south african n Volume 23 – Number 15 n 3 May 2019 n 28 Nisan 5779

The source of quality content, news and insights t www.sajr.co.za

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south african n Volume 23 – Number 15 n 3 May 2019 n 28 Nisan 5779

The source of quality content, news and insights t www.sajr.co.za South African in shul during San Diego shul shooting TALI FEINBERG constant threat of rockets there. now,” he says. “ is living in the area expressed their says, referring to the actions “This is a quiet town, and the usually 20 years behind the United shock at the shooting. “I heard the of the current United States ubrey Meyerowitz, shul is in a quiet lane. There was States, but in security at shuls and news when I got home from shul, administration. “It is a passive or originally from no security because no one ever public places, South Africa is 20 and was simply flabbergasted,” even active consent to allow them Johannesburg, was in the expected this to happen here,” years ahead.” says Howard Schachat, originally to behave in a way they would ChabadA shul of Poway, California, says Meyerowitz, who had even He says the America of today from . “I’ve been to never have before. on Saturday when he heard shots seen children playing in the is a different place to what it that shul, and sang in the choir “Ten years ago, I would never ring out. “It was the first of reception area of the shul just was when he arrived 23 years for a Barmitzvah there. It’s a have expected something like the Torah, and I heard three shots. before the shooting. ago, and this kind of terrorism is lovely community. I was in tears this to happen in San Diego, but I dropped to the floor now, with neo-Nazis saying under the seats, and stayed ‘Jews will not replace us’ there. in Charlottesville, it’s a “The whole thing took ‘In the face of darkness, spread light’ different paradigm, and only about 30 seconds to a Jews will always be the minute but I counted about scapegoat.” 15 shots fired. I heard Daniel Weiss, also women screaming and men originally from Cape Town, shouting.” attends the shul, and his He says there were about children go to Hebrew 70 or 80 people in shul school there. – way more than were in It is a ten minute drive the Pittsburgh shul when from where he lives, “and a shooting claimed eleven this definitely hit too close lives six months earlier. to home”, he says. “It’s a But, in this instance, huge shock, but in a way more deaths were it could also be expected, prevented because the especially in the US. Until shooter’s gun jammed, and the laws change, it has just Photo: Ilan Ossendryver Photo: he was confronted by a become too easy to get a shul member who had been gun,” Weiss says. in the military. “As soon He attended a vigil as the shooting stopped, on the night after the I ran out of an emergency shooting, along with exit, so I never saw the hundreds of other people. carnage,” says Meyerowitz. “The eight-year-old girl But he knew the woman who was injured in the who was killed in the attack was there. It wasn’t attack, Lori Gilbert-Kaye. only a Jewish event, but a “She was a wonderful, San Diego event, with an charitable person, and her Praying for solidarity and unity at amazing blend of people, family was at shul every Chabad House in Johannesburg on the mayor and a senator.” Shabbos.” The rabbi of He says the turnout Tuesday night, following attacks on the congregation, Yisroel demonstrated that people Goldstein, lost two fingers the Chabad of Poway shul were deeply affected by the in the attack, but managed shooting way beyond the to keep calm, and even Jewish community. finish his sermon before Claire Ellman, originally being taken to hospital. An from Johannesburg, has Israeli man, Almog Peretz, and his “The attitude has been ‘no becoming an everyday occurrence. watching the rabbi speak after the known Rabbi Goldstein for 30 eight-year-old niece, Noya Dahan, one will worry us, we don’t have It is something he never could shooting.” years while working on Jewish were also injured. They had moved a fight with anyone, and we’re have imagined when he made San “It’s almost like a lid of education projects. More recently, to San Diego from Sderot (on a welcoming community’. But Diego his home. permission has been opened she interacted with him through the Gaza border) to escape the obviously that will have to change Other South African expats for white supremacists,” he Continued on page 5>>

IF YOU DON’T VOTE YOU CAN’T KVETCH

This year’s Great Debates saw leaders from several political parties discuss issues pertinent to the community. Now’s your chance to cast your vote and make your voice heard. #MakeUsCount • Brief • Wo 2 SA JEWISH REPORT in rld 3 – 10 May 2019 s N ew e N w d s l i r n its suburbs. The CDC pinned the o Terrorism Bureau on Thursday,

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f , , S • es ines according to an annual audit by B’nai Brith have called on their followers to injured hundreds. It called on g ach Canada released on Monday. vaccinate their children. Israelis already in Sri Lanka to leave id M r ing The audit showed 2 041 anti-Semitic as soon as possible, and for those planning F sh ore a ryers & m incidents recorded last year in Canada – trips to cancel or delay those plans. W le D French philosopher afraid mb 16.5% more than the 1 752 incidents in Tu Call Jason 2017. to appear in public Buenos Aires honours 082 401 8239 / 076 210 6532 “This represents the third straight record- Alain Finkielkraut, a Jewish philosopher breaking year for anti-Semitism in Canada, and one of France’s foremost thinkers, Olympic swimmer FREE QUOTATIONS reflecting a ‘new normal’ regarding the said far-left protests against him meant he Argentinean Olympic swimmer Damian landscape of anti-Semitism here,” said Ran could no longer show his face on the street. Blaum, who started his career at a Jewish Ukashi, the director of B’nai Brith Canada’s Finkielkraut made the remark in sports club in Buenos Aires, was honoured League for Human Rights. response to recent protests against him at by the Buenos Aires City Parliament as Eighty percent of the incidents came the Sciences Po university in Paris, where an “outstanding sports personality” in from online platforms such as Facebook, he spoke at a symposium on Europe’s recognition of his career. Instagram, and YouTube. future. The Jewish athlete in February 2018 set The demonstrators wrote, “We cannot a new record for swimming from Uruguay US measles outbreak accept Finkielkraut’s ‘modern Europe’ to Argentina, crossing the Rio de la Plata and his islamophobic, racist, sexist and river in 9 hours, 6 minutes, a distance of tops 700 homophobic rhetoric.” Commenting on about 26 miles (41.8km). The measles outbreak in the United States, the protesters, Finkielkraut said, “You are • All briefs supplied by JTA especially prevalent among haredi orthodox the fascists. You are the 1930s. You are the Jews, has topped 700 cases – the most in anti-Semites.” one year since the Center Shabbat times this week for Disease Control (CDC) issues Sri Lanka Starts Ends declared the disease travel warning 17:19 18:08 Johannesburg eliminated in the US in 17:46 18:38 Cape Town 2000. Israel recently issued a travel warning of a 17:02 17:52 The record outbreak of “high and concrete (terror) threat” in Sri 17:22 18:12 Bloemfontein 704 cases reported last Lanka. 17:17 18:09 week by the CDC includes The warning was issued by the Israel 400 cases in New York and National Security Council’s Counter- 17:09 18:01 East Torah Thought Moral is normal f anyone was bent on convincing us that Man-made laws are forever being Ultimately, morality Torah was old-fashioned, this would be a amended to suit changing times and cannot be decided Igood Parsha to prove it. Leviticus, Chapter circumstances. When a new super-highway by referendum. We 18, contains the Bible’s Immorality Act. Our is built, traffic officials may decide that it is desperately need moral code, the forbidden relationships, who safe to raise the speed limit. Should there a higher authority Rabbi Yossy may marry whom and who may not – all be a fuel shortage, these same officials may to guide us in the Goldman Sydenham Shul come from this week’s reading. decide to lower the speed limit in order to often confusing We read this same chapter every year conserve the energy supply. dilemmas of life. In Egypt and Canaan, lots on Yom Kippur afternoon. And every year But G-d’s laws are constant, consistent of degenerate behaviour was acceptable, in every shul around the world someone and eternal. Divine legislation governs even popular. In this week’s Torah reading, asks the very same question. “Why on moral issues. Values, ethics, right and G-d tells His people that He expects us to Yom Kippur, Rabbi? Was there no other wrong, these are eternal, never-changing march to a different beat. We are called section of the Torah to choose besides the issues. Humankind has been confronting upon to be a holy nation, distinctively one about illicit sex? Is this an appropriate these problems since time immemorial. different in this, the most challenging test choice to read in shul on the holiest day of From cavemen to Attila the Hun to nuclear of our morality. It doesn’t matter what is the year?” superpowers, the essential issues really legal or trendy in Egypt, Canaan, America, Fair question. So the Rabbis explain have not changed very much. Questions or Scandinavia. We have our own moral that this is, in fact, the ultimate test of our of moral principle, and evil, have guide, our own book of books which holiness. The most challenging arena of been there from the very beginning. These requires no editing or revised editions for human conduct, the one that really tests questions are timeless. the new age. the mettle of our morality, is not how we So we read that adultery was forbidden When the Torah teaches us to be holy behave in synagogue but how we behave in Moses’ day, and it still is in ours. So is and distinctive, it is reminding us to be in our bedrooms. To conduct ourselves incest. But it wouldn’t shock me at all if normal, not average. Average can be rather VEHICLES WANTED appropriately in public is far easier than to the same forces motivating for new sexual mediocre. Just be normal, and retain your be morally consistent in our intimate lives. freedoms soon began campaigning for Jewish uniqueness. It may not be easy. It Old-fashioned? You bet. In a world of incestuous relationships to become legal. may not always be politically correct either. ever-changing, relative morality where Shocking? Why? If it’s all about consenting You probably will not win any popularity absolutely anything and everything goes, adults, why deny siblings? Given the contests. But you will be faithful to the the Torah does, indeed, seem rather slippery slope of our moral mountains, eternal truths of life. And in the long run, antiquated. nothing is unthinkable any more. you will be right. And happy.

Editor Peta Krost Maunder – [email protected] • Sub-editor Julie Leibowitz Journalists: Nicola Miltz • Tali Feinberg • Jordan Moshe The source of quality content, news and insights Editorial co-ordinator Martine Bass – [email protected] Proofreader Kim Hatchuel – [email protected] • CEO Dani Kedar – [email protected] • Advertising Britt Landsman: 082 292 9520 Any make, any model, any condition – [email protected] • Design and layout Bryan Maron/Design Bandits – [email protected] Accident damaged vehicles and non-runners also wanted Subscriptions Avusa Publishing (Pty) Ltd. Tel: 0860 525 200 • Board of Directors Howard Sackstein (Chairperson), Herby Rosenberg, 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. % 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, Arnold Orkin 082 823 7826 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 3 – 10 May 2019 SA JEWISH REPORT 3 Hearing from the parties prior to elections The SA Jewish Report attempted to interview all the leaders of the main parties running for election. In this edition, we secured interviews with the African Christian Democratic Party (page 11), African National Congress (on this page), Congress of the People (page 10), Economic Freedom Fighters (page 9), (page 10), (page 4), and United Democratic Movement (page 10). Leaders of the Democratic Alliance, and the Capitalist Party of South Africa were interviewed in previous editions. Embassy downgrade not yet considered by cabinet, says Ramaphosa TALI FEINBERG of the past decade, we stand ready to seize slumped more in the past 12 years than any weight to enterprise and supplier development. these opportunities. For this, we need policy other nation that is not at war, but the president “Understanding that small businesses struggle resident revealed in a certainty and consistency, clean and effective insists we have begun to turn things around. to access markets, we are setting aside more pre-election interview with the SA Jewish government, and a vibrant and innovative “We achieved a five-year high in foreign direct government-procurement opportunities for Report that the decision to downgrade business community. Most importantly, we need investment in the past year, reaching R70.7 SMMEs [small and medium-sized enterprises]. PSouth Africa’s embassy in Tel Aviv had “not been young, skilled South Africans who are motivated billion in 2018, up from R26.8 billion in 2017. We are encouraged by efforts from the private considered yet by cabinet”. to make a difference. Through commissions of inquiry into state sector to do more to source goods and services “Once the cabinet has fully engaged and “Young people need to see an economy capture, SARS [the South African Revenue from small and emerging businesses. come out with a view on this matter, it will that has doubled in size since the advent of Service], and the Public Investment Corporation, Since taking office, the president has spoken be communicated to the public. In other democracy, that has created an extra seven we are uncovering details of the wrongdoing many times about his vision for South Africa, words, we remain seized with the modalities million jobs since 1994, and they need to ask of the past few years, and taking measures to but what is he doing to ensure that this is carried of downgrading the South African embassy in themselves what they can do to make our address them. out – with or without him? “It is essential Israel, and this matter has not been finalised,” economy grow even faster and create even more “We have made changes at the NPA, at SARS, that we build strong institutions that uphold he said. jobs. in the police service, and in state security. We our constitution, promote the rule of law, and This is direct contradiction to recent “It is for this reason that we are focusing effort are strengthening those institutions responsible advance the interests of South Africans,” he comments by the Minister of International and resources on improving access to quality for investigating and prosecuting corruption. said. “Just as these institutions need to be free Relations and Cooperation, , from undue influence by any individual or who said that the downgrade had already President Cyril Ramaphosa group, they should not be reliant on any begun. one individual. That is why I have spent “South Africa is playing a constructive role much of the past year working to rebuild in the Middle East,” the president continued, public institutions and mend relations “and we use every opportunity that avails between government, business, labour, itself to engage with all states in this region, and communities.” including the Palestinians and Israelis. We Asked how he will keep extremists like continue to host high-level talks and receive the EFF [Economic Freedom Fighters] at numerous delegations from Israel and bay, the president responded, “South Africa Palestine. We hope to intensify this in the is a strong and robust democracy. Without future.” a popular mandate, no organisation Asked if he still welcomed foreign direct – extremist or not – will be able to investment by Israel, the president said, exercise influence over the policies and “South Africa welcomes investment in our programmes of the state.” economy from any investor that respects our In December 2018, the ANC laws and supports the development of our parliamentary caucus signed a co-operation economy.” agreement with Hamas. The SA Jewish Turning to his own government ahead of Report asked the president how the ANC next week’s elections, he assured the Jewish could align itself with such an organisation. community that he continued to root out Ramaphosa responded that the agreement corruption. “Those who have been accused was still being considered by the ANC as of corrupt practices must be held to account education – from early childhood to university We are rebuilding state institutions, and have it had not been seen by all its structures. “I am in terms of the law, without fear, favour, or – and why we have prioritised getting youth put capable boards in place to drive turnaround certain that it does not call for all the things you prejudice. That is why we are establishing an into employment. Therein lies the future of the strategies at state-owned enterprises. Through mention, because this would be against our own investigating directorate in the NPA [National country.” these and other efforts, we are working to constitution and beliefs as a nation.” Prosecuting Authority] and have established a Regarding our massive crime problem, rebuild confidence among investors, business Asked what he could say to our community special SIU [Special Investigation Unit] tribunal Ramaphosa said, “Building an inclusive economy people, and the South African public.” to convince it not to abandon South Africa, to fast track the recovery of funds lost to the and dramatically reducing unemployment are The president said one of the greatest he responded, “We are not in denial about state from corruption. essential to our efforts to overcome crime. As impediments to the growth of small business the huge challenges we still face, nor about “I have no doubt that the law-enforcement we undertake this work, we are also improving was the continued dominance in some markets the severe impact that state capture and agencies will act against those implicated in policing by, among other things, moving of established players. “Through interventions corruption has had on our economy, public criminal activity, but must do so through due resources to station level, where the fight against like the new Competition Amendment Act, we institutions, and general levels of trust within legal process. If we want to build strong, durable crime is most effective. aim to tackle monopolistic and anti-competitive society. institutions, we must guard against arbitrary He said the police service was building practices, and create space for new entrants into But, “We have the opportunity to turn this actions by those in power,” he said. better relations with communities, and “we are the economy. around. We have shown in the short space of As described in this issue of the SA Jewish strengthening our capacity to tackle gangsterism “We are significantly expanding support a year that – as government, business, labour, Report (see page 8), many young people are and organised crime. We have taken steps over for small businesses through our business- and other social partners – we are determined considering leaving South Africa. Discussing why the past year to clean up the police service and incubation programme, opening up incubators to make a clear break with corruption, they should stay, the president said, “Despite other law enforcement agencies so that they in townships and rural areas, where there is patronage, policy incoherence, and economic its challenges, despite its history, South Africa are focused on the task of promoting safety and a great demand for assistance. Through the mismanagement. We are not merely saying has abundant opportunities. Now, as we make security.” revisions we made to the BEE [black economic we are on a path of renewal. Our actions a firm break with the difficulties and mistakes South Africa’s economic performance has empowerment] codes, we have given additional prove it.”

