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south african n Volume 25 – Number 21 n 17 June 2021 n 7 Tamuz 5781

The source of quality content, news and insights t www.sajr.co.za ‘Wake up!’ say doctors, as third wave ramps up NICOLA MILTZ Carron Zinman of Netcare Linksfeld Hospital. than others,” she said. Sadly, the majority of patients are still the elderly “Some severely ill patients are being temporarily “Sadly, some people over 60 believe that once they over 60, but doctors have noticed a rise in the number ommunal experts this week issued a stern managed in casualty because there are simply no have had the virus or the vaccine, they are safe. They of patients between the ages of 40 to 60, many warning to “catch a wake up” as the community intensive-care beds available at other hospitals,” she said. aren’t. A lot of families including couples and their requiring hospital admission. has been hard hit by death, severe illness, and “We are seeing a fairly young cohort, some with no children are being infected,” she said. There appears to be a disproportionately higher Can unprecedented number of infections which continue underlying conditions, who are becoming seriously ill. At the time of going to print, Hatzolah had 501 active number of cases within the community, with doctors to rise daily during the third wave of the COVID-19 The variants are more virulent and transmissible. We patients with 64 patients requiring oxygen at home. putting this down to complacency and carelessness pandemic. have had quite a lot of patients who have had COVID-19 At least 11.7% of the active cases include children and about observing protocols. “This is extremely severe,” warned Dr Richard before or who have received the vaccine, and got it.” young adults under the age of 20. “There is more testing, but people aren’t following the Friedland, the chief executive of Netcare Group. “In “We treat more aggressively, but there’s still no “There are a higher number of younger people rules,” said Meyberg, “People who have been vaccinated , we are in the eye of the storm, with things set magic drug. We’re doing everything we can to turn the including children than in the previous waves,” said are becoming lax, and there is a large asymptomatic to get a lot worse than they are. infammatory response around. It takes some longer Dr Anton Meyberg of Netcare Linksfeld Hospital. spread of the virus.” “We should all be doing what The country technically entered we can to prevent a single death, its third wave on Thursday, 10 to prevent people from having to The youth are our future June. According to the Ministerial be admitted to hospital,” he said. Advisory Committee on COVID-19, The death rate has risen at a new wave starts when the hospitals, and hospital stays are seven-day moving average of new about 20% longer, exacerbating infections surpasses 30% of the the shortage of beds, especially previous wave. in Gauteng, which is leading the More than 70% of the new uptick in infections. cases are now in Gauteng and “As I walk through our COVID-19 the , where there units, I see people struggling to Ilan Ossendryver Photo: is evidence of a resurgence after breathe, fghting to survive this a period of recovery, and there shocking pandemic. Every day, are daily increases in the Eastern we are reminded of the pain, the Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. suffering, and the enormous loss According to experts, the next that it brings,” Friedland said. two weeks will be particularly Issuing a plea to the community severe in Gauteng as the numbers to be hyper vigilant, he said, “I want steadily increase. is a to be abundantly clear that there few weeks behind, they say. can be no place for a lackadaisical Private-sector hospital approach.” admissions have increased four- Several doctors this week told the fold since April. More than 500 SA Jewish Report that the situation patients are being admitted a day was dire, with one doctor describing in the private sector in Gauteng, it as a “battlefeld”. which is putting enormous strain “Patients, some quite young with on emergency departments no comorbidities, are really sick, fghting to open as many beds as with the vast majority on one form See pages 10 and 11 possible to make space. of ventilation or another,” said Dr Continued on page 2>> f • 2 SA JEWISH REPORT Brie • Wo 17 – 24 June 2021 in rld s N ew e N w d s l i r n o B W r i • e Silicon Valley tech stands against antisemitism Swastika discovered on ark at , which frst broke the story of

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f business leaders who have signed a letter calling Airport in Germany on 11 June, according to • Zionist Organization of Lipman’s departure out antisemitism. the German publication Bild. It’s unclear when the last month after the allegations were made

The signatories include former Twitter Chief Wikimedia Commons Photo: swastika was drawn as the synagogue has been closed for public. Executive Dick Costolo, media mogul Ariana several months due to the pandemic. “Given the grave allegations against former MK Dov Huffington, current Google executives, and chief A German organisation of Orthodox rabbis condemned Lipman, it was decided to part ways in order to focus on executives at Bay Area start-ups. the vandalism at the airport. CUZ’s vital work within the global Zionist forum,” Yaari “To be too Jewish in America, or to be a “It’s simply sad. This hatred of Jews must fnally stop,” told Haaretz. Jew, is still a dangerous mark,” the statement the Orthodox Rabbinical Conference said, according Lipman, who is from the Washington DC area, is a says. “As business leaders, we have a collective Googleplex headquarters in Mountain View, California to Associated Press. “The ugly grimace of antisemitism former member from the Yesh Atid party. responsibility to stand up for the society we want. According to Jewish Insider, the statement’s doesn’t stop even in a highly secured area, at a place of He denied that he had been fred, saying he had left Today, we stand against antisemitism and violence primary author is Jordana Stein, the chief encounter, silence, and stopping, where people from all of his own accord to devote more time to helping new against Jews. This is true regardless of your views executive of Enrich, a private network for industry over the world meet briefy while travelling and are in immigrants to Israel settle and assimilate. on Israel; this is about protecting people from the professionals. Signatories also include cultural transit.” Lipman has denied the harassment allegations, which injustice of antisemitism and hatred.” and business figures, such as makeup artist Bobbi The swastika was discovered less than a week after a frst arose on a private Facebook page. He has sued the “Too few Americans acknowledge that Brown, former NBA player Baron Davis, and Neil fre was set outside a synagogue in Ulm, about 70 miles two women making the accusations, and they have antisemitism exists [and] events of recent weeks Blumenthal, co-chief executive of the glasses (112km) northwest of Munich, in what police suspect was countersued. cannot hide the truth,” the letter says, describing company Warby Parker. an attempted arson attack. The two women, like Lipman, are members of the the incident in Los Angeles in which Jewish diners The letter comes as the tech industry grapples modern Orthodox community in , a city were attacked with bottles at a sushi restaurant. with antisemitism in its own ranks. Antisemitic Zionist group ousts rabbi over harassment near . They said the harassment occurred The incident is being investigated as an antisemitic comments made by Google’s diversity head, allegation when they and Lipman were part of a movement to push hate crime. Kamau Bobb, were found this month in a 2007 The World Confederation of United Zionists (CUZ), one of back against Haredi Orthodox harassment of modern blog post in which he said that Jews have “an several groupings within the World Zionist Organization, Orthodox women and girls in the city over modesty and Shabbat times this week insatiable appetite for war and killing”. The has let go its secretary-general, American-born Rabbi Dov other perceived religious infractions. company later moved Bobb off the diversity Lipman, citing his dispute with two women who say he Starts Ends position. sexually harassed them. • All briefs supplied by JTA 17:06 17:58 17:27 18:22 Cape Town 16:46 17:39 ‘Wake up!’ say doctors, as third wave ramps up 17:07 18:00 >>Continued from page 1 16:58 17:53 16:51 17:46 East London According to Hatzolah Chairperson Lance Abramson, Hatzolah has had 238 patients on the programme who of which 526 are in intensive-care, and 275 require there were 263 active cases at the peak of the frst wave, have had a vaccine. Of those, 171 had received the ventilation. 333 cases at the peak of the second wave, and now there frst Pfzer vaccine, and 83 had received the Johnson & “A large number of people are showing evidence Appliance Repairs on Site are more than 500 active cases “with no peak in sight Johnson vaccine, two the AstraZeneca, and one Moderna. of reinfections. Discovery members who contracted , hers yet”. Thirty eight patients have been fully vaccinated and of COVID-19 in the frst wave have again contracted was ish es “There are a staggering number of active cases in the those, only one required hospitalisation and has since COVID-19 in the second wave. Three members have now , D s, Stov es chine Johannesburg Jewish community,” he said. recovered, he said. tested positive three times,” Noach said. dg Ma “Ambulances are transporting multiple COVID-19- According to Dr Ryan Noach, the chief executive of On 13 June, President confrmed ri ing F sh positive patients to hospitals daily, where it is sometimes Discovery Health, globally, vaccinations have materially that two million Johnson & Johnson (J&J) doses would a yers & more W le Dr diffcult to fnd a hospital bed. Patients are sometimes slowed the progression of new cases and deaths. There have to be destroyed because the United States regulator, mb Tu Call Jason having to wait in ambulances in the parking lots of are early signs of reduced COVID-19 infection rates the Food and Drug Administration, found that the main

082 401 8239 / 076 210 6532 hospitals. This is very challenging for teams on the among the vaccinated pollution in post 15 ingredient with which they were made wasn’t safe for FREE QUOTATIONS ground,” he said. days after vaccination. consumption. The organisation “There are signs that the frst dose is working, with As a result, South Africa has no J&J doses to administer is also looking after early data showing that there are less admissions post at present, setting the country back in its vaccine roll- 64 patients on home vaccination and fewer deaths,” he said. out in the midst of a third wave. The good news is that, oxygen where they Worryingly, he said, “The data points to the potential according to the Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism, are closely monitored, for a very severe third wave, and we’re seeing the J&J will replace all the doses within the next two weeks, Abramson said. beginning of it only now.” with 300 000 due to land within a few days and another The organisation’s He said more than 50% of adults 70 years and older million to be released by Aspen’s plant next nurses are seeing require admission to hospital. week. between 80 to 100 “Hospital admissions in wave three have reached the In the meantime, doctors have appealed to people to patients a day. level of admissions at the peak in wave one. There are be hyper vigilant and maintain all non-pharmaceutical Interestingly, currently 2 012 Discovery members admitted to hospital, measures.

Torah Thought Rabbi Ryan Goldstein, West Street Shul Moving from tumah to tahara his week’s parsha introduces Another idea which I read a while Te truth is that us to the detrimental spiritual ago describes tumah as deviation Hashem is always effects of tumat met, the from an object’s designation, while everywhere and Timpurity that comes from being tahara (the opposite of tumah) is the intimately involved in contact with the dead and the return or recalibration of an entity in our lives. When we perceive and requisite process of purification to its purpose and goal. For example, appreciate this, we live on a lofty level through the mechanics of the a dead animal is by definition tamei of tahara and kedusha. However, when sprinkling of the ashes of a red heifer (impure) while an animal shechted we don’t perceive Hashem’s presence – the para adumah. in accordance with halacha, is tahor because of a death or being in contact Tumah (ritual impurity) is a (pure), and can be eaten by the holiest with certain spiritually tainted prevalent topic in the Torah and in and most pure Jew around – apologies objects, we are labelled as being tamei. many instances, we are warned to to all the vegans out there. A human It’s for this reason that a mourner, distance ourselves from numerous corpse carries the highest form of someone who by definition came into sources of tumah. tumah, as he can no longer fulfil his contact with a relative who passed But what is it anyway? Te purpose in this world, namely living away and mistakenly felt that Hashem English translation does it no justice and sanctifying Hashem’s name in the had abandoned him, has to recite (as is the case with most English world. kaddish publicly in shul and re-infuse translations of Hebrew concepts). But I think the best explanation is himself with kedusha – sanctity and I have heard rabbis and teachers that tumah is the erroneous sensation the realisation that Hashem was try and compare tumah to a type of that Hashem has abandoned us. always there and would never forsake “spiritual radiation”, which can affect Hashem is all of reality. (Te ineffable him. anyone who comes close to its source. name “havaya” talks to this concept.) Shabbat shalom!

