July 10 2015 / 23 Tammuz 5775 Volume 19 – Number 25

Who are the Jewish south african Report’s board members? Read all about them on page 8 & 9. Jewish Report www.sajr.co.za Photo: David Fleminger Photo:

Meiri’s mischievous murals light up drab city walls Famous Israeli street artist Rami Meiri is pictured with his wife Rachel in front of a wall of an orphanage on the corner of Nelson Mandela Drive and Stanza Bopape Street in Pretoria, with second year students from the Tshwane University of Technology and some staff members of City Property. Meiri, who also painted another wall in Pretoria (see page 3), conducted a workshop with his young university charges this week. Meiri was brought to South Africa as a joint collaboration between the Israeli Embassy and the Wapnick family through their company, City Property. “I’m an urban artist. My language is visual. I have been giving gifts to cities through murals for 35 years,” the erudite Meiri said. He has plied his art as far afield as China. He will also grace some walls in Cape Town with his quirky designs and characters.

Keeping kosher in the UK, Street artist Meiri gives joy The US and Iran: What Sir Nicholas Winton, Happy 80th birthday, Canada and Australia to Pretoria walls happens once a deal is in rescuer of WWII Jewish community stalwart Herby place children, passes on Rosenberg Jewish Report puts 3 major cities Meiri’s artworks have been with large Jewish populations bringing cheer and laughter to A nuclear deal between Iran and Sir Nicholas Winton, the British A veritable feast of family, friends, under the spotlight to see what passersby around the world. the major powers could unleash stockbroker who saved the lives felicitations and fine food - fitting kosher products are available far-reaching changes in the of more than 600 Jewish children tribute to a gentleman and scholar. there - and at what price. region. Much depends on what the from the Nazis, has died at the final deal will look like. age of 106. 2 3 6 7 10

YOUR pERSONAL INVITATION TO A pRESTIgIOUS AND MOST SECURE CLUSTER DEVELOpMENT LAUNCH IN MORNINgSIDE

LAUNCHING Sunday 12 July from 12-5pm chic and refined ONLY 12 EXCLUSIVE CLUSTERS ON ±1000m2 STANDS INDIVIDUALLY DESIgNED Joan Richter 082 552 7323 19 Brian is the epitome of elegant and sophisticated cluster living, located in the heart [email protected] of Morningside, designed to maximise light and space, featuring contemporary finishes Limor Zino 082 888 7561 designed to reflect your personal style. [email protected] Directions from Rivonia Road into Centre Road, left into Middle Road past boom gate, 011 731 0300 | www.firzt.co.za Artist Impression right into Gail Road, right into Pillemer Road at T-Junction left into Brian Road. 2 SA JEWISH REPORT News 10 – 17 July 2015 Keeping kosher in the UK, Canada & Australia

SHIRA DRUION our trip so much more enjoyable! We could not and then in the non-kosher aisles, you just number of kosher restaurants available,” says LONDON believe what was on offer.” have to look on the packaging to find products Durbach from Toronto. “But it seems that not The United Kingdom has a Jewish com- with kosher stamps. Kosher meat is about two too many of them make it for longer than a In times gone by, kashrut was a challenging munity of approximately 300 000. Rabbi Eli thirds more expensive than non-kosher meat few years because going out to eat with bigger mitzvah to undertake because of the many Schoeman who grew up in Johannesburg, and dairy products are also more expensive.” families becomes a very expensive outing. intricacies that came as part of the package. is the rabbinical co-ordinator of the kashrut Former King Davidian, Rabbi Myron Sacher, “We have a Mexican eatery, lots of Chinese However, it is interesting to note that it did department at the London Beth Din. currently lives in Bondi, Sydney where he is take-outs, lots of pizza places, a fancy dairy not deter many from upholding the complex He says that for those fortunate enough to a teacher at The Jewish Learning Centre and place and my personal favourite, called Bistro laws that obligate Jews to adhere to the Torah be living in a “Jewish area”, keeping kosher is Kesser Torah College. Grand on Eglington. But we don’t even really commandments pertaining to diet. easy. There are kosher products from all over “Kosher food is very accessible in the Jewish have a good steak house! There are also many Twenty-first century life has advanced the world which are imported to the UK and areas. The supermarkets in these areas stock places where you can buy all kinds of ready- Jewish diets too and presently, there are there are many bakeries available to supply the many products, but finding them outside of made deli stuff.” thousands of kosher products readily avail- community with a choice of kosher goods. these areas will prove a little tricky. Some of London has a very wide assortment of able the world over, with these product ranges Schoeman adds: “For those living outside the products bear a kosher logo (KA, Kosher kosher restaurants servicing the thousands of expanding weekly. the typically Jewish areas, there is a ko- Australia, and Adass). strictly kosher customers. There are many milk SA Jewish Report put three major cities sher guide produced annually by the KLBD “Others are found in the kosher directory or restaurants, steak houses, Chinese and even with large Jewish populations under the spot- (Kashrut Division of the London Beth Din) online. Kosher meat is also more expensive,” an Ottelenghi restaurant which has become a light to see what they have to offer, in com- as well as very efficient online searches with says Rabbi Sacher, which confirms that kosher real tourist attraction for authentic Mediter- parison to what is available in South Africa. updated information (see www.isitkosher.uk ). products are more expensive the world over ranean food lovers. The South African Jewish community “Meat and dairy products are difficult to as a result of the intensive stages of kashrut “We have a few kosher restaurants avail- numbers some 70 000 and its members are come by and people have to make different involved with the entire process. able,” says Sacher from Sydney. “There is Katzys fortunate to choose from an impressive selec- arrangements for how they get these delivered In a price comparison of a whole kosher (meat), Bondi Pizza, Savion, Pita Mix and three tion of kosher products available at all local to their area.” chicken across the continents, Jewish Report branches of Glicks (kosher supermarket).” supermarkets. “There are approximately 270 000 Jews liv- ascertained that kosher chicken comes out South Africa has a good selection of kosher Kosher butcheries, fisheries and bakeries ing in Toronto,” says Sharon Durbach, a South cheapest in Johannesburg at R77.30 per kilo restaurants, some of which have even become provide the community with fresh and deli- African expat living in the city who is a kosher as opposed to the United Kingdom at R80 per a favourite of overseas visitors who return cious goods and overseas visitors often remark caterer. “There is a lot of kosher food available kilo, Toronto R90 per kilo and Melbourne at to foreign shores raving about, “Frangelica’s that keeping kosher in South Africa could not here. There are large allocated areas in super- R88 per kilo. dreamy muffins and cheesecake or Next Door’s be easier. “The kosher delis in Cape Town made markets where there are only kosher products For those looking to eat out, “There are a many sumptuous delights!” Berland flees Holland, Self-control

not hospitalised - reports G-d grants him a covenant of peace and Self-control is the ability to control ANT KATZ Parshat Pinchas the priesthood. Why is Aharon, Pinchas’ oneself, in particular one’s emotions and paternal grandfather mentioned as Pin- desires, especially in difficult situations. After the Dutch Supreme Court chas’ grandfather in the Torah and not The Torah is teaching us that we must rejected his appeal and author- Rabbi Yoni Lipschitz his maternal grandfather? be prepared to step outside our comfort ised his extradition to Israel on Mizrachi Shul Rashi comments that this is because zone and extend ourselves and exercise Tuesday, Chassidic leader, Rabbi people were mocking Pinchas that he self-control and discipline in our daily Eliezer Berland (pictured), has We are currently in the Bein Hamet- was the descendant of an idol worship- lives. This applies equally to what we put been rumoured to have abscond- zarim (between the straits), the three per and that is why he acted in the in our mouths as to what comes out of ed from Holland before he could weeks between the 17th of Tammuz and manner in which he did. Rabbi Avraham our mouths. be extradited. Tisha B’Av. These days have historically Sofer, the Kesav Sofer, writes on Parshat According to the Talmud, in Masechet, The rabbi who is accused been days of misfortune and calamity Pinchas that it seemed to people that Gittin (55a-56b), lashon harah was the of having indecently assaulted for the Jewish people. the zealotry of Pinchas was based on cause of the destruction of the second women in Israel and who had During this time, both the First and traits that he inherited from his mater- Beit Hamikdash. South African Jewry following Second Temples were destroyed, among nal grandfather rather than his paternal During this time period we should act his every move last year after other great catastrophes occuring in grandfather who was a “lover of peace, a like Pinchas by stepping outside of our arriving with a whole entourage, was widely reported to have been Jewish history. pursuer of peace, one who loves the crea- comfort zones and exercising control hospitalised in Holland. This is a time period where we as the tures and draws them close to Torah” and discipline over what we speak about The rabbi was ordered to turn himself in to Dutch police on Monday. Jewish people and as individuals need (Ethics of the Fathers chapter 1:12). and how we speak to others. May we On Sunday, Chassidic media were reporting that the rav’s followers to look at ourselves and our actions in Therefore, the Torah specifically states merit to see the rebuilding of the Beit had been instructed to leave Holland and return to Israel. On Monday order to improve ourselves as human that Pinchas took after his paternal Hamikdash, speedily in our days. it was reported that Berland had, in fact, made off to an undisclosed beings. grandfather Aharon to show that he was country which has no extradition treaty with Israel. In today’s world of instant gratifica- by nature, a calm, merciful and peaceful The Dutch prosecutor said on Monday: “We are currently not in tion, we are seeing a decrease in self- person. The Torah, in praising him, is Shabbat Times touch with the rabbi and we are checking as to his whereabouts.” control among people. Obesity in the praising him for defying his natural ten- Then, said the prosecutor, “we will know if he has fled or not.” world is at extraordinary proportions dencies, going out of his comfort zone, Parshat Pinchas The rabbi-on-the-run has evaded arrest for over two years, twice because we lack the self-control and in order to bring honour to G-d. Jul 10 / 23 Tammuz slipping out of the hands of the Hawks while in South Africa and then discipline to make better choices about The Vilna Gaon based on the verse Jul 11 / 24 Tammuz flying out of OR Tambo Airport on his own passport despite there being what we put into our mouths and what in Mishlei 4:13: “Take fast hold of 17:13 18:04 Johannesburg an arrest warrant out for him. speech comes out of our mouths. discipline, do not let it loose; guard it, 17:34 18:29 Cape Town Berland opposed his extradition from Holland on the grounds In this week’s parsha, Aaron’s grand- for it is your life,” remarks that in life 16:53 17:46 Durban that the alleged assaults happened in the Palestinian territories (his son Pinchas is rewarded for his act of everyone has challenges and life is about 17:14 18:07 Bloemfontein Jerusalem yeshiva is in “occupied” East Jerusalem) and that Israel zealotry in killing Zimri and the Midi- struggling with those challenges and 17:06 18:00 Port Elizabeth therefore has no jurisdiction. In any case, claimed Berland, he was not anite princess who was his paramour. working out how to overcome them. 16:59 17:53 East London an Israeli citizen. • Much more on this story on our website: www.sajr.co.za More news on our website www.sajr.co.za

General Manager Karen Knowles - 082 855 2131 - [email protected] • Editor Vanessa Valkin - [email protected] • Sub-editor Paul Maree • Ed Co-ordinator Sharon Greenblatt South African - [email protected] • Advertising: Britt Landsman: 082-292-9520 - [email protected] • Classified sales: Shereen Miller: [email protected] • Distribution manager Jewish Report Britt Landsman • Design and layout: Bryan Maron/Design Bandits – [email protected] • Website: Anthony Katz • Subscription enquiries: Avusa Publishing (Pty) Ltd. Tel: 0860-13-2652. Board of Directors: Howard Sackstein (Chairman), Howard Feldman, Bertie Lubner, Benjy Porter, Herby Rosenberg, Herschel Jawitz, Dina Diamond. Advertisements and editorial copy from outside sources do not neccessarily reflect the views of the editors and staff. Tel: (011) 430-1980. 10 – 17 July 2015 News SA JEWISH REPORT 3 Street artist Meiri gives joy to Pretoria walls World News in Brief Woman reportedly DIANE WOLFSON PRETORIA denied entrance to