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Web Ref: RL50242 2 2 Web Ref: RL50921 4 2 Web Ref: RL50907 6 2 4 4 Web Ref: RL11839 Ingrid Hoaten 082 490 6246 Joel 082 926 0287 | Laureen 083 789 0229 Joel 082 926 0287 | Laureen 083 789 0229 Chrissie Hammer 082 568 0440 | 011 880 3550 4 SA JEWISH REPORT 3 – 10 May 2019 Poway shooting exposes the fractured state of communal discourse influences drove him to murder and Jewish hatred, except to go to the terror. thesaurus? They’re a “scourge”, a OPINION What we don’t hesitate to do in “disease”, a “poison”, a “pathology”. the absence of hard information: But that formula has changed, like Andrew Silow- draw our own conclusions; lay blame; just about everything else, certainly Carroll – JTA wedge the shooter’s scant bio into in the past three years, and perhaps the political frameworks that we’ve over a decade and more. ere’s what we know about already erected. Jews can no longer agree on how the shooter who took the The “react” story has long been to regard anti-Semitism. The left life of a worshipper at a San a staple of ethnic journalism. After focuses on a far right energised by HDiego area Chabad and wounded a big global or national event, the rise of nationalist populism and three others: he was a white, 19-year- you round up the reactions of, in politicians whose own nativist views Photo: David McNew/Getty Images Photo: old college student who grew up in our case, Jewish organisations. sound awfully familiar to historians an Orthodox Presbyterian church, Rarely are these condemnations or of hate. The right sees anti-Israelism and he may or may not have tried celebrations surprising or even very as the “new anti-Semitism”, and People embrace to set fire to a nearby mosque last interesting. Sympathy at natural regards as the biggest threat those outside the month, perhaps inspired by the calamities, outrage at man-made whose support for the Palestinians Congregation Chabad terrorist attacks at two mosques in ones, thumbs up or thumbs down quickly devolves into classic anti- synagogue in Christchurch, New Zealand. when the story is political, depending Jewish “tropes”. Centrists are Poway, California What we didn’t know: why he on your ideology. criticised for trying to straddle the targeted a synagogue; why he wanted As to anti-Semitism reactions, line because failing to take sides Jews to die; what combination how many ways can an organisation means they are weak on [insert your The dynamic was on display in of political commentary and into Der of personal madness and outside express its dismay at acts of anti- enemy here]. the hours after the shooting at the Sturmer territory. Poway Chabad. The Anti-Defamation Unlike Bend the Arc, however, the League (ADL), long the community’s Friends of the Wiesenthal Center Buthelezi proud to tell truth about Israel compass on anti-anti-Semitism, statement did not point fingers at TALI FEINBERG mediator for peace.” avoided the blame game. the American president or mention He has visited Israel a number of times and formed close “It’s heartbreaking to see yet the actual Nazis who marched at “The reason the Jewish community should vote for the bonds with its leaders, from Shimon Peres to Ariel Sharon another tragedy on Shabbat, on Charlottesville or ran as Republicans Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) is the same reason any South to . “So, when people denigrate me the last day of Passover, exactly in last year’s midterms. Instead it African should vote for the IFP: we are trustworthy. We for supporting Israel, I pity their ignorance. As far as my six months after the shooting condemned college students and have a proven track record of leadership integrity and politics is concerned, I have always supported a two-state at the Tree of Life synagogue in professors who support the boycott clean governance. There is nothing our country needs solution. I made this clear again in September 2015 when Pittsburgh,” which claimed 11 lives, of Israel, and leftist political leaders more,” says Prince , speaking to the I visited Israel at the kind invitation of the South African the ADL wrote on Saturday. like the British Labour Party’s SA Jewish Report ahead of the national elections. Friends of Israel, together with several senior political But the ADL also didn’t look to Jeremy Corbyn and Republican Ilhan “This is the most contested election South Africa has leaders,” he says. include the Poway shooting into Omar, “who have been accused of faced. There are 48 options “It is counter-productive some sort of grab bag of anti-Jewish promoting anti-Semitism and of on the ballot paper. But only for South Africa to escalate threats on the left and the right, trying to create a wedge between one option is right for South tensions by taking sides. which has become the safe way to their countries and the State of Africa. The IFP understands Having experienced our own talk about anti-Semitism. Instead it Israel”. It also singled out the United that our nation’s future is history, we must surely be compared the shooting only to the Nations for its “baffling” anti-Israel indivisible. There will be no champions of dialogue and recent attacks carried out by white, resolutions. justice for one community negotiation. We should be male lone wolves – Christchurch, There was still another approach, while another still suffers. We encouraging both sides to Pittsburgh – and to the far-right hate which was to find the commonalities either swim together, or sink continue in dialogue so that a fest at Charlottesville. among the various brands of together,” he says. two-state solution can become Others saw in Poway a reflection contemporary anti-Semitism. As he pointed out at a reality. of their worst fears and bêtes noires. “The anti-Semitic intersection of the Jewish community’s “We saw here in our own For a left-wing group like Bend the white nationalism, anti-Zionism, celebration of his 90th country that intractable Arc: Jewish Action, the blame lay and Islamic Jew-hatred is to render birthday last year, he has a problems could not be resolved squarely on the White House and its the Jews isolated and powerless,” long history with Jews in with violence and armed current occupant. tweeted Einat Wilf, who served in South Africa. When he was conflict.” “Although it may be hard to the Israeli Knesset as a member a student at the University Buthelezi says he is proud to accept, the fact that we witnessed of the Labor and Independence of Fort Hare, he became a Prince tell the truth about Israel and yet another act of white nationalist parties. “Each feeds off the others member of the National Union Mangosuthu Buthelezi his friendship with the Jewish violence is sadly not ‘hard to believe’, as evidence that Jews have no of South African Students. community. “Israel is the only as President Trump said in response allies, and therefore could be “A number of our leaders were Jewish. As I became more country in the Middle East that allows freedom of religion, to the shooting,” Bend the Arc said. bullied, maligned, injured, and and more involved in the liberation struggle, I met and freedom of expression, press freedom, and gender equality. “Not when the President and his killed, with no consequences.” befriended many more Jewish leaders who were working Rather than cutting ties, South Africa needs to engage allies have helped mainstream white Unsurprisingly, this common toward the same goals of political franchise, equality, and with Israel, he says. “The best way to learn is to engage. nationalism in American politics.” cause approach is rarely the way social justice in South Africa. When we engage, meaningful change becomes possible. Compare that to the Friends of Twitter, where the left-right “I was impressed by their sense of patriotism and The biggest test of true leadership is being able to do or of the Simon Wiesenthal Center divide is often on full display. responsibility. The cause of justice and freedom was so say a difficult thing, as long as it is the right thing to do or for Holocaust Studies, a Canadian Either modern anti-Semitism naturally their own cause, even when this was not their say. To be out of step with a battalion is the greatest test of affiliate of the Los Angeles-based is Trump’s fault, or the Boycott fight. Duty, faith, and the knowledge of truth led them to leadership.” Simon Wiesenthal Center. Israel movement is the greatest make it their fight.” Even in the midst of social crises, he believes education The Friends group was fast out danger facing the Jews. That His Jewish compatriots included Helen Suzman and her must continue. “Education must be prioritised. No matter of the gate with a statement saying New York Times cartoon was the husband, Dr Mosie Suzman, “who opened the doors of what the political circumstances, whether we are fighting that, “anti-Semitism and hate at result of vicious anti-Zionism their home to us when we were in Johannesburg during for freedom, or fighting for a democracy that overcomes large continues to increase year to gone mainstream or part of the those [] days. So did Clive and Irene Menell.” He inequality, education remains at the heart of our fight. year as nationalist white supremacist coarsening of the public discourse was also close to Professor Phillip Tobias. “Let us teach our children the truth. Let us speak to groups expand globally”, but led by the “alt-right”. “Arnold Zulman and his beautiful wife, Rosemary, have the next generation. Let us equip them to look beyond expanded the camera view to include For many there appears to be nurtured our friendship for the past 50 years of my life. hashtags and populist slogans, beyond propaganda, “extreme leftists [who] unfairly and a fear that if the focus turns to We went to shul with them, and attended their children’s and reductionist arguments. Let us give them a solid hypocritically defame Israel and one side of the political spectrum, Barmitzvahs. Mr Zulman sometimes received calls from foundation by teaching them what has come before. radical Islamists [who] push an anti- we’ll go soft on the anti-Semitism anonymous white voices in the dead of the night saying, And then, let us support them as they begin to build the Zionist agenda”. coming from the other side. ‘We know that you have Buthelezi in your home.’ He was future,” he says. It also included in its statement The historian Deborah Lipstadt unfazed by this kind of intimidation. Buthelezi will be stepping down as party leader after the a condemnation of what normally notes this politicisation of anti- “The simple fact is that most of the white South Africans elections. “I will continue as president of the IFP until our would have been the most anti-Semitism in her new book, who were at the forefront of our liberation struggle were national elective conference, where a new leadership will outrageous anti-Semitic act of 28 Antisemitism: Here and Now. Jewish. All the white South Africans who were arrested be elected. Our structures have unanimously nominated April 2019: a cartoon that appeared “Don’t see anti-Semitism with were Jews,” he says. “Maybe the Secretary General Mayor Velenkosini Hlabisa to stand for in the New York Times international only on the other side of the fact that the Jewish people have endured persecution for election. I myself will not stand.” edition depicting Israeli Prime political transom from which centuries made them the kind of compassionate people Buthelezi is grieving the loss of his beloved wife, Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as you are located,” she warned in that most of them are.” Princess Irene, who passed away in March after a long a guide dog (a guide dachshund, an interview with the Jewish Buthelezi says he disagrees with the decision taken by illness. After the elections, he intends to spend time with actually), leading a blind Trump. The Telegraphic Agency. “If you’re only the African National Congress to downgrade South Africa’s his grandchildren and stay involved in serving the country dog’s collar has a Star of David, and seeing it on the opposite side of the Embassy in Israel. “It is short-sighted and regressive. in one way or another. “I have done this for more than 60 Trump is wearing a black yarmulke, transom, you’re instrumentalising Moreover, it stands in opposition to our country’s role as a years. It is part of who I am.” pushing the cartoon out of the realm this for political purposes.” 3 – 10 May 2019 SA JEWISH REPORT 5 EFF turns Easter message into anti-Israel diatribe JORDAN MOSHE and his Jewish roots just like they try to separate Jewish roots from lending a religious message Israel.” with a political one, the Also expressing outrage is the Economic Freedom Fighters African Christian Democratic B(EFF) recently suggested that Jesus Party (ACDP) leader, Reverend was a Palestinian. Wishing South , who said that Africans well over Easter, the party there was absolutely no place for descended into political criticism of such use of religious figures in the Israel and blatant anti-Semitism. wilful distortion of history. In a Wishing the public a “happy and responding statement, he said, “The revolutionary Easter weekend” is ACDP condemns the unacceptable how the message issued on 18 April habit of the EFF of releasing by EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni statements during Easter and Quinton Ndlozi began. The party Passover alleging that Jesus Christ then went on to caution people to was a Palestinian. travel safely and drink responsibly. “I appeal to […] the leadership of Mentioning the last supper, the EFF to respect our faith, and the statement reminded readers stop spreading lies about Jesus to be mindful of the needy, and Christ. All honest South Africans to “prioritise the poor and less and people around the world know privileged as the best embodiment that Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Christ today”. of Judea, not Palestine. When Jesus South African in shul during San Diego shul shooting Immediately thereafter, the was born, the word Palestine was >>Continued from page 1 religious message turned political. not even coined. The EFF’s political Reminding readers that Palestine is goal of trying to undermine the the Friendship Circle programme she runs out of his structured, facilitated groups to learn how hate breeds “the birth and death place of Jesus state of Israel is rejected with the shul. She also knew Gilbert-Kaye – “she worked on many hate and love and understanding breeds love.” Christ”, the EFF urged solidarity contempt it deserves.” tzedakah projects including the Friendship Circle”. Cheryl Horn, originally from Cape Town, says she knew with the people of modern-day The South African Jewish Board Ellman said when she first heard of the shooting, she Rabbi Goldstein, and was horrified and shocked. “Today Palestine, whom it said, “represent of Deputies (SAJBD) said that was shocked. “We had been at another shul for Shabbat and yesterday there were police cars outside our shul, and the suffering, permanently Ndlozi’s invocation of the viciously morning, last day Pesach and when I dropped off the kids at crucified, disfigured, and humiliated anti-Semitic “Christ-killer” Yizkor with our kids and four Hebrew day school this morning, naked body of Christ hanging on imagery to defame the Jewish grandkids. We left near the end, there were cop cars there too.” the summit for all shame”. state was deplorable, if predictable. and a police car pulled up at the Daniela Peiser Levi, who lived This state of affairs is attributed According to Associate Director very secure entrance to our shul in Cape Town for a number to Israel, described as being David Saks, this slander against and asked the guard to step up to of years, knew Gilbert-Kaye guilty of “racial discrimination, the Jewish people is historically the van. We thought it was a bit through friends and her colonisation and apartheid”. The one of the most pernicious, strange, but didn’t think much husband had gone to the Chabad EFF asked the public not only inciting anti-Jewish bigotry and of it until we got home and a shul several times. to pray for the oppressed, but frequently even acts of murderous friend called to tell me what had She says people “are on one “participate in the international violence against Jewish happened. I learnt that Lori had hand feeling scared, like me. On isolation of the apartheid state communities everywhere. been murdered only later that the other hand, it does unite of Israel until they recognise “Likening the alleged crimes afternoon.” the community, and there is Palestinian rights to equality and by Israel today with what Jews She says she never imagined a beauty in how everyone is return of their land”. were supposedly guilty of twenty this could happen there, “but Rabbi Yisroel coming together to remember The party’s appropriation of centuries ago has the obviously we are South Africans and are in Goldstein and Lori and those that were injured a religious figure for political intended effect of portraying Jews Israel a lot, and we see the rise of Lori Gilbert-Kaye and to stand strong against hate. ends and its suggestion that as being cruel and evil by nature,” anti-Semitism all over the world “We will continue to go to shul Jesus was a Palestinian has been he says. “Whereas all mainstream and the dysfunctional individuals as always, but there is definitely widely condemned. According to Christian movements have now who have access to guns in this a heightened sense of security Benji Shulman, the director of distanced themselves from such country. Every week, it’s another at the shuls, the schools, and public policy at the South African venomous ideologies, the EFF shooting. We had one of our community events. A friend of Zionist Federation (SAZF), this appears to be quite comfortable to mosques burnt just last week by ours is organising the logistics of appropriation is something the EFF fall back on the crudest medieval- an unknown arsonist. There’s a combination of hate and the funeral, which is expected to have a large turnout.” does frequently, even in the face of era rhetoric and imagery in order violence being accepted values, having access to guns, Her first reaction when she heard of the shooting was obvious historical truths. to demonise not only Israel but the and the now more open acceptance of being anti-Jew and fear, “as it hit really close to home. Poway is within the “Jesus was a Jew from Judea,” Jewish people as a whole. anti-Muslim.” San Diego Jewish community, and we are all connected. It says Shulman. “Unfortunately, a “The SAJBD rejects it with the To the South African Jewish community, she says, could have been any one of us. It just takes one person to statement like this smacks of classic contempt it deserves, and all “Never be complacent! Keep your eyes open. Continue create a horror. My reaction was to let those I love know Christian anti-Semitism, because decent-minded South Africans will with the great work of your CSO [Community Security how much they meant to me, and to give my kids extra they are trying to separate Jesus surely do likewise.” Organisation]. Kids need to meet with other faiths in hugs and kisses. I want to keep them safe.”

