Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem – Terror stopped in Oz, Scotland UK, Rosh Hashana
140919
19th September 2014
Shabbat Shalom dear friends. I hope you are well.
Many Jews fled Europe 70 years ago and chose the place farthest from the xenophobia which wiped out their families. They chose Australia which provided a haven of peace from the horrors they left behind. In the new world order even Australia is not immune from the horrors of our current war. A major ISIS terrorist attack was thwarted in Sydney, Australia by Australian intelligence. The terrorists planned to hold a major rally in support of ISIS and grab innocent civilians to behead publicly in order to terrorize the West. , Prime Minister Tony Abbott said that there were extensive police raids in Sydney and Brisbane led to arrest of 15 people, including one Sydney man Omarjan Azari, who is a part of ISIS. The fight against terror is very real for Israel, UK, USA, Australia and virtually all Western countries. We have to stand united against terror, it is in a town near you. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4572583,00.html
Americas newest allies, the Iranians, continue their oppressive regime. The young people who made the Iranian version of Pharell Williams I’m Happy have been sentenced to 91 lashes for immoral behaviour!!!!http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/11103542/Iranians-sentenced-to-91-lashes-for-Pharrell-Happy-video.html
Highly respected Israeli journalist Ben Dror Yemini spoke openly about the insanity of media reporting, both here and overseas, in an interview on Israeli television. He describes the twisted and inaccurate final result of most opinionated journalists. http://www.algemeiner.com/2014/09/18/top-israeli-journalist-exposes-industry-of-lies-in-international-and-local-media-video/
Scotland was at the front and centre of the news this week when the referendum to stay as part of the United Kingdom or become an independent country came to the fore. It is not as stupid as it sounds, Scotland already has its own legal system and, like Wales, has its own Parliament as does Wales, and has most of Britiains natural resources as well as the Holyfield Nuclear Energy Centre. However 600+ years of history also mean a great deal and the decision was 55% against to 44% for. Hardly the time to rebuild Hadrians Wall.
Israeli Minister of the Interior Gidon Sa’ar, favourite of the Likud Party, stunned fellow party members at a meeting this week when he announced his retirement from politics. While he quoted his wish to be with his little son and new wife to see little David grow and take his first steps (this is Sa’ars second marriage) opinion has it that he decided that he did not want to work with the Netanyahu government any more. Watch this space – he is too talented to leave politics.
This video is for those who want to boycott Israeli innovations – let them boycott these Israeli medical wonderful life saving and life changing inventions. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20Zfk8uQXak
Charlie Chaplin is better known for his funny walk and sad face but his speech in the movie The Dictator shoes his acting ability and his true leanings. This brilliant monologue could fit any era in history but particularly the present day.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcvjoWOwnn4
The Gaza War in 5 minutes Richard Kemp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l5Ifb5Gp1s#t=117
Our friend Boutrous (Peter), a Greek Malachite Catholic in Bethlehem came to visit us. Each time Boutrus comes to say hello I learn yet another horror story of the Christians in Behtlehem and become more angry at the Christian leaders in the world who have abandoned them. Boutrus has not worked in18 months after he fell froma balcony at work and spent a long period in hospital. His eldest son has now graduated form University, he studied theology in Bethlehem, but now has now work because there are not enough Christians left in Bethlehem to create a flock to lead so few Malachites left in the almost Christian-free city. One of my readers was generous and helped Boutrous financially so that his other children could study and gain knowledge to leave Bethlehem and go into the world. There is no life for Christians in the Holy City.
Now for the good news!! Last week saw a huge exhibition of childrens innovations. First prize in teh safety category was an Israeli innovation – the Doona. The Doona is a car seat, with all the safety requirements, and when you take it out of the car, this lightweight car seat becomes a buggy/push chair/ stroller. At the flick of a switch, the push of a button, the legs drop down so that one no longer needs to have bulky separate wheels! Brilliant eh? http://www.toysrus.co.uk/Babies-R-Us/Travel-and-Pushchairs/Travel-Systems-and-Pushchairs/Travel-systems/Doona-Car-Seat-in-Storm(0131212)
Yesterday I had a meeting in Aroma in the German Colony and thoroughly enjoyed people watching as I waited. While it is fairly clear from facial expressions what each persons origin was, once they began speaking on their cellphones the rules changed! It is so funny to try to identify their country of origin! No cheating, one mustn’t listen in to language, just watch their gesticulations! Israelis are easy, their waving hands and direction giving while speaking to the person on the other end of the line are obvious, but Americans use facial expressions rather than hand gestures unless they come from New Jersey; Brits tend to sit quietly while listening then become very animated when speaking; the French pout, irrespective of the conversation; Australians hold the phone close nod a great deal; Germans are quite happy to use their ear-pieces and talk loudly – etc etc etc – Try it it really is fun!!!!