Driving along Church Street in the Western Wall for Pretoria CBD, one may for a moment

think that you are in Tel Aviv. Two David Fleminger Photo: wearing kippah buildings were this past week trans- formed by Israel’s finest street artist, JERUSALEM - Security guards on Monday Rami Meiri (pictured), and his bold prevented an American woman from signature in Hebrew stands out. entering the Western Wall plaza because From the early ‘90s to the present she was wearing a kippah, the Women of day, lively murals have been popping the Wall group said. up around the world, to a large degree Guards and officials from the Western thanks to Meiri; give him a blank Wall Heritage Foundation asked the concrete wall and mischievous murals woman, identified only as Linda, who become colourful depictions which “authorised” her to wear a kippah, Women interact with their environment. of the Wall said in a Facebook post “I’m an urban artist. My language is under the heading “Breaking News”. The visual,” Meiri self-describes his talent woman, who recently arrived in Israel to for creating evocative, larger-than-life study at a Conservative yeshiva, refused murals. management company, owned by the in the CBD, which Meiri is doing as a art process. Under his guidance, to accompany a guard to the nearby police His bright, acrylic works mir- Wapnick family. workshop with second- year students employees have gone out and helped station and instead was escorted to the ror Israel’s lighter side, portraying According to City Property’s MD, from the University of Technology to paint their own office walls, while taxi stand outside the Kotel. pub culture, nightlife and images of Jeffery Wapnick, the company is and joined by staff of City Property. high school learners have been able to “We at Women of the Wall are outraged beachgoers lazing in the sand, which extremely proud of its achievements “What happens here is wonderful, leave their mark, bringing communi- by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation are splashed across the country’s in helping to uplift the Pretoria working with local people and giving ties together in more ways than one. for treating anyone who is not ultra- building facades and cultural centres. CBD. Its partnership with the Israeli this gift to the City of Pretoria,” said He has found it very interesting Orthodox as a suspect and a criminal, and “I have been giving gifts to cities Embassy in bringing Meiri to South Meiri who uses his environment as to tour and see the history of the getting to determine that despite a court through murals for 35 years. I like Africa was based on City Property’s part of the picture he creates. country which inspires his art work. ruling, women cannot enter the Kotel to to bring funny figures to balance life mission to revive and regenerate the Meir’s work is well-known in Israel, People working together give the pray if they have a kippa, tallit, tefillin or under pressure,” remarked Meiri. He Pretoria CBD. It was also the result of but he has also been commissioned atmosphere to what is created and Torah scroll,” the group said on Facebook. does this with peeping toms, funny collaborative efforts between South to create murals in the US, Argentina, he hopes that the children in the An April 2013 Supreme Court ruling faces and realistic characters to bring Africa and Israel, working with the Germany and China, where Israel’s orphanage will be happier with their acknowledged women’s right to pray at smiles and laughter to passers-by. community and local business. embassy commissioned him to paint new cheerful building. the Western Wall according to their beliefs, Meiri was brought to South The first completed mural (pic- a mural on the wall surrounding a Meiri will also be doing murals in claiming it does not violate what has come Africa as a joint collaboration project tured) depicts two men working Beijing elementary school. Cape Town after driving through the to be known as “local custom”. between the Embassy of Israel and off open platforms on a high-rise More recently, he began conduct- Garden Route and said that from Women of the Wall gather at the Western City Property Administration, a building while the second (front page ing workshops to get members of what he had already seen of South Wall at the start of each Jewish month for residential and commercial property photo) is on the wall of an orphanage the community involved in this Africa, he would return. the morning prayer service. (JTA) The role of women in local synagogues’ governing bodies SUZANNE BELLING the committee was in charge of the children’s services and the former executive director of In Orthodox synagogues one is accustomed to the shul was a woman, who has since emi- seeing men reading from the Torah, opening grated. and closing the Aron Kodesh, performing Green and Sea Point Hebrew Congregation Hagba (the lifting up of the Torah), calling up President Arnold Bloch said women elected men to the Torah and all the other duties and to the shul committee were always welcome. mitzvot that are incumbent on males to per- “There are many women who assist unofficial- form. But does this religiously male domain ly but we do not have elected women commit- preclude women from serving on synagogue tee members at the moment as we find they committees? And we are not talking here of are committed to women’s organisations such ladies guilds. as Bnoth Zion Association WIZO. Contrary to popular belief, women are play- “We haven’t given up trying to recruit ing an increasingly vital role on the governing women as they are administratively compe- bodies of shuls and are in demand for their tent. We are still looking.” organisational skills, decision-making and a Of course, there has never been a question variety of other essential tasks that preclude about women serving on the committees of making mezonot savouries for the Kiddush Progressive temples. Temple Israel in Hill- after shul on Shabbos. brow has three men and three women on the Speaking to the chairmen and presidents of committee, one of whom is Reeva Forman, several shuls in fact revealed that ladies guilds who was the first-ever elected chairman of a hardly exist any longer and that most of the temple within the Progressive movement. catering is done professionally. “I previously belonged to the Great Syna- Stanley Seeff, president of the Sydenham- gogue in Wolmarans Street, which I fought to Highlands North Hebrew Congregation, save from being sold as I have a great respect told the SA Jewish Report: “The women are for heritage sites. I was devastated when it important cogs in the wheel of our council. was sold after a Jew was mugged and killed in It would surprise you to know that there are the area.” two women on our committee - one is actually In 1994 Forman was given the opportunity the chairman of our shtiebel and the other is to fight, as chairman, to preserve Temple chairman of education.” Israel, another heritage site, and this time she But what of the shtiebel chairman who is succeeded - by one vote. not permitted halachically to carry out du- “Jews were moving out of the area in 1997. ties on the bimah during the service? “Not But today there are still congregants from a problem,” replied Seeff. “When it comes to areas such as Hillbrow, Yeoville and Parktown religious obligations, other arrangements are and all services are run by capable laymen. made.” “There are services every Shabbat and on Carmen Kay, office manager of the Great festivals – although we struggle to find a Synagogue in the Gardens, Cape Town, says minyan on Friday nights. We actually need a there is no objection to having women on rabbi and more facilities but are grateful for the committee, although there are none at the assistance from the three rabbis of Beit present. The woman who previously served on Emanuel and Bet David.” 4 SA JEWISH REPORT News 10 – 17 July 2015 Around the Jewish World

