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VOLUME 38 No 4 JUNE 2021 www.cjc.org.za And so, the rollout begins...
Thursday 27 May was a milestone day at Highlands House is taking a cautious step-by-step Highlands House, as residents received the approach to loosening restrictions. first of their Pfizer vaccines. Earlier in the month, Highlands House and Cape Jewish three-step system was implemented, with residents Seniors Association staff were vaccinated, and many taken through registration, innoculation, and then members of the community took the initiative of going Aa 15-minute waiting period, where they could be to sites that catered for walk-ins. (proof of registration monitored for any potential side-effects. was required) Staff and residents alike are looking forward to the For David and Hazel Cohen, this development means increased freedom that this will bring, although that they are that much closer to meeting their 5-week- old grandson in person for the first time.
Cape Jewish Seniors Association’s Psychological Counsellor Hajiera Safiedien– Maloon and Director Diana Sochen proudly declare their status, after receiving their COVID vaccines. The CJSA team had their shots at Gatesville Mediclinic last month.
Highlands House residents Carrol Schonberg and Mavis Lee receive the first of their Pfizer shots. Photo: Ashraf Hendricks, GroundUp Faltering hope on the Israel-Gaza border
Path to Peace is a collaborative mosaic artwork, expressing a dream of hope and love.
t is located on the border wall that divides the Gaza Strip and Israel, adjacent to the homesI of Moshav Netiv HaAsara. It can be seen from both sides of the gray security wall, completely transforming the environment. Artist Tsameret Zamir has lived on Moshav Netiv HaAsara for 20 years and is the creator of the project. Sadly, the recent war has had a devastating effect on the optimism that was created by this project. I am traumatised and scared of the hard experiences In an email to the Chronicle, Tsameret wrote, “The I went through, a powerful terror that repeatedly decoration on the border wall was meant to create an threatens my life. I have difficulty functioning, breathing atmosphere of hope. Each visitor wrote a wish on a and I’m crying all the time. I stopped working, I am David and Hazel Cohen received the first of their two Pfizer vaccines on 20 May at mosaic they chose and pasted it on the wall. It was a afraid to leave the house... Hoping for quieter and place that brought optimism for a safe life in the area. Lentegeur Psychiatric Hospital in Mitchells better days.” Plain. Inside this issue 25 Years of the Constitution The Jews of Okiep — Miasma is no myth We all need a laugh Two remarkable with Judges Albie Sachs a fascinating history — how to stop a — an important books by two and Dennis Davis pandemic reminder remarkable men Page 7 Page 9 Page 22 Page 25 Page 26 2 Cape Jewish Chronicle June 2021 CONTENTS VOLUME 33 No 5 JUNE 2016 VOLUME 38 No 4 JUNE 2021
Regular contributors Features Page 3 Des says... Page 22 Dr Gareth Kantor: Miasma is no myth — how Shabbat times to stop a pandemic Page 4 Subscriptions Page 24 Maiyan Karidi, The Samurai, the last tree and Family announcements a miracle Eliot Osrin Leadership Institute Page 26 Book reviews: two remarkable books by two Pages 6 - 10 Cape SA Jewish Board of Deputies remarkable men Page 11 United Herzlia Schools Pages 12-15 SA Zionist Federation (Cape Council) Page 16 Mensch Astra Centre Page 17 Telfed Mensch Thought-Leader of the month Page 18 Cape Jewish Seniors Association Page 19 Temple Israel Page 20 Jewish Community Services Page 21 Anton Katz: When local government becomes dysfunctional 9 Page 23 CSO Page 25 Craig Nudelman on the benefits of laughter Salisbury House Page 27 Chronic Ads Page 28 Sports News
25 28 CJC EDITORIAL BOARD Banking details: CSO emergency Chairman: Lester Hoffman. Ex-officio: Ben- SnapScan Standard Bank — Branch: Thibault Square; Zapper number for security and Zion Surdut. Committee: Daniel Bloch, Tzvi Branch code: 020 909; Acc no: 070 703 493; medical emergencies Brivik, Geoff Cohen, Barbara Flax, Myra Acc name: The Cape Jewish Chronicle Trust; Osrin, Helen Schneider, Jonathan Silke, Acc type: Current 24 hours Chaya Singer. Editor and layout: Desrae Saacks, Secretary: Tessa Epstein, Digital 086 18 911 18 coordinator: Lisa Shapiro
DISCLAIMERS ERRORS, OMISSIONS AND CORRECTIONS The Cape Jewish Chronicle regrets any errors or omissions that may occur in the paper and, where possible, will attempt to rectify these in a subsequent issue, should such a measure be deemed appropriate. No repeat advertisement or credits will be given for small typographical errors which do not appreciably lessen the value of the advertisement. The appearance of an advertisement or photograph does not necessarily indicate approval or endorsement by the Editorial Board for the product or service advertised or photograph reproduced, and it takes no responsibility for any loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of the reliance upon the information contained therein. LETTERS AND OPINIONS Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or its sponsoring bodies. Letters submitted anonymously will not be printed. However, by agreement, the writer’s name may be withheld in the publication. Letters are published subject to space being available. The Editor and the Editorial Board have the right to decide on the inclusion of any item submitted for publication. Letters may be edited for clarity, space and/or language. KASHRUT Unless otherwise stated, food and catering services advertised in this publication are not under the supervision of the Cape Beth Din. FINANCIAL You should always obtain independent expert advice prior to making any financial investment, commercial or other decisions. Do not enter into any transactions of the above nature, based partly or wholly on the content of any advertisements or articles published in the Cape Jewish Chronicle. Cape Jewish Chronicle Samson Centre 87 Hatfield Str Gardens 8001 PO Box 4176 Cape Town 8000 phone 021 464 6736 email [email protected] Acting editor Desrae Saacks Cape Jewish Chronicle June 2021 3 Des Says... By Desrae Saacks, acting editor Cape Jewish Chronicle Time to exhale
I’ve been agonising over what situation will be by the time this is to write in this column. being read? The ceasefire is merely a chance to stop, rest, and exhale! Let’s artly because I’m not used to the hope the diplomacy being carried out Pdiscipline of having to share my in the background bears fruit, and thoughts publicly on a monthly basis. that all those who want peace, sanity (Will I ever be?) Another reason and dignity, prevail. that this month was particularly challenging is because there were Speaking of exhaling, it is tempting to two politically charged and fast- breath out a sigh of relief as we see moving stories, that were changing the vaccine rollout finally take off. But minute by minute, almost faster than a word of caution from Dr Gary Kantor I could type. on page 22 — make sure you exhale outdoors! Gary fills us in on important It was difficult to pin anything down information, only recently publicised this month as the news changed by the World Health Organisation so rapidly. No sooner had I written and the Centre for Disease Control, something than it was overtaken regarding a previously overlooked by new developments. But that way in which the virus spreads. It’s just reasserts the brief of the Cape both a fascinating story, and a critical Jewish Chronicle — it is a chronicle, update in the fight against COVID-19. an archive of the story of our community. A meeting place, where If all this is too stressful, and you we find each other and showcase our feel the need to escape to a tropical active and creative community, all island, turn to page 24. Maiyan Karidi the organisations and individuals of writes with humour and whimsey of which it comprises. her time living in Mauritius. The Cape Jewish Chronicle is not, Or if you prefer a more arid landscape and has never claimed to be, a and wide open skies, you’ll find these newspaper, in the sense of publishing on page 9. Gwynne Robins takes up-to-the-minute breaking news. But us to the beautiful and oh-so-quiet this month there was an elephant in Namaqualand town of Okiep, and the the room. story of the Jews who settled there, and left their mark on the region. For two weeks it rained missiles in Israel. Yet another round of death, This issue has plenty to occupy destruction and trauma for all who you as winter and the third wave live there. approach, keeping us indoors. (but with the windows open please) As I write this, there is a ceasefire in place. But who knows what the Let’s hope that this next wave is the lightest, and the last. Project TEN is looking for an Education and Social Activism Coordinator in Durban We want to hear from you! We welcome your news, opinions and stories. If you have anything to share with the community, please email [email protected] The Jewish Agency’s Project TEN is an International Development Volunteering and Educational program that operates Volunteer Centers in various Shabbat and Yom Tov Times countries. Date Portion Candle lighting Ends Latest The coordinator will Implement the work plan in the 4 June/24 Sivan Shelach L’cha 5.27pm 6.21pm field based on the project’s work model. 11 June/1 Tammuz Korach 5.26pm 6.21pm 18 June/8 Tammuz Chukkat 5.27pm 6.22pm Lead the volunteers in the field, and support, train 25 June/15 Tammuz Balak 5.28pm 6.23pm and supervise them. and much more!
N.B. Please note that the times indicated are the earliest times for candle lighting. Please consult your Rabbi.
Background Great at Have a love for Follow the Chronicle online experience in communication Education and counselling or skills, interpersonal believe in creating a facilitation or skills and ability to sustainable change moderating. especially work in a team in South Africa young adult
Read about the position and apply online here: Click on your favourite social media site & visit our website. http://bit.ly/SouthAfricaCoordinator
back to contents 4 Cape Jewish Chronicle June 2021 Please support Family Announcements RECUPERATION — THANK YOU the Chronicle! TRACY FITZPATRICK Thank you to my wonderful and caring family, friends and community VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIPTIONS for their love, support and prayers during my recent illness. CONDOLENCES — THANK YOU
FOR 2021 NOW DUE MAXINE LANDY SILVERSTONE We wish to thank everyone for the outpouring of love, calls, messages and meals after the passing of our loving mom, daughter, sister, aunt, warrior and teacher, Maxine. VOLUME 37 No 11 A special thanks to Rabbi Ziegler of the Camps Bay Shul, Help us continue Home Is Where theDECEMBER Art 2020/JANUARY Is – an 2021 exhibition by and for Capetonians at Zeitz MOCAA www.cjc.org.za and to the Milnerton Shul. to bring you Like many museums and galleries, the Zeitz MOCAA has Shining a light Our mom will be missed and is deeply mourned by her children Robyn, been closed for most works of art and over in a time of crisis news from the of 2020. 1800 pieces were included for COVID-19 shifted Grant and Bianca, sisters Renee, Desray and Marissa fter seven long Where the Art IsHome Is our world in Amonths without a way no-one visitors, curators launched the participating artists,. Of could have Cape Town a unique exhibition to more than 100 belong to the Cape Town anticipated. and mother Jeannette celebrate its reopening and to honour and Jewish Community Businesses welcome back guests – which, while wonderful, closed, jobs were specifically, Capetonians. unfortunately renders lost, people Jewish An open call was made acknowledgement of have had to dig for submissions of art each of them impossible deep to find in this piece. ‘made, owned and loved’ their edge both by Capetonians. Sheryl Schkolne with her ceramic vessels, Cape Floral Kingdom (2014) Participants were given personally and BEREAVEMENT Community The response was overwhelming, and the a five-day period in professionally. Museum received thousands of entries. October during which pieces. Seven drop-off points around the Lee Jaffe — Gorgeous Gourmet Ultimately, more than 1600 artists submitted they could drop off their fter a very city (comprising art centres, art schools, Achallenging year, local entrepreneur Richard Goldstein galleries and the like) were made available approached Staffwise about shining a ray of light on our For more from just some of theto makeartists thego toprocess page 29 accessible for all. community. And so, spotlight businesses inThe our Shining community Light who Award have managed to rise up and show, through resilience and out-of-the-box PIERRE VAN TONDER came about, to Impactful story of Progressive Jewry thinking, what they can achieve in a time of crisis. They adapted, evolved or made positive adjustments to keep their R350 told in new SAJM exhibition businesses afloat. 9 September 1959 – 9 May 2021 Staffwise and ORT Jet Cape Town jumped at the opportunity to collaborate and make it happen. Lisa Sandler from ORT Jet said: “After some reflection we thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to showcase innovation and opportunity Ground Breakers: A with businesses from our community who have pivoted to It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of our History of Progressive get through the lockdown.” Liat Beinart, Staffwise’s Career Judaism in South Catalyst said it was an exciting opportunity for the two communal organisations “to complement and collaborate and Africa will be on let this initiative take shape”. display at the SA dear friend, Pierre. SNAPSCAN ZAPPERJewish Museum EFT from Inspired by Goldstein’s idea, generous donors from the 14 December. community recognised the space for rewarding local businesses who took steps to stay afloat during COVID-19. A man with a huge heart and endearing smile. he exhibition is based “Despite initial reservations to this award,” says Caroline Ton the research of Irwin Manoim, from the Kaimowitz, of Staffwise, “we had a fantastic response from Kaplan Centre forBANK Jewish the community”. DETAILS: Initial reservations were about the sensitivity Studies at UCT, who has of rewarding and highlighting businesses when it was such a A leader of immense talent, loved by all who worked with him. Rabbis Sherman and Weiler at the opening of Temple David, Durban in 1951 just published a book on tough year fraught with personal and financial difficulties. “But the subject, this proved to be unfounded as we received so much positivity Inside the Tent MavericksCape and the number Jewish of applications – almost 50 – was beyond our . expectations”, added Caroline. He was a close friend to so many in our community. DID YOU KNOW: For more see pageChronicle 8 Trust 3832 5.3k Continues on page 37 Our hearts go out to Jane, Margot, Jordy, and his family. Followers % Website Visits 73 Cape Town in October www.cjc.org.za 2020 % Standard Bank Pierre, you are now gone to a place of peace, 900 22 Johannesburg Followers 4980 % Other 65+ 23.5% 1st of Month 5 provinces 45-54 16% Acc:55-64 19%070 703Email 493 Readers by Region 25-34 18% 35-44 16% we will never forget you. Subscribers 18-24 7.5% 1844 Readers by Age Mid Month To subscribe email: Branch: [email protected] 909 With love, Your Friends in the Cape Town Jewish Community Please use your name and email as payment reference. To place a family announcement email: [email protected] Eliot Osrin Leadership Institute celebrates another cohort’s journey
“The Eliot Osrin Leadership Institute has just organisations. Each year has brought different celebrated its second graduation in three years challenges, but our mandate remains the same. The and our Advisory Board is ecstatic. Covid crisis forced our team to take our offers online and tackle different challenges experienced by our e are particularly excited by who EOLI has leadership. It was heartening to see how our programmes Wattracted to its year long Leadership Development continue to be relevant and how our organisation has set Programme (LDP), and the impact each participant an example by adapting to the needs both internal to the Howard Richman makes in community organisations thereafter. We are community and external. seeing very diverse applicants with a wide range of skills and talents. What has been rewarding is to monitor the Our expert faculty from academia and business schools, professionals who transform their organisations post as well as global thought leaders have enriched our the LDP experience, plus the embracing of new and programmes, which has elevated our status as a emerging lay leaders who put up their hands to serve on leadership trendsetter. committees across the community. It is encouraging to feel our impact on the community as Glen Heinrich The 2020 LDP had five modules on Community Leaders it embraces our focus on leadership. Almost weekly we and Leadership: Self, Community & Context, Ethical are being consulted to collaborate with organisations on Leadership, Toolkit for Leaders and Action Learning. They problem solving, designing workshops, sponsoring and all include theoretical models, best practice and immersion. endorsing their lay leaders and professionals to step up to what is on offer, plus recruit new leaders for new positions. Our graduates must commit to serving the Jewish community on completion of the LDP. This is a game In particular I need to thank Viv Anstey (our director), changer and these results speak for themselves. Melissa Zolty (EOLI Project Manager and 2020 cohort graduate), and the dynamic EOLI faculty, all of whom Karen Kallmann The vision for EOLI is to recruit a pipeline of leaders for have served to build an excellent reputation for EOLI.” succession and to upskill current lay and professional leaders, all for the benefit of Jewish communal Ronnie Stein, Chairman of the Advisory Board
