of architecture worthy of the onerous task of the Judges within https://supreme.court.gov.il/sites/en/VirtualTour/Pages/00_vtour.aspx

 

We are a resilient people, we have survived many attempts to wipe us out through the ages, by every means possible and we will survive this too, but why? Why can't the grown-ups act responsibly?

 

If you were to read this, which sector of society would you immediately accuse?

"They smashed the windshields of the train and the windows of the station with rocks and threw sticky paint on the train car, they then poured concrete on the tracks filling the rails, depriving the wheels of the train purchase on the tracks, causing the cars to come off the rails, and either capsize, thereby endangering the lives of hundreds of people trapped in the cars, or to careen out of control and collide with passengers waiting at the station, endangering their lives too." Terrorism yes, but not the Palestinians, it was the ultra-extreme faction of the Haredi community. They besmirch the name of the Haredi community as do their cohorts in Bnei Brak who threw rocks at the police and burned a bus, beating up the driver. Why? Because the government demands that their schools (Kolels, Yeshivas, Talmud Torahs) close for the time that the rest of us are in closure. Their leaders say that if the children are not learning every day they drop out of religion – surely two weeks of not learning cannot shake one's faith in Judaism. It makes me so angry because antipathy to their actions turns young people away from the religion I love.

 

Just as we need a responsible grown-up to lead the country as a whole, we need responsible grown-ups to lead the Jewish religious community – in fact, all the religious communities, to understand that we are all equal but different.

 

The World Corruption Index. Seriously disturbing! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corruption_Perceptions_Index

 

A round up of news.

Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales is Patron of the British Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and as such he gave a very moving speech https://youtu.be/7wDZca3dgHY As I am sure you are aware, his grandmother Princess Alice of Greece, Prince Philip's Mother, was a Righteous Gentile.

The Canadian Government is the latest in a line of countries to launch an investigation into their funding of UNWRA after the www.impact-se.org report on hate education in their schoolbooks was launched.

Still on the subject of Impact-se, The Australian Government is also investigating UNWRA's misuse of funds. https://www.spectator.com.au/2020/12/palestinian-kids-in-un-run-schools-are-being-taught-to-hate-and-kill/ Even the New York Times wrote about the Impact-se report on the Saudi curriculum!

President Biden intends halting the sale of F35 war planes to the Emirates. The fear is that the other, less stable governments in the region will demand the same.

On a less serious note, "IZZY – Stream Israel" https://www.streamisrael.tv is an internet channel for Israeli programmes and so much more. Thanks to Martin Lindenfeld!

 

Due to the pandemic I haven't been able to visit Shalva and move forward with the "Dr. Dan's Room" project that so many of you helped to bring to fruition. The room is already in use but without the design, instruments, equipment and stage that turn an empty room into a true Music and Therapy Room in that oh so incredible haven for children and parents alike. The amazing "Shalva Band" came out of the love and teaching of the staff. Yesterday Gaby Hirsch and I had a wonderful and very important Zoom meeting, with the incredible Nitzan, the musical director of Shalva, a dedicated and enthusiastic young man who described exactly what is needed to bring joy to the children and young people with special needs and their connection to music. I promise that very soon, with or without pandemic, we will begin creating a room that my beautiful son would have loved. https://give.shalva.org/daniel   

 

 

Zvi and I try to walk each day, obviously masked and distanced, but within the rules of no more than one kilometre from home we manage to explore! A permitted trip to the dentist, doctor or supermarket is a great excuse to leave the circular track that is our street and walk along the railway tracks, either at the beginning in Baka or at the end toward the Biblical Zoo. Since it has been raining, the wild and wonderful Deer Park is out of the question! It feels so good to be out in the fresh, crisp air of Jerusalem.

 

So that brings us nicely to the music that you all love

 

Aki Avni is an Israeli actor and singer. For Holocaust Memorial Day he recorded this beautiful song, from poems written by 3 children in the camps. Miroslav Kosek, Hanus Lowy and Eli Bachner, now aged 90 and living in Israel, who created a book of the poems to honour his friends and the one and a half million Jewish children who were brutally killed by the Third Reich https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFxexvipMO0&feature=youtu.be

 

The songs of Shabbat are not always traditional and they travel through the many countries of the dispersion. Shalom Aleichem (May peace be upon you) which is sung to welcome Shabbat is sung in a hundred different variations. I fell in love with this one! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pll0QNbdfkE

 

Finally, this song is dedicated to a very special Bat-Mitzva girl. Mimi Selig is the daughter of Daniella and Justin Selig who live in London. Justin's more familiar identity is "Paddy", my Daniel's best friend. Paddy and Daniella light two extra candles, bright and colourful candles each Friday night, known as Daniel's candles and when I asked them what Mimi wanted for her birthday they answered, "a donation to Shalva". Mimi, we all love you and wish you a fun Zoom Bat-Mitzva. The song? One Day by Koolulam. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqvKDCP5-xE

 

So that's it! If I don't go now my Challot will have risen over the tops of their tins!