World Jewish population reaches 16,5 In the Greater Toronto Area, the FFEU has Award for his long-standing activity in bringing “He is available for telephone consultation million, report says worked with the Canadian Association of Jews respite, relief and smiles to childless couples. in his home every hour of the day, as well as JERUSALEM - The number of Jewish people in and Muslims (CAJM) since 2008, organising The award was granted to Rabbi Shlesinger throughout the country and from Jewish com- the world is almost the same as it was before annual “twinning” events between mosques and by President Reuven Rivlin, and the chairman of munities all over the world. In the course of the Holocaust, according to Israeli think-tank, the synagogues, and between Jewish and Muslim the committee for the presidential award, Dan this long period, he has assisted some 30 000 Jewish People Policy Institute. organisations, said Karen Mock, a human rights Meridor. couples to bring children into the world through Before the Holocaust - in which six million consultant and adviser to CAJM. Rabbi Shlesinger received the honour for his his extensive connections with the top experts in Jews were murdered by the Nazis - there were There were similar festive or social events many years of activity within the framework the field.” 16,5 million Jews in the world. Now, the institute run by local communities throughout the United of the “Pri Chaim” Organisation which assists Many of these couples think of their children - which presented its report to the Israeli Cabinet States and many cities in Europe, under the couples with fertility issues. as “grandchildren” of Rabbi Shlesinger. Often, he - has said there are 14,2 million Jews, with a fur- FFEU’s aegis, Ruby said - Canadian Jewish News The committee’s decision stated that this has defied the pessimistic prognoses of doctors ther 2,3 million identifying as “partially Jewish”, award was being granted to Rabbi Shlesinger and forged ahead, seeking alternate solutions, including those with one Jewish parent. Warning: Holocaust can happen again “for having toiled for over 30 years, without any different tactics, suggesting innovative and origi- The report attributed the rise to population LONDON - BBC political editor Nick Robinson monetary gain or imbursement, in assisting and nal ideas to circumvent the problems.” – “Pri growth in Israel, which has one of the highest has urged young people to raise the subject of guiding those who seek to establish families. Chaim”, the Fruit of Life fertility rates in Western countries. the Holocaust as much as possible in day-to- It also attributed the growth to people identify- day conversation and on social media, “to make ing as “Jewish” if they have one Jewish parent. people remember”. According to the report, there are 6,1 million Robinson told teenagers at the annual confer- Community Voices Jews living in Israel, 5,7 million in America and ence for Holocaust Educational Trust Ambassa- 475 000 in France - which has the third-highest dors: “It is your job first and foremost to say that population of Jews in the world. – Jewish it did happen. This is not an argument, it is not Load-shedding - a pain in Chronicle a debate. It happened and it could happen again.” Over 300 HET ambassadors - young people the butt we have to live with... Promoting Jewish-Muslim understanding who have taken part in the trust’s Lessons from The people are angry - or resigned. Load-shedding is no longer a sporadic inconvenience MONTREAL - Representatives of the Montreal Auschwitz project and run events and talks in - it is a regular way of life. Again, those who suffer the most are the ones who cannot Jewish and Muslim communities have agreed their regions to educate others on the Holocaust, afford to pay for generators, inverters, fancy gas cookers or even alternative methods of to co-operate in areas of common concern and attended the conference. lighting up their homes and keeping food warm. When will there be a respite? Nobody to encourage greater contact between their They raised concerns about online anti-Se- knows, not even Eskom itself. The Jewish Report canvassed opinions in the community. members. mitic abuse and the pros and cons of using new At an initial meeting, a group of 27 people, both technology in the future of Holocaust education. Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft, have a candlelight bath and wait for the lights 1 clergy and laymen, held a 2 /2-hour discussion - Jewish Chronicle. CEO of the African Jewish to come on.” Benjamin says she is often out for behind closed doors under the auspices of the Congress and spiritual leader dinner on Friday nights and cannot remember Foundation for Ethnic Understanding (FFEU), a Presidential award to rabbi who helps of country communities, ever experiencing load-shedding on Shabbat. New York-based not-for-profit organisation that, childless couples is disillusioned with the “But we do have some solutions. My domestic since 2007, has been trying to “build a global JERUSALEM - In an impressive ceremony situation, “just one of which helper who lives in the suburb of Denoon, movement of Muslims and Jews who are com- which took place last week at the presidential is the current load-shedding experiences much more load-shedding - mitted to strengthening relations between [the residence in Jerusalem, the chairman of the “Pri crisis. I have witnessed this decline for too even between six to eight hours. I think it is two] communities”, said the programme’s direc- Chaim” Organisation, Rabbi Moshe Shlesinger, many years in Zimbabwe and am fearful South disgusting.” tor Walter Ruby after the meeting. received the Honorary Presidential Volunteer Africa is going the same way. I travel to Zambia, Botswana, Lesotho, Kenya, Uganda, Swaziland, Retired accountant Monty Mauritius, Mozambique and Namibia, where Sassen says if we were this does not happen - and it should not be forewarned, if there was a happening in this country.” programme and we knew He says that when at home for Shabbat and what was coming and when festivals, he is always worried about load- there would be load-shedding, shedding, especially when entertaining and not it might not be so serious and wanting to give his guests cold food. we might be able to adapt. “I suppose one has to learn to be resourceful “[But] we have to adapt and accept it and I recently heard about a special insulated accordingly. However, we can’t always do so bag that can keep food warm for hours if placed because, and without warning, it’s there. It’s of in a pot, when the food is piping hot. nuisance value. It’s the inconvenience,” he said. “When it happens, we’ve got those Consol Linky Neimann of Rouxville lights. We immediately put them on. They says she had never experienced cost about R180 [each]. They cost nothing load-shedding on Shabbat, to operate. You charge them during the day. but “my biggest fear is that we You can switch them on at night for about would have load-shedding on seven hours.” His wife, Bernice, adds “But I Shabbos, especially if we are don’t know what we would do if we had load- entertaining.” She adds that if shedding on Shabbos. It would be terrible.” there was load shedding, she would put extra blankets over the hot tray to keep the food Entertainer and producer warm and if they were expecting load-shedding, Helen Heldenmuth is not in they would put on some emergency lights the least bit perturbed about before Shabbat. load-shedding on Shabbat. If it happened on another night, they would “I would just give everybody just put on the emergency lights when the cold food,” she says. “I electricity went off and “finish up whatever wouldn’t feel bad because it is we’re doing and go to bed”. part and parcel of living in South Africa today. She says she is irritated by load-shedding, And every time we have outages, before I even which she finds “a waste of time”. think of complaining, I remember the lives of the people who lived in Alexandra and Soweto Joanne Benjamin, and who never used to have electricity. Their operations and human children studied by candlelight and it did not resources director of the Cape even ruin their eyesight. Town Jewish Community “They cooked on gas burners or even open Centre, has been “looking into fires - and that was after the Putco buses generators” but, with quotes in (before taxis) brought them home at seven or the region of eight at night.” There was always the risk of R45 000, is not sure whether it is worth it. She fires, she says. has strong feelings about “the mismanagement “Today, my main complaint (personally) of Eskom and all its incompetents. I think is having to walk up five flights and, by the they should stop making payments to all their time it takes me to climb the stairs, the lights executive CEOs and rather use the money for have usually come on already. But, if it is maintenance.” dark, and I don’t have the energy, I get back On a personal level, she is not really affected into my car and drive from Killarney to my in her home in Milnerton. “It seldom happens machateneste’s home in Houghton and spend at the times I need to be at home; if it does, I the night there.” 10 – 17 July 2015 Opinion SA JEWISH REPORT 5 We need to hear Muslims say ‘not in my name’ TAKING Islam when reporting on it, because it with faith”. Limmud would “tarnish the image” of the reli- Terms that may be used when de- ISSUE gion. It came after a string of barbaric scribing terrorist groups, said the guide, acts perpetrated in France, Kuwait, Tu- were: Terrorists, extremists, criminals, nisia and in Sinai by IS-inspired groups savages, murderers, killer, slayers, as- Geoff Sifrin and individuals. sassins and so forth. Terms that should Older South African whites remem- not be used were Islamists, Islamic The success Boycott Divestment and ber their discomfort during apartheid State, Jihadists, and fundamentalists. Sanctions (BDS) movement has had when they travelled overseas and were The truth is that most victims of in South Africa and elsewhere in accused of being evil racists. Apartheid terrorism perpetrated by Muslims are Your Journey, Your Choice making the phrase “apartheid Israel” was being perpetrated in their name. other Muslims, which makes it even familiar and acceptable, underlines the Saying they were not responsible, that more complex – it becomes one inter- importance of what things are called they were just living their own lives, pretation of Islam battling against an- 31 Jul - 2 Aug - particularly in the social media age, was not good enough. They had to other. According to Haaretz, “In 2013, where a name or acronym can go viral shout out their opposition, declare nearly 18 000 people were murdered in in seconds and affect the perceptions of loudly that it was “not in their name”. terror attacks, and in 2014 the number millions. Do the actions of IS reflect what crossed 32 000. Almost all of them were BDS knows what it is doing - it’s a Islam is - the beheadings of journal- Muslims. In addition, there are the vic- powerful strategy. The name may be ists, the slaughter of innocent tourists, tims of the wars in the Muslim world, wrong, implying things that are not the suicide bombings and all the other so the estimates are that 132 000 – 174 true, or giving a superficial gloss to ghastly deeds we’ve seen lately which 000 Muslims were killed in 2014.” something very complex, but the dam- make it feel as if the world has gone According to different surveys, an age is hard to undo once the label has mad? Most Muslims would say emphat- absolute majority of Muslims world- been attached. ically no. Islam is a religion of peace, we wide, including those in Egypt, oppose Peaceful Muslims have that problem are often told. the Islamist State. Some Journeys today in a huge way as the world is Egypt’s “guide” to journalists was We can’t expect all South African flooded with ghastly images of terror- issued several days after a series of Muslims to take up arms and rush off ists cutting off the heads of innocent co-ordinated attacks by an IS-affiliated to the Middle East or wherever else to people, mowing down tourists on a group that killed dozens in the Sinai fight against IS to clear the name of begin in the beach in Tunisia, and other similar acts, Peninsula. Islam. Most South African whites who and broadcasting loudly that they are It said religious terms must be hated apartheid, lived their lives within doing it in the name of Islam. avoided in referring to the Islamic State it, brought up families, and so on. But if the label is false, why don’t group, as these “tarnish the image of Peaceful Muslim families are similarly blink of an eye... peaceful Muslims protest loudly? It is Islam as it falsely attaches the horren- entitled to be allowed to live their lives a question that puzzles non-Muslims. dous acts of these extremist groups to unhindered as long as they don’t harm Silence is understood as acquiescence, the Islamic faith”. The terminologies others. whether intended or not. used “should not be associated with But it would be good to hear Last Saturday, a reaction came from any religion or affiliated with any faith, Muslims say more loudly and clearly a strange source: the Egyptian foreign even if these groups falsely claim to that they oppose IS, what it does ministry. It instructed journalists not base their horrifying acts on religion and stands for. Their own “not in my Some over a to link the terrorism of Islamic State to and associate their gruesome deeds name” statement. Salmon: health food or toxin? weekend RICHARD SUTTON burdens than wild salmon and that farming is very intensive (with large farmed salmon from Europe (Scotland numbers of fish in very small spaces) It’s widely believed that salmon is one and Norway) are significantly more there are challenges with the control of the healthiest foods on the planet. contaminated than farmed salmon of parasites, especially sea lice, viruses It’s high in essential oils (especially from South and North America. and bacteria. omega-3 fatty acids), important min- Thirteen organochlorine chemicals According to reports that measured erals and vitamins and is an excellent were identified in the farmed fish at the levels of organochlorines (dioxins, Take the next step source of protein. levels that can significantly impact hu- PCBs) in a variety of different food This is true - if you are consuming man health, such as numerous highly sources, farmed salmon showed 10 the wild variety. Unfortunately farmed toxic and even banned chemicals, times higher levels of these chemicals salmon does not live up to the reputa- including polychlorinated biphenyls when compared to beef, and almost on your Jewish tion of its wild counterpart, and may (PCBs), dieldrin, toxaphene and dioxin. 15 times greater concentrations than in fact be harmful to our health. These chemicals are associated with chicken. Several medical experts began behavioural disorders in children; How much salmon can one con- Journey speaking out against farmed salmon. memory impairment; decreased IQ; sume without putting one’s health Dr Anne-Lise Bjørke-Monsen, a neurodegenerative diseases; various in jeopardy? According to the US senior consultant from the Haukeland forms of cancer; attention deficit Environmental Protection Agency, the University Hospital in Norway, is a disorder; the development of autism; recommendation is a salmon intake respected medical authority. and skeletal abnormalities. of two portions every five months, if She and her team have been vocal in In a 2011 study published in Envi- it is from European origin (Scottish or 90% Sold Out their warnings against the consump- ronmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Norwegian). tion of farmed salmon in the interests levels of organochlorines and heavy Salmon from North and South Contact us: of public health and safety, particu- metal contaminants were up to 11 American origin is considerably less [email protected] larly for young or pregnant women times higher in farmed salmon, when toxic and the guidelines are in the and children. compared with salmon in the wild. region of two portions a month. Wild Register The first major study on the topic The fundamental question is: “Why salmon can be consumed fairly freely, for the Weekend Away or Sunday was published in Science in 2004. is farmed salmon so contaminated?” about two to three portions a week. www.Limmud.org.za The team assessed two metric The primary issue appears to be Scientists have been mixing the tonnes of salmon which came from their diet. Farmed salmon are fed a genes of various fish species to create eight different salmon-producing concentrated feed, high in fish oils and a new breed of salmon that is up to regions in both the northern and fishmeal, which is obtained primarily 13 times larger than its wild relative southern hemispheres. from small pelagic fishes. and can grow to full size in half the The goal was to investigate the Additionally, according to the Food time (18 months as opposed to 36 levels of pollutants within the fish, as and Agriculture Organisation of the months). their carnivorous nature and position UN, salmon feed contains, “animal The only thing that is keeping the within the food chain makes them by-product meal, poultry by-product new “Frankenfish” off the Shabbos ta- prime candidates in the bioaccumula- meal, meat meal, blood meal, hydro- ble for now is strong opposition from tion of contaminants. lysed feather meal…” the list goes on environmental groups, which believe South Africa The results shocked the research- to allegedly include pork by-products that the GMO fish could escape from ers. It indicated that farmed salmon and genetically modified grains. enclosures, out-compete wild salmon have significantly higher contaminant In addition, because salmon and contaminate wild stocks. 6 SA JEWISH REPORT Opinion and Analysis 10 – 17 July 2015 Jewishsouth african Report What is our choreography for dealing Souza/FLICKR Pete Photo: with adversity?

