A CIRQUE DU RELEVANCE OF SOLEIL TREAT / 11 PLATO, ARISTOTLE, ROSA WILL STEAL HEIDEGGER, PROUST YOUR HEART / 10 HIGHLIGHTED / 11 The SA Jewish Report has 50 000 weekly readers!

www.sajewishreport.co.za Friday, 04 March 2011 / 28 Adar 1, 5771 Volume 15 Number 8 Goldstone balances Gaza report and ’s right to self-defence SEE PAGE 5

Susanne Bier leads us to a better world Danish film director Susanne Bier, who studied for two years at the Hebrew University and the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in , took the best foreign-language film Oscar at the in Los Angeles last Sunday, for her film “In a Better World”. This is a story of conflicted family relationships. Bier’s forebears fled persecution in Nazi Germany and Czarist Russia. SEE STORY PAGE 9. (PHOTOGRAPH: SONY PICTURES CLASSICS)

Tikkun opens Alex Arab turmoil alters Umhlanga’s new WIZO honours 4 JEWISH TRAVEL: youth centre / 3 power balance / 8 Jewish centre / 4 special women / 2 Exotic / 14-15 YOUTH / 17 SPORTS / 20 LETTERS / 12-13 CROSSWORD & SUDOKU / 16 COMMUNITY BUZZ / 6 WHAT’S ON / 16 2 SA JEWISH REPORT 04 - 11 March 2011

SHABBAT TIMES March 4/28 Adar 1 PARSHA OF THE WEEK March 5/29 Adar 1 Shekalim/Pekudei Starts Ends The accounts of 18:15 19:07 18:00 19:52 Cape Town 18:09 18:58 Durban the tabernacle – 18:20 19:16 Bloemfontein 18:00 19:23 Port Elizabeth and the 2010 18:15 19:13 East London KASHRUT NOTICE stadia ALL GOLD TOMATO JUICE IS KOSHER! PARSHAT The Union of Orthodox Syna- Marlene Bethlehem; Edna Freinkel; Sylvia Glasser; and Natalie Knight. gogues says: “We are happy to PEKUDEI inform you that the All Gold Rabbi Ilan Raanan tomato juice in cans and tetra Bnei Akiva Shul, Johannesburg WIZO honours four women of worth packs, with or without the Beth RITA LEWIS should be utilised and her calling fulfilled and Din logo, is kosher. PHOTOGRAPH: ILAN OSSENDRYVER she found the inner strength to continue – “For a number of technical PAUL, THE football predicting octopus with the encouragement of her late husband. reasons Tiger Brands had decid- passed away in Germany; barring the odd U2 THE FOUR winners of the annual WIZO For many years it had been her dream to ed in general to delist all the concert our Fifa World Cup stadia are per- Awards were announced last week at an emo- bring literacy to the masses. In achieving that, beverages which fall under their haps white elephants; many of the jobs creat- tional ceremony held at Beyachad. They are she had since been responsible for over 60 000 umbrella. This decision has ed have disappeared; the trophy ended up in Marlene Bethlehem for her efforts in out- South Africans of all races, in townships, in been placed on hold, and all pre- Spain... reach; Edna Freinkel for helping to educate prisons, in schools etc, now being able to read, viously certified Tiger Brands All that wonderful excitement has become the masses; Sylvia Glasser for bringing dance and in many cases also to write. beverages remain certified.” but a pleasant memory and the world sport- to so many; and Natalie Knight for her contri- She said we were all teachers. “Our children ing focus has shifted from soccer in South bution to art. are watching us. Our servants are watching Africa to cricket on the Subcontinent. Were In her opening address, Joyce Chodos of us, as are our friends. we to conduct a survey of the World Cup WIZO said that every Friday night we recite “We must not forget that ‘Teaching is a joy- accounts, from Fifa 2010 to ICC 2011, what Ayshet Chayil, A Woman of Worth. The four ous privilege’.” Published by honorees “had enriched and uplifted the gen- Glasser said that it had been a long and lone- S A Jewish Report (Pty) Ltd, “change” have we been left with? PO Box 84650, Greenside, 2034 Rabbi Shimon in the fourth chapter of the eral community in many ways”, she said. ly journey before she was to become artistic Tel: (011) 023-8160 Ethics of the Fathers, teaches us that there The problem of choosing only four recipi- director of Moving into Dance Mophatong. Fax: (086) 634-7935 are three crowns: the crown of Torah, the ents (out of so many worthwhile candidates) However, she was always supported by her Printed by Caxton Ltd crown of Priesthood and the crown of was extremely difficult as there were numer- husband who believed she could do anything Kingship. Yet the crown of a Good Name tran- ous names forwarded - each one a success and Maureen Freedman “who was always by EDITOR - Geoff Sifrin story of a lifetime of excellence. my side” helping her run a performing arts [email protected] scends all three! The Maharal of Prague in his commentary After much soul searching by Chodos’ training course with bursary students – most- Sub-Editor - Paul Maree on Pirkei Avot asks: Four crowns are men- small group of women, the four were chosen. ly from economically deprived backgrounds. Editorial Co-ordinator - Barry Bilewitz tioned - so why does Rabbi Shimon say there Each of those honoured was given the Although she always wanted to be a dancer, [email protected] are only three? opportunity to address the gathering of some the Jewish qualities of caring for the Senior Reporter - Rita Lewis Maharal understands that the crowns men- 120 women. oppressed, influenced the direction of her life. [email protected] tioned are accessible to all of us: the study of Wearing a magnificently embroidered yel- Several of the dances she choreographed Sports Editor - Jack Milner Torah, the concept of responsibility as repre- low and black outfit, Bethlehem said she such as “For Whom the Bell Tolls” 1986 and [email protected] sented by the notion of “priesthood” and the wanted “to speak from the heart” quoting Ben “African Cassandra” 1989 were explicit state- Books Editor - Gwen Podbrey good governance over our own bodies in Zoma who said: “Who is honoured? Those ments against the apartheid system. Arts Editor - Robyn Sassen terms of keeping Hashem’s commands as who give honour.” Black dancers would often come to sleep [email protected] represented by the concept of “kingship”. She said it was a privilege to be sitting at the over at her home. Youth Editor - Alison Goldberg Were we to conduct a survey of the same table with such special, fellow-honorees. At one time she was teaching about 40 chil- [email protected] “Accounts of the Tabernacle” as this week’s “Jewish Women’s Benevolent Society was dren in the suburbs, but thought about the Cape Town correspondent Parshat Pekudei does, we would find four my alma mater,” she said. “However, tennis thousands in the townships and decided to Moira Schneider: 021-794-4206 vital pieces of furniture in the Tabernacle was my racquet.” (She played tennis on the start a dance teachers course - in the process Pretoria correspondent that symbolise our four crowns. international circuit for three years and won changing the lives of thousands of children. Diane Wolfson: 082-707-9471 The “Aron” housing the “Luchot” of the many medals including three golds at the Natalie Knight, attorney, playwright, owner Manager: Distribution Decalogue represents Torah; The “Mizbeach” Maccabi Games). of a well-known art gallery, theatre critic and Britt Landsman used for sacrifices represents Priesthood;. the Bethlehem spoke of her obligations and researcher into African cultures, quoted Andy [email protected] “Shulchan” upon which the special bread was involvements as chairman of various organi- Warhol as saying: “Everyone is entitled to Sales Executives - (011) 023-8160 placed represents Kingship; The “menorah” zations, including being senior vice president their fifteen minutes of fame.” Britt Landsman: 082-292-9520 that illuminated through the burning of olive of the Memorial Foundation for Jewish She congratulated WIZO on choosing “these Manuela Bernstein: 082-951-3838 oil represents a “Good Name”. Culture based in New York – the first and only four women, all of whom are involved in help- Murray Schoeman: 083-627-6670 Maharal points out that while the first South African to hold this position. ing Israel”. Freelance Sales Executive three pieces of furniture had a “zer”, a crown- She spoke of her relationship with the late Knight opened her gallery in 1981, where Marlene Bilewitz & Assoc: 083-475-0288 like border, surrounding their upper sur- Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris who had told her: she exhibited the work of top international Classified Sales faces, the menorah didn’t. He suggests that “You have to look for the good” (in people). artists as well as struggling black artists, [email protected] this indicates there is a notion of limitation in Her biggest achievement, she said, was her enabling them to achieve national and inter- Design and layout each of the three individual areas of Torah, relationship with Nelson Mandela. She was national recognition. Frankie Matthysen priesthood and kingship, as represented by with him when he laid a wreath at Yad She closed the gallery in 1995 to become Nicole Cook the “zer” capping each of these pieces of fur- Vashem and recalled how she could not get Shomeret Shabbat and currently runs Natalie Website niture. him to leave the memorial for the one million Knight – the Art Source. www.sajewishreport.co.za Yet when we combine these three elements children who died in the Holocaust. She said she used to think she had achieved Ilan Ossendryver to create a good name for ourselves, the sky is Freinkel said she had to thank Hashem for everything herself, but one day realised that IC-Creations her success as well as her late husband everything was predetermined on high. [email protected] the limit. We are like the flames of the “uncapped” menorah ever leaping upwards. Lionel, her children, staff and Readucate’s “It is important to build a strong brand,” she Subscription enquiries This is why Rabbi Shimon mentions only administrators. said, remembering the years when no-one was Avusa Publishing (Pty) Ltd Tel: 0860-13-2652 three crowns but goes on to enumerate four: All her inspiration, she said, came from her interested in African art. Everyone should all the three are finite but the fourth - infinite! mother who had initiated the technique she be involved in the art of our country. BOARD OF DIRECTORS An “audit” of our World Cup accounts cer- was using to teach illiterate, mostly black peo- She has continued to be a driving force in Stan Kaplan (Chairman) tainly does reveal significant left-over ple, to read and write. the research and documentation of South Issie Kirsh (Deputy Chairman), Marlene “We were often snubbed because of our African cultures documenting the art of the Bethlehem, Russell Gaddin, Norman “change” the good name was left Lowenthal, Bertie Lubner, with; foreigners who visited South Africa for teaching methods and told that ‘one can’t Ndebele for international museums. Benjy Porter, Herby the first time discovered that lions don’t roam teach like that’. After my mother died I want- Her last showing was “Symphony of Rosenberg, Howard the streets; we have running water and elec- ed to give up everything.” ” - the works of Ephraim Ngatane dis- Sackstein, Jason Valkin. tricity; and crime isn’t as bad as it is made out However, she realised that her talents played at the Standard Bank Gallery. to be. KASHRUT They spread their positive views of the country to others. Investment in South Africa ‘Grow your Life’ teaches young ‘how to fish’ The following symbols will appear on has picked up and hopefully the tourism sec- advertisements and/or advertising fea- RITA LEWIS their abilities. tor will continue to benefit from the good tures to indicate whether or not they are The principle is “teaching how to fish” kosher. Where no Kashrut mark appears name of South Africa that was promoted. AT THIS year’s Miracle Drive function, Atlas rather than just handing out money. It aims on an advert, the Jewish Report While the world focus for now has shifted Finance, a family-owned micro finance com- to uplift the lives of these children and of assumes no responsibility for the the spotlight to the Subcontinent and we hope pany made a donation of R200 000 to Chabad those around them, by equipping them with Kashrut status of that establishment or they too will create a good name for them- House to be used for a project “Grow Your the tools necessary for sustainability, success advertiser: selves as we watch the Cricket World Cup Life”. and self-growth. progress, the focus of the “Umpire Supreme” NK Non-Kosher K Kosher The company chose to support a secular Atlas Finance’s founder and chief execu- above remains unchanged, keeping a close project, as a gesture of their commitment to tive, Jack Halfon, feels that “Grow your Life” Where no symbols appear, consult the watch on the “runs” each and every one of us both South Africa and the community that fits in perfectly with the vision that he has for Beth Din Kosher Guide or contact the generate, towards crowning ourselves with a they serve through their business. Atlas Finance and its role in South Africa. advertiser. good name over the course of our life’s The project, “Grow your Life” reaches out “For us, empowering future entrepreneurs Advertisements and editorial copy from innings! to children in many of South Africa’s under- of South Africa and uplifting their families, is outside sources do not neccessarily reflect privileged communities and teaches them another way we’re living by our key value of the views of the editors and staff. various entrepreneurial skills, according to ‘from our family to yours’.” 04 - 11 March 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 3 MaAfrika Tikkun in forefront of this centre of excellence STAFF REPORTER MaAfrika Tikkun. PHOTOGRAPHS: ILAN The project is a joint MaAfrika OSSENDRYVER Tikkun and Phutaditjaba project which is run by Alexandra commu- THE NEW R10 million community nity leader, Linda Twala. and youth centre partly in Funding for the R10 million proj- Alexandra township, funded by ect was provided by businessman MaAfrika Tikkun, is not just Ronnie Lubner and his wife Rhona another building. “It is a sustain- - who are now based in the UK - the able gift to the entire Alexandra National Lotteries Distribution community, a place of stimulation Trust; the Department of and progression for the children Social Development; and the inter- and youth of Alexandra,” Marc national Belron Group - the world’s Above: Rhona and Ronnie Lubner, who con- Lubner, chief executive of the largest vehicle glass repair and tributed generously to the centre, play with organisation said at the official replacement business, run by Gary the kids. opening on Wednesday. Lubner. Part of the building is being used The Lubner family, under the Right: CEO of MaAfrika Tikkun, Marc Lubner, as a nursery school and has been chairmanship of Bertie Lubner with Miss South Africa, Bokang Montjane, with named the Ronnie and Rhona and chief executive Marc Lubner, some of the children. Lubner Child Youth Centre, to are actively involved in running commemorate the generous contri- MaAfrika Tikkun. MaAfrika Tikkun offered emer- viding employment and skills youth development programme bution made by Ronnie and his Other sponsors – from large cor- gency disaster relief, through to development in all six under- has some 200 primary and high wife Rhona. porates to schools - have assisted in elderly care – and the relationship resourced communities in which it school participants. This is a 1 600m2 centre of excel- equipping the facility with every- subsequently flourished. operates. This number is to grow to over lence which also houses a modern thing from computers and internet This was formalised in 2004 The original Phutaditjaba facili- 400 youth participants who are able early childhood development connectivity, to toys. when MaAfrika Tikkun worked ties were cramped and unsuited to to access the services offered at the (ECD) centre for 200 children and a The Ronnie and Rhona Lubner with Phutaditjaba to extend its the effective implementation of centre to complement their formal child and youth programme offer- Child Youth Centre was built services to caring for the youth and MaAfrika Tikkun’s Holistic Circle schooling. ing access to on-line information to neighbouring Alexandra’s land- their caregivers. of Care Model which is aimed at The focus of the child and youth ensure first-world learning oppor- mark Phutaditjaba Centre which A feeding scheme was estab- empowering children in deprived development programme is to sup- tunities, as well as access to sport was established in the 1970s by lished which today provides daily communities to grow up into well- port activities such as sport, dance and recreation activities. Annie Twala, mother of Linda meals and sandwiches to over 400 rounded, productive adults. and art, that promote discipline The organisation caters for chil- Twala, to care for the aged and dis- people every week day. It also A decision was taken to expand and encourage personal growth; dren with learning difficulties, abled in the impoverished area. trains and monitors 15 community the community centre in 2007 and and it offers life skills training, offering specialised education and MaAfrika Tikkun initially be- caregivers and 10 youths. A formal fundraising started in 2008. including career guidance as well a well-equipped toy library. came involved with Twala and youth development programme The new Ronnie and Rhona as a variety of “soft-skills” learn- The 400m2 sports centre caters Phutaditjaba in 1998 when floods in has also been established. Lubner Child Youth Centre’s ECD ing experiences. for indoor sports with an astroturf the township resulted in many peo- All staff are employed from the facility now caters for 200 children A total of 100 people who are playing surface, the first of its kind ple who had lost their homes turn- local community in line with aged between two and six, while local Alexandra residents, are to be in the township, mainly thanks to ing to the centre for shelter. MaAfrika Tikkun’s policy of pro- the formal after-school child and employed at the centre. 4 SA JEWISH REPORT 04 - 11 March 2011 Israel loses one of its finest journalists in Jerrold Kessel OWN CORRESPONDENT some of the most spectacular highs Kessel was born in South Africa - JERUSALEM and lows of the Middle East and he retained his South African was one of the network’s regular accent - and moved to Israel as a CNN COLLEAGUES have been pay- reporting faces from the region,” young man. He was a widely pub- ing tribute to the network’s former said Jerusalem Bureau Chief lished print reporter who worked Jerusalem correspondent Jerrold Kevin Flower. “He was a passionate for and Israel Kessel (pictured), who died last journalist and a guiding force for Radio before joining CNN as a field week Thursday at age 65 after a long many he worked with.” producer, then correspondent and battle with cancer. Kessel was a tire- After leaving CNN, Kessel co- deputy bureau chief. Not only was he a mine of sport- CNN Anchor Jim Clancy, a for- less reporter in a troubled part of produced independent TV pro- He led CNN’s viewers through ing information, he was also a fine mer Beirut correspondent well- the world and one of Israel’s leading grammes, wrote a book about foot- events ranging from the Oslo player of a wide variety of games, travelled through the region in his English-language journalists. ball and wrote a sports column for accords between Israel and the with exceptional hand-eye co-ordi- own right, said he also benefited “Jerrold worked for CNN for 13 Haaretz. His funeral took place last Palestinians, to the assassination nation. Not obviously athletic, his from Kessel’s experience. “Jerrold years from 1990 to 2003, during week Friday in central Israel. of , Israeli elections agility on a squash court or behind always went out of his way to help and the intifada. the stumps on a cricket field was of others understand the context of A portly man with a fuzzy white a totally unexpected order. Woe the story and shared his knowledge beard, Kessel’s appearance and betide the opponent who underesti- and his sources unselfishly.” warm manner gave no hint of his mated him! Kessel’s encyclopaedic knowl- inner intensity. He was known to “Jerrold was an expert on the edge of the region made him a colleagues for his seven-day-a- Israeli-Palestinian story, and man- favourite of CNN producers when week commitment to the story, vol- aged to explain the complicated news broke. As the network uble personality and insider’s politics of the Mideast on our air scrambled to figure out the story, knowledge of Middle East events. for so many years,” said Parisa Kessel could vamp on air as long An avid reader, Kessel’s passions Khosravi, CNN’s Senior Vice as needed. were for history, literature, Israeli President of international news- He is survived by his wife, son politics and sport. gathering. and four grandchildren.

