We are proud of the service we have provided to Trustees and Owners of Bodies Corporate and Homeowners Associations over 15 years. If we don’t already manage your apartment block or complex, we would like to.

CONTACT Mike Morey TEL (021) 426 4440 FAX (021) 426 0777 EMAIL [email protected] VOLUME 29 No 1 FEBRUARY 2012 5772 www.cjc.org.za

Hope and healing at BOD and Friends16082_Earspace of the for Jewish UJC Chronicle Cape FA.indd 1 Town —2011/08/19 10:40 AM Black Management Forum event securing foundations for the future By Dan Brotman

Marco Van Embden, Hugh Herman and Eliot Osrin present a gift to Helen Zille. BMF member Mzo Tshaka, Cape Board Chairman Li Boiskin, Executive Director David The Friends of the UJC Cape Town recently Jacobson, Media & Diplomatic Liaison Dan Brotman, BMF member Songezo Mabece, BMF hosted a glittering and glamourous event — YP Chairman Thuso Segopolo, Ontlametse Phalatse and Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. (Photo: Jason Boud) celebrating the South African Jewish A new Torah to community and the generosity that The Cape Board was recently approached in a collaborative effort between the sustains it. by the Black Management Forum (of which Black Management Forum, the Jewish celebrate 7 years it is a member) to assist with the visit community of Cape Town and several uests from around the world as well of a remarkable 12-year-old girl named large corporations creating an event to as leaders and donors from the Ontlametse Phalatse. honour Ontlametse. G community gathered to celebrate the In true South African spirit, the Nelson institutions and philanthropy that make this ntlametse, who lives with her mother Mandela Auditorium and Café Riteve were such a thriving community. Bellon and brother Tshimologo in filled with a mix of members of the Jewish O Premier Helen Zille’s official residence, Gauteng, is one of 80 children in the community, Christian Zionist allies and Leeuwenhof Estate, was the setting for world (and one of two in Africa) living with leading black professionals from across the evening, and as the keynote speaker Progeria, a fatal genetic condition that a wide spectrum of fields, who joined she shared words of insight that were an accelerates the aging process. together for a heartwarming and hopeful inspiration to both overseas visitors and The Cape Board enlisted other gathering. local leadership. Jewish organisations to assist with Ontlametse’s visit to Cape Town, resulting Continued on page 29 See more on page 9

Cecil Jowell carrying the Torah through the Biggest Klezmer concert in Africa launches streets to its new home. The Blouberg and West Coast Shul Playing with Fire album celebrated its seven years of success with The launch of the first Klezmer CD on the Fire — Klezmer in Africa the inauguration of its first Torah. continent was marked with a larger-than- is a project that was led life concert by the Playing with Fire Klezmer by Myra Osrin, Philip undreds of Cape Town community band. Todres and Fay Singer, Hmembers and visitors from around the who wanted to record and globe gathered to celebrate this milestone he 13 musicians played beloved share the compositions moment. The celebrations included a Tmelodies, modern compositions of Mathew Reid’s Klezmer special ceremony completing the final and Balkan beats to a large audience band with the community words of the Torah, a musical at the Centre of the Book in Cape Town, and beyond. parade through the streets, introducing them to this exciting and The album launch the Hakafot blessings innovative demonstrated that this and much more. collection ambition has become a While the of Klezmer reality. Now, everyone shul has been music. can bring the sound and blessed Creating spirit of Klezmer into their to receive the album, hearts and homes, by other Torah scrolls entitled purchasing the CD from as gifts, a Torah of its Cape Town the Cape Jewish Seniors own demonstrates that this Shpiel: Association. community is here to stay! Playing with Ivor Joffe, Bernard Kotze, Matthew 300TH issue! See more on page 30 Reid and Fay Singer at the launch. See more on page 19 2 news & views Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 Community Noticeboard

The following organisations are affiliated to Jewish Cape JewishCare CapeSeniors Association • Glendale • Highlands House • Jewish Community Services • Nechama • Oranjia • ASTRA Centre (Jewish Sheltered Employment and Rosecourt Group Homes) www.jewishcare.org.za

tudies, UCT for Jewish S Kaplan Centre PUBLIC lECTURES Stephen Muir Tudor Parfitt (University of Leeds) S A JEWISH (University of London) Jewish choral music MUSEUM Black Zion — the story of through the ages Africa's Black Jews 14 February, 8 pm Herman Wald 6 February, 8 pm Exhibition Auditorium, South African Jewish Museum from Contact Kaplan Centre: 021 650-03062 20 February See page 38 HEBREW ULPAN BZA WIZO AGM CLASSES Tuesday 7 February, I A Hall, Beginners, Intermediate, Speaker: Mary9.30 Kluk, am National Advanced. Chairman SAJBOD See page 12

Union of Jewish Women Branch Events 21 Ora/Executive Card afternoon V & A Waterfront 1 pm 21 Na’Arot Elephant Whisperer Fire & Ice Hotel 8 pm (Lawrence Anthony) R100 ADULT EDUCATION DIVISION PROGRAMME: FEBRUARY 1 Dr Len Anstey Living with the Dead 8 Adi Phillips The Sunflower Fund 15 Riaan Manser Leadership 22 Esta Levitas Save a Child’s Heart 29 Megan White The Cart Horse Protection Association

Shabbat and Yom Tov Times

Date Portion Candle lighting Ends 3 Feb/10 Shevat Beshallach/Shirah 6.25 8.26 10 Feb/17 Shevat Yitro 6.21 8.19 17 Feb/24 Shevat Mishpatim/Shekalim 6.15 8.11 24 Feb/1 Adar Terumah 6.10 8.03 N.B. Please note that the times indicated are the earliest times for candle lighting. Please consult your Rabbi.

CSO emergency number 24 hours for medical and security 086 18 000 18 emergencies

UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED FOOD AND CATERING SERVICES ADVERTISED IN THIS PUBLICATION ARE NOT UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE CAPE BETH DIN Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 3 TaliVision Celebrating 300 issues! It is with much pride that the Cape Town more, bringing you a satisfying selection of Jewish community can celebrate the Cape cultural content every month! Jewish Chronicle reaching its 300th issue. Simchas and celebrations The ‘Community Connections’ section t is in these 300 Chronicles that this includes our exciting new ‘Simcha Snaps’ Ithriving, dynamic, multi-faceted and page, where we will now feature bar and admired community has been captured batmitzvah pictures, babies, birthdays over the last three decades, and it is due and much more alongside the much-loved to this community’s rich and sustained wedding pictures. This is definitely the communal life that the Chronicle has place to get your monthly dose of nachas! remained such a vibrant publication. For more information on sending your And who better than to recall the success Simcha Snaps to us, please contact the of this ‘three century’ achievement than Chronicle office. Irma Chait? In her ‘Way IC It’ retrospective ‘Community Connections’ also includes in this edition, she recalls the successes Chronic Ads — a vital resource for and challenges that she experienced as the whole community; and the paper editor of this paper for an amazing 287 concludes with a sports section. If you, a issues, and the dedication of the many family member or friend has succeeded in people who made it happen. Read more the sporting arena, let us know! about ‘the way she saw it’ on page 6! Technology and innovation can bring As Irma attests, ‘it’s a new world’, and people together, build an exciting future, in these changing times, the Chronicle and allow us to capture the past for future must evolve as a paper, reflecting an ever- generations. On page 36, read about how evolving community and a world enveloped technology is bridging the gap between in the digital age. We have therefore utilised Israeli and Palestinian students; and how this milestone edition to bring a fresh new it can bring Jewish resources and history logo and look to the Chronicle — taking it into the electronic age. towards the next 300 issues and beyond! On that note, the Chronicle has taken News, views, community and culture technology in its stride by bringing you This issue of the paper includes some this new logo, new look, new typeface, exciting new features that we hope will only new layout and even new paper. We hope add to your enjoyment of the Chronicle. that by adapting the Chronicle to evolve The paper is now divided into sections, and expand, it can play a role in taking this offering more depth and range for a variety community towards an even better future of content to be included on these pages. — and record it all for the next generation. We begin with ‘News & Views’, where I would like to take this opportunity to you will find a myriad of communal ideas, thank the Chronicle Editorial Board and analysis and opinions and a safe, secure staff, and the many community members, environment for debate and discussion. leaders and organisations who gave me so ‘News and Views’ will include our new mini- much support in my first year as editor of Nachum Goldmann article series, letters, the Cape Jewish Chronicle. I look forward opinion pieces and current affairs, and is a to working with you all in the year ahead! place for your views to be shared and your Here’s to you — let us all celebrate these thoughts to be aired — so send us your 300 issues of the Chronicle together! letters and news! The ‘Community and Culture’ segment is the Chronicle as you have always known it, CJC Editorial Board with items reporting on the myriad of events Chairman: Lester Hoffman. and activities taking place across the Ex-officio: Ben-Zion Surdut. Committee: community, as well as thought-provoking Julie Berman, Li Boiskin, Barbara Flax, articles by communal leaders. This section David Jacobson, Ben Levitas, Barry Levitt, also includes our arts and culture page, Marianne Marks, Myra Osrin, Jonathan Silke. Editor: Tali Barnett, Secretary: Tessa which offers in-depth articles on cultural Epstein, Advertising: Anita Shenker, affairs in South Africa, Israel and around DTP: Desrae Saacks the world; the Gitlin Library page and much

news Herzlia matric class 2011 takes over the top ten! large number of Herzlia Matric 2011 Accounting: Jonathan Glick 5th place IT: Alex Cohen 6th place A pupils achieved positions in the top Sarah Edelberg 6th place Alon Bresler 8th place ten in various subjects in the Western Business Studies: Rael Chapman 4th place Jonathan Levenson 8th place Cape. We wish them a hearty ‘matric Computer App. Tech: Sarah Edelberg 1st place Saul Anstey 8th place mazeltov!’ Economics: Jonathan Glick 2nd place Zach Melnick 9th place Rael Chapman 8th place Mathematics: Tal Aharonov 3rd place Herzlia was the only school who wrote English: Gabi Stein 6th place Maths paper 3: Gabi Stein 9th place Hebrew and therefore its pupils achieved Ruth Urson 10th place Michael Alhadef 9th place all top 10 places. Mazeltov to Shavit History: Jonathan Glick 9th place Tourism: Amy Hoffenberg 7th place Sachs who achieved 1st place in Hebrew. Spanish: Dara Kometz 7th place Visual Art: Caitlin Le Roith 9th place

Issued under the auspices of the Western Province Zionist Council and the SA Jewish Board of Deputies (Cape Council) 87 HATFIELD STREET CAPE TOWN 8001 P.O. BOX 4176 CAPE TOWN 8000 PHONE 021 464-6700 FAX 021 461-5804 e-mail: [email protected] EDITOR: TALI BARNETT 4 news & views Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 news New acting Principal at Herzlia Weizmann Cape Town Jewish Herzlia Weizmann has appointed Anton “I look forward to the Community VISION: 2025 Krupenia as its Acting Principal. challenge of building an empowering educational nton brings a wealth of experience environment. This is a Over the last three years, a grassroots initiative under the banner of the ‘International Ato the position, having been Deputy challenge because we Nahum Goldmann Fellowship’ has been active in Cape Town (www.ngfp.org). Principal since 2009 and head of the need to maintain the intermediate phase for four years. “I knew legacy of the past whilst riven by past ‘fellows’ of the NGF, these meetings have sought to allow members of from an early age that I wanted to be adapting to the ever- Anton the Cape Town Jewish community to engage with various issues and, perhaps more Krupenia D involved in education, but when I left school changing curriculum and importantly, also to engage with each other. I gravitated towards business. Fortunately technology,” he says. As part of this evolving Jewish movement, the group decided to spend the next year I found my way back, got an honours Anton has always been actively involved ‘envisioning’ Jewish Cape Town 2025. How would we like our community to be in the next degree in educational management, and in youth-related programmes. He ran 10 years and what are the challenges facing us? In 2012, this topic will be workshopped the rest is history”, says Anton. the Western Cape branch of a Jewish by a growing group of passionate, young Cape Town Jews. Some of these ideas will be “I would like to build on the nurturing youth movement; was head of the Zionist shared on this page of the Cape Jewish Chronicle, in the form of opinion pieces. environment we have at Weizmann and Youth Council; and attended the Nachum If there are members of the community between the ages of 23 — 40 (the demographic create a place where every child has the Goldman Fellowship programme. of the International Nahum Goldmann Felllowship) who would like to be a part of this opportunity to experience success. The Furthermore, Anton has served as vice initiative, please contact David Jacobson on [email protected]. You can also join the key to achieving this nurturing environment -president of the Cape Town Progressive Facebook group by searching for ‘Cape Town Jewish Community Vision 2025’. is through the principle of respect. Jewish Congregation for two years. Ten Jewish students graduate as doctors Opinion By Lauren Kessler Alive with possibility I am a Jewish young adult and a graduate religion is dictated to of the Reform Zionist youth movement them, not allowing Netzer. I never attended Herzlia and I did them to develop a not grow up within the community hotbed. place for themselves in it. But I don’t think s a child I knew very little about Israel, they are running away Aand had no real relationship with it — they just don’t know either. My Jewish knowledge was limited to how to fit in. the traditions of the High Holy Days. I never This is what I mean learnt Hebrew nor had a batmitzvah. I was by us becoming Lauren Kessler never told openly that I was Jewish in any active members particular way, nor had I any idea which now. The community is only as strong Candice Levetan, Calli Dogon, Raphaella Stander, Jo-Anne Strul, Jared Lipsitz, Danielle Travill stream I ‘belonged’ too. I had no idea what as the collective passion and input of and Elia Isralls all graduated as doctors in December last year. Absent from photo : Larry it meant to be a Jewish youth. all its members, not just a small pool of Chapman, Marc Davidowitz and Simon Mendelsohn. We wish them a hearty mazeltov and all the best in their medical careers! Yet today I find myself at shul at least three influential leaders — which I think is the times a week, can recite most prayers off current situation, and is unsustainable in by heart and can speak and understand the long run. colloquial Hebrew. I took up the position Blossoming from within of director of education in Netzer and have How do you make this community relevant been to Israel three times, including a gap to its future leaders? How do we recognise year. Judaism has quickly become a focal and utilise its potential to thrive beyond point in my life. Thus my experience of this the year 2025? How do we reconcile community was done entirely of my own fundamentally different conceptions of accord, largely through Netzer. what it means to be Jewish? I cannot Therefore my story provides no true prescribe an ideal definition of a South insight into the general attitudes and African Jew, and I do not think I should experiences of the Jewish youth of have the right to either. But I do think it’s our community; in fact it’s quite the a simple aim — we need to provide the opposite. As someone with too many infrastructure and the atmosphere for our overly passionate yet rather unformulated youth to discover themselves within the opinions and limited understanding of the Jewish community. previous generation, I can speak only from There needs to be permanent structures my somewhat outsider exposure about for post-matrics and in particular for this community and how I see it panning graduates of youth movements to hone out in 2025. and develop their leadership skills and Taking the lead gain relevant Jewish knowledge. There To me, the South African Jewish community needs to be space for them to engage is alive with possibility. 2025 signifies the in open debate with each other and with time that my generation will take the lead, the older generation about core Jewish but the inevitability of this is not good values, to provide both the tools and the enough. As the current youth, we need inspiration for leadership. Events like to be active members of the community Limmud, the Melton courses, and Nachum now, so that when we finally do make the Goldman fellowships are ideal, but are not decisions — in managerial positions, as a permanent structures of the community. Diaspora community, in interactions with So it’s not that simple, but according to the wider South African community and Herzl, it is definitely doable. above all, as parents to be — we make I don’t think this community lacks them with a healthy foundation from which ambition. I don’t think it is particularly too to work from. inclusive or exclusive and I don’t think But the youth of today find it difficult to it is dying out. I do, however, think that place themselves within the community. we need to be malleable — we need to They find it difficult to relate to the Jewish open up channels of communication and and Zionist values of their parents and not be afraid of intense and sometimes subsequently lack a desire to participate destabilising dialogue about what it in communal events or have their say actually means to be a Jew and a Zionist in in leadership forums. It has been said the 21st century in South Africa. that, with the exception of Jewish youth movements, the youth ‘run far away’ from Lauren Kessler was the Chairman of the their Judaism the moment they finish 12 South African Zionist Federation Youth years of Jewish education. They feel like Council in 2011. Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 5 6 news & views Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 The Way … A retrospective think of the incredible effect it has had IC it on the community and what a debt the community accordingly owes to you and hen the first issue of the Cape Jewish your colleagues for continually producing WChronicle — Vol.1 No. 1 — rolled such a wonderful community paper. off the presses in November 1984, I was “I so often hear people talk about the thrilled beyond words. In addition to the Chronicle and whilst those involved in natural anticipation, since all my children community affairs at least know what is were ‘Caesareans’, now at last, I could going on in regard to (their) organisation experience ‘natural’ birth! Not that I was … the great majority are not involved, but involved in the actual conception of this through the Chronicle they are kept in We congratulate the Cape Jewish new paper — I was rather a ‘surrogate’ close contact with what is happening in Chronicle, its staff and the Editorial mother. The biological mother was Myra the community, feel much closer to it and Osrin, as in so very many such births. The in the process are much more interested Board on reaching its 300th edition. identity of the father remains in dispute! in it.”