Some of the recent news about anti-Semitism from the United Kingdom is not easy to digest. Figures released last Friday by London’s Metropolitan Police show that anti-Semitic crimes rose last year by 138 per cent, from 208 incidents in 2013 to 495 in 2014 Then last week graffiti was found on the gates of the Simon Marks Primary School in the east London bor- ough of Hackney which read: “F*ck the Jews”. A month ago, the London community got wind of a planned “neo-Nazi” rally to be held in the heavily Jewish area of Golders Green on Shabbat of July 4, to protest against its “Jewification”. This followed a dem- onstration by a handful of protesters in the Stamford Hill area in April also fighting against the “Jewification of Britain” which was orchestrated by neo-Nazi blogger US President Barack Obama teleconferencing about the Iran nuclear talks from the White House with Secretary of State John Kerry, on March 31. Joshua Bonehill-Pane. But British Jewry did not stand idly by and they should be commended for how they dealt with last Sat- The US and Iran: What happens once a urday’s march. Finchley and Golders Green Member of Parliament Mike Freer, unsuccessfully tried to convince the Home deal is in place Office (the government department for immigration, RON KAMPEAS in more economic power and more purchasing power for the Iranian crime, and policing) to ban the protest as “a deliber- WASHINGTON regime, it’s my expectation that it’s not all going to flow into the econ- ate attempt to provoke tension and anti-Semitism”. omy to improve the lot of the average Iranian citizen,” The Associated The Metro Police said they did not have the right to Years before it is deemed a success or a failure, a nuclear deal between Press on June 9 quoted Dempsey as telling reporters after meeting ban a demonstration and were obligated to protect free Iran and the major powers could unleash far-reaching changes in the with his Israeli counterparts. speech. region. Much of the focus in Congress and the media in recent weeks “I think they will invest in their surrogates; I think they will invest in As a result, a coalition of key organisations, including has been on whether the deal would inhibit Iran’s nuclear capability via additional military capability.” the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the London Jew- a tough inspections regimen, or enhance that capability by keeping in It’s not clear if that view pervades the Obama administration. ish Forum, and the pluralistic, anti-fascist group Hope place some amount of uranium enrichment. Richard Nephew, a former Obama administration Iran negotiator Not Hate banded together as a group called Golders And while the full military dimensions of the deal may not be known and now at Columbia University, scoffed at the possibility of Iran us- Green Together. They passed out leaflets, lobbied Brit- for years, its political and diplomatic dimensions are likely to play out ing sanctions relief to fund terrorism. Instead, he wrote last week in ish members of parliament and the police, and asked within months of an agreement. Much depends on what the deal looks Foreign Policy, Iran’s leaders were likelier to invest in their battered local shops to display gold and green banners and rib- like, whether its backers or opponents prevail in shaping its public economy. bons as a symbol of defiance. perception, and how the Obama administration handles the post-deal “To ensure the stability of their government, Iran’s leaders must Through their efforts, the rally was moved to central landscape. tend to the problems at home and make the investments necessary to London. Many believed that if the rally had taken place “It will take several months to determine if this agreement will func- sustain their future,” Nephew wrote. in Golders Green, thousands of counter-protesters tion,” said Aaron David Miller, a vice president at the Wilson Centre Dempsey also said he told his Israeli interlocutors that the United would have converged and chaos would have erupted. think tank and a longtime Middle East negotiator for several presiden- States would continue to enhance Israel’s military posture. Bonehill-Pane, who had a hand in touting the Golders tial administrations. The emerging deal focuses only on Iran’s capability to produce fis- Green rally, was also charged with inciting racial hatred. Hurdles facing the Obama administration included congressional sile material and leaves aside delivery systems, including ballistic mis- The result was a tiny gathering of 20 alleged neo-Na- approval, which was required after a deal was reached, and obstruction siles. That has fuelled an arms race among Gulf Arab states eager to buy zis escorted by a lot more police officers and an estimat- from the deal’s opponents, chief among them Israel, Miller said. state-of-the-art American weapons systems in anticipation of being a ed 200 counter-protesters. The counter-protesters who “The Saudis and the Israelis and Republicans will make a great effort counterweight to Iran. were not only Jewish, yelled slogans such as “Nazis off to persuade [Congressional] Democrats that this is a fundamentally That in turn has led Israeli officials to express concerns to their Oba- our streets” and “We are black, white, Asian and we’re flawed agreement,” he said. “I wouldn’t rule out the idea of Israelis go- ma administration counterparts, as well as their allies in Congress, Jews, and there’s many more of us than you”. ing to cyber warfare, to black ops” against Iran. about Israel maintaining its qualitative military edge in the region. The protesters waved Palestinian and Confederate Israel has been blamed for assassinations in recent years targeting Israeli officials say they do not perceive a threat from the Arab re- flags, as well as White Pride banners. At the end of top Iranian nuclear scientists. gimes, but are concerned that the upheaval roiling the region could the protest, the 20 or so “neo-Nazis” were escorted to Among the issues Iran watchers will be tracking: replace friendly governments with hostile forces who would have ac- Westminster Tube Station by police officers; no vio- • Will a nuclear deal between Iran and the major powers improve the cess to sophisticated arms. lence broke out and it was a non-event. Islamic Republic’s relations with the US, or will it further stoke ten- Another critical element fuelling Arab and Israeli anxieties was the London’s Jewish community should be proud. They sions? And which scenario would be better for Israel? Obama administration’s retreat in 2013 from a pledge to strike Syria gathered the high level support they needed to mini- • Saudi Arabia and Persian Gulf states in recent years have increased should the Assad regime use chemical weapons in that country’s civil mise any negative impact and they stood up to the pro- their purchases of anti-missile systems, leading Israel to press the war. The regime has remained ensconced in large part because of sub- testers in much greater numbers. It was “very British” Obama administration to maintain its qualitative military edge over stantial backing from Iran. and very dignified. those countries. Would a deal abate regional anxieties and slow down “They’re concerned that the Obama administration will use a nucle- Anti-Semitic marches in South Africa have taken on a the arms race now underway among the Gulf States and Israel? Or ar deal with Iran as a get out of the Middle East free card,” Pollack said, different hue. We have not had to deal with a neo-Nazi will it push regional powers to seriously consider nuclear weapons referring to Israel and Arab allies of the United States. rally in our city centre but we have also faced the red development? “Greatly stepping up its involvement in Syria, would be a great way and green of the Palestinian flag at various Boycott, Di- • W ould a deal free Iran to expand its regional hegemony, or would it to show that the United States is not walking away from the Middle vestment and Sanctions rallies and at Israel Apartheid moderate Iran’s mischief-making? East.” Weeks where phrases such as “Shoot the Jew” were Ken Pollack, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Centre President Obama appears ready to do just that. On Monday, he con- heard. for Middle East Policy, whose focus in recent years has been Iran and vened a news conference at the Pentagon to announce that he “will do Luckily our community organisations would make its nuclear capacity, outlined four post-deadline scenarios: a deal and more to train and equip the moderate opposition in Syria”, without us proud too. The quality of our community structures a US retreat from the region, which would embolden Iran; a deal and providing details. and the cordial relationships our leadership maintains US engagement in the region, which would moderate Iran; a failure to Should the Assad regime collapse, the likelihood was that Iran would with government has already proven that we too can achieve a deal, in which the US is blamed and the sanctions regime col- increase its efforts in Syria and Lebanon, said Alireza Nader, an Iran cope with anti-Semitism when it arises. lapses, which would embolden Iran; a failure to achieve a deal, blamed analyst at the Rand Corp think tank, which consults with the US gov- There is a lot within our wonderful and troubled on Iran, which would tighten sanctions and constrain the regime. ernment’s defence sector. South Africa that works in our favour. Our exceptional The deal itself “is not definitive in any way about what’s going to hap- “Let’s say the Assad regime begins to collapse six months from now constitution which can be called upon when necessary, pen in the future”, Pollack, a senior Clinton administration National and Iran steps up its involvement and the United States doesn’t like our visceral commitment to the protection of human Security Council staffer who handled Iran, said in an interview. “How that,” Nader said. “If there is no political process for determining the rights, the humane way the Jewish community has in- the United States responds to a deal, or no deal, will have an impact.” post-Assad government, then Iran and the United States might be at teracted with other groups, particularly when they are Gen Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, on a odds.” under threat, are all part of the much needed fabric visit to Israel a month ago, coupled understanding for Israel’s concerns In those circumstances, renewed tensions between the US and Iran that protects us. that sanctions relief would expand Iran’s influence with assurances to might ultimately affect the agreed-upon deal. – Vanessa Valkin, Editor Israel that the United States would mitigate any such expansion with “There is a possibility Iran and the US can reduce tensions, but also arms sales. the possibility that based on circumstances that tensions regionally More news on our website www.sajr.co.za “If the deal is reached and results in sanctions relief, which results with Iran could also increase,” Nader said. (JTA) 10 – 17 July 2015 News SA JEWISH REPORT 7 Sir Nicholas Winton, rescuer of WWII Jewish children, passes on RAFAEL MEDOFF WASHINGTON

Last week’s passing of Sir Nicholas Winton (pic- tured) at the age of 106, the London stockbro- ker who rescued more than 600 Jewish children from the Nazis on the eve of the Second World War, has drawn attention to the phenomenon of ordinary individuals who risked their lives to save Jews from the Holocaust. Winton’s story is also a reminder of some often overlooked contrasts between British and American responses to the plight of Europe’s Jewish refugees. The most widely known examples of such rescuers are Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish businessman who sheltered Jews in Nazi-oc- cupied Budapest; Oskar Schindler, the German industrialist who protected Jews by using them as employees in his factories; and Varian Fry, the American journalist who organised the smug- quota places sat unused. Thus, at least some of gling of some 2 000 refugee artists and writers the children could have been brought to America from Vichy France. within the existing quotas. But the Roosevelt But in recent years, the stories of some previ- administration piled on numerous bureaucratic ously unheralded individuals have also come to regulations and requirements to make the ap- light. plication process extremely difficult and time An HBO documentary film came out last year consuming, and the one thing Europe’s Jews did about Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus, a Jewish cou- not have, was time. ple from Philadelphia who brought 50 children England has been justly criticised for its from Vienna to the US in 1939. A documentary wartime policies concerning Europe’s Jews. is in the works about the Rev Waitstill Sharp But when it came to aiding Jewish refugees and his wife, Martha, a Unitarian couple from after Kristallnacht, the British actually were Massachusetts who undertook rescue opera- considerably more generous than the Roosevelt tions in German-occupied Czechoslovakia in administration. 1939 and then joined Fry’s rescue network in Roosevelt condemned the pogrom and France. extended the visitor visas of those German Winton’s rescue work likewise came to public Jews who already were in the United States as attention only relatively recently. The son of tourists. But he refused to admit refugees to German-Jewish immigrants to England who American territories such as Alaska or the Virgin had converted to Christianity, Winton became Islands, where the quota laws did not apply. involved in the refugee cause almost on a whim. British Prime Minister Neville Chamber- Alerted that several of his friends had be- lain, on the other hand, did not condemn come involved in Jewish refugee relief work in Kristallnacht but did agree to take in 10 000 Czechoslovakia, Winton flew to Prague in 1939 Jewish children on the famous Kindertrans- to see what they were doing. He ended up taking ports. England also gave shelter to an additional BOOK YOUR charge of a remarkable mission to smuggle hun- 14 000 young German Jewish women by allow- dreds of Jewish children out of the country in ing them to enter as cooks and nannies. the months following the Kristallnacht pogrom. Eight trains organised by Winton and his TABLE NOW! The Nazis had taken over the western Czech friends, carrying a total of 669 children, made it region known as the Sudetenland as a result out of Czechoslovakia in the summer of 1939. of the September 1938 Munich Pact. Then, in A ninth train, with 250 children, was scheduled DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS EPIC EVENT early 1939, the Germans occupied the rest of to leave on September 1 of that year, but the the country. The approximately 350 000 Jews borders were sealed when Germany launched its of Czechoslovakia now braced to share the fate invasion of Poland that day. Those children were suffered by Jews in Germany and Austria. never heard from again. Winton realised the possibility of finding Winton never spoke about his rescue work, havens would be greater if they focused on even to his wife, Grete Gjelstrup. More than 23ABSA JEWISHAUG ACHIEVER2015 AWARDS 2015 children. His group, the British Committee for 50 years later, she discovered a stack of dusty Refugees from Czechoslovakia, Children’s Sec- documents and photos from the Czech rescue tion, raced against the clock to find foster homes mission in their attic. VODAWORLD MIDRAND for Czech Jewish children, raise funds to bribe “I did not think for one moment that they German and Czech border officials, and forge would be of interest to anyone so long after it exit papers. happened,” he later told an interviewer. Uncertain as to how many children England Winton very reluctantly allowed his wife would accept, Winton turned to America to to share the information with a handful of play a part in the rescue effort. On May 16, historians and journalists. As a result, late in 1939, he wrote directly to President Franklin life he was made an honorary citizen of Prague, D Roosevelt about the “desperately urgent praised in a US congressional resolution and situation”. Many Czech Jewish children are even knighted by the Queen. In 2009, shortly “quite destitute”, he wrote, with some of them after his 100th birthday, he was reunited in an “homeless and starving”. emotional ceremony with some of the children If compelled to stay in Czechoslovakia, “there he saved. is no future”, he wrote. “Is it possible for any- The letter Winton sent to Roosevelt, however, thing to be done to help us with this problem in remained a mystery until last year. In a “60 Min- TO BOOK YOUR TABLE EMAIL: [email protected] America?” utes” segment broadcast in April 2014, Winton For more information www.sajr.co.za The State Department responded that there referred to the letter but mentioned that he had was nothing the US could do, since “the United never been able to locate a copy. David Lang- States Government is unable… to permit immi- bart, a staff member at the National Archives, gration in excess of that provided for by existing saw the programme and, after some digging, immigration laws”. managed to locate both Winton’s letter and the WE BUILT THIS COUNTRY That answer was disingenuous. The annual administration’s reply. They were presented to quota for immigrants from Czechoslovaka was him in May 2014, on the occasion of his 105th WITH HEART & SOUL small - just 2 874 - but it was never filled during birthday. (JTA) the Hitler years. In fact, during most of those (Rafael Medoff is founding director of The David years, it was less than one-third filled. S Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies in Wash- * Awarded to either a Jewish or non-Jewish person who has contributed substantially to the betterment of the lives of the people of South Africa. Members of the Board and Staff of the SA Jewish Report are not eligible for nomination. The year that Winton wrote, 1939, some 158 ington, DC)

table 200 x 131.indd 1 2015/06/29 11:05 AM 8 SA JEWISH REPORT SA Jewish Report Board 10 – 17 July 2015 Introducing the Jewish Report’s

