2 SA JEWISH RREPORTEPORT CommunityNews 018 – -15 08 February June 2012 2013

Shabbat Times Feb 8/ 28 Shevat Feb 9/ 29 Shevat Is religion still Parshat Mispatim PARSHAT MISHPATIM 18:15 !9:28 Johannesburg Rabbi Yossy Goldman 18:22 20:21 Cape Town relevant today? Sydenham Highlands North Hebrew Congregation 18:15 19:22 Durban Cyberspace, outer space, inner Hymie Levy was unfazed. He gave 18:20 19:40 Bloemfontein 18:05 19:52 Port Elizabeth space. Genome maps, globalisation, a little shrug of his shoulders and partners, and even murder - are still and technology answer how and 18:15 19:41 East London going to Mars, Smart cards, smart whispered straight into the ear of the stuff of newspaper headlines what. They do not address the ques- bombs, cell phones. There’s no Her Haughtiness: “Un Mein Zayde today. So, what else is new? Yes, tion of why. Why are we here in the KASHRUT ALERT denying we live in a new age. Moishe vos poisonally present by de today we have astronauts and space first place? Why should I be nice to Science fiction has become scien- giving of de Tzen Commendments!” stations, laser beams and laptops, my neighbour? Why should my life Lay’s Salt and Black Pepper chips is milchik, tific fact. The question is asked: In Have the Ten Commandments but the basic issues and choices we be nobler than my pet Doberman’s? not parev this new world order, with science passed their sell-by date? Are face remain identical. Once upon a Science and technology have and technology changing the way faith and doubt, murder, adultery, time the question was: Do I hit him unravelled many mysteries that The kashrut department of the Union we live, is religion still relevant? Do thievery, lying and jealousy out of with my club or slice him with my puzzled us for centuries. But they of Orthodox Synagogues advises that we still need to subscribe to an an- fashion? Notwithstanding all our sword? Today the question is: Do I have not answered a single moral Lay’s Salt and Black Pepper flavoured cient and seemingly long obsolete marvellous medical and scientific call up the nuclear submarines or question. Only Torah addresses the potato chips, has erroneously been code of laws when we are so further developments, has human nature send in the guided missiles? moral minefield. And those issues marked as parev. This product is advanced than our ancestors? itself really changed? Are not the Technology has developed in are perhaps more pressing today milchik. Simba has apologised for the This question reminds me of little very same moral issues that faced leaps and bounds. Fantasies of than ever before in history. error. old Hymie Levy of London who our ancestors still challenging our yesterday are reality today. Commu- Torah is truth and truth is eter- somehow found himself attending own generation? Whether it’s an nication, automation and globalisa- nal. Scenarios come and go. Life- Wellingtons Sweet & Sour Sauce is a cocktail party in the company ox cart or a Mercedes, road rage tion have altered our lives dramati- styles change with the geography. no longer certified kosher. There is no of aristocracy. Poor Hymie was or courteous coexistence is still a cally. But the core issues, the basic The storylines are different but the Beth Din logo on the label. completely out of place mingling choice we must make. moral dilemmas have not changed. gut level issues are all too familiar. with the lords and ladies of British Looking after aged parents is We still struggle with knowing If we ever needed religion - or in royalty and high society. not a new problem. Whether it the difference between right and our language, Torah - we need it As far as establishments are One Duchess was so irritated by was Adam and Eve or Michael and wrong, moral or immoral, ethical equally today, maybe more so. This concerned, Jozi Blue in the Kingswood this ordinary Jew’s presence that Sheryl, the grass somehow always or sneaky and not even the most week’s parsha, Mishpatim, follows Centre in Glenhazel, is not Chalav she confronted him directly. Oozing seems greener on the other side. souped-up computer on earth is directly on last week’s Ten Com- Yisrael, but has some Chalav Yisrael sarcasm, in her finest elocution, For some inexplicable reason, the able to answer those questions. mandments by fine-tuning Jewish items available on request. she let on to Hymie: “Did you know other guy’s wife, house, horse or Science and technology can do legislation with the nitty-gritty that my family traces its lineage Porsche still seem more attractive wonders for humankind. But they details of our moral code. May we Crepe & Latte in Melrose Arch is back to the very people who were and desirable than our own. can also blow us all to kingdom continue to find moral guidance no longer serving Chalav Yisrael or personally present at the signing of The very same issues dealt with come faster than Attila the Hun and clarity in the eternal truths of Mehadrin products. the Magna Carta!” in the Bible - sibling rivalry, jealous could have ever imagined. Science our holy and eternal Torah. Amen.

World News in Brief Bulgaria implicates Hezbollah in Senators seek to halt US arms sales to Egypt

WASHINGTON - Two Republican US senators are aiming to stop America’s sale terror attack on Israeli tourists of weapons to Egypt. Senators Rand Paul (Republican Kentucky) and James Inhofe (Republican BURGAS - The Bulgar- Dano Monkotovic/Flash90/JTA Oklahoma) each introduced legislation prohibiting the sale of F-16 aircraft, ian government believes tanks and other advanced weapons to Egypt, whose president, Mohamed Morsi, Hezbollah was behind comes from the historically anti- Muslim Brotherhood party. the terror attack against “I think it is a blunder of the first proportion to send sophisticated weapons an Israeli tour bus that to a country that allowed a mob to attack our embassy and burn our flag.” killed five Israelis and Although Inhofe initially voted against Paul’s amendment on the grounds that it one Bulgarian last sum- is too costly for the US defence budget to ban these sales completely, he then mer in the seaside resort introduced his own bill to suspend sales until Egypt shows a commitment to a of Burgas on July 19. peaceful relationship with Israel, for securing US embassies and consulates, and for respecting minority parties, The Hill reported. At a news conference “For decades, the US has had a good relationship with Egypt, training their on Tuesday, Bulgarian troops and working together to maintain peace and stability in the region… Interior Minister Tsvetan Under Muslim Brotherhood President Morsi, this relationship has come to a halt. Tsvetanov, said that “We need to continue to support the Egyptian military, which Morsi and the investigators had found Muslim Brotherhood have currently distanced themselves from.(JNS.org) Canadian and Australian passports that belonged Kerry talks to Netanyahu, Mahmoud Abbas to two of the attackers. Bulgarian investiga- WASHINGTON - John Kerry, freshly The State Department laid out the tors had “a well-founded installed as secretary of state, spoke agenda for the two State Department assumption that they with Palestinian and Israeli leaders. officials - Rose Gottemoeller, the act- Israeli ZAKA emergency rescue team carrying a body bag with one of the victims of the belonged to the military Also over the weekend, two top ing undersecretary for arms control, terrorist attack in Burgas, Bulgaria, on July 19, 2012. State Department officials dealing and Thomas Countryman, the assis- formation of Hezbollah”, with Iran’s alleged nuclear threat tant secretary for nonproliferation. Tsvetanov said of the label Hezbollah a terror- Bulgarian government and disrupt Hezbollah’s said they would be stopping in Israel Countryman will “meet with Israeli terrorists, the New York ist organisation. for its thorough investi- terrorist activities in during overseas visits and Israel’s counterparts to discuss nonprolifera- Times reported. The US and Israel gation and urged the EU Europe. military chief of staff, Lt Gen Benny tion and international security issues “We have followed have been pressuring the to take action. Prominent Jewish Gantz, was visiting Washington. of mutual concern”, and Gottemoeller their entire activities in EU to blacklist the terror “We hope that the groups also spoke out on State Department spokesman will “consult with senior civilian and Australia and Canada, group and go after its Europeans draw the the issue. Victoria Nuland, spoke about Kerry’s military officials on pressing regional so we have information vast financial network necessary conclusions as “The EU now has the conversation with Israeli Prime Minis- security issues and expanding our about financing and their in Europe. Germany and to the true character of opportunity to show full ter . enduring strategic partnership” and membership in Hezbol- France, however, have Hezbollah,” Netanyahu support for Bulgaria, “The secretary underscored his deliver remarks at a conference on lah,” Tsvetanov added. been reluctant to take ac- said. and, in doing so, to make personal commitment and that of nuclear nonproliferation. President (Barack) Obama to support The Obama administration has The evidence of tion over fears of becom- White House coun- clear that there is a high Israel’s security and to pursue a indicated that it is seeking to engage Hezbollah’s involvement ing targets and losing terterrorism adviser price to pay for murder,” lasting peace between Israelis and with Iran in direct talks aimed at end- in a terror attack on leverage in Lebanon. John Brennan, reiter- said American Jewish Palestinians.” ing that country’s suspected nuclear European soil is likely to Commenting on the ated Netanyahu’s senti- Committee Executive Kerry, who plans to visit the region weapons programme. Iran says its spur a strong debate in announcement, Israeli ment, saying the EU Director David Harris next month, also spoke to Palestinian nuclear activity is strictly peaceful. the European Union (EU) Prime Minister Benjamin needed to take “proac- in a media statement. Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. (JTA) over whether or not to Netanyahu thanked the tive action” to uncover (JNS.org)

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STEVEN GRUZD PHOTOS BY DAVID FLEMINGER

