International Holocaust Remembrance Day

 220127

27^th January, 2022

 

Shabbat Shalom to one and all.

 

I have been going over and over in my mind as to what I should write to you today, 27^th January, 2022, International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Never Again is so banal, in fact it really means nothing since it is happening again, over and over again louts around the world see fit to beat up Jews, or should I say "Obvious Jews". What an odious expression that allows complacent Jews to join in the derision toward fellow Jews who dress differently. The Jews who are at the forefront and it has nothing to do with their mode of dress or their beards and earlocks or payis or payot….It's irrelevant what you call their hats, skullcaps or long coats, they are you and me. It has once again become socially acceptable to deride and harm Jews, so what does never again mean?

 

"We are strong because now we have Israel" Meaningless words if you know nothing about this amazing country, a country that is now the target of those who choose to turn a blind eye to the real perpetrators of oppression and hatred. I could go on and on but you will stop reading because it hurts too much. Please, unless you teach your children about the Holocaust they will never understand about Israel or, indeed about being Jews. We are not the only persecuted people but Jews have been consistently persecuted since the time of Abraham!

 

When was the last time you stood up and said enough?

 

Rather than write on and on about the meaning of the Holocaust, since I believe that those of you who read my missives do not need reminding, you are educated and caring, but ….

 

Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Yair Lapid spoke at the site of the Mathausen Concentration Camp with these words

 

Speaking in a ceremony at the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid tells the story of his paternal grandfather Bela Lampel, who was murdered at the camp in April 1945. Bela was taken from his home by an SS soldier in March, 1944, in front of his wife, and Lapid’s father Tommy, then 12 years old. “Grandpa Bela, a quiet man whose family nickname was Bela the Wise, sent me here today to say on his behalf that the Jews have not surrendered,” says Lapid. “They’ve established a strong, free, and proud Jewish state, and they sent his grandson to represent them here today. The Nazis thought they were the future, and that Jews would be something you only find in a museum. Instead, the Jewish state is the future, and Mauthausen is a museum.” “Rest in peace, grandfather, you won.” 

 

I wanted to write about the Wannsee Conference https://www.yadvashem.org/docs/wannsee-conference-protocol.html  when the fate of Europe's Jews was decided in the diabolical Final Solution, a gradual loss of rights that culminated in ghettos and camps; about Winston Churchill who led Britain and her Commonwealth into a punishing war because it was the right thing to do, despite major arguments with the then US President FDR, and three long years before they were joined by the United States Forces; the long list of what I wanted you to hear culminated in the most grueling report on the Shoah that I have ever heard, from Richard Dimbelby, on the liberation of Bergen-Belsen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP9BLKZENbc

 

Today stories will be told – albeit in countries that accept Israel as the Jewish home – but what about tomorrow. Please I beg of you to tell your children and grandchildren the stories, not to scare them but to inform them of our past and how we rose like a phoenix out of the ashes and as Yair Lapid stood proudly at the site of his grandfather's demise and announced – Bela the Wise, you won.

I came here today to remind the world that Bela Lampel was not a number. 
He was my grandfather. He loved his beautiful wife. He went to football matches with his child. He loved to have an omelet at the coffee shop next to his home. He never wronged anyone. He wasn’t an important man.
He didn’t hate anyone. He was simply… Jewish. 

So they took him in the middle of the night, and sent him from camp to camp until he arrived here. When he arrived here, the Nazis already knew that they had lost the war. The mighty machine that was the German Army had collapsed. They needed every soldier, every slice of bread, every rifle - and yet, they continued to kill Jews up until the very last moment.  https://www.gov.il/en/Departments/news/fm-lapid-s-speech-at-international-holocaust-remembrance-day-ceremony-at-mauthausen-concentration-camp-27-jan-2022

 

Today, all over the world, survivors have built families who carry their stories forward so that they will not be forgotten. There are some who have built families of 100's descendants and unlike their own parents and grandparents they can laugh and play with them. The ultimate vengeance is to survive and thrive. Israel was not brought about by the Shoah but it is the living proof that just as the Jewish Partisans of the Ghettos we know how to stand proud, to turn the arrows of our enemies and turn them back on themselves – this wondrous country has proven that we cannot be held down.

 

I know you are not used to me being angry or sad but the very idea that we, our generation, has done a pretty lousy job at ensuring that our children understand their past to be able to defend themselves from what appears to be around the corner makes me furious.

 

 

Koolulam gathered a group of survivors and their families to sing "Chai Chai Chai" Live Live Live which they all did against all odds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vuh1-jDi7Qw&t=1s

 

Children in London were to hold a ceremony commemorating the 75^th anniversary of the Shoah but Covid prevented it. Unperturbed they children recorded at home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKuz9RfLcgM

 

Hatikva – The Hope, is Israel's National Anthem. Hope, that belief that the future will always be better; Hope, Tikva, which helped those who survived the horrors of the Shoah to lead wonderful lives here in the land of hope. The young men and women of the IDF are the future of Israel and of the Jewish people as they go forward into the world with a confidence that past generations never attained. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQCu9kl68Tg

 

I wish you a Shabbat Shalom and when we say "Never Again" remember that we have to mean it, we've had 77 years to learn how.

 

With love from Jerusalem, the city that is the answer to our prayers for the last 3,000 years.