Durban United Hebrew board of directors BEV GOLDMAN remains honorary lifetime chairman be able to afford them, he sits on the Congregation and honorary lifetime president of boards of a number of other trusts Founded in 1998, the South African SAUJS; and is chairman of the Jew- and bodies including the CSF Trust, Rav Sheini – Teacher Jewish Report is the only national ish Achiever Awards and a trustee of Greater Glenhazel Active Security, newspaper for South African Jewry. the Afrika Tikkun Trust. Vaxitron Investments and Wozipo Position available 1 August Its board of directors, since incep- Equally comfortable with political Capital. The applicant should be both a qualified Rabbi as well as tion, has played an invaluable role in and social issues, he was one of the An avid sportsman, Benjy has a qualified teacher who can also serve as a mechanech. ensuring that the paper remains fis- organisers of the two previous ex- completed 14 Comrades Marathons, cally and editorially viable and that tremely successful Yom Ha’atzmaut over 100 marathons and half mara- The applicant should demonstrate strong leadership its mandate and mission are followed raves held for the younger members thons, 13 94.7 Cycle challenges and qualities in rendering Halachic decisions and in to the letter. of the community; and serves as a a number of half Ironman and full motivating adults and children as well Two of the founding members of role model for many of them. Ironman competitions. His wife and be a proficient baal korei and experience the paper - Bertie Lubner and Herby Of the Jewish Report, Howard six children are his greatest support- in Jewish community outreach. Rosenberg - are still members of the says: “The SA Jewish Report is no ers and greatest fans. Fluency in English and relevant qualifications board today. The chairman of the longer just a newspaper. Today it is His community involvement are essential. first board was the inimitable Sam a media company with a newspaper, extends to a number of initiatives Abrahams. web portal and Facebook presence. beside the Jewish Report, most nota- ALL CVs should be sent to [email protected] Our role is to provide quality and bly CAP. Of his position at the Jew- Applications should be received no later than 21 July. responsible content that is newswor- ish Report he says: “I am passionate thy, unique and relevant to a South about the Jewish Report as I believe Only short listed candidates will be contacted. African Jewish audience. it can be a way of showing and build- “The Jewish Report has become ing unity in our community. I am the glue that bonds the South also very grateful to my mentor and African Jewish community together. the chairman of our business, Issie It is a great honour to step into the Kirsh, for getting me involved and it chair in the footsteps of some of is a great honour to take over from the giants that have come before him as vice chairman.” me. Our new board is a mixture of great diversity, all of whom have a deep love and affection for the South African Jewish community. “I have no doubt that with our new board and new editor Vanessa Valkin, we can all add great value Newly-elected chairman of the 2015 to both the Jewish community and board, Howard Sackstein holds a South Africa as a whole.” BA in Law and International Rela- In his day job, Howard is CEO of tions and an LLB degree from Wits Saicom Holdings which includes, Sai- and a Masters degree from Brandeis com Voice Services, Saicom Interna- University in Political Advocacy and tional, Saicom SMS and Tariffic. International Conflict Resolution. An inveterate globe trotter, How- ard has travelled to 66 countries, exploring places known to very few Bertie Lubner, well known and South Africans. He describes himself, highly respected for his philanthro- in his other life, as king of social me- py, his business acumen, his commit- dia, explosive political activist, lover ment to the challenges he under- of life, meanderer of the globe, and takes, his assiduity and perseverance official photographer to life itself in business and communal activities, Never one to shy away from the has been an active member of the contentious, Howard was actively board of the Jewish Report since its involved in the Anti-Apartheid founding. Movement and took Nelson Mandela Bertie was previously chief execu- to Brussels in 1993. A year later he tive of Plate Glass and Shatterprufe joined the Independent Electoral Industries, vice-chairman of Ben- Commission, where he worked for Gurion University of the Negev, an six years, in the process becoming executive member of the SA Jewish executive director largely responsible Holding B Com and B Acc degrees Board of Deputies, chairman of Salid for the 1999 general election. from Wits University, and hav- Investments, director of Plate Glass In 2006, he undertook the initial ing completed his articles at Grant Holdings SA, and chairman of the research that resulted in the creation Thornton in 1999 to become a Lubner Group of Companies. of the CAP security project which chartered accountant, Jewish Report After a lifetime in business, Bertie today protects more than 100 000 vice-chairman, Benjy Porter is a changed direction, taking on the role homes and has reduced crime by firm believer in the importance of of creating organisations that would over 90 per cent in the areas that it leading a balanced lifestyle. look after new generations of South covers. As well as holding the position Africans. He founded and became He is also very involved in com- of CEO of Legal & Tax, a national chairman of a number of outreach munal affairs, having served as company that offers and makes ac- programmes including Afrika Tik- chairman of the SA Union of Jewish cessible sound legal and tax advice kun, a Jewish-led outreach organisa- Students and vice-chairman of the and other services to many South tion to assist previously disadvan- World Union of Jewish Students. He Africans who might not otherwise taged children, whose patron-in 10 – 17 July 2015 SA Jewish Report Board SA JEWISH REPORT 9 chief was former President Nelson is also a philanthropist and social erty Owners Association, Herby is and colleagues but to his family the minority of one, and a healthy Mandela. commentator. vice-president of the SA Associates as well. And why is he involved dose of female logic, energy and He initiated the Field Band Foun- His regular blog in The Times of of the Ben-Gurion University of the in the Jewish Report? Because, creativity to the board of the Jew- dation - an organisation which has Israel has garnered for him a dedi- Negev, Fellow of The Institute of Di- as he says, “This is an exciting ish Report, Dina Diamond offers developed 31 college-style bands, cated and loyal following and his rectors based in London, chairman opportunity to be involved in a more than 15 years’ experience bringing not only musical skills, but recently published book “Carry-on of the Forum for Reconstruction publication that is seen as one of in the financial services sector lifestyle skills to over 4 000 children Baggage”, detailing his rise and fall and Reconciliation and executive the mouthpieces of the Jewish in South Africa, Africa and the from the most deprived areas. He in life, and enabling him to discover deputy chairman of Afrika Tikkun Community in SA.” United States, with a focus on is a trustee for the Worcester Home not just the meaning of home, fam- NPC. He is also chairman of the Having led his family busi- marketing and communications. for the Deaf and Blind and is a ily and friendship but also himself, Southern African Strategic Con- ness through the transition from The various disciplines in which patron of the Lubner “Kibbutz” - a is a best-seller across a wide spec- sultancy and a partner in Lubner founder to second generation with she has played a role have includ- farming project in South Africa, trum of readers. Rosenberg and Associates. his brother, and from a regional ed strategy, project management, incorporating people with Down’s Unashamedly Jewish, unasham- Herby was a former director of company in South Africa to a information technology, business syndrome. edly South African, and unasham- the New York-based JTA (Jewish national one and the beginnings process re-engineering, operations Bertie is also vice president of edly supportive of Israel, Howard Telegraphic Agency); he served of an international group, his management, risk management, the Institute of Directors; presi- is married to Heidi and has five on the board of governors of the passion for leadership and keeping and more. dent of the SA Israel Chamber of children. He is passionate about President’s Fund (Israel); he was an the company’s entrepreneurial Over the past few years Dina Commerce; and member of the task the Jewish Report, and during his executive member of the Mizrachi flair alive, has ensured its success. has searched for the opportunity force representing Business and tenure as chairman of the Board, he Association of SA, an executive But Herschel is much more than to join a non-profit board, and Government at the World Economic propelled the paper through both member of Telfed (Israel); and just a businessman - his inter- the Jewish Report offered her the Forum. He was awarded an honor- good times and bad, never default- director general of the SA Zionist ests in jazz, outdoor adventure, perfect vehicle. ary doctorate of philosophy from ing on his responsibility to ensure Federation. running, golf and swimming, as She has always striven for Ben-Gurion University in 1987; its success. He was also a former member of the well as his passion for the Kruger perfect balance in her life; and and in 1990 he received the highest Council of Medunsa University and National Park and its amazing although she sees her biggest sac- South African Civil Award - OMSS, of the Medunsa University Trust, wildlife, have played an invaluable rifice as that of not being a full- which embraced his role in busi- as well as a trustee of the Worcester part in making him an all-rounder, time mother, she has nonetheless ness, the interests of the country School for the Deaf and the Blind. interested, involved and deter- managed to combine the demands and his direct involvement in Herby’s dedication to serving the mined to bring as much of his of her work with those of giving philanthropic and social community community has been one of the business acumen to the running her children and family sufficient projects. driving forces behind his passion of the Jewish Report as possible. quality time. and involvement with the Jewish In 2006 Herschel won the Dina’s perseverance, the respect Report. Jewish Entrepreneur of the Year she shows to everyone she deals Award. Since then he has be- with and recognising and seizing come a passionate, dedicated and opportunities when they present fascinating tweeter, sharing ideas themselves are the hallmarks of and opinions on a multitude of her success. The fervour and zeal issues with his followers: politics, with which she approaches her business, human interest stories, position within the community Israel, humour… and Donald are reflected in her very positive Trump! attitude towards the growth and Having recently celebrated his 80th success of the Jewish Report. She birthday, and as active and involved says, “In a world where media as ever, non-executive board mem- shapes and drives public opinion, ber Herby Rosenberg has brought I feel it is important to try and to his position at the Jewish Report create a balanced perspective and the same passion and dedication to help highlight what general that is the hallmark of both his pro- media distorts for various political Howard Feldman, who until fessional and his communal lives. agendas. The Jewish Report is recently was chairman of the board The list of his directorships and a platform to present a balanced of the Jewish Report before Howard patronages is long and impressive, Property mogul and board mem- view of local and world events, Sackstein took over, is a lawyer, covering as it does a plethora of dif- ber Herschel Jawitz, CEO and to highlight the stories that go a physical commodity trader by ferent professional companies, or- owner of Jawitz Properties, states untold relating to the Jewish com- industry and a writer by obsession. ganisations, NGOs and communal as his personal goal being able to munity and to celebrate wonderful He co-hosts the weekday Morning bodies. A now-retired attorney of “live an inspired life and to inspire accomplishments that deserve to Mayhem Breakfast Show on Chai the Supreme Court of South Africa those around me to be the best be showcased. It is for these rea- FM from 06:00 to 09:00. Very active (Transvaal Provincial Division) and that they can be or even better sons that I am thrilled to be part in the Jewish community and pas- the High Court of Swaziland, and than they ever imagined” - ap- of such a passionate and esteemed sionate about the Jewish world, he former chairman of the SA Prop- plicable not only to his employees Bringing gender balance, albeit in team in this endeavour.” 10 SA JEWISH REPORT Community 10 – 17 July 2015 ‘Be strong and brave’ could be Israel’s clarion call New singles’ SUZANNE BELLING social club packs “Anti-Semitism keeps changing like a chamele- on. It swings from denying that the Holocaust a Jewish punch ever occurred to reversing the role of the Jews ANT KATZ in history. Like a cancer it metastasises new libels, thus posing ever-present dangers.” A new social club for Jewish singles and dating Thus writes Dr Harold Serebro in his new couples, aged 30 - 55, is growing in numbers and book “The Canopy: Warriors for Justice; activities by putting together people who just want Facing the Ticking Time Bomb”, which was to chill out and have fun. launched at the Killarney Golf Club last The Johannesburg Jewish Activities Club (JJAC) Sunday night with guests of honour Tokyo was started last year by 39-year-old Sheli Berger. Sexwale (former Cabinet minister) and Israel’s “Anybody can come as long as you’re not mar- Ambassador to South Africa Arthur Lenk. ried,” Sheli told Jewish Report this week. Among the activities the JJAC has on offer, are: Like Serebro himself, a man of many skills attending plays, films and musicals; star-gazing; and facets - gastroenterologist, former senior drive-in; snooker; museum visits; dragon boating; executive director of the Altron Group, entre- Jewzi canoeing; braais; quad biking in Soweto; preneur, philanthropist and author - the book Segways at Sun City; Da Vinci Expo; table ten- spans time and place with a common theme: nis; Little Shop of Horrors; hikes; Tutankhamen those who persecuted and still intend to Expo; Coffee and Chocolate Expo; Hartbeespoort persecute (or attempt to annihilate) Jews and Cableway; abseiling and drumming. They also have other races they deem inferior. weekly get-togethers at Sandton Shul. This includes anecdotes from Europe and The JJAC are doing a “Graffiti Walking Tour” the Middle East and crossing the seas to Tokyo Sexwale, Dr Harold Serebro and his son Bradley. of Newtown this Sunday. But this walk is not Photo: Grant Rogerson Photo: South Africa; stories of the anti-apartheid just about graffiti - they’ll also visit sculptures and fascinating architecture. “We have a very freedom fighters, who with partners for peace and poetic licence by Serebro, who switched Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria and Iran”; while experienced guide who will walk us through all the and reconciliation, brought about a new to a novel in parts of the book. This group, Serebro had watched “two arch enemies - the nooks and crannies of Newtown to show us these democratic dispensation in South Africa. akin to the superheroes of today, but the real apartheid government and the ANC, achieve a hidden treasures,” says Sheli. “We will also have a The writer played a role - as a Nazi hunter, thing, crossed borders and continents, relent- lasting transition to democracy and peace”. top graffiti artist join us to tell us about his life as a as a measured voice in the turmoil that lessly pursuing their targets, the torturers The question is posed: “Why did one peace graffiti artist.” was South Africa and in the conciliatory and murderers of Jews. process fail, while the other was successful?” To-date, Sheli has attracted over 75 people to talks which followed, highlighting his close Their success was unparalleled and extend- Another terrifying possibility is put for- her events. “Because it’s interest-driven,” she ex- relationship with the late President Nelson ed to the allies of Iran, still hell-bent on their ward: “Would the Holocaust of Nazi Germany plains, different events attract different numbers. Mandela and other key figures who brought quest to destroy the Jewish people - this time be followed by a different genocide - a nuclear “We usually have between 20 and 30 at an event; about change. through nuclear warfare. attack against Israel?” its cosy and chilled - the magic is that one can The book opens with four heroines of Though the people may be fictional, their Serebro emphasises in his book that the really relax,” she says.

