16 September 2011 / 17 Elul, 5771 Volume 15 Number 35 Embassy Attack in Egypt Stokes

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www.sajewishreport.co.za Friday, 16 September 2011 / 17 Elul, 5771 Volume 15 Number 35 Embassy attack in Egypt stokes

Israeli fears of the new Egypt PAGE 3

Noam Shalit, father of captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, wants his son’s plight to be part of the discussion of Palestinian statehood SHALIT TAKES CASE TO at the United Nations. Shalit was in New York last week meeting with UN ambassadors from various nations. He met with more than FREE SON GILAD TO a dozen UN ambassadors to urge them to block any statehood recognition until his son was free. In the picture: Noam Shalit, right, with Knesset member Michael Eitan during a protest on behalf of Gilad outside the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem on THE UNITED NATIONS Gilad's 25th birthday, August 28. (MIRIAM ALSTER/FLASH90) Mary Kluk’s vision SAKS: New intellectual FREUND: Change perceptions Possible new of leadership / 5 ammunition for Jews / 8 one book at a time / 9 diabetes cure / 7 YOUTH / 17 SPORT / 20 LETTERS / 14 CROSSWORD & BRIDGE / 19 COMMUNITY BUZZ / 6 WHAT’S ON / 19 2 SA JEWISH REPORT 16 - 23 September 2011 SHABBAT TIMES PARSHA OF THE WEEK September 16/17 Elul September 17/18 Elul ‘Next year in Jerusalem’ Ki Tavo Margaret Starts Ends has been fulfilled 17:44 18:33 Johannesburg Rawicz; Rina 18:10 19:12 Cape Town Taviv; and 17:31 18:22 Durban MamaEarth’s 17:51 18:41 Bloemfontein Ruth 17:52 18:44 Port Elizabeth PARSHAT KI TAVO Rabinowitz. 17:43 18:34 East London Rabbi Berel Wein Founder and director of the Destiny Founda- tion Jewish women actively involved THE MAIN part of the parsha is concerned with the Published by description of the woes that will befall the Jewish peo- in climate change conference S A Jewish Report (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 84650, Greenside, 2034 ple in their long years of exile and persecution. The STORY AND PHOTOGRAPH BY RITA LEWIS energy, transport, modal shifts, communi- Tel: (011) 023-8160 Torah sees this as being a form of redemptive punish- ty awareness, disaster management etc. Fax: (086) 634-7935 ment for the Chosen People who chose to imitate the THE GAUTENG Government, with the National government’s climate change Printed by Caxton Ltd idolatrous and immoral ways of the general society. support of the national government, last response commits the country to a long- EDITOR - Geoff Sifrin However, as the exile of Israel stretched into cen- week held a two-day “Water and Climate term transition to a climate-resilient and [email protected] turies and then into millennia, the Jews began to feel Change Summit” at Gallagher Estate low-carbon economy and society. To COMMERCIAL MANAGER that somehow the punishment was rather excessive re- Conference Centre in Midrand. It had a achieve this, integrated, people-based, Sue Morris lative to the crime. Therefore other explanations for the Jewish organisational flavour. development-planning approaches and [email protected] length and bitterness of the exile of Israel were The objective of the summit, which was tools need to be implemented immediately Sub-Editor - Paul Maree advanced. attended by some 400 people, was to create by municipalities in order to respond to the Ed Co-ordinator - Sharon Akum The Talmud itself, hundreds of years after the a greater awareness of all government climate change challenge. [email protected] destruction of the Second Temple, offered that the scat- organisations, the private sector and civil The aspects and ramifications of climate Senior Reporter - Rita Lewis tering of the Jewish people throughout the world was society, on the impact of global climate change were discussed, painting a discon- [email protected] to allow non-Jews who wished to convert to Judaism, to changes and how this is affecting South certing picture of what is already happen- Sports Editor - Jack Milner be afforded the opportunity to do so. Africa. Also discussed was the upcoming ing: thousands of eco–refugees, destruc- [email protected] Others suggested that the dispersal of the Jewish UN “Convention on Climate Change” to be tion of traditional agricultural patterns, Books Editor - Gwen Podbrey Diaspora was to allow Judaic values and attitudes to held in Durban in December. droughts, floods, extreme weather, etc. Arts Editor - Robyn Sassen penetrate the non-Jewish world as well. Two Jewish women involved in the Photographs were shown of erosion of [email protected] It was through the bitter exile itself that the Jewish organisation/preparation of the summit, South Africa’s coastlines and the detri- Youth Editor - Alison Goldberg people would fulfil its mission of being a light unto the were Rina Taviv and Margaret Rawicz. mental impact on crops due to the chang- [email protected] nations of the world. The survival of the Jewish people Taviv is acting director, Air Quality for ing rain patterns. Cape Town correspondent under the oppressive conditions of its exile, also raised Gauteng. She co-ordinated the new strate- Although Earth’s climate changes all the Moira Schneider: 021-794-4206 questions and problems for the Christian world. gy for climate change that is being devel- time, the planet’s temperature is consis- Pretoria correspondent The concept of the “Witness People” gained curren- oped by the province. tently rising due mainly to CO2 emissions. Diane Wolfson: 082-707-9471 cy in the Christian world - that somehow Jews had to During the event, she not only spoke on Rawicz says the Jewish community has Advertising - (011) 023-8160 survive to “witness” the eventual reappearance of the [email protected] “What is Climate Change?” but also led the its part to play; her rough guide shows that Christian saviour and finally convert to Christianity. workshop at which public and government with careful attention, each person can Britt Landsman: 082-292-9520 Thus the Church established the institution of the [email protected] representatives gave their ideas for climate save about 4,5 tons of CO2 per annum from “Pope’s Jews” who were protected from harm, since Manuela Bernstein: 082-951-3838 mitigation measures. being emitted to the atmosphere by car- [email protected] they had to survive to be the “Witness People”. Be all of On this she said: “There needs to be an pooling, recycling of waste, tree planting Freelance Advertising Executives this as it may, what is clear is that every word of the ongoing communication effort within all etc. Marlene Bilewitz: 083-475-0288 Torah regarding the fate of the Jews in exile, has come communities to educate people on what cli- The Gauteng Department of Agriculture [email protected] true - true literally and not allegorically. As the mate change is and what each person can and Rural Development had organised Adi Lew: 083-407-8034 Ramban phrased it, it is astounding that a book written do to help slow it down. This would involve, exhibition space for local CO2 saving inno- [email protected] thousands of years before the events occurred, should saving energy, water, fuel, recycling and vations. Included was a water heater Classified Sales record those events so truthfully and faithfully. planting trees.” fuelled by sticks and pieces of wood. Charissa Newman It is of comfort that since the tragedies recited in the Rawicz has been an environmental con- Another innovation was by former [email protected] parsha that would befall Israel have all come true liter- sultant for the past 30 years and has Inkatha Freedom Party MP, Ruth Rabino- Manager: Distribution ally, that we can be certain that the blessings and worked to assist government to develop witz who in 2009 founded a non-profit Britt Landsman redemption similarly told to us in the parsha, shall also legislation for industries to control pollu- organisation, MamaEarth Foundation, Design and layout undoubtedly be fulfilled literally. Frankie Matthysen tion and waste outputs. She was on the which she directs. Nicole Cook Some of them have already been realised in our time team of the Gauteng government as a rep- Her innovative “business cart” was with the ingathering of the exiles of Israel to the nas- Website resentative of NGOs assisting the setting unveiled that enables any individual to run www.sajewishreport.co.za cent Jewish State. Others are still developing and com- up of the summit. a business from the remotest spot on Ilan Ossendryver ing. The keynote address was given by Earth. It gives access to the latest cutting- IC-Creations The Torah never placed any time limits either on Minister for Water and Environmental edge information and communication [email protected] Jewish exile or redemption. The L-rd has His own reck- Affairs Edna Molewa. Various government technologies and is capable of doing any- Subscription enquiries oning that no human can be privy to. The rabbis, there- and provincial representatives as well as thing normally done in an office environ- Avusa Publishing (Pty) Ltd fore, strongly discouraged prognostications of dates for Tel: 0860-13-2652 delegates from the various affiliated ment. The single requirement to drive the the arrival of the redemption and the Messianic era. departments, also gave presentations on cart, is sunshine. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Over the many centuries of Jewish exile, many dates South Africa’s response to climate change; This product can be used in the town- Howard Feldman (Chairman), Issie Kirsh (Deputy Chairman), Stan Kaplan, were forecast to be the ones of redemption, but all of Gauteng’s “Green Economic Programme”; ships or in rural areas and uses photo- Marlene Bethlehem, Norman Lowenthal, them have come and gone and the redemption is yet adapting to climate change and the prepa- voltaic panels to charge cell phones and Bertie Lubner, Benjy Porter, unfulfilled in actuality or completeness. rations for December’s UN conference. provides sufficient additional power for a Herby Rosenberg, Howard Yet our hope and belief in our eventual redemption Many of the interventions to curb cli- laptop and TV. Sackstein, Jason Valkin, Elton has never waned. “Next year in Jerusalem” has been Bondi, Michael Sieff, Steven n. mate change fall within the ambit of local The cart, about twice the size of an ice Krawitz and Denese Bloch. fulfilled. Next year in a fully rebuilt and peaceful government responsibilities. Therefore cream cart, folds out to provide a cutting- Jerusalem is in the wings of the drama that unfolds local government is at the forefront of edge Internet café, with cell phone battery Advertisements and editorial copy from now before our very eyes. implementing the climate change re- charging, exchanges, photo and normal outside sources do not neccessarily reflect Shabat shalom. sponse, in terms of ensuring resilient and printing. It faxes, e-mails and has links to the views of the editors and staff. sustainable infrastructure in the fields of the Net and to Skype.

Trevor Stamelman: 082-608-0168 Geoff Lees 082-923-8317 Tel: (011) 885-3742 [email protected] www.stamelmanproperties.co.za

