friday 26 october 2012 / 10 Cheshvan 5773 volume 16 - number 38 news opinion letters tapestry community columns youth sports south african

Kat and the Kings is back! (page 8) jewish report www.sajewishreport.co.za Israel warns of retaliation for rocket attacks “If we have no choice and the fire will continue, then they clearly will be hit harder and nothing is out of the ques- Stocks, property or gold? tion,” Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak told Army Radio. “We will do whatever is necessary to stop this.” Experts 3 debate the

options Photo by Ilan Ossendryver Hoffman’s arrest at Western DAVID SAKS Wall galvanises liberal Jewish groups Hoffman said. “If the Wall belongs to the So, where do you invest your hard- Jewish people, where are the Reform, earned money in these uncertain Conservative, secular?” economic times? At the Chabad 5 Miracle Drive “Great Debate”, on Tuesday evening at the Sandton SAKS: Beware accepting all scientific pronouncements as Sun, three experts in different ‘gospel’ financial fields, argued the case for “So complete has been the perceived their particular area of involvement Alan Demby Rabbi David Masinter Mark Wainer David Shapiro triumph of scientific materialism over – Stocks, Property or Gold. anything smacking of theism, that The respective pundits were Limited, first clarified that it was The beauty of the stock mar- things went pear-shaped? today, those attempting to defend the David Shapiro, Marc Wainer and commercial rather than residential ket, said David Shapiro, was that Regarding property, what hap- latter even along strict scientific lines, Alan Demby. The whole was very ef- property that he was dealing with. for a few hundred rand, one could pened when premises could not be are routinely dismissed out of hand.” ficiently moderated by Ivan Epstein, Here, the returns had been con- become a partner with the likes of sold, or when transfer problems 6 co-founder and CEO of the Softline sistently strong over many years, in such eminently successfully busi- arose? Group. the worst of years at least not regis- nessmen as Brian Joffe of Bidvest, Wainer conceded that prop- Unlike so many community tering a loss and overall consistently while sitting back thereafter and erty growth yields were not going panel “discussions”, which generally outperforming the JSE. allowing Mr Joffe to do all the to “blow the lights out”, yet the consist of little more than a series Demby, who is executive chair- work and the worrying. growth they provided was steady of isolated speeches followed by man of The Gold Group, said that While recognising the reliabil- and dependable. Going the share questions and answers rather than gold, which traditionally strength- ity of commercial property, this market route was inherently risky, a genuine give-and-take debate, the ened in times of unrest, had been constituted a very small part of and more akin to taking a trip to exchanges were fast-moving and to appreciating at remarkable speed, the greater All Share Index. The the casino. NY debut for Israel Philharmon- the point. the previous year touching on world’s richest men had always Shapiro said there was a lot ic on its short US tour Amidst all the good-natured $1 950 an ounce. been in equities. of energy still left in the world Veteran double-bassist Gabriel Vole banter, with each speaker trying to Among its intrinsic advantages, In the discussion that fol- economy, with an exaggerated says playing for the IPO is not purely outdo the other in witty put-downs it was tax efficient and maintenance lowed, each speaker sought to focus on Europe’s problems often about playing music “but about solidar- ity and making music together”. at the expense of the other’s posi- free, as well as being by far the most defend his position while point- obscuring the ever-increasing 9 tion, there were plenty of useful popular of the precious metals in ing out the shortcomings of his consumer demands coming from insights for the large, enthusiastic the global market. Kruger Rands, counterparts. India, China and Brazil. Bloom dissects Justice Richard audience to take away with them. some 60 million of which had now With gold coins, one had total In thanking and summing up, Goldstone’s ‘no-win’ situation MampoerShorts, the brainchild of pro- Coming out to bat first for the been sold, was one of the top-300 control at the end of the day, said Chabad’s Rabbi David Masinter fessor of journalism, Anton Harber and Property option Wainer, the CEO brands in the world. A Kruger Rand Demby. With shares, it was all said that from the Torah point of partners, can be read in one sitting, and at Redefine Properties Limited and bought at R35 in 1970 was now very well when the market was view, it was advisable not to keep aim “to promote SA’s top writers”. Redefine Properties International worth R16 000. strong, but what happened when all one’s eggs in one basket. 7

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Shabbat Times Oct 26 / 10 Cheshvan What happened to altruism? Oct 27 / 11 Cheshvan Parshat Lech-Lecha If you listen, says Hashem to as you mature spiritually. physical benefits not just as 18:03 18:54 Johannesburg Avraham, then you will be rewarded That’s fine. It’s good. Go with it! the carrot to motivate us to do 18:15 19:46 Cape Town with children, with money and with We’re human. The Torah encour- something intrinsically good? 17:56 18:48 Durban fame. ages us to be real. Doing otherwise Is it possible that obtaining 18:14 19:06 Bloemfontein PARSHAT LECH LECHA 18:05 19:17 Port Elizabeth Does that sound like the great is unwise. But yes - keep check on those blessings from Hashem Rabbi Dani Brett 18:12 19:06 East London Avraham? whether there has at least been can have a spiritual function in Ohr Somayach Cape Town What happened to altruism? some shift over time. and of themselves? KASHRUT ALERT Every action has a motivation Nevertheless, in the case of Avraham was certainly altruis- those things with which Hashem THESE SALLY WILLIAMS LIQUEURS - sometimes positive, sometimes Avraham, with reference to the first tic! He was motivated by the cause blesses us should not be viewed as NOW KOSHER negative and sometimes a mixture command from the A-mighty to itself - by spreading the glory of carrots on a stick, but rather as the of the two. If someone is doing a the father of the Jewish people - it G-d, and by benefitting his descend- food that turns into energy to en- The kashrut department of the Union spiritual action in order to obtain seems a little uncomfortable to read ants and all of mankind. And we able the donkey to march on. And of Orthodox Synagogues have listed some beneficial material conse- the first verses of our Torah which can do the same if we view physical then all those physical things in new products manufactured by TNB quence, is their motivation brought seem so heavily laden with personal gain - children, money and fame, as our world - be they money, houses, (Pty) Ltd, which are certified kosher into question? gain? Avraham was promised, and which cars, shul brochas, family or even when bearing the Beth Din logo. A realistic and supportive Torah Clearly the righteous Avraham, we all seek – not as reward, but as the more ephemeral ones like fame They are Sally Williams Nougat system allows for, and even encour- visionary builder of a nation like no resources. and inspiration - become resources Cream Liqueur (milchik); Sally Williams Biscotti Cream Liqueur ages ulterior motives! In fact it’s other, was motivated by the greater Here’s the secret: Hashem was which enable us to achieve great- (milchik); Kinetiq Original Energy advisable. Doing it for secondary good. Why, then, does Hashem find not telling Avraham that if he buck- ness too. Shooter (parev); and Kinetiq reasons, say the sages, will bring it necessary to offer and record in led down and listened he would be Oh, and yes, then, when things Bubblegum Energy Shooter (parev). a person to be motivated by the the Torah such lucrative physical rewarded. Rather, he was assuring aren’t quite as we might have hoped A complete list of certified TNB primary reason. benefits? him that this was Avraham’s path or chosen, we can more easily ac- products are available on the kashrut So, you like the kichel and her- If we can answer this question, to maximum achievement, and cept that Hashem has illustrated department’s online guide at www. ring at shul? Nu, that’s okay. Come then we can also make some sense ultimate fulfilment. He illustrated that for us, in this instance, alterna- uos.co.za. anyway! With time, your motiva- of how we can better relate to mate- this to him by outlining all those tive resources are more what we tion will be upgraded. There will rial gain, even to nachas from our resources that would become avail- need. Do you want to reach the probably always be some ulterior children and to fame, in a spiritu- able to him as he set out to follow Altruism. Materialsim. The key SA Jewish community? motivation, but its ratio to more ally health manner. this path of greatness. is to make them not enemies, but Advertise in the Jewish Report wholesome inspiration will adjust Is it possible to see those And so it turns out that all partners!

Community Briefs Dianne Kantor and Ronnie Aizen at Our Parents Home ball. Remembering the glory days and camaraderie of The Arc

The Old Arcadians Association last week held a reunion for all former Photo supplied Arcadians in their old home, “Arca- dia” in Parktown, a property built by Sir Lionel Phillips in the early 1900s, now a National Heritage site. Jules Gordon, chairman of The Old Arcs Association, addressed the function. He recalled the glory days of the Arc and “the Arc spirit and bond” through all the generations of people who grew up as one “really big family”. He celebrated Photo: Anne Brest several Old Arcs, now legends in business, the professions, and (Sitting) Lou Nerwich; Benny Gavson; Ekkie Litvin; and Loraine Grevler. in sport, and also those who had (Standing) Effie Segal; Barney Segal; Sidney Levin; Barney Myers; Zummy served The Arc for many years. Isenberg; and 98-year-old Solly Jossel. Soul Simcha concert highlights soul of Jewish music

Rabbi Ilan Herrmann’s opening song at his Soul

Photo supplied Simcha concert recently hosted in a capacity- filled marquee in Glenhazel, was a prelude to more surprises from the rabbi of Lions Shul, at Our Parents Home, Sandringham Gardens, have a real ball! his debut singing performance in this initiative which he organised under the umbrella of Soul The annual Sandringham Gardens and Our Parents Home “Honour the Aged” balls Workout. Highlights of Rabbi Herrmann’s per- are always a highlight on the residential calendar, commemorating October 1, the formance included his leading of the children International Day of the Older Person. The aged homes said in a media release that of The Yiddish Folk Kids Choir. Herrmann cre- this special day affords the homes the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the ated this concert in collaboration with estab- wisdom and experiences of their residents. lished soloists Adam Davis and Mark Samow- At Our Parents Home, the ball featured a “Roaring 20s” theme with over 200 itz and supported by the band, Zenith. It also residents participating. Sandringham Gardens’ ball was a dazzling black and white included the Johannesburg Jewish Boys Choir, affair held on October 10. The décor was stunning and the music was performed featuring a stand-out performance by soloist by Sonic Entertainment. – CELESTE EVERITT. Soloist Rabbi Ilan Herrmann; Mark Samowitz; and Adam Davis. Avrami Nossel. - ALISON GOLDBERG