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The moment the first DATELINE: Opictures of Shalit – whom Hamas had refused even Red his coming Wednesday is election day, and the run up to this momentous Cross access – crackled onto a big television monitor, a MIDDLE EAST day is confusing and frustrating for many of us. Just who do we vote for, silence descended upon the waiting crowd. and what impact will our vote have on our future in South Africa? I was one of dozens of journalists in a press tent in Paula Slier TI certainly don’t have all the answers, nor am I about to tell you which way to Tel Nof Air Force Base. Tears glistened in even the most But here’s the problem. Moscow needs the help – or at vote. I don’t believe in that kind of journalism, and I do believe this is a hugely hardened reporters’ eyes. least consent – of Damascus to find Israeli MIAs and the personal decision. I was reminded of Shalit’s homecoming this week Syrian army, which is formally at war with Israel, cannot Despite this, I have had debates and discussion with friends. These focused on as Israeli officials released two Syrian prisoners as a publicly admit it is involved in such operations. Hence, two things: whether voting for small parties is worthwhile, and whether it is wise “goodwill gesture” after an Israeli soldier was returned to it vehemently denied it aided in the search and recovery to vote for the man and not the party. As heated as these discussions became, I Israel at the beginning of last month. operation for Baumel’s remains. still don’t have the answers. American-born Zachary Baumel went missing in 1982. Israeli officials, too, have said that there was no So, as the newspaper for the South African Jewish community, we did the A tank commander, he was believed to be killed in the prisoner exchange with Syria over the return of his only thing we could to help: we asked the parties the questions you would want Battle of Sultan Yacoub during the first week of the First body. But the release of two prisoners held in Israeli answered. That way, we hoped, you will have a few arrows in your decision-making Lebanon War in June 1982. jails – whether viewed as a goodwill gesture or not – quiver. For 37 years, his exact fate and that of two other was approved by the Israeli attorney general without When trying to contact the leaders of the parties, the Democratic Alliance was soldiers missing from the same battle, Yehuda Katz government consent, and signed off by President Reuven the first to respond. Its leader, Mmusi Maimane, was eager to meet us and he and Zvi Feldman, has been unknown. Largely believed Rivlin. The prisoners have since been sent to Syria. did so before Pesach, which is why we ran the interview with him in our Pesach to have been killed, there was also speculation that However, Russian officials have made comments edition. We also had a very easy time getting hold of the African Christian they’d been held by Palestinian organisations in Syria. contrary to those by both the Israelis and Syrians. Democratic Party leader, our old friend Reverend Kenneth Meshoe, who is always Although the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had considered Putin confirmed that, “Russian Army soldiers found kind and available to us. He is a real announcing their deaths, in the end it never did. the body [of Baumel] in co-ordination with the Syrian friend to our community and Israel. In Army intelligence suggests the unit belonging to the military” and his special envoy to Syria, Alexander parliament, he is ever ready to take on our three was ambushed by Syrian forces while advancing Lavrentiev, stressed that the operation went ahead only fight, and that of the Jewish state. to capture positions in eastern Lebanon ahead of an because it was deemed to be in Damascus’s interests. Another old friend of the community, anticipated ceasefire. Twenty one soldiers were killed “This action was not unilateral,” Lavrentiev said. “Israel Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, was also and more than 30 injured. A few tanks and prisoners made a decision… to release some of the Syrian citizens keen to respond to our questions. He, too, (including the bodies of fallen soldiers) were taken to who are in Israeli jails. This was an act of interest for the has strong bonds – that go way back – with Syria. Afterwards the tanks were displayed in Damascus Syrian side. We will not do anything that is contrary to us. I do hope these last after he retires and one was even sent to Moscow and shown there years Syria’s interests, but only things that serve them.” following the elections. later. It was eventually handed over to Israel. At a ceremony held in Moscow, the Russian defence We contacted the presidency to request There are currently four other IDF soldiers who are ministry presented Israel with Baumel’s jumpsuit and an interview with Cyril Ramaphosa, and missing-in-action (MIA) in addition to two others, both military boots in an Israeli-flag-covered coffin. His he agreed to respond to our questions. confirmed killed in Gaza in 2014, but whose bodies have remains were found in the territory of the Yarmouk We also approached Economic Freedom not yet been returned to Israel. refugee camp near Damascus, and were identified at the Fighters (EFF) leader , For , the importance of bringing home Institute of Forensic Medicine at Abu Kabir and by the Congress of the People leader , and General of MIAs is part of the fabric of a society where every family IDF’s chief rabbi. the United Democratic Movement (UDM). We even spoke to the Freedom Front sends its sons and daughters to fight. When those Netanyahu told Putin, “Two years ago I asked you to Plus. soldiers go missing, the trauma is a national one. The help us find the bodies of missing Israeli soldiers, and Our intrepid team was hard at work, not taking “no” for an answer. return of Baumel after nearly It was the responses we got that were eye opening, especially from the EFF. four decades, like the return of The EFF, first and foremost, insists that it is happy to be supported by anyone, Shalit, was a reminder of how as long as they don’t support Israel. It goes on to intimate that Israelis are “against deeply ingrained this value is. humanity”. The party claims that Israel is killing children and babies, and forcing However, Baumel’s father, Palestinians into the mountains without food or water. (See page 9.) Yonah, who passed away ten These lies floored me, but more than that, it astonishes me that someone years ago, and his mother, in a position of power in a political party can espouse these and other horrific Miriam, who is in her eighties, allegations as truth. repeatedly accused the IDF EFF elections spokesperson went on to say that we needed to of not doing enough to be open to paying better salaries… Clearly, we have the money! You know, all Jews retrieve their son. They always are supposedly rich just like Shakespeare’s Shylock! remained convinced he was Somebody in our community needs to take this up and ensure that those in alive. the EFF – who don’t have to like us or the Jewish state – know the facts about the When the Syrian war Middle East. It’s simply unacceptable that the party can spew this hate, based on broke out in March 2011, the pure misinformation. This is exacerbated in the statement the party put out as an chaos that ensued created an Easter greeting. (See page 5.) expectation in Jerusalem that However, even General Bantu Holomisa, the leader of the UDM, has an there could be opportunities exaggerated view of Israel’s might. (See page 10.) for Israeli MIAs in Syria to be I can’t say I’m surprised that people have warped views about the Israeli- found. After Russia entered the Palestinian situation. I, too, read all the ugly anti-Israel opinion pieces and fake war in September 2015, that news out there, both in the mainstream and on social media. expectation grew. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcoming Israel Defense Forces soldier However, I believe it is incumbent on political leaders to do their own research Moscow is in a unique Gilad Shalit at Tel Nof after his release from Hamas captivity and find out the facts before they spew hate speech to those who would do them position. It maintains good relations with Jerusalem and you responded in the affirmative. I want to thank you, no harm. Damascus while controlling the skies of Syria. my friend, for what you have done.” Even the perceptions about the South African Jewish community and Jews in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken The irony is that the USSR, which existed when general make for concerning reading in our articles on political parties. special care to cultivate ties with Russian President Baumel was killed and captured, condemned the The potential danger of these skewed views of Jews and Israel is so clearly Vladimir Putin. He has met him 16 times, and is one of activities of Israel at the time. Today it’s a somewhat evident in the second attack by a gunman on a shul in the United States. This the most frequent heads of state to travel to Moscow. different Russia operating in Syria that helped to retrieve time, almost six months to the day after the Pittsburgh attack, a 19-year-old Two years ago, he requested help in searching for Israeli his body. opened fire in Chabad of Poway in San Diego. Senseless hate and divisiveness does MIAs. But Moscow has many interests – often conflicting – not benefit anyone, neither does the verbal spread of hatred. Russians are particularly sensitive to this. Every to balance. First and foremost, it is focused on stabilising Our hearts go out to all those affected by this killing. I ask and pray that we use year, thousands of Russian volunteers search for the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and this as a lesson to bring people together, and not push people apart. Words hurt! Soviet soldiers who fell during World War II defending co-operates with Iran and Hezbollah. At the same time, Hatred kills! Enough! their homeland from the Nazis. Russians are also Putin has said on various occasions that the security of More than anything, I ask that we all go into our polling booths with our grateful for the honour Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Israel is one of his main priorities in the Middle East, consciences and – having read what the parties have to say – we vote. Remembrance Centre, pays to Soviet soldiers killed by and that Israel’s right to protect its national security is No matter how confusing and frustrating the elections may seem, not voting the Nazis. There are plans underway to open a memorial unquestionable. is far worse. As the South African Jewish Board of Deputies is saying in its in Jerusalem for the defenders of Leningrad during Just how this will work out regarding the recovery of campaign, you can complain only if you have voted. World War II, which Putin plans to attend. more Israeli MIAs remains to be seen. There are rumours Use that vote, it is all you have in trying to improve this country for yourselves In September last year, the Russian defence ministry that the body of legendary Israeli spy Eli Cohen has been and all who live in it. confirmed that Russian forces in Syria were involved in a found in Syria, but these have been denied by Moscow special search operation for Israeli MIAs in the country. and Jerusalem. Nonetheless, a senior Israeli diplomatic Shabbat Shalom! It said Russian soldiers had come under fire from Islamic official says Moscow is continuing to search for the Peta Krost Maunder State militants while searching an area with co-ordinates remains of the other two IDF soldiers who went missing Editor provided by Israel. Although one Russian officer was in the same battle as Baumel. Israelis will continue to wounded, the operation continued. hope and pray. 3 – 10 May 2019 SA JEWISH REPORT 7 A step too far, and a paper-thin apology y now, you have most likely read if the so-called Jewish symbols of the Star about Jews leading a lame, blinded America. INNER VOICE about the cartoon that the New York of David and the yarmulke were removed is Whereas he is fully entitled to choose to see Times published last week. It depicted an interesting question. Then, it might have it this way, I believe he is mistaken, as most Howard Feldman Ba Dachshund with the face of Israeli Prime relied on the defence that it was a comment readers will fail to make the distinction. As Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wearing a on Israel and not on Jews. Unfortunately, the was the case in Germany with the depiction as a journalist for some years, the one thing he blue dog’s collar and a dangling Star of David clumsiness of the caricature left it very little of Churchill being led. knew for certain was that a newspaper would necklace – in case one was not clear as to wiggle room, and it had little option but to In the course of my public activity and as a not respond well by being lambasted and the religious nature of the animal. The dog’s admit defeat. commentator on these types of issues, I am accused of anti-Semitism. He urged readers leash, also an Israeli blue, was held by a rather In essence, the publication went a step too often concerned by our reaction. These events to engage (in this case) with the New York rotund Donald Trump, who wore sunglasses far. Especially since on the same day that it validate our fear and anxiety in the sense that Times, but not spew hatred and accusation. for the visually impaired, and seemed to decided to acknowledge that the cartoon was they “prove” what we have been saying all Correspondence in that vein would just have had a yarmulke placed on his head. The anti-Semitic, a 19-year-old walked into a shul along. So, in the case of the New York Times, entrench negative or anti-Semitic feelings. And Jewish dog was clearly leading the “Judised” outside San Diego with the express intention which has been accused of being no friend to whereas I am not certain that I am comfortable president. of killing as many Jews as possible. Its timing Jews or Israel, the publication of the cartoon with victim blaming, the adult part of my brain The work was hardly original. A similar couldn’t have been worse. is vindication and proof of what we have does hear what he is saying. cartoon appeared in Germany in the 1920s. Worth interrogating is the reaction to been feeling all along. It’s confirmation bias What is clear is that anti-Semitism has Only then it was Winston Churchill being led this. Whereas almost everyone condemned in that no matter how many other “balanced” become mainstream. The lines are vague, and by a haredi looking Jew. it, there were a few I came across who failed articles might have been published, this one we can expect to see more of it as the limits It took two days for the New York Times to be offended by it. One Jewish social- corroborates our thesis. are tested. The “artist” at the New York Times to acknowledge that the publication was in media user (who often expresses disdain This is not to suggest that this cartoon was produced a piece that fell on the wrong side poor judgement, and that it contained anti- for Trump and Netanyahu) saw it more as not racist, and it is not to suggest that the of acceptability. For now. And so, the paper Semitic tropes. It took another day for it to a comment about the personalities and the New York Times doesn’t engage in anti-Israel apologised. This time. apologise. Whether it would have done so characters being depicted than as a metaphor rhetoric on an ongoing basis, but we do need It all reminds me of American Supreme to temper our response. Court Justice Potter Stewart, who when asked New York Times – ‘cesspool of hostility’ In conversation on this issue with David to define the threshold test for obscenity, Harris of the Clarion Project (an organisation simply responded that although it was not RON KAMPEAS – JTA mostly hid from their readers the Holocaust of that monitors global terror), he expressed that easy to do, “I know it when I see it.” the Jewish people has today made its pages a he Israeli ambassador to the United States safe space for those who hate the Jewish state. has linked the New York Times to the “Jew- Through biased coverage, slanderous columns, Thatred of growing parts of the intellectual and anti-Semitic cartoons, its editors shamefully class”. choose week after week to cast the Jewish state Ron Dermer was speaking on Monday in as a force for evil.” the US Capitol at the annual Holocaust Days of Over the weekend, the Times apologised Remembrance organised by the US Holocaust for including in its international print edition a Marketing/Brand Manager Memorial Museum. cartoon depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin It was an unusually political attack on a Netanyahu as a guide dog wearing a Star of Ph oto The IUA/UCF are looking for a dynamic and experienced day and at an event organised by an : A David collar and leading a yarmulke-clad le x institution that generally focuses W President Donald Trump. marketing / brand manager to join their new team. o on the historical meaning of the n The cartoon led to intense g / G This is a full day position based in Johannesburg. 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Saturday’s deadly shooting at s consistently pro-Israel. Among • A degree in Marketing/PR or similar field the Chabad of Poway, a suburb Israeli ambassador them is Bret Stephens, who wrote a • Minimum 5 years’ marketing and communication experience of San Diego. Ron Dermer column about the cartoon excoriating • Good understanding of the Jewish community He attributed the California his newspaper for “an astonishing act • Campaign/event management attack, which killed one congregant and of ignorance of anti-Semitism”, coming • Digital media and marketing injured three, and the October massacre at a from a news outlet “that is otherwise hyper- • Experience in working with a CRM platform (Salesforce) Pittsburgh synagogue that killed 11 worshippers, alert to nearly every conceivable expression to white supremacists. But Dermer added that “we of prejudice, from mansplaining to racial designbandits.co.za/300419 have also seen anti-Semitism increasingly poison microaggressions to transphobia”. Stephens said Short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview. minds in the political classes of what once proudly the paper should apologise to Netanyahu. Please send CVs to [email protected] called itself the West”. However, Stephens, a former editor in chief Describing what he termed “the Jew-hatred of of the Jerusalem Post, added, “I have now been growing parts of the intellectual class”, Dermer with the Times for two years and I’m certain that referred to anti-Semitism plaguing Britain’s Labour the charge that the institution is in any way anti- Party and rising anti-Israel activity on campuses. Semitic is a calumny.” “We have also seen one of the world’s most Dermer in his Holocaust remembrance speech prestigious newspapers become a cesspool of also alluded to a recent controversy surrounding hostility towards Israel that goes well beyond freshman Democrat, Representative Ilhan Omar, any legitimate criticism of a fellow, imperfect who has been accused of invoking anti-Semitic democracy,” Dermer said. slanders in some of her statements critical of “The same New York Times that a century ago Israel. She has apologised for some, but not all.

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TALI FEINBERG always have to pay for the decisions previous create the right environment for people to generations made.” lift themselves up.”. Ownership of land is a “The youth are feeling excited about the She says there is a clear divide amongst her key to growing the economy, he says, and Liat Dayan experience of voting, possibly for the first time, peers about who they will be voting for. “My if the government goes ahead with land but I think few are invested in this country. The non-white friends feel the only party that expropriation without compensation, he majority of us have started to look at leaving, as has and will be there for them is the ANC would probably leave South Africa. But he we feel it will ensure a better future for us and [African National Congress], while my white hopes to stay. our children,” says a 20-year-old Jewish student Jewish peers feel this way about the DA, and He feels the ZACP is the only party from Johannesburg ahead of the national are tired of corruption and being hated for that welcomes diversity of opinion and elections on 8 May. their white privilege. uncomfortable conversations. He thinks the Speaking on condition of anonymity, she “We all feel racism goes both ways, and this DA changes its message depending on which said, “It’s a hard decision to leave home and is not always acknowledged in our country. audience it is addressing. what you know, but most of us feel change is no Major parties often express anti-white views. Cowan says his views and vote are longer possible in our lifetime, and leaving and There are also many young whites who don’t different to his peers and parents – his father ‘abandoning’ South Africa is our only option. want to vote as they see it as futile, and was an ANC councillor, and his peers talk Almost all of my peers talk about leaving or are set on leaving South Africa eventually about voting for the DA. However, he has emigrating. You’re almost seen as crazy if you’re anyway.” convinced many to vote for the ZACP. He not looking at your options to leave.” She doesn’t see a future in South Africa says the youth are “not excited or invested This attitude was shared by most of the anymore, “and this breaks my heart. My year in this election, as the parties are just not young people who spoke to the SA Jewish Report at Wits, surrounded by South African youth appealing well to youth”. He worries that, in ahead of the national elections. of all backgrounds, unfortunately showed me general, South African youth will be drawn to The anonymous 20-year-old says she that we haven’t moved past racial prejudices the EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters). completed her first year of a Bachelor of Arts and injustices as much I had previously Liat Dayan is 18 years old, and at King degree at the University of the Witwatersrand thought. I feel I will never have a fair say in my opportunity. “I see a future here – I love South David Linksfield. This is her first time as a voter, (Wits), “but felt the environment was too country because of my experiences as a white Africa, the people, and the culture. If we engage and she is excited. “I feel like I will finally be politically charged and disruptive”. She left, and person.” in society, we will see it is a remarkably rich able to make an impact on my country, even is taking a gap year doing various courses. But her final message is relatively positive: country. It’s not something I would like to miss if it’s a small one. I’m also nervous because This is her first time as a voter, and “while the “This country is special – rich in history and out on.” I don’t know what to expect, and it’s a huge idea is exciting, I can’t help but feel a bit resources. It has, however, been managed Russel Cowan is 24, but this will be the first responsibility.” despondent and that I’m too much of poorly. It is for this reason that I encourage time he will vote as he says there wasn’t a She’ll be voting for the DA, as “I don’t have a minority to see the differences I’d everyone who can to vote. There is less party that represented his views in the past. faith in the ANC. It has continuously failed want in my country. I will be voting chance of achieving change if we don’t This election, he will vote for the ZACP (the this country, and I believe that the DA could for the Democratic Alliance (DA) as try.” Capitalist Party of South Africa) nationally, and bring about a lot of positive change. Through I feel it is the least corrupt. I believe Others are more hopeful. A matric for COPE (the Congress of the People) locally. governing the , the DA has shown the members are well-educated and pupil at King David Linksfield, who will Cowan believes both parties have strong that it has the ability to govern effectively. It diplomatic, and are passionate about turn 18 just before the elections, is happy stances on property rights and “less has created many jobs, which I believe is the ensuring our country reaches its that she will be able to take part. Though government interference. Socialism has failed, only way to reverse the cycle of poverty in our potential – a difficult task.” unsure for a while, she thinks she will and the only way we are going to prosper is to country.” She, too, thinks a lot of her peers have Regarding the current vote DA, because she wants a lost faith in South political climate, she strong opposition. Africa, and don’t see a believes the youth are She believes the youth future for themselves “starting to feel that are feeling “frustrated”, here. this country is in and in regard to her Dayan plans to too much economic Jaiden Bank Jewish peers, she says, leave to study marine turmoil to help build “We live in an isolated biology, as “I can’t see a successful future. society as white Jewish myself studying here. The environment youth. Because of that, There are too many is racially charged. we don’t get the richness, interruptions at the Many white youth heritage, and culture, and universities for me feel that they are therefore not invested to get the education I are not wanted in South Africa.” want. However, I do or valued in the For this reason, she feel a responsibility to country. The fear is believes young Jews are South Africa to make that as white people, choosing to leave, and also Kanthan Pillay (ZACP) a difference, and after even those born into because they fear economic and Russel Cowan my studies, I would democracy, we will collapse. However, she sees a lot of like to work with ocean conservation in South Africa.” Jaiden Bank, an 18-year-old at King David YOUR ANCESTRAL LINK TO LITHUANIA AND POLAND Linksfield, is excited to be a first-time voter. “As a citizen of this country, every vote and opinion is important. Change can come about from each THE GATEWAY TO YOUR FUTURE individual vote.” He will be voting for the DA, as he thinks it OBTAINING AN EU PASSPORT has “the best interests of the country at heart. It is the party that can help to attain the goals we set out for ourselves and our country.” Your ancestors who were born in Lithuania and Poland emigrated to South Africa, He believes his vote will be similar to that Israel or elsewhere to start a new life and broaden their horizons. of his peers and parents. However, while he remains optimistic about the future, he In so doing, they have GIFTED you the chance of receiving citizenship of the country of their birth. believes this sentiment is not shared by many The Lithuanian and Polish governments are restoring citizenship. They are giving you the opportunity to other young people. “They are pessimistic, broaden your horizons. With over a decade of success, with clients in South Africa, the UK, Australia, the US and see the country as being in a state of disrepair. They think the country is too ‘far and Israel, we look forward to sharing our knowledge and expertise with you to obtain your EU passport. gone’.” Bank, on the other hand, thinks that South Africa is a “goldmine”, but “the only way this Contact me: country can become great is through correct leadership”. Rose Lerer Cohen “Everyone voting needs to vote for change and against corruption and injustice. This [email protected] election is pivotal for our future,” he says. “It’s part of our civic duty or moral obligation www.kin-search.com to vote for who we believe is best for South Africa and our community. We need to be the ones who stand up and advocate for justice, equality, fairness, and the best possible future.” 3 – 10 May 2019 SA JEWISH REPORT 9 ‘You can vote for EFF if you don’t support Israel’ MIRAH LANGER to the slavery era. people who are poor in “It [Israel] is killing South Africa, they can veryone is welcome to them. It is killing go, no problem. They support the EFF unless they children. It is killing can leave the country, support Israel, Economic babies. Those people no problem. We won’t EFreedom Fighters (EFF) election [Palestinians] must beg them to stay. If they spokesperson Veronica Mente now seek refuge in the don’t want to live with told the SA Jewish Report this mountain with animals, people in South Africa, week. without food, without as they feel that their “Anyone in South Africa who water. They are dying. equality to black people is here and keen to advance [Israel] is killing them hampers their space, the plight of the poor and also with weapons and then they can leave. advocate for what the EFF everything. Those Israeli Because us, as black advocates for, we do not have a people, they are just the Africans in particular, problem… Unless people have worst of people.” we don’t have anywhere beliefs that are against humanity; Asked what her else to go. This is where unless people have beliefs like the definition of genocide we were born. This is Israeli people.” was, Mente said it where our ancestors Israelis, said Mente, were those was “when people are were born. who “just occupy other people’s unleashing unnecessary “At least Jewish land and kill other people, and violence on others people have somewhere think that it’s funny. We have no and the violence that to go. They can go back relations with such people.” is influenced by you to where they came Asked what the EFF’s stance gaining power over them from; they have other was on the downgrading of the and an imperialist system that Mente said people who wanted under the EFF government.” countries where the Jewish people South African embassy in Israel, seeks to take over the economy”. to support the work of the EFF She said the Jewish community are living.” Mente said the move was a “good [sic] and contribute to South Africa could also support the EFF by Mente said her party’s election thing”, but needed to go further. Mente suggested that if the must believe in complete equality. assisting the underprivileged, campaign was going well. The EFF “The Israeli embassy in South International Criminal Court was In addition, “they should be especially schoolchildren, with has only one goal, namely winning Africa must be removed, not just “of any activeness for our globe” open to the sharing of the land shelter, clothes, and school fees. government. downgraded. it should start by dealing with [and] they should be open to “They must do that. We won’t “The only thing that we hope “We cannot have an embassy Israel. paying salaries that are not have a problem with them.” for, and that we are working in South Africa of people that She said South Africa needed to less than R4 500. Especially Asked what the EFF’s response towards, is the winning of is perpetuating genocide on be more vocal about “the Palestine the Jewish community, most of was to young Jewish South government. We are not working other people. How do you have genocide” at international forums them... [are] owning businesses. Africans who were considering to be kingmaker. We are not a government that just occupies like the or the Their contribution first and leaving the country as they felt working towards being an other people’s space and makes Pan-African Parliament, and that foremost should be to pay their uncertain if they had a space in opposition. We must get 51% and them subjects, not just makes if the EFF came to power, it would workers not less than R4 500, it, Mente said, “If they don’t feel above [of the national vote]. That them subjects – we are going back take up the cause immediately. which will be a minimum wage comfortable being among black is our target.”

