Please support the Chronicle! VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR 2021 ARE DUE

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VOLUME 38 No 5 JULY 2021 www.cjc.org.za Meet Israel’s 36th government

Pic: Avi Ohayon, GPO more on page 4 Rainbow challah for Pride Month

more Temple Israel news on page 15

Temple Israel Cape Town ran a Challah Bake led by Student Rabbi Andi Kuti (left) and Jacqui Benson (right) in honour of Pride Month and in preparation for Pride Shabbat. SA Jewish Museum changes focus A new documentary series about Jewish history in South Africa

more on page 19 more on page 19 A group from Sinai Academy gathers in the museum’s ‘shtetl’ to listen to a story 2 Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021 CONTENTS VOLUME 33 No 5 JUNE 2016 VOLUME 38 No 5 JULY 2021

Regular contributors Features

Page 3 Des says... Page 19 Legends & Legacies: A Story of a Community Shabbat times Page 22 Emerging teen pop-star Mila Smith Subscriptions Book Reviews: Azila Talit Reisenberger’s The Family announcements Magic of us, and Tony Leon’s Future Tense Page 4 United Herzlia Schools Page 23 Ricky Stoch: Not all young Jews want to leave Melton South Africa SA Zionist Federation (Cape Council) Page 24 Dane Abramowitz on a career in marketing Pages 6 - 9 Cape SA Jewish Board of Deputies Page 25 Cathy Abraham explores the deeper Pages 10-12 SA Zionist Federation (Cape Council) meaning of nothing Page 13 Mensch Thought-leader of the month Page 26 Dr Gareth Kantor: Navigating the third wave Union of Jewish Women Page 14 Mensch Page 15 Temple Israel Page 16 Community Security Organisation Page 17 Telfed Salisbury House Sephardi Shul Page 18 Cape Jewish Seniors Association Page 19 South African Jewish Museum Page 20 Jewish Community Services 4 Page 21 Anton Katz: Justice — who appoints the judges? Coffee Time Page 27 Chronic Ads Page 28 Craig Nudelman: Beyond border, Bridging the divide between Israel and the Diaspora We want to hear from you!

We welcome your news, opinions and stories. If you have anything to share with the community, please email [email protected] 16 CJC EDITORIAL BOARD Banking details: CSO emergency Chairman: Lester Hoffman. Ex-officio: Ben- SnapScan Standard Bank — Branch: Thibault Square; Zapper number for security and Zion Surdut. Committee: Daniel Bloch, Tzvi Branch code: 020 909; Acc no: 070 703 493; medical emergencies Brivik, Geoff Cohen, Barbara Flax, Myra Acc name: The Cape Jewish Chronicle Trust; Osrin, Helen Schneider, Jonathan Silke, Acc type: Current 24 hours Chaya Singer. Editor and layout: Desrae Saacks, Secretary: Tessa Epstein, Digital 086 18 911 18 coordinator: Lisa Shapiro

DISCLAIMERS ERRORS, OMISSIONS AND CORRECTIONS The Cape Jewish Chronicle regrets any errors or omissions that may occur in the paper and, where possible, will attempt to rectify these in a subsequent issue, should such a measure be deemed appropriate. No repeat advertisement or credits will be given for small typographical errors which do not appreciably lessen the value of the advertisement. The appearance of an advertisement or photograph does not necessarily indicate approval or endorsement by the Editorial Board for the product or service advertised or photograph reproduced, and it takes no responsibility for any loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of the reliance upon the information contained therein. LETTERS AND OPINIONS Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or its sponsoring bodies. Letters submitted anonymously will not be printed. However, by agreement, the writer’s name may be withheld in the publication. Letters are published subject to space being available. The Editor and the Editorial Board have the right to decide on the inclusion of any item submitted for publication. Letters may be edited for clarity, space and/or language. KASHRUT Unless otherwise stated, food and catering services advertised in this publication are not under the supervision of the Cape Beth Din. FINANCIAL You should always obtain independent expert advice prior to making any financial investment, commercial or other decisions. Do not enter into any transactions of the above nature, based partly or wholly on the content of any advertisements or articles published in the Cape Jewish Chronicle. Cape Jewish Chronicle Samson Centre 87 Hatfield Str Gardens 8001 PO Box 4176 Cape Town 8000 phone 021 464 6736 [email protected] Acting editor Desrae Saacks Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021 3 D e s Say s... By Desrae Saacks, acting editor Cape Jewish Chronicle The individual within the collective

A theme that came up Likewise, when we ignore a cough repeatedly for me this month or take off our mask in a crowded has to do with the power of the place because ‘we’re young/tough/ individual within the collective. immune/...’ we are risking the lives of all those with whom we come was advised more than once into contact, and participating in Iby well-meaning friends and the spread of the pandemic that’s acquaintances of ways to beat grounded us all. the system by bypassing a player in the supply chain, or scoring a Like Cathy Abraham’s art practise discount that I’m not strictly entitled (page 25) where individual iterations to. All pretty small, inconsequential combine to create a complex and amounts ‘saved’, but when enough of beautiful thing, the collective is the us exploit these seemingly innocuous manifestation of the actions and shortcuts, what we’re actually doing intentions of a group of individuals, is depriving someone of their profit each with the power to influence the margin, and thereby endangering whole. And while we’re all dependant their livelihood and those of their on the next person to do the right dependants. thing, the only behaviour we can control is our own, and it really does I’m writing this column as a new strain matter! of COVID-19 invades our country, creating a third wave that threatens This issue is brimming with individuals to overtake the previous peaks and working alone or in groups, who once again overwhelm our health by quietly ‘doing their thing’ are sector. It’s Sunday 27 June, and I’ve contributing to the collective of the just watched our president announce Cape Town Jewish community, and a return to level four restrictions, to all other communities of which they which will result in the failure of many form a part. small businesses and the loss of The purpose of this publication is even more jobs. to provide a meeting place for our Those of us who have the resources community, and to tell our story. I to contribute to the economy should invite you to pay your subs, support do so with awareness of our ability to our advertisers, and send us your make a difference. If there’s anything stories, photographs and opinions for to be learned from these dark COVID publication in future issues. days, it’s that we’re all in this together, Let’s do this together! Please support interconnected and interdependant. the Chronicle! Family Announcements VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIPTIONS CONDOLENCES — THANK YOU FAYE SALOMON FOR 2021 NOW DUE It is with immeasurable sadness we announce the passing of Faye. Faye was a woman of many talents, and a pillar of the Oasis Retirement Resort community. We would like to thank the community for the outpouring of VOLUME 37 No 11 condolences, well-wishes and prayers. Help us continue Home Is Where theDECEMBER Art 2020/JANUARY Is – an 2021 exhibition These serve to remind us how very loved Faye was, and the by and for Capetonians at Zeitz MOCAA www.cjc.org.za to bring you Like many museums and galleries, the Shining a light remarkable impact that she had on so many lives. Zeitz MOCAA has been closed for most works of art and over in a time of crisis news from the of 2020. 1800 pieces were included for COVID-19 shifted fter seven long Where the Art IsHome Is our world in Faye will be sorely missed by her children Leonie, Eric and Caryl, Amonths without a way no-one visitors, curators launched the participating artists,. Of could have Cape Town a unique exhibition to more than 100 belong celebrate its reopening to the Cape Town anticipated. siblings Louis and Anita, and all of her extensive extended family and to honour and Jewish Community Businesses welcome back guests – which, while wonderful, closed, jobs were specifically, Capetonians. unfortunately renders lost, people Jewish An open call was made acknowledgement of have had to dig and multitude of friends. for submissions of art each of them impossible deep to find in this piece. ‘made, owned and loved’ their edge both by Capetonians. Sheryl Schkolne with her ceramic vessels, Cape Floral Kingdom (2014) Participants were given personally and Community The response was overwhelming, and the a five-day period in professionally. Museum received thousands of entries. October during which pieces. Seven drop-off points around the Lee Jaffe — Gorgeous Gourmet Ultimately, more than 1600 artists submitted they could drop off their fter a very city (comprising art centres, art schools, Achallenging year, local entrepreneur Richard Goldstein [email protected] approached Staffwise about shining a ray of light on our To place a family announcement email: galleries and the like) were made available For more from just some of theto makeartists thego toprocess page 29 accessible for all. community. And so, spotlight businesses inThe our Shining community Light who Award have managed to rise up and show, through resilience and out-of-the-box came about, to Impactful story of Progressive Jewry thinking, what they can achieve in a time of crisis. They adapted, evolved or made positive adjustments to keep their R350 told in new SAJM exhibition businesses afloat. Staffwise and ORT Jet Cape Town jumped at the opportunity to collaborate and make it happen. Lisa Sandler from ORT Jet said: “After some reflection we thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to showcase innovation and opportunity Ground Breakers: A with businesses from our community who have pivoted to History of Progressive get through the lockdown.” Liat Beinart, Staffwise’s Career Judaism in South Catalyst said it was an exciting opportunity for the two communal organisations “to complement and collaborate and Africa will be on let this initiative take shape”. Shabbat and Yom Tov Times display at the SA SNAPSCAN ZAPPERJewish Museum EFT from Inspired by Goldstein’s idea, generous donors from the 14 December. community recognised the space for rewarding local businesses who took steps to stay afloat during COVID-19. he exhibition is based “Despite initial reservations to this award,” says Caroline Ton the research of Irwin Manoim, from the Kaimowitz, of Staffwise, “we had a fantastic response from Date Portion Candle lighting Ends Kaplan Centre forBANK Jewish the community”. DETAILS: Initial reservations were about the sensitivity of rewarding and highlighting businesses when it was such a Rabbis Sherman and Weiler at the opening of Temple David, Durban Studies at UCT, who has in 1951 just published a book on tough year fraught with personal and financial difficulties. “But the subject, this proved to be unfounded as we received so much positivity Latest Inside the Tent MavericksCape and the number Jewish of applications – almost 50 – was beyond our . expectations”, added Caroline. DID YOU KNOW: For more see pageChronicle 8 Trust 2 July/22 Tammuz Pinchas 5.31pm 6.26pm 3832 5.3k Continues on page 37 Followers % Website Visits 73 Cape Town www.cjc.org.za in October Standard Bank 9 July/29 Tammuz Matot/Massei 5.34pm 6.29pm 2020 % 900 22 Johannesburg Followers 4980 % Other 65+ 23.5% 1st of Month 5 provinces 45-54 16% 16 July/7 Av Devarim/Chazon 5.38pm 6.33pm Acc:55-64 19%070 703Email 493 Readers by Region 35-44 16% 25-34 18% Subscribers 18-24 7.5% 1844 Readers by Age Mid Month To subscribe email: 23 July/14 Av Va’etchanan/Nachamu 5.43pm 6.37pm Branch: [email protected] 909 30 July/21 Av Eikev 5.48pm 6.42pm Please use your name and email as payment reference. N.B. Please note that the times indicated are the earliest times for candle lighting. Please consult your Rabbi. back to contents 4 Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021 Herzlia Matric 2020 legacy project wins prestigious international award

By Mark Helfrich, Curriculum Head, UHS It was with great excitement that we received news from World access online classes. Sitting ORT that two Herzlia matric class of 2020 pupils, Sarah Katz and behind a laptop in an online Bianca Curitz, have been awarded the prestigious international class, we felt a responsibility to Gina and Joseph Harmatz Award for Social Responsibility. help where we could; to leverage our position of privilege to help his award recognises students who have made an outstanding contribution bridge the gap, even marginally, Tto tikkun olam — our shared responsibility to heal, repair and transform between those who had access the world. According to London-based Chief Programme Officer Vladimir to online learning and those who Dribinskiy, “this year we received many excellent submissions, and your did not. students’ dedication to their project was exceptional. Our decision to present them with this award is a reflection of the dedication and commitment to social “We set to work drawing up responsibility that they have shown in their work and the positive impact that proposals, organising meetings they have made which we hope will inspire others.” with our principal, and making contact with students nationwide Herzlia matrics, Bianca Curitz and Sarah Katz, The winning project entry is best described by the project champions, Sarah to try to understand the needs of launching the fundraising project Katz and Bianca Curitz themselves in their 2020 application, “As South Africa the broader matric community. went into the first COVID-induced lockdown, we witnessed the students at our After speaking to the Gardens Commercial students and to our matric class, we less privileged partner school, Gardens Commercial High, really struggling to formed an enthusiastic committee of 18 pupils to raise money for routers and data for our fellow students. We set up a Herzlia Matric Legacy Project Back- a-Buddy webpage, made phone calls to potential donors, and sourced mobile routers. After a focused campaign we raised over R120 000 and packaged a router, sim card and 30GB of data per month for each of the 108 students, to see them through until the end of their matric year. We felt connected to the 2020 matric year group in a way we had not experienced before, and a deep sense of responsibility to work and serve our South African peers.” One of Herzlia’s key curriculum strategies is to produce global citizens who participate positively in both the Jewish and wider society. Sarah and Bianca and their fellow matric pupils of 2020 have demonstrated very clearly the impact that tikkun olam can have on helping to heal the world!

