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south african n Volume 24 – Number 6 n 20 February 2020 n 26 Shevat 5780

The source of quality content, news and insights t www.sajr.co.za Principal condemns pupils’ attendance at anti-Israel rally TALI FEINBERG with the matter. “COSAS disrespected Education Department is investigating the country’s oldest synagogue at the Gardens my instructions,” he said. He had clearly circumstances of any learners’ attendance community campus in Cape Town. he principal of a Khayelitsha school turned down the organisation’s request for at the protest held on 12 February 2020 The SA Jewish Report was unable to reach criticised the fact that dozens of his pupils to attend the anti-Israel protest. “If [from 13:00 until 15:00]. Its policy is not COSAS for comment. pupils had been bussed to an anti- children leave school on public transport to allow learners to participate TIsrael picket outside Parliament in Cape on their own accord, they are taking in political activities during Town last week, saying, “Children shouldn’t unnecessary risks.” teaching time.” be used as political Rowan Polovin, the Ahead of the pack tools.” chairperson of the South Bulumko Secondary African Zionist Federation, said, School Principal Gideon “The South African Schools Act Skweyiya was shocked prohibits political activities when the SA Jewish during school time. According Report queried the to the act, this includes presence of his scholars campaigning; the conducting at the rally. He said of rallies; the distribution of that a Congress of pamphlets and fliers; and the South African Students School children at last week’s anti-Israel picket hanging or putting up of posters (COSAS) leader called and banners. Taking learners him last Wednesday, 12 February, asking He emphasised that the pupils should to an anti-Israel rally is a form permission for 30 pupils to take part in an have “known better than to go to of indoctrination. This ‘rent-a- anti-Israel rally outside parliament ahead of something they don’t know about. It’s sad crowd’ tactic to boost numbers the State of the Nation Address (SONA). that they agreed to go, but sometimes they demonstrates the disingenuous Skweyiya refused, saying that the parents don’t know the right questions to ask.” nature of BDS [Boycott, had not signed any indemnity forms Indeed, when the SA Jewish Report asked Divestment, Sanctions] allowing the pupils to attend. He then told the pupils (aged 14 to 16) why that were at supporters and the anti-Israel them that according to a bylaw, “children the rally and what boycotting Israel meant, camp.” cannot be at a political event during school they couldn’t answer either question. Stuart Diamond, the director hours”. COSAS is the same organisation that of the Cape South African Jewish He told the SA Jewish Report, “We are an placed pigs’ heads in Woolworths stores Board of Deputies, wrote to apolitical educational institution. We don’t in 2014, apparently to “stop Woolworths Skweyiya saying, “Te Cape SA let teachers or any other adult’s political buying products from apartheid Israel”. Jewish Board notes with concern views influence our learners. We don’t At the anti-Israel picket last Wednesday, the use of school youth for this support events like this.” a COSAS leader told the small crowd agenda, especially during school Skweyiya’s conversation with COSAS was (including pupils) that “Donald Trump must hours.” Noga Yadin, 18, casts an early vote at the Israeli embassy the last the principal heard of the matter until go to hell, and he must know we are coming He asked the school “to turn in Pretoria on Wednesday. Israel goes to the polls next the SA Jewish Report queried it with him. He for him!” This same activist also called out this negative incident into a week, its third election in a year. Only diplomats and has no idea how his pupils landed up at the “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be learning opportunity”, inviting emissaries can cast their vote outside of the country. Yadin rally, in school uniform, during school hours, free!” pupils and educators to visit the is one of four young Israelis on the Shinshin program, in but he surmises that they went on their own Kerry Mauchline, the spokesperson South African Jewish Museum, which Israelis who have just finished high school volunteer accord, possibly with COSAS. for Western Cape Education Minister the Cape Town Holocaust at King David schools and the community for a year. Tis is the second time she has voted, both times at the embassy. He is still evaluating how he will deal Debbie Schäfer, said, “The Western Cape & Genocide Centre, and the CSO rescues women from bee terror TALI FEINBERG Security Organisation (CSO) they were completely covered by minutes. absolute chaos.” played an integral role in rescuing bees, and were being stung all over. Beck says he was on his way to Beck said he acted on instinct, “I looked over at my mom, and them. Te women miraculously Charlie was also attacked, and even meet Glezer when he received her leading them even further away her whole face was just black, survived the incident, but their swallowed some of the bees, which frantic call. Leaving his wife and from the area until no bees covered in bees. She was sitting dog didn’t. he later vomited. dogs in his car, he ran into the followed. He then called the CSO. very calmly on the grass. Her face, Glezer describes what Glezer says that much of the park, where he saw both women “At that stage, there were no more neck and arms, and my face, arms, happened. “My mom Sylvia, ordeal remains a blur, but she covered in bees. bees, but the damage was done. and legs were completely covered my beautiful dog Charlie, and I remembers taking off her jeans “I saw Lauren screaming and Within minutes, the CSO had put by bees.” often go to this park as it has a as they were covered in bees, and her mother lying on the grass. up drips and monitors. It was like Tese are the chilling words restricted enclosure where dogs she felt it was the best way to get Tere were bees everywhere – a movie.” Lauren Glezer used to describe can run freely. It’s my happy place. them off her body. Park security they had followed them even Te women were taken far one of the most frightening days “We usually sit on the other tried to help them, giving her though they were now quite far enough away from the bees of her life. It started as a simple side of the park, but it was full, a jacket to cover her legs, and away from where it started. Tis to a room behind the park’s dog walk in Cape Town’s Green so we headed to a bench that we helping her to get the stings out was five or 10 minutes after the restaurant, and the CSO began Point Urban Park on don’t usually sit on, which we of her hair. Most people couldn’t bees first attacked. Sylvia looked treating them. “If the CSO hadn’t 16 February, and ended with didn’t realise was near a beehive. get close enough to help the like someone had taken 50 or come, I‘m not sure what would Glezer, her elderly mother, and Suddenly I felt a bee sting me, women, but a nearby friend, 60 needles and put them in her have happened. It was there for their dog being attacked by a and then we were surrounded by Rodney Beck, called the CSO, face and arms. Tey were saying, us,” says Glezer. swarm of bees. Te Community thousands of bees.” Te next thing, which rushed to the scene within “It’s burning, it’s burning!” It was Continued on page 8>> • Brief • Wo in rld s N ew e N w s ld 21 – 28 February 2020 2 SA JEWISH REPORT r i n o B W r i • e

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19:15 20:06 Cape Town Gilad Shalit, 33, the Israeli • and former Israeli ambassador David 18:15 19:10 Durban soldier who was held prisoner by Govrin, as well as local cultural attachés. 18:15 19:28 Bloemfontein terrorist group Hamas in Gaza for five years, Te three-year, multimillion-dollar 18:15 19:38 Port Elizabeth is engaged. renovation project was completed last month. His girlfriend, Nitzan Shabbat, posted Twelve of the synagogue’s approximately 60 18:15 19:27 East London a photo of the couple on Instagram in Torah scrolls were removed from the ark for which she is holding up her hand to show a the service, which was organised by the Nebi Appliance Repairs on Site diamond engagement ring. Shalit proposed Daniel Association, a group dedicated to the last Friday. preservation of Jewish sites in Egypt. ers, ash Te couple have been dating for about a Alexandria was once home to up to 40 000 hw year and a half. Jews, but now just has a handful. Fewer than Dis toves , es, S Shalit was captured in June 2006 in 20 Jews are estimated to still be living in all of es chin dg Ma Lady Kitty Spencer, the niece of the late a cross-border raid through a Hamas Egypt. ri g F hin Princess Diana of Wales, is reportedly tunnel. He was released in October 2011 as rs & more W Drye converting to Judaism to marry ex-South in a controversial exchange with 1 027 ble Israel plans rail link to m Call Jason African Jewish fashion mogul Michael Palestinian prisoners. Tu Lewis. Western Wall 082 401 8239 / 076 210 6532 Lewis, 61, is chairperson of Te Foschini Israel’s transportation ministry advanced FREE QUOTATIONS Group, and is 32 years older than his plans on Monday to build a new train station 29-year-old model fiancée, Lady Spencer, the that would directly connect Tel Aviv’s Ben first cousin of Princes William and Harry. Gurion Airport to the Western Wall in Te couple got engaged in Cape Town in Jerusalem. BRAMLEY December. Tey both have strong links to Te project, an extension of the recently South Africa, particularly Cape Town. opened Jerusalem-Tel Aviv high-speed line, PLUMBERS Lady Kitty, is the youngest daughter of will include a new 1.8 mile (2.8km)-long Earl Charles Spencer, the younger brother of tunnel under downtown Jerusalem and the the late Princess Diana. She has often been Old City, i24news reports. 011 444 4732Est. 1966 compared to Diana. Tis kind of construction in the Old City of 082 441 8287 Tis will be the second marriage for multi- Jerusalem is controversial. Palestinians object [email protected] millionaire Lewis, who is five years older to Israel gaining more of a foothold in the than his future father-in-law, Earl Spencer. city that they claim as the capital of a future Te British Sunday Times cited friends Palestinian state, and archaeologists object to of the couple who said that Lady Kitty was the possible disturbance of artefacts in the area. “taking religious instruction” in preparation for her marriage. Egyptian diaspora returns to Attempted stabbing at Cave Lewis married his first wife, Leola, with renovated shul whom he has three adult children, in an of Patriarchs Orthodox Jewish ceremony in 1985. Dozens of Jews of Egyptian origin recently A Palestinian man tried to stab an Israeli Lady Kitty’s first cousin, Prince William, came together from around the world to police officer at the Tomb of the Patriarchs in is second in line to the throne of England, celebrate Shabbat at the newly renovated the West Bank city of Hebron late on Monday and is the future supreme governor of the 14th-century Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue in morning. Church of England. Alexandria. Te man pulled out a knife during a security It’s unknown when the glamorous couple One of the two rabbis leading the service check at the site, and tried to stab a member will tie the knot, but it’s speculated that was Yosef Nefussi, the son of the final of the border police, Israel Police said. He was they will be standing under a chuppah Alexandria rabbi. He was joined by Rabbi stopped and arrested by other officers. No SINCE 1984 082 440 0988 (marriage canopy) when they do so. Andrew Baker, the director of International injuries were reported. Jewish Affairs for the American Jewish • Brief by Nicola Miltz Committee. • All briefs supplied by JTA

Torah Thought Andrea Kuti Shabbat Shekalim Teatre of miracles “We’re going to the theatre,” my parents Jewish was a big part of who we were. become something told me, and an hour later, we entered My father’s father was killed by the my parents could a giant, dark place, with rows of empty Nazis when my father was just seven never have imagined. wooden seats, and only a few people in years old. It was a miracle that my father Their daughter, a • Videomed Instore • First Aid & Wound Care front. I felt that death was tangible, and and grandmother survived. My mom rabbi. Studying • Cholesterol Screening • Breast Feeding Advice feared touching anything lest it infect me and her mom were in a labour camp in Gmara, chassidus and how to lead a • Vaccinations • Baby Milestones with a deadly virus. Vienna. They were supposed to end up Jewish community. The ray of sunshine • Family Planning • Immunisations The people there, mostly elderly, in Auschwitz, and by another miracle, in that darkened shul of my childhood • Discovery Vitality • Rapid HIV Testing & Counselling looked like they were carrying the did not. is now pouring light into my days and Assessments • Ear Piercing weight of some invisible pain. The My father told me – I must have been nights. only comforting scene was when the about four years old – that his father There are times I wonder what my 580 Louis Botha Ave, Savoy Estate (Opp Nando’s) men – who were in the front, talking was killed by “mean people”. “Show me parents and grandparents think about Tel: (011) 885-1200/1 • Email: [email protected] or singing, standing up or sitting down, where they are, I’m going to kill them!” I this – after all, you might think, this is then standing up again – went and said. When he told me that I shouldn’t kill a completely new thing, but there is opened a door within which there was anyone, but be good and study, become a thread that runs right back through a beautiful bright blue fabric with big cleverer than anyone who’d do such my family’s history – of resilience, of golden stars on it. It was as if a window mean things, that way I could overcome yearning for learning, and of the need VEHICLES WANTED had been opened in a dark, cold room their meanness, little did I know how not just to survive, but thrive. And, the and sunshine came flowing in. I kept my long this message would drive me to power of miracles. And here we are, eyes fixed on it to soak up the light in keep learning. with Purim around the corner, about to this dreadful place, this “theatre”. Here I am now after a master’s degree, celebrate the miracle of the saving of the It was only one of the many ways my a graduate certificate in Judaism and Jews from Haman the rasha (wicked). parents kept the truth from me. You see, gender studies, and a couple of years And this second generation holocaust I grew up in Hungary, born less than 30 of holistic midwifery training, finally survivor from Budapest is on the way to years after the Holocaust. My parents fulfilling my dream. I’m studying in becoming a rabbi at the tip of Africa – a didn’t tell me I was Jewish, though being a rabbinic programme on my way to miracle indeed!

