July 2019 Our Community . Our People . Our Magazine Volume 95. No 10 June 2019 Our Community . Our People . Our Magazine Volume 95. No 9
March 2014 █ HASHALOM 1 March 2014 █ HASHALOM 1 Editorial 02 EDITORIAL Through Your Eyes 03 Special Feature 04 Current Affairs 06 To Above Board 08 Chasing the Dream 09 Entertainment 10 Past Tense 11 Bubkes 12 Community News 13 Young Israel Centre 13 SAJBD 14 UJC 15 Happy Anniversary to me DUHC 16 Hayley Lieberthal Beit David 17 Beth Shalom 18 Six years ago the month of July to me was just another Durban Holocaust and Genocide Centre 19 ordinary month on the calendar with some birthday dates Masada 20 to remember. I hadn’t the faintest idea that a year later, July would become a month that would hold significant meaning. Divote 21 UJW 22 I moved from Johannesburg to Durban in July 2014 to be UJW 23 with my now husband. Sure, I was apprehensive at first, Akiva College 24 who wouldn’t be? I had gotten my proverbial ducks in a row Wotsup WIZO 25 and received a work transfer, we had found a gorgeous sea Limmud 26 facing flat and all I had to do was pack my bags and get in Eden School 27 the car. In theory, it was perfect, yet deep down I wondered how I would adjust to new colleagues and how I would KZNC 28 navigate around a city where I didn’t know the road names, Talmud Torah 29 let alone where the closest grocery shop was. Yet I knew that Cycalive Poster 30 my future lay in Durban and I met every challenge head on. Cooking with Judy and Linda 31 Social and Personal 32 It wasn’t until I made friends within our community that I felt Diary of Events 32 a true sense of belonging to our East coast. I was bowled over at how a smaller community stood firmer and supported
The views expressed in the pages of Hashalom are not necessarily those of the each other. I was blown away that there wasn’t any gossip Editorial Board or any other organisation or religious body unless otherwise about this one and that one. Everyone I met in our beloved Hashalom merely reflects views of particular organisation or individual. community was just as special as the next. I was truly home!
Hashalom Editorial Board: However, fate - for a lack of a better word, had something Editor: Hayley Lieberthal Sub Editor: Colin Plen, Cookie Isaacs more in store for me. I joined the Hashalom team in March Editorial Board: Hayley Lieberthal, Michelle Campbell 2018 and in July I was given a shot to be interim editor of Lauren Shapiro, Mikki Norton Production Manager: Jacqui Herbst this amazing magazine. A year has passed and I cannot help feel blessed to be part of our community. To be the editor of Notice to Organisations/Contributors: All material to be submitted by email to a magazine that represents who we are, where we all come [email protected] from and how much we stand together. DEADLINE FOR THE AUGUST EDTION: 7 July Get in touch with the editor: [email protected]
Advertisements I want to thank you all for carrying on being you, for opening Contact: Jacqui Herbst P.O. Box 10797 Marine Parade 4056 your arms out to new members and making us all feel as if Tel: (031) 335 4451Email: [email protected] we have always been a part of your lives. Hashalom is issued under the auspices of the SAJBD KZN Council, KwaZulu-Natal Zionist Council and the Durban Jewish Club. I would also like to hear from other members who have Typesetting Supplied. Designed by RBG Studios, email: [email protected] moved to Durban, tell me more about your story, how you Printed by Print 24 came to be here and why Durban is close to your heart. Visit our website: www.hashalom.co.za Email me at [email protected]
2 HASHALOM July 2019 THROUGH YOUR EYES READERS SHARE THEIR VIEWS BY LAUREN SHAPIRO
Ballito-nik Paula Green returns to Israel after 27 years and is struck by
the differences Paula (left) with cousins Meira Bat El and Ophra Seltzer at Rosh Hanikrah PIC Supplied
HASHALOM IS PROUD TO BRING YOU A NEW SECTION “THROUGH YOUR EYES” IN WHICH READERS SHARE THEIR VIEWS ON TOPICS CLOSE TO THEIR HEARTS. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOUR “THROUGH YOUR EYES”, CONTACT US AT [email protected]
FAMILY REUNION sociologist friend to the kibbutz newspaper cartoonist what the When her Aunt from Manchester phoned to say she would be solution is. No-one had an answer. Yet Israelis must live with spending Pesach with her daughter in Netanya, semi-retired this paradox every day. “In a train station concourse in Tel Aviv literary specialist Paula Green decided to join them. Then she got there was a piano,” Paula recalls. “And sitting at the piano was a in touch with long-lost cousins in Tel Aviv and Carmiel. Then she handsome young soldier, lost in enchanting music, with his assault made contact with another cousin on the other side of her family rifle on his knee. For me, that encapsulates the contradiction – whom she’d never even met. both the beauty and the challenge of Israel.”
Israel is at the heart of the Jewish people, so it’s unsurprising that For all its complexities, Paula declares: “I’m proud to be part of this many of us have relations there, whether we know it or not. “There incredible country; this incredible line that goes right back to the bible.” was a great sense of family; of getting to know each other,” Paula says of the trip. “What an incredibly storied place,” she describes. “People haven’t just landed up there by chance. Everyone in Israel has their own story about how and why they got there.” Paula also caught up with a friend on a Kibbutz, and sought out the family of a dear friend of her late husband Basil. “This was a journey of making connections,” she affirms.
27 YEARS LATER Paula was last in Israel in 1992, and it’s changed a lot, she says. “The high-rise buildings are mind-blowing. They’re just everywhere! But it isn’t South Africa. In a small country, you have to build upwards.”
The technological developments in daily Israeli life made an impression. “I was a bit intimidated by the bus cards and the train app,” she confesses, “but there was always someone friendly willing to help and I found my way around.”
And, boy, did she find her way around – from Rosh Hanikra to Eilat – in what she calls “a wonderful, rich, textured experience”.
COMPLEXITIES “I’m not a political person, but Israel is a very complex issue,” admits Paula. Her ambivalence is evident in her language: “Israel What are your thoughts on Israel? Do you is something to be immensely proud of. I so want to be proud of feel strongly about an issue you’d like to it. I am proud of it. But at the same time there is this other story of see featured in Hashalom? Write and tell Arabs who are suffering… I struggle with the complexity of it all.” us at [email protected] During her trip Paula asked everyone from taxi drivers to a SPECIAL FEATURE
PASSPORT TO FREEDOM BY LAUREN SHAPIRO
Bobba from Balbirishok? Zaida from Zeimys? Applying for an EU passport is easy from the east coast.
here are many reasons to apply for a Lithuanian passport. acquire property. “Being a part of the EU as well as the European For some it is a window to the world through visa-free travel; Free Trade Association (EFTA), Lithuania grants both you and your for others, an opportunity to study and work in the European children excellent opportunities,” observes Dainius. TUnion (EU). Yet others wish to take advantage of business opportunities, but for many it is about reconnecting with their roots. For the Kinderlach Family ties Sam’s father was born in 1916 in Dvinsk (now Daugavpils) in Latvia. “He saw what was happening with anti-Semitism and left “I always kept my mom’s documents; I didn’t want to feel like I for South Africa at 18 years old,” Sam recounts. His mother – was discarding her,” confides Debbie Werner. Her mother Judy Sam’s Bobba – could not travel at the time and later died in Latvia, Melman (nee Jubileras) OBM came to South Africa from Vilnius but she was originally Lithuanian, and had a Lithuanian passport. at age three in 1926. Debbie and her brother Franky Melman On the strength of this document, Sam applied for reinstatement looked into citizenship reinstatement in 2016. They met with of Lithuanian citizenship in November 1917. The process was Dainius Ambrazaitis from In Jure law firm based in Vilnius, who has successful, and he is expecting his citizenship papers and processed over 300 reinstatements from South Africa, including passport by October. “It’s so much easier not having to apply several from Durban. He told them: “you have a 99.9% chance.” for visas,” says Sam, who travels regularly. “I’m ecstatic,” Sam The following year, Debbie recalls, they received a “wonderful yontif declares. “Everyone who can should apply.” gift” – an email congratulating them on a successful application. Sam’s son works for an international company, so the business “My parents left us a legacy,” Debbie smiles. “We now have broader advantages will benefit him too. “Once a person becomes a prospects. That was their inheritance to us.” Debbie’s children Jenna Lithuanian citizen, all his/her future children – born to him/her as a and Doron – both completing post-graduate studies – will also be citizen – will automatically be citizens of Lithuania,” assures Nida able to travel widely without visas and work without permits. “It’s a Degutienė, CEO of Next Steps, a consultancy that has successfully marvellous opportunity,” Debbie affirms. “We’re very grateful.” processed over 200 citizenship reinstatements from South Africa.