Herzlia and Gardens Commercial matrics met to discuss their technology needs

Sarah Katz distributes data packs to Gardens Commercial matrics.

from page 1 The SAZF Cape Council wishes Israel’s 36th government a hearty mazaltov The SAZF Cape Council wishes a hearty mazaltov and sends our warm congratulations to incoming Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and the incoming Israeli government. The new government broadly consists of parties from the left, centre, and right and includes an Arab-Israeli party. We also wish to thank outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for all his efforts and achievements on behalf of the State of Israel, most notably in developing Israel’s high tech economy, achieving diplomatic relations and a historic peace with the Arab nations, and maintaining Israel’s security. May Israel remain a strong, proud and dynamic Jewish and democratic nation. • Nine female ministers • Two Arab ministers • Karine Elharrar, a veteran MK who has muscular dystrophy and is Minister of Energy • Nitzan Horowitz (Minister of Health) and Idan Roll (Deputy FM) who are openly gay • A religious Prime Minister This is our 36th government, this is Israel. back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021 5

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back to contents 6 Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021 CAPE SAJBD

CONNECT, COLLABORATE, COMMUNITY VIEW FROM THE CHAIR Thrown into the deep end — The rise of political antisemitism, navigating my first month! masked as anti-Zionism

By Daniel Bloch, Executive Director, Cape SAJBD By Tzvi Brivik, Chairperson, Cape SAJBD By the time you read this Africa, members As I sit here preparing a letter Asher) As Dr Zohar article, I will have been of government, to the community, we are still Raviv had said Executive Director for two the public and the feeling the effects that the May during this webinar: months. However, we can all media, calling for conflict in the Middle East has freedom of speech appreciate that the Chronicle peace, an end had on our society. does not translate to the conflict into freedom of itself is not put together in and a stop to s an organisation, we support the expression. At five minutes. the senseless Aexistence of the State of Israel and any time in a t takes weeks of collating content, online antisemitic their right to defend itself. However, discussion, should Iproofing articles and ultimately abuse. we note, that even within our own one side become community, the extent of this support abusive, accusatory or demeaning, ensuring that everything you read We are not alone in the fight against may vary. Whilst the Cape SAJBD is there can be no meaningful exchange and see is accurate and truthful. antisemitism. We have friends in not a pro-Zionist lobbying group, we of ideas. It is crucial then, that when Hence this article will only provide the community with whom we have choose not to associate or partner we attempt to have dialogue, we insight into my first month at the collaborated, fighting towards a with any person or organisation which recognise that words matter. Our Cape SAJBD. common goal — protecting our denies Israel’s right to exist. We #WordsMatter campaign asks each rights as Jews to express our My first week started off like any accept genuine criticism of the Israeli active citizen to practice engaged religious beliefs and to live in a safe new job — Is my temperature government, and recognise that there listening and connect with one another and secure environment. We thank below 37.5 degrees? Where is the are differing views as to how the State meaningfully despite our differences. all those who have raised their coffee machine? Who do you go of Israel should be governed. Where voices and spoken out in defense of Before this May conflict, we addressed to for an IT emergency? What’s this criticism of the Israeli government the Jewish community. another incident of antisemitism. the WiFi password? All important is used to mask or justify antisemitic We, alongside the national SAJBD, questions which must be answered. Life however must go on, even beliefs, we will step in and address it. raised concern with the method and In between, I managed to attend a through troubled times. We seem Over the course of May, we watched nature of questions posed to Judge few meetings, introduce myself to to forget that COVID-19 is still very as social media ‘activists’ used anti- Unterhalter and Advocate Lever by my neighbours and I was able to get much with us, and the third wave Israel sentiment to disseminate the Judicial Service Commission my teeth stuck into Board matters. has hit the Western Cape. We need antisemitic rhetoric that was masked in April. We were concerned that to look after our family — especially Then came week two, marked by as ‘anti-Zionism’. We watched how questioning them on their religion and those older than us. For this reason, the escalation of the conflict in the quickly this tool, which allowed every affiliation to Israel, or even their views the Cape SAJBD has partnered with Middle-East. They say the best person to become a commentator on on the Middle East, was unfair and the UJC, CSO Cape Town and the way to learn at a new job is to hit this conflict regardless of whether they unreasonable; and could not, in any Cape Jewish Seniors Association the ground running. For the rest had intimate knowledge of the history event, have led to the judicial service (CJSA) to assist senior Jewish of this week and the two weeks and affairs in the Middle East, led to commissioners being able to make a citizens with information related to thereafter, my time was consumed global Jewry becoming scapegoats competent decision. We are pleased the vaccine. Our dedicated vaccine with meetings, briefings, phone calls for the actions of a state. that this first week of June, the phone-line allows members of the and email responses all related to Council for the Advancement of the community to speak to someone Unfortunately, social media is not the the impact of this conflict on our South African Constitution brought an who can guide them through the only place where we have noted a local community. Many people application to the Constitutional Court registration process and provide significant increase in hate speech. have referred to my first month as a in which it stated that the questioning them with valuable information. Journalists and politicians, from ‘baptism of fire’. of these candidates went beyond whom we should expect balanced Looking ahead to the months of what was permissible, and as usual, Everyone has a different view of and fair reporting and comment, have June and July, plans are underway that this application will be heard on things — whilst some people see the left us disappointed by their one- to celebrate Youth Day, Pride Month an expedited basis by such court. glass as half-full, others may see the sided, inflammatory statements. We and Mandela Day. I am excited at the glass as half-empty. I am a glass- addressed radio stations, newspapers Finally, and in order to further our prospect of collaborating with our half-full kind of guy and I try to find and politicians directly urging them to ability to serve our community, partners in order to recognise and the positives in every situation. So, consider a more balanced view. we have implemented a new appreciate the contributions within despite the barrage of antisemitic #ReportHate hotline on 079 994 5573 our diverse community, connect We would like to commend Herzlia comments online, the relatively available from 8am to 5pm on with our youth and engage in open school for inviting speakers to address imbalanced media commentary weekdays. This has allowed us debate around issues affecting them the learners on all aspects of the and the various protests, I was to respond faster to complaints of and providing necessary support to conflict, and our own Generation Next able to experience something truly antisemitism, including investigating those less fortunate. subcommittee which hosted webinars amazing. The Jewish community and where necessary addressing the focused on engaging the youth on came together in unison, as we My first month with the Cape SAJBD offender, either directly or through an how these difficult conversations usually do during challenging times. was truly interesting and marked institution affiliated to such offender. should take place. (Read more The South African Jewish Board with a steep and exciting learning We encourage anyone who believes about Generation Next’s ‘Navigating of Deputies as one organisation curve. I look forward to connecting that they may have been subject to the Age of Informed Ignorance with (not individual provincial offices), and collaborating even more with hate speech or antisemitism to report Dr Zohar Raviv’ webinar on page 9 representing the interests of Jewish our incredible community in the this to us using this Hotline or fill in our by subcommittee Chairperson, Justin South Africans, responded in one coming months. #ReportHate tool. voice to the President of South CapeSAJBD capesajbd capesajbd.org CAPE SAJBD

back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021 7 CAPE SAJBD

Connecting with Country Communities in Paarl, Wellington and Stellenbosch

By Daniel Bloch We recently celebrated the festival of and the braai masters were preparing the fire Shavuot which commenced on the for what later would be a most scrumptious evening of Sunday, 16 May. meal — chops, boerie rolls and salads. communal braai was held on the Sunday We were greeted by Mark Kaufmann who Aas a prelude to Shavuot. This was hosted runs the Paarl-Wellington Shul and has by the Paarl-Wellington Hebrew Congregation been very involved with the restoration of and also attended by members of the the Wellington Cemetery. He introduced me Stellenbosch Hebrew Congregation, allowing to his father Fischel Kaufmann who is the the communities to celebrate together — current chairperson, and Dennis Zetler who is all whilst observing COVID-19 regulations. the chairperson of the Stellenbosch Hebrew Country Communities Chairperson David Congregation. Just before lunch, Fischel King and I were invited to attend and share Kaufmann gave a warm welcome and I was a meal with members of the community. We fortunate enough to address the community, took the time to engage and offer advice assuring them of the Board’s commitment to where needed. partnering with all our Country Communities. My family (wife and kids) as well as my father- A most pleasing sight was that of young in-law were also invited. As my wife and her children (including my own) running around parents are originally from Paarl (Miller and during the event. We learnt that two young Berman families), it made this trip that much families had recently moved to the area and more special. Driving through the town of had joined the Paarl Shul. Paarl, my wife Jenna was telling our children All in all, it was a truly great day out and a the stories of where their Zadie and Gaga went valuable opportunity to connect with members to school and pointing out their old houses. of the Paarl, Wellington and Stellenbosch When we arrived at the shul just after 12pm, Jewish communities. I look forward to more the weather was sunny and there were several engagements with these and our other people sitting outside, deep in conversation; country communities, going forward. David King, Dennis Zetler, Daniel Bloch and Fischel Kaufmann

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back to contents 8 Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021

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Should universities retain possessions wrongfully acquired during the Holocaust?

By Gwynne Robins, Senior Researcher, Cape SAJBD) “I intend to plunder and to do it thoroughly,” Hermann Göring told the Nazi party. o do this he set up special units called the Reichsleiter Rosenberg TTaskforce (also known as the ERR) which stole millions of books and hundreds of thousands of objects of art in what was considered the biggest robbery in history. Some of these objects were found by the Allies and distributed to Jewish communities after the war through the Jewish Reconstruction Programme, with 40% allocated to Israel, and 5% given to South Africa through the Jewish Board of Deputies which sent 20% to Cape Town, 5% to Durban, and the rest to Johannesburg. Unfortunately, Johannesburg’s collection vanished over a long weekend together with a Russian security guard, whilst Cape Town’s collection can be viewed at the SA Jewish Museum and the Samson Centre. Need help with the COVID-19 Vaccine Registration But, what about those items that came to South Africa with avaricious Nazis? Process? Rand Afrikaans University (RAU) (now the University of Johannesburg) owns a valuable collection of books housed in its rare book section, willed to them Contact the Cape SAJBD Over Sixties Vaccine by convicted war criminal Prof HJ De Vleeschauwer, who had been an ERR Helpline book selection commissioner and had signed orders dismissing all Jewish professors and teachers from Belgian universities and schools. A striking feature of his collection is the mysterious removal by cutting or erasure of 021 434 9691 ownership markings and names in many of the books. Sentenced to death, De Vleeschauwer abandoned his family and escaped to Switzerland with a young woman and 8000 books. When the National Party came to power in South Africa, he started writing to influential Afrikaans academics. He supported the idea of the Afrikaners’ mission in Africa as ‘a great white people with great Flemish blood’, and attacked the west, the United Nations, the Jews and the communists for opposing efforts to remove TO REPORT coloured people from the common voters’ roll. De Vleeschauwer entered South Africa under a false name with his books and his ‘niece’, and was given AN INCIDENT OF a job at UNISA, which later gave him an honorary doctorate. OR I recently met with Prof Archie Dick of the University of Pretoria (UP), who ANTISEMITISM has written articles exposing De Vleeschauwer’s past and is investigating the source of his books with Belgian and American academics. In the same way that RAU had accepted valuable collections looted during ANTI-JEWISH the Holocaust, so too did UP, working hard to persuade millionaire Jacob van BEHAVIOUR Tilburg to donate his valuable collection of art and Chinese ceramics to them — even though he had been sentenced to 13 months for collaborating with the Nazis. The Dutch Resistance claimed his collection had been improperly received for safe-keeping from Jews, and that Van Tilburg was connected HATE SPEECH to a collaborator who promised to transport Jews to Vichy France in return for money, but handed them over to the Gestapo instead. The Dutch Jewish INTIMIDATION community and the former Netherlands Minister of Culture had demanded that the art be returned, as much had been stolen from Dutch Jews. Rabbi ACTS OF VIOLENCE Abraham Soetendorp flew out from The Hague to negotiate with the university VANDALISM but neither the Rabbi nor the Jewish Board of Deputies were successful in showing that the collection had been unlawfully acquired. GRAFFITI UP has held that it will only consider returning objects to its former owners or their heirs with documentary evidence of ownership, choosing simply to move Van Tilburg‘s bronze bust into the basement. Unfortunately, the Nazis were very thorough in their efforts to eradicate Jews, and those few who survived, did not emerge from camps with such documents. At the time of the donations, apartheid ideology was dominant, with leaders of the universities seeing nothing wrong in protecting condemned Nazi war criminals, nor of being party to the crimes by accepting valuable collections looted during the Holocaust. More than eighty years later, the collections remain with the universities and no effort has been made towards restitution.

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back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021 9 CAPE SAJBD

Navigating the age of informed ignorance with Dr Zohar Raviv

Justin Asher, Chairperson of Cape SAJBD’s Generation Next subcommittee On Sunday 23 May, the Cape With plenty to think SAJBD’s Generation Next about after his subcommittee — a group opening lecture, of students dedicated to participants were educating, engaging, and given the opportunity to share real-life empowering the youth of the experiences where Cape Town Jewish community they could put Dr — hosted a discussion led by Raviv on the spot and Dr Zohar Raviv with group of receive guidance on how to deal with students and young adults. issues they had brought to the table — issues which stem from their daily n his profound sense-making lives, right here in the Mother City. Istyle, Dr Raviv is considered a ‘constructive disruptor’ who is able This session was incredibly to construct reason and rationale out informative and offered a valuable of complexity. opportunity to engage with one of the most respected thought-leaders in The two-hour seminar, Bombardment Israel. His counselling on everyday of Info vs Knowledge — Navigating matters provided direction to those the Age of Informed Ignorance, who find it difficult to engage in their was an interactive session in which daily lives, as he offered solutions Dr Raviv provided amazing insight into and advice in his responses. the balance of information to which Dr Raviv’s analysis of the ignorance one has access via various media that fuels social media made sense outlets, and the way one responds to the young adults who took the time and engages those whose opinions to attend his session, at the end of a are formed through ignorance, week of war and wounds, and the war disinformation and distortion. of words.

