GOLDA: A Reckoning

On August 24th, the Federation CJA in Montreal launched its annual fundraising campaign with an extraordinary event. They managed to secure all eight screens of the newly renovated CineStarz Deluxe Cavendish movie theatre in Montreal to host two screenings of “Golda,” featuring the talented Helen Mirren as the iconic Israeli political figure Golda Meir.

The CJA is a central Jewish community organization in Montreal that actively follows the philanthropic tradition from Moses’ Torah, which stresses the duty to “feed the hungry and clothe the poor.” Their website features a powerful video for this year’s #StandUpCampaign, supporting the vulnerable and tackling concerns about antisemitism and Jewish identity.

Golda Meir’s Unyielding Leadership

“Golda” is an enthralling movie that reveals the harrowing narrative of Israeli citizens and soldiers thrust into the midst of a war initiated by Egypt and Syria, quietly backed by Jordan, on the sacred day of Yom Kippur in 1973. The film depicts Israel’s unpreparedness and the existential crisis it faced, with the lives of six million Israelis hanging in the balance. *1

The movie meticulously portrays Meir’s leadership during this critical period. Serving as the Prime Minister of Israel and the designated commander-in-chief, Meir navigated the challenges with unwavering determination. Recently released archival footage from the battlefield provides a haunting glimpse into the atrocities of that historical event. *2

After the war, Golda resigned and faced personal blame for an extended period. Questions lingered about whether her gender or age affected the inadequate preparedness and significant losses.

Golda’s Secret Battles and Sacrifices

The movie reveals new aspects of Golda’s life, including her secret battle with cancer, taking charge of media responses from General Moshe Dayan to uplift public spirits, and grappling with U.S. reluctance to provide arms to Israel. It showcases Meir’s compassion, intelligence, and steadfast leadership in confronting significant challenges.

The film highlights Golda’s true essence, exhibiting her empathy for those around her and her steadfast determination during tough times almost single-handedly. Her leadership style, which emphasizes putting the needs of the state and the people above her own, is a valuable lesson. She guided her nation through a tumultuous period, earning our profound gratitude.

Helen Mirren’s portrayal of the complexities of this character is genuinely compelling. From the opening scenes, her expressive face communicates volumes without words. Her performance deserves an Oscar, making the movie worth the ticket price.

High Holidays: A Deepened Connection

Currently in Israel for the Jewish High Holidays, where our traditions began, the high holiday season deepens our connection to this historic land. From the first day of the Hebrew month of Elul to the concluding moments of the Sukkot holiday, Shmini Atzeret, the “High Holidays” mark an annual reenactment of the pivotal events that unfolded in the desert.

For example, after Moses’ prolonged absence, the Israelites grew anxious and created a Golden Calf to worship, violating the commandments. Upon returning, Moses pleaded with God for forgiveness. God outlined a path to atonement through repentance and prayer, renewing His covenant with the Israelites. *3

This narrative is echoed annually throughout our Yom Kippur prayer services and has fortified our people against adversities such as the Crusaders, the Inquisition, and the Nazi onslaught.

Within the Yom Kippur service, a poignant moment arises during the Yizkor prayer, where we reflect on our departed parents and ancestors. This year, a member of our congregation shared a vivid account of his experiences during the Yom Kippur War, a testament to the profound impact of this historical event.

Yom Kippur War: A Miraculous Tale

Yom Kippur War: From the Beit Midrash to the Battlefield,” a video about the miraculous rescue story, reminds us how our unwavering traditions support us in tough times, emphasizing our national identity as servants of our one God, whom we crown as our only King on Yom Kippur.

In this footage, despite the enemy’s perception that attacking Yom Kippur would confer an advantage, it becomes evident that the day itself may have bolstered our triumph.

A Lesson in Leadership

“Golda” is a poignant reminder of the resilience and strength of the Jewish people as they faced immense challenges during this difficult time. Reflecting on this period of history during the Jewish High Holidays, we are reminded of our enduring connection to our traditions and the importance of unity in the face of adversity. The film portrays Meir’s leadership through a deeply personal lens, highlighting the sacrifices she made and the difficult decisions she had to make to ensure the survival of her people. It is a testament to the power of leadership, sacrifice, and the indomitable spirit of the Jewish people.

