June 12 2015 / 25 Sivan 5775 Volume 19 – Number 21

In death, 3 south african Israeli boys unify Jews worldwide. Page 2. Jewish Report www.sajr.co.za Photo: Ilan Ossendryver Photo:

Unified by the murder of three young Israeli boys

A year ago, on June 3, 2014, Jews in Israel and all over the world frantically searched or prayed for three young Israeli boys abducted near Gush Etzion by Palestinian terrorists. Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Sher and Naftali Frenkel, alas, were murdered on the same day they disappeared. The Jewish world reeled with shock and seethed with anger. This senseless deed, so cynical in its horror, took on a surreal aspect. Then the mothers of the three made a request: Every year, on the yahrzeit of their boys’ death, let Jews all over the world come together in a gesture of unity. This remembrance has become known as “Unity Day”. Last week Wednesday evening, thousands gathered in Johannesburg as well as in Umhlanga on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, part of events held in 19 countries and over 30 cities worldwide, to “stand in unity”. Jewish day schools in South Africa actively took part in this remembrance and in Johannesburg gathered at Yeshiva College. Among the speakers was Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein who said the Jewish reaction to the murders should be to implement the core Torah values of kindness, respect and charity in their daily behaviour. Pictured at the Yeshiva College gathering are five head boys at Johannesburg Jewish day schools: Daniel Riesenburg, Yeshiva College; Justin Glass, Hirsch Lyons; Meir Rosendorff, Torah Academy; Yossi Bank, King David High Victory Park; and Jake Gore, King David High Linksfield. See page 2.

Even continents apart, they Limited ruling on New Europcar Award set Seftel tries to allay Jewry turns up the heat on still call South Africa home Jerusalem passports met to inspire women in all concerns about Louis Botha BDS even in South Africa with mixed feelings spheres Rea Vaya A cross-section of young South SAZF National Chairman Ben African Jews - some who have US court ruling to keep Israel off Europcar has sponsored a new The current construction of the Swartz says the damage BDS- stayed and some who have left - passports of Jerusalem-born category in the Absa Jewish Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit SA could do to this country is talk about SA and its future. Americans is a delicate subject. Achiever Awards to recognise system along Louis Botha Avenue underestimated by Israel and Jewish women’s entrepreneurship is causing major disruption and world Jewry. and leadership. discontent among residents. 4 6 10 12 7 AN EASY STROLL HOME FROM SHUL...

Walk to Walk to Walk to Walk to Walk to Victory Park Shul Victory Park Shul Linksfield Shul Great Park Shul Chabad Norwood

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The Talmud Rabbi Siggy Suchard People came to him for loans which they readily can acclaim, and give him or her redeeming gives as the reason that they did not conduct Sandton Shul repaid. A poor person borrowed a large sum of characteristics. themselves with their peers in an honourable In this parsha we are taught that slander – money from his business. After three months In the Torah we find that Noach was called fashion. They did not honour each other. “lashon hara” - is not only when speaking evil he knocked on the rav’s door with the loan in a by Hashem, righteous and perfect. Although They did not honour each other with a good against a person but also finding fault in the packet. Noach did not save his generation and was not eye, to recognise their peers’ good traits. land itself. The fruit of Israel was not normal, The rav was immersed in his learning. The as Avraham, he was praised by G-d, as being If we concentrate on “good speech”, then we the people were giants and the land consumed tailor gave the envelope to the rav who did not righteous and perfect. will not bad mouth either people or the land. its inhabitants. look up. He was so immersed in his Gemarah In Pirkei Avoth (2:13) the pupils of Rabbi To speak evil about a person is recognised and left the money in the Gamarah. Yochanan ben Zadok were asked what is the as a bad characteristic. At many funerals, one After the time set for the tailor to pay, he was good way that a person should cling to. Rabbi Shabbat Times hears the praise of the departed - that he or she asked to do so by the Beth Din, where he told Joshua said a good friend, Rabbi Yossi said a Parshat Shelach never had a bad word to say about somebody. the rav that he had paid the debt. good neighbour, Rabbi Eliezer’s dictum was a June 12 / 25 Sivan This is a remarkable trait. We all remember The people of the village spoke ill of him, good eye. June 13 / 26 Sivan Pinocchio the wooden puppet whose nose grew which caused him to find a job in another town. I believe that this is what a good eye means long when he spoke ill of people. A year later, the rav was learning the same in Pirkei Avot when his pupils were told to find 17:05 17:57 Johannesburg The Torah dedicates two entire portions Gemarah and found the envelope. He was the good traits par excellence. 17:26 18:20 Cape Town dealing with a type of leprosy which results shocked and looked for the tailor. The only way A good eye means to see the good in another. 16:45 17:38 Durban from “lashon hara”. The Torah uses the word he could console the tailor was to take the tai- We know from the Torah that the reward of 17:06 17:59 Bloemfontein “metzorah” - leprosy - which we read as “One lor’s son as his son-in law. Talk is so dangerous. doing good is five hundred times more than 16:57 17:51 Port Elizabeth who gives a bad talk” about someone. It can I would like to coin a new saying: Instead of evil. 16:50 17:44 East London In death, 3 Israeli boys unify Jews worldwide DAVID SAKS Rabbi Goldstein said that the Jewish reaction to the murders should be to implement the core Torah values of kindness, respect This time last year, world Jewry was anxiously waiting to learn of and charity in their daily behaviour. The Torah was replete with real the fate of Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Sher and Naftali Frenkel, three teen- and tangible directives regarding the lengths one had to go to avoid age yeshiva bochrim who were kidnapped by Palestinian terrorists causing emotional pain to others. near Gush Etzion on June 3. Tragically, it transpired that the boys The abduction and murder of the three boys had created an were already dead, murdered that same day by their abductors. unforgettable spirit of unity among the Jewish people, and in their Last week Wednesday evening, thousands gathered in Johan- merit, Jews everywhere should build on this through showing nesburg and Durban to commemorate the first anniversary of the increased love, respect, concern for and sensitivity towards each deaths of the three boys. The gatherings, held between mincha and other. maariv in the Glenhazel Shul and Umhlanga Jewish Day School Swartz commented that what made the incident so devastating respectively, were among special “Unity Day” events held in 19 was that in life, Eyal, Gilad and Naftali had represented “every- countries and over 30 cities worldwide. thing we stand for and everything we want to be”, while those who The Johannesburg event was co-ordinated by Yeshiva College, abducted and murdered them epitomised those wishing to destroy with participants including the SA Zionist Federation and the King the Jewish people in their homeland. David, Hirsch Lyons, Yeshiva Maharsha, Shaarei Torah and Torah It was nevertheless the very spirit of Jewish fellow feeling and Academy schools. mutual concern that ensured and would continue to ensure the Among the speakers were Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein, Rabbi survival of the Jewish nation. Avraham Tanzer, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva College, SAZF Chairman Ben Swartz and Yeshiva College director, Rabbi Leron Bernstein. • As an expression of unity, the community was invited to make A DVD presentation featured comments by a range of Jewish a donation to Hatzolah, an organisation that served the entire day school learners, all of whom stressed how the tragedy had community in its efforts to save Jewish lives. Banking details: served to bring the Jewish people together and the importance of Hatzolah Medical Rescue, Standard Bank (Norwood branch), maintaining that unity. account number 001815024 – Ref. #UNITYDAY. It’s winter camp time again! ANT KATZ from July 7 to 14. It is open to any All Jewish school-goers from Primary while the five- to 12-year-old Jewish child seven years or older. grades seven to nine may attend, says boys will be at King David Linksfield While our northern hemisphere Chemel, but available space “is run- High School. kin are sending their youngsters off • For more information, e-mail info@ ning out quickly”. to long summer camps, as we will betar.co.za or visit it at www.betarsa. • For further information on Gan ourselves in December, four of South co.za. Shapiro says Betar still has • For more information on Bnei’s Yisrael’s winter day camps, go to Africa’s five Jewish youth movements space for more campers and still has winter camp go to www.bnei.co.za or www.cgijoburg.co.za or call Rabbi Pink are offering winter camps this year. subsidy money available for those in e-mail [email protected]. at (011) 440-6600. Rabbi Pink can The dates differ considerably; one need. Chemel says that the summer also be contacted for information on is a day-camp while others are a week As for December, Betar will use the camp, which has yet to be themed, Chabad’s summer camp, which will or two in the Wilderness. All offer to same venue for their camp as they will run from December 9 to 28. be held as usual at Uvongo on the take any Jewish kid along, whether did last year. Shapiro says that the (Maddies will be there from De- KwaZulu-Natal south coast. he or she is a member of the move- movement has booked the site for the cember 2) and for enquiries about ment or not, and one is even offering entire month but has not yet set the summer camp, send an e-mail to HABONIM DROR: Rosh Habonim, from Grades 8 to 12 are welcome to subsidies. But hurry, because at least exact camp dates. “We are aiming for [email protected]. Micaela Browde, said while they are join and they still have places avail- one of the movements told Jew- three weeks,” he says, with final dates not holding a winter camp, there will able. ish Report that they only had a few still to be confirmed. GAN YISRAEL: Chabad’s winter be winter events. places left. camp is a day camp, as usual. Rabbi • Visit them at www.netzer.org.za BNEI AKIVA: Aharon Chemel, who Pini Pink from Chabad House says • For information on Habonim’s win- where you can find all the informa- BETAR: Hadley Shapiro is rosh Betar, is rosh Bnei Akiva (as well as the the camp will be running from July ter activities or summer camp, email tion and even do an online sign-up. probably the fastest-growing youth current chaiman of the Zionist Youth 6 to17. It is open to any Jewish child [email protected]. Their summer camp will be at their movement in South Africa since its Council), told Jewish Report that and will be taking place at three usual campsite outside Cape Town reintroduction in 2013. Shapiro told Bnei would hold its winter camp in venues. The three- and four-year-olds, NETZER: Kathryn Henning, Rosh from December 13 to 29. Booking Jewish Report that they would be Limpopo Province near the northern he says, will be at Torah Academy Netzer, says that they will be at a and information about the summer holding their winter camp at Bela- Drakensberg mountains from July 6 Nursery School, the five- to 12-year- campsite in the Magaliesberg from camp will also open shortly on the Bela (the old Warmbaths), tentatively, to 12. old girls will go to Torah Academy June 27 to July 3. All Jewish pupils website.