You may apply if you: • Are a Jewish undergraduate or postgraduate student • Are in need of financial assistance to study in 2022 • Live in the Western Cape • Wish to attend a registered university, technical college or similar educational institution in the Western Cape

Applications open on 1 August 2021 & close on 15 October 2021 For further enquiries email: [email protected]

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back to contents 10 Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021

A letter from Isaac Herzog DIRECTOR’S CUT By Chaya Singer, Executive Director SAZF Cape Council Jerusalem, Sivan 5781 June 2021 Our Youth Day message

Shalom and happy Youth Day South unveiled near the Morris Ms Chaya Singer Africa, this is a message to our Cape Isaacson High School, built Executive Director Town Jewish youth, those who are by Jewish philanthropist South Africa Zionist Federation young at heart, and all those who Morris Isaacson in 1956. Melville Edelstein’s Cape Town remember the tragic massacre of young grandson Levi celebrated his barmitzvah with an Aliya in the heart of Soweto, beside the plaque, people in Soweto on 16 June 1976. in the company of government representatives Dear Chaya, e unite on Youth Day as South Africans and ANC struggle stalwarts, to honour the life Thank you for your gracious message which I was so Wto commemorate a turning point in the and tragic death of his grandfather Melville. struggle for our Democracy, the high-school pleased to receive. Dr. Edelstein had been active in the Jewish student led Soweto Uprising, which saw community and volunteered at The South African Three years ago, I was honored to assume Chairmanship thousands of students mobilise and march Jewish orphanage, Arcadia. He was a member of The Jewish Agency Israel, the historic organization in protest of apartheid education policies. of the Sydenham-Highlands North Hebrew which laid the foundation to the State of Israel. 176 school learners were brutally shot dead, and Congregation and the synagogue also houses many more wounded and detained. We unite on Today, I feel exceedingly privileged and profoundly a plaque erected by the Jewish community Youth Day as South Africans to remember. humbled for having been elected 11th President of the commemorating his work and contribution. State of Israel — land of my forefathers, land of my I’d like to take a moment, to also remember As South African Jews, we have a legacy of sons. The gratitude which fills my heart is second only the life and legacy of a Jew, a Zionist — and courageous Jews who fought and gave their lives to the passion with which I approach this esteemed a deeply committed South African, who also at the forefront of the struggle to end apartheid role. Serving Am Yisrael in Israel and across the globe lost his life on that tragic day, in the course of and to create our rainbow nation with the freedoms as president is an extraordinary opportunity, and a his work to improve the lives of Soweto youth, enshrined in our constitution. Many were proud challenge I embrace with every fiber of my being. Dr Melville Edelstein. Jews, inspired by the humanitarian tenets of The South Africa Zionist Federation (Cape Council) Dr Edelstein was born in King Williams Town Judaism. Some were socialists, communists, which you lead has been an important, valued partner in 1919. As recounted to me by his daughter libertarians, and yes many were Zionists. and I look forward to cooperating further to promote the Janet, he was both a religious and liberal Jew, a To those with short memories who would seek to noble missions we share. humanitarian, and a Zionist who loved Israel. He take this proud legacy from us as a community, traveled to Israel in 1954 and deeply considered Guided by my faith, confident in the power of change to those detractors who would undermine the making aliya but was torn about leaving South and encouraged by the ability to unify — I welcome social cohesion that unites us as South Africans, Africa and his family. While in Israel, Edelstein your support and I am eager to get to work. and incite hatred towards us, boycotting our made a trip to the kibbutz Sde Boker and stayed businesses and making our children feel unsafe, Sincerely yours with David Ben-Gurion, and his wife Paula. to those who undermine our representative When he discussed his dilemma, Paula told civil rights and religious organisations, elected him that “happiness resides in the bluebird of leaders and institutions, to opportunists who your back garden.” So he moved back to South would vilify us and undermine the very freedoms Africa and started doing social work in Soweto. of association, religion, and expression our Isaac Herzog Jewish grandparents and many others fought Chairman of the Executive Edelstein was a popular and well-loved and died for, know this: President elect of the State of Israel member of the Soweto community and was employed by a government department which You do not speak for all Jewish anti-apartheid dealt with welfare in the community, focusing activists or pacifists, or for those who were on education and employment particularly of jailed, exiled or made the ultimate sacrifice and young people and the disabled. He warned aren’t here to speak for themselves. You do not the government that violence would occur if speak in my name. And you will not make me oppressive apartheid laws were not reviewed feel lesser because I am a Jew, because I am In honour of Pride Month and revoked. He fought for the right to education white, because I am a Zionist. for Soweto youth, but his report was ignored. Over the last few weeks, some young people On the day the protests began, Edelstein was in our community have experienced opening a new employment centre. When intimidation and threats, particularly online, but he heard about the protests, he rushed back also on university campuses and at schools to his offices, worried about the safety of his around the country. co-workers. He was found by reporter Peter Magubane. He had been stoned to death by Youth Day reminds us that we are all South the mob, and there was a protest sign hanging Africans. We all share in the legacy of our around his neck. Magubane said, “If they’d known reconciliation and we all need to work towards who he was, this would never have happened.” social cohesion and building our rainbow nation. A sentiment confirmed by Murphy Marode, as “Happiness resides in the bluebird of your Meville Edelstein was loved as a peacemaker. back garden.” I recall the 2017 National Youth Day ceremony *The above is the full script of the video released when a plaque commemorating the contribution Gay Jews shouldn’t have to choose between their pride and by the SAZF (Cape Council) in honour of Youth of Edelstein to the people of Soweto was their Zionism Day. Click here to watch. Find us SA Zionist Federation - Cape Council @SAZF_Cape @sazfcapecouncil www.sazfcape.co.za back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021 11

Youth Movements roundup

Bnei Akiva SAUJS is here for you Habonim — back to basics

nei Akiva Cape Town has been very busy over Yom t has been a difficult few weeks for une was another important month for BHa’atzmaut, Lag BaOmer, Yom Yerushalayim and Shavuot! Iour SAUJS students. With the rise of JHDSA Cape Town, even though it perhaps We shared events with Beit Midrash Morasha as well as visiting tensions in the Middle East, social media was missing some of the prior thrills of our Jewish day schools. Shavuot was especially AMAZING seeing has become a very uncomfortable April and May. With everything going on in so many Jews coming together to learn. place. SAUJS Western Cape wants Israel and Palestine, we doubled down on to reassure you that we will continue our movement’s commitments to our Zionism Since then we’ve had two movie night events for Grades 3s to do anything in our power to ensure pillar. We ran educational seminars, prepared and 4s and Grade 5s and 6s as well as a Maddies Workshop that campus always remains a safe and news updates and contributed to our monthly session which Yoni Rosenthal, Rosh Machaneh, came down comfortable place for Jewish students. newsletter — all on the topic of what exactly to host. caused the conflict, what it means for both Over the past few weeks, SAUJS held an Eytan Labe, Chairman Bnei Akiva Cape Town sides, and how our members should navigate information briefing about the conflict to discussion spaces on the topic going forward. allow our students to be more prepared It was one of our first exposures of educational and informed on how to handle the content this year. It was constructive, hate they are facing. If anyone would challenging and compassionate. like this recording, or needs any other assistance, please DM us on any of our We have also started revisiting the day social media pages. schools that we have missed so much. It has been great to see some of the familiar faces, It is important note that we feel it is as well as how some of our channichim have essential that we stay united during grown since our last proper interactions at this time, and we have therefore Machaneh 2019. By now our ken will have started a SAUJS WC WhatsApp group. broken up, but stay tuned for events for If you are a young Western Cape your children in the school holidays — we Jew between the ages of 18 and 25 are working tirelessly to analyse COVID-19 interested in attending social events, cases and trends to make sure our events are political events, fun days, business as safe as they are fun. seminars, Jewish events or outreach, please send us your number so that we Aleh v’Agshem! can add you. Aaron Kruss-van der Heever, Rosh Ken Cape Town The Maddies Workshop with Yoni Rosenthal Deena Katzen, SAUJS WC Chairperson

Netzer

Follow us on our social media pages to find out what we are planning next, hope to catch you at the next event!

Find us SA Zionist Federation - Cape Council @SAZF_Cape @sazfcapecouncil www.sazfcape.co.za back to contents 12 Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021

The Jerusalem Declaration’s bogus definition of anti-Semitism

by Gerald M. Steinberg and Asaf Romirowsky This article first appeared in The National Interest In 2016, following major that ‘it is not antisemitic, in and of itself, attacks targeting Jewish to compare Israel with other historical and Israeli targets around cases, including settler-colonialism the world, and based on or apartheid’; and — the core sleight- earlier text adopted by the of-hand behind the manifesto, ‘Boycott, divestment and sanctions European Monitoring Centre are commonplace, non-violent forms on Racism and Xenophobia, of political protest against states. In the government-based the Israeli case they are not, in and of International Holocaust themselves, antisemitic’. Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) The frequent use of weasel words published a two-page working such as ‘on the face of it’ and ‘in definition of anti-Semitism. and of itself/themselves’ is also his initiative was designed to fill the significant, as noted by Prof. Matthias Image: Reuters Tvacuum that fostered ineffective Küntzel. Ideological warfare is rarely one-dimensional, and arguments policies and willful blindness in ‘criticism of Israeli government actions’. document, the JDA includes five made to conform to legitimate and countering the sources of hate crimes examples related to Israel and the And in Germany, of all places, a widely accepted norms are then directed specifically at Jews. conflict that ‘on the face of it, are group of self-described ‘cultural interpreted and twisted far beyond antisemitic’, as well as five (for The authors included a number of leaders’ associated with the far Left the range of the simple language ‘on balance, of course) that, according to examples, some of which relate launched a highly publicised effort the face of it’. A careful reading of their manifesto, ‘on the face of it, are to Israel and the ‘new’ anti-Zionist to rescind the Bundestag resolution the JDA text and context shows that not antisemitic’. form of anti-Semitism, which, along that adopted the working definition, while pretending to be neutral on the with traditional sources, uses the and referred to BDS as a form of In the first examples, some follow legitimacy of Israel and Zionism, their hate-inducing language and images anti-Semitism. This group includes the language in the original (IHRA) primary goal is delegitimation. of the Soviet era. These include Stefanie Schüler-Springorum, who version, but others are notably absent Of particular note is that by investing ‘denying the Jewish people their uses her position as head of the — the labeling of double standards as major resources in delegitimising the right to self-determination’, applying Center for Research on Antisemitism anti-Semitic or ‘drawing comparisons IHRA definition, they marginalise the double standards not ‘demanded of in Berlin to promote demonisation of of contemporary Israeli policy to that core issues of anti-Semitism and any other democratic nation’, using Israel. As Professor Jeffrey Herf has of the Nazis’. Both aspects are part of the escalating attacks against Jews symbols ‘associated with classic anti- written, her centre strictly avoids the BDS movement — by removing and Jewish institutions. According to Semitism… to characterise Israel or dealing with virulent anti-Zionism of them from the definition of anti- the JDA, ‘anti-Semitism has certain Israelis’ or comparing ‘contemporary the Soviet and East German regimes, Semitism, the JDA group seeks to give distinctive features’, but these are Israeli policy to that of the Nazis’. as well as the Islamist contribution. itself space for this form of anti-Israel minor, while in the spirit of progressive discrimination. And in comparison Since 2016, this document has Reinforcing these efforts, and values and intersectionality, ‘the fight to the IHRA’s clear statement that been formally adopted by thirty overlapping in a number of areas, against it is inseparable from the “Denying the Jewish people their governments, mainly in Europe, another professionally promoted overall fight against all forms of right to self-determination, e.g. by North America, and Australia, as public relations campaign to racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, claiming that the existence of a State well as by international institutions. undermine the IHRA consensus and gender discrimination’. of Israel is a racist endeavour” is anti- In addition, a number of parliaments was launched under the heading In other words, any definition Semitism, the JDA version stands out and municipalities have endorsed the of the Jerusalem Declaration on of anti-Semitism is unnecessary, as Orwellian doublespeak — ‘Denying text, and, in many cases, universities Antisemitism (JDA). Falsely claiming particularly when it hampers ‘free the right of Jews in the State of Israel and other important frameworks use support from ‘leading scholars of speech’ necessary for singling out to exist and flourish, collectively and the definition in the form of guidelines antisemitism’, the funding source Israelis and justifying hatred. individually, as Jews, in accordance for assessing antisemitic behavior. is carefully hidden, and the website with the principle of equality’. In contrast, the IHRA working — created at the last minute, But for some ideological activists definition is the most effective means with anonymous ownership — is The second supposedly ‘non- — particularly Boycott, Divestment of countering the poisonous incitement registered in Iceland. (As is often the antisemitic’ examples proceed to and Sanctions (BDS) supporters — that leads to assaults. By politicising case, the progressive democratic develop the core anti-Zionist and the Israel-related examples of anti- and undermining this consensus, values claimed by this group do not pro-BDS objectives, as notoriously Semitism are unacceptable and are the JDA and the wider counter-IHRA extend to funding transparency) embraced by some of the better- portrayed, or distorted, as attempts to campaigns are opening the door for Ostensibly developed under the known signatories, including Richard ‘silence criticism’ of Israeli policies, or even more violence targeting Israeli auspices of the highly ideological Falk. These include ‘supporting the even as ‘threats to democracy’. Under and Jewish institutions. the banner of ‘progressive values’, Van Leer Institute in Jerusalem, Palestinian demand for justice and influential groups that frequently three of the eight ‘coordinators’, the full grant of their … rights’, (often Gerald M. Steinberg is emeritus critique Israel — including J-Street, including Schüler-Springorum as well a euphemism for replacing Israel); professor of political science at Bar the New Israel Fund, and American as a number of signatories, were also promoting alternatives to a Jewish Ilan University, and heads the Institute Friends of Peace Now — pushed leaders of the German campaign. It is state (i.e. various ‘arrangements for for NGO Research in Jerusalem. the claim that the ‘codification of the not surprising that the JDA manifesto Jews and Palestinians in the area Asaf Romirowsky is executive director IHRA working definition’, specifically repeats much of the language in the between the Jordan River and the of Scholars for Peace in the Middle its ‘contemporary examples’, creates other attacks. It is also possible that Mediterranean’; ‘criticism of Israel as East (SPME), and a senior non- the potential for misuse to suppress they arranged the funding. a state…its institutions and founding resident fellow at the Begin-Sadat principles….’. In addition, they claim legitimate free speech and prevent Copying the structure of the IHRA Center for Strategic Studies (BESA).

