Mordechai Anielewicz, Commander of the Warsaw

April 2013
Established 1923
Volume 17 No. 7
Mordechai Anielewicz, Commander of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
On April 19th 1943 the Warsaw ghetto uprising began. The ghetto fighters were able
to hold out for nearly a month, but on May 16th 1943 the revolt ended. This year is the
70th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising.
T H E M O N T H LY J O U R N A L O F T H E K WA Z U L U - N ATA L J E W I S H C O M M U N I T Y
EDITORIAL
Contents
Editorial
In Perspective
ISRAEL
As world's largest exporter of drones, Israel
looks to transform battlefield
As Syrian conflict rages, Druze loyalty to
Assad persists
JEWISH WORLD
A divided Belgium nears a belated consensus on
Holocaust-era complicity
Judaism as free-for-all should be what we want
Past Tense
COMMUNITY NEWS
Bubkes
KwaZulu-Natal Zionist Council
DIVOTE
Umhlanga Jewish Day School
Durban Kollel
Beth Shalom
Eden College
Durban Holocaust Centre
Durban United Hebrew Congregation
Moriah
Durban Progressive Jewish Congregation
Union of Jewish Women
Talmud Torah
Talmud Torah Generations
Chabad of the North Coast
Wotsup Wizo
Council of KwaZulu-Natal Jewry
Above Board
Cooking with Judy & Linda
Social & Personal
Diary of Events
Prof Antony Arkin
page 4
page 5
page 6
page 7
page 8
page 9
page 10
page 11
page 12
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page 15
page 16
page 17
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page 19
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page 24
page 24
The views expressed in the pages of Hashalom are not necessarily
those of the Editorial Board or any other organisation or religious
body unless otherwise stated. Hashalom merely reflects views of
that particular organisation or individual.
Hashalom Editorial Board:
Chairman: Prof Marcus Arkin Editor: Prof Antony Arkin
Commitee: Dr Issy Fisher, Ms Diane McColl, Mrs Lauren Shapiro.
Production Manager/Secretary: Mrs Mikki Norton
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2 HASHALOM
April 2013
OBAMA'S KISHKAS
page 2
page 3
P
resident Barack Obama's first presidential visit to Israel
focused heavily on resetting his relationship with the
Israeli people. His aim was to reassure them that he is
committed to their security and has their interests at heart.
Obama, known for his cool, detached public persona needs to
show that he feels their concerns. It is an opportunity, according
to Dennis Ross, Obama's former Middle East adviser "for him
to connect with the Israeli psyche". Obama, who visited Cairo,
Istanbul and Riyadh during his first term, is hoping to build public
confidence in Israel, the first foreign destination of his second
term.
The symbolism began soon after his arrival, when Obama
toured an Iron Dome anti-missile battery brought to the airport
especially for his review. This joint venture with US money and
Israeli tehnology signifies a deep partnership and iron clad cooperation, all the objectives Obama wanted to highlight.
Obama, who was sharply criticized for not mentioning the
Jewish people's historical tie to Israel in his Cairo speech in 2009,
" made up" by a visit to the Israel Museum's Shrine of the Book
that houses the Dead Sea Scrolls, the earliest surviving copies
of a biblical text and evidence of the Jews' ancient connection to
the Land of Israel. He also visited the especially created museum
exhibit profiling Israeli technology. He and and the accompanying
journalists saw Israel not only as the land of the Bible, but also as
a country at the cutting edge of computer technology.
Obama's visit comes at a time when US and Israeli strategic
concerns are more closely aligned than they have been in years
with the West's nuclear standoff with Iran at a critical stage and
Syria's civil war seen as a threat to regional stability. Obama
insisted he was not bluffing about military action against Iran if
all else fails. It is hoped he gave iron clad guarantees to Prime
Minister Netanyahu that he will do what is deemed necessary,
including the use of military force, to prevent Iran from getting
a nuclear bomb.
Regarding the peace process with the Palestinians, Obama
said he had no concrete plans on how to move the process
forward. His goal was rather to listen to both sides and hear
their strategies and visions. Obama said the only path forward
was for the Israelis and Palestinians to get back into negotiations.
He would further explore "whether that can happen soon or
whether there needs to be further work on the ground". By
laying wreaths at the grave of Yitzhak Rabin Obama signalled
his commitment to the peace process, as well as his homage
to the slain leader. Of equal importance, by laying a wreath at
the grave of Zionism's founder Theodor Herzl after Turkish
Prime Minister's Erdogan's recent rant that Zionist is a crime
against humanity, Obama sent a clear message affirming Israel's
legitimacy.
Obama also addressed his relationship with Netanyahu, calling it
"terrific, businesslike, we get stuff done". By finally communicating
to the Israeli public that he understands that they live in a tough
neighbourhood, have a dark history and have well founded fears,
Obama has taken Israel to his heart. He finally understands Israel
in his kishkas, his gut.
IN PERSPECTIVE
THE BEYACHAD LIBRARY
Prof Marcus Arkin
"The People of the Book" . It is a bit ironic that the Jewish
community should cling to that description and at the same time
be prepared to jettison its main communal library at Beyachad.
The main library used to belong to the South African Zionist
Federation and was an integral part of the Fed's existence and
character. As Director-General of the Federation from 1973 to
1985 I spent many hours in the library which had four professional
assistants. The library was central to the Federation's being.
To the Jews of the Witswatersrand I would have thought the
library was essential. It provides evidence of a Jewish presence
even before 1886, when Johannesburg was founded. In its
newspaper files are records of how the early Jewish pioneers
bolstered the city's economic and social life, without which such
claims cannot be substantiated.
in his/her early twenties who has gone to Beyachad to attend
a meeting say, on a forthcoming concert. The meeting is to
take place in twenty minutes, and so he/she wonders into the
library. The visitor is overwhelmed by the richness of the Jewish
content on the shelves and is late for the meeting because he/
she never imagined the depths of the experience. This is what
we will be losing if the library closes down.
Books and reading are important in most situations. For the
South African Jewish community it represents the very essence
of life. Without it, the community soldiers on purposeless. It is
like a diver going into an empty pool.
The library also houses the Joe Green collection of audiovisual material which contains films of South Africa and Israeli
development available nowhere else, and this is repeated right
down the line. Many of the books in the library are out of print
and are not available in any other repository in the country.
During my years at the Federation the very idea that the library
should be closed down was unheard of. In fact the talk was
always exactly the opposite. Plans were afoot, and some were
implemented, to expand the library facilities. It was the only
place to go to if one wanted to follow up the historical growth
of a town or institution. Take the Federation itself. It housed
a full set of minutes of Honorary Officers meetings, and these
meetings were very fully described. So much so when Professor
Gidi Shimoni wrote his important history of the South African
Zionist movement those minutes provided him with material
which would not have been found anywhere else. Serious
scholarship on any aspects of the community's history must have
the backing of the library.
Nor should the library be regarded as a static entity. There is a
wealth of new scholarly publications being produced worldwide
which is imperative for the library to obtain. In addition funding
is always essential for the latest issues of Jewish learned journals.
There was always a budget for these acquisitions in the past and
it should not be beyond the community's resources to ensure
that such a budget is available in the future.
In fact I cannot understand why there is a financial problem
with the library's upkeep. Once it is accepted that the library is
an essential ingredient of the community's existence the funds
will be forthcoming just as they are for other aspects of Jewish
communal life such as JNF activities, or Holocaust memorial
programmes.
Nor should staffing be an insuperable financial problem. One fulltime, fully trained and experienced librarian is all that is needed
provided he or she has the backing of half a dozen volunteers.
Johannesburg is full of Jewish librarians who for one reason or
another have withdrawn from active participation. They need
to be rounded up to serve the community.
But the library is not only the preserve of researchers trying to
clarify the community's historical roots. It is open to everybody,
and that explains its real value. Think of a Jewish man or woman
Support the Community!
The Torah tells us that the world is built on three things: love, prayer
and charity.
The mitzvah of charity, or tzedakah, is of central importance to
Jewish life and one of the highest forms of this act of righteousness
is to support one’s community.
With the announcement of an exciting new team heading the UCF,
led by Clive Bernstein, the CKNJ would like to encourage every
member of the Durban Jewish community to support our community
institutions and programs in whatever way they can.
We have an obligation to ensure the continuation of our community
and Jewish life into the future, and even the smallest donation will
make a difference.
Supporting a variety of organizations and institutions, from Durban
Jewish Social Services and Beth Shalom to the CKNJ and the new
youth shaliach, the UCF collects funds to ensure that:
- the most vulnerable in our community live with dignity and
security;
- youth are taught the importance of community and the role that
Israel plays in the lives of the Jews in the Diaspora;
- communal administrative structures are effective, efficient and
coordinated.
The UCF’s new ‘Charity Ambassadors’ will be reaching out to the
community in the next few months and we call for your support for
this important initiative.
