The Jewish Report wishes our readers a Happy Chanukah!

www.sajewishreport.co.za Friday, 09 December 2011 / 13 Kislev, 5772 Volume 15 Number 45

Sydenham Pre-Primary School is participating in the “Butterfly Project”. The Collecting 1,5 million Holocaust Museum in Houston Texas is collecting one and a half million hand- made butterflies - all of a certain size - from around the world to be exhibited in 2014. These butterflies represent the one and a half million Jewish children butterflies for kids killed who perished in the Holocaust. Each child in Sydenham Pre-Primary is making a butterfly. Ella Rosmarin, one of the Sydenham learners, holds her butterfly. in the Shoah SEE PAGE 16 The theme of butterflies is based on a poem by Pavel Friedman, who wrote it in Terezin. He died in Auschwitz in 1944. (PHOTO: ILAN OSSENDRYVER) - IN THIS EDITION -

4, 7, 14 Travelling Kosher in KZN, PE and CT 3 Climate 9 A warm 8 SAKS - change - welcome to Jewish Israel’s Jewish Report’s optimism contribution new business tempered to fixing the column - with problem Bryan Silke’s realism BusinessBrief 11 Good reads

NOTE TO OUR READERS: This is the last issue of the Jewish Report for 2011. Our next issue will appear on January 20, 2012 2 SA JEWISH REPORT 09 December 2011 - 20 January 2012 SHABBAT TIMES SPONSORED BY: PARSHA OF THE WEEK Chabad spreads the PARSHAT VAYISHLACH Jacob Rabbi Ramon light this Chanukah Widmonte jumps! MICHAEL BELLING from 17:00 to 19:00 on the first night, Bnei Akiva with the public lighting of the THE SPIRIT of Chanukah this year, menorah and dreidel games, music from the evening of December 20 to and fun activities for children, OUR FOREFATHER, Ya’akov (Jacob), is a shadow- December 28, is reaching across the Rabbi Gidon Fox of the Pretoria man. When we read of his naming, it sends shivers up country, with special events to mark Hebrew Congregation said. my spine, the eight-day celebration of the Across the country in Cape Town, ‘’And when Rivkah gave birth, behold, there were Maccabi-era miracle. Chabad House has arranged a pub- twins in her womb. And the first came forth red, all The high point, literally, will be in lic candle lighting in Sea Point on over like a hairy cloak; and they called his name Eisav. Umhlanga. December 25, with a similar ceremo- And after that came his brother, and his hand had hold “We are going to light on Eisav’s heel (Akev) ; and his name was called Africa’s biggest giant meno- Ya’akov… The children grew up and Eisav became a rah, about six metres high, at man who knew how to hunt, a man of the field; while the Gateway Shopping Ya’akov was a simple man who lived in tents. Yitzchak Centre,” Rabbi Shlomo loved Eisav - who practised the art of hunting even with Wainer, of Chabad of the his mouth - while Rivkah loved Ya’akov.” North Coast, told the Jewish The word Ya’akov means, “he will follow”. What must Report. it have been like to grow up in the shadow of Avraham, Different events are planned Yitzchak and then Eisav and to be told: “You are a fol- on each of the eight days of lower!” What must have run through his mind those the festival, most of them at December 9/13 Kislev long nights studying in the tents - watching his father Umhlanga’s Chabad House: adore an older brother and to be told: “You must fol- December 10/ 14 Kislev • Day 1 - Latke party and arts low!” and crafts And as the Gemara in B’rachot (7b) teaches us, a • Day 2 - Ice skating at the Parshat Vayishlach name can be a critical element in the formation of one’s Durban Ice Rink 18:15 19:28 Johannesburg self-image. So we’re unsurprised when Ya’akov does • Day 3 - Open air rickshaw 18:20 20:29 Cape Town not lead, but follows. We are unsurprised when he fol- bus touring Durban ny two days later at Dolphin Beach 18:15 19:26 Durban lows the path of least resistance, a path devoid of direct • Day 4 - Chanukah Shabbat dinner in Blouberg. 18:20 19:43 Bloemfontein confrontation, a path which leads him to bargain • Day 5 - Games night and light din- The Green and Sea Point Hebrew Eisav’s birthright away from him, to win a blessing 17:51 20:00 Port Elizabeth ner Congregation is holding two youth from his father through deceit (mirma), to rolling over • Day 6 - Kids’ party at the events, an arts and craft morning on 18:15 19:48 East London before a father-in-law who cheats him of his wife, to Umhlanga Sands December 21 from 16:00, with candle running away secretly with his family. All of this is • Day 7 - Chanukah braai lighting, and drum cafe drumming, expected. • Day 8 - Chanukah extravaganza at and a braai the following day. What is astonishing is what happens in this week’s Gateway Shopping Centre. Seniors will have a Mad Hatter’s parsha. Details of all the Durban events Tea Party on December 21 from “And Ya’akov remained alone and a man wrestled Published by are on www. chabadnc.com or 10:30, with entertainment by with him till the morning. And when the man saw he phone Wainer at 083-550-0503. Chazzan Ivor Joffe. The shul will S A Jewish Report (Pty) Ltd, couldn’t win, he hit Ya’akov on his thigh and the bone PO Box 84650, Greenside, 2034 Chabad in Johannesburg also has join the public candle lighting on Tel: (011) 023-8160 was dislocated. And the man said: ‘Send me away a packed programme at several ven- December 25. Fax: (086) 634-7935 because the sun is rising.’ Ya’akov responded: ‘I will not ues. According to Rabbi Michael Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens Printed by Caxton Ltd send you away until you’ve blessed me.’ The man Katz, menorahs will be lit at Village will see a special candle-lighting responded: ‘What is your name?’ Ya’akov answered: EDITOR - Geoff Sifrin Walk in Sandton and KosherWorld ceremony and picnic for members [email protected] ‘Ya’akov.’ The man said: ‘Your name will no longer be in Glenhazel every night at 18:30, and guests of the Claremont called “Ya’akov”, but “Yisra’el”, because you’ve strug- and at 20:30 on Saturday night. Wynberg Hebrew Congregation and COMMERCIAL MANAGER gled with G-dly forces and with people and you have Sue Morris There will also be fixed meno- Ohr Somayach, Sea Point, on [email protected] won.’” rahs, without candle lighting in as December 27, from 16:30. Ya’akov struggles, for the first time with no guile, many malls as possible, to advertise Further up the coast, in Sub-Editor - Paul Maree with no preparation, a frontal, violent confrontation. the festival, according to Rabbi Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Ed Co-ordinator - Sharon Akum And at the end, his name is changed. Katz. He said four malls had con- Route, shul chairman Johnny [email protected] As always, our Sages incisively see what has hap- firmed that menorahs would be put Amoils confirmed, “We always do Sports Editor - Jack Milner pened here. Rashi comments on the above episode that, up: Balfour Park, Killarney, something on Chanukah for resi- [email protected] “no longer will people say of Ya’akov that he won the Morning Glen and Norwood, with dents and holidaymakers. We will Books Editor - Gwen Podbrey blessings from Eisav due to akavah (ankle-tapping) and the possibility of another four doing do it again this year. We will have mirmah (cheating), but rather through majesty and so. candle lighting in the shul.” Arts Editor - Robyn Sassen presence.” [email protected] On Sunday, December 25 at 17:30, In Port Elizabeth, the shul’s Rashi’s vision into Ya’akov’s transformation is pro- cars with menorahs on their roofs annual Chanukah service for the Youth Editor - Alison Goldberg found. Our forefather Ya’akov becomes Yisra’el. He [email protected] will parade through the streets of entire community at the Raleigh breaks free of the chains of his name and old identity, Glenhazel, while children and Street Jewish Pioneers Museum Cape Town correspondent building a new level on top of the old. He is still the man adults will have a special pro- will be held on December 21, Rabbi Moira Schneider: 021-794-4206 who dwelled in the tents of study but now he has the gramme at KosherWorld. Shmuel Bloch said. The candles Pretoria correspondent confidence to express that Torah with boldness and “If anyone doesn’t have a meno- will be lit on the 100-year-old meno- Diane Wolfson: 082-707-9471 courage. rah and wouldn’t otherwise light rah there. Advertising - (011) 023-8160 We are called Am Yisra’el, the nation of Israel, not one, menorahs and candles are On the east coast, The Durban [email protected] Am Ya’akov, the nation of Ya’akov, for this exact reason available free of charge from United Hebrew congregation will - for we bear within us that same potential transforma- Britt Landsman: 082-292-9520 Chabad House, tel (011)440-6600.” end the year with a children’s party [email protected] tion. With Torah as our DNA, we can and will, as indi- Pretoria will also have a parade of on December 11, with prizes for viduals and as a nation, reach majesty and presence. Manuela Bernstein: 082-951-3838 cars with menorahs on their roofs achievement awarded, and an adult [email protected] from the shul to Brooklyn Bridge Chanukah party on December 20. Freelance Advertising Executives Marlene Bilewitz: 083-475-0288 [email protected] Trevor Stamelman 082 608 0168 Henry Goldschmidt 082 347 8044 Adi Lew: 083-407-8034 Geoff Lees 082 923 8317 [email protected] Tel: (011) 885-3742 I [email protected] Classified Sales www.stamelmanproperties.co.za Charissa Newman ‘Extraordinary Service, Extraordinary Trust’ [email protected] GLENHAZEL/GLENSAN GLENHAZEL/DUNHILL PERCELIA ESTATE HIGHLANDS NORTH Manager: Distribution Britt Landsman Design and layout Frankie Matthysen Nicole Cook Website www.sajewishreport.co.za Hazelwood: 1 bed, 1 bath, corner top- Dunhurst Estate: 2 bed, 2 1/2 bath, mod- 5 bed, 4 bath, modern, new house with 3 bed, 2 bath, garden, pool, staff accom Ilan Ossendryver floor unit, sought-after secure complex. ern unit, in secure complex with small garden and much more, in secure and more. R699 000 IC-Creations R525 000 garden. R1 099 000/R1 199 000 boomed area. R2 399 000 [email protected] SYDENHAM SANDRINGHAM SYDENHAM SYDENHAM Subscription enquiries Avusa Publishing (Pty) Ltd. Tel: 0860-13-2652 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Howard Feldman (Chairman), Issie Kirsh (Deputy Chairman), Stan Kaplan, Marlene Bethlehem, Norman Lowenthal, Bertie Lubner, Benjy Porter, Herby Rosenberg, Howard Sack- 5 bed, 3 bath, 4 recep, pool, cottage, 4 bed, 3 bath, 3/4 recep, pool, garden 4 bed, 3 bath, cottage, pool, garden and 3 recep, 4 bed, 3 bath, cottage, pool and stein, Jason Valkin, Elton Bondi, Michael n. garden and much more. From R2,9 mil +++. R2,2 mil more. R1,9 mil more. R1,4 mil Sieff, Steven Krawitz and Denese Bloch. WISHING ALL OUR FRIENDS, CLIENTS AND THE COMMUNITY A Advertisements and editorial copy from outside sources do CHAG CHANUKAH SAMAYACH AND A FUN FILLED FESTIVE SEASON. not neccessarily reflect the views of the editors and staff. PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE CLOSED DECEMBER 9, 2011 AND RE-OPEN JAUNUARY 9, 2012 09 December 2011 - 20 January 2012 SA JEWISH REPORT 3 Israel can play important role in climate change debate ALISON GOLDBERG AND BENJI SHULMAN, JNF SA REPRESENTATIVE

