The view from my veranda

The Crucible

7th December 2023

Shabbat Shalom and Chanukah Sameach.

Tonight, we light the first candle of Chanukah, the commemoration of the victory over the evil of those who desecrated the Temple. We fought back, thanks to the bravery of a family who lived near Jerusalem and decided that they did not have to sit back and take it, they fought back and we are here to prove it. The symbol of one container of oil in the lamp that lasted for eight days is just that a highly symbolic story but one that lights our lives. The revolt against the Hellenists, the Greeks, who denied us all our traditions and laws. They didn’t beat us they just banned circumcision, Shabbat, prayer, kosher meat… in other words they stopped us being Jewish! Judah Maccabi was born in a place now called Maccabim-Reut, a beautiful town still populated by Jews because one man and his entire family fought for the right to be Jews.

Had anyone told me that the outcome of the horrific attacks of October 7th would be a resurgence of anti-Semitism such as the world has not seen since 1936, I might not have believed you or I would have said that I wrote about it years ago and was shouted down. However, here we are; elite universities in the USA are not only allowing but encouraging anti-Semitic attacks both verbal and physical. The melting pot has become a crucible of hate.

I have an ongoing discussion with a friend as to the difference between free speech and freedom of speech; freedom of speech allows one to speak out but within the limitations of both good behaviour and the law, free speech is a free for all without any consideration of consequences. Here is one small example of a Congressional debate on the current wave of hatred toward Jewish students on the Elite campuses of MIT, Harvard and Penn. There were many more instances during this session but I chose this one which shows the inanity of the woke responses of those representing high academia https://youtu.be/pRRDr1Q4KfE?si=IK6FErcmdcSkblvG

I am furious that I am worrying about the safety of my family and friends in the USA, indeed in most Western countries, instead of our soldiers in the IDF who are defending Western society at this very moment and the returning hostages whose stories give us sleepless nights. I don’t know if you are aware of the atrocities of Hamas, under strict instructions from Sinwar but let it be said that identification of the bodies of women and girls killed on that day could not be carried out by family members because their faces were disfigured by torture. I won’t go into further detail but please read this article written with tears https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-776654

Lucy Aharish is an Israeli journalist and broadcaster, probably the most representative Israeli possible. She grew up in Dimona, was the only Moslem in school, dressed as Queen Esther on Purim and wore blue and white on Yom HaAtzmaut. She is a proud Moslem who married a Jew and is a wonderful proponent for the Jewish state. As a journalist she interviewed a Hamas leader and accused him even then of atrocities. Her monologue, recorded in her home, is well worth five minutes of your time. https://youtu.be/j2L-L1G6c04?si=N6v_1XoBszPcGQ-Z

Something rather wonderful happened to one little Irish/Israeli 9 year old for whose release we all prayed for. Emily Hand, whose father’s plea when he discovered that she was captured and not dead as first reported and who incidentally still speaks in a whisper singe her abduction, has always loved Beyonce. When Beyonce heard Emily’s story, she immediately invited her to a concert “anywhere in the world that she chooses”. There are still good people out there in the big wide world.

I won’t apologise for having given you so many links, something that I usually avoid, but please, each and every one is essential so open them, listen and learn. I did.

Last Friday I went down into the village to a friend’s house. Tami had invited the wonderful women from my mind and movement group for brunch, each of us contributing something to the feast. Each and every one of us commented on how important being together has become since October the 7th and this group of women of varied ages is exceptional. I haven’t decided if it’s the movement class or the type of person who goes to the movement class that made us all such good listeners.

On Friday evening we went to our friends Tsiona and Yorai for Friday night Shabbat Dinner. Yorai made a lovely kiddush and we sat and talked about the situation, the world and the importance, yet again, of friendship over a delicious meal. On Shabbat we went to Amiad and Noga’s for lunch, always a treat and we came home in time for me to light a memorial candle for my son Daniel z”l who brought so much light into the world just by entering a room. On Sunday morning, on a rainy day in London, a group of very close friends met for the morning service in honour of the anniversary of Daniel’s passing. Gideon and Stephanie, as is their wont, laid on a feast for after the prayers and my children’s father, Philip, did the prayers. I can never get used to the fact that Gideon has to say the Kaddish prayer, although Rachel and I said the prayer alongside him here in Israel. Many thanks to Daniella and Barbara I was able to take part through the wonders of modern technology.

On Monday Zvi and I were back to sandwich making in Habad with Nancy Bloomfield who found it as enjoyable as we do, especially on the tuna production line! Sadly, at the end of the morning the local Habad Rabbi called us together to say special prayers for another fallen soldier from the neighborhood. From Habad Nancy and I headed to Shalva where we met with the wonderful Gaby who showed Nancy around. It’s so hard to describe Shalva to those who have only ever known institutions for special needs children. Shalva is a joyful, bright, sunny, happy place and Nancy was just blown away by the work and play of Shalva. In sharp contrast to the sadness of the fallen soldier Shalva was full of joy at the return from Gaza of Ofir Engel the son of the Director of Sport at Shalva Yoav Engel. The young people of Shalva rushed to tell us of the good news. One aspect of the returning hostages, young and old alike, is their concern for those still in captivity. Last Shabbat, on our visit to the Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, we were struck by the deep love shown to the families of the hostages both by others and for each other, equally for those still waiting anxiously for news and those whose loved ones are already home.

Tonight, Zvi and the Jerusalem Symphony Choir are performing in the Khan Theatre. The Khan was built on the ruins of an ancient inn from the Crusader period. It served caravan travellers who arrived in Jerusalem after nightfall when the gates of the Old City were locked. In later years, the building housed a beer-cellar and a carpentry workshop. Today it is a thriving theatre with its own troupe. First Zvi will light the first candle of the Chanukiah in the beautiful courtyard. A Chanukiah is quite different to the Menorah. The Menorah, the symbol of Israel, has 7 arms whereas the Chanukiah has 9; 8 to represent the 8 days that the oil lasted and one for the Shamash, or servant light. After the candle lighting and the inevitable sufganiyot, or doughnuts, we will all go inside to the theatre for the performance. Tonight’s performance is both for and in aid of the evacuees from the north and south of Israel and members of the Khan. I’m very excited and as you can imagine so is Zvi!

I thank heaven every day that our lives are so full, our days so busy and our determination to give back unshakeable.  Despite our concerns, our distress, our deep worries for our boys and girls fighting a terrible enemy, we find time to sing and even to dance, both of which soothe our soul and ease our pain .

You all remember Bohemian Rhapsody, well now we have Chanukian Rhapsody!!! The story of Chanuka! https://youtu.be/9P30ckBf1wk?si=KJB6Lntj7YzMb_2s

Hanerot Hallalu, these lights, is the traditional song before lighting the first candle and thereafter for eight days. It too tells an important story of how the 8 candles represent the bravery and heroism of those in each generation that ensure our survival. https://youtu.be/w7F4ynFgydQ?si=zdnNfD2-n1MwF2Pm

A repeat, I know, but so important. Koolulam and Bring Them Home NOW! Koolulam brings us all together in song, irrespective of creed, colour or place.  We must be strong and let our voices ring out. https://youtu.be/6y2laYXcBdU?si=Qb0zCS_meW082gyH

I wish you light, be it through our Shabbat Candles or our Chanukah candles, a light that may just bring light to an ever darkening world. I wish you the strength to stand up to bullies, the belief that good always wins over evil and the love to bring us together as one.

Shabbat Shalom and much love from Jerusalem and our home.

Sheila