Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem

September 5^th 2008 Dear Friends Shabbat Shalom This has been a week of clairvoyant (!) media prophets and confused readers as they try to predict what will be in Israeli negotiations with both the PA and the Syrians and in the wider world what will be in the USA elections. The truth is that none of us knows what will be. The Syrians say that it is our fault that the "peace" talks have faltered yet declared undying alliance with Hezb-Allah and the French predict that all will be well! Russia is trying to predict – and ensure the accuracy of that prediction in their dealings in the Middle East, using their claim that Georgia caused the war with Russia because of Israeli influence and aid to the Georgians (one can say anything without one tiny iota of truth if it suits ones cause!) The USA is declaring support for Israel yet asking us to cede our position on many issues especially in terms of land and power in a manner they do not expect of themselves. The Jerusalem Mayoral race hots up as Arieh Deri announced the possibility of his candidacy. Arieh Deri, although born in Meknes, Morocco Deri went to an Ashkenazi Yeshiva, and was one of the founders of Shas, the Mizrachi religious political party which was formed due to the exclusionism of the Ashkenazi religious parties. Deri is Haredi, but combines it with sophistication and is a worldly, experienced and clever politician – his one set back is that he served a prison sentence for corruption! If the law allows him to enter the race he stands an excellent chance of winning since he is liked equally by Mizrachi, Ashkenazi, religious and secular Jerusalemites. This has come as something of a blow to Nir Barkat, the current front runner in the race since Nir has run on the non-sectarian platform. On Sunday we held a parlour meeting for Nir Barkat in our home and about 60 people came to hear what he had to say. Nir's main platform is the improvement of Jerusalem's education system since not only is Jerusalem the poorest major city with the highest percentage of children per capita we receive a pittance- percentage wise – from the municipal budget. The increase in the educational budget is entirely in the hands of the Mayor. Nir also wants to improve Jerusalem's reputation throughout the world as a tourism destination. Too many of you who live in far more dangerous cities in the world think that Jerusalem is not a safe place to visit - it is not only safer than most Central and South American and European cities, it is much more beautiful! If you think that Jerusalem is just a pile of old stones then you have not been paying attention to my missives!!!! On Wednesday evening we went for a romantic supper at the Primavera restaurant in the Sheraton Plaza with our wonderful friends Bernardo and Rosa Romanowsky. We won the supper after Chef Kadosh donated it as a prize in the Cancer Campaign raffle and chose to go this week to celebrate the birth of a grandson in style with a couple that we love. Primavera is the baby of Chef Shalom Kadosh http://www.2eat.co.il/Template/1_About.asp?PID=8847&sID=1242 Chef Kadosh, an exceptionally humble and gentle man, is living proof that one can produce phenomenally delicious and inventive menus in a totally kosher environment. It was Shalom who initiated the King David's Feast for the "Jerusalem 3,000" celebrations in which he brought top chefs from all over the world, including Jean-Louis Palladin, Paul Prudhomme and Joel Robuchon who produced gastronomic wonders to suit the most sophisticated epicurean taste in totally Kosher surroundings!! http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F00E3DE1539F934A15750C0A960958260&st=cse&sq=A+Kosher+Feast+Befitting+Jerusalem's+3%2C000th+&scp=1 There are many fine people who work in the field of hasbara (dissemination of positive information), most are effective and some are outstanding. Amongst those who are outstanding in their hasbara and their determination to create strong relationships with the Christian community in the UK are Norman and Lola Cohen. Norman and Lola are exceptional on every level; their positivity, youth and kindness are legend. Norman celebrated his 85^th birthday this week and this young couple also celebrated their 47^th anniversary! I want to wish them a fabulous year and expect them to continue their marvelous example to all of us. When I told my friend their ages she simply stood with her mouth open in disbelief – apparently their goodness is the fountain of everlasting youth. I guess that is that for this week since I still need to prepare the last few salads for the Shabbat table and to bring my suitcase up from the store-room. Where am I going? Well I have my American and British grandchildren to visit and one brand new little boy to welcome, to hold close and to wish a wonderful and fulfilled life.Shabbat Shalom to you allSheila

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Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem

by Sheila Raviv, September 6, 2008

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem

by Sheila Raviv, September 6, 2008 0 comments