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September 12 2014 / 17 Elul 5774 Volume 18 – Number 33 Look out for our south african bumper Rosh Hashanah issue next week, September 19. Jewish Report www.sajr.co.za Storm brews over West Bank land seizure Alster/FLASH 90 Miriam Photo: Children seen playing in the streets of the settlement of Gvaot, on September 2. Two days earlier the Israeli government had declared part of the settlement - some 400 hectares - located near the West Bank City of Bethlehem, as state land. Critics say the move undermines the precarious position of PA President Mahmoud Abbas, whose Fatah movement badly trails the militant Hamas in popularity. The Israeli government said the move was to avenge the murder in the West Bank in June, of three Israeli yeshiva students - Naftali Fraenkel (16), Gil-Ad Shaar (16) and Eyal Yifrach (19) - in the area. The US has called on Israel to cancel the proposed expropriation, saying: “This announcement, like every other settlement announcement Israel makes... is counterproductive to Israel’s stated goal of a negotiated two-state solution with the Palestinians.” The Israeli army has declared that there was no claim of Palestinian ownership on the land in question. Muslim Jewish Conference Rhodes’ senate says no to Jewish reporters hide Bash: A post-modern DL Link - making a real - bridging a divide anti-Israeli resolution their identity horror story difference in cancer lives It was a difficult trip to Rhodes University upholds When you have someone say: ‘I You emerge with your head Each patient has a family. When Mauthausen, but one made all the constitutionally-enshrined know what you are,’ what is the spinning with the horror and a dire illness is diagnosed, the more important in sharing it rights of academic freedom and purpose of that in the course of beauty of Greek tragedy and everyone needs counselling. with people who had no historic freedom of speech. the conversation we’re having? moral chasms in contemporary Even the family’s housekeeper. ties to this tragedy. values. 2 3 6 13 11 AN EASY STROLL HOME FROM SHUL... Walk to Walk to Walk to Walk to Walk to Various Shuls Linksfield Shul Great Park Shul Sandton Shul Victory Park Shul IT’S HOME TIME GLENSAN LINKSFIELD OAKLANDS MORNINGSIDE PIERNEEF PARK An opportunity not to be missed! Exceptional Luxury and Space! Ideal family living in great location! Immaculate simplex townhouse. Impressive upmarket home 011 731 0300 2 Bed apartment in secure complex. R12 990 000 | Ref 14833 R7 999 000 | Ref 15578 R2 499 000 | Ref 15504 with cottage! 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This way every person can focus on It was my first time at a camp; it The Muslim Jewish Conference an area they are interested in and was a difficult trip, but one made all (MJC) had its beginnings five years learn from others who share similar the more important in being able to ago with the aim of facilitating interests. share it with a group of people who communication between these two I was a part of the “Power and Re- had no historic ties to this tragedy, religions that have, of late, been ligion” group, which focused mainly but who felt it with me all the same. divided politically and as a result on issues of politics and religious We held a group prayer at the also socially. law and how these were amalgamat- site, where we recited Kaddish as As a member of the South African ed in modern states. We discussed well as a passage from the Qur’an. Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS), the implementation of sharia law in It was deeply moving. Dani Hovsha and Nadia Randera I had the opportunity to participate Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, as well Overall, learning about Islam Photo supplied in this event, which took place over as how halacha works in Israel. was probably the greatest part of staff from the MJC, the consensus lithic religions will be the best an intensive and inspiring seven The MJC kept focus away from the experience, understanding its seemed to be that our context was approach: It will open a religious days. Two of us, myself and a Mus- the conflict in the Middle East, laws, but also the modern-day ap- one of the most hostile environ- platform from which we can hope- lim girl from the University of the choosing instead to engage on plications of practising in a West- ments for Jews and Muslims. fully move forward and attempt to Witwatersrand, Nadia Randera rep- shared experiences, from Is- ern secular world. The similarities However, the MJC has pledged alter a paradigm which at present resented South Africa, to explain to lamaphobia and anti-Semitism, were striking. support to South Africa and there is making life on campus difficult our fellow participants the unique to culture and arts and historical I was also privileged to discuss has been discussion about seeing for Jews and Muslims alike. situation we have been experiencing narratives. the means through which people in if we can mirror the conference or I would like to thank the South both on and off campus and to un- As such, we could learn from and other countries had created inter- even bring it here at some point. African Jewish Board of Deputies derstand the varying circumstances about each other and discuss the faith dialogues. Interestingly, when I think an interfaith connection and Steve Lurie for making this across the globe. challenges we face together, rather talking about South Africa with between the three major mono- trip possible. Young Christians have a joyous Shabbos at Sydenham Shul ANT KATZ was to “introduce young Christian adults to The event was funded by SAFI. At the a little bit of Yiddishkeit and bring them and dinner Rabbi Silberhaft explained all the Last Shabbos the SA Friends of Israel (SAFI), the young adults of the SA Union of Jewish traditions, such as why we have two together with Christian Zionist group DEISI , Students (SAUJS) together”. It was an over- challas, etc. Rabbi Goldman thanked DEISI took 30 DEISI members to Sydenham Shul’s whelming success, added Hyman. Chairman Olga Meshoe, SAUJS and SAFI Shabbos service and then to Beyachad Rabbi Yossy Goldman of Sydenham Shul for what he said was a fantastic idea. where 70 people enjoyed a Shabbos dinner. was thrilled to host the young Christians, Olga’s father and ACDP leader, Rev Ken- The event was an initiative of Mark Hy- most of whom had never been in a shul neth Meshoe, SAFI Chairman Ben Shwartz, man, vice-chairman of both SAFI and DEISI before. Sydenham’s Chazzan Yudi Cohen, and the SAZF’s Benji Shulman, were among and was also attended by country communi- sang for the youngsters during the dinner, the 70 guests. ties spiritual leader, Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft, including his rendition of Shoshaloza that * Between November 24 and December also affectionately known as “The Travelling was very well received. 3, 30 DAISI members will be taken on a Rabbi”. SAUJS National Chairman Ariela Carno, tour of Israel. Over 40 qualifying applica- Rabbi Silberhaft told Jewish Report he told Jewish Report that the students were tions from young adult Christian Zionists was “encouraged by this initiative. The spirit delighted. “We have to acknowledge that we from all political persuasions were received of all who attended was lively and joyous have friends and we need their support in from as far afield as Nigeria, Cape Town, and the praise of Israel was addressed and getting Israel a fair hearing. It was wonder- and Pretoria. The committee is presently Mark Hyman, Olga Meshoe and sung about.” ful to share the experience with them,” she interviewing the applicants to select the Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft in Rabbi Silberhaft’s Beyachad office. The intention of the initiative, said Hyman, said. final 30. 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