ISRAEL’S DELEGATION to the COP17 climate change conference in Durban, although not a member of the negotiating group “is a party to the convention, has signed and rati- fied the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), participates in the nego- tiating process and is able to make recommendations”. It doesn’t, however, expect a “final Scientists say polar ice caps are melting at an alarming rate due to agreement” to be reached to replace climate change. the Kyoto Protocol. There are still many “points of contention”. looking to become a member of the included. Israel is still determined to fulfil its adaptation committee, if and when it The next issue is the status and pledge to reduce its greenhouse gas is set up,” says Karassin. legal validity of the commitments it emissions by 20 per cent by 2020. On the controversial issue of entails. While the European Union is Israel believes it can make valuable responsibilities of developed coun- insisting on a legally binding agree- contributions in some important tries to developing countries, she says ment, most of the swiftly developing areas. Israel is in favour of developed coun- countries, while demanding the same Dr Orr Karassin, head of the Israeli tries funding developing countries. of developed countries, are baulking Forest Service-Jewish National Fund Israel is classified as an “undeveloped at being similarly bound themselves. (KKL-JNF) delegation to the COP17 party” in the Kyoto Protocol and The third area is the funding of cli- (Conference of the Parties) confer- hence, has not thus far been obliged mate change adaptation and emis- ence, told Jewish Report that con- to fund developing countries. sions reduction, which requires dis- trary to a report that Israel only had Israel participates in bilateral fund- cussion over who will finance the observer status, it was actively parti- ing efforts, where one country gives Green Climate Fund. cipating in the proceedings. help to another directly, without an Karassin says KKL-JNF fully sup- “While Israel is not a member of international mechanism. This is ports the negotiation process for any of the negotiating groups, it through its Mashav Programme in reducing gas emissions and consid- is very interested in negotiations the ministry of Foreign Affairs. ers the Israeli government’s partici- around adaptation to climate change, Karassin has headed the KKL-JNF pation in it as very important. She a negotiating track that has become delegations to the past three also hopes Israeli technology will very important, where previously it Conferences of Parties that took play a pivotal role in critical adapta- was secondary to mitigating green- place in 2007 in Bali, in 2009 in tion and mitigation strategies and house gas emissions. Copenhagen and in 2010 in Cancun in actions globally. “This shift in emphasis in the Mexico. She holds a PhD in law and Israel pledged at the Copenhagen talks, is because many countries specialises in environmental law and Conference to reduce its greenhouse around the world are feeling the regulation, and in climate change gas emissions by 20 per cent by 2020. effects of climate change, especially adaptation policy. It will fulfil this obligation by developing countries.” Karassin does not expect the increasing the share of natural gas There are two sub-issues, she says: Durban Conference to lead to a final in electricity production, taking va- “The first is the formation of a new cli- agreement that will replace the Kyoto rious policy and regulatory steps mate change adaptation committee, Protocol, but the participants hope towards energy efficiency in both the which will be responsible for mapping that it will pave the way for a binding municipal and business sectors, and and scrutinising adaptation efforts agreement for 2015-2020. For this to gradual transition to renewable, taken worldwide and will deliberate happen, solutions will have to be most notably solar power. on how funds will be managed. found for some of the main points of The KKL-JNF’s aim at the confer- “The second, is what kind of fund- contention. ence is to share its knowledge and ing should be available, who is going These are broadly, the future of the experience in three major areas: to pay for it, and the process for Kyoto Protocol and demands for the afforestation in arid and semi-arid access to this funding. US to be included in the agreement, areas in response to climate change “Israel is in favour of strong mech- and US demands in turn, for China, and desertification; watershed man- anisms to fund adaptation and is also Brazil, South Africa and India to be agement; and biological control methods. Chief Rabbi Warren It has participated in all side Goldstein with fellow events of the UN conference and last faith leaders Anglican Saturday night held a panel discus- Archbishop Dr Thabo sion, on “Modifying afforestation Makgoba and Sheik Dr practices in response to climate Muhammad Ridwaan change”. Gallant, at the opening In South Africa, JNF has estab- ceremony of COP17, lished community greening and environmental education centres in marching united for Mamelodi, northeast of Pretoria; in the cause of the univer- the Hammarsdale area in KZN dur- sal value of protecting ing COP; and is about to launch a the environment. third in Alexandra township in (PHOTO SUPPLIED) Johannesburg. 4 SA JEWISH REPORT 09 December 2011 - 20 January 2012 Keeping kosher in style in KZN North Coast and St Lucia Seasands Lodge and Conference Centre. ALISON GOLDBERG PICTURE COURTESY OF SEASANDS.CO.ZA PLANNING A kosher holiday is an expedi- tion. “Who are you telling?” said Shlomo Wainer, proprietor of the Chabad Guest House in Umhlanga Rocks. Wainer travels to Johannesburg fortnightly to fetch supplies of Mehadrin meat and kosher milk products. The guest house is situated almost direct- ly behind Southern Sun’s sea-facing, self- catering Cabannas, and a little distance off from its sister, the beachfront Umhlanga Sands. As an entrée into the small Jewish community of Durban of only 2 000, Wainer and his assistant Robyn Lazarow always go the extra mile. The iSimangalisoWorld Heritage Site. In our week-long holiday at self-catering COURTESY: ISIMANGALISO.COM accommodation on KZN-Natal’s north coast, my daughter and myself spent our first two sible a really, fun swim in the sea. Even more nights at Umhlanga Sands, our priority breathtaking is St Lucia’s own beach - white being to see the sea. Porters bring practical, sand and sea, all the more alluring for its large, plastic bins to transport all your para- wildness. phernalia to your rooms, which have A whistle-stop tour of uShaka Marine microwave ovens. According to assistant World in Durban and the Durban Holocaust front office manager, Ronnie Padayachee, Centre was next. Both of them deserve more this hotel is about to undergo a major refur- time to catch the dolphin show for instance bishment, and will be closed from January at uShaka, and sufficient time to see the 15 to April 7. museum. The latter is situated next to On our first and only full day in Durban’s only kosher (milk) restaurant, The Umhlanga, we were day guests of the Oyster Circle Café, with a delightful gift-shop. Box. Voted “one of the hot hotels and spas Restaurant owner, Leemor Berchowitz, a worldwide” in 2010 by Condé Nast Traveler, professionally-trained chef, is affiliated to we treated ourselves to its spa, also named the Edward Hotel in Durban, providing best Hotel Spa in 2010 in South Africa by Les kosher meals and non-returnable crockery Nouvelles Esthetiques. and silverware. For the next three nights, two and a half As part of the Oyster Box’s spa treatment hours away, we were off to St Lucia and to a are complimentary bowls of fresh pineapple, little jewel in this wetlands village, the strawberries, green melon, pecan nuts and Seasands Lodge and Conference Centre, yoghurts. The inclusion of kosher Dannon nestling in and surrounded by untamed, NutriDay’s vanilla yoghurt would make for a tropical vegetation. No hotels or develop- wonderful combination. Also offered is a ments are allowed on the St Lucia Wetland plunge in its spa pool. These same personal beaches. The area has been renamed the touches at the hotel are applied to every area, iSimangaliso Wetland Park and was pro- from welcome offers of home-made lemon- claimed South Africa’s first World Heritage ade at reception to bowls of apples and tall site in 1999. jars of dried mango. There are jars of sweets We returned to Umhlanga for Shabbat, to in its restaurants and movie theatre, and a the conveniently-located Chabad guest surprise at every turn. house and its next-door, brand new shul. A tip for those visiting the spa, is to first Delicious cholent and parev ice-creams were ask the prices. Not all treatments are so made by Rebbetzen Channie Haller. Their expensive. three-course Shabbat meals come reason- As for accommodation, special packages ably priced at between R120 - R160. are available at R2 800 a night for a couple. Room rates for our stay worked at roughly We were fortunate to experience seamless R400 per person per night, plus an addition- service at Seasands - unobtrusive but quick al R150 for a separate room requested at and friendly help on request. One tour oper- Seasands and Chabad. Umhlanga Sands ator refused to charge us for a horse ride on charges similarly at R1 600 per night for its the beach because she had mixed up the four-sleeper unit. times. Because of monkeys, windows and A two-hour boat excursion on the St Lucia doors of its spacious rooms and full kitchens estuary - the largest in Africa - to see its pods (stove and oven) and bathrooms, have to of hippos and crocodiles, is a popular choice. remain closed when unoccupied. A half-day game viewing and snorkelling Deck chairs and a table on their wooden visit to Cape Vidal - until eight years ago deck patios with braais, surrounded by accessible only by four-by-fours - made pos- nature, enable you to bring your own. STRESSING OUT - the cure is under your nose! Are you stressed at the end of the year – don’t know what you can do about it?

You can do something about it – BREATHE. This self- What happens is that the lungs (which are just contain- This breathing exercise will not only develop the deep next, we give it back. discovery can alleviate stress, so breathe deeply. This ers) fill with air; the diaphragm descends pushing up the push down of the diaphragm, it will also give you a calm Clara Taub, an experienced is the best anti-stress medicine we may have and it is abdomen; few people - other than singers and athletes - and relaxed feeling. voice coach and drama right under our noses! Yes, breathing, deep belly are even aware that the abdomen would expand during Sit up and place your left hand on your abdomen just teacher, has worked exten- breathing. inhalation. above your belly button and your right hand on your chest. sively in schools, corporate organisations and has written The technique is so powerful that when used correctly, Watch how a baby breathes and you will see the belly Breathe deeply so that your left hand is pushed away with four books on drama, acting, teaching and voice. it helps to calm people down. go up and down; even animals breathe like this. Stress your belly and your right hand stays still. She has acted in and directed many plays, the last “Slow, deep breathing is the best anti-stress medicine comes about when the shift is from abdominal breathing All the time you should be breathing in through your being Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat for Yeshiva we have,” says James Gordon, director of Centre for to shallow breathing, where a loss of oxygen occurs. Good nose and out through your mouth. Breathe in slowly, filling Girls High School in September. She also runs an acting Mind/Body Medicine in Washington. breathing is the starting point for a healthy lifestyle and an your abdomen, hold your breath for a count of three, build- school, drama workshops and does presentation and When you bring air down into the lower portion of the anti-stress way of living. ing up to a count of 5, then breathe out slowly, counting to speech writing programmes. lungs, where oxygen exchange is most efficient, every- When you want to learn how to distress, do the follow- three and then five. She has an H Dip Ed, B Ed and LTCL and can be con- thing changes. The heart rate slows, blood pressure ing: Lie on the floor on your back and place a book on your If you perform deep belly breathing throughout the day, tacted on 082-572-0467. decreases, muscles relax and the mind calms. belly. Relax your stomach muscles and inhale deeply into particularly just before you go to sleep, you will ease anx- The Voice Makeover Centre opens in January 2012, Of course everyone knows how to breathe, otherwise your abdomen and push the book away with the muscles iety. Not only do these strategies really work, but some- under the tutelage of Taub and a team of professional we would not be alive. Breathing is automatic, from the of your belly. thing like breathing is an inexpensive intervention. trainers. time we are born until we die, we continue to breathe, but When you breathe out, let the book return to a flat posi- Breath is the soul, the N’shomer given to us by Hashem. It offers courses in presentation skills, speech writing, what we need, is to make the inspiration down and deep. tion. Breathe in - push out your belly - breathe out. It gives us life and when we pass from this world into the speech training, acting and speech therapy. E-mail [email protected] to book a free assessment. Taub is giving away five free breathing CDs. To enter send an e-mail by December 31. 09 December 2011 - 20 January 2012 SA JEWISH REPORT 5 6 SA JEWISH REPORT 09 December 2011 - 20 January 2012 COMMUNITY SOCIAL SCENE BUZZ LIONEL SLIER 082-444-9832, Lucky numbers galore fax: 011-440-0448, [email protected] at Emunah’s glitzy raffle AS THE YEAR STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY DRAWS TO A RITA LEWIS CLOSE... EMUNAH’S MUCH awaited R100 As this is the last raffle draw took place recently in Community Buzz for the the marquee at the home of hostess year, and as Chanukah, and chairman, Judy Moritz in the Festival of Lights is Johannesburg, where some spec- approaching, it may be a tacular prizes were won by some good idea to “lighten” up very happy people. a little with some true Prior to the draw, Rabbi Levi incidents. Lipskar spoke to the gathering on the relevance and importance of KRUGERSDORP working for charity and other relevant issues. Some years ago, the The event was the culmina- Mandy Bloch receives her prize Krugersdorp Synagogue tion of a lot of hard work by the had bothersome situation members of the Emunah team from hostess Judy Moritz. with a roof that leaked who had spent much time and present. after heavy rains, despite effort organising this event Everyone involved in the event many unsuccessful which was certainly worth the had enjoyed the effort they had attempts to fix it. One R100 cost of each ticket – espe- put in, in order to raise money for Friday night there was a cially for the winners – the first such a worthy cause as the particularly heavy storm of whom was Brian Joffe who Achusat Sara Children’s Home in just after the Shabbat won a trip to Cape Town with Bnei Brak, Israel. service ended. two tickets, accommodation The home was originally creat- Shabbat day, itself, and car hire. ed as a refuge for orphaned chil- dawned bright and sunny Other prizes were return air dren from broken homes as well and the service was held tickets to the Victoria Falls, as underprivileged children. Now, as usual. However, dur- Mauritius, George, Port Eliza- Guest speaker it is home to over 130 needy chil- ing the reading of the beth and Durban. Rabbi Levi dren. Torah, a single drop of There was also a set of the Lipskar. At Achusat Bayit they are given water fell exactly on the latest luggage, two watches and a second home with much love and care word “mabel” which the other interesting items. from the principal, Shmuel Ron and his officating rabbi at the Chairman Judy Moritz thanked her dedicated team as a result of the generosi- time (Rabbi Yoram sterling workers in both Emunah Cape ty and commitment of the South African Hadar) translated as Town and Johannesburg and said it had Jewish community. meaning “flood” or “del- been a magic afternoon for all those uge”. Not one more drop fell from the roof. The portion of the Torah reading that day was “Noach”. ORT’s COLESBERG 75th Dr. Cooper, the local GP, used to make calls to patients regularly, even in CT on Saturdays in an emer- gency. Then his driver fell and broke his leg and MOIRA SCHNEIDER Western Cape committee; Nilly Baruch, the doctor put the word PHOTOGRAPH: DEBBIE STANILAND vice chairman ORT Western Cape; Robert out that he was looking Singer, director general World ORT; Lydia for a driver to drive him ORT WESTERN Cape on November 24 cel- Abel, executive director ORT-Tech; Simon at night. ebrated ORT’s 75th anniversary in South Susman, chairman ORT-Tech; and Yehuda Dolf du Plessis applied; Africa. Kay, national director ORT SA. Singer was he was suitable and got Pictured are David Ginsberg, ORT out here from London for the occasion. the job. On the first night out he visited a patient and parked the car with the driver waiting for the It’s klez with a new twist doctor. The horrified patient asked the doctor MOIRA SCHNEIDER why the undertaker was CAPE TOWN sitting in his car. Dr Cooper had not known KLEZMER MUSIC with a contemporary that his driver’s day job twist will be featured on Cape Town was as the local under- Shpiel, the Playing with Fire Klezmer taker. Band’s first CD in this genre, due to be launched on December 12. PORT ELIZABETH The band’s leader Matthew Reid, who is not Jewish, says that he did not want to This comes from David “just regurgitate the same familiar tunes” Abel: that have their roots among the strolling shtetl musicians of Eastern Europe, but “I remember a gentleman has rather “put old wine into new bottles”. who ran a very lucrative “I think you have to do something inter- business, and had a esting with it for people to like it (these heavy Yiddish accent. He days),” he explains of his arrangements. The cover of Cape Town Shpiel, the was responding to some Reid has been the musical director and Playing with Fire Klezmer Band’s first his band has accompanied performers at simcha: ‘I tenk you from CD in this genre, due to be launched the Yiddish Song Festival since its incep- the bottom of my heart this month. and also from my wife’s tion here 11 years ago. bottom.’ The CD, subtitled Klezmer in Africa, “And then I did an African ‘freylech’ “Was this perhaps the includes a wide variety of styles. Some (Yiddish: happy, also the name of a klezmer same Port Elizabeth man tracks have a “Balkan feeling”, following dance and rhythm) - an overture with some who told some friends in the group’s venture into this genre, and African songs. So there should be some- the 1950s when the make use of the darambuka (Turkish thing in there for everybody,” Reid states. Skymaster was the major drum) and the tuba. • The launch, featuring a performance passenger plane, that he Also incorporated is gypsy jazz and by the Playing with Fire Klezmer Band, was flying to input from Cape jazz pianist Hilton will be held on December 12 at 20:00 at the Johannesburg in a Schilder. Cantor Ivor Joffe sings four Centre for the Book, Queen Victoria Mixmaster?” numbers in Yiddish, while the rest are Street, Cape Town. Unreserved seats R100. instrumental. To book call (021) 434-9691, e-mail We wish all our readers “I’ve taken Rozhinkes mit Mandlen and [email protected] or phone Myra at 083- a wonderful Chanukah put it into a 5/8 rhythm, which I think is 449-3974. Proceeds of CD sales will be and festive period. unusual. I took Macheteniste Majne and shared with the Cape Jewish Seniors gave it a Balkan feel. Association. 09 December 2011 - 20 January 2012 7 New Jewish awakening in The Friendly City