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Tel: (011) 430-1980. 12 – 19 June 2015 News SA JEWISH REPORT 3 Around the Jewish World Israeli tax expert sheds some Israeli wins half a million dollars at painting and Gertrud’s grand home, which eventu- 2015 World Series of Poker ally became a headquarters for the occupiers. light on complex issue LAS VEGAS - Idan Raviv, 24, of Holon, finished first The portrait was acquired by one of Klimt’s sons, in the $1 500 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em Six-Handed Gustav Ucicky, a filmmaker who made propaganda MICHAEL BELLING tournament, a three-day competition at the Rio movies for Nazi Germany and who kept it as part of casino in Las Vegas. It was the second year in a row a collection about his father’s work. Tax is a complex area of the law and people that an Israeli has won a World Series of Poker title. The painting of an ethereal Gertrud has now been considering aliyah or doing business in Israel In 2014, Asi Moshe took the gold bracelet in the returned to her descendants, who are to sell it at should obtain legal advice to take full advan- $1 500 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em event. auction in an agreement brokered with The Klimt tage of the available concessions, according Raviv, an IT professional, defeated a field of 1 650 Foundation. Gertrud settled in America after fleeing to Dr Avi Nov (pictured), a leading Israeli tax to take the $457 007 top prize. Last year he finished Nazi persecution. – Daily Mail lawyer. in 181st place. The World Series of Poker consists of Nov is currently visiting South Africa for the a number of tournaments. ‘Most HIV carriers hide condition from first time. He spoke at Beyachad on Tuesday, Raviv described himself as an aspiring “poker parents and employers’ focusing on various Israeli and international pro” who plays the game recreationally mostly TEL AVIV - Seventy per cent of HIV carriers do not tax issues that could be faced by people in while attending major events in Europe part-time, tell their parents that they were infected with the South Africa contemplating aliyah or who according to the World Series Poker website. - JTA AIDS virus, according to a survey of the homosexual might wish to do business in Israel. and Times of Israel community carried out by the Israel Aids Task Force. Good information on tax exemptions in In addition, 30 per cent of HIV carriers remain “in Israel and how they apply to businesses and and using holding companies; Canada’s Wonderland won’t renew the closet” generally, while only 7,4 per cent speak individuals is not always available, he told the • General tax benefits - such as a compara- kosher vendor’s contract of their condition openly. Jewish Report. tively low company tax rates and various TORONTO - Kosher consumers enjoying Canada’s The voluntary organisation has opened a new “Government literature does not always exemptions; and Wonderland will notice one less attraction at the centre for anonymous testing in the Florentin make it clear,” he said. • Rental income - three possible valuation park this summer. quarter of south Tel Aviv. Dr Zohar Mor of the Health “You can’t always get the answers from the options. Howie T’s, the lone vendor of kosher consuma- Ministry and Tel Aviv University, conducted the sur- government, therefore a lot of people ap- The major focus areas of Nov’s practice bles in the 330-acre venue in Maple, Ontario, north vey for Gay Pride Week, at a time when the number proach a lawyer to show them what to do and are operating companies and businesses and of Toronto, will not be back. Howie Rosenberg, the of Aids carriers in the homosexual community has what they are entitled to. The exemption issue individuals. man behind Howie T’s Burger Bar, was told shortly risen. and how it applies to individuals and busi- Nov, who has advised Israel’s finance minis- before the amusement park opened on May 3 that Some 300 HIV carriers and 1 300 whose blood nesses is also not clear,” he added. ter on aspects of the country’s tax laws, inter- his services were no longer required. Rosenberg tests were found to be negative (HIV free) partici- Israel’s tax system actually has various national taxation and tax policy, deals with a had provided kosher hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie pated in the survey. benefits for foreign investors, and for new wide variety of corporate tax issues, including burgers and other items at Wonderland for the past More than 86 per cent of carriers do not inform immigrants and returning residents with an establishing low tax holding structures, tax on two years. their employers that they are carriers, the survey excellent framework for international tax approved enterprises and overseas invest- Rosenberg is puzzled by Wonderland’s decision. found. Two thirds of carriers have sexual partners planning. ment. He had been in talks with park officials for months who are not infected with HIV. Nov highlighted four areas of tax benefits His work for individuals extends to inter- about a new, high-traffic location for his food cart, Sa’ar Maoz, co-ordinator of social services in the and planning opportunities: national taxation, taxation of trusts and tax as well as improvements that would make the gay community, added that despite “the impres- • Foreign investors - such as capital gains tax benefits for new immigrants and returning provision of kosher food more convenient. sive medical advances in treatment for HIV carriers exemptions and on certain bonds; residents. But over the course of several months, talks that has significantly extended their lifespan and • New immigrants and returning residents - He has lectured on Israeli tax law at several went from discussions about improvements to his provided a higher quality of life, the social stigma such as exemptions on all types of income universities and published a book on tax. arrangement at Wonderland to notice that he would and ignorance still exist. - Jerusalem Post have to bid for the contract, to word that Won- derland would no longer have a dedicated kosher Man charged over threat to kill 2 Jews vendor. in London He was told that Wonderland was going in a dif- LONDON - A man has been charged with a racially/ ferent direction and that pre-packaged kosher food religiously aggravated offence after two Jewish men would be available at other restaurants in the park. were allegedly racially abused and threatened. - Canadian Jewish News The men, described as “visibly Jewish”, were approached while walking on the River Lea towpath Naked sauna session rabbi apologises in Hackney, east London, and subjected to a tirade NEW YORK - A rabbi accused of encouraging young of anti-Semitic abuse. men to undress and join him in the steam room, has A member of Shomrim, the Jewish neighbour- addressed the allegations in a letter to members of hood watch group, said: “A male suspect allegedly his synagogue. shouted ‘f***ing Jews’ before walking right up to the After an article published on May 29 in The New victims, threatening them [and saying] ‘I’ll f***ing kill York Times accused him of improper conduct span- you’ and ‘I’ll f***ing break your neck’.” ning several decades, Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt Police closed off the area of the towpath after the remained quiet for almost a week. incident. Last week Thursday, the rabbi wrote to his con- A Metropolitan Police spokesman said that of- gregants: “I want to assure you, however, that it was ficers arrested a 27-year-old man “on suspicion of never my intention to cause any harm, nor did I ever threats to kill and a racially aggravated public order do anything that was unlawful.” offence”. - Jewish Chronicle He added, however: “If any of you feel that my behaviour, even if innocent, was inappropriate, I Technion to help build desalination apologise to those affected.” plant in Jordan His lawyer advised him not to comment on the HAIFA - Researchers from the Technion’s Stephen allegations publicly. But in a statement given to the and Nancy Grand Water Research Institute in Haifa Jewish Week, he noted: “There is significant reason were part of a team that won a $125 000 honour- to believe that the attack on my reputation is being able-mention grant in the United States Agency promoted by those whose real attack is on my for International Development (USAID) Desal Prize beliefs and principles. competition. “The respected rabbi of an important congrega- The Desal Prize aims to incentivise the creation of tion would, for some, represent a significant trophy an environmentally sustainable small-scale brackish in the predatory quest to discredit his ideas and, water desalination system that can provide potable possibly, an opportunity to change the nature of the water for people and crops in developing countries. community he leads.” - Jewish Chronicle The prize money will be used toward building the team’s wind- and solar-energy-powered Green Klimt portrait returned to Jewish Desal system to treat groundwater in Jordan. family – and sold for £18m “Hundreds of proposals from around the world LONDON - A Klimt portrait that a Jewish family were were submitted in this competition,” said Professor forced to leave behind when they fled the Nazis in Ori Lahav, head of the Water Research Institute. 1938 is to be returned to them - and sold for up to “The water-treatment process was based on £18 million (R346 million) at auction. an innovative combination of three technologies - Gertrud Loew was 19 when Gustav Klimt painted reverse osmosis, ion exchange and nano-filtration,” her portrait in 1902 as her father, Dr Anton Loew, explained Lahav. “The challenge was to find a was friends with the celebrated artist. solution for problematic water characterised by The family were forced to flee Vienna after the particularly high concentrations of dissolved calcium Nazis seized power in 1938, leaving behind the and sulfate.” - Israel 21c 4 SA JEWISH REPORT News 12 – 19 June 2015 Even continents apart, they still call South Africa ‘home’ SHIRA DRUION are building and rebuilding simultaneously and that as a country we will be able to solidify our South Africa’s future has long been of concern place in the world as a force to be reckoned with, for young Jewish South Africans as they con- politically, economically and culturally. template whether to stay or leave, or once they “Having lived in the US for the last four years I have left for a while, whether to return. Jewish have come to realise just how much we do have. Report spoke to some who have left and some I have also realised what it means to live in a who have stayed - about their sentiments. country that is comprised of so many languages South African entrepreneur Warren Moss, 23, and struggles and which has an overwhelming CEO of online advertising agency Demographi- sense of common, unified hope.” ca, says he is very positive about the future and Fouche says he has encountered many bitter would not immigrate even if he was offered the former South Africans while living in the US. opportunity. “People who have chosen to leave, and berate the “I think that the standard of living is still country instead of persevering to bring about incredible and unrivalled anywhere in the world. change, which is precisely what we so desper- From a commercial perspective, South Africa ately need.” is the land of milk and honey. It offers people One young South African who is committed a plethora of opportunities, as long as they are to staying and making a difference, is Talya Mi- willing to go out and make it happen. chaels. “This country is young and evolving and “I work with very intelligent, educated and I love the fact that as South Africans, we have savvy people who are actively driving change in the ability to evoke meaningful change”, says government and this inspires me with real hope the 18-year-old King David Linksfield alumnus. for our future,” he adds. His only disappoint- Michaels is currently studying for a bachelor’s ment is with the current leadership which is “at degree in creative communications at Vega in the lowest it has been since Apartheid”. Cape Town. Moss is not alone in his “sunny skies” views, “My generation was born into an era of and even young people who have chosen to leave revolutionary social change and growth and it – are still proud to call South Africa home and has become our social responsibility to engage believe in its future. with diversity and sustain the rainbow nation Batya Bloch, 25, who made aliyah in 2013 through togetherness and community. and is now working as a graphic designer in “The future of our nation is reliant on the Jerusalem, says: “South Africa is a vibrant and optimism of those who live in it. Our voices are exciting place filled with incredible opportuni- empowered, our country, beautiful.” ties especially for young people. I am proud to Jonti Strimling, 19, former head boy at King tell people that is where I come from and am David Victory Park High, who is studying for a envious of those who are now a part of develop- degree in actuarial science at Wits, sees lots of ing the country.” challenges here but is committed to the country. For Batya however, Israel offers more in terms “South Africa is going through a very rough of a fulfilling, observant Jewish life. “I do feel patch at the moment,” he says. “It is difficult to that life as a Jew in South Africa is limiting, speculate what will happen… The single biggest Advertorial something which I never realised the extent of issue is the lack of education which is depriving until I came to Israel. There are so many avenues our children of the chance to fulfil their dreams. and ways to be Jewish here without it being “I believe the government intentionally keeps limited by where you can live, what you can eat its youth uneducated, so that they will not vote and what you believe in.” rationally and can be easily manipulated. In or- Zach Fouche, 23, former head boy of King der to preserve this country we need to provide David Linksfield High, is another South African for and educate the youth and play our part in Beit Ha’am Seminar 2015 who believes it has a promising future, even the preservation of this country.” though he left in 2010 to follow his dream of And for those who leave, there is always the being an actor and is currently auditioning for pull of the place of one’s birth and the pull of a roles in Los Angeles. practical need to adjust to new surroundings. “We think we are the only country in the “I miss my family and friends and aspects of world with damaging problems. It only takes a the culture such as the warmth of the people,” nine-hour flight to a “First World” country to says Bloch. “But Israel is home now and what I comprehend how new we are, how fresh our have realised is that you can have more than one foundations are,” says Fouche. “I believe that we place you call home.” US agrees: being anti-Israel can be anti-Semitic

