Adriaan Boshof, Still Life With Yellow Daisies, oil on canvas mounted on board 9ct gold fob chain SOLD R38,000 SOLD R24,000 Art, antiques, objets d’art, furniture, and jewellery wanted Vintage early 20th century for forthcoming auctions “the Hatherley Patent Lattistep” 4-step wooden ladder, For more information 083 675 8468 • [email protected] with cast iron maker’s label www.rkauctioneers.co.za • 12 Allan Road, Bordeaux, Johannesburg SOLD R34,000

south african n Volume 24 – Number 14 n 8 May 2020 n 14 Iyar 5780

The source of quality content, news and insights t www.sajr.co.za Gesher Fund – a lifeline for Jewish businesses TALI FEINBERG “Our capacity to do so, by supporting Marco van Embden (founder and of this fund, it’s all hands on deck. of how these relief funds can have viable businesses and all those who chief executive of Timeless Africa We are a blessed community – we are a positive impact on wider South hen Chief Rabbi Dr depend on them while they are Safaris), and Mandy Yachad (previous always looking out for each other. It’s African society,” he says. Warren Goldstein saw the suffering unprecedented challenges, director of Peregrine Holdings and a unique, and it’s been a real eye-opener Te fund is an independent, devastation wrought by is deeply moving.” Rambam Trust representative). Most to see the talent that we have and the national entity that will draw on theW coronavirus lockdown on South Additional funding from like- have held long-term senior leadership people that have thrown their hats in the operational and administrative African Jewish businesses, he decided minded philanthropists and positions in the community. the ring to help.” infrastructure and expertise of the to do something to help. foundations is being sourced. Te Board member Jessica Spira says He estimates that there are at Chevrah Kadisha in order to quickly Working closely with community other donors prefer to remain she heeded the call to join the board least 200 to 300 Jewish-owned and effectively assist qualifying organisations and business leaders, anonymous, and are all philanthropic of the new fund because she has seen companies badly affected by the businesses across South Africa. he conceptualised a relief fund that South African Jewish families seeking through her work how severely small crisis. “How badly, we don’t yet It’s mandated to lend to majority- will offer interest-free loans to small to make a meaningful impact on the and medium-sized businesses have know. Being in business, I gather Jewish-owned small businesses that businesses in the community that are Jewish and wider community. been affected by the crisis. that it could be pretty serious, but were intrinsically healthy prior to battling to survive. Te chairperson of the fund is “Tere is major hardship out we’ll get through it.” the crisis, but which are now facing Te Gesher Small Business Relief Martin Sacks, the chief executive of there. Just because one isn’t below “By safeguarding businesses during financial hardship, and are likely to Fund is now being launched to assist Westbrooke Group, and a member the poverty line doesn’t mean one this period, we can preserve jobs for recover after the crisis once they get majority-Jewish-owned small-to- of the Chevrah Kadisha Board of isn’t struggling or desperate. Tis all South Africans and further our back on their feet. medium-sized businesses in South Governors. disease is non-discriminatory. It’s long-term mission of supporting the “Tis is about combating an Africa. It will endeavour to safeguard “We understand this is the affecting everyone, clearly the Jewish broader Jewish community,” says immediate cashflow crisis and helping businesses, protect stakeholders, and largest amount of capital ever made community as well. Tose that are Sacks. “We hope to keep as many to fund their operating and working preserve jobs while enhancing the available to the South African Jewish able to contribute must do so.” people as possible from needing capital requirements until their stability of the Jewish community community in a business-support Fellow Gesher board member welfare, and enable them to continue normal, pre-COVID-19 operating during this challenging period. loan scheme,” Sacks says. While the Lawrie Brozin says, “We’ve got a to be productive members of the levels begin to return,” says Sacks. “Gesher means ‘bridge’ in Hebrew. fund’s donors and board have chosen crisis, and if I can help in any way to community, operate their businesses, “We have co-opted a group of 30 Te aim is to help members of the not to disclose the amount, it’s alleviate it, it’s an honour. It’s a call and support their staff and other business people, bankers, and legal community get to the other side of believed to be in the tens of millions. to duty, and with the establishment stakeholders. Our donors are mindful advisors to work with us in assessing these ‘troubled waters’, and land on His fellow board members are the applications. All applications will their own two feet,” says the chief Anthony Brittan (partner at Family be treated in the strictest confidence.” rabbi. Partners LLP), Lawrie Brozin Taking to the streets Any South African Jewish Te fund was established with (director Nando’s Group Holdings majority-owned SMMEs will be generous commitments from the and Paycorp Investments), Mireille eligible to apply for a loan. “We Donald Gordon Foundation (DGF) Levenstein (chief financial officer know that not only SMMEs have and other founding donors. Long4Life), Sean Melnick (founder been impacted by COVID-19, “In keeping with our father’s life- and chairperson of Peregrine Group but bigger businesses may have long philanthropic tradition and and chairperson of Stenham), Adam elsewhere to turn. We are a last- his commitment to the Jewish and Orlin (head of Investec for Business), resort lender, and advise applicants business communities, my brothers Leonard Sank (chairperson Bradbury Ilan Ossendryver Photo: to consider their eligibility for the and I are humbled to be able to Finance), Jessica Spira (business government led loan-guarantee continue his legacy through his development director Rand Merchant scheme, which may be able to offer charitable foundation,” says Wendy Bank), Ronnie Stein (non-executive them loans on more appropriate Appelbaum, representing the DGF. director of Te Foschini Group), terms and size before applying to After five weeks of being holed up in their home, an early morning walk us,” Sacks says. As of this week, the SA Jewish Report may publish additional stories in its online newspaper. Check sajr.co.za for more to read. is a breath of fresh air for the Lyons family of Melrose North. Continued on page 12>>

2 SA JEWISH REPORT 8 – 15 May 2020 Shabbat times this week Elderly resident dies of COVID-19 in Cape Town aged home Starts Ends JORDAN MOSHE cases of the disease. As of 14:00, Highland House Sidney Lazarus, the president of the Beth Shalom 17:15 18:05 Johannesburg had recorded five confirmed cases of COVID-19. A Jewish Retirement Home in Durban, told the SA 17:41 18:33 Cape Town n elderly resident of Jewish old aged total of 363 tests have been conducted on staff and Jewish Report that the institution “had no cases 16:57 17:48 Durban home Highlands House in Cape Town residents. of COVID-19”. The home has conducted tests on died on Saturday after testing positive Burman said that the resident’s family were residents and staff, and they have all been negative. 17:17 18:08 Bloemfontein forA COVID-19, and five more residents have sitting shiva, and wouldn’t like to comment at this There have been two deaths at the home since 17:12 18:04 Port Elizabeth subsequently been found to have the virus. time about the circumstances of her death. the beginning of the lockdown, but these were 17:04 17:56 East London This marks the first reported coronavirus death Family members of other residents took to social unrelated to COVID-19. in a South African Jewish aged home. The first media to express their condolences, and share their The home has 76 residents, and the average age Appliance Repairs on Site reported case was a resident of Sandringham concerns, many of them saying that the home had is 85 years old. , hers Gardens in Johannesburg, who brought it into failed to protect its residents. Lazarus said that all staff including nurses, was ish es the home from a hospital. Highland House’s carers, cleaners, and chefs were housed on the , D s, Stov es chine management isn’t divulging how the coronavirus premises or at the nearby Durban Jewish Club, dg Ma got into the home. to which they were transported by the home’s ri ing F sh On Sunday, the home’s executive director, Harris transport. a yers & more “They (SA Jewish old age homes) do W le Dr Burman, told the Cape Town community that there Mark Isaacs, the executive director of Jaffa mb incredible, groundbreaking work. Tu Call Jason had been a COVID-19 death at the home. He said Jewish Aged Home in Pretoria, said that all staff and

082 401 8239 / 076 210 6532 the carers who had attended to this resident were The fact that we aren’t sitting with residents were abiding by the strict rules in place FREE QUOTATIONS in quarantine and awaiting testing. The home said elderly COVID-19 positive patients since the home closed its doors on 15 March. at the time that no “We’ve had no scares so far,” he said, “and from the homes in intensive care other cases had been tested only one staff member, who proved negative. identified. is testimony to their eforts.” We’ve cut back on certain social activities and while In a subsequent it upsets people, they realise we’re doing it for their update on Monday, A woman whose mother resides at the home safety.” Burman said that the said that the management had asked that residents The home has reduced the number of staff on- resident (an 88-year- obtain masks, but wasn’t enforcing it. site, and certain remaining staff are housed in on- old woman) had been She said that though the broader community had site quarters (spending one week on and one week tested two days after been notified of the death on Sunday, management off-site). Staff who arrive at the campus must use taking ill, and had died informed residents only on Tuesday. the main entrance, and are screened at reception. two days later, before “They were all in the dark,” she told the SA Saul Tomson, the chief executive of the Chevrah the results were known. Jewish Report on condition of anonymity. “They Kadisha, said, “Every Jewish old aged home is He stressed that were told officially only on Tuesday before testing doing everything in its power to protect residents, the resident had been began, four days after it happened. but ultimately, we are fighting an invisible enemy isolated from the onset “It led to them hearing about it from outside [the which makes it extremely difficult. of the illness. The floor home] and to rumours being spread. Surely they “Since this situation began, the Chev has been on which she resided should have been told sooner?” working closely with Jewish senior living facilities had been isolated Burman confirmed that formal notification was across the country and helping to co-ordinate from the rest of the given to residents only on Tuesday. However, he efforts, share protocols and procedures.” home, and testing of said that the majority of residents knew about it Tomson said that accommodating 400 care and other residents had by Sunday via word of mouth, and that Highlands health workers at Sandringham Gardens on-site commenced. House was making every effort to address the was impossible, but stressed that the Chev was By Wednesday outbreak. constantly educating staff in multiple languages afternoon, however, it Other Jewish old age homes across the country about the precautions they needed to take. It has emerged that the tests remain vigilant, screening staff and shielding also issued staff with the necessary protective had picked up further residents as much as possible. Continued on page 6>> Gesher and the root of giving OPINION CHIEF RABBI DR WARREN GOLDSTEIN ne of the most devastating through acts of loving-kindness, and on this issue for effects of the COVID-19 especially through tzedakah (charity). more than a month, SAVOY PHARMACY PERCELIA PHARMACY crisis is its financial impact. According to the sages of the and seen first-hand our community OTe Gesher Fund has been set up Talmud, the highest level of tzedakah respond to the call of this great in our community to address this is to help a person be self-sufficient, mitzvah. MONDAY – THURSDAY MONDAY – FRIDAY specific challenge. It’s founded on a to spare them the indignity of Working together, a remarkable 8:30am – 7:00pm 8:30am – 6:00pm core Torah value: that we are here on needing a handout. By providing a coalition of business leaders, SATURDAY FRIDAY this earth to help each other. partnership or loan, we bestow on philanthropic foundations, and 9:00am – 2:00pm 8:30am – 4:30pm From the dawn of creation, G-d the recipient the dignity of being communal institutions have said, “It’s not good for a person to economically self-sustaining – the established a special fund to give SATURDAY: CLOSED SUNDAY & PUBLIC be alone.” And He created Adam and ultimate gift. Jewish-owned small businesses the HOLIDAYS SUNDAY Eve to help one another, to support Tis applies especially when we support they so desperately need. 9:00am – 1:00pm 9:00am – 1:00pm one another. To be a human being, can help someone maintain their Te newly formed Gesher Fund will therefore, is to be connected to and financial independence. We learn offer interest-free loans to ensure % (011) 885-1200/1 % (011) 640-4321/31 concerned about others. this from the Torah verse: “…And that businesses weather COVID-19. [email protected] [email protected] Tis is the basis for the great you shall strengthen him ... so that Te beauty of the fund is that mitzvah (commandment) of chesed he may live by your side.” As the it helps people before they fall. (compassion). According to our commentators explain, this refers to Practically, it takes far fewer sages, the mitzvah is to emulate G-d the great mitzvah to support a person resources to hold a person up than Himself. “Be similar to Him,” says the before they become dependent on to pick them up. By remaining on Talmud. “Just as G-d is gracious and charity; to ensure that they remain their feet, these businesses can VEHICLES WANTED compassionate, so too should you be financially independent. continue to contribute to our own gracious and compassionate.” Since the beginning of lockdown, community and the South African We have an obligation to show the ability of business owners to economy at large, providing vital chesed to every human being. But maintain their businesses and hence employment opportunities and there’s an extra level of responsibility their financial independence and fuelling economic growth. Tere’s a within our own community. In the dignity – and that of the people they dignity in that too. language of our sages, “every Jew employ – has been of great concern to Together, we can ensure that those stands surety for another”. We are all all of us. under financial strain come through guarantors for one other’s well-being I’ve worked with business leaders this crisis with their dignity intact.