PORT ELIZABETH, initially known as “The Windy City”, is increasingly being known as “The Friendly City”. And now a quiet revolution is taking place that will cause PE to be known as one of the centres of Jewish life in South Africa. Only two months ago our new shul was inaugurated with Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein attending, with local and interna- tional guests. Over 200 guests enjoyed a superbly catered event, in our newly refur- bished hall next door to the shul. We are proud to have Rabbi Shmuel Bloch, himself a native South African, together with his America-born wife, as our new rabbi and rebbetzen. Rabbi Bloch com- pleted the prestigious Ohr Lagolah Rab- binic Training Programme in Jerusalem and together with his wife and family have returned to South Africa to lead our com- munity. We have daily minyanim and a fantastic Shabbos davening with a superb brocha afterwards. During the week we offer a host of shiurim on many different topics, cater- ing to all levels. Our mikvah is situated within the same complex as the shul. A vibrant and dedicated Union of Jewish Women and WIZO ensure that something special is always taking place. With kosher food easily accessible togeth- er with the shul being five minutes away from the beach, PE is the perfect destination for your holiday. Reb Nosson Tzvi Finkel dies in Jerusalem SHIRA DRUION

THE ROSH Yeshiva of Mir in Jerusalem, Reb Nosson Tzvi Finkel died recently at the age of 68 after going into cardiac arrest. He suf- fered from Parkinson’s dis- ease. The funeral took place in the heart of Jerusalem’s Beit Yisrael neighbourhood and was attended by an estimated 100 000 Jews from across the globe. Reb Nosson Tzvi was born on March 12, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois to Rabbi Eliyahu Meir and Sara Finkel. During a visit to Israel at the age of 15, Natty as he was known, went to stay with his cousin, Rabbi Eliezer Yehudah Finkel ("Reb Leizer Yudel"), the Mir Rosh yeshiva. Reb Leizer Yudel recognised his extraor- dinary ability to grasp Talmudic concepts and to think patiently and clearly. He invit- ed him to stay in Jerusalem for advanced Talmudic studies at the Mir, but Nosson Tzvi's mother wanted him to return to Chicago to finish high school. At the age of 18, Finkel returned to Jerusalem to learn at the Mir. Today the Mir Yeshiva is the second largest yeshiva in the world, with a student body of over 7 500. When Finkel became rosh yeshiva, the yeshiva had fewer than 1 000 students. Under his leadership, the yeshiva grew in leaps and bounds, enrolling nearly 6 000 undergraduate students and over 1 600 mar- ried students, by the time of his death. . Rabbi Finkel contracted Parkinson’s dis- ease in his 40. This, however, did not to deter him from learning Torah for long hours, delivering regular shiurim and undertak- ing fundraising for his yeshiva around the world. Finkel is survived by his wife Rachel Leah, and 11 children. His son Rabbi Yehudah Leib Finkel has been appointed as the new rosh yeshiva. 8 SA JEWISH REPORT 09 December 2011 - 20 January 2012 OPINION AND ANALYSIS 2012 - A better year? FORUM FOR DIVERSE VIEWS MOST PEOPLE agree that 2011 was a rough Perhaps, in 2012, our government will year. What can we expect from 2012? A wish recommit itself to the ideals and spirit of Temper optimism with list might include the following: our Constitution, rather than looking at it as Start with the basics - individuals and an impediment keeping them from ruling in families, the building blocks of any society. an unfettered way. In these tough economic times - for which a The youth: The old cliché that our future a dollop of realism resolution is still far away - they should con- rests with them, is reaffirmed every year. tinue to have the essentials like healthcare, For them to be the shapers of a good future, JEWISH RESILIENCE is predicated on an food on the table, good education for their requires inculcating into them the ideals of essentially optimistic view of human des- kids, a strong, caring community, and a safe building a society on the finest moral princi- tiny. Our fundamental convictions point to BARBARIC haven from the travails of the world. ples. For that they need a solid family life, an ordered universe operating under the The community: The continuing vib- good education, and the possibility that their guidance of an all-powerful, all-knowing YAWP rancy, solidarity and warmth of the South lives can become better through their own and benign Creator whose very purpose in David Saks African Jewish community, make it special efforts. bringing our world into being is to bestow and must be guarded jealously. With its mul- Sadly, this is lacking in many places. Dire infinite benefit to His creations. tiplicity of excellent Jewish day schools, poverty and unemployment create a culture Judaism certainly does not deny the welfare and religious institutions, outreach of no hope - and underpin the high crime reality of suffering, the human capacity for immigrants began returning to the Holy projects, learning programmes and so on, rate. A man who is struggling daily just to evil and the tremendous dangers inherent Land, braving incredible hardships as they South African Jewry enters 2012 in good find food to eat, has no time for lofty moral in living as flawed beings in a deeply imper- went about laying the groundwork for a shape, despite the problems inherent in any platitudes. fect world. Jewish country that might well never have close-knit community, and the challenges For our economy to thrive we need invest- No matter what tragedies occur, however, come into being. Many more Jews else- posed by being part of the white minority in ment, and harping on nationalisation - not these are always seen as being ultimately a where in the world participated through South Africa. yet finally denied by the ANC - scares invest- means to a greater end, a necessary part in fundraising. Against all odds, the dream The country: We hope those in power will ment away. And with it the jobs new invest- the unfolding of a greater plan. Nor do Jews was realised. come to their senses and stop undermining ments could create. see the human condition as being one of The problem with revolutions is, as the freedoms and achievements won Government constantly comes up with passively enduring the unfathomable Danton put it, they can easily end up through the blood, sweat and tears of ideal- grand-sounding plans to cut unemployment whims of an unknowable Higher Being. devouring their own children. What begins ists and activists over the past decades. In and solve the crises in education, health and On the contrary, they have understood as an idealistic reaction against tyranny too 1994 a bloodbath was averted against all pre- service delivery. But political posturing is that each individual has been given the often leads to the latter’s replacement with dictions and a liberation movement had to not enough. We need more on-the-ground tools to fulfil his or her particular, and something even worse. turn itself into a functioning government, implementation. We hope 2012 will be the unique, destiny. As a Shakespearean might At the commencement of the Arab living up to arguably the most enlightened year for this to happen. see it, it is less a case of “as flies to wanton Spring this year, there was an upsurge of Constitution in the world. Corruption: Our leaders must show seri- boys are we to th’ gods, they kill us for their optimism over the growing grass-roots Now, 17 years later, there are ominous signs ous intent to tackle the corruption and nepo- sport” than of “The fault… is not in our revolt against decades of oppression, mis- our current leaders - including our president tism becoming endemic in our society - if stars, But in ourselves, that we are under- rule and corruption. All this dissipated - are losing touch with what makes this coun- unchecked, they will soon be impossible to lings”. fairly quickly once it became clear that few try great. The contentious Secrecy Bill passed root out. Former police commissioner Knowing that whatever suffering they of those involved were really interested in recently by the National Assembly, exempli- Jackie Selebi may have gone to jail for cor- may endure, individually or collectively, establishing liberal democracies along the fies how far they have strayed from basic prin- ruption - for how long we still have to see - has a constructive purpose while at the Western model. In Egypt, for one, it now ciples. Their justifications for the need to but the culture of corruption he represents same time understanding that human fail- looks very much like a secular fascist exclude a public interest clause in the Bill, has not been dented one iota. ings and not Divine capriciousness is at its regime is about to be replaced with an have been so ridiculous that it has made us We live in a unique country with warm, root, distinguished the Jews of ancient Islamist one. the laughing stock of the world, and poses generous people. We wish our readers a times from the civilisations that rose and Far from ameliorating traditional reli- worrying questions about the direction in rejuvenating end-of-year break. And may we fell around them. gious prejudice against minorities, more- which they are taking the country. all pull together to make it a great 2012! Because Jews saw human beings as over, the Arab Spring would seem to have uniquely imbued with free will, and with it intensified them. In a recent article in The the capacity to forge their own destinies, Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg details how the they attributed to them the ability to better revolutionary rhetoric of the reformers is themselves and their societies. permeated through and through by rabid Perhaps this is why Jews have been at anti-Semitic ideologies. the forefront of so many revolutionary One example he cites is that of Egyptian movements over the centuries. In their presidential candidate Tawfiq Okasha, who very DNA, as it were, there is an essential- on television said: “Not all the Jews in the ly optimistic belief in human perfectibility, world are evil. The ratio is 60-40. Sixty per something even non-religious Jews can cent are evil to varying degrees, all the way feel. to a level that words cannot describe, while Sometimes, this has taken the form of 40 per cent are not evil.” seeking to perfect the world at large, the Even among the 40 per cent of non-evil Jewish invention of and subsequent dispro- Jews, he continued, there was only one in a portionate involvement in the Communist million who was blameless, and with whom dream being the most fateful example. At it was possible to coexist. other times, it is more inner directed, For Jews, in fact, the Arab Spring coun- towards creating a new and better world for tries are probably now as dangerous as they the Jewish people themselves. were at the time of the orchestrated state The most striking contemporary example persecution that followed Israel’s establish- of the latter, of course, is the unfolding ment. Zionist enterprise. I often wonder at how David Gerbi, a Libyan Jewish exile who deeply Jews the world over bought into the has earnestly sought to foster reconciliation Zionist vision since on paper, it really between Libya and its expelled Jewish pop- looked a hopeless cause. ulation, learned that to his cost recently. Jews at the time were largely weak and During a return trip to Tripoli, he was near- scattered, in the main living in poverty ly lynched while visiting the devastated under oppressive and anti-Semitic regimes. synagogue he was hoping to have restored. The historic Jewish homeland was still Optimism, and especially Jewish opti- under the hegemony of the Ottoman mism is good, but it must always be tem- Empire, which obviously had no intention pered with a healthy dose of realism. With of relinquishing it to anyone, let alone to the Middle East in turmoil once more, the despised Jews. Israel would do well to plan for every worst Moreover, a great many Jews were either case scenario while at the same time not sceptical or down-right hostile towards the ceasing to hope that something positive project. Despite this, a steady stream of might yet emerge from it all. AROUND THE WORLD NEWS IN BRIEF BEARDED RABBI ALLOWED TO JOIN ARMY WITHOUT SHAVING NEW YORK - A Chabad rabbi has won his clean-shaven. battle to join the US Army without shaving In December, Stern filed a lawsuit against his beard. the military after attempts -- aided by US Rabbi Menachem Stern, whose approval Senators Joe Lieberman (Independent to serve as an Army Reserve chaplain in Connecticut), Charles Schumer (Democrat 2009 was rescinded because he refused to New York) and Kristen Gillibrand (Democrat shave his beard, will be allowed to serve New York) - to receive a waiver failed. after settling a lawsuit against the military, According to the Aleph Institute, a Chabad-Lubavitch News reported. Stern Chabad organisation that assists Jewish expects to be sworn into service next week military personnel, there are currently 37 and begin chaplain training in January. Jewish chaplains in the US military, includ- Though army policy does allow religious ing nine rabbis on active duty. waivers for beards on a case-by-case basis, The Aleph Institute will be live streaming the waivers had previously been granted Stern’s swearing in ceremony on only after the men entered the service December 9. (JTA) 09 December 2011 - 20 January 2012 SA JEWISH REPORT 9 OPINION AND ANALYSIS