For any more information on the UCF and how you can
donate, contact Clive Bernstein on 082 416 5300 or email
cliveab@mweb.co.za, or any of the new UCF team of Ronnie Herr
on 083 500 4060, Jeremy Droyman on 082 456 2291, Graham
Kluk on 083 788 4118, David Simpson on 083 779 3032 and Solly
Berchowitz on 083 325 1664.
April 2013
HASHALOM 3
ISRAEL
AS WORLD'S LARGEST EXPORTER OF DRONES, ISRAEL
LOOKS TO TRANSFORM BATTLEFIELD
Ben Sales
A
IAI’s drones conduct surveillance, take photographs, and record
audio and video, according to Kalron. He would not discuss the
drones’ combat capabilities; IAI’s website includes the payload
limits for drones.
Welcome to the next generation of the Israeli Air Force.
Drone expert Arie Egozi of the online publication Israel Homeland
Security told JTA that “from a technological standpoint, every
drone” can shoot missiles. “You put bombs under the wings and
it shoots them,” Egozi said.
n Israeli soldier sits in an office chair in an air-conditioned
metal chamber staring at two screens side by side. One
shows a map with a moving dot. The other displays a video
feed. Next to the soldier are three more identical stations. The
soldier isn't an air traffic controller but a pilot, and his aircraft is
called an unmanned aerial system, more commonly known as a
drone.
Israel long has relied on superior air capability to maintain a military
edge in the Middle East, and its pilots are among the most respected
soldiers in the county. Now Israel’s drone industry is booming,
and experts predict that within decades, manned flight largely will
be a thing of the past – especially in risky combat missions. During
Israel’s Pillar of Defense operation in Gaza last year, Israeli drones
reportedly played a key role on the battlefield.
“Already today we see that the technology can work faster and
better than our five senses, which are limited,” Tzvi Kalron, a
marketing manager for Israel Aerospace Industries told JTA in an
interview during a recent tour of an Israeli drone facility. “When
you take away the human factor in battle and send tools that
know how to do it better, it’s easier.”
With two large drone manufacturers - Israel Aerospace
Industries, a government company, and Elbit Systems - Israel
is the world's second-largest producer of drones, behind the
United States, and the world's largest exporter of drones. IAI
began manufacturing drones in 1974, employs 1,000 people in
its drone division and sells about $400 million worth of drones
per year. The company exports to 49 countries, including NATO
allies fighting in Afghanistan, such as Canada and Australia. The
client list also reportedly includes some U.S. rivals, such as
Russia, and developing countries like Nigeria.
About one-fifth of IAI’s drones stay in Israel. They range from
the 5-ton Heron TP, which can fly as high as 45,000 feet and stay
in the air for 52 hours, to the handheld Mosquito micro-drone,
which weighs less than a pound and travels nearly a mile. The
Heron looks like an oversized, gray remote-control airplane, with
a radar sticking out of its top and, of course, no space for a pilot.
Along with Air Force drones, the Israel Defense Forces plans
to incorporate drones in infantry units. Soldiers may carry a
disassembled mini-drone in two backpacks and, when patrolling
cities, assemble the drone, launch it by slingshot and monitor it by
remote control. The Ghost, as this drone is known, weighs nine
pounds and can help the unit eliminate blind spots and, according
to IDF spokesman Eytan Buchman, overcome the “fog of war.”
“You can’t see around the corner, you don’t know what’s on the
other side of the hill,” Buchman said. “It's definitely helpful when
you're facing guerrilla opponents and rely heavily on the element
of surprise.” He added that drones help save civilian lives by
identifying civilians near a bomb’s target and helping reroute the
bomb to avoid them. The Ghost's only protruding feature is its
most expensive part: a small, round camera that sticks out of
the drone's underbelly. To protect the camera, the Ghost flips
upside-down before it lands.
Kalron said IAI hopes to expand its drone options in the coming
years, developing stealth drones that are harder to see and hear,
and working on a micro-drone with wings that flap like a butterfly
- a concept known as biomimicry. IAI also is expanding drones’
civilian uses, like surveillance of large crowds and stadiums.
4 HASHALOM
April 2013
Some critics argue that the use of drones raises serious moral
and legal problems. The debate has been particularly heated on
the American use of unmanned vehicles for targeted killings in
Afghanistan and Pakistan. While drones are not without their
Israeli critics, they have provoked far less controversy here than
in the United States. For many Israelis, a future where planes
fly unmanned and pilots are at less risk of death or capture is a
welcome development.
“If you can take the pilots out of danger, of course it’s better,”
said Uri Aviv, a civilian flight instructor who spent 15 years in the
Israeli Air Force. “The moral question is about hitting the target,
not the type of weapon. It doesn’t matter if you use a cannon, a
tank, a plane or a drone. A pilot can’t see who he’s hitting - it’s
the same thing with a drone.”
The biggest concern raised by drones, says Hebrew University
philosophy professor Moshe Halbertal, is that their pinpoint
accuracy raises the bar for the soldiers operating them. Freed
from the stress and uncertainty of flying a plane, Halbertal said,
soldiers must take more time to “identify who is a legitimate
target” and review the decision before launching a strike.
Halbertal said he doubts that “those who operate drones will be
much quicker in using weapons” than traditional pilots.
Egozi said the bigger question for Israel is about the efficacy
of exporting to countries such as Russia, which has provided
technology to Israeli adversaries like Iran and Syria. Israel’s
agreements with Russia have required pledges that Russia not
sell certain missile technology to Iran. Every IAI export deal must
receive Israeli Defense Ministry approval before being finalized,
according to Kalron. He said he looks forward to a day when 95
percent of army aviation is unmanned and the Israeli Air Force
is not needed.
“In 20 or 30 years they’ll fly drones on commercial flights,”
Kalron said. “It’s a trend that’s developing quickly. Technology is
superior than all human abilities.”
JTA
Troy Schonken
www.djc.co.za
ISRAEL
AS SYRIAN CONFLICT RAGES, DRUZE LOYALTY TO
ASSAD PERSISTS
Ben Sales
A
t first glance, the identification cards of young Druze men
looked identical to those of any Israeli, with a number,
photo, name and address. The only difference is the
citizenship line: Instead of listing "Israeli,” most of the Druze
cards are blank.
A few said the rebels are agents of foreign interests - a belief
promoted by the Assad regime. “Whoever supports foreign
entities doesn’t understand politics,” said Sayed, 43, who was
born in Majdal Shams and did not give his last name. “We support
the state, and whoever supports the state supports Assad.”
“If someone takes citizenship, he’s labeled as an extremist,”
said Wafa Abusela, 19, sitting with his friends in a cafe in Majdal
Shams, a Druze city in the northwest corner of the Golan
Heights. “People won’t talk to him.”
Despite their divided loyalties, the Druze community is often
held up as an exemplar of the Jewish state's success in protecting
the rights of ethnic minorities, with Jewish tour groups routinely
making stops in Druze villages to enjoy local hospitality. “We and
the Druze live in full cooperation,” said Ori Kalner, deputy head
of the Golan Regional Council. Druze contractors have managed
much of the Golan’s recent construction, Kalner said, and the
council is developing a shared industrial park with Majdal Shams.
A secretive offshoot of Islam, the Druze community spans
the territory of Israel, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, and their
allegiances are similarly fragmented. Druze who live in the
Galilee are citizens of the Jewish state, but the Golan Druze
rejected offers of citizenship after Israel annexed the territory in
1981, retaining their loyalty to Syria. Of the 20,000 Druze living
on the Golan, only a small fraction hold Israeli citizenship.
There's little evidence to show this is changing. According to
Interior Ministry figures, 20 Golan Druze requested Israeli
citizenship in 2012 – a substantial jump over the two to five that
did so annually in previous years, but still a minuscule percentage
of the total population.
But as the Syrian civil war continues to rage just over the border,
the Golan Druze say they are grateful for the stability and
security that Israel affords - even as they still eschew the idea
of becoming citizens, citing pressure from their parents and the
fear of reprisals should the Golan ever revert to Syrian control.
"A gap between Israel and Syria is standing out now with the civil
war," said Shmuel Shamai, a professor at Tel Chai College and
the Golan Research Institute. "The young people talk about the
subject of human rights more, and all the murder happening in
Syria, the young people don’t identify with it."
Still, there's a sense among some Druze that Israel's rule over the
Golan won't last forever. The Interior Ministry employee said that
fear of an Israeli withdrawal keeps many residents from taking
Israeli citizenship or openly supporting the rebels. Residents are
scared, she said, that should Assad survive and come to regain
control of the Golan someday, they will be punished for betrayal.
“In the end, we’ll go to Syria,” said Safi Awwad, who says he
feels “almost” like an Israeli. “The Golan belongs to Syria.”
Rafi Skandar disagreed, insisting that parental pressure against
accepting Israeli citizenship would recede.
“In another five years,” Skandar said, “everyone will have Israeli
citizenship.”
JTA
Young Druze, Shamai said, feel less connected to Syria than their
parents, though "they're still not going to be doing pro-Israel
activity."
"People understand that there's democracy, that people can say
what they want," said a Druze employee of the Interior Ministry,
who has Israeli citizenship but did not give her name because
she was not authorized to speak to the media. "People here are
happy with Israel. It’s good for me here. I was born here.”
