Dugo, Demos and Decisions

28th July, 2023 Shabbat Shalom dear friends. Shabbat Shalom. So, we made it past the 9th of Av, most of Israel realizing that “sinat hinam” or unwarranted hatred is a bad idea, but that we can still continue fighting in our own way against what is felt to be an undemocratic law. I'm so proud of Israelis. I see incredible involvement in the politics of today both through young and old, people in wheelchairs and on crutches, who go to demonstrations to make their voices heard. I see the 63 no the 65% of people who didn't vote for this government, including those who voted Likud, not just talking the talk but walking the walk, makes me very, very proud. One doesn’t have to be against the government to be proud that ordinary folk are willing to get out there, whatever the weather, and stand up for their beliefs. I learned something yesterday that fascinated me. As I told you last week, Tisha b’Av is a fast day because of the number of tragedies that happened on that day in history. One particular fact stood out above others. It is believed that Rabbi and teacher Yochanan ben Zakai called out the Rabbis of the 2nd Temple, the Rabbis were the politicians of the time, for corruption and made it very public. It began a revolution and he then left Jerusalem with a number of students thus able to continue teaching after the Temple was destroyed. Of course, I have simplified, maybe over simplified, the situation, but it proves that history repeats itself over and over again. We have to be careful that since the Third Temple has not yet been built, that we do not bring about the downfall of Israel as we know it, the Start Up Nation. Too many companies, doctors, hi-techers, have already threatened to leave. This is a wonderfully democratic nation and the demonstrations are the living proof of our freedom of expression. We are an amalgam of determination, argument, fun-loving, travellers, healers, ready to help any nation that needs us and driven by a need to make the world a better place. Don’t think the current situation is in any way dangerous or irreconcilable, we will overcome As you well know I am diametrically opposed to Itamar Ben Gvir or his extreme views, but even a broken clock is right twice a day! No I'm not being cynical in this case. Tisha b'Av, is a very important day of fasting and remembering the disasters that befell us on that date, a day of mourning for the fall of the Temples. Itamar Ben Gvir went up to the Temple Mount and reiterated that Jews (and Christians) should be free to walk, to pray, albeit with respect for others. The Temple Mount is holy to all three monotheistic religions and is not the private property of any. This was a week in which our Prime Minister fainted again, was taken to hospital, underwent surgery, albeit minor, to implant a very special and expensive pacemaker, was kept in for 2 days and left the country in the hands of Yariv Levine. I wish Mr Netanyahu well, healthy and able to spend much more time with his family. When he went on US television and claimed that the Reasonableness Standard is just a minor law, ………………………………. Hanan Ashrawi, Palestinian politician, was welcomed to Canada. I resent her celebrity because, as a Christian woman by ignoring the plight of Christians in the PA, she has allowed the world to believe that there is not a problem. In other words, she has betrayed her own people. I’m not going to spend your time writing about the current political situation because Israel is so much more than what is happening politically, although it is taking all of our time and energy right now, I want to tell you about everything else! The Israel Antiquities Authority searches every nook and cranny, every cave and rock, in the area near the Dead Sea. Close to Ein Gedi, in a cave atop a cliff, they found a coin just lying at the entrance to the cave; not just any coin but one from the time of the Jewish Revolt against the Romans. The coin is dated 66/67 CE, at the time of the destruction of the Second Temple and has the words “Holy Jerusalem” embossed on it. Black Christians honoured Rev Dr Martin Luther King this week by marching down Martin Luther King Street in Jerusalem, 55 years after his death. Dr King was due to bring thousands of Christians to Jerusalem to preach to them on the Mount of Olives. Dr King firmly supported Israel as the “land from which Christianity burst forth” About 100 Christians who belong to the group which regrets the animosity toward Jews by the Christian Church ascended to the Temple Mount to honour Tisha b’Av. Ironically, they were led by Rabbi Yehuda Glick. The group also hosted 27 hours of prayer. David “Dugo” Leitner became an Israeli folk hero, not for fighting in the IDF but for surviving. A survivor of the horrific Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and of the Death March, Dugo came to Israel and was so emotionally tied to the day that he, a lone 14 year old, began the Death March on the 18th of January, 1945 that he chose to commemorate that day and his subsequent survival and arrival in the Promised Land in a very special way. Dugo ate a felafel every January 18th ever since his Aliya. His story impressed so many here in Israel and even outside Israel, that January 18th became Dugo Day! Dugo was a very special man and led March of the Living many times and each time that he reached the ovens which took his parents he would yell out their names. I think his story is of ultimate importance, not because of felafel but because of his willingness to tell his story and involve young people. Here Dugo tells his story, https://youtu.be/-60daJoVyzs it must be heard for years to come because Dugo passed away this week at the age of 93. May his soul rest in peace and his family be consoled among the mourners of Zion. The skies over Europe are blazing, the weather steaming and we have to learn to take care of our earth. On Sunday Zvi drove to Tel Aviv to attend the dedication of a square in the name of our friend Jojo Naim’s Mother Rovina Arbarbanel Naim. A fine honour indeed. On Monday we went to the David Efron Dance Centre to watch the children in rehearsal. Such enthusiasm and joy in their dance, not hiphop but good old Israeli dancing led by the wonderful, amazing Liron Mussachy, daughter of our good friend. I love that the children of Hora Yerushalyim maintain the traditions, the Israeli folk dancing that brought joy to simpler times. Tuesday my colleagues of Impact-se came to me for a meeting. One advantage of where we live is that it’s convenient for almost everyone! I am overcome with admiration for the people I work with and the magical work they perform to bring tolerance to a world that is increasingly intolerant. Do look at the website, it is astonishing. www.impact-se.org On Wednesday we had a special treat. Yosef, my 18 year old grandson, came to stay. I think it’s a huge compliment that he loves to be with us! We went looking for parking near our favourite coffee shop – Pop Up Café in Kiriat Anavim – but despite several turns around the block not one parking spot was to be found! Everyone was out enjoying food before the fast! We came home and I made him his favourite edamame and mushroom pasta. He wasn’t at all bothered and at Zvi’s suggestion he watched the Israeli series “Red Skies” on the television. Trouble is he was so into the series that he caught up five episodes!! Yesterday was Tisha b’Av and we stayed home. Traditionally all restaurants and places of entertainment stay closed on Tisha b’Av, although some Tel Aviv restaurants decided to flout tradition and open their doors I happen to believe that the current political situation is not an excuse to be anti-religious, or anti-religion but rather to honour our traditions. But then I don’t live in Tel Aviv…….. and please don’t inundate me with accusations that I am anti-Tel Aviv, I’m not at all. It’s all about a mind set. Tonight we will spend Friday night with our friends Ronit and Yossi Dagan and then tomorrow evening we have been invited to Gigi and Ehud Tirosh so I don’t have to cook at all! As soon as I finish writing to you I will head off to Rachel and the family on that drive that I love! I actually stopped to take a photo for you last week but somehow it just didn’t do justice to the panorama of Jerusalem, barely distinguishing the hills covered in white homes and tall towers before me…… disappearing into the distance in two directions – toward the sea on the right and Bethlehem and Ramallah on the left. I will not be writing for two weeks! I am off to the UK to see my family. Gideon, Stephanie, Sammy, Olivia and Zachary will be joined by Karen, Joshua and Callie and then I will go to Cardiff to see my siblings Doreen and Ronnie and families. I will see friends when possible but I am so excited that I will have five grandchildren in one place hat it will be on the hop!! I often wonder if we learn anything while sitting and learning for major events like Tisha b’Av. Have we learned not to hate? Have we learned to accept that we are all different? I’m not just talking about Israel, nor Jews, but rather the world in general. We have a tendency to expect everyone to think our way. So to music. Kabbalat Shabbat means to receive Shabbat, the bride of Shabbat. Here Kippalive sings a medley of Friday night songs https://youtu.be/xZyHBNnRUoI Miri Mesika sings of patience, positivity and hope. Perhaps we all need it right now. https://youtu.be/9eDzojXuMZY I have given you this song many times, but never too many times. Bridge Over Troubled Waters is what we need now in our ever increasingly angry world. The Shalva band, Tariq al Menhali and Arqam sing with the Jerusalem Symphony led by Gil Shochat. https://youtu.be/uIbc7PL8VZ8 So, I’ll see you in a few weeks. I will have the joy of being with my London and NYC grandchildren for Shabbat as Gideon sings Kiddush in his glorious baritone voice. Please, I beg of you, talk to someone you disagree with, not to convince them of your point of view but to hear why they think what they think. Shabbat Shalom Sheila