CONCEPTION, DELIVERY AND PAROCHIAL… TRUE! GENERALLY MIXED METAPHORS For Tricolor to have printed all 300 In retrospect, the editions has been for us a wonderful Had anyone told me that some 26 years history of the after that fateful day, I would still have ing Chronicle runs journey of a close and harmonious been producing Chronicles, I t virtually would have told them they were parallel relationship. crazy. Ridiculous! Beyond with the conception! As it radical turned out, my total jc! ‘landscape’ We extend our thanks to all those score of deliveries changes in this at last reckoning celebra e C country which began in involved with the Chronicle over the was 287 — a thought 300 issuesthe mid ‘80s. that bowls me over yet. Against this back-drop we told many years of its existence – may it Metaphorically, and our own particular story, remaining appropriate to this season, of thapolitical and largely parochial while be blessed to reach even more great we’ve now moved on to ever true to our Israel connection. Under milestones in the future. the cricket pitch. And indeed, the aegis of our Editorial Board, led by from that first issue our small t e a m our sponsors, the South African Board of performed pretty well. As the years passed Deputies (Cape Council) and the South we had a few significant star substitutions. African Zionist Federation (Cape Council), Two new players joined the squad over we steered this course, leaving broad FOR QUALITY IN PRINT 20 years ago, and the last batsman — or political discourse to the general media. maybe bowler — about eleven. But, wherever the Board of Deputies or So that when I personally ‘declared’ at other organisations engaged in debate or the end of 2010, the new captain inherited met with the various political role players, it a very strong, well experienced and loyal was duly covered in the paper. side. And after a year we see that she If you page through earlier issues, from has kept the ratings up very well and that way back to the current day, you get a the Cape Jewish Chronicle continues to very good feel of our story over the past remain top of the log, as is evident in this 27-plus years. Not just the organisations, landmark Three Century issue. but also the people, of all ages and all their doings, not to mention the births, deaths SPORT, STYLE AND CELEBRATION and marriages. I recently enjoyed paging through some of the earlier copies and We can now enjoy the 300th issue, which found it difficult to put them down. Real sports a new and exciting format… a far nostalgic, ‘Eureka!’ moments. cry from the aforementioned Vol. 1 No. 1 Recommended reading, they are of 1984, which was just 16 pages, with an available at the Gitlin. antique-looking masthead (changed many years ago) and a conservative serif font MOVING ON (that too). Regarding style, in all of my hundreds of “It’s a new world, Golda.” ‘Wayicits’ — always written in haste as a Those wonderful words of Tevya back in P.S. to the paper — I opted to wax light, Anatevka a hundred or so years ago ring indulging myself in as many puns and ever true. Now we will see the Chronicle of quirks as I fancied and discussing whatever 2012 moving on and keeping up with the came to mind. But the column was not times in fresh and engaging style… not to devoid of gravitas where appropriate, and mention keeping up with the huge ongoing such gravitas is called for now. advances in technology that would, and From early on it was evident that the do, have me personally floored! Chronicle was becoming a valued Who knows, you, may even end up institution for our community, fulfilling reading the monthly issues on your what its creators had intended in being Kindles! a medium for keeping people informed, Whatever the case, be assured that this as well as being a ‘mouthpiece’. This publication will continue to do the job — sentiment was borne out on our 10th and do it very well. To Tali, Tessa, Anita and anniversary at a celebratory cocktail party Des, my very best and warmest wishes as with leading organisational and communal you bat and bowl on in fine style towards personalities. your next century.

SCORING OUR DOUBLE CENTURY! The continued success in fulfilling our The Way IC it founders’ mandate is beautifully summed up in a letter received from Eliot Osrin — husband of Myra, but apparently not the biological father of the paper — when we celebrated our 200th issue in December 2002: is now on the web! “On reading the 200th edition of the Connect with Irma at: Cape Jewish Chronicle I couldn’t help but www.irmachait.co.za Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 7

WishingÊtheÊCape JewishÊChronicleÊaÊheartyÊ MazaltovÊonÊtheÊpublication ofÊtheirÊ300thÊedition.

HereÕsÊtoÊtheÊnextÊ300!

www.auction.co.za 0861Êalliance 8 news & views Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 Letters to the editor Meet the designer of our new logo… PO Box 4176 Cape Town 8000 or e-mail: [email protected] Last year, the Chronicle called for new CityPrint we do designs of our logo to celebrate our a lot of work A safe haven for all 300th issue. We thank all the community for Bnei Akiva, y name is Aron Adler. I am 25 years border. Minutes later, IDF scouts spotted members who sent a rich variety of Ohr Somaych Mold, was born in Brooklyn NY, and small groups of people trying to get wonderful logos to us. Sharyn Seidel- and various raised in Israel. Though very busy, I don’t across the fence. In the period of an hour, Kometz’s logo stood out for its fresh, other Jewish view my life as unusual. Most of the time, we picked up 13 men — cold, barefoot spirited and crisp design, and was chosen organisations. I I am just another Israeli citizen, and 15-20 and dehydrated. We gathered them in a to grace our cover. Here, she shares have freelanced days out of every year, I’m called up to the room, gave them blankets and treated thoughts about her work, the logo and our for both the Israeli army to do my reserve duty. This their wounds. I don’t speak their language, 300th issue. Marais Road year, our reserve unit was stationed on but the looks on their faces said it all and Shul and Temple Sharyn Seidel-Kometz the border between Israel, Egypt and the reminded me once again why I am so haryn is a qualified graphic designer Israel, and of Gaza Strip. Above and beyond the ‘typical’ proud to be a Jew and an Israeli. Sas well as a vocalist and mother “to two course, have designed many wedding, bar things for which we train, this year we were The refugees flooding into Israel are a great kids — Dara and Jakob.” She has and batmitzvah invitations!” confronted by a new challenge: several heavy burden on our small country, but I been working in graphic design for close Sharyn and the team at CityPrint design years ago, refugees started crossing the am writing to tell you that despite this crisis, to 30 years, and since her return to Cape everything from simple business cards, Egyptian border into Israel to seek asylum these refugees have no reason to fear Town from the US four years ago, she has to company branding, websites, vehicle from the atrocities in Darfur. us. Because they know that Israel does been contracted to Worldtribe Productions branding, coffee table books, invitations, We increasingly hear about the horrors not turn its back on humanity. Though I as a freelance designer. She is currently labels and much more. As her client, these refugees suffer. They are victims of already knew that, this week I once again based at their partner company, CityPrint you will receive “personalised attention extortion, rape, murder, and even organ experienced it firsthand. I am overwhelmed in St. Johns Road, Sea Point; and also — every design I do is about the client theft. If they survive, they must evade the with emotion and immensely proud to be a freelances from home. and what they need. I work fast and pay Egyptian soldiers on the border, who are member of this nation. Regarding her Chronicle logo, Sharyn attention to detail. There is nothing more ordered to shoot anyone trying to cross the Aron Adler says that “The logo has gone through gratifying than being able to breathe new border out of Egypt and into Israel. a few changes to get here but I think I life into the look of an existing company or For those who finally get across, the first Information on relatives have still managed to maintain my initial to brand a company with its own unique people they encounter are Israeli soldiers. inspiration for the design. I wanted a style, enabling it to portray everything it But here, they know they will be treated with am searching for information about these relatives who were born in Lithuania logo that was lighter, that would be able stands for,” she says. more respect than in any of the countries I to ‘breathe’ a little more and have a more On the Chronicle reaching its 300th issue, they crossed to get to this point. between 1875 and 1920 and came to South Africa: Miriam (also known as Mary youthful, fresher edge. It would have to Sharyn says, “The Chronicle has built itself The region where it all happens is highly embody a modern feel but still be loyal to an enormous readership; it’s evolved and sensitive from a security point of view. And or Esther) Dubovsky, Isaac Dubovsky and Zelig Dubovsky. If anyone can help, please the Chronicle’s more conservative readers. grown into a much-respected publication yet the Israeli soldiers who are confronted With the new look of the logo, the new within our community. What a testament with these refugees do it not with rifles contact me on [email protected]. Stanton Dubow (Florida, USA) fonts and the new brighter paper it is being this 300th issue is to all the people who aimed at them, but with a helping hand and printed on, I am hoping the Chronicle will have contributed over the years to make an open heart. They are taken to an IDF be able to attract a larger readership and the Chronicle what it is today. I wish you a base, given clean clothes, a hot drink, food Opinions expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial excite its current readers.” hearty Mazel Tov! and medical attention. They are finally safe. Board or its sponsoring bodies. Letters Sharyn has done a significant amount “Thank you to the Editorial Board at the Recently, I witnessed the reality of this. submitted anonymously will not be printed. of design work in the community. “This However, by agreement, the name may Chronicle for choosing my logo as part At 9pm a few nights ago, the first reports be withheld in the publication. Letters are past year I volunteered and did a lot of their fresh new ‘look’. I wish you all came in of gunfire heard from the Egyptian published subject to space being available. of promotional artwork for Limmud. At continued success!” Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE 9 Friends of the UJC: Building a better tomorrow

The Friends of the UJC organisation more. However, the true highlight of the possible in South Africa was palpable! community through possible financial enjoyed a celebration of community and evening was when Premier Zille shared A commitment to the collective challenges in the future. philanthropy on 4 January in Cape Town. her thoughts as the keynote speaker. The The Premier’s words were only enhanced Thanks again must go to Investec, Premier discussed the important role that by Dr. Hugh Herman’s words of introduction which has been a steadfast and generous remier Helen Zille’s official residence, communities play in building and ensuring and Eliot Osrin’s vote of thanks, which both sponsor of the Friends of the UJC Cape PLeeuwenhof Estate, was the setting for a multi-cultural democracy in this country, spoke to the power of the collective and Town since the organisation’s inception this year’s Friends of the UJC Cape Town and spoke highly of the levels of mutual the importance of leadership. As noted in in 2009. The leadership of Marco Van summer function. Visitors from around the responsibility that members of the South words of welcome by Marco Van Embden Embden, Karen Abrahamson, Helen globe, many of them leading professionals African Jewish community display toward (Chairman of the Friends of the UJC Cape Berger and Nina Kovensky, supported and philanthropists, gathered with the one another and broader society. She Town), it is this commitment to making a by the UJC professionals, is invaluable Cape Town Jewish community’s most invited the regular visitors to Cape Town to contribution that is so universal amongst to this project and will yield a brighter magnanimous donors to celebrate become part of the enduring legacy being those at the event. Jewish future for generations to come. the phenomenal Jewish infrastructure forged in South Africa. The Friends of the UJC Cape Town Finally, Anne Mann, our pro-bono events that exists in Cape Town and adds Premier Zille spoke too of the multi- works to harness this passion of building coordinator must be acknowledged for immeasurably to this city. faceted challenges and hurdles that exist a better tomorrow and strengthening her professionalism, attention to detail and Regaled by Russ Nerwich and his when engaging in the task of nation- local Jewish organisational life. Financial sublime creativity. ensemble, treated to delicious cuisine building, but her message was one of resources generated are invested in the A truly magnificent evening was enjoyed and basking in the beauty of the estate optimism and defiance despite these David Susman Community Foundation, by all 140 people in attendance. grounds, guests could ask for little challenges. Her passion for what is truly a fund that is designed to shepherd our Visit www.ujc.org.za/friends

Jonathan Sachar, Gillian Van Embden, Eli Leibowitz and David Ellman, Nina Kovensky, Glen Heneck and Claire Marla Sachar. Ellman (founder of Chai South Africa). Zea Lewis, Stuart and Cheryl Lewis and Vanessa Jossel.

Marco Van Embden presenting Natie Kirsh with Cecil Jowell and Stacey Zunde with Sean Melnick. Ruth and Roy Eckstein. an 80th birthday plaque. Sheila Kaplan, Eric and Sheila Samson and Robert Kaplan.

Philip Krawitz with Connie and Vanessa Sean and Lindy Melnick, Myra Osrin and Kevin and Dana Arenson. Jennifer Herman, Kim Millner, Natie Kirsh and Gary Millner. Valkin.

Sandra Davis and Avron Smith. Paul and Sue Main.

Photographs by Nina Kovensky, Karen Abrahamson, Marco Van Embden and Helen Berger. Yvonne and Ronnie Kaplan with Joceline and Arnie Basserabie. Shawn Benjamin 10 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 Integrity • diversity • community Nations and narratives 2012 Brett Goldin Bursary Awards The Jewish community By David Jacobson of South Africa was The recent Russell Tribunal on Palestine into veritable submission. The rest of us, deeply impacted by the that convened in Cape Town in November unfortunately, are consigned to battle with kidnapping, robbery and got me thinking about truth, justice and bouts of doubt and uncertainty. murder of Brett Goldin most of all about peace. Justice also is not so easily defined and and Richard Bloom in contained. Cape Town on 16 April hese are concepts that have inspired There is a famous quotation in 2006. Tthe human spirit ever since we first Deuteronomy: “Justice, justice, you shall became conscious beings, and have been pursue it.” Jewish commentators over the he killing took place the intellectual and ideological drivers ages have asked why the word ‘justice’ Tjust days before 28 behind many of humankind’s greatest appears twice. One interpretation is that the year-old Goldin was due achieve-ments. However, each of these first mention of justice refers to a decision to depart for England much-sought-after ideas has an ethos and based on strict law, and the second to perform in the Baxter value of its own, and they should not be to a compromise. The latter is seen as Theatre’s production moulded into one amorphous aggregation. situational and subjective. The locale is not of Hamlet, which was Director Janice Honeyman, Denise Goldin, actress Sabine Palfi The Russell Tribunal’s stated aim the pristine courts of law but the mundane chosen for the opening and SAJBD Media & Diplomatic Liaison Dan Brotman. was “To reaffirm busses and streets. of the Royal Shakespeare announced. This year’s judging panel the supremacy of Here, too, justice must Company’s Complete Works Festival. comprised of Baxter Associate Producer international law as the be pursued. Finding Following the young actor’s death, the “The end game should Nicolette Moses, award-winning actor basis for a solution to equitable solutions Brett Goldin Bursary was established in Thamo Mbongo, director Geoffrey Hyland, the Israeli-Palestinian be the attainment of to complex practical 2007 through the generosity of Sir Antony conflict. It will identify democracy and peace and situations is part and Sher, Dame Janet Suzman, Dorothy-Anne Baxter CEO Lara Foot and theatre stalwart all the failings in the not a self-righteous public parcel of the pursuit of Gould and two theatre companies. Every Dorothy-Anne Gould. Brett’s mother, implementation of this justice. two years, the bursary sends two South Denise Goldin, joined the last round to finding of absolute truth.” select the final two winners. right and will condemn A gift of trust African actors between the ages of 20 and At the end of the ceremony, Denise all the parties Judaism has a very 30 to the Royal Shakespeare Company announced the winners: Nkosinathi Gaar responsible for these failings…” interesting concept called ‘Shalom Bayit’, in Stratford-upon-Avon for a month of (26) from Johannesburg and Timothy In other words, the Tribunal was seeking literally meaning ‘peace in the home.’ It is training. Redpath (28) from Kwazulu-Natal. “My justice (“supremacy of international law”) generally used in the personal domain, During their stay in England, the family and I are deeply honoured that and truth (“condemn all parties responsible within families and relationships, advising recipients are based in the Artist Brett’s memory continues to be upheld for the failings”). But nowhere did it truly that one should compromise on hard, Development Department, where they with the incredible success of this unique seem to be searching for that most elusive unyielding principle for the sake of peace. fine-tune their acting skills through of ideas that seem to have escaped that It understands that if your real goal is good observation, discussion with personnel opportunity, and it has been a joy to see troubled part of the world for so long: relationships, then zealous pursuit of truth working in production, press and casting how it has benefited the young actors peace. and justice can actually hinder this more departments and through contact with who have been through the programme,’ South Africa was able to make a than help. other actors, directors and members of the she said. “Besides enhancing their own miraculous transition from violence and The same thinking could be applied to Royal Shakespeare Company. performances, these actors have brought hatred to peace and democracy. This any conflict. If our real aim is to find an Honouring Brett’s memory back to South Africa their passion for transition was achieved not by convening equitable solution to this very painful and Media & Diplomatic Liaison Dan Brotman Shakespeare and positively used this to a ‘tribunal’ to apportion blame or even by protracted conflict in the Middle East, then attended the award ceremony on behalf encourage and inspire upcoming actors.” trying to uncover the incontrovertible truth. surely sitting in self-righteous judgement of the Cape Board. Of the 60 applicants, In addition, The Cape Board recently The TRC itself was not a truth-seeking of one side or the other will do nothing to 17 were shortlisted and took part in lent its moral support to Denise when ‘blame game’, but rather an attempt to heal actually advance peace? I often wonder the three-day audition process at the Nurshad Davids, who was convicted for wounds by allowing stories to be heard from if those sitting on the Russell Tribunal Baxter Theatre, with the four finalists armed robbery, hijacking and kidnapping all sides. It was about collective healing were more concerned with finding Israel performing Shakespeare monologues at in the 2006 murders, applied for and was through a kind of ‘narrative psychotherapy’. morally guilty, with painting and tainting the ceremony before the two winners were eventually denied parole. Justice, justice Israel as ‘the villain’, rather than actually The apartheid system was finally ended trying to solve the conflict and help the through a series of negotiations between Palestinians. Sometimes you can cling so 1990 and 1993 — negotiations that took hard to your desire to be right that you lose place against a backdrop of political all perspective and all compassion. violence and racial hatred. These The South African model is one of Eric Edelstein on entrepreneurship and the internet discussions did not seek to label one side unilateral trust-building steps and direct as pure evil or to make a declarative moral negotiations. This model for breaking down Staffwise had the pleasure of hosting a talk by local entrepreneur Eric Edelstein pronouncement. The wise conveners conflict and moving towards a democratic on 3 November. of these negotiations realised that the resolution is the gift that we are able to give end game should be the attainment of to the world as South Africans, and this is a Eric, whose companies include Springleap and Evly, told us how he joined the internet democracy and peace, and not a self- gift that we should be giving to the Israelis industry and gave the group valuable advice regarding online marketing and social righteous public finding of absolute truth. and Palestinians as well. media. Truth, in any event, is a very illusive If the goal of the Russell Tribunal was ideal. In my experience, it is only the to apportion clear blame and stand in Eric’s passion for online marketing is infectious, and the talk was thoroughly enjoyed by extremists on both sides of an ideology sanctimonious judgement of Israel, then the audience! — any ideology — that are convinced it may have succeeded. If, however, its of having ‘the’ truth. They wield this truth goal was to try and bring justice and To contact Staffwise, call Linda or Coty: Tel: 021 — 464-6700 with a certain self-righteous indignation peace to the region, then it was a sad and Email: [email protected] Web: www.staffwise.org.za www.facebook.com/staffwise and use it indiscriminately to batter others deplorable failure. Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE 11 KNOW YOUR BOARD. KNOW YOUR LeadSA recycling campaign RIGHTS bears fruit The SAJBD (Cape Council) October 2011 — October 2013 In 2010, the Cape Argus launched the Lead SA initiative to mobilise South Africans to Executive David King ‘be the change they wanted to see.’ Li Boiskin (Chairman) Eric Marx Rael Kaimowitz (Vice-chairman) Lawrence Miller (deceased) ape Council Chairman Li Boiskin Gary Eisenberg (Vice-chairman) Jonathan Silke decided to take up the challenge as Joe Fintz (Treasurer) Paul Sulcas C a form of Tikkun Olam and encourage our Vivienne Anstey Honorary Life Vice-presidents Jewish community to make a difference David Jacobson (Executive Director) Simon Jocum through its own behaviour. After discussing Elected Members Gerald Kleinman this project with the Board, it was decided Anna Berkowitz (resigned) Mervyn Smith to focus on concern for others and concern Franki Cohen (resigned) Ex-officio members of the council for the environment. Michael Donen Josh Benjamin (SAUJS) Concern for others would take the form Greg Flash Ben Levitas (SAZF Cape Council) of helping to save lives by encouraging Glen Heneck Daphne Miller (UJW) the blood donation through visits by the Gwynne Robins, Rob Small (Abalimi Lester Hoffman Western Province Blood Transfusion Bezekhaya co-director) and Li Boiskin. Invitees Saul Kaplan Services. Assistance to the environment Michael Katz (CSO) was decided that as the money had come would be through a recycling project: A from a project for the environment, so an Collect-a-Can bin was installed for empty environmental project would be the most How to become an affiliate tin cans and arrangements were made for appropriate beneficiary and after much As per clauses 4b and 4c of our constitution, any organisation seeking membership all discarded paper to be taken to Nampak. thought, Abalimi Bezekhaya (Farmers of of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies “shall in the first place submit its The response from the staff at the Home) was chosen as the first recipient. Samson Centre and 88 Hatfield Street application, together with a copy of its constitution and a statement of its objects, Feeding 15 000 people was enthusiastic and heartwarming. normal activities and number of its members, to the Cape Committee….” Li Boiskin and Gwynne Robins met with the The WPBTS was thrilled by the two well- Abalimi Bezekhaya co-director, Rob Small, We therefore call on any newly constituted body to apply to the supported clinics they held, and they who told them that in the past ten years his Board for membership, as per the instructions above. will return again this year. The Gardens organisation has established 3000 urban Synagogue, Café Riteve and the Jewish The number of your delegates, which are your representatives to our various organic micro-farms in the townships on Museum all came on board to support meetings and conferences, are determined by the Cape Committee as per clause the Cape Flats of which 2500 are home this initiative, as well as the staff of all 6a of the constitution. Affiliates who submitted a list of delegates for our recent Cape gardeners and 500 community gardeners, communal organisations in the Samson Conference must be aware that those names will stay on our database as your official feeding at least 15 000 people. Most of the Centre. delegates unless you inform us to the contrary. gardeners are mothers or grandmothers. As for the response to the recycling Queries about the number of delegates supplied to your organisation should be The plots might be as small as a strip campaign, we have so far collected R1000 submitted in writing to the Board. alongside their shacks, or wasteland no from the sale of the discarded papers larger than 100 m², but they are enough to and empty cans. In discussing what to The Cape Board is fully committed to ensuring that it remains to grow vegetables, feed to their families do with the money from the recycling, it the most democratic Jewish organisation in South Africa. and improve their health. The NGO runs workshops and ongoing training to empower Reconciliation Day walk promotes respect and tolerance people and supplies On Reconciliation Day, Cape Council Chairman Relationships between people these gardeners with Li Boiskin, honorary life vice-president Simon are never defined or redefined instructions, seeds, Jocum and Deputy Director Gwynne Robins instantly. They evolve from a tools and skills. joined three hundred Jewish, Muslim and constant effort of experience, They donate surplus vegetables to the Christian Capetonians on a reconciliation education, and calibration,” he needy and to various pilgrimage. said. From the shul, participants soup kitchens, and the latest project set up by tarting at the 11-circuit labyrinth in the walked to the Palm Tree Mosque, these gardeners is the grounds of St Georges Cathedral, a form where Marlene Silbert spoke. S Harvest of Hope. These of sacred geometry used for meditation dating Marlene is the former National are boxes of assorted back 4000 years, they listened to Professor Farid Education Director of the South fresh organically Esack speaking on achieving reconciliation African Holocaust Foundation, grown vegetables and co-author of the Japanese- between families, friends and communities. delivered weekly to based Arigatou Foundation’s The crowd then walked up the avenue and into The group gathers in the mosque. points throughout the International Committee on Ethics we will need to draw upon all of the resources of peninsula. For R105 a in Education’s book Learning to Live Together. the human spirit. We need to explore ways and week one gets a box She told the group that as a Jew, she felt “New moral power will belong means of promoting a culture of respect, and of 9 — 12 seasonal, privileged and honoured to stand in that historic to those who do not spring encourage people of different faiths and cultures organically grown Masjid in celebration of reconciliation. to work together for our common good. vegetables, enough to to reflex self-defense and “For too long, the pages of history have been “We need to create opportunities for religious feed a medium-sized stained by blood, shed in the name of G-d. self-justification.” dialogue that is inclusive of all voices. We need family for the week; The question we should address on this day of to listen, and we need to speak. If we know more and for R72 a week one reconciliation is whether religion can contribute about each other’s faiths, then we can break gets a box of 6 — 7 the Gardens Synagogue, built in 1903. Here, to conciliation and peace, rather than being a vegetables, enough to Rabbi Osher Feldman welcomed them and source of conflict”, she said. feed a family of two. spoke about the Chanukiya being a symbol of A collective heritage “For too long the pages of Rob Small thanked reconciliation, as its many branches having a She quoted Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, who Li for the Board’s common stem. had said the answer would depend on how history have been stained by support, and in turn Li Professor Njabulo Ndebele, former Vice- people from different faiths and cultures, make blood, shed in the name of wishes to thank all the Chancellor and Principal of the University of Cape space for ‘the other’ — the one who is not like G-d.” community members Town, spoke about the social hurts embedded in us, whose race, colour or creed is different from whose support and help language that is unconsciously used by so many ours. “Do we see ‘the other’ as a threat to our in recycling made this people. He gave as examples the word ‘coolie’ beliefs and way of life, or as an enrichment of the down stereotypes, stop inaccurate information donation possible. for Indian, used by Malema; ‘the girl’ for domestic collective heritage of mankind?’’ she asked. from being disseminated, and refrain from pre- If anyone is interested worker and ‘the boy’ for gardener. He said that Marlene explained that one of the greatest judging others,” she said. in obtaining vegetables Malema had apologised once he realised the obstacles to achieving unity was religious Warm applause greeted her talk from an from Harvest of Hope, hurt he had caused. extremism. Drawing rigid boundaries around audience that included Western Cape Premier please contact Gwynne The professor asked for critical introspection a religious way of life can be adversarial and Helen Zille. Opportunities such as this, which is at 021 4646700. to pry out new knowledge, redefine old notions, antagonistic. Fundamentalists frequently organised by a small interfaith group (including A minimum of 15 box and clear the air for new relationships. “New demonise ‘the other’ and work against the vision Gwynne Robins from the Jewish Board of members is required to moral power will belong to those who do not of a shared future and a shared spirituality. Deputies), helps to promote such a culture of start up a new delivery spring to reflex self-defense and self-justification. “If we are going to have a shared future, then respect and reconciliation. point. 12 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012