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OWN CORRESPONDENT JERUSALEM

More than 60 rockets and mortar shells fired from Gaza hit southern Israel on Wednesday, striking several homes and injuring three. Both Pres Shimon Peres and Defence Minister Ehud Barak have warned of retaliation. Barak did not rule out sending tanks and troops into Gaza to quell the attacks. “If we have no choice and the fire will continue, then they clearly will be hit harder and nothing is out of the ques- tion,” Barak told Army Radio. In an interview with Israel Radio, Barak said: “If we need a ground opera- tion there will be a ground operation. We will do whatever necessary to stop this.” Peres angrily denounced the barrage of rockets fired at Israel, saying: “There is no circumstance under which they will fire upon on us and we will sit on our hands.” When asked whether a new reality was establishing itself in the south, Barak answered: “No, we haven’t got used to this. But there are bad people in the area who want to hurt us, and our citizens. “The situation is much better than it was 10 years ago, and today we have Iron Israel’s Iron Dome defence system near the Israeli town of Ashdod has intercepted a volley of rockets fired by terrorist groups from the Gaza Dome - which is very important to note, Strip area. (Flash90/JTA) some rockets were intercepted last night,” said Barak. (The Iron Dome missile as well as a tunnel used for smuggling munities over others. “Our lives are like tanyahu for not acting decisively against defence system intercepted seven rockets terrorists into Israel, according to state- a game of Russian roulette. How long will Hamas. aimed at Ashkelon.) ments issued from the IDF. this so-called luck last?” asks one resident. “The government under Prime Min- “The fact that terrorists succeed in The rockets and mortar shells began Wednesday’s rocket barrage has left ister Netanyahu has been stuttering for harming us once in a while doesn’t mean falling on southern Israeli communities residents questioning the readiness of four years,” he said. “They need to put we’re not organised.” late on Tuesday night and continued their community bomb shelters. Hamas in their sights.” He added that Israel killed 15 terror through the day on Wednesday. The ex- “We’re just waiting for the next ‘Colour Labour leader Shelly Yacimovich, on leaders in Gaza over the past week in plosives scored direct hits on at least five Red’ alert to sound,” Mickey, a local resi- the other hand, threw her support behind response to the mounting rocket attacks. private homes; three Thai workers also dent, told Ynet. “We know it’s coming, we Netanyahu. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman were injured, two of them seriously, just don’t know when or where it will hit. “I am behind Prime Minister Netanya- said that Israel would not long suffer fire Schools have been closed in much of We have 15 seconds to get to a bomb shel- hu and understand the complexity of the on its citizens and anticipated a further southern Israel, with the Home Front ter but the chances of making it are slim, situation, which requires military action escalation of violence unless the Palestin- Command telling residents living within so we just take the kids to a room with no and maintaining restraint,” Yacimovich ians ceased their attacks. 16 km of Gaza to remain near bomb windows and use it as a protected space. said. “It is important for me to strength- Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam shelters. It’s a bit like Russian roulette.” en the south in their difficult hour. The brigades, and the Popular Resistance The escalation on Israel’s southern Opposition Leader Shaul Mofaz IDF is doing an excellent job and we trust Committees, both claimed responsibility border came after a border attack on an denounced Prime Minister Benjamin Ne- it wholeheartedly,” she added. for the rockets. Israeli patrol near the security fence with Four Palestinians were killed in Israeli Gaza on Tuesday morning left a soldier strikes on Gaza sites that the military from the Givati Brigade with a serious says are used for launching the rockets at injury. Captain Ziv Shilon reportedly lost Israel. The Palestinian Ma’an news agency the palm of his hand, or alternatively one identified the dead as members of terror- arm. He remained in a serious condition ist organisations. at the Soroka Medical Centre in Beer- Between late Tuesday night and late sheba. Wednesday morning Israel Air Force Southern Israel residents say they planes hit four of what the Israel Defence feel abandoned, defenceless and angry at Forces said were rocket launching sites, a country that prioritises certain com-

World News in Brief

Israeli debate of political party heads waiting for Bibi’s answer

JERUSALEM - Leaders of Israel’s major political parties accepted an invitation to an American-style debate, except for Likud leader and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The debate sponsored by the Citizens’ Empowerment Centre is scheduled for January 1 at Tel Aviv University, according to the organisation’s website. “We all - left and right, religious and secular, Jews and Arabs - have a clear interest in knowing exactly who we choose and why,” the Citizens’ Empowerment Centre said on its website. Party chairmen Shelly Yachimovich (Labour), Shaul Mofaz (Kadima) and Avigdor Lieberman (Yisrael Beiteinu) reportedly have agreed to participate, according to the Israeli media. Yair Lapid, chairman of the new Yesh Atid party, also has accepted. Lieberman said he would participate if Netanyahu agreed to join the debate. Netanyahu had not yet responded, according to Ynet. (JTA) 4 SA JEWISH REPORT News 26 October – 2 November 2012 Gerald Jack Horwitz: A golden visionary ISAAC REZNIK vision and dream of Golden Acres. the same grounds of Sandringham tions in the Jewish community; he He was president of Sandring- Gardens. This became a reality dur- has left a void in the community It is with deep sorrow that I write ham Gardens for two terms, 1984 ing his second term as president of that can never be filled. He will be this obituary for the late Gerald - 1989 and 1993 - 1996. Sandringham Gardens. remembered for many generations Horwitz (pictured) obm, who He was one of those who were A competition was launched for to come. passed away peacefully after along instrumental in having the name of a name for the retirement village The lounge at Golden Acres was illness on September 20. Witwatersrand Jewish Aged Home and during his annual visit to Mui- named in his honour for the many Gerald was a well-known and changed to Sandringham Gardens, zenberg for the December recess, years of loyal and dedicated service much respected attorney. He was, as he felt that there was a stigma he visited Cape Town; the railway to the Jewish community. however, much more than an at- attached to the use of the word station, was called Golden Acres. Gerald Horwitz was laid to rest torney - he was widely respected for “old” and this caused many a senior Immediately Gerald decided in Jerusalem. his role in the Jewish communal citizen of the Jewish community and chose the name Golden Acres He was a most wonderful family affairs. to feel uncomfortable when being for the new retirement village in man, and is survived by his chil- He was a most dignified and admitted to the home. Johannesburg. dren, grandchildren, sister, family caring mensch who only thought His “golden” vision was for a So much can be written and members and many friends. May

of the welfare of others. He had a retirement village to be built on said about his many other contribu- his memory be for a blessing. Photo supplied

World News in Brief Cape Community stalwart Study: No anti-Semitism, anti-Israel push at most colllege campuses

WASHINGTON - Ninety-seven per cent the anti-Israel boycott, sanctions and Simon Jocum dies of US and Canadian college campuses divestment campaign, several others report no anti-Israel or anti-Semitic were defeated. No American university events, and the campus-based anti- has divested from Israel and promi- OWN CORRESPONDENT Israel divestment effort has failed, ac- nent campus presidents have said they cording to a new study. would oppose such efforts. Veteran community leader Simon Jocum, an The American-Israeli Co-operative “Rather than weaken the relation- honorary life vice-president, a two-term past Enterprise released the findings of its ship between US colleges and Israel, the chairman of the Cape Jewish Board of Deputies new study, “Israel and the Campus: BDS movement has largely backfired and former national vice-chairman of the Board, The Real Story,” on Tuesday. Mitchell and ties are stronger than ever and con- passed away on Friday night at the age of 81. Bard, the AICE’s executive director, and tinue to grow,” the authors wrote. He devoted a major part of his life to communal Jeff Dawson, the private organisation’s The report also said that while a service. campus liaison, authored the report. 2011 AICE survey with The Israel Pro- Jocum, jovial and empathetic, usually sided Student Jewish groups are beat- ject found that “a shocking 78 per cent with the underdog, abhorred bigotry and defended ing back such efforts, according to the of Jewish students reported witnessing authors, because of professional guid- or personally being subjected to anti- freedom of speech. ance provided by campus Hillels and Semitism”, the new report found the Although having reached a top level of leader- numerous other Jewish organisations, figure “inconsistent” with their findings. ship in Progressive Judaism, he had strong links while the anti-Israel efforts are largely They noted that a recent survey with Orthodoxy, developed through his longstand- student-led. by the Institute for Jewish & Commu- ing friendship with the late Av Beth Din, Rabbi Bard and Dawson tracked 674 nity Research found that 43 per cent of Professor Eugene Duschinsky. anti-Israel events at 108 US and Cana- Jewish students saw anti-Semitism as Born in Cape Town, Jocum was educated at dian universities during the 2011–12 a problem - “a significantly lower, but Muizenberg High School and studied accountancy academic year. A third of the incidents still a disturbing figure.” at the University of Cape Town. took place on 10 campuses; four were in Recommendations in the new Although having had an Orthodox barmitzvah, He was chairman of the Cape Clothing Manu- the University of California system. Sev- report include teaching about Israel he was mentored by the late Rabbi Dr David Sher- facturers’ Association, president of the National eral of the campuses, the report said, had “warts and all,” so that students can strong pro-Israel groups and could not be confidently discuss its complex envi- man, who urged him to broaden his communal Clothing Federation of South Africa, chairman of characterised as “hostile toward Israel”. ronment; creating Taglit-Birthright Is- activities. the Clothing Industry Training Board of South Two anti-Israel groups - the Muslim rael trips for high school learners mod- Jocum was elected to the council of Temple Is- Africa and chairman of the Textile, Clothing and Students Association and Students for elled on the popular free 10-day trip for rael and rose in the ranks to become its president Retail Advisory Council of South Africa and an Justice in Palestine - were responsible those aged 18 - 26; and building more and later chairman of the SA Union for Progres- honorary life vice-president of Cape Clothing As- for most of the episodes. long-distance learning programmes sive Judaism. This was followed by his presidency sociation, after serving 10 years as chairman. While two American universities did between Israeli and American Jewish of the SAUPJ and his election to the executive Jocum’s talents extended to civic matters and adopt divestment resolutions as part of students. (JTA) and board of governors of the World Union for politics. He was a member of the Green and Sea Progressive Judaism. He was a trustee of Temple Point and Camps Bay Ratepayers Associations Emir of Qatar makes landmark visit to Gaza Israel. and chaired the Green Point branch of the former Jocum served on the Cape Town Interfaith Fo- Reform Party. JERUSALEM - The emir of Qatar, Sheik heading a humanitarian mission to launch rum and the IUA-UCF executive. He was honoured His sporting activities encompassed chair- Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, became the reconstruction projects totalling $250 mil- for his service by the Cape Board at its annual manship of the Glen Tennis Club and foundation first head of state to visit the Gaza Strip lion, according to Reuters, and pledged since Hamas took over in 2007. another $150 million in projects during the conference in 2001. membership of the Glen Country Club. Al-Thani was greeted by a Pal- visit. The emir was scheduled to speak at Jocum entered the business world in 1949, Jocum leaves his wife Pola, daughters, Renata estinian honour guard as he entered the Gaza City stadium. Thousands of secu- becoming managing director of Peerless Shirt and Nadine, three grandchildren and a brother, Gaza on Tuesday from Egypt. He is rity guards secured his visit. (JTA) Manufacturers, a position he held till 1998. Hyman.

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Photo: Women Of The Wall Photo: Women groups admit that their efforts day life,” Hess said. “What could to date on this issue have not have been a national symbol to worked. Some hope that Hoff- connect Jews from all over the man’s arrest will galvanise their world is now only an Orthodox constituents anew. synagogue.” In Israel, groups working for Hoffman says, “The Western religious pluralism face a dual Wall is way too important to be challenge: They are fighting legal left to the Israelis.” (JTA)

Israeli police arresting Anat Hoffman after she said the Shema Israel prayer at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on October 16. BEN SALES AND NEIL RUBIN this body. If the Wall belongs to and she spent the night in a cell TEL AVIV the Jewish people, where are the without a bed. She was released the Reform, Conservative, secular?” following morning after agreeing MACCABIMACCABI GAMESGAMES Last week’s episode was hardly the For now, however, there is no to stay away from the Kotel for first time Israeli police stopped ac- co-ordinated strategy to challenge 30 days. Israeli police spokesman 20132013 tivist Anat Hoffman while she was laws governing Israel’s holy site, Mickey Rosenfeld said Hoffman’s leading a women’s prayer service which bar women from praying claims were “not accurate”. at the Western Wall in violation of while wearing a tallit or tefillin, or As the incident received wide Israeli law. from reading aloud from the Torah. coverage in the American Jewish But this time, police actually ar- In a 2003 Israeli Supreme Court media, the condemnations of Hoff- MACCABI GAMES 2013 SUPPORTER’S TOUR TO rested her and the incident appears decision, those rules were upheld man’s arrest poured in. ISRAEL IN CONJUNCTION WITH MACCABI to be galvanising liberal Jewish on the ground that “local custom” Hoffman says she wants the SOUTH AFRICA 15 JULY - 1 AUGUST 2013. groups in the US and Israel. at the Wall did not allow for such courts to allow her group to pray In the United States, the Union practices. for one hour per month at the Wall, for Reform Judaism called for a So with Women of the Wall and ideally wants the Wall’s council In the summer of 2013, Israel will host the world’s largest police investigation and expressed intent on continuing its practice of to allocate some time for prayers Jewish sporting event. Thousands of spectators will be its dismay to Michael Oren, Israel’s organising a women’s prayer service without mechitzah - the divider travelling to and from the Maccabiah Games events in Israel. ambassador in Washington. The at the site every Rosh Chodesh - the that separates men and women. Come and support your South African sportsmen United Synagogue for Conserva- beginning of the Hebrew month - She sees an opening in the Supreme and women in Israel. tive Judaism announced a global another incident likely is not far off. Court’s reliance on “local custom” as “Shema flash mob” for this week - a Hoffman’s arrest during the the basis for upholding the current Please contact Debbie or Sandra about our tour nod to the prayer Hoffman was Rosh Chodesh service on the even- rules. The Israel Religious Action and accommodation packages. reciting when she was arrested. ing of October 16, garnered more Centre’s petition aims to change In Israel, the Israel Religious attention than previous incidents who defines “local custom”. Action Centre, which Hoffman in which Hoffman was detained but Alternative services, like those leads, launched a petition to the not arrested. Hadassah, which was of the Reform and Conservative Supreme Court requesting that the holding its centennial celebrations movements, are allowed at Robin- world travel The Tr avel P rofessionals Western Wall Heritage Foundation, in Jerusalem, had sent some 200 son’s Arch, at the Kotel’s southern which runs the Kotel, change its women to pray with Hoffman, giv- corner and not adjacent to the decision-making process to include ing a significant boost in numbers plaza. non-Orthodox Jews.“There is no to the service, which totalled about Shari Eshet, director of the Na- voice around that table for women, 250 women. tional Council of Jewish Women’s SA’S LEADING ISRAEL TRAVEL SPECIALIST for the paratroopers who liberated After Hoffman was arrested, she Israel office, said legal initiatives the Wall, for the variety of plural- claims Israeli police chained her legs were the best way to effect change The Mall Offices, 11 Cradock Ave, cnr Baker St, Rosebank ist voices,” Hoffman, who is also and dragged her across the floor of on the issue. chairman of Women of the Wall, a police station. She also claims that “With all of the screaming and 011 788 2050 told JTA. “We want to dismantle police ordered her to strip naked, yelling and American Jews banging www.hwtexecutivetravel.co.za