Auschwitz: Rosa Robota Gate, Ella Gertner, actions and characters are true, wholly based crack Israeli team is determined to prevent • For more information contact Sheli by e-mail at: Regina Sapirstein and Estera Weisblum, who on fact. this catastrophe and avert the prophecy of [email protected] together smuggled explosives used to blow Serebro’s imagery is woven across the years, Azzam Pasha of the Arab League, before the up crematoria in the death camp. The book cleverly bringing in his personal involvement 1948 War of Independence: “It will be a war of is dedicated to these four. Aged 23, 11 days and that of Brad, a friend from school days and annihilation that will be talked about like the before the liberation by the Soviet Army, Rosa fellow doctor, who shares his passion. The two massacres of the Mongols or the Crusades.” and the three other women were hanged. were separated for 40 years by distance and Sexwale, talking at the book launch, Her final words were, “Chazak ve’ematz” (“Be events and verbally shared their experiences. expressed the hope that “somehow an iconic strong and brave”). Brad had been part of Israel’s clandestine figure will appear” to bring about peace in Her words resonated with members of an hit team “that faced its implacable enemies the beleaguered Middle East. He said that the elite Israeli hit squad, given fictitious names in the Arab-Israeli conflict, which included book was “a glimmer of hope”. Happy 80th birthday, community stalwart Herby Rosenberg!

BEV GOLDMAN too much for Herby, whose as- sistance and presence added im- A veritable feast of family, friends, measurably to the success of the felicitations and fine food - a fit- venture, as well as to enriching ting tribute to a gentleman and a Bertie and Hilary’s lives. scholar. Reminiscing on their long as-

Hosted by Bertie and Hilary sociation, Ann Harris amused the Ilan Ossendryver Photo: Lubner at their Johannesburg guests with a number of delightful home, the recent sparkling 80th anecdotes concerning Herby, each birthday celebration for commu- of which was a perfect example of nity stalwart and Jewish Report the fine man he has always been. board member, Herby Rosenberg, Herby’s compassion for those was everything he wanted and with whom he worked, his ability enjoyed. Surrounded by his family always to see the best in everyone, and long-standing friends, Herby his understanding of the contrast- was visibly moved both by their ing lives people lead and his ac- presence and by the many acco- ceptance of their differences, form lades paid to him. part of the special characteristics Herby’s passion, enthusiasm, that so define him. warmth, sincerity, and dedication Bertie’s son Marc’s esteem Sandra Rosenberg; birthday boy Herby Rosenberg; Bertie Lubner; Hilary Lubner, Marc Lubner and Niki Judelman. have formed the cornerstone of and admiration for Herby shone his personal and communal life. through his address: A man for all before he makes vital decisions. father and husband, able and will- In responding to and thanking This was evident through all the seasons, dependable, calm, reliable They have an enviable working ing always to give quality time and everyone, especially the Lub- speeches made. and professional, who better than relationship - something which attention to his family despite his ners, for the evening, Herby paid His relationship with Bertie, Herby to have been Marc’s mentor for Marc was most special and incredibly busy work schedule. tribute to his wife Sandra, his going back many years, has always in the latter’s early days as CEO of cherished. What filtered through all the companion who had stood by him been one of mutual respect, Afrika Tikkun, the position Herby Having travelled from Australia speeches was Herby’s devotion for 55 years as well as his two sons responsibility and esteem. Aside held until he exchanged it for that with his family to be with Herby to his work and the pleasure and Clifford and Stanley. from other projects, they have of executive deputy-chairman of on this special occasion, Clifford, pride he takes in what he does. A brief interlude of hilarity together given many years of the organisation. Herby’s son, spoke of his father’s Those with whom he interacts was provided by comedian Marc dedicated service to outreach or- For Marc, the regular meet- tolerance, perception and insight, cannot but be struck by his zeal Banks, who had guests shrieking ganisation Afrika Tikkun, building ings with Herby were and remain as well as the essential values of and commitment to ensuring that with laughter at his irreverent an organisation which is acknowl- a highlight of his working day, giving and sharing that he has every organisation - and there are comments and his pointed satire. edged as one of the finest NGOs bringing him a sense of calm and passed onto his children. many - with which he is involved, This was followed by food and in the country. clarity, and giving him time to Non-judgemental and accepting, strives for and reaches its own drink in a warm and hospitable Nothing, said Bertie, was ever reflect on issues of importance Herby was and is a remarkable heights. atmosphere. www.kia.co.za

NEW NEXT LEVEL CHALLENGE REAR AIR CONDITIONER

With innovative features, bold styling and a luxurious interior on the next level, the new KIA Sorento will challenge the way you experience driving altogether. Go to KIAnextlevel.co.za for more info.

18788OFyt 12 SA JEWISH REPORT Letters 10 – 17 July 2015 Disclaimer Guidelines for letters The letters page is intended to provide an opportunity for a range of views on any given topic to be expressed. Letters up to 400 words get preference. Provide your full name, place of residence, and daytime contact phone Opinions articulated in the letters are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor, staff number. We do not publish letters under noms de plume. Letters should preferably be e-mailed. Letters may be or directors of the Jewish Report. edited or shortened. The Editor, PO Box 84650, Greenside, 2034 email: [email protected]

Torah tells us that sexual transgressions are ‘ultimate sin’ Gays, lesbians may sanctify their union in Progressive shuls

I wonder if the management of the Jewish Today we are witnessing a continuation I read with great interest Geoff Sifrin’s column Alvin Kushner, as well as the chairman of the Report knew that last week’s edition of the Bilaam syndrome of reducing the in last week’s paper about providing a home Progressive Rabbinic Association (SAAPR), corresponded with the Torah reading of world’s moral level on a grand scale. It is for same-sex couples in our congregations. Rabbi Greg Alexander, confirmed in a Parshat Balak. being performed by the Supreme Court of I agree with him that this is an important statement following the US Supreme Court I say this because I found the cover and the United States, by declaring same-sex theme for all Jewish communities in South ruling, the general position for all Progressive various articles in the edition of July 3 marriages to be recognised in all 50 states of Africa and that we should start an open and communities in South Africa: both hurtful and insensitive to pure Jewish the country. As the world, including South honest debate about it, sooner rather than “In December 2006, South Africa became emotions. Africa, edges closer to suicidal immorality, later. the fifth country in the world to grant In the parsha we are taught that because at least we the Jewish nation will know that However, I don’t share his view that same-sex couples the same status and rights sexual transgressions of any kind are viewed by there is an Island of kedusha, sanity and lesbians and gays have no Jewish home in as heterosexual marriage partners. The G-d as being the ultimate sin, Bilaam suggested morality in Eretz Yisrael. South Africa at all. Although in South Africa SAUPJ, encouraged by the World Union for to Balak to use the Moabite and Midianite It is distressing that South African Jewry the Progressive communities are, in relation Progressive Judaism, was in fact one of the women to seduce the Jewish men by sexual has a major news outlet where columnists to their Orthodox counterparts, smaller, first faith groups in the country to allow its means as “weapons of war” and pushing back write articles with a headline: “Can SA Jewry they are still very much alive and reflect what clergy to conduct same-sex marriages. The the fences of chastity and modesty never to be provide a home for same-sex marriages?” The is the common sense and approach of the first Jewish same sex marriage took place in returned as they were before. author challenges religious leaders to make all Progressive/Reform movement worldwide. Cape Town. In a press release at the time we The gentile women succeeded in their Jews, no matter what their sexual preferences This means that gays and lesbians, as well as marked that event with our statement ‘The mission to such an extent that 24 000 Jews are, to feel at home among them. all other members of our Jewish community, SAUPJ honours the divine within all human died for the sins Bilaam had instigated. The While it is true that we must not outright are welcomed and have a home in our beings, and their right to live with dignity.’ parsha ends with the zealotry of Pinchas: condemn individuals who commit Torah congregations to honour their Jewish heritage The Progressive Jewish community in “But Pinchas, son of Elazar, saw what had sexual transgressions, there can be no and to build a Jewish future. South Africa is robust and is proud to enforce happened, and remembered the Law. He stood compromise with the sin itself. And without any doubts, gays and lesbians the rights enshrined in the South African up from among the congregation and, taking I would like to commend your on-line can sanctify their partnership in the form of Constitution that guarantees equal protection a spear in his hand, he went into the tent editor, Ant Katz, who approximately 18 a chuppah and civil union in all Progressive before the law of all citizens regardless of after an Israelite man and pierced the spear months ago, wrote the following line in a communities in South Africa. Both I and my sexual orientation. through both of them - the Israelite man, and blog: “I was brought up to believe that nobody colleagues are happy to officiate for those the gentile woman - right through her lower should question our Holy Torah.” couples just as we do for any other couple. Rabbi Adrian Michael Schell abdomen. I agree 100 per cent with this sentiment Just recently, the chairman of the Southern Bet David Progressive Jewish “The plague then ceased from the children and find it especially relevant when applied African Union for Progressive Judaism, Congregation, Sandton of Israel. A total of 24 000 died in the plague.” to the subject of Jewish morality and sexual (Numbers: 25; 7-9). Pinchas was rewarded matters. Jewish MPs must explain DA stance regarding Israel/Palestine with eternal priesthood and a covenant of peace for zealously avenging G-d’s anger. Choni Davidowitz I want to address an open letter to DA MPs community”, branding the pro-Israel position (Num. 25;10) Johannesburg Michael Bagraim and Darren Bergman in as “narrow and fundamentalist”. response to an article in a Johannesburg daily Could the two MPs please state, through on June 30. the medium of Jewish Report, whether their DA leader Mmusi Maimane recently leader asked for, or was given, any input on launched Gauteng DA MPL Jack Bloom’s this complicated subject. Could they further book in Johannesburg, and used the occasion affirm whether or not his remark is in line Are growth to state his position on the Israel/Palestine with the DA siding against Israel with the question. government last year, explained away as an “Our view is that we must support aberration by an individual DA spokesman, in prospects looking parliament and South Africa’s stance. We contrast to the principled stance of the ACPD. must have a two-state solution.” This is the brighter? general consensus of opinion. However, the Dr Bryna Lewis report adds that he “stunned the Jewish Port Elizabeth