Rabbi Pinchas Zekry and his grandson Lior, add concrete to the founda- tion stone for the aron Rabbi Moshe Kurtstag, Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger, kodesh of the Rabbi Pinchas Zekry and Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein, new shul at at the foundation stone ceremony at Izinga. Izinga. A new exciting Jewish development in Umhlanga LAUREN SHAPIRO growth in cluster communities and concur- PHOTOGRAPHS: MARCELLO MAFFEIS rent business developments in the area, the DURBAN new Jewish development at Izinga promises to provide a secure home and magnificent WHEN RABBI Dr Pinchas Zekry looked out Jewish lifestyle in an environment of over hectares of sugarcane four and a half unparalleled natural beauty. years ago, he saw a shul, a school, and a com- A natural diversity of coral reefs and munity centre. tropical fish make it one of the top scuba Like Adam, who was created to see from diving and snorkeling destinations in the one side of the world to the other, said Chief world. The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein, so we are called promotes a flourishing - yet safely con- upon to look with a broad vision to the future. trolled - marine life, while the nearby “The Durban Jewish community, through Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve fos- the outstanding visionary leadership of ters natural bird- and wildlife. Rabbi Zekry, are showing us the courage to Economically, it is a rapidly developing look to the future, to build, new worlds.” area with several new communities and On February 28, several hundred people retail developments having been established gathered on the levelled ground to celebrate in recent years. Gateway Theatre of the unveiling of the foundation stone for the Shopping (the largest shopping centre in the new Jewish development at Izinga, in southern hemisphere), with its world-class Umhlanga, just north of Durban. retail outlets, supermarkets, cinemas, the- Guests included the Israel’s Chief Rabbi atre, recreation and sporting facilities, Yona Metzger, Chief Rabbi Goldstein, Rosh ensures that every resident will find some- Beth Din Rabbi Moshe Kurtstag, Rosh thing to suit their taste. Yeshiva Gedola Rabbi Avi Goldfein and chaz- Izinga Estate is just a 15 minute drive zan of Sydenham Shul, Yudi Cohen. from the new King Shaka International Chief Rabbis Metzger and Goldstein, Rabbi Airport, appealing to families looking to Zekry and Dr Jonathan Beare, unveiled a relocate while retaining business interests plaque to commemorate the occasion. In a or familial obligations in other cities, or touching gesture that represents the continu- families looking for a holiday home. ity of the community and indeed of the The new 20 000 square metre development Jewish people as a whole, Rabbi Zekry and itself, will include a 300-seater shul, a his one-year-old grandson Lior, together Jewish day school, a mikvah, a library, a added concrete to the foundation stone. gym and tennis courts, as well as an audito- “The community opens a new page today,” rium and state-of-the-art kosher function commented Chief Rabbi Metzger. He then facilities for smachot. blessed Rabbi Zekry, the community, and the The committee is also looking into the munificent benefactors who made the project establishment of a kollel to provide learning possible. facilities for families and adult scholars. The project management team comprises: Tongaat Hulett has secured sites along- Rabbi Zekry (chairman), Julian Beare (proj- side the centre for purchase by the Jewish ect development), Mary Kluk (marketing), community. Leading realtors Remax and Lew Heilbron (community liaison), Mr building developers Lorber Projects are Justice Philip Levinsohn (legal adviser) and offering several development opportunities, Gaynor Lazarus (education). including Plot & Plan and freehold sites, as The initiative responds to a natural migra- well as a sectional title development. tion of corporate and residential develop- Construction is on schedule for comple- ments along the north coast of KwaZulu- tion by the end of November this year. Natal in recent years. • For more information contact (031) Following a general trend of enormous 201-5177 or e-mail [email protected] 04 - 11 March 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 5 Goldstone defends Gaza report, Israel’s right to self-defence FILE) (PHOTO: DAN PINE “This was the first time the UN looked into justified rocket attacks on civilians. BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA illegal acts from Gaza terrorists. It was the Though officials refused to co-operate, (JEWISH NEWS WEEKLY) first time Hamas was condemned by UN Goldstone did talk to Israelis and Gazans bodies.” during his fact-finding. As part of the IN A RECENT speech at Berkeley on inter- That wasn’t good enough for Israel or its investigation, he went to Gaza. “I challenge national law and human rights, Mr Justice supporters, who roundly condemned the anyone to go there,” he said, “and not be Richard Goldstone (pictured), author of the Goldstone Report, alleging bias and shoddy personally moved. It was awful to see the controversial UN report on the 2009 Israel- investigative work. thousands of houses destroyed.” Hamas war in Gaza, delivered a strong argu- Goldstone defended his commission dur- That said, he added: “Israel has a right of ment for Israel’s right to self-defence. ing a nearly one-hour question and answer self-defence to protect its citizens against Goldstone, who spoke under the auspices session, saying he was limited in staff, time attacks. If more rockets had landed on He ended his speech by expressing the of the University of California, Berkeley’s and resources. He also expressed dismay kindergartens, the consequences would hope that Israel would someday more thor- Institute of International Studies, paired that Israeli government and military offi- have been quite horrendous.” oughly investigate its own actions during any references to Israeli culpability with cials had refused to co-operate with him. On the other hand, he stressed that the Operation Cast Lead. an equal condemnation of Hamas and said “I pleaded with them to meet with me,” evidence strongly suggested that Israel had “I have sufficient confidence in Israel’s Israelis who were subject to rocket attacks he noted, referring to letters he wrote to committed some war crimes. He cited the legal system to conduct such an investiga- from Gaza deserved an investigation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netan- case of the al-Samouni family, relocated on tion,” he said. “On the other side, groups In his 30-minute lecture on “Inter- yahu and others. “I had nurtured the hope January 4, 2009 by Israeli soldiers to a safe like Hamas are less likely to do such inves- national Law and Human Rights: The that the Israeli government would take this house, which was bombed the next day, tigating.” Search for Justice”, Goldstone, whose opportunity to have a UN platform to put killing 21 men, women and children. For a man so widely vilified and lionised, report accused Israel of war crimes, said: its version into the commission. It didn’t.” The Goldstone Report caused a firestorm Goldstone is unimposing in person: stolid, “Victims of thousands of rocket attacks in Similarly, Hamas didn’t respond to any of criticism in pro-Israel circles, some of it soft-spoken and sartorially correct in a pin- Israel are entitled to investigations.” inquiries and requests from the commis- ad hominem attacks on Goldstone. He said stripe suit. Addressing the Gaza war and the result- sion. Goldstone said he had wanted to meet those attacks were “very hurtful to me and There were no protests before or during ing fact-finding mission, Goldstone said: with the militant group to find out how it my family”. the event. AROUND THE WORLD NEWS IN BRIEF

CHARLIE SHEEN DEMANDING APOLOGY FROM ADL

NEW YORK - Actor Charlie Sheen is demanding an apology from the Anti- Defamation League for saying that his rant against the executive produc- er of his hit TV sitcom was "border- line anti-Semitism". A letter from Sheen's attorney, Marty Singer, demands a retraction because, it says, Sheen's only inten- tion was to "address the man rather than his television persona", the TMZ website reported on Tuesday. Sheen, in a radio interview on February 24 and in a letter posted on the TMZ website, called the "Two and a Half Men" executive producer Chuck Lorre a "contaminated little maggot", said he was a "clown" and "stupid", and referred to him several times as Chaim Levine. Lorre's given name is Charles Michael Levine. "By invoking television producer Chuck Lorre’s Jewish name in the context of an angry tirade against him, Charlie Sheen left the impres- sion that another reason for his dis- like of Mr Lorre is his Jewishness," Abraham Foxman, ADL's national director, said in a statement last Sunday. "This fact has no relevance to Mr Sheen’s complaint or disagreement, and his words are at best bizarre, and at worst, borderline anti-Semitism.” Singer's letter points out that Lorre referred to himself by the name Chaim on a vanity card in February, in which he also reportedly writes about "a lifetime of distancing him- self from ". The letter also says the ADL should denounce Lorre for acknowledging his "disdain for the Jewish religion". Sheen went on the defensive over the weekend, saying his statements were not anti-Semitic. He said in his letter to TMZ that he was "referring to Chuck by his real name because I wanted to address the man, not the bulls**t TV persona." "So you're telling me, anytime someone calls me Carlos Estevez, I can claim they are anti-Latino?" Sheen continued, referring to his given name The CBS network on February 25 cancelled filming of the final four episodes of the popular sitcom star- ring Sheen and could cancel the show all together. (JTA) 6 SA JEWISH REPORT 04 - 11 March 2011

SOCIAL SCENE Rita Lewis [email protected] COMMUNITY BUZZ LIONEL SLIER 082-444-9832, fax: 011-440-0448, [email protected]

JOHANNESBURG

The story of Jewey Cooke (continues):

“This was now 1907. Cooke lived in a block of flats for married men in the centre of Johannesburg. A widow did his washing and she would send her teenage daughter to collect the washing and later deliver it back, washed and ironed. Cooke was regular- ly visited by his friend, Jack Silverstein, also a bachelor and who was the proprietor of the Texas Café in town. “One day Cooke spoke to the girl about a ‘little hanky panky’ and afterwards gave her a sixpenny coin which had been dipped in rolled gold so that it looked like a gold Kruger rand, worth about ten shillings at that time. “The girl went to a shop run by a Chinese man and bought some articles and gave him the coin in payment. The Chinese man immediately spotted the fraud and started screaming at the girl and threatened to call the police. “The girl went to a police station and laid a charge of rape Helen Heldenmuth, Ros Basserabie and Patricia Flaum strut their stuff. against Cooke and also against Silverstein who had been pres- ent when she had arrived to deliver the washing, but had left soon afterwards. “A detective was sent to arrest Cooke and Silverstein and found them at Silverstein’s shop. The policeman presented Making light of a ‘heavy’ subject Cooke with a warrant. Cooke could not believe it. “’You call that rape? Why the kid went of her own free will,’ STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY RITA LEWIS ing efforts of the three Salon Soiree Entertainers. So the he said. ‘And the little so-and-so told me proudly that she was song, “We’re getting married in the morning” became... the means of a man getting seven years for the same sort of SOME THREE hundred people attended a fundraising “We’re getting weighed on Monday morning. Oy vey thing.’ event for Emunah at the HOD hall recently, where guests we’ve really got to cheat...” “Cooke said that the girl was a prostitute who supplemented were offered a morning of Jewish humour and song sec- The “All I want is a room somewhere” became, “All I her income and also that, failing payment, she was a black- ond to none. want is to lose some weight. At over 50 it’s getting late”. mailer. The three “Salon Soiree Girls”, Helen Heldenmuth, “I could have dined (danced) all night” followed and “I “Nevertheless, Cooke was charged and consulted Harry Ros Basserabie and Patricia Flaum, put on a show enti- have often been down this road before” (was sung to the Morris for his defence. Morris was a new lawyer on the block tled “My Fat Lady” where all three were dressed in gym tune of “On the street where you live”). (and in time was to prove one of the greatest legal practitioners clothes in which they would “attempt” (in song and The skits and songs on weight loss were followed by who graced South African courts).” rhyme form) to show how they were going to lose their songs by two other vivacious singers, Lindy Brest and To be continued. excess weight - or at least moan about the fact that it was Lorri Strauss, whose voices brought the house down. not going down. Shooby Doo’s Mark Samowitz, pianist and entertainer BULAWAYO. (THEN RHODESIA) Considering that most Jewish women of their age Bryan Schimmel as well as singer Len Kay did their bit - group are experiencing the same problems, people in the though not related to weight loss. From Shulamit Kagan: audience could really relate to this issue - especially Their presence was the cherry on the top of the morn- when it was so humorously put across in rhyme and song ing as the laughter and merriment caused by the humor- “I arrived in Bulawayo in 1950 as a young bride with my hus- by the three talented entertainers. ous skits, the joy from the singing and the takings for the band who was an old ‘Bulawayian’. A few days after we arrived, Although the melodies stayed the same, the words of morning going to swell Emunah’s coffers, made for a two friends of my husband came to take us to an engagement “My Fair Lady” were cleverly adapted to the weight-los- really joyous occasion. party. ‘Engagement party?’ I protested, ‘but we are not invited.’ “They answered: ‘Everyone is invited. It was in the paper.’ It appears that if you had a simcha you advertised it in the classi- fied section of the local paper ‘inviting family and friends’. “Most people telephoned to respond, but others did not and arrived, nevertheless, and one catered on the basis of ‘more or less’ people. Such was the cohesiveness of the Bulawayo Jewish community. “At the party, I was invited, nay coerced, by Mrs Sadie Kaplan (Kappie) into joining the Magen David Adom committee. There and then I learnt that there was no saying no to Kappie.” To be continued.

JOHANNESBURG.