Find us SA Zionist Federation - Cape Council @SAZF_Cape @sazfcapecouncil www.sazfcape.co.za back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021 13 mensch thought-leader of the month AGM honours volunteers By Michalya Schonwald Moss Women of Action and showcases projects In honour of Mandela Day: We held our 88th AGM on 22 May via Zoom and it gave the power of listening us an opportunity to showcase the incredible projects that our When it comes to leadership, in leadership branches are involved in. the ability to listen is what training as public often makes a good leader speaking is, yet e had the opportunity to honour great. Nelson Mandela had when a leader Wour incredible volunteers including the masterful ability to listen, grasps the Phyllis Friedlander who received the enormity of the Pearl Mandlestam Shield of Excellence, even when words were painful, power to listen, ignorant or confrontational. Chairman’s award for her outstanding she has the and long-serving contribution to our Phyllis Friedlander receives the hen Mandela died in 2013, ability to create new possibilities and Women’s JCF campaign (launching Pearl Mandelstam award. Wwe made our way, together transform old paradigms together with this month) which she chaired for over with throngs of mourners, to his her community. Although listening is 20 years. Phyllis is also the longest-serving member of the Cape Town Johannesburg home, a few blocks the silent partner in communication, it Executive and is an Honorary Life Vice-President of the Cape Town from my own. Drawn like a magnet, should not be taken for granted. branch, as well and an Honorary Life Member of National UJW. Myra I remember feeling embraced by the As the implementing partner on the Goldenbaum became Honorary Vice-Chairman and Alan Hoffman and crowd, and a sense of belonging. ground in the ‘Plot 89’ township in Su Lubner received service excellence award, while Hilary Osrin received a volunteer appreciation award. People were dancing, crying, singing, Gauteng, our team of volunteers at writing notes, and decorating stones Cadena South Africa are trained in Our outreach projects excelled with the Friend’s Football Club from from the plant-beds on the sidewalk. how to listen when engaging with our Noluthu’s Kitchen (a project of our Simcha Group) winning the City of beneficiaries. Cape Town’s Ward 93 Sports Tournament and their young women’s team In the centre of the road there was coming second. a young, white South African man They go door to door, in the spirit who was addressing the mourners of our hand-in-hand delivery ethos, Kensington Educare created a vegetable garden with children and in Zulu. The crowd was loving what to assess the health and hygiene teachers getting down and connecting with the soil. Kensington also he was saying, moving their bodies situation in communities where hosted an incredibly successful Family Fun Day organised by the teachers with his words. I, being American, pit-toilets are the only option. Our and PTA. couldn’t understand these words. engagement strategy is to not assume Yet I listened and heard. He was we know what is needed, but to gain letting the audience speak through as much information as possible him, giving a voice to our unspoken from the ground. To meet the needs emotions, our grief, and our pride. of the community and co-create early adoption of our interventions for Through decades of experience, and sustainable impact. again now in these ‘post’ COVID-19 times of working in the field of In our data-gathering processes, we humanitarian aid and development, are curious, culturally sensitive and I have learned that listening is an kind. We ensure that we cultivate a essential point of entry to build trust, human connection with community create local partnerships and gain members, allowing for the creation of community buy-in. an empathetic team that shares the same vision. Listening isn’t given as much attention By working to combat the pit- Kensington Educare kids busy in the garden toilet crisis in South Africa through educational workshops and distribution of an innovative sanitation product that neutralizes solid waste, and eliminates flies and odours with extraordinary levels of success; we feel proud that we have helped our beneficiaries regain their dignity and improve their quality of life. In honour of Mandela Day, please join Cadena South Africa in our pledge — to listen before leading Noluthu’s Kitchen football boys in action when looking for solutions. This lesson can be applied to all areas of our lives: In our personal and work relationships, with our children and especially with ourselves. To quote the great Madiba: “May your choices reflect Outside the Mandela home in Johannesburg just after his death your hopes, not your fears.” Originally from the United States, Michalya Schonwald Moss is Director of Global Impact and Development for Cadena, an international humanitarian aid and disaster relief organisation, guided by the principles of Tikkun Olam. Michalya has been living in South Africa since 2009.

Michalya is also both a Board Member and Network Member of Jewish Noluthu’s Kitchen girls football team Social Justice NGO, Mensch. www.mensch.org.za back to contents 14 Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021

this MANDELA DAY you can Feed, nourish & grow the children of South Africa!

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back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021 15

Consider This

By Rabbi Malcolm Matitiani Shavuot, Tisha B’Av and the Yamim Nora’im – some reflections

On Motzei Shabbat 17 July, to Tisha B’Av are preparation for So while the Ten Days of Repentance long as we express ourselves from Jews around the world will mourning the destruction of the two from Rosh HaShanah to Yom Kippur the premise that we must be ‘light of begin to commemorate Tisha Temples, and other tragedies that is a time of personal atonement nations’ (Isaiah 42:6, 49:6) we must B’Av. I write this article a befell the Jews of Europe; just as and soul-searching, Tisha B’Av have a safe space to articulate our month after our celebration the three days leading up to Shavuot should be a day of national self views without fear of being ostracised are preparation for hearing the Ten examination and evaluation. The or worse. Needless hatred and fear of Shavuot and it struck me Utterances being chanted from the ninth of Av should be a reminder of of diverse opinions not only leads that there are many parallels sefer Torah on the morning of the the dangers of intolerance and self- to the destruction of a society or a between this festival and the festival. These three days are known righteousness. Jewish communities people, but it also inhibits individual commemoration of Tisha B’Av. as Sheloshet Yemei Hagbalah (the world-wide are comprised of Jews growth because being challenged havuot is ritually connected to three days of limitation), based on that differ in religious practice and is the only way to undertake sincere SPesach through sefirat ha-omer, Exodus 19:12 and 15 where God interpretation of Torah, political views personal examination, a task that we the counting of the omer. The Torah instructs Moses to make sure that (pertaining to the State of Israel and are supposed to undertake during (Lev. 23:15-17) commands that we the Israelites are ready to witness the beyond), ethnic backgrounds and the Yamim Nora’im. revelation at Mount Sinai. spiritual journeys. Some are born count seven complete weeks from This year Tisha B’Av falls on Mandela into the Jewish people and others the day after the ‘sabbath of Pesach’ The ritual counting of the omer every Day, a day set aside for sixty-seven find their way to Judaism. Tisha until the day after the seventh week night for seven weeks forces us minutes of tikkun olam, based on B’Av warns us that it is imperative – fifty days. Our sages understood to make a conscious link between the premise that we are all God’s to accept that we are a people that ‘sabbath’ to mean the first day of Pesach (the Festival of Freedom) and children and that we must set aside are at once diverse and united Pesach (as opposed to the Saturday Shavuot (the Festival of the Giving of our differences to work for a common under God and Torah. Rabbinic during the week of Pesach) and so Torah), illustrating the importance of cause. President Mandela’s vision literature is replete with argument we count the omer every night from moral and ethical laws to ensure true of a rainbow nation by definition and discussion LeShem Shamayim the second night of Pesach for seven freedom and the safe-guarding of necessitates embracing our diversity (for the sake of heaven). Similarly weeks. The next day we celebrate human dignity. Similarly the chanting under the umbrella of unity, just every Jew who is committed to tikkun Shavuot, which became the of the seven haftarot of consolation as a rainbow, the symbol of God’s olam and relating to the elevation of anniversary of the giving of the Ten on the seven Shabbatot linking Tisha covenant with humanity, is one entity the mundane into the realm of the Utterances at Mount Sinai (originally B’Av to the High Holy Days should comprising different colours. holy has a path to the Most High. As Shavuot was the celebration of the instil an awareness of a connection First Fruits, Chag ha-Bikkurim). between the two events in our Similarly Tisha B’Av occurs seven spiritual calendar. The original Temple weeks before Rosh HaShanah, a fact reason for commemorating the that is marked by the seven Haftarot fast of the ninth of Av (as well as Israel's of Consolation, starting with Shabbat the fasts of 17 Tammuz, 3 Tishrei Va’etchanan, the first Shabbat after and 10 Tevet) was to mourn Mandela Day Tisha B’Av. This Shabbat is also the destruction of the First and referred to as Shabbat Nachamu Second Temples in 586 BCE and Walkathon (Sabbath of Comfort) because this 70 CE respectively. Sunday 18th July at 3pm haftarah is followed by six more The Talmud (Yoma 9b) teaches at the venue of your choice prophetical readings from the Book that the First Temple was Email [email protected] of Isaiah, all with the theme of God destroyed by the Chaldeans for more info and to register comforting the People of Israel because the People of Israel after their suffering. The mood of were guilty of idolatry, immorality these seven weeks linking Tisha and bloodshed. Even though the B’Av to the beginning of the Yamim populace of Judaea occupied Nora’im (the Days of Awe) is in stark themselves with Torah study and contrast to the haftarot of the three the observance of the mitzvot and weeks preceding Tisha B’Av. These acts of loving-kindness during Winning cheesecakes for Shavuot prophetical readings, taken from the times of the Second Temple, the Books of Jeremiah and Isaiah the sanctuary was destroyed are termed Haftarot of Affliction, by the Romans because of the in which the prophets warn their prevalence of causeless hatred audiences of the dire consequences (sinat chinam) among the Jews of not observing God’s ethical laws. (Yoma 9b). The historical record Thus the three weeks leading up of the destruction of the Second Temple bears out this Talmudic Mazaltov to last month’s assertion. Intolerance and hatred Bnoth Mitzvah of the followers of one Jewish sect towards those of another simply because they had different interpretations of Torah or views on how to relate to the non- Jewish world led to inter-factional fighting that eventually enabled Rome to destroy Jerusalem and Rebekkah Holmes Hannah Jantjies This year's cheesecake entries in our annual Shavuot Cheesecake Competition hosted 12 June 19 June the Temple. by Suzelle DIY. Congratulations to our 2021 winners, the Bourne family. back to contents 16 Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021 CSO Cape Town – Protecting your loved ones, keeping you safe and healthy

CAPE TOWN The last decade of the twentieth century saw the deepening of globalisation, the emergence of the digital age, as well as a rise in political, religious and ethnic violence globally. In South Africa it was a time of renewed hope with Apartheid in its death throes and Nelson Mandela a free man with the vision to create a unified and democratic country. he global tide of antisemitism Twas ever-present, with attacks on Jews and their way of life becoming an almost daily occurrence. It was against this backdrop in 1992, in an effort to protect their way of life, that Jewry in the Western Cape rallied together and formed the Community Security Organisation Cape Town (CSO CT). The South African Jewish Board of Deputies formally launched the organisation a year later. CSO CT was founded on the key principle of protecting Jewish life, the Jewish CSO volunteers protecting Gardens Shul way of life and empowering the the 90-odd individuals who give of She adds, “Our team of well-trained, Every volunteer has their own community to protect itself. their time within the protection and dedicated and passionate volunteers inspiration for joining CSO CT. Some security services, in the control give everything for our community. have a personal link or have had In its infancy, its role was to provide room, or with the COVID-19 Wellness Volunteers are our most prized their lives impacted by the work of security and physical protection Monitoring Programme. This usually resource — we cannot achieve our volunteers. Others have lost relatives to those attending shul on the consists of one or two shifts each mission without them, and so we urge in the Holocaust and during the Shabbat, and to other Jewish sites month as well as some training. The the community to step up and join — horrors of the Second World War. of importance. Fast forward to the pandemic has meant that training is there are many ways to get involved.” present, and CSO CT provides Says Raize, “Even if it is simply now fairly challenging, but CSO CT services to the greater Western Cape Since the COVID-19 pandemic, standing outside a Shul during has managed to continue training community that also include medical, CSO has further embedded itself services to protect fellow volunteers online to ensure that they emergency and training services. In into the community. By establishing congregants, it is their contribution are able to continue providing a much- addition, they run numerous school a Wellness Monitoring Programme, towards making the world a better needed service to the community. programmes alongside related CSO was able to remotely monitor place and ensuring that something community initiatives. “When I tell people I work at CSO, community members infected with like that never happens again.” the response is always the same, COVID-19 who were in isolation or The CSO model is based on our “While we continue to positively thank G-d for CSO. This underlines quarantine. The programme tracks shared humanity. Every individual impact and support communities a critical sentiment — when the the heart rate, oxygen levels and within CSO helps out on a voluntary in the Western Cape, we require community calls on us, we will temperature of patients. Should their basis by contributing either their the resources to do so. We call on respond and never let them down. condition deteriorate, a medical team time, expertise or skills. While CSO community members to contribute in This is something I believe that none or general practitioner is dispatched employs three full-time paramedics, any way they can, whether through of us can live without,” says Loren to conduct an in-person assessment the remaining 20 medical staff are their time, skills and expertise or Raize, Director at CSO CT. and decide on further steps. volunteers. The same applies to manpower.” she concludes.

CSO CAPE TOWN — PROTECTING JEWISH LIFE AND THE JEWISH WAY OF LIFE EMERGENCY NUMBER: 086 18 911 18

CSO medics responding to an emergency call CSO 24/7 control room back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021 17 Unity, resilience and How we learn at Salisbury House In May, we celebrated up the cars. We decided to donate the community Shavuot at Salisbury House. food to Christ Church Kenilworth, as they have several feeding schemes Sharon and David made Aliyah united in support of one another. In a ogether with Temple Israel, in our school’s area. message to the community, outgoing Twe collected bikkurim (non- almost 30 years ago and settled When we arrived at the church we in the seaside city of Ashkelon. Telfed Chairman Batya Shmukler, perishable food) to donate to the relayed her impressions as a mother less fortunate. Once we collected were greeted by Sharon, the Campus uring the recent conflict, of two soldiers, “I am incredibly enough food we divided it up into Manager. She told us about their soup DAshkelon residents dealt with an proud to live in Israel, our only home. different food types. We then plotted kitchen evenings, care packages and unprecedented barrage of rockets. Despite incessant rocket attacks, a this information down on a bar U-Turn collaborations. The children Sirens sounded at too-frequent total stranger brought shwarma to graph and discussed how much of got an opportunity to ask questions intervals, day and night, for days. my son and his unit. Another resident each food type we had collected. and we discussed the similarities Sharon reached out to Telfed, “We near Gaza prepared homemade We incorporated mathematical between Temple services and Church need help, please.” She went on schnitzel for them in case they were vocabulary, as well as discussing the services during COVID times. to explain that their apartment has hungry. Other Jewish parents are nutritional value of each type of food. We were invited to play in the lovely no mamad (safe room). “We have stepping in to look after my children, We explored the different meals that gardens at the church and when had to run down three floors on a our children. It is a reminder that we could be made with each food type we got back to school we wrote a non-stop basis. We are exhausted, are like family.” and discussed which food would be detailed article on the process we traumatised… other residents in our considered a staple food and which took to eventually donating our goods building are near collapse.” South African olim initiated projects were luxuries. to support those in the south. They to Christ Church Kenilworth. While they were fortunate to have a opened their homes to host residents Rabbi Malcolm visited our school to A great deal of fun and learning was communal shelter in their building, it of the Gaza border communities and discuss the relevance of bikkurim and had during this project. At Salisbury was in a state of disrepair, and they collected and delivered clothes, food, Shavuot and why we take part in this House we integrate our subjects to were desperate for help so that the toys and other supplies to those under mitzvah. We packed the groceries create authentic, true-to-life learning space could be ‘somewhat livable’. heavy fire. Telfed staff and volunteers neatly into shopping bags and loaded experiences. Her concern for the safety of elderly made hundreds of calls to South and sickly neighbours, who could African olim in the most affected not make it to the shelter in time, communities to check in on them, and prompted her to reach out. see if they needed any assistance. At times of crisis, we are reminded Telfed CEO Dorron Kline took cover of the resilience and kindness of our (twice) in Tel Aviv on his way to olim, the strength of our community, delivering welcome packs to our and the lifelong connection that newest olim in their quarantine hotel. our olim share with Telfed. Once From the moment the ceasefire a list of required essential items came into effect, it was business as was received, we discovered that usual. Our new olim, who have had deliveries from local shops were to contend with changing COVID- delayed due to the security situation. related aliyah requirements and Telfed’s Ashkelon Regional Volunteer rocket fire, now know they can handle and veteran oleh, David Zwebner, anything — including the infamous tackled the problem and ensured bureaucracy of immigration. Among that the necessary supplies were our new arrivals in 2021 are a number purchased and delivered (between of young olim who are waiting to rockets and sirens) to Sharon, David begin their army service. We are and their neighbours. ever grateful to our soldiers and look In recent weeks, we have seen and forward to hosting over 100 South African Lone Soldiers at our annual Salisbury House children, accompanied by Rabbi Malcolm, hand over bikkurim to experienced the true essence of Christ Church Kenilworth staff Israel. Israelis from all walks of life Lone Soldier brunch this August.