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2020 COHORT: Cindy Bacher • Benjamin Blumenthal • Lauren Cohn • Danielle Daitz • Janine Davimes • David Epstein • Tammi Glick • Nicola Harris • Glen Heinrich • Jonathan Hoffenberg • Shana Isserow • Karen Kallmann • Melanie Levy • Shimpa Moch • Rivkah Myburgh • Howard Richman • Janine Rodgers • Shana Isserow Sasha Sanders • Laila Saven • Karen Schwartz • Lee-Anne Singer • Ariel Sumeruk • Dana Tadmor • Karen Tollman • Lara Utian • Melissa Zolty 2020 Cohort Voices - click here to watch
EOLI welcomes your interest to work with us. For information on workshops or extended programmes, and to nominate members of your organisation for our next cohort, please email [email protected] to ensure you are on our mailing list. back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle June 2021 5
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back to contents 6 Cape Jewish Chronicle June 2021
CAPE SAJBD
CONNECT, COLLABORATE, COMMUNITY VIEW FROM THE CHAIR Mishpacha, Sifrei Torah and South Africa belongs to all who Yiddishkeit live in it, united in our diversity
By Daniel Bloch, Executive Director, Cape SAJBD By Tzvi Brivik, Chairperson, Cape SAJBD
In the past few weeks, how the Jewish community, South Africa belongs to (JSC’s) response in a I have been inundated despite adversity, remains all who live in it, united media statement is most with good wishes on connected and committed to in our diversity. worrying, as it states my appointment as the its roots. Just as the Torah that the association with Executive Director of connects us to Judaism, so hese are words found SAJBD was raised as it in the preamble to our the Cape SAJBD. too does the Cape SAJBD, T concerned an organisation whose function it is to provide constitution. The purpose —our organisation— which he numerous offers of information to our community of such a comprehensive was seen as supporting support and words of and connect people. constitution was, as is Zionism, which the media T set out in the preamble, statement goes on to record encouragement from our Recently we received a request described as laying the foundation is viewed as a discriminatory form of community have been heartfelt and from a researcher who had some for a democratic and open society nationalism and potentially in conflict so welcoming that the transition into letters written by Jerry Berman, a in which government is based on with the values contained in the South my new role has been an easy one. civil engineer who had found a job the will of the people and every African Constitution. This is the most I feel that this warmth epitomises the building bridges in Ukraine in the citizen is equally protected by law. alarming position for members of the unique characteristic of our Jewish 1930s. This was during the time of This includes a right that all citizens JSC to adopt and one which requires community — a feeling of mishpacha the Holodomor, a man-made famine or family. Just like families encourage, are equally entitled to rights and the further engagement and response. imposed on the Ukrainians by Stalin benefits of citizenship. support, and protect the ones they to punish them for their nationalism. A candidate for employment cannot love, so does our community, and Jerry’s letters are among the few first- The benefits of citizenship in turn be asked their religious affiliation recent events are indicative of this person narratives that exist. A British includes the freedom of religion, or political viewpoint, and exclusion community spirit. PhD researcher plans to make a short thought and belief. On 26 April, from employment on that basis would During the raging and animated film based the South African Jewish Board of be discriminatory. The SAJBD is a almost unstoppable The incredible on the Berman Deputies expressed democratic body, fires that rocked collaborative efforts letters, and Kyiv’s its disappointment with democratically Holodomor Museum in the manner in Our own Cape e l e c t e d Cape Town towards within this Jewish the end of April, wants to hold an which the judicial SAJBD constitution representatives, destroying parts of community must never exhibition based service commission confirms that as the and which is UCT, burning down be taken for granted. on this collection. conducted certain representative body of representative of of the interviews the famous Rhodes They have not only The Board was the Jewish community, all members of the Memorial restaurant, ensured precious items asked to assist in for judicial Jewish community, incinerating a finding out if Jerry appointments. we are to safeguard the whatever their connecting our religion had any relatives in religious and civil rights varying points large portion of our were rescued, but that We had asserted that beautiful mountain, Cape Town, and of Jewish applicants as well as the status of of view. We will and causing many Jews from different parts course, we jumped were targeted in the Jewish community. need to assess people to evacuate of the world were able to at the opportunity to the interviews. We how this impacts their homes — our connect and find assist! A wonderful further asserted our community. connection was mishpacha rallied lost family. that the Jewish We are deeply saddened also made between together. Whilst our candidates were singled out for by the tragedy on Mount Meron. Jerry’s son living in brave firefighters questioning based on their Jewish Celebrations of a chag such as Cape Town and the were battling the belief and, in the case of one of the this for Lag Ba’Omer should never previously unknown letters of his fires, various Jewish organisations, applicants, his association with the have turned into such a disaster. father. All in a day’s work for the Cape as well as countless individuals, SAJBD. It was asked of him whether A photograph and short biography SAJBD. collaborated to raise funds and gather as a former member of the SAJBD of each of the souls that were lost up supplies which were donated to The incredible collaborative efforts he felt he was still qualified for an is available on the Chabad.org the firefighters and students who within this Jewish community must appointment to the bench. Another website. The ages range from 13 up were displaced from their homes. never be taken for granted. They candidate was asked what his to 56. Each soul lost in this tragedy Social media was abuzz with photos have not only ensured precious items attitude would be to taking on work is a life and a soul lost to the world. of people delivering water, food and connecting our religion were rescued over Shabbat. We extend our condolences to the other essential items, to fire stations but that Jews from different parts of Our own Cape SAJBD constitution families and the State of Israel. across the Cape. the world were able to connect and confirms that as the representative Finally, I wanted to wish the Beit find lost family. Amidst this turmoil, several Sifrei body of the Jewish community, we Morasha Shul/Arthurs Road, Sea Torah were rescued from both the I would love to share more stories of are to safeguard the religious and Point congregation a huge mazeltov Kaplan Centre and the Herzlia how our community has collaborated civil rights as well as the status of on the reopening in the week ending Highlands Campus. Whilst some in the past, what connections the Jewish community. That includes 6 May. We recognise the incredible would try to save photo albums and have been made and what the matters affecting its relationship with effort of the committee as well other material items, our community future opportunities are. Email me the government in different spheres. as the community, and wish the focused on our Yiddishkeit and history. at [email protected] and share The Judicial Service Commission’s congregation success in the future. Saving the Sifrei Torah illustrates your stories. CapeSAJBD capesajbd capesajbd.org CAPE SAJBD
back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle June 2021 7 CAPE SAJBD
25 Years of the Constitution unpacked with heavyweights Judges Albie Sachs and Dennis Davis
By Tyla Dallas On Thursday 18 March, the Cape SAJBD commemorated the 25th anniversary of the South African Constitution by hosting an online discussion around its many highs and lows.
wo retired heavyweights, Judge Albie Sachs and Judge Dennis Davis were asked a series of questions by our moderator Advocate Anton Katz (SC)T that focused on their personal experiences, trials and tribulations under this constitutional dispensation. The Judges spoke highly of one another, recognising each other’s respective contributions to the rule of law and democracy in South Africa. Davis implored South Africans to “be proud” of our Constitution, as it “gave us the best possible hope at constitutional democracy, and a country built on equality, dignity and freedom.” It is for this precise reason that we should all defend this document, but we need also understand that it can not “lift itself into legality.” Sachs went on to note all the ‘highs’ of our Constitution, namely that we have an “open society”, a “great judiciary”, “free and fair elections”, and “a government that [actually] steps down when removed”, all of which he said we must not take for granted. He agreed that these highs don’t make up for corruption, crime and job or home insecurity, but the Constitution does “give Judge Dennis Davis Judge Albie Sachs us a framework to challenge, [to] speak our minds and [to] feel free in this country.” We need to develop a “new South African identity in which [we all] can be united in difference and diversity”, Davis said. However, this is no easy task. Both judges recognised that this would take time and a collective drive to realise. When asked where Jewish people would fit into a future South Africa, and whether it is better to stay and fight for democracy, or leave, Davis asserted that the Jewish teachings bestow on us a duty to “purify the world in the image of G-d”. He understood this to mean we must “inculcate into society fundamental justice.” Sachs felt this “community-orientated group” added to this country’s diversity and had an “important presence” in South Africa. Sachs aptly dubbed himself an “activist judge”, and refers to our “activist At the Cape SAJBD, we hope that you can celebrate your identity, Constitution”, which was ahead of its times with regards to sexual orientation expression and freedom this International Pride Month. and gender rights, and the abolishment of capital punishment. This document allowed us and will continue to serve to “humanise society, [and] achieve "The abuse of persons of different sexual orientation goes against the fairness and justice in constitutional ways, [by allowing] transformation core of what we stand for at the Jewish Board of Deputies and against our through [our] Judiciary.” constitution. We support the Hate Crimes Bill as it passes through It was truly spectacular to hear first-hand from such humble, yet distinguished, Parliament and on its way to promulgation." persons. The message I take away is that we must not let a few rotten — Tzvi Brivik, Cape SAJBD Chairperson apples spoil the bunch; that by honouring our Constitution, its values and its transformative aims, we can create a more just and equal society for all. We mourn with South Africa these lives lost in 2021 Bonang Gaelae The webinar was well attended and has had over 1 600 views on our Facebook Nonhlanhla Kunene page. To watch this webinar, follow us on Facebook @CapeSAJBD, click on Sphamandla Khoza our ‘videos’ tab and open the ‘25 years of the Constitution’ video. Nathaniel 'Spokgoane' Mbele Andile 'Lulu' Ntuthela Lonwabo Jack Lucky Motshabi Phelokazi Mqathana Lindokuhle Mapu Khulekani Gomazi
#EnoughIsEnough
Advocate Anton Katz SC
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back to contents 8 Cape Jewish Chronicle June 2021 CAPE SAJBD
The swastika symbolises hate to us, but what about others?
by Gwynne Robins
What happens when a member arms denoted the four colonies: In India, it is the universal and revered of the public complains to us Cape of Good Hope, Natal, Orange symbol of good luck and wellbeing — about a swastika? Do we ignore Free State and Transvaal, and it so if the handbag or jewellery is Indian it? Investigate its meaning to was also a Sanskrit formula of good or the truck belongs to an Indian the organisation displaying wishes and approbation used by the company, the swastika holds no it, or go to the Human Rights Egyptians and the Hindu. antisemitic significance whatsoever. The swastika tile outside a house is Commission to complain We frequently get reports from people similar to a mezuzah. about it? who have seen a swastika on an Indian handbag, on jewellery, painted We complain that it’s insensitive to he logo of the 1910 Pageant held on a fruit and vegetable truck, on a display a swastika because of what it Tat Cape Town to mark the opening tile outside a neighbour’s house. We signifies to Jews, but it is not banned of the first Parliament of the Union of get reports of skinheads’ swastika in South Africa as in Germany. We South Africa was a swastika. Many tattoos, on flags, on motorcyclists’ would be seen as insensitive, even prominent Jews sat on the pageant leather jackets or school or university entitled by our past suffering if we committees, including Rev Bender floats with people giving Nazi salutes. prevented religious Hindus from (Gardens Shul), the wife of advocate displaying their good luck symbol. However, not every swastika denotes Morris Alexander MP (Board They too had their suffering — antisemitism. It is even found carved founder), Mrs Friedlander (Oranjia 50 000 Hindus were killed in into one of the stones in a Kfar founder), the wife of former mayor sectarian warfare in 1947 in India Nahum synagogue near Tiberias Hyman Liberman, and Mark Cohen, because the world had not learned dating to Roman times. principal of the Cape Town Hebrew the concept of ‘never again’. There Public School. In the cases described above, the are 550 000 Hindus in South Africa The organisers chose the swastika Cape SAJBD investigates carefully and 52 000 Jews, and Hindu rights as the pageant emblem and official and often arranges tours of the to religious beliefs and opinions are committee badge because its four Holocaust Centre to boost awareness. equally protected in our constitution. Many South Africans might also be ignorant of what happened to the Jews 80 years ago, and what the swastika signifies to us. An Indian scholar complained that the “Swastika or Svastika, the universal and most revered symbol of auspiciousness, good luck and wellbeing has been portrayed as the symbol of horror, hatred and racism by the Western world after World War II. World politics have brainwashed the new generation and created unnecessary hatred towards the Swastika by portraying it as the symbol of evil, demise, destruction and ruination, and kept the public aloof from the true meaning, significance and history of Swastika. Due to its misrepresentation, many... consider it today as a symbol of hate, terror and a reminder of the atrocities committed by Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party. The swastika was not invented or designed by Hitler. He merely stole it from the most ancient human civilisations of the Vedic period and used it as the emblem of his party... and annihilated the significance of He concludes the article with, “Hitler this most ancient symbol, respected be damned, this is our sign since 6 000 as the sign of good luck, fortune and years before Christ!” auspiciousness… The swastika is an ancient symbol of Vedic Aryans Of The Board investigates all Aryavarta (India) that has brought complaints carefully, as part of our luck and joy for centuries to all role in monitoring and preventing mankind globally and continues antisemitism, while remembering to do so in the present days. The that not every report of a swastika symbol stands for truth, compassion, indicates antisemitism. It might just tolerance and happiness.” represent a religious symbol.