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Be a part of something truly great. Learn more and join here: friendsofsheba.co.za | eng.sheba.co.il | The Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer Email. [email protected] | Phone. 0829077728 10 SA JEWISH REPORT 3 – 10 May 2019 The lone Jewish candidate of the Freedom Front Plus JORDAN MOSHE After spending three years with War, something struck in December last year, meeting the party, Anolik met the FFP’s Sidney Anolik a chord. members of various parties to foster mong the numerous Franco De Lange in November “While the Holocaust positive relationships. Afrikaans names which 2015, finding a party that would was very different, “People think the FFP does appear on the Freedom Front take his concern for the Jewish I felt that there was nothing,” he says. “The truth is PlusA (FFP) list of election candidates, minority seriously. Despite his a similarity, that that we work behind the scenes. I the lone Jewish name of Sidney initial apprehension and belief our histories were don’t jump and scream and protest, Anolik stands out immediately. that the party was racist, Anolik intertwined. Jews but choose to act quietly in the Anolik is an ardent activist, a discovered that the centre-right have also engaged with background for the sake of my people proud Jew, and a staunch defender FFP featured a significant coloured for decades and Israel. We want all minorities of the state of Israel who has found a and Khoi representation, and was in different industries, to be treated like the majority while platform for securing the rights of the built on a belief that all minorities from farming to maintaining their individual identity, Jewish minority in South Africa. This deserve the same treatment as the commerce. We are more be they Jews or otherwise.” platform is one most would find odd, majority. alike than we think.” While other parties which express that of the FFP. “The party was said to be Anolik explains support for Israel such as COPE and “If you told me twenty years ago racist, predominantly white, that beyond taking the African Christian Democratic that I would go into politics, I’d have and Afrikaans,” he says. “I did anti-Semitism Party (ACDP) are invited to engage laughed at you,” says Anolik. “I never my research, spoke to people, very seriously, the with Jewish leadership, Anolik says once dreamed I’d become a politician. and discovered that this was not FFP frequently that the same opportunities are not While it has its restraints, politics the case. In fact, I found that its leads the charge on extended to the FFP. “The South enables me to take up the fight for championing of minority rights matters concerning African Jewish Board of Deputies our rights as Jews in South Africa.” aligned with my activism for the Israel as well. This (SAJBD) turned us down in spite of Describing himself as a typical Jewish minority. So I accepted an includes previously the fact that we support the Jewish Jewish man of Johannesburg, invitation to join the party.” welcomed with immediate warmth.” challenging the ANC’s decision to community and Israel,” he says. Anolik’s involvement with politics As he became better acquainted He says he soon realised how rename Sandton Drive in honour “The Boycott Divestment Sanctions was for years limited to supporting with this conservative party, Anolik connected the Afrikaner and Jewish of Palestinian freedom fighter Leila (BDS) movement needs to be taken to the Democratic Alliance (DA). “I discovered how much the FFP histories actually are. “I became Khaled, and opposing the instalment court, and we’ve offered the board the supported the DA like my family did,” actually had in common with the familiar with their history,” he says. of a statue of Mandela in Ramallah. services of advocate Anton Alberts to he says. “My parents had supported Jewish community, and how it “When I learned that about 27 000 Anolik ’s role as the FFP’s co- take BDS on, but it has refused. The and been friendly with Helen Suzman supported him as a Jew. “When I to 30 000 women and children had ordinator for South African Jewry FFP can fight for the community as and left-wing parties who had fought attended my first meeting, De Lange died in concentration camps at the and matters concerning Israel Jews and supporters of Israel, but it apartheid.” insisted that I wear my kippa. I was hands of the British during the Boer resulted in him visiting the Knesset doesn’t get the chance.” It was when then DA leader entered into a deal with the National Party (NP) that Anolik Jewish community plays key Ensure the country is being became disillusioned with the party. “They are parties at two opposite role in building SA – COPE driven sober, says UDM poles,” he says. “One represented MIRAH LANGER MIRAH LANGER Bantu Holomisa apartheid and the other completely opposed apartheid. Oil and water Congress of the People (COPE) National Spokesman Dennis Bloem used a Jewish anti- vote for don’t mix. They did it to gain votes, apartheid icon to explain the impact small parties could have in driving big changes. the United but you can’t break principles and “Look at what Helen Suzman did in the dark days of apartheid. When she was in Democratic defy who you are.” parliament, she was a lone voice against many. But she was [speaking out] about the MovementA (UDM) In 2013, he decided to leave the conditions of Nelson Mandela and the other political prisoners on Robben Island, and would be a sign of DA completely in the wake of an things changed on Robben Island because of her.” support for the fight African National Congress (ANC) In fact, Bloem said during a telephonic interview, COPE was a party that truly against corruption and subcommittee motion to send then appreciated the Jewish community’s contribution to South Africa. “We know the role in favour of the party’s Israeli ambassador Arthur Lenk that some of the leading figures of the Jewish community have played towards our call for legislation back to Israel. Although he sought struggle for freedom. We will never forget the role that they have played and [what promoting transparency repeatedly to get the DA to address they did] to assist us financially and legally.” on party funding, says the issue, he says he was met with a As such, promised Bloem, “we [COPE] will always be there to protect [the South UDM leader Bantu complete lack of interest. African Jewish community]”. Holomisa. “I phoned up the DA, and no one Asked what COPE needed to protect the community from, Bloem answered that “[The UDM] is the would take my calls. Not even my there was a “negative attitude from some quarters” in South Africa. “The Jewish only party batting on councillor would speak to me. No one community mustn’t be discouraged in keeping what it stands for, because just a a wicket to promote would listen to me, and address the minority don’t value its contribution and our relationship. They [the South African ethics and anti-corruption right through,” he said in a issue of the ambassador. I just left the Jewish community] must always think of the majority that value the relationship.” telephonic interview. DA, and resigned as a member.” Like the United Democratic Movement, Bloem felt one of COPE’s greatest strengths Holomisa said there was still great hope for the nation. However, after being invited to was its consistency. “The Congress of the People is consistent in what it stands for. “South Africa is still a great country. All we need to do is make meet Congress of the People (COPE) We stand for a South Africa that is free of discrimination, and a South Africa that will sure is that the driver that is driving it is sober. leader Mosiuoa Lekota a few months prosper. We are going to protect the rights of everybody inside the country and outside In fact, said Holomisa, South Africa and its handling of later, he found himself being drawn the country that diversity could serve as an example for how to resolve the into the realm of politics. “Lekota will come to South Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “Countries like Israel and Palestine, phoned me up and asked if I’d meet Africa.” they can learn a lot from South Africa. Here we tolerate him,” Anolik says. “He had heard from Asked about religion. a mutual friend about my activism the downgrade of “If one is to see how your [the South African Jewish] and invited me to be a part of his the South African community is enjoying themselves in this country, that is the party. embassy in Israel, kind of democracy which Mandela hoped would be in Israel.” “I couldn’t see myself doing it. I Bloem said COPE had Holomisa said he believed the government’s decision to told him that I was no politician, just made it clear that it downgrade the South African embassy in Israel was a “pity” a simple Jewish man who fought for completely disagreed as South Africa could serve as an example of successful our Jewish community and Israel. with the decision. negotiation. In the past, he had visited the region several Still, I decided to join, and became “We believe in a times, including meeting Palestinian Liberation Organisation part of COPE that year.” two-state solution to Chairman Yasser Arafat, who has since died. He became the head of the party’s the problems of the For peace to succeed, Israel must stop perpetuating violence. disciplinary committee. people of Israel. We have been straightforward and clear about this matter. “We have to be sensitive to the clarion call by the world that However, Anolik says that he not “If we were in government, we could have used the same methods used in South Israel stops bombing innocent kids and women. If you fight only frequently encountered anti- Africa to bring both sides together around one table to sort out their differences, like at with soldiers, fight with soldiers, but how do you justify Semitism in the ranks, but also an Codesa [the Convention for a Democratic South Africa].” bombing houses where there are kids? It’s just not acceptable,” indifferent leadership that would do Bloem said that the South African Jewish community continued to play a key role said Holomisa, citing the UDM’s position. nothing about it. in building South Africa. Any “financial or economic help” it could offer would also be “Everyone has seen how Israel is using its military might, “I’d spent my life defending Jews, appreciated. He invited the community to engage further with his political party going and it’s not good when you see that destruction of property, and here I found myself working for forward. kids killed. It’s inhuman, finished and klaar. Don’t even talk a party whose members often made Bloom said COPE expected to do much better in these elections than previously. In about the rest. The simplest thing needed [is that] they must anti-Semitic remarks. Even when I 2014, “it was a little bit negative, but now it is very positive”, he proclaimed. sit down. Do it as we did here in South Africa. They will easily reported the incidents to national find each other.” level, they did nothing about it, and it • D ennis Bloem spoke to the SA Jewish Report on behalf of party leader Mosiuoa Lekota, Continued on page 11>> kept happening.” who took ill this week. 3 – 10 May 2019 SA JEWISH REPORT 11

Ensure the country is being The ACDP ‘is a friend to Jews and Israel’ driven sober, says UDM MIRAH LANGER [it] embraces Hamas, who can’t do anything. any group or tribe that is threatened with >>Continued from page 10 That’s foolishness. How do you embrace a annihilation. Whenever anyone is threatened, “Besides the ACDP, there is no political party person whose specialty is killing: making I will automatically take their side. Because However, when the Israeli and Palestinian that supports Israel as a state, its right to suicide bombs, making rockets? You embrace no one has a right to deny a nation, group, or sides do engage, it has to be without “foreign self-defence, and its right to live within secure that person, and you reject the person who tribe the right to exist. G-d has made all tribes influence” from countries who often had “vested borders. In South Africa, we are concerned can help solve your water crisis and many on earth.” interests”, he said. He specifically mentioned about the safety of Jews. We speak about that other problems? To me, that’s He said that in regard to his political career, the role of the United States, saying that it had openly and loudly. They have the right to live stupid.” his best time had been during the era of consistently used its power to veto resolutions securely, and they should not have to worry Meshoe said that former President Nelson Mandela. Meshoe taken against Israel at global forums. about anti-Semitism.” his party was not hoped that after the elections, the political “If Palestinians and Israelis are going to rely This invitation of friendship was entirely sure about landscape would return to this kind of on foreigners to solve their problems, they must extended by African Christian the candour of the reconciliatory engagement. kiss and say goodbye to peace.” Democratic Party (ACDP) leader Palestinian side “Mr Mandela would call leaders of the The UDM’s hope for the upcoming election Reverend Kenneth Meshoe to in making peace. opposition parties. He would call me to was to “do well and increase our seats. We had potential voters in the Jewish “The Palestinians, ask me for my opinion. In those days, we four seats; we need more”. community during a sit-down Reverend I don’t think that [the ACDP] were the only two members Holomisa said that the South African Jewish interview at Balfour Park in Kenneth they sincerely of parliament. He [valued] us. I felt I had community could play a key mentoring role in Johannesburg. Meshoe want a state; they something to contribute.” the country. “The Jewish community has been “The day will come soon when South want all of Israel.” Meshoe said he believed President Cyril privileged in terms of being in the economic Africa will be a haven from anti-Semitism He believed the Ramaphosa lacked the requisite qualities sphere. What it should do is get some of the for Jews. They need to know that in the Palestinians had needed to build the nation successfully. young kids who have just graduated or who want ACDP, they have a friend who cares for them.” an underlying agenda, “The ruling party can never be rehabilitated, to be entrepreneurs and [mentor them] to obtain He said the connection he felt with the namely, “The annihilation of as it is more concerned about the party than skills.” Jewish people stemmed from the Bible and Israel is the bottom line; they don’t want it to the country. Cyril Ramaphosa, who I know He also encouraged the community to help his studies of scripture. “True Christians exist.” very well, has disappointed me terribly. with projects like building schools and shelters. know that we cannot separate ourselves from Meshoe said that if the ACDP was in “I have known him not to have a very Holomisa dismissed the idea of a vote for the Jews.” government, it would make sure that strong backbone. He wants to be loved smaller parties being a wasted vote. “Cyril As such, the friendship between the groups this issue was addressed upfront before and accepted by everybody, which I think Ramaphosa would not be the president today was a “permanent one”, he affirmed. negotiations between the two sides began. is a negative as a politician. Ramaphosa is had it not been for the smaller parties.” This “I can be disappointed by one Jew, but I will “My starting point would be for Palestinians brilliant, but he doesn’t have the character to occurred, he said, after smaller parties called for never paint the whole nation with the same to accept in writing the right of Israel to exist. sustain that brilliance.” the removal of former President , brush.” Secondly, [negotiations would also have] to Asked what the ACDP hoped the outcome and spent millions in the Constitutional Court to Meshoe described the government’s consider historical facts. These prove that of the elections would be, Meshoe said that he bring about various anti-corruption cases. decision to downgrade the South African Israel lived in the land even before the word believed the party would get a percentage of Rehabilitation of the African National embassy in Israel as “foolish”, especially ‘Palestine’ was coined. Whatever negotiations the vote that was in the “two digits. Our voice Congress is not a prospect he entertains. “This because of Israel’s expertise in various fields take place, that must be considered.” will be stronger.” ANC is the one which was saying that Zuma that could assist South Africa. Negotiations must also ensure that the He said his dream for South African politics must not pay... It’s the same party that believed “Israel has the means to help South security of Israel was guaranteed, he said. was “to have more g-dly people in politics; a swimming pool can be turned into a fire pool. Africa. For our government to do that [the Meshoe said his defence of Israel was people who are healed from the pain of the Sorry!” downgrade] to people who can help! And then based on core ethical values. “I would defend past, people who have listening capacity.”