ANT KATZ elective conference in Johannesburg. The key is that the State Department’s definition Beit Ha’am panelists from left to right: Reeva Forman, Aviad Sela, Micaela Browde, Gusti On the fifth anniversary of the US State Department’s of Jew-hatred includes denying Israel’s right to Braverman, Neal Daskal, Benji Shulman and Aharon Chemel. publication of an expanded definition of Jew hatred to exist. include denying Israel’s right to exist, the University of While the State Department’s definition takes into Israel Centre was honoured to host the Beit 2015 California (UC) has agreed to adopt it on all of its 10 account the European view that anti-Semitism is a Ha’am Seminar and delighted to have Mrs Benji Shulman, SAZF and JNF SA environ- campuses. certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed Gusti Yehoshua Braverman, head of the mental education programmes in the Jewish The 3-D principle of modern anti-Semitism, as hatred toward Jews and discusses the physical WZO Department for Dias- community. defined by the US State Department in 2010 after manifestations of anti-Semitism, it goes beyond it to pora Activities, who arrived to Bev Goldman, founding the EU published what the US felt was too narrow a consider the ways in which anti-Semitism manifests South Africa from Israel to run editor of the SAZF FedSpeak guideline, links anti-Zionism to Jew-hatred when the itself with regard to the State of Israel. the workshop, with us. newspaper. State of Israel is subject to “Demonisation, De-legit- This includes demonising Israel by blaming it for Opening introduction and Workshop group discussions imisation or the application of Double-standards” to religious or political tensions or drawing compari- greetings were presented by took place on different topics - the country. After months of anti-Semitic incidents on sons with the Nazis; applying double standards by Gusti Braverman along with Jewish, Zionist, South African UC campuses, the prestigious institution’s president, requiring a behaviour from Israel not expected of any Benji Swartz, chairman of the and universal. The goals of the Janet Napolitano (a previous Secretary of Homeland other democratic nation and delegitimising Israel by SAZF and Aviad Sela, Israel workshop were to understand Defence), announced last week that she believed UC denying the Jewish people their right to self-determi- should adopt the State Department’s definition in all nation, and denying Israel the right to exist Centre director. the importance of dialogue its environments. The scale of this victory in the fight The State Department’s definition, however, ends Kathy Kaler of ChaiFM Gusti Braverman, WZO head among diverse groups of peo- against anti-Semitism cannot be underestimated. with a cautionary note, which reads: “However, opened the session and facili- of the Department for Diaspora ple and to understand that we UC’s 10 campuses are among the finest in the world criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any tated the discussion between Activities. can be critical of Israel while and embrace a community of over 400 000 people other country cannot be regarded as anti-Semitic.” the representatives from the various Jewish still standing under the banner of Zionism. and have over 1,6 million living alumni. Mort Klein, president of the Zionist Organisation community organisations. The last session of the day was presented The State Department’s 3-D definition espouses of America, applauded Napolitano on Monday for Reeva Forma, life vice-chairman, SA Zion- by Holocaust survivor Veronica Phillips, Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky’s formula, accepting the State Department’s definition. ist Federation 2004. who enabled us to hear first-hand about the which has also been followed by Canada’s renowned Neal Daskal, head of Youth & Leadership. survivor’s thoughts towards the creation of Professor Irwin Cotler. Notably, both men were key- • Read more on this and join the conversation at Micaela Browde, Habonim rosh machaneh the State of Israel. note speakers at the recent SA Zionist Federation’s www.sajr.co.za

ISrael Centre 20x4 090615.indd 1 2015/06/10 1:57 PM 12 – 19 June 2015 Opinion and Analysis SA JEWISH REPORT 5 Pragmatism rather than divine REMINDER promises may bring peace Send your nominations to This is not a left-versus-right issue, but has [email protected] to do with Israel’s survival as a Jewish state. TAKING ISSUE A heated debate took place on Monday at the Herzliya Conference between two rightwing Read the SA Jewish Report online Likud politicians - Hotovely and former top Geoff Sifrin Likud Minister Dan Meridor. She opposed the www.sajr.co.za two-state solution, he defended it. One reason we achieved a settlement in South Meridor said that reliance on the Torah Africa was that religion was not an obstacle. regarding Israeli rights to the land, “endangers Face-to-face dialogue between wise leaders our ability to manage this difficult conflict acting rationally on behalf of their people, with reason and maybe also solve it when the produced a pragmatic compromise each side day finally comes”. could live with. Mandela and FW de Klerk did In the Israeli Declaration of Independence it for us. Why can’t Benjamin Netanyahu and no reference to religious rights to the Land Mahmoud Abbas do it in the Middle East? of Israel are made: “We cite the history, and Partly because Pretoria is not Jerusalem, not the religion that explains we left the land and the Magaliesberg is not the hills of Judea because we sinned and were exiled from it.” The Freedom Charter: and Samaria. The religious sites between He wants Israel to submit a plan to the UN the Jordan River and the Mediterranean are to establish a Palestinian state based on the Lessons for today with claimed by a huge portion of the world’s popu- 1949 Armistice lines “with changes”, which Kgalema Motlanthe lation - billions of Christians, Muslims and were agreed to by former US President George Jews. Citing “ownership” of a particular spot W Bush and current President Barack Obama. because of a Divine promise, ensures there Without this, as former Israeli President will never be peace. Shimon Peres warned at the Herzliya Confer- Muslims have done that: “Muslim land is ence, Israel would eventually become an Arab forever Muslim - therefore we cannot accept state with a Jewish minority. the Jewish state of Israel!” When negotiations are cast in political, prag- The Zionist movement was wise enough matic terms, all sorts of things become pos- not to do that. Israel was successfully cre- sible, such as co-operating with countries you ated partly because Theodor Herzl’s Zionism thought would always be enemies. For decades, defined itself as a political, not religious move- Saudi Arabia was a foe - an ultra-conservative ment, and could therefore make necessary Muslim country. Now it appears the Saudis compromises. may be allies (of a sort), based on pragmatism. David Ben-Gurion accepted the UN’s parti- A credible opinion poll conducted recently tion plan and declared the state of Israel in found the Saudi public more concerned about 1948 even though its borders did not include threats from Iran and Islamic State than numerous Jewish holy sites. The pragmatic Israel - only 18 per cent saw Israel as the main approach. enemy. The vast majority - 85 per cent! - sup- A potentially problematic line was taken by port a 2002 Arab Peace Initiative offering Israel’s new Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Israel peace with dozens of Arab and Muslim Hotovely last month upon taking office, when countries in exchange for withdrawing from In1955, The Freedom Charter stated: ‘‘The people of South Africa declare for all our country and she said the promise of the Land of Israel by territories captured in the 1967 war and the world to know that South Africa belongs to all who live in it..." G-d to the Jewish people as recorded in the establishing a Palestinian state. The visionary principles of the Freedom charter became the foundation of South Africa’s Torah, should be cited in defending Israel’s The proposal came from the Arab League, remarkable constitution and the bedrock of our democracy which was realized 40 years later. rights internationally. Which immediately sets and was re-endorsed at the Riyadh Summit in Former President Kgalema Motlanthe will discuss this pioneering document and the lessons the Torah in confrontation with the Qur’an 2007. Israel cannot accept every detail of the for today as we commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Freedom Charter. and the Christian Bible. “Your” G-d against plan, but as a starting point for negotiations, “my” G-d. there is much to work with. Tuesday 23 June If Hotovely’s approach were to dominate The threat from Iran and Islamic State have 19:30 politically - that we cannot negotiate about created mutual interests between Israel and Rabbi Cyril Harris Community Centre, Great Park Synagogue, corner Glenhove Road a Palestinian state in the West Bank because pragmatic Arab regimes like Saudi Arabia, and 4th Street, Houghton. “G-d promised us Judea and Samaria” - there Egypt and Jordan. It is time for the pragma- RSVP: [email protected] will be no two-state solution. tists - Israeli and Arab - to seize the moment.

World News in Brief Saudis consider Iran ‘much greater enemy than Israel’

HERZLIYA - A new survey that an Israeli college conducted in Saudi Arabia reveals that Saudis consider Iran a much greater enemy than Israel. In the poll, commissioned by the Interdisciplinary Centre (IDC) in Herzliya together with the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, 53 per cent of the 506 Saudi respondents named Iran as their main ART adversary, compared with 22 per cent choosing the Islamic State terror group and 18 per cent picking Israel. SALE Additionally, 85 per cent of respondents said they supported the Saudi-led Arab peace initiative, which calls for an Israeli-Palestinian JUNE peace deal based on Israel’s withdrawal to its pre-1967 borders. 17 The survey results come as Israel and Saudi Arabia, which do not have diplomatic relations, are both opposing the emerging nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. (JNS.org)