Spouses, unfortunately, are not eligible. “Citizenship is granted Here or There only to descendants of former Lithuanian citizens,” Nida explains. There is no need to travel to Lithuania. Franky was elated to collect his Lithuanian papers at the embassy in Pretoria, while Debbie had Durbanite or Dūkštasian? hers and her children’s couriered to Durban. “It was a pain-free operation, and the whole process took under a year,” praises Franky. “The Republic of Lithuania permits dual citizenship in exceptional cases,” reveals Dainius. “An ancestral Lithuanian citizenship is If you do plan to travel, a Lithuanian passport is ranked as the one of those exceptional cases, therefore the reinstatement of world’s seventh most powerful, with visa-free access to 161 one’s Lithuanian ancestral citizenship is allowed without forfeiting countries including the EU, USA, UK and Australia. Lithuanians existing citizenships. South Africa’s regulations allow dual can live, work and study freely in the EU, open bank accounts and citizenship too.”
4 HASHALOM July 2019 SPECIAL FEATURE
What do you need? That’s genius!
“Many people think that if they don’t have birth certificates or As Darren Smith’s maternal Zaida hailed from Lithuania, the other documents of their Lithuanian ancestors, they don’t stand a family is interested in pursuing reinstatement of Lithuanian chance getting their citizenship reinstated,” Nida says. “However, citizenship. To coordinate the extended family across the in 90% of cases we manage to find the documents in Lithuanian country, they set up a WhatsApp group. “This way no-one archives. These archives are in excellent shape, with more than is ever left out of the process,” says Smith. The family post three million documents stored, many digitalised. I spend a lot of documents, forms and useful links on the group. “We can time in the archives researching the database and have a well- discuss things in real time and we have everything on record trained eye!” in one place,” Smith explains.
Costs depend on factors such as available ancestral information, supporting documents, and number of family members that are looking into the application. On average, the process costs around EUR1500-2100 per family (descendants of the same ancestor). The good news is that with many service providers, you don’t pay unless you are successful. “We work on an all-inclusive success fee basis, so you pay only after your application is approved,” states Dainius. “The fee is exactly as defined originally, regardless of unexpected difficulties requiring additional time and effort.”
“We think this is a fair business approach,” agrees Nida. “We prefer to invest our time and resources in research and to make sure we will deliver the result, and only then we enter into business relationship with a person who is interested in applying.”
Find out more
IN JURE Dainius Ambrazaitis +370 600 68454 (WhatsApp) [email protected]
NEXT STEP Nida Degutiene +370 612 86626 (WhatsApp) [email protected]
Advocate Avi Horesh 064 745 5273 (SA) [email protected]
Dating tips
A successful candidate is a child, grandchild or great- grandchild of a person who was a citizen of Lithuania between 1918 and 1940. Attention, Sephardim!
Pre-1918 Contrary to popular belief, most South African Jews of Sephardic descent are The state of Lithuania was established in 1918. Ancestors also eligible for European citizenship, who left before 1918 therefore departed as citizens of Russia, says specialist advocate Avi Horesh. not Lithuania, and may not qualify for Lithuanian citizenship. “Even Jews exiled 500 years ago are mostly likely eligible for citizenship 15 June 1940 reinstatement in Portugal, Greece, Turkey or other places in North Africa As a result of a recent court case, candidates whose Lithuanian ancestors became South African citizens before 15 June 1940 and the Middle East”. Horesh has had a (when Lithuania allowed dual citizenship) may have forfeited 100% success rate with submissions for their Lithuanian citizenship. This information can be checked Portuguese citizenship. in the Lithuanian archives.
July 2019 HASHALOM 5 CURRENT AFFAIRS
BY JACQUELINE HERBST
y way of a remarkable list of game-changing medical type of cancer is available at Sheba Medical Centre (rated by advances in the fields of cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Newsweek as one of the top 10 hospitals in the world) and has multiple sclerosis, genetic disorders and autism as well as seen very positive results in patients with similar symptoms. Bdisease diagnosis and first aid care, Israel is a powerhouse in However, this treatment is not available in South Africa and medical innovation and its contributions to medical science have comes with a hefty price tag of US$20 000 (around R300 000) per over the years transformed the global makeup of healthcare in treatment. hospitals, doctors ‘rooms, homes and on the battlefield. As Nico will need four treatments and raising that kind of money With the practice of medicine being considered a religious ideal with the weak ZAR exchange rate will take a very long time – a in Judaism (Ecclesiasticus 38:1) and the Jewish people’s ability luxury he simply doesn’t have - he has been enrolled into a clinical to come up with original thoughts and bringing them to fruition trial at Sheba Medical Centre where he will be administered a (what Honorary Life President of the SAJBD KZN Council, John combination of Pembrolizumab and Lenvatinib. Moshal calls “Jewish Genius”), they were able to bridge 500 years of exclusion from universities and medical schools in the Some of the world’s most advanced cancer research is conducted Middle Ages through the Talmud. Today Israel produces some of in Israel and Israeli doctors and researchers are some of the best the best doctors and medical researchers in the world and Israeli trained in the world. Partnered with the MD Anderson Cancer healthcare companies reach the same stage Centre in the United States, Sheba Medical Centre offers cutting- edge cancer treatment in Israel. as their American counterparts with a fraction of the capital investment. Because medical treatment in Israel is more affordable and the Israeli government has A ground breaking clinical trial at the Sheba fewer road blocks to drug approval than the Medical Centre in Tel Aviv - one of about 160 United States, safe and effective medication ongoing clinical trials at any given time – is is more quickly available in Israel, making it a giving a Ballito man recently diagnosed with sought after medical tourism destination. Recurrent Metastatic Melanoma Cancer a fighting chance. This all sounds very impressive but how does a cancer patient from South Africa cut through the red tape and secure a bed in an Ex-soldier, Nico Viljoen’s (46) cancer was most likely caused by Israeli hospital? spending excessive time in the merciless Iraq sun years ago when he served there. About a year ago Nico had a small malignant Transcending the overwhelming limitations of bureaucracy and a mole removed from his arm but as is commonly the case with foreign language in a foreign country was made a lot easier for Nico melanoma, the cancer returned. by Aliyah Angels Health Care Management, and Israeli company that have made it their mission to help people in need of expert Notoriously difficult to treat, melanoma can come back forup medical treatment in Israel, to access their most precious lifeline. to ten years after it has first been removed and when it does is called a recurrent and could easily spread to the rest of the body, Nico’s fiancé, Tracy Boyle says the company showed great especially the lymph nodes. commitment ensuring they felt supported by a team of dedicated medical case managers when they arrived in Israel for medical The specialised treatment doctors recommend for Nico’s deadly treatment and promises to continue doing so throughout their and
6 HASHALOM July 2019 CURRENT AFFAIRS
others’ medical journey, from diagnosis to treatment and recovery. Nico, a father of four, has sacrificed most of his own life and safety Aliyah Angels Health Care Management claims to have a vested for the sake of others and has worked all over the world including interest in international social and economic development and Iraq, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland and Durban where he was part all their agents are registered with the Ministry of Health in Israel. of the SAPS Riot Unit No. 9 and Durban Reaction Unit. Their services include giving patients access to a personalized medical assessment, re-evaluation of their condition, referral Having read Tracy’s Facebook posts, two Jewish families opened for additional diagnostic testing (where needed), ongoing their homes to Nico and Tracy to stay with them in Israel during multi-disciplinary consultations, full care coordination, ongoing their first and the upcoming one and during their first visit last guidance and emotional support provided by the Aliyah Angels month, Nico and Tracy observed Shabbat with their Jewish hosts. team of medical experts. The entire experience had such a profound impact on Tracy’s Although the medication in the clinical trial is free, Tracy says life that she decided to offer her services as the South African they still need to raise funds to pay for the flights to Israel every representative for Aliyah Angels. three weeks, accommodation, hospital stays, scans, blood tests and doctors’ visits which is why she launched a Back-a-Buddy “Due to our personal experience I feel a need to assist other campaign which raised an astonishing R465 209 in just one South African people to reach Israel; I am able to do this being a month! representative of Aliyah Angels,” says Tracy.
Tracy wrote on Facebook: “…the expenses (especially trying to She invites anyone in need of assistance mediating medical care raise these funds with the South African Rand) it’s way more in Israel to email her at [email protected] and visit the than we had ever anticipated. This cannot be achieved without agency’s website www.aliyahangels.com for more information. your support, donations and prayer. Why are these donations Follow and share Nico’s inspirational journey on facebook: Nico important? Because Nico deserves to live!” Viljoen Cancer Fund.
July 2019 HASHALOM 7 ABOVE BOARD
Above Board Mary Klu National Chairman A column of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies
BY MARY KLUK Dawn of a new era
However one interprets the results, the recent national and provincial elections undoubtedly ushered in a new era in the history of our young democracy, one that we all hope will see the country get back on course. Now that the excitement has died down, the nitty-gritty hard work has begun. Just as our own community involved itself in various aspects of the election process, so should we now look to work with the new leadership, (as well as the opposition parties, who have a vital role to play in holding the elected leadership accountable) in order to identify ways in which we can continue to contribute. Indeed, this duty is incumbent on all citizens, regardless of where they might stand on the political spectrum.