Editor Peta Krost Maunder – [email protected] • Sub-editor Julie Leibowitz Journalists Nicola Miltz • Tali Feinberg • Mirah Langer • Photographer Ilan Ossendryver The source of quality content, news and insights Editorial co-ordinator Martine Bass – [email protected] Proofreader Kim Hatchuel Advertising Britt Landsman: 082 292 9520 – [email protected] • New business development manager Laura Kaufman [email protected] • Design and layout Bryan Maron/Design Bandits – [email protected] • Distribution Sandy Furman Subscriptions Avusa Publishing (Pty) Ltd. Tel: 0860 525 200 • Board of Directors Howard Sackstein (Chairperson), Dina Diamond, Herschel Jawitz, Shaun Matisonn, Benjy Porter. • Advertisements and editorial copy do not neccessarily reflect the views of the editor, staff and board of directors. Tel: 011 430 1980. 17 – 24 June 2021 SA JEWISH REPORT 3

BDS boycott ‘creating divisions I want to among ordinary South Africans’ buy your bobba! old or new, TALI FEINBERG have all, correctly, become similar to, in the past, having we’ll pay you stood with apartheid South Africa or with Nazi Germany. a wow price “I felt targeted because I’m Jewish. It’s antisemitic,” said a To stand with Israel today is now synonymous with saying, for your car. businessman affected by an alleged boycott of companies ‘I stand with Germany’ during the Holocaust or declaring, purported to support Israel. ‘I stand with South Africa’ during apartheid.” A group of 300 South African hardware stores He said Africa4Palestine welcomed “this ethical supposedly cancelled contracts with “SA-based suppliers position as a morally sound example to other stores in and companies that have relations with or who have South Africa and the African continent to emulate so Call Alan: 082 850 0004 shown support for Israel”. The executive director of that we can truly create apartheid-Israeli-free zones. Your www.alfinauto.co.za Africa4Palestine (formerly Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions efforts have served as another great blow to those who (BDS) South Africa), Muhammed Desai, last week believe they can support the Israeli regime on the one described the boycott as “heartwarming”. hand, and take money and profts from principled and According to the ’s Kaplan Centre shunning, boycotting, and ending relations with suppliers “Many people have been pressured by their moral South African people.” study in 2019, 90% of South African Jews support Israel, and companies that are trading with, have links to, or are community to be part of a boycott and cause harm,” said so invariably, what Desai is calling for is the boycott of supportive of Israel”. this businessman, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We aren’t fooled by his couching Jewish businesses. In response to the SAJBD’s statement on the matter, “This affects ordinary South Africans because it destroys of words or references to those “The delight that he takes in potentially destroying published on Facebook, Africa4Palestine’s Bram Hanekom long-term business relationships.” who ‘have relations with or who these Jewish businesses is gut-wrenching, not least wrote, “The 300 hardware stores can buy the things Although there has been an impact on his company, have shown support for Israel’ because of the fragile and precarious economic climate in they need from other South African owned and ethical it seems not many businesses have felt the impact of the South Africa. Will Desai and the BDS organisations rejoice businesses.” boycott. Other suppliers listed by Desai told the SA Jewish and those ‘standing with Israel, in the jobs lost by these businesses? Benji Shulman, the director of public diplomacy at Report that no contracts had been cancelled. “None of our having ties with Israel’. What he “His so-called victory of boycotts of Jewish business the South African Zionist Federation, noted that “the relationships or sales into any of the hardware stores in actually means is Jews.” won’t have an impact on the Palestinian-Israeli confict. boycott of Jewish businesses has a long history in the South Africa have been compromised,” said one supplier, All these threats achieve is attempted intimidation of BDS movement going back more than a decade, with who asked not to be named. If the language of boycotting Jewish businesses local South African Jews who hold an opinion different Jewish businesses or those with Jewish management “I can state categorically that this has had no impact and creating “Israeli-free zones” sounds familiar, that’s to BDS. The South African Jewish community won’t be frequently targeted. What’s more, commercial on our business,” said another supplier who wanted to because it is. South African Jewish Board of Deputies intimidated. It’s effect will be only to harm South African boycotts against Israel have been a complete failure remain anonymous. “Our order book is full.” (SAJBD) National Director Wendy Kahn said, “In his businesses trying desperately to survive and retain jobs,” internationally. Since the boycott movement started, “As the ‘rainbow nation’, this is just aggressively congratulatory letter to the boycotters, Desai compares Kahn said. trade between Israel and South Africa has actually encouraging divisions that were never there before,” Israel to Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. The irony of his “Our Constitution states that everyone has the right increased on average. said the frst businessman. “People are making business use of Holocaust terminology is also not lost on us Jews. to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief, and “BDS has many other failed boycott attempts,” decisions based on religion rather than good business Nazi Germany also came to our minds when we read this opinion. There’s no rider that excludes Jews and people he said. “One that comes to mind is the failed principles. These enforced divisions are what worry letter. We remember that the Holocaust began with the who have a connection to Israel. Nor does it call for the Woolworths ‘tomato’ boycott, which also produced me more than anything. What happened to the South boycotting of Jewish businesses. destruction of livelihoods of people for daring to believe zero results, other than a pig’s head placed in the Africa that we know? This radical stance is completely “We aren’t fooled by his couching of words or differently.” kosher section of a supermarket. BDS may be trying nonsensical,” he said. references to those who ‘have relations with or who have Desai issued a statement saying that the accusation to intimidate smaller Jewish businesses, but as yet, Desai went on to declare, “Today, standing with Israel, shown support for Israel’ and those ‘standing with Israel, of antisemitism was “a deliberate misrepresentation”, it hasn’t shown any signs that it has the capability of having ties with Israel, or serving in the Israeli military having ties with Israel’. What he actually means is Jews. but then reiterated that “we welcome South Africans undertaking a full-fedged boycott campaign.”

