26th of September 2025
4th of the Hebrew month of Tishrei 5786
720 days of the October 7th War
Shabbat Shalom, Hatima Tova.
I was thinking how many different greetings, blessings we have in
Judaism. Shabbat Shalom (I wish you a
peaceful Sabbath), Chag Sameach (I wish you a happy or pleasant festival),
Hatima Tova (May you be inscribed in the Book of Life) Gmar Hatima Tova (on the
days over Yom Kippur and just after to wish that the inscribing in the Book of Life
be sealed) and of course Moadim le Simcha (wishing you happy times) which we
say in the intervening days of a festival which has beginnings and end like
Passover, Succot etc. All different but all so much more meaningful than a
simple “Good Yom Tov” which just means, have a good day! As I said I really thought about all the
different blessings and realised that that is exactly what they are, blessings;
blessings for both the giver and the recipient. Fascinating
Rachel Goldberg-Polin, in a message to all those supposedly holy
men in the coalition and their supporters: “You can fast for two years, pray
continuously for five years, blow the shofar, and wave chickens for atonement.
If you do not return the hostages (those who are still alive), you will never
be forgiven—neither in this world nor in the next.” Strong words from a strong
woman whose son was not saved.
Major Richard Kemp wrote: “The mighty Spanish navy has sent a
warship to “protect” the Selfie Flotilla supposedly heading for Gaza. That same
Navy declined to join the 14 others that deployed assets to protect
international shipping from Houthi attack. And in fact, the Houthi terrorists
praised Spain for it” Incredible.
Countries are rushing to “recognise” a Palestinian state. But
statehood isn’t a hashtag — it’s supposed to be earned. Right now, there is no
functioning government, no real bureaucracy, no financial plan. Before the
world even whispers about statehood there must be iron-clad steps. Every single
hostage must come home; Hamas must be disarmed and dismantled; The
“pay-for-slay” stipends must end; UNRWA’s anti-Jewish curriculum has to be
ripped out by the roots.
Without these, recognition isn’t peace, it’s a reward for terror.
It keeps both Israelis and Palestinians locked in the same nightmare instead of
opening a door to a future built on responsibility, not on blood and broken
promises. Real peace and real statehood are possible, but only when they’re
built on accountability, disarmament and the dignity of every life. That’s the
day we should all be working for.
Say what you will about President Trump, his support of Israel is
unquestionable. The United Nations in its lack of wisdom, found a way around
the refusal to give an entry visa to Mahmoud Abbas, they simply let him speak
over a video link! He spoke at prime time to a full hall, whereas Prime
Minister Netanyahu has been given an eight in the morning slot and a threatened
walk-out. Something stinks not only in Denmark and we all know the story of
Hamlet. In that play everyone loses and actors will not call it by name for
fear of cursing the play. I feel that we are bystanders in the play while the
world encourages the death of Hamlet.
My dismay at the actions of this government is no secret but there
seems to be light at the end of a very long tunnel. After 1,000 days of a fractured,
counterproductive opposition, there is talk of merging into one platform. Gadi
Eizenkot, Yair Lapid, Benny Gantz, Naftali Bennet and possibly Avigdor Liberman
and Yair Golan. Non-partisan, neither extreme left nor extreme right, clearly
pragmatic, just what we need. If it happens then they will have a majority in
the Knesset.
Debra Messing, Mayan Bialik and Lev Schreiber are at the forefront
of a petition signed by more than 1,200 Hollywood figures, against the boycott
of Israeli films in Hollywood. Among our signees, stars and industry professionals
Gene Simmons, Sharon Osbourne, Greg Berlanti, Jerry O’Connell, Howie Mandel,
Jennifer Jason Leigh, Lisa Edelstein, Erin Foster, Anthony Edwards, Rebecca De
Mornay, Sherry Lansing and Haim Saban. Unbelievable, incredible, Hollywood that
was founded by Jews, that is still reliant on their Jewish film-makers and the
inane, mindless actors like Susan Sarandon and Mark Ruffalo campaign against
Israel.
Without Iron Dome the last months, years, would have brought
tragedy and destruction, but it is horrendously expensive. Now Israel has a new
defence system against missiles, rockets and drones. The Israeli laser defense
system "Or Eitan" was named in memory of Captain Eitan Oster, an
officer in the Egoz unit who was killed in Lebanon. His father, who was a
key developer of the system, was deeply involved in the project. "Or
Eitan" means "Eitan's Light" or determined light in Hebrew. Innovative,
inexpensive and accurate, a true tribute to a brave soldier and his father.
Since October last year about 22,000 new immigrants arrived in
Israel from 98 countries.
About 9,500 from Russia, 3,100 from the United States, 2,800 from
France, 800 from Ukraine and 750 from the United Kingdom. It is becoming very
clear that despite Iran, many are realising that it is safer here in Israel
than in many countries where anti-Semitism is rife.