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Tel: 011 430 1980. % Arnold Orkin 082 823 7826 The SA Jewish Report subscribes to the Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and Online Media that prescribes news that is truthful, accurate, fair and balanced. If we don’t live up to the Code, within 20 days of the date of publication of the material, please contact the Public Advocate at 011 484 3612, AUTO AFRICA fax: 011 484 3619. You can also contact our Case Officer on [email protected] or lodge a complaint on their website: www.presscouncil.org.za 8 – 15 May 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 3 BDS-SA splinters as global body backs new group TALI FEINBERG charges made last year against BDS- allegations were proven. SA Director Muhammed Desai. “This sad development took place he anti-Israel movement The allegations go back to the after months of private engagements in South Africa, which night of 21 March 2019. The by the BNC with a group of board went under the banner Daily Vox reported that visiting members about the allegations, and Tof the Boycott, Divestment, American academic and pro- after weeks of diligent and highly Sanctions South Africa (BDS-SA) Palestine activist, Professor Sang appreciated mediation efforts movement, has broken down. The Hea Kil, alleged that Desai sexually by Chief Mandla Mandela, with international BDS movement has harassed her and two other indispensable help from Shereen now officially backed one faction, women while they were visiting Usdin from South African Jews for a casting the other to the sidelines. Johannesburg. In May last year, Free Palestine,” he said. BDS-SA announced in March Advocate Smanga Sethene cleared Rowan Polovin, the national that it was changing its name Desai of the sexual harassment chairperson of the South African Says Barghouti, “We are truly their international masters are to Africa for Palestine (AFP). At allegations. Zionist Federation, confirmed that inspired, however, by the great constantly shifting. For example, first this seemed to be a simple BDS-SA welcomed the “a group calling itself the South efforts of our partners in South the Palestinian embassy in South re-branding, but it has now been findings. However, it was African BDS Coalition has formed Africa, who for months have Africa recently backed an AFP confirmed by the co-founder of been working diligently and initiative to make masks, thereby Omar Barghouti, the the international BDS movement, co-founder of the impressively to form this BDS separating itself from the new Omar Barghouti, that it has been international BDS coalition led by Chief Mandela, internationally-backed BDS removed from its place in his movement Mercia Andrews, Ronnie South Africa coalition. organisation. Kasrils, and representatives The groups are personality- In a video released this week of Palestinian solidarity driven, with Kasrils playing a by Barghouti, he endorses a new organisations. It will include leading role in the new coalition. organisation that he terms “our representation from all major It’s unclear who Mandela has BDS South African coalition trade unions, social movements, chosen to work with. Either partners”. and civil society entities.” Barghouti makes it clear He has called on the coalition that Africa for Palestine isn’t to “rise to the challenge of aligned with the national BDS mobilising grassroots pressure “The world has moved movement. It appears that this old on government to implement on from BDS. In the Arab organisation (with a new name) is priority measures”. These headed by Muhammed Desai, after include “holding South Africans world, there seems to be he and his supporters were told who have enlisted in the Israeli an acceptance and an they could no longer carry the BDS occupation army accountable embracing of Israel.” name. to legal prosecution for “Some may ask what about involvement in war crimes in the NGO [nongovernmental accordance with South African way, Polovin believes that the organisation] that has existed criticised by members of the with allegiance to the international law”, and “implementing the BDS groups will continue their for some years now under the Palestine Solidarity Movement BDS movement”. decision of the 2006 non-aligned radical and anti-Semitic agenda, name ‘BDS South Africa’. This for its handling of the matter. Says Barghouti, “The Palestinian movement Durban conference with the added dimension of group is no longer part of the A statement issued on 8 April BDS National Committee (BNC) is to ban all products of Israeli competing with each other. BDS movement,” he says on the on behalf of several solidarity proud to partner with our South companies operating in occupied Solomon believes that BDS’s video. “The BNC, which leads the groups called on “organisations African BDS coalition partners. Palestinian territory, and to ban moment has passed. “The world BDS movement, has informed with a commitment to Palestinian Your coalition will lead BDS work in entry of all Israeli settlers into has moved on from BDS. In the his group, which led BDS work in solidarity and gender justice to South Africa in co-ordination with South Africa”. Arab world, there seems to be an South Africa for many years with actively distance themselves from the BNC and our global partners. So what does the future acceptance and an embracing of significant achievements, that it the position adopted by BDS-SA”. We officially recognise this coalition hold for BDS in South Africa? Israel. In the COVID-19 world, can no longer carry the BDS name.” They condemned the lack of a as the only entity in South Africa “The South African Jewish too, there are other priorities. Barghouti explains that this “victim-centred approach”. that is affiliated to the global BDS community shouldn’t expect Within the African context, is due to two factors. “First, This conflict eventually led to movement and that can carry the anti-Israel sentiment or activity single-issue movements like mishandling and failure to the splintering of BDS-SA, as BDS name.” to disappear any time soon, BDS are searching for relevance. properly investigate serious described by Barghouti, “This Tis has fractured the BDS even with the expected new Africa’s attitude towards Israel allegations of sexual harassment. sudden breach of years of mutual movement in South Africa, dividing government in Israel. But in has changed, with [Israeli Prime Second, an unexpected and quite respect and clear-cut accountability it into two groups that are likely to be the short term, there may be Minster] Netanyahu visiting unfortunate official position by came about after the BNC urged in conflict with each other. “Te [AFP] confusion about who speaks for his African counterparts. In this organisation’s board, ending BDS-SA to conduct a fair victim- is weaker, with scandals [like Desai ‘Palestine’ in South Africa, and South Africa, in spite of ANC accountability to the BNC and by based investigation of the sexual being accused of sexual harassment] thus a relative weakening as AFP resolutions, our diplomatic extension, to the BDS movement’s harassment allegations in line with besetting it,” said Professor Hussein establishes itself,” says political contacts are still in place with guidelines and ethical principles the movement’s principles, and to Solomon in the department of analyst Steven Gruzd. Israel. BDS is searching for that are set by the BNC.” Both take the appropriate accountability political studies and governance at Polovin says that the dynamics relevance in this new emerging allude to the sexual harassment and educational measures if the the University of the Free State. between the BDS factions and world order.”

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GO TO www.sajr.co.za 8 – 15 May 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 5 Pharmacist who loved everyone dies alone from coronavirus NICOLA MILTZ gentle demeanour, kindness, integrity, and decades of taking the utmost care – not how he died, alone, with no here was an eerie stillness at West Park Cemetery family at his bedside. in Johannesburg last week as two sisters stood two Tey are tormented by images of him in his final hours. metres apart from each other wearing gloves and “We couldn’t see him, we couldn’t hug him to say Tmasks. Tey watched grief stricken as their beloved father, goodbye,” said Beverley. who died from COVID-19, was laid to rest. Her younger sister, Michelle Laffer-Liebson, said, Teir heartache was made more unbearable by the notable “To know that he suffered after he helped so many absence of their mother, who had spent her entire adult life unconditionally will haunt me until the end of my days.” by his side. She is alone in hospital with the same cruel virus Te chief clinical officer of the hospital where Maurice that took her husband of 51 years. may have contracted the virus said that since the declaration One lone family member who arrived to pay his respects of the pandemic, it had introduced stringent measures to said kaddish for retired pharmacist, Maurice Laffer, 80, reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, and had “acted who became the first member of the South African Jewish swiftly in order to mitigate the risk to all involved”. community to die from the virus. Te Chevrah Kadisha “Close to 1 000 staff members, allied health professionals, made up the minyan. supporting staff, and doctors were tested, with the majority Tis was surely not the send-off befitting an honourable, of these [90%] returning negative results,” the hospital hardworking, loving man described by everyone as a “true said in a statement to the SA Jewish Report. In total, 90 mensch”. It was the brutal, lonely face of COVID-19 which individuals returned a positive result, four of these being robbed the family of all the staff members working in ICU. All usual comforting mourning associated doctors at the hospital rituals of human touch and Maurice and Pearl Laffer tested negative.” face-to-face communal earlier this year It confirmed that 83 people support. had recovered, with only two Added to its immeasurable currently being treated in grief is the family’s concern hospital. that Maurice may have “Te thought that my father contracted the virus during may have contracted this in a recent stay at a Sandton hospital is horrifying,” said hospital. His daughters were Beverley, “Tere are so many fastidious about protecting unanswered questions about their parents from the virus. the protocols followed.” Tey wrapped them in cotton Speaking from her hospital wool, and ran circles around bed at Netcare Sunninghill them refusing to let them Hospital, Pearl said, “When I out the house. was admitted, I asked to see the Maurice got sick in bed where Maurice lay. I felt a late March, and went to bit of peace. Te same excellent hospital for a couple of team who looked after my days complaining of chest Maurice now looks after me. pain. He went back to Tey were there when he took hospital on 7 April, and was his last breath.” placed in the intensive care She recounted how she and unit (ICU). her husband had been business “He had fluid around his partners throughout their heart and a small clot on his marriage, and had never left lung,” said his wife, Pearl,73. each other’s side. She said he twice tested Tey began their journey in negative for COVID-19 and Maurice’s home town, Brakpan, was put in the ICU, away where Maurice opened Benn’s from the coronavirus ward. Pharmacy. Tey then moved No visitors were allowed. to Johannesburg, where they He showed slow signs of opened Manor Pharmacy at the recovery, and was eager to Morning Glen Shopping Centre go home. in Gallo Manor. Ten they bought On 14 April, the day he was the popular Galleon Pharmacy in Hyde Park Shopping discharged, the hospital released a statement to the Centre. media confirming that 12 staff members including seven Ruth Lasarow, who did her internship at Manor healthcare workers had tested positive for COVID-19. Te Pharmacy, said, “Maurice treated everyone as if they were numbers testing positive steadily increased. the most important person. He made people feel special.” According to the family, they weren’t contacted by the Shelley Sass, who did her internship at Galleon hospital after he was discharged. “To this day, no track-and- Pharmacy, said, “Maurice taught me everything I know trace protocols have been followed,” said Maurice’s eldest today. He was a scholar and a gentleman, a true mensch daughter, Beverley Greenhill. who loved everyone.” “My mom nursed my father at home without wearing a Rabbi Mordechai Abraham of Tzedoka Vechesed mask or gloves. She would have taken precautions had she became friendly with Maurice about 20 years ago when known he may have been exposed,” she said. Maurice was undergoing treatment for cancer. Te family believe his medical treatment up until he was “He was one of the most humble, selfless people I have diagnosed with coronavirus fell short of the standard of care ever met. We enjoyed each other’s company very much. I he exercised as a pharmacist his entire working life. was broken when I heard he passed away.” “My parents were in strict lockdown,” Beverley said. Joan Struck said on Facebook, “He was always so kind “Tey went to follow-up appointments, and my father kept and beyond caring. One day, the night nurse left my complaining of shortness of breath. He was told he was fine. father-in-law’s insulin out of the fridge. Maurice opened But his symptoms grew worse.” his pharmacy early, and hand delivered the insulin to my Eventually he was rushed to a different hospital in the house. What a tzadik [righteous person].” area, Netcare Sunninghill Hospital on Sunday, 26 April, Te family has expressed its deepest gratitude to where he tested positive. Hatzolah, Dr Richard Friedland of Netcare, and the staff He died two days later. at Sunninghill Hospital, and Dr Despina Andreanis. Maurice was a cancer survivor who still enjoyed daily “We are grateful to friends and the community who walks. have showered us with so much love, albeit from afar. Our “He told me it was his wish before he died one day to be in father always told us life is for living, one never knows.” Israel for Yom Ha’atzmaut [Israel Independence Day],” said Pearl. • Te family requested that the SA Jewish Report not name Sadly, he died at the start of this year’s Yom Ha’atzmaut the hospital where Maurice may have been exposed. celebrations in Jerusalem. However, it was definitely not the Netcare Te family wants to remember the way he lived – his Sunninghill Hospital. 