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If you know of someone with an addition problem who may need counselling, pleaseCARE contact Hotline us today! 0861 111 770 or email [email protected] Driven by Miracle Drive CARE Hotline 0861 111 770 or email [email protected] Driven by Miracle Drive 6 SA JEWISH REPORT Opinion and Analysis 26 October – 2 November 2012 jewishsouth african report Scientific pronouncements not ‘gospel’ For this reason, it is de rigueur for evolutionary theory. This, the author Corruption, corruption, scientific critics of Darwinist orthodoxy to has little doubt, is hopelessly flawed and hasten to declare their atheist credentials destined, like so many other failed scientific corruption... up front, lest they be accused of “creation- orthodoxies over the centuries, to be trans- BARBARIC YAWP ist” or “Intelligent Design” tendencies and formed radically in the future, no matter Amidst the gloomy talk in this country, reinforced David Saks accordingly dismissed without a hearing. how much the intellectual establishment by the downgrading of South Africa’s credit rating by The converse situation, in which dog- tries to keep the genie in the bottle. Standard & Poor and Moody’s, one topic crops up in Most people now accept unquestioningly matic, knee-jerk atheism on the part of the Proceeding along rigorous lines of most conversations: corruption. the notion that there is an irreconcilable scientific establishment can likewise act as enquiry, he argues that the evidence in As if to remove doubt, a just-released survey by re- and unbridgeable gulf between “religion” a serious retarding force in the advance- support of it as currently accepted by many search company TNS found nearly 80 per cent of peo- and “science” (sometimes tellingly replaced ment of knowledge, is seldom considered. (although not all) scientists, falls well short ple living in the major metropolitan areas believe sen- by the respective terms “faith” and “rea- This is beginning to change, but it will evi- of what is required to put it on a truly ior politicians in government are corrupt; 70 per cent son”, with all that implies). dently be some time before serious inroads sound intellectual foundation. felt corruption was just as bad in the private sector. It is also by now commonly assumed are made into what David Klinghoffer has Encapsulating an important theme of Corruption seems to have become endemic. Some that in the quest for dispassionate, objec- called the “sealed-shut intellectual fortress his book, Rabbi Bogacz declares: “When people now build a bribery factor into calculations for tive and intellectually rigorous answers to of the Darwinist worldview”. Torah sources clearly and consistently business. Ordinary individuals who hate corruption, the great questions of existence, the science I have just finished reviewing a compel- describe a position about the physical when confronted with the choice of paying a bribe - side of the debate has emerged victorious ling new book on this subject, Genesis and universe, then that is the Torah position, say to a metro policeman for a traffic offence - will- of by a knock-out. Genes by one of our community’s emerg- whether one finds it conveniently modern ten do so just to be done with the matter rather than Stereotypically, religious belief is now ing intellectual lights, Yoram Bogacz. A or not.” hassle with paying fines, going to court, etc. assumed to have been an essentially regres- Johannesburg rabbi and educator with a Nor is it incumbent on adherents of About 15 years ago South Africa was the darling sive, obscurantist phenomenon that for a background in chemical engineering, the Orthodox Judaism to always feel the need of the world after its transition to democracy in 1994. long time impeded the onward march of author provides a persuasive challenge to to find ways of reconciling their religious What happened to Nelson Mandela’s rainbow nation scientific discovery. the tendency of uncritically accepting the tradition with current scientific thinking. and legacy? Historically, it has been defined by prevailing scientific thinking as, if one can This relates to another important aspect of The influential business journal The Economist’s such events as the confrontation between use such a term, “gospel”. Genesis and Genes, namely that it does not front page this week was headlined: “Cry the Beloved Galileo and the Inquisition or the Scopes While many members of the public “en- seek to demonstrate, as a number of recent Country - South Africa’s Sad Decline”. The story said Monkey Trial. tertain fantasies of scientists as apolitical works have done, an emerging harmony be- President Jacob Zuma had “drifted and dithered, of- So deeply-entrenched is this mindset creatures, ensconced in their laboratories tween Torah and science. Indeed, the book fering neither vision nor firm government”. that proponents of any particular religious and isolated from the corrupting effects in many ways is very critical of how this is There is often a deep sense of entitlement among belief are by definition regarded as being of power”, the reality is of course that scien- sometimes done. government officials. Former ANC spokesman Smuts incapable of mounting a coherent, logical tists, like all people, are heavily influenced One example is the comparatively re- Ngonyama is notorious for saying: “I didn’t struggle argument in its favour that can stand up to by the context - political, economic, profes- cent theory that the classical Torah sources to be poor.” Among The Economist’s recommendations about rigorous scientific scrutiny. Conversely, sci- sional or ideological - in which they work “support the view that hominids took eons Zuma was: “Pledge to make public all performance entists are assumed at all times to conduct and by their own worldviews. to evolve until, finally, they were infused contracts for ministers in his Cabinet and undertake their work along scrupulously methodical, That being said, Genesis and Genes is with a divine soul and made human”. to remove non-performing ministers. Good, clean logically impeccable and solidly evidence- by no means “anti-science”, but rather, as The author concludes, after carefully governance was essential to ensure investor confi- based lines. Rabbi (Dr) Dovid Gottlieb points out in the examining each of the relevant sources, dence…” So complete has been the perceived preface, is an argument for “caution and that this notion is dubious at best. Jewish businessmen play a major role in the triumph of scientific materialism over the careful evaluation of the latest scientific Genesis and Genes, shortly to be pub- economy and the negative view obviously also affects anything smacking of theism, that today, conclusions for their appropriate degree of lished by Feldheim, is an impressive work them. Foreigners regard investing here as risky. those attempting to defend the latter even credibility”. of critical scholarship and a noteworthy An irony, however, is that some Jewish and other along strict scientific lines, are routinely The reason why the author has involved contribution to the growing literature of entrepreneurs see the gaps or defects due to govern- dismissed out of hand. himself in the debate, is that in order to Torah-and-science. As a stand-alone history ment failures and lack of effective governance, as op- The very fact that scientists admit to challenge anti-religious scientism, it is cru- of science alone – and an erudite, consist- portunities for innovative responses and plunge in having religious beliefs of some kind, would cial to also address the culture of docile con- ently readable one – it deserves a wide and creatively with new businesses, organisations and so seem to be enough to discredit anything formism and “obsequiousness to scientific serious readership. In the meantime, I rec- on. they might have to say, as if their basic rea- authority” within which it has been allowed ommend visiting Rabbi Bogacz’s website: Is the negativity the harbinger of an irreversible soning must have been somehow twisted to flourish. www.TorahExplorer.com. downhill slope for South Africa, as some say? But, and subverted from the outset. The “big issue”, of course, is current then, South Africa has been through protracted bad times before and bounced back. During apartheid we never knew when or how it would end - possibly in Israel features prominently in final debate a bloodbath. We came through in a way that was an inspiration to the world. We need visionaries again. WASHINGTON - The US-Israel lomatically, not just culturally, Another Mandela? alliance and the need to keep but militarily.” Is there a future here for young Jews or other dis- Iran from acquiring a nuclear Along with Iran, China, Af- tinct smaller population groups? It is essential, espe- weapon were major themes in ghanistan, Syria and Pakistan, cially for a minority like the Jews, to continue build- the final presidential debate. Israel was among the most ing and doing our bit. Jews do not share the sense of Both President Barack Oba- mentioned countries. Obama, entitlement. We must respond creatively to change ma and Republican candidate who has faced attacks from things. Mitt Romney, said on Monday Romney on his approach to One person cannot fix everything, but our public during their foreign policy de- Israel, was the first to mention protector Thuli Madonsela is a glimmer of light. All bate that they would stand with Israel when he outlined at the credit to her for being prepared to take on politically Israel in an attack by Iran. beginning of the debate how volatile cases, like the excessive use of taxpayers’ mon- “Israel is a true friend,” he was dealing with the unrest ey by Zuma on his personal estate, Nkandla, and vari- Obama said when debate roiling the Middle East. ous ANC-related deals. Forty eight per cent of people moderator Bob Schieffer of “It is absolutely true that in the TNS survey felt Madonsela was “doing a good CBS News asked the candidates we cannot just beat these nate,” Romney said in arguing Obama responded by not- job”. whether they would see an challenges militarily,” Obama that he would better stand by ing he had visited Israel and US In “normal” countries, it is a matter of course that attack on Israel as an attack said, “and so what I’ve done US allies. troops abroad as a candidate the public protector investigates any suspicion of cor- on the United States. “It is our throughout my presidency and Obama countered that dur- - a reference to criticism of ruption. But here one immediately ponders if this will greatest ally in the region. And will continue to do is, No 1, ing his presidency, military and Romney for not visiting troops endanger her, or the powers-that-be will sideline or if Israel is attacked, America make sure that these countries intelligence co-operation with during his campaign travels discredit her. will stand with Israel.” are supporting our counterter- Israel was “unprecedented”. abroad. He attacked Romney Government should strive to show the electorate Romney concurred. “I want rorism efforts; No 2, make sure Israel returned as a topic for organising a fundraiser dur- how trustworthy they are to hold the reins of power. to underscore the same point that they are standing by our in a heated exchange when ing his own Israel trip in July. But 42 per cent of people in the survey felt govern- the president made, which interests in Israel’s security, be- Romney reminded Obama that “And when I went to Israel ment often ignored Madonsela’s findings. Only half is that if I’m president of the cause it is a true friend and our he had not visited the country as a candidate, I didn’t take felt the government is really attacking corruption. United States, when I’m presi- greatest ally in the region.” during a 2009 Middle East tour. donors, I didn’t attend fund- TNS spokesman Neil Higgs said: “…the perception dent of the United States, we Romney later accused Oba- “By the way, you skipped raisers, I went to Yad Vashem, that the government often ignores rulings of the Pub- will stand with Israel,” Romney ma of distancing the United Israel, our closest friend in the the Holocaust museum there, lic Protector, [is] an untenable situation.” What a sad indictment! The electorate of this said at the debate at Lynn Uni- States from Israel. region, but you went to the to remind myself of the nature country - including the Jews - must wake up and de- versity in Boca Raton, Florida. “I think the tension that other nations,” Romney said. of evil and why our bond with mand better. “And if Israel is attacked, we existed between Israel and the “And by the way, they noticed Israel will be unbreakable,” have their back, not just dip- United States was very unfortu- that you skipped Israel.” Obama said. (JTA) 26 October – 2 November 2012 Opinion and Analysis SA JEWISH REPORT 7 Dissecting Justice Richard Goldstone’s ‘no-win’ situation Hating Goldstone: the Jewish Community Against the Judge by Kevin Bloom (Parktown Publishers, trading as MampoerShorts)