Editor Peta Krost Maunder – [email protected] • Sub-editor Julie Leibowitz • Journalists Nicola Miltz • Tali Feinberg Jordan Moshe • Editorial co-ordinator Martine Bass – The source of quality content, news and insights – [email protected] • Proofreader Kim Hatchuel • CEO Dani Kedar – Any make, any model, any condition [email protected] • Advertising Britt Landsman: 082 292 9520 – [email protected] • Design and layout Bryan Maron/Design Bandits – [email protected] • Distribution Sandy Furman • Subscriptions Avusa Publishing (Pty) Ltd. Tel: 0860 525 200 Accident damaged vehicles and non-runners also wanted Board of Directors Howard Sackstein (Chairperson), Dina Diamond, Herschel Jawitz, Shaun Matisonn, Benjy Porter. Advertisements and editorial copy do not neccessarily reflect the views of the editor, staff and board of directors. Tel: 011 430 1980. % Arnold Orkin 082 823 7826 The SA Jewish Report subscribes to the Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and Online Media that prescribes news that is truthful, accurate, fair and balanced. If we don’t live up to the Code, within 20 days of the date of publication of the material, please contact the Public Advocate at 011 484 3612, AUTO AFRICA fax: 011 484 3619. You can also contact our Case Officer on [email protected] or lodge a complaint on their website: www.presscouncil.org.za 21 – 28 February 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 3 Lotto shenanigans take toll on investigative journalist NICOLA MILTZ money. It outrages me that money magazine sold by homeless people. raised to uplift the poor is being To suggest a link between this nvestigating the National abused. I keep saying I can’t be and the stories Joseph has been Lotteries Commission (NLC) has shocked by things, but this is publishing since early 2018 is taken its toll on veteran South shocking. Ultimately, it’s the poor ridiculous,” he said. IAfrican journalist Raymond Joseph, who are being robbed, and to think Earlier this month, the NLC who has doggedly exposed alleged how much good this money could said it intended to lay criminal corruption and several dodgy do,” he said. charges against Joseph and lottery projects. GroundUp over the ongoing, in- For months Joseph, a seasoned depth investigations involving freelance reporter and media multi-million-rand lottery grants. trainer, and Anton van Zyl, the It accused them of breaching the editor of the Limpopo Mirror, “The biggest losers law by revealing details of lottery Joseph said he was self-funding policy that I don’t believe have been investigating alleged are poor people who really grants. investigations because he was journalists should sue, suing is corruption and incompetence in Te NLC has demanded so “outraged” by what he was a distraction, and expensive. I NLC contracts. deserve the money.” that GroundUp remove several uncovering. He realised if he speak with my pen. I refuse to Teir exposés appearing in news hard-hitting stories from stopped reporting, “the story get into a street fight and defend agency GroundUp and elsewhere its website, many of which would die”. He said with the help myself. Throwing mud around is have caused the ire of the NLC, exposed incompetence, shoddy of GroundUp, the story was alive time-consuming and exhausting. which has reportedly responded For months, while evidence of workmanship, nepotism, and and developing daily. The closer you get, the more by launching personal attacks on corruption and incompetence piled probable corruption involving “I came very close to throwing personal it gets. My biggest Joseph. up in GroundUp reports, Joseph millions in lottery-funded projects. in the towel. Time is money, and defence mechanism is to keep “It’s like a microcosm of state felt the brunt of personal attacks Joseph said the Lotto this has certainly taken its toll – publishing.” capture, and I’m right in the middle levelled against him. investigations had “consumed him financially especially,” he said. The NLC has been granting of it,” he told the SA Jewish Report. Nathan Geffen, the editor of for a long time”. Over the past several months, funding to non-profit Teir numerous scathing reports GroundUp jumped to Joseph’s “It’s the second time in my 46- Joseph has been accused of theft, organisations, non-government have raised concern over organisations, public how money meant for “good This Lotto-funded drug rehabilitation benefit trusts, schools, causes” – poverty relief and centre in Kuruman is unfinished nearly and communities since charity – is in some cases two years after it received funding 2002. being dispersed in highly A percentage of the questionable ways. weekly proceeds are paid After more than a year of over by the licensed lottery persistent media coverage operator – appointed by GroundUp’s investigative every seven years and team and other media, the currently Ithuba – to the NLC is finally investigating NLC, which is regulated by the corruption claims, with the department of trade the NLC board appointing and industry. By 2017, it Sekela Xabiso to investigate had distributed more than fraud allegations against it. R24 billion to good causes: A determined Joseph has R10.7 billion of that has on many occasions self- gone to charities, R6.3- funded his investigations, billion to arts, culture making sure he is on the and national heritage, ground travelling the width R6.1 billion to sport and Photo: Raymond Joseph Photo: and breadth of the country recreation, and R686 to see for himself how lottery defence last year when the Sunday year career as a journalist that I’ve stealing documents, and being million to “miscellaneous”. money is being used and, in some World repeated an “absurd” NLC become personally wrapped up in disgruntled. The Democratic Alliance cases, abused. accusation that Joseph was “writing the story, and refused to let go. I’m “It’s been tough going. I’m not shadow minister for trade and His investigations have opened a scathing stories about them [the the reporter on the ground who used to being in the spotlight. industry, Dean Macpherson, has Pandora’s box of alleged corruption NLC] after it stopped funding a is witness to what’s going on. Tis From the beginning, we made written to the minister of trade and incompetence. In a series of non-governmental organisation of isn’t my story, it’s about corruption a rule that nothing would be and industry, Ebrahim Patel, hard-hitting articles, Joseph and which he was once a director”. and how money is being misused to published without at least asking him to place the NLC the small team of investigative Geffen wrote, “For the record, the detriment of the ones who need two sources to corroborate under administration, to dismiss journalists including his daughter, Joseph was a founding member it most. Te lottery has dispensed information. Tere have been its board, and suspend its chief Roxanne Joseph, have uncovered a and former editor of Te Big Issue about R26 billion over its life, some very brave whistle blowers. operating officer. string of alleged irregularities and decades ago. He was an unpaid this isn’t chump change. It’s now Tey are the real heroes as they In spite of ongoing revelations the misuse of lottery grant money. board member from 1997 until dispensing about R1.5 billion a year, are taking huge risks. about alleged corruption, “Te biggest losers are poor 2016, when he resigned. so this isn’t small change, and can ”Honestly I’ve been attacked the minister has reportedly people who really deserve the “Te Big Issue is a non-profit be used for a lot of good.” and defamed, but I have a remained silent.

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ANTI ABUSE ORGANISATION COMBATING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILD ABUSE

