ABOUT THE JOY OF CREATING A STORY OF BEAUTIFUL THINGS / 10 2 COUNTRIES SHADOW- JODI BIEBER’S GLIMPSES INTO BOXING ‘OTHER WORLDS’/10 / 11 Subscribe to our FREE epaper - go to www.sajewishreport.co.za

www.sajewishreport.co.za Friday, 27 May 2011 / 16 Iyar, 5771 Volume 15 Number 19 Obama-Netanyahu tensions down;

US Pres faces political problems PAGE 8

Lag B’Omer is the 33rd day of the Omer, counted since the second night of Pesach. The most popular custom BASKING IN THE is lighting bonfires, to commemorate the yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who gave great spiritual light to the world. At the Great Park Shul “forest” in Johannesburg, the turnout was exceptional. The young – and WARMTH OF A LAG young at heart - toasted marshmallows and enjoyed themselves. As it has become customary, the occasion B’OMER BONFIRE again served as a rallying point to collect blankets for the less fortunate. (PHOTOGRAPH: JEREMY FELDMAN) PAGE 6 Israel rejects SA pro- Jews are returning Arrest of Strauss-Kahn Shahar Peer A taste of Jewish Palestinian activist / 3 to SA politics / 5, 9 shakes French Jews / 3 in trouble?/ 20 Holland / 12, 13 YOUTH / 16 SPORT / 20 LETTERS / 14 CROSSWORD & BRIDGE / 18 COMMUNITY BUZZ / 6 WHAT’S ON / 18 2 SA JEWISH REPORT 27 May - 03 June 2011 SHABBAT TIMES PARSHA OF THE WEEK May 27/23 Iyar May 28/24 Iyar Bamidbar Living up to Starts Ends 17:07 17:58 Johannesburg expectations The Western 17:29 18:23 Cape Town 16:48 17:40 Durban Wall and 17:09 18:00 Bloemfontein Piazza with 17:01 17:54 Port Elizabeth the Dome of 16:54 17:47 East London the Rock PARSHAT BAMIDBAR behind it. Rabbi Alex Carlebach Chabad of Lyndhurst Published by Yerushalayim celebrations S A Jewish Report (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 84650, Greenside, 2034 Tel: (011) 023-8160 MY FRIENDS, this week we commence reading the Fax: (086) 634-7935 Fourth Book of Chumash, Bamidbar - The Book of by way of a breakfast Printed by Caxton Ltd Numbers. The literal English translation is “Desert” EDITOR - Geoff Sifrin as the Jewish people were travelling at the time. RITA LEWIS On June 7, 1967, corresponding to the 28th [email protected] However, the common name for this chumash is day of Iyar, 5727 of the Hebrew calendar, Sub-Editor - Paul Maree “Numbers” as it is comprised of different censuses. JUNE 1 will herald Yom Yerushalayim, the Israeli forces captured the Old City of Ed Co-ordinator - Barry Bilewitz In today’s society, being a number is seen negatively. anniversary of the reunification of Israel’s Jerusalem. This resulted in the reunifica- [email protected] There is a sense that a person is reduced to a statis- capital city, Jerusalem, 44 years ago on June tion of the City of Jerusalem. Senior Reporter - Rita Lewis tic. 7, 1967 after the Six Day War and the estab- Zionist Jews all over the world will cele- [email protected] lishment of Israeli control over the area brate the day with music, dancing, carni- Sports Editor - Jack Milner In a Torah sense, it means that each and every one [email protected] of us has an equal value in the eyes of our Heavenly known as the Old City including the vals, etc. Books Editor - Gwen Podbrey Father. Each of us is precious and beloved. Western Wall of the Temple. In Israel Yom Yerushalayim is a national Arts Editor - Robyn Sassen This is one of the reasons we read the parsha of At the time, the Chief Rabbi of Israel holiday marked by state ceremonies, [email protected] Numbers before Shavuot, the anniversary of the giv- declared the day Yom Yerushalayim (Jeru- parades throughout the cities and memori- Youth Editor - Alison Goldberg ing of the Holy Torah. Here, we are taught the equal- salem Day) and instructed it to be a minor al services for soldiers who died in the bat- [email protected] ity and value of each and every Jew. For our Holy religious holiday - as a way of thanking G-d tle to retake the city from enemy occupa- Cape Town correspondent Sages teach that if even one of our nation was miss- for the repossession of the city and for tion. Moira Schneider: 021-794-4206 answering the 2 000-year-old prayer of “Next The original destruction of Jerusalem Pretoria correspondent ing, Hashem would not have given our people His Diane Wolfson: 082-707-9471 Holy Torah. Year in Jerusalem” – words which are still was a watershed event in Jewish history Manager: Distribution In contrast, we hear today of how many of our sung at certain celebrations and festivals. that began thousands of years of mourning Britt Landsman young people we are losing to intermarriage - how The City of Jerusalem was divided after - therefore it follows that its reunification [email protected] many simply disregard their heritage. The essence Israel had declared its independence in should be a joyous event for Zionist Jews Sales Executives - (011) 023-8160 of the problem seems to be that there is little feeling 1948, when it was attacked by five neigh- and Israelis to be celebrated the world over. Britt Landsman: 082-292-9520 bouring Arab countries, resulting in what In South Africa too, Jews will celebrate Manuela Bernstein: 082-951-3838 of being part of a chain of Judaism. There is little Murray Schoeman: 083-627-6670 fostering of pride in our history and traditions. was known as the Arab-Israeli War. throughout the country. Freelance Sales Executive Instead of lamenting the situation, perhaps we At the end of this war, Israeli forces con- At Beyachad in Johannesburg, WIZO has Marlene Bilewitz: 083-475-0288 need to show each individual how important and trolled most of the city, but East Jerusalem, organised a fundraiser as part of their Classified Sales valuable they are to us - how each plays a unique including the Old City, was controlled by Fortnightly Forum, comprising an “Israeli [email protected] part in contributing to our people as a whole. Jordanian forces. Breakfast” and a morning’s entertainment. Design and layout Perhaps then, the same young people would feel dif- The Old City was important for strategic Rabbi Dovid Hazdan of Great Park Shul, Frankie Matthysen will speak on Jerusalem, while the Salon Nicole Cook ferently. Perhaps then, they would feel that their and religious reasons, as many sites of reli- Website decisions have more serious consequences. gious importance are in this part of the city, Soiree Girls, Patricia Flaum, Helen www.sajewishreport.co.za There is an old adage that you get what you including the Dome of the Rock and the al- Heldenmuth and Ros Bassarabie, will give Ilan Ossendryver expect. The same may be said of people. Our percep- Aqsa Mosque; the Temple Mount, (Kotel or their particular take on “Stones of IC-Creations tions and belief in people can have a significant Western Wall) of the Temple; and the Jerusalem”. [email protected] Church of the Holy Sepulchre – catering for Appearing will also be singers Mark Subscription enquiries effect on the way they behave. Avusa Publishing (Pty) Ltd This is even more pertinent when parents, teach- Jews, Muslims as well as Christians. Samowitz and Lindi Brest. Tel: 0860-13-2652 ers, peers and friends interact. A teacher may decide BOARD OF DIRECTORS that a particular student is incapable of being edu- KASHRUT NOTICE Howard Feldman (Chairman), Issie Kirsh cated. In turn, they may write him/her off as being ‘RETAIL SIZE’ MRS BALLS NOW KOSHER (Deputy Chairman), Stan Kaplan, Marlene unworthy of attention. As a result, these children Bethlehem, Russell Gaddin, Mrs Balls Chutney in retail size contain- logo. Norman Lowenthal, Bertie begin to live up to those expectations and create self- ers is now Kosher. The following varieties are included: Lubner, Benjy Porter, Herby fulfilling prophecies. In an “important note” to the community, • Mrs Balls Chilli Chutney Rosenberg, Howard I met an individual who, throughout his school the Johannesburg Beth Din says that “as • Mrs Balls Extra Hot Chutney Sackstein, Jason Valkin. years, was considered a nebbish. He had learning this product has a long shelf life, there is • Mrs Balls Hot Chutney difficulties and was often either told so, or just still stock of the previous non-kosher • Mrs Balls Lite Hot & Spicy Chutney KASHRUT ignored. As an adult he became a successful busi- product on store shelves”. • Mrs Balls Lite Mild & Fruity Chutney The following symbols will appear on nessman. Unilever will be printing the Beth Din • Mrs Balls Original Chutney advertisements and/or advertising fea- It would have seemed that his outcome would have logo on the labels of the new kosher stock, • Mrs Balls Peach Chutney tures to indicate whether or not they are been the opposite. He told me that it took a grade 7 kosher. Where no Kashrut mark appears but only after their existing supply of • Mrs Balls Tomato Chutney on an advert, the Jewish Report teacher to make him believe in himself. That teacher labels has run out, which is approximate- The Beth Din’s kashrut department says assumes no responsibility for the kept reminding him that he was created in G-d’s ly in four months’ time. other varieties may be added in due course. Kashrut status of that establishment or image. As a result he was special. He learnt to “In the interim, the new kosher stock of “The above applies only to the South advertiser: believe that he was valuable. He learnt to believe Mrs Balls Chutney may be identified by African market. Mrs Balls Chutney made NK Non-Kosher K Kosher that he had something to contribute - and so he did. the ‘best before date’ appearing on the con- for export is not included in the above. Where no symbols appear, consult the We need to take to heart this lesson and under- tainer. The “best before date” on kosher “Kosher Certification of Mrs Balls Beth Din Kosher Guide or contact the stand that G-d believes in each individual - that we Mrs Balls Chutney must be: On glass bot- Chutney has taken many months of hard advertiser. each have a part to play. May we all achieve our tles from February 2013 and later and on work and we wish to thank Unilever for potential and thereby know brocha and blessing. Advertisements and editorial copy from plastic jars from July 2012 and later. their willingness to meet our require- outside sources do not neccessarily reflect Amen. Kosher Mrs Balls Chutney in catering ments and also the Beth Din technical and the views of the editors and staff. size containers already bears the Beth Din rabbinic team for their efforts.”