SOUTH SOUTH AFRICAN AFRICAN ZIONIST ZIONIST FEDERATION FEDERATION (Ca (Cpea Cpouncie Council) l) A view from the Chair A celebration of friendship

Ben Levitas, Chairman SAZF (Cape Council)

The UN Climate Conference (COP17) held in Israel recycles more Durban in December, thankfully stuck to its water than any other agenda and our fears of it being hijacked country and uses this water for agriculture. by activists came to naught. It has the largest desalination plant in the world, which it has had to develop he JNF sent a large delegation of and expand directly as a result of climate Texperts to man their stall in Durban, change. Without using more water, through including the Head of Forestry in Israel and drip irrigation methods, Israel has been the vice-head of developing JNF projects able to triple its supply of food production in the arid south of Israel. and even export food. The Jewish state leads the world in Israel outstrips any other country in the growth of trees in arid and semi- the yields it obtains from its egg-laying arid environments; tree improvement chickens, its milk production per cow and methods to help those that are dying due from the new varieties of seeds it continues to climate change; water preservation to develop. Israeli doctors can and have projects and anti-desertification projects. already provided cures, inoculations and Members of the Cape Town Jewish and Christian communities unite for a day of friendship Many countries were interested in Israeli medicines for many of the diseases that and celebration solutions, especially African countries and are chronic throughout Africa. Hopefully, The South African Zionist Federation (Cape Ian Cammissar of the Gardens Shul added some that officially have no relations with African leaders will focus on the real Council) hosted a special gathering of a celebratory atmosphere to the event. All Israel like Sudan, Bangladesh, Tunisia, Iraq challenges facing their people and put Christian and Jewish community members guests were encouraged to participate, and Indonesia. Africa is particularly prone political issues aside to grasp the offers during the Channukah and Christmas and did so with enthusiasm. to the effects of climate change, with issues of assistance and utilise the expertise that periods. Bridge-building such as desertification having damaging Israel is offering them. The symbolic connotations of the evening consequences on food production, water Israel more than any other country has epresentatives from various served as a show of solidarity between resources, and the spread of diseases. developed the tools and the technology Rorganisations were in attendance, the organisations and moreover support In all these areas Israel can make an to help developing nations combat the including Chairman Li Boiskin and for the State of Israel. The event is immediate impact on the lives of Africans. damaging effects of climate change. Executive Director David Jacobson of The testament to the fact that bridge-building Jewish Board of Deputies, Bridges for and advocating for a peaceful two state Peace Director Chris Eden, SA Chairman solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict of The International Christian Embassy to should not be confined to the Jewish Jerusalem David Wilken and Rev. Albert community. In fact, an interfaith initiative Mbenga of The Rainbow Gospel Mission. such as this is an essential ingredient in the The ‘Celebration of Friendship’ event, led struggle against attempts at delegitimising by SAZF (Cape Council) Chairman Ben the State of Israel. Levitas, saw the lighting of the Channukiah The timing of the event could not have by honoured guests, accompanied by been be more suitable, as Israel finds messages of hope for peace in the Middle itself not only precariously positioned in a East in the upcoming year. volatile and transformative Middle East, but Following this, a ‘crash course’ in choir overcoming its own internal divergences mastering ensued, and the renditions of going into 2012. some traditional Jewish tunes by cantor Michael Katzenstein appointment as Hagshama Coordinator Michael Katzenstein matriculated from was staying in South Yeshiva College in 2001 in Johannesburg. Africa this is where I After spending two years living and wanted to live. working in London, he returned to South “I hope that a Africa. better understanding of Zionism and a ichael studied at Wits University, stronger connection Mobtaining his Masters degree in between Israel and International Relations, where his other the local community major was English Literature. He was can be reached fortunate to receive a Merit award to study through Hagshama. for his Masters in 2009 and was privileged Social events that are to be awarded the Golden Key International both exciting and informative, providing Honour Society Award. a ‘taste of Israel’ in an educational and With a passion for Israel and Zionism, enjoyable manner, is the key. I will be Michael served as the National Political working with the other branches and youth Officer for SAUJS and attended a movements of the Zionist Federation to leadership development programme in achieve this goal. Israel. He holds a firm belief in the necessity “Cape Town has the landscape and of a Zionist message being heard in the the platform to breathe fresh air into this Diaspora and says: “I am looking forward programme, which has massive potential to taking on this role. I have always loved and is extremely important for our Cape Town and in 2010 I decided that if I community,” he concludes. Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE 13 Na’ale Elite Academy Encounter 2012 Na’ale Elite Academy is a unique live in the dormitories, Israel Encounter 2012 ran from 2 — 15 programme offering Jewish teenagers in a ‘house mother’ and January, with a unique and exciting Grades 10 — 12 the opportunity to spend even an ‘adoptive’ family programme in Israel. their high school years in Israel. who provide ‘home away from home’ hospitality on ifty Capetonian Grade 11s participated o-funded by Israel and the Jewish weekends and holidays. Fin the 2012 tour, with two teachers CAgency, Na’ale provides students from The academic pro- and two madrichim from South Africa around the world with an extensive Israeli gramme is geared towards supervising the group. This was the biggest education, all expenses paid. gradually integrating group to date to go on Israel Encounter To date there are more than 12,000 alumni students into the Israeli from Cape Town and we are proud of their of the programme, with an additional 450 school system, and at the enthusiasm, interest and involvement, being added every year. “Na’ale is ideal for end of the three years they which made the trip such a resounding bright and mature young adults who are are able to take the Israeli success in every way. It was a wonderful opportunity for the keen to experience a Jewish and Israeli matriculation exams in Lee Nojman with her Grade 11 Na’ale class in Mosenson Elite environment,” asserts Ofer Dahan, Director Hebrew. Academy. pupils to get to know the land and the of Development for the Western World at “I spoke absolutely no Israeli people, especially for those who Hebrew before I came to school at Mosenson, and will be joining the had never been to Israel before. The Na’ale. “The schools are rated top in the army soon. Shortly after Gil began Na’ale country; the informal education is second Na’ale, and in fact, I’d only ever been to tour included Shabbat at the Kotel, boat my mother decided to return to Israel, and I cruises, camel rides, visits to the Dead to none; the students interact with like- Israel once before in my life”, comments am proud to say that I now have almost my Sea and Yad Vashem and much more. minded individuals; and the programme is Debbie Russek, an 18 year old Na’ale student, originally from Texas. “It’s amazing entire family living in the country. The programme also explored post-school fully subsidised!” to see how easily I’ve adapted and how far At Na’ale, I have had the pleasure of options available in Israel, from Aliyah and The three-year programme includes I’ve come.” watching individuals come together to form university to diverse MASA gap years. a Hebrew Ulpan, academic studies, The enormous impact that Na’ale has on a unit — a family that cannot be broken. Encounter fostered a strong bond extracurricular activities, medical its students is not surprising. 92% decide My group consists of 22 people from all between the fifty young people from insurance, and boarding. In addition, to make Aliyah upon graduating, with most over the world. In a short time they have diverse backgrounds, who could share students receive small monthly stipends enlisting in the Israeli army, going on to learned the true value of friendship, and this in-depth experience in Israel with their for travel within Israel and for maintaining study in Israel’s top universities. have created a home away from home. peers and friends. To discover Israel on contact with their parents. In return, they It is certain that all students will concur I think the Na’ale programme offers an Encounter is invaluable, as demonstrated are expected to take their studies seriously, that their three years at Na’ale provide them experience unlike any other. Not only by the many past Encounter participants achieve the educational objectives of the with a meaningful and powerful Jewish for the fantastic education the students who have made Aliyah or spent significant Academy, and abide by its rules. Israeli experience, where they cultivate the receive and the chance to make lifelong periods of time in Israel. The appreciative Due to the fact that students span the skills and tools that will stand them in good friends, but also because it gives them a group of Grade 11s wouldn’t trade this time religious as well as international spectrum, stead throughout the rest of their lives. chance to experience a life in a land filled in Israel with their friends for anything else. there are a broad range of schools with with opportunity. A South African Na’ale perspective Encounter 2013 will launch soon! If you which Na’ale is affiliated. These 26 schools Lee Nojman “I made Aliyah almost two years ago and would like to put your name down on an are located all over the country and include have been working at Mosenson Elite ‘Early Bird’ Encounter 2013 list to get the both the secular and the religious. For more information, to apply for Na’ale or Academy (a Na’ale school) for the past latest news, forms, information and to be In order to provide students with the to book time to meet with Lee when she is year and a half. I got involved with Na’ale the first to sign up for Encounter 2013, appropriate emotional and social care, in Cape Town in March 2012, please contact through my brother, Gil. He graduated last please contact the Aliyah Department on each student has a strong support the Aliyah Department on 021 464-6718 or year after finishing his final three years of 021 464 6718 or [email protected]. system consisting of counsellors who [email protected] 14 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012

SOUTH SOUTH AFRICAN AFRICAN ZIONIST ZIONIST FEDERATION FEDERATION (Ca (Cpea Cpouncie Council) l) Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE 15 16 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 Cape Town Progressive Jewish Congregation

Consider This A bittersweet farewell On Friday 13 January a large crowd gathered in Wynberg for an evening The fragility of life thanking and bidding farewell to our schlicha Anat Manielevitch, who is returning to Israel to commence her By Rabbi Malcolm Matitiani studies. I have just finished reading Bill Bryson’s fruit, Honi asked if the man believed he book, A Short History of Nearly Everything, would live for another seventy years. The s our Shabbat Chessed services are which is a layman’s guide to the scientific man answered that he was not planting Aone of the areas where Anat has had explanation of the origins and history of the tree for his own benefit but for the use a great impact on our congregation due to life on our planet. of succeeding generations, just as his her amazing musical talent, she was asked forebears planted tress for his generation. to lead the service. With assistance from n the final chapter, Bryson deals with Indeed, according to this Talmudic legend some of our other musicians, she ensured Outgoing shlicha Anat Manielevitch and Ihumankind’s carelessness in looking Honi was overcome with a deep sleep that the over 100 congregants enjoyed incoming shaliach Leshem Brosh lead the after the earth, specifically its flora and and upon waking up seventy years later the special ruach that a Ha’Motzi. fauna. He illustrates his point by giving he came across the man’s grandson Shabbat Chessed service examples of naturalists and collectors gathering fruit from the same carob tree. brings, with Rabbi Malcolm during the Victorian era and the early Similarly we owe it to future generations delivering a thought twentieth century who, in their eager to make sure that they are able to see the provoking D’var Torah on pursuit of rare and endangered specimens real-life majesty of the black rhinoceros, Lech la’Shalom. to add to their collections, exterminated the beauty of the Bengal tiger and the The service was followed many varieties of plants and animals. sweet-natured Panda bear. We must by a delicious meal Despite the ever-growing awareness of not permit these and other endangered sponsored by the shul, conservation and ecology, the statistics species of plants and animals to share where presentations of are still very frightening. Bryson quotes the same fate as that of the Dodo, the gifts from both Netzer and Norman Myers, who estimated in 1979 Carolina parakeet and the Tasmanian tiger, Temple Israel were made. We wish Anat safe travels that human activity causes two extinctions who no longer inhabit our planet and can Peter Searll, Josh Frank, Talya Davidoff and Nina Hoffman a week. In 1995 he had raised the figure only be seen in picture books (indeed, we and every success in her assist Anat (centre) in leading the service. some six hundred per cent. Whether only have very sketchy knowledge of the future, and thank her for her these figures are accurate or not, the fact Dodo’s appearance and habits). invaluable contribution to is that we have failed in our divine task as We should prohibit the eating of our congregation. custodians of life on earth. endangered species of fish, even if they The evening was not only According to the Torah, God desired that conform to the laws of kashrut (The South about sadness, however, as human beings “rule the fish of the sea, the African Sustainable Seafood Initiative we also introduced Leshem birds of the sky, the cattle, the whole earth, [SASSI] offers a service to the public Brosh, our new shaliach, and all the creeping things that creep on informing them of endangered species. to the congregation. We earth” (Genesis 1:26). The Hebrew word One can send them an SMS stating the are looking forward to translated as ‘rule’ is VeYirdu, from the root name of the fish before one buys it or Leshem continuing the radah, but Rashi also understands the orders it at a restaurant and they will send great work that Anat and word to be based on the yarah, meaning you its status. The number is 0794998795). her predecessors carried out for our community. Part of the large crowd gathered for the service. ‘go down’. Thus he interprets the verse Repairing the world to mean that humankind will merit having The rabbis composed blessings to be dominion over the animals and will not recited before performing mitzvot and upon seeing a Dodo because there are be made inferior to them. Just as a king eating various types of foods; but they also none to see. rules his subjects by protecting them from ordained that blessings should be said As partners with God in repairing the B’Sha’ot Tovot ... harm, so humankind must rule the living when smelling fragrant woods, barks and world we need to embrace the mitzvah of creatures of the sky, earth and waters by spices, odorous plants, fruits and oils, and ensuring that all life forms are protected caring for them and ensuring their survival. on seeing the wonders of nature, beautiful from extinction due to our actions. We must Future generations trees and animals and the first blossoming stop and smell the flowers, listen to the Rabbi Yohanan (Ta’anit 23a) relates a of trees every spring. bird calls and look for rainbows. Then truly story of Honi the Circle Maker, who, upon Thus, the early hakhamim understood the can we recite the blessing Baruch Atah witnessing a man planting a carob tree role of human beings to protect and enjoy Adoshem Elokeinu Melekh ha-olam she- kakha lo be-olamo, “Blessed are You O asked him how long it would take before the the flora and fauna of the world. They Jacob Cohen: Amy Staniland: tree would bear fruit. On hearing that the would have been horrified if they knew that Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, Second Barmitzvah Batmitzvah tree would take seventy years to produce we cannot recite the appropriate blessing who has such as these in Your world”. 4 February 25 February

