- SA Jewish Report

OBITUARIES / 10 GUARDING THE CONSTITUTION / 7
ESTHER BARSEL A JEW IN WORCESTER / 5
AND
SCHNEIR LEVIN GOOD BOOKS / 9
The Jewish Report wishes its readers Chag Sameach!
www.sajewishreport.co.za
Friday, 17 October 2008 / 18 Tishrei, 5769
Volume 12 Number 39
Could the economic downturn
set back Jewish philanthropy?
SEE PAGE 6
The shofar
sounds at
Yiddish Folk
ONE OF the most visible elements
of this period of Chagim is the
shofar. In a story from the Yiddish
Folk School in Johannesburg,
Romy Adler describes its effect on
their young learners
Children at Yiddish Folk Preschool have been
fortunate to have different members of our
community come to our school and blow the
shofar.
The children have been learning that during the month of Elul, the month before Rosh
Hashanah, the New Year, we hear the shofar
being blown as a symbol to remind us to
wake up and repent for the negative things
we have done in the past year.
They also have been learning the three different sounds that can be heard from the
shofar, namely, Tekiah, Shevarim and Teruah.
The grade R children recited Psalm 27 during the month preceding Rosh Hashanah.
In the picture: Rabbi Alon Joseph came to
blow a Kudu shofar for the children at Yiddish
Folk, so they could hear the different sounds
between a Kudu horn and a ram’s horn (shofar).
(PHOTOGRAPH: SHEVA MESSIAS)
YOUTH TALK / 12
SPORTS / 16
LETTERS / 10
CROSSWORD & BRIDGE / 13
COMMUNITY BUZZ / 5
WHAT’S ON / 14
2
SA JEWISH REPORT
17 - 24 October 2008
PARSHA OF THE WEEK
Published by
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Honourable Abe Abrahamson (Chairman), Issie Kirsh, Dennis Maister, Bertie
Lubner, Herby Rosenberg, Russell
Gaddin, Marlene Bethlehem,
Stan Kaplan, Norman
Lowenthal.
Mr Justice Meyer Joffe
(Chair, editorial comm)
KASHRUT
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Fulfilling Hashem’s Divine will
THE TALMUD recounts how
Hashem, in seeking to repel a claim
by the non-Jewish world, that were
they to be given mitzvot, offered
them the mitzvah of succah to test
the veracity of their claim.
As they entered into their succot
in the heat of the day, they immediately departed due to discomfort.
The Jews on the other hand, remain
in the succah basking in the pleasurable delight of Hashem’s commandments. The Jew is willing to
forgo the physical discomfort in
order to fulfil Hashem’s Divine will.
This idea, that the Jews perform
Hashem’s will despite hardship,
bespeaks of the magnitude of the
relationship between the Jew and
Hashem.
The bond of the Jew to Hashem,
and in turn, Hashem to the Jew, is
such, that it is so powerful that it is
able to weather any storm. The
bond that unites us is indeed
unbreakable.
To be sure, the relationship,
which has lasted over 3 320 years,
has in fact had its rocky times.
From our part, we have not always
been the most obliging child, what
with the Golden Calf, the iniquities
that caused the destruction of both
Temples, and other ignominious
eras that we, as a people, are less
than proud of.
PARSHAT
SUCCOT
Rabbi Gidon Fox
Pretoria Hebrew
Congregation
Conversely, we have not always
been afforded the best of circumstances either. The Spanish
Inquisition,
the
Crusades,
pogroms, Chmelnitzki and the
Holocaust, are but a few times
when the relationship could well
have been on the rocks.
Remarkably however, the bond
of the Jew to Hashem and Hashem
to the Jew, has in fact never faltered, never waned. We are coming
from the holiest day of the year,
Yom Kippur. Shuls throughout the
world were filled with Jews, from
all walks of life, reaffirming their
undying love for Hashem.
In turn, it is also a time when
Hashem, through forgiving us all
for our misdeeds, expresses His
unconditional love for the Jewish
people.
No matter the vicissitudes of life,
the relationship remains as
dynamic and vibrant now as ever
before in our history. We have
weathered many a storm and sur-
vived becoming both stronger and
better.
This message is all the more
important in today’s disposable
generation. From nappies, to cutlery, crockery and tablecloths, our
lives revolve around using things
once and throwing them away.
This, tragically, has impacted on
our world of relationships as well.
Friendships and marriages are
becoming all too often, disposable
commodities - useful and enjoyable as long as the journey of life is
smooth.
Unfortunately, life is not always
a smooth ride. In fact, it is more
like a rollercoaster. But, like the
rollercoaster, one should realise
that one cannot get off in the middle of the journey because one is
not enjoying the ride. One has to
travel through the journey of life,
together with one’s spouse, friends
and family, through both highs
and lows. When one does that, one
is ultimately stronger for it, as
indeed is the relationship.
So, let us heed the lesson of the
succah, not merely be fair-weather
friends and spouses, but committed to our relationships, and
realise that the journey of life is
best enjoyed, and indeed survived,
with our long time friends and
eternal spouse by our side.
SHABBAT & YOMTOV TIMES
October 17 / 18 Tishrei
October 18 / 19 Tishrei
Erev Shabbat
Starts Ends
17:58
18:49
18:10
19:38
17:50
18:41
18:08
19:00
18:00
19:09
17:51
18:40
Johannesburg
Cape Town
Durban
Bloemfontein
Port Elizabeth
East London
Parshat Succot
Please note that these are the
latest times for candle-lighting.
Don't forget to also light a flame
which will burn over both days.
Erev Shemini Atzeret
October 20 / 21 Tishrei
Starts
18:00
18:10
17:52
18:10
18:00
18:08
Johannesburg
Cape Town
Durban
Bloemfontein
Port Elizabeth
East London
These are earliest times for candlelighting from a pre-existing flame
Erev Simchat Torah
October 21 / 22 Tishrei
October 22 / 23 Tishrei
Starts
18:50
19:41
18:44
19:02
19:11
19:01
Ends
18:51
19:42
18:44
19:03
19:12
19:02
Johannesburg
Cape Town
Durban
Bloemfontein
Port Elizabeth
East London
Fulfilling the mitzvah of Succoth
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPH
BY RITA LEWIS
IT IS almost inconceivable to believe
that this week during Succoth, thousands of Jews all over the world will
leave their comfortable homes in
order to “dwell” in an often cramped
and draughty succah/booth, which,
more often than not - at this time of
the year - will get rained out anyway!
Every year sees more and more
Jews building succot in their gardens. In Israel, almost every single
balcony on every storey is taken up
with some sort of succah - everyone
intent of fulfilling the injunction:
“You will dwell in (succot) booths
for seven days; all natives of Israel
shall dwell in (succot) booths.” Leviticus 23:42
Succoth is not just celebrated in
homes where Jews entertain their
friends together with the “ushpizen” - Avraham, Yitzchak,
Yaakov, Moshe, Aharon, Yosef and
David, the King of Israel, all
“guests” who symbolically visit during the first six days of the festival.
Organisations such as Chabad
provide succot in city areas where
Jews may pass by and fulfil the mitzvah of “LaShev be’sukkah”, to sit in
the succah, have something to eat
and wave the lulav and esrog in the
time old tradition.
This is done to fulfil another
injunction in -Leviticus 23:34 that:
“On the fifteenth day of this seventh
month is the Festival of Succoth,
seven days for the L-rd.”
This year the festival begins on
Monday evening, October 13, (Tishri
15) and ends on the October 20. The
two days following the festival,
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat
Torah, are separate holidays but are
related to Succoth and are commonly thought of as part of it.
Often referred to as “Z’man
Simchateinu” - the Season of our
Rejoicing - Succoth is a happy time,
with children and parents together
involved in succah decorating and
building and entertaining.
It is also known as the “Feast of
Tabernacles”. However, this is
somewhat misleading as the word
“tabernacle” in the Torah refers to
the portable “Sanctuary in the
Desert” which was a precursor to
the Temple or “Mishkan”.
The Hebrew word “succah” (or
“succot” in the plural), refers to the
temporary booths that the people
lived in and not to the Tabernacle.
Succoth is the last of the three pilgrimages (to Jerusalem) festivals
known as the “Shalosh Regalim”.
Like Passover and Shavuot, Succoth
has a dual significance in that it is
both a historical and agricultural
festival.
Agriculturally it is a harvest festival sometimes referred to as Chag
Ha-Asif,
the
“Festival
of
Ingathering”.
Historically, it commemorates the
40-year period when the children of
Israel wandered in the desert (after
leaving Egypt) and lived in temporary booths.
Jews commemorate this by building their own booths while another
thought is that the Jews’ succot
symbolise not only the physical
shelters, but also the spiritual one
provided by the protective “Clouds
of Glory” which covered them and
sheltered them from harm in the
desert.
There are of course many
mitzvot attached to this festival
such as waving the “Four Species”
- the lulav and etrog.
These are waved in four directions (to all the four winds) and
also up and down while the relevant prayer is recited. The directions signify that G-d is everywhere.
During the festival, the “Four
Species” together are carried
around the shul in procession
while the traditional prayer
Hoshana (“Oh save us!”) is recited
on each of the days of Succoth
(except on Shabbat).
In days past, the celebration of
the simchat bet ha-sho’evah was
marked by great public festivity and
rejoicing. But now, the Holy Temple
has been destroyed because of our
sins, and we have neither the altar
nor the sacrifices, neither the wine
libations nor the water libations.
Many communities hold festive
gatherings during the nights of
Succoth in remembrance of the
simchat bet ha-sho’evah, the waterdrawing ceremony held in the
Temple.
Regarding the actual building of
a succah: There are many laws pertaining to building a “kosher” succah and a rabbi should be consulted
if there is a query.
Basically however, one should
first assemble three or four walls
which should be in an open area
and not under a tree. Any type of
Jeremy Emmanuel looks down at
his brother Ariel and gives him a
picture to decorate the succah.
material may be used, provided it is
strong enough to withstand a normal gust of wind and does not sway
during that time.
The walls must also not be more
than the width of three handbreadths from the ground.
When the walls are up, the covering, “schach”, should be placed over
the supports on the top. It is important that it should create more
shade than sunlight in the succah,
but should not be so dense as to prevent one from seeing the stars in the
sky at night, nor prevent the rain
from coming through.
The “schach” must be from something that was growing and is now
detached from the ground, such as
palm leaves, branches cut from a
tree, strips of wood, bamboo mats,
etc. It should not have been used
previously for any other purpose.
17 - 24 October 2008
SA JEWISH REPORT
CT Jews show off their
skills in house building
EDITED BY MOIRA SCHNEIDER
CAPE TOWN
PHOTO: SAJBD
SOME 150 Jewish Capetonians
of all ages and affiliations
abandoned their day jobs and
got stuck into building a new
home for a township family in
the under-resourced area of
Mfuleni over the course of a
week last month.
Organised by the inter-community outreach working group of the
South African Jewish Board of
Deputies (SAJBD) (Cape Council)
under the chairmanship of Li
Boiskin, the project was part of the
larger strategy of the Cape Board
that is attempting to move out of
the boardroom and into action,
according to SAJBD’s executive
director, David Jacobson.
“What made this project particularly unique was that not only did
Owen Futeran,
chairman of
SAJBD (Cape
Council), Li
Boiskin and
Rael Kaimowitz
(vice-chairmen).
the Jewish community build a
home for a fellow resident of the
Western Cape, but in the process
they were also engaged in building
bridges within our own community,” he says.
“The mere fact that on any one
day there were Herzlia School
learners passing bricks to members of the Reform community who
were passing them onto yeshiva
bochrim, was a remarkable
achievement in and of itself.”
Participants
feelings
were
summed up by Eric Beswick who
described the undertaking as “a
humbling experience leaving my
electric-fenced
luxury
in
Claremont to go to Mfuleni”.
The building took place under
the auspices of Habitat for
Humanity,
an
international
Christian-based organisation that
restricts itself to house-building in
underprivileged areas in this country.
AROUND THE WORLD
NEWS IN BRIEF
KADIMA SENDS DRAFT COALITION PACT TO LABOUR
JERUSALEM - Labour would be
the senior partner in a new government, according to a draft coalition
agreement reportedly sent on by
Kadima.
Associates of Prime Ministerdesignate Tzipi Livni reportedly
passed the draft agreement last
Sunday to the Labour Party. Israeli
media are reporting that the agreement will serve as the basis for continuing talks between the ruling
Kadima and Labour. A deal
between the two parties is expected
soon.
According to Ynet, the agreement would make Labour the senior partner in the new government,
with its chairman, Ehud Barak,
serving as a senior deputy prime
minister and playing a significant
role in negotiations with Syria.
Livni has until October 20 to
form a new coalition government,
although she can ask President
Shimon Peres for a two-week extension. (JTA)
CRITICALLY ILL IRANIAN BEING TREATED IN ISRAEL
TEL AVIV - An Iranian teenager
last week arrived in Israel for
emergency brain surgery.
