www.sajewishreport.co.za Friday, 17 June 2011 / 15 Sivan, 5771 Volume 15 Number 22 Israel looking to increasing its investment in Africa PAGE 8 In a reflective mood. South Africa last Saturday bade farewell to Mama Albertina Sisulu at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto. She died at age 92 and was laid to rest in the Newclare Cemetery in Johannesburg, next to her late husband, Walter. This hero of the Struggle, who A NATION always fearlessly spoke her mind, retained a dignity throughout her long life. Pictured at the funeral ceremony (front row) are Philip Chauke, driver to former Chief Justice Arthur Chaskalson; Alexi Bizos, son of Struggle lawyer Advocate George Bizos; George Bizos; and MOURNS Arthur Chaskalson. Bizos and Chaskalson both played key roles in the legal fight against apartheid. (PHOTOGRAPH: ILAN OSSENDRYVER) FREUND: Israel’s ‘Battered Habonim ideologues EU rabbis urge Arab Hobbies, collectables Nation Syndrome’ / 9 of yore take stock / 11 Spring to continue / 5 & recreation / 12-17 YOUTH / 20 SPORT / 24 LETTERS / 18-19 CROSSWORD & SUDOKU / 22 COMMUNITY BUZZ / 6 WHAT’S ON / 22 2 SA JEWISH REPORT 17 - 24 June 2011 SHABBAT TIMES PARSHA OF THE WEEK June 17/15 Sivan It’s Absa Jewish Achievers’ June 18/16 Sivan The Invisibility Cloak Shelach barmitzvah this year Starts Ends PETER FELDMAN on the African continent, recognise and 17:06 17:58 Johannesburg share the goals this year of these achievers PARSHAT THE COUNTDOWN has begun for the Absa to strengthen the fabric of our community.” 17:26 18:21 Cape Town Jewish Achiever Awards 2011, an annual The Helen Suzman Lifetime Achiever 16:46 17:39 Durban SHELACH Rabbi Danny Sackstein highlight of the Jewish business and social Award is given to a member of the Jewish 17:07 18:00 Bloemfontein calendar. Absa is again the main sponsor. community for his or her lifetime contribu- 16:58 17:52 Port Elizabeth Sunny Road Shul The event celebrates its barmitzvah this tion to South African Jewry by achieving 16:51 17:45 East London year and the organisers intend turning it reconciliation, change and empowerment HARRY POTTER fans are familiar with the Invisibility into the best one yet. in the fields of business and/or art or sci- Cloak. Imagine you had such a cloak. When you put it This year’s ceremony is to take place on ence, and/or sport and philanthropy. on, you can walk around without anyone seeing you. August 11 and will again be held in the The Johnnie Walker Entrepreneur Then you decide to have some fun. Maroela Room, Sandton Sun. Award goes to a member of the Jewish Howard Sackstein, a director of SA community between the ages of 18 and 40, Published by You take someone’s cellphone from the table. They S A Jewish Report (Pty) Ltd, run around in a frenzy looking for it. You put your foot Jewish Report, which is hosting the awards, who owns a small or medium enterprise in PO Box 84650, Greenside, 2034 out and someone goes flying. Then you punch someone has called for nominations. SA with empowerment credentials. Tel: (011) 023-8160 in the stomach. “Agggggh!” The joke is no longer He said: “On behalf of the board of direc- Brand Manager Vimal Vaghmaria, said Fax: (086) 634-7935 funny. tors of the SA Jewish Report, we are Johnnie Walker was pleased to be associat- Printed by Caxton Ltd The Chofetz Chaim explains that the curse in the requesting the assistance of readers in ed with the Jewish Achievers. nominating people whom they consider “John Walker’s journey began in the EDITOR - Geoff Sifrin Torah for someone who “hits his neighbour while hid- [email protected] ing”, refers to someone who speaks lashon hara - words worthy of receiving any of these awards. early 1900s and today the iconic Striding that cause harm - about his friend. “The Business and Entrepreneurial Man - which is said to play a central role in Sub-Editor - Paul Maree Why do I say such a thing? Because he isn’t here. If awards are judged by a panel of independ- maintaining Johnnie Walker as the world’s Ed Co-ordinator - Barry Bilewitz he were here I would never say what I said. I only say it ent business people, financial journalists, best-selling blended Scotch whisky - has [email protected] because he isn’t around. In that sense, I am hitting him stockbrokers and Absa representatives who come to symbolise progress and inspira- Senior Reporter - Rita Lewis while hiding. I am wearing the Invisibility Cloak. will interview all the candidates.” tion all over the world.” [email protected] Words can have such a harmful effect. It is for this rea- Previous winners of these awards include In 2007 Wendy Luhabe, one of SA’s most Brian Joffe (Bidvest), Adrian Gore powerful businesswomen, was honoured Sports Editor - Jack Milner son, said the Rambam, the Torah forbids lashon hara. [email protected] The parsha of Shelach opens up