Meanwhile as I sit in the sunshine hearing birdsong (was that really a cuckoo I heard earlier?) and the peace broken by chainsawing across the road I am filled with awe by Rabbi and Rebbetzin Bald in Lviv

They left the city a few weeks ago to take their younger children to safety and to watch over the marriage of their daughter – who is now, thankfully, wed. They continued to direct the communal activities, food parcels, medical aid and refugee work from abroad with their trusted staff at the synagogue. Yesterday I learnt that the Rabbi and his wife, their newly married daughter and her young husband had returned to Lviv to organise Passover for the community. They gave out food packages in the city and arranged to send parcels to communities further away and in need of the essentials with which to celebrate the 8 day festival. Celebration in a time of war and devastation and destruction. Their belief in a better future and their care for those who are unable or unwilling to leave is totally amazing and I salute their bravery, kindness and selflessness. May their prayers be heard and answered