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Highways, schools and shops. schools, shul and all amenities virtually on your doorstep. Web Ref: RL77859 2 2 Web Ref: RL72944 4 2.5 3 3 Web Ref: RL77310 2 2 Web Ref: RL76442 Joel Harris 082 926 0287 Joel Harris 082 926 0287 Chrissie Hammer: 082 568 0440 Sandra Luntz: 083 679 1247 Laureen Shalpid 083 789 0229 Laureen Shalpid 083 789 0229 4 SA JEWISH REPORT 17 – 24 June 2021 SAZF takes on Judge Desai for his conduct NICOLA MILTZ clear through his comments that although during this time that the Cairo Declaration Judge Desai is entitled to his views in terms was signed which was a call for a global he South African Zionist Federation of freedom of speech, he is bound by the movement for Palestinian rights and a (SAZF) has predictably come in for judicial code of conduct, and his actions fall boycott of Israel. The SAZF said Desai “lent some heavy criticism by the anti- outside of that.” his stature as a judge to the drafting and TIsrael lobby for lodging a complaint against According to the SAZF, last year, Desai issuing of the declaration”. retired Judge Siraj Desai with the Judicial while being interviewed on an Iranian In 2015, he gave an order in a review Conduct Committee (JCC). YouTube channel, made “inappropriate application brought by pro-Palestinian, anti- Last week, the SAZF lodged a complaint comments” likening Iranian leader Ayatollah Zionist organisations and activists against with the JCC against the judge, who Khomeini to President . the City of Cape Town. There is allegedly recently took up the position of the Legal “To compare a world-renowned no record in the judgment of him having Services Ombudsman. peacemaker like President Mandela to disclosed his interest in BDS to the parties in The SAZF said Desai’s actions and the despotic founding leader of a regime that case, according to the complaint. conduct over many years was plainly in notorious for its disregard of human rights, In 2018, Desai welcomed Hamas during breach of the code of judicial conduct and and which is responsible for gross human its visit to South Africa and said, “We hope “entirely unbecoming of a judicial offcer”. rights violations, including torture and to make an intellectual contribution to the This was a bombshell complaint against violence against thousands of people, is resolution of the Palestinian issue, but we Desai, who is a well-known social activist an insult to the people of South Africa, take our leadership from you, you are the and respected jurist described by many as the Constitution, and our democratic leadership on the ground.” Judge Siraj Desai the “people’s judge”. institutions,” the statement said. “This, despite the fact that the Hamas The detailed complaint against him It added that Desai also made “several charter includes direct calls for violence spans many years from 2009 till the Mogoeng had contravened the code of the SAZF’s complaint against Desai was other shocking remarks” during the against Jewish people and the destruction present, highlighting Desai’s actions and judicial conduct with comments made in “retaliation for the failure to secure a interview regarding foreign policy, of the state of Israel. Using the prestige of conduct connecting him to the Boycott, during a webinar in June last year and seat at the Constitutional Court by Judge including referring to the United States – an the judicial offce to publicly promote an Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement subsequently at a prayer meeting where Unterhalter” accusing him of being important trading and diplomatic partner extremist organisation is clearly contrary to against Israel, and the pro-Palestinian he declared that he would never apologise an “apologist for Zionism”. Earlier this of South Africa – as the “great Satan” which the precepts underlying the judicial code of movement. for the views he expressed. In the webinar, year, the SA BDS Coalition demanded demonstrated that Desai had “engaged in conduct,” said the complaint. The SAZF said that Desai’s alleged hosted by , he said he that Unterhalter not be selected to the conduct incompatible with his status as a “Judge Desai has long conducted himself misconduct included his involvement believed South Africa would do well to Constitutional Court for his association with judge of the high court.” well outside the realms of the judicial in political controversy, misusing the consider adopting a more objective stance the South African Jewish Board of Deputies. According to the SAZF, Desai has a long code,” said the SAZF. “It’s therefore crucial prestige of his judicial offce to advance on the Israeli-Palestinian confict and said Rolene Marks, SAZF’s legal forum history of endorsing and promoting the for maintaining public confdence in the his personal political interests, failing “hatred” of the Jewish state could “attract spokesperson said, “At issue here, is the role anti-Israel political lobby. judiciary that manifest judicial misconduct is to recuse himself in a case in which he unprecedented curses upon our nation”. that judges play in our society. The reason In 2009, Desai was part of a South African called to account.” was obviously conficted, and involving In his March ruling, Judge Phineas that there is a judicial code of conduct is that delegation of pro-Palestinian activists Desai told News24 through his himself in activities that used the position Mojapelo stressed that “judges are to stay judges need to be seen not to be promoting that was to take part in a protest known spokesperson, Professor Usuf Chikte, that of his judicial offce to promote a partisan out of politics”. political causes since they may have to as “the Gaza Freedom March” organised he was “unapologetic in his stance in political cause. The South African BDS Coalition said rule on them at some stage. However, it’s by the Palestine Solidarity Alliance. It was condemnation of apartheid Israel”. Desai, who served the legal profession for 43 years, retired as a Western Cape High Court judge last year, and almost Kacev heads up Jewish education network that will benefit SA immediately accepted the ombud position TALI FEINBERG Kacev made aliyah earlier this year. Speaking to the the Jewish educational world, and I’m learning about the having been appointed by President Cyril SA Jewish Report from Israel, he says “this new initiative, in specifc needs in each country. I believe that I bring a broad Ramaphosa. The objective of the ombud he former director of the South African Board of response to the impact of the pandemic, has goals uniquely and deep understanding of Jewish education, together is to advance and safeguard the integrity Jewish Education, Rabbi Craig Kacev, has been linked to what schools have experienced over the past year with the experience of working on a large scale. One quickly of the legal profession in South Africa selected as pedagogical director of a new project and a half. It also seeks to capitalise on the past for the learns that if systems are developed correctly then even if But more importantly, it’s to ensure fair, Tcalled the Global Jewish Education Resource Centre, in beneft of Jewish schools in the future. The initiative seeks the platform or organisation is huge, the customer feels that effcient, and effective investigation of partnership with Israel’s Diaspora Affairs ministry. to make a difference in areas of leadership, teachers, and their needs are being met. We hope to achieve that on a complaints of alleged misconduct by legal For the frst time, there will be one organisation liaising content, with a focus on enhancing Jewish learning. substantial scale for schools and especially Jewish educators practitioners. with Jewish schools throughout the world, creating a global “That said, it’s also intended to respond to current trends around the world.” Former Judge Rex van Schalkwyk of Jewish education network. such as distance learning, social and emotional needs, On the importance and uniqueness of this project, he says, the Rule of Law Project told the SA Jewish The initiative includes a global educational and project-based learning, and other areas where schools “There are many providers in the feld and many countries Report, “This isn’t about whether one is professional network that will work with experts and need support. Herzog College brings a team of high-level have umbrella organisations serving their Jewish schools. pro-Israel or pro-Palestine. Did Judge Desai providers across all continents and in different languages. educators doing research and teaching in many spheres, and But there is no one organisation that is looking to provide conform with the ethics that constrain It will pioneer the development of educational content, we hope to ensure that schools around the world beneft a global address for all that’s available while developing him as a judge? Having looked at the training of teachers, support of school leadership, building from this expertise. We don’t claim to know everything, nor meta-curricula, worldwide teacher networks, and looking to complaint, there is at least a case that of virtual platforms to share ideas and initiatives, and the do we intend to be an organisation that forces solutions harness the substantial expertise in the feld for the beneft needs to be answered. Judge Desai must provision of professional consulting services to individual on schools. This is intended to be a platform that provides of all. This is also an initiative that Israel is investing in, and give an explanation about his conduct. schools. support. Working with as many partners in the feld, it aims will continue to invest in with substantial funds, together It’s legitimate for this issue to have been to serve each school in its areas with philanthropists around the world interested in Jewish brought to the professional body of the JSC of need.” education.” [Judicial Service Commission] and to be Kacev says he took the role At a ceremony last week, Diaspora Affairs Minister Omer dealt with specifcally in accordance with on “with much trepidation. The Yankelevich signed a 38 million shekel (R160 million) the principle of law not in accordance with responsibility is substantial, agreement with Herzog College to lead the two-year project. the political issues which will cloud the and the pressure to bring an So, how soon will the project reach Jewish schools in complaint.” offering that adds value to as South Africa? “Whatever part of the offering goes live after The SAZF has been lambasted for the many Jewish schools as possible the chaggim in October 2021 will be available to all Jewish complaint, which it lodged on 10 June, around the world isn’t to be schools around the world,” says Kacev. “Teachers will be able by members of Africa4Palestine and the underestimated.” to fnd content, get assistance in fnding specifc content, join South African BDS Coalition. They have As director of pedagogy, he worldwide networks on many topics moderated by experts in set up a Facebook page called “Hands off will be guiding the educational their felds, and join the ongoing online courses. As the project Judge Desai”. team on the approach and develops, there will be specifc initiatives together with Jewish The anti-Israel lobbyists described content that it will use in schools in South Africa based on their needs and requests.” the complaint as “spurious” and teacher education, content Regarding the specifc challenges facing South African Diaspora Affairs Minister Omer Yankelevich at the signing ceremony with “baseless”, and called it a “vengeful development, and student Jewish schools that the project can assist with, Kacev says, Herzog College representatives attack”. Africa4Palestine criticised the engagement opportunities. “South Africa, like many other places could beneft from “questionable” timing of the complaint, The need for this initiative was recognised during the “While we will start with a few offerings, this will grow ongoing teacher education, opportunities for educational saying that it was an attempt to distract COVID-19 pandemic, when many communities in the rather quickly. There are many existing organisations leaders to share with colleagues and learn from experts from its complaint lodged against the diaspora were struggling to cope with the closure of schools developing content or offering services to the feld. I hope around the world, and high-quality curriculum content and country’s outgoing Chief Justice Mogoeng and the transition to virtual learning while facing a shortage to work with as many of these as possible to bring their materials. The extent to which the Jewish schools stand to Mogoeng. of Jewish Studies teachers and high-quality curriculum expertise to a larger audience, and then have the Global beneft from the initiative will depend on their proactive use Last Friday, 11 June, the JCC resources. Resource Centre bring its added offering to the feld. We of the resource centre. appeal panel said it was continuing its The initiative will include the creation of connections and are also hoping to develop more cost-effective models for “That said, I have a special place in my heart for South deliberations on Mogoeng Mogoeng’s dialogue between Jewish school students, teachers, and schools to access high-quality content.” Africa, and hope to ensure that they do beneft from all appeal against a misconduct fnding principals around the world. The initiative is in partnership Kacev says he was drawn to the role because, “having that the initiative offers. There will also be opportunities for for his remarks about Israel brought by with Herzog College, Israel’s leading academic college for dedicated myself to Jewish education for the past 25 years, schools to beneft from additional investment in our area of Africa4Palestine. teacher education in the religious sector. It’s renowned for its this is where I wanted to remain. Now, I will be able to bring responsibility if there is partner funding from the community. Earlier this year, the JCC found that expertise in teacher training, professional development, and all that I learned along the way to Jewish schools across the We hope to fnd that sort of support over time, as has been designing innovative digital content. globe. I have a sense of many of the common needs across the case in Europe and South America to date.” 17 – 24 June 2021 SA JEWISH REPORT 5 Third wave closes schools and shuls TALI FEINBERG COVID-19 in the current wave. preschool and playschool. Grades R, 1, and 2 remain risk game.” “The majority of cases [of children contracting open. Grades 3 to 6 are online. Grades 7 to 11 are Therefore, he thinks it’s the correct decision to close mid a merciless third wave unlike anything COVID-19] reported have been due to family writing exams, and they remain at school. Our Grade 12s schools. “It will make a big difference to the amount of the Johannesburg Jewish community has transmission and social events that have taken place are doing block lessons, and they remain at school. contact. The challenge is what kids do when they’re not seen before, a number of Jewish schools have outside of school,” he said. “As such, in our high schools, “There’s no question that the Hatzolah numbers are at school. If they have arrangements and sleepovers, decidedA to close, and Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein a large number of students have needed to isolate. refecting that children are catching and transmitting the then it’s far less safe than interacting at school with is calling on shuls not to hold minyanim until after Thankfully, the King David system has been able to virus, much more now than in other waves, and being masks and ventilation.” Monday 28 June. adapt and stream the lessons to students at home.” affected by it,” she said. In terms of age groups, “the youngest kids are The rapidly changing situation and spiralling number Seeff said the SABJE consulted with a team of defnitely a problem. We’re getting cases in very young of infections has led to a change in the initial decision medical advisors on a weekly basis. “We frmly children who can’t wear masks because they’re too taken at a meeting convened by the chief rabbi on 10 believe physical schooling is ideal due the young – that’s really a spreading environment. Where June with rabbis, senior committee members of shuls educational and social benefts for students, it’s also a problem is early and mid-high school, and medical experts. and we have tried to keep the schools open. because kids there seem to have an attitude that they’re “Initially, Professor Barry Schoub, and Dr Richard Last week, our medical advisors felt that the time invincible, and sometimes they’re rebellious and don’t Friedland advised that individual shuls should take the had come to consider closing due to the spread follow the rules. Matrics are normally serious enough decision whether to suspend their services temporarily within the community.” about it that they wear a mask and are careful. And based on their unique risk circumstances,” said At this point in time, all King David schools are certainly in the primary schools, the kids are quite Goldstein. online. “We will continue to monitor the situation compliant. So, I believe we could return to school in However, later this week, on the advice of Schoub, a and make the decision to reopen according to data stages based on age groups,” Israel said. virology expert, and Friedland who is the Netcare CEO, and medical advice,” he said. Online teaching is Said Schoub, “All the Jewish schools have been Goldstein called on the rabbonim in Johannesburg and available for all grades. High school exams continue exemplary in carrying out COVID-19 precautions. to “suspend minyanim for the next two weeks” on campus. “Given the short duration of the school However, the present COVID-19 epidemic is and sent letters to the shuls in this regard. day, the large ventilated venues, and the lack of particularly severe in the Jewish community, and “The situation remains fuid, and will be reassessed social interaction [during exams], our students and it was felt it would be unwise to keep the schools on an ongoing basis and the community kept informed,” staff will be safe for exams to continue in person.” open at this time. Data has indicated that the he said. “We pray the situation improves so we will be “The decision to close was more challenging extent of the epidemic in the Jewish community able to responsibly reopen on June 29.” this year because parents are back at work and may currently exceeds that of the frst and second waves, Rabbi Ricky Seeff, the director of the South African struggle to assist their children with online schooling,” “We have many more children and temporary closure of schools would be a wise Board of Jewish Education (SABJE), which governs King said Seeff. “We have received an overwhelmingly that are COVD-19 positive. In addition, six or seven girls precaution.” David schools, said, “As the number of COVID-19 cases positive response to the decision in spite of these in our girls high school have lost grandparents [in the On the Synthesis Podcast of 13 June, Linksfeld in Gauteng began to increase at an alarming rate, as challenges.” third wave]. It’s been quite traumatic and sobering.” Clinic pulmonologist Dr Anton Meyberg described the did the Hatzolah numbers over the past week, we felt Rabbi Yossi Liberow, the managing director of Torah Johannesburg general practitioner Dr Daniel Israel situation in hospitals as “anarchy”, and said he believed that closing the schools was the correct course of action Academy, said the school had closed most grades. said, “We have seen in this third wave a far bigger shuls (and other places of worship) should be closed for the safety of our teachers, students, and the broader “Exams will continue until when we intended to spread of COVID-19 among children [than in other and religious gatherings curtailed. Anyone over 60 or community.” complete the term. We are defnitely seeing children waves]. In my own practice, I’ve diagnosed a one-year- those with comorbidities should keep away from such Asked if children are catching and transmitting the catch the virus more so than in previous waves. In the old and a three-year-old in the past week with COVID-19, gatherings, Meyberg said. “Put yourself frst, contain virus more now than in other waves, he said, “Although past few days, we have seen a bigger increase in cases,” as index cases in their families. In schools, it’s sometimes yourself, even if you are vaccinated. If schools are the numbers within our system have been very low, he said. impossible practically to make children adhere to closing, it should trigger in our minds that we are in there is undoubtedly a noticeable shift from previous Rebbetzin Natalie Altman, the director of kodesh and guidelines to the point of no risk whatsoever. So when trouble.” He called on religious and community leaders waves. Children of all ages have tested positive for ethos at Yeshiva College, said, “We’ve closed our whole cases are high, it certainly isn’t the time to be playing the to speak up and encourage compliance. Independent living for senior citizens