The 13-year-old boy flew to Israel
via Turkey, where he had undergone unsuccessful treatment for
brain cancer, last week Friday after
receiving special permission from
the Shin Bet security service and
Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit,
Ynet reported.
The boy's father and grandmother were given special permission to
accompany him. Sheba Medical
Centre officials said the boy's cancer had spread to his central nervous system and spinal cord.
The hospital near Tel Aviv will
start aggressive chemotherapy to
treat the aggressive cancer.
Ze'ev Rothstein, the hospital's
chief administrator, told Ynet that
"the boy's chances are rather slim,
but there are always surprises. It's
too early to be pessimistic. We're
not going to give up so easily."
(JTA)
UJW to host stunning ‘Divas
in Concert’ fundraiser
THE SANDTON branch of the Union of
Jewish Women Johannesburg will be
hosting a “girls’ night out” entitled Divas
in Concert, on Wednesday, October 29 at
the Sandton Shul hall at 18:45.
In a media release the UJW says:
“Performing their favourite songs from
Broadway will be Nicole Becker, Vickie
Friedman, Laurie Levine, Lisa Melman,
Shelley Meskin, Natasha Saladino, Gina
Shmukler and Sharon Spiegel.
“Tickets are R360 each and include supper as well as automatic entry into a draw
to win one of 12 great prizes such as diamond jewellery, two nights at Inyati
Game Lodge, and two nights at a Protea
Hotel of your choice.”
The UJW says that furthermore, the
winner of its very popular annual
“Bobba’s/Zaida’s Trip Competition” will
be announced during the evening. The
most deserving person wins a free air
ticket to visit family anywhere in the
world, together with a host of other
prizes.
All proceeds go to UJW projects which
include feeding schemes for the needy
(Kosher Mobile Meals, Granny-andChild-headed families in Soweto, and the
soup kitchen at the Hillbrow Clinic); the
CSO; Hatzolah; Hospice and Rape Crisis
Centres.
• For further information contact the
UJW at ujw@mweb.co.za or call (011) 6481053 (office hours), Bev 082-574-4770,
Lynne 083-378-1114 or Elaine 083-377-2800.
3
4
SA JEWISH REPORT
17 - 24 October 2008
SOCIAL SCENE
Rita Lewis jont@global.co.za
Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph with her husband Michael and daughter Natalie Altman.
Fitting tribute to
a musical great
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY
RITA LEWIS
Mr Justice Albie Sachs with Tony Hamburger.
Michael Rudolph with Aryeh Pels and Martin Glatt.
WHAT BETTER way could there
be for an eminent South African
musician such as Prof Jeanne
Zaidel-Rudolph to celebrate her
60th birthday, than to be the guest
of honour at a tribute concert
where the programme consisted
entirely of her own compositions.
The evening was held recently at
The Atrium at Wits University and
was attended by some 150 family
members and close friends. Her
sister-in-law, Pam Zaidel came
from Israel especially for the occasion, while others including her
daughter Natalie Altman came
from Cape Town to share in the
tribute.
Unfortunately her other daughter from Cape Town, Nisi Rudolph
was unable to be present at the
function.
As Zaidel-Rudolph is the first
and only woman to have obtained a
doctorate in music composition in
South Africa, it was fitting that she
should not just be a guest listening
to her own works being played by
other artists. Accordingly, she was
not only the accompanist at one of
her works, but was also the conductor at another, “Masada” which
consisted of a string quartet with
two violinists, a viola and a ‘cello
player as well as a bassoonist.
At the party held after the concert, many guests paid tribute to
Zaidel-Rudolph and bouquets of
flowers were presented to her.
Sister-in-law, Pam Zaidel said
that the number 60 was a very special one as there were 60 seconds in
a minute and 60 minutes in an
hour, denoting the passage of time
in our lives. She said ZaidelRudolph had passed from being
“made of gold” to being a gem - a
diamond.
“You absorb light, you reflect
light and radiate a brilliance that is
spectacular. In a country that
mines diamonds, you are one of
the best,” she said.
Zaidel-Rudolph’s daughter said
she had never heard the works that
had been played during the
evening and wondered when her
mother had had the time to compose them. “We don’t know where
you had enough time for all of us
when you had all this going
through your head.
“We are so proud of you and the
fact that we share you with the rest
of the world.”
Zaidel-Rudolph’s
husband
Michael, spoke of the early days
when they were both students and
how, as the dental faculty and the
music school were in the same
building on campus, it was easy for
them to meet and become close.
He said that he and Jeanne had
been married for 32 years and “I
can vouch for her utter immersion,
devotion, concentration and care
given to her work, her students,
her department, her university
and her music - of course family,
community, etc.”
He said that with all that commitment, Zaidel-Rudolph had
uplifted all those with whom she
had come into contact and made
an enormous contribution in both
the quantity and quality of her
music.
Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph conducts her “Masada for
string quartet and bassoon”.
Tamar Levine with Pam Zaidel.
Nachie Levine and Chaim Bronstein.
Publicist for the Wits Theatre, Cathy Pisanti with
Conrad Harkes the former general manager and
Ivy Sithole a graduate of the Wits School of Arts,
working in the box office.
Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph with three of her daughters, Sarah Bronstein,
Tamara Levin and Natalie Altman.
Ilana and Moshe Erster.
Soprano Mandie de Villiers-Schutte is accompanied by Waldo Weyer on the piano in “Boy on a
Swing”.
17 - 24 October 2008
COMMUNITY BUZZ
LIONEL SLIER
082-444-9832, fax: 011-440-0448,
lionel.slier@absamail.co.za
WORCESTER
Worcester is in the Breede River Valley
about 120 km north-east of Cape Town. It
was established on two farms, Langerus
and Roodewal in 1820. It was named by
the Governor of the Cape Colony, Sir
Charles Somerset, in honour of his brother, the Marquis of Worcester and not, as
it has mistakenly been assumed, after the
piquant sauce.
From Anne Lapidus Brest: “When I was
about eight years of age and living in
Dublin, a parcel came from South Africa
and in this parcel were dolls’ knitted
dresses, skirts, machine-made jackets in
tartan and little dolls’ caps. I still have
them 54 years later.
“Maida Sakinovsky has a heart bigger
than herself. When we came to South
Africa, Maida was standing at the station
in Worcester and as our train pulled in,
there was Maida on the platform with a
tray of food which she handed to us
through the window.”
This is the story of Paulina Yodaiken
Sakinofsky as told to Anne Brest by
Maida Sakinofsky, Paulina’s daughter-inlaw:
“Paulina was born in Zagera, Lithuania
in 1886. She lived in Dublin, Ireland with
her mother, Bassa Lapedus Yodaiken, her
father Avraham Menachem Mendel
Yodaiken and her five siblings, Sam, Joe,
Myer, Rosie and Maurice. Maida told me
that Paulina was a lovely person with a
wonderful nature.
“In 1942 she lived with Maida in
Worcester, South Africa along with
Maida’s sister-in-law, Cecile Sakinofsky
Leeman.
“Louis (Lozer) Sakinofsky (a cousin of
Paulina’s and later to become her husband) was born in 1872 in Sakinowa,
Lithuania and came to South Africa with
his brother Morris and three sisters. On
arrival in Cape Town they were asked
their name and they gave the name of the
shtetele they came from and this became
their surname. Nobody can say with certainty if this is myth or fact.
“Louis and his brother, Morris, had a
shop in Plein Street, Cape Town called
‘Embroidery Laces’. They sold Panama
hats. Louis was the buyer and went by
ship to Ireland to buy laces.
“It was there in Dublin that he met
Paulina Yodaiken and decided to make
her his wife. He saved up money for her
passage over and she set sail for South
Africa, going via England from where the
boat departed.
“But the Depression came and they lost
money. Louis met a Mr Samuels (maternal grandfather of Sam Yodaiken) who
had a shop in Worcester and he offered
Louis this shop. At the back of the shop
was a house where Louis was to live with
Paulina. It was at 77 High Street.
“They turned part of the house into a
store and sold material and ‘everything’
except food. Louis owned the shop and his
son, Robert, worked in the shop with him
SA JEWISH REPORT
from the time that he was 16 years old.
When Louis died, Robert took over the
business and it became ‘Robert’s Store’
Worcester, Cape.
“In 1922, Paulina’s sister, Rosie, came
out from Dublin with her three sons,
Lionel, Bethel and Stanley for a year’s
holiday. (Later, Stanley called his daughter, Anne Pauline, after Aunt Paulina).
Paulina passed away on May 14 1943 in
Cape Town.”
JOHANNESBURG
Lea Raik continues with why and how she
wrote her first novel:
“The operation was over - I made it!
Once I was home, I took the manuscript off
the shelf where it had been gathering dust.
On reading through it, that fiery spark of
inspiration that began it, returned.
“I could not start writing soon enough.
With plot conceived and background
authenticity assured, I wrote and wrote
until I had the satisfaction of seeing my
manuscript completed. All this, of
course, had not come quite as easily as it
sounds and this brings me to the second
question often put to me. The HOW.
“The story deals with drug addiction
and the sordid morals of part of the
upper (wealthy) social brackets in the
Northern Suburbs and of the city’s ducktail and beatnik elements.
“To get my material I had to devote a lot
of time to study. I quizzed doctors, social
workers and haunted the haunts of ducktails. I studied their activities, listened to
their talk and gathered my information.
At the Sanitarium I interviewed patients
while they were under the influence of
drugs and I talked to cured addicts.
“For months I led a Jeckyll and Hyde
5
existence. My day began as follows: I
would rise about nine o’clock, have a
quick swim, then dress the part of a
ducky - slacks, sweater and long cigarette
holder. I would frequent the dubious
haunts of the ducktails and delinquents
all over Johannesburg.
“I have been asked whether I ever was
afraid. Yes, often, especially when a place
became crowded with older boys or when
one gang started to jeer at another. This
inevitably ended in a brawl.
“At one of these haunts I once rebuked
a youngster of 10 years of age for smoking. He looked at me with such utter contempt and fury that I feared that he was
going to strike me. However, he told me in
language that would make a marine go
scarlet to mind my own business; I
stopped playing probation officer.”
To be continued.
6
SA JEWISH REPORT
17 - 24 October 2008
OPINION AND ANALYSIS
FORUM FOR DIVERSE VIEWS
The luxury of one
crisis at a time
MOMENTOUS events in South Africa, Israel and
the world are occuring at such a pace that by the
time this editorial - being written on Monday
morning because of the Chagim - is read at week’s
end, many scenarios might have changed. This is
typical of our era, where we can hardly catch our
breath between happenings.
An Israeli paper put it thus: “If only Israelis had
the luxury of addressing one crisis at a time.” In
Israel there is knife-edge tension in Acre, where a
Jewish-Arab riot flared up on Yom Kippur after an
Arab drove a car into the Jewish area, necessitating deployment of 700 police; politics is in flux as
leaders seem unable to form a new government;
Fatah and Hamas seem to be burying the hatchet,
with the dangers this implies; and so on.
Israel’s most celebrated poet, the late Yehuda
Amichai, described a reality that rings true today
in one of his best poems:
“A man doesn’t have time to have time for everything/ He doesn’t have seasons enough to have a
season for every purpose/ Ecclesiastes was wrong
about that.
“A man needs to love and to hate at the same
moment/ to laugh and cry with the same eyes,
with the same hands to cast away stones and to
gather them/ to make love in war and war in love
“And to hate and forgive and remember and forget/ to set in order and confuse, to eat and to
digest/ what history/ takes years and years to
do...”
In South Africa, the whirl of political developments leaves us concerned and fascinated, as the
super-confident ANC, which led the liberation
struggle and produced icons like Nelson Mandela,
desperately tries to hold its parts together while
some members talk of breaking away to form a
new party. This could re-draw the political landscape.
Hovering above all this is the global financial
crisis. Stock market falls have been the worst in
history, and the world’s most powerful diplomats
and economic brains seem powerless to prevent
the whole system seizing up and falling apart. We
have governments telling us “not to panic” - which
for many is precisely the shorthand that makes us
panic.
Fifteen European Union leaders formulated a
joint strategy on Sunday to restore market confidence by underwriting inter-bank loans and safeguarding financial institutions from collapse. Will
these desperate measures restore trust to terrified
banks unwilling to lend money to other banks or
anyone else? We will presumably know more by
week’s end.
And like a worm that creeps out of the woodwork at any opportunity, a new anti-Semitic conspiracy theory has been spreading on the internet,
claiming that on the eve of Lehman Brothers
investment bank’s collapse last month, the firm
transferred $400 billion to Israel.
Some people have labelled it “The Protocols of
Wall Street”. It is reminiscent of past theories
alleging Jewish world domination, ranging from
the Czarist-era “Protocols of the Elders of Zion”
to the libel that the Mossad knew in advance about
the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre and
warned Jewish employees to stay away from work
that morning.