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We are all familiar with Rosh Hashanah — the Jewish New Year — but are you aware that there is not only one New Year? There is also a New Year of the Trees.

he Mishna informs us that by the 15th Tof the month of Shvat, most of the winter rains in Israel have fallen, which leads to the ripening of the fruits. This is therefore the natural beginning of the agricultural year of the trees. The practical meaning of the festival focuses on The Claremont Wynberg Shul and Ohr Somayach Channukah Mincha prayers at the Claremont Wynberg Shul and commandments that we only keep in the Land of Israel — picnic at Kirstenbosch. Ohr Somayach Kirstenbosch party. Terumot and Ma’asrot — the tithes taken from agricultural produce, which in the time of the Temple were given to the priests, Levites and the poor. In South Africa we know that the end of the tax year is always the last day in February. Well, it’s no different with tithes. One needed to separate the tithes according to the year in which the fruit grew. Tithes from the fruit of one year could not apply to the fruit of the next year. Therefore one needed to know on what date one year ended and the next began. For the fruit that grows on a tree this date is Tu Bishvat, the 15th of the month of Shvat, (‘Tu’ is a word formed by the Hebrew letters ‘Tet’ and ‘Vav’, which equals 15.) 230 million trees In the sixteenth century, the Kabbalists of the city of Tzfat in the Galilee, created a ‘Tu Bishvat seder’, similar to the Hundreds of community members joined Chabad West Coast Community members enjoying the Gardens Shul Pesach seder. It involved praising G-d for the fruits of the at Dolphin Beach for the lighting of a sand sculpture menorah. Channukah sunset cruise. Land of Israel by eating the fruit and drinking four cups of wine, symbolising the four seasons. The first tree planting ceremony on Tu Bishvat took place at the Yesod Ha’Ma’aleh village in Israel in 1884. In 1890, Rabbi Ze’ev Ya’avetz, the principal of the school of Zichron Ya’akov, took all his pupils to plant saplings along the street of the town. In 1904 a proposal was raised at the general meeting of the Hebrew Teacher’s Union in Jaffa to “celebrate Tu Bishvat as the festival of the trees... and to hold tree planting ceremonies in all schools”. The resolution passed. Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Herman Shapiro first presented the idea of setting up the Jewish National Fund (JNF) at the First Zionist Congress in 1897. After many attempts the idea was Tanya Assenbaun, Josh Horry and two visitors to Cape finally accepted at the Fifth Zionist Congress in 1901. Did Town, drum the night away you know that Israel is the only country in the world that has along with 130 young adults more trees in the 21st century than it did in the 20th century? at Marais Road. A ‘Mad Hatters Tea Party’ for seniors at Marais Road Shul. Question: How many trees has the JNF planted in Israel since its inception in 1901? Answer: 230 million! Leading the ‘green’ way With the COP 17 conference last year focusing on protecting our beautiful earth, many asked what the Torah’s position is on man’s responsibility to the environment. A good place to start is ‘in the Beginning’ — looking at the very building blocks of the world. Right at the start of the book of Genesis we see Hashem’s will. When Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden they were told that they needed to ‘work Ady and Zoe Cohen (mother it and watch it’ — the Garden needed attention, caring and and daughter) have fun tending. Thus, Hashem told humanity that we could not live making latkes at the Marais in this world without being responsible for our environment. Road Kids’ Channukah Party. We see this principle beautifully reflected in Halacha. A few Following the Channukah Extravaganza at Weizmann, the Chabad Menorah Car Parade examples are the law forbidding wanton destruction of fruit wound its way through Cape Town, bringing the light of Channukah to thousands! trees, which is extended to everything in our environment; Interfaith the laws of Shmitta that allows Mother Earth to rest every seven years; the laws prohibiting causing pain to animals; Fun and smiles at Chabad's Camp and the little known law of Migrash — an open space around a city that the Torah says is for the animals and for all their Gan Izzy amenities of life. (Vayikra 35:3). This is the very first recorded law requiring a city to have a green belt or ‘green lung’. We can all be proud that these environmental laws preceded the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which was convened in 1992, by almost 3000 years! The Torah has and continues to lead the way in all areas of human development and values. Please G-d we should Reverend Terry Lester with partner Hashem in not only creating a world that is for His Rabbi Osher Feldman at grandeur and our pleasure but this should also manifest in the annual Reconciliation all of our lives. Day interfaith event at the Gardens Shul. Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE 19 Celebrating seven years with a new Torah! 2011, at the Shloshim for Rabbi Mendel Deputy Mayor Ian Neilson was quite Deren, the Torah optimistic about the future of the dedication was co- Blouberg West Coast Jewish community sponsored by Ilana when he said: “Seven is a special number and Martin Moshal in in Jewish tradition, and I’m sure that for his memory. this community there will be seven times Over the last year, seven, for at least forty nine years to hundreds of people come!” had come forwarded to dedicate letters, ince its early days at the Dolphin Parshas and Seforim SBeach Hotel, the shul of Blouberg in the new Torah, and the West Coast has defied the odds which was being Brian, Lee-Anne, Ruby and Joseph Singer watch as Rabbi Zeesy Deren makes a presentation to co-sponsor and blossomed from those humble written by an expert Maizels fills in a letter on their behalf. Martin Moshal. beginnings into a fully-fledged community. scribe in Jerusalem. This milestone was celebrated with the The celebration the completion of the shul’s first new Torah at completion of the Torah took place on 6 the beginning of January this year. January, when hundreds of Capetonians “While we have had Torah scrolls since and friends of Chabad of the West our first Shabbat, we started off by loaning Coast from around the world, gathered them from the Garden’s Shul, the Catzel for a special ceremony, which included family in Constantia, and the Dworkins a musical parade through the streets in Johannesburg,” explains Rabbi Asher followed by Hakafot and lavish lunch. Deren. Chairman Brian Singer welcomed In 2007 the shul paid tribute to its co- everyone while Rabbi Matthew Liebenberg founder with the dedication of the Chief brought greetings from the Cape Town Rabbi Dani Brett leading one of the Hakafot. Rabbi Cyril Harris Torah, a gift from the Rabbinical Association and Rabbi Mendel Claremont Wynberg Hebrew Congregation Popack from Chabad of Cape Town. Its all smiles for videographer Shawn Levin with musicians Tyrone and Ryan Lipman. and in 2009 they received ‘the Welkom Guests then had an opportunity to join with the blessings of brocho vihatzlocho – Torah’ — a gift of the vision and generosity the Sofer Rabbi Desmond Maizels in filling blessings and success. of that community. in the outlined letters in the last few verses Then, after a blessing of Shehechiyanu, But with the passage of time it was clear of the scroll. These were filled in by those the Torah was escorted with singing and that the shul needed a new Torah for its who had dedicated the books of the Torah, dancing under the chuppah — reminiscent weekly usage. In December 2009 the Cape and the final letter by the co-sponsor Martin of a wedding celebration — to its new Town Mumbai Torah was started in memory Moshal. He also received a dollar bill that home at the shul, where it will please G-d of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivky Holtzberg and in Rebbetzin Zeesy Deren had received from be used for many happy and healthy years honour of their son Moishele. In December the Lubavitcher Rebbe of blessed memory, to come. A full album of pictures and video presentation can be seen at www.TheShul. co.za/MumbaiTorah. Deanne Levitt, Carol Bobrow, Gayle Saxe and Sinai Academy expands to Grade 3 Andi Kelman enjoying the festivities. In January 2006 there were Many of the graduates have continued 3 children in the classroom their schooling at Herzlia or Phyllis Jowell, on the opening day of ensuring that they continue to benefit school at the Gan Chamesh from the world-class Jewish education Jewish Montessori Pre- that Cape Town offers them through their School. Today, there are over sixty children primary and high school years. from pre-Grade 1 through to Grade 3. With the support of the United Jewish Campaign, and supplemented by the r. Anthony Rod, who with his wife intensive fundraising efforts of Chabad of DAndi has three children, reflects on the West Coast, Sinai Academy provides his daughter Rachel beginning Grade 3: bursaries to many families — ensuring that “She is really benefitting from the personal no child is turned away for lack of funds. attention,” he says. “The close relationship “Since our inception six years ago we she has developed with her teachers has have grown so much,” says Sinai Director given her a level of maturity she would not Zeesy Deren. “Today the academy Robert Broll wraps the new Torah as children and participants look on. have otherwise. She is absorbing the ethos plays a central role in the growth and of the school and because the teachers are development of our community — through hand-selected, the type of influence she’s the enrichment of each individual child, our The History Channel and iPray bring getting gives a good outcome.” community’s most precious assets!” Sinai Academy combines progressive Judaism to life on the West Coast teaching methods drawing on the Montessori, Reggio, Emergent curriculums What do the History Channel, Karate black and others, while retaining a very traditional belts, Joogle and iPray have to do with and personal attitude in the care given to boring Cheder lessons? Nothing! each child. The Jewish Studies directors — Rebbetzin Sarah Feldman in the Pre- hat’s because Chabad Hebrew School School and Rebbetzin Chana Opert in the Tisn’t boring, nor is anything else of the Primary School, use the Tal Am Curriculum Jewish experience in Blouberg West Coast. from Israel and other international ‘History Channel’ is a weekly skit put on resources to provide a relevant and by Rabbi Deren and the Chabad Bochurim, engaging experience at every age level. Ethan Levitt with Morah Mandy Lipman. bringing the Jewish story to life; ‘Aleph Champ’ is a Karate-modeled Aleph Bet learning programme; and Joogle is a weekly question-and-answer session. And iPray? That’s the engaging prayers that the Josh Saxe puts on Tefillin on Channukah at children learn week after week at the cheder. the beach. “Our ethos has always been to bring the done with a creative and ‘out of the box’ message of Torah and Yiddishkeit alive in presentation. (for example, see the sand a way that is meaningful and relevant to sculpture menorah on the opposite page!) children and adults, regardless of age or Jewish ‘LIFE’ is our model. LIFE stands for level of knowledge,” says Rabbi Deren. ‘Learning is For Everyone, Everything and “Our shul services always include Everywhere,’ so no opportunity is missed English readings and commentary on the to give everyone an opportunity to learn prayers and the holiday events are always and experience their Jewish heritage.” A light moment in the classroom with Safra Musikanth and Mila Smith. 20 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 Revolution is in the air! By Joseph Cohen It all began in January 2011, when some Herzlia Grade 10s were having brunch at Avron’s Place. Suddenly, and almost in unison, we came up with a crazy, brilliant idea — we were going to start the Cape Town Youth Shul (CTYS). WIN iPad 2 uggestions flew around the Stable (as did half-chewed bits of waffle) and eventually, we boiled the concept down to a number of key components: We were going to provide a shul ‘for the youth — Youth Shul founding members Chanan Suiza, Josh by the youth’ — a private youth Berkman, Aaron Weinstein, Ben Rubin, Aidyn Breiter, Jess Spiro and Levi Todes. minyan on Shabbos, of which we, the youth, would have full control: the organising, the davening, the droshas — the works. We set about establishing the CTYS in a systematic, determined fashion. We began by learning how to conduct Shabbos day services, and then learnt how to conduct the Friday Night service. We could now hold these services on our own! After Ohr Somayach very kindly AND OTHER GREAT PRIZES allowed us to make use of a large room adjacent to their main shul, we Attend 15 sessions out of 20 had a place of our own. and qualify to WIN a brand new *iPad 2! Food was next on the list, and, All kids from Grades 3 to 6 are welcome to take part following our weekly Friday Night BEGINS 12th February 2012 Aaron Weinstein giving a drosha at our Rosh services, we began to organise For more info contact Joseph; Chodesh breakfast. [email protected] or (021) 434-6772 dinners with various hosts in the community, or at shuls or Terms and conditions apply. communal rabbis. Lunches started *Winner will receive iPad 3 if released before the prize is given Endorsed by Chief Rabbi to come standard with our Saturday minyans, followed by shiurim. The youth shul in 2011 Slowly but surely our numbers started increasing, but it was not enough — we wanted more people to join, so we set about putting together programmes and Shabbatons. Our biggest success was our Camps Bay Shabbaton, which forty participants attended, and our many other fun events Winner of the iPad 2 Shiurim raffle competition, helped us reach our aim of turning Nicky Saacks. Shabbos into a jol! functions just over the horizon. We are Arguably our most successful initiative honoured to be part of the CTYS — an has been the weekly shiurim and iPad organisation that has had, in just a short raffle. For the entire third term at Herzlia time, an incredibly positive effect on the High School, we had shiurim twice a week, Jewish lives of so many students! WARNING which covered the theme of ‘purpose As Chief Rabbi Goldstein said recently: and prayer’ and were presented by Rabbi “The Cape Town Youth Shul is a wonderful, Johnny Ross. Those who attended on a new and exciting initiative. Under the weekly basis enjoyed our complementary dynamic leadership of Joseph Cohen platters of hot chips, and were automatically and the CTYS team, our Cape Town entered into a draw for an iPad 2. We are teenagers have come forward in ever proud to say that in total, we had more than increasing numbers to take ownership of, 50 different learners attend these shiurim! and participate in, their very own youth We’ve also organised some interesting shul. This new shul is a remarkable and sessions and discussions with various dramatic success story and may Hashem Rabbis — a particular highlight being bless it with much continued growth in the our meditational session with the world- new year.” THIS IS AN INVASION! renowned mystical master, Rabbi Daniel A big thank you to Ohr Somayach for all Kohn. their support, and to the other shuls, rabbis Every Sunday evening, the main youth CTYS IS TAKING OVER and individuals who have hosted us. shul boys get together for a part-planning, Thank you to Ryan Jones for designing part-learning session — which you are all CLAREMONT WYNBERG SHUL our logo and posters and to Adam welcome to join. Friedman for making our webpage. Going forward in 2012 A lot of what we do would not be possible Make sure you and your family join CTYS at Due to our growth in numbers, Ohr without the financial support of those who CLAREMONT WYNBERG SHUL Somayach has kindly allowed us to use a believe in the CTYS — thank you very on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th bigger space, so to celebrate our new shul much! February 2012 and the return of many of our members If you would like to find out more about the [ ] from Israel, the CTYS undertook another CTYS, check out our Facebook page or our FOR MORE INFO CONTACT milestone: reading the Torah! website at www.ctys.co.za. Alternatively, Rabbi Hecht: 082 2106 170 or The forecast for 2012 is looking very [email protected] you can contact the Ohr Somayach office or Joseph: [email protected] promising, with growth in numbers, or email [email protected] learning and fun expected, and many Join the revolution! Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE 21 A day at the races

Astra Centre’s annual Race Day was once again a spectacular and sociable event!

he wonderful support of the Tsponsors and corporate and private donors enables the centre to continue providing an essential and quality service to members of the community with special needs. The main sponsors of the day were Berk Enterprises, Greenberg & Associates, ICA Laboratories, Macsteel, Market Toyota, President Hotel, Tantalum Capital and Camps Bay Consortium. A successful and entertaining auction was run by Joey Burke. We thank all of them Selwyn Furman with his son Mark Furman and for their support! daughter Heidi Cohen. Anton Mandelstam and Julian Marcia and Harry Faktor. Rabinowitz.

Samantha and Richard Kommel (Race Day Kathy Robins Convenor and Tantalum Capital sponsor). Maeve and David Samuels sharing some raffle-cracker fun.

Renee Jaffe and Debbie Sher hoping for a lucky prize number while Michele Stein looks on. Merle Rubin’s stunning sushi starters.

An Astra dolls house was auctioned, the proceeds of which The President Hotel’s William Dauand with Astra Chairman were donataed to Nazareth House on behalf of Astra and Peter Greenberg. Peter Greenberg with Selwyn Bloch from Market Toyota. the Jewish community. 22 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012

How do you celebrate 95 years of existence?

At Highlands House it is done with food, fun, song and dance! The home underwent a major transformation: what is normally a dining room was turned into a wonderland, with fantastic food provided by the in-house caterers. In addition, the talented cast of Fiddler on the Roof performed scenes from the show. If this was not enough, a magician added to the entertainment, deceiving the sharp eyes of the many poker players present! The celebrations continued the next day with a visit from the Senior Citizens Clubs from Khayelitsha, who joined Abe & Ada Newman, Irene Mallach Beryl van de Kar, Maureen Bloch, us for a tea party attended by Premier Helen Zille. As they say, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ - so look on! Photos by David Cohen and partner Marcia Wener and Delia Livingston

Tim Murithi and Bonnie Berkowitz Sam and Sylvia Gotlieb Mervyn and Marion Stein Excellent service from Geratec staff Michael Gawronsky and Sharon Sager Birthday cake by Geratec Catering Seniors from Khayelitsha Seniors Clubs enjoying tea at Highlands House Abraham Buchman with Moonyeen Castle

Herschel and Julie Peres Harris Burman Patsy and Michael Bagraim Steve and Jos Horwitz, Irma Chait Reina and Selwyn Fabian Essie Buchman and Hertzie Clain Paula Cohen and Sylvia Gotlieb Guests enjoying tea Premier Zille and Sylvia Gotlieb

Mrs Sarah Nekridge (92 years young) Shayni and Hayli Geffen Myra and Eliot Osrin Dessert Bar by Geratec The cast of Fiddler on the Roof Simon and Revd Natalie Arendse and Mrs Rosalie Wolpert (102 years Ilana Shone, Daphne Miller, Moonyeen Esther Kurnhoff with Caley Levy Premier Helen Zille addresses the guests young) with Premier Helen Zille Castle and Nilly Baruch

Dr Mossie and Marlene Silbert Guests enjoying the entertainment Shwarma Bar by Geratec Abe and Leina Sank Chill area The Vocal Ensemble from Herzlia The Khayelitsha Seniors Choir Premier Helen Zille cuts the cake Delicious tea by Geratec Catering

Gary and Tracy Piha, Paula Cohen Sam Gotlieb, Suzzanne Berman, Sylvia Magician Ryan Jones entertaining Joel and Anna Berkowitz with Eddie Shayni, Hayli, Leon and Ruth Geffen and Jeni Jedeikin Gotlieb and Paul Berman Joel Berkowitz, Bonnie and Tim and Moonyeen Castle Premier Zille joins in the ‘Waka Waka’ Mrs Rosalie Wolpert Peggy Joffe, Dr Stern & Esther Grande Paula Cohen and Anna Berkowitz

Rubi and Anne With Compliments Chaitman FREDDY AND Foundation AGGIE HIRSCH

THE CAPE JEWISH COMMUNITY RECORDS ITS GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION TO OUR PATRONS FOR THEIR GENEROUS SPONSORSHIP OF THE ‘CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE’

Meyer Hirsch THE HAROLD AND Paul Arieli Goldschmidt BEATRICE KRAMER of the Goldschmidt Foundation FOUNDATION Family Trust Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE 23

How do you celebrate 95 years of existence?

