Hopefully the German Jewish community...

Here’s a link to an article of mine that was published yesterday by the Israeli daily Haaretz. The article asks but also answers the question « Do Jews have a future in Germany? And if so, what kind of future? «

Solidarity III - elastic

Is solidarity a natural trait or one which we have developed over generations, having found solidarity to be a profitable strategy? Without going into that question, the issue of solidarity has hit us in the Corona context on various levels. On the international level, with questions of full open and honest information exchange (did China or did it not etc.) and soon thereafter in the world-wide hunt for ventilators, masks and other hospital supplies. Once a vaccine will become available, the rush to be first in the delivery line is likely to be brutal.

On the personal level, the first weeks of Corona saw most people take the requests, instructions and regulations seriously. As people are getting used to living with Corona, self-discipline is weakening. It appears, that kindness shown through solidarity, requires the right dosage of fear. Too much fear produces a dog-eat-dog state, in which we steal supplies from each other. Too little fear makes us disregard the risks which others may be subject to. In the first few weeks, there was just the right amount of fear. This is now, for the time at least, over.

Corona and Culture

As soon as Corona closures hit the world, many opera companies, orchestras and theatres began offering free access to their streaming services. At the same time, news started to spread about performing artists and especially self-employed artists, who have no job security, losing their jobs.

There is really no reason for the streaming of performances to be made available free of charge. The companies should be encouraged to continue performing and sell on-line access to their performances.

During wartime, some governments subsidised the arts to entertain the population. Now, instead of spending money on unemployment benefits for artists, who after all want to perform, governments could subsidise orchestras, theatre and opera companies and pay them to perform and broadcast.  

Look at me - Look at you

Most people try to keep a certain distance from others in this fourth week of government-regulated-behaviour in public areas. Much of this change in behaviour is fear-driven, as we want to avoid being infected by the potential virus-carrier approaching us. To do that, we need to actually look at who is sharing the pavement that we are walking. Total absorption with earphones, whilst watching a video or writing a message, are difficult.

As a result, we seem to be more aware of each other than we were before this pandemic befell us. A by-product is that more people are also smiling at strangers, making way for others to pass, thanking each other for acts of consideration and thoughtfulness. It even pays off, as such simple civility normally makes us feel good about ourselves.

This new empathy is unlikely to last but one can enjoy it whilst it does.

Ballo in Maschera

The situation for oldies like myself is tough: not many really consider us to be golden-oldies, to be treasured and cherished.  We are not far from the point, I believe, that the patience of the younger generation will run out. “If you are afraid of dying, stay at home – but don’t tell me not to cough or sneeze in the supermarket” is not here yet, but will come sooner rather than later.

An important means for preventing the spreading of the virus seems to be compulsory across-the-board wearing of masks. For oldies who do not want to be locked-up until vaccines are available, such a step, could be helpful.

For some reason there is still a shortage of masks. Is it so difficult to manufacture these rather simple products here and now? Do they have to be sourced in China, only in order to have them stolen by by black market operators? We are not talking vaccines, sophisticated scientific equipment, ventilators, or pharmaceutical products. These are just simple bloody masks.

Here's an original mask made by my good friend Genevieve: 

Hungary

Kick them out. And they can keep all their Goulash.

The EU brought in former Communist-bloc dictatorships and then spent billions trying to help them democratise. Some of these countries are evidently not interested. In that case, they should be made to leave. Now.

Our tax money should stop funding that despicable dictatorship that has been brought in and voted for by the population of Hungary. 

They could form their own bloc with Poland and Israel for instance and enjoy that trip. Until then, that country should be boycotted by any decent European.

manikur-pedikur- yalla-uktub-sharmoutah

Sometime, around 1930, a Polish Jewish woman arrived by boat in Haifa, in British Mandate Palestine. For the interview with immigration and customs, she dressed elegantly, and ensured that she looked presentable. When asked by the immigration official for her profession, she pointed with her well-manicured hands and responded in Polish "manikur-pedikur". The official looked quizzingly at his superior officer, what profession would that be, he asked. The officer looked at the woman, and then said in Arabic “manikur-pedikur- yalla-uktub-sharmoutah”, which translates to “manicure-pedicure, come-on, just write prostitute.”