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back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle June 2021 9 CAPE SAJBD
The Jews of Okiep
by Gwynne Robins
The name Okiep, originally and aiding illegal immigration into compensation. O’okiep, comes from the Palestine. The Joint had to hastily Dembitzer’s shop Khoikhoi word U-gieb meaning evacuate her when they were tipped was looted and ‘large brackish place’. off that she was about to be arrested his naturalisation as a spy and smuggler, as the papers stolen. t has a brackish spring, beautiful Hungarians decided the Joint was a In 1904, there spring flowers and copper. In the front for the Protocols. were only 40 1870sI it was thought to be the richest Jews (including copper mine in the world with a In 1890, Joseph Dembitzer from two women) railway line built from Okiep to Port Cracow arrived in Namaqualand and living in the whole Nolloth in 1866, with mules pulling started the first store in Springbok, of Namaqualand. the train because there was not Okiep and other villages. By 1898, In his memoirs of enough water for a steam engine. the economic success of Jews was attracting antisemitic attention, pre-1914 District Mines attract economic opportunities, and John X Merriman, later Cape Six, Harry Schrire and economic opportunities attract Premier, while canvassing votes in recalls the arrival poor Jewish immigrants wanting to Okiep, criticised Jews in a speech at of Namaqualand Okiep copper mine pit earn a living even if the place is as a banquet in honour of Jan Hofmeyr bochers for The earliest Jewish traders were hot, dry and arid as Namaqualand. of the Afrikaner Bond, whose support Rosh Hashanah. They could be religious and Zionist and had a The first smous to arrive in Merriman wanted. easily “recognised by their large- significant impact on the growth Namaqualand in 1881 was Moses brimmed hats, yellow boots, very Then came the South African War, of businesses like Trencor and the Schur from Chavidan. It was said shy and raw nature,” and they were and Okiep’s copper mines, defended Lewis chain of stores, which operated that the first time he came, he was on made welcome by the shammes and by 700 British soldiers, was besieged not only in the area but in the whole foot with a pack on his back. The next fathers of marriageable daughters. for 30 days by Boer forces under of South Africa. time, the pack was on a donkey. The Sometimes they were found to have Jan Smuts. The Jewish traders had following year, both man and pack a wife in der heim. One of the first things a Jewish a tough time, as both sides looted were on a cart with two donkeys, community does is to establish a their shops and they were forbidden The numbers had risen to 135 by and the next year, he opened a cemetery, and a Jewish cemetery by the British to trade with the Boers. 1918 when copper prices dropped, shop in Bowesdorp, later expanding was opened in Okiep, the first funeral Dembitzer, Schur and other Jewish Okiep copper mines closed and into Okiep and other villages. His taking place in 1913 followed by one shopkeepers required passes. Schur, the place almost became a ghost daughter Clara, who was born in in 1918. The first High Holy Days who was fined £500 for trading with town, with 113 Jews in the whole Okiep, later joined the Jewish Joint services in Namaqualand were the Boers, said he would have been of Namaqualand by 1922. Later, in Paris, Budapest and Prague in also held in Okiep in 1917, with Mr a fool not to, as the Boers paid him when prices rose again, mining was post-Holocaust Europe working Pasvolsky officiating — people came while the British only offered future resumed. in DP camps, assisting survivors, from all the neighbouring villages. The next year, the Namaqualand Hebrew congregation was formed with a catchment area covering several hundred miles. Three people from Okiep were on its committee: B Albert, JC Kaplan and S Hurwitz. In 1919, the congregation donated money to the Palestine National Restoration Fund, the Cape Relief Fund for Jewish War Victims and the Hebrew University Building Fund. During the years, they contributed annually to 10 different charities. Their synagogue was in Springbok, The old synagogue in Springbok 8km from Okiep, in the first Dutch The new Synagogue in Springbok, now the Namakwaland Reformed Church (built in 1877 as Museum with Colonel David Teperson and his brother, 2007 a dance hall). This was available as the new dominee, regarding the building as immoral, insisted that his flock build him a new church. Boris Saharin became the reader and Jack Sovijnsky, a former choir boy at the Roeland Street Shul, the cantor. People would gather outside the hall to listen to him sing. The first official High Holy Days services were held in 1922 (although a photo exists of a 1919 service, taken on the second day of Rosh Hashanah). The gravestones of Joseph (Joe) Jowell (1905-1973) and Rebecca Okiep in Spring continues on page 10 (Bessie) Jowell (1901-1987) CapeSAJBD capesajbd capesajbd.org CAPE SAJBD
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continues from page 9 The Jews of Okiep
ith the approval of the Cape and non-Jews, with music from the country could assimilate. It caused body and served on both municipal Copper Company, the band started in 1927, comprising Abe enormous friction and even English and divisional councils. congregationW obtained the land next Schapera, Julius Gordon, Mick Farber speakers felt their territory was being In August 1966, tombstones in the door to the original synagogue and and Sydney Windisch. encroached. Yet there were only 150 Okiep cemetery were vandalised built their new synagogue, having Jews in Namaqualand in 1940! The Antisemitism was often a feature, and a committee of residents headed accepted a quote of £3 724 from M Jewish Board of Deputies Country and as early as 1924 General Manie by Cecil Jowell arranged for the Klawansky, with shul chairman David Communities Rabbi undertook Maritz, a Nazi sympathiser (later municipality to repair the damage. The Gelb laying the foundation stone. It regular pastoral tours, and in July prosecuted for his antisemitism) told tombstones were cemented together opened in time for Rosh Hashanah 1940, Chief Rabbi Israel Abrahams a public meeting that the poverty of flat and the cemetery was fenced off. 1929 and could seat 80 men, with visited Springbok and met with the the Afrikaners in Namaqualand was 40 women in an upper gallery. There Women’s Zionist Society. A Union of There were 65 Jews in apartheid due to their “archenemy the Jews who were boxes for the rabbi and the Jewish Women branch was started Namaqualand in 1961, dropping to 23 come to this country with a bundle chairman, wooden benches in front by Sybil Sovinsky with Thelma and by 1971 but even with so few Jews, on their backs and always manage of the raised bimah, further benches Beryl Gelb as secretary and treasurer there was still antisemitism, with to amass a large sum of money,” at the sides and room at the back for in 1951 (when there were 116 Jews in Jews being accused by the Afrikaners so, he argued, that the Afrikaners additional chairs if required. During Namaqualand). The women raised of being “too liberal”. There was a were “virtually the servants of the High Holy Days, a special cantor funds for both WIZO and UJW and campaign by professional rivals and a Jews.” By 1936, when they appointed was imported from Cape Town. organised annual Yom Ha’atzmaut dominee, and an election slogan that Rev Segal, the Grey Shirts and Okiep being so close to Springbok, picnics on a farm. read: “Don’t vote for a Jew, vote for an later the Ossewabrandwag were they were in effect one community Afrikaner.” Despite such campaigns, holding meetings in Namaqualand By the late 50s, the congregation was with a synagogue in the one centre, Joe Jowell again topped the poll villages trying to pressurise the finding it difficult to raise a minyan the cemetery in the other. They had for election as Mayor in 1967, and farmers to boycott Jewish stores. In for the Friday evening service and an active Namaqualand Women’s celebrated his 30th year as Mayor with September 1937, Dr Malan toured Joe Jowell, the mayor of Springbok, Zionist Society which started in a Mayoral Sunday in the synagogue, Namaqualand warning that the Jews who was known as “the Mayor who the early 1930s, whose raffles and followed by a tea party. Although had not heeded his warnings against makes up a Minyan” would fly home annual Zionist Balls attracted Jews the dominee urged his followers an influx of Jews greater than the by plane to do so. to boycott the event, the citizens One cannot look at the Jewish attended in droves — their respect for community in Okiep and Jowell trumping their respect for the Namaqualand without remarking on dominee. (The dominee apologised the major role played by the Jowell after Jowell’s death.) family. Joe Jowell was president of Joseph Jowell was buried in the the congregation from 1959 until it cemetery in 1972. In 1978, there were closed down in 1972, with his sons only two Jews left in Namaqualand, Neil and Cecil acting as secretary Rebecca Jowell and Kurt Nussbaum. and treasurer. When the SA Railways terminated its unprofitable road Rebecca Jowell, who passed away motor service in 1930, leaving the in 1989, was the last Jew to be villagers without access to supplies, buried in the cemetery. By 1990, the Joe Jowell, who had taken over Board acting on behalf of the defunct the Namaqualand Chevrolet sub- Namaqualand Hebrew Congregation agency the year before, converted donated the new and old synagogue an old car to a truck to fill in the buildings to the Springbok Town gap, and this developed into a road Council on condition that the transport business (now Trencor) municipality undertook to maintain which became a leading nationwide the cemetery in Okiep. carrier in South Africa, branching The Country Communities Sub- out into trailer manufacturing, tyre committee of the Cape SAJBD merchandising and retreading, and looks after the cemeteries of the container manufacturing. Joe Jowell defunct country communities. was elected president of the South Contact [email protected] for more African Motor Trade Association, information. vice-president of the international
The new Synagogue in Springbok, now the Namakwaland Museum
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In case you missed it
he SAZF recently hosted some excellent webinars: Women Making Peace in the Middle East; Pandemics Polls and Politics Israeli Decides 2021; TJNF-SA/SAZF’s Hell or High Water, and Mizrachi SA and the SAZF’s Yom Yerushalayim. You can still catch them by clicking on these links.
ALIYAH VIRTUAL EXPO 2021
20 June
Experts from the following areas: • Aliyah and absorption • Health • Education • Tax • Local Municipalities • And more
Find us SA Zionist Federation - Cape Council @SAZF_Cape @sazfcapecouncil www.sazfcape.co.za
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Some background to events in Jerusalem
By Dr Adam Carr, historian in Melbourne, via David Campanale, BBC journalist This article first appeared in the Australian Jewish News, 12 May 2021, (https://aild.org.au/some-background-to-events-in-jerusalem-dr-adam-carr/)
In 1875 some pious Jews Jordanians held the Old City and result the Israelis swiftly occupied on through various courts for some bought some land in a the suburbs to the north and east, all Jordanian territory west of the years. In 2003, the religious trusts semi-rural area just north of including Sheikh Jarrah. All the Jordan. Jerusalem was re-united sold the property to Nahalat Shimon, Jerusalem, which was then a Jewish residents were expelled, their under Israeli control. Israel passed a an Israeli NGO that seeks to reclaim small town largely consisting of synagogues demolished and their law allowing Israelis whose families property for Jews evicted after the the Old City and a few suburbs cemeteries destroyed. We now tend had been evicted by the Jordanians 1948 war. This body has since had to the west. to think of the Jordanians as among to reclaim their property, provided carriage of the court case. the ‘moderate’ Arabs, but they were they could demonstrate proof of In October 2020 the Jerusalem far from moderate in 1948. No Jew ownership, and provided also that he land was the site of a tomb Magistrates Court ruled that, in the would be allowed to live in Jordanian the existing residents were unable believed to be that of Shimon absence of payment of rent, the Arab T territory. In 1950 Jordan annexed the to provide such proof of purchase or HaTzadik, a rabbi of the third tenants must vacate the property. territory under its control, including legal transfer of title. century BCE. (Archaeologists In February this year the Jerusalem eastern Jerusalem. believe the tomb is in fact from the In 1973, ownership District Court upheld the decision. Roman period.) The Ottoman land Note that although of the Sheikh The tenants appealed to the register showed that the property all this territory Jarrah property Supreme Court, whose final verdict was registered in the names of had been part of In the later 19th was registered is expected in the next month. rabbis Avraham Ashkenazi and Meir the Palestinian century, as Jerusalem with the Israeli The Palestinian Authority has used Auerbach. A small religious Jewish Mandate, and had courts by two grew rapidly under the these proceedings as a pretext community lived there. also been part Jewish religious economic stimulus of to launch anti-Israeli rioting in of the Arab state trusts which Also in this area was the tomb of Jewish settlement and Jerusalem, which has spread to proposed by the claimed descent Hussam al-Din al-Jarrahi, physician other centres. The riots have given UN Partition Plan investment, an Arab from the original to the Arab leader Salah ad-Din Mahmood Abbas a handy excuse to of 1947, Jordan suburb grew up around Jewish owners of (Saladin). His tomb dates from 1202 cancel (again) promised election to did not establish a the Jewish-owned the property. In and was a site of Muslim pilgrimage. the Palestinian Authority presidency Palestinian state in 1982 the trusts The area was known as Sheikh property. Jews and Arabs and legislature, which were last held the land it controlled sought to evict Jarrah after him. (The Jews called it lived together, if not in 2006. Abbas knows that his Fatah after 1948, nor did the Arab residents Shimon HaTzadik.) In the later 19th party would lose any free election in anyone demand exactly in friendship, at and return the century, as Jerusalem grew rapidly the Palestinian Territories, as they did that it do so. No least in peace. property to the under the economic stimulus of in 2006. The riots are also convenient resolutions were Jewish owners. Jewish settlement and investment, for Prime Minister Netanyahu, who passed at the But an Israeli court an Arab suburb grew up around the can use them as an argument for UN demanding refused. It ruled Jewish-owned property. Jews and why he should stay in office despite that Jordan end its occupation that the Arab residents enjoyed Arabs lived together, if not exactly in having lost the March election. This of ‘Palestinian land’. Although a Protected Tenant Status. As friendship, at least in peace. is presumably why some right-wing Palestinian Arab national identity protected tenants, the court held, Jewish groups in Jerusalem have It’s important to note that these Jews had formed after the establishment they could continue living on the joined in the rioting by provoking the were not Israelis and not Zionists, of the Mandate in 1922, there was property as long as they paid rent Arabs to further violence. and that their Arab neighbours were still no widely recognised ‘Palestinian and maintained the property in its not Palestinians. In 1875 political nation’. The Arab inhabitants of the existing state. This arrangement Most of the world’s media has once Zionism did not exist (Herzl published West Bank and eastern Jerusalem was formalised in a signed again uncritically accepted and The Jewish State in 1896). Israel was were thus Jordanians between 1950 agreement, in which the Arab repeated the Palestinian version a name from the Bible. Palestine was and 1967 and seem to have been residents recognised the Jewish of events, either in ignorance of, a name from the Roman Empire. quite happy with that status. trusts’ ownership, in exchange for or with disregard for the historical Jerusalem was located in the Ottoman Protected Tenant Status. facts of the dispute which I have set Under Jordanian rule, the Jewish- Empire, in the province (vilayet) of out here. We are told that this is a owned properties in and around After 1990, however, incited by the Syria. There was no conflict between story of the brutal Israeli occupation Jerusalem were placed under the Palestinian leadership, the tenants Jews and Palestinians, because forcibly evicting innocent Palestinian control of the Custodian of Enemy stopped paying rent and began there were no Palestinians. Ottoman families from their ancestral homes. Properties. In 1956, the office of unapproved building on the property. south Syria had a mixed population In fact, the Israelis have shown quite the Custodian leased the property They thus violated the terms of of Muslim and Christian Arabs, Jews, astonishing restraint and compliance at Sheikh Jarrah to 28 Arab families the agreement which they had Turks, Armenians, Circassians, with the law. If they had wanted to who had been displaced during the signed in 1982. In 1993, the Jewish Druze and others. If we had visited evict the Arabs at Sheikh Jarrah by 1948 war. The Custodian retained trusts began proceedings against Jerusalem or Jaffa or Ramallah in force, they could have done so at any ownership of the property, and the the residents based on their non- 1875 and asked people “what are time since 1967. Instead, 54 years Arab residents paid rent to it. None payment of rent and illegal changes you?”, not one of them would have later, the matter is still being litigated. of the Arab families living on the to the property. Since the Arab said, “I am a Palestinian.” This is remarkable considering that Jewish-owned property at Sheikh tenants have full access to the Israeli Jewish ownership of the property Fast-forward to 1948. When the Jarrah has ever owned any of it. courts, and also have access to was acknowledged in writing by the war between the emerging State funds to hire good lawyers, and since Forward again to 1967. King Arab residents in 1982, and that of Israel and the five neighbouring the Israeli legal system is notoriously Hussein foolishly joined in the war their non-compliance with the 1982 Arab states ended, the Israelis slow, these proceedings dragged held western Jerusalem, while the between Israel and Egypt, and as a agreement is undisputed.
