Europe Terror Raises Concern of Attacks in SA TALI FEINBERG Or Unhinged to Listen to the Call of ISIS to Carry That Anymore

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south african n Volume 24 – Number 40 n 6 November 2020 n 19 Cheshvan 5781

The source of quality content, news and insights t www.sajr.co.za Europe terror raises concern of attacks in SA TALI FEINBERG or unhinged to listen to the call of ISIS to carry that anymore. We have ISIS supporters, fanatics with no reference to belonging to ISIS or al-Qaeda, out attacks, and to look at French, Western, or on home soil, people feeling insulted [by the even though on social media, these organisations outh Africa may be physically far from the Jewish targets in South Africa. These recent events cartoons], and right-wingers communicating with celebrated the attacks as a victory for Muslims”. recent terrorist attacks that took place in in Europe were ‘very successful’ in that they’ve international right-wing organisations,” she says. “This is where the concern lies,” she says, France and Austria, but we still have to be damaged France’s sense of safety and security, “South Africa is the ideal setting for fanatics to “with developments in Europe, the divide between Sextra vigilant. Terror is now a global phenomenon, and now Vienna’s as well. The more ‘successful’ an execute an attack,” Opperman says. “This may communities is getting bigger, and the opportunity says experts, and Jewish communities have to be attack, the more ‘inspiring’ it is for other jihadists to be without any guidance or training – as can be for fanatics to execute attacks beyond a traditional on their guard. emulate. So there is no doubt that copycat attacks seen in the ‘lone-wolf’ attacks in France – but terrorism framework is at play. The primary concern “What has become clear is that there are no are a concern at global level. based on personal beliefs. South Africa must is that the scope of those willing to make use of borders or boundaries in the world anymore,” says “On top of that, we have ISIS in the Cabo Delgado pop out of its bubble of believing it’s immune to violence has opened up, and we cannot ignore that, Jevon Greenblatt, the director of operations at the province of Mozambique. Just recently, ISIS made terrorism.” She says this especially true because even in South Africa.” While she emphasises that Community Security Organisation (CSO). “With a statement that what is happening in France, and of the presence of ISIS in Mozambique, although an imminent terrorist attack on South African soil is social media and the speed of information, we can’t the normalisation between Israel and Arab states, is she doesn’t think that it’s in a position to direct highly unlikely, Jewish communities are always a turn around and say what happens there doesn’t an affront to Islam, telling fighters to go out into the activities in South Africa at this point in time. more vulnerable target. affect us over here. world and attack in revenge. ISIS has an agenda, Writing for Sky News, European correspondent “My concern lies with the France attacks. That is “For example, the New Zealand mosque and will use every single opportunity to justify that Adam Parsons said after the Vienna attack, to say, we could have individuals in South Africa, not shootings motivated other right-wing radicals to agenda.” “What’s clear is that for the past few weeks, we associated with Al-Qaeda or ISIS, but due to hatred emulate similar attacks.” Jasmine Opperman, a terrorism expert and have talked about a resurgence in terrorism in or feeling insulted by the cartoons, deciding to take The series of attacks in Europe started when analyst at the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data France. Now that tension has seeped beyond action against the Jewish community or European a teacher, Samuel Paty, was decapitated in the Project, echoes Greenblatt’s sentiments. the borders. Few doubt that another attack will embassies or personnel. We need to understand that streets of Paris on 16 October, a few days after he “South Africa has to end its self-constructed happen soon. What we don’t know is where.” a classic counter-terrorism approach won’t deal with showed cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in a belief that we are different, that we are isolated, Opperman notes that the French attacks were these fanatics. For most of the time, we won’t even lesson about freedom of expression. that we’ve never had this problem. We cannot say “lone-wolf attacks that weren’t co-ordinated, know about them. Hence, South Africa cannot ignore On 29 October, three people were killed in these developments. South Africa has to take note an attack – including one woman who was and put action in place.” decapitated – at the Notre-Dame church in the A nail-biting election Examining the context of the recent attacks, southern city of Nice. Later that day, in the southern Opperman says, “In Europe, for the past few city of Avignon, police shot dead an armed man years, we have seen a divide setting in. In Austria, after he refused to drop his weapon. antisemitism has been in drastic increase. Right- The attack in Vienna began on the evening of wing extremist groups are active on propaganda 2 November, when a heavily armed man opened channels inciting individuals to take action. And that fire on people outside restaurants at six locations, leaves Europe more vulnerable. In addition, Macron’s all near the street on which Vienna’s central response to the Vienna attack creates even more Photo: Ilan Ossendryver Photo: synagogue is located. Four civilians were confirmed of a divide of ‘either you’re with us or against us’. It dead. Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for could antagonise Muslim communities and create the attack 24 hours later. the opportunity for more fanaticism.” The resurfacing of the cartoons in France has led Greenblatt says the CSO isn’t going to raise the to mass protests, calls for a boycott, and tensions threat level in the Jewish community because, “For among world leaders. After the Vienna attack, 26 years, we have put mechanisms in place for French President Emmanuel Macron said among basic security for our community. Every day, we are other things, “This is our Europe. Our enemies operating at a level where we understand that this must know who they are dealing with. We will not can happen at any stage. give up.” Meanwhile, the United Kingdom raised “This is just a slightly more sensitive time that its terror threat level from ‘substantial’ to ‘severe’, could lead to a local reaction or inspire a copycat meaning an attack is now judged to be ‘highly attack. We can’t say it won’t, and we have no likely’, in light of events on France and Austria. information to say it will. But we always work with Says Greenblatt, “There have been protests facilities and the community to be aware and vigilant. against France in South Africa, as well as talks on “Our processes are aligned to what’s happening the issue and sermons in local mosques, so we in the world. The fundamental principles of security can’t say there hasn’t been a physical effect in are simple, and actions as small as locking a door or South Africa. Locals are expressing their anger and gate, proper access control, community protectors displeasure with what’s happening, and that could on duty at key times, and reporting any concerns be seen as 50Ma microcosm HEIGHT AND 265 of LENGTH sentiments copy.pdf globally. 1 11/2/2020 10:28:18Rabbi AM Ari Kievman, who was born in the United States, is glued to the screen during to the CSO on 086 18 000 18 can make all the this week’s tense elections in his country of birth. See story on page 4 “It could encourage someone who is radicalised difference in preventing an attack.”

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CMY & GO TO PAGE 5! K Appliance Repairs on Site 2 SA JEWISH REPORT 6 – 13 November 2020 rs, ashe shw , Di , Stoves es chines idg Ma Court sends message of zero tolerance for antisemitism r ing NICOLA MILTZ alleged crusading antisemites, believing justice will be better served by the F sh ore Wa ryers & m appropriate criminal courts. ble D um Call Jason n sentencing Matome Letsoalo, a South African magistrate has sent a clear Two such cases are still pending. T 082 401 8239 / 076 210 6532 message that antisemitic statements won’t be tolerated. Johannesburg resident Jan Lamprecht, who has said among many hateful FREE QUOTATIONS In the Randburg Magistrates Court on 30 October, presiding Magistrate Heidi things that “there is no good Jew but a dead Jew” is due to appear in the IBarnard sentenced Letsoalo to three years imprisonment, suspended for five years, Randburg Magistrates Court later this week after a protection order was laid AIRPORT SERVICE JHB for a string of threatening and antisemitic tweets that he posted in June 2018. against him by the SAJBD’s Professor Karen Milner. This was the first-ever criminal verdict in an antisemitism case in South Africa. Milner received threats from Lamprecht and his supporters after she laid a The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) lodged the charge of crimen charge of crimen injuria against him. injuria against Letsoalo, who pleaded guilty. Crimen injuria is a criminal charge Earlier this year, the SAJBD laid a criminal charge against Hitler sympathiser, defined in South African law as a wilful injury to someone’s dignity, Simone Abigail Kriel of Pretoria, for allegedly posting antisemitic and caused by the use of obscene or racially offensive language inflammatory messages on her Instagram page in May. 8-seater or gestures. Kriel, a social-media influencer, is well known in gym and fitness Tours/Day Drives In sentencing Letsoalo last Friday, Barnard said that hateful circles. Following this, hateful online messages on her Instagram and CONTACT ARNOLD, statements of the kind made by Letsoalo were in violation of Facebook profile have been taken down. 082-447-0185 or (011) 454-1193 the Constitution, and were becoming all too prevalent in South Some high-profile crimen injuria cases have made the news in Africa. recent years. She said the courts therefore The late former estate agent Penny Sparrow sparked anger in had a responsibility to deal South Africa after she compared black beachgoers to monkeys in a firmly with such incidents to Facebook post after New Years’ Eve in 2016. She was found guilty send a strong message that such of hate speech in the Equality Court, and later pleaded guilty to behaviour won’t be tolerated. crimen injuria, becoming the first South African convicted for racist It was for this reason that she had slurs. decided to impose the maximum jail term allowed by Former realtor Vicky Momberg was convicted in March 2018 of using racist a district court. However, in view of Letsoalo having insults against a black policeman, and was found guilty of crimen injuria and entered a guilty plea and expressed remorse for his sentenced to two years in jail. She used the “k-word” more than 40 times against actions, the sentence would be suspended for five police officers and 10111 operators trying to help her after a smash-and-grab years subject to him not repeating the same offence. incident. She was the first person in South Africa to spend time in jail for crimen It was also the first time the SAJBD went the injuria. She was sentenced to three years imprisonment, of which one year was criminal route, having in the past resolved issues of suspended for a period of three years on condition that she didn’t commit crimen hate speech and antisemitism through mediation and injuria again. education, favouring conciliation over confrontation. Adam Catzavelos pleaded guilty to crimen injuria in 2019. He admitted to The SAJBD has often turned to the Equality Court recording a video on a beach in Greece in which he used the “k-word” while or the South African Human Rights Commission celebrating the lack of black people around him. (SAHRC). SAJBD National Director Wendy Kahn welcomed Letsoalo’s sentence, saying The definition of what constitutes prohibited hate that the ruling had established an important precedent for similar cases that the speech is still being debated because of a pending SAJBD had laid and might lay in the future, and heralded tougher consequences MONDAY – FRIDAY MONDAY – THURSDAY: challenge to the relevant section of the Promotion of for antisemites. 8:30am – 5:30pm 8:30am – 5:30pm Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act “The maximum sentence is an Shabbat times this week SATURDAY: FRIDAY: 8:00am – 4:30pm in the Constitutional Court. encouraging demonstration of the Starts Ends 9:00am – 2:00pm SATURDAY: CLOSED Because of this, the SAJBD felt that going the civil seriousness with which the courts 18:10 19:02 Johannesburg SUNDAY SUNDAY route – such as through the Equality Court or the are viewing hate speech, in this 19:02 19:57 Cape Town AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: SAHRC – wouldn’t be an effective option, and instead case antisemitism, and I believe it 18:04 18:58 Durban 9:00am – 1:00pm 9:00am – 1:00pm opted to follow criminal proceedings. will be a deterrent to people who 18:15 19:15 Bloemfontein In recent months, the SAJBD’s representatives feel they are free to engage in such 18:15 19:28 Port Elizabeth have laid several charges of crimen injuria against behaviour in our country,” she said. 18:15 19:17 East London Torah Thought Rabbi Ari Kievman, director of Chabad Seniors and rabbi Take your baggage with you of Sandton Central Shul pending much of my time with all of their solecism can be seen as part and experimentation. elderly people as I do comes with of the learning process. Maimonides notes the perk of learning invaluable Do you ever feel stuck in a cycle that they explored Slife lessons from those with decades of of mishap, or embarrassed by past and wondered experience. mistakes? until they truly This week’s parsha speaks of our first Again and again in conversation understood. patriarch and matriarch in their stage with seniors, I find myself asking about We may have deficiencies, but of life as pensioners. “Abraham and their life accomplishments and asking remember that failure isn’t getting Sarah were old, coming on in days,” the the question: what’s the secret to your knocked down, failure is staying down. Torah says in Genesis 18:11. Why the success? We, too, must reframe our challenges redundancy of saying “old” and “coming The array of achievements quoted into joy-inspiring opportunities as they on in days”? run the gamut of self-development, “came with their days” – all of their According to the Zohar, they came with relationships, family life, community days. their days, as each day of their life was involvement, career, and so much more. It’s never too late to learn. We’re virtuous. And repeatedly, the secret is to learn never too old to grow and explore. The Yet, how can this be if the earlier every step along the way, via the steps Torah is a book of eternal truth, and we years of their life were consumed with that are clearly oriented toward the goal, can tap into its messages and wisdom idolatry before they acknowledged the and even (sometimes more so) the steps at every stage along the journey of monotheistic belief in G-d for which they that seem to be a deviation or detour personal growth. are now famous? from the projected outcome. As thousands of Jews the world over In spite of being born and raised with Take your experiences with you. Grow will be making an extra effort to keep pagan beliefs as was common then, their with them, not in spite of them. Shabbos this week, we can glean an past challenges were actually part of Often, the consternation about our important life-lesson. Perhaps here’s their spiritual journey. Truth-seekers often shortcomings and poor decisions can be another explanation for why, toward the make mistakes along the way before more upsetting than material challenges end of Lecha Dodi, we turn around as discovering the light they seek. and hardships. Sometimes, our negative we welcome Shabbos. We look back at Abraham and Sarah came to G-d via thoughts can leave us feeling defeated. our past week’s journey along which we other routes, because without it, they Let’s take a cue from our ancestors. arrived at our present destination. couldn’t have discovered monotheism. Their journey to recognising G-d was Don’t leave your baggage unattended. So even their “bad days” were good, for circuitous, laden with personal dilemmas, Take it with you, and make it serve you.