Election Day saw the culmination of the SAJBD’s #MakeUsCount election education and awareness campaign, with 230 volunteers making up the Board’s interfaith, multi-national observer team assisting the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) by observing the voting to ensure that everything is above board, supervising the delivery of ballot boxes and opening of the polls, helping to resolve problems at polling stations and ensuring that counting begins on time. Prior to this, we were able to reach an alternative arrangement with the IEC whereby Jewish expatriates living abroad were able to cast their special votes after Shabbat on 27 April. It was a further indication of how the right of every citizen to vote is respected and protected.
We congratulate Cyril Ramaphosa on his inauguration as South Africa’s sixth President, which marked what we all hope will be positive new era for our country. Only the verdict of posterity will show in the end whether or not South Africa has turned a corner; for now, it is incumbent on us all to do what we can to help make that happen.
New Survey on SA Jewish community
After a lengthy process of testing and piloting, the Kaplan Centre for Jewish Studies and Research at UCT has now launched its Jewish Community Survey of South Africa (JCSSA). The questionnaire will focus on a wide array of areas, including attitudes towards South Africa and its future prospects, Israel and Zionism, involvement in Jewish communal life, antisemitism, emigration, religious affiliations and degrees of observance and political orientation. As on previous occasions, it is being conducted in close consultation with the SAJBD and other major communal bodies like the Chevra Kadisha, the rabbinical leadership and the SAZF.
It is hoped to arrive at as representative an overview as possible of Jewish viewpoints on critical issues both regarding specifically Jewish-related concerns and on matters relating to Contact us the country as a whole. The aim therefore is to get as large and diverse a proportion of our community to buy into the project, and accordingly, I strongly encourage all readers to follow the www.jcssa2019.co.za link and participate in the survey (as well as encourage others to do so).
8 HASHALOM July 2019 COMMUNITY NEWS CHASING THE DREAM BY LAUREN SHAPIRO
Simone Pozniak (37) tells Hashalom about her first Comrades
Name: Simone Pozniak If you had a secret superpower, what would it be? To not feel pain. Nicknames: Sim, Snooze Favourite food: Sushi. Family: Husband Marc and sons Shaun (7) and Jamie (5) Favourite song to run to: Day job: BD Manager “Beautiful Day” by U2. How did you get involved in running? My family moved to the US and in Ninth Grade I took up track as Favourite chag: Pesach. It really speaks to me and builds my conditioning for basketball. connection to Judaism.
How do you juggle training with work, raising two kids? How would your family friends describe you? I wake up at 03h30 and run/gym before the family gets up. I work Stubborn, driven, fun and loyal. from home, which helps. I have a really supportive husband and kids so I don’t let my training cut into their time. I try to avoid running after midday. How would you describe yourself? Ambitious, tenacious, sensitive and adventurous. What is your training schedule? I run five days a week and do weight training about three times a Where would you most likely be found on a Sunday morning? week. Running on the Umhlanga promenade or at a soccer match with my kids. Why do you run? It gives me headspace. Sometimes it’s hard to get up and get on the Why Comrades? road, but I always feel better afterwards. It’s the ultimate race. It’s one of those things that every person Funniest running moment? who loves to run aspires to do. I’m not the same person I was at Towards the end of the Bergville-Ladysmith Ultra, my family pulled the starting line. It’s incredible to see what we are capable of if we up in the car to cheer me on. I slowed down to chat to them and just don’t give up. my seven-year-old screamed at me: “Mom, don’t stop! People are beating you!” Simone completed Comrades in 10:45:16.
July 2019 HASHALOM 9 ENTERTAINMENT 7 ISRAELI SHOWS TO BINGE WATCH NOW THAT YOU’RE DONE WITH ‘SHTISEL’ BY LIOR ZALTZMAN – EXTRACTS FROM TIMESOFISRAEL
‘HaShoter HaTov’ (Netflix) This delightful comedy’s title is Hebrew for “The Good Cop.” It’s been kept in Hebrew because Netflix bought an adaptation for it, “The Good Cop,” starring Josh Groban and Tony Danza (!), which somehow was not as good as you would expect it to be. But the Hebrew counterpart is one of my favorite shows in a long, long time.
There’s just something so satisfying about a really good, juicy comedy with wonderful acting and poignant dramatic moments. It stars comedian Yuval Semo as a rough-around-the-edges cop who comes from a family of petty criminals. This show is not the most politically correct, but the humanity with which it treats its characters is endearing.
‘Hostages’ (Netflix) I swear I watched the entire first season of this show in one evening. Ayelet Zurer, who you might know as Elisheva from “Shtishel,” Kveller via JTA — I love “Shtisel,” you love “Shtisel,” everybody loves stars as a surgeon about to get the gig of a lifetime: She’s going to “Shtisel”! The Israeli show, about a haredi Orthodox family of the operate on the Israeli prime minister! same last name, is taking American audiences by storm. Streaming on Netflix, this show has been covered by The New York Times and But alas, her family gets taken hostage, and in order to secure their even has a Facebook fan group with more than 6,000 fans. release, she must do one thing: ensure the prime minister does not survive the surgery. How’s that for drama? Will she do the right I totally get the hype — “Shtisel” is truly an impeccable show. Its only thing? Will she rescue her family? Will there be some steamy illicit flaw? It is only two seasons and unlikely to have a third season. If you’ve already plowed through the series, what’s a mom with romance? (The answer to that last question? Yes.) insomnia (say, um, for example) supposed to binge watch now? Well, dear reader, do not fret. From Netflix to Amazon, it seems the world is ‘Prisoners of War’ (Hulu) onto the fact that Israel makes some truly incredible TV. If you liked “Homeland,” I think it’s safe to say you’ll enjoy the two seasons of this very different but just as suspenseful show — in ‘False Flag’ (Hulu) fact, “Homeland” is based on “Prisoners of War.” “False Flag” is terrific, and a total nailbiter. In its first season, five Israelis wake up one morning to find that they In this show, two captured soldiers are released from Lebanon, are implicated in the assassination of an Iranian politician. They’re to the delight of their family and the country, which embraces teachers, new immigrants, and a bride on her wedding day — not them and tries to help them recover from the trauma of 17 years really folks you’d expect to be involved in a complicated Mossad in captivity. But when their stories don’t really match, things get mission. The news wreaks havoc on their lives and puts them under complicated — and make for some really outstanding television. scrutiny from the media and the police. But are they as innocent as they profess to be? ‘Mossad 101’ (Netflix) (And yes, there is an American adaptation in the works.) This show’s first season is melodramatic and hilarious in the best of ways. Focusing on a group of people training to become Mossad ‘When Heroes Fly’ (Netflix) agents, this show features comedian Hana Laszlo — who you may This drama features some familiar (and handsome!) faces for lovers know as Menukha Kenigsberg in “Shtishel” — as an aspiring agent of Israeli dramas. First off, there’s Michael Aloni who plays Akiva at the prestigious and secretive intelligence agency. (Kiveh) in “Shtishel,” and Tomer Kapon, who audiences know as Boaz in “Fauda.” They each star as veterans of the Second Lebanon Its second and last season takes itself perhaps too seriously but is War, dealing with its trauma in different ways. still highly worth the watch. Along with two other former teammates from the army, they go to search for Yaeli, who is the sister of one of the soldiers and the ex- ‘Fauda’ (Netflix) girlfriend of Kapon’s character. Yaeli was believed to have been Seriously — if you haven’t watched “Fauda” yet, remedy this killed in a car accident in Colombia but was recently spotted by a ASAP. This series has everything going for it. With both Palestinian photographer there. Despite their socio-economic and religious and Jewish fans, the drama, which has two seasons so far, was differences, the four band together to find out what happened to her. created by and stars Lior Raz, and is loosely based on his army experiences in the Duvdevan Unit, known for its covert operations. Based on an incredible book by Amir Gutfreund, the show has been renewed for a second season. And, you guessed it, there’s an It’s about secret agents, targeted killings, suicide bombings and so American adaptation in the works. Don’t miss it. much more, but it explores these topics with depth and sensitivity.
10 HASHALOM July 2019 PAST TENSE
PAST TENSE BY PUNDIT
This column’s avid readers may, I’m afraid, be a little disappointed, old magazines which deserved resuscitation for a new generation. because it contains no fifty- or seventy-five year old news. The “Good idea” said Anthony, and added, unexpectedly, “You do it.” reason, elementary, is that I am about 11,000 miles away from my So, as a very loyal member of the DJC, I agreed but insisted on usual sources. anonymity, because I knew that my parents’ names might well have been mentioned from time to time. I did not want to be accused of That piece of news will, no doubt, provide an incontrovertible clue nepotism in reverse for mentioning them. It was Anthony’s idea to to any budding Holmes or Poirot as to the identity of Pundit. So name the author by the extremely immodest title of Pundit. I had here are the facts. Many years ago I happened to read some very absolutely nothing to do with it. old issues of HASHOLOM and was surprised at the quality of their contents. Being a loyal member of the DJC I informed the then By the way, here’s a bit of seventy-five year old news. There is editor of HASHALOM, Anthony Arkin, that I thought there was a no reference in the May 1942 issue of HASHOLOM to my Bar considerable amount of interesting, albeit old, information in these Mitzvah, but I bear no grudge.