REVIEWED BY GEOFF SIFRIN to keep alive the legal practice of Nelson hoped to become UN Secretary-General. whether, given all that had happened, he Mandela and Oliver Tambo. The most dramatic episode in the “cru- would do it again, Goldstone said only if he In this long-form journalistic piece, well- In an interview with Bloom, Browde said cifixion” - as implied in Bloom’s book - of did not have a family. Or was his retraction a known South African author Kevin Bloom, “…There is no doubt he made a mistake. It Goldstone was an intended picket organised genuine change of mind based on the rational whose book Ways of Staying won the 2010 was a no-win situation. If he had found that by the SA Zionist Federation at analysis of a fine legal mind? South African Literary Award for Literary Israel was not to blame in any way it would Sandton Shul in Johannesburg, Bloom interviews key figures Journalism and was shortlisted for the Alan have been said of him, ‘What else could be where Goldstone was to attend on both sides of the Paton Award, tackles head-on the bitter saga expected from a Jew?’ On the other hand, as the barmitzvah of his grandson. argument, painting a of the Goldstone Report and the motivations it turned out, having found that Israel’s ac- Bloom interviews SAZF fascinating picture of the and plight of the man - Mr Justice Richard tions were unjustified, it was said of him that Chairman Avrom Krengel about minefield which accom- Goldstone - who chaired it. as a Jew ‘he should not have joined the ranks the intentions of the picket, panies how and by whom Bloom presents viewpoints from key of the enemies of the State of Israel’.” news of which created an in- Israel may be criticised, figures on different sides about the mystery A large part of Bloom’s work deals with ternational furore and showed and the role of left-wing as to why Goldstone - a proud Jew, a re- what happened to Goldstone in the aftermath the SA Jewish community in and right-wing Jews and spected member of the SA Jewish community of the publication of the report, as the wrath a very negative light. supporters or opponents and a committed Zionist and member of the was unleashed on him of pro-Zionist Jews The picket was ultimately of Zionism. For people Hebrew University in Jerusalem’s Board of everywhere, including respected world legal cancelled, Goldstone attend- familiar with all this who Governors - was willing to take on, in 2009, figures like Alan Dershowitz - who called him ed the barmitzvah without followed the Goldstone saga the chairmanship of the UN commission of an “evil, evil man”, a “moser” who betrayed hindrance, and a meeting closely, there is nothing new inquiry into the Gaza war of 2009, Israel’s his own Jewish people. was organised between in Bloom’s piece. For the or- Operation Cast Lead. Attempts were made to discredit him by him and the SA Jewish dinary person, however, it is a It was a commission which pro-Israel sup- showing him up as a man whose primary community leadership in useful guide to the complexity porters claim was biased against Israel from motivation during his career was self-aggran- which the latter expressed of the issues. the outset and would inevitably produce a disement, a cause for which he was prepared their outrage to him about The format of the “long- report slamming it. to serve even in the vile racist system of his report. form journalism” published by The report ultimately said Israel could be apartheid. Bloom’s piece ends with another mystery: MampoerShorts is the brainchild of professor guilty of serious human rights abuses during Goldstone was appointed a judge in the Why did Goldstone, in an opinion piece in of journalism at Wits, Anton Harber and his the war, a finding which enraged Jews world- 1970s when Jimmy Kruger was the minister the Washington Post of April 2, 2011 issue a partners. The works are longer than journal- wide and Israel as being absolutely wrong of Justice and Police in the Cabinet of Prime “retraction” – as Bloom calls it - of the report? istic articles, but shorter than conventional and unjustified. It led to Goldstone becom- Minister John Vorster. Kruger is notorious Was the personal pressure on him just too books, ranging in size from 10 000 to 20 000 ing a pariah among large parts of the Jewish for his comment, when confronted with the much to bear? Did he hope that by doing words. world, and particularly his own South African death in detention of Black Consciousness so he might regain some respect from Jews They are long enough to go into some Jewish community, where he went from be- leader Steve Biko: “It leaves me cold”. worldwide, who were calling him a traitor? depth in the topics they address, but can be ing one of its most admired sons to its most “Exposes” on Goldstone’s apartheid-era Krengel commented: “You would have read in one sitting. Mampoer Shorts aims hated, branded as a traitor. role were published in the Israeli and interna- to think long and hard to find a Jew who “to promote South Africa’s top writers”. The The mystery is articulated succinctly by tional press, giving ammunition to discredit has done more damage to his people.” He works can be bought via the publisher’s web- Jules Browde, a respected human rights law- his report as the work of a man with a highly had clearly suffered greatly from the attacks site for a fee of $3, of which $1 goes to the yer who during apartheid in the 1950s fought suspect personal agenda - it was said that he on him; asked by businessman Brian Joffe writer in royalties.

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David Kramer, the original co-creator Enigmatic ‘Kats’ still pulls in the crowds of the award- winning musical. apartheid era. A revival makes you look at a with local sounds. show differently.” The show’s back story is equally Saul Radomsky (pictured inset), set powerful. Kat is based on the life of designer for the original and current pro- Salie Daniels, who starred. “He died ductions, commented on the road “Kat” has suddenly in 1999, just before the travelled since 1999. show debuted on Broadway,” says

ROBYN SASSEN “When I was commissioned to design Kramer. Photo by Jesse Kramer Kat, censorship was powerful. Johannes- “This revival, dedicated to Taliep, was Currently on the burg and Cape Town were culturally poles motivated by the Fugard Theatre. It started boards at Monte- apart. My awareness of the atrocity of performing there in May, and has played to casino in Johan- District Six was unformed. capacity audiences for 18 weeks. It’s nice to nesburg, is the “I was living in London at the time. In- know something has this kind of longev- double-Olivier teracting with Coloured cast members was ity and can mean something to the next award-winning verboten. I came from the ‘cushie’ side be- generation,” he adds. District Six musical cause of the colour of my skin. But I worked “In 1999, at the West End, it won two Kat at the Kings, created hell for leather, in order to understand the Laurence Olivier awards - Best New Musical by David Kramer and the community from the inside out.” and the whole cast won Best Actor. It played Carlo Daniels (with headphones) records late Taliep Petersen in The lead is Danny Butler who was from Vegas to Europe. As we went, we music with Dean Bailie, Zak Toerien and 1995. It’s hot from its juvenile lead when it debuted. This season, ‘tweaked’ it, to explain things about what Grant Peres – and Amy trout on piano in first revival season at he celebrates 1 000 performances with the Coloureds were and so on,” Kramer adds. a “Kat” Scene. the Fugard Theatre in show. The rest of the cast is new. “They Says Radomsky: “It is the same show, it in 2005. It’s an SA classic.” Radomsky Cape Town. bring their own District Six stories - like but more developed. In my design, there concurs, “It’s like ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ for Kramer explained: their predecessors,” says Kramer. was much more ‘tsatskerai’ than there is Jews.” “As it’s a musical, the It’s about Kat Diamond, a Coloured now. This is a pared down approach.” audience should have a teenager in 1950s District Six who develops “And then, Taliep’s tragic death.” Kramer • Kat and the Kings is at Pieter Toerien joyous experience but this his career from the streets to recording stu- takes a breath. “It’s the first time Kat’s been Theatre, Montecasino, until November 18; particular musical has a dios. Kat forms the a cappella group Cavalla performed since. I’m really proud we are it transfers back to the Fugard Theatre dark edge, because of Taliep’s murder in Kings with his buddies, blending American able to remember him in this way. I think in District Six, November 24 until

Photo courtesy: www.yoursoapbox.co.za 2006, and also because of it being set in the doo wop tunes and rock and roll influences people should see it again, even if they saw January 19. Baleful images leave you Reaching to the heart and uplifted, also damaged soul of earth and society Exhibition: Concerning Precious- But it is the unforgiving tech- ness by Lynda Ballen nique - paper, handcrafted from Where: David Krut Projects, Park- discarded drawings and exhib- wood, (011) 447-0627 ited on the frames on which it When: until November 3 is made - and your own gesture of really looking at and reading REVIEWED BY ROBYN SASSEN the drawings, layered as they are