Three major myths exist around the peace process with the Pales- tinians that need to be confronted by those advocating for the Jew- ish State: Israel is jeopardising Palestinian state-building; Israel is relentlessly constructing settle- ments; and Israel is opposed to reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas. So said Amir Sagie (pictured), director of the Civil Society Af- fairs Department at the Israeli global view of the movement to Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He induce boycotts, divestment and was the keynote speaker at the sanctions (BDS) on Israel, and second annual Israel Advocacy said that internationally the phe- Seminar arranged by the South nomenon remained African Zionist Federation (SAZF) He said it was important for Is- at the Killarney Country Club last rael and its supporters to “reclaim Sunday. the narrative”, saying that we Sagie went on to dispel these have “left the stage and allowed myths, noting that the number of the Palestinians to tell the story”. West Bank checkpoints has been SAZF Chairman Avrom Krengel 1 200 people participated) and drastically reduced, the West Bank classified South Africa as “ground the Africans for Israel march to has a growing economy and that zero” in the attempt to smear Is- the Department of Trade and Israel is in fact intimately involved rael as an apartheid state. He said Industry in June to protest the in institution-building with the that every BDS victory in South proposed re-labelling of West Palestinians. Africa took on symbolic impor- Bank goods. He stated that in fact the tance, when the very people who In a lively panel discussion, footprint of settlements has not suffered under apartheid said that Fairplay’s Alan Fischer stressed changed in the last four years. Re- Israel was worse than apartheid the importance of Jewish organi- lations between Fatah and Hamas South Africa. sations working with pro-Israel remain hostile, with the loom- “We just cannot let that occur,” Christian groups and the need to ing possibility of a “three state he said, and urged that every combine social justice activities solution” - in Gaza, Israel and the means from taking to the streets and Israel advocacy in the town- West Bank. to litigation to mobilising world ships. Segun Olanipekun outlined Sagie was addressing over 200 Jewry and Christian allies would his plans to take over 400 Afri- people representing more than be utilised. cans leaders to Israel in August 60 Jewish and Christian organi- An audiovisual presentation this year. sations. The seminar sought to highlighted the many pro-Israel Overall, the event emphasised explore practical and tangible activities undertaken by Christian the need for closer partnerships ways to promote and defend the groups in South Africa in 2012, with Christian lovers of Israel, name and standing of Israel in including the Mandate Africa trip and for a proactive pro-Israel South Africa. to Israel, the Bible House Project, message to be heard loudly and Sagie’s department takes a a Night to Honour Israel (where clearly.

World News in Brief

Former IDF intelligence head: Iran has ALL necessary Warsaw want to trade tools to produce bomb historic building for new offices - Iran could have its weapon,” Yadlin said, according to first atomic bomb within four to six Israel Hayom. WARSAW - The Jewish community of months if the regime in Tehran took “They have all the tools they need to Warsaw is advancing plans to demolish one the decision to go ahead and make a produce a nuclear weapon once they of its historic ghetto-era buildings in favour bomb, former IDF Director of Military decide to do so. The main reason they of new offices. Intelligence Amos Yadlin said on haven’t constructed a bomb yet The White House on Twarda Street would Monday. is that their breakout period is still too be replaced with a 20-storey building Speaking at a media conference long. They want to be able to break out where the community, which has tripled at the Institute for National Security within a shorter time frame. in size since the fall of communism, could Studies at , a “They don’t have sufficient numbers accommodate more members during national security think tank which he of the right centrifuges to break celebrations and on weekends, according to heads, Yadlin said that Israeli’s binary out sooner. The Iranians currently the Associated Press. decision “whether to bomb or to live have over 10 000 centrifuges in two But the Association of Protectors of with an Iranian bomb” would come up locations and it is quite possible Warsaw’s Cultural Heritage has filed a at the end of summer this year. they will make the decision to break petition to the Cultural Ministry asking that “In the past few years Iran has out in 2013. This will necessitate an the building - one of the few that survived completed all of the necessary stages American and Israeli operation.” (JNS. the German onslaught on the old Warsaw it needs to break out to a nuclear org) Ghetto - be declared a historical site. The ministry is expected to decide on the issue Fatah glorifies first female Palestinian suicide in the coming months. bomber “An opinion that I can’t agree with is that RAMALLAH - On the 11th anniversary of the day she killed two Israelis and the building is more important than the injured hundreds of others in a Jerusalem terror attack, Fatah called Wafa Idris future of the community,” Andrzej Zozula, - who according to Fatah was the first female Palestinian suicide bomber - a vice president of the Jewish community, “beautiful flower,” Palestinian Media Watch (PMW) reported. told AP. Idris’s 2002 bombing “turned upside down Israeli security considerations Poland’s Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich that had focused on observing young Palestinian men only”, Fatah posted in its reportedly is backing the plan to replace the Facebook page on January 28. building with a modern structure. “The hero whose name the Zionists will remember well and so will The white building reportedly is in a state Palestinians; the hero who sacrificed herself and her body for Palestine and of decay. Though it has a cellar that dates became a symbol of the struggle and of Palestinian loyalty through one of the back more than two centuries, most of the most honourable Martyrdom-seeking operations,” Fatah’s description of Idris building is about 130 years old and has read. (JNS.org) undergone major transformations. (JTA) 24 SA JEWISH RREPORTEPORT News 018 - -15 08 February June 2012 2013 Ed Koch, pugnacious New Yorker and passionate Jew

RON KAMPEAS AND URIEL opened in theatres nationwide. HEILMAN, NEW YORK Famous for greeting constitu- ents with “How’m I doin?,” the Jew- One of the proudest moments of Ed ish mayor presided over some of the Koch’s life came during a trip to Israel city’s most difficult years, from 1978 in 1990, in the midst of the first Pales- to 1989, and helped spur the recovery tinian intifada. that would flourish under one of his He had recently left City Hall after successors, Rudy Giuliani. 12 years as mayor of Edward Irving Koch was born in and was touring Jerusalem when a the Bronx on December 12, 1924 to Palestinian threw a rock at his group, Jewish immigrants from Poland. The Zeitgeist Films/The New York Post York New Zeitgeist Films/The striking Koch in the head. The former family moved to Newark, New Jersey, mayor was bleeding a bit but wasn’t when Koch was nine, after his father’s Ed Koch sitting in the office of his campaign manager, David Garth, September 1977. really hurt, and he mopped up the fur shop closed during the Depres- a Republican, in a race for Congress. Koch became the target of black Last year, Koch enthusiastically wound with his handkerchief. sion, but returned to New York in Though he served for nine years ire for closing a hospital in Harlem endorsed Obama in a long video re- The incident would become one of 1941 when business picked up again. in Washington, Koch remained a - a move he later conceded had been leased just before the election. Koch, Koch’s favourite stories, the moment, After high school, Koch enrolled creature of New York, saying he got a mistake - and for saying that Jews who never married, held twin pas- he would say, when “I shed a little at City College and worked as a shoe the “bends” whenever he stayed away would be “crazy” to vote for the Rev sions he guarded ferociously: the Jew- blood for the people of Israel”. salesman, but his studies were inter- from the city for too long, according to Jesse Jackson in the 1988 presidential ish people and New York. It was reflective of the pugnacity rupted when he was drafted into the the Times. primary, given Jackson’s support for Koch’s tombstone is engraved of the man who served three terms as army in 1943. In 1977, Koch ran for mayor, up- Palestinians and his 1984 reference to with his name, his years as mayor, the mayor of New York, spent nine years He served in the infantry and setting Abraham Beame, another Jew- New York as “Hymietown”. Shema prayer, and the final words of in Congress, earned two battle stars as after the war spent time in Bavaria ish mayor who oversaw a fiscal crisis After losing his bid for election Daniel Pearl, the Wall Street Journal an infantryman in Europe during the helping to replace Nazis who occupied that brought New York to the edge to a fourth term in 1989 when David reporter murdered in Pakistan on Second World War, wrote 17 books, public posts with non-Nazis, accord- of bankruptcy. Upon taking office, Dinkins bested him in the Democratic February 1, 2002, the same date Koch and spent the last two decades of his ing to The New York Times. He was Koch immediately set to cutting the primary, Koch retired into a happy died: “My father is Jewish. My mother life as a lawyer, talk show host, profes- discharged in 1946 and went to law municipal budget, trimming the city’s existence as a Jewish Yoda, blessing is Jewish. I am Jewish.” sor and even restaurant critic - work- school at New York University. workforce, reaching a settlement with or cursing political figures as he saw His chosen burial place is a non- ing almost to his last day. Koch got his start in politics as a unions and securing federal aid that fit. Almost as soon as Obama became denominational churchyard at the Koch, 88, died of congestive heart Democratic district leader in Green- had been denied to Beame. In his sec- president, however, Koch became one corner of 155th Street and Amster- failure early last week Friday morning. wich Village, then worked his way up ond term, he turned the $400 million of his biggest Jewish detractors, lacer- dam - selected because he could not His death came on the same day as to City Council, and in 1968 beat in- deficit he had inherited into a $500 ating the president with criticism for imagine spending eternity outside “Koch”, a documentary about his life, cumbent Whitney North Seymour Jr, million surplus. his perceived coolness to Israel. Manhattan. (JTA) 8 – 15 February 2013 World News in Brief SA JEWISH REPORT 5

