Think, Teach, Live and Love

27th January, 2023 Shabbat Shalom dear friends, The great educator Janusz Korczak who saved so many children from the Nazi death machine, said "The one concerned with days, plants wheat; with years, plants trees; with generations, educates people." Today is World Holocaust Remembrance Day a day to remember the Shoah, the millions killed in a heartless and regimented manner just because they were “the other”. If we compare those horrific, dark days of 80 years ago to our life today, we have a great deal to be thankful for, in particular this incredible little country, a Jewish homeland. We mustn’t forget the past and its role in creating our present and future. We must teach our children of this dark and cruel period of our history. We must never forget those who died just because they were Jews, but Israel was not created because of the Holocaust but rather the guilt of the free world that something as horrific, unthinkable as the Holocaust could happen allowed the re-creation of the Jewish State. Our ability to rise again out of the ashes a miraculous Phoenix, created an innovative, fast-thinking, feisty society that is very capable of taking care of itself and the world around it. I know that sounds a little arrogant, lacking in humility but Israel produced people who had no choice but to think on their feet in order to survive. Before I lose your attention, let’s look at Israel today, not the political aspects, unfortunately we have all gone through ups and downs as the price of democracy, but rather the achievements. First and foremost, Israel has grown into a thriving multi-cultural society of nearly 10 million souls. Some would call it a hotch-potch, which is fine, as long as we remember that it is a mosaic of faiths and colour. I don’t know if it is PC to describe the wonderful rainbow of Jewish/Arab/ Christian life in terms of colour but just as we were dispersed all over the world so we gather together bringing the colours and traditions of the lands of our adoption. Innovation. That urge to find solutions, to survive, has given birth to a generation of innovators as never before. In Medicine, Science, Hi-Tech, Biology, in all spheres we were forced to excel and we have, that includes military excellence, sadly through necessity. The IDF, born of necessity has become the greatest melting pot of all. From the very beginning, friendships were built as comrades in arms – Druze, Bedouin, Christians, Jews of all levels of observance, fight side by side protect us from those who do not understand that all we want is to live in peace. Education. The great educator Janusz Korczak said "The one concerned with days, plants wheat; with years, plants trees; with generations, educates people." I am proud to say that the Israeli state education system teaches tolerance, giving all sides of the conflict a point of view. Since we are looking at the bright side of life after the Holocaust I must mention the increase in Holocaust education in Moslem countries especially in the UAE. Sadly, it is not quite so in Europe (or the States) particularly Holland where 50% of children do not believe the Holocaust ever happened. Here Impact-se CEO Marcus Sheff talks about the wonderful reaction of UAE educators to Holocaust Education https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPRNE7rgkjE Democracy. Yes, I know we whine and moan and even yell when the government we didn’t want comes into power, but hey, that’s democracy! When a country is as strong as Israel, I know that the pendulum will swing back to the centre, that the people will speak. The incredible, peaceful demonstrations are testament to the freedom of everyday life of everyday people. I am aware that changes in either direction tend to alienate those who don’t live here, those who are connected through their umbilical cord but feel disassociated by certain aspects, but please remember that we are utterly interdependent, that we Israelis need our family abroad just as you need us. Sometimes we get cross at the sister who doesn’t call, or the friend who forgot your birthday, or their opinions that make us angry, but it cannot cut the connection, cannot stop us loving one another. We do not have to conform, sometimes we even reach vehement arguments or disagreements, but we must cling together. Food. Yes Food! We know that Israeli food is exceptional when our neighbours complain to international bodies that we stole their recipes! It really is crazy because Israeli food is actually an extension of the Middle Eastern diet with various additions from North Africa, Ethiopia and Eastern Europe. I love the fact that one can visit a Bedouin tent or a Circassion kitchen or a Druze home and get kosher food! No not Halal, although that is true too, but many restaurants of the above Israelis have catered to the needs of their Jewish visitors. It’s not just a one-way street, in Jerusalem, for example, rare is the day that a Moslem family isn’t eating in a kosher restaurant. They say that an army marches on its stomach, well the IDF marches on the huge food parcels sent by mothers or brought to the gate of the base to ensure that the entire camp enjoys home food. Remembering. We must never forget those who perished, the generations that remained unborn, the futures left unlived, but we must honour their lost lives by living ours to the best or our ability not wasting our lives on hatred. As a people, we have seen what “sinat hinam” has done to us and to the world at large. Sinat Hinam? To hate without reason. We survived the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, even the Nazis, but must remember that sinat hinam brought about the destruction of our Holy Temple, twice. Our prayers today, the 27th of January must be for the souls of those who perished and for those who survived and rebuilt their lives against all odds. https://www.yadvashem.org/archive/hall-of-names.html Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Senior Imam Qari Asim wrote this beautiful prayer to be recited on International Holocaust Remembrance Day in the UK “Loving God, we come to you with heavy hearts, remembering the six million Jewish souls murdered during the Holocaust. In the horrors of that history, when so many groups were targeted because of their identity, and in genocides which followed, we recognise destructive prejudices that drive people apart. Forgive us when we give space to fear, negativity and hatred of others, simply because they are different from us. In the light of God, we see everyone as equally precious manifestations of the Divine, and can know the courage to face the darkness. Through our prayers and actions, help us to stand together with those who are suffering, so that light may banish all darkness, love will prevail over hate and good will triumph over evil.” Amen It seems almost banal to tell you of our week on this day of mourning, but that is also part of Israel, part of Jewish life, taking past pain with us while thanking the Almighty that we are able to smile, to dance, to hear and create great music, so tell you I will, because living life to the full in the name of those we lost honours their lost lives. On Shabbat our young neighbours came to tea and it was really lovely. I had made a very British afternoon tea, scones etc, much to their delight! Sunday was a special day, Zvi’s baby arrived! A beautiful, brand new, bright red, electric car! Thanks to our wonderful neighbour Benny, who received his car a few days before us, we managed to learn all the incredible apps and tricks. It’s funny because I am the car person but Zvi has not stopped smiling since it arrived! On Monday, Zvi and I went for a glorious walk through the track which leads to the Beit Zayit dam, and the subsequent reservoir. We didn’t do the whole 7 kilometres but rather stood above, looking down on the waters which will be full before winter is out. I stop at every new flower, Zvi swears that I know each budding wild cyclamen (rakefet) by name and the only reason the almond trees blossom is to say hello as we walk past! It was so bracing and the best part is that it is literally across the road from us. Tuesday morning and I met with one of my very favourite people. Gaby Hirsch has literally held my hand through the deeply emotional period of creating Dr. Dan’s Room, the Studio for the Performing Arts in Shalva that bears the name of my amazing eldest son Daniel z”l. Gaby and I became firm friends through thick and thin. We met at a brand new patisserie just five minutes from our home. Oh my goodness me, the cakes and pastries, savoury and sweet were of the highest standard possible, the French trained pastry chef watching over every creation. Although the place is only a few weeks old the queues went all the way through the garden onto the lane, we luckily got a table outside in the sunshine and split all our goodies down the middle, literally. It blew any chance of diet but wonderful to the eye and the taste buds. If you want, I will take you there because you’ll never find it! It’s in Kibbutz Kiriat Anavim and called HARIM. To understand the depth of the tragedy of the Shoah, it is worth remembering that Shalva takes care of these incredible children, and adults, the fabulous “imperfects” who would have been first on Hitler’s list. Tuesday evening and we had guests for dinner. Ronit and Gedi, Eilata and Shmulik came from Tel Aviv, Rina from Jerusalem and Hannah came from across our park! In fact, it was on a visit to Hannah and Danny’s apartment to put up their mezuzot (the little box on every Jewish door post, it contains a prayer) that we decided to come and live here. The best decision of our lives. The delightful evening all began because Ronit took my advice literally and she and Gedi invited themselves! I love it! Thursday and Mayan’s Bar Mitzva in Nes Ziona, in a gorgeous old synagogue that has just been refurbished. It was the most amazing service I have ever been to! Joyous, the Chazan sang every prayer with gusto, and we all joined in!! We raced home without the delicious lunch because I had to Chair an International Board Meeting of Impact-se (www.impact-se.org ). I’ll tell you all about our achievements of 2022 and plans for 2023 next week although if you click on the link you can see for yourself why I am so incredibly proud to Chair this Board. Tomorrow evening, after Shabbat, we celebrate the birthday of Ella, our beautiful 10 year old granddaughter. Ella, a Ninja aficionado, is currently obsessed with Italy so Rachel has made her a gorgeous pinata in the form of a huge Gelato cornet, the gelato itself in the national colours of Italy! Gosh my daughter never fails to amaze me!! I think it is time to stop prattling on before you get fed up of me! If there is one prayer which personifies those in the Concentration Camps, the invocation that they muttered with their very last breath - Shema Yisrael - Hear O Israel. Cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot sings, with translation https://youtu.be/bnlvNYk7iLk Each morning, as we wake, we thank the Almighty for giving us back our souls, for waking, for continuing with our lives, something that as we remember today, we must show gratitude. The prayer, Modeh Ani, is sung here by Omer Adam in a beautiful Eastern rendition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQVM8Was3vk Finally, to end on a happy note! My thanks to Don and Karen for this weeks song. Never judge a book by its cover eh? Arieh and Gil Gat are brothers and sang on Israel’s “Rising Star” much to the delight of the panel. I absolutely love it! https://youtu.be/YwWFA04sqEo And so we come to another Shabbat, another weekend, another Sunday, a weekend to give thanks for our freedom, our lives, and to fight for what we feel is right and teach our children why it is important to fight for the rights of others. As I have said before, irrespective of which direction you pray and on which day, I wish you a peaceful weekend and love of family and friends. Shabbat Shalom Sheila