 

I wish you a wonderful weekend wherever you are, however you pray. Can you just put in an extra prayer for Canon Andrew White who had a relapse of his MS and then caught Covid. As I have always said, prayer is not a matter of whether you say it on knees, bending down, crouching or standing, prayer is in your heart. With love to you all, my friends.

 

Shabbat Shalom from rainy, beautiful Jerusalem

 

With love

Sheila

 

For the brave among you here is a quiz of 72 questions for the 72^nd anniversary of the Knesset! https://main.knesset.gov.il/en/About/Pages/birthday/Quiz.aspx

 

 

 

 

 

 

210115 TWTWTW

 

210115

15^th January 2021

 

Hello! How are you? I wish you a good Shabbes, a blessed Sabbath, Shabbat Shalom!

 

I am in such a good mood after my birthday that I decided I didn't want to write about the troubles of our world today, and we most certainly have troubles! What a confused lot we are! The plague that has overcome the world has brought out the very best in people, but also the very worst. Since the media concentrates of the worst I decided to concentrate on the best.

 

The world is talking about Israel's ability to vaccinate so many people in a very short space of time and want to know how. In last week's newletter Dr. Joel Zonszein explained the efficiency of the "Kupot Holim" the Health Funds, but there is so much more to it than the brilliant work of the professionals. It's also Israel's young people, the volunteers. When one arrives at the many vaccination centres, one presents the "invitation" which was sent to you and then the magic begins. So many volunteers and young "Sherut Leumi" (a year of voluntary community service for young people before the army, including young religious women) take the non-medical jobs of registration, of entering the time, date, name, ID number of the patient and the vial number of the vaccine as they get the inoculation, all which makes the whole affair run very smoothly. The Covid testing process is even more so. For instance, yesterday morning, Rachel went for a Covid test. She arrived at the site and young Magen David Adom volunteers, dressed and masked appropriately, guided the drivers to the actual test site where nurses and trained volunteers performed the tests which were then taken by more volunteers and put into the appropriate vials. By the evening Rachel had her very welcome negative result. It's the first time that a negative result of a test was a positive result!!! If one doesn't drive, call a taxi, specifically ask for a driver who has already had Covid to take you to the test site. If you are housebound then Magen David Adom come to the home, take the test and deliver it to the lab. All of the above is feasible thanks to the combination of ID numbers, volunteers and the amazing medical system here.

 

Since this is the third closure people are less careful and more fractious, as one would expect, fed up of being home stuck in small apartment with small children, but the Mayor of Givat Ze'ev found a solution. Imagine, a compendium of toys, games and magazines arriving on your doorstep as a gift from the municipality! Such a clever way to amuse the children!

 

Two days ago Zvi and I went to the supermarket after he had his second vaccination; we always choose relatively quiet times, and as I was perusing the vegetables I heard "Excuse me can you put your mask on" and a delightful elderly gentleman looked very distressed, he had simply forgotten to put it on and his mask was still in the car. "Here take my spare" I said "As long as you don't mind wearing a pink one" All 3 of us laughed and he went off proudly sporting his pink mask. On my way home I popped into the pharmacy to collect a prescription and as I stood waiting, well distanced, a rather burly, aggressive looking, young man came in with his mask unopened, barely covering his mouth. Tentatively I asked him to open his mask and cover his nose as well. His surly face broke into a big smile "Of course I will, I'm so sorry I forgot" The stupidity of "wearing a mask takes away my right of choice and self expression" is a rarity here. I'm not saying everyone is sweetness and light, we have our self-absorbed rebels too, you only have to see our numbers to know that, but in general, I believe that Covid has brought out the best in most people.