A 25-year-old gas station attendant illustrates the competing
claims on Druze loyalty. Recently returned from Syria, he knows
the horror stories unfolding on the other side and feels safer
in Israel, where he hopes to begin working soon as a dentist.
But loyalty to his family has made adopting Israeli citizenship an
impossibility. “My father taught me that we are Syrian,” he said.
"The feeling is, if you don’t want to be Syrian, leave the state. My
home is here. My parents are here.”
Druze are generally loyal to the country in which they live. Unlike
Israeli Arabs, many Galilee Druze serve in the Israeli army. But
many residents of Majdal Shams consider the Golan to be Syrian
and, according to some reports, still support the Assad regime.
April 2013
HASHALOM 5
JEWISH WORLD
A DIVIDED BELGIUM NEARS A BELATED CONSENSUS
ON HOLOCAUSTͳERA COMPLICITY
Cnaan Lipschitz
A
s the sister of Belgium’s most powerful Nazi, Madeleine
Cornet knew better than to inquire about the ethnicity
of the three women she hired as housemaids in October
1942. Cornet did not want to further implicate herself by
hearing what she already knew: Her new hires were Jews
who managed to escape the deportations that her brother, the
Belgian politician and Nazi collaborator Leon Degrelle, was
busy organizing.
The unlikely story of Cornet and her husband, Henry, was
unearthed only a few months ago among a wave of articles in
the Belgian media last year dealing with the country’s role in the
Holocaust. The sudden focus on Belgium's Holocaust history
reflects the country's belated reckoning with its complicity in
the deaths of 28,902 Belgian Jews during World War II.
In the last year, Begium opened its first Holocaust museum and,
for the first time, acknowledged its role in the persecution of its
Jewish citizens. It began in August, when the mayor of Antwerp
admitted the country’s Holocaust-era guilt, initiating a string
of mea culpas by his Brussels counterpart and the leaders of
several other municipalities and culminating with a statement
from the prime minister himself.
“We must have the courage to look at the truth: There was
steady participation by the Belgian state authorities in the
persecution of Jews,” Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo said at a
memorial ceremony in Mechelen, the point from which more
than one-third of Belgium’s Jewish population of approximately
66,000 was sent to Auschwitz, according to Yad Vashem, Israel's
national Holocaust museum in Jerusalem.
This month, a committee of the Belgian Senate endorsed a
watered-down version of his words, noting only that “some
Belgian authorities” helped deport the Jews. The formal admissions
of guilt have come late by Western European standards. Austria
acknowledged its culpability in 1993; France and the Netherlands
followed suit two years later. “I think the delay owed in part to
tensions between Belgium’s two parts, the Flemish-speaking
Flanders region and the French-speaking Wallonian region,”
said Guido Joris, an editor of Joods Actueel, the Antwerp-based
weekly that published the Cornets’ story for the first time. “These
differences meant it took a long time to arrive at a consensus.”
Indeed, even mundane decisions such as building a new university
or hospital often lead to recriminations between the distrustful
representatives of the country’s two ethnic groups, the Flemish
and the Walloons, who occupy three autonomous regions that
make up a brittle federal entity the size of Maryland.
Historian Jan Maes discovered the Cornets' story, tracking
down one of the housemaids, Hannah Nadel, who now lives
in Israel. Nadel recalled that visitors associated with the Nazi
movement would routinely dine at the house, while the three
Jewish women hid in the basement. Nadel’s mother sometimes
would cook gefilte fish, which Cornet presented to her guests
as “oriental fish.”
The bravery of couples like the Cornets was not as uncommon
in Belgium as in other European countries. According to Yad
Vashem, Belgium has 1,612 Righteous among the Nations. The
figure is the third highest in Western Europe, behind France
(3,513) and Holland (5,204) and well ahead of Germany and
6 HASHALOM
April 2013
Italy, with 500-some rescuers apiece. The Cornets are not on
the list, as Nadel, 86, has never submitted their names. “We
thought about it for a long time but we never did as we feared,
at the time, it might get them into trouble with their heavily Nazi
family,” she told JTA.
Like Degrelle, hundreds of Belgians - many of them police
officers - were involved directly in hunting down Jews. Not a
single Belgian municipality refused the Nazi occupiers’ orders to
register the Jews in their jurisdictions. Only one, in the Brussels
region, refused to hand out yellow stars.
These facts were documented in an 1,100-page report,
“Obedient Belgium,” that was released in 2007 by the Center
for Historical Research and Documentation on War and
Contemporary Society five years after the federal body started
its work at the Belgian Senate’s request. The report found
that the Belgian state collaborated systematically with the Nazi
occupation in hunting down its Jews and Roma, or gypsies. On
Jan. 9, a decade after the center launched its probe, the Senate
adopted some of its findings.
“Part of the delay owed to how on the French-speaking side,
relevant documents had not beet properly kept, whereas Flemish
authorities archived them meticulously,” Maes said. “There
were concerns this disparity in documentation could create
a lopsided report." In addition, no politician was eager to add
Holocaust complicity to the list of tensions that already burden
the relationship between Walloons and Flemish, Maes said.
There was another inconvenient truth as well. According to Dr.
Eric Picard, founder of the Brussels-based Association for the
Memory of the Shoah, about 25 percent of the Jewish population
in French-speaking Belgium was murdered, compared to 75
percent of Flanders’ similarly sized Jewish community. Historians
attribute the disparity to a number of factors: the availability
of escape routes to French speakers; the close-knit nature of
Antwerp’s more religious community; and the Aryan affinity that
some Flemish non-Jews felt toward Germany.
Picard, a fiery 54-year-old psychiatrist from Brussels, says
that while he’s appreciative of the “enormous, albeit belated
momentum” with which Belgian officials have addressed
their country’s darkest hours, he fears some backslide is
occurring, noting the difference between Di Rupo’s sweeping
acknowledgement of official complicity with the Senate’s more
conditional language.
This, Picard says, is “Holocaust revisionism.” He is disappointed
as well by the Senate’s failure to enact a special status for
Holocaust survivors, as the 2007 study recommends, or to offer
restitution. Eli Ringer, the honorary president of Flemish Jewry’s
Forum of Jewish Organizations, nonetheless calls the recent
admissions of guilt “important milestones” and the opening in
December of Belgium’s Holocaust museum in Mechelen (or
Malines, in French) a “significant step.” Named the Dossin
Barracks Memorial, Museum and Documentation Centre for
the Holocaust and Human Rights, the imposing building was
inaugurated by King Albert II and is made of 25,852 bricks representing the 25,257 Jews and 595 Roma known to have
been sent to their deaths from the nearby barracks.
JTA
JEWISH WORLD
JUDAISM AS FREEͳFORͳALL SHOULD BE WHAT WE
WANT
B
ack when he was Israel's Minister of Justice, the
irrepressible and ever-creative Yossi Beilin put forward
a proposal for secular conversion to Judaism. As he
explained, “It is simply unimaginable that in the 21st century, a
time in which most of world Jewry is not religious, we should
continue to grant certain religious establishments the right to
define 'who is a Jew.'”
Beilin's argument was straightforward: “Why is someone like
me allowed to be an agnostic Jew while a convert to Judaism is
not? Why must a non-Jewish atheist or agnostic go to a rabbi in
order to become a Jewish atheist or agnostic?”
Or, more elaborately, “We must… give people… who wish to
be identified as Jews the right to join the Jewish people on the
basis of their own self-definition. I envision a situation where a
non-Jew - who does not claim membership in another religion turns to the local Jewish community and asks to be registered as
a community member. The community would ask for references
from two Jewish community members, as is customary upon
joining certain movements or clubs.
Leonard Fein
in America, are Jews by choice. And if we are all Jews by choice,
it follows that our relationship to being Jewish - the importance
we attribute to being Jewish and our relevant beliefs regarding
the implications of being Jewish - is also inherently a matter
of choice. We see this all around us. Atheism, agnosticism,
fervent denominationalism (as also passive denominationalism),
friendship and residential preferences, charitable behavior these all vary greatly.
If I am permitted to define Judaism for myself, short of accepting
some other religion, then I can come to Judaism with all manner
of beliefs, values, even customs. And others can, just as freely,
choose to take our dreams as their own. Is it a bad thing that so
many have taken our Exodus story and woven it into their own
narratives?
Judaism as a free-for-all? But isn't that exactly what we want?
And for those of us who reject that unbridled freedom - well,
they are free to pick the cloister that best suits them. That is
what being a Jew by choice means.
Jewish Daily Forward
Once the community is convinced that the reasons for joining
are pure and that the motivation is straightforward, it would
register this new Jew within its ranks without providing her or
him with a religious ceremony. If the new member later chooses
to marry within a Reform context, the Reform movement
would require a Reform conversion; similarly the Conservative
and Orthodox movements. The new Jew would then decide
whether to undergo that procedure. From the standpoint of the
Jewish community, however, the individual would be considered
a Jew based on self-definition.”