FORUM FOR DIVERSE VIEWS New bills - less frills…

tain provisions which may cut out some of Bryan Silke’s the “red tape” involved with administering tax legislation, for example a single regis- tration for multiple tax types such as BusinessBrief income tax, employees’ tax and Value Know your business Added Tax. Entrepreneurial endeavours Developing a legal, tax and finance frame- WELCOME TO our first “BusinessBrief - work is critical to the growth and progress Know your business” column, in associa- of any Small or Medium Enterprise (SME). tion with the SA Jewish Report. Often commentators and business owners BusinessBrief magazine has been a leading themselves have declared legislative barri- thought-leadership resource for the past 16 ers, together with the inaccessibility of years to help decision-makers in business. finance, to be the primary hindrance to The goal of this column is to alert busi- growth. ness owners and managers to critical Professor Boris Urban, chairman in trends and changes in legislation, strate- entrepreneurship at Wits Business School, gies behind fiscal planning, labour issues, argues on the above, and pronounces “a brand-shaping and other areas affecting lack of ideas” as the cause of the present business decision-making. dearth of quality entrepreneurs in South Africa. He says that the conditions of regu- Start sweating: New tax Bill latory operation for small business in this As members of the media appropriately country are good. continue to protest the promulgation of the According to a World Economic Forum Protection of State Information Bill, citi- (WEF) indicator set from 2011, South Africa zens nationwide have taken a jaundiced ranked an impressive 34th out of 183 view of the relationship between state and economies for “ease of doing business”. public. The dominant public discourse has The ranking is surprising based on another been around the infringement of civic ranking - where South Africa has slipped to rights, primarily because of the lack of a 45th of 133 countries in the overall global “public interest” clause in the aforemen- competitiveness ranking. tioned Bill. Entrepreneurship should not only be Small business owners and private tax- seen in isolation as a means of personal payers need to be cognisant however, of financial empowerment, but rather as a other potentially threatening legislation. principal driver of economic growth and The New Tax Administration Bill may face tool for social upliftment. constitutional challenges should it be Heading into 2012, global economic sta- promulgated in its current form. Despite bility seems distant at best. Domestically, SARS being recognised as perhaps South there is reason for optimism. South Africa’s Africa’s most efficient, world-class state- entry into the co-operative BRICS alliance run institution, the new provisions and with Brazil, Russia, India and China could powers to be authorised to SARS from the herald a greater strategic role as an eco- Bill in its present form, need to be assessed. nomic and political power broker. Betsie Strydom, a tax partner at Bowman Greg Nott, a director at Werksmans Gilfillan, warns that the Bill contains pro- Attorneys, suggests that the alliance will visions that could affect taxpayers’ rights to finally galvanise South Africa to be the cat- hold a passport, to travel and to trade. alyst as the BRICS nations’ gateway to Among areas of greater concern, Strydom Africa. highlights that the Bill allows SARS to: The strategic opportunity, says Nott, will • Search for and seize material which the be to logistically move goods, commodities taxpayer regards as subject to legal pro- and resources through our region. In addi- fessional privilege tion, South Africa (and business owners • In certain circumstances, conduct a looking for prospects in particular) ought search without a warrant to see this opportunity as a chance to lend • Force shareholders and trustees to pro- its political and economic expertise in the vide security for the tax due by the compa- region to further growth. ny or trust concerned • Expedite the date of payment of tax For more information, and to read The Bill does not only spell doom and more from the above sources, visit gloom. As Strydom articulates, it does con- www.bbrief.co.za AROUND THE WORLD NEWS IN BRIEF

OBAMA’S PRO-ISRAEL CREDENTIALS

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama said his administration had done more than any other to help Israel. “I try not to pat myself too much on the back, but this administration has done more for the security of the State of Israel than any previous administration,” Obama said on November 30 during a campaign fundraiser at the New York home of Jack Rosen, chairman of the American Council for World Jewry and a former president of the American Jewish Congress. “We don’t compromise when it comes to Israel’s security,” the Democratic pres- ident said. “And that will continue.” He referred to Israel as the most important ally of the United States. Obama, who is running for re-election in 2012, has been dogged by criticism of his Middle East diplomacy, especially by pro-Israel activists who believe he erred in pressuring the Netanyahu administra- tion over West Bank settlement-building. (JTA) 10 SA JEWISH REPORT 09 December 2011 - 20 January 2012 ARTS MATTERS TAPESTRY COMPILED BY ART, BOOKS, DANCE, FILM, THEATRE ROBYN SASSEN Call 084-319-7844 or [email protected] at least one week prior to publication Holiday fare to keep the young happy Artisan Contemporary Show: “Beauty and the Beast” Gallery, Morningside, (People’s Theatre, Joburg Theatre, Durban: “Memories”, curat- Braamfontein, (011) 403-1563) ed by Sue Greenberg, until Until: December 24 December 24, (031) 312-4364. Show: “Disney’s Aladdin Jr” Centre for the Book, Cape (National Children’s Theatre, Town: CD launch for Cape Parktown, (011) 484-1584) Town Shpiel’s “Playing with Until: December 24 fire”: Klezmer in Africa, on December 12, (021) 423-2669. Show: “Beautiful Creatures” (Pieter Toerien Theatre, Montecasino, David Krut Projects, Arts Fourways, (011) 511-1988) on Main, Johannesburg: Until: December 17 “Pretty World”, by Robyn Penn, until February, (011) REVIEWED BY ROBYN SASSEN 447-0627. CHILDREN’S THEATRE pickings in Fugard Theatre, District Gauteng this season are charac- Six: “London Road”, with terised by polish that’ll keep you and Domestic bliss of a sort: the dad, Mr Robyn Scott and Ntombi your tots thoroughly engaged. Brown (Adam Pelkowitz) and the maid, The evil Jafar (Clinton Lesch), the sultan’s right hand man, with his Makhutshi, until December Headlined with some of this coun- Mrs Bollocks (Lebogang Mphahlele). right hand parrot, Iago (Melonie Mazibuko). PHOTOGRAPH BY GREG 17, (021) 461-4554. try’s best talent, the productions PHOTOGRAPH BY JACQUI WHITE. DA SILVA. showcase singing skills second to Foxwood House Theatre, none. authority she needs to convincingly including the daughter of a sultan, is est hippo (Byron Lee Olivato) is of Houghton: On December 11, With corruptions that push the go head to head against forces of evil. a glittering affair of swing-evocative the ilk of Danny Kaye’s 1945 Tubby “Yanagi”, a shadow puppetry 18th century fairytale of true love Indeed, Koisani’s side kick, Dewdrop, music, splinteringly quick rejoinders the Tuba, showing how a child show, (011) 486-0935. commingled with disloyalty, dishon- played by a child performer lends a and memorable characters. becomes proud of his own idiosyn- esty and otherwise beastliness, into funky gravitas to an otherwise Sporting a New York accent, Iago, crasies and thus gains the love of his Goodman Gallery: In an anachronistic contemporary situ- untenable situation. performed by Melonie Mazibuko, the peers. Parkwood, William ation, the People’s Theatre version of A tale about the third daughter to a right-hand parrot of the sultan’s This bubblegum coloured show Kentridge’s “Other Faces” Beauty and the Beast doesn’t stint on rich merchant being the wisest and right-hand man steals the show with includes such loved characters as ends December 23, (011) 788- child-friendliness. Staged in a plainly fairest; because of which she gets the abandon, not an easy task in such a Mfuthu the pink elephant (Nom- 1113. In Woodstock, David elegant set by Grant Knottenbelt, its most daunting challenge, and lands deftly made and well performed pumelelo Mayiyane) and Tallula the Goldblatt’s “Portraits”, ends embrace of magic means you’re not up with the best bloke of all, it shows show. Be warned, however: if your gold-pump-wearing dancing teacher December 10, (021) 462-7579. subject to inexcusable moments in that horrible behaviour gets come- tot’s too young, the crisp inflections tortoise (Shelley Adriaanzen) and the dark while the lead changes kit. uppance. Eventually. of the tale, its politics and humour freshly confronts issues ranging Joburg Theatre, Braam- The baddie, Davina, an evil fairy, is Disney’s Aladdin Jr, directed by and sinister Jafar (Clint Lesch) from bullying to shyness to leave you fontein: In the Nelson played by Lebogang Mphahlele, Francois Theron, features perform- might prove too much. singing “boom boom boom to the Mandela, Janice Honeyman’s whose interpretation doesn’t have ers you may recognise from For littler ones, and like Aladdin, left” and waggling your tail in the panto, “Cinderella”, until the eerie campness Francois Theron Dreamgirls and Evita. It’s the jived under the musical direction of sunshine. December 30. In the People’s lent it seven years ago; the downside up version of Ala al-Din from the Rowan Bakker, is Beautiful Crea- • Other kids’ plays this season include Theatre, “Beauty and the is that here, the character lacks Arabian Nights, first written tures. If you’re a newcomer or an old “Liewe Heksie” at Emperor’s Palace, Beast”, until December 24, “teeth”. Another who lacks “teeth” is between 750 and 1258. With in-jokes fan of Alan Glass and Ed Jordan’s until December 17 (011) 928-1000 and (011) 877-6800. Koisani, the good fairy, played by specific to Hollywood, popular cul- brand, you won’t be disappointed. “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, Noni Mkhonto, whose good-little ture and everything in between, this This niftily constructed hour-long at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, Market Theatre, Newtown: turquoise adorned sprite lacks the tale of poor boy gets good things, show, featuring Umvubu the happi- until January 9, (031) 260-2296. In the Laager, “The Girl in the Yellow Dress”, with Kate Liquorish until December 11; in the Laboratory “Napo Korber’s annual Art Salon opens next week Masheane and the Fat Black Women Sing” until PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY ROSE KORBER December 11; in the main ART SALON theatre, the Unite to End Women Against Violence “THE PAST two decades have seen South film festival, until December African art becoming more internationalised,” 10, (011) 832-1641. said Cape Town art consultant, Rose Korber, on the eve of the opening of her 20th annual Art Montecasino, Fourways: In Salon. the Studio, “My Mother’s A media release mentions that the show fea- Italian, My Father’s Jewish tures “the usual suspects” in art, like William and I’m in Therapy” until Kentridge, Sam Nhlengethwa, Zwelethu January 8. In the Pieter Mthethwa and Claudette Schreuders, lesser Toerien, “Menopause the known artists like Pamela Stretton, Wendy John Kramer’s “Uitspan Kafee, Montagu,”a A digital print on paper by Stephen Inggs: Musical,” until January 8 Anziska and Richard Smith, and brand new painting on canvas. “Anysberg 1, Karoo”. and “Beautiful Creatures” names Georgia Lane and Liane Dutilleux. until December 17, (011) 511- This year, for the first time, Cape Town- retrospective at the SA National Gallery. This has led to a newer, fresher, more accessible 1988. based curator Andrew Lamprecht will be col- Lamprecht is also a respected academic, terrain of art and ever-more visitors to our gal- laborating with Korber. Having recently known to have his thumb firmly on the pulse of leries and art museums.” National Children’s attained his Masters degree in curation - the contemporary visual art. • The Art Salon is from December 16 - Theatre, Parktown: first of its kind in South Africa - Lamprecht is Korber adds: “These days, talented art school January 31, at Rose Korber Art, Sedgmoor “Aladdin Jr”, directed by recognised for the sterling quality of work in graduates are being snapped up by curators and Road, Camps Bay, (021) 438-9152 or visit Francois Theron, until his curation of the recent Vladimir Tretchikoff major galleries almost before they graduate. www.rosekorberart.com December 23, (011) 484-1584. a dark, moody film, with hard-edged brilliance, His biggest problem now is to keep his attrac- Old Mutual Theatre on the FELDMAN paying tribute to some classic productions of tive neighbour, Irene (Carey Mulligan), and her Square, Sandton: “Season the past through neon-lit nightscape imagery son alive and the only way to do this is to drive in the Sun”, songs by Brel, ON FILM and a brooding dread that overrides the pro- them out of town. But danger lurks around each Coward, Porter and others, Peter Feldman duction. corner as the underworld’s tentacles reach out with Godfrey Johnson, until What drives this film is its fundamental for them. December 24. Friday appeal of fast cars, dangerous men and the pos- The formidable Gosling is an ideal choice as lunchtime concerts on PICK OF THE WEEK sibility that anything can and will happen dur- the driver. There are few actors today who can December 9 features Jacobus ing the course of the narrative thrust. transmit an emotional state simply through Swart (piano) and Ivo Ivanov Drive Ryan Gosling, in another super-charged per- facial expressions, a skillfully nuanced perform- (violin), (011) 883-8606. formance, plays a Hollywood stunt driver, a ance. Cast: Ryan Gosling; Carey Mulligan; Bryan loner by nature, who drives by day, and who Carey Mulligan shines as Irene who reluctant- Rabbi Cyril Harris Cranston; Albert Brooks; Ron Perlman; moonlights as a top-notch getaway driver-for- ly accepts the return of her husband from Community Centre, Christina Hendricks hire to the criminal underworld. prison only to find out that he still has a debt to Oaklands: Annual exhibi- Director: Nicolas Winding Refn He asks no questions and concentrates only pay to his criminal benefactors. tion curated by René Sidley, on the job at hand, something to which he is Ron Perlman and a fleshy Albert Brooks play until December 11, (011) 728- “DRIVE” IS an amazing exercise in filmmaking, ideally suited. He is cool and calculating and two ruthless gangsters, partners in crime, who 8088. an artfully stylised crime thriller that is heavily can outgun the best in his chosen field. want their money back from the robbery, but influenced by classic film noir. It succeeds in His world comes apart when he agrees to now have to deal with the driver in their negoti- Victory Theatre, Orange sustaining suspense, even when nothing seems help a neighbour’s husband by driving the get- ations. And he’s a hard nut to crack, as these Grove: “Relive the 50s: Kwela to be happening, but has a tendency to veer away car for a pawn shop robbery. The man is violent men soon come to realise. Bafana”, directed by Phyllis towards graphically gruesome violence which shot dead at the scene by the owner and the The true beauty of “Drive” is that it manages Klotz, Smal Ndaba, until may certainly put many viewers off. driver soon finds himself a target for some of to provide the visceral pleasure of a pulp movie December 10, (011) 728-9603. Director Nicolas Winding Refn has fashioned LA's most dangerous men. without forsaking its artistic ambitions. 09 December 2011 - 20 January 2012 SA JEWISH REPORT 11 TAPESTRY ART, BOOKS, DANCE, FILM, THEATRE Light-hearted holiday fare