14 SA JEWISH REPORT 3 – 10 May 2019 Why more South Africans are making aliyah GILLIAN KLAWANSKY in the short-term. Israel’s sights and history, and to immersing is a more meaningful immigration destination “Both my daughter and son-in-law have himself in technological development where than other countries. There’s something “Israel is the only country in the world that a masters in chemical engineering. He’s a his passion lies. “I’ll also study more Hebrew special about Israel that other places just welcomes us, wants us, and offers so many systems engineer, she’s chemical, and there’s and Torah,” he says. “I want to build up the don’t capture. The location also makes the rest opportunities,” says Sally Leibowitz, who plans no industry in South Africa for her. She’d country, and do good for Jews in Israel.” of the world more accessible. It’s an eclectic to make aliyah this year. really like to get back into engineering and Reuben Moss* and his wife are newly melting pot, and we want to be part of that. I The aliyah figures are testament to this way make a difference. She can find jobs in Israel married, and are planning to move to Israel in think South Africa used to feel a lot like that, of thinking, with 70 South Africans making that will allow her to do that. There are so June. Reuben will continue to run his South but now it feels like the ‘rainbow nation’ was aliyah between January and February 2019, many more opportunities there. Things are African business remotely, and isn’t sure if the more of an idea than a reality.” 20% more than the same period last year. happening, there’s a buzz. It’s a hard life, move will be forever. Yet, he feels a strong call Moss says he’s concerned about leaving While Liat Amar Arran, the director of the but anywhere else you go will be hard. You to Israel. behind family and laughter. “I think South Israel Centre South Africa says that aliyah don’t have all the help that you have here, but “Feeling like you’re part of something is Africans laugh quite a lot – the sense of figures have stayed relatively steady over the working towards making a difference makes it a big motivator for me,” he says. “In South humour is really good here. But there’s just an past three years, at about 350, this year seems worthwhile. to be different. “I don’t think it’ll be hard to leave “There are diverse reasons for this,” she says. what we’ve built here, as we’re “Often older people have kids who’ve made basically taking whatever we’ve got aliyah already, and they wish to join them and with us,” she says. “I downsized a be with the grandchildren. Sometimes couples few years ago when we moved up to have kids who have just finished matric, and Joburg from Durban, and now I’m they feel it’s time to make this choice. downsizing even more. It’s actually “People here love Israel. This is a very quite cathartic to get rid of the things Zionist community, and people feel connected hanging around you.” to Israel. Big South African communities are Michelle* is less enthusiastic about also already living in Israel, and help with the leaving South Africa, but feels that absorption process.” Israel has a lot to offer. “I know the Immigrating to be with children and grass won’t be greener on the other grandchildren is certainly a motivating factor side, but there’s a different kind of for Leibowitz. “My daughter and son-in-law freedom in Israel,” she says. While she are moving, so we’re going too,” she says. feels a bit pressurised to leave by her “I’ve always been keen on moving. Basically, husband – and by her two children I don’t think there’s a future here for [my] who are already living and studying grandchildren. My step granddaughter was in Israel – she points out that things told she couldn’t get a job at Investec because aren’t great in South Africa. “I’m she’s white, even though she’s currently one of increasingly seeing the red tape in the top chartered accountancy students. My this country, the ‘I couldn’t care less attitude’,” Africa, I feel like a cog in a big machine. I energy in Israel. It would be foolish as a Jew grandchildren are eight and five, and there’s she says. “If you want something from a don’t know if Israel will feel different, but not to take the chance to experience that.” very little chance of them getting anything government or municipal department, you just being Jewish and being in that kind of With recent changes to the Israel Centre, here in the future.” just sit and wait. We’re still waiting for our setup is exciting. There’s so much going on, making aliyah is now a more streamlined Leibowitz is unsure whether things will unabridged marriage certificate from Home the economy’s booming, the tech world is process, says Amar Arran. “Half of the come right. In the meantime, the cost of living Affairs.” growing, which is the way of the future. I want process is now online, which means people is prohibitive. “It’s just becoming increasingly Her husband, Cyril, is filled with excitement to future proof my skills there, and to network can do it from home. Only once all the expensive to live. You have to pay for private about their impending move. “I just love in the tech field.” questionnaires have been completed and medical aid, private security, private schools, Israel,” he says. “I got it from my dad, who Moss is also a strong Zionist. “My great relevant documents uploaded do candidates private everything. You’re not getting lived on a kibbutz when he was in Israel. It’s grandmother came from Tzvat, and she always meet with us at the centre. It is now anything for your tax money. not just holy, it’s exciting, it’s interesting, it’s wanted to go back. My mom also briefly completely focused on customer service and “What happened with Zuma and co is an special. It doesn’t matter how difficult things lived in Israel as a child in the 60s. There’s on personalisation. Everyone should get the absolute disaster politically, and I feel that are, there’s no other country like it. I’ve always always been a draw towards Israel for me, to best service, especially through this huge the DA [Democratic Alliance] lost the plot wanted to go. We were supposed to have somehow contribute to building the country. transition. I’m here to help. Israel belongs to too. There’s no real leadership in the country. gone about five times already, and something Please G-d, when my wife and I have kids, all of us.” Cyril’s great, but his hands are tied so I can’t always got in the way. At last, it’s happening.” they’ll be Israeli citizens, which gives them see anything coming together, definitely not Cyril looks forward to further exploring options beyond South Africa. For a Jew, Israel *Names have been changed. Pesach seder brings home the experience of African refugees

JORDAN MOSHE with the Outreach Foundation of the Lutheran oppression in Egypt. They spoke of how the their share of pain and suffering to open up Church in Hillbrow. The Pesach story was Jews subsequently wandered in the wilderness and identify with each other. We need a good ho better to understand the real recounted, including an explanation of the for forty years before reaching the promised space to open our hearts, express ourselves, significance of the story of Pesach festival. It was interspersed with singing by land. and be listened to, and the seder gave us than modern-day refugees and the Bet David choir from Sandton. Guests Asking not to be named for fear of reprisal, exactly that.” asylumW seekers? from the Congo, Zimbabwe, Burundi, and the Zimbabwean refugee and another from Hearing stories such as theirs is crucial, “After all I’ve been through, it was wonderful Somalia, as well as Jewish and non-Jewish Congo said the seder was a place where they says Marion Bubly, the vice-chairperson to sit in a space where I was made to feel South Africans enjoyed a four-course meal. felt at home and were made to feel of Temple Israel. “It was a very emotional welcome,” says a Zimbabwean welcome in a hostile place that didn’t experience. Most of us have no idea of the refugee who was one of the One of the refugees sharing his story want them. hardships these people go through, leaving guests at the special symbolic “When you make a journey family and friends to journey to a new and Pesach seder held at the Temple like we have done to a place that unknown country, facing all the hardships of Israel Heritage Centre (TIHC) last promises a better life, you want to xenophobia and other struggles. Saturday. find a place that welcomes you,” said “We don’t realise their upheaval in moving Having escaped the harsh the Zimbabwean. “Because of the somewhere unknown. To hear their stories realities of various African xenophobia I faced when I arrived, I is important. People must hear them, and countries, two dozen African asked whether it had all been worth understand the reason for their exodus, to refugees and asylum seekers in it. end xenophobia.” Johannesburg were provided with “We refugees have lost friends and Johan Robyn, Chief Operating Officer of this unique platform to tell their family on these journeys. I asked the Outreach Foundation, says, “Migration is stories. They highlighted the plight myself many times, ‘Why did I leave about movement. The Passover seder is itself shared by millions in our country my country to be persecuted again a symbol of journeying and movement. It and around the world. in a country that is supposed to be gives us a space to see that the same way the “Xenophobia is a global problem a democracy?’ But to find myself in Jewish people undertook a difficult journey, affecting people anywhere,” says the They also sampled the items on the seder a space where I can share my journey and feel others are engaged in the same today, and chairperson of TIHC, Reeva Forman. “We plate, learning about their significance. immediately welcome makes me very thankful like them, they are vulnerable people looking are talking about decent human beings who During the meal, the guests were invited that I made the journey after all.” for a better life. struggle to stay alive. It is for us to help them to share their stories. Forman, Rabbi Adrian The Congolese refugee agreed, saying that “Those three hours we spent at the seder establish who they are, what they do now that Schell of Bet David and Rabbi David Benjamin it was particularly significant that they were celebrate our movement forward, the they are free, and what they do in the future. – a partner of TIHC visiting from Israel welcomed at a Pesach seder. “Passover is journeys of all people, and the power of an The Pesach story is about this exactly.” – pointed to the experience of the people such a meaningful time,” she said. “It affords interfaith initiative to bring together people TIHC organised the event in partnership of Israel as refugees escaping slavery and a space for different people who have had from diverse backgrounds for one purpose.” 3 – 10 May 2019 Advertorial SA JEWISH REPORT 15

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Holocaust centres have “Staff at the centres show a The professor’s research has had a been ‘horror-focused’ as they thought deep understanding of and keen negative response in some quarters. e think of Jewish this the best way to assure ‘never appreciation of the ‘help story’. They “Certain Holocaust educators insist resistance during the again,’” he says. cover the components of compassion, my approach ‘muddies the water,’ Holocaust in terms of the “All such horrific events, however, militant resistance, and collaboration diminishes the significance of the WarsawW Ghetto uprising or acts of contain both the perpetrators’ under death threats, and model how ‘horror story’, and exaggerates the sabotage in the camps, or even the behaviour, and the victim’s fierce to achieve a still finer Holocaust significance of the ‘help story’. They Oneg Shabbat archive in Poland, but struggle to retain their humanity and narrative,” he says. “The Cape Town champion instead time-honoured Professor Arthur Shostak says there improve their chances of survival. Centre, in particular, pioneers a ‘horror centrism’. Certain Holocaust is one area we may be overlooking: Captivity in a Nazi concentration or creative approach in how it uses centre administrators and curators “stealth altruism”. slave labour camp included both a volunteer docents that merits close concur, as do also some elderly “Stealth altruism is a new concept ‘horror story’ and a ‘help story’ - even attention in all such institutions.” wealthy benefactors, or so I am told.” I have developed to highlight non- if 43 of 48 Holocaust centres studied For parents and educators who But, he has also received a Professor Arthur Shostak militant acts of sustained, secret by me for my 2017 book do not want to incorporate stealth altruism positive response “from certain care given by victims to other honour this.” into teaching about the Holocaust, other components of the ‘help story’ young Holocaust scholars, victims, both strangers and kin alike, The professor notes, however, he suggests looking at his website in various forms, and they can and progressive Holocaust centre knowingly undertaken at risk of limb that the South African Holocaust or his 2017 book on the topic [the ought to gain employ. Upstanders administrators, and open-minded and life,” he said following talks at & Genocide centres do have this royalties of which go to the Children’s are far more common than the mass members of audiences I have the Cape Town and Johannesburg narrative. “The centres admirably Holocaust Museum in Israel]. This media conveys, and social media can addressed, along with many Holocaust & Genocide Centres. salute Jewish [and gentile] has about 100 specific examples to assist in bringing this forward.” survivors long ago exasperated with “Another new concept of mine upstanders who risked all to help draw on. Ultimately, stealth altruism is a horror centrism. I get particular is the ‘help story’, of which stealth others survive. The centres are “An unlimited number are still to “major challenge to the conventional encouragement from young adult altruism is a prime component. I compact, and yet thorough; selective, be extracted and employed from over narrative, which neglects the life- Jews who want a view of the contrast it with the ‘horror story’ and yet authoritative; unsparing, and 10 000 memoirs in English. Likewise, risking heroism and altruistic nobility Holocaust that goes beyond the which tells what perpetrators did to yet not ghoulish; artful, and yet also almost every day’s news media has of certain Jewish [and gentile] horror to note the inspiring care- victims. The ‘help story’ tells what realistic. accounts of stealth altruism and victims of Nazism.” sharing aspect.” victims did for one another.” Examples of acts of stealth altruism Holocaust study offers lessons in trauma and resilience include the high-risk sharing of scarce clothing and food among starving MIRAH LANGER difficult questions about their experiences out of the age they lost their family members. Others told camp prisoners, the taking on by fear of upsetting them. Conversely, the survivors their story with a level of emotional disconnection, stronger prisoners of some of the “Survivors need to have their pain witnessed. There had been afraid of inflicting their trauma on loved a defence that helped them to live with their workload of weaker prisoners, and are those who are too traumatised to speak. When ones by talking about their pain. For years, they overwhelming grief and trauma. “It is never too late the “adoption” by women prisoners they are prepared to give testimony, their stories never spoke, carrying their pain alone, leading to an to grieve. It was also an opportunity for them to of the suddenly orphaned children need to be heard and their survival needs to be “existential sense of being both alone in the world speak about the love that they received from their whose parents had been sent to the honoured,” says Tracey Farber, referring to her and lonely”. beloved families and describe their heart-breaking gas chambers. recent doctoral study on the experience of trauma, Thus, when they were able to speak openly to memories.” The professor began researching resilience, and despair in elderly child Holocaust Farber, it was cathartic, a finding consistent with She said that there was pain and hope in these this issue after 43 years as an applied survivors. other research in the field. experiences. sociologist. Having recently retired, “One can so often feel extremely helpless in Farber began the process of interviewing the On the one hand, such catastrophic grief had he asked himself what his next the face of hearing trauma. However, when one survivors in 2006 for her PhD at the University of stayed with the survivors and did not dissipate in project would be. “In short order, I the Witwatersrand (Wits). She was stringent intensity over the seven decades that had since discovered a costly deficiency in the in ensuring that her study adhered to stringent passed. On the other hand, their resilience and conventional Holocaust narrative, ethical standards. The sensitivities of her work capacity to love their families was remarkable. one I have since devoted my life to were carefully monitored through university All the survivors had married, and many had correcting.” supervision. She also formulated her core children after the war. They told Farber that He noticed that in most Holocaust questions with the help of survivor Don Krausz. these roles as parent and spouse had given them education and museums there was This year, Farber was awarded a doctorate for her a significant sense of meaning, fulfilment, and nothing that adequately captured study. connection. what he read as stealth altruism She found that all the survivors in her study In particular, said Farber, the survivors were able in survivor memoirs. “So, as I had – both resilient and depressed – suffered from to draw depth from these relationships because done in 33 earlier books of mine, ongoing “catastrophic grief” regarding the loss their own childhoods had, before the disruption of I developed new concepts. Once of their family during the Holocaust. She coined the war, been characterised by meaningful family I started my research, I became this term as it described the grief experienced by connections. engrossed with bringing overdue child Holocaust survivors. Also, the word “shoah” Research like hers has shown that as long as a attention to the matter.” in Hebrew means “catastrophe”, and this was person has formed a “good-enough attachment” in Professor Shostak says that stealth mirrored by the intensity and extent of the grief childhood before trauma hits, they are able to find altruism and “the help story” applied Tracey Farber that followed child survivors into old age. resilience in the aftermath. both to Jews and non-Jews during “In a normal traumatic bereavement, you The survivors were “able to keep their capacity the Holocaust. “They apply to all might lose a parent. These survivors experienced for attachment intact, and this had a regenerative human beings, and have over history multiple losses. Some lost their mother, father, power in helping them to build good relationships significantly aided the survival and brother, sister, friends, and extended family – a despite their trauma”. ascendency of our species. In my whole community. Farber said that writing up the hours of book, I devote an all-too-brief chapter “I had a sub group of resilient survivors testimony proved to be very difficult and to non-Jews who dared to provide understands the power of bearing witness to the and depressed survivors. The resilient survivors traumatic, and she was supported by her two Wits stealth altruistic help to captive pain by listening, and how beneficial it is for any have very good coping skills and the other sub supervisors, Professors Cora Smith and Gill Eagle. Jews.” trauma survivor to feel heard, it leads to us all group suffered from PTSD [post-traumatic stress The original roots of Farber’s study lie partially One survivor Shostak interviewed feeling like there is something we can do for people disorder] and depression. Ongoing PTSD and in her own family’s connection to the Holocaust. said that she thought most survivors who have been through the trauma. depression meant that many were burdened with She lost three great-grandparents and a great-uncle had moments or turning points when Farber, a Johannesburg-based clinical constant traumatic memories and flashbacks that during this time. Two of them were murdered in someone helped them in this way. psychologist in private practice, interviewed nine kept them captive in their Holocaust experience. the Dvinsk Ghetto, and the other two were shot in If not, they wouldn’t have survived. elderly survivors of the Holocaust, who as children Even the resilient survivors had PTSD symptoms.” a Lithuanian forest during a mass killing. According to the professor, “in more or teenagers had been imprisoned in concentration The key mechanism that resilient survivors “I grew up with two very traumatised than 200 survivor memoirs I’ve camps. It was a retrospective study that aimed to employed was an ability to compartmentalise their grandfathers. The one spoke about it and cried a read, the writer tells of giving or understand the long-term impact of trauma on grief and trauma. lot, and the other did not speak at all. He was too getting secret high-risk altruistic child Holocaust survivors over seven decades. “While the more traumatised survivors were just traumatised.” care. According to the field of positive “I was very privileged that the survivors opened completely overwhelmed, others were able to move “I was their eldest grandchild, and I felt deep psychology, we are hard-wired to help up and told me their stories, and I was moved by their experience of trauma out of the way as they empathy for what they had been through. I carried one another, even in concentration the level of gratitude from the survivors for my were faced with the challenges of survival.” their stories.” and slave-labour camps operated by having listened,” said Farber about the process of Yet, although “there is a big difference between Her doctorate now opens with a dedication to deniers of this humanistic truth.” interviewing the survivors who formed the core of the two groups, when they started to speak, it those family members who were victims of the So why has this aspect of resistance her study. became clear that they were all suffering from Shoah. been left out of many Holocaust As one of the survivors whom Farber interviewed catastrophic grief. Towards their older years, it left “It feels very important to me that their names narratives? “Since the war’s end said to her, “No one has ever asked me those kinds them with a sense of ongoing grief that lead to are in the PhD because their bones lie in some in 1945, the focus in Holocaust of questions because they don’t want to hear the despair.” forest somewhere and they don’t have a grave; they memorialisation has been on the answers.” Farber said that during some of the interviews, don’t have a name and I feel that they have now horrific criminality of the Third Reich She said that in many cases, the families of the when the elderly survivors told their story, they been memorialised… As a Jew, completing this and its collaborators in 24 captive survivors had been too anxious to ask them the regressed and wept as though they were children at work has been a very powerful experience.” 3 – 10 May 2019 SA JEWISH REPORT 17 Protect the constitution at all costs, Judge Cameron urges NIA MAGOULIANITI-MCGREGOR “Chief Justice Mogoeng’s judgement was a vital lecture on practical or functional issue, it’s an emotional issue and I think constitutionalism, about civic responsibility, about honesty, when President Ramaphosa supported expropriation without rotect the constitution. That was Constitutional Court integrity and leadership, and it resonated with the country so compensation, he was acknowledging the emotional potency of Judge Edwin Cameron’s overriding message to a captivated much that everyone thought Mr Zuma was going to resign,” said the issue.” audience at the Union of Jewish Women’s Houghton Cameron. So, how to protect this “extraordinary” constitution? “By Pheadquarters. They were there for his talk, “South African “Of course, he didn’t resign.” involvement in civil society organisations, activist organisations, Democracy at 25: Where to Now?”. or by donating small amounts of money to them. Get involved in Before them stood a defender of human rights saluted by Strike 3 political rallies, create an activist organisation of your own. Vote. former President Nelson Mandela as “one of South Africa’s new “Six days later,” said Cameron, “DA leader Mmusi Maimane We have no excuse for passivity,” Cameron said. heroes”; a gay rights activist; the epitome of a principled, learned declared that President Zuma had been found to have committed “The stronger civil society is – remember the marches to man; a Rhodes scholar; and a legal celebrity of sorts, but also, a a violation of the constitution, and wanted to have him removed the – the easier it becomes to defend our charming, funny narrator who had the crowd eating out of the under Section 89 of the Constitution. Speaker Baleka Mbete constitution. palm of his hands. agreed. The vote was overwhelmingly in favour of Zuma.’ “Protect the constitution, it’s precious,” reiterated Cameron. He Impeachment under Section 89 of the didn’t say, “… and it will protect you,” but his meaning was clear. constitution had been rejected, Cameron said, so Maimane then asked to bring an Judge Edwin ordinary motion of no confidence Cameron against the president. The caveat: it must be via a secret ballot. “Mbete made some good arguments about why the ballot could not be secret, but the matter went before the Constitutional Court.” It led to another unanimous judgement: The speaker did have the power to hold a secret ballot if she chose to do so. The speaker allowed a secret ballot, and Zuma survived, said Cameron, but this time, instead of an overwhelming victory, 30 members of his party voted to remove him.