Midweek update REasonableness

25thJuly, 2023 Mid-weekupdatehttp://www.theviewfrommyveranda.info/reasonableness-standard-mid-week-update/  It’sbeen a long time since I wrote a mid-week update but since one should neverrely upon the international media for reports on what is happening here inIsrael, since they always have an ulterior motive, in fact I don’t rely uponany media reports except the ones with reporters on the spot. Actually eventhat isn’t always accurate because in one “on the spot reports” from thedemonstrations, as the reporter came on camera I heard a “Now” in thebackground and everyone started with noisemakers and flag waving……….. so, letme try to be rational, fair and true to myself and explain the last months,weeks and last night in as few words as possible. If emotions run into theexplanation I will not apologise because, I am in a state of confused emotions. Letme start with something most people do not know, about a wise lady called Dorothy de Rothschild, whose familydonated the money to build both the Jerusalem Knesset and later the exquisiteSupreme Court building. She made only one deeply symbolic demand.....that theSupreme Court building be slightly higher than the Knesset, because the law mustalways supersede the vagaries of politics. The planned, new, PrimeMinister’s Office will also be, symbolically, lower than the Supreme Courtbuilding Today is the morning after the vote in the Knesset. Ican't pretend that I am not terribly disappointed in members of a party thatonce upon a time was great, a party founded on the principles that built thisgreat democracy. However, this is still a thriving democracy with elements ofwhich we should be very proud. I am concerned that the shekel nose-divedagainst the dollar but equally know that despite the protests of even the mostsenior IDF soldiers, should the call come they will fight to protect us. The demonstrations which began with a relatively smallnumber of concerned people and grew and grew into a nationwide movement as peoplejoined in, like the walk from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem which began with a fewhundred and grew along the way to many thousands. In 99% of cases thedemonstrations are quiet, civil and orderly but of course the young get veryemotional and sometimes angry and on occasion do things that are best leftundone. One of the saddest sights last night was watching formerChief of the Israeli Navy, Yoav Gallant, currently Minister of Defence, going toeach of the major players of this contentious law, trying to persuade them tohold back, present the law another day in a different form, but withoutsuccess. Despite his efforts he still voted with the government as did all of theLikud party. That over, what is the Reasonableness Standard and whatare its implications. I think we all understand the basics, by dint of its veryname, the Reasonableness Standard, and I knew that it would seriously cut theability of the Supreme Court to censure the Knesset, that’s very clear, but Ilooked for a simple explanation and found it, strangely enough in an articlefrom 2019, during Mr. Netanyahu’s last term of office. I had no idea it was onthe cards so long ago. This is from the Israel Democracy Institute.  https://en.idi.org.il/articles/27020  The demonstrations will continue and my heart goes out tothe young policemen and women who no matter what they feel, whatever theirpolitical alliances, have to keep the rule of law, keep the traffic moving andcontrol the demonstrations - unfortunately receiving little financialcompensation. There are several claims lodged to the Supreme Courtdeclaring the new law illegal, the first from the Movement for Quality ofGovernment led by Eliad Shrager…. watch this space. I'msitting having my breakfast outside on the veranda looking around me enjoyingthe few minutes before the heat falls upon us. Like Israelis, reading thenewspaper filled me with trepidation, concerned for the frightening split insociety.. And then it happened. Aboutsix little tiny birds, their black feathers iridescent in the sun, came tovisit. They aren't hummingbirds, despite their ability to hover, their wingsflapping at a phenomenal rate, they're called Sunbirds and they drink nectar fromthe base of flowers rather than long tongues as the hummingbird. They are quitespectacular and have a wonderful little chirp. As they went from hibiscus tohibiscus from tree to tree the happy song ringing out in the morning, I beganto realise that there's so much hope in the world!  Perhaps we should learnfrom them that there is another way, one doesn’t have to drink from the top ofthe flower but rather from the base. Last night while having dinner I discoveredthat an old friend was related to David Ben-Gurion! Ben Gurion’s name originalname was Grin before it was Hebraicised. Adv. Yair Green is a direct relativeof the great man whose strength and determination are legendary. David BenGurion, a true leader, went against the Knesset majority, understood his placein history and declared the State of Israel! Yes,it is the day after the night before and yes, I'm very disappointed but I stillhave hope that this amazing country will come out of it changed and maybe better,for the fact that we're together. So many people came together, including youngpeople who care so deeply for this country that they are willing to give up onnights on the town to join nights on the street in what became a fight for ourlegal system. Iwish you a good day. I promise you that no matter what , we still live in themost amazing little country in the world.  -- If the media does not inform us we must inform the mediaMy Website http://www.theviewfrommyveranda.info/Facebook      Sheila Silver Raviv Involvement   http://www.impact-se.org/ 

Zamburot, Bastille and Golda

14th July, 2023 Shabbat Shalom! Happy Bastille Day! Bastille Day, the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille. The big question is whether one can be happy at what is happening in France today. The Bastille is not in danger but the country is as French towns and cities burn and looting is rife and French Moslems run riot after a young man was shot by police. I couldn’t help but compare what is happening in France to our demonstrations here, 27 weeks of demonstrations throughout the country and but for a few unnecessary events, it has been orderly, not so quiet with the “Zamburot”, those ghastly noisy fog horns, breaking into the nights, posters, shouts of “Shame” and “Democracy” but generally people standing waving flags (yes stopping traffic for a short period) on any and every square, bridge and intersection determined that their voice be heard. After the resignation of the Tel Aviv Commissioner of Police who refused to follow demands of tougher measures, the police were less “gentle but it was reported that at least 350,000 people demonstrated around the country, worried citizens of every sector. I had no idea what the reasonableness law entailed, and why it is so disturbing, so I read up on it. It has passed the first reading in Knesset with every member of the coalition voting for, not one with enough moral strength to vote against. It comes from British law, invoked centuries ago. The International Commission for Jurists describes it as “Reasonableness”, a standard of review often used by courts for making a determination as to the constitutionality or lawfulness of legislation and regulations, particularly in common law jurisdictions, and through which judges will assess whether the questioned law or practice can be justified vis-à-vis the objectives targeted and the constitutional rights to be protected.” It is of such importance that I will stand on squares, bridges and intersections to ensure it is not removed from the Israeli Courts. This cobbled together coalition government will not lead us away from the straight and narrow path, a path leading to unbridled power. So that’s the scoop as my big sister Eddie would say. Luckily life in Israel is still amazing on a day to day level which is why we give up our evenings to demonstrate – we want to preserve the way of life that put us in the top ten countries of happy citizens. Here’s a round-up of the week’s events Helen Mirren is here again, this time for the opening of the Jerusalem Film Festival with her film about her heroine, Golda Meir. She said “I am very happy to see the huge demonstrations and believe it is a pivotal moment in Israel’s history. Israel has the highest number of paramedics per capita in the world! Magen David Adom, Hatzolah and others, train our youngsters, Jews and Arabs, from an early age. Bravo! Israeli football player Manor Solomon has joined the long list of Israeli players to be signed by British teams. Solomon signed this week with Tottenham Hotspurs aka Spurs! Good luck! Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the commonwealth was knighted by King Charles in Windsor castle for his remarkable contributions to the Jewish community interfaith relations and education. If you recall, Rabbi Mirvis was invited to stay at the home of King Charles so that he could attend the Coronation without breaking Shabbat. Israel was mentioned far more frequently In the Human Rights Council than North Korea, Pakistan, Nigeria or Sudan, a group of countries including Austria, Britain, Canada and Italy, led by US Ambassador Michele Taylor, were “deeply concerned” at the Commission of Inquiry’s “long-standing disproportionate attention given to Israel in the council.” In an “open-ended mandate with no sunset clause” or closing date. Using the reports of Impact-se (www.impact-se.org ) the European Union has condemned the incitement to hatred in the Palestinian schoolbooks, which we now know are basically written by UNWRA. Last night I went to the opening of a fascinating exhibit at the Museum of Islamic Art in Jerusalem, right next to the Jerusalem Theatre, with my friend and neighbour Naomi. The Turkish Ambassador, His Excellency Sakir Ozkan Torunlar was present for the opening the exhibition told the story of food in the region, predominantly of the Arab Food traditions, utensils from the past and present and examples of local food presented by several chefs, including Chef Moshe Basson of Eucalyptus, in Jerusalem, whose dishes refer to Biblical times and of Rashta restaurant in the village of Ein Rafa. Ranham Barhom, the owner and head chef was at the ceremony with his wife and two beautiful little girls who sat next to me. Yaron Zidkiyahu sat with us, Yaron’s family represent food in Jerusalem, all of which started in Shouk Mahane Yehuda which was equally central to the exhibit. My favourite moment was when Museum Director, the wonderful Gilad Levian, spoke of his grandmother’s cooking, everything on the “ptiliah” something close to a camping stove on steroids, which was the only method of cooking in those days. His description of the aromas which bring back so many beautiful memories I think that those “ptiliot” forced a type of cooking that warmed the hearts of entire families. Next week President Isaac (Bougie) Herzog is going to the United States to meet with President Biden. It is not the first time that they have met, and certainly not the last, but it is clear that the President of the United States is unhappy with Israel’s current government, several members of which have been less than polite about him and about the United States, which shows their ignorance and their lack of understanding. The PM has already told President Herzog what he can and can’t discuss – but what he doesn’t understand is that Herzog may speak quietly and politely but never ever doubt that he will speak of exactly what he deems important. I love meeting old friends! This week I invited just a few for lunch on our veranda. Those who live nearby arrived at record speed but sadly those from Ra’anana couldn’t come because of the demonstration at Ben Gurion Airport. I couldn’t decide if that demonstration was fair, thinking of lost flights and blocked roads, but in fact, to my surprise, flights were on time and all passengers caught their respective flights. The logistics were difficult but ultimately, lunch was delightful as were the guests and their welcome home-made contributions toward lunch. There is something very special about meeting up with old friends. It’s as if a conversation held 50 years ago simply continues without hesitation. Eli and Harley Ungar are special people, very special people. They were beloved friends of my late son Daniel and have ensured that the friendship toward Daniel’s family has not waned in any way. On Thursday, yesterday, I met them at the entrance to Shalva, on Harley’s first visit. I saw the look of amazement on her face as she walked in the door to a bright, happy, noisy lobby, to be met by Sophie who then took us straight up to Dr. Dan’s Room, the studio we created to honour Daniel. Gosh I love the place. As Sophie took us around Harley’s amazement just grew as we saw the workshops, playroom, classrooms and sleepover areas which all help people with special needs to enter their lives armed with the tools of social interaction and independence. We then went down to the excellent coffee shop where we were joined by Kalman Samuels, creator of Shalva, together with his wife Malki, and Kalman spoke of Yossi, their incredible son, and of their determination to bring inclusion into Shalva. As we finished our delicious lunch a young woman came up to us, requesting to speak to Kalman “I just want to tell you that you changed our lives. You gave us hope and joy in our little boy who was born with Downs’ Syndrome and made us realise that we are parents just like everyone else” She proudly showed us her baby boy, sleeping peacefully, a beautiful child who I know will brow to be the very best he can possibly be. Kalman’s book https://www.shalva.org/dreams-never-dreamed/ is a fabulous read. 51 years ago my middle son Gideon stood up on the Bimah of the beautiful Reading Synagogue and sang his Bar Mitzvah, this week’s Parasha or Torah reading, the double portion of Matot and Maasei – Matot meaning Tribes and Maasei meaning Journeys. In those days he sang a clear sweet soprano as opposed to his equally beautiful baritone of today. Since that day my admiration for him has grown and grown, not only for his incredible achievements, admiration for him and his wonderful family, but maybe most of all for his choice of partner in life, the amazing Stephanie. Rabbi Jeremy Rosengives a wonderful explanation of the reading, I hope this link works! https://mailchi.mp/7a922cbaae19/where-you-should-live?e=58fea4332b Tonight we have special guests, Zvi’s younger son Leor, his wife Shiri and the four girls, Amit, Gili, Ori and Yuval. The menu will be varied, White fish in spicy sauce for Leor and Zvi, salmon for Shiri and Yuval, pizza for all the rest, the pizza dough is currently in the fridge awaiting the requested toppings. A huge green salad and a chopped salad will accompany, plus a courgette salad and a Moroccan mushroom salad. I am happy to have a little bit of each. It’s just too hot for most desserts so I may well just go and buy some ice cream – welcomed by all. I will set the Shabbat table outside where hopefully the evening will change from searing heat to a quiet balmy warmth. We’ll see. I’m about to head off to see Rachel, and to pass through my favourite vistas. I always top on the way to by flowers to decorate her table from one of the youngsters that set up sunshades and sport a huge variety of flowers in buckets of water. They are at almost every intersection both in towns and on the main roads, where passers by stop their cars to buy flowers to take home for Shabbat. On my way home I’ll buy the Challot, the plaited loaves that represent the manna from heaven, two on the sixth day so that we rest on the seventh. On the way home I will stop opposite Nebe Samuel – Samuel’s Tomb – and take in the phenomenal vista of a city reborn, of modern Jerusalem, a city that never fails to fascinate. I’ll think of you as I stand there in wonder at the rolling hills, the dazzling white buildings as far as the eye can see. If music be the food of love play on – ah if only. There are occasions where I repeat songs, because their message is of great importance. I love this song, Lean on Me, sung by Koolulam, creates a sense of togetherness, Jews, Christians, Moslems, Hindus, it is irrelevant, all moderate thinkers, everyone who cares for the world around them, this is an anthem. https://youtu.be/UzPL6INO5KI The Shalva Band has reached heights that nobody ever thought young disabled people could reach, no matter how talented, they changed the paradigm of acceptance, a paradigm change made by Kalman and Malki Samuels and Shalva. v https://youtu.be/JnnOWLm3oxI Finally, the last song expresses our prayer that “Yihyeh Beseder” It will be alright. We are going through a tough time but we are a strong democracy and after all we are have survived far worse. Love this song! Katan Aleinu – for which there is no literal translation – We can do it is the nearest https://youtu.be/lHVAWnCXBkU Shabbat Shalom dear friend. Thank you for your patience on this rather long missive, but it all needed to be said! Shabbat Shalom to you all wherever you may be. With love from Jerusalem, the city I love, the city we love, the City of David, where 3,000 years ago, a King sat on its ancient stones and wrote poems to Jerusalem in the exact same language that we speak today. Sheila

Praying, fighting, singing