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The SA Jewish Report subscribes to the Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and Online Media that prescribes news that is truthful, accurate, fair and balanced. If we don’t live up to the Code, within 20 days of the date of publication of the material, please contact the Public Advocate at 011 484 3612, fax: 011 484 3619. You can also contact our Case Officer on [email protected] or lodge a complaint on their website: www.presscouncil.org.za 6 – 13 November 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 3 COVID-19 leaves destitute DER choosing between food and fuel JORDAN MOSHE [with difficulty] to put food on two jobs at one time, I couldn’t EIBISHTER their table,” she says. “For Rosh always afford to care for my son, and “COVID-19 has knocked me right Hashanah, we packed a record he was taken to a home where he was off my feet. I’ve lost my job and 700 double food hampers, and we abused. my income along with it. R100 has currently assist 687 families. “It’s been emotionally devastating ZOL become a lot for me, and I always “Until the devastation of and traumatic. I’m now sitting with ask myself: what do I need to spend COVID-19, ‘middle class’ families a grown-up son with emotional Hashem is always in the driver's seat, it on the most?” were never considered eligible for issues who is totally reliant on me but we do what we can! our assistance, but this has financially and emotionally.” Call Alan Finger: 082 850 0004 ‘Without a job, I’m left had to change. Benson’s son didn’t get his matric, sitting at home every “Families whose businesses and was still trying to complete closed and the thousands his studies earlier this year when day with my son. His of retrenched people are COVID-19 arrived, an expense his financially until she lost her job “I used to add a little to our aggression is getting suddenly unable to meet mother was already struggling to when COVID-19 hit. Now, she income by working for a local kollel. worse because of the basic expenses which are afford on limited grant payments and and her family of five don’t have Now there’s nothing at all – no much higher than those of a meagre salary. enough money to look after income, no nothing. My husband stress, and he sometimes our regular recipients. Tey “I earned almost R2 500 if I was themselves. still goes to work and tries to earn a attacks me.’ find their totally unexpected lucky helping my mother care for an “I was working in a retail store, little something, and my daughter situation, albeit temporary, elderly person in a retirement home,” and it got scary when COVID-19 works a bit as well. Tis is the question 55-year- extremely hard to deal with and she says. “Tat stopped suddenly in was coming and stores started “We are relying on other people old Martha Benson* has had to accept,” says Friedman. “Te March, and I found myself with no closing for health reasons,” says to help us.” ask herself daily since the onset humbling message is that no one is income at all. I was stunned. Jacobs. “When we were told to Like Benson and Jacobs, Ellis of COVID-19 in March this year. immune.” “My first thought was, how will I close the shop under lockdown, survives on a weekly meal hamper Confined to a one-room cottage Tere is a large spectrum of put my son through school? Will that I was nervous and didn’t know that keeps them going. with her 27-year-old son, she no people affected, ranging from those ever happen? what would come next. Says Jacobs, “When friends longer holds a job “I came home, and was loving asked if they could put me on Yad and struggles daily Packing Food Boxes at Yad Aharon & Michael the first weeks of lockdown – Aharon & Michael’s list, I initially to put food on the it was like a holiday. Reality said no because there are people table. Were it not set in when my hourly salary out there who have it much for the weekly meal was suddenly cut and I had to worse.” Little did she realise how hamper she receives, start drawing from UIF [the it would keep them afloat. she wouldn’t know Unemployment Insurance Fund]. “Now I don’t know where we where to go for her It was scary.” would be without it.” next meal. Jacobs was retrenched shortly Says Benson, “I would have Benson is one of thereafter. been finished a long time ago if

hundreds of members Aharon & Michael Yad Photo supplied by “Tat was that,” she says. “No it weren’t for the help. I never of our community thank you or goodbye. It was a thought I’d be in this position. who have been shock. My husband runs his own “When I was first married, devastated financially business, and he was forced to I had it all – my own Diners by the effects of the close as well. My income used Club card, a credit card, and my pandemic. While few to contribute quite a bit to our husband drove a BMW. Now I’m of us have remained home, and though we’d always questioning whether to spend unscathed, too been okay financially, the sudden R100 on groceries or petrol. many have lost jobs lack of a second income and are left with no made a huge difference.” ‘I would have been choice but to turn to Rachel Ellis* has also organisations like Yad experienced considerable finished a long time Aharon & Michael hardship since the onset ago if it weren’t for the to help them to feed of the pandemic when her help. I never thought their families. husband’s business had to Without the food parcels who were financially vulnerable “Without a job, I’m left sitting close, leaving the couple I’d be in this position.’ provided weekly, most of these to begin with to those who have at home every day with my son,” and their daughter with families wouldn’t survive. Tere experienced a sudden change of she says. “His aggression is getting little support. “We’ve all taken a knock, but has been a substantial increase in circumstance. Benson falls into the worse because of the stress, and he “My husband works in I don’t think everyone really the number of applications for food former category. sometimes attacks me. Sometimes diamonds, and before lockdown understands the situation. You assistance as a result of COVID-19, “I’ve had a tough life,” she told we have electricity and sometimes we things were starting to pick up don’t realise what it’s really like says the managing director of Yad the SA Jewish Report last week. “I just don’t. I’ve occasionally begged a little,” says Ellis. “People from until it happens to you.” Aharon & Michael, Alice Friedman. was raised by a single mother, my my ex-husband for some help, but it’s overseas would come, and he’d “For Pesach, we had 655 ex-husband had an affair, and I’ve so demoralising. COVID-19 has made make some sales. Lockdown came, *All names were changed to families on our weekly list, plus an been raising my son alone without a difficult situation even worse.” closed the airports, and shut him protect the identity of those additional 20 families who manage much support. In spite of working Simone Jacobs* was doing fine down completely. quoted.