 

Footnotes:

  1. “The Yom Kippur War: Background & Overview.” Jewish Virtual Library, www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org.
  2. Ynet News: Israel declassifies massive archive to mark 50th anniversary of Yom Kippur War.” Ynetnews, www.ynetnews.com.
  3. Isaacs, Jacob. “The Golden Calf.” Chabad.org, Kehot Publication Society

Jerusalem’s Unique Purim Celebration: A Blend of Festivity and Tradition

Nestled in the heart of Jerusalem, where ancient cobblestone streets blend with modern vibrancy, lies a one-of-a-kind celebration: Jerusalem’s Unique Purim Celebration. This annual event flawlessly interweaves the energy of festivity with the richness of tradition, resulting in a captivating blend that encapsulates the essence of this beloved holiday.

Purim is observed globally on the 14th day of the Jewish month of Adar. However, due to its classification as a “walled city” in sacred texts, the celebration in Jerusalem unfolds a day later than elsewhere. On the evenings of Wednesday and Thursday, March 6 and 7, the vibrant spirit of Purim manifested in costumes, parades, festive meals, and lively gatherings throughout the streets of Jerusalem.

While non-Jews may draw parallels between Purim and festivities like Mardi Gras or Halloween due to the shared theme of costumed revelry, the essence of Purim transcends mere merriment. This Jewish holiday is rooted in deep spiritual and meaningful traditions and encompasses material and spiritual dimensions.

The material celebration is a spectacle enjoyed by people of all ages, featuring enthusiastic participation in costume-wearing, impromptu plays, the exchange of food gifts known as Shalach Manot, and culminating in a joyous family meal, a seudah in the late afternoon before the conclusion of the holiday.

The spiritual facet revolves around the Hebrew reading of the Megillah, narrating the Purim story. Notably, women hold a special connection to Purim, as listening to the Megillah is one of the few commandments specifically incumbent upon them. Queen Esther, the text’s heroine, further emphasizes women’s significance in this celebration.

The Megillah is chanted in synagogues or private homes, ensuring widespread participation in the communal listening experience. This year, I attended the evening Megillah reading at Simhat Shlomo, my former Yeshiva in Nahlaot, near the bustling Jerusalem open-air market, the Shuk. The scene in the Shuk was electrifying, with open stalls selling customary Purim masks and treats, restaurants resonating with music, and people dancing into the night. The infectious merriment even infiltrated a cell phone service store in a Jerusalem mall where I happened to be.

I seized the opportunity to record videos within the Yeshiva during the Megillah reading. Now, immersed in Purim’s vibrant spirit, they truly embrace the festive atmosphere.

A diverse assembly of men, women, and children eagerly gathered, anticipating the arrival of their Megillah reader, Rabbi Leibish Hundert. In the meantime, they entertained themselves with lively tales and joyful singing.

With anticipation in the air, Leibish commenced the Megillah reading.

In the afternoon, I was graciously invited to join my nephew, niece, and other family members for a delightful Purim feast, where we shared laughter, exchanged stories, and savoured traditional delicacies.

For those seeking additional Purim Torah, I recommend exploring an earlier blog post, “What Purim Can Teach Us Today.”

Jerusalem’s Purim Celebration is a testament to its blend of festivity and tradition, seen in vibrant streets, joyous gatherings, and spiritual practices. This annual event goes beyond mere merriment, exploring the holiday’s cultural and spiritual significance. Each part adds to Jerusalem’s Purim experience, from Megillah readings to costume parades. It reminds us of Purim’s legacy, uniting communities in celebration and reflection.

Shabbat in Jerusalem

I spent my first Shabbat in Israel at my nephew’s home in Kiryat Menachem, a growing suburb in the hills of Jerusalem. The city’s progress was evident through the anticipation of expanded train services and the sight of cranes in the air. Yet, Kiryat Menachem retained its charm as a “fifteen-minute city” where most amenities were within walking distance. This older settlement had preserved green spaces and access to Shvil Yisrael, the Israel Trail, which allowed us to take a leisurely walk and enjoy the vibrant hues of Jerusalem’s spring flowers.