The Beilin proposal went nowhere and was soon enough
forgotten. But why the reluctance to endorse the kind of
inclusiveness the Beilin proposal intended? Why did so few
people consider what its rejection implied?
In the end, there can be only one reason, and the reason is
blood. For to reject the idea of a Jewish people whose members
have defined themselves as Jews is to define Judaism as chiefly a
biological category, leavened somewhat by conversion.
Ponder the implications of that: If being Jewish is about having
Jewish blood, then Judaism is a race. Do we believe that?
More generally, do we believe that blood lines should determine
anything at all?
That is not a rhetorical question. Quite obviously, there are
many Jews who think exactly that - and not only in the Orthodox
community. That blood lines matter is a widespread and mostly
unexamined belief. But upon examination, it crumbles.
Think of it this way: Broadly, societies can award status based
either on ascription or on achievement. Ascription - as, for
example, ascribing to the children of college alumni a preferred
status. An ascribed status is a given, independent of a person's
merit, without reference to the person's abilities. Achievement - a
status earned by effort, informed by choice. Now: Do we prefer
a Judaism that is ascribed or a Judaism that is achieved? Do we
prefer a Judaism that is assigned or one that is freely chosen?
It has become routine to claim that these days, all Jews, at least
April 2013
HASHALOM 7
JEWISH WORLD
PAST TENSE
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Pundit
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the Council of Natal Jewry.
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HASHALOM – April 1963
EDITORIAL - April 1938
As was natural, a long editorial dealt with the political and
international consequences of the recent Nazi German
occupation of Austria.
THEY SPEAK OF JEWRY
“The inculcation of pseudo-scientific notions of racial purity is
one of the worst features of Nazism, and it is bound to stoke
up unreasoning hatred and create a spirit of self-righteousness
which may lead to war” – “The Scotsman”
“The Jews in our country enjoy the same rights as any other
section of the population….A large section of the Jews in
Czechoslovakia regard themselves as a national minority…….
another..…..as a religious community. Under the laws of our
democratic State, everyone is free to regard himself as either”
- President E. Beneš.
“I can assure our Jewish citizens that their rights will be fully
respected. The Jews can put their trust in the traditional feelings
of tolerance of the Lithuanian people who will never injure any
of the national minorities in this country” – President Smetona.
(Pundit’s note – The events of a few years later gave the lie to
President Smetona’s words).
One of the earliest items is a full-page invitation to the community
to attend the 15th anniversary of the State of Israel to be held at
the Club on Sunday 28th April 1963 at 7.30p.m.
Pundit infers that Bellboy, who was responsible for the IN THE
FOYER column was a golfer, for he devoted a major portion
of his column to the achievements of two members of Circle
Country Club (Henry Mymin & Lionel Phillips) who had recently
scored holes-in-one. Henry’s was apparently his fifth.
Hashalom paid tribute in an obituary to the late Mr Justice
S.M. Kuper, who had recently been assassinated at his home
in Johannesburg. At the time of his death Judge Kuper was
Honorary President of the South African Zionist Federation.
Pundit had forgotten that the Club had a Photographic section
at the time. The 3rd Annual Photo Competition was held in
March 1963 and the prize winners were:
Club’s Floating Trophy for the best print: W. Wellisch
Club’s Floating Trophy for the best slide: R.E. Wellisch
Amongst the Highly commended were:
E. Puterman – print – Woman’s Portrait
J. Strous – slide – “The Golden Book”
HEBREW UNIVERSITY ON MOUNT SCOPUS
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
A message from Professor Chaim Weizmann was appended to a
full report on the affairs and history of the University.
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Solomon (“Grandpa”) Goldberg on his departure for Israel at a
finger luncheon at which he was presented with a Golden Book
Certificate.
SOME ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS (still tongue in
cheek)
“Hard-up” (City) – Take it easy. Don’t worry about your debts
– your creditors will do that for you.
“Proud father” (Stamford Hill) - If your son is a chip off the old
block, don’t worry! He may grow out of it.
“Lovelorn” (Berea) – Many a man who swears he would go
through hell for a girl, marries her and does.
IN THE FOYER by Bellboy featured comments on the invasion
of Austria, the heat of the Club in summer and the desire for a
new-fangled thing called “air-conditioning” and the importance of
Pesach.
NEWS OF THE WORLD – JEWISH NOTES FROM HERE
THERE AND EVERYWHERE
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of Valonia prohibiting Jews from closing their businesses on
Shabbat. He did so because , so it was reported in the press, the
future Queen of Albania was related by marriage to an orthodox
Jewish family in Yugoslavia.
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Government had launched Japan’s first anti-Semitic campaign by
announcing the discovery of a “world-wide Jewish plot”.
Some extracts from IN TOWN AND OUT
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8 HASHALOM
April 2013
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the recent University of Natal Graduation Ceremony: Bella
Schmahmann (B.A.Hons.), Hilary Sugarman (BA), Avril Horwitz
(B.A.), Alan Sandler (B.A.) Dennis Gamsy (B.Com) Colin Silver
(B.Com), Naomi Hertz (B.Soc.Sc.) Janice Sacks (B.Soc.Sc.) and
Andrea Stange (B.Soc.Sc.).
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his barmitzvah. Congratulations to the barmitzvah boy and his
parents”.
To conclude this issue of PAST TENSE, your scribe can do no
better that repeat a quotation from Gideon Hausner’s opening
speech at the Eichman Trial which was featured in the April 1963
issue of Hashalom:
“Murder has been with the human race since the days when
Cain killed Abel; it is no novel phenomenon. But we have had
to wait till the twentieth century to witness with our own eyes
a new kind of monster: not the result of the momentary surge
of passion or mental blackout, but of a calculated decision and
painstaking planning; not through the evil design of an individual,
but through a mighty criminal conspiracy involving thousands;
not against one victim whom an assassin may have decided to
destroy, but against an entire people”.
BUBKES
SEDER SURPLUS SORTED
Lauren Shapiro
I
love Pesach. I love the food, I love the songs, I love the
opportunity to turn the house upside down and reorganize
everything (though that’s another column…) But there
comes a time when even the most Pesach-positive person can’t
bear to look at another kneidle, and the thought of more matzah
makes you want to run for the hills.
to hoard for winter, put them to creative use: dry-toast them in a
frying pan and sprinkle over salads, blend them with fried onions
and eggplant for a rich pate, or combine with butter, garlic and
parsley (there’s that seder plate surplus cropping up again!) for
decadent stuffed mushrooms.
There’s sound psychological reason for this: Jews over-cater.
International studies have shown that the tendency to make too
much food is due to a gene located right next to the guilt gene in
our DNA (okay, I’m making this up – but I’m pretty sure that if
research was done this is exactly what they would find!)
When discussing ideas for this column with my best friend,
she looked at me blankly. “Leftover wine?” she asked, “What’s
that?”
I can’t bear to throw out food, so I’ve come up with a few ideas
to help extend the joy of the season, without leaving a bad taste
in your mouth:
Charoset Smoothie
Despite its popularity at the seder table, this sweet paste loses
its appeal after a couple of days crouching at the back of the
fridge. I have found the perfect solution! Add leftover charoset
to some yoghurt and mashed bananas and you have a sweet,
sustaining smoothie that makes a perfect breakfast.
Maror Mash
Horseradish may be bitter on matzah, but it makes killer mashed
potatoes. If you really want a taste sensation to liberate your
senses, add some cream. (A word of warning: if you use the red
stuff in the jar, it does turn the mash an elegant pink.)
Matzah Pizza
Leftover wine
If you’re not currently wiping tears of laughter from your eyes,
here are some ideas: The sweet stuff can be used for Kiddush
and Havdallah all year round, but it’s also great for preserving
tiny onions, carrot sticks or even chillies. Alternatively, poach
pears in wine with sugar, cinnamon sticks and lemon peel for an
easy but impressive dessert.
Tzimmus Soup
There comes a point each year when I cannot open the fridge
for fear of being confronted by the congealed reproach of my
pot of tzimmus. Here’s a happy little trick to repurpose your
leftovers and take your palette straight from shtetl to souk:
Fry up some onions and garlic with a bit of cumin, coriander and
thyme (chilli too if you can handle it). Add the tzimmus (liquid and
all) and thin it out with soup stock. When it’s heated through,
add a lug of cream (or a parev equivalent if your tzimmus is not
vegetarian), and serve with soup nuts or – after the chag – with
garlic croutons.
We always end up with boxes and boxes of leftover matzah.
One of my favourite ways to utilize it (even long after the eighth
day has come and gone) is to make matzah pizza. Spread sheets
of matzah with tomato paste, sprinkle with mozzerella and add
your favourite toppings – I love olives, sliced peppers and chunks
of pineapple. Grill til the cheese bubbles, but wait for it to cool
down before tucking in!
Kugel Fry-up
Ways and means with eggs
If your kneidlach are soft and fluffy I’ll be surprised if you have
leftovers! If, however, like me, you occasionally end up with little
cannonballs, you can always use them as doorstops or throw
them at your kids after the millionth post-seder rendition of
‘chad gadya’.