More news on our website www.sajr.co.za 6 SA JEWISH REPORT Opinion and Analysis 12 – 19 June 2015 Jewishsouth african Report World finally

wakes up to the Rikki Gordon Lewin Photo: fight against BDS World Jewish leaders seem to be in the midst of intense preparation for battle. This enemy they are gearing up to fight - the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement - although not new, is suddenly being taken a lot more seriously. This past weekend in Las Vegas, US casino mogul Sheldon Adelson host- ed a gathering of major Jewish philanthropists and American Jewish or- ganisations to plot and plan co-ordinated efforts to counter BDS and other anti-Israel activities on college campuses. And then on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opened his weekly Cabinet session with the announcement that Israel was establishing both an offensive and defensive campaign against efforts to boycott and delegitimise Israel. Later that day, he announced that the Israeli government was allotting 100 million shekels to the Strategic Affairs and Information Ministry un- Menachem Zivotofsky, left, and his father Ar, posing in front of the Supreme Court with their attorney Alyza Lewin and Lewin’s der Gilad Erdan to fight BDS. father Nathan, on November 3, 2014. “Against the efforts to harm Israel with threats, false accusations and boycotts, we must stand - right and left - as one, to deflect the pressures, uncover the lies, and attack the attackers,” he said defiantly. Limited ruling on Jerusalem passports Israel said it is also launching an initiative through its embassies in Eu- rope to try to prevent a European Union directive that could negatively impact sales of Israeli products there by labelling goods that originate in met with mixed feelings the West Bank settlements, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. RON KAMPEAS In addition to Kennedy, a conservative who some- So, this then begs the question why the sudden call to arms against WASHINGTON times swings liberal, the majority included the bench’s BDS? Until now, the virulent criticism that has been levelled at Israel has four liberals, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, mostly fallen on deaf ears in the Israeli government even if it had been a Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the majority in Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, as well as Clarence cause for concern amongst certain Diaspora Jewish leaders. the Supreme Court decision that will keep “Israel” off Thomas, a conservative. Breyer, Kagan and Ginsburg The answer must surely be certain recent events that have caught the the passports of Jerusalem-born Americans, begins are the court’s three Jewish justices. The dissenters Israeli government’s attention. Firstly, Israel has been facing the threat of by calling Jerusalem a “delicate subject”. were all conservative: Chief Justice John Roberts, expulsion from the world soccer governing body, Fifa. Competing claims to the Holy City were not the only Samuel Alito and Antonin Scalia. Then last week, Orange telecom chief executive Stefane Richard said in timeworn and sensitive issue the justices contended The constitution “does not give the president ex- Cairo that he would terminate his contract with its Israeli subsidiary, Part- with in their 6-3 decision on Monday, which upheld clusive power to determine which claims to statehood ner Communications, “tomorrow” if he could. the State Department’s policy of not allowing Ameri- and territory ‘are legitimate in the eyes of the United And yet another blow was the announcement by the UK’s National Un- cans born in Jerusalem to list “Israel” as their birth- States’,” Scalia wrote in the dissent. “Congress may ex- ion of Students that it was joining the international BDS movement and place. press its own views about these matters by declaring its condemnation of “Israeli military presence in the West Bank and Gaza”. The Supreme Court in Zivotofsky v Kerry waded war, restricting trade, denying foreign aid, and much And of course, a conference called specifically to counter BDS activities into tensions dating to the founding of the United else besides.” by Sheldon Adelson, a big supporter of the Israeli prime minister, would States over whether the executive or the legislative The decision was a defeat for much of the pro-Israel definitely have been taken seriously by Netanyahu and been a motivation branch determines foreign policy. community on an issue close to its heart - the Israeli for his timing for Israel’s focused efforts against BDS. The ruling effectively nullified a law passed by Con- and Jewish claim to Jerusalem. According to Peter Beinart, a well-known Jewish political commentator gress in 2002 requiring the State Department to list The Conference of Presidents of Major American in the US, the news of Adelson’s conference for Jewish groups aimed at “Israel” as a birth country for Jerusalem-born Ameri- Jewish Organisations said it was “deeply concerned” countering BDS is evidence that “pro-Israel” activism in the United States cans, should the citizens request it. Like its predeces- by the decision. has entered a new era. sor, the administration of President George W Bush, “We hope that a constitutionally acceptable path Because Iran’s new leader, Hassan Rohani, has made Iran appear less the Obama administration said recognition of an- can be found to assure that Americans born in Jeru- menacing and in Barack Obama, Netanyahu has found a partner eager to other nation’s sovereignty over territory was a matter salem will be accorded their full rights, including the end the long-standing US-Iranian cold war, Iran is a much less worthwhile strictly for the executive branch. designation of their country of birth,” the Jewish com- cause for American Jewry, says Beinart. As a result, pro-Israel activism Pro-Israel groups had hoped for a decision that munity’s foreign policy umbrella said in a statement. has had to find another outlet, argues Beinart, and the perfect new war to would determine US recognition of Jerusalem as Is- Yet the decision’s narrow cast drew expressions of wage is one against BDS. rael’s capital. But after hearing judicial interjections relief from Alyza Lewin and her father Nathan Lewin, And so too for Palestinian activists, BDS is the perfect fight because Pal- during oral arguments on the case last year, some lawyers known for their pro-Israel and Jewish ad- estinians have given up on the idea that Israel can deliver them a state feared that that case was mutating into a broader is- vocacy who represented Menachem Zivotofsky, the anytime soon and Mahmoud Abbas has failed to end the occupation, or sue over Congress’ role in determining foreign policy. 12-year-old Jerusalem-born American at the centre of stand for election. For them, Beinart says, BDS offers a route to bypass Marc Stern, who wrote the amicus brief filed by the the case, as well as the array of Jewish groups that had their divided, corrupt political leaders and take the struggle against Israel American Jewish Committee arguing that recognition backed Zivotofsky in friend of the court briefs. into their own hands. of another nation was a matter for Congress as well as “Justice Kennedy acknowledges that ‘the subject At the conference this weekend, Adelson said the main focus of his ef- the president, said the decision left intact the tradi- is quite narrow: The Executive’s exclusive power ex- forts would be college campuses where the BDS movement was making a tional American ambiguity over which branch deter- tends no further than his formal recognition deter- lot of “headway”. He and fellow philanthropists are planning to fund Jewish mines foreign policy. mination,’” the Lewins said in a statement. “Congress’ groups who could organise effective activities on campus to counter BDS. “This issue has been unsettled for 200 years, and broad powers to deal with foreign policy remain ex- Some reports said that famous Kosher Sex author and Rabbi, Shmuely the court leaves much of it unsettled today,” he said. tensive and virtually unlimited.” Boteach, would likely lead these efforts to create “Campus Maccabees” to Stern, the AJC’s general counsel, called the decision It appeared during oral arguments last November fight BDS in a co-ordinated way. And it is likely that we in South Africa “as good a defeat as we could have suffered”. that the justices were considering whether to settle (and many other countries) will start to see the efforts of these American That’s because Kennedy’s majority decision consid- a constitutional argument on who controls foreign and Israeli funds on our own doorstep. ered only the president’s right to recognise another policy that has dogged relations between presidents Interestingly, we in South Africa have been fighting BDS for much long- nation’s sovereignty. “A formulation broader than the and legislators going back to the time of George Wash- er than our fellow Americans and Israelis and our community’s efforts rule that the president alone determines what nations ington. have been fairly effective. to formally recognise as legitimate - and that he con- “What you’re saying is that Congress can’t compel The South African Union of Jewish Students’ Israel Awareness Week to sequently controls his statements on matters of rec- speech by the president with respect to foreign rela- counter Israel Apartheid Week; the relationships the Zionist Federation ognition - presents different issues and is unnecessary tions,” Sotomayor said to Donald Verrilli, the US so- continues to build with other faith groups; our community’s efforts to win to the resolution of this case,” Kennedy wrote. licitor general who was arguing on behalf of the policy. friends in government and the Israeli embassy’s attempts to build bridges In its statement responding to the ruling, The A wider decision limiting congressional influence and highlight Israel’s positive contributions to science, technology, medi- American Israel Public Affairs Committee noted that might have had an immediate impact, AJC’s Stern cine and more - are all important initiatives. Congress, where the lobby was most influential, re- said, on efforts in Congress to assert a role in deter- They certainly offer significant lessons for other Diaspora communities tained its foreign policy clout. mining whether the United States agreed to an emerg- and even Israel itself, who are only now starting their own battles against “Clearly, we are disappointed by the ruling,” AIPAC’s ing nuclear deal with Iran. the BDS movement. spokesman, Marshall Wittmann, said in an e-mail. Pro-Israel groups back an assertive role for Congress “However, the court opinion, viewed in its totality, in overseeing any deal. – Vanessa Valkin, Editor clearly recognises the important role that Congress “This was a defeat, but a limited defeat,” Stern said. plays in US foreign policy - a role that has been critical The decision “doesn’t determine the result regarding More news on our website www.sajr.co.za in strengthening the US-Israel relationship.” Congress’ powers regarding Iran”. (JTA) 12 – 19 June 2015 News SA JEWISH REPORT 7 DIRECTOR FOR LEADING JEWISH Jewry turns up the heat on COMMUNAL ORGANISATION BDS even in South Africa A position will become available in October 2015 for an individual with the following qualifications: ANT KATZ and the more recent by Wits’ SRC presi- dent’s “I Love Hitler” statements. Writing in the UK Guardian newspaper last People have “totally underestimated About the role week, Peter Beaumont noted how Israel the importance of BDS in South Africa,” • Ability to work with multiple organisations both in and outside of the and world Jewry were turning “up the heat” says Swartz, because South Africa is at the Jewish community. on the US-based NGO anti-Israel activist “coalface of the worldwide movement. • Ability to work with departments, committees, volunteers and youth group “Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions “South Africa is ground-zero in the fight organisations. (Israel)” (BDS), labelling it as “anti-Semitic” to delegitimise Israel; it is being modelled and as a “first-rate strategic threat” to Israel here… it is critical to their ability to (false- • Ability to effectively manage a team and multiple departments within a and world Jewry. ly) create the Israel-apartheid analogy.” community organisation. The Guardian’s article was prompted by a Luckily, says Swartz, the efforts of BDS- • The position includes fundraising for certain projects. vote last week by the British National Union SA have been largely unsuccessful among of Students to formally ally itself with the the general South African population,“and Skills, experience and background aims of BDS. This, in turn, inspired Israeli therefore they can only go for people who • Applicant must have a strong connection to both the SA Jewish MPs to hold a special session in the Knesset they perceive as supportive of Israel.” to discuss the issue. It also resulted in US This, he says, has backfired as BDS-SA’s community and to Israel casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson convening a attempt to create a parallel between the • University degree in Business Management conference in Las Vegas last weekend to dis- struggle for freedom in South Africa and • Suitable applicant must have had minimum of 5 years in similar position cuss the issue and come up with a strategy the situation in the Middle East “has been • Good verbal and written communication essential to counter it. seen as an insult by all South Africans who • Computer literacy a must The initial nonviolent grassroots move- suffered and lived under the apartheid ment, founded by journalist Ali Abunimah regime”. • Must be capable of handling financial matters and activist Omar Barghouti, was modelled BDS-SA chief executive Muhammed Desai • Experience with staff management is important on the anti-apartheid campaigns and called disagrees. He told Jewish Report that the • High competence in organisational administration an important for an end to Israel’s occupation of Pales- fact that Israel, as well as the local Jewish requirement tine, equality for Palestinian citizens of community, were stepping up efforts to • Applicant should have a broad variety of interests, great energy and Israel, and for a resolution for the Palestin- counter their activities, means that “BDS is should exhibit integrity, honest and fairness at all times ian refugees of 1948. moving from an irritation to a serious prob- “Critics of BDS describe the call for the lem and threat to Israel in its current form”. refugees’ right to return and the opposi- While always a danger, Swartz believes Benefits tion of some leaders of the movement to BDS-SA has seen its support reduced and • Salary commensurate with experience a two-state solution,” wrote Beaumont, the ties between Israel and South Africa are • Medical Aid “which they have described as a mistake, as growing stronger. • Pension Fund evidence that BDS is anti-Semitic.” He says BDS-SA shows its anti-Semitism In an interview with Jewish Report this by only attacking Jewish-owned businesses, week, newly-elected SA Zionist Federation while non-Jewish businesses in the same How to apply National Chairman Ben Swartz said that the sector may do far more trade with Israel. • Send CV to [email protected] damage that BDS-SA, the local arm of the He quotes the example of BDS-SA’s anti organisation, could do in this country was Woolworths campaign (the company has underestimated by Israel and world Jewry. a Jewish chairman) while other retailers, Luckily for Israel and the Jewish world, he suggests, import many-fold more goods however, what BDS-SA’s activities have from Israel. done “has shown the world that the organi- Other examples he puts forward are: sation has a fundamentally anti-Semitic Reggies, Dis-Chem, and German-Jewish narrative”. pianist Yossi Reshef, whose performance in From day one, BDS-SA has acted as an the Wits Great Hall was disrupted by BDS anti-Semitic organisation. Even Jews who demonstrators, simply because he was Jew- HEAD OF PRIMARY SCHOOL had been sympathetic to the BDS-SA stance ish. “The only common denominator here – Term 1, 2016 commencement in the beginning, such as members of the is that BDS is attacking Jews,” says Swartz. o #BTFE
JO
4ZEOFZ political far-left or anti-Zionist Jews, have “It is anti-Semitism, not politics.” come to see that BDS-SA’s agenda is not Desai insists that BDS-SA is not an anti- Moriah College invites exceptional candidates to apply for the Senior political but anti-Semitic, says Swartz. Semitic organisation and they are opposed Executive position of Head of Primary School (Years K-6). Today, however, many among South Afri- to all forms of racism. He calls on any mem- Moriah students are part of something bigger than just a school. They are an can Jewry who were previously sympathetic bers of the Jewish community to “bring to integral part of our community, and by fostering within our students a love to BDS have changed their stance. Swartz the attention of both the relevant authori- of Judaism and Zionism, we lay down deep community roots for the future points to a BDS demonstration at Wits last ties as well as ourselves, any anti-Semitic while maintaining our strong heritage as a Modern Orthodox school. year where they chanted “Shoot the Jew” actions by our members”. In 2015 the College began its journey towards a new strategic vision, which focuses on optimising teaching and learning outcomes for every student, Prizes galore to be won on our website! with a commitment to the integration of Jewish Life and Learning and Jewish values into all aspects of study. It’s competition season again. Jewish Report an entire day! Have family and friends around Online users stand to win lots of super prizes to breakfast, others for lunch and still more for At Moriah, we believe every child is unique. We celebrate individuality in a series of competitions running all the way dinner and treat them like royalty. This novel and engage our children’s curiosity at every stage of their personal and through to Rosh Hashanah. prize can be worth thousands, depend- academic journey. ing on how you choose to use We encourage our children to make a positive contribution informed by • To kick things off this week, it. Don’t miss our article and the richness of their Jewish heritage. we have launched a com- competition starting next The Head of Primary School will be a dynamic, experienced and inspiring petition to win one of six week on the novel services educator with an outstanding capacity to foster positive, warm relationships copies of Howard Feldman’s of Doron Gavronsky and with students, staff and parents. He or she will be a visible, hands-on, book “Carry-on baggage”, his unique business “Chef visionary leader who will cultivate an inclusive ‘thinking culture’ and learning which became an instant best- en Route” on our website. This environment for students, characterised by a commitment to academic rigour seller after its release in December 2014. is someone, and something, you should and 21st century learning skills and technology. Go to www.sajr.co.za and tell us why you think know a lot more about. The successful applicant will be committed to the values and vision of the you should win the book. You have to be in it College, with an ability to lead the Primary School in the implementation to win it. And that is just the start of our season of com- of the College’s strategic plan. petitions and fun. For an Information pack please contact Sharon Marlow, Managing Director, Marlow • Next week we will start giving away R9 000 Recruitment via [email protected] or by calling (03)+61 95693 9569 3933. 3933. worth of tickets for the stunning Lego® “Art of Last year hundreds of Jewish Report Online All enquiries and applications will be handled in the strictest of confidence. the Brick” expo in Rosebank - this is one of the users entered our competitions and won some Applications close Monday June 15th 2015 at 2pm. top-rated expos in the world at the moment. stunning prizes. This year, we have lots more Read the review right now on www.sajr.co.za. fun and prizes in store for you. Watch the print edition, our Facebook page and website, for • Then ew have a fabulous and unusual oppor- details every week. tunity for our readers and users. You can win the services of a professional chef at home for Who knows, you too could be a winner. 8 SA JEWISH REPORT Youth 12 – 19 June 2015 Young KDL pupils learn United Yeshiva stands in memory what unity means of the 3 Israeli boys killed GABY COHEN