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JOEL HARRIS LAUREEN SHALPID www.jawitz.co.za | WEB REF ND144 082 926 0287 083 789 0229 4 SA JEWISH REPORT 6 – 13 November 2020 SA government unswayed by Israel-Arab peace ties TALI FEINBERG National Chairperson Rowan Polovin said, Local political analyst Steven Gruzd University of the Free State, questioned equal partners from the very beginning. “The normalisation deal between Sudan believes that “the Abraham Accords Pandor’s depiction of the Israeli- “We had hoped that these events he South African government and Israel could be a game-changer for with the UAE, Bahrain, and Sudan have Palestinian question as the core security would lead to less suffering of Palestinians continues to refuse to support Sudan and the African continent as it surprised and wrong-footed South Africa challenge in the region. “I’m sure the ... [but] these agreements appear to Israel and its newly transformed is set to deliver significant investment, diplomatically”. UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain will hold coincide with increased illegal settlement Tties with three Arab countries in three agricultural development, and strategic that Iran constitutes such a challenge,” activity and destruction of Palestinian months, without resolution of the Israeli- co-operation between Israel, Sudan, North he says. agricultural land. While formal annexation Palestinian conflict as part of those Africa, and the Middle East.” He questioned South Africa’s may have been suspended, de facto agreements. However, Pandor’s views are opposition to these peace annexation continues.” When the historic Abraham Accords unchanged. “The international agreements. “Other countries Matjila referred to Israeli authorities between Israel and the United Arab community, including countries like Oman, Morocco, announcing plans earlier in October for Emirates (UAE) was announced in August, in the Gulf region, should Naledi Pandor, the Tunisia, and eventually the advancement of more than 5 000 the department of international relations continue to work towards minister of Saudi Arabia will all have new housing units in the West Bank, and cooperation, said that it noted the a just and peaceful end to international relations agreements with Israel which he said marked 2020 as “the year developments with “concern”, describing the occupation,” she said. and cooperation since it’s in their national for the highest settlement expansion the deal as “regrettable” on the grounds This, she believes, should be a interest. This is something since 2012, with over 12 000 units being that the Palestinian people hadn’t been “viable two-state solution that will that senior diplomats will advanced”. To Matjila, this settlement “engaged”. guarantee and safeguard the human understand. The Palestinians activity “contradicts these agreements, Now, Naledi Pandor, the minister of rights and dignity of all people on both have been ill-served by their and calls into question the benefits of international relations and cooperation, sides of the agreed Green Line”. leadership, and have alienated the Arab these agreements for peace as they have has doubled down on this stance by Said Polovin, “Instead of warmly countries supporting them, and now more not eased the occupation”. saying that South Africa “reiterates that welcoming this objectively positive “South Africa was slow to react, and so by calling their moves ‘treacherous’.” He emphasised that South Africa sustainable peace and stability in the Gulf development, South Africa bizarrely somewhat predictable by trying to re- Meanwhile the permanent viewed these settlements as illegal, and and the wider Middle East region requires takes the side of the Palestinians over centre debate on the Palestinian issue. representative of South Africa to the implied that there were double standards an end to its core peace and security the Sudanese people. South Africa has a President Donald Trump’s efforts have UN, ambassador Jerry Matjila, echoed in how the Security Council dealt with challenge, which is the occupation of dubious foreign policy record, including turned conventional wisdom about the Pandor’s sentiments while speaking at them. “Israel continues to violate security Palestine”. granting immunity to former Sudanese Middle East on its head. Normalisation the Security Council video teleconference council resolutions and international law. She was speaking on 20 October at a dictator Omar al-Bashir instead of with these states happened against a open debate on the situation in the Middle Why then, has there been no action to United Nations (UN) Security Council high- arresting him on his 2015 trip to the stalemate with the Palestinians. Trump’s East on 26 October. hold Israel accountable?” he asked. level debate on a comprehensive review country. Since Al-Bashir’s overthrow in stance has been that if the Palestinians He was critical of Israel’s recent But, according to Gruzd, “The of the situation in the Gulf region. This 2019, South Africa hasn’t played any won’t jump on the train, it will leave agreements with Arab states, saying, ambassador is hypocritical in referring was days before the latest agreement known role in assisting Sudan with without them.” “No peace plan or initiative can have to ‘double standards’ when dealing with was reached between Israel and Sudan. economic development, nor helped the Hussein Solomon, senior professor of any merit or succeed if all parties to the Israel. South Africa is more than happy South African Zionist Federation country in its transition to democracy.” political studies and governance at the conflict aren’t included in such talks as to single out Israel annually at the UN’s Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva. It’s a standing item at every single Toilet paper and trepidation: an unusually tense US election UNHRC meeting, yet South Africa opposes TALI FEINBERG that voters could vote on what was “the most important “The hatred and fear is real and felt on the streets. I’m ‘country-specific’ criticism of any other election day of my lifetime”. Her parents had inspired petrified to see what today brings.” When asked if there country.” ear, tension, concern, and excitement are the her interest in politics, so she was taken aback when was any sense of excitement or celebration often felt Matjila also said that there had been emotions South African Jewish expats living in her mother expressed fear when she told them she was on election day, she responded, “The pandemic is at all a number of international conferences the United States were feeling as their adopted going to be a poll watcher. “The fact that my parents are of our doorsteps. There will be no joy until people stop that had led to positive steps in the peace Fhome went to the polls on 3 November. Some stood in fearful of me being subject to violence as a poll watcher getting sick and dying.” process, so “South Africa fully supports lines, while others mailed in their ballots early, but none is a disgraceful reality of our nation’s present,” said Shelley Shub in Atlanta says, “With half a heart I the call for an international conference took their democratic right to vote for granted. Miller. “Going to vote should never again be a dangerous approached the building where I’m supposed to vote. with the participation of all concerned “It was a surreal day. The weather was crisp and the act in America. My mom encouraged me to reconsider I’ve been feeling between a rock and a hard place for parties for discussions on a genuine leaves were falling endlessly. In spite of the cold, long and to ‘think of my children’. I told her that’s exactly the past year about whom I’d vote for. I walked in, proud peace process, including the resolution of lines formed from about 05:30, which reminded us of what I was doing.” to be a naturalised citizen of this great country, without all final status issues. the pictures we saw when South Africa a doubt. “South Africa will continue to work had its first democratic election,” says Donald Trump Joe Biden “My mind was decided, and I said a small private with all like-minded countries to support Ilan Fogel, speaking to the SA Jewish prayer asking Hashem to help me with my conviction. international efforts aimed at the Report from Stamford, Connecticut late There was no line whatsoever, plenty of available establishment of a viable Palestinian state, on Tuesday. screens, and smiling, helpful volunteers. And before I existing side by side in peace with Israel “My experience in the US during knew it, I was done. Baruch Hashem, my civic duty is within international recognised borders, the elections has been one of despair over for now. What the result will be is another story based on those existing on 4 June 1967, at the overall apathy when it came to altogether. May Hashem bless this country and its with East Jerusalem as its capital, in voting – always cognisant of what it people. Today, I’m a proud American.” line with all relevant UN resolutions, meant not to have the vote, and feeling For Caron Gremont, election day reminded her of her international law, and internationally that Americans were spoilt and took too first Pesach in Israel. “I remember sitting in traffic as agreed parameters,” he said. much for granted,” he says. we drove to my friend’s family. I had never before felt so Solomon said he agreed with Pretoria “So it was fascinating and connected to an entire people as we all sat together on regarding illegal settlement activity, encouraging to see lines around the the Ayalon highway with parts of the meals on our laps “however, an international conference block of voters waiting to cast their and bottles of kosher wine in the backseat, trying to get won’t resolve anything given the ballots, as I had never seen this before. In fact, it was Grant Gochin in Los Angeles says that where he lives, to the seder. Palestinian divisions and the inability to announced that before the first voting station had even “everyone received mail-in ballots. My family voted “Fast forward many years. Today I’m living just develop a more nuanced position. More opened today, as many as two-thirds of the number of weeks ago. I have been in the US for 34 years, and I outside of Washington, D.C. with my husband and two importantly, South Africa doesn’t have people in total who voted in the last election had already have never seen such division or hostility. Families and children, and we are all anxiously awaiting the election the capacity to play the role of some cast early or absentee ballots. Whichever candidate communities are pitted against each other, and there is results. Like everyone around me, we’re sharing this sort of mediator – we cannot even keep you were supporting, I found it encouraging that people great unease. experience. Conversations with strangers always the lights on within our country. So, our were, in fact, voting. “The most basic premise of democracy is a peaceful include ‘Did you already vote?’ and Zoom meetings with foreign policy must reflect our strengths.” “The atmosphere is definitely tense. People are transition of power, and that’s in doubt. Our democracy colleagues inevitably include questions like ‘What’s on Said Gruzd, “South Africa will keep incredibly divided, angry at one another, and intolerant is damaged, our society is fractured, and I don’t know your election-night menu?’ and ‘How are you spending fighting in the Palestinians’ corner and of opinions differing from their own. There is a lot of how healing can begin after this is over. There is only election day?’ My husband and 12 year old spent the [will continue to] see the normalisation as animosity in the community, friendships have broken fear, tension, and angst. Gun sales are through the day calling voters whose ballots weren’t counted in key a betrayal, but it needs to recognise that up, families are fighting, and shul members no longer roof. This isn’t the aspirational America I came to. It’s swing states across the country. important players in the Arab world have talk to each other. a divided, nasty, and bitter America, and I hope we can “We are all sharing this experience in a way I have moved on.” “Things are very much up in the air, but it’s my recover quickly.” never witnessed in America, in red, blue, and purple Polovin said he believed that South fervent wish that we have a clear winner, and that Esther Brozin Feder in Los Angeles says she and her states. It feels like Passover in Israel, except we aren’t Africa “should be at the forefront of whoever that might be, we are able to accept the will of family voted early in mail-in ballots. Speaking to the all on the same road. Voting is at an all-time high, and assisting African states to improve their the people as a nation and move on to heal and build a SA Jewish Report on Tuesday morning, she said, “I have so is fear. It feels like the nation is collectively waiting human-rights record on the basis of healthier future.” been here for 35 years and would never have imagined for biopsy results, and some of us will see those results improved economic ties, investment, Lindy Miller, who is running for public service we would be in this situation. I say this both for the soul and celebrate like never before, and others will see the bilateral relations, and joint projects, but commissioner in Georgia, wrote on Facebook, “In 1977, of the nation and for the security of this country.” results and fear it’s a death sentence. instead it uses its foreign policy airtime to my parents moved to Atlanta from South Africa. They She shared a video of the streets of Beverly Hills “The retail and business centre just a bit further obsess over Israel. wanted to have children and raise a family in a country from the day before, as shops were boarded up and away is already boarded up, preparing for the violence “South Africa should side with African where everyone had a voice and a vote.” security increased in case of election violence. “We are that might come tonight, tomorrow, or later this week. states and their transition to democracy She said that on Tuesday she volunteered to be a all hunkered down for an election – what part of that in I’ve stocked up on toilet paper and hope for a better over the corrupt Palestinian leadership,” poll watcher to ensure the poll opened on time, and a democratic society is normal?” she asked rhetorically. tomorrow.” Polovin said. 390hx 265 w jewish report solyadd copy.pdf 1 11/2/2020 11:57:40 AM