7th July, 2023 Shabbat Shalom! Happy anniversary to my sister Eddie and Ray. 66 years of pure love – and incredibly 66 years since I was your bridesmaid. Happy birthday to my incredible, funny, clever, loving son Gideon who never fails to challenge my thinking and so contributes every week to this missive. I know, normally I don’t start my missives with personal notes, but 66 years is pretty good going for a marriage these days. I was thinking about good stories, a positive start to this week’s newsletter and their marriage sprang to mind. As to Gideon, his analytical thinking is a lesson to us all. It has been a week of important news, sad news and the odd ray of light to lift our spirits. The question of Haredi enlistment in the IDF was brought before the Supreme Court by the Movement for Quality in Government led by Advocate Eliad Shrager concerning the “Reasonableness” of any law passed by the Knesset. This covers many subjects but this explanation clarifies much ” Reasonableness comes into play in the judiciary’s other supervisory function. It is a test rooted in Israel’s British legal heritage, part of a tradition of judicial review of decisions by the executive branch. Far from thwarting the will of the people, judicial review is meant to ensure that public officials, from the prime minister downwards, do not flout the will of the people by abusing or exceeding their powers under the law. Some feel that the courts’ use of the reasonableness test in this area has gone too far, by examining the substance of decisions rather than the decision-making process; others disagree. At any rate, Israel’s current minister of justice plans to abolish it altogether. “ One of the main subjects under discussion is the enlistment, or rather non-enlistment of Haredi Israelis into the IDF, a release law which comes to an end after July. Is it reasonable that a particular sector of society is released automatically from serving in an essential defence force by right? The question always rises after young people in the IDF face extreme danger, even more than usual, in order to protect us all and the weight of responsibility lies only on one third of society. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-748977 Tel Aviv Police Commissioner Avi Eshed had enough. He stood before the microphone, proudly wearing his police uniform, and explained why he was leaving the force after many years of loyal service. He could no longer serve under Ben Gvir, a Minister for Internal Security that demanded that he use extreme force to stop the demonstrations which take place week after week, month after month, on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv. Until now Commissioner Eshed put forward specific rules to both demonstrators and police, and with very few exceptions the demonstrations went off without incident. The change in attitude was apparent in the spontaneous demonstrations which followed Eshed’s speech, much the same as those in support of Yoav Gallant when Netanyahu fired him. Immediately people left their homes and work and arrived at demonstration sites throughout the country. Unfortunately, the police felt freer to react strongly and at one point, had his bodyguard not jumped in to save the situation, Ehud Olmert, who was simply standing holding his flag, would have been pushed and shoved by one over-eager policeman. MK Meirav Michaeli was less fortunate but at least she wasn’t hurt. Despite the election pledge of this government, the number of terror attacks has increased, taking advantage of the disturbing split in the citizens and dissatisfaction with the leadership. On Tuesday, in a quiet suburb of Tel Aviv, a terrorist drove his truck into a bus stop and then stabbed those nearby. 8 people went to hospital with varying degrees of injury. Next day, David Yehuda Yitzchak died as the IDF left the operation in Jenin. Jenin, as I have said before, has become the centre for terror organisations, where the brains behind the attacks have their centres, sadly in schools, kindergartens and of course Mosques, preventing most pin point attacks from the air, requiring on the ground operations. Yesterday Shiloh Yosef Amir was killed in a terror attack near his home. I don’t know if it is clear, but in Israel, we know everyone, or know someone who knows the injured or killed. Whereas in other countries killings, shootings, stabbings, take place every day without hitting the headlines, here, we know them, the soldiers are everybody’s sons. Thousands went to the boy’s funerals, thousands who just wanted to say thank you to the families and support them in their grief. May their souls rest in peace. The last thing I want you to believe is that terror rules our lives or that we are cowed into submission. Life goes on, indeed life here is still wonderful, active, intense and highly enjoyable, wea re a people that loves to go out, to promenade, to stop for a coffee, to meet and chat in the park. Of course, we love to complain but that’s fine. Let me give you the week’s rundown in the Raviv family. Of course, virtually every day or evening Zvi has rehearsals in at least one of his choirs, so I won’t include those in our packed social schedule. On Sunday I met Betty and Dana for a coffee in the excellent coffee shop of the Israel Museum where both volunteer and in the evening Zvi sang in a concert at the Jerusalem Theatre with the choir Hakol Yachassi. On Monday Rachel and I headed off for the Dan Hotel near the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus to meet my Daniel’s close friend Eli. We love Eli! He was there for a conference but took time out to spend time with us. Hopefully I’ll be with Eli and his lovely wife Harley for a visit to Shalva next week, a visit to Dr. Dan’s Room. Where was I? Oh yes Tuesday. Zvi had his mini-parliament made up of local friends and then we drove to Herzliya where we met with Julio Jarak and then collected Debby and Sam Bettsak and headed off to the most phenomenal evening we’ve had in a long time – Shlomo Artzi in concert in the Caesaria amphitheatre. Caesaria, unfortunately better known for being the private home of the Netanyahu’s is actually a fascinating archaeological and historic site. https://en.parks.org.il/reserve-park/caesarea-national-park/ Shlomo Artzi’s career spans decades and he is still as strong of voice and personality as when he was 20. The audience, from teenagers to pensioners, sang every word with him, stood on their feet and waved arms, and generally had a ball. It was indeed a spectacular spectacular! We loved every second and I sang every word on the way back to Jerusalem. Wednesday morning and I met my friend Mel Brickman in Kumkum (Kettle) a tea house on Bethlehem Road. We had scones with cream and jam for breakfast – although we hoped to get crumpets the poor waitress had no idea what we were talking about! The tea was good although I had to ask for an extra tea bag for the pot and they had no Tea Cosy! It was lovely nonetheless, the two of us in the pretty garden of the tea house. That evening Zvi and I were back on the road to the Ronit Farms, a glorious wedding site out in the country near Kibbutz Gaash, for a truly magnificent event. As I have often related, Zvi is still very close to several of his old high school friends from the time when his parents were Hebrew teachers in Mexico, at the “Yiddische Schule” and among his favourites is Dina Garber. Dina’s grandson Alan was marrying his Jessica – two young people, one from Mexico, one from France via Israel who met in San Francisco and fell in love. It was gorgeous! Yesterday was the fast of Tammuz, the 17th day of the month of Tammuz which heralds the three weeks of mourning which end on the 9th of the month of Av, Tisha b’Av. https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/947558/jewish/What-Are-the-Three-Weeks.htm As soon as I finish writing to you I am going to see Rachel and the children. Gosh I love it! Her Shabbat preparations remind me so much of when my children were small, the aromas, the challot rising on the side, then coming out of the oven just waiting, her challot so much more interesting than mine used to be – she experiments with spices, seeds, and designs. For some reason I always arrive just as the bulkes, the little challah rolls, come out of the oven ready for the butter to melt into its aromatic flavours accompanied by a cup of good tea, with the hugs, kisses and stories of Yosef, Talia and Ayala, who despite being teenagers are still as loving as ever. Tonight, Shabbat. Shabbat, just the two of us, time to be together and talk about our insane life! Zvi’s beautiful kiddush will be just for me, something I treasure as nothing else. Tomorrow we will spend Shabbat with our/my old friends Yaffa and Martin Glass after visiting Zvi’s son Amiad, Noga, Ella and Yonatan who are just as loving as Rachel’s family! It will be good to catch up with Yaffa and Martin and know that they are happy since moving here. As I look out on our veranda, on the fruit trees which hold so much promise of a fine harvest, the hibiscus, petunias, geranium, Passiflora, Black Eyed Susan and look forward to going with friends to the concert of arias in Jerusalem Theatre after Shabbat, I am grateful. Grateful that life is full, grateful that we are very involved, grateful that we live in a country where criticising the government is not a death sentence as in so many countries. Grateful that life is busy. Which of course brings us to the music. I tried and tried to find a good video of Shlomo Artzi singing in Caesaria on the night we were there in the ancient amphitheatre. A concert there is the peak that all Israeli singers hope to attain and he has performed there over 200 times! This gives you the sensation, the feeling – the entire audience knew every word of every song! https://youtu.be/8pOmgSJSwLE If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget her cunning. Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, If I remember thee not; If I set not Jerusalem above my chiefest joy. Yaakov Shwekey, in Caesaria too. With the poem, prayer of 3,000 years https://youtu.be/j1WsdQHtSUg 73 years since the Law of Return, July 5th 1950, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_Return was passed in the Knesset, the date chosen to coincide with the anniversary of Herzl’s death. Since that day millions of Jews from all corners of the dispersion have come home. To honour that day, the Israeli Police sing “Yerushalyim Shel Zahav” Jerusalem of Gold in honour of that day. It is so beautiful. https://youtu.be/O5mCq1NCGrE Shabbat Shalom dear friends. I often wonder if you know how important you are to me. Some of you, in fact a surprising number, I know personally and many I know because you care, because you write to introduce yourselves. I wish you a peaceful weekend, I wish Israel a peaceful weekend. Sending love from Jerusalem, our city, the centre of our world Sheila

Shabbat Shalom, Eid al-Adha Karim

30th June, 2023 Shabbat Shalom! Eid al-Adha Karim, or blessed Feast of the Sacrifice. It never fails to amaze me how similar the three monotheistic religions really are. Yes of course they all come from the same root, but when I wished my Moslem readers “Eid al-Adha Karim” I referred to the festival celebrating the binding of Isaac, the Akedah, or rather celebrating the fact that Isaac was not sacrificed because his father Abraham has passed the faith test. We share so much that one would think that Jews, Christians and Moslems would understand each other and even accept each other – but that subject is an entire tome within itself. As usual I have to tell you what’s going on here, but I promise you that this week the good news far outweighs the current news. The good news/bad news this week is that rockets didn’t land in Israel; the bad news is that they were launched from Jenin. Apparently, the rockets were aimed at the Gilboa Region which is ironic since it was the Gilboa Council that worked side by side with the people of Jenin to rebuild. Most Israelis had never heard of Brighton, a beautiful seaside town in the UK which sports a glorious Indo-Saracenic Pavilion, designed by John Nash, at the behest of King George IV as a summer palace. However, this week our television screens were not full of gorgeous architecture or the beautiful sea shore, but rather of Sara Netanyahu watching Film Producer Arnon Milchen give evidence in her husband’s trial. Due to Arnon Milchen’s ill health the trial was moved to Brighton for his testimony. The excesses of fine cigars and pink champagne which began as gifts and became demands is hair-raising and deeply distressing, showing yet again a total disregard for the norms of moral leadership. Only time will tell but the insidious remarks about the highly respectable senior judge is creeping into the remarks from the PM’s office. Judicial reform is still high on the priorities of this government and the statements as to what will and won’t be part of the bill put forward to the Knesset changes daily. Perhaps that is one of the reasons that the Netanyahu invitation is still not coming forward from the White House. Former Israeli Police Commissioner Roni Alsheich caused a storm, when, during an interview, he said that he truly believed that Netanyahu would resign once indicted, or that the Likud Party would choose another leader. He was sure that for the sake of the country, Netanyahu would leave his post and concentrate on his trial as he told Ehud Olmert to do. Alsheich was always outspoken and during his tenure he “cleaned up” the upper echelons of the police. His tenure was cut short by Gilad Erdan, the then Minister of Police. The rest is history. There was almost a coup-d’etat in Russia. It looked powerful, made a lot of noise but the Wagner revolution failed with its tail between its legs. Putin is still Russia’s all powerful, swaggering dictator. New York’s Mayor Eric Adams is to form a Jewish Advisory Council with representation from all sectors of New York’s diverse Jewish community. “Members of the newly-formed council will focus on all issues affecting Jewish New Yorkers, including public safety, quality of life, and education, and will ensure Jewish communities across New York City are connected with all of the city’s resources and services available” A very important move in the light of increasing anti-Semitism. Our under 21 football team has done it again!! With a late goal against the Czech Republic on Wednesday night the team secured their place in the Quarter-finals of the European Cup Under 21’s. They play Georgia at home for a place in the Semi-finals. The final four teams qualify for the Paris Olympics next summer. Zvi and I avoid the Israeli version of the TV reality show Big Brother, just not our taste. However, we heard about Yanky and felt the urge to watch. Yanky is the opposite of the usual contestant, he’s a sweet faced, young, Haredi who chose to enter the Big Brother House without compromising his beliefs in any way. Each member of the house was given a task and Yanky’s was to put on the IDF uniform, do a (limited) physical test course and salute his fellow “soldier” with a sharp, clear “Ken hamefaked” - Yes Officer. At the end he sat before Big Brother and told him that even before entering the Big Brother House he intended joining the IDF because he received so much from his country that he wanted to give back. Not a dry eye in the house or in any of the houses around Israel. I often tell you about the humanity of the IDF and its acceptance of young special needs soldiers. That is true in almost every case but the elite pilot’s course is different. High physical profile, high intellectual profile, intense personality tests, just to get into the course. Once there 50% drop out in the first months, and so on until there are just a very few left to graduate. However, this graduation of the Pilot’s Course had one student who stood out, I cannot give you his name but know that he was born with a congenital form of stutter, very severe, yet he was accepted and overcame all the tests and his stutter! He was interviewed and although we were not allowed to see his face, his smile was in his voice. Bravo! Superwoman and very proud Israeli actress Gal Gadot has been chosen to have a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. She is the first Israeli actress or actor to receive the honour and she will accept it as an Israeli. Love her! The Jerusalem Film Festival begins on July 13th with the film “Golda” starring Helen Mirren who will come for the occasion. I will never forget meeting Helen Mirren during a press conference and when the CNN reporter asked her why she loved Israel she responded “Why on earth shouldn’t I? It isn’t that I love Israel it is that I admire Israel. I love being here” The City of Efrat is 40 years old! Situated in Gush Etzion, the brainchild of Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, Efrat is not a townful of settlers but rather a beautiful middle class dormitory town. A beautiful place to live, at peace with its neighbours. Mahane Yehuda is 100 years old! That most Jerusalemite market, filled with colour, aromas, costermongers shouting their wares, delicious halva of every flavour and colour, Tzidkiyahu’s deli, fruit and veg straight from the fields, piled high such as never seen before, fish so fresh it almost jumps into your shopping bag and every variety of bread, knaffe, rugelech and baklava imaginable! Filled with happy excited people, it is my favourite place in Jerusalem. The metamorphosis on a Thursday evening as the stands close is phenomenal. Suddenly chairs and tables appear from nowhere and the young people pour in from all over the country as the market becomes one big bar with music and fun!! If you are here and want to know what celebrations are taking place https://www.jerusalem.muni.il/en/experience/allevents/100_machne/ That felt so good. Life here is so wonderful and I always wind up telling you depressing news but today, lots of good news. This has been a fairly uneventful week in the life of the Ravivs apart from Zvi’s various choir rehearsals. One delightful event was when my two grand-daughters, Talia and Ayala, announced that they wanted to come and stay over – just because! It was great and Rachel brought them and we even had time for a movie at home. When I think of it it’s very special when a 17 year old and a 14 year old choose to stay with Saba and Safta. Talia has a school project to write about someone’s experience during the founding of the State of Israel. She chose Zvi’s lovely father Kalman and Zvi happily related his father’s experiences as British Mandate