6 SA JEWISH REPORT 8 – 15 May 2020 south african Anti-Semitism on its way Theewish source of quality content, news and insightseport J R out in the Arab world A community that cares when the chips OPINION PROFESSOR HUSSEIN SOLOMON are down y name, Hussein Solomon, captures conducted in 15 countries in the Gulf, Levant, my diverse identity. I’m a practicing and North Africa and involved 3 300 face-to- s we end our first week of level-4 Muslim who, on account of my face surveys, found that 18 to 24-year-olds in lockdown, I don’t believe we have greater Mpaternal grandfather, has Jewish blood flowing the region were becoming more secular, blaming freedom in spite of some of the bans through his veins. Tis heritage is further religion and sectarianism for various conflicts in beingA lifted. Tere just seems like no end in complicated by the fact that my father was their region. sight. brought up a Christian, and sought to enter the Moreover, 66% believe that religion is playing People’s initial peacefulness has now become priesthood. too big a role in the Middle East, while half a type of trauma and, for some, depression has As a child, this triple Abrahamic tradition agree that the “Arab world’s religious values are set in. in my family has always fascinated me as I holding the Arab world back”. Explaining this It all stems from a real sense of fear for our attended a Catholic school, singing in the change in attitude, Mohammad Shahrour, an future. We don’t know what our world will look choir and going to maddressah (educational academic at the University of Damascus, says like when the lockdown finally ends. institution) after school. I revelled in being able that the region’s youth are confronted with a As a journalist, it was upsetting to read about to attend mass and jummah (the sermon before “deep intellectual dilemma when it comes to Associated Media Publishing closing down after 38 years of the Raphaely family Friday prayer). reconciling conservative teachings with the bringing out a host of phenomenal magazines. Ten, the news that Caxton’s As an academic and as a Muslim, I tried to world they inhabit”. In addition, he says access magazine section was also dying, losing another 10 magazines, was devastating. use my own mixed heritage to build bridges to the internet has “allowed them to keep pace Effectively, the magazine industry in South Africa is dying. through inter-faith dialogue and as the editor of with worldwide developments, opening their Look at the aviation industry. Comair, once a proud Jewish family-owned a newspaper I began – Islamic Focus. minds to virtually all cultures and civilisations”. business, has filed for business rescue. Meanwhile, South African Airways, As a Muslim writing in this Jewish Other polls such as that conducted by BBC already in dire straits before COVID-19, has begun the process of liquidation. newspaper, nothing saddens me more than the News Arabic not only reinforce this trend, While there is talk of a new airline being launched down the line, this industry enmity displayed by the adherents of our two but point out the implications for Islamist is also in tatters. faiths. In this charged, polarising atmosphere, organisations. Te BBC’s polls involved 25 000 Imagine just how many people are now unemployed in these two industries, the bridge-builders between our two faiths are people from Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, and how many families are going to need help to survive. often viewed with suspicion or open hostility. Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. We can see why depression may be setting in, along with the trauma of having Such hatred of the proverbial very little control over our future. other is understandable given But then, I turn my focus to our small community. In good times, we challenge our chequered history, but it each other, sometimes picking on people for having divergent views and never makes it right. competing against each other. Yes, you can say we are your regular dysfunctional Anti-Semitism on the part of extended family. the Arab world is a shame on However, like family, we may disagree, but we still care deeply about one our collective humanity, and another. Words can be cheap, but in this community, people actively care. it’s something I have fought I say this because on our front page this week, we have a story that warms my against. Tere is, however, heart. It’s proof of what I’m trying to say in a way that I never thought possible. reason to hope on account of Back when coronavirus first became a reality in South Africa, our chief rabbi the values change sweeping started worrying about what might happen to us. Knowing that there are a large throughout the Arab world proportion of entrepreneurs among us, he had a sense that COVID-19 was going as a result of the processes of to cut deep. It had the potential not just to hurt, but to maim us. urbanisation, modernisation, Sheik Imam Mohammed Shchata, left, and Rabbi Albert Gabbi talk He began speaking to people with a lot of clout. He spoke to people with lots and globalisation facilitated by during a public assembly for religious tolerance on 11 September 2010, of money, sewing the seed for a fund to help small-to-medium-sized businesses modern technology. in Philadelphia that were going to need rescuing. Arab society, according to the latest evidence Te survey demonstrated that trust Now, it’s one thing for a spiritual leader to talk, quite another for others to from the World Values Survey and Arab in Islamist groups and organisations fell rally around the idea and make it happen. Barometer, is becoming more secular, liberal, calamitously across the Middle East, North I know that for various reasons there is a big mask over the amount of money and egalitarian in its values, moving away from Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan region. In set aside in the new Gesher Fund to rescue businesses. However, I have it on religion, tradition, and ethnocentrism. Jordan and Morocco, trust in the Muslim good authority that it is worth tens of millions of rand, and it will be able to In the process, Arab society is getting more Brotherhood declined 20% between 2012 take care of many, many businesses in dire need. tolerant of the proverbial – be it non-Muslims, and 2019, whilst in Sudan, support for the Very wealthy people often have a bad reputation for being stingy. I’m sure you Americans, other Westerners, or indeed the Brotherhood dropped further by 25%, from 49% have heard it said that those people are rich because they don’t share. However, state of Israel. Support for recognising Israel as to a mere 24%. Support for Ennahda in Tunisia clearly, there are a large number of wealthy Jewish people who are so different. a state has reached unprecedented levels. also declined 24%, whilst Palestinian support Tey care, and want to help. I’m so grateful for such people, who will keep our Arabs are also increasingly embracing their for Hamas declined to 22% from 48% over community afloat. Jewish heritage. A million Jews used to reside the 2012-2019 period. Increasingly moderate Ten, there are hugely successful business people who have agreed to sit in the Arab world before the majority were Islamic alternatives are being sought. on the Gesher board to decide who is given loans to save their companies. I unceremoniously forced to leave their homeland Tis values change suggests that Islamic know a few of them, and I know just how busy they are. Tey have to make on account of the establishment of the state of fundamentalism is on the wane in the Arab appointments to see their own children, but they have made time to get Israel. Today, in both Egypt and Lebanon, the world, and that anti-Semitism, too, may well be involved in this venture, which will be time consuming. Why do they do it? state is investing millions of dollars to restore on its way out. I write this article in the context Simply because they care. Is it going to help them in any way? No. It’s not about synagogues. of a world facing a grave challenge as a result of them, it’s about the community, and saving our businesses. Iraq, meanwhile, seeks to renew contacts with the coronavirus. Now, more than ever, we need So, yes, our community can argue. Yes, we can bitch and moan. However, I Iraqi Jews. Sudan’s minister of religious affairs, to find our common humanity and let go of the know I said it last week, and I repeat it again, we have the most extraordinary Nasser Aladin, has also pleaded for Sudanese hatred, bigotry, and intolerance. community in the world. A community with an enormous heart. Jews who have emigrated to return to their So, we may get depressed. We may be traumatised. We may be going through a country. All this highlights growing tolerance in • Professor Hussein Solomon lectures in the whole host of unpleasant experiences. Arab society – a refreshing break from the past. department of political studies and governance at But I, for one, am extremely grateful that I was born into this community Te Arab Youth Survey of 2019, which was the University of the Free State. because we look after our own without neglecting others. Last week, I did something that was extremely difficult for me to do. I asked Elderly resident dies of COVID-19 in Cape Town aged home the community to help keep our newspaper afloat. >>Continued from page 2 I have been astonished at the response. With its kindness came some of the equipment, masks, and hand sanitisers. Respected pulmonologist Anton Meyberg commended most beautiful messages about how much our newspaper means to people’s “Since the Pesach incident, we have broken meals the Chev and Jewish aged facilities for their stringent lives. I have been bowled over at their gratitude. into three sittings for breakfast and lunch, requiring approach to dealing with the virus. “The elderly are most I have received messages from some I least expected to hear from. Tey paid residents to maintain a two-metre distance at meals,” at risk, and are the ones we need to protect,” he said. tribute to this newspaper, and what it means to them. said Tomson, “Dinner is delivered in takeaway containers “Even if it means being harsh in looking after them.” As an editor, there are few things that mean as much as knowing that what I to residents’ rooms. Meyberg maintains that residents should wear and my incredible team do is appreciated. We certainly put our heart and soul “We need to balance physical protection with the protective masks, even in the facility. “If they leave their into bringing this newspaper to you. So, thank you very much. psycho-social needs of those we care for,” he said. “The room or come into contact with medical workers, they decisions we take are researched and calculated, based should wear a mask. It’s important.” Shabbat Shalom! on regular external consultation with an independent He believes South African Jewish aged facilities Peta Krost Maunder medical advisory committee and a virologist to ensure aren’t just meeting standards, they are going beyond Editor that we meet the highest standards. them. “Intelligent, calculated, and compassionate decision “They do incredible, groundbreaking work. The fact Please look on our website, to check which outlets you will find the SA Jewish sajr.co.za making takes into account the multitude of complex that we aren’t sitting with elderly COVID-19 positive Report. Alternatively, you can read or download a digital version of the newspaper with additional content from our site. factors involved in protecting the needs of residents, patients from the homes in intensive care is testimony to emotionally and physically.” their efforts.” 