The whole truth with elephants

20th January 2023 Shabbat Shalom! I hope you are all well, or at least feeling better than yesterday and if not, that the blue skies look down on you. Malcolm X was highly controversial on many levels but this quote was conceivably his wisest. “The media's the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power. Because they control the minds of the masses.” I really enjoyed writing last week’s missive, avoiding the elephant in the room, but this week I have to get down to “tachlis” to a few facts before cheering you up! Hope you don’t mind. Most of the news can be written in one line because it’s easy for you to catch up fully on what interests you and if not, you can write to me and I’ll happily fill you in- but one subject has gone beyond elephant, it fills the room, so let’s get it out of the way. As you already know, I have a major problem with leaders who have either served time or are indicted on criminal charges, admittedly white collar but nonetheless criminal, leading our incredible and precious country. I know all the jokes about politicians and honesty, most of them true, but those are jokes and we live in a strange reality when responsibility for crimes is not considered an impediment to power. Rabbi Arieh Deri is a very clever man who leads the Shas Party, founded in 1984 by the former Sefardi Chief Rabbi of Israel, Ovadiah Yosef. The party was created to care for the interests of the Mizrachi (Eastern) Jews and level the social playing field. However, rather than levelling the playing field Shas has widened gap by creating “the Second Israel” which claims that that particular sector is not given equal chances in life despite the fact that many Members of Knesset, the top businessmen and academics are indeed from the Mizrachi community. OK. That’s the background, now for the issue. Arieh Deri, who served prison time for fraud was given the position of Minister of the Interior with unlimited funds, control over immigration, indeed a position second only to the Prime Minister. His suitability for the position was questioned and it went to the Supreme Court and a decision was taken by a majority of 10-1 that he was not suitable for the position, for public office, and should leave immediately. This may well have opened the door to other cases denying the right to serve for Netanyahu and some say this was just a test case for him. Sadly, Deri’s supporters turned it into a racial issue claiming that the Supreme Court judges are all Ashkenazi (Western Jews) and the decision was not based on legality but anti-Mizrachi. For your interest, the panel of eleven judges consisted of the full range of sectors. So that is the issue absorbing and dividing our society at the moment. The peaceful Saturday evening demonstrations against this government continue in most towns and cities and only time will tell if this coalition holds or will fall apart. Apart from that life in Israel, while always interesting, is still wonderful as long as we don’t discuss politics!! In case you are wondering why I chose to tell you the whole truth, let me explain. Every Tuesday Zvi and four or five other friends meet for a mini-parliament in a coffee shop a shopping mall nearby. Much less formal than their usual and larger parliament on a Friday. I had some chores to do in the mall so went with Zvi and then met the guys. I asked them about my dilemma, should I tell you the whole truth or just the freshly varnished truth. Almost everyone said yes but one man, Meishi Schreiber, who has great experience with both every sector of Israeli society and the Diaspora, said yes, as long as you temper it with our everyday experience which is fair, happy and democratic, so that is what I am doing today, telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, including the split in our society to which I have only hinted in the past. A situation blew up again around the Temple Mount and was “leaked” to the news media. King Abdullah spoke of his concerns about changes in the status quo (which do not exist) and then suddenly, two days ago, the Jordanian Ambassador arrived on the Temple Mount, without the essential prior arrangements and unannounced! Of course, the young soldier guarding the entrance asked him to stop, the Ambassador walked off in a highly publicised huff, hoping to create a diplomatic incident but the situation was immediately righted and the Ambassador came back officially, as he should have in the first place and prayed in the Al Aqsa Mosque. Ordinary prayer goers have no problem but official visits by diplomats have to be pre-arranged. The United Arab Emirates have been wonderful partners in the Abraham Accords, on every level. Their decision to include Holocaust education in their school curriculum is the latest and conceivably the most important in changing perceptions for children. https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-728016 On the subject of the Holocaust and teaching those who do not understand the implications of the past, there is a new Yad Vashem Holocaust Centre in the Negev, at the Ariel Sharon IDF Base. I didn’t understand how exceptional this place is until speaking to the wonderful Harold and Rebecca Finger who are here in Israel at the moment. Harold and Rebecca use their time well every time they come all the way from Australia and as Harold described the centre I knew that it has to be on the visit list of everyone coming to Israel. https://www.yadvashem.org/events/26-april-2022.html Do you know what Dugo Day is? It is far more important than just another day for oak trees or whatever and the story was published in the Jerusalem Report. David Leitner, nickname Dugo, was 14 years old on the 18th of January, 1945 when he went on the death march without food or warm clothing in the freezing weather, starving but holding one thought in his mind, the felafel that his mother told him about, the felafel of Eretz Yisrael and the thought of that felafel kept his hope and him alive. Dugo and his brother survived and came to Israel, went to Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem and for the first time in his life saw the felafel that his Mother spoke about. Since then, January the 18th is the day he eats felafel with a blessing of thanks. His story has spread and now Dugo Day is official! When invited to eat felafel with General Kochavi, Israeli Chief of Staff and he said “Who would have believed this just 75 years ago” https://www.yadvashem.org/events/26-april-2022.html Herzi HaLevi has a family tree to be proud of. The son of Haim Shalom HaLevi who fought for the founding of Israel and Tzila, the daughter of Rabbi Kook and niece of Rabbi Avraham HaCohen Kook, the father of religious Zionism, Herzi is named after his uncle who died in the Six Day War. Herzi HaLevi is the new IDF Chief of Staff taking over from the outstanding Aviv Kochavi. The swearing in ceremony showed the true character of Israel as both the outgoing and the incoming Chiefs of Staff praised one another and stressed the importance of their life partners. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herzi_Halevi Professor Mohammed Dajani Daoudi is an exceptional man. As a proud Palestinian who seeks a peaceful resolution to the conflict through education, indeed he is on the International Advisory Board of Impact-se. This week he wrote “How to solve the conflict over Jerusalem? Looking at this painting by David Roberts drawn in the 1850s, one may notice that the historic Jerusalem mentioned in the holy Jewish, Christian, and Islam is within the walls built by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman I The Lawmaker, back between 1535 and 1538. So there is no religious significance for the land outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. Inside the walls, the area is divided into four quarters: Jewish, Christian, Armenian, and Muslim. Here are all the holy places where followers of all religions can practice their faiths and beliefs freely. https://pixels.com/featured/jerusalem-david-roberts.html If you want to read about the good news from Israel, then this site has it all, as long as you don’t stop reading mine!! https://verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com/ Back to my good news and there is plenty! First of all, I had a wonderful birthday, full of friends and good food as predicted. The best of all Yonatan and Ella wrote me birthday messages of such beauty that they are about to be framed, although currently on the fridge for all to see. On Monday Zvi and I went for a glorious walk on the path down to the reservoir in Beit Zayit which begins right opposite our complex. Truthfully, I am not yet up to the 7 kilometre walk all the way down but we stood at the top of the hill and looked down on the gorgeous sight of the reservoir, the recent rains doing a good job of filling it, and enjoyed the wonderful sunshine and blue skies which brought out the wild cyclamen, the almond blossom, forming clouds of pink in all directions, olive trees which cover the land and of course the breathtaking sight of Jerusalem and the golden onion domes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ein Kerem in the distance. Incidentally Ein Kerem has several Christian sites worth visiting. The Benedictine Monastery and Mary’s Well among them. It felt so good to be back walking especially when greeted by such an amazing sight! Last week Yosef and Talia surprised us and on Sunday evening Rachel and Ayala did the same. I love being near to my amazing daughter and her family! On Tuesday we had the regular mini-parliament and then various neighbours popped in for a cup of coffee or just to say hello. I love it when they knock on the door and just visit, just like once upon a time, so much nicer than the formalities of invitations! On Wednesday we decided it was high time to hang all the photos that we used to have in the study in our old apartment. I call it the “Rogues Gallery”! During Zvi’s long professional life we met many people, political leaders, even Royalty. Then came the test, who would recognise whom. I can’t wait to see. Talking of neighbours, tomorrow, Shabbat, we