J EEWISHW I S H A FFFAIRSFA I R S Catherine Tran, youth rhino ambassador, www.wildrhino.org Meet tomorrow’s heroes Youth against rhino poaching Rhino poaching is one