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

“Extraordinary Service Extraordinary Trust” PERCELIA ESTATE/HIGHLANDS NORTH BOOM! HIGHLANDS NORTH PROPERTY FOR SALE SYDENHAM: 4 beds, 1 1/2 baths, eat-in kitchen, garden and more. R1 050 000 GLENHAZEL: 4 bed, 2 bath, 2nd house cottage 2 bed, large stand, pool and more. R2,2 mil. GLENHAZEL/VIEW CREST: 3/4 bed, new modern cluster with pool, garden, garage, staff accom and more. NEW RELEASE ON SHOW: SUNDAY 2-5 PM R2,4 mil. 4 recep, 4 bed, 2 bath, guest loo, new mod kitchen, staff room 11TH AVENUE: 3 recep, large eat-in kitchen, 3 bed, 1 full ORCHARDS DEVELOPMENT: simplex and duplexes, or convert to cottage, garage, secure inside parking, security, bath, staff accom, garden, secure inside parking and more. small secure central complex. R4 mil. pool and feature patio - Inviting buyers at R2,2 mil. R750 000. GLENHAZEL: 4 bed, 2 bath, 3 recep, large pretty ORANGE GROVE SANDRINGHAM stand and more. R2,2 mil. ROUXVILLE: 4 bed, 3 recep, 3 baths, garden, staff accom and more. R2,2 mil. FAIRMOUNT: 4 bed, 2 bath, 3 recep, garden cluster and more. R2,8 mil. GRESSWOLD: 2 bed, 2 bath, simplex apartment. ON SHOW: SUNDAY 2 - 5 PM From R600 000. Julia Street. Elegant, opulent, modern, secure family home. ON SHOW: SUNDAY 2-5 PM VIEW BY APPOINTMENT LYNDHURST: 2 bed, 1 bath, duplex apartment. 4/5 grand receptions with executive study/library, state-of-the-art modern eat-in kitchens, 1 meat, 1 milk, 4 spacious, private, bedrooms suites, all with own full bathrooms, main bedroom with 13TH STREET: 3 recep, eat-in kitchen, 3 bed, 2 bath, pretty 3 recep, large kitchen, 3 bed, 1 1/2 bath, large pretty gar- From R600 000. additional lounge, walk-in dressing room and more. Flowing indoor/outdoor living, garden and indoor heated swimming pool, staff suite and guest cottage, security features and so much more. garden, pool, cottage, secure inside parking and more. dens, pool, secure inside parking, cottage and much more. ROUXVILLE: 2 bed, 2 bath, simplex apartment. Offering +_ 800 metres under cover on +- 1 685 square metres. Top notch finishes, inviting buyers in the late R8 mil. From R850 000. From R999 000. We have offers - hurry! From R700 000. WELCOME TO SARAH SILVERSTONE WHO BRINGS YEARS OF PROPERTY EXPERIENCE WITH HER. SARAH WILL BE HANDLING ALL PROPERTIES IN SANDOWN, MORNINGSIDE & SURROUNDS. CALL SARAH NOW FOR ALL YOUR PROPERTY REQUIREMENTS: 082-872-9450. WE ARE NOW SERVICING SANDOWN, MORNINGSIDE & SURROUNDS. CALL TO LIST WITH STAMELMAN PROPERTIES TODAY! 27 May - 03 June 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 3 Na’eem Jeenah deemed a security risk by Israel ALISON GOLDBERG Shaath, senior member of the PA and Fatah, also Dr Joel Fishman of the ISRAEL’S REFUSAL to allow Na’eem Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs Jeenah, director of the Afro-Middle and Fishman’s son Shamai, who, like East Centre, (pictured) to enter the Jeenah, is doing research for his own country last Tuesday, has raised PhD on jurisprudence in Muslim questions. minorities in different countries. Procedurally he was treated no differently He also was to meet Orna Kohn of an to anyone “not allowed into the country for Israeli human rights organisation in Haifa security reasons”, Israeli Deputy Chief of called Adalah, which includes Arabs and Mission Ya’acov Finkelstein said. Jews. On air twice since he arrived back in Apart from these interviews, South South Africa – on SAfm and on Cape Talk - African Ambassador to Israel Ismail Co- Jeenah said he had been treated civilly by ovadia, who was to provide accommodation Israeli airport security officials in 2009 when for Jeenah, had arranged meetings for him. he had been allowed into the country. Jeenah explained to Jewish Report that he Finkelstein said an Israel Foreign was not in favour of boycotting individual Ministry official during the questioning last Israeli academics. He said he had been a sup- Tuesday, ensured the rights and honour porter of the BDS campaign against Israeli were also respected of the SA diplomatic academic institutions. official sent to fetch Jeenah from the airport. His articles, equating Israel with apart- Jeenah says this was not the case; that he heid South Africa, date back to 2002. He did was humiliated in front of a few people. not sign the recent petition circulated by the The only statement the Department of University of Johannesburg’s Petition Com- International Relations and Co-operation mittee which sought to institute a complete made according to the Minister’s spokes- academic boycott of Ben-Gurion University. man, Clayton Monyela, was that the SA Asked if the Israeli Embassy had received Embassy in Tel Aviv had provided Jeenah any complaints from the South African with consular support. The ticket change Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the was arranged by Israeli authorities for his Jeenah incident, Finkelstein said the return. embassy had “open channels” with it. Jeenah’s history in the Boycott, Divest- Jeenah said his position “is the support of ment and Sanctions campaign against Israel the rights of the Palestinian people to self- is a long one, so too his equation in his writ- determination, not any particular Pales- ings of Israel with apartheid South Africa. tinian organisation, neither Hamas or Given Israel’s concern over the spread of Fatah”. He added that he had never support- the Arab Spring - the subject of Jeenah’s ed the idea that civilians were legitimate tar- intended research in the country - Israel has gets, neither in the SA anti-apartheid strug- reason to exercise vigilance. gle, nor in the Palestinian one. It also views as a provocation the planned Asked what song he sang in the eighties aid convoy through Africa and a flotilla by about “beating up whites”, mentioned in a UJ South African Muslims to Gaza in conjunc- seminar last week, he said “Shaya Mabunu”. tion with another Turkish “peace flotilla”, to He denied the intention of this song was to arrive at the same time in August. incite the physical beating up of whites, but These flotillas and convoy are to com- rather to end white privilege and the memorate the first anniversary of the last apartheid system. He said that today that song Turkish flotilla, which ended in bloodshed would have an entirely different meaning. with nine Turks dead. Finkelstein said contrary to reports that Jeenah’s own words reveal his own vari- Jeenah had been stripped of his passport ous positions: He said the questioning at the and belongings when the Israeli government airport entailed a 10-hour ordeal, a body and refused him entry into the country last bag search, as well as being locked up in a week, Jeenah’s belongings and passport had cell. accompanied him on his return to South The purpose of his trip, he said, was to Africa via Turkey, though they had been research the impact of Arab uprisings on held separately, as per security procedures. the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. They were returned to Jeenah on his arrival Jeenah was going to interview Nabil in Johannesburg. (See page 8) Arrest of Strauss-Kahn shakes France’s Jews DEVORAH LAUTER initials, DSK - has been outspoken about his PARIS Jewish identity in a country where politi- cians typically are mum about their religion. SHOCK WAVES continue to ripple through- He also has expressed feelings of attach- out France as Dominique Strauss-Kahn, ment to Israel in the past, all the while main- considered the likely Socialist Party candi- taining a measured distance from actively date to challenge President Nicolas Sarkozy participating in Jewish institutions, accord- in French presidential elections next year, is ing to Jewish leaders. out on $1 million bail and $5 million surety While some are concerned that the inci- under house arrest in New York. He is dent could unleash anti-Semitic sentiment charged with sexual assault. in France, Marc Knobel, a researcher at the Last Saturday’s arrest of Strauss-Kahn French Jewish umbrella group CRIF, said he appears to significantly change the political had not found any significant reference to playing field in France, as some recent polls Strauss-Kahn’s religion. had showed that the 62-year-old head of the On the contrary, “everybody knew he was International Monetary Fund - he has since Jewish, and that didn’t prevent him from relinquished that position - was the most being the most popular candidate in popular among those considered to be possi- France,” said Richard Prasquier, the presi- ble presidential contenders. dent of CRIF. “And that says something It also represents a particularly harsh blow about France. Today we find it completely for many in France’s Jewish community. normal that a Jew can become president.” Strauss-Kahn - popularly known by his (JTA) 4 SA JEWISH REPORT 27 May - 03 June 2011 Young Adults Lag B’Omer bash pulls them in OWN CORRESPONDENT Corporate Cafe premises in around a bonfire. Rabbi Yehuda PHOTOGRAPH SUPPLIED Illovo, with more than 200 young Stern, who heads-up the Young adults from all over Adults activities at Sydenham SYDENHAM SHUL’S Friday Johannesburg participating. Shul, shared a few words about Night Club for Young Adults, Everyone enjoyed a delicious the significance of the bonfire hosted a Lag B’Omer bash at the braai while keeping warm to Lag B’Omer. Then the young people were entertained by International comedian and Chaiyanu’s Children with members of Sandton Synagogue - “one big magician, “Magic Man”. happy family”. (PHOTOGRAPH SUPPLIED) The Friday Night Club will be hosting a Young Adults Friday Night Dinner on June 24, with guest speaker Redi Thlabi of Chaiyanu children Radio 702. • For more details contact Sydenham Shul on (011) 640- enjoy Shabbos of a 5021. Danit Herr; Bat Sheva Hadar; Devora Miller; David lifetime in Sandton Abramowitz; and Rebbetzen Estee Stern from Sydenham YAAKOV PINSKY Siddur and then to show them the Shul, at the Friday Night Club. DIRECTOR OF CHAIYANU place. As I as watched them, one of them began to point to the words THE WEEKEND of May 13 will go for the other and their lips began down as an unforgettable one to move ever so slightly. Hypnotist and bonfire raise when congregants of Sandton After the service, I relayed the Shul hosted 18 medically fragile incident to Chazzan Alter and his Chaiyanu children (children with eyes filled with tears of deep emo- cancer) plus 12 staff from Israel, in tion. Pretoria’s temperature eight different homes for Shabbos As everyone entered the shul STORY AND PHOTOGRAPH BY DIANE WOLFSON in Sandton. the next morning, the hosts PRETORIA Chaiyanu is the Israeli division escorted their “adopted family of Chai Lifeline, a non-profit members” down the aisle, testimo- THE PRETORIA Jewish community and a number of vis- organisation dedicated to meeting ny to all present that the impact of itors from Johannesburg came out in great numbers to the non-medical needs of serious- the Chaiyanu children was mani- celebrate Lag B’Omer at the Pretoria Hebrew Con- ly ill children, their families, and fold. gregation campus at the weekend. communities. Chaiyanu’s mission The Sandton Shul kids After a delicious supper, Chris the Hypnotist, who, is to do whatever it takes to ease embraced the Chaiyanu kids and together with members of the community, entertained the burden of serious paediatric all barriers began to dissolve into the audience as his subjects performed under his spell. illness by providing social, emo- a group of Jewish souls who had Soup was then served outside when the bonfire was lit tional, psychosocial, and even come together for a Jewish cause. and entertainment was provided by Dov Kazilsky, Dean financial help to families. After davening, we heard fasci- Witz, Dovi Wolfson and Rabbi Levi Medalie. Its services are available to any nating stories about what each An iPad 2 was raffled, with the lucky winner being Jewish child and his or her family. Chaiyanu child was going Oscar Sher. Although Chaiyanu is best through. One of the hosts told the known as a cancer support organ- group that David (a 15-year-old isation, it helps children suffering with cancer) had opened up to The choir, Dov Kazilsky; Dean Witz; Dovi Wolfson; from any life-threatening illness. them about everything, including Rabbi Levi Medalie; and Joshua Goodman, keeping an The Chaiyanu children were the news that two days before the eye on the fire. brought to South Africa recently Chaiyanu “Hope Tour” trip to through the generosity of an South Africa, the doctors had the residents’ singing of ‘Nkosi anonymous benefactor. informed him that the medical Sandringham Gardens Sikeleli’. Chief Revenue Officer, The Sandton hosts to the chil- world had nothing to offer him and Saul Tomson, raised the Chevrah dren who came on what was that the 13 tumours on and in his Kadisha flag while Sandringham known as “The South African brain were untreatable… Gardens’ resident and ex-Israeli Experience”, were standing in the The davening, singing and danc- honours Israel serviceman, Simon Chilchik, parking lot of the shul to escort ing were just the remedy needed to ROBYN SHAPIRO Fifty per cent of the frail-care raised the Israeli flag to the the children home with them, and uplift the children’s spirits. One of PHOTOGRAPHS: KAY GOVENDER residents were able to attend, singing of ‘Hatikvah’. “The event the excitement felt by all was pal- the Chaiyanu children has such a along with 20 residents from Our was very emotional, especially pable. The hosts quickly managed severe form of cancer that he is FOR THE first time ever, Parents Home. The Chevrah during the singing of the to put the kids at ease as the chil- now wheelchair-bound and has lit- Sandringham Gardens hosted Kadisha’s Rabbi Jonathan Fox, anthems,” said Kay Govender, dren piled into the cars to embark tle use of his entire body. an outdoor event in honour of spoke about the day’s signifi- quality assurance manager at on their South African Shabbos Although he is 16 years old, he Yom Ha’atzmaut and Yom cance. The residents were then Sandringham Gardens. “There experience. looks like a 10-year-old. That Yerushalayim. A temporary treated to Israeli and African was a great sense of positivity and But, I don’t think any of us morning, he was lifted up onto the amphitheatre was created to dancing. patriotism that was felt by the re- could have pre-empted how truly bima to get an aliyah and his face accommodate the 300 residents Sandringham Gardens’ general sidents as we were able to connect magnanimous this experience was radiated like he had won a million who attended the flag-raising manager, Ingrid Olmesdahl, to these important days in Israel’s going to be. dollars. The others followed suit at event. raised the South African flag to history”. Cantor Avron Alter and the the bima to receive their aliyahs. choir were ready to kick off an The children and their helpers amazing Shabbos, and as the were treated to a beautiful lunch Chaiyanu children and counsel- at the shul, with each host family lors arrived at shul, the atmos- and Rabbi Samuel Suchard. phere was filled with holy energy, Chaiyanu will not allow cancer an energy that pulses with to prevent these children from “Yiddisher heart”. experiencing a Shabbos like this, The Kabbalat Shabbat service and the Sandton Shul family made began with beautiful voices pene- our dream, their reality! Shabbos trating the soul of every child in of May 14 ensured that in 24 hours the shul, as Carlebach melodies the Sandton Shul family and the inspired and moved us all. Chaiyanu family became “mish- There were two 11-year-old pocha”! It was remarkable to wit- Chaiyanu children who had never ness a relationship form literally Saul Tomson and Simon Chilchik raising the flags Sandringham Gardens’ residents enjoying the prayed before; they asked me for a overnight. to the singing of Hatikvah. Israeli dancing. 27 May - 03 June 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 5 Jewish presence in Johannesburg City Council DAVID SAKS AH and parts of Alexandra), Steven Kruger manifesto, Cooper likewise cited problems like was not personally involved in last week’s (Ward 72: Fairmount and Glenhazel) and Jack electricity failure, potholes and Pikitup (waste elections. EIGHT JEWISH councillors are among the Cooper (Ward 74: Savoy Estate, Waverley, removal) as issues that ward councillors would In Bloom’s view, the modest but signifi- 260 elected to the Johannesburg City Highlands North and Raedene). Mervyn better be able to influence. cant inroads the party made into the black Council in last week’s local government Cirota and Alan Fuchs were elected through A hard-working, hands-on local politician, electorate, as well as the gains made within elections. Of these, seven represent the the Proportional Representation List, as was Cowan has represented the ANC on the the white, coloured and Indian communi- Democratic Alliance and one the ANC. the sole ANC Jewish councillor, Sol Cowan. Council since 1995. ties, shows that it has become the most gen- Several Jewish candidates from both parties Most of the councillors have served at least Bergman’s achievement was especially note- uinely non-racial party in South Africa. narrowly failed to be appointed through the two terms. Taking office for the first time are worthy for the DA because of the large number He says that the ANC, having lost the Proportional Representation List, that is Jack Cooper and Steven Kruger, who replace of poorer black voters in that constituency. argument on service delivery, the main councillors elected according to the percent- two previous Jewish DA councillors, Ray Bergman became active within what was plank of the DA’s platform in the elections, age of the total vote received by their party. Wolder and Shirley Ancer. then the Democratic Party in 1999 and two fell back on playing the race card, and in the Jewish DA councillors who successfully Cirota rejoins the DA after a spell with the years later, aged only 23, was elected as a DA process came across as speaking for the contested specific wards were John Independent Democrats.He has now merged City Councillor. interests primarily of the black population. Mendelsohn (Ward 94: Lonehill, Kyalami. with the DA, contributing to the party’s run- Probably the most senior ranked Jewish Despite this, the DA was able to boost its Beverley Gardens and Fourways), Marcelle away success in the Western Cape. politician in South Africa today is Jack Bloom, support among black voters from one per Ravid (Ward 73: Killarney, Riviera, Norwood Kruger hopes to relaunch regular commu- who was re-appointed as Democratic Alliance cent to around five to six per cent, with par- and Oaklands), Darren Bergman (Ward 32: nity forums to discuss and address specific leader in the Gauteng Legislature in March ticularly encouraging showings in the inner Linbro Park, Lombardy East, Modderfontein problems arising in his ward. In his election this year. Being a provincial representative, he city and Soweto regions.