have invited five young couples to have “Afternoon Tea” with us. All Israeli, I hope it will amuse them to have scones – fruit, plain and cheese – and many other very British treats, ending with Apple Crumble. When I arrived home from hospital and rehabilitation, these young couples not only called Zvi to check on me but sent the most beautiful platter of cut fruits – the perfect gift for a recovering patient. I was deeply moved and accepted their expressions of love with many a tear. So, they will come and I can learn more about them and their lives, not just meet them in our park. That’s just one of the wonderful aspects of living in Israel, we don’t just get to meet our neighbours, we don’t just nod good morning or good evening, we really get to meet them and they so frequently become friends. I know, for instance, that if I have difficulty when out on my daily constitutional, I can call on anyone and they will come running. And so life goes on despite the political mayhem. The sheep will follow the call to noisy and sometimes violent rebellion against democracy and the rest of us will quietly demonstrate or just get on with our lives, determined to hold on tight to the incredible melding of faiths, beliefs and the most important thing that binds us – we are one people, irrespective or maybe in honour of where our parents and grandparents were born. The very strength of the Jewish people is that we never made a difference in where you came from, it was enough that you wanted to be part of the family. The very strength of the Jewish people is that while upholding all our traditions we were proud to sing God Save the Queen, the Star Spangled Banner, Advance Australia Fair, Hen Wlad fy Nhadau, or any anthem of the country of our adoption so please, I beg of you, express the same pride when singing Hatikvah and be as proud of our blue and white flag as you are of your adoptive country’s flag. Almost Shabbat, tomorrow’s afternoon feast is prepared, tonight’s Shabbat Dinner is already on the stove, or should I say the induction hob (!!), the Challot (plaited loaves) are rising and waiting to be plaited, and Zvi is about to go to his parliament, the big one in the Botanical Gardens as opposed to the local mini-parliament. I’m thrilled he will spend some down time because he works so hard on the Boards of so many organisations and brings new and interesting solutions to everyone. The sky is blue, the air crisp and I hope to have time to go for my walk. I sense the anticipation in the air as Shabbat approaches, houses are cleaned to sparkling, tables set with white tablecloths, the air redolent with the aromas of a hundred traditional dishes, so different yet so similar, just with more or less jalapeno peppers! So let’s put politics and worries aside and think of music. Music calms the fevered brow so that even politicians become almost human! I know that you are with us as we are with you and this song expresses that so beautiful – Ten Li Yad – Give me your hand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVm0bVmLChA&t=5s Rak b’Yisrael which means Only in Israel can be used both as a compliment and an insult! See for yourselves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-7EvfJje88&t=1s The haunting voice of Mosh Ben Ari expresses our deepest prayer Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu, Peace will come to us and to everyone. Shalom, Salaam. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4HViPVymlo&t=2s May we all know peace, tolerance and kindness, perhaps the most important prayer this Shabbat Shabbat Shalom dear friends, you are so important to me; you make me think, force me to put into words of tolerance instead of anger, surely the most important aspect of religion, of all religions, of all beliefs, that is forgotten in the need to prove who’s best. So Shalom Aleinu and Shabbat Shalom. With love from Jerusalem Sheila

Good News and the Elephant in the Room

13th of January 2023 Shabbat Shalom! Talking of Shabbat, the latest believable news from the British Royals concerns the Coronation of King Charles III. The Coronation will be held on Saturday, 6th of May and among the invitees is one Ephraim Mirvis, the Chief Rabbi of Britain and the Commonwealth. Nothing special in that after all Prince Charles attended Rabbi Mirvis’ inauguration. So what’s the big deal? King Charles and his Queen Consort have invited Rabbi Mirvis and his wife to stay with them at Clarence House so that he will be able to attend the ceremony without breaking Shabbat. Clarence House is but a short walk across St James’s Park to Westminster Abbey. A favourite advisor and friend of the late Queen on anything religious, personal and public was Lord Sacks and so the tradition has continued with Charles and Rabbi Mirvis. In case you wondered I have no intention of discussing the prodigal son. https://www.thejc.com/lets-talk/all/it's-no-surprise-that-king-charles-plans-to-accommodate-the-chief-rabbi-5sBoJZ9uM8jxxNK5F0jlBa Steven Spielberg, like so many, suffered bullying anti-Semitism just because he was a Jew. Rather than hiding away and licking his wounds he chose to succeed, to become a great film producer, director and writer. He has just made a film based on his own life, his family’s life, in a movie which has been described as “the antidote to Jewish victimhood”. I love what he said as he received his award he said he was the sixth-happiest person in the world after he won best director at this year’s Golden Globes awards for “The Fabelmans,” his autobiographical film about his Jewish family. “I think … there’s five people happier than I am,” he said in his acceptance speech, which he said he had not prepared in advance out of superstition. “There’s my sister Anne, my sister Sue, my sister Nancy, my dad Arnold and my mom. She is up there kvelling about this right now.” Did you know that the United Arab Emirates as made the decision to introduce Holocaust Education in their school curriculum? They will do so with the guidance of the Holocaust Museum and Archives of Yad Vashem. The Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education (IMPACT-se), the Israeli-British organisation that analyses education around the world for biases and intolerance, highlighted the importance of introducing the Holocaust in the Emirati school curricula. "The United Arab Emirates has been leading the way in peace and tolerance education in the region for some years. IMPACT-se is delighted that they have taken this important step in educating about the Shoah and humbled to have partnered with the Ministry of Education," the institute's Director, Marcus Scheff, said. Yes, you are right, I am avoiding the elephant in the room simply because tomorrow is my birthday and I have no intention of depressing myself talking about the current government and the disturbing plans to change our judiciary and our lives. I am most angry because with all our differences we Israelis always came together in adversity and I find that we are split asunder. Perhaps the straw that broke this camel’s back was the suggestion that the opposition leaders be arrested for treason for encouraging the populace to peaceful demonstrations. I know everything will be alright, but who needs to discuss such matter on their birthday when there are so many wonderful aspects to our world, especially right here in Israel. For those of you who are interested, the changes are explained in this article https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-728206 Zvi had a meeting in Jerusalem yesterday, and I decided to go with him and walk through the park beside the David Efron Hora Dance Centre where he meeting was held. The dance centre was filled of happy young people full of good energy after rehearsals. It was a chilly evening but the rain held off so off I strode on my daily constitutional and then it happened! The most phenomenal sunset I have ever seen! It was as if the sky was on fire, if you can imagine a red, yellow, orange aurora borealis. Obviously I stopped and took a photo but nothing does justice to the wonder of mother nature. On Sunday evening we were invited to the home of Nomi Ballas together with some old friends, I say we but Zvi really wasn’t well with this awful coughing bug that is going around. He insisted that I go alone, especially since I had made little bread rolls and antipasti for the meal! Zvi’s friend Sami collected me and the evening was truly delightful, we chose to avoid politics and just talk about normal everyday things, exchanging ideas of what to watch on Netflix etc! I strongly recommend “The Plot Against America” which follows a Jewish family in the imagined world where Lindbergh won the elections against FDR. The most exciting visit this week was when John and Pauline Gandel came to see our new apartment for the first time! It was so thrilling to hear them wax lyrical at every aspect, especially the veranda, the incredible veranda with views all the way to Jerusalem. It’s strange, in our former home the view from the veranda, after which my newsletter is named, was exciting overlooking most of Jerusalem but now, now we have trees and peace and know that one Theodore Herzl visited this very spot 124 years ago. I love the Gandels, I love their natural kindness, sense of fun and family and determination to make this world a better place. I had a wonderful time with my Rachel on Wednesday morning, just being together and then on Wednesday evening we had the most incredibly Israeli evening with the Gandels. I have to tell you about it because what I am about to describe is the real Israel!! So, John and Pauline asked to go to a typically Middle Eastern restaurant, not a fancy, one, a real “Al ha Aysh” (literally meaning on the fire or grill) meat restaurant, shishlik, kebabs, skewers of spring chicken, chicken livers and of course the “Morav Yerushalmi” which developed from the need to use all parts of the chicken, the parts we don’t talk about mixed with loads of onion and spices on the grill. I called to book a table to be told that they are so busy that they do not allow booking in advance. Somewhat peeved we stopped the car outside Ezra, my favourite, and Zvi jumped out the car and went to talk to the “Sadran” the man who organises tables, waiters, food and everything all at once. Zvi returned with the good news that they would set us up a table. As we waited in the insanely busy entrance we were fascinated as we watched Ephraim, the sadran. Without losing his cool for a moment he was in total control of everything, of the constant flow of humanity demanding food! As we sat down at least 16 or 20 small dishes were set out before us, tehina, humous, cabbage, fiery aubergine salad and even more fiery Moroccan carrot salad, felafels and so on, accompanied by steaming hot, crispy Iraqi flatbread straight from the taboon. We all tucked in and there was little conversation because we were all fascinated by the hustle and bustle of the non-stop flow of people, the singing of Happy Birthday at various tables and of course the children – in Israel eating out is a family