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Banking Details: Yad Aharon & Michael, Nedbank, Branch Code: 151105, Account Number: 1911087363, Ref: Your full name/KWD 10/21/01020 danlee.co.za danlee.co.za 6 SA JEWISH REPORT 6 – 13 November 2020 south african Corbyn part of long history JTheewish source of quality content, news andR insightseport of antisemitism on the left Take terrorism seriously OPINION DR DAVID HIRSH ur focus this week has been on he story that led to Jeremy Corbyn being Jews in the party were treated as the nail-biting United States suspended from the British Labour Party disloyal, as only pretending to be part of the left. election and terrorism in for antisemitism started back in 2004. The democratic state seeks to mediate the OEurope – two events totally out of our TIt began with a campaign that was gaining interests and the desires of the complex diversity environment and control – or so it would traction within the academic trade unions of its citizens. But populism constructs the image seem. in Britain to exclude Israelis from the global of a single, united, authentic “people”, whose The terrorism that hit France and community of science and scholarship. interests are articulated by one strong man Austria struck fear in the hearts of Jews Or, perhaps it started in 1843, when Karl Marx leader. The leader says that the “enemies of the in Europe. In Vienna, Jews were warned to had to argue against his comrades that equal people” are a globalist liberal elite, the educated, stay home – and it had nothing to do with COVID-19. If they went out, they were told rights for Jews should be made conditional on who live in the big cities, people who pretend to to leave their kippot at home. them disavowing their Jewishness. be fair and just but who really are only out for These attacks have been brutal. They Or maybe in the 1890s, when August Bebel themselves. weren’t necessarily well planned or denounced left-wing movements against Jewish The antisemitic notion of “the Jew” is perfectly orchestrated, but the attackers were out to capitalism as the “socialism of fools”. evolved as a way of picturing the enemy, of kill as many as they could. They appeared Was it when English socialists claimed that feeling the visceral dread of the enemy’s power to be “lone wolves”. In other words, they behind the Boer War were shady Jewish diamond and its venal cunning. The Corbyn left was able didn’t seem to be part of a planned organisational attack, as in the case of 9/11 for example, but a person or group who just went out to kill. dealers and financiers pulling the strings of the to participate in this populist antisemitism by They succeeded in their mission of terrifying people who live in those British Empire? imagining the enemy as Zionism, but always with countries. And it’s not clear whether these attacks are over or just Or did it begin in the years following the the caveat that they also relied on the image of beginning. Holocaust, when Stalin planned the wholesale good Jews who love Corbyn and hate Zionists. What is clear is that the perpetrators are Muslim fundamentalists. I make deportation of Russian Jews to Siberia on the Boris Johnson’s right-wing Brexit populism the point about fundamentalism because most Muslims are like you and me pretext that Jewish doctors were trying to murder offered foreigners as the “enemy of the people”. and hate terrorism and any association with it. Local Muslim authorities him? The European Union was stealing our freedom, have been vocal in their condemnation of ISIS (Islamic State) and other international terrorist groups, and certainly don’t align themselves to such Or perhaps it was when the last remaining he said, in league with the disloyal liberal violence. Jews were purged from public life in Communist metropolitan elite in London and its “political But much like the crazies who become right-wing antisemites and hate Germany and Poland because of their imputed class”, and it was bringing foreigners into Britain for hate’s sake, these lone wolf fundamentalists are extremely dangerous support for Zionist imperialism? to adulterate our nostalgically mis-remembered because they will stop at nothing to achieve their goal. And they are willing I could go on, but the point is made that authentic culture, and to bring down wages. The to give up their lives in the process. there is an authentically left-wing tradition of British electorate preferred even that nonsense As Jevon Greenblatt of the Community Security Organisation (CSO) says, there is nothing to stop such people perpetrating terror right here in South antisemitism. to Corbyn’s Stalinist contempt for democracy, Africa. Having said that, we are fortunate to have the CSO, which has been his antisemitism, and expertly watching our backs for a long time, and will continue to do so. his toadying admiration While we haven’t had any overt terror attacks in South Africa, the CSO for anybody who abused has been on alert for years just in case. human rights around the Here’s the thing that concerns me. I notice that the leadership of world in the name of anti- many countries around the world came out in support of the French and imperialism. Austrians following these attacks. Even the Americans did so, in spite of During Corbyn’s being in the throes of an election. Jeremy Corbyn Other leaders, whose countries are in hard lockdown, sent messages leadership there was on Zoom and any way they could. Some, like England, went on high alert an unprecedented against terrorism. However, I searched for a message or statement from the consensus in the UK South African government, but couldn’t find any. Jewish community around Perhaps our government is too busy. Perhaps it doesn’t think these the issue of Corbyn’s attacks warranted commiseration or a message of concern. Perhaps it antisemitism. The Jewish doesn’t believe terrorism is as bad as we make it out to be. I wonder… If the attacks were perpetrated by Israelis, the government would most journalists articulated, likely have had something to say though. the scholars offered Okay, that’s my jibe, but I genuinely believe that the South African evidence and analysis, government needs to take international terrorism more seriously – or at the institutions of the least look like it’s doing so. community spoke out, All the terrorism experts in South Africa say we’re one step away from In 2004, we defeated the boycott campaign, liberal and Orthodox rabbis spoke as one, the people perpetrating terrorism right here but it hasn’t happened yet. But but it came back. Year after year, it grew more Jewish papers shared the same front page. what’s being done to ensure that it doesn’t happen? What’s being done to ensure that potential terrorist cells are eradicated? powerful, and its antisemitic politics were This week, the statutory body, the Equalities Is there any evidence to show that something is being done to ensure tolerated by tens of thousands of members of and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), finally that we won’t ever have a terrorist attack here? At one point, there was an our union, most of whom were scholars and delivered its quasi-judicial verdict in the form of a indication that South Africa would help Mozambique in fighting the ISIS- scientists. report on Labour antisemitism. The Labour Party related terror groups in Cabo Delgado province. However, so far, there has We fought hard and tenaciously against the had unlawfully harassed its Jewish members, it been no news about South African forces trying to stop the terrorists and antizionists in the union because we feared that if said. make sure they don’t penetrate our borders. In fact, there are indications that a few South Africans have gone over to Mozambique and are fighting they succeeded in making themselves legitimate It specified the antisemitic conduct as alongside the terrorists. there, then the problem would spread throughout “suggesting that complaints of antisemitism are Surely, it’s time for our government to wake up to this problem? Are we the Labour movement, including, in the end, the fake or smears”. It’s not antisemitic to say that reaching out to terrorist experts in our country and around the world to Labour Party. We fought hard but we lost; and our somebody who says they experience antisemitism be able to stem this potential crisis before it becomes a problem? I see no fears were realised. may have got it wrong, but it is antisemitic to evidence of it. I write “antizionism” without a hyphen because, treat people who say that as though they were It’s concerning watching terrorism unfold elsewhere and not being able to just as antisemites invent the “semites” who part of a dishonest conspiracy to lie, to smear the be safe in the knowledge that we are safe. As for the week’s other massive focus, the US election, it was a frustrating they hate, so the “Zionism” which antizionism “Dear Leader”, or to silence legitimate criticism time. It’s never easy as a newspaper that prides itself of being on top of the demonises is a construction of its own of Israel. news not to be able to deliver up-to-the-moment news for you. In this case, imagination. I used to be a sociologist, but I was Corbyn responded to this by doing precisely we go to print on Wednesdays at 18:00, and we have no wiggle room. If we now thought of by many of my comrades and my what the EHRC had newly designated as miss our deadline, we can’t get our newspaper into the retail outlets and colleagues as a Zionist sociologist. This meant antisemitic harassment of Jews. He wrote, into your hands on Thursday. While I know many pick up the paper only on not a sociologist at all, but a racist, an admirer of “The scale of the problem was … dramatically Friday, it’s available for most around lunchtime on a Thursday. apartheid, and a supporter of imperialism. overstated for political reasons by our opponents Unfortunately, we didn’t know who won the election in time to run a story on that before going to print. We did bring you a story which gave a In 2006, the popular socialist mayor of London, inside and outside of the party.” sense of what South African expats had experienced when voting. (Page 4). Ken Livingstone, was accused of antisemitism. Corbyn’s claim was that they were lying, So, forgive us. We did and always will do our best for you. I do hope the best He denied it, and shot back an aggressive counter that they hated him because he sided with the man won! accusation of Zionist conspiracy. When Jews Palestinians and he opposed capitalism. But Also, as the Shabbos Project descends on our community this weekend, claimed they experienced antisemitism on the of course they didn’t invent the antisemitism it’s wonderful to see that there are more than 1 600 cities and 106 countries left, he said, they weren’t just wrong, they were because they hated him, they hated him because that will be keeping Shabbat with us. (Page 10.) lying. They were really just trying to silence the antisemitism was real. The theme of this year’s Shabbos Project of bringing Shabbat home really makes sense to me. criticism of Israel and to smear the left by For many years, my family would join my extended family for Shabbat mobilising the false accusation of antisemitism as • Dr David Hirsh is a senior lecturer in sociology at dinners most weeks, but this year due to lockdown, I have learnt to do it a weapon to bolster their Jewish power. Goldsmiths, University of London. He did his PhD myself for my family. It has been very precious! This was the key mode of antisemitic bullying on crimes against humanity and international in my union, and later in the Labour Party, after law. He has written extensively on antisemitism So, I wish you all a very special and safe Shabbat shalom this week! 2015, when it was led by Corbyn. When Jews in the left. His most recent book, published in Peta Krost Maunder spoke out, they were treated as though their true September 2017, was titled “Contemporary Left Editor motivation was to harm the left. In this way, Antisemitism”. THE ABSA JEWISH ACHIEVER AWARDS 2020 SUNDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 17:00 SAST book now

go to www.jaa-rsvp.co.za 8 SA JEWISH REPORT 6 – 13 November 2020 Getting the Jewish community BACK 2 WORK So many in our community have lost their jobs since the onset of lockdown. We have invited people in this position to send in their details so we can help them ﬁnd work. Here is our third group:

Alan Glauber Barret Edelstein Dave Carless Michelle Geffen Experience: Experienced Experience: Marketing, Experience: Experienced Experience: Admin graduate New Business, and Brand customer services manager Education: Matric Education: BA English and Development with extensive FMCG Looking for a position Drama [UCT]; Performers Education: Matric [King knowledge, including in: Basic admin or office Diploma in Speech and David High School]; BA logistics and forecourts position, part-time or full- Drama [UCT]; BA Honours Communications [Unisa]; Education: Matric and time within the Edenvale [Wits] Post-Graduate Marketing/ business-related diplomas area Looking for a position in: Writing, editing, and Account Management [AAA School of Advertising]; including MAP at Wits University More information: I’m a very loving and patient proofreading work, but also any type of assistant/ Digital Marketing, Business Branding, Marketing Looking for a position in: Full-time or project- person, with a good nature, very reliable, and organisational work for those who feel they Strategy, and Graphic Design [Udemy] based, ideally in sales/logistics at any level honest. I have experience with basic office work. need someone to help sort out an overwhelmed Looking for a position in: Marketing, More information: Over 35 years FMCG experience Current location: Johannesburg business. Communications, Brand Manager, or Director within blue chip operations. I’m a professional Willing to relocate: No More information: I currently work as an IELTS More information: As a marketing and results-driven customer services individual, with Email address: [email protected] (International English Language Testing System) communication expert, my experience includes strong relationship building strengths. Examiner, which means that I assess people’s creating and executing ideas to engage target Current location: Sandringham, Johannesburg Nicole Silver levels of English proficiency using the IELTS test. audiences in innovative ways, analysis, and Willing to relocate: No Experience: Administrator This work isn’t full-time though. I’ve haven’t creating reports about the impact of the Email address: [email protected] and Bookkeeper to Balance received any income for six months because of campaign. I’ve been able to use my marketing Sheet COVID-19, and need to supplement my income. and communications skills in South Africa, David Joffe Education: Matric I have experience in corporate conference Israel, and England to improve various levels Experience: Business [Sandringham High School]; organising, running my own second-hand book of marketing and communications, business development, managing Bookkeeping diploma stall, teaching English as a foreign language, development, and project management in sales teams, recruitment, [Birnam Business College]; and in the theatre, television, and movie world industries such music and entertainment, training, development, and Pastel Accounting certificate as an actor. I’m efficient and bright, so if you’re financial services, banking, telecommunications, mentoring Looking for a position in: Admin Assistant/ looking for someone to help you as a manager or health and beauty, and IT. Education: HDip.Ed Bookkeeper to Balance Sheet looking for a full- assistant, I’d be interested in discussing that with Current location: Johannesburg Looking for a position in: time job preferably in the north-eastern suburbs. you too. Willing to relocate: No Business Development Manager Can work from home too. Current location: Johannesburg Email address: [email protected] More information: I’m married with three More information: Worked for accountants for Willing to relocate: Yes boys aged between two and 13 years old. I’ve over 22 years. Am looking for a new challenge Email address: [email protected] Corinne Rothschild volunteered for Hatzolah as a responder for and change. I’m competent, capable, and have a Experience: Secretary / the last seven years. I have developed skills in great attitude. I’m very loyal and honest. Andrew Lewis Receptionist business development management, including Current location: Gauteng Experience: Experienced and Education: Secretarial course recruitment, training, management, and mentoring Willing to relocate: No accomplished bookkeeper [Anchor College] of sales teams. I have primarily been involved Email address: [email protected] with 15 years’ experience in Looking for a position in: in the security industry for the past 11 years, full charge accounting, and Receptionist / Secretary / however my skills can be used in any sector. I am Rael Wingrin 10 years’ experience in all Admin dedicated and always open to learning new skills. Experience: Experienced aspects of property admin More information: I’m a professional, Email address: [email protected] Bookkeeper and management hardworking, and committed individual, with Education: Matric [Carmel, Looking for a position in: Administration, office over 20 years of administrative, reception, and Denis Sandler Pretoria] support, and management secretarial experience. My warm and hospitable Experience: Accountant Looking for a position More information: Team player but able to work nature is testament to the number of front- Education: B.Acc [Wits]; CA in: Bookkeeping, Admin at any level line positions I’ve been in, often being the first (SA) Assistant. Available for part- Current location: Durban impression the client will have when engaging Looking for a position in: time work in Johannesburg and Pretoria Willing to relocate: Yes with the company. I’ve performed many tasks Accounting, bookkeeping, More information: I’m an accounting professional Email address: [email protected] including client liaison, invoicing, switchboard, tax, and finance with many years’ experience in running my own workers’ wages, bank statement analysis, More information: I’m a business as well as bookkeeping services for Anthony Katz workers’ schedules, and general office duties, mature experienced Accountant with many years other companies. I have experience in Pastel Experience: Computer expert as well as sales. I’m also proficient in Microsoft of financial, accounting, admin, and management Accounting, SARS Efiling, Ufiling, CIPC annual Education: Matric [King Office (Outlook, Word, and basic Excel). experience. After completing articles and returns, payroll, and import and export. I am David Linksfield]; BA and Current location: Johannesburg qualifying as a CA, I’ve worked in various financial known for my integrity, reliability, and service. BA Honours [Wits]; MPhil Willing to relocate: No roles. My most recent position was as a Financial Current location: Pretoria [Stellenbosch University]; Email address: [email protected] Director and part-owner of an IT company, taking Willing to relocate: No Wits Languages; King David responsibility for the full accounting and admin Email address: [email protected] Linksfield Audiovisual; and Daniel Traub functions. IT, Sun City Languages and IT Experience: Experienced Current location: Sandton Selwyn Kanushefsky Current location: Johannesburg lawyer Willing to relocate: No Experience: Sales Willing to relocate: No Education: Matric [King Email address: [email protected] Representative and Stock Email address: [email protected] David High School Controller Linksfield]; BA LLB [Wits] Mandi Garbman Education: Matric [Kimberley Arlene Goldberg Looking for a position in: Experience: Senior Art Director, Boys High School] Experience: Insurance Legal Advisor / Lawyer and Digital Marketing and Looking for a position in: underwriting More information: I was admitted as an attorney Design Sales Representative or Education: Damelin Night and thereafter as an advocate of the high court. Education: Matric [Herzlia] and Warehouse Manager / Stock Controller School Email address: [email protected] AAA College of Advertising More information: I’ve been in the sales industry Looking for a position in: I’m Looking for a position in: for most of my life, both in store and on the road. a personal lines insurance Daniet Levin Marketing and Design I was in the clothing industry in Kimberley, and underwriter. I am highly Experience: Proofreader More information: I have 20 years in advertising from then moved to Johannesburg within the golf experienced. I’m also able to do administration Education: Matric [King retail, start-ups, ﬁnancial, wellness, interior, FMCG, clothing world. I’ve been a sales representative work. David High School B2B, and the NPO/NGO sector working in the creative for many years. I’m driven and eager to work More information: I’m a fast but accurate typist. Linksfield]; BA [Unisa]; PGCE and marketing departments. Specialising in digital, hard and have a purpose again. I’m hands-on and I have many years of insurance experience. I am [RAU, UJ] print design, and social media content. Working on dedicated. honest, reliable, and dedicated to my work. I’m Looking for a position in: top-shelf international and local brands. Managing and Current location: Johannesburg cheerful and like to assist clients and colleagues. Proofreader implementing campaigns, and projects from packaging, Willing to relocate: No Current location: Sydenham, Johannesburg More information: I have taught before, full-time social media, activations, animation, interior design Email address: [email protected] Willing to relocate: No and in locum positions. I am quite creative and renderings, and internal and external design. Email address: [email protected] am currently sewing for a small company. I would Current location: Cape Town work in teaching as well. Willing to relocate: Yes Email address: [email protected] Email address: [email protected]