Strike 4 “I want to tell you a story,” said Cameron. In November 2017, said Cameron, a few opposition “In Harare in November 2017, a monstrous dictator called parties approached the Constitutional Court asserting Robert Mugabe resigned. Why? Because there were tanks on that the speaker “did not deal properly with the his front lawn. There were soldiers throughout Harare. His impeachment under Section 89”. resignation statement was dictated to him. It was accepted as the Impeachment is different to a no-confidence vote, military removal of the power of an autocrat.” said Cameron. “It’s a solemn act of removal and based Fast forward to South Africa about 10 weeks later, said on objectively verifiable grounds.” Cameron. “It’s 15 February 2018, and South African President He said the opposition Jacob Zuma resigns. Where are the tanks? Where are the also claimed that parliament soldiers? Is there any talk of tanks or soldiers? No.” had failed to hold Zuma to He resigned, Cameron told the audience, for “a complex account over the Nkandla mix of factors” including the fact that his favoured candidate, matter, and that Mbete had Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, was not elected six weeks before at a constitutional obligation the African National Congress’ elective conference at Nasrec. to put measures in place to But also, said Cameron, because “certain legal impediments ensure that parliament held had been placed very squarely in his path”. He named four cases Zuma accountable. specifically. “On 29 December 2017, shortly after the Nasrec Strike 1 conference, we delivered The first case, he said, concerned the “extraordinary” report of our judgement: the then Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, released just impeachment undertaking before the elections five years ago. In this report, she found required a process including that Zuma had “misappropriated” money to upgrade his private possible cross examination homestead at Nkandla. of the president.” Cameron “The Democratic Alliance sent out an SMS within days of said within a week of the Starring recently nominated Madonsela’s report being released saying the ‘public protector judgement, parliament set report shows how Zuma stole your money to build his private about convening a committee Naledi Best Actor DANIEL JANKS home at Nkandla’. The ANC quickly sought an interdict claiming to set up a process to hold with ASHLEIGH HARVEY, MICHÉLE LEVIN that Madonsela never actually used the word ‘stole’. Zuma accountable. and RUSSEL SAVADIER “The interdict was granted, but was brought to us by the DA Zuma, “a highly intelligent on appeal. We reversed that judgement, saying that the public politician – underestimate protector had found misappropriation, and attributed it to him at your peril”, realised President Zuma. The dictionary meaning of misappropriation is his options were severely to take unlawfully, and another way of saying that is to say ‘steal’.” limited by these four court Cameron, along with a few of his colleagues, wrote a joint judgements, and resigned on judgement saying that freedom of speech, especially before an Thursday, 15 February 2018. election, was paramount, and what the DA had reported in its “It is this that distinguishes SMS was well within permissible parameters. us from Zimbabwe,” said Cameron. “The constitution Strike 2 is supreme. Parliament is not The next legal challenge, said Cameron, came after Zuma refused supreme. The president is not to repay any “misappropriated” money as instructed to by the supreme.” public protector, saying, “The public protector is not a court. I’m Describing President not paying.” A special parliamentary committee also resolved that Cyril Ramaphosa as a Zuma did not have to repay the Nkandla money. “man of purpose and “The case was then taken to the Constitutional Court,” said integrity, and enormously Cameron. “These were the issues: does the public protector have accomplished, also not to be serious powers and, if so, must Mr Zuma obey the order to repay underestimated”, Cameron, part of the money?” nevertheless, said changing He said that on 31 March 2016, Chief Justice Mogoeng the constitution with regards Mogoeng gave a unanimous, “extraordinary” judgement on to the expropriation of land behalf of the whole court which was televised on all major TV without compensation was an networks. “Mogoeng ruled that the public protector report was area of grave uncertainty. binding, and unless it was set aside, it must be obeyed. Zuma had “But,” he said, “the to pay part of the money. Which he did. issue of land isn’t only a 18 SA JEWISH REPORT 3 – 10 May 2019 SA-Israeli journalist honoured for anti-apartheid work

JULIE LEIBOWITZ prior to the event), “I was fortunate In the interview, Pogrund cited Now living in Israel, Pogrund said the United States for a while. Finally, I because of the brave and wonderful Albert Luthuli, Nelson Mandela, he was forced to leave South Africa came to live in Israel.” “I became a journalist and wanted to people I dealt with. I trusted them to , Ernie Wentzel, and after the closure of the Rand Daily He now lives in Jerusalem, where change the world.” So said veteran tell me the truth. More importantly, , who became close Mail in 1985, for being “too fiercely he founded Yakar’s Centre for Social journalist and author Benjamin they trusted me with Concern. According to its Pogrund on being awarded the Order information and thoughts website, Yakar is a place for of Ikhamanga in silver by President even at risk of their own spiritual quest, authentic Cyril Ramaphosa at the Sefako liberty. learning, and connection Makgatho Presidential Guest House “It’s important to between people around a in on 25 April. remember that whatever I deep exploration of Judaism. The Order of Ikhamanga is a did as a reporter to expose Pogrund was a member national award for achievements and denounce apartheid of the Israeli delegation to in arts, culture, literature, music, was possible only because of the United Nations World journalism, and sport. It is the the support and protection Conference against Racism highest honour the president of of my esteemed editor, the in Durban in 2001, and the country can bestow on a citizen late Laurence Gandar, who is co-editor of a book on and members of the international transformed journalism Palestinian-Israeli dialogue community. It recognises those who in this country, and his titled, Shared Histories: A have made a meaningful contribution successor Raymond Louw,” he Palestinian-Israeli Dialogue. towards a South Africa that is free, said of his former colleagues He is also the author of a democratic, successful, and united in at the anti-apartheid more recent book about its diversity. newspaper the Rand Daily Israel and apartheid, titled “You have shown that as South Mail, where he held the Drawing Fire: Investigating Africans, we can render service to position of journalist and the Accusations of Apartheid the republic in many different ways. later deputy editor. in Israel. I wish to congratulate you. You have Pogrund was a reporter Arthur Lenk, the former done your duty. You have made your at the Israeli ambassador to country proud,” Ramaphosa said to on 21 March 1960. He was Benjamin Pogrund receives the Order of the Ikhamanga from President Cyril Ramaphosa South Africa, congratulated Pogrund at the ceremony. the author of a 1965 series Pogrund on Twitter. “Mazel Pogrund was honoured for his on beating and torture of tov to my good friend, excellent contribution to the field of black inmates and the maltreatment friends, “and innumerable others who anti-apartheid for the nationalist Israeli-South African journalist journalism, and for his scholarship of white political prisoners based were committed to freedom without government and business interests at Benjy Pogrund on receiving this on the liberation struggle. “His on a series of interviews with anti- any thought of reward”. He authored the time”. Following the newspaper’s well-deserved honour today,” he said. informative writing shone a light apartheid activist Harold Strachan. a biography of Sobukwe published closure he became “unemployable”, “His life story is a perfect message on our country during some of the During his career in South Africa, in 2006, titled How Can A Man Die and had little choice but to leave. of all our two peoples have to share darkest days in our history. He defied he was put on trial several times, Better: The Life of Robert Sobukwe. “Britain gave me sanctuary. I lived in together.” those who deceived the world,” said put in prison once, had his passport the president. revoked, and was investigated as a Western Europe’s rap scene has an anti-Semitism problem Pogrund said (in an interview threat to the state by security police. CNAAN LIPHSHIZ – JTA utilisation of the Arab-Israeli conflict to inflame internal Dr D awarded for training and inspiration conflict”, Rubinfeld said. n a warm summer day in Oslo last year, Kaveh This corresponds to how “rap’s base in the United States linical psychologist Dorianne the privilege of trust associated with Kholardi heartily greeted spectators at a city- is black, and in Europe it’s Muslims from poor suburbs, Weil (known to many as “Dr D”) facilitation, mediation, mentoring, organised concert celebrating diversity. where anti-Semitism is rife”. Cwas inducted into the Southern training and coaching diverse cultures, OKholardi, a popular Norwegian rapper of Iranian Ben Salomo, a German-Jewish rapper, noted the trend African Educators Hall of Fame groups and individuals in 56 countries. descent, wished his fellow Muslims “Eid Mubarak”, a in an interview with the Arte television channel in 2017. (SAEHoF) by The Professional Speakers “In addition to working with greeting in Arabic for the Eid al-Fitr holiday that marked The Palestinian issue is gaining traction in Germany’s rap Association (PSA) of South Africa on leadership group dynamics and the end of Ramadan. scene, he said, along with anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. 13 April. communication skills, to be invited into He asked whether there were any Christians present, Approaching the Israeli-Arab conflict “legitimises in Weil’s induction into the SAEHoF, personal sacred space for a short while smiling upon hearing cheers. Then, he asked if there were their mind hate speech against Jews”, Salomo said of some conferred by a panel of nine judges, and witness ‘leaving differently’ as a any Jews. of his fellow rappers. is a lifetime achievement award for result of new insights and awareness is “F***ing Jews,” he said after a short silence, adding But the problem goes excellence in training, coaching, beyond words. “Just kidding.” Dutch rapper Ali B deeper than the rap facilitation, and associated In Norway, the incident generated an uproar, and scene itself. Dr Dorianne Weil professions. again last month, when the Scandinavian country’s “Rap reflects society. The award acknowledges attorney general cleared the 24-year-old musician of If this rhetoric didn’t presenters who, as hate-speech charges, opining that his slur may have correspond to what educators, have reached been directed at Israel. people really think, diverse groups with deep It was a tenuous interpretation considering how rappers wouldn’t say it content over many years in a Kholardi never mentioned the Jewish state on stage, because they are above training, facilitation, or one- and five days earlier tweeted, “F***ing Jews are so all demagogues and on-one format. corrupt.” populists writing about Dr D has more than From a broader European perspective, the Wiesenhaan/Getty Images Helene Photo: popular themes to sell 30 years’ experience incident demonstrates how the continent’s rap scene albums,” Salomo said. in hospital, private, and has become a haven and major avenue for the kinds Unlike in the US, corporate practice. She is of hate speech that governments are increasingly Rubinfeld said, rap in an internationally respected determined to curb online and on the street. Europe is becoming an speaker, an expert in personal That’s a problem because “rap is a catastrophic vector, intersection point for the far right, far left, and Muslim development and human propagating anti-Semitism to the population most anti-Semites. relations, and has addressed susceptible to it”, Philipp Schmidt, the vice-president of In parallel to the so-called new anti-Semitism, in which more than 100 000 people France’s International League against Racism and Anti- Jews are targeted over Israel, the European rap scene is and facilitated workshops in Semitism, or LICRA, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. rich with Holocaust jokes and classic Jew hatred. 56 countries. In France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Last year’s Echo Awards ceremony – the German “This is a huge award elsewhere, rappers have dabbled in Holocaust denial, equivalent of the Grammys – was mired in controversy for excellence,” says PSA Business I have questioned the meaning anti-Jewish conspiracy theories, grotesque Holocaust when the rap duo Kollegah and Farid Bang were honoured Manager Chris Vermeulen. He points of success, the determination and analogies, and threats against “Zionists”. for an album featuring a joke about their bodies being out that award winners need to glean resilience of the human spirit, the As a subculture with distinctly anti-establishment more “sculpted than an Auschwitz prisoner’s” among 85% of their income from training, healing power of support, and the characteristics, the European rap scene has helped lift other Holocaust references. which is not an easy task to do power of hope.” taboos on anti-Semitic rhetoric while escaping the Some activists against racism have started working with and requires extensive reputational Living by the words of Nelson scrutiny applied to hate speech in mainstream forums, European rap artists precisely because of the scene’s anti- influence. Mandela, who once thanked her for said Joel Rubinfeld, the president of the Belgian League Semitism problem. The PSA is a national organisation the inspiration she offered and the Against Anti-Semitism, or LBCA. “There’s no other music being consumed in vulnerable with 125 members and is affiliated to difference she made to so many Denigrating rhetoric, including about Jews, is common neighbourhoods,” said Serfaty, the rabbi from France. “It the Global Speakers Federation. lives, Dr D has received other awards in the rap scene worldwide, including in its native United needs to be a tool for introducing content in favour of Weil thanked the judges for over the years for her contribution States, Rubinfeld said. tolerance, in favour of France. bestowing the award, saying, “I to the betterment of South African But whereas rap anti-Semitism in the US tends to “There is beautiful poetry and messages of unity in the have benefited immeasurably by society. revolve around classic stereotypes about Jewish money genre,” Serfati said. “We need to encourage it, help it grow, and power, in Europe it has been augmented by “the not overnight but over time.” 3 – 10 May 2019 SA JEWISH REPORT 19 Waiting around the world for the Jewish vote TALI FEINBERG missions could stay open after Carole Pincus fell on both Pesach and Freedom Day, land, our connections to South Africa Shabbat and the chag. The IEC and the extension of voting hours is a remain strong through friends, he South African Consulate confirmed the extension of voting testament to the freedom of religion community, business, and care for the in Southern California was hours at South African missions in that South Africa espouses. The wonderful people.” waiting last Saturday night at London, Tel Aviv, New York, and Los efforts of thousands of individuals – Carole Pincus also voted in Israel. T23:00 for Paul Wayburne to come and Angeles. from the SAJBD and the IEC to the “We went by bus after Shabbat from cast his vote in the national elections Wayburne emigrated to the United security personnel working overtime Tel Aviv to Ramat Gan. The spirit in after specially extending its voting States three years ago. His wife is at South African missions abroad – the room was wonderful. It felt really hours for observant South African American, and the couple wanted to deserve huge appreciation,” she said. good that we had done our part. Jews abroad. offer their children the opportunity Yoni Isaacson In London, Eli Lewenstein shared Thanks to all who helped to organise “As far as I know, I am the only of living in the US. “I don’t trash that, “It is an incredible honour and a this,” she said. person in the Southern California South Africa, and I want the best privilege to be able to vote in another Sy Mamabolo, the Chief Electoral area that they are keeping the for it, which is why I want to vote in country. Being away from home, Officer of the IEC, told the SA consulate open for so that I can vote these elections,” he says. missing the official election day, and Jewish Report that in order to after Shabbat,” said Wayburne prior He was looking forward to the vote being held on a Saturday allow observant Jews to vote after to voting. “I still can’t believe they interacting with South Africans here abroad in London, I thought Shabbat, “We had invoked internal are keeping the consulate open until at the consulate. “When you meet I wouldn’t have the opportunity consultations processes including 23:00, just for me!” South Africans overseas, there are no to make my mark, but thanks to discussions with the National Party Wayburne said he would drive to divisions. There is a kind of kinship the Jewish Board of Deputies for Liaison Committee on the matter. Los Angeles from his home in Irvine, and silent solidarity.” Beth Ginsberg negotiating extended voting hours Once internal discussions were Southern California, as soon as He feels that what the SAJBD is so we were able to cast our vote.” concluded, discussions had to be Shabbat ended to cast his vote. doing for South African Jewish expats He voted at the South African had with DIRCO since the staff at This arrangement was worked is truly exceptional. “South African High Commission in Trafalgar the affected missions is under its out by the Independent Electoral Jewish institutions are amazing. Square. “Voting after Shabbat came employ. However there was general Commission (IEC), the Department Because it is a smaller community, out which is 21:14 here, there were willingness across the board to assist of International Relations and there is no insignificant Jew. In no queues, and voting took me Jewish compatriots.” Cooperation (DIRCO), and the South America, you are more or less on your five minutes. I even met former He said it was important to the IEC African Jewish Board of Deputies own. In South Africa, there is always Springbok rugby player Schalk Burger that voting hours be extended for (SAJBD) to allow South African community support.” who also came to cast his vote.” observant Jews because “the electoral Jews living overseas to vote in the Meanwhile in New York, Beth In Israel, Yoni Isaacson said, commission is acutely aware of the upcoming national elections. Ginsberg shared her experience. “When your country of birth opens critical importance of providing The day reserved for overseas “Straight after Havdalah, ignoring its embassy until 23:30 for a handful opportunities for all citizens to vote, voters to cast their ballot was this the urge to binge on chametz, we of Shabbos-observant Jewish as this is intertwined with their past Saturday, 27 April. However drove for an hour to the New York expatriates to vote, it’s worth the right of citizenship. Voting is thus it was Shabbat, and the last day of consulate so that I could vote. We hour’s drive from Beit Shemesh to expressing one’s political choice on Pesach, so observant Jews would not decided to bring our children with us, exercise that right. The right to vote the one hand, and expressing one’s have been able to participate. to teach them that voting is a right, should never be taken for granted, right to citizenship on the other. After engaging with Jewish privilege, and responsibility worthy of Paul Wayburne particularly by us Jews. Although Ultimately the exercise was about voters abroad, the SAJBD asked considerable effort. my family and I have made our asserting our common humanity as the commission if the four foreign “It is significant that election day permanent home here in the holy South Africans.” 20 SA JEWISH REPORT 3 – 10 May 2019 Israeli engineers tackle real-life problems in African villages

