November

VOLUME 28 No 10 NOVEMBER 2011
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Herzlia alumni take landmark
Litvak Roots trip
H a v i n g
grown
up
half a world
and
threequarters of a
century away
from
their
ancestral
home, nine
South African
Jews recently
travelled to
Lithuania
and Latvia to
explore their
heritage.
“I
’ve always Group members Mandy Meyerowitz, Corinne Phillipo, Michelle
w a n t e d Cheslow, Barry Saven, Rica Berger, Graham Barnett, Jeremy Resnick
to
visit and Janine Barnett overlooking Vilnius.
the
places
calm place devoid of rustling leaves
that
my
grandparents came from, and the or chirping birds. There, between July
chance to travel with good friends was and November 1941, 70,000 Jews
an opportunity not to be missed,” said were herded to pits by Nazis and their
Dr. Rica Bukmuz Berger, who now lives Lithuanian collaborators, and then
murdered. As the group reflected on
in Toronto.
The nine day tour was organised by this horrific scene, an 81-year old
Michelle Cheslow, a graduate of Herzlia Israeli was also visiting the site, and
and owner of Affinity Excursions, in animated Hebrew related his story
a US-based tourism company. The to the group. “I was 8-years-old when
participants stayed in 4 and 5 star my mother and I hid at the bottom
hotels, travelled by luxury motor coach of a trash cart and got out of the
and ate in local restaurants. Their tour Vilna Ghetto.” He then pointed to his
was enhanced by both Lithuanian and wife, children and grandchildren and
declared defiantly “We are here. They
Israeli tour guides and educators.
The first stop in Lithuania was the didn’t annihilate us.”
infamous Ponary Forest, an eerily
Continued on page 6
Nechama Seminar —
inspirational and educational
The Nechama organisation
recently held its sixth
Biennial Seminar, entitled
‘I am with him in his sorrow
— insights into grief and
healing.’
A
large
turnout
of
community members,
counsellors,
facilitators,
professionals,
guest
speakers
and
welfare
workers came together to
share experiences, learn
from each other and work
together in the fields of grief Rabbi Popack, Avigail Popack (Executive Director of
Nechama), Cheryl Goldberg and Pauline Sevitz (Past
and recovery.
Guest speakers covered a Nechama Director).
wide variety of topics, from
enriching variety of perspectives on
understanding grief through Halacha learning to live with loss.
to working with children and bereaved
parents.
See more on page 24
The seminar brought together an
Jewish Care Cape AGM
— a caring community!
16082_Earspace for Jewish Chronicle FA.indd 1
2011/08/19 10:40 AM
The
fourth
consolidated
Jewish
Care
Cape
Annual
G e n e r a l
Meeting took
place on 5
September,
with
a
phenomenal
turnout of 300
people.
J
ust over four
years
ago,
with the insight
and
strategic Jean Mausenbaum (Administrative Director at Oranjia) received
thinking of the the Community Service Award. Jean always places the welfare of
Cape
Jewish Oranjia’s children first!
Welfare Council
Ackerman Berman kept the audience
Committee,
a consolidated Jewish Care Cape spellbound with her address, entitled
was formed. The idea, planning and ‘Stories of Hope and Transformation,’
motivation to have the AGM of the and awards were presented to many
seven Jewish welfare organisations as people who have so tirelessly served
a combined event has been a great the welfare organisations and the
community.
stride forward for the community.
At the AGM, guest speaker Suzanne
See more on page 17
All aboard with YAD and Kulula!
YAD
hosted
joint-CEO
of
Kulula Airlines
Gidon
Novick
at an exciting
B u s i n e s s
Breakfast on 22
September.
A
u d i e n c e
members
were
treated
to the dynamic
Gidon
Novick
and Rael Levitt
in conversation,
where
Gidon
shared
his
insights
and
experiences
in building the
budget
airline
business.
Gidon
also
offered his advice
and
expertise
on
leadership,
management
and
working
with
people,
completing
a
fascinating
discussion about
this
important
company.
Rob Cohen, Jonathan Simkins, Rael Levitt, Jared Cheerin, Alexia
Minnie, Adva Brivik and Gidon Novick.
Back: Robbie Gottlieb, Katie Kluk and Sameeha Kola. Front:
Dave King, Derek Rushmere, Romaney Pinnock and Eelco Van
Braningen.
2
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
Tali-vision
Community Noticeboard
e
d s Hou s
Highlan
n
io
it
A rt E xhib of Man ’
ges
‘Seven A ovember
6 — 3 0 N g e 22
S ee p a
SA Jewish Museum
Jewish Roots in Africa Speakers
Programme
The Last Remaining Jews of Ethiopia
documentar y, followed by an
Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
16 November at 8pm.
Nelson Mandela Auditorium,
Albow Campus.
email info@sajewishmuseum.co.za
S SH U L
GARDEN ive with
ht L
Friday Nig inowitz
b
a
R
Nik
b e r 6 pm
11 Novem ge 7
a
Se e p
The following
organisations are
affiliated to Jewish
Care Cape
Seniors
Jewish
Cape
le •
Association • Glenda ish
Jew
•
use
Ho
nds
hla
Hig
•
Ser vices
Community
ASTR A
Nechama • Oranjia •
Sheltered
(Jewish
Centre
ecourt
Ros
and
ent
ym
plo
Em
s)
me
Group Ho
ww w.jewishcare.org.za
Glendale w
it
Nik Rabino h
witz
presents
‘Stand and D
eliver’
15 December
See p 22
Cape Town Holocaust
Centre
Eichmannn’s Men
Lecture to mark the
50th anniversary of the
Eichmann Trial
10 November. See page 15
Union of Jewish Women November AED programme
2 Beatrice Rabkin: Lifestyle and nutritional causes of chronic illnesses.
9 Prof Neil Ravenscroft: Vaccines in our fight against infectious diseases.
16Prof. Richard Mendelsohn: Letters from the front: Correspondence between
a young Jewish Boer and his anxious parents in Bloemfontein.
23Dr D Gottlieb: Arthritis and art.
30Alyson Kessel: Birkenhead blooms.
BRANCH EVENTS: NOVEMBER
22Na'arot Group: ENNIO R250.00 Theatre on the Bay 8.00 pm
The sound of simcha
— and silence
Judaism truly captures the trials
and tribulations, moments and
celebrations of our daily lives.
I
n times of sorrow, we still remember
the importance of celebrating
life; and in times of simcha, we still
remember the destruction of the
Temple and the suffering faced by so
many in this world. These dichotomies
were so vitally expressed at the recent
Nechama Seminar, which provided
community members with insight into
grief and healing (see page 24).
It is often in music that this
multifaceted nature of our lives is best
expressed. In notes of merriment,
yearning, sadness and celebration,
we can almost capture the spirit and
sound of our hearts.
Jewish music in all its forms is a
particularly powerful medium to
express the contrasting nature of
sorrow and simcha in Jewish life.
Klezmer music is one such genre that
not only reflects these rich and layered
rhythms of human expression, but also
manages to convey the sound of the
Jewish spirit across the generations.
Klezmer is as popular today as it
ever was, and the Cape Town Jewish
community is incredibly blessed to
have a skilled and passionate Klezmer
musician in our midst. Matthew Reid
and his Playing with Fire Klezmer Band
have brought their celebratory sound to
countless simchot, festivals and events
over the last ten years. Now, they are
finally cutting a CD of their music. This
long-awaited collection will bring the
sound and spirit of Klezmer into your
heart and home, and will provide a
‘soundtrack’ to those unforgettable
moments in our lives (See page 8).
Famed Israeli musician Idan Raichel
and his effervescent group of singers
‘blends all those sounds that Israel has
been absorbing for the past 63 years.’
Their multifaceted melodies combine
the many voices of Israeli society, and
CSO emergency number
for medical and security
emergencies
in turn reflect the spirit
of Diaspora Jewish communities whose
immigrants have made their way to the
Jewish state. As Israel is a microcosm
of the Jewish world, this internationallyrecognised Israeli band can capture
where we are and where we are going.
If music reflects the celebrations in
our lives, it is silence that reflects the
sorrow. The silent images of September
11th will forever be scorched into our
memories. Ten years later, where does
the Jewish world and Israel stand in
relation to that day? On page 4 we offer
you a Jewish retrospective of 9/11,
which provides some insights into
then, now and the future. We ask you to
write letters in response, to share your
perspectives of 9/11.
Our community demonstrates that it
is through music and creativity that we
can connect to each other and even
carry out Tikkum Olam — repairing the
world. The Holocaust Centre’s recent
art competition provided an opportunity
for learners to express what they have
learnt about the Holocaust (pg. 15);
while the Cape Jewish Seniors Art
and Craft Fair demonstrates that it is
never too late to explore your creativity
(page 18). Finally, the Pine Street
Shul has created unique mezuzot
that will become invaluable Judaica
collectables (see page 9).
It is in moments of simcha and
moments of silence that we truly
discover who we are. Jewish music —
be it Klezmer, Israeli songs or your own
ensemble — can provide a soundtrack
that reflects our creativity, spirit, sorrow
and celebrations.
CJC Editorial Board
Chairman: Lester Hoffman.
Ex-officio: Ben-Zion Surdut. Committee:
Julie Berman, Li Boiskin, Barbara Flax,
David Jacobson, Ben Levitas, Barry Levitt,
Marianne Marks, Myra Osrin, Jonathan
Silke. Editor: Tali Barnett, Secretary:
Tessa Epstein, Advertising: Anita Shenker,
DTP: Desrae Saacks
24 hours
086 18 000 18
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3
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
Letters to the Editor
PO Box 4176 Cape Town 8000 or e-mail: chron@ctjc.co.za
We must remember Jonathan Pollard
Dear Editor,
read the September 2011 edition of
the Cape Jewish Chronicle, including
an article about the Jewish Board of
Deputies attending a US Independence
Day celebration. The article said
that “the Board looks forward to
maintaining a strong relationship with
the US Consulate.”
However, I haven’t seen any word
regarding Jonathan Pollard, who is still
in a United States prison after being
convicted of passing information to
Israel, which Israel accepted.
The information was essential for
Israel’s security (or at least that is
how the Israeli authorities saw it when
I
accepting the information), and was
information that America should have
provided Israel with in the first place.
So if, as I understand, the Jewish
Board of Deputies is pro-Israel, wouldn’t
it be appropriate to mention Pollard to
US diplomats, pleading with them for
his release? Isn’t this the minimum
gratitude people can express towards
Israel? Isn’t this the most humane
thing Zionist Jews can do for someone
who suffers due to something he did
for Israel, and which Israel accepted?
Kindly think about it.
Thanking you,
Avner Eliyahu Romm
GIFTIME
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Response by the SA Jewish Board of Deputies
(Cape Council)
Dear Avner,
he SAJBD (Cape Council) is deeply
sympathetic to the plight of
Jonathan Pollard, as should all Jews be
around the world. Pollard was a civilian
intelligence analyst who was convicted
of spying for Israel. He has already
served a disproportionate life sentence
for more than a quarter of a century.
For years, the Israeli government has
negotiated for Pollard’s release, as well
as directly assisted Pollard’s family.
As the central umbrella organisation
of the Jewish community of the Western
Cape, the Board is an apolitical body
set up to advocate for the civil liberties
of the Jews in our province on matters
that affect them as Jewish South
Africans. Although an openly pro-Israel,
Zionist body, the Board is not explicitly
an Israel advocacy organisation. That is
the specific role of other bodies, such
as the South African Zionist Federation. However, our mandate often does
intersect with issues of Zionism
when members of our community
are prevented from expressing their
supportive or critical views of Israel in
South Africa, or when our community
feels that their Jewish identity is being
curtailed and that our government is
acting unfairly.
Jonathan Pollard is a citizen of the US
and Israel, and his release is negotiated
directly between the heads of state of
those two countries. The SAJBD’s (Cape
Council) mandate is to advocate for the
Jewish community of the Western Cape,
while the National SAJBD advocates for
the Jewish community of South Africa
as a whole. Similarly, the US Consulate
in Cape Town only handles issues
pertinent to the Western, Eastern, and
Northern Cape, while the US Embassy
in Pretoria deals with bilateral issues
T
between the US and South African
governments.
As a tiny Jewish community on the tip
of Africa, we cannot influence Pollard’s
release. However, if a letter of support
were to be signed by thousands of
South Africans and delivered to Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu via
the Israeli Embassy in Pretoria, this
would send a message to the Prime
Minister that thousands of people
in our country support his effort to
have Pollard released. Another letter
signed by thousands of South Africans
demanding Pollard’s release could be
delivered to the White House via the US
Embassy in Pretoria.
Any individual can write, circulate, and
deliver such a letter with thousands
of signatures. Alternatively, there
are many pro-Israel (Jewish and nonJewish) organisations in the Western
Cape that could spearhead such an
initiative.
Let us all remember that there are
Jews and non-Jews all over the world
facing injustice. In the age of social
media and the internet, each individual
can draw attention to important issues.
I applaud your activism in taking the
time to raise your voice about this
matter.
Sincerely,
David Jacobson, Executive Director
South African Jewish Board of
Deputies Cape Council.
Opinions expressed in this paper do
not necessarily reflect the views of the
Editorial Board or its sponsoring bodies.
Letters submitted anonymously will not
be printed. However, by agreement, the
name may be withheld in the publication.
Letters are published subject to space
being available.
Shabbat and Yom Tov Times
Date
4 Nov/ 7 Cheshvan
11 Nov/14 Cheshvan
18 Nov/21 Cheshvan
25 Nov/28 Cheshvan
Portion
Lech Lecha
Vayera
Chaye Sara
Toldot
Candle lighting Ends
6.10
6.10
6.10
6.10
7.54
8.01
8.08
8.16
N.B. Please note that the times indicated are the earliest times for candle
lighting. Please consult your Rabbi.
Issued under the auspices of the Western Province Zionist Council and the SA Jewish Board of Deputies (Cape Council)
87 HATFIELD STREET CAPE TOWN 8001 P.O. BOX 4176 CAPE TOWN 8000 PHONE 021 464-6700 FAX 021 461-5804 e-mail: chron@ctjc.co.za EDITOR: TALI BARNETT
4
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
Opinion
9/11: A Jewish Retrospective
Ten years later, experts recount how 9/11 and its aftermath affected the Jewish
world and Israel.
JointMedia News Service
‘The crisis went to waste’
By Jonathan Sarna
“Never let a serious crisis go to
waste,” White House Chief of
Staff Rahm Emanuel famously
declared during the economic
crisis of 2008.
W
hat he did not say, but must
have known, is that seven
years earlier a serious crisis had
indeed been squandered. In
the wake of 9/11, the American
people were primed to fight The New York City skyline on 11 September 2001.
terrorism worldwide and to (Credit: EPA/Cesar De Luca.)
end America’s dependence on
campaigning for energy independence,
foreign oil. Rather than seizing
that moment, however, it went to waste. America became even more energy
My family and I were in Jerusalem dependent than before.
As a result, the Jewish world and
on 9/11. Watching the devastation
on television, reading the local press, the State of Israel, like the United
and speaking to Israeli friends, we States and the free world as a whole,
heard repeatedly that 9/11 would be are neither stronger nor safer today
a game-changer. America, Israelis told than before 9/11. The global terror
us, finally “got it.” They felt sure that network lives on, funded in no small
Washington would assume the lead in part by Middle East oil. The conclusion,
the global fight to end terror and would from the perspective of 2011, is as
work to dry up its oil-based funding. Key inescapable as it is tragic: the crisis
beneficiaries of 9/11, they whispered, went to waste.
Jonathan D. Sarna is the Joseph H. &
would be the Jewish people and the
Belle R. Braun Professor of American
State of Israel.
That didn’t happen. Instead of fighting Jewish History at Brandeis University
terror globally, America became mired and Chair of its Hornstein Jewish
in Afghanistan and Iraq. Instead of Professional Leadership Programme.
‘Terrorism as a global problem’
It would be fair to say that, until
September 11th, most Americans
had little understanding of terrorism,
or adequate appreciation for its
destabilising potential.
T
he attacks on New York and
the Pentagon changed all that,
transforming an abstract danger into
a tangible threat. In doing so, they
generated new attention to —and
sympathy with — Israel’s ongoing
struggle with the same phenomenon.
The U.S. response to 9/11, however,
has turned out to be only tangentially
beneficial to Israel. That is because,
over the past decade, American policy
has focused overwhelmingly on alQaeda, Afghanistan and Iraq, and not
the principal threats confronting the
Jewish state.
These include Hezbollah, the Iraniansponsored, Syrian-supported Lebanese
militia that former Deputy Secretary of
State Richard Armitage once called
the ‘A-Team’ of international terrorism.