Outside Parliament: Chaya Singer; SAJBD national chairperson Shaun Zagnoev; DA members of 0% Parliament Michael Bagraim and Darren Bergman Madeleine stakeholders. The takeaway was mildly Hicklin, optimistic, with the recognition that Democratic solutions are going to take time, and have tolerance Alliance member to be done within the law. The upcoming of parliament Budget speech will determine the tachlis Cyril Ramaphosa (real) direction of government spending wasted another and strategic priorities. golden opportunity to show he has a Sol Cowan, former backbone and the interests of South Africa Johannesburg at heart. He paid the most attention to ANC councillor the least compelling challenges, leaving SONA, by its very 100% Eskom’s rolling blackouts, expropriation definition, is where without compensation, jail terms for those the country is, and found guilty of corruption, and the bailout a plan for it going of a failed airline with little to no attention. forward. commitment The Eskom solution he proposed originated The problem with in the DA: the unbundling of Eskom, and the 2020 SONA was that it was short on the introduction of independent power detail in two important aspects, namely producers selling additional power into Eskom and the economy. Nowhere in the the grid has been suppressed by Gwede SONA is there a magic wand that details Help fund our SchoolSafe Mantashe for years. how the R450 billion debt is going to be Ramaphosa is big on promises, and dealt with, how funding for the entity is prevention of child sexual abuse very short on delivery. The most honest going to be guaranteed in the future, and comment he made was that the government where such funding will come from. couldn’t solve our economic challenges Economic growth is critical to address programme for Primary Schools. alone. But we at least need an enabling, the problem of unemployment and various capable society to seek aid. Holding other issues. Nowhere does the speech summits and forging alliances are great, detail what policies are needed to kickstart but without a capable state and capable the economy in order to achieve growth, Donations to: leadership, they are meaningless. He is an especially sustainable growth over a long incapable man heading up an incapable period of time. The Koleinu Trust state. In conclusion, the speech does harp on Mandela’s principles of non-racism, which is Chaya Singer, a good sign as opposed to former President Sasfin Bank parliamentary Jacob Zuma’s rhetoric on radical economic and diplomatic transformation and black nationalism. Branch Code: 683000 liaison for the South African Steven Gruzd, analyst at the South Account: 300 001 28 555 Jewish Board of African Institute Deputies of International Section 18a Certificates available I attend SONA Affairs each year to look Domestically beyond the pomp and ceremony and focus focused, SONA on government’s proposed agenda for the isn’t the place Contact: year, and how it will affect our community. for foreign policy This year, the stakes felt high, and in an pronouncements. Wendy 082 443 6703 age of much-needed austerity and reform, Nevertheless, the cutbacks seemed to extend only as Ramaphosa made mention of South Africa Rozanne 061 975 8473 far as the replacement of opulent floral chairing the African Union and its tenure arrangements with a #SONA2020 photo- on the United Nations Security Council. op prop on the red carpet. The presiding It will oversee the implementation of the officers were determined that the rules African Continental Free Trade Area, and of the house be upheld, marking a new push for women’s rights. HELPLINE (011) 264 0341 political climate, which will probably Said Ramaphosa, “Through the African result in a revision of the rules that won’t Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), South allow for the hijacking of proceedings Africa will work with other countries to www.koleinusa.co.za • email: [email protected] in future. There was a tone of realism in advance good governance and democracy.” the president’s address that we haven’t The APRM is a golden chance for South experienced in previous SONAs, but there Africa to scrutinise its governance were none of the surprises or radical shortcomings frankly. Will it do so honestly announcements feared or hoped for by and openly though? 21 – 28 February 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 5 In face of UN ‘blacklist’, is South Africa softening on Middle East? STEVEN GRUZD and is carefully designed to target and Northern Cyprus, the UN chose to blacklist only international law at the expense of what discriminate against these companies through companies doing business in Israel’s disputed is deemed political reality or expediency,” he battlefield over United States boycotts and punitive action,” Polovin said. “[It] territories.” Mabhongo said, “undermines the rule of just President Donald Trump’s peace plan has is consistent with the UN’s history of anti-Israel Palestinians and the Boycott, Divestment, law and the global multilateral system.” moved from the African Union to the bias, and won’t promote peace between Israelis Sanctions movement naturally welcomed He noted that South Africa’s position is TUnited Nations (UN). Tere, while the global and Palestinians.” the list with glee. Human Rights Watch said in line with “AU leaders [who] reaffirmed body has just fingered firms operating in the Te HRC, which sits in Geneva, Switzerland, it “should put all companies on notice: to do the continent’s solidarity with the people of West Bank for censure, South Africa appears a and generated the “blacklist”, has a standing business with illegal settlements is to aid in the Palestine for their inalienable right to self- little softer on peace in the Middle East. agenda item on Israel at every meeting. Its commission of war crimes”. determination”. Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s many members who are far less democratic Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud comments that the peace plan reminded him than Israel escape this singling out. Tey also Abbas was present at the council debate. He has of a “Bantustan type of construction”, and the routinely object to country-specific resolutions, repeatedly attempted to use the UN to push fierce comeback from Jewish communal groups, shielding rights-violating governments. “We are confident that states unilaterally for recognition of Palestine as a South Africa has further nuanced its position. Condemnation of Israel, however, is routine and sovereign state. Te UN Human Rights Council (HRC) regular by the HRC. and companies will not lend Noting that the Trump plan had shone the published a “blacklist” of 112 (mainly) Israeli Tis year, its membership includes countries legitimacy or cooperate in any spotlight on moribund negotiations, Mabhongo and international companies operating in the with notorious human-rights records such efort to discriminate against advocated for both sides to hammer out a West Bank and East Jerusalem, following a as Afghanistan, Cameroon, the Democratic solution themselves. “Te security council must 2016 UN HRC resolution, leading to rising Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Libya, Israel or advance BDS.” support the necessary environment for Israel temperatures. It includes Israel’s major banks Mauritania, Pakistan, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan, and Palestine to come together, as equals, to and its water, railway, and telephone utilities. and Venezuela. In 2017 and 2018, every African resume the peace process,” he said. Some international companies named are country supported or abstained on anti-Israel Meanwhile, is South Africa adopting a more South Africa is pushing for concerns to Motorola, TripAdvisor, and Airbnb. resolutions, with the notable exception of Togo. moderate tone on the peace plan? Te plan was come back onto the table. “All final-status Israeli President Reuven Rivlin criticised the Te HRC’s unfair anti-Israel bias was one of discussed in the UN Security Council (of which issues, including illegal Israeli settlements, the list as “shameful”, recalling “dark periods in our the reasons for the US walking out of the body South Africa is a non-permanent member in status of Jerusalem, and the right of refugees history”. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz in June 2018. 2019-2020) on 11 February. Tere, ambassador to return to their homeland, must be in line said the list’s publication was “the ultimate UN Watch, a non-governmental organisation Xolisa Mabhongo, South Africa’s deputy with international law.” Tese conditions are surrender to pressure exerted by countries and fighting anti-Israel invective at the HRC, said, permanent representative to the UN, said, anathema to the current Israeli government. organisations interested in harming Israel” and “Dictatorships initiated this blacklist not “the people of occupied Palestine … tend to be Mabhongo noted that 30 years ago, Nelson was “a stain ... on human rights itself”. because they care about human rights, but ignored when their own destiny is being decided Mandela was released from 27 years in captivity, Te Israeli Embassy in Pretoria said, “We are to divert attention from serial rights abuses upon”. and as president “demonstrated that, what confident that states and companies will not committed by council members like Venezuela, Trump’s plan, though despised by its for some had seemed to be intractable and lend legitimacy or cooperate in any effort to Libya, and DR Congo, by scapegoating the detractors, is pragmatic. It acknowledges the unrealistic, was solvable. May this be a lesson in discriminate against Israel or advance BDS.” Jewish state. reality that Israel exists. Te Jewish state isn’t finding peace between Palestinians and Israelis.” Rowan Polovin, the national chairman of “Doing business in disputed territories has going away, and needs to safeguard its security It looks like the struggle will continue in the the South African Zionist Federation, said never been prohibited under international law, in a rough neighbourhood. Repeated rejections boardrooms and chambers of international the organisation “strongly condemns [this] nor, until today, subject to a UN blacklist,” UN of any compromise for a century has shrunk the organisations for some time yet. And while discriminatory and shameful measure”. Watch said. “Curiously, out of more than 100 territory a putative state would ever control. South Africa remains firmly in the Palestinian “Tis ‘blacklist’ is a long-running measure territorial disputes in the world today, including South Africa dismisses the new thinking corner for now, its statements hint that it might that has been brewed in the United Nations, Tibet, Kashmir, Crimea, Western Sahara, and in the Trump plan. “Flagrant violations of aspire for a role as referee. 6 SA JEWISH REPORT 21 – 28 February 2020 south african The real battle behind JTheewish source of quality content, news andR insightseport Israel’s elections DATELINE: MIDDLE EAST Reframing our vision I have a confession. I drive on Shabbat. h boy, people in the community seem to It’s not something I’m proud of, but it’s Paula Slier be so miserable! I keep hearing moaning necessary to state here to explain the and grumbling about our status quo. Ifollowing story. live a haredi lifestyle while they served in the OLoadshedding! Te Economic Freedom Fighters A few Friday nights ago, several hundred military. hijacking the State of the Nation Address! President haredim from the ultra-Orthodox Mea Increasingly, Israelis are voting less about Cyril Ramaphosa not being strong enough! How tough Shearim neighbourhood in Jerusalem security and more about questions of identity, things are financially! How our money goes nowhere! blocked off the streets in the nearby Russian Jewishness versus Israeliness, and democracy. Yes, the list goes on… compound as they sometimes do. They The question of Orthodox conscription Looking at all the negatives is depressing, and hard shouted “Shabbas! Shabbas!” as they formed remains an election hot potato – as does the to bear. I can’t deny them – they are all true. However, human chains to prevent cars from driving question of driving on Shabbat. isn’t it time we looked at what we actually have in the through. It’s important to highlight that Since the last election in September, community and in this country? this isn’t a religious neighbourhood. Unlike a private Shabbat bus system has gone For the most part, most of our community leads Mea Shearim, people who live here drive on operational in Tel Aviv and other cities, amazing lives. What’s more, the community has Shabbat while circling around Mea Shearim upending a decades-long blackout of public created a supportive environment so we don’t have to where steel barricades prevent traffic from transport over the weekend. While many stress too much. passing through on the weekend. religious Jews consider driving on Shabbat Close-knit community members support each other through thick and thin. We have Had this happened in Mea Shearim, I profaning of the holy day, more than 70% organisations like the Community Security Organisation and CAP (Community Active wouldn’t be writing this piece. But the of Israel’s Jewish citizens favour public Protection) that ensure we are physically secure and protected. We have the Chevrah ultra-Orthodox had come into a secular transport. Kadisha that helps when times are tough. We have Hatzolah for any physical emergency. neighbourhood to provoke citizens living They complain that especially in areas that Our communal organisations are outstanding, among the best in the Jewish world, there. are almost entirely secular, there should be and the envy of other communities in South Africa. We were on our way to my partner’s family public transport over the weekend. The issue Our schools are among the best in the world. Jewish schools invariably come out for Friday night dinner, and were trying to is the latest in a culture war between religious trumps in the academic ratings every single year in South Africa. We have scores of shuls drive through the crowd. Suddenly a young and secular Israelis that has increasingly scattered across the community in Johannesburg and Cape Town. You would obviously protestor threw a huge rock at our windshield, dominated national politics. be able to find one that suits your needs perfectly. cracking it almost in half. We were forced Benny Gantz, former army chief of Come the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards every year, and we are all inspired by the into a side street while being pelted with staff and the main rival of Prime Minister outstanding calibre of people we have in the community. Be they lawyers, entrepreneurs, rocks. The protestors then closed the street Benjamin Netanyahu, has pledged to permit media folk, communal leaders, big business leaders, philanthropists, we have them all. by placing huge stones in our way, and forcing municipalities to operate public transport It’s truly astonishing how many inspiring people exist in our small community. their children to stand behind them. The on Shabbat. He’s also promised to liberalise At this point in time, the actual number of Jews in South Africa is in question. While I whole time, they screamed hysterically at us marriage laws that are currently controlled by accept that we want to know how many of us live here compared to how many there were for breaking Shabbat and, I’m horrified to say, the Orthodox rabbinate. over the past 10 or 50 years, how important is it? also repeatedly called me a prostitute. His followers welcome such views, which Other than being of interest, it doesn’t really have too much impact on us, or does it? The experience was very upsetting. I visited is why his party is expected to win the most If the numbers of Jews in the country is greater than we expected, does that make us a friend’s house a few days later who lives in votes next month – but still fall short of being better? If there are fewer than we thought, are we worse off? Hardly! Numbers are just the same neighbourhood. He keeps a plate able to form a coalition majority. numbers. Surely it’s far more important to know how we can fend for ourselves, what we of eggs near his living room window, ready The six new weekend bus lines have proven have created, and how high we punch above our weight? Te day after we find out the to throw at ultra-Orthodox demonstrators hugely popular, drawing more than 10 000 numbers, we will still be in the same position we were the day before we knew them. We every time they protest outside his apartment passengers each Shabbat. But their popularity will still be part of an incredible community that’s genuinely admired the world over. block. has not made the religious parties budge. When you speak to ex-pats in the United States, England, and even Australia, they may Israel is just weeks away from its third For more than 70 years, buses and trains be happy in their new homes, but most of them long for the inclusive, caring community haven’t run in we have here. most of Israel Something I marvel at is that in South Africa, you can be Jewish, secular, Orthodox, from sundown and traditional all in one. Now, in most parts of the world, you are either secular, on Friday to Orthodox, or traditional, you can’t be all of it, according to seemingly strict and nightfall on unbending communities. Saturday. This And, although sometimes it might seem as if our community is terribly conservative was a promise and unforgiving, we actually aren’t. We mostly allow people to be who they are, and by the country’s still be a part of the greater Jewish community. Tere are very few areas where the first prime community is unaccepting of its own. minister, David Why am I saying all of this? Ben-Gurion, It’s simple, it’s time we reframed how we look at our situation. It’s time we stopped to the ultra- looking at how awful things are. Te truth is that you can always find the bad in any Orthodox situation if you are looking for it. In the same way, you can find the good. community and Recently, a friend of mine was in tears because the Chev had helped her cousin consecutive who had fallen on hard times. She was overcome with gratitude, and was quite governments frankly astonished at what this organisation does for people. Most people outside our have adhered community don’t have such organisations. to it. Over the years, the South African Jewish community has made sure that it looks after Netanyahu its own. I’m not sure we realise just how incredible this is. relies on the When shuls in the US were being attacked, we looked around and recognised that we support of the have been protecting our shuls for a number of years. We already had some incredibly religious right, brave folk ensuring that you and I can safely attend shul. and for as Te same goes for our schools. Astonishing! Thousands of people from the ultra-Orthodox community gathered in Jerusalem’s Mea long as he is in We also have a magnificent home for Jewish orphans. In all Jewish areas, even in some Shearim neighborhood to protest against plans to draft haredim into national service power, it seems places where Jews are a minority, we have CAP, which is a community-based, pro-active, election in a year, and the latest polls unlikely that the government will allow buses anti-crime initiative that was conceived of by our own chief rabbi in 2006. We take it for suggest yet another political stalemate. The to operate on Shabbat. granted, but CAP has brought down crime substantially in those areas. question of the oversized influence of the Ultra-Orthodox Jews make up just more I could go on, but suffice to say that we have a thriving, high-quality community that’s ultra-Orthodox is again on the agenda. Many than 10% of Israel’s population. Recent the envy of the world. Yet, we still manage to dwell on the negative. Israelis blame the religious establishment for polls predict that both the Ashkenazi ultra- Te vibrance and energy of the Jewish life we live is unmatched around the world. We repeated elections because of their refusal to Orthodox party, United Torah Judaism, and are also a tough and resilient community which fends for itself, and reaches out to compromise to Yisrael Beiteinu leader and its Sephardi counterpart, Shas, will maintain help others along the way. “kingmaker”, Avigdor Lieberman’s, demand to their influence with seven or eight seats each. I truly believe that our thoughts shape our reality. So, if you are constantly looking draft ultra-Orthodox Jews into the army. If there’s one good thing that came out for the bad, you will find it, and it will become your reality. How about reframing our Currently they are exempt from service of that Friday night altercation, it’s that an vision and considering what an incredible community and life we have here on the from the age of 24 and as a result, many ultra-Orthodox youngster came to talk to me southern tip of Africa? learn in yeshivot until then. This week, a privately. He wanted me to know that the Yes, things aren’t easy, but they are so much better than in most parts of the committee set up by the Israeli army found crowd didn’t represent all haredim in Israel, world, and we live within a community that cares. that the age of granting draft exemptions and that many were against protesting in for ultra-Orthodox men should be lowered secular neighbourhoods on Shabbat. Shabbat Shalom! so as to prevent them from entering the Still, the growing rift between the religious Peta Krost Maunder job market only in their mid-twenties. The and secular communities shows no sign of Editor panel also found that a substantial number diminishing, least of all when it’s used by of recruits classified as ultra-Orthodox didn’t political leaders for electoral points. 21 – 28 February 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 7 Third time, I’ll scream OPINION BIKO ARRAN n Hebrew, when you meet someone chance of a rainy election day on A new factor coincidently for the second time the same day, 2 March. Tis means it’s going to in these elections you point at them and say, “Tird time – ice be a huge challenge to ensure the and the post- Icream”, meaning if you meet them unexpectedly typically high Israeli turn out rates election period is Netanyahu’s again shortly thereafter, they owe you an ice (68%-69%) at the polls. status as a criminal defendant. His cream. So, are we going to have a fourth trial will start in coming weeks, and Tis bizarre saying is believed to be based on election this year? he will be in the Jerusalem District similar idioms in German or English. Te most I assume once again, like I did Court on an almost daily basis for common explanation is that Israelis translate, after the second round, that we a while to come. His interest, of “If we’ll meet again, I’ll scream,” to the similar won’t have another election. course, is to stay in power, with or phonetics of having “ice cream” at our next But this time with much more without a new coalition. Even as a meeting. confidence (and again, with temporary prime minister. In two weeks, Israel will hold its third general nothing to lose). In fact, he is already a elections, and we will neither scream nor eat Israel isn’t just exhausted from transitional prime minister for ice cream. Te Israeli public is tired. Exhausted. its continual political shenanigans. a year, but in office with full Apathetic. Hopeless. As of January, the end of the authority. So, fourth elections are a Te polls consistently indicate the same financial year, Israel doesn’t have a valid option for Netanyahu. Legally, results: deadlock. budget. It needs a new government he can be prime minister until the in place to allocate a budget. final ruling (which will take years). Without it, there can be no new But what about Israel having a Once again, our elections tenders and non-governmental prime minister defending charges and other organisations won’t get of bribery, fraud, and breach of focus on one topic: funding. So, there is now an urgent trust against him? Tis moral Bibi – yes or no. need for a new government. question is probably the main Under these circumstances and issue on the agenda for the coming Tis political situation probably won’t with an Israeli public willing to election in less than two weeks, change within the next two weeks before the compromise in order just to move namely, is Netanyahu to carry on unprecedented third general voting day in less on, I believe these are the last running the country during his than one year. On the one side, there is the elections with the current scenario days in court? centre-left parties of Blue and White and Labor/ and characters. Once again, our elections Meretz combined with the Arab Joint List. On Te main breakthrough could focus on one topic: Bibi – yes or the other, with almost the same number of be the formation of a minority no. But it isn’t just personal. It’s mandates, is Netanyahu’s Likud ruling party government with Benny Gantz, what Bibi stands for. Netanyahu with the religious right-wing Yamina alliance Lieberman and Labor/Meretz is an internationally talented, and the Haredi parties (Shas and Yahadut Ha- support. Te Joint List (the Arabs) experienced leader. He is Torah). would abstain. Trump’s close friend. He is the None of the blocks (alliances) hold a majority Afterwards, Netanyahu wouldn’t charismatic, long-lasting new of seats in the Knesset (Israeli parliament). be in office anymore, and so the Israeli father figure. And then And, in the middle, in between those blocks, game to maintain a larger coalition for many Israelis, he is Bibi the you can find the kingmaker, Avigdor Lieberman would start. Tis scenario, for accused. Te instigator and split (Yisrael Beiteinu), who has already twice refused example, was not acceptable after personality. Te one who keeps to crown a king. Lieberman rebuffed Likud in the second elections, and now it’s challenging and attacking the forming a government with haredi and “right- being pushed publicly by Blue and Arabs, the media, civil society wing extremists”, although this was for decades White as a legitimate and feasible and law-enforcement entities. his natural leaning. He also rejected a Blue and option. We are waiting for the public White government supported by Arab votes. On the other hand, Bibi’s whole to provide the best and smartest So, we continue to have a dead-end. No campaign is now based on a threat, answer, which we probably government. Another election. claiming that if you don’t vote won’t get. Te leaders of the various parties have shown for him, you’re voting for an Arab commitment to the promise not to sit with leader. His slogan, “Its Bibi or Tibi” • Biko Arran is an Israeli podcast host, specific parties, thereby ensuring their inability refers to Blue and White wanting social entrepreneur, lawyer, and to form a government. For example: Blue and to form a government supported policy advisor. He has been living White and the Labor Party promised not to sit by Israeli Arabs and specifically in South Africa since his wife, Liat, down at a table with Netanyahu, and Lieberman Ahmad Tibi, the leader of the Arab took up her position as director of the refused to meet the Haredi or Yamina parties. Movement for Change. Israel Centre last year. And so, no compromise was found in the past two elections. Te result of the upcoming election is likely to have a similar outcome to the last two. Should we start talking about a fourth Free of charge consultations March 10 to 14 general election in September? Almost three-quarters of the Israeli public on LITHUANIAN PASSPORT in Johannesburg believe Israel could soon head to the ballot March 16 to 17 stations for a fourth time. assistance Tere is only a slight chance that the polls in Cape Town are wrong. Israeli Arab citizens voted in higher numbers in the last election, rising from 10 to Book an individual meeting with me and we will discuss the following: 13 Knesset seats. Trump’s plan to swap Israeli Arab citizens with the Palestinian state angered If you qualify for ancestral citizenship restoration this constituency. Together with the regular What information and documents are required for procedure anti-Arab Likud campaign, the Joint List could Step-by-step reinstatement procedure potentially bring in new voters that have never Any other questions or concerns you might have voted before. Meaning new mandates for the centre-left block. Knowing that at least one of your With Lithuanian passport you can travel Besides those fresh new votes, there are many parents, grandparents, or great- to more than 170 countries without a tired, unmotivated, sceptical voters, mainly from grandparents was from Lithuania is the prior visa. To visit Australia, Canada and only essential condition to successfully United States you are required an online the Likud party, who might ultimately choose initiate the process. Archival registration (electronic authorization) not to participate. Adv. Dainius Ambrazaitis investigation is my job! only – no visa. 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With a blessed stormy winter this year, the weather forecast predicts more than a 50% Phone: +27 87 551 0813 WhatsApp: + 370 600 68454 Email: [email protected] www.LithuanianJews.com 8 SA JEWISH REPORT 21 – 28 February 2020 Aliyah can’t be made at the drop of a hat JORDAN MOSHE Organisations do exist to help people, but arrival in the country), but Taitz stresses of, whether settling in a central location is it’s very different to what we have in South that one cannot live on this alone. This essential, or what type of school you require hile Israel welcomes South Africa, where people can expect more from means that unless one is emigrating with a if you have children. African Jews, making aliyah is the Chevrah Kadisha.” sizeable financial reserve, efforts to find a This means doing research well in a difficult process that requires Unlike before, more parents are open job must be undertaken timeously. advance, and utilising opportunities like comprehensiveW planning and consideration, to making aliyah sooner than later, no While almost 99% of those who emigrate the Aliyah Expo to ask questions, even according to aliyah experts in South Africa. if you’re not poised to make aliyah right Liat Amar-Arran, the director of the Israel now. The expo will feature 57 delegates Centre in South Africa, says emigrating giving lectures and one-on-one meetings to Israel isn’t impossible, but doing your not just on aliyah, but subjects including homework is more important today than investment opportunities, property, higher ever before. education, and gap-year programmes. “The dream of making aliyah ‘just like Perhaps most essential, however, is that’ isn’t one we encourage anymore,” to remember that Israel isn’t always the says Amar-Arran. “We need to know what answer to whatever problem you may be a person is going to when they go to Israel. facing. We worry less about certain people, but “Israel is waiting for no one,” says Taitz. everyone should have some sort of plan.” “If you want to be part of it, you need to Ahead of the upcoming Aliyah Expo, do your research and weigh up what you’re the SA Jewish Report met Amar-Arran and getting into. Israel supports aliyah, and we Johannesburg aliyah co-ordinator Ziva can help, but in the end it’s your journey, Taitz to unpack what it takes to relocate in and you need to make it yourself.” 2020. “We want to make sure that people do • The Aliyah Expo takes place in Johannesburg the right thing for themselves,” says Amar- from 23 to 25 February. For more Arran. “It’s very rare for us to stop people information or to book, contact from going, but we try to make them [email protected] or 011 645 2666. understand what they’re giving up, and what they’re going to get.” longer opposed to taking their children out do so without any job on the table, jobs CSO rescues women In 2019, a total of 417 individuals made of school and placing them in the Israeli are available in Israel, but finding them aliyah from South Africa, an increase of system before matric. requires considerable flexibility and from bee terror more than 20% from 2018. This number She and Amar-Arran stress that while savvy. Fields with potential for South >>Continued from page 1 includes about 150 families and people failed aliyah does exist, these cases are in Africans include the high-tech and medical “Lauren and Sylvia were clearly in from across the age and career spectrum. the minority, and are far from ideal. “We industries, engineering, and English pain, and there was nothing they could People need to know what life in Israel don’t want people to have to come back,” teaching. do to help themselves,” adds Beck. Once is like today, Taitz and Amar-Arran say. says Taitz. “When you’re back, you’re often “On average, it takes six months to find the women were stabilised, he got out Israel today faces an uncertain future, in a worse position than before.” a job,” says Amar-Arran. People who want of the way of the medics, and helped the result of multiple elections and Amar-Arran emphasises the importance to work and are willing to compromise can contact family and friends. political instability. “Government has also of making people understand that the find a job. One must remember that an Glezer remembers vomiting from stopped operating for a year,” says Amar- support they may get here might not be employer isn’t obligated to do anything the poison in her system. Throughout Arran. “People in Israel are feeling it only the same in Israel. “Social services in Israel until a person lands in Israel. It’s rare the ordeal, her mother, who is almost now. Certain government budgets and recognise a person after one year only,” she to sign a contract in advance, and most 83 years old, remained calm. “She had programmes have become stuck because of says. “It takes time to find the best fit in employers wait until you arrive and settle been stung from head to toe,” says politics, and this has affected infrastructure Israel. People need to know it’s a process.” your citizenship before committing to her daughter. Meanwhile, their dog to some extent.” According to Taitz and Amar-Arran, anything.” was rushed to the vet. The family are Other major, contemporary topics include younger, financially stable candidates Essential to finding a job and ultimately heartbroken that he didn’t survive. Israel’s growing recognition of its diversity, without family ties to Israel are often to making aliyah successfully, is a firm Natasha Salkinder was with her and a renewed prioritisation of the conflict the easiest aliyah cases. Those who don’t grasp of Hebrew. Taitz says that whether husband Darren, a CSO medic, when the with Arab states, primarily the result of have all the necessary documents in order undertaken prior to departure or after incident call came through. When they Donald Trump’s political manoeuvring. in advance, those with an unsold South arrival, ulpan remains an essential part of arrived at the scene, “he immediately “Israel today is a very materialistic African property, and those who have integration into society, school, and the started attending to the patients. country,” says Taitz. “There’s a big gap no potential career plans, are those who workplace. I watched as Darren picked out the between the haves and have-nots. In spite experience some difficulties. Ultimately, knowing exactly what you stings, and eventually started using his of much wealth entering the country, it’s Israel continues to offer an appealing want out of your aliyah can help soften debit card to pick them off, as it’s more still a socialist country in which people array of absorption benefits (including your landing. It’s important to consider effective. It was later decided to take expect the government to care for the poor. a monthly stipend for six months after the type of community you want to be part both patients to hospital in the same ambulance.” The two women were in intensive care for three nights. Glezer ALSO AVAILABLE FOR STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL PRIVATE was discharged from ICU on Wednesday, 18 - 27 FEBRUARY 2020 MEETINGS and her mother remains in hospital. Says CSO Cape Town’s Dani Janks, “The CSO’s role in situations like this is CAPE TOWN & JHB for well-trained and dedicated medical רשת נדל"ן בפריסה ארצית responders to assess the situation and IPN Jerusalem IPN Bat Yam IPN Ra'anana IPN Zicron Yaccov IPN Modiin IPN Tel Aviv IPN Tel Mond IPN Hadera the condition of the patient in need of IPN Beit Shemesh IPN Herzilya IPN Netanya IPN Tzfat medical attention, begin treatment, Sabrina Ziff stabilise or resuscitate the patient if Israel Property Network needed, and activate an ambulance for every call. 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When outdoors, always try to remain in groups, and ensure that you have Herzilya - IDC Bat Yam Ra'anana Tel Aviv-Jaffa Jerusalem adequate cell phone battery and signal.” from 2.95 million NIS from 2.1 million NIS from 2.1 million NIS from 2.6 million NIS from 2.1 million NIS South Africa's award winning prestige financial advisor together • CSO Cape Town can be reached on with Israel's most referred property network are BACK! 086 18 911 18, and CSO Johannesburg on 086 18 000 18. For more details & to book call Ari 083-564-9073 or email - [email protected] www.israelpropertynetwork.com 21 – 28 February 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 9 Take care not to be ripped of buying property in Israel JORDAN MOSHE “My rule is to have a conversation to difficult, and expensive process. Te contract if the mortgage isn’t paid because the tenant explain all costs before I meet the client. that purchasers sign with an agent is a defaults on rent payments, owners can find rooked estate agents and crafty Tis is usually done over the phone or by standard contract, but the commission themselves in a real mess. Property managers property managers are ripping off email before they even come to Israel. I also percentage is usually added in by hand, after should report regularly on all income and foreigners buying property in Israel. schedule a meeting with a real-estate lawyer negotiation with the agent.” expenditure associated with the property, CSo, if you’re in the market for Israeli property, [at no charge] to explain all the legalities Isaacson therefore recommends that any as well as reporting to the Israeli tax office make sure you know what you’re supposed to of purchasing and the costs involved. I also buyer check that their agent is registered if the rental income is above the reporting be paying. encourage a meeting with a mortgage broker – there is an online registry that they or a threshold.” “Foreign purchasers may be charged Hebrew-speaking friend can inspect. He says that you should also ask to see higher than normal agency and legal fees,” Although potentially costly, Bash says the rental contract that the agent signs with says the chief executive of Creative Estates that if a buyer has had a bad experience tenants on your behalf, and get it translated Israel, Shaun Isaacson. “Because they are far with an agent, they can be reported to the from Hebrew if necessary. removed from the Israeli market, they don’t local justice ministry. If anything illegal has All three property experts emphasise the realise that these charges are extortionate.” transpired, their license can be revoked. need for first-time foreign property buyers Isaacson, a licensed realtor, property It’s therefore essential that property to understand the market, and get their manager, and qualified lawyer, says that owners who aren’t based in Israel make information from a reliable and licensed real- standard legal fees on property purchases every effort to appoint a licensed property estate broker and real-estate lawyer. are usually 1% plus VAT for foreign residents manager to safeguard their investment. “When deciding what property to buy (more if the deal is particularly complicated). Hare stresses the importance of using in Israel, always speak to disinterested Tere’s also an agents’ commission fee, a recognised property management professionals and don’t rely exclusively on the usually between 1% and 2% plus VAT. company, and Bash says that a good person who wants to sell you the property, “Tere is also a purchase tax of 8%, so property manager may be necessary, even Isaacson says. “It’s always better to find your buyers should typically budget an additional to discuss rates and financing opportunities. for a once-a-month check up on the property. own lawyer rather than using the lawyer 12% of the cost of the property to cover fees,” However, they agree that it’s not “Property owners are sometimes reluctant recommended by agents – who may have he says. “In Israel, agents’ fees are paid by uncommon for foreign buyers to be charged to hire a property management company a conflict of interest – and always ask for both buyers and sellers. excessive amounts. Although agents who because of the expense,” she says. “Rates references.” “Anything above 2% in agency fees would exceed standard rates can be reported, some range from 500 shekels a month (R2 192) Bash concurs, “In Israel you need a good be excessive, and foreign residents who don’t have been known to take a chance. to 1 500 shekels (R6 576) a month or more. team, professionals who know the market, know better are frequently overcharged.” “Unfortunately, I’ve heard of too many It’s important to have someone check on the and most importunately, understand the Te fees (known as closing costs) are cases,” says Selwyn Hare, the manager property.” client’s needs. Tere are many real-estate charged on top of the purchase price, a at Home in Israel real-estate group. “Te Isaacson agrees, stressing that a properly agents and often online listings on real-estate standard in any property purchase in Israel. excuses are often that they charge for ‘project appointed manager is better than relying on a websites that aren’t current. Pick one agent, Real-estate consultant with T&T Investments, management’, which is a total hoax.” friend to manage your property. “You should and get referrals for the agent if need be. Kim Bash, says that these costs include the Isaacson, too, knows of a number of buyers get references from clients, and insist that “Any purchase in Israel is a spiritual agent’s fee, the lawyer’s fee, and purchase tax. who’ve been charged as much as 2% more they send you monthly statements, “he says. investment, not just a financial one,” Bash “Foreign buyers aren’t always aware of than the standard rate. “If anything is amiss, you should ask them says. “If someone has the means to buy in these closing costs,” Bash says. “It’s up to the “Unfortunately, if the buyer has signed to send photos. You could also arrange for a Israel, they should – it’s a solid investment. agent to discuss and educate a prospective a contract with the agent agreeing to that local friend to visit the property and check Te market continues to be strong, and prices buyer before they meet, and show them commission rate, they are bound by it, and everything is being taken care of. are stable. Te bottom line is you can’t go potential properties,” she says. taking them to court would be a protracted, “If your property is poorly maintained, or wrong.