During Shabbat, the kids excitedly showed off their Purim costumes. My seven-year-old nephew, Eitam, took on the role of the Saba, a beloved grandfather who traditionally dispenses candy to children during Shabbat services in synagogues worldwide. Armed with his grandfather’s cane and a bag of sweets purchased from a local store, he embraced his role enthusiastically. Meanwhile, my eleven-year-old niece, Yehudit, transformed into her teacher, donning dresses, a purse, glasses, and even a wig, a source of great amusement.

For my subsequent Shabbat, I moved to my new home in the Katamon neighbourhood, a quintessential residential enclave in Jerusalem lying beyond the “old city.” The area is characterized by the mandatory use of the pink Jerusalem stone in construction, and my street was lined with distinctive pink stone garden fences.

Explore my snug apartment, where the indoors seamlessly blend with the outdoors through a charming enclosed balcony. In the afternoon, around 3 o’clock, I captured the essence of the space through photographs featuring children and their caregivers representing various genders.

Joyce, my neighbour who recently moved from Toronto to Israel, gifted me her delicious homemade challah. I decided to try some cooked food from a local eatery that caters to the Shabbat crowd. Our neighbourhood has many synagogues, including the Chabad House Synagogue, where I learned about their post-service lunch tradition. I attended their Friday night services, and on my way home, I encountered a group of people in the middle of the road. One of them recognized me as the broker who had just bought her mother’s apartment and warmly invited me to join them for supper and lunch the next day.

The next day, on my way to the synagogue, I passed a school full of children. Once inside, I found the adult service and listened to a woman give the Sabbath talk in an Orthodox prayer service. Later, at Chabad’s post-service kiddush, I sat with two English-speaking women with extensive experience living in Jerusalem and Israel. One was visiting her in-laws, and the other was a divorced woman starting anew in the neighbourhood. We discovered that we all had lived on Lake Street in White Plains, NY, during nearly the same period many years ago.

It’s incredible to see how interconnected our world can be!

Spring Encounters: Tales of Serendipity and Human Connection

Embarking on a journey from Montreal to Jerusalem is not just a physical experience but also an emotional and spiritual one, full of encounters that transcend borders and cultures. As I arrived in Israel on March 2nd, my travels unfolded, weaving tales of serendipity and human connection. Every moment I etched a chapter in the chronicles of my spring encounters, from the bustling airplane cabin to the sacred streets of Jerusalem.

During the flight, I sat beside a young Ukrainian man from Odesa. He had spent the past year living and working in Prague, successfully navigating the challenges of obtaining a transfer from his employer and crossing the Russian border into Czechoslovakia. He was en route to visit his cousins in Tel Aviv, and his story unfolded as we shared the airspace.

Adjacent to us was a woman engrossed in a well-worn Bible. Hailing from Switzerland, she eagerly immersed herself in the places mentioned in the Bible, yearning to experience them firsthand. As we conversed, I provided insights into potential areas to explore, and our connection blossomed to the extent that she extended an invitation to visit her in Switzerland. This serendipitous encounter led to a delightful meal with her and her companions in Jerusalem a week later.

Neuropedagogia Where souls and education meet

Neuropedagogia: Where souls and education meet

On the communal Sherut taxi, designed to accommodate around ten passengers from the airport directly to their respective destinations, I sat next to an American woman accompanied by a baby. She was returning from a wedding in Montreal, and her husband is currently engaged as a teacher at one of the Yeshivas in Jerusalem. Beside her was Orit Elgavi-Hershler, an Israeli neurobiologist educator fresh from her book launch in Tel Aviv. Captivated by her subject matter— the latest methods for addressing autism, schizophrenia, and related topics—we eagerly posed questions, further enriching our shared journey.

The most remarkable moment had yet to transpire as I stepped off the Sherut minibus, standing on the narrow sidewalk with my two oversized suitcases and two hefty carry-ons. To my amazement, a woman halted her car, skillfully parking it on my side of the sidewalk. She promptly emerged from her vehicle and approached me, offering assistance with my luggage.

Such a gesture, I mused, might be unparalleled elsewhere in the world. This heartwarming encounter unfolded just as I reached my new apartment in the sacred city of Jerusalem.

As I reflect on the unexpected moments and sincere acts of kindness that enriched my journey, I am reminded that the true essence of travel lies in the destinations we explore and the people we meet along the way.