The “Wall Street Protocols” comes in the form
of a “news report”, written as if it were emanating
from Washington, with the byline: “Voice of the
White House”, alleging that senior Jewish officials
at Lehman Brothers - founded by Jewish immigrants from Germany in 1850 but which long ago
ceased being a “Jewish” bank - transferred their
clients’ money to Israeli banks, intending to move
to Israel to enjoy it.
Three Israeli banks are mentioned, and Israel’s
extradition laws and bank-secrecy act are
explained. The theory says American law-enforcement authorities knew of the transfer.
Like other such malevolent anti-Jewish theories, this one will be rejected with contempt by
most people, but will continue to hang around and
be dragged out by sinister groups whenever it is
expedient in the future.
There is an old Chinese curse which says: “May
you live in interesting times.” We certainly are not
living in boring times.
Could the economic downturn
set back Jewish philanthropy?
JACOB BERKMAN
NEW YORK
THE PAST decade has seen a
groundswell of innovative Jewish nonprofits - from the birth of a Jewish pop
culture magazine, “Heeb”, to the creation of a slew of trailblazing Jewish
social service organisations, to an array
of projects that allow Jews to express
their Judaism through ways other than
the prayer book.
But as these initiatives reach adolescence and eye expansion, the spiralling
economy and financial crisis threatens
to stunt their growth and thwart the
next generation of startups from even
getting off the ground.
Story after story has been written
about fears that the economic downturn will hurt philanthropy. The thinking goes that when people feel economically unstable, the first thing they do is
cut their discretionary spending - and
charity, no matter the moral or biblical
obligation, is still viewed by most as discretionary spending.
Until recently, most of the concern
had been based on speculation; charities had been holding out hope that they
would be able to avoid significant cutbacks. But, according to a survey taken
in late September by the private wealth
research firm Prince & Associates, the
cuts have arrived.
According to Forbes magazine,
Prince spoke to 439 high-net-worth families, with 73 per cent of respondents
saying they had been significantly hurt
by the economic downturn. Fifty-one
per cent said they planned on giving
less next year than they did this past
year - and only 16 per cent said they
planned on giving more.
The concern about such trends was
detectable recently at the Manhattan
launch party for the 2008 edition of
“Slingshot”, an annual guidebook to
innovative Jewish organisations put
out by the Andrea and Charles
Bronfman Foundation.
The leaders of several of the most
well-regarded and established innovative Jewish projects expressed concern,
saying they are expecting to feel the
pinch.
“Most recently, we are starting to
hear, ‘We love what you do. We think
that it is really, really great. And
because of the economy, we are not
going to fund any new projects this
year. We are going to fund the things
that we already fund.’
“And that is only over the past few
weeks,” said Aaron Bisman, who runs
JDub, the nonprofit Jewish record label
that produced Matisyahu’s first album.
“I had heard it was maybe going to be a
possibility, but we are really starting to
hear that as a definitive answer.”
JDub, the product of two incubators
of Jewish startups, Bikkurim and the
Joshua Venture, is widely regarded as
one of the most successSuch projects - especially
ful young Jewish projects
those focused on building
to get off the ground in
Jewish identity - could be
recent years. For the last
facing an even greater chalfive years, Bisman’s
lenge in the coming months
budget has increased as
if they need to compete
funders
have
taken
with social service agennotice of the group and
cies that are getting
JDub’s record sales have
squeezed on both ends as
started to bring in addithey face greater demand
tional income.
for services and shrinking
Early this summer,
revenue streams.
Bisman was talking
But a bad economy does
about expansion. Those Aaron Bisman is the
not need to be the death
plans were based on executive director of
knell for Jewish innovabeing able to tap into new JDub, a nonprofit
tion.
revenue streams, attract Jewish record label.
Those who run new
new donors and entice (CREDIT: JDUB RECORDS)
organisations that have
foundations to become
established a foothold for
new investors.
themselves and are looking to grow,
But by late September Bisman was
like JDub, have won recognition in the
talking cutbacks - in both programJewish organisational mainstream.
ming and staff.
Their leaders have become regular
Bisman’s experience reflects what
speakers at federation events and at
most philanthropy experts see on the
the federations’ annual conference, the
horizon. Philanthropists may not comGeneral Assembly of the United
pletely shut their coffers, but new
Jewish Communities.
grants - the lifeblood of young organiAt last year’s GA in Nashville,
sations - are going to be the first to get
organisers dedicated a plenary session
cut because, like any investment in
to young Jewish innovators and gave
any startup, they are risky proposals
them a chance to address several thouthat may not pay dividends.
sand federation lay and professional
“Everybody is looking to this as a
leaders.
real event that they are dealing with,
Though they will have to work hard
and especially for groups that are
to secure funding, many of them have
young and startup and in a growth
at least one foot firmly in the door.
phase, it is challenging,” said Rabbi Eli
And most of the newer operations
Kaunfer, the cofounder of Kehilat
have an advantage over established
Hadar, an egalitarian, traditional-style
ones: They tend to operate on relativeminyan in New York that is a model for
ly small budgets of under $2 million
the independent minyan movement.
and so are not yet in need of mega
Hadar has yet to lose any grants, but
grants.
Kaunfer has been told to brace for next
There may even be hope for those
year.
looking to start nonprofits, as the
That is when the real crunch could
Joshua Venture - the incubator that
come, especially for those who rely on
helped launch this movement, but then
funding from endowed foundations.
went on hiatus in 2006 - has announced
Those foundations are required by law
on its website that it is now seeking
to give away five per cent of their
new applicants.
assets each year, based on the assets
Nina Bruder, who runs the UJCfrom the previous fiscal year. As the
funded incubator Bikkurim, said she
market drops, that five per cent
was hopeful.
shrinks, leaving less for foundations to
“When the economy is bad, the need
give away.
for basic human services goes up and
To put it in perspective, the
the funding for basic human services
Washington Post reported that the
goes down,” she said. “In the circles
Community Foundation for the
that are concerned about that, there is
National Capital Area, one of the
going to be a big push about that basic
area’s largest grant makers and comsubsistence needs are going to have to
parable in size to the Koret
be met.
Foundation, the Pritzker Foundation
“But I think there is a whole other
and the Mandel Fund, lost about $40
part of the funding community that
million between July and September.
doesn’t focus on that and still has an
The fund had approximately $330 milattention for other kinds of creative
lion in assets at last reporting.
cultural and special needs areas,”
Back in 2006, Hadar was able to raise
Bruder added. “I think we are going to
enough funds to launch an egalitarian
have to wait and see what happens.”
yeshiva. Kaunfer says he’s unsure if
(JTA)
the founders could have pulled it off in
the current climate.
(This article was adapted from Jacob
“Today would be a very hard day to
Berkman’s blog on the nonprofit secstart an organisation and raise the soft
tor, which can be found at www.fundollars,” Kaunfer said.
dermentalist.com.)
AROUND THE WORLD
NEWS IN BRIEF
OLMERT CALLS FOR CRACKDOWN ON ACRE VIOLENCE
JERUSALEM - The car of a Jewish resident was torched last week as violence
continued for a fifth day in the mixed
Jewish-Arab Israeli city of Acre.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in his
weekly Cabinet meeting last Sunday
"instructed the police to show zero tolerance and bring about a cessation of
the violence" in the northern city of
53 000. The riots started on Yom Kippur
eve, on October 8, when an Arab man
drove through the Jewish sector of the
city and was confronted by Jewish
youths who said he was deliberately
desecrating the holiday by driving,
smoking and playing loud music.
The ensuing riots between Jewish
and Arab youths have resulted in
extensive damage to property in Acre.
A large police presence continues to
patrol the city's Arab and Jewish sectors.
Last Saturday three Arab-owned
homes were torched, making a total of
12 since the riots began. At least 54 people have been arrested since October 8.
Water cannons have been used to disperse the rioters. Also on Saturday
night, Arab leaders in Acre agreed to
issue an announcement condemning
the Arab driver whose actions touched
off the riots.
Meanwhile, an Acre theatre festival
scheduled for this week, which brings
in thousands of visitors from outside
the city, has been postponed. The festival provides an economic boon for city
merchants, particularly Arab ones.
Other mixed Jewish-Arab cities in
Israel, including Jaffa, Jerusalem and
Haifa, are on alert for disturbances.
(JTA)
17 - 24 October 2008
SA JEWISH REPORT
7
OPINION AND ANALYSIS
FORUM FOR DIVERSE VIEWS
Vigilant civil society as constitutional guardian
THIS COLUMN begins the new
year with a fresh theme, one
which is more important than the
formulation of a response to the
bigotry I appeared to unleash in
this newspaper with a positive
assessment of Limmud.
The past nine months have
truly taken its toll on the confidence of many South Africans,
including our own community.
Within this period, the political
uncertainty unleashed by the
Polokwane conference, the dreadful killing of Sheldon Cohen - a
metaphor for the brutality in this
country - the Eskom debacle,
xenophobic violence, wildly
couched attacks on the judiciary
and the removal of a sitting president, have battered the psyche of
ordinary citizens.
Constitutional democracy is
not produced in a day or even a
decade. Some years ago, one of
the most distinguished former
Davidians, Prof Etienne Mureinik
conceived of our Constitution as a
bridge designed to transport society from the racism and sexism
which underpinned the core of
apartheid rule, to a non-racial
and non-sexist democracy.
Although the bridge was
designed to carry society over to
the constitutionally prefigured
community,
journeys
back
towards our sad past were always
possible. Progress is never unidi-
THE JURY
IS OUT
Dennis Davis
rectional.
Ironically, perhaps, in the light
of recent political developments,
it was President Thabo Mbeki
who captured the road map of the
Constitution in his “I am an
African” speech in 1996.
In that landmark contribution,
he movingly confirmed the vision
to become a society based on a
common humanity and sense of
place, compared to racism and
sexism which had divided us for
so long.
While each citizen of this land
is shaped by many identities,
some overlapping, some different,
the possibility of a South African
nation united in its commitment
to ensure the fulfilment of the
constitutional dream was attainable.
A decade later, it is churlish to
deny that our society has taken
firm, impressive and decisive
steps on the bridge in the direction of that ideal.
Whatever our problems, we
now enjoy a range of civil and
political rights which were but a
dream, scarcely 20 years ago.
Even the removal of President
Mbeki was accomplished in a
sober and seamless fashion, no
different, for example, from the
removal of Prime Minister
Margaret Thatcher in a far more
longstanding democracy, the
United Kingdom.
That does not mean that we
have accomplished more than
completing the first leg of the
journey. Frankly, the political
turbulence of the past year will
continue unless we can close the
gap between the degrading realities suffered by millions each day
and the glorious aspirations of
social justice encapsulated in the
constitutional text.
The space created by the gap
provides room for populist politics which will sweep constitutional institutions aside, given
half a chance.
It is disturbingly true that,
based on the latest figures of the
UNDP, only Namibia and Sierra
Leone have a higher gini coefficient (2007) than South Africa, the
gini coefficient reflecting income
inequality in a country.
Notwithstanding that the economy delivered average annual
growth measured in terms of real
gross domestic product of 5 per
cent for a number of years, unemployment continues at a level of
almost 40 per cent.
Critics contend that even our
rate of growth may be less impressive than claimed once compared
to South Korea, Mexico, Turkey
and a number of other developing
countries, which also rode the
commodity price wave.
Courts have and will continue
to be drawn into the political contests of the country - whether it’s
because unresolved political
fighting ends up in courts, or
because
the
socio-economic
rights in our Constitution and the
series of imaginative judgments,
cited
internationally
with
acclaim, in key areas of housing,
health and water, will be
employed by the poor, which
again brings the courts into the
forefront of contest.
Regarding
the
brouhaha
around the courts in recent times,
it must be remembered that these
acclaimed
decisions,
often
adverse to government, have been
respected by government, a few
grumbles notwithstanding.
To the extent that delivery has
not taken place, this is less attributable to compliance with court
orders and more as a consequence of administrative inefficiency.
Where does that leave us in the
wake of the past events? Given
that intense political contest has
not completely been resolved, all
the institutions which underpin
constitutional democracy, including the judiciary, the NPA and the
Human Rights Commission, may
continue to be subject to intense
scrutiny and further unfortunate
abuse.
Some have speculated that the
recent abatement of criticism is
due to the recent judgment in the
Pietermaritzburg High Court.
However, our constitutional
democracy has flourished, the
judicial
institutions
enjoy
increased legitimacy which may
well be a reason together with the
restraining role played by the
country’s participation in the
global economy for the recent
populist retreat.
The legitimacy of these institutions will, of course, be needed, if
political contest continues to be
fought out in courts. The assertion by Mr Justice Chris
Nicholson that the NPA must
remain independent, is a strong
confirmation of constitutional
democracy and a reminder that
civil society must remain vigilant
if the constitutional journey is to
continue in a progressive direction.
It is far better for the citizenry,
including readers to this newspaper, to engage in a public defence
of
constitutional democracy
rather than revert to a default
position of merely whining at the
Shabbat table.