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Youth Movements roundup
Bnei Akiva Netzer nei Akiva Cape Town has been Bnei Akiva organised two awesome ur Mazkirut have been hard what we are up to! From our Mazkirut able to resume school visits and events for the long weekend, we at work as we kick off the year to you, Nilmad V’na’aseh — We will Bwe are so happy to see all our channies had an outdoor arts and crafts event Owith more virtual engagements as learn and we will do! after so long. On Yom Ha’atzmaut, where we made some amazing well as hoping for future in-person Rachael Bootcov, Head of we had two school visits where notebooks, and held a special programmes this year. Follow us on Cape Town – Netzer South Africa we organised some cool activities outdoor movie night for Grades 7-9. A social media to find out more about celebrating Israel. We’ve missed the lot more safe, fun and special things channies and are excited to rekindle are coming! our relationships with them. Eytan Labe, Chairman Bnei Akiva Cape Town
Mazkirut 2021: Jason Bourne (Mazkir), Rachael Sara (Rosh Chinuch + Cape Town), Justin Michel (Gizbar + Rosh Johannesburg) and Eden Shapira (Rosh Durban) Habonim Dror pril has been a successful period also spent two days preparing hot for Habonim in Cape Town. We meals, water and snacks for those Ahave returned to our usual scheduling students affected by the fire on the of our Friday Night Meetings which is UCT campus, as well as the brave helping to reinvigorate the movement firefighters who helped combat the and the leftist-Jewish space as it was blaze — including our very own Sam Bnei Akiva’s outdoor movie night before the COVID-19 pandemic. We Goldberg who acts as a volunteer had a very successful Yom Ha’atzmaut firefighter. Overall, it was a productive celebration, which involved and uplifting month for HDSA as we the sampling of some of the best continue the process of restarting our traditional Israeli dishes as prepared typical operations after the disruption by our Shaliach Lee Salama, as of the last year. Aleh V’agshem! well as a taste of the most current Aaron Kruss-van der Heever, Israeli music and dance trends — Rosh Ken Cape Town, Habonim all socially-distanced of course. We
Our Yom Ha’atzmaut thumbprint flag Arts and crafts
SAUJS — Bumping-on during the pandemic! he South African Union of Jewish There are various games that are Students has continued to run played in teams from the comfort eventsT for its members from a safe of your bubble. This is an excellent distance. Given the very real Zoom way to meet new people, get some fatigue, we have slowly and very fresh air and get the body moving. If cautiously started encouraging those you would like to be involved, email Aaron Sherman, Jake Segal and Benji Aaron Kruss-van der Heever enjoying Joss taking part in festivities homemade falafel of our members who are looking for a [email protected] and be a part safe and fun way to release energy, to of our Bubble Bumping Sunday. Diller — Leadership in action attend our Bubble Bumping Sundays! Cassandra Mayekiso, Western Cape rom 9 – 11 April, Diller’s Cohort 6 dilemmas that challenged us in Coordinator enjoyed a much-anticipated unique ways. ShabbatonF filled with meaningful Our weekend together was Jewish experiences, engagement incredibly purposeful, and we feel and exploration of leadership skills. very grateful to have been able to Fellows had the opportunity to take share a Shabbat together during leadership from ‘theory to practice’ in these very uncertain times. a group self-management experience. Martine Kawalsky, We explored various leadership Diller Teen Fellows Cape Town styles and techniques, personal role- Programme Coordinator models, and grappled with moral COHORT 6: Aaron Schwartz, Adam Selikowitz, Darren Greenspan, Ben Vogelman, Jared Daitsh, Doron Zinman, Jade Rubin, Elle Franck, Ilan Meltz, Olivia Diamond, Jonah Schwartz, Katya Golan, Lilla Fleishmann, Michaela A game of five-a-side, with chairperson Perkel, Rachel Castle, Ruby Kurgan, Sabrina Brivik, Silvie Richards, SAUJS members after two hours of Deena Katzen putting up a great bumping defence Yonatan Kuti-Alexander, Zoe Kaplan. Staff: Martine Kawalsky, Talia Scher, Julia Kaimowitz and Rachel Rod. Find us SA Zionist Federation - Cape Council @SAZF_Cape @sazfcapecouncil www.sazfcape.co.za back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle June 2021 15
Come hell or high water: Why Cuba, and not world leader Israel to avert SA’s water crisis?
by Kayla Rachbuch (This article first appeared in www.newsi.co.za, 30 April 2021)
Through the 230 reservoirs policymakers to learn modern that the JNF has built, up to techniques of agriculture and a remarkable 85% of Israel’s water conservation. The Arava water is reused. Compare that Center has signed a memorandum with the next runner-up, Spain, of understanding (MoU) with which only reclaims 19% of its the University of the Free State water, and Cuba’s 4%. to facilitate the sharing of this knowledge in South Africa. outh Africa has rolled out An incredible 132 successful farms Sthe red carpet for 24 Cuban have been established in Kenya engineers to assist the government since the collaboration began in implementing a sustainable water in 2015. delivery system for the country. This will cost South African taxpayers The Western Cape is estimated R64m at a time of serious fiscal to have lost R5 billion in revenue austerity and has been lambasted JNF and the Arava Agricultural Training Center in the Turkana region during the drought of 2017-2018, by opposition political parties and of Kenya, providing water and agricultural expertise and training. largely due to agricultural losses. Source: JNF YouTube screenshots. civil society. Projects like those in Kenya would the vast majority of Cubans. Only Despite these shocking conditions, greatly benefit South Africa’s At a welcome ceremony held in 11 percent of the country’s population the South African government still agricultural industry, water Pretoria, South African Minister of 11.2 million receive piped water chose Cuba over the world-class management, conservation efforts, Lindiwe Sisulu said the Cuban at home 24 hours a day. For over assistance that many countries, and rural communities. specialists in various areas of 50 percent of households, water is particularly Israel, can offer. “There engineering intend to share their available only sporadically, typically are many benefits South Africa could Kransdorff concludes that “come expertise in water sustainability receiving around two hours of gain by partnering with Israel”, said hell or high water, the South African techniques, maintenance and infra- running water every five days. Kransdorff. “They have become the government seems determined to structure, and management of water world leaders in water management pay a failed state with a poor human These households are forced to rely supply – with particular emphasis on and conservation”. rights record like Cuba to fix our on mobile water tanks, often drawn by rural and outlying communities. water problems, but not to accept the horse and cart. Even the ‘privileged Israel, through its technological generous help of Israel, the world’s “Climate change, population growth, few’, who do have continuous water advances in water-recycling and leader in water management.” and lack of investment is putting supply in their homes, because reclaiming water, is fulfilling the increasing pressure on South Africa’s the water pressure in the system is biblical prophecy of making the Nevertheless, JNF South Africa water resources,” said Michael so low, have had to resort to using desert bloom. Through the 230 remains committed to showcasing Kransdorff, the chairperson of the garden hoses and private motors to reservoirs that the JNF has built, up Israeli environmental achievements Jewish National Fund (JNF) in South connect a street-level water supply to a remarkable 85% of Israel’s water and facilitating the sharing of Africa, the leading international with their rooftop storage. is reused. Compare that with the next Israeli know-how and technology in Jewish environmental organisation. runner-up, Spain, which only reclaims South Africa. That is to say nothing about the 19% of its water, and Cuba’s 4%. For the last decade, South Africa has drinkability of the water. In many “We promote Israeli know- consistently fallen short of providing areas, chemicals are not available Israel, and the JNF, have always how through our education a steady supply of this vital resource. for water purification, which has gladly offered their expertise to other programmes for learners at our JNF The severe water shortage and resulted in carnivorous fish being countries. Successful projects and environmental centres in Mamelodi drought that plagued Cape Town in used to eat the parasite-carrying partnerships throughout Africa are and Hammarsdale”, said Kransdorff. 2017 and 2018, is just one example mosquito larvae that can be found in testaments to the professional and “Moreover, we organise tours, of our poorly maintained water and the drinking water. collaborative nature of the Jewish conferences and events around key sanitation infrastructure. state. Communities throughout Sanne Derks, an anthropologist and environmental challenges facing Africa have benefited greatly from Now, the water and sanitation photojournalist, documented how South Africa. In fact, we held a the clean running water solutions and department has seconded the help public health workers in Cuba were webinar with an international best- technology Israel has to offer. of what they see as Cuba’s ‘top’ trying to provide clean drinking water selling author and other global engineers. According to Minister to citizens. In her exposé for the New Notably, Israel assisted the Turkana leaders in water issues on 6 May Sisulu, “Cuba has faced similar York Times published in February region of Kenya in developing called Hell or High Water: the untold challenges. They have overcome 2021, she described seeing people successful water catchment story of how Israel is sharing her them and the engineers are here to “hassling with water pumps, the areas and agriculture. Before water miracle with South Africa and assist us. They will teach and show us streets soaked because of faulty this, water issues, unhealthy soil, the world (see link on page 12). We how to overcome these challenges”. pipelines, water trucks continuously and drought prevented the region hope Minister Sisulu and her team However, Cuba is far from a water plying the roads…”. She continued from developing agriculture. The were listening”. saying that having been “born and health deficits in surrounding success story. In fact, its water Sources: https://www.kkl-jnf.org/ raised in the rainy Netherlands, communities were insurmountable. system is in a dire state. water-for-israel/water-technology/ where clean drinking water is taken Now the Arava Agricultural Training Between Drought and Floods, Cuba Years of political malaise, drought for granted, I hadn’t expected water Center, supported by the JNF, Seeks to Improve Water Management and infrastructure decay, have to be a scarcity on a tropical island”. equips hundreds of students and made running water a rarity for – Cuba | ReliefWe
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new! NETWORK MEMBERS! EMPOWERING PEOPLE CREATING CHANGE Hilda Shenker celebrates 95 in Ari Poyurs Isa Jacobs Pamela Kantor ARI POYURS the beautiful garden she created EQ, CANs, and readingFOUNDER viaHappy SchoolsWhatsApp caters for your school's Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and ISA-LEECharacter Development needs. Using a dynamic model and behavioural “From the very falling comes science, we provide engaging curriculum/workshops to get our students Astra hosted Hilda Shenker’s the rising, from the very JACOBSONready for the 4th industrial revolution. MEET ARI POYURS. His organisationsdarkness Happy comes the light!”Schools provides trainingThe and Seaboard content CAN (Community Action95th Network) birthday was established party. on the 24th Hilda has We equip our students with the tools to navigate their emotions and their of March 2020, the eve of South Africa’s Covid-19 lockdown. Concerned in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Character Developmentenvironments. We also provideto schools, content and training teachers for teachers and parents been a volunteer at the Centre ABOUT ARI CO-ORDINATORto help them navigate their journey. residents rapidly found each other and started mobilising to support and parents. Ari graduated in 2012 and has worked in the King David Schoolsvulnerable peoplesystem in their neighbourhoodsfor over and their 30networks. years, lovingly After graduating in 2012, Ari I believe that connection is since 2015. Read Ari’s Mensch ThoughtPoyurs spentLeader a year learning piece in on page 18, or here to read tending to the garden. Israel. It was there where he everything – to ourselves, They partnered early on with the Gugulethu CAN, led by Pamela Silwana - more about him. realised the power of others, and our planet. supporting their community kitchens and providing logistics. They also emotional intelligence and provide support when the Gugs communityuring is under pressurethe - particularlycelebration, in Hilda soon after he began his ABOUT ISA-LEE MEET ISA JACOBSON, one of the journeyearliest in education. members of the Communityresponse to shackAction �res by bringing throughrecounted donations from the Seaboard.how it all began. They were also able to provide theD �nance for Pam’s auxiliary social worker Network (CANs) which sprung to life asAri has COVID worked as a formal lockdownDocumentary � lmmaker,hit South Isa- Africa. Isa took studies so that she can better serveShortly her community. after moving to Cape Town, and informal teacher in King Lee Jacobson, has had the on the responsibility of co-ordinator of Davidthe since Seaboard 2015. HE is a CAN which has, and continues privilege of making �lms for while walking on the beachfront one student of psychology, The Seaboard CAN continues to partner with the Gugulethu Urban Farming to, work closely with the Gugulethu CAN, supportingnon-pro �projectsts - giving her and with emergency business and has also worked Initiative and their co-ordinators, Vuyaniday, Qamata she and bumpedBusi Selena - both into Sara Pascal. as a counsellor for Lifeline insights into pockets of this relief efforts. Read more about Isa’s work here. extraordinary community leaders, determined to create a green Gugulethu continent that one would not After telling Sara how she had given and help residents put healthy food on their tables. generally be able to access. up her beautiful garden in Pretoria for MEET PAMELA KANTOR, the founder of ReadYou For can view Hope some of, her an organisation that creates meaningful change in the lives of childrenwork throughhere: a love of reading and the sea, Sara suggested to Hilda that she (Hillda) do the garden at learning, sparking their imaginations. During COVIDwww.,� yingthis�lms.co.za passionate educator has Astra Centre! And so she did! Watering, planting and weeding with been collecting stories read aloud by friends and family,She has always WhatsApped been to her, that she passion, enthusiasm and dedication. One of the guests mentioned shares directly with learners. Read more about Pamela’sinterested in worksocial justice here. that when Hilda started, there were only two pots on either side of issues, with a belief that it is incumbent upon Jews, given the steps. She brought plants from Pretoria which today are now For more info or to join the Mensch Network:our history, www.mensch.org.za to be mindful of trees. While fulfilling her passion, Hilda also made lots of good or email [email protected] most vulnerable in our society. When Covid struck friends during her frequent visits to Astra. and it became apparent that many Capetonians would be And then came the challenge of the garden for the coffee shop. Make a life-changing difference — Hilda rose to the task and created the most stunning setting. This has played a big part in Coffee Time becoming a popular venue interest free! for functions including weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, anniversaries and birthdays. Daytime patrons all enjoy the beautiful garden — The roof leaks. There is no business lives in one of them. appreciating it especially during these COVID times! ventilation. Some of the many Housing challenges in our city are “When you do something with beauty, it adds another holes are awkwardly sealed with substantial, and informal settlements or pieces of wood. There is no place backyard dwellings are not going away. dimension to your life.” to study, read or write. As such, the most effective solution to address the issue is in-situ upgrade of hen you enter the shack, you walk shacks. Ikhayalami and Mensch have Director Merle Furman recalled the re-opening of Coffee Time into the kitchen, bathroom, and teamed up to offer a solution to Jewish where the guest of honour, Chief Rabbi Goldstein, said “When you bedroom,W it’s one room, where the family community members who want to make do something with beauty, it adds another dimension to your life.” of five sleeps on one bed raised off the a difference in their employees’ lives. ground to avoid rats. There is one toilet Attending the party were Hilda’s daughter, Michelle, her son David shared by six families. How are they Flexible in design, the upgraded shelters and two of her three sisters, Queenie Sender and Dora Pick. expected to survive Cape Town’s cold, are easily constructed to fit different Queenie related how she had worked as a volunteer speech teacher wet winter and notorious winds, let alone layouts and dimensions. Though basic, at Astra in the 1950s. COVID-19? the quality and integrity of the iKhayalami Referencing his mother’s and aunts’ longevity, David told the guests builds are a dramatic improvement Millions of people don’t have a secure that part of “the recipe for a long and healthy life was to be of service on self-built structures. They are built roof over their heads, and live in to others,” and “to have a passion.” This of course was an accurate with stronger materials that are less unsafe, temporary structures. There are description of Hilda who, he said, “would get so excited every time I susceptible to fire, flooding, and break- 437 informal settlement pockets in would bring her here.” ins. A cement slab floor can be added, Greater Cape Town, and it is likely and where possible, running water can Hilda’s son Stanley who lives in Canada wrote, “The garden has that someone working in your home or be connected. grown to be her grand masterpiece and has provided enduring happiness that gardens bring to garden-lovers.” To find out more about making a difference in someone’s life, click here or email [email protected]. Hilda has certainly created a most beautiful legacy for all to enjoy and appreciate.