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Adi Zahavi and Yoni Blitz assisted David Zwebner with the delivery of basic supplies Click on your favourite social media site & visit our website. to South African olim in Ashkelon, during Operation Guardian of the Walls. back to contents 18 Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021 Cape Jewish Seniors Association DIRECTOR: Diana Sochen 021 434 9691 [email protected] ADMIN: Amanda 021 434 9691 [email protected] search CJSA on Facebook Coping with loneliness while being alone during lockdown and beyond

Many of us have spent an awful amount of Be your own best friend time alone during the last year and a half; and Social and Personal You must love yourself to enjoy solitude. Loneliness we each have a different way of coping with Even during the lockdown period, is the poverty of self: solitude is richness of self. Treat this alone-time. there have been numerous yourself like you would a friend. You would not allow occasions to celebrate. s an organisation we have tried to ensure that our your friend to judge themselves badly so you should We welcome new member members have been able to interact with others, not allow your mind to abuse you. Tell yourself what A Edward Katz and remain part of our community while being alone. you would tell a friend as this will make you stronger. Engagement Make plans to do things with yourself that you are enjoy There are ways to enjoy solitude instead of feeling Hymie and Rosebeth Becker — you are wonderful company and know exactly what lonely. When you notice loneliness creeping in, there – granddaughter you like and how you want things done. Make yourself are ways to transform it into a positive feeling, thus Births feel loved and appreciated — watch a movie that you enabling you to enjoy your solitude and keep from Welcome and mazaltov to the have wanted to watch for ever and enjoy yourself while feeling lonely. Feelings of loneliness have always been families celebrating births. you can. an issue. The pandemic has only magnified this as we Phyllis Friedlander continue having to keep our social distance, and so Find and do what you love – great-grandson many communal areas remain shut down. Whether Eve Joffe – great-grandson Covid continues or we go back to the new normal way Find what brings you true joy. Be honest with yourself. Wilfrid Mirkin of life, this is really a good time to learn ways to combat You cannot help but enjoy your solitude if you are doing – great-granddaughter loneliness and to enjoy solitude. something you love. If you don’t know what you love, Mazaltov to families celebrating bar and batmitzvahs Understanding the power of loneliness and now is the time to figure it out — write down what has brought you joy in the past and whatever your heart Avron and Haley Almelah – son being alone has been longing for. Start projects so that you can feel Marcel Almelah – grandson Loneliness and being alone are not the same thing. in control of your alone-time (it might even make you Sam and Reeva Chait – grandson There is a huge difference. want more alone-time), thus eliminating that feeling of Barbara J Khan – grand-nieces in helplessness that often accompanies loneliness. Sydney and grandson in Israel Loneliness is when we are sad because we long for Hilda Wilk – grandson interaction with others. Being alone is not having Rejuvenate for interaction Marriage someone else physically near you. There is no Eileen and Cedric Braudo feeling inherently associated with being alone — People do need solitude and alone-time to prepare – granddaughter equating loneliness with being alone is a conscious or and rejuvenate the soul for when they do interact with Special birthday subconscious connection that we make. others. There can be much happiness in the solitude of Ann Stoller – 98 years planning for when you are not alone. Once we separate the physical state of being alone Wilfrid Mirkin – 85 years from the feeling of loneliness, it can instead be replaced Schedule things to do with others. Relax and rest so Anniversary with the peace and comfort of solitude. that you have energy and positive attitude when you Sam and Reeva Chait – 66 years do mingle with people. Many individuals are surprised Ivan and Miriam Atlas – 60 years Stop judging at how much more present, connected, and content Our sincere condolences they feel in company once they have taken time to to members and families of There are many reasons to find yourself alone at rejuvenate in solitude. members who have recently times. Often, the pain of loneliness does not come passed away from lacking interaction with other people but from the Memories can hold powerful emotions for us. The Maureen Nates – sister, Pearl judgement we place on being alone. We imagine we stories we hold dear and keep alive can be good to Levin are alone because we are not liked. Our thoughts can journal while we are alone to prevent loneliness, and Natalie Goodman – husband, spiral making us feel that we are not good enough to as a great way to preserve life stories for your family. Reuben have company. When we judge ourselves, this only Take this opportunity to do something positive so Pat Josephson – wife, Urshula brings about resentment and despair. that once the pandemic is over, you have something positive on which to reflect. The acronym FOMO ‘Fear of Missing Out’ is a reality, especially during COVID — isolation heightens FOMO Daily Zoom and because we really do not know when this is going to be over, it has become a real fear for many. However programmes there are really ways to prevent FOMO: Diana Sochen – Executive Director Please join us for our daily Zoom programme which is available on our Weekly Shabbat Meals Facebook page. Every day is special with a Served to your door. Yummy meals delivered to your home by our incredible volunteers while varied and exciting session. you are able to celebrate ensuring your safety at all times. Extend yourself and learn something new every week. CJSA Shabbat Wine Available throughout the year for your Shabbat Meals and more. Please support us by buying a bottle for only R80.

back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021 19 Building bridges at the SAJM

High Schools, and look forward to businesses have little Since last year, COVID our next bookings which include background knowledge restrictions have put a stop to groups from Paarl, Delft and Nyanga. of the community in our visits from government In addition we are looking ahead to which they work. Given primary schools. an increase in visits from private the worldwide rise in schools, starting with Sinai Academy antisemitism, we see e are waiting for the day we can who spent a morning with our Dani an opportunity for Wenjoy the full range of school Dreidel activity books and a story in Jewish business owners groups again. However, our Cultural the shtetl. and organisations to Diversity Education Programme has broaden their staff’s In June we welcomed two groups risen to the challenge by changing understanding of of staff members from Glendale focus. We are now partnering with Judaism and Zionism. Care Home, who were enthusiastic NGOs to host visits from children If you are a Jewish-run to find out more about the history and adults keen to join us outside of organisation or business, Sinai Academy with their Dani Dreidel activity books of the people whom they know so school. We have had wonderful days we invite you to build well. They came away with a greater and facilitators who have helped with the Walker Bus Project (Mitchells your own bridge with your staff at understanding of our community. We to build bridges thus far: Roz von Plain), Delft Cadets (Delft), Liyema our museum. Contact us and we will realised that many South Africans Zwicklitz, Dalene Morris, Tanya (Khayelitsha), Q Rock (Wellington), prepare a specialised tour for you. and the Junior Achievement groups of other religions and cultures who Bauman, Lesley Katz, Cheryl from Livingstone and Beacon Hill work for Jewish organisations and A heartfelt thank you to the guides Margolin, Langa Nesani, Beverley Sarembock and Beryl Verblun.

Livingstone High School Junior Achievement students visited us as a reward for their hard work. Smiling under their masks: the second group of Glendale staff arrive for their tour. Legends & Legacies: A Story of a Community

Legends & Legacies: A Story of Episode 1: Comings and Goings How a Community is an eight-part did the immigrant South African Jewish documentary television series that community arrive at the foot of Africa? Who tells of the history and contribution were they, where did they come from, and of the South African Jewish where did they go? community. Episode 2: Gib a Kook/Have a Look From hawkers to captains of industry, the Jewish presence in Southern Africa same road was trudged. Acan be traced as far back as Fernao Episode 3: Something Tangible The Martins, a converso (a Portuguese Jew who establishment of the communal institutions, was forced to convert to Christianity) who from graveyards to schools. was selected by Vasco da Gama to be his Episode 4: It all Depends The integration translator on his first voyage via southern of the community into the civil society that Africa to India in 1497. surrounded them. The first Jewish settlers to South Africa Episode 5: Longings and Belongings All these are part of the rich complexity of were Anglo-Germans at the beginning of the 19th The engagement of the community with the Jewish life at the southern tip of Africa. century, followed by East European ‘Litvaks’ escaping political realities of South Africa. the pogroms later that century. Most settled in rural The makers of this series crossed the Episode 6: Wondering Jews The thinkers, the areas, and not until the diamond, then gold rush of country, from small villages to major philosophers, the writers, the people of science and the late 19th century, did a greater assortment arrive; cities and uncovered little-known stories, medicine and the law — truly a ‘people of the book’. adventurers, explorers and refugees. interviewing community members from all Episode 7: My Child Could Do Better South African walks of life, finding both joy and sadness Jewish involvement in theatre, the arts and creativity Jewish immigrants and their descendants have left their and remarkable achievement. — and what it did for the community. mark on South Africa in many ways. There have been An informal gathering doctors and lawyers and rabbis and parliamentarians, The series was created and produced by Episode 8: Considerations of Jewish family and friends before the Sabbath. hawkers and diamond-diggers, industrialists and Mark Wade, written and presented by Alan We contemplate the present and the future of South Randlords, renegade Boer War commandos and Nobel Swerdlow, and funded with special thanks to Africa’s Jewish community. prize-winners, social workers, artists and activists. the Kirsh Foundation.

The series will launch on Sunday 11 July at 6pm as a world charity premiere in support of the Union of Jewish Women South Africa, and will include a brief discussion with Bev Goldman (UJW), Alan Swerdlow and Mark Wade. Registered participants will be able to view the live webcast, and have access to a private YouTube channel to view the series at their leisure. Episodes will launch weekly, every Sunday at 6pm, from 11 July to 29 August. Late registrants will be given access to a private YouTube channel. Register here

back to contents 20 Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021

back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021 21 A view from the bar Justice — who appoints the judges?

By Anton Katz SC Justice is key to a better paper tigers with a ferocious capacity candidates, including Judge David dominant role society. Parashat Shoftim, to roar and to snarl but no teeth to Unterhalter.2 in deciding who bite, and no sinews to execute what becomes a judge. Deuteronomy 16:18 – 21:9 CASAC (Council for the Advancement may then become a piece of sterile Questions arise opens with the summons to of the South African Constitution) scholarship. Its ultimate power must as to whether “appoint judges and officials has also launched a High Court therefore rest on the esteem in which that is a fair and challenge declaring certain conduct for your tribes... and they the judiciary is held within the psyche just system. Is of the JSC to be unlawful. How the shall govern the people with and soul of a nation. That esteem justice somehow High Court rules on CASAC’s case due justice. You shall not must substantially depend on its compromised will be interesting and important. judge unfairly.” independence and integrity.” or watered down when the judges Who sits on the JSC is obviously whose task it is to uphold justice are ituals are essential and beautiful, In South Africa, to become a judge significant. Like all parts of the appointed by persons elected by but they remain frosting. is unlike many professions as R Constitution, the composition of the citizens? There is probably no Goodness, justice and decency one does not study specifically at the JSC reflects a compromise perfect appointment regime. Every form the basis of a good and caring university to become one, and then between competing parties and system will have advantages and society. apply. There is no ‘judging’ degree or values during the drafting of the disadvantages. Judges are human certificate in South Africa. In some The Torah insists, “Justice, justice Constitution. Some parties sought and those who appoint the judges countries, particularly those that shall you pursue”1. And part of limited representation by politicians, are human. So, the best justice can follow what is known as the civil law justice depends on who dispenses it. whereas others were concerned hope for is that although judges, system, individuals study to become It is of no value to have judges who with legacy of apartheid judges and when dispensing justice, and the judges at university. In South Africa are partial to one group or certain wished for greater influence by the JSC when appointing judges will the Constitution says that any ideas. Judges are the custodians incoming government. make mistakes, that those errors will appropriately qualified person who of justice in society. Independent, be rare rather than the norm. That’s is considered fit and proper, may be The JSC consists of 23 members. fair and learned members of what justice demands. society assist in resolving disputes appointed as a judicial officer. So, the Ten of the commissioners are peacefully. Violence, destruction interesting and difficult question is: parliamentarians and another four are and unhappiness can be avoided or how and who are to appoint judges, appointed by the President. The other Anton Katz is a practising Senior limited by the actions of wise and fair the custodians of justice? members are three of the most senior Counsel, former United Nations judges, the Minister of Justice, a law special rapporteur on mercenaries judges. The Constitution recognises Each country has different professor and four commissioners and human rights, former Acting this by commanding that courts must mechanisms for the appointment of who are practising advocates and High Court Judge, and an admitted apply the law “impartially and without judges. In some societies judges are attorneys. It is immediately apparent attorney in New York. He was born fear, favour or prejudice”, and the appointed by the head of state, such that political parties play a relatively and raised in Sea Point. oath of office prescribed by schedule as a King, Queen, Chief or President. two requires each judge to swear In some, the Queen or other head of that he or she “will state plays the role uphold and protect of judge herself. the Constitution... “...any appropriately In other societies, and will administer qualified person who is the citizens vote in justice to all persons considered fit and proper, contested elections alike without fear, may be appointed as a for judges. And in favour or prejudice, other societies, in accordance with judicial officer.” juries consisting the Constitution of peers play the and the law.” role of judging. There are no juries The judicial branch is responsible not in South Africa; only judges and only for resolving disputes between magistrates who adjudicate disputes. private parties, but also for resolving Judges in South Africa are appointed disputes between government and by the President on the advice of the private parties, and even disputes Judicial Service Commission (JSC). between different branches or The South African Constitution sectors of government. It has the establishes a Judicial Service responsibility to protect individuals Commission effectively to control the from government overreaching, and President’s appointment of judges. it plays an important role in South In recommending candidates for Africa’s constitutional balance of appointment as judges, the JSC must powers. The Constitutional Court determine whether the individual is a has commented that “Unlike fit and proper person to be appointed. Parliament or the Executive, the Thus, the composition of the JSC Court does not have the power of becomes important. In the past few the purse or the army or the police to years, the JSC has increasingly been execute its will. The superior courts criticised for conducting itself in an and the Constitutional Court do not unbecoming and unlawful manner. have a single soldier. They would be impotent to protect the Constitution There have been complaints that if the agencies of the State which certain candidates are targeted for control the mighty physical and their religious, cultural and political financial resources of the State affiliations. Recently, the JSC put refused to command those resources out a media statement refuting to enforce the orders of the courts. the SA Jewish Board of Deputies’ The courts could be reduced to complaint that it had targeted Jewish