To honour Unity Day, grade 1 to 7 learners at King David Linksfield Junior and Senior Primary Schools, participated in a joint initiative in memory of the tragic kidnapping and murder of three Israeli boys, Gilad Sher, Naftali Frenkel and Eyal Yifrach, by Palestinian terrorists near Gush Etzion a year ago. The King David pupils learned about what it means to be unified as a Jewish nation and about working together. Individual paper links with special words about what unity means to them were connected to make a whole chain around the children. Pictured are the learners on the school field with the paper links, making a chain. Photo supplied

OWN CORRESPONDENT

A year ago, Yeshiva College and the entire Jewish world were shaken to their core by the tragic and senseless murders of the three boys who had been learners at Yeshiva’s partner school, Yeshivat Mekor Chaim. This year their families asked the Jewish world (on the yahrzeit of their deaths) to come together as one nation to honour the memories of these precious souls and Yeshiva College also took on this task in their memory. Pictured are Ruth Kirkel, principal of the Yeshiva Pre-Primary School, with some of the grade Rs, in support of Unity Day. Unity Day commemorated by KDVP HANNA BEN-MOSHE Photo: Shana Sassen Photo: Last week Tuesday, 15 Sivan, Jews around the world observed the first yahrzeit of the three teenagers, Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Sher and Naftali Frenkel, who were brutally murdered by terrorists near Gush Etzion in Are growth Israel last year. A service was held at Yeshiva College, paying tribute to the boys prospects looking and their families and to promote the concept of “Unity Day”. King David High School Victory Park’s brighter? SRC and grade 11 learners took part and KDVP also held a special Gordon Yael Photo: assembly at the start of the school day to mark this tragic event. Pictured are Jarred Wood; Tori Ichikowitz; Paige Butkow; Franki Friedman; Yair Bisnowaty; Liora Katzew; and Keagan Parsons. The 3 murdered Israeli boys remembered at Sandton Sinai

AMY JAFFE

Sandton Sinai Primary School and Nursery School held a special “Unity Davening” at the school last week to honour and commemorate the yarzheit of the three Israeli boys so tragically lost. To fi nd out about growth prospects for South African businesses, The school responded to a call by the mothers of the boys to have a worldwide “Unity Day” in read the Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR) which provides insight into memory of their boys. the views and expectations of more than a thousand South African businesses each year. We are Grant Thornton and we help our clients understand the issues that impact on their business decisions. Contact us to help unlock your potential for growth.

To access the latest Grant Thornton IBR go to www.gt.co.za Photo: Melinda Chazen Photo:

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Jewish Report_Brighter.indd 1 2015/05/29 2:49 PM 12 – 19 June 2015 Letters SA JEWISH REPORT 9 Disclaimer Guidelines for letters The letters page is intended to provide an opportunity for a range of Letters up to 400 words get preference. Provide your full name, place Send nominations to [email protected] views on any given topic to be expressed. Opinions articulated in the of residence, and daytime contact phone number. We do not publish letters are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views letters under noms de plume. Letters should preferably be e-mailed. of the editor, staff or directors of the Jewish Report. Letters may be edited or shortened. Read the South African Jewish Report online www.sajr.co.za The Editor, PO Box 84650, Greenside, 2034 email: [email protected]

Emma Daitz’s research lacks independent balance

Emma Daitz, writing under a number of different banners documents. I could recommend a host of well-qualified such as “Jews for a Free Palestine” and “Jewish Voices for a historians including the late Sir Martin Gilbert CBE, Just Peace”, got considerable opinion space on the pages of professor of history at Oxford University and Churchill’s some newspapers, despite claims that this newspaper group official biographer, among others. is impartial. The SAJR also published a letter relating to her But the point is that Daitz et al are only looking through visit to the village of Lubya in the Galilee. one window and ignoring any other authoritative view. As a There have been a number of responses to Daitz’s articles, researcher, Daitz’s training must demand this. with some of her colleagues accusing those writers of All three have made a number of accusations aimed at the demonising Daitz. Perhaps those springing to her defence “Palestinian Jews” as they were called at that time, about view argument and criticism as “demonising”. ethnic cleansing; if such things happened they would surely Why Daitz needs Shereen Usdin and David Sanders to be able to quote some reliable source other than Pappe’s write on her behalf, is a puzzle. However and not to be seen sighting of documents, documents that they themselves “demonising” these good folk, surely they would indulge have not viewed? in some counter-argument and criticism? No doubt Daitz, Again they claim that Gaza is the largest open-air prison Usdin and Sanders will all agree that there are three sides to in the world, but they don’t tell the whole story: every story – theirs, mine and somewhere in between, the Aren’t there two jailers to that prison? Why do they only truth. mention one? Both Sanders and Usdin, have quoted Ilan Pappe, Surely they are aware of Egypt’s complicity in the professor of history at Exeter University, referring to blockade of Gaza and surely they read somewhere how “authoritative documents now contained in Israeli military Egypt destroyed thousands of homes in Gaza clearing a one archives”. Some would argue that Pappe’s research “is kilometre no-go zone on the Rafa crossing? manipulating evidence to fit a doubtful theory”. There are other historians who would certainly argue a Allan Wolman different case based on investigation of those same Rosebank, Johannesburg

Accept it: Mayor PARKS Tau has given Jews the finger

Vanessa Valkin’s report on the SAJBD meeting with He could have made time for Barkat and other invitations. Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau made interesting reading So, when it comes to things Jewish, the mayor has no but what struck me most, was the naivité of the Board of time at all. Deputies in thinking that Tau was able to be persuaded to The excuse that he tried to set up a meeting with Barkat, their way of thinking. but he had already left the country, is so disingenuous and Firstly, Tau supports BDS and was the keynote speaker immature that it is indicative of his anti-Jewish stance. at the opening of Israel Apartheid Week. But a further question must be asked, namely: Why is it Secondly, Tau, despite having been invited to many important to get anti-Semites in government to like us? Jewish events in the city, had not attended any. The mere fact that Johannesburg has twinned itself with Thirdly, Tau was not available to meet with Nir Barkat Ramallah surely must speak volumes for what posture our (mayor of Jerusalem) in March this year. country has adopted, not only against Israel, but it also Surely, if one applies a small amount of logic, one will has ties with Iran, North Korea and Cuba. come to the conclusion that Tau has given us Jews the Apart from that, the dysfunctioning state entities finger. He wants nothing to do with us. (SAA, Sapo, Eskom etc) and our president’s expenditure Whether we look at it in legal terms or not, beyond a on his Nkandla homestead (and the handling thereof by reasonable doubt or on a balance of probabilities, Tau does the authorities), and now our alleged involvement with not wish to associate himself with Israel, nor with Jews. Fifa’s corruption scandal, have made us virtually global How difficult is that to understand and accept? nonentities, perhaps, even polecats. BDS is an organisation which is anti-Semitic and even For these reasons our country under this government is moderate Muslims know this and many do not support the laughing stock of the world. I wouldn’t waste a worry this racist ideology. about Tau and friends. All South Africans know that when the mayor wants to buy a luxury vehicle, or when he takes a trip overseas Nathan Cheiman CARMEL SCHOOL for one reason or another, he makes time for those very Northcliff, important things. Johannesburg PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA Pappe seems quite content to live a life of historic delusion