8 – 15 May 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 7 Denis Goldberg: principled to the last TALI FEINBERG prepare for the armed struggle. “He married Esme Bodenstein, and they had the most ew could imagine African National Congress (ANC) open home in Cape Town. Everybody went there, no matter stalwart Denis Goldberg, who lived most of his life as a what colour they were, at the height of apartheid. It was a communist and anti-Zionist, at a Bnei Akiva machaneh spirited home – full of laughter, energy, and defiance. I think F(camp). But less than 10 years ago, he travelled a great Denis held onto some of that spirit during everything he distance to be there. endured after being arrested,” says Sachs. Goldberg, who died at the age of 87 in Cape Town on On 11 July 1963, the security police raided the secret MK 29 April, struggled with his Jewish identity, but this headquarters Liliesleaf farmhouse in Rivonia. Goldberg was mellowed somewhat in later years. Ilan Solomons played an arrested along with several others including four other Jews, important role in this transformation. all of whom have since died. Te son of left-wing, immigrant parents, Goldberg was He was sentenced to four terms of life imprisonment. born in 1933 and grew up in Cape Town. “He faced anti- At 31 years old, he was the youngest of those sentenced. Semitic attacks at school, Goldberg was sent to Pretoria which contributed to his Central Prison, while the others growing political awareness,” were sent to Robben Island. Being says Solomons. “I first met apart from his comrades was tough, Denis in 2010 at a screening and he was mostly alone in his cell. of the documentary Comrade Both his parents died while he was Goldberg. He was also incarcerated. launching his autobiography. “I was seven when Denis was “He signed a copy of the arrested,” recalls Hicklin. Having a book, and we struck up a family member so dedicated to his conversation. My friend, cause wasn’t without its hardships. Benji Shulman, and I spoke Hicklin’s mother came to South to him for about an hour. Africa from Vilnius in Lithuania. Tat was Denis: he had all the “On the very day of his [Goldberg’s] time in the world to speak to arrest, they revoked her permanent people. We were involved with residency,” Hicklin says. “My cousins the South African Union of and aunt came to live with us Jewish Students, and asked before going into exile in the United if he would be interested Kingdom (UK). I would hear Esme in speaking to university crying every night,” recalls Hicklin. students. He was excited She says Goldberg’s children, about it, and we went ahead Denis Goldberg Hilary and David, struggled without with it. their father, although they visited him in prison as much as “We also arranged for a screening of Comrade Goldberg possible. “I would drive them there. Te last time they would followed by a Q&A and book signing at the Rabbi Cyril Harris see him before going back to the UK was always the hardest.” Community Centre (RCHCC), which drew a substantial Hicklin has always been proud of her uncle. “When we crowd. People loved hearing his story. During the same were kids, we would hear about the swart gevaar [black trip, we arranged a meeting between Denis and Rabbi danger] and the communists at school. I remember standing Ben Isaacson, who was an important and often lone anti- up on my chair and saying, ‘You know nothing. My uncle is apartheid voice in the rabbinate. Denis thanked Rabbi Denis Goldberg. He is my hero.’ I had such admiration for Isaacson for all he had done at great personal cost to himself. this man and what he stood for.” “Tat year, I was a madrich (leader) at Bnei Akiva, and I Hicklin recounts how Goldberg’s daughter, Hilary, suggested that even though Denis was a completely secular eventually settled in Israel, where her kibbutz set up a Jew, his story would be of great value to us. And so it was committee to try to get her father released from prison. that Denis drove more than 390km to and from the Bnei Herut Lapid, who campaigned for the release of Jewish Akiva campsite,” says Solomons. prisoners worldwide, became involved. Under further “It was a miracle. Not only was Denis prepared to drive pressure, the South African government released Goldberg that distance to speak to young people, but he was a lifelong after 22 years in prison. He went to Israel, where he non-Zionist, secular Jew. Bnei Akiva was, and still is, a struggled with the notion of a Jewish state. “He battled with religious Zionist youth movement, and by all standards, his Jewish identity his whole life,” says his niece. you couldn’t find two more polar opposites. But he was He soon left for the UK, where his family attempted to very impressed with camp, and said that the spirit of restore the years it had lost. Tere were joyful moments, such volunteerism was something that should be emulated as Hilary’s wedding, and tragedy – Esme died in 2000, and throughout South Africa. He spoke to an absolutely packed Hilary passed away a year later. Bnei Akiva shul on Shabbos Hicklin recalls that her aunt afternoon.” never wanted to return to South It was the beginning of a Africa after all the trauma deepening engagement with the she suffered as a result of her Jewish community. Says South husband’s incarceration. But African Jewish Board of Deputies Goldberg eventually remarried (SAJBD) National Director Wendy Edelgard Nkobi, and returned to

Kahn, “Te doors on both sides were Ossendryver Ilan Photos: Pretoria and then Cape Town. always open. While there were areas Nkobi passed away in 2006. of disagreement, he was forthright “Again, in a very practical and engaging, always willing to speak way, he assisted the ANC, and participate in initiatives aimed at working under the water affairs furthering the cause of democracy and and forestry portfolio,” recalls social justice in South Africa. It was a Sachs. “A few years back, he relationship that the SAJBD greatly was dismayed by aspects of valued.” Denis Goldberg stands next to a photograph our political leadership, but Goldberg has always loomed large as of Nelson Mandela at Liliesleaf farm in Rivonia then overjoyed when the a symbol of sacrifice and struggle for his worst elements of corruption niece, Democratic Alliance Member of were removed.” Parliament Madeleine Hicklin. She says Goldberg settled in Hout he was dedicated to the dignity of others Bay, where he began to realise his dream above all else. of an art and culture education centre for disadvantaged “We were both children of activist parents, and both didn’t youth. want to automatically follow in their footsteps,” says Justice Sachs saw Goldberg a number of times over the past year, Albie Sachs, who knew Goldberg all his life. “We both went where they spoke on various platforms. “Even though he was to the University of Cape Town, where he was an avid rugby battling cancer, he was extraordinary. He definitely felt that player. Ten we became active in the non-racial Modern he had fulfilled his life’s purpose.” Youth Society and in the struggle,” recalls Sachs. Hicklin last saw her uncle at an event in 2019. “He “While I was a talker, Denis was a doer,” says Sachs. “He was always extreme in his beliefs, and willing to sacrifice went underground, became an Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) anything,” she says. “He was an incredibly principled human member, and used his practical skills as an engineer to being.”

8 – 15 May 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 9 Cape Town woman experiences Exodus 2.0

TALI FEINBERG Tat date was pushed to the end of leaving my house. Te sensation Beverley Joffe bags, and boarded the organised April, and now the authorities have of the branches of the Jewish transfer to the government-arranged “It was Pesach 2.0 – being trapped in stopped making announcements community catching me in free- quarantine.” Mitzrayim [Egypt] during a plague, altogether. fall was immense. Joffe has remained in quarantine and waiting for the Red Sea to open “Even before the end of March, the “I was still swollen and fighting together with the other passengers the way home,” says Capetonian hotel where I was staying informed infection. Perhaps if I didn’t have and flight crew on the top floor Beverley Joffe, who found herself us that it was closing, and I needed an infection, I would have taken the of a Johannesburg hotel. She was stranded when the world went into to check out. Tat was the date of my first bus to the Menachem Begin released from quarantine on 6 May lockdown. first contact with the South African Crossing and yelled into Eilat until and will stay at a friend in Pretoria Joffe travelled to Egypt in March Embassy in Cairo. We [the stranded something manifested! But I wasn’t until she can catch a bus back to for maxillofacial dental surgery, South Africans in Egypt] were told we in good health, which made the Cape Town, which she hopes will which she chose to do there because should all stay in hotels close to the situation even more dangerous. happen on 9 May. “Nurses came of the reduced cost. “I couldn’t take embassy at our own cost, and there All that was left for me to do was twice daily to check our temperature. the chance of not having the full was nothing further it could do other to attend virtual shul, and keep I’m still fighting infection from the treatment, [as I need] articulation than report our situation and await reaching out and wait for Hashem’s surgery, but thankfully, the SAJBD and strong vocal projection for work,” direction from the government. hand to point me forward.” has put me in touch with a specialist she says. She is no stranger to the “As more South Africans gathered Slowly, the wheels began to with whom I have had a virtual region, having travelled extensively in Cairo, the embassy informed turn. “Te South African Embassy consultation.” in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, us it would attempt to work on in Cairo worked day and night on She still needs to get home to Cape and training in Eastern classical dance our repatriation, and we all joined the lines of red tape as far as its Town after her enforced quarantine. arts, yoga, and natural healing. a WhatsApp group. Te embassy jurisdiction would allow. Stuart Diamond told the SA Jewish “I was supposed to have dental announced that it had secured a worked tirelessly, and I’m sure many Report that the minute Joffe reached surgery seven years ago, suffering charter flight on South African more individuals and organisations out on Facebook, both the Cape from extreme dental pain for much Airways (SAA), but it was cancelled 36 that I wasn’t even aware of were it was able to offer a financially Board and Bergman worked closely of the time since,” says Joffe. But her hours prior to departure. We freaked pushing for the safe repatriation of all manageable charter flight at R7 000 with her, providing spiritual and mother’s health took priority, and she out. It became really difficult for the 43 South Africans stranded in Egypt,” per person. Te charter flight from mental support and looking at the spent the past few years caring for her group to manage the hotel costs and she says. EgyptAir was billed at about logistics of getting her home safely. until she passed away. maintain a positive outlook at this “I learned of Darren Bergman R150 000 per person. “Tere was a host of communication “It was only after we put up her point,” says Joffe. and the Home Away From Home Meanwhile, her students in Cape with spheres of government here in stone that I started working on plans “I began talking to a friend about project just days before I flew. When Town and across the world helped to the Cape, nationally, and in Egypt. to fulfil my now way-past-urgent coming to Israel across Sinai. She I contacted him on a mobile number keep her financially afloat. Even now that she is back in South dental procedure. In spite of the virus phoned the authorities, and was told attached to a repatriation circular She eventually boarded her SAA Africa, we are constantly in touch with starting to spread panic around the it wasn’t possible. Tis was when I sent out on our WhatsApp group, he flight home on 22 April. “Te minute her about her medical and dietary world, I landed in Cairo in March.” reached out to Stuart Diamond of the replied, ‘You’ve been on my radar for we boarded the SAA plane, it felt like needs, giving her all the support we Soon after her surgery, Joffe Cape South African Jewish Board of a while!’” being on South African soil. It was a can. We’re also trying to help other found herself stranded. “At first, the Deputies (SAJBD). I explained that I Joffe says SAA has also been a celebratory take-off, with the whole Capetonians.” Egyptian government spoke about a was stranded, healing from surgery, massive part of the repatriation plane cheering. At OR Tambo, we were “We can be brave and fearless, but two-week shut-down of the airport. and in a perilous financial situation. process. Due to the airline flying the only activity in sight. We were we are nothing without community,” Tis appeared manageable, until that “Stuart replied immediately. I charters taking citizens of other stamped inside the airport, and taken Joffe says. “Our interconnectivity period was extended to mid-April. breathed my first sigh of relief since countries home and moving cargo, back to the tarmac. We collected our makes us a thousand times stronger.”