REVIEWED BY GWEN PODBREY nation of the language (and Professor Higgins would have suffered cardiac arrest), but what it has produced Come Again? by Andrew is a unique - and irresistible - patois, used from board- Donaldson and Mandy Rossouw rooms to lecture halls, townships to university cam- (Kwela Books, R135) puses and the streets of every city in the country. As the authors point out, it is not just the vocabulary A COLLECTION of the more memo- of South Africa which is unmistakable, but the intona- rable utterances of South Africa’s tion of the words that express a wealth of meaning. public figures, giving instructive, Who else, for instance, would ask: “Are you si-ri- hilarious and downright terrifying yasssssss?” - and who but a fellow South African would glimpses into those entrusted with understand instantly the implications of the question? leading the beloved country. There While the book is an earnest enquiry, it offers won- are also some salient tweets from ordinary citizens. derful examples of how we speak, evoking the 1970s Examples include: “F—k you. F—k off, OK?” from for- work by Robin Malan and Yvonne Bryceland, “Ah Big mer ANCYL spokesman Floyd Shivambu, summoning Yaws?” (Readers may recall Malan’s classic examples of all his eloquence and intelligence in replying to a ques- Sow Theffricun pronunciation: “Ah spa wirth mah little tion from Beeld reporter Jacques Dommisse. ah / Sumthink beginning wirth ah”, “Jute ache thus “That guy doesn’t have a clue about what he wants to womb-in toby yawl awful whetted wharf ?”, “The scissor do; he also doesn’t have a plan” - DA mayoral candidate freak un-tree, hey!” and “Ahderno wary getsies bettab- for Cape Town Patricia de Lille, on opposition ANC can- bits from. Snot from heez for-the-side” A delightful read. didate Tony Ehrenreich. “If you want truth and justice, go to Teazers; if you The Last Sushi by Zapiro (Jacana, R149) want to get screwed, go to court” - forensic scientist David Klatzow giving his opinion to Business Day on the ANOTHER GLORIOUS collection of cartoons telling the country’s justice system. sorrowful, squirm-worthy stories of South Africa’s “One woman was reported missing, but I’m sure she’s socio-political underbelly. The book’s title is taken from somewhere” - from Tshwane community safety depart- one of the most memorable scandals of the year - the ment spokesman William Baloyi, following heavy rain Romanesque opening of Kenny Kunene’s nightclub in and flooding in Pretoria. Green Point, Cape Town, attended by several ANC and ANCYL dignitaries, at which sushi was eaten off Lights Out in Wonderland by DBC the bodies of half-naked, supine models. Pierre (Faber & Faber, R129) It is hard picking out favourites, but this reviewer particularly enjoyed the cartoons of President THIS IS a surreal romp with this Jacob Zuma – Zapiro’s trademark showerhead in Booker Prize-winning author through position over the presidential head - telling a press some of the seminal events and most conference on the arms deal: “We’re processing as strategic landmarks of our 21st centu- much evidence as we can”, while behind a screen ry world, seen through the eyes of administrators tip bins of documents and cheque Gabriel Brockwell, an aesthete, poet, books into shredders; of convicted fraudster Schabir philosopher, anti-capitalist activist Shaik, having been returned to his cell at Westville and disaffected intellectual. Prison after violating his parole conditions, collaps- His experiences include a near- ing under the weight death experience with fugu ovaries, a of a golf bag with a stint in rehab, an erotic encounter with an octopus and cigarette dangling from a decadent feast in the bowels of Berlin’s Tempelhof his mouth and telling Airport. a warden: “Unhhhhh! What he sees, who he meets and how he unwittingly Call a doctor - I’m back creates (and eludes) situations, are all steps on his jour- at death’s door!”; and of ney to his ultimate destination: Wonderland. Essentially prosecutions boss Menzi a satire, the novel is convoluted and too studiedly clever, Simelane (whose ap- with Pierre relying heavily on semantic games and pointment to his job by metaphysical conceits, but there is much to ponder. Pres Zuma has last Strictly at your own risk. week been found by our courts to have been illegal), about to rush into a court- Eish, But is it English? by room to press charges against a 15-year-old schoolgirl Rajend Mesthrie with Jeanne for rape (she had had consensual sex with a fellow learn- Hromnik (Zebra Press, R180) er), being stopped by an aide handing him a human brain and saying: “Mr Simelane, you might be needing THIS IS an exploration of the this!” influence (and, indeed, invasion) However, among the barbs and belly-laughs, there is of Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa, also poignancy, including moving tributes to both Kader tsotsitaal and even Yiddish, on the Asmal and Albertina Sisulu. English spoken by South Africans. Not for nothing has Zapiro been hailed as one of the Purists will deplore the contami- world’s foremost - and most fearless - cartoonist. 12 SA JEWISH REPORT 09 December 2011 - 20 January 2012

LETTERS The Editor, Suite 175, Postnet X10039, Randburg, 2125 email: [email protected]