Photograph: Robyn Sassen with nuance, pattern and word, Johannesburg Art Foundation that makes you realise what a veteran Lynda Ballen, engages tumult of issues they seethe in; the concept and history of min- how stirring they are, and how ing in an exhibition that at first contemporary, reaching as they glance seems sedate. It grows on do to the heart and soul of earth you, almost surreptitiously. and society. By the time you leave the Ballen, with scalpel-sharp gallery, your head reels from thinking, never stooping to sen- the depths to which you’ve been sationalist drama, guts precon- plummeted and how you have ceptions so flawlessly, you might been encouraged to think. believe the work rests only on Portrait of the Artist’s Mother, oil on canvas, by Miriam Stern. With a focus hotly relevant copies of 16th century landscape to this city, now, the work is prints, but look more carefully. In Their Proper Abiding Place (2012), Exhibition of work by Miriam Stern also about much more. Reading It is the push and pull of an ink drawing on reconstituted Where: Rabbi Cyril Harris Community Centre, Oaklands, (011) 728-8088 the writings of 16th century strings through, behind and pigmented archival paper laminated When: until November 4 scientist, Georgius Agricola, in support of the drawings, over twine known as the father of geology, and the presence of embedded REVIEWED BY ROBYN SASSEN Ballen allows her gaze to shift substances which sparkle and they stand, keeping the moral from horror to preciousness, to darken them, that strengthen horror of the show conceptually This bar-raising Miriam Stern exhibition shimmers with what gave 20th conservation. the ideological grounds on which taut. century European art the courage to express the horror of its time. Her draftsmanship is fierce; she wields tools of specificity and colour Arts in Brief with acuity in her celebration of giants like Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn, French Romantic painter Théodore Géricault, and Dutch American Come and look at ‘Ground ‘Mom and Me’ sees Judy and Loren Kaplan has created new abstract painter Willem de Kooning. Xero’ at Art in the Forest daughter Kim on stage body of bell works The show is muscularly dark; its pinnacle is a painting of the artist’s Established ceramicist and gallery Last April Judy Page, one of our In 2009, ceramicist Loren Kaplan mother, which pummels you into awareness of who this artist is, and how curator Anthony Shapiro, invites the stage’s dearest, warmed the cockles created a set of six basalt clay bells, capable. Rather than a sentimental reflection, this is an unflinching gaze public to an exhibition entitled “Ground of your heart speaking and singing of entitled “The Bells of Forgiveness”. at a strong, ageing woman, captured with uncompromising urgency. Xero” at Art in the Forest, a Bauhaus- her rich life on stage and off and her They were accepted as part of the Stern has donated 11 drawings in charcoal and Gesso, to Johannes- style residence turned studio gallery, career spanning several decades. Constitutional Court Art Collection burg’s Holocaust Centre. Like those neighbouring them, they’re splinter- built in 1956, at Constantia Nek, Rhodes This month, she performs Motivated by a need to make ingly legible as poisonous places of confinement, but they lack specifics Drive. opposite her daughter Kim Kallie in vessels that symbolically create and thus, cliché. Essentially a mixed media “Mom and Me”, a revue about what meaning by holding something in the The looser, more startling paintings in this exhibition are placed near exhibition, inspired by xerophytes – they have in common: children, dogs, boundary of their form, even though the gallery’s entrance. Your focus is grabbed by the intricacy and dark plants which have learnt to adapt to life husbands and each other. they are physically and literally empty depth of Stern’s drawings as you enter the space; but the paintings are in a waterless environment – and clay Now, after many years, they will – they are about potential – Kaplan curatorially positioned to be seen again, after the Rembrandt portrait, and wooden sculpture, including work be sharing a stage, in collaboration has created a new body of bell by John Shirley, Dale Lambert, Madoda with Johan Laas at the Foxwood works, which she is exhibiting from after the Shoah pieces, after the portrait of the mother. Fani, Loren Kaplan, Marion Fuchs and Theatre, 13 Fifth Avenue, Houghton, November 29, at motmot, 44 Eleventh They collectively fit under a “doll” rubric. The idea of a young girl’s Shapiro himself, it showcases objects Johannesburg, on October 28 at Street, Parkhurst. plaything and a broken female body is pinned with a jagged, furious from architectural planters to botanical 15:00. A variety of Kaplan’s other brush to a bitter narrative straddling representation and abstraction. art and is open from October 27 until Tickets include high tea after the ceramic pieces will also be on These baleful images implacably cast in the embrace of unequivocal December 20. (021) 794-0291 or visit production. Call Clive Rodel: display. For further information visit competence leave you simultaneously uplifted and damaged. www.lightfromafrica.com (011) 486-0935. www.lorenkaplan.co.za 26 October – 2 November 2012 Tapestry SA JEWISH REPORT 9 NY debut for Israel Philharmonic on its short United States tour TOM TUGEND and to rescue German Jewish from the Soviet Union came in LOS ANGELES musicians from Nazi persecu- the 1970s and ‘80s, and they The founder of the tion. now make up about half of the Palestine Symphony Few can chronicle the changes The Carnegie Hall concert 100-piece orchestra. in the Israel Philharmonic included the New York premiere A number of players from Orchestra, a precursor Orchestra better than Gabriel of “Mechaye Hametim” (Revival North and South America also to the IPO, was Vole, a veteran double bass of the Dead), a choral sym- have entered the ranks, and the Bronislaw Huberman. player. phony by Israeli composer and main working languages now Vole represents the third conductor Noam Sheriff that is are Hebrew and English. The to Huberman’s single-minded generation of his family to dedicated to the victims of the latter is mainly to accommodate dedication and perseverance. perform with the orchestra. Holocaust and the builders of many of the Russians, who A native of Poland, Huber- His maternal grandfather, the Israel. understand English better than man was a musical child prodigy Polish-born violinist Jacob Also at the famed venue, Hebrew. who relentlessly driven by his Surowicz, was a co-founder and Chinese pianist Yuja Wang, 25, Vole tells the story of father became a world-renowned was followed by Gabriel’s father, an audience favourite for her Gustavo Dudamel, now the ef- violinist. Disillusioned by the Leopold, whose son inherited musicianship and fashion state- fervescent conductor of the Los First World War, Huberman his love for the double bass. ments, played in Felix Men- Angeles Philharmonic, leading quit at the height of his fame In addition, Gabriel’s mother, delssohn’s Piano Concerto No 1 the IPO in 2008 and 2010 and to broaden his education at the Sarah, and uncle Maurice filled in G Minor. once setting a rehearsal for late Sorbonne in Paris and became an in occasionally. In the other venues, Wang Saturday afternoon. Some re- ardent advocate of a pan-Europe- will perform in Chopin’s Piano ligiously observant players did an union. ‘When I signed Concerto No 1 in E Minor. The not show up until after the end With the rise of Hitler, and up in 1967, there programme for all four concerts of Sabbath. seeing worse to come, he set features Schubert’s Symphony When Dudamel asked about about forming a world-class were maybe three or No 3 and Brahms’ Symphony their absence, a violinist gave a orchestra in a yet largely barren four women in the No 1. one-word explanation: “Shab- land, far from the coffeehouses orchestra. Now I’d say Over its 76 years, the IPO bes”. and opera houses of Vienna or they make up 40 per has undergone many transfor- The conductor grew ex- Budapest. In 1936, facing a criti- mations. tremely agitated and shouted: cal shortfall of $80 000 to launch cent or more of the Vole noted that the or- “Chavez? What does this have his venture, Huberman enlisted members.’ chestra early on comprised to do with Hugo Chavez?” an amateur violinist named Al- mainly refugees from Germany Dudamel was referring to bert Einstein, and together they The biggest change, Vole and a large Polish contingent, the president of his native raised the sum at one benefit says, is the number of women. rounded out by a smattering of Venezuela. dinner in New York. “When I signed up in 1967, Russians, Hungarians, Romani- Vole says playing for the For the orchestra’s inaugural there were maybe three or four ans and some native Israelis. IPO is not purely about playing concert under the great Italian women in the orchestra,” Vole “At that time, the rehearsals, music “but about solidarity and conductor and ardent anti-fas- said. “Now I’d say they make the correspondence, everything making music together”. cist Arturo Toscanini, 100 000 up 40 per cent or more of the was in German,” Vole said in a The love affair between the buyers - in a total Jewish popula- members.” phone interview with JTA. orchestra and the India-born tion of 400 000 - vied to buy the Vole and the IPO, led by That lasted until the 1950s, Mehta is passionate and long 2 000 available tickets. music director for life Zubin when an increasing number of standing. He knows the musi- Among those paying tribute Mehta, on Thursday kicked off native-trained musicians joined. cians and their spouses by their to Huberman, and demonstrat- a five-day concert tour span- An influx of talented musicians first names, and will converse in ing their own virtuosity in ning four American cities with Yiddish with Russian newcom- the film, are violinists Itzhak a performance at Carnegie Hall A number of players ers. Perlman, Pinchas Zuckerman and in New York, before moving on “Zubin’s identification and Joshua Bell. to Palm Springs, California, Las from North and South involvement with the orchestra “Orchestra of Exiles” opens Vegas and Disney Hall in Los America also have is complete, and so is his identi- today in New York and on No- Angeles on successive nights entered the ranks, fication with Israel,” Vole said. vember 2 in Los Angeles. starting this Sunday. The founder of the Palestine The New York and Los Ange- Complementing the IPO’s and the main Symphony Orchestra, a precur- les concerts include fundraising tour is the release of the film working languages sor to the IPO, was Bronislaw galas featuring receptions with “Orchestra of Exiles”, which now are Hebrew Huberman, and the documenta- the artists and dinners hosted by documents the struggle to ry “Orchestra of Exiles” is a trib- the American Friends of the IPO. establish the orchestra in 1936 and English. ute by filmmaker Josh Aronson (JTA)

Zubin Mehta conducting the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in a four-city US tour. Photo: Shai Skiff 10 SA JEWISH REPORT Letters 26 October – 2 November 2012 The Editor, PO Box 84650, Greenside, 2034 email: [email protected] From the MouthS of Babes ‘totally misses the mark’ Outreach initiatives purely Tzedaka: Jewish community’s for sake of tikkun olam needs should take precedence This past Motsei Shabbos I went with my wife performing like this on stage. There are other and son to see the new play, From the Mouths ways to humour an audience without self I’d like to offer an alternative perspec- I agree with Dr Ivor Blumenthal in his advice of Babes, at the Market Theatre. degradation of ourselves and our nation. tive to Dr Ivor Blumenthal’s provocative that the Jewish community should support I was surprised, to see a mixed audience of My honour as a Jew would not allow me opinion piece, “Jewish philanthropy: Is its own rather than allocating precious fund- Jews, non-Jews, blacks and religious Mus- to sit through this embarrassment, so it charity or merely reparations?” (SAJR ing to the greater South African public. lims. I was surprised because the play revolves my son and I walked out, possibly to the October 12). Jews should be a “light unto the na- around Jewishness and our Jewish roots in dismay of some politically correct individuals For the past year, I have conducted tions”. To me this means behaving like a South Africa and has three young Jewish in the audience. over 50 interviews for the SA Jewish mensch and treating people respectfully. women as the main and only characters. Unquestioningly these girls have great tal- Board of Deputies’ “Jubuntu” project, ex- I am not suggesting that we ignore the In my opinion the show totally misses ent. They together with other Jewish actors ploring Jewish contributions to broader wider South African public; I drive around the mark. The singing of Jewish and religious have the ability and potential to reach a large South African society in the fields of with food and drink in my car to give to songs was interspersed with stories often mixed audience and to powerfully convey our education, skills development and job people on the street and elsewhere. using crude and vulgar language, and at one truth as a unique nation worthy of Hashem’s creation. I donate clothes and baby food to aban- point singing a song to Jesus. If this is meant expectations of us as a “light unto the na- The project was initiated following a doned black babies. If I know of a need I try to be funny, it really isn’t. tions”. call to action to the Jewish community give in the best way I can. I believe (however) It just doesn’t gel. In fact, it is distaste- I don’t believe that any self-respecting by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe larger donations should go to Jewish causes. ful and unnecessary. At worst it is a chillul Jew left there feeling that we had been well in August 2011 at the SAJBD’s Biennial Tzedaka, is meant to go first to one’s Hashem, and at best it portrays a poor image represented. Conference, and it seeks to highlight suc- closest family, then to the greater Jewish of Jews and Judaism in general. cesses, draw lessons and describe models family/community. When they are all taken I could not imagine Muslims, for Dion Fransman that can be replicated. care of and there is left over, then with pleas- example, undermining their religion and Johannesburg In contrast to the insular, “Jews-first, ure give to the wider community. Jews-only” approach promoted by Dr But the Jewish community is in great All about Jewish charity – and helping animals in distress... Blumenthal, there is a remarkable array need. Just this past Friday a financially of Jewish individuals and organisations strapped friend of mine told me that the Letters from Martin Behr and Joel Goldstein (on Dr Blumenthal’s op-ed piece in the Jewish pouring their energy into improving the Jewish school her children have been at- Report of October 19) reflect divergent views but nevertheless are interesting in the Jewish ap- lives of other South Africans, often based tending for years, have notified her that proach to charity. My view is that every Jew who can afford to help his fellow-Jew, is obligated on generous Jewish financial contribu- they are completely cutting her subsidy! She to do so. Rather than help non-Jews, the Jew should rather give more to his community. tions. will get NO financial assistance towards her The government in this country (and their cadres) are helping themselves without giving It has nothing to do with currying children’s Jewish education. any thought to those who are less fortunate and unable to help themselves. In fact, virtually favour or assuaging guilt, but a genuine She doesn’t know what to do at this late no help is given by government to its own people, yet these souls are the same people who vote belief in the power of people to improve stage of the year and it came as a total sur- the government into power and support legislation against Israel and its products. My take on the country by their efforts. The ben- prise. She’s been to the Chev (remember: no eficiaries certainly do not harbour the Jew gets left behind?) and they will not help charity is this: I help Jewish charities as much as I can. Thereafter, I donate to animal rescue “jealousy, deep-seated hatred, mockery her. And she was not the only one. There and other charities, what I have left over. and marginalisation of the Jewish com- were 20 to 30 sets of parents crying on this Goldstein is perfectly correct when he says that we, as Jews, try to find favour with other munity” as Dr Blumenthal claims, but particular morning at the school. Are people organisations that do not appreciate what is being done for them. I believe that my approach is truly value the work being done. aware of this? That Jewish schools and the correct, and if one reads the Shema prayer: “And I will give grass in your fields for your cattle, Interventions span the range from Chev are turning away Jewish people who and you will eat and be sated”, one gleans just how important animals are in the context of early childhood development by the likes need financial assistance? Judaism, the theory being that one’s own animals are to be fed before feeding oneself. of Afrika Tikkun and Ububele to in- Is this what we want? I can only imag- If one accepts that concept, it becomes clear that we as Jews are first and foremost obligat- school mentorship by the Chevrah Kadi- ine that this situation has arisen because ed to help Jews who are in need. Thereafter, we are not obligated to anyone who is not Jewish. sha’s Second Innings, matric teaching at the schools and the Chev are strapped for the Mitzvah School, Renalelona’s healing money. They have huge expenses that they Nathan Cheiman, Northcliff, Johannesburg through the arts to adult education by are battling to pay and there are casualties in OSSAC, and educating prisoners through this process of consolidation. Readucate and many more. Getting back to being a “light unto the These initiatives provide role-models nations” and “tikkun olam”: We can’t solve that we as a community should justly be the world’s problems. We can’t even solve proud of. Their motives are neither guilt South Africa’s problems, as much as we may nor glory as Dr Blumenthal asserts, but desire to. are sincere efforts at tikkun olam and Another way that we can be a “light” is improving the lives of others, in whatever to be an example to others in showing them small way. the priority of giving in order to take care of In fact, for South Africa to succeed, their own. we need much more Jewish investment in I’d really be proud if blacks looked to the good causes, not less. Jewish community for guidance as to how they can set up schools, medical services, Steven Gruzd, senior researcher food schemes, etc, for their own people. And and diplomatic liaison there are many of them in a position to do SA Jewish Board of Deputies so. Let them follow our example of giving and helping others. May they too start with Israeli newspapers are much of their own. a muchness Michele Engelberg I would like to respond to the article Johannesburg (Jewish Report, October 19), “Supporting Israel’s media strengthens its democra- UJW ‘dismayed’ at Blumenthal’s cy”, written by Ori Nir from Washington. stance on giving of charity As a person who lived most of my life in Israel, I truly, and unfortunately, fail I refer to the article (Jewish Report October to see a great deal of differences between 12) by Dr Ivor Blumenthal concerning as- the different Israeli newspapers. And I sistance/charity to others who are not of the don’t see any significant justification for Jewish persuasion. the existence and state sponsorship of so We would like to place on record that many Israeli newspapers. The Union of Jewish Women of South Africa They basically express the same so is totally dismayed at Dr Ivor Blumenthal’s called neo-liberal opinions, in favour of suggestions of reducing or withholding assis- the different US “post”-Cold War admin- tance/charity given to non-Jewish causes. istrations. We at the Union, since 1931, have been The only Israeli newspaper which, in involved in the Jewish and broader commu- some way, was different from other Is- nity, as stipulated in our constitution. raeli newspapers, and not always “politi- We feel that as South Africans and Jews, cally correct”, was “Davar”, which existed we have an obligation (tikkun olam) towards during the years 1925 - 1996. Its closure our disadvantaged people, irrespective of race was, in some sense, a loss to free Israeli or colour and many people whom we help, journalism and pluralism. would be bereft without our assistance. And I don’t remember any outcry We don’t expect thanks, because our when it closed down. satisfaction comes from the success of our So, why the fuss now over papers such projects, both in South Africa and in Israel as Haaretz and Maariv? I just fail to get and the blessings that are heaped upon us it. But I would certainly be glad if “Davar” from grateful recipients. reappears. Margot Segal Avner Eliyahu Romm National President, Union of Jewish Sea Point Women of SA Cape Town Johannesburg 26 October – 2 November 2012 Community Columns SA JEWISH REPORT 11 A column of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies Tribute to communal involvement of our ‘elder statesmen’ Last week, this news- to shoulder the burden. Instead, say that in every major Jewish generation. As we approach the now hold office throughout our paper reported on the they continued to be involved, centre countrywide, one will find end of the secular year, many organisations bodes well for our 80th birthday tribute usually in unofficial capacities, outstanding men and women young people are poised to begin community’s future. However, function held in Cape often having generously stepped who have given and continue to a new chapter in their own lives we can never afford to become Town for Eliot Osrin aside to allow a younger genera- give outstanding service to their as they prepare to leave their complacent and must do all we in recognition of over tion to take office. respective communities. school or university years behind can to encourage and facilitate 50 years of service to I could list a number of All communal leaders are them. In doing so, we hope they the inclusion of young adults. the Jewish community. communal veterans who have essentially caretakers of a legacy will find time amidst all the Also honoured was been of enormous assistance pioneered by those who preceded challenges they face to make • Listen to Steven Gruzd on Jew- his wife, Myra, whose during my term of office, and my them, stretching back all the way themselves part of this country’s ish Board Talk on 101.9 ChaiFM multifaceted communal predecessors would undoubtedly to the very founders of organised diverse Jewish life, whether in its every Friday 12:00-13:00. Re- work includes taking do likewise. For obvious reasons, Jewish life in South Africa. religious, Zionistic, cultural, edu- peats Sundays, 11:00-12:00. Above Board the lead in establish- one should resist the temptation We endeavour to add our cational or social welfare aspects. Mary Kluk ing the Cape Town to single out specific individuals own chapter to that legacy before The wealth of dedicated and This column is paid for by the National Chairman Holocaust Centre. In in this context, but suffice it to passing the torch on to the next talented young leaders that SAJBD the course of my in- volvement in the establishment of the Durban Holocaust Centre, I benefited from her advice. I was in attendance at this inspiring function, and in the course of it met many of Cape Town Jewry’s most eminent communal leaders, past and present. Among them was Simon Jocum, a long-serving member and past president of the SAJBD Cape Council, as well as a long-serving national vice-chairman of the Board. Sadly, Simon passed away shortly afterwards, having been involved in Jewish communal activities to the very end. Eliot and Simon exemplify what is un- doubtedly one of our Jewish community’s greatest strengths, namely the continued involvement of its “elder statesmen” and the invaluable supporting role they play behind the scenes for the new generation of commu- nal leaders and professionals. On Tuesday, November 13th at 12pm Having given so much to the community in years gone by, they could justifiably have taken a back seat and left it to incoming leadership The President of the Weizmann Institute of Science Experienced PA Professor Daniel Zajfman will inaugurate the new is required for Yeshiva College David Lopatie Hall of Graduate Studies Primary School from January 2013. General secretarial At the Weizmann Institute of Science. and administration duties are essential. Good IT skills are vital. Only successful candidates will be contacted. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be followed Please email a short CV to [email protected] by a luncheon celebrating this transformational gift by David Lopatie of Johannesburg in support of the graduate education of future generations of scientific talent in Israel.