Many people boil more eggs than they need for the seder in case
some break, are off, or just because Jews are incapable of not
over-catering (there’s that theory again). The obvious solution
to leftover boiled eggs is to grate them and douse them in mayo
– sandwich between matzah and you have the perfect quick and
portable chol hamoed lunch!
In other parts of the world a slice of potato kugel is called a
hash-brown, and forms the basis of a hearty one-pan meal kept
company by fried eggs and tomatoes. (My personal confession: if
you’ve had more than the obligatory four cups of wine the night
before, this is the perfect breakfast pick-me-up!)
Kneidlach
Wishing you a chag kasher ve’sameach – until next time!
Another alternative with a slightly traditional twist is to add
chopped, boiled egg to fried onions and serve them on yet more
matzah or a bed of greens (and if you have leftover romaine
lettuce from your seder this is a fantastic pairing).
Nuts about nuts
Some people have the custom of putting nuts on their seder
table. My mom’s always done so and it’s illustrated on wellknown brands of box matzah, but no-one can tell me why. A
rabbi friend found a possible obscure reference in Shir Hashirim
but my personal theory is that someone’s Bobba had a nut tree
in her garden and the idea went viral. Anyway it seems to have
become an established custom in some households.
If you frequently buy enough for a lavish centerpiece and then
find it looks like a squirrel has been using your grocery cupboard
April 2013
HASHALOM 9
COMMUNITY NEWS
Kendyll Jacobson
Young Adult Zionist Conference
the story of Purim was – Esther and Mordechai. I was pleasantly
surprised by their creativity and not only were masks made but
capes were added and all new personas were created. The
second station was superhero training camp where they did a
fun obstacle course. This was to ‘train’ them in a fun way and to
get them moving! - The children were so busy running around
and making things that they barely ate the snacks provided for
them!
I felt that the day was successful and I now have a good feeling
about events this year involving the youth.
I was fortunate enough to travel to Johannesburg to attend the
Young Adults Zionist Seminar hosted by the Israel Centre, SAZF,
World Zionist Organisation, The Jewish Agency for Israel and
the IUA UCF. The seminar was held on the 3rd of March at the
Fire and Ice Hotel in Melrose Arch. It was attended by young
adults aged between 18 and 35. There were representatives
from Netzer, Habonim, Bnei Akiva and Beitar as well as Slichim
and young adults involved with Zionism.
The day was packed full of interesting topics and discussions
which were presented by amazing guest speakers. Ben Dror
Yemini – a well-known Israeli journalist who is also the most
translated writer – delivered a talk about the Israel-Apartheid
comparison. Ben Dror’s talk was highly informative and
answered many questions which we as youths face on an almost
daily basis. We then heard from Ryan Sauer – the creator of
searchoc.co.za and a self-confessed nerd – who helped explain
the effect of social media on Israel. The presentation not only
showed us just how the Israel is viewed negatively globally
but also the positive ways in which the internet has helped
support Israel. Ben Swartz – a spokesperson for the SAZF –
addressed the issue of confronting anti-Israel propaganda in
South Africa. This talk reiterated the importance of standing
our ground, standing together and standing with Israel. Finally
there was a panel discussion between Monessa Shapiro and Ben
Dror Yemini. Monessa staged a speech from an Anti-Zionism
perspective; every word in her article was found online from
anti-Zionism websites and anti-Israel articles. Not only did this
speech shock everyone but also caused a huge stir which led to
an informative response from Ben Dror as well as a helpful Q&A
from the audience.
All in all the seminar was informative and helpful to the young
adults who have to deal with questions and accusations about
Israel, Zionism and Judaism on a daily basis and left
us all a whole lot more informed than we were
beforehand.
Purim Superhero Fun Day,
Sunday 17 February
For my first event, to have 16 children was
amazing! Having it at the Young Israel Centre was
so successful, not only was it an easy place to set up
and run things from but the children also responded
positively saying they remembered going there and
they were happy to be back.
The children had two stations of activities to
do. They created their own Superhero identity,
complete with masks and ID badges. Whilst doing
this art and craft we discussed who the superhero in
10 HASHALOM
April 2013
Liam Shapira with Kira Altshuler and Jessica Gering
Children around that table making their
masks
Netanya Dogan
in her Superhero
outfit as Sparkle the
Superheroine
COMMUNITY NEWS
Cheryl Unterslak
I want to thank everyone for their tremendous support and
generosity in donating gifts for the children all over the South
of Israel who had been affected by the constant rockets that
came into that area before and during the “Operation Pillar of
Strength” at the end of 2012. The appeal was a great success
and we packed a large amount of DIVOTE gifts packets including
lovely letters of support. It was by far the fastest collection and
packing that we have ever done and customs and EL AL ensured
that the packages got there as quickly as possible..
The boxes filled with the gift packages were sent to the Chabad
Rabbis who have been wonderful and dedicated volunteers for
DIVOTE over the years. This incredible team of Rabbis arranged
parties for the children in Sderot, Beer Sheva, Kiryat Malachi,
Ashkelon and surrounding areas. They explained to the children
that the Jewish community of South Africa cared about them
and supported them during this difficult time, and this warm
message was very well received. Many of the children had their
homes destroyed by rockets, or members of their family had
been killed or injured by the constant rocket attacks.
Attached are some of the photographs of the children receiving
their gift packages and it is wonderful to see their happiness with
their gifts. Thank you to everyone who gave these very special
children so much happiness and comfort which they needed.
I would like to make an appeal for our Chattan and Kallah (bride
and groom) gift boxes. We are looking for ONLY NEW gifts such
as kitchen utensils (no glass, and nothing too big), dish cloths, oven
gloves, linen, cutlery sets, graters, frying pans, towels etc. These are
given to couples on their wedding where one or both have been
affected by acts of terrorism. These gifts, which help them to equip
their new homes, show them that we wish them Mazeltov and are
sending them love and support at this special time.
If you have anything to give please can you drop it off at the
Durban Jewish Centre for attention DIVOTE, or give Cheryl a
call on 083 7996440, or Jess on 083 5576595.
April 2013
HASHALOM 11
COMMUNITY NEWS
UMHLANGA JEWISH DAY SCHOOL
Robert Sussman
Purim (which fell out on a Sunday) saw the students of UJDS delivering m’shloach manot that they had collected
for the residents of Eden Crescent, Jewel House, and Beth Shalom – all of whom greatly appreciated the gifts,
as well as the visit! The next day, Shushan Purim, was no ordinary day at UJDS. Students came to school in
costumes, where they paraded in front of the whole school, watched a Purim play put on by the Grades 4-7, and
enjoyed a carnival with games and yummy hamantaschen from Morah Dina Zekry.
Mazel Tov to the 3/4 Graders and their Chumash teacher, Rabbi Jarrod Garber, on making a siyum (celebration on completing a portion
of study) on Parshat Lech Lecha (the third Torah portion in the Book of Bereishit) and to the 5/6/7 Graders and their Chumash teacher,
Mr. Dan Burke, on making a siyum on Parshat Bo (the third Torah portion in the Book of Shemot). This is a tremendous accomplishment
of which we should all be very proud – and wish them continued success and growth in their Torah learning!
Dropping off m'shloach manot at Jewel House
Purim Carnival at UJDS
Morah Dina Zekry with Aylon Mizrachi and Joshua Moshal at the
Purim Carnival
Ethan Plen as Haman and Kedem Papo as King
Achashveirosh in the UJDS Purim play
Purim Carnival at UJDS
12 HASHALOM
April 2013
Nathan Farr making
the Choshen, the
breastplate, of the
Kohen Gadol
Noa Sussman dressed up as a
UJDS student, standing with Callie
Saul at the Purim Carnival
Dropping off m'shloach manot at Eden Crescent
Purim 2013 at UJDS
Dropping off m'shloach manot at Beth Shalom
COMMUNITY NEWS
Robert Sussman, Executive Director
We bid a fond farewell to Dan and Amy Burke, founding
members of the Durban Kollel who unfortunately needed
to return to Johannesburg! We thank them for all that they
have accomplished here in Durban/Umhlanga and wish them
hatzlacha raba (great success) in all of their future endeavours.
The shul at the Umhlanga Jewish Centre (UJC) has opened
for Shabbat services! Rabbi Zekry was on hand for this special
opening of the Shul, leading the congregation in song, offering
words of Torah and paying tribute to some of the many people
who have played significant roles in making this project a reality
- especially Dr Jonathan Beare. We invite everyone to join us
each week for Shabbat services. And, when you do come, be
sure to pay special attention to the silver adorning the Torah
Scrolls, as this is the first time that these items have been used
since they were looted by the Nazis from synagogues across
Europe. The CKNJ, to whom the SABJD entrusted the portion
Beth Shalom chesed program
of silver allocated to KZN after it was distributed by the German
government in 2000, have graciously loaned the UJC these
pieces for use in our shul. On the 6th of April – please SAVE
THE DATE – a special Shabbat service will be held to celebrate
the fact that these silver articles are once again back in a shul and
being used as they were originally intended!