Guidelines for letters: Letters up to 300 words will get preference. Please provide your full first name Disclaimer: The letters page is intended to provide opportunity for a range of views on any and surname, place of residence, and a daytime contact telephone or cell number. We do not publish let- given topic to be expressed. Opinions articulated in the letters are those of the writers and do not ters under noms de plume. Letters should preferably be e-mailed. Letters may be edited or shortened. necessarily reflect the views of the editor, staff or directors of the Jewish Report WHEN YIDDISHKEIT CONSISTS OF GOSSIP AND BAD-MOUTHING TRUE, NOT ALL WHITES SHOULD BE TARRED WITH SAME BRUSH APPARENTLY, THE “new” and improved such progress South Africa (and the rest of I REFER to Rhoda Kadalie’s letter in Jewish nation shows that there where those noble “Yiddishkeit” of the “real Gedolim of Eretz the world) can do without. Perhaps Schles- Report of November 18, “Why put people on a sons and daughters, who although originate Yisroel”, which Saul Schlessinger of Jeru- singer should spend less of his time trying to guilt trip ad infinitum?” from Caucasoid stock, defied the system, salem seemingly represents (“How is the determine who “the real Gedolim” are and The pre-1994 colonial imperialistic order in such as Dr Albie Sachs, Joe Slovo, Ruth First, board of the Jewish Report chosen?” Jewish what (in his opinion) they have accomplished, South Africa was foundationally, structurally to mention but a few. Report, December 2) and claims South Africa and spend more of his time trying to deter- skewed in favour of “white” Caucasians, irre- I agree with your letter writer: surely there is unfortunately lacking, consists of: (1) gos- mine what the Torah actually requires of spective of what and how these people define were detractors from all angles of (different) siping; (2) publicly making baseless accusa- him. It’s just a suggestion, but the Laws of themselves. communities. tions; and (3) slandering Torah leaders and Proper Speech (Hilchos Loshen Horah) would Successive Caucasian governments cata- Torah institutions. probably be as good a place to start as any. pulted “whites” materially, socially and in Lawrence Zolani Mashinini Is this what it means to “follow (the real every area of life. A closer, unbiased exami- Brakpan Gedolim’s) wisdom”? Is this what Schles- Samuel Kornblum singer calls “progress”? Such wisdom and Johannesburg LITHUANIA AND LATVIA TO SOUTH AFRICA AND BEYOND SCHLESSINGER’S DISRESPECTFUL LETTER IS AN UNCALLED FOR ATTACK TWICE IN the past the South African Jewish I now appeal to South Africans to share Report has helped me by publishing appeals their Lithuanian/Latvian family histories for HAVING MADE aliyah with the family administrative staff, as well as the paper’s for family histories: in 2005 an appeal for a new proposed volume, “From Lithuania to Israel in 2009, the SA Jewish Report board of directors and specifically (on Arcadia Memories (and I compiled two large and Latvia to South Africa and Beyond”. has become a ritualistic weekly read for Chief Rabbi) Warren Goldstein. I would volumes, “100 Years of Arc Memories” and The family histories should include what me. It is "one of those things" that keeps challenge him to put fact to his assertions “More Arc Memories”) and in 2010, an appeal the family (the ancestors) did and where they me informed and up to date with what is that the Chief Rabbi actually bears the for Ochberg Orphan family histories. (I com- lived in Lithuania/Latvia, photos, the jour- happening to and in the Jewish communi- influence over your publication, he sug- piled a third volume). ney to South Africa and where they settled ty in South Africa, of which my parents, gests. This volume contains the histories of 130 of and what they did in their early days in South brother and friends are such an integral Yes, I believe there should be more re- the 181 orphans brought out to South Africa Africa. I am interested mainly in the older part. porting from Israeli based former South from the horrors of the Pale of Settlement in history with a very brief summary of the I have found the content to be excellent, Africans, telling about life as it is, not 1921. It details the horrors and the help given family’s current history and whereabouts. with unbiased, fair and informative always as perceived, and perhaps that is an by the various Jewish communities around Copies of old family histories and family his- reporting. No, one does not always agree avenue you could pursue. However, the world. Half the children were placed in tory booklets will be most welcome. with the viewpoints of some of the arti- unfounded attacks on the Chief Rabbi and the care of Arcadia and half in Oranjia and My contact details are: David Solly Sandler cles, nor those expressed in the letters the directors of the SAJR, are uncalled for the sales proceeds go to Arcadia and Oranjia. [email protected] or 41 Bebich Drive, published. and immature. Lionel Slier has undertaken to review the Wanneroo, WA 6065. Australia, tel 08 9306 Even more so, living "real life" in Israel, I As someone living in Jerusalem, perhaps third volume and in July I was invited to the 2753. find many views expressed by some article he should send in commentary on the situ- Isaac Ochberg dedication ceremonies in and letter contributors to be devoid of facts, ation in Jerusalem (haredim vs secular, Israel and then later to London to talk about David Sandler biased, uninformed, naive and sometimes Arab vs Jew, etc) and explain the real feel- the Ochberg Orphan book. Wanneroo - Australia laughable, but they are their views and as ings, emotions and facts; explain how the long as they are free of slander and hate, Israeli people actually view what is happen- they are perfectly entitled to them - those ing and why, based on fact not more person- THIS IS WHY MACKINTOSH CONSISTENTLY MISSES THE POINT are the joys of free speech and freedom of al bias. I REFER to a letter by Daniel Mackintosh in Israel’s actions have anything to do with her the press. Thank you for an exceptional and the November 25 issue, headlined “Move on security is simply myopic. No one builds a Regarding the letter from Saul Schles- informed publication. peace, or one-state solution will be forced”. barrier stretching hundreds of kilometres singer of Jerusalem (be he a former South Allow me to explain to Mackintosh why he, and costing many millions for reasons other African or not), I find his comments not Mark Reichenberg in my opinion, consistently misses the point. than security. The fact that terrorist attacks only disrespectful, but actually an uncalled Kfar Saba Despite his detailed explanation of why have dropped by over 90 per cent is proof suf- for attack on the SAJR editorial and Israel Israel practises apartheid in terms of “the ficient. legal definition of the term according to the The question of the settlements is certain- SHELLEY ROSENBERG HAS NO INKLING HOW JOURNALISM WORKS Rome Statutes”, this is never what is referred ly contentious and strong cases have been to when bodies such as the Russell Tribunal made supporting every possible attitude. I HAVE been following with great interest the case with Slier. All the background call for expert “evidence” from the likes of However, his contention that the occupa- the attack directed on TV journalist Paula footage which is then shown at the same Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Desmond Tutu tion’s chief goal is to make life so miserable Slier and would now like to give some facts time as the story, is decided upon by the indi- or even jurists like John Dugard. for the Palestinians that they are forced to regarding this matter. vidual TV station who buy their coverage Their “erudite opinions” are based on a leave, is simply ridiculous considering that It is obvious that Shelley Rosenberg has usually from Reuters or Associated Press. system familiar to them as experienced here Israel pulled out of Gaza and the population no idea whatsoever what journalism is all The journalist concerned has no say in South Africa; the cornerstone being dis- of the West Bank has grown over the years, about! whatsoever in the choice of these visuals. crimination according to colour and nothing not diminished. If it is official policy it is A good journalist will interview an indi- Russia Today, CNN Sky News, Europe less. pretty ineffective. vidual, well-known or not, to obtain a story News - to name just a few- usually work in I firmly believe that Winnie or even the As for his contention that the Palestinians on a certain topic which would be of great this manner. Arch are no more familiar with the “interna- will soon call for “a single, democratic state” interest to the general public. Very often So it is not Paula Slier who is in "breach tional legal definition” than 99 per cent of if Israel fails to create one in the West Bank the subject is chosen by the TV station the of security" but rather Shelley Rosenberg the readers of this or any other periodical, and Gaza - every Palestinian child is already journalist is working for, and the inter- Rosenberg who is in "breach of knowledge" who are thus encouraged to believe that taught that Israel does not even exist and views are done irrespective of the journal- as how journalism works! Israel is an apartheid state in terms of their that the future Palestinian state will stretch ists' personal opinions. basic understanding of what apartheid from the Jordan to the Mediterranean. These stories are then handed over to the Jack Padolsky means. With no sign of recognition of present-day TV station concerned as would have been Edenvale For Mackintosh to claim that none of “Jewish Israel”, the ball is firmly in the court of the Palestinians. How many more times must Israel offer to negotiate the creation of that illusive Palestinian state to which Mackinstosh refers?

Victor Gordon Brooklyn - Pretoria

IN CONSTRUCTIVE SPIRIT, PREPARED TO TAKE PART IN TRANSFORNATION DEBATE EVEN THOUGH I share the well-known black Struggle activist Rhoda Kadalie’s sen- timent that “it is time to move on”, if the motivation for a South African Jewish Board of Deputies examination of our past is to clarify and explain to ourselves and to that segment of our young generation who are confused and conflicted, the political and moral issues which informed our lives pre-1994 - not as an unjustified community mass mea culpa - then a more balanced approach than hitherto would be required. Only then would it be possible for an accu- rate picture to emerge, revealing the com- plexity of South African life during that era; as well as the national, continental and international political currents which impacted on the local Jewish community. It is in that constructive spirit that I accept David Jacobson’s invitation to partic- ipate in the SAJBD’s “TransforNation debate” during 2012.

David Abel George 09 December 2011 - 20 January 2012 SA JEWISH REPORT 13 COMMUNITY COLUMNS LETTERS AROUND THE WORLD The Editor, Suite 175, Postnet X10039, Randburg, 2125 email: [email protected] NEWS IN BRIEF HITLER'S PERSONAL ITEMS TO BE HAKOAH GIRLS IN AUSTRIA WON MANY SA HASN’T GOT TO LOOK AT ISRAELI AUCTIONED ABOVE COMPETITIONS GEDOLAH FOR ITS SALVATION STAMFORD - A Connecticut auction house FURTHER TO Jack Milner's article in last BOARD SAUL SCHLESSINGER writes in his letter is putting items that belonged to Adolf week’s paper, “Ron Glickman leads Hakoah Mary Kluk, in last week’s Jewish Report “...it is more Hitler, Joseph Goebbels and other senior revival in the United States”, I would like to National Chairman incumbent on Jewish leadership to look to Nazi officials, on the block. draw your attention that during the ‘30s the real gedolah (ie religious giants) of our Among the items to be auctioned at the there was in Austria a Hakoah girls' swim- A column of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies time, who are located in Eretz Yisroel and end of this week by Alexander Autographs ming team. They won many competitions follow their wisdom". in Stamford are Hitler’s personal account and, if I am not mistaken, even one in 1938, I assume the writer is referring to the book; the desk set used when he signed the after the Nazis invaded Austria. ultra-frum rabbis, in Israel. Munich Agreement, under which Britain The story of the team is told in a film (and On the one had we have a secular lifestyle and France ceded Czechoslovakia's Sude- DVD) called “Water Mark”. Google features a Have a burdened by fraud (the 2008 Western econo- tenland to Germany; a photo signed by number of reviews both of the team and the my crisis), divorce, infidelity, violence, etc. Hitler and his Putsch co-defendants; and let- film. On the other hand an ultra-frum system ters that Goebbels, the propaganda minister, I watched the DVD in a private home while restful that doesn’t educate its children in techni- received from his Jewish girlfriend. on a visit to Toronto. Subsequently I tried to cal subjects and will not produce doctors, The account book is expected to go for up buy it but could neither find it in Canada nor coroners, pathologists, civil engineers, elec- to $7 000, according to Haaretz. It contains in South Africa. trical or electronic engineers, quality con- records of, among other things, art purchas- and a safe I'll be very grateful if any of the readers trol technicians, etc. es, payments to his personal doctors and the could help me in this matter. Also, it would Modern-Orthodoxy as practised by about receipt of blood money. be nice to hear from Jack Milner and/or Ron a third to a half of South Africa’s Jewry, Some 82 letters between Goebbels and Glikman. My e-mail address can be obtained holiday may suffer from attrition, such as a loss of Jewish teacher Else Janke also are expected from the Jewish Report. members to the secular world, but at least it to fetch $7 000. Goebbels cut off contact with PS: Congratulations to Gwen (Podbrey) and THIS WEEK, Durban is hosting the COP17 is an economically viable and sustainable Janke upon learning that she was Jewish. Robyn (Sassen) of their being well-deserved conference, a major event in the global system. In February, the auction house sold the Pringle Award shortlisted nominees. campaign to address the environmental diary of Josef Mengele, the notorious challenges that face us all. Many Jewish John Brenner "Angel of Death", to the grandson of an Shulamit Kagan participants from around the world are Cyrildene Auschwitz survivor. (JTA) here for the occasion, including from Johannesburg Johannesburg Israel. The Council for KZN Jewry and KZN Zionist Council, will be hosting a gala dinner for the Israeli delegation, which includes JNF representatives and the Israeli ambassador. This week also sees the end of the school year. Many members of our com- munity will be leaving shortly for their end-of-year holiday, and I would like to take this opportunity to wish them a very safe journey and to travel with the utmost care. There is no need during this time to rush to one’s destination. Part of the pleasure of going away, after all, is to trav- el to or through parts of our beautiful country that we otherwise never see. Why not opt for a leisurely drive, with regular stops, rather than treating the journey as something to be got over with as quickly as possible? At the minor cost of arriving an hour or two later, one can have a stress-free and much safer trip. For those of us who live in the coastal towns, the holiday season brings us into contact with many of our co-religionists from Johannesburg and elsewhere. This provides a welcome, if temporary boost to Jewish life, particularly in smaller cen- tres such as Umhlanga in KwaZulu-Natal and Plettenberg Bay, George and Hermanus along the Southern Cape coast. For a good few years now, George has particularly come alive from a Jewish point of view during December, having become a regular holiday destination for scores of religiously observant Jews from Johannesburg. For several weeks each year, its shul becomes the venue for daily minyanim and constant shiurim and learning programmes, and youngsters wearing yarmulkes and tzitzit are a common sight in the shops and streets. George even has its own mikvah, the maintenance of which is carried out in partnership between the local community and the vis- iting Johannesburg families. Another excellent example of a success- ful working partnership between locals and out-of-towners is in Plettenberg Bay, where there is today an active Jewish community with a fulltime rabbi. Johannesburgers, some of whom have holiday homes in the area, remain very much involved in the congregation’s affairs throughout the year. I commend all those Jewish holiday- makers who make the effort to connect with local Jewry and help to stimulate Jewish life in the areas they visit. Indeed, it is something I urge all Jewish visitors to do. Coming as you do from strong, vibrant centres of Jewish activity, you have so much to give to the smaller communities. At the same time, you will be much enriching your own vacation time. A nec- essary holiday from work, after all, should surely not be allowed to become a ‘holi- day’ from Judaism as well. Once again, I wish everyone a restful and safe holiday and look forward to meet- ing at least some of you in Durban during that time.