Today, Hezbollah is stronger than ever,
having been rearmed by Iran since its
2006 war with Israel and now in virtual
control of the Lebanese cabinet.
Likewise, Hamas remains committed
to its goal of eradicating Israel and
creating a Palestine that stretches
‘from the Jordan River to the
Mediterranean Sea.’
Further afield, the gravest existential
threat to Israel’s existence — Iran —
continues to pursue a nuclear capability
and support regional instability, in
spite of Western sanctions. Moreover,
in recent months, the ‘Arab Spring’
has injected new dangers into Israel’s
security calculus, from the potential
demise of longstanding security
arrangements to the growing power of
unfriendly Islamist movements.
In a tangible sense, therefore, Israel
finds itself as insecure as it was on
10 September 2001. Over this past
decade, the world has come to view
terrorism as a global problem, rather
than simply an Israeli one.
Ilan Berman is Vice President of the
American Foreign Policy Council in
Washington, D.C.
‘Never let our guard down’
September 11, 2001 is a date never to
be forgotten. Above all, it is the nearly
3,000 victims, together with their
families, whom we remember.
B
ut then we also can’t forget that
there was an ideology — a radical
interpretation of Islam — fuelling the
attacks. There were those who exulted
as America was struck. The cheering
chorus could even be found among
pseudo-intellectual voices in Europe
and the United States, who claimed
that “America had it coming.”
By Ilan Berman
By David Harris
Lessons for Israel and the Jewish
people? Never let our guard down.Never
suffer from a failure of imagination.
Never go wobbly or show fear. Never
forget that the enemies of the U.S. and
Western values are the same enemies
of Israel and the Jewish people — and
vice versa. And never descend to the
level of our foes. We will confront and
defeat them, yes, but while steadfastly
defending what they abhor most about
us — our free and open societies.
Davis Harris is the executive director
of the American Jewish Committee.
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
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CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
Limmud SA Cape Town 2011: L’dor Vador
By Greg Flash
Our daughter Jesse is only eighteen
months old, but she has already
attended her third Limmud SA Cape
Town weekend.
A
t her first Limmud SA Cape Town in
2009, she went where her mother
Judy went, and although she could
not see the presentations with her
own eyes, I am sure she absorbed
much of the learning and ruach of the
weekend while curled up in the womb.
Just like classical music is said to be
soothing for mother and unborn child,
so Limmud SA is a wonderful way to
introduce children to the spirituality of
Jewish learning!
As in the previous four installments
of this highlight of Cape Town Jewish
community, Limmud SA 2011 offered
a dynamic and diverse array of Jewish
topics and presenters. In the space of
two and a half days, Judy and I learnt:
•How Limmud began 30 years ago in
England and that it has now spread to
more than 50 cities around the world;
•That King David is probably the most
complex character in the Bible;
•That modern medical research ethics
guidelines are as a direct result of
atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis;
•That Tel Aviv and Israel have a growing
illegal immigrant problem, with tens
of thousands of Africans and Asians
having arrived there to find a better
life for themselves and their families;
•That Jewish children need to learn
that they can’t always get their
way (according to a leading child
psychologist);
•That many Jews have been
Freemasons, although there are
elements of Freemasonry that could
be construed as being antisemetic;
•That there is a spiritual soul at the
heart of the technology that we use
every day;
•That Israel is not the new apartheid
state;
•That freedom of expression allows for
the president of South Africa to be
depicted with a showerhead on his
head;
•Who was the real villain in the Garden
of Eden;
•About the Matriarch Rivkah through
a beautiful original analysis of the
biblical text;
•How to make my own flash-mob
Youtube video; and
•How the Israeli press deals with the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
These are a small sample of the
sessions that I attended. With up
to eight different sessions running
concurrently, the biggest problem at
Limmud SA is deciding which to attend!
Aside from the learning sessions,
there is also the ‘keyering’ between
sessions over a meal or drink. This
is the time to catch up with friends
and family and to compare notes on
sessions attended. Then there is all
the food! All this learning makes one
hungry, but that is not possible at
Limmud, with the endless supply of
delicious food provided.
Limmud Cape Town 2011 lived up to
the high standard that has been set
in years past, and I believe it is the
best new initiative in the life of Jewish
Cape Town in decades. Limmud SA is
for anyone and everyone. It may be a
Shabbaton of learning, but it is not
only for those academically inclined —
I believe everyone will find topics and
presenters that would appeal to them.
Whether you are a toddler, teen, tween,
student, adult, parent or grandparent;
Limmud SA offers something for all
generations.
Wherever you are on the continuum of
Jewish community involvement — be it
totally unaffiliated, to having served the
community for decades — you will find
many topics to broaden your mind.
So if you missed out this year,
give Limmud SA a try next year and
experience the phenomenon.
FIRST MEETING FOR LIMMUD CAPE TOWN 2012!
Do you have a suggestion about how we can improve Limmud CT 2012?
Come have your say at our first volunteer meeting:
When: 27 November 2011
Where: 11 Herbert Road, Sea Point
Time: 5:30pm
For more information, contact Amanda:
amanda@limmud.org.za or 074 154 1149
We can’t wait to see you all there!
continued from page 1
Herzlia alumni Litvak trip
What was lost
Other
Holocaust
sites
visited
included
the
Rudnicki Forest, where
Jewish partisans fought
back; the Ninth Fort, and
the virtually ‘Judenrein’
town of Plunge. Visiting
the forests highlighted the
dichotomy of Lithuanian
Jewish history — that is, the
peaks attained by the Jews Jewish children on the first day of school at their Jewish
in the spiritual and modern Day School in Vilnius.
world, and the depths of
surviving Litvaks still share a heritage.”
the abyss into which they were thrown.
In the Choral Synagogue, the only
The Litvak Jewish communities remaining shul in Vilna, the group
created a society rich in Yeshiva was treated to a concert by Joseph
learning, music, theatre and science. Malovany, a world-famous Cantor,
As such, the tour also focused on who coincidentally had officiated Rica
some of the spiritual landmarks of pre- Berger’s wedding 24 years ago. He
Holocaust Litvak culture, such as the sang a chazonas that had not been
illustrious Slobodka Yeshiva in Kaunus sung there for at least 80 years.
— now a small wooden house; and the
Vilnius was once referred to as the
esteemed Ponovezh Yeshiva, now a ‘Jerusalem of Lithuania’ when it was
bakery. “When I heard about the Litvak the largest spiritual centre of the Jewish
emphasis on achievement, I got new world after Israel. Vestiges of this once
insight into the demands my own father dynamic Jewish life remain. In the
made on his children for excellence,” reconstructed Jewish Quarter, many
commented Michelle Cheslow.
homes still have mezuzah impressions
The group also visited some of the on their doorposts, and bronze plaques
current Jewish institutions that are commemorate
important
Jewish
active in Lithuania and Latvia today. personalities and events.
5,000 Jews now live in Lithuania and
Today, Vilnius appears under10,000 in Latvia, mostly in the capital populated and sedate. “The country
cities of Vilnius and Riga. Each city seems like a sad, blank place without
has at least one synagogue, a thriving the Jews who must’ve brought it such
Jewish community centre, a Jewish vibrancy,” observed Jeremy Resnick.
museum and a Jewish day school.
He said that he “didn’t feel a connection
A revived community
with the place,” but added that “it is a
The group arrived on opening day of must-see for all Herzlia alumni.”
the state-supported Jewish school in
Following the success of this trip,
Vilnius, which 286 Jewish students Affinity Excursions is now organising
attend. The walls were adorned with a second one, which should take
pictures of Israel. “It reminds me of place in September 2012. Contact
my days at Herzlia,” commented Barry Michelle Cheslow for more information:
Saven. “It shows that both we and the michelle@affinityexcursions.com.
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
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CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
Arts and culture ● Arts and culture ● Arts and culture ● Arts and culture
Cape Town Shpiel — Klezmer in Africa
It is remarkable that a band devoted
to Klezmer music should exist on
the southern-most tip of Africa. Even
more unusual is that it should still be
going ten years after it started. Now,
the Playing with Fire Klezmer Band is
finally cutting a CD of their music, to
bring the sound and spirit of Klezmer
into your heart and home.
“T
he Cape Town Jewish community
has, for the past decade, been
most fortunate to have had in its midst
the very gifted Klezmer musician,
Matthew Reid. Countless community
functions and simchot have been
immeasurably enhanced by his vibrant
and moving arrangements, rendered
superbly by him and his ensemble.
Indeed, it is difficult to imagine Cape
Town’s annual Yiddish Song Festival
without his magical renditions,” says
Myra Osrin, who has been the driving
force behind making a Playing with
Fire CD into a reality. “This project is
being made possible through generous
sponsorships, and proceeds of CD
sales will be shared with the Cape
Jewish Seniors Association.”
Indeed, the band’s name, Playing with
Fire, is both playful and provocative —
and indicates the infectious spirit of its
sound. Why did Matthew choose this
title for his ensemble? “Playing with
Fire is a brilliant ‘play on words’ and
captures exactly what we are about,
whatever music we play!” he says.
Matthew is particularly passionate
about Klezmer for these very reasons
— its ‘heat’, adaptability and power.
“It’s clarinet music! Something about
it being in a minor mode makes it
irrepressibly cheerful, yearning, crying
or tender.”
But while Klezmer is well-known,
many members of the community —
especially the younger generation
— have lost touch with this essential
aspect of our cultural heritage. Why
“Music captures an era
and part of the world from
where a people came and
expressed themselves. It’s
a cultural record.”
does Matthew feel it is important to
keep Klezmer music alive? “Music
is a bit like wine. If a skilled person
tastes it they can identify the vineyard
from which it comes. Music captures
an era and part of the world from
where a people came and expressed
themselves. It’s a cultural record.”
Soul music
Indeed, Klezmer has the scope and
range to appeal to all ages and tastes.
Playing with Fire has in fact participated
in many of the popular ‘Balkanology’
parties that are a hit with youth in
Cape Town, proving that the genre has
all the potential to expand across the
generations.
Meanwhile, Matthew is most wellknown for his participation in and
musical direction of the Yiddish Song
Festival in South Africa. Together with
Yiddish music exponent Fay Singer,
he has brought
the joy of Yiddish
and Klezmer to the
community.
Ten
successive
Yiddish
Song
Festivals,
the
brainchild of Philip
Todres, have been
made
possible
through Matthew’s
participation
and
input. “Having a
person of Matthew’s
k n o w l e d g e , Matthew Reid (third from right) with some members of the
dedication
and Playing with Fire Klezmer Band.
integrity has been a
key factor,” says Philip. “We are talking this musical form.” Matthew agrees that
‘soul music,’ and he has proven time now is the time to make a Playing with
and again that he has the neshoma to Fire CD of Klezmer music. “The timing
is right — it has taken ten years for the
work brilliantly in this genre.”
“Matthew’s contribution to the band to mature in its understanding
Jewish music scene in Cape Town is and interpretation of this unique style,
significant,” observes Fay Singer. “This and it will satisfy the repeated requests
CD is a fitting recognition of Matthew for a Klezmer CD by Playing with Fire.”
Reid and the Playing with Fire Klezmer
Band, and the fact that Cape Town is The Playing with Fire CD will be
witnessing a resurgence of interest in available for purchase in December.
A celebratory launch will be held on
Monday 12 December at the Centre for
the Book, Queen Victoria Street,
Cape Town at 8pm.
Enjoy a special price of signed CDs at the
launch! Tickets are R100 each and can be
purchased from the Cape Jewish Seniors.
Playing with Fire’s new CD.
021 434 9691 or email admin@cjsa.org.za,
or phone Myra at 083 4493974.
Defining Israeli music for world fans
The multi-ethnic troupe formed by
Idan Raichel is a ‘blend of all the
sounds that Israel has been absorbing
for the past 63 years.’
T
he long dreadlocks framing the
face of superstar Israeli musician
Idan Raichel are his signature to fans
across the world, second only to his
unique multi-ethnic ensemble that has
rebranded Israeli music for the 21st
century.
And yet, he reveals in an interview
with Israel21c, he’d shave his hair off
without hesitation — for the right price.
“I definitely want to cut it,” Raichel says,
“if someone will donate it to charity.”
Difficult as it is to imagine the musician
with a shaved pate, the notion of
buzzing his head for the greater good is
squarely in character. For example, he
has travelled to Rwanda and Ethiopia
as a ‘goodwill ambassador’ for the
Israeli charity Save a Child’s Heart.“The
organisation does great work, bringing
over 2,600 kids from 42 countries for
heart operations in Israel — Palestinian
kids, too. I wanted to help them get
more exposure,” he says.
From mom’s basement to triple
platinum
Growing up in suburban Kfar Saba,
Raichel started playing accordion at
age nine and moved on to keyboards
as a teenager. His tastes ran to the
exotic — gypsy music and tangos — and
he studied jazz in high school before
winning a coveted spot in the Israel
Defence Forces band.
After the army he worked as a session
musician and counsellor in a centre
for immigrants, many of whom were
Ethiopians — and who introduced him
to their musical traditions. Setting
up a studio in his parents’ basement,
Raichel invited 70 friends to join him
in producing a demo disc, which was
snapped up by Helicon Records.
That 2002 album, featuring the hit
single Bo’ee (‘Come with Me’) prefaced
by Amharic lyrics voiced by Cabra
Cassai, was released worldwide in
2006 and went triple platinum.
When concert requests started rolling
in, Raichel chose seven of his original
collaborators to comprise the Idan
Raichel Project, playing what’s often
referred to as Israeli-Ethiopian fusion
that has since branched out. The
group’s 2009 album, ‘Within My Walls,’
includes numbers sung in Hebrew,
Spanish, Creole, Swahili and Moroccan
Arabic, backed by a 24-piece orchestra.
The ensemble has a steady core of
vocal and instrumental talent. Its most
noted singers are Cassai and fellow
Ethiopian Avi Wassa, well-known for
his Amharic opening to Raichel’s wildly
popular Mi’Ma’amakim (‘From the
Depths’), in addition to Maya Avraham,
the sultry voice behind the ballad If You
Go. But it’s a strictly fluid group.
“Musicians always write to us, and
sometimes we contact those we
want to join us,” says Raichel. “We’ve
performed with about 90 musicians,
some of them for just a one-time
By Abigail Klein Leichman
concert. Lately we had the
says Raichel, who has
great honour to record with
performed in Thailand, Hong
India Arie. And I’ve started
Kong and Singapore. Raichel
working with a Somalian
always positions himself at
guitar player.”
his keyboard at stage left,
Raichel waves off the
allowing each member of the
risks inherent in sharing the
ensemble to shine individually
stage with a changing cast
while performing the songs he
of characters representing
writes, arranges and produces.
a wide range of musical
He says his inspirations come
styles and traditions.
from a variety of places — the
“You never know if there
Bible, nature, letters from fans.
Idan Raichel
will be chemistry until you
Despite
the
group’s
try,” he says. “One day
multiethnic makeup, says
you’re recording with super-talented Raichel, “We are very proud Israelis.
and professional singers and the next Wherever we go, people see our music
day you’re recording with someone as world music — but for us it’s Israeli
holding a mike for the first time, but he music. And in every interview, whether
has a deep truth in his voice and you it’s for the New York Times or Al
think, ‘He can make it.’”
Jazeera, we identify ourselves as Israeli
musicians. We became, without even
Cultural ambassadors for Israel
In 2006, the Idan Raichel Project wanting to be, cultural ambassadors.”
Indeed, Raichel has no intention of
opened the fifth annual Ethiopian
ever
leaving Israel permanently. “It’s a
Music Festival in Addis Ababa, the first
time Israeli artists had ever performed very Israeli thing to always come back
there. The group has since performed home,” he says. “I love to play outside
to sold-out crowds from New York’s of Israel, but you should always know
Central Park to Australia’s Sydney where you came from and where you’re
headed to and to whom you will give
Opera House.
Later this year, Raichel and his your final report when your day will
troupe will play in Madrid, Milan, come. Sometimes I ask singers, ‘When
Budapest, Berlin, Timisoara (Romania) your day comes to pass away, where do
and Warsaw, in addition to several you want to be buried?’ Israeli artists
Californian cities. Raichel frequently always say, ‘I want to go back to the
stages concerts in Israel; in June, he homeland.’ Well, I’m not waiting till
then; I want to be here now.”
appeared with India Arie in Tel Aviv.
This article is published courtesy of
“I hope that in 2012 or 2013 we
Israel21c.
