Contents Notice Board...... 2 Telfed South African Zionist Federation Editorial...... 3 (Israel) Focus on Telfed...... 4 19 Schwartz Street, Ra’anana 43212 tel.: (09)790-7800 fax: (09)744-6112 4 [email protected] www.telfed.org.il Entertainment...... 14 In The Mail...... 15 Cover Story...... 20 21 Production New Arrivals...... 28 Editor and People...... 32 Chief Correspondent: David Kaplan Design and Layout: Becky Rowe Keren Telfed...... 37 Editorial Committee Chairman: Dave Bloom Media Committee: Dave Bloom (Chair), Nuptials...... 39 Sharon Bernstein, Gershon Gan, Pearl Reunions...... 40 Feldman, David Kaplan, Neil Schwartz, Maurice Ostroff Proofreading: Sharon Bernstein, Marvyn Hatchuel, Jack and Rae Galloon, Ralph Lanesman, Harriet Levin, Leon Moss, 42 Sidney Shapiro, Marcelle Weiss Advertising: David Kaplan (09)7672404, In Memoriam...... 44 [email protected] Extra or back copies of Telfed Magazine are Classifieds...... 47 available at NIS 15 per magazine. Contact Sharon at (09)790-7801.
Views and comments expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the South African Zionist Federation (Israel) or of the Editorial Board. SAZF (Israel) is not responsible for articles and advertisements which appear herein. otice oard HOWZAT! Telfed’s own N B The Israel Cricket Association is starting a regular cricket on-line magazine chug in Ranana. If anyone is www.telfed.org.il interested in joining, please For topical, up-to-date contact the ICA Development information on aliyah, klitah, Officer Herschel Gutman special projects, the com- Course for Companions to [email protected] munity and much more. the Elderly or 0527409287 Pop in and see for yourself! Telfed has organized 5 courses to date, Ex - Namibians Reunion Alzheimer’s Therapists all of which have proved A reunion is being planned for all ex- extremely interesting Suidwesters (Namibians) in October. Trained English-speaking and enjoyable to the All interested persons please contact: volunteers are available participants, and have helped Ralph Lewinsohn to work with sufferers of many of them to find satisfying Tel 08 680 9730 dementia and/or Alzheimer’s disease in the community. work as companions. Cell 050 649 2344 This free service covers 1-2 If you would like to do the E mail: [email protected] hours weekly of stimulating course, one-on-one therapy aimed please contact Sharon at improving cognitive, Bernstein (09)7907 801. communication and behavioral skills. Contact: Marlyn Butchins (054)6477834 The perfect combination: an Israeli and an or Oran Aviv (057)5533856 Enjoy Telfed international newspaper, bring readers the Magazine? best reporting, commentary and analysis in Israel and worldwide. We are sure you do. Show by paying your THE PERFECT GIFT! annual subscription. Looking for a suitable gift for overseas Only NIS 60 for the year. friends or relatives? Take out a Send a check to the Telfed subscription to Telfed Magazine office or phone and pay by To take advantage of this special offer, please contact us at: credit card. Contact Lena (09)7446110 x208 or tel. (03)512-1222, fax (03)512-1703 Sharon Bernstein [email protected] or [email protected] 09-7907801 Telfed’s Employment Service is always looking for good jobs for Southern African olim, from care-givers and warehouse workers to secretaries, medical personnel and hi-tech professionals. If you have, or hear of, a job Telfed - A magazine which might suit an oleh, please contact Telfed. for all ages! Call Sharon Bernstein (09)790 7801, [email protected]. With your help, we can help other Southern Africans. Editorial
Personal Contribution 1947 to help lobby for world support for an independent Israel. s we celebrate the new wave of As Israel recently Southern African immigration, celebrated its 60th year, A we applaud the over six decades our country’s diplomats of our Southern African community’s are still in the thick of contribution towards Israel’s enrich- it - making the case for ment, stability and security. In our Cover Israel. With an increasing Story, ‘The Ambassadors’ we tap into Ambassador number of Southern African the lives of some of these immigrants Michael Comay students studying Government and with his wife Joan. who serve or have served in Israel’s Diplomacy at Israel’s universities diplomatic corp. - eight at the IDC, Herzliya this Threatened by enemies determined to year alone - we can expect future either physically expunge us from our leaders in this field following in ancestral homeland or undermine our very the illustrious tradition of those former legitimacy by word, Israel’s diplomats are Southern Africans who preceded them. daily in the firing line while at the same When Telfed each year presents its time engaged in strengthening Israel’s some 400 scholarships to students, it trade and cultural ties globally. looks forward to seeing these young and The principle of civil service was idealistic faces a little older in the years embedded early. ahead playing their part in determining the destiny of the State of Israel. Michael Comay, who would take over from Abba Eban as Israel’s Ambassador to David Kaplan, Editor the UN in 1959 and later to the Court of St. James, had given up his law practice Joffe-Jankelowitz more than a decade earlier in Cape Town to Insurance Services bring his wife, Joan, and their two children Specializing in all branches of Insurance to what was then the British mandate of Palestine. “It was essential to work for Elementary: Car, House, Business & Travel the creation of a Jewish State and I felt Private Health: Health Insurance & Frail Care (Siudi) I had to make a personal contribution.” Life: Life Insurance, Pension Funds, While Joan was smuggling arms for the Kupot Gemel & Keren Hishtalmut Jewish underground, Michael, avoiding Mark: [email protected]; Harold: [email protected] arrest by the British, was sent to the UN in Tel: 03-9292793/4 Fax: 03-9292733
Focus On Telfed
Israeli ID cards. “Yesterday we were South Africans, today we are Israelis,” screamed one new oleh as he was swung around clenched in a circle of exuberant-dancing new olim, Give Us a Ring draped with Israeli flags in Contact us at front of the Western Wall. Telfed: The emotionally charged (09)7907 800 event was not only ceremonial Or phone our staff but also practical. “We’re members directly: offering aliya on the red carpet 801-Sharon by bringing all the services 802 -Sidney to them,” said Ofer Dahan, 803 -Nava Director of the Israel Centre, 804 -Susan Aliya Gimmel who has engineered the ‘new wave’ of Southern African 805 -Tzippi They voted with their legs. aliya. “As they leave from 806 -Pinchas On the same day that millions the kotel, the most central 807 -Gerald of South Africans went to the 808 -Lena/Sharon place in all Judaism, to their polls to elect a new president, 810 -Magi new homes in Israel, they will some 71 Southern Africans 818 -Dorron have their identity documents, arrived on aliya. The following 820 -Helayne a bank account, be registered day they attended a ceremony 821 -Louise with Kupat Holim (medical at the Western Wall, where cover), Bituach Leumi (social they were addressed by the security) and will have Israeli For further former Chairman of the Jewish cell phones so that they can information visit the Agency’s Board of Governors, tell the world personally their Telfed website. Mendel Kaplan and Telfed good news.” Chairman Maish Isaacson, before each new immigrant According to the Jewish came forward to receive their Agency’s statistics, 339 South
YOUR COMMUNITY NEEDS YOU: Please read carefully the inserted Telfed flyer in this magazine.