 

Sheila

 

 

 

 

 

 

220122 To be or not to be

 220122

22^nd January, 2022

 

Good Shabbes, Shabbat Shalom,

This week saw Epiphany on the 18th and Martin Luther King Day on the 17^th and today is a day that we all want to celebrate but are scared to do so – International Hug Day. I have a feeling that with Omicron rampant, changing from a pandemic to an epidemic (no I don't know the difference) hugging will just have to wait.

 

"To be or not to be that is the question" should be the quote of the week. Following the weather man's predictions, snow ploughs were at the ready, the salters had their engines running, a few over cautious people put chains on their car tyres and………..nothing, zero, el zilcho, no snow in Jerusalem! Well, actually there was one 30 second flurry at about nine in the evening but most of us missed it because we were watching the nine o'clock newscast predicting snow! Oh well, Mount Hermon has enough for all of us and thousands of cars are in line to enjoy skiing, sledding and just playing in the white wonder. The forecast is another cold front coming in next week so who knows, the expenditure on the snow ploughs may not be in vain. Whatever happens I will do a shop on Monday to ensure that we have all our necessary foods Our wonderful new home has only one drawback and that's just for a couple of days a year, we live on the old road to Jerusalem, the Seven Sisters named for the seven hair-pin bends on a narrow road that was the main road from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem until 1967.

 

“To be, or not to be? That is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And, by opposing, end them?” This time by citing the famous Shakespearean Hamlet quote I refer to Israel's former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Whether or not he will take a plea bargain whereby he owns lesser charges, discounting corruption etc, and retires from public office, accepts community service for a period of time and does not go to prison. I believe that everyone should stand trial before the law and accept the consequences but the country has been torn apart by his self-centred campaigns, literally torn apart, and it is those he looks down upon from his ivory tower who have crowd-funded his legal costs. I just want it over so that we can get back to being a united, argumentative country.

 

The rumours surrounding the Temple hostage taking in Colleyville, Texas have been both cruel and misinformed. The Rabbi, Charlie Cytron-Walker, dealt with the situation with incredible sang-froid, controlling a potentially deadly hostage taking with aplomb. Rumours are irrelevant, his bravery unquestionable and from what I hear from his many friends he is a good and kind man. Enough. However, the story behind the motive of the hostage taker Malik Faisal Akram is disturbing to say the least. Akram is described as British but he grew up in Pakistan and if you look at this description of how PM Imran Khan handles the "Jewish Question" you will understand.

 

The Pakistani Senate passed a resolution demanding that Siddiqui (the Al Qaeda terrorist imprisoned near the Temple) be repatriated to Pakistan, naming her “the daughter of the Nation.” Prime Minister Imran Khan pledged in a 2018 election manifesto that his political party would “make best efforts to bring prisoners like Dr. Afia Siddiqui and others back to Pakistan.”

In an article published in 2020 by the Atlantic Council think tank, Dawood Ghazanavi, a lawyer in Pakistan and author of the book “Aafia Unheard: Uncovering the Personal and Legal Mysteries Surrounding FBI’s Most Wanted Woman,” wrote that “many Pakistanis equate the injustices done to her as an injustice against Pakistan.”

 

On Jan. 20, 1942, 15 top members of the Nazi bureaucracy met in a villa on Lake Wannsee to the west of Berlin. Light refreshments were served and washed down with cognac. There was only one item on the agenda: “The organizational, logistical and material steps for a final solution of the Jewish question in Europe.” Planning the Holocaust and the eradication of Jewish life in Europe took just of 90 minutes.

Eighty years after the infamous Wannsee Conference that meticulously mapped it the annihilation of the Jews, the bureaucratic efficiency remains as terrifying as ever. 80 years on and we see the ugly head of organised anti-Semitism rising, without the German efficiency but spreading like a wildfire. Yes, the world has forgotten and perhaps we are partly to blame for our complacency in the face of hatred.

 

If one looks at the cant of the Pakistani Prime Minister against the USA and his attitude toward Israel and Jews then recognise the enormous changes in today's UAE one can see how, if only leaders led their people into the 21st century and a full and international life, enormous advances can be made. Compared to other Islamic countries the UAE has a tolerant and excellent school curriculum. I won't waste time writing, just read the report – "When Peace Goes To School" https://www.impact-se.org/wp-content/uploads/When-Peace-Goes-to-School_The-Emirati-Curriculum-2016%E2%80%9321.pdf  

 

The Israeli Judicial system is questioning the police use of "listening" to private cell phones. In principle so do I and most Israelis but we live in a dangerous neighbourhood and if listening means terror attacks are prevented I don't care who listens in to my conversations or WhatsApps – because I have nothing to hide.

 

Not my busiest week by any means. My birthday was celebrated with video calls from the family all over the world singing Happy Birthday and a romantic breakfast at "Derech ha Gefen" restaurant in the village of Bet Zayit, just five minutes from us. It was wonderful, delicious and it made a change to be just the two of us! Impact-se sent me a bouquet, Amiad and Leor and families sent me a magnificent Ice-cream basket, two of our favourite neighbours sent another ice-cream package and Yossi and Ronit Dagan left a fantastic cake at our doorstep, afraid to come in since several members of their family have Covid. Rachel had organised a party with her family, Leor's family and Amiad's family all of whom were to surprise me bringing food cakes and balloons, but then guess what? All 6 of Leor's family had Covid and 2 of Rachel's! All in all I had a wonderful time, quieter than usual but wonderful.