At Highlands House it is done with food, fun, song and dance! The home underwent a major transformation: what is normally a dining room was turned into a wonderland, with fantastic food provided by the in-house caterers. In addition, the talented cast of Fiddler on the Roof performed scenes from the show. If this was not enough, a magician added to the entertainment, deceiving the sharp eyes of the many poker players present! The celebrations continued the next day with a visit from the Senior Citizens Clubs from Khayelitsha, who joined Abe & Ada Newman, Irene Mallach Beryl van de Kar, Maureen Bloch, us for a tea party attended by Premier Helen Zille. As they say, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ - so look on! Photos by David Cohen and partner Marcia Wener and Delia Livingston

Tim Murithi and Bonnie Berkowitz Sam and Sylvia Gotlieb Mervyn and Marion Stein Excellent service from Geratec staff Michael Gawronsky and Sharon Sager Birthday cake by Geratec Catering Seniors from Khayelitsha Seniors Clubs enjoying tea at Highlands House Abraham Buchman with Moonyeen Castle

Herschel and Julie Peres Harris Burman Patsy and Michael Bagraim Steve and Jos Horwitz, Irma Chait Reina and Selwyn Fabian Essie Buchman and Hertzie Clain Paula Cohen and Sylvia Gotlieb Guests enjoying tea Premier Zille and Sylvia Gotlieb

Mrs Sarah Nekridge (92 years young) Shayni and Hayli Geffen Myra and Eliot Osrin Dessert Bar by Geratec The cast of Fiddler on the Roof Simon and Revd Natalie Arendse and Mrs Rosalie Wolpert (102 years Ilana Shone, Daphne Miller, Moonyeen Esther Kurnhoff with Caley Levy Premier Helen Zille addresses the guests young) with Premier Helen Zille Castle and Nilly Baruch

Dr Mossie and Marlene Silbert Guests enjoying the entertainment Shwarma Bar by Geratec Abe and Leina Sank Chill area The Vocal Ensemble from Herzlia The Khayelitsha Seniors Choir Premier Helen Zille cuts the cake Delicious tea by Geratec Catering

Gary and Tracy Piha, Paula Cohen Sam Gotlieb, Suzzanne Berman, Sylvia Magician Ryan Jones entertaining Joel and Anna Berkowitz with Eddie Shayni, Hayli, Leon and Ruth Geffen and Jeni Jedeikin Gotlieb and Paul Berman Joel Berkowitz, Bonnie and Tim and Moonyeen Castle Premier Zille joins in the ‘Waka Waka’ Mrs Rosalie Wolpert Peggy Joffe, Dr Stern & Esther Grande Paula Cohen and Anna Berkowitz

With compliments The Susman The Jack & Ethel Charitable Goldin Foundation Foundation THE CAPE JEWISH COMMUNITY RECORDS ITS GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION TO OUR PATRONS FOR THEIR GENEROUS SPONSORSHIP OF THE ‘CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE’

With compliments Stanley and Zea With Compliments The Henry Van Embden Lewis Kalman, Esther and Family Foundation Foundation www.stonehage.com Michael Maisel Trust 24 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 Celebrating 95 years! On Sunday 13 November, while members of the community celebrated Highlands House’s 95th birthday, the residents decided to do some celebrating of their own.

nd what a celebration it was! The Afestivities turned into a full day of food, friends and fun. Five venues, two themes, three delicious meals, twenty-four prizes, three quizzes, one performer, three movies, countless busy staff members and most importantly a whole lot of Rhona Morris looking smart ! residents made the day a memorable one! The morning started off with a wonderful Rochelle Sam giving Maggs Speer a prize. continental breakfast, after which decorations went up for our lunch time theme: New York. The allocated venues were transformed into stylish New York bistros decorated in red, white and black. On the menu was a delicious selection of bagels and salads. While the honoured guests (residents) enjoyed the ambience and food, Sara Cohen serenaded them with some old classics. Following this it was time for fun and games as we tested our New York knowledge in a quiz. After lunch the venues were once again transformed. We left the stylish bistros of New York and journeyed a little closer to Kelly McShane decorating the venue. home: Hout Bay’s Wharf for traditional fish Michael and Yvonne Isaacson enjoying the event. and chips! This time guests dressed up in sailor outfits in order to ‘catch’ the prize. We felt as if we were right there in the wharf as we watched a short documentary on the Hout Bay area. The day finished off with a choice of two nautical-themed movies. The celebration day was a great success and we want to thank all the staff members who put so much effort into making it so special for our residents, and thank you to them for dressing up and joining in the fun. Happy 95th birthday Highlands House! Naomi Meyer Dr Percy and Clara Gersholowitz looking as if they aretruly in a New York Bistro! Samuel Ressel dressed up for a residents’ function in Hout Bay.

Carole Swartz at the Hout Bay function, showing off her Beatrice Cohen and Rosalie Eppel enjoying the music. sailors outfit. Goldie Richman arrived first.

Staff at the New York function: Naomi Meyer, Aggreneth Maya, Lulama Ronani, Sara Cohen and Marshal Thabile. Front: Rochelle Sam. Residents enjoying the delicious fish and chips at the Hout Bay function. Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 25 26 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012

Tal Aharonov Amy Alexander Emily Alhadeff Michael Alhadeff Brittani Amsdorff Dalit Anstey Saul Anstey Keren Bauman Micaela Bendix

Ryan Berelowitz Natalie Bitton Daniel Bloom Dalit Blumenthal Dominique Boyd Alon Bresler Adam Brews Megan Bryer Rael Chapman 112 Matric candidates 100% pass rate — academically inclusive school 108 admissions to Higher Education — PASS Alexandra Chasen Alexander Cohen Brett Cohen BACHELORS (Matric Exemption) = 98.2% Daniella Cohen Cara Davidson Megan Davidson 331 Subject Distinctions In 17 out of 22 subjects offered, the 2011 year group achieved an average of 70% or more 89 out of 112 candidates achieved 1 or more distinctions (79.5%) 2 candidates achieved 9 out of 9 distinctions 1 candidate achieved 8 out of 9 distinctions Nathaniel Delit Joshua Du Preez Sarah Edelberg 2 candidates achieved 8 out of 8 distinctions Kyle Epstein Rannin Fine Jason Finkelstein 2 candidates achieved 7 out of 8 distinctions 1 candidate achieved 7 out of 7 distinctions 12 candidates achieved 6 distinctions 12 candidates achieved 5 distinctions 10 candidates achieved 4 distinctions 16 candidates achieved 3 distinctions 17 candidates achieved 2 distinctions 14 candidates achieved 1 distinction Yael Fish Mischa Franco Jason Frank DETAILS OF SUBJECT DISTINCTIONS Jarred Freedberg Andrea Freeman Romy Fur Accounting: 16 distinctions, 20 candidates. Advanced Programme Mathematics: 3 distinctions, 10 candidates. Afrikaans: 11 distinctions, 106 candidates. Business Studies: 27 distinctions, 46 candidates. CAT: 7 distinctions, 11 candidates. Consumer Studies: 2 distinctions, 23 candidates. Dance: 2 distinctions, 2 candidates. Dramatic Arts: 15 distinctions, 25 candidates. Economics: 15 distinctions, 23 candidates. Mark Galante Talya Gasparre Ashleigh Gawronsky English: 25 distinctions, 112 candidates. Hebrew: 6 Jade Gipel Jonathan Glick Nicole Goldberg distinctions, 16 candidates. History: 12 distinctions, 36 candidates. IT: 18 distinctions, 24 candidates. Life Orientation: 69 distinctions, 112 candidates. Life Sciences: 24 distinctions, 41 candidates. Maths Literacy: 4 distinctions, 22 candidates. Mathematics: 35 distinctions, 90 candidates. Mathematics Paper 3: 7 distinctions, 27 candidates. Physical Science: 19 distinctions, 43 candidates. Tourism: 6 distinctions, 13 candidates. Visual Arts: 8 distinctions, 13 candidates. Dean Goodson Mikayla Gordon Ben Gross Dina Hammerschlag Amy Hoffenberg Aaron Jaffe

Jordan Kadish Byron Kaplan Jenna Kassel David Steele Katzeff Gabriella Kempen Roland Kesler Steven Kimmel Adam Klass Jake Klass DECEMBER TICKET DRAW • R2 500 — HUGH HERMAN • R1 250 — ERROL ANSTEY • R625 — RAEL KAIMOWITZ • R200 — BEN PIETERSE • R200 — LEONARD HOTZ • R200 — CRAIG MELTZER • R200 — ALISON COPE • R200 — BRIAN & GAIL KIRSCH Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE 27 M atric 2011

Joshua Klawansky Philip Kolevsohn Dara Kometz Steven Korber Kayla Latinsky Caitlin Le Roith Nicole Lee Jonathan Levenson David Levin

Candice Linde Raphael Mackintosh Gila Maizels Joshua Markowitz Glen Marks Jason Marx Zachary Melnick Jodi Milosevich Oliver Moore INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENTS 9/9 Distinctions: David Levin, Gabriella Stein. 8/9 Distinctions: Cara Davidson. 8/8 Distinctions: Michael Alhadeff, Ruth Urson. 7/8 Distinctions: Rael Chapman, Alexander Cohen. 7/7 Distinctions: Candice Linde. Kirstie Neiman Pharon Neiman 6 Distinctions: Tal Aharanov (Maths 100%), Saul Anstey, Megan Davidson, Sarah Edelberg Sash Nortier Alyssandra Ramalo (Accounting 99%), Jonathan Glick (Economics 100%; Accounting 99%), Dina Hammerschlag, Steele Katzeff, Caitlin Le Roith, Janna Rubin, Shavit Sachs, Harrison Scherzer, Tegan Schultz. 5 Distinctions: Amy Alexander, Dalit Anstey, Dalit Blumenthal, Megan Bryer, Kyle Epstein, Mark Galante, Nicole Goldberg, Amy Hoffenberg, Steven Kimmel, Jonathan Levenson, Zac Melnick, Louise Stoch. 4 Distinctions: Keren Bauman, Jason Finkelstein, Jarred Freedberg, Romy Fur, Philip Kolevsohn, Steven Korber, Raphael Mackintosh, Aaron Sarembock, Melody Schneider, Jemma Shargey. Max Reich Skye Renauld 3 Distinctions: Emily Alhadeff, Ryan Berelowitz, Alon Bresler, Nathaniel Delit, Mikayla Gordon, Janna-Mae Rubin Samantha Saacks Jenna Kassel, Jake Klass, Dara Kometz, Nicole Lee, Gila Maizels, Samantha Saacks, Ilan Scher, Jason Sher, Donovan Stefan, Asher Stern, Jaemi Widan. 2 Distinctions: Brittani Amsdorf, Micaela Bendix, Adam Brews, Brett Cohen, Joshua Du Preez, Andrea Freeman, Gaby Kempen, Roland Kesler, Jason Marx, Jodi Milosevich, Batya Sacks, David Schwartz, Lexi Sher, Jessica Snape, Max Trappler, Asher Weinstein, Kyle Zieve 1 Distinction: Natalie Bitton, Dominique Boyd, Jason Frank, Talya Gasparre, Ashleigh Gawronsky, Jordan Kadish, Kayla Latinsky, Max Reich, Skye Renauld, Brett Sadman, Franchesca Steenkamp, Michael Sutherland, Ayrton Sweeney, Carly Wise. Shavit Sachs Batya Sacks Brett Sadman Lauren Sadman

Tamara Sandler Arnosjca Santana Aaron Sarembock Ilan Scher Harrison Scherzer Melody Schneider Tegan Schultz David Schwartz Jemma Shargey

Jodi Sheldon Jason Sher Lexi Sher Brice Silbert Jessica Snape Franchesca Steenkamp Donovan Stefan Gabriella Stein Asher Stern

Louise Stoch Michael Sutherland Ayrton Sweeney Max Trappler Ruth Urson Asher Weinstein Jaemi Widan Carly Wise Kyle Zieve DECEMBER TICKET DRAW • R2 500 — HUGH HERMAN • R1 250 — ERROL ANSTEY • R625 — RAEL KAIMOWITZ • R200 — BEN PIETERSE • R200 — LEONARD HOTZ • R200 — CRAIG MELTZER • R200 — ALISON COPE • R200 — BRIAN & GAIL KIRSCH 28 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 YAD gets ‘Juiced!’ Arthur Gillis Business Breakfast

The YAD Business Breakfast on 5 December was the last of a series of these events for 2011, and what better way to end off the year than with a brand new venue?

AD is truly indebted to the African Pride 15 on Orange Hotel for Yaffording us the opportunity to utilise their newly built kosher venue, the Conference Room. The guest speaker was none other than the CEO of the Protea Hotel Group, Arthur Gillis. Having co-written a bestselling book on service excellence, entitled Juiced! How to Succeed through Spectacular Customer Service, Arthur brought into focus how customers add value to a business. “Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care!” he said. Steven Cohen and Jonny In Arthur’s words, we have a fundamental choice in life — we can Rael Levitt and Arthur Gillis. Osrin. Glen Isserow, Russell Smith and Ori Saban. either be ‘Juiced’ or ‘Juiceless’. He emphasised that we should make the most of our opportunities and choose to keep on learning, growing and developing. Arthur is adamant that age is not a barrier to growth and change. He commended YAD on being a great community forum, and expressed how everybody needs to embrace diversity to ensure that we benefit our community, city and country. Rudyard Kipling said it so well: “For the strength of the pack is the wolf; and the strength of the wolf is the pack.” As Vince Lombardi, the famous Coach of the Green Bay Packers, said to enthuse his team: “If you aren’t fired with enthusiasm, then you will be fired with enthusiasm!” Well, Arthur certainly had the Monday morning audience fired with enthusiasm for the challenges Grant Israel, Anthon Gillis, Arthur Gillis, Darryl Sher and Martin that lie ahead. Tammy Glick, Anton Gillis and Ariella Kuper. Dibowitz.

Front: Grant Gillis, Val Curitz, Taryn Selmon and Linda Sandak-Lewin. Back: Jason Ingel and Darryl Katz. Stenham: Bernard Osrin, Leon Cohen, René Klinger, Jonny Osrin and Leon Singer.

Protea Hotels /African Pride 15 On Orange: Front: Cheryl Piha, Viviane Greenberg, Philippa Chesler and Jessica Goldberg. Back: David Piha, Jarrett Swersky, Gary Shaff, Anton Gillis, Talya Schaffer and Rebecca Barr. KPMG: Stacey Shabason, Steven Berkowitz, Justin Chait, Lori Berelowitz, Gary Cape and Pinchas Hack.

Smiedt and Associates: Front: Ashli Gradner, Michelle Kucera, Dustin Maree and Daniel Gerdis. Back: Arthur Gillis, Charles Gottschalk, Dale Smiedt, Marc Speechly, Auri Benatar and PSP Icon Front: Robbie Gottlieb, Katie Kluk, Marius Rezelman and Derek Rushmere. Back: Neil Gore. Michelle Sprack, Romaney Pinnock and Oliver Munnik. Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE 29 Family Announcements 50TH ANNIVERSARY — THANK YOU CONDOLENCES — THANK YOU

DENNIS AND NESTA JOE MAUERBERGER FRANK FOX HARRY KATZEN SHORKEND Our deeply heartfelt thanks go We would like to extend our deepest Our heartfelt thanks to Rabbi Our sincere thanks to family and to all our family, friends and our appreciation to all our family and friends Wineberg, Rabi Liebenberg and friends for their good wishes and community for their overwhelming for their warm support and outstanding all our family and friends for their generous donations to various love, support, sympathy, caring and generosity on the passing of our kindness, letters, phone calls and charities on the occasion of our 50th kindness shown on the passing of beloved husband, father and saba. Our visits on the sad loss of our beloved wedding anniversary. our beloved Joe. heartfelt thanks also go to the Rabbis Harry. We shall love, remember him and and the Green and Sea Point and RECUPERATION — THANK YOU hold him so close to our hearts Milnerton Hebrew congregations. Your caring has been a great source always. of comfort and is much appreciated. The visits, telephone calls and letters VICTOR BOYD A special thank you to Dr Maurice have been a great source of comfort Hazel, Linda and Robert Levin, Colin Silbert, Dr Desmond Woolf, Dr to us knowing that his memory will be and Rita and families, and Neil. My sincere thanks to friends and Antony Smith, Howard Mauerberger cherished by all who knew him. family who gave me support and and the staff of Highlands House, To place a family enquired about my health after my Medi-Clinic and Palm Gardens. Rosa, Michael, Estelle, Foxy and their recent heart attack on the golf course families. announcement phone Tessa at the Chabad Golf Day. Juliet, Robyn, Peta, Lessa, Ezio, 021 464-6736 (am) Melvin, grandchildren and great A special thanks to Dr Will Lee, CSO/ grandchildren. Ezra and congregants of Chabad continued from page 1 BMF and BOD host joint communal event Shul, Sea Point for their timely and professional care. RHODA KOPELOWITZ octors believe that DOntlametse has only a I was overwhelmed by the telephone Our sincere thanks to all our family few more years to live, as most calls, emails, sms’s and messages of and friends for your support and people with her condition die good wishes for a speedy recovery. kindness on the passing of our dear of heart disease before the mom and grandmother. age of 21. Despite her physical I am happy to report that I have fully and economic disadvantages, recovered and thank everyone again Seymour, Gail, Batya, Saul and Ontlametse serves as an for their support. families. example to others of what it means to accept what one cannot change and to live each day to the fullest. She was only diagnosed with Important information: Progeria two years ago, as her mother previously believed Members of the Black Management Forum — Young All donations to Glendale are now tax Professionals Division (including Cape Board Media deductible that her daughter was suffering & Diplomatic Liaison Dan Brotman) with the family of from cancer. Twice a year, Ontlametse Phalatse (Photo: Jason Boud) Thank you most sincerely for your continued support. Ontlametse and her mother been possible without the incredible travel from Hebron to America, where Our residents are most grateful generosity of the Black Management she undergoes experimental treatment Forum, the Cape Town Jewish community at the Progeria Research Foundation at Our well known shabbat, miniature shabbat, yartzeit candles and and several corporate sponsors. These Children’s Hospital in Boston. shabbat glass candle holders are now available from all supermarkets include South African Airways, who flew and at our office. Bridge cloths available at R120. Operations Director Nonhlanhla Jorgensen of the Achievement Awards the family to Cape Town; the Pepper Club Getting married overseas? Ask your guests to donate to Glendale facilitated a conversation with the Phalatse Hotel, who hosted the family; DLA Cliffe family, during which they discussed the Dekker Hofmeyr and Saratoga Software Home in lieu of wedding gifts. An appropriate letter will be sent to the Solutions, who sponsored the lunch; Pick bride and groom advising them of your donation. No amount will be challenges of living with and caring for someone with this rare condition. Already n Pay, who donated a R2000 voucher; disclosed for further details contact the office. in Grade 7, Ontlametse aspires to one and Woolworths, who donated two gift day become a psychologist in order to hampers that were auctioned. NEW!! A yahrzeit light for life, beautifully designed, uses very little In addition, the United Jewish Campaign electricity. R180 Available from Glendale office. “help people to accept the way they are because they can see that I accept the donated two snack baskets and the South way I am.” Even though her illness may African Zionist Federation donated tickets Glendale Greeting Service limit her dream, her brother believes she for the Hop-on, Hop-off bus and the Two Oceans Aquarium; and community Letters can be sent to your loved ones and friends for birthdays, wedding has already achieved it, as she regularly dispenses advice to others on a variety of members Ronald and Tamar Lazarus anniversaries and chaggim or any special occasion. Make use of this issues. hosted the Phalatse family and leaders service which is available world wide. The audience was then given the of the BMF, Cape Board and Zionist opportunity to tell Ontlametse about their Federation for a very special Friday night Tins: If your tin needs collecting please phone the office problems, to which she responded with dinner. 10 Galway Road Heathfield PO Box 40 Bergvliet 7864 wisdom far beyond her years. She spoke Ontlametse’s single mother and older www.glendalehome.co.za email: [email protected] about her belief in God being comforting brother are unemployed, and all of the tel: (021) 712-0270 fax: (021) 712-0873 when grappling with difficult questions proceeds from the event and auction went about her health and future, which moved directly to the family. Glendale activities now on you-tube: www.youtube.com search all members of the audience — regardless Glendale Cape Town. of religion. For more information on how to assist the The talk and lunch would not have family, visit www.ontlametse.co.za. 30 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 CJSA hosts celebratory CD launch Melton graduation Toes were tapping at the goes global Centre for the Book, the venue for the launch of the CD Cape Town Shpiel – Klezmer in Africa.