Focus on Telfed African Jews made aliya in last year,” expressed Noga Sid Shapiro, followed by 2008, a 90 percent increase Maliniak head of the Jewish Dorron Kline, who gave a over 2007. Agency’s aliya division. Powerpoint presentation on “It has been a dream of mine Telfed’s services and Louise for some 25 years to come on Telfed Counsels New Olim Geva, Telfed’s social worker, who counselled on how to cope aliya and now the dream has Like a ‘First Responder’ the come true,” expressed Amiel with the stress of immigration. Telfed team were on hand, not Olim had private meetings with Rigger on Israel TV that cov- only to meet the new olim at ered the ceremony. Telfed’s Klita and employment the airport, but also the fol- counsellors, Susan Sharon An estimated 65,000 Jews lowing day where the Telfed and Sharon Bernstein, while remain in South Africa, roughly staff ran a cont. on top of 45,000 in Johannesburg and seminar at the page 6 15,000 in Cape Town. Some Shalom Hotel 21,000 Jews have made aliya in Jerusalem. from Southern Africa since The session the establishment of the State opened with of Israel. Telfed Director “It’s amazing! We think that in 2009, there might be Telfed’s Maggie Baruch with new a 50% increase in aliya from oleh Amiel Rieger.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
ON THE WATERFRONT Southern Comfort The Tel Aviv Telfed Eilat is expanding at a rapid pace. Regional Committee held Not only have an increasing number of a picnic in the park on Southern Africans been relocating to Yom Ha’atzmaut. “It was a Eilat from elsewhere in Israel, but it is buzz and quite cosmopoli- also attracting new olim. No doubt the above: Ari Roven (US), tan,” says Hayley Rabie, sea, sun and the relaxed pace of life are Hayley Rabie, Josh Zweig Chairperson of the Tel Aviv (Cn.); below: Dovie Meyers major draw-factors. Recently, Regional Committee. “We and girlfriend Shelly. over forty people attended were joined by olim from a ‘Chaverschaft Evening’ America, Australia and the UK. Everyone oganised by Chairlady Fonda prepared a dish and was given strict instruc- Dubb and her committee to tions to ensure the ‘braaing’ part was introduce the new olim to the executed in true South African style.” • continued on middle of page 6
The journey that I’ve planned will take four years. At the end I will have a degree in Special Education and Human Resources. I see this bursary as a tribute to the “human Maggie Baruch, Telfed’s national approximately 500 scholarships resources” at Telfed and the Southern service volunteer, opened personal to university and college students African community as a whole - a files on all the olim, to ensure that community which one can see, feel and throughout Israel. Below is a warm hear about in Israel - and it’s not just proper contact with the office will letter received from one of this because of the special accent! be maintained as they embark on year’s recipients. I’m able to work less hours and give their new lives across the length more time to my studies. and breadth of the country. Dear Telfed, Again, thank you and know that your To all in your organisation who helped help is very much appreciated. I hope me start this journey - a very big thank you. one day I too can give to others like you Telfed Scholarships Having to support myself and so having to gave to me. pay for all my university fees, it was a life- Kind regards, Each year Telfed distributes saver to receive this bursary! Shelley cont. on top of page 8
reports Dorron Klein continued from page 5 REGIONAL ROUNDUP
local Southern African community. Also attend- Following a splendid culinary spread —pre- ing was Chairman Maish Isaacson who brought pared and organized by the Chairlady —she then greetings from Telfed. gave a report on the activities of the committee. Colin Porter played his guitar and “we all Red Sea Residents joined in when he sang the familiar South African songs,” said Claude Lavenski. Both Colin and Claude are long-time residents of Eilat. Local doctor, Meyer Wisnovits, who made aliya with his wife in 1986 from Cape Town, feels “it was the best move Olim - new and vatikim - in Eilat (l-r): Linsay Blumenblath we did settling in Eilat. “No traffic, never – Vatika, Steven (Noah) Price, Roy Aronowsky, Rod Lurie have to hassle for parking, and it’s only a – holding granddaughter, Shmuel and Lynda Shababo, (in front few minutes’ drive to fine restaurants.” Meyer is Tilly Ephron), Janice Newstadt, Ethel Lurie, Tziona Levin continued on middle of page 8
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FOR BUSINESS, PLEASURE OR EMERGENCY, PHONE NOW Fares do not include Airport, Registration, Fuel or Security taxes. Subject to availability in class of ticket with airline. Focus on Telfed Election Fever Jonny Klompas, Chair, Beit Shemesh Com. Following elections in Israel and Barry Kornel, Chair, Klita Com. South Africa, the Southern African “Welcome to Annette Milliner-Giladi community in Israel too has been Israel”, Maish Ruth Omsky, Chair, Events Com. to the polls - voting in a new Telfed Isaacson, Renee Penn, Chair, Modiin Council, now named EXCO. Chairman Teddy Saitowitz, Chair, Aliya Projects Committee of Telfed, Telfed Executive Council (EXCO) 2009 addresses the Batya Shmuckler new olim at the Margo Sugarman, Chair, PR Com. Maish Isaacson, Chairman Kotel. Jack Trappler David Bloom, Vice-chair Tanya Weil Harris Green, Treasurer Itz Kalmanowitz, Immediate Past Chairman Allan Feinblum Telfed Board of Governors Neil Kaye, Chair, Fundraising Morris Borsuk, President Ivan Greenstein,Chair, Keren Telfed Nick Alhadeff, Vice-President Adele Bassin, Chair, E & S Leon Charney Jodi Carreira Leib Frank Mike Ellis Joe Grossman Jeremy Lipshitz, Chair, Young Olim Com. Hertzel Katz Carole Hyman, Chair, Raanana Regional Com. Julius Weinstein Joe Hallis, Chair, ISRENTCO l-r: Hertzel Katz, Leon Charney, Morris Borsuk, Joe Grossman, Nick Alhadeff, Julius Weinstein (inset) cont. from bottom of page 6 REGIONAL ROUNDUP
has built up a large practice and is Hilary Kaplan, Prof. Asher Susser, Telfed editor David Kaplan and Chairperson Janine Gelley. happy to advise doctors from South Africa, who would like to settle in Eilat. “With Eilat’s population growing, there is much scope here for those in the medical field,” says Meyer. Prospective olim who would like to know more about Ralph and opportunities for doctors in Eilat, contact Dr. Freda Lansman enjoying a Meyer Wisnovits at: [email protected] • lighter side of the evening The Right Stuff analysis by the renowned Over 90 people recently heard Prof. political commentator on Asher Susser of TAU at Beit Hastudent the Middle East, Asher in Kfar Saba on ‘The Gaza War & its presented it warts-and- Ramifications in the Region’. An incisive all. Despite obvious exis-
For residential and commercial property Observers: ing about it. Besides, in Dorianne Braude, Chair, Jerusalem throughout Israel Israel, eve- David Conroy, Chair, Beer Sheva ryone carries Fonda Dubb, Chair, Eilat 077-7006510 a biography Arnie Friedman, Coordinator, North 054-7787820 deep inside Janine Gelley, Chair, Kfar Saba him.” Nechama Keynan, Chair, Hod Hasharon www.anthonygalgut.com As part of Hayley Rabie, Chair, Tel Aviv Tailor made Real estate Jonathan Sacho, Chair, Rishon the continu- Cecil Shevil, Chair, Netanya ation of the Rene Weinberg, Chair, Ashkelon Yom Hashoah at Telfed writing of a personal Holocaust Nate Levinthal, Chair, Karmiel Dorron Kline reports biography inside each Israeli, Telfed held a memorial cer- “The Holocaust is a central emony attended by new and event in many people’s lives, but veteran olim in the “Moadon it also has become a metaphor Olim” of the Telfed building for our century,” wrote Aharon in Ra’anana. Appelfeld. “There cannot be an end to speaking and writ- “This was a very meaning-
cont. on top of page 10
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
tential concerns, Asher was adamant: “Israel youngsters with special educational needs in is still the best place for Jews. By coming on Kfar Saba. aliya we may not have chosen the easiest place “We raised NIS 2,400 after expenses for our to live, but we did choose the RIGHT place,” he fund,” revealed a jubilant Janine.• emphatically exclaimed. A resident of Kfar Saba, Prof. Susser was one of the founding members FOOD FOR THOUGHT of its Telfed Regional Committee. Chairperson Janine Gelley gave a report on Telfed Kfar Reports Cecil Shevil Saba’s activities and welcomed new olim to In recent months the Netanya community went Israel. Telfed editor, Dave Kaplan introduced on a tiyul to a winery and cheese factory as the speaker and chaired the question & answer well as a breakfast, where we were addressed session and Hilary Kaplan presented the vote by Dorron Green on “The retiree’s dilemma of thanks, presenting Asher with a Keren Aliza of low interest rates and high risk. Card, a fund managed by the committee, for Forthcoming events include a tour of Netanya cont. on middle of page 10
Focus on Telfed helped us appreciate the the six million martyrs.” day so much more, since A week later, Telfed held a our Hebrew wasn’t fluent moving ceremony in its Moadon enough to follow a service Olim on Yom Ha’Zikaron for conducted exclusively in all our soldiers, which included Hebrew.” 82 former Southern Africans, “This is just one of the who have fallen in defence of Telfed Board of Governer, Nick manifold services that the State of Israel as well as Alhadeff lighting one of the six candles those who had lost their lives commemorating the six million Jews who Telfed provides in order to perished in the Holocaust. ensure a smooth integration in acts of terror. of Southern African olim into ful service and a privilege to Israel Society,” said Maish Tu Bishvat participate,” said Mel Cohen, a Isaacson Telfed’s chairman, A large crowd gathered on new Oleh from Johannesburg. after lighting one of the Yartzeit Tu Bishvat in the front garden “The Jewish State is a modern candles. “It is uplifting to see of Telfed’s Ra’anana office to day miracle, having risen both veteran and new olim celebrate the planting of a tree. from the ashes just three years share such an emotional and “A sapling today, it will one day after the Shoah. Attending a unifying experience, as they give shade to future generations memorial service in English stand together commemorating of Southern African olim,” said
REGIONAL ROUNDUP organized with the municipality ending with a the Telfed Haifa Regional Committee, the Q & A with the mayor and a Breakfast Morning Ministry of Absorption reversed their previ- (25th June) with Mannie Shimoni who will speak ous decision and approved the Klita Kehilatit on his seven years as bureau chief to Abba Eban programme in Haifa for Southern African Olim. when he was deputy prime minister and Foreign Haifa now joins Modi’in and Ariel, as Klita Minister. • (l-r) Cyril Feinberg, Mike Zaslansky, Francine Kruger, Harry and Diane Shaer, Gavin Kruger, Henoch Klopper - Time to Tuck In! UP ON THE HILL Reports Noga Lewis It’s long overdue. Once popular with Southern Africans, Haifa became less attractive in recent years. This may all change. Following a written request from
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Planting a tree ocus on elfed outside the F T Telfed office Telfed Exco member, Annette done the right thing and may in Raanana - Sidney Shapiro, Milliner in an inspiring address you be an example for others Annette Milliner that may have pleasantly awak- still in South Africa to follow. and Dorron ened David Ben Gurion from As this tree grows, so shall Kline. his celestial slumber. “Many our community grow and the of you are new arrivals in a contributions to the State of new land. Know this; you have Israel.”
cont. on middle of page 12
Kehilatit cities for Southern Africans. In order to promote Haifa, the municipality sent two representatives to the Aliya Expos in South Africa in May. Some fifty-two Olim from North America, the UK, South Africa and Australia, visited Haifa recently over Shabbat, sponsored by the local Ahuza dati community centre. For half of the guests, it was their first acquaintance with the city of Haifa.