Heroes: Then and Now

Throughout history, heroes have captivated us with their stories of courage and selflessness. They come from diverse backgrounds and have made significant contributions to society. From legendary warriors to contemporary activists and inventors, we have a wide variety of individuals whose legacies remind us that anyone can make a meaningful difference in the world. Even small actions can have a significant impact on history.

Ancient Heroes

The Book of Exodus is a captivating literary work that showcases a range of exciting characters. While some of these figures are explicitly named and their stories are widely recognized, many others remain anonymous, and their contributions often go unnoticed. However, as our Passover Haggadah text reminds us, the impact of these unnamed individuals is of utmost importance. In fact, without their specific actions and sacrifices, “we, our children, and our children’s children would still be slaves in Egypt.”

“These are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt” (Exodus 1:1).
When expressed in Hebrew, it is written as: “אֵלֶּה שְׁמוֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל…” (שמות א:א).

Among the first individuals explicitly named in The Book of Exodus are the Egyptian midwives to the Hebrews, Shifra and Puah. Their actions constitute the world’s earliest recorded instance of civil disobedience in historical narrative. In defiance of Pharaoh’s orders, these midwives chose not to comply.

These passages provide a detailed account of the efforts of the Egyptian Pharaoh to control the population of the Hebrews and the resistance of the Hebrew midwives who refused to carry out his orders to kill the male infants.

“When you deliver the Hebrew women, and you see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall put him to death, but if it is a daughter, she may live.” – Exodus 1:17-21

“The midwives, however, feared God, so they did not do as the king of Egypt had spoken to them, but they enabled the boys to live. So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said, ‘Why have you done this thing that you have enabled the boys to live?'” – Exodus 1:17-21

“Pharaoh’s daughter went down to bathe in the Nile, and her maidens were walking along the Nile, and she saw the basket in the midst of the marsh, and she sent her maidservant, and she took it. She opened it, and she saw him, the child, and behold, he was a weeping lad, and she had compassion on him, and she said, ‘This is one of the children of the Hebrews.'” – Exodus 2:5-6

“She bestowed upon him the name Moses, declaring, ‘For I drew him from the water,’ as expressed in the Hebrew phrase ‘min hamayim mishitihu.'” – Exodus 2:10

Modern Heroes

In more modern times, Juan Pujol García was a Portuguese-born double agent whose bravery and cleverness played a crucial role in achieving victory during World War II. Pujol’s ingenuity led him to send deceptive reports to Germany, earning the trust of the Nazis and eventually a mission to recruit double agents in Britain. He staged an elaborate deception on English soil, creating a fake network of English double agents that confused the German High Command.

Agent Garbo’s strategic brilliance shone through as he skillfully deceived the German High Command several times, changing the course of history to favour the Allies. Using creative tactics, he orchestrated the fabrication of convincing decoys such as balloon tanks and rows of planes, leading to German misperceptions about the upcoming Allied invasion. His legacy highlights how personal courage and strategic thinking can influence the world.

As I watched “Simone, Woman of the Century,” a documentary that chronicles the life and achievements of Simone Veil, I couldn’t help but be amazed by the extraordinary journey of this remarkable woman. Veil’s life began with a happy childhood in a secular Jewish family. However, her life took a dark turn when she was arrested along with her family and deported to Auschwitz during World War II. Despite the horrors she experienced in the concentration camp, Veil’s resilience and determination never faltered.

The documentary highlights significant moments in Veil’s life, such as her graduation and achievements after the war. She went on to earn a French law degree, raise a family, and serve in the French government. Notably, she played a pivotal role in securing legal abortion rights in a primarily Catholic country, which was a significant victory for women’s rights. Veil’s journey culminated in becoming the European Parliament’s first president, where she contributed substantially to preventing historical conflicts that had troubled Europe for centuries.

Simone Veil’s life is a testament to her commitment to political leadership and passionate advocacy for women’s rights. Her legacy inspires those working toward gender equality, and her dedication to preserving the memory of the Holocaust underscores the importance of collective remembrance and justice.

Celebrating Unsung Heroes

Unsung heroes embody personal courage and selflessness. Their bravery, self-sacrifice, and commitment inspire generations and leave an indelible mark on history. Let us celebrate their contributions, learn from their example, and strive to positively impact the world.

 

Footnotes:

  1. Rabbi Shipell. “Weekly Torah Seminar.” Lockdown University, Lockdown University, info@lockdownuniversity.org.