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EFT Details: SA Jewish Report | Nedbank Account No: 1984514865 | Branch Code: 198405 8 – 15 May 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 11 Get back to work to stave of economic meltdown, business leaders urge JORDAN MOSHE “That type of scenario is a massive shock to the situation.” “We need the country to get back to work, global economy and South Africa. We need to plan He also emphasised the deepening issue of and we need to protect, as far as possible, the “The economy of South Africa is akin to a patient for a significant range of negative shocks, some of inequality which the situation had exposed. immunocompromised and elderly,” said Abel. “But arriving at a hospital. We don’t know if it’s going into them worse than others.” “We’ve always spoken about the triple challenges the rest of the nation needs to get back to work if intensive care or serious monitoring. This patient will Moola said that under level-five lockdown, only of inequality, unemployment, and poverty. It has we want to stave off growing poverty. We went into need serious treatment, stabilisation, and some kind 33% of the economy which generates revenue for become clear in the past five weeks how deeply COVID-19 economically crippled, we’ve suffered a of vaccine that will cure it of the problems it will live the fiscus was functioning. “Under level four, we inequality runs in South Africa. It’s going to deepen, downgrade, and have no money. The only way out is with for the next year or two.” think it opens up only another 5%-8%,” she said. and [the situation] is also turning into a socio-political to get people working again.” If the economic prognosis of respected banker “Forty-two percent of the economy is closed. Just crisis. People are queueing for stipends and rations The panel agreed that government should chart Colin Coleman is any indication, the road ahead for on our arithmetic, that means minus 42% growth for daily, and an empty stomach forces people to see a course that balances economic priorities with South Africa is going to be long and bumpy. The the period it stays closed.” nothing to lose.” health concerns, taking into account inequality and former chief executive of Goldman Sachs was one She continued, “We need to figure out how to In spite of their desperation, however, many seem supporting vulnerable sectors of five South African experts who on Sunday night open the economy in a responsible way because to understand the need to increase economic activity “We have to trust that government will have unpacked the financial reality faced by our country we can’t function [like this] for the data on which to make the calculations,” said in the wake of COVID-19. a prolonged period. We need to Coleman. “There is a trust factor between the He was joined by Stephen Koseff, the former balance health risks with economic population and government that’s at play. chief executive of the Investec Group; Sandile risks. That’s how we move forward.” “We will have outbreaks [of infection] in South Zungu, the president of the Black Business Council; Koseff agreed, saying it was hard Africa as the opening takes place, and there will be a Andile Mazwai, the governor of the National Stokvel to predict what the situation would significant increase in infection at level four. There is Association of South Africa; former chief executive of be in six months’ time. a dynamic interplay between opening up and health Standard Bank, Jacko Maree; and Nazmeera Moola, “We don’t know what kind of consequences that we need to be aware of.” the head of SA investments at Ninety One (formerly economy we’re going to have,” he To date, more than 17 000 people have watched Investec Asset Management). said. “One is grateful that there was the discussion, either live or recorded. Sackstein said Moderated by Howard Sackstein, the chairperson a lot of support from the central the public response had been astounding, and the of the SA Jewish Report, the panel addressed the bank and more recently the fiscus panel was treated seriously by those who watched it. financial implications of the virus, and devised ways to make sure we don’t kill off “The panel highlighted that government will need to kickstart the South African economy. Thousands capital formation in the country. It’s to ramp up its efforts as poverty is clearly a pressing of viewers tuned in to watch the discussion on a question of how we get out of lockdown while gradually rather than all at once. Mazwai said that issue,” he said. “It was also clear that additional Zoom and YouTube, including Finance Minister Tito considering health issues and economic damage.” people understood why they needed to remain at measures will have to be taken in the sectors hardest Mboweni. The major financial issue in six months’ time home and hold back on going out to earn a livelihood, hit, including the hospitality and restaurant industry.” Said Coleman, “The global economy is expected will be the reality of more than a million people challenging though it may be. Similarly, Zungu He has no doubt that the opinions shared will to experience a 3% contraction in 2020. The United who will be out of work, said Zungu. “It’s not believes that civil unrest shouldn’t be a concern, and be heard by government, not least because the States shed 30 million jobs in six weeks, and is difficult to comprehend,” he said. “The hospitality in spite of flare-ups of tension, sense will prevail. Presidential Economic Advisory Council requested a facing a 6% contraction. The speculation is that industry, where the bulk of small, medium, and Pre-recorded messages from numerous business copy of the recording moments after the discussion South Africa’s economy will shrink between 6% to micro enterprises are located, is practically non- icons were shared. They suggested various ways in ended. 8%. operational. If you add it all up, it talks to a gloomy which President Cyril Ramaphosa might approach “Government listens to what people are saying,” the problem. These included Geoff Rothschild, the Coleman said. “It’s hard to get a message through, former chairperson of the Johannesburg Stock though, which is why we provided a platform for King Davidians Zoom to the rescue Exchange; Cape Union Mart founder Philip Krawitz; almost direct contact with those in charge. There JULIE LEIBOWITZ “Te demand for food way exceeds our Mike Abel, the co-founder and chief executive of the are many possible solutions, and they need to be monthly budget,” says Helen Fraser, NCCF M&C Saatchi Group, and others. considered.” hey may be stuck at home, but that operations director. Tis is a huge statement hasn’t stopped a group of teenagers from an organisation that conducts large from King David High School Linksfield charity drives supplying goods as various T(KDHSL) from helping the less fortunate. as groceries, cleaning materials, toiletries, Te group of about 20 King Davidians school supplies, and housing infrastructure. aged 16 to 17 is raising funds for charity It needs funds urgently – and fresh ideas. by holding Zoom webinars that appeal to “Helen approached me [Copans has been different interests, thus allowing participants volunteering for the organisation for the past to give and receive in turn. year] to come up with a fundraising concept. Name Y-MAD (Youth Making a Difference), She wanted to tap my ‘youthful brain’ for they are organising at least 12 webinars on something different,” says Jade Copans, in topics ranging from exercise classes, yoga, to Grade 11 at KDHSL, and the spokesperson boxing, art, cooking, a challah bake – even a and organiser of the group. “We wanted to Fortnite tournament for those obsessed with find a way for people to give and to receive.” the game. Entrance fees range from R50 to “Jade and her team are beyond incredible,” Interest R100 per event, but participants can donate Fraser says of the King David group. “Tey more if they want to. Events are advertised are innovative, and want to help. Tey have on Facebook, Instagram and conventional visited the organisations we support. We media, with sign up via Google, and payment contacted her to do something different. on the BackaBuddy platform. When they mentioned they might need help contacting celebrities, within two seconds, we free had [boxer] Brian Mitchell on board [Mitchell will be conducting one of the webinars].” Te group is aiming to raise at least R20 000 from the initiative. It has already raised R14 000 from individual donors. Te first webinar, on Tuesday night, is a “bar class” (a cardiovascular workout session) and loans. already has 20 participants signed up. “We’re excited about it,” says Copans. Tey are appealing across the spectrum to youngsters and adults, and are tapping participants for suggestions. Tey are also tapping their vast parent and friend network Contact Debbie on (011) 485 5401 to find experts who can convene sessions. To date, nobody has turned them down. Mon – Fri : 08h30 – 12h30 Copans is no stranger to welfare. As well Email: [email protected] Te funds raised go to support the non- as volunteering for the NCCF, she is involved www.rambam.co.za profit Nashua Children’s Charity Foundation in the school’s outreach committee. She (NCCF), which supports 75 charities knows reaching decisions isn’t easy, but CONFIDENTIALITY GUARANTEED CHARITABLE TRUST including orphanages, day care centres, encourages the participants to work together squatter camps, an informal settlement, and (on WhatsApp) to find common ground by Terms & Conditions apply. Unity Community Responsibility child-protection centres. understanding that it’s for a greater cause. Te NCCF’s most critical issue is how to “Even though you can’t go out and do it feed children on lockdown who can no longer yourself, there are ways to have a positive access school feeding schemes. Te need for impact on people’s lives from home,” she says MEDICAL • HOME • EDUCATION • SIMCHA • CAR assistance has also increased as a result of the of the group of teenage philanthropists – and general rise in joblessness. as a message to teenagers in general. 12 SA JEWISH REPORT 8 – 15 May 2020 Uniting colour and cardio for charity JORDAN MOSHE worked tirelessly to find ways to keep people fit money for charity. and give to charity. “I wanted to s hundreds of exercise Teir exercise platform has offered members help the Pick n Pay enthusiasts puffed and regular workouts as well as frequent free training Feed the Nation panted, world-renowned opportunities for anyone wanting to exercise, campaign, and artistA Conor Mccreedy stood at his attracting about 6 500 people. thought about canvas and painted. Tey were on “We’ve tried to bring people together,” Andrew getting Conor, the same online exercise panel. Rothchild told the SA Jewish Report. “Because who is a friend of While those watching him people can’t get to gym, we wanted to make mine, involved,” continued to exercise, their eyes online workouts as interactive as possible.” says Rothschild. were drawn to his brush as it swept To this end, they have invited several local “He lives in across the blank surface, leaving celebrities like former cricketer Morne Morkel, Switzerland, but striking lines of blue. As odd as this rugby star Bryan Habana, and others to appear happened to be exercise routine may sound, it was in their sessions, giving people a unique stuck in South an exercise in charity, uniting colour opportunity to work out with sports stars. Africa because of and cardio to support those in need. “We wanted to make celebs more approachable, the lockdown.” To top it all, the auctioned and show people that they are human as well,” Born in South painting went to the royals of says Rothschild. “Tis situation is a great leveller, Africa, Mccreedy The painting by Conor Mcreedy auctioned by SWEAT1000 Monaco for a substantially large showing people that no matter what you do or is a contemporary artist known for his abstract her parents in 1989. sum. where you come from, we’re in this together.” paintings and for prominently featuring the “Te painting was actually bought by the Tis unique event last Monday Another initiative is to offer free online colour blue in his work. Rothschild asked him to Princess Charlene Foundation,” says Rothschild. was one of several initiatives exercise sessions to doctors and other healthcare paint while he conducted the workout session. “Her brother, Gareth, is a good friend of mine, conceived by brothers Andrew and workers as a small token of appreciation from Attendees would bid for the painting during the and often tunes in to my workouts. He saw the Paul Rothschild, the co-founders SWEAT1000 to those committed to fighting the session, and all proceeds would be donated to painting and really wanted it, so he called me and of SWEAT1000. SWEAT stands pandemic. Feed the Nation. bought it outright for an undisclosed amount.” for Specialised Weight Endurance Says Rothschild, “Tey strive to look after us, “Conor created a unique piece which featured While the original has been sent to the royal Athletic Training, and the 1000 so it’s important to look after them as well. We’ve the South African flag in his signature blue style,” residence, Rothschild made 100 facsimile prints represents the number of calories had more than 150 medical workers from around says Rothschild. available for purchase to the public as well. burned in a ground-breaking hour- the world use the platform.” In the end, the royal family of Monaco bought Each of them sold for $100 (R1 871). Added to long workout. As good as these initiatives were, Rothschild the artwork. Te family shares a bond with South donations made during the session, the proceeds Since the onset of COVID-19, wanted to help the less fortunate as well. Africa, with Princess Charlene having been born were given to Feed the Nation, enabling the these exercise enthusiasts have SWEAT1000 decided to use the platform to raise in Zimbabwe and relocating to South Africa with support of more than 100 families in need. Gesher Fund – a lifeline for Jewish businesses >>Continued from page 1 Creating a refuge for refugees “However, we will consider giving applicants a bridge JORDAN MOSHE meet their basic needs. until they are in a position to receive longer-term “So many people are starving, and many of them are foreign replacement funding elsewhere. We are deeply aware hen mother and dance teacher Romy Petersen sees nationals,” Petersen says. “We help South Africans as well as foreigners of and sensitive to the immediate funding needs these injustice, she doesn’t simply express sympathy. She does without discriminating, but the fact is that foreign refugees are last on businesses have.” something about it. She juggles her responsibilities as a anybody’s list right now. They need our help more than ever.” Asked about businesses that were viable before the momW and teacher with campaigning for the rights of refugees. But, she By partnering with the African