Policeman Number 81, as a sports teacher, the new waves of immigration at a time when everyone was poor and of course of his father’s invention which then spread cross the world “Mishmeret ha Zahav” the crossing guards who save so many lives. In Israel the guards are older children but in the UK the “Lollipop Ladies” were introduced about 4 years later. I love the fact that young Israelis really want to know how the founders of the State of Israel lived. Tonight Shabbat, Zvi and I are on our own! Yes I know it sounds impossible but it’s true. Just the two of us and the candles, the blessings and the peace and quiet of our amazing home. This week I have had many visitors, sunbirds who love the sugary liquid from my special feeder and drink the nectar from the flowers, woodpeckers busily trying to break open the green almonds on the tree outside my window and ordinary common or garden sparrows which dart in and out. I picked the apples from the tree and they were absolutely delicious, I love “Anna” apples, so crisp. The citrus trees are all producing tiny fruits and we have unseasonal scrumptious strawberries! Last night there was a summer party next to the Big House and we met neighbours from the village and tomorrow we will spend time with Ronit and Yossi. Since I do not need to cook for guests, I will have time to go to Rachel today and see Yosef, Talia and Ayala. The special treat afterwards is driving over Samuel’s Tomb and stopping for a few minutes at the vista point to soak up the amazing relief map that is Jerusalem stretched out before me, hill after hill of glistening white buildings. Tomorrow hopefully we will see Amiad and Leor and families, a special weekend indeed. Music, indeed the food of love, it calms the fevered brow and all the other schmalzy but accurate descriptions. Koolulam again!! A Revolution of Joy! Sheer joy https://youtu.be/0fBM6a3Gzh0 Birthright Israel aka Taglit, is a project to bring young people on their first trip to Israel, all in. They have an amazing time, meet friends from all over, travel the length and breadth of Israel and discover that everything they heard prior to arriving here, was wrong. Israel is a fabulous place for young people – so much so they even sing about it! Shevet Achim Beyachad https://youtu.be/gHAd2D_0u5k I always loved Shlomo Artzi. In fact, I learned Hebrew through his songs, the words poetic and clear. It was at the time of cassettes and I used to listen carefully and stop the cassette when there was a word I didn’t understand and look it up in the Hebrew/English dictionary. Neither Zvi nor I have ever been to a Shlomo Artzi concert but this Tuesday, with thanks to Debby and Samuel Bettsak, we are going to hear him in the incredible amphitheatre of Caesarea. My favourite song 35 years ago was “Under Mediterranean Skies” about the complexities of life in the Middle East alongside the mundane of everyday life. He sings with his son Ben in the most loving father son video ever made. https://youtu.be/qgqd2VB3TA8 So it is time to say goodbye, adieu, Shabbat Shalom. I wish you a beautiful Shabbat in which you give yourself time to reflect, to go for a walk, to ray or to bless whichever suits you. When God rested, created a day of rest, it was probably the most important social contribution to humanity imaginable. A day to gather one’s thought, to be with one’s family and to give mind and body a break. Shabbat Shalom dear friends, Shabbat Shalom Sheila

Bad news - Good news

23rd June, 2023 Shabbat Shalom! Twenty seven years ago our home was a flurry of activity, of joyous activity, and I will tell you all about it, but first I must try to explain life in the Middle East. I promise to leave you with a sweet taste before I close. The town of Eli is on route 60, not far from the town of Ariel, in Samaria. Just outside the town is a petrol station and in that petrol station is a popular restaurant. This week two terrorists, armed with guns and an assault rifle drew up in cars with Israeli number plates and shot at those just outside. Elisha Altman (18) Harel Masoud (21) Nachman Mordof (17) and Ofer Feierman (63) were killed instantly and another four were injured. Most definitely a heinous act and one that the IDF and the security services are dealing with. The killing of four people at a small restaurant in a petrol station was foul and horrific terrorism, however, we are not revengeful people and the rampage of young LOUTS, I would venture to call them Israeli terrorists in the West Bank town of Turmus Ayya is beyond the pale. It is true that the terrorist came from Turmus Ayya, but the village is not guilty, the families of the terrorists will be questioned and it shames all of us when Jewish terrorists go on what can only be called a pogrom. The attack on Eli is said to be a reaction to the military action in Jenin. Jenin is the fulcrum, the centre of terrorist activity, the home of Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas, each trying to show that they are more violent than the other. A very different picture from the Jenin I visited years ago; a Jenin built up with the help of the Gilboa District Council. I was there with Malcolm Hoenlein and the Conference of Presidents and we heard Salaam Fayyad talk about his hopes to build a relevant police force and civil administration in the way that the Jews had in the nascent state, by learning from the Brits. Oh how it has changed. One subject that I have avoided but must address is the internecine killings in the Israeli Arab community. Over one hundred killings so far this year. The Arab Members of Knesset are very vocal about the need to stop the violence, but are wary about the need to control guns, illegal guns which are the root of the problem. Family honour and criminal gang warfare are increasing at a terrifying rate. There are just one million Druze in the world, predominantly in Israel, Syria and Lebanon. A somewhat secret society, based upon Islam, they are loyal to whatever country they live, utterly loyal. Some of our finest and bravest fighters in the IDF are Druze. The Druze who live on the Golan Heights are torn in their loyalties. Since 1967 the Golan Heights is in Israeli hands, but many Druze who live on the heights have family in Syria. A few years ago, the Israeli government gave permission for a private company to buy land on the Golan Heights to build a turbine wind farm on Mount Bnei Rasan. The local Druze in the village of Majdal Shams, objected for many complex reasons which I will try my best to explain in as few words as possible. All other Druze soldiers in the IDF receive a piece of land to build themselves a home upon their release from military service, however, the Golan Druze cannot and to add insult to injury if they build a home on land near their village the are fined a vast sum, a sum they cannot afford to pay. A Catch 22 situation. The Druze community relies upon tourism for their livelihood, with wonderful restaurants, and now they believe that these huge wind turbines will take up swathes of land and ruin the quiet life. The demonstrations have been taking place since 2018 and only now have become rowdy as a result of their frustration and instead of continuing negotiations and a court order from the Supreme Court of Israel to stop the work, Internal Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir announced that he will go ahead with the turbine farm irrespective of the court order and the views of the Druze, and if they don’t like it they can go to Syria. Yes, Ben Gvir again. The demonstrations against this government continue, the biggest after Shabbat, each Saturday night, with smaller ones on Thursdays. A wider and wider configuration of demonstrators join the fray, and more and more support for Benny Gantz as the rational centrist leader. We have had enough of extremists. MK Rothman, Chairman of the Knesset Legal Committee, however, compared our demonstrations to the attackers of Turmus Ayya. Amit Becher won the elections for the position of Chair of the Israeli Bar Association. His opponent Effi Naveh, himself under a legal cloud, was the preferred candidate of this government and the pre-election shenanigans were most unpleasant, but as a result, the turnout for these elections was double that of the past, a sign of the times, and the anti-reform candidate won. The Impact-se reports on UNWRA and their hate teaching has caused the Europeans, UK, Norway and many other countries including those in the Middle East, to cut funding of that organisation, and the UNWRA CEO Lazzarini is crying bankruptcy which brought hopes of them changing their policy; however, this week the United States, after already reinstating the UNWRA funding, has increased it by $16.2 million! It wasn’t just the increase but that fact that it was announced immediately after the horrific terror attack on Eli. US funding since its 2021 reengagement with the UNRWA now amounts to $917, 646,436 over 2 years. That’s your American tax money teaching hate! Not everything in the Middle East is hate and killing, certainly not here in Israel. We make a lot of noise but that’s because we can. This is the only country in the Middle East where criticizing one’s leaders and government is not punishable