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Tel: (011) 447-0337 WIN AN ISLAND HOLIDAY & OTHER GREAT PRIZES - VISIT WWW.STAMELMANPROPERTIES.CO.ZA FOR DETAILS 16 - 23 September 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 3 Will Israel’s peace continue with ‘new’ Egypt LINDA GRADSTEIN Egyptian officials,” a senior Israeli official JERUSALEM told JTA. “And the real difficulty was that even when they were finally reached, their RETIRED ISRAELI Air Force pilot Uri Dromi promises for quick intervention did not mate- remembers the day 34 years ago when rialise as quickly as the situation required.” Egyptian President Anwar Sadat landed in Egyptian commandos eventually arrived Israel to tell the Israeli people that he was to rescue the trapped Israelis, and Israel sent ready to make peace. its Air Force jets to retrieve them and bring Dromi, who had flown missions in the 1967 them home. The official said he did not Six Day War against Egypt, had been expect the embassy to reopen soon but that assigned to escort the Egyptian air crew dur- there were contacts with Egyptian security ing Sadat’s visit. officials. “I was standing there on the tarmac and “We are discussing how to ensure that such suddenly there’s this big airliner with an attack will never happen again and what Egyptian markings being escorted by three is needed to be done to secure the reopening Israeli jet fighters,” Dromi told JTA. “It turns of the embassy,” he said. “We are definitely and lands. The door opens and there stands worried. Which way Egypt is going is any- Anwar Sadat, who until then had been the body’s guess.” leader of our greatest enemy. This is one of The Egyptian military council running the the moments I will always cherish.” country, quickly condemned the attack, Today, Dromi, who runs the Mishkenot called the rioters “criminals” and said it Sha’ananim conference centre in Jerusalem would launch criminal proceedings against and organises briefings for journalists, is those caught. worried that the historic peace between “The Egyptian leadership said they are Egypt and Israel could be unravelling. committed to the peace treaty, and so are we,” Last week’s attack on the Israeli Embassy Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev in Cairo by a mob of thousands of Egyptians, told JTA. “Anyone over 50 remembers the has him worried. Egyptian-Israeli wars in which thousands of “I think it is serious because there’s a lot of people on both sides of the frontier were energy there,” Dromi said. “The anti-Israel killed. I don’t think the people of Israel or Egyptian demonstrators attacking Israel’s embassy in Cairo, on September 9. (PHOTOGRAPH: sentiment was always there, but it was mar- Egypt want to go back to that.” MAGGIE OSAMA/CREATIVE COMMONS) ginal compared to the problems Egyptians The 32-year-old peace treaty between Israel had. Now Egyptians are expressing all of and Egypt is one of the cornerstones of Hamas-ruled Gaza. Since Mubarak’s ouster, embassy came just weeks after a terrorist their anger and frustration against Israel.” Israel’s security doctrine. While it has result- Israeli intelligence officials say, smuggling attack on the border between Israel and The embassy attack, during which a mob ed in few people-to-people ties, the pact made has dramatically increased. Egypt that left eight Israelis dead. Israeli offi- pulled down the embassy walls, broke into Israel’s southern border reliably quiet and Despite a recent poll showing that more cials said the terrorists travelled from Gaza the building and rampaged for several hours freed up Israel’s military to focus on threats than half of Egyptians would support sever- to Egypt and then into Israel. Three Egyptian while six Israeli security guards were elsewhere. ing ties with Israel, most Israeli experts don’t security officers were killed inadvertently in trapped inside, was the latest and perhaps Under Hosni Mubarak, who ruled Egypt believe Egypt will rush to abrogate its peace fire fights after the attack. most worrisome in a series of events south of from Sadat’s assassination in 1981 until he treaty with Israel. Most of the Egyptian “Peace with Egypt has always been a cor- the border that have Israel concerned that it was deposed early this year, Egypt estab- political factions, including the Muslim nerstone of our strategic position in the faces a game-changer with the new Egypt. lished military and intelligence co-operation Brotherhood, have said they will continue region,” Dromi said. “Whatever else hap- Most worrisome, some Israeli officials said, with Israel. the peace treaty. Cutting off ties also would pened with Lebanon or Syria, we always had was their inability to reach senior Egyptian Both Egypt and Israel viewed Hamas’ threaten the $3 billion in foreign aid that that peace to offset everything else. If this officials quickly. Instead they had to rely on growing strength warily, and Egyptian secu- Egypt receives annually from the United falls, there could be a chain reaction. We’re US mediation. rity forces tried to stop the smuggling of States. already hearing rhetoric from Jordan that we “There were difficulties in reaching certain weapons and terrorists from the Sinai into But Israel is concerned. The attack on the haven’t heard in a very long time.” (JTA) 4 SA JEWISH REPORT 16 - 23 September 2011 All 3 monotheistic religions grapple with issue of peace STORY AND PHOTOGRAPH BY tures are based on complex MOIRA SCHNEIDER legal systems,” she added, CAPE TOWN referring to Islamic Sharia Law and Judaism’s Halacha. Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft (second, right) with former Ermelo residents CAN RELIGION be a force for Catholic priest, Father and family members at the restored Ermelo Jewish cemetery. peace and if so, how? This was Roger Hickley, noted that the the question tackled by an Vatican tried through its interreligious panel at an diplomatic corps to be an event organised by The Living instrument of peace. Tombstones laid flat to Newspaper to coincide with However, “the perception of the visit to this country of Dr Father Roger Hickley; Marlene Silbert (chair- those of us with religious Deborah Weissman, president backgrounds is that we’re minimise vandalism of the International Council of man); Dr Deborah Weissman, president of not instruments of peace. Christians and Jews. the International Council of Christians and “People see our commit- DAVID SAKS The latter learned of the intend- Weissman is the first Jewish Jews; Gordon Oliver; and Rabbi Dovid ment as a way of being exclu- PHOTOGRAPH SUPPLIED ed visit through Rabbi Silberhaft’s woman to head the organisa- Wineberg; participated in the panel discus- sive,” he said, adding that “Where is the Travelling Rabbi?” tion which is devoted to sion on religion as a force for peace. religions had “provoked EARLIER this year, nearly half the Thursday slot on Chai FM and Jewish-Christian dialogue. most of the outrageous wars graves in the Ermelo Jewish ceme- independently decided to accom- Imam Dr Rashied Omar, a schol- “News media must do more to of the world”. tery were vandalised in what is pany him. ar of Islam and spiritual head of ensure our voices are heard. Rabbi Dovid Wineberg, spiritual believed to have been an anti- They included members of the the Claremont Main Road There is a dire need for more rig- leader of the Green and Sea Point Semitically motivated attack. Cohen, Bloch, Isakow, Shein, Mosque, referred to a “preoccupa- orous academic studies of non- Hebrew Congregation, main- Thirty five of the 85 tombstones Lipschitz and Schwartz families. tion with Islamic violence”, noting violent sources (in Islam).” tained that the present was the were targeted, whereas no similar Also present were representatives that never before had the Muslim On the other hand, it was best time in history, where the damage was reported in the adjoin- of the local media. commitment to peace been chal- “important for peace scholars to death of one person made news ing general cemetery. In an informal address to the lenged as it was at present. consistently highlight the fact that and the slaughter of enemies was The SAJBD’s country communi- party, Rabbi Silberhaft commend- Stressing the religion’s strong global conditions… are breeding condemned. This was due to reli- ties department’s response has ed them on the effort they had emphasis on justice, as well as its grounds for hatred and radicalism. gion having given birth to the idea been to lay all of the cemetery’s made to show respect to their value of compassion, he said “There is a crisis in Islam, but of the dignity of the human being. tombstones flat in a bed of concrete departed relatives and to those of Islam’s struggle for peace was the current policies of the US pro- To ask if religion could be a as a way of protecting them from the old Ermelo Jewish community related to a struggle for justice. duce extremists. The contempo- force for peace was the same as future such incidents. This as a whole. “As important as justice is, it rary global order is not just.” asking if science could be a force approach has already been adopted Sadly, he said, the great majority should not be the pre-eminent Weissman stated that religion for progress. “It’s what you do in a number of other rural Jewish of Jewish cemeteries around the value. provided individuals with “a sense with it,” he said. cemeteries around the country. country under the maintenance of “I would say compassion should of identity and rootedness”. It was The Jewish ideal of peace was What was intended as being a his department were today almost trump it,” but this was unfortu- a repository of the accumulated not the absence of struggle, but routine visit to check on the status never visited. He was therefore nately not the situation in current wisdom of generations of people rather the creation of a relation- of the restored cemetery by Rabbi gratified to see how family mem- Islamic discourse in many Muslim who might have faced similar ship between heaven and earth Moshe Silberhaft, spiritual leader bers of those laid to rest had made countries. dilemmas to our own. that never allowed for either of to the South African country com- the long journey to Ermelo to visit Asking how the Islamic concept “It is precisely our monotheistic them to be cancelled out, he said. munities, ended up as something the refurbished cemetery, and to of compassion could be refabricat- faiths that have given us the “We don’t look for uniformity, but much more meaningful when he pay their respects to all the Jews of ed, he said: “Muslims must never notion of a merciful and compas- there is a common sense of pur- was joined for the occasion by the town who had lived there and become weary of stating that acts sionate G-d who expects us to pose that unites us and when we members of the families of a num- made such a positive contribution of wanton violence and barbarism emulate his behaviour,” she said. find that, we’re on the road to ber of those buried there. to its development. are contrary to Islam. “At least two of our religious cul- peace,” the rabbi added. 16 - 23 September 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 5 AROUND THE WORLD NEWS IN BRIEF There’s something about Mary STEVEN GRUZD we now have this fantastic resource to MUSEUM TOLD TO HOLD PAINTING ALLEGEDLY support the national curriculum and LOOTED BY NAZIS MARY KLUK, the passionate and ener- reinforce the lessons from the getic new national chairman of the Holocaust.” TALLAHASSEE - A small Florida museum has been South African Jewish Board of The Durban Holocaust Centre, run by ordered to hold onto a painting on loan from Italy, Deputies, is determined to apply the les- dedicated volunteers, is currently because it may have been looted by the Nazis. sons she’s learned from her profession- booked every day with school groups, The Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science in al life and long involvement in the until exams in November, as well as Tallahassee was notified this summer by the District Council of KwaZulu-Natal Jewry adult groups, religious organisations Attorney's Office in the Florida capital that the near- (CKNJ), to her new position. and many tourists. It has an education- ly 500-year-old painting - “Christ Carrying the Cross “I’ve learned the importance of com- Mary Kluk with Deputy President al facility and the new Circle Café and Dragged by a Rogue”, by the Italian Renaissance promise,” she said. “People in Jewish Kgalema and Jewish Philanthropist gift shop that generate revenue. artist Girolamo Romano - is believed to have been leadership positions are dynamic, won- Eric Samson at the Board of Deputies Looking ahead, Kluk says: “I feel stolen from a Jewish family by the Nazis during the derful people and I enjoy working with Conference, earlier this year. (PHOTO- enormously privileged in my new role Second World War. them, and we all have to be part of the GRAPH BY ILAN OSSENDRYVER) at the Board. We have an incredibly tal- The grandchildren of the painting's owner, an same team. ented professional and lay-leadership Italian Jew named Guiseppe Gentili, contacted the “I know (President) Barack Obama’s local health workers on administering team, and I look forward to getting the government and the museum directly. made it a cliché, but my philosophy is paediatric anti-retroviral treatment. best out of everyone.” The painting, part of a show at the museum on like his campaign slogan - ‘Yes, we can.’ Kluk was elected president of the She plans regular and frequent trips Baroque painting that just ended, is one of 50 art- Together, we can build strong leader- CKNJ in 2006. In 2007, the South African to both Johannesburg and Cape Town. works on loan from the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan, ship, a unified community, a better Department of Education included “Open communication is vital. Italy. Its estimated worth is about $2,5 million. country. Everything is possible with Holocaust studies as part of the grade 9 Everyone must feel they have a voice Five other paintings that belonged to Gentili before genuine intentions, hard work and human and social sciences (HSS) cur- and that the voice counts - decision- the war and were sold in a 1941 government auction integrity.” riculum, and at the same time the Cape making must be inclusive,” she says. after the family had fled France, were returned to Kluk is the first-ever SAJBD national Town Holocaust Centre hosted the Two key areas that she wants to focus Gentili's descendants by the Louvre following a long chairman from Durban, and only the “Seeking Refuge” Exhibition - detailing on are how to nurture young Jewish legal battle. second woman to hold this position after the lives of individual Jews from leadership in South Africa, and US authorities and the Italian Ministry of Culture Marlene Bethlehem who served two Germany who had escaped to South responding to Deputy President are working to determine who owns the painting. terms from 1995 to 1999. Africa. The exhibition later travelled to Kgalema Motlanthe’s challenge to the Meanwhile, The Israel Museum announced last Kluk majored in Jewish studies, soci- Johannesburg. Jewish community and its business week that it had returned a painting to the heirs of its ology and economic history at the Kluk organised to bring the exhibi- leadership to help reduce unemploy- owner after determining that it was looted by the University of Natal (now UKZN) and tion to the Durban Jewish Club, just off ment. Nazis from a Jewish museum in Germany. went on to a successful career as a serv- the beachfront’s Golden Mile, and added “It’s not just about charity - giving out “The Return of Tobias”, a 1934 painting by German ice manager for Quest Personnel and a panels on seven Durbanites who had blankets and bread loaves - it’s about Jewish artist Max Liebermann, was sent back to textile buyer for Gallant Clothing, fled Germany before the war, including really building South Africa, for us all.” Liebermann's estate by the museum. where she met her husband Graham. Kluk’s own mother who had left She wants to see the South African Liebermann had lent his painting to the Jewish Her late father’s passing away from Hamburg as a teenager in 1936. Jewish community continuing to be Museum in Berlin in the 1930s. It was given to the cancer, led to her involvement in her A three-week exhibition had an over- vibrant, diverse and committed. “Our Bezalel National Museum in Jerusalem in the 1950s local Hospice. “I wished my mother whelming response from KZN schools, strength is our ability to vigorously after no owner came forward to claim it. could have had more support at home,” and had to be extended to a fourth week. debate and discuss, and then come The work is among 12 pieces that the Israel she said. “I saw the potential. There was a together. Museum was sending on loan to a museum in She later assisted at Beth Shalom space at the Club that was under- “The Holocaust teaches us that we Germany. Background research conducted on the Aged Home in Durban, and is a trustee utilised and with the help of generous have to look after ourselves, ultimately. piece before it was sent, determined that the piece of CHIVA, an innovative NGO that donors and foundations in Durban and And we cannot do that if we’re divided.” had been on loan to the German museum from which brings multidisciplinary teams of med- tremendous support from Myra Osrin The Board has a committed, confident it had been looted and that it should be returned to ical professionals from the UK to rural and Richard Freedman from the Cape and courageous new captain at the the artists' heirs. (JTA) KZN and the Eastern Cape to mentor Town Holocaust Centre, I’m very proud helm. 6 SA JEWISH REPORT 16 - 23 September 2011

SOCIAL SCENE Rita Lewis [email protected] COMMUNITY BUZZ LIONEL SLIER 082-444-9832, fax: 011-440-0448, [email protected]