Diaspora Forum, Afrika Awake was pandemic but may not be able to operate for a long period wouldn’t have it any other way. able to connect with local groups of foreigners, asking community of time, such as those involved in schools, events, travel, “I can’t bear the injustice foreign nationals face every day in South leaders to provide lists of those in need. Representatives of Nigerian, and hospitality, Sacks says, “If that business is from a Africa,” Petersen told the SA Jewish Report on Monday. Rwandan, Congolese, Bangladeshi, and Somalian communities were sector that has been hardest hit, it doesn’t rule them out. just some of those who asked for help, desperate to meet the At the same time, if applicants are better suited to Chevrah Hungry children waiting patiently for fresh soup in Tembisa basic needs of hundreds of people. Kadisha assistance or Rambam Trust advances, they will Over the past few weeks, Petersen and the team have be assisted in that direction.” provided numerous food parcels, e-wallet payments, and Applicants can now visit www.gesher.org.za, and apply supermarket vouchers to innumerable applicants. They have also for interest-free loans of R50 000 to R750 000. Tese will helped to support feeding schemes in Tembisa and Alexandra by be issued for 12 to 30 months to fund short-term working supplying them with soup, providing a nutritious and filling meal and operating capital requirements including staff salaries to countless orphans and refugees, the elderly, and homeless. and wages. Loans may not be used for other purposes “The sad reality is that our demands are great, and our funds including the repayment of legacy borrowings or to fund too little,” Petersen says. “We give R200 in vouchers to people, new initiatives. reaching more people by giving them a little less. “We have set up the most efficient process we could in “It’s heart-breaking to send such tiny amounts of money. the short time allowed,” Sacks says. “We hope it will be a How far can R200 really go? Still, you can’t believe how grateful seamless application exercise, and that applicants will hear people are. Someone we helped wrote to us to say that the R200 back in about a week. Our teams are ready to go, and we felt like a million rand to him. It makes a difference.” are looking to move quickly. Emergency funding is useful None of the organisation’s members draws a salary. They rely only if it arrives timeously, and we understand the urgent solely on the generosity of the public. While they have responded requirements for cash.” to more than 200 requests to date, their list of appeals remains Saul Tomson, the chief executive of the Chevrah A qualified field guide and conservationist, this wife and mother long, and continues to grow daily. Kadisha, says, “When the Chev was approached by some of two devoted her life to the cause in the wake of the xenophobic “It’s heavy stuff, and you wake up knowing that thousands out there remarkable donors to assist, we immediately appreciated violence which gripped the country in 2008. need help,” Petersen says. “So many people say they are struggling the urgency and value of such an initiative. In spite of “Some people sit back and say, ‘shame’, others donate money,” to stay in lockdown. Try being poor and not South African, then you’ll our team being extremely stretched [in the protection of she says. “For me, that’s not enough. I feel l have an obligation to do know what struggle really means. vulnerable residents and increasing assistance to families something. It’s an impulse I can’t control.” “In spite of our brilliant Constitution, South Africa remains in need], we allocated significant time and energy into Petersen is one of the five dedicated team members of Afrika Awake, xenophobic to the core. But we are all human beings, and no human making Gesher a reality. It’s our fervent prayer that Gesher a non-profit organisation formed in 2013 to address xenophobia in South being is illegal,” she says, pointing out that she doesn’t care if those will succeed in its mission to keep viable businesses going. Africa and support survivors who lost loved ones in the violence. Since needing her support are documented migrants or not. In those instances where Gesher can’t assist, the Chev will the onset of the lockdown, she and her team have worked tirelessly to Many question why Petersen doesn’t support the impoverished in be here waiting to ensure that no Jew gets left behind.” support refugee and migrant communities across the country, bringing the Jewish community, and have challenged her decision to support Te chief rabbi says he is particularly grateful to those food, support, and hope where it’s most needed. refugees when many of them are undocumented. who contributed their time and expertise to the initial She hit the ground running before lockdown began, she says. “When “Our community is sensational,” she says. “I never have to worry phase of getting the concept off the ground, as well as the schools closed, we immediately thought about the demographic we about the Jewish community. Yes, there are those in need, but no Jew generous donors, community leaders, and industry experts usually assist – refugees. I also have a soft spot for urban-resource will be allowed to starve. who have made the fund a reality. He clarifies that his aim miners and car guards, so I got thinking. “Foreign nationals are, without doubt, the most vulnerable and least was to establish the fund, but he won’t be involved in the “I went shopping and, looking around the parking lot, I wondered likely to be on anyone’s list especially at this time. Ninety-nine percent assessment of applications or the distribution of funds. what would become of the car guards if we went into a full-scale of foreigners in the country want to be registered, and the system just “We have the most amazing community: business lockdown. How would they support themselves and care for their doesn’t work for them with so much corruption and other obstacles.” leaders, philanthropists, and people who really care and families?” She urges those who can assist to do whatever they can. “Every bit want to make a difference,” Goldstein says. “Whenever After raising some funds on Facebook, Petersen set out to supply really helps. We are like professional beggars. I ask anyone who can there is a need, people come forward. Tere are many the vulnerable in her area with hand sanitiser and mielie meal. When help to give something. What if I were a refugee in a country that hated examples over the years of our community offering lockdown came, she realised that she would have to do far more to foreigners? I could only hope someone would help me. That’s why I their talent, generosity, skills, and vision to overcome bring relief to the countless individuals who depend on Afrika Awake to need to help them.” challenges. Tis is one of those times.” World class technology solutions

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Exclusive - Africa 14 SA JEWISH REPORT 8 – 15 May 2020 Jewish youngsters less tolerant of anti-Semitism TALI FEINBERG those years,” says Saks. on the rise. No academically rigorous studies have “The JCSSA looks at the community’s been conducted that show whether South Africa outh African Jews, particularly youngsters, perceptions of whether anti-Israel sentiment is any worse or better than other countries in this have become far less tolerant of anti- and anti-Jewish sentiment has increased over regard.” Semitism, says Associate Professor Adam the past five years. The SAJBD wouldn’t dispute Regarding political anti-Semitism, he says, SMendelsohn, the director of the Isaac and Jessie the fact that negative attitudes towards both “There have been a number of instances in the Kaplan Centre for Jewish Studies and Research at may well have increased, or at least have been past year in which African National Congress the University of Cape Town. perceived to have increased during this period. spokespeople in the Western Cape, the Economic Furthermore, 20% of the respondents to the However, it remains a demonstrable fact that Freedom Fighters, and certain trade unions have recently released Jewish Community Survey up until now at least, negative sentiment isn’t made overtly anti-Semitic comments. It’s probably of South Africa (JCSSA) said that they felt leading to direct action to any great extent. true therefore to say that this kind of anti-Semitic discriminated against because they were Jewish in “It’s also worth pointing out that while still discourse is more common than in previous years, the 12 months prior to the study. considered to be a cause for concern, anti- but it still surfaces only rarely, especially since the Ninety-two percent of respondents feel that Semitism was listed by respondents as only advent of the [Cyril] Ramaphosa presidency. anti-Israel sentiment in the country has increased ninth amongst the social and political issues “With regard to anti-Semitism in the mainstream over the past five years, and 74% feel the same said to be a problem in South Africa, well media, this is a misperception. In reality, it surfaces about anti-Jewish sentiment. Just more than behind government corruption, crime, and very rarely. My sense is that people are conflating 10% say they have personally witnessed an anti- unemployment. Anti-Israel sentiment is more anti-Israel bias with more overt forms of anti- Semitic incident in the past year, while 8.8% have perhaps also much more assertive and confident of a problem, coming in at fifth, but that doesn’t Jewish prejudice.” personally experienced an anti-Semitic attack about their Jewish identity.” come as a surprise.” Last year, the anti-Semitism watchdog Anti- in the past year, mostly involving verbal insult or The South African Jewish Board of Deputies Two out of three respondents believe that anti- Defamation League’s (ADL’s) Global 100 survey harassment. (SAJBD) reported at the end of January 2020 that Semitism on the internet, in political life, and in reported that 47% of South Africans harbour anti- “We’re living in a moment where we are acutely the number of anti-Semitic incidents in South the media are fairly or very big problems in South Semitic attitudes. The SAJBD called this report sensitive to anti-Semitism, in large measure Africa had, in fact, dropped to a 15-year low in Africa today. Almost three quarters of respondents “deeply misleading and unreliable”. because of the resurgence of anti-Semitism in 2019. believed these three items have increased at least Says Mendelsohn, “Contrary to the ADL’s study, I America, the failure of the Labour Party in the Responding to the data, David Saks, the a little in the previous five years. don’t think we live in a country where anti-Semitic United Kingdom under Jeremy Corbyn to address associate director of the SAJBD, says, “It’s “Anti-Semitism on the internet is a global views are pervasive. Most South Africans think anti-Semitism within its ranks, and violent attacks essential to distinguish between actions [negative problem obviously,” Saks says, “and may well be very little about Jews on a regular basis.” on Jews in France, Germany, and Belgium,” says things done to Jews], discourse [prejudiced Mendelsohn. things said about Jews], and sentiment [negative “This sensitivity has been accentuated by the attitudes towards/beliefs about Jews].” Lag B’Omer finds the fire within very real surge of hate online, and particularly It’s in the more easily measurably category of OPINION RABBI DOVID HAZDAN on social media. I suspect that this sensitivity actions/incidents that South Africa has consistently was setting up the tefillin (phylacteries) the righteous.” Because of has filtered into our local context. Jews, and recorded significantly lower rates of anti-Semitism booth on the Venice Boardwalk in Los the calibre of the students of particularly younger Jews, are less likely to tolerate than most other diaspora countries. Moreover, the Angeles in the late 1970s. I was a teenager, Rabbi Akiva, Hashem judged the sort of occasional, petty, and niggling – but nature of the incidents recorded overwhelmingly Ihoping to capitalise on the throngs of people them by the highest standards, which resulted nonetheless unpleasant – incidents that they might tends to be less grave than elsewhere. For expected that Sunday, and to afford as many in the devastation of the plague. have once laughed off or excused as examples of example, the United Kingdom recorded 123 violent Jewish men as possible the opportunity to put What’s the message that we can derive from ignorance rather than hate. Younger Jews are also attacks on Jews in 2018 and 145 the previous on tefillin. the students of Rabbi Akiva and the story of much more likely to be active on social media, and year. South Africa recorded just one in each of I remember the scene: humans of every Lag B’Omer? ilk – runners, skaters, people walking dogs, On the one hand, we need to learn to care dogs walking people, skateboarders, tourists, for one another intensely. Our tolerance ARE YOU LOOKING TO and the much anticipated parade of real-life should never be the product of detached elephants. Tere were people on soap boxes, indifference. We need to be deeply concerned STUDY ABROAD? espousing political opinion. to enlighten and teach meaning, truth, As the Coronavirus continues to evolve globally, we would like to reach out I wore my black hat and jacket in the and purpose. We need to care to our very and let you know that Universities abroad are still accepting students for their blazing sun, and somehow blended into the core about having a positive impact on our SEPTEMBER 2020 INTAKES. great diversity of people and persuasion. neighbours. I was intrigued by the atmosphere of But at the same time, we can’t let this tolerance and acceptance that made me feel diminish the respect and love we have for one at home amidst the mayhem. another. Rather than standing in judgement, “It's business as per usual at Global Education!” Reflecting afterwards, I realised that the we need to accept our fellow human beings tolerance shown on the Venice Boardwalk and embrace them with empathy and Although our ofces are closed and wasn’t born out of love and brotherhood, understanding. cannot have face to face consultations, but indifference. Everyone was too caught For a variety of reasons, children would we are just an internet connection away, up in themselves to even notice the men play with a bow and arrow on Lag B’Omer. ready and able to assist you to apply to saying the Shema in tefillin. Te bow represents the rainbow, G-d’s sign the university of your dreams! We are about to celebrate the powerful and of his covenant that he will never destroy mystical festival of Lag B’Omer on Monday the world. Others attribute the custom to and Tuesday, 11 and 12 May. the time of the Romans, who had banned www.globaleducation.co.za Tis festival commemorates events in the study of Torah. At that time, teachers the life of Rabbi Akiva and his students. and students would disguise their intention Te Talmud teaches us that these students to learn Torah by pretending that they were Your didn’t practice adequate mutual respect, and venturing into the forest to hunt with bows tragically lost their lives in a plague. In just and arrows. gateway to more than a month, Rabbi Akiva lost 24 000 Te message of the bow lies in the fact international students. Te plague came to an end on Lag that it extends our reach way beyond academic B’Omer, a cause for gratitude and celebration. the length and strength of our arm. Te studies! Rabbi Akiva’s great teaching was to love principle of the bow precedes rocket your neighbour as yourself. He saw this as the propulsion. It’s predicated on the fact that cardinal principle of the Torah. It’s strange that the more that you draw the arrow towards his own students seem to have missed his key yourself, the further it will reach. message. Why weren’t they imbued with the Chassidus derives the lesson that the mission statement of their teacher? closer we draw the tension inwards, towards Actually, it was the very fact that they our own heart, the more powerfully we can were so passionate and focused on the affect the world beyond. Social influence mitzvah (commandment) to love your fellow begins by journeying into ourselves. as yourself that led to their failure. Had Tis year, we won’t be at the community- they been indifferent towards each other, it wide schmooza (get together) celebration 011 268 6545 wouldn’t have been a problem. But, in fact, in the Great-Park forest. We will celebrate the care and love that they had for each together on Zoom on Monday night. But other compelled them to direct each other let’s not allow physical social distancing to with unrestrained zeal. Tey felt that it diminish one iota of our passion, love, and was dishonest to embrace a view that they concern for one another. Connect with us at: regarded as a deficient perspective of their [email protected] master’s teachings. • Rabbi Dovid Hazdan is the rabbi at Great Park “G-d is exacting to a hairsbreadth with Synagogue and the dean of Torah Academy. UNLIMITED KILOMETRE