8
SA JEWISH REPORT
17 - 24 October 2008
TAPESTRY
ART, BOOKS, DANCE, FILM, THEATRE
ARTS MATTERS
COMPILED BY
ROBYN SASSEN
Call 084-319-7844 or
info@frodo.co.za at
least one week prior to
publication
FITTING TRIBUTE
TO MASON’S 70TH
Dance Factory, Newtown:
On October 25, Sibikwa hosts
Butoh exponents Anika and
Boaz Barkan from Denmark,
in collaboration with eight
Sibikwa dancers and local
musicians directed by Neo
Leleka. (011) 833-1347.
David Krut Projects, Rosebank: “The Book of Ruth”,
new work on paper by Ryan
Arenson, until November 10.
(011) 447-0627.
Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef
City, Ormonde: “Jump!” a
Tae-Kwon-Do extravaganza,
until November 16. (011) 2485000.
Market Theatre, Newtown:
In the Barney Simon, Sylvaine
Strike’s “Coupé”, until October 26. In the Laager, Rudyard
Kipling’s “The Jungle Book”,
directed by Craig Higginson,
until November 30. (011) 8321641.
Montecasino, Fourways: In
Teatro, “Beauty and the Beast”
with an all-star cast and Alan
Swerdlow, resident director,
until December 6. In the Main
Theatre, Paul Slabolepszy’s
“For Your Ears Only”, with
Louise St Claire and Michael
Richard, until November 16. In
the Studio, “Porra 2: The
Returnsh”, with Sonja Esgueira, until October 26. (011) 5111988.
MuseumAfrika, Newtown:
“An Alternative Modernist”, a
major exhibition of the work
of architect Pancho Guedes,
until December. (011) 833-5624.
Old Mutual Theatre on the
Square, Sandton: Nicole
Franco stars in “Shez Sharon”,
directed by Megan Choritz,
until October 25. On Sundays,
until October 26, “Rob van
Vuuren Is Rob Van Wuren”, a
show produced, directed and
performed by Rob van Vuuren.
(011) 883-8606.
Standard Bank Gallery,
Central Johannesburg: A
retrospective by Judith Mason
“A prospect of icons”, until
December 6. (011) 631-1889.
Wits Theatre Complex,
Braamfontein: In the Main
Theatre, on October 23-25,
Moving into Dance Mophatong
hosts celebrations of its 30th
anniversary, with “Threads” a
collaborative piece with poet
Lebo Mashile and “Ek sê:
Hola!” choreographed by Gregory Maqoma. (011) 717-1380.
“Pieter Toerien’s been asking me to be resident direct at Montecasino for a while. I wasn’t
convinced this was what I wanted. I was scared
ABOUT TWO years ago, Alan Swerdlow was
it would lock me into a situation. But,” he grins,
emphatic that the flurry of lavish musicals
“Pieter and producer Hazel Feldman make a
which seemed to be bombarding local thepersuasive team.”
atre’s stages was “bonkers”.
Swerdlow is not, however, one to easily get
“There was something like 14 major pro“locked” into one project at a time. Keeping
ductions on the cards, in one year,” he recalls
himself “a moving target”, he’s also working on
over lunch, just weeks into “Beauty and the
a new Roy Smiles play - on the heels of Smiles’s
Beast”, which he is resident directing. They
“Ying Tong: A Walk with the Goons” and
included Walt Disney’s “Lion King”, which
Resident direc- “Good Evening”, which he recently directed.
achieved unprecedented success.
Most recently, Swerdlow directed Mottie
Now, leader of the production team on tor for “Beauty
another massive Disney musical, Swerdlow and the Beast”, Lerner’s play, “Hard Love”. “In spite of its
isn’t swallowing his scepticism: “I am no Alan Swerdlow. Jewish story, Muslims, Greeks, blacks,
responded directly. We’re hoping to stage a
longer as worried about the future; audi- (PHOTOGRAPH
revival of this play, and hopefully bring anothences have proved themselves happy, willing COURTESY OLD
and able to support these big shows.”
MUTUAL THEATRE er Lerner play to South Africa.”
At the moment, Swerdlow’s time to direct
“Beauty” is something completely differ- ON THE SQUARE)
other productions is very tight; he has no
ent for Swerdlow, who has more than proven
regrets. “This company is one of the finest and most
himself in a diversity of directorial capacities.
“On stage you will see the exact replica of the show supportive I have come across. There are no tensions;
as it exists anywhere else in the world. Julie Dunnley- the show has been taught in the record time of two
Wendt, the director internationally responsible for the weeks. South African actors are hungry for work.”
This is not just Swerdlow making appropriate PR
project teaches the show. So I have to bite my tongue
critically and cannot take creative ownership of it. noises. Dunnley-Wendt, concurred, proclaiming the
“But it is proving a very fulfilling journey. My chal- South African cast “one of the strongest” she’s seen
lenge is to make sure my cast matches the original during the 13 years she’s been associated with this
exactly. Being resident director has been a chance to show. She pronounced herself “bowled over by the
learn this Broadway style of direction. It is extremely cast”, which includes top industry names, all the way
down to the four little boys playing “Chip”.
specific.
“Its backstageography alone has been an eye opener,
• “Beauty and the Beast” is at Teatro, Montecasino
to say nothing of the structure of the show, the underscoring with leitmotifs, the scenography and of course in Fourways until December 7 (011) 510-7472; and at
the Disney magic, which we are under strict contract to Artscape’s Opera House in Cape Town, February 14 March 24 (021) 421-7839.
honour.
ROBYN SASSEN
Art on Paper Gallery,
Milpark: “Human Constellations”, new work by Kim
Lieberman. October 19 November 8. (011 )726-2234.
Civic, Braamfontein: In the
Tesson, Jewish isiXhosaspeaking comedian Nik Rabinowitz performs “One Man
One Goat”, until October 26.
(011) 877-6800.
Audiences happy to support
the big shows - Swerdlow
“Battery Hen” (1987), oil on board,
collection of Barry Mortimer.
(PHOTOGRAPH: JOHAN DE KOK)
ROBYN SASSEN
Judith Mason’s retrospective exhibition
commemorates her 70th birthday, and in
doing so, offers us a rich and untrammelled insight into her complex symbolism, her excruciatingly intense sense of
violence, religion and sexuality; her astute
engagement with literary, scientific and
social texts; and her flawless ability with
the pencil, the artist’s book and the unexpected.
An artist unrelentingly prolific, Mason
has not always enjoyed critical popularity,
which has had more to do with gallery
politics than the work itself.
“Judith Mason: A Prospect of Icons”
curated by Wilhelm van Rensburg is at the
Standard Bank Gallery in central Johannesburg until December 6.
Rudolph’s world is complex but ever-stimulating
Concert: Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph 60th birthday
tribute (Atrium, Wits)
Programme: Solo pieces, chamber music and
poems set to music.
REVIEWED BY PAUL BOEKKOOI
A POLYSTYLISTIC compositional variety, the
influences of our own continent and very often
also the guiding spirit of her Jewish heritage
stretching over millennia, all come together in
what seems a timeless synergy. This is exactly
what makes Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph’s creative
world a complex, but ever-stimulating one.
It’s no coincidence that her famous teacher,
György Ligeti (1923-2006), commented late in life
on the following in an interview with Dutch journalist Anthony Fiumara: “In a score the parameters of pitch, duration and dynamics are notated.
But it’s impossible to notate the ‘spirit’ of a piece.
Some interpreters just know it intuitively, without the help of the composer. Others never penetrate to any of the deeper levels.”
Fascinating is that Ligeti, a decade after this talented young South African woman studied during
1974 under his guidance in Hamburg, Germany,
became stimulated by the polyrhythmic music
from Central Africa. This, in combination with
FELDMAN ON
FILM
Peter Feldman
Eagle Eye
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Billy
Bob Thornton, Rosario Dawson
Director: DJ Caruso
To enjoy this caper, suspend all logic. Any
attempt to analyse its ludicrous plot machinations will drive you insane - it’s that kind of film.
A young slacker named Jerry Shaw (Shia
LaBeouf) goes to his local ATM and discovers
$750 000 has been deposited into his account. Back
at his one room apartment, now feeling rich and
lucky, he sees that packages have arrived for him.
They contain guns, chemical weapons and
explosives. Before he can bat an eyelid, the FBI
blasts through the door and arrests him as a terrorist. After miraculously escaping, he links up
with an equally frightened woman, Rachel
his fascination with Conlon Nancarrow’s
pianola music, moved Ligeti in a more personal
direction in which a mechanical aspect became
an important stylistic cornerstone.
In 10 compositions by Prof Zaidel-Rudolph
spread over three decades, we discovered once
again the never-ending shifts in her personal
development, while the musicians themselves
illustrated a grip on the spirit of each piece.
One felt reunited with various opuses, many
last heard at their respective premiéres. Most
dazzling and driven in execution was “Suite
Afrique”, given by Valery Andreev (viola) and
Malcolm Nay (piano).
Originally for ‘cello and piano, this is music
with a hypnotic intensity, communicating with
your nerve ends, while in the finale one could
scarcely remove the vision of a latter day
express train crossing a wooden bridge.
The African part of the composer’s language
is layered in tonal symbolism, rituals and
dance. “Suite Afrique” forms a strong contrast
with her more approachable picture-postcard
sounds as reflected in her “Five African
Sketches” for solo guitar.
A pianist herself, Zaidel-Rudolph challenges
performers with her repertory for this instrument. Pauline Nossel and Malcolm Nay far
Holloman (Michelle Monaghan).
Together, these unfortunates undertake a convoluted trip to do the bidding of Eagle Eye, a voice
which has the power to control electronic devices
all around the world to get them where they’re supposed to go.
Director DJ Caruso believes that by keeping
things moving at a frenetic pace he is actually saying something intelligent.
It’s all about computers and how dangerous they
can become if they take over the world. Did they
make this one?
Righteous Kill
Cast: Robert de Niro, Al Pacino, John Leguizamo,
Donnie Wahlberg
Director: John Avnet
Screen icons Robert de Niro and Al Pacino come
face to face in a thriller in which they play cynical
New York detectives on the trail of a serial killer.
Both men could do their roles in their sleep - and
sometimes one gets the feeling they are doing just
that because one’s patience is tested along the way
as the constant sight of talking heads outweighs
from juggled their way through “The Juggler
and the King” for two pianos, but underlined
the web of polyrhythmic and playful elements.
Wessel van Wyk enriched the sound world of
her early “Three Dimensions”, while Inette
Swart just did not live dangerously enough in
“Partials and Pedals” and “Virtuoso I”.
Mandie de Villiers-Schutte (soprano) and
Waldo Weyer (piano), gave sensitive, but also
dramatic impetus to Zaidel-Rudolph’s often disturbing lyricism in the settings of “Boy on a
Swing” (Oswald Mtshali) and “Hell Well
Heaven” (Wally Serote), although diction could
have been clearer.
The composer conducted her “Masada” for
string quartet and bassoon with the kind of
magisterial understanding her subject necessitates. Paul Rodgers’ bassoon illustrated the spatial contrasts and suggested - sometimes with a
kind of intractability - his instrument’s narrative function.
“Margana” for flute, violin, ‘cello and percussion, conducted by Rexleigh Bunyard, is more
pointillistic within its structure of rhythmic
diversity, challenging playfulness and unusual
instrumental transitions. Perhaps one of the
most intricate of the evening’s compositions, it
held the audience spellbound.
the action.
There is plenty of dialogue to digest and the
film’s awkward pace tends to hinder the narrative flow.
I still think the film is worth seeing if only
to observe two formidable entities in the roles
of detectives Turk (De Niro) and Rooster
(Pacino) who have been friends and partners
for many years.
Their latest case has them hunting a serial
killer/vigilante whose victims are violent
criminals who are set free through legal technicalities. Neither Turk nor Rooster is motivated to find this man, since they sympathise
with his actions.
The framing device, which features De Niro
“confessing” into a video camera, suggests
that he may be the killer. Keeping Turk and
Rooster on the straight and narrow are
Detectives Perez (John Leguizamo) and Riley
(Donnie Wahlberg), who are also working the
case.
Though the story is riddled with clichés,
and there is no real intensity to the production, the fascinating aspect for me was the De
Niro/Pacino factor.
17 - 24 October 2008
SA JEWISH REPORT
9
TAPESTRY
ART, BOOKS, DANCE, FILM, THEATRE
Some very good reads
Read the Jewish Report
e-paper on our website: www.sajewishreport.co.za
REVIEWED BY GWEN PODBREY
The Summer of the Bees by Andy Sutherland
(Pan Macmillan, R133)
When Andy and Kerry Sutherland took their eight-month-old son,
Michael, to a paediatrician to investigate the reasons for his constant fretfulness and “lazy” eye, the diagnosis was devastating: the child had a
brain tumour and would have to undergo extensive traumatic treatment.
Recounted by the boy’s father, this heartbreaking story explores not
only the clinical realities of childhood cancer, but also the emotional trauma suffered by patients and parents. More than that, it testifies to the
importance of faith, friendship and family in those forced to confront terminal illness. A deeply moving work.