JOHANNESBURG In the 1960s Lewis Sowden was a prominent literary figure in Johannesburg. He had been deputy editor of the (now long defunct) leading morning newspaper, the Rand Daily Mail, but because of a widely publicised outburst at the United Nations General Assembly when the South African foreign minister, Eric Louw, was speaking, he had been demoted to arts editor. Sowden was also a playwright of note. He had written “The Kimberley Train” and “The Land of Afternoon”. Sowden’s wife, Dora, was the music critic on the same newspaper and she was well-known around Johannesburg for her exotic The drumming team of Ben Mothibedi, Saul Lehoko Dovi Flax and Ariella Carno creating a masterpiece on clothing which invariably included a Turkish-style turban. and Israeli Nir Etzbeony show how it’s done. their piece of wall. In the early 1960s, the American, Ralph Kirkpatrick, one of the world’s top harpsichordists, visited South Africa to give a series of recitals. Kirkpatrick was the world’s leading authority on Domenico Scarlatti (1685 - 1757) who had substantially expanded the technical range of the harpsichord. Kirkpatrick gave a recital at the Adam Leslie Theatre in End Street, (now long gone) which Dora Sowden commented about in the Rand Daily Mail. She wrote that Kirkpatrick’s “style… was better suited to Bach or Handel and did not suit the spirit of Scarlatti”. A few days later, Kirkpatrick gave another recital. Everyone was silently seated when Kirkpatrick came onto the stage and loudly asked whether Mrs Dora Sowden was present? There was an embarrassed silence, before she acknowledged that she was. El Al’s Hayley Rachamim; Ros Bukris; Evelyn Zadikov Israel Amirov; Gabi Cohen and Eden Tibi with drum- Kirkpatrick then said: “Before I play, perhaps you would like to and Stephanie Adams. mers Ben Mothibedi and Saul Lehoko. come up here and give us all a lecture on the differences of inter- preting Bach, Handel and Scarlatti?” There was a stir in the audience, and Dora Sowden did not move, nor say anything. There was a lot Kirkpatrick then started playing, as one person observed, “robustly”. Interval came and went and the audience waited for the second of fun at the Fair half to begin. And they waited, and they waited. It was later learned that Sowden had gone backstage at the interval to get an STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY apology for his wife and that wrestling, pushing and shoving took RITA LEWIS place. Suddenly onto the stage Kirkpatrick emerged holding Lewis Sowden’s in a headlock and the two bounced across the stage. THE ONLY thing marring the start of the Aliyah Fair Ushers intervened and the Sowdens left the theatre. held at Beyachad last Sunday was that it coincided with the rugby test between South Africa and Wales, which BRANDFORT kept the crowds away for much of the morning. Nathanel Gozlan and Katherine Henning beside one of A town in the Free State, about 60 km north-east of Bloemfontein, After that, it was off with the televisions and all sys- the two camels while the two “riders” behind finish their it was established in 1866 and named after J H Brand, fourth pres- tems go... with crowds milling around the many stalls, ride by sliding to the ground. ident of the Republic of the Orange Free State. enjoying the recently arrived warm weather. The town received an ignominy of a sort during the apartheid The Fair was the launch of the Yebo Aliyah Expo era when Winnie Mandela, then wife of Nelson Mandela, was ban- which continued until Thursday in Johannesburg after ished there. which the 25 delegates flew to continue their work in Here is a report from the town about the Jewish community, Cape Town. made about 1983: Delegates held workshops and discussed with indi- “Mr and Mrs Alec Levin lived here from 1964 - 1981 at 24 Duke viduals subjects such as absorption, property, medical Street. Mr Levin used to blow the shofar in nearby Winburg. They issues etc and answered questions posed by interested, had two sons, Michael born in 1952 and Selwyn born in 1949 who prospective olim. married Marilyn in 1973 and lived in Odendaalsrus. At the Fair, El Al’s Ros Bukris took the opportunity “Mr and Mrs Abraham Schlome lived here from 1970 - 1978 at 39 to bring some of her team to highlight the good things Duke Street. Mr Schlome underwent an operation in January 1976 about Israel’s national airline. and unfortunately passed away as a result thereof. They had a Some of the stalls were manned by members of the Jeremiah Rosenstein so daughter, Louise, born in 1956 who studied in Grahamstown and a Jewish youth groups such as Bnei Akiva and Habonim loves flags he is pictured son, Mark, born in 1961. Dror, while Israel’s former aliyah shaliach, Rabbi Israel’s Aliyah Shaliach, Shimon Shamila with two of his sons, with three from Israel “Mr and Mrs Max Klevansky lived at the Elgro Hotel from 1964 Dorron Kline, paid a welcome trip back to the country - 1975. He was Rabbi Jack Klevansky’s brother and was chairman of his birth to tempt people to come and live in Israel. Binyamin and Itamar. and one South African. of the community during the 1970s. To bring excitement to the normally quiet Beyachad “From 1960 – ‘74 Mr and Mrs S C Levin lived in Brandfort. A parking area, a three-man team set up a square of daughter was born in 1946 and a son was born in 1947. From 1946 drums at which visitors could choose a drum, sit down - 1970 Mrs T Kessel lived in Brandfort and from 1964 – ‘70 Mr L and join in the drumming sessions. Kalish was in the Brandfort district, the same years that Mr S The walls surrounding the area had been marked out Tolpis was also in the Brandfort district. and the job of painting the spaces was given to aspiring “At a meeting in 1966 at the home of Mr and Mrs Levin, it was artists to visually enhance the space with whatever suggested that the 20 families in Brandfort, Bultfontein, caught their fancy. Theunissen and Winburg meet more often than just for the High Some of the results were truly professional and will Holidays. greatly enhance the area. “In 1972 the title deeds (of the shul?) were handled by Mr M Stalls offered a variety of goods, from coloured wigs Klevansky. The Sefer Torah was given on loan to Moshav to jewellery, to fancy goods, to handbags, etc. At the Bnei Akiva tent Zekeinim (Beit Shalom) in Durban. This was fun in the sun for the young and old and “In 1975 the congregation had R482-48 cents, made up from sell- are Dean Sher, Jess du Ian Dove chats to the Aliyah proof that the Johannesburg Jewish community was ing various items and the fence from the shul. A kiddush beaker supportive of Israel’s aliyah programme and its Plessis with Kimmie Shaliach Rabbi Dorron Kline in from 1918 was given by the congregation to the SA Jewish Board endeavours in South Africa. Nariskin in front. SA especially for the Expo. of Deputies for safekeeping.” Soul Workout offers a splendid Jewish history journey REV ILAN HERRMANN The game was also handed out to Joy “The game facilitates this. It Gaffin, head of Camp Kesher, who will dis- promises to be an exciting tour SOUL WORKOUT, a Jewish educational tribute one to each camper child at Kesher. which will enrich the under- outreach organisation, has launched an Soul’s outreach team has embarked on standing and sense of identity of innovative board game, called “Journey the “Soul Workout Kia & Nandos Journey our young in the Jewish commu- Through History”. Through History Road Show”. nity.” “Journey Through History”, explains Schools throughout Gauteng will be vis- The “Road Show” is aimed at Rev Ilan Herrmann who heads up the Soul ited with a “Jewish History” slide show learners between the ages of Workout, “is an interactive Jewish history and an interactive workshop will be nine and 14 years. Schools can board game for kids and youth.” offered to the learners. Voting booths will contact Soul Workout to book a The game is eye opening in it’s graphic be put up with children invited to vote for workshop on (011) 440-5995 or excellence and offers an easy to follow their favourite station in “History”. Extra 078-482-5981. simplification of the long timeline of votes can be entered in at Kosher Nando’s. Limited games are available Jewish history. It comes packaged with The winners, to be publicly announced, and can be sourced from Soul playing pieces and dice. will be awarded prizes of free vouchers for Workout at a donation of R100. The game was launched amidst festivity Kosher Nando’s. Soul Workout is offering at the KosherWorld terrace on Sunday Says Rev Herrmann: “Although many of national and global posting of August 14, with Shooby Doob Shloimy and us know different events that have the game on request with a his troupe of singers, entertaining the occurred in our people’s past, we often lack postage charge. Contact (011) gathering. Joining in as well, were many the knowledge of the pattern and timeline 440-5995/078-482-5981/info@soul- Chantel Steenekamp, marketing director Footwear of the residents of the Selwyn Segal home. of how it all fits together. workout.co.za Trading and Rev Ilan Herrmann with the game. 16 - 23 September 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 7 Production of beta cells could point way toward diabetes cure JERUSALEM - Researchers at the Hebrew glucose levels, had regenerated a greater which was funded with the support of the University of Jerusalem have identified the number of new beta cells than mice without Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation key signal that prompts production of diabetes, suggesting that glucose may be a (JDRF). insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas key player in beta cell regeneration. Because this study showed that regenera- - a breakthrough discovery that may ulti- But the researchers further found that a tion depends on glucokinase levels, the find- mately help researchers find ways to restore glucose-sensing enzyme in the cells, gluco- ing may pave the way for developing a new or increase beta cell function in people with kinase, is the key molecule that triggers the kind of drug to modulate glucokinase or Prof Yuval Dor of the Institute of Medical type 1 diabetes. beta cell regeneration. other steps in the glucose-sensing pathway Research Israel-Canada. The work on the multi-year project was “This means that the more work that beta to direct beta cells down the path of regene- led by Prof Yuval Dor of the Institute for cells are required to do (that is, the more ration and replication. ment could help pave the way towards a full Medical Research Israel-Canada of the ‘stressed’ they are), the more of themselves And, should a mechanism be discovered cure for type 1 diabetes. Hebrew University, researchers from the they make,” said graduate student Shay that prevents the immune system from Further research in this area is proceed- Hadassah University Medical Centre and Porat, who, along with fellow graduate stu- attacking beta cells in the first place, as ing, with the eventual goal of progressing researchers from the diabetes section of the dent Noa Weinberg, spearheaded the study, occurs among diabetics, the combined treat- towards human clinical trials. Roche pharmaceuticals company. The study was published in a recent issue of the jour- nal Cell Metabolism. “Our work shows that as the glucose level is increased in the blood, it tells the beta cells to regenerate,” says Dor. “It’s not blood glucose per se that is the signal, but the glucose- sensing capacity of the beta cell that’s the key for regeneration.” This was the first time that this sensing of a high level of glucose has been shown to be the “trigger” that induces beta cells to regenerate. In persons suffering from type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, the immune system launches a misguided attack on the insulin-producing beta cells, resulting in the cells’ decline of insulin production and eventual loss of function. Without insulin, the body’s cells cannot absorb glucose from the blood and use it for energy. As a result, glucose accumulates in the blood, leaving the body’s cells and tis- sues starved for energy. That’s why people with the disease must inject insulin and monitor their blood glucose levels diligently every day. To cure type 1 diabetes, it will be necessary to develop methods to increase beta cell replication en masse, hence the potential therapeutic importance of the current study. In their work, Dor, along with co-lead author Prof Benjamin Glaser of the Hadassah University Medical Centre, used a genetic system to destroy 80 per cent of the insulin-producing cells in the pancreases of adult mice, rendering the mice diabetic. When the researchers compared these mice with control mice, they found that those mice with diabetes and elevated blood

AROUND THE WORLD NEWS IN BRIEF ADL RAPS MEL GIBSON ON MACCABEE MOVIE

NEW YORK - The Anti-Defamation League has criticised Mel Gibson following news that he is planning to make a film based on the life of Judah Maccabee. Gibson's Icon Productions conclud- ed a production deal with Warner Bros Studio for the movie project. “We would have hoped that Warner Bros could have found someone better than Mel Gibson to direct or perhaps star in a film on the life of the Jewish historical icon Judah Mac- cabee,” the ADL's national director, Abraham Foxman, said in a statement last week Friday. It is not yet clear whether Gibson will act in or direct the film. Joe Eszterhas is reportedly going to write the screenplay. Gibson’s 2004 film “The Passion of the Christ” angered many in the Jewish community who felt that it played into notions of Jewish culpa- bility for the killing of Jesus. Later he landed in hot water after spewing anti-Semitic invective during a drunken confrontation with a police officer. "Not only has Mel Gibson shown outward antagonism toward Jews and Judaism in his public statements and actions, but his previous attempt to bring biblical history to life on the screen was marred by anti-Semitism," Foxman said in his statement. (JTA 8 SA JEWISH REPORT 16 - 23 September 2011 OPINION AND ANALYSIS

FORUM FOR DIVERSE VIEWS Struggle songs New discoveries provide believing and leadership Jews with intellectual ammunition THERE IS a feeling among minorities - Jews, ANGLICAN-BASHING has long been the truth of what Jews believe in can be Afrikaners, coloureds, Indians and others - that theological equivalent of clubbing baby demonstrated at a level of intellectual in South Africa today they are politically mar- seals. Apart from its being so easy to draw BARBARIC rigour that few outside its ranks imagine ginalised and alienated, essentially onlookers. blood, there is little chance of one’s prey to be possible. Disquiet can be felt everywhere about the direc- fighting back. That’s particularly true The dominant assumption is that the tion the country is moving in, but there is a YAWP where the Church of England is concerned. David Saks further scientific knowledge advances, sense of them having virtually no role to play. Religious conservatives scorn it for being the weaker becomes the case for tradi- Recent controversial and anxiety-inducing compromised and compromising, equivo- tional religious belief, but that does not incidents in the national arena include: Justice cating and wishy-washy, while secular left- seem to be the case with traditional Collin Lamont’s verdict that Julius Malema’s ists treat it with patronising contempt. their toes to articulate a vision of human Jewish belief. singing of the song “Dubul’ ibhunu” (“Shoot With church attendances plunging and community which our pragmatic, short- Rather, the emerging argument is that the Boer”) is hate speech, a decision slammed rent by bitter ideological in-fighting over, term politicians have all but forgotten, and age-old Torah concepts are progressively by free speech advocates; President Jacob for example, homosexuality in the clergy, to know how to speak the truth to power in being confirmed, rather than contradict- Zuma’s dubious choice for the position of chief the C of E at least is widely depicted as a way for which our prurient, sniggering ed by advances in scientific knowledge. justice, of Mogoeng Mogoeng, seen as a judicial being on the brink of dissolution. journalism provides a ghastly parody.” Ironically, so far as the Jewish faith goes lightweight and Zuma lapdog; Malema’s disci- In general, the responses of Anglican Good for him, I say, even if the actual at least, the atheist case (such as it was) plinary hearing for bringing the ANC into dis- spokespeople to these attacks have tended details of his theological beliefs are far was actually a great deal stronger a cen- repute, exposing dangerous tensions in the gov- to be abashed and apologetic; it is the way removed from what I, my own religious con- tury ago than it is now. erning political party and its allies; and reckless of the world that those seeking to follow a servatism notwithstanding, can ever accept. A host of new discoveries, along with utterances by Malema and the ANC Youth middle road tend to get run over. The greatest obstacle to Wright’s view- dramatic historical developments clearly League about nationalisation of mines, banks, It was therefore rather refreshing to read point prevailing is ultimately not that his mirroring the teachings of the Jewish etc, which scare away potential and much-need- in a recent issue of The Spectator a hard- church is incapable of being the vehicle for prophets and sages of bygone centuries, ed foreign investors. hitting defence of the traditional English such important values as community, are providing believing Jews with strik- Arguments can be made for and against Church by Tom Wright, a hard-working moral responsibility, practical concern for ing intellectual ammunition against Lamont’s verdict. He said singing the song was grass-roots clergyman who refuses to hang the needy and the like, but the fact that it is those who would dismiss their convic- “discriminatory and harmful” to Afrikaners, his head. unable to provide a convincing case for the tions as baseless superstition. interdicting the ANC and Malema from singing Entitled, “Keep the faith - How the objective truth of their fundamental beliefs. That being said, I have come to learn it “in private or public”. He set the right to dig- Church of England can - and will - endure”, Atheism has always existed, even in the the hard way that seeking to match stri- nity above the right to freedom of speech in this it is angry, assertive and defiantly proud of days when religious orthodoxy dominated dent atheist triumphalism with similarly instance. what that institution, despite everything, public discourse, but today in Western unequivocal assertions does not work, “Dubul’ ibhunu” is undoubtedly a malevolent has achieved and continues to achieve. countries, and especially in Europe, it has indeed is often counter-productive. song. But should it be banned? Did the judge go In summary, Wright dismisses the mod- arguably never enjoyed such widespread At the heart of Creation are the pro- too far, paving the way towards a whole string of ern-day canard that religion has only to do credibility. foundest mysteries, and it behoves us to possible new bannings, including cutting-edge with private spirituality and should be kept Actually, the prevailing perception now have the humility to recognise the limita- political satire and journalism which might be out of the public domain. On the contrary, is that the intellectual war has been deci- tions of our understanding and acknowl- “hurtful” to some people? it was precisely through involving itself in sively won by the atheist camp. All that the edge how very rudimentary our knowl- This would be a tragedy for our young democ- the nuts and bolts of public policy that the theist side is left with is an argument edge remains. racy, built as it is on the ashes of the apartheid ideal of fostering the Kingdom of G-d on based on vague and subjective appeals to a Jews have been blessed over and above regime in which the censoring of speech was earth could be achieved. supposedly innate sense of right and the other nations of the world by having prolific and brutal. The ANC has condemned When push came to shove, moreover, one wrong and the desire for social coherence being granted from On High an Lamont’s ruling and says it will appeal the deci- found that when it came to those who were and good fellowship. unmatched degree of insight into the sion. actually striving on the ground to address While a great many Jews have bought purpose and nature of Creation. The song is part of South Africa’s Struggle society’s modern-day ills, a disproportion- into this argument and largely abandoned This being said, even Jews must strug- history. The sentiments expressed in it derive ate number of them had church affiliations their religious practices as a consequence, gle on a constant basis against contrary from decades of oppression by white people of of one kind or another. this is far from being representative of the voices seeking to sow doubt and confu- black people, and tap directly into the injury Wright insists that the business of the dynamics of modern-day Judaism as a sion. It is a challenge that should be inflicted on black people’s dignity. Liberation church goes beyond doing good works, but whole. embraced not just in order to forge the movements all over the world have created has to provide forthright moral leadership Much of the growing confidence within correct path for daily living, but as a songs and sayings in the same vein aimed at as well. Inter alia, he writes: “The next gen- the traditional, Orthodox sector is based process that is intrinsically part of what their oppressors during their particular strug- eration of church leaders will need to be on on a growing conviction that the objective life is meant to be about. gles. Whatever the merits or otherwise of the ruling, the truth is that it is impossible to enforce. And the song has become a defiant rallying cry Michael Arad’s memorial to 9/11 victims for mob anger, shown when ANC supporters outside the South Gauteng High Court started singing “Dubul’ ibhunu” on hearing of the hate speech ruling. Banning the song makes it more potent, particularly for populist politicians wanting to stir up their masses of followers. What is disturbing, however, is that there seems little willingness in the ANC to appreciate how unnerving the singing of such a song is for already anxious minorities. For the sake of reconciliation and a shared future, a more con- ciliatory attitude would be helpful, even if Lamont’s ruling must be opposed for the sake of freedom of speech. We live in a society in major political flux - even turmoil - in a country struggling to consolidate its post-apartheid democracy and live up to the high hopes of its constitution. Much of the power-play currently going on is about jockeying for political power in anticipa- tion of the ANC leadership conference at the end of 2012. Malema’s disciplinary hearing has a lot to do with Zuma trying to remove him as a potential anti-Zuma kingmaker. And Zuma’s choice of Mogoeng Mogoeng as chief justice reveals ominous signs of a chipping away at the independence of the Constitutional Court for political motives. As a leader, Zuma’s goal should be to reach

out to “alienated” and “marginalised” minori- WOOLHEAD) JOE (PHOTOGRAPH: ties and, like Mandela, become a president for the whole nation. There should be sensitivity ERIC HERSCHTHAL and I made a point for it never to become “and I responded to it foremost as a New towards the anxieties and insecurities of such about that,” Arad, 42, recently told The Yorker.” minorities. The song “Dubhul’ ibhunu” is NEW YORK (NY Jewish Week) - Few pro- Jewish Week. “If people want to see Arad adds, “I can talk about memory insensitive whether or not one agrees with files of Michael Arad, the architect of the something that’s not there they can, but and loss of life - it’s something I grew up Lamont’s ruling about it being “hate speech”. September 11 memorial, have failed to it’s pointless.” with a sensitivity to. But I’m always hes- Zuma’s and the ANC’s vision should be for mention he is Israeli - the son of a former Arad’s argument is that the memorial itant to hold these out as a foil against the long-term good of the country and the ambassador, no less. But most stop there, is for everyone, no matter his or her some other kind of remembering. involvement of all its people. We can do without shying away from details, in no small part background. They’re universal.” political opportunism. because Arad wants it that way. “I think that what happened that day “For me itís not about my nationality, happened to all New Yorkers,” he said, Read more at www.thejewishweek.com. 16 - 23 September 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 9