affair not a call for babysitters! Ephraim continued seating the non-stop flow of diners and the entire evening was the most delightful “balagan” imaginable! Who were the diners? The full gamut, the full rainbow of Israeli humanity! From deeply Orthodox to mini-skirts; Jew and Moslem; locals and tourists. It was so much fun! The culmination of the even was when four soldiers of the Border Police came in and sat at the bar – in this, like many restaurants, they get their choice of food for free – and I managed to thank them for protecting us. Their job is with people, one on one, face to face. If you come to Jerusalem and are prepared to wait your turn, Ezra restaurant on Yad Harutzim in Talpiot!! Last night the Silvers came for supper! Ira, Valeri, Tomer and Shelley, our non-blood related family. Shelley, having completed her national service with distinction, is off to South, Central and North America and we wanted to have a farewell meal together. Shelley really is an exceptional young woman and if anyone in the sub-continent wants to show her and her friends their city, just let me know! In a few minutes, Zvi is taking me for breakfast in Derech ha Gefen, in Beit Zayit, the village next to ours. It is becoming a tradition because last year there were about four others celebrating their birthdays and so we decided to meet up again this year! We are back! Breakfast was wonderful, the friendly atmosphere adding to the culinary enjoyment, I had Croque Monsieur and Zvi had Croque Madame (the kosher version of) both equally delicious, and we chatted with the delightful couple on the next table who had come all the way from Rishon Le Zion to have breakfast here. It was lovely but for me the highlight was even before the meal. As we sat waiting in the porch, sheltering from the chill of a winter’s morning, a young couple sat on the bench opposite us, clearly in love. I couldn’t help smiling at the incredibly Israeli situation before me. Two beautiful youngsters, both carrying very large rifles which did not in any way hamper their loving hugs. What? What did I just write? Clearly, they were both in a fighting unit of the IDF and by law they are not allowed to leave their weapons anywhere, always by their side, once issued they are responsible for them day and night. So here were two soldiers, a beautiful girl and boy, out of uniform and about to have a romantic breakfast, acting as if it is the most normal thing in the world to be cradling each other and their life support system, their rifles. As we sat together Zvi asked me what I felt about the last year, what we have achieved since my last birthday. Almost completing furnishing our apartment, selling the old apartment, managing to see all 14 grandchildren from 3 continents, receiving friends, completing the Dr. Dan’s Room project in Shalva, successfully returning to normal life after Covid and being involved in the work of Impact-se in changing the way we, Israel, Jews and Christians, are perceived in the schoolbooks of our former enemies and in Zvi’s case ensuring that teachers are taught to teach and bringing joy to all with his glorious voice. Our conversation drifted to what our hopes and expectations are for the next year and how it differs for each generation. For our parent’s generation, whether in Israel or in Wales, the generation who knew what it meant to be without Israel, without Jewish independence, to suffer the blows of the Shoah, their altruistic dreams were of hope and how to build a Jewish State; our generation still had dreams of a perfect Israel while understanding that the country would grow up and create a different society with haves and have-nots, still ready to give ourselves to the cause; our children tired of the stories of giving and opening our arms to all and began to build their own financial security even if it meant leaving Israel; their children, the “Tik Tok” generation are taught of the heroism of their antecedents but do not totally absorb the implications or the need to fight for their right to exist which was the driving force behind their great grandparent’s very existence. Tonight we will have Shabbat dinner at home then in the morning we will have breakfast at Nattie and Yolli Zonszein’s, then to Amiad and Noga to be joined by the remainder of Zvi’s grandchildren for lunch and then back home where Rachel and the children will come to visit after Shabbat. A truly family style birthday, the best I could imagine. Why did I avoid that huge elephant (current Israeli politics) in the room? One good reason is that I made you smile, in fact I made me smile and also to prove that one can maneuver one’s life around that elephant, one can prove that life is good without being complacent and accept that one has to work hard to change the elephant into a Lion of Judah. We are not that country that you read about, that reaches the headlines, and we, the people are not the sum of our politicians. Life here is good, in fact life here is wonderful, and compared to anywhere else it has a deep meaning. The fact that we are free to disagree with our leaders is a sign of a true democracy. How about some music? I love finding the music for you, songs that have deep meaning whatever language they may be. The evolution of Jewish music is fascinating and here the acapella group Y-Studs sings the gamut of music from the 1700’s to today https://youtu.be/gbeArPQqsc8 I can’t remember if I gave you this wonderful rendition of the Havdallah service, the service which ends Shabbat as we go from Holy to everyday, reawakening all five senses, with the light and heat of the candle, the smelling of spices all bringing us into the week ahead. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECwNkXM5dKA Koolulam with “Yesh Bi Ahava” there is love in me. I says everything, love really will conquer all, we will find a way through every situation, the tragic, the cruel and the unpleasant if we keep hope and love in our hearts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J98XBmoZAi4 Shabbat Shalom dear friends

Politics, Parliaments and Phone calls

6th January 2023 Shabbat Shalom and a Holy Christmas to the Orthodox Church Did you notice the date? Do you remember the date? January 6th 2021 heralded the storming of the Capitol in Washington which some said was the precursor to the end of United States democracy as we know it. Well that proved to be a premature prediction and both the rule of law and democracy survived. So please, when you try to claim that Israeli democracy has flown out of the window, think twice. As I have written many times, the test of democracy is accepting that the government you didn’t want won the election. I find that the United Nations condemnation of a Jew spending a few minutes (17 to be exact) on the Temple Mount is offensive and further proof of the double standards not only of that once august institution but of the countries whose leaders who joined the braying of asses. I am very far from approving of Ben Gvir or his boorish behaviour but in this case I defend his right, indeed all our right, to visit Judaism’s only Holy site. Jews and Christians have a legal right to visit the Temple Mount. If you look into the recent history of the Temple Mount you will discover that Moshe Dayan not Ben Gvir is the culprit here. In my research I came across this article which explains how we came to today’s balagan, a wonderful Hebrew word for a mess, an ado, a confused situation. Well worth reading https://www.israpundit.org/temple-mount-controversy-blame-moshe-dayan-not-ben-gvir/ Interestingly enough, Ben Gvir’s greatest critic here in Israel was Member of Knesset Gafni of Degel haTorah and Head of the Finance Committee of the Knesset who said that an observant Jew should not go to the Temple Mount at all since he may, by accident, go to the site of the Holy of Holies of the Temple where only the Cohen haGadol – the High Priest - was allowed. Well that made me feel better but I am still very concerned at your concern, in fact I’m not overly thrilled at the new coalition but that’s another matter! I know that most of you read your local news representation of the truth and are convinced that the State of Israel is going through a total change and some are convinced that they will not be welcome here unless able prove one’s Jewish lineage for generations. Not true! You will always be welcome indeed the Aliyah numbers are extremely healthy this past year, not just from Russia but from the USA, Canada, UK and many other countries! While objecting strongly to the fact that a senior Minister in the Government has a criminal record, Arieh Deri has been Minister of the Interior before and actually took a pragmatic view and upheld the status quo concerning eligibility for citizenship. A wonderful 2.67 visitors came to Israel in 2022, an excellent post-Covid number My final comment (maybe) on the intended changes in the Israeli legal system, the powers of the Supreme Court in particular, has raised many fears, especially since our Prime Minister could benefit from those changes, and Former Defence Minister Benny Gantz has put forward a proposition which could well mollify the fears of many; He suggests a non-partisan cross-party committee to discuss and if necessary, implement any necessary changes. I think it is a logical and sensible solution but it has yet to elicit a response from the PM. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-726713 I worry about the perception of Israel, I worry far less about the reality, as confused as it may be at the moment. Israel is thriving! We have low unemployment, the economy flourished while others were failing, we are amongst the top “Happiest Countries”, yes really! Even more surprisingly the report came through the UN! Here’s why. https://youtu.be/4SvqWG3cVDk One positive question that is always asked of Israelis when meeting leaders around the world is “What is the secret to Israeli innovation”. One obvious answer is that during their service in the IDF many become expert in technology, computers, engineering and adaptability, the last being the key word. I always remember Zvi’s words when lecturing around the world, “Organisations don’t have problems, organisations have solutions” problem-solving is also the watchword of the IDF which in turn flows into good business and innovation. Israeli innovations led to so many everyday applications that we all use today and one that I use every time I leave the house! Waze. The story of Waze has always fascinated me so when my friend Yitz – aka Yitzchok Katz – sent me this article from the Jewish News, all about Uri Levine, the Founder of Waze, I was really excited to meet the man, if only on paper. https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/where-theres-a-will-theres-a-waze/ Israel has been faced with heavy challenges since before the inception of the nascent State yet we continue to flourish. Why? How? The answer lies in both the IDF and our Biblical history, we find solutions. Do you know how it came about that you have free phone calls and video calls all over the world? Imagine a young soldier in the IDF hearing that the USA had come to the decision not to sell or give Israel a super computer due to the diplomatic implications and the disappointment of the senior politicians and IDF staff. This young upstart told them “I know how to create a super computer and it won’t cost a penny” Instead of meeting this suggestion with derision they chose to listen to him. “You simply go into all the personal computers in Israel and use their spare space” of course the response was immediate, nobody in their right mind was going to allow entry into the PCs. “Give them free international phone calls and they will” and so it began. American VoIP guru Jeff Culver, back in 2005 when it was in its infancy, credited the development of VoIP to Vocaltech and IBM-Israel. Just look what we take for granted today and all because some Israel kid wasn’t fazed by a problem and turned it into a solution. I have some very exciting news from Impact-se (www.impact-se.org ). The UAE is the first Arab state to introduce Holocaust education in their national curriculum. IMPACT-se has been working in close collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Education since being invited last March by UAE Cabinet Minister and Minister of Education, H.E. Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, to Abu Dhabi to meet with officials. IMPACT-se partnered with the ministry on a curriculum framework based on standards of peace and tolerance, also sharing with the ministry an Arabic language lesson-set about the Holocaust and discussed teachable material. IMPACT-se’s report on the UAE curriculum found it to closely meet international standards of peace and tolerance, teaching about peacemaking, religious tolerance, and acceptance of the ‘Other’. The United Arab Emirates has been leading the way in peace and tolerance education in the region for some years. IMPACT-se is delighted that they have taken this important step in educating about the Shoah and humbled to have partnered with the Ministry of Education. Impact CEO, Marcus Sheff, has been an essential link in the chain of collaboration with the UAE and other countries who have joined the determined effort to change perceptions in Islamic countries through their schoolbooks. I am so proud to Chair the Board of this exceptional and unique organisation that is making the world a better place. Israelis love to travel and the moment we sign a peace treaty with anyone, thousands head off to discover our new friends countries! I have given up asking friends where they are travelling to because I know the answer before they respond – to Dubai or Abu Dhabi! Israelis are curious and love new cultures. Although London was the top destination for December, seeing the Christmas lights and of course for the sales, Dubai was the first choice for a quickie visit. I was thrilled this week to see an interview with an Israeli Arab called Wahid Alhazayid. Wahid was born in Rahat, a Bedouin city in Southern Israel. He was one of 17 children, could barely read or write but decided that he wanted to enlist in the IDF. In the IDF he went on to study for his baccalaureate, became Lieutenant Colonel and today he teaches young people in danger of descending into a life of crime. There is no other country in this world that would give a chance to someone like Wahid and he knows it and gives back to his country every day of his life. I am thrilled to tell you that it is raining, pouring, no the old man isn’t snoring her is currently reading the newspapers in readiness for his parliament later this morning. Current Affairs lead the conversations at this particular parliament since many of the participants are either journalists or involved in politics themselves. A common question that you all ask is, what on earth is a parliament! It stems from the French word parley, to talk, and that’s exactly what they do. It happens all over the country and there are women’s parliaments, men’s parliaments and mixed parliaments totally dependent upon personal interests. These gatherings, big and small, usually centre around food (of course), are held on Friday mornings and each of the members comes away feeling that he has solved the problems of the world, or at least the men do. The women usually have lighter topics, depending upon whether they went to kindergarten together, are from the same neighbourhood or have similar academic or business backgrounds, perhaps less eclectic than their male counterpart. I occasionally join Zvi but by the time I have finished chatting to you he is on his way out! This has been an exciting week in terms of visitors. Dana and Betty came for lunch on Monday, it was really exciting because Covid kept us apart and Betty’s volunteering work at the Israel Museum, in charge of all the volunteers in that incredible Museum, keeps her busy! Incidentally the Israel Museum in Jerusalem is considered on of the top 10 museums in the world. Here is a glimpse https://www.imj.org.il/en/current-exhibitions Then on Wednesday our new lounge curtains arrived, a great celebration, and on Thursday we had a surprise visit from Galit Schwartz, lovely Galit who was undoubtedly the best assistant Zvi ever had, hired on the spot when we met her amazing parents! After a delightful catch-up of her life from student-assistant to mother of four, I walked up the wide passageway between the apartments on our complex and had a lovely time with my friend and neighbour Naomi Baba who is originally from the USA; we always have fascinating chats on so many interesting subjects then as I walked in the door I had a phone call from Yosef, our 18 year old grandson “Are you home Safta? Can we come to you?” Can you imagine saying no? They arrived and since both he and Talia are in the intense process and lead up to their baccalaureate, particularly in Civic Studies, which is based on the State from before the founding to today they both went to our resident expert, one Mr Zvi Raviv for a briefing. While Yosef stayed with Zvi who gave him a potted version in answer Yosef’s questions, including the fact that Theodore Herzl planted a tree under our veranda, Talia and I went to the other room where, at her request, I read her English dissertation on “A hero” which for her was the Lubavitcher Rabbi. For a young, 16 year old woman whose mother tongue is Hebrew it was stunning! I was so proud, not only that it was written beautifully without one mistake in her grammar but she actually wanted me to read it! Gosh it’s getting late and I haven’t started cooking yet and the house looks as if we had lots of visitors this week, probably because we did! Music can bring people together as nothing else especially when we sing together https://youtu.be/JIdADujEf2g Oof Gozal, Fly fledgling but remember there are eagles in the sky. Arik Einstein singing for all of us As we watch our children leave the nest https://youtu.be/ez1e2VPsRFw Finally, I was born for peace by Uzi Chitman, aren’t we all? Should we all have that as our basic right? https://youtu.be/4fz18D68Vdw Sending you love from Jerusalem, beautiful city, centre of our spiritual world. Shabbat Shalom dear friends Sheila

Fears, Faith and a Happy New Year

30th December 2022 Shabbat Shalom dear friends, Shabbat Shalom and a happy new year! Tomorrow night the Gregorian calendar tells us that even though it feels as if 2022 just began we are already into 2023! A new year and hopefully a better one. Israel has a new government. Both the outgoing and the incoming Prime Ministers spoke in the Knesset before going to the President’s House for the official ceremony. Yair Lapid outlined the multiple successes of his government, a long list of political, financial and diplomatic successes in the short period of both his and Naftali Bennet’s governments emphasizing the extensive security measures conducted through Defence Minister Benny Gantz. “I want to tell you what we have achieved so that history will not be changed” His careful listing of achievements was impressive and clear. Mr. Netanyahu then spoke listing the intentions of the incoming government and here the emphasis was on security, Iran, the cost of living, including the cost of housing and the denial that the religious status quo would change. I pray that the last statement is true because the rest is a natural part of governance. Perhaps the most emotional of appointments is that of Speaker of the Knesset, Amir Ohana. Speaker Ohana is a homosexual and has thankfully, never hidden the fact. He took his position on the podium watched by his partner of 18 years and their two children. I wish him and his lovely family the very best of luck, he has his work cut out keeping the rowdy and opinionated Israeli Knesset quiet! I am always reminded of the late Georgie Thomas (from Cardiff and a friend of my father’s) who became famous for his triple call of “Order, order, order” when the Members of Parliament became a little rowdy for his taste. In fact yesterday became rather rowdy as the outgoing parties decided to imitate the cat calls of Likud when they came into power! Yesterday, President Isaac Herzog held a large reception for the many Christian religious leaders whose centres are in Jerusalem. Copts, Catholic, the many Orthodox sectors, Protestants, Evangelical and many others, indeed all who celebrate this blessed period. There is nothing exceptional in that, the Israeli Presidents throughout time have had a close relationship with all the Christian leaders, there is also nothing exceptional in the presence of the Minister of the Interior, and yesterday was no exception. The new (and old) Interior Minister Aryeh Deri greeted all those present with great warmth, giving them a blessing for the New Year. Living in the UK I never knew what Sylvester was – the new year was simply an opportunity for a party, a knees-up, a celebration and a kiss at the end of the evening. Auld Lang Syne was obligatory even if you couldn’t quite get the exact words written by Robbie Burns! In many parts of Eastern Europe, however, Sylvester is a semi-religious holiday which made Aliya with the various Eastern European immigrations. The daft thing about Israelis celebrating Sylvester is that it is the anniversary of the death of St. Sylvester who as Pope brought in a law banning Jews from Jerusalem! In Yorkshire they would say “There’s nowt as queer as folk” I have to return to the new government and the dismay, nay fears, raised in the Diaspora that the question of “Who is a Jew” and of course the subsequent Right of Return will be changed. This is not a government I would have chosen, you already know that, but one can be reassured that such changes cannot be introduced because the majority of those in this government would not allow it. Likud still holds sway and although the person holding the position of Minister of the Interior is an orthodox Jew, Aryeh Deri, this is not his first time in that position and in the past he upheld the status quo. I hear the anger, the assumptions that this government will change the status quo on so many levels. “I’ve had it with Israel, I can’t identify with the new