1. https://www.myjewishlearning.com 2. https://www.judiciary.org.za/images/news back to contents 22 Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021 Here comes Mila... Book Reviews By Lindy Diamond Mila Smith is a sixteen-year-old student at Herzlia. She’s also a The Magic of Us talented singer/songwriter with a newly released debut single by Azila Talit Reisenberger and another on the way. As a fan of the author in real life, and having witnessed he describes how she’s been first-hand the warmth, humour and goodness she Ssinging as long as she remembers, infuses into marriage ceremonies, I was more than putting her thoughts and feelings to music as far back as the age of three. excited to spend a few hours in her mind, reading The Magic of Us; a book that explores the exquisite The CJC asked her about her career complexity of being human and subject to the whims of others in our thus far — what were the pivotal quest for happiness and self-fulfillment. moments? The first pivotal moment was getting a keyboard when I was he book starts with a hypothetical question that introduces us to the characters eight years old. That’s when I started Tand gives us insight into who they are. Although there are many — spanning over writing my own original music. Then, a century of narrative — they have been written with enough attention to detail for at age 11, I started a band called the reader to have a vested interest in their well-being. Skyscrapers with two boys from After this introduction, there are hints that something momentous is about to unfold, school. I was the lead singer and composed the original music. In and I was not disappointed. Through casual dinner conversations, epic overseas 2016, we released our debut EP Possibility and a music video for our explorations, and historical narrative, the author takes us on a huge adventure, at single Just Kids. In December 2016, our song Megaphone was the times suspending reality and stepping into the genre of Jewish historical fantasy; and song behind the DSTV campaign for their new channel Animania. we go along happily because of the infinitely likeable characters. Afterwards, we got to perform at Concert in the Park and opened for well known South African bands like Freshlyground and The Just under the surface of this fictional tale lies acerbic criticism of the sometimes- Rudimentals. The band broke up in 2018. That same year I was cruel, always-challenging world of conversion to Judaism under the strict eye of the approached by Platoon, a creative artist services company owned by Beth Din and the male-dominated rabbinical leadership, as well as patriarchy in Apple. I signed with them as a solo artist and was able to write and general. The author asks us to question; What is a Jew? Who is the ‘most’ Jewish? record with various producers. Now, three years later, my debut single What does that even mean? What does a Jew look like? and music video for my original song Liars and Fakes is out — and I In a country where we often wear orthodoxy as a birthright and not a way of life, the book couldn’t be happier! raises questions that many who have not gone down the grueling road to conversion Describe your process: My writing process usually starts with a have never thought to ask. This story also makes you want to trace your great-great- melody. I can be anywhere: at school; in the shower etc and I get a grandparents back to the towns and cities you have heard of but never visited, to a random melody in my head. Then I establish that melody as chords world that in some ways shaped us, but no longer exists. on the piano (I play by ear). Once the chords are established, my For many in our community, the stories are our stories, and details lyrics flow from there. I usually write based on my own emotions and feel familiar, through our own family histories, or cellular level experiences. Or I put myself in someone else’s shoes and write from recall. The beautiful tradition of blessing children is mentioned their perspective. Besides writing music, I love creative writing tasks throughout the book in different contexts and this continuation of at school because it’s a different way to flex the writing muscles. tradition is a moving motif. How are you managing to balance your time, and energy between This easy-read is a sometimes pleasant, sometimes painful ride your academic commitments and your music career? Balancing through family history, tragedy and relationships, woven together my time between my academic commitments and my music career with the narrators’ (and author’s) sense of morality and humour. can be challenging. However, it has been possible due to Herzlia’s support and my strong support system at home. My school is very understanding of my demanding schedule. So too is my mom and the rest of my family — they are always there when I need them; willing Future Tense: Reflections on my to listen and give advice. I think it is also very important to know your limits and set boundaries to ensure you don’t take on too much. I’m Troubled Land by Tony Leon always willing to voice when I feel overwhelmed and try to plan when to do what, to ensure that I have some time for myself to relax. With a writing style that is informal, yet bursting with the insight of decades in the political arena, Tony Leon Your debut single has just been released — what’s it about? Liars and Future Tense make it feel like you are having coffee and Fakes was essentially written about someone who I felt used me and a chat with this veteran politician. for superficial gain as opposed to chasing a real, genuine friendship. It is an upbeat pop song with a little bit of an 80s disco sound to it. eon’s latest book takes us through Present, Past and Future tense in three distinct parts, each filled with the author’s personal experiences, The video is amazing and looks like it was a lot of fun to make. L and reflections on South Africa’s political landscape. In a style that is more Tell us about it: The making of the Liars and Fakes music video will conversational than didactic, Leon weaves a narrative that not only tells us what always be memorable! The actual shooting of the music video was happened, but gives a seasoned professional’s view on why it happened; and more delayed constantly due to COVID and eventually, in February 2021, importantly, what he thinks it all means for the future of South Africa’s citizens. we were able to shoot. The production team behind the music video is called ‘Butterfly Films’ and they helped bring the music video to The book draws on quotes from various sources, allowing the reader to grasp these life. It starts off at a diner, where my squad and I are working. We are snapshots of political zeitgeist at different times, through multiple lenses. We can dissatisfied and have to act fake and superficial. Then we decide we’ve really delve into what was happening behind the scenes, instead of only what was on had enough and escape the diner (on roller skates) and skate around the stage, and it adds a whole new layer of context to what we think we know. the city. Eventually we land up at an abandoned mall. It is there that Books on South African politics can be dry, and I wasn’t looking forward to what I we change outfits. I loved that idea because we were transforming thought was another of those. I am most relieved to say that I have been pleasantly in our clothing but also in our mindsets. Rather than being fake and surprised. This remains juicy and inside-scoop-like. superficial, we emerge as our true, authentic selves. The music video ends off on a high note — on the roof of a skyscraper. There were times when I imagined Leon leaning in to speak in hushed tones with raised eyebrows and me responding with a Where to from here? After this, my second single and music video pearl-clutching “Surely not?!” When I couple that with easy is planned to be released at the end of July. Afterwards, the goal is reading and a definite improvement of my understanding of to release my debut EP towards the end of this year. I’d also love to politics, I would call this time well spent, and I daresay, enjoyed. start performing my songs live, when lockdown regulations ease up! Another dream of mine is to compose music for a movie or film score, This is a good book to read if you want to be able to discuss politics so that is something I'd love to focus on too! intelligently and understand the goings-on in the DA and ANC, without having to suffer through a long-winded autobiography or Click here to watch Liars and Fakes dry historical account. back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021 23 Not all young Jews want to leave South Africa

By Ricky Stoch This article was first published by DafkaDotCom 22 March 2021 There is nothing quite like It took us many hours of complaining ingraining negative stereotypes about Jewish a pandemic in London to about other people’s frivolous “first Jews. Simply being Jewish increases identity in remind you how good our world complaints” (the irony is not lost people’s likelihood of being faced South Africa lives are in South Africa. I on us) and lack of perspective to give with a sustained stream of abuse appears to moved to London in 2018 to a name to what we felt was missing. expressed in different forms.” The be stronger, We call it the impetus for change. By survey also notes that respondents and more religious, than in either study and now, while starting this we mean not only the desire to perceive antisemitism to be rising Australia or the UK.” To me, it is more my business and getting make a difference but the opportunity significantly across the region. telling that the survey found “South British citizenship, I commute and ability to make a tangible impact Africa’s Jewish population is highly ​I am not religious but I am traditional between South Africa and the in the lives of those less fortunate active in Jewish communal life, with and proudly Jewish. I know that UK. When I settle down, I hope than ourselves. over three quarters of respondents antisemitism exists in South Africa. to do it in South Africa. (78%) having attended at least one ​Our circle might not be reflective of That said, in South Africa, I have communal event in the previous ccording to the 2019 Jewish our contemporaries in the broader never second-guessed whether twelve months.” ACommunity Survey of South Jewish community. That said, I don’t or not to say that I am Jewish. In Africa (JCSSA) most respondents know many people who aren’t, in a England the opposite is true. I won’t But it isn’t just the impetus for (74%) had either a strong or quite professional or personal capacity, wear a magen david or any other change, comparatively low levels of a strong sense of belonging to contributing meaningfully to broader Jewish signifier in public. I am not antisemitism or strong community South Africa. However, the survey South African society. I don’t think alone. In January, The Guardian that continue to draw me back noted that “feelings of belonging my friends are necessarily typical, published an article, stating that 44% to South Africa. It is also the are weakest among respondents even the one in finance works for a of British Jews avoid “visible displays opportunities, especially for young aged 25 and younger.” In a recent nonprofit and is pursuing a career in of Judaism in public.” people, that come with living here. DafkaDotCom article (24/02/2021), development. The others work in the Like most things in England, If you are entrepreneurial, starting Deena Katzen alludes to this pattern arena of human rights, public health, antisemitism isn’t overt. Rather, it lies a business here can be significantly when she writes, “I believe that many food security, or are doctors in the below the surface. The comments are easier. This is mainly due to our being young Jewish South Africans will opt public health system. The handful just innocuous enough to make you a developing country, which naturally for the opportunity that offers them that work in the corporate sector, think you are being over-sensitive. means there are opportunities to the best quality of life. For most this do charity work and volunteer. At One friend hasn’t told her colleagues build products and offer services that is no longer South Africa.” the very least, they donate to local she is Jewish in case she asks for a don’t already exist. If you are seeking charities when and where they can. ​Like most surveys, the JCSSA is not raise and is met with the stereotypical employment, you are a big fish in entirely representative. I was 25 when a small pond. This is especially so the survey took place and I found the ​“When I settle and have a family I want to do so in a place where in the Jewish community, which results surprising as my social circle contributing to society, to something bigger than oneself, is the prioritises investing in education. In has a very strong sense of belonging cities like London, New York, Toronto to South Africa. In fact, of those who expected and not the exceptional.” or Sydney you are a guppy in an have left South Africa many hope ocean where everyone is Ivy League to return. When I asked my friends The impetus for change is not unique tropes we all know too well. I recently (or the local equivalent) educated. about the survey none of them were to the Jewish community but, Jewish read an email from a prominent Moreover, at the risk of perpetuating even aware that it had taken place. or not, I can’t say the same for the consultancy on International the stereotype, the reality is that majority of my contemporaries in Holocaust Memorial Day saying being part of our Jewish community Obviously, my friendship circle is London. Tzedakah and Tikkun Olam broadly that discrimination was opens doors. not a significant enough sample size are integral to Judaism but South bad. However, despite being about to alter the statistics. We are left- For better or for worse I love and hate African Jewry is distinct in that International Holocaust Memorial leaning, secular Jews in our twenties the South African Jewish community. our outreach extends beyond our Day, the email made no reference to and thirties, we are too old for youth A community that I hate to love own community. the systematic persecution of Jews movements/SAUJS and don’t have and love to hate. A complicated in Europe in World War II. children, so haven’t ‘re-entered’ The JCSSA reports that 74% community to which I believe it is a traditional communal spaces. But of respondents agreed that the This January, The Independent privilege to belong, because at the I would argue, that in the statistics “organised Jewish community published an article detailing the end of the day I know they will catch our voices, and voices like ours, goes to great lengths to help the results of a poll on antisemitism me if I fall. aren’t being heard. We make up a underprivileged majority in South conducted by YouGov and Kings ​In my life I have lived in six cities, small contingent, but a contingent Africa.” Organisations like Afrika College. The article noted that 45% three countries and have had the nonetheless. A group that has the Tikkun, or Mensch, are not only of British adults agreed, among privilege of travelling extensively. potential to make an impact not only motivated by Jewish values, but, other antisemitic tropes, that Jews I am privileged to have options, on the Jewish community but South as Mensch describes itself, is “control the media,” or “talk about backups as well as a plan B and C. I African society as a whole. specifically dedicated to “support the Holocaust just to further their have also learned the hard way that and develop social change-makers, political agenda.” When people hear that I want to come the grass isn’t greener anywhere, it facilitate volunteering, and build back to settle in South Africa I am The 2018 EU survey on antisemitism, just has different thorns. bridges between people, to bring usually met with disbelief, a raised mentioned earlier, estimates about positive transformation in Ricky Stoch is the founder of Studio brow and, “well, that’s refreshing”. that across the twelve countries South Africa.” Fundi, a design consultancy and Then, with narrowed eyes, I’m asked, canvassed, 39% of respondents product development firm, based “is it because of the weather?” ​When I settle and have a family I want had experienced antisemitism in in London and Johannesburg, to do so in a place where contributing the 12 months prior to the study. In The reality is that, in the UK, which uses the power of visuals to to society, to something bigger than comparison, the JCSSA reports only things like the weather, the tedious solve problems, change behaviour, oneself, is the expected and not 8.8% of respondents experiencing bureaucracy, the comparatively democratise information and the exceptional. verbal insults or harassment. lower standard of living to which communicate ‘big ideas’. For the relatively privileged South Africans Another factor that informs my The South African Jewish community past two years she has focused are accustomed, and everything in desire to settle in South Africa is the is complex and full of contradictions. on developing a cheap solution to between, are just details. They aren’t rise of antisemitism in Europe. The We like to kvetch but in truth we are increase treatment adherence to great but they certainly aren’t the key finding of the Experiences and incredibly lucky to belong to such antiretrovirals and other chronic main reasons I want to leave the UK Perceptions of Antisemitism Second a small, organised and involved medication. Ricky holds BA and and return home. Survey on Discrimination and Hate community. I’ve never experienced Honours degrees from the University Crimes Against Jews in the EU anything like it anywhere else in the of Cape Town and a Masters in I have an ongoing back and forth with a (2018) is “that antisemitism pervades world. Visual Communication from the friend, who also lives overseas, about the public sphere, reproducing and Royal College of Art in London. what makes South Africa so special. The JCSSA reports that “overall, back to contents 24 Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021 Meet rising digital marketing star, Dane Abramowitz