From Russell Sadowsky:

“Sarah Zundelowitz was born in Doornfontein, Johannesburg Ros Basserabie the “granddaughter” and Helen to Jewish Lithuanian parents, Rachel and Morris (a butcher by Heldenmuth the “bobba” swap stories of their lives. Heather Raff welcomes the gathering. trade and a personal friend of my late father, Hyman Joseph ‘Hymie’ Sadowsky z’l). “Sarah is the youngest of four siblings - Rose Aronowitz z’l, Mary Gordon z’l and the eldest brother, David (Dov) who is an exceptionally skilled Jewish bookbinder. “Dov Sundelowitz’s wife, Hermione’s late mother, Golda Weinbren, was the mayoress of Johannesburg in 1946 (when Jesse MacPherson , a Labour member, was the mayor and her father, Benny Weinbren was a Labour Party City Councillor. “At the age of nine, Sarah’s eldest brother Dov, bought Sarah her first piano, piano accordion and organ. So talented was Sarah, that her first concert took place a year later. “As a young girl she played for General Jannie Smuts. She studied music at Wits University. “In 1960 Sarah left South Africa, married a Londoner and set- tled in Britain. As an adult, there, her audiences included the Queen Mother and the Queen of Jordan.” Mark Samowitz and Len Kay serenade Helen To be continued. Shoshana Wolfson with Zelda Lees and Jill Bilchitz Heldenmuth while Bryan Schimmel accompanies enjoying the show. them on the keyboard. THE ATKINS SCHMALTZ DIET (CONTINUES)

Sent by Frank Friedman:

“My personal all-time favourite is watching my bube (grand- mother) munch on boiled feese (chicken feet). Try that on the kinderlach tomorrow. “For our next course we always had chicken soup with pieces of yellow-white, rubbery chicken skin floating in a greasy sea of lokshen (noodles), farfel (broken bits of matzo), pietrishkeh (parsley), tzibbeles (onions), mondlen (soup nuts), kneidlach (matzo balls/dumplings), kasha (groats), kliskelech (pasta squares) and marech (marrow bones). “The main course, as I recall, was either boiled chicken, flanken, kackletten (fried burgers/chopped meat) and, some- times, ribbed steak, which were served either well done, burned or cremated. “Occasionally we had barbecued liver done to a burned and Lindy Brest who sang the Zionist Federation’s winning hardened perfection in our own coal furnace. song, “Stand United as One”, with the composer “The meal will be concluded in our next issue.” Patricia Flaum. Mary Kahlberg and Fruma Schwartz. 04 - 11 March 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 7 Wulf Utian advises a NC cool head at all times STORY AND PHOTOGRAPH BY MOIRA SCHNEIDER CAPE TOWN

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Jewish Education headed by its general The debate regarding cursive has been director, Rabbi Craig Kacev, has informed ongoing in the King David Schools exec- parents of children at King David Schools utive committee for the past two years. that they are bound by a Department of The heads of schools who make up the Education decision to reintroduce cursive exco, had felt that a decision to discon- writing at the end of grade 2 and in grade tinue cursive was a valid one for various 3. reasons. This decision was included in the new CAPS (Curriculum Assessment and Those include: Policy Statements) documents just • A large majority of learners do not sus- released, which determine the minimum tain any meaningful use of cursive and curriculum requirements that need to be by high school there is very little use of met by schools to fulfil government cursive, while assignments are complet- requirements. ed on computers. The King David Schools are bound by • The current grade 2 and 3 learners will such requirements as registered schools enter a working reality in 10 to 15 years and as such will have to reintroduce the time that will be very different from the teaching of cursive writing in the grades present one; a future in which technolo- indicated. gy will be used for most forms of com- Rabbi Kacev informed parents that “not munication. too much time will be invested in this, but • The weigh-up of the different education- parents can be assured that cursive will al demands in the new curriculum cre- be taught properly and pride of writing ates pressures that require schools to will be included in ongoing assessment. consider the relative value of the many Learners “who present with learning skills that can be taught. • Learners with learning diffi- culties are burdened with the further challenge of acquir- ing a different handwriting style, having just consolidat- ed print script. • While many will cite thera- peutic benefits, these are not backed up by sound research. One can access the issues raised above in some journal articles such as: The Journal of Instructional Psychology; December 2009 - Cursive writ- ing: Are its last days approach- ing? And The Journal of Language and Education; July 2010 - Handwriting - A forgot- ten language skill? 8 SA JEWISH REPORT 04 - 11 March 2011 OPINION AND ANALYSIS

FORUM FOR DIVERSE VIEWS The artistic Arab unrest alters power gesture balance in as yet unseen ways URIEL HEILMAN THE OSCARS last Saturday was a bracing WASHINGTON counterpoint to the gloominess of world news Anti-govern- these days. Televised live in some 200 coun- THEY WERE the devils they knew. ment protesters tries, it raises the age-old question that always Though Israel lives in a dangerous took to the eludes a definitive answer: “What makes an neighbourhood, surrounded by countries streets in Egypt, artist?” whose leaders or people wish its destruc- Feb. 4, 2011 in tion, over the years it had adjusted to the In every culture and time, some people rise demonstrations status quo, more or less figuring out how above life’s practical circumstances and create that eventually the artistic gesture - celebratory or tragic, sub- to get by while keeping an eye on gradual lime or bizarre - which inspires and moves us change. toppled and without which human life would be But the sudden upheaval in the region President Hosni unimaginable. that in a matter of weeks has toppled Mubarak from Familiar works emanating from our own regimes in Tunisia and Egypt, and threat- power. (TAKVER - country, such as the thousands of years old, ens autocrats in Libya, Yemen, Bahrain CREATIVE beautiful San rock art in the Drakensberg, the and elsewhere, is forcing Israel to grapple COMMONS) radiant oil paintings of Irma Stern and the with how to recalibrate for dramatic dark, subtle works of Gerard Sekoto, have change. friendly visit” to “carry the message of been dominated by Islamists, and the pro- those qualities in bucketfuls. For the time being, as Israel sits and peace and friendship to world countries”. testers have not made Israel a focal point. It is intriguing why particular groups of peo- watches how things play out from Tripoli In truth, it was an exercise in sabre rat- Whether these young people really will ple have a special leaning towards the arts, to Manama, Bahrain, it’s not clear exactly tling. take hold of the levers of power, and how such as the Jews - as practitioners, patrons or how the game will change. is projecting “self-confidence and they will relate to Israel in the future, are audiences. In music, one thinks of greats like “The best answer is we don’t know,” Ron certain assertiveness in the region,” open questions. George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, Benny Pundak, the director of the Peres Centre Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak told For those concerned with Israel, the Goodman, Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand, for Peace in Herzliya said this week at the CNN. Nevertheless, he said, “I don’t like it, unrest is being interpreted one of two Yitzhak Perlman, Vladimir Ashkenazi and J Street conference in Washington. but I don’t think that any one of us should ways, depending largely on political lean- Yehudi Menuhin. In literature, names like “The biggest change since 1967 is this be worried by it.” ings. Those on the right point to the insta- Philip Roth, Saul Bellow, Isaac Bashevis tsunami rolling across the region whose When a pair of rockets fired from Gaza bility as a reason for Israel to be more Singer, Norman Mailer and Franz Kafka come end-results no one really can foresee,” said hit the Israeli city of Beersheba last week, wary of concessions in any peace agree- to mind - just a few among thousands. Samuel Lewis, a former US ambassador to some Israeli analysts saw it as another ments, since their peace partner could The Oscars on Saturday showed again that Israel who attended the conference. example of Iran’s sabre rattling. Iran has disappear at any time. film, too, is an industry with a noticeable “Something new is happening in the Arab sent weapons to Gaza and seeks more “Why should Israel expect that another sprinkling of Jewish names. Celebrating excel- world.” influence there, even though the strip’s agreement would not be overturned by lence in that arena, it is one of the world’s most In some places, like Libya, the immedi- Hamas rulers are Sunni Muslims, and some new revolution, change of mind or glamorous award ceremonies. The Academy of ate effects on Israel are minimal. Libyan Iran is a Shiite power. cynical long-term plan?” columnist Barry Motion Picture Arts and Sciences itself (the strongman Muammar Gaddafi’s state has “I do not recommend that anyone test Rubin wrote in The Jerusalem Post. host of the Oscars) was conceived by legendary had no ties to Israel, so the dictator’s Israel’s determination,” Israeli Prime Those on the left say that if Israel does film mogul Louis B Mayer, who started Metro- demise - if it comes - wouldn’t change Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after not resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict Goldwyn-Mayer and was among the visionary much for Israelis. the rocket attack. quickly with a peace deal, the new gener- pioneers of the film genre and industry itself. “The civil war raging in Libya poses no The great fear is that regimes friendly ation of leaders emerging in the Arab The first ceremony was held in 1929. immediate cause for concern in Israel,” toward Israel (Egypt, Jordan), or friendly world won’t be able to see Israel as any- There were winners and candidates from Israeli journalist Avi Issacharoff wrote in with Israel by proxy via the United States thing other than an occupier and repres- every culture, religion and corner of the earth, Haaretz. (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain), or not actively sor of Palestinian rights. Arab commenta- last Saturday. The Jewish presence in the formal However, the cumulative effects of the hostile (Libya, among others), will be co- tors echo that thinking. programme began humorously, with the hosts Middle East unrest are prompting shifts opted by elements with greater animus “The hatred of Israel will not end until James Franco and Anne Hathaway, spinning a throughout the region that may require toward the Jewish State. you start treating Palestinians with free- dreidel on stage. Israeli-American actress dramatic strategic rethinking in the That hostility could come from any one dom and dignity,” Egyptian journalist Natalie Portman took the Best Actress trophy Jewish State. of a number of places. On the Egyptian Mona Eltahawy said at the J Street con- for her portrayal of a tortured ballerina in Every time a protest movement in the front, the long-outlawed Muslim ference. “This is the time for Israel to sit “Black Swan”. “The King’s Speech” took home a Middle East succeeds, protest movements Brotherhood, an ally of Hamas, stands to down and make concrete concessions.” total of four Oscars. Danish director-writer elsewhere are emboldened, and that has gain greater power. In the cases of Tunisia In Jerusalem, the government is still in Susanne Bier, who inter alia studied at the put many regimes that for decades have and Libya, there is fear that al-Qaida could the wait-and-see mode, albeit with as Hebrew University and the Bezalel Academy in not been hostile to Israel - including those capitalise on a power vacuum and take much handwringing as possible. Jerusalem, won the Best Foreign-Language Film of the Persian Gulf, Jordan and North root. In Bahrain, which is overwhelmingly Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny award for “In a Better World”, a story of conflict- Africa - on alert and at risk. Shiite but ruled by a Sunni king, the con- Ayalon, speaking on Tuesday in Brussels, ed family relationships. (see page 9) With Israel and the West engaged in a cern is that genuine democracy could warned that the danger was that democ- The 40-minute film “Strangers No More”, by proxy war with Iran for regional hegemo- throw the country the way of Iran. racy movements in the Arab world would Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon, about chil- ny, the fall of autocratic regimes allied “The regional balance of power is be “hijacked”, emulating the “model of dren of foreign workers and refugees at Tel with the West provides an opening for Iran changing, and not necessarily in Israel’s Iran, the model of Hamas in Gaza, the Aviv’s Bialik-Rogozin School, won the award to expand its power and sphere of influ- favour,” Robert Serry, the UN secretary- model of Hezbollah in Lebanon”, accord- for Best Documentary Short. ence. general’s special co-ordinator for the ing to the German news agency DPA. So, why the Jewish attraction to the arts? No And Iran is intent on doing so. It was no Middle East peace process, said at the J Ayalon also said the unrest in the Arab easy answer. Jews have been a marginal minor- accident that just days after the fall of Street conference. world demonstrated that the notion of the ity in many countries over many centuries - Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak, Tehran dis- But there could be some good news, too. Arab-Israel conflict being the region’s often oppressed and discriminated against. patched two warships to sail through the The uprisings that have spread from most serious issue was just not true. They have absorbed a myriad cultures and per- Suez Canal - something Iran had not dared North Africa to the Persian Gulf have “The real major problem of the Middle spectives, which they carried with them wher- to do since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. been broad-based, loosely organised East, which is now so glaringly evident, is ever else they went - the “itinerant Jew” taking The ships docked in Syria in what Iran’s protest movements led by young people the dysfunctionality of the Arab soci- his knowledge and art with him – and sharing navy chief, Rear Admiral Habibollah networking through the Internet and eties,” Ayalon reportedly said, noting the it along the way. Sayyari, described as “a routine and social media like Facebook. They have not absence of “rights of any kind”. (JTA) The great film moguls were all immigrants - mainly from Eastern Europe. Essentially, Jews, with their drive, passion and problems, always seemed to come from “elsewhere”, and AROUND THE WORLD were perhaps freer to express themselves dif- NEWS IN BRIEF ferently from the mainstream culture as they PETE SEEGER SAYS HE REGRETS TAKING PART IN PEACE RALLY struggled to survive and make meaning out of life. Is that the root of the artistic impulse? SAN FRANCISCO - Folk music icon “I understand why someone would people should talk with people they dis- History colours everyone’s life - and for Pete Seeger says he regrets taking part want to boycott a place financially, but I agree with. But it ended up looking like Jews, the gigantic shadow of the Holocaust is in a peace rally for Israel’s Arava don’t understand why you would boy- I supported the Jewish National Fund,” always very much present, whether sublimi- Institute for Environmental Studies. cott dialogue,” Seeger told JTA. “The Seeger told the representatives from the nally or explicitly. Jewish German culture crit- Last November, the 92-year-old musi- world will not be here in 50 years unless Israeli Committee Against House ic Theodor Adorno famously stated that poetry cian appeared on “With Earth and Each we learn how to communicate with each Demolitions, they report. is not possible after Auschwitz, that the only Other”, billed as an online peace rally in other nonviolently.” “Now that I know more, I support the legitimate response is silence. Artists have support of the Israeli institute, which According to Adalah, an organisation BDS movement as much as I can,” never succeeded in capturing the Holocaust. brings together an international stu- that supports BDS, Seeger met recently Seeger reportedly said. Whatever form the attempt takes, it generally dent body to explore solutions to cross- with representatives from the Israeli JNF provides scholarships for Arab ends up trivialising it. It is too overwhelming. border ecological problems, particularly Committee Against House Demolitions, and Jewish students, and funding for We must celebrate and encourage the Jewish those affecting Israel and her Arab which he supports financially with pro- the institute’s infrastructure, according love for the arts - the glorious human spirit ris- neighbours. ceeds from his music. He told them, the to Friends of the Arava’s new chairman, ing above the mundane or horrible, connecting A month before the event, Seeger told report claims, that he “misunderstood” Seth Morrison. people from all creeds and cultures. JTA that he was resisting calls from the the Arava Institute’s ties to the Jewish On January 14, Morrison published A Chinese proverb says: “If you have two Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions National Fund, which he criticises for an op-ed in the Jerusalem Post noting pennies, spend one on bread and the other on a movement to call off his participation. taking Palestinian lands for Jewish set- the JNF’s efforts to help the Bedouin flower.” The flower speaks for the artist some- He cited the need for dialogue to bring tlement. and asking the organisation not to take where in all of us. an end to the Israeli-Palestinian con- “I appeared on that virtual rally Bedouin lands in the south in order to flict. because for many years I’ve felt that plant trees. (JTA) 04 - 11 March 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 9 OPINION AND ANALYSIS

FORUM FOR DIVERSE VIEWS

the Swedish film “Freud Leaves Home”, which won critical acclaim. Danish Jewish film director behind Her next effort, “Family Mat- ters”, flopped badly, but Bier recov- ered and her subsequent nine films, released at the rate of about Oscar-winning movie, an anomaly one every two years, generally have been popular and well received by TOM TUGEND real estate executive in Berlin, a positive way”, to look for critics. LOS ANGELES was farsighted enough to leave the good even in evil times, Bier really hit her stride as direc- Germany for Denmark in 1933, and to deal morally and tor and screenwriter in the last FILM DIRECTOR Susanne Bier, when his son, Susanne’s father, righteously with others, she decade. Her 2004 movie, “Bro- whose Danish movie, “In a Better was two years old. said. thers”, was a box office and artistic World”, won Oscar honours for Three decades earlier, her moth- Bier grew up as somewhat hit and was remade in an English Best Foreign-language film, is an er’s Russian family arrived in of a tomboy, preferring soc- version. anomaly. Denmark in 1903, the year of the cer scrimmages with the Two years later, she scored even She is a woman director in an infamous Kishinev pogrom in what boys to playing with dolls. better with “After the Wedding”, overwhelmingly male profession, is present-day Moldova. She was socially awkward, an which made the final cut for an and she is emphatically Jewish in a Their secure refuge in Denmark avid reader and had a creative Academy Award. Hollywood came country and industry in which was shattered in 1940, when Nazi bent. calling, and in 2007 she directed such affirmation is hardly the armies invaded the country. Both Upon finishing high school, “Things We Lost in the Fire” with norm. Her parents are religiously families were saved in the celebrat- she decided to explore her Halle Berry, Benicio Del Toro and observant. ed 1943 boatlift to Sweden, which Jewish roots by studying in David Duchovny. After a Golden Globe win for the saved almost all of Denmark’s Israel. She spent half a year at Her current Oscar winner, “In year’s best foreign-language film, Jews. the Hebrew University and a Better World”, was released in Bier, who studied for two years in Susanne’s father, then 12, vividly one-and-a-half years at the her native country as “Hoevnen”, Jerusalem, repeated her success in recalled the experience to his Bezalel Academy of Arts and Danish for “Revenge”, which that category in the Academy daughter. The car in which the fam- Design. seems a more pointed title. Awards. She faced stiff competi- ily was driving to the boat ren- She left Jerusalem after “two The film stars some of the tion from the other four finalists dezvous ran out of petrol next to a years of partying,” she says, leading Scandinavian actors representing Algeria, Canada, German command post. After a with a working knowledge of and a remarkable 12-year-old Greece and Mexico. very anxious time, a passing Hebrew and a vague sense that boy, William Johnk (ok) Niel- Israel seemed close to its first Danish motorist supplied the she eventually would marry a sen, whom Bier discovered. Oscar when its entries made the refugees with fuel. nice Jewish lawyer and have six Like many of the director’s final five cut in each of the last After the Allied victory, both fam- kids. movies, “Better World” deals with three years. It struck out early with ilies returned to Denmark, and Her religious parents, whom she “My first husband was non- complex family relationships, this its entry, “The Human Resources from their backgrounds and experi- phones at least once a day, Jewish, my second husband was a one between two fathers and their Manager.”, but unfortunately did- ences they transmitted two life les- approved of this tentative life path. nice Jewish boy, and I am now in a sons, and the intense bond between n’t win. sons to Susanne. However, Bier discovered that “all relationship with a non-Jewish the two boys. Bier, youthful and animated at “I felt early on that even in the the nice Jewish boys I encountered man,” she said. She is the mother of Also typical of Bier’s outlook, 50, was born in Denmark, but the most secure life, there is always the were just too boring” and she was Gabriel, 21, and Alice Esther, 15. the movie ends on a note of hope. fates and persecutions of her fore- potential for catastrophe,” she said more attracted to not-so-nice, non- Bier studied architecture in “Too many European films cele- bears in Nazi Germany and Czarist in an interview with JTA at the Jewish boys. London and then attended brate pessimism,” Bier said, “but Russia have deeply affected her Beverly Wilshire Hotel. In her actual marital life, Bier Denmark’s National Film School, desolation is no good. It is better to personal and artistic outlooks. On the reverse side, her parents has struck somewhat of a compro- graduating in 1987. Her movie communicate that there’s some Her paternal grandfather, a taught her “to address the world in mise. career took off auspiciously with hope in the world.” (JTA)