The information contained in these advertisements has not been verifed. The SA Jewish Report is simply advertising people’s information as it was received. If you have found yourself unemployed since lockdown and would like help to fnd a job, go to http://bit.ly/jcomback2work to fll in your details. 6 – 13 November 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 9 ‘New normal’ leads to ‘abnormal’ behaviour in kids TALI FEINBERG lockdown, but are ‘unravelling’ now, as they deal with to play spaces, diminished support systems, and and child to deal with it. the anxiety of reintegrating into school and dealing economic vulnerability of the family.” O’Reilly advises using visual tools to help your child eople are beginning to adapt to the “new with changes around seeing family and friends,” she She says this time of loss may “trigger” children to make sense of the “new normal” and the impact it normal”, but the psychological effects of says. Yet there have also been many positives, such be affected by losses they might have experienced has on their life. “Children interpret the world through lockdown on children may be felt for years as both parents working from home and more quality in the past. “Having to process one loss after another visual cues. For young children, you could draw Pto come. However, experts say that children are family time. may have some negative effects on children coping pictures of what you can and can’t do at the moment, resilient, and there are ways for parents to manage Serebro says many children were given devices and on their mental-health outcomes over time.” or draw what their day will look like.” the anxiety and behavioural issues that may arise as or extra TV time under lockdown. Now, they Also, “keep talking to your kids, acknowledge a result of living through a pandemic. and their parents are dealing with the ugly what a big adjustment it has been, and reassure “COVID-19 has dramatically transformed the after-effects of withdrawal as they wean kids off them that you will navigate it with them”, she structure of modern childhood. Although most endless hours in front of a screen. says. “While there’s so much we cannot control children haven’t experienced the infection, most have In addition, with death and illness dominating at the moment, it’s vital to keep as much been exposed to life changes and stresses,” says our headlines and conversations, families have consistency as possible, which gives children a Ilana Edelstein, a clinical psychologist practicing in had to confront difficult and frightening topics sense of safety. They may rebel against this, but Cape Town. with their children that they may not have had knowing where the boundaries are makes them “There are limited studies on the emotional to before. feel secure when everything is so chaotic.” consequences of COVID-19, and its exact impact “The biggest effect of lockdown on children “If properly supported, parents and children can may be unclear for a long time. However, it’s well has been loss of routine and structure,” says appropriately overcome this period of distress and recognised that exposure to stressors increases rates Yael O’Reilly, a clinical psychologist practicing avoid long-term consequences,” says Edelstein. of emotional vulnerability among children,” she says. in Johannesburg. “This can be seen in many “Indeed, stable mental health is key to restoring a “Young children may be more clingy, inattentive, and forms, but especially in the uncertainty around healthy and robust post-pandemic society. irritable. Older children may display mood swings, school. The loss of familiarity has manifested “Kids are more resilient than we them give problems with concentration and attention, sleep in a lot of anxiety, clinginess, and separation credit for, and I’ve seen that now,” says O’Reilly. difficulties, eating disorders, and body aches.” anxiety. Some kids have regressed in their “Children went back to school and got used to it “There have been pros and cons of lockdown behaviour or skills, for example wetting the bed. quickly. They rolled with the punches. I think our for kids,” says Johannesburg psychiatrist Caroline “Kids – especially younger kids – don’t kids will be fine, and this experience will make Serebro, who squeezed in time to talk to the SA always have the ‘emotional literacy’ to express them more resilient. Jewish Report as she has never been so busy. themselves. So this comes out behaviourally,” “Importantly, we create the blueprint for our “Kids of all ages are ‘acting out’ and demonstrating she says. “Children may be defiant, oppositional, All three experts say that the best way to children’s behaviour,” she says. “So the first step aggression and anxiety. I’m seeing more adolescents tearful, and have more tantrums. While parents manage these psychological effects are to remain is that we look after ourselves. If we don’t feel and kids than I’ve seen in a long time. may see this as ‘being out of control’, children are calm and model this behaviour for children, keep supported, we can’t hold that space for our kids. If “Being Jewish, we’re always waiting for disaster communicating their emotional distress. communicating in an open and honest way, stick to parents have empathy, care, and support, it naturally with heightened vigilance. So if we’re genetically “The type of fear children may be experiencing routines as much as possible, ensure you as a parent filters down to our children, and will help them to predisposed to anxiety, it may come out now in kids is similar to that experienced by adults,” says get the support you need, and stay positive. If none of manage the difficulties that have come and that are who may have never otherwise experienced it,” she Edelstein. “For example, fear of dying, fear of family this helps, it’s worth seeking help from a professional. potentially still coming.” says. “There’s a lot of loss and grief for what we or friends dying, or a fear of becoming ill and needing “It’s important to work with your child’s school and “The world has changed, and it’s tough to wait and took for granted, like going to camp at the end of the medical treatment. Some children’s anxiety may be get their input,” says Serebro. She advises identifying see what will happen when things are so uncertain,” year. We need to give kids the space to grieve those exacerbated by losing loved ones to the virus. Further the spaces where a child is struggling emotionally, be says Serebro. “But we need to reassure kids that losses. disruptions or losses may include the erosion of it at home, school, or both. If it’s only one particular it won’t always be hard, and we will figure it out “Many kids managed at the beginning of family and community connections, limited access area, it may feel less overwhelming for the parent together.”