11 Focus on Telfed Mazal Tov to Pinchas, Telfed’s Administrator of ISRENTCO, and Batya Melchior on the birth of another grandson and the Bat Mitzvah of their granddaughter Naomi.
where children’s arts and crafts of Telfed Magazine, David Food Project were added to the baskets Kaplan, mentioned that guid- Reports Max Grunberg before being distributed to ing children at a young age to needy families. become “active in supporting The Lev Lara’ev programme As part of its promotion, programmes for the needy” is growing from strength to KIDS4FOOD leader, Yardena is important “in creating and strength. Youngsters from kin- Ellis, recently gave a pres- securing a future culture of dergarten through high school entation of their projects volunteerism.” This is the are collecting and packaging and activities to Dan Shefer, purpose of our programmes groceries and distributing Director General of volunteer - to empower children. to needy families with the services at the social assistance of the Ra’anana services’ head office municipality. Recently, in and his deputy, Miriam cooperation with the Shivtei Ramon. Yisrael and Bnei Aharon syna- gogues, a community-wide Recently, grocery drive was organized, the editor Children making arts and crafts decorations to be included in Purim gift baskets at the Shivtei Yisrael synagogue.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
Haifa,cont. Evan, Rennate and Andrea Gordon with A fun Lag Ba’omer get-together was children Amber, Samara & Chad - new held in the garden of Irma and Mike olim from Johannesburg, participating Zaslansky. Instead of a bonfire we had in Yom Haatzmaut parade in Ahuza a braai on which we roasted mielies, Street, Raanana. potatoes, and marshmallows. The new Olim learnt about the history of Lag Ba’omer, and had a chance to meet and talk to veteran Southern Africans.•
INDEPENDENCE DAY which clearly impacts on the ambiance of Raanana still remains one of the most popular the City. On Yom Ha’atzmaut, the new olim locations for Southern African immigrants. joined the procession down the main street They join a community of over 600 families of Raanana. •
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REGIONAL ROUNDUP
GARDEN PARTY Hasharon gave a food & table decoration demonstration. The picturesque garden of Barry Omsky on Moshav Givat Chen, lent Maish Isaacson, Chairman of itself as a magnificent venue to some Telfed, spoke briefly of Telfed’s 150 people for a Champagne ‘His & projects, while Sid Shapiro, Hers’ Breakfast. Organised by Ruth Director of SAZF, assisted by Kate Omsky and her Telfed National Sheffer, drew the raffle tickets. Events Committee, Nicky Dubb Maish presented Barry and Kate provided the scrumptious catering with a Keren Telfed card, while Ruth while Lisa Brink of the renowned presented Lisa also with a Keren “Delicious” cookery school in Hod Telfed card as tokens of apprecia- tion from the Committee.• Jocelyn Isaacson and Marcelle Kornel at Telfed’s Champagne breakfast in Ra’anana
13 Entertainment Within hours of the announcement on the Telfed website that Johnny Clegg would be appearing in Israel, “We had some 800 inquiries,” reveals Telfed’s webmaster Dave Bloom. Following a tour of New Zealand, Australia and Europe, this vibrant South African musician - a mix of singer, songwriter, Zulu dancer, anthropologist and political activist - will be perform- ing later this year in Israel. Originally planned for June, the concert was re-scheduled to October. Telfed Magazine inter- viewed Johnny Johnny Clegg over the phone at his hotel while on tour in Auckland, In Israel New Zealand. in October
ver three decades, Clegg has sold over five Africa’ which rocked the charts in the UK. million albums worldwide. In France, where “It meant that I could give up lecturing in Ohe enjoys a massive following, he is fondly Anthropology at Wits University and focus on known as Le Zulu Blanc – the white Zulu. His music.” Prior to his overseas success, making a journey into music began at the age of 14 when living exclusively from music in apartheid South he met a Zulu street musician in Johannesburg. Africa was difficult. “Our racially integrated band Enchanted, he went on to learn the Zulu language, was refused airtime on the radio and our concerts Zulu stick-fighting, Zulu rhythms and dance. were broken-up by the police, who would barge All became integral in his compositions and onto the stage with dogs and shotguns.” performances, a fusion of African rhythm with Earlier this year Clegg performed at a 9-day Western pop. Describing himself as a “cultural concert in Rabat, Morocco where he joined some activist”, the Clegg footprint is the enriching of the biggest names in music, such as Stevie merger in his music “of different languages, Wonder, Alicia Keys and Kylie Minogue. He mostly Zulu and English.” also recently finished recording his own com- “I am looking forward to a big turnout of positions for a Nelson Mandela audio-book, South Africans. Israel is probably the country with narration by some of Hollywood’s biggest closest to my heart in terms of ex-pats.” He stars. He has enjoyed a strong association with last visited Israel in 2003 when sadly his sister the iconic former South African President and passed away. This will be the first time he will performs frequently to raise funds for the Nelson perform here. Mandela Foundation to combat AIDS. His big break came in 1992 with his former Telfed will be proud to promote this concert. band Juluka and their big hit, ‘Scatterlings of Watch the Telfed press for details.
14 In The Mail RECALLING THE PAST South Africans sang, “Eizi gezumba zumba, zumba….hold him down, you Zulu warrior, Dear Editor hold him down, you Zulu chief, chief… ” As an old timer it’s always interesting read- I have included a photograph taken during ing your articles which bring back memories the course showing Maurice Ostroff, Julie of years gone by. On occasion I’m drawn Pearl and myself. The little boy in front more intimately to the story due to personal attached himself to us after “bumming” a involvement. cigarette which you can see him smoking When Maurice Ostroff together with ‘Morrie’ and myself. took issue with you in Norman Spiro, Ramat Hasharon the last magazine over an incorrect caption, I felt in a privileged posi- ART COLLECTOR REMEMBERED tion to offer my support. Dear Editor, His assertion that fellow Can Telfed readers provide any informa- Machalniks Stanley tion about Dr. Maria Stein-Lessing or her Kaplan, Chaim Chait African art shop, l’Afrique which she ran in and Bolly Malin were not l-r: Norman Spiro, Julie Johannesburg at the end of the 1940’s? Are heading south in 1948 as Peal, Maurce Ostroff. there any art collectors in Israel or abroad who reported but were en route acquired items of African art from her? to attending a course in Haifa is correct. I I am editing a book entitled l’Afrique was with them! documenting the role of Dr. Maria Stein- This too brings back wonderful memories. Lessing as a lecturer with contributions by The courses for the Machalniks - and we were her students, many of whom have become from all over the world - were held in Beit major players in the South African art world Rutenberg on Mount Carmel during the days including, Esme Berman, Judith Mason and of the truce. We were “conscripted” to spend Cecil Skotnes. Maria’s importance as an art a week learning Hebrew, Jewish history and collector is finally being acknowledged as local geography. How well I remember this she was able to recognise the wonderful week of leisure, particularly the significance and beauty of bus tours under the guidance of the acclaimed African art and culture as early Israeli historian, Prof. Zeev Vilnai. as the 1940’s. On one of the days - ‘Yom Kibbutz Galuyot’ If you have any information, - we broke up into our respective countries kindly email me at nknight@ of origin. One of our peulot (activities) was Dr. Maria Stein-Lessing icon.co.za or phone South to play at running a radio station from our Africa 011-485-3606. For more details see country. So while the Americans sang “I come website –www. knightgalleries.net from Alabama with a Banjo on my knee,” we Natalie Night, Johannesburg. cont. on next page
15 In The Mail ‘THE ZOA CAMPAIGN’ as well as a bit of the more potent stuff! Without noticing, in the middle of the Dear Editor, festivities, we were invaded by a group of Israel’s many wars and battles have been tough-looking paratroopers. Not only did these well documented for posterity, some of the gate-crashers polish off all our refreshments, incidents with Southern Africans, appearing but without a “by your leave”, took over as frequently in Telfed Magazine. For the record, dancing partners with ‘our girls’! I include details of the As the last notes of Hatikva’ were sung, the ‘ZOA Campaign’, one They Mean Business battle began. Fists started to fly and within of Israel’s best kept back: Arnie Friedman (right); front: Herman (Baby) seconds, the scene was something out of a secrets… Hirshmann(left); see article on “Baby” ‘Western’ saloon brawl. By the summer of in the Feb. issue of Telfed. The Nachal commander and the late 57, the first group of and beloved Simie Weinstein tried to ‘Nachal-BeNachal, calm everyone down, but to no avail. which had arrived in The Nachal commander was pushed 1956, had completed backwards onto a large glass door which basic training, the kib- shattered into pieces. butz period and played Ta b l e s , c h a i r s a minor role in the 1956 and plates went Sinai Campaign. It was flying…. now time for ‘imunim mitkadim’ (advanced training) which included Our officers called a paratrooper course. a retreat and we were herded onto waiting On the eve of this advancement in buses. On the way our army careers, Telfed, together back to base, first with Nachal, decided to splash aid was administered out with a party for us at the Tel to cut cheeks, bleed- Aviv headquarters of the Zionist ing noses and hurt Organization of America (ZOA). Arnie Friedman receiving treatment to his foot pride. We arrived washed, combed, after a ‘blistering’ root-march, from Phil Minster, No doubt about it; boots shining and clean uniforms. with Harold Kaufman on the left the paratroopers were To our delight, also invited to a far more experi- the party, was a group of girls from some enced fighting unit. Nevertheless, our SA college. They had been invited as our dance Nachal boys acquitted themselves well. We still partners. refer to the incident as the “ZOA Campaign’; The atmosphere was most convivial - good our first military battle in Israel. food, a band, dancing partners, plenty of beer, Arnie Friedman, Kibbutz Yizreel
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18
Cover Story
Former Southern Africans serving in Israel’s diplomatic frontline THE AMBASSADORS
It has not only been the rockets raining down on Israel’s citizens that have proved unnerving. Each day the country has to counter a barrage of incoming accusations by a global army determined to undermine the country’s very legitimacy. Unlike the missiles, there is no let-up of these attacks. Serving in these trenches are those in our diplomatic service forging and strength- ening Israel’s political, commercial and cultural ties with the global community. Telfed Magazine speaks to past and present Israeli ambassadors, all former Southern Africans.