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July 2019 HASHALOM 11 BUBKES
ALL MANNA OF COMPLAINTS Lauren Shapiro
This evening as I was berating my children “Is it macrobiotic?” locally produced?” for their table manners, my mind began to “Alkaline?” “And are the producers BBBEE certified?” wonder, as it does… table manners… food… “Paleo?” “Are you registered with any official body?” manna… table mannas?... did the Jews in “What about ketogenic?” (“What, like the Manna Organisational Allied the wilderness also eat spaghetti with their (“Isn’t that a medical thing?” Network (MOAN)?”) fingers?... were they as fussy as my kids? Is it “Yes, but now everyone’s doing it.”) just mine or are all 21st century kids like this? “Is it full-fat, 2%, or fat-free?” And, of course, the feminists will have their say: “How many Weigh Less points does it count “Why is it called manna? Why not Then I started thinking about what the for?” womanna? Or at least personna?” response would be like if Hashem decided to “I’m a raw foodist.” “Yes, we demand a commission of enquiry!” go into competition with Uber-eats and deliver “I’m a fruitarian!” manna in the 21st century. This is more or less “Can I eat it if I’m juice-fasting?” No doubt the opportunists will put in their two- how it went in my mind: “My son has ADHD. Can he eat this?” cents’ worth: “Does it contain allergens?” “My mother has acid reflux. Can she eat “Do I get Vitality points on this?” “Yes, could there be traces of nuts? I can’t this?” “Can I swipe my MySchool/MyVillage card?” eat nuts. I’m highly allergic. Swell up like a (“Peh! Tell your mother she should try a “Can I get a replacement if I’m not satisfied?” kneidle. I almost died last Tuesday. It’s a hiatal hernia then talk to me.”) “Who’s doing your marketing?” miracle I’m even here.” “I have IBS.” “Have you aligned with a celebrity chef? “Has this been made in a facility that uses “I have leaky gut.” Jamie and Gordon are so out. I have the next celery?” “I have BOTH!” Big Thing lined up…” (“Celery? Seriously?” “I can’t have sodium. Does it have sodium?” “I can help you build your brand! I have some “Apparently it’s a thing.”) “Has a nutritional analysis been done? great connections.” “Is it gluten-free?” My dietitian says I shouldn’t eat anything “Is it lactose-free?” without checking the label first. I have high Even the ultra-Orthodox may have their “I’m lactose-sensitive – can I eat it?” blood pressure. It’s hereditary – both my qualms: (“You should talk to your doctor.” Bobba and my mother had it. And three “Under what hashgacha has it been “Oy, to get an appointment… and the aunties on my father’s side.” produced?” charges… it’s daylight robbery.”) “I’m banting.” “Is it cholov-yisroel?” “Is it GMO-free?” (“I heard banting was unhealthy. That Atkins “Is it Mehadrin-Commission?” (“What’s a GMO?” died of a heart attack, alavasholom.” “Does it need to be checked for bugs?” “For crying in a bucket of schmaltz, what rock “No, this is different.” “If I eat a manna-burger, how many hours have you been living under? Google it!”) “How?” must I wait before consuming a manna- “I read on Google that it’s not safe.” “I don’t know. I’ll ask my daughter. She’s a milkshake?” “Has it been tested for pesticides?” doctor.” “If it tastes like anything you want, can I “And heavy metals?” “A doctor? Such naches you must get!”) imagine it’s a rump steak?” “What if it causes cancer? Has it been tested (“I’ve always wondered what bacon tastes by an independently verified company?” Then the environmentalists will climb on the like.” “Do you have public liability insurance?” bandwagon: “Delicious, but don’t tell my mother!”) “If I get cancer, I’m going straight to Carte “Is it certified organic?” Blanche!” “Is it sustainably produced?” Eventually I was wrenched back to reality “You know there’s no label on this? “Is it vegan?” when one of the kids knocked over the That must contravene some packaging (“What’s vegan? Is that when you only eat ketchup. Yup, I thought as I wiped All Gold legislation.” fish?” from the table and helped the six-year-old (“I know a great lawyer…”) “No, I heard it means no animals at all.” change her splattered T-shirt, perhaps there’s “So how can we know there’re no additives, “So just milchik, then?” a reason that Hashem stopped providing colourants, preservatives–” “No milk – it comes from animals.” manna for the Jews in the desert... desert… “What about that MGS?” “Oh, so, like, only parev?” dessert… I wonder how long it would take (“What’s MGS?” “Worse – no eggs” Uber-eats to deliver?… but what about my “He means MSG” “Oy, gevalt.”) diet?... Ag, it can wait… until next time! “Oh!”) “Is leftover manna donated to a food bank? I don’t want to support an industry that Those on special diets would, no doubt, also promotes waste.” “did the Jews in the wilderness also have queries: “What about the carbon footprint? Is it eat spaghetti with their fingers?”
12 HASHALOM July 2019 COMMUNITY NEWS
May was an exciting and busy month at the Young Israel Centre.
We hosted a Lag BaOmer themed breakfast Shmooz the Sunday before Lag BaOmer. Waffles were on the menu with our new double waffle maker, which was put to good use with the incredible turnout on the day. The children attending had the opportunity to make their own S’mores and bake them on the braai, and well as take part in bow and arrow competitions. Isobella Baitz enjoying her Liora Plen, Ariela Mizrachi and Chocolates were awarded to the winners of the Kids roasting marshmallows S’more Netanya Dogan around the bon fire competitions. Bnei Akiva Madrichim from Jhb were on hand to assist in all of the activities.
Lag BaOmer followed a few days later. The Young Israel Centre hosted a lovely evening with soup and hot dogs around the bon fire. Stan Lipshitz provided the musical entertainment which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Rabbi Zekry addressed everyone before joining Stan on the microphone for a few songs. Marshmallows were Michal Dogan and Sivana Michal Dogan enjoying her Norman Ganz, Jason and Elon Stout, roasted on the bon fire at the end of the evening. Anita Sheward, Gil, Yaniv and Robyn Stout S’more Dogan around the bon fire The Young Israel Centre hosted Josh Poyurs for a Shabbat at the DUHC. We took the opportunity to host a delicious Shabbat lunch for some of the young families in the community. It is always a joy to watch the children all play together while the parents are able to have some time with other Jewish parents.
Ora Gerber and Lianne Rabbi Zekry Rachel Hermelin making Lipshitz her S’more
Aviva Shapiro with her Enjoying her S’more roasted marshmallow Shay Stout and Ethan Plen Shay, Jason and Elon Stout Sidney Lazarus and Yaniv roasting marshmallows Dogan
Bow and arrow Ethan and Liora Plen enjoying Sivana Stout making S’mores Sivana Stout with her Stan Lipshitz, Mike competition the Lag B’Omer soup with one of the Jhb madrichot roasted marshmallow Gittelson and Orli Essers
July 2019 HASHALOM 13 COMMUNITY NEWS
BY JACQUELINE HERBST
LIBERATION STALWARTS AND THE COUNTRY EXPRESS FAITH IN THE CONSTITUTION
o celebrate Enquiry Commissions, revealing wrongs committed under the Pesach and administration of former president, Jacob Zuma and others. the Liberation In addition, we also have a new National Director of Public Tof the Jewish People Prosecutions, advocate Shamila Batohi, who is committed to from slavery in prosecuting corruption, and an independent Judiciary, headed by Egypt, the SAJBD a strong Chief Justice, Mogoeng Mogoeng who is not afraid to could not have make pronouncements against members of the executive and the chosen two more legislature. appropriate speakers in the year that South Mavuso Msimang grew up in a dichotomous situation in Edendale, Africa celebrates 25 a township near Pietermaritszurg, which led him on a path of years of democracy, fighting for democracy in South Africa. His father, Richard Msimang than anti-Apartheid was a missionary and one of only a handful of Black land owners activist and former in the Apartheid era, as well as a founding member of the South Constitutional Court Justice, Justice Albie Sachs, and ANC African Native National Congress (predecessor of the ANC). stalwart and struggle veteran, Mavuso Msimang, to address the 2019 Freedom Seder held in Johannesburg on 14 April. As a former member of the MK military high command, Mavuso Msimang played a leading role in the fight for democracy and Having been persecuted throughout the ages, the Jewish People devoted his life to developing and protecting our democracy. are not only familiar with their own struggles for Freedom, but also Holding a BSc. have fought valiantly with many other People, at different times in history, for their release from slavery and oppression, not least of Entomology/Biology degree, he is a former chair of the South all, Black South Africans during the Apartheid era. African National Parks and the Isimangaliso Wetland Park Authority. Today he serves as the chair of Corruption Watch South The Jewish People therefore celebrate the Freedom Seder on Africa and CEO of the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation. regional, national and international levels. Last year in Durban the SAJBD KZN Council hosted an inter faith Freedom Seder where Continuing the fight for democracy in the run-up to the 2019 members of different religions celebrated what Freedom means elections, Msimang called on the ANC to avoid adding the names to them. of disgraced party members to their parliamentary candidate list. After the elections the ANC’s integrity committee has looked This year, the SAJBD at national level held a Freedom Seder into the MP’s in question, which is believed to have led to some hosting respected human rights speakers, Justice Albie Sachs and resignations of former cabinet ministers. Mavuso Msimang, who shared their experiences of the struggle and building South Africa’s democracy. In KZN, premier Sihle Zikalala requested eThekwini Metro Mayor Sandile Gumede, to take special leave pending the outcome of a Although not a religious Jew, Justice Sachs grew up celebrating court case in which she stands co-accused of swindling the city the traditional major Jewish festivals like Pesach, Rosh Hashanah, out of R208 million for work that was never done. Yom Kippur and Chanukah with his family. SAJBD KZN vice president, Susan Abro who attended the While in exile with Oliver Tambo, in the 1980’s, Justice Sachs Freedom Seder says there seems to be a political will to take a drafted the Code of Conduct and Statutes for the ANC. After stand against corruption and with the ANC failing to secure a two recovering from a bomb attack that was orchestrated by the - thirds majority in Parliament; the Constitution is still in charge. Apartheid security agents and cost him his right arm, Justice Sachs returned to South Africa in 1990 to work on preparing the country’s This is evident in the process of dealing with land reform, where new democratic Constitution. As a member of the Constitutional a panel of experts recently handed over a report to the State Committee and the National Executive Committee of the ANC, he President and Deputy President, which will now be considered. played a fundamental role in the negotiations that shaped South She says the current regime is careful to follow due process and not Africa’s Constitutional Democracy. rush ahead with changes without considering the consequences, especially for South Africa’s presently embattled economy. Speaking at the Freedom Seder, Justice Sachs, expressed his unwavering faith in South Africa’s exemplary Constitution, that was deliberately framed with built-in checks and balances to speak for the People’s Freedoms long after the Nelson Mandela era had passed.