by death! The Abraham Accords is a resounding success and many of the countries of the MENA region are changing the paradigm of their schoolbooks from hate-speech to tolerance and we have opened trade routes and air lanes with just about everyone. More Israelis have visited the Emirates than anywhere else, although Portugal is very popular! Last night was a perfect example of coexistence. Right in the middle of Jerusalem, next to the Jeshurun Synagogue and the Jewish Agency building there is a monastery named for Marie-Alphonse Ratisbonne, a Jewish convert to Catholicism. The building is exquisite, huge and finished in 1917, recently most of it became residential property but the church and its high vaulted ceiling remains. Last night Zvi and I went to a concert of folk songs by many famous composers including Rimsky Korsakoff, Rachmaninoff, Bruckner and Byrd sung by the astonishing Musika Aerterna Choir under the baton of Iliya Plotkin. The choir consisted of almost exclusively immigrants from the FSU, some since 1990 and some much more recently after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It was a truly spectacular evening. As promised I will now get to the reason our home was a flurry of activity 27 years ago. Picture the scene. Gideon and Rachel sitting on the floor surrounded by gypsophilia, aka Baby’s Breath, and ribbons which they expertly and beautifully decorated four long poles with. My friend Jill was helping them, her scissors expertly cutting the ribbons to the right length, all of us in pyjamas. Why? Oh, I forgot to tell you, the poles were the poles of the Chuppah or wedding canopy for Zvi and my wedding! So, let me set the scene. We were in the middle of the Jerusalem 3000 celebrations and Jerusalem was preparing for the ceremony to announce the illumination of Walls of the Old City. Zvi had spoken to the organisers and they promised to quieten the rehearsals during our wedding ceremony. Since our friends Alan and Bonnie Cohen lived in the almost empty David’s Village, formerly Mamilla, they helped us close of their street, Zvi “borrowed” some police barriers, and the caterer set up tables. Friends from all over the world, who were in Israel for the Jewish Agency meetings, mingled with our Israeli friends and of course our family, and Zvi and I stood underneath the aforementioned canopy, the newly lit Old City Walls behind us. Rabbi David Rosen, younger brother of Jeremy and the late Mickey Rosen, performed the ceremony; Gideon, Leor, Amiad and Valeri held the canopy poles, Kalman and Alla stood for Zvi and my lovely cousins Jean and Stuart Lipman stood in for my parents, Rachel and Jill held my flowers. Our friends Tsemed Re'im, Yisrael and Benny suddenly appeared singing the last blessing of the seven, surprising us with their amazing harmony. “If I forget thee oh Jerusalem” ended the ceremony and as Zvi broke the glass – 300 shofars (ram’s horns) sounded! Yes it was from the rehearsal below! The party began and Yisrael and Benny gave us a wonderful wedding gift of a performance. It was amazing. So now you know why there was a mess in our home and to what purpose! 27 years of rare togetherness, wonderful arguments, shared grandchildren and a determined love of Israel, the Israel we defend with words; the Israel that Kalman and Alla fought to create. Rachel and I managed to meet up with Poodle, the amazing wonderful Poodle who always puts a smile on our faces. There are a few people in this world (not enough) who without even saying anything, manage to lift one’s spirits, radiate a sense of warmth, surrounding one with love. Daniel really knew how to choose his friends! Song number one? It really has to be by Tsemed Re’im! Kol Sasson v’kol simcha, kol chatan v’kol calah. Translated it means Every joy and every celebration, every groom and every bride, surely appropriate for our wedding anniversary!! https://youtu.be/oErAED2_jkI On the top of the wonderful Shalva building, on top of the world, the Shalva Band and Buba Myses sing HAPPY!! Probably the most appropriate song for Shalva. https://youtu.be/ch7MmFlzPmY “Give us the will to love” from the Grande Synagogue de Paris, yes, it is a new one from Koolulam. It is so beautiful it made me cry, just seeing the families coming together to sing their wish to love, just love. Watch the way they look at each other, how parents hug their children…….. https://youtu.be/23dc_Eb3pUY And so another week draws to a close, another Shabbat is about to light our lives. Tonight our table will embrace friends from Colombia, El Salvador, Finland, Argentina, USA, Panama and us two Israelis…..well, one Israeli born and one Welsh born Israeli! Zvi insists that I tell you who is coming! He’s worried they may be upset if I don’t! So, here goes – Ambassador Susi and Dave Hassenson, Ambassador Addis and Ronen Nevo, Sam and Debby Bettsak, Julio and Monika Jarak and last but far from least, Ronald Bakalarz, who has promised to sit and help me if everyone descends into Spanish! The food is almost cooked, the salads made and since the weather has changed to produce balmy evenings I think we will sit outside on our veranda and I can tell them all about our burgeoning apple tree, limes, kumquats, oranges and believe it or not – strawberries! I will think of you all as I light the Shabbat Candles, wonder what you are doing, how you will celebrate this day. I will light my two brightly coloured “Daniel” candles, something I learned from Justin or Paddy -the trio of unbroken friendship of Poodle, Paddy and Dancam. I wish you could hear as Zvi sings the blessing over the wine, it really is spectacular. Love, let love into your lives, learn to hold back harsh words and never forget to tell your children they are wonderful, exceptional people. A parents smile means everything as I learned from my Daddy’s smile as I entered the room. Shabbat Shalom dear friends With love Sheila

Wins Wonders and Wishes

16th June, 2023 Shabbat Shalom, Gut Shabbes, Good morning and I wish you a good weekend. In fact I wish you everything good and kind in this world I want to start this week’s missive with this week’s Torah reading. It is so appropriate for our world in general and Israel, in particular. The name of the portion is Sh’lach or send. It’s the portion where the Children of Israel finally get really close to the Promised Land, the land of Canaan, and Moses sends out 12 spies to check out the potential of the unknown. The spies or scouts were gone for 40 days (a repeating number in the Bible) and they came back with wonderful fruits, a huge bunch of grapes, a pomegranate and a fig, none of which they had ever seen before. All well and good, but 10 of the spies reported that the Canaanites were huge aggressive giants not worth fighting; only Caleb and Joshua came back with positive reports, saying that the land was the ideal place to settle. Of course, the Children of Israel, chose to believe the 10 scaredy cats, made a huge fuss, rebelled and wanted to go back to the familiar slavery in Egypt. It was that “Diaspora” mentality that caused the Almighty to send the Children of Israel to wander another 40 years in the desert, to ensure a bright and confident generation, born to freedom, emerge rather than one that preferred slavery to the unknown. Why appropriate? Because we not only need a wise leader, but honest and fearless reports as to the feasibility of where we live. I watch current reports of world leaders, and our own, and not one is a Moses, a Caleb or a Joshua. The late Berlusconi, Chirac, Sarkozy, de Kirchner, Trump, Boris Johnson and Benjamin Netanyahu all under a cloud and the list is endless. My fear is that when leaders not only cheat but behave in an entitled bullying manner, above the law, that they convey a similar message to the people of their country Between Covid and such leadership people become more aggressive, less civil. Well, that was not a happy start to this newsletter, but I promise that once the essential report is out of the way we will go back to being positive and optimistic! Political confusion continues here in Israel, while those of you in the US and UK are watching the dramas concerning your former leaders unravel. Of course, the standard response to all accusations is a river in Egypt – denial – but time and the law will prevail. The demonstrations continue, the huge one each Saturday evening in Tel Aviv is far from the only one. Each town, city and village has a demonstration, well managed and in virtually all cases very well behaved. Zvi goes to the Jerusalem demonstration which takes place outside the Presidents House, which includes many of our friends, whereas his boys tend to go to the big demonstration in Tel Aviv. No matter what the press may say, these demonstrations of concerned people, educated people who fear for the direction the country is going; conceivably the ultimate expression of democracy. In a 413-13 vote the United States Congress passed a Bill to create a Special Envoy to the Abraham Accords. The bi-partisan bill has yet to go before the Senate but it is so logical and important it is unlikely to meet dissention. The Special Envoy will hold Ambassadorial rank and will hopefully ensure the already highly important and effective Abraham