 

I had a highly successful Impact-se Annual Board Zoom meeting, our CEO Marcus reporting incredible successes in winning through a wall of the West's ostrich-like habit of hiding from the truth that children are not born hating, they are taught to hate as part of the brainwashing by nefarious regimes. Impact-se is making incredible headway in bringing tolerance in education in cooperation with many governments in the Middle East as I told you last week. www.impact-se.org  We discussed the latest, revealing, reports on UNWRA. I feel that I am the luckiest person in the world to have been chosen as the Chairperson.

 

As I sat in front of the computer screen I heard the front door "ping" to tell me someone had gone out, so I assumed Zvi had gone on his regular 3-4 kilometre walk. I then heard him return home and……. But wait, that's part of the next story

 

I have to tell you about my birthday yesterday, thanks to Zvi and a multitude of good people I had the best birthday ever! The entire day proved that despite being stuck at home surrounded by four walls and Netflix, one can have a truly amazing time! Like all things Jewish it all started the night before……..about half an hour after the meeting ended and I left the seclusion of our office to find that Zvi had not gone for a walk – he had gone to collect my favourite sushi and set the table beautifully and poured me a glass of delicious wine! I must admit that it made watching the news later much more palatable. And then……….next morning

 

08:00 and someone knocked at the front door! It was the delivery of glorious "Breakfast Box" filled with freshly cooked, Israeli breakfast goodies. All sorts of savoury spreads in little glass jars, croissants, bagels, salads, freshly squeezed orange juice, borekas and wonderful shakshuka. I was overwhelmed! Who could have thought of this gift? Upon opening the accompanying card I discovered that it was Zvi's two sons. Leor and Amiad and their families! So thoughtful especially since nobody could visit! As we were wading our way through the huge breakfast which actually lasted until supper (!) the doorbell rang again and a delightful platter of fruit, cut into flowers, arrived from the wonderful people of Shalva. Next came lovely flowers from Impact and a huge bouquet from Gideon and Stephanie and children. That was when I heard from Rachel that she couldn't come with the family to do me a big balloon and singing presentation down in our car park! Wait, that's not all! Gili, aged just 11, got together with Rachel and gathered greetings from our siblings, children and grandchildren and close, close friends and made me a video! All of the above were complemented with non-stop phone calls from all over the world! As I left one phone call I heard voices coming from the study and went to investigate only to find that Zvi, with a little help from the children had organised an international Zoom party!! It was wonderful to see all my loved ones on one screen

 

I have to admit that the high spot was in the family video when 7 year old Callie did a crablike contortion in the middle of Central Park and sang "Happy Birthday" upside down!

 

I am so overflowing with love from every direction that I can't stop smiling! I discovered that ultimately one reaps what one sows in life and my goodness, without all the bells and whistles of a big party, my cup runneth over!

 

I was determined not to lose the warmth of yesterday – although I am not blind to the horrors surrounding us, which seem to grow daily. While our politicians do their very best to drag us down, I just wanted to show you that good things happen, every single day, we just have to recognise them.

 

Tell me about the little kindnesses that you have experienced lately. You choose, big or small, a smile or a cake, holding the door open for you or………. You choose

 

Time for songs before I go to cook Friday night supper and get the Challot into the oven so that they will be hot and crispy for supper.

 

Why did Nancy Pelosi quote and Israeli song by Ehud Manor, yesterday and not for the first time? Ein Li Eretz Aheret – I have no other country. Here sung by Ninet Tayeb the plaintive music does the meaningful music justice. Since the subtitles are in Spanish I put a link to the English translation too https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzwdYSdrwtY
http://hebrewsongs.com/song-einlieretzacheret.htm

  

 

Shalva sent me something much more than the lovely fruit platter, they sent me a video, a song, a statement of hope. Here is a new recording of the Shalva Band singing "All You Need is Love" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvhhae73wnk  

 

Finally, what else? Louis Armstrong singing "Wonderful World" because when you come down to it, that's what we have. This period has taught us that we can survive without many of the accoutrements of Western life – we don't need fancy restaurants, our children have learned to amuse themselves and understand the joy of having parents who help them with their Zoom lessons and homework, we go for walks, do our morning exercise instead of sitting at desks and enjoy the simpler side of life. C'mon, sing along with Louis, you'll fell so much better https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikiUL9nNab0

 

I wish you a truly beautiful weekend. As I stand before our Shabbat table, the best china, the aromas of that special Shabbat meal and freshly baked bread, to light the candles which bring light to our lives, light and sweet memories that can only be achieved by doing as our parents did and their parents before them, I will think of you and how blessed I am to have you in my life.

 

Shabbat Shalom dear friends

Shabbat Shalom