Before and after: Maxwell and Melissa Dick’s new home Project Bayit is a joint initiative of Mensch and Ikhayalami, supported financially by Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies.
back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle June 2021 17 Celebrations across Israel with Telfed’s regional committees
With the number of COVID-19 cases post-Corona country-wide event, scheduled on the decline, thanks to an effective for Chol Hamoed Sukkot. vaccination rollout, life in Israel is As we slowly resume in-person events gradually returning to ‘normal’. and welcome visitors to our offices (by esach 2021 was truly a holiday of freedom, appointment only), we are still making the Pand our Olim community throughout Israel most of our virtual events. was eager to reconnect (while adhering to the Hundreds of participants joined our entertaining gathering restrictions still in place). Yom Haatzmaut Family Quiz, where we Telfed’s Haifa Regional Committee took the laughed and learned and celebrated our lead with the first in-person event of 2021 remarkable country. Topics ranged from the and welcomed new Olim and veteran Olim in founding of the State of Israel to award-winning the northern city to a community braai. Haifa Israeli TV series. Thanks to the generosity of Municipality Project Director for Olim from our Olim community, thousands of shekels English speaking countries, Smadar Stoller in prizes were up for grabs, including coffee, Porat, joined in the fun. Rabbi Doron of the biltong, books, photoshoots and personal Kiryat Eliezer community shared insights training sessions. on the significance of the approaching A virtual event commemorating Yom celebration Yom Haatzmaut immediately Yerushalayim was arranged by Telfed’s Beit after commemorating our Fallen Soldiers and Telfed’s Youth Committee enjoying a festive Lag Ba’Omer braai with young Olim in Tel Aviv Shemesh Regional Committee. Telfed CEO Victims of Terror. Dorron Kline, a former ‘machalnik’ spoke about Former Telfed Chairman, Dave Bloom, picnic at Gan Ha’Ivri. A wide range of outdoor the events leading up to the Six Day War and represented Telfed at the annual Yom Hazicharon entertainment and activities were arranged by Israel’s miraculous victory. memorial with World Machal (Mitnadvei Chutz the local municipality, and our Olim in the Rishon Twenty-seven new South African Olim landed La’aretz or overseas volunteers). In 1948, over region had a wonderful opportunity to celebrate in Israel in time for Yom Yerushalayim. Telfed’s 800 South African men and women volunteered to Yom Haatzmaut with friends and family. Regional Committees will be welcoming them to defend the newly established State of Israel in the Over 35 young adults joined our Telfed Youth their new communities. War of Independence. These volunteers played an Committee for a La Ba’Omer braai in the gardens Those considering Aliyah are invited to contact our invaluable role, and we remember those who paid of Telfed’s Amishav Street building in Tel Aviv, the ultimate price. regional volunteers to learn more about Israel’s and Telfed’s Jerusalem Regional Committee will dynamic and diverse communities. As a Klita As a day of mourning leads to a day of celebration, be hosting an event with writer and publisher, organisation, we strongly recommend advance Israelis across the country celebrated the State Murray Greenfield. preparation for a successful absorption and of Israel’s 73rd birthday. Telfed’s Rishon LeZion In addition to upcoming regional events, the Telfed integration into Israeli society. More information is Regional Committee arranged a community Team has already begun preparations for our first available on our website: www.telfed.org.il.
mensch thought-leader of the month by Ari Poyurs In 2016 I was teaching my first group going to start kicking the ball as hard as he could how to be a mensch. There are of Grade 5 students. While we had a at a few of us. It sucked and I felt worthless.” so many factors involved and it is difficult to place this burden wonderful relationship and fantastic “I was often mocked for being skinny and I solely on schools when they classes, there was a problem. There was remember feeling so ashamed. Every day I put on already have so much on their a clear hierarchy within the class. Anyone a smile, hid my pain and just wished school would plates. That is where I come who was lower in the hierarchy did not get be over.” a chance to express themselves and was in! I founded Happy Schools “My dear Grade 5s, there are people in your class — an emotional intelligence often mocked. who have that same pain and can’t share it! They consultancy — where we had to intervene! are hurting and struggling and feeling bullied work to develop Social and because we mock them and don’t give them a Emotional Learning (SEL) II came into class holding a stress ball with a chance to speak. But the thing is, they don’t show solutions for parents, teachers, and students. smiley face on it. I asked the students to sit in it! They put on a smile like Jimmy.” a circle on the floor. I began by holding up the Through meaningful connection, engaging stress ball, “This is Jimmy, what do you think I finished off by urging them to be kinder to one and relevant content, and behavioural science Jimmy is feeling?” another and respecting those around them! techniques to create sustainable change, we aim to challenge all our stakeholders and to A little boy named Jake walked up to me after the “HAPPY!” re-think education. class. He said in a soft voice, “Mr Poyurs, I know “Now, I want you to say something horrible to it will be okay for me because it turned out okay The world needs problem-solvers, agile workers, Jimmy and throw him on the ground or at the wall for you...” creative thinkers, empathic leaders, and as hard as you can.” engaging listeners if we want to create a world With tears in my eyes, I handed the smiley stress that is worthwhile for future generations. So I urge Confused, the students listened and giggled while ball named Jimmy to Jake and said, “You are a you, as parents, employers, leaders, educators, they bullied the unsuspecting stress ball. Once hero for sharing that with me, Jake!” they had all finished and things had settled, I and humans, to think how you can leverage or continued, “I was Jimmy at school...” My story was painful at times, but it has shaped develop your emotional intelligence to ensure me into who I am today. Of course, my classmates that there is space for Jake, a space for him to “I was skinny, had acne and people used to mock could have done with a little more emotional nurture his unique talents and make a meaningful me for it. My family didn’t have a lot of money intelligence, but they all turned out to be great contribution to the world, a place he can feel safe so sometimes we didn’t get a lot of food. I also guys… which shows that they just needed a bit and call home. struggled with a lot of subjects in school. more guidance at that age, a bit more awareness, I look forward to connecting and learning together a bit more empathy. “One day, my classmates and I were playing at with you! break and one boy (who was actually struggling Unfortunately, it is difficult to teach people how to be Learn with a smile! with family issues at the time) decided he was kind, empathetic, self-aware, and most importantly Ari Poyurs is a valued member of the Mensch Network. To read more about his work, Click HERE, or log onto www.mensch.org.za, and scroll on the ‘Network’ menu to find out more about Happy Schools and to connect to his Facebook blog. back to contents 18 Cape Jewish Chronicle June 2021 Cape Jewish Seniors Association DIRECTOR: Diana Sochen 021 434 9691 [email protected] ADMIN: Amanda 021 434 9691 [email protected] search CJSA on Facebook Ensure that you live your best life — take care of yourself by being one step ahead!
So many unforeseen events important papers. You don’t need you can’t make them yourself. It will family and doctors know what your have happened during this to tell this friend or family member also discuss ways you can share wishes are if the time comes that you pandemic. CJSA professional about your personal affairs, but your wishes with others. Appointing are unable to express your needs and staff are really having to someone should know where you someone to make decisions for you, wishes. It is important to note that an reinvent themselves in so many keep your papers in case of an and knowing how you would decide advance directive and living will are ways, and we are constantly emergency. If you don’t have a might take some of the burden off not regarded as a legal document having to stretch ourselves in relative or friend you trust, ask a family and friends. in South Africa, but it is definitely a lawyer to help. good way of expressing your care Advance care planning involves order to cope with the different wishes, as often these issues are not • Discuss your end-of-life preferences learning about the types of decisions requests and issues that come discussed for fear of repercussions with your doctor. He or she can that might need to be made and about our way. and upsetting family members. explain what health decisions you your preferences. These preferences any of our seniors are entirely may have to make in the future are often put into a written advance alone without family members in and what treatment options are directive, a document that goes into CapeM Town. Having to cope with daily available. Talking with your doctor effect only if you are incapacitated issues is hard enough for many of our can help ensure your wishes and unable to speak for yourself. Diana Sochen, Director members, but when major problems are honoured. This could be the result of disease arise, it can be catastrophic. or severe injury — no matter how • Give permission in advance for your old you are. It helps others know It is very important to have structures doctor or lawyer to talk with your what type of medical care you want. Social and Personal in place for every eventuality, much caregiver as needed. There may be It also allows you to express your like preparing for retirement which is questions about your care, a bill, or values and desires related to end- Even during the lockdown best done from an early stage, during a health insurance claim. Without of-life care. You might think of it as period, there have been your working career. The same goes your consent, your caregiver may a living document representing your numerous occasions of for planning for your ageing needs not be able to get the information expressed wish — one that you can celebration. whilst at optimum health, and while required. You can give your okay adjust as your situation changes you have family or trusted friends to in advance to your bank, or your because of new information or a We welcome new members help you plan. doctor. You will have to do this in change in your health. Angela Butlion, Mervyn Friedland, writing, in the presence of both. Joan Fried, Robyn Meyerowitz, Getting your affairs in order The drafting of an advance Advance care planning is not just Selwyn Horowitz and Linda Symons directive is your responsibility. It about old age. At any age, a medical No one ever plans to be sick or is, however, recommended that Welcome and Mazaltov to the crisis could leave you too ill to make disabled. Yet it’s this sort of planning an advance directive be drafted in families celebrating births. your own health care decisions. Even that makes all the difference if an conjunction with medical advice and if you are not sick now, planning Hannah Sofer – great-grandson emergency does arise. counselling. It is further advisable for health care in the future is an that patients discuss the specific • Put your important papers and important step toward making sure terms of their advance directives on copies of legal documents in one you get the medical care you would a continuing basis with their medical Note that place. You can set up a file, put want, should you are unable to speak everything in a desk or dresser practitioner(s). the CJSA Wine for yourself and doctors and family is available drawer, or list the information and members are making the decisions You will need to talk with a lawyer location of papers in a notebook. at a donation for you. about setting up a general power of of R80 per If your papers are in a bank safe attorney, durable power of attorney, Think about the type of decisions bottle. deposit box, keep copies in a file joint account, trust, or advance that may need to be made in such at home. Check each year to see if directive. Be sure to ask about the Please cases, and questions that may arise, there’s anything new to add. lawyer’s fees before you make an support so you’re prepared later. It can help • Tell a trusted family member or appointment. this fundraising you decide who you would want to initiative. friend where you put all your make decisions on your behalf if This document ensures that your
CJSA is providing weekly Shabbat meals and special mid-week meals to members of our community. There are people who cannot afford to pay for these meals. We have a number of ways in which YOU can assist us in providing Shabbat meals or mid-week meals by either sponsoring the meal in lieu of a birthday or any special gift, or purchasing booklets of gift certificates. Choose one of these special gift cards and make someone very happy.
back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle June 2021 19
Consider This Lag B’Omer 5781 at Temple Israel
By Rabbi Greg Alexander The topic of our Difficult Fireside Conversations for this year’s Lag B’Omer celebrations was Lemba and Judaism in South Africa.