As a service to our community the Chevrah Kadisha is warning people about the person pictured here. He introduces himself as “Rabbi Alex Bloom” and has bogus stories about why he is in need of money and support from the community. • We know Alex well from his prison days. • He is unable to prove his Jewishness. • He has a criminal record for theft, fraud and intimidation. Please do not support this man. The Chevrah reinforces its position as a tzedokah resource to assist the community and once again publishes its Public Service Announcement below:

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE CHEVRAH KADISHA The Chevrah Kadisha is aware that there are approximately 20 individuals who approach people in the community for financial assistance. If you are being approached for help you may sometimes feel conflicted and unsure about the responsible course of action. Most (if not all) of these people are well-known to the Chev and some are, sadly, either active substance abusers or dishonest. As a general rule it is best to use communal structures to distribute tzedokah rather than to do so directly, and if guidance is needed in particular cases, the Chev invites you to make use of our Tzedokah Helpline on (011) 532-9710 or email [email protected] 10 SA JEWISH REPORT 25 February - 04 March 2011

ARTS MATTERS TAPESTRY Contemplating life: Stella COMPILED BY ART, BOOKS, DANCE, FILM, THEATRE (Ntombi ROBYN SASSEN Makhutshi) Call 084-319-7844 or and Rosa [email protected] at least one (Robyn Scott). week prior to publication Rosa will steal (PHOTOGRAPH BY AARON SCHEINER) Baxter Theatre, Cape Town: Swiss troupe, your heart Mummenschanz, until March 19, (021) 685-7880. Show: “London Road” (Old Mutual Theatre on the Square, (011) 883-8606). Coca-Cola Dome, North Cast: Ntombi Makhutshi, Robyn Scott Riding: Cirque du Soleil’s Playwright: Nicholas Spagnoletti “Saltimbanco”, from March 9, Director: Lara Bye (011) 794-5800. Design: Craig Leo (set, costumes); Faheem Bardien (lighting) new-found and completely unlikely friend. This old lady, but they’re seen as total asides to the Seabrooke Theatre, Until: March 19 well-constructed, but not earth-shatteringly origi- value of Stella as a friend and confidante. Durban: “Big Boys Don’t nal play lends the characters balance, without Rosa’s not averse to a bit of a tipple; she high- Dance”, by Ash Searle and REVIEWED BY ROBYN SASSEN feeling contrived. lights the fact that a Jewish mother can only be Brad Searle, March 9 – 12, “London Road” is set in the eponymous road in as happy as her unhappiest child. She’s street (031) 277-1500. IF THERE’S a beloved elderly woman in your life, Sea Point’s flatlands in Cape Town, a block of flats savvy and speaks drily of her escapades during Emperor’s, Kempton Park: a grandmother, a mother, an aunt, and you do not called Beach View, to be more precise. her youth and engages with bullying landlords Nataniël’s “Combat” until pick up the phone to talk to her right after you It’s about crumbling demographics which with “bak tseyne”. March 17, in the Theatre of have seen this play, there is something lacking in touch the lives of elderly Jews, left behind by She’s doesn’t pull punches in her description of Marcellus, (011) 928-1000. your life. their emigrant children, and young Nigerians, her life, commenting at one point that her friends From the compression bandage on her left for whom in Johannesburg has become are all dead or meshuggah. “Children can be so Everard Read Gallery, ankle to the endearing angle between the back of too bad. stupid,” she says at another point. “They think Rosebank: Thea Soggot’s her head and her osteoporotic back, and the sensi- It strips the veneer of polite society and reveals you will be around forever.” Rosa’s bravado will “Earth and Ink”, until March ble cardigan and crimplene slacks she wears, Rosa Rosa as savagely lonely and humiliated by her make you fall in love with her. 9, (011) 788-4805. Kaplowitz, interpreted by Robyn Scott, will melt abandonment as she ages in an increasingly hos- This play was the recipient of the Ovation you. She is everything that a little old Jewish lady tile world. Awards at last year’s Grahamstown Festival, and Fugard Theatre, District should be; yet she’s not a bland stereotype. Rosa is a mix of mischief-curious yenta and in this, its Johannesburg debut, it is even Six: “Broken Glass”, by The fact that Scott is some 30 years junior to the powerfully empathetic friend, as she gets to know stronger. Arthur Miller, a play about character she portrays, attests to casting bril- Stella, a drug-dealing Aids-infected young woman Be forewarned, though: this is a six-tissue play, Kristallnacht, with Sir liance. Rather than interpreting Rosa from her from Lagos. Stella and Rosa become friends from not necessarily because the story is sad, but Antony Sher in the lead, from own experience, she does so with electrifying the inside out, as it were - issues like her illness because the detail used to describe both women is March 22, (021) 461-4554. empathy, which at times threatens to upstage and the stigma of her profession are obvious but so intelligently developed so close to the bone by Ntombi Makhutshi in her role as Stella, Rosa’s pondered over slowly and not without wit by the playwright, creative team and performers. Joburg Theatre, : In the Nelson Mandela Theatre, “Simply the Best”, Rebecca Art-wise sleepy little Wakkerstroom is wide awake O’Connor’s tribute show to PAUL BOEKKOOI Vosloo (flute), Malcolm Nay (piano), Tessa Ziegler Tina Turner, opens March 10, (guitar), Deirdré Blignaut (soprano), the harp duo (011) 877-6800. In the People’s ARTS FESTIVALS have for decades been the of Cathy Phillips and Rosemarie Kane, a string Theatre, “Pinocchio” opens lifeline for arts lovers living far from the cultur- quartet led by Samson Diamond of Buskaid fame, March 12, (011) 484-1584. al centres of our country. More recently city Berthine van Schoor (‘cello), Kobus Malan (oboe), slickers also started feeling the urge to escape Junnan Sun (clarinet), Wessel van Wyk and Linder Auditorium, the proverbial rat race over long and even short- Bernarda Swart (piano), Diane Coutts (organ) and : On March 5, er weekends to revive themselves through the Herman Theron (tenor). pianist Natalia Lavrova per- inspiration generated by such events. Apart from these specialised soloists who will forms works by Clementi, Wakkerstroom in the south-eastern part of also participate in various chamber music forma- Shostakovich, Liszt and Mpumalanga, not that far from Volksrust, is tions, lovers of opera will be thrilled that the Bena Prokofiev for JMS, (011) 728- presenting its very first arts festival from March Quartet of singers will bring them some favourite 5492. On March 9, 10, JPO 19 to 21. It’s the brainchild of Rona Sonnenberg, excerpts from a wide array of operatic favourites. performs Liadov’s Eight who many Johannesburg music lovers will They are Linelle Wimbles (soprano), Linette van Russian Folk Songs, remember as being the fundraiser and public der Merwe (mezzo-soprano), Chris Mostert (tenor) Tchaikovsky’s First Piano relations manager during the early years of the and Stephan Gericke (baritone). Concerto and Dvorák’s Sixth Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. The Northern KwaZulu-Natal Youth Choir Symphony. Conductor: When she and her husband, Gus, moved to under the leadership of Walter Butt will make a Pianist Malcolm Nay and Bernhard Gueller; soloist: Wakkerstroom a couple of years ago, she imme- special appearance, while two jazz groupings will guitarist Tessa Ziegler, Ching-Yun Hu (piano), (011) diately realised this historic village’s potential kick up some fun: Pianist Charl du Plessis and his 789-2733. included among the star to host an arts festival. They started off by two colleagues, Werner Spies on double bass and attractions at this year’s Maker, Parkwood: Jonah arranging DVD evenings consisting of opera, Hugo Radyn on drums, will present a multi-stylis- Wakkerstroom Festival. Sack’s exhibition “The ballet and classical music screenings. All this tic but easy on the ear jazz session. (PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY Reverse of the Woof”, ends eventually led to the planning and establish- The Pam Mortimer jazz trio will also travel to WWW.ARTLINK.CO.ZA) April 15, (011) 447-6680. ment of an arts festival. Wakkerstroom to chill everyone who prefers a The programme and the line-up of singers break from the more serious fare. can be purchased and people can enjoy their early Market, Newtown: In the and instrumentalists who are contracted to per- Apart from a whole range of smaller venues, the evening meal on the lawns of the church, à la Main Theatre, Marc form in a fortnight’s time is vast and the choice highlight of the weekend will be the gala evening Glyndebourne. A wide array of visual arts and Lottering’s “Not in 3-D” until in both classical and jazz just about endless. It’s on the Sunday. This will be presented in the local crafts will be on show in two venues, while a mini March 27, (011) 832-1641. amazing that such an array of around about 80 Dutch Reformed Church, seating 600. Most of the film festival focusing exclusively on musicals is South African artists, reflecting our crème de la invited artists will participate in this programme. also presented. Montecasino, : In crème, are keen to share their talents and to The compère for the evening will be the well- • For bookings or further information the Pieter Toerien, “Evita”, participate over the three days. known radio personality Mike Ford. visit www.wakkerstroomartsfestival.co.za, e-mail until March 27; in the Studio, Some of the star attractions include Helen Prior to the gala concert, luxury picnic baskets [email protected] or phone (017) 730-0778. “Mass Appeal”, until March 27, (011) 511-1818. In Teatro, guilt that follow, is an unsettling subject at the year-old stepson. “Dreamgirls” under the best of times. Emilia is also trying to overcome a long- musical supervision of Bryan FELDMAN In the deft hands of celebrated director Don standing rift in her relationship with her father Schimmel, opens March 11, Roos (“Single White Female” and “The Opposite caused by his infidelity. (011) 510-7472. ON FILM Peter Feldman of Sex”), the topic is explored with a mixture of Roos’ production has an underlying chord of Old Mutual Theatre on the compassion, humour and heart-wrenching tension when Emilia is convinced that she was Square, Sandton: “London intensity. responsible for her baby’s death, a line of think- Road”, until March 19. The PICK OF THE WEEK It has taken a few years to bring Ayelet ing that severely affects her relationship with Friday concerts feature Zanta Waldman’s novel about life, loss and family, to Scott. Hofmeyr (violin), Daline Love and Other Impossible Pursuits the screen - but it is worth it. The emotional balance is well maintained Wilson (violin), Morkel Portman, as graceful and beautiful as ever, and there are many striking moments through- Combrink (viola) and Wessel Cast: Natalie Portman; Scott Cohen; Lisa portrays a young Harvard Law School graduate out the film. Beukes (‘cello) on March 4 Kudrow; Charlie Tahan named Emilia. After joining her first firm, Lisa Kudrow, who has long discarded the and 11, (011) 883-8606. Director: Don Roos Emilia becomes involved in a passionate affair kinky image of “Friends”, now seems to be con- with its married senior partner, Jack Woolf centrating on playing bitchy women. As ProMusica Theatre, Natalie Portman once again lights up the screen (Scott Cohen), a high-powered New York lawyer. Carolyn, her character is a vicious viper, who : Arthur Miller’s with another potent performance and it comes at He is so smitten by the young beauty that he can see no good in the woman who stole her hus- witchcraft classic, “The a time when she’s already received several major divorces his controlling, neurotic wife Carolyn band. Crucible”, directed by Alby accolades for her impressive work in “Black (Lisa Kudrow), and marries Emilia. But tragedy Scott Cohen, as Jack, is a credible enough Michaels opens March 9, (011) Swan” as well as an Oscar for her role in that soon follows when they lose their newborn entity, while young Charlie Tahan manages to 674-1356 movie. daughter. imbue William with a warm pluckiness. In “Love and Other Impossible Pursuits”, As Emilia struggles to come to terms with her Portman is expected to change several gears Wits, Braamfontein: The (overseas it was called “The Other Woman”) grief, she also has to deal with constant jibes as her character confronts the various chal- launch of “Trance by Portman is the main focus of an engrossing fam- from the bitter, acerbic-tongued Carolyn, while lenges in her life – and she does it with a stylish Chance”, by Carlo Mombelli, ily drama that engages on both intellectual and attempting to forge some kind of a relationship determination. in the Theatre, on March 12, emotional levels. with William (Charlie Tahan), her impossibly “Love and Other Possible Pursuits” is fasci- (011) 717-1380. The death of a newborn baby and the grief and bright but highly-strung and precocious five- nating and engaging. 04 - 11 March 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 11