In leaning upon the “expertise” of “new-historian”, listed. Teachers of Hebrew and Jewish Studies Prof Ilan Pappe of Exeter University, to substantiate Further research revealed that an existing quote from or their claims, David Sanders and Shereen Usdin strip the same era attributed to Ben-Gurion and which tackled Not a teacher, but thinking of their argument of any legitimacy. Like virtually all the same subject matter, conveyed the totally opposite migrating to Australia other antagonists towards the “case for Israel”, Sanders meaning to that claimed by Pappe. • Outstanding Jewish Day School and Usdin appear blissfully unaware that Pappe, who Despite repeated challenges to defend this blatant • Top Co-educational School in WA can be relied on to consistently provide “facts” and act of subterfuge, Pappe has yet to do so and appears • Thriving Jewish Community “information” designed to show Israel up in the worst content to live a life of historic delusion, provided it • Stable Economy possible light, is probably the most ridiculed and vilifies Israel, to which Sanders and Usdin appear content discredited historian addressing the subject of the Israel/ to subscribe. Teachers of Hebrew and Jewish Studies are Palestinian conflict. This is just one example among many about which invited to forward their resume. The School will Hardly, if ever, do Sanders, Usdin and their ilk quote Pappe had the following to say in an interview given assist with sponsored immigration. Consider the idyllic lifestyle of Perth, Western Australia established and esteemed historians such as Martin to Belgian newspaper “Le Soir” in 1999: “Indeed the Gilbert, Benny Morris and Ephraim Karsh, who boldly struggle is about ideology, not about facts. Who knows Please email our focus on Israel’s failings (where applicable) but do so what facts are? Development Officer, within the necessary context and according to acceptable “We try to convince as many people as we can that our Leith Flinkier to register precepts of historic research. interpretation of the facts is the correct one, and we do it your interest In Pappe’s case the exact opposite applies and his because of ideological reasons, not because we are truth or for further deliberate distortions appear to be a source of self-pride. seekers. ” information: To quote just one example: In his book “The Ethnic Pappe openly admits that his distorted “history” is not development@carmel. Cleansing of Palestine” (2006) Pappe offers a damning about facts but ideology. If facts get in the way, construct wa.edu.au quote which he attributes to David Ben-Gurion in 1937, new facts. Tel:0061 8 9375 4306 citing a number of plausible-sounding references. This is the man bleeding heart liberals rely on, as does A representative of Carmel School will also What Pappe seemingly failed to anticipate was that much of mainstream academia. be available in Johannesburg in early July for other historians of greater reliability, who had learned confidential, private meetings not to accept Pappe’s claims as indisputable fact, Victor Gordon discovered in their own investigations that Pappe’s “Ben- Brooklyn, Website:www.carmel.wa.edu.au Gurion quote” never existed in a single source that he Pretoria 10 SA JEWISH REPORT Absa Jewish Achiever Awards 12 – 19 June 2015 New Europcar Award set to inspire women in all spheres MICHAEL BELLING also promote recognition of that leadership the new award is to recognise leadership and achievement. excellence rather than pushing a specific Europcar has sponsored a new category in The award will recognise people making a agenda. the annual Jewish Achiever Awards to rec- difference through their vision, actions and But she believes that “women need to be ognise Jewish women’s entrepreneurship strategy, influencing others and achiev- encouraged in business really to put their and leadership. ing something that contributes to a better hands up for leadership roles”. Dawn Nathan-Jones (pictured), Europcar world. The new award will help women see that CEO and herself a former business achiever She says that in business, “a lot of the they can compete with their male counter- nominee in the unlisted companies award time I feel that women don’t have a chance parts, she says. category, says: “Being a woman in business against the captains of industry and their Women were talented in their ability to and a woman leader, I feel strongly that male counterparts”. juggle career and family responsibilities - a women need to get more exposure.” Europcar is an example of appointing remarkable achievement. Nominees for the new award do not have women on merit to top posts. Nathan- For Europcar, the new award will be to be leaders in the corporate world; it can Jones followed Carol Scott as CEO of what “great exposure for us. It’s a great win for be leaders who have excelled in the com- was then Imperial Car Hire, which was us. It is a great platform not only for the munity, or showed great leadership quali- later rebranded as Europcar, a well-known candidates and nominees, but for all the ties that otherwise might go unrecognised. name internationally, but previously virtu- people involved to meet and engage with The award will encourage women to excel ally unknown in this country. really good leaders. The award is about in any field they chose, showing a willing- Nathan-Jones insists that she is “not inspiring women to come forward, the ness to embrace a leadership role. It will a great feminist”, which indicates that aspiration this will bring.”

Community Opinion and Analysis These Yiddish articles are Synagogues must protect their now accessible in English MOIRA SCHNEIDER members, not their reputations CAPE TOWN DEBORAH ROSENBLOOM another way of saying that those who are victim- A world lost forever is memorialised in WASHINGTON ised are less important than the institution itself. “There was once a home”, an anthology of This past Shabbat I was at the RJC, down the memories of life in the Lithuanian shtetls, When I read the article in The New York Times street from where I grew up, visiting my parents, that first appeared in the Johannesburg detailing the accusations against Rabbi Jonathan who still consider the RJC home. We went to Yiddish newspaper, Afrikaner Idishe Tsaytung Rosenblatt of the Riverdale Jewish Centre, I was shul there, we went to school there, we served on (African Jewish Newspaper). Published as a deeply saddened. committees and boards, shared countless meals, series of articles between 1952 and 1954, This is the synagogue and community where I danced and wept together. We felt safe at the RJC. in a first for this genre, the stories and anec- grew up. My parents moved to Riverdale in the What a delusion! The very organisations - syna- dotes have been translated by Dr Veronica 1950s and are among the RJC’s founding mem- gogues, community centres, schools - that should Belling and serve as a poignant memento for bers. Rosenblatt - like the synagogue’s four rabbis be protecting and nurturing constituents instead the South African Jewish community of its before him - played an important part in the life seek to protect reputations. But reputations worth Lithuanian roots. of my family. However, my focus is not the RJC or protecting are not made by marginalising victims. Belling, who was the Jewish Studies any one rabbi. The back-room, hush-hush solution is inap- librarian at the Kaplan Centre for 31 years, My concerns are with the institutions in which propriate, dangerous and unsustainable. We need studied Yiddish on the Uriel Weinreich Yiddish we place our trust - institutions that seem to policies and protocols for organisational responses The cover of “There was once a Summer Programme under the auspices of ignore the simple fact that rabbis and teachers are to these situations. home”, a collection of articles on life the Yivo Institute for Jewish Research and in the Lithuanian shtetls, translated human and subject to temptations and personal Make no mistake about it: Despite all the vet- Columbia University in New York. from the Yiddish by Dr Veronica demons. We hold our leaders in high esteem, but ting and background checks, creeps will attain The book affords one glimpses of the Belling. our institutions fail to monitor them to ensure leadership roles and use their power for their own religious and secular life in the 25 featured that their power is not being abused and that the ends. We need processes to examine rumours with shtetls, including Shidlova, Rakishok, Oran, Poshelat, Ponevezh, Kupishok and Birzh, among esteem is merited. speed, transparency and neutrality. others. Descriptions relate to the period 1918 - 1940 and are illustrated with photographs Whispers, like those in Riverdale, have been We need guidelines that will reduce the risk of that, together with information, were sent in by readers of the newspaper. present in dark corners of many communities sexual harassment, abuse and assault by staff, lay Belling has also included photographs of Jewish sites and memorials that she took on a over the years. Those whispers have been hushed leadership and volunteers, and we need a process tour to Lithuania in 2013 that included 13 of the 25 towns mentioned in the book. by men and women who choose to protect the for redress. This approach enables a neutral re- It is, however, the inclusion in all too many captions of the simple words: “The majority in institution to the detriment of those it’s supposed sponse free from the influence of wealthy donors, the photo perished”, that drives home the reality of the destruction of 90 per cent of the to serve. powerful members, colleagues or former interns. 220 000-strong Jewish community during the Holocaust, more than any elaborate descrip- This is what happened at Penn State, which Policies should reflect the character of the organi- tions could. ignored or mishandled numerous episodes over sation, but certainly some standard provisions The main focus of the articles is on the people who lived in the shtetls. Also reflected is the years in which football coach Jerry Sandusky should be included: the richness of communal and cultural life, with Zionist societies constituting the largest sexually abused children. Our leaders often dem- 1. Anyone who feels victimised or is aware of any political grouping. onstrate poor judgement, pretending that if they misdeeds must be able to speak with someone One reads of the “first lady” of Kurshan, a Mrs Gelbart, whose husband was the director ignore the underlying problem or handle it quietly who has no personal stake in the institution - of the Jewish People’s Bank. “She was a milliner by trade, who was involved in fashion so among themselves, the behaviour will stop and the for example, a social worker, therapist, lawyer or that the whole atmosphere in her home was very modern, very European. problems disappear. all of the above - on retainer to the institution. “Moreover, Mrs Gelbart was also an exceptionally beautiful woman with excellent taste But today social media amplifies whispers. 2. Any investigation must be done by a third party, and true European manners. The secular intelligentsia of the shtetl used to gather in and Victims hear the whispers of other victims, aware- not someone from within the institution. around the Gelbart home, because in the same way that the rabbi’s home was an expres- ness grows, and what happens behind closed doors 3. Rules for communication and confidentiality sion of religious Zionism, the Gelbart’s home was a synonym for Jewish worldliness. is exposed and headlined. I have seen this in my must be established and followed. “Both small worlds, however, lived in harmony in the small world of the shtetl in true work at Jewish Women International - on college 4. All lay and professional leadership must be friendship and deep mutual respect.” campuses, on football fields, even in the military. trained in the laws of mandated reporting. While the support from Africa was a great help to many families in Lithuania in the years Victims are speaking out. 5. Educational and prevention programmes should leading up to the Second World War, this was particularly the case for the Jews from Krak- Our synagogues and rabbinical institutions be made available to members. inova, where the majority survived thanks to this help. need to wake up. Responding in secret or in an ad 6. Relationships should be established and main- “The Jews of Africa exported pounds to the shtetl, but in turn they imported Jewish hoc manner - being reactive - does not work. This tained with a local sexual-assault response agency spirituality, warm bonds, and a great deal of love that was conveyed in heart-warming modus operandi inhibits response, discussion and and local law enforcement. letters and close family ties,” writes A Sarid, the initiator of the project and author of the community resolution. Secret “solutions” end up Institutions responsible for protecting and nur- majority of the articles, who lived in Lithuania until approximately 1942 before emigrating to being neither secret nor solutions. turing our communities must focus on protecting this country. Instead, we repeatedly see the accused relying those who are in their charge rather than protect- In the tiny shtetl of Vashki lived a Dr Ganandski who “would travel for miles to attend to on his or her relationships with powerful support- ing those who are in charge. (JTA) a wretched peasant couple, in rain or snow… The doctor doesn’t ask for money. The peas- ers, and together they spread the fear of public ants know that he will accept whatever they are able to pay him.” revelation of scandal. Time and again, the message • Deborah Rosenbloom is the vice president of For his trouble, the beloved doctor lies buried in a mass grave along with all the Jews of to the victims and communities is that only with programmes and new initiatives at Jewish Women Vashki, murdered by the very people he had helped. silence can the institution be protected. That is International. “There was once a home” is published by the Isaac and Jessie Kaplan Centre for Jewish Studies and Research and is available at the South African Jewish Museum shop. E-mail: More news on our website www.sajr.co.za [email protected]