OPINION AND ANALYSIS - FORUM FOR DIVERSE VIEWS Changing public opinion one book at a time THE ONSLAUGHT against the Jewish so many years of monolithic media brain- the book, Hasten writes: “We as adults must State has begun. washing, will be no easy task. learn that although someone lives in a differ- In just the past few weeks, Turkey But reminding the public that Jewish set- ent place or has different customs, traditions expelled Israel’s ambassador, an Egyptian FUNDAMENTALLY tlers are human beings with hopes, dreams, or worldviews, we really are all fundamental- mob stormed the Israeli embassy in Cairo accomplishments and disappointments, just ly alike.” and ransacked the premises, and the FREUND like anyone else, is something that is urgent- In other words, our sense of Jewish soli- Palestinians reaffirmed their insistence on MICHAEL FREUND ly needed. darity and brotherhood must override any seeking UN approval for a unilateral decla- Fortunately, a young American-Israeli other differences that may exist, regardless ration of statehood. author has decided to do just that. Josh of whether the subject at hand is the Jews of These worrying series of events portend source of all that is wrong. Hasten, president of Bar-Am Public Johannesburg, Jersey City or Judea. what is likely to be mounting pressure on Consider the following: On August 26, the Relations in Jerusalem, has written a new Hasten’s book, which is slated to be trans- Jerusalem in the coming months, as Israeli Defence Ministry announced that it children’s book with a simple yet compelling lated into Hebrew, marks an important first attempts will be made to turn up the heat was giving a permit to Jews living in message. step in what needs to become a co-ordinated on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Hebron to expand an already existing struc- Entitled “Itamar Makes Friends: A effort to humanise the Jews of Judea and Much of the focus will of course centre ture known as Beit Romano in order to Children’s Story of Jewish Brotherhood”, it Samaria, and portray them in a more bal- on the growing Jewish presence in Judea house a kindergarten for Jewish children. aims to tear down the stereotype, the sense of anced and sympathetic light. This is the only and Samaria as well as Jerusalem. What should have been a non-story instead “otherness” that has come to characterise way to begin to (re)build greater public sup- The critics will moan and gripe: if only made international headlines, with every- Jewish settlers in the minds of many. port for their pioneering efforts in the heart- those stubborn Israelis would just capitu- one from the Associated Press to the San The book, released by Gefen Publishing, land of Jewish history. late already and give the Palestinians what Francisco Chronicle writing about this tells the story of a young boy named Itamar If even our fellow Jews do not fully appre- they want, all would be well in the Middle “breaking news”. from Judea and Samaria who visits the big ciate their sacrifices and dedication, then it is East and peace would finally prevail. This, Needless to say, the move was denounced city, only to encounter hostility and enmity hard to see how we can expect the rest of the of course, is utter hogwash, the wishful by the usual suspects as though Jewish at the hands of three local teens. world to do so either. thinking of those who deliberately ignore children engaged in finger-painting consti- But the barriers of mistrust and antago- So, let’s put aside the prejudice and bigotry history and its lessons. tute a war crime. nism are eventually broken, leading all to of the mainstream press, and remember one They conveniently forget that the PLO Where else in the world does a decision to realise that they share more in common than important truth: the Jews of Judea and was founded in 1964, three years before open a kindergarten merit such attention? they originally thought. Samaria, like Jews everywhere, deserve our Israel even assumed control of Judea and This is just a sign of how badly tarnished In a special note to parents at the end of help and support. Samaria. the image of the Jewish residents of Judea They also overlook the fact that the and Samaria has become. Palestinians rejected offers by former In account after account, and story after Israeli Prime Ministers Ehud Barak and story, they are portrayed in the most devious Ehud Olmert which would have given them of terms, even by some of their fellow Jews. virtually all of the territories. Indeed, with the exception of literally Nonetheless, with a sleight of hand that just a handful of outlets, it is hard to think would make even the most accomplished of a journalistic platform that gives them a magician proud, Israel’s detractors still fair shake. manage to paint Jewish “settlers” as the Changing that negative perception after AROUND THE WORLD NEWS IN BRIEF

ADL SUPPORTS WORLD TRADE CENTRE CROSS NEW YORK - The Anti-Defamation location in the eight-square-acre memo- League has said it supports the inclu- rial. sion of the World Trade Centre cross in "Allowing this cross to be included in the permanent memorial to 9/11 victims the memorial along with other artefacts at Ground Zero. found at the site does not constitute gov- The American Atheists organisation, ernment endorsement of a religious which advocates an "absolute separa- message," the ADL said in a statement. tion" of government and religion, filed a "Rather, it is an acknowledgement that lawsuit last month against including the these beams - part of the infrastructure cross-shaped steel beams in the perma- of one of the towers - acquired histori- nent memorial to the victims of 9/11 in cal significance by giving comfort to lower Manhattan. many who lost loved ones in the attacks, The lawsuit claims the cross is uncon- as well as those who spent days and stitutional and is a "mingling of church weeks sifting through the ash and and state". debris. The cross-shaped beams were found in "The beams have been a part of the the rubble at the site of the World Trade scene at Ground Zero ever since 9/11, Centre following the 9/11 attacks and and their inclusion in the memorial is were moved last month to a permanent appropriate." (JTA)

GOP CAUCUS CIRCULATES BILL RECOGNISING WEST BANK ANNEXATION WASHINGTON - The influential House of Representatives, circulated the Republican Study Committee is asking non-binding resolution among its mem- its members to back a proposed resolu- bers last week Thursday, asking for tion that would recognise an Israeli their support. annexation of the West Bank in the The resolution "supports Israel’s right event of the Palestinian statehood push. to annex Judea and Samaria in the event The bill, sponsored by Representative that the Palestinian Authority continues Joe Walsh (Republican Illinois), comes to press for unilateral recognition of in the wake of proposed legislation in Palestinian statehood at the United the Knesset that would annex settle- Nations". ments should the Palestinians press Danny Danon, a deputy Knesset ahead with their statehood push later speaker belonging to the governing this month at the United Nations. Likud Party, praised the initiative and The office of the RSC, the conservative said it was modelled on the legislation GOP caucus that encompasses more he proposed on settlement annexation. than half of the Republicans in the US (JTA) 10 SA JEWISH REPORT 16 - 23 September 2011 ARTS MATTERS TAPESTRY COMPILED BY ART, BOOKS, DANCE, FILM, THEATRE ROBYN SASSEN Call 084-319-7844 or [email protected] at least one week prior to publication Predictable ending

Artisan Contemporary Gallery, Durban: “Kimonos doesn’t detract from Unlimited”, through September, (031) 312-4364. an engrossing play Artscape Theatre, Cape Play: “Death of a Colonialist” (Barney Simon Town: In the Opera House, Harold Smith (Jamie Theatre, Market Theatre, Newtown (011)832-1641) “Fiddler on the Roof”, until Bartlett) battles with colo- October 1, (021) 410-9800. Cast: Jamie Barlett; Carl Beukes; Ashleigh Harvey; Shirley Johnston nialist history. (PHOTO- Everard Read Gallery, Writer: Greg Latter GRAPH BY RUPHIN COUDYZER) Rosebank: “The Horse”, Director: Craig Freimond curated by Ricky Burnett, Design: Nadya Cohen (set); Nolunthando Lobese (Bartlett), the great-great-great-grandson of the lounge suite you’re not allowed to forget this play until October 30, (011) 788- (costumes); Wesley France (lighting); Kanif man named for Harrismith, has taught history at is not only about a teacher and his interaction 4805. Sebright (sound) one of the city’s prestigious boys’ schools for 35 with the past and the future from inside a high Until: October 16 years. school syllabus. Hilton College, His wife, Margaret (Johnston) lives genteelly in His impassioned lessons about the blood- Pietermaritzburg: Hilton REVIEWED BY ROBYN SASSEN his shadow, understanding his vulnerabilities spattered Eastern Cape frontier wars hinge on Arts Festival, featuring the- with winsomeness. His daughter, Susan the bigger picture of his life which under the atre, music, visual art and THE CITY of Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape (Harvey), chased from her parental home by pressures and cancers of politics is being slow- more, including the debut of is a microcosm of racial values, a colonialist local violence, lives in Canada; his son, Jonathan ly crushed. You learn of the threat of deep loss “Sailing Somewhere”, with stronghold taken from the amaXhosa 177 years (Beukes), is in Perth. coming into unbearable focus, tainted with Fiona Ramsay; and perform- ago, harbouring the reek of bloody history and The love Smith’s family has for him is corrupt- challenges you recognise, because you are ances of “London Road”, hollow incongruities of contemporary political ed by protectiveness, almost embarrassment. human. “Slap Koejawel” and Israeli correctness. Each harbours a secret, like a poison it must out The first half is so powerful and brilliant, you performer/director Roy It is against this backdrop that Greg Latter’s and hurt before it can heal. might doubt its momentum can be sustained. Horovitz’s “My First Sony”, “Death of a Colonialist”, feted by the Naledi In this role, Bartlett gives as good as he gets: You wouldn’t be wrong. After interval, the piece “The Timekeepers” and Awards and the Grahamstown National Arts from the moment the stage lights come up, you stumbles: its denouement is hampered by pre- “Volunteer Man,” until Festival, hangs. are submerged in a grade 12 history class, oppo- dictability, and the play ends emotionally over- September 18, For more info: Constructed as stories within a story, within a site a teacher so passionate, he’s a tonic. You’re stated, with a too-obvious trajectory of events. www.hiltonfestival.co.za history, the play embraces everything from the learning of the battle of Egazini in 1834, which This work shouldn’t be condemned, however, value of cattle for the amaXhosa to those spark- saw the slaying of Xhosa chief Hintsa and estab- for its shortfalls. The sparks of set and casting Iziko: SA National Gallery, ing the desire to emigrate for white people, not to lished much of the existence of the Eastern Cape genius are astonishing. The engagement with the Cape Town: “Tretchikoff: forget those espoused by the game of cricket and Frontier as we know it. horror of emigration and the abandonment it The People’s Painter”, curat- the comfort of milk tea and jam scones. Within the strictures of a set featuring a black- represents is handled with boldness. And ed by Andrew Lamprecht, Meet the Smiths, of Grahamstown. Harold board on wheels and a down-at-heel tapestry Bartlett’s presence is a privilege to behold. until September 25, (021)481- 3970. Joburg Theatre complex, Archivist Arvan just can’t be put in a box Braamfontein: In the MOIRA SCHNEIDER People’s Theatre, “Fun, including in rat-infested storerooms. She CAPE TOWN Magic and Tales from devised a system which included a file for Africa”, until October 9, (011) each production, containing correspon- BAXTER THEATRE archivist Maxine 403-1563 dence, financial statements, programmes, Arvan was due to retire at the end of publicity material, press cuttings and pho- Market Theatre, Newtown: August - for the fourth time - but this has tographs and then computerised all this In the Laager, “The Table”, been put on hold while the theatre man- information. directed by Sylvaine Strike, agement scrambles to make a plan for As a result, Arvan has everything about until September 18; Craig her to stay on. She has been at the the- any production that has been staged at the Higginson’s “The Girl in the atre for the past 21 years, 11 of them in theatre virtually since it opened in 1977, at Yellow Dress” opens her current position. her fingertips - an invaluable resource in September 27, with Kate Arvan was raised in Napier in the anyone’s language. “This is why they keep Liquorish in the eponymous Western Cape, attended Good Hope (“the calling me back, but somebody will have to role. In the Main Theatre, unofficial Jewish day school” of the take over,” she says. “Refuse the Hour”, with time) as a boarder from the age of 13, Baxter Theatre archivist Maxine Arvan. (PHOTOGRAPH: “I was hoping that they would do a book William Kentridge, until then moved to Bloemfontein on her mar- FAHIEM STELLENBOOM) (incorporating the information) that I September 18; “Hotel” chore- riage to Peter. She spent 30 years there could help them with, but there have ographed by Mark Hawkins (“passing through”, she jokes), 22 of societies, schools - it’s the only one in the south- never been enough funds. There are so few the- September 27 - October 9. In which were spent working at the National ern hemisphere. My main job was to read the atre archives in South Africa (and) I don’t think the Barney Simon Theatre, Drama Library. plays - about 200 a year - and to order plays.” they would be quite as sophisticated as the “Death of a Colonialist”, For a Bachelor of Commerce graduate from On her move to Cape Town in 1990, Arvan ini- Baxter’s is.” until October 16, (011) 832- UCT, the field in which she spent her entire tially served as the public relations manager at Included in the archives are communications 1641. working life seems a world away. “It’s some- the Baxter, then planning and development from the Censor Board, particularly from the thing I should never have done,” she says of the manager. When she started the archive in 2000, 1980s, the heyday of protest theatre. “Those let- Montecasino, Fourways: In degree, adding that her chosen path was “much Peter, who had just retired from law, joined her ters were pure and absolute venom and we’ve the Main Theatre, Alan more exciting - I was always keen on theatre.” as a volunteer. got them all.” Bennett’s “The History Of her entry into the drama field, she recalls: “He came in to give me a hand and he was an The presentation of the Fleur du Cap Boys”, until September 18. In “A friend of mine who was working at the enormous help,” she remembers. The setting up Lifetime Achievement Award to her in 2009 the Studio, “Off Beat library said there was a job going - I applied and of the archive was a combination of what she must rank as the highlight of Arvan’s career. Broadway 4”, until October 2. I got it,” eventually heading the institution for had done in Bloemfontein and her managerial “To this day, I can’t believe that it happened,” In Teatro, Shwekey Live In 10 years “without a qualification”. experience at the Baxter. she says modestly. “I don’t think I deserved it.” Concert, September 20 and “That was a wonderful position - you dealt Initially, Arvan had to locate hundreds of The Baxter Theatre management would sure- 21, (011) 511-1988. with all the dramatic societies, the play-reading unmarked boxes stored all over the theatre, ly beg to differ.