The dedication will take place during the 64th Annual International Board Meeting of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.

Should you wish to be present please contact [email protected] Or call 972.8.934.4582 12 SA JEWISH REPORT Youth 26 October – 2 November 2012 Visit to Afrika Tikkun an eye-opener forKDL learners AMANDA BLANKFIELD Johannesburg. When the group of 60 arrived, they King David Linksfield Primary and High brought with them 1 000 sweets to hand School groups visited the Afrika Tikkun out to the 459 children and youth at the Uthando Centre in Braamfontein on Octo- centre, bringing much joy and excitement. ber 17. Parents who are dedicated to outreach This was the culmination of a book work at Afrika Tikkun, Tessa Forman and drive started four years ago by Doron Hayley Haberer, and the group of teachers Haberer. The book drive was continued and who accompanied the group, were amazed expanded by Cassie and Tarryn Forman. by the holistic model the centre follows to The books were donated to the Uthando ensure children are given the opportunity library for use by the children and youth to become productive citizens after their from Hillbrow, Berea and Braamfontein in schooling. Photo supplied TA Primary kids Shmuly’s Mesivta feat recognised Lucy and the Hex comes collect gifts for Divote tops in band jamming competition Photo supplied

STORY AND PHOTO BY RABBI MOTTI HADAR PRINCIPAL TA BOYS’ HIGH Lucy and the Hex

Shmuly Kesselman, a grade 9 Mesivta learner at Torah Academy Boys’ RONEL ZEFF High School, learned the entire Talmud Masechta (Tractate) Makkos, 48 pages, and repeated it off by heart, eight pages at a time, to his A tough battle of the bands and DJs teacher and rosh Mesivta, Rabbi Reuven Finkelstein. took place on Sunday night October Photo by ChaniPhoto Zwick This was done in Shmuly’s own time over the course of a few 14, at King David High School Rabbi Dovid Hazdan, dean of Torah Academy, stands with the children of the months, as part of a Mesivta competition. Linksfield in which DJs and bands, Primary School, who display some of the gifts they have collected for Divote. Torah Academy is very proud of Shmuly’s huge achievement and supported by Chai FM, jammed in wishes him success in his continued learning. aid of Generation Earth, a project CHANI ZWICK The biggest project currently Shmuly is pictured with his teacher, Rabbi Reuven Finkelstein. to raise awareness of green issues is one where the organisation among learners. Divote, a Jewish chesed organisa- hands out backpacks which are Kicking off the battle were tion working within the com- embroidered with the wording, KDS grade 7 science fair Adena Prissman on vocals and Oren munity for the past 10 years, has “This comes with love and support Blass accompanying her on guitar. formed a partnership with Torah from the South African Jewish “Eclipse”, made up of Jonny Judin, Academy Primary School. community”. a huge success Dylan Rendel, Cliffy Gruber and The goal of Divote is to be able These bear the name of the Jarred Hodes, followed suit. “Lucy to give as many Jews as possible child and are filled with gifts such and the Hex”, who are Dean Salant, the opportunity to show support as clothing, stationery, toys and David Wein, Gav Rubin and Matt to children in Israel who have other items. Letters of support Schomburg, were up next to rock been affected by acts of terrorism, from the children of Torah Acad- the stage. Each band was allowed a and to be able to bring some hap- emy, who collected the gifts, were cover, a song choice and an original. piness and joy into their lives. put into each bag Photo: Arnaldo Mandel Ari Emanuel, MC of the even- ing, then introduced an ad hoc beat box challenge which saw DJ Beats Jewish Interactive awards (Jason Berkowitz) taking charge. The DJs on the decks were Rael true Jewish wizardry Lowenthal and Zach Nudelman, Jewish Interactive has presented lum developers, informal Jewish who got the crowd dancing on the Chad Rayd from King David Vic- organisations and learners with stage, Dylan Kaler , who impressed tory Park Primary School and Leah cutting-edge gaming and elearning with a smooth flow of lounge Gluckman and Simona Stone from technology, to bring Jewish learn- sounds, and Jason Berkowitz, who Herzlia Constantia Primary School, ing into the 21st century. pumped up the evening with his with Kalahari.com gift vouchers mixing of “Gangnam Style”. for being three of six runners-up The judges, Ari Kellman, former in their first international digital Angie Sevel; Lauren Urdang; and Kira Miller. TV presenter, voice of Vuzu and homework competition. programming manager of 101.9 Nicky Newfield and Corinne Os- LAUREN URDANG, GRADE 7 Chai FM, Rikki Brest, actress, DJ, sendryver from Jewish Interactive, drummer and model, and Jonny also presented certificates to all the King David Sandton recently held their very own science fair. The Birin, musician and studio owner, participants from the two schools. learners were asked to get into groups of three or four and come up were very impressed with the The first prize of an iPad was with an experiment to present at the fair for their peers. quality of all the performers. They won by Adam Hart of Wolfson Hil- Their ideas were all different and extremely creative. They spent awarded the title of winning band lel Primary in London. His entry, weeks preparing their experiments and making colourful posters for to Lucy and The Hex, who win the an interactive 3D pop-up ebook - is the fair. opportunity to record two songs available for viewing on their site, On September 21 - break-up day - the pupils were excited to show at the Jonny Birin studios, and the www.jewishinteractive.net, as are off their creations. They set up in the school hall and got ready for title of winning DJs to pair Rael many other entries from around the the crowds of learners excited to have a look at all the unbelievable Lowenthal and Zach Nudelman. globe. experiments. Soul Candi sponsored a beginner’s Jewish Interactive describes The atmosphere was electric. Everyone was so full of energy; DJ course as a prize. itself in a media release as a “global their experiments ranged from explosions, to chemicals, to volca- Congratulations to Yakira collaboration” founded last year noes and even fire breathing! Amoils, grade 11 learner at King in South Africa and the UK, with It was a day to remember and will go down as a day of enjoyment David High School Linksfield and a branch now in New York, that Jewish interactive Award winner Chad for everyone involved. All the learners want to thank their science chairman of Generation Earth, for unites Jewish educators, curricu- Rayd from King David Victory Park. teacher, Linda Fine, for organising the unforgettable day. spearheading this event. 26 October – 2 November 2012 Community Columns SA JEWISH REPORT 13 A column of the Chevrah Kadisha Keeping it kosher “Kosher” is a word widely used maintain these endorsements. in communities both Jewish and Apart from being mandatory, not. It seems that no one can they are essential to our ability come up with a more descriptive to operate and receive subsidies way of signifying order and a and they grant permission for state of wellbeing - that things are us to collect and dispense funds honest, above board and trans- for the benefit of our community parent. and to issue 18A tax exemptions But anyone who keeps kosher to our donors. will testify to the huge amount So, what does this compliance of effort involved in maintaining entail? Comprehensive annual a kosher condition. It’s easy to NPO reports are submitted by all initiate (well, maybe not so easy), seven divisions to the Gauteng but requires vigilance and deter- Provincial Government. In addi- mination to sustain. tion each entity must present the It occurs to me that for the Department of Social Develop- Chev, corporate governance Partners in ment with detailed business generally, and compliance with Chesed plans. the rigorous government require- Michael Sieff Based upon these, service ments surrounding non-govern- Group CEO level agreements are entered FOR SALE ment organisations specifically, into every year. Meticulous six- are additional ways in which we must keep monthly progress reports are compulsory WINE FARM IN BORDEAUX, FRANCE it kosher. as well as monthly statistics and audited MAKING GOLD MEDAL RED & WHITE WINES INCLUDING KOSHER WINES Most people are familiar with the chal- financials for each division. It’s a big job! lenges of corporate governance, but not Considering its intricate processes and Audited profits for last 3 years many are aware of the complexities of NGO broad scope of significance, it’s no wonder 33 hectares of vineyard accreditation. that keeping “kosher” has achieved a rel- 2 houses on property Within the Chev group we have seven evance far beyond the borders of Jewish All equipment less than 5 yrs old divisions registered as Non Profit and Public communities. And at the Chev we don’t including harvester and bottling plant Benefit Organisations. These are impressive mix meat and milk either! Owner retiring after 50 years statuses, or, to continue our kashrut theme, May our partnership continue to New wine maker in place “hechshers”. thrive! But like licenced NGOs everywhere, we Turnkey operation with resident are required to invest enormous time and • Please feel free to communicate with me South African consultant overseer energy fulfilling the conditions needed to on [email protected] PRICE: €2,6 MILLION including stock This column is paid for by the Chevrah Kadisha CONTACT: Les Kellen Community Briefs Tel: office +33 557429966 • Cell: 33 662762272 WIZO conference spotlights ‘Facing the Future’ [email protected] • www.bordeauxwinevilla.com