This column is paid for by the SAJBD 14 SA JEWISH REPORT 09 December 2011 - 20 January 2012 Top-class kosher facilities in CT abound MOIRA SCHNEIDER CAPE TOWN

A GOOD place to start when exploring Jewish Cape Town, is the Hatfield Campus, a hive of activity incorporating the home of the old- est congregation in the country, the Gardens Shul; the Cape Town The swimming pool at Go Green Holocaust Centre; the Jacob Gitlin A section of the Sea Point eruv. Coffee Time is now open over the kosher self-catering accommo- Some of the fare on offer at Library; and the South African PHOTO: ALAN LEVIN Jewish Museum, currently hosting December break. PHOTO SUPPLIED dation. PHOTO SUPPLIED Avron’s Place. PHOTO SUPPLIED an exhibition on Zapiro’s cartoons, until the end of January. manages the meat-parev deli at On Wednesdays, a popular buffet to Broadway musicals. launched the kosher delicatessen Also on the spot is the milchik Checkers Sea Point. lunch is on offer at R15 per 100 gm, The immediate area is undergo- as a meat parev outlet. Café Riteve, where one can relax Along with the hot and cold fare available daily during the season. ing a kosher makeover. Planning to It offers a hot deli and salad bar, after imbibing the abundant cul- on offer are mehadrin chickens and In the past the restaurant closed open for the season in the adjacent with weekly specials. Shabbat or- ture in its surrounds. In addition to hamburgers. over the December holidays, but it building, is milchik deli Café ders can be placed and the pair will its daily fare, from December 19 Johannesburgers are bowled was decided, since it was extended, to Venezia, owned by Carlo Valentini. continue with their catering busi- until January 5, owner Stanley over to find everything under one remain open last year. Manageress The establishment will specialise in ness from there. Norrie will host sushi and salmon roof, she says, mentioning the pas Tarnya Shoobert says this proved to Italian fare. A little further along Main Road, bar, fish braai and pizza and pasta Yisrael bakery (goods baked with be “an unbelievable success” and Food can either be taken away or Sea Point, is the established meat- buffets on selected evenings. the participation of an Observant that there is “no way” they could enjoyed on the premises in the seat- parev Goldies Deli. It will stay open A significant development for Jew), the kosher fish shop and the contemplate closing again. ing area. Valentini has a few “sur- to accommodate holiday-makers, this community of 16 000 was the many kosher items on the shelves. Barry Braun’s Go Green kosher prise treats” in store for visitors. says Carol Wener. establishment last year of its first Avron’s Place in Sea Point has self-catering accommodation in In addition to its mainstay of “We’re really looking forward to eruv, enabling the city to hold its been offering private Friday night Main Road, Sea Point, has been dried fruit and nuts, next-door seeing everybody again,” she says head high among major Jewish dinners for barmitzvahs, 21st birth- open for just over a year. It provides Montagu Sea Point stocks local bis- of Johannesburg customers who centres worldwide. day celebrations and weddings, milk and meat cutlery, crockery cuits and an extensive range of have become regulars over the The Sea Point eruv covers a 15 since opening 11 years ago. Owner and cooking utensils, all kashered sweets, including Turkish delight, years. One can pick up a whole kilometre circumference and is Avron Almeleh has extended these under the Cape Town Beth Din, Belgian chocolates, Australian liq- Friday night dinner there as well as bounded by the sea and the moun- to the public and hopes to make this with everything re-kashered and uorice and American jelly beans. platters for functions, which can be tain, running from Three Anchor a monthly feature, with a guest sealed before each let. “Everything in my shop is 100 per delivered. Patrons can have a meal Bay to beyond Saunders’ Rocks and rabbi coming in to give a drosha. Braun says their guests are “just cent kosher,” says owner Brian at the in store sit-down deli too. incorporating much of Bantry Bay. Over the season, he will be hold- blown away” by this, the first such Shapiro, who opened his doors in In addition to pre-prepared Included in its ambit are five shuls: ing Shabbat dinners on December accommodation in Cape Town. He mid-November. foods, the meat-parev Super Spar Marais Road, Sephardi, Chabad, 23 and 30 and January 12. Also in has recently added a swimming On the high cost of kosher food, deli in Regent Road, Sea Point, Ohr Somayach and Beit Midrash the pipeline is a nine-day package pool and a kids’ Astro Turf play Shapiro says the dried fruit and stocks a wide range of Israeli Morasha. deal for Pesach by the restaurant area. nuts are being sold at factory prices products, kosher wines and chalav The eruv is checked every week. and the President Hotel in Sea The brand-new milchik restau- “and the mark-up is less on all the Yisrael products. It also sources The Mother City’s culinary Point. rant, which will serve in addition as other stuff as well”. The shop will meat from some Johannesburg needs are well catered for by a fur- Coffee Time, part of the Astra a function venue, will be open daily, be open on Sundays during the sea- butcheries. ther selection of kosher restau- Centre for the Intellectually Chal- including for dinner and motzei son. Pick n Pay Claremont’s meat- rants, delis and caterers, as well as lenged, in Gardens, serves break- Shabbat. As a chazzan, it is not sur- Across the road at the Adelphi parev deli offers hot prepared dedicated sections in the major fasts, teas and light lunches daily. It prising that he plans monthly con- Centre, David and Justine Hepple foods, a salad bar and a bakery. supermarkets. is open for breakfast and lunch on certs in the outdoor area which will of Bespoke Catering, in a joint ven- So there’s no reason for any Veteran caterer Naomi Schroder selected Sundays. feature music ranging from Jewish ture with Pick n Pay, have re- kosher visitor to go hungry! 09 December 2011 - 20 January 2012 SA JEWISH REPORT 15 Frying high: Keeping known, lesser-known culinary traditions SYBIL KAPLAN JERUSALEM

LATKES AND sufganiyot, the jelly-filled doughnuts especially popular in Israel, are well-known Chanukah fare made with oil to signify the holiday tale. Lesser known is the tradition of cheese and the story of Judith. Like the Chanukah story, which is part of the Apocrypha - books not incorporat- ed in the Bible - the book of Judith tells of a beautiful widow whose town was under siege by the army of the Assyrians and decided to visit the com- mander in chief of the army to ask him not to overtake the town. As the story goes, she gives him wine, he gets fall- down drunk and falls into a stupour. Judith beheads the king and saves her people and the town. Legend has it that Judith fed him cheese to make him thirsty, and since she lived in the same period as the Maccabees, Jews of various communi- ties instituted the custom of eating Chanukah mini-doughnuts are called cheese dishes in honour of her heroism. ponchiki in Russian and ponchik in On my cookbook shelf is a classic writ- ten in the 1970s - "A Taste of Tradition" Yiddish. PHOTOGRAPH: BARRY by Ruth Sirkis, the "Julia Child of KAPLAN/JERUSALEM Israel". Sirkis has written numerous cookbooks and was the food editor for a major Israeli women's magazine; she also had a popular radio show.

Paradise ponchekes Here is a recipe by Ruth Sirkis for the mini doughnuts called ponchiki in Russian and ponchik in Yiddish that were brought to Israel by Polish immi- grants.

Ingredients: 1 cup water 4 ounces margarine 1 cup flour 4 eggs Oil

Preparation: 1. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Add margarine and contin- ue boiling until it melts. Add the flour and mix with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a ball and leaves the sides of the pan. 2. Remove from heat. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. 3. Heat oil in a pot for deep frying. When oil is hot, drop in pieces of dough from a teaspoon. Let puff and turn as need- ed to assure even browning. 4. Remove from oil with slotted spoon. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot with warm sauce.

Vanilla ricotta fritters This recipe comes from a Chicago chef, Gale Gand, who got it from her mother- in-law.

Ingredients: Vegetable oil 3 large eggs 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese 1 1/4 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder Confectioners' sugar

Preparation: 1. In a large saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil. Set a large wire rack over a baking sheet, top with paper towels and position near the saucepan. 2. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla with a wooden spoon. Add the ricotta and beat until smooth. Add flour and baking powder and beat until just blended. 3. Using a very small ice-cream scoop or 2 teaspoons, slide 8 walnut-size rounds of batter into the hot oil. Fry over moderate heat until deep golden all over and cooked through, 3 to 4 min- utes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fritters to the rack to drain. Continue frying the remaining fritters in batches of 8. Arrange the fritters on a platter and dust well with confec- tioners' sugar. Makes 8 servings. 16 SA JEWISH REPORT 09 December 2011 - 20 January 2012

YOUTH TALK Alison Goldberg [email protected] Butterflies to remember Ganeinu end-of-year concert 1,5m school children by brings the house down DIANE WOLFSON The poignant PRETORIA Butterfly Project at Sydenham LAST WEEK, the children at Pre-Primary, saw Pretoria's Ganeinu Nursery School the tots com- had great fun performing for their concert titled “My Midot Matter”. memorating the The concert was about good values, children who so the children not only learnt their died in the lines and songs, but actually learned Holocaust. and practised good values for weeks Pictured are Ella before the concert, ensuring they were Rosmarin; winners all around. Gabriel Label; According to Principal Michelle At the year-end concert of Pretoria’s Ganeinu Prager, the children had great fun and Shayna Nursery School: Avrahom Dovid Fox; Gemma singing, clapping, playing instru- Klagsbrun; Tyler Kotzen; and Noga Finkelstein. Davis. ments, dancing and showing their families how exciting nursery school is. Busy Bees and Torah Tots, for their special SUE BENJAMIN The Butterfly Well done to all the Mitzvah Mensches, performance and amazing effort. PHOTOGRAPH: ILAN OSSENDRYVER The last, the very last, So richly, brightly, dazzlingly yellow. SYDENHAM PRE-PRIMARY School is par- Perhaps if the sun's tears would sing ticipating in the “Butterfly Project”. The against a white stone… Teddy bear picnic fun at KDLPPS! Such, such a yellow Holocaust Museum in Houston Texas is col- VAL ARONSON Is carried lightly ‘way up high. lecting one and a half million hand-made PHOTOGRAPH: MELANIE DICK butterflies - all of a certain size - from It went away I'm sure because it wished to around the world. They will be exhibited in kiss the world goodbye. KING DAVID Pre-Primary School had a most out- 2014. For seven weeks I've lived in here, standing “Outreach Teddy Bears’ Picnic” recently, These butterflies represent the one and a Penned up inside this ghetto organised by Andy Berzen, the school’s outreach half million children who perished in the But I have found my people here. co-ordinator. Holocaust. The dandelions call to me The moms and children most generously collect- Each child in the school is making a but- And the white chestnut candles in the court. ed teddies and sweets for our outreach schools. terfly (we are not focusing on the atrocities Only I never saw another butterfly. Build-a-bear visited the school and built three of the Holocaust) and they are all on dis- That butterfly was the last one. ”King David” teddies in front of all the children, play in our foyer and look very pretty. Butterflies don't live in here, which were named Kaydee and were given to the The theme of butterflies is based on a In the ghetto. schools involved. poem written by Pavel Friedman. If anyone Everyone had a picnic together and then all our would like to participate in this project go • Pavel Friedman was born January 7, 1921, visiting children were given a teddy and a parcel of to [email protected]. We will make in Prague and deported to Terezín on sweets. Some tired but very content children went a plan to courier the butterflies to Houston April 26, 1942. He died in Oswiecim back to their schools on the KD buses. or alternatively send photographs. (Auschwitz) on September 29, 1944. Ntokosa Fransisco from Thandeka Day Care; Romy Zeifert in grade R; and Yoli Khanyeza from YC grade Rs strut their stuff onstage Tshepang Day Care, hold the three miniature “King David” bears which were built by Build-a-bear. OWN CORRESPONDENT They have learnt about numeracy, literacy PHOTOGRAPH SUPPLIED as well as the alef bet. They have learnt so much about the parsha and the chagim too. THE GRADE Rs of Yeshiva College in What a fun year they have had doing science KDL’s e-magazine replaces paper version Johannesburg, went on a journey through experiments, ball skills and of course, our their grade R year, showing their parents all famous recipe book! Their wonderful concert STORY AND PHOTOGRAPH BY YONIT that they have learnt through the year. was enjoyed by all. Good luck for grade 1. WEIL