recognised a “need to understand who ran The Chief Rabbi 2 Jewish faces in CT metropole the city and how it works”. Within six months, he found himself chairman of the MOIRA SCHNEIDER Anstey has always been a political animal, Democratic Alliance in the area. does his duty CAPE TOWN cutting his teeth at the age of 14 when he Anstey’s particular interest is housing, worked for retired veteran politician Colin which he feels is one of the city’s most ERROL ANSTEY and Stuart Diamond Eglin’s 1974 election campaign, putting up pressing problems. RITA LEWIS have been elected to the City of Cape Town posters after school every afternoon. He As a councillor, Diamond hopes to con- Council, the first Jewish candidates to be graduated to being Eglin’s campaign manag- tribute “fresh energy and new ideas. One of CHIEF RABBI Warren elected in the metropole in 12 years. er and then campaign chairman for a num- my big passions is sport and amenities, Goldstein places his Anstey, who has occupied communal ber of elections. upgrading them and giving communities voting papers into the leadership positions for over 20 years, says “Like most whites, I felt marginalised in places to play and meet each other.” collection boxes at his decision to stand in the local govern- the last 15 years,” the Orchards Primary ment elections was motivated partly he explains. “Then, School in Johannesburg. because he felt that “the discourse was last year, I partici- He said it was every- changing, making it more difficult for the pated in two by- one’s moral responsibili- centre to be part of the community” and elections in black ty to go out and cast partly because he needed a new challenge. areas that we won, their vote. “Through Describing his election as “a dream come which was quite your vote you affect the true”, 31-year-old Diamond regards it as “a thrilling.” lives of so many people great honour to be playing a role in shap- Diamond’s inter- by participating in ing Cape Town’s local politics” and an est was sparked in choosing the govern- opportunity to set an example of civic 2009 when he start- ment authorities who involvement, particularly to “young ed the Grass Boots are responsible for the Jewish guys” who have chosen to restrict Football Club in welfare of all South their involvement to communal structures. Vredehoek and Africans.” 6 SA JEWISH REPORT 27 May - 03 June 2011 SOCIAL SCENE COMMUNITY BUZZ by Honey Gluckman: LIONEL SLIER “At school, Sam was called Stanley, as his Rita Lewis [email protected] 082-444-9832, fax: 011-440-0448, mother was concerned that he might be teased by children calling him ‘Sam, Sam, the dirty [email protected] man’. It wasn’t until he left Germiston that he found out that his name was Samuel. BETH HATEFUTSOTH’S VOLUMES “In 1937 the centenary of the Great Trek was celebrated and a procession of ox wagons From Marc Kopman: came down the street where they lived. To mark the occasion, Willow Road was renamed One of the “I see that in a previous issue of The South Voortrekkerstraat. many groups African Jewish Report, Michael Ziman “The following year he and his family moved of people mentions the excellent use he made of the to Kensington in Johannesburg, where he (so far) three volumes published by Beth having fun at went into standard 4 at Leicester Road School. Hatefutsoth on ‘Life in the South African The headmaster was Frank Braun who was the Great Jewish Country Communities’, as a guide well respected in boxing administration. Park “forest”. when travelling in the north-eastern Cape. “Thereafter he went to Jeppe Boys High “Reported by myself previously, accom- School, one of the leading schools in panied by fellow Krugersdorp congregant Johannesburg, modelled by Lord Milner on and friend, Martin Elsas, we had used the the English public school system. same publication as a guide on an “His years there were not very happy - he exploratory trip which included Vryburg, was young and immature. As a result he Kuruman, Calvinia, Clanwilliam, Klaver, achieved only average marks. His sporting Vanrhynsdorp, Upington, Springbok, prowess was also without distinction. While Lambert’s Bay, Nieuwoudtsville and there, one day, he was summoned to the office Kenhardt, to great success, having among of the headmaster who bluntly said: other discoveries ‘cracked’ the ‘mystery’ of “Gluckman, your father has just died. I think the Kenhardt Shul! that you better go home.’ “I also mentioned the value of these fine “His father who was in hospital, had suf- Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein stands with publications when I was interviewed on fered a sudden aneurysm and was buried the Rabbi Dovid Hazdan as he briefly talks “Shooby Doob Shloimy” entertains the Radio ChaiFM last December. next day. Sam was 16 years old.” about the importance of Lag B’Omer. crowd with boys from Torah Academy. “Yasher koach, Michael, glad to read that • Lord Alfred Milner was British Governor there is someone else as interested as I am!” of the Cape Colony and High Commissioner in South Africa from 1897 - 1901. He was governor JOHANNESBURG/DOORNFONTEIN of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony Needy not forgotten in 1901 - ‘05. He is often castigated as being one of From Jack Chernin (England): the fomenters of the Anglo-Boer War, 1899 - 1901. Lag B’Omer celebrations “I have very fond memories of Mrs Hack’s • Sir Julius Jeppe and his brother Carl, were greengrocer shop on the corner of Beit landowners who developed the township, STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY RITA LEWIS organised by Rabbi Dovid Hazdan and his Street and Page Street, Doornfontein. I Jeppestown, on the eastern side of central staff. It was attended by more than 1 000 peo- don’t think that there was anyone who lived Johannesburg. LAG B’OMER celebrations in Johannesburg ple who packed the “forest”, enjoying the in Doornfontein and Bertrams during the seem to increase annually in both number heat from the many blazing braziers – 1940s who did not know of the shop. ALF JAMES THE BOXER and quality - and this year has been no although the night was fortunately not over- “The only shop sign that I can remember exception. ly cold. was above the door and it simply said Alf James died in London in 1993 at the age of Street carnivals, community parades, There were prizes, give-aways, snacks, ‘Hacks’. 81. He was a South African boxing legend. functions for the young at old aged homes, drinks and food - including free hot soup. “The inside of the shop seemed to be a Alfie was born in Pretoria and raised in private celebrations and braais, were the Some 200 blankets were sold to raise permanent shambles. Boxes and bags of Arcadia Jewish Orphanage. He was one of the order of the day, organised by the various money for charity. fruit and vegetables were placed and cleverest and shrewdest tacticians in the shuls and community organisations and The most amazing free entertainment was stacked all over the floor. There was only a pugilistic sport. held in private homes, communal grounds laid on for the children, including “elasti- narrow pathway for customers between all His first coach was Jim Tuner who gained and gardens. cised” springs which allowed children to the produce. Along the walls there were his experience in the bare-knuckle days. Alfie Perhaps the largest and most popular of “jump” some 10 metres or more into the air. troughs for vegetables, which were mainly won his first title as a senior lightweight at 17 these is the one held in the Great Park Shul’s There were four-sided climbing walls filled with potatoes and onions. in (then) Natal. He worked his way to London “forest” on the border of Houghton and which only the really fearless attempted, a “My mother always sent me or my sisters after arriving in Edinburgh with less than two Oaklands. “forest” train for the young ones - and their to buy vegetables at Mrs Hacks. You never pounds in his pocket. Over 15 companies and just under 40 shuls dads - jumping castles, blow-up slides and an knew what to expect from this little old lady In London he had a job as an usher in the generously sponsored the event which was assortment of fun equipment. with hair parted in the middle, wearing a Trocadero in Elephant and Castle. He then Some of the boys of the cast of Shooby long dress almost down to her ankles, flat joined the La Bohemia Club in Mile End Road. Doob Shloimy under the leadership of Mark shoes with rolled down stockings. He won his first fight at the Black Friars Samowitz sang songs written for the show by “She spoke mostly Yiddish. One eye near- against Alf Hayman on January 30, 1938. Helen Heldenmuth – including songs with ly always seemed to be closed and she held In 1939 he joined the Rand Light Infantry messages for everyone like “how to do anything small close to her face. I often and saw service in Egypt. After suffering from mitzvoth”. wondered how much she could actually see. malaria, he returned to South Africa and Rabbi Hazdan welcomed everyone and “She shouted and often cursed the black transferred to the Royal Air Force. thanked all those involved in what he called customers who simply laughed about it. All At the end of the Second World War, in the “the creation and organisation of this won- she seemed to say to any customer, white or late forties, Alfie fought the well-known derful event”. black, was ‘yes’. Laurie Stevens for the SA welterweight title, Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein spoke on “Then she would walk between the obsta- conceding weight. He came out with a well- the wisdom, light and energy of the Torah cles and fetch what you asked for, weigh it fought draw. which could be compared to the fires burn- on a crude set of scales, often tipping the He became South African lightweight cham- ing around them, which gave off light and scales in the customer’s favour. Payment pion in scoring a 12 points lead against Willie Celebrating his birthday on Lag B’Omer is warmth by which we could learn and attain was either placed into an apron pocket or Miller. Near the end of his career he defeated Rabbi Shimon Ben Haim and his wife Sara wisdom. thrown into a bucket near the back door. the slick and scientific George Angelo. Sadly visiting from Israel with Eitan Jacobs. “When my mother went into the shop, to say, he was stopped by Angelo in their next they bargained and spoke to each other in fight in the second round in Salisbury (now Yiddish. She seemed to know my family cir- Harare) which effectively stopped his career. cumstances, especially after my father had His record was 67 fights with a loss of 15. left us. Whenever I was sent alone to buy Over the years Arcadia produced many potatoes, no matter what mood she was in, great boxers. Alf James was, arguably, the she always said to me in Yiddish: ‘Now what best of this wonderful lot. He was the South has your mama sent you for?’ African champion in his weight division and a “My lasting and endearing memories of strong contender for the Empire title. Mrs Hack is of this little lady who had end- less energy, often sweeping the floor, who • Alf taught boxing at Arcadia before lifted bags and boxes of fruit, shouted at Donald Goldman and the Arcadians won customers, but in the end treated everybody many of the boxing tournaments at Parktown fairly.” Boys’ High School in the early 1940s. Driver Prince Khukha takes Lawrence The four “blanket sellers” Sandy Budin; Reprinted with thanks from David Sandler’s JOHANNESBURG Gilbey and his children Rachel, Leah and Sandy Zacharowitz; Cyril Budin; and weekly booklet on Arcadia and Orangia mem- ories. He sends the booklet worldwide to all Devorah for a ride in “his” train. Tandi Kuper. Sam Gluckman, a pharmacist in Hillbrow, former orphanage alumni. 27 May - 03 June 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 7 Jewish community helps Rippon Primary’s greening initiative LAUREN SHAPIRO sive alien plants, including Greening is a core value of the DURBAN Mexican Sunflower, Castor Oil Jewish National Fund. Since its Plant, Balloon Vine, Morning inception over 100 years ago, the MAY 22 was International Day for Glory and Yellow Bells. These JNF has planted over 240 million Biological Biodiversity. It was also plants smother indigenous plants trees. Israel is the only country in Lag B’Omer, a Jewish festival tra- and consume huge amounts of the world to have started the 21st ditionally associated with picnics valuable water. century with more trees than it had and the outdoors. Indeed, there The cuttings will be composted at the start of the 20th century. could not have been a more appro- to nourish the school’s food gar- JNF Durban is the first outside priate day for the Jewish National den. The management of this gar- group to collaborate with the Fund (Durban branch) to partner den is linked to the academic cur- school’s greening initiatives. with Rippon Primary School to riculum and the produce is used to Under acting Principal Jenny “green” the school campus. feed indigent learners and their Timol, Rippon Primary earned the Members of the JNF joined families. The JNF has also planted Eco-Schools Platinum Award last teachers, parents and learners as pawpaw and banana trees to aug- year for six years of commitment they cleared the campus of inva- ment the school’s food garden. to preserving the environment.

Tuesday night between 18:00 and Chai FM scoops up Graeme 19:00 and Sunday mornings between 09:00 and 10:00. “Joffe says there’ll be ‘no more sit- Joffe and Kevin Fine ting on the fence; it’s time for some TWO TOP Jewish broadcasting tal- straight talk in South African ents will be regularly heard on sport’.” The show encourages listen- Johannesburg-based community ers to call in and air their opinions broadcasting station 101.9 Chai FM. while Graeme scrums down with They are well-known personalities administrators, coaches and players. Graeme Joffe and Kevin Fine. On Wednesday, June 1, at 18:00, Joffe, a former CNN presenter, will the Bizcommunity.com and 101.9 host Sportsfire, “a straight shooting, FM Media and Marketing show, no-nonsense sports show that gets to takes to the air, hosted by Fine. the truth behind all the biggest sport- Listeners can tune in on 101.9 FM ing stories,” Chai FM says in a media or stream live on www.chaifm.com. release. The first Sportsfire com- Graeme Joffe. Kevin Fine. 101.9 Chai FM is an “Adult mences on May 31 at 18:00. Contemporary Talk and Music” sta- “Simultaneously, Kevin Fine and biggest marketing platform in the tion that is the collective heartbeat Bizcommunity.com have teamed up country to the airwaves.” of the Jewish community, the as the former 5fm DJ takes the Sportsfire will host Joffe every release avers.

textured visuals, conceptualised by Musical extravaganza that producers Gavin Opert and Linda Starkowitz. Musical director Bryan Schimmel put his distinctive im- encapsulates SAZF activities print on the musical arrangements ON MONDAY evening May 9, the The show linked together many for the war medley as well as for South African Zionist Federation’s of the most significant aspects of Tugendhaft’s beautiful rendition of “Footsteps to the Future 63” musi- Israel. It paid tribute to the men “Avinu Shebashamayim / Bring cal extravaganza at the Lyric and women of the IDF and made an Him Home”. Theatre at Gold Reef City, encapsu- impassioned plea for the release of As a build-up to this triumphant lated the year’s activities in a captured soldier Gilad Shalit. finale, the 47th SAZF “Footsteps to superb production featuring four Host Oshy Tugendhaft shared the Future” Conference in March solo singers, eight backing singers, the stage with internationally presented three outstanding inter- two enchanting youngsters, a full renowned Israeli superstars, Hana- national speakers, an audiovisual orchestra and a memorable display nel Edri, Omri Rotbard and Omri presentation and a superb exhibi- of visual effects. Segal-Rosenzweig, all three of tion of the history of Zionism in whom expressed the South Africa since the turn of the vibrant energy and 20th century. spirit of Israel. The Then there was the moving Yom three have all served Hazikaron ceremony commemo- in the IDF and rating the deaths of so many young Rotbard who holds men and women in the wars to pro- the rank of com- tect and defend the State of Israel. mander, dedicated It was attended by almost 2 000 peo- the song “Im ple and guest speaker Cheryl Ishcacheich” to a Mandel, whose son Daniel was fallen comrade. tragically killed in 2003 during a “Footsteps to the search for wanted terrorists in Future”, the 2011 Nablus, brought home to the audi- theme of the SAZF, ence the reality of her loss and that Omri Segal-Rosenweig; Hananel Edri; and Omri was set against a of many thousands of Israeli par- Rotbard. (PHOTOGRAPH BY ILAN OSSENDRYVER) backdrop of richly ents.

RELOCATION Celebration Sale GARMENTS PRICED FROM R100 OPEN THIS SUNDAY, MAY 29TH 2011 10:00-13:00 CLOSED ON SHABBOS 335 Jan Smuts Avenue Craighall Park Tel: (011) 325-4986 Parking outside store 8 SA JEWISH REPORT 27 May - 03 June 2011 OPINION AND ANALYSIS

FORUM FOR DIVERSE VIEWS Perceptions are as important as facts INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY adheres to long- established standing rules of political protocol. There is something old-worldly about it, based on concepts of honour and mutual respect. The tru- ism that a country has interests, not friends, applies. Even countries that don’t particularly like each other, will behave with mutual “cordiality” and “correctness”. The sense of outrage in the South African gov- ernment regarding Libya’s blatant lies about pho- tographer Anton Hammerl’s well-being - they repeatedly told South Africa he was alive when they knew he had been killed by their own forces - reflects the importance attached to proper proto- col. It goes without saying that governments will sel- dom tell all about any particular incident, but Libya’s cynical lie betrays diplomacy’s very foun- dations. The irony in this case is that South Africa has long had good relations with Libya, based on that country’s support for the ANC during apartheid and beyond. The detention last week at Ben-Gurion International Airport of political activist and aca- demic Na’eem Jeenah, and his subsequent depor- tation back to South Africa, raised a lot of eye- brows, particularly as he had gone to Israel at the invitation of the South African ambassador, who vouched for him. Given Jeenah’s profile as a well- known pro-Palestinian campaigner, this immedi- ately evoked more interest than normal in what lay behind it. Unfortunately, over the years Israel has, per- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the AIPAC Policy Conference on Monday. (PHOTOGRAPH: AIPAC) force, had to introduce very stringent security measures - probably the world’s strictest - to pro- tect airline passengers and local citizens from infiltration of potentially dangerous individuals. For Obama, Netanyahu tensions Understandably, this may be seen in certain instances as draconian and possibly an invasion of personal privacy, even raising the thorny question of “profiling” - where individuals who look a cer- subside, political problems begin tain way receive more attention. Israel in fact cryptically cited “security risk” for refusing RON KAMPEAS substantive differences remain. ing a strong play for Jewish voters in Jeenah entry. WASHINGTON Obama in his speech to AIPAC - in 2012, I can tell you that. We just did an Israel finds itself between a rock and a hard which he elaborated on his May 19 eight-city tour in Florida, and we’re place. Whichever way it goes - not only pertaining THAT ISRAEL problem President Middle East policy speech that drew a going to go back to Florida - we’re not to Jeenah - it is in a no-win situation: too-lax secu- Barack Obama had with Israeli Prime rebuke from Netanyahu - said that the going to leave any stone unturned.” rity is dangerous; too-stringent security potential- Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? Old 1967 lines would form a basis for nego- Democrats pushed back. In a joint ly gives its enemies propaganda ammunition to news. tiations, but ultimately the border meeting Netanyahu had with the smear it with. That Israel problem Obama has with between Israel and a state of Palestine National Jewish Democratic Council Out of necessity, its approach has been to err on Congress? And with his party? would be different. Obama also said and the Republican Jewish Coalition, the side of caution - more stringent security, That’s just beginning. there would be swaps, implying that Representative Debbie Wasserman rather than less. In two successive speeches - one to the the Palestinians would end up with the Schultz (Democrat Florida), chairman In this case, the individual involved happened to American Israel Public Affairs Com- same amount of territory. of the Democratic National Committee, be South African. The South African government, mittee on Monday and another to a joint Netanyahu was determined to get asked Republicans not to make Israel a through its Ministry of International Relations meeting of Congress the following day, across that Israel would determine the campaign issue. and Co-operation, will likely take it up with the Netanyahu had nothing but praise for border. Matt Brooks, the RJC chairman, Israeli government - which is the correct diplomat- the US president. “Israel will be generous on the size of countered in an open letter to ic way to go. The friendly notes struck by the prime a Palestinian state but will be very firm Wasserman Schultz that her call was Newspapers here, including some not intrinsi- minister were all the more remarkable on where we put the border with it,” he tantamount to “stifling debate”. cally anti-Israel, such as Beeld, reacted critically in light of how Republicans - and even told Congress, suggesting that Israel “No one - in either party - whether and negatively towards Israel’s action. It is under- some Democrats - were rushing to ultimately would decide the border. it’s the president of the United States, a standable, because the breach of diplomatic proto- emphasize their differences with Obama “This is an important principle, (that) candidate for president or a rank-and- col sounded very obvious and harsh in the absence on Israel policy. shouldn’t be lost.” file member - should be shielded from of fuller information being available. “Congratulations, Mr President: You Netanyahu also said the issue of criticism if their positions are harmful At the time of us going to press, Israel had yet to got bin Laden,” Netanyahu said at the Palestinian refugees would be resolved to Israel’s well-being,” Brooks said. venture beyond the bland quote, “security risk”, outset of his speech to Congress, to thun- by allowing them to return to a state of Representative Gary Ackerman (De- aside from questions raised by Israeli Deputy derous applause. “Good riddance!” Palestine, and said Jerusalem would mocrat New York), who participated in Chief of Mission in South Africa, Ya’acov It was just one of the many times over remain the united capital of Israel and a meeting featuring Netanyahu and Finkelstein on air on SAfm last Friday, about what two days that Netanyahu was effusive in under Israeli rule. Obama wanted to Jewish lawmakers after the Israeli’s Jeenah wanted to do in Israel. Jeenah had said he his praise for Obama. defer negotiation of both issues until speech to Congress, said that making was there to do “research”. In his speech to AIPAC’s annual policy after determining the borders. Israel a partisan issue would only dam- People who understand Israel’s safety dilemmas conference, the Israeli leader referenced Republicans have made clear that age the Jewish State in the end. He might assume it had good reason for its actions. the unprecedentedly close security rela- they are ready to exploit those differ- credited Netanyahu for “dialing back” But there are others who don’t understand. It tionship under Obama between his ences in targeting Jewish voters and the tension in his speeches, noting his would be in Israel’s interests - generally, and in country and the United States. donors - and that they expected a clear praise in his speech to Congress for this case regarding its cordial diplomatic relations “President Obama has spoken about run given the rapturous reception bipartisan support of Israel. with South Africa - to provide a more detailed his ironclad commitment to Israel’s Netanyahu earned from both parties in “He tried to bring it back and get this explanation beyond the very terse reason given. security,” Netanyahu told AIPAC. “He his congressional appearance. Netan- thing off the table as a football,” Jeenah has stated that in a “10-hour interroga- rightly said that our security co-opera- yahu received more than two dozen Ackerman told JTA. “This should not tion”, he was treated respectfully by the Israelis. tion is unprecedented. He spoke of that standing ovations - reportedly more be a wedge issue; there are huge conse- Let’s reverse the situation: If a person coming to commitment not just in front of AIPAC than Obama did for his most recent quences.” South Africa at the invitation of the Israeli ambas- but in two speeches heard throughout State of the Union. Other Democrats seemed to think the sador was interrogated and turned back at O R the Arab world. And President Obama Reince Priebus, chairman of the better tack toward deflecting the issue Tambo Airport, Israel would be justified in asking has backed those words with deeds.” Republican National Committee, told was to isolate themselves from Obama for an explanation. From the perspective of the In his speech to Congress, Netanyahu JTA that Obama had created an oppor- when it came to Israel. South African media, this demand would be made it sound as if the difference tunity by staking out Middle East poli- Senator Harry Reid (Democrat received sympathetically. between the two leaders that erupted cy that so clearly differentiated from Nevada), the Senate majority leader, Israel would do well to soothe ruffled feathers. last week over 1967 lines, was behind Netanyahu’s. did not mince words in rejecting Without further explanation, this incident will not them. “It’s in our strategic interest as Obama’s prescription for negotiations do its image any good, especially at a time when “As President Obama said, the border Americans to support Israel, and devi- based on the 1967 lines with swaps. the country is being battered constantly by its ene- will be different than the one that exist- ations from that position do not square “No one should set premature mies, including in South Africa. ed on June 4, 1967,” Netanyahu said, out- with voters in our country,” Priebus parameters about the borders, about Unfortunately, in this world, it is often percep- lining his proposal for talks with the said. building, about anything else,” he said tions that call the tune, rather than facts. Palestinians. “That’s what we’re going to be in his speech to AIPAC. Although the two leaders are back to singing from the mountaintops for the The line won a standing ovation. speaking fulsomely about one another, next 17 months. We’re going to be mak- (JTA) 27 May - 03 June 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 9