direction” Wait! Before you throw out the baby with the bathwater, wait! The media has had a field day ensuring that their prognosis of a changed country, a extreme right wing highly religious country that will exclude everyone and everything that they stand for has become the assumed truth – but then sensationalism is the manner of today’s media! Please, give us a chance, don’t abandon us, the checks and balances of democracy are firmly in place and the extremes will not be allowed to control the future of this country or our relationship with the Diaspora. Amichai Chikli, the son of a Conservative Rabbi who was active in the Masorti Movement’s Noam youth group as a young man, has been chosen as the Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Social Equality. Chikli was active in the Masorti Movement’s Noam youth group. His path will not be easy at the beginning as he has to change the preconceptions about this government. I wish him success and hope that he renews faith in our beautiful country. Ron Dermer, former Israeli Ambassador to the USA is the new Minister for Strategic Affairs, a position which entails contact with the White House and relations with the countries of the Abraham Accords The incoming Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu needs no introductions as he enters his 16th year in that position, admittedly with breaks, a world record for a democratically elected leader, but too few understand the achievements of the outgoing government, until yesterday led by Yair Lapid. A highly impressive few months. https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/politics/1672145137-analysis-lapid-s-legacy-a-term-summary Gosh I’m ready to write happy news and surprisingly there is lots of it! Azerbaijan is opening an Embassy in Israel, completing the enhanced diplomatic relations with that predominantly Moslem country President Biden signed a budget bill including $3.8 billion for Israel. Yes, I know it isn’t direct financial aid but rather monies returned through the US aeroplane and arms industries, but it shows the President’s adherence to his promises. Israel is on her way to a population of 10 million! In fact, the Bureau for Statistics latest census for 2022 shows a population of 9,449,000 about 45% of the world’s Jews. 73% are Jews, 21% Arab and 5% others. When one thinks that the population of the nascent state was about 806,000 that’s pretty good going! The number of new immigrants has gone up directly as a result of the Russia/Ukraine war. 97 autistic new recruits to the IDF completed their basic training last year. Three more have just begun officer’s training. Israel is the only country in the Middle East where the Christian community is growing. 87% of Christians declared themselves happy to live in Israel. Israel's junior science team won six medals at the 2022 International Junior Science Olympiad, in Bogota, Columbia The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra performed an historic concert at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi and played Hatikva. The first time that the National Anthem was played in an Arab country. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYXbdjLvCfw&t=765s Sindyanna is an organisation which encourages independence in Moslem Israeli women together with Jewish Israeli women https://www.israel21c.org/watch-empowering-women-to-find-their-voice/ Just in case you think we all sit around discussing politics and waiting for terror attacks, I thought I’d show you what the tourist will find in Israel in 2023. https://www.touristisrael.com/events/ Quite apart from events and festivals, one thing for sure is that you will find great food and burgeoning tables wherever you go! In fact, I decided that since Israel is always left off the list of great food countries, we should make our own website and all of you will vote us to the top!! How about the “Best Breakfasts in the World”? Every visitor to Israel has already experienced the Israeli breakfast but for those of you who have not, let me give you a glance at the average menu in restaurants and hotels. Breads: Pita, croissant, crusty French baguettes, Rye, Wheat, gluten free and Spelt breads Burekas: cheese, spinach, mushroom Eggs: Boiled, hard boiled, shakshuka, omelettes by request with various options, fried, scrambled, poached and coddled. Salads: Israeli freshly chopped salad, potato salad, corn salad, tuna salad, egg salad, lettuce, peppers ad infinitum! Fish: Smoked salmon, pickled herring in various sauces, sardines, gravadlax Fruit: Fresh fruit salad, prunes, apple sauce, plum compote, citrus salads Hot dishes: Porridge, semolina, mini quiches Add to this fresh fruit juices, tea and coffee and you may begin to understand why I want to start this competition. I know we would win! What do you think? If I start a web competition would you vote for us? At this precise moment our lovely Shelley Silver is talking to Zvi about her upcoming post-IDF trip to North, South and Central America. She has set out her intended destinations but because she is an exceptional young woman, she wants to know everything Zvi has learned on his multiple trips to those places – the important places to visit and learn about the history and culture of each country. She really is a special person and anyone who wants to entertain her will benefit from her wonderful personality and ability to communicate about her Israel. Luckily Zvi has lots of friends and family in all of the above locations so she will find a welcome wherever she goes. Let me know if you want to meet her! Incidentally, Shelley’s IDF service was in the very camp where the autistic recruits begin their IDF service. I am back to walking and am beginning to do so without the neck brace! The sense of freedom is surprising! My physiotherapist is a marvellous young man and to the surprise of most non-Israelis, I get one-on-one attention as often as I need without charge! Just another aspect of Israeli life! So dear readers, please, please, please, don’t jump to conclusions about our future – remember we have been through worse times as have most of your countries. We don’t always get the governments we want, but that’s democracy. What songs are appropriate to our mood this week? Something about unity, hope…… hmmmm let me think… The Ruderman Foundation is all about bringing people together, about US/Israel relations, about inclusion. This is a song about “Yachad” togetherness, inclusion with Koolulam in a project by the Ruderman family https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZitrjOnyTzE I had never heard of this song or singer but while searching for a song for you, I found it and loved it. “Chaverim”, meaning friends, is all about honouring our differences and being able to empathise and connect. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6xRygeLVnM&t=11s Finally, the song we all love, even the most cynical must admit a sly smile or tear at Satchmo’s rendition of “What a wonderful world”. We can either sink into despair or follow this song of hope, of love and unity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqhCQZaH4Vs What do I wish us all for 2023? I wish us health, first and foremost. I wish us greater tolerance, greater understanding, greater patience (by the way patience and tolerance have the same root in Hebrew. Savlanut is patience and sovlanut is tolerance). I wish us a year in which we celebrate our differences finding beauty in the traditions of the other. Most of all, as an Israeli, I want Israel to be judged on her achievements, on her incredible pluralistic community, on her rainbow population, on us, the ordinary, everyday citizens who pray for peace, rather than the NYT, BBC headlines. In fact, I pray that the media begins to write the whole truth instead of the half truths that condemn Israel and gloss over the racism of our region. Finally, and maybe most importantly, come and see for yourselves. As my young great-nephew James kept repeating when he came to Israel with his future wife (my great niece) “but wait a minute that’s not even remotely like the reports on the telly, everyone is just going about their own business”! Good Shabbes, Shabbat Shalom, Happy New Year, Happy Hogmanay, a good Sylvester and a 2023 full of hope With much love from Jerusalem, the most enchanting city in the world. Sheila

Doughnuts, Doldrums Christmas and Chanuka

23rd December 2022 Shabbat Shalom, Happy Chanukah and almost a Merry Christmas! It is hard to believe that 2022 is almost over, can it really be 12 months since the beginning of the year? Time seems to race and the world around us to become more frenetic by the minute! To slow down our racing thoughts I will very briefly skim over the politics and then try to talk about simple everyday things that will put a smile on your faces! Michael Siegal has devoted his adult life to US-Israel relations between people and last week he was awarded the coveted Presidential Medal of Honour for his work, together with his wife Anita, for the Jewish community in fostering ties between Israel and the USA. Michael served as Board Chair of the Jewish Federations of North America and more recently as Chairman of the Board of the Jewish Agency. Michael has worked assiduously, and I must say, with great good humour, never expecting or chasing rewards, which makes this award so well deserved. There is no choice but to broach the subject because I know that most of you are disturbed and somewhat confused by the current trend in Israeli politics, or should I say in the choices set before the Prime Minister elect. The elephant in the room is undoubtedly the potential changes in the law of return, with the emphasis on the word potential. I think that it is fair to say that most are not worried by the introduction of more Jewish studies in schools, as long as the quality of the 3 Rs is not affected or academic studies in senior schools, after all this is a Jewish country, however, and this is a big however, to think that men who have never served in the IDF (and whose children will not serve in the IDF) will be involved in security decisions, is beyond the pale for most of us. To contemplate changes in our basic principles is a major source of discussion even before it happens. Prime Minister elect Netanyahu firmly believes he has a handle on future attempts to change the above, and it is true that any changes to fundamental laws, indeed any laws, have to pass the Knesset and then can be taken to the Supreme Court before they are enacted, but our connection to the Diaspora, our connection to the international community is sacred and must not be endangered. Prof. Alan Dershowitz explains the Israeli Parliamentary system https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/19254/israel-democracy United States President Biden came down clearly on the side of Ukraine, sending an official aeroplane to bring the Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to the United States. Zelensky did not take his best suit out of mothballs, but rather came wearing his bottle green sweatshirt and cargo