 

Omicron means that most of our meetings have been deleted from the diary! I was meant to go to Shalva to see Gaby and meet Rachel Feuerstein one of Daniel's closest friends from Carmel College, in the excellent restaurant in Shalva, to show her the progress made on "Dr. Dan's Room" https://give.shalva.org/daniel , the incredible Music, Drama and Dance Studio in Shalva, for the young people with Special Needs for whom all three expressions of art mean so much. Sadly one of Rachel's children came home from school after testing positive for Covid so we had to cancel but I hope to go next week. There is good news though, the Jerusalem Music Academy is about to receive a wonderful donation (no names until it happens) of $10,000 which is destined to train young musicians to teach the young people of Shalva in the Studio. The Academy President has also found a fantastic new instrument specific to the needs of the youngsters and that too will be donated! Daniel would be so pleased that his tragic death has turned into an amazing legacy of joy.

 

On Monday I had a fascinating Zoom meeting for the Board of Impact-se when Marcus Sheff, our CEO gave a report of the truly phenomenal results of the work of the tiny team (including putting UNWRA on the defence quoting our report). Tolerance in education is being taken really seriously by governments all over the world. Zvi, or course, had about six Zooms this week, he is never satisfied with just a few committees, he is truly the "mitnadev he Kavu'a", a serial volunteer for Israel. There is not a committee or cause that he doesn't get involved in, either officially or unofficially. I am so proud of everything he does.

 

One of Zvi's hats is that of the Maccabi World Union, with whom he has been involved for many a year and who he represents on the Board of Governors of the WZO. This year several of our dear friends and readers of this weekly missive, have been awarded the title of Yakir Maccabi for their work. We congratulate everyone involved but must admit that the lovely Leo-Dan Bensky, Stuart Greenberg, Jacobo Gitlin and Oudi Recanati are very special to our hearts. Zvi will not be pleased that I picked my favourites but – sorry.

 

Rachel's two daughters are both "recovered" from Covid so hugs and kisses and visits are the order of the day! Yesterday the girls came home with me and I made them Vegetarian Cous-cous and they watched two movies while the three of us cuddle up on the sofa. I was so thrilled to have them back with us that when I served their supper on the bar of the kitchen island they asked if they could take it to eat in front of the television – and I said YES! Their faces were a picture!

 

Back to the weather, well I am an Ex-Brit! No matter whether the weather be rain, sleet, shine or freezing cold, I love to walk on the paths and by-ways of our park. The neighbours probably think I am nutty as I go past their windows, a vision of large puffer coat, furry hood and black Covid mask, probably quite sinister except for my size - at least no-one can identify me! When I walk in the early evening I see the regulars arriving for a minyan (quorum) at the synagogue, currently in the wonderful big building. I think they recognise me because they know that I'm the only person not at home, looking out at the inclement weather from the warmth of the apartment! Each morning I walk out onto the veranda to see the sun rising over Jerusalem, changing the white stone buildings into that incredible city of gold.

 

A few days ago after a visit to Rachel and family in Givat Ze'ev, I drove back over, yes you guessed it, the highest point in the area, Samuel's Tomb and for a change it was night-time on a crystal clear evening. Oh my goodness it was stunning! Lights outlining the many hills of Jerusalem, shining brightly, creating a map of such clarity it took my breath away. No longer were the towers and skyscrapers outlined, it was the undulating hills that emphasised the miracle of that city of almost a million people, excepting the suburbs and dormitory neighbourhoods surrounding Jerusalem. I smiled all the way home!

 

Today we are at home, just the two of us, which is fine and tomorrow we will be with zvi's boy and their families to celebrate the 9^th birthday of Ella, so named because she was born on Tu b'Shvat, https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3264/jewish/15-Shevat.htm  the Jewish festival celebrating ecology. I will be providing, by popular request, my usual winter "kitchen sink" soup which I will begin as soon as I finish writing to you. I call it kitchen sink soup because I put just about every root vegetable, legume and …….just about everything but the kitchen sink, into it because it warms the very cockles of one's heart!

 

I think that's it! I'm, sure you could think of even more things and if you have any questions you know how to get me!

 

Some years ago the Israeli film Afula Express came out and was a huge success. The haunting theme song "Geshem" which means Rain, has stayed in my mind – especially on these rainy days. Eli Louzon sings beautifully https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8HlStOESOU

 

We are nearing the end of the auditions/competition for the singer of the next Eurovision song in Italy this spring. I'm sure you all remember the crazy, winning song of Netta, "Toy" well here a new voice, takes on the song – amazing. Please excuse the language it's the song not me! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B066GAsUPvM

 

In a world of ever increasing division and hatred, of extremes instead of tolerance, there are moments of hope, moments of understanding each other, our similarities and needs, our hopes and aspirations. One man in particular spoke of all those ideals, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Junior. I love this song. "Shed a Little Light" a song of hope to honour MLK Day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crKDDS5D_os

 

Shabbat Shalom dear friends. Just think if everyone in the world took note of the words and actions of the Rev. Dr. martin Luther King Junior. Ah, what a wonderful world it would be.

Sheila

 

  

 

211231 Fears, Friction and Forecasts - 2022

 211231

31^st December, 2021

 

That's the last time I write 2021 unless I'm talking about the past – and no, I'm not going the make a list of what happened over the last year, nor a list of "the most effective people" of that year, because the real movers and shakers of this world are the quiet, behind the scenes people who don't make anyone's list.

 

Shabbat Shalom everyone! Shabbat Shalom and more importantly Shalom Aleichem. I often talk about the amazing institution called Shalva, but the word שלווה  is what I wish you, Shalva means serenity, composure, tranquility – all qualities that have been lost in the mire of political Covid.