Dane Abramowitz is the Briefly explain what it is that allows me to work on projects that founder of HOTSEAT you do I enjoy, and have a life outside of work. I think too many marketing jobs digital agency (soon to be My agency has evolved quite destroy your ability to do anything amalgamated into Liquid significantly over the years through else. In most marketing positions, Thought), having previously new employees, new ideas and you have to wear too many hats, the ever-changing landscape, but worked at Red Bull for six years, so that the work becomes your life. essentially what is soon to be the ASICS for three years, and most Burn-out is real in this industry and ecommerce wing of Liquid Thought, recently as marketing manager it’s not worth it. at EGG — the brainchild of YDE provides true end-to-end ecommerce founder Paul Simon and Arie management, from digital strategy, What advice can you offer to anyone who wants to pursue a Fabian, ex Fabiani. website development, paid media strategy and management, content similar career? he CJC caught up with him to creation and logistics. There’s a lot to This really depends. Marketing find out more about his career unpack in each of those, but you get T within a brand can be super-fun; for trajectory thus far. the jist of it. me the prerequisite was finding a Why did you choose this career? Partnering with Liquid Thought marketing job at a brand that wasn’t has put us in the space of digital too corporate. If you’re in the same To be honest, I've never known what transformation. In a nutshell, there boat, look for brands that are doing I wanted to do or be. All I knew is are a substantial number of brands really exciting, progressive stuff. that I wouldn't survive the normal Is there anything you’d like to add? and businesses that are struggling nine-to-five office life, so Red Bull In terms of starting an agency, it’s to keep up with the rapidly changing Relationships and connections are and ASICS were a great balance all about connections. We have online economy. Our focus is to key. Just the other day I went for of work and play. I quickly realised no website (until now), we have no help get them up to speed through coffee with an old Herzlia Constantia though that I’d never reach my bigger credentials, nothing. Every single new uses of technology, simplified primary school friend who I don’t see dreams working for someone else, client, brand and business we have automated processes and smart too often. He’s a super-smart guy in so I needed to start my own thing. has come from word of mouth. marketing strategies to break through the development space and I threw I have my father to thank for the the clutter. Do good work, build strong some ideas around with him. He’s entrepreneurial drive in me. relationships and you will reap the now got me thinking about some What do you love about it? I started a web design company when rewards. I learnt this from a creative ways in which we can work together I was still at school and everyone We’re in such an interesting time, in agency I hold in high regard, ICONIC. going forward. wanted a website at that time. I was South Africa and the world, to be in I worked with them at Red Bull, took I’ve been in touch with school friends an 18-year-old kid having studied this space. The way we communicate them with me to ASICS and started a doing extremely innovative things in coding and subsequently started with brands and people, and the way relationship with them at EGG before diverse areas. Check out Aerobotics making semi-decent websites for we engage with content and the way I left, simply because of the people, founded by Benji Meltzer or Elevate small clients. At that age, it felt like we are changing so quickly... I love the way they treat me as a client founded by Matan Abraham. We’ve I was printing money. I couldn't watching all of it evolve and being a and of course, the incredible quality got some of the smartest individuals, understand why everyone else part of finding solutions to improve of their work. That shows you the right in this community. wasn’t doing it too. our lives. importance of nurturing relationships in this industry. That was my stepping stone into the There are so many clever people out Dane Abramowitz was born in Durban world of marketing. Jump ahead five there. Being in the marketing space I What are your plans for the future? and moved to Cape Town before years and I'm at one of the biggest try to engage with as many of those My focus on the immediate future the age of one. He attended Herzlia brands in the world, flying around people as possible and discover is growing Liquid Commerce, the for all of his schooling, starting at the globe, a first job any person of where their minds are taking them, newly-formed wing of Liquid Thought. Constantia Primary. my age at the time would dream of. I which usually sparks a new idea or There aren’t many players of true got comfortable though, and chose to two. It's no secret that South Africa After school he specialised in end-to-end ecommerce in South leave to become digital manager at has some major opportunities in the multimedia at Vega School, and Africa beside the obvious big few, ASICS, an underdog in the sneaker technology and development space followed that with a post-grad in but our goal is to be a one-stop-shop. scene. It excited me to know that and the right people to build the Entrepreneurship at UCT. I could make my mark and build platforms and tools. I love being a My brand marketing background, something from the ground up. A few part of that. the many many years of web As an inclusive community forum, years in, in the thick of the COVID-19 development from Liquid Thought, What don’t you love about it? The Cape Jewish Chronicle will be pandemic, the opportunity came and the logistics expertise of my focussing on stories of individuals about to work with a couple of big- I don't think there are things I can business partner means a real within the community, with exciting thinking entrepreneurs, and I couldn't say I don't like in this area. I wouldn’t 360-degree ecommerce roll-out. 21st century careers. If you have an say no to a startup in the retail sector. be doing it if I didn’t enjoy it. I have Other than that, we are working on interesting story to share with the It was a wild ride to say the least, but a huge belief in doing what you love, an exciting app, but that's all I’m community, please contact us at I learnt everything I needed there, to otherwise you're just working to live. I saying about that for now. [email protected] move forward with my own agency. am in a very fortunate position which

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FOR 2021 NOW DUE R350 Fire at our doorstep Help us continue to bring you news from n 18 April, a wind-free and unseasonally etc. Others were in the office calling community the Cape Town Ohot Sunday morning, a fire started on members who live near the fire-line to check Jewish Communitythe open land between Phillip Kgosana if they had evacuated and if not, if they needed PAYMENT OPTIONS ONDrive and Rhodes Memorial. assistance. They also assisted in removing the PAGE 4 OR CLICK HERE! Torah from the Kaplan Centre.” — CSO VOLUME 38 No 4 JUNE 2021 www.cjc.org.za hen the fire started at hospital bend, it “Wspread exceptionally quickly even before hen news broke of the fire, we started the wind came up. From the rate it was spreading, “Wsharing updates to Facebook. Our first And so, the rollout begins... everyone knew it would turn into a big fire. There communication was about directing offers of was also a lot of fuel. It hadn’t rained in at least donations to the relevant fire stations (Sea Point three weeks, so you can imagine how dry all that and the one on Roeland Street). This effort helped Thursday 27 May was a milestone day at Highlands House is taking a cautious step-by-step bush was.” — Jacques Weber, JWI NEWS divert traffic from the Newlands base where Highlands House, as residents received the approach to loosening restrictions. operations were continuing. first of their Pfizer vaccines. Earlier in the month, Highlands House and Cape Jewish received a phone call from my friend and Several individuals asked after and offered to help students who were evacuated from UCT. Our three-step system was implemented, with residents Seniors Association staff were vaccinated, and many “Icolleague, Tanya Barben, virtually in tears. second communication was a call to action so we taken through registration, innoculation, and then members of the community took the initiative of going UCT was going up in flames. The Jagger Library could coordinate these offers. Aa 15-minute waiting period, where they could be to sites that catered for walk-ins. (proof of registration that suffered the worst damage contained UCT’s monitored for any potential side-effects. was required) Special Collections, including the huge archival We also helped CSO, Rabbi Nissen Goldman and collection of her parents, banned and exiled political For David and Hazel Cohen, this development means Kaplan Centre coordinate the extraction of the Staff and residents alike are looking forward to the activists Professor Jack and Ray Simons. One of that they are that much closer to meeting their 5-week- Torah from the Kaplan Centre.” — Cape SAJBD SNAPSCAN ZAPPER EFT increased freedom that this will bring, although the flagship collections, it contained the history old grandson in person for the first time. of the ANC and much more. It also contained the erzlia closed four campus buildings for two Rare Books collection that Tanya had built up over “Hdays to limit the number of people in the 22 years. I had worked at UCT Libraries and the R350 Herzlia Highlands Primary against a fiery backdrop area. Affected schools and central administration Kaplan Centre for 31 years as the Jewish Studies switched to online learning and working. Our Librarian. The Jewish Studies collection was part Years of research and toil, of dreams of 'advancing sifrei Torah were relocated as a precautionary of the African Studies Division now known as human knowledge' gone up in smoke.” — Azila measure, and strategic senior staff and security Special Collections, so I was intimately involved (Tzili) Talit Reisenberger staff remained onsite.” — United Herzlia Schools Cape Jewishwith Seniorsthe library. Association’s Psychological CounsellorI was particularly Hajiera Safiedien– concerned about the Morris he Kaplan Centre’s archival store falls ews of thousands of students needing to Maloon and Director Diana Sochen proudly Alexander collection that contains records of the “Tunder the purview of Special Collections, evacuate made us realise we needed to declare their status, after receiving their and we work closely with the Kaplan Centre to “N COVID vaccines.Cape The CJSAJewish team Philanthropic had their Society established step in and help. Food, clothes, toiletries were top BANK DETAILS: shots at Gatesvillein 1859,Mediclinic as well last month.as two items that I sent over to maintain those collections. The Archives Office of the list with so many people doing their part... Special Collections two years ago. These were was also housed on the upper level of Jagger but what about sanitary products? Highlands House residents Carrol Schonberg and Mavis Lee receive the first of their Pfizer shots. the remnants of two of the earliest surviving South Library — where the administrative records of the Photo: Ashraf Hendricks, GroundUp manuscripts and archives collections were kept. We took to social media, and the response was African Yiddish newspapers, Der Kriegstaphet overwhelming. We were able to distribute over — The War Dispatch, published daily for three Our administrative records were lost, including those related to the Kaplan Centre. We do have 100 pads and tampons directly to women in months in 1899 during the Anglo-Boer War, the various hotels which UCT had organised. Faltering hope on the Israel-Gaza border containing Reuters news of the war in Yiddish; databases but the original agreements were lost.” — Michal Singer, Principal Archivist for Special We also donated a large number of sanitary as well as Der Yiddisher Advokat (1904-1914), a products to Gift of the Givers. As a result of an Path to Peace is a collaborative mosaic weekly newspaper published by Yiddishist David Collections Dept, housed in the Jagger Library Cape Jewish expanding relationship with SHAWCO Women’s artwork, expressing a dream of hope Goldblatt. We've now heard that the manuscripts Help us continue Health, we were provided with reusable sanitary was really worried. We had no idea what state and love. and archives housed in the basement of the Jagger pads which we donated as well.” — Mama Flo the building was in. Thank God it was spared. building are intact, which is a great relief. “I (a group of the Union of Jewish Women) t is located on the border wall that divides Thanks to a firewall, the fire did not spread into Once we were given permission to access the the Gaza Strip and Israel, adjacent to the the Main Library containing books from the Jewish campus, we [didn’t hesitate].” homesI of Moshav Netiv HaAsara. It can be visited Table Mountain area. You cannot fault Studies Library formerly housed in the Kaplan While there are other valuable artefacts in the seen from both sides of the gray security wall, our firefighting teams — the City of Cape Centre.” — Veronica Belling building, his primary focus was to secure the Torah. “I completely transforming the environment. Artist Town, Table Mountain National Parks or volunteer Tsameret Zamir has lived on Moshav Netiv “There have been cases where people have wildfire services. They’re exceptionally good at Chronicle Trust am heart-broken at the burning of part of the risked their lives to save the scrolls from burning what they do and work together, and you can see HaAsara for 20 years and is the creator of Jagger Library and of the flames engulfing the the project. “I synagogues.” "[Going into the building] was it. We’re lucky we’re living in a city with a very to bring you news most beautiful building at our Alma mater. exhilarating; it was the feeling of fulfilling a higher good fire service. We have approximately 70-75 Sadly, the recent war has had a devastating effect UCT has been part of my life since I arrived in SA purpose. I just knew I had to get in there.” — Rabbi fire fighting vehicles. There were close to 270 on the optimism that was created by this project. 40 years ago. I brought up my three 'babies' there, Nissen Goldman co-director of Chabad on fire fighters, over 50 vehicles, excluding police I am traumatised and scared of the hard experiences when I had no baby sitter I took them to 'work' and Campus (Credit: News24, Nicole McCain) service, law enforcement, metro police, disaster In an email to the Chronicle, Tsameret wrote, “The I went through, a powerful terror that repeatedly while I lectured, I sent them to the library to 'fetch decoration on the border wall was meant to create an risk management. Lots of videos of evacuations threatens my life. I have difficulty functioning, breathing books for me' in order to keep them busy. ur CSO volunteers were very busy were being made by disaster risk management atmosphere of hope. Each visitor wrote a wish on a and I’m crying all the time. I stopped working, I am David and HazelMy Cohenstudents’ received theses the are first all housed there and the mosaic they chose and pasted it on the wall. It was a of their two Pfizer vaccines on 20 May at “Omonitoring the situation, some on the ground walking around telling people to leave. It was a afraid to leave the house... Hoping for quieter and Lentegeur Psychiatricfate of theseHospital important in Mitchells documents is not known yet. at the schools and installations in Vredehoek, Standard Bank place that brought optimism for a safe life in the area. very coordinated response.” — Jacques Weber better days.” Plain. from the Cape Town Inside this issue 25 Years of the Constitution The Jews of Okiep — Miasma is no myth We all need a laugh Two remarkable with Judges Albie Sachs a fascinating history — how to stop a — an important books by two and Dennis Davis pandemic reminder remarkable men Acc: 070 703 493 Page 7 Page 9 Page 22 Page 25 Page 26 Jewish Community! Branch: 020 909

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back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021 25 Exploring the deeper meaning of nothing

Cathy Abraham was born in 1968 in Cape a deeper understanding of the purpose of the Abraham’s creative work brings Town, where she currently lives and works. everyday. Using repetitive processes and a together seemingly disparate She specialised in process-based art at the system of numbers connected to the Kabbalah, entities through participation Michaelis School of Fine Arts, University she constantly questions the boundaries between and a ritual-based practice. of Cape Town (UCT), where she graduated reality and illusion. Abraham’s practice is grounded She uses mediums that in her belief in the links between art and science; reflect the subject matter with a Masters degree in Fine Art with spiritual practice and reincarnation; and the which include film, mixed Distinction in 2018. search for ways of shifting perspectives. Her work media, installation and n her art practice, Abraham works systematically challenges notions of time and space. participation as well as Ito unlock surface meaning in the search for painting and sculpture. Following on in my daily practice of breathing, I continue to use repetitive processes to grow into larger works. Using drawing, either with a pen or pastel, as well as painting, repeatedly forming the same mark; my works ultimately form themselves.