Random Violence by Jassy Mackenzie (Umuzi, R160)
After 10 years of self-imposed exile, private investigator Jade de Jong
finally returns to Johannesburg impatient to confront the man she
believes murdered her father. Her vengeance will soon be possible, as he
is soon to be released from prison.
Meanwhile, however, she is asked by her superior, Superintendent
Patel - who is also her close friend - to investigate a troublesome case
involving the fatal shooting of a woman in a botched hijacking.
De Jong must be extra-vigilant in order not to let Patel down - or reveal
her own deadly ambitions. A fast-paced thriller which introduces yet
another star to South Africa’s growing gallery of female sleuths.
Allakazzam! by David Abelman (BeWrite Books, ISBN 978-1905202-28-7, price on request)
Subtitled “Man, Myth and Magic in Lightest Africa”, this is a wickedly
funny - but oh-so-perceptive - journey into the realities which compound
Jewish/South African identity, as embodied by Abelman himself.
We follow him through a maze of culs-de-sac and byways from the
African bush to Jerusalem, via Germany, resolving endless riddles that
blur the lines between history, the present, fact and fantasy. Abelman’s
breathless pace, boundless imagination and wit dazzle the reader, but the
authenticity of his characters rings loudly, and ominously, through the
chaos.
The book includes three short stories which poignantly underline the
book’s theme, and illustrations by Catherine Edmunds.
Through a Dyslexic Looking Glass by Erin Levitas and Marielle
Renssen (College Press, R160)
The true story of teenager Erin Levitas’ long, courageous battle to overcome a severe learning disability - culminating in triumph, as she is now
preparing to write her matric examinations.
Told through her eyes, the book chronicles the efforts of her family first
to identify her condition, and then to deal with its academic, social and
psychological consequences.
Above all, it reminds the reader that behind the stigma of “dyslexia”
there is usually a vital, intelligent youngster desperate for recognition,
affection and the right to be treated with dignity. An important resource
for anyone trying to cope with a dyslexic child, parent, sibling, friend or
pupil.
Hidden Letters, annotated by Deborah Slier
and Ian Shine, translated by Marion van
Binsbergen-Pritchard (Star Bright Books,
price on request, ISBN 978-1-887734-88-2)
Dutch-born Philip “Flip” Slier was just 17 when
his country was invaded by the Nazis in 1940.
Within two years, he - like many of his friends and
family - had been transported to a forced labour
camp, and then to the notorious Westerbork interim camp, which fed Jews into the Polish death
camps of Auschwitz and Sobibor.
This book chronicles 86 letters written by Slier
to his parents and includes over 300 photographs
and maps. Discovered hidden in the ceiling of an
Amsterdam house in 1997, the letters enrich our
understanding of the Holocaust in Holland - and
add a new, and unforgettable, voice to those of
Anne Frank and Corrie ten Boom.
An essential work for all Jewish schools,
libraries, homes and historians.
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10
SA JEWISH REPORT
17 - 24 October 2008
LETTERS
The Editor, Suite 175, Postnet X10039, Randburg, 2125 email: carro@global.co.za
Disclaimer
The letters page is intended to provide opportunity for a range of views on any given
topic to be expressed. Opinions articulated in the letters are those of the writers and
do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor, staff or directors of the Jewish Report
Communist stalwart
Esther Barsel dies, age 85
and Norman Levy, but Hymie
Barsel was fortunately acquitted.
ESTHER BARSEL, who
Along with his mother and
passed away in Johannesburg
sister, he would have to raise
last week, a few days short of
the couple’s three daughters,
her 84th birthday, was a vetSonya, Linda and Merle, while
eran anti-apartheid activist
their mother was incarcerated
and South African Comin
Barberton
Maximum
munist Party stalwart.
Security Prison.
She was one of the last surBarsel’s hard labour took
vivors of the group of 12
the form of washing black
activists convicted and jailed Esther Barsel with former President
men’s clothing - canvas jackets
under the Suppression of Nelson Mandela at Mandela’s 90th
and khaki pants “full of blood
Communism Act during what birthday celebrations earlier this year.
and pus”. She recalled how the
became known as the “Bram
against it was in large part motiprisoners’ fingers used to bleed
Fischer Trial” during the 1960s.
vated by her first-hand experiwhen washing them and how
In its obituary message, the SA
ences of anti-Semitism during her
their nail brushes were confiscatCommunist Party paid tribute to
schooling at a convent in
ed when they tried to use them
“Comrade Esther, a selfless and
Witbank.
instead.
brave female cadre” who had
In 1945, she married Hymie
Another hardship was being
“dedicated all her life to serving
Barsel (1920-1987), through whom
kept in such close confinement
the people of our country and
she joined first the Young
with very different people for so
associated with the struggle for
Communist League and then the
long, with the inevitable tensions
the liberation of our country
Communist Party of South Africa
that ensued.
when it was not fashionable to do
(CPSA). Hymie Barsel was also
She received regular Pesach
so”.
active in left-wing anti-apartheid
and Rosh Hashanah visits from
Tributes were also issued by the
activities.
Rabbi Irma Aloy, ztl, including
ANC and the Nelson Mandela
He would be one of the 156
welcome Yomtov parcels of food
Foundation.
accused in the famous Treason
that were naturally shared with
Among those at the funeral at
Trial of 1956-1961 and the only one
the other prisoners. She was also
West Park Cemetery, was newlyof the accused in the subsequent
able to study, and did a refresher
appointed Minister of Health
Bram Fischer Trial to be acquitcourse in bookkeeping.
Barbara Hogan, a family friend of
ted. For many years, he worked as
After her release, Barsel
long standing who was particularsecretary to the SA Friends of the
remained under house arrest for
ly close to Barsel’s third daughter,
Soviet Union.
five years, which meant that she
Merle.
After the CPSA was banned
had to be home from six in the
A message from former
under the Suppression of
afternoon until six the next mornPresident Nelson Mandela, which
Communism Act, Barsel joined
ing. She could only see one person
was hand-delivered to the cemethe underground SA Communist
at a time and could not communitery for the occasion, was read out
Party, as well as the Congress of
cate with any “listed” person (for
at the graveside.
Democrats. In 1963 she was
two weeks after her release, she
Barsel was born Esther Levine
appointed to an area committee
and her husband were not
in Rogava, Lithuania, in 1924. She
and was put in charge of several
allowed to communicate with one
was three years old when she
groups of white activists.
another until she received a letter
came to South Africa. From an
Both she and her husband were
of permission from the Minister).
early age, she gravitated towards
arrested on July 3 1964 and after
Only with the unbanning of the
left-wing politics and culture,
nearly eight months in detention
ANC and SACP in 1990 was she
being active in such organisations
(during which she and several
able to become involved once
as the Socialist-Zionist youth
other prisoners went on a hunger
more in politics. She resumed
movement Hashomer Hatzair and
strike to compel the authorities to
organisational work with the
the Left Book Club.
either charge or release them) she
SACP and was working for Chris
Her second daughter, Linda
was eventually sentenced to three
Hani when he was assassinated in
Shapiro (wife of well-known busiyears hard labour in April the folApril 1993.
ness
commentator
David
lowing year.
Barsel is survived by her three
Shapiro), believes that her mothOther Jews convicted in the
children, five grandchildren and
er’s life-long abhorrence of
trial were Violet and Eli Weinberg
four great-grandchildren.
racism and determination to fight
DAVID SAKS
Guidelines for letters
Letters up to 400 words will get preference. Please provide your full first name and
surname, place of residence, and a daytime contact number. We do not publish letters
under noms de plume. Letters should preferably be e-mailed. Letters may be edited
or shortened.
WHAT THE TORAH ACADEMY KIDS MARCH FOR
IN A letter in the Jewish Report,
(October 10), Gwynne Schrire wrote
that she was disturbed by a Torah
Academy class being dressed as soldiers of the army of Hashem.
The event was, as reported, a siddur party - a celebration of grade
one children who received their first
siddur and enthusiastically shared
their love for Torah and mitzvot and
their pride at being able to read their
prayers in Hebrew.
The very point of the event was to
highlight the fact that the army of
Hashem is unique. It abhors violence and is committed to attaining
and spreading the warmth and light
of Torah. The Army of Hashem
(Tzivot Hashem), an international
youth movement, has, over the past
30 years, positively affected the lives
of hundreds of thousands of children who have, in turn, become bea-
cons of light in communities in every
corner of the globe. It is our antidote
to a world that has unfortunately
grown accustomed to tragic acts of
terror, suicide bombers and death.
To reach the "logical conclusion"
that this army has any association
with children being dressed as suicide bombers or with reprehensible
acts of violence, could only be borne
out of a flawed or tainted perspective.
Would any rational person see the
Salvation Army as a breeding ground
for Al-Qaida?
The Torah Academy is exceptionally proud of the values that are
imbued at our school by teachers who
are role models of commitment to
Hashem and all His children.
Rabbi Dovid Hazdan
Dean, Torah Academy
Johannesburg
‘HASHEM’S ARMY’ - SCHRIRE COMPLETELY MISSES THE POINT
IN RESPONSE to the letter to the
editor “Young Jewish kids in military fatigues ‘disturbing’” (of the
SAJR of 10/10/08) I would like to
respond that - with respect - Mrs
Schrire has “jumped to conclusions”
and is ignorant as she has totally
missed the point.
As an alumni of the Torah
Academy Schools, I feel that I can
say this. This whole idea of “Tzivos
Hashem” (the Army of Hashem)
was established many years ago by
the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi
Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of
righteous memory.
The idea was to be an army of
children to fight the war of the exile
and bring the redemption, not G-d
forbid to physically hurt or kill anyone or destroy anything other than
“destroying the exile” - an army to
spread Judaism, learn and teach
Torah, do mitzvoth and bring Jews
closer to their heritage.
These soldiers have never had toy
guns or anything violent like that at
all and that has never been the point
of the army of Hashem.
The weapons - so to speak - that
the Rebbe said should be used to
fight these wars, would be tefillin,
tzitzit, Shabbat candles, charity, acts
of kindness, etc.
As per the online Oxford
Dictionary (askoxford.com) the definition of an army is: “1) an organised military force equipped for
fighting on land. 2) a large number of
similar people or things.” neither
mentioning anything about destroying, killing or dying.
Being part of any organisation,
members have a common uniform
which identifies them as part of that
group and makes them (especially
children) proud to be seen in public
by people outside of their group as
part of an organisation that they
believe in and are proud of.
I ask you to please visit
www.tzivos-hashem.org to see their
wonderful world which on their
home page has no pictures of soldiers whatsoever, but happy children playing and doing mitzvot.
Their line on their home page is:
“World’s largest Jewish children’s
club” - not army.
Their mission is to serve the spiritual and physical needs of Jewish
children regardless of their spiritual, economic and social status.
David Klatzkin
Johannesburg
A FORMIDABLE EARLY ‘50S CRICKET TEAM
FOLLOWING UP on the Jewish
rugby side from my Port Elizabeth
days, I would like to like to submit
the names of the Jewish cricket side
that played at Wedgewood Park
Cricket Club in the 1st Rural League
X1 during the 1951/52 season.
They were: Solly Isaacson, Zelick
Sendzul, Neville Brodie, Herby
Kraitzick, S Cohen, J Brodie,
Stanley Kahn, Les Newman, Harold
Greenstein (captain) Gus Porter
(chairman), Jack Rosenberg (vice-
captain) and Lennie Barris.
In those days we had very good
sportsmen who excelled in rugby and
cricket and if any would like to contact me, my e-mail address is
ajr@xsinet.co.za and my cell number
is 082-326-4657.
With best wishes for a happy New
Year and well over the fast and kind
regards.
Jack Rosenberg
King William’s Town
OLDER GRAVES IN WEST PARK IN A SORRY STATE
WITH MANY of my fellow Jews
my husband and I visited West
Park Cemetery on Sunday October
5. We were really quite distressed
by the state of the older graves and
the mess surrounding them.
It is also very difficult to find
graves as many of the numbers are
no longer there.
By total contrast we then went to
visit the Cemetery in Krugersdorp.
I know that the cemetery there is
minute compared to West Park, but
goodness me what a wonderful
experience to walk into this sacred
place!
The grounds are neat and tidy and
even a few flowers planted in the
rows. Where graves have fallen into
decay the Krugersdorp Jewish community have replaced them at their
expense.
What a wonderful thing to do! Kol
Ha Kavod to all those involved in the
Jewish community.
Wishing you all a Shana Tova U
Metukah.
Lorraine Pintusewitz
Johannesburg
Well-known paediatrician
Schneir Levin passes on
fruit in the Genesis story
(his own view was that it
was a banana) were just a
MOST OF those who knew
sample of the multiple
Dr Schneir Levin, who
byways into which Levin’s
passed
away
in
provocative, if sometimes
Johannesburg last week at
eccentric, scholarship led
the age of 83, will rememhim.
ber him as the quirky, Dr Schneir
Among the publications
much beloved paediatriLevin.
in which his work regucian who tended their chillarly appeared over the years,
dren from his home-based pracwere the local journal Jewish
tice in Bellevue.