Even though South Africa is experiencing troubling times, Justice Sachs remains optimistic because we have a State Justice Albie Sachs & Mavuso Msimang Susan Abro at President in Cyril Ramaphosa who has established State Capture Mangosuthu Buthelezi Freedom Seder
14 HASHALOM July 2019 COMMUNITY NEWS
The UJC is fast becoming a destination venue for Semachot. This month we celebrated a Bar and Bat Mitzvah on the same Shabbat; Mazal Tov to Liran and Shayne Nathan from Israel.
Judge Alan Magid celebrated his 90th birthday; the evening hosted by Rabbi Zekry and Dr. Jonathan Beare.
July 2019 HASHALOM 15 BY LAUTREN SHAPIRO
COMMUNITY NEWS
THE DUHC CELEBRATES A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY BY MICHAEL GREENBAUM
He has spent many years as Governor and Chairman of the Durban Hebrew Schools Association, of which he is Honorary Life Governor. His other prominent positions include Chairman of the Durban Jewish Club, the P.R. Committee and later Vice- President of the CKNJ and Chairman of the IUA / UCF Appeal. Judge Magid retired from the Bench after 13 years as a High Court Judge where he was highly regarded as a most respected jurist. Since then, he has been a Volunteer Guide at the Durban Holocaust Centre and a reader and editor for Tape Aids for the Blind. Alan has an inquiring analytical mind and a genial personality to all.
Most significantly, Judge Magid has been an exemplary father and loving family husband. He was married to his beloved Brenda, OBM, for 60 years and together they raised Bess, Susan and Paul. He now has nine grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.
Judge Magid attends Shul regularly and to honour his birthday, a lavish Brocha was held on the Shabbat morning of his birthday week at the Silverton Road Synagogue. Rabbi Zekry praised Judge Magid for all his contributions and accomplishments over the years. On the following evening, Rabbi Zekry and Jonathan Beare hosted a dinner evening at the Umhlanga Jewish Centre to celebrate Judge Magid’s milestone birthday.
As Rabbi Zekry mentioned, Judge Magid has established a minhag of reading Haftarah Emor, his Bar Mitzvah Haftarah, he DUHC was delighted to celebrate the milestone from the actual book which he was given to him on the occasion birthday of one of our most prominent and longest of his Bar Mitzvah 77 years ago. Rabbi Zekry said that Parsha is congregants when Judge Alan Magid recently celebrated Emor is most appropriate for Judge Magid because Emor means This 90th birthday. “Tell” and the name “Magid” itself means “preacher”. The Magid is known as a traditional Jewish religious itinerant preacher, As a leading member of our community, the DUHC has always skilled as a narrator of Torah and religious stories. been proud to have Judge Alan Magid as a leading figure in both the Jewish community and in his professional life as a Senior The DUHC wishes Alan many more years of joy, with only Advocate and Judge in the High Court of South Africa. bracha, mazal, nachas and “me’ah ve’esrim” (120 years).
The history of the Magid family in Durban goes back over 125 years. Judge Magid and his family have an impressive and proud history of community service in our congregation and in the broader Jewish community of Durban. Judge Magid has followed his father, Mr Lionel Magid, of Blessed Memory, a previous chairman of the DUHC, and his grandfather, Mr Eli Magid, OBM, who all helped build up a prestigious and influential Durban Jewish community.
Despite his important professional responsibilities, Judge Magid has always actively involved himself in the operation and activities of our Shuls and community service organizations. He has been Chairman of the DUHC and currently holds the position of Trustee regularly attending DUHC Council meetings.
16 HASHALOM July 2019 COMMUNITY NEWS
Shavuot at Beit David was well attended with a Havdalah service preceding the Shavuot evening service, which was conducted by Harold Shapiro and Stephen Abrahams. After the service, everyone enjoyed a ‘bring and share’ supper and our cheese cake competition. The winning cheese cake was made by Louise Sinclair, Helene Epstein won second place and Hannah Norton third. Thank you to everyone who attended and making it a very enjoyable evening.
By Grant Maserow Lori Goldberg & Judith King David & Michelle Campbell
Louise Sinclair with her half eaten cheese cake Elizabeth Groot
July 2019 HASHALOM 17 COMMUNITY NEWS
BY SYLVIA COLLINS
BETH SHALOM HELD ITS FUNDRAISER RAFFLE FOR 2019 It is with great pleasure that I would like to congratulate and advise you of the winners of this raffle
• 55” Telefunken UHD TV Set Markie Davidson • IPAD 64Gb Wi-Fi Cellular Pro Orli Essers • DSTV Explora Brenda Liansky • Silver Gallery Tray Stan Donner • 6 Crystal Glasses and Decanter Set Alan Magid • 21 Speed Mountain Bike Clarice Sternberg • R500 Zapper Voucher Judi Rosen • R500 Zapper Voucher Stephen Abrahams • 12 Year Old Bottle Chivas Regal Whisky Tony Berman
Mazeltov to all the winners and thanks to everyone who took tickets. Our biggest thank you goes to two of our Committee members - namely Mr Marcel Nathan and Mr Mike Caminsky who drove this project and sold many tickets. These fund raising events assist our elderly and infirm residents. If you missed this year, don’t forget this is an annual event.
RESIDENTS DOING EXERCISES
Residents doing their exercises Sylvia Heyman with in our recently upgraded Physio Les Sol our Exercise Department. The new facility has co-ordinator made exercise so much fun that we cannot get the residents to leave! Such fun and determination by our special golden oldies. Age is just a David Heyman number. Sylvia Heyman
Funds were donated by Vryheid Hebrew Congregation Memorial Trust.
Shirley Palte Rodney Palte
STAFF EXAMS NURSES DAY Our Housekeeping staff showing pride for passing their exams. Hearty A lovely day of celebration for International Nurses Day congratulations to all the ladies and gents who did so-well. Beth was held at the Home on the 12 May 2019. The residents Shalom is so proud of their achievement. and visitors were treated to a wonderful celebration of remembrance of Florence Nightingale with a tribute and The home values on-going education which is encouraged in every recital of the Nurse’s prayer. This was a very moving Department to ensure that Health and Safety protocols are adhered to. ceremony which all who attended thoroughly enjoyed.
18 HASHALOM July 2019 July 2019 HASHALOM 19 COMMUNITY NEWS
• Work with dignity •
MASADA BOOKSHOP • We have a wonderful range of Bar/Bat Mitzvah gifts. • Books, Mezuzot and Klafs. • Taleisim, Yarmulkes. • Kiddish Cups and Candlesticks • Delicious Kiddish Wine. • Credit Cards accepted.
WE WELCOME YOUR SUPPORT
MASADA DONATIONS WE DO NOT RECEIVE ANY FINDING FROM THE UCF Should you wish to make a TAX DEDUCTABLE donation, please do so by EFT or depositing into our Bank Account:
DUHC – MASADA TRUST – STANDARD BANK – ACCOUNT 050768581, BRANCH CODE:051001 TAX DEDUCTABLE DONATIONS CAN BE MADE AT: 99, Bellevue Rd, Musgrave, Durban. Tel: 031-202-3419.