Barak on reported airstrike on Petition aims to have Facebook pull anti-Israel page Syria: ‘When we say something we mean it’ - A Facebook side for Facebook to act on the Israel defenders outnumber the site for hate tirades against petition to remove an anti-Israel removal petition. haters and mostly reply in kind. Hindus, Mormons, Christians and JERUSALEM - Israeli Defence Minister Ehud page that uses an expletive in Deborah Lauter, civil rights Rabbi Abraham Cooper and Muslims, Cooper told JTA. Barak has indicated that Israel was behind last its name, has 75 000 likes, the director for the Anti-Defamation senior researcher Rick Eaton of On the whole, Facebook had week’s reported Israel airstrike on Syria. removal campaign’s creator says. League, urged people to complain the Simon Wiesenthal Centre in been responsive to requests for “I cannot add anything to what you have Michael Mendelson of Miami to Facebook, not just about the Los Angeles, have been monitoring removal of obviously offensive read in the papers about what happened in told JTA by telephone that the “Fuck Israel” page itself, but anti-Semitic and anti-Israel material, according to Cooper, but Syria several days ago,” Barak told a security removal petition against the “Fuck also to flag and call Facebook’s websites, as well as YouTube and in numerous instances such sites conference in Munich on Sunday, Reuters Israel” page has been on Facebook attention to individual offensive Twitter postings, for years. were reinstated if they cleaned reported. “But... when we say something we for less than a week; the number comments and posts on the page. Eaton said there were at least up their act or reappeared under mean it. We say that we don’t think it should be of likes is as of Monday. He said The “Fuck Israel” page, which two dozen such sites on Facebook different names. (JTA) allowable to bring advanced weapons systems he started the counter campaign has 36 000 “likes” as of Monday, alone, most of them started by into Lebanon,” he said. “with the help of various pro-Israel featured such sentiments as “G-d Muslim groups, featuring logos Read the South Barak’s comments were the first by an groups” in the Miami area. bless Adolf Hitler for what he did”, such as “Free Gaza” in the colours Israeli official since the strike last week. Mendelson said he had “Jews are children of apes and of the Palestinian flag or an Israeli African Jewish Meanwhile, in an interview on Israel’s been unable to reach Facebook pigs… they are baby killers”, and flag with a red circle and diagonal Channel 2, Major General (res.) Amos Yadlin, the managers, but estimated that his “I hate Israel”, surmounted by line superimposed on the Star of Report online former Head of Military Intelligence, and Ronny campaign would have to score 10 a hand-draw flag with a Star of David. www.sajewishreport.co.za Daniel, Channel 2’s military analyst, unofficially times as many “likes” as the other David. On the page, however, Facebook was also a popular agreed with the details revealed by McClatchy News that confirmed Israeli involvement in the strike, Israel National News reported. In a report published on January 31 by McClatchy News, Israeli officials said that Israeli aircraft had destroyed a Syrian military convoy which was carrying the advanced Russian- made SA-17 anti-aircraft missiles preparing to leave the Jamarya military base, which is located less than eight kilometres from the Lebanese border. Furthermore, US officials said the strike hit both the research centre and the convoy of anti- supermarket aircraft missiles, the Associated Press reported. Additionally, Time Magazine reported that Israel had received a “green light” from the US on the attack. In recent weeks, US and Israeli officials have expressed concern over Syria’s vast weapons arsenal falling into the wrong hands as the civil war drags on. Meanwhile, Syrian state-run TV broadcasted 90 footage of the damage at Jamarya, blaming Many Israel for the wreckage. Syrian officials, backed 90 12 Coca Cola by Iranian support, have vowed revenge for the more strike. (JNS.org) 26 2l Pringles - Assorted Instore Flavours 181g Israel: Study dismissing claims PA textbooks teach hate is biased specials 90 JERUSALEM - A controversial study released 48 Pigeon on Monday conducted by Israeli, Palestinian Baby Wipes and American researchers, dismissed well- 82 x 2 documented claims that Palestinian textbooks teach hatred. The study examined 74 Israeli and 94 Trading Hours: Palestinian textbooks from grades 1 - 12 from Israeli state and ultra-Orthodox religious schools as well as schools run by the Palestinian Monday to Thursday 07h00 - 22h00 Authority (PA). Friday and Erev Chag 07h00 - 16h00 The Israeli Ministry of Education dismissed Saturday 1/2 hr after Shabbos - 22h00 the study’s findings as “biased, unprofessional 90 Sunday 08h00 - 22h00 and significantly lacking in objectivity” in a 17 media statement. Meanwhile, PA Prime Minister All Gold Call - 011 440 9517 Salam Fayyad welcomed the findings. (JNS.org) 700ml [email protected] | www.KosherWorld.co.za

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cnr Ridge and Summerway Glenhazel 26 SA JEWISH RREPORTEPORT OpinionNews & Analysis 018 – -15 08 February June 2012 2013 jewishsouth african report Bank of Israel Governor resigns: BDS must Looking back and ahead ALEX TRAIMAN/JNS.ORG not be ignored JERUSALEM

What should supporters of Israel do when the CEO Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer of the SA Human Rights Commission stands up at an (pictured) shocked Israeli markets when event organised with the BDS movement on Inter- he announced his resignation just one national Holocaust Remembrance Day and says “The week after the country completed na- Holocaust Survivor has become the War Criminal” of tional elections. today - meaning Israelis’ actions towards Palestin- Add Fischer’s vacated post to the list of ians. Or when the phrase “apartheid Israel’ is touted major political, diplomatic and economic so often in so many places that it has become almost appointments that will be made in Israel an unquestioned “given” for many people? in the coming weeks and months. Should one reach out and try to engage in “dia- Fischer successfully steered Is- logue” with the people doing this? Or should they be rael’s economy through global financial declared “beyond the pale” and regarded as the en- turmoil and is generally credited with emy? avoiding many of the pitfalls that have This was a question posed last Sunday at a semi- plagued other Western economies, par- nar on Israel advocacy (see page 3) to Amir Sagie ticularly in Europe and the . whose job it is to tackle BDS activities around the “Stanley Fischer was one of the best world for the Israeli government as director of civil governors the Bank of Israel has ever society affairs at the Israeli foreign ministry. had,” Steven Plaut, professor of econom- There is no easy answer. One red line for Sagie is ics at University, told JNS.org. “The when a protester against Israel actually advocates a announcement of his resignation is both boycott. At that point he becomes not just someone surprising and disappointing.” concerned about the quality of Israeli society, but Fischer said he was “leaving the central part of the opposition camp. bank in good shape”. Despite the unpleasant, often vulgar noise made “I will continue working until the end, by BDS, internationally it still remains largely a mar- and I have five more months,” Fischer ginal phenomenon. said at a media conference announcing Israel apartheid week, for example, is trumpeted his sudden resignation. “Eight years is a loudly as a victory for the anti-Israel camp, but these long time. I intended to stay here eight events often consist of merely a few score of pro- years. I arranged with the prime minister testers who are forgotten soon afterwards. In fact, that I would leave after the budget was a large part of their media coverage comes from Is- submitted. I wrote a list of tasks, and I raeli and Jewish media rather than the general press, achieved most of them. which sees them as insignificant from a news point “Professionally, I achieved the things of view. that I believed I could achieve, and Ironically, their public profile is raised by the at- personally, my family lives far away,” he tention they get from the very people they are vilify- added. “The next governor will be in a ing. better position than I was when I arrived Given the robustness of Israel and the cultural at the Bank of Israel.” and technological powerhouse it has become, do we That is because of the caution Fischer have to worry about BDS? Sagie warns that there is exercised during his tenure, according to Fischer’s textbook on macroeconomics,” no room for complacency: it is starting to spill over Plaut. Plaut pointed out. Fischer’s resignation is a major into the mainstream in some places, including South “Perhaps the best things that he did Many are sorry to see him leave his vote‘ of no confidence in Prime Africa. were the things he did not do,” the post two years before fulfilling a second Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and BDS has become smart in its tactics, particular- professor told JNS.org. “In the United five-year term, but others have blamed a ringing slap in the face of his ly by appropriating key concepts and labels to turn States, Chairman of the Federal Reserve Fischer for the tremendous rise in Israeli economic policy against Israel - such as the Holocaust and apartheid. Ben Bernanke essentially enabled Presi- house prices that led to massive social And the mass SMSes, e-mails and other means it dent Barack Obama to spend trillions of protests in the summer of 2011. Since litical hell that will ’prevail in Israel after uses to trumpet its “successes” - including at the De- dollars and push America’s debt to new Fischer became governor, housing prices the new government is formed”. cember ANC conference at Mangaung - proliferate in limits. have risen 70 per cent, putting their cost “I don’t know that there is any evi- all directions, reaching both people with connections Fischer, a former chief economist at out of the reach of many aspiring first- dence to support that, and I don’t think to Israel and others with no connection whatsoever, the World Bank, utilised his professional time homeowners. Shelly Yachimovich is correct,” Plaut told who without knowing it become negatively disposed standing as well as his expertise to help Defenders of Fischer point to a lack of JNS.org. “We don’t know why he is leav- towards the Jewish state. steward Israel’s growth as an emerging affordable building projects, which can ing the post. The reasons may be purely A key objective Sagie identifies is to “reclaim the economic power, despite regional secu- only be solved by the government and personal. public narrative” about Israel. Supporters of Israel rity challenges not faced by many other not by the Bank of Israel. “In the past, bank governors have have been reduced to merely reacting to the negative nations. “What the Bank of Israel can do is to resigned when Labour was in charge, and story being told by its enemies. Most South Africans deal with demand, but the government nobody saw it as a damning condemna- do not have the knowledge – or can’t be bothered - should deal with supply,” Fischer said at tion of the government’s policy,” Plaut to evaluate it, therefore taking it at face value. Israel Fischer successfully steered Israel’s the media conference, “and that is the said. needs to proactively tell its story loud and clear. economy through global financial most important thing, because that is “If you want to look at this through On a broader note, despite the increasing anti-Is- turmoil and is generally credited with where it’s possible to have the greatest the lens of conspiracies and paranoia, it rael atmosphere prevailing in this country, events of avoiding many of the pitfalls that have effect.” is possible that there will be a great deal the past week were also a source of great satisfaction plagued other Western economies... Opponents of Benjamin Netanyahu of inflationary pressure in the next few for many South African Jews when they watched have quickly jumped on Fischer’s an- years,” he added. “And maybe he doesn’t the convening of the 19th Knesset in Jerusalem on nouncement as a condemnation of the want to be here when it hits. But, I per- Tuesday. His leadership amidst global economic recently re-elected prime minister. sonally don’t believe it.” Amid pomp and ceremony President Shimon uncertainty and regional turmoil, has “Governor of the Bank of Israel Prof Plaut said a Fischer resignation before Peres led the 120 MKs from different parties to the earned him and Israel’s economy praise Stanley Fischer’s resignation is a major the elections could have affected the Knesset plenum for their first official session, includ- in the international marketplace. vote of no confidence in Prime Minis- political process, so that it made more ing a record 48 new faces among them, and also a In 2010, the Bank of Israel was ranked ter Benjamin Netanyahu and a ringing sense for the governor to wait until record number of women, 27. The events included first among central banks for its efficient slap in the face of his economic policy,” afterward. the playing of a recording from David Ben-Gurion’s functioning and Fischer was selected as said Labour Party chairman, MK Shelly “The real question is who is going 1948 declaration of independence. Coalition talks Euromoney Magazine’s Central Bank Yachimovich. to replace him,” Plaut said. “What is are ongoing to form a government, which will likely Governor of the Year. In 2011, the credit The Labour Party has repeatedly stated important is that whoever is the next take a few weeks. rating agency Standard & Poor’s raised that it will not join in a coalition led by governor should be someone who is Whatever one’s political stripe, it is a moving Israel’s long-term foreign currency credit Netanyahu. similarly versed in macroeconomics and event. After their historical travails, the Jewish peo- rating from A to A+. Yachimovich added that the resigna- someone who is not going to be a politi- ple now have their thriving state, parliament and “Fischer is an extremely smart guy that tion “sends a very worrying message to cal hack. democracy. understands economics better than the the Israeli people, because the governor “We need a governor who will be able Who ever said it was simple being Jewish? politicians, and even better than most is signalling that he is not prepared to be to stand up to the prime minister,” he academics. Top economists are studying a partner to the economic chaos and po- said. (JNS.org) 8 – 15 February 2013 Opinion & Analysis SA JEWISH REPORT 7 Don’t make martyrs out CLEANING FOR PESACH of ‘ASHamed Jews’ Call Immaculate Cleaning Services NOW elevated levels of moral sensitivity rather and we will help you eliminate all the chametz than to any deep-rooted identity problems. In his novel, The Finkler Question, that has accumulated throughout the year. Howard Jacobson memorably coined the From your �tted and loose carpets to the spaces BARBARIC YAWP term “ASHamed Jews” for those who, as between your lounge suite cushions and on David Saks Jews, ostentatiously flaunt their moral outrage against Israel. In our local context, your curtains - we are here to help you celebrate Sometimes, I feel like I’m caught up in a such dissidents have the added advantage Pesach. stereotypical Second World War movie, of framing their activities in apartheid-era cast as an embattled British Tommy await- terms. ing the attacks of hordes of Japanese in a In their self-regarding presumptuous- Call us NOW and we will give you a 20% discount Burmese jungle. ness, they truly seem to believe themselves In those movies, while the Brits assume to be the Beyers Naudes or Bram Fischers on all your cleaning done . . . just in time for their favourite role of depicting grim-faced, of South African Jewry, the principled mi- Pesach! back-to-the-wall defiance against over- nority who dare (to use that nauseatingly whelming odds, the Japs invariably engage smug lefty phrase) to “speak truth to pow- in psychological warfare before attacking, er”. sending sundry taunting messages over It is a delusion actively nurtured by a We Clean... the airwaves or simply shouting them out: large segment of the South African media,  Wall-to-wall �tted carpets “Engleesh Johnny! No hidee-hidee Johnny which unquestioningly buys into the “Is- - tonight you all die! No escapee - we sol- rael = Whites, Palestinians = Blacks” para-  Upholstery, on site or at our factory ound you compretery…” digm that anti-Israel activists have been  Rugs and exotic carpets, at our factory Actually, seeking to demoralise your pushing for decades. enemies is a standard tactic in warfare. Consequently, when the latest mem-  Curtains, at our factory For my sins, I am required to monitor the ber of our local “ASHamed Jews” chapter triumphalist braggings of our local anti- emerged to lay bare her morally tortured Israel activists. From all their rhetoric, you soul, the title chosen by the City Press for would think that local Zionists are cower- her tell-all article was “My treacherous ing in humiliated defeat as their carefully Jewish heart”. Quite obviously, this allud- Immaculate Cleaning Services nurtured illusions about Israel and the ed to Rian Malan’s “My Traitor’s Heart”, Palestinians crumble around them and in which a post-apartheid Afrikaner un- even their formerly deluded supporters are burdened himself of the impure ideologies 011 887 1100 coming to turn away from them in disgust. within which he had been nurtured. Email: [email protected] www.immaculatecleaning.co.za Israel itself is depicted as a rogue state What this all inevitably implies is that at bay, a historical aberration now engaged the rest of the Jewish community are mor- in a futile struggle to prevent its inevitable ally blind verkramptes (on the subject of Cleaning since 1939 demise. perverse blindness, a favourite theme of Disenchanted Jewish anti-Zionists are mediaeval Christianity when depicting an invaluable weapon in our enemies’ ar- the Jews, remember the Zapiro cartoon senal. In addition to providing an apparent showing a synagogue full of Jews covering alibi against charges of anti-Semitism, it their eyes while (Mr Justice) Richard Gold- is assumed that Jewish testimony against stone stands outside looking mournfully Israel has additional credibility since Jews through the window and an as-yet uncor- are, as a matter of course, expected to take rupted barmitzvah boy looks yearningly the side of the Jewish State and therefore towards him?). those who do not, must have come to their Unfortunately, certain frustrated mem- conclusions despite wrestling against such bers of our community have of late been ingrained loyalty. goaded into making various intemperate, Few pause to consider whether Jews, even threatening statements about Jew- like any other group, might have within ish dissidents. Far from weakening their their ranks a fringe of neurotic malcon- position, it has played precisely into their tents who actually enjoy denigrating their hands of their backers. Jewish heritage. ASHamed Jews long to wear the mar- A closer examination of who our Jewish tyr’s crown; when calls are made for the anti-Zionists are, frequently reveals them Jewish community to boycott them, it only to be alienated, resentful and even unsta- enhances their bogus standing as Jews of ble individuals, ones who combine a self- conscience willing to suffer ostracism for regarding desire for attention with sizable their principled beliefs. shoulder chips that they have no hesita- We are confronted on a daily basis with tion in working off at the expense of their enemies who are as cunning as they are community of origin. malicious. Anti-Israel activists know very well how They are assiduously pushing the “Good to court, flatter and groom these rather Jew-Bad Jew” dichotomy at every oppor- pathetic characters, playing on their vanity tunity in the realm of public opinion, and and fostering the illusion that their aliena- the rest of us need to have the seichel to tion from mainstream Jewry is due to their avoid falling into their trap.