The grade IN THE era of Kindle, iPad and iPod, Rs onstage, King David senior and junior schools performing have created a trend-setting and inno- their con- vative e-magazine instead of the tra- ditional paper version. cert. This year our parents and learners will electronically flip through the pages. They will be able to navigate the hyperlinks as well as print any page that they desire. Dovidl 2011 (the name of our maga- zine) is a proactive move towards an eco-friendly and futuristic environ- ment, as there are no papers, plastics Jordyn Budd; Erin de Jongh; Shane Bassin; and or dyes involved in its creation. Ricky Cimring. Don’t take anything for granted, is the lesson learnt SANDRA GREY, OUTREACH CO-ORDINATOR to six years and each one had his or her own PHOTOGRAPH: YAEL GORDON story. The majority were abandoned at birth and were found in dustbins or on the steps of RECENTLY 42 children from the Thu- various institutions. thuzela Orphanage in Marlboro near It was a humbling experience and a privi- Johannesburg, were welcomed to King lege to host these children. The programme David High School Victory Park by the was fun-filled with games, gifts and face grade eight learners, for an afternoon of painting. entertainment and treats. However, the best part was the apprecia- The children ranged in age from 15 months tion, joy and delight these youngsters showed when they saw the fields (at KDHSVP) and the space that was available to them. They have very small prem- ises and as one of the caregivers said: “ Look how free they are.” Grade 8 KDHSVP learn- ers with orphans from Marlboro. 09 December 2011 - 20 January 2012 SA JEWISH REPORT 17 18 SA JEWISH REPORT 09 December 2011 - 20 January 2012 LIFTS LIFTS TUITION & EDUCATION GENERAL ACCOMMODATION TO LET/SHARE A-TAXI SERVICE TO RENT GLENHAZEL Let Warren Pogorelsky chauffeur IVAN WANTS COMPUTER THE FURNITURE Newly-renovated secure, luxuri- you to your destination in Jo’burg TO LIFT YOU! LESSONS DOCTOR ous 3-bedroom townhouse cen- Classifieds and back only R100 round trip. REPAIRS TO ALL tral to shuls. Windows, Word, Contact 082-857-8999 To book your classified notice or advert contact: Tel (011) 023-8160, Tel: 082-399-6187 Punctual, reliable, TYPES OF FURNI- Fax 086-634-7935, email: [email protected] Excel, Graphics, BEST SERVICE trustworthy. TURE IMPORTANT NOTICE - The Jewish Report runs adverts in the Classified section in good faith, etc. however we cannot be responsible for the quality of services offered and claims made Modern spacious JHB/Sandton/ From A to Z. CABINETS CUP- HAZELWOOD Vehicle, pax 7 + luggage Weekdays by BOARDS TABLES, HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED ADVERT: PIP FRIEDMAN OR Tambo/ arrangement CHAIRS ETC Two-bedroom, two-bath- 1. Only adverts sent via email to [email protected] will be accepted. 2. You will be advised 083-267-3281 Lanseria/Pretoria on cost & payment details. 3. Payment is prior to the advert appearing. 4. Our banking details: [email protected] CALL WILLIAM ANTIQUE AND COL- room top floor unit avail- SA Jewish Report, Nedbank Randburg, Account Number: 1984 514 865, Branch Code: 198405 outings for retirees NOW LECTABLE FURNI- able to rent from January BRIAN K LIFT 082-777-9363 TURE RESTORED DEADLINE for BOOKING and PAYMENT is Tuesday 12 pm. SERVICE & COURIER Cell: 2012. Rental R6 500/ (If deadline is missed the advert will appear (when payment is received) in the next edition) “AIRPORT SPECIAL R140” 082-962-5007 RE-UPHOLSTERY Secure, comfortable & safe. FOR SALE PROFESSIONALLY month ex electricity. NOTICES COMMUNITY NOTICES THANK YOU Anywhere 24/7. (JHB – PTA) BUSINESSES DONE Please contact Call Brian on ANNIVERSARY THE WINNERS IN THE COHEN DOV LIFTS AVAILABLE MARK 072-366-4262 For all age groups and to all Ryan on Meskin - Cynthia and Alec WIZO SOUTH AFRICA We would like to thank the BEREA PLASTICS areas in Jhb, Sandton 082-556-7314 December 2, 1951 ‘Progressive Jackpot’ competi- Glenhazel and Mizrachi Shul as 082-416-6821 or and airport. Distributor of durable Mazeltov on this wonderful mile- tions were: well as our family and hundreds of Contact Johnny strength imported silver [email protected] stone. Sixty wonderful years and 1st Draw: Molly & Mervyn Aires friends who helped us during our 082-328-3070 or still going strong! 2nd Draw: Michael Jayes time of bereavement for our pre- looking plastic cutlery! 082-876-9042 Lots of love 3rd Draw: Gail Kerbel cious husband, father, brother and New packaging I’m looking for a Rene, Lynette & Mervyn, 4th Draw: Charles Lab sabba Dov. The meals we SMILE-LEE'S LIFTS available Geoff & Terry, Jarryd, Robyn, 5th Draw: June Kaplan and received, the calls and visits were small cottage/ a huge source of comfort for us, A reliable lift service. Amy and Jessica Val Cohen 40 pieces per pack and we as a family are proud to be Specialising in lifts to and from flat/room for 6th Draw: Lynda Cohen (40 knives, 40 forks, BIRTHDAYS members of such a wonderful and airports, shops, appointments, +- R1 900 CONSECRATIONS caring community. 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INSTALLATIONS photos IF YOU WANT TO & REPAIRS *Internet /Skype BUY OR SELL O82-556-7314 *We come to you A VEHICLE Contact: One-on-one lessons Silver Solly Kramer Tailored to your repair & 082-922-3597 specific needs! ARE YOU Call: 076-656-1912 replating EMIGRATING AND WANT TO SELL (011) 334-1102 YOUR VEHICLE? Micro finance or 082-473-6040 Company PROPERTY TO LET ACCOMMODATION TO LET/SHARE is looking for a manager / consultant with maths & acc, must be computer literate. COTTAGE TO LET HIGHLANDS NORTH E-mail CV to: Please contact RENOVATED PRIVATE Solly Kramer [email protected] & SECURE (011) 440-0169 082-922-3597 or fax to: 086 564 4611 076-686-8259 anytime 09 December 2011 - 20 January 2012 SA JEWISH REPORT 19

15. I soaped anew, tending towards 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 fat (7) CROSSWORD NO 236 16. Stops at nothing – and bends BY LEAH SIMON down (6) 18. We have a long time of employ- 8 9 ment (5) ACROSS: DOWN: 10 19. Sound reverberation in beech off- 1. Chin up – it’s not very long! (4) 1. I am pretending to be overbearing cut (4) 11 3. Breeding horse gets proofs of debt, being (8) academically diligent (8) 2. Dupe fire, somehow, for cone-bear- SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD NO 235 12 8. Long for spilt northern pastry (4) ing seed plant (7) 9. Newspaper puts time in for omens (8) 4. Weary of surrounding commer- ACROSS: 13 14 15 11. Found sea sand spilt, but not in any dan- cial, have an angry outburst (6) 1. Poem; 3. Show boat; 8. Pads; 9. ger (4, 3, 5) 5. Joe’s tin did break, being illogical Untidily; 11. Living on edge; 13. 16 13. Pablo ------, Chilean poet (6) and rambling (10) Sister; 14. Rotund; 17. Call the shots; 14. Give cabins an example, but it’s crazy 6. Poor gander hides musical instru- 20. Validate; 21. Dire; 22. Deposing; 23. 17 18 inside (6) ment (5) Ends. 19 17. Very ordinary bread? (3, 2, 3, 4) 7. A ribbon for our country’s hot- 20. Two kinds of drugs for the lunatic! (8) head! (4) DOWN: 20 21 21. Also honoured by having London dis- 10. Touch down with plenty of hair – 1. Populist; 2. Endives; 4. Hang on; 5. trict within it (4) but no coastline! (4, 6) White House; 6. Owing; 7. Toys; 10. 22. Having finished, does badly – and gets 12. Congratulations on a nicely Interludes; 12. Odysseus; 15. Utopian; too many tablets (8) browned steak! (4, 4) 16. Whiten; 18. All up; 19. Avid. 22 23 23. Give over the pip, we hear (4) WHAT’S ON Sharon Akum [email protected] DEADLINE PLEASE NOTE: Deadline for all entries is 12:00 on the Friday prior to publication, without exception.

Today, Friday (December 9)

• UZLC hosts Mo Skikne who will speak on “The Skikne Family Robinson". Time 12:45. Venue: Our Parents Home. Information, contact Gloria, 072-127- 9421 or (011) 485-4851.

Sunday (December 11)

• RCHCC is-screening by popular demand a docu- mentary, “The Brothers Warner”. Venue: Clive M Beck Auditorium. Time: 19:30. Donation: R60 (including refreshments). Booking: Hazel or René (011) 728-8088/8378. After hours (011) 728 8378. email: [email protected] or renes@great- park.co.za

Tuesday (December 13)

• RCHCC is hosting a presentation by Marcia Leveson: “Koffie with Kruger: The Extraordinary life of Berta Goudvis”. Time: 19:30. Booking: Hazel or René (011) 728-8088/8378. After hours (011) 728 8378. email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Wednesday (December 14)

• RCHCC will be screening “American Ballet Theatre Now: Variety and Virtuosity”. Time: 19:30. Booking: Hazel or René (011) 728-8088/8378. After hours (011) 728 8378. email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Thursday (December 15)

• Glendale Home for the Intellectually Disabled will be hosting comedian Nik Rabinowitz at the Baxter Concert Hall. Cost: R180 pp. Contact the office on (021) 712-0270 as soon as possible for tickets, to avoid disappointment.

Sunday (December 18)

• Friendship Forum hosts a two-pronged pro- gramme, from 10:00 - 11:30 at the Gerald Horwitz Lounge, Golden Acres: “Recalling the Eichmann Trial 50 years Later” by Don Krausz, and “A Special Year-End Concert of Musical Variety: English, Hebrew and Yiddish Favourites by Jenny Braun and Rimon Singers Asher and Dean”. Tea & refreshments.

• WIZO Elise Gift Shop in the Genesis Shopping Centre, Fairmount, entrance from Bradfield Drive opposite Shula’s Bakery. Exciting range of baby gifts and gifts for all occasions available at reasonable prices. Hours: Mon - Thurs 09:00 - 17:00, Friday 09:00 - 13:30, Sunday 10:00 - 13:00. (011) 640-2760.

• WIZO’s Wize Buys in Raedene, requires nearly-new clothes, shoes, kitchenware (pots and pans, cutlery, crockery) bric-a-brac, etc. Phone Sandy (011) 645- 2515 for goods to be collected, or deliver to WIZO office at Beyachad, Raedene.

• Bnoth Zion Association WIZO is collecting any- thing of value for its store. Contact (021) 464-6729 or Linda Saban 072-245-3225 or Cherna Kredo 084-589-8588.

• Johannesburg Children’s Home is appealing for shoes and takkies for children and teenagers. Contact Edna or Hylton Segal (011) 970-4266. 20 SA JEWISH REPORT 09 December 2011 - 20 January 2012 It’s Chanukah time in Israel: Sufganiyot on the streets, burning lights and family fun

A woman on King George Street in Jerusalem appears perplexed picking from the array of sufganiyot choices for Chanukah. PHOTOGRAPH: NATI SHOHAT/FLASH90

MARCY OSTER olive oil and pita (and eating). JERUSALEM There are also plenty of Chanukah par- ties to attend in the evenings, either public THEY'RE MAKING sufganiyot on the or private. Like in America, synagogues, streets of Israel; Chanukah must be near. schools and other institutions host parties, Actually it started feeling like Chanukah and kindergartens put on pre-Chanukah here about two days after Succot, when the extravaganzas with song-and-dance pre- first vendors started frying the delicious sentations for parents. Families get togeth- and caloric doughnuts in vats of oil in front er to light candles and fry latkes in celebra- of bakeries and on the street in towns tion of the miracle of the oil. throughout the country. Our extended family gets together every As malls in America rush the Christmas year for Chanukah, though co-ordinating season by putting up decorations right the event becomes more difficult each year after Halloween, some vendors in the heart as more of the nieces and nephews marry, of Jerusalem were making sufganiyot in move away from the community and have the middle of Succot. children of their own. I spend the weeks until Chanukah check- One of the highlights of our party is the ing out the sufganiyot offerings -- jelly, family sing-along, which begins with songs chocolate, custard, you name it. At a for Chanukah, moves on to well-loved rumoured 1 000 calories each, I can only national Israeli songs and finally moves allow myself one or two throughout the into a different realm - Simon and whole season, so they had better be good. Garfunkel and show tunes. One of the highlights of my family's There are plenty of public lightings of Chanukah is our annual venture to a fancy the chanukiyah - in the Knesset, on army coffee shop for sufganiyot and hot cocoa bases, at the Western Wall. The president (for the kids, coffee for me). Last year's and the prime minister travel to significant offerings included sufganiyot filling with spots throughout the country - and some- flavours such as champagne, taffy and pis- times the world - to kindle the Chanukah tachio. lights. But Chanukah in Israel is not all about Also as in the United States, and through- sufganiyot. With the kids out of school for a out the world in fact, Chabad is a palpable week, family fun rules. Workplaces mostly presence in Israel during Chanukah, with stay open, but stay-at-home moms and par- their chanukiyot sprouting in town ents who manage to get some end-of-the- squares, public parks and on the backs of year time off, do not want for kid-friendly cars. In our own community, the local activities during Chanukah. Chabad lights a tall chanukiyah in the mid- Cities throughout Israel offer many cul- dle of our open-air mall, inviting children tural extravaganzas during the holiday. to come each night to sing the blessings and There are musicals and plays for children, enjoy sufganiyot. often starring some of the best known old Perhaps the best part about being in Israel and new Israeli television and music per- during Chanukah is walking down the sonalities. streets of many cities and seeing Chanukah Malls feature children's programmes like lights burning, often in special glass con- arts and crafts stations, or they set up tainers, outside next to the front door. With stages with visits from jugglers, singers the mezuzah on one side and the Chanukah and often characters from popular Israeli lights on the other, the home is surrounded children's shows such as "Yuval Mibubal" by mitzvoth, according to tradition. And ("Yuval the Confused") or "Kofiko" (a mon- since everyone lights their own chanukiyot, key with very human traits). it is not uncommon to see a home with One of our favourite happenings in dozens of lights burning in the window. recent years, featured candle dipping. It truly makes Chanukah feel like a Others included demonstrations of making national celebration. (JTA)