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Bennett the lion’s share of , I with the fact that the magician, as his fans is Israel’s first Orthodox prime minister and the feltW inspired and excited. Such good news! likeA to call him, has finally run out of tricks. Or not. former head of the Settlers Council. Lapid is a Not least of all because I know Novick to be a smart, A special parliament session on Sunday ended secular centrist. Bennett wants to annex up to innovative mensch of a businessman who understands with a razor-thin majority of 60-59 in favour of 60% of the West Bank; Meretz’s Nitzan Horowitz the airline industry, but because now finally SAA will a new, hugely diverse, coalition of eight parties. wants to withdraw to pre-1967 lines. Finance be run like a business. Headed by the leader of the far-right Yamina party, Minister Avigdor Lieberman is seeking to maximise And while it has sucked up so much taxpayers’ Naftali Bennett, it will result in Netanyahu, as head conscription in the ultra-Orthodox community and money already, it will no longer be a drain on our of the right-wing Likud party that won the most drastically reduce that sector’s government funding; economy. To top that, if Novick and crew do what they votes in the last election, heading off to lead the Bennett and maybe even Lapid hold out the hope plan to do, we may even have an airline we can be really opposition bloc. of at least some of the ultra-Orthodox MKs joining proud of. Let’s wait and see, but isn’t it fabulous to But before one writes Netanyahu off, it’s the coalition. And so it goes on. have some good news to share? worth noting that he’s been here before. Twice But Bennett is using the coalition’s weakness Tis doesn’t seem to fit the general mood of our he’s returned from the opposition to become as his biggest strength, arguing this “change community. I guess we can’t ignore the rise in antisemitism and how COVID-19 is really prime minister, and he certainly plans to do it a government” is the broadest and most hitting us. We certainly can’t ignore the huge numbers of us who are sick and others third time. He’s vowed to “rescue Israel” from an representative in Israel’s history. who have died. Yes, it’s frightening at best. incoming government based on “fraud, hate, and “We hope it’s the beginning of a new Israel,” he However, it’s not all doom and gloom, and we need to recognise this for our own power-seeking”. said, promising that his government would “work benefit. Netanyahu is a sore loser. He forwent the for the sake of all the people” and prioritise reforms While you have been worrying about COVID-19 and rattling on about all our woes, traditional public handover ceremony on Monday, in education, health, and cutting red tape. Torny have you noticed that the rand is 30% stronger than it was this time last year, when it 14 June, that includes a toast for the incoming issues like reaching a deal with the Palestinians he’s traded at R18.50 to the dollar? Now, it’s about R13.70 to the dollar. I don’t claim to be prime minister, and reportedly gave Bennett just left out for now. anything of an expert, but this has to be good news. half an hour of his time before leaving to meet with But the biggest irony of all is that it’s on Bennett’s Ten, this may have passed you by, but for a long time, there has been a call for the his new opposition forces. Tey welcomed him as watch that for the first time, an Arab party will ceiling on self-generated electricity to be raised, and the minister of minerals and “prime minister”, and he didn’t feel the need to be sitting in the ruling coalition. In the 73-year energy, Gwede Mantashe, has dug in his heels. What this means is that until now, correct them, claiming that he could feel the “weak history of Israel, there’s an unwritten rule that any you had a very limited amount of electricity that you could generate yourself without points” of the “dangerous left-wing government” at government is formed only by Jewish parties. Te relying on Eskom. So, mines and huge industry had no choice but to spend fortunes “the tips of my fingers”. one exception was when the late Prime Minister on electricity from Eskom. But now, President Cyril Ramaphosa, who we all criticise So, who is Naftali Bennett, the man who Yitzhak Rabin relied on the support of an Arab for not being decisive enough, has overridden Mantashe and raised this ceiling on managed to unseat Israel’s longest serving prime party in the wake of the Oslo Peace Accords in the self-generating electricity without the need for a licence from 1MW to 100MW. In fact, minister? Ironically, the 49-year-old former tech- 1990s. Tat agreement, however, didn’t formalise those fighting for the increase were hoping for an increase only to 10MW. start-up-millionaire-turned-politician once served the party’s entry into the ruling coalition. While this may not affect us in our day to day life, it’s a big deal, and one that we can as a senior aide to Netanyahu, although the two What has driven Mansour Abbas, the leader really be positive about. It will help our economy in a big way. often clashed. Bennett went on to form his own of the Arab Islamist Ra’am party, to join the Also, it appears that following all the allegations of corruption on the part of Health political party that represents the religious right government isn’t the desire for a peace agreement Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, the president didn’t just sit back and take it. He actually but rather pragmatism. He wants put Mkhize on special leave. Kol hakavod! It bodes well in tough times, and times immediate attention paid to the aren’t going to get any easier for the president. demands of the Israeli Arab minority. Ten, on 10 July, an extradition treaty between the United Arab Emirates and Among the promises he has extracted South Africa will come into force. Why on earth is this important? Well, the dear old from Bennett are the adoption of Guptas are hanging out there and wouldn’t it be nice for them to be brought here to a five-year economic-development have their day in court after all they have done to South Africa? Tey will probably plan for the Arab community make a dash for it, but at least they will be shaken up a bit. with a budget of 30 billion shekels Ten, when we heard about the destruction of millions of Johnson & (about R126 billion) as well as Johnson vaccines that were about to rolled out because they were believed to plans to combat crime and violence be contaminated, we all thought: more bad news! But the good news is that in the Arab community, improve pharmaceutical company Aspen has assured us that it will have 300 000 new and infrastructure, and advance Arab local uncontaminated vaccines ready to be rolled out by Monday. And more to come the authorities. following week. So we should be right on track. Not bad going! Palestinian leaders, however, Now, I cannot take credit for all this good news because to be honest, it hasn’t have reacted dismissively to Israel’s Israeli Prime Minister been easy for me to look upwards with this heavy cloud hanging over us. I’m grateful Naftali Bennett new government, saying it makes to have a board of directors who recognise how important it is for us all to see the no difference who heads it, least of silver lining. I have to thank Howard Sackstein, Benjy Porter, and Herschel Jawitz for and over the years, held three ministerial positions all when it’s someone cut from the same cloth as inspiring me. And a little bit of help from Peter Bruce’s excellent writing too. – diaspora affairs, education, and defence. But he Netanyahu. Te point is, they were on a roll and could see all these positive changes that were failed to perform during the last election in March Inside Israel, there have been calls for physical happening in front of us, but so few of us were looking for them. this year, coming joint fifth with just six out of 120 violence against Bennett and members of the While we need to keep looking for good news to uplift us and change the way we view parliament seats. In the previous election, he didn’t new government. Even before being elected, our future, we can’t ignore our vital choices about how we deal with the third wave of even cross the threshold. the new prime minister’s security was increased COVID-19. Israelis are asking themselves how someone with amid concerns that he could be harmed. Rising We can go into denial and believe it’s never going to hit us … until it does. We can such a small mandate (the equivalent of 180 000 incitement and hate speech on social media led tempt fate and hold or go to parties, hoping like hell that they don’t become super- seats) is now their prime minister. Speaking to the to an extraordinary statement being issued by spreader events. And we can rationalise our chances, and decide that we are healthy SA Jewish Report, his erstwhile supporters say he the head of the Shin Bet internal security service, and strong so it won’t hurt us. Tat’s naïve and foolish and certainly won’t help anyone, “stole” their vote. Many feel betrayed and angry. Nadav Argaman. “Tis discourse may be interpreted rather it will exacerbate the problem. Tey complain that they voted for the right, and among certain groups or individuals as one that If we continue to ignore the protocols, our numbers will continue to go up. Tat’s our now Bennett has joined forces with parties on the allows violent and illegal activity, and could even choice. Te responsibility belongs to each and every one of us. Te sooner we observe all centre and left. Many believe his desire to become lead to harm to individuals,” he warned. precautions, the sooner the third wave will end. prime minister, or to oust Netanyahu, or both, It’s worth remembering that Rabin (like Bennett) As we commemorate 16 June this week on Youth Day, we recall a time when we was so great, he forfeited his political positions. If was depicted as a traitor by the Israeli right, and thought the country was about to enter a civil war. Children were killed and wounded elections were to be held today, Bennett would fare eventually that led to his assassination. Some are by police brutality. Te world condemned the apartheid government and saw white worse than he did three months ago. worried the current political climate has echoes of South Africans as pariahs. Tey imposed sanctions on South Africa and put pressure But the new prime minister sees things those times. on the government. We couldn’t see that our country could be healed, and South Africa differently. After Netanyahu failed to form a Netanyahu has declared that the new went through a dark time. majority coalition back in April, President Reuven government endangers the land of Israel, the state In the end, there was real change, which was hard to imagine at that time. Rivlin handed the baton to Yair Lapid, the leader of of Israel, and the Israel Defense Forces. “We’ll be And there will be an end to the pandemic. We just have to do what it takes to get us the centrist Yesh Atid party which won the second back,” he pledged just before getting dethroned. there. Tis, too, shall pass. We will weather the storm, and we will triumph over this largest number of votes in the last election. But Sounding like Arnold Schwarzenegger in his situation. We are survivors. Lapid was short of seven seats, exactly the number blockbuster Terminator movie, there’s likely to be a Having said that, let’s not take any chances. Stop holding and going to parties and Bennett, an unlikely ally, could offer him, although dramatic sequel to follow. Watch this space! events! Batten down the hatches, and take time to enjoy your homes with your nearest later, one of the seven left the party. Bennett was and dearest. Do what you need to do to stay safe and COVID-19 free. kingmaker. After weeks of negotiations, he and • Paula Slier is the Middle East bureau chief of RT, the Lapid signed a power-sharing deal in which Bennett founder and chief executive of Newshound Media Happy Youth Day and Shabbat Shalom! will be prime minister until September 2023 and International, and the inaugural winner of the Peta Krost Maunder then Lapid for a further two years. Europcar Women in Leadership Award of the Absa Editor Most Israelis, though, don’t believe the new Jewish Achiever Awards. 17 – 24 June 2021 SA JEWISH REPORT 7 NEW It’s lift off for Novick and SAA LISTINGS PETA KROST MAUNDER talking. “Tey had put together various advisory teams to look at SAA’s future as it was under ormer kulula.com now LIFT Airline business rescue.” ENJOY BLISSFUL mastermind Gidon Novick may be a Tese discussions began before Novick sucker for punishment, but he has taken launched LIFT. “I was sharing some ideas about SUBURBAN LIVING Fto turning South African Airways (SAA) around what we could do with SAA. It was very initial, IN TWO OF ISRAEL’S and making it something South Africans can be and then we got stuck into launching LIFT, proud of. which we are still completely submerged in,” he MOST SOUGHT “I’ve already got grey hairs, a few more can’t said. AFTER CITIES Ir Yamim, hurt,” Novick joked, speaking to the SA Jewish “At the time, I had been out of the airline Netanya Report last weekend, days after his involvement industry for a while, and was building an airline in the 51% buyout of SAA was announced. model in LIFT that was right for this time. Tat Spacious modern Novick and , which partnered helped a lot, and became more practical and real luxury apartment to launch LIFT in December, have joined up in relation to working with SAA.” with Harith General Partners, a private equity To create LIFT, Novick partnered with Global firm that invests in infrastructure across Africa, Aviation, a company that leases out fully crewed, to buy a 51% share of the national carrier. Te maintained, and insured aircraft to established Takatso consortium will be chaired by Harith’s airlines locally and around the world. Ten, he chief executive, Tshepo Mahloele, and Novick, met the leadership of Harith that already co- who was also the former chief executive of owns Lanseria Airport and was interested in . Te government will still own 49% of investing in airlines. SAA. “I was introduced to Tshepo Mahloele, SAA was put into business rescue in its executive director, who said they were Price December 2019, costing the country about interested in SAA and we combined our efforts,” R250 million. Late last year, R10.5 billion was said Novick. Harith committed the finances NIS 3,890,000 allocated to SAA for business rescue. Tis was necessary for the deal. released over time, and some of it (roughly R2.7 As to what exactly the future SAA will look This 4 bedroom luxury apartment will go fast as buyers are fl ocking to billion) will be allocated to SAA’s subsidiaries. like, Novick said, “I don’t quite know yet. We the brand new sea front city of Ir Yamim, located in the southern part of Te government will have no further financial have done a lot of work in planning how things Netanya on the shores of Poleg beach. obligations to the airline. Said Novick, “We will will operate, but there is still mountains to be control the company, but also value and respect done. the input from government as a significant and “I believe in the creativity that exists in strategic shareholder. South Africa, and the solution will capture “No doubt there will be excitement and the best of the legacy of the SAA emblem stress,” he said. “I feel like there comes a point in and its name. We will infuse modernity life where you need to chill or give it a and creativity into something all real go and take what comes with South Africans can be proud that. I believe I’m up for the of. It will be iconic and fresh, challenge. It feels opportune.” stand out, and be globally He said he was at a unique recognised.” point in his life where he has Novick said he 4 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | Guest toilet | 142 sqm | Spacious living area both energy and experience. planned to import | State-of-the art new kitchen | Sea view from balcony | Storeroom | 2 underground “I have done a few things some of LIFT’s efficient parking bays along the way, and am still agile operating model young enough to have the into SAA, among other energy. Tis venture will make things. “The customer good use of that energy and obsession we have Ra’anana experience and hopefully, will be at LIFT will also This modern luxury house is located in one of the most meaningful on a few levels.” become a desirable streets in Ra’anana, built on 450 sqm of prime Novick comes from an airline real estate. family in which his late father, Dave, was in the industry for 51 years. He took Comair from a company with two aircraft and built it into a major player Gidon Novick in the industry with and kulula.com. As part of mainstay of SAA,” he said. “It’s critical, Comair, Gidon, a chartered accountant with an everything has to revolve around the MBA from the Kellogg School of Management customer.” Price at North Western University, started the then As for staffing, he said 80% of SAA’s staff innovative kulula.com. had already taken voluntary retrenchment, NIS 15,500,000 In 2019, Novick told financial journalist Alec but, “we need to take a good and careful Hogg that running SAA would be “pretty much look at the organisational structure”. the worst job – after Eskom”. However, he did He is clear that the vision for the new say that if he were ever to take on SAA, “certain SAA is to build an iconic national brand and things [would] have to be put in place, and one a globally competitive airline, particularly would require the autonomy to make some on the African continent. “It will be a quite drastic decisions in that organisation”. cornerstone of commerce, , and So it may not be such a surprise that Novick industry.” now says this has always been something “that He isn’t yet sure how LIFT will fit in, 7 Bedrooms | 5 Bathrooms | Heated pool/elevator | VRF air conditioner | Smart- could emerge or evolve over time”. however he says experience and skills will Home central vacuum system | 8cm stone fl oating staircase | Master bedroom He is excited to take on what many may be exported into SAA so that the national with en-suite bathroom & walk-in closet | Guest room with en suite bathroom | 2 bedrooms with shared bathroom | Fully equipped separate unit on 3rd-fl oor carrier can benefit from its learning. consider to be a dinosaur because, “Government basement with cinema, sauna, Jacuzzi, gym and bedroom en suite. has come a huge way, some of it by necessity, Novick plans to start local flights soon, In association with and the dealings we have had have been so and get going with regional ones soon positive. I understand it better now, and believe after. “Regional flights use the same we have a real opportunity for alignment and infrastructure as local, so that isn’t too Contact Julian Nathan pulling the right interest and skills together in complicated. The long-haul network will for further details depend on tourism, the opening of borders, the private and public sector. [email protected] “Te best thing is we all have the national COVID-19, and global collaboration. +27 87 551 0734 In association with interest at heart,” said Novick. “I am hoping this initiative becomes +972 58 631 9754 He said real discussion about the SAA a blueprint for future public-private takeover started during the COVID-19 partnerships, and gives all South Africans pandemic, when he reached out to the the confidence we need to continue building department of public enterprises to start this incredible country,” Novick said. Visit our website: www.hold.co.il 8 SA JEWISH REPORT 17 – 24 June 2021 “How much blood will be shed?” ask bereaved parents STEVEN GRUZD forward. We need to share this land, in A screenshot from the webinar die?” asked Aramin. “This last war was one state, two states, fve states, or there osing a child to violence devastates terrifying – a repeat will just be two big graves here. I hope to the parents left behind. It creates an of 2014 with better see peace in my lifetime, but how much unspeakable emptiness, a void of loss, weapons,” Damelin blood will still be shed?” Lpain, and anger. Two bereaved Israeli and said. “How are those Aramin partnered with more than Palestinian parents have joined forces to children growing 100 Israeli soldiers to build gardens for forgive, and have become unlikely warriors up flled with hatred children to play in, in Abir’s memory. for peace so that their children won’t have in Gaza ever going “One can kill, 100 can build,” he said. “Me died in vain. to handle things? and Robi are family now. We are human Robi Damelin and Bassam Aramin shared Children in Sderot, beings and we need to trust and respect their grief and hope in an emotion-flled Ashkelon, Ashdod our partners.” webinar, “One Day After Peace”, hosted by are traumatised and Damelin said, “If we don’t deal with the the SA Jewish Report on Saturday, 12 June. wetting their beds. problems with Palestine, one of these days Damelin was born in Johannesburg, and Palestinian women there won’t be an Israeli state. I love Israel, settled in Israel in 1967. Her youngest son, have no safe room to and I have paid the highest price. But it’s David, served in the Israeli army during run to. Israeli mothers important to live in a moral country, and the Second Intifada. The liberal and open- have 15 seconds to run the occupation is taking its toll.” minded educationalist David struggled with innocent daughter. “Revenge is a right, but have a right to exist. Palestinians will – what if they have more than one child?” Both speakers appear in documentaries serving in the territories. forgiveness is a choice.” never ever accept the Israeli occupation. “We need brave leaders,” said Aramin. about their journeys, One Day after Peace He was killed by a Palestinian sniper’s “A child’s life is more important than any We’re not going to leave or disappear. We “The Nakba [establishment of Israel in and Within the Eye of the Storm. Aramin’s bullet in March 2002. holy land. Without loving each other, we will remain and the occupation will go. 1948] is over. The Holocaust is over. We story was also an inspiration for the novel, “One Palestinian,” Damelin said, “Not the need to respect each other, and both peoples But how many more children will have to are very strong nations, but we must look Apeirogon, by Colum McCann. whole Palestinian nation. I told the army, ‘You may not kill anyone in the name of my Why Benjamin Netanyahu treats the Jewish media with contempt child.’” OPINION GARY ROSENBLATT – JTA Losing a child “tears your heart out”, Damelin said. Reluctantly, she was hether this week marks the last of Benjamin your problem?” with American Jewry and responded, persuaded to attend a weekend for bereaved Netanyahu’s record-setting tenure as prime For a split second, Netanyahu seemed a bit taken in effect, “Why not ask me about Israeli and Palestinian families in East minister or is just a prelude to another aback, but he just nodded and the introductions Israel’s impressive dairy output?” He Jerusalem. “I thought I had had enough never-count-him-outW comeback, it seems a ftting moment continued. then waxed eloquent on the subject, pain. But they understood. Palestinian to try to understand why he has consistently treated The mood of the session couldn’t have been more and had an aide display a chart on the wall with statistics mothers shared the same pain, our tears diaspora Jewish media with disdain. different to the earlier one. Though he was in the presence about Israel’s prolifc cows. were the same colour.” It’s something I’ve experienced personally on several of loyal, infuential Zionists who treated him with great “After the session ended, some of the women Damelin became a voice for non-violence, occasions, and may well refect the prime minister’s respect, the prime minister was curt, contentious, and journalists in the room were furious, sure that he acted reconciliation, and restorative justice, and attitude not just toward the Jewish press but toward clearly couldn’t wait to be done with us. as he did because I was the moderator,” Eisner wrote. shared her story around the world. When the American Jewry in general. “Ask me your questions.” “I appreciated their support, but male colleagues tell man who killed David was found, “That was It seems ironic, if not baffing, that Netanyahu would A few years later, when I was in Israel, I was granted a me that Netanyahu can be similarly dismissive to them, the test,” she said. “Did I really mean all this be rude to the one group of journalists who are most one-on-one interview with Netanyahu in his Jerusalem too.” stuff about reconciliation and forgiveness?” sympathetic and accommodating. But then he is a man offce. I was ushered in by an aide who announced my How does one explain this behaviour? He said he had killed 10 people – David and of many contradictions, with remarkable skills and ugly name as I sat down in a chair facing the prime minister. I turned to two close colleagues and veteran Bibi nine others – to “free Palestine”, having as traits, towering oratory, and gutter-level charges, and great He wore a leather bomber jacket and was seated at his watchers – journalist and author Yossi Klein Halevi a child seen his uncle die for this cause. He success in protecting Israel from outside threats while desk, reading through a document in front of him. in Jerusalem and Mideast expert David Makovsky in took a path of revenge and was a folk hero. allowing the weakening of Israeli society from within. “Go ahead, ask me your questions,” he said without Washington – and asked why they think Netanyahu Damelin reached out to him, only to receive I have interviewed the prime minister one-on-one in looking up. He was using a yellow outliner pen to mark treats the Jewish media so shabbily. Is it because he a bitter and stinging reply years later. his Jerusalem offce, attended a number of meetings he’s his reading material. doesn’t respect us as journalists? Or because he believes “When you are a victim of any held with the press, and heard him speak many times that diaspora communities are less relevant to Israeli circumstance, don’t remain one. It will hold in the United States (US) and Israel. Perhaps the most politics? Or neither, or both? you back for the rest of your life. I gave up illuminating example of his contradictory behaviour dates “Bibi treats his friends worse than anyone,” Klein my just right to revenge,” Damelin said. back to a visit he made to the US when he frst served as Halevi responded, “which is why, at the end of the day, “Forgiveness is a very personal.” She has prime minister, from 1996 to 1999. he doesn’t have any. He takes them for granted and