World News in Brief ADL leader urges US to do more to protect Mideast Christians

NEW YORK - Anti-Defamation League (ADL) National Director Abraham Foxman believes the US should do more to protect Middle Eastern Christians from Islamic fundamentalism. “We have not paid enough attention to the discrimination, persecution of Christians in the Middle East, especially by Islamic fundamentalists,” Foxman said in an interview with Newsmax TV. “We’re watching a world where on Sunday they burn churches and on Friday they burn mosques. So there’s a lack of respect for religion.” His call echoed that of B’nai B’rith International, the world’s oldest Jewish service organisation, which has taken up the cause of ME Christians, teaming up with experts to promote knowledge about Christians being persecuted. The Jerusalem-based B’nai B’rith World Centre recently hosted Assyrian Christian Juliana Taimoorazy from the Iraqi Christian Relief Council and Egyptian Coptic Christian Author Raymond Ibrahim for discussion about persecution. “This is an issue that’s a major human rights issue in the world, that it’s not getting the attention it deserves in the West,” said Alan Schneider of the B’nai B’rith World Centre, according to CBN News. (JNS.org) 8 SA JEWISH REPORT Letters 8 – 15 February 2013 Disclaimer Guidelines for letters The letters page is intended to provide 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 number. We do not publish letters under noms de plume. Letters should preferably be e-mailed. Letters may be reflect the views of the editor, staff or directors of the Jewish Report edited or shortened. The Editor, PO Box 84650, Greenside, 2034 email: [email protected]

