Sheila Raviv – Good morning, good afternoon or good night, depending where you are in the world, and most importantly, Shabbat Shalom.
Of course I’m disappointed by the election results, although we still have no definite conclusion. With so many parties involved, confusion reigns, and we now enter the complicated business of President Herzog deciding whom to ask to form a government and whether that person can put together a viable coalition. In the meantime, Netanyahu will continue to head the interim government.
What I find particularly difficult to understand is how almost those living in Sderot in the South, a town that suffered so terribly, not just on the 7th of October, but through twenty years of rockets and repeated threats, could vote for Likud. Not the Likud of their grandparents, but the party it has become today, with all the questions of corruption, failed leadership and responsibility for the catastrophic events of 7th of October and the subsequent war. I struggle to understand how people can look at what we have endured and still put their faith in those who were in charge when the warnings went unheeded.
But this is a democracy, and the picture is clearly more complicated than any of us might wish. The coming weeks will be full of manoeuvring, negotiations and, no doubt, surprises. I hope that somehow this extraordinary political conundrum leads us to a happier outcome and to a government that puts the country and its people before anything else, a government worthy of the amazing people of Israel.
Perhaps that is the most worrying thing of all: how easily political loyalty can survive even the most painful questions of responsibility. We deserve answers, accountability and leaders who put the country before themselves.
When I think of Israel, I think of so much more than its government. This is my home, the country I chose, the place where our families live and most of our grandchildren are growing up. It is also a country of extraordinary kindness, courage, generosity and hope. I see it in the people around me every day, and I cannot believe that the failings of our leaders should make us lose sight of all that is good.
I know that people will disagree, sometimes profoundly, about the choices Israelis make at the ballot box. I don’t expect everyone to share my views, and I certainly don’t ask anyone to turn a blind eye to what is wrong. I only hope that those who feel disillusioned can leave a little room in their hearts for the Israel they once cared about — for its people, its spirit and all that it might yet become. We are living through difficult times, and perhaps it is precisely now that we need the friendship and understanding of those who love us. I still believe in this country, even when it breaks my heart. And I hope that, whatever our disagreements, we can continue to believe in its future together.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the elections is the huge Arab turnout. On the one hand it utterly disproves the accusations of apartheid, but on the other the Arab parties may well hold the balance in the Knesset meaning that they can veto almost every law put forward. I have long held the view that Mansour Abbas should be included in any government, but I worry about the other parties because he, unlike some of the Jewish parties, believes that Arabs should serve the country, probably not in the IDF, and accept Israel as a Jewish homeland. Abu Ghosh, long regarded as a community very much part of Israeli society, saw an impressive 78% voter turnout. Many residents felt deeply threatened by Ben Gvir’s inflammatory rhetoric which is strongly reflected in their vote: 56% voted for the Joint List, which takes a more oppositional stance towards political cooperation with Israel, while 35% supported Mansour Abbas’s Ra’am, which has chosen a more pragmatic path of working with Israeli governments.
I went to my Movement class and I’m sure you can guess what the main subject of our conversations was. Ultimately we released all our tensions of the last few days with fabulous music and dance under the instruction of Gali. What struck me is that several members of our group were observers in the polling stations and all said that the atmosphere between the representatives of all the parties was exceptional. Haredi and secular, left and right, Arab and Jew, everyone behaved with the utmost respect. It made me very proud.
The next subject is particularly sensitive and goes back many years. Jerusalem is facing a delicate and increasingly urgent land dispute involving extensive areas of prime real estate, particularly land originally owned by the Greek Orthodox Church. Under 99-year leases signed in the early 1950s, the Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) holds rights to the land beneath hundreds of homes in desirable neighbourhoods Although the leases don’t expire until 2051–52, negotiations stalled in 2025, leaving homeowners in limbo concerning the future of their homes. This week, the High Court pressed KKL-JNF to go back to the negotiating table and try to reach a solution which will protect residents’ rights while resolving a delicate and complex dispute involving church property, private investors and neighborhoods that are an important part of Jerusalem’s fabric. The Armenian Church also owns large areas of central Jerusalem, also on 99-year lease, and a similar legal battle continues
Just curious, did your news outlets report on the fact that on the 26th of October, just days ago, Jordan carried out airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria after a deadly attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, Jordan, in which nine people were killed? Hmm, thought not.
I remember many years ago a friend of Ron Carner z”l came to our apartment. Ron told us that he was an exceptional investigative journalist and had something important to show us. That’s how we met Steve Emerson. The “something important ” was a translated video of Yasser Arafat, even before the Intifada, speaking of his true aim, the destruction of Israel, while he was still being courted by the world’s leaders. Today Steve runs the Investigative Project on Terrorism and just completed a report 5 part report on Abdul Al Sayed, the Democratic candidate for Michigan and supporter of the Moslem Brotherhood. Americans should have learned their lesson with Mamdani,
Please read his deeply disturbing report on Abdul Al Sayed, the 5th and probably most damning. https://www.