Visit www.israel21c.org
will perform in Japan and China,”
This page is kindly sponsored by the Harold & Beatrice Kramer Foundation and an anonymous donor
9
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
Pine Street Shul celebrates anniversary
with exclusive Mezuzah Project
Pine Street Shul in Norwood,
Johannesburg is celebrating its
Diamond Anniversary this year, with
50 years in its current building and 75
years of serving the community.
S
ays shul chairman Ilan Mosselson,
“One of the ways this milestone is
being marked is through The Mezuzah
Project. This is a collaboration between
the late Edoardo Villa, Carrol Boyes
and Pine Street Shul. We believe that
despite the obvious use, which is to
affix them to doorposts, they are sure
to become rare Judaica art pieces that
will appreciate in value.”
Before Villa passed away on 1 May
2011 at the age of 95, he endorsed
something that he had never agreed to
previously — to have his Pine Street Shul
murals reproduced for mezuzot. Never
before had anyone or any organisation
been granted permission to replicate
Villa’s work in any way.
Six of these panels have been
recreated in a limited edition mezuzah
series, designed by the well-known
artist Carrol Boyes, one of the most
highly respected artists in her genre.
Only five hundred of each design of
these mezuzahs has been produced,
and the moulds have been destroyed.
Each mezuzah is etched with Villa’s
signature, has a unique series number
engraved on it and has a signed
certificate of authenticity.
In his lifetime, Villa became a world
recognised sculptor. His work has been
shown in more than 100 one-man and
group shows in Italy, Europe, England,
Israel, South America, Africa and the
United States. In 1995, to celebrate
his 80th birthday, the Edoardo Villa
Museum was opened at the University
of Pretoria.
But how did Villa, who wasn’t Jewish,
become associated with the Pine Street
Shul? At the time that the shul was
being completed, a wealthy benefactor
requested that the architects of the
building include some decorative
design to give it more prominence.
They had heard about a sculptor,
Edoardo Villa, working from the Lupini
Terrazzo factory, who was experimenting
with a new architectural design of fixing
moulded Terrazzo concrete panels to
external wall surfaces. This new trend
incorporated Villa’s work onto many
prominent buildings, which can still be
seen in Johannesburg today.
Realising the potential of his work,
the architects at the Pine Street Shul
commissioned Villa to create a series
of panels depicting the twelve tribes
of Israel using the Terrazzo technique.
These panels are still visible today and
have served as the inspiration for the
Mezuzah Project.
The mezuzahs are now available for
purchase from selected Carrol Boyes
outlets in South Africa and by special
request internationally, or at www.
carrolboyes.com as well as from the
shul on + 27 11 640 3101 or at www.
pineshulmezuzah.co.za.
For further information please contact
Ilan Mosselson at + 27 11 023 5609 or
ilan.mosselson@gmail.com
The Mezuzah Project
A Collaborative Work by Edoardo Villa, Carrol Boyes & Pine Street Synagogue.
Launching 26 October 2011, each beautifully designed Mezuzah cover in this
series is a signed and limited edition work of art by world acclaimed artists.
With only 500 of each design being cast, they are sure to become a rare and
much sought after piece of Judaica.
Order yours now at the following Carrol Boyes stores - V & A Waterfront,
Sandton, Eastgate or Killarney or directly from the Pine Street Shul at
+27 11 640 3101. Alternatively visit www.carrolboyes.com or
www.pineshulmezuzah.co.za
Mezuzah Scroll not included
mezzuzahlayout 2.indd 1
2011/09/20 5:40 PM
10
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
Integrity • diversity • community
Talking Tachlis
BOD creates unique
advocacy training seminar
SAJBD (Cape Council) Executive Director David Jacobson
Do we opt for principles or politics?
for the greater good.
Integrity, it is said, can only get you
so far. Compromise and political
power takes you the whole way. In
addition, we also need to be suitably
very time I start my work day, sensitive of our responsibility to our
I remind myself that I have a community, and not to do damage
responsibility not only to do what is to our often precarious position as a
right, but also to speak out against minority in South Africa. These are real
considerations.
what is wrong. Even
However, I have
if raising our voices
to admit that
against unethical,
“I have a responsibility
this
approach
unjust and immoral
not only to do what is
makes me a little
behaviour
will
right, but also to speak out uncomfor table.
not result in any
against what is wrong.”
Even if leaders
tangible
change,
of the Jewish
do we not still have
community are
the obligation to at
least add our impassioned voices as not necessarily observant Jews, I still
feel that we have to practice principled
protest?
I have always thought this a very leadership — that within our actions
Jewish way of thinking and have should be the values of ethical Judaism
generally followed this dictum my whole and the example of Moshe Rabeinu.
life. But what if the unjust behaviour Perhaps I am still a naïve idealist — I
we witness comes from friends and have been accused of that many times
relatives or even from other Jews in our and have often paid the price for
community? What then? Do we then holding jealously and zealously onto
have a duty of ‘familial silence’ out of this doe-eyed idealism.
But then I do believe that from the
loyalty to our fellow Jews, or do we still
ideal is borne the real, and if we give
have an obligation to speak out?
Politics or principles? I battle with up on our idealism, all that is left is a
this. Being political means that you dim, grey and uninspiring ‘reality’. As
have to have your eye very clearly on Jewish leaders, perhaps we should try
your goal, and sometimes that does to reflect the light of idealism, and not
mean compromising on the principle just the grim political expediency.
I have a sign on my office door with
a Talmudic quote: “One who can
protest an injustice but does not, is an
accomplice to the act.”
E
‘Are You Connected?’
Social Media Workshop
It is no secret
that our Jewish
c o m m u n a l
organisations are
lagging behind in
social media and
internet literacy!
T
hus,
the
SAJBD
(Cape
Council) partnered
with
Hippo
C ommunic ations
to offer a workshop
on social media
to representatives
of all local Jewish ‘From generation to generation’ — Jonathan Sapeika from the
o r g a n i s a t i o n s . SAZF (Cape Council) explains some of the social media skills
SAJBD
National he learned to his colleague Leah Mann.
Chair Mary Kluk
from Durban and SAJBD National media sites without them being
Diplomatic Liaison Steven Gruzd from abused.
The group also looked at the potential
Johannesburg also joined the group.
opportunities
of social media, such
The workshop focused on existing
social media platforms, such as as serving as an effective and
Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and safe platform for inter-communal
Google+. Not only did communal conversations. This is only the
professionals learn how to use these beginning of a longer discussion that
tools, but they also discussed the our Jewish organisations must have,
various challenges and opportunities and the SAJBD (Cape Council) looks
that result from the ‘democratisation’ forward to continuing to facilitate
of information. The biggest challenge such conversations and professional
discussed was how to operate social workshops in the near future.
In the face of the increasing
global
campaign
to
delegitimise Israel, the Board
of Deputies (Cape Council),
launched a series of seminars
to develop the advocacy skills
of Jewish community leaders.
T
he course was made
possible by the support and
generous funding of the CK
Harris Memorial Foundation.
The aim of the seminar was to
increase the knowledge and International legal expert Anton Katz
expertise of the community’s explains issues pertaining to the Rome
professional and lay leadership, Statute.
so that they are better equipped
to promote the best interests of
the community and to combat
the deligitimisation and BDS
campaign.
Each session focused on
practical skills, with the
group meeting twice a month
over a three-month period.
Participants
comprised
of
a select group of Jewish
communal
professionals,
lay leaders and interns with Youth Council chairman and Netzer
leadership aspirations.
representative
Lauren
Kessler
in
The take-home value of the discussion with Anton Katz.
seminar was to provide an
‘activism tool kit’ to empower the represented a variety of organisations,
participants with the necessary skills such as the Board of Deputies, the
and expertise to promote Israel or their Zionist Federation, Herzlia Schools, the
specific organisation’s aims and goals. SA Union of Jewish Students, the youth
This core group will become ‘advocacy movements, Group 18, the United
ambassadors’ and impart their skills Jewish Campaign, CSO and Bridges for
back into their respective organisations, Peace.
As the Russell Tribunal on Palestine
which will result in continuous learning
approaches, it is vital that our
and skills development.
The workshops were facilitated by communal leaders brush up on their
experts in a variety of areas. Some of advocacy skills and that members of
the presenters were seasoned Israel the Jewish and pro-Israel communities
advocates while others were lobbyists actively and effectively lobby for the
in
different
fields.
Participants State of Israel.
The Advocacy Training Seminar Programme
Topic
Presenters
Media
Benjamin Pogrund — Former Deputy
Editor of the Rand Daily Rand; Founder
of Yakar's Centre for Social Concern in
Jerusalem
Charisse
Zeifert
—
Head
of
Communications - SAJBD in JHB
Israel as a laboratory
Haim Aronowitz — Director of Israel
Seminars of the Florence Melton Adult
Mini-School Institute in Jerusalem
Advocacy
David Olesker — Director of the
Jerusalem Centre for Communication
and Advocacy Training
Lobbying workshop
Karen Kallman — Former lobbyist for
Black Sash
Judith Cohen — Head of Parliamentary
and International Affairs Programme at
the SA Human Right Commission
Structures and strategies, including Howard Sackstein — Independent
social media
activist
International and South African law
Legal activism
Advocate Anton Katz — specialist in
international law
Brenda Stern — Legal activist
Changing
perceptions
through Wayne Sussman — South Africa —
coalitions and targeting sectors
Israel Forum
Debating and media
Judge Dennis Davis — High Court Judge
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
BOD goes ‘One to One’
once again
By Li Boiskin
Every August, the Board of Deputies
(Cape Council) has the unique privilege of
participating in the annual ‘One to One’ event
held at the Good Hope Centre.
O
ne to One is an extraordinary event
organised by B’nai Brith Cape Town under
the energetic guidance of Albert Glass. For
the past 29 years, Albert has organised a day
of activities, laughter, music and gift-giving for
some 3500 mentally and physically challenged
young people from all over Cape Town.
For the sixth year running, the Board of
Deputies (Cape Council) has paid for and
operated a beautifully decorated jumping
castle and tables laden with gifts.
It was both humbling and uplifting to hear
the shrieks of laughter and excitement at
the jumping castle, as well as the children’s
expressions of joy upon receiving their gifts.
The Board of Deputies (Cape Council) is most
grateful for the generosity of spirit and giving
of our community in their response to our call
for volunteers. We are also appreciative of the
community’s donations, which enable us to
purchase thousands of toys and gifts, of which
it is our pleasure to distribute. It is indeed a
privilege to participate in the ‘One to One’ event!
11
Meeting with German Consulate
The
Board
of
Deputies
(Cape
Council)
recently
hosted
German
Consul-General
Hans-Werner
Bussmann
and
Parliamentary and
Press Liaison Marco
Schmitt.
B
Liat Latinsky with a toddler after
her jump.
A Bnei Akiva chaver joins in the
fun!
u s s m a n n
commenced
his post as ConsulGeneral in 2009, and Board member Anna Berkowitz, Vice-Chair Lawrence Miller,
is responsible for the Chairman Li Boiskin, German Consul-General Hans-Werner
Bussmann, German Consulate Parliamentary and Press Liaison
Western,
Eastern Marco Schmitt, and BOD Diplomatic Liaison Dan Brotman.
and Northern Cape.
He estimates that
face racial polarisation, and launched a
there are at least 25 000 Germans tolerance programme, later replicated
living in the Western Cape.
at other companies.
This was Bussman’s second visit to
Bussmann believes that Israel’s
the Cape Board, as he always makes current policies are eroding the
a point of visiting the local Jewish German people’s support of Israel.
community wherever he serves. Over This contrasts with Germany’s official
lunch, he recounted his previous foreign policy towards Israel, as it was
meetings with the Jewish community one of the first countries to boycott
at his postings in Belgrade, Harare, the Durban 3 Conference and voted
The Hague, Athens, Pretoria, and Cairo. against Palestinian UDI at the UN
Many Jews around the world have Security Council. Bussmann believes
acquired German citizenship through that the Israelis and Palestinians must
parents and grandparents forced negotiate, “or else Jews will become a
to flee Germany, and the German minority in their own country.” He said
Consulate in Cape Town assists with that Israel must commit to the peace
this bureaucratic process.
process before demographics alter
Germany has a long history of nation- the region and a two-state solution
building during difficult times, and becomes impossible.
has made a commitment to assisting
The Cape Board looks forward to
South Africa navigate through its own strengthening relations with the
transition. It has invested €15 million in German Consulate in Cape Town,
a community upliftment programme in as well as with the other diplomatic
Khayelitsha, assisted companies that missions serving the Western Cape.
Board takes account
The gift of giving: handing out gifts to
participants.
The jumping castle was a big success!
Joel Berkowitz and David King recently
attended a function hosted by the SA
Institute of Chartered Accountants.
T
hey represented the SA Jewish Board of
Deputies (Cape Council) at the celebration,
which was held for previously disadvantaged
students who had successfully passed their
1st Qualifying Exams. Discussions with SAICA representatives
and UCT Department of Accounting staff
were also held, which looked at possible
assistance that the Jewish community can
offer in mentoring such candidates in the
future.
Joel Berkowitz and David King at
SAICA event.
What’s Not To
Fun, festivities and friends at the Board of Deputies stall.
The Cape
Board of
Deputies is
now on
Facebook!
Kazak staff and youth volunteers.
Search “Cape Jewish Board of
Deputies” and ‘Like’ Us!
?
12
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
SOUTH AFRICAN ZIONIST FEDERATION (Cape Council)
Taking a stand for Israel
The International Christian Embassy of
Jerusalem (ICEJ), Bridges for Peace and
the South African Zionist Federation
(Cape Council) recently joined forces
to rally outside parliament in protest
of the Durban 3 Conference and the
Palestinian Unilateral Declaration of
Independence.
T
he common thread linking these two
events has been the cause for much
contention. Both condemn Israel for
its treatment of the Palestinians and
pressure her to make concessions via
international support.
Initially born out of the World
Conference against Racism, Racial
Discrimination,
Xenophobia
and
Related Intolerance that took place
in Durban in 2001, the Durban
Conference served as the ideal setting
to exclusively ‘bash’ the State of Israel.
It is also where the Israel-apartheid
analogy was first proposed.
Both the UDI and Durban 3 served as
a regurgitation of baseless accusations
infused with anti-Israel rhetoric,
including the Israel-apartheid analogy,
Israel’s ‘diabolical’ partnership with
the United States and the claim
by Palestinian Authority President
Mahmoud Abbas that the Palestinian
people have been under brutal Israeli
occupation for 63 years.
An empowering experience
The overriding objective of the rally,
however optimistic, was to sway the
South African government’s decision
to abstain from voting in favour for
Palestinian UDI and to withdraw any
support for the Durban 3 Conference.
The South African Jewish Board of
Deputies and South African Zionist
Federation have expressed their
disappointment at the South African
government’s stance on these
issues. At the rally, parliamentarians
representing the ANC and ACDP
received a joint memorandum from the
participating organisations, presented
by ICEJ SA Chairman David Wilkin.
While the day was successful in
driving the intended message and
generating
much-needed
public
awareness (with members of the media
covering the story), the rally fell short
in numbers — particularly with the lack
of youth in attendance. This was an
opportune time to heed the call and
to take a stand, and those who did
participate undoubtedly felt a sense of
empowerment by the experience.
Collectively, the strategic media
weapons employed by the Palestinian
propaganda machine have amounted to
nothing other than the delegitimisation
of the state of Israel that only hinder
the peace process. The aspirations
of ordinary Palestinians to secure
a state of their own has again been
jeopardised by their own leadership.
Pragmatic leadership on both sides of
the negotiation table is of paramount
importance if peace is to be achieved.
In the interim, we in the Diaspora
should take note that we can play a
central role in encouraging dialogue
between
different
faiths
and
compelling the powers that be to act
through effective initiatives.
Yaniv Nachmias (community and Habonim Shaliach) and Jonathan Sapeika (Media &
Diplomatic Liaison, SAZF Cape Council).
ICEJ SA Chairman David Wilkin, SAZF Honorary Life President Adv. Jonathan Silke and
Ken Meshoe of the ACDP.
A view from the Chair
Ben Levitas, Chairman SAZF (Cape Council)
‘Lawfare’ is an arena in which the
enemies of Israel use the laws of
various countries to delegitimise the
Jewish State.
Members of the Christian and Jewish communities rally outside parliament.
L
awfare hinders Israeli leaders from
travelling freely for fear of being
arrested.
These off-the-battlefield
wars, are however no less ferocious,
and have the same goals — the
elimination of Israel.
On 6 November, Cape Town will
be the setting for the third Russell
Tribunal on Palestine. This tribunal will
be co-hosted by Cosatu and opened
by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The
Muslim Judicial Council and Al Quds
Foundation have helped to fund the
event. Although the tribunal has no
legal standing and is only a political
‘roadshow’ to grandstand its agenda of
demonising Israel, it nevertheless goes
to great lengths to create the illusion of
legitimacy.