National Children’s which was responsible for the deaths of her life’s little realities, exploding, instead, into Theatre, Parktown: “The FELDMAN mother and father. sharply choreographed sequences of unrelenting Pied Piper and Other Tales”, The story opens in Bogota where we meet a action. directed by Joyce Levinsohn ON FILM bright little girl (Amandla Stenberg) who wit- Co-written by Megaton and the renowned and Francois Venter, until Peter Feldman nesses the murder of her parents, and from that French director Luc Besson, who in his time October 15, (011) 484-1584. moment on she is determined to become a unleashed three decades of equally preposterous trained assassin. action movies, Colombiana serves as an exercise Old Mutual Theatre on the PICK OF THE WEEK All alone, but with enormous strength and will in guilty pleasure for action junkies. Square, Sandton: “The power, the young orphaned Cataleya, named The American law enforcement agencies get Prize of Peace” by Les Colombiana after a rare South American orchid, makes her involved in trying to track down this elusive Morison, until September 24. way to Chicago where she meets up with her killer, but with little success. The FBI’s special Friday concert: Brahms Cast: Zoe Saldana; Callum Blue; Michael gangster uncle Emilio (Cliff Curtis), who takes agent Ross (played by British actor Lennie James) Clarinet Quintet on Vartan; Lennie James; Graham McTavish her under his wing and trains her in this deadly understands the underlying motivation behind September 16; Vienna String Director: Olivier Megaton art. Cataleya actions but is powerless to bring her to Quartet, September 23, (011) Fifteen years later, and now all grown up, she justice. 883-8606. Colombiana is a simple story of revenge, but remains focused on her ultimate goal: to hunt The script demands a high kill rate and putting unlike many others of its ilk, this film has plenty down and get revenge on the mobsters responsi- her behind bars is not an acceptable solution, SA Jewish Museum, of energy and style. ble for her parents’ deaths. even though she has the technique to slip in and Gardens: “Jiving with And, while this narrative may be awash with After each hit she leaves her calling card out of a jail cell with remarkable ease. Madiba”, until November 27. clichés and outrageous contrivances, one can still which is an orchid drawn on the chests of her Nikita, one of Besson’s creations, has nothing (021) 465-1546. be entertained by the sheer impudence and dar- victims, a move which serves as a chilling mes- on Saldana, who showed off her athletic prowess Sibikwa, Benoni: “Stories ing of its key character, an attractive and nubile sage to her parents’ assassins. and fighting skills in James Cameron’s much- without borders” Sibikwa’s young woman named Cataleya. French director Olivier Magaton (Transporter acclaimed Avatar. storytelling festival, until Zoe Saldana certainly has to work for her 3) has forged a gritty, no-holds-barred thriller If anything, Megaton tries his best to sell September 23, (011) 422-2132. salary as Cataleya, when she sets about eliminat- that goes against every moral fibre in one’s body Saldana as a new, sexy, action-driven sex symbol. ing various members of a Colombian drug cartel but, like a video game, it conveniently ignores Buy into that and you may well enjoy this romp. 16 - 23 September 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 11

TAPESTRY - ART, BOOKS, DANCE, FILM, THEATRE Mandela coffee table book is timely and apposite Jewish Memories of Mandela with stered it, was cathartic. Within Hodgson, Sydney Kentridge, Brian text by David Saks (Jewish Board that perspective, this magnifi- and Sonja Bunting, Ben Turok, of Deputies, R400). Available cently compiled coffee-table book Denis Goldberg, Ronnie Kasrils, through most bookshops or con- is both timely and apposite. and many others. tact Shirley Beagle on (011) 645- Celebrating the life and legacy of Most of them, too, are deeply 2583 or at [email protected] Madiba has, rightly, become a moving, with Saks’ text bringing national priority. their voices and courage back to REVIEWED BY GWEN PODBREY In its pictorial wealth and its vivid life. An elderly Lazer Sidelsky, account of both the dark days pre- who gave Mandela his first job in a AS NELSON Mandela’s gigantic ceding 1994, and the emancipated law practice, smiles at the photogra- contribution to the history of this decade which has followed them, pher; Ruth First - bringing all her country - and, indeed, the world - the book is a gem. Indeed, as a visu- dignity and anger to bear - gazes out Nelson continues to reveal itself to us in al history, few other memoirs have the page; Isie Maisels, his hair tou- Mandela and ways we are still learning to appre- rivalled it. Its photographs of Madi- sled, is borne aloft on the shoulders ciate, the story of his early career, ba, and the Jews who accompanied of jubilant supporters after the con- Moses Kotane long imprisonment and subse- and supported him at every step of clusion of the Treason Trial; an outside the old quent leadership of a free South his journey, were researched and exultant Leon Levy chants with fel- Synagogue, Africa, is daily enhanced anew. captioned by Gail Behrmann, and low passengers on the “Treason Pretoria, dur- For Jews, as much as any other they are magnificent. Bus”; brothers-in-law and legal ing the Treason community, Mandela’s redemp- Most of them are rare images of partners Harold Wolpe and James Trial, 1958. tive vision of reconciliation, co- individuals whose names are syn- Kantor walk down a Johannesburg operation and unity after the onymous with the Struggle: Isie street, deep in conversation; a ating from them are still palpable. something disturbingly disingenu- long nightmare of apartheid, and Maisels, Joe Slovo, Eli and Violet youthful Helen Suzman, ramrod- Saks’ account of the events depict- ous about the implications of this the brutal regime which bol- Weinberg, Ray Alexander, Rica straight, delivers a blazing address ed in these pages is eloquent, volume (notably in its florid, self- at a Progressive Party rally. thoughtful and inspiring. It includes congratulatory preface). As David And throughout the book, Nelson anecdotal material - often humorous Saks, in his commentary, points out Mandela - as a muscular, young or poignant - which further illumi- more than once, while Jews were lawyer, a delighted groom at the nates the human, vulnerable side of significantly represented among side of his radiant bride, a besuited the individuals in this history. It whites who joined the Struggle, the statesman, a grizzled icon smiling at reminds us of the terrible price paid fact remains that of the entire his companions - casts his spell. by activists, beyond the obvious Jewish community in South Africa, There are also images which risks of assault, arrest, torture and only a very small percentage were make us flinch: Percy Yutar, brief- imprisonment: families torn apart, activists. The vast majority of Jews case in hand and dressed in his legal or forced to flee the country; chil- in this country remained ominous- robe, leaves court. dren deprived of their parents and ly quiet, docile and prosperous. Whether they are posed photo- subjected to ostracism at school; Since the community, largely for graphs or images captured random- careers jeopardised, educations reasons of insecurity and perceived ly, these dramatic images convey interrupted, livelihoods curtailed, anti-Semitism, distanced itself more profoundly than any narra- ambitions thwarted. from Jews who broke ranks by tive the turbulence of South It also traces the warm post- becoming activists, it is unseemly Africa’s past and the tensions radi- apartheid relationship South Afri- for it to now claim - even implicitly can Jews have enjoyed with Madiba, - any part of their heroism. and the humility, forbearance and However, not even that can detract compassion which stamp him as the from the splendour of the volume, world’s greatest leader. There are the sheer fulsomeness of its riches personal memoirs of fleeting and its exuberance at the miracle encounters with him, in which his wrought in this country’s transition. warmth, humour, generosity of spir- Well organised, lavishly repro- it and sensitivity were displayed: duced and scrupulously resear- towards children, business people, ched, the book is a near-flawless journalists and those coming upon archive. Historically, there is little him unexpectedly. Most searing of in it that we do not already know: all are the instances in which his for- the story of Nelson Mandela, and giveness towards former persecu- those Jews who fought alongside tors (and prosecutors) turned bitter- him, has been near-exhaustively ness into goodwill. documented. Rather, it is its emo- However, while the book pays glo- tional truth - conveyed in pictures rious homage to those Jews who which bring stinging tears to one’s risked life and limb to help Mandela eyes - that makes it an extraordi- and other activists, there is also nary reference. Nelson Mandela, Ruth First and Rose Schlachter, a trade unionist and active member of the SA Communist party, outside the Old Synagogue, during the Treason Trial, 1956 12 SA JEWISH REPORT 16 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2011

England’s vibrant Jewish community is steeped in history

ROBYN SASSEN ban legends relating to Jewish practice in the public mind. ENGLAND, home of Geoffrey Chaucer, Chris- Jewish scholar and poet topher Marlowe, William Shakespeare and Abraham ibn Ezra visited in Charles Dickens, who created some of the 1158; by all accounts, Jewish world’s most insidious yet paradoxically well- property represented a quar- loved anti-Semitic stereotypes, like Shylock ter of English society. and Fagin, is also home to a rich diversity of Ten years later, King Jewish culture. Henry II’s attitude to Jews Jewry is ﬁ rst documented in England dur- shifted; by 1290, they were ing the reign of William the Conqueror, in the expelled en masse. Many left 10th century. Neither ﬁ sh nor fowl in English with just the clothes on their history, Jews were seen as different; no one backs. The Birminghim Singer’s Hill Syna- A classic view of London, showing TowerT 42, England’s most iconic the London Tower with Big Ben,

gogue, with its rose window, built in PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY GEOLOCATION.WS

knew how to treat them. The middle of the 17th CENTREOFTHEWORLD.WORDPRESS.COM COURTESY PHOTOGRAPH skyscraper, designed and built in the the Parliament buildings, and the PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY TINYTRAVELS.COM Under Henry I, Jews and their property century saw Marranos set- 1856. centre of London by Jewish British-born inimitable red double-decker buses. were owned by the king; they could only have tling in England. Dutch architect Richard Seifert. specifi c jobs including usury – forbidden by Rabbi Menassah Ben Israel, the Church – and tannery, which gave them a approached Oliver Cromwell with the proposi- During the war, Zionists organised body odour: fodder to the anti-Semitic mill. tion to formally readmit Jews. While he could ish Lord Mayor of London, Sir David Salo- an illegal immigration effort, conducted by the They were obliged to wear distinctive cos- not ratify it, Cromwell supported it in princi- mons, was elected in 1855. By 1868, Benjamin precursor of Mossad, “Hamossad LeAliyah tumes and “Jewish money” was minted for ple. It yielded the fi rst seeds of a new Jewish Disraeli was Prime Minister; in 1884, Nathan Bet”. It rescued tens of thousands of Europe- use by Jews. Conversely, Jews were allowed to community, which, by 1690, numbered 3 000. Mayer Rothschild was the fi rst Jewish mem- an Jews and shipped them to Palestine – sadly, move about the country without paying tolls, By 1753, the Jewish Naturalisation Act was ber of the House of Lords. many boats were intercepted and sunk. and could be legally sworn in on the Torah passed. Jewish Emancipation followed in the At this time, the Jewish community had Today, British Jewry is divided into groups, rather than a Christian bible. Indeed, the oath 19th century. Jews were allowed to sit in Parlia- grown to close to 50 000. Synagogues were the largest being the United Synagogue. of a Jew was understood to be valid against ment; the punitive “De Judaismo” laws requir- openly built, many of which were in the style On the right are the Union of Orthodox that of 12 Christians. ing Jews to dress distinctively was repealed. of Victorian Gothic buildings. Hebrew Congregations (founded in 1926) and This was before the death of a child named In 1837, Queen Victoria knighted Moses Pogroms in Eastern Europe from the 1880s the Federation of Synagogues (founded in William of Norwich, pinned onto the Jews, in Haim Montefi ore, a British-Jewish Italian- saw a wave of emigration of Jews to England; 1887). On the left, the Reform Synagogues of 1144. Jews were accused of torturing the child born philanthropist. Four years later, Isaac by 1919, the Jewish community had grown to Great Britain (1840) and the Union of Liberal and using his blood to make matzah, before Lyon Goldsmid was made baronet, the fi rst 250 000. Many settled in industrial cities like and Progressive Synagogues (1902). killing him. It spawned the most virulent ur- Jew to receive a hereditary title. The fi rst Jew- London, Manchester and Leeds and dockside England’s Jewish Board of Deputies has cities of Spitalfi elds and Whitechapel, giving more than 500 members, bringing together birth to the notion of the East End being Jew- delegates of all shades of religious and politi- ish in essence. cal opinion. It is proactive in its role in raising The First World War saw 50 000 Jews serv- awareness of incitement of racial hatred for ing in the British Armed Forces; Britain’s fi rst minority groups. all-Jewish regiment, the Jewish League, fought Contemporary Anglo-Jewry boasts many in Palestine. A consequence of the war was highlights, including the Gateshead yeshiva Britain’s conquest of the Palestinian Mandate and Reform-based Leo Baeck College, estab- and the 1917 Balfour Declaration which prom- lished for rabbinical education in 1956. ised the area to a restored Jewish nation. About two-thirds of Great Britain’s 350 000 The period between the European wars Jews live in London. There are large commu- in England was peppered with anti-Semitism, nities in St Johns Wood; Hampstead – where under the Blackshirts led by Sir Oswald Mos- Sigmund Freud died - Golders Green, also ley, but counterbalanced by local support. known as the heart of kosher London; and Some 90 000 Jews from all over Europe Hendon, which boasts the Hasmonean and arrived, but by 1938, Britain closed its doors Independent schools as well as Jews College. to Jewish refugees, with the exception of the Nearby Stamford Hill contains Hasidic groups Kinderstransport, an effort which saved the and immigrants from India, Iran, Yemen and lives of around 10 000 Jewish children. North Africa. British Jewry was increasingly Zionist. Anglo-Jewry is fed by over 20 branches of Hovevei Zion, a Zionist movement, was estab- Chabad, serving to complement the multitude lished in 1887; the British Zionist Federation, of services and opportunities for British Jews, in 1899. offering shiurim, Shabbat and Yomtov meals In the 1930s, Britain limited legal immigra- and daily minyanim, as well as shopping facili- tion to Palestine, banning it altogether in 1939. ties and hospitality.

Tips for when you go to England

• You need a UK visa to visit England. The British High Commission is in Pretoria: (012) 483-1400. A British visa costs around R805. • No vaccinations are required to visit England. • The frequency of climate shifts in England is a cliché and an enduring obsession among locals; the best time to travel to England is generally between April and September; the hottest and driest months are July and August. • There are close to 30 dialects of English spoken The Aron Kodesh of the Bevis Marks PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY JEECS.ORG.UK in England. The best advice is to listen care- Synagogue in London’s East End, built fully. in 1701 by the Spanish and Portu- • England’s monetary unit is the Pound guese Sephardi Jews of the city. Sterling. At the time of going to press, one British Pound will cost you R11,64. • The best rates for currency exchange is the bank or bureau; be aware that private money changers can be costly but money can also be changed at local post offi ces. • Traffi c in England is on the left. • Electricity in England is 230 volts alternating at 50 cycles per second. Plugs in Eng- land have three fl at pins.