This too shall pass abbi Malcolm interviewed Dr Mahlodi Mantlha and Ishe Oded Stephen Maramwidze. Mahlodi is a member of Temple Israel and has roots in the How do we cope with struggles and challenge? What guides us RLemba community. She is a member of the Hamisi Clan of the Lemba Nation. in the confusing world we find ourselves in today? Oded is of the Dumah Clan of the Lemba Nation and as a leader of the community bears the title Ishe. He is from Zimbabwe and based in Johannesburg. n the big picture, 2021 is not looking that different to 2020. Yes, there is talk of vaccines and by the time you read this I hope that many of Mahlodi and Ishe Oded discussed the history of the Lemba people, their rituals ourI over-60s will have had the jab, but we know that this is far from over and liturgy and their connections to, and interaction with the South African and we need to draw on our reserves of patience and resilience once Jewish community, both Progressive and Orthodox. The contentious topic of again. Many people respond with anger or even distrust of the vaccines the necessity to complete an Introduction to Judaism course in order to become (and the government/big Pharma push for them) and many respond with members of the broader Jewish community was discussed. It was pointed helplessness that there is ‘nothing to do’, COVID can’t be beaten. out that there is a difference of opinion amongst the Lemba about the need to formalise their Jewish status. There is a great tool that we have for these times and it is summed up in a story set 3 000 years ago in the court of King Solomon the wise. Of all The speakers also talked about the Lemba community’s relationship with the Solomon’s most reliable advisors, none was more trusted than Benaiah State of Israel. Ishe Oded described the Lemba’s desire to make aliyah and ben Yehoyada. He was a proven soldier, general of the king’s army and contribute positively to the Jewish state, and mentioned the dream of establishing someone who not only had performed heroic acts like killing a lion but had a Lemba school in Israel. It would admit students from other Jewish communities, also stood by Solomon against his enemies even when it was not in his from the Arab community and other religious or ethnic groups as well as Lemba interests to do so. Check out the books of Samuel, Chronicles and Kings students, thereby actively expressing the idea of unity within diversity. for more Benaiah stories. “The Lag B’Omer discussion with Ishe Oded and Mahlodi was really wonderful, This one, which is not in the Tanakh, begins at Pesach when King Solomon and insightful. It was great to see these two Jewish worlds come together, calls for Benaiah with a strange request. He asks him to find a special ring. displaying respect for each other and listening to the other without the need to One that has the power to make a sad person happy and a happy person be right or prove anything. I’m proud of the progressive community for showing sad. What he doesn’t tell Benaiah is that the ring does not exist. He wanted respect and not dismissing.” – Jessica Jantjies. to test his truest general and see how he would respond. Would he refuse The discussion was followed by a (virtual) Fireside Song Session led by Rabbi the task? Would he try and then give up, or hope the king would call it off? Emma Gottlieb, Rabbi Sa’ar Shaked (via video), Will Rivlin and Hannah Taylor. Would he pretend success and hope Solomon would not notice his failure? The king gives him until Sukkot to bring back the ring, a period of six months. Of course, Benaiah accepts the challenge and heads off into the Celebrating Pride in June world to seek the ring. If we had pages I would describe the adventures he had along the way, but in short, it is nearing the end of Sukkot, and he is on By Rabbi Emma (She/Her) his way back to Jerusalem ready to admit defeat. Temple Israel will be celebrating Pride throughout the month of June, He passes through a poor village where he sees some merchants have with special events and PRIDE-ful moments during worship services. set out a market. One catches his eye and calls him over, asking if she can provide what he seeks. Benaiah describes the ring and the merchant thinks n 2 June we begin with a webinar on LGBTQI+ Inclusion in the Progressive for a while and then nods. “You have the ring?” asks Benaiah, amazed. “I OMovement, the last in our series of webinars co-hosted with the SA Jewish have this ring,” says the merchant and produces a simple plain gold band, Museum on contemporary aspects of Progressive Judaism. Later in the month and then in front of Benaiah she engraves three letters. Gimmel, zayin, there will be an event for parents and loved-ones of the queer community who may yud. “What do they stand for?” asks the now suspicious Benaiah. Was this be looking for some basic information, education and resources to best support woman just trying to con him seeing how desperate he was to find the ring? their loved one. This event will be co-hosted with Gender DynamiX (GDX), the first registered Africa-based public benefit organisation to focus solely on trans “For the words ‘Gam Zeh Ya’avor’ – this too shall pass” answers the and gender diverse communities. The event will be online and is open to all. merchant. After a moment’s thought, a broad smile breaks over Benaiah’s Details of date, time and how to register can be found on Temple Israel’s website face. “Thank you, thank you,” he says, and, paying for the ring, he rushes and social media. Temple Israel is also partnering with the Gitlin library to feature off towards Jerusalem. books written by LGBTQI+ authors and will be fundraising to ensure that all of The morning of the last day of Sukkot dawns and Solomon welcomes these books can be made available at the Gitlin Library. Temple Israel’s rabbinic Benaiah back to court. “So Benaiah, how have you managed with team will also be contributing to the purchase of these books. Each Shabbat in your quest?” Without a word, Benaiah produces the ring. Without any June, we will also be taking a moment in our online services to celebrate Pride, explanation Solomon understands immediately and shakes his head in as well as to have moments of remembrance, focussing on inter-generational amazement. “You have done well, my friend, and this ring will be my most themes as well as highlighting the global LGBTQI+ community. All of this will treasured possession.” culminate in our annual Pride Shabbat, on 25 June. Details and registration links for all of our services can be found on Temple Israel’s website and social media The ring is not the treasure. The story is. Summed up in those three words and all events and services can be viewed on our Facebook page. We look – gam zeh ya’avor. When things are good, we should be humble enough to forward to a month of affirming our values of acceptance, inclusion, diversity and know that our lives are fragile. And when things are hard, we should realise equality throughout Pride month in our community. that this won’t always be our state in life. This too shall pass. The wheel will turn. And we will move on. There are so many things beyond our control, Mazaltov to those who celebrated Bnei Mitzvah with us last month out of our hands. We are not in control of COVID, or even of the way that governments of the world respond to it. We can’t control the weather, or the traffic or the neighbour’s barking dogs. What we are in control of is our response. If we respond with anger, with fear, with frustrated seething fury, we not only do not stop COVID, we also add another problem to our already difficult day. When we try to work on what we can control – the support structures around us and our loved ones, keeping safe, making sure we do things that bring us joy, connecting Danny Katzeff Tyron Katz Daniel Chaimowitz Lex Blank to people who inspire us and make us smile – then our burden is less. 1 May 8 May 22 May 29 May back to contents 20 Cape Jewish Chronicle June 2021
back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle June 2021 21 A view from the bar The cutting of electricity
By Anton Katz
What happens when local total termination of electricity supply, community; there is a real risk that Firstly, the government becomes unless the municipalities made Eskom’s planned interruptions will interruption of dysfunctional? substantial payments to Eskom to lead to a total collapse of the entire supply decision reduce their indebtedness. sewer system; interruptions to the was irrational and therefore unicipal services, such as electrical supply to the sewage unconstitutional. The Court accepted A number of businesses, through electricity supply, water, sewage works will result in a situation where the Chambers’ argument that to try to M their Chambers of Commerce, and and garbage matters aren’t properly raw sewage flows into the natural extract payment from a municipality individuals challenged Eskom’s managed. How can local residents waterways and ultimately finds its that cannot pay is counterproductive. interruption decision in court. The be protected from catastrophe? way into the Olifants River catchment Indeed, it make things worse. Chambers put up solid evidence that system, creating an environmental Electricity cuts would make it harder This important issue has recently the electricity interruptions would hazard way beyond the boundaries for the municipalities to generate arisen in the Courts in relation to have a devastating effect as they of Emalahleni.” income to pass on to Eskom. electricity supply. Eskom is tasked ‘threaten the very fabric of society’, with the generation and supply with hospitals, schools, households In Court, Eskom defended its Secondly, the municipalities had of electricity. It does not supply and businesses severely disrupted. intended interruption. It argued constitutional obligations to its electricity to individual users. The Chambers elaborated on the that it had no relationship with the residents to supply basic services. Electricity is supplied by Eskom to effects of electricity interruptions: private users. Its only commitment Eskom could not undermine the municipalities throughout South Firstly, when the power supply is and obligations were with and to the municipalities’ constitutional Africa, and the municipalities in turn cut, all sewage works immediately municipalities. If the municipalities obligations to provide basic services supply individuals and businesses come to a standstill. This means that did not pay, then it (Eskom) was by cutting. And the Court referred within their territory. This scheme is sewage is not pumped to the sewage entitled to cut. Therefore, the private to the notion that: “the provision long-standing and is historically a processing plants but instead, will users had no standing to challenge of basic municipal services is a hold-over from the infrastructure set simply sit (and will eventually spill their decisions. It was only the cardinal function, if not the most up by the apartheid government. into the streets) for the duration of the municipalities who could sue them in important function, of every So, consider the following facts. An cut-off, with the associated, serious Court. And the rationale for the cuts municipal government. The central individual user (a business, factory risks to the health of the community. was based on a legitimate basis. mandate of local government is to or single family) uses and pays develop a service delivery capacity the municipality for all electricity The lesson to be learnt is that although the Courts cannot run in order to meet the basic needs used. But the municipality fails or and administer governmental functions, they can in appropriate of all inhabitants of South Africa, neglects to pay Eskom for months irrespective of whether or not they circumstances hold government to account and protect the have a contractual relationship with and sometimes for years. The unpaid rights of affected individuals. amounts escalate and eventually the relevant public service provider. the municipality owes Eskom many The provision of electricity is one of those services that local government millions or billions of rands. The Secondly, the minute the power is First, the interruption in supply is required to provide.” debt is so large that the delinquent shut off, the water purification and avoided or limited further delivery municipality cannot even keep processing plants as well as those without payment and secondly, And thirdly, and in any event, before up with paying the interest on the pumping water to the community was used as a tool or mechanism cutting, Eskom had to at the very massive debt it owes to Eskom. to ensure adequate water pressure to “encourage” the municipality least attempt to obtain assistance Eskom, a state-owned enterprise come to an immediate standstill. This to start paying. Eskom testified in the recovery of payment from the sues the defaulting municipality for means that taps run dry, households that its objective in resorting to provincial and national spheres of the unpaid debt, obtains a judgment run out of water, and critical water- the drastic measure of interrupting government. It needed to exhaust and unsuccessfully attempts based facilities will cease functioning. the bulk supply of electricity to the every possible avenue available to recover the monies owed. It Even worse, when the supply is municipalities was to contain the before taking the drastic step of enters into agreements with the reconnected, it will take some spiralling of the electricity debt interruptions. The Court ruled that municipalities to the effect that the time for an adequate reserve to be which, over the years, had increased Eskom’s decision to interrupt was municipalities will pay for future generated to enable the community exponentially. unconstitutional and invalid. and business to recommence. electricity supply, and slowly pay off Eskom also contended that failure The lesson to be learnt is that the debt. Thirdly, any process (industrial, to take the drastic measures it had although the Courts cannot run But Eskom’s tactic of adopting commercial or domestic) that adopted would ultimately impact and administer governmental ‘a carrot and stick approach’ is dependent on electricity will negatively on its overall capacity functions, they can in appropriate to extract payment from the immediately cease.’ And ‘the to generate electricity. And that if circumstances hold government to defaulting municipalities failed proposed interruptions will lead it were pushed to a point where it account and protect the rights of to yield the desired outcome. It to the rapid collapse of the entire could no longer generate electricity, affected individuals. Emalahleni water network within 48 so its argument continued, the then decided to interrupt the bulk Anton Katz is a practising Senior electricity supply at scheduled times: hours, and it is likely that a human whole country would be plunged and environmental disaster will into darkness, with disastrous Counsel, former United Nations from 06h00 to 08h00 and again from special rapporteur on mercenaries 17h00 to 19h30 during the week; follow; interruptions to the electrical consequences on many fronts. supply to the water purification and human rights, former Acting and from 08h30 to 11h00 and again The Supreme Court of Appeal system will lead to raw, unpurified High Court Judge, and an admitted from 15h00 to 17h30 on weekends. rejected Eskom’s defences for three water flowing into reservoirs and attorney in New York. He was born These times were to be extended, separate reasons. and raised in Sea Point. incrementally, until the point of a creating a serious health risk to the Follow the Chronicle online
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back to contents 22 Cape Jewish Chronicle June 2021 Miasma is no myth — how to stop a pandemic