trousers, in an act of defiance much as Winston Churchill wore his famous boiler suit. No, I am not in any way shape or form making a comparison of the leaders! Zelensky wanted to show that he is a man of the people and his people are in a war situation and cannot be concerned with dress protocol. United States support is essential to the Ukranians and the natural resources of Ukraine important to the United States, in fact many countries in the West. Never forget that countries don’t have friends, countries have interests and right now support of Ukraine is of interest to the US and rightly so. The big question is whether this can be considered a slap in the face, a loss of face internationally, for Vladimir Putin, who becomes more dangerous as he loses face time and again. As always, any threatening situation in Russia causes a huge rise in anti-semitism and over 60,000 new Olim have come to Israel over the last 10 months, predominantly from Russia. I love new words, in fact, even when I write to you my thesaurus is my best friend! This week I learned a spectacular word which is not intended as a comment on the new government elect, it is almost onomatopoeic, KAKISTOCRACY! Doesn’t it sound amazing? The antithesis of a Meritocracy, it means government by the least suitable or least able of the community. King Charles III had a busy Chanukah! At the beginning of the week he visited the Community Security Trust who do incredible work fighting antisemitism in the UK https://cst.org.uk/about-cst indeed his Mother was deeply impressed by the organisation which protects British Jews, to the extent that she always invited representatives to the Royal Garden Party (including my amazing nephew and niece Steven and Claire Bloom); on to the South Hampstead Girls School where the students were preparing toys and puzzles as a special addition to food parcels for refugees, indeed he himself brought foodstuffs to add to their parcels; he then went on a Chanukah visit to JW3 and a reception for Jewish Seniors and Holocaust Survivors including dancing the Hora with Anne Frank’s stepsister. https://youtu.be/G3En4QJuyyk Talking of Chanukah, too many people have no idea of what it’s all about! Here the late Chief Rabbi Jonathan Saks explains the connection between Chanukah past and present and its relevance to today. https://youtu.be/omqCp3YhObI As we are all too aware, antisemitism is rife all over the world, especially in schools and universities and a decision has been made in the UK that in addition to Holocaust education, which has always been part of the curriculum, the subject of antisemitism (racism) is to be taught in British schools. Both Chanuka and Christmas play a huge part of Israeli life. In both Nazareth and Jerusalem, the festivities are already underway, Israelis of all persuasions are enchanted by the highly decorated, huge Christmas trees and the streets lined by festive lighting, special markets and churches lit with multi-coloured lights. The sense of expectation is high and the sheer joy in the air is apparent. Jerusalem municipality dispenses free Christmas trees to her Christian citizens. A friend spent a few days in Nazareth, showing her grandchildren what Christmas looks like here in Israel and she was overjoyed with the celebratory atmosphere which reminded her of her childhood in Wales where we were surrounded by Christmastide! Similarly, in Jerusalem, both the old city and the road to Bethlehem, called Hebron Road, decorations herald our proximity to Bethlehem. The Brigham Young University holds its famous Carol Concerts as does the YMCA, the beautiful building right opposite the King David Hotel. Just one aspect of the incredible rainbow of humanity that makes up Israel, the wonderful Mohammed Dajani Daoudi, a devout Moslem and Palestinian educator who is on the International Advisory Board of Impact-se, fills his Facebook page with greetings for both Chanukah and Christmas! Mohammed is from one of the oldest Jerusalem families. Did you know that Christmas is not always celebrated on the 25th of December? The Armenian church for instance celebrates on the 6th of January and the Copts on the 7th of January. In fact, the Greek Orthodox, Ethiopian, Russian and Syrian Christians all celebrate on the 6th and 7th. Jews complain that we have four or five denominations within Judaism, although few will admit it, but Christianity also has much more than Catholicism, Protestantism (and dozens of sectors within that heading), LDS, all of the above and so on and so forth in fact just in Jerusalem we have 52 denominations of Christianity – who knew?. It sometimes feels that the leaders of each and every one of the sectors encourages splits rather than gathering our strength in prayer. Once upon a time, in the UK, Chanukah meant latkes, very specific potato fritters, not even remotely like potato pancakes, they are very fried, very potato and very crispy and who cares about diets! However, since coming to Israel I have discovered sufganiyot! In fact, the streets, supermarkets and patisseries have all become one big sufganiya! They used to be simple doughnuts with jam in the middle, usually strawberry jam, and when eaten would land in your stomach and sit there reminding one of their presence for hours to come. Today, however, they have become an epicurean experience, as gourmet sufganiyot emerge on display to tempt us into purely sinful ecstasy. Roladin began as a bakery, became a coffee shop, continued to grow branches all over the country and has turned the simple Chanukah experience into an outrageously delicious sin. Don’t believe me? Just take a look at these creations https://www.israel21c.org/feast-your-eyes-on-israels-most-outrageous-hanukkah-donuts/ Just one topic of conversation managed to put politics into second place, Messi! Actually Messi and Argentina and the truly phenomenal game played out against France in the World Cup Final in Qatar. I don’t know if the Israeli love of Argentina stems from the telenovelas on Israeli television or the Israeli love of Latin music, but even I found myself shouting in delight and groaning in disappointment at every goal and suspected foul! I enjoy the game of football and its incredible athleticism, but have never been as involved, would never choose football over a good movie, but this time Zvi and I didn’t miss a game! There was, of course, a big question over the big diaphanous djellaba draped over Messi’s shoulders at the ceremony but I don’t think it detracted from the sheer joy of the fans. So far Zvi has performed candle lighting at four separate events and parties, glowing in the light of the candles and the delight of the participants! The only night that we lit the candles at home was on Tuesday when we had two grand-daughters staying over. Gili (daughter of Zvi’s son Leor) and Ayala (Rachel’s daughter), speak at least ten times a day and decided to spend time together at our place which was wonderful. Zvi took them to Mahaneh Yehuda market, Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall and Yoel Solomon street and its fascinating family compounds, all in the city, doing his best to give them a little history between their delight at the fashion shops, jewellery stores that are of far greater interest to two 14 year old girls! I swear that Israelis are on the move every night of Chanukah! The main road between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem is one continuous snake of cars, in both directions! Parties abound, Israelis love to entertain and Chanukah is a great excuse to bring all one’s friends in. So far we have been to an event organised by Ronit Dagan in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Givat Massua, or Beacon Hill, so named for the beacons lit to announce Shabbat or Festivals; on Monday we went to the 80th birthday party of Rabbi Jeremy Rosen at the home of his brother David. It was a wonderful evening because I got to talk to David and to Angela, the little sister I hadn’t manage to meet. Angela was fascinated by my stories of her two eldest brothers over the decades. David spoke of his big brother’s mischievous nature, the aspect of Jeremy’s personality which makes him an incredible mentor, teacher and leader, always questioning, always taking the intellectual tack while remaining an observant Jew. Tuesday we were home and then Wednesday we went to a group of Zvi’s old friends in Ramat Aviv. Again, Zvi did the lighting to the delight of all. Yesterday we went to Irit and Itzik Lev’s home in Tel Aviv, candle lighting and the delight of seeing old friends. Tonight we are with Zvi’s boys and families and I am responsible for the latkes. My recovery is such that I not longer have dispensation from bringing cooked goods to the celebrations!! Tomorrow more old friends but at our home. Dina and Yoram Grinspan and Tommy Segev and anyone else who wants to turn up are coming for afternoon tea and the lighting of the last candles, the eighth night. I wonder which Chanukiah, the nine branched candelabra, we will use. Maybe the one made of empty shell cases from the War of Independence made especially for Zvi’s wonderful father Kalman by one of his soldiers – making ploughshares from swords eh? So we come to the end of another week and the beauty of Shabbat. Time for some meaningful songs methinks. The Byrds took the words of Ecclesiastes with the music of Pete Seeger and created a song or all seasons, Turn, Turn, Turn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snZKnES4ng4&t=5s For my Christian readers, a beautiful song which expresses the spirit of Christmas more than any other song, for me. The Little Drummer Boy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ_MGWio-vc How can I end the missive without Koolulam? Of course I won’t! Lean on Me, something we do not do enough. Lean on me the essence of friendship, amity, peace between brothers, a wonderful song so catchy that I am sure you will just sing along. However, please really take the words to heart…..you can always lean on me, irrespective of whether you eat sufganiyot or Christmas pudding. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOX5TGmGdRs&t=6s I wish you a peaceful weekend, a Gut Shabbes, a fine Christmas, whether you go to synagogue, temple, Cathedral, church or tabernacle. All I ask is that you show respect to the other, to those who differ from us. Different is beautiful, different is colour, just imagine a rainbow of grey! With love from Jerusalem, conceivably the most diverse city in the world which most certainly upholds her 9/10th share of beauty Sheila

Chanuka, Christmas and Coalitions