• English tap water is perfectly safe to drink. SASSEN ROBYN BY PHOTOGRAPH It might appear cloudy when dispensed from The humble Bristol Synagogue, built the tap, but this is excess air and soon disap- in 1871. pears. • England is one hour behind South Africa. 16 - 23 September 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 13

ADVERTORIAL Every Parent Needs to Know”. Parents must educate Niss is a clinical psychologist in Gauteng with vast experience in the field of addiction counselling. Addiction can happen to the smartest, themselves about drugs well-rounded child, with a warm family life and great friends. “It does not discrim- WITH THE unfortunate increase of drugs of parents who have no inkling that their inate or respect race, gender, socio-eco- in our schools, parents are encouraged child is using, and discover abruptly when nomic status, academic achievements, or more than ever to educate themselves. contacted by a hospital emergency room leadership roles,” says Shiel. Drug abuse, with its devastating effects on that their child has overdosed. “Parents are the ones in synch with physical, academic, and social function- “Kids involved in drugs are often very their kids. They know their children, they ing, has been alarmingly on the rise, the skilled at deception.” he says, “Parents see them every day, and are in prime posi- Chabad Addiction Rehabilitation Centre must be equipped with the knowledge of tion to detect warning signs. The world (Care) said in a media release when they may be being deceived.” your child is growing up in is very differ- It pointed out that Jewish teens in the The Care Centre is hosting an informa- ent from the one you grew up in, and you community “are no exception”. tive evening for parents on Tuesday, have to be educated about the possibili- Care conducts ongoing therapies and September 20, at the Chabad in the Mall - ties.” rehabilitation programmes. Pinchas Village Walk centre, at 18:30. Cost is R25. Shiel, clinical psychologist and co-direc- Guest speaker Dr Michael Niss, will talk • To reserve please contact Jodi on tor of the Care Centre, voiced his distress on “The Warning Signs of Drug Use: What 083-633-5104 or e-mail: [email protected]

The regeneration of central Jerusalem CENTRAL Jerusalem conjures up images of busy marketplaces, dilapidated storefronts, traffic jams and run-down buildings. It turns out, however, that this picture is not accurate – central Jerusalem is undergoing a massive facelift and property owners can only benefit from the changes in the pipeline. The municipality has set as a target the improvement in several major areas, notably infrastructure, the rejuvenation of building facades and streets, improving accessibility to the centre of town and the decrease of air and noise pollution. One of the most obvious changes can be seen in the light rail system along Jaffa Road. Once a congested thoroughfare, Jaffa Road has been closed off to all modes of transportation other than the light railway and pedestrians. The result is a beautiful, European-style pedestrian mall in the heart of the city, surrounded by trendy shops and renovated or newly-built apartments. The municipality is investing in the renova- tion of the older buildings in the area, with the aim of creating an area which is attractive to investors and high-quality residents. By promoting educational and cultural facili- ties in the area too, the municipality hopes to encourage a young, vibrant and trendy atmosphere. The well-known Bezalel School of Design will be housed in a new campus in the Russian compound, and students at the various colleges in the area will benefit from student rental subsi- dies, promoting an atmosphere of vibrancy and activity. In addition, established residents of Jerusalem and foreigners are attracted to the area, because of its centrality and proximity to so many attractions. Jerusalem has always enjoyed a special status in the eyes of all Jews because of her centrality to Judaism, and recently this attraction has trans- lated into being a sound financial investment in property, and not only an emotional one. Property prices in the centre of Jerusalem have risen sharply over the last six years, both because of a renewed investment in the area on the part of the municipality, and the centrality of the area; there simply is no better position in Jerusalem than the area around Jaffa Street. Africa Israel Residential developers spotted this trend many years ago and invested in land adjacent to Jaffa Street. Eyal Chacham VP of overseas marketing, says the location and timing of their investment in central Jerusalem was perfect. Their flagship development “Kook 7”, is bor- dering Jaffa Road and the beautiful Anna Ticho museum and gardens. They have a development of over 100 apartments with a boutique hotel. “Our development is one minute away from the new pedestrian mall and light rail on Jaffa Street and Ben Yehuda street,” says Chacham. They are soon going to launch another development in that area with a mix of one and two bedroom apartments. Barry Cohen, director of The Blue Agency, says that existing property-owners are holding onto their assets, sensing the renewal and rebirth of the area as a clean, accessible, high-end area with the attractions of all major cities in the world. All this within walking distance of the Old City, with its ancient walkways and holy sites; the bustling Machane Yehuda marketplace; the trendy Mamilla shopping area and of course, the triangle of King George Street, Jaffa Road and Ben Yehuda Street. 14 SA JEWISH REPORT 16 - 23 September 2011

LETTERS The Editor, Suite 175, Postnet X10039, Randburg, 2125 email: [email protected]

Guidelines for letters: Letters up to 400 words will get preference. Please provide your full first name Disclaimer: The letters page is intended to provide opportunity for a range of views on any and surname, place of residence, and a daytime contact telephone or cell number. We do not publish let- given topic to be expressed. Opinions articulated in the letters are those of the writers and do not ters under noms de plume. Letters should preferably be e-mailed. Letters may be edited or shortened. necessarily reflect the views of the editor, staff or directors of the Jewish Report LIMMUD CONFERENCE SENSITIVE TO ITS RELIGIOUS ATTENDEES IS THE LEFT TAIL WAGGING THE DOG? I AM a proud Orthodox Jewess. A few between people of different backgrounds IT IS simply amazing - at a time when Israel is Arafat destroyed the peace process, the left that weeks ago I attended the Limmud week- and affiliations. As we hear so much from fighting an existential battle on so many fronts - had embraced the PLO, needed to make a choice. end. It was the first time I had ever attend- the Jewish leadership here, dialogue is that Israel’s left, much of the Israel media and Its leaders could either admit they made a mis- ed Limmud and I found it to be a wonder- what it’s all about; dialogue is the best way Jewish leftists in the Diaspora, spurn some of take, or they could adopt the PLO position ful experience. to communicate with those who hold the Jewish homeland’s most ardent and influen- against Israel. They chose the latter with devas- I was just as comfortable there as I was other opinions. tial allies such as Glenn Beck and Geert Wilders. tating results. at the Sinai-Indaba. This is because both South African Jewry prides itself on its This strange phenomenon was analysed by In some leftist activist circles the trend of join- of these places were full of Jews, my inclusiveness and unity. To hide away and Caroline Glick in her Jerusalem Post column ing with the Palestinians in rejecting Israel’s brothers and sisters, regardless of their exclude ourselves, is not helpful. This, in titled “The Left’s Faustian Bargain“ in which very right to exist, has led to foreign-funded religious affiliations. my opinion shows, weakness instead of she traced the progression of the left to the point NGOs and activist networks instigating domestic Firstly, I want to testify that the organis- strength. where today their policies, unbelievably, now and international campaigns to delegitimise the ers of this Limmud weekend were very The reason I feel able to engage with seem to mirror the views of those who wish to Jewish State. sensitive to its religious/“Orthodox” atten- others who believe differently, is because I see the end of Israel as the Jewish State. Unbelievably, even on some Israel university dees. A few examples of this was to put feel so strongly about my Judaism and do On August 16, she wrote that “the 1992 Oslo campuses expressions of Zionism are increas- those who were “Shomer Shabbat” on the not feel vulnerable in a multi-faceted Accords framework dictated that the final status ingly demonised as racist or insensitive; at a floors closest to the ground floor; and at arena. Along similar lines, I admire of Judea, Samaria, Gaza and Jerusalem, would recent Haifa University graduation ceremony it the communal Shabbat Friday night din- Orthodox rabbis and Jews who opt to be determined through negotiations between the was decided not to sing Hatikva out of concern ner, there was kiddush and benchers hand- spread Judaism where it is scarce in the PLO and Israel… however, (Yasser) Arafat ended for the feelings of the Arab students. ed out and also a public request to those four corners of the earth, as well as those all good faith when he rejected then Prime Incredibly, in the midst of all this, the left who were not Shomer Shabbat to not use who are in a secular workplace. Minister Ehud Barak’s offer of Palestine state- media attack genuine friends of Israel like Glenn their cell phones in public on Shabbat, out Finally, it was pointed out to me how hood… ever since Arafat chose terror war over Beck and Geert Wilders. But Christian Zionists - of respect for those observing Shabbat. many of my fellow Jews there would not peace, Palestinian willingness to reject Israel’s like Jewish religious Zionists - are unmoved by Secondly, I am appealing to the attend Sinai-Indaba, but stayed until the right to exist as a Jewish state has grown.” the media’s intimidation because of their faith in Orthodox Jewish community and its last possible moment of a three-day confer- At the same time, the Israel left completely G-d and their reliance on Scripture. They don’t establishment institutions, not to alienate ence to hear the renowned Rabbi Cordoza. ignored Palestinian statements to that effect, care about receiving the accolades of the media our fellow Jews, no matter what their affil- Who knows what kind of influence he insisting that the full blame for the absence of or the cultural elite of the world. iation. It’s one thing not to attend Limmud might have on them. Now, that is some- peace rested on the shoulders of Prime Minister Beck’s message is that we Jews should not and quite another to condemn it or to dis- thing to think about! Benjamin Netanyahu. care either. Fortunately, that message rings pow- courage “Orthodox” people from attend- Indeed, the left now believe that the best thing erfully and true for most Israelis as well as their ing or speaking there. Michele Engelberg that can happen is for US President Barack passionate supporters abroad. Limmud is a forum for discussion Johannesburg Obama to put even more pressure on Netanyahu to make concessions to the Palestinians. David Abel RUSSELL TRIBUNAL DRESSED UP IN LEGAL GARB(AGE) So, whereas in 1995 the left still expected the Vice Chairman Likud SA ONE OF the most disturbing issues facing discredited. Palestinians to pay lip service to peace, after George South African Jewry these coming And who better than Davis who has the months, will be the Russell Tribunal on right credentials and also the ability to PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD: MACKINTOSH SHOWS IGNORANCE OF FACTORS AT PLAY Palestine, scheduled for early November, press those now retired Constitutional which looks set to mirror the hate fest that Court justices as well as our other eminent IN HIS letter advising Israel to recognise the all the territory between the Jordan River and was Durban in 2001. jurists to join him in lending voice to this pending Palestinian bid for membership of the the Mediterranean Sea. However, in the inter- This is being dressed up in legal challenge. This, to quote the secretary of United Nations as an independent state, Daniel est of peace, most Israelis would not insist on garb(age), but the closest resemblance to a Russell, is “about international law”. Mackintosh makes the following statement: this. tribunal will be in name only. Prof Dennis Given that the organisers have selected ”What Israel has failed to realise is that its What I find totally inacceptable is Davis came under some criticism in last South Africa as a venue - and for obvious diplomatic isolation is not the result of its PR, Mackintosh’s claim that Israel’s occupation is week’s Jewish Report, yet few gave him reason - and the very fact that it would but due to the brutal policy of occupation” (SA brutal. Nothing could be further from the credit for speaking out so forcefully; he come under the scrutiny of respected Jewish Report September 9). truth, as any unbiased observer can confirm. should be given full credit and more for South African jurists, may well be the This sentence reveals his ignorance of the As a South African, Mackintosh should com- taking the stand that he did, as it is only trump card to undress this “tribunal”, factors at play in the condemnation of Israel’s pare the rights enjoyed by Palestinians with people of his stature who will be able to and might well not only discredit the so-called occupation. those to which people of colour in South Africa place this farce where it belongs. Cape Town session, but stop the next ses- In the first instance, to refer to Israel as an were subjected in the days of apartheid. The Russell Tribunal which Davis sion to be “staged” in New York early next occupying power is open to serious debate. The The difficulties experienced by Palestinians describes as a “charade of bias dressed up year. areas occupied by Israel were illegally annexed are most certainly not brutal and are due as impartiality”, has already started to Jordan in 1949, and there was no other entirely to the need to secure Israelis from ter- attracting publicity (which is exactly what Allan Wolman Palestinian state. Such a state had been refused rorism. The situation would be immediately is intended) and needs to be exposed and Norwood, Johannesburg by the Palestinian Arabs, who were joined by relieved if President Mahmoud Abbas were to several neighbouring countries in a failed recognise Israel as the Jewish State and ensure PROUD TO BE JEWISH SOUTH AFRICAN, WORRIED TO BE AN SA JEW effort to wipe Israel off the map. the cessation terrorism. MAY WE take this opportunity to wish a hoped, that some initiatives or potential Jordan has shown no interest in continuing hearty yesha koach to the organisers of the partnerships would have been presented, to hold jurisdiction over the areas concerned; Monty M Zion SA Jewish Board of Deputies’ conference. but all that came out of it was that the Israel could now legally claim jurisdiction over Protea Village, Israel We were honoured to attend the opening Jews must be the givers and the govern- night. The choice of addresses, the presen- ment will be the takers. APPROPRIATE TO HAVE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE PALESTINIANS tations and the launch of the SA Jewish/ The message was loud and clear: We I REFER to Daniel Mackintosh’s letter of same European Union with open borders. Madiba connection book, highlighted the owe, but are deserving of nothing. September 8. Not so the Palestinians. The Hamas charter Jewish contributions that have been made We are proud to be Jews, but are very One of our greatest sages was Hillel who lived quotes the Qu’ran in stating that “Israel will rise to this country. concerned if this is what the government’s about 100 years BCE. One of his best-known and remain erect until Islam eliminates it.” We It undoubtedly left most, if not all of attitude is. aphorisms is: “If I am not for myself who will be are not quoting politics here, but religion, which those who attended, very proud to be May the Jewish Board of Deputies con- for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? is far more influential. Jewish South Africans. tinue to promote the support of the needs And if not now, when?” Here we have Israel’s proposed neighbouring state’s Hamas But it was really an eye-opener to listen of all the citizens of our country. As Jews Mackintosh stating that “all South Africans has a charter that declares in its Article Seven to the keynote speaker who represented it is inborn in us, but what is most needed should publicly support the legitimate right of that “the prophet… said: The time will not come our government – Vice President Kgalema is for the Board to continue safeguarding the Palestinians to self-determination”. until Muslims will fight the Jews (and kill Motlanthe. Not for one brief second did he our own welfare. An excellent idea, as long as those Palestinians them)… acknowledge the Jewish contributions It is obvious that we have to be guided by stay far away from South Africa. Article 13 states: “(Peace) initiatives, the so- that have been made (totally dispropor- the teachings of our sages, to paraphrase: Let’s take a closer look at those Palestinians. called peaceful solutions, and the international tionate to the small number of Jews resid- “If I am not for myself, who will be, and if They attacked and murdered Jews in Palestine conferences to resolve the Palestinian problem, ing here), nor did he put any notion for- not now, when?” since the time of the Ottoman Empire. They and are all contrary to the beliefs of the Islamic ward of any intention of the government their Arab neighbours waged a declared genocidal Resistance Movement (Hamas.)” to support any of our needs. Mignon and Edgar Milwid war against the Yishuv in 1948. The comparatively Despite many exhortations, Hamas has We might have expected, or at least Savoy, Johannesburg unarmed Jews lost 6 000 men, women and youths refused to delete the above hostile statements WHY IS REFORM MOVEMENT EXCLUDED FROM INTERFAITH FORUM? out of a population of 650 000, one per cent of the from its charter. And now Mackintosh expects us total; equivalent to South Africa losing 500 000 citi- to assist these murderously hostile Palestinians IT WAS both interesting and incredu- increasing hostile anti-Semitic world. zens. in forming a legal entity right on Israel’s border? lous to note the excitement surrounding It is laughable that a methodology of France and Germany fought bloody and destruc- the formation of a united interfaith prayer and worship to a Universal tive wars in 1870, 1914 and 1940. Then they saw the Don Krausz leaders organisation. It was proudly Divine entity should be responsible for advantages of peace and today are members of the Killarney, Johannesburg proclaimed that “the new organisation animosity and division among Jews, a is now home to all of the country’s reli- schism that the Jewish people can ill gious leaders”. afford during today’s escalating attacks What is needed is an explanation as to on Israel and the Jewish people. LOOKING FOR... why the religious leaders of Reform What the Jews need today is a leader- Judaism are not included in this august, ship of intellectual honesty, and a com- ARE YOU A SCHNEIDER RELATED TO BARRY COHEN? but obviously exclusive group of those mitment to unite all Jews under a single BARRY COHEN of Brewster, New York, is to SA. He would have been born approximate- responsible for guiding religious affilia- umbrella of the “Chosen People”, the searching for Schneider relatives in SA on his ly 1877 - 1885. The emigrations took place tions. people of the Bible, irrespective of their mother’s side, born possibly in Ponevez/ between 1900 - 1907. The South African The SA Jewish Report editorial of mode of Jewish religious practice. Kovno/Wilkomir (Lithuania). Schneider maintained contact with Alice’s September 9 states: “The world is too It is the Jewish culture that will sur- Siblings: Jacob born approximately 1875, emi- family and offered to bring them all to South small and dangerous a place today for vive, not the differing modalities of grated to the US; Nathan born approximately Africa, (1930s?) but they declined. people not to get along.” Wonderful sen- Jewish religious expression. The arrival 1887, emigrated to US (Barry’s grandfather); Unfortunately, no one remembers the first timents, yet little or no effort is being of the Messiah is desperately needed. Alte (Alice), born approximately 1889, emigrated name of the two brothers who did not emigrate made to unite the different religious sec- to the US after spending time in Paris, with to the US. If there are any descendents in tors of Judaism so that both Reform and Dr A M Levin another brother, name unknown. South Africa, could they please contact Barry Orthodox represent a united front to the Bryanston, Sandton A fourth brother, name unknown, emigrated Cohen @ [email protected]. 16 - 23 September 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 15 COMMUNITY COLUMNS A Jewish cookbook which ABOVE ME peace depends BOARD upon give and take is very unconventional Mary Kluk, MOIRA SCHNEIDER The cover of Oded National Chairman its demands without its having to make any CAPE TOWN Schwartz’s “In Search of concessions or commitments in return. Plenty - A History of A column of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies It goes without saying that the peaceful “IN SEARCH of Plenty - A Jewish Food”. (PHOTO- resolution of any conflict is dependent on a History of Jewish Food”, is GRAPH: JESSE KRAMER; COVER OVER THE past few months, there has been process of give and take, addressing all the not your conventional cook- DESIGN: MING-CHEAU LIN) a great deal of diplomatic manoeuvring issues on the ground and leading to a mutu- book. Besides for the collec- over the impending UN vote over whether ally agreed upon set of principles and com- tion of over 100 classic and or not to recognise Palestine as a state on mitments. traditional recipes that have “They affected not the 1967 lines, and for it to be admitted as a It is a fantasy, and potentially a very dan- been sourced from the Old only the choice of ingre- member of the UN. gerous one, that either side can achieve Testament, the book examines dients but also cooking This vote is expected to take place in the what they want through unilateral acts Sephardi and Ashkenazi foods methods, and even the UN General Assembly in the course of next aimed at sidelining the other side. and attempts to piece together material of which cook- week, although as I write, intensive behind- Rather than commenting on the techni- the history of Jewish cuisine, ing utensils were the-scenes discussions are taking place cal, legalistic questions relating to the while simultaneously provid- made.” Secondly, cer- over a compromise resolution whose effects Palestinian UDI effort, the Board has at this ing a history of the Jewish peo- tain ingredients were would not be as far-reaching and that vote time adopted a broad, principled position ple. written into the cul- may therefore take place at a later date. favouring ongoing engagement between the Says author Oded Schwartz: ture. The leading international Jewish organi- relevant parties. “It is more of a personal 101 of “Both the Bible and sations have been lobbying strongly against Here we are very much informed by our Jewish food, following Jewish the Talmud use food as part of this initiative, not because it is opposed to collective experience as South Africans, food culture from its biblical beginning to their symbolic language,” he added, refer- the emergence of an independent Pale- where we witnessed how a mutually agreed the creation of a national palate in Israel.” ring to “the land of milk and honey, of stinian state - today, after all, support for upon model of constructive engagement It is an update of a work first published almonds and olive groves, dates, figs and the “two-state solution” is evident right through negotiations was ultimately able to in 1992, which was shortlisted for the raisins”. These ingredients were still used, across the political spectrum within Israel bring about a just and lasting political set- British Andre Simon award and won a spe- in one form or other, in the celebration of itself - but because it is believed that such tlement. cial mention in the international Lenghe most festivals. unilateral action will work against, not for, During the apartheid era, as will be Ceretto Prize for food and wine culture. In addition, “constant hunger and expul- the achievement of such a solution. recalled, the ruling National Party estab- The Israeli-born Schwartz lived in the sion throughout history, and the devastat- This is very much the position of the lishment also long sought to bypass the will United Kingdom for 40 years and relocated ing effect of the Holocaust” had left their SAJBD itself, which has been working in of the majority population by imposing its to this city eight years ago, where, together mark on the Jewish table. The influence of close consultation with its international own solutions, only for these to further with his cousin Lewis Nieburg, he opened the indigenous Middle-Eastern Palestinian counterparts in this area. exacerbate the situation and drive people Oded’s Kitchen. Besides supplying his population, exemplified by hummus and Recognising the legality of a unilateral even further apart. trademark condiments, preserves and deli falafel, was another factor to be consid- declaration of statehood by the Pale- We hope that our own government will items based on his Middle-Eastern back- ered, he said. stinians, will not change much on the impress on the Palestinian leadership the ground, Schwartz gives classes in Jewish, “The Jewish kitchen, especially as it is ground, since the US, and possibly other necessity of pursuing its goals through a Sephardi and Ashkenazi cooking. developing in Israel, is a wonderful mix- permanent members, will almost certainly process of peaceful negotiations with Speaking at the launch on the forces that ture of East and West, Jewish and Arab,” veto any General Assembly resolution at Israel. In the end, it is only through follow- have influenced Jewish cuisine, he men- he pointed out. Security Council level. ing this route that the essentially symbolic tioned the “first and most important” as • “In Search of Plenty – A History of However, it will still be a serious retro- “virtual independence” being sought being the adherence to the laws of kashrut. Jewish Food”, is available at Bay grade step as it could encourage the through the UN can be turned into a con- “These laws were, until a century ago, Bookshop, Cape Quarter, Green Point or Palestinian leadership to try to bypass the crete reality. observed with few variations by all Jews,” Oded’s Kitchen at The Old Biscuit Mill, negotiations process and agitate instead for he noted. Salt River. the international community to recognise This column is paid for by the SAJBD 16 SA JEWISH REPORT 16 - 23 September 2011