It was reported that a certain Orly Levy-Abekasis, an Israeli politician, has left the anti-Netanyahu camp to join corrupt Bibi Netanyahu’s party and support his bid to form Israel’s next government. This would be her fifth political home in 12 years.

Israel

Nothing to be said. A lost case.

Flying... Fleeing

Ten days ago, I managed to leave London for Frankfurt. It was a very, very empty Heathrow and the departures board resembled one at a small provincial airport. Many of the few people were wearing masks. Quite a few Asians were wearing full protective clothing. 

The first flight that I was booked on, had already been cancelled, but they put me on a later one on the same day. I arrived early at Heathrow, just in case there would be more bureaucracy. There wasn’t and all the coffee shops and food places were closed. I had nothing to do but hope that they don’t cancel the flight.

At some point, the young chap, who sat next to me waiting for his flight to Athens, put on a face mask. He wore it for about 15 minutes and then took it off again. I asked him why he had put it on and then why he had taken it off. He explained, that he did not really believe the masks were necessary but that he had promised his parents to wear one. He laughed when I asked whether 15 minutes made him feel that he has kept his promise. Then he added, “this Corona only hits old people, anyway”. “You are just talking to one”, I said, “Oh”, he said, “I didn’t mean it. I am sorry”. 

Here’s someone spotted waiting for his flight:

The flight wasn’t cancelled. I have never flown in such a clean airplane. Nevertheless, I disinfected the seat-handles and seat-belt. The woman next to me wore a mask. People were very quiet. No one coughed. No one even got up to go to the toilet.

I expected strict measures to regulate entry. I expected to be quizzed about my movements or perhaps even be instructed to self-isolate for 14 days. Having read about arriving passengers in New-Zealand and in the Maldives, who had been quarantined in beach-front luxury hotels, I was fantasising about something similar. Nothing of the sort. Much to my surprise, there were no special measures at the Frankfurt airport. Just the usual: passport control, luggage and out. 

Relaxing in Frankfurt

Germany seems more relaxed than Britain, at this stage. On my daily walks, often by the river, many people can be spotted sort-of keeping to the rules. Haven’t seen any group picnics yet, but I expect that as the weather will get warmer, younger people will not adhere to the admonishments constantly being broadcast. 

I especially liked these two men, standing smoking their cigars and drinking red wine from real wine glasses: clearly business class, not economy.

Solidarity I

It began with rumours in various countries that the health system would very soon have to prioritise life-saving treatment. Priority was said to be given to the under 70s, or some said under 60s. 

Some American voices could be heard saying that the older generation would gladly die to save the economy for the younger one. Does anyone, anyone at all, believe that these disgusting Republicans do not have personal arrangements to ensure that when push comes to shove, they would be given access to the treatment? That they personally would not have to pay the price, which they suggest the rest of the old population should?

A few days ago, the 80-year-old Israeli philosopher, Asa Kasher, whose claim to fame was writing the ethical code for the Israeli army (sounds like a contradiction-in-terms), wrote an article, all up-in-arms about this suggestion that a 50-year-old should have priority over a 90-year-old. 

It is wonderful what the eye of the beholder can do. With that understanding, Kasher, if he is up to it, may wish to spend his remaining days to ponder, how a Palestinian would write the ethical code for the Israeli army.

Solidarity II

If it turns out that indeed the virus is fatal almost only to the old and frail, governments will find it very difficult to discipline social distancing and even the stringent hygiene regulations for the whole of the population. 

It will not take long for the younger generation to openly tell old people that if they do not want to get infected, they can stay at home. When they leave their homes, old people should not demand that others keep their distance or even avoid spreading the virus, which to the young seems like just a flu. 

For most people, solidarity, a bit like an erection, is difficult to maintain after the first excitement is over. We saw it with the welcome many Germans showered on the refugees in the 2015 refugee wave. It did not take long for ugly racism to rear its head. Watch this space. 

The ugly voice of the Baritone

A few days ago, in an Interview he gave to Süddeutsche Zeitung, a well-known baritone, who probably gets paid around €15,000 per performance, whined about all the cancellations, which have forced him to ask his wealthy friends for financial support. After all, he explained, he had to support a wife and two children, he has a mortgage and a nanny to pay. 

Members of the choir, in the opera houses, which pay him €15,000 per night, earn an average of €2500 per month. Perhaps, he and others like him should find out how the rest of the world is making ends meet. Or at least, just shut up.