SAJR should stop giving World Jewry must unite Hertz Pentateuch still popular all over UK congregations Dennis Davis a platform and give new Israeli government its support As usual I found a column by Another point worth bearing in the large synagogues of London Mr Justice Dennis Davis should David Saks decidedly informative mind is that Hertz’s commentary and Manchester and synagogue read and take note of the It is a fallacy to think the results and interesting. I also share the was designed for then highly wardens informing congregants of letter (SAJR February 1) from of the Israel election was a near tie peculiar love of old Hebraica and anglicised Jews; the Chief Rabbi the Haftorah page number in the Joel Dotan who lives in Israel between right and left. The second and has to suffer the opinions largest party - Yair Lapid’s Yesh therefore am very familiar with needed to convey the text in a way Hertz Chumash. and advice from people like Atid - is evenly divided between the Hertz Pentateuch he wrote that would be appreciated by such On my visits to Jerusalem, I Davis and his ilk, with their centre rightists and centre leftists, about. congregants. also note the preponderance of delusional thinking vis-à-vis the drawn together more by social David found it jarring to see the Hertz had a long relationship Hertz Chumashim at such large Palestinians and Israel, all this matters than ideology. work of Christian expositors on with South African Jewry ever shuls as the Great Synagogue. The while posing as a friend of Israel. Moreover, if you subtract the the Bible placed alongside com- since he was appointed minister Chumash remains in print, with Davis has proved himself to be fiercely non-patriotic Arab block mentaries of Jewish sages. I found of the Witwatersrand Old Hebrew the translation of the American one-sided and biased, (which never has been, and it particular disconcerting to Congregation and he was influen- Jewish Version instead of the for- Personally, I feel that the SAJR never will be, part of any Israeli discern quotations from the Scrip- tial in the foundation of both the mer “Revised Version” in the 40th should stop providing a platform government coalition), the more tural commentary of the immense Board of Deputies and the Zionist impression available from Soncino for Davis; if he has anything to accurate split reveals that the right Torah luminary, Rabbi Samson Federation. Publishing in Brooklyn. say he can do so in the form of is still in control. a letter to Jewish Report, the Nevertheless, it will be in Israel’s Raphael Hirsch, incongruously Indeed, one must look at his David’s analysis of the text is same as all of us. interests if Yesh Atid featured placed alongside quotations from Zionistic roots in Johannesburg accurate and I would recommend in the next broad-based Likud the likes of Moses Mendelssohn, to understand his long dispute the viewing of the Hertz Author- Isaac Lew coalition - taking into account the even if Hertz did note that he only over Zionism with the United ised Daily Prayer Book for a more Johannesburg complex internal and external accepted “the true” even from an Synagogue President Sir Waley faithful portrayal of Rabbi Joseph challenges facing the country. “iconoclastic Bible scholar”. Cohen. Bearing these connec- Zvi Hertz, a man who stood for a Jews need all the luck A nuclear Iran remains the That being said, infrequently tions in mind, it is no surprise to proud Judaism. country’s biggest threat. War some of these scholars did have learn that the Hertz Pentateuch This version of the Singer’s I read Dennis Davis’ article with (Israel has been involved in cogent comments; one on Exodus has been used in South African Prayer Book shows the man in interest; he has been rather terrorist and formal wars since 10:5 by a scholar regarding the congregations for many years and his true colours as he masterfully kind to Netanyahu who has 1948) is never pleasant nor moral, devastating nature of a locust remained the standard Chumash weaves together thoughts from consistently applied his long-held especially when survival is at stake. ideology of “Greater Israel”. If to It is no wonder many in the swarm, does give one an added in King David Schools well into the Talmud and Shulchan Aruch, achieve this he needed to “accept” forefront, doing “the dirty work” understanding of the severity the 1980s. alongside classical Mussarists, the Oslo, he did so to get elected in of targeted assassinations, hunting of the plagues. Unfortunately, David describes the Pentateuch Chofetz Chaim, Rabbi Nachman 1996, then went on to undo it, terrorists, etc, eventually suffer however, much of the other falling into disuse in some con- of Bratslav and his own moving and when Obama pressed too from some form of “war fatigue”. non-Jewish comment is based on gregations of South Africa (I still observations, which leads to the hard, he “changed policy” and Unfortunately, someone has conjecture and is rather shallow. find them in larger Johannesburg worshipper coming to the realisa- agreed to a two-state solution. to do it - ain braira (no choice) – Hertz’s own comments are quite congregations), but in Great Brit- tion of the man’s profound awe of Whereas Olmert had extensive whether the global community inspiring and David’s reference to ain the Hertz Pentateuch remains an A-mighty L-rd. peace discussions with Abu likes it or not. However, the “Bible Criticism” age explains highly popular, with Artscroll Mazen, Netanyahu had no direct supervising the welfare and Dr Hertz’s choice in including Chumashim jostling for inclusion David Sher talks during his four-year term; survival of the Jewish State rests these unconventional expositors. on the bookshelves of London he went on to achieve what he set on the shoulders of the new elected out to do: a one state solution. government, which will be privy Saks’ criticism of the Hertz Chumas is far too harsh As to what will happen now, to security matters and all socio- who knows. There is not much economic and political aspects. I have to disagree with David wisdom of the Torah giants interests - of what? Lucidity? pressure on Israel or Netanyahu Israel has decided, so let Zionists Saks’ column on the Hertz can be presented in any case; This is a losing exercise. to make any changes and I don’t of every description accept the Chumash on a number of points. I say: Let’s work on expanding Apart from being banal in the know if Lapid will put the peace outcome and give the incoming Firstly, how scarce are the Sifrei Kodesh in our libraries extreme and wholly unfit a vehicle process at the top of his priorities. authorities enthusiastic support. they? In the Pretoria Hebrew and stop trying to expunge for the truths it must carry, this Wish all Jews luck, we’re surely Congregation they comprise commentaries with historical language is “transitory”, changing going to need it! David Abel two thirds of the Chumashim insights. We don’t live in a in every generation. Read a penny National Vice Chairman available. I have found them in bubble. terrible of your grandfather’s day, Allen Minitzer, Israel Likud South Africa all the shuls I have ever visited, Thirdly, the language. and then your father’s, and then a including in the United States. Whether people use it Dan Brown... Come on SAJR readers, heed Beyachad Library call! Secondly, what does one want themselves or not, we are A literary mind could navigate it from a commentary? A simple all sensible to the grandeur with skill, but not a working man On behalf of the Johannesburg Jewish Resource Centre, I would like explanation? A Midrashic inherent in well-spoken English, with a working vocabulary. He to thank those of you who responded to last week’s article (on the dire explanation? Or one that tries to necessarily the older forms, could, however, probably follow straits the Beyachad Library finds itself in) and made a contribution. put the Chumash into historical because formal speech is always the King James rather better However, we are a long way from reaching our target. context, including the effect it used with respect and changes than the slang his grandfather I would like to appeal to all readers who care about the preservation has had in the world, first-hand the least. used to his chums at school, or of Jewish heritage, and history to show your support financially and reportage of experiences that in Not only is the King James his father to his buddies. Your also by putting your feelings down in writing and submitting it to the some small way paint a picture bible magnificent English, but plain translation might not last a Jewish Report. of the miracles in Tanach? being familiar with it means generation. Does Johannesburg Jewry wish to be able to educate and pass on A Chumash explaining how understanding many of the I doubt if Saks would suggest other religions distorted Tanach sayings and proverbs that we use reading Shakespeare in a bland, our rich legacy, to future generations? In knowledge and understand- and their treatment of the Jews, to this day as English speakers. modern translation. Most ing there is strength. Make your voice heard. and quotes from great and good “Pottage”, indeed! We all siddurim still use the archaic people, which in his own day know what is meant by “selling usages, as well, to install proper Marcia Parness included General Jannie Smuts, his birthright for a mess of awe and awareness that one is Chairman, Johannesburg Jewish Resource Centre Olive Schreiner and Winston pottage”, which isn’t about to not having a trite conversation Churchill? change to “...a bowl of stew”- with one’s neighbour, but Gwynne Schrire is writer of book ‘Santa’s Story’ For my part, I’ve always been and with good reason. If this praying to one’s G-d. In my fascinated by the archeological is too confusing, consult the opinion there is just as much I read with interest Robyn Sassen’s article “‘Santa’s Story’- a huge, evidence presented, even if commentary and expand your reason to keep those usages in a joyful generational celebration” about Aviva Pelham’s play on the life it’s now out of date, and even knowledge of English. Chumash translation. of her mother, Santa. The play is excellently produced with beautiful though it is not necessary for a For my part, language toned music and a heart-wrenching story and I recommend that people in Jew’s faith. down to the lowest common Ruth and Mark Dreyer Johannesburg view it. Saks says only a fraction of the denominator means in the Pretoria However, I would like to correct an error of fact in the article. The book “Santa’s Story” was not written by Santa’s granddaughter Josif Parason is trying to Can SAJR READERS come to Gabriella, but by myself. trace descendants in SA Thomas’ assistance? I spent many hours interviewing Santa, recording her story and Advertise in the putting the disparate pieces together into a harmonious whole, as I Josif Parason from Vilnius in Thomas of Kovno (Kaunus) (no have done in the many other memoirs I have been asked to write. Lithuania, is looking for relatives surname given) aged 46, knows South African At the time, Santa had wished to include sections which I did not or descendants of Rachel Ester his paternal grandmother, maiden think appropriate. I thus recommended that the family edit these Parason-Sheveliovich, born in name Ethel Kreger/Kreeger had two Jewish Report passages, which they did. Kaunas Lithuania in 1901 and or more brothers who emigrated to But there is a huge difference between cutting text and writing Leizer Sheveliovich, born in Kelme SA just before WWII. Thomas would for fantastic and structuring a book. Lithuani in 1911. Parason can be like to make contact with any sur- contacted et e-mail: jparasonis@ viving relatives. E-mail Dr Mannie Gwynne Schrire hotmail.com Sher at [email protected] results! Claremont, Cape Town

