Tuesday 17 September 2013 / 13 Tishrei 5774 Volume 17 – Number 33 south african wing to Shmini Atzeret and O orah, on September 25, Simchat T 26 and 27, our next issue will be on October 4. Jewish Report www.sajewishreport.co.za Photo: Ilan Ossendryver Photo: Looking for perfection You can never be completely sure... Young Israel Joffe uses a magnifying glass to carefully scrutinise the tips of a lulav (palm branch) to ensure it’s the best possible specimen he can use for Succot this year. Each of the Arbah Minim (four species) are subject to such scrutiny by observant members of the community who seek the straightest lulav, the most perfect etrog, and the freshest hadass and aravah in the name of hiddur mitzvah (beautifying the mitzvah). Joffe was photographed at the Succot Mart hosted by the Union of Orthodox Synagogues. Chag Sameach SA JEWISH REPORt - 15 years Rhodes ‘Israel apartheid’ Was THE OsLO ACCORD A Steven Cohen – cockily Succot! YOUNG AND STILL GOING debate issue leaves unanswered MISTAKE? unrepentant after Trocadéro The editor and STRONG questions performance staff of the Jewish PUTTING THE WOW IN THE DIARY OF The 20-year anniversary of the THE COMMUNITY / 6 PETR GINZ - INSIDE: HOME A PUNCH TO Report wish all ENTERTAINMENT THE SOLAR Steve Apfel: SA Jewry’s participating Israel-Palestinian Oslo Accords is “Whatever I did, I did in the name and SUPPLEMENT / 19 PLEXUS / 17 our readers, in this particular debate “would be not a celebration of the agreement’s spirit of art in a country which is known Friday 16 August 2013 / 10 Elul 5773 Volume 17 – Number 29 www.sajewishreport.co.za Friday, 31 August 2007 / 17 Elul 5767 Volume 11 Number 33 stakeholders and ISRAELI tantamount to presenting the BDS crowd outcome, but a debate on its merits. throughout the world for art. I am afraid JAZZ ARTIST AT WITS south african COMMUNITY URGED TO Upbeat mood at SAJBDATTEND conference PAGE 3 STAFF REPORTER Mbeki brought in a new genera- to Ministers Pahad and Kasrils “SA Jewish organisations start- the establishment advertisers a PHOTOGRAPH: ROBIN NUSSBAUM tion of ministers and relations and the Department of ForeignJed organisingewish business structures of the CSO, assist- with a “get out of jail free card”. Danny Danon: “...‘land for peace’ has of nothing except being made to be became strained. The intifada Affairs was being more even-hand- to influence the connection with ing with tsunami MICHAEL BAGRAIM (pictured), made things worse with certain ed with its treatment of Israel, European, US and African Jewry rescue, theR organi- eport outgoing national chairman of the ministers wanting the total except on the Iran question. and a lobbying machine was sation of the March www.sajewishreport.co.za SAJBD said relations with the destruction of Israel, he said. “We have strengthened relations formed with new leadership. We of the Living and South African government in the “We had to reinvent ourselves. with Kasrils and trade has in- used to spend time defending hosting of confer- past few years had been “debat- Ministers such as Ronnie Kasrils, creased to a high level with sever- Israel, but no more,” he said. ences with other able and not comfortable”, but Essop Pahad and Aziz Pahad were al agreements in place,” he said. The SAJBD was also sorting out religious groups. overall he presented an upbeat uncomfortable with us. Muslim The dwindling numbers of Jews internal problems, and visiting “Today, we are proudly South Photo: Howard Sackstein failed.” afraid to the point where I can’t make joyous Succot. scenario of the Jewish communi- radio stations and speeches at in South Africa from 100 000 to outlying communities. The Radio African Jews, who are not shy to ty in South Africa and its place in mosques were anti-Semitic. The some 75 000, the anti-Semitic 786 case has been ongoing for nine acknowledge their Judaism and the fabric of the country. appointment of a Muslim premier events at the Durban conference years and relations with the who can celebrate living in the Coming from a history of good in the Cape also did not help mat- on anti-racism, and a rise of anti- Muslim Judicial Council are at an world’s best constitution,” he said. relations with former President ters,” he said. Semitism in Europe, reached an all-time low, said Bagraim. Nelson Mandela, President Thabo Today, there were regular visits all-time high. Other achievements had been PAGES 14 - 15 art. I fear only fear.” Another hate-fest like Durban for 2009? 