Biblical
Polemics,
Affairs,
Less well known to the general
Midstream, Judaism and Jewish
public was the fact that he was
Bible Quarterly.
also a redoubtable Judaic scholar,
For Biblical Polemics alone, he
whose characteristically original,
contributed more than 100 artiprobing monographs on innumercles. This was in addition to his
able aspects on Jewish religion,
frequent contributions to the
literature, genealogy, folklore,
Jewish press, including the SA
history and language appeared in
Jewish Report.
Jewish periodicals, newspapers
It was Levin who first wrote up
and magazines throughout the
the tragic-comical story of the
world over more than four
South West African Jewish tombdecades.
stone that, through a well-intendThe origins of popular Jewish
ed error on the part of the
surnames, the “Jewish” characdeceased’s gentile spouse, ended
ter of Superman, Biblical resoup with the words “Kosher
nances in modern-day agriculturl’Pesach” engraved above the foral practices in the West Bank and
mer’s name.
exactly what was the forbidden
DAVID SAKS
Levin also found time to write
on a range of scientific and medical topics, whether for serious
publications as the SA Medical
Journal or for more offbeat,
tongue-in-cheek periodicals such
as the Journal of Irreproducible
Results and Annals of Improbable
Research.
He published two books during
the 1960s, A Philosophy of Infant
Feeding (1963, United States) and
Best Jewish Jokes (London, 1968).
Schneir Levin was born in
Posvel (Pasvalys), Lithuania, in
1925 and came to South Africa
with his mother, Hana Rivel,
brother Chaim and sister Esther
in 1932; his father, Simcha, had
preceded the family by three
years.
He grew up in the then heavily
Jewish Johannesburg suburb of
Bertrams, and qualified as a paediatrician at the University of the
Witwatersrand.
While he looked after several
generations of children, many of
them from the Jewish community, he himself never married. He
was a stalwart member of the
Berea Shul until its eventual closure and, despite ill health in his
final years, continued to write
regularly for Jewish and other
publications.
IT SHOULD BE ORANGE GROVE, NOT YEOVILLE
On page two of our October 10 edition, on a story about Len Israelsohn of the Orange Grove Shul,
the headline talks about Yeoville Shul - a mistake. We apologise for the mistake and gladly rectify it.
17 - 24 October 2008
SA JEWISH REPORT
11
12
SA JEWISH REPORT
17 - 24 October 2008
YOUTH TALK
Shelley Elk jewishreport@yahoo.com
Some adorable little Chips
for Beauty and the Beast
Luitingh, does not faze the
boys.
“Everyone’s been really
“WHEN I grow up, I’m
nice to us. Working on set is
going to go into space, I’m
just like any other day, but
going to be a singer and
our friends and teachers now
then, I’ll do something else,
react differently to us. At
which I don’t know yet,”
first everyone wanted our
tousle-haired eight-year-old
autographs,” Yarin giggles.
Benjamin Hack, a grade
They aren’t going to school
two learner at Crawford
again during the run of the
College, told Jewish Report
production in Gauteng, until
shortly after the comFebruary 2009, and are being
mencement of rehearsals
tutored on site.
for the stage production of
Neither boy has profesWalt Disney’s “Beauty and
sional experience: Yarin’s
the Beast”.
featured in print and TV
Alongside three other litads; he plays the saxotle boys, fitting the spec of
phone and is learning the
size and weight, and well as Yarin Neuhaus.
Brazilian martial art of
obviously, stage presence,
Capoeira, and tops all of
confidence and unadulterthese interests with being a
ated cuteness, Benjamin’s
member of the junior choir
been cast as “Chip”, a little
at school.
boy magically transformed
Benjamin has been starby an evil magician into a
ring in school theatre proteacup.
ductions since grade 00.
Yarin Neuhaus, who will
According to his CV, he
be nine next month, a grade
“approaches life with pasthree learner also at
sion and an enquiring mind,
Crawford College, another
making sure he has lots of
Chip, perched on the coffee
fun along the way”.
table next to Benjamin, in
The other “Chips” are
the reception of the rehearsJoshua Wolpe (9) who’s in
al venue, and extrapolated
grade three at Rivonia
on his future on stage and
Primary, a confident and
his feelings about being in
brave BMX champ and
the limelight.
Thulasizwe Cruickshank
“The auditions were real- Benjamin Hack. (PHO(10), a sporty grade five
ly fun! We had to talk a little
TOGRAPHS COPYRIGHT BUZ
learner at Blairgowrie Pribit about ourselves and we PUBLICITY)
mary who can move: he’s
had to sing with the piano. I
won Central Gauteng colours in gymnaswas overexcited when I heard that I had the
tics and does ballet.
role!” he grins broadly.
• The four will alternate in this coveted
“Me too!”, chirps Benjamin, lisping
children's role through the Gauteng run of
slightly through the gap in his newly
"Beauty and the Beast", at Teatro,
emerging teeth. “Everything’s been aweMontecasino in Fourways until December
some!”
7, (011) 510-7472; and at Artscape's Opera
Working with the country’s top theatriHouse in Cape Town, February 14. - March
cal talent including resident director Alan
24 (021) 421-7839.
Swerdlow, Talia Kodesh and Anton
ROBYN SASSEN
It was singing and dancing
Sandton youth on the stage demonstrate dance moves to a Jewish song for the
Selwyn Segal residents who joyously joined in.
Rosh Hashanah party
at the Selwyn Segal
OWN CORRESPONDENT
TOGETHER WITH their youth directors,
Yochi and Roseen Ress, high school learners from Sandton Shul participated in a
Rosh Hashanah party with some 150 residents at Selwyn Segal on Sunday
September 21.
Yochi Ress provided the musical entertainment on keyboard and the youngsters
mingled and danced with the residents
and distributed sweets and good wishes
for the New Year.
A fun time was had by all and the young
of Sandton Shul look forward to future
events with the residents of Selwyn Segal.
A big thank you to Michael Baum for
affording Sandton Shul youth the opportunity to participate in this year’s party
and for organising the Yomtov treats
enjoyed by all.
Shana Tova Umetuka.
Toiling away, making
lovely serviette rings
YVONNE HEITNER
BY NOW the grade 1 parents will have received
their surprise but I
thought that this might
still be appropriate for
the coming chaggim.
King David Victory
Park grade 1s are busy
making mosaic serviette
holders for their parents.
I’m sure they’ll use them
for Succot as well!
Nicole Kantor, Isabella
Friedman, Kyle Etberg
and Alexa van Eegen.
Aaron Kangisser, Ilan Donninger and Kara Gordon.
A Rosh Hashanah with a difference
OWN CORRESPONDENT
The Alexandra Youth Choir recently entertained youth from the Sandton Shul Nursery
School in the Sandton Shul Succah with their songs, drumming and mine dancing.
(PHOTOGRAPH: ILAN OSSENDRYVER)
THE GRADE 3 pupils and teacher of
Yeshiva College recently held a party
with a difference. It consisted of special
foods we eat on Rosh Hashanah and
their symbolic significances, together
with their special brachot.
The children sat captivated and had
fun tasting the foods. They were well
prepared for the Rosh Hashanah
Yomtovim!
17 - 24 October 2008
SA JEWISH REPORT
THE BRIDGE LOUNGE by Jeff Sapire
I AM always amazed when a hand with a
text book theme gets dealt at the table.
Many people think that these things don't
come up in "real life", but today's hand,
which you can file somewhere under E for
End plays, is a beauty, even though it's
easy to miss the key play.
EW were not playing any two suited
overcalls, so East made a simple overcall
and then showed his second suit. For those
who play the Ghestem or the Michaels
convention, the bid would be 2NT, showing
the two lower unbid suits (diamonds and
hearts). South's jump to 4S was quite an
overbid.
Well the play's the thing, so the saying
goes, so how should declarer go about the
hand on the heart ten lead? There's some
mild chance that the lead is away from the
king of hearts (K109x), but it looks very
slim, and running the lead to the queen is
surely a losing option.
East will win with the king, and the
defenders, if they know their way around,
will switch to diamonds, taking two tricks
there and then passively exit with a heart.
Declarer will win and draw trumps, but
then will have nothing else to try but cash
the A-K of clubs, hoping the queen is doubleton.
So, let declarer take the ace of hearts
immediately and draw two rounds of
trumps.
Now what? If he plays clubs himself it's
going to be the same one down. The
defender's club spots, Q10986, are too
strong to avoid a club loser. So what is the
endplay? If declarer exits with a heart, the
defenders have to be careful - East must
win, and cash the A-Q of diamonds,
retaining the lead to exit with a club, and
North dealer, neither vul
NORTH
K1043
A8
85
AK532
WEST
8
10972
K732
Q1086
SOUTH
AJ9652
Q3
J6
J74
West
2H
All pass
North
1C
2S
NEWS IN BRIEF
CALIFORNIA AGUDAH BACKS GAY
MARRIAGE BAN
LOS ANGELES - Agudath Israel's California
chapter is backing a proposition that would
ban gay marriage. Proposition 8, on next
month's ballot, would seek to upend a recent
decision by the state's Supreme Court that
allows gay unions.
"The institution of marriage is central to
the formation of a healthy society and the
raising of children," the fervently Orthodox
group said in a statement on October 7.
"It is our deep conviction that discarding
the historical definition of marriage will
teach our children, in whom we seek to instil
the moral sensibilities of our faith, the contemporary idea that any and all sexual
unions are inherently acceptable." (JTA)
CROSSWORD NO 91
BY LEAH SIMON
EAST
Q7
KJ654
AQ1094
9
East
South
1H
1S
3D
4S
Opening lead: H10
they will get their club trick in due course.
It's no use declarer cashing A-K of clubs
first either, because then the defenders can
see to it that West takes the second diamond
trick and cashes the queen of clubs. The
answer of course - a partial endplay. Declarer
must take one high club only and then exit
with a heart.
Now the defenders are well and truly snookered. East has no safe exit if he takes two diamonds, and if West wins the second diamond
he is endplayed. He has to play a small club,
and now declarer must decide whether this is
away from the queen, or did East originally
start with a doubleton queen?
The bidding gives the answer - East's 3D
(perhaps unnecessary in retrospect), coupled
with his following to two rounds of trumps,
strongly point to the club being a singleton.
AROUND THE
WORLD
13
ACROSS:
1. Fire the bag (4)
3. Whether used for drinking or driving,
it’s a hit! (4, 4)
8. Regrets the hoax, we hear (4)
9. Draws at the writings (8)
11. Sooner or later, as they say (6, 2, 4)
13. Not the genuine article among players
at zone (6)
14. Shut down the right - and get nearer
(6)
17. He gives top-level encouragement to
smokers (7, 5)
20. Ma in true confusion, so she’ll mull it
over (8)
21. Run riot around threesome (4)
22. Also a rap, somehow - they’re pretty
shady (8)
1
2
23. Rode around German
river (4)
DOWN:
1. Pull strings to cosset loose
woman (8)
2. Old city leaves animals and fashions (7)
4. Brief surgical procedure
into disarray - that’s the
choice (6)
5. The prime of a new toilet?
(5, 5)
6. He stands in among
Ermelo cumulus (5)
7. Party is a big hit! (4)
10. Old or new, people swear
by them (10)
12. It leads to a downfall (8)
15. Witnesses the blush - and
is furious (4, 3)
16. Somehow, learner meant
TEXAS COUNTY SEEKS AUTOPSY
FREEDOM
HOUSTON - A Texas county is seeking to be
excluded from a state law that allows a rabbi to
stop the coroner from performing an autopsy.
The Harris County Medical Examiner's
Office told the Houston Chronicle in an article
published last Sunday that it would like to be
excluded from a religious freedom law that last
year prevented the coroner from performing an
autopsy on an Orthodox Jewish man who committed suicide. Autopsies are forbidden in most
circumstances under Jewish law.
Texas state law requires coroners to investigate all unnatural deaths, including murders,
suicides and cases where the cause of death is
unknown.
But another law prevents the government
from infringing on religious freedom without a
compelling state interest, according to the
Chronicle.
Assistant County Attorney Barbara
Callistien told the Chronicle that the issue
came up about once a month. (JTA)
to be to be minded (6)
18. Ancient Greek poet in residence right? (5)
19. Cut the harvest (4)
SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD NO 90
ACROSS:
1. Heed; 3. Glistens; 8. Luck; 9. Polished;
11. Matter of fact; 13. Sedate; 14. Winter;
17. The grapevine; 20. Threnody; 21. Abet;
22. Bustling; 23. Deed.
DOWN:
1. Half mast; 2. Excited; 4. Look on; 5. Stiff
fines; 6. Ethic; 7. Soda; 10. Heptagonal; 12.
Arrested; 15. Thimble; 16. Pardon; 18.
Hares; 19. Stab.
3
4
5
6
7
9
8
10
11
12
14
13
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
HEBREW U JUMPS 35 PLACES TO 93RD IN WORLD RANKINGS
JERUSALEM - The Hebrew University of
Jerusalem has jumped 35 places in the
Times Higher Education Supplement's
world university rankings, entering the
list of the world's top 100 universities.