“We both realise that kids in other parts of the world cannot take that for granted and Israel Centre combines its Aliyah we appreciate the lifestyle that the Holy Land has afforded our families. We are both very encouraging of aliyah, because our experiences have been very positive.” Expo with mural competition A bold Israeli flavour permeated the day as camels casually strolled across the SHIRA DRUION Lane Waldorff, marketing co-ordinator for this year. It really is a vibrant, fantastic Beyachad parking lot to the sounds of PHOTOGRAPH BY ILAN OSSENDRYVER the Israel Centre, said this year they wanted country and the development over the last African drumming, as Jews from all walks visitors to celebrate “the love and passion few years is unbelievable.” of life gathered to pay tribute to a land that THIS WEEK Beyachad in Elray Street in that we all feel for the Land of Israel”, so we Those attending the Fair could vote for the beats to the rhythm of the Jewish heart. Johannesburg, was abuzz with a colourful decided that “an art competition would be a murals of their choice. Many of the murals Youth movements were there in full force, tapestry of Jews from all walks of life, unit- wonderful way to open the Aliyah Expo”. displayed true artistry and empathy with with Habonim even providing passersby ed by the pulsating heartbeat of the Jewish Fifty potential competitors entered the their subjects. with an aromatic taste of Turkish coffee. homeland. South African Jews are famous competition, of whom 25 were selected. The First prize winner can savour a return Twenty-year-old Bnei Akiva representa- for their Zionistic loyalty and this year’s 25 were then each designated a wall in the flight to Israel (courtesy El Al); the 2nd prize tive, Jonty Tuchten, when asked to comment Israel Fair, under the auspices of the Israel parking lot of Beyachad, to paint their is R4 000 or free machaneh of their choice at on his experience of the Fair, complimented Centre, was no exception. mural. Each was asked to paint a mural the end of the year; and 3rd prize is a 50 per the efforts of the Israel Centre and commend- When The Israel Centre launched its symbolising their personal feeling and con- cent off machaneh or R2 000. ed them for “allowing the Johannesburg Aliyah Expo 2011, the idea for the Israel Fair nection to the Holy Land. Raffle tickets were also on sale for R30 community a chance to explore Israel and the was born. Shimon Shamila, director of The Eighty-three-year-old Hymie Lunz was each, with first prize a return flight to Israel; many diverse aspects of Israeli society. Israel Centre said: “The amazing interest one of the final 25 who made sure to create a 2nd prize a free machaneh at any Jewish “I spent a year at Yeshivat Har Etzion in that the South African Jewish community magnificent wall painting of the Judean camp at the end of the year, or R4 000 cash. the Gush and have definitely got aspirations shows by participating in our Israel Fair and hills, including all of Jerusalem’s signature The Fair welcomed mural contributions to return there one day to put down roots. I our Yebo Aliyah Expo, is testimony to their landmarks. from various Zionistic organisations such as am not sure when, but that is where I am unbreakable bond with their Jewish Zionist “I saw the advert in the Jewish Report, the IUA, the SAZF and JNF. headed.” identity and the State of Israel.” Last and (as) painting is my hobby, I thought I A group of Israelis were also on hand to These same sentiments were echoed by 25- Sunday’s Fair saw over 500 participants in could rise to the challenge. I can’t wait to get assist potential olim with all the necessary year-old Habonim representative Jothan the wide variety of festivities on offer. to Israel for my grandson’s barmitzvah later information on Israel, including olim benefits, Dayan who also expressed his strong desire medical insurance, tax and legal advice, real to live the Zionist dream on Israeli soil. estate, etc. Dorron Kline, a well-known face in Shibolet Felsher, one of the selected South Africa, who is deputy director of Telfed, artists, produced a brightly coloured mural was in the country to advise those thinking of Jerusalem’s skyline and explained that about making the move to Israel, as were her intention was to create a painting that many other experts in their respective fields. would symbolise the continuity and vitality Former South African real estate agents, of the Jewish people. Selwyn Hare and Julian Shapiro, were there “I had the verse ‘Am Yisrael Chai’ in mind to promote and advise on real estate in when toying with options of what I could Netanya. They spoke with passion about create, and what better way to represent the their lives in Israel. blazing flame of the Jewish people’s eternity “We have both been in Israel for over 30 in a land we have called our home for so years and are very grateful our parents many thousands of years?” made the move all those years ago. Israel is The Israel Fair was a riot of blooms as our home, the place we are supposed to be - spring welcomed the next wave of Zionistic we feel it profoundly. passion. A round of applause rang out to the “Our children have been given many won- team at The Israel Centre for a most com- derful opportunities by living there, includ- mendable effort. ing the priceless gift of freedom, which has • The Yebo Aliyah Expo took place in ensured that their lives are filled with a pal- Johannesburg this week and will be in Cape Sandra Gordon paints her mural in the Beyachad parking lot. pable energy and constant excitement. Town from today, September 16 - 18. 16 - 23 September 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 17

YOUTH TALK Alison Goldberg [email protected] ‘Longest Pesach’ promises to be loads of fun ALISON GOLDBERG

“THE LONGEST Pesach”, produced and directed by Helen Heldenmuth, will go on stage at Eden College, on Sunday, September 18 at 14:30 and 19:30, and on Monday, September 19, at 19:30. Starring all 180 boys from Shaarei Torah’s grade 1 - 6, the play is about a zeide telling his grandchild a story about Rabbi Yecheskiel Landau of Prague. The rabbi had helped a young gentile boy, who in turn when he grew up, helped save the Jews of Prague from a baker who wanted to poison them. Heldenmuth, who writes all the Shooby Doob Shloimy shows and introduced Jewish television programmes into South Africa, first on MNet, then on SABC in 1994, has praised the school for including the play in its curriculum and promises a fun show. Shaarei’s spiritual head, Rabbi Ze-ev Kraines, helped train the boys under the musical direction of Hanna Green, while Marilyn Sloot, secular head, drove the production. For further information contact: Helen on 083-272-8541. Back: Ya’akov Schnerb; Yitzchok Gilbert; Eliyahu Climer; Aahron Lipschitz; Simcha Gilbert; Avrohom Karp; Chaim Kolko; and Shimmon Mirkin. Front: Yaakov Diner and Ariel Silberg. Yaacov Blecher is a very proficient shofar blower STORY AND PHOTOGRAPH BY SUZANNE BELLING

EVERY WEEKDAY during the month of Elul, learners from Torah Academy Boys’ High School blow the shofar for teachers and staff at the school. Yaakov Blecher, grade 10, who has been performing this mitzvah for Yaakov Blecher sounds the Elul call. several years, shows his prowess on the ram’s horn. ‘Child’s play’ about a very serious subject RENOS NICOS SPANOUDES the tragic deaths of friends and contemporaries in PHOTOGRAPH: YAEL GORDON South Africa, from the practice of “huffing” - intoxica- tion by the inhalation of household aerosols - was a IN DRAMATIC arts, the intentions of playwrights are collaborative work entitled “Child’s Play”. examined in terms of the socio-political, socio-eco- The piece was awarded Most Promising Production nomic, socio-historical and socio-cultural environ- (Theatre on the Square Festival, 2011) and has been ment in which they wrote their plays and by which selected by Junkets Publishers for a prescribed collec- they were inspired or triggered. tion of plays - “Short, Sharp and Snappy” - to be stud- In terms of this year’s grade 10 drama learners at ied by teenagers at schools throughout the country in King David High School Victory Park, a response to 2011.

