161230 30th of December in the year 2016 Shabbat Shalom dear friends. It is now the 7th light of Chanuka and the 7th night of Christmas – a rare coincidence. I admit I have been putting off writing to you. I am still in shock from the UN vote but even more so by Mr Kerry’s speech. Israel…

161223 23rd December 2016 Shabbat Shalom dear friends. This missive was meant to be one of Chanuka and Christmas joy – just a happy letter talking about the meaning of those festivals and our wish to honour each other’s celebrations and religious connotations. I wanted to but too much has happened this week so I will…

161216 16th December 2016 Shalom Shalom! Shabbat Shalom from sunny, cold and crisp Jerusalem. President Elect Trump has chosen his future United States Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman. Friedman was a senior Advisor to the President Elect during his campaign and is an open and clear lover of Israel. His appointment has created an eddy of opinions from “Trumps…

161209 9th December 2016 Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem. Shabbat Shalom dear friends. About 4 years ago I met a wonderful young man called Kasim Hafeez – aka Kaz. Kaz was born in the UK, grew up a Moslem, thought Jews were the evil enemy of mankind and then read “The Case for Israel” by Alan Dershowitz…

161202 2nd December 2016 Shabbat Shalom dear friends. Thanksgiving has been and gone, with many Americans enjoying the festival but not allowing themselves to give thanks for the democratic process. However, Turkeys were devoured and families got together, which is a good part of the celebrations. Kaf Tet b’November has also been and gone with 98% of…

161125 25th November 2016 Shabbat shalom dear friends. Sadly I cannot write the letter I intended writing, one of Thanksgiving, because Israel is ablaze. Hundreds of fires were set, using simple but clever devices, all over the country, using the tinder dry trees, undergrowth and high winds to fan the carefully planned flames. Over 60,000 people…

161118 18th November 2016 Shabbat Shalom dear friends, I was going to write about the incredible divisiveness of the American election, friends arguing and name calling, cities in turmoil, but Rabbi Jonathan Sacks says it all in his impromptu sermon and tribute to Leonard Cohen. As always my amazing son Gideon gave me something to think about. “Sitting…

161110 10th November, 2016 Shabbat Shalom dear friends. I suppose one could call this the day after the day after the night before. Clipper Kyle of the Los Angeles Clippers posted thus on Facebook I HOPE DONALD TRUMP WILL BE A GOOD PRESIDENT. WANTING HIM TO FAIL IS LIKE WANTING THE PILOT OF A PLANE WE ARE…

161103 3rd November 2016 Shabbat Shalom dear friends. It is 21 years since an evil and inflamed Israeli man killed our Prime Minister and in many ways our hope, not for peace but for a unified Israeli society. I was sitting on a beach in Acapulco with Cecilia Bayon when I heard the diabolical news and…

161028 28th October 2016 Shabbat Shalom dear friends. I hope this missive finds you well. It is 38 years since the breathtaking moment when Anwar Sadatstepped off the aeroplane at Ben Gurion Airport to meet withMenachem Begin. It was a pivotal moment in Israel’s existence and in Egypt’s. Two men, two fighters, two leaders who understood that…