 

We lost our patience over the last surreal period, and it showed in our driving, reactions and behaviour toward each other. We were confused and angry at what we cannot control and blamed our leaders, who by the same token are confused by this erratic enemy too; a virus takes no prisoners and has no known path so our leaders are in an equal state of confusion and their path is far from clear. They take the best medical advice available but the rules of the game keep changing, both they and we have to change with them. So, when I wish you Shalva, I wish you composure to face the challenges of the next year.

 

We lost our stability, so I wish you composure to face whatever comes our way

We lost our ability to see, hug and love our friends and families, so when I wish you Shalva I wish you calm and the words to let them know that you love them just as much

We lost our financial security, so I wish you Shalva, calm to pull in our belts and pray for better times

We lost our health and that is the hardest of all. I wish you the tranquility to help those who need you and accept the help of those who love you.

 

Perhaps the most important aspect of the Covid period is that responsibility for educating our children has returned from schools to the parents. Of course it always should but times changed and I'm not talking about mathematics or geography, I mean the moral leadership that modern parents have abrogated, have passed on to schools, the teaching of how to treat those different to ourselves, weaker than ourselves or poorer than ourselves. We have failed miserably, ably aided and abetted by the internet and it's time to don the parental gowns and take responsibility for our failures.

 

That's it. No more Covid talk…….

 

Many people have eulogized Bishop Desmond Tutu. He certainly brought South Africa out of its darkest hour through his support of Nelson Mandela, side by side with many Jews who bravely fought Apartheid, but he was an out and out anti-Semite and his attitude toward Israel was beyond the pale. Melanie Phillips wrote, what in my opinion, is the most eloquent description of the man and the myth. I quote "Desmond Tutu did some great things. But he had a monstrous side too"  https://melaniephillips.substack.com/p/the-airbrushed-feet-of-clay

 

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas came to visit Israeli Minister of Defence Benny Gantz's home for a quick cuppa and a chat. Really! I believe it is a very important event, one of huge significance because when one sits in a person's home over a cup of tea one changes the entire paradigm of the relationship from enemy to colleague. We have to find a way to accept that we will never think alike, but that is no reason to incur violence. We have to find a way to live as neighbours despite our differences – something which begins with learning about each other in schools, discussing openly, tolerance in education. Adults, particularly politicians, have a tendency to use belligerent rhetoric to reach the lowest common denominator of their citizens through a common enemy, and it is time to stop to enter a new era, a new paradigm of thinking what is best for one's people.

 

Talking of new paradigms and neighbours, last night we had a huge party in the wonderful building in our park, the fabulous edifice created in the image of the White House. The party celebrated the opening of our spa and of the success of the building committee in weathering the spurs and arrows of infighting. It was amazing to see everyone dancing, eating (well it was a Jewish affair) laughing and chatting together, all arguments forgotten. Neighbours are rarely what we want, let alone what we expect, but then neither are we! Yesterday turned our neighbourhood into a community and that brings me back to the chat over a cuppa of two leaders, out of the public eye, one of whom realised that he can't get everything he wants by being a bully.  Just so that you understand the situation, the Israeli security forces, police and IDF, work very closely, many times in tandem, with their Palestinian counterparts, nothing is the way you read in the media.

 

Talking about the media, the BBC had a field day and was thrilled to air the news that the current Archbishop of Canterbury, Welby, agreed with a statement suggesting that the numbers of Christians in Israel is being decimated due to ill-treatment! What drivel! The numbers of Christians in Israel is increasing daily as they flee the oppression in the PA! In the very near future you will see a response from both Canon Andrew white and former Archbishop George Carey.

 

Yesterday was an especially good day! First of all the sun shone brightly before the rain; and I received a phone call from my grand-daughter Ayala that she and Talia want to come "just to be with you Safta"! What grandparents wouldn't be thrilled? We went to collect them and brought them home and we went for a wonderful long walk, chatting all the way, when we met a lovely neighbour, Adi, schlepping two huge bags to the big house. Of course the girls immediately took the bags from her, carried them to the big house then stayed to prepare the place for that night's party. Then every grandmother's dream – they came back here to bake cookies and watch "Anne of Green Gables" or as it is called today "Anne With an E" Trying on clothes, giggling with Saba Zvi and talking about everything that most parents are too busy on their cell phones to discuss…..especially the fact that Rachel explains and discusses every subject they raise with the children, as indeed I did.

 

The girls were absolutely thrilled that Saba Zvi is now a Television star! What? I hear you ask – a television star? How? Why? Where? Patience is a virtue but I'll put you out of your misery right now!

 

There is a regular morning TV spot on Israeli Channel 13 all about collections or various items of historic or curiosity value, and our home is full of them thanks to Zvi's mother's determined collecting of anything that could be of historic importance. We met an internet auctioneer some months ago and became friendly with him and when I called him to remind him that we have some more fascinating artifacts he asked me to go on his morning television spot. Of course I said no, really not my thing, I write I am not a performer, but that Zvi would love to do it! He was a star! The stories behind the cameras, 8 mm movie cameras and projectors from the 40's and 50's still in their original boxes with instruction books were fascinating; the Golda Meir and David Ben Gurion puppets were the favourites of the presenters but everyone was fascinated by the unique collection of pre-State letters, programmes and pamphlets relating to the theatre group created at the Hebrew University by Zvi's mother Alla in the early 40's. I often complain about the boxes and boxes, and boxes of items that fill the potential guest room and store room but in fact they are filled, mostly, with the history of Israel. I loved the fact that when Talia saw the video of Zvi's appearance her reaction was one of curiosity and dismay that she had never seen any of the amazing artifacts and "please Saba tell us about them we need to know about real history". Of course what makes Zvi a star is not only his story-telling ability but the fact that he grew up in a home filled with the importance of history alongside two people who made history. Kalman and Alla Raviv who lost every tiny shred of close family in the Shoah and understood the meaning of our past in creating our future.