20 HASHALOM July 2019 COMMUNITY NEWS COMMUNITY NEWS
BY CHERYL UNTERSLAK
• Work with dignity •
Ayelet and Cheryl when she went to give Yoav and Cheryl before the bris with his Ayelet with her two brothers in 2004 her, her wedding gifts from wonderful gorgeous son. It was a privilege to have when she was a teenager with people in Durban been there her DIVOTE gifts
I have recently returned from Israel after an extremely rewarding I went to meet Ayelet in her lovely little apartment in Jerusalem and meaningful trip. and gave her two large bags of magnificent gifts that were given by members of the Durban Jewish community. Ayelet was so For a while I have not been well and from the time of my diagnosis, grateful and excited. She again spoke about how much the gifts I was determined to be well and to return to Israel and do the and letters from the community in SA had meant to her over the “work” I absolutely love doing, and to be able to go and daven years and also the wedding gifts now. Ayelet didn’t realize that at the Kotel to give gratitude to Hashem that I was well again. she was in fact giving me a huge gift!! Baruch Hashem I am well. After landing and putting my suitcases MASADA BOOKSHOP in the hotel, I went straight to the Kotel to daven and it was a very The next day I got a message on facebook from a young man who emotional time for me. I’m grateful to Hashem for my healing and had lost his sister in a bombing in 2002 and then three months • We have a wonderful range of Bar/Bat Mitzvah gifts. help during this journey and so grateful to the Moshal family for later another sister was very badly injured. He asked me if I was • Books, Mezuzot and Klafs. all their support, understanding, meals etc. during my journey and in Israel and if I could I attend his son’s bris the next day in Givon. • Taleisim, Yarmulkes. for giving me the opportunity to go back to Israel and to do what I I went to celebrate this wonderful simcha with him and his family • Kiddish Cups and Candlesticks passionately love to do. and had the opportunity to give them a baby bag from DIVOTE • Delicious Kiddish Wine. filled with lovely gifts. The whole family were coming up to me • Credit Cards accepted. I had heard that a young couple whom I had met in Israel many and hugging me and again telling me about how much comfort years ago, had gotten engaged. In 2004 I met little Ayelet in her and happiness they received all those years ago from the gift home with her siblings when delivering her gifts from the SA packages from SA and how deeply it had touched them. They kept community after both her parents and her little brother were killed saying thank you for the connection that they will never forget. in a terrorist attack. It was terribly sad seeing these nine beautiful children suffer such a loss. Meeting these two heroes of terror again after all these years and hearing about how the gifts/chesed from the SA community had Avigdor also lost his parents in a terrorist attack, and the two met touched them and meant so much to them was such wonderful at a support group for those who had lost their parents in piguim. I confirmation for me that we are doing the right thing!!!! I also keep was so happy to hear about their engagement and that these two hearing from children/families who have received letters in the WE WELCOME YOUR SUPPORT beautiful young people had found each other and were going to past and how the heartfelt words had penetrated their hearts and build a home together. so many have kept those letters. MASADA DONATIONS WE DO NOT RECEIVE ANY FINDING FROM THE UCF I called Ayelet whom I have not seen nor spoken to for about 12 Thank you so much to everyone who has been part of this special Should you wish to make a TAX DEDUCTABLE donation, please do so by EFT or years. I started to explain that my name was Cheryl and that I was mitzvah!!! from an organization called DIVOTE, when all of a sudden she depositing into our Bank Account: got so excited and shouted into the phone...”from South Africa!!!!” DIVOTE is starting their Yomtov clothing appeal for children in Ayelet told me that she remembered my coming to her home Israel affected by acts of terrorism and who come from homes DUHC – MASADA TRUST – STANDARD BANK – ACCOUNT 050768581, years ago and how she found the support from SA so comforting that are financially challenged so that those children will have BRANCH CODE:051001 and she kept telling me that she had never forgotten the kindness new clothing to wear for the Chagim. If you would like to be part TAX DEDUCTABLE DONATIONS CAN BE MADE AT: and love. Ayelet also told me that she still had a beaded animal of this collection please contact me on: 99, Bellevue Rd, Musgrave, Durban. Tel: 031-202-3419. from SA in her home. [email protected]
20 HASHALOM July 2019 July 2019 HASHALOM 21 COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY NEWS NEWS COMMUNITY NEWS
Union of Jewish Women Union of Jewish Women
This report covers the first year of my current term of office and as it has to well attended by members of the UJW Executive align with our financial year therefore begins in April last year. * Shabbos Project Challah Bake was again “put together” The Shabbat Project by Tanya and her2018 team. It was another outstanding A MAGICAL, MEMORABLE CHALLAH BAKE 2018 “Stop doing and start being” was the theme of success which began with an uplifting Shiur by Lana APRIL the* Pesach 2018 braaiShabbat at Beth project. Shalom In fororder the residentsto do this and one Meltzer. Thanks to Gaynor for hosting the guests and needed Masadaniks. to CONNECT The meat and was thedone UJW to perfection JCF Challah by our committee members to a delicious dinner. Bake own “Braaihelped Masters” the ladies to ease from the burdenour community Watch for details of the 2019 UJW Challah Bake for do on just the residentthat. The chefs. ladies were reminded that the another memorable event. Challah* Official Bake representation is not really at theabout Yom the HaShoah challah… and it’sYom about HaZikaron Connecting functions as Jewish Women of Durban; Connecting* A team of UJW with Exec our membersJewish Heritageprepared theby salmonmaking challah bagels together, for Yom Ha’atzmaut an age old tradition passed down NOVEMBER: * The UJW again hosted a special Mitzvah Day function from generation to generation of Jewish women; at Beth Shalom. Scrumptious eats were provided, as was MAY Connecting* Under the auspices with Hashem of the SAJBD as we KZN prayed Council for and our UJW enjoyable entertainment. Guests from the Eden Crescent families hundreds and of ourlitres friends of water and were for sent all whoto the are specific ill and retirement home attended. Connecting projects in thewith Cape The to Shabbath…help alleviate aproblems day of causedrest, by * A visit was then made to the Open Air School Boarding reflection the drought. and connections. facility where generously donated Pizzas, together with UJW sponsored crisps, juice and sweets for the boarders. JULY: The* We event held our began 80th withAGM, an once uplifting again, andin the memorable Seminar Room * Talmud Torah function attended to present the UJW Shiur of the about Durban Emunah Holocaust (Faith) Centre. by Lana The interesting Meltzer from guest Enthusiastic Participation award. Johannesburg. speaker was Agi Her Govender advice Regional of strengthening Director of CHOCour * Open Air School Junior and Akiva College prize giving faith (Childhood by changing Cancer attitudes Association). to everyday A bulk donation situations of attended gave knitted us allitems much was food handed for thought.to Agi for distribution to their clients. Myra Goldenbaum, DECEMBER: * Eden College prize giving and Chesterville Schools We UJW were National also President,so privileged shared to, her once birthday again, by haveattending “graduation” party attended. Robyn the meeting Smookler to bring lead a message our Challah from theBake. NEC. Robyn * A fun, enjoyed musical morning with Paula and Tammy brought* Peanut anbutter incredible was used energy, to make passion 100’s ofand sandwiches depth to was arranged at Jewel House. our on Challah Mandela Bake, Day. The support from our Community * All the Communal offices moved into “temporary” space ensuring was overwhelming an unforgettable and the sandwichesexperience veryfor gratefullythe 150 to facilitate the refurbishment of the Club facilities. ladies received and by girls many present. schools, children’s homes & facilities dealing with the homeless. 2019 We all reluctantly floated away after a really JANUARY: * A morning of art was sponsored for the Jewel House AUGUST: meaningful,* Women’s Day magical was celebrated and uplifting with eveninga manicure of morningIsraeli for residents. Amazing canvases were created which now dancing the ladies and at Masada.beautiful singing by Leah Meltzer, adorn the residents’ bedroom walls. Arielle* Members Levitan of the as Durban well as branch Galia and attended Yael Meltz.the NEC FEBRUARY: * Durban representatives attended the UJW of SA National meeting in Johannesburg. Interim meeting in Joburg. * The Beth Shalom concert was well attended by UJW * New Mezuzot donated to Jewel House Kol Hakavod to the UJW Women of Action. members MARCH: * 3rd Women of Courage event in memory of Zelda * Our 30th Annual Charity Golf Day was an outstanding Moshalz’l. The audience filled the Main Hall and enjoyed Until next year………. success. The prizes were outstanding and included listening to “future star” Yael sing and then everyone the popular Umzolozolo Lodge mid-week for the winners. was inspired by the stories of courageous women, The Open Air School was one of the main beneficiaries including our own Sue Jacobson. and in place of starter packs for the players 30 bumper grocery packs were donated to families and staff in need. ONGOING PROJECTS: We are grateful for the ongoing generous support of the Akiva College: Gemilut Chassadim Award in memory of Jean Kluk z’l sponsors, donors and players. Our 31st Golf Day will