Compared to his colleagues during the nearly every day. But Colombia, like Israel, recent war in Gaza, “I had it easy,” says has had to deal with terrorism for the last Israeli Ambassador to Colombia, Meron 60 years and so from the politician to the Reuben. Born in Cape Town, Meron came man in the street they understand the need on aliya with his mother in 1974. Telfed to stand up to terror.” Magazine spoke to the Ambassador on Colombia is Israel’s second largest trading the phone from his office in Bogotá. partner in Latin America, “from where we “Colombia is Israel’s closest friend south import a third of our coal, while exporting of the Rio Grande,” assures Meron. This a wide range of products and services in hi- year the two countries are celebrating 60 tech, telecommunication and agriculture.” years of diplomatic relations. “Sure I was busy during the war in Gaza - interviewed Having served all of his 21 years in the
20 by David Kaplan
Diplomatic Service in South America, are two powerful countries. Iran is a power Meron, who is fluent in Spanish, married to and Venezuela is becoming one. We want a Chilean, was Israel’s last Ambassador to to create a bipolar world. We don’t want a Paraguay “a casualty of budgetary cuts.” single power [that is, the USA].” Colombia today has a small Jewish com- Already way back “We can see that the first munity. “It was during the violence of the in September 2007, countries to break off relations 1980s, when kidnapping was rife that most of The Miami Herald with Israel following the Gaza the Jews left, mainly to Miami and Panama. commented that War were South American The community today stands at about 5,000 “Iran’s President - Venezuela and Bolivia.” from a high of 14,000.” must love the trop- ics.” The reference being that Ahmadinejad How does South America generally stand had spent more time in Latin America than on Israel? “We can see that the first countries President Bush. Since his inauguration in to break off relations with Israel following 2005, Iran’s foreign policy focus has shifted the Gaza War were South American - Ven- from Africa to Latin America in order to, ezuela and Bolivia.” Meron views this in as Ahmadinejad puts it, “counter lasso” the context of a trend in Latin America, the U.S. “of the rise again of left-leaning populist movements over the last 12 years, since the time Chavez came to power in Venezuela. A MASTER OF LANGUAGES Chavez built a reputation of taking on the Another who is no stranger to “the Trop- ruling elites and being the saviour of the ics” is Johannesburg-born Sinai (Sydney) poor.” Despite his popularity, Meron believes Rome, who between 1949 and 1976, apart that Chavez “has peaked. He has expended from a stint as Acting Ambassador to Canada, much of his goodwill and his interference in the politics of other countries is beginning to work against him.” Meron Reuben (rt) presenting credentials to President Alvaro Uribe of On the other hand, there is the increasing Colombia on the 12th Sept 2007 power of Iran, “Iran is perceived as a country that has confronted the USA, an action much admired not only by Venezuela and Bolivia but also Nicaragua and possibly Ecuador.” He refers to a few quotes from Chavez that warrant concern. “Here are two brother countries, united like a single fist,” the Venezuelan leader was quoted as saying in Teheran. “Iran is an example of struggle, resistance, dignity, revolution, strong faith,” To Al Jazeera Chavez expressed, “We
21 Cover Story
had been on diplomatic assignments at Israeli process with Egypt and our relationship with embassies in Rio de Janeiro, Santiago de Ecuador was excellent. We had ongoing Chile, Havana, Mexico City and Montevideo. projects of Ecuadorians attending courses A classics major from the University of the in Israel, while Israel sent experts in the Witwatersrand (Wits), Sinai today is fluent fields of irrigation, livestock farming and in eleven languages - “I discovered recently agriculture.” Evidence of the change of relations in Russia that had married out of atmosphere was “personally brought home the faith and spoke no Yiddish, so I learned to me when at my farewell party in Ecuador, Russian.” when it is traditional for the Diplomatic Corp. to present you with a silver tray, the Sinai arrived in first signature on my tray was that of the Havana soon Egyptian ambassador. It was 1979 and we a f t e r t h e were now at peace with Egypt.” revolution where he Looking back, how do you explain the Sinai routinely anti-Israel sentiment today that tends to Rome attended dominate the nature of our foreign relations? functions “Latent anti-Semitism. It was probably there w h e r e beneath the surface and events have brought Castro, and it out.” If changing attitudes in Latin America on occasion are of concern, Sinai poignantly recalls “that Che Guevara, it was the South American countries that was present. He swung the pendulum to achieve the 2/3rds recalls the traumatic majority for partition at the UN in 1947.” four days follow- ing the disastrous Bay of Pigs inva- ON THE SILK ROAD sion where “we had a Son of the former rabbi of the Waverley total news blackout. Even found bullets shul in Johannesburg and the Sea Point in our garden. It solidified congregation in Cape Town, He recalls the traumatic four Castro’s hold of power and Hillel Newman came on days following the disastrous speeded the Jewish exodus aliya in 1987. Armed with Bay of Pigs invasion out of the country.” a doctorate in history from Bar Ilan University, Hillel Not unlike the Colombian Jews in the went on to serve as policy advisor to three 1980s, the Cuban Jews too opted for Foreign Ministers - David Levy, Silvan Miami. Shalom and Tzippy Livni - and less than a year ago, was appointed ambassador to In 1976, the former Chairman of the Uzbekistan. Transvaal Zionist Youth Executive was appointed Israeli Ambassador to Ecuador. Telfed Magazine spoke to him from his “These were the heady days of the peace office in Tashkent. “Uzbekistan is very
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050-572-3120 08-6718601 important for Israel, mainly because it is a Was there a shift in attitudes during and Muslim country. There are few Muslim coun- after the war in Gaza? “No; the posture ties that have full diplomatic relations with throughout the hostilities was fair. They Israel.” Hillel embellishes on the strategic did not take a stand against Israel despite cooperation, noting “they too are fighting pressure to do so. Uzbekistan is a member terrorism and Muslim fundamentalism. of the Islamic Conference, yet neverthe- Both countries share a rich history, ancient less declined to support any anti-Israel traditions and diversified culture. As such, resolutions.” we are natural allies.” The local media “hardly reports on During WWII, Uzbekistan was a haven foreign affairs. During the entire for Jews fleeing from the Nazis. Gaza war, there were only “The country opened its doors Hillel two related articles and both Newman, and by the end of the War, sympathetic. The one was there was between 300,000 Israeli Ambassador an interview with me to 400,000 Jews, mainly to Tashkent and a Palestinian, which Ashkenazi and Bukharan. exposed the negative Starting in the 1970s there aspects of Hamas. We were successive waves of succeeded in getting emigration, about 230,000 our message across that went to Israel and some we were fighting Hamas 100,000 to the USA. There and not the Palestinian are only about 8,000 - 10,000 people.” Jews remaining, centred in four cities. There are four active shuls in Tashkent.”