Accords which have changed the face of the area. As UNWRA continues teaching from its hate-filled schoolbooks, describing Jews as dogs and pigs, encouraging the use of suicide belts and so much more, their funding has been seriously reduced yet they continue on the same hateful path. The US State Department has included Impact-se recommendations in its new framework agreement with UNWRA in the PA and Gaza. The impact of Impact-se’s reports are taking hold. For the latest news from Impact-se https://www.impact-se.org/ The two subjects came together when Yossi Klein Halevi spoke to an AJC congress about the question of Jews in the United States, the Diaspora, being involved in Israeli policy making. I think his whole speech was highly relevant and I agreed with 99% of what he said but I was most impressed by his response to Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli between minutes 8-10. https://youtu.be/HmNvYhYnTrU Minister Chikli, spoke immediately before him and Klein Halevi responded to Chikli’s claim that the demonstrators in Israel were BDS activists “Stop defaming loyal Zionist opposition”. I highly recommend clicking and listening. Israel's team in the UEFA Under 20's Football World Cup in Argentina didn't win the championship, they came in 3rd, but they certainly won the teamsmanship medal! No macho chest beating for this team, but rather brotherly hugs from team members and coach alike with each goal throughout the tournament. I'm most proud of the composition of the team; there were Jews, Moslems, Ashkenaz, Sefaradi and Mizrachi, in other words, ISRAELIS. Israelis, who played their hearts out for our country. The 3 goals scored in that final game express the real Israel – Ran Binyamin, Omer Senior and Anan Khalaili. The World Beard and Moustache Championship is the next competition for Israelis, yes, honestly! 12 hirsute, bewhiskered Israelis headed for Germany and the competition, their team title? 972Beards!! I think I told you that Zvi has two “parliaments”, the main one on a Friday in the Botanical Gardens Caffit restaurant and a “mini-parliament” on a Tuesday in a local coffee shop. I often join the mini-parliament after doing my shopping in the supermarket, and this week a gentleman sat down at the table next to ours, took out a fan, computer and all of his work equipment. Within moments we were all chatting. It turns out that he wanted to meet with the local Mayor and bring businesses to our area. It took no time whatsoever for one of our group, Meshie Schreiber to help this fellow set up what he wanted, including meeting the Mayor! At this point we introduced ourselves by name and it turned out that Meshie and this gentleman has the same name – Schreiber but his family had Hebraicised their name to Sofer! Such an Israeli situation! The other day I was very happy to visit friends in the beautiful retirement village of Protea Hills, just a ten minute drive from where we live, it is in the village of Shoresh. Shoresh has the most magnificent views over the Jerusalem Hills and clear, pollution free air. Both of these special friends are from my home city of Cardiff in South Wales and have made history because this is the first time that Protea Hills has welcomed both mother and daughter in their midst. It is such a joy to delve into our former Welsh life with both Tema, aged 101 and full of life and history, and my friend Sue, eliciting such happy memories. This is the season for visits of friends from the lower hemisphere of mother earth and last weekend was no exception. Friday night dinner was wonderful! Our Australian visitors have a special place in my heart, Robert and Anita Simons from Sydney and Anita’s grandson Jesse, who is serving in the IDF and is one of the most delightful young men I have met in a very long time. Our other guests were Drs Arik and Ora Schiffer who had served as emissaries to Australia many years ago, and Merle and Frank Friedman and the conversation flowed wonderfully after Zvi’s famous kiddush! Merle and Frank stayed over and the very next morning was a “Coffee on the Lawn” event on our estate. Our apartments, all 240 of them, are built on an historic site which includes the glorious building of the former convalescent home of the Israeli Union, and the Avenue of the Presidents, trees planted by all the Israeli Presidents, beginning in with the man who started it all, Theodore Herzl! The buildings surround the gorgeous building and the lawns, trees and park which have been preserved. Everyone brought something, cakes, fruit, veggies and drinks and young families sat on the huge mats sat out under shade and the “older” families sat around getting to know each other better. It was delightful! As always happens several of the people in our group discovered that we have mutual friends, so Laura and Uri, we are all meeting at our place in the next few weeks! I mentioned Anita and Robert Simons, who just a couple of weeks ago hosted a parlour meeting in Sydney for my lovely friend and CEO of Impact-se Marcus Sheff, and are now in Jerusalem. On Wednesday we met up with the lovely Gaby Hirsch for lunch and a tour in Shalva. Needless to say, they were completely blown away by the sheer beauty and joy of Shalva, the sounds and sights of happy children and young adults and the state of the art facilities. As always, Gaby kept the best for last, or should I say the most important in my life because everything in Shalva is the best – Dr. Dan’s Room, the Studio for the performing arts in the name of my late son Dr. Daniel Cammerman, that came to fruition through the generosity of incredible friends, kind people we barely know, and of course Daniel’s patients and colleagues. With donations to the Remembering Daniel campaign from 25 shekels to $20,000 each and every one an expression of love. A music therapy session was taking place and watching these amazing youngsters singing their favourite songs when they could barely speak, coming forward to talk to the musician who treated them with such deep respect and the joy on their faces when they were asked to sing their favourite song along with the recording was precious, no not precious, priceless. https://youtu.be/wjcgIeMVwcA Today, Friday, we will go to the cemetery in Jerusalem for the memorial to Zvi’s parents, the wonderful Kalman and Alla (Rybak) Raviv. According to tradition on reads from the prayer book, both the prayer for those who passed on and blessings which begin with each of the letters of their names. I have told you the stories of Kalman and Alla, a story which is that of the founding of this little country, of bravery, determination, love of country, love of Judaism and recognising what tragedies await in their native Poland. Both achieved the honour of receiving “Yakir Yerushalyim” the literal meaning “beloved of Jerusalem” for their incredible work for the country, the City and the children of Jerusalem through their teaching and creation of the now world famous children’s school crossing guards, which Kalman began several years before Britain and the USA. They are buried in a beautiful area reserved only for “Yakir Yerushalyim” beside former Mayors, Judges and poet Naftali Herz Inber, the poet whose words became Hatikva. Only close family will be present and will come to us for an early Shabbat dinner afterwards. Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the history of the Rybak-Raviv family is that although Kalman and Alla were Hebrew teachers in Mexico for just 5 years, an entire generation of their students now speak Hebrew and 60 years later still speak of their teachers with deep affection. A clear proof that good teachers can change the world. So, time for music. When I asked you what you like best you all said that you love what I choose so that’s what I’ll do. One of the youngsters in Shalva was asked what his favourite song is and he shyly announced, Shalom Aleichem, the beautiful blessing which we sing before Shabbat. He wanted the traditional tune and I wanted to give you something a bit different so here we have a Georgian group (FSU not USA) singing https://youtu.be/lNtqhLbUGwA A beautiful song, a prayer, a blessing all in one. Ten Li Yad, Give Me Your Hand. I simply love this rendition. https://youtu.be/SVm0bVmLChA The song “You Raise Me Up” is one of the theme songs of Shalva and I don’t know if you realise it but it suits our relationship too. Writing to you forces me to be pragmatic about even the most tragic of situations. You have seen me through the Intifada, the killing of an Israeli Prime Minister, personal tragedies and worries and celebrations. You saw me through the death of my incredible, beautiful son Daniel, so this song is a thank you because you really do raise me up, make the unbearable possible. https://youtu.be/9bxc9hbwkkw I wish you a beautiful weekend in which the current civic anger doesn’t touch you or your loved ones. I wish you tolerance and love in whatever corner of the world, whichever half of the hemisphere you live and to those in North America I wish you rain to quench the fires that blaze uncontrollably. Shabbat Shalom dear friends, Shabbat Shalom to you and yours from Jerusalem, glistening in the distant hills, every beautiful, ever spiritual. With love Sheila