found that writing letters to David has given During that visit 25 years ago, Netanyahu’s staff Jewish Media Summit Photo: abuses their trust. That’s why this new government is her solace. scheduled back-to-back sessions for him with two being led, in part, by three of his former closest aides,” Aramin also shared his story. Growing separate groups of journalists in a small conference room Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, and Gideon Saar. up under what he called “this strange at his Manhattan hotel. The frst group consisted of about “The American Jewish media was simply in his occupation”, he began throwing stones at a dozen major media fgures, including the network pocket,” Klein Halevi continued, “or so he assumed, Israeli soldiers when he was 13. He was news anchors of the day and A-list reporters. The second and he could treat them with the special contempt he arrested at 17, and sentenced to seven years. meeting was with the same number of editors of Jewish reserved for those on his side.” He learned Hebrew in prison, “So I could newspapers from across the country. Makovsky believes Netanyahu views the diaspora know my enemy and kill my enemy. Jail gets As editor and publisher of The Jewish Week, I was invited Jewish media in the larger context of his attitude toward you to hate more.” to the second meeting. But thanks to an infuential friend American Jewry – seen as declining dramatically in Then he watched a flm in prison about at the local Israeli consulate, I was allowed to attend the frst relevance. the Holocaust. “The vast majority of us don’t meeting as well, though I was asked to keep a low profle. On a practical level, he noted, diaspora Jews don’t believe it happened, and that the Zionists When Netanyahu walked into the room with the media vote in Israeli elections and so are “less central for his use this ‘great lie’ to justify the occupation.” notables seated around a table, he was warm, friendly, Then Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [Netanyahu’s] purposes to cultivate”. Similarly, the prime He was unexpectedly moved, and went on and upbeat from the outset. He greeted them individually speaks to reporters at a Jewish media summit minister focuses mainly on Israeli media, which he in Jerusalem in 2016 to do a Master’s in the Holocaust at Bradford by name, shaking hands, making small talk as he moved views as either for him or against him, so the diaspora University. gracefully around the room. During the session, he I wasn’t sure how to proceed and waited for him to media is less important. When he started a family after the 1993 handled questions with aplomb, on point, articulate, make eye contact. After a moment, he repeated his The prime minister has told those who meet with Oslo Accords, Aramin realised that 100 years and used colloquial expressions at times – it was easy to request. I waited again – it felt like minutes but was him privately that with the exception of the Orthodox, of armed struggle hadn’t worked, and just forget that he was the leader of a foreign country. He was probably only a few seconds – before proceeding, “American Jews will last another generation or two … wanted a safe, normal life for his children. thoroughly charming. reluctantly, with the interview. due to assimilation and low fertility rates,” Makovsky In 2005, he met Israeli offcers who had About 15 minutes after the meeting, while Netanyahu I don’t remember the details of what transpired, only said. “This has enabled him to discount the liberal refused to serve in the territories. Having was taking a break, my Jewish media colleagues were that I was thrown by Netanyahu’s rudeness, and that the attitudes and voting trends of non-Orthodox American diffcult conversations, they kept meeting. ushered into the room. When we were settled in, the agreed-on 45-minute session ended abruptly when an Jews and not think of the impact of a few of his policies Their group grew to 300 in a year, and prime minister re-entered and immediately sat down at aide came in to announce that the prime minister was on the relationship.” became Combatants for Peace. “When you the head of the table. No schmoozing this time. He was all needed for a pressing matter. It seemed prearranged; In addition, Netanyahu has said in private that as work with your enemy, he becomes your business and began, “OK, ask me your questions.” the prime minister got up and followed him out of the long as he has the support in America of evangelical partner,” Aramin said. A bit taken aback by the abrupt opening, the chair offce without a word or gesture to me. Christians, who vastly outnumber Jews, and the Then on 16 January 2007, an Israeli of our delegation asked if it would be all right for us One more: fve years ago, at a Jewish media Orthodox Jewish community, he’s in good shape. border policeman shot and killed Aramin’s to introduce ourselves briefy, stating our names and conference in Jerusalem I attended with dozens of We’ll know in the coming days the shape of 10-year-old daughter, Abir, outside her professional titles. Netanyahu agreed. When it was my colleagues from the US, Europe, and South America, Netanyahu’s immediate future. But even if the “change” school. turn, the prime minister looked closely at me and said, Netanyahu addressed our group and was ornery from coalition is sworn in, no one who knows Bibi Netanyahu “I joined a bereaved parents’ circle, an “You look familiar.” the outset. His manner was challenging and dismissive, believes he can be counted out. organisation in my worst dream I wouldn’t I said, “I was with the frst group here as well.” interrupting the moderator, the Forward’s Jane Eisner, want to join. The ticket price is very high. You What I wanted to add was, “I saw how engaging and and suggesting alternative topics. At one point, he • Gary Rosenblatt was editor and publisher of “The never fully heal.” Aramin was disappointed at friendly you can be if you want to make the effort. What’s evaded a question about his government’s relations Jewish Week” from 1993 to 2019. the lack of regret by the man who killed his VISIT US AT: THE SOUTH AFRICAN GOLD COIN EXCHANGE HEAD OFFICE  4TH FLOOR, ATRIUM ON 5TH, SANDTON, JHB · BROOKLYN MALL · SANDTON CITY WALMER PARK · EASTGATE · SOMERSET WEST · GATEWAY · MALL OF THE NORTH LIBERTY MIDLANDS MALL · PAVILION MALL · CANAL WALK · V&A WATERFRONT