 

Two added bonuses of collecting the girls from Givat Ze'ev and taking them back home is that I get to see the glorious panorama of Jerusalem from the heights of Nebe Samuel- Samuel's Tomb, both in day and night. No matter how many times I see it I am in renewed awe of its sheer beauty. Jerusalem, Yerushalyim, Ariel, Moriah, Neve Zedek, Shalem – just a very few of the 70 names for Jerusalem in the Bible. As I look over the new city I wonder what new name should be added to the 70, perhaps City of Miracles - Ir Pla'im, as I look over the skyline of what grew out of an ancient, spiritual, Biblical city and spread its wings to become a thriving metropolis. Here we joke that the national bird of Israel is the "building crane" and it is really true. It seems that every time I put on Waze to find an address for me he takes me on a different roundabout route because of the huge amount of new building going on in the city. However, as usual I digress – that doesn't change from year to year! The view, the panorama, the rolling hills of white houses and tall skyscrapers that never fail to take my breath away. In the coming year, years, I pray that this city, this view, this panorama will continue to grow, to flourish and to be accepted as the Jewish miracle as a multicultural, free city which accepts all races and faiths with open arms. If only the international media would take off their jaundiced, embittered spectacles and really look at the miracle that is Israel…………..but perhaps that is too much to ask for. Oh, and the other bonus of taking them home? I got to hug Rachel and Yosef too!!!

 

The words of this song cross every barrier and obstacle because of one word, Together. Together, one at a time, we can change our world, together. https://youtu.be/JIdADujEf2g

 

I always loved Louis Armstrong, long before I got to hear about his life. His song "Wonderful World" teaches us to recognise every beautiful moment in our lives. If I had one prayer for you it is to recognise that we really do have a wonderful world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWzrABouyeE

 

Adon Olam, probably the prayer on most lips after the Shema. Here the Revivo Project sing it with such joy, joy that I want you to take into 2022. Sorry no subtitles, but each song in this medley is giving thanks to the Almighty for everything we see around us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgCrmxR_1to  

 

That's it. Time to get cooking, to put the white cloth on the table, the best china and prepare the apartment for Shabbat. Time to think about all of those I want to hold close but can't; time to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves and time to remember that just because someone is different does not make them wrong. This week's Torah reading tell of our release from slavery and escape toward the Promised Land, it tells of the miracles that God showed the Children of Israel through Moses, yet they were hard to convince of Moses leadership and they rebelled exactly as we do today. Some lessons, no matter how old and proven, are not learned!

 

I wish you a peaceful Shabbat and a wonderful 2022 in which you see the miracles and beauty around you despite the disappointments and cancelled events.

 

With love from our veranda and from that incredible city, the centre of our world, Jerusalem.

 

Sheila

 

 

 

   

211224 Shabbat Shalom Merry Christmas

 211224

24^th of December 2021

 

Shabbat Shalom and a blessed Christmas to everyone.

 

In our strange, surreal circumstances brought about by a virulent virus I think all of us have lost touch of time passing. Yes it is almost the end of 2021 and our hopes are for a kinder 2022, one in which we can hug our families.

 

The other day I was talking to my sister Doreen, reminiscing our childhood as we often do, and the fascinating facts of Christmas in a traditional, Masorti, Jewish home. We always had a turkey dinner but never on Christmas day, always on Boxing Day which is an important day in the British calendar. Mummy used to do the turkey, roast potatoes, Brussel sprouts etc, although we always started with Lokshen soup and ended with her special bread pudding – my Bubbey's recipe! It represented a day on which the whole family was together because nobody was working. It was also a celebration of my big sister Eddie's birthday!

 

Growing up in Wales, which at that time was a devoutly Christian country, gave the small Jewish community an insight into the lives of others, we didn't close ourselves within our own religious enclave, which created an acceptance of the other, of other religions that could only come from shared experience. My children grew up in a similar environment in the town of Reading in Royal Berkshire, the sense of sharing continued. We used to invite our Christian neighbours to our Chanuka parties and the children used to help them dress the Christmas tree – they also invited us for a glass of traditional, highly alcoholic, punch; a wonderful mixture of apple cider, spirits and spices – especially cinnamon bark, cloves and cardamom. Mutual respect was the order of the day and it brought so much joy!

 

What's Boxing Day I hear the non-Brits say! Well there are many responses so let's try a few and you choose which one you prefer.

1.     It was a day off for servants and employees who had worked so hard cooking and preparing for Christmas lunch in the big houses and mansions and they went home with boxes of delicious left-overs.

2.     It was the day that public servants called to get their "Christmas Box" which instead of food turned into a great big tip – and if your tip wasn't big enough then the Bin-Men (garbage collectors) used to forget to empty your bins or even worse, would tip them over!!

3.     The 26^th of December (Boxing Day) is also St. Stephen's Day. St. Stephen was the patron saint of horses so it has become the day for horse racing, hunting (no longer with foxes) and as a by-product for Rugby matches too.

4.     It was the day that one took boxes of gifts to the Alms Houses in recognition of the giving at Christmas

5.     I shouldn't have said that if you aren't British you won't know what it is because it is celebrated in the entire British Commonwealth and Ireland!