s a child, I was told that my struggle with breath, with asthma, was epetition plays its role again in the pastel drawings from the Unwritten series. Anothing but psychosomatic. RHere, I have used the repetitive marks my late mother made to cross out items in her diary. Erasure means that the task is done. The experience is complete. What I have used breath and captured it in balloons designating it as both is not diarised though, is the story that lies between those moments. Thinking about subject and material. A consequence of my asthma is my compromised the many stories I can never tell, I began to use this form of mark-making as a ability to blow up a balloon, and for this reason I have chosen balloons meditation, and a way to trace the effect of those stories. Furthermore, these works as the measure of my breathing capacity. I use breath to manifest the are considering the gaps in the way stories are remembered, with attention to the unseen implications of trauma within and without the body. stories that cannot be told. The bronzed exhales are cast from a daily practice of a square Finally culminating in the form of ghosts for a brushmark, repetition through counting breath meditation. Thirteen breaths exhaled into balloons captured each brushstroke as it is painted defines the third part to this body of work. The the five minute breathing cycle. Each balloon is cast in bronze with repetitive brushstrokes create their own illusion of form on the page. Culminating in a matt black patina. Making solid what was previously airy, giving the form of a ghost, each brushmark represents an existence. Through repetition by weight to the previously insubstantial, they are transformed from the counting each brushstroke as it is painted, another dimension to this body of work inconsequential to the substantial. The heaviness of the bronze mass is defined. Counting forms a fundamental part of my artistic practice. Paying special is a manifestation of the exhalation made solid, giving weight and attention to the numbers 9, 18 and 36, I count the brush marks as a meditation. shape to the formlessness of breath. At first laden with paint the brush begins to make its mark, yet eventually it is only able to leave a fragmented residue. This ‘ghosting’ serves as a reminder of the consequences of the marks made in this world through actions, making visible what is invisible, and tangible what is intangible. The repetitive strokes serve to draw out the residue of ghosts within the walls, tangible or perceived. The brush strokes sound like sweeping. When sweeping, there is the illusion of cleaning or of sweeping away. Yet this form of sweeping through painting leaves a residue, a trace ever- Psychosomatic, bronze with a black patina, 5cm x 7.5cm each fading but still visible.

or the Scales as Veils series, I begin with a machine-like quality of Fdrawing scales. These scales began as a reference to fish scales in a lament for those endangered and already extinct fish from our oceans. Through the year-long process of drawing these scales, these works have come to represent so much more, much of which I am still to find the words for. As I ‘scaled up’, I began to notice that no matter how I tried to create uniformity, the irregularity of my hand resulted in the tightening and loosening of the shape of the scales I was drawing. This tribute to the naturally occurring shape in nature, created its own form on the canvas mimicking a wave or a ripple and forming a 3D illusion on a 2D surface.

Dining with ghosts, household paint on a wall 3m x 5m Dining with ghosts is part of House Party, an exhibition at The Fourth Art Gallery, 4th floor, 28 St Georges Mall, Cape Town CBD, and can be seen until 31 August. ainting the brushmarks directly onto the wall in the gallery at The Fourth, the Partwork is extended into a larger format. This format will be painted over after the duration of the exhibition which further ampllifies the intention of the ghosting paintings. Transitory and intangible, for now, these walls are visible, but soon they will disappear.

“Counting forms a fundamental part of my artistic practice, paying special attention to the numbers 9, 18 and 36. I work systematically to unlock surface meaning in the search for a deeper understanding of purpose and logic in everyday occurrences.” Shock waves, gold pen on black primed canvas 2m x 1.8m back to contents 26 Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021 COVID-19 Navigating the third wave

by Dr Gareth Kantor The COVID third wave has workplace, shopping mall, school, etc transmission occurs from people workers (this ripped terrifyingly through — make sure it’s well ventilated and who are without symptoms at the job description Johannesburg and other keep your mask on. Windows and time. You can greatly reduce your has a broad communities and is now here. doors should be open so that there’s risk of inhaling enough virus to get definition and a constant exchange of indoor air for sick, by wearing a mask. The mask you may qualify ospitals in the Western Cape fresh air from the outside. If that’s must cover your mouth and nose. even if you aren’t are reaching capacity, and we’re not possible, ventilation systems that a nurse, doctor H Invest in the best quality mask you now in Stage 4 lockdown to avoid a are properly engineered or other health can find, and make sure it similar catastrophe in our own city to exchange room air at professional), and fits. This means triple layer, and province in the days ahead. least six times an from mid-July, over-50s. with or without filters. No hour are needed. valves. Easy to breath, Whatever your age, get registered on What can we do? This can be but no leaks. A well- EVDS. (https://vaccine.enroll.health. measured, for Sixteen months into the pandemic fitted mask may be gov.za) If you need help, please ask. example with it seems crazy to have to remind less comfortable than Wait for your SMS. More vaccination carbon dioxide ourselves about so many things that you would like but it’s sites are being set up, but it’s a fluid meters which we should already know. It’s also worth it, and there are and uncertain situation. Walk-ins reflect the amount tiring to have to keep doing them. various ways (clips, etc) are currently accepted but people of rebreathed air But some insights are new or have to improve the fit. Double with appointments take precedence. in the environment. taken a while to come through to masking — surgical mask If you’re eligible, try your luck, and Circulating the air public health messages. And some underneath, cloth mask on top don’t give up too easily. through devices with well-accepted prevention measures — is another way to reduce leaks, special filters (‘HEPA”, MERV-13’) While it is still not a 100% guarantee, and behaviours have still not been and also increase filtration. can help. Perspex shields prevent very few fully vaccinated people understood — or acted upon — by droplets splattering on you from have become really sick and even large segments of the community. Crowded spaces someone’s cough or sneeze, but fewer have died. But you can still On the other hand, we still see a lot fixed screens can also impede get COVID and probably even pass of ‘hygiene theatre’ — performative Eating in a crowded restaurant is a ventilation airflow and possibly make it on to others. About two weeks gestures like the ‘single hand spritz’, high-risk activity which is why they’re things worse. after your second dose of the Pfizer or the ‘chair seat wipe’, which have closed for the next two weeks. When vaccine, or about a month after the no value in preventing the spread they reopen, seat yourself well- Ventilation J&J, your protection is established. of COVID-19. spaced from other groups, outdoors or in a very well-ventilated indoor Exactly how high the risk of infection Hospitals have strict rules about space. Accept the temperature check is then is not yet clear, and is variable Surfaces ventilation in certain clinical areas, at the restaurant door but understand depending on the individual, the type but other building owners and Handling surfaces or items is a low- that it’s a ritual with no proven value of vaccine, and the variants of SARS- managers do not yet seem to have risk activity. If something is heavily for keeping COVID out. COV-2 that are circulating. the necessary level of awareness contaminated with virus, and you rub of the implications of ventilation If you feel sick, go home. If you’ve been vaccinated, your risk your hand in it and pass it directly and the airborne spread of COVID. It might not be COVID, of getting COVID from another to your mouth, nose or eyes, you Regulations have not yet caught but be a good citizen. fully vaccinated person is low, might get COVID. But each contact up with the science. During this If it is COVID, stay but not zero. Still, if you’ve both with a contaminated surface is rising phase of the epidemic, and home, get in touch had the jab, this is probably estimated to have a less than a until the wave is clearly over, plan with your GP or the threshold for allowing one in 10,000 chance of causing your shopping needs in advance, other health-care socialisation at close quarters infection. Daily sanitising is enough use delivery services, minimise the provider, community without too much concern, unless in most situations. It’s not a bad idea number of shopping trips, or shop support, friends and you or your companion has a severe to clean your hands with alcohol- at quiet times such as first thing in family; and stay the course — ten health condition which could mean based sanitiser after contact with the morning. days. Most people recover without that you should be more cautious. high-touch surfaces and as a general much more than Panado, but if your hygiene measure. Masks symptoms worsen, get professional Hospitals help right away. A few people will get Aerosols While the pandemic is on the rise, Mask-wearing limits the spread of really sick, need hospital admission, COVID in two different ways. If you’re consider the stress on our health- COVID does spread through close and we know how the rest of the story infected, you can reduce the amount care system. As hospitals fill up, you contact with other people, partly can unfold tragically. of virus you emit into the surroundings may not be able to access care for via the large droplets(>100 µm size) by wearing a mask. If you’re sick Embrace the outdoors; it’s not only normal health conditions, or even for that exit people’s mouths or noses you should not be out there, but good for body and soul, but safe from urgent and emergent problems. The in coughs or sneezes. Also through remember that about half of COVID COVID. Very, very few people have health-care workforce is at breaking aerosols — smaller particles that are acquired COVID outside, but don’t point. This is another reason to be expelled when breathing or talking go overboard by getting too close to generally cautious. — which hang in the air for minutes people outside your normal family Good luck out there; be safe and or hours and can be inhaled. circle at the braai, on the beachfront keep your friends, co-workers and Aerosols spread easily across or at other outdoor events. poorly ventilated indoor loved ones safe too. spaces to infect people Vaccination at a greater distance. Therefore, avoid Mass vaccination is what we Dr Gareth Kantor is an crowded indoor spaces, desperately need, as quickly anaesthesiologist based in Cape keep your distance as possible, along with the Town, a health industry consultant (2m or more) and wear measures described above. and a health system improver. a mask. It’s a race against the virus. He is also on the expert panel of GreenFlag Association, a new group If you have to be indoors How to get vaccinated? that aims to give people the peace of for more than a few Vaccination is available mind that they live, work and relax in minutes — a grocery store, for over-60s, healthcare safe, healthy, well-ventilated spaces. back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle July 2021 27 CHRONIC ADS Rates: R50 per line incl VAT Phone: 021 464 6736 (mornings) HEBREW MONUMENTS CARER/NURSE AID Reliable honest lady, 15 years’ CANTOR IAN CAMISSAR experience seeks Mon to Fri, day duty. Can cook. Refs avail. Valencia TOMBSTONES 073 143 3647 / 082 469 2992 MOUNTAIN ROCKS, BELFAST BLACK, RELIABLE PET/HOUSESITTER Mature single guy. Excellent refs. SANDSTONE, MARBLE AND GRANITE Short/long term. Keith 084 604 1194 Email: [email protected] CARER EXTRAORDINAIRE MANUFACTURING HIGHEST Seeks part-time work. Shops, cleans QUALITY TOMBSTONES FOR and personal care. 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Using my Nudel Beyond borders: Bridging the divide between Israel and the Diaspora

by Craig Nudelman ne of the frustrating things Chicago to Cape Town (in Sea Point, appreciate his stance on many of to be predisposed Oabout writing a column nogal), there were protests all over the core issues that face Israel, to having diaspora a couple of weeks in advance the world. The Cape Town protest including his views on settlements Jewry’s issues at is that I can’t actually focus was a peaceful protest, as far as and Palestinians within Israel. heart. Hopefully the on current affairs since these protests go. But there were others However, it is a change. The fact new government will which were just plain antisemitic, with that the coalition is a hodge-podge see the importance may be irrelevant by time of protesters screaming “**** the Jews!” of political parties across the political of the diaspora and publication. As I am writing There were instances of placards spectrum is only a slight concern. I can mend some of this, an extremely important displaying swastikas and references mean, people say “two Jews, three the damage that was global matter has arisen. to Nazis. A rabbi was hospitalised opinions” in jest, imagine what a done over the last 12 years. in Essex after being assaulted, and government with right, left, centrist, he European Championships That being said, we in the diaspora the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and Islamist representatives will have taken the global football also have to work at our relationship T collected 222 reports of antisemitic be like! Who knows how long the world by storm. Italy and France with Israel. We have to be mindful harassment, vandalism, and violence government will last? But this could are in a commanding position with of the deep rifts in Israeli society in the United States. be just what global Jewry needs. Portugal, the defending champions, that will take time to heal. It is not off to a promising start in their group The recent Jeremy Sharon, good enough to blindly criticise each of death. Will we see the Euro ‘come conflict shows writing in The other’s opinions or stay within our home’ to England, or will the world how Jews, not Whether one is right or left, or Jerusalem Post, own echo-chambers. We need to number 1 team, Belgium, finally get Israelis, are states that there create a space to engage with Israeli to hold a trophy? targeted in most difficult of all, centrist, are people issues in a meaningful and educated there was nowhere to hide No, I’m just joking. The actual issue the diaspora. within the new way. We have to be uncomfortable to I’m alluding to is the election of I believe that during the conflict. Anti-Israel government fully grasp what everyone says, even a new government in Israel, with Israelis, vis a sentiment was everywhere, who care deeply if it won’t change our opinions. vis the Israeli about Jews in Netanyahu being ousted from office and this led to an atmosphere Israel affects how Jews in the government, the diaspora. after 12 years at the helm as Prime where Jews could not share diaspora engage with one another, underestimate They understand Minister. This will, hopefully, change and how others engage with Jews. In (or don’t care) their views on Israel without that global how Israel is seen by the world. But an ideal world we would communicate about how Israeli being criticised. Jewry is diverse, perhaps, more importantly, it will shift constructively and talk about these politics affects with Jews of all people’s views of diaspora Jews. issues with open minds at our Jews living denominations Shabbes tables. Will there ever be a The recent conflict in Gaza was ugly. outside of Israel. The antisemitic caring about the welfare of Israel. situation where we don’t see trolling While Israelis were being bombed atmosphere around the world was This was largely ignored in the on social media? Probably not. But by thousands of rockets (4300 not ever taken into account by the Netanyahu era, where his right-wing, we can try to stop being so emotive rockets were fired into Israel from Israeli government. And even though conservative and ultra-Orthodox and feeding the flames within this Gaza), Jews in the diaspora had to there is an Israeli Minister of Diaspora government passed legislation toxic environment. contend with other kinds of attacks. Affairs, their last post on Facebook “banning Reform and Conservative Regardless of where we stand on (28 May) gave a very parev response converts from using state-funded 18 July is Tisha B’Av, a day of Jewish the political spectrum, we are seen to the attacks. This is not the only mikvaot”, and suspending the mourning, where we commemorate as ambassadors of Israel. Whether time we have seen this phenomenon egalitarian prayer section at the the saddest day in Jewish history. one is right or left, or most difficult of diaspora Jews being affected by Western Wall. Not only this, but Hopefully, we can see how these of all, centrist, there was nowhere to the conflict in Israel and it will not be his relationship with Donald Trump tragic events have baseless hatred at hide during the conflict. Anti-Israel the last time. Every significant event soured Israel’s relationship with their core, and learn to communicate sentiment was everywhere, and this in Israel affects global Jewry. many progressive Jews around the with each other as respectfully led to an atmosphere where Jews world. as possible. Let’s step away from Therefore, when Naftali Bennet could not share their views on Israel hatred and step towards changing officially became the Prime Minister With a wide variety of ministers without being criticised. the narrative, both in Israel and the of Israel on Sunday 13 June, I from all different backgrounds, the global diaspora. From London to Washington, was relieved. I don’t necessarily incoming government would seem

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