12 SA JEWISH REPORT News 12 – 19 June 2015 Seftel tries to allay concerns about Louis Botha Rea Vaya STAFF REPORTER The Rea Vaya will also bring along with it the ans, especially of children attending Maryvale upgrade of sidewalks to make walking easier. College and Torah Academy. The current construction of the Rea Vaya Bus Already in Catherine Street, Sandton, where the “There is a budget for a pedestrian bridge if Rapid Transit system (BRT) along Louis Botha bus system was being built, there were many necessary and we will make a call on that once Avenue in Johannesburg is causing major dis- more people walking along the landscaped pave- we see how the new traffic patterns pan out,” ruptions and discontent among local residents ments. This, in turn, would upgrade the suburbs she said. and businesses. and improve the value of people’s properties, Such bridges had been built in Pennyville and Lisa Seftel (pictured), executive director of she maintained, countering the view of some Westbury, areas in which the bus system was transport, City of Johannesburg, said in an residents and shopkeepers along Louis Botha, already operating. interview with Jewish Report that many Jewish that the system would devalue their properties The newly-erected fence which had gone up residents living in the north-eastern suburbs or businesses. on the middle island along Louis Botha Avenue, of Johannesburg had been affected, mainly be- Another concern of communities was that, was also causing concern among residents - and cause of the new, no-right turns policy recently with the lanes restricted, there would be chaos Seftel admitted this was creating a division implemented along this busy road. with cars and taxis. between the community and retail businesses. “The problem is that many people still don’t “But, the idea of building this public transport “We put it up because there are numerous pe- understand the Bus Rapid Transit System and system is to take cars and other vehicles off the destrian accidents because of people randomly how it will work. All they see at the moment are of way. There will be further consultation with road; we are in consultation, not only with the crossing the road, but we are reviewing it and massive road works and temporary lanes which communities about these turns once we see Alexandra Taxi Association, but also with the will soon come up with solutions,” she prom- are being put in, in preparation for the final how the traffic patterns change once the bus Ivory Park and Midrand Associations.” ised. system,” she says. system is up and running,” she said. Taxis would also probably be used on the Seftel, who was a political activist in her There were going to be rumble strips and red Seftel said people should remember the old feeder routes. student days, has worked in government most lines painted along the lanes of the bus route days when trams ran along that road and when The city was also hoping that once all the new of her life, including in the national Labour De- which motorists should not cross, she said. they, too, were given preference over cars. public facilities along this “Corridor of Freedom” partment and the Gauteng Premier’s Office. She The main cause of concern was the new, no- “People will be inconvenienced - there is no in Orange Grove were operational, there would was municipal manager in the Vaal/Sedibeng right turns along Louis Botha Avenue. doubt about that - but it will be in the interests be no need for people to be using taxis and area before she moved to the City of Johannes- “We unfortunately had to close some of them of a good quality, public transport system,” she private cars, she posited. burg to head up the transportation department. because we have to give public transport right emphasised. A further concern was the safety of pedestri- She has been there for the past six years. You pay for the privilege of being Jewish

MICHAEL BELLING Edward and Parktown are, of course, significant difference in the case of a much cheaper, but still not insignifi- Jewish funeral - if the family cannot Being Jewish is often not easy, but it cant, at around R5 500 a month for afford to pay, the full burial is done is also expensive. The costs involved the two children (around R66 000 a without question and any amount in Jewish identification, education, year). But it is not easy to get white the family cannot afford will be cov- living and even dying, are high - yet Jewish children into these schools, as ered by the Chevrah Kadisha. most Jews bear them willingly and some parents who have tried unsuc- Barmitzvah and wedding costs even gladly. cessfully to send their children to a are not standardised. A modest Taking the example of a Jew- public school, have discovered. bar-/batmitzvah, limited to a small ish family - husband, wife and two Another unavoidable area of ad- meal and close friends and family, children, a boy of 16 in grade 10 and a ditional costs for observant Jews is is likely to come to around R50 000. girl of 13 in her final year of primary kosher food. Kosher chicken costs version. This would provide around bership and seat charges vary from An “average” bar-/batmitzvah of a school in grade 7 - the expenses can R64,99 a kilogram, compared to 10 - 12 chops, probably enough for around R550 a month (R6 600 a year) Jewish day school pupil will prob- be considerable. R39,99 a kilogram for non-kosher one meal for the family. The annual to almost R700 a month (R8 280 a ably cost some R200 000 while an Jewish day school fees take a birds. An average kosher chicken difference on this basis would be year). This will be higher if seats are ostentatious function can run into substantial chunk out of any fam- (say 1,6 kilograms) will cost R104, around R30 000. purchased for the children as well. millions. ily’s budget. These fees come to a while a similar non-kosher chicken Another substantial amount is Then there are the costs of various The same applies to wedding combined total of almost R15 000 a will sell for R64. Ignoring any further spent on the Jewish festivals, particu- Jewish rites of passage - from a bris costs; while they probably start at month for the two children - around additional costs of other kosher food larly Pesach. Buying kosher food for to a barmitzvah or batmitzvah to a around R100 000 – the sky is the R8 330 a month for the boy and that might be purchased for a meal, Pesach and conducting two Pesach wedding and a funeral. limit. The sums paid for a bris and R6 645 for the girl. The total cost over the difference of R40 a day over a year seders at a conservative estimate will To begin with the last, a Jewish the accompanying function also the year comes to almost R180 000. amounts to R14 600. come to well over R10 000. Having funeral costs in the region of vary hugely from family to family. The costs of non-Jewish private This figure rises sharply if we use large dinners on other festivals will R20 000, which compares well with For the average Jewish parent, schools are similar, if not higher than lamb chops as an example. Kosher increase this over the year. the costs of a non-Jewish funeral, knowing all these costs brings a nice those of Jewish day schools. chops are R184,99 a kilogram, com- We all belong to shuls, a further so there is little additional outlay Jewish song to mind – “If I were a Public schools, such as King pared to R99,99 for the non-kosher cost of being Jewish. Annual mem- involved in being Jewish. There is one rich man...” World News in Brief Jihadist attacks on French Jews planned

PARIS - Prosecutors in Paris presented their case against 15 defendants accused of planning jihadist attacks on French Jews and other targets. The trial against the men, alleged members of the banned ter- rorist group Forsane Alizza, began on Monday at the Correctional Tribunal of Paris and is expected to contin- ue through June 23. They are accused of “participating in a group formed with a view to preparing terrorist acts”, according to metronews. Among the alleged targets were five Jewish supermarkets of the Hyper Cacher chain, the news site ouest-france.fr reported, and several other Jewish businesses. A Hyper Cacher market in the Paris area was the scene of a deadly ter- rorist siege in January. The names of the businesses targeted were recovered from a computer seized in 2012, when the group’s leader, 37-year-old Mohamed Amchalane, was arrested with other suspects during a police raid in the vicinity of Nantes, in western France. In Amchalane’s possession, police also found three AK-47 assault rifles, a grenade and a pistol, Le Figaro reported. He also had manuals on how to carry out ter- rorist attacks using explosives, including dirty bombs, which contain radioactive material. Amchalane main- tained that Forsane Alizza, Arabic for “knights of pride”, was a group dedicated to fighting Islamophobia, Am- chalane’s lawyer said. (JTA) www.kia.co.za

I don’t think like them.

I think freedom never gets old.

I think having more can make you less.

I think the things you own shouldn’t own you.

I think my car is for getting around, not getting along.

New Rules. New Picanto. To test drive the new Picanto, go to kia.co.za or visit your nearest dealer.