BEN HARTMAN – JTA Israeli engineers spent his While not a traditional are trying to summer in engineering project, it required t’s a new, African version of the replace traditional 2017 working students to develop problem-solving old adage about teaching a man ovens used in on an Engineers and community outreach skills that rural Ethiopia with to fish so you can feed him for a Without are part of the Center for Global biofuel-powered Borders project Engineering’s mandate. Ilifetime. stoves Except in Ethiopia, it’s about much closer to “I was looking for something teaching him – or her – to use cow home, in Haifa. closer and really on the ground, manure to generate biofuel to power His mission where you can be there every week, a clean-burning stove in their home. was to develop and you’re making a difference In this case, Israeli engineering a project to where you live,” Van der Merwe said. students are using technology to help help the local “For these communities, a little rural villages become not just more underserved change makes a huge difference to environmentally sustainable, but to population. their quality of life,” said Dr Avigail reduce the labour and ill health effects Locals Dolev, the director of the Center for that come with traditional, wood- repeatedly Global Engineering. Meanwhile, the Photo courtesy of the Technion’s Center for Global Engineering Technion’s Photo courtesy of the based fuel for cooking. said that what students get hands-on experience Mark Talesnick, the Israeli use natural animal and human is one of the most important and they needed was green, open space, using their education and skills professor behind the project, waste to generate methane gas for practical things I’ve done. You feel something that was lacking in their to develop solutions to real-life describes the cow-manure initiative cooking. In the reactors, organic that you’re doing something.” community since a park in the problems. as “shit for change”. waste such as animal excrement and Ari van der Merwe, a 24-year-old neighbourhood fell into disrepair “It’s a win-win situation,” Dolev The biofuel oven is one of a variety vegetable scraps are kept in a pit technion student from Jerusalem, years earlier. said. of projects being spearheaded by while they decompose, eventually the Israeli chapter of Engineers producing a slurry that can be Without Borders, an international used as fertiliser and biogas, an Jewish female authors on literary nongovernmental organisation efficient fuel. The technion students that seeks to harness the skills were able to produce the reactors award list of engineers to help the world’s using a much less labour-intensive PETA KROST MAUNDER top literary award. egg-and-spoon race at school. I’m underserved populations. The only process than traditional methods by As to how they feel about having super surprised that it is on the list, Israeli chapter of the group is at developing a reusable bamboo mat hree talented South African their book on this list, Xenopoulos but really, I’m not expecting much the Technion-Israel Institute of to construct them. Jewish authors stumbled says, “This is the first really ‘Jewish’ more.” Technology in Haifa, where about 70 Improving indoor cooking onto the fact that their books book I’ve ever written. I wrote it “I would love to win it this time students work on projects under the methods remains a major area of Thad made it onto because I wanted to learn more around,” says Wiener. “But there are oversight of Talesnick, a professor of interest for the Israeli engineers. In Literary Awards list while they were about the diversity, history, and other fantastic authors and books civil and environmental engineering. many parts of the developing world, perusing social media. spirituality of Judaism. I think on the longlist this year, so it will The programme is part of the rural households use traditional “I woke up on Sunday morning that given the rising horror of anti- be a real challenge. I do think that technion’s Center for Global wood and dung-burning ovens, to find a lot of Facebook messages Semitism in South Africa and the awards are so subjective. It depends Engineering, whose mission is burning “dirty” fuel in mud-and- and alerts saying that The Season world, it is particularly meaningful what the panel’s criteria is, so it’s to create long-term, sustainable straw homes with poor ventilation, of Glass had been longlisted,” says for me that this book, being all relative. Still holding thumbs engineering solutions in communities and investing hours of backbreaking Rahla Xenopoulos, who recently unashamedly Jewish, is accepted though!” that lack access to basic needs. labour to harvest wood. The emigrated to the United States. “I and recognised.” Says Brodie, “I think it would be “About 10 years ago, I decided carcinogenic smoke from these was sad not to be in Cape Town, but Wiener and Brodie have had great to see genre fiction take the I was going to leave a mark. I was ovens causes major respiratory, my brother and sister-in-law were books on the list before, but says prize. South African writers are going to try to find a way that my vision, and health problems – staying at us for Pesach and it was Wiener, “It’s always great to have writing some excellent, unusual students would light the path to especially for mothers and their nice to be together.” your work recognised, and to be stories that touch on sci-fi, fantasy... positive impact,” Talesnick said children, who spend a lot of time in Says Nechama Brodie, “I saw on a list such as this one is a lovely and we’re the perfect location for a in a November 2013 TED talk in the house. someone post about it on Twitter. accolade. I’m very fortunate to detective thriller. I need to catch up Israel describing the impetus for the This summer, a group of about 30 They included a picture, and I saw have had two of my three previous on reading more of the long list – I programme. engineering students from Israel, Nechama Brodie “It wasn’t simple. I had to think Ethiopia, and York University in Rahla about what we were missing, what Toronto will spend a month in Xenopoulos were we giving our students while Mekelle as part of a programme run they were studying, and what it by the technion’s Center for Global meant when they left to go into the Engineering to develop chimneys real world.” and efficient fuel-burning stoves. The moral imperative that Tigabu Zegeye, a 21-year-old guides the work, Talesnick says, computer science and engineering is to help the world’s “have-nots” student at the Mekelle Institute of while avoiding the cataclysmic Technology, participated in one of environmental damage being the summer programmes two years wrought by the world’s “haves”. He ago, and will be going back this also hopes to spur among students summer. A big part of the challenge, “a social conscience about how their he said, was to reach out to local work could change the world”, while community members who might be giving them the skills and hands-on resistant to change. The students experience to do so. going this summer will build a stove Working in five groups, their in a single household, and then work efforts range from a programme with the local municipality to install Mandy Wiener to improve drinking water quality it more widely. and reduce indoor air pollution in “Sometimes people can be my book cover there.” books shortlisted for the Alan Paton have Imraan [Coovadia] and Sue the Ethiopian cities of Lalibela and convinced if you show them some And Mandy Wiener says, “I found [Award] and I’m grateful to be in [Grant-Marshall’s] books – before I Mekelle, to installing turbine and practical ideas. They get tired of the out on Twitter like I find out about the running again.” can tell you who I think should win. solar-powered heaters in Israel’s chimney blowing smoke back into most things, to be honest. I know Says Brodie, “Being on the But it’s lovely to see such a rich mix Negev Desert. The technion’s the house,” said Zegeye, who grew it was printed in the Sunday Times, Sunday Times list is great. Two of of fiction being produced here.” Engineers Without Borders chapter up in a small village in rural Ethiopia but I generally look at the headlines my non-fiction books, The Joburg But, they would all agree with has also constructed dozens of about 100 miles (160km) from on social media and see what’s Book and Rule of Law with Glynnis Xenopoulos in that the joy is in “biogas reactors” in rural Nepal, Mekelle. trending before I get a chance to Breytenbach, have been longlisted the writing. “It’s lovely to have launched a renewable energy Tamar Fradkin, 27, an architecture go through the newspapers on a for the Alan Paton [non-fiction] something like this recognised, project in eastern Jerusalem, and student at the technion, did a Sunday. Funnily enough, I actually before, but this is the first time but writing is about being on a developed a programme to create summer course in the programme saw Nechama’s post on Twitter, and I have been included as a fiction journey to learn more, to explore better public spaces in the Neve in 2016. “It gave me one of the that’s how I knew about it.” writer, which is a wonderful thing.” foreign lands and people,” she says. Paz neighbourhood of Haifa, an strongest tools I’ve received in my Xenopoulos’s book The Season of Just what would it mean to win “To listen to and to tell stories. I impoverished area with a large education – human perspective on Glass, Brodie’s novel Knucklebone, the award? fiercely believe in the process of immigrant population. our work, an understanding of who and Wiener’s Ministry of Crime: An Says Xenopoulos, “It’s funny, my writing. Lists and launches are The first student-led project we’re designing for,” Fradkin said. Underworld Explored were celebrated husband walks out the front door, fun, but they’re not what will get Talesnick spearheaded a decade ago “In academia, often you’re studying in this newspaper when they and someone somewhere throws an me through the arduous hours of sent technion students to Nepal to books rather than learning and launched a year ago. Now, all three award at him. He’s that guy. Myself, writing.” develop the biogas reactors, which meeting real people in the field. This are in the running for South Africa’s not so much. I never even won the 3 – 10 May 2019 Tribute SA JEWISH REPORT 21 Don Albert: the jazzy wandering Jew PETER FELDMAN including 702. with me in America. In 1981, he started a campaign “As kids in music in Cape Town, we on Albert, one of South to change the law that prevented Don Albert winning were the black sheep of our family. In Africa’s most prominent jazz black musicians from performing a Standard Bank Sea Point, Jewish parents wanted you journalists, musicians, and in “white” licensed premises. The Joy of Jazz Award to be a doctor or in some profession. Djazz historians, has passed away after law was rescinded in 1985. At the for his journalistic We were interested in only one thing a short illness at the age of 88 in time, his house was being watched contribution to jazz – music. I’ll miss our long talks about Johannesburg. by the police because the authorities music. There was always a strong I had the pleasure of working with thought he had Communist mutual respect. Maybe you can do this amazing human being on The tendencies. It is believed he was close that jam with your friend Charlie Star Tonight. I covered pop music, to being arrested. Parker, as your late mother used to and he was the jazz fundi. We worked But this didn’t deter him. He was say.” together for close to three decades, always the life and soul of any party, Don was not religiously observant, and his knowledge of the subject was with an armoury of risqué jokes that but was a proud Jew. unsurpassed. Even top overseas jazz cracked up a party. Radio DJ Brian Oxley wrote on critics and musicians recognised his Don’s cousin, Selwyn Miller, is an Facebook, “Jazz flowed through abilities. ex-Capetonian in the music business his veins 24/7. An incredibly His mind was like an encyclopaedia, in New Orleans, where he relocated knowledgeable journalist and and if I wanted to know anything many years ago and operates a musician. Loved our times together about a musician, or band, Don thriving music agency. Miller, who on 5FM.” was the man to go to. He never knew many great artists personally, Singer and actress Anne Power disappointed. often travelled with Don to attend added, “What a beautiful man.” Don, who was first and foremost a concerts and music festivals. All those who knew him will be formidable saxophonist with his own On his Facebook page, Miller wrote saddened by his loss. He leaves a son, band, came to the attention of the a moving tribute to his late cousin. Blake. His wife and daughter passed late Percy Baneshik, the editor of the “He will certainly be missed by the most knowledgeable jazz historian We had so many laughs together, away many years ago. arts and entertainment section at The jazz community throughout the ever to come out of South Africa. Don and watched so much brilliant music Don Albert’s life was “all about Star where I was working. world. He was head and shoulders the had an incredible sense of humour. together when he visited and stayed jazz”, and he truly lived it. Percy was impressed with Don’s jazz background and asked him to write about it for the newspaper as Microscopic study, macroscopic findings for Nobel laureate we had nobody to cover that beat. Before long, when the Tonight JORDAN MOSHE supplement was launched in 1976, Don became a permanent member of hen Sydney Brenner set out to the team. He was also asked to cover research the tiny nematode, little the TV beat, which he did very well. did he know that his discoveries