The EU says it will ‘raise concerns’ over Syrian schoolbooks glorifying jihad and anti-Semitism
The statement follows the publication on October 19 of a report by the Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education (IMPACT-se), the Israel-based body that reviews schoolbooks against UNESCO standards. IMPACT-se is on the ball yet again and our extensive research and reports are taken very seriously. As ever, I am more than proud to be the Chair of the Impact-se Board.
Our lunch with Bryan Isaacs last weekend was lovely! What made me laugh is that we both left Wales more years than I care to remember, but were both surprised to be told that we still have Welsh accents! It was so delightful as we walked along the boardwalk in Jaffa’s Old Port. The shipping boats moored along the edge, the fishing nets heaped in careful piles and a few fishermen selling their catch of the day. We were so happy that Samuel Bettsak joined us too. Until recently, my only memories of Bryan were when I was 14 years old and coming back from 2 months with my French relations. Bryan helped me carry the wonderful doll, resplendent in her national costume, that I won for our float in the Nice Battle of Flowers! We both recalled that the aeroplane was a Dakota, propellers of course, and to fly from Paris to Cardiff, we would take off in Orly, land in Bournemouth, take off from Bournemouth and land in Bristol, take off from Bristol and finally, after over 3 hours flying, land in Cardiff, Rhoose Airport!!! I know that was a bit of a rambling yarn but it’s absolutely true!!
Last night Zvi and I went to a concert of folk songs, in Hebrew called “Shira b’Tsibur”. Basically, the audience enjoys singing wonderful Israeli folk songs which are projected onto a screen so we can all join in. Under normal circumstances, I really enjoy such evenings but last night something happened so that I couldn’t join Zvi’s wonderful Bass-Baritone and the rest of the audience. A lady with an enormous head sat in front of me and I couldn’t see the screen! She bobbed to the music, rocked side to side, thoroughly enjoying the atmosphere! Oh well, at least I enjoyed the brilliant accompaniment of our friend Ronit on the piano.
I’m not going to Rachel today, but I really have to tell you about a fabulous experience I had on Wednesday evening. It was the celebration of the “Hina” (Henna) and “Hafrashat Challah,” which is a fascinating ceremony based around the bread-making of the Challah. A part of the dough, actually a tithe (one tenth) is taken off the risen dough and a prayer said, but when it concerns a bride-to-be, in this case my incredible grandson Yosef’s beautiful bride, Tsofia. It included many blessings for her future life with Yosef. Tsofia, was glowing! A wonderful, warm, beautiful girl, this ceremony, held in her family home, surrounded by her loving family, both old and new, simply lit her up. After the Challah ceremony came the henna part. Tsofia danced with a bowl filled with a henna concoction and each guest had a wad of the concoction put on their palms with a little gold disc to hold it in place until the henna had created a brown spot. Every aspect of the evening expressed sheer joy and the music and masses of food continued well into the night. Needless to say, Rachel, Talia, Ayala and Yosef’s other Safta Pnina and Aunties all shed tears of happiness at each stage of the ceremony!
Tonight the family is coming, probably just 12 of us but I never know for sure. I learned from my Mummy that one should always have an additional set of cutlery and a plate, just in case another person dropped in. No complicated dishes this week, lots of salmon, sea bass with roasted peppers, antipasti, a big green salad, various other salads all starting with roasted pepper soup! For me that’s a simple meal.
And so to music! Music saves my soul, saves me from feeling down and gives me hope. You just have to listen to the words carefully.
Rak b’Yisrael, which means Only in Israel, is one of my favourites. Just listen and read the subtitles; it really tells you who we are. https://youtu.be/i-7EvfJje88?
Halleva’i has no direct translation, maybe hopefully. The late lyricist Ehud Manor wrote the words that express our prayers and Boaz Sharabi added the beautiful music which he then sings. Amazing. https://youtu.be/hwEatU285N8?
Hachayim Shelanu Tutim, which is a very Israeli expression that translates to Our life is strawberries, ” meaning our life is wonderful!! A wonderfully funny, cynical song by Hanan Ben Ari which suits Yosef and Tsofia, indeed, a young couple setting out on their new life together. Life here is ultimately a bowl of strawberries!!! https://youtu.be/ATOhZp_
Shabbat Shalom, dear friends. I really hope that although today’s newsletter has many serious aspects, you had fun with the enjoyable ones. I suppose that’s the essence of life, wherever you live. If you have a positive view, life is really wonderful.
With all my love, flying across the miles from our home in Jerusalem to yours.
Sheila
Involvement http://www.impact-se.org/