 

Christmas in Israel is different, the neighbours don't have trees but Jerusalem and Nazareth have Santa Claus, sometimes arriving on a camel rather than reindeer, but still wearing the essential red outfit, white beard and padded stomach, who hand out gifts for the children. The Jerusalem municipality gives out trees that are small enough for an apartment but big enough to carry the traditional baubles. This year everything will be quieter because the pilgrims cannot get here thanks to Covid. Bethlehem will have the tree in Manger Square and of course Midnight Mass will take place but in a very limited fashion, as will St John's Church, St. George's Church and the exquisitely beautiful YMCA. I always remember when I first arrived in Israel; Zvi took me to a Carol Concert at the Brigham Young University Campus on Mount Scopus. The decorations were amazing in the concert hall and the view over Jerusalem from the huge windows behind the choir took my breath away and I will never forget Zvi's expression as I merrily sang along with all the Christmas Carols, but that's how I grew up, religious Jewish but able to enjoy my surroundings!

A few Christmas tree facts!

Did you know that originally they had nothing to do with Christmas? They began in Europe, on the 24^th of December, which apart from being Christmas Eve, is actually Adam and Eve Day! No I didn't know that either! My goodness how things evolve!

 

The Jerusalem Music Academy has many international students and in their honour a big Christmas tree was erected to help them celebrate since many cannot get home.

 

Since the huge Russian immigration many trees are appearing yet they are not Christmas trees! In Russia the traditional pine tree represented Novi Grod or New Year, after all it is the Gregorian Calendar!!

 

I ought to give you a quick insight into the goings on here in Israel, as much as I would love to continue my journey down memory lane and Christmas trivia!

 

Hazza Al Mansouri isn't Israeli, yet two years ago when, as an astronaut from the United Arab Emirates, he flew to the International Space Station, he took an Israeli flag with him. Remember that this was before the Abraham Accords. This week, Hazza took that flag to the Israeli Pavilion in the Dubai Expo and presented it to the representatives. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hy200brgjt

 

Israel has placed a Covid travel ban to many countries including the USA, Canada, UK, UAE etc, in an act of self-protection. Some claim that it is an act against Olim who want to fly to see their families while others claim that it is an act against the Jewish Diaspora that wants to visit Israel. Of course, to rational thinkers it is neither, it is purely and simply to protect against the rampant advance of new mutations and variants coming into Israel.

 

Israeli medical innovation is alive and well. A new drug which halts the progress of Covid in those severely affected has gone for approval to the FDA. There is hope. Also the nasal spray which prevents contagion of Covid and many other viruses.

 

Mansour Abbas is a Member of Knesset, and the current government, for the United Arab List and a Member of the Moslem Brotherhood. He is also one of the Deputy Speakers of the Knesset. Abbas has never identified as anything but Pro-Palestinian but this week he spoke out about the Israel denial attitude of most of his fellow Arab politicians. "The State of Israel was born as a Jewish state, and the question is how we integrate Arab society into it. We are at the beginning of the partnership," he added, "but I believe in it. You can't wait for change without creating a new reality. We always demanded change without moving forward. Instead of waiting for it to happen before there would be a partnership, Ra'am came along and said 'Let's form a partnership that will bring the change." A true sign of hope

 

The Knesset discussions on the Egalitarian Section of the Western Wall have come to a temporary halt. It isn't that they don't want to pass the new regulations allowing a broader congregation to pray at the Wall, but rather discussion as to how it will be carried out. Prime Minister Bennet is very much in favour but this is a democracy and discussion is essential. Misunderstandings of this subject have caused a rift with communities in the Diaspora, essentially in the USA.

 

Over 27,000 new immigrants arrived in Israel over the last year. They emigrated from (we call it coming home) from every corner of the globe and every type of community finding themselves a new life. Welcome home to each and every one of them.

 

Rain, rain, don't go away!! We have had four days of real rain! It was classed a storm and given a name, "Carmel" and although most of the country didn't feel the storm quality there were certainly incidents. Trees uprooted and Tel Aviv, Holon and other stretches along the coastline suffered flooding but we were lucky it wasn't worse. When we look at the tragic storms of Kentucky and the Philippines we have to thank our stars. Hopefully the parched earth will benefit and the winter rain will lead to a green spring. Our veranda has certainly benefitted, the rain washing away the dust and sand of the summer and autumn, emitting a beloved aroma of new life. The early mornings brought many fabulous sunrises over the misty panorama of Jerusalem, shadows of the hills peeking through the rain. I love this season – it isn't spectacular but it brings hope of Spring hope of a new and better year.

 

If you aren't European you won't remember Anne Marie David who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973 for Luxembourg despite being French/Moroccan! She is not Jewish but has always loved Israel and she arrived here this week to sing with the wonderful Sassy Keshet who is moving away from his usual Yiddish songs to sing with her in French. Here's her 1973 winning song – see how formal everyone was then! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtIm4nRWvO4

 

New Year resolutions are usually forgotten by January the 6^th, but in Judaism the atonement, the change of heart, is supposed to continue throughout the year. The next song, performed by Sassi Keshet and David d'Or is about the promise we make to change. 'Master of Forgiveness, Examiner of Hearts, we have sinned before Thee, have mercy upon us" It's an acceptance that we aren't perfect but pray to be better – surely good for 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqvXhdkrqIA  

 

Tom Jones is essentially Welsh, has never tried to hide his Pontypridd accent; he is also, by chance is a regular visitor to Israel. Here, a very young Jones reads from Dylan Thomas's witty, descriptive "A Child's Christmas" along with the Treorchy Male Voice Choir singing all our favourite Carols. I love it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfDnCYN015c

 

Last week I found it difficult to tell you all that it was two years since losing my beautiful eldest son Daniel. I just couldn't put it on paper because it made it real. However, since then I have been reading the beautiful words written by his patients and parents on the website of Uptown Pediatrics and Mount Sinai Hospital where he worked and it helped. Also knowing that all of us, all the family wherever we may be, are ensuring that his good name and incredible generosity of spirit will endure.