Over the years, Don and I worked wouldW have an enormous impact on the field Salk Institute Photo: harmoniously together. He was of biology. A pioneering molecular biologist Sydney Brenner forthright in his criticism, and was and Nobel Prize laureate, the South African- spot on in identifying good and bad born Brenner passed away in Singapore on musicianship. We sometimes argued 5 April at the age of 92, leaving a rich legacy good naturedly over our respective of insights into human disease. music beats. He didn’t think too Brenner devoted himself to studying the much of the music I covered, but I genetics, development, and behaviour of a respected his point of view. tiny nematode worm. What he gleaned would enable him to make a great contribution to our understanding of human disease, and would be recognised in 2002 with a share in the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine. He was head and shoulders “Sydney Brenner was a hero in the field the most knowledgeable of modern biology,” says Howard Horvitz, jazz historian ever to come an American biologist with whom Brenner and John Sulston shared the Nobel Prize. out of South Africa. “His contribution to our understanding of genetics – what makes a child more similar to molecular biology research unit, but would He was director of the Medical Research its parents than to a redwood tree or a whale draw inspiration from him to develop his Council’s prestigious Laboratory of Molecular He was ruthlessly honest in his – are unparalleled.” own research. After working extensively Biology in Cambridge, and maintained a close dealings with people, and had a Born in Germiston to a Lithuanian father on DNA research and the makeup of amino connection with Singapore, where he was an wicked sense of humour which often and Latvian mother in 1927, Brenner grew up acids, Brenner leapt from molecules to whole honorary citizen, and whose medical-research had people in stitches, especially in a home at the back of his father’s cobbler animals, choosing a microscopic worm to capacity he enhanced over 35 years. He was when he had a few whiskeys under shop. He was said to be insatiably inquisitive, establish how genes-controlled development also the recipient of numerous awards for his his belt. and he progressed so rapidly through school and behaviour. work. When he first started at The Star, that he obtained a bursary to pursue medicine In 1966, Brenner recruited a team of Beyond his scientific prowess, Brenner was he didn’t have a permanent desk, and at the University of the Witwatersrand at researchers, among them Sulston and admired by his colleagues for his sharp sense he kept muttering that he was like a 15. Because he would be too young to qualify Horvitz, who mapped and sequenced the of humour and wit. For seven years, he wrote wandering Jew. for medicine at the conclusion of his six-year worm genome. Their work would eventually a sardonic monthly opinion column for the Don spent a great deal of his time course, he was allowed to complete a Bachelor be recognised as a major contribution to their science journal, Current Biology, under the overseas, visiting clubs, attending jazz of Science degree in anatomy and physiology. field, and awarded the Nobel Prize in 2002. alias “Uncle Syd”. He once wrote, “Elderly, festivals all over the world, winning After doing an honours degree and then white, male, column writer, seven years’ awards in his field, and mixing with an MSc, he went on to receive another experience, self-employed scientist, explorer, some of the jazz greats. He had so scholarship which enabled him to complete a adventurer, inventor, and entrepreneur seeks many stories to tell, and his jazz Doctor of Philosophy degree at the University “His contribution to our young, naïve, preferably female editor of collection was unsurpassed. of Oxford as a postgraduate student of Exeter newly formed scientific journal with a view He wrote for a number of College. understanding of genetics – what to obtaining unrefereed access to as wide an newspapers and magazines in South It was while at Oxford that Brenner set makes a child more similar to its audience as possible.” Africa, and was a correspondent for himself upon his life’s path. Together with parents than to a redwood tree or a Says Horvitz, “His brilliance, wit, and several prestigious international jazz a handful of others, he was one of the first the twinkle of his eye reflecting a sense of journals, including Downbeat (United people in April 1953 to see Francis Crick and whale – are unparalleled.” always enjoying life, and provided insights States) and Jazz Journal International James Watson’s model of the structure of and lessons to all who had the privilege of (United Kingdom). He was one of DNA, a watershed in his scientific life. being close to him. I have no idea what my life the few people who was featured “I just knew that this was the beginning His work made a sizeable contribution would be had I not had Sydney in my life for on radio, television (he had his of molecular biology,” he wrote later. “This across the globe. In the mid-1990s, Brenner so many years. I miss him, and always will.” own shows), and in print media – a was it… the curtain had been lifted, and crossed the Atlantic to establish the Molecular Married to fellow South African May journalist’s dream. everything was now clear as to what to do.” Sciences Institute in Berkeley, California, and Balkind until her death in 2010, Brenner For five years, he hosted the weekly Brenner would not only go on to work in 2000, he became a distinguished professor leaves behind three children, Stefan, Belinda, Jazz Studio on SABC TV and his talent with Crick for 20 years at Cambridge’s at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California. and Carla. was heard on other major stations, 22 SA JEWISH REPORT 3 – 10 May 2019 Dreaming of integration, one country at a time RABBI CRAIG KACEV is a world leader in so many Students from the Galilee Dreamers aspects,” Kaplan says, “from engage with students from King he Galilee Dreamers, a group of eight cyber security to diamonds, David Victory Park in a matric Grade 11 Arab and Jewish school technology, agriculture, Hebrew lesson children from Israel, recently visited even the movie industry, but TKing David schools in Johannesburg. They it is not known for its co- brought with them a message of social existence. harmony. “There’s a lack of social They are out to break stereotypes and contact between Jewish and change the way we think. It is their dream to Arab Israelis. I never had any get their fellow citizens to live in harmony contact with Arab Israelis in and, if they can achieve that, maybe share the 12 years I lived in Israel. those lessons with French and English- We want children to get new speaking Canadians, inner city African perspectives of each other, Americans and their neighbours in the and break down stereotypes. suburbs – or even ordinary South Africans – We want to make Israel a Jews, Muslims, blacks, and whites. world leader in co-existence, They spent a day at King David Linksfield just as it is in so many other and Victory Park High Schools, joining fields,” he says. lessons and discussing co-existence in Israel. He and Rabbi Paul Questions led to open, flowing conversations, Schneider, then the principal which allowed for the sharing of ideas of the Baltimore Jewish Day Schools, selection panels, group-dynamics workshops, the host countries’ Jewish communities. No and thoughts about life in Israel for all its needed an Israeli partner with the same and participate in a series of preparatory member of the contingent is briefed on what inhabitants. vision to champion the project. They chose meetings.” to say when they leave Israel. In a global world, teenagers share a lot Oranim Academic College of Education, the Osman believes taking the pupils out of Says Dreamer Yiftach Rinat, a Grade of similarities, and within a short time, largest and leading institution of its kind in Israel is an incredibly beneficial experience for 11 pupil at Misgav High School, “We’re they found that they had a lot in common, northern Israel, teaming up with Dr Roberta them. showing that we can co-exist in Galilee.” It’s breaking down barriers and prejudices and Bell-Kligler, the director of the college’s “There’s so much tension in Israel,” he a sentiment Grade 11 pupil Noor Darweesh leading to laughter and friendship. international school. says, “coming to America or South Africa is of Al Bian agrees with. “I want to reach for This is the Dreamers’ fourth year of Bell-Kligler oversees the process of more neutral, allowing the children to feel peace. South Africa is very similar to Israel,” existence, and the first time they have visited selecting the schools who participate in Israeli rather than Arab or Jew. This is a brave Darweesh says. “There are a lot of different South Africa. The initiative is the brainchild Galilee Dreamers, the pupils, the teachers, project. It’s unusual, especially at a time when cultures and a lot of conflict here and in Israel. of South African born psychiatrist, Desmond and the teachers in training who accompany people are becoming more radical.” This programme can help to change this.” Kaplan, who emigrated to Israel from Cape them. The Dreamers started with two Jewish It’s also about exposing teachers to other Town before moving to Baltimore in the pupils and two Arab pupils from two schools worlds, and enabling them to teach Israelis, • Rabbi Craig Kacev is the general director King United States. in Galilee who went to the US. This year, irrespective of their culture,” says Bell-Kligler. David Schools. Kaplan was motivated by his own children’s four schools participated in the programme, “Our vision is to break down experience. Each year, his children’s school with two contingents going out to the world; barriers between these two very would send pupils to Israel, but they would one to north America for the fourth year distinct cultural groups. It’s been never ever meet any Arabs. One year, Kaplan in a row – including Canada – and a second amazing to see how principals went himself. He met and befriended an Arab contingent to South Africa for the first time. have bought into the project.” teacher whom he invited back to the US the For teachers Evelyn Kadosh, a teacher In fact, demand is growing each following year. The teacher, Mamoun Assadi, from Misgav High School (which serves year, with schools particularly promptly offered to host a group of visiting the Jewish population) in the Galilee, and in the US, which might have American pupils at his village the following Arafat Osman, a teacher from Al Bian High been lukewarm to hostile at the year. School (a private Arabic-language school), prospect, now demanding to host Their experience was an epiphany for the success of the project can be measured in after hearing about other schools’ Kaplan. the response from the teachers, pupils, and experiences. The Dreamers have “The Jewish kids came back,” he says, “and invitations from outside Israel. now been invited to add Europe it was the highlight of their entire trip, more Competition to get on the programme is to their itinerary for 2020, with than a visit to the Kotel (the Western Wall) in tough, says Kadosh. “We take only four out a trip to Vienna already on the Jerusalem, or anything else.” of a total of 400 students in Grade 11,” says cards. From there, the seed flourished. “Israel Osman. “They have to write essays, attend Often the schools the groups visit are inspired to send their Letters pupils on reciprocal visits to the Galilee. On a recent trip to ISRAEL’S OPPONENTS INSPIRED BY EMOTION, NOT FACTS Baltimore this year, the Dreamers were so moved by the reception Once again we are confronted with the stated the following about Goldstone, they received from the mostly false accusation that Israel is an apartheid “This is no tame judge, and no political African American pupils they state. lackey. [He] is perhaps the most important interacted with and their life On 31 October 2011, Richard Goldstone, lifeline to credibility the [SA] government experiences, that they invited a former justice of the South African has. In a land of villains, Judge Goldstone them to visit Galilee next year. Constitutional Court, submitted an article is a South African hero.” The Dreamers isn’t a to the New York Times headed, “Israel and As a young man, I lived in Israel for government-funded operation, Galilee Dreamers and King David the apartheid slander”. In it he stated the more than four years. My friends and I but raises the money for its students outside Constitutional Hill following, “I know all too well the cruelty toured the country extensively. Our social outreach work at home and in of South Africa’s abhorrent apartheid life included girls from Yemen and Egypt – Saturday (4 May) Thursday (9 May) system,” before describing what apartheid brown – and also from Ethiopia – black. I • Bet David’s monthly Mind, Body and Spirit Yoga service from • The Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre (JHGC) hosts a entailed. saw none of the racial brutality that I had 10:30 to 12:00. Bring a yoga mat, if you have, and a small screening of Never Again: Forging a Convention for Crimes Against He continued, “In Israel there is no witnessed in South Africa. blanket. Venue: Bet David, 3 Middle Road, Morningside. All are Humanity with an address by keynote speaker Dr Stephen Smith (USC apartheid. Nothing there comes close Which brings us to Archbishop Emeritus welcome – free for members. Suggested donation of R50 for non- Shoah Foundation). Time: 19:00. to the definition of apartheid under the Desmond Tutu. AT members. Enquiries 011 783 7117 or [email protected] Venue: 1 Duncombe Road, H ’S 1998 Rome Statute. Israeli Arabs – 20% Tutu is on record as saying that Sunday (5 May) Forest Town. RSVP to W of Israel’s population – vote, have political apartheid in Israel is worse than it was O

• Second Innings hosts Dr Maurice Goodman, Chief Medical [email protected] parties, and representatives in the in South Africa, contradicting Goldstone. N Knesset, [Israel’s parliament], and occupy Yet, both these men are prominent figures Officer Discovery, on Major healthcare trends and the national or 011 640 3100. Free positions of acclaim, including on its of that period. From what I know of health insurance. Time: 10:00 for 10:30. Venue: The Gerald admission, donations welcome. Supreme Court. Arab patients lie alongside Tutu, he is not an anti-Semite, so racial Horwitz Lounge, 2nd Floor, Golden Acres, 85 George Avenue, • Yom Ha’atzmaut with Women’s Jewish patients in Israeli hospitals, hatred can be ruled out. However, he may Sandringham. Cost: R20 for Second Innings members; R40 for International Zionist Organisation (WIZO) Johannesburg: receiving identical treatment. The charge prefer Palestinians to Israelis. Being an visitors (includes tea/coffee and refreshments). a morning of celebration with delicious Israeli food, entertainment by that Israel is an apartheid state is a false archbishop means that he must be an Monday (6 May) Harry Sideropoulos and Momy Ezerzer. Time: 10:00. Venue: The Munro and malicious one that precludes rather intelligent man. Unfortunately, as the • The Union of Jewish Women hosts expert in the management Hotel, 63 St Patrick Road, Houghton Estate. Cost: R220. Seating is than promotes peace and harmony.” past century has shown, emotion often of trees, Anton Möller on Will the Greatest Urban Forest in the limited. Booking essential. No payment at venue. A judge of the Constitutional Court is overrides intellect. World Survive? – Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer Beetle. Contact: Lauren 011 645 2515 [email protected] one of the highest legal positions in the Time: 10:00. Venue: 1 Oak Street, Houghton. Donation: R40. • Join WIZO every Thursday for a shiur with Rabbi Michael land. Acclaimed journalist Shaun Johnson – Don Krausz, Johannesburg Lunch & Learn Contact: UJW office 011 648 1053. Katz. Time: 13:00 at Beyachad. Contact: WIZO office: 011 645 2515.

3 – 10 May 2019 SA JEWISH REPORT 23

A column of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies Has freedom failed in SA? What special voting says about South Africa Jewish. He played a key role in helping the credit. One of the enduring achievements of South TAKING ISSUE future South African president and his African society post-1994 is how the religious rights compatriots avoid the death penalty. and practices of all citizens have been respected The film’s director, Jean van de Velde, is at and upheld. Geoff Sifrin ABOVE BOARD pains to represent the texture of South Africa in Through this, the SAJBD, as the representative Freedom is intoxicating. When Freedom Day the early 1960s. But when you leave the movie Shaun Zagnoev voice of the Jewish community, has been able was established in 1994 as an annual holiday for house, you realise that today’s dire reality is not to work successfully with relevant bodies to post-apartheid South Africa, it was amidst the that different to how it was back then. Mirrored ast Shabbat, appropriately enough on Freedom ensure that members of our community are euphoria of the victory of the struggle. in seemingly innocuous scenarios, some things Day, South Africans living abroad cast their not disadvantaged because of their religious Optimism abounded; the country seemed remain as they were during apartheid, when Lvotes at 121 South African foreign missions commitments. This has occurred primarily in the to be headed towards a non-racial, prosperous whites were bosses and blacks were servants. around the world. When the day ended, most of area of university exams falling on Shabbat or Yom future. In retrospect, such ideals were naïve, Today, in a lush park in a fancy those embassies closed, but four – in Tel Aviv, Tov, but also in other meaningful ways, such as in given the scale and complexity of the problems. neighbourhood near Rosebank Mall, London, New York, and Los Angeles – remained the case described above. For all the formidable What have we done with our freedom? There Johannesburg, there’s a black beggar whose open for a few hours longer. This was to enable challenges currently facing our society, it is are some successes; lots of failures. South Africa sole activity is to pick up the dog poo left there shomer Shabbat (Shabbat observant) Jewish something to bear in mind and be grateful for. is still one of the most unequal countries in the by mainly white people who come to walk their citizens to vote after Shabbat was out. world. pedigreed dogs on weekends. He calls himself On learning that special voting for citizens abroad Yom Hashoah 2019 Half of its population lives in poverty; 40% Shepherd. would be taking place on Shabbat, the South As I write, preparations are being finalised for this of its youth are unemployed and will probably Take a step back from this: in Paris, you African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) met the year’s Yom Hashoah commemorative ceremonies in never work; and a tiny, wealthy elite lives can be fined for letting your dog mess on the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to discuss all the main Jewish centres around the country. comfortably. Many people who can afford to pavement. In South Africa, the wealthy don’t how Jewish voters might be accommodated. As in the past, ceremonies will be held in leave are doing so. think it strange to have a black man, a spade We were assured that Saturday had been chosen Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Bloemfontein, In this season of holidays and memorials, and plastic bag in hand, waiting behind their simply because it was the day when the greatest East London, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town. including the elections on 8 May, the tendency crouching poodle. For Shepherd, last Saturday number of people would be able to vote. While We are honoured to have Lord Shinkwin as our to look at the past with nostalgia is epitomised was just another day in the park, in spite of it that date could not be changed, it was agreed that keynote speaker. Shinkwin is a distinguished by a new South African-made film called An Act being Freedom Day. voting hours would be extended at stations where British human-rights activist who, amongst other of Defiance. It was made in 2017, and released Does South Africa as a society still have the there was a Jewish community, and the board was activities, has become one of the most committed here a day before Freedom Day this year. It is will to change, as it fiercely believed it could, on asked to assist by establishing who wished to vote, non-Jewish advocates of Holocaust education and about the 1964 Rivonia Trial. 27 April 1994? At that time too, there were the and where. remembrance. It tells the story of Bram Fischer, the lawyer proverbial ‘shepherds’, but also the hope that It wasn’t an easy task, especially at such short We will also be fortunate to have survivors of who put his life at risk to defend Nelson apartheid’s devils could be defanged. notice, but we were able to compile the necessary that unspeakable tragedy participate in the various Mandela and his black and Jewish comrades South Africans are confused and uneasy. information, and arrangements were eventually ceremonies as speakers or lighters of the memorial in apartheid South Africa. This led to life Tribalism and racism are rising; national pride is made for the four embassies listed above. On the candles. The time will soon come, however, when imprisonment for Mandela on charges of falling. In this condition, some countries turn to night, everything went smoothly thanks to embassy those who are able to testify first hand will no sabotage. an autocrat who promises to sort things out. But staff who, in spite of having to work extra hours, longer be with us. It is incumbent on our own, and The film’s Jewish thread is clearly articulated. autocrats who start off as benevolent, generally could not have been more friendly and co-operative. future generations, to ensure that their story is not Aside from the Jewish defendants, the state turn into harsh rulers who won’t leave. A glance The way in which everyone worked together to forgotten. prosecutor, , was also Jewish. north to Mugabe and Zimbabwe is a warning. resolve the problem, in spite of the relatively small • Listen to Charisse Zeifert on Jewish Board Talk, Joel Joffe, later Lord Joffe, the instructing South Africa faces a rough ride to get back on number of people affected, is much to our country’s 101.9 ChaiFM every Friday from 12:00 to 13:00. solicitor for Mandela’s defence team, was track. This column is paid for by the SA Jewish Board of Deputies 24 SA JEWISH REPORT 3 – 10 May 2019 Succession a weighty issue in powerlifting family LUKE ALFRED when he started, and his learnings were weightlifting disciplines are the clean and jerk, up the wisdom that took 20 years for Ian to piecemeal and hard-won. The Russians and and the snatch, while powerlifting consists of stockpile. wo of the 200-odd participants at the the Americans were way ahead of the chasing the squat, the bench press, and the deadlift. “I remember once at the Carousel sitting National Powerlifting Championships pack, both in terms of power and technique, Powerlifting, says Ian, is more about pure down with some Russian coaches and talking in Potchefstroom in March were the and Ian had to train incredibly hard just to feel explosive strength than weightlifting, which to them about their techniques and training Tfather-and-son duo of Ian and Justin Furman. that he was keeping in touch. is a combination of strength and technique. programmes,” says Ian. “Some of them spoke Ian, now nudging just beyond 50, is the father, All that carefully-accumulated experience That said, technique and English, but there was also a Ukrainian guy while Justin, a 6’4, 112km young giant, is his who was acting as a translator. That was son. useful.” Next month, Justin, aged 18, is off to the The sport is lifting off in South Africa. The World Powerlifting Championships in Sweden, turnout of 200 in Potchefstroom a couple with Ian in a coaching role closely in tow. These of months ago might not seem large, but world championships will be Justin’s first, and according to Ian, the numbers are hugely he’ll be greeting them with all the dry-mouth impressive. “The sport is growing at an anxiety of taking a girl he fancies out on a date. Ossendryver Ilan Photo: alarming rate in this country,” he says, a note In Sweden, he’ll be closing a circle, of pride in his voice. Ian having participated in his first world Such growth makes for intense competition championships in 2001 after taking up the as the fraternity try to out-lift and out-press sport the previous year. each other, keeping careful tabs on who is He did so almost by chance. After a doing what and where. “Powerlifting isn’t conversation in his local gym, where his going to make Justin any money,” says Ian, impressive bench-pressing started attracting “all our trips are self-funded, so I’m looking attention, he started powerlifting seriously. for him to do a business management degree The next year was the first of many world when he goes to university next year. The trip championships, as Ian started to lift his way to Sweden is quick, we’re only there for five to numerous national, Commonwealth, and days, and he’s writing an exam the day after we Justin and Ian Furman continental titles. get back.” Now it’s time for a passing of the weights, is now being put to timing play their part, and whether you’re a In the weeks leading up to the world if you like, as his lifting recedes into the good use as Ian passes the baton to Justin. Ian weight or power lifter, you still find yourself championships, the routine in the Furman background and Justin, currently in matric at will be standing by his side in Sweden, there in a wilderness of pain after workouts and household remains very much the same. King David Victory Park, takes centre stage. to advise, counsel, calm, and make the careful competitions. “Genetics comes into it, sure, Training for Ian and Justin “three or four “It’s time for me to focus more on his lifting strategic decisions about how much weight but coaching comes into it too. You are always times a week, with two or three days for than my own lifting right now,” says Ian, with a to add to the bar as he hits the business end sore,” says Ian. recovery”. note of paternal tenderness. of the competition. “At that stage, you don’t Although the bond between father and son Mealtimes are protein-rich, with chicken Ian was a trailblazer for the sport in this want to be worrying about those sorts of is close, as Justin, still a junior, works his way and salad or chicken and vegetables a dinner- country. He probably hit his straps about 10 things,” says Ian. “You want to remain calm up the powerlifting ladder, Ian says that there’s time staple. Alcohol is frowned-upon, and to 12 years ago strength-wise, but his path and concentrate on your lifting. That’s where no competition between them. so are sugar and carbs. Conversation, you was littered with some heavy obstacles and an experienced coach comes in.” There is no hint that Justin is trying to rather fancy, is muted, with the topics up for precious few clear lines of sight. Weightlifting and powerlifting are depose the old man off his kingly throne, he’s discussion returning time and time again to There was no great tradition of powerlifting similar but not quite the same. The premier simply happy to look and listen, sponging matters which are, well, naturally weighty.