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TLG8062 © 2019 BDO South Africa Services (Pty) Ltd. 6 – 13 November 2020 The Shabbos Project SA JEWISH REPORT 10 Ending the year on a high When the rush note of giving becomes a hush OPINION REBBETZIN GINA GOLDSTEIN OPINION CHIEF RABBI DR WARREN GOLDSTEIN reparing for Shabbos can hours. At that moment of transition, he year 2020 has been challenging. It has Like everything else this year, the Shabbos Project be frantic. Tere’s cooking, tranquillity and holiness floods stretched us almost to breaking point. Lives is going to feel very different. We don’t have the large cleaning, and shopping to through your home, and there’s a and livelihoods have been lost. Te coronavirus public gatherings that we normally would, but in a Pbe done. Tere are urns to fill, and tangible change in atmosphere. Our Tcrisis has placed enormous strain on all of us – certain sense, we have something more profound and warming trays to set. Tere are lights home is transformed in that moment physically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually. beautiful. We have each other, and we have our homes to turn on, and phones to switch off. – and so are we. We can actually feel We’ve all had to get used to a new normal that isn’t and families. Tere’s a table to be laid, and kids to it. normal at all. Tis can be the Shabbos Project that reminds us that be dressed. And, all the while, the Tis year, the Shabbos Project has And yet, 2020 has also brought out the incredible Shabbos, after all is said and done, happens in our clock is ticking. produced a series of candle-lighting resilience, strength, and comradery of our community. homes. Shabbos fills our homes with love and light, its But just before the sun slips below cards – meditations authored by Together, we have rallied to meet these challenges. unique energy helping us to connect with our family, the horizon, everything grinds to luminaries such as Lori Palatnik, Together, we closed our shuls and schools. And with ourselves, and with G-d. Te home is the heart of a halt, and what’s done is done. Slovie Jungreiss-Wolff, and Sivan together, we reopened them, taking every precaution Shabbos. And Shabbos is the heart of the home. Wherever you are in your prep, Rahav-Meir. Tese meditations are to ensure they were as safe as possible. We have Tis isn’t to say our influence can’t extend beyond whatever you’ve built during the real pearls of wisdom, splashes of looked after each other. We have responded our homes. Tis year, we have distributed reusable week, all of that stops as you enter light illuminating the sacred mitzvah generously, supporting those in need, and we have tote bags filled with opportunities to give and grow the realm of holy time. When you of candle-lighting, and almost as emerged more resilient and ready for the challenges together as a community, to unpack and discover even realise you can do no more, there’s beautiful as the light of Shabbat itself. and opportunities that lie ahead. more beauty in our shared Shabbos experiences. a surrender that births a serenity. Teir purpose is simple: to enable Tis year’s Shabbos Project arrives at this pivotal, As we approach the end of an exhausting 2020, Shabbos glides into your home. And us to approach these moments poignant time, and reminds us what we learnt this let us replenish and elevate ourselves by giving. in that instant, the rush becomes a mindfully; to remind us of the year – that when we come together, we can do great Let us continue to transform our challenges into hush. spiritual power of candle-lighting; things. Nobody thought it possible for Jews of all opportunities to give, to connect, and to care. And Te lighting of Shabbos candles is and to be truly present as we backgrounds to come together to keep a full Shabbat. let us all celebrate and appreciate this year’s Shabbos that magical moment that marks the transition into Shabbos – to really Nobody thought it possible until we showed the world Project as we’ve never celebrated it before. transition. At the flicker of a flame, experience it. that it was. Let’s bring it home! you go from the mad rush of the week I would like to invite every woman to the peace and holiness of Shabbos. in our community to enjoy these It’s the moment when you exhale, meditations. You can find them at your body relaxes, and you surrender theshabbosproject.org. control of the world to Hashem for 25 Shabbat Shalom! Souls on fire A meditation by Rebbetzin Gina Goldstein As I light my Shabbos candles each week, I mention the Hebrew names of each of my children, my children-in-law, my husband, and myself. Te flame of each individual candle represents the soul of each family member. “Te flame of Hashem is the soul of a person.” (Mishlei 20:27) Just like a soul, the flame burns bright, independent, and strong. Just like a soul, the flame is mesmerising, always reaching upwards, as high as it can. Just like the pure and holy soul within each person in my home. And, very quickly, with the light, warmth, and energy of the Shabbos candles, I am reminded of what I sometimes forget. As a Jewish mother, it is my mission to ignite the souls within my home – that they should shine and burn bright! When we are all switched on, when we are transcendent, when we defy the confines of our own limitations, when we feel passion and closeness to Hashem, when we crave meaning and search for destiny, when we seek truth, we are drawing from the energy of our burning soul! Our greatest achievements, our most noble acts, and deepest loves arise from our soul’s passionate fire! All the hard work of my week supports this holy mission. All the energy and effort is Shabbos Project Challah Bake in Netanya, Israel, in 2019 worthy. I know why I do what I do! Online, international Shabbos Project breaks boundaries his Shabbat, the Shabbos Project is and extended family. being held in more than 1 600 cities In Los Angeles, a Jewish vegan and 106 countries around the world. organisation will be hosting a Shabbat Tis year, it’s arriving in a world transformed cooking class with a difference – a demo by the coronavirus – and the project has had on swapping mushrooms and jackfruit to reinvent itself. for chicken and brisket. In Atlanta, the Among the pre-Shabbat events scheduled Beth Jacob congregation has launched an are virtual challah bakes, online classes erev Shabbat challenge, encouraging the about Shabbat, cooking webcasts, global community to bring in Shabbos at midday “singathons”, and virtual synagogue tours. on Friday to avoid the rush and extend the A silver lining of the online events is day. And in Rhode Island, organisers will be that geographical barriers have dissolved. gifting a Shabbos Box – including tea lights, Seed UK will broadcast an extraordinary grape juice, Shabbos treats, and a Havdalah 24-hour challah bake featuring 19 different set – to anyone who commits to upgrading live events from cities such as Gibraltar, their Shabbos observance for a week. Hong Kong, Sydney, Moscow, Toronto, Preparing for Shabbat in Cali, Colombia in 2019 Elsewhere, a group of Israeli volunteers and New York. A pre-Shabbat event in will be cooking and delivering Shabbat Arizona featuring Latino pop singer Miriam more than 30 000 Jewish households and 75 items – to every single resident in the town, meals to Magen David Adom first Sandler will include participants from shuls across the country, with thousands of and encouraging neighbours to exchange responders in Ra’anana, Herzliya, and four continents. And in the wake of the Shabbat booklets distributed to enhance the challahs with each other. Kfar Saba. A website in Denver is offering Abraham Accords, an event hosted in Israel Shabbat experience. Te event will kick off Panama has a wide range of events Shabbat meals, Shabbat classes, and will include the Jewish communities of Abu with a pre-Shabbat launch on 5 November planned for the Shabbos Project, including a Shabbat “survival kits” on demand. And Dhabi, Bahrain, and Dubai. featuring Israeli singer Ishay Ribo, as well as series of one-minute video classes, a learning an all-day “women’s day” event hosted in In Argentina, a challah bake will unite live addresses by UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim programme for Hatzolah first responders on Netanya will feature international singers, Jewish communities in 32 cities across the Mirvis and South Africa Chief Rabbi the laws of Shabbos relating to emergency filmmakers, and celebrity chefs. country for the first time. And Long Island’s Dr Warren Goldstein, and will conclude on care, a special Shabbos programme for In Boulogne, acclaimed Jewish historian Cook and Connect event, featuring young Saturday night with a live Zoom Havdalah residents of an old age home, and the Emmanuel Attyasse is leading a virtual cooking sensation and Chopped winner followed by the Great UK Shabbaton at delivery of Shabbos meals to families tour of old Jewish France. And in Karnei Rachel Goldzal, will bring together teenagers Home Quiz. economically affected by COVID-19. Shomron, members of the religious Zionist from around the world to share traditional In Kfar Yona, the ministry of education In Mexico City, a special challah bake for Bnei Akiva and largely secular Tzofim youth Shabbat dishes and cultural cuisines. in association with the local municipality Batmitzvah girls will help alleviate some movements will be working together to Other highlights this year include is sending a “Shabbat kit” – with candles, a of the disappointment of not being able to deliver food parcels and flowers to residents Mizrachi UK’s Shabbaton at Home, involving song book, challah ingredients, and other celebrate their Batmitzvah with their friends of the town affected by COVID-19. 6 – 13 November 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 11 Judaica collectors preserve history in their homes JORDAN MOSHE book whose inner cover indicates is they are throwing away.” catalogues from across that it was the property of the water Tese items include not only the globe in search of ome of South Africa’s most carriers at the shul of Minsk. pieces of antique furniture, but concentration-camp post, captivating Judaica is found Says Sussman, “It became a often Judaica such as Torah books, occasionally finding items in in people’s homes. meshugas. Why should non-Jews kiddush cups, even tefillin. Israel and the United States. SFrom kiddush cups rescued from have these things? Tey mean very “I once noticed a dirty and “Tese items are all one rubbish heaps to pre-Holocaust little to them. Whenever I came blackened cup that turned out to of a kind,” he says. “All the pieces found in pawn shops, across the stuff, I bought it.” be Russian silver,” Egdes recalls. “I cards have been censored the items collected by private One of Sussman’s most prized recognised the scenes engraved on by camp authorities. Tere individuals in our community the cup and picked it up for were phrases Jews often used A postcard from Surdut’s collection illustrate the history of the R50 at the dump. Tere have because you were limited in what Teresienstadt after the camp Jewish people and their also been paintings, tonnes of you could say, and you could had been liberated by the survival against all odds. benchers, Hebrew books, and find them writing that they were Russian forces, enquiring after Candlesticks, tzedakah once there was even a black ‘eating well as though it were Yom the survival of a certain family boxes, Channukiot, kiddush bin bag full of tefillin. Kippur’, a code to say they were member. Beyond camp post, cups, and seder plates are just “While most of their inner actually starving. there are also postal artefacts some of the items which have scrolls were removed, those “In Teresienstadt, the Nazis such as a postcard addressed to been preserved by members tefillin shouldn’t have been encouraged inmates to write to Teodor Herzl, and a postcard of the Johannesburg there. You would think they their families and ask for food. written by Martin Buber. and Cape Town Jewish would have a little more You often find this in the letters, “Camp post provides a vital communities. sensitivity for something we but the tragedy is that the camp link with the past,” he says. Although their history is value as much as that.” officials would actually confiscate “It’s unique, and it gives us often shrouded in mystery, A silver salver from Sussman’s collection Egdes has also discovered it for themselves when it arrived.” proof that these people actually their evident historical value makes items is a small handmade steel box, much Judaica in pawn shops across Among Surdut’s more lived and experienced these them invaluable to those who own topped with an Iron Cross medal, the country, including a Channukiah remarkable finds is a telegram ordeals. They’re a window on our them. and bearing the words “Sobibor, in a store on Ontdekkers Road – on sent from Johannesburg to history.” “I’m not an intellectual collector 1943, Shaul” punched out of its side erev Channukah. of Judaica,” says David Sussman, a with a sharp instrument. He recounts, “I saw this retired businessman and Killarney “In financial terms, it’s worth Channukiah staring at me from resident. “I don’t collect it for art nothing, but to me, it’s priceless,” the shop window. You have to buy reasons. For me, it’s about having says Sussman. “Shaul must have something like that. It’s nothing these things in Jewish hands.” been a slave at the camp who was special, but the appearance of this Sussman began collecting Judaica instructed to make it for a Nazi thing in a place like that on erev in 1996 after successfully smuggling officer who provided the medal. To Channukah was unbelievable.” a Torah scroll out of Poland, having me, this is a remarkable piece.” Egdes maintains that he’d much bought it off an elderly Polish Ninety-five percent of Sussman’s rather have a piece of Judaica Catholic. Trough a business collection predates the Holocaust, steeped in history than a shiny new operating out of the city, Sussman and he believes it adds a unique piece. arranged for an associate of his to dimension to his home. “To me, there’s something of the scour local markets for Judaica, “None of this is here because past in that item,” he says. “You buying numerous of its monetary don’t know what it went through items and value,” he says. before it came to you. Tere’s a returning them to “It adds a certain history there that you become a South Africa. peace to my home. part of.” “He would go I feel the neshomas Postal artefacts are the focus to flea markets or of the Jews who of Sea Point resident and veteran hear from people owned them across lawyer, Ben-Zion Surdut. For about others who the centuries more than 40 years, he has The South African Board of Jewish Education had them,” says around me.” gathered concentration-camp requires the services of an experienced Sussman. “He An equally mail, with a special interest in the found countless enthusiastic Teresienstadt camp. Tis includes Chief Marketing Offcer items between collector is Johnny all mail and related items which The South African Board of Jewish Education (SABJE) is a large 1996 and 1999, Egdes, whose were sent to and from the camp community orientated education organisation with a network of 11 and after that, my The box made in Sobibor Glenhazel home during the Holocaust. Jewish Day Schools in Johannesburg, including all of the King David wife and I used is a veritable “It started off with items given schools. SABJE is seeking to employ a full-time, dynamic, creative to pick up different items on our repository of incredible pieces often to me by a survivor who had been and experienced marketing executive to develop and implement a travels.” found in the least likely of places: in the camp for four years and died comprehensive long-term marketing strategy for the organisation. Among these are a battered the city dump. in Cape Town at 104,” he says. “She siddur purchased at a junk store in “I probably visit the dump every managed to retain various items The Chief Marketing Offcer will be required to coordinate and Budapest, an enormous seder plate day of the week,” says Egdes. “So and correspondence from her days collaborate with the marketing departments across multiple schools made in Nuremberg in the 1800s, often, I’ve come across incredible in the camp, and asked me pursue within the group and work with different stakeholders across all the and handmade tzedakah boxes from pieces that people have just tossed this and add to the collection.” campuses. This person will also be accountable for the strategy and the Prague ghetto. Tere’s even a out without realising exactly what it Surdut has scoured auction positioning of the already proud and established King David brand using analytics, market trends and best practice.