Rabbi Mark Friedman has initiated a new Kollel chesed project
for the students at UJDS, involving regular visits to Beth
Shalom, where the children will be handing out goody parcels
and socialising with the residents. The project is based on a
successful and well established volunteer program for school
going children in Johannesburg.
Although the formal Purim party was at the DUHC, the party
started several hours earlier at the home of Rabbi Jarrod and
Sorah Garber, who hosted an informal get together.
Purim at the Garbers
Sifrei Torah - with silver
Sylvia Collins
Danielle Burne recently addressed the residents of Beth Shalom
on her trip to Israel with her mother Jackie. What so impressed
her was her visit to "then" secret ammunition factory near Tel
Aviv. Jeannette Landy, one of the residents, shared with the
audience her experiences at the factory when she was living in
Israel some years ago.
Are you perhaps decluttering your cupboards?
Do you perhaps have good second hand clothes, male or female? The Thrift Shop staff would love to take them off your hands!!
Good second hand clothing is used to stock the shop at Beth Shalom enabling the residents to purchase a "new" outfit or item of
clothing. If you can help we will gladly collect. Please contact Gerselle at Beth Shalom on 031 201 3151or Frances on 083 500 8285
Thank you!
April 2013
HASHALOM 13
COMMUNITY NEWS
Norma Bloch
Shalom,
The month of Adar is synonymous with joy and happiness, and
this is exactly how we experienced our very full and rich month
at Eden.
We were honoured to be visited by Rabbi Kornblum, assistant
Dean of the Isralight Yeshiva in Jerusalem. Our pupils were
fortunate to meet with him and to attend his fascinating shiur
relating to Purim. I am so proud of our pupils - their dedication
and commitment to learning about their heritage is so apparent
and gratifying to observe. Even Rabbi Kornblum wrote: “It was
a pleasure coming to Eden meeting you and meeting such kids who
were so keen to learn Torah. I'd be very open for a repeat visit my next
time in Durban and even open to have an ongoing Skype session with
the guys.” We are grateful to Talmud Torah for giving the pupils the
opportunity to learn from these inspirational and learned rabbis.
Eden on Purim Day was abuzz with excitement and anticipation,
as all the primary school children boarded the “Air Purim” flight
to Persia. As they settled in to their seats, “Captain Mordechai”
welcomed them on board and air hostess, “Queen Esther”
made sure they were all safely buckled up, warning that they
could expect a turbulent flight especially when they were in the
vicinity of Cyclone “Haman”. For on-board entertainment pupils
listened to the Purim story, and before we knew it, our Captain
landed - of course, smoothly and safely.
The excitement and fun continued after the flight with the
pupils dressing up for the traditional Purim fancy dress parade
and then the Grade 6 pupils along with our very own Jess Stout
and Kendyll Jacobson entertaining them with face painting and
games, like bowling and fishing, to name a few. Special thanks
must go to Jess, Kendyll and Sue
Jacobson, who so kindly helped me
bake over 250 hamentashen for each
pupil to sample.
The entire primary school had
generously collected funds for the
residents of Beth Shalom so that they
too could enjoy a Purim treat. So, after
the seudat (feast) Purim, the high school
pupils went to Beth Shalom to carry
out the mitzvah of mishloach manot
(exchanging gifts). They delivered
their gifts to the residents and in turn,
each pupil received a mishloach manot
parcel, reminding them that in giving,
there is also receiving.
So, all in all it was a truly successful
and gratifying day and month! At the
moment we are hard at work for our
Pesach Seder, but we will tell you all
about that next month.
So until then…May Hashem be with
each of you.
14 HASHALOM
April 2013
COMMUNITY NEWS
Alana Baranov
In Whom Can I Still trust?
An outstanding exhibition of archival photographs, testimonies and video clips which explore the persecution of homosexuals in Nazi
Germany, ‘In Whom Can I Still Trust’ will soon be arriving on Durban shores. In honour of this exhibition, the DHC has hosted two
preceding events dealing with the subject of the forgotten persecution of homosexual people during the Holocaust.
Paragraph 175
Paragraph 175 was screened to a packed audience at the DHC
on the evening of February 14th. This powerful documentary
told the story of the widespread oppression of homosexual
men during the Nazi regime where thousands were murdered
in concentration camps. Narrated by Rupert Everett, Paragraph
175 presents for the first time the largely untold testimonies of
some of those who survived.
The screening of the documentary was followed by a Q&A
session with visiting scholar Dr Klaus Mueller, who conceived
the idea for the film as well as being its Director of Research and
Associate Producer. Dr Muller also held a fascinating workshop
with our guides the next day at the DHC.
Dr Klaus Muller, Mary Kluk, Mdu Ntuli
‘The TimeKeepers’ comes to Durban!
The most performed piece of Israeli theatre in the world, ‘The Timekeepers’ was brought to Durban by the DHC, together with
Tararam. Two evening performances at the Seabrooke’s Theatre at Durban High School were both brilliantly supported, and the
wonderful cheese and wine receptions that followed allowed the audience a unique opportunity to get to know the cast of talented
actors.
‘The TimeKeepers’ is the story of two men, a gay German and a straight Jew, in a concentration camp who bond through lessons in
watch repair and a love for opera. The play is a moving and intense portrayal that looks beyond the relationship between the main
characters to question isolation and understanding in communities. The men, confined by time and space, touchingly rediscover their
humanity together. This powerful performance will be remembered by Durban audiences for many years to come!
Both events were made possible through the generous support of the Victor Daitz Foundation.
April 2013
HASHALOM 15
COMMUNITY NEWS
Michael Greenbaum
Purim Celebrations
Purim began this year on Motzei Shabbat at Maariv with the first
reading by Rev. Brian Lurie of Megillat Esther, the inspirational
story of the heroic deeds of Esther and Mordechai to save
the Jews in Persia. While the festival is celebrated in a joyous
atmosphere, it recalls a serious occasion in Jewish history, the
survival of the Jews from genocide. At the conclusion of the
first lively and noisy reading of the Megillah, the traditional mon,
chocolate and apple Hamantashen were served in the Perling
Hall.
On Purim day, the Megillah was read for the second time. In
the late afternoon, families and friends gathered at the Great
Synagogue to exchange gifts (mishloach manot) and enjoy the
“Masked Magical Purim” celebration followed by the Purim
Seudah meal. With many wearing colourful masks, over 190
congregants and children celebrated the festival. As always on
Purim, the focus was on the imaginative costumes with the kids
and adults dressed as Queen Esthers, princesses, comic-book
characters and many other amusing dress combinations. The
inter-active Purim kids programme entertained the children
with loads of fun activities. This began with a quiz for the kids by
Rabbi Jarrod Garber followed by mask making and a “Slam-Dunk
Hamantaschen Away” ballgame. After the children’s activities,
everyone enjoyed the Purim Seudah and the humourous magic
show with eager participants from the audience providing much
laughter and ruach to the evening.
Rabbi Zekry thanked those who arranged the evening, especially
Michelle Nathan for her all her original ideas and contributions
to communal events throughout the year. We also thank Selma
Lurie and her team who provided the delicious Burger Dinner
in the Perling Hall for the Seudah.
16 HASHALOM
April 2013
Shelli Strous
We are thrilled to welcome Julie Levy and Tammy Tomlin, our
new teaching assistants, to Moriah. We have been learning about
Purim with the aid of puppets and many songs and stories. As
this busy and warm term draws to a close, we will also focus
on Pesach. The children of Moriah enjoy a fun morning, learning
through play and interacting with their peers.
For more information about Moriah, kindly contact Shelli Strous
031 201 7439 (mornings).
We take this opportunity to wish the community Chag Sameach
from all at Moriah School.
Diane McColl
Purim 5773 at Temple David
Purim remains a favourite festival with children of all ages and
once again the young and the young at heart entered into the
spirit of the day. Much thought and resourcefulness went into
the costumes for the Fancy Dress Competition this year. The
children of the Cheder had learned all about Purim during classes
and made masks and graggers. After a reading of the Megillah
the Cheder learners who had prepared a retelling of the story of
Esther delighted the parents. Sisterhood of Temple David provided
the congregation with a delicious lunch. Purim wouldn’t be Purim
without Hamantaschen and Sisterhood didn’t disappoint.
Kendyll Jacobson, Rosh Netzer Durban and the madrichim kept
the children busy with mask making, music and fun and games.
Tired but happy children went home.
Baking
hamantaschen
Erryn
Hermelin and
Shai Shapiro
have some
messy fun,
icing biscuits
for Purim
Hadley Epstein
Shelli Strous with Shai Shapiro, Erryn Hermelin and David
Friedman
Jeff Simpson
Moira Kasher
April 2013
HASHALOM 17
COMMUNITY NEWS
Volunteer of the Month
Linda Nathan joined the Union of Jewish Women Durban Executive in July 1979 as Chair of the Toni
Saphra Branch having worked on that committee for a number of years. Since then Linda has been
involved in every aspect of the Union’s work in Durban, and currently holds office, for a second
term, as one of the Union of Jewish Women of South Africa National vice-Presidents.