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http://bit.ly/359phOe Johannesburg 011 645 2560 | [email protected] Cape Town 021 286 2130 | [email protected] 10 SA JEWISH REPORT 21 – 28 February 2020 Israeli technology on frontline in battle against coronavirus JORDAN MOSHE first product, studies a Barkai. medical staff to remove the ventilator patient’s blood sample using Finally, there are other to give treatment and potentially s global efforts to contain algorithms and sensors companies who have devoted exposing them to bacteria, making it the spread of the novel to determine whether the themselves to treating the virus. eminently suitable for preventing the coronavirus (now called patient is fighting bacteria or CoughSync, a device developed spread of coronavirus. Covid-19)A continue, Israel is devising a virus anywhere in the body. by a Jerusalem paediatric and Tere are even those working on a strategies to bring the disease under Te technology is already adolescent rehabilitation facility, cure itself. Immunotherapy biotech control. being used in the European could help treat victims suffering company, Vaxil Bio, announced Across the country, scientists are Union, Switzerland, and from pneumonia, and also reduce last week that it believes it has working around the clock to develop Israel to distinguish within the danger of contagion. Innovated successfully identified a Covid-19 innovations that can address the two hours whether an illness Datos Health-In, a by Alyn Hospital, the product was vaccine candidate. Te company, situation in different ways. From is viral or bacterial. telemedicine app invented by Dr Eliezer Be’eri, and is which specialises in cancer and preventative measures to actual According to MeMed Chief designed for people on ventilators, infectious diseases, has harnessed its treatment, various ideas are being Executive Eran Eden, the innovation company Intouch Health, are already simulating a normal cough which unique and patent protected signal devised and tested to turn things could have applications for Covid-19. in use in other departments at the clears phlegm from a patient’s peptide technology, which it believes around, and bring hope to more than Israeli media reports that Eden centre. “Tis technology is the perfect airways. can be effective as a prophylactic 73 000 infected people. told the OurCrowd Global Investor solution to provide care for inpatients Aside from being less invasive, the vaccine against the virus, and might Because there is no vaccine or Summit last week in Jerusalem infected with coronavirus, while device can also be attached to the also demonstrate therapeutic value in treatment for Covid-19, personal that the company was working with protecting staff from contagion,” said ventilator, eliminating the need for the future. protective equipment remains a collaborators around the globe to vital barrier against transmission. find out whether certain technologies Disposable facemasks block only derived from its invention could Case of wait and see for business on hold from Covid-19 some of the dangerous bacteria and detect infectious patients in the pre- JORDAN MOSHE Jack Slier waiting could potentially house the bacteria symptomatic stage. for news from China pathogen after prolonged exposure. Also addressing the issue of South African-born businessman Jack Slier is sitting on diagnosis is Dr Amos Danielli of Bar- shpilkes (in agitation) in his Johannesburg cluster home with The Telemed Ilan University, who, together with his eyes glued to any news of the coronavirus known as Robot his team, has developed technology Covid-19. He has felt its impact in spite of being in perfect which can drastically reduce the time health and nowhere near the Far East. needed to analyse saliva samples for He is feeling the pain of watching his business, which signs of the virus. According to the has an office in Shanghai, grind to a halt since December Jerusalem Post, the solution was first because of this devastating virus. He has a cattle-hide discovered in 2007 to address cattle business, and his office in China processes transactions and diseases, and the same technology fills orders. Since December, he has been left waiting for has been adapted for multiple viruses. things to return to normal. “We collaborate with several “There’s been no activity at all for the past three weeks,” laboratories in China and Vietnam, he says. “We’ve been at a complete standstill. We usually and they were telling me that the mostly sell to factories in the Hubei region, all of which have time they needed to analyse the remained closed since the end of the Chinese New Year.” “The Chinese government is trying to make matters saliva samples was severely limiting Slier is certainly not alone. As the two-month mark since seem normal. The national government is insistent that the amount of people they could test the outbreak of the coronavirus approaches, businesses it’s business as usual, while regional governments are every day. I though this could help,” across the globe are weighing up the impact the disease has segregating whole towns, even neighbourhoods. It’s far from Danielli told the Jerusalem Post. had on trade. From Apple to Estée Lauder, companies are normal.” Diagnosing coronavirus takes reporting a decline in sales, with demand down and supplies Most unnerving, says Slier, is the conflicting information about one hour using existing dwindling. being broadcast across China. “Some reports say that methods. Danielli’s solution combines According to MarketWatch, Apple isn’t expected to meet people are recovering and some sort of initial cure has been optics and magnetic particles, its second-quarter financial guidance targets because found. There was even a case of a 97-year-old man who enabling the rapid testing of 100 production has slowed or been halted in China. Apple had been ill for two weeks and was said to be cured. Other samples of patients potentially generates about 15% of its revenue from China, and many reports have talked of people dying within two days.” For this reason, a reusable mask infected with the virus, reducing of its products are made there. Similarly, toy manufacturer In terms of business, he says the lack of certainty has with anti-pathogenic properties diagnostic time to about 15 minutes. Hasbro reportedly continues “to have office and third-party left many buyers wary of dealing with China. “Shipping could prove a potent preventative Earlier versions of the technology are factory closures” in China as a result of the outbreak. The companies are very hesitant to take orders from China,” he measure. On 28 January, ISRAEL21c being used at the virology laboratory company said China is responsible for about two-thirds of its says. “Containers have arrived in Chinese ports, and are just reported that two Israeli companies, at Sheba Medical Center in Tel global sourcing. sitting there causing congestion because they’re not being Sonovia and Argaman Technologies, Hashomer, but further testing is Smaller businesses like Slier’s are potentially even worse cleared. Many manufacturing plants are also out of action, had devoted themselves to sharing needed to determine if it can be used off. with workers afraid to gather in groups for fear of catching their novel antimicrobial technologies effectively against the new virus. His operation involves the procurement and supply of the virus. Domestic and international business has been with China and the broader global Another innovation is being piloted hides to various buyers, primarily tanneries in China’s Hubei badly affected.” community. at Sheba, this one addressing the province. He also deals in finished leather products with Slier is in regular contact with staff at his Shanghai office, Te nanotechnology process they needs of those already infected. A buyers beyond China, but all his business lines remain and says the consensus seems to be that things will return have developed to impregnate textiles telemedicine app, Sheba’s “Datos inactive. to normal towards the end of March or April. with antifungal and antibacterial Health-In”, enables patients to “We usually sell between 60 and 90 containers of hides “The Chinese authorities are definitely trying to get things chemicals could provide a critical remain in isolation but also in the every month. In the past month, we’ve sold only four, and back to normal, “he says. “Two state tanneries have been defence against the spread of the comfort of their homes. Should have received no deposit on them either. This is just one reopened but are struggling to get workers there. We still disease. an epidemic occur and isolation indication of how bad things have really been.” get conflicting reports, and don’t know when things will be Earlier this week, Sonovia rooms become overburdened, the Slier has been operating out of Shanghai for the past 11 completely back to normal.” reportedly sent samples of its app enables patients who aren’t years, commuting between China and South Africa for the Until then, Slier has no choice but to stay here, tracking antimicrobial polyester-cotton fabric severely ill to enter vital signs and past two years. He left China on 20 December to visit his shipments that are still on the water, and forging ahead with to be tested in China for effectiveness other information, and submit them sister in England before travelling to Johannesburg, where an e-commerce project to pass the time. While some deposit against the virus, and results are directly to their doctor. Patients he first heard news of the outbreak. Since then, he has been and balance payments have trickled through, there has been expected to be shared in 10 days. can also make contact with their staying in Oaklands, keeping up to date on developments in no new business, and he has had to rely on his savings to Sonovia cofounder, Shay Herchcovici, physicians at any time of day or night. China and trying to get business back to normal. support himself. told Israeli media that this textile Te app was launched on “The New Year celebrations should have ended on “It’s literally a day to day existence with daily could not only be made into washable 9 February, and has already been used 3 February, and I’d have returned to Shanghai,” he says. assessment,” he says. “I speak to colleagues regularly, and facemasks, but also used to fashion by Israelis suspected of carrying the “Staff at the office contacted me that week to say that they mostly complain of boredom. These people are stuck in other protective garments and virus. “Tis is one instance where they had received notice that our building could not reopen their hometowns, literally confined to their apartments.” hospital linen. telemedicine protects staff as well as until the 17th. The holiday was basically extended, and While some remain confined, others have braved the Dealing with diagnosis, Israeli other patients – by minimising direct during that time, the virus became more intense and spread outdoors and ventured out. “It depends on the region,” says start-up MeMed aims to help officials contact with those infected with through China and beyond.” Slier. “Some are worse than others, but some people take detect people carrying the virus coronavirus,” Galia Barkai, the head He says not even the Chinese population itself knows their chances. It leaves companies in a difficult situation: if before symptoms appear. Because the of telemedicine services at Sheba, told how intense the issue really is, pointing out that the Chinese they call their workers back, are people obliged to return if virus reportedly becomes infectious the media. government censors information about the real rates of they’re scared? Can they be sacked? It’s hard to say. before the display of any symptoms, a Another high-tech solution for infection. “One doesn’t really feel the impact of the virus here system of early diagnosis could prove those potentially infected is a robot “The government can’t tell people that 5 000 have died. It unless one has business ties to China – that really gives helpful for doctors devoting a great which can enter the patient’s room would cause chaos and panic. Even the Chinese themselves you a sense of what’s actually going on. People in China are deal of time and resources to basic and be controlled remotely by are unsure how significant the virus is, and the actual nervous, and the uncertainty makes it worse. It’s all a matter diagnosis. medical staff. Te robots, designed by number of fatalities is definitely being withheld. of time, but no one can be sure of when.” ImmunoXpert, the company’s California-based virtual healthcare 21 – 28 February 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 11 Food for thought on raising healthy kids GILLIAN KLAWANSKY and the world if they’re thin.” Don’t talk about wouldn’t look the same. Yet the world we live of a changing environment that needs to be weight in front of your kids, she says. in doesn’t appreciate body diversity.” managed. “Mommy, do I look fat?” is a dreaded question “We can’t escape the world,” she says, “but We take the world’s singular image of what We also need to teach our kids that that many parents are ill-equipped to answer. you can do your best to make your dialogue a healthy body looks like, and we apply it to their bodies will change, and that that’s This week, feeding coach Eliana Cline and your message as good as it can be.” ourselves and our kids. Yet, argues Cline, as normal. This is often something that parents presented a talk that delved into this dilemma. Ultimately, the most important message to give long as our kids stay on the same growth encounter earlier than they expect, generally Parents need to change the narrative around our kids is that they are more than their bodies. curve, it’s a natural progression. “We can look in prepubescent years. “Parents of kids of weight, argues Cline. Her focus is on the What you love about your children around eight, nine and 10 start seeing feeding relationship, and creating attitudes and won’t be their size, it will be their sweet these changes, don’t understand them, behaviour that supports a child’s ability to eat natures, their senses of humour, who and then freak out and unintentionally and grow according to his or her body. Rather they are. We don’t want to tie their self- create issues,” says Cline. “Often girls than imparting the belief that “there is only one worth to their size. and boys going through puberty get a way to have a good body”, teach your children It’s really about being kind to our bit chubby before they get longer, and that “all bodies are good bodies”. kids and to ourselves. “Sensitivity to then they fill out into whatever shape Cline acknowledges how hard it is to break bodies in general is a wonderful thing they’re meant to be.” our own conditioning around weight. Yet, it’s to teach your children,” says Cline. “By At this time, your children are also necessary to do so in order to raise well- telling our children we don’t accept growing aware of their bodies and body adjusted children. If our child has enough their bodies, we’re telling them that differences, and they’re vulnerable. emotional maturity, we can share our own we don’t accept them. It’s all about It’s important to cultivate a healthy challenges and work together to accept the the environment you create. Create a dialogue, and create a safe space for truth – that there’s no one ideal body. space of dialogue with no judgement your children around weight and body “Shut up, and look at the facts,” Cline urges but rather compassion, acceptance, changes. parents. “If your child is a bigger kid and and love. A child needs to know they’re “They need your reassurance that always has been, that’s how they’re made,” loved and unconditionally accepted as it’s normal and that it’s good that their she says. “Trying to change that is the worst they are.” bodies are changing because they’re thing you can do for them. The more you Diets are harmful, Cline says, and becoming women or men.” Also keep embody the belief that all bodies are good ultimately, 95% of them fail. They work in mind that every kid will go through bodies, the more they’ll emulate it – as in in cycles, starting with the promise puberty in a completely different way anything in parenting.” of helping us feel better and gaining because all bodies are different. When we over-identify with our own praise. But ultimately, we obsess over It’s better to focus on building bodies, our kids learn to do the same. Cline food because we’re restricting what we resilience in our children, says Cline. emphasises the importance of watching eat. When they don’t work or we fall “A resilient child is someone who can what you say in front of your children. “The off the wagon after they’re over, we land up at our children’s behaviour and want them to stand up in spite of their differences,” she comments we make really land. Any messaging feeling ashamed and that something is wrong behave healthily around food,” she says, “but says. Instilling boundaries regarding food is around bodies, be it good or bad, is damaging with us rather than with the diets themselves. we can’t control their weight as much as we important but focus on cultivating a healthy for your children,” she says. So, if you tell “Children and adults come in different think we can without terrible effects.” lifestyle in the home regardless of everyone’s someone they look good because they lost shapes and sizes, and that’s normal. We start If there is a rapid change in weight, look at size. “It’s more sustainable to pursue health. weight, that plays on your child’s mind. “It looking at food without appreciating that the your child’s behaviour, as that is something Provide children with enough food groups and teaches them that thin is better, that they’ll most defining part of our weight is genes. Even that can be controlled. Rapid weight gain or nutrients over time. In regard to food, show, be loved and more accepted by their parents if we all ate and moved the same amount, we loss is a symptom of a deeper problem or don’t tell. Model good nutrition.”