In its latest listings for 2008, the Hebrew
University was ranked overall by The
Times of London survey in 93rd place
among the top 100 universities in the
world, compared to 128th place in 2007.
The Times rankings - conducted for the
fifth consecutive year - are based on a
scale of indicators that include academic
peer reviews, citations of academic
papers written by faculty members, and
staff to student ratios.
In the area of citations of academic
papers, the Hebrew University ranked
especially high, with a score of 89 (out of
a possible 100 points), which placed it at a
level commensurate with the leading universities in the US - among them
Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia and
Stanford - as well as equal to or exceeding
venerable universities in Europe and the
Far East.
Other Israeli universities listed in the
ranking included the Technion, ranked
109th and Tel Aviv University, ranked
114th.
Rector of the Hebrew University Prof
Sara Stroumsa expressed pride in the
results, saying: "International acknowledgement of the Hebrew University in
the rankings confirms the consistency of
the university's teachers and researchers
to continue its development as a world
centre of academic excellence."
However, she also indicated her concern for the future of higher education in
Israel. "In the past, Israeli governments
invested in higher education even during
difficult times, and now you can see the
results of that. But the continuing cuts in
recent years testify to the government's
short-term outlook that threatens the
very future of Israel's higher education
and research."
14
SA JEWISH REPORT
17 - 24 October 2008
WHAT’S ON
NOTE: Deadline for all entries is 12:00 on the Friday
prior to publication.
Key to organisations, venues, contact details and
cost:
• The Jewish National Fund (JNF) Choir, Beyachad, 2
Elray St, Raedene. Contact Crystal Kaplan. 083-3765999.
• The Jewish Women’s Benevolent Society (JWBS) Sandringham Gardens, 85 George Avenue
Sandringham 2192. Contact Carolyn Sabbagh. (011)
485-5232.
• The Jewish Outlook Team. Contact Ryan Cane,
Support line: 27 76 215 8600; e-mail info@jewishoutlook.org.za; website http://www.jewishoutlook.org.za
• Nechama Bereavement Counselling Centre - Room
A304, 3rd Floor, hospital wing, Sandringham Gardens,
85 George Avenue, Sandringham, 2192. Contact (011)
640-1322.
• New Friendship Ladies Group - A group for single
women - contact Lucille (011) 791-5226 or 082-9275786.
• ORT and ORTJET South Africa - 44 Central Street, Cnr
10th Ave, Houghton. Contact (011) 728-7154.
• Rabbi Cyril Harris Community Centre (RCHCC) and
Great Park Shul, Johannesburg. Contact Hazel, (011)
728-8088 or Rene Sidley (011) 728-8378. Cost usually R50, including refreshments.
• Second Innings, Johannesburg - Jewish Community
Services - Donald Gordon Centre, 85 George Avenue
Sandringham. Contact Grecia Gabriel, (011) 5329616.
• The Israel Centre. Contact Debbie (011) 645-2560.
• The Simcha Friendship and Cultural Circle (SFCC),
Johannesburg - Sandton Shul. Contact Sylvia Shull,
(011) 783-5600.
• The United Sisterhood, 38 Oxford Road Parktown.
Contact Helen (011) 646-2409. website: http://www.unitedsisterhood.co.za
• Society of Israel Philately (SIP) - daniels@wbx.oc.za.
Contact Maurice (011) 485-2293.
• South African Zionist Federation (SAZF),
Johannesburg - Beyachad, 2 Elray Street, Raedene.
Contact Froma, (011) 645-2505.
• South African Jewish Board of Deputies (Jhb) Beyachad, 2 Elray Street, Raedene. Contact (011) 6452500 or (011) 645-2523.
• United Zionist Luncheon Club (UZLC), Johannesburg -
Our Parents Home. Contact Gloria, (011) 485-4851 or
072-127-9421.
• Union of Jewish Women (UJW), Johannesburg - 1 Oak
Street Houghton. Contact (011) 648-1053. Cost R10
for the Friendship Luncheon Club.
• Union of Jewish Women (UJW), Cape Town - (021)
434-9555, e-mail: info@ujwcape.co.za
• WIZO Johannesburg - Beyachad, 2 Elray Street
Raedene. Contact Joyce Chodos (011) 645-2548 or
Sandy Kramer (011) 645-2515.
• Bikkur Cholim - Jewish Society for Visiting the Sick, 7A
Chester Road, Greenside East, Johannesburg. Joy
Gafin (011) 447-6689.
• Tiyulim (Jewish Outdoor Club) - Contact Greg 082959-9026 or Martin 082-965-7419.
• King David Schools’ Foundation. King David Alumni
info@kdsf.org (011) 480-4723.
• CAJE - College of Adult Jewish Education, Sydenham
Highlands North Shul (011) 640-5021.
• JAFFA - Jewish Accomodation for Fellow Aged. (012)
346-2007/8.
• SAIJE - Sandton Adult Institute of Jewish Education,
Sandton Shul (011) 883-4210. E-mail: saije@sandtonshul.co.za.
• CSO - Emergency phone number 086 18 000 18.
• UOS- Union of Orthodox Synagogues (011) 485-4865.
E-mail: info@uos.co.za. Fax 086-610-3442
Today Friday (October 17)
• UZLC is hosting Tali Nates on “The Holocaust as a tool
to teach tolerance in Japan”.
Sunday (October 19)
• Second Innings is hosting Prof Ian Jandrell - “Some
perspectives on the current crisis in the South African
electricity supply” at the Gerald Horwitz Lounge,
Golden Acres.
• Friendship Forum for Holocaust Survivors, second
generation, and members of the community affected
by the Holocaust, invites you to an audiovisual presentation by Hugh Raichlin on “Jewish Life in Poland and
Minsk (Belarus) before and after the Holocaust”, followed by tea and music with Yochanan Ress. At Our
Parents Home Auditorium at 14:30.
Friday (October 24)
• UZLC is hosting Bev Goldman on “The other side of the
Shelley Elk carro@global.co.za
human rights visit to Israel”.
Sunday (October 26)
• Second Innings is hosting Dr Alan Tomlinson,
founder and chairman of Sportron International “Let’s live life” at Beyachad, Fairmount.
• Second Innings is having a special preview of the
film “The Counterfeiters” at 16:30 at Cinema
Nouveau, Rosebank. R10 reservation fee. Fay
Smaller on (011) 640-5839 before 18:00.
• Tiyulim will be going on a fairly difficult guided hike
at Bullens Bush Lodge near Hartebeespoort. Meet at
Balfour for a very early start at 6:00. Cost R100
members, R110 non-members. Contact Greg 082959-9026.
Sunday October 26 - Sunday November 9
• RCHCC invites you to “The sister arts: An exhibition
of paintings and a poetry reading” by Hazel Frankel.
Cost R50.
Wednesday (October 29)
Sandy at (011) 645-2515 or Naomi at 082-4961111.
• RCHCC invites you to a journey back to Der Alte
Heim with Freilach the Klezmer Band, and Yiddish
readings. Time: 19:00 for 19:30. Cost R100 includes
refreshments. Book early.
Monday (November 3)
• SIP - 3rd session of South African award-winners
from Israel 60 International Philatelic Exhibition, at
19:30 Waverley Shul boardroom. Entry free.
Refreshments.
Wednesday (November 5)
• SFCC is going to “Wandies” in Soweto for lunch.
Transport R30. Meet at the Sandton Shul at 10:00.
Sunday (November 9)
• Second Innings hosts John Morgan, engineering
manager, Gautrain - “The Gautrain project” at the
Gerald Horwitz Lounge, Golden Acres. An overview
of the project as well as a construction update.
Sunday (November 16)
• Second Innings is going on a three hour tour of
Lesedi African living cultural village on the road to
Hartebeespoort Dam in the Broederstroom area.
Meet at the Oxford Shul parking at 09:15 for 09:30
departure. R190 includes bus, guided tour. Helen
Wolfson (011) 440-8236.
• WIZO Bride and Bridegroom of Yesteryear’s brunch
and judging will take place at 10:30. R350 per couple. R180 per person. Bookings (011) 645-2517.
• UJW, Sandton will host a “girls night out” - “Divas in
Concert” at the Sandton Shul at 18:45. Tickets R360.
Contact (011) 648-1053, Bev 082-574-4770.
• SFFC is hosting Prof Pinki Sareli, cardiologist on
“Israel’s amazing discoveries and tremendous
achievements in the world of medicine” at 10:00,
Sandton Shul.
Sunday (November 2)
• Second Innings is hosting Dr Robert Groess - “A
journey to the edge of space and time” at the
Gerald Horwitz Lounge, Golden Acres. Dr Groess is
chairman of the Johannesburg Centre of the
Astronomical Society of Southern Africa, and
astronomer at the Hartebeeshoek Radio
Astronomy Observatory.
• WIZO Tzabar is going on a bus tour to Soweto to visit
museums and cultural establishments with a guide.
Bus departs from Beyachad at 10:00. R285 per person. Seating is limited, so please book timeously. A
two-nights stay for two at Blyde River Canyon in
Graskop will be won by one lucky participant. Phone
Wednesday (November 19)
Sunday (November 23)
• Second Innings is hosting Selwyn Klass and Tony
Bentel - “Coffee, keyboard and conversation” at the
Gerald Horwitz Lounge, Golden Acres. R20 members, R40 non-members. Ora Morgan (011) 7839967 or Omnia Nock (011) 325-6128 after 18:00.
Wednesday (November 26)
• Second Innings is going on a “Boat cruise on the
Vaal”. Meet the bus at Oxford Shul parking at 08:45,
for 09:00 departure. Cost R190 includes bus, cruise
and light lunch. Rita Miller (011) 887-9218 before
18:00.
17 - 24 October 2008
SA JEWISH REPORT 15
LIFTS
Tel (011) 886-0162 • Fax (011) 886-4202 • email: brittl@global.co.za
HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED ADVERT:
1. Only adverts sent via email to brittl@global.co.za will be accepted. 2. You will be advised on cost & payment details
3. Payment is prior to the advert appearing. 4. DEADLINE for BOOKING and PAYMENT is Tuesday 12pm. If deadline is
missed the advert will appear (when payment is received) in the next edition. Our banking details: SA Jewish Report,
Nedbank Randburg, Account Number: 1984 514 865, Branch Code: 198405
NOTICES
PERSONAL
CONSECRATIONS
SOULMATES
Pretty/handsome sincere
prof/exec singles seeking
matches.
Pretty blonde attorney
25 yrs
Handsome CA,
MBA grad 30 yrs.
Handsome BCom grad
26yrs. Dentists 29, 36, 40,
55, 62 yrs. Doctors 26, 33,
45, 64yr
Beautiful IT manager 43yr.
Stunning MD 48yr
Attorneys 26, 30, 33, 35,
45, 54, 60.
Advocates 62, 55, 35yrs
Designers pretty petite 22,
28 and 44yr
Many other pretty/handsome prof/exec singles
want to meet u!
Our Cape Corner is growing
rapidly! Drs 28yr 35, 42, 61.
Pretty designers 25, 33, 42.
Lawyers 29, 34, 45, 58.
Teachers 33, 26, 29, 38,
45, 52.
Many other Cape singles
want to meet u!
COUNTRYWIDE
(O11) 485-4034/
082-357-3616
WOLF AVRAHAM
TOMBUK
The unveiling will take place at
West Park Cemetery, Sun, 26
Oct 2008 at 09h00.
Grave No. U5127.
Dana 083-305-0854
SERVICES
AIRPORT SHUTTLE
JHB
Reliable,
Reasonable Rates!
Contact Arnold,
082-447-0185
011-454-1193
HEALTH & BEAUTY
LIFTS
CAPE TOWN SHUTTLE
Coming to Cape Town?
Affordable rates. Airport
transfers from R160
Phone Andy
082-336-9780
DIAL-A-LIFT
Reliable safe transport, door-todoor, airport transfers, etc.
Phone Pip Friedman
(011) 728-3998
cell: 083-267-3281
SMILE-LEE'S LIFTS
A reliable lift service.
Specialising in lifts to and from
airports,shops,appointments,
casinos and courier.
Call Charna 083-391-6612
VISITING CT?
On business/holiday/simcha let
me meet you at the airport and
take care of your road transport
arrangements etc. Vehicle,
passenger liability insurance &
permits. Vehicle max.
4 passengers
Phone Malcolm Lee.
Registered tour guide
Mobile: 082-907-4790
www.capefocustours.co.za
MISCELLANEOUS
ERIC’S TAXIS
Anytime Anywhere
082-684-9805
011 264-4394
HIRE
CASTLEMANIA
Jumping Castles for hire.
Weekend deliveries.
www.fantasiacastles.co.za
GLENDA: (011) 452-1958
LIFTS
ARTHUR’S SCHLEPPING
SERVICE
The original schlepper
We will schlep you wherever
you want to go. Supermarkets,
hairdressers, airport etc. etc.