overs of LKlezmer filled the magnificent venue to hear 13 musicians, making up the Playing with Fire Klezmer band, showcase The ‘Playing with Fire’ Klezmer band. numbers from the new CD. long-awaited CD was snapped up at the Cantor Ivor Joffe gave voice to the four launch! Yiddish songs on the disc. The wonderful CD can be purchased Matthew Reid has played an integral part from the CJSA for R120, with a percentage in CJSA for many years as Music Director of sales going towards the CJSA (Call 021 Melton Cape Town graduating class of 2011: Back: Mark Helfrich, Dana Silver, Natalie Barnett, of our 10 Yiddish Song Festivals. Now, the 434 9691 or email [email protected]). Clifford Barnett, Glen Heneck, Graham Melamed, Debbie Staniland and Carole Levin. Middle: Susan Lazarus, Wendy Ginsberg, David Ginsberg, Barbara Donen, Susan Salingre, Marianne Marks, Sheila Beder, Desrae Saacks, Lucille Melamed, Joe Fintz (Trustee), Harry Pieterkosky and Maxine Boyd. Front: Faculty and staff members Jeremy Wanderer, Ronnie Gotkin, Viv Anstey, Yoni Hoffman-Wanderer, Esther Maizels and Lauren Snitcher. Absent: Mark Levin, Dana Lieberman, Grant Sieff, Bryan Opert (faculty).

The Class of 2011 was treated to a unique looking to the graduates courses promised graduation ceremony, where they took for next year to focus their ‘reJEWvenated’ part in a live-link up with Yonatan Mirvis, energies. faculty members and students via video Record numbers in 2011 conferencing. 2011 has been an exciting year for Melton overall, with a record number of students he Herzlia media centre and the enrolling in the 2-year classic Melton Ttechnical gurus at the Hebrew programme, the 20-week Foundations University worked systematically through course (for parents wanting to teach young the steps and glitches to make history for children Jewish values) and the Beyond the Melton. Borders graduate course (understanding The video link-up truly brought the world the claims to the land of Israel), taught into our Mini-School, situated at the tip of twice due to popular demand. Africa, by connecting with faculty members Recruitment for 2012 is well on its way. and students across the globe. Register for the classic Melton programme, Three graduates eloquently shared the which begins mid-February. impact of their Melton journey in shaping Graduate courses on offer for 2012 will be: their Jewish identity and how it affected their lives. The course has has left them • Israeli Literature as a Window to Israeli all wanting more and many are already Society, which will be repeated as a morning course. • The Holocaust as reflected in Diaries and Memoirs, which will be taught a third time. • And… watch out for an exciting new graduate course to be taught in Term 2! Contact Viv Anstey (Director): [email protected] / 0828095414) or Lauren Snitcher (Recruitment): [email protected] / 0828802257). Visit www.fmams.org.il for more details. THE SECRET IS OUT: Finally! Melton is coming to Johannesburg in 2012 — spread the word! Contact Ariella Milner on 0828046113 or [email protected]

ERRORS, OMISSIONS AND CORRECTIONS The Cape Jewish Chronicle regrets any errors or omissions that may occur in the paper and, where possible, will attempt to rectify these in a subsequent issue, should such a measure be deemed appropriate. No repeat advertisement or credits will Seeff Rentals: Atlantic Seaboard, City Bowl and V&A be given for small typographical errors which do not appreciably lessen the value ExpEriEncEd | passionatE | profEssional of the advertisement. The appearance of an advertisement does not necessarily left to right (from back): ana Wolmarans - admin; Kasia Watchurst - agent: Green point; catherine Martins - admin; Elsa nagel - admin; ayesha parker - admin; Jules arnott - agent: cBd, Bo-Kaap, Woodstock, salt river; Barak tomlin - admin; tanya Joubert - agent: short term atlantic seaboard, city Bowl and V&a; Elzunia singer - agent: Vredehoek, oranjezicht, tamboerskloof, Gardens, Higgovale; christine ireland - agent: Vredehoek, oranjezicht, tamboerskloof, Gardens, Higgovale; indicate approval by the Editorial Board Samantha Murphy - Admin; Taryn Fredericks - Admin; Barbra-Ann Briner - Agent: Camps Bay, Clifton, Bantry Bay, Fresnaye, Sea Point, Mouille Point; Ian Slot - Managing Director; Billy Rautenbach - Chief Operating Officer; Jannie Biddulph - rentals & Branch Manager; Vivien adler - agent: camps Bay, clifton, Bantry Bay, fresnaye, sea point, Mouille point. for the product or service advertised, Offices : Atlantic Seaboard 021 434 9175 and City Bowl 021 423 9146 and it takes no responsibility for any loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of the reliance upon the information How can We serve YOU? contained therein. Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE 31 A love of learning: attending the ORT celebrates 75 years! Limmud UK Conference 2011 Imagine 2300 participants from all over the Jewish world gathering to learn and teach for 5 days, in an atmosphere of joy, humility and openness.

magine having the choice of nearly I1000 different sessions to attend, run by artists, authors, academics, rabbis, educators, diplomats and people with a sheer love of and depth of knowledge for their subject. This is the Limmud UK Conference. On 23 December, the Limmud Cape Town delegation, consisting of Amanda Stein, Rheina Epstein and David Ginsberg, Nilly Baruch, Robert Singer, Lydia Abel, Simon Susman and Yehuda Kaye. Gabi Sulcas, arrived at the University Cape Town's Limmud UK delegates Gabi Sulcas, Rheina Epstein and Amanda Stein. of Warwick in the UK. Part of a larger World ORT Director General and CEO its projects during the last year. volunteering) in the conference, which is one Limmud South Africa team, our task was to Robert Singer recently visited Cape Musicians Jacques Bagraim and of the qualities that makes it such a special soak up the spirit of the conference, to learn Town to celebrate ORT SA’s 75th Kieran Crowe played background experience. and to be inspired to inject our own Cape Town birthday. music, and learners from Ilinge Primary Limmud is based on the values of event with ongoing energy and dynamism. School in Nyanga (a school running the community, diversity, empowerment and At the Limmud Conference UK, every day is RT Cape held a function in his ORT robotics programme) entertained learning. At the conference, this meant across- a cocktail of learning, laughing and debate. Ohonour on 24 November at the guests with wonderful songs. the-board tolerance and an open, safe space Sessions, which run just over an hour, cover Coffeetime. At the event, the merger Robert Singer spoke about ORT for presenters to share their knowledge. These diverse topics on history, spirituality, the of the ORT-Tech Institute, ORT Western International projects and screened are qualities that have the potential to uplift arts, personal journeys and current affairs. Cape and ORT Jet was announced. a short video of a very successful any community, including our own Cape Town There’s also an emphasis on culture, with The organisation will now be known as ORT school in Kiryat Yam, near Haifa. Jewish community. performances by world-class musicians, ORT Cape. Coffeetime excelled themselves by Limmud also aims to expand Jewish actors and singers. Over 70 people attended the serving a delicious buffet, and the horizons, and the Cape Town Limmud team function, where Michael Bagraim (a presentations ended with the singing Expanding Jewish horizons is more fired up than ever to make our own board member of ORT Tech Institute), of the national anthems. The Limmud Cape Town delegation really Limmud 2012 Conference (to be held in welcomed Robert to Cape Town. ORT Cape would like to thank all threw ourselves into the mix! As well as August) an incredible event. Nilly Baruch (vice chairman of our sponsors for making the evening attending sessions, we participated in You can be part of this by sharing your ORT Cape) read out the ORT prayer, possible. training, Chevruta learning, and networking skills and energy with our team. For more and Simon Susman (chairman of with presenters and Limmud volunteers from information on how to get involved, contact ORT Cape) thanked Lydia Abel, the Visit our new website all over the world. Limmud encourages all [email protected], michelestein@ Executive Director of ORT-Tech Institute www.orttech.org.za for more attendants to ‘volunticipate’ (participate by iafrica.com or [email protected]. for the success of the organisation and information about our projects. 32 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 Bnoth Zion Rebecca Sieff Awards — HM honouring decades of service HEBREW  MONUMENTS Katz and Ruth Katzeff for 60 years; Janice A highlight in the BZA WIZO calendar is the annual Bloch, Ray Cohen and Muriel Sendzul for Tombstones Rebecca Sieff Awards50 years; and Cecile Barnett, Eleonore ceremony and World WIZO Bloch (in absentia), Lorraine Gurwitz, Bible Day. Deborah Herman (in absentia), Cynthia Directors: Cantor Ian and Helene Camissar Marsden (in absentia), Sarah Morris, Myra Telephone : 021 434-5664 he 2011 awards, held in late 2011, Osrin, Rose Radowsky, Leina Sank and Thonoured women who have committed Miriam Solin for 40 years of service. Mobiles : 072 6795533 or 082 5513344 decades of their lives to Bnoth Zion, Israel, Fax: 021 434-7888 Zionism and Email : camissar@mweb.co.za the community. The ceremony included a talk by CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE Li Boiskin, entitled ‘WIZO Women WWW.HEBREWMONUMENTS.CO.ZA who have made a Difference,’ and special MANY SATISFIED CLIENTS entertainment by Ivor Joffe. FRIENDLY CONSULTATIONS Members QUALITY GRANITE AND MARBLE honoured for decades of 40 year recipients: Front: Rose Radowsky, Sarah Morris, Lorraine PROFESSIONAL WORKMANSHIP service were Joyce Gurwitz and Cecile Barnett. Back: Myra Osrin, Miriam Solin and Leina Sank. SOLID FOUNDATIONS SPEEDY REPAIR SERVICE RE-LETTERING, SLABS AND TILING

NO JOB TOO SMALL OUR GUARANTEE TO BEAT ANY WRITTEN 60 year recipients: Joyce Katz and 50 year recipients: Janice Bloch, Ray Cohen and QUOTE Ruth Katzeff. Muriel Sendzul. Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE 33 ibe Jewish extremism in Beit Shemesh

Yeshiva V By Rav. Eitan Bendavid

The recent rioting and skirmishes in Beit perpetrated by radicals in the name of voices heard. However, when doing so we with its own positives and Shemesh in the Haredi sector are not only Judaism, constitute a huge Hillul Hashem need to be careful that we are speaking negatives. While we may shocking but in complete violation of basic (Desecration of G-d’s Name) — an from a place of love, not hate; and that not necessarily agree human dignity and Torah values. absolute perversion of Halakhic values, we are careful not to further stoke the with what others do or their particular are an insult to human dignity, and make flames of controversy by making broad world perspective, we are obligated to he latest outburst put a 7-year-old girl Israel and the Jewish people the laughing generalisations about Hareidim or any recognise that which is positive, even if it Tby the name of Na’ama Margolis under stock of the world. other group in Israel. This unfortunately has may be different. For example, Hareidim the spotlight. Na’ama is routinely insulted been a tactic of the media in Israel, and I do need to start being more appreciative and frightened by radical extremists “The Jewish people are not think that it has been helpful in moving that while they choose not to enlist in the as she walks to her Religious Zionist towards reconciliation. army (something that I believe completely all in one boat. What contravenes Jewish law) many others, school that borders on one of the Haredi Learning the lessons religious and not religious, put their lives neighborhoods in Beit Shemesh. In one happens in Beit Shemesh I firmly believe that internal fighting on the line every day for the Jewish people. such incident, Na’ama was even accused between Jews in Israel poses more of a is our problem.” Likewise, I think it would be positive for of being a prostitute. threat to Israel’s existence then the terrorist non-religious Jews to recognise how the Unfortunately, unethical, and radical states that threaten Israel militarily. What can we do about this? While it Hareidi commitment to Jewish tradition behavior is not limited to Beit Shemesh. I think that Jacob’s behavior when may be easy to write these people off has kept our traditions strong in an era of In December, a group of radical settlers blessing his children in Parshat Vayechi attacked an army base, injuring soldiers. as ‘extremists’ and as ‘someone else’s pervasive assimilation and intermarriage. problem’, I personally cannot accept such is instructive for navigating our future. The Additionally, there have been a number of Torah teaches us that Jacob blesses each ‘price-tag’ attacks, where mosques were a position. The Jewish people are all in one boat. What happens in Beit Shemesh son individually: “Every one according to “We have the choice, burned to the ground in retaliation for the is my (our) problem whether we directly his blessing he blessed them.” Rashi points removal of some illegal settlements. to stand together by contribute to such behavior or not. I believe out that the verse should really conclude recognising the blessing Dealing with extremism that first and foremost it is the responsibility “he blessed each one” as opposed saying I believe there is a solution to these recent of rabbis around the world (and especially he “blessed them”; after all, each son in our diversity, or to incidents, but before laying out my theory, in Israel and the Haredi world) to condemn received an individual blessing! Rashi clash as individuals and I would like to state the obvious. Anyone in the most explicit and unequivocal terms explains that while each son received an ultimately, for each tribe person who attacks an Israeli army base or that they absolutely reject and abhor such individual blessing, they all collectively to stand alone.” soldiers for that matter, should be treated behavior on behalf of their constituents, or benefitted. How is this possible? The like a terrorist — non-Jew and Jew alike. any Jew for that matter. answer lies in recognising the blessing Any man, no matter what religious garb But it is not their responsibility alone. I of diversity. As long as each of Jacob’s We have the choice, to stand together they wear, who spits upon and insults believe that the silent majority of Israelis, sons recognised each others’ individual as Bnei Yaakov (Sons of Jacob) by women because they have different which includes people from all sectors of blessings, they would stand to benefit. recognising the blessing in our diversity, standards of dress, is the farthest thing the Israeli population, must firmly reject The Jewish people today are a or to clash as individuals and ultimately, for from being a religious person. Such a such extremist behavior. This means cacophonous mix of different colors and each tribe to stand alone. Let us hope that person is a criminal and deserves to be that we, as the silent majority, have the shades. There are many types of Jews and the Jewish people learn this lesson before treated as such. All of these incidents, responsibility to speak out and make our many different Jewish communities, each it is too late.