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He holds a doctoral degree on the Mahatma Gandhi the Jews, but he wasn’t in favour of a national mutual influence of Jewish and Indian cultures, home for the Jews.” When comparing the Jews ahatma Gandhi’s closest supporters with a particular focus on Gandhi and his in Germany with the Indians in South Africa, he in South Africa were Jews and, if encounters with the Jewish and Zionist world. had said the latter were worse off. he hadn’t come to this country, he Lev is in South Africa to conduct research on “Tis is completely wrong, and shows he Mpossibly wouldn’t have become the great legend Gandhi for a new publication titled Gandhi and didn’t understand what was going on,” said Lev, that he was. the Jews, Te Jews and Gandhi. pointing out that it had resulted in his name So said Dr Shimon Lev, speaking about He is the author of Soulmates, the story of being “deleted”. Gandhi and the Jews at the South African Mahatma Gandhi and Hermann Kallenbach, In Lev’s view, “Gandhi probably modified his Jewish Museum in Cape Town on Sunday which is the first comprehensive study of the view on Israel after the Holocaust.” evening. enigmatic relationship between the two men. Lev’s interest in the man was sparked many Lev was referring to Gandhi’s 21 “formative Both were immigrants, Kallenbach hailed from years ago when he undertook a trail across years” in this country – 1893 to 1914 – Lithuania. Israel and came upon the ashes of Kallenbach where the civil rights’ activist developed the Lev drew attention to an interview Gandhi buried at Kibbutz Degania’s cemetery near the non-violence (passive resistance) struggle. gave to the London Jewish Chronicle in 1931, grave of AD Gordon, the spiritual force behind “Everything he did in India later, one can find during which he said, “I have a world of was anti-Semitic. “Of course, that’s not true. labour Zionism. Kallenbach was cremated by the roots in South Africa,” he said, stressing that friends among the Jews. In South Africa I was He was a universalist who later modified his Reform Rabbi M C Weiler in Johannesburg. His this period was “therefore very, very important”. surrounded by Jews.” objection to Zionism and the state of Israel.” ashes were interred for many years in a crypt Gandhi, an Indian lawyer, was the leader of For many years, Gandhi had been “deleted” When asked who was worse off, the Jews on Linksfield Ridge in Johannesburg, before his India’s non-violent independence movement from the Jewish/Zionist discourse as he who were discriminated against or the Indian relatives moved them to Israel. against British rule, and advocated for the civil had written a “very problematic article” in “untouchables”, Gandhi said the former. Ironically in view of Kallenbach’s strong rights of Indians in South Africa. 1938 which viewed Zionism as a colonialist On Gandhi’s attitude to the Holocaust, support of Gandhi, Indians were not allowed Lev is an Israeli artist, curator, writer, and project, Lev said. “Some even say Gandhi however, Lev said, “His sympathies were with into the proceedings, and had to stand at the door, Lev said. Amongst Gandhi’s other Jewish friends in South Africa, Lev mentioned Henry Polak (1882-1959), an English lawyer who Gandhi sent to India to lobby for the Indian cause in South Africa. He had been the first to publish a book about Gandhi and had “put his name out there”. Kallenbach had been more the “intimate friend”, Lev stated, “but the stories about the relationship they had aren’t true”. Kallenbach was a successful architect who bought the piece of land outside Johannesburg on which Tolstoy Farm, Gandhi’s experiment in communal living, had been established. Te name of the settlement was in fact Kallenbach’s idea. Interestingly, it was established at the same time as Kibbutz 77 Runners Degania. One could view both as Tolstoyan settlements, noted Lev. Sonja Schlesin became Gandhi’s secretary, & their donors are giving back to the having started working for him at the age of 16. Lev described her as “a feminist, ahead of her time”. DL Link this fnancial year end. Louis Walter Ritch (1868-1952), another Jewish supporter, founded the Teosophical Society. In fact, most of Gandhi’s Jewish supporters came from Teosophical circles, Lev noted. “For many Indians, the fact that so many BE PART OF IT AND GET Western Europeans were interested in their wisdom, gave them confidence.” Ritch had been sent to England by Gandhi to YOUR 2019 SECTION 18A complete his legal studies and lobby for Indians in England, the colonial power. He later worked as a lawyer in Gandhi’s office. TAX EXEMPT CERTIFICATE! Ten there were the Vogls. “Mrs Vogl was very active in teaching sewing classes and organising the Indian Women’s Bazaar with Schlesin to help the family finances, selling Indian products when the men were arrested,” Lev said. Sponsor a Runner or “Gandhi writes very positively about her.” Gabriel Isaac was the only non-Indian to donate to The Lifestyle Leisure Centre. sacrifice his life for the Indian struggle. “He came out of jail (after the government’s ‘almost successful’ attempt to crush Indian resistance) totally broken physically and mentally. HEALING ROOM | EXCERCISE ROOM | ART ZONES | COFFEE CAFE “Almost nothing has been written about it TEEN CHILL ZONE | ZEN GARDEN | THERAPEUTIC SPA | KITCHEN which is very strange. Tere is complete silence about him. Even worse, Gandhi doesn’t even mention him in his autobiography,” Lev said. “It’s a mystery. I’ve been trying to look for information about him.” Hailing from Leeds in the United Kingdom where his family had a big jewellery business, Isaac, also a jeweller, came here to escape family pressure, according to Lev. He fought in the Boer War, then become a “very active” theosophist. It was, in fact, Isaac who introduced Polak to Gandhi at a vegetarian restaurant in Johannesburg. Polak was the only one who wrote about Isaac after his death. When Polak, annoyed, www.dllink.co.za | [email protected] | 011 485 3269 questioned Gandhi about the omission, he had Banking Details: DL Link | Nedbank | Branch: 196605 | Acc. No: 1001082818 been “very apologetic”, saying that it had been “unintentional”. 21 – 28 February 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 13 Environmental activist at watershed of change JULIE LEIBOWITZ 75 million. Everyone will need food and constraints, and difficulty with change towers and eco-system services (for compost waste. water, and there just isn’t enough water are still challenges. example cleaning water systems using Another way to mitigate damage teve Collins is unequivocal that in the system. “Maybe apartheid did us a small reeds, rather than chemicals – even is through taxes and, he says South we are in an environmental He points out that a farmer needs favour in creating the so-called frontline in private swimming pools), and the Africa last year signed a carbon tax on crisis. He should know, being an 880mm of rain a year to survive states, which then became SADC,” Waterberg, Soutpansberg, and Groot greenhouse gases into law. Sexpert in rural development, land reform, agriculturally without the help of he said. “It has some of the most Marico have been declared significant Adaptation means finding ways to use and sustainable resources. Collins has additional water technology. But progressive environmental policies in the environmental zones. less water. In South Africa, 80% of our worked in the rural-development sector ultimately, the impact of climate change world.” Collins outlined three main water is used for agriculture. for the past 27 years, focusing on how isn’t less water, it’s that it will come in SADC is helping Africa to resist approaches to the crisis we face: Israel has been successful in growing human rights can be respected and big dashes. colonial boundaries through mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. food through drip irrigation, hydroponics, enhanced by development. Collins went on to alert the greenhouses, the use of fish and He told the Greenside Shul community community to the fact that gases plants in same water system, and last weekend that every year, humans such as methane from livestock, by placing crop residues on the soil use more resources than are generated. landfills, and sulphur dioxide are to improve soil structure. Population growth and a drying continent warming the earth. The ocean Resilience is the ability to requires innovative solutions and is heating up, and sea levels are bounce back from shock. For technology, but most of all it requires rising. Fertilisers, pesticides, and example, he says, Kenya’s wheat regional co-operation. land-use change are creating fields were destroyed by too At the shul’s special Tu B’Shvat massive extinction, leading to an much rain over the past two Shabbos gathering, Collins spoke imperative to allocate more land years, and there has been large- about the efforts by governments and for conservation and biodiversity. scale destruction of wildlife as communities to adapt to the impact of South Africa, in particular, has one of a result of drought, leading to climate change in southern Africa. the highest carbon footprints in the conflict between humans and Collins is a skilled facilitator, who world. wildlife. Hence, experts are brings parties together to solve He points out that the continent looking carefully at where to environmental problems. He helped has invested massively in hydro Okavango River dig waterholes – including for mediate between parties during the power, but questions how this will elephants – and where to plant. KwaZulu-Natal violence in the 1980s. be impacted by drought. In Malawi, the organisations like Okacom (the Mitigation, he says, involves moving Resilience is also about knowing He also mediated between mining problem has been exacerbated by the Permanent Okavango River Basin Water away from the use of fossil fuels, who your friends are. Digital networks companies and communities in the widescale felling of trees for charcoal, Commission) which is an agreement fertiliser, and plastics to ecologically help to share information and St Lucia estuary. He’s now working on resulting in massive water runoff. between Angola, Namibia and Botswana sound alternatives like solar energy. resources in times of disaster. a programme called Resilient Waters, Collins talks about a “food-energy- to co-operate to protect the Cubango- He gave the example of the profusion In conclusion, Collins says we which brings parties together across water nexus”, by which he means that Okavango River Basin. of water hyacinth in the Hartbeespoort need to transition from a carbon- the Southern African Development environmental crisis forces us to see the South Africa, which has many different Dam in North West Province as a based energy system which guzzles Community (SADC) to find solutions to interconnections. biomes from desert to tropical, has a result of the fertiliser runoff from farms large amounts of water. We need water shortages, floods, agriculture, and However, he says he is encouraged climate-adaptation strategy in place, upstream. Likewise, he says, landfills to find ways to deal with droughts conservation. by the level of regional co-operation and he says. The concern is that a lot of the are a huge problem because they and floods, we need to invest in He says South Africa currently has a environmentally conscious decisions Cape-based biomes won’t survive as release methane into the atmosphere. biodiversity, and we need greater population of 56.7 million people, and taken by SADC and its communities, they are sensitive to the water cycle. There is a ground-breaking experiment regional co-operation to make it that by 2050 this is expected to rise to though he says lack of sharing, cost There is greater recognition of water taking place to use black soldier flies to happen.