23 Cover Story “....the world is less concerned CENTRAL AFRICA about what we say and more to perform cata- watchful of what we do.” ract operations in Cape Town-born Gershon Gan, has central African served as a career diplomat for over 30 countries. Recalling a ceremony at an years, with postings in the US, Europe “Eye Camp” in Namibia attended by the and Africa. In the same year that Mandela Namibian Minister of Health, he relates that ascended the presidency in South Africa, following some tribal dancing, there was Gershon opened the first embassy in Zimba- an announcement: “We will now have the bwe covering, Malawi, Namibia, Botswana, ceremony of the White Sticks.” Expecting Mozambique and Zambia. Today an interna- something typically traditional, Gershon was tional pariah, it was before Robert Mugabe in for a surprise. “All the people that had that Gershon presented his credentials in been operated on had previously been using December 1994. white sticks - the blind and the impaired. His first day on the job “my security officer Now, they all came forward, one by one, and says there is a local call from someone who placed their white sticks before me. Their speaks Hebrew. I was expecting someone vision restored, they no longer required from the local Jewish community who was them. At the end of the ceremony, I stood about to break his teeth with decades-old before a pile of sticks.” Gershon recalls this cheder Hebrew.” Not at all. The call was from as one of the most emotional experiences of a Dr. Herbert Shiyanga, who in the 1960s his Ambassadorship—a pyramid of white was one of the young black Rhodesians, that sticks as a visual metaphor of Israel’s human the World Health Organisation (WHO) had contribution in Africa. “The programme smuggled out and offered the opportunity continues to this day,” reveals Gershon. to study medicine either in Russia or Israel. “Recently a team of ophthalmologists went Herbert chose Israel. What a welcome it was off to Vietnam.” for Gershon, when he said, “I have long On the issue of why South Africa been waiting for this day - of the Ambassador repeatedly takes a public stand Israeli flag flying outside its Gershon Gan visiting a rural primary against Israel, Gershon offers embassy in Harare.” school in Zimbabwe in 1997, having the following analysis. “South This incident reflects donated classroom Africa’s strategic goal is to furntiure from the the superlative work one day secure a permanent Israeli Embassy.. - often behind the seat on the Security Council scenes - that Israel at the UN, representing the performs in the under- African Block.” In order developed world. to garner support, “it needs votes and what easier way than AN EYE OPENER to secure the numerous Muslim One of Gershon’s many countries by siding with them on projects was the dispatch- issues relating to Israel.” ing of Israeli ophthalmologists His prognosis for the future: “It all
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25 Cover Story Accompanied by his wife Joan, Michael Comay on his way to present his credentials he helped persuade Ottawa to to the Queen of England, as sell 24 jet fighters to Israel Israel’s Ambassador to the in 1956. This sale helped to Court of St. James. bring about a shift in the military balance in the South Africa as Middle East. From 1970- Israeli ambassa- 1973, Comay served as dor and was there Ambassador to Britain. at the time of the Other Southern Africans Conference on Sus- who served in the Foreign tainable Development Ministry in the early days of in Johannesburg, where the Jewish State were Arthur the young Israel delegation Lourie, Mordechai Kidron, Harry of teenagers were pelted with Levin, Sinai Rome (interviewed) and projectiles and where the JNF Emanuel Shimoni. “They set a tone that was publicly denounced as was modelled on the British tradition “a secret society akin to the of diplomacy,” wrote Philip Gillon, in Afrikaner Broederbond.” Telfed’s “Seventy Years of Southern African With the increasing odious comparison Aliyah - A Story of Achievement.” (page 168). More recently, Carmi Gilon, whose father of Israel’s policies with Apartheid, Herzl Colin Gilon (Gluckmann) emigrated from last year penned an article where she Johannesburg to Palestine in 1936, was wrote: “Not everyone who uses the word apartheid to describe Israel believes that ambassador to Denmark. (See interview with Carmi in Telfed Magazine June 2004). the Zionist enterprise should go the same way as the white minority regime in South While Tova Herzl was not born in Africa. Some want what is best for Israel, South Africa, she grew up in Cape Town regret what Israel does, and seek to warn where her father was us about the ramifications. But when they the rabbi of the choose to use such a loaded expression, Rondebosch they provide additional ammunition to H e b r e w the worst of Israel’s enemies. They do not Congre- provide them with guns and bullets, but with gation. words to be used on the critical battlefield of In the international legitimacy. We must speak out 1990’s about the use of such a sorry comparison.” s h e Furthermore, she stresses, “Using the word returned apartheid to describe Israel also cheapens
ISRAEL’S FUTURE DIPLOMATS? Former Capetonian Stephanie Miller, Registration Consultant at the IDC, Herzliya’s International School, with Southern Africans students (r-l: Gaby Charnes, Neil Margolus, Jeremy Lipshitz) at the School of Government and Diplomacy,
26 the memory of those who died at the hands Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia, where of that evil regime.” the flights each week from Tel Aviv are packed. Despite the negative political rhetoric in world WINDS OF CHANGE forums and the news media, the “quiet facts With 2009 witnessing a disturbing shift frequently paint a differ- “Barricaded in Beyachad’, in atmospherics between Israel and South ent picture.” the Johannesburg Jewish Africa, Telfed Magazine called Dan He does however community gather inside Shaham, Director of the South African believe that were it not the community’s fortified centre, awaiting the arrival Office at Israel’s Foreign Ministry. Also for the strong trade ties of demonstrators against distressingly evident was how ‘normal’ between South Africa Israel. anti-Israel sentiment was taking on an anti- and Iran, “our relation- Semitic complexion. ship would be much improved.” In recent months: • South Africa’s Deputy Foreign Minister And here is Hajaig offended Dov Segev-Steinberg the new the nature of Israeli ambassador to South Africa at their first the ‘battle’ for meeting, - proclaimed at a public gathering our ‘soldiers’ that “Jewish money controls America and most w h o d o n Western countries”, civilian dress • South African dockworkers were ordered instead of army by COSATU not to offload cargo from an fatigues striving Israeli ship to improve Israel’s • Frightening statements by COSATU’s Bongani Masuka at Wits campus like “We will position and stature in do everything in South Africa to make their a dangerous and fickle (‘Zionists’) lives hell.” world. The prize is no less While there are reasons to be concerned, than the destiny of the admits Dan, “We must remember that the State of Israel. • Deputy Minister retracted after the public upheaval following her original statement and there have been reassuring statements MNET AND to the Jewish community by South Africa’s SATELLITE TV political leadership.” He stresses that “as diplomats, we must focus less on what separates us and work in those areas where Don’t be fooled we share common interests.” Dan cites the By the size of the ad. 2010 World Cup, “which will be South Call the Get the best service Africa’s showcase to the world, where Israeli American From the most reliable expertise can and will be of service.” This is Technician: In the business true in much of Africa, “where Israelis are Meir Levmore doing increasing business in Nigeria, Angola, 050-7207010
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28 29 30 advertisement 31 advertisement eople Songwriter P Mark Blumberg proudly holding a CD which in common - a love of music. Miro was an includes his hit aspiring musician; Mark a part-time song writer, who “since the age of fourteen, song, “Black dreamt that one day, a song of mine would Letter,” which be played on the radio.” is climbing the Slovakian In 2005, Miro came in sixth in the Slo- charts. vakian version of American Idol called Superstar and quite literally became one overnight. “Remembering that I wrote music, he called me and asked if I had any material,” relates Mark. “I sent him some stuff, and last year he brought out a CD that went Platinum in Slovakia. My Scoring Big score called Cierne Písmená was track t’s quite illuminating discovering who in number eleven.” the international entertainment industry Mark describes “as totally surreal” the spent a period of their youth as a vol- I call he received in February this year from unteer on a kibbutz. A few unearthed are Miro, “telling me to tune into a Slovakian Debra Winger from the hit movie ‘An radio channel. I did so, and there I heard Officer and a Gentleman’, Simon Le Bon, my song being sung by Miro.” lead singer of ‘Duran Duran’, the stand up comedienne Sandra Bernhard and actors Mark’s dream at age fourteen came true Sigourney Weaver, Bob Hoskins, Jerry and then “I noted the date. It was February Seinfeld and Sacha Baron Cohen. the fourteenth.”• For the most part we only seem to note To listen to the song, those from the English speaking world. visit www.ciernepismena.sk Who for example will have heard of a Slovakian MIRO JAROŠ who some five years ago toured Israel spending time Micha Meets The Pope cleaning premises and volunteering on a kibbutz? When Colin Schachat of Ra’anana called his son’s teacher early in the A former member of morning advising that Micha Telfed’s Events Com- would not be attending school mittee who met him at that day to write his geography that time was graphic designer Mark Blum- Micha Schachat from Raanana, (centre) berg. They discovered with two fellow Israeli school children they shared something presenting fruit to Pope Benedict XVI at the President’s residence in Jerusalem.
32 by David Kaplan test, the teacher naturally expected a Jason Remembered sound explanation. “Ma? (What) He Jason Bernstein was cruelly taken away three will be meeting the Pope?” weeks after the birth of his first child. He had been In all his 20 years as a teacher, he Chairman of Telfed’s Young Olim Committee at had heard nearly every excuse in the the time of his death. His widow Leanne, “wanted book “but this was a first.” to preserve his memory in a way that I felt kept him alive and reflected his passion for books and Micha was one of three Israeli chil- his love of children.” She decided to establish a dren selected to meet Pope Benedict children’s library. What place more appropriate XVI at the President’s residence in than Meir Hospital - “where our daughter Mika Jerusalem. Micha addressed the Pontiff was born and where Jason was treated with such in Hebrew, another in English and dedication in his final days.” an Arab Christian, in Arabic. From prepared texts, “We each spoke about peace - peace between neigbours, peace between countries and peace between religions. The Pope then blessed us and we presented him with an array Estab- of fruit.” lished in the Micha was not daunted by what Official opening of the library, l-r: Dr. Dan Nemet, he describes as “a once-in-a-lifetime Eti Zigdon, Leanne Bernstein, Prof. Eliakim. experience.” In fact, Micha “was an Established eleventh-hour substitute,” revealed his in the Hospital’s Children’s father. The youngster, who was meant Jason Unit, the shelving was spon- Bernstein, to speak in Hebrew, panicked during z’’l sored by Servotronix - Jason’s a rehearsal and one of the organizers, employer - and the books by who knew Micha from his perform- friends and family from all ances all over the Jewish world in a over the world. The books - children’s troupe called ‘Kinderlach’ each with a label dedicated to Jason “called us at eleven o’clock the night and the name of the book’s donor before the scheduled meeting with the - are primarily in Hebrew, with Pope. The guy asked Micha what he some in English, Russian, Arabic had planned for the next day. Micha Plaque in Library and Amharic. replied the usual - school, sport; noth- Knowing that each day the books will be read by ing out the ordinary. “So nu, if you’re young people in different languages, “The library not too busy how about meeting the will keep him alive, with his name on something far Pope?” he asked.” more significant for us than a tombstone,” expressed The rest was quite literally - history! Leanne at the official opening of the library. “It will be a place for Mika to visit and say hello.”
33 The survivors - children & staff Baby Roni (Centre) on the lap of the eople head of the orphanage, Madame Marie Blum, who was honoured by P the U.S. Senate in 1992 for saving the lives of so many children. The award read: “Madame Marie Blum is a true heroine.”