Next Sunday, November 4, WIZO SA hosts its 34th Triennial Conference, “Facing the Future” at Killarney Country Club, Johannesburg, with Tova Ben Dov (pictured), World WIZO president, as guest of honour. The conference features a WIZO Avivs session: “The Fresh Face of the Future”, a panel discussion: “Faces of Israel in the Media”, a workshop, “Becoming your Personal Best” and a focus on WIZO’s ben- eficiaries. The official opening is in the evening, with key-note speaker Tony Leon, recently back from a two-year stint as SA Ambassador to Argentina. All sessions are open to the public; booking is essential. Sandy: (011) 645-2548. Sappi supports Kadimah’s ‘Casual Day’ Sandringham Gardens hosts shiur in honour of Gerald Horwitz Each year, Sappi’s Head Office Employee Wellbeing team selects one Casual Day beneficiary. This year, Rabbi Baruch Grosnass speaking at a breakfast Kadimah, a division of the Chevrah Kadishah’s Pro- shiur held in honour of the late Gerald Horwitz tected Employment programme was chosen; and they obm, during Chol Hamoed Succot in the Sandring- King David Victory Park Primary School is an independent were requested to submit their wish list. ham Gardens succah, called Horwitz a Jew with co-educational Jewish School for pupils from Grade 1 to 7. An industrial sandwich press, heavy duty staplers a great heart. Horwitz, who passed away in early We invite applications for the following post which is and staples, hammers, various pliers, strippers, screw- September, served two terms as president of San- available from 1 January 2013 or soon thereafter. drivers, industrial sewing machines and outdoor fur- dringham Gardens and was the driving force behind niture, were all delivered to help this adult-protected the building of Golden Acres, and in fact established employment workshop continue its great work. More its name. Sandringham Gardens said in a media than 100 people, unable to cope in the open labour release. Horwitz was “a big personality with a big Media Centre market, either because they are mentally, intellectually heart, a Jewish leader of excellence; the interests or physically disabled or have histories of substance and needs of the community were always foremost Educational Ipad Apps Coordinator abuse, are employed at Kadimah. – CELESTE EVERITT in his mind”. The successful applicant will be a suitably qualified professional with integrity, innovation and passion for teaching primary school children.

The minimum requirements for this position are: • Proof of registration with SACE; • A minimum of 3 years’ experience and a proven record of good classroom practice; • A passion for teaching primary school children in a diverse educational setting. • A willingness to participate in the extramural programme of the school and; • An ability to run a media centre or experience in working with Educational Ipad apps would be a distinct advantage.

The remuneration package for the post will be commensurate with experience. Please submit a letter of motivation with a full Curriculum Vitae and details of three contactable referees to Miss Alanda van Staden, PA to the Headmaster: [email protected] 14 SA JEWISH REPORT Jewish Travel 26 October – 2 November 2012 Great cities of the world: St Petersburg Peter the Great’s ‘Window to Europe’ has included a Jewish presence in the city since its founding. IRVING SPITZ munist regime when I visited the Refuseniks, Jews who were After the Tsar, Peter the Great, refused permission to emigrate. returned from a tour of Europe in The city was drab and the people 1698, he realised Russia needed to depressed. import European technology and This current visit was like culture to catch up to the West. landing on another planet. In 1703, he founded the city of St Nevsky Prospect, the main thor- Petersburg on the Baltic Sea, as oughfare and the cenre of the city, an outlet to Europe. It was built is bustling and lined with elegant on marshy ground on the banks hotels, restaurants, European of the River Neva by conscripted fashion houses and boutiques. peasants and prisoners of war. With its numerous bridges, Thousands perished in this en- canals, churches and palaces, St deavour. Petersburg is one of the most Peter brought in architects beautiful cities in the world. The from Europe and compelled all his most magical time to visit is dignitaries to build a home there. May to August during the White Within 20 years, he had con- Nights. The sun never really sets structed a major city. No buildings and there is a persistent twilight. except for churches were allowed A key tourist site is the Peter to stand higher than the Tsar’s and Paul Fortress, on a small is- View of St Isaacs Cathedral. Winter Palace, a tradition still land in the Neva River, where Pe- maintained today. ter commenced building his city. Within the Winter Palace is published before 1020, 12 are in his sixth symphony a few days be- The initial style was baroque. The island is dominated by The St the Hermitage, one of the greatest this Library. The most celebrated fore his death. In 1942 during the This was succeeded by rococo Peter and St Paul Cathedral. Its repositories of art in the world. is the Leningrad Codex, the old- Nazi siege on Leningrad, Shosta- which then gave architecture rep- Catherine the Great began the en- est complete manuscript of the kovich’s seventh symphony, The way to neoclas- resented a break terprise by buying many European Hebrew Bible using the masoretic Leningrad had its premiere. sicism. Because with traditional collections. Today the inventory text, dated to 1009. I was privileged to attend a of its palaces and Russian churches contains over 2,5 million objects. Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsa- memorable performance of this churches on the and its single gold There has been a Jewish pres- kov, Mussorgsky, Borodin and symphony in the same hall on canals, St Peters- spire attains a ence in the city since its founding. Shostakovich among other com- the 70th anniversary of its first burg is often called height of over 120 Many Tsars, however, prohibited poser, lived in the city and many performance by the St Petersburg the Venice of the metres. The Tsars Jews from settling in the city. are buried here. There are three Academic Symphony Orchestra North. and their families Exceptions were Catherine II and resident opera companies. The conducted by Alexander Dmitriev. In 1712, St are buried in this Alexander I and II who permitted most well known is the Mariinsky At all musical events, there Petersburg became church. wealthy Jewish merchants, indus- directed by Valery Gergiev. were many young people and even the capital of Rus- For much of its trialists, scientists and physicians Ballet has a rich tradition in children in the audience. The rich sia and the seat history, the Peter to settle there. St Petersburg where it occupies a musical tradition of Russia has of the Romanov and Paul Fortress Today St Petersburg has a vi- special place in the cultural life, been maintained. dynasty. Here the functioned as a brant Jewish community of some more popular than opera. Here, It was difficult to gauge what struggle against prison. Opponents 80 000. Religious and educational the great choreographers, Petipa the Russian people thought of the the ruling class be- to various regimes facilities centre in the Grand Cho- and later Diaghilev worked with current situation in their country. gan, culminating Church of the Saviour on Spilled were interred ral Synagogue which was conse- dancers like Pavlova and Nijinsky. People in general, however, seemed in the 1917 Bol- Blood. here. The prison crated in 1893 - the second largest I attended a spectacular produc- reluctant to discuss politics, but I shevist revolution also housed the synagogue in Europe, its architec- tion of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake did detect much disenchantment which led to the abdication of the writers Dostoyevsky and Gorky ture based on a Moorish style. with the Mariinsky’s principal with the present regime. last Tsar and the establishment of and politicians including Trotsky The National Library of Russia ballerina, Yekaterina Kondau- Perhaps the most telling the Soviet regime. and Lenin’s brother. contains 20 million items. The rova and Yevgeny Ivanchenko as remark came from someone in the The capital reverted to Palace Square has been the Jewish Karaite leader, travel- Siegfried. tourist ministry: “Not everything Moscow and after Lenin’s death scene of many dramatic moments ler, merchant and archaeologist, Philharmonic Hall in St Pe- was bad under the Soviet regime,” in 1924, the city was renamed in Russian history. In the centre is Avraham Firkovich (1786 - 1874), tersburg was where Tchaikovsky she remarked wistfully to me. Leningrad. The city was blockaded the Alexander Column, cut from a amassed an enormous number by the Germans for 900 days single block of granite; on the pin- of Hebrew, Arabic and Samaritan during the Second World War in nacle, an angel trampling a snake. manuscripts during his travels. Tips for when you visit Russia one of the most destructive and The Winter Palace is a mixture The Library purchased • If you’re holidaying in Russia and hold an SA passport, you need a Rus- lethal sieges in history. Today, St of baroque, rococo and neoclassi- Firkovich’s collection, which today sian visa, which costs about R640. The Russian Consular General is in Petersburg is Russia’s second larg- cal styles. Its magnificent salons, forms the core of its trove of Cape Town: (021) 418-3656; the Russian Embassy is in Pretoria: (012) est city with almost five million decorated in jasper, malachite and Hebrew manuscripts, one of the 362-7116. inhabitants. other precious materials, were world’s largest. • It is advisable when you visit Russia to update your vaccinations for My first trip to Leningrad the private apartments of the Of the 18 known dated hand- tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and particularly if you plan on hiking occurred in 1984 under the com- Romanov family. written Hebrew manuscripts himselfor camping, conducted tick-borne the premiere encephalitis. of View of the Winter Palace. • The best time of year to visit Russia depends on what you want to see and do. The land mass is enormous, embracing 11 time zones on two continents, with a range in temperature between 30 degrees Centi- grade and minus-30 degrees Centigrade. The period of the year known as White Nights in St Petersburg, occur in early July, when the sun never fully sets. • Russian is spoken in St Petersburg in the main; a small percentage speak Finnish or Estonian, but generally, you can get by in English. • The Russian currency is the rouble, which at the time of going to press, will cost you R3,60. • Traffic in Russia is on the right hand side. • Electricity in Russia is at 220v, at a frequency of 50Hz. There are two types of standard Russian plugs: ones with two dual round pins and others with two dual round pins and grounding clips on either side. • It is not safe to drink tap water in Russia, particularly in St Petersburg, where the pipes are as old as the city itself, and the water improperly sanitised. While it is not necessary to rush to the hospital if you ac- cidentally get water in your mouth while showering, it is advisable to drink only bottled water, which you should also use to brush your teeth. Be careful of ice and frozen vegetables. • St Petersburg is two hours ahead of Johannesburg. 26 October – 2 November 2012 Classifieds SA JEWISH REPORT 15

To book your classified notice or advert contact: Tel (011) 274-1400, Fax 086-634-7935, email: [email protected] 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 & payment details. 3. Payment is prior to the advert appearing. 4. Our banking details: SA Jewish Report, Nedbank Randburg, Account Number: 1984 514 865, Branch Code: 198405. DEADLINE for BOOKING and PAYMENT is Tuesday 12 pm. (If deadline is missed the advert will appear (when payment is received) in the next edition). IMPORTANT NOTICE - The Jewish Report runs adverts in the Classified section in good faith, however we cannot be responsible for the quality of services offered and claims made.

