Chas Newkey-Burden's Blog, page 34

Where is Majdi Halabi?

Majdi Halabi, a Druze Israeli solider, was last seen in May 2005. He was hitchhiking near Mount Carmel. The circumstances of his disappearance remain a mystery, though his parents believe he was kidnapped and might be currently held in the West Bank. The Zionist Federation has worked to bring attention to Majdi's story. So have [...]

Something new to say

'Free Gilad Shalit' – it's something we've been saying for five years. Now we can finally say something very similar, yet wonderfully different: 'Gilad Shalit is free.' What a price had to be paid. Sending lots of love to the soon-to-be reunited Shalit family and to all who support and love them. Update: Here is [...]

Baal Shem Tov on Monday

'To pull a friend out of the mire, don't hesitate to get dirty.' (Baal Shem Tov)

Gilad Shalit campaign memories… and why it was all worthwhile

I became actively involved with Israel the week after Gilad Shalit was kidnapped by Hamas in 2006. I had been interested in, and quietly supportive of, Israel for a couple of years before that. But it was witnessing the ignorance and hostility that Israel faced in Britain after Gilad's kidnap, and then again when the [...]

Oy, Fat Goy!

I visited a sukkah for the first time yesterday. Thanks to Ronit and Eddie for inviting and feeding me. Well, I say feeding but that scarcely does justice to the feast we enjoyed. Kicking-off with the tastiest challah I have ever eaten the food was seriously plentiful and glorious. Off the top of my head [...]

Did Amy Winehouse know she was going to die?

I've written an article for The First Post website about Amy's interest in Tarot cards, her intense relationship with her grandmother and how these might shed new light on her behaviour in the final years of her life, and on her tragic death. You can read my article here, and find out more about my [...]

'For God is good and His love endures forever'

This is a guest post from Joel Weiner in Jerusalem I've just come back from the protest tent outside the PM's residence in Jerusalem. The atmosphere is one of sheer ecstasy. I found out about the Shalit deal when I was out in town with some friends, and the rumour was spread between strangers in [...]

A timely prayer from Rabbi Nachman

'God of patience, teach me patience. Help me learn to wait - for the good that is just around the corner; for the assistance that will soon be within my reach; for the relief that is just a moment away.' (Rabbi Nachman, Likutey Moharan)

Gilad developments

Praying, hoping, trying to not get carried away until something concrete happens. Please God he is home soon. How do you feel? Update: The Elder of Ziyon blog has a post collating developments here. For my post from February about why I favour a deal, click here. Actually, Elder of Ziyon has a good post [...]

Nachman on Monday

'Worldly desires are like sunbeams in a dark room. They seem solid until you try to grasp one.' (Rabbi Nachman of Breslov)