Israel – 70 Years
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ROSH HASHANAH 2018 Israel – 70 Years Price R50,00 incl. VAT Registered at the GPO as a Newspaper ISSN 0021 • 6313 COVER = Rosh Hashanah 2018.indd 1 2018/08/19 11:16:10 AM It’s a kind of magic being awarded for both Volkswagen and Audi Hatfield Motor Group Call 087 236 7590 or WhatsApp 076 596 3882 BBBEE Level 4 Contributor 110% Reg No 2006/027767/07 FSP No 24073 COVER = Rosh Hashanah 2018.indd 2 2018/08/19 11:16:15 AM We wish you a Shana Tova and well over the fast. Pg 1 - 5 = Contents.indd 1 2018/08/19 11:17:42 AM MISSION EDITORIAL BOARD In publishing JEWISH AFFAIRS, the SA EXECUTIVE EDITOR Jewish Board of Deputies aims to produce a cultural forum which caters for a wide David Saks SA Jewish Board of Deputies variety of interests in the community. The journal will be a vehicle for the publication of ACADEMIC ADVISORY BOARD articles of significant thought and opinion on Suzanne Belling Author and Journalist contemporary Jewish issues, and will aim to Dr Louise Bethlehem Hebrew University of Jerusalem encourage constructive debate, in the form of Marlene Bethlehem SA Jewish Board of Deputies reasoned and researched essays, on all matters Cedric Ginsberg University of South Africa of Jewish and general interest. Professor Marcia Leveson JEWISH AFFAIRS aims also to publish essays Naomi Musiker Archivist and Bibliographer of scholarly research on all subjects of Jewish Isaac Reznik interest, with special emphasis on aspects Gwynne Schrire SA Jewish Board of Deputies of South African Jewish life and thought. 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In this way the journal hopes Permission to reprint material from JEWISH AFFAIRS should be critically to explore, and honestly to confront, applied for from problems facing the Jewish community both The South African Jewish Board of Deputies in South Africa and abroad, by examining JEWISH AFFAIRS is published 3 times annually national and international affairs and their impact on South Africa. Annual subscription R150 including VAT and postage Overseas Subscriptions R300 The SA Jewish Board of Deputies is committed Postal Address: PO Box 87557, Houghton 2041 to dialogue and free enquiry. It aims to protect [email protected] human rights and to strive for better relations among peoples of diverse cultural backgrounds Original, unpublished essays of between 1 000 and 6 000 words on in South Africa. all subjects are invited, and should be sent to: The columns of JEWISH AFFAIRS will The Editor, JEWISH AFFAIRS, PO Box 87557, Houghton 2041, therefore be open to all shades of opinion. [email protected] The views expressed by the contributors will be their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor, the Editorial Board or the Publishers. However, in keeping with the provisions of the National Constitution, the freedom of speech exercised in this journal will exclude the dissemination of hate propaganda, personal attacks or invective, or any material which may be regarded as defamatory or malicious. In all such matters, the Editor’s decision is final. Pg 1 - 5 = Contents.indd 2 2018/08/19 11:17:42 AM On Rosh Hashanah it is written… On Yom Kippur it is sealed May it be written and may it be sealed that you have a new year that brings fulfilment and happiness, peace and prosperity – all of life’s very best things. Sending good wishes for health and happiness throughout the coming year to all our Jewish clients. 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Pg 1 - 5 = Contents.indd 3 2018/08/19 11:17:43 AM VOL. 73 NO. 2 ROSH HASHANAH 2018 Editor: David Saks FIGHTERS AND FOUNDERS Leslie Marcus, a true war hero Leila Bloch ...................................................................................................................................................6 On kibbutz in the early years of the State Marge Clouts ...............................................................................................................................................9 Eddy Magid, the first Israeli Tanks Corps and the capture of Beersheba Michael and Suzanne Belling .....................................................................................................................11 “It was medicine after the Camps” - A Holocaust survivor participates in Israel’s establishment Veronica Belling ........................................................................................................................................15 “It wasn’t all war” Ellie Isserow ..............................................................................................................................................23 A Nurse’s Story Audrey Benedict Meyersfeld .......................................................................................................................28 Eli Zagoria – Artist and Machalnik David Solly Sandler ...................................................................................................................................30 ZIONISM AND THE DIASPORA “One Sunday in May 1948…” – Bloemfontein’s First Yom Ha’atzma’ut Glenda Woolf .............................................................................................................................................36 A Day on Hachsharah, 1940 Florrie Cohen ............................................................................................................................................39 Haham Moses Gaster and Zionism Cecil Bloom ...............................................................................................................................................42 Working for Israel Mary Schrire ..............................................................................................................................................47 THE ZIONIST IDEAL – VISION AND REALITY Hashem’s Emissary heals Israel’s conflicts Abigail Bagraim .........................................................................................................................................52 “No other nation in the whole of history has wept for Zion” Bernard Moses Casper ..............................................................................................................................54 Israel, a moral state, rises above Antisemitism Rodney Mazinter .......................................................................................................................................59 NEW POETRY Charlotte Cohen, Honey Gluckman, Rodney Mazinter ...............................................................................64 READERS’ LETTERS Richard Freedman, Benjamin Pogrund, David S Sandler, Maurice Skikne ................................................65 Pg 1 - 5 = Contents.indd 4 2018/08/19 11:17:43 AM KINGJAMES 44702 * 2 y 0 d 1 7 tu R s e te pu tu tation Insti L’SHANAH TOVAH 5779 WISHING ALL OUR JEWISH CUSTOMERS A HAPPY NEW YEAR AND WELL OVER THE FAST. Pg 1 - 5 = Contents.indd 5 2018/08/19 11:17:44 AM JEWISH AFFAIRS ROSH HASHANAH 2018 LESLIE MARCUS, A TRUE WAR HERO * Leila Bloch It is important to preserve memories while glimmering with the memory of friendship there are people around to share them with during battles fought, between moments of us. This is the function of the Jewish Digital real pain and fond memory. Archive Project (JDAP), a community project In 1948, the Jewish Agency recognised sponsored by the Kaplan-Kushlick Foundation the necessity of forming an organised Israeli at the South African Jewish Museum in defence force from the underground forces Cape Town. of the Haganah and the Palmach. However, Among the JDAP’s treasures is the Machal there was a crucial shortage of trained Collection, originally donated by Jason Hoff. manpower and equipment. This led to the They include the transcripts of interviews decision to ask Jewish veterans of World War with Leslie Marcus, a true war hero.1 II to join as volunteers. At the beginning of 1948, therefore, Machal2 was created. Its volunteers were “unpaid idealist” who served in all different types of army corps, including infantry, artillery, armour, signals, engineering and medical units.3 The time between Leslie’s enrolment in the army and setting off for Israel was short. He had not a moment’s hesitation about leaving: “My late brother Sam had a clothing shop, so I got a few shmattes together in a suitcase. There was a fellow called Solly Laloon (from Claremont kosher butchery) who had a car; he came and fetched me