OPINION AND ANALYSIS - FORUM FOR DIVERSE VIEWS

early 1930s, the SAP and National Party Are Jews returning to politics? merged to form the United Party. In 1959, part of its liberal wing broke away AS A historian, next to large numbers of peo- to form the Progressive Party, which against ple killing each other in a formal military set- the odds (and with a little help from Helen ting, I’ve always had a particular interest in BARBARIC YAWP Suzman), survived and even grew a little. elections. No doubt the common denomina- David Saks In 1977, the PP merged with the Reform tor of confrontation on a large scale has Party, another recent UP breakaway, to form something to do with that. what in due course became the Progressive Being somewhat literal and linear in my Federal Party. This, following more mergers, thinking, I prefer dealing with black-and- the Congress of the People breakaway, while was renamed the Democratic Party in 1989. white certainties - success and failure, win- the DA grew to just under 17 per cent. Finally, the DA came into being when the DP ners and losers and lots of juicy statistics. In the latest poll, these trends continued. and NNP went into a short-lived partnership. War and elections provide this in abundance. Despite the many votes it picked up at the Thus, one can trace the DA’s genesis back a South Africa’s post-1994 elections, even expense of the apparently moribund IFP full century, making it in this sense marginal- though the overall winner has always been a and the wretchedly disappointing Cope, the ly older even than the ANC. foregone conclusion, have provided much of ANC dropped a further two to three percent- The DA’s survival and latter-day growth is interest for compulsive election watchers. age points. The DA, by contrast, surged into surely one of political liberalism’s most The primary issue at stake has been whether the big leagues, transforming itself from remarkable triumphs. Time and again, its the ANC succeeds in becoming an unchal- feisty lightweights to serious long-term chal- opponents have scornfully written its epitaph, lenged and unchallengeable African super- lengers. but it has hung in there while its once all-pow- party or whether a tradition of effective polit- Once, President Thabo Mbeki could con- erful rivals have successively bitten the dust. ical opposition is allowed to develop. temptuously dismiss the DA as a “Mickey Nothing is inevitable in politics, however. In It is always a bad sign when the ruling Mouse party”, and even (then) party leader breaking into the big league, the DA has also party receives (apparently) almost unani- Tony Leon’s rejoinder that Mbeki was head- made itself more vulnerable to predatory mous support. At its height, Zimbabwe’s ing up a “Goofy government” could not alto- career politicians looking to advance them- Zanu-PF was capturing well over 90 per cent gether remove the sting from that taunt. selves as well as increased internal dissent of the vote; only when the country’s economy Now, things are looking quite a bit different. now the stakes are so much higher. It remains was in free fall did a credible opposition belat- Over the past 17 years, only the DA has to be seen whether Helen Zille and her team edly emerge. By then it was much too late. registered consistent growth. In 1994, just can negotiate these inevitable pitfalls. With the ignominious disintegration of the one in 50 voters supported it. In the next The DA and all its post-1910 ancestors - the New National Party and progressive decline three national elections - 1999, 2004 and 2009 SAP, UP, PP, PFP, DP - have always attracted of the Inkatha Freedom Party, it looked at - it progressively improved this share to one the majority of Jewish support. With the ex- one time very much like the former scenario in 10, one in eight and one in six. ception of the small Labour Party, where was developing in South Africa. In 2004, the Now, according to the latest results, one in Jews were also heavi- ANC gained 70 per cent of the vote, to the 12,5 four South Africans supports the DA, and if ly involved up until per cent of its closest challenger, the DA. it can build on the modest inroads it has its eventual demise in This was nearly eight per cent up from its made into the black electorate, who knows the late 1950s, Jewish performance in the inaugural non-racial what the future may bring? votes were mainly elections a decade previously. Something especially interesting about cast for these parties. Moreover, there was a possibility the DA the DA is that it is the only political party in This was undoubt- had peaked. It was still very much perceived South Africa that can trace its origins all the edly the case this as the “white” party, and now that around 90 way back to unification in 1910. It all started time round as well. per cent of white voters were supporting it, with the South African Party, which won the Jewish political in- its growth potential seemed limited to the elections of that year. volvement has been a even smaller coloured and Indian minorities. Over the next 100 years, there would be bit dormant since Since then, things have changed rather various breakaways, mergers and name 1994, but perhaps the dramatically. In 2009, support for the ANC changes. New parties were spawned, were DA’s latest surge may slipped back to 66 per cent, mainly because of active for a time and then disappeared. In the help to rekindle it. 10 SA JEWISH REPORT 27 May - 03 June 2011 ARTS MATTERS TAPESTRY COMPILED BY ROBYN SASSEN ART, BOOKS, DANCE, FILM, THEATRE Call 084-319-7844 or [email protected] at least one week prior to publication About the joy of creating beautiful things Adler Museum of Exhibition: “Alan Crump: A Fearless Vision” Medicine, Parktown: (Johannesburg Art Gallery, (011) 725-3130) “Reflect”, an exhibition by Curator: Federico Freschi Elaine Hirschowitz, until Until: June 12 July 11, (011) 717-2067. REVIEWED BY ROBYN SASSEN Fugard Theatre, District Six: Athol Fugard’s THE BID to tread softly in the wake of an absent “Birdwatchers”, directed by giant is palpable in this dignified exhibition. Fugard, until June 4, (021) Crump was many things: facilitator, teacher, 461-4554. leader, innovator. His identity as a watercolourist HOD Centre, Orchards: In has not been prominently celebrated - until now. the Banquet Hall, on May In this collection of close to 100 works, drawn 29, the Jewish Guild from public and private collections, one gets Orchestra performs under insight into one of South Africa’s most potent, the baton of Prof Brian least exposed artists. Buch, (011) 640-3017. Crump came into his own in the early 1970s. He read for a Master’s degree at the University of Johannesburg Art Cape Town, and another under a Fulbright scho- Gallery, Johannesburg: larship at UCLA. Trained in sculpture and as a “A fearless vision”, major studio assistant for performance artist Vito retrospective of the late Acconci and sculptor Richard Serra, he grew into Alan Crump, curated by an exemplary product of the late modernist era Federico Freschi, until June that these men were heir to. And his early work 12, (011) 726-3130. was similarly obscure and self-indulgent. Freschi doesn’t shy away from showing this Alan Crump’s The Mine (1997), watercolour on paper. Collection: Johannesburg Art Gallery. Joburg Theatre Complex, element of Crump’s work. Witnessing his trans- (PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN HODGKISS) Braamfontein: In the formation from a self-concerned young man, Nelson Mandela, SA Ballet playing with the idea of “de-skilled” art, to one selves. around it. Crump also knew how to layer water- Theatre, performs “Romeo indulging with utmost intelligence, in water- You might think watercolour and think wishy- colour without scumming the colours, attaining and Juliet”, May 27 - June colours belying the nature of the medium, some- washy colouration, or small, neat, tight work. gentle robustness. 19, (011) 877-6898. times even belying the nature of the subject, is Crump’s pieces are large. They’re formidable in You can visit this exhibition again and again, like a refreshing long cold glass of water on a hot their colour saturation. They’re engagingly wild without it becoming tired. Each mature work Linder Auditorium, day. and they’ll knock the wind from you in their grabs you with its luscious sense of self-belief. Parktown: On June 1 and 2, Crump’s works begin with clear subjects and sense of fearless engagement with the beauty of The works are not shown chronologically, but JPO plays De Falla’s “Three lose themselves in the utter and simple joy of the world - even if it be beauty seen through the flow through six majestic rooms of the gallery. A Cornered Hat”, Prokofiev’s making marks on a sheet of paper, of making wreck of a burned down Grahamstown beautifully fitting celebration of a true giant Second Violin Concerto and colours balance and flow, be transparent and Foundation monument in 1994, or the horror of whose absence - he passed away on May 1, 2009 - Mozart’s Symphony No 39. opaque; the joy of creating beautiful things. amputated trees. remains indelible. Conductor: Bernhard In the show’s catalogue you can read theories Crump’s markmaking is an unequivocal indi- • “Alan Crump: A Fearless Vision” is one of the Gueller; soloist Avigail pinning Crump’s work to politics; they’re not cator of his skill in this unforgiving medium. His cornerstone exhibitions of this year’s National Bushakevitz (violin), (011) strictly necessary for full, rich engagement with Eroded Mine Dump (1993) is monumental, fright- Arts Festival in Grahamstown. It will be shown in 789-2733. the finest watercolours you might ever get to see. eningly potent. Come closer: the image is fresh. the city’s Standard Bank Gallery, Albany History What’s necessary is a look at the works them- Each mark breathes with unsoiled white paper Museum, June 30 - July 14. Market Theatre, Newtown, Johannesburg: In the Laager, “A Teacher in the Bushveld”, based on the Jodi Bieber’s glimpses into ‘other worlds’ writings of Herman Charles through my work I can speak a lot about our society and Bosman, performed by STORY AND PHOTOGRAPH BY SUZY BERNSTEIN bring an insight by showing other communities, and David Butler, until June 12. exposing people to a world that they might otherwise not In the Main Theatre, BUBBLING WITH the joy of her success, Jodi Bieber, win- see. I think people whose lives are often very contained, Tshwane Dance Theatre’s ner of the prestigious World Press photo award, spoke to are curious and interested in seeing glimpses into other “15 Mins of Fame”, until the SA Jewish Report, after receiving the coveted prize in worlds.” June 5, featuring Leigh Amsterdam earlier this month and before jetting off to She sees one of her roles as a photographer as breaking Novis, (011) 832-1641. Russia - one of the numerous countries she will travel to as the recipient of the award. stereotypes. At the same time as being patriotic, she wants Montecasino, Fourways: “It’s an amazing acknowledgement of one’s work,” she to use her work to show that “what you see is not always In the Studio, “Love, Loss reflects on the award. “I am also using it as a platform for what you get”. and What I Wore” until the benefit of people who are very much a part of my life. Where the media can only accommodate a certain June 12, (011) 510-1988. I highlighted the fact that South African photo-journalist amount of information on each country, and therefore for Anton Hammerl was missing in Libya, since April 5, which example, in the worldwide media, South Africa was Old Mutual Theatre on got the international media to write about it. (It has since always lumbered with crime, poverty and HIV statistics; the Square, Sandton: tragically come to light that he was in fact, killed on April very little is shown on the normality that also exists in “Spice and Stuff” by 5). South Africa. This is what Bieber set out to do in her book, Ashwin Singh, directed by “We have also made a limited edition set of Bibi Aisha Soweto, (Jacana, 2010). Themi Venturas, May 31 - prints, and hopefully when people buy these prints the “It shows Soweto as a home; it is not just a dangerous June 11. Friday concerts: money will help Women for Afghan Women, as well as Bibi township with dusty roads. I tried to shift a perspective on Philip Coetzee and Morné Aisha directly. a community, on a place where so many people live. It was van Heerden (clarinets) and “There have only ever been four women to win this in a response to the way people were seeing South Africa. Tinus Botha (piano), May award.” She is proud to be a South African, as well as one I am not taking away that all the other things exist, but 27, (011) 883-8606. of this select group of women. this also exists.” Bieber enjoys inspiring other people. “When you see peo- Bieber’s wish for herself is to be able to continue to Jodi Bieber with her award- Rabbi Cyril Harris ple energised by you having given a talk, it’s inspirational. work on her own projects. “I want to do projects where I winning photograph of Community Centre, “As photographers we are very blessed. We get the grow. I also learn from what I am photographing. I have young mutilated Afghan Oaklands: An exhibition of opportunity to move in different worlds, and I think that the camera and me, and that’s what I need.” woman, Bibi Aisha recent ceramics by David Schlapobersky and Felicity Finland where this thin, pale-faced urchin-like secrets of her own. Potter, May 29 - June 5, (011) FELDMAN girl is shown killing a massive deer with a bow As she nears her ultimate target, Hanna faces 728-8088. and arrow. startling revelations about her own existence and There is no emotion from her, but she does unexpected questions arise about her humanity. Standard Bank Gallery, ON FILM Peter Feldman apologise to the suffering animal that she missed Ronan excels and makes a sympathetic charac- Johannesburg: “Listening its heart and then dispatches it with a bullet. ter throughout, even when she is wreaking havoc. to Distant Thunder”, a Peter She begins cutting up the animal and is sud- Also firing on all cylinders, is the ever-reliable Clarke retrospective, until PICK OF THE WEEK denly attacked by a man coming out of nowhere. Blanchett who sets a new benchmark in icy mal- July 2, (011) 631-1889. This sets the scene for an action thriller with art- ice. Hanna house sensibilities, beautifully filmed and well Blanchett is an enigmatic actress and she has a Theatre on the Bay, acted by its strong cast. way of carving her characters with style and with Camps Bay: “Tuesdays Cast: Cate Blanchett; Eric Bana; Saoirse Ronan Hanna is raised by her father, a former CIA an element of grave menace which she again with Morrie”, directed by Director: Joe Wright man, in total isolation. He teaches her to read brings to bear in her interpretation here. Alan Swerdlow, until June and write and ignites in her a passion for knowl- Her job is to find Hanna and she executes it 11, (021) 438-3301. Young Saoirse Ronan, the palest looking imp you edge. Hanna’s upbringing and training have with a steely determination that makes you Wits University Campus, ever saw, was one of the best things about been one and the same, all geared to making her wince. Braamfontein: In the “Atonement”, which was her breakout film. the perfect killing machine. It’s an edgy film that knows when to turn up the Origins Centre, “Life of Now she raises her profile even further with an The turning point in her adolescence is a pace and, despite a few illogical hiccups in the Bone” an exhibition by Joni exceptionally strong performance in Joe Wright’s sharp one; sent into the world by her father on a telling, director Joe Wright knows how to spin an Brenner, Gerhard Marx and thriller about a young girl named Hanna (Ronan) mission, Hanna journeys stealthily across engrossing yarn. This production certainly Karel Nel until May 31, (011) who is trained by her widowed former CIA father Europe while eluding cunning agents who have marks a significant departure for Wright, who is 717-4700. (Eric Bana) to become a deadly assassin. been instructed to kill her by a ruthless intelli- best known for the period dramas “Pride & The film opens in a bleak, snowy forest in gence operative, Marissa (Cate Blanchett) with Prejudice” and “Atonement”. 27 May - 03 June 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 11