PERSONAL GROWTH & SELF DEVELOPMENT COURSE The Personal Growth & Self Development course provides an opportunity to explore your life experiences and losses in a small and confidential group. Commencing 6 March 2012 over 8 weeks

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For further details contact 021-465 9390 (office hours) 34 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 Overcoming Schizophrenia Schizophrenia for 22 years with a child of 15 and I, unlike 300 issues – (meaning ‘split mind’ many other schizophrenics, am alive to tell in Greek) is described the tale. here’s to 300 more! as ‘a severe mental In the first ten years, I would be illness characterised by a variety of hospitalised every two years for a symptoms, including but not limited to a psychotic breakdown. Never as intense as Your valued contributions have helped loss of contact with reality.’ the episode of my first attack, but enough the Chronicle reach 300 issues! to set me back further and further than pproximately one percent of the world’s my peers. From 1977 to 1984 I continued Apopulation is afflicted by schizophrenia, to work in the open market. I worked as Help us reach 300 more by paying your making it the most common psychosis. archives assistant; later as a journalist; a voluntary subscription for 2012. Fundamental symptoms include thought diamond sorter and even did a year stint disturbances, withdrawal, and difficulties at Rhodes University, passing Fine Art managing effects. Secondary symptoms Studies with a first class pass. The tension You will soon receive a letter in the post with include perception disorders such as of that year caused me to seek help once hallucinations and grandiosity. Symptoms again, this time needing medication from further information. may also be non-schizophrenic in nature, Fort England Hospital, where a dashing including anxiety, depression, and young psychiatrist told me how brave I was Thank you for your support! psychosomatic symptoms. to study with this affliction. In 1984 a doctor The website Psyweb.com states that from Valkenberg Hospital told me I was not “Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic brain able to work any longer as I had impaired disorder that alters the way a person concentration. This was anathema to my acts, thinks, perceives reality, expresses proud intellectual soul — I, who had read WESTERN PROVINCE JEWISH COMMUNAL emotions and relates to other people. Jean Paul Satre at the age of 16, could no PRIORITIES AND PLANNING BOARD Schizophrenia affects people of all gender longer read even a newspaper. and races. People suffering from the Learning to cope is a technique. Firstly, Notice is hereby given that all Jewish organisations in the Western disorder believe that other people have a listen to your body and energy levels. Get capacity to read their minds, control their enough sleep, and eat enough so that you Cape contemplating Capital Expenditure in excess of R200,000 thought patterns or are scheming to harm do not burn out with anxiety. Monitor your or major fundraising activities must give preliminary notice of such them. In other cases, they may smell odours reality. Try to differentiate between fantasy planned projects and activities. The same requirements apply to or hear voices that other people don’t smell and reality to measure what is real or not. the sale of communal assets in excess of R250,000 and the sale of or hear.” All these symptoms can lead the If we human beings are divided into body, all immovable property. person to withdraw, feel frightened or be mind and spirit then we schizophrenics extremely agitated. Schizophrenia is a life- need a hearty dose of reality to keep us All communications must be addressed to: long disease that has no known cure but grounded. I found that working in a library The Chairman or The Director can be controlled with treatment, like any organised my mind. other chronic illness. Later, when I married and became a W P Jewish Communal Priorities and Planning Board Jewish Community Services Cape offers housewife, it was good to have tasks. P.O. Box 4176 supportive services to those diagnosed But, becoming a mother floored me and CAPE TOWN, 8000 with schizophrenia, and to family members whipped the mat out right under my feet. and carers. Social workers liaise with other Probably hormonal changes and less The Chairman and Committee of the Western Province Jewish Communal mental health professionals in assisting medication were responsible, but for five Priorities and Planning Board draw the attention of the Jewish public to the person and their family in treating and years I became very weak and ill. the necessity for proper financial planning so as to avoid excessive and managing the illness. Here is the story of My kind, caring husband and I broke our one woman who had the courage to learn hearts when our dear little child was put into inappropriate use of communal funding. to live with schizophrenia. foster care for five whole years, because The Board points out that ALL Jewish organisations and institutions in A story of schizophrenia I was too ill to look after her. Joyfully, she Cape Town unanimously supported the establishment of the Priorities “My world catapulted into confusion at returned home at 12 years old. Board, which it viewed as being of major importance. The community was eighteen. It was 1976 and the day before In 2002 I heard about the workability so insistent on this that they empowered the Board to take steps to prevent the riots on campus at UCT. A kind lecturer programme at the Astra Centre and joined Jewish organisations from spending funds on alterations or of acquiring from the history department sent me to it. I later worked at the Gitlin Library for new buildings in excess of R200,000. Student Health because I was manifesting seven years in the archives. During that time I learnt to read again. First short Later the sale of communal assets in excess of R250,000 and the sale of all strange behaviour. There, I met a psychiatrist who confirmed my worst fears. articles, later even magazines — and the immovable property was added. It was stressed that all such expenditure sweet joy of reading a novel! or planned disposal should be brought to this Priorities and Planning Board I was diagnosed that day with paranoid schizophrenia and taken to Groote Schuur Now I am once again at home, looking accompanied by the relevant information. Hospital, where I spent the night. Later, after my husband and child and resting, and The Priorities and Planning Board was also required to monitor, regulate after my parents had been informed, I I am content that G-d has compensated. I and control contemplated major fundraising and relevant information in spent ten days at a private nursing home. believe that none of this could be achieved regard to such proposed activities which must also be brought to the Now, 35 years later, I sometimes sit and without a very firm belief in G-d and His righteousness. Board. dream, wondering what other avenue may have been my destiny. The first thing I I lead what could be called a normal, Whilst the Cape Jewish Chronicle can be used to publicise proposed realised was that nobody could help me but productive life. I have not been hospitalised fundraising and/or community functions, under no circumstances may it G-d himself. I was caught in a maelstrom since 1989, I do not see a psychiatrist very be used with wording that can be construed as directly soliciting funds of terrifying whispers and inexplicable often, and I take prescribed government from the community. fear. Later came the numbness and relief medication. To preserve my health, I see of medication, which I still take every day. that I measure my strength so that I do The Board was given the power, in the event of a transgression, to not get overtired. I have learned to cope advertise through the general and Jewish press calling upon the Jewish Looking back, I now realise that youth is febrile, tender and sensitive beyond belief. through adversity with a debilitating public to refrain from supporting any unauthorised project. As I have matured, so I have grown tougher condition because I have no other option. I All Jewish organisations are requested, in the interests of orderly and stronger. At 53, I have managed to want to live life well.” communal funding, to co-operate with the Priorities and Planning Board, survive psychotic interludes, overdoses in terms of the aforementioned notice. and depression, simply because I had to For more information contact Jewish learn to cope. And here I am today, married Community Services on 021 462 5520. Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE 35 JACOB GITLIN LIBRARY ALBOW CENTRE PHONE: 021 462-5088 FAX: 021 465-8670 Fiction RONEN Stewart, The Goat Herder. At the age of 15, a Zulu boy discovers an old photograph Book of the month buried in the sand in his village. When he finds a job as gardener for a wealthy Jewish family, the daughter is the girl in the photograph. He is convinced this is a sign from the ancestors and that a dream is coming true. MetaMaus — A Look Inside WASTVEDT Patricia, The German Boy. Spanning decades and generations, this book tells the moving story of two families entangled by love and friendship, divided by prejudice a Modern Classic, Maus and war, and of a brief encounter between a woman and a man that touched each of their lives forever. By Art Spiegelman ROTH Joseph, The String of Pearls. While visiting Vienna, the Shah of Persia falls for a beautiful countess. The Austrian officials arrange for him to spend the night with her, but isually and emotionally rich, MetaMaus is as unbeknown to the Shah she is a prostitute who merely resembles a countess. From this Vgroundbreaking as the masterpiece whose creation night follows a chain of ruinous consequences. it reveals. In the pages of MetaMaus, Art Spiegelman re-enters the Pulitzer prize-winning Maus, the modern classic that has altered how we see literature, comics and the Holocaust World War II ever since it was first published 25 years ago. VAUGHAN Hal, Sleeping With the Enemy: Coco Chanel, Nazi Agent. For more than half He probes the questions that Maus most often evokes a century, Chanel’s life from 1941 to 1954 has been shrouded in rumour. In this explosive — why the Holocaust? Why mice? Why comics? — and gives us a new and essential work narrative, Hal Vaughan uncovers the truth of Chanel’s antisemitism and long-whispered about the creative process. collaboration with Hitler’s officials. DAVIES Peter Ho, The Welsh Girl. An unlikely World War II romance is the subject of this novel. Following a prologue, in which British army officer Rotheram (the son of a German Jewish war-hero-turned-pacifist) is assigned to interrogate captured Nazi officer Rudolf Hess, the scene shifts to a farming village in Wales. Public Talk Invitation THE JEWISH MAYORS OF CAPE TOWN: Biographies and memoirs Their Contribution to a Liberal City GRANGER Vincent Louis, Memories for my family. This lively, human and erudite life story A talk by David Bloomberg, written for the author’s family has metamorphosed into a valuable historical document. a former mayor of Cape Town. His tales are spiced with heartwarming anecdotes and make for fascinating reading. The talk will be based on his latest book, DERMAN Candice, Indescribable. From the age of eight Candice Derman locked away The Chain Gang. her secret and learned to live with sexual abuse. Eventually she escaped and began a journey to find happiness. A deeply moving true story of pain, courage and love. Nelson Mandela Auditorium, SANK Barney, Reeling & Dealing: Barney Sank casts back. A memoir full of of 88 Hatfield Street, Gardens. humour, this book reflects on life in South Africa from humble beginnings to far-sighted Thursday 16 February at 6 pm. entrepreneurship. The success story of Barney and Abe Sank’s motor car dealership in Cape Town is exemplary. The book was written for his grandchildren but its optimism and acceptance of the flow of life are clear to any reader. RSVP: 021-4625088 / [email protected] SINGER Lauren, Fred and I and a Dash of Pepper. Lauren’s inspirational and heartfelt story, told through the eyes of her service dogs, Fred and Pepper, about the daily triumphs and defeats of living with Multiple Sclerosis. Screening of MACHAL documentary heartfelt thank you to all our A members and supporters Israel and the Jewish world who attended the unforgettable GANS Chaim, A Just Zionism — On the Morality of the Jewish State. The legitimacy of the screening of the film 804, Zionist project — establishing a Jewish homeland in Palestine — has been questioned honouring the South African since its inception. In recent years, the voices challenging the legitimacy of the state of volunteers in Israel’s War of Israel have become even louder. Chaim Gans examines these doubts and presents an Independence. in-depth, evenhanded philosophical analysis of the justice of Zionism. Nine MACHAL members were HIDER James, The Spiders of Allah. A British journalist’s firsthand account of fanaticism the guests of honour at the and bloodshed in the Middle East, where he examines the ways in which radical Islam evening, which was co-hosted and fundamentalist Christianity have continually warped and damaged an already difficult by the Jacob Gitlin Library, the situation. SAZF Cape Council, Pulp Films and with compliments of the Ben Levitas handing out JNF certificates to the MACHAL MARK Peter, DA SILVA HORTA Jose, The Forgotten Diaspora — Jewish communities in Embassy of Israel in Pretoria. volunteers. West Africa and the making of the Atlantic world. This book traces the history of early 17th century Portuguese Sephardic traders who settled in two communities in Senegal. There, they lived as public Jews, under the spiritual guidance of a rabbi sent to them by the newly established Portuguese Jewish community in Amsterdam. The study not only DVDS discovers previously unknown Jewish communities but also offers a reinterpretation of CHAIT Lisa, Life Stories: Preserving memories forever — Gerald Kleinman. Gerald has identity construction throughout the Atlantic world. spent over 50 years in Jewish communal leadership in Cape Town. This life story, filmed in late 2011, sees 86 year old Gerald sharing wonderful anecdotes about our rich communal heritage as well as stories from his own life. Judaism and spirituality Unmasked: Judeophobia. The Threat to Civilization. The current political assault against CHARNEY Leon H. and MAYZLISH Saul, The Mystery of the Kaddish: Its Profound the state of Israel is fundamentally a war against the Jewish people and their right to self- Influence on Judaism. The Kaddish is considered by millions to be a special prayer determination. Jews are facing the possible uprooting of the very idea that there should one recites for the dead. It isn’t. This mystical ritual was created during the Crusades as be a nation state of the Jewish people. homage to God. Those who have lost a loved one and recite the prayer faithfully on 52 Friday nights may have wondered why there is no place in the prayer for the name of the lost loved one. This book contains much new information as it traces the evolution of the New Audio Books Kaddish. (Produced and donated by Tape Aids for the Blind)’ SNUNIT Michal, The Soul Bird. This gentle and poetic book has become a firm favorite HOWE Irving & WISSE Ruth (Eds.), The Best of Shalom Aleichem with both children and adults. Showing how the consolation and encouragement we need ALEXY Trudy, The Mezuzah in the Madonna’s Foot can be found in small, everyday places, it is a lovely resource for those moments when ZUSAK Markus, The Book Thief we feel in need of spiritual refreshment. Its simplicity conceals a deeper philosophical ALEICHEM Sholom, Adventures of Mottel, the Cantor’s Son message for us all.

For more information and frequent updates, follow us on Facebook: Jacob Gitlin Library 36 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 Arts and culture Technology as a common language By Daniella Jaff Klein

Like everyone else I know, I have a cousin and then weekly meetings throughout at each other with shy smiles and tell me: in Israel. He is 14 years old, cute, clever and the school year. The students come away “Learning that ‘the other’ is the same as told me that his favourite subject at school with a ‘mini MBA’, having been taught me.” Each of them seemed to be amazed is Arabic. by professors and graduates of MIT. to discover how alike they were. They The training takes place on the Hebrew listened to the same music, watched the ave you ever met an Arab kid your University campus in computer labs same films, programmed in the same “Hage?” I asked him. allocated specifically for the programme. language and had the same hopes and “No.” The price per participant is about $15K fears. And through the intense training, this “Would you ever like to meet an Arab kid for three years of programming (>500 realisation only deepened. your age?” academic hours per year), all of which is Joining together in Java At this point he started looking at me funded by donors. For the students, the The participants come from Arab and suspiciously and promptly changed the program is entirely free. Jewish neighbourhoods of Jerusalem, as subject. A different kind of social networking well as the West Bank cities of Ramallah The truth is many Jewish Israeli kids MEET participants learn by doing. Through and Bethlehem, and the Israeli towns of seldom get a chance to meet Arab kids, the various projects they complete, they Beit Shemesh and Mevaseret Zion. In some Israeli and Palestinian MEET students let alone Palestinians, many of whom live learn business and leadership skills as of their communities they are challenged to just about anyone looking to get ahead. a few minutes away. In fact, like my cousin, well as Java programming. Perhaps most for taking part in such a programme. One Whether the student sees the value of MEET many are afraid to. importantly though, they learn to talk to religious Jewish girl told how at first she in the skills they learn or in the interactions An exceptional programme in Jerusalem each other. And through learning to talk, had kept her participation secret, but now, they have, the programme clearly offers has succeeded in transcending this fear they are able to broach those otherwise she has begun to talk about it openly and talented young people something that is by creating a bridge between these two divisive issues that most adults don’t even already some of her peers are interested. both relevant and worthwhile. societies. Brilliantly, it uses technology know how to begin to discuss. Likewise, many of the Palestinian Perhaps next year my Israeli cousin as a common language. The programme In meeting some of the participants, I students are shunned for participating in will enroll, and for the first time meet a is called MEET (Middle East Education discussed the value of the programme with what have been coined ‘normalisation’ Palestinian peer with whom he can practice through Technology), and it brings them. In just a few weeks they had learned projects. Said one student, “The situation his Arabic — all while learning Java. together Palestinian and Israeli high skills that many universities teach over is not normal, and I can understand why school students to learn computing and the course of a year. They were working people in my community do not want me Daniella Jaff Klein qualified as an attorney business skills. This is certainly no ‘airy- on sophisticated programming projects to advertise a programme that makes it at one of South Africa’s leading law firms. fairy’ programme though. Rigorous and for real clients, including HP, Google, and appear that everyone gets on with each She worked for the New Israel Fund in competitive, the programme accepts only G.ho.st. These were intelligent, computer- other.” But for this student, the product that the UK before moving to Israel. Through 44 students of the several hundred Grade savvy kids who confidently spoke about MEET offered him was just too valuable to volunteering with innovative organisations 9 learners who apply for a spot. It is for social marketing, user interface design turn down. who are finding solutions for a way talented and motivated individuals who will and Amazon Cloud services as easily as It should come as no surprise that MEET forward in harsh circumstances, she was likely be future leaders in their fields. they spoke about their personal lives. And is quickly becoming a brand name, and inspired to write a blog, Flowers in the After making it through rigorous testing, yet, when asked about the most valuable with some of the graduates’ acceptances Desert, to publicise and showcase some students commit to three years — for a thing they are learning, the answer was into top universities and prestigious army of their work. Visit Flowers in the Desert: few weeks during the summer holidays resoundingly the same. They would look units, it is becoming even more attractive http://flowersindesert.wordpress.com Jewish scholarship and technology ‘join hands’ By Sarah Kamaras/JointMedia News Service