be awarded. on 29th August 2019. All golfers please diarise this Beth Shalom – monthly Friendship Club bingo meetings held with prizes special event. and birthday gifts. Also pre- * The UJW provided the Cycalive team with their “welcome Pesach and Rosh Hashana braais hosted for residents and Masadaniks. to Durban” refreshments at the braai hosted by the South Botanic Gardens Kiosk - Our sincere thanks to the dedicated band of African Jewish Board of Deputies – KZN Council. volunteers who undertook monthly duties over many years to help raise funds for SANTA. The kiosk has now unfortunately been discontinued. SEPTEMBER: * Another enjoyable pre- Yom tov Braai was hosted by the Chesterville Schools Association – cleaning supplies donated each term Union of Jewish Women at Beth Shalom for the residents, & treats supplied for end of year party attended by several members of the Masadaniks and committee members. Durban committee * At the Wizo Yom tov Market the Union soldout of teiglach. CHOC (Childhood Cancer Association) supported with donations for the * the Beth Shalom AGM was attended by UJW children in their care representatives Denis Hurley Centre – duties undertaken at the Nkosinati feeding scheme for the homeless. OCTOBER: * The Masadaniks and Jewel House residents were taken DIVOTE - Gifts of clothing sent each year to Israel on an outing to Tala Game Reserve with our own Game DJSS – Pesach & Rosh Hashanah vouchers donated to clients. Ranger – Kalvin Jacobson. It was a very special day Domino Foundation - weekly sandwich making for distribution to schools including lunch and treats and thoroughly enjoyed. Durban Holocaust & Genocide Centre - sandwiches and juice continue Thanks to Eden College for the use of their bus and to be donated to students from rural schools when they tour the DHGC. 22 HASHALOM competent driver December – Sipho. 2018/January 2019 Eden College – Annual Gemilut Chassadim Award in memory of December 2018 /January 2019 HASHALOM 23 * Open Air School prize giving mornings were attended as Jean Kluk z’l the Union sponsors subject awards to learners at both General donations including food, stationery, clothing and toys given to Junior and Senior levels. various projects and children’s homes and “safe houses”. * The CKNJ KZN Council AGM and DJSS AGM were both Jabula School – association with this project ceased at the end of
22 HASHALOM July 2019 COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY NEWS NEWS COMMUNITY NEWS
Union of Jewish Women Union of Jewish Women
December 2018. We would welcome your participation in any of our projects. If you Jewel House – project to supply a gift and birthday cake to each resident need further information please do not hesitate to call – 031 3354457 or continues . The Shabbatemail Project [email protected] and we2018 will get back to you. A MAGICAL, MEMORABLE CHALLAH BAKE Open Air Schoo“Stopl – Prizes doing donated and atstart end being”of year inwas Senior the and theme Junior of phases the 2018 Shabbat project. In order to do this one I thank the Union committee for their support and dedication to our Talmud Torah –needed award for to commitment CONNECT andand participation the UJW JCFin the Challah programme organisation. It is the commitment of this amazing group of ladies which continued Bake helped the ladies from our community makes everything not only possible but successful. My sincere thanks to The Elder’s Voicedo –just clothing, that. food,The toiletries,ladies were books reminded supplied tothat help the provide each one of them. for and keep abusedChallah senior Bake citizens is not in reallya safe environment.about the challah… it’s Umcebo donationsabout of practicalConnecting waste as continue Jewish to Women be donated. of Durban; Exciting Sue Jacobson new project in conjunction with Umcebo and the Denis Hurley Centre to be Connecting with our Jewish Heritage by making Executive Chair launched soon. challah together, an age old tradition passed down Umduduzi knittedfrom items generation donated forto thegeneration children attendingof Jewish this women; palliative care facility. TheConnecting generous support with ofHashem our members, as we our prayed community for our and the general communityfamilies is acknowledged and our friends with gratitude.and for all It who is this are recognition ill and of the importance ofConnecting all our endeavours with The which Shabbath… makes our aefforts day of wo rthwhile.rest, reflection and connections.
Seen atThe the event UJW began 81st with AGM an uplifting and memorable Shiur about Emunah (Faith) by Lana Meltzer from Johannesburg. Her advice of strengthening our faith by changing attitudes to everyday situations gave us all much food for thought.
We were also so privileged to, once again, have Robyn Smookler lead our Challah Bake. Robyn brought an incredible energy, passion and depth to our Challah Bake, ensuring an unforgettable experience for the 150 ladies and girls present.
We all reluctantly floated away after a really meaningful, magical and uplifting evening of Israeli dancing and beautiful singing by Leah Meltzer, Arielle Levitan as well as Galia and Yael Meltz.
Kol Hakavod to the UJW Women of Action.
Until next year……….
22 HASHALOM December 2018/January 2019 December 2018 /January 2019 HASHALOM 23
July 2019 HASHALOM 23 W W W . A K I V A C O L L E G E . C O . Z A AKIVA COLLEGE H A S H A L O M – J U N E 2 0 1 9
YOM HA’ATZMAUT IS CELEBRATED DEPUTY AMABSSADOR WITH MINUTE TO WIN IT FUN AND FOR ISRAEL, AYELET ISRAELI FLAG CUPCAKES BLACK, SHARES ON HOW TO ACHIEVE Akiva College returned for term 2 just in time to ONES LIFE GOALS. celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut. The older grades took part in a fun morning of Minute to Win It while the Akiva College was younger grades decorated Israeli flags and made privileged to host the blue and white beaded bracelets. Everyone deputy Israeli enjoyed a delicious blue and white cupcake made ambassador, Ayelet Black, by Morah Dina. this term. Mrs Black addressed the whole assembly on reaching LAG B’OMER BECOMES A goals, before speaking to SURVIVOR EXTRAVAGANZA the Senior Primary and High School students Lag B’Omer followed soon after and once again the about Israel. students had a fun filled morning. The morning was filled with fun and challenging Survivor games and ended with potatoes and S’mores on the bon fire.
24 HASHALOM July 2019 COMMUNITY NEWS
Michelle Nathan
Joyce Rogoff Z’L Open Air School Gala Joyce Rogoff was an active member of the Durban Women’s Zionist League (now WIZO Durban) for many years. She belonged Earlier this year WIZO was invited to attend the Open Air School to the Katie Gluckman Westville Branch. Gala. Viv Stiller, Colleen Mervis, Mandy Nackan, Michelle Nathan and Arline Foreman where all fortunate to be part of this incredibly Joyce started a fund raising project “The no party tea party “ special morning filled with so much love, laughter and of course whereby guests were sent a invitation & asked to donate. It was lots of splashing! most successful. Viv Stiller our treasured WIZO secretary was invited to be the Joyce was Campaign Chairman in 1979 and Yael Dayan was guest of honour and awarded the children with their well-deserved the guest emissary from Israel. The Campaign was a resounding prizes. Besides the yummy tea and snacks we were also privileged success. to meet South African Paralympian, Tyrone Pillay. What a treat!
Joyce was a committed member of Wizo Durban & always It was truly fulfilling to once again to see our young mobile attended functions & showed keen interest in all the activities. She wheelchair recipients thriving and having fun! was much loved and will be sorely missed by all her WIZO sisters.
The Gift of Mobility
On Tuesday 4 June, L’Oreal Professional Products Division KZN Team partnered with WIZO Durban in a touching hand over of a ‘Wheelchair of Hope’. The fortunate recipient was Sinazo Mayeza, a nine-year-old girl from RP Moodley School. Surrounded by her family, teachers and peers Sinazo was presented with a spanking new green wheelchair. Difficult circumstances necessitate that her father works out of town and her mom could no longer carry her around.
Chaya Aviv member - Hayley Katzer together with her L’Oreal colleges – Evaleen Jammine, Melissa Botes and Michele Humphreys proudly handed over this incredible gift & indelibly changed Sinazo and her family’s life forever as she can now attend school.
Thanks to WIZO & L’Oreal and for this incredible gift of mobility.
July 2019 HASHALOM 25 Durban Journey to Eastern Europe with Limmud Durban - for only R180* (EARLY BIRD SPECIAL until 7 AUGUST)
POLAND CZECH REPUBLIC
JONATHAN WEBBER
Jonathan Webber is a British anthropologist and Jewish activist living in Kraków, Poland. Specializing in modern Jewish society, HUNGARY Holocaust studies, Polish–Jewish studies, and Jewish heritage, he taught at Oxford, Birmingham, and the Jagiellonian University, Kraków; he is now retired. He was the co- founder of the Galicia Jewish Museum in Kraków, where he co-curated its permanent exhibition.
SERBIA ROMANIA SONJA VILIČIĆ Born in Serbia, Sonja Viličić is a graduate of the INTERNATIONAL Melton Senior Educators Program at the Hebrew 10 University of Jerusalem. She has worked for the PRESENTERS Joint Distribution Committee in Budapest in various positions, one of which was programme director of COURSEBULGARIA MEAL the Szarvas youth camp. Sonja lives in Belgrade, 3 where she is one of the founders and Executive Director of the NGO Haver Srbija, coordinator of the AFTERNOON educational programme of the Federation of Jewish 1 AND EVENING communities of Serbia and a Limmud volunteer.
E Durban SAV HE 21 AUGUST 2019 Jewish T E DAT LIMMUD DURBAN Centre COMMUNITY NEWS
Lag Baomer Lev making drumming circle Shalom, the sauce for felafels Our second term began with the sad and sombre day of Yom Hashoah, and with Mrs. Rivka Hermelin sharing her extensive knowledge about the events and circumstances preceding the Shoah period with our pupils.