Most Jews of Polish, Lithuanian and Latvian origin are entitled to EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP AND ACCORDINGLY, AN EU PASSPORT A common misconception is that South descendants, these Jews are eligible for After World War II, the borders in Europe African Jews of Ashkenazi heritage are of European citizenship which will result in changed, resulting in cities changing Polish, Lithuanian, and Latvian descent, and them obtaining an EU passport. nationality. The resultant effect for that only those who are able to prove their descendants of Jews who were born in eligibility for Polish, Lithuanian, and Latvian Ashkenazi: It is important to understand Vilnius, for example, is that their application citizenship are able to obtain a European that until 1918, all of Eastern Europe was for Lithuanian citizenship will be declined, passport. The fact is that most South African divided between three empires: Russia, but an application for a Polish passport may Prussia, the Austro- very well be successful. Hungarian empire. Neither Poland nor Lithuania Sephardi: The descendants of Sephardi existed until 1918. Jews (who were exiled 500 years ago) are most likely eligible for a Portuguese At the end of World passport. lf applicable, Horesh is able to War I, the territory was obtain an offi cial certifi cate confi rming divided, and countries such eligibility, on the basis of which an Horesh resides in lsrael, but has spent seven like Lithuania, Latvia, application for European citizenship can years in Poland, and is recognised as a Poland, and others were be made and will most likely be successful. leading lawyer in the fi eld of European born/reborn. Only then Portuguese citizenship enables one to enter citizenship, with a full understanding of did residents became the Unites States without the need to apply local immigration laws. citizens of these countries. for a visa. As a result, people who, Living in Israel – a four-hour fl ight from for example, were born In addition, Horesh is fi ling many Warsaw and Vilnius – offers him quick and in Riga (nowadays applications for descendants of Sephardi easy access to Poland, Latvia and Lithuania. Latvia) could actually be origin who arrived in South Africa from Accordingly, he is able to work closely with Avi Horesh Destroyed Warsaw, January 1945 Lithuanian or Polish. Greece, Turkey, and North Africa. local professionals who assist him in tracing Jews do qualify for European citizenship, Descendants from other countries in the the documentation required for successful whether they can prove their Polish, Horesh advises that eligibility for a Middle East – even Holland – are also applications for European citizenship. Lithuanian, and Latvian lineage or not, Lithuanian, Latvian or Polish passport potentially eligible. and most South African Jews of Sephardic depends on the city from which your ln addition, and as a result of his close ties heritage are also eligible for European grandparents (or their parents) hailed. with Portuguese authorities, to date he has passports. had a 100% success rate with applications Horesh says many South African Ashkenazi for Portuguese citizenship. Adv. Avi Horesh has in-depth knowledge Jews of Lithuanian origin have been refused of the applicable legislation and in Lithuanian citizenship because their heritage Horesh is available to discuss your his experience, the majority of South is actually Polish. They would, accordingly, specifi c details. He is often in South African Jews have ancestors who were be entitled to Polish citizenship and an EU Africa, and can meet you in person illegally deprived of citizenship. As their passport. to discuss your specifi c needs.

I will be in Johannesburg March 5 and March 20 to 26, and in Durban March 6 to 9, and in Cape Town March 9 to 15 WhatsApp me on +48 783 953 223 • Email me on [email protected] 14 SA JEWISH REPORT 21 – 28 February 2020 The swastika saved me, says Holocaust survivor MIRAH LANGER when I was able to flirt with Perel’s parents had died years 1943 group portrait of girls, have a good time, and earlier in the ghetto. His sister had Jewish teenager saved members of the Hitler Youth get through these years been shot by a German guard when his own life during the in Braunschweig, including quite comfortably, my her feet froze while travelling to a Holocaust by pretending Solly Perel in the centre contemporaries, Jewish concentration camp near Danzig. to be a Nazi. Tis is the children, had ended up Later, Perel and his brothers storyA of Solomon “Sally” Perel, now being exterminated in emigrated to Israel. He served in the 94, a proud Israeli grandfather, who Bergen-Belsen. War of Independence, and for two continues to share his story around “I immediately went to further years. He married a Polish the world. Bergen-Belsen, and saw Holocaust survivor, and started a “I’m happy I was able to carry out what had become of my family. my mother’s instruction to stay alive,” people.” Perel said that until about 40 he says. Perel also soon years later, when he decided to write Yet, he continues to grapple with discovered that his his memoir, his family didn’t know the complexity of his experience. “I brothers had survived. his story. “I wrote down my story [still] live with this dual identity. I was He said that even though in Hebrew, but because I had never a Jew, and I was a Nazi. I was a victim, he had seen the film of his learnt it at school, I didn’t know the but I was also a perpetrator. Te Hitler life a hundred times, when grammar. So I had to give it to my Youth is still a part of me today. It was he watched the scene where sons to correct. Tat’s how they learnt the swastika that saved me.” he is reunited with his my story. Perel was speaking at the brother Izaak at Dachau “At one point, my youngest son Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide his documents on a train. He told the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Concentration Camp, with said to me, ‘Papa, why didn’t you tell Centre last week as part of an them his name was Josef to hide his Camp. Tat was my first real collision him still dressed in his Hitler youth us your story before? Ten, we would educational tour of South Africa as a Jewish origins. between ‘Josef’ and ‘Sally’. I realised uniform and his brother in prisoner have known earlier that we have a guest of the Sylt Foundation. Perel’s “I was given a German Wehrmacht that in my neighbourhood, at a time garb, “the tears still come every time”. hero for a father.” memoir, I Was Hitler Youth Salomon uniform, and put into a unit as a was turned into the Oscar-nominated translator of German and Russian. film, Europa, Europa. Te other officers were very proud Inside the head of a 14-year-old Holocaust victim His story began when he was an because they had the youngest MIRAH LANGER Auschwitz crematorium by 1945. Through the testimony of eight-year-old boy, growing up in the soldier in their unit.” Rywka’s cousins which was found at Yad Vashem, it was north German town of Peine when His commander even sent him 24 December 1943 determined that she landed up in Bergen-Belsen. While she Hitler came to power. At 10, he was back to Germany to attend an “Oh to write! ... To be able to write, to make pen move on survived to experience liberation, she was terribly ill at this thrown out of school because of the elite boarding school for Hitler paper! I need to write. point. There are conflicting reports about what happened Nuremberg race laws, and shortly Youth. “I was quickly subjected to to her after this.“Her fate remains unknown,” notes afterwards, his family, including two indoctrination in the school, and I 11 February 1944 Nowakowski with pathos. brothers and a sister, left for Poland. felt great pride in being part of the ‘’I’m just a little creature that can hardly be seen through the Yet, what is known is the story of her life. Her diary serves Within four months of the German young generation which was going to microscope. I, a poor Jewish girl from the ghetto, I who don’t as a profound and rare window into aspects of the Holocaust occupation in 1939, the ghetto was build the thousand-year Reich for the know what will happen to me tomorrow … I’m laughing at about which we know little – especially because it isn’t the created in Lodz, and his family were furher, Adolf Hitler,” he said, noting the entire world because I have a support, a great support: testimony of a survivor but someone who it seems most told to move. At this point, Perel’s the dark irony. my faith, because I believe!” likely didn’t survive. parents decided that Perel, then aged It was a protective mechanism. Moreover, her position in society offers an unusual 14, along with his older brother Izaak, “Basically, I said to myself that I have 17 February 1944 viewpoint. “First of all, if you read the diary, you’ll quickly should flee to eastern Poland. to forget who I am. I have to be one of “It hurts so much. (For them, we are not humans, just realise that Rywka is at the very end of the food chain; she Perel’s father was a rabbi. In parting the boys.” machines) Oh pain! But I’m glad that I can “feel” that it hurts is the tiniest cell in the big body of the ghetto. She’s just from his son, he said a prayer, and told One of the greatest dangers because at long as its hurts, I’m a human being. G-d! Thank trying to react to the things that are falling apart. There’s him, “You must always remember that for Perel was the fact that he was you for your kindness towards us.” nothing of the war in a political sense. It’s a very intimate you are a Jew, and must always believe circumcised. “I stand in awe at how story of one single girl trying to survive in a world she in G-d.” His mother told him, “Go my creative I was in hiding this fact.” At 12 April 1944 doesn’t understand.”Furthermore, says Nowakowski, there son. You must live.” Tis, said Perel, one point, Perel even attempted to “We look at this wonderful world, this beautiful spring, and are very few testimonies of Orthodox Jews, especially was “an order and an instruction”. perform an operation on himself. at the same time we see ourselves in the ghetto deprived of Orthodox women, as so few survived. “Rywka was very Perel spent the next two years During a school holiday in 1943, everything. Oh G-d, how much longer?” religious, and that’s unique.” in a children’s home in the town Perel went to the Lodz ghetto to see if Because Rywka was so religious, she interacted little of Grodno. When he was 16, the he could find his family. “I had a real These are brief extracts from the diary of Rywka Lipszyc, with men. Thus, as part of the exhibition design, the focus Germans invaded the area, and the longing to be there, just to be with a young Jewish girl who is on the world of women. Commentaries on orphanage tried to relocate to Minsk. them.” was imprisoned in the Łódz Rywka’s story in the exhibition, whether they On the way, Perel along with He remembers his arrival at the Ghetto, aged just 14. are made by doctors, psychologists, or rabbis, thousands of other refugees were ghetto, dressed in the school’s black The diary resurfaced “all of them are female to keep Rywka in her caught by the German forces and swastika winter uniform. in 2016, and became female world”. taken to a field. “Te Jews were sorted “I found myself standing at the the inspiration behind an Furthermore, because there are no known from the rest, and immediately taken fence around the ghetto. I saw things international exhibition photographs of Rywka, for the visual aspect to a forest and shot.” for which my vocabulary today is currently on show at the of the exhibition, the curators decided to use “Ten, it was my turn. A German simply inadequate to describe. I saw Johannesburg Holocaust & the space to honour all those who remain soldier stood in front of me, ordering frozen corpses lying on the street, and Genocide Centre. unknown. “We chose photographs [from me to put up my hands. Immediately, I realised any one of these could be my The director of the Galicia the Łódz Ghetto] where we couldn’t find the he asked if I was a Jew. My first mother or father.” Jewish Museum, Jakub Nowakowski, who was names of the subjects. reaction was to remember my father He spent 12 days looking for his one of the curators of the exhibition, spoke to the This is a tribute to all who had said never to forget that I family. SA Jewish Report about its genesis. those people lost.” was a Jew or G-d would leave me. “Tere’s a tram that goes through Nowakowski says the diary was discovered in He says the “But then immediately, I realised the ghetto. I used to sit on the tram the ruins of a crematorium at Auschwitz by one photographs chosen that if I said that, I [would be] dead in and go through the ghetto in the of the Soviet military doctors that were involved have real poignancy as five minutes. Here I was on the spot, hope that my mother would see me. in the liberation of the camp in 1945. they were photographs what do I say?” Since then, I have nightmares that Unable to read Polish, the doctor nevertheless taken by Jewish Perel then thought about what I am going on this tram through realised the preciousness of the notebook, and photographers of other his mother had said, “She had said the ghetto. I wake up from this kept it. It was decades later that the doctor’s Photos from the exhibition of Jews Jews. They are portraits to live … What I thought then is nightmare to this day.” granddaughter contacted a Jewish organisation of the Łódz Ghetto whose identities not of the dehumanised remain unknown what I still believe today: the most Finally the end of the war came with in San Francisco about the diary, that by now victims of the Nazis, but important [thing] of all is life. Tere the arrival of American troops. Perel was in her possession. people still “smiling, holding onto each other, trying to hold is no ideology, no Kaiser, no king, and was arrested along with his Hitler In the diary, Rywka stated her name as well as those of onto those last fragments of human dignity”. no set of ideas for which you should Youth classmates. “It was surreal: others in her family. From this, researchers began “putting Diaries like Rywka’s are invaluable first-hand artefacts of sacrifice young lives. here was the Jewish kid, ‘Sally’, in a together the story of Rywka Lipszyc, piece by piece”. the war. “These are like bottles with a letter thrown into the “To this day, I believe that it was Nazi uniform and now an American Her existence was soon confirmed. “She was the daughter ocean of time that we discover today. This is the unedited essentially my duty to stay alive.” prisoner of war.” of a very Orthodox Jewish family.” The diary begins on 3 point of view of a single person that otherwise is gone.” Perel said he stopped shaking with Eventually released, Perel began to October 1943, and details her experiences after being taken Nowakowski suggests that Rywka’s perspective is fear, and in a clear voice, told the come to terms with the disjuncture to the Łódz Ghetto. Yet her story has no clear conclusion, particularly moving in how she ultimately engages in a German officer that he was not a Jew, between his reality and that of other with her last entry on 12 April 1944, ending “in the middle never-ending, agonising debate about faith during the but in fact was an ethnic German. Jewish survivors. of the sentence. The sentence is broken.”As fragmented Holocaust. Te officer accepted his claim in “I discovered that just 30km away as the diary’s end, so too is any definite conclusion about “People ask, ‘Where was G-d?’ I think, for Rywka, G-d spite of his story that he had lost from my elite boarding school was what happened to Rywka or how the diary ended up at the was there with her … within her … all the time.” 21 – 28 February 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 15 On the train to nowhere TALI FEINBERG potential of making a movie about is Victoria West, 10km away. Many filming the Hutchinson, which has been called a Hutchinson residents walk the daily lives of ormer struggle photographer real-life “ghost town”. distance to get their basic supplies, those who live Eric Miller has seen and Says Miller, “Hutchinson is a otherwise a taxi ride costs R40 each there or who recorded a lot in his career, but microcosm of other similar towns way. did so in the Fhe has never been moved to make a across South Africa. Its economy was Why do they stay? “Many of them past. “We did film – until now. always dependent on the railways, have homes there, with running about seven “I happened to be passing through so when the railways declined, the water and electricity, even if there trips in total, Hutchinson, a railway junction town became ‘hollowed out’. It’s a is no other town structure. Others and spent in South Africa’s Northern Cape symbol of the same deterioration in simply want to stay as it’s what they about 30 days working there for this “It was Province, on the main route between many other towns that depended on have always known. Most can’t find one-hour film.” a passion project, fuelled Johannesburg and Cape Town. I was the railway lines. I have since seen work elsewhere, and they live off Te stories they gathered are told by the belief that this was a story intrigued by what I was seeing, and a number of other towns that look social grants and a government work by school teachers and principals, that was useful and should be had a long almost exactly programme, where they might earn shunters, drivers, policemen, told. It connects history to our conversation the same.” R100 a day. Very few enjoy their managers, postmasters, and others contemporary reality. Before about it Tere are living conditions,” Miller says. who were central to the town’s life we launched it to the public, with my less than 400 To begin making the documentary, then and now. “In spite of growing we showed it to the 20 people family as we people living Miller and Platzky put the word out up in separate communities and featured in the film, and their continued in Hutchinson, that they were seeking to speak to experiencing life in Hutchinson response was that it was an to drive. Te 100 of them former and current members of the differently, residents and former accurate rendition of history, next year, children. Tere town. Tey were soon contacted by a residents recall varying accounts of memory, and the current town,” my wife, woman, Marlene Hendricks, from common events. Te one thing most says Miller. Laurine Beaufort West, who had lived in of them share is a powerful memory “While the film paints a Platzky, and I decided to make a Hutchinson and had many stories and connection to the town of their heartfelt picture of the struggle film about it,” he says. to tell. She became their unofficial youth,” he says. these residents face, it also poses Te result is a one-hour guide, networker, and narrator, Miller also took evocative a challenge to government and documentary called Hutchinson: featuring among other residents photographs of the place. We see a Transnet to take responsibility for SHUNTED that has just won an and former residents in the film. child standing amongst the rubble the impact of changes on these Award of Excellence at the Impact It was as a result of Hendricks that of the old all-white school, and communities,” Miller says. Docs Awards, which recognises top Miller and Platzky were convinced the abandoned swimming pool, Readers can keep an eye out for documentaries from around the that they needed to make the changing rooms, recreation hall, the documentary at upcoming world. “We are absolutely delighted are no shops, no industry of any kind, documentary. and playground in the old “white” local film festivals, and after to be recognised by a group of people and many of the homes and buildings Tey did it on their time and using part of town. Abandoned railway that, Miller hopes to show it at who watched and evaluated our film are vandalised or deteriorating. Tere their own resources, often driving houses have been left vulnerable universities, schools, and private amongst so many others,” says Miller. are no longer any white residents in the seven hours to Victoria West to the elements and plunder, and screenings. Although Miller and Platzky the town, as they all left by the end from Cape Town and spending a a schoolboy on his way to an early- had no experience of filmmaking, of the 1980s. It’s unclear if any Jews long weekend to 10 days there. Tey morning class asks passing train • To view the trailer, visit they had a deep understanding of ever lived there. would visit Hutchinson from as early passengers for food. https://emill93.wixsite.com/ South Africa, and recognised the Te closest shop and small town as 05:00, and stay the whole day, hutchinsonshunted