VISIT US IN STORE OR ONLINE OR CALL US TO FIND OUT MORE · 011 784 8551 · SCOINSHOP.COM · T’S & C’S APPLY 10 SA JEWISH REPORT Youth Day 17 – 24 June 2021 Snapshots of youth

MIRAH LANGER

To commemorate Youth Day, the SA Jewish Report asked some of South Africa’s most illustrious photographers to share a photograph that they felt evoked something of youth, either past or present, within our land. They reflected on their choices.

Paul Weinberg, Dancers, 1995 I took this photograph of two Zimbabwean dancers while on an assignment for a cultural magazine called Du in 1995. It was a dance production with a group of street performers. A feeting moment of connection between two people, whose Alon Cohen, Kids of the Street, Oaklands, Johannesburg, 2016 parents had been engaged This photograph of four young men that live together in a community on the streets of Oaklands, in a confictual past, but Johannesburg, represents a massive segment of the youth that we sadly haven’t managed to cater now were kinetically and for in this country. These guys are well meaning, lost people that come each from their own unique, intimately bonded through dysfunctional background where they felt they could no longer stay because to live amongst their this performance. Images families was more torturous than living on the streets. provoke arresting questions. I just know that given a healthy place to live and a basic purpose to fulfl every day, many of these That was 25 years ago. The youth could bring value to their lives as well as the country as a collective. Yet, in spite of everything, two youths then are now they’re still able to look at each other and have a laugh. So human, just like any one of us. middle aged. So much has happened in Zimbabwe since this period, as in this country. What happened to these two Jodi Bieber, Soweto Country Club, Soweto, 2007 people, where are they now, Through all my travels in South Africa and around the globe photographing different communities, how did life play out for them? my experience reveals that children the world over, often living in environments with few This image also provokes an opportunities, show resilience and creativity with very little. I fantasised that one day, I would important meditation for me. become a talent scout for those children that shone in order for them to live out their dream. A moment of synthesis that speaks back as well as to the future. How diffcult is it really to suspend prejudice and polarity to fnd our common humanity and human potential? Why do we struggle to learn this over generations? This image, buried deep in my archive, has come back to life. It’s a touchstone for a more humane and loving world, as relevant now as it was then.

Eric Miller, Poverty, the Third Pandemic, Ingwavuma district, KwaZulu-Natal, 2002 In the middle of this pandemic, the consequences on the poorest and most vulnerable are exacerbated by the poverty and circumstances within their communities. My work as a documentary photographer in this country stretches back several decades, and includes the documentation of a previous pandemic, HIV/Aids. Ingwavuma district, KwaZulu- Natal, was at the epicentre of the HIV/Aids pandemic, with an infection rate generally greater than 30%. The photograph shows the three oldest of fve sisters orphaned after their parents died of Aids-related illness. Four of the girls attended school, the ffth taking care of her own two- SAVOY PHARMACY PERCELIA PHARMACY month-old baby at home. The girls, aged then between eight and 19, were left to care for themselves, collecting MONDAY – FRIDAY MONDAY – THURSDAY water from a nearby stream for cooking, washing, and so 8:30am – 7:00pm 8:30am – 6:00pm on. They were reliant on assistance, receiving food provided SATURDAY FRIDAY by a local community organisation which survived on 9:00am – 2:00pm 8:30am – 4:30pm donations from well-wishers. During the current pandemic, SUNDAY & PUBLIC SATURDAY: CLOSED my thoughts often turn to them and the many similarly orphaned children left to fend for themselves or in the care HOLIDAYS SUNDAY of elderly grandparents who during this pandemic have 9:00am – 1:00pm 9:00am – 1:00pm been most vulnerable in the face of rampant COVID-19 % (011) 885-1200/1 % (011) 640-4321/31 infection, often relying on government grants as their only income for survival. [email protected] [email protected] 17 – 24 June 2021 Youth Day SA JEWISH REPORT 11

Ilan Ossendryver, Tyre Race – Kliptown, Soweto, 2019 Kliptown is an area in which everyone has been forgotten, yet it’s quite an amazing place. I’ve been working with the community there for many years. I selected the photograph because of the creativity with which children create toys and games. They have parents that care, their parents will fght for everything, but the government doesn’t care. The photograph shows the creativity of the children, but also the failure of government to really help people. They live in really terrible conditions: no running water, no toilets, and no electricity. I do outreach programmes and we hold a tyre race where they get prizes. Eventually, I give everyone prizes, but frst I want them to learn to keep trying better next time. In their expressions, you can see the absolute determination to win, and the community watching them. One of the men watching is actually one of the best drummers in South Africa, and even played at a Lag B’Omer celebration at a shul in Johannesburg.

Marc Shoul, Jané, Sydenham, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 1999 I took this photograph in my early 20s before I became a father. When I Iook at this image, I see the gentleman in the background, and I can sort of relate to the feelings in a way. I shot this in a house that I would frequent from time to time when I was in Port Elizabeth. This was when I was completing a body of work called Beyond Walmer where I was concentrating on the lower- income white group, post-1994. The little girl’s expression is just priceless. The man on the very right hand side, to my knowledge, is her father; the guy holding her is a mother’s new young boyfriend or husband at the time. It would be amazing to go back to that house and see where all these people are now. Perhaps I will. It’s an image that has contrasts, and hopefully, it has some sort of hope for the future, not only doom and gloom, but the reality is that there is a long, winding road ahead.