Lost And Found On Yom Hashoah one of the articles Yediot Achronot ran on the Holocaust was an appeal from a woman working at Yad Vashem to identify any of the children in the six photographs she had randomly selected from some 130,000. the Jewish community The caption read ‘Lost Youth’. there was much smaller and thus less likely to Shortly before midnight, one reader of attract attention.” Not the Israeli newspaper was about to retire to so. “It soon became clear bed when she glanced at one of the photos. to them that soon we The next thing she did was call her parents would all be rounded in Ra’anana, and said, “Don’t go to bed; above: Article on Roni in Yediot Achronot. up.” Shortly before her I’m coming over right now.” below: The Belgium parents were taken away (she would Rose amongst the A short while later, Yaella arrived, 1956 Southern African later learn that her mother was finding her parents Ivor and Roni Wolf Machalniks: Martin killed on the first day she arrived Simon, Basil Joffe, Roni anxiously having coffee in the kitchen. Wolf, Syd Schneider, in Auschwitz; her father later fol- She dropped the newspaper on the kitchen Brian Liebman, Eli lowing an illness) they took their table and pointed to a photo of a little girl Klass, Unknown, Yoram two young daughters to neighbours Kaplan, Unknown, clutching her teddy bear. “Mommy, it’s Ivor Wolf, Yossie appealing for them to hide them. you, it’s you,” she tearfully repeated. Gaitelband, Unknown, “We stayed there only three days Neville Greenblat. Roni before being taken to an orphanage Roni, married to former South African recalls the late Simie Weinstein from Telfed for abandoned children.” Ivor was breathless. The following day she visiting them, seeing contacted Yad Vashem. Soon the paper was her and another girl LADY LUCK amongst all these on to her and the following week a story Southern Africans guys Roni relates that when “the train appeared of how Roni had survived as a and saying, “I don’t to Auschwitz one day fell short of toddler in war-torn Belgium. (See photo of want any hanky-panky going on here!” its quota, they came to the orphan- newspaper article). a g e . W h y they had not In 1942 “We moved been before from Antwerp to Brus- was possibly sels,” Roni told Telfed because there Magazine “Apparently, had been some my parents, Malka and understanding Zalman thought Brus- w h e n B e l - sels might be safer as
34 gium capitulated in 1940 - the Queen funding for the ORT Berelowitz Vocational had requested that they leave the children School and the Ort Berelowitz College. alone.” Also attending were the mayor of Tel Aviv, Ron Huldai, the Director General of Roni and her sister were amongst 200 ORT, Zvika Peleg, children that were herded onto trucks Barry Berelowitz unveils Head of the Tel and taken to the station - destination a plaque dedicated to the Aviv Founda- ‘Auschwitz’. No sooner had contribution of the Southern tion, Admi- the convoy departed, when the African community to the State ral Avraham woman in charge of the orphan- of Israel at the ORT Vocational School and College in Tel Aviv. Ben Shoshan age, Madame Marie Blum, used as well as her personal contacts to reach the family and Queen of Belgium. Her efforts friends. Co- paid off. The trucks returned to sponsoring the orphanage and the lives of Tel Aviv the project 200 children were saved. mayor (left) w e r e O RT and Telfed After the War, Roni’s aunt in Director and the TA England came to Belgium to Sidney Foundation. search for her nieces. She found Shapiro (on the right) Quoting Maimonides “that teaching a Roni and her sister and adopted them. At look on. man a trade so as to make him independent age eighteen, Roni came to Israel; decided not to return to the UK and joined the IDF where “I met Thanks to the RE/MAX Real Estate School, the love of my life.” Today she and Ivor have four children I earned and nine grandchildren. NIS35,295 in one month nowing hat K W ORT You can sign up too! o e one Hadar Kovlentz T B D RE/MAX Agent, Jerusalem Chairman Maish Isaacson Aged 29, Single and Director Sidney Shapiro represented Telfed at a special ceremony at the Yad Shapiro School in Tel Aviv, where former South African Barry Real Estate School Berelowitz, today resident of The Leading San Diego, donated the major Real Estate Company in Israel 1-800-211-311 ext. 5
35 People of charity was the highest form of charity,” tions, from head of the outpatient clinic to Barry related his own life experience when hospital director. he revealed that he had been orphaned at Over the years, Aubrey has been, inter a young age and it was through a modest alia, Chairman of the Ethics Committee bursary from the United Building Society of the Israel Psychiatric Association, that enabled him to complete school and Chairman of the Forensic Psychiatric go on to university where he graduated as Society, senior lecturer in psychiatry at an accountant. BGU, lecturer in forensic psychiatry at TAU, a member of the Ministry of Health’s Barry, a former Chairman of the ORT National Council for Mental Health, a chapter in San Diego, praised the contribu- member of a group of psychiatric hospital tions Southern Africans had made to the directors that presented recommendations State of Israel over a century of active Zion- to the Knesset Committee on reforms in ism. The plaque unveiled reads “In honor psychiatric services and a member of a of South African Jewry’s contribution to public committee on the subject of Holo- Israel, donated by Barry Berelowitz and caust survivors hospitalized in psychiatric family, San Diego, California, USA”. He institutions and the need to provide them cited particularly the “culture of giving” with sheltered residences without classify- that so typified Southern African fundrais- ing them as ‘mentally ill.’ ing as well those who put their lives on the line by volunteering to fight in 1948 Although retired, Aubrey works in a con- and 1956. sulting capacity for the Public Defender’s office, advising defence attorneys on the An example of the emotion that so mental state of their clients. typified Southern African Zionism, Barry recalled “those community events when Aubrey enjoys the unique distinction at the end of the evening we used to sing of having been called upon to examine Hatikva followed by “Die Stem”. Hatikva the mental state of two assassins of world we all sang with gusto, the South African leaders as to whether they were mentally anthem with muted indifference, leaving fit to stand trial - Demetrios Tsafendas, no doubt where our hearts were.” who stabbed to Dr. Aubrey Zabow death South Afri- can Prime Minister Ever Mindful Hendrik Verwoerd Dr. Aubrey Zabow was recently awarded in the House of Par- a Lifetime Achievement Award by the liament, and Yigal Israeli Psychiatrist Association. Making Amir, who shot and aliya from Cape Town in 1979, Aubrey murdered Yitzchak settled in Beersheba, where he worked at Rabin at a Peace the Mental Health Centre in various posi- Rally.
36 Keren Telfed The Keren Telfed Fund was started over 25 years ago. Donations are used to assist members of our Southern African community during times of individual need or national crisis. All donations are acknowledged in this column as soon as possible after receipt thereof.
Donors...... Honorees Emanuel (Mannie) & Rayla Shimoni...... Morrie & Pat Basker – 50th anniversary Gessie & Belle Borok...... Girl Alhadeff – 80th birthday Cecil & Jennifer Shevil...... Morrie & Pat Basker – 50th anniversary Janice Shrier...... Sharon Block – 60th birthday Freda Essakow & Dan Sharon...... Oded & Yehudit Zekel – on Omri’s Bar Mitzvah Leonore Shavei Tzion & Hymie Caspar...... Abe & Isobel Jaffe – new home Phyllis Sachar...... Morris Borsuk – birthday Annette Milliner-Giladi & Jillian Milliner...... Phyllis Sachar – birthday Max & Yvonne Leibowitz...... Edna Kaplan – 80th birthday Naomi Fredman...... Phyllis Sachar – 89th birthday Gertie Lipman...... Keren Telfed Beth Protea residents...... Keren Telfed Arthur & Vivien Wolman...... In celebration of Arthur’s 70th birthday Lola Katz Marcus & Celle Mandel, Hymie & Kykie Josman, Len & Ros Israelstam, Henry & Ruth Shakenovsky, Joe & Barbara Hallis, Eddie & Bess Hoffman, Hymie & Joyce Green, Babette Kaplan, Elaine & Stanley Finkelstein, Charles & Shirley Smith, Norman & Telma Geri, Rona Kruger...... Lola Katz – 70th birthday Gessie & Belle Borok...... Gerry & Lily Graham – 60th anniversary Gessie & Belle Borok...... Harry & Pat Samuels – 60th anniversary Seymour Hoffman...... Keren Telfed Roy & Perla Chweidan...... Keren Telfed Gus & Masha Ostrin...... Keren Telfed Bryan & Ruth Slater...... Arthur Wolman – 70th birthday Prostate Cancer Support Group...... Keren Telfed Sheila Swiel and family...... Arthur Wolman – 70th birthday Sunday Squash Group – Maurice, Natie, Leo, Larry, Norman, Bobby, Ivan, Joe, Dave, Alan...... Malcolm Finn – 70th birthday Joe & Barbara Hallis...... Malcolm Finn – birthday Bernice Pillemer, Rita & Colman Roberts, Liebe & Eli Posniak, Krupersdorp Reunion Daniel & Adam Wolf, Yarden & Ma’ayan Boston, Harry & Jean Kelvin...... Dov & Freda Boston – 50th anniversary National Events & Klitah Committees...... Carol Aviv, Nate Levinthal, Sheila Zetler – in appreciation Bella Kaplan...... Leon & Juliet Reich – 50th anniversary Gessie & Belle Borok...... Sidney Grunebaum – 70th birthday Jack & Ruth Omsky...... June Levy – special birthday Jack & Ruth Omsky...... Cecil & Jennifer Shevil – on Neil & Yael’s marriage Sonia Sacks...... Cecil & Jennifer Shevil – on Neil & Yael’s marriage Krugersdorp Reunion participants...... Keren Telfed – new olim Ari and Natalie Fried...... Keren Telfed Mavis Wilk...... Rafi Ruppin – 90th birthday
