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Sheila Raviv – EIZENKOT, ALBANESE AND THE WEDDING OF THE YEAR
Shabbat Shalom dear friends. I’m sure that you noticed that today is Friday the 13th, but don’t worry, in Judaism 13 is a lucky number so today is really lucky Shabbat!
My quote this week, given to me by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen, is exceptionally appropriate. Maimonides wrote “when religion is joined to political authority, piety disappears.”
I have so much to tell you about the fabulous wedding about my grandson Yosef to his bride Tsofia and the wonderful fun of having Valerie and Martin to stay with us, but first, let’s get the politics and non-diplomacy out of the way.
Gadi Eizenkot faces all the challenges left by an inept, manipulative, extreme, one sided government. Finally, he was given a security briefing by the current Prime Minister, a briefing to the man who the President called upon to form a government, a former Chief of Staff. The forming of a feasible, inclusive coalition is the task in hand and decisions that may be uncomfortable but will include all sectors of Israel’s incredibly diverse citizenship. One cannot discount those who serve our country and hopefully will be part of the necessary changes to give more and more a sense of loyalty to Israel. The hard work begins after the elections, finding a compromise through a complex maze of our election process. True democracy can only be reached through compromise.
Francesca Albanese, the Special Raconteur of the United Nations, told the Irish parliament’s Committee on European Affairs this week, “Israel has always killed children, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention, the use of torture, even rape.” She even suggested that we train dogs to rape Palestinians. Not only insane but her incitement must bring her dismissal. The Mediaeval Blood Libel is alive and kicking in the United Nations, and in Ireland.
One of the most important and moving of ceremonies in Britain is the ceremony of Remembrance Day. At 11 minutes past the 11th hour on the 11th month a very sombre ceremony takes place at the Cenotaph Memorial, with leaders of every religion and the reigning monarch. A pro-Palestinian group produced Palestinian poppies, metal copies of the red poppies representing the bloody Battle of Flanders Field and all wars thereafter. Since the ceremony of Remembrance Day is remembering British and ANZAC soldiers who died in battle, surely this is the most insulting of all protests. It is just another step throughout the world of trying to change British and Western traditions.
Last week I wrote about the important dates at the beginning of November and, shamefully, I didn’t write about Kristallnacht, the 9th of November. As the Western world descends into Nazi-like symbols and actions, I should have put November 9th at the top of my agenda.
Despite its apparent desire to pursue acceptance by the west, Egypt announced this week that conversion to Christianity warrants a death sentence, according to Sharia Law. I then did my research, since I never make accusations without checking sources etc and discovered where this diabolical law is practiced. Afghanistan, Brunei, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia (rarely,) Somalia and Sudan; so the list goes on. I have no words.
I’m happy to tell you that while proselytising is frowned upon Christianity is thriving in Israel and the number of Christians is increasing (the only country in the world where that is true). In fact, when I took our friends Valerie and Martin to Ein Kerem, to the Franciscan Monastery of St John the Baptist (the site of St John’s birth and circumcision), we saw a large group of Mexican Pilgrims coming down the steps. Since Martin is as crazy as I am, we love talking to strangers, he began chatting to them in his native Spanish and even found one who, like Martin, is originally Venezuelan. They told him how wonderful they found Israel and loved their Christian tourism and the Christian sites that are faithfully maintained. Then we met a delightful Italian Monk who sadly spoke no Hebrew or English, only Italian and Arabic (which surprised me). When Martin managed to draw upon his few Italian lessons and speak to him it charmed the Monk to such an extent that he took us down into a locked area, unlocked the ancient gate and we entered a Crusader chapel! The sheer simplicity of the ancient stones blew our minds! Yet another reminder of freedom of worship based on Jewish teachings.
Martin loved reading Danny Adeno Abebe’s book From Africa to Zion, and was thrilled to know that Danny is a good friend. Of course, I called Danny and invited him to come for supper. Martin and Valerie sat entranced by his story, his warmth and charm, the title in Hebrew is The Journey without End, tells it all. Danny’s adorable youngest daughter tells the story. https://www.instagram.com/p/
This week, Ethiopian Jews celebrated the Sigd Festival, telling of their 500-year yearning for Jerusalem. It takes place on the Hass Promenade with its view of Jerusalem and winds its way to the Western Wall.