On a more humorous note, this brilliant article, written by James
Macpherson, appeared in Australia. Israel Recognises Australia as a
Palestinian State. Melbourne will be renamed West Ramallah, only with
better coffee and more crime! Israel has stunned the international community by
formally recognising Australia as a Palestinian state. Australia itself will
now be listed on official maps as “Occupied Aboriginal Territory (Palestinian
Protectorate, Southern Division).” https://jamesmacpherson.substack.com/p/israel-recognises-australia-as-a
An unexpected friend. Addressing the UN General Assembly,
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto says the world must respect Israel’s
right to live in security, and ends his speech saying, “Shalom.” Indonesia is
the most populous Muslim country in the world, and does not have official relations
with Israel. “We must also recognize, we must also respect, and we must also
guarantee the safety and security of Israel. Only then we can have real peace,”
When Impact-se did the research on Indonesian school books we found them relatively
free of hate education.
The White House is backing a plan that would see Tony Blair head
a temporary administration of the Gaza Strip – initially without the direct
involvement of the Palestinian Authority (PA), according to media reports. Under
the proposal, Blair would lead a body called the Gaza International
Transitional Authority (Gita) that would have a mandate to be Gaza’s “supreme
political and legal authority” for as long as five years. Just as the British
mandate built the Israeli Police force, Legal system, administration and
medical services so a new International mandate, ironically led by a former
British Prime Minister, hopes to do the same in Gaza. Finally, and at last, a “day
after” plan
And so to the High holidays! Basically, I was unwell most of the
time, ghastly cough like 50% of the world’s population!! However, we managed to
have first night Rosh Hashanah with our family in Nes Ziona and for the first
day, we were thrilled to have Ira, Tomer and Sheli together with Earl and
Kathleen Cox. I admit that although my chicken soup was very tasty my baking
was not the best but luckily Sheli baked a wonderful challah to save the day.
The conversation was fascinating and flowed from Russia to Gaza, from Christian
and Jewish aspects to simple politics; what I loved is that it was all polite,
respectful and at times amusing, the way that it should be at a Rosh Hashana
table.
This week’s parasha (Torah reading) gathers everyone, leaders,
elders, children, even strangers and
says the covenant is not just for them but also “for those who are not here.”
It’s a reminder that every generation stands again at Sinai and chooses who we
want to be. In a time when our people feel threatened and divided, these verses
whisper hope: even after loss we can return, even in exile we are not
forgotten. Our choices, big and small, still shape the whole.
Almost Yom Kippur. Of course, it is a Fast Day but in fact it has
nothing to do with fasting! We are supposed to be so deeply in prayer that we
do not think of food. The prayers, the readings, the congregation are the essence
of the day. Yet again we will add a prayer for the return of our hostages,
those who are still alive and those who were slaughtered by Hamas. As a people
we cannot lose this fight, far greater than any war, any desire to wipe out a
vile and cruel regime. Please God, BRING THEM HOME, Their families live in a state
of terror every day, their anguish increased as they see videos of their loved
ones, or the shadows of what they once were, made by Hamas.
We read the story of Jonah on Yom Kippur. It not only bears witness
of Jonah’s original fears of facing the cruel people of Nineveh (modern day
Mosul) but also about God’s forgiveness of the people of Nineveh in His
decision not to destroy them. So much to learn if we open our eyes.
As in life, remember that the moment the Day of Atonement ends, the
first nails of the Succah (tabernacle or booth) hold the flimsy walls of the
succah ready to celebrate the happy harvest festival. Always hope, always
something to represent a better future
I wish you all of the blessings that I mentioned at the beginning
of this missive and leave you with some music that expresses everything at this
time of year.
On Kol Nidre, the eve of Yom Kippur, we begin the prayers with this
plea, Avinu Malkenu. Shulem Lemmer https://youtu.be/27HaHpaFEC8?si=AZaSwF1Na9_dXxGu
Another beautiful prayer for Yom Kippur is Utanei Tokef, considered
a prayer for soldiers on this day. https://youtu.be/cArGmG3BLcI?si=gqYr2UcSdtEcXWrb
We talk about the hostages but our soldiers, our children and grandchildren
are the first and last defence against a
cruel enemy. May they all come home safely and those thousands who were injured
heal and release their nightmares. The prayer for the IDF. https://youtu.be/yze5holvKgU?si=RvK9htiZ1hP2r3jX
Together, just as the diverse political stance of those who intend
joining to change our democratic government so we, the different faiths of this
world, irrelevant which way we pray or in what language, all faiths need to
come together to bring change. Instead of hatred lets get out there and spread
hope and love.
With love and hope, all the way from Jerusalem
Sheila
Alon
Ohel
