PAM GOLDING ON MAIN NOW LETTING Locate your office in Kenilworth. Peter Golding 082 825 5561 | Teresa Cook 079 527 0348 Office: 021 426 4440 www.pamgolding.co.za/on-main VOLUME 31 No 11 DECEMBER 2014 / JANUARY 2015 Channukah 5775 www.cjc.org.za Protest against antisemitism Mervyn Smith z”l The South African Jewish and Chairman community deeply mourns the of the Cape passing of community leader Board; President Mervyn Smith. of the African Jewish Congress; mongst numerous roles in a Chairman of the Alifelong commitment to local Board of Trustees and worldwide Jewry, Mervyn was of the South a Vice-President and Co-Chairman African Holocaust of the Policy Council of the World & Genocide Foundation; and served Jewish Congress; former President, on the committee of the Claims National Chairman and Honorary Life Conference. Vice-President of the National SAJBD May his memory be for a blessing. See more on page 8 Community members protesting antisemitism he Jewish community recently hosted a kosher section of the shop. Tprotest against the antisemitic action of Keeping to a limit of 50 people as required, Jewish and Greek communities placing of a pig’s head in a Woolworths store the Jewish community stood shoulder to by the Congress of South African Students shoulder with other Capetonians in protest. commemorate the Holocaust (COSAS), in what was assumed to be the See more on page 6 SAZF at Counter-Terrorism Conference Executive Director of the SA Zionist Federation Cape Council Julie Berman, recently attended the 14th International Counter-Terrorism Conference in Israel n annual conference, it is organised by the AInternational Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) at the Interdisciplinary Centre (IDC) in Herzliya, which facilitates cooperation in the global struggle he Cape Town Holocaust against terrorism. TCentre, Cape Board, Hellenic The conference was opened by former President community of Cape Town and Greek 'Keeping it Shimon Peres who said, “Terror is a system that needs Consulate hosted a combined event to be addressed religiously, militarily, nationally and Julie Berman and Sean Mongale (SA to commemorate the Holocaust in Embassy, Tel Aviv) financially. The world needs to join together to fight Greece. together' terror and Israel must be a part of that.” Continued on page 12 See more on page 33 Temple Israel celebrates 70 years Participants in the Cape Town Challah Bake The Cape Town Jewish community joined an estimated 1 million Jews from 460 cities and 64 countries in keeping the Shabbat of 24/25 October, as part of the Shabbos Project. his year the project became an Tinternational phenomenon. In Cape Town, 1200 women gathered to bake challah under the trees of the Company’s Garden. Similar Challah Bake events took place Temple Israel Cape Town Progressive Jewish Congregation marked its 70th anniversary with a special celebration. See more on page 17 around the world. 2 NEWS & VIEWS Cape Jewish Chronicle December 2014 Community Noticeboard SA JEWISH MUSEUM CAPE TOWN EXHIBITION HOLOCAUST CENTRE ‘Books on a White Background’ by Aliza Levi Upcoming events and exhibitions See page 36 See page 28 GITLIN LIBRARY Jacob Gitlin Memorial Lecture The following organisations are presented by Dr David Scher affiliated to Jewish Care Cape 4 December 8pm Cape Jewish Seniors Association See page 43 • Glendale • Highlands House • Jewish Community Services • Nechama • Oranjia • ASTRA RECONCILIATION DAY Centre (Jewish Sheltered INTERFAITH WALK Employment and Rosecourt Group Homes) Tuesday 16 Dec 9 – 11am See page 11 Shabbat and Yom Tov Times www.jewishcare.org.za Date Portion Candle lighting Ends Earliest time ? MUIZENBERG SHUL 5 Dec/13 Kislev Vayishlach 6.17pm 8.25pm VED HOUSE MO ADDRESS Celebrates 90 years 12 Dec/20 Kislev Vayeshev 6.21pm 8.30pm REMEMBER TO UPDATE YOUR 19 Dec/27 Kislev Mikketz 6.26pm 8.35pm Saturday 20 December Contact Gail: 26 Dec/4 Tevet Vayiggash 6.29pm 8.38pm All welcome 021-464 6700/748 See page 49 2 Jan/11 Tevet Vaychi 6.32pm 8.39pm email : 9 Jan/18 Tevet Shemot 6.33pm 8.39pm [email protected] 16 Jan/25 Tevet Vaera 6.32pm 8.38pm 23 Jan/3 Shevat Bo 6.31pm 8.34pm 30 Jan/10 Shevat Beshallach/Shira 6.28pm 8.29pm The 4th candle for Chanukah is lit on Friday night 27 December before Shabbat candles CSO emergency number 24 hours N.B. Please note that the times indicated are the earliest times for candle lighting. for security and medical Please consult your Rabbi. emergencies 086 18 911 18 www.facebook.com/MGI.BG.GHF www.twitter@MGI_BG_GHF UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED FOOD AND CATERING SERVICES ADVERTISED IN THIS PUBLICATION ARE NOT UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE CAPE BETH DIN Cape Jewish Chronicle December 2014 NEWS & VIEWS 3 TaliVision Farewell and thank you “Being part of the Cape Town Jewish — each and every community member community gives us access to a rich — for making this job so meaningful to and abundant inheritance... I feel the me. Every comment of encouragement weight of this heritage in my hands, as or praise has meant so much, and I hope to capture it on these pages for motivated me to create a better paper. both the present and future.” Equally, any challenge has been a learning experience and an opportunity to work wrote these words in my first Talivision with individuals who are passionate about Icolumn, and as I now bid you farewell this community. So I thank you all for the four years later, I hope I have lived up to compliments and criticism; for your input these expectations. and encouragement; for your letters and This role has been a privilege to interviews; and for allowing me to share experience, and I want to thank all those your stories in this paper. I am so very We’re in who had faith in me — then a passionate grateful for your support. 25 year old — to take on the job. In this edition of the Chronicle, we bring it for the This begins with previous editor Irma you a variety of articles, including a review Chait, who handed over the reins of a of New York Times journalist Roger Cohen’s paper she had edited with distinction for 28 new memoir, which is set in Lithuania, long run years, and who has supported me since. South Africa and Israel (pg. 39); a report I want to extend my heartfelt thanks about the community commemoration on to Chronicle founder Myra Osrin and Rhodes Island (pg. 40); and a fascinating Chairman Lester Hoffman for giving me item about a raw food Rosh Hashanah this opportunity, and for their unwavering dinner! (pg. 38). and invaluable support and advice. I have always cared deeply about the I would also like to pay personal tribute South African Jewish community, and to Mervyn Smith z"l, who passed away being the editor of the Chronicle was an on 15 November — a great loss to our unrivalled opportunity to put this passion community. While being an important into practice. Over the last four years, I figure in local and international Jewry, he have learned that although this community always took the time to offer his wisdom may be small, it is dynamic and thriving. and encouragement, and I was blessed I am in awe of the energy and effort put to have interacted with this esteemed into events, fundraising, welfare, outreach, Contact our offi ces: education and Jewish life; and I can say community leader. See our special tribute Tel: 021 419 2277 with confidence that this will only lead to to him on page 8. Email: [email protected] / [email protected] The CJC Editorial Board has been a further successes. pillar of support, and I feel lucky to have I have learned that although this www.portfoliobureau.com had access to the knowledge and input of community has homogenous roots, it these community leaders. is also rich in diversity. This only adds to I have always felt that each Chronicle is our dynamism and activism; and it allows a ‘team effort’ with the whole community. for different perspectives to be offered so I have been privileged to work with that we can reach our potential. This is a community professionals, lay leaders, precious part of who we are, and I hope it rabbis, principals, teachers and community will continue to be nurtured. members from across the spectrum. I have learned that there are many young Together, we have created a monthly paper people who care about this community that has been a labour of love. and who want to be invested in its future, I therefore want to thank every person here in South Africa. I am glad to see more who has played their part in every edition organisations employing these young of the last four years. I want to express my professionals; and also finding ways to appreciation to all those who took the time reach out to them. I believe that the youth to build a strong professional relationship, are willing and able to come to the fore, and to all who contributed. It has been a and perhaps they only need guidance, pleasure working with you. encouragement and faith to get there. Thanks also to our very loyal advertisers; As you know, I am leaving the Chronicle and to our printers past and present, because I am expecting twins, and I hope particularly Kadimah Print. that one day they will be part of a new For someone who works with words generation that will lead this community every day, I struggle to express my deep forward.