Concept of ‘chosen people’ is a racist ideology

In reply to Rod Waner’s letter in last week’s Judaism became synonymous with suffering. Jewish Report, I admit that I am bitter: I have We’ve had enough. It’s very sad. With the no doubt that the Jewish religion has made creation of the State of Israel there was an us into the most hated people in the world. If extraordinary excitement and hope of revival that isn’t enough, there is no shortage of “self- of the Jewish nation. Now we are left with a hating Jews” either… The belief that we are a baggage of religious fanatics who are unable chosen people is a racist ideology and the root to think and cannot deal with the realities of of anti-Semitism. today. Religious people continue to dwell in the I am also bitter because I cannot become a past; they still discuss and learn about events member of the Jewish Board of Deputies nor that happened (or not) 2 000 years ago, as if one of the directors of the SA Jewish Report it happened last month. I am afraid that all for the simple reason that I’m secular, not religions belong in the past. religious. I am bitter, thanks to the religious Whether Waner as well as other like-minded Jews. Jews believe it, or not, the fact is that Jews on To fi nd out about growth prospects for South African businesses, the American continent are abandoning the Yossi Bogacz read the Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR) which provides insight into sinking ship of Judaism en masse. Johannesburg the views and expectations of more than a thousand South African businesses each year. We are Grant Thornton and we help our clients understand the issues that impact Help Sugarman compile a ‘Record of Honour’ on their business decisions. Contact us to help unlock your potential for growth. Martin Sugarman, an archivist of the Jewish War Veterans of the UK, AJEX, is drawing up a “Record To access the latest Grant Thornton IBR go to of Honour” of Jews who served in the Second World War in the merchant navy. Sugarman is asking www.gt.co.za “all relatives or friends of anyone who served” to send him details of such men, including photo- graphs, to his e-mail address, mailto:[email protected]. REMINDER Book your tickets to the www.gt.co.za 2015 Grant Thornton South Africa. All rights reserved. Grant Thornton South Africa is a member firm of Grant Thornton Absa Jewish Achiever Awards 2015 International Ltd (GTIL). GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. Services are delivered by the member firms. GTIl and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate, one another and are not liable for one another’s acts or omissions. Please see www.gt.co.za for further details. [email protected]

Jewish Report_Brighter.indd 1 2015/05/29 2:49 PM 10 – 17 July 2015 Community SA JEWISH REPORT 13 Muslim scholar talks on progressive Islam OWN CORRESPONDENT talked about resisting the covert imposition of the He serves as the imam of the Oxford Islamic patriarchal shariah or Muslim religious law into Congregation, the most progressive body of Mus- Sacred, the South African Centre for Religious modern society. lims in the UK. It made European history a decade Equality and Diversity (Sacred), recently hosted He has publicly opposed Wahhabi-Salafi theologi- ago by welcoming women to conduct sermons and Professor Taj Hargey, a distinguished Oxford-based cal propaganda, and has courageously led a national leading the weekly Friday prayers in mixed-gender academic on Islam and the Middle East, at Bet Da- campaign to ban all forms of facial masking, includ- assembly. vid in Johannesburg, with a lecture on “Progressive ing the non-Qur’anic burka and hijab in the United This was Sacred’s second evening of interest this Islam: Tolerant or Intolerant?” Kingdom. year and gave its audience a much needed, different Prof Hargey, who hails from South Africa, is also Prof Hargey also spoke about The Open Mosque, take on Islam. the director of the Muslim Educational Centre of launched in Cape Town last September where he “We had guests from other synagogues, as well Oxford, which promotes a progressive, pluralistic was invited to deliver a sermon. The mosque calls as the broader Jewish community,” said Rabbi Julia Qur’anic Islam and runs a newly-formed think-tank itself Qur’an-centric; gender-equal; non-sectarian; Margolis, chair of Sacred. “Muslim and Christian called the Oxford Centre for British Islam. inter-cultural; and independent. It was subject to friends joined us too.” Next month Sacred will host Prof Hargey spoke about perceptions of Islam attacks from local Muslim clergy, as well as several a discussion on why different faiths and religions in the modern world and with his push for a more arson attacks, but has gained widespread publicity pray over food and beverages, specifically investi- Rabbi Julia Margolis and Professor Taj egalitarian, pluralistic way of practising Islam, and international praise, he says. gating the subject of water and prayer. Hargey. Great Park’s Shmooza 2015 delivers winter warmth to many. SPORTS RABBI DOVID HAZDAN large group of grade 7 King David Linksfield learners GREAT PARK SYNAGOGUE to share the cheer, warmth and privilege of giving. They personally experienced that the greatest bar-/ COORDINATORS REQUIRED The bonfires of Lag B’Omer were never extinguished. batmitzvah gift is the one that we give - not the one Their flames flicker on with the warmth that they that we receive. Hundreds of blankets and jackets It’s just two years to go until the 20th Maccabi Games 2017 in Israel continue to bring through the blankets collected at and coats were given to the Uthando Nursery School & preparations are well underway! Shmooza 2015 and distributed this week at Afrika children and will be further distributed to hundreds Tikkun’s Uthando Centre in Braampark. Great Park more who are in the care of Afrika Tikkun’s “Cradle to Maccabi SA is looking for bar- and batmitzvah boys and girls were joined by a Career” programmes. VOLUNTEER SPORTS COORDINATORS across all sports to develop & manage teams to compete at the Games. Candidates must be organised, passionate & dedicated team players who believe in our ideology & would like to make a valuable contribution to our sporting community. For more information and to apply go to www.maccabi.co.za or call 011 694 5081 WE BUILT THIS WIZO travels to ‘foreign’ places, nogal! COUNTRY WITH HEART & SOUL DON’T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADVERTISE IN OUR ABSA JEWISH ACHIEVERS MAGAZINE

It is part of the Jewish social event of the year - when our Jewish achievers in various fields are Photo: Andrea Wainer Andrea Photo: announced in August. Zee Bergman; Karen Shafer; and Tanya Kahanowitz. It is glossy and upmarket with topical articles, ANDY SCHWARTZ, EXECUTIVE We learnt a bit about the history of this profiles and a gathering of Jewish Who’s Who and an extremely long shelf life. Over the COMMITTEE MEMBER OF WIZO industry and then headed off to 109 Prichard years it has become a treasure in the business Street in the “Fashion District” where we were community. With our big smiles and our purses at the ready, introduced to the most unbelievable range of Our Achievers Magazine circulation is over 13 we boarded the bus last week Wednesday morn- Shweshwe fabrics; so inspiring and so cheap, we 000 with a readership of well over 50 000. This ing to explore what are for most of us Johannes- were spoilt for choice! gives advertisers the amazing opportunity to reach their target market with no fail - which burgers, foreign places indeed. I’m happy to say we lined up at the till with includes most decision-makers. Margo Snoyman, our “WIZO Ilanit Super our bundles of fabric and loads of decor inspira- This glossy upmarket magazine provides Shopper” was our guide on this shopping safari. tion! advertisers a unique platform for high-level First stop in the CBD... “The Haby Centre”, for We crossed the street to the “Fashion Kapitol” networking and a good return on investment. an unbelievably cheap array of haberdashery. shopping precinct and descended upon the The high-profile companies who have graced our pages over the years, bear testimony to the Our bevy of happy shoppers left with their col- Fashion Shack Coffee Shop, a reclaimed space in “good company” they keep in the Achievers lections of buttons and bows and we headed off a heritage building, with a warm African vibe, Magazine. for Ees Millinery on Von Wielligh Street. for our refreshments. Margo shared her ideas We were good girls and crossed the street in of upcoming fashion trends and we opened an orderly line and as we passed, two bibbed car our “lighter purses” and bought some amazing FOR MORE INFORMATION: guards looked at each other and said: “Touris- leather goods for unbelievable prices as well as TEL. (011) 430 1980 | www.sajr.co.za ties.” “local is lekker” stuff from the Fashion Shack [email protected] “Ja,” I thought, “all the way from Sandton!” collection. Who would have known that hidden behind Back on the bus with our parcels and packets, the big wooden door of Ees, was a secret stash we wended our merry way home through the of costume fabrics and feathers. This is a go-to litter-lined streets and arrived back spot on the place for local designers. dot at 13:00. 14 SA JEWISH REPORT Youth 10 – 17 July 2015 A TA market day of Puppeteer storyteller enthrals little ones

‘creative endeavours’ OWN CORRESPONDENT OWN CORRESPONDENT Minnie Bersohn Nursery School Torah Academy Primary School held its annual entrepreneurial in Johannesburg ended a fantastic market day last week Friday. It was an occasion when teach- second term with puppeteer sto- ers and pupils embarked on a creative endeavour, including ryteller, Brenda Shafir, who visited Photo: Michelle Vinokur designing posters, making popcorn, raffling sweets, and mak- the school recently. She related two ing key-rings with beads and chips. The children enjoyed games African bush stories to the children and also painted nails and applied lip gloss in preparation for who participated with drums. Shabbos. They picked up the rhythms and “The innovative and exciting ideas, together with the creativ- thoroughly enjoyed the stimulating ity and buzz while packing their goods and designing their experience. posters, makes education beyond the curriculum a sustainable Pictured are Brenda Shafir, a and sound practice,” said Michelle Kaplan, deputy principal of puppeteer storyteller; Daniel and the school. Joshua King; Liron Barashi; Daniel Pictured is amateur “manicurist” Batsheva Feinblum (grade Monastrursky; Saul Mondschein; 4), painting Michelle Kaplan’s nails. Zac Flowers; and Kesia Silbermann.

Community UJW PE knits for a host of good causes

BERYL MEYER, SECRETARY, UJW PE Hilary Meyer Photo:

The Union of Jewish Women, Port Elizabeth’s knitting group has been distributing blankets, jerseys, beanies and scarves over the last 18 months to needy people in and around the city - gifts which are always very grate- fully received. Recently we distributed beautiful blankets Photo: KIm Isaacman Photo: to each of the 45 senior wheelchair-bound residents at the Gelvandale Old Age Home. All in all, 800 items have been distributed locally this year. UJW also sends jerseys, blankets, etc. to Israel, via Divote in Durban.