TAPESTRY - ART, BOOKS, DANCE, FILM, THEATRE

“everyone was armed, but nobody as powerbrokers do in Liberia. ruled” and a voice with which to And, again, it is the ordinary mem- Story of memory, mutation articulate the unspeakable. bers of the community who suffer Aspiring towards a university most from this internecine power education, his life has been disrupt- struggle. The replication is com- and 2 countries shadow-boxing ed and scarred by war since early plete. childhood. Along the way, he has The depth of his interviewees’ Little Liberia: An African exported by foreign com- prised of human beings ready to endured betrayals and witnessed pain is apparent when Steinberg Odyssey in New York by panies, for foreign benefit, butcher each other in an orgy of atrocities that chill the reader’s invites the men to read what he has Jonny Steinberg and the Liberian govern- bloodlust, through which decades spine (for example, the sight of written before publishing it. (Jonathan Ball, R200) ment and social elite of poverty and frustration are final- teenage soldiers tearing out the Massaquoi, alarmed at how much living handsomely in ly vented. heart of a victim and sucking it). of his long-repressed war horror REVIEWED BY Monrovia, off a share of So it is not surprising that the Having survived largely by dint has been revealed, objects angrily: GWEN PODBREY the profits, as well as taxes Liberian emigrants living in run- of his manipulative and bargaining “My feelings about these things levied on indigent rural down Park Hill Avenue, New York skills, he has also suffered a gun- are… they are mine. They are for LIBERIA WAS created in villagers. City, have brought with them the shot wound which has left him my use, not yours.” 1822 because the Clearly, something had displacements of their homeland, semi-crippled. In a broader historical sense, one American Colonisation to give. But the “civil war” and continue to act these out in an Then there is Rufus Arkoi, the is struck by the fascinating ironies Society deemed it better which broke out in 1989 is inchoate and inconclusive saga. nominal leader of “Little Liberia” in the troubled relationship for emancipated black something of a misnomer, Their community is a diseased in New York. A gifted tailor who between the USA and Liberia, its slaves to relocate to west Africa to for it was not one conflict, but a pro- organ, transplanted from a necrotic was also intensely involved in foot- Teflon, token state: first there was found a new country, rather than tracted series of them between body into the resistant flesh of an ball in his homeland as a social America, exporting both its fears of spread dissension within its bor- would-be liberators, dominant unwilling host and floundering for empowerment tool, he achieved a abolitionism and the witnesses of ders. tyrants, ambitious insurgents and lack of nutrients. timeous escape from his country its human rights abuses to Liberia, Consequently, the republic has frenzied militias trying to topple a The experience of any exile is and sat out the civil war in a world away in Africa. Then there never enjoyed an authentic histori- regime in which citizens were necessarily one of cultural and America. is Liberia, in turn outsourcing its cal claim to the power struggles of increasingly disempowered. political schizophrenia, but when Now, in Park Hill Avenue, post-war agony and fears back to the rest of our continent, due to its One in 14 Liberians lost their this is compounded by the trauma Massaquoi - the ambitious social the USA. links with the USA, rather than lives in these vicious, ongoing con- of war, interspersed by ethnic rival- activist - and Arkoi perceive each One of Steinberg’s finest works, colonial Europe. flicts, from Charles Taylor’s ries and century-old political griev- other as traitors and renegades in a this is a story of memory, mutation Shortly after its establishment, it attempts to oust President Samuel ances, the effect verges on cata- diaspora which neatly mimics the and two countries furiously shad- became evident that Liberia - far Doe (Liberia’s first head of state) strophic. Surreal in their often tensions of their homeland. ow-boxing, both averting their eyes from being the envisaged democra- using the gunmen of the National anachronistic rivalries, almost Here they spar politically, ideo- to the real injuries being inflicted cy of farmers - was instead a Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL), wholly insulated from the logically and often vindictively, just by their fists behind the lamp. warped imitation of America’s to the Independent National American milieu and unable to Deep South and King Cotton: its Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL, integrate with the USA or resurrect leaders, shunning agriculture as which was later renamed the a functional Liberian identity, these an unpleasant reminder of slavery, Movement for Democracy in emigrants live suspended in a trag- aspired towards trading instead, Liberia (MODEL)). ic time warp. but fashioned themselves as gover- It further mutated into the Using his customary blend of nors residing in grand mansions, United Liberation Movement for reportage and biography, Steinberg wearing white fashions, following Democracy in Liberia (ULIMO), to masterfully and sensitively traces white Southern lifestyles and pre- the intervention of Nigeria’s the backgrounds of this communi- siding over hirelings like white Ecomog peacekeeping forces: at ty’s two most prominent individu- massas and madams. some point, the acronyms, and the als. There is Jacob Massaquoi, who Before long, Liberia had been warlords who exhorted them, blur emerged from the civil war effectively taken over by European and lose meaning. obsessed with “not disappearing” - (primarily German) interests, with All they are is a series of vacu- searching for a sense of personal its resources being mined and ous, makeshift movements com- control over circumstances where 12 SA JEWISH REPORT 27 MAY - 03 JUNE 2011

The Netherlands – rich in Jewish culture

Anne Frank. The Netherlands’ most famous diarist. PHOTOGRAPH: WWW.JONAHPROBELL.COM The Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn had an extraordi- Tulips as far as the eye can see, one of Amsterdam’s most fi nity with the Jewish community of the PHOTOGRAPH BY SHANNON MCALLISTER, narily strong af beautiful clichés. COURTESY WWW.GOAMSTERDAM.ABOUT.COM Netherlands. This is his “The Jewish Bride” (1667). PHOTOGRAPH: WWW.ARTMIGHT.COM

ROBYN SASSEN migrants escaping persecution in other parts of Critics of contemporary Dutch Jewry, including In popular northern Europe. prominent rabbis have condemned these elements JEWISH IDENTITY in the Netherlands is coloured Because most of them were poor, they were less as being more powerful to the decline of Dutch Jewish awareness, largely by the ghoul of communal destruction, but welcome than the members of the Sephardic com- Jewry, as the Holocaust itself. the thought of the it is a place replete with incredible beauty, fascinat- munity. Their arrival threatened the economic sta- During the last few decades, Dutch Jewry has ing history and the same kind of discursive prob- tus of Amsterdam; many were turned away, others become increasingly internationalised. Approxi- Netherlands – and lems as any other Jewish community in the con- subsisted typically as hawkers. mately one in three Dutch Jews today does not have temporary Diaspora. The year 1795 brought the results of the French a Dutch background. The current Jewish popula- Holland in Once a part of the Spanish Empire, the area now Revolution to Holland, including emancipation for tion in Amsterdam is close to 35 000. It is largely a known as the Netherlands became independent the Jews. The National Convention, on September young community; a decade ago, it was estimated particular - conjures in 1581. This was achieved for primarily religious 2, 1796, proclaimed: “No Jew shall be excluded from that 20 per cent was 65 years old or older. reasons - the practice of Protestant Christianity rights or advantages… associated with citizenship Present-day Netherlands has over 150 syna- up Anne Frank, the was expressly forbidden under Spanish rule - and in the Batavian Republic, and which he may desire gogues, 50 of which are functional. The commu- religious tolerance became an important corner- to enjoy.” nity caters for a broad palette of practices, from the 13-year-old Dutch stone of the newly-established country, making it Dutch Jews prospered during the 19th century. Ashkenazi-affi liated Nederlands Israëlitisch Kerk- especially attractive to Jews who were persecuted By the turn of the century, there were 51 000 in genootschap, to the Union of Liberal Synagogues Holocaust victim almost everywhere else. Amsterdam; Jews represented two per cent of the and the Sephardic Portuguese Israelite Religious The Spanish Jews, also known as Sephardim, population. As Amsterdam Jewry grew, its Jews Community, all of which are Orthodox. who quietly and over expelled from Spain and Portugal during the Span- mooted the city “Jerusalem of the West”. There are fi ve kosher hotels near shuls in Am- ish Inquisition had practised Judaism in secret; Between 1830 and 1930, Jews in the Netherlands sterdam. In the city’s suburb of Buitenveldert, ko- two years, while the newly independent Dutch provinces provided increased, according to Dutch census, by 250 per sher food is widely available in kosher restaurants, an ideal opportunity for them to re-establish them- cent, peaking at 154 000 when the Nazis invaded in bakeries, Jewish-Israeli shops, a pizzeria and su- hiding from the selves openly. 1941. Four years later, some 35 000 were left. permarkets with kosher departments. Amsterdam became an important destination of In contrast to many other countries where all The 1978-founded Amstelland Hospital boasts a Nazis with her choice, and a city to which Jews brought trading aspects of Jewry were eradicated by the Shoah, facility unique in Western Europe: Jewish patients value, enhancing commercial relations and politi- a large proportion of records survived, making are cared for according to Orthodox Jewish law in family, wrote the cal role playing. Dutch Jewry’s history unusually well document- a purpose-built wing of the hospital; kosher food is But the Jewish heritage of the Netherlands is not ed. the only type of food available there. world’s most read only Sephardic. Many Ashkenazi Jews were also After the Second World War, the Jewish Dutch The Sinai Centre, Amersfoort is a Jewish psychi- attracted to the newly independent land, by the end community underwent signifi cant changes: emi- atric hospital, primarily for Holocaust survivors. Holocaust diary. of the 17th century. They were mostly displaced gration; low birth rate; high rate of intermarriage. Nowadays, it also provides care for non-Jewish 27 MAY - 03 JUNE 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 13 Ten essential tips when visiting the Netherlands When you go to the Netherlands:

• You need a Schengen visa to visit the Netherlands. The Dutch Embassy is in Pretoria: (012) 425-4500 and the Consulate General is based in Cape Town: (021) 421-5660; a Schengen visa currently costs R577. Windmills in Amsterdam, beautiful and pragmat- • There are no special medical precautions to be taken for travel to the Neth- ic, given the fact that most of the country is below erlands, but the Dutch National Health service does not cover visitors to the The majestic façade of the Joods Historisch sea level. PHOTOGRAPH: WWW.PLANETWARE.COM Museum, located in Amsterdam’s city centre. country. PHOTOGRAPH:WWW.FREEAMSTERDAM.NL • Characterised by cool winters and mild summers, climate in the Netherlands is generally uniform, thanks to its fl at terrain and low elevation, as well as predominately damp, although it’s frequently punctuated with extreme survivors of genocide. television and the radio. In addition to several changes even during the summer season. Changes in the waters of the North Amsterdam has three Jewish schools, one of bi-monthly Jewish magazines, in the Nether- Sea are apt to affect weather in the whole country. The coolest months of the which is haredi in practice. The Chabad com- lands, there are two Jewish weekly newspa- year are January and February; July and August are the warmest. munity in the country comprises 11 rabbis and pers, the Nieuw Israëlitisch Weekblad, with serves about 2 500 Jews. 6 000 subscribers and the Joods Journaal, • Dutch is spoken throughout the Netherlands; close to 90 per cent of people in The fastest growing sector of Dutch Jewry founded in 1997, which has the Israeli Palestin- the country are fl uent in English as well. is the Progressive movement. Introduced by ian confl ict as its primary focus. • The euro is currency in the Netherlands: at the time of going to press, one German-Jewish refugees in the early 1930s, And so we observe an attrition in Dutch Jew- euro will cost you R9,87. nowadays some 3 500 Jews in the Netherlands ry, which historian and columnist Jaap Meijer are linked to one of several Liberal Jewish syn- (1912 - 1993) anticipated. He argued shortly af- • There is no limit on the amount of money one can bring in to the Netherlands, agogues throughout the country, which also ter the Holocaust “there was little to preserve; though it is advised that you bring travellers’ cheques in euros, as this will includes the 1995-founded Beit Ha’Chidush. unless the survivors fi rmed up, little that could save on the cost of changing currencies. A new Liberal synagogue was recently built, be preserved”. neighbouring the old one, in order to accom- In a blog on Dutch Jewry, entitled “At the • Traffi c in the Netherlands is on the right hand side of the road. modate community overfl ow. Back of the Hill”, Meijer’s opinions are support- • Electricity in the Netherlands is 230 volts. Two types of plugs are used: two There are eight youth movements in the ed by an anonymous California-based blogger, fl at-pronged-style plugs and two fl Netherlands today, engaging youth from a full with roots in the Netherlands. “It is not anti- at-pronged style plugs with earth connec- ideological range: from Netzer to Bne Akiwa Semitism that threatens Dutch Jewry, it is a tors on the sides. Holland to Gan Israel Holland, which is affi liat- combination of factors. Integration on the one • You can drink tap water in the Netherlands. ed with Chabad, to CIJO and Haboniem-Drora hand, emigration on the other. Today’s Dutch which have political focuses, not forgetting in- Jew is not a provincial ‘plattelands Jood’, but • The Netherlands is situated in the Central European Time zone, which is the dependent movements like Moos; Ijar, a Jewish an urban, trans-national type, capable of func- same as the time zone in South Africa; the Netherlands does, however, apply student organisation, and Next Step, the youth tioning as well in New York, Tel Aviv, or Paris. daylight saving at the end of March, which is shifted back to CET at the end organisation of Een Ander Joods Geluid The modern Dutch Jew is Dutch by accident, of October. Jews are represented in Dutch media oon ratherr than intent.”

The façade of the Veghel Synagogue, built in 1865. It was deconsecrated at the time of the Holocaust and “Irises” by Vincent van Gogh, one was converted into a domestic house. Today it is a of the Netherlands’ most famous art- shop. PHOTOGRAPH BY EKKI ists, who was spurned and neglected by the art world during his lifetime. Thumbnail knowledge on the Netherlands Ten facts about the Netherlands:

• The Netherlands covers just cover 41 000 square kilometres. • According to its most recent census, the Netherlands is the most densely popu- lated country in Europe, with a population of 16,5 million. • While the government and parliament are based at The Hague, the capital is Am- sterdam. • According to the most recent census, the majority of people living in the Nether- lands do not subscribe to an organised religion. Close to 30 per cent is associated with the Roman Catholic Church. • With the North Sea to the West, the Netherlands is neighboured by Germany in the east and Belgium in the south. • Because much of the Netherlands is actually below sea level - dikes were built in 1602 to address this problem pragmatically - its landscape is characterised by river deltas, sea walls and dunes. • The highest terrain in the Netherlands, rising to the foot of the Ardennes moun- tains, is at 322,7m above sea level. • A founding member of the European Union, the OECD and the World Trade Or- ganisation, the Netherlands’ economy is the 16th largest in the world. 14 SA JEWISH REPORT 27 May - 03 June 2011

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

Guidelines for letters: Letters up to 400 words will get preference. Please provide your full first name Disclaimer: The letters page is intended to provide opportunity for a range of views on any and surname, place of residence, and a daytime contact telephone or cell number. We do not publish let- given topic to be expressed. Opinions articulated in the letters are those of the writers and do not ters under noms de plume. Letters should preferably be e-mailed. Letters may be edited or shortened. necessarily reflect the views of the editor, staff or directors of the Jewish Report