A recent Centre for Jewish History interests, but believes that the library’s conference explored the use of expansion into the public realm is ultimately digitisation to integrate and distribute a beneficial to all. “Researchers have more wealth of Jewish resources. opportunities for things they didn’t even know existed,” he says. traditional library has natural A virtual world “A selection. With digital material, The discussion was followed by a host selection is much harder,” said Oren of demonstrations on how digitisation Weinberg, Director General of the National is being implemented not only to house Library of Israel, when discussing his and integrate millions of documents, personal challenge of moving information photographs and songs on the Jewish into the digital world during a conference at experience, but also to bring ‘born- Michael Glickman, Stanley N. Katz, Deanna Marcum and Oren Weinberg on a panel at ‘From Access to Integration,’ a conference on the digitisation of Jewish resources. Photo: John the Centre for Jewish History in New York. digital’ projects to life. Louis Kaplan, a co- Halpern. Stanley N. Katz, Director for Arts and applicant of Mapping Ararat, presented a Cultural Policy Studies at Princeton virtual world based on Mordecai Manuel with the raw materials they need. on to search.cjh.org, users can gain University, opened a series of interactive Noah’s vision of a Jewish homeland at Access for all access to archival and library materials, discussions and presentations on using Grand Island in the Niagara River. The Centre for Jewish History, whose museum collections and digital materials digitisation to integrate and distribute a Ararat, which is comprised of a partners include the American Jewish by using a single keyword to search across wealth of Jewish resources. “Technology cartographic installation and a website Historical Society, American Sephardi various institutions. in general has matured to a point where run by social media, is supplemented Federation, Leo Baeck Institute, Yeshiva Michael Glickman, Chief Operating scholarship and technology can join with a walking tour through Grand Island’s University Museum and the YIVO Institute Officer of the Center for Jewish History, hands in an unusually close participation,” grounds. By downloading a programme for Jewish Research, is home to over explained in an interview with JointMedia Katz told a room full of professionals called Layar to an iPhone, users can 100 million Jewish artifacts. The centre News Service how the centre’s online from universities, institutes and museums see Ararat’s buildings and monuments has already begun to tackle its own material has also boosted interest in its spanning the globe. virtually embedded in the landscape as digitisation projects through a thematic physical resources. Glickman said that Weinberg and Deanna Marcum, they tour through the premises while also approach, partnering with the University of when the centre puts something of interest Associate Librarian for the Library of gaining access to additional articles and Frankfurt to digitise 1,000 volumes of the online, it almost always sees the number of Congress, discussed the struggle to photographs on the site. Wissenschaft collection. physical researchers increase specific to select materials that will be useful on a Kaplan emphasised how digital Additionally, the centre’s Holocaust that collection. In turn, that helps the centre public level, without ostracising the needs format projects like Ararat thrive on the Resource Initiative is currently processing focus its energy on better understanding of scholars and other niche audiences. continuance of resources’ digitisation. He 110 collections otherwise unknown to what the user is looking for. Weinberg, whose National Library of Israel explained that only three primary source anyone but archivists and creating a “I think the goal for us is to further now operates independently, admitted that letters from the guide to the papers of record that allow the archives to be fully democratise access,” Glickman said. the library receives ‘flack’ for veering from Mordecai Noah have currently been found. recognised through a search engine. The “Sitting on this wonderful repository we researchers needs. Kaplan urged organisations to digitise centre’s current online library operates have an obligation to come together and Therefore, Weinberg works with their materials for open access on a global via a single-search online public access think about how we can make the user universities to hone in on Israel’s general scale, to allow projects like Ararat to work catalogue across all formats. By logging experience that much more successful.” This page is kindly sponsored by the Harold & Beatrice Kramer Foundation and an anonymous donor Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE 37 Arts and culture Conscription and community Once upon a time in the land of Young local actor Glen Levitt is constantly trying to fit Biderman-Pam will soon in and seek out some sense Sefarad… appear in the play Somewhere of belonging. He deals with By Aviva Liora Moses on the Border at the Baxter his fear by trying to hold onto Theatre. He discusses the a relationship back home. It is It is always fascinating to look back on the production, his role as a Jewish a constant struggle for him as history of a nation; of a people who have conscript and the impact of he falls victim to antisemitism, managed to overcome many obstacles in conscription on the South racism and raw discrimination.” their path. African Jewish community. To research his role, Glen read books and articles about owever, there are always pieces of ritten by Anthony the border war: “An Unpopular Hhistory that can be likened to a puzzle “WAkerman in exile, War by JH Thompson was a missing its pieces: you know what was Somewhere on the Border Glen Biderman-Pam fantastic source because it meant to be there, yet that presence is was intercepted in the post includes journal entries by guys missed and desired. and banned by the apartheid regime,” who were there at that time, and I could Our rich tradition and heritage as a explains Glen. The play, which looks at relate so much of that to my experience in Jewish people spans over centuries, with the experiences of white South African the play. I also had conversations with as our origins prevailing from many corners of conscripts, “brings together seven young many people as possible who were in the the world. The Sephardi Jews of Spain form men from different backgrounds into a South African Defence Force — particularly one of the oldest threads that we are able ‘forced’ situation where fear is the common those who fought on the border and are to weave into the tapestry of our legacy. denominator that draws them together, from the South African Jewish community.” Studying in Spain as a young Jewish despite their various political and religious In terms of the impact conscription had woman from South Africa, this is how I felt when I stepped into the historic Jewish views. The play acknowledges the trauma on the community, Glen emphasises that Aviva Liora Moses of white conscripts during the 1970s and the effects were destructive and traumatic. quarter of Toledo. synagogue into the Church of San Benito. 80s.” “Young Jewish conscripts were faced with Toledo is a little city near Madrid that plays In the sixteenth century, its sole purpose Indeed, “when South Africa started extremely difficult choices. Each choice an intricate part in the history of Sefarad in was that of a church. An alterpiece, a choir exorcising its political past at the TRC, one questioned Jewish values in one way or Spain. It is difficult to acknowledge that area and images of the Virgin Mary were chapter was not entirely explored. That another. To join the army and ‘get it over in a city where no Jewish people remain, added to enhance the Christian features was the way young white men had been and done with’ was to give in to inhumane once upon a time there were thousands. of this once-used synagogue. Over the subjected to compulsory military service Nationalist ideologies and suffer the The city hosts two historical markers of this following centuries it was used for many that was a brutal enforcer of apartheid,” consequences of fighting an unjust war,” era — namely, the two shuls that are now military and religious purposes pertaining said one review. he says. monuments and museums. Each tells the to the Catholic order. In 1877 the building Now, Somewhere on the Border is “To flee the country was another option stories of the people who once flourished was declared a national monument and bringing this reality to South Africans — but was destructive from a community as a strong Sefarad community. And each was no longer to be used for any religious many of who are either unaware of it or perspective — families and friendships one tells a different tale, frozen in distinct purpose. Today, the Sephardi Museum is would choose to hide those horrors from were broken as people chose not to periods of time. linked to this synagogue, bearing artefacts memory. When the play was performed at contribute to a military regime that was The oldest shul in Europe that carry the history and stories of the the Grahamstown Arts Festival, there were based on similar human rights criminality La Sinagoga de Aljama de Toledo or flourishing Jewish community of Toledo. varied reactions: “The younger generation to the Holocaust. This play is a catalyst that la Sinagoga de Santa Maria la Blanca respond in a lighter manner as the play is facilitates a hugely important talking and is the oldest standing synagogue in Loss and blessings When I walked into the Sinagoga de written with a lot of wit and humour, but it healing point among communities in South Europe, dating back to Medieval Spanish Santa Maria La Blanca, I could not help was also an eye-opener for them to see Africa.” Jewry. According to the inscriptions on but feel a profound sense of sadness at what their parents went through during Meanwhile, Glen, who was chosen for this the beams, it was constructed in 1180, the dilapidated building, people walking their harrowing time in the army,” says role even before he had finshed his drama bearing architectural features of all three around examining the Judaic-Catholic Glen. “That generation has been deeply degree at UCT, offers the following advice main world religions that lived in harmony artwork that remains from the tumultous jolted and reminded of these hardships. to other aspiring actors: “I think in this form in this city during the Medieval age: history that this synagogue has seen. It The responses were generally that people of art, hard work is far preferred than relying Judaism, Christianity and Islam. However, was as if something was missing — a spirit were moved in one way or another, many on raw talent. If you can integrate the one as this building was designed by Muslim of a people that should be there. I was reviews deeming it ‘the play of the festival.’” into the other, I think you’ll find yourself architects, it bears more mosque-like approached by a nun A Jewish soldier going a long way.” Glen certainly has features than that who was running the In the play, Glen plays Jewish conscript adopted this approach, so keep an eye on of a synagogue, museum, explaining David Levitt. How is this character’s this rising star! owing to the famed “It was as if something that every year, Kol perspective different to that of other Mudejar style of the was missing — a spirit of Nidrei is sung in the conscripts — does his Jewishness play a Somewhere on the Border will run at the architecture. It is in fact a people that should be Sinagoga del Transito role? “Yes, definitely,” answers Glen. “Being Baxter Theatre from 24 February — 17 considered to be one by a Judeo-Catholic Jewish, he is immediately an outsider. March. Book through Computicket. of the best examples of there.” monk to remember Mudejar architecture in those who once history. Furthemore, worshipped, loved and lived their faith in the name given to the synagogue (that Toledo. DJ Wags is a winner! of a Christian saint) arose in the fifteenth This was an entirely foreign concept to Capetonian Adam and DJed at album launch century, when under Catholic rule it me and deepened the level of sadness that Wagenheim, known as parties across South Africa became a church under the Order of I felt. However, within me stirred a feeling DJ Wags, recently won a in November. Calatrava. The patron of this synagogue is of pride, love and joy for our people too. prestigious competition on Adam, who just completed presumed to be Rabbi Joseph who was the After generations of war, persecution, local radio station 5FM. his final year of CA articles treasurer to Alfonso XIII. On its confiscation loss and hatred, here we still stand as a at FirstRand Bank, says, from the Jewish people, it was placed people. With solid communities in Madrid, fter 31 days of intense “I have been DJing for under Catholic control. Today it remains a Barcelona and the south of Spain, there on-air competition, almost 10 years and it has museum, run by the church as a monument A are many more stories for me to discover. hundreds of submissions been a passion of mine to those who were displaced from this city There are many more threads to be woven and passionate feedback since high school. Winning during the expulsion. into the tapestry of the Jewish people. And from 5FM’s listeners, DJ the competition is a huge La Sinagoga del Transito or La Sinagoga it is only in experiencing the essence of our Wags was announced as honour and I am really de Samuel ha-Levi, on the other hand, history and loss in places like Spain that the winner of 5FM’s first grateful to everyone who has is a pure example of Jewish artwork and Adam Wagenheim one realises how blessed we are, and how Ultimix@6 competition. supported and encouraged architecture, bearing engraved, stucco proud we should be to have survived this Adam, who is Cape Town-born and me over the years. The Ultimix@6 is a Hebrew inscriptions on the internal walls all and continue as the strong nation we are Joburg-based, beat nearly 500 hopefuls to great platform for DJs to show their skills of the building. It was built and erected in today. win a spot as resident Ultimix@6 DJ on the and it means a lot to me to be recognised.” 1357 by Samuel ha-Leví Abufalia, treasurer station’s popular Fresh Drive show. The win Mazeltov Adam! and advisor to King Pedro I of Castille de Aviva Liora Moses is a Capetonian living in is a huge achievement in the industry — as La Mancha. When the Jews were expelled Spain, where she is studying her Master’s 5FM DJ Fresh says, “the Ultimix@6 is the DJ Wags will be on the 5FM Ultimix@6 in 1492, it was also placed under Catholic degree in Spanish. She won an Erasmus biggest feature on 5FM.” In addition to a every Monday in March from 6 — 6:30pm. rule and was divided into sections; Mundus scholarship and will study in four one-month on-air residency on The Fresh Contact Adam on 084 626 4206 or converting one part into a hospital for different universities over the next two years. Drive, Adam also won DJing equipment [email protected]. the wounded and the main section of the 38 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 SA Jewish Museum hosts Herman Wald exhibition Many South Africans will be familiar with work is not found in any South African driven by his sons Louis and Michael. the work of the Jewish, Hungarian-born public art collection, and he never taught Louis created a highly-detailed online sculptor Herman Wald (1906 — 1970), even formally. Yet he managed to establish a database of his father’s work and has also if they might not have ever heard of him. full-time career for himself as a sculptor, been instrumental in working with Wits and played an important role as a mentor University in setting up two impressive is iconic Impala Fountain, a memorial to other aspirant sculptors. casts of bronzes by Wald on their campus. Hto Ernest Oppenheimer, is a popular Steeped in Jewish tradition The powerful centrepiece which will monument of the Johannesburg CBD; Wald’s work is diverse both stylistically greet visitors to the exhibition on Wald at his impressive Diamond Digger fountain and thematically, revealing his knowledge the SA Jewish Museum will be his Wings of in Kimberley is yet another. For Jewish of, and exposure to a variety of modern the Shechinah, which will be shown in the Johannesburgers, Wald’s sculptural movements and styles which he absorbed appropriate setting of the Gardens Shul. endeavours have long been a presence as a student in Budapest, Vienna, Berlin, The exhibition itself will be entitled Wings in their lives, with his huge beaten copper Paris and London. His difficulty, perhaps, of the Shechinah: The Art of Herman Wald. wings framing the Ark of the Berea Shul and was adapting these influences and making Made of beaten metal, the Wings are a his Holocaust memorial in the Westpark compromises to suit the demands of the modern equivalent to the inspirational work cemetery. While Wald’s reputation seems South African audiences and patrons upon of the ancient Jewish sculptors who made to rest on these public commissions, his whom he depended for his livelihood. The furnishings for the Ark of the Covenant and many other smaller works in sculpture son of a rabbi, and steeped in Jewish the Temple of Solomon. Embracing the Ark have been apparently forgotten, or at least tradition, Wald sought patronage from in which the Law is carried, as Wald himself neglected by the mainstream historians of said; “the aim is to give the impression that the Johannesburg Jewish community ‘Wings of the Shechina’ South African art. and produced many works on Biblical the message they carry is floating across The neglect of Wald’s work might have and spiritual themes. Of interest is the the whole world”. had much to do with the fact that he challenge he took up as a sculptor in On show will be over 50 sculptures — worked in a bewildering range of forms, relation to the prohibition of the Second three on a monumental scale, over 60 styles and media, and that he was deemed Commandment, and the reception of his sketches, writings and an array of audio- an inconsistent ‘commercial’ sculptor and work by Jewish audiences. visual displays. not a ‘professional’ one according to the While Wald’s major public criteria of having one’s work acquired by works have survived, much public art galleries or attaining a teaching of his other work was either post in a tertiary fine arts institution. Wald’s left in his studio, sold, lost or even destroyed over the Wings of the Shechinah: years. However, largely The Art of Herman Wald thanks to the efforts of his late wife Vera, who The SA Jewish Museum, 88 Hatfield Street documented his work and 20 February to 15 July 2012 career assiduously, there Museum hours: is a good record of what he Sunday to Thursday 10am to 5pm achieved. The retrieval of Friday 10am to 2pm Wald’s legacy has become a family mission, largely ‘Impala Stampede’, now located at the Mining House Precinct ‘Monument to the Six Million’ at Westpark www.HermanWaldExhibtion.com in downtown Johannesburg. cemetery in Johannesburg.

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om/05/08376775 Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 COMMUNITY AND CULTURE 39 NETZER BNEI AKIVA A sweet new year for Netzer SA Machaneh madness and more Netzer South Africa has once again ended much discussion and debate. Is this how ‘Crazy’, ‘mad’, ‘awesome’, the year, and started the new one, on a we view G-d today? Should we fear G-d? ‘wonderful’… These are just some fantastic, energy-filled note. Other questions we asked included: How of the ways that Machaneh Shivim much power does, or should, music have Panim has been described. achaneh Shirat haYam (Song of the in our lives today, as Jews and simply as MSea) was held in December, and it human beings? Do we respect nature? amp was once again truly was certainly a camp to be remembered. How should we change? What are we Camazing, and it’s hard to 2012 is a year that holds many new things passionate about? How do we sound our believe that we’ve already flown for Netzer South Africa, and we are all opinions in a society that sometimes wants through January. That being said, extremely excited about it. to block out the voices of the ‘ignorant’ we certainly have been extremely To start off the ‘new things’ list, our camp or ‘immature’ youth? All of these are busy, not wasting any time in in December certainly had a different questions and issues that our channichim preparing for a jam-packed 2012. format. The concept of an educational and madrichim dealt with, and will hopefully Mazel tov to Daniel Winer on Machaneh Shivim Panim crammed in to the shul for a legendary Havdalah service. process — evolving from beginning to end keep tackling as their journeys continue. being appointed the movement’s — was introduced. The channichim went Another new aspect for Netzer is that National Chairman, and Joshua Gurim and Ktan Tanim fun day at the Urban on a journey, building up knowledge as the the Mazkirut (leadership body) for 2012 Sevitz for being elected to serve a second Park; and finally, Cape Town Kinnus. days went by. The Song of the Sea, being has been appointed. With ten unique and term as Cape Town Chairman. Kinnus is an annual gathering where the song that Miriam sang to the people energetic Mazkirut members, ideas are Amidst all the camp holiday hype, our madrichim elect new leadership and debate of Israel after their exodus from Egypt, buzzing, things are changing, excitement is ten Nachshon participants (grade 10 eight- how the movement will go forward for the has many controversial and fascinating growing, and I can certainly say that great week Israel tour) and our Hachsharah coming year. This year we scheduled our themes, many of which were explored things are in store for Netzer South Africa. participants have returned to Cape Town. Cape Town regional Kinnus in mid-January during our machaneh. Our passion for Netzer is certainly evident, For the Nachshon participants, it is all to ensure that not a moment was wasted, Some of these themes include the role and all of us are so excited to keep the about re-adjusting back into normal life as we can’t wait to cross new boundaries women have, and have had, in Judaism movement growing and moving to new and but at the same time they are all extremely the year. We now look forward to going up from biblical times, to the 21st century. As exciting places. As we each take on our excited to take on their new roles within to Johannesburg in early February to take Reform Jews, the value of gender equality respective roles with full enthusiasm and the movement as madrichim for the Gurim part in the National Kinnus. is intrinsic to our movement, and this was a passion, I wish the Mazkirut of 2012 a very (primary school) age group. Some of the If you wish to be added onto the Bnei vital topic to explore. inspiring and fulfilling journey. Mazeltov Hachsharah participants are returning to email list to hear about all our events Some of the words sung in the Song of Mazo ’12! Israel for a second year in the army. We are and activities, please email capetown@ the Sea are also very moving and thought- very proud of them and wish them much bnei.co.za. Also look out for our Mishlach provoking. The idea that G-d is a man of Nina Hoffman hatzlacha! Manot and Purim posters as we gear up war, who drowns enemies violently in the Rosh Chinnuch (Head of Education) 2012 Various events have already taken place for another crazy Purim with Bnei Akiva! sea, is a very powerful one, and raised Netzer South Africa this year, namely: The post-camp Shabbos For any queries, suggestions, or feedback, at Morasha (which was swamped by please don’t hesitate to contact the office Joburgers!); the farewell and welcome either by email or phone (021-4392740). HABONIM DROR back party for the 2012 and 2011 Hashem Imachem, Hachsharah participants respectively; a Joshua Sevitz (CT Chairman 2012) An exciting year ahead! Packed with Love

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Channichim get ready for Shabbat at Machaneh Bonim Atid 2011. Picnic Basket / R499 ‣ Wicker basket containing As 2012 kicks off, the movement is older channichim a chance to reconnect cups, plates, glasses and preparing itself for another busy and with the movement and take a break from utensils for four people fulfilling year. their regular routine. ‣ Ample space for treats and One of the unique elements of a youth refreshments fter an extremely successful movement is its ever-changing leadership. Amachaneh, the kenim (centres) in both With new people guiding and grappling Cape Town and Joburg are back at work with the movement each year, it is always and have started running weekly meetings. moving in a slightly different direction to These meetings give the Bogrim a chance the one before. This year there are many Love is packed with adventure, so share your love of the to connect on a regular basis, ensuring new faces in the leadership bodies who will outdoors this Valentine’s Day. that the leadership of the movement is undoubtedly bring a fresh perspective to constantly growing and engaging with one the movement and take ownership of their another. own role within it. Habonim prides itself on being a In just a few days, our madrichim who have movement that is active throughout the decided to spend a year in Israel will set off year, not only at machaneh. Both kenim on their journey. Habonim’s 10-month gap have started preparations for mini- year programme, Shnat Hachshara, sees machanot that will be taking place in March. participants travelling all over the country, These mini-machanot give our younger learning Hebrew, volunteering on kibbutz, channichim a chance to experience a taste engaging with other youth movements and of a Habonim camp before taking the leap so much more. We wish them all the best of Visit www.capeunionmart.co.za or call 08600-34000. Stores Nationwide. of a three-week machaneh. It also gives luck for the upcoming year! 5279 JC E & OE 40 community connections Cape Jewish Chronicle February 2012 Simcha Snaps

Three generations in celebration: Robert Berman celebrated his barmitzvah on 19 November. Here he is with his father Paul Berman and Grandpa Raymond Ackerman. Photographer: Karin Schermbrucker

Amy Shleifman married Andrew Stockwell. Orli Zaacks married Hanan Bushkin. Photographer: Simone Alexander Photographer: Gavin Casey

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South Africa Maccabi Men’s Open FUTSAL team. Back Row: Josh Gordon, Benji Dadon, Hilton Jacobson, Trevor Kramer, Yoni Hermann and Eugene Lazarus. Front Row: Andrew Cohen, Louis Zive, Ronen Cohen, David Frankel and Sholem Lange. estern Province Maccabi ended 2011 Upcoming events Won a high by participating in the Pan- There are some great plans forecast for Am Maccabi Games in Brazil; and there’s the year ahead, with Western Province lots to look forward to in 2012 and beyond! Maccabi teams scheduled to play against Pan-Am Games local competitive teams, touring teams, WP Maccabi organised a team to represent as well as teams undertaking tours to South Africa at the recent Pan-American Johannesburg. Maccabi Games in Sao Paolo Brazil. For Unfortunately, due to a few unforeseen many of the participants this was the first issues, the interprovincial tournament that time they had played Futsal, as opposed was scheduled for March has been pushed to 11-a-side outdoor soccer, and they back, but further details will be forthcoming performed beyond expectations against in the Jewish press. international powerhouses such as Brazil, Planning has already commenced for the Argentina and Uruguay. Maccabiah in Israel in 2013, and it is vital A full report back on the results and the that all those wanting to represent South tour will be featured in the next issue of the Africa must participate in the forthcoming Cape Jewish Chronicle. Interprovincial Tournament. For further information, please contact us on [email protected]