090917 17th September 2009 – Rosh Hashana 5770 Incredibly another year has passed. We have been misunderstood and loved; maligned and lauded; proud and ashamed; stood tall and bent our heads before bullies. We must understand who and what we are in order to stay a strong people and continue “Tikun Olam” – making this…

090913 13th September 2009. I am so sad to report that Lieutenant Assaf Ramon, eldest son of the late astronaut Ilan Ramon, was killed today in a tragic accident. Ramon’s F16 fighter plane crashed into a stony hillside and the pilot was killed instantly. The children of those killed in the line of duty do…

090911 11th September 2009. Shabbat Shalom dear friends. 11th September 2001. Incredibly it is now eight years since we watched the in disbelief as two aeroplanes, one after the other, struck the symbols of capitalism and the success of democracy in the most horrific spectacle imaginable; knowing it was a terror attack but praying it…

090911 11th September 2009. Shabbat Shalom dear friends. 11th September 2001. Incredibly it is now eight years since we watched the in disbelief as two aeroplanes, one after the other, struck the symbols of capitalism and the success of democracy in the most horrific spectacle imaginable; knowing it was a terror attack but praying it…

090821 21st August 2009. Shabbat Shalom! Sweden believes that Israeli soldiers capture innocent Palestinians, kill them and cut out their vital organs for transplantation. Claims to that effect can be found in an article in the popular Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet in yet another abuse of “free speech”. The article is a disgrace to a country…

090814 August 14th 2009. Shabbat Shalom This week President Peres celebrated his 86th birthday. The President retains his mental and physical agility by testing his exceptional, dynamic intellect constantly, surrounding himself with young innovative minds. Happy Birthday Shimon Peres. Your path to popularity was long and hard but you represent Israel with pride, passion and…

090807 7th August 2009. Shabbat Shalom dear friends. Last week the unthinkable happened. Israel, unlike her neighbours, is an open society, honouring, if not always individually accepting of each others differences. A crazed man pushed his way into a club for young people who have accepted their gay identity and receive counselling to help them…

300709 Thursday 30th July 2009- Tisha b’Av 5769 Today, Thursday, is Tisha b’Av – the 9th of the Hebrew month of Av, the culmination of 3 weeks of mourning, a day when Jews fast and mourn the destruction of both our Temples in Jerusalem. Tisha b’Av was the final date set by King Ferdinand for…

090724 24th July 2009. Shabbat Shalom. We are home after an amazing holiday with the most gracious hosts and wonderful fellow travellers. To quote Lewis Carroll “The time has come,” the Walrus said, “To talk of many things: Of shoes–and ships–and sealing-wax– Of cabbages–and kings” We spoke of all the above with time for dining,…

090712 It is now 02:00 and I am exhilarated!!! Little Israel made history yet again!!!! Andy Ram and Yonni Erlich sealed Israel’s phenomenal win over the Russian team in the tennis Davis Cup by winning their nail-biting match, 6-4 in the 5th set. Israel’s team, Ram, Erlich, Dudi Sela and Harel Levi managed to topple…