10 SA JEWISH REPORT Tapestry 018 - -15 08 February June 2012 2013 Sonnenberg’s legacy lives on

ROBYN SASSEN remembered Gon. “She had the most eloquence, It’s not every day one encounters a passion and pushiness woman in an indomitable race against I’ve ever come across. We mortality to create a classical music argued often; she drove festival in the middle of nowhere. me crazy, but she was al- Rona Sonnenberg, née Schnabel, (pic- ways worth arguing with. tured) who died at age 70 on January “She didn’t sit on her Arts Briefs 9, fulfilled her own expectations of laurels. What she gave herself with the Wakkerstroom Festi- from her sick bed was as- Wits memorial service for Prof Colin Richards val, which she created from the stuff tonishing. Rona coerced of her own dreams. Cyril Ramaphosa to be a Respected artist and academic Professor Colin Richards, a lecturer in Sonnenberg, born in Durban on patron of the JPO, shortly printmaking and art criticism in Wits University’s Fine Arts department for May 16, 1942 danced for Johannes- before she moved to Mpu- 25 years and arguably one of SA’s most prolifically published art theorists, burg City Ballet before moving to back malanga. Everyone had who passed away suddenly at age 58 on December 26, will be celebrated to Durban to dance for NAPAC Ballet. tried, but this frail white in a memorial in the courtyard garden at Wits School of Arts, on February 8 “She was a typical dancer,” recalls mu- Jewish woman was the at 15:00. Richards moved with his wife, artist Penny Siopis to Cape Town in sic entrepreneur Sara Gon, who met one who succeeded.” 2009. Call Professor David Andrew for further information (011) 717-4636. her in 2005 and collaborated with Rona and her architect Vagina Monologues back in Johannesburg her in fundraising for the Johannes- husband, Gus, moved burg Philharmonic Orchestra. “She to Wakkerstroom, near On February 14, in support smoked instead of eating. She was Volkrust in Mpumalanga, of One Billion Rising, a global dreadfully thin but tall; she must have famous for birding and day of activism against been formidable in her youth.” teeming with amateur sexual violence, Eve Ensler’s “It is like losing a member of my businesses, apartheid values and gulfs ting support for the second festival 15-year-old play, “The Vagina own family,” said Dawn Weller, com- between English- and Afrikaans- last March was easier, she explained, Monologues” performs at menting from Perth on the news of speakers, in 2009, for its clear air. always matter of fact about the seri- Wits Theatre, produced Sonnenberg’s passing. One of SA’s “After we got to know the village, I ousness of her health. “It became the by Rosie Motene and Gina foremost ballerinas in her heyday, realised there was no organised cul- tool to bring in revenue for a scholar- Shmukler. Performed all over the world by diverse casts, Weller explained that she and Son- ture,” she told the SAJR last October. ship.” it is based on interviews nenberg had joined NAPAC when the “I started a group called Treble Clef. Says Gon: “That scholarship was Ensler conducted with women performing arts councils were first We met each month to watch a DVD Rona’s crowning glory; it redressed everywhere. Keeping with formed in South Africa in 1964. of an opera, ballet or musical.” Wakkerstroom prejudices. It drew the tradition of the benefit “Rona was a lot older than me - I Within 18 months, her audience re- all shades of performers. Her getting performances, all proceeds go was 16 at the time - she was a strong, alised the need to be in the presence so many professionals to play for the to People Opposing Women persistent woman and she looked of live music. Wakkerstroom Festi- debut festival for free attests to her Abuse; it will be performed by after me in that environment and val’s seeds were sown. doggedness; Rona worked genuinely Johannesburg’s highest profiled taught me a lot about the profession. I “In 2010, I formed a board and reg- to benefit musicians and therefore women from stage, radio and will so miss her.” istered a Section 21 company. I had music in South Africa.” television, including Motshabi “Rona was a concertgoer insistent no money, no pianos, nothing. Nearly Sonnenberg leaves her husband Tyelele, Fiona Ramsay, Lebo Mashile, Vanessa Cooke, Napo on saving the JPO. When I met her, every musician I invited accepted to of 25 years, Gus, and has equipped Masheane, Dawn Lindberg, and Talented theatre practitioner Gina she already had the emphysema and play for free.” Wakkerstroom resident Marynza de Leila Henriques. Call Shmukler takes on The Vagina cancer that killed her; she was con- The first festival in March 2011 was Bruyn to take the helm of the festival (011) 717-1376. Monologues with activist Rosie Motene. nected to an oxygen tank all the time,” successful beyond expectations. Get- into the future. Oh, what SA could do with Israel’s support for its arts! ROBYN SASSEN I saw in the four days I was there, “Ours is an industry full of concept for Israel - showing with programmes in place to subsidise all had full houses.” wonderful, talented, passionate cleverness and beauty what Israel both the young and the old, in or- Theatre producer and owner, Nearly 20 years running an in- artists, but we lack support that can do. I was hosted at the Cin- der to forge the artistic and social Daphne Kuhn (pictured) was dependent theatre, having run the countries like Israel get. No thea- ema Hotel, in Dizengoff Street, value of the theatre. invited by Tararam and the Israeli Old Mutual Theatre on the Square tre in the world can run on ticket Tel Aviv. It was nothing fancy but, “Some of our stuff, written and government to attend the annual in Sandton for 17 years, which sales alone. oh, so lovely! produced locally is actually better International Exposure of Israeli grew out of a smaller theatre in “The festival is well established; “Israel’s theatres are wonder- than theirs. But with support Theatre in December. “It was a Rosebank, Kuhn is sharply aware it focuses on dance, literary drama ful: there’s a mix of exquisite of that calibre, it is easy to do symphony of culture! The 17 plays of challenges the arts face. and music. It is a brilliant PR new establishments, black box anything.” theatres, and old ones, celebrated for their history, some dating back • The theatre’s line-up includes to before Israel’s birth. a revival of Sue Pam-Grant’s “I saw two Shakespeare plays 1989 play “Curl up and Dye”; - The Merchant of Venice at Habi- Friday lunch-hour concerts ma National Theatre, and Richard feature “Just So Stories” per- III, at the Cameri Theatre. The formed by Graham Hopkins theatres are part of cultural hubs and Tony Bentel on February - Habima is near the home of the 8, and musicians of the ilk Israel Philharmonic and Cameri of the Goldberg Quartet and

Photo supplied neighbours Tel Aviv’s Museum of Israeli pianist Jossi Reshef, in Modern Art. the next few weeks. See www. “The festival also boasts Rus- theatreonthesquare.co.za. sian, Yiddish and Arab-Israel ma- terial and experimental work. A • Currently at Old Mutual lot of the contemporary material Theatre on the Square is is generated in the Suzanne Dellal “Santa’s Story”, a one-woman Centre for Dance and Theatre, in musical in which Aviva Pelham the very old Tel Aviv neighbour- celebrates her mother. Several hood of Neve Tzedek, an arty, organisations have bought Parkhurst-type of a place. tickets for fundraising, includ- “While some theatres are ing the JWBS on February 12 privately run, most enjoy govern- (call Gloria (011) 485-5232), ment support. The arts are priori- WIZO Tzabar on February 13 tised in the country’s growth and (call Graciela 082-925-0924), development. In the case of big and the Multiple Sclerosis

Photo courtesy eng.nrchinform.net theatres which have full govern- Society on February 14 (call The façade of Tel Aviv’s municipal theatre, the Cameri, established in 1944, which hosted productions of Shakespeare’s ment support, everything is state- Janet (011) 646-1652). The Richard III and Chekhov’s Requiem during December. of-the-art in equipment. There are season ends on February 17.

1218 – 25 SA January JEWISH 2013 REPORT Community Columns 018 - -15 08 February June 2012 2013

A column of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies Anti-racialism ethos underpins our national culture One of our regular ently noted a very remarkable phenomenon, tion and that of the wider Jewish world? Moreover, when such acts do occur, the exercises at the start namely that levels of anti-Semitism in South It seems to me to be incontestable that the Board is consistently finding that we have at of each new year is Africa are strikingly lower than those experi- fundamental reason lies in the robust ethos of hand effective means of dealing with them. to look back on the enced elsewhere. anti-racialism that continues to underpin our Of course, just because levels of anti-Semi- previous 12 months In countries like Australia, Canada and the national culture. From the top down, we see a tism in South Africa are low, does not mean and conduct an UK - all democratic, English-speaking socie- zero-tolerance approach being taken towards that we can afford to become complacent; on audit of anti-Semitic ties which in addition maintain a generally racism and prejudice. The result is that even the contrary, we ourselves need to maintain a incidents during that cordial relationship with Israel - the number those who do harbour such sentiments are high level of vigilance and, wherever unac- period. Have levels of of anti-Semitic incidents recorded annually generally careful not to give them expression ceptable cases of anti-Jewish prejudice arise, anti-Jewish hostility, has over the past decade been anything from because they know that in all likelihood they continue to take a zero-tolerance approach as measured by actual 10 to well over 20 times higher than in South will be called to account if they do. towards them. recorded cases of at- Africa. It is this culture, backed up by its bedrock The Board will always act on behalf of com- tacks against Jews, In addition, the gravity of some of those laws and infrastructure, which enables us to munity members whom we deem to have risen, dropped or incidents, including assault and arson attacks live a fully integrated, observant Jewish life been unfairly targeted for being Jewish. In re- remained more or less against synagogues, contrasts markedly with to an extent that one seldom finds anywhere turn, we ask that the community itself assists Above Board the same? the relatively innocuous instances of anti- else. by keeping us regularly informed whenever Has the nature of Jewish behaviour in this country. As happens all too often, we have a ten- such instances arise. In this way, we can help Mary Kluk anti-Jewish behaviour By way of illustration, in just the first dency in this country to focus on the negative to ensure that anti-Semitism, along with all National Chairman changed, and how six months of 2012, there were 21 cases of to the exclusion of the many good things that forms of prejudice, continues to be no more effectively is it being synagogues in the UK being damaged or are just as much a part of the reality of South than a marginal problem in our society. addressed? These are the kind of questions desecrated; here, there was not even one such Africa today. that the Board needs to consider when carry- instance, and indeed one has to go back as While there indeed are noisy, vociferous an- • Listen to Steven Gruzd on Jewish Board ing out its mandate to combat anti-Semitism far as 2006 to find the last occasion when a ti-Israel lobbies in this country, it should not Talk on 101.9 ChaiFM every Friday 12:00 and safeguard Jewish civil rights. Jewish place of worship was targeted in this detract from the facts on the ground which - 13:00. Part of our analysis naturally involves mak- country. show how little existing anti-Jewish senti- ing comparisons with the situation in other How does one explain so extraordinarily a ment actually manifests in hostile acts against This column is paid for by the Diaspora communities. Here, we have consist- divergence between the South African situa- Jews, whether individually or collectively. SA Jewish Board of Deputies Gadget war moving into the lounge