The collaborative playwrights, three grade 10 drama learners and their teacher: David Wein; Renos Nicos Spanoudes (head of drama); Dean Salant; and Gavriel Rubin. 18 SA JEWISH REPORT 16 - 23 September 2011 Classifieds GENERAL To book your classified notice or advert contact: Tel (011) 023-8160, Fax 086-634-7935, email: [email protected] IMPORTANT NOTICE - The Jewish Report runs HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED ADVERT: adverts in the Classified section in good faith, 1. Only adverts sent via email to [email protected] will be accepted. 2. You will be advised however we cannot be responsible for the on cost & payment details. 3. Payment is prior to the advert appearing. 4. Our banking details: quality of services offered and claims made. SA Jewish Report, Nedbank Randburg, Account Number: 1984 514 865, Branch Code: 198405

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Demonstration” and launch of new cookery books Academy in Blouberg, who will speak on ”New Suite – both available Today, Friday (September 16) Parking & Security, • UZLC hosts David Saks who will speak on “The • Second Innings presents “The Japanese hosted at Pick n Pay School of Cooking, Age Parenting: Helping Your Child Make the near Shuls & Shops writing of the Book ‘Jewish Memories of Ladies Choir in Song” at the GH Lounge at Kenilworth. Time: 19:30 and tomorrow 09:30. Right Choices in Life”. Venue: Sydenham Shul Kosher, Shomrei Shabbat, per- Mandela’”. Golden Acres. Time 10:00 for 10:30. Tickets R225. Contact Lee (021) 464-6729 or Community Centre. Time: 09:00. Cost: R50 [email protected] or Felicity Isserow 083-384-6576. per session or R120 for three sessions. fect accommodation for Yomtov Saturday (September 17) Monday (September 19) and Simchas Tuesday (September 20) Contact Many on 083-380-5268 or e-mail Visiting JHB for family/business • Emunah Ladies Beit Midrash presents “Seudah • UJW House & Garden Circle hosts Victor wow@womenofthe world.org.za • Emunah Ladies Beit Midrash hosts Devorah from R450 per night. Shlishit” with Rabbi Yoni Lipschitz, at the home Lidchi at 9:30 for 10:00. Visitors welcome. For Kur on “The Healing Power of Forgiveness”, at • RCHCC in association with SAUJS hosts Hugh Orchards, JHB of Gayle Burbaitzky. Enquiries (011) 887-2910. more information tel UJW office: (011) 648- 09:00. Also a “Mosaic Workshop” by Gaby Lewin who will talk to Claudia Braude about his Contact Helen Sunday (September 18) 1053 or email: [email protected] recent book, “Stones Against the Mirror” 082 852 0707 Kwasnik. Cost R480. Booking essential. • Yeshiva College presents “The Longest Pesach”, • WoW hosts Gavin Keller, one of the country’s Enquiries (011) 887-2910. Donation R60 (incl refreshments). Venue: Clive adapted, produced and directed by Helen leading education consultants, for two talks only: M Beck Auditorium. Time 19:30. Enquiries: LOUIS • BZA WIZO CT cooking demonstration carried Heldenmuth. It is an exciting play with lots of music, At 09:00 he will talk on “Reaching Raising and Hazel or René (011) 728-8088/8378, after BOTHA AVE on from previous evening. suitable for the entire family. Mixed audiences wel- Teaching the Y Generation” and at 19:30 on hours (011) 728-8378, e-mail: hazelc@great- Prominent come. Venue: Eden College, Johannesburg Road “Pink Brain/Blue Brain - Decoding the Difference • WIZO Fortnightly Forum presents Dr Craig park.co.za or [email protected] corner shop Lyndhurst. Time: 14:30 and 19:30. For more infor- of How Boys and Girls Learn”. Venue: Golding, specialist physician, who will reveal all • Annual YAD Comedy Evening at the Simon close to Savoy mation contact Helen on 083-272-8541. Sydenham Shul Community Centre. For more the secrets to the fountain of youth. Kuper Hall at 19:00, featuring Nik Spar and • WIZO’s Women Inspired branch hosts a Sharon information contact Mandy on 083-380-5268. Wednesday (September 21) Rabinowitz and Friends. A 3-course meal. Nando’s. 300m2 Glass cookery morning at the HOD. Cost R250. Amazing prizes. Cost: R220 pre-booked and or part thereof • Yeshiva College presents “The Longest • Emunah Ladies Beit Midrash hosts Candy Booking is imperative. Phone either Lorraine 083- Pesach” at 19:30. See details on September 18. Lipschitz on “Reaching Your Goals and not R250 at the door. Bookings: Jason/Ravit available. 268-8016 or Maureen 082-445-1515. (011) 645-2543/03 or e-mail jason@bey- Suitable fast • UJW adult education division, hosts Dr Susan Letting your Challenges Get in the Way” Time: • Pine Street Ladies host “Time for Me” achad.co.za. food franchise or Schwart, a Jungian psychoanalyst from Phoenix, 19:00. Enquiries: (011) 887-2910. R20 dona- Ladies Day and Market, with speakers Tanya • UJW CT’s Na’Arot Group hosts Lawrence other business. Arizona, on “As the Spirit Grows; Learning From tion per shiur. Sachs, Melanie Levy, Michal Samovich and Anthony’s “The Elephant Whisperer” at the Fire 076-149-3723 the Dreams of Carl Jung”, at 09:30. Thursday (September 22) Debbie Pollack. Time: 08:30 - 12:30,Venue: & Ice Hotel at 20:00. Entrance: R100. Enquiries: Judin Hall, Pine Street Shul. Cost: R100, • BZA WIZO CT hosts a “Sharon Glass Cooking • WoW hosts Zeesy Deren, director of Sinai 082-882-3615 or 082-897-7799. ARLINGTON COURT THE BRIDGE LOUNGE by Jeff Sapire MUIZENBERG CROSSWORD NO 227 SAFETY PLAYS are well known to all gers and drew another round, hoping that Sea-facing, BY LEAH SIMON good players, but they vary considerably the remaining two trumps would fall, but ACROSS: tell you – again! (4, 4) 3 bed in their application, as can be seen from when they didn’t the hand collapsed. 1. Penny destroys bus – and names 15. No-one for a bit what’s insalubri- Flat for Sale. this hand. East still had a trump, so when declar- it (4) ous? (7) Call: er played clubs he ruffed and the defend- Teams, neither vul 3. Hoard the illicit passenger (4, 4) 16. Building material badly cuts 072-849-7229 ers took the remaining tricks, for one NORTH 8. A sign of cancer (4) company (6) down (Declarer made – five trumps in A9643 9. A good hangout for those used to 18. Not exactly poetic, but one has dummy, two red aces and two ruffs in his Furnished A4 bars (4, 4) an eye for it (5) own hand). A1094 11. Disapprove of it, even if blind! (4, 19. Asynchronous Javascript Aste- Bachelor Flat So, what went wrong? Strangely J2 1, 3, 4) risk Manager (abbrev) (4) for Rent from enough, the safety play is NOT to discard WEST EAST 13. It’s natural to hotel at the east (6) Oct in a heart at the second trick. Declarer 7 J85 14. Girl cloaks aim in one of her gar- SOLUTION TO NO 226 should draw all the trumps and then start Glenrand - KQJ53 10976 ments (6) ACROSS: 1. Sack; 3. Welcomes; 8. on the clubs. The sequence is – draw three Glenhazel. Call QJ852 K763 17. So, empty their mess – how lam- Iona; 9. Stingray; 11. Case the joint; rounds of trumps, play a club to East who A3 K5 entable! (5, 3, 4) 13. Stairs; 14. Amelia; 17. Rolling 082 -707-8920 cashes a heart and switches to a diamond, SOUTH 20. Very dark for an aircraft (3, 5) stone; 20. Brown Owl; 21. Beta; 22. won in dummy. Now another club taken KQ102 21. Company and political party put Fireside; 23. Isle. VACANCIES by West, who will probably play another 82 an end to the music (4) DOWN: 1. Suitcase; 2. Canasta; 4. EMPLOYMENT AVAILABLE diamond, ruffed with South’s last trump, - 22. A sweetmeat for accountant in Entree; 5. Conformist; 6. Moron; 7. and then his hand is high. Q1098764 the red – or the purple! (4, 4) Says; 10. Story lines; 12. Namesake; DURBAN The ace of diamonds was used for the Contract: 4S by South Opening lead: HK 23. Depend on broken lyre (4) 15. Lioness; 16. Snowed; 18. Odour; Investor Relations Manager – wrong purpose. It must be used to pre- 19. ABAT. CA (SA) I’m not quite sure how the bidding vent pressure by the defence on declar- DOWN: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Leading Global co. seeks indi- went, but somehow South ended up in 4S, er’s trumps, not for discarding the losing 1. Lout brings bird to an vidual with min. 5 years experi- which looks like a very sound contract – heart. end (8) ence corporate financial on reasonable breaks it looks like just two By releasing the diamond ace, declar- 2. Something missing in 8 9 Transactions/Services and com- clubs to lose. er allowed the defence to shorten the plex modelling experience. Benjamin – darken him! 10 Bear in mind, however, that you are trump suit in the hand that contained Call Grant (7) playing teams, where overtricks are of the winning source of tricks – the long 11 031-332-6702 4. Martha liaises, hiding very little importance, and ensuring the club suit. So in the end, the trick that 082-410-0222 the girl (6) 12 contract is paramount. declarer saved by rushing to discard a Or email 5. Soundly educated in Declarer won the opening lead on the heart, cost him the contract. 13 14 15 [email protected] poetry? (4, 6) table and immediately cashed the ace of Every Tuesday (Intermediate) and 16 6. West in this place – or in diamonds, discarding his losing heart. He Wednesday (Advanced) I run bridge TELESALES what place? (5) 17 18 then played a spade to the king followed by workshops from 10:00 – 12:00 at the Great MORNINGS ONLY 7. Shout for something not a club. East won and continued a heart Park Shul – alternating play hands one 19 LIFE INSURANCE quite yellow (4) which South ruffed. week and a bidding lecture on the other. Are you currently travelling 10. A pretty briny vessel, 20 21 to work? Established Life The next club was taken by West, who led Corner Glenhove Road and 4th Avenue, down below (4, 6) Insurance Broker needs another diamond, again ruffed by declarer. Houghton. For more information, e-mail 12. She’s quite contrary, I Telesales Lady with previous With only one trump left, he crossed his fin- me at [email protected] 22 23 experience in cold calling and telesales to work from home. Must have good communication skills and telephone manner. Neotel phone will be provided. Hourly rate + Commission Phone 083-447-6262 Leave message

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Former SA sportswoman Gerald Fox Memorial a wins double award tribute to a mensch

FORMER SOUTH African bowler Gail JACK MILNER our his memory. Nadelman (née Katz) (pictured) has been hon- The race is organised by his for- oured by Maccabi Australia with two presti- GERALD FOX, who nearly mer club, Rocky Road Runners, gious awards. eight years ago was gunned who have this notice on the web- On August 16 Gail was firstly named as down at his cleaning material site: “He believed and practised Maccabi Sportswoman of the Year for Victoria factory in Johannesburg, was the principle of doing a good deed and she also received a new award – one of the most respected peo- today, and not to leave it, as the “Sportswoman of the Year”, for the whole of ple who loved living and run- opportunity may not again arise. Australia. ning. He was one of the most “Many of his decisions were Gail grew up in Kensington, Johannesburg, caring human beings, putting based on helping the other person. and started playing bowls at the age of 21 at the everyone before himself. How many people were employed Had he been in the vicinity Rabbi Jonathan Fox by him in his business, is amazing, Sharon Country Club. She emigrated to and his son, Gidon, Melbourne Australia in 1978 together with her of the Johannesburg Zoo last as many of these people could not husband, Arnold, where they set up a very suc- Sunday morning, he would ran the 10 km and obtain employment anywhere cessful business. have been proud of the per- 5km races respective- else. She has represented Victoria at state level formances recorded in the ly in honour of their “Nearly eight years after his and had the opportunity to compete against race bearing his name - the late cousin Gerald. untimely death, you still see peo- Scotland. She has also won many state titles Gerald Fox Memorial 21km. ple working out at the gym, or run- together with her sister, Denese Brick. Peter Muso won the men’s race in a time of ning on the roads, wearing a ‘G FOX’ shirt, 1:11;2. Just four seconds behind him came given to them by the late Gerald. Thabiso Lethabane. “We at Rockies try to emulate some of the However, it was the performance of Rene principles Gerald lived and strived for, such Kalmer in the women’s race. Kalmer shaved as a sincere effort to assist the less fortu- Israel confident ahead of nate.” almost three minutes off the race record, completing the half-marathon in 1:17;32. The Among the runners who came to honour previous record of 1:20;27 was held by Gerald was his cousin, Rabbi Jonathan Fox, weekend’s Davis Cup tie Paulinah Phaho. and son Gidon. It is also worth noting that The race was permeated with the spirit of nine-time Comrades champion Bruce For- JACK MILNER Gerald Fox. Many of those who knew him dyce, competed in the 10km race. Fordyce was and had been touched by him, came to hon- the second master home in a time of 40:06. ISRAELI TENNIS ace Dudi Sela is crossing his fingers that Canada’s Milos Raonic will not be fit enough to take part in this weekend’s World Group playoff tie at Ramat Hasharon, after the 20-year-old was named in the Canadian squad, despite not having played since the end of June when he suf- fered a hip injury in the second round of Wimbledon. After March’s impressive win over Poland in the second round of the Europe/Africa Zone Group I, Israel can regain their place among the world’s top 16 nations with a win over Canada in Ramat Hasharon and Sela knows much will depend on the fitness of Raonic. “If Raonic will play they are the favou- rites,” Sela told the Jerusalem Post. “Of course, I’d rather he didn’t play, but even if he does, we believe we can take the three points needed in the other matches.” The young Raonic only broke into the world’s top 200 last October, but he is currently ranked No 29, reaching the last 16 at the Australian Open in January before Dudi Sela will lead Israel in their Davis winning his first ATP title in San Jose. Cup tie against Canada at Ramat “Playing for my country is one of the Hasharon this weekend. greatest honours, and this World Group playoff is a significant moment for tennis serving Ivo Karlovic opted not to play as in Canada,” said Raonic, who will try to his wife, Alsi, is due to give birth to the lead Canada back to the World Group for couple’s first child next week and he has the first time since 2004. decided to stay with her. However, like Israel, Canada’s squad In addition, Ivan Ljubicic, currently only really has one world-class player to ranked at No 31, has retired from playing offer, with the team’s No 2 expected to be for the national team and was, therefore, world No 143, Vasek Pospisil. Canada’s not nominated. squad also includes Peter Polansky (367) However, the South Africans still will and doubles world No 5, Daniel Nestor. square up against a formidable foe as Israel’s No 2 will be Amir Weintraub Croatian captain Goran Prpic an- (210), with veterans Andy Ram and Yoni nounced that world No 28 Marin Cilic Erlich to team up in the doubles yet again. and No 33 Ivan Dodig will spearhead the “I think this tie is a huge challenge for team. His other two players are Antonio us,” Israel captain Eyal Ran said. “Canada Veic (No 182) and Nikola Mektic (No 267). is a good team, but our players are also in The lanky Cilic, who turns 23 on good form. We have proven in the past that September 28, has been ranked as high as rankings aren’t that important when it No 9. He caused a massive upset at the US comes to the Davis Cup and I know that if Open two years ago when he put out we leave everything out on court, we will Andy Murray in straight sets in the have an excellent chance.” fourth round, before losing in four sets to South Africa will also be in action this eventual champion Juan Martin Del weekend in a similar World Group promo- Potro. tion/relegation tie to be played at the At this year’s US Open he managed to University of Potchefstroom Tennis Sta- take a set off Roger Federer before losing dium. However, they will have it all to do in four sets. against a pretty strong Croatian side. South Africa will be represented by Nevertheless, John-Laffnie de Jager’s Kevin Anderson, Rik de Voest, Izak van men received some good news when big- der Merwe and Raven Klaasen.