Before the visit to Ein Kerem, Val and I went for a walk on the path over the reservoir. When Zvi and Martin called, they decided to join us, and I was thrilled to share our “secret spot” with its glorious view over the hills, before going home and then leaving for our local restaurant Naya for dinner. Martin left Israel for Madrid, where his wife Helene and baby granddaughter waited for him and the next day I took Valerie to our mutual friends in Netanya.
And so to the most exciting news of all!! Yosef Eliahu (Joseph Elijah), my eldest grandchild, married his Tsofia in a fabulous ceremony, in a truly magnificent site right on the edge of the Negev Desert. It was breathtaking. There were representatives of our families and friends, including Gideon, Zachary, Leor and his girls, friends from far and wide, Rachel’s father Philip’s family, and of course his wife Barbara. The rain stopped and although the evening was chilly (brrrr) everyone enjoyed the food before the ceremony as the family of the bride and groom socialised. If you haven’t been to an Israeli wedding, then you cannot imagine how good the food is before the food! A number of positions with various forms of finger food lined one side of the beautiful plaza as people mingled and got to know each other; then it is time for the Chuppah, the actual ceremony.
They gave me a seat right up front near the wedding canopy, sightline somewhat blocked by over-enthusiastic photographers, but Martin placed himself to create a video of the following – First came Rachel, Igal and Yosef, walking along the runway to the canopy, Yosef grinning all the way, then Tsofia and her parents, leaving her at the beginning as her dress was arranged; then it happened! Yosef ran down the runway to his love, grinning and clapping his hands. He gently lifted her veil over her face and they walked to the Chuppah holding hands. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry so I did both. The 7 blessings then took place and Philip sang his blessing so beautifully, proudly standing in front of his grandson. We all sang “If I forget thee oh Jerusalem” and then Yosef jumped on the glass to consecrate the proceedings with remembering how frail life is, although some say to remember the shattering of the Temple.
We all then went into the very impressive events hall to warm up and eat the most delicious food; proof that catering for 370 people, one can still serve perfect steaks and moist, well-spiced fish. Our table was fun and Martin got on like a house on fire with our friends Shauli and Rochele; Gideon and Zac sat at a table with his cousins and friends. That’s it! Each night there are events to celebrate the seven blessings but we only went to one at Rachel’s in-laws.
Apart from the obvious joy of seeing one’s grandson marrying the love of his life, it was simply wonderful to watch his closest friends, all in the IDF, cheering and dancing as he broke the glass. Wonderful young men who, after hundreds of days of Miluim (reserve duty), still have a long way to go to heal their PTSD. All the youngsters danced into the early hours before heading home.
What have I missed? Oh yes. Rachel, Talia and Ayala looked so incredibly beautiful. Their faces shining with the joy of the night. I couldn’t leave that out!
As we come down to earth and Rachel prepares for the weekend called “Shabbat Chatan,” the Groom’s Shabbat, when she will have about 20 people for Friday night dinner and Shabbat lunch, I won’t be going to her today. We went to a truly crazy place to get all the fruit and veg she needed for the meals; it’s a huge hangar in the middle of nowhere, full of boxes of excellent fruit and vegetables stacked high. The customers, each with piled-high trolleys, were Arab and Jew, Palestinian and Israeli, Secular and Haredi, a true representation of Israeli society but luckily not everyone has found it, it’s crazy enough without even more people!
What music fits everything we talked about? Such a wide range of events but one thing is certain, It’s a wonderful world. Yes, I know there are many things that disturb but when it comes down to it, events like a loving, beautiful wedding remind us how amazing life can be. https://youtu.be/CaCSuzR4DwM?
Love conquers all may be naïve but Arik Einstein wrote a song believing that love will win. https://youtu.be/M7Xe4IKxghw?
A complete change of pace, although in a strange and very upbeat way it’s a love song to Israel! A crazy song for a crazy country! Bamba bamba, Matka matka, lemon popsicle…… https://youtu.be/guROkmvhC28?
I’m sitting here looking out the window at the almond tree, the almonds mostly eaten by the birds with a few hanging on hoping to fall and produce new trees. The apartment seems strangely quiet, the empty beds remade and waiting for our next guests, whoever they may be. Zvi has gone to his parliament in the Botanical Gardens. Enjoy the music because music eases the soul and reminds us that life is good despite.
Shabbat Shalom and much love from Jerusalem, right there through the window as I light the Shabbat Candles.
Sheila
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