Installing the giant Sony 4K television, costing some R279 000 in South Africa. Despite the technology not yet being Photo courtesy Reduser.net built into lower-end devices, the perception of technology leadership would still provide a halo effect over these sets. For Sony, the stakes are high. Speaking to South African media at CES last month, Sony senior Vice President Masashi Tiger Imamura, acknowledged that the company was on a mission to turn around the loss- making TV business. “The most important thing to us was to make a very attractive product for the market,” he said of the 4K OLED set. However, it was also important to understand how the TV had evolved in the way it was used. “TV used to be a very passive device. Now it has become both a passive and active device. TV is not a standalone product anymore.“ Every one of the major manufacturers also unveiled more advanced versions of the content services on their Internet- connected TVs, with the Samsung and Panasonic screens at CES displaying remarkably similar interfaces for accessing web-based content. Increasingly in the sets with double the resolution of high- made, the losing brand may not have future, we can expect to see TV makers definition TV. another chance to win over the customer attempt to differentiate their devices based Sony stole a march on its rivals, however, for up to a decade. on innovative content services. with the world’s first 4K TV using OLED With smartphones, they can recover Imamura does not believe, however, that Goldstuck on (Organic Light-Emitting Diode). Samsung, from mistakes; they can survive having to competition for higher picture quality has Gadgets for its part, put out a 3D OLED TV. play catch-up; and they can win back lost ended, or that content is the only way to Arthur Goldstuck While OLED is becoming common on customers with the next roll of the dice. differentiate. cellphone screens, its high cost of materials When they lose a TV customer, on the “I believe there is still a lot of room The war for domination of consumer and production had kept it from big other hand, there is rarely a second chance to improve picture quality with new electronics has shifted from the handheld screens. Now, it seems, the stakes are high in the product future that is currently technology like OLED. The issues are portable gadget to a device firmly enough for TV manufacturers to ignore the mapped out. always around the customer getting ensconced in the living room. fact that the devices are priced out of reach As a result, convincing customers to real value, how much they will pay, and At last month’s International Consumer of the market. The desperate shortage of go with a specific brand is as important what kind of volume we can sell. It’s a Electronics Show (CES), the launch-pad tailor-made content is glossed over. In as giving them what they want from the balance between demand and supply and for the industry that owns Las Vegas in this battle, mindshare is as important to device. Being positioned as a technology technological advance.” January every year, smartphones took manufacturers as market share. Being first leader is a key part of that convincing. As a result, he said, 4K represented a backseat. One dazzling TV set after with any size, format or innovation, is a Enter 4K. The first 4K sets unveiled a few both a risk and a challenge to Sony. The another was unveiled to oohs and aahs - goal in its own right. months ago by Sony and LG - on the same excitement it created at CES suggests that, and aarghs from those who had just bought Why are bragging rights so important? day in South Africa - respectively cost from a marketing point of view, the risk the previous state-of-the-art version. The real issue with high-end TV is that the R279 000 and R160 000. That meant a has paid off. There was little to choose between the manufacturer only has one shot at winning market of perhaps a few dozen customers. flagship screens of the world’s TV giants, over the consumer. Unlike smartphones, But anyone seeing either of the sets in • Arthur Goldstuck is founder of World with the big three, Samsung, LG and which are typically replaced every two action on shop floors would have been Wide Worx and editor-in-chief of Sony, all unveiling versions of the new years, the TV set has a lounge life of five convinced that the manufacturer had Gadget. Follow him on Twitter on Ultra High-definition (UHD) 4K standard to 10 years. Once the purchase has been entered the future of TV. @art2gee 8 – 15 February 2013 Youth SA JEWISH REPORT 13 TA girls pack for Purim fundraiser OWN CORRESPONDENT Pictured are grade nine learners Gali Shalpid; Sheina Kinn; Siddy Shaw; Talya Torah Academy Girls’ High School’s annual Gien; Ashira Aronson and Shifra Henen, fundraising mishloach manot pre-Purim showing off some of the selection of gifts project is underway, with gifts ranging before embarking on their mammoth pro- from R25 to special branded luggage, ject of packaging. filled with imported goodies for R1 000. • For more information visit the website Deliveries are free for the exclusive gifts, www.purimgiftssa.com, e-mail sales@ with nominal delivery charges for smaller purimgiftssa.com or call the school at presentations. (011) 485-3871.

Young Nadav the pivot for aiding storm-ravaged Shingwedzi in Kruger SHIRA DRUION Kruger and her magic, my website would not exist. So, when I got news of the flood- Nadav Ossendryver has become a buzzword ing and the terrible devastation it had in the world of nature conservation with caused, I knew that something had to be his passionate love of African wildlife. The done, “said Nadav. wildlife maven has transferred his great The learners and their families who heed- love of wildlife onto the web where it has ed the call for help, raised enough goods to now become more accessible to thousands ensure that 18 Land Rovers were bursting of people worldwide, by his founding and at the seams. The goods were then driven developing the very popular website, Lat- in convoy by members of the Land Rover estsightings.com. It reports live sightings Club, which consist of a group of honorary from the Kruger National Park and in doing rangers who are associated with SA Nation- he has created a “community” of over 22 al Parks, often assisting with a diversity of 000 members. endeavours to help conserve and preserve This week, the 16-year-old grade 11 King the Kruger and her beauty. David Linksfield learner, stood proudly Louis Lemmer, public relations and alongside youth from Dainfern, Saheti, marketing director of the honorary rangers Crawford and King David Linksfield in his club, congratulated the relief effort. bold initiative to assist over 150 flood vic- “It has been inspiring to witness the tims who had lost everything in the floods care that these young people have shown that recently destroyed the Shingwedzi towards strangers, by taking the initiative camp in the northern part of the Kruger to make a difference. I believe that this is park. one of the most important lessons that “I think it’s safe to say that the Kruger the South African culture has instilled its and I go arm in arm. If it were not for the people.” Photo: Ilan Ossendryver Photo:

Members of the Land Rover Club, lift up Nadav Ossendryver, whose efforts saw 18 Land Rovers with goods, leave Johannesburg for storm-ravaged Shingwedzi in the Kruger Park. 142 SA JEWISH REPORTREPORT Classifieds What’s On 8 – 15 February 2013 To book your classified notice or advert contact: Today, Friday (February 8) R30. Contact: (011) 648-1053. talk on “Cruising Into the Future - Tel (011) 274-1400, Fax 086-634-7935, email: [email protected] Travels Around the World”. Venue: HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED ADVERT: • UZLC hosts Steven Gruzd, Senior Tuesday (February 12) Stonehaven, 7 Albany Road, Sea 1. Only adverts sent via email to [email protected] will be accepted. 2. You will be advised Researcher at the SAJBD, who will Point. Enquiries: 083-439-8006. on cost & payment details. 3. Payment is prior to the advert appearing. 4. Our banking details: talk on “Jubuntu: Jewish Contribu- • WIZO Forum hosts “Fact or Fiction SA Jewish Report, Nedbank Randburg, Account Number: 1984 514 865, Branch Code: 198405. DEADLINE for BOOKING and PAYMENT is Tuesday 12 pm. (If deadline is missed the advert tion to Education, Skills Develop- - From the Horse’s Mouth”. Post- Sunday (February 17) will appear – when payment is received – in the next edition). IMPORTANT NOTICE ment and Job Creation in South election analysis. Venue: Beyachad. - The Jewish Report runs adverts in the Classified section in good faith, however we Africa”. Venue: Our Parents Home. Time: 09:30. Cost: R40 (incl tea and • Second Innings hosts author David cannot be responsible for the quality of services offered and claims made. Time: 12:45 – 14:00. Contact: Gloria refreshments). Contact: Sandy (011) Fleminger, to speak on “Fair Game 072-127-9421 or (011) 485-4851. 645-2515. - The Hidden History of the Kruger SERVICES PROPERTY VEHICLES National Park”. 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Cost: R80 per from R210 chat, a cup of tea, support, informa- person, including the bus, a guided For rent SILVER Reasonable rates 2.5 bedroom, 2 bath- tion and much needed time out. • UJW hosts Estelle Sher who will tour of the dairy and farm, and to all other areas room townhouse, REPAIR & Resumes today. Entertainment present the first of two sessions tea. Contact Grecia Gabriel (011) Sam in St Andrews. In a REPLATING provided for kids. Special guest is a on “Debussy - His Life and Works”. 532-9718. (011) 728-5219 good, quiet, access-con- (011) 334 handyman to empower members Venue: 1 Oak Street, Houghton. 083-627-8516 trolled area, 2 covered parking, lots of lovely 1102 with DIY skills. Time: 10:00 - 11:30. Time: 09:30. Donation: R30. Con- • UJW hosts Dr Lorraine Chaskal- IVAN WANTS TO green environment 082-473-6040 Contact: Zoe (011) 532-9654. tact: (011) 648-1053. son, former lecturer in English at LIFT YOU! around unit. Wits, in the second of five lectures, R8 500 pm excl w/l. Punctual, • Aish Women present “A Journey to • Second Innings hosts Ernie Saks “Miracles, Monsters, Musing on Contact: Jeanette your Soul” with Rachel Factor, the who will speak on “The Anglo Boer Life in Shakespeare’s ‘The Win- (011) 864-76 25 (o/h) reliable. creator of the musical hits JAP and War and the Seven VCs won at Co- ter’s Tale’”. Venue: 1 Oak Street, Jhb/Sdtn/Tambo, Shimon Botbol 082-452-3575 (a/h) Not Even Normal. An evening of lenso”. Venue: Our Parents Home, Houghton. Time: 09:30. Donation: Lnsria & Pretoria dance and inspiration, featuring lo- Orchards. Time: 14:00 for 14:30. R30. Contact: (011) 648-1053. Doctor’s app, Cheltondale cal SA dancers. Venue: Eden College Contact: Grecia Gabriel (011) 532- Beautiful 2-bedroom School Auditorium, 48 - 62 Johan- 9718. etc. apartment, Monday (February 25) Reasonable 127m2, newly-renovat- nesburg Road, Lyndhurst. Times: rates. ed, secure parking. 14:00 and 19:00. Tickets: Adults Wednesday (February 13) • UJW hosts Richard Tait, a chemi- Call Michael 082-962-5007 R150, students R100. For advanced cal engineer and retired lecturer 082-856-9914 Appliance Repairs bookings call office (011) 485-2985, • UJW hosts Dr Lorraine Chaskal- at Wits, who will present the first or Shelley Willis, 079-989-3773, or son, former lecturer in English at of two lectures on: “Can Renew- One-bedroom on-site Stoves, washing-machines, Fruma Ziskin, 082-689-2961. Wits, who will deliver the first in able Energy Reduce Rising Costs flat for rent a series of five lectures, “Miracles, - Climate, Renewable energy and in Hazelwood. tumbledriers, dishwashers & s. Free quotations! • Second Innings hosts geriatrician, Monsters, Musing on Life in Shake- fossil fuels”. Venue: 1 Oak Street, Available Dr Stanley Lipschitz, who will speak speare’s ‘The Winter’s Tale’”. Venue: Houghton. Time: 09:30. Donation: March. 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Booking: Graciela 082-925- “Miracles, Monsters, Musing rated from house. done at very competi- • UJW hosts Jonathan Hurwitz, 0924 or e-mail at [email protected] on Life in Shakespeare’s ‘The tive prices. References ballet historian and tour guide, who Winter’s Tale’”. Venue: 1 Oak Staff quarters, storage available on request. room and plenty park- Contact Lloyd on will talk on “The Future of Ballet in • UJW CT’s adult education division Street, Houghton. Time: 09:30. ing. Walking distance to 084-481-0075 South Africa”. Venue: 1 Oak Street, hosts Daniel Silke, economist and Donation: R30. Contact: (011) BRIAN K LIFT Sydenham Shul. Work can only be done Houghton. Time: 09:30. Donation: motivational speaker, who will 648-1053. SERVICE & COURIER on weekends AIRPORT SPECIAL FROM Gideon: 083-387-8350 R140. Secure, comfortable Your untold Pesach 2013 • Bnoth Zion Association • The Selwyn Segal Shop has • The Yiddish Academy of- 728-8088/8378. E-mail: and safe. Anywhere 24/7. story WIZO is collecting any- a huge selection of gifts fers weekly basic, interme- [email protected] or (Jhb - Pta) CALL BRIAN ON Time passes, Sea Point kosher thing of value for its store. ranging in price from R30 diate and advanced classes [email protected] 076-533-1440 memories fade. 3 b/room house. Record your past and Contact (021) 464-6729 or upwards. Visit them from on Monday evenings at A-TAXI SERVICE Contact Susan your family history Linda Saban 072-245-3225 Monday to Friday, 08:30 19:30, Tuesday mornings • Beis Midrash Chofetz Let Warren Pogorelsky 083-439-7341 for your children and or Cherna Kredo 084-589- to 14:00. Phone (011) 640- at 10:30 and Thursday Chaim is offering a second chauffeur you to your grandchildren 8588. 6413 or (011) 640-5171. evenings at 19:30 at the ma’ariv minyan every EMPLOYMENT – or even for a wider destination in Jo’burg All proceeds to The Selwyn RCHCC, Glenhove Road, weekday evening (Mon- WANTED audience. and back. 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Are you/and your husband in your [email protected] and am looking for au-pair 13:00 - 14:00 at Beyachad. • Supervised bridge with Jeff autumn years but still want to work, preferably in the Sand- • Intimate Antiques Fair Joyce, (011) 640-2416. Sapire Tuesday morning • Sunday Scrabble Club live life? You don’t want to worry Gardens Shul ton area. I also can tutor in held on last Sunday of eve- 10:00 - 12:00 (interme- meets every Sunday at your family? I’ll take you around Cape Town science, maths, Hebrew, ry month at Cedar Square • Stellenbosch Hebrew diary) and Wednesday 10:00 at Zahava’s, Grant to doctors, shops, etc, giving you biology and English. Pesach Sedorim corner Witkoppen/Cedar Congregation has a Friday morning 10:00 - 12:00 Avenue, Norwood, off 9th independence and companionship. Please contact me if you are R240 adults Avenue in Fourways, from evening service every week (advanced), at the Clive M Street. Cost R5. Players From 08:00 - 16:00, interested. R80 under-12 09:00 - 16:00. Contact in shul, starting at 18:45. Beck Auditorium. Book- of all strengths welcome. Monday to Friday 072-611-0248 Contact Stephanie Robyn 083-311-4768. Contact (021) 886-5257. ing: Hazel or René‚ (011) Larry 082-888-5355. Call 082-876-1787 [email protected] (021) 465-1405 15 SA JEWISH REPORT Sport 8 – 15 February 2013 Beitar Jerusalem soccer fans slammed, fined for racism OWN CORRESPONDENT chanted racist slogans against them at a Beitar match. Blatant racism by Beitar Jerusa- It is not the first time Beitar lem soccer fans against the club’s Jerusalem has been involved in signing of two Muslim players, a racial incident. Last March, has seen an Israel Football As- hundreds of Beitar Jerusalem sociation disciplinary tribunal fine fans chanting anti-Arab slogans the club NIS 50 000 and order the assaulted Arab workers at a eastern stand of Teddy Stadium Jerusalem mall following a game. closed for the team’s next five Sixteen fans were arrested; six games. were banned from future games. When word was out that team Despite all the pre-match ten- owner Arkadi Gaydamak, a sion, Tuesday night’s State Cup Russian-Israeli tycoon, planned game between Beitar Jerusalem to sign the two players from the and Maccabi Umm al-Fahm Chechen Terek Gorzny team, fans passed with reasonable calm at AFP/Getty Images. Photo courtesy Fans of the Beitar Jerusalem soccer team hold up a banner in Hebrew which reads “Beitar Pure Forever”, during a hurled racist abuse during the Teddy Stadium. Eleven Beitar fans match in Jerusalem against the north Israel team Maccabi Umm al-Fahm, on January 26, 2012. team’s Premier League game last were detained and barred entry Friday against Bnei Yehuda at following scuffles outside the sta- with the club’s request to ban 50 and honour the state and the kind that crosses the line into a Teddy Stadium. dium before the game, and three fans known for racist incitement sport. Hundreds of police offic- criminal act,” Weinstein wrote to Three fans were arrested for visiting fans were arrested for in the past. ers will be in attendance, and I Beitar Chairman Itzik Kornfein. “I chanting anti-Muslim slogans. A flying the Palestinian flag during However, despite the agreement hope they will have nothing to intend to ensure that the matter sign reading “Beitar will be pure the match. reached the day before with Israel do. The Jewish nation is the last is dealt with the best way pos- forever” was unfurled during the Beitar beat Umm al-Fahm, from Football Association Chairman that should have to be explained sible.” game. the second-tier National League, Avi Luzon, the club failed to ask why we should fight such an ugly The attorney general plans “As far as I’m concerned, there 5-0. Police escorted the visiting the court to order that the game phenomenon.” to stress the recommendations is no difference between a Jewish players and fans through the capi- be played before empty stands in Attorney General Yehuda several months ago by a com- player and a Muslim player,” Gay- tal to prevent further flare-ups. an attempt to prevent a repeat of Weinstein told Beitar Jerusalem mittee examining violence in damak told Ynet in an interview. The game was relatively peaceful last Saturday’s shocking display. on Tuesday that Israel intended to sports. Those proposals have been At a training session last Friday, overall. “The game made headlines stamp out the racism and violence submitted to Culture and Sports the two players from Chechnya, In an unprecedented move thanks to the ugly phenomena of the soccer team’s fans. Minister Limor Livnat. Gabriel Kadiev and Zaur Sadaev, hours before Tuesday’s game, the we’ve seen recently,” Police Com- “The Israeli public should reject Weinstein said he would also were abused verbally and spat on Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court missioner Yohanan Danino said any manifestation of racism, and consider having the law changed, by fans. The two had to leave the banned 50 Beitar Jerusalem fans before Tuesday’s game. “We must the [law] enforcement authorities including a provision that would area surrounded by police and attending the match against Umm all condemn this phenomenon. I are obligated to fearlessly eradi- give incentives to sports teams to security guards. The next day, fans al-Fahm. The court was complying call on all fans to show restraint cate any manifestation of this work for tolerance.

The Canadian Jewish News, Toronto, Canada: www.cjnews.com “Observant women too lace ‘em up to learn hockey” The women’s locker room at Baycrest Arena in Toronto is crowded with hockey bags and sticks. There’s a chatty excitement as 13 women gear The Jewish up in full hockey attire and hang their sheitels on hooks. It’s the third season for this all-women’s group, a gathering of frum and non-frum women, Sport World who come together weekly to participate in a hockey skills class. in 7 seconds Jewish News, Sydney, Australia: Jerusalem Post, Jerusalem, Israel: www.jewishnews.net.au www.jpost.com “Firsts keep finals hopes alive” “Blue-and-White takes on Turkey to Maccabi Ajax First XI kept its slim finals hopes alive open” with a stirring four-wicket win over flag favourites Israel’s Fed Cup team will face Turkey in its Melbourne Cobras at the weekend. The Firsts piled Europe/Africa Zone Group I opener in Eilat, a tie on the pressure against the Cobras – who slumped it can’t afford to lose if it has any intention of to second on the ladder following the loss – and advancing from Pool C. Amos Mansdorf captains executed perfectly on the field, resulting in a string the side for the first time and hopes to get more of early wickets that got the side off to a flyer. out of Shahar Pe’er, ranked 91, and Julia Glushko (181) than his predecessor Lior Mor managed to. The Jewish Telegraph, Manchester, UK: www.jewishtelegraph.com The Jewish Chronicle, London, UK: “Celtic star pops in for morning www.thejc.com prayers” “Israel whitewashed by France” Lubavitch Scotland was on the ball this week. Israel were on the receiving end of an Celtic’s Israeli footballer Rami Gershon, 24 popped embarrassing whitewash in their Davis Cup World in to Glasgow’s Shul in the Park for morning prayers Group match against France. Israel coach Eyal following an invitation from Rabbi Mendel Jacobs. Ran said: “We did the best we could but it was The defender, on-loan at Celtic until the end of the never going to be enough. I’m proud that we season said:”I am very close to my religion. I do as are back in the World Group and now we must much as I can.” prepare for the relegation playoff.” The Algemeiner, Brooklyn, US: “Tamir Goodman earns spot on www.algemeiner.com inaugural ‘Orthodox Jewish All Stars’ “Rising Jewish brawler Cletus Seldin list” wins latest match in three rounds” The world’s first-ever Orthodox pro-basketball Cletus Seldin, the Long Island boxer known as the player Tamir Goodman has been included by “Hebrew Hammer,” won his latest fight in three Allison Josephs, the founder and director of Jew rounds last week against the formerly undefeated in the City, a website devoted to breaking down Luis Rodriguez. The win takes his record to a stereotypes associated with Orthodox men and perfect 10-0-0 with a stunning 7 knockouts, a women, in the site’s inaugural “Orthodox Jewish statistic that is practically unheard of in modern All Stars.” era Jewish boxing. Ready for Cape Town? Don’t just surf, call Seeff!

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