9 3 6 11 PAGE 13 African Jewish Congress debates Zimbabwe PAGE 3 Shabbat kit for the road PAGE 11 Glitzy fashion at King David Schools PAGE 26-27 Rabbi Yossy Goldman, senior rabbi of Sydenham Highlands Norwood feature ‘Now you listen, my son...’ North Shul in Johannesburg and Gareth Cliff, popular DJ of PAGE 28 Radio 5 FM. (Photograph: Shelley Elk) PAGE 4 LETTERS / 18 DAVID KUPER Z”L / 8 STUNNINGLimmud NEW BRIDES / 10 LOOKING FORrocks! A HAPPIER U / 2 18TH MACCABIAH / 32 Last weekend’s three-day Limmud Conference at Fourways, near Johannesburg, was a resounding success, lling the Indaba Hotel with musicians, scientists, Jewish tradition, spirituality and other topics. See our extensive coverage on pages 13 to 15. What Ambassador Ngombane really told Jerusalem Post UOS conference testi es to Union’s strong leadership e making of the prestigious Magazine Absa Jewish Achiever Awards BOEKKOOI: Tribute concert does full justice to Zaidel- Gaborone Jewry: Small in “SA Jewry is unique worldwide: we number, but rich in Torah Jerusalem Post Magazine’s website An astounding amount of work and Rudolph’s legacy have one Beth Din and one kashrut presence quotes Ambassador Ngombane out of expertise is involved in making an context, effectively severely affecting department, refl ective of the unity As a whole it is perhaps one of Zaidel- we enjoy between the rabbonim and enterprise of the magnitude of the Organised Jewish life in Botswana his standpoints. 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Happiness is more significant than fun. It is deeply moving, meaningful and memorable one. something spiritual. 17:44 Johannesburg Parshat Kohelet 18:15 Cape Town It occurred to me at the conclusion of the Mussaf My most vivid childhood memories are of Amida on Rosh Hashanah, just how many times Succot and Simchat Torah. The singing, the 17:32 Durban Rabbi David Shaw 17:51 Bloemfontein we petition G-d for peace during our prayers. Beth Midrash Hagadol dancing and of course, the chocolates and We end with the word peace, shalom, at the flags. 17:53 Port Elizabeth Sandton conclusion of the Birkat Cohanim, the Priestly Succot is a divine opportunity to allow our 17:44 East London Blessing and then immediately segue into Sim flimsy structure, comprised of mere branches children and family to immerse themselves Shalom where we mention it, no less than three and some leaves for a roof. For as long as we are wholly in mitzvoth. The mitzvah of being in September 19/ 15 Tishrei times in the space of one short paragraph. This is in it together with Hashem, we are perfectly safe. a succah, is one of only a very few command- 1st Day Succot followed by an additional four appeals for peace While a state of happiness is required for all ments that one does with one’s entire body. Candle-lighting from a pre- before ending the service. our festivals, it is especially mandated for the fes- Being in Israel is another. existing flame What is peace? My late father’s favourite tival of Succot. How strange! How are we meant I encourage you to attend a nearby shul with 18:33 Johannesburg prayer that he taught me as a young child, was to go out of our luxurious homes into a tempo- your loved ones. Enter a succah all the days 19:14 Cape Town the prayer of Hashkiveinu. This prayer is said rary, feeble little hut and to still rejoice? Where is of the Chag.