Noah Rainbow by Phillip Ratner z”l
Sheila Raviv – Shabbat Shalom dear friends. I hope this missive finds you well
This week it’s Parashat Noach, the story of Noah and the Ark. What a week Noah must have had! Imagine building an enormous ark, rounding up two of every animal and keeping the whole lot fed and watered for forty days and nights. I wonder how many times Noah wished he’d booked a cruise instead!
Eventually, the rain stopped and God gave us the rainbow as a promise never to destroy the earth with another flood. Sadly, the flood may have washed away the old world, but it clearly didn’t wash away human folly. Thousands of years later, we are still struggling with hatred, violence and the simple business of learning to live alongside one another. The rainbow was not just a symbol of hope; it was a reminder of our responsibility to one another. And if Noah could manage an ark full of animals without losing the plot, surely we humans can do rather better at sharing the planet!
Our lovely friend Dr Kimball Taylor sent me an article suggesting that we are losing the social media battle because we don’t strategise, we defend rather than initiate. The medieval accusations of the blood libels against Jews have taken different forms, but the underlying danger is all too familiar: Israel, and Jews everywhere, are portrayed as uniquely evil and we know that lies can travel around the world before the truth has even put on its shoes, especially when backed by prejudice and clever dissemination of falsehoods , whichgives them such fertile ground. Social media has made it possible for these claims to spread at extraordinary speed, often stripped of context and nuance. What troubles me most is how easily accusations can become accepted as truth, and how quickly hostility towards Jews can be presented as a moral virtue. The echoes of medieval Europe are deeply disturbing. We have not done well in combatting the lies so far, now it is a case of recognise and STRATEGISE.
Just a word about the ignorance of the demonstrators. The black-and-white keffiyeh that they all wear proudly in demonstrations against Israel’s actions against Hamas is actually the Keffiyeh of Fatah (PLO), yet in Gaza in 2007, Hamas slaughtered any and all Fatah members when it seized power.
The lines of confrontation in the Middle East have become increasingly confused, with Iran-backed Houthis attacking Saudi Arabia and threatening shipping in the Red Sea. Yet there is an important and unexpected positive reaction to Iran’s aggression; it is pushing countries towards greater cooperation rather than driving them apart. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are standing together against the Houthi threat, while plans for a permanent UAE Embassy in Herzliya have just received approval, on the 13th October. Six years after the Abraham Accords, that is a significant step forward. The dangers are very real, but so is the possibility that shared threats may bring Israel and its Arab neighbours closer and perhaps lay the foundations for a more stable region.
Talking of Embassies, yet another has opened and the Ambassador of Colombia presented his credentials to President Herzog and the Embassy has opened in Jerusalem.
I have to admit that I am not a big fan of the pre-election period! I want it clean, I want to know the what, how, where and when, presented in a clear and understandable manner, as I always say, a manifesto. I don’t want to hear the accusations of misconduct, mismanagement and corruption (however accurate), I want to know what they will do to bring about change. Currently our education system has gone from 3rd in the world to 30th, even allowing for the war it is bad. I want to know how it is possible that despite our vibrant hi-Tech and military exports, we are still in financial trouble and most of all, I want an answer, a clear and determined solution, not an empty promise, of how to bring two thirds of our population into serving the country in some shape or form. I want a government that will remind us that we are one, wonderful, productive, crazy country that must pull together. I want a Noah, a leader who is capable of building a huge vessel, bringing in the animals, ensuring they don’t eat each other and finding a safe landing place.
Of course, there are those who are devoted to the current PM and then there are those of us who yearn for change. Even worse there are those who say that if Netanyahu is returned to office, they will leave the country, alternatively, if he is not, then there are many Israelis, who now live abroad who want to return home. The constant angst of the charges and court appearances, the questions about whether the PM was warned of the impending disaster of October 7th, exacerbated by the current accusations as a result of the libel case brought by former Head of the Secret Services (Shabak) Ronen Bar alleging that the Prime Minister knowingly published false accusations about his (Bar) conduct before the October 7th attack to shift responsibility from himself. Until there is a National Inquiry, a full investigation into how on earth the slaughter of so many Israelis, young and old, took ANYONE by surprise, we cannot heal.
Walter Bingham, the world’s oldest working journalist and incredible human being, celebrated his 102nd birthday by sky-diving! Born in Germany, Shoah survivor who found refuge in Britain then made Aliya to Jerusalem, is one of the brightest, most fascinating people I have ever met. Happy Birthday Walter.
Through hard earned excellence, Israel and Magen David Adom’s first responders, both doctors and paramedics are now spreading their expertise. Doctors and paramedics from the USA are here learning how to deal with major disasters, and small ones. I’m sad that the Israelis gained their knowledge through events that should never have happened, but glad that their expertise is being spread to help others.