Moral authority is gained, firstly, by
convening the tribunal in District Six,
to draw an analogy between the people
displaced from there by apartheid
laws and the displaced Palestinians.
Secondly, legal experts like John
Dugard and Max du Plessis have
been carefully selected, both for their
prestige as jurists
and their partisan
views against Israel.
Thirdly,
witnesses
will not be subject to
hostile cross-questioning. Lastly, the
likes of Ronnie Kasrils, Zackie Achmat
and Winnie Mandela will provide the
desired evidence.
Everything about this tribunal is
hypocritical: the judges, witnesses and
presenters are self-selected; the moral
viewpoints are selective and no dueprocess is followed. In addition, the
outcome is pre-determined and serves
only as propaganda to draw parallels
between Israeli policies and apartheid,
and so to portray Israeli policies as
‘criminal’ and therefore worthy of
destruction.
All civil society movements and antiapartheid activists are doing their
causes a disservice by associating
with ‘kangaroo courts’ such as this
tribunal. The only way to move forward
towards a peaceful resolution of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict is for the
two sides to earnestly want peace, to
mutually recognise each other, and
then to engage in direct negotiations
and to make the required compromises
to achieve a lasting peace.
13
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
COMMUNITY IN ACTION
5
ATTRACTIONS
MANDELA BOOK LAUNCH
.1 OCTOBER -
...PM for
PM - SA JEWISH MUSEUM - SPEAKER DAVID SAKS
RUSSELL TRIBUNAL ON TRIAL
Join us at St.
George’s Cathedral
labyrinth at 09h00.
We’ll walk thoughtfully to The Gardens
Shul & The Palm
Tree Mosque, with
addresses at each
venue
14
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
SOUTH AFRICAN ZIONIST FEDERATION (Cape Council)
15
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
Art competition combines
compassion and creativity
An evening of recognition of the
learners who entered the Cape
Town Holocaust Centre’s annual
Holocaust and Human Rights Writing
and Art Competition was held on 11
September.
T
he aim of the competition was to
build a deeper understanding of
the Holocaust and a meaningful bridge
between the past and the issues of
today.
Ryan Jones and Savannah Prenzler,
both grade 10 Herzlia learners, were
the joint winners of the Junior Art
category. Catherine Paterson from
Rustenburg School won the Senior Art
category for her stop-motion film My
Suitcase. The entries for the writing
category were equally impressive, with
first prize being awarded to Chelsea
Kelly, also from Rustenburg.
The work displayed was a powerful
reminder not only of the past but also
of what we have now: talented young
people, supported by passionate
educators, who encourage their
learners not to avert their eyes from
RX for CPT CITY HR.pdf
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2011/03/09
1:04 AM
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Junior Art joint-winner Ryan Jones with his
artworks.
injustice but to look deeper and
gaze with compassion at those most
vulnerable.
16
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
Cape Town Progressive Jewish Congregation
Tashlich service at the sea —
Consider This
a splashing success
All my bones shall say,
“Eternal, who is like You?”
By Rabbi Malcolm Matitiani
Every culture and religion has its own
posture and gestures for prayer.
C
hristians kneel with their hands
pressed together, Muslims lie
prostrate and Buddhists sit crosslegged with their hands pressed
together. The habit of swaying
rhythmically to and fro or side to side
is the Jewish expression of prayer.
Whether sitting or standing, the
Jewish worshipper accompanies his
or her prayers with the physical act of
shokeling, a movement that seems to
come naturally.
The twelfth century poet and
philosopher, Yehudah Ha-Levi, provided
a practical explanation for the practice
of shokeling in his famous work The
Kuzari. Before the invention of the
printing press in 1440, scholars relied
on hand-written manuscripts to study
Torah. Siddurim were also produced
in this labour-intensive manner. The
expense of these texts resulted in
one book being shared by ten or more
students or worshippers. Some leaned
forward to get a glimpse of the text
while others leaned back, resulting
in the eventual development of the
rhythmic movement associated with
Jews at prayer.
According to the Talmud (Berachot
31a), when Rabbi Akiva recited the
Tefillah on his own, he would prostrate
and genuflect so much that he would
start praying in one corner of the room
and finish in another. His shokeling
was so intense that it would lengthen
his praying time so much so that out
of deference to the congregation
he refrained from this activity when
praying with the congregation.
The 14th century Spanish rabbi,
David ben Josef ben David Abudraham,
explains the origin of shokeling as
the literal fulfilment of Psalm 35:10:
“Kol atzmotai tomarna Adonai mi
chamocha?” (“All my bones shall say,
‘Eternal, who is like You?’). Like the
Psalmist, the pious Jew prays with his
/ her entire being, both physically and
spiritually. Following the example of
Rabbi Akiva, Hasidim utilise dance as
a means of worshipping the Creator,
a practice which was mandated by
Yehudah heHasid in his ethical work
Sefer Hasidim.
A flickering flame
The Zohar (Soncino Zohar, Bemidbar,
Section 3, Page 219a) compares the
Jewish soul to a lamp that is kindled by
words of Torah so that its flame burns
continuously. The perpetual motion
of this flickering flame is physically
manifest in the continuous swaying
during the recitation of prayers and the
study of Torah.
The kabbalistic metaphor likening
the Jewish soul steeped in Torah to
a kindled lamp is based on Proverbs
20:27: “The life breath of humankind is
the lamp of the Eternal” and expresses
the idea of true worship. While I am not
suggesting that everyone must shokel
when praying, the act of worshipping
God with one’s entire being — whether
by literally swaying to an internal
rhythm or on a purely intellectual
level — is admirable. Such uninhibited
immersion allows the worshipper to rise
beyond the mundane world to a plane
of holiness and wholeness, leaving
him or her with a sense of deveikut,
(closeness) to God. This state of being
is more conducive to the sacred task
of tikkun olam — repairing the world
through our actions and our words.
The second verse of the Shema could
be understood as an injunction to
worship God with all one’s being: Veahavta et Adonai be-khol levavecha
u-ve-khol naf-shecha u-ve-khol meodecha: “You shall love the Eternal
your God with all your heart and with
all your soul and with all your might.”
By expanding his or her intellectual
and spiritual reverence for God into
the physical world, the observant
Jew worships God through physical
acts of Zedaka for the betterment of
humanity and earth. The warmth of
the metaphorical flame symbolised
by bodies swaying to and fro during
prayer is thus actualised in the concrete
world.
As we enter the New Year may we
too extend our inner worship of the
Almighty into the outer physical world
of our daily life by opening our hearts
and extending our hands to those in
need.
Our Tashlich service, held on Rosh Hashanah
afternoon, was an awe-inspiring event.
A
large crowd gathered at the ocean front near
the Mouille Point lighthouse to cast their
crumbs and sins into the sea.
A stormy ocean raging below added a wonderful
backdrop to the service led by our rabbis.
We then took a short walk to Green Point Park for
a late afternoon picnic, frisbee games and soccer.
On right: Peter Mayson blowing the Shofar at the
service.
A section of the congregation with the Atlantic Ocean in the background.
T
Temple Israel West Coast
he shul in the West
Coast has continued to
attract record crowds to
its beautiful new venue.
Thanks to the wonderful
contribution from many of its
members, the congregation
can at last operate as a full
service venue and where all
life cycle events can take
place.
Temple Israel extends
a hearty mazel tov and
bhatzlacha for a new period
of growth for the West Coast
congregation!
On right: The entrance to our
new shul.
PRINTING & PACKAGING
SPECIALISTS
PRINT CENTRE
WESLEY STREET
CAPE TOWN
TEL: 021 461-7030
Temple Israel would like to wish
all of our learners and students
b’hatzlacha for their upcoming
exams.
The Aron Kodesh.
THIS PAGE IS CO-SPONSORED BY THE DAVID AND BERTHA SHERMAN FOUNDATION
17
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
Jewish Care Cape award winners
A
highlight of the Jewish Care Cape
joint AGM is the presentation of
awards in the fields of Community
Leadership,
Community
Service,
Professional Leadership as well as a
Chairman’s Choice.
After an inspiring address, entitled
‘Stories of Hope and Transformation’,
guest speaker Suzanne Ackerman
Berman assisted in handing out the
JCC Awards at the AGM.
Michael Bagraim
received the
Community
Leadership Award.
Michael has been an
indispensible voice
of legal authority,
wisdom and
leadership within the
Jewish community
for more than two
decades.
The Chairman’s Award went to Ebrahim Salie and Malcolm Stuppel, seen here with Philip
Todres and Suzanne Ackerman Berman. Ebrahim has been Glendale’s beloved driver since
August 1983, with 28 years of loyal service. Each one of Malcolm’s passengers are treated
like they are his own family, and he goes well beyond the call of duty, often taking the members
on special outings over weekends and public holidays.
Hajiera Safiedien-Maloon with her
Lilly Cammerman was overwhelmed to receive
Professional
Leadership
Award. her Community Service Award. From the
Hajiera’s interest in so many people,
early 1970s, Lilly has been a stalwart on the
her willingness to learn and her
Glendale committees and has been involved in
open approach to all has earned her
so many initiatives, major fundraising
the lasting admiration of the CJSA
activities and functions through the
committee and all her colleagues.
years.
Merle Rubin shows her
surprise when it was
announced that she had
won a Community Service
Award. Award winners
are not notified ahead
of the AGM. For so many
years, Merle’s effect on
countless people in the
Jewish community has
been nothing short of
profound.
Marcia Orlin received a Community Service Award. From the early
beginnings of baking to the establishment of Coffee Time, Marcia has
played a dedicated and committed role in the community.
HEBREW
 MONUMENTS
HM
Tombstones
Proprietors : Cantor Ian & Helene Camissar
Telephone : 021 434-5664
Mobiles : 072 6795533 or 082 5513344
Fax: 021 434-7888
Email : camissar@mweb.co.za
ADVERT2.pdf
3:48:41
Zmira Cohen
received10/5/11
her award
for PM
Professional Leadership from JCC Vice
Chairman Motti Lewis and Suzanne Ackerman Berman. Zmira’s adaptability and
enthusiasm has always been combined with innovation and creativity.
C
M
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18
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
CJSA Art and Craft Fair
Astra: an inspiration!
Internationally acclaimed
singer Yaakov Shwekey was
recently in South Africa,
where he performed two
sell-out concerts at Monte
Casino in Johannesburg.
A
fter having lunch at
Coffee Time, he and his
wife, Jenine, were given a
tour of Astra Centre.
They said it was “the
highlight of their trip to
Cape Town”, and “was
more inspirational than
Table Mountain and the
penguins!”
Yaakov and Jenine Shwekey with some of Astra’s
patchwork dolls.
Internationally, October is the month
to honour seniors, and the Cape Jewish
Seniors Association did just this by
displaying artworks at our Senior Art
and Craft Fair.
C
JSA members worked tirelessly
so that they could display their
goods, and they certainly enjoyed
their first show. Over fifty artists and
crafters displayed various items, such
as jewellery, knitwear and specially
designed items, which were all viewed
by the public and sold during the day.
As a community project, we were proud
that Astra, Glendale and Highlands
House also had artworks on display.
Ceramicist Lisa Firer opened the
exhibition and commented how
important it is for seniors to use their
talents, even if they have to channel
them in new ways.
Visitors to the exhibition enjoyed the
warm atmosphere, and shared tea and
homemade biscuits while chatting with
friends. The day was successful and
certainly will be an initiative that will be
repeated.
Community Security Organisation
The ideal applicant should have:
• Practical security knowledge as well as proficiency in relevant physical disciplines.
• A knowledge of Judaism and the community.
• The ability to operate efficiently under pressure, multi-task and be able to delegate.
• The ability to work with committees.
• A professional, pro-active and dedicated approach.
Key areas of skill should include:
• Having the ability to plan, lead and organise.
• Strong analytical ability.
• Being able to liaise with the community on all levels.
• Confidence and capability to speak publically.
• Proven experience on a management level, including supervision of staff and/ or departments.
• Understanding, preparation and control of budgets.
• General administrative, computer and negotiation skills.
We offer:
• Salary commensurate with qualification and experience.
• Generous employee benefits.
• Exciting networking opportunities.
All donations to Glendale are now tax
deductible
Thank you most sincerely for your continued support.
Our residents are most grateful
Our well known shabbat, miniature shabbat, yartzeit candles and
shabbat glass candle holders are now available from all supermarkets
and at our office. Bridge cloths available at R120.
Getting married overseas? Ask your guests to donate to Glendale
Home in lieu of wedding gifts. An appropriate letter will be sent to the
bride and groom advising them of your donation. No amount will be
disclosed for further details contact the office.
NEW!! A yahrzeit light for life, beautifully designed, uses very little
electricity. R180 Available from Glendale office.
Glendale Greeting Service
Letters can be sent to your loved ones and friends for birthdays, wedding
anniversaries and chaggim or any special occasion. Make use of this
service which is available world wide.
Tins: If your tin needs collecting please phone the office
Please send a cover letter addressed to the Chairman, CSO and resumé/CV
to staff@ctjc.co.za.
All applications will be treated confidentially.
Rubi and Anne
Chaitman
Foundation
Pearl and Lisa Firer at the opening of the
craft exhibition.
Important information:
SENIOR MANAGEMENT ROLE
A challenging opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and motivated
individual to help lead this vibrant organisation.
Claire Ross displaying her beautiful stone
craft work.
10 Galway Road Heathfield PO Box 40 Bergvliet 7864
www.glendalehome.co.za
email: hazel@glendalehome.co.za
tel: (021) 712-0270 fax: (021) 712-0873
Glendale activities now on you-tube: www.youtube.com search
Glendale Cape Town.
With Compliments
FREDDY AND
AGGIE HIRSCH
THE CAPE JEWISH COMMUNITY RECORDS ITS GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION TO OU
Meyer Hirsch
Goldschmidt
Foundation
THE HAROLD AND
BEATRICE KRAMER
FOUNDATION
Paul Arieli
of the Goldschmidt
Family Trust
19
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
Celebrating 170 years!
Family Announcements
YOM TOV GREETINGS
CONDOLENCE — THANK YOU
FRIEDLANDER
ADA DICK
Phyllis Friedlander and Serena
and Nachum Arnoni send warmest
wishes to family and friends for
a healthy, happy and sweet New
Year.
The Chronicle apologises for
omitting to publish this greeting in
the Rosh Hashanah issue.
The Cape Town Jewish community
recently celebrated the 170th
anniversary of the founding of the
first congregation in Africa south of
the Sahara.
Our sincere thanks to Rabbi
Wineberg, family and friends for
their sympathy and kindness shown
on the passing of our beloved
sister.
Your love and support has been a
great source of comfort to us.
Cecilia, Miriam and Fay.
JULIE DONEN
90TH BIRTHDAY — THANK YOU
NORMIE ISAACSON
A big thank you to the Green and
Sea Point Hebrew Congregation,
the community and communal
organisations for the good wishes
on the occasion of my
90th birthday.
We would like to extend our
deepest appreciation to all our
family and friends for their love,
kindness, sympathy and support
shown on the passing of Julie, our
beloved mother and grandmother.
Her memory will be cherished
by all who knew her.
RECUPERATION — THANK YOU
Michael, Barbara, Adam and
Matthew Donen, Ava-Gail and
Gerald Abelsohn, Lara, Neal and
Lindy.
HENNY BERNSTEIN
JULIUS KANTOR
To all my dear family and friends ,
many thanks for your visits, phone
calls and good wishes after my
recent surgery.
Wishing you a healthy and happy
New Year.
Lots of love, Henny.
ANITA SHENKER
DEATH NOTICE
MIRIAM LEVIN
The Eskapa, Beck and Grosse
families.
A drawing of the Gardens Shul in 1905
The Chronicle thanks Solly for this historical
summary, and invites further letters from
readers sharing their knowledge and
thoughts on the 170th anniversary. Please
send letters to editor@ctjc.co.za
It is comforting to know that his
memory will be cherished by all who
knew him.
Doreen Kantor
Yvette, Darren and Nicky Kramer
Jeff, Tracey, Sean and Grant Kantor
Viv, Colin, Jason and Ashleigh
Frank.
Died 16 August in London.
Our compassionate, wise, brilliant
and beautiful mother, sister,
wife, aunt and grandmother.
Throughout her life she extended
her selfless love across
continents. We mourn her
profoundly.
he first service was held at the
home of Benjamin Norden, now
part of the Mount Nelson Hotel, on
Erev Yom Kippur 1841. Seventeen
men attended, and seven days later,
on 3 October 1841, the Tikvat Yisrael
Cape Town Hebrew Congregation (now
known affectionately as the Gardens
Shul) was constituted.