ILAN BARUCH HAS JOINED ISRAEL’S ENEMIES DEBATE AT UJ ON ACADEMIC BOYCOTTS: FACTUAL ERRORS IN GOLDBERG’S REPORT IT IS customary in certain circles, for should have had the courage to IT IS unfortunate that Alison Goldberg’s account of abuses and political oppression, academic institu- sure in diplomatic ones, to refrain express while in office. the debate at UJ (http://www.sajewishreport.- tions become complicit in such practices. I further from commenting on affairs your He now only encourages the ANC co.za/pdf/latest_issue/NJTUE00417.pdf) is full of said that the global links of universities in Israel successor is dealing with. That is government, already anti-Israel, to misrepresentations. Allow me to correct a few of serve to shield the state from justified internation- simple etiquette, and much more join all the other enemies of the these: al criticism, and therefore they become a legiti- than that - if only because one is an Jewish State, to force Israel’s hand. 1. I did not call Israel “Greater Israel” or “Greater mate target for sanctions ambassador for life, for sure when He only resigned “in protest” mere Palestine”. Rather, I argued that after 44 years of 4. Worst distortion of all: I never said that “anything using the “title” of “former ambassa- weeks before he was to retire anyway. occupation, the only meaningful unit of political we do” to undermine Israeli complacency is justi- dor”, like Baruch does. He hands the ANC government analysis is that of the Israeli regime exercising fied. I explicitly excluded armed attacks against His principles suddenly force him ammunition to confront and isolate domination over both sides of the Green Line. Any civilians, and any actions that constitute war to join Israel’s enemies in expressing Israel further. claims about democracy and human rights in crimes or violations of international law. the opinion that Israel should give up Since Baruch wants to continue to Israel must refer to that geographical reality (not Omission of these qualifications borders on libel all land taken in 1967. I wonder why play a role, I would like to suggest to only to pre-1967 Israel, which no longer exists as a and calls for retraction from Ms Goldberg and the he served Israel, became ambassa- him to apply for the position of the distinct entity). I further argued that the Jewish Report. dor, while keeping his mouth shut near-future ambassador in SA... for Palestinian Diaspora (refugees excluded from 5. Goldberg’s claim that boycotts are not peaceful during those 44 years, if he feels so Palestine. They should be the only rights in their homeland) is an essential part of the because Hamas fires rockets at Israeli targets, is strongly about 1967? ones grateful for his input. picture, without which no statement about Israel is incomprehensible. What does UJ or boycott sup- Was he merely milking out his meaningful. porters have to do with rocket attacks from Gaza career? It is my opinion that Baruch Tom Jessurun Lobo 2. I did not say that I favoured the 1948 borders or any or, for that matter, Israeli artillery barrages on misuses his status as former ambas- Camps Bay others. I argued rather that the pre-1948 territory Gaza? sador to South Africa to say things he Cape Town is the overall framework within which a solution 6. This kind of reporting not only distorts the debate must be found, based on principles of individual but potentially constitutes incitement against par- IT’S OFF TO WAR IN AN ARAB SPRING and collective equality. Whether that would be in ticipants in it and a cause for legal action the form of one state, a binational state, two bina- HOW MANY “Arab Springs” was these lies. tional states, and so on, is far less important. Ran Greenstein the democratic State of Israel 3. I did not say that military ties are a reason in itself University of the Witwatersrand offered, only to have to go Mario Rocha Pires for academic boycotts, nor did I call universities an to war to defend itself from Bedfordview elite. Rather, I argued that when universities play If there are any misrepresentations in the article, the an important role in entrenching oppressive rela- Jewish Report will apologise. We are investigating the PROGRAMME ON POLLARD GOES BACK 15 YEARS tions in society, and when they are linked to mili- matter further. Attached below are some comments by IN A march issue of the Jewish now having just turned 92, I have tary forces deeply implicated in human rights our reporter who covered the event - Editor Report, it was stated that the play been unable to continue producing “Pollard” (on the capture and incar- and directing plays. Alison Goldberg responds: ceration of Israeli spy Jonathan In the past, my plays were taken to HAVING CHECKED my notes and listened to a aced in relation to this statement: “Calling the Pollard, still in an American jail) had many suburbs and towns outside of recording of Prof Greenstein’s address at the semi- boycott one of peace,” he said “Anything we do to recently been produced in Pretoria. Johannesburg, including Pretoria, nar, I have the following comments: undermine that complacency is justified.” I attach a programme showing that Krugersdorp, Benoni and Vereenig- 1. Professor Greenstein did refer to Israel as a According to my notes and the recording, Prof (in Jewish Report’s possession - Ed) I ing. Proceeds were donated to “Greater Israel” and a “Greater Palestine”. His Greenstein made such a statement, more specifi- produced this play, in Pretoria as well fundraising for Israel. elucidation of this reference is not a case of cally, “anything we do to undermine that compla- as in Johannesburg, about 15 years For this work, on my retirement I “rather” but he said further… cency is legitimate in my view”. His exclusion of ago. was awarded a golden book certifi- 2. There is no difference between my reference to what does not constitute peaceful means, given I have dedicated my life to telling cate by WIZO for over 60 years of his favouring the 1948 borders and his sentence elsewhere, is welcomed and should be made. the Jewish story in dramatic form service. “the pre-1948 territory is the overall framework 5. I said in two of my articles, accompanying this UJ- through my WIZO group called within which a solution must be found…” BGU debate that there have been rocket attacks on Sadna (Hebrew for workshop). This I Matla Sarkin 3. I did not say “military ties are a reason in itself the south of Israel by Hamas. The first reference was have been doing since the 1940s, but Bramley for academic boycotts”. I quoted Greenstein citing to those on Beersheva, home of Ben-Gurion Uni- three or four conditions when boycotts are called versity. Another series during the debate in South ALAS, THE ‘CELLPHONE DRIVERS’WITH THEIR SHEITELS, for. Military ties and universities belonging to Africa on the south of Israel, resulted in the killing WERE JEWISH elites as per my article, were two of them. Prof of a 16-year-old boy. My point is that more responsi- Greenstein elaborates on this point. It is not a bility should be taken by those singling out Israel for IN REPLY to Zelda J Katz from around the Sandringham Strip and question again of “rather” but that he does and is boycotts, sanctions and divestment, for the possible Petach Tikvah (on how she knew the Freshfellas area) they are Jewish. welcome to elaborate. incitement of Israel’s enemies on the ground. women talking on cellphones while One need not be a rocket scientist 4. The paragraph in my article is specifically pref- 6. There is no reason or intent to distort the debate. driving were Jewish): I would never or brain surgeon to figure that out. make a statement like this if I wasn’t Unfortunately, it is not an outra- KADALIE’S CRITICISM OF TAC IS ‘ILL-CONSIDERED’ sure the ladies in question weren’t geous statement, it is the truth! THANK YOU for reporting on Rhoda Kadalie’s South Africa has the largest anti-retroviral treat- Jewish. attack on Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, ment programme in the world, with a lot of work still It would appear more than evident Ashne Beinart Segal South African democracy, the Treatment Action needing to be done. that, if one is wearing a sheitel or a Milnerton Campaign, Mr Justice Dennis Davis and many other The genius of TAC lay in the fact that uneducated tichel, (more particularly driving Cape Town organisations and individuals, including me. people were workshopped so persistently on the sci- HAVE THE INITIAL DEFENDERS OF GOLDSTONE APOLOGISED YET? I have never had the pleasure of meeting Mrs ence of HIV, that they became citizen-experts, able to Kadalie, although she claims to know me rather inti- stand up to, and defeat, a denialist president and min- THE ISSUANCE of the Goldstone tion of his report. We are thus mately. She recently wrote, as was reported on the ister of health. It is rightly celebrated globally as a Report last year created quite a unaware of the responses in the front page of the Cape Times, that I and others “get a profound example of democratic citizenship. furore in the press, leading to partic- Jewish Report while we were away. hard-on when Israel does anything wrong because The principle of internationalism has seen TAC ularly a frenzy in the Jewish press, However, we were wondering if any Israel gives you a platform for your dwindling strug- organise solidarity protests in regards to the disinte- with a considerable number of furi- of the protagonists of the Goldstone gle reputations”. gration of Zimbabwe and the arrest of activists in ous detractors of the report. Report who wrote in defending him, For the record, I don’t have a struggle reputation, China, among other examples. It is presently mobilis- However, a fair number of well have since had the guts (or temerity) dwindling or otherwise. I was 10 years old when ing support for Dr Houtan Kiyan, the Iranian lawyer known Jews in our community to submit another letter to your read- Nelson Mandela was released from prison and prob- who represented Sakineh Ashtiani, the woman sen- defended the report. (Justice Arthur ers, apologising for their error in ably playing cricket at the time. tenced to death by stoning. Dr Kiyan is being held Chaskalson, Dr Selma Browde, defending him so strongly, again Over the past three years, though, I’ve been work- incommunicado by the Iranian authorities. Justice Dennis Davis, Nathan Gef- using their influential names. ing for an organisation called Equal Education, All serious human rights organisation organise fen, Doron Isaacs, Daniel Mackin- which concerns itself with South Africa’s poor qual- solidarity actions, while keeping 95 per cent of their tosh and others of their ilk. Jack Miller ity and unequal education system, often needing to energy focused on their core business, in TAC’s case, We were visiting family in Toronto Gresswold protest against the same ANC government that the right to health in South Africa. Kadalie should when Goldstone recanted a fair por- Johannesburg Kadalie criticises. In the same Cape Times report know better than to label the exceptional TAC Kadalie urged me to “get a life”, and all I can say is activists as mere “anti-Israel foot soldiers”. MORE ABOUT ‘DISRESPECT’TO JULIA RAJAK that I’m working on it. Kadalie’s own comments in regard to Israel, as I AGREE 100 per cent with Andrew A simple “sorry” or “we apolo- But her attack on the Treatment Action Campaign reported by the Jewish Report, are deeply troubling. Levy regarding the use of surnames gise” by the SAJR would have suf- (TAC) is most ill-considered. This organisation, more She says that the settlers and settlements must be in the article about Mrs Julia Rajak. ficed, before the actual reply. than any other, has educated ordinary people to hold “reigned in”, but not that the military occupation of Even though the writer may not our democratic government accountable. the West Bank must be ended. If she cannot say that, have intended any disrespect, one Cecil Miller When TAC took the South African government all she cannot be considered to seriously support peace. has to be sensitive to the fact that Orange Grove the way to the Constitutional Court, there were just feelings can be hurt. Johannesburg 18 clinics in the country where anti-retroviral medi- Doron Isaacs cines were made available to pregnant women. Today Woodstock, Cape Town AROUND THE WORLD GOOD IDEA THAT ANC COULD BE MIDEAST PEACE CONDUIT NEWS IN BRIEF I SAW the article on page 11 of your May 20 idea with the ANC as a conduit for peace in Israel. edition by Ilan Baruch, former ambassador of As American President Barack Obama said: TEXAS STATE SENATE PASSES MEZUZAH BILL Israel to South Africa, “South Africa has an “Yes we can.” urgent role to play” (in a Middle East peace DALLAS - The Texas state Senate under 25 inches and remain in the process). Steven Fisher has passed a bill that would doorway, according to the Dallas I think you should focus on the ambassador’s Johannesburg require homeowner associations Morning News. to permit religious displays The bill will return to the state FOR THE RECORD on their doors, including mezu- House of Representatives for a zot. wording amendment. THE WOMEN ARE BERYL TOCKER AND CYNTHIA LEVIN Under the bill passed late last In 2008, Florida's state Legis- THE CAPTION on the bottom middle photo of the should have read Beryl Tocker and Cynthia Levin. week, the religious item must be lature passed a similar bill. (JTA) Social Scene in last week’s paper was incorrect. It We regret the error. 27 May - 03 June 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 15 COMMUNITY COLUMNS

ABOVE Another successful election BOARD bolsters SA democracy Zev Krengel, democratic legacy. service to the SAJBD. We knew we National Chairman It makes regular, open elections had found something special when part of the established political cul- we took Alana on, and she more A column of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies ture and comes to be regarded as than fulfilled those expectations. the inalienable right of every citi- She has added enormous value WHILE THE voiceless citizens of zen. The more this culture is nur- to the Board, whether in the diplo- countries throughout Africa and tured, the harder it becomes for matic, NGO, interfaith or research the Middle East continued to agi- authoritarian tendencies to take fields, and represented our com- tate for their democratic rights, root. munity at innumerable public South Africans everywhere came The Jewish community was no events and seminars. together to cast their votes for the less involved in the process than Apart from the consistently fourth local government elections their fellow South Africans, with a excellent quality of her work, and for the eighth time overall since number of its members in Alana’s whole attitude to her posi- 1994. Johannesburg and Cape Town suc- tion has been inspirational. As her Once again, the elections were cessfully standing for office. colleagues will testify, she has been free, fair and, above all, peaceful. It There was a high voter turnout a loyal, committed member of the was also most encouraging to see a in all the areas where Jews are con- team, and in devoting much time voter turnout of close to 60 per cent, centrated, and in this regard Chief and effort to after-hours and week- despite this being only a local elec- Rabbi Warren Goldstein’s call on end functions, has truly gone tion. This percentage poll compares the community to go and vote is beyond the call of duty. favourably with even the world’s much to be welcomed. We congrat- We wish Alana continued suc- most established democracies. ulate all the new Jewish council- cess in everything she does. She Without even referring to the lors and wish them all success in will be taking time off to travel overall outcome, the mere fact that their forthcoming term of office. overseas, and we hope that on her they took place, has firmed up return we will have further oppor- democracy in South Africa. Every An esteemed colleague moves on tunities of working with her. time the people cast their votes, it Alana Baranov leaves us this week serves to strengthen this country’s after three years of distinguished This column is paid for by the SAJBD AROUND THE WORLD NEWS IN BRIEF JOPLIN TORNADO HITS TOWN'S SMALL JEWISH COMMUNITY JOPLIN - At least two Jewish Joplin on Monday night with a list tornado, included two brothers brothers are among the missing of Jewish community members in active in the Jewish community. in the wake of a deadly tornado need or missing and a car full of Some 116 people are confirmed that tore through Joplin, supplies, joining volunteers from dead and dozens are missing fol- Oklahoma. the American Red Cross and local lowing what is being called the Other members of the small disaster agencies, according to second-deadliest tornado in US Jewish community there are in Chabad.org. history. The tornado cut through need of basic supplies, Weg travels to Joplin twice a Joplin last Sunday evening, one of Chabad.org reported late on month to supervise kosher pro- several tornadoes that hit the Monday. duction lines at several food man- Midwest over the weekend due to Rabbi Yehuda Weg, the Tulsa- ufacturers and to meet with the 15 a system of severe thunderstorms based director of Chabad- to 20 Jews living there. He said that also have caused massive Lubavitch of Oklahoma, drove to that those missing following the flooding. (JTA)

SAN FRANCISCO TO PUT CIRCUMCISION BAN ON THE BALLOT SAN FRANCISCO - A measure is 18 years old. The maximum “The Jewish people and spiritu- seeking to ban male circumcision penalty would be a year in jail and ally conscious people all over the will appear on the November ballot a $1 000 fine. Circumcisions would world, will certainly - and have in San Francisco. be permitted only for medical rea- always - risen to the occasion so More than 7 700 signatures from sons, with no religious exemptions. that justice, and the will of the city residents on a petition in sup- Even if the measure passes in A-mighty, will prevail.” port of the measure were approved November, it likely would be chal- The Anti-Defamation League as valid by city officials on May 18. lenged as a constitutional violation and the San Francisco Jewish At least 7168 signatures were of freedom of religion. Community Relations Council required, and more than 12 000 “This is a tradition not only have come out against the propos- were submitted. practised by Jews, but by Muslims al. The measure, which would apply and members of secular society,” Jewish boys traditionally are cir- only in the city of San Francisco, Rabbi Yosef Langer, director of cumcised at eight days of age and would make it a misdemeanour Chabad-Lubavitch of San Fran- Muslims at some time during boy- crime to circumcise a boy before he cisco, said. hood. (JTA) 16 SA JEWISH REPORT 27 May - 03 June 2011

