23rd September 2005
Simon Wiesenthal died in his bed at the age of 96. Despite or maybe through his untiring life's work that is in itself a miracle. A miracle that he survived, that he lived to avenge and that he died a free man in his own bed at a ripe old age.


The other evening I went to meet some old friends and greet some new ones at a UJC Metrowest function in the gorgeous and historical house, Beit Shalom. It was lovely and from across the room I noticed an outstandingly beautiful young pregnant woman who was listening attentively to every word. Yarden Fanta is an "Olah" from Ethiopia and is married to a Sabra. Yarden has just finished her doctorate in Education and after the birth of her first child will complete her post doctoral thesis under the funding of Metrowest. What an amazing and positive undertaking from both sides. At the age of 14 Yarden undertook the six month trek through the Sudan to reach her dream and come to Israel. Since that time Yarden has made her mark on history also by taking part in the "Ice Breaker" expedition to Antarctica with another three Israelis and four Palestinians last year. I cannot wait to meet her again!


Yesterday Joy Wolfe (a British Journalist and Hasbarist) had a meeting with Jewish Agency officials who administer the Victims of Terror Fund and they explained where the money goes. I t is excellent that Joy is using her influence to follow my initiative concerning the closing of the Fund. Yediot Aharonot has also taken the challenge by publishing an article questioning where the monies went. They state that $300,000,000 was raised under the Victims of Terror banner, although it is true that the small print stated (and other essential causes). According to their investigation just $18 million was disbursed to Survivors and their families. The reporter could not get straight answers from the Agency and my deep concerns were not assuaged by the official comments, including those relayed to me by Joy, about cheques still being paid out. I do not doubt that cheques have been paid; I want to know why the Fund is being closed before all the Survivors have been reached and while there should still be monies to disburse. If there is no money then where has it gone?

Last night was the third annual Ladino Song Festival, the Festiladino and it was outstanding. The quality of both songs and performers was exceptional. Former President Yitzchak Navon is the Honorary President of the Festiladino board and he presented the awards. Ladino, like Yiddish must be kept alive as a tribute to our ancestors.

Australia has come aout against religious bullies and banned Sharia Law. Moslems who wish to follow Sharia Law as opposed to Australian Law are invited to do so, in a Moslem Country, not In Australia. Other religions follow tradition without demanding adherence from the rest of the citizens.

Professor Alan Dershowitz has written and article concerning the attempts, by British Moslem leaders, to reduce Holocaust Day to a non-denominational, general and meaningless Genocide Day, daring to claim that Israelis slaughtered Palestinians… and equate it to the Shoah. I become way too emotional on the subject so I ask you to read the words of Prof. Dershowitz.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3284-1790053,00.html

Here in Israel it would appear that the Likud party is not as appreciative of Prime Minister Sharon as the rest of the world is!!! He is fighting for his Premiership and for his party which will surely break up if Benjamin Netanyahu gets his way. It never fails to amaze me how politicians can shoot themselves and their country in the foot for the sake of five minutes of air time!!!

After Shabbat we are going to see our good friends from Chicago but tonight we eat at home, with Zvis Mother and her marvellous caretaker Isobel. I love the quietness which descends over Jerusalem and our home after I light the candles to welcome the bride of Shabbat. I then stand on our veranda to watch the City change colour from white to pink to glowing red as the sun reflects off the pearl coloured stone. What a wonder, how brilliant to have a day of rest, a day of reflection and of prayer; a day to remember there is so much more than just us out there; to be aware that every one of our actions is like a ripple on a pond, creating circles of movement ad infinitum. It is up to us whether those ripples are gentle or destructive.
Shabbat Shalom to you and your family
With love from Jerusalem
Sheila

Simon Wiesenthal died in his bed at the age of 96. Despite or maybe through his untiring life's work that is in itself a miracle. A miracle that he survived, that he lived to avenge and that he died a free man in his own bed at a ripe old age.


The other evening I went to meet some old friends and greet some new ones at a UJC Metrowest function in the gorgeous and historical house, Beit Shalom. It was lovely and from across the room I noticed an outstandingly beautiful young pregnant woman who was listening attentively to every word. Yarden Fanta is an "Olah" from Ethiopia and is married to a Sabra. Yarden has just finished her doctorate in Education and after the birth of her first child will complete her post doctoral thesis under the funding of Metrowest. What an amazing and positive undertaking from both sides. At the age of 14 Yarden undertook the six month trek through the Sudan to reach her dream and come to Israel . Since that time Yarden has made her mark on history also by taking part in the "Ice Breaker" expedition to Antarctica with another three Israelis and four Palestinians last year. I cannot wait to meet her again!


Yesterday Joy Wolfe (a British Journalist and Hasbarist) had a meeting with Jewish Agency officials who administer the Victims of Terror Fund and they explained where the money goes. I t is excellent that Joy is using her influence to follow my initiative concerning the closing of the Fund. Yediot Aharonot has also taken the challenge by publishing an article questioning where the monies went. They state that $300,000,000 was raised under the Victims of Terror banner, although it is true that the small print stated (and other essential causes). According to their investigation just $18 million was disbursed to Survivors and their families. The reporter could not get straight answers from the Agency and my deep concerns were not assuaged by the official comments, including those relayed to me by Joy, about cheques still being paid out. I do not doubt that cheques have been paid; I want to know why the Fund is being closed before all the Survivors have been reached and while there should still be monies to disburse. If there is no money then where has it gone?

Last night was the third annual Ladino Song Festival, the Festiladino and it was outstanding. The quality of both songs and performers was exceptional. Former President Yitzchak Navon is the Honorary President of the Festiladino board and he presented the awards. Ladino, like Yiddish must be kept alive as a tribute to our ancestors.

Australia has come aout against religious bullies and banned Sharia Law. Moslems who wish to follow Sharia Law as opposed to Australian Law are invited to do so, in a Moslem Country, not In Australia. Other religions follow tradition without demanding adherence from the rest of the citizens.

Professor Alan Dershowitz has written and article concerning the attempts, by British Moslem leaders, to reduce Holocaust Day to a non-denominational, general and meaningless Genocide Day, daring to claim that Israelis slaughtered Palestinians… and equate it to the Shoah. I become way too emotional on the subject so I ask you to read the words of Prof. Dershowitz.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3284-1790053,00.html

Here in Israel it would appear that the Likud party is not as appreciative of Prime Minister Sharon as the rest of the world is!!! He is fighting for his Premiership and for his party which will surely break up if Benjamin Netanyahu gets his way. It never fails to amaze me how politicians can shoot themselves and their country in the foot for the sake of five minutes of air time!!!

After Shabbat we are going to see our good friends from Chicago but tonight we eat at home, with Zvis Mother and her marvellous caretaker Isobel. I love the quietness which descends over Jerusalem and our home after I light the candles to welcome the bride of Shabbat. I then stand on our veranda to watch the City change colour from white to pink to glowing red as the sun reflects off the pearl coloured stone. What a wonder, how brilliant to have a day of rest, a day of reflection and of prayer; a day to remember there is so much more than just us out there; to be aware that every one of our actions is like a ripple on a pond, creating circles of movement ad infinitum. It is up to us whether those ripples are gentle or destructive.
Shabbat Shalom to you and your family
With love from Jerusalem
Sheila