by Dr Gareth Kantor The Great Stink, London, 1858. teaching is that anything under five brief, acknowledging that aerosols (stale, trapped) Human effluent overflows microns in size can become airborne, can’t be ruled out, especially in poorly air, points to new the streets and gutters of and float. Everything else sinks. ventilated places. However the WHO opportunities. sticks to the 3- to 6-foot rule, advising the biggest metropolis in the The scientists insist that particles What we need people to wear masks indoors only if world. The Thames has become a expelled from the respiratory tract to do they can’t keep that distance. frightening, murky cesspool at the of infected patients come in a range heart of the great city. of sizes, some large droplets likely October 2020: Another group of Improve the ventilation of enclosed to fall to the floor, others (up to 100 scientists and doctors publishes a spaces. i.e. buildings and public n response, parliamentarians, microns) able to float in trapped air letter in Science, urging consensus transport. Open doors and windows Iholding their noses against the in an enclosed space, depending on on how infectious particles move, to ensure a current of air that will foul aroma, approve a giant public heat, humidity, and air speed. starting by abandoning the five- replace stale, rebreathed air with works programme that results in micron threshold. The same day, the fresh air from outside. London’s brilliantly engineered sewer History of an error CDC updates its guidance to acknow- Assess ventilation objectively e.g. by system. Fixing the Great Stink in In 1934, Harvard engineer William ledge that SARS-CoV-2 can spread means of CO2 meters and analysis this way reduces cholera and other Wells analysed air samples and through aerosols that persist in the air. by specialist occupational hygienist waterborne disease, and leads to showed how particles bigger than and industrial engineers. Design or huge improvements in public health, December 2020: The WHO 100 microns sank within seconds, modify HVAC systems to provide saving many lives. It helps discredit the recommends that everyone always while smaller particles stayed in the cleaner air using filters. ancient, terror-inducing ‘miasma’ (bad wear a mask indoors wherever air. But the chief epidemiologist of air) theory of disease transmission, COVID-19 is spreading. They also the Centers for Disease Control, In indoor spaces, wear masks, with replacing it with a new idea — germs promote ventilation, but avoid Alexander Langmuir, dismissed Wells’ good filtering and a snug fit over the — and a successful ongoing focus on using the term airborne, instead ideas about airborne transmission as nose and mouth. Cloth masks are clean water and sanitation. emphasising the types of settings a reversion to the ancient, irrational less protective but can limit spread that pose the biggest risks. from infected persons. January 2020: COVID is about. The miasma theory. Langmuir cited Chinese government cuts off the city studies on miners and factory workers, 30 April 2021: The WHO quietly Continue to clean hands. No need for of Wuhan in a desperate attempt to which showed the mucus of the nose updates its website, now stating that deep, frequent, obsessive sanitising contain the disease. As the pandemic and throat able to filter out particles the virus can spread via aerosols as of surfaces. No fogging. shuts down most of the world, the bigger than five microns. Only the well as larger droplets. This may have Keep a distance from people and World Health Organisation tells us to smaller ones could enter deep into the been one of the biggest stories of the avoid crowded indoor spaces. wash our hands, scrub surfaces, and lungs and cause permanent damage. pandemic but it passes with no news Outdoors is generally safe although maintain social distance. Nothing is Experiments with rabbits and the TB conference, no major declaration. close contact with potentially infected said about masks or the dangers of bacteria confirmed this. May 2021: The CDC makes similar persons is unwise, even outdoors. being indoors. We are told that a sick Langmuir emphasised that the changes to its COVID-19 guidance, person can cough droplets onto your problematic particles were smaller placing the inhalation of aerosols first Quarantine and isolate. i.e. stay face, or shake your hand, which you than five microns. Scientists mis- on its list of ways that the disease home if sick or closely exposed. Get then use to rub your nose. The virus understood his observations, taking spreads. But there is no news tested; testing is readily available, can survive on surfaces for hours or the size of the particle that transmits conference, no press release. with rapid turnaround times. Antigen days. But the WHO decides against tuberculosis (five microns) for a tests are cheap and sufficiently advice to wear masks. Droplets fall to Airborne transmission — general definition of airborne spread, accurate to detect infectious cases. the ground within a metre or two. Just avoiding the avoidable? leaving Wells’ 100-micron threshold cough into your elbow, and social Last but definitely not least: behind. This error became accepted Current best estimates: while talking, distance. Wipe surfaces frequently. vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate. as fact. Langmuir later admitted singing or coughing, SARS-CoV-2 is Wiping out TB, influenza and April 2020: The WHO affirms that he’d been wrong, but by this time shed: via droplets (55%), short-range stopping the next pandemic COVID-19 is not airborne, insisting outdated science had underpinned (1 — 2 m) aerosols (35%), and long- on additional evidence to justify any public health policy for decades. range aerosols (10%). Airborne disease transmission has official change in that view. Meanwhile Error correction Airborne disease transmission enormous implications for long- numerous superspreading events means a shift in focus for public term health policy. By improving are reported — in restaurants, cruise Dislodging the error from decades health. It would require, for example, ventilation and other factors, it may ships, choir rehearsals — strongly of doctrine would mean convincing good quality face masks to be made be possible not only to suppress suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 virus health authorities not only that they available to all; and for public spaces COVID’s third wave, but to greatly in breathed-out air can cross large were wrong, but that the error was — to have their ventilation assessed reduce TB and influenza both expanses of indoor air. important. Many scientists and — and possibly upgraded. To combat major killers in South Africa as researchers have been involved. May 2021: A little noticed but hugely droplets, the chief precautions well as to stop runny noses, chest important change: The WHO says During the first SARS outbreak in are distancing, barriers (masks, colds, and flu which regularly sweep that SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted not 2003, investigation of an outbreak visors) and hand hygiene. To fight through society. only by large droplets, but by tiny at a Hong Kong apartment complex infectious aerosols, air itself is the Acknowledging the history, and particles (aerosols) that can float in provided strong evidence that the enemy. Fortunately, SARS-CoV-2 how it has hindered an effective air, infecting people many metres coronavirus could be airborne. The doesn’t often infect people over long global response to COVID-19, away. The miasma theory is back! scientists showed that during coughs distances if the indoor space is well- could allow good ventilation and or sneezes, the heavy droplets are ventilated. And the virus definitely The story of this change and what it cleaner air to become a pillar of too small in number and the targets spreads most effectively in close means for the battle against COVID-19 public health policy, a development — an open mouth, nostrils, eye — proximity to a coughing, talking, or is a fascinating one. Its late arrival that could not only hasten the end of too small to produce much infection. shouting person. delayed important interventions which this pandemic, but stop future ones; They concluded that most colds, flu, might have saved millions of lives. The Third Wave is upon us, and reduce the enormous disease and other respiratory illnesses must what do we do? burden of TB and influenza. The aerosol scientists spread through aerosols instead. A year ago, 35 scientists wrote a letter July 2020: 239 scientists and What does all this mean to South Dr Gareth Kantor is an to the WHO. They were concerned physicians warn that without stronger Africans? We are tired of COVID but anaesthesiologist based in Cape about the misunderstanding of the recommendations for masking and COVID is not tired of us. Town, a health industry consultant and a health system improver. likely mechanism of the spread of ventilation, airborne spread of SARS- We watch while COVID infection He is also on the expert panel of COVID-19 by the infectious disease CoV-2 will continue unchecked. A rates inexorably climb the peak for a GreenFlag Association, a new group and public health specialists who WHO spokesperson resists their use third time. What else could we do? advise governments and world of the term airborne but days later the that aims to give people the peace of bodies. The standard public health WHO releases an updated scientific The recognition that COVID-19 can mind that they live, work and relax in be spread at a distance, by bad safe, healthy, well-ventilated spaces. back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle June 2021 23
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back to contents 24 Cape Jewish Chronicle June 2021 The Samurai, the last tree and a miracle
By Maiyan Karidi
We were honoured to piled up in an open shelter. Cecile, side. My torso was outside the side check us out. collaborate with a wonderful my favorite choreographer in the window frame of the car in the dirt, My tailbone was world decided to go and fetch her the window panes laid elsewhere, contemporary dance company numb and badly two dogs to guard the equipment. I shattered. Cecile was on top of me. in Mauritius. bruised and her offered to take her. I felt my body and it was all there. I shoulder was out hey are unique and magical. looked at her and she was crying. I As we climbed into our little Samurai of alignment, but They dance outside in nature, said “We’re alive!” jeep, my husband warned, “It’s that was all. insideT banyan trees, in the shallows Shabbat Maiyan, be careful, you She didn’t want to move. I convinced of the lagoon and on volcanic rocks. I felt we had been shouldn’t be driving.” This may her to pull herself through the front This particular event was for the spared by angels. We still had work sound like superstition, but he had window frame. We had to get out. launching of their company. The to do on this earth. The following his fair share of disasters happening She was worried about the dogs, location was perfect. All the elements morning we found one dog in the when firing ceramics on Shabbat. they had vanished. She thought at their finest. field and the other had walked all We always tried to stay at home on they were dead. She pulled herself the way home and was waiting there My husband got the challenging task Shabbat, it became a family tradition. out and put her hand on her phone, patiently. Not a scratch. They had of doing the sound with his speaker A family day or ‘freedom day’ as we lying in the dirt. We had landed in a jumped out of the open back seconds innovation (another story for another call it. I told him, “its ok, don’t worry, pit, surrounded by sugar cane and before impact. Another miracle. time) and I created a mosaic on a this is not work, this is dancing for black rocks. kayak with a tree swaying in the the sky”. I don’t question the reasons We were dazed and confused. We middle like a mast, which was to anymore. Superstition? Universal So, off we went. A simple twenty- stumbled out of the car and started be launched into the lagoon. Two truth? We will never know. All I know minute drive along the motorway, we searching for the dogs. Nowhere to mirrors among the mosaic caught is that Shabbat is a family day for collected the two black Labradors, be seen. People has begun to gather the reflection of the azure sky. “The us, a day of rest and freedom from loaded them into the jeep, left the around. The car that crashed into us last tree”. the mundane every day struggle and back open for them and started was in the middle of the road, the as far as possible we try to keep it The theme was nature’s elements the return journey in the dark and front smashed in. The driver and the that way. The seventh day is sacred, and the climax of the dance was rain, slowly making our way along passengers had run off. The car was whether we acknowledge it or not. timed exactly with the sunset and the motorway. filled with empty beer bottles. Hit the music of Gladiator’s Now we are and run. The Samurai was slow, which suited free by Hans Zimmer. When Mozart’s the low visibility, the dark and the I was still dazed and confused, Requiem played, the fisherman near Maiyan is an artist and writer who rain. We could only just see the tall walking around with my trembling the coral reef in the far distance could has lived and worked on creative sugar cane leaning into the road on friend, searching for the dogs in hear it. The atmosphere was electric. projects in Cape Town, Israel, Fiji and our left. the dark of the sugar cane field. All During the rehearsal, a tropical storm Mauritius. She recently returned to I could think of was that this was a warning didn’t stop us. We hoped Headlights appeared in my rear view Cape Town and continues her quest miracle. It didn’t make sense, being for the best. Black clouds gathered. mirror. It took three seconds to realise for artistic collaborations. thrown a hundred and twenty meters, On the day of the performance, they were looming towards us at turning in the air and landing with Anyone interested in creating art the trade winds arrived together breakneck speed. We had nowhere such impact, and we were whole. Our projects with Maiyan can contact her with heavy rain from the east. We to go, nowhere to pull over, it was too family arrived to take us to hospital to at [email protected]. desperately covered the music late. We screamed... and CRASH! system and speakers with umbrellas and tarpaulin. The show must go on. We were in the air. Everything turned to slow motion. Black and white, The rain came down and the dancers, sugar cane, rain, stars, sugar cane, all in white, gave their everything. As rain, stars. We were flipping in the air. they danced in the torrential rain the My thoughts were that these are my tree on the kayak swayed back and last few seconds on this earth, when forth more and more vigorously and we land, its all over. Sadness washed we held our breath. The sun was over me together with a strange nowhere to be seen. sense of acceptance that this was it. I was sad because my children would The performance was magnificent have to grow up without their mother and everyone felt the power of and I would miss seeing them grow. nature. We were exhausted, happy and hungry. We would celebrate THUD! Darkness. with pizza in the village, but first we needed to protect all the equipment I opened my eyes. My mouth was filled with earth. The jeep was on it’s
back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle June 2021 25 Using my Nudel Learn through creativity We all need a laugh at Salisbury House This term is all about food and its culture and making some by Craig Nudelman travel at Salisbury House! traditional Kenyan food. It’s been a tough year and a When I hear Livi fter Israel, our first destination We were fortunate to have a talk half. The outbreak of COVID-19 laughing hysterically Alast month, we moved on to with legendary educator, Nodi Ipp. around the world and all because Jessie is Central America where we learnt He spoke to us about virtues and that came with it has made doing a silly dance, about Mexico. We played traditional bringing out the best in ourselves and others. We each chose a virtue everything very grey. I can’t help myself children’s games and listened to from joining in some Mexican music. The highlight for ourselves to cherish and work ven though the government has the laughter. And was preparing and celebrating a on, and then mentioned virtues finally started Phase two of the according to Dr Mary fiesta. We made a piñata out of that each of our friends have. It Evaccine rollout, it seems unrealistic Gavin, writing in KidsHealth, laughter papier mâché and decorated it. was a most uplifting and thought- that their aim of five million vaccinated is not only a way to make a family We then filled it with sweets and provoking lesson for us all. 60+ year-olds will happen. And then, closer. A good sense of humour can broke it apart at the party. One Last week we hosted our red carpet just to be as mediocre as possible, make children healthier, smarter, and of the parents joined us to make movie premiere for The Friendship the government aims to vaccinate more resilient to challenges that they guacamole and salsa. Sombreros Quest. Parents came to watch, 40 million people by February 2022. will face later in life. According to and bright colours were all the rage. and everyone enjoyed the snacks her, humour is not part of our genetic I don’t have words to express how We are now learning about Kenya provided for the occasion. Each makeup, but is a learned quality that low they have set the bar. and look forward to learning about child was awarded a trophy for their can be developed in children. Not only that, but Israel has just role in the movie. entered into another terrible conflict The ability to recognise what is and is with Palestinians, and that is truly not funny is an incredible tool that can heartbreaking. It’s not just the loss help children throughout life. It can of lives that makes me distressed, allow them to see things from different but also how this ongoing conflict perspectives, grasp unconventional continues to demonstrate blatant ideas, be spontaneous, partake in antisemitism in all corners of the more playful aspects of life, and not globe. Although the conflict in take themselves too seriously. It has Israel-Palestine is awful, the effect also shown that children who have on Diasporic communities is just a well-developed sense of humour as disturbing. will be happier and more optimistic, have higher self-esteem, and will be But as always, the Jewish community able to navigate the tricky waters of Nodi Ipp explaining the meaning of finding your own virtue while Endinalo has one thing at our disposal when it playground politics. Mhini looks on comes to tzorres. We laugh through the tough times to get ahead. The Nudelman household is not known for its austere and And laughter is not just a nice- conservative nature. I am especially to-have. Laughter and humour silly, revelling in word-play and puns, have many different benefits for a dad jokes and funny accents. With person’s mental, psychological and Gabi, I have successfully created physical health. Laughter releases: two very silly children. It’s wonderful dopamine, which helps the brain to hear your own daughter tell her process emotional responses as first terrible knock-knock joke, again well as enhances the experience of and again and again… It’s amazing pleasure; endorphins, which regulate to see our little girls having fun and stress and pain and induce euphoria; enjoying life. and serotonin, which lifts moods. Dr. Cynthia Thaik, writing in the Jokes are so necessary in the world Tayah Weir and Elijah Hoffenberg enjoy the Mexican fiesta with our piñata in the Huffington Post, says that not only in which we live today. They are background does laughter lift your spirits but it weapons against the harsh reality in also causes physiological responses which we live — and we need them iI had a job in a calendar factory but A Frenchman, a German, and a Jew in us. She states that, “A good laugh so much today. We live in a time I got sacked for taking a couple of walk into a bar. “I’m tired and thirsty,” can be compared to a mild workout, where there is an unprecedented days off. says the Frenchman. “I must have wine.” “I’m tired and thirsty,” says the as it exercises the muscles, gets amount of hate and anger, sadness I told my wife she drew her eyebrows German. “I must have beer.” “I’m tired the blood flowing, decreases blood and tragedy. So, I feel like it is my on too high. She seemed surprised! pressure and stress hormones, duty to put down some dad jokes and thirsty,” says the Jew. “I must improves sleep patterns and boosts down on paper. My wife told me to stop impersonating have diabetes.”