16th December 2022 22 Kislev 5783 Shabbat Shalom dear friends. Almost Chanuka and the 19th day of Advent “Jews are the canary in the coal mine. When Jews feel compelled to leave the light of freedom is being extinguished” Gosh that sounds so dramatic, even melodramatic, except that it has proven sadly true. Being Welsh, home of the coalmines, we learned all about the canaries, the beautiful little birds that sang until the poisonous gas levels became too high to survive. It feels that every day brings new attacks, physical and verbal, whether on the streets of New York, Amsterdam, London or Los Angeles or in the United Nations as yet another anti-Israel vote is carried. Nothing new about anti-Semitic attacks, or for that matter votes in the United Nations, in fact it is all too familiar. The sad fact is that I don’t see a new Judah Maccabee in our near future, someone brave enough to stand up and fight. Rabbi Jeremy Rosen wrote an excellent essay on the subject. His introduction “If we were to go back two thousand one hundred and ninety years ago, to the time of Antiochus IV and the Maccabee Revolt, we would find a state of the world and Jewish affairs in many ways similar to today.” https://jeremyrosen.com/2022/12/chanukah-then-and-now-2.html For anyone who doubts the veracity of the Chanuka story, or indeed of any of the festival stories, seeing them as a nice legend, the story was proven this week in a magnificent find by Israeli archaeologists – a container of silver coins from the period! https://www.thejc.com/news/israel/archaeologists-unearth-first-proof-of-maccabean-revolt-just-in-time-for-chanukah-6r1wDx84feix7t9SJJxD9L The anti-Israel lobby on campuses, particularly in the USA, is not a new thing. Khaled Abu Toameh is conceivably one of Israel’s greatest protagonists in the world of journalism and hasbara (information). He wrote this article in 2009. The first line stated. “During a recent visit to several university campuses in the U.S., I discovered that there is more sympathy for Hamas there than there is in Ramallah.” Khaled continues his campaign to convince students all over the world to recognise the truth not the cant pumped at them from morning to night. One would think that his words would carry more weight, since he is a Moslem, but his fight gets harder and harder. Talking of Moslems, anyone who puts all Moslems into one basket, claiming there are no “good” Moslems is not my friend. Not only Khaled abu Toameh, but young Israelis like Yahya Mahamid, Magde Qasim and Mohammad Kabiya put their lives on the line every day as they travel the world talking to students. Yahya was a senior officer in a fighting unit of the IDF and a wonderful human being with a smile that lights up the room. In the same vein, when Rishi Sunak was voted Prime Minister of Great Britain, I heard the mumblings about a Moslem Prime Minister, but time and again he has proven the doubters wrong. Yesterday, the House of Commons fell silent, in the presence of Survivors, to commemorate the anniversary of the day that Sir Anthony Eden made that horrific announcement to the House. “On 17th of December 1942, Jewish Labour MP Sydney Silverman asked Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden if he would make a statement on the Nazi plan to "deport all Jews from the occupied countries to Eastern Europe and there put them to death before the end of the year". Mr. Eden replied: "Yes, Sir, I regret to have to inform the House that reliable reports have recently reached His Majesty's Government regarding the barbarous and inhuman treatment to which Jews are being subjected in German-occupied Europe." It was then that MPs first learned that Jews were being exterminated, and they were so stunned that they stood in silence. A journalist at the time wrote: "I can tell you there were many eyes which were not dry and there was not, I dare swear, a throat without a lump in it." We still don’t have a government, despite the 10 day extension given to Netanyahu by President Herzog. As I believe I mentioned, Netanyahu is not keen to give sensitive positions to the extreme members of his coalition but may do so to ensure his seat. In order to “calm the qualms” of our allies he just made an announcement that all major decisions will be made by him not his Ministers, which also disturbs me! There have been moves by former Israeli politicians suggesting a totally different coalition, entailing middle-of-the-road Parties joining the coalition instead of the extremists, thus forming an ideal coalition, but sadly I cannot see anyone accepting the challenge. In Arabic it is called Qasar El Yehud translated to English “Tower of the Jews” showing yet again the link between the Christians and the Jews. Qasar El Yehud is where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist. This week Jordan announced a huge expansion of the site on the Jordanian side of the river, to be named “Bethany Beyond the Jordan”. Qasar El Yehud is on a particularly narrow section of the Jordan River, just a few metres between the Jordanian and more famous Israeli side. Pilgrims, in white gowns, dip into the waters, with or without priests, emerging with a greater sense of being, a knowledge of who they are. A Christian holy site in both Jewish and Moslem countries, close enough to hold hands. It is a truly spiritual place. Eddie and Ilana Podolsky are very special people who happen to be Zvi’s family. They have a remarkable relationship with both Judaism and Israel. Eddie wrote to me about a group of Israeli soldiers who came to San Diego and stayed with families. I did the same many years ago but Eddie’s story really reached my heart. “There’s an Israeli organization called Metiv that helps people deal with psychological issues. Metiv has a program called Peace of Mind (https://metiv.org/en/peace-of-mind/) to treat IDF soldiers with mild to medium cases of PTSD resulting from their army experience. This is an amazing organization. It is a 9-month program where they take 15-20 soldiers that served together in one unit and treat them with therapy. One of the final portions of the program is a week in a city in the diaspora, where soldiers spend their mornings in group therapy and their evenings with families and the community. There was one soldier in particular, who has an amazing musical ability and voice, found a way of channeling his issues through song. He has written some amazing songs, full of meaning where you can see he is pouring his heart in every word he sings. Worth listening to them all, but the one that impressed me the most is Lo Nigra (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIEwVJ7Xd78) , where he talks about his relationship to his son. The video has some animations that were designed by him. I still cry when I listen to it.” We had another busy week, but mostly in things that are of little interest to you, what in Israel are called “siddurim”! You know, shopping, tidying, hanging paintings (finally) cooking, meeting friends, normal everyday stuff, but last night was a special event. About 17 years ago Zvi told me about a group of young Jerusalemites of every centrist persuasion both politically and religiously, who wanted to change Jerusalem back to being a place that young couples want to live, work and bring up their families, led by a fireball called Ofer Berkovitch. Fascinated, I went along, Zvi was on the committee to elect them. I was impressed by their youthful enthusiasm but uncertain that they could convince the voters enough to claim a seat on the Municipal Council. Well they did! In fact that first year they had one seat and went on to have four seats but they really fought well above their weight, doing their very best to make this holy city attractive to young families. Last night, 15 years after the Hitorerut (Awakening) party was officially founded, Ofer resigned, to take up a place in the general workforce – after all altruism is all well and good but he now has a wife and three children to support! The farewell party was in Kedma Restaurant in the Mamilla Mall, opposite the walls of the Old City. Kedma has huge windows overlooking the footpath alongside those ancient walls, giving me a prime view of that impressive site. What amazed me is that at 9:30 at night, hundreds of people were making their way from the city to the Jaffa Gate and onwards, a constant flow of people of every persuasion. Of course, the media would never report this normal, happy, friendly activity because it didn’t include anger, shooting, beating or fighting! That’s life in this part of the world! We do normal things; indeed, we are very normal people who live in a problematic neighborhood! Jew, Christian and Moslem we all head for that most fascinating of places, the Old City of Jerusalem so important to us all. Yitzy Kasovitch is a Haredi man from Florida who loves Lego! He makes all kinds of Jewish orientated pieces and figures and this weekend he will light the biggest Lego menorah in the world at a Tel Aviv Lego store! It has136,000 Pieces, is 4.5m tall and 4m wide. I wonder if it is in Guinness!! Tonight we are going to our friends Ora and Avner Rosengarten for Shabbat Dinner. It should be great fun because we love all the other people who are invited, and Ora and Avner’s amazing children too. Tomorrow morning we have visitors, I never know how many, but they will include Gideon Selinger who has come back from New York where he visits his son, who incredibly knew my Daniel. If music be the food of love play on. Believe it or not I think I have found a Kuloolam that you haven’t heard yet! It’s gorgeous rendition by a Federation Mega Mission together with the people of Carmiel and Misgav. “One Day” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNDX9Vgq80o In Jewish tradition we give thanks for just about everything! There are so many blessings that it is hard to find the right one. One blessing, one thanksgiving that I particularly love is the one we give after a meal, actually just a part of a much longer grace but very special on its own. Tsur Meshelo Achalnu, with translation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b727Reivs3Y Bob Dylan wrote the words in the ‘60’s and they stand even truer today. When will the question be answered? Who knows because the answer my friends is blowing in the wind. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld6fAO4idaI&t=84s “And how many years can some people exist Before they're allowed to be free? Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head and pretend that he just doesn't see? The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind The answer is blowin' in the wind” The answer is truly blowin’ in the wind. Chanuka is almost upon us. Although it we developed a way to engage children with the promise of gifts, it has nothing to do with gifts, indeed most people think it is all about the miracle of a single cruse of oil that lasted for 8 days, but in truth, or in my truth, the miracle is not so much the oil but rather that we stood up for ourselves, as Jews, for the first time. In today’s Israel we see the living history from those brave men, from the story of the Macabees in three towns, three thriving communities, Maccabim, Reut and Modiin and visit the graves of the original Maccabim. We live our history every day of our lives and try as they may, nobody can deny. Shabbat Shalom dear friends. Shabbat Shalom on a glorious day, blue skies and slight chill in the air promising to be a fine Shabbat with the sun shining on Jerusalem, her white buildings covering the hilltops in the distance. With love Sheila