Soon thereafter, land was purchased
in Albert Road Woodstock as a burial
ground. In 1849, a building on the
corner of St John’s and Bouquet
streets (still in existence) was
converted into a synagogue. In 1863,
the first synagogue was built, which
today forms part of the Gardens Shul
and the Jewish Museum.
— Solly Berger
Our heartfelt thanks to Rabbis
Opert and Liebenberg, the
Milnerton Hebrew Congregation,
Jewish organisations, family and
friends for the love, kindness and
support shown on the passing of
our beloved husband, father and
grandfather.
A very big thank you to my family,
friends and colleagues for all their
support and good wishes after my
recent surgery.
SHIRLEY JOAN ESKAPA
T
Our heartfelt thanks to all our
family and friends for their
kindness, letters, phone calls and
visits on the sad loss of our beloved
Miriam.
Your caring has been a great source
of comfort.
Stephen and Millicent, Robert and
Linda, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren and Naomi Herman
and Cyril Chinn.
The Gardens Shul today.
FRANCIS SACKS
PHILLIP (Pinky) SHER
Our sincere thanks to all our
family and friends for the support
and comfort shown on the
passing of our beloved mother
and grandmother.
The many visits, telephone calls
and letters have been a great
source of comfort to us.
We extend our deepest appreciation to all
our family and friends for their kindness
and loving support during Phillip’s illness
and on his passing. Your exceptional care
was a great source of comfort to us.
Our heartfelt thanks also go to Rabbi and
Rebbetzin Liebenberg.
We are grateful to the Rabbis in
the community whose caring and
guidance helped us through this
difficult time.
Roydon, Elaine Sacks and family;
Herbert, Moira Sacks and family.
To place a family announcement phone Tessa 021 464-6736 (am)
Beloved husband, father, grandfather,
brother, and kind and loving friend.
He will be remembered with deep love,
respect and pride by all, and his memory
will live in our hearts forever.
Barbara, Melanie, Wendy and Sam,
Bronwyn and Richard, Jonathan and Tina,
his beloved grandchildren
and brother, Hugh.
The Susman
Charitable
Foundation
With compliments
The Jack & Ethel
Goldin Foundation
UR PATRONS FOR THEIR GENEROUS SPONSORSHIP OF THE ‘CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE’
Stanley and Zea
Lewis
Foundation
www.stonehage.com
With Compliments
Kalman, Esther and
Michael Maisel Trust
20
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
Economic Shoe Store:
90 years of success
Harold King offering Jazz-Latino
dance classes for adults and learners
Choreographer, teacher
and director Harold King is
bringing his exciting dance
classes to Cape Town.
T
his dance style, fusing
Latino with Jazz, came
about when Harold taught
passengers on the Queen
Mary II cruise ship last
year.
Harold was a soloist
with the CAPAB Ballet Company before
going to London to dance with the
Western Theatre Ballet. Thereafter,
he joined The Scottish National Ballet
as dancer and choreographer. He also
danced with the Royal Opera House
in Covent Garden before starting the
London City Ballet, which he directed
for 22 years. Princess Diana was the
Company’s Royal Patron. Harold was
then invited to take the helm at Ballet
de Zaragoza in Spain. He returned to
South Africa in 2005 and has been
teaching Latino-Jazz on the
Queen Mary II world cruises
for the past 2 years.
“The dance classes are
excellent for beginners
of all ages and especially
those who do not want
high-impact aerobics,” says
Harold. “It is ‘stylish’ fun
to great music. Everyone
dances solo and not with a
partner.”
The first course of five classes has
been extremely well-received. The
cost of a course is R350. Classes
are held at Herzlia Primary School,
Clairwood Ave in Vredehoek and they
begin at 6:00pm. Harold will also
teach a free dance course to current
Herzlia learners under the age of 18 at
5:00pm. All participants should dress
in comfortable and casual clothing.
For further information contact Harold
on 082 7976335 or email: haroldking@
polka.co.za
BARGAINS GALORE
SECOND HAND SHOP
Are you moving house or cleaning out cupboards?
Think of us!
We need assorted clothing, beds, cupboards and bric-a-brac
305 Main Rd, Sea Point (next to Laughtons)
(Shop): 021 434-7142 (Office): Ethne 021 462-5520 ethne@jcs.org.za
Under the auspices of Jewish Community Services
David, Malcolm and Ros Novos.
After 90 years, the Economic Shoe
Store is a beacon of quality in Paarl,
and has over the years shod many feet
in comfort and style.
T
he store was opened on 21 August
1921 by Morris and Freda Semer
(grandparents of the current owners) in
the same locality of the present store.
In July 1948, Mr Semer’s daughter
and son-in-law, Lorna and Morris Novos
(parents of the current owners) joined
the already well-established family
business.
In 1960, the shop was rebuilt and
became just about the largest family
shoe store in the Western Cape. As
it is today, the shop was abuzz with
customers knowing that this was where
they would find the best buy in style,
quality and comfort.
Today, Economic Shoe Store is owned
by Malcolm Novos and his wife Ros,
who joined the business in 1974. Their
son David joined them in 2005.
Under their capable management,
Economic Shoe Store has remained
the first choice for many Paarlites and
patrons from surrounding towns.
Over the years, individuals have come
and gone — but what has remained
constant is the family ethos of providing
quality service and shoes to the Paarl
community on a personal basis, with
the help of their loyal staff.
Economic Shoe Store: 309 Main
Street, Paarl. Tel: (021) 872-1825
TRY!
Tefillin.
Tied up at the office? Lost confidence in your Tefillin skills?
Never had it? We’ll come to you! Tefillin Bank of Africa introduces
the world’s first Tefillin Executive Program: Hands-on Tefillin Lessons
in the comfort of your home or office! There’s no cost to you, except
for a willingness to learn. Just another way that the Tefillin Bank is
committed to your commitment.
Visit our website and make your booking today.
We’ll come to you!
Tel: 021 434 4217 | www.tefillinbankafrica.co.za | info@tefillinbankafrica.co.za
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
Ilan Rubinstein of ILAN Real Estate and Israel
Business Brokers with potential olim.
Yebo Aliyah Expo 2011
Shimon Shamila (Israel Centre
Director), Ben Levitas (SAZF Cape
Council
Chairman)
and
Yaniv
Nachmias (Shaliach).
Doron Kline discussing Israel and Aliyah with potential olim.
21
Israeli Expo delegates with the Aliyah Department staff.
Yaniv Nachmias — Aliyah, Community and Habonim
Dror Shaliach.
Ruth Fines of Beit Shemesh and Partnership
2Gether with her beautiful artistic creation.
Please note: Aliyah applications for inclusion on the Red Carpet Group Flight leaving on 19 December 2011 closed in mid-October. Applications
for future dates are always welcome — however, no new files will be opened in December. New files can be opened in either November 2011 or
January 2012. For more information or for enquiries please call 021 464 6718 or e-mail aliyah@ctjc.co.za
Vib
a
v
i
sh
Ye
e
Orthodoxy and pluralism — can the two be reconciled?
The issue of pluralism in the Jewish
community has been an important
topic of discussion as of late.
I
would like to share with you some
thoughts on the matter in hope of
stimulating further thoughtful debate.
Can Orthodox Judaism be reconciled
with pluralism? At the outset, the
question that I pose might sound
ridiculous. Orthodoxy, by its very nature
dictates a particular set of values and
beliefs that every Jew is obligated
to adhere to. Indeed, the very word
‘orthodoxy’ comes from the Greek root,
orthos, which means ‘true’ or ‘straight’.
In contrast, pluralism espouses a
relativistic worldview that makes
space for a whole range of opinions or
choices. There is no right or wrong, just
a person’s individual choice.
While it may be the case that these
two value systems can never be fully
reconciled, I believe that the question
is more complex than it appears.
The reality is that the term ‘Orthodoxy’
hardly captures what is colloquially
referred to as Orthodox Judaism.
So where does the term originate?
Ironically, Orthodox Jews did not coin
the term. In fact, it was the German
Reform movement of the early 19th
century who broke away from traditional
Judaism, who used it in order to draw a
distinction between those who believed
in reforming Judaism and those who
resisted change. It should therefore not
Rav Eitan Bendavid, Yeshiva of Cape Town
come as a surprise that the very term
‘orthodox’ hardly captures the values
that Orthodox Jews embody, either
today or in the past. The term implies
absolute rigidity and uniformity, yet,
anyone well-versed in Jewish literature
knows that Judaism has always been
a dynamic tradition that responds to
and addresses the changing realities
of the world. It is anything but static.
Furthermore, Orthodox Judaism is
anything but monolithic. Take any
common Halachic question — organ
donation and end of life issues, for
example — and you will find a whole
range of opinions by different rabbinic
authorities. Is the Talmud itself not a
repository of thousands of debates and
arguments touching upon nearly every
area of Halacha? In fact, the experience
of Torah study is so energising precisely
because it taps into the deep resources
and diversity of opinions in the Jewish
tradition.
Seventy faces
But does multiplicity of opinion
translate into pluralism? The answer
is no. According to Jewish law and the
principles of Jewish faith, not every
opinion goes. There are ‘Shivim panim
to the Torah,’ — ‘Seventy faces of Torah’,
not more [See Bamidbar Rabbah 13 —
Vilna Edition].
Pluralism, by its very definition, grants
legitimacy and authority to every
opinion. The sage and ‘ignoramus’ are
on equal footing. In pluralistic circles,
truth gets inverted to the realm of
the subjective. Connections, feelings,
personal desire and autonomy are
raised on pedestals as substitutes for
truth, knowledge and tradition.
According to Orthodox Judaism,
knowledge is power. Knowledge grants
authority. Anyone can become an
authority, so long as they possess Torah
knowledge and live according to Jewish
values. Not surprisingly, the rabbi
who spends his whole life poring over
Jewish law codes, imbibing the spirit
of Jewish values and listening intently
to the tradition’s subtle rhythm and
nuanced cadences possesses more
authority than someone who doesn’t.
Therefore, it is our sages — Rava, Abaye,
Maimonides, Nachmanides, the Vilna
Gaon, Rav Kook, and Rav Soloveitchik
— who guide us in determining what
opinions constitute the ‘Seventy Faces
of Torah’ and what opinions are outside
the boundaries.
There is another significant difference
as well — the value placed on personal
choice. One may choose their favorite
colour, ice cream flavour, clothing,
hairstyle... but to grant everyone
the ability to interpret Judaism as
they please, picking and choosing
to observe whatever they like — that
is not the Jewish way. Judaism is a
comprehensive way of life — a life of
commitment, faith, responsibility, and
yes, even struggle, when one does
not fully understand every Divine
command. When one picks and
chooses to observe what they like,
it turns our age old traditions into a
popularity contest: “Today I’ll daven,
tomorrow I won’t”, “Passover speaks
to me, but I don’t connect to Shabbat.”
The Reform movement nearly did away
with circumcision in the 19th century,
but today accepts it as a highly valued
tradition. Orthodox Jews are more
cautious about changing traditions
dating back to Abraham. A disclaimer is in hand. Orthodox
Judaism does see value in the
individual’s own personal decision
and motivation to observe Halacha
and observe Jewish values. Judaism
believes that it is better for a person to
observe the commandments because
he chooses to (i.e. ‘lishma’) than out of
fear, conformity, or communal pressure
(‘Shelo Lishma’). [See Maimonides’
commentary
to
the
Mishna,
Introduction Perek Chelek].
Orthodox Judaism does eschew,
though, the idolisation of personal
choice as the final arbiter of truth.
Personal choice is just that — one’s
own personal preference. It can hardly
be considered an objective tool for
determining what is valuable and what
is not valuable in our 4000-year-old
Jewish tradition.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts
on this topic! Please email me if you
would like to continue this dialogue:
EitanBendavid@gmail.com.
22
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
FACES OF HIGHLANDS HOUSE
By Jonathan Basckin
T
his project was conceptualised against
the backdrop of the 95TH anniversary
celebrations of the home. As part of
the exhibition of the story of the home, we
wanted to have pictures of selected residents,
volunteers, committee members and staff
lining the walls leading to the Marcus Gallery.
Enter (from left stage) Dr Leon Geffen, our
esteemed President. “I have a friend who is an
excellent, well-known photographer - should I
approach him?”
Enter (from right stage) Jonathan Basckin with
‘Yorick’ in one hand, camera in the other and
Monique Bermeister in tow. “Harris, you must
know I work BIG”, said the man who is larger
than life itself.
When Jonathan said ‘big’, we had no
idea what ‘big’ in his terms meant. Once he
explained, we realised we would have had
to rebuild the passage to accommodate his
works.
We were extremely happy at this turn of events
and thus, this stand-alone, one-man exhibition
was born. We hope you enjoy and celebrate
with us in THE FACES OF HIGHLANDS HOUSE.
Dr Leon Geffen and Jonathan Basckin.
Cynthia Bloch Katz and ‘The
Wishing Well’ donated in
memory of her parents, Rose
and Manuel Bloch.
Michelle and Theodore Yach.
Natasha and Anna Berkowitz.
The Marcus Gallery.
Highlands House Committee for 2011/2012
Mr Herbert Maltz (President), Dr Clive Rabinowitz (Vice-President), Mr Stuart Hendler (Treasurer), Dr Leon Geffen (Honorary
Medical Superintendent), Dr Terry Berkow (Executive), Mrs Maureen Sachar (Executive).
General Committee: Iser Bach, Moonyeen Castle, Dr Hackey Edelstein, Glen Heneck, Cynthia Katz, Howard Joffe, Morrie
Marcus, Bernard Osrin, Julie Peires, Sylvia Gottlieb, Monty Teperson (co-opted: Chairman of Residents’ Committee).
GLENDALE with
NIK RABINOWITZ
Presents
STAND &
DELIVER
BAXTER CONCERT HALL
15 DECEMBER at 20.15 pm
TICKETS R180
Contact: Glendale Office
021 – 712 0270
or hazel@glendalehome.co.za
23
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
UNION OF ORTHODOX SYNAGOGUES OF SOUTH AFRICA
‘Affluenza’
In and around Cape Town...
By Rabbi Matthew Liebenberg
Living a Jewish life can be an expensive
and challenging endeavour.
A
n observant Jew must eat only
kosher food, which usually comes
at a premium. He must buy a house
close to a shul, where property prices
are often very high. He must send his
children to private day schools and
later to yeshivot or seminaries, most
of which are located abroad. He must
pay affiliation fees to his shul and
to any number of welfare and social
organisations. He must possess a
Jewish library consisting of many
expensive tomes.
He must open his home to visitors on
Shabbat and festivals and be prepared
to set aside a good part of his earnings
for entertainment expenses. He must
give generously to charity and he must
honour his pledges. He must purchase
a quality set of tefillin for himself and
his sons and he must spend a small
fortune on family s’machot. He must
see to it that he has matzo and wine
for Pesach, a lulav for Succot and
machzorim for the festivals. He must
be prepared to forfeit some of his
salary when he takes unpaid leave for
festivals and he must leave work early
on Friday to prepare for Shabbat. He
must be healthy and fit to serve Hashem
and to fulfil His many commandments.
A Jew challenged with poverty, poor
health, antisemitism and a lack of
communal resources will find it very
difficult to adequately fulfil his duties.
The Torah promises that in return for
obeying Hashem’s mitzvot, the Nation
of Israel can expect abundant crops,
herds and flocks; many children; safety
in their land; good health, prosperity
and no interference from their enemies.
But the Rambam explains that these
lists of blessings are not the true
reward for the fulfilment of mitzvot
“for one does not receive reward for
mitzvot in this world.” Rather, they
are ‘facilitators’ that allow a Jew to
continue to serve Hashem unhindered
by the travails of this world. As we
learn in Pirkei Avot, “the reward of
one mitzvah is another mitzvah.” This
means that Hashem will see to it that
someone who fulfils one mitzvah will
have the opportunity to fulfil another
and thereby receive spiritual reward
for both. The second mitzvah is not
the reward for the first; rather Hashem
paves the way for the second mitzvah
and rewards the person for both in the
World to Come.
A catalyst for wealth
There is no doubt that receiving such
assistance from G-d is a great gift
and that it opens up many doors to
properly observing the mitzvot. But it
comes with an important caveat, which
appears in the Torah: “Take care lest
you forget Hashem, your G-d, by not
observing His commandments, His
ordinances, and His decrees, which I
command you today, lest you eat and
be satisfied, and you build good houses
and settle, and your cattle and sheep
and goats increase, and you increase
silver and gold for yourselves, and
everything that you have will increase
— and your heart will
become haughty and
you will forget Hashem, your G-d, Who
took you out of the land of Egypt from
the house of slavery … and you may
say in your heart, “My strength and
the might of my hand made me all this
wealth!”