Juxtaposed with the seriousness of Yom Hashoah were the jolly, giggling sounds coming from the Judaica Centre on Yom Ha’atzmaut. The centre was a hive of activity as pupils eagerly participated in the falafel workshop ably overseen by Chef Russel.
Working as one efficient team, pupils in group 1 sliced and diced vegetables; group 2 made up the falafel mixture; and group 3 rolled and formed it into balls. Then our very capable high school pupils set about frying the falafel balls, ensuring that they were cooked to perfection. And our final team made the traditional hummus. The activity culminated with each pupil assembling their own pita, falafel and salads.
Yardena, Talia After enjoying their culinary creations, pupils and Daniel unanimously agreed that the Judaica team had worked well together to produce some of the most scrumptious and tasty falafel.
Our first ever very well attended Lag BaOmer “Build Drumming a burger braai” was a resounding success. The delicious braai aroma coupled with the tasty salad, circle cooked burgers and fresh rolls were just a few of the delights that made this family function so enjoyable. It must, however, be said that the drumming circle that we all participated in after our meal was the highlight activity. Drumming together as young and old, we managed to create our own perfectly harmonised and pulsating rhythm and sounds. This is definitely an activity we will do again.
So, from a very busy second term at Eden ...lehitraot ‘til next month!
Our felafel workshop
Enjoying the build a burger braai Slicing and dicing salads
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SHAI ABRAHAMSON WOWS THE CROWD n 3 June, in a fabulous concert to celebrate Yom functions ever held in Durban. Shai Abramson is world class and it Yerushalayim, Chief Cantor of the Israel Defence truly was a privilege to attend.” Forces, Shai Abramson kept the audience spell bound Owith song. The event was jointly hosted by Wizo Durban, the Grateful thanks go to the generous donors, The Victor Daitz South African Jewish Board of Deputies KZN Council and the Foundation, The Beare Foundation and the JAKAMaR Trust, KwaZulu Natal Zionist Council. without whom this concert would not have been possible.
The evening included a wide repertoire of cantorial and classical music, Hebrew and Israeli songs, and even popular and rock numbers. Shai, a lyric tenor, succeeded in emotionally connecting with the Durban community though his beautiful singing and his warm and engaging personality.
Shai Abramson was born in Jerusalem, and was exposed to the world of cantorial music at a young age. During his teen years, he participated in the choir of the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem during the High Holiday season. He was fortunate enough to study with some of the best teachers in Israel, including Maestro Elli Jaffe, Cantor Moshe Stern, Cantor Naftali Herstik and Dr Mordechai Sobol.
In 2008, Shai Abramson was appointed Chief Cantor of the Israel Defence Forces. He serves as the representative cantor of the State of Israel, and participates in formal state occasions and ceremonies in this capacity. Shai also participates in prayer services and in concerts throughout Israel and the world with a variety of musical ensembles, including the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.
Feedback from the concert has been overwhelmingly positive. Linda Nathan, who attended the event with her husband Marcel, said of the concert that it was “one of the most impressive Cantor Shai Abramson
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Some of our Talmud Torah students having fun learning
July 2019 HASHALOM 29 COMMUNITY NEWS
** Meet Cycalive 2019 **
The SAJBD KZN Council invites you to join us on Thursday 1 August 2019 from 16h15 to welcome the 2019 Cycalive Team to our city
Cycalive, launched in 1998, follows the journey of a team of exuberant Grade 11 boys from diverse backgrounds as they cycle from Johannesburg to Durban and is designed to encourage ubuntu among South Africa’s youth.
Cycalive is recognised highly by the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Participants are from Torah Academy Johannesburg, Moletsane High School Soweto, Pace Community College Soweto, Afrika Tikkun and Beit Shemesh Israel.
The cyclists were given an impressive send off in Johannesburg and we need to give them a HUGE WARM DURBAN WELCOME!
Please support this incredible initiative and let’s make Cycalive’s arrival in Durban one to remember!
Enquiries: Liezel Patterson [email protected] or 031 335 4452
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Cooking with Judy and Linda THE GREAT AMERICAN FRENCH TOAST COLLECTION
CATHY’S FRENCH TOAST SOUFFLÉ
8 Eggs Mix eggs, milk, vanilla and the tablespoon of 125g Butter brown sugar - Pour half of it into a 33 x 23cm 1½ Cups milk dish. ½ Cup dark brown sugar Place bread slices in dish then top with the other 1 Tablespoon dark brown sugar half of the egg mixture. Cover and chill overnight. ¼ Cup maple or golden syrup Preheat oven to 180degC. Grease a large 2 Teaspoons vanilla casserole dish. 100g Pecan nuts Melt the butter, then add the ½ cup brown 8 Thick slices challah or raisin sugar, syrup and nuts. Pour it into the prepared bread (good for leftover raisin casserole dish. Carefully lift the soaked bread challah at Rosh Hashanah) onto this, using all the egg mixture* Bake for 35 - 45 minutes and serve.
*If the bread has soaked up all the egg mixture before baking, beat 1 egg with ¼ cup milk and pour it into the casserole.
APPLE CARAMEL FRENCH TOAST
12 Eggs Preheat oven to 180degC. Beat the eggs, milk ½ Cup dark brown sugar and vanilla – set aside. 2 Cups milk Melt the butter and stir in the brown sugar ¼ Cup water and water. Pour the butter and sugar mixture 2 Teaspoons vanilla into a 33 x 23cm greased dish. Arrange the 6 - 12 slices bread – any kind apple slices on top then layer the bread slices you like. on top of that, making sure the apple slices 125g Butter are completely covered. Lastly, pour the egg 3 or 4 Apples, unpeeled and and milk mixture over the bread ensuring that sliced then halved every piece of bread is wet. Sprinkle with some cinnamon and, if you like, a sprinkling of brown sugar and chopped nuts. Bake for 45 – 50 minutes. Serve immediately Can make this, cover with plastic wrap, then bake the next day.
CREAM CHEESE FRENCH TOAST
6 Cups white bread Place half the bread into a greased 21/ 22cm Cubes - crusts removed square dish. Top with teaspoons or small ½ Cup sultanas cubes of cream cheese, the sultanas, then the 250g Plain smooth cream cheese remaining bread cubes. Beat the eggs, milk, ½ Teaspoon cinnamon cinnamon, syrup and vanilla and pour it over 6 Eggs, well beaten the bread. Cover with plastic wrap and chill 1/3 Cup maple or golden syrup overnight. 1 Cup milk Heat oven to 190degC. Remove plastic and 1 Teaspoon vanilla bake for 45 minutes. Serve immediately.
July 2019 HASHALOM 31 BIRTHS Mazeltov to: JULY/AUGUST 2019 Barry and Lois Shevil on the birth of a granddaughter born to Jenna and Date Event Venue Neil Meyerowitz. Neville and Melanie Bernstein on the birth of a granddaughter born to 17 July Sisterhood Bingo Beth Shalom Darryl and Joni. 18 July Mandela Day DJC BIRTHDAYS 19 July Oneg Shabbat Beth Shalom Mazeltov to: Sandy Wolfe on her 70th birthday. 31 July KNZC event: Isaac Herzog DJC Dr Jeff Chanoch on his 80th birthday. Chairman of the Jewish Agency Gerselle Epstein on her 80th birthday. Selma Lurie on her 70th birthday. 1 Aug Cycalive DJC
6 Aug Sisterhood Meeting Back of Beit David shul BAT/BAR MITZVAH Mazeltov to: 7 Aug Friendship Club Beth Shalom The Levin and Nathan families on the Bar and Batmitzvah of Liran and Shayna Nathan. The Baitz family on Bella’s Batmitzvah. Gary and Karen Plen on the Batmitzvah of their daughter Shira, granddaughter of Colin Plen and Steve and Rose Deubler.
ENGAGEMENTS Mazeltov to: Dr. Lionel Wolff on the engagement of his son Nolan to Ashley Merkur in Australia.
WEDDINGS Mazeltov to: Nick & Jane Meyerowitz on the marriage of their daughter Kate to Gavin Levenstein. Jack and Rene Strous on the marriage of their granddaughter Talia Edelman to Akiva Schiff in the USA.
ANNIVERSARIES Mazeltov to: David and Marliene Rogoff on their Golden wedding anniversary.
DEATHS E Please urgently pay your outstanding Condolences to: 2019 HASHALOM Shirley Isralls on the passing of her husband Basil. subscriptions to help us cover Deborah and Colin on the passing of their mother, Joyce Rogoff. our production costs. Kara Hoffman on the passing of her father. The family of Dr. Gerald Baise. Banking details: Council of KwaZulu Natal Jewry, Standard Bank (Kingsmead), Acc. nr. 050728938, BC 040026, Reference: your name & HS
Hashalom is not responsible for errors and omissions. Please submit your information in writing to The Editor, PO Box 10797, Marine Parade 4056 or fax to (031) 3379600 or email [email protected]. Hashalom is not responsible for errors and omissions. Please submit your information in writing to The Editor, PO Box 10797, Marine Parade 4056 or fax to (031) 3379600 or email [email protected].
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