Part of the third shipment of knitted items sent to Israel, with UJW members Jose Greenblatt and Beryl Meyer. 10 – 17 July 2015 Classifieds What’s On SA JEWISH REPORT 15 To book your classified notice or advert contact: Today, Friday (July 10) rosh European Masorti Beth Din, will be Wednesday (July 15) Tel (011) 430-1980, Fax 086-634-7935, email: [email protected] visiting SA again at the end of July and into • Johannesburg Jewish Activities Club (JJAC) is an August to participate in Limmud South Africa • Second Innings undertakes a “Tour of the BEAUTY & HEALTH LIFTS OFFERED OFFICE SPACE SERVICES activities club for singles aged 30 - 55 looking and at Shalom Masorti. For those who feel Roodepoort Theatre Backstage and Adjoining Experienced, reliable driver able AVAILABLE to meet people with similar interests and have that Orthodox Judaism is not for them, give Museum on the History of the West Rand”. Professional NOTICES to lift you anywhere/ anytime 24 Pine Place, Lyndhurst an amazing time. Share unique experiences and us a try. Call Esther on (011) 485-5619. Time: The bus will depart at 09:00; tours to wedding make-up Hawley Marble and Granite Works hours. Courier work undertaken. 116 Johannesburg Road. create wonderful memories. Join our mailing Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday start at 10:00. Meet the bus at Golden Acres Please call Paul Minsker Call: 082 666 52 52 Est. 1948. Monumental masons. list by entering your details at http://eepurl. mornings. for the tours to Roodepoort Theatre and West 083-542-6480 [email protected] We are proud to have served the com/bpmctD Rand Museum, Roodepoort. Cost: R140 (incl (011) 882-2181 Johannesburg Jewish community Sunday (July 12) entrance, both tours and the bus; the bus is R80 Office space for many decades. Your support is • UZLC hosts Judy Jaye on “A Role Model to per person) Enquiries: Betty, (011) 532-9701. AIRPORT SHUTTLE much appreciated. Collen Hawley Others in Our Daily Life”. Venue: Our Parents • Second Innings hosts Claudette Medefindt, SAM to let within a Tel: (011) 828- 9010 Chaim Home. Time: 12:45 – 14:00. Contact, Gloria deputy president, Retina International, on Thursday (July 16) (011) 728-5219 Silver (011) 485-3005 072-127-9421 or (011) 485-4851. “Vision and the Ageing Eye”. Venue: The Gerald 083-627-8516 busy Wellness Horwitz Lounge, Golden Acres. Time: 10:00 for • Join WIZO every Thursday for a “Lunch & To OR Tambo Centre in FOREIGN CITIZENSHIP • Shalom Masorti, an egalitarian community, 10:30. Cost: R20 members, R30 visitors (incl Learn” shiur with Rabbi Michael Katz at embraces everyone with an affiliation to and/ tea and light refreshments). Information: (011) Beyachad. Time: 13:00. Information: WIZO from R180. Lithuanian / Polish / Jacqui 083-447-6347 Highlands To Lanseria German citizenship or interest in Judaism. Rabbi Chaim Weiner, 532-9701. office (011) 645-2515. [email protected] from R220. North. Many South African Jews are LIFTS OFFERED Reasonable rates to Ideally suited eligible for EU citizenship. If you Community Columns all other areas. are interested, please contact A TAXI SERVICE for a health me. I specialise in obtaining Let Warren Pogorelsky chauffeur SERVICES practitioner. Lithuanian, Polish and German A column of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies you to your destination in Johan- HOME SERVICES citizenship. I am able to obtain the nesburg and back. OR Tambo from Jenna required documents from archives Deceased in Europe. N othing can beat face-to-face interaction R200. Mercedes Benz estate house 072-143-0133 Rael Cynkin CA (SA) Tel: 082-399-6187 The Board is constantly aware it is likewise useful to hear at clearances [email protected] Sun City & Game Reserve 083-346-4627 of the need to provide regular first-hand what people in the Entire households and accessible channels of community are thinking and cleared, professionally Alex’s Lift Service To let communication to keep the what their concerns are. and confidentially. I’ll VEHICLES Experienced, reliable driver Showroom / WANTED Jewish community abreast At its last meeting, the specialising in lifts to shops and take the burden off your trading or office of its activities. National and Board’s Gauteng Council appointments you need to go to. shoulders and pay you space (approx Contact Alex: 083-409-4378 for it. Please contact IF YOU WANT TO regional conferences remain decided that as an ongoing Ladislav Miklas 210m2). important vehicles in this initiative, Council members Irene’s Schlep Service 079-810-8837 Close to Pick BUY OR SELL regard, but it has obviously would endeavour to speak at takes kids to/from school. [email protected] n Pay Hyper in been necessary over the years their particular shuls, about People to for a trusted and A VEHICLE Norwood. to ensure that more regular the work of the Board in and from work/doctor’s professional service. means of disseminating general and on specific issues appointments Also clear garages, 24/7 security. Contact: information are in place. of current concern that it is or shopping centres. cellars, storage rooms Plenty parking. This has become even more dealing with. Please call 072-356-0282 and storage facilities. Back-up Solly Kramer Above Board essential in today’s world Here, I would like to issue Appliance repairs on-site generator, air- Mary Kluk SMILE-LEE’S LIFTS 082-922-3597 of instant communication; a general offer to rabbonim Fridges, stoves, washing conditioner. National Chairman A reliable lift service. machines, tumble dryers and whereas once one had days, and other communal leaders Specialising in lifts to and from dishwashers. Free quotations. Available or even weeks, to get in touch with the to have a member of the Board address airports, shops, appointments, Call Jason 082-401-8239 / October 1, 2015 community, it is now a matter of hours. their members, should they so desire. A slot casinos and courier. 076-210-6532 Contact Mike Thus, in addition to such traditional of between 10 and 15 minutes would be Charna 083-391-6612 082-440-3141 methods such as conferences, printed sufficient for a brief report-back and a few (011) 483-0086 publications and report-backs in the Jewish questions afterwards. DIAL A LIFT media, the Board makes extensive use of On Tuesday, together with National 083-267-3281 NORWOOD/ ORCHARDS its Facebook, website and Twitter profile Director Wendy Kahn, I met with Minister Pip Friedman Beautifully renovated furnished to reach as many of its constituents as Susan Shabangu, Minister in the Presidency cottages. New appliances. Comfortable possible. responsible for Women, and senior Serviced. Gas. WIfi Essential as these vehicles are, they are members of her team. Being ourselves & Spacious 5 shuls close by. ultimately no substitute for direct, face- women in positions of leadership, it was 7 seater. From R6 000pm incl. to-face interaction. For this reason, we very encouraging for us to have Minister [email protected] have begun to actively seek opportunities Shabangu share her vision to uplift the www.dialalift.co.za 50m2 of workspace suited for through which Board members - both status of women in our society and foster a various fields. AIRPORT SERVICE Monthly/daily rates. professional staff and lay leaders - can speak culture where women are valued and allowed JHB at communal gatherings. every opportunity to achieve their potential. 083-326-3647 In practice, this has mainly involved One of the main focuses of her [email protected] speaking to particular shuls. Most recently, department next year will be to celebrate I addressed the Durban United Hebrew the role women have played and are playing Congregation, while Charisse Zeifert spoke in building South Africa as part of the 60th at the Pine Street Shul in Johannesburg. anniversary celebrations of the famous 8-seater. However, Board members have spoken to Women’s March to the Union Buildings in Tours/Day Drives other communal bodies as well. Pretoria to protest against the pass laws. Contact Arnold, The response from the community has This is something the Board itself will look 082-447-0185 been very enthusiastic; clearly, people to participate in when the time comes. 011-454-1193 appreciate it when those mandated to represent their interests as Jews, take the • Listen to Charisse Zeifert on Jewish Board Talk, trouble to speak to them directly about 101.9 ChaiFM every Friday 12:00 - 13:00. what is happening. From our point of view, This column is paid for by the SA Jewish Board of Deputies Glorious online prizes - and more to come...

This week Jewish Report Online gave since I was a kid. Also love art. The away 13 tickets worth up to R1,820 combination of the two together To place your classified (depending on whether they are used for sounds magical - the kid in me will love adverts, call Shereen on adults or kids) to “The Art of the Brick it”; (011) 430-1980 Exhibition” - and we have many more to • GLENDA KAVONIC who gets two In our other competition that closed give away next week. tickets. Glenda says her sons and her this week, Jewish Report Online is The winners of tickets, who had to grandchildren have grown up with giving away a copy of Howard Feldman’s give a reason why they thought they Lego; best-selling book “Carry-on Baggage” to should win, are: • AVROM STEIN who gets two tickets all those who entered the competition. • G AYLE LIVINGSTONE who gets two as he has wanted to take his family but Click on the Lego banner at the top tickets so she can take her three-year- “four tickets put it out of reach”; of our website home page to enter this old grandchild to the exhibition; • PHYLLIS in Cape Town gets two week’s competition: who knows, you too • J ACOV who gets two tickets as, tickets for her grandchildren in may win some of the R8 000 worth of he says: “I would love to take my Johannesburg; and tickets. Winners should contact Shereen daughters to the expo; • JAMIE MARON, 6, gets two tickets to Miller at (011) 430-1980 during office • J ULIE TOBLIB who gets a ticket help him take his mommy and brother hours to arrange for the collection or as, she says, she has “loved Lego to the show. delivery of their prizes. 16 SA JEWISH REPORT Sport 10 – 17 July 2015 The thrills and spills of Wimbledon ILAN HERRMANN continues. Having come in to the tournament seeded 10th, he was disposed of by the 102nd As at the time of writing, Wimbledon 2015 is seeded Dustin Brown of the US. building up to a dramatic and exciting climax. The top seeds of Novak Djokovic, Roger Wimbledon is of course the stand-out, annual Federer, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka have grand slam tennis event on the pro circuit and all made good, which bodes well for a grand one which is avidly followed right across the finale. globe. Serena Williams easily defeated her sister Wimbledon is not just a gathering for sport, Venus in round four and is looking to continue it has also fashionably become a mixing of all her 2015 grand slam march, having won both at sorts, including politicians, singers, actors, the Australian and the French Opens. sport stars and sometimes even the queen of Jewish participation in this year’s event has England! seen few high points. This year’s tournament has had its fair share A dismal set of qualifying rounds saw Shahar of thrills and spills as it usually does, with some Peer, Amir Weintraub and Julia Glushko, all of magical tennis and some shock defeats. The de- Israel, tumble out. mise of former world number one Rafael Nadal Men’s singles hopefuls, Diego Schwartzman

Camila Giorgi, of Italy, flew the Jewish flag high. She is playing very good tennis. and Dudi Sela, fared little better after first Erlich and Petzschner registered a four-set round defeats. Israel’s Sela went down in four victory over Albert Ramos-Vinolas and Andreas sets against Dominic Thiem of Austria, while Seppi in round one. They then defeated Scott the Argentine Schwartzman lost in straight sets Lipsky and Treat Huey in straight sets in round to hard-hitting Australian, Nick Kyrgios. two. Lipsky incidentally is also Jewish and at Sela put the defeat behind him saying: “Now age 35, a US veteran of the doubles game. I’m looking forward to Israel’s Davis Cup match The pair then continued their good run, C at home to Slovenia. After that I’ll play Chal- defeating Marcus Daniell and Marcelo Demo- M lenger tournaments in America and I hope to liner in round three, in a four set humdinger,

Y finish the season strongly.” winning 6-3 4-6 6-3 6-3, to book a place in the Italian, Camila Giorgi, the last Jewish singles quarter- finals. CM player left in the competition, had a good run South Africans had much to shout about as MY through the early rounds. The 25-year-old, seed- Kevin Anderson the world number 14, nearly CY ed 32nd in the ITP rankings and originally from caused a major upset against world number CMY a quaint little town, Macerate, near the Adriatic one Novak Djokovic in the fourth round. It was

K Sea in Italy, defeated Brazilian Teliana Pereira in nothing less than a gruelling dog fight, with round one and then Lara Arruabarrena of Spain Anderson hitting some 40 odd aces against the in round two, to set up a third round tie against reigning champion. the Danish fifth seed Caroline Wozniacki. Djokovic continuously threw his arms in the Giorgi is known for her aggressive style and air in frustration over the course of the five set for guiding her shots with precision close to the match, venting his frustration at being unable tramline. She also has a great record against to break down the South African. From Djoko- Wozniacki, coming in to Wimbledon having vic’s side, having rallied from two sets down beaten her twice in their last three meetings. and being on the verge of defeat, he showed This time, however, she got the jitters. A what a true champion he is eventually winning relentless string of unforced errors as well nine 6-7 6-7 6-1 6-4 7-5. double faults paved the way for a comfortable While Roger Federer is a firm good bet, Wozniacki victory. a strong candidate to go through is home In the men’s doubles draw, Israel’s Jonathan town favourite Andy Murray and if they can Erlich partnered with Philipp Petzschner of overcome their opponents, with Murray play- Germany. Since last playing with colleague Andy ing some of his best tennis and Novak with Ram on the ATP Tour in the Australian Open a reprieve after the Anderson duel, we may in January 2014, Erlich has time and again yet see one of the finest Wimbledon finals in changed partners, recording little success. recent memory.

• The entire KosherWorld centre is Truly Kosher – all tenants & facilities. • Chabad Bookshop & Montagu Dried Fruit and Nuts are located within KosherWorld. • Kosher shopping has never been more convenient, open from 7am till 10pm daily. • Priced right on all kosher foods & household goods. • The only Truly Kosher Supermarket in Africa • If it’s on our shelves.... IT’S KOSHER! SPACEWORX_KOSH_1162_JR 1 LONG AVENUE CNR RIDGE AND SUMMERWAY GLENHAZEL | CALL: 011 440 9517 | [email protected] | www.kosherworld.co.za | | | TRADING HOURS: MON-THURS 7AM-10PM FRI: 7AM-4PM SAT:1/2 HOUR AFTER SHABBOS -10PM SUN: 8AM - 10PM ELEMENTSEKAPA_KOSH_0042_JR