TAPESTRY - ART, BOOKS, DANCE, FILM, THEATRE Relevance of the likes of Plato, Aristotle, Heidegger and Proust highlighted Driving With Plato by Robert Rowland provide “the source and the limits damaged or irretrievably abandoned), Smith (Profile Books, R224,95) of all knowledge”, such that lan- retiring and old age: all great exeunts guage will always be “autobio- from the main stage of the world. REVIEWED BY GWEN PODBREY graphical, a palimpsest of every- As for the ultimate milestone, dying, thing (an individual) witnesses”. Smith makes the case for “going out in IN A world where rites of passage have been Move on about eight years, to style”: first of all, he reminds us, this overtaken by an expectation to grow up learning how to ride a bike. This is an act of searing loneliness. Your quickly, get on with a career, produce proge- formative experience marks a death may be witnessed by everybody ny and leave a legacy, it is easy to lose touch child’s first foray into independ- but yourself. What is more, nobody with the real meaning of life’s milestones, ence and responsibility, not just can do it for you. and those seminal events on which Plato, for his own body, but for its manip- Secondly, he points out that, for and other philosophers, expounded. ulation of a contraption which believers at least, it heralds an equally The first, obviously, is birth: one’s introduces him to teleological lonely judgement, an accounting for entrance into temporal time and space, and travelling: purposeful movement towards a actions both committed and omitted. However, all which that implies, namely continuance, definite destination. in its brutal finality for those left behind to memory and the obligation to partake in the Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard mourn, it regenerates the will to keep living. global communion of humanity. likens this to religion, noting that - like “All this relieves death from a portion of the Then comes learning to walk and receiv- learning to ride a bicycle - at some point, tragedy we attribute to it… You can die crabbed, ing the gift of gravity, a quality envied by the whichever hand is on your back, holding wizened and embittered, but you can also bow angels. “Being bound to the earth brings you steady, at some point it must let go: then out with a flourish that recognises you’ve had rewards unavailable in heaven, to do with you are on your own. the gift of life and now human emotion in all its imperfect complex- No amount of reasoning will get you to you’re making a gift of ity,” writes Smith. believe in G-d, so at some point you have to it to others in turn. This To walk is also to leave an imprint on the abandon reason and take a leap of faith. frees you up to die well, earth, a reminder that one existed, that one Faith is not rational, though - for a notion that we in the trod the planet and that one’s journey on it Kierkegaard - belief is not necessarily irra- West are less attuned to can be traced. tional: it is simply beyond reason. (It is than those in the East,” Around the same time comes learning to worth noting his adjunct that the opposite of he tells us. talk. The faculty of speech is what gives faith is not irrationality, but sin.) Apart from his genial, meaning to the objects around us. Naming And, as Einstein noted, in extending translucently beautiful something makes it identifiable from other Kierkegaard’s metaphor, one has to keep writing - a treat in itself objects, something which we can articulate moving to keep one’s balance, both in bicy- - Smith (a former Prize and therefore control. cle riding and, indeed, in living. Fellow of All Souls This applies particularly to emotions - Other milestones of existence - one’s first College, Oxford) recon- above all, fear. For James Joyce, babies’ bab- car, first vote, first kiss, first sex, first job, nects us to the ancients bling (as famously expressed in the opening marriage, childbirth - all subtly, but undeni- and not-so-ancients paragraphs of his “Finnegan’s Wake”) is not ably, herald the transition from the prelap- whose sagacity is too the nonsense it sounds like, but a new sarian world - a state of innocence - into one often relegated to dusty being’s sensing - in despair - that from now of experience. university libraries. on, it will bear the burden of having to dis- As for falling in love for the first time, There may seem to be course with others and subject itself to the Smith invites Freud to look over his shoul- little use for the likes of restraints imposed on it by others, “a lament der as he writes of the eternal relationship Plato, Aristotle, Heide- for the fact of having to enter the world of between eros, the longing for sex, with gger and Proust in our compromise and negotiation, of social rela- thanatos, the longing for death. daily battle to achieve tions and grammatical order”. Then come the latter milestones of life: our goals, acquit our- By contrast, writes Smith, we have 18th getting divorced, going through a midlife cri- selves well and live like century philosopher John Locke, for whom sis (which, as Nietzsche explains, is prompt- decent human beings, a baby’s mind is a tabula rasa, a blank sheet ed by self-reproach incumbent on an inter- but Smith shows us just of paper waiting to absorb new ideas. For nal audit of undone things and unresolved how relevant and Locke, speech is the first (and possibly the relationships: those projects of the heart urgent their observa- most crucial) human experience which will and soul which have been irrecuperably tions remain. SA in for a treat with Cirque du Soleil ROBYN SASSEN who in the ‘70s was taking and giv- “The name ‘Saltimbanco’ is Italian ing dance classes in the winter and for ‘to jump on a bench’. ‘Sal- CANADIAN-BASED Cirque du performing in the streets in the sum- timbanco’ is a bowl of joy!” Ruest Soleil has wowed the world and now, mer, explains. “We were pioneers in adds. “Each performer has his or her for the first time ever, it’s perform- a tiny village called Baie-Saint-Paul, own character. Every artist brings ing live in Africa. With Montreal as near Quebec City.” A dance partner his or her own flavour. The music is its home base, it has hosted 19 shows of Gilles Ste-Croix, she honed her live and the colour, fresh. around the world; “Santimbanco”, street performance skills, including “‘Saltimbanco’ is a trailblazer for its trailblazer, opens in Johan- acrobatics and tightrope walking, the Cirque,” says publicist Maxime nesburg next week, after touring which draw from gypsy traditions Charbonneau. “We still have shows Turkey and en route to Australia. that reach back centuries. like this because we want to teach Try as you might to describe “The first street performance fes- people that dreams still happen.” Cirque du Soleil’s work, you cannot tival ever was hosted in Quebec in • “Saltimbanco” is at the Coca-Cola be blasé. “Impossible is only a 1982, to celebrate Canada’s 450th Dome, North Riding, March 9 - 20 and word,” Carmen Ruest, creation birthday. There was a lot of cultural the Grand Arena, GrandWest Casino, director of the company explains its money which enabled the project to Cape Town, March 23 - April 3. complex gravity-defying acts. They tour. And, a circus school all look so easy in the performers’ had just started in the The Baron, your command. area. So the ‘High Heel ageless, timeless “In 1980 it was all a dream,” Ruest, Club’, was formed. “Two years later, it guide to the became known as the world of Cirque du Soleil - Circus of Santimbanco. the Sun. It was supported by Canadian government grants; we had to instruct the bank to believe in us. There was a time when we only had money for petrol. “And then the company began growing. By 1992, it was independ- ent. It grew incrementally and beyond expectations, particularly for a group of people who just enjoy playing in the streets,” she grins. “Twenty six years later, the com- pany employs 5 000 people from all over the world. And the concept which fuels its creativity is still the A scene from the Cirque du same. It’s a circus without animals Soleil’s bicycle act. that focuses all its design and per- (PHOTOGRAPH: OLIVIER SAMSON formance energy on invoking the ARCAND COSTUMES : DOMINIQUE imagination, provoking the senses LEMIEUX © 2007 CIRQUE DU SOLEIL INC) and evoking the emotions. 12 SA JEWISH REPORT 04 - 11 March 2011 LETTERS The Editor, Suite 175, Postnet X10039, , 2125 email: [email protected]

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

APPEASEMENT IS THE WAY TO DISASTER CYNICAL JUMPING SHIP BY LIBYAN OFFICIALS SLATED NOT ONLY is the Jury Out (SAJR February 18), state within the borders of Israel, peace would I REFER to a news headline: “Diplomats site. You and your family benefited from but Mr Justice Dennis Davis is also out. Way out. descend on the whole world and all our troubles denounce Gaddafi”, about Libyan offi- the regime for years, and now “the winds He subtly, (like a sledgehammer) points out would be over. Even Ahmadinejad of Iran would cials jumping ship in light of the turmoil of change”. that our community is living in the past because give up his ideas of wiping Israel off the map. in that country, referring to Libya’s You are just a traitor. It is too late. most of us don’t agree with the views of J Street Yeah, right! deputy ambassador at the UN, Ibrahim “an important new institution”. That’s like say- Davis tells us that only 15 per cent of Dabbashi. Mario Rocha Pires ing Not In My Name is an important institution. Egyptians support the Muslim Brotherhood I want to say to him: Typical UN para- Bedfordview He then tells us about “serious” commentators “bogeyman” and that Middle East democracy like Thomas Friedman. Ronnie Kasrils, I’m will guarantee that they won’t come to power. TIME FOR LEFT TO SHOW THEY’RE NOT HYPOCRITES sure, is also a “serious” commentator. But what if they do? Even the moderates like Davis, often uses the hackneyed expression: that nice Mr. ElBaradei have already given us I AM writing this letter at a time when the population in terror and has subjected “Play the ball, not the man”. Then he has a go at good reason to worry about the existing treaty. Libyan air force is bombing the civilian them to torture, arbitrary arrest, assassi- Prof Alan Dershowitz, who, he suggests “has Not yet in power, but he already says we would population in Tripoli under the orders of nation of opposition activists and now mass been relegated to irrelevance”, as somebody have to renegotiate. the bloodthirsty and evil despot, Muammar killings. In the eyes of South Africa’s only a few nutters (and of course our communi- Jewish security comes only from Hashem. He Gaddafi. ANC/SACP regime and leftwing civil socie- ty) still listen to. has promised us the land. All of the land. The It is appalling, but not surprising, noting ty establishment, regimes that are revolu- “He would say that, wouldn’t he?” is a refrain borders are clearly defined. He made no men- how the genocide against his people under- tionary, anti-Western and particularly anti- I have heard often about Davis. I don’t know tion of a partition plan or a two-state solution or taken by the brutal Gaddafi regime has Israel, can do no wrong and must be sup- what he finds irrelevant about Prof Dershowitz. sharing. been of so little concern to the South ported in their most horrific excesses. They both support the idea of a two-state solu- The problem is that our intellectual friends African government, the media and civil Think of Zimbabwe, Sudan, Cuba, Syria, tion. don’t believe that Hashem can keep His promise, society. China and North Korea. The more brutal a To say that Middle East democracy is the only and the only solution is to stop dragging our feet Here we have a regime that is mass mur- regime, the closer the ANC/SACP regime is guarantee for sustainable peace, is both naïve and make deals with people who themselves dering women and children and has to it. and puerile. This is where our leftist and liberal don’t know what tomorrow will bring. received no condemnation from the Robert Wistrich in his volume “A Lethal friends are going to get their knickers in a knot. Remember “Mr Peace In Our Time” Neville ANC/SACP regime - the same regime that Obsession”, points out regarding leftwing We read in last week’s parsha of the dangers Chamberlain? cut off ties with Israel for responding in Israel-haters: “The same radical left that of making deals with the local inhabitants. Appeasement is the way to disaster. It will self-defence to a ship full of armed terror- foams at the mouth at the very mention of Jewish security does not come about by making take many, many years for democracy to take ists invading her waters. Israel/Palestine has little difficulty in clos- deals like a two-state solution with our enemies, root in the Middle East, if ever. So, where are the Why are there no mass marches from ing its eyes to the religious and gender whose sworn intention is to obliterate us. guarantees, and what are they worth? Cosatu and NGOs on the Libyan embassy? apartheid in Islam, the murderous crimes Do we have to give them land - our land - for Indeed no statements from Open Shuhada of such Communist leaders as Stalin, Mao the promise that they will behave? It is a very Dov Grauman Street? Why no activity at the universities and Pol Pot, not to mention the mass mur- popular belief that if the Arabs were given a Lyndhurst, Johannesburg where there is always such rabid anti-Israel ders in Africa from Idi Amin in the 1970s to activity by the self-proclaimed custodians Rwanda over a decade ago and Sudan ARE WESTERN MORALS BECOMING TOO CONVOLUTED? of human rights - all of which happened today. when Israel attacked Hamas bases in Gaza “While real massacres are ignored, a A REFRESHING breeze seems to be blowing Muammar Gaddafi, massive oil-resources in response to sustained rocket fire on its huge propaganda effort continues to be through the clogged-up sewers of interna- notwithstanding, is condemned? civilian population? invested globally in pillorying Israel as a tional morality! The oil-rich dictator, Have the moral arbiters in London, The South African government did sup- perpetrator of genocide. This far tran- Muammar Gaddafi, is actually condemned Washington and other Western capitals for- port the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak in scends the left since it also involves the severely for using (Western-supplied) mili- gotten the mass murder of 68 Roman Egypt but that is because he was a pro- United Nations, the Arab states, the tary equipment to murder his own citizens. Catholics (including two priests!) in a church Western moderate who maintained a peace Muslim world, non-government organisa- But didn’t the same gruesome criminality in last December? Or does the fact of sorts with Israel. tions and parts of the Western media who occur, also, quite recently, in the Ivory that the victims were (Arab) Semites make a In fact, all the left-wing NGOs that were black out Israeli victims of suicide Coast? Didn’t the equally dictatorial ruler, difference? so supportive of the Egyptian revolution bombers.” Laurent Gbagbo, murder 273 opposition vot- Are Western morals and ethical standards are deathly silent on the carnage in Libya Why doesn’t the left establishment in this ers and refused United Nations personnel becoming rather too convoluted? Where is at the time of writing, including that great country show for once that they are not permission to inspect the victims’ mass Thabo Mbeki (or, for that matter, Archbishop South African human rights icon, Zackie hypocrites! grave? Emeritus Desmond Tutu) to show them a Achmat. Is this the consequence of a subterranean better road to follow? Gaddafi has operated a totalitarian Gary Selikow racism? Is the (possibly previously-disadvan- regime in Libya that has kept the entire Johannesburg taged) African, “President” Gbagbo, privi- Julian Schragenheim leged, while the, distinctly more Semitic, Cape Town MORE THAN JUST A SINGLE JEW DIED IN THE NZ QUAKE STUMBLING BLOCKS IN PATH OF CONVERSION I REFER to your headline on the front out that it is an unfeeling and even tactless page of last week’s Jewish Report: “New headline just to quote the one death that WITH REFERENCE to Mr Jared Joel’s letter because of the application fees. I suppose I Zealand quake kills Israeli” applies to our interests. “SA Jews can strengthen position through could wait until I have saved enough money, On behalf of the many hundreds of New alliances, conversions” I want to ask him: Do but if there are people who are willing to Zealanders who were killed in the recent Colin Plen you know of any groups in South Africa who help make this happen sooner, I would be earthquake in Christchurch, I must point Cape Town are willing to financially sponsor potential immensely grateful. candidates to Orthodox conversions? I am one such person who wants to apply Dee Kisala DAVIS’ ISRAEL CRITICISM UNFAIR AND SIMPLISTIC to convert but am currently unable to Cape Town AFTER READING the opinion piece by only be surprised to learn that the Mr Justice Dennis Davis (Jewish Report European Union, and not Israel, is Egypt’s HORRIFIED TO WATCH A FATHER WITH A DEATH WISH February 18), one is left with the impres- biggest trading partner. Egyptian invest- sion that Israel generally supports dicta- ments in India are reported to be in the I WAS absolutely horrified driving down Long love his daughter? Does he have a death wish torial regimes and lacks any serious moti- region of some $750 million and trade Avenue the morning of February 17. for her? As far as I’m concerned he should vation to negotiate a peaceful settlement agreements with China are estimated to There was a father driving his daughter into have attempted murder charges brought with the Arab Palestinians. be worth around $400 million. Yeshiva College. This little girl couldn’t have against him. He certainly does not deserve to What is most unfortunate, is that Davis’ South Africa and other member coun- been more than five years old. She was not in be a father if this is how he treats his children! almost palpable animosity towards Israel tries of the African Union, most of which a school uniform so she was obviously in the Next time I will take down his registration is couched in accusations which are large- are themselves dictatorships, have trade nursery school. She was standing on the front number and name and shame him! ly unsubstantiated. and diplomatic relations with Egypt. passenger seat with her head protruding from In referring to the recent overthrow of Yet Davis chastises only Israel for sup- the sun roof of his BMW. Debbie Miller the Mubarak dictatorship in Egypt, Davis posedly “siding” with Egypt; this despite What is wrong with the man? Does he not Sandringham, Johannesburg states that Israel viewed him as “that nice the fact that her political and economic Mubarak” and that she therefore “sided” influence with the Mubarak regime was UNDERDEVELOPED NATIONS MAYBE MUST GO THE CHINESE ROUTE with him. relatively insignificant. MR JUSTICE Dennis Davis in “ME democracy of transfer to democracy. One should recall The facts, however, tell a different story. Davis argues, that “only democracy can only guarantee for sustainable peace” (SAJR that for approximately 40 years Turkey was the Most political analysts would describe the sustain a long-term prospect of stability, February 18) has great respect for democracy, forefront of Western defence against the USSR diplomatic relations that existed between certainty and peace in the region”. This probably because he feels it is just. It is general- and the USA boosted the Turkish economy to a Israel and Egypt as cold, fragile and at being the case, it is rather astounding that ly associated with a high average standard of level where it can sustain democracy. times even hostile. There can be no doubt, Davis again accuses Israel, the only living, a relatively high average level of educa- For the record, Turkey has a per capita GDP that Israel would have preferred dealing democracy in the region, of dragging her tion, an independent judiciary, a free press, free- of US $10 200 while Egypt’s is US $2 900. The per with a democratic Egypt, rather than hav- heels in seeking peace. dom to practise the religion of one’s choice, etc. capita GDP of RSA is US $7 200, but as everyone ing to maintain relations with a dictatori- The Hamas regime which ruthlessly With regard to education, how can an unedu- knows the distribution is severely skewed. For al regime. rules some one and a half million Arab cated person make a rational choice of which comparison the relevant figure for Israel is US Under Mubarak, Egypt frequently Palestinians in Gaza, is absolved of any candidate or party is best for the country? $29 000, Greece is US $2 600, Switzerland is US recalled her ambassador to Cairo. In his criticism. The Hamas government which He/she is likely to vote for the candidate with $63 000, Iran is US $6 000 and Zimbabwe is US rule spanning almost three decades, does not recognise Israel, and whose the best publicist. We only have to look to the $157. (Values from The Economist.) Mubarak only once visited Israel to attend covenant explicitly advocates replacing north to see how many citizens voted for Zanu It would appear that the developed world the funeral of Yitzhak Rabin. That was Israel with an Islamic theocracy, is appar- PF in spite of their unworkable populist eco- should do a Turkey on the Arab states in order almost 16 years ago. Furthermore the gov- ently not viewed by him as a threat to nomic policies. to boost their economies. Can one imagine ernment-controlled Egyptian press, con- democracy in the region. To summarise, a stable democracy depends bankers in London or New York sacrificing sistently promoted anti-Semitic and anti- Davis’ argument that the Israeli leader- on a moderate average standard of living, rea- their bonuses to boost Egyptian, Algerian, Israel rhetoric. Nice? ship is solely responsible for the failed sonable education levels, etc being in place, but Tunisian or Yemeni economies? I have not men- In line with most detractors of Israel, negotiations with the Arab Palestinians, it is democracy in general that delivers wealth, tioned Johannesburg bankers - their bonuses Davis singles out Israel for criticism and is not only unfair but also overly simplis- education, etc. This is the catch 22. Possibly the are needed to subsidise our own economy. judges her with reference to the most tic. underdeveloped nations should go the Chinese stringent moral parameters devoid of any route. John Brenner context or pragmatic perspective. Felicia Levy Davis quotes Turkey as a successful example Cyrildene, Johannesburg After reading Davis’ article, one can Glenhazel, Johannesburg 04 - 11 March 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 13 LETTERS COMMUNITY COLUMNS DAVIS DOESN’T PRACTISE WHAT HE PREACHES ONCE AGAIN our South African clearly the criteria for peace that the Freedom Charter; no democrat- Jewish stormy petrel, Mr Justice that would involve. Or does he sim- ic tradition which could support the Dennis Davis, seems to be sublime- ply choose to ignore it? belief that peaceful co-existence ly happy in the company of those in WikiLeaks? Have Mahmoud was possible. ABOVE BOARD the US (like J Street) who agree Abbas, Hamas and Hezbollah (with- Will real and sustainable democ- Zev Krengel, with his views on how to achieve out whom there can be no sustain- racy now suddenly emerge from the National Chairman peace in the intractable Israel/ able peace) really “abandoned their current turmoil in the Middle East? Palestinian conflict. right to return and abandoned East Is the Muslim Brotherhood (which A column of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies I refer to his column: “ME democ- Jerusalem as their capital”? spawned Hamas) an insignificant racy only guarantee for sustainable Is this the quality of “evidence” and spent force (like Davis would peace”, SAJR February 18. on which Davis bases his conclu- have us believe)? Only time will tell. However, it is strange that for sion that, actually, it is Israel (not Meanwhile, thank G-d the securi- Sudan - another someone who complains endlessly the Palestinians) that is “dragging ty and welfare of the Jewish State is about the lack of tolerance in oth- its heels in seeking peace”? Or is his in the hands of a strong and ers, he contemptuously derides political judgement merely being resilient leadership elected by those with whom he disagrees – influenced by wishful thinking? Israelis who have seen it all. African miracle Prof Alan Dershowitz/Bibi Netan- To date, the “moderate” Abbas They have already walked the IN JANUARY this year, a new African nation was born when the peo- yahu/Avigdor Lieberman, as even refuses to acknowledge Israel walk and talked the talk; been ple of Southern Sudan overwhelmingly voted to separate from the though they are not entitled to their as a “Jewish” state, a fundamental there, done that; as the only reliable northern part of the country. points of view. But then, he would sine qua non in the peace process. ally of Western civilisation and the Sudan has long been split along north-south lines. The south is do so, wouldn’t he? Interestingly, I have often argued custodian of the Judeo-Christian largely black African and Christian or Animist while the north is In fact, one wonders if he ever in the media - quoting Davis, nogal - religion in the Middle East. mainly Arab and Muslim. read Netanyahu’s outstanding that a problem which bedevils the This religio-ethnic division was for decades a source of deadly con- speech at the UN, accepting a peace process is the fact that there David Abel flict and resulted in horrific massacres, ethnic cleansing and mass Palestinian state but spelling out is no equivalent in the Arab world of George enslavement taking place, mainly against the southern population. These are early days, and there is certainly no guarantee that the PLEA FOR SAJR TO SERIALISE DERSHOWITZ BOOK conflict will not erupt once more. Now, however, there is at last a glim- I AM appalled at the ignorance of Israel”. It would be a mitzvah if the “converted”. mer of hope. In agreeing to a peaceful “divorce”, the Sudanese people those Jews who support every- you could serialise this book in the Only your paper can reach those have taken a crucial first step forward towards achieving peaceful co- thing that goes against the exis- Jewish Report. I make this request unconverted people who need clar- existence. tence and safety of Israel. For because you state that your paper ification and education. They will need support from the international community and par- example: “Zapiro”, sometimes is being read by 50 000 people. ticularly from Africa, in ensuring that the transition takes place Dennis Davis, etc. (This gives me “naches”.) Esme Shay-Cohen smoothly, but from what we have seen over the last few years, we can Professor Alan Dershowitz has Prof Dershowitz when coming to Sandringham Gardens feel reasonably confident that such support will be forthcoming. written a book titled “The Case for South Africa, would be speaking to Johannesburg The borders of most African states were decided during colonial times, which meant that more often than not a heterogeneous mix of WHERE HAVE OUR ‘GREAT LEADERS’ BEEN LIVING ALL THIS TIME? religions, ethnicities, linguistic groupings and cultures exists within them. The South African example shows that this need not inevitably I SIT mesmerised by the headlines believes can influence this supply; ple of Iran recently cried out for result in irresolvable conflicts, but in other cases - Sudan being one of on TV and in the newspapers, a nation that almost sold its soul for help in their bid to get rid of their them - it is obvious that appropriately negotiated partition arrange- where the Western “leaders” “peace in our time”. crazed president, was out to lunch. ments must be made. threaten the Mubaraks, Gaddafis As for the US, the supposed Is this the change Americans Getting to the stage where a referendum deciding South Sudan’s and other despots of the oil world to leader of the free world today: A expected when they awarded him future could even be agreed upon, was where the real challenge lay. stand down and to cease their nation who rescued the world twice the mantle of leadership of the free Years of delicate negotiations preceded this, with the Organisation of abuse of human rights and perpe- from two world wars, whose sacri- world? African Unity playing a crucial role in helping to broker the agree- tration of war crimes against their fices in defence of honesty, truth All these great leaders assemble ment. respective populations. and justice, finds the graves of on that wonderful playing field South Africans can be very proud of the fact that among those indi- The pompous Poms, whose influ- American soldiers across the globe. called the United Nations, where viduals centrally involved in the negotiations process, was former ence once covered most of the It is a country that calls itself the they sell their valuable votes to the President Thabo Mbeki. world, who taught the world the home of the brave and the land of highest bidders, irrespective of This has been a true African success story, one in which African meaning of back-stabbing and how the free. Such a nation’s leader morality and integrity. This “Uni- countries themselves have co-operated in addressing one of the conti- to wear two faces, has fought a war today doesn’t recognise fundamen- ted Den of Iniquity” recently elect- nent’s most persistent and bloody conflicts. against most countries that are talist terrorism as the greatest ed the (Libyan) lunatic Muammar It was also a triumph for the principle of self-determination. Four more than 50 years old. threat facing the world since Adolf Gaddafi president of the human million South Sudanese were given the opportunity to determine their They are a Churchillian nation Hitler. rights body of their illustrious own collective future, and close to 99 per cent chose independence. whose people were once at the fore- So confused is he that he has for- organisation. The indications are that the current Sudanese government will front of defending the free world, bidden the use of words that accu- I’m mesmerised and numbed by respect this decision and do its part in ensuring a peaceful transition but now they are quickly joining rately describe this threat. So the call of these “great leaders” to process. the ranks of yet another disap- deceitful and blind is he, that he the despots who have been per- I believe that much too little has been made of these amazing events, peared empire; an abdicated world abdicates the space race to the forming their awful deeds for the not just within our own community but in our media in general. leader who tries to make noises Russians and enters a disarma- past 30 or 40 years, to cease their We should be heartened by so encouraging a demonstration of what from the sidelines, after it has ment pact with them, an over-ambi- cruelty. Where have our great lead- African countries can accomplish when they work together towards a determined which way the ball will tious megalomaniac who doesn’t ers been living all this time? Why common goal. It is to be hoped that this process can now be extended bounce. hesitate at killing great numbers of now? Perchance the “price” of oil? to similarly address other fraught conflict situations on this continent, It is a nation whose sole agenda is his own people, while they’re being such as in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. determined by their access to oil held hostage by terrorists. Russell Gaddin and the appeasement of those it This same leader, when the peo- Johannesburg This column is paid for by the SAJBD 14 SA JEWISH REPORT 04 - 11 MARCH 2011