37 Keren Telfed Wilfred and Chana Stein...... Sydney Lossin – 80th birthday Channa Eidelman & family...... Issy Epstein – 70th birthday Alan & Leora Aronson...... Benny & Helen Katzman – welcome Eli & Liebe Posniak, Channa Edelman & family.... Mannie & Rayla Shimoni...... Chaim & Frances Maisel – 50th anniversary Jack & Rae Galloon...... Ruti Kuritzky – 80th birthday Tamar Meyer, Rochie & Frank Meyers, Sara & Dave Paikin, Miriam & Eli Shiloni, Fay & BarneyWittert...... Chaim & Rochie Zahavi – 60th anniversar Hymie & Kykie Josman...... Henry Shakenovsky – 80th birthday Leon Charney National Events Committee...... Recanati Wineries – in appreciationy Esther Shull...... Solly Bergman – 50th birthday Sally, Steven and Thelma Levy...... Malcolm Finn – 70th birthday Hertzel & Lola Katz, Barry & Marcelle Kornel, Henry & Ruth Shakenovsky, Sidney & Michele Shapiro, Issy Dykman, Morris & Pauline Borsuk Hymie & Kykie Josman...... Leon Charney – 80th birthday Sheila Swiel, Denise, Nina, Jonathan & families.... Bernard and Adele Saven – birthdays Harris & Phyllis Green, Maish & Jocelyn Isaacson Itz & Marj Kalmanowitz...... Michele Shapiro – birthday; attainment of doctorate National Events Committee ...... Barry Omsky & Kate Sheffer – in appreciation Chaim & Frances Maisel...... Izzy Epstein – 70th birthday Uri & Shirley Peled...... Barmitzvah of Ori and Batmitzvah of Shir Tehiya & Jack Harris, Leah & Abe Isenberg, Warren Weinberg...... Helen Halle – birthday Mickey and Sadie Symon Rebecca Johnstone...... Keren Telfed National Events Committee...... Lisa Brink – in appreciation Naomi Fredman, Hertzel & Lola Katz, Henry & Ruth Shakenovsky, Sidney & Michele Shapiro, Hymie & Kykie Josman...... Julius Weinstein - 80th birthday Gershon & Sandy Orelowitz...... Keren Telfed Michael & Jeanette Dick, Uri & Beryl Milunsky, Roy & Hilary Movsowitz & family, Bernice Pillemer, Jackie Schwartz ...... Mickey and Sadie Symon – 50th anniversary, & Mickey’s 2nd Barmitzvah
IN MEMORIAM Ruby Ellis...... In memory of Jack and Phil Herbert & Hazel Gaito...... In memory of Leyland Goss Itzhak & Pauline Abt...... In memory of Gertrude Abt Brian & Wendy Cooper...... In memory of Helma Gurwitz Alon Chazan...... In memory of his mother, Marilyn Israel & Abe Abramowitz...... In memory of their brother Jack Abramowitz Werbeloff family...... In memory of Monica Menashe Freda Pincus...... In memory of Itz Stein Michael Zetler...... In honour of Dov Oz of Karmiel Michael Zetler...... In honour of his parents, Max (Boet) & Freda Zetler of Stellenbosch/Protea Village
FOOD PARCELS FOR SOLDIERS / FAMILIES Harold & Zoe Slomowitz...... Alex Messerer – 90th birthday
38 uptials N David, son of Jodi Edelstein, Hilliard and daughter of Erica Hart Hilary Edelstein of Kfar Saba, Wulffhart and Robert, son of Linda married Michal step-daughter of and Norman Barron daughter of Yair Dave Wulffhart of Kfar Saba married and Rivka Eshel of Raanana, Tsipy, daughter of of Matan. married Tomer Shoshana and Reuven Yanovich. Loker of Holon.
Tracy, daughter of Matthew and Lynette Karp of Kfar Saba Allon, son of Stan and Sue Freedman (formerly Pretoria), of Raanana and grandson of Monty married Eran Werner, and Bobsy Solomon and the late Monty son of Ellie and Dita and Rose Freedman, married Merav, Werner of Raanana. daughter of Tzila and Bentzi Bloch. eren elfed K T Marjorie Minde, z’’l KEREN ALIZA (in memory of the late Aliza Hatchuel) Kfar Saba Regional Committee...... Asher Susser – in appreciation Nick Alhadeff...... Keren Aliza Danny & Janine Gelley...... In memory of Marjorie Minde Philip & Debbie Zabow...... In memory of Marjorie Minde Becky Rowe...... In memory of Marjorie Minde David & Hilary Kaplan...... in appreciation to the Zabows, Wolffs, Gelleys, Klugs, Freedmans, Kaplans, Israels, Milliners, Abelsohns, Davids, Bachs, Sacks and Kretzmers Hilary Kaplan and Pam Joffe...... Ricky & Gordon Futeran – in appreciation SAM LEVIN MEMORIAL BURSARY (in memory of the late Sam Levin) Malka Gulis...... Mervyn & Jackie Kloss – 40th anniversary Itzhak & Pauline Abt...... Les & Tzippy Sheer – 60th anniversary Carol, Larry, Shlomi & Michal Levin...... Arnie Rabuchin – 65th birthday Becky Rowe...... special wishes to Harriet Levin on her 90th birthday ARONA BEROLD FUND Freda Pincus, Carol Naim, Leon Barel, Issy & Paula Miodownik & children...... Samuel Berold – 60th birthday
39 Reunions
ing ulpanik in a nearby tree. The trick was to aim and then quickly duck from view once the cry of surprise from the unsuspecting victim was heard. Not all of us remained in Arca- dian bliss amongst the grapefruits and oranges. Some entered the chicken coops, others to the laundry On the Greenbergs’ ‘stoep’; Kibbutz Yizreel: back (l-r). Stella and a selected few, after a care- Greenberg, Stephen Schulman, Peggy and Arnie Friedman, Yona Schulman, ful background check into their Jackie (neé Stark), Dave Kaplan, Livia Prior (neé Edelstein). front (l-r). integrity, were chosen to work Grace Sloman, Keith Greenberg, Dennis Alexander, Sidney Engelberg. with the sheep! The ulpan was a marvelous HAVING A FIELD DAY period in our lives. We learned the In February 1969, thirty South African graduates of SA language and customs, adjusted to Habonim arrived at Kibbutz Yizreel to start a six month life away from home and enjoyed ulpan. Recently reunited, participant Stephen Schulman the camaraderie. All too soon it of Ramat Hasharon reports: came to an end and with vary- ing degrees of Hebrew fluency, Being the kibbutz’s first ulpan for South African Habonim, we wended our separate ways, a brand new pinat noar with adjoining classrooms had ultimately dispersing to the four been built in our honour. As our rooms had the ‘luxury’ of corners of the earth. showers and toilets at the end of each corridor, we were saved trudging up muddy paths to the ablution block. A large group went to Nachal. Nevertheless, to remind us of our oleh chadash status, we Some returned to SA. I, with some all slept on standard Sochnut beds and mattresses which others, went to Jerusalem. Stella seemed to have been designed for exceedingly short and Marcus remained on kibbutz, mar- anorexic occupants. [Ed note. Hardly the specs for someone of the rying member and ex-Durbanite writer’s physique!] Keith Greenberg. Arnie Friedman, our former Cape Town shaliach and In February, we reunited at Grace Sloman saw to our every need and we soon settled Keith and Stella’s gracious home into the daily routine – half a day’s work and half a day’s enjoying morning coffee on their studies. Most of us worked in the citrus orchards: picking, ‘stoep’ with its magnificent view filling bags and dragging them to the crates. Nevertheless, of the Yizreel Valley. life was not all boredom. It became an instructive pastime, while working in the orchards, to shy a fruit at an unsuspect-
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Katz (S.A.) related how our ulpan had been chosen to be ULPAN BUNCH MEET OVER a ‘group voter’ for the Eurovision. We voted completely LUNCH differently to the rest of the country! Former Australian compared our group When thirty-one Anglo-Saxons Jocelyn Goldberg who had made aliyah 40 years previously, spending six months at Ulpan Ben Yehudah in Netanya, gathered recently at the Gaash Golf Club restaurant it was “an affirma- tion of the very spirit of Zionism,” writes Harold Jankelowitz. Bess and Eddy Hoffman who organized the breakfast reminded us of the tiyulim and parties; Mal- colm Dash recalled the “Three-Day March” to Jerusalem while Lola Ulpan Ben Yehudah reunion at the Gaash Golf Club Rabco property management & consultants ltd.
