ACCORDING TO the old adage, all’s fair in love and war. But the truth of the matter is that in war, nothing is fair. Innocent people die needlessly, and soldiers die because they were ordered to fight. Every unnatural death is unfair, especially when they have a close connection.
At the time of writing, four alumni of the Himmelfarb religious high school for boys – Dvir Barzani, Ariel Reich, Aner Shapira, and Shahar Friedman – had fallen in battle during the Israel-Hamas war. In addition, teachers’ sons have been called up for reserve duty, and there are students whose fathers and brothers are in the army.
Incidentally, Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi is a Himmelfarb graduate.
Getting warm clothes for evacuees in Jerusalem
■ NO ONE knows how long displaced families from the South and the North will have to remain in Jerusalem. But one thing is certain: Winter is here, the days are cold, and the nights are even colder, so all the displaced people will require warm clothing.
Rabbanit Chani Canterman, co-director of Chabad Talbiyeh-Mamilla, is working out of the former President Hotel at 3 Ahad Ha’Am St., and while appreciative of all the second-hand clothing that has been donated, she notes that what is needed now is warm winter clothing – preferably new.
It’s bad enough for a lot of the displaced people from the South not to have a home to which they can return. It makes people feel demoralized, and so do second-hand garments, no matter how good the intentions of the donors. There are lots of places in and around Mahaneh Yehuda where warm, relatively good clothing can be purchased at very low prices. If a few people get together, they can purchase a whole job lot at minimal cost.
Happily, some new winter coats and sweaters from England are on the way, and more are being purchased in the US. In addition, there is an ongoing need for diapers and women’s deodorant.
On Thursdays at 11 a.m., there’s a weekly challah bake, which some of the women from the South join. They say that it helps to raise their spirits. Two weeks ago, the mother of one of the hostages joined and said that the empathy and love she received from all those present gave her renewed energy, which she didn’t know she had.
Canterman, knowing that the activity in a caring environment will be beneficial, continues to invite mothers, grandmothers, wives, and other family members of hostages to join the challah bake.
In addition to the challah bake and other group activities, there have been birthday parties for Sderot children, as well as other events to occupy their attention.
A new home for an English library of the visually impaired
■ WANTED: A new home for the English-language library of the visually impaired. The library, which was previously housed in the premises of the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel (AACI), did not move with AACI to its new location on downtown Harav Kook Street, and will be closed during December while searching for a new venue.
The library office in Talpiot is now closed. Present subscribers should return their books to the library only by post, in the envelope the books came in. They should be sure to seal the envelope well and write their name on the back.
Ruth Streett, acting director of the library, hopes that a suitable venue can be found in the near future. If anyone knows of available premises, she will be delighted if they can notify her at vilibraryjlm@gmail.com or Trudy Greener at trudyjrslm47@gmail.com.
The library, which provides books in large print and CDs, was founded 25 years ago by the late Naomi Katz, and is operated by volunteers who continue to serve as a lifeline for readers all over Israel. Books are sent to subscribers free of postal charges, thanks to Israel Post.
Hanukkah on the horizon
■ WITH HANUKKAH on the horizon, donuts in their numerous varieties on display in pastry shops, and chocolate Hanukkah coins wrapped in gold foil prominently displayed in candy stores and supermarkets are bound to lift the mood of despondency that has enveloped so many people.
Entertainers launch new concert series
■ Entertainers who have been performing at army bases and hotels where displaced persons are currently being accommodated have helped to lighten the mood, but it will become even lighter as of December 17, when Yaakov Fisher, chairman of the Spectacular World of Jewish Music, will launch the concert series Jewish Music: When Classical Meets Klezmer. The concerts will be held December 17, 24, 27, and 31 at the Begin Heritage Center, at 8 p.m.
The series caters to different musical tastes. The first concert will be a Mexican evening, courtesy of the Mariachi Jerusalem Band. The second will feature the Hibba Orchestra Ensemble, with Daniel Saadon playing well-known sacred songs.
The third concert, Classical with a Jewish Soul, will be performed by the Jerusalem Street Orchestra, which includes a string quintet. The final concert is a klezmer performance with Emil Aybinder, who will be playing klezmer melodies from around the world with his group.
Tickets are NIS 95 for each concert; a discount is available for those who purchase tickets for the entire series, and to Jerusalem Card holders.
Those involved in the series will be donating 25% of the proceeds to Gaza border communities. The funds will be distributed in coordination with the Eshkol Regional Council.
An IDF Victory Coin in time for Hanukkah
■ WHEN SPEAKING to the heroic soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told them: “The spirit of the Maccabees is here. You are the Maccabees.” At the Jerusalem Mint, the designers of gold, silver, and bronze coins took their cue from the PM and have created the Miracles of Israel collection that celebrates miracles from ancient times to the present day – from the Maccabees to the IDF.
The Maccabee Miracle Coin depicts the ancient Maccabees lighting the menorah at the rededication of the holy temple following their extraordinary military victory over the Greeks. Miraculously, the last remaining vessel of pure oil, which contained enough oil to burn for only one day, burned for eight days.
The IDF Victory Coin pays tribute to the amazing success of today’s defenders of Israel. Just as the ancient Maccabees risked their lives to defend the Jewish nation, the soldiers in the IDF risk their lives to defend the State of Israel.
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