Ilan Godfrey, Swimming in the ‘Long Sea’, Diamanthoogte, Koffefontein, , 2013 I came across these kids swimming while travelling across South Africa to various mining towns for my book titled Legacy of the Mine. Daily life in and around these mining towns was an important component of this project, and this scene really emphasised how this legacy is engrained on our landscape. The pure joy, spontaneity, and youthfulness of the children, and their ability to fnd the most imaginative of spaces to play, really epitomises Youth Day for me. The suburb of Diamanthoogte (Diamond Heights) is home to a predominantly coloured community that lives on the outskirts of the diamond-mining town of Koffefontein in Free State province. During the summer months, children enjoy swimming in the canals, which they refer to as the ‘Long Sea’. The canals carry the overfow of water through the town from Kalkfontein Dam and the mine dam to outlying farms. Koffefontein became a stopover point for transport riders travelling between the diamond felds in the south and gold mines to the north during the 1800s. After diamonds were discovered here, Koffefontein developed into a mining town. The town has a signifcant military history. It was seized by the British during the South African (Anglo- Boer) War, and was later used as a detention camp in World War II. Among the internees was John Vorster, who later became prime minister and president of South Africa. The mine has been closed several times over the years, but continues to recover some of the most valuable diamonds in the world. 12 SA JEWISH REPORT 17 – 24 June 2021 On cantors and choirs: sifting through the soundtrack of SA Jewry MIRAH LANGER even further while keeping the art form alive Then, recalls Lurie, he immediately turned Lurie details how one chazzan of the Oxford experimentation become, Harris even joked and thriving. to the next task at hand asking, “Now how do Shul in the 1970s was in fact a Holocaust in his memoir that he had not known that istory books may detail the facts, but The interweaving of the everchanging you take your whiskey, because if you want survivor who was taken, along with Andrew Lloyd Webber composed music for it’s through the notes and melodies South Africa context and this centuries-old water with it, you’ll have to fnd some other thousands of others, to the shooting pits. “He the synagogue. of Jewish liturgical music that the Jewish tradition is illustrated by a delightful place.” Then he turned to Evelyn, joking “and lifted his arms and pleaded with the offcer in From this heyday of excitement and Hemotional story of the Jews of South Africa anecdote involving a cross-over choir, a bottle you are too young for this, you can have a charge to let him sing a prayer for his people. innovative energy, the current status quo can be heard. Now, two affcionados on the of whiskey, and a compulsory invitation to the cooldrink”. They let him sing, and they pulled him out.” is more concerning, say Lurie and Green. subject have begun the mammoth task of home of the late Chief Indeed, as Europe struggled While South Africa certainly boasts superb collating the tales of cantors and choirs on Rabbi Cyril Harris. in disarray in the aftermath of local home-grown talent in the feld, there the tip of Africa, detailing its rich legacy and As South Africa commenced the devastation, South Africa appears little community support for these hopes for the future. its democracy, “within this was seen as an attractive option efforts in terms of sponsorships. Moreover, “Chazzanut [cantorial music] is a unique political scenario, the choir for chazzans to come and work. say Lurie and Green, there isn’t suffcient Jewish creation. The chazzan [cantor] is embarked on an outreach “South Africa was a springboard. effort in Jewish education to promote musical described as a chacham lev – he who has programme and on occasions, Sachs Trevor Photo: The cantors would come and appreciation and practice. the wisdom of the heart,” says Evelyn Green, combined with one of the stay for four or fve years and Most chazzans are able to practice their who along with Professor Russel Lurie, has country’s best black choirs, move on,” says Lurie. art only in a part-time capacity as they must dedicated herself to the preservation and Imilonji KaNtu Choral Society,” The Johannesburg Jewish Male Choir Some of the most acclaimed fnd other employment to make ends meet. practice of Jewish liturgical music in South says Green. cantors in the world spent time In addition, in South Africa, the shtibl shul Africa. After all, she refects, “What are the However, Imilonji KaNtu is made up of At the end of the evening, he told Lurie in South Africa. A special story is told across set-up, whereby there is no chazzan or choir Jewish people without their music?” male and female singers, and this doesn’t and Green, “Anne [Harris’s wife] and I will be three generations of the Alter family, starting at services, is the increasingly popular choice, Green and Lurie have been stalwarts of the comply with Jewish Orthodox tradition. at the concert. Leave the rabbinate to me, but with Israel Alter who was born in the , particularly of younger generations. Johannesburg Jewish Male Choir (JJMC), Nevertheless, in 2000, in the spirit of the don’t ever do it again.” and studied in Vienna and Hanover, before It’s all the more pity, say Green and Lurie, Green since its inception in 1985, and Lurie, times, the JJMC felt the collaboration had Green remembers opening night. “It was arriving in South Africa in 1936, feeing Nazi because their own lives are testament to an acclaimed maxillofacial and oral surgeon, such deep meaning, performing together at the Linder Auditorium, which was totally rule. He went on to serve for 25 years at what richness an immersion in the music has since 1987. Green, who is also renowned could be justifed. packed except for two empty seats. We waited the Great Synagogue in Johannesburg. His brought. “There is no end to it, and it is so for her work as a Unisa (University of South “A few days before our concert,” says Lurie, for fve and then ten minutes before deciding son, Elazer Alter, followed in his footsteps at beautiful,” says Lurie. Africa) music examiner and private music “my secretary [of his medical practice] came that we had better start, and as I walked onto various shuls in Johannesburg and today, Green recalls the poignancy of experiences and singing teacher, is the choir’s musical into the offce and said Chief Rabbi Harris was stage, they arrived.” Harris remained a keen Israel’s grandson, Avron, serves as the cantor like when the choir was invited to the frst director, secretary, and repetiteur (singing on the phone and wanted to speak to me. In fan of the JJMC for the rest of his life, hosting at Sandton Synagogue. International Louis Lewandowski Choral coach). For the past 25 years, Lurie has served his broad, Scottish accent, he said, ‘Russel, them for a lunch every year. “He was the In the 1980s, visits by icons of liturgical Festival in Berlin in December 2011. At one as its chairperson. Most recently, they have I want you at my home at 18:00, and bring most wonderful man and supporter,” refects music like Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach and point, the choir was taken to the cemetery of begun collating and researching the history Evelyn as well.’ Green. cantor Sol Zim, as well as the infuence of Lewandowski, one of the greatest composers of the cantorial and Jewish liturgical musical “We walked in, and the tension was there. Jewish liturgical music was frst carried to cantor Ari Klein, resulted in experimentation of Jewish music. It was pouring with rain and tradition in this country – the frst such project We sat down, and he brought out a tray South African shores by immigrants feeing in a new direction. Classical chazzanut was freezing cold, yet the choir sang in his honour of its kind. with whiskey. He said, ‘We have a problem: pogroms and unrest in Eastern Europe. The blended with Hasidic and even contemporary by his grave. When they visited the Holocaust Last month, they presented a set of Russel, Evelyn, you are against halacha. You songs they carried with them were pop and folk music. Klein “introduced a memorial in the city, they too chose song to webinars under the auspices of the Cantors’ know that men and women cannot sing anthems to love, loss, and resilience. light-hearted approach to services and his express themselves. Assembly in America. They also spoke to the together, but I want to congratulate the two After World War II, South Africa became a rendition of foot-tapping music had his Lurie says it was an act of the most sacred SA Jewish Report about their extensive work of you because you have made a stride in the safe haven for refugees who brought both congregation in awe,” recalls Green. affrmation. “It showed, ‘Look we are here. together and their determination to take it building of a rainbow nation.’” Ashkenazi and Sephardi music traditions. So popular did this trend of contemporary Not only are we here – we are singing!’”

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TLG8062 © 2019 BDO South Africa Services (Pty) Ltd. Applications can be sent to [email protected] 17 – 24 June 2021 SA JEWISH REPORT 13 The hidden, humbling history of the Litvaks Kęstutis Pikūnas put together a beautiful coffee table book called ‘Passport – The Litvaks’ about the Jews of Lithuania. Being Lithuanian and having grown up there, he knew nothing about Litvaks beforehand. The SA Jewish Report asked him about his experience. How did this project come about, and do you have how this could have happened. talk, without a set list of questions or any further a Litvak background? Just standing there next to a pit, or commitments. I’m happy that Sachs kindly agreed to When I frst started writing these Passports, my simply looking into a person’s eyes our talk being transcribed, edited, and published. He goal was to present Lithuania in an annual English who witnessed the atrocities without embodies everything that this publication is about. I publication for a foreign audience. saying a word, these silent moments could go on and on about the reasons why Albie is on Being Lithuanian and having lived abroad for many speak volumes to me. the cover, but I believe that G-d is in the details. And I years, I wanted to tell the story of Lithuania through have to say that Steve Gordon, a dear friend of Albie, its people from the best possible angle. This ambition Was there anything uplifting and took fantastic photographs. came from bitter personal experience and the fact that inspiring in the process? many people identifed me as a foreigner who came The courage of those who stayed true On completion of this book, what have you learnt from a culturally and economically poor country. It to human values. Those who resisted, about the Litvaks? triggered a sense of inferiority and frustration, leading and risked their own lives to save An awful lot! I quote Meryl Frank, a Litvak from the me to try to prove everyone wrong. their neighbours or even a stranger. United States, whom I also interviewed: “The worst Little did I know that as I interviewed luminaries, Their stories and testimonies will thing a person can do to another is to ignore them, to I learnt humbling life lessons. I realised how little I Professor Irena Veisaité and Kestutis Pikunas stay with me for the rest of my life. Of fail to see them, and erase them from history. I have knew about the history of my homeland and how course, becoming friends with those seen a change in Lithuania over the 15 years I’ve been selective and superfcial my approach was. This was the Another important detail which is important to who contributed and those whom I interviewed for visiting the city of Vilnius [Vilna]. I believe that with the beginning of my journey. mention is that I didn’t have to do this book, I chose to this publication is another rewarding experience. passage of time and the recognition of history, there is a I don’t have a Litvak background and when I do it. It was never my intention to invent something possibility for building bridges.” I honestly believe that started the project, I didn’t plan to dedicate one whole new, quite the opposite. I wanted to feel it, discover it, What were your impressions of the South African there is no better time than now to reach out for each publication to the Litvaks. This was because I knew and “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes”. And I don’t Litvaks you spoke to? other’s hand. The truth has the power to liberate. very little (or close to nothing) about Litvak culture, regret a single minute of it. I only had the chance to heritage, and history. interview Robbie Brozin, I was born at the time when Lithuania was still What were the stories/anecdotes that stood out for who later introduced me to under the Soviet regime, so we didn’t learn about it at you and why? Justice Albie Sachs. Each of school, nor did my parents talk about it at home. It would be hard to pick out one story that stood out their stories are unique and When I was compiling the second volume, I met the most while compiling this publication as they all valuable. I have to admit that Professor Irena Veisaitė, who are personal and delicate. Probably the reaction of even in my wildest dreams, I was among the few Jewish my peers surprised me most as I was keen wouldn’t have thought that I survivors of the Holocaust in to learn what my family and would ever have the chance Lithuania. Meeting her friends knew about not only to interview them, was an eye-opener. Lithuanian Jews but make friends with them. Hearing her and the history of This is very important. I keep extraordinary Lithuanian Jewry. in touch with them and our story of To this day, friendship is dear to me. survival and there are courage, so many How did you deal with the I was left ridiculous South African aspect of the book? What would you want those who read your book to with countless superstitions, The story of South African Jews is unique. Not many learn or understand? unsettling questions. myths, and people know that more than 90% of the Jews in This is probably the hardest questions of all, because How come I had only learnt twisted narratives South Africa came from Lithuania. Right before while compiling this book, I was often asked questions about this now? Why was my about the Jews. I the pandemic, I was planning to go to South Africa like: “Why is this important?”; “Why should I care about perception so superfcial for so many years? simply don’t get it. As for together with the photographer and spend some time the past?”; “Why do you care?” and so on and so forth. Where does this disinterest and denial come from? anecdotes, there aren’t that there documenting. As strong and insightful as Albie I think there’s no right answer to this question. I truly This initial conversation led to a dear friendship many, and they are far from and Robbie’s interviews are, I believe it’s just the tip hope that the reader will take away a sense of empathy and further discoveries. After interviewing her for the funny. of the iceberg. I hope that in the near future it will be and compassion. second volume, which also features an interview with possible to travel again and continue what has been South African cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro (known as What were the most emotionally tough parts to started. Why do you believe this is an important book, and Zapiro) and Litvak businessman Eli Broad, it was clear deal with? who is it important for? to me that the third volume would be dedicated to the Quite a few. Being at murder sites and talking to What was the reason for putting Sachs on the The book is relevant to everyone, and it’s especially Litvaks. Holocaust survivors about their experiences moved cover? important for us ethnic Lithuanians, Lithuanian Jews, me immensely. It would be impossible to describe Our frst conversation lasted for maybe more than and Litvaks. It’s a genuine invitation to review and, What did you expect to learn from the project? that feeling in words as it’s utterly incomprehensible three hours and prior to that, we simply agreed to hopefully, renew the relationship. I had way more questions than answers. As I learnt more, I felt a deep sense of shame about the massacres and local collaborators. To this day, I fnd it hard to comprehend how, in this modern day and age, we still choose to turn a blind eye to the uncomfortable truth, trying to forget rather than talk openly about it. It always puzzled me. We all know that Jews lived in Lithuania for hundreds of years. They created, built, and loved together. There are plenty of signs all across Lithuania of that. But I understand that realisation comes gradually. This is what this experience has taught me.