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FOR MORE INFO, FEE STRUCTURES OR TO SIGN UP: WWW.THENEXUS.ORG 16 SA JEWISH REPORT 21 – 28 February 2020 FW debacle a diversion from Braaivleis, rugby, sunny skies, more important debate and hate crimes he “FW de Klerk conversation” says a lot any white South Africans probably TAKING ISSUE more about us than it does about him. It INNER VOICE can’t imagine that they might have Geoff Sifrin Tspeaks to our attraction to the most basic been perpetrators of a crime against of dialogue, and proves once again how much Mhumanity. It sounds like such a gigantic, Hutus did it to the Tutsis in Rwanda. But South more comfortable we are with being outraged Howard Feldman malevolent, bloody concept. On the whole, they Africa didn’t do it. than we are with dealing with matters of saw themselves as going about their ordinary De Klerk was joint deputy president under complexity. pages and hearts are filled with outrage that lives, growing up, getting an education, raising former president Nelson Mandela in 1994. Apartheid was a crime against humanity. a man who was a minister and an enforcer their families, and mixing with relatives and He had previously been the last apartheid We all know that. And, most likely, so does of the apartheid system didn’t think it was friends, not necessarily as political activists. president. He had presided over the dismantling De Klerk. Why he chose to answer the a crime against humanity. Is anyone really During their youth, many white South of the entire legislative framework of apartheid, interviewer’s question as he did, only he and shocked? Africans travelled the world, associating freeing the way for the present non-racial G-d knows, but given that he was an active Psychologists call De Klerk’s thought process freely with people from other countries. Yes, democratic Constitution. He jointly won the member of the National Party back in the day, cognitive dissonance. In essence, we all want there were anti-apartheid and anti-South Nobel Peace Prize with Nelson Mandela. his outlook should hardly surprise us. More to feel good about ourselves. According to African protests in various places, at various Following outrage over his statement, and than that, I’m not sure why we should care. social psychologist Dan Ariely, everyone times, of which they might or might not pressure from wiser South African leaders Very simply, De Klerk is exactly who he has cheats, and everyone lies. But we do so until have been aware, but these didn’t really affect including Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, always been. we are no longer comfortable about what we the average South African’s travels. South the FW de Klerk Foundation apologised on Like masterful magicians who make us look are doing. Tis results in us either pulling back African companies thrived all over the world, Monday, and unconditionally withdrew it. elsewhere, the Economic Freedom Fighters and curtailing our behaviour, or justifying and international companies came here and Te statement stoked the uproar of (EFF) have succeeded in diverting attention why we do what we do. Tis is called cognitive flourished. the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in away from their behaviour at the State of dissonance, and I suspect that De Klerk might Te majority of ordinary white South Africans parliament last week at the State of the Nation the Nation Address (SONA), away from the be suffering from a bad case of it. are also probably not aware of the wording Address. To onlookers, the EFF looked like a content of the president’s speech, to have us all Even while keeping perspective, it’s of the Rome Statute, or even the existence of bunch of rowdy attention-seekers. But they engaged in the most puerile of conversations. important that Jewish South Africans don’t the statute. It says that the apartheid system claimed to represent black South Africa, to It has succeeded in getting us to debate negate the offensive nature of De Klerk’s in which they lived alongside black people or tackle the eons of white colonialism and something we all agree on. statement. It’s tantamount to Queen Isabella above them as masters for decades, was a crime apartheid, and demanded that De Klerk, sitting With the reward being the feeling of of Spain saying, “Yes, indeed, the inquisition against humanity, an international crime. in the public gallery, be kicked out as “he had outrage we seem to crave. was bad, but at least Jews got to travel.” It’s Te 2002 Rome Statute of the International blood on his hands”. Predictably, they rejected Te EFF’s technique isn’t new. It repeatedly stupid, offensive, and it contributes nothing Criminal Court says apartheid was similar to the foundation’s apology, and demanded that slings mud against a wall to see what sticks. positive to critical dialogue. other “crimes against humanity”. De Klerk be stripped of his Nobel Peace Prize, Often, South Africans shrug off what it has We also need to be able to see these So, when FW de Klerk and his foundation, and lose his privileges as a former head of state. to say without a second glance, but this statements and those who make them for without debate, issued a statement last week Te loud, unruly manner in which the EFF time, because it used SONA as ground zero what they are. We need to strive not to get saying that the idea that apartheid was a crime punted its message, or the apparent lack of to launch, when millions of South Africans distracted to the point that we cease to have against humanity was incorrect, many ordinary focus of the party’s attacks on people, from were paying attention, success was almost the conversations that are crucial. Every white South Africans were probably confused. Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan to guaranteed. dialogue comes at the expense of another, and In finer detail, he said it was an “agitprop” De Klerk, made it hard to listen to it. But does And so, instead of the country debating I believe that South Africa can hardly afford project initiated by the Soviets and their African the EFF and its fiery leader, Julius Malema, the issues regarding Eskom, South African the cost that comes with debating something National Congress/South African Communist really represent black South Africa today? Airways, or youth unemployment, our that everyone already knows. Party allies to stigmatise white South Africans Apartheid is gone; the country is on a different by associating them with genuine crimes track, however tenuously, and with whatever against humanity. Images conjured up by problems. Whatever it is these people in red the words “crime against humanity” include overalls represent, they make us sit up and take totalitarian repression and the slaughter and notice that the trauma of black South Africa torture of millions of people. Te Germans in hasn’t gone away, nor the polarities between World War II did it; Stalin did it in Russia; the black and white.

A column of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies SONA silver lining I attended last week’s State of the Nation (SONA) address in Parliament together with the South African Jewish Board of Deputies’ (SAJBD’s) parliamentary liaison, Chaya Singer. ABOVE BOARD Without underplaying the very formidable Shaun Zagnoev challenges that still need to be overcome, what we heard was cause for at least cautious conversation, it makes it easier for the board optimism. Much of what President Cyril to fulfil its core mandate of representing the Ramaphosa said remained on the level of Jewish community and bringing its concerns hopeful rhetoric rather than substantive action, to the attention of those responsible for but I was personally encouraged to learn about determining and implementing government the genuine progress that is undeniably being policy. Te connections we have been able made in certain crucial areas. Admittedly, this to forge over the years have time and again has been frustratingly slow, but we need to be proven invaluable when issues of specific realistic about what’s practically achievable, concern to our own constituency have arisen. given the considerable constraints that state SONA this year was to a large extent capture has placed on the ability of government overshadowed by the disruptive behaviour of CLARITY. to implement effective change. certain MPs, which held up proceedings for Te fact that the SAJBD, as the more than an hour. For those present, it was ORDER. acknowledged representative body of an especially frustrating experience, given South African Jewry, is regularly invited to the importance of the occasion for all South DIRECTION. important national gatherings of this nature Africans. Even so, I felt there was a positive is itself very positive. We have genuinely been side to the incident in that in spite of the Our team of over 1 400 professionals, operating from 7 offices in South Africa, offers a unique made to feel that we are not just spectators, crassly provocative behaviour of an unruly combination of local market knowledge coupled but part of the greater discussion about minority, the rules of parliamentary procedure with an international network, personal service and where our country is going. Chaya’s work in were scrupulously followed in responding to it. a professional approach. We shine a unique lens on clients’ businesses to see the people beyond the Parliament further enables her to engage Te temptation to ride roughshod over those numbers and establish where they are going. with players across the political spectrum. bent on causing disruption must have been In the same week as SONA, for example, she strong, but instead, proper procedures were www.bdo.co.za attended the Democratic Alliance alternative followed throughout. It was a sign of a mature SONA, and the Economic Freedom Fighters’ democracy, and we can be grateful for that, post-SONA event at the Press Club of South even though democracy can occasionally be Africa. By having a presence on the ground, frustrating. she is the face of the board – and therefore the Jewish community – in the legislative hub • Listen to Charisse Zeifert on Jewish Board Talk, of South Africa. By being part of the national 101.9 ChaiFM, every Friday from 12:00 to 13:00.

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Tis column is paid for by the SA Jewish Board of Deputies 21 – 28 February 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 17 From Mzansi to Makoti, the rising star of Micaela Tucker NICOLA MILTZ disc jockey and graphic designer DJ Mo at their As an honours student in performance actress Carly Graeme. workplace. and musical theatre, Tucker is no stranger to Tucker said her high school mentor, drama oung King David Victory Park alumnus “Jessica and DJ Mo work together in an office balancing acting work and studies. She has been teacher Renos Spanoudes, inspired her to pursue Micaela Jade Tucker’s star is rising fast for a love blog. Jessica is the journalist, and DJ dancing, singing, and acting all her life. an acting career. Spanoudes, the head of arts and while still a hard-working drama student. Mo is the graphic artist and a DJ on the side. “I used to put on shows for my parents on culture at King David High School Victory Park, YTucker, 21, may still be a fourth-year drama In the beginning, Jessica is a very conservative Shabbos. I’d turn the dining room into a mini continues to be one of her biggest supporters student at the University of the Witwatersrand overthinker, she is a ‘goodie-two shoes’, and DJ theatre, and they’d have to sing and attending most of her Wits shows. (Wits), but she is establishing herself as an Mo is the complete opposite.” clap and be my audience,” she Spanoudes said Tucker was a talented actor to watch. It isn’t long before the two form a steamy said, “I was always a bit of a performer with a solid work ethic. As a teenager, Tucker was an established love relationship that leaves viewers begging for character.” “Micaela is a wonderful inspiration for us presenter on SABC 1’s YoTV, Mzansi’s premium more. In primary school, Tucker all. She was one of those students who and longstanding teen variety show. When asked what it was like to act in love played Alice in Alice in was very clear about her vision and her But, the actress and presenter is best known scenes, Tucker said, “My first day on set was Wonderland at the Wits plans for her life and future. for her television role as Jessica in the SABC 1 hard. My co-stars all have a lot of experience Teatre. It was her first “She came into the school hungry comedy-drama series Makoti, which recently behind them in shows like Generations. I was the professional children’s to do drama, to engage in the major ended a successful season one. youngest on set, a student, with no time to get production, and from there productions. In the one-act plays, It was her first starring role in television, and into the role, so I felt a bit out of my depth. But I the acting bug continued she was always someone who has led to her often being asked by young fans loved the challenge,” she said. to bite. wanted to grow with every for her autograph or to pose for a selfie when she “I met Ayanda McKayi, who plays DJ Mo, Tucker has her heart set piece. She wanted to is out shopping at a local mall. on the day we started shooting, and we had to on musical theatre. As a stretch herself. She wasn’t “Makoti really helped my career because it was develop a real chemistry between us. I had to act classically trained ballet happy if she was in a widely watched and gave me great exposure,” as if I had genuine, heartfelt feelings for him, but dancer, she now attends comfort zone and a piece, Tucker told the SA Jewish Report recently. I had just met him. It was tough. tap dancing lessons character, or performance Te highly rated and popular relationship “It tests you as an actress doing scenes where as well as singing was too easy for her. She drama, in which Tucker played one of the you’re falling in love with someone, kissing, and lessons several times isn’t scared to work hard leading roles, was watched by more than four touching; it’s quite tough,” she said. Te show a week. “Singing and go into territories million viewers. It was voted the country’s most aired during family time, so a lot was left to the is a challenge, I and characters that are watched television series last year. imagination. won’t lie,” she challenging.” “It was inspiring working with such But it didn’t take her long to get into the swing said. However, He said that as a King experienced actors, being the youngest of things, and now she hopes SABC 1 will screen she feels blessed David Victory Park alumni, member of the television cast,” said Tucker season two. to have started she has gone back to the who matriculated from King David High School Her parents, Carol and Howard, and her vocal training school to mark drama Victory Park. younger sister, Racquel, are her biggest with her musical- practicals and be there for Up until recently, Makoti was aired every supporters. theatre lecturer, well younger students. Wednesday at 19:30 on SABC 1. Having said that, Tucker said, “My mom known South African Spanoudes has no Tucker plays Jessica in the show, which she refused to watch, she can’t cope with me kissing theatre actress, director, doubt we will be seeing describes as a relationship drama that gets a guy on TV, and just couldn’t bring herself to and producer, Gina Micaela Tucker much more of his more and more “saucy and spicy” as the show watch those more intense love scenes. Shmukler, and her vocal former student in progresses. In it she plays conservative Jessica “My dad watched every episode, but he’d be performance lecturer, the entertainment (who like Tucker, is Jewish) who meets rebel like, ‘Oh My G-d, Micaela!’” well known singer and world. Most South African Jews of Sephardi origin are entitled to EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP AND, ACCORDINGLY, AN EU PASSPORT A common misconception is that South Prussia, the Austro-Hungarian empire. African Jews of Ashkenazi heritage are Neither Poland nor Lithuania existed until of Lithuanian descent, and that only those 1918. who are able to prove their eligibility for Lithuanian citizenship are able to obtain At the end of World War I, the territory a European passport. The fact is that was divided, and countries like Lithuania, most South African Jews do qualify for Latvia, Poland, and others were born/ European citizenship, whether they can reborn. Only then did residents became prove their Lithuanian lineage or not, and citizens of these countries. As a result, most South African Jews of Sephardic people who, for example, were born in heritage are also eligible for European Riga (nowadays Latvia) could actually be passports. Lithuanian or Polish.

Horesh advises that eligibility for a Lithuanian or Polish passport depends on Avi Horesh the city from which your grandparents (or their parents) hailed. passport. lf applicable, Horesh is able to understanding of local immigration laws. obtain an offi cial certifi cate confi rming Horesh says many South African such eligibility, on the basis of which Living in Israel – a four-hour fl ight from Ashkenazi Jews of Lithuanian origin an application for European citizenship Warsaw and Vilnius – offers him quick have been refused Lithuanian citizenship can be made and will most likely be and easy access to Poland and Lithuania, because their heritage is actually Polish. successful. Portuguese citizenship enables Accordingly, he is able to work closely They would, accordingly, be entitled to one to enter the Unites States without the with local professionals who assist him Polish citizenship and an EU passport. need to apply for a visa. in tracing the documentation required for successful applications for European Adv. Avi Horesh has in-depth knowledge After World War II, the borders in In addition, Horesh is fi ling many citizenship. of the applicable legislation and in Europe changed, resulting in cities applications for descendants of Sephardi his experience, the majority of South changing nationality. The resultant effect origin who arrived in South Africa from ln addition, and as a result of his close African Jews have ancestors who were for descendants of Jews who were born Greece, Turkey, and North Africa. ties with Portuguese authorities, to date illegally deprived of citizenship. As their in Vilnius, for example, is that their Descendants from other countries in the he has had a 100% success rate with descendants, these Jews are eligible for application for Lithuanian citizenship will Middle East – even Holland – are also applications for Portuguese citizenship. European citizenship which will result in be declined, but an application for a Polish potentially eligible. them obtaining an EU passport. passport may very well be successful. Horesh is available to discuss Horesh resides in lsrael, but has your specifi c details. He is often Ashkenazi: It is important to understand Sephardi: The descendants of Sephardi spent seven years in Poland, and is in South Africa, and can meet you that until 1918, all of Eastern Europe was Jews (who were exiled 500 years ago) recognised as a leading lawyer in the in person to discuss your specifi c divided between three empires: Russia, are most likely eligible for a Portuguese fi eld of European citizenship, with a full needs.