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What’s On

Today, Friday (October 26) • The Lewandowski Chorale hosts a fund- Contact: Sandy: (011) 645-2515. bers of Loved Ones with Alzheimers” Venue: raising concert to raise funds to buy air Clive M Beck Auditorium. Time: 19:30. • Greenside Hebrew Congregation invites you tickets for some of its choristers who are un- • WIZO Etgar Annual Golf Day at Kyalami Donation: R60 (incl refreshments). Booking: to celebrate Shabbat with them from 17:45 able to do so themselves. The choir has been Golf Course. If you would like to play please Hazel or René (011) 728-8088/8378, after to 20:00. There will be perogen, snacks and invited to participate in the Tri-Star Festival contact Marion on 083-326-3791. hours (011) 728-8378, or e-mail: rchcc@tel- schnapps. All welcome. Information: tel and in Berlin in December. Venue: Redhill School komsa.net or [email protected], or visit fax (011) 788-5036. E-mail: info@greenside- Auditorium, 20 Summit Road, Morningside. Wednesday (October 31) www.greatpark.co.za shul.co.za. Time 15:30. Seating is limited, so book early to avoid disappointment. A 33 per cent • UJW CT adult education division hosts • Great Park Shul invites you to “Building a • UZLC hosts David Batzofin who will speak advance booking discount. Tickets can be Dr Raoul Scholtz will talk on “The Art of Relationship with Your Toddler” - a parent- on “Changing Horses in Midstream”. Venue: purchased at the door if available for R150. Opthalmology”. Venue: Stonehaven. Time: ing workshop with Dr Ronel Duchen. Starts Our Parents Home. Time: 14:00. Contact: Contact: Di Golding, chairman Lewandows- 10:00 for 10:30. Entrance: R20 (incl refresh- 19:30. Cost: R30 pp. Bookings essential. Gloria, (011) 485-4851 or 072-127-9421. ki Chorale, 082-338-4462. ments). Enquiries: (021) 434-9555. Contact: Goldie, 072-832-2001; goldiesimp- [email protected] Sunday (October 28) Monday (October 29) • UJW is hosting Dr Lorraine Chaskalson, formerly of the Dept of English, Wits, on • Second Innings has arranged a guided • Jewish and Israeli live music with Roni Lea • UJW is hosting Nadine Lemmer, manager the second lecture on a course on Thomas tour to the Voortrekker Monument. It’s singing/keyboards and African lead guitarist Arthritis Foundation Johannesburg branch, Hardy’s “The Mayor of Casterbridge”. Time: wheelchair-friendly and wheelchairs are Temi Oladejo. Venue: Kosher Mi Vami Glen- on “What, Who & Why of Arthritis”. Time: 09:30. Contact: (011) 648-1053, fax 086 available. Meet the bus at 08:45 in front of hazel. Time: 12:30 until 15:30. No entrance 09:30. Contact: (011) 648-1053, fax 086 273 273-3044. Donation: R20. Golden Acres. Cost: R120 includes the bus fee. Information: Tel: (011) 440-4933. 3044. Donation: R20. and the tour. Contact: Grecia Gabriel (011) • Balfour Park Parkinson’s Disease Support 532-9718. • RCHCC starts a series on memory. A docu- Tuesday (October 30) Group meets in the boardroom, Randjes Es- mentary “In Search of Memory: The Neuro- tate, Randjeslaagte Road, Highlands North. Thursday (November 1) scientist Eric Kandel”, will be shown. Venue: • RCHCC repeats the documentary “In Search Karyn Casey, a speech therapist, will speak Clive M Beck Auditorium. Time: 19:30. of Memory: The Neuroscientist Eric Kan- on the problems associated with speech • WIZO CT Bnoth Zion, hosts the launch of Donation: R60 (incl refreshments). Booking: del”, first shown last Sunday. Venue: Clive and swallowing in Parkinson’s Disease, and Rahla Xenopoulos’ book “Bubbles”, the fic- Hazel or René (011) 728-8088/8378, after M Beck Auditorium. Time: 19:30. Donation: therapy to overcome some of these prob- tional account of what might have been the hours (011) 728-8378, or e-mail: rchcc@ R60 (incl refreshments). Booking: Hazel lems. Information: Rosemary Burke, (011) life and death of Bubbles Schroeder, whose telkomsa.net or [email protected], or or René (011) 728-8088/8378, after hours 640-3919. murder was never solved. Venue: Grand on visit www.greatpark.co.za (011) 728-8378, or e-mail: rchcc@telkomsa. Beach, Granger Bay. Time: 17:00 for 17:30. net or [email protected] • RCHCC is hosting the second in the series Bookings: (021) 464-6729. Donation R150. • Northfield Shul hosts Hugh Raichlin who on memory. Dr Ryan Fuller (specialist will speak on “The Jews of Japan”. Venue: • WIZO Forum invites you to an informative psychogeriatrician) will speak on ”Memory Friday, (November 2) Northfield Shul, 51 Northfield Avenue, morning with Michael Judin (legal perspec- Problems from a Medical Perspective - What Glenhazel. Time: 19:30. Cost: R70 per per- tive) and David Shapiro (financial perspec- is Cognitive Impairment and Dementia and • UZLC hosts Don Krausz, who will speak on son (incl refreshments). Booking essential: tive) on “The Money’s Running Out!” - how How is the Diagnosis Made?” and Dr Jona- “My Holocaust Experiences”. Venue: Our E-mail [email protected] or SMS to ensure it doesn’t run out before you do. than Moch will speak on: “Special Emphasis Parents Home. Time: 12:45 - 14:00. Contact: Rozanne on 082-469-6610. Time: 09:30. Venue: Beyachad. Cost: R40. on Building Resilience in Close Family Mem- Gloria 072-127-9421 or (011) 485-4851. 16 SA JEWISH REPORT Sport 26 October – 2 November 2012 Is Nadal next on the Armstrong slide? Junren, came as the result of drinking But while all of this was going on, the Nevertheless, there have been leaks a natural concoction of turtle blood and Armstrong story tenaciously continued. and the French are suddenly having a go caterpillar fungus - and hard training. More revelations from the French press, at another sportsman - iconic Spanish Immediately after the 1996 Atlanta more denials from Armstrong. The Amer- tennis star Rafael Nadal. ROCKING THE BOAT Olympics, Wang disappeared into obscu- ican threatened to take them to court, It has been claimed in some quarters Jack Milner rity. While there was a load of specula- but that never happened. The World that former world No 1 was among the tion, nobody ever managed to prove Anti-Doping Agency got involved and by names on the list, but he has heatedly Wang was taking something stronger. August this year Armstrong said he would denied this. “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire”, my American sprinter Marion Jones no longer fight the drug charges. But it keeps cropping up. French TV mother always used to warn me and that set the athletics world alight in the late With all the ensuing fanfare, the walls station Canal Plus’ show “The Puppet- is probably why I’ve not scoffed at all 1990s and then she too was tainted in a of Jericho came tumbling down around eers”, put together an animated skit of the doping stories that keep coming out doping scandal. him and he has finally been stripped of Nadal drinking something that gives him of the woodwork. After all, if there is All of these athletes have one thing in his seven titles and could face attempts an enormous amount of energy. enough smoke, that woodwork eventually common. They all fervently denied they to reclaim much of the fortune he has The Spanish Tennis Federation has smoulders away and you are generally left were ingesting any illegal substances. So, amassed over the years. threatened to sue them and the French with the truth. when Lance Armstrong refuted all the TV Channel welcomes the threats. Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson was allegations made against him by L’Equipe The most relevant exposé Nothing has happened. Nadal has probably the first major dope cheat that in France, it actually meant very little. came with “Operation Puerto”, threatened legal action. Again, encour- caught the attention of the public and af- He was just following a trend adopted aged by the French, nothing has been ter that the flood began. We had Chinese by so many other guilty charlatans. Cy- the code name of a Spanish forthcoming. 3 000m athlete Wang Junxia, who set cling had been tainted for many years and police operation against the The ATP Tour, which governs tennis, four world records in six days in Septem- if one searches the Internet, one will find doping network of has not got the best of records when it ber 1993. She knocked 23 seconds off that there have been more than 300 posi- Dr Eufemiano Fuentes. comes to cleaning up the game when it the 3 000m world record and broke the tive dope tests in the professional sport involves top-10 players. record three times in three days, twice in since 1980. If one looks at it objectively, in a sport Anyone who read Andre Agassi’s au- heats. The most relevant exposé came with that is so heavily tainted, why should tobiography will know they did nothing “Operation Puerto”, the code name of a people have been so shocked at the when he tested positive for “recreational Her success, according to her Spanish police operation against the dop- Armstrong revelations? Considering the drugs”. Czech Petr Korda tested positive first trainer, Ma Junren, came ing network of Dr Eufemiano Fuentes, number of discovered dopers, can you im- at Wimbledon in 1998, just six months as the result of drinking a which started in May 2006 and resulted agine how many there were that actually after winning the Australian Open. in a scandal that involved several of the got away with it? The figures are probably Six months later someone leaked the natural concoction of turtle world’s most famous cyclists at the time. staggering. information to the press and it was not blood and caterpillar fungus - The police found a list of names - of But that brings us to another issue. until the players threatened a boycott of and hard training. cyclists, and a few other sports - who During Operation Puerto, the names of the 1999 Australian Open over the Korda were involved in the doctor’s doping other sportsmen were on Dr Fuentes’ list. affair, that the ATP finally imposed a ban. Under coach Mao Denzhen, Wang won circle. German cyclist Jan Ullrich was on They did announce that two of them were In the end you have to decide whether a gold medal in the 10 000m and a silver the list but, at first denied involvement tennis players. However, a judge in Spain Nadal’s protests are genuine, or whether in the 5000m in Atlanta in 1996. Her before he was totally exposed and banned quickly sealed list so that the names he is just blowing smoke, hoping he can success, according to her first trainer, Ma from the sport. A few others followed. could not get out. keep the fire at bay. Anton Marcus leads SA team JACK MILNER

Champion jockey Anton Marcus (pictured) will captain the South African team to take on an international squad in the annual Avis Coach Charter International Jockeys’ Challenge at both Turffontein and Greyville. The South Africans lost the event last year land will be going all-out to reclaim the trophy. Marcus will have former South African and Mauritian champion Jeff Lloyd, Gavin Lerena, former SA champion Piere Stry- dom, Anthony Delpech and Muzi Yeni, with S’manga Khumalo the reserve. Opposing them will be a team comprising Richard Hughes, Jimmy Fortune, Tom Queally, Jamie Spencer and Seamie Heffernan. Brazilian Joao Moreira gives the team a more international flavour. KDHCVP salutes top cricketer Lee Gruskin PETER TRUSCOTT

Lee Gruskin, one of King David Victory Park High School’s top cricketers for the past five years, has ended his cricketing career at the school on an amazing high. Lee recently took part in the Gauteng Under-19 Area Cricket Festival. He had an exceptional tour- nament, scoring over 230 runs in four innings, av- eraging over 100, as he was not out in two innings. The school is very proud to announce that he was selected for the under-19A team to represent Gauteng at the Coca-Cola Week in Potchefstroom in December. Lee’s selection is extraordinary, taking into consideration that he is the first Jewish player from a King David school to achieve this remarkable feat. This puts him in the top seven under-19 white Photo: Prestige Photographic Services players in the province.