with the story of the (Discovery), Raymond Ackerman (Pick n with a special award for her contribution to spies who went to search out the Land of Israel. Rashi Pay), Gill Marcus (Reserve Bank), Brett South Africa. Also honoured last year was Books Editor - Gwen Podbrey points out that the previous parsha ends with the story Levy (Blue Label), Steven Joffe (Gold Reef Monica Singer, CEO of Strate Ltd, for non- Arts Editor - Robyn Sassen of Miriam getting a skin disease and being sent out of City), Philip Krawitz (Cape Union Mart), listed companies. [email protected] the camp because she spoke lashon hara about Moshe. William Kirsh (Primedia), Sean Melnick SA Jewish Report honours people from Youth Editor - Alison Goldberg Since the parsha begins with the spies, it indicates (Peregrine), Abe and Solly Krok (Krok the broader community with the Cyril [email protected] that these two events are connected. But Rashi is both- Brothers), John Copelyn (HCI), Rael Levitt Harris Humanitarian Award. These are for (Auction Alliance), Arthur Gillis (Protea people who make a contribution to the Cape Town correspondent ered by the fact that these two events did not occur in Moira Schneider: 021-794-4206 chronological order. The rebellion of Korach happened Hotels), Phillip Tobias (Paleo-anthropolo- economy and community by improving the befor the spies went into the land. gist), Ina Perlman (Operation Hunger), quality of life of society in general. Pretoria correspondent Rashi explains that the Torah juxtaposed these two Johnny Clegg (Musician) and Pieter-Dirk There are also awards for community Diane Wolfson: 082-707-9471 events to teach us a lesson: The spies should have Uys (Satirist). service and one for those who have Manager: Distribution learned from what happened to Miriam and that would In the past the awards also honoured both achieved success in the fields of arts, sci- Britt Landsman have prevented them from saying their negative report President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop ence, sports and culture. [email protected] about the land. Emeritus Desmond Tutu for their contribu- Nominations should include: Sales Executives - (011) 023-8160 The problem with this Rashi is that the sin of the tions to South Africa. • The nominee’s name and contact details Britt Landsman: 082-292-9520 spies was not lashon hara, but a lack of trust in Absa Bank is again sponsoring the main • The category nominated. Manuela Bernstein: 082-951-3838 Hashem. When they entered the land they saw giants in “Business Achiever of the Year Award”, • A short motivation for the nomination: Murray Schoeman: 083-627-6670 fortified cities. They witnessed people dying all over. which goes to nominees from both listed Send nominations via email to Freelance Sales Executive Their conclusion was that the Jewish people would and non-listed companies. The criteria are [email protected] or sub- Marlene Bilewitz: 083-475-0288 be slaughtered if they would try conquering the land. that nominees must be members of the mit them via www.SAJewishReport.co.za. Classified Sales Their faith in Hashem was deficient. They were not Jewish community, must serve either as The closing date is July 7. [email protected] guilty of speaking lashon hara. Lashon hara applies to MD or CEO of a major corporation and The rules state that nominees must be our speaking about people not inanimate objects. must show consistent performance and South African citizens or hold a valid South Design and layout credible empowerment procedures. African identity document. Frankie Matthysen Furthermore according to their understanding they Nicole Cook were not speaking lashon hara at all, they thought they Absa said it was honoured to be one of the In categories “Business Achiever were saving the Jewish people from annihilation. sponsors of the 2011 Jewish Achievement Award,” “Lifetime Achiever” and “Entre- Website The answer stems from why the Torah forbids lashon Awards. “We believe our role extends preneur”, a nominee must be a member of www.sajewishreport.co.za beyond that of a bank and that is why our the Jewish community. Ilan Ossendryver hara, because of the damage and harm our words can association with SA’s Jewish achievers has The “Humanitarian Award” category is IC-Creations cause - the destructive power of the invisible cloak. [email protected] The spies should have seen what happened to Miriam stretched over a number of years. open to the broader community, irrespec- and learned one vital lesson - the power of speech. “Absa is inspired by the achievers’ exem- tive of culture, creed or gender. Subscription enquiries They should have thought to themselves that if such a plary dedication towards the achievement of Nominations are subject to adjudication Avusa Publishing (Pty) Ltd SA’s many socio-economic goals.