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Toyota Towers, Yigal Alon St. Tel Aviv POB 20395, Tel Aviv 61203 Tel: 03-624-1718 Fax: 03-624-1798 41 Reunions to the modern day backpackers, except that for adventure occurred in Israel, but far more we didn’t go off to South America or the Far East. We pertinent in the ongoing saga of were all young, came on aliya with young children for the Jewish migration. biggest adventure of our lives. The Ra’anana Bowling Club was My wife Merle related seeing a local kid from the rather the venue for a gathering of fifty tough suburb stealing our little son’s Fisher Price camera former Krugerdorpers. from his hand – and without a blink, chased the boy through If Krugersdorp was rich in gold the streets to his home, knocked at the door, and in her ‘best’ - understandably well worth fight- Hebrew informed the parents sitting in the lounge that their ing for in the late 19th century - it son had stolen the toy. They vehemently denied it. When was some of its other ‘gems’ that she threatened to call the police, they casually shouted, attended the reunion in Ra’anana. “Yossi, bring the camera”. There were the professors - Joe I read some amusing verses to nursery rhymes and we paid Borman, who performed the first our respects to those of our group who had passed away: successful heart transplant in Israel Matti Cohen (S.A.), Larzie Lichtenstein (S.A.), Alma and who received a Telfed Aca- Dykman (S.A.), Peter Meyers (England), Moses (India), demic Achievement Award (AAA) Marcus Gell (S.A.) and Merle Pincus (S.A.). in 1998, Aubrey Soskolne, a Peri- odontist at Jerusalem’s Hadassah We felt truly proud of our achievements and contributions hospital, Luba Zuk, from the to the State of Israel. Pediatrics Department and Errol Gotsman from the School of Physics and Astronomy “as well THE KRUGERSDORP GANG as the outstanding sportsman Vic If in December 1880 some 6000 men gathered in the Essakow and tour guide Leon rural mining area of what would emerge a few years later Gork who regaled us with amusing as the town of Krugersdorp vowing to fight for Transvaal anecdotes of Krugersdorp’s past,” independence, in March this year, a less dramatic gathering said Shirley Peled, who organized the reunion. Amongst the “Uitlanders”, (‘for- eigners’), to use 19th century Transvaal parlance there was Colin Berman from the UK, Benjie Danilowitz from Canada, Sorrel Danilowitz from the USA and Anthony Kaye - the sole repre- sentative from the present Jewish community in Krugersdorp.
Krugersdorpers Hannah Bakst, Wendy Goldstein, Shirley Peled and Louis Machet.
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I never went without my prized 8mm camera, and on one HAPPY DAYS visit, I arrived on the wedding day of Chaim and Rochi. So By Norman Spiro of course, I filmed the happy event. Anniversaries are happy days, The Present. So here I am again meeting for the first time bringing back precious memo- after 60 years and of course I take along my original film ries.I had the pleasure recently of which we show to the delight of Chaim and Rochi. reuniting with Chaim and Rochi Zahavi, previously Gold- There is an interesting prequel to this event. Sometime blatt whom I had not after the War of Independence, I seen since their wedding attended a function in the Zionist day back in April 1949 Hall in Cape Town, where a film on Kibbutz Timorim, was being shown of ‘life in Israel’. opposite Nahalal in the There, on the screen was the rec- Jezreel Valley. reation of the wedding of Chaim and Rochi, this time in beautiful The occasion for the reun- colour – mine was in black and ion was their 60th wedding white. The film had been shot, so anniversary on Moshav I am told, by the photographer or Norman Spiro with Chaim and Rochi Timorim; no longer a kib- possibly his assistant, who had Goldblatt at their 60th wedding anniversary butz and situated south, on Moshav Timorim in the south. He last filmed “The Third Man’, with past Ashkelon. saw them at their wedding on Kibbutz Orson Welles with Chaim and Rochi the stars playing the leading Allow me to backtrack. Timorim in 1949 in the north. roles - of themselves. While serving in Israel as a member of Machal during Israel’s War of Unfortunately no trace can be found of this film, but my Independence, I would frequently original film is carefully preserved with a copy at the Diaspora - on my free days - visit Timorim, Museum, and is part of the many historical shots I filmed during to see my friends whom I had been my stay in Israel during that tumultuous period 1947-1949. together with in the Bnei Zion Ed. Note. Norman was interviewed on Israel’s channel 10 and both the youth movement in South Africa. interview and his films can be viewed at: http://boidem.nana10.co.il/
43 In Memoriam Sincere condolences from Telfed’s Chairman, Executive Council and Staff to the bereaved families of:
Avraham Jaffe (S.A.) Lynn Durlacher (Haifa) Barak Novick (Nes Ziona) Marjorie Minde (Cape Town) Ben Zion (Benchie) Yadin (Yudelman) (Asseret) Monica Menashe (Raanana) Betsy Sugarman Nochum Borok (Kfar Saba) Cynthia Mendelsohn (Netanya) Rabbi Isaac Zwebner (Jerusalem) Hazel Camron (Protea Village) Ruth Salomon (Kfar Saba) Helma Gurwitz (Raanana) Sara Sapeika (Savyon) Issy Isacowitz (Moshav Nordia) Selwyn Aronson (Netanya) Itz Stein (Herzliya) Shirley Ruttert (Savyon, ex-Cape Town) Julius Jaffe (Rehovot) Solly Mallach (Raanana) Karen Goldsmith (S.A.) Teddy Michelson (Netanya) Leslie Meyerson (S.A.) Maureen Stern (San Diego) Louis Zinn (Even Yehuda) Ruth Kirsh (Port Elizabeth)
A Friend and Colleague - Itz STEIN It has been a privilege to have been associated with Itz Stein during some of the various stages of his career as a Zionist activist. From his shlichut in Cape Town, through short-term shlichuot in South Africa, to working with him during his stints at Telfed - the latter as Deputy Director, I got to know a very special person. Being a modest and highly principled person, he would probably have preferred not to have too many accolades bestowed upon him, so I will tell it simply as I see it. His two finest characteristics while working in the Zionist Move- ment, were his genuine concern and care for his fellow human being, and his deep commitment to and belief in the Zionist cause and the State of Israel. While an idealist and a thinker, Itz however did not allow his views to remain on the theoretical level – he constantly sought ways to bring about their practical implementation. This is his legacy - they live on today, and will for generations to come in the form of various kibbutzim, moshavim, housing projects and concepts of klitat Aliya, in all of which he played a vital role. Hundreds, if not, thousands of people have been touched by Itz in his role as a chaver in the Zionist Youth Movement, a shaliach, a leader of Telfed as Director and committee member,
44 and not least, as a lover of nature. But all this was surpassed by his devotion to and pride in his wife, Shirley, and their family. Itz was truly a special person whose legacy will live on, deeply rooted in the soil of the Jewish Homeland. A friend, a colleague who will be sorely missed – his broad impish smile is indelibly imprinted in my mind – forever. Sid Shapiro, Director, Telfed a Issy IsaCoWitz Having worked passionately fundraising for Israel in Johannesburg, Issy Isacowitz - who passed away in March - immersed himself fol- lowing his aliya, in the Netanya Telfed Regional Committee. It was at a time when senior Southern African olim were attracted to this coastal town and the community blossomed. Issy, who took over as Chairman of the Committee from its founder Jeff Kruger helped build on the com- munity’s reputation as a model volunteering community. Their projects and activities were constantly cited as ‘the example’ in the early days to other regional committees, as to how a regional committee should operate. First ensuring the well being of their own olim they would later mobilize the community to help Netanya absorb waves of Russian and Ethiopian immigrants. On the day of Issy’s passing, a shomer (guard) at Nordia retirement village approached Issy’s daughter Lynn Lochoff (Director of Beth Protea) and emotionally related how “my Dad had helped him and his family when they arrived from Russia fifteen years before.” In 1987, Issy, together with wife Dot, who would follow Issy as Chairman of the Netanya Telfed Regional Committee, were joint recipients of the Telfed Volunteer Award. The Telfed Chairman, Director, Staff and volunteers express heartfelt condolences to Dot, daughter Lynn and Henry Lochoff, son Pete and Leslie Isacowitz, son Rael and Adelle Isacowitz and all the grandchildren. a Frank Stein Frank Stein was a friend and a colleague. I remember him sitting in his small office at the entrance to the education building at Kiryat Moriah. Any first timer to the building thought that he manned the information counter and would ask him where so and so sat. Always with a smile, Frank would answer, never complaining about the incessant questions he had to field. We were together on short term shlichut to South Africa. The potential olim and SA aliyah dept. staff all loved Frank. He was caring yet precise with his information. He would work
45 In Memoriam
late into the night in order to ensure that the aliyah files were properly placed onto the com- puter. When he returned to Israel from South Africa, he came to the Telfed offices to give us a full debriefing - all on his own time and budget. The world is a poorer place without Frank Stein. We at Telfed will miss him greatly. He was a mensch and a professional in the field of Aliyah - his final “Aliyah” came too soon. Dorron Kline a JULIUS JAFFE The Telfed Chairman, members of the Executive, Director, Staff as well as the Southern African community of Rechovot, mourns the passing of Julius Jaffe, a former member of the Telfed Executive as well as a former Chairman of the Telfed Regional Committee of Rechovot. Prior to his aliya in 1975, Julius had been Chairman of Tnuat Aliya in Pretoria. Julius also served on the Telfed Aliya and Klitah Committee, and is well remembered as being in charge of welcoming visiting groups, most notably the Pilot Tours to Israel. As one resident of Rechovot at Julius’ funeral noted, “It’s only because of Julius addressing us on the pilot tour that we ended up living in Rechovot.” Heartfelt condolences to wife Thelma, sons Ian and Mark, daughter Robin Edelson and their families. a Jerusalem born, Rabbi Yitchak Zwebner (z’l), arrived in South Africa in 1952 where he went on to serve as rabbi in Nigel, Krugersdorp and Johannesburg. In 1966 he was appointed Chief Rabbi of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). In 1976, the Zwebners returned to Israel where Rabbi Zweb- ner joined the Jerusalem College of Technology (Machon Lev) where he established their South African Public Relations Department. His brother, David Zwebner, was among the Lamed Hey who was killed in January 14, 1948 during the attempt to break through the siege of Gush Etzyon. On behalf of the Southern African community in Israel, Telfed expresses heartfelt condo- lences to wife Rella, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. a The Telfed Chairman, Director and Staff express heartfelt condolences to Hilary Kaplan, former Vice Chair of Telfed and and a member of the Kfar Saba Telfed Regional Committee, on the tragic loss of her mother, Marjorie Minde in Cape Town.
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