 

I wish all my amazing Christian readers a beautiful and Blessed Christmas. I hope you will be able to spend it with family but even if it is on Zoom, I hope you will feel the love.

 

I wish you all a Shabbat Shalom, Happy Birthday to my big sister Eddie in Toronto and remember – there are always blessings, you just have to recognise them.

 

With all my love

Sheila

 

 

211217 Changes, Christmas, Covid and Education

 211217

17th December 2021

 

Shabbat Shalom everyone!

 

Just one week to Christmas and the Old City of Jerusalem, especially the Christian Quarter, and Nazareth are ablaze with coloured lights and Christmas trees! The main road to Bethlehem, actually called Hebron Road, has Christmas decorations and lighting and the general feeling is one of hope that the mood will change to one of peace. Sadly so far it hasn't.

 

On the one hand Member of Knesset Ayman Odeh of the Joint List, a Moslem and pro-Palestinian, put a Christmas tree in his office; on the other hand, yesterday there was a drive-by shooting, a terrorist attack, in the Shomron region and a young Yeshiva student, Yehuda Dimentman, a 25 year old father of a toddler, was killed in a rain of bullets. As I have told you time and again, the moment that Hamas – or Palestinian Islamic Jihad – are out of the news or their funding is endangered – they incite and encourage individual attacks. The international community, both in the West and many Arab countries, has woken up to the imbecility of the claims and corruption of the Palestinian Authority and the funding is gradually drying up. Billions upon billions have been poured into those organisations to better the lives of their people and all they have done is to buy arms, dig tunnels and produce incitement so that their children will grow up …….actually they won't grow up because they are taught to blow themselves up while killing Jews. Changes we have wrought in their schoolbooks will take a generation to undo the incitement of previous teachings. Indeed Impact-se's latest research and report shows the level of incitement in Palestinian text books has not abated. Unlike most of the Arab nations they are not interested in tolerance in their text books or anywhere else. Switzerland is the latest in a long list of countries offended by UNWRA interference and writing of these textbooks, most of which have stopped funding the above.

 

I just wrote about Ayman Odeh and the Arab Joint List Party. I wonder how many countries around the world have members of the government who are bent on that country's destruction? Members of the Government who call themselves citizens of a country which incites again their own? A country which is so democratic that it accepts diversity as a fundamental right – not only on the basis of freedom of prayer and faith but of views in direct opposition to the good of that country. Yes, that's us – the much maligned country that is the only Jewish country in a world of Moslem and Christian countries……and we are proud of it!

 

One strange phenomenon is that one shooting, one killing, one attack here in Israel affects us all and hundreds are currently attending Yehuda z"l's funeral which will leave his settlement in the Shomron to be buried in the Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem. After all these years we cannot get used to shootings, stabbings, attacks which occur every five minutes in most cities around the world. It is the hatred, the sheer unadulterated hatred for us as Jews that is so horrific. Just as the beating of "obvious" Jews in the UK, USA, all over Europe and even in Australia that horrify us. Some of this is instigated by the biased reporting of CNN, BBC, NYT and the Guardian, but as Covid drives economies into the gutter the usual scapegoat is an easy target for anger.

 

Dame Maureen Lipman is an amazing British actress, author, stand-up comedienne and a proud and active Jew. When the British Jewish community decided to demonstrate against the BBC biased reportage of Israel, she recorded the following video. I apologise that it takes you to Facebook but sadly her words were not recorded on Vimeo or Yutube. https://www.facebook.com/100034688737561/posts/750310962801855/?sfnsn=mo

Her words carry great weight but there are not enough famous people who speak out. One who does in the States is Joshua Malina…..we need more.

 

Former President Donald Trump chose to go along the populist route and speak out, in a most undiplomatic manner, about Benjamin Netanyahu. Nothing like kicking a man when he's down. Why? Why do it? Why do it now? Incredibly one of the only people to come forward and defend Mr Netanyahu was Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, proving once again that he is a Mensch. Mr Olmert was deeply offended by the former Presidents indelicate words and the offence to Israel and an Israeli leader. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/olmert-defends-netanyahu-from-trump-688618

 

Iran, Iran and more Iran….but no-one is really doing anything! Talks in Vienna, international Defence Ministers flying to meet each other, but just as in the past, nobody actually does anything just as they did nothing despite knowing that the former IAEA Chief was a member of the Moslem Brotherhood!! Every time there is a discussion on "What to do about Iran" I recall Shimon Peres sitting on the stage in front of an audience of 2 or 3 thousand Jewish leaders, sitting totally relaxed reading a newspaper (sorry if I've already told the story but it is supremely relevant) We all sat in quiet anticipation when suddenly he spoke up "There's an article here about India" he said "Did you know that the public hangman retired 6 months ago and they can't find a replacement" He continued reading and we all wondered if the great mind had finally begun to wander. He then turned to us and said "I am not afraid of a country that cannot find a new hangman having nuclear arms, but I fear nuclear arms in countries where everyone wants to be a hangman". The man who fought the world to ensure that Israel achieve nuclear capability (which everyone knows but no-one admits) and build the facility in Dimona brought a sense of reality and context to the entire Iranian nuclear dilemma. Should we enter talks with the Ayatollahs? Talk but prepare.