Talking of fun…….. A religious Jewish man in New York decided to “High Five” the raised hands of New Yorkers hailing cabs!!!! I enjoyed the horror on some faces that someone actually touched them and the smiles of the others –http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn6s_LMkJ70
Lady Gaga and Tony Bennet arrived in Israel to show their support and had a ball here in Israel. Perhaps the high point was when Bennet surprised Lady Gaga and came on stage to sing. Can’t give you anything but love babyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fC9plrfxBA#t=54
Yesterday was a special day for me because I got to see one of my very favourite people in the whole wide world – Nancy Bloomfield. Nancy is a special person in her honesty, her kindness and her incredible intelligence and warmth. We met with two friends in the botanical Gardens, sitting in the shade from the searing heat but enjoying the beauty of the lake and the wonderful water lilies. The food was scrummy as always and the conversation even better – and to be honest, I just loved sitting with Nancy!!! http://en.botanic.co.il/
Tonight we have a dozen or so friends coming for supper, just because I wanted to see them!! The menu is easy, the food honest and fresh – and most of it is ready!!! We will start with Guacomole made from the delicious local avocados, followed by my famous “Orange” soup, then fresh salmon and baked whole lavrak (sea bass) with salads and new potatoes and finally…… Lemon cake and Anats chocolates.
Thought you would like this – Shana Tova the Israeli way. Apple and honey while skydiving, surfing, or climbing. Tell me where you’re eating apples and honey this year!
My beautiful friend Sheila Zucker sent this wonderful greeting and I pass it on to you. Wherever you are in the world I wish you a beautiful year in which our leaders finally stand up to a clear enemy and learn to defend their citizens or flock. I wish us a boring year because this last year was far too interesting!!!!
Shana Tova -שנה טובה – Happy New Year – מזל ניו יאר – Feliz Año Nuevo – Bonne année – سنة جديدة سعيدة -С Новым годом – 新年好 – Glückliches neues Jahr – Buon anno – Godt Nytår -Gelukkig Nieuwjaar – Bonan Novjaron – Onnellista uutta vuotta – გილოცავთ ახალ წელს – Ευτυχισμένο το Νέο Έτος – नया साल मुबारक हो – 明けましておめでとうございます – Kalendis Ianuariis -Godt Nyttår – سال نو مبارک – La mulți ani – Срећна Нова година – Feliz Ano Novo – Heri ya Mwaka Mpya – Gott Nytt År – புத்தாண்டு -สวัสดีปีใหม่ -Yeni Yılınız Kutlu Olsun – Blwyddyn Newydd Dda -Chúc mừng năm mới -З Новим роком – Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh -ಹ್ಯಾಪಿ ನ್ಯೂ ಇಯರ್ – Feliç Any Nou – Gelukkige nuwe jaar -Yeni iliniz mübarək – З Новым годам – শুভ নববর্ষ – Srećna Nova godina
My favourite song (yes another one) and my favourite Israeli singer, Shlomo Artzi who, back in the 80’s understood the situation and the cost. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-_qT1vQ7XQ
For Shabbat I send you this beautiful song dedicated to the soldiers of the IDF by Shwekey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hhx4Zz8ovv0&feature=youtu.be
Finally, Eli Luzon is a highly talented Israeli singer and this song has nothing to do with Rosh Hashana nor Shabbat, it is just wonderful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8HlStOESOU
Shabbat Shalom dear friends. In the next few days before Rosh Hashana may we learn to forgive, to judge less and accept more. In the words of the famous Nun’s Prayer “Be too busy in self-improvement to see the faults in others”
With love from wonderful Jerusalem
Sheila
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If the media does not inform us we must inform the media
Sheila’s blog http://shabbatshalom-theviewfrommyveranda.blogspot.com/
Facebook Sheila Silver Raviv
Involvement http://www.impact-se.org/ http://www.yurishtern.org.il/eng/content.php?id=17