Linda’s first term of office as Union of Jewish Women Durban Chair was from 1990 – 1991 and
then again from 2006-2007. She is the recipient of the Freda Kapelus and Sara Sloman awards
for meritorious service to the Union. Linda is a very organized person and her expertise is sought
by several other communal organizations and at present she, very successfully holds office as the
President of the Council of KwaZulu-Natal Jewry.
Following in her mother, Judy’s footsteps and having a daughter, Kelly follow in hers, Linda’s family
is one of the very few where three generations are active in the Union of Jewish Women of South
Linda with Natalie and Ariella Baitz
Africa at the same time. A major fundraiser for the past 24 years is the UJW Durban Annual Charity
Golf Day and over and above helping with other aspects of the day Linda is convenor for the players. The fact that within 48 hours of
notifying the players of the date, the field of 144 players is full, with a waiting list, is testimony to her efficiency.
We, the Union of Jewish Women-Durban, are very fortunate to have Linda, along with Judy, giving advice as our very own expert
caterers. They, together with a team of committee members, provide eats at our functions that are always a “Class Act”, which very
aptly is the name of the recipe book they have published.
Linda we appreciate your dedication to our organization despite your other communal commitments.
Days Of Sharing
Even little children know that “sharing is caring” and committee members of the Union of Jewish Women continue to show they care.
Sharing a smile, handing out some sweetness and making time to chat, members of the Union visited Beth Shalom for afternoon tea.
Having enjoyed tea in the lounge a few members went to each room to ensure that everyone received their share of “love” on February
14th. The residents had enjoyed a special themed day and all joined in the fun and were appropriately dressed in shades of red.
SPCA donations
Our furry friends were not forgotten and the committee’s animal lovers took hundreds of kilos of dog/cat food and several new blankets
to the SPCA. We greatly appreciate the contributions of generous donors who helped collect the food and donated the blankets.
18 HASHALOM
April 2013
COMMUNITY NEWS
Talmud Torah
Some of the DGC
primary girls with
their graggers
Cheryl Unterslak
Term one is coming to an end and what a fantastic and exciting
term it has been!
We started off the term learning about Tu B’Shvat and everyone
made their own almond tree with beautiful pink and white
blossoms. The trees even stood by themselves!
Purim came up quickly and we learnt all about this festival. We
made graggers and I’m sure that Haman’s name was not heard
in any of the Shuls! Some of the classes received mishloach
manot from Chabad which they enjoyed!
In between we started learning about our forefathers Avraham,
Yitzchak and Yaakov, and about the good character traits,
middot, that we learn from them. Everyone enjoyed learning
about these very inspirational personalities!
The DGC girls
with their
graggers and
mishloach manot
Pesach is coming up soon and we have some fun and exciting
lessons planned!
Talmud Torah Generations
Cheryl Unterslak
The Durban
Girls College
girls with
their Almond
trees
Talmud Torah Generations has kicked off for the year, and what
a fantastic year it promises to be! Everyone is enjoying the
fantastic booklets put together by Rabbi Vegoda!
We welcome the new families who have joined us every Sunday
at Moriah. I have had a number of children come up to me at
Shul and tell me that their friends come, can they come too! It is
fantastic to hear that children are excited to spend some time
learning with their parents! Everyone is welcome and we look
forward to seeing more and more families joining in the fun!
The Clifton
Junior Primary
shaking their
graggers
For more information contact us on Cheryl@divote.co.za or
jess.johnstone@gmail.com.
The Plen girls
learning with
their father
The Clifton
Junior primary
boys making
their graggers
The Pillemer
family learning
together
19 HASHALOM
April 2013
COMMUNITY NEWS
of the Chabad of the North Coast Shlomo Wainer, “but to get
involved and use our hands to carry out acts of righteousness”.
Shlomo also took the opportunity of Miracle Drive 2013 to
express his gratitude to the community.
Alana Baranov
Miracle Drive 2013
The mitzvah of tzedakah is always at the heart of every Miracle
Drive. This year’s event, Miracle Drive 2013 hosted at Chabad
of the North Coast on Thursday February 28th, focused on the
idea of the hand and the awareness that everything has been
created by the hand of G-d. This theme was carried throughout
the evening and symbolized by everything from the delicious
finger foods to the magical slight of hand of the outstanding
entertainment.
Drawing locals, Jews from across Durban and even a few visitors
from Johannesburg, this year’s Miracle Drive has a relaxed,
social atmosphere.
“We are not mean to just talk about mitzvahs”, said the Director
An incredible presentation of just some of Shlomo’s efforts,
from since 1996 to the present day, gave an unbelievable insight
into the work carried out by Chabad of the North Coast and
its charismatic Director. From the 2440 mezuzahs that have
been affixed to the 1023 hospital visits to the 2634 shiurim, each
figure represented a world of life-changing interactions.
The main entertainment for the evening was Pretoria-born
illusionist Ilan Smith, whose incredible skills and polished magic
show left the crowd in awe. Guests were then treated to an
insight into the Kinus HaShluchim 2012 Conference, as a video
of the keynote speaker, South African Rabbi Ari Shishler, and
an introduction by Steven Solarsh, was screened. The powerful
message of ‘haYom Yom’ or making every day count transfixed
the audience.
Thank you to Shlomo and Devorah Wainer once again for an
outstanding evening and for bringing Miracle Drive to Durban
in 2013!
Bringing the ‘aloha’ spirit to Umhlanga Rocks – Purim 2013
Photos: David Belinko
Purim at Chabad this year did not disappoint! The exotic theme of ‘Purim in Hawaii’ transported all present to a tropical island paradise.
With an interactive video megillah reading, colourful skirts and flowery necklaces, and everything from prego rolls to mash and gravy
on sale, the day was fill of the spirit and joy of the Chag.
Chabad of the North Coast is the place to be for Purim 2014.
20 HASHALOM
April 2013
21 HASHALOM
April 2013
COMMUNITY NEWS
King Goodwill Zwelithini’s grandmother, is run by Her Majesty
Queen Nompumelelo Mchiza. The school currently has 287
learners and is situated about 1.5km from the Traditional Royal
Palace of Enyokeni. The request for these computers came
through Prof. Antony Arkin of the KwaZulu-Natal Zionist
Council after an approach by the Israeli Deputy Ambassador Mr
Yaakov Finkelstein.
Alana Baranov
Opening of the KZN Legislature
On February 26th 2013, President Linda Nathan and Vice
President Ronnie Herr attended the official opening of the
KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, addressed by His Majesty King
Zwelithini.
Two days later, on February 28th at the Pietermartizburg
Royal Show Grounds, President Linda Nathan, SAJBD National
Chairman Mary Kluk and Roseanne Rosen attended the
KwaZulu-Natal State of the Province Address by Premier Dr
Z Mkhize.
Media
Her Majesty Queen Nompumelelo Mchiza with some of the
donated computers
The CKNJ has been very busy on the media front, composing
and disseminating various press releases. Media Liaison Alana
Baranov and President Linda Nathan have also had meetings
with various members of the media, including Sunday Tribune
Editor Jovial Rantao and Sunday Tribune journalist Jeff Wicks.
Jeff was the KwaZulu-Natal representative on a recent media
trip to Israel, where he made an impressive impression on the
organizers and experts who met with the delegation.
Linda Nathan, Alana Baranov and Durban Holocaust Centre
Director Mary Kluk welcomed Sunday Tribune’s editor Jovial
Rantao, as well as one of the newspaper’s leading journalists
Greg Arde, to an informal lunch at the Circle Cafe after which
they were guided through the DHC exhibition.
The Computer
Project
The CKNJ Computer Project, ably
run by Lew Heilbron and assisted by
Roseanne Rosen, is one of our most
successful outreach programs.
Funded by the Moshal family and
administered by the CKNJ, the project
imports reconditioned computers
and distributes them to various
underprivileged institutions. Begun
in 2000 and after dispensing 1,200
computers in the first two years alone,
the project has sustained a monthly
average of 60 machines donated
to over 80 schools, orphanages,
pre-primary schools; with a special
focus on schools for children with
special needs. Recently, the project
donated 15 computers to the Queen
Kamsweli Junior Primary School in
Nongoma. The school, named after
22 HASHALOM
April 2013
Some of the reconditioned computers donated by the CKNJ
Computer Project.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Above Board
Mary Kluk,
National Chairman
SCRUMPTIOUS
SALADS
A column of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies
Playing our part in the wider society
The role of the Board, in addition to its core mission of safeguarding
Jewish civil liberties, very much includes leading the Jewish
community participation in initiatives aimed at the upliftment of
the wider society. The Council for KZN Jewry has traditionally
involved itself in these initiatives. One of its flagship projects is
to obtain reconditioned computers and donate and installed
them in schools and adult education centres that need them.
Most recently, fifteen were donated to Queen Kamsweli Primary
School, whose principal is Queen Nompumelelo Mchiza.