What were you trying to achieve and why? I wanted to induce empathy and honest dialogue. I believe storytelling is a powerful tool, and it can work miracles if it captures the reader’s attention on a personal level. I’m happy that I had an opportunity to record and perpetuate what I consider an inseparable part of Lithuanian history. A friend of mine (I had no idea he was Jewish), whom I interviewed, said, “History is made up of facts, but treating these facts selectively, choosing what feels acceptable and familiar but ignoring anything that may be unpleasant, is foolish. This road leads to nowhere, and often results in hostility.” I believe that knowing history through its dry facts and fgures is one thing, but being able to understand the events and reasons why and how it all happened is another. 14 SA JEWISH REPORT 17 – 24 June 2021 A column of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies A column of ORT South Africa COVID 19 – the battle continues ORT Jet – helping small Jewish ith the third wave of COVID-19 as a whole being denigrated and defamed. Such infections well and truly upon us, was the case with an interview programme on businesses and changing people’s lives the South African Jewish Board Power FM broadcast during the recent Gaza ORT Jet was founded by directing them to the Gesher Fund and ofW Deputies (SAJBD) last week convened a conflict, in which several callers were allowed to by key stakeholders providing them with information to stay afoat. national COVID-19 call with medical experts make a range of malevolent comments on the in the community “My mentor is incredible. I’ve sat with him and representatives of major communal bodies theme of global Jewish domination (including in 2005 to support twice already in the past week, and I feel like from around the country. Discussion centred on explicitly invoking the notorious Protocols of Jewish businesses, I have another partner in the business. He’s the handling of schools, shuls, and communal the Elders of Zion) without at any point being and since then, the deeply interested in what we do, and assists functions. While we will challenged by the host. shift in the business with things like management strategy, continue to do all that we Our initial approach world has been auditors, legal matters, even networking, says can at the collective level to to the station was to startling. Over the ORT Jet beneficiary Darryl Epstein. guide our community at this request that someone who years, ORT Jet has “We recently ran our fifth business worrying time, we reiterate could respond to these worked with a large induction for the year. We attracted a variety the crucial need for every ABOVE BOARD stereotypically antisemitic Helene Itzkin network of mentors, of businesses, start-ups, and people with individual to take personal Shaun Zagnoev canards appear on the facilitators, and staff to assist businesses wonderful business ideas. Today, one needs responsibility by strictly same show, and in that in need in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and to look at what the world needs and adapt observing all COVID-19-related protocols and regard, we offered to facilitate an interview with Durban. accordingly. Change brings opportunities, and thereby minimising risk to themselves and those a suitable overseas expert. “ORT Jet attracts Jewish business people those with creative and open mind-sets will around them. In spite of being offered a reasonable, who need help to grow existing businesses. thrive,” says ORT Jet HOD Helene Itzkin. Last week, COVID-19 deprived our community non-confrontational way of addressing the Others are struggling to make their businesses The ORT Jet impact on the community is of another of its most distinguished and devoted problem it had caused, Power FM chose to profitable, and need a combination of training evident. Through its webinars, people are leaders, Victor Gordon. One of the guiding lights drag its heels as well as to try to impose and mentorship to help solve issues. ORT Jet trained from all over the world. For extra value of Pretoria Jewry and a man of many talents, objectionable conditions on the manner in also receives many entrepreneurs wanting to add, participants receive useful resources after Gordon served South African Jewry in a range which the interview would be conducted. Te take a business idea further. The invaluable each webinar and the opportunity to engage of capacities. Among other positions, he was conciliatory approach having failed, the SAJBD mentorship, training, and resources they with the speakers. “The Canva webinar with president of the SAJBD Pretoria council for then decided to escalate the matter by taking receive has been paramount to the success of Mike Said was absolutely fabulous,” says eight years, in which capacity he also sat on the it to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission thousands of businesses over the years,” says training participant Debby Bear. “Thank you to SAJBD national executive council. He was also of South Africa (BCCSA). In our letter of ORT SA Chief Executive Ariellah Rosenberg. ORT Jet for giving us opportunities.” an invaluable member of the Zionist Federation complaint, we explained the fundamentally ORT Jet has three sets of specialised panels ORT Jet continuously collaborates with media team, where his considerable writing skills racist and defamatory nature of what had been consisting of experienced business mentors. industry experts to keep the training relevant were put to excellent use in the many articles and said on the show, as well as stressing the signal The first is business’ first “port of call” where and packed with skills. letters in defence of Israel that appeared over failure of the host to contradict it. (Indeed, the state of the business is analysed. Every To access the ORT Jet training calendar, more than a decade. We extend our sincerest the latter’s response when being challenged by three to six months, the catch-up panel visit the ORT Jet website at www.ortjet.org. condolences to our Pretoria colleagues and in another caller on a later show was to deny that assesses its progress, and allocates a new za. All webinar recordings are available particular to the Gordon family during this very anything wrong had been said.) Te BCCSA mentor if necessary. During the business’ on the JETflix YouTube channel. Subscribe sad time. has acknowledged receipt of our complaint, journey with ORT Jet, it may meet the creative at https://www.youtube.com/channel/ and advised that it will revert as soon as it has thinking panel, which will shift thinking UCgK1Y634pfTfquMrNd5SjQw Calling antisemites to account received Power FM’s response. and help the business to look at the world To join the ORT Jet programme, email Unreflecting bias against Israel is problematic differently. [email protected]. The next induction for in and of itself, but it brings with it the added • Listen to Charisse Zeifert on Jewish Board Talk, An extra panel was formed during the global new sign-ups will be held on 30 June from risk of such rhetoric crossing the line into Jews 101.9 ChaiFM, every Friday from 12:00 to 13:00. pandemic called the business rescue panel. It 14:00 to 15:00 on Zoom. Follow ORT Jet on Tis column is paid for by the SA Jewish Board of Deputies gave advice to businesses in fnancial distress Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Letters

NONE OF US ARE ANGELS, BUT CONDEMNATION OF ISRAEL IS TRULY SICK WHY SEEK CITIZENSHIP OF MURDEROUS LITHUANIA? “Most of our ancestors were forced to flee collaborators. (Yemach s’hmom v’zichron – I’m appalled by prominent members of our that they are fresh situations. Lithuania in terrible circumstances, and may their name and memory be obliterated.) government, even one of our own – Ronnie Kasrils – None of us are angels who never sin. But can anyone restoring our citizenship will go a long way to No, Mr Krengel, no amount of time will who has the gall to speak out against Israel, Zionism, truly believe that no action should be taken against address the wrongs of the past.” I find these “restore the wrongs of the past”. and the Jews for what happened recently in Gaza, 4 000 rockets fired at a country indiscriminately? Does words by the national vice-president of the The most tragic event in Jewish history – the even to the extent of mentioning a Jewish policeman any other army in the world advise the perpetrators South African Jewish Board of Deputies to be Holocaust – has taught the Jewish people that or soldier with his knee on a dead Palestinian child. that they should evacuate because they don’t want to shameful and incomprehensible. To claim, it’s forbidden for us to derive any benefit from This isn’t the way Jews behave. We are very conscious hurt or kill innocent people when they retaliate? as Zev Krengel does, that ex-Lithuanian Jews countries that persecuted our people. (Hilchot of our Judaism and families, and kindness is in our Well, Israel does. have an ancestral right to citizenship is an Sanhedrin 15:9). How can any Jew with pure genetic make-up. In conclusion, Israel isn’t fghting Gazans, it’s fghting insult to the G-d of Israel. The only country to emotions associate with these places, much The photo I’m referring to was taken years ago, in a Hamas. The people who run Gaza are Hamas, not the which any Jew has an ancestral right is the less seek citizenship? completely foreign country, and it incites hate where it Palestinians. They made the fatal mistake of allowing land of Israel. With all due respect to Krengel and doesn’t belong. Hamas to run their country. It uses them as shields and When the Nazis marched into Lithuania all those who seek citizenship of these Sick people have caused anxiety and fear during the doesn’t give a damn about their safety or well-being. in 1941, the government and people (with murderous countries, may I humbly suggest pandemic by publishing pictures of COVID-19-related So, wake up South Africa, and all who condemn Israel a handful of exceptions) didn’t lift a finger that you rather seek citizenship in your one crimes and other lies on Facebook and WhatsApp, and for defending its citizens – you would do the same! as Jews in more than 200 shtetls were and only true ancestral homeland – the by publishing old photos and leading us to believe – Joe Marx, Johannesburg humiliated, tortured, and ultimately murdered land of Israel. Seeking citizenship anywhere by Lithuanian collaborators. Which Jew but Israel, after 2 000 years of bitter exile, “CLEARLY YOU’RE A ZIONIST, GOING AROUND DEMANDING SHIT” with pure emotions would now wish to seek is scorning G-d’s most precious gift to His I’m so sad that I came across this terrible article (“Professor of propaganda” by Howard Sackstein, SA Jewish Report, citizenship of that country, or any European people. 3 June 2021). country which willingly aided and abetted Further, I believe that to fulfil the First, I’m a Wits-trained doctor, and I admire doctors like Professor Shabir Moosa who are able to step outside their Nazi murderers? commandment of “may their name and comfort zones and challenge the minds and beliefs of their younger doctors. South Africa needs more doctors that stand The yizkor (remembrance) prayer that memory be obliterated”, no Jew should ever up for what’s right. Israel is an apartheid state. Please stop denying it! You’re basically killing Arabs and jailing innocent Jews recite in synagogues four times a year set foot in or associate with these countries kids. You have no humanity as a Zionist. includes one for martyrs: “May G-d remember in any way. It’s with dismay that one sees Second, he posted his article on this group, and that made interns feel uncomfortable! Oh please, grow up! It’s a the souls of the holy and pure ones who were influential Orthodox groups spending money bunch of white men trying to bully us into acting in a way suitable for them. Imagine, a bunch of privileged white men murdered, gassed, burned, strangled for on resurrecting Judaism in these murderous felt uncomfortable for the frst time in their life! the sanctification of the name through the countries instead of obliterating their names. Third, screw the author! That he thinks he has any authority to report and demand “action”. Who do you think you are? hands of the German oppressors and their – Choni Davidowitz, Johannesburg Clearly, you’re a Zionist. Going around demanding shit. When you deserve nothing. – Anonymous doctor Kia Sonet Begin your SUV life.

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16 SA JEWISH REPORT 17 – 24 June 2021 Like Zurich – without the chocolates ne of the vivid memories that I have about the period in my life spent on planes was taking Ooff from Zurich Airport on the way to Munich early one November morning. It was a dark, cold, and wet morning. No INNER VOICE one looked happy, and very few seemed Howard Feldman filled with the joy of living, which might have been expected considering that it walking on Shabbat. After he asked me how was Switzerland, where a smile is no one’s I was, he gave me his theory as to why it’s resting face. It was so dank that when we particularly bad at the moment. He said boarded the flight, it was impossible to that bad things have always happened. tell if the water on the window was rain or People have always died before their time, cloud moisture. and things have always gone wrong. But As we began to taxi, the captain welcomed normally, there is more balance. After a us on board and gave us some details about difficult week, we can get together with the short flight. The weather in Munich was friends, have a drink and laugh. Now it feels apparently much the same, but the flying like all that we have are funerals. I wanted KDVP pupil’s family story trumps English speaking world conditions would be good. Because, as he to disagree with him. I wanted to tell him aniel Segal, a pupil at King David Victory Park Primary, Daniel Segal explained, “it’s a beautiful day a few metres how blessed we are as a community, how was proclaimed the winner of the English speaking up”. Shortly after, we took off and he was fortunate we are to have all that we have countries category of the My Family Story contest at the right. It took seconds for the cabin to fill in this country, and how wonderful South Dinternational awards ceremony held on 9 June. with sunshine. Suddenly everything looked Africans are. I wouldn’t have been wrong. My Family Story gives students and their families the colourful and bright, and I’m certain that But to say it would have been empty. opportunity to learn about their family history and create a sense even some of the Swiss might have smiled. It also doesn’t help to repeat that it’s of belonging between their family and Jewish people all over the On the ground, in the grey and the dark, “darkest before the dawn”, that “this too world. it would have been impossible to imagine shall pass”, and that there is “light at the This year, participants were divided into four categories: Israel, what a magnificent day awaited us. end of the tunnel”. And that “every cloud English speaking countries, Spanish speaking countries, and This week, South Africa felt like Zurich. has a silver lining”. All might be true, but Russian speaking and European countries. Without the chocolates, banks, the Alps, none are helpful. and electricity. And water. And watches. What helps me at a time like this is to Getting to heart of And trams, and snow. It was similar in that find a role to play. We each have a “job”, and it felt dark and grey, and it was impossible a way that we can assist in helping others activism at KDL to know what was causing the water on get through this time. Purpose is a life rade 7s at King David the windows. Was it COVID-19 or the saver. And it has saved my life even before Linksfeld Senior infrastructure failure or vaccine delay? it helped others. It also helps me to think of Primary School have Was it the fact that we can’t socialise and that November morning in Zurich when it Gbeen learning about activism that we don’t laugh nearly as much as we was hard to imagine the sunshine. Until we and protest art. They collaborated need to, or that it’s hard to imagine the sun took off and within seconds, we saw what and created artworks in different shining again. a magnificent day was waiting for us. Just mediums, each one portraying a Mecah Ash and Tali Celgow display I bumped into a friend when I was where we couldn’t see it. cause close to their hearts. their protest art

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