YOUTH TALK Alison Goldberg [email protected] Teaching the young how to defend themselves LAINE WALLDORF viduals practised various self-defence tech- PHOTOGRAPHS: ROBBIE COHEN niques with plastic knives and learnt a num- ber of punching techniques, which they prac- ON THURSDAY, May 19, Jewish youth gath- tised on punching bags. Trainees partnered ered for a Krav Maga self-defence class, up to practise what they were taught. at the Scouts hall on George Avenue, The CSO ensured that participants had a Sandringham. most enjoyable evening, but at the same time The Israel Centre Hagshama Department stressed the importance of this Krav Maga and YAD, worked together with CSO Krav class. Maga instructors, Jeff Miller and Anthony They discussed the necessity of being Segal, to make the community aware of aware of what is going on around one at all these training sessions and encourage more times and how important it is to be able to youth to attend such classes. defend oneself, as well as what to do in order Approximately 22 youngsters filled up to prevent being in those situations. Learners, teachers and parents of Yeshiva College parading the streets of Glenhazel for the hall for a fun-filled evening. To begin Participants had a wonderful evening and Yom Ha’atzmaut. the training a fitness session was held. as expected could feel the after-effects of a Participants had to do push-ups, sit-ups, great workout. These classes will be a regular running on the spot and much more, in weekly event. order to warm up for their intensive • For more information contact Hagshama Yeshiva College celebrates training. Co-ordinator Robbie Cohen on (011) 645-2538 Israel’s 63rd with love and joy The evening was a great success as indi- or [email protected]. OWN CORRESPONDENT yeshiva and Rabbi Laurence Perez, manag- PHOTOGRAPH SUPPLIED ing director of Yeshiva College. The day culminated in a street parade THE ENTIRE Yeshiva College campus, through the streets of Glenhazel. The from playschool through to matric, cele- entire Yeshiva College campus displayed brated Israel’s 63rd birthday on Tuesday their love for and commitment to Eretz May 10. Yisrael. It was an incredible day for all learners - The Yeshiva College learners looked a real Kiddush Hashem, and a tribute to amazing, dressed in blue and white, sport- Yeshiva College and Eretz Yisrael. ing their new Israeli flags and caps, brand- The day began with a wonderful Yom ed with the Yeshiva College logo, Israel Ha’atzmaut davening celebration for learn- Centre logo and Israeli flag. ers from grade R to matric, followed by spe- Leading the parade was a truck playing cial programmes unique to the learners of Israeli-Jewish music, which set the tone for each school. simcha. All learners, parents and teachers then The sight of all these learners was heart- The Krav Maga group. assembled in the parking lot where they warming and provoked a great deal of emo- were addressed by Avrom Krengel, chair- tion. The energy and spirit that emanated man of the South African Zionist from the school, reinforced one of Yeshiva’s Sound fireman’s advice for TA tots Federation, Shimon Shamilla, head of the main core values: the love for and apprecia- Israel Centre, Rabbi Avraham Tanzer, rosh tion of Eretz Yisrael. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPH BY genuine fireman’s gear, Ella Miriam SUZANNE BELLING Salkinder holds up the emergency num- bers, while Shaya Unterslak shows off his “IF YOUR clothes catch fire, don’t run, lie own firefighter’s outfit. down and roll,” Edwin Maskile, station Behind are members of the Johan- commander (Northcliff) of the Johan- nesburg Fire Department (from left) nesburg Fire Department, told the tots at Rhulani Ramaloko, Shakespeare Jele and Torah Academy Nursery School, during a Commander Maskile. demonstration on Friday (May 20) to coincide with Lag B’Omer, when, tra- ditionally, bonfires are lit during festivities. There was much excitement among the children - and the teach- ers - when an authentic fire engine pulled on to the sports field of the school. The children had to practise a fire drill, learn the emergency numbers of the Fire Department - and were allowed to play with the hoses from the fire truck. Camp Kesher Kidz at the Johannesburg Zoo. In the picture Levi von Camp Kesher Kidz strike Zoo Zwiklitz is dressed in in the moonlight A bookish venture for KDVPP learners STORY AND PHOTOGRAPH BY Primary School have been collecting books OWN CORRESPONDENT raderie and camp ruach was re-estab- SHIRA TOLLMAN as a drive to create a school library for the PHOTO BY ZOO TOUR GUIDE, KATE lished at the Zoo, this time with drums, Rashomile Primary School in Diepsloot. The guitars and lots of singing. THE GRADE 4s of King David Victory Park pupils brought in a grand total of 350 story- “‘THE ANIMALS went in two by two, Between verses, the campers jumped off books for this school. hoorah, hoorah...” at the different stops to have a look at the We are very proud No, it wasn’t Noah’s Ark, although it various cages and new enclosures, while to have been part of could well have been. Johannesburg was also learning about the history of the this special book having really strange weather for April - Johannesburg Zoo and the incredible ani- drive, in order to help rain, cold and wind. The campers and mals. other pupils have the madrichim were determined and eager to We watched the tour guides feed the ele- opportunity to read suss out the nocturnal animals, and came phants and bears apples, but had to be and enjoy a wide in hordes to the Johannesburg Zoo for a very quiet and only shine torches on the range of children’s “Moonlight Tour”. animal’s body so as not to frighten them. storybooks. The expedition began with everyone After two hours we reached the educa- Proudly displaying climbing onto the camouflaged vehicles tion centre where a bonfire awaited us and some of the books col- with their friends, chatting excitedly and then we went into the hall for a kosher lected, are Ravi Mas- catching up since the last reunion at le’Pesach supper. There was a brief drosh ter; Gabriella Bogolu- Sydenham pool - a much sunnier and and photo session before everyone reluc- bov; Jessi Wainer; warmer time! tantly climbed back on to the transport to Tamar Moross; Gabriel This did not dampen the spirits of Camp return to the pickup point after an awe- Shapiro; and Chad Kesher Kidz as the warmth of the cama- some camp reunion! Rayd. 27 May - 03 June 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 17 Vandalised ohelim had to be demolished RITA LEWIS was no longer there, it was believed the vagrants would not be returning. FURTHER TO a recent article in the SA He said that suggestions had been made to Jewish Report on sad state of the Brixton put up “unmovable” monuments where the Jewish Cemetery, especially the ohel, Sarah ohelim had stood and perhaps also to place Welham of the Parktown and Westcliff the headstones flat on the ground - as they Heritage Trust contacted the SAJR to say do in European Jewish cemeteries and that both the ohelim (funeral halls) at the already in many Jewish cemeteries in SA. Braamfontein Cemetery as well as the one at He added that they would be prepared to Brixton have been demolished. meet with Welham to see if there was a way Welham said her organisation - which is forward for them, as they were both basical- situated in Parktown and has been running ly working towards the same aim. for some 25 years – aims to preserve heritage The earliest records of the Braamfontein buildings and sites. Cemetery go back to 1888 but Welham’s She, as well as many of her staff and var- organisation has no photos of the actual ious interested members of the public, were ohel at Braamfontein in their archives. “devastated” when they discovered the ohe- She is therefore appealing to any member lim had been demolished. of the general public who might have such A spokesman for the Chevrah Kadisha photos or information, to come forward. confirmed that the badly vandalised ohelim The photos will be well cared for and can had indeed been demolished. be either donated, or loaned for while for The spokesman said that regrettably, very copies to be made for their archives. little had been left in a condition to salvage. • Welham can be contacted on 082-904-4549 On the positive side, now that the building or e-mail [email protected] Oasis in Time - in-depth six-part look at Shabbat DAVID SAKS Oasis in Time is conceived as being “an in-depth look at its mystical, psychologi- ON MAY 16, the Great Park Synagogue in cal, social, and cultural dimensions; what Johannesburg held the first of a six-part Shabbat has to offer in terms of finding course entitled Oasis in Time: “The Gift serenity and transcendence in today’s of Shabbat in a 24/7 World”. ever-changing world”. The course is being given by Rabbi It uses traditional and kabbalistic Shmuel Simpson, assistant rabbi at the sources to reveal profound insights into Great Park Shul, and is held under the the inner meaning and timeless truths of auspices of the Jewish Learning Institute Shabbat, their relevance to the modern (JLI), of which the congregation is an world and how these principles can be official affiliate. applied in achieving a life of inner peace An international adult learning organi- and fulfilment. sation, the JLI has some 300 affiliates and The Oasis in Time course is being held 16 000 students worldwide, including vari- every Monday evening at 19:45 in the ous locations around South Africa. Clive M Beck Auditorium, Great Park Rather than focusing on the technical Synagogue. do’s and do not’s of Shabbat observance, • Visit www.greatpark.co.za. JWBS Morning Market and Book Fair coming up RITA LEWIS Most of the market and especially the Book Fair which has its own room, is under cover. WITH THE onset of winter, the end of the The popular tea garden and lunch venue, Highveld rainy season is in sight and the however, are under the “sunny skies”, thus women of the Jewish Women’s Benevolent the “weather watching”. Thumbs are held Society are starting to anxiously watch the that the weather will be “fair”. skies with the approach of their major • Contact (011) 485-5232. fundraiser, the JWBS Morning Market and Book Fair on Sunday, May 29. This highlight event is held at the Jabula Recreation Centre, Sandringham from around 09:00 until just after lunchtime. It is renowned for its wonderful selection of bric-a-brac, as well as offering kosher cakes, biscuits and deli foods and new and second-hand clothes and toys. 18 SA JEWISH REPORT 27 May - 03 June 2011

WHAT’S ON Barry Bilewitz [email protected]

NOTE: Deadline for all entries is 12:00 on the Friday at a breakfast in the Maroela Room, Sandton Sun at • Stellenbosch Hebrew Congregation has a Friday Friendship Forum for Holocaust survivors, and vol- prior to publication. 07:00 for 07:30. R3 995 for a table of 10. E-mail evening service every week in shul, starting at 18:45. unteer opportunities. Contact Sandra Goldberg [email protected] or call (011) 646-7340 for more Contact (021) 886-5257. (011) 532-9721 for information. Today Friday (May 27) information. • The Yiddish Academy offers weekly basic, intermediate • Don’t miss the opportunity to do a mitzvah. Visit the • UZLC presents DA City Councillor Ray Wolder on • Chazak presents a challah-making demonstration by and advanced classes on Monday evenings at 19:30, Selwyn Segal Shop. Gifts priced from R45. Glassware, “Prospects After the Election”. Michelle Vinokur at Waverley Shul hall at 19:30. Cost Tuesday mornings at 10:30 and Thursday evenings at pewter, silver, white ceramics and Selwyn Segal prod- Sunday (May 29) R100. Phone Becky on 083-377-3789 or Michelle on 19:30 at the RCHCC, Glenhove Road, Houghton. ucts. Phone: (011) 485-1344 or (011) 640-5171. 083-407-4044. Conversational groups. Call Hazel Cohen on (011) 728- • Benarc Gift Shop - Gift presentations for all occasions, • Second Innings hosts Dr Wendy Friedlander on 8088 or e-mail [email protected]. “Cultural Aspects of Psychiatry in South Africa”. Sunday (June 5) made to order. Call (011) 485-5232, JWBS. All kosher • Supervised bridge with Jeff Sapire Tuesday morning under the Beth Din. Proceeds to support the less for- • Second Innings in conjunction with the Johannesburg • JWBS is holding its annual book fair and morning 10:00 - 12:00 (intermediary) and Wednesday morning tunate in our community. Holocaust and Genocide Centre, presents the Klass Act market at the Jabula Recreation Centre, Sandringham 10:00 - 12:00 (advanced), at the Clive M Beck Ensemble dramatising Dean Simon’s “From Hurt to • Quizwizz - a fortnightly quiz at Wally’s Pub and from 08:30. Enquiries: (011) 485-5232. Auditorium. Booking: Hazel or René‚ (011) 728- Hope Calendar” at 10:00 for 10:30. R20 for Second Restaurant (Hume Road, Dunkeld, part of the 8088/8378. E-mail: [email protected] or • HOD presents the Jewish Guild Orchestra at the HOD Innings members, R40 for non-members. Rosebank Bowling Club Complex). The quiz is on [email protected] Centre at 15:00. Cost R60 for adults, R30 for children Thursday nights from 19:30. Booking 082-888-5355 • Jaffa morning market at 42 Mackie Street, Baileys of 14 and under. Book on (011) 640-3017. • Beis Midrash Chofetz Chaim is offering a second (Larry). Muckleneuck, Pretoria. Call (012) 346-2006. ma’ariv minyan every weekday evening (Monday - • RCHCC is screening the documentary “Arguing the • RCHCC is appealing for members. Contact (011) 728- Monday (June 6) Friday) at 21:00, cnr Elray and Michel Streets, World” at 19:30. Donation R60. 8088. R200 membership fee for the year. Raedene. Open to broader community. Don’t fret if you • UJW Johannesburg presents Prof David Bilchitz on • RCHCC is exhibiting recent ceramics of David need a later minyan. Secure parking provided. • WIZO Elise Gift Shop in the Genesis Shopping Schlapobersky and Felicity Potter until June 5. “Human Rights in the Middle East” at 09:30. Centre, Fairmount, entrance from Bradfield Drive • Sunday Scrabble Club meets every Sunday at 10:00 Monday (May 30) Sunday (June 12) opposite Shula’s Bakery. Exciting range of baby at Zahava’s, Grant Avenue, Norwood, off 9th Street. gifts and gifts for all occasions available at reason- • UJW Johannesburg presents Col Kevin Williams on • Fordsburg/Mayfair reunion at Chabad Savoy at 14:30. Cost R5. Players of all strengths welcome. Larry 082- able prices. Hours: Mon - Thurs 09:00 - 17:00, “The Role of Military Music - Past and Present” at Cost R25 including refreshments. Contact Joe 888-5355. Friday 09:00 - 13:30, Sunday 10:00 - 13:00. (011) Yudelowitz 082-818-4333 or Herby Lang 072-193- 09:30. • Orchid Florist, a project of WIZO Johannesburg, 640-2760. 9556. • Sydenham Shul presents Yoram Bogacz on “The offers beautiful arrangements of flowers and fruit for • WIZO’s Wize Buys in Raedene, requires nearly-new Ultimate Design” at 20:00 in the Sydenham Monday (June 13) every occasion. No occasion too large or too small. clothes, shoes, kitchenware (pots and pans, cutlery, Contact Annette (011) 728-4513. Community Centre. R30 includes tea. Bookings: • UJW Johannesburg presents Prof Maria Marchetti- crockery) bric-a-brac, etc. Phone Sandy (011) 645- (011) 640-5021. Mercer on “Broken and Divided Hearts: The Impact of • JWBS Johannesburg, urgently requires secondhand 2515 for goods to be collected, or deliver to WIZO Tuesday (May 31) Emigration on South African Families” at 09:30. clothing, kitchenware, household goods, books and office at Beyachad, Raedene. bric-a-brac for its secondhand shop. Contact (011) • WIZO Women Inspired branch is hosting Linda Levy Tuesday (June 14) • WIZO Lunch and Learn shiur - every Monday 13:00 - 485-5232. 14:00 at Beyachad, 2nd floor. Rabbi Michael Katz. All on “When Love Replaces Fear – Miracles Happen” at • UJW Johannesburg - Estelle Sher presents “The welcome. R20 includes light lunch. Bookings Joyce 09:30 for 10:00. Cost R80. Contact Isarae on 083- Exquisite Sounds of Gabriel Faure” at 09:30 at 301 • Celebrating a bar-/batmitzvah? Why not give a dona- (011) 645-2548 or (011) 645-2515. 375-1212 for bookings. Eton Place, Kernick Ave, Melrose North. Donation: tion to WIZO’s bar-/batmitzvah project in Israel? You R30. get a beautiful certificate to give to the bar-/batmitzvah • Bnoth Zion Association WIZO is collecting anything of Wednesday (June 1) child here. Certificates are available from WIZO tel Wednesday (June 15) value for its store. Contact (021) 464-6729 or Linda • UJW Cape Town presents Dr Maurice Kibel on “A (011) 645-2548. Saban 072-245-3225 or Cherna Kredo 084-589-8588. Celebration of Failure”. • UJW Johannesburg hosts Dr Lorraine Chaskalson • Second Innings runs a series courses and activities • Johannesburg Children’s Home is appealing for who will be screening “North and South” at 09:30. including scrabble, bridge, discussion groups, play • WIZO Fortnightly Forum celebrates Yom shoes and takkies for children and teenagers. Contact reading groups, women’s and men’s reading Yerushalayim with the girls of Salon Soiree. Cost R80 • UJW Cape Town presents Devis Iosifzon, newly- Edna or Hylton Segal (011) 970-4266. per person including an Israeli breakfast at Beyachad appointed chief librarian, on the Gitlin Library. groups, symphony concert rehearsals, bowls, – bookings Sandy (011) 645-2548 or (011) 645-2515. pilates, Yogic Pranayama, walking and aerobics, • Intimate Antiques Fair held on last Sunday of every Sunday (June 19) Golden Oldies Cine Club, weekly workshops (by month at Cedar Square corner Witkoppen/Cedar Thursday (June 2) • Second Innings presents Victor Gordon on arrangement) on “falls education for the elder Avenue in Fourways, from 09:00 - 16:00. Contact • MSC Sports presents Dr Ali Bacher and Gary Kirsten “Tchaikowsky’s Women”. adult”, and organises regular activities such as, Robyn 083-311-4768. THE BRIDGE LOUNGE by Jeff Sapire CROSSWORD NO 211 AVERAGE players think that the squeeze is When East wins the king, he has to be BY LEAH SIMON the domain of the expert only, but that’s not careful about what to return. A heart is very ACROSS: 16. Enraged, I tore around hiding newspa- the case at all. Though there are many com- dangerous, and though a club is okay, it’s 1. Military leader expresses fright, but is per head (6) plicated variations, including repeated safest to simply exit passively with a spade. very docile (4) 18. Quiet, but tardy – and with dish to eat off squeezes, non-simultaneous double squeezes, You win this and cash the last spade, you 3. Somehow pant, gone to headquarters of (5) triple squeezes and many more rarities, some and East both discarding hearts. With 11 US Military (8) 19. Go away, southern animal! (4) are fairly straightforward. tricks available now, you hope that the 8. Thus, right to the type (4) Mostly you have to lose a trick somewhere clubs are 3-3, the J10 are doubleton or there 9. Ruin one with precious metal for flower (8) SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD NO 210 along the line in order to get the timing right, is a heart/club squeeze. So you first play off 11. Daft about drug lore for Dickensian char- ACROSS: Tact; 3. Showdown; 8. Rung; 9. but this hand from a Pairs event almost func- the ace and king of clubs, but when no J10 acter (6, 6) Ambience; 11. Cause celebre; 13. Alerts; 14. tioned by remote control. appear you carry on with the diamonds. 13. Former quote to stir up (6) Mosque; 17. Take the stand; 20. Tapestry; 21. Here’s the 3-card ending;- South dealer, NS vul 14. Wardrobe near to trade leader (6) Stun; 22. Handyman; 23. Iris. NORTH North 17. Come, Ted – nappy rearranged for surgi- DOWN: Turncoat; 2. Confuse; 4. Hamper; 5. Q1062 5 cal procedure (12) White House; 6. Owner; 7. Ne’er; 10. A5 K 20. Domestic servant is to upset ancient Restlessly; 12. Dead ends; 15. Quarter; 16. KQJ2 9 horse-drawn vehicles (8) Sherpa; 18. Aspen; 19. Itch. A95 West East 21. Hit squad leader on circuit round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 WEST EAST K (4) J97 K83 J10 22. Bad rate certain to produce pre- J87 K9643 South cious object (8) 8 9 98543 6 Q 23. Snarl isn’t so, we hear (4) 42 J1086 Q7 10 SOUTH DOWN: A54 When you lead the king of diamonds, 1. Main leader is to skate around 11 East is finished. If he discards a club you Q102 errors (8) 12 A107 throw a heart and get both the clubs, and if 2. Crater I disturb, being irregular (7) KQ73 he throws the king of hearts you make 4. Gravel and soot disguise bucks (6) 13 14 15 your two queens. Twelve tricks for a very 5. Close chapter lid, somehow, for 16 Contract: 3NT by South Opening lead: C4 good score. QED. position of one who finishes race after the second runner (5, 5) 17 18 You win the lead in dummy and turn your Every Tuesday (Intermediate) and 6. Crying? No – merrily hides mythi- 19 attention to the spade suit. You would like to Wednesday (Advanced) I run bridge work- cal creature (5) make three tricks there, so you play a spade shops from 10:00 – 12:00 at the Great Park 7. Done badly for swelling (4) 20 21 to the ace and another spade. When West fol- Shul – alternating play hands one week and 10. Hellish little hurricanes! (4, 6) lows with the nine the correct play is the ten a bidding lecture on the other. Corner 12. As putty’s upset, doesn’t budge (5, 3) - not because it works here, but because you Glenhove Road and 4th Avenue, Houghton. 15. Break low lens, having increased 22 23 gain against West having started with KJxx. E-mail me at [email protected] in size (7) 27 May - 03 June 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 19 HOME SERVICES GENERAL ACCOMMODATION TO LET/SHARE ACCOMMODATION TO LET/SHARE CLEANING WAVERLEY DOMESTIC WANTED ANY CARPET CLEANER TOWNHOUSE TO RENT: for a large kosher house, con- 5 bedrooms from R200 Modern 2 bed, 1 bath garden tactable refs. Lounge suite from R150 unit. Lounge, diningroom, with a Please call Natalie Free deodorising covered patio. Complex pool & 082-851-1424 Free loose rug laundry. Call: Nick 082-424-4815 Contact Gail Classifieds BAAL TEFILA To book your classified notice or advert contact: Tel (011) 023-8160, Fax 086-634-7935, email: [email protected] 082-519-8584 GENERAL [email protected] REQUIRED IMPORTANT NOTICE - The Jewish Report runs adverts in the Classified section in good faith, Ashkenazi Shul seeks however we would like our readers to know we cannot be responsible for the quality of services RARE EARTH FLAT TO LET - for Yomim Nora'im offered and claims made. WOODWORK cc FAIRMOUNT Phone Lewis Plettenberg Bay (& Cape) 1 bedroom, lounge cum d/room, HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED ADVERT: 1. Only adverts sent via email to [email protected] will be accepted. 2. You will be advised on cost & pay- 082-891-2377 Fine-crafted Timber Homes & kitchenette. Park 2 cars ment details. 3. Payment is prior to the advert appearing. 4. DEADLINE for BOOKING and PAYMENT is Tuesday 12pm. If deadline is missed the Renovations. Decks, Additions, Kalman (011) 728-3702 advert will appear (when payment is received) in the next edition. Our banking details: SA Jewish Report, Carpentry & Artwork. 072-364-2506 VEHICLES w/prestige Portfolio & Nedbank Randburg, Account Number: 1984 514 865, Branch Code: 198405 WANTED References. Since '97. GLENHAZEL (personally built by) NOTICES LIFTS LIFTS LIFTS Furnished Apartments to let on Brandon Perkus nightly/weekly/ IF YOU WANT TO CONSECRATIONS 083-311-7780 CHELSEA CHAUFFER monthly basis. [email protected] BUY OR SELL Airport My rates are fantastic, my car is Contact 082-339-2358 brand new. [email protected]/ A VEHICLE APPLIANCE REPAIRS Shuttle All that is missing is a call from ONSITE Tranfers you. Contact: Stoves, washing machine, VACANCIES from R150 ABE 082-574-9010 tumbledryers & dishwashers. Silver EMPLOYMENT AVAILABLE Solly Kramer Reasonable, Reliable Free quotations! 082-922-3597 EXCELLENT, RELIABLE Call Jason 082-401-8239 SAM DRIVER AT YOUR repair & EXPERIENCED (011) 728-5219 SERVICE FRIDGE REPAIRS, HOUSEKEEPER ARE YOU 083-627-8516 To lift you anywhere/ replating DOOR SEALS. IMMIGRATING anytime 24 hours. REQUIRED. A-TAXI SERVICE SMILE-LEE'S LIFTS R150. Call Gershon (011) 334-1102 OVERSEAS AND Let Warren Pogorelsky chauffeur A reliable lift service. Tel: 076-893-1319 Should be a good cook, 071-974-5573. WANT TO SELL you to your destination in Jo’burg Specialising in lifts to and from or 082-473-6040 good with kids, honest, airports, shops, appointments, YOUR VEHICLE? and back only R100 round trip. EX ISRAELI SERVICEMAN hard-working and an casinos and courier. Tel: 082-399-6187 Offers lifts to airport and HANDYMAN excellent worker. Must be Call Charna 083-391-6612 FOR SALE appointments etc. Reasonable rates CLOTHING extremely reliable and BEST SERVICE Don’t drink and drive. have a pleasant, friendly Modern spacious vehicle and reliable. ALL HOURS! PRINTING nature. Must have excel- SERVICES Pax 6 Prev. 20 yrs. Call Neil 072-050-9927 lent contactable refer- COMPUTER REPAIRS Convenient and Safe Call for free estimate Transfers from A to B ences and come highly COMPUTER REPAIRS IRENE'S SCHLEP Pip Friedman SERVICE NO JOB TOO ODD recommended. Please Contact Reasonable rates, 083-267-3281 I will take you anywhere: Carl Meyer: no job too small. [email protected] Call Sian Solly Kramer School, Shops, Doctor, Friends 082-337-7237 Jeff 083-734-5500 www.dialalift.co.za and Airport. Honest and 076-243-9867 082-922-3597 HEALTH & BEAUTY BRIAN K LIFT Trustworthy or (011) 784 7804 anytime SERVICE & COURIER Schlepped by Irene 072-356-0282 CHIROPODY “AIRPORT SPECIAL R140” Secure, comfortable & safe. Not on Shabbat EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE PEDICURES Anywhere 24/7. (JHB – PTA) MANICURES Call Brian on Gentlemen, 44yr. 19 years sales exp. Will add value to your 072-366-4262 IVAN WANTS TO business. Very dedicated, hard working, well groomed WAXING and presentable. Martin: 076-107-7101. Call Ruth now LIFT YOU!! TUITION & EDUCATION Energetic 64 years, male sober habits seeks employment in retail (011) 616-4305 Punctual, Reliable, as manager.Locum / Full time. Have 40 years experience. EXTRA Owned own business successfully. Theo 082-419-3210 LIFTS Trustworthy. AFRIKAANS Ambitious Jewish male seeking employment for in-house sales LESSONS and/or clerical in hardware or ironmongery. Have had experience JHB / Sandton / in local buying as well. Refs available. Tuition offered for high Contact Stanley 082-648-5320 or (011) 882-1587 O.R. Tambo school Afrikaans (Eerste Addisionele Taal). Recently qualified CA seeking part/flexi time position/opportunity Cell: 082-962-5007 in Pta or Jhb. Email [email protected] for CV CAPE TOWN Both GDE and IEB. Preferably Grades 10/11/12. SHUTTLE Care Giver position wanted by a lady with references. LIFTS AVAILABLE Phone Jan 084-393-9854 COMING TO Call: 082-9000-933. CAPE TOWN? For all age groups and to all Retail Manager position wanted.I am a man with 18yrs areas in Jhb, Sandton AFFORDABLE experience. Phone Herb 084-956-1394 and Airport. PROPERTY RATES. Contact Johnny ACCOMMODATION TO LET/SHARE Seeking a reception position or nursery school assistant. AIRPORT SERVICE AIRPORT 082-328-3070 or Urgent. Please contact Ingrid Milner 072-226-1276. TRANSFERS 082-876-9042 ATHOLL - ELTON OAKS JHB Presentable, efficient lady seeks full time, office support FROM R200 TOWNHOUSE work in Sandton area. Computer literate, will temp too. Available NEW LIFTS AVAILABLE Two bedroom townhouse in, Reliable, immediately. Martine 082-469-2094 COMFORTABLE LIFTS FOR ANY REASON. Atholl, to let. Ground floor, two Reasonable Rates! Areas: Sandton, Jhb, Airport, bathrooms. Good area. VEHICLE People seeking employment may place a free Contact Arnold, Centurion, Midrand & Pretoria. Well maintained complex with 082-447-0185 PHONE ANDY advert of 20 words maximum. Send wording to Reliable and trustworthy amenities. R7000 pm. 011-454-1193 082-336-9780 Call Hymie 082-816-8178 Call TRACY 082-330-8080 britt@sajewishreport or fax: 086-634-7935