Moses warned the nation about the
detrimental effects of affluence. It
often happens that a Jew ascribes his
wealth to his own power and wisdom,
not realizing that it was a gift from
G-d to enable him to fulfil His Torah.
He becomes arrogant and rejects G-d
from his life, believing that he is selfsufficient and not in need of any Divine
help. Against this attitude the Torah
proclaims: “Then you shall remember
Hashem, your G-d: that it was He Who
gives you strength to make wealth, in
order to establish His covenant that He
swore to your forefathers, as this day.”
The Aramaic translation of the Torah
renders the phrase “that it was He Who
gives you strength to make wealth” as
“G-d inserted the idea in to your mind
to purchase a particular investment”
which ultimately led to your wealth. The
world of business is a strange place.
Many intelligent people with numerous
degrees have not made a success in
commerce, while others with minimal
higher education have gone on to
great success. We try to explain this
phenomenon with phrases like ‘good
luck’, ‘entrepreneurial genius’, ‘being
in the right place at the right time’,
‘seeing a gap in the market’ or ‘a head
for business.’ In truth, it was Hashem,
for whatever reason, who selected that
person and gave him a kick-start. Of
course much hard work was required,
but the catalyst was an idea placed
deep inside the mind awaiting the right
moment to enter the consciousness.
Abundance and blessings
The Talmud notes that there are four
people that are very difficult to tolerate,
and one of them is a wealthy person
who denies that he owes money. I
would like to suggest that the intention
of the Talmud is as follows: It is to be
expected that a poor man might deny
a loan, for with what does he have to
pay back? But it is intolerable when
a rich man denies a loan. The Talmud
may also mean that a wealthy man
who denies G-d is intolerable. What
right does he have to question G-d’s
existence? Did he ever suffer the
degradation of poverty? Did he ever
want for anything in his life? Is it not
true that he only ever received G-d’s
blessing and largess? What right does
he have to turn his back on his religion?
My Rosh Yeshiva, of blessed memory,
would often tell a story to illustrate this
point. In the Chofetz Chaim’s hamlet of
Radin in Lithuania lived a loyal Jew who
attended shul daily and participated
in the various learning sessions
before and after services. In time, his
business prospered and he began
to miss the occasional service and
learning session until he was hardly
setting foot in shul. Taking note of this,
the Chofetz Chaim approached the
man and asked, “If a servant served his
Children decorating the Sukkah at Marais Road Shul.
The Chabad Shofar Factory hosted Herzlia and Phyllis Jowell learners, who enjoyed a
practical and powerful Judaism experience!
Clive and Rita Smith and Patsy Marcow with their grandchildren as Rabbi Deren blows
Shofar at Sinai Academy Grandparents Day.
king loyally and conscientiously and the
monarch rewarded him with abundant
gifts, money and power, how should
he react?” The congregant responded
that the servant should redouble his
efforts and ensure that he serve the
king with even greater vigour so as
to be the recipient of further bounty
in the future. “And so it is with you,”
responded the righteous sage, “G-d
rewarded you for your loyal service and
provided you with a good livelihood and
material success. Is it not sensible that
you should seek to draw even closer to
Him and not further from Him?”
Our forebears in Europe faced the
challenge of poverty every day. Many
succumbed and left the path of
Judaism, but just as many were able
to meet their religious duties under the
most trying of circumstances. We dare
not ask to be challenged with such a
test. But the test of our generation
is just as trying. We are blessed with
affluence that our great grandparents
could scarcely have imagined. There is
kosher food in abundance, items used
in the performance of mitzvot are freely
available and we have better health,
working conditions and living quarters
than at any other time in Jewish history.
G-d has blessed us with the assets to
fulfil His mitzvot; we dare not throw that
blessing back in His face.
Esther Maizels and Gillian Cress with
the educational materials about kashrut
donated to KOCOSA, which will be used in
children’s services at shuls across Cape
Town.
Fun and festivities at the pre-Rosh
Hashanah holiday programme at Chabad
Alef Champ Hebrew School.
24
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
Nechama Seminar: Learning to live with loss
Nechama recently held its sixth Biennial
Seminar, entitled ‘I am with him in his
sorrow — insights into grief and healing.’
L
oss can bring on feelings of confusion,
helplessness,
fear
and
anger.
Nechama is an ever-growing and evolving
organisation that assists people in
continuing productive lives after a loss. At
our seminars, lecturers can educate the
public and delve into ‘living well the one
life we are given.’
Opening remarks came from Rebbetzin
Maizels and the keynote speaker was
Rabbi Fox, spiritual leader of the Pretoria
Hebrew Congregation. He left the audience
with insight into grief through his stories
and references to Halacha. Although Rabbi
Fox dealt with grief, he also emphasised
the importance of celebrating life.
A panel discussion included Reverend
Fox of St. Luke’s Hospice and Roseanne
Turner of the Buddhist community, and
their remarks left the audience spellbound
with understanding of the grieving process.
Lana English, an opera singer, sang
beautifully and told the audience how she
is inspired by her ‘angels’ – a group of
friends tragically killed in a car accident.
Johannesburg-based clinical social worker
Carin Marcus shared her expertise on
working with children’s’ grief, having herself
lost her father in the SAA Helberberg crash
when she was a young child.
Further
exploration
came
from
Nechama’s own Psychological Services
Co-ordinator,
Marc
Lipshitz,
who
discussed bereaved parents, sibling loss
and ‘replacement’ children.
Karen Borochowitz discussed memory
loss and shared how her mother’s
experience motivated her to begin the
Dementia SA organisation.
The day proved a great success and we
feel confident it was both inspirational and
educational.
Nechama facilitators Avis Schur, Andrea Judge
and Debbie Jowell.
Carin Marcus and Peta Feldman.
Counsellor Joan Fisher, facilitator Ada Kahn and
counsellor Sarah Brajtman.
Lana English, Victor English, Shana Isserow, Hayley Pogrund and Estelle
Manoim.
Counsellor Joan Fisher, Nechama Management
Committee member Luise Swiel and counsellor
Peta Feldman.
Hazel Kosviner, Pat Herman and Glenda Kruger.
Rabbi Fox with Rabbi and Avigail Popack.
Hayley Pogrund and Terry Locketz
(Members of the Fundraising Committee).
Nechama contact details:
9 Gorge Road, Highlands Estate
Tel: 021 465-9390
Fax: 021 465-9391
Email: nechama@absamail.co.za
Nechama
Chairman
Barry
Pogrund with Hayley Pogrund.
The team from Jewish Community Services.
25
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
YAD takes off with Kulula!
YAD’s Business Breakfast initiative reached
new heights on 22 September, when YAD
hosted joint-CEO of Kulula Airlines, Gidon
Novick.
G
idon’s easygoing style and candour
won huge favour with the audience of
over 150 people as he conversed with YAD
Chairman Rael Levitt about the Kulula story.
For those who have always wondered what
Kulula means, it is Zulu for ‘easy,’ epitomising
the company’s desire to make flying a more
pleasurable experience.
Gidon touched on an extensive array of
issues, but the overarching theme was about
motivating a team of people to become
passionate about serving their customers. To
cite one example, Gidon said that whenever
he receives an email complaint, he tries to
respond telephonically. The customer is then
so surprised by the fact that they have received
a phone call, that they begin minimising the
severity of their own complaint. Gidon told
the audience about this not because he
feels complaints are illegitimate, but rather
to show that customers desire personal
attention and recognition.
A similar philosophy applies to Gidon’s
team-building. He said that as CEO, he is
always striving to better service provision. He
recently held team training for some of his
managers, and rather than presenting areas
he felt needed improvement, he asked them
to come up with a list of what Kulula does
really well. He then asked his staff to take
those positive aspects and see if there were
other areas that they could tweak in order to
extend their achievements to more sectors of
the business. The exercise was both about
reaffirming the contributions of staff and
extending their accomplishments across the
company.
These insights and many more made for
a fascinating morning and one that was of
huge benefit to anyone who interacts with
people on a daily basis. YAD continues to
strive to present members of our community
with opportunities to learn from inspiring
personalities like Gidon Novick.
Gidon Novick and Rael Levitt.
Dustin Maree
Speechly.
ENS: Back: Ajay Jonker and Marisa Smallberger.
Front: Taryn Solomon, Keval Harie, Andrea Minaar,
Janel Strauss and Silke Bovijn.
Neil Gore, Dale Smiedt, Tarryn Solomon and Anthony
Jacobs.
GoIndustry DoveBid: Back: Donovan Dalton, Joey
Burke, and Dudley Annenberg. Front: Richard Boxford,
Lexi Parolis, Kim Faclier and Don Faclier.
Ido Goren, Saul Sacks, Glen Isserow and Mark Isserow.
and
Marc
Luke Jedeikin, Lionel Jedeikin and Gideon
Granville.
Protea Hotels: Back: Jessica Goldberg and Rebecca Barr.
Front: Jeni Oppenheimer, Alexis Gillis, Elan Tanur and Carlo
Favo.
Auction Alliance: Back: Neil Gore, Rod Harris, Ross Sheldon, Rael Levitt
and Jared Gottschalk. Front: David Roytowski, Donna Maisel, Darren
Epstein, Jacques Coetzer and Greg Nafte.
Carlo Favo, Elan Tanur, Jeni Oppenheimer, Daniel Sher
and Auri Benatar.
Rebecca Barr, Michael Barr, Jonny Osrin, Anthony
Jackson and Bradley Jackson.
Smiedt and Assoc: Back: Michelle Kucera, Dale Smiedt, Marc
Speechly and Brian Gradner. Front: Alan Smiedt, Richard Epstein
and Auri Benatar.
Richard Rayne, Ryan Stein and Ilan Kaplan.
Photos: Adele Goldberg
26
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
High School
Middle School
Khulisa — Encounter 2011
The Grade 11 Encounter Shabbaton
is always one of the highlights of any
pupil’s journey through the Herzlia
system.
E
ncounter 2011 was no exception,
and was probably among the best
ever. This year, the JIPSY team included
three new members — Daniel Winer,
Samantha Benatar and Greg Gelb — as
well as veteran Justin Benatar. They
are the dynamic foursome who came
up with such a winner of a programme!
The venue was the picturesque
Nekkies campsite in Worcester, where
quaint log cabins overlook a serene
lake, surrounded by mountain peaks.
The name of this year’s Encounter,
Khulisa (open-mindedness), really
set the tone. Pupils were offered
five days of thought-provoking talks,
programmes and discussions, with
topics ranging from empowering the
self, to questions of G-d, free choice
and inter-dating. The aim was for pupils
to enter these discussions with open
minds, and they left each Khulisa
session feeling positively challenged,
with their understanding of Judaism
growing each day.
Arbour Day celebrations
Special guests were Rabbi Sosnovik
and his family, who were present for the
entire programme; and Rabbi Shishler
who, although he was there only for one
day, drew the crowds to his sessions.
Other guest speakers were Lance and
Kim Katz, Jonathan Gurwitz, Rabbi
Wineberg, Sheila Valentini and Rabbi
Feldman. All the speakers dealt with
the pupils’ questions in a professional
and open-minded manner. Their
generosity in giving of their time is
greatly appreciated.
Shabbat on Encounter is undeniably
the highlight of the weekend: everyone
dressed in shul clothes and the entire
grade davened together. Friday night
ended with a ‘shtick’ by the madrichim
and board games were played until
bedtime. Shabbat day comprised
of group davening, Kiddush bracha,
shiurim and ‘Ask the Rabbi’ sessions,
followed by the third meal and a
musical Havdalah.
The banquet on Saturday night —
a glittering finale — culminated in a
candle lighting activity where the entire
group had the opportunity to discuss
the experience and to offer messages
of inspiration to their peers.
Constantia
Glenbridge School visits Herzlia
The grade 2s planned an exciting day of fun, activities and crafts when children
from Glenbridge School came to visit Herzlia Constantia.
Seven pupils from the Middle School’s
Environment and Community Action
Groups represented Herzlia at an
Arbour Day celebration.
It was organised by the South African
Zionist Federation, the Jewish National
Fund, the International Christian
Embassy of Jerusalem, the City of Cape
Town and Afrika Tikkun.
They joined groups of children at the
Afrika Tikkun Centre in Delft, where
they helped design a tree plaque and
plant a tree before enjoying a dance
show and refreshments.
Learners from various schools work together to plant a tree at the Arbour Day event.
Grandparents honoured at annual tea party
This annual event was a
wonderful occasion, where we
honoured over two hundred
grandparents. The tables were
decorated in the colours of
the rainbow and grandparents
enjoyed a delicious spread, took
part in a quiz, and chatted with
their grandchildren.
On right: Brendan Weaver and his
grandpa, Bernie Eisenstein.
Gabrielle Kaplan, Jedd Katz, Tane Ressel, Ben Zar, Joseph Zeleniak, Rebecca Schwartz,
Sasha Dave and Rafaela Meltz spend time with the visitors.
Chess team are regional winners
The
chess
team
were winners of a
regional
competition.
Team members Paul
Gluckman, Rory Cohen,
Joseph
Sweijd
and
Nathan Amato are seen
here with principal Jos
Horwitz and their coach
Paul Khuphwathea.
SEPTEMBER DRAW : R2500 — Joel Serman
●
Kyle Nash and his gran, Hazel Hart.
Adam Zackon and his gran, Golda Sher.
Joseph and Michael make Western Province
Joseph Rosendorff took part in the Province in the National Championships
Inter-School Climbing Competition, in Johannesburg. Michael Cohen has
where he was placed first in the U13 been chosen to represent the U15A
section. He will represent Western Western Province Cricket Team.
Joseph Rosendorff.
R1250 — Alan Locketz
●
Michael Cohen.
R625 — Nikki Jacobson
●
R200 — Gerald
27
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
Weizmann
Pre-Primaries
Heralding in the New Year at Gan Aviv
At
our
Rosh
H a s h a n a h
concert
for
grandparents,
Ryan Voigt blew
the shofar — to
the delight of all
the children in his
class!
Socialising at Sarah Bloch aftercare
Jared Fisher, Aaron Zetler, Sam Goldberg, Rene Greenberg and
Xoli set up Weizmann’s worm farm.
Oliver Crocker-Hall, Dax Palterman, David Eyal, Daniel Webb
and Thai Sandler enjoy themselves at Sarah Bloch aftercare.
Kerem’s Rosh Hashanah celebrations
Shofar blowers
Worm farms contribute to the preservation of the
environment
To mark environmental week, pupils created their own
worm farm. Xoli from Earth Child Project and Rene
Greenberg spoke to the pupils about the value of recycling.
Xoli then went on to explain how the red wriggler worms
generate compost from domestic waste that is fed to them.
The pupils were very excited about the project and the
contribution that they can make to the environment!
Foundation Phase learners Daniel
Marsden, Jarren Bacher and Adam
Gradner blew their Shofars (kitted out in
their Springbok colours!) for the children
of Alon Ashel every morning during
the month of Elul, leading up to Rosh
Hashanah.
Book Week — promoting a love of reading!
Our Book Week programme included
presentations by Hooked on Books;
Janna Joseph from Hip2B2; Liam Cundill
— author of The White Quill; a pyjama and
story-telling evening for the Foundation
Phase; a behind the scenes tour at the
Artscape; a visit to the Sea Point library
and an opportunity to read to the Grade
1s of Sea Point Primary.
On the final day the children came
to school in their pyjamas, and were
treated to a performance of Charlie
and the Chocolate Factory, as well as Jonny Paterson, Vusi Nikani, Mia Brinner, Anna Miller and
the teachers’ rendition of the book The Aaron Zetler act out a scene from The Wild Washerwomen,
Three Little Wolves.
performed by Hooked on Books.
Highlands Primary
Books collected for library in Retreat
As part of Book Week, the whole school
wore civvies and had to bring a book to
donate to an underprivileged school.
They gave an entire busload of amazing
quality books, which will be going to a
school in Retreat to start a library.
Parents and grandparents were treated to wonderful concerts
to celebrate the chaggim.
Dafna supports the springboks
Book Week co-ordinator Sandy Wynne
with Grade 5s Lara-Amber Chilchik, Tali
Scher, Maya Shina, Michael Whistler
and Ali Sieff show some of the collected
books.
Shana Tova Umetuka!
From the middle of the month
of Elul, pupils wrote Shana
Tova cards to their friends,
which were placed in boxes
in the foyer. Every day Grade
6s sorted out the cards and
delivered them to the classes.
