The view from my veranda

2018

Kippur, Tabernacles and Diplomacy

Friday the 22nd of September, 2023 27th day of the month of Tishrei, 5784 Shabbat Shalom, Shana Tova (a Good Year) and G’mar Hatima Tova (a wish that you should be written in the good book) It is almost Yom Kippur, the culmination of the period of repentance, of atonement, for all our collective sins.…

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Rosh Hashana 5784

14th September, 2023 Shabbat Shalom, Shana tova, Gmar Hatima Tova – May you be inscribed in the Book of Life Today the date is the 29th of Elul, 5783 and tonight the calendar month changes to the month of Tishrei and the first day of Tishrei is Rosh Hashana, literally Head of the Year, This…

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Tragedies, Medals and a New Year

8th of September, 2023 Shabbat Shalom! For the many of you who didn’t receive last weeks missive, I apologise, but I don’t honestly know what happened, apparently Gmail went crazy! Everything will change very soon because thanks to a wonderful lady called Rochelle Gilbert, you will receive my mailings through MailChimp! Don’t forget, if you…

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If I Forget Thee

The first of September 2023 15th Elul, 5783 Shabbat Shalom! I hope this missive finds you well. Elul, the Hebrew month of Elul, has so many connotations. The famous saying “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine,” from The Song of Songs written by King Solomon, the Hebrew initials of the words spell…

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The Ugly, the Bad and the Good

25th August, 2023 Shabbat Shalom! I decided to call this week’s missive The Ugly, The Bad and The Good because some bad and ugly things happened this week but by leaving the good until last, I can tell you about all the wonderful things that happened both here in Israel and to me personally! The…

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Home Sweet Home

18th August, 2023 Shabbat Shalom! Hodesh Ellul Tov That’s the new Hebrew month of Ellul, a truly hopeful month How have you been this last two weeks? I hope you missed me as much as I missed you! So here I am back home again after the most amazing trip to London and to Cardiff…

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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…

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Reasonableness Standard – Mid-week update

25th July, 2023 Mid-week update It’s been a long time since I wrote a mid-week update but since one should never rely upon the international media for reports on what is happening here in Israel, since they always have an ulterior motive, in fact I don’t rely upon any media reports except the ones with…

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Schisms, Marches, Herzog and Canon Andrew

21st July, 2023 Shabbat Shalom. I always try to remember other important days in the world calendar so here goes. Happy Invite an Alien to Live with You Day, Legal Drinking Age Day, National Be Someone Day, National Junk Food Day, National Lamington Day, National Tug-Of-War Tournament Day, Take a Monkey to Lunch Day. On…

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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…

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