Traces of Judaism in India India as a tourist destination returned from colonialist traditions and into contemporary aware-

Image courtesy nagarjunv.blogspot.com nagarjunv.blogspot.com courtesy Image ness with the infi ltration of Bollywood into popular culture, surmounted by Danny Boyle’s

The clock tower of the Jew Town award-winning rags-to-riches fi lm Slumdog Millionaire (2008). In truth, the picture is less Synagogue in Kochi, built in 1760. romantic, but more complex; Jews form a very real part of the colourful social strata of India.

ROBYN SASSEN Konkan region of .” He explains Hindu peers submitted to Christianity, many that the community is believed to be one of benefi ts, including jobs, were offered. But they Two international outreach bodies nurture the ten lost tribes of Israel. “Literally meaning had friends in the Church: “Several Christian Jewish life in India—Chabad and ORT—but ‘Children of Israel’, Benei Israel kept its Jew- missionaries in Bombay provided the Benei its history is richh wwith mystery, belief ish cultural heritage, traditions, and faith in Israel with secular and religious education, aand speculation. the original traditional form followed prior to story books and prayer books in Marathi, the the construction of the First Temple in around language they spoke. The missionaries were . BBenei Israel 832 BCE.” careful not to include the Christian values.” AAccording to Indian- For centuries, the community was isolated While fl eeing persecution from the Galilee

Image courtesy of www.asiasociety.org bornb Robin Jhirad, a from mainstream Jewish culture and access to in about 200 BCE, the Benei Israel arrived at Photo: File Photo: mechanicalm engineer the written Torah. “When they were rediscov- Navgaon, in the Konkan region, near the twin Jewish Indians singing residentr in Israel ered and exposed to mainstream Judaism, they rocks of Andheri Undheri when they were hymns at the Judah Hyam anda a graduate of were still observing several important aspects struck by a storm in the Arabian Sea. “All but Synagogue, New Delhi, 2003. ORTO India, “The Be- of traditional Jewishness. seven couples were killed; the Bene Israel de- nei Israel of India is “Indian society at large was always ex- scend from those 14 individuals, who settled in a small community tremely tolerant of other faiths, thus it was the village to work in agriculture and oil pro- of Jews that lived quite easy for the Benei Israelis to practise duction, which became their main profession. forf many centuries their unique rituals and traditions,” he con- They were nicknamed shanivar teli (‘Saturday on the west coast tinues. This small community withstood chal- oil-pressers’) by the local population because of India, south of lenges including efforts to convert it piecemeal they abstained from work on Shabbat. The façade of the synagogue in Pen, ,M in the to Christianity. Jhirad explains: When their “Though they adopted surface traditions of India. 04 - 11 MARCH 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 15

Ten tips for when you go to India: Ace pilot Scully Levin • You need a visa to visit India. The Indian High Commission is in Pretoria: (012) 342-5392. A tourist visa for a South African passport still fl ying high holder is free. ALISON GOLDBERG African National Aerobatic Cham-

• Four to eight weeks before depar- www.skyscrapercity.com courtesy Photograph pionship title three times fl ying a ture to India, you should be vac- AFTER 38 years with South Afri- Pitts Special SIS. Another highlight cinated against Hepatitis A, Ty- can Airways, Scully Levin hung was his winning two races in the phoid, Tetanus and Malaria, but it up his cap last year. There was world-renowned air races at Reno, is important that you consult your Kenneseth Eliyahu Synagogue, Mumbai, built in 1884. not much he could do about it. Re- Nevada in 1995. Travel Clinic for further advice. tirement is mandatory at age 63. The credits roll. Levin reckons • The monsoon season affects the During his last seven years of his greatest contribution to aviation whole of India between July and service he had served alternately has been the enthusiasm for fl y- September and the best time to visit as SAA’s head of fl ight standards, ing that he’s engendered in pilots. is during the winter season, from and then as its chief training cap- That infectious energy was passed October to February. tain. But the airline has not let him down from his father who fl ew for • Drink only branded bottled wa- go just like that. With his special the RAF during the Second World ter, avoid tap water and road-side formation and aerobatic skills he is War, dropping supplies to Brigadier foods, including fruit and fruit still likely to be called upon to assist in putting Orde Wingate’s troops in Burma. Now both his juice. Always ensure that hot food fl ying formations together for special occasions. son Ellis and daughter Sally fl y for SAA. His sec- you might eat is piping hot and not It was Levin who planned and then fl ew in the ond daughter, Hayley, is a successful publisher luke warm. fl y-pasts for both the inauguration and the re- and manages various aviation events. Even three inauguration of former President Thabo Mbeki. of his grandchildren want to become pilots! • At the time of going to press, one

Photograph courtesy www.skyscrapercity.com He did the same again for the fl y-past at the World Levin is afraid that if he writes a book of his South African rand will buy you The Aron Kodesh of Shaar Hashamayim Cup Cricket fi nal and for the fl y-past when SAA life experiences, no-one would believe him. Some 6.4 Indian Rupees. Synagogue in Thane, India. joined the Star Alliance in 2006. of the stunts he has performed are so outrageous • Travellers cheques are not ac- The last fl y-past he led before his retirement, that they defy belief. He describes himself as the cepted at all banks and dol- was over the Union Buildings in Pretoria when kind of person who makes things happen and lars and pounds are more President Jacob Zuma had his turn. gets on with the job. Whatever happens thereaf- regularly accepted than other As Levin embarked on a book he had been ter, so be it. currencies. meaning to write on cockpit resource manage- On SAA’s new CEO Siza Mzimela, he says • Traffi c in India is on the left ment, he was called upon to advise on the two Air- that she is showing signs of growing SAA again: hand side. link accidents that had occurred towards the end The airline has a lot of catching up to do. It has • Electricity in India is 240 volts, of 2009, one in Durban, and the other in George. stagnated while almost every other industry has alternating at 50 cycles per He concluded that the small domestic airline was grown, he adds. second. The round pin type of basically sound and that it had just had a run of He was never tempted to take up an adminis- plugs used in South Africa, are very bad luck. trative post at SAA because that would have en- also used in India. Among other duties, he is serving on the board tailed him giving up fl ying.

