On the other hand
At a time when we are facing an invisible enemy and everyone is in lockdown the commemorations of Yom Hashoah and Yom Hazikaron plus the celebration of Yom Ha’Atzmaut remind us that the Jewish People have faced worse crises in the past and have successfully overcome them.
Meanwhile in another one of those last second and down to the wire dramas that seem to frequently occur an “emergency coalition” has been hobbled together. It guarantees a rotation of the PM’s job, inflated numbers of ministers and deputy ministers and lots of disgruntled politicians who either will miss out on plum positions or will be relegated to the backbenches. One thing is certain and that is the political landscape will be convulsed by upheavals and ego tantrums.
It is a miracle that the country keeps forging ahead on many fronts. Perhaps this why Israel is generally known as the nation of miracles.
SEE JERUSALEM WITHOUT THE CROWDS
This year Jewish and Christian pilgrims from around the world have been unable to visit Jerusalem for Passover and Easter. The streets are eerily silent and interestingly the atmosphere in the Old City is more spiritual without the clamour of distracting throngs.
For those who have been here in previous years and couldn’t return this year and for those who wanted to come for the first time here is a virtual tour which will give you a taste of what you will be able to experience once we return to normal activities.
JUDO CHAMPION LEADS BY EXAMPLE
Many individuals are undertaking private initiatives to assist health care workers in providing much-needed equipment to hospitals.
LIFE IS FAR FROM BOARING IN ISRAEL
With towns and cities unusually deserted and quiet while inhabitants remain quarantined in their homes other “visitors” are now arriving and making themselves comfortable.
YOM HASHOAH 2020
Public ceremonies this year were cancelled owing to the coronavirus. However this did not hinder innovative ways of observing the annual tribute for those murdered during the years of the Shoah.
In Israel the whole country came to a standstill for two minutes as sirens wailed and citizens stood in silent homage. It is an emotional experience which sends shivers down your spine. It also sends a powerful message of solidarity to elderly Holocaust survivors that they are not alone and that their horrendous suffering will never be forgotten. IDF soldiers and police stood outside the homes of quarantined survivors and saluted them as the sirens wail.