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Visit kia.co.za for more info. 16 SA JEWISH REPORT 8 – 15 May 2020 UK’s new Labour leader ‘failing’ to crack down on anti-Semitism CNAAN LIPHSHIZ – JTA On the coronavirus crisis, he Within days of winning the has attempted to criticise the internal elections, Starmer had he new Labour Party leader ruling Conservative Party while set up meetings with leaders of in the United Kingdom, Keir demonstrating solidarity with the major Jewish groups in a stated Starmer, still can’t quite get government. effort to mend relations that had Tover the Corbyn hump. On the anti-Semitism front, he effectively been frozen under Shortly after his election to has had to balance flushing out Corbyn. head the party a month ago, the controversy, and appealing Starmer has also removed Starmer promised to implement to the many Corbyn loyalist several Corbyn nominees from a zero-tolerance policy on anti- holdovers. Labour’s governing body, the Semitism. For British Jewry, it “[If] Corbyn loyalists are made National Executive Committee, was a refreshing new start after to understand they have no and demoted Richard Burgon, the last leader, Jeremy Corbyn, place in Labour under Starmer, a Corbyn loyalist who in 2014 left the stain of a years-long anti- Labour Party leader that’s simply making sure they’ll said that “Zionism is the enemy

Keir Starmer Leon Neal/Getty Images Photo: Semitism scandal. misbehave,” one Labour activist of peace”. Burgon was Corbyn’s But Starmer’s vow has quickly call, according to the Campaign MPs of their responsibilities is told the Jewish Telegraphic shadow justice secretary, the been put to the test, and after a Against Antisemitism, a Jewish an inadequate measure that fails Agency earlier this month. party’s point man for the justice controversial call involving two watchdog that has been at the to meet the standards he agreed In spite of the hiccups, Starmer portfolio. Labour legislators, leading British forefront of the community’s fight to just a few weeks ago,” the has taken several strong steps “I know that the failure of the Jewish organisations now say he with Corbyn. group wrote. By not disciplining to distance himself from the Labour Party to deal with anti- is failing it. In his only response to the call, the two legislators, Starmer Corbyn era, and British Jews have Semitism has caused great grief First, a few weeks ago, Starmer Starmer told the Bury Times that “demonstrated a disappointing noticed. in Jewish communities,” Starmer promoted three legislators who he was “looking” into it. level of moral and political Four days into his tenure, Van said in a video greeting for have strained relationships “What I’ve done since I’ve been cowardice”. der Zyl said in a statement that Passover on 8 April, in which he with the Jewish community to leader of the Labour Party is to Starmer has good reasons to he had achieved “more than apologised for the failing. leadership positions in Labour. take the first opportunity to tread lightly. His first weeks his predecessor in four years in “If you are anti-Semitic, you Some saw it as a warning sign, apologise for the way we’ve dealt as Labour leader have been a addressing anti-Semitism within cannot and should not be in the while other analysts said the move with anti-Semitism in the party, walk on a precarious tightrope. the Labour Party”. Labour Party. No ifs, no buts.” was needed to stabilise the party to build links with the Jewish in a post-Corbyn landscape. community, to begin to get to Then, on Wednesday, two grips with the cases,” he said. High-tech masks for Hatzolah of Labour’s most prominent “Obviously we’re looking at the legislators – Diane Abbott and circumstances of the meeting last Bell Ribeiro-Addy, its previous night, but the most important shadow interior and immigration thing is to build that relationship. ministers respectively – addressed And I know that’s going to be a an online meeting that featured difficult thing to do.” well-known activists who have An official Labour Party been kicked out of the party over statement had stronger words. anti-Semitism. “The previous comments made The call, first reported by the by some of the individuals on this Jewish Chronicle, was organised call are completely unacceptable,” by the pro-Corbyn far-left fringes it said. “These are not people of Labour under the auspices of a who support the values of the newly formed group called Don’t Labour Party. This is being made Leave, Organise (the group’s clear to the Labour MPs who name is a call to the far left). It attended the call in the strongest included Jackie Walker, who was possible terms, and they are being ousted from Labour in 2019 for reminded of their responsibilities numerous negative statements and obligations.” about Jews, including that they This didn’t satisfy the Campaign were “chief financiers of the sugar Against Antisemitism. and slave trade”. In its strongest rebuke of Michael Sieff (pictured left), the new national executive director at the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) donated According to Walker’s website, Starmer so far, the watchdog group cutting-edge Israeli medical-grade masks from Israel’s Sonovia Tech to Hatzolah on Tuesday. The SAZF sourced medical- her father, Jack Cohen, was a branded Starmer’s handling of the grade masks made from a special new anti-pathogen fabric to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Hatzolah’s Operations Director Bernard Segal (right) said the masks would enable Hatzolah to continue doing essential services. Russian Ashkenazi Jew. Last scandal “a failure to discipline” the month, she wrote on Facebook legislators, proceeding to say it Torah Thought that Starmer “only talks to “condemned Sir Keir Starmer for Rabbi Pini Pink, Zionist Jews and the Tories at failing to take action”. Chabad Greenstone synagogue”. Starmer’s wife, Instead of “tearing anti- In dark times, look on the bright side attorney Victoria Alexander, Semitism out by its roots, Sir his coming Tuesday, we will “Tank G-d, Jewish life is I told the truth. comes from a Jewish family, and Keir has welched”, Gideon Falter, celebrate Lag B’Omer. It’s a growing in the city. Of course, I’m rebuffed, has family in Israel. Starmer told its chief executive, said in a day that marks the passing there are challenges, but on while another is the Jewish News that he hoped to statement. “Through his inaction, Tof Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a balance, things are good,” Chaim rewarded?” travel soon to Israel with their two he is telling Britain’s Jews loudly great Torah scholar and Kabbalist replied. “Do you think I don’t know children. and clearly that his apologies are who lived in the second century. Dovid was dismayed at this how things are in Odessa?” the “I absolutely support the right meaningless, his promises will It also marks the end of the sugar-coated version of reality rebbe responded. “Tat’s not of Israel to exist as a homeland,” be broken, and MPs who consort plague which killed many of Rabbi in Odessa. Why had he failed to why I asked. Te purpose of my he told the newspaper. “I support with even the most notorious Akiva’s students. mention all the problems the question was to see in which Zionism without qualification.” expelled activists still have a place Te day is usually marked by Jewish community was facing? Odessa you live.” Also on the call was Tony on the Labour benches.” joyous communal gatherings He heard the rebbe give In these times, when we face Greenstein, who is Jewish The president of the centrist and events. I was talking to a Chaim two roubles in gratitude unprecedented challenges and so and was expelled in 2016 over Board of Deputies of British Jews congregant who was despondent for supporting his work and in much is unknown, the question anti-Semitism allegations. had similar feelings. about the current state of affairs, appreciation of the good report. we need to ask ourselves is which He has called Israel “Hitler’s “We would urge Labour to and the reality of a virtual Lag When Dovid entered, the rebbe, world we live in. Is it the world of bastard offspring”, and helped take swift and decisive action to B’Omer. too, asked him, “How are things in doom, gloom and despair, or is it mainstream the anti-Semitic show that this is a new era rather It reminded me of a story told Odessa?” Determined to tell the the world of hope and positivity? pejorative “Zio”. than a false dawn,” Marie van of two Chasidim, one named truth and set the record straight, Let’s internalise the message of During the call, participants der Zyl wrote on Thursday. She Chaim and the other Dovid, who he described the bleak state of Lag B’Omer, which is unity and defended Ken Livingstone, a called the legislators’ attendance lived in Odessa and travelled Odessa Jewry, particularly the joy. Let’s make sure that we are former London mayor who in at the meeting “completely to see Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak young people who had become in the right headspace, and try to 2016 said Hitler “was supporting unacceptable” even for ordinary Schneerson, the sixth rebbe of corrupted by the worst that big share this with all those around Zionism before he went mad and members of Labour, much less Lubavitch. Chaim entered, and city life had to offer. us. A simple phone call to check in ended up killing six million Jews”. legislators. the Rebbe asked him, “How are Te rebbe thanked Dovid for on someone can make their day. Livingstone left Labour in Labour Against Antisemitism, things in Odessa?” his report. But he didn’t offer two Let’s show G-d that even during 2018 amid pressure to expel him. a group critical of Corbyn and his Still seated in the waiting roubles or even one. Shocked, these difficult and trying times, Ribeiro-Addy and Abbott didn’t legacy, also attacked Starmer. area, Dovid could hear their Dovid exclaimed, “Te rebbe the Jewish people are unified and address anti-Semitism during the “His decision to remind the two conversation. asked, ‘How are things in Odessa?’ strong. 8 – 15 May 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 17 Pandemic proves a maze for labour law OPINION GAIL BLACHER dapting labour law to as claiming from the Unemployment businesses may find that they require Relations Act. Failure to comply with communicate with lockdown is no less daunting Insurance Fund (UIF). a longer-term solution, and are either this procedure will, without doubt, the office, and don’t than finding one’s way up to Te TERS claim is used when closing their doors or can’t afford lead to the CCMA (the Commission respond to calls or theA summit of Mount Everest. We are the employer has implemented as many employees, or are using for Conciliation, Mediation and messages”. in unchartered territory, attempting Arbitration) or Labour Courts. Te guidelines on this are that the to navigate our way through a myriad Employers are required to follow employer should ensure that the of laws and statutes that were never a consultative approach with employee has all the tools required intended for that purpose. their employees, and consider to work from home, and should As a labour-law advocate, how do all alternatives before finalising advise the employee that the same you respond when an employee calls retrenchment. work ethic and disciplinary codes, to say, “My company says that we In cases of retrenchment as a result procedures, and policies will apply as won’t be receiving our salaries for of operational disruptions caused by if the employee is in the workplace. the lockdown period”? Or even more the virus, our courts will want to see While this may answer some of frightening, “We’re required to work what employers did at the time of the your immediate questions, it must be from home over the lockdown period, spread of the virus to mitigate against understood that the law and issues but won’t be paid, and have been told the risk of retrenchment. relating to COVID-19 are in a state of to be grateful that [the company] isn’t Retrenchment can also be an flux and new issues are developing. retrenching.” expensive option in certain instances, After the virus, there will be legal One has to have an understanding temporary layoffs due to the technology instead of employees. with the employee being entitled to consequences resulting from the of the impact of the situation on lockdown, not paid salaries, partial I have frequently encountered a severance package of one week in effect of the COVID-19 for years to the employer, who is ill-equipped payment, or forced annual leave. employers who simply advise their every year of employment. come. to address this scenario, as well as UIF benefits occur in circumstances employees that “you no longer have Yet another issue that has been the frightening predicament