The SAJBD Cape Council is also especially active in this sphere.
Recently, it participated in a silent interfaith vigil against the
sexual violence so tragically endemic this country. It is further
engaged in mentorship and training programmes, and has
run successful joint programmes with the Black Management
Forum. Nationally, we are finalising our ‘Jubuntu’ project, which
documents Jewish involvement in social upliftment and identifies
possible avenues of expansion.
COUSCOUS SALAD
200g couscous
150g broccoli cut into small
florets
Grated zest & juice of 1 lemon
1 Tablespoon olive oil
½ English cucumber, halved
lengthways, deseeded & diced
100g dried apricots, chopped
¼ cup dried cranberries
¼ cup chopped parsley
¼ cup chopped fresh chives
2 tablespoons roasted pumpkin
seeds
50g toasted slivered almonds
Place the couscous into a large bowl and pour over 1 cup of boiling
water. Cover and leave for 5 minutes until the liquid has been absorbed.
Fluff up the grains with a fork and set aside. In a small bowl, mix together
the lemon zest and juice with the olive oil. Pour over the couscous and
season well. Toss. Add the cucumber, apricots, cranberries, broccoli,
parsley and chives - Toss again.Place on a lovely platter and sprinkle
with pumpkin seeds and almonds.
Marlene Bethlehem and the CRL Commission
Last month, Board representatives took part in the three-day
national consultative conference of the Cultural, Religious and
Linguistic Commission in Pretoria. With National Director Wendy
Kahn, I attended the gala banquet. It was inspiring to be part of
a gathering representing so full a spectrum of cultural, religious,
ethnic and linguistic groups that make up our population. Our
community has from the outset had a special link with the CRL
Commission, mainly due to the pivotal role played on it by
Marlene Bethlehem. Marlene’s extraordinary record of communal
service stretches back more than five decades, during which she
has served, inter alia, as chairman of the SAJBD. It was gratifying
to witness at first hand the enormous respect and affection with
which ‘Commissioner Mama Bethlehem’ is regarded. I can only
commend her on having discharged so successfully her challenging,
sensitive duties, and warmly thank her for her selfless efforts, not
just on behalf of SA Jewry but for our country as a whole.
A Tribute to SAUJS
The annual anti-Israel jamboree known as ‘Israel Apartheid
Week’ has now come and gone. Once again, we are proud of
our Jewish students for the way they responded. Confronted
with a well-resourced campaign whose distinguishing feature
is to engage in scurrilous, accusatory rhetoric rather than in
promoting constructive debate, they stood their ground with
courage and dignity. As our community’s representatives on
campus, SAUJS is at the coalface when it comes to defending
Israel. It is to their credit that it has not this to divert them from
its many other activities, including partnering with other sectors
of society in outreach and upliftment projects.
The Israel connection
Last month, in partnership with the American Jewish Committee
and the SA-Israel Forum, the Board took nine journalists on a
five-day fact-finding visit to Israel. This was the fifth such media
tour that the Board has involved itself in. All that we ask for
regarding Middle East reporting is that it be balanced and to
achieve this, there is no better way of having journalists see
and hear for themselves what is happening. We have since seen
nearly all the participants present thoughtful, fair perspectives
on the Israel-Palestinian question in the respective newspapers
or radio stations with which they are associated.
WALDORF POTATO SALAD
2kg baby new potatoes
juice of 2 lemons
Zest of 1 lemon
2/3 cup olive oil
½ cup crème fraiche or orly
whip
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 Granny Smith apples, cored &
finely sliced
6 sticks celery, chopped
100g walnuts, toasted and broken
into pieces
watercress leaves
Place potatoes in a pot of cold salted water and bring to boil. Simmer
for 10 – 15 minutes until tender. Drain the potatoes and cool. If large,
halve the potatoes. Meanwhile, whisk the lemon juice and lemon zest
with the olive oil, crème fraiche and mustard. Season well! Add the
potatoes, apple and celery. Place watercress on a large platter. Spoon
the potato salad over watercress and then sprinkle with the walnuts.
HEALTHY QUINOA SALAD
1½ cups raw quinoa
½ cup chopped chives
½ cup raw almonds halved &
toasted
¼ cup lemon juice
salt
fresh ground black pepper
Rinse the quinoa before cooking. Bring 3 cups of water to the boil,
add some salt then the quinoa. Boil for about 10 minutes or until soft.
BE CAREFUL not to overcook. Cool. Add the lemon juice, chives and
toasted almonds. DELISH!
OUR FAVOURITE CABBAGE SALAD
4 cups shredded cabbage
½ English cucumber, halved,
deseeded and thinly sliced
5 stalks celery finely chopped
1 small onion finely chopped
¼ cup chopped fresh chives
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup canola oil
½ cup sugar
salt and pepper
Place cabbage, cucumber, celery, onion, chives and parsley in a large
bowl. Whisk the vinegar, oil, sugar, salt and pepper together until sugar
dissolves. About an hour before serving, add enough dressing to coat
cabbage. Chill till required.
April 2013
HASHALOM 23
COMMUNITY NEWS
Social & Personal
BIRTHS
Hearty mazaltov to Denise and Alan Simon on the birth of a
granddaughter, a daughter for Brett and Simone in London; to Garth
and Barbara Feinberg on the birth of a granddaughter, a daughter
for Greg and Vanessa; to Lindy Hersch on the birth of a grandson,
a son for Anthony and Gabrielle in Sydney; to Audrey Goldberg on
the birth of a great granddaughter, a daughter for Nina and Ryan in
Australia; to Ruby Goldberg on the birth of a great granddaughter, a
daughter for Craig and Tali Shotland in Sydney,
BAR/BATMITZVAH
Mazaltov to Dennis and Moira Kasher and Gisela Kasher on the
barmitzvah of their son/grandson Samuel; to Joyce Rogoff on the
batmitzvah of her granddaughter Courtney daughter of Colin and
Beverley Rogoff in Atlanta; to Maizy Shandel on the barmitzvah
of her grandson Aaron son of Selwyn and Karen Shandel.
ENGAGEMENT
Mazaltov to Marion and Alwyn Immerman on the engagement of their daughter Rosanne to Doron Faktor.
MARRIAGES
Mazaltov to Zahava and Yossi Chen on the marriage of their
daughter Lior to Jacques van Embden; to Ronnie and Francis
Herr on the marriage of their son Eric to Michelle Gerszt.
BIRTHDAYS
Mazaltov to Laura Grill on her 90th birthday; to Ezra Altshuler
on his 70th birthday.
Ellison is world's richest Jew, new
Forbes billionaire list shows
Oracle's Larry Ellison is the world's richest Jew, according to
Forbes magazine's annual world billionaires list for 2013.
Diary of Events
April 2013
7
9
10
14
15
17
22
23
6.00p.m.
7.30p.m.
9.30a.m.
3-5.30pm
6.00p.m.
5.45p.m.
9.30a.m.
6.00p.m.
7.30p.m.
6.30p.m.
CKNJ - Yom Hashoah
DJ Centre
KNZC Is-Lit
DJCentre
UJW Friendship Club
Beth Shalom
Taste of Limmud
DJ Centre
Yom Hazikaron
DJ Centre
Yom Haaztmaut
DJ Centre
Sisterhood Friendship Club Beth Shalom
Durban Holocaust Centre Dbn Holocaust
opening of exhibition
Centre
"In Whom can I still Trust"
HOD Lodge Jaffa
DJ Centre
UJW Book Launch
DJ Centre
"The Travelling Rabbi - My African Tribe"
by Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft
May 2013
2
6.30p.m.
3
9.00a.m.
Talmud Torah
DJ Centre
Parents Information evening
UJW
Linda Nathan's Home
Shiur with Rabbi Perez
All times and venues correct at time of going to press
Africa’s Leading
Steel Supplier
Ellison was among five Jews in the top 25 on the list released
Monday. Seventeen Israelis were among the record 1,426
billionaires - 200 more than in 2012.
Ellison was No. 5 overall with a net worth of $43 billion. New
York Mayor Michael Bloomberg was No. 13 with $27 billion,
followed among the Jews by casino magnate and philanthropist
Sheldon Adelson at No. 15 with $26.5 billion, and Google cofounders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, at 20 and 21, with $23
billion and $22.8 billion.
www.macsteel.co.za
Four of the Israelis are new to the list: tech investor Shaul Shani,
with a net worth of $3 billion; diamond baron Dan Gertler, $2.2
billion; and oil prospector Tzadik Bino and pharmaceuticals
investor Mori Arkin, both with $1.05 billion. Businessman Idan
Ofer ranked highest of the Israelis, placing at No. 182 with
$6.2 billion. Ofer's brother Eyal was four spots lower with $6
billion.
Mexico's Carlos Slim topped the list as the world’s richest
person for the fourth year in a row, followed by Microsoft's Bill
Gates, Spanish clothing retailer Amancio Ortega and investor
Warren Buffett.
JTA
Visit our website to access current
and past stories online.
www.hashalom.co.za
24 HASHALOM
April 2013
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