Teachers were also sent good
wishes.
Dafna celebrated the start of the Rugby World Cup with a
Shabbat dinner. Seen here are Aaron Ellman, Nathan Merris,
Hannah Koff and Kyle Harcombe with their Principal Cheryl
Bernstein supporting our rugby players by wearing South
African colours.
erald Schaffer
●
R200 — L.A. Harries
●
R200 — Raymond Effune
Grade 6s Jack Markowitz, Greg
Furman, Lauren Brenner, Maxine
Norrie and Devin Sheinbar sort out
Shana Tova cards.
●
R200 — Nic Goodwin
●
R200 — Gavin Karro
28
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
Sharon Glass cooking demonstration
BZA
WIZO
held
two
cookery
demonstrations
by
Sharon Glass at the
Pick ‘n Pay School of
Cookery, which were
sell-out events!
When contemplating an adult version
of an extra-mural, especially a
programme of two years, most people
take it one year at a time!
B
ZA is very grateful to
Sharon for making
herself available to
share her expertise and
excellence. Sharon’s
professionalism,
innovative
ideas,
charming personality
and delicious food were
appreciated by all.
B
Midrasha Adult Education
Institute and Melton have
another great year!
B
Sharon Glass and her two helpers with Felicity Isserow and
Suzanne Luck.
Rebecca Sieff Awards
ZA WIZO invites members to
attend the Rebecca Sieff Awards
and World Wizo Bible Day.
The event will take place on Tuesday
15 November at the Albow Centre.
These awards honour members
who have served our organisation
with dedication and commitment for
40, 50 and 60 years respectively — a
remarkable feat!
CEMETERY MAINTENANCE BOARD
THANK YOU
THE CAPE TOWN JEWISH CEMETERIES
ARE MAINTAINED SOLELY BY THE
GENEROUS DONATIONS
MADE BY THE PUBLIC.
ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRMAN,
SAM GALANSKY, AND THE COMMITTEE
OF THE CEMETERY MAINTENANCE BOARD
WE GRATEFULLY THANK THE COMMUNITY
FOR THEIR ONGOING SUPPORT.
PLEASE VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE
WWW.JEWISHCEMETERY.CO.ZA
ut something different happens
when it comes to Melton, (the
Florence Melton Adult Mini-School, a
project of the Hebrew University). The
programme has drawn students back
6 years in a row, with so many people
still wanting more!
Melton’s classic core course (60
lessons over two years) remains our
main showpiece, attracting students
across the spectrum of age, gender
and Jewish practice.
What they
love about it is engaging with the
texts, entering the conversation and
mastering the debate. These textual
sources, crafted and compiled in a
curriculum of excellence matched by
top-quality educators on the faculty,
have been the key ingredients for
Melton’s success.
2011 has been another innovative
year, inspired by an injection of new
material and visiting educators:
The Foundations of Jewish Living
course was introduced this year.
Through the narrative of Biblical stories,
this 20-week course empowered a
group of parents and early childhood
educators to make foundational Jewish
values relevant for modern families.
Beyond the Borders: The History
of the Arab-Israel Conflict: This new
graduate course provided students
with a strong text-based historical
overview of the conflict. Due to huge
demand, this 10-week graduate course
had to be taught twice, back-to-back.
The material is designed to encourage
discussion, debate and understanding
of conflicting historical claims.
The Yeshiva of Cape Town and the
Midrasha hosted Menachem Leibtag,
a Biblical scholar and teacher of
international acclaim. Students were
invited to delve deep with a Biblical
expert in his session, entitled ‘Are
some people holier than others?’
where he unpacked the difference
between racism and Judaism.
Benjamin Pogrund, a visiting Kaplan
Centre researcher, gave an analysis of
texts focusing on Israel in the past and
present.
Haim Aronovitz, a Melton/Hebrew
University scholar in residence, took
the community by storm, teaching
sessions at Melton, Herzlia, the SAJBD
Cape Council Advocacy seminar and
Limmud SA. Haim weaved the richness
of text with Israeli literature, poetry and
insights, giving vivid expression to the
complexities of Israeli society, culture
and history.
Haim Aronovitz
Recruitment for 2012 is now OPEN.
Please be in touch regarding morning
and evening classes for the Classic
Melton core course. Sit in on an open
lesson to get a feel of the real thing!
The first term begins in February.
Consider
registering
Foundations course!
for
the
Exciting news for graduates — the
long awaited ‘Israeli Literature as a
Window to Israeli Society’ course will
be offered in the morning.
Contact Viv Anstey (Director):
vivanst@iafrica.com or 0828095414;
or Lauren Snitcher (Recruitment):
lsnitcher@iafrica.com or
0828802257.
Visit www.fmams.org.il for details.
CTHC STUDENTS AID
FUND/BURSARIES
Applications are invited from
Jewish Students for a grant
of bursaries for tertiary and
post-graduate studies as well
as for study in Israel.
Application forms are available
from Carmen Kay
Phone: 021 465 1405
CLOSING DATE
31st JANUARY 2012
Dr Barry Beilinsohn
369 Main Road, Sea Point
Tel: 021 434-3663 After Hours 082 551 0018
www. dentalstudiocapetown.co.za
ALL ASPECTS OF DENTISTRY COVERED
29
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
NETZER
BNEI AKIVA
What’s in a name? Machaneh Shirat HaYam
Machaneh Shivim Panim — don’t miss out!
The word on every Netzernik’s lips
is ‘machaneh’ Netzer’s annual epic
summer camp, which is around the
corner. There is also much discussion
about the camp name, what it means
and why we chose it.
S
o, what is in a name? As
Shakespeare once wrote, “a rose
by any other name would smell as
sweet.” It seems that titles, to arguably
the greatest English poet of all time,
are but insignificant beautifiers for the
purposes of labelling something.
The concern here is that our camp
name — Shirat HaYam (Song of the Sea)
— might be just as cosmetic. It has a
nice ring to it, rolls off the tongue (even
in Hebrew) and would work well with
lyrics in a camp song.
But this is not why we chose it. A
camp name, above all represents
its chinnuch (education) theme. It
embodies the direction of the camp’s
educational component, defining its
aims, focus and content. This means
that a camp name needs to be heavily
symbolic, substantial in meaning and
relevant in focus.
Shirat HaYam encompasses all this.
It immediately relates to its Biblical
origin of the Exodus from Egypt,
the singing of Miriam’s song as the
Israelites crossed the Red Sea and
the journey undertaken to reach the
Promised Land. Stemming from this
hefty historical background are a set of
pertinent themes that this machaneh
will be drawing from to formulate its
overarching chinnuch process.
Thus, there will be a strong transition
from engaging with our Biblical Jewish
heritage and ‘journeying’ through to
the present day. Along this path, we
will inspire and educate ourselves
about the evolutionary role of women
in Judaism stemming from Miriam,
and contrasting it with how women
are viewed in both Jewish and secular
society today. Another fundamental
element of this overarching journey is
to examine what it is that inspires us
to stand up for what we believe in and
progress, especially in the context of
music and the power of song.
Yet another theme embedded in the
name Shirat HaYam is the concept
of the ocean, or more broadly, the
environment and the crucial role it
plays in traditional Jewish thought and
in secular society. This ties in very well
with our role as Jews to repair the world
and finding strategic methods to create
a sustainable and healthy relationship
with nature.
Let this short summary serve as a
mere taste of the wonderful world
of camp, as we inspire our journey to
become powerful leading Progressive
Jews, with the Song of the Sea
resonating from our hearts.
Lauren Kessler
The final countdown has begun! With
only one month left until Machaneh
Shivim Panim begins, excitement is
in the air.
S
hivim Panim means Seventy Faces
— it is taken from a midrash that
explains that there are many different
ways to interpret the Torah. It says
that everyone sees the world in a
different way, and that each person
has something different to offer.
Camp will be from 8 — 28 December.
This year, camp is going to be bigger
and better than it has ever been
before. Our amazing Rosh Machaneh,
Brent Davidoff, and exceptional
camp team have spent the past year
preparing for what is rumoured to be
the best camp to date!
Machaneh will see the launch of
many new and dynamic initiatives
in addition to the old and loved
traditions. Some of the activities
that will be launched include martial
arts, music workshops, biblio-drama,
surfing lessons, hip-hop dance
classes, photography courses and
paintball. Let’s not forget the powerful
ruach sessions, emotional havdalah
ceremonies, dynamic Torah shiurim
and a spiritually uplifting Shabbat every
week
Bnei Akiva machaneh is an experience
that will remain with you for the rest of
your life. It is all about meeting new
people and rekindling old friendships
with Jewish youth from all over South
HABONIM DROR
The past few weeks
have been filled
with excitement for
Machaneh Bonim
Atid.
Gear Up and Take Off!
Building for the future
Travel Essentials
Travel Pouches
Compact Travel Umbrella
W
Document Pouches
Rain Jackets
Day Packs
Gear Bags
Toiletry Packs
Eye Masks
Neck Cushions
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Travel Bottles
Transit 75 Travel Pack / R999
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‣ Padded back, shoulder straps
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3-Dial Combination Lock / R70 each
5039 JC E & OE
ith just one
month
to
go,
Habonim
madrichim
and
channichim
are
preparing for what
will
undoubtedly
be
another
unforgettable
summer at the
Habonim campsite.
The Va’ad Poel Channichim get ready to welcome Shabbat at Machaneh 2010
(Camp
Steering (Photo: Justin Van Zyl).
Committee)
has
been planning the details of camp since to Israel through their experiences
March. With them, the Va’ad Machaneh and stories. Together with over 100
(Camp Organising Committee) has other madrichim, these are the people
been ensuring that everything goes ensuring that the perfect combination
according to plan. This amazing team of education, fun and Habonim magic
of just over 20 individuals will be taking will be experienced on camp this year.
The campsite has had several
this year’s machaneh to new heights.
improvements
over the past year,
The participants of the Habonim gapyear programme in Israel are also set and even more new tents will be
to return to South Africa at the end of available, ensuring a safe and warm
the month. Having learnt invaluable sleep every night. With places filling
leadership skills and grappled with up quickly and just over a month until
Israeli history and culture throughout the channichim board the buses for
the year, there’s no doubt that they Onrus, the members of Habonim are
will contribute greatly towards the buzzing with excitement. Whether this
is a channich’s first or last machaneh,
machaneh.
In addition to this, a team of 20 it promises to be an experience like no
Israeli madrichim will be flown down other. To register for Machaneh Bonim
for the full three weeks of machaneh. Atid visit: www.habo.org.za/signup.
This mishlachat are an essential Places are filling up quickly so make
aspect in connecting the channichim sure you don’t miss out!
Africa. The atmosphere is electric, and
being a part of a Bnei Akiva machaneh
is like nothing you will find anywhere
else.
Make sure you don’t miss out on the
amazing out-of-this-world experience!
For more information log onto,
www.70faces.co.za and make sure you
hand in your forms in time for the earlybird discount!
We can’t wait for this wonderful
journey to begin, and hope to see you
there!
HaShem Imachem,
Carly Sacks
Visit www.capeunionmart.co.za or call 08600-34000. Stores Nationwide.
30
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
An experience like no other
The Union of Jewish Women
Flower Group
By Alyxé Rosenberg — Rustenburg Girls’ High School
The Union of Jewish
Women
Flower
Group was started by the late
Celie Raphaely and her friends.
“The residents will steal
your heart, if you are only
willing to give them the
chance.”
T
he
women
did
flower
arrangements and decorations
for weddings and big functions,
and also made small gifts for Rosh
Hashanah.
This Yomtov effort has grown over
the years. Approximately 1500
gifts are packed, wrapped and Flower Group members at work: Back:
decorated annually, and delivered Hazel Hart, Naomi Samols, Lili Watkin,
where necessary. All this is done by Marion Casper and Barbara Shargey. Front:
Joy Fasser and Ada Newman.
volunteer workers and drivers.
Many charities and organisations
within the group. However, there is
have been supported by the Flower
an urgent need for younger people
Group over the years, including
to take over, and we appeal to young
Glendale, Highlands House, Jewish
women in the Jewish community to
Care Cape, Kosher Meals on Wheels,
form a group. They are bound to
Tape Aids for the Blind, Ezra and
have new ideas, and the ‘old school’
various educational bursaries.
will willingly give of their expertise to
Many friendships have been formed
assist.
working together over all the years,
Ada Newman, Co-chairman
and there is much camaraderie
As part of the community
service component of a
school project, I decided
to volunteer within the
Jewish community.
I
live down the road from
Glendale, and it seemed
like the best choice. But
not knowing much about
the place, my first day was
rather daunting.
Sharing a special moment.
Glendale is a home that
provides
full
24-hour
care and a loving, caring
environment for its 60
intellectually-challenged
residents from the Jewish
community. The home was
started in 1966, when a
group of people realised
that there was a need for
these facilities. Glendale
started off with only 6
residents and today, after
44 years of service, the
number has grown to 60
people. Mervyn Stein, the
director of Glendale, leads
a team of 62 exceptional
Alyxé and the residents hard at work on a group project
staff members, who are an for Arbour Day.
integral part of the Glendale
family and are truly dedicated to the burdens, and my life has them too. Pity
can be an awful demon, but pride will
residents’ well-being.
When I first became a volunteer let me stand with you.”
at Glendale, I was apprehensive. I Getting involved
didn’t know what to expect or how Involvement of the youth is needed
to react, as I had never spent time at Glendale to ensure the continuity
with intellectually-challenged people of activities for the residents and
before. But as soon as I got there, I fell to bring in new ideas, whether it is
in love with the place and the people. for fundraising or the day-to-day
The atmosphere was so warm and running of the institution. Youth are
welcoming, and the residents were encouraged to not only participate in
extremely friendly. One of the residents volunteer activities to complete their
in particular (let’s call her Leah) was the school projects, but to ‘pop-in’ after
first person I started talking to and was that for regular visits. The residents
so friendly and enthusiastic. We have love visitors and I soon realised just
since formed a very special bond and I how much they enjoy interaction with
was given the opportunity to guide her guests. One only has to look at their
at the One to One day this year. After faces to see the absolute delight when
spending time with the residents, I you walk through the door.
So, I call on all the youth in our
have grown extremely attached to all of
them and look forward to my fortnightly community to give up a little of
their time and give themselves the
visits, which I will continue.
opportunity to appreciate the Glendale
Memorable moments
I have had many special moments with experience. I can assure you that
the residents. One in particular was the residents will steal your heart, if
when ‘Leah’s’ mother called me aside you are only willing to give them the
to thank me for treating Leah with such chance. Being a part of the Glendale
love and warmth. She said that no other family will change your whole outlook
volunteer had managed to form such a on life. You will leave the home feeling
bond with her daughter before. It made so grateful for all you have, and you will
me realise how important it is to just be tackle new challenges with a totally
yourself and to treat the residents with new perspective. This experience has
the respect they deserve, and they will added such depth to my life. Why not
let it change yours?
welcome you with open arms.
The residents at Glendale are people
The residents of Glendale are like
just
like everyone else, and just want
a mini-community. There are natural
leaders who are always very helpful love, attention and care. They are
when I need to bring the group to order; people who don’t complain about what
residents that enjoy taking part in holds them back, but see only the
activities, and those who are happy to positive and good in themselves and in
watch from the side lines. I have learnt others.
to recognise the different personalities
and love them all for their individuality.
I have come to realise that pity is not
what they need, but rather love and
understanding. As the poem Ode to
Change says, “Life comes with many
“So when you pass me in the street,
stop, say hello and smile at me. New
friends are always nice to meet. Thank
you for this special treat.” — Ode to
Change (author unknown).
Pearl Gischen and
Marian Casper cooking Naomi
up a storm!
work.
Samols
Lina Kantor, Barbara Slome and
at others making peanut clusters at
Stonehaven.
ORT Tech team to compete in the
First Lego League (FLL)
On 5 November, a team of grade
8 and 9 learners from Linge
Primary School in Gugulethu
will compete in the First Lego
League Robotics tournament.
I
n the competition, teams from
all over Cape Town compete
by programming a robot to
follow certain instructions. In
addition, they have to present
a project. The theme of the
Students from Linge Primary School with robotics
tournament changes every year, equipment.
and this year it focuses on food
contamination.
ORT-Tech has utilised generous
donations from sponsors to
enter the team, which is under
the leadership of Mr France, a
teacher at Linge Primary School.
ORT-Tech staff member Sellina
Nonkontwana visits the school
on a weekly basis to assist
the team in preparing for the
competition.