JOHANNESBURG JEWISH HELPING HAND Key objectives of the role include: & BURIAL SOCIETY (CHEVRAH KADISHA) • Brand development and awareness JEWISH COMMUNITY SERVICES SANDRINGHAM GARDENS • Execution of ongoing marketing and communications. OUR PARENTS HOME • Traditional and Digital marketing (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) ARCADIA JEWISH CHILD AND YOUTH CARE CENTRE Berdene Segal • Public relations management THE SOCIETY FOR THE JEWISH HANDICAPPED (SELWYN SEGAL) physiotherapy KADIMAH OCCUPATIONAL CENTRE B.Sc. Physiotherapy (Rand) A successful applicant will have: THE SOCIETY FOR THE JEWISH DEAF Regd. Physiotherapist • Bachelor’s degree in marketing, or related felds • Excellent written and verbal communication skills All members of the above societies are cordially Treatment of • Proven experience developing marketing plans and campaigns invited to attend the Biennial General Meetings • Strong project management, multitasking, and decision-making skills of these organisations which will be held, Temporomandibular Disorders “TMJ” • Excellent people skills on Thursday, 19 November 2020 at 15h00 • Metrics-driven marketing mind with eye for creativity at the Gerald Horwitz Lounge, Golden Acres. Treatment of all • Experience with marketing automation Due to COVID considerations, members • Profciency with online marketing and social media strategy wishing to attend need to register by Neuromusculoskeletal Conditons • Knowledge of the private school market would be advantageous emailing [email protected] A Curriculum Vitae with a letter of motivation with at least two by no later than 18h00 on T 011 485 2670 C 082 410 1498 references should be e-mailed to: [email protected] Monday 16 November 2020. E [email protected] No unregistered participants will be allowed Closing date for applications: Friday 13th November 2020 to access the meeting or the premises. No. 6 Glenwood Lodge, Cnr Long & George Avenues The SABJE reserves the right not to make an appointment. Numbers are restricted Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. due to social distancing considerations. Fairmount Ridge, Ext. 2 6 – 13 November 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 12 A progressive maverick in our tent two sons in Israel’s wars. bay. Initially these were fairly crude: denying access Irwin Manoim, best known for being one of the joint editors of the original Rabbi Andre Ungar spent his childhood hiding to communal facilities, planting hecklers at meetings, Weekly Mail, has authored a book on progressive Jewry in South Africa titled from the Nazis in Budapest. When he arrived in South claiming that reform was anti-Zionist. Mavericks Inside the Tent. Te SA Jewish Report spoke to him about it. Africa 10 years later, he said he saw similar things But then a masterstroke: the rabbis branded happening here. For which the government promptly reform as “inauthentic”. It wasn’t Judaism at all, and How did a journalist like you end up as an can’t follow: women rabbis, same-sex marriages. deported him. therefore no reform weddings or conversions would historian? The movement starts to splutter around Rabbi Arthur Super lost the use of his legs after be recognised. This tactic, which had failed in the In the age of social media, there’s not a lot of 1976, when the Jewish flight abroad begins; the radiographers forgot to switch off an x-ray machine. United States, was an immediate success in South journalism work going around for elderly male progressives lose most of their leadership. Orthodoxy Yet he carried on, more feisty than ever, from a Africa. The stigma of “inauthentic” has haunted the throwbacks. So, when the opportunity to do research stages a come-back – Chabad steals away many wheelchair. South African progressive movement ever since, and through the Kaplan Centre at the University of Cape members. Progressive parents send their kids to King Rabbi Richard Lampert was raided by security scared away people who otherwise share similar Town arose, I grabbed it. And I’ve really enjoyed being David, where other kids tell them they aren’t proper police after a congregant tipped them off that he had values. able to focus on a topic in depth, over a long period, Jews. banned political books in his library. His super-alert rather than rushing from deadline to deadline. But the pendulum may be swinging back. The wife treated the policemen to tea in the sukkah while Who is this book aimed at and why? recent Kaplan Centre survey shows that if you she chucked the books over the garden fence. The general Jewish public are big purchasers of Why did you focus on progressive Judaism? compare paid-up shul memberships, progressive has books on South African Jewish history. Some people The Jewish community in this country has been nosed slightly ahead in Cape Town for the first time. Why do you believe this book is necessary? have shelves of them. Myself, for example. There is studied and dissected all the way down to the quality To quote Professor Adam a sizeable diaspora of Jews abroad, many of whom of kneidlach in the tiniest platteland dorp. There are Mendelsohn of the Kaplan were members of the progressive movement in the books galore on Jewish communists and atheists. Centre, it demonstrates old days. Jewish historians at international universities But progressive Jews? Hardly anything. It’s a giant that no history of the South are surprisingly fascinated by South African Jews, and hole in our knowledge. African Jewish community are less inclined to treat progressives as marginal. is complete without an What does the progressive Jewish movement understanding of the role of Why would someone who isn’t progressive want to mean to you, and what’s your involvement in it? the progressive movement read the book? I was once the chairman of a synagogue committee, in pushing boundaries. To quote David Saks of Jewish Affairs, it’s an proof of the dearth of available talent. But let me entertaining read. It also has pictures. For those make it clear that the book isn’t a public relations Progressive Judaism who aren’t big readers, there’s the Jewish Museum “rah-rah” job for progressive Judaism. It’s published hasn’t really taken off here exhibition, which has slimmed down my 500 pages by a university department and maintains a critical the way it did in America. into two dozen picture panels and lots of videos. distance, by no means shying away from awkward Why do you believe this is controversies. the case? Where does one buy the book, and how much does On Sukkot 1966, Rabbi Richard Lampert escorts When reform first arrived it cost? You were brought up Orthodox, what drew you to Hebrew School children bearing baskets of fruit in this country, there was There’s a website at www.progressivejews.co.za progressive Judaism? to the MC Weiler School in Alexandra township Photo sourced from the book fear in Orthodox circles which contains additional material and photographs I blame my feminist daughters. They demanded that that what had happened (i.e. a taster for the book) and also points readers to their Batmitzvahs be exactly the same as those of Are there some interesting characters in the book? in America – where reform swept the country and the Juta website which is selling the book online. boys, and that was available only in a progressive If so, who are they, and why did you write about became the dominant denomination – might repeat There will be a book launch on Zoom on Thursday, shul. For a long time, I hated it. It was very different them? itself in South Africa. 12 November, at 18:00, all welcome, at in style. But then I came to realise that its leaders The movement’s founder in South Africa was So, there were concerted efforts to keep reform at https://beiteman.link/bezoomclub. were serious people, concerned about contemporary Professor Avraham Zvi Idelsohn, widely regarded as issues, who’d given a lot of thought to the topics I’d the world’s leading expert on Jewish liturgical music. Letters taken for granted, and who were open to new ideas He also happened to compose Hava Nagila. He had a in ways I hadn’t encountered before. wife in Joburg, and a mistress in Cincinnati. SACC AND AFRICA4PALESTINE TWO asserted that the two-state option is dead His brother, Jerry Idelson, was the first leader of SIDES OF THE SAME COIN and, in the future, there will be two Palestinian Give me a quick overview of the book. the movement in South Africa. He had founded a On the face of it, the South African Council of states, both with Palestinian majorities, existing It tells the story of a charismatic young rabbi, Zionist youth movement when still a teenager. He Churches (SACC’s) sharing a billboard with side-by-side. This aligns with Barghouti and his Moses Weiler, who defies expectations by building also founded the Vegetarian Society (his father was a Africa4Palestine at a cost that probably runs into movement’s denial of the historical connection of a movement under adverse conditions in a deeply shochet), founded the Mountain Club, was a founding six digits may seem like a coming together of two the Jewish people to the land, and the deeper- conservative community, and then manages to member of revisionist Zionism, and a member of the quite different entities, but is this really the case? seated view espoused by Hamas and Iran that spread it from Cape Town to Salisbury. first orchestra to perform for radio. Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) South Israel cannot exist in any form. He pioneers all sorts of areas: the first Batmitzvah, Weiler was a heroic and tragic figure. A master Africa, rebranded Africa4Palestine after its Although Bishop Mpumlwana declares of the held in near secrecy; the first Jewish outreach orator in multiple languages, he was deployed as a disenfranchisement by the international BDS SACC that “we don’t do doctrine, we do social to African townships; the first women on shul trouble shooter by the South African Jewish Board movement, is better described as anti-Israel justice”, the SACC has endorsed activities that executives; the first interfaith dialogues. And more of Deputies whenever they had a particularly thorny rather than as pro-Palestinian. Omar Barghouti, suggest that it is, indeed, seeking to promote recently, the movement has gone places Orthodoxy issue to deal with. Then he went on aliyah, and lost the founder of the BDS movement has repeatedly a particular doctrine concerning Israel. The adoption of the Kairos Palestine “Moment of Truth” document, and participation in various conferences and webinars involving theologians from the Bethlehem Bible College suggests that the SACC has aligned itself with the view that the modern return of the Jewish people to the land of Israel isn’t the fulfilment of Biblical prophecy. This doctrine, known as “replacement theology”, emerged in early Church history often with disastrous consequences for Jews. THERE ARE MANY BUSINESS FINANCIERS OUT THERE. The SACC “annexation” statement released on BUT NONE LIKE US. 25 June 2020 includes the following quote: “The [annexation] plan transforms the Holy Land into So, who are we? a Zionist fairyland for the enjoyment of extreme evangelicals and Jews, while the local Christian We’re the company that’s been supporting and financing business owners for over 38 YEARS. 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5 YEAR * The image used is for illustrative purposes only. WARRANTY 6 – 13 November 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 14 From Beaufort West to Berlin, Flatland reaches great heights TALI FEINBERG South Africans will welcome their work, and if the characters you see in the film. We also Going back to how they first met, Horler the reactions of critics are anything to go by, it would never have been able to make the explains that “Jenna and I were both at ilm director Jenna Cato Bass and has definitely caused a stir. movie without the enthusiastic support and Herzlia together and matriculated in 2004, but producer David Horler first met when they Flatland has been described as modern, hospitality of Beaufort West and the surrounding only connected properly at film school after were growing up in Cape Town and were feminist version of the classic Western film, and communities.” I approached her to work together. We have Fin the same year at school. Little did they know Bass says she was definitely inspired by that Horler says the majority of the film was shot worked together on and off ever since.” The that they would one day join forces to create field. in and around Beaufort West, with several days duo’s major film from 2017, High Fantasy, was groundbreaking films that have made waves “The Western was one of my dad’s favourite in Cape Town, which was a challenge for his shot using cell phones, and has won multiple locally and internationally. genres, and we watched a lot of them together production company, Proper Films. “As Beaufort awards. Their latest project, Flatland, premiered at the when I was getting into cinema. There was so West had no film infrastructure or support from “The fact that we give each other the freedom Berlinale (Berlin International Film Festival) in much about them I loved – the action, the high vendors and suppliers – and we were at the and mutual respect to do our jobs makes February 2019, opening its Panorama section to stakes, the landscape, the horses – but at the height of the drought in the Western Cape – it conducive for us to excel when working much acclaim, and hit South African cinemas on same time there were never any characters I we had to be particularly meticulous with our together,” says Horler. “We acknowledge each 30 October 2020. particularly related to. I started to realise how planning and make sure we brought absolutely other’s unique skill sets and experiences, and Daily Maverick called it “fearless filmmaking few – if any – Westerns placed women centrally everything we needed with us from both a give each other that freedom and trust to run from one of our own”. Bass told the SA Jewish in the narrative, and what this said about the technical and personnel perspective. with things. And when things do go wrong, there Report “My grandmother grew up as a Jewish genre. I realised that if I was going to make a “We also had an incredibly dedicated team of is always an openness to discuss issues and Afrikaans farm girl in Malmesbury. In many Western, I would have to address this, and allow drivers travelling to and from Cape Town on an how best to fix them.” ways, this film is in homage to her.” the characters to drive the genre, rather than almost daily basis, bringing additional supplies Bass says that growing up in the Jewish Set in Beaufort West in the Karoo, it tells the the other way around. or transporting actors and personnel that community meant that “my life was very insular story of Natalie, whose disastrous wedding and secluded. When I left school, everything night leads to an accidental killing. She flees felt new, and I really appreciated how little I her husband and the rural town where the knew about the greater South Africa. I think landscape is so flat that “you can see your this inspired me to learn and listen more to the future rolling in”. world around me, because in a lot of ways, I After reuniting with her rebellious best friend, was still a stranger to it.” Poppie, the two young women escape together While South African cinema faces many on horseback. Hot on their trail is police captain challenges, especially in the “new normal” post- Beauty Cuba. The fates of these three different pandemic, both are excited about the future. – yet equally desperate – South African women Photo supplied by Proper Films “It’s always been and remains a challenge to eventually converge. realise an independent film, so we are both A few days after its release on South African always working on multiple projects in the hope shores, Horler told the SA Jewish Report that, that a handful of them will pick up momentum “The film has been travelling the world since and be able to be realised,” says Horler. February 2019 at festivals and screenings, so “Over the past few years, there is a very clear we’re really grateful and relieved it can finally trend towards more authentic, engaging, and come home and be seen by South African powerful local cinema. You can also see this audiences. playing out across the continent. Filmmakers are “It’s been an interesting experience as finding the confidence to tell their unique stories this film started its life outside South Africa, instead of trying to emulate Hollywood styles or and at the same time is very South African in A scene from ‘Flatland’ focus on issue-driven identity films,” he adds. terms of its cultural relevance and experience. “There is definitely a palpable excitement While audiences abroad really appreciated “It also made sense to question the Western’s weren’t with us full time. Otherwise, the entire across the industry, with films today really and enjoyed the plot, the complexity of the history as a colonial narrative – how this crew and cast lived in Beaufort West throughout standing out, having more successful lives characters, and messages explored in the reflected in contemporary South Africa when we the shoot. outside of South Africa and resonating with film, there were undoubtedly many moments are still very much dealing with these issues of “The hospitality of the town was unparalleled, people without needing to fit into narrow that only South African audiences would really conquest and oppression,” she says. from accommodation providers to the actors boxes,” says Horler. “At the same time, our appreciate.” The film is shot in Afrikaans and in a desolate that we cast locally, even the mayor and local production values and strength of storytelling COVID-19 has meant that fewer South rural town – not Bass’ first language or home municipality. It’s an incredibly special place continues to increase, making the films Africans are going to cinemas and, Horler says, environment. “There were most certainly that in many ways simply cannot be matched competitive in the international marketplace. “attendance is still a fraction of what it was this challenges, but that’s when I as a director or on screen, which is why we decided to take So I do believe there is a renaissance of sorts time last year, and we’re the first South African writer like to acknowledge what I don’t know, both the financial and logistical risk of basing taking place. A lot of the South African films that film to screen post-lockdown. So there are and where I need help,” she says. “There was ourselves there instead of trying to recreate the have come out in the past few years are a clear many unknowns.” But they remain positive that a huge contribution from our cast in realising environment in Cape Town.” testament to this.”

