Atonement and Hope
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