Baroness Deech is one of Israel’s greatest proponents in the UK. She sits in the House of Lords and is highly respected by all. Thanks to my childhood friend Monica Black who sent me this truly magnificent, concise speech by the Baroness. https://www.instagram.com/
Zvi and I are hooked on the series “The Tudors”. It isn’t new but is brilliantly written and the acting is superb. Anyway, apart from that, we are now on Series 2, Episode 2 and the build-up to the religious war between Henry the Eighth and the Catholic Church is at its height. The similarities to what is happening now in Israel is stunning! Worth watching the series just to see how this battle progresses. It bears a frightening resemblance to Jezebel (follower of Baal) and Ahab who allowed his Queen to dictate the worship in the Holy Land. Sounds familiar?
Zvi has many rehearsals in preparation for the visit to Berlin’s Lewandowsky Music Festival in December. It may seem a long way away but it’s a really large choir and the liturgical pieces are quite complex. Anyway, he had a rehearsal on Monday, then went to the photographic exhibition of our friend Meishi (Moshe) Schreiber at the Jerusalem Theatre, where he met up with Australian Jyl Bell and her friend Shosh. They came back to us for an early supper and a wonderful chat. In the meantime, I spent a real mother-daughter day with Rachel, looking for clothes in Tel Aviv for my grandson Yosef and Tsofia’s wedding next month and got back just in time to put together a surprise supper!
Talking about Australians, on Wednesday, my lovely friend and neighbour Gila, took me to visit her sister Margot and her husband Benny Dudkevitch in Moshav Ramat Raziel, a glorious village in the Jerusalem Corridor. Both of them were very serious journalists, Benny in radio and Margot a military correspondent for the Jerusalem Post, including the period during the 2nd Intifada. Thanks to Benny’s gardening, raising fascinating and rare plants and the incredible peace and quiet of the village, especially since their retirement, he has produced a place to rest one’s soul. Certainly, during Margot’s time as a military correspondent, just sitting and listening to the birds must have provided her with a haven of peace. Loved every second, especially Benny’s enthusiasm for each plant. I came home with cuttings and instructions! Gila and Margot came to Israel many years ago and have never regretted it.
Before I leave to Rachel’s, she just this minute sent me a fascinating video of the release of fish to feed the White Pelicans in the Hula Valley to give them strength for their long winter migration. It really is a fantastic sight and shows yet another aspect of Israel and our care for the environment. I love listening to the child’s excitement, even if we don’t understand her words. https://www.instagram.com/
Our home really is a confluence of nations! Tonight our friend Sammy Bettsak, from Panama and Atlanta, is coming for Shabbat Dinner; Monday and we go to Tel Aviv where I will meet with our Impact-se team (a wonderful mixture of origins) and continue to meet up with Perla Jinich and daughter (Mexico) at the home of Nattie and Yolli Zonszein (Mexico and Israel) on Wednesday Kim Taylor (Canada) is arriving to stay with us before joining the Jewish Agency meetings; then on Friday night Keith and Deidre Beville are coming for Friday night dinner; Shabbat we will have lunch with Bryan Isaacs (Wales) and take Kim to Tel Aviv for his meetings. I’m not even going into next week!!!
So the excitement is growing for Yosef and Tsofia’s wedding next month; it’s amazing to have a “simcha,” a happy event, to look forward to. Sheli and Amit went dress shopping together, and today I’ll hear many more stories when I get to Rachel. I haven’t even thought of what to make for supper but I’m not worried; it will come together. Shabbat always comes together no matter how many people turn up.
Our next song was written and set to music by David Deor many years ago but is so appropriate to today. Shmor al HaOlam Yeled. Take care of this world, child, because we didn’t manage. Ask for subtitles. https://youtu.be/2_zgDjMv1UA?
Next, one of my favourites. It opens with Don Quixote and Pancho Sancha riding into the sunset and the song is Arik Einstein’s Ani v’Atah -You and Me. You and Me can change the world https://youtu.be/iOv9wSI8Qe4?
Finally an uplifting song that you can sing along with! Hallelujah as you have never heard it before. Shulem Lemmer in concert in Jerusalem. He is everything I want to see in a Haredi man quite apart from his incredible voice. https://youtu.be/-orFQA3fCyA?
I have always been a fan of Don Quixote, whose fight was not against windmills but rather against ignorance and stubborn determination against change. David Deor and Arik Einstein really “got it” and as I have been saying for 26 years, “The Power of One”, that’s you and me- is the only way to save our confused world.
I wish you a beautiful weekend, a beautiful Shabbat and remember: You and Me Can Save the World.
With love from Jerusalem and our amazing veranda.
Sheila
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Involvement http://www.impact-se.org/