of the of retrenchment, and where the a job”. raised during lockdown concerns • Gail Blacher is an advocate of the employee. employer has closed their operations Retrenchment is in effect a no-fault the “work-from-home” scenario, high court of South Africa specialising Tere are a number of options and permanently, resulting in loss of dismissal, but employers are required with employers complaining that in labour law, and runs a company opportunities in these and other employment. to follow a highly prescriptive employees “do nothing while called RIGHTSATWORK advising on scenarios. As a result of the global pandemic, procedure as set out in our Labour they are on lockdown, they don’t employment-related issues. Te issue of paying employees their salary during lockdown has both legal and moral aspects. In terms of Natan Sharansky is using his ‘Jewish Nobel’ winnings to help the legal principles, the government has declared a national lockdown due vulnerable people affected by COVID-19 to an unexpected and unforeseeable MARCY OSTER – JTA admitted that two months ago, he didn’t know • Enosh Israeli Mental Health Organisation, which occurrence, thus certain employees what Zoom was. Now, he considers himself an is responding to an increasing number of people can’t tender their services. So, hen Natan Sharansky learned in expert. requiring mental health services; in terms of the legal principle of December that he would become Sharansky, who serves as chairperson of the • Migdal Ohr, which supports high-risk Israeli “supervening the impossibility of the eighth Genesis Prize honoree, Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism prisoners sent home during the pandemic; performance”, the employer isn’t heW decided he would use his $1 million (R18.7 and Policy, acknowledged the rise in anti- • Two projects in partnership with the Jewish bound to pay the employee if they million) prize money to promote issues to Semitism brought about by the pandemic. Prior Agency for Israel: volunteer service at Machon aren’t working at all. which he has devoted his life: human rights and to that, he spent nine years as chairperson of Shlichim working with the elderly and at-risk It’s a different scenario if the Zionism. the executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel. He youth, and funding interest-free loans for Israeli employee is able to continue on a Tat was before the coronavirus crisis. also served in four Israeli governments, holding nongovernmental organisations through Ogen; “work-from-home” basis, as then the Now, Sharansky, the former Soviet dissident ministerial positions as head of his Yisael B’Aliyah and employee is still able to perform. who has become a prominent leader in Israel, and party, formed to help integrate new immigrants • Te Weizmann Institute, which will use the grant Te employer can, however, look the Genesis Prize Foundation are announcing into Israeli society. to fund research to develop a COVID-19 vaccine. at options other than not paying the that his winnings will instead go to organisations Te Genesis Prize, known as the “Jewish Grants will also help send volunteers to assist employee at all – especially in terms fighting the pandemic and to support the Nobel”, was started in 2013, and is financed the isolated and elderly members of the Jewish of the moral obligation to alleviate the individuals most affected by it in Israel, the through a permanent $100 million (R1.87 communities affected by COVID-19 in Rome, financial hardship of the employee – United States, and seven other countries. Tey billion) endowment. Te annual award honours Madrid, Paris, and Moscow through Moishe such as a reduction in salary. also announced a new competition to reward “extraordinary individuals for their outstanding House, an international organisation working I have, however, had a number of Israeli innovations working to stop the pandemic. professional achievement, contribution to with young adults; and to assist 130 Hillel student people phone me, bemoaning, “What Te coronavirus is a “new challenge, a new humanity, and commitment to Jewish values.” volunteers working with Jewish elderly and do I say when my staff refuse to enemy”, Sharansky told the Jewish Telegraphic Previous winners of the prize include New homebound in six cities in Ukraine and Belarus. A accept a 30% pay cut for the next few Agency (JTA). His other interests, he said, “can England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, former grant to Jewish Care in the United Kingdom will months?” wait a little bit”. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and provide protective equipment to staff working Te employer could, after an In Israel, the grants will fund nine musician Itzhak Perlman. US Supreme Court with isolated and impoverished elderly people who honest and open discussion with organisations working to help the most Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg received a lifetime are especially vulnerable to the virus. the employee about the financial vulnerable populations affected by the pandemic achievement award from Genesis in 2018. Grants in the US will fund research at the scenario, suggest a reduction in and advance medical and scientific innovation. Te Israeli organisations receiving Sharansky’s Columbia University Irving Medical Center to salary for a time period, and secure Grants will also help isolated and elderly Jews Genesis grants offer a variety of services to a wide mitigate medical complications of coronavirus; a agreement on this or the possibility in Rome, Madrid, Paris, Moscow, the United range of populations. Tey are: competition for students at New York University of using this layoff as paid annual Kingdom, Ukraine, and Belarus. And they will • 1221 Assistance for All – an emergency Tandon School of Engineering to solve physical statutory leave. fund research at two universities in New York, response service in Jerusalem for Jews and non- challenges presented by COVID-19; and support It’s always best to negotiate these and support grants made by a Jewish loan Jews during the pandemic; for Hebrew Free Loan, a non-profit organisation changes with your employees, if society. • Te Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel, that is distributing no-interest loans to people at all possible, to avoid any later Sharansky, 72, spent nine years in a Soviet after a 40% increase in domestic-violence calls; in New York who require emergency assistance dispute relating to unilateral changes prison, half them in solitary confinement, and he • Aleh Negev, which supports children with severe because of the economic disruption caused by the to the terms and conditions of the kept himself sane by playing chess in his mind. disabilities whose schooling has been disrupted; pandemic. employment contract. He has been helping Jews around the world • Terem Public Clinic, Te Genesis Prize Foundation also announced If the employer has had to close all during the pandemic by speaking to Jewish which provides a special competition in honour of Sharansky or part of the operation for a three- schools, groups, and communities about medical services to that will recognise Israeli companies working month period or less, he or she has living in isolation. the residents of to combat COVID-19 and prepare the world for an obligation to apply for Temporary “Freedom is inside of yourself,” south Tel Aviv, future pandemics. Start-Up Nation Central, a non- Employers Relief Scheme (TERS) Sharansky told JTA. “If you can fight for including many profit organisation founded by philanthropist Paul benefits on behalf of employees. Tis the things you really believe, then you are asylum seekers Singer, will run the competition with Genesis to will certainly assist with the pressure free.” and those in the promote the Israeli innovations globally. on employers to pay their staff. Last month, Sharansky made a three- country illegally Sharansky said he hoped the pandemic would Tis obligation falls on the minute video offering five tips on living who don’t have yield positive effects for the world, even as it employer in order to discourage high in isolation that has been seen by tens of access to health causes death and devastation. numbers of people (employees) going thousands of people. Prior to talking to care; “I hope there will be much more unity in general in person to apply at the department JTA on Sunday, he spoke to of people all around the world,” he said, and of labour. Te application should be the Bulgarian Jewish that the moment would hopefully increase “our made before the end of the lockdown community understanding that there are things we can fight period. on a Zoom and defeat together”. Te question that’s no doubt in call. He Natan Sharansky is the eighth many people’s minds is whether the Genesis Prize laureate TERS COVID-19 claim is the same 18 SA JEWISH REPORT 8 – 15 May 2020 Need for expertise a contagious A column of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies Anonymous angels disease INNER VOICE build caring culture ne of the challenges created by the ABOVE BOARD lockdown is time management. For he South African Jewish Board of Shaun Zagnoev those who are able to work remotely, Deputies (SAJBD) continues to engage Howard Feldman Othe added pressure of virtual meetings, in efforts to alleviate the impact, great and small, that South Africans across assisting children with schooling, and Netflix, against the disease. Rather, I’m referring to Teconomic and otherwise, of COVID-19 on the board have launched in response to the all contribute to this problem. the details of the medical aspects of COVID-19 the Jewish community and population in crisis. Among those heading up significant Tere is, however, an additional factor that that would be unlikely to interest us if it were general. Now that we have begun a phased projects are members of the SAJBD Gauteng can’t be ignored: our COVID-19 education. In any other illness. lifting of the lockdown, we have posted Council, and some of its work can be read years gone by, we were hardly expected to have Our need could arise from a number regular guidance on critical issues relating to about on its Facebook page. a working knowledge of cardiology. of factors. It might simply be borne out the financial relief available, and as always, I Much of what is being done is taking We weren’t expected to be able to debate of anxiety. Although knowledge protects urge everyone who has been affected to make place under the Community Action treatment protocols for lymphomas, and we us, there is the sense that the more we full use of this resource. Network (CAN) initiative. This is based wouldn’t be expected to be able to debate understand, the less scary it is. Te more we All South Africans have been hard hit by on a decentralised, bottom-up approach, the pharmacological advantages of one drug read, the more we create the illusion that we the lockdown, but some have been more in which ad-hoc volunteer associations regime over another. We wouldn’t receive are in control. Tat calms us and reassures us. badly affected than others. I was recently focusing on emergency poverty relief are alerts about research into vaccines and It might arise from our lack of confidence in contacted by a community member who put together within existing community treatment, and would never be so bold as to the medical fraternity. Trough no fault of their became aware via a domestic employee of the structures or networks. Initially post our medical opinion on Facebook unless own, those on the frontline have been forced dire situation of those unable to earn during implemented in the Western Cape, it we were actually qualified to do so. to learn through hands-on experience, and the lockdown period, and who wanted to has been brought to Gauteng with great On Saturday night, I received a link to aren’t equipped with years of data, studies, and help. success by the Angel Network and Gauteng an interview with some professor from information about the behaviour of the virus. I referred this individual (who asked to Together. Stellenbosch University. Although it hit my As lay people, however, it’s easy to confuse remain anonymous) to the Angel Network, a The real point of it all, though, is what’s WhatsApp repeatedly, it was my wife who lack of training about the specifics of this social-outreach initiative run by a dedicated being done, not who is doing it. At this insisted that I watch it. Because she wouldn’t illness with lack of training in other areas group of Jewish women that has been time of unprecedented stress and hardship, take no for an answer, I attempted to comply. that become relevant to the treatment of doing extraordinary work over the past we have seen people of all backgrounds I struggled to get past the first minute as the COVID-19. What follows is that we somehow few months. As a result of a substantial throughout the country quietly and almost interviewer was appalling, which is what I told feel that we need to “step up” our knowledge donation from the individual concerned, the always anonymously getting on with the my wife when I finally gave up. “It’s important,” to assist in this area. organisation, with logistical assistance from job of helping others in need. she insisted, “We need to be knowledgeable In no way am I advocating that we don’t Moishe’s kosher butchery in Fairmount, If COVID-19 and its inevitably difficult about this.” Which sounded sensible, until I educate ourselves. On the contrary, my weekly Johannesburg, has delivered more than 900 aftermath motivates us to build a culture considered what she was saying. Sunday podcast with Dr Anton Meyberg food parcels to needy families in Alexandra, of doing good deeds and helping those in It’s clear from our behaviour and the attracts many thousands of viewers each with each parcel providing enough for a need, and if South African communities amount of time that we engage in learning week, and is designed to provide the latest family of four to live on for two weeks. emerge more united as a result, then about COVID-19 that we do feel the need to information. Te Alexandra project is one of many lasting good will have come out of it. educate ourselves. Te question is why. What I do suggest is that we become critical relief efforts that Jewish community To be clear, I’m not referring to obtaining more discerning about our sources of the members have been involved in since • Listen to Charisse Zeifert on Jewish Board knowledge about the behaviour of the disease, information, and that we don’t stress if we the lockdown was imposed. It’s further Talk, 101.9 ChaiFM, every Friday from as that obviously informs our own behaviour, aren’t qualified as immunologists when this is representative of countless similar initiatives, 12:00 to 13:00. and will potentially protect us and our families all over. Tis column is paid for by the SA Jewish Board of Deputies

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