. the immune system.” Research at a flamingo. I had to put my foot down. You may guffaw, grunt, groan, or We can’t control the big world around Johns Hopkins University Medical grimace as you feel fit. Singing in the shower is all fun and us, but we can control what we let School “showed that humour and games until you get shampoo in your into our small orbits and, to that laughter can also improve memory I used to work in a shoe recycling mouth. Then it’s a soap opera! end, I recommend letting in as much and mental performance.” shop. It was sole destroying. humour as possible. Can a one- I am terrified of lifts. I’m going to start liner stop wars and end pandemics? And it’s not just adults who need This bouncy castle’s twice the price taking steps to avoid them. a little lift, but children too. A little of last year. That’s inflation for you! Probably not. But it can definitely laughter can brighten a family’s day. How does a polar bear build a house? ease our way through treacherous Igloos it together! times and make life just a little bit more manageable. I ate a clock yesterday. It was so Follow the Chronicle online time consuming. Craig is a writer, learning designer, I’m reading a book on the history of and tour guide extraordinaire. His glue. I can’t put it down! deep bass voice has graced stages, If you didn’t have a little chuckle at synagogues and studios. He is an any of these great one-liners, then obedient husband, and father to two Click on your favourite social media site & visit our website. here’s something to end with; one of spectacular daughters, and is known my all-time best jokes: for dad jokes and trivia. back to contents 26 Cape Jewish Chronicle June 2021 BOOKS How I Lost My Mother, It’s Not A Big Thing In Life, by Leslie Swartz by Arnie Witkin
Leslie Swartz describes his mother, “A person who If ever someone was qualified to was ordinary, she had an ordinary life... Elsie Cohen offer advice on how to navigate the was also an amazing woman, incredibly intelligent, inevitable challenges that life throws at wrote beautifully, was an interesting person, out us, it’s Arnie Witkin. there in the world, vibrant.” uthor of It’s Not A Big Thing In Life: r Swartz is a Clinical Psychologist and professor of AStrategies for Coping, Considerations for Psychology at the University of Stellenbosch, best known my adult grandchildren, Arnie has achieved Dfor his work in Disability Rights and Mental Health. extraordinary success as an investment manager and pioneer in the private equity A prolific writer in his field, he has also written two memoirs. industry in South Africa. After emigrating to Ten years ago he wrote Able-bodied, Scenes from a Curious the UK in 1989, he consulted to a merchant Arnie Witkin Life that examines his relationship with his late father Leslie Swartz Photo: Umesh Bawa bank and a South African investment company Alfred;and this year, How I Lost My Mother was published — for two years before becoming unemployed for a subsequent three a candid, engaging and finely-wrought insight into the life of his mother, Elsie Cohen, years. After that, at the age of 50, he returned to South Africa and his relationship with her, and the complex relationships she had with her immediate started again, founding another successful private equity company. and extended family. The book also provides much to reflect on in the business of life and death, and Dr Swartz’s field of specialisation speaks loud and clear throughout. Since retiring from active business he has been a speechwriter, public speaking coach, executive coach and mentor. Interweaving the personal, psychological and political, he writes with humanity, humour and uncompromising honesty, conjuring a vivid image of his world growing In 2001, he underwent surgery for advanced thyroid cancer that cost up, a portrait of his beloved mother; and addresses issues that affect all of us such him all but a whisper of his voice, but regained 70% of his vocal as identity, agency, caring, dependancy, ageing and dying. ability with corrective surgery in 2004. In 2009 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and discovered that the thyroid cancer had In part one, aptly titled Finding, we get to know Elsie as an unconventional and spread to his lungs. Eighteen months of chemotherapy medication highly intelligent woman, the laatlammetjie in a financially stretched immigrant muted the cancer, but in 2019 he began a second course of the family, whose choices in life are severely constrained by the social norms of the day, same medication when the cancer became active again. In spite of as well as the family’s lack of resources. all this, he lives an active life, travelling and playing golf three times As a young girl, Elsie loved to write stories, a passion that resulted in a trip to Springs a week. one day to meet another little girl whose family also came from Zhager in Lithuania, He writes, "I am financially secure. I have a beautiful and accomplished and who also loved to write stories. The little girl’s name was Nadine Gordimer. The wife, two sons, two daughters-in-law, six fantastic grandchildren ... two continued to send stories to each other, and both had their work published in the and a wide circle of close friends. I’ve led a most interesting life. Johannesburg Sunday Express. I was a distinguished business person and was referred to as the Swartz writes, “As I get closer to and further away from her as I write this, I think of ‘father’ of private equity in South Africa. I’ve been a confidante to Elsie Cohen as many things — but centrally as a writer, along with the more famous many and have rubbed shoulders with famous business people, Nadine Gordimer and Anne Frank. Like so many other women before and after her, sports stars and celebrities." she has left the telling to others, and in this case to the old man who was once "However; the staggering reality is that, for as long as I can remember, her son.” my life has been a succession of problems, difficulties and conflicts, In another poignant and very funny anecdote, Swartz invokes the iconic Goodwill interspersed with successes, large and small. A never-ending Cookbook as a reference point on which to pivot both Elsie’s connection to her obstacle course through the jungle of life. Much to my astonishment, background, and her disconnection from the ‘good Jewish housewife’ that convention at the ever so sprightly age of 76, it still persists. These days I am dictated she should be. more accepting that peace of mind comes in spurts." Part two is called Losing, and deals with Elsie’s old age and eventual death. Although We are reminded that life is not smooth sailing, and that while the book is divided into these two parts — finding and losing —the two concepts circumstances are not always within our control, attitude and co-exist throughout the book as Elsie and Leslie continually find and lose parts of behaviour are. This book is a toolkit to manage any situation — themselves, their connection to each other, and to their world. personal, interpersonal or business — calmly and with integrity. Elsie loses her husband relatively young (she is 58 years old), and relocates from Some topics covered by the book are: Johannesburg to Cape Town (where Leslie lives with his family), embracing this Principles of success • Love and relationships • Sex • Work and money new life-stage with enthusiasm. She is strongly independant, making sure that she • Facing difficult challenges and decisions • Taking responsibility for doesn’t become a burden on her family, and we read of her joy and courage in yourself • Humour as a coping strategy • Public speaking guidelines finding herself anew. • Coping with illness • The power of vulnerability • Self-compassion • How to deal with sexting, cyber bullies, pornography, racism, drugs, However, when she becomes ill and needs regular care, she moves into Leslie’s anger, jealousy, envy, gambling, trust, etc. home. The relationship takes a turn once again as we read of the impact it has on With a foreword by Michael Holding, and illustrations by Dov Leslie. With enormous love, concern and distress at Elsie’s worsening condition, Fedler, Arnie has produced a very user-friendly, easy-to-read and Leslie is thrust into the role of carer, and employer of hired carers; and shares comprehensive guide to living one’s insights into the politics of this role, as he deals with best life. a lack of understanding from colleagues, and the invisibility that characterises this important work of He writes in his introduction that it caring. is written particularly for his grand- children and grandchildren world- As Elsie approaches death, Leslie describes wide, but there is much to learn from that liminal space between life and death that is this wise, practical, kind and witty familiar to anyone who has nursed a loved one in guide to life, for children, parents and their final days. grandparents of all ages. The book leaves one with a sense of having met This book can be borrowed from two very special people, and much to think about the Gitlin Library, bought or ordered in terms of family, identity, love and everything else from any bookshop, or ordered on that makes us human. www.arniewitkin.com which has a link to an online South African This book can be borrowed from the Gitlin Library store and to Amazon where South or purchased from The Book Lounge, Exclusive Africans can buy it on Kindle. Books, Loot.co.za, Takealot.com and Amazon.com. back to contents Cape Jewish Chronicle June 2021 27 HEBREW MONUMENTS CHRONIC ADS Rates: R50 per line incl VAT Phone: 021 464 6736 (mornings) CANTOR IAN CAMISSAR CARER/NURSE AID
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back to contents 28 Cape Jewish Chronicle June 2021 Sports News
by Jaime Uranovsky Jonathan Benjamin places first in SA triathlon championships Hayley Landau’s return to touch rugby
24-year-old Jonathan honour generally given to After more than a year’s Benjamin came professional athletes. hiatus owing to the first in his age “My dad did triathlons back pandemic, women’s touch group in the South in the day… so I’ve always rugby is finally being African Triathlon been around and exposed played again, says Hayley Championships to these sorts of sports Landau, who has been in Bloemfontein — running, cycling and involved in the sport this year. swimming. My sister was since 1997. a big swimmer and water he race was Jonathan’s polo player at school, so hile women’s touch rugby Tsixth Olympic/standard naturally I started doing Wis under-recognised in distance triathlon, where cross country and cycling.” South Africa, various inter- he completed the 1.5 km provincial tournaments and swim, 40 km cycle and Although training has social matches are played all 10 km run in an impressive sometimes been difficult over the country. Most notably, two hours and seven during the pandemic, Hayley was one of 16 women in the over-27 team who minutes. Jonathan made a plan. represented South Africa in the 2019 World Cup in During the hard lockdown Malaysia. Hayley explains that six team members were The win qualifies him to he cycled on an indoor in their 40s. Since there were not enough players to make represent South Africa at Jonathan Benjamin, on the left trainer and received up an over-35 team, Hayley tried out for the over-27 team the World Championships permission to use a local school’s pool. instead. “Before the World Cup,” she explains, “we had in Edmonton, Canada in August (COVID played in the interprovincial tournament as a Western dependent). Currently, Jonathan trains For Jonathan, training is about more than Province B side, with our emphasis on developing the between 12 and 16 hours a week and is the competitions. “Running and cycling have younger girls and helping them improve. So it wasn’t as competing in as many races as possible, all always been my passions, so I enjoy getting competitive as we were used to. We hadn’t played for a while studying towards his master’s degree in out and living a healthy active lifestyle.” while, so it took a year of hard dedication and training.” Environmental Sciences at Rhodes University. Jonathan’s first ‘triathlon’ dates back to grade Hayley recalls her time at the World Cup, “I remember He also recently placed third overall in the two at Herzlia Constantia, where pupils “did walking up and down the side-line, feeling emotional and Provincial Championships in Cape Town a quick circuit around the field and swam in thinking ‘this is it’. My dream, at 42, had come true. I’m a where he was given his first elite start — an the pool.” Springbok and I’m representing my country.” Jack Levin’s bid to have padel recognised at the Maccabi Games More recently, Hayley played both for Western Province and for the Springboks, when they beat a visiting French Padel can be described as a hybrid of recognised for the team 12-2 and 11-1 in Cape Town in April. Hayley notes, tennis and squash. 2022 Games. While “Their captain said playing against us twice on that day the organisation was better than two years of training for them. We always layed on a court about a third the size of a says this is a future ask how we fare against Australia and New Zealand, who Ptennis court, with a net in the middle and possibility, Israel are in a completely different league, so it’s amazing that enclosed by glass and wire mesh, players can lacks the facilities to France views our touch to be on such a high level.” hit the ball off the wall. The game was invented achieve this in 2022. Currently, Hayley says the goal is to get people playing in Mexico and is popular in South America and, Jack is in touch again. Internal tournaments are being scheduled and increasingly, in the US and across Europe. It with Jewish padel she is hoping that the European Championships will take was played during the Pan American Maccabi players all over the place next year, but she is otherwise gearing up for the Games, in Mexico in 2019. However, padel is world and is looking 2023 World Cup. not yet played at the Maccabi Games in Israel. for more players to Cape Town-born Jack Levin, who has lived in add their voices. For Hayley, touch rugby is pivotal,“The girls are wonderful, Houston for 44 years, wants to change this. inclusive and warm people. It’s a family and we all have Jack, a 1958 Herzlia the same goal. Most of us are moms … so we all just go Jack, who turns 80 this year and has been graduate, says it is a dream of his to have there as individuals, to play in a team where you have to playing padel for two decades, contacted padel included. work hard in a competitive environment. Everybody tries the Maccabi headquarters to get padel Contact Jack at [email protected] their best and encourages one another.” THE CAPE JEWISH CHRONICLE RECORDS ITS APPRECIATION OF THE CONTINUED SUPPORT GIVEN BY THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS The Susman Rubi and Anne With compliments With compliments from Aggie Hirsch Charitable Chaitman in memory of from Ben Rabinowitz Foundation Foundation Freddy in memory of Shirley
THE HAROLD AND Goldschmidt THE SILVERMAN Stanley and Zea Lewis BEATRICE KRAMER Family FAMILY FOUNDATION Foundation FOUNDATION Foundation
MEYER HIRSCH With compliments With Compliments With compliments GOLDSCHMIDT Kalman, Esther and The Jack & Ethel FOUNDATION The Henry Van Embden Family Foundation Michael Maisel Trust Goldin Foundation
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