On 28 September some of the
ORT-Tech’s FLL Team at Faircape Dairies.
students, their teachers, Ms
FLL teaches young people skills they
Nonkontwana and Debbie Staniland
would
not normally acquire, such as
went to Faircape Dairies. This was part
of the research required for the project research, presenting, technology,
on food contamination. Ms Dolby from mathematics, computer programming
Faircape answered questions from the and teamwork. Sponsorship of the
teams includes the entrance fee of the
students during the tour of the plant.
Last year, ORT-Tech was able to invest competition, purchasing the specific
in ten Robotics kits, and we hope to be competition kit, transport costs and
in a position to sponsor more teams team shirts.
To find out more, please contact
from other disadvantaged schools for
Debbie Staniland on 083 597 3991.
the 2012 competition.
31
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
JACOB GITLIN LIBRARY
ALBOW CENTRE PHONE: 021 462-5088 FAX: 021 465-8670
Gitlin launches volume of Willie Katz’s
Honourable Menschen columns
Fiction
SILVA Daniel, Portrait of a Spy. Haunted by his failure to stop a suicide bomber in
London, Gabriel Allon is summoned to Washington and drawn into a confrontation
with the new face of global terror. At the centre of the threat is an American-born
cleric in Yemen who was once a paid CIA asset.
PICK Alison, Far To Go. A powerful and profoundly moving story about one
family’s epic journey to flee Nazi occupation and above all to save the life of a
six-year-old boy. Inspired by Alison Pick’s own grandparents, who fled their native
Czechoslovakia for Canada during World War II, Far to Go is a deeply personal
and emotionally harrowing novel.
HILU Alon, Death of A Monk. Translated from Hebrew. Set in Damascus 1840,
this is a story charged with emotional and sexual conflict. A powerful literary tour
de force from a unique new voice; at times wickedly funny, at others painfully sad,
but beautifully told throughout.
American Jewry
BEN-AMI Jeremy, A New Voice for Israel. Many Americans who care about Israel’s
future are questioning whether the hardline, uncritical stances adopted by many
traditional pro-Israel advocates really serve the country’s best interests over the
long term. Moderate Jeremy Ben-Ami, founder of J Street (the new pro-Israel, propeace political movement), punctures many of the myths that have long guided
our understanding of the politics of the American Jewish community.
MARON Mark, The Jerusalem Syndrome: My Life as a Reluctant Messiah. The
Jerusalem Syndrome is a genuine psychological phenomenon that often strikes
visitors to the Holy Land. It is the delusion that they are suddenly direct vessels
for the voice of God. Mark Maron seems to have a distinctly American version
of the Jerusalem Syndrome, which has led him on a lifelong quest for religious
significance and revelation in the most unlikely of places.
Biographies
LAPID Yair, Memories After My Death: The Story of Joseph ‘Tommy’ Lapid. This
book tells the story of Tommy Lapid, a well-loved and controversial Israeli figure
who saw the development of the country from all angles over its first sixty years.
From seeing his father taken away to a concentration camp to arriving in Tel Aviv
at the birth of Israel, Tommy Lapid lived every major incident of Jewish life since
the 1930s first-hand. This sweeping narrative is mesmerising for anyone who has
an interest in how Israel became what it is today. Lapid’s uniquely unorthodox
opinions — he belonged to neither left nor right, was Jewish, but vehemently
secular — expose the many contradictions inherent in Israeli life today.
LAZAR Karen, Hemispheres: Inside a Stroke. Waking in hospital after a postoperative stroke, Karen finds one side of her body paralysed and her world
knocked out of kilter. Spatial, perceptual and subjective changes force her to
view her new life in facets. It is a title for family and friends of stroke patients,
survivors of debilitating physical changes.
JOWELL Joanne, Finding Sarah: A True Story of living with Bulimia. Sarah reveals
her story of having bulimia in brutally honest detail to author Joanne Jowell,
setting herself on a path of enlightenment for herself, her family and anyone who
might hear her story. No holds are barred as Sarah describes the selfishness
of the illness, the shame surrounding her condition, and the deceptive ends to
which she will go to hide her addiction.
Junior fiction and short stories
ARONSON Sarah, Beyond Lucky. Twelve-year-old Ari Fish is sure that the rare
trading card he found has changed his luck and that of his soccer team, but after
the card is stolen he comes to know that we make our own luck, and that heroes
can be fallible.
NADLER Stuart, The Book of Life. This collection comprises of seven stunning
tales about faith, family, grief, love, temptation, and redemption that signal the
arrival of a bold and exciting new writer.
Relationships
LEVITAN Chana, I Only Want To Get Married Once. A smart, clear relationship
guide with ten essential questions that need to be asked before — and during —
the dating process to spot long-term potential. Filled with real-life anecdotes and
insightful dating advice, these chapters will help you better understand yourself
and what you really need to succeed in building a loving marriage.
New DVDS
The Assassin Next Door. Galia is an assassin involved against her will with the
local sex-traffic mafia. All she wants is to reunite with her young daughter who she
left back home in Russia. Eleanor is a grocery store cashier and a battered wife.
She dreams of winning the lottery and running away from her abusive husband.
Galia and Eleanor don’t know each other, but as neighbours they share two
things: an adjoining wall and a strong need to plan their escape.
Rachel Getting Married. A young woman who has been in and out of rehab for
the past 10 years returns home for the weekend for her sister’s wedding.
T
he Jacob Gitlin Library
would like to express
a heartfelt thanks to all
our partners, members
of staff and guests, who
paid tribute to Willie Katz
on the publication of a
complete volume of his
Honourable Menschen
columns.
The book includes
all 286 columns that
appeared
over
the
years in the Cape
Jewish Chronicle, and is
available at the Gitlin.
Devis Iosifzon, Willie Katz, Dr David Scher, Irma Chait and
Ben-Zion Surdut.
Books of the Month
Jewish Memories of Mandela
Jews, notwithstanding that they
constituted a small minority within
the population, have been involved in
a remarkably disproportionate extent
of Mandela’s life history, and indeed in
the broader struggle for democracy in
South Africa.
W
hether as lawyers, political
activists,
trade
unionists,
journalists,
parliamentarians
or
business leaders, Jews have been
intricately involved in the Mandela
story, from his arrival in Johannesburg
as a young man onwards.
Many have themselves become
famous names in the annals of South
African history. They include Helen
Suzman, Joe Slovo, Ali Bacher, Tony
Leon, Rusty Bernstein, Arthur Goldreich,
Sol Kerzner, Ruth First, Gill Marcus,
Albie Sachs and Arthur Chaskalson.
This book also tells the stories of
Mandela’s remarkable interaction with
ordinary people, from the boy in 1996
who insisted on inviting the President to
his barmitzvah (he came, and danced)
and a conversation with a ten-yearold yeshiva bocher
with
presidential
ambitions.
© South African
Jewish Board of
Deputies
&
the
Umoja Foundation.
Text by David Saks.
Jewish Life in the South African Country
Communities
Volume IV part 1: Coastal Region and Pinetown, Midlands,
Northern Natal and Zululand.
The Jewish story in rural Natal
is less about institutions and
more about individuals —
hoteliers, farmers, shopkeepers,
professional people, soldiers and
others who played a significant
role in the development of
their localities. In common with
Jews in the rest of the country,
Natal’s Jews made an impact
out of proportion with their small
numbers.
David Saks
Associate Director
South African Jewish Board of
Deputies
Sophie Scholl — The Final Days. A dramatisation of the final days of Sophie
Scholl, one of the most famous members of the German World War II anti-Nazi
resistance movement, The White Rose.
New Hebrew Fiction Books
WITTENBORN Dirk, Pharmakon
YA’ALON (Buggy) Moshe, The Longer Shorter Way
ROBERTS Nora, The Name of the Game
COBURN Jennifer, Tales from the Crib
STEEL Daniel, Bungalow 2
SHAHAM-GOVER Orit, Flying Letters
Join our mailing list for more information and speedy updates: gitlib@netactive.co.za or 021-462 5088
32
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
Gina Reynolds and Warren Brits
Photo: Desmond Louw
Fax: 021 447-5545 Tel: 021 448-2130 email: komatifoods@iafrica.com
Owned and operated by Diane and Ivan Sabath
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33
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
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34
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
EMPLOYMENT WANTED
SORT IT
Reliable domestic requires full time, live
in position, Cape Town area. General
household duties, incl cooking.
Phone 072 1863380 or
martsternlaw@mweb.co.za
Downsizing home? Retirement move?
Kids leaving home? Deceased estate?
Organising,
sorting,
cataloguing,
disposing of books, household effects,
memorabilia, etc. 083 2657738.
HOLIDAY APARTMENTS SYDNEY
PART TIME POSITION OFFERED
KOSHER FOOD
Eastern Suburbs. A selection of fully
furn apartments avail for holiday or
short rentals.
Email: ryan.marlene74@gmail.com
Lady required to assist with collections.
Reply admin@uos.co.za
Functions, dinner parties and individual
dishes for freezer. Gifts, cakes, biscuits,
kichel made to order. Bev Kleinman
021 439-4232 / 021 439-7608.
CHRONIC ADS
Rates: R30 per line + VAT Phone: 021
464-6736 (mornings)
HOUSE / PET SITTER
Reliable, professional, over 9 yrs exp.
Refs avail. Linda 083 7269873
COUPLE AVAILABLE TO HOUSE-SIT
Reliable. Dec / Jan. Sea Point area.
Ethne 083 7874581.
PROFESSIONAL CARER/
CHILDMINDER AVAILABLE
Will
work
here
073 1035032.
or
overseas.
HOWIE’S SHUTTLE – Since 2007
Airport transfers, general transport.
www.howiesshuttle.co.za
Howard 082 7114616.
BECK ’N CALL
Shuttle and airport transfers. Avail
24/7. Covering the peninsula. Air cond
vehicle. 072 2526989.
K A B SHUTTLES AND TRANSFERS
Phone Keith Benjamin 082 4218219.
MEL’S SHUTTLE SERVICE
Airport round trip special.
Mel Gottschalk 082 3960370.
COMING TO JHB?
Experienced, reliable driver avail to
fetch you from OR Tambo — 24 hrs.
Paul 083 5426480.
ADMINISTRATION SOLUTIONS
Helping small businesses with their
admin. Creating order out of chaos and
doing various office admin functions.
Computer work, debt collecting, book
keeping. Phone Rochelle 083 2657738
BEAUTY THERAPIST
All About U. Skin and body care.
301 Medical Centre Sea Point.
Phone Shelley Myers 021 434-5857
FRUM YOGA
Keter Kadish. 082 8262853.
KITKE BOARDS / CHALLAH COVERS
A stunning range of kitke boards,
challah covers, mezuzahs and much
more for all gift requirements. Ph SybilAnn 021 715-1964.
PERSONALISED SERVIETTES
Stickers and stationery. Michelle Shev
021 434-3290 or 083 3535732.
STICKERS/CLOTHING LABELS
Bridge Cards. Gayle 021 423 4115
INVITATIONS
Stunning and different, all occasions.
Phone Paula 021 423-1544.
SHAWN BENJAMIN PHOTOGRAPHY
Weddings, bar/batmitzvahs. Archiving
of photographs. 021 794-3443
www.arkimages.co.za
Podiatrist
Sean J Pincus
NHDPod (SA) BSc Hons (Brighton)
20 Years clinical experience
At the New Cape Quarter
27 Somerset road. Greenpoint
For appointments call
021 425-2298 or 082 4674581
Email queries to seanj@netactive.co.za
For treatment for the following:
• Chronic foot, ankle, knee and lower back
pain • Sports injuries • Foot orthotic
management • All general foot and nail
conditions • Diabetic foot Assessment
and management • Video gait and cycling
assessment • Computerised Foot
Force plate analysis
Under cover parking at the Cape Quarter
Easy access to rooms using the Napier road lifts
JEWELLERY EVALUATION
Your jewellery evaluated in the safety
and privacy of your home. Robert Lurie
Jewellery Evaluations. 021 551-1686
CONVERT VHS AND PICS TO DVD
Barry Kay 082 885 7458
mediamemories@bax.co.za
http://mediamemories.bax.co.za
ACTIVE ELECTRIC
Reliable 24hr 7-day service. All
contracting, maintenance and servicing
(including intercoms). Phone Norman
021 439-4311 or 083 2257409.
PLUMBERS TO THE RESCUE
Plumbing maintenance services.
Phone Harold 082 9628477.
JOFFE PLUMBING
For all sanitary plumbing repairs,
maintenance and renovations. Phone
Hilton 082 7892897 or 021 439-5550.
BLINDS
New
blinds,
and cleaning.
082 5631955.
servicing,
repairs
Stephen Guinsberg
35
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
CHRONIC ADS contd
CARPET CRAFT
For the steam cleaning of carpets and
upholstery. All work done personally.
Phone Leslie Kaplan 082 5477208.
KLEEN BIN
For instant cleaning, sanitising,
deodorising of your black refuse bins.
Weekly, fortnightly or once monthly
service. Ph Nicole 082 8260861
citybowl@kleenbin.com
WEEKLY POOL MAINTENANCE
Installation of pumps, filters, chlorinators and solar heating. Ph Lionel at
Monte Vista Pools 021 558-7910.
GLISS IRRIGATION
Garden sprinkler system –for all repairs
and installations. Phone Roy Kassel
082 4905267.
STAN’S REMOVALS
No job too big or too small. House and
office moves. Personal supervision.
Stan 021 434-8035 / 083 2923781.
MAZAL MOTORS
Leon Levitt — Maintenance and
repairs to all types of vehicles. Try us.
Ph 021 797-1550 or 082 4102756.
BRIDGE LESSONS
Learning the game and supervised
bridge play. Joyce 084 6704989
Too old to drive?
No garage space?
Emigrating?
COMPUTER LESSONS
Easy steps to learn email and internet.
Patient teacher in the comfort of your
home. Joyce 084 6704989.
I will buy your vehicle!
BASIC COMPUTER LESSONS
Melville Silke
Ph 072 132-5572
021 5523429 a/h
In the comfort of your home. Emails,
internet etc. Adele 021 551-5538 /
083 4149040.
FREE COMPUTER LESSONS
For seniors (55+). Cyril 072 5945750.
021 423-7379.
COMPUTERS
All PC needs including new computers,
virus removal, upgrades, ADSL, Skype
and troubleshooting. Phone Ilan
082 7324830 or 021 434-7691.
THE COMPUTER GUY
Internet connectivity, Upgrades, New
Systems, Specialised software, Repairs
and Troubleshooting. Ph 082 549 0457.
MASTER MATHS
Sea Point and Gardens areas.
Expert maths tuition. Grades 6 — 12.
Reasonable rates. 28 yrs experience.
Ph Karen Weinberg 021 461-8543.
ERRORS, OMISSIONS AND
CORRECTIONS
The Cape Jewish Chronicle regrets
any errors or omissions that may
occur in the paper and, where
possible, will attempt to rectify these
in a subsequent issue, should such a
measure be deemed appropriate.
No repeat advertisement or credits
will be given for small typographical
errors which do not appreciably lessen
the value of the advertisement. The
appearance of an advertisement does
not necessarily indicate approval by
the Editorial Board for the product or
service advertised, and it takes no
responsibility for any loss or damage
suffered by any person as a result
of the reliance upon the information
contained therein.
LEON BOYD
for best prices on
appliances tv sets
and beds
021-4343852
076 9262041
try me first before buying
glendaboyd@tiscali.co.za
36
CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2011
SA Maccabi FUTSAL
training camp report back
SA Maccabi FUTSAL — work hard, play hard!
This is the motto of the SA Maccabi
men’s open FUTSAL team that will
be competing at the upcoming Pan
American Maccabi Games in Sao
Paulo Brazil later this year.
T
raining is well underway, having
kicked off with a training camp in
Cape Town in July, closely followed
by training four days a week,
including tactical training, 5-a-side
league matches, endurance running
and boxing fitness.
The team is coming along really
well, and have acquired the services
of Quinton Allies, the South African
national FUTSAL coach.
“We have already learnt a great
deal from Quinton, as he brings
with him a wealth of knowledge and
experience about FUTSAL, which will
no doubt give us huge confidence
going into our first ever FUTSAL
tournament,” says Ronen Cohen.
Its not only about the destination
but also about the journey, and the
players from the Maccabi FUTSAL
team are certainly enjoying it — even
if it means waking up at 5am to go
to their boxing training twice a week!
It is the first time that SA Maccabi
will be sending a FUTSAL team
to the Pan Am Games, and with
preparation like this, we have no
doubt that the team will do us proud!
B’hatzlacha!
The Cape Town-based FUTSAL players
after a vigorous fitness session at the
BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS gym in Sea Point.
Quinton Allies (SA national FUTSAL coach)
giving the SA Maccabi FUTSAL team some
valuable advice.