https://www.jpost.com/opinion/the-peres-doctrine-against-iran-is-still-relevant-opinion-688751

 

Israelis love to travel, especially to countries we couldn't go to previously. After the various Peace Accords with Jordan and Egypt our curiosity took us to the great archaeological sites in those countries. The latest destination for Israelis is Dubai, and the wonders of the modern world. Sadly, Israelis also flew to just about every available destination taking advantage of ridiculously cheap airline tickets. As a result we are slowly but surely going into round 5 of Covid-19 and it's multiple variants. Oy vey! Most Israelis feel that without a weekend or week in "chutz l'aretz", a visit to Duty Free and a shopping spree at the outlets of Europe the USA and the Emirates, their life is not complete. So, my friends, it looks like we won't be seeing each other in the near or distant future!!

 

Another side of Israelis is that most weekends we go in search of picnic sites, of exquisite nature trails and tours of cities we thought had no history and discover their beauty and past glory. Every trail and climb has wooden picnic tables and you really have to be the early bird to catch one sufficiently large for a family! Of course there are those that come with a car filled with the essential barbeque, meats and Israeli salads, so that the delicious aroma of Middle Eastern cooking pervades the surrounding area inviting one back to the picnic site. We tend to take easy finger food, each member of the family bringing their own "specialite de la maison" and I promise that after a brisk walk nothing is ever left. Of course we have stopped taking disposable plates etc, unless they are biodegradable and we take our rubbish home.

 

By the way

 

Hadassah Hospital will open a hospital in Mexico! Hadassah Bosque Real https://today.in-24.com/News/amp/335150 Another incredible achievement.

 

Israel just donated over 2 million Covid vaccines to African countries and unlike the Palestinians they accepted with gratitude.

 

The Ukraine not only recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital city but intends opening a diplomatic mission here. After all they know all about being overpowered.

 

The vaccination of children in Israel is slower than we wanted although increasing nicely. Numbers can deceive since many already had Covid-19 whether they knew it or not.

 

Israeli invention and development of the Sonovia Masks have proven that they protect against all variants of the Covid virus and also an unexpected, added bonus, against acne!

 

Did you know that the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus has been voted the premier university for the Humanities and Education? I was there this week, with Marcus Sheff, to see the Impact-se collection of educational reports gathered over the last 25 years, to be called the Dr. Daniel Cammerman Collection, and since the entire campus is a warren of passages and food halls and hallways Marcus and I walked 2 kilometres just finding our destination in the Education Department. Of course we passed the Liwerant Center and the Bloomfield Library, so proud of their interaction with the University, and we noticed something so obvious that only the blind could not see. At least 60% of the students at the best university in the world for their studies were Arab, to be more precise Arab Moslem, from all over Israel. How on earth can anyone claim this is an apartheid country unless they are so biased they cannot accept the truth. Studies are in Hebrew and give the students an outstanding opportunity to blend in to the highest levels of the workforce – if they choose.

 

If you choose to read this week Torah reading you will discover the wisdom of good parenting by Jacob, the lesson he learned after the disaster of favouritism, and the generosity of Joseph who overcame his brother's jealousy.

 

This week's letter is longer than usual, maybe because it's raining outside which puts me in a good mood. Rain, life-giving rain, washing away the horrible dust of last week, cleaning, feeding, creating new life…..I can't wait for the wonderful eruption of brightly coloured flowers in the Negev Desert!  Apparently it will rain much more heavily next week which is when Jerusalem really comes into her own because Tel Aviv and all the cities along the shoreline will be flooded. It happens every year!!

 

Perhaps it is time to give you some music to lighten your mood

On Sunday Talia and I are going to the huge spectacular for Shalva and, among others, Shiri Maimon will be appearing. I love her voice and she is a wonderful representative of Israel.

A Song For Peace – Shir l'Shalom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcG2WicDF7c If you don't get the English subtitles just click on CC and it will tell you how.

 

Gad Elbaz sings of togetherness under siege – standing together. I loved this song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_SEWX_IphI

 

The next song has no subtitles but proves that prayer does not have to be a serious, miserable reaching out to the Almighty! Here Yaacov Shwekey and a group of Jerusalemites manage to "Praise His Name" while having fun! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_hzOuAK5gY

 

So that's about it this week.

 

We have a few wonderful events in the family this week. Stephanie and Gideon, my incredible London family, celebrate 21 years of marriage. It seems impossible because in my mind Gideon, despite all his achievements, the greatest of which is choosing Stephanie, he is still my amazing little boy. Is that ridiculous considering the fact that he will be 50 on his next birthday! Actually all my girlfriends say the same so perhaps it is natural.

 

Another event is that my lovely sister Eddie and her husband Raymond have moved into a fantastic new home, with all amenities, in Toronto. I wish them many years of joy and friends there. Just in time for Eddies birthday!!

 

Actually there is another cause for congratulations but hopefully I can tell you about that one next week!

May everyone who is under the weather feel better soon.

Shabbat Shalom to one and all. May this Shabbat bring you a warm glow in the cold winter.

 

With love from Motza Illit and our view of Jerusalem from the veranda.

Sheila