18582OFyt 14 SA JEWISH REPORT Community Columns 12 – 19 June 2015 A column of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies A column of the Chevrah Kadisha The SAJBD and world Jewry Protecting children is paramount In fulfilling its mandate Holocaust: the South Two weeks ago I received an official-look- no matter how far in the past. as the spokesbody and African Experience”. It ing letter from the Department of Social At the Chev, our focus on child civil rights lobby of South was inspiring to see a Development. I opened it carefully. It protection manifests in many practical African Jewry, the Board roomful of Senegalese was my clearance certificate confirm- ways beyond police clearance. benefits greatly from students coming ing that I am not a sexual offender and Our latest Social Services report, its relationships with together to learn about giving me permission to work with the which I receive monthly, states: “97 international Jewish the Holocaust, which children in our care. families are currently being case man- organisations. Through increasingly is being I was not the only one. Every single aged as requiring family preservation our maintaining contacts included in the school person in this organisation with access with the potential to become pre- with these bodies and curricula of African to children had to be fingerprinted for statutory or statutory in respect of the participating in global countries. police clearance and checked against the Children’s Act no 38 of 2005”. forums dealing with National Sexual Offenders Register - and We watch, monitor and work to- issues of concern to Upcoming events that included our Board members, staff gether with families when children are world Jewry, we have Above Board Also coming up soon and volunteers. vulnerable to maintain the family unit ready access to the skills, Mary Kluk is this year’s much- The reason for this is that paedophiles Partners in wherever possible. expertise and knowledge National Chairman anticipated Sinai Indaba, often seek employment and volunteer Chesed In addition, our social workers receive that our counterparts which kicks off in opportunities to gain access to chil- Michael Sieff ongoing training in the area of child abroad can provide. Cape Town on June 16, moving to dren. Being part of International Social Group CEO protection. Last month, as an exam- The relationship is by no means Durban the next day and concluding Services, the Chev is able to confer with ple, professionals from the Teddy Bear a one-sided one, since we bring in Johannesburg over the weekend. other countries with regard to both immigrants and Clinic lectured to our staff on child physical and to the table our own insights and Billed as “an annual Torah convention emigrants. sexual abuse: forensic medical and psychological as- experiences. Indeed, our community led by the foremost international It’s a sad reality that so many cases of child moles- sessments. It’s tough to watch what can happen, but plays a very active role in international Jewish thinkers and leaders”, the tation occur worldwide. Almost daily we hear news important to know. Jewish affairs, well out of proportion Sinai Indaba was an instant success reports of some or other celebrity having to face up All this says something good about our world: that to its relatively small numbers. when first introduced in 2011, and to misdeeds. Gone are the days when such behaviour laws have evolved to protect the safety and inno- This week, our Cape Chairman Eric has if anything been even more was ignored, swept under the carpet or tolerated in cence of children; that people are finding the courage Marx, National Director Wendy Kahn enthusiastically supported by our silence. to come forward and confront those who have hurt and Head of Communications Charisse community since then. In America, a group calling themselves Jewish them; that it’s simply unacceptable to abuse those Zeifert, attended the American A second important upcoming Community Watch has named and shamed teachers who are vulnerable. It says, in fact, that protecting Jewish Committee Global Forum in event is a commemorative evening and community leaders for abuse crimes often going children is paramount. Washington DC. to mark the 60th anniversary of the back decades, and here in South Africa, huge strides May our partnership continue to thrive. Our close relationship with the AJC Freedom Charter, to take place under are being made in forcing offenders to face charges, [email protected] goes back many years, and here I can the auspices of the SAJBD at the Great This column is paid for by the Chevrah Kadisha fulsomely acknowledge the friendship Park Centre on June 23. and support we have unfailing received Former President Kgalema from Stan and Marian Bergman and Motlanthe will be speaking on this Braving a Highveld winter’s night for a Eliseo Neumann. Stan, a former South auspicious occasion and sharing his African, is today president of the AJC thoughts on the significance of the good cause while Eliseo heads its Africa desk. Charter in the struggle for democracy MICHAEL BELLING executives will sleep outside in Gwen Wendy gave presentations on anti- in our country. We hope to see as many Lane in Sandton to show their cour- Semitism in South Africa to both the of our readers as possible joining us Jewish CEOs are among the many age, compassion and grit. AJC and the Anti-Defamation League. in remembering the men and women top executives who have volunteered The Jewish CEOs are: Mark Levy, During her visit, she also met with - many of them from the Jewish to sleep out under the stars on a Blue Label Telekoms; Brett Levy, SA Ambassador MJ Mahlangu and community - who were involved in freezing winter night next Thursday, Blue Label Telekoms; Asher Bohbot, Political Counsellor Mgojo and with the birth of this visionary document, June 18, to bring hope and a home EOH; Yossi Mazoz, Thurloe Corp; Ran the US State Department. thereby helping to lay the foundations to South Africa’s most vulnerable Neu-Ner, The Creative Counsel; Wayne Last week, I participated in an of our democratic, non-racial society. children. Abraham, AIG SA; Stephen Koseff, International Conference on Genocide • For more information or to RSVP, The 702 Sun International CEO Investec; Ray Levin, KIA Prevention, Culture of Peace Education contact Jennie Fearnley on (011) SleepOut has invited business lead- Motors; Adrian Gore, Discovery and Holocaust Education in Africa, 640-2521/ [email protected]. ers to unite for this good cause - re- Group; David Smollan, Smollan Group; held in Dakar, Senegal and hosted by quiring each to contribute R100 000 Jonathan Broomberg, Discovery Unesco and the Aladdin Project. The • Listen to Charisse Zeifert on Jewish in addition to spending the winter Health; Kim Feinberg, Tomorrow subject of the presentation I gave Board Talk, 101.9 ChaiFM every night in the open air. The target is to raise R25 million. Trust; Richard Friedland, Netcare; Dawn Nathan-Jones, was “Racism, Discrimination and the Friday 12:00 - 13:00. The CEO SleepOut movement has raised millions of Europcar; Guy Golan, Performanta; and Herschel Jawitz, dollars worldwide and has now reached South Africa. The Jawitz Properties. This column paid for by the SA Jewish Board of Deputies 12 – 19 June 2015 Classifieds What’s On SA JEWISH REPORT 15 To book your classified notice or advert contact: Today, Friday (June 12) • Big Band Music Appreciation Society meets at St Wednesday (June 17) Tel (011) 430-1980, Fax 086-634-7935, email: [email protected] John’s College Auditorium, Houghton. A short DVD on • UZLC hosts Reeva Forman on “The Other Face of the Liza Minelli and Friends will be followed by an audio • JH&JC and partners, to mark World Refugee Day, host BEAUTY & HEALTH LIFTS OFFERED ACCOMMODATION Israel/Palestinian Conflict - a PositiveO ne?” Venue: Our programme by Lionel Gordon, “Say it With Music”. the screening of a documentary “Kinderblock66: Return AVAILABLE Parents Home. Time: 12:45 - 14:00. 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Gallery Hours: Monday - Thursday 09:00 – 16:00. • UJW adult education division hosts Dr Joanne bus at 08:30 at Golden Acres. The tour at the University To Lanseria Avail July 2015. Friday 09:00 – 12:00. Saturday closed. Information: Gordon, former chairman of the theatre department of Pretoria Arts Building starts at 10:00. Cost: R150 (incl from R220. Excellent security. Hazel or René (011) 728-8088, a/h (011) 728-8378 of California State University and artistic director of tour and bus). Enquiries: Book with Betty Jankelowitz, Reasonable rates to R13 000 p/m. or e-mail [email protected] or [email protected] California Repertory Company, on “Why Stephen (011) 532-9701. Contact Tracy Sondheim Matters - Broadway Lyricist and Composer”. all other areas. 082-330-8080 Jacqui 083-447-6347 • RCHCC screens a documentary “Dancing in Jaffa”. Venue: Venue: 1 Oak Street, Houghton. 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I specialise in obtaining during and after apartheid. commented that when Felicia walked into a room, the to lift you anywhere/ anytime 24 Lithuanian, Polish and German IF YOU WANT Humble to a fault, Kentridge often referred to herself impact she made took your breath away. She referred to citizenship. I am able to obtain the hours. Courier work undertaken. required documents from archives TO as a “lapsed lawyer”, and described her professional the Kentridge couple - Felicia and Sydney - as brilliant, Please call Paul in Europe. impetus in running the centre and being proactively magnetic people with a refined sense of value. 083-542-6480 Rael Cynkin CA (SA) BUY OR SELL anti-apartheid, as the rule of law. Kentridge leaves her husband, Sydney, four children: [email protected] 083-346-4627 The Kentridges relocated from their home in Catherine, William - arguably South Africa’s most Contact: Houghton to London in 1981. In 1999, Sydney was highly acclaimed living artist - Matthew and Eliza, MISCELLANEOUS Solly Kramer made a Knight Commander of the British Order of St grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Driving lessons 082-922-3597 Learners licence to driving licence SERVICES FOR SALE OFFICE tests. NOTICES Dual-controlled car Hawley Marble and Granite Works SPACE for extra safety. Est. 1948. Monumental masons. With experienced, We are proud to have served the AVAILABLE Johannesburg Jewish community licenced instructor. To place your classified for many decades. Your support is Call Daniel much appreciated. 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Persie Tournament - in Hol- when he was informed that Five of the South African land, held every two years, Barcelona had pulled out and players who went across are saw two South African teams an invitation came through Jewish and play for local clubs: taking part. for sides from South Africa to Zach Taitz, goalkeeper and This tournament, named for enter. Taitz worked hard to put captain of the under-9 team famous Manchester United the tour together. (Balfour Park & KDL); David striker Robin van Persie, The South African teams Joseph, under-9, defender brings together teams from took part under the name (Balfour Park & KDL); Jona- across Europe in the under-9 “The South African All Stars”. than Azoulay, under-9, striker and under-10 age groups. It The players got a taste of what (Pro Athletico & KDL); Daniel is one of the most recognised soccer is like out there in the Froehlich, under-10, right of its kind and is by invitation heart of the soccer world wing (Balfour Park & KDL); only. against teams such as Chelsea, and Noah Sarakinsky, un- A group of the South African players gathered by the large Van Persie banner. Back: head coach Gavin Prangley; Guy Taitz; and Sheldon D’aubrey. Middle: Brogan Wright; Oliver Leishman; Matthew Costa; David Joseph; Luke Cannon; Caleb Raubenheimer; and Jonathan Azoulay. Front: Kaelo Sono; Brogan Clark (vice captain); Zach Taitz (captain); Brandon Blak; and Cruz Rodrigues. der-10, goalkeeper (Highlands which obviously affected their the teams. One of the players Park & Bellavista). game in the tournament. This who stood out for the South Taitz had good things to showed itself when in the African group was Zach Taitz, say about all the players and friendlies which followed the the goalkeeper, captain of the that considering the difference tournament, the boys played under-9 squad and son of Guy. in experience and exposure far better. It was the sight of Scouts were on the lookout that the foreign sides have seeing teams like Manchester for talented future prospects, compared to the South African City and Chelsea running onto and Zach was approached and boys, “we did well”. the pitch that unnerved them.” asked to stay behind the next The one week trip included The game is inordinately day for a training session with warm-up games; the ac- more difficult in Europe with the head goalkeeping coach of tual tournament; a few more speed and acceleration, control Feyernoord FC. friendly games and then a day and distribution, all on a much He was granted an invita- touring the city. higher level. The boys are tion to join the Feyenoord “This was a once-in-a- groomed from a young age to Youth Academy. lifetime experience which liter- be tested on far more challeng- It’s a monumental consid- C ally changed the lives of these ing levels of physique, training eration and a decision his par-

M kids,” said Taitz. It’s a dream and often from very experi- ents are contemplating. While

Y opportunity and an eye-open- enced coaches. being a great opportunity, it er from a soccer point of view. Another highlight at the has many surrounding compli- CM While the SA players played tournament was the attend- cations and the regulations for MY with heart and had some indi- ance of Manchester United’s players under 16 are particu- CY vidual moments of brilliance, celebrated striker and the am- larly difficult to work around.

CMY they were a fair distance from bassador of the event, Robin “Zach had a good tourna-

K the European sides.” van Persie, who met with ment and pulled off some “I think nerves played their the kids, had pictures taken outstanding saves,” said his part in the kids’ mental space, with them and spoke with father.

It’s that time of the year again,

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