Letters

TRUMP HAS NO REDEEMING FACTORS TRUMP SUPPORTERS WOULD BE WISE TO AVOID DODGY SNAKE-OIL SALESMEN In response to Sachs and Fisher’s “The case account? (Trump dismissed the inspectors This will be printed after the United States election. journalists. Professional journalists look at a story, for Trump in 2020”, (SA Jewish Report, general of five cabinet departments because Apologies for my condescending tone. I must verify it, and if they smell a rat, drop it. Meantime, alt- 30 October), let me say I’m neither ill- of ongoing investigations.) How about firing comment on “The Case for Trump in 2020”. The article right entertainers like Trump and Ben Shapiro repeat informed, malicious, nor a follower of fashion the head of the NPA [National Prosecuting regurgitated clichés, conspiracy theories, and liberty- falsehoods. And, in time, these boys start to believe the (as the authors characterise those who object Authority] and installing his own man (as threatening conjecture found on right-wing websites nonsense. to Trump), but rather believe, unlike the Zuma and Trump did)? What of profiting without context or fact-checking. They try to separate Offensive to many Americans is the relentless attack authors who discount Trump’s well recorded from his position by renting his own the crudeness of Trump from his policies. Shallow on democratic institutions. The boys don’t understand character flaws in favour of his policies, that properties to the government, or employing arguments, as political policy and outcomes create a that democracies are maintained by politicians’ there can be no redeeming factor (however his daughter and son-in-law in senior state more complex legacy not easily learned from computer honesty. President Trump has misused electoral trust superficially appealing) when a person in positions? How about his instruction to his screens. for his own selfish means. He has directed the justice high office who is granted enormous power justice department to prosecute a political Americans chose a conservative government in department and the national security apparatus to is so glaringly unfit for the office. opponent on his say so, or obstructing 2016. Donald Trump and a conservative Congress had investigate his political foes. He has used homeland A useful way to test one’s own view voting and openly stuffing the highest court every right to enact conservative policy. Conservative- security to patrol streets and arrest political dissenters. is to see the situation in a different light with political judges? What about not only leaning voters might want him re-elected for this He has encouraged armed militia when he has or to apply an analogy. So, when Harvey lying every day, but insulting you by making alone. Many Germans supported Adolf Hitler because disagreed with local politics. He says he should lock up Weinstein was fired by Miramax, nobody assertions that your own eyes tell you lies. unemployment declined and roads were built. adversaries in public rallies all over the country. said, “but he made great movies and They write that “Trump hasn’t abused Sadly though, the writers watch websites and He has separated children and families of Hispanic profits for us”, which he did. And this is power”, but that assertion is false because pundits pushing dodgy, discredited conspiracy theories. background and orphaned more than 500 children. because no self-respecting business wants these actions are factual examples of abuse They claim that Joe Biden has used his political I won’t point out where this happened before. No to be associated with a moral reprobate, of power. influence for his and his son’s financial benefit. No leader of a democracy should ever be elected with this regardless of his so-called value. That’s To conclude, let me return to the thrust self-respecting professional journalist has verified behaviour – ever again! because reputation affects value, and in the of my response, which is that a principled the assertion (reference New York Times 22 and 25 These silly boys should reject the banality of the end, having such a person in charge leads person should set aside any personal, October 2020; Wall Street Journal 23 October 2020). shameless website snake-oil salesmen. True leaders to tears. If true for a company, how much political, or transactional benefits of a Nevertheless, right-wing conspiracy theorists push this ask their followers to wear masks and keep a social more true is it for a country which is the candidate when that person has no respect notion, and the more people hear that Biden is corrupt, distance in a pandemic. They put the public first leader of the Western world? for the rule of law, the norms demanded by the more they believe the false assertion. Hitler showed and humble themselves against the problems the In another analogy: how would you react secular society, or Jewish moral laws such the modern world this trick before. The “mainstream world faces. Real leaders remember to set a good to a South African president removing as derech eretz. – Sydney Kaye, media”, as these writers call it, doesn’t pursue example every day of their lives. – Robert Taylor, officials who are there to hold ministers to Cape Town conspiracy theories because they are professional Johannesburg Vote now FOR YOUR ABSA JEWISH ACHIEVER 2020 NOMINEES

Go to www.jaa2020.co.za 6 – 13 November 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 16 Fake news starts and stops with us A column of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies unday in Johannesburg was In 2017, dictionary publisher Collins Vigilance in dangerous times noteworthy for a number of named “fake news” the word of the reasons: the Jacarandas put on year. The dictionary defined fake news he South African Jewish Board Sa display that was truly remarkable, a as “false, often sensational information INNER VOICE of Deputies (SAJBD’s) case ABOVE BOARD massive storm hit Gauteng, and the lights disseminated under the guise of news”. Howard Feldman against Matome Letsoalo finally Shaun Zagnoev went out for many hours across the city. Since its invention, it has been used Tconcluded last Friday with the Randburg The combination of the weather and and abused to an extent that it stopped Magistrates Court sentencing him to Islam, what underpinned them all were the power outage was unsettling, which meaning much. three years imprisonment, suspended extremist ideologies in which the victims is why during this time I was perplexed to But it does mean a lot, and it always children are being abducted at the Mall for five years subject to not repeating the were considered collectively guilty, not receive a communication, allegedly from has. of Somewhere and their hair colour dyed. same offence part during that period. for what they might have done, but the Democratic Alliance (DA), titled “Dark On a webinar I participated in soon Then, there are those that say that the The court took the matter very simply for being “the other”. Days In Joburg”, informing me that there after the lights returned, I tried to assist hospitals are overwhelmed with COVID-19 seriously, with both prosecutor and In protecting our own society from were no maintenance crews available participants in identifying some of the patients, when they are not, and that magistrate commenting that hateful such barbaric acts, we need always to and that for the foreseeable future, there threads that remain common to all fake the president is going to take single statements were becoming all too remember that those who perpetrate wouldn’t be. news stories. The obvious ones remain malt whisky away from us again. These prevalent in South Africa, and that the them have been thoroughly indoctrinated The implication was clear that city political or financial gain, but I explained stories spread because they make us courts had a responsibility to send a beforehand, and that much of this is residents were unlikely to see electricity further that we are more likely to believe afraid. These are the stories that unnerve strong message that such behaviour taking place in plain sight through easily in our parts ever again. And yet the fake stories that resonate with our belief us because fear is one of our strongest wouldn’t be tolerated. This, ultimately, accessible online platforms. We know all lights came on a few hours later and life systems and that reinforce our way of emotions. is what we aimed to achieve when too well that words can – and frequently returned to normal. I’m still unclear if this thinking. Because social media algorithms And let’s be honest, we didn’t survive taking on this matter. It wasn’t just about do – lead to deadly consequences, was a legitimate document in the poorest are designed to show us what we want to the holocaust in order to die from single bringing to account a single individual and that therefore the fight against of taste, or if it was fake news. read, we are all at risk in this regard. malt deprivation. offender, but demonstrating to those who extremism must of necessity involve In December 2016, just before the But there’s another component We have all forwarded messages that would emulate him that our community confronting the scourge of online hatred. last United States elections, the term common to many fake news stories, we shouldn’t have. We do it because we isn’t fair game, that we have the will to This is why the SAJBD has made it “fake news” was used in a Buzzfeed and that’s the fear factor. For example, are worried and because we are decent strenuously respond to antisemitically- its core business to take up the most article reporting on websites that were when we receive a message that there people and want others to know. Mostly. motivated attacks, and that in doing egregious instances of hate speech publishing false (and mostly) pro-Trump will be protests and riots in an area, But we need to learn from the DA so, we have recourse to effective laws against our community and see them articles that were shared a lot on social or that a storm to end all storms is document. If it was legitimate, then it was strictly prohibiting racially motivated hate through to the end, regardless of how media. Only four days later, Donald Trump coming. What about the message that if poorly timed and politically expedient. speech in our country. many years it might take or what kind of picked up the term and started to use it to someone throws egg on your windscreen, Even if it was fake, we had the power to This coming Friday, we will be back technical, procedural, logistical, or other label certain news reporting. It’s his use of something will happen (I have never stop it. It starts with us, and that’s where it in the same court for the first of what obstacles might need to be surmounted. the term that brought it popularity. got to the end of the message), or that can end. If we try. will likely be a number of appearances The successes we have gained, the concerning the crimen injuria case Letsoalo judgment being the latest, have KDL Primary gets a taste for print journalism Yeshiva appoints lodged against Jan Lamprecht. An unquestionably helped to create a safer ing David Primary School a Sunday Times news journalist, who ultra-right-wing, stridently pro-Nazi environment for our own community and Linksfield’s virtual newsroom entertained and enlightening Grade 7 junior councillors white supremacist, Lamprecht has for for all South Africans who are – or might was abuzz with activity recently. students on Zoom about his career. eshiva College students Batsheva years been disseminating antisemitic one day be – targeted on the grounds of KThere were Grade 7 editors-in-chief The students were then guided by Levy and Menachem Altman propaganda of an especially virulent race, ethnicity, belief, or identity. strategising with their teachers through the different have been selected as the nature, to the point of gleefully praising In conclusion, I warmly congratulate school’sY Johannesburg Junior Council team members, and components of a newspaper. Tasks were the perpetrators of deadly shooting our national president, Mary Kluk, on representatives for 2021. They join 70 design and layout assigned and, using a multitude of media students across the city who will be attacks on, among others, the Powys being appointed as a member of the specialists working platforms and working feverishly around involved in creating awareness about and Pittsburgh synagogues, a black leadership council of the Conference around the clock to the clock to meet deadlines, their work the social issues faced by youth, and in church in Charleston in the United on Material Claims Against Germany. generate creative, was captured in 8-12 page newspapers creating outreach projects that uplift the States, and a mosque in Christchurch, This is a position of great responsibility unique pages and printed on A3 newspaper print. underprivileged. New Zealand. and Mary’s appointment testifies to the advertisements. It culminated in live broadcasts of Over the past week, a series of esteem with which she is held in global Then, youthful certain aspects of the newspapers harrowing terrorist atrocities have taken Jewish circles. photographers were through a simulated television place in various parts of the world, capturing interesting presentation and an awards ceremony including Ethiopia, Afghanistan, France, • Listen to Charisse Zeifert on Jewish moments in time and journalists penning which highlighted the talent, passion, and and Austria. Whether motivated by Board Talk, 101.9 ChaiFM, every Friday fascinating news stories and feature creativity of the students. The English traditional ethnic antagonisms or radical from 12:00 to 13:00. articles. teachers are extremely proud of their The journey began with a visit from aspirant journalists. Tis column is paid for by the SA Jewish Board of Deputies

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