Photograph courtesy www.skyscrapercity.com courtesy Photograph of the SA Civil Aviation Authority’s General Has he ever felt fear? “No, not fear, but certain- • Modest dress is mandatory in Aviation Safety Initiative, which aims to curb the ly concern. The hallmark of a well-trained pilot Indian culture, particularly for number of accidents involving small airplanes. is to be able to identify threatening situations and women. The book is on the back burner as Levin has manage these before they develop into undesir- The exterior of the Ohelfi nancesDavid Synagogueof Indian • South Africa is 3,5 hours behind in , built with the returned to fl ying, this time for domestic carrier able aircraft states. India. philanthropist in 1863, Mango, where he does a half a block of work, “One has to weigh up options to decide on popularly known as the ‘Lal Deval’. meaning fl ying 50 per cent of what a Mango pilot the best course of action to take when an emer- fl ies. And he’s still wowing crowds, with his stunt gency or unusual situation presents itself. No pi- India,I di llikeik ddress, ttheh BBeneii IIsraell nev- I studiedt d the community fl ying - solo and in formation. lot should ever look for trouble. It will fi nd you er forgot the Shema, Shabbat or Brit and learned about its ancient beliefs,” Thumbing through his three scrap books Levin quickly enough! Milah, as well as the celebration of major Freund quotes him, “I could not help but pointed to one of his more audacious stunts, “Risk can manifest when operating from short festivals and the laws of kashrut. They conclude that they are in fact descended where he water-skied across a dam in Gauteng runways, overloading of the aircraft, operating were totally unaware of contemporary from the tribe of Menashe. They have an- in a four-plane fl ight formation. The world’s air in bad weather, or fl ying poorly maintained air- Jewish literature, prayer books or reli- cient songs and chants with words from press picked it up and ran with the story. He has craft. The same principles apply to all aircraft, gious guidance for more than a thousand the Bible.” done stunts for 56 movies or commercials and from small, privately owned ones to huge 400 years and remained dependent on what Rabbi Avichail was intrigued to learn these have had him fl ying through hangars, un- seaters.” their parents passed on to them from gen- of Bnei Menashe’s customs, like laws of der bridges and even landing on a moving bus. He said that in 47 years of fl ying he had had eration to generation. family purity, the use of a lunar calendar, The latter, he recalled, was one of the funnier engine failure on fi ve occasions. “I have been for- “Today in India there are less than and mourning rites - many of which bear incidents in his life. In the midst of setting up for tunate to have had nothing but the fi nest initial 5000 Benei Israels, most of them in Thane, a striking resemblance to those in the this piece of action on the road between Rusten- and ongoing training throughout my career, and a suburb of Mumbai. At their peak in 1951, Bible. “There is simply too much similar- burg and Brits, the American actors found out that’s what saves your life. the Benei Israel numbered 20000. Since ity between their customs and ours for it what was about to take place and jumped out “Look at the case of the American airline cap- then, most have made aliya; few have im- to be coincidental,” he said. The streets of of the bus, fl atly refusing to be part of this “lu- tain who had two engines fail shortly after take- migrated elsewhere. Aizawl reveal a great deal of identifi cation nacy”. off from NYC when he fl ew into a fl ock of birds. “According to Benei Israel tradition and support for Israel among the general The fi lm’s production manager promptly He acted instinctively to guide the aircraft away a Jewish merchant from Egypt, David populace. The main market thoroughfare fl agged down a few passing taxis and offered from built-up areas and then ditched the craft Rahabi between 1000 and 1400, arrived in is called Zion Street; many shops have their occupants, mainly mine-workers, a sum of into the Hudson River. west India. He was surprised to fi nd the names like “Jewish Store” and “Israel R100 each to get into army uniforms and sit tight “There was no panic, no commotion, just a life- Benei Israel which followed some Jewish Warehouse,” in spite of none of them be- in the bus while the stunt was performed. This time of superb training that came to the fore and traditions and he decided to teach them ing owned by Jews. they were delighted to do… saved the day for all of the aircraft’s occupants. all the Jewish traditions. Contemporary Jewry in India com- Levin’s love of aerobatics began in the Air The more you fl y, the more you rely on training He chose three Benei Israel men prises two per cent of society; it is, never- Force. As early as the seventies he won the South and experience, rather than luck.” and groomed them as the religious and theless a thriving Zionist-inclined Jewry. spiritual leaders of the community, Comprising 17 branches of Chabad coun- showing them how to read the Talmud, trywide, the community has kosher bak- and guiding them in the performance of eries, restaurants and mikvaot. Kashrut AROUND THE WORLD marriages, funerals and the settling of supervision of restaurants is the respon- disputes. sibility of individual rabbis rather than NEWS IN BRIEF an umbrella Beth Din; Chabad centres Bnei Menashe like that in Dharamsala has a kosher res- DIOR DESIGNER FIRED OVER ALLEGED ANTISEMITIC SLURS Another Jewish Indian community also taurant under its auspices. considered one of the lost 10 tribes is Bnei While there is no demand for kosher PARIS - British fashion designer John Gal- the couple: “People like you would be dead. Menashe, some 4500 Jews, written about schechting of meat in broader India, ko- liano was fi red by the Christian Dior fashion Your mothers, your forefathers, would all be by Michael Freund in 2003. “The Bnei Me- sher meat may be obtained through Cha- house after allegedly harassing a couple us- f**king gassed.” nashe live in towns and villages scattered bad. ing anti-Semitic and racist slurs. The earlier altercation, which resulted in throughout the Indian states of Mizoram It is, however, recommended that Galliano’s fi ring as chief designer for Chris- Galliano’s suspension, took place on Febru- and Manipur, with a handful in Assam and when out of reach of a Chabad centre, tian Dior was announced on Tuesday, just ary 24 in the same cafe between Galliano, who . Members of the Mizo and Kuki kashrut it adhered to with the sup- days after he was suspended from the house. reportedly had been drinking, and a different people, they have passed down through port of vegetarian restaurants. While Galliano’s harassment of the couple in a couple - a Jewish woman and an Asian man - the tradition that they are descendants of the problems of identifying worms in Paris bar, which he has denied, was reported whom he did not know. the lost tribe of Manasseh, exiled from Is- leafy vegetables is acknowledged, it is last week. On Monday, a video of Galliano Galliano reportedly said: “Dirty Jewish rael by the Assyrians in 723 BCE. understood as part of the rigours of ko- saying he loves Hitler also came to light. face, you should be dead,” to Geraldine Bloch, “Almost 35 years ago, a group of sher attention to detail in the washing Actress Natalie Portman, who is the face of 35, according to the French daily le Figaro, Bnei Menashe decided to return to Ju- and preparing of fresh fruit and veg- Dior perfume and is Jewish, said on Monday which had access to police reports with eye- daism. They began building synagogues etables. Cooking from home is the next that she would not be associated with Gal- witness accounts of the event. and mikvaot, and undertook to live in best kosher alternative, and according liano. Le Figaro reported that Galliano then accordance with Jewish law. Shortly to the Chabad website, one can go to “I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the grabbed Bloch by the hair and shouted at thereafter, an Indian Jew living in Is- the market places with one’s own fi sh video of John Galliano’s comments that sur- her companion, Philippe Virgiti, 41: “F**king rael passed along a letter from the Bnei knife and board to ensure that the fi sh faced today,” Portman said in a statement. “In Asian bastard, I will kill you!” Menashe to Rabbi Eliyahu Avichail of one buys is not contaminated by treif light of this video, and as an individual who The sought-after designer was taken into Jerusalem, who seeks out and assists products. is proud to be Jewish, I will not be associated custody, questioned by police and tested for ‘lost Jews’.” A visit to India promises exoticism with Mr Galliano in any way.” blood-alcohol levels before being quickly re- As founder and director of an organi- and unexpected delights. It is a country The video, posted on the website of Britain’s leased. sation called Amishav (literally “my peo- rich in ancient history and its Jewish The Sun newspaper and on YouTube, shows Galliano denies making any racist state- ple return”), Rabbi Avichail is convinced community while small, is generous and Galliano yelling at a couple at the bar and cap- ments and fi led an offi cial complaint for libel of the authenticity of their traditions. “As hospitable. tures him saying: “I love Hitler.” He also tells one day later, on February 25. (JTA) 16 SA JEWISH REPORT 04 - 11 March 2011

WHAT’S ON Barry Bilewitz [email protected]

NOTE: Deadline for all entries is 12:00 on the Friday • RCHCC is screening “Dunera Boys” at 18:30. “From Bellville to Sea Point”. Wednesday (March 16) prior to publication. Donation: R60. • RCHCC presents Ronnie Apteker on “The World is • Torah Academy is hosting a business breakfast with Today Friday (March 4) Monday (March 7) Made of Stories, not Atoms” at 19:30. Dr Ali Bacher at the HOD Hall at 07:30 for 08:00. Friday (March 11) RSVP Adrienne on 082-600-8059 or e-mail her on • UZLC presents Reeva Forman on “Israel & • UJW Johannesburg presents Yael Horowitz on “The [email protected] Democracy in the Middle East”. Hillbrow Health Precinct: an Urban Regeneration Unit”. • UZLC presents Marlene Bethlehem on “The Privilege • SFCC presents Prof Celine Bernstein on “Hormone Saturday evening (March 5) Tuesday (March 8) of Working with Mandela”. Replacement - is it Necessary?” • Bikkur Cholim is hosting a special showing of “London • WIZO Fortnightly Forum presents Clem Sunter on Sunday (March 13) Friday (March 18) Road” at Liberty Theatre on the Square at 20:30. Cost “The World & SA – What Happens Now?” at Beyachad, • Big Band Music Appreciation Society is meeting in R150. Call Joy on (011) 447-6689 to book. 09:30. Bookings (011) 645-2515. • UZLC presents Anna Cox on “Is there a billing crisis in the Jeffrey Auditorium, St John’s College, St John’s Johannesburg?” Sunday (March 6) • Second Innings Men’s Group presents Zara Jackson Road, Lower Houghton at 14:15. Contact Barney Segal on “Stories from Canada” at Our Parents Home at on 073-438-8799. Sunday (March 20) • Second Innings presents Andre Hattingh on “Change 14:15 for 14:30. Your World”. Monday (March 14) • RCHCC presents “From Silence to Celebration” - an Wednesday (March 9) evening of stories, song and video with Zola; plus the • Cansa is holding a “Shavathon” at the Norwood Mall • UJW Johannesburg presents Meshack Mabogoane on launch of “No Goodbyes” by her late sister, Naava from 10:00 until 14:00. • UJW Cape Town presents Ben Rabinowitz on “SA and Israel: Call for Greater Collaboration”. Piatka. Donation R70. Sudoku Puzzle 27 CROSSWORD NO 200 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.53) BY LEAH SIMON ACROSS: SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD NO 199 724 1. Tale about being tardy (4) 3. Hypocritical – like Janus? (3, 5) ACROSS: 8. Pace about South African region (4) 1. Tack; 3. Gambling; 8. Maul; 9. Slanting; 11. 64 85 9. Tablet somehow read, with columns (8) Bridesgrooms; 13. Marred; 14. Alfred; 17. Read the 11. 1 or 2 o’clock, say (3, 2, 3, 4) banns; 20. Levantic; 21. Ogle; 22. Parasols; 23. Odes. 13. A tenor upset, being highly embellished (6) DOWN: 69 8 14. Bird in goblin network (6) 1. Time bomb; 2. Courier; 4. Allege; 5. Bingo clubs; 6. 17. Actress who starred in “The Devil Wears Prada” Idiom; 7. Gogo; 10. Beheadings; 12. Odysseys; 15. (4, 8) Reneged; 16. Shrill; 18. Elver; 19. Slip. 2 165 20. Conflict at a distance in anticoagulant drug (8) 21. Mow around east, says the cat (4) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 22. What goes up must come down – but this explains why (5, 3) 1623. Extremely so in over yonder (4)

DOWN: 8 9 483 21. Perform antic around loo in the place (8) 10 2. Make toy turn around property 467 of ball being thrown (3, 4) 11 4. Wilbur and Orville ———, avia- tion pioneers (6) 12 85 7 6 5. Drawn oneself up to this to intimidate – at length (4, 6) 13 14 15 6. One hundred disturb four on 194 island (5) 7. SA political party to act on slot 16 carved into wooden tool (4) 627483591612875439 * Answer to follow 10. Not on the stain – not accurate, 17 18 with next puzzle 493651827935124867 either (3, 3, 4) 815972436478396152 12. Support gone for strike (4, 4) 19 15. At this time, in this place? No, 978314265389467521 not in any place! (7) 20 21 341526978257981643 16. Los Angeles upset, into Spanish 562897314164253978 American (6) Note to readers: Our bridge 154269783843512796 18. Bellini opera (5) column and our Sudoku 19. South-western sailor gets piece Answer - Puzzle 26 Answer 286735149596738214 22 23 puzzle alternate week by week. of surgical cotton-wool (4) 739148652721649385 04 - 11 March 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 17

YOUTH TALK Alison Goldberg [email protected] GIVE YOUR FAMILY THE SAFE FUTURE Interaction in Israel leaves SAUJS invigorated THEY DESERVE !! CARMEL SCHOOL DINA HENDLER Joining with young Australian Jewish tinuation of communal life generated NATIONAL VICE CHAIRMAN, SAUJS leaders, the second leg of the tour com- much debate. PERTH, WESTERN prised an action packed week. A height- Participants learned about the refugee cri- AUSTRALIA SIX YOUNG SA Union of Jewish Students ened understanding of the current political sis in Israel, which accepts fleeing victims of (SAUJS) leaders from Johannesburg and situation was afforded by an informative war-torn African countries. A walk through Thinking of migrating to Australia? Consider the Cape Town assembled in Israel for the tour of the Green Line, a lookout over the Tel-Aviv streets lined with scores of unem- idyllic lifestyle of PERTH, Western Australia annual Leadership Development Program- Gaza Strip and a visit to the nearby city of ployed refugees, highlighted their plight. • Outstanding Jewish Day School me recently. Sderot, the target of relentless Qassam The remarkable and admirable spirit of • Top Co-educational School in WA This spectacular two and a half week rocket strikes in recent years. volunteerism which pervades Israel, was • Thriving Jewish Community whirlwind adventure, offers student lead- Throughout the tour, emphasis was extensively experienced. From Joint • Booming Economy ers an opportunity to engage with the dis- placed on fairness and balance, with the Distribution Committee centres that reha- Representatives of Carmel School and the Perth Jewish tinctly complex political, social and reli- Hebron component including talks from bilitate troubled teens in low-income areas, Community will be available in Johannesburg 28 March – gious terrain that comprises the modern both the staunchly right-wing Noam to youth volunteers who selflessly dedicate 1 April for confidential, private meetings Israeli state. Arnon as well as a discussion with the a year to providing entertainment and sup- Please email Leith Flinkier to register your interest or Commencing with the World Union of oppositionist soldiers of Breaking the port for bored and undirected neighbour- for further information: Jewish Students Congress (WUJS), partici- Silence. hood kids, Israel is a shining example of [email protected] Tel:0061 8 9375 4306 pants spent three exhilarating days net- This was further supplemented by a commitment to charity and support of the Website:www.carmel.wa.edu.au working, socialising and interrogating per- series of interactive workshops, which disadvantaged. Teachers of Hebrew and Jewish Studies are also invited tinent challenges facing Israel and world equipped participants with the skills to In all, a superb tour ensured that an to make an appointment to discuss employment Jewry, with the diverse array of speakers combat prevailing myths and misrepresen- inspired group returned armed with opportunities that may exist at Carmel School ranging from Tzipi Livni to Saeb Erekat, tations concerning Israel. knowledge, passion and excitement to con- the recently resigned chief Palestinian Other workshops, dedicated to fostering tribute to take an active role to the develop- negotiator. Jewish identity and education and the con- ment of Jewish life and community. Bnei Akiva hits the new year running AVIVA DAVIDS PHOTOGRAPH BY NEAL DASKAL

BNEI AKIVA South Africa held its annual kinnus on Sunday, February 6. Kinnus is our annual general meeting, where relevant top- ics such as Israel programmes, Johan- nesburg, Cape Town, chessed initiatives, as well as plans for machaneh were discussed and important decisions made regarding the movement’s plans for the year. Kinnus was held at Linksfield Shul and Bnei Akiva would like to thank the Linksfield community for allowing us to make use of their hall. The day included shacharit, break- fast, thought-provoking shiurim by Rav Ramon Widmonte (the rav of our movement) and Rav Nathan Alexander (our national shaliach), as well as important addresses by the outgoing chairman, Adam Merkel, and Bnei Akiva leaders gathered in Johannesburg. past rosh machaneh, Adam Muznitsky. Resolutions that came up from the various (national leadership), the people who will be chinuch (education) - Avi Levy; national discussion groups were voted on by the Bnei running Bnei Akiva SA this year, are: treasurer - Abigail Levitan; head of - Akiva chaverim present. Over 60 chaverim National chairman - Dean Sher; vice- David Schneider; ex officio - Adam Merkel; from Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg national chairman (Johannesburg) - Neal national shaliach - Rav Natan Alexander; attended this very successful kinnus. Daskal; vice-national chairman (Cape Town) rav tnuah - Rav Ramon Widmonte; and four Kinnus is also a time to hear from our - Kim Feldman; rosh machaneh - Brent committee members - Adam Musnitzky, chanichim how they feel the movement is Davidoff; Johannesburg chairman - Josh Netanel Azizollahof, Joshua Gavronsky and running. Several chanichim from shevet Hovsha; Cape Town chairman - Josh Sevitz; Tina Falkson. hagvurah (grade 11) presented their views to head of dvir (grade 12) Israel programmes - Yishar koach to you all! We are looking the kinnus in an exciting way. Keren Pokroy; head of lehava (grade 10) forward to an extremely productive and suc- After voting in the new national hanhalla Israel programmes - Shani Fisher; head of cessful year. Getting the message of recycling across JONATHAN BERKOWITZ The assembly contained educational and PHOTOGRAPH: GARY BLOCK fun video clips, interesting facts - an exam- ple that recycling is possible with a dress THE ENVIRONMENTAL assembly held on made from only newspaper - and there was a February 18 at King David High School speaker from Greenpeace. Linksfield, had recycling as its main theme. The main attraction of the assembly was a We saw the need for more recycling to take video that our environmental committee place at the school, so we tailor-made an made that showed the learners littering and assembly aimed to make the learners aware walking over rubbish. This evoked guilt and of the issue, inform them of their valuable was a standout part of the assembly. part in the battle for recycling and how Our assembly managed the difficult task exactly they can get involved in this impor- of being both informative and fun and was Diana McAlpine, Greenpeace spokesman. tant cause. really enjoyed by the learners. Of course we ‘can’ make a difference! JODY KAPLAN PHOTOGRAPH: ARNALDO MANDEL

KING DAVID Sandton Primary School learn- ers have been collecting non-perishable items for Yad Aharon. The school has collected over 600 cans and is very proud that it can help people in need.We believe that we “can” make a differ- ence.

