Friday 13th of September in the year 2024
Friday 13th of September in the year 2024
Shabbat Shalom. Did you know that the number 13 is considered a blessing in the Jewish calendar? A boy becomes a man at the age of 13; the 13 attributes of the Almighty after the forgiveness for the Golden Calf; Maimonides 13 principles of faith; in Jewish numerology the number 13 adds up to both love and unity; Jacob had 13 children and so it goes on, all important and positive aspects of our faith. So when I wish you a happy Friday 13th, I really mean it!
I decided that today I will write a positive letter to you. Amid the undoubted chaos in this strange world of today, there are so many beautiful things happening and I want you to know that many of them are happening here.
If I may, I want to talk about volunteers, both official and unofficial. Israelis in general are volunteers, the Brothers in Arms have shown that every day since the 7th of October, but it is those who have always volunteered in hospitals and hospices, with special needs and the disturbed and I am very proud to see the large percentage of Anglos, English speakers. I don’t think that we are better than others, I think it comes from the fact that we grew up in Kehillot – communities. When you grow up in a Kehilla you inherit and develop a community spirit to be part of, to contribute to, to join, because otherwise you are on the outside. This need to be part of a community has filtered through to the many, many English speakers in the most positive way and their children and grandchildren have followed through. It’s very special.
I believe that Israel has the largest number of NGO’s per capita in the Western world but I can’t prove it. Israels have learned the lesson that we don’t have problems we just haven’t found the solution yet. That doesn’t mean we don’t complain, of course we do, and that has been apparent lately, but we are a nation of solution finders through whatever means possible.
Naama Gal was saved from the Nova Party on October the 7th. She was saved through the goodness of two young men and she put out this press release because she wants to find out who they were so that she can thank them. ”On October 7, Naama Gal and other Nova party goers hid in a garbage bin for three hours. Hamas terrorists eventually discovered that Israelis were hiding in the bin and shot it up from close range.Many hiding in the bin were killed and Naama was shot four times but miraculously remained alive.
When IDF soldiers arrived, she was given initial medical treatment in the field by soldiers and was then taken to a medical tent that was set up to treat the injured. The battle still raged around her. From there, two young men drove her out of the war zone in a white car and got her to an ambulance. One of the young men drove the car, dodging terrorists and bullets along the way. The other young man lay on top of a bleeding Naama in the backseat, to protect her from the incoming bullets.
Naama has put out a public call for these two young men to come forward so she can thank them personally before we reach a year since the massacre. These two anonymous heroes represent the best of Israel – caring, loving, helping, and protecting others without the need for acknowledgement. We thank them and hope that Naama will be able to find them and thank them in person.
I have to talk about the resent news but I promise that the good news follows.
The Asserson Report, collated by Trevor Asserson, which exposed that the BBC violated its own editorial standards 1,553 times over a four-month period beginning October 7, 2023. The report underscores the BBC’s consistent downplaying of Hamas terrorism and its biased depiction of Israel as the aggressor.
Based on information gathered by and presented by Impact-se, the Swiss government has made the decision to stop funding UNWRA.
A bereaved father whose son was on of the 6 hostages found dead last week, was visited by the Netanyahu family during the Shiva, the days of mourning. Rabbi Elhanan Danino responded thus https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/395913
It has now been published that the 6 hostages were starved and beaten, held underground for 322 days
The US Presidential debate took place, but neither candidate seemed to say anything of real content. To my surprise I didn’t hear either of them, despite the date, refer to the tragedy of September 11th! So many American deaths, such ghastly cold-hearted planning, the most horrific deaths and so many orphans and both were silent.
This is a good news item! The general cry of the secular citizens of Israel (usually accurate) is that the Haredi community does not contribute in any way to the State or the people of Israel. However, a photograph that went viral this week shows a very different story. The photograph shows a Haredi man, with shtreimel (big fur hate) and robes of a Haredi man, with his rifle and arms over his shoulder walking along. Perhaps it is time that the Gur Hassidim not only recognise Israel but take part in her defence and even come as volunteers to do so. I thought it high time that the full truth be told since who knows better than Israelis what half truths do. https://www.israelhayom.com/2024/07/07/the-forgotten-fighters-ultra-orthodox-jews-in-israels-war-of-independence/
I didn’t know Sophia Khalifa, I’m ashamed to say that I hadn’t heard of her, but now she has earned my deep admiration for speaking out as a Moslem Arab Israeli woman and her life here. So well worth a listen, she lifted my spirits. https://youtu.be/zsbguH9kmaQ?si=qcB6rQtjLO6mCA6F
We won 10 medals in the Paralympics in Paris! Yes 10 medals including four gold. What a brilliant showing! I love the El Al advert for the Paralympics and the featured hero is Guy Sasson who won Gold in Wheelchair Tennis. https://youtu.be/3HcmIUqfUuU?si=svzxLrLTDK3JAHem
Zvi is in Mexico with my grandson Yosef, having an amazing time, even when the generational differences are apparent! They have been with Zvi’s wonderful family, sightseeing, shopping, pyramids and Diego Rivera…… What a lovely opportunity for both of them. Of course I want Zvi back but after that gruelling trip he obviously want to see all his family too.
Our veranda is incredible! The fruit trees are so laden that I had to build constructions around them to stop the weight of the fruit from breaking branches. Those tiny little trees, not even two metres tall, are proving that talking to one’s plants pays off. I must have 40 limes on two trees, 12 oranges on one little tree and the second one is in full blossom, the kumquat is ready to produce a new crop for Martin when he comes back and the lemon tree is giving both blossom and fruits!! A riot of colour as the heat slowly subsides as the ebbing of summer slides into the gentleness of autumn.
We have a neighbour called Zalman and when Zvi told him that I had a problem with my keyboard (basically it died) and within about half an hour he had organised someone to come with a new one and install it! He knew that I would be writing to you and didn’t want me to worry. That’s what I mean about finding solutions. In Hebrew it’s call Tachlis which has no real translation but mean decision making. That’s where Start Up Nation came from – a generation of young people who after graduating from the IDF understood the meaning of Tachlis – to stop complaining of the problems and search for the solutions.
So, it’s Shabbat again!
This evening Sheli is coming to be with me so that I won’t be alone. I was supposed to be with Zvi’s sons Leor, Amiad and families but I wasn’t 100 % so decided to stay home. I know that I’ll miss out on some incredible food and excellent company, to say nothing of the hugs and kisses of the grandchildren but sometimes one has to admit that one is not able to do everything.
What music suits a strange week of mixed news, from extreme to extreme emotions, and the approaching New year, Rosh Hashana. Old wounds and new beginnings, hopefully new beginnings that we have all prayed for.
The first song is for my son Gideon. The first time I heard this song was when Gideon sang it to his son Sammy. Ozi ve Zimrat Yah from the book of Exodus. https://youtu.be/4-t8mXRsCSc?si=sEtHHAXD8It1JTTo
Modeh Ani is the Jewish prayer upon waking, thanking the Almighty for giving us back our souls after a nights sleep. I have such fond memories of saying it with my Mother. https://youtu.be/alI7YGMOMH8?si=e8et-nnkMQGTKERT
As a former flower child and growing up in the 60’s I fell in love with this song. It is so simple and very very right. https://youtu.be/_paPrw0gAUo?si=E3F_L7f6YjctPmbT
Shabbat shalom dear friends. Remember to love, to give, to walk a mile in the shoes of those you meet.
With all my love to you
Sheila