We work very early. We work
very late. But please don't ask
us on a Shabbos date!
083-788-2509
011-440-5455
A-TAXI
SERVICE
Let Warren Pogorelsky chauffeur
you to your destination in
Jo’burg and back only R100
round trip.
Tel: 082-399-6187
GO WITH THE PRO
Reliable & reasonable
7 days a week - day or night.
Special rates for regular daily or
weekly trips.
Sam (011) 782- 5798
083-627-8516
Getting Divorced?
Make your unfortunate situation a
‘win–win’ outcome
and avoid unnecessary cost and conflict
Divorce mediation :
Tel 082-456-3717
FOOD & SNACKS
PROPERTY TO LET
KOSHER - CHILDREN’S
HEALTH SNACKS:
Ideal for children’s lunch box.
Made from 64% fruit puree and
fruit juice. All Natural flavours.
100% Vitamin C. * Vitamins &
Minerals. No Preservatives. Fat,
Trans fat & Nut free. No
Gelatine.
Contact Gerard:
082 509 0462 or
Ryan: 082 780 3105
ACCOMMODATION TO LET /
SHARE
MISCELLANEOUS
MAD ABOUT
MUIZENBERG?
Order your branded
souvenirs now!
082-429-5539
muizlogostore@iafrica.com
MULTI-LEVEL
SHTENDERS
Mahogany finish.
Limited stock available
Contact Uchi
083-384-2885
HOME SERVICES
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
ABSOLUTELY ALL
Home repairs,
General maintenance
and electrical,
24 hours
Call Mendel
084 559 7923
(011) 640-1429
Pensioners 10% discount
IRENE'S SCHLEP SERVICE
I will take you anywhere. Shops,
Friends, Doctor, Airport,
Appointments. I schlep Parcels,
People, Shopping, Documents,
Courier service. Honest,
Trustworthy.
Schlepped by Irene.
072-356-0282
GLENHAZEL
2 Bedroom Flat
Central and secure
Not to be missed!
Call Nicholas
072-471-2631
TO SHARE
Looking for someone who would
like to share a 2 bed, 2 bath unit
at Norwood Garden Village.
Please call
083-251-1948
or (o/h) 011 442-3926/7
Duplex in complex
Next to Balfour Park. 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom and guest toilet. Small garden.
R5 250 p/m. Occ: November 1.
Contact Selwyn
082-411-5303
TO LET
ROYAL LINKSFIELD
SANDRINGHAM
Upstairs unit with view of golf
course plus garden and balcony,
2 x tiled lounges, open plan dining area and melamine fitted
kitchen, 2 bed + 2 baths, 2 parkings.
R6 500 p/m + deposit.
Available December 1.
Phone June on 083-2263741 or (011) 640-4967.
HAZELWOOD
3 bedroomed, fully furnished flat
avail immed. Immaculate condition.
Tel: 082-551-2121
GARDEN FLATS / COTTAGES
HIGHLANDS NORTH
1 bed, sep living room. Secure,
spacious, unfurnished.
Suit 1 person.
Non-smoker.
R3 200 excluding electricity.
Tel. 083-556-6459
MELROSE NORTH.
Beautifully appointed free standing brand new 2 bed, 2 bath
cottage with large loft, in pretty
garden, surroundings & closed
off security zone. Use of pool &
trampoline. Furn or non-furn.
Off-st. covered parking. Avail
immed. Competitive rental
Phone 087-805-9647 or
082-443-5529
FOR SALE
FOOD & SNACKS
HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION
THE KICHEL
SCHWESTERS
For the most delicious kichel
you've ever tasted
CONTACT
Helen Goldberg
072-650-9290
Tsipora Jacobs
072-372-1180
We also make herring and
white taiglach. Kichel: R80 half
kilo (1 large plastic bag full).
Kosher (But not under the
Beth Din)
PLETTENBERG BAY
Lovely, kosher house available
for Dec 08 / Jan 09. Overlooks
the Beacon Isle Hotel and
Central Beach.
With lovely sea and mountain
views and swimming pool. Walk
to the beaches as well as to
town centre.
ACCOMMODATES 8.
CONTACT: 082-850-5354
OVERSEAS
ACCOMMODATION
JERUSALEM
Two-room flat.
(Rechavia)
Comprises roomy living room, bedroom,
bathroom & kitchen
in well-maintained
assisted living complex near the Wolfson
Towers. Open to age
60 and older offering
a range of services.
In walkable neighbourhood. Ideally
suitable for parents
that may want to live
close to their children
but live an independent lifestyle. Private
Tabu sale or longterm rental. (For a
straight rental, the
resident will pay a
base rent plus maintenance fee & may
also have a say in
the colours and redecoration of the
apartment) Asking
344,000 NIS
(or $95 000)
ejmirsky@juno.com
TIMESHARE
EILAT 14 – 21 DEC 2008
1 Bed, 4 sleepers CLUB
HOTEL EILAT with partial
Kitchen. Avail for R 7 950
Call 082-4444-296
info@crystalclear.co.za
TIMESHARE JERUSALEM
I am unable to use my timeshare in central Jerusalem
hotel. Accom 2 adults
(plus 1 child)
26/10/08 - 2/11/08.
R5 500 neg.
Marloubro@vodamail.co.za
or 082-573-2994.
PROPERTY FOR SALE
UPPER KEW
Stunning newly renov garden
unit in sought-after building.
Around the corner from Balfour
Park Shopping Centre.
1km from Ohr Somayach and
1.2km from the Chabbad Shul.
2 spacious bedrooms with BIC,
2 full bathrooms, fitted kitchen,
spacious open plan dining room
and lounge. Pvt garden with
Wendy house. 1 lockup garage.
R700 000 (Neg)
Contact:
Barry Kay 082-885-7458
Karen Kay 082-551-7700
TOWNHOUSES
FAIRMOUNT
Lounge, dining room, 3 bedrooms, study, 2 bathrooms
(MES), beautiful garden, maids
room garaging for 2 cars.
Walking distance to at least 10
shuls. R1.3 Million.
Contact Arlene on
(011) 640-4452 or
082-352-1920
VACANCIES
EMPLOYMENT AVAILABLE
Torah Academy Primary
requires teachers for
2009
Senior Primary & Junior Primary.
Please contact Mrs
Kesselman at the Primary
School
(011) 640-7593/4
OVERSEAS
ACCOMMODATION
REPAIRS
Sydney Eastern Suburbs,
fully furnished apartments &
homes. Available for short or long-term lets.
Contact Peter or Shannon
Simon
www.sydneyholiday
apartments.net
info@sydneyholiday
apartments.net
NETANYA ISRAEL
Furnished 3 bedroom apartment. Sleeps 6. Available for
rental. Minimum period 1 week.
Tel: 083-659-9919
VEHICLES
WANTED
16
SA JEWISH REPORT
17 - 24 October 2008
The Maccabi soccer squad in action at a match played against a prisoners’ team from Leeuwkop Prison.
Our Maccabi soccer boys go to prison
JACK MILNER
I KNOW the South African soccer team to
compete in the 2009 Maccabiah in Israel is
determined to do well. So, were they receiving a stern warning when they were sent off
to jail?
The prospective squad travelled to
Leeuwkop Prison near Johannesburg to
play a match against the prison team from
the Hope Academy, being run and co-ordinated by Ambassadors in Sport. The match
ended in a 2-2 draw.
In 2005, the Maccabi senior soccer squad
managed to finish sixth out of 17 teams in
Israel. This result was a massive success for
the team, most of whom had never previously attended a Maccabiah.
In preparation for the two week-long
tournament, the team trained for more
than eight months, five days a week, which
included a weekly training with
SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt, who
was the coach of Moroka Swallows at the
time, a weekly fitness session with a biokineticist and stretching and flexibility
classes.
With a thirst for better results, preparations began in 2006 when many of the squad
in Johannesburg formed a solid partnership
with the senior set-up at Balfour Alexandra
Soccer Club, and the Cape Town players
joining a new club in the Green Point area
called Exiles.
Both sides have been playing in the
respective associations’ leagues in their
regions ever since, forming a base for Jewish
footballers to build experience in the buildup to the next Games.
Earlier this year, trials for the squad that
Jewish figures give time
to Soweto development
The Soweto Canoe and
Recreation Club team:
Michael Mbanjwa (club
coach), Muzi Mathebula
and Maungedzo
Tshamano (two of the
club’s top athletes), club
patron Cyril Ramaphosa,
club captain Ryno
Armdorf, Shaun
Rubenstein and founding member Brad Fisher.
JACK MILNER
SITUATED ON the banks of the Orlando
Dam on the northern side of Soweto, the
Soweto Canoe and Recreation Club (Scarc)
is leading redevelopment in this community by creating opportunities for its youth to
access a better life through involvement in
sporting activities.
Driving the establishment and sustenance of this ambitious initiative has been
prominent businessman, joint CEO of the
ADreach Group of Companies, Brad
Fisher; and assisting with training and
mentoring has been South African world
champion canoeist and 2008 Olympic contender Shaun Rubenstein.
Officially certified as a socio-economic
development initiative, Scarc was established in 2003. Today, boasting prominent
businessman Cyril Ramaphosa as patron,
the club is a major development force for
canoeing in South Africa.
Its aim is not only to teach residents of
Soweto how to swim and participate in various water sports and activities; but also to
develop crucial life skills that will assist its
members in becoming economically active
in their chosen field.
Scarc endeavours to promote, develop
and co-ordinate the sport of canoeing for
previously disadvantaged individuals at
both a social and competitive level.
In the last five years more than 300
Soweto kids have been taught how to swim
through the affiliated swimming programme at Power Park.
The club boasts a core membership of
more than 30 paddlers who regularly
attend training sessions and successfully
compete in major races across the country.
Top athletes - many of whom were unable
even to swim before they joined Scarc - are
competing well on an international level,
with the top three having represented
South Africa overseas.
These “high performance” athletes will
soon benefit from weekly coaching with
Rubenstein. Having assisted with training
and as a role model to aspiring Sowetan
paddlers since Scarc’s inception in 2003,
Rubenstein has reaffirmed his commitment to contributing to the development of
Scarc with provision of ongoing training
with the club’s top athletes.
Shaun’s coaching will complement ongoing training of club members by Dusi winner Michael Mbanjwa, who is a member of
Scarc.
The pair are good friends and have paddled together previously on numerous
occasions.
Both have performed at the very pinnacle
in each of their areas of paddling speciality
- Rubenstein as a World Marathon
Champion and Olympian; and Michaelas
the first ever black paddler to win the Dusi
Canoe Marathon.
Founding member Brad Fisher recently
handed over the reigns as club co-chairman
to Nkosi Mzolo, but continues to play a crucial ongoing role in the growth and development of Scarc.
Fisher is currently championing Scarc’s
campaign for the building of an
aquatic/watersports clubhouse at Orlando
Dam. Already, through the Johannesburg
Property Company, a low lease has been
secured for land at Power Park.
Scarc has applied to SA Lotto for a contribution towards the building of the club
house and Fisher and the Scarc committee
are actively seeking corporate contributions.
If you would like to participate in this
exciting initiative, please contact Brad
Fisher on (011) 327-7110. For more information visit www.scarc.co.za
will represent South Africa in the senior soccer section, were held and a 35-man training
squad was selected - 23 players from
Johannesburg and 12 from Cape Town - by
Michael Pavkovich, the coach from the previous Games, and Mark Abro, the club director from Balfour Alexandra Football Club.
The final squad will be cut down to 18
players by the end of next month and in
order to allow the coaches the opportunity
to decide who they will chose as their team
for the Games, the Johannesburg squad has
started playing matches against opposition
of various levels, from under-19 teams playing in the SAFA-PSL league to PSL reserve
teams.
All these teams have provided tough opposition to the squad and are assisting them in
preparation for the challenging task that lies
ahead of them. The coaches will also be
going to Cape Town to select players that
will be included in the squad.
The team is heavily involved in fundraising activities in order to assist the players
with the costs that are required for the
Games. Not only have the team been preparing themselves and actively fundraising, but
they have also been involved in work to help
others.
After the match at Leeuwkop Prison, the
team were treated to a braai, which gave
them an opportunity to interact with the
prisoners that have been hand picked for the
academy.
A few prisoners gave their views on how
they benefit from being part of the academy
and how their experiences in the programme have helped them to learn new
ways to benefit and change their lives. And
the interaction they have with the soccer
teams that come to visit and compete
against them, help them to reintegrate into
society when they are released, and to add
value to their communities when they
return.
This was a great experience for the players, many of whom were removed from their
comfort zone, for the benefit of others.
The team plan to become involved in
many more community upliftment activities
in the future, as part of their preparation for
the Games, not only from a team building
perspective, but also to be able to assist others who haven’t had the same opportunities
as them.
Should you wish to assist the squad in any
way with their preparations for the Games
in Israel in 2009, please send an e-mail to
maccabisoccer@gmail.com and a member of
the fundraising team will contact you.