I will be in Johannesburg March 5 and March 20 to 26, and in Durban March 6 to 9, and in Cape Town March 9 to 15 WhatsApp me on +48 783 953 223 • Email me on [email protected] 18 SA JEWISH REPORT 21 – 28 February 2020 King David marimba band shown at Ben Gurion airport Saturday (22 February) AT • Bet David hosts a talk by H ’S A giant photograph of the King David Senior celebrates the 90th anniversary since the Lieutenant-Colonel William W Primary School Linksfield marimba band will establishment of the Jewish Agency in 1929. O

Bergman of the South soon be exhibited as part of the “Hamsa on It is led by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin N Us” photo exhibition in the departure hall at through his flagship initiative “Israeli Hope”, African Jewish Ex-Service Ben Gurion Airport. as well as the Israel Vibe Organisation. League on The Jewish The photo was taken recently during a The photographs show the partnerships contribution to South African collaborative marimba band jam session between different sectors of the community military history from Van Riebeek to the 20th century. Time: 12:00. between King David Senior Primary School that represent the DNA of Israeli society. Venue: Bet David, 3 Middle Road, Morningside. Linksfield and Har Tuv Elementary School in They aim to prove that there is strength in Contact: 011 783 7117. Beit Shemesh, Israel. diversity, and that this diversity contributes Sunday (23 February) It is one of the initiatives of the school to the vigour and success of Israel within • Second Innings hosts Rene Posniak, educator in holocaust education twinning programme between King David different arenas, while at the same time, at schools on The challenges and imperatives of holocaust education The King David Senior Primary Linksfield marimba band, from and Har Tuv. This programme, under the respecting all groups of people in the today. Time: 09:45 for tea; 10:30 for the speaker. Venue: left, Amalia Frankel, Hannah Benson, Michelle Fine, Samuel auspices of the P2G framework of the Jewish country, namely secular, religious and The Gerald Horwitz Lounge, Second Floor, Golden Acres, 85 George Alexander, Sierra Sher, Cole Kopelowitz, and Jacob Spector. Agency, has been running for a few years. ultra-Orthodox Jews, Arabs, and Jewish Front: Samuel Gewer The exhibition, which opens in April, communities living in the diaspora. Avenue, Sandringham. Cost: R20 members; R40 visitors, includes tea/coffee and refreshments. Contact: 011 483 7425. Popping up for the new year Ada turns 104 • Open ongoing – Nechama Growth From Grief support group. A small party of family and friends was held at Time: tea from 09:30, group starts at 10:00 to 11:30. Our Parents Home in Gardens, Johannesburg, on Venue: Jossel Card Room, Ground Floor, Golden Acres, 85 George 11 February for Ada Plett, who turned 104. Avenue, Sandringham. No need to book. Men and women welcome. Her son, Rodney Plett and his wife Anita Contact: Linda Fleishman 011 532 9701. were present, as were their children (Ada’s Monday (24 February) grandchildren) Nicole Plett Nathan, and Adam • ORT Jet is hosting Adobe InDesign Training with Nicholas Nesbitt. and Dana Plett and their families. Four of Ada’s Dates: 24 February, 3 and 10 March. Time: 18:00 to 19:00. seven great grandchildren were also there – Riley Nathan, Harley Nathan, Ethan Plett, Kyle Venue: 44 Central Street, Corner 10th Avenue, Houghton. Plett. Incredibly, the age difference between Ada five children. She is the only one of her siblings Cost: R100 members, R200 non-members. Bookings: and her youngest great grandchildren, Ethan still alive today. She was married twice (first [email protected] or call 011 728 7154. and Kyle Plett (aged seven) is 97 years! to Norman Gross and then to Manning Plett) • The Union of Jewish Women (UJW) hosts Terry Rendel, building Born Ada Weinberg on 11 February, 1916 in and has three children: Sharon, Rodney, and manager of the Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre on Markwood, Free State, Ada was the oldest of Malcolm Plett. Being shot at in an Israel Defense Forces tank while patrolling Israel’s Joburg city councillor honoured Ghana’s history brought to light borders. Time: 10:00. Venue: 1 Oak Street, Houghton. Donation: R40. Contact: UJW office 011 648 1053. Torah Academy Nursery School entertained new for Hillbrow regeneration Retired Ghanaian architect Kwasi Agyare-Dwomoh enthralled the • The House and Garden Circle is excited to have an exquisite venue for pupils with popcorn and a puppet show at its ard councillor Zama Shezi audience of the adult education division of the Union of Jewish its next meeting. Venue: 87 Forrest Road, Inanda. Time: 09:30 for orientation day for new pupils and parents last week, was awarded a Jewish Women with a presentation on “Ghana – past, present and future”. while parents were briefed on the school. WNational Fund (JNF) tree Agyare-Dwomoh, who is proficient in English, French, Russian, 10:00. Entrance fee: R100 (delicious tea included). Please Yeshiva College gets into swim of things certificate at a service at Temple Israel Akan (Ghana) and Setswana, discussed much of Ghana’s history, bring your own folding chairs. For directions or information, on 15 February for his achievement in going as far back as 1473 call 011 648 1053. Yeshiva College Primary school students shone with improving the living conditions in the when the Portuguese Wednesday (26 February) pride at the schools’ Inter-House Gala on 14 February, Hillbrow precinct. landed, followed by Danes, • Second Innings hosts a guided tour of Constitutional Hill. Time: Bus showing true gees (spirit) and cheering on their The award, presented by Temple Norwegians, the French departs at 09:00; tour from 10:00 to 12:00. Meet bus in the swimmers. Israel Heritage chairperson Reeva and finally the English. parking below Golden Acres. Cost: R190 per person, including bus Forman, was given during a service He explained that the and fully guided tour. Enquiries: book with Ros Traub and Gloria conducted by Rabbi David Benjamin large thriving country Hillowitz. Contact: 011 483 7425. from Israel. named the Gold Coast was UJW Adult Education Division Thursday (27 February) After the service, Grace Green divided, subdivided, and Committee members with Kwasi • The 106th annual general meeting of WIZO (the Women’s from Greenworks and Shezi planted now, after many struggles, Agyare-Dwomoh trees outside the shul. Green also is a smaller area we know as independent Ghana. International Zionist Organization) in Johannesburg. Liat Amar Arran, donated three spekboom (a drought- Ghana today is a thriving, colourful country with a healthy gross the Jewish Agency representative and director of the Israel Centre tolerant South African plant which is domestic product. It produces commodities such as cocoa, and South Africa, will be guest speaker. Time: 09:30 for 10:00. Venue: a phenomenal carbon sponge with minerals including gold. Education is free and compulsory for every Beyachad Auditorium, 2 Elray Street, Raedene. Please stay for tea. excellent soil binding properties). child. Call: 011 645 2515 or email: [email protected] Letters

ANTI-SEMITISM FIGURES BASED ON DETAILED RECORDS In the 14 February 2020 edition of the SA Jewish Report, monitoring and responding to anti-Jewish activity. those countries is far too great to be accounted for by this. Darren Bergman expressed his concern that the “SAJBD As can be seen from a detailed breakdown of actual Te Australian Jewish community is roughly twice the size had politicised the situation to create a sense of calm and incidents recorded over the past two decades, the SAJBD of ours, yet last year, the number of incidents it recorded an image that the SAJBD is in control” and that we are scrupulously records all incidents that come to its attention. was more than ten times higher than in South Africa. “complacent and/or out of touch”. To allay Mr Bergman’s Tese range from serious cases involving physical violence Canada has about nine times more Jews than South Africa, fears, I would like to provide him with some information. and/or threats, to an offensive remark made in a school but last year, recorded nearly forty times more incidents. Te purpose of our reporting isn’t to “pat ourselves on the playground. A response appropriate to the nature of the Te UK comparisons show a similarly high degree of back” as he suggests, it’s a globally recognised resource used incident is determined. Put another way, nothing is being discrepancy. within academic and international Jewish parameters. For suppressed or swept under the carpet. In fact, in France, We would be more than happy to explain to Mr Bergman many decades we have worked with universities, foreign whose records in recent years include more than 13 people or any members of our community how our monitoring and governments, and the United Nations Human Rights killed in separate attacks, as well as cases of attempted reporting is conducted. – Wendy Kahn, National Director Council utilising our monitoring techniques. murder, a fair number of what in South Africa is adjudged to SAJBD Undeniably, many incidents are going unreported, be incidents would probably be considered too innocuous to but that’s true everywhere in the world. In the United be added to the annual tally at all. Kingdom (UK), for instance, it’s estimated that only about Te more identified people are with their Jewishness, the CLIMATE CHANGE NOTHING NEW 10% are brought to the attention of the authorities or greater the likelihood they will have a) the motivation and b) Tere is much ado about climate change, what with a greenhorn Jewish communal bodies detailed with monitoring and the information about who to report incidents to. Te South girl lecturing us. What’s next, babies in prams giving the investigating such activity. African Jewish community has notably high levels of Jewish weather forecast? One of the functions that compiling records of known identity, and the board’s experience is that people certainly Readers might like to know that, without being a climate incidents does perform is to show trends from year to year. don’t hold back when they believe they have experienced change “denier”, David Gunnlaugsson points out that when Te likelihood of incidents going unreported is heightened anti-Semitism. Indeed, some individuals can be somewhat Iceland was first settled, it was covered in forests (Te Spectator, in cases where they occur in areas where Jewish presence over-zealous in that regard, seeing anti-Semitic motivations 23 November 2019). Also that the OK glacier has been receding is small, and where there are consequently no Jewish where, once looked into more closely, don’t in fact exist. for more than a century. However, some glaciers are now much organisations on the ground equivalent to the South African Te relatively small number of Jews in South Africa larger than they were more than a millennia ago. Te writer is a Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) or Community Security compared to other diaspora countries with a significant former prime minister of Iceland. Organisation (CSO). Te more centralised a community, the Jewish presence (Canada, UK, Australia, France, and You might also consider two graphs shown in Martin Cohen’s easier it is to obtain a reliable sense of what’s happening Germany) obviously does, in part, explain our low rate of Philosophy Problems. Te first shows temperature rising over the on the ground. Tis is the case with South African Jewry, anti-Semitism (certainly as measured by actual incidents). past 150 years, the second covers over more than 1 000 years, which is primarily concentrated in four cities, all of which Fewer Jews logically translates into fewer targets. However, showing that the increase in about 1000 AD is well above the have a branch of both the SAJBD and CSO responsible for the discrepancy between incidents in South Africa and in year 2000, but reached a low in about 1600. It shows that the climate is always changing. – Peter Onesta, Johannesburg 21 – 28 February 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 19

Israeli rugby hones skills on SA battlefield LUKE ALFRED being the little guy, (therefore, the has a talented bunch of players, many of will take time. Indeed, much of King David’s scrumhalf), while Shulman is a full head- them already having had first X1 experience season will take place in the comparatively wo talented young Israeli rugby and-a-half taller. A big, bearded unit, it’s in 2019. unnoticed realm of playing against the first players, Yotan Shulman and Omer no surprise to find out that he’s a lock. Recognition for King David’s improved XV’s of local Joburg co-ed schools, as was the Levinson, arrived in the Western Both face a busy time this weekend fortunes came in the form of an invitation case last year. Tis said, the curve is obviously TCape in January for a five-month spell when they’ll be playing for the SAS recently to the elite St Stithians Rugby upward, with King David having one or two under coach Frankie Horne at the elite Academy against not only opponents Festival over Easter, the oldest Easter unusually talented players in their midst in South African Sevens (SAS) Academy from Maties and the University of festival in the country. King David will be 2020. in Stellenbosch. Tis is a singular Western Cape, but visiting teams from playing on Easter Monday at Saints against For all the energy of the burgeoning achievement. France and Russia. Michaelhouse, a rare honour. “We’re thrilled relationship between South African and Horne identified the two players while In just over a month’s time the two, to be playing at the festival,” he says. “It’s Israeli rugby, Musikanth’s Bridges through on a coaching trip to Israel arranged by doubtlessly battle-hardened, will return wonderful to be rubbing shoulders with the Rugby tends to drain money rather than Israeli national coach Kevin Musikanth to Israel for important internationals cream of South African schoolboy rugby.” make it. He’s always looking for benefactors through his Bridges through Rugby against Malta (away) and Cyprus (home) Musikanth is quick to point out that King and donations because not only is the cause programme. on consecutive weekends. David has not suddenly been catapulted into a worthy one, but he has the habit of making Te spell in Stellenbosch – in many Musikanth will use both tests to gauge the elite division of South African schoolboy a success out of whatever he turns his hand ways the how much better rugby after a healthy 2019. Turning the to. With him at the helm, Jewish rugby is spiritual centre Israel need to school into a consistent rugby performer entering a new dawn. of rugby in the be if they are to country, with rub shoulders its famous with regional big statue of Danie boys like Croatia Craven and his and Slovenia, dog Bliksem – sides Israel must is designed to consistently fast-track two beat if they’re of the most to make any exciting young impression on talents in the their regional Israeli game. sphere in the Musikanth world game. believes that “We’ve never the best way beaten Malta for the sport and Cyprus, so to develop next month’s in Israel is if matches are two young Israeli very difficult players (both games,” he says. Shulman and Bringing Levinson are Levinson and full Israeli Omer Levinson and Yotan Shulman Shulman to internationals) expose themselves to best South Africa is all part of Musikanth’s practice in other parts of the world. project to improve rugby in Israel Working with Horne – a legend in through exposure to the big boys of

Sevens circles, who played Sevens rugby the sport. Playing stocks in Israel are AMSTERDAM | JOHANNESBURG | LISBON | LONDON | NEW YORK for South Africa for nine consecutive small, so he’s also hoping that as the seasons – is inspirational in itself, relationship between South African and but Musikanth hopes both Shulman Israeli rugby develops, he might just and Levinson will return home both be able to dig up what he calls a “rough physically and technically better players. diamond” locally, particularly if South “I’m very proud of these guys,” African players have relatives born in says Musikanth. “Tey’re rubbing Israel and feel they might have a future shoulders with some elite local players in playing under him. Stellenbosch, people like [former Blitzbok] “According to International Rugby Rosko Specman, and they’re creating a Board [IRB] rules you can play for a pathway for others to follow. I can’t say country if you either have a parent or enough positive things about them.” grandparent born there, or if you’ve Both from the Yizreel Valley in the undergone a residence qualification and north of Israel, Levinson and Shulman lived there for three years. In the case of are in South Africa as part of the Israeli Israel, I’m hoping to unearth some guys army’s elite sportsman programme, who might like to play for us through that which allows talented sportsmen to train route,” he says. outside of Israel as part of their national Musikanth wears many hats, and while service. he is the Israeli national rugby coach, he’s Although both are the same age (21), also the director of rugby at King David the similarities end there, with Levinson Linksfield. Tis year, he says, King David Centre Kosher at Everyday Prices JIMMY’S GARLIC MAYO SAUCE 49 375ML 49 33BROOKES HERMES LOW CAL 38 SUGAR 49 PASSION CONES FRUIT 120G 29 1L

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