Back: Jemma Shapiro; Rotem Barashi; Danielle Ogus; Gabriella Galon; Raquel Nathan; Tyler Parker; and Kayla Lowenstein. Front: Jaime Treger; Dean Bacher; Jemma Lowenstein; and Tyra Berman. 18 SA JEWISH REPORT 04 - 11 March 2011 LIFTS LIFTS

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Call Gershon Applicant must hold Rabbinic certification and basic 071-974-5573. paramedic training. Minimum 5 years’ experience in chaplaincy duties for the elderly. Managerial experience EX ISRAELI SERVICEMAN in programme development and execution a must. Offers lifts to airport and appoint- ments etc. Please send CV to: [email protected] or Don’t drink and drive. fax (011) 440-6601. Closing date: 11 March, 2011 ALL HOURS! Call Neil 072-050-9927 04 - 11 March 2011 SA JEWISH REPORT 19 GENERAL HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION CAPE TOWN - KOSHER Come to Yad’s carnival – for a good cause Silver SELF- CATERING Come celebrate Pesach in Cape YAD AHARON has been travelling through making this happen. repair & Town. 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom the Jewish Johannesburg with the Can The ones who are going to make this apartment. Sleeps 5 –8 people. Can Man encouraging children to donate day “funtastic”, Yad Aharon stresses, replating It has great security and parking non-perishable food items to those in need. “are the people that show up, donate and (011) 334-1102 and is round the corner from the The highlight of this year’s Can Can participate. Let’s make this a communi- beach and all shuls in Sea Collection is going to be the Colossal Can ty unity day that brings fun to the whole or 082-473-6040 Point. Minimum booking 7 days. Can Carnival that will be taking place at family.” Dates avail: 17 April – 1 May. Genesis Centre in Fairmount on Sunday Chana Rivka Lewin, a teacher at Please contact March 6, Yad Aharon says in a media Torah Academy Primary has written a 083-337-0263 for more release. book called the “The Can Can Kids, a information This is an event for both young and old Collectable Story”- which encourages and entry into the event is a donation of 2 children to help others by donating cans PROPERTY FOR SALE non-perishable items to this most worthy of food. TOWNHOUSES/APARTMENTS organisation that distributes food parcel to The booklet was dedicated in the families in need. merit of a complete and speedy recovery BEAUTIFUL The carnival will commence at 10:00 and to the children in our community who TOWNHOUSE there will be parachute rides, putt-putt, are ill. pony rides, trampoline, bungee jumping, a Schools have been interviewed on - LYNDHURST bumpy jumpy castle zone and more. Can badges, could win prizes. ChaiFM and been challenged by each other 3 bed, 2 bath, duplex in There will be a variety of stalls and deli- With all the cans and non-perishable to participate in helping collect as many quiet complex with cious food will be sold. Live bands will be items that are being collected prior to the cans as possible. HOUSE PLANS magnificent views of the playing throughout the day. Kids who par- day and on the day, Yad Aharon is going to • For further information about the event, DRAWN & river and trees. ticipated in the Can Can Collection at attempt to build a Tin Can Tower, and contact Yad Aharon on (011) 485-2076 or visit DESIGNED Excellent condition. schools and are seen wearing their Can everybody’s donation will go a long way in the website www.yadaharon.co.za Contact Samantha NEW HOUSES RENOVATIONS 083-229-4929 ADD-ON ROOMS or Gail 082-444-8503 ORT South Africa turns 75 in style BATHROOMS REF - Riverside KITCHENS STORY AND PHOTOGRAPH BY LISA MORALEE handful of generous people who have asked GARAGES FOR SALE - to buy tickets on behalf of residents at SUBMISSION TO COUNCIL IN 1936, ORT started as a fundraising arm Sandringham Gardens and Our Parents ISRAEL for Jewish community projects in South Home. The recipients have been overjoyed GEOFF LEVINTHAL Africa and Israel. Since then, ORT has to receive tickets and are looking forward to 5 room-apt, (4 bedrooms) 083-226-6354 become operational and has expanded its an exciting evening out. on the seafront with balcony, Ricci Lyons, vice chairman of ORT South great sea-views, prime activities to cover not only Gauteng but position. High 1st floor KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern and Western Africa, commented how people queue to see amazing potential Cape, it lives out its motto to “Educates peo- an opera such as Aïda where the words are ple for Life”. not understood, yet the voices, costumes Call David Illfeld ORT’s gala evening celebration at the and the entire production manages to take 972 9 8821764/5 or Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City in the audience on a special journey. 052-264-9895 Johannesburg on March 16, is a celebration “For this production, we have Yiddish, or e-mail: of the best of the Yiddish Song Festivals that opera with soul, and it is a language that is [email protected] have taken place in the Cape over the past 10 so expressive that one cannot help but years. laugh, cry and enjoy.” VACANCIES Those attending last year’s event gave it From the comments made by an apprecia- EMPLOYMENT WANTED glowing reports, such as: “And it just gets tive Cape Town audience, it would be a ORT SA’s vice chairman, Ricci Lyons and better and better every year!” shame to miss this one night-only event at MERBLE Martin Behr, ORT SA honorary life presi- So far, Computicket and ORT have sold the Lyric. Contact ORT on (011) 728 7154 for I am very hard working, reliable dent and World ORT secretary. more than 650 tickets. There have been a further information. & experienced in kashrut, look- ing for domestic work. Call 083-965-3527 EMPLOYMENT Wineberg inaugurated as EXCHANGE People seeking Green and Sea Point rabbi employment may STORY AND PHOTOGRAPH BY warm community he had found in Cape place a free MOIRA SCHNEIDER Town, with its sense of unity evidenced by advert of CAPE TOWN the fact that there was “one eruv, one Beth PROPERTY Din. This is not normal, you have to be very ACCOMMODATION TO LET/SHARE 20 words A MATCH made in heaven. This was the proud of your community.” analogy drawn at the inauguration of In a video message, Chief Rabbi Lord GLENHAZEL maximum. Rabbi Dovid Wineberg as senior rabbi of Jonathan Sacks commented that Rabbi Rebbetzen Sara Bayla and Rabbi Dovid Various n/f one, two and three Send wording bed flats and duplexes rental the Green and Sea Point Hebrew Wineberg came from a “great rabbinic fami- Wineberg with his parents, Rabbi Yitzchak from R4 500 per month close to to britt@ Congregation attended by an estimated 600 ly” and was “one of the most eloquent expo- and Rebbetzen Henya Wineberg of Ohr Somayach Glenhazel, avail sajewishreport members and visitors last Sunday. nents of Judaism among the younger mem- Vancouver. It is the first such event to have been held bers of the rabbinate”. ASAP. or fax: Call Miriam in the history of the shul which dates back “Judaism is a marathon, not a sprint, it shul a year ago, he had “popped in” to Chabad 083-601-4334 086-634-7935 to 1891 when the first Jewish family, a Mr takes time, but at the end of the day, with to listen to “an inspirational rabbi. After a during office hours. and Mrs Abrahams, moved into the area. tenacity, with absolute commitment, we get period of time, we knew we’d found our VEHICLES Rabbi Wineberg was formally inaugurat- to the end. Where you are on the journey is rabbi,” he said, referring to Rabbi Wineberg. HIGHLANDS NORTH WANTED ed by Israel’s Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger, not so concerning as the fact that you are on “We’re the largest community in South Cottage to let. who travelled to the country especially for the journey,” said Rabbi Wineberg. Africa and there’s no reason why we should (011) 440-0169 LOOKING TO BUY the event, and Chief Rabbi Warren President of the congregation, Aubrey not be the greatest. We now have the potential 076-686-8259 OR SELL A VEHICLE?? Goldstein. Rabbi Goldstein noted that the Miller, recalled how, on his way home from to not only achieve, but surpass our goals.” Contact Elan Sawitzky occasion marked “a new chapter in the his- SEA POINT 082-825-3080 tory and lifespan” of the congregation as it BEACH FRONT transitioned from one rabbi to the next. Kosher, fully-equipped IF YOU WANT TO “The relationship between a rabbi, his 2 b/r flat. Secure, sunny with rebbetzen and the community, is like a undercover parking. BUY OR SELL shidduch and I can already see that this is From April, R12 500/m A VEHICLE a match made in heaven,” he said. “This is Cell: 082-460-8580 a great simchah in the life of South African Contact: Jewry and Cape Jewry in particular.” COTTAGE GLENHAZEL Solly Kramer Rabbi Wineberg has been the associate AVAIL IMMEDIATELY rabbi of Sandton Shul for the past 10 years. 110 m, 1 bed carpeted, full 082-922-3597 lounge\dining room. Complete The fact that several of his former congre- kitchen with loads of bic. gants had travelled to Cape Town to attend Separate entrance and secured ARE YOU the inauguration was evidence of the close parking. The cottage is fully IMMIGRATING bonds the couple had forged there. tiled and has a full bathroom OVERSEAS AND “In Rabbi Dovid and Sara, we have a rab- incl. bath and shower. R5 000 WANT TO SELL binical couple who are passionate about p/m (all incl DSTv and Elec) YOUR VEHICLE? Torah and who come from generations of 082-443-9932 rabbinic role models.” The chief rabbi wel- comed Rabbi Wineberg’s parents, Rabbi HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION Yitzchak and Rebbetzen Henya Wineberg who came from Vancouver for the occa- KOSHER INN PLETT sion, as well as his uncle, Rabbi Levy Wine- Bookings for Pesach now open. berg and his rebbetzen, Shterna from Special rates for the month of Please Contact Johannesburg. The rabbi’s grandfather, March. Solly Kramer Rabbi Yosef Wineberg, has served as a Call (044) 533-5749 082-922-3597 Chabad emissary and travelled regularly or email anytime to South Africa and other countries. [email protected] Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger spoke of the 20 SA JEWISH REPORT 04 - 11 March 2011

Sad death of SA soccer Very successful start to legend Jorge Santoro Jewish Sports Challenge JACK MILNER JACK MILNER Each school sent around 100 youngsters from under-8 to under-13 who played cricket, JORGE SANTORO (Herrmann), one of the THE OPENING day of the Inter-Jewish soccer and netball. With the superb support legends of South African football, passed Sports Challenge at the Zoo Lake Sports of the parents there must have been some away suddenly last Saturday. Complex last Sunday, proved to be a 2 000 people at the Zoo Lake on Sunday. As a fan of Highlands Park in my resounding success. Maccabi SA has supported the event and younger days, Santoro was one of our The tournament is open to primary as a result Maccabi Gauteng will be selecting heroes and it is always sad to lose an icon. schools and involves King David Linksfield, invitational squads in under-13 cricket (one He is survived by his four sons - Rabbis Victory Park, Sandton, as well as Yeshiva squad) and netball (two squads) with a view Ari, Yonatan and Ilan Herrmann, and College. The concept was adapted by Haley to nurturing teams ahead of the Maccabiah youngest son Jorge Herrmann - as well as Nathan, chairman of the King David that takes place in Israel every four years. his partner of many years, Jean Standen. Sandton PTA, from a model used by The festival is played over four Sundays I am grateful to Sy Lerman, doyen of Montrose Primary School. with the finals taking place on April 3. South African soccer writers, for this trib- ute to Santoro. Brazilian-born South African soccer leg- end Jorge Santoro Herrmann, known sim- An old cutting from the playing days of Peres meets Perez... ply as Santoro during his playing days, George Santoro, who passed away. ISRAELI PRESIDENT Shimon Peres Mourinho. died suddenly on Saturday morning aged wound up a four-day visit to Spain last “Sport is the best way to advance peace, 66, after suffering a massive heart attack. “Santoro was admired by South Africans week by watching a Real Madrid training fraternity and equality, and it blurs the dif- He was the “golden boy” of the glittering of all shades and certainly ranks among session. He was the guest of Real Madrid ferences between countries, religions and Highlands Park team of the mid-1960s, the all-time greats of the game in this president, Florentino Perez and was adversaries” he said. “On the field, everyone whom former club owner and chairman, country,” said Kaizer Chiefs supremo and introduced to all the players by coach Jose is equal.” Rex Evans described on Saturday as “prob- former star, Kaizer Motaung. “He was also ably the greatest club combination pro- an exceptionally likable person whom I duced in South African soccer”. grew to know very well.” “When he came to South Africa with Santoro came to South Africa as a Maccabi futsal times change fellow-Brazilian Walter da Silva,” said vibrant 20 year-old after being groomed Martin Cohen, himself a former to succeed all-time Brazilian icon Didi in IF YOU wish to participate in the time is due to the availability of the court. Highlands great, “the pair brought a new the Botafago mid-field. A cruel injury Johannesburg leg of the SA Maccabi men’s The trials will now take place from 18:30 to dimension to our soccer. Their exception- which kept him out of soccer for almost a open futsal trials for the Pan American 20:30 on Tuesday, March 8 at Discovery al talent and ability to combine uncanni- year, resulted in Botafago unearthing Games in Brazil please take note of the new Soccer Park, The Wanderers Club, 21 North ly in the pursuit of goals, thrilled specta- another Brazilian great in Gerson to suc- starting times. The reason for the change of Road, Illovo, Johannesburg tors and was an example for players to ceed Didi - and Chilean coach Mario follow,” added Cohen, who was a member Tuani persuaded him to come to South of the first non-racial South African team Africa instead. that played against a composite After retiring from soccer, Santoro Argentine XI in 1972. coached Moroka Swallows and other PSL “Now they are both gone,” said Cohen clubs for several years and ironically was referring to the death of Da Silva last year planning to return to some active form in following the after-effects of a bullet the game in recent weeks - having sought a lodged in his head during a hijacking. meeting with Motaung in this respect.

WP teams for Maccabi Interprovincial MACCABI Western Province has named berg (Rondebosch Boys); Dylan Greenberg its teams for the upcoming Interprovincial (Weizmann); Matthew Jacobson (High- soccer tournament to take place later this lands); Max Mauerberger and Ariel month. Mausenbaum (Highlands); Aaron Pincus (Highlands); Seth Pribut (Highlands); Western Province Maccabi - under-10 Devin Sheinbar (Highlands); Joseph Sher Jordan Arelisky (Weizmann); Rohan (Highlands); Aaron Sherman (Highlands); Bloom (Highlands); Jake Greenberg (Weiz- and Joshua Tarlie (Weizmann). mann); Aaron Isserow (Weizmann); Sam Kurgan, (Highlands); Asher Martin (Phy- Western Cape Maccabi - under-12 llis Jowell); Nadav Mazor (Weizmann); Jonathan Bernstein (Highlands); Adam Ethan Morris (Highlands); Chad Pribut Carson (Highlands); Gideon Cohen (Highlands); Judd Raichman (Weizmann); (Weizmann); Zach Israel (Weizmann); Sasha Rodenacker (Highlands); and Daniel Aaron Kruss-Van der Heever (High- Rubin (Weizmann). lands); Avi Opert; Ben Opert; and Jarryd Roup, all of (Highlands); Dylan Solin Western Cape Maccabi - under-10 (Weizmann); Dylan Trappler (Weiz- Darren Berelowitz (Highlands); Zack mann); and Aaron Zetler (Weizmann). Brivick (Weizmann); Zev Cohen (Weiz- mann); Tal Eisenberg (Weizmann); Adam Western Province Maccabi - under-14 Gradner (Weizmann); Daniel Hammerson Samuel Codron (Middle School); Adam (Weizmann); Ryan Hendler (Weizmann); Gorin (Middle School); David Herr Matthew Koton (Weizmann); Dan Moritz (Middle School); Saul Jackson (Middle (Weizmann); Max Peerutin (Weizmann); School); Jake Maisel (Highlands); Noam Ariel Saxe (Highlands); Guy Sheehen and Mazor (Middle School); Jayson Rawraway Benjamin Shirk (Constantia). (Middle School); Aryeh Ross (Phyllis Jowell); Josh Sher (Middle School); Adam Cape Town Maccabi - under-10 Stevenson (Middle School); and Asher Aaron Altman (Phyllis Jowell); Jarren Valentini (Home). Bacher (Weizmann); Zaccary Beilinsohn (Weizmann); Keanu Craucamp (High- Western Cape Maccabi - under-14 lands); Julio Dozetos (Constantia); Erez Robert Berman (Middle School); Dax Gelgor (Phyllis Jowell); Shai Koehn and Finkelstein (Middle School); David Daniel Neuberger (Weizmann); Jacob Franco (Middle School); Justin Froomer Osrin (Highlands); Eliram Sharabi and and Jarryd Hurwitz (Middle School); Benjamin Sulcas (Weizmann); Jamie Moshe Jubiler (Phyllis Jowell); Saul Sulcas (Weizmann); and Kyle Zachs Levin (Middle School); Avi Lurie (Highlands). (Weizmann); Daniel Mendel (Middle School); Jason Smith (Middle School); Western Province Maccabi - under-12 and Doron Yiacoumis (Reddam Green Aaron Benjamin (Highlands); Matt Gins- Point).