By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson
MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — The political situation in Israel is a cause for concern for most of the people I know. The right-wing government is in thrall to the extremist views of war-mongering, messianic elements whose ultimate aim is territorial expansion.
There is no indication that the government is prepared to do any deal to secure the release of our hostages, who have been enduring torture and deprivation by the Hamas terrorist organization in the dank, airless tunnels of Gaza for a year and a half.
Distant enemies fire ballistic missiles and rockets into the country, and while most of them are intercepted, the occasional one or two that get through have had a devastating economic effect. From having been ‘a light unto the nations’ we are now an anathema to the nations.
The prevailing mood among friends and acquaintances is one of depression at what has become of our country, once a bastion of freedom, democracy, tolerance and solidarity and now riven by division. These have divided right-wing from left-wing and centrist Israelis, the ultra-orthodox from the rest of the country, and those who adhere to the rule of law from those who disdain the legal apparatus. It is the latter that constitutes an integral part of the system of checks and balances that every democracy needs in order to prevent its elected representatives from trampling rough-shod over every legal restraint, as the current government is seeking to do.
Beyond being able to exercise one’s democratic right to demonstrate for what one believes in, there is little the average person can do about the situation. Many thousands of Israelis have been demonstrating regularly against the government for the past two years with little or no effect. Just another cause for depression.
So what is left? Escapism is the answer. At least it’s better than misery. Our homes are comfortable. Our families thrive. The weather is generally pleasant. Cultural and social life continues, to a greater or lesser extent. As a preliminary to every concert or theatre performance a routine announcement is made stating that we all hope for the return of our hostages and the safety of our soldiers, and that in the case of a rocket or missile alert the audience is requested to remain in its place because the building is protected. In addition, every public building and shopping mall has notices directing people to the designated shelter or protected area (usually underground). And most homes have access to a shelter or ‘safe room’ with reinforced walls and ceiling.
For my other half (OH) and myself music has provided us with the emotional and intellectual succor we need these days. Luckily for us, nearby Jerusalem offers an almost-endless supply of concerts, whether with a full-blown orchestra or smaller ensemble, and these give us immense pleasure. Thus, at last night’s chamber-music concert at the Jerusalem Theatre given by a group of musicians associated with the Music Academy we heard a varied program of both familiar and less well-known works, ending with a sparkling performance of Fauré’s delightful and demanding piano quartet in C minor.
In addition to the almost weekly symphonic concerts at the Theatre, we are now also regulars at the Saturday-morning chamber-music concerts given at the more intimate Eden-Tamir Music Centre in the nearby village of Ein Kerem. These concerts constitute a regular infusion of inspiration and enjoyment, giving us spiritual fuel to continue with our daily lives in the knowledge that there is still some beauty and decency in the world.
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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson is an author and freelance writer based in the Jerusalem suburb of Mevasseret Zion, Israel.