SIMENTOV AND MAZELTOV! MAZELTOV TO JENNY & ROD, BRAD & ROS, ALAN & BRIAN & SHERYL & BERNARD ON YOUR MATCH! SOULMATES (COUNTRYWIDE) RESULTS: 183 COUPLES MARRIED! 402 COUPLES MATCHED! NEW STUNNING SINGLES TO MEET YOU: Beautiful lawyer 24yr; handsome millionaire 54yr; handsome doctor 28yr; beautiful psychologist 25yr; handsome millionaire 65yr; stunning air hos- tess 29yr; good looking retired co owner 80yr; beautiful MBL grad 49yr; handsome grad (bus owner) age 38yr; beautiful blonde librarian 28yr; stunning models 28yr & 51yr; petite chic relexologist 25yr; pretty blonde hairdresser 46yr; beautiful banker 32yr; handsome successful gent (retired) 64yr likes overseas travel; beautiful CA; 39yr (based in London will come here to meet) pretty teacher 33yr; handsome locksmith (own bus) 46yr; handsome successful attorney 37yr; pretty beautician 34yr; pretty estate agent 40yr; advocates 31, 45, 58yr; handsome pilots 62, 36yrs; pretty hairdressers 26, 34, 58yr; handsome estate agent (own bus) 60yr; handsome engineer (own bus) 42yr; pretty financial consultant 48yr; good looking BSc (pharmacy) 53yr; beautiful secretary 56yr; good looking grad (own huge co) 55yr; pretty vet 43yr; charismatic handsome (co owner) 49yr; pretty grad 46yr; stunning doctors 26, 32, 35, 43, 49, 58, 62yrs; handsome attorneys 29, 33, 39, 46, 56, 68yrs – etc, etc, etc. CALL SANDY (011) 485-4034/082-357-3616 IF YOU KNOW OF ANY SINGLES/WIDOWED/DIVORCED PEOPLE ALONE WANTING TO MEET PLEASE CALL! 20 SA JEWISH REPORT 27 May - 03 June 2011

Maccabi Stag to host Dan Retief’s ‘Holy Grail’ JACK MILNER He is the author of former month and Maccabi Stag has announced Springbok captain Wynand Claas- that Retief will have a special launch at WHEN IT comes to the low-down sen’s controversial - and authori- Maccabi Stag on Thursday June 28. Not on South African rugby, very few tative - autobiography and record only will he be looking back at the history people are more in the know of the notorious 1981 “Flour Bomb of South Africa’s Rugby World Cup cam- than Dan Retief, doyen of South Tour” of New Zealand, “More paigns, but with this year’s event just The cover of African rugby writers. Than Just Rugby”, and is the around the corner, Retief will be taking a Dan Retief’s In a time when many journal- appointed editor of the large-scale look ahead at what could be in store for new book, “The ists are capitulating to the power “Springbok Opus”. coach Peter de Villiers and the Springbok Springboks of the rand, Dan remains pre- Now Retief has written yet team. and the Holy pared to search for the truth and another book and it delves into Further details of the Maccabi Stag will Grail”. express his opinion with no fear. what happened behind the scenes be carried in a later edition. His opinion is not just based on Doyen of South at four Rugby World Cups. subjective speculation, but is an African sports writ- “The Springboks and the Holy objective assessment, taking into ers, Dan Retief. Grail” is described as “the epic account facts, figures and many story of South Africa’s amazing Official says match fixing years’ experience. quests for the Rugby World Cup, In a career spanning 40 years, he has which resulted in triumph at Ellis Park in established himself as one of South 1995 and in Paris in 2007, while there was probe is going nowhere Africa’s pre-eminent sports journalists. A heartbreak in 1999 and shame in 2003”. multiple award winner, he has covered Retief was closely involved in all four SOURCES CLOSE to an investigation into based on a complaint they had received a numerous Test matches in South Africa RWC campaigns while working for the suspected misconduct at Hapoel Petah few weeks earlier. and on tours, reported on all four Rugby Sunday Times and SuperSport, and he pro- Tikva, believe that nothing will come of the Naim is suspected of using Ben Cohen, World Cups in which the country has com- vides “behind-the-scenes reportage on the allegations of match fixing at the club. an underworld figure, to intimidate team peted, and was in touch with the team vir- great cast and incredible incidents that “There was no match fixing. It’s officials into giving him an advantageous tually every day as they marched to victory made for such riveting drama”. garbage,” said one official, who spoke on severance package. in 1995 and 2007. The book is due to be released next condition of anonymity because he is not The official said the case was more a authorised to discuss the case, this week. matter for the budget control authority, Last Sunday, investigators from the which operates independently of the Israel Central District fraud squad called in Effi Football Association, and the tax authori- Peer blown out of Roland Zafrir, the team’s CEO, and Yuval Naim, ties. the team’s former coach, for questioning. “There is no criminal matter here, and The police said they suspected that Zafrir after all the noise it will end up with the Garros in opening round had entreated players to throw matches IFA,” he added. - Ha’aretz IT IS now official: Israel’s brightest tennis star, Shahar Peer, is in the midst of a crisis. Alas, first round losses have become something of a habit for the 24-year-old in recent months, but none was as disappoint- ing as last Sunday’s 7-6 (4), 6-1 defeat to Maria Jose Sanchez Martinez of Spain in the opening round at Roland Garros. What seemed like coincidental slipups a few months ago have unfortunately become the norm recently, with Peer not only struggling to beat the world’s top players - a reoccurring theme throughout her career - but also falling to inferior players with unprecedented regularity. Last Sunday’s loss displayed many of the failings that have dogged Peer’s game for years, bringing on the periodic slumps. In the last couple of years, Peer has steadily improved her first serve percent- age, but it has come at a cost. The Israeli may not be gifting her opponents as many second serves as she used to in the past, but her new cautious first serve is far less effec- tive than her old one, which could be errat- Frustration seems to be getting to ic, but if she got it in, it had the bite of a Israel’s foremost women’s tennis player mamba. Shahar Peer, who lost in the first round Last Sunday, Peer hit 69 per cent of her of the French Open last Sunday. first serves in, but she only won 44 per cent of the subsequent points. On her second clearly not doing much good for her serve, matters are even worse, with the results. Israeli losing 16 of 23 points to Martinez Peer has fallen in the first round in Sanchez after faulting. three of her last four tournaments - The accumulating defeats have under- including a particularly embarrassing standably also taken their toll on Peer’s defeat to then world number 429 Casey confidence, which is perhaps the only real Dellacqua in the first round of the way of explaining her 36 unforced errors Brussels Open last week - and overall this against the Spaniard. year she has won just a single match or Just as worrying was Peer’s inability to less in seven of 11 events. adjust to her opponent’s game-plan on clay. It was not that long ago that Peer was at Sanchez Martinez harried the Israeli with a record No 11 in the world, a mere five numerous drop shots and killed off points ranking points from becoming the first at the net time and again, winning 27 of 32 Israeli to break into the top 10. But even approaches. then, her results were far from impressive Since splitting with coach Pablo and it was clear for all to see that Peer had Giacopelli last July, Peer has seemed to gone into free fall. slowly lose her way, and she is still looking The question is: Did Peer hit rock bot- for someone who can provide the same tom with last Sunday’s performance, or inspiration and focus both on and off the was that humbling defeat a sign of things court. to come? Initial answers will be given Craig Kardon, who coached Martina when the Israeli next plays in Eastbourne Navratilova and South Africa’s Mariaan de in three weeks’ time and at Wimbledon the Swardt, lasted just seven months, with the following week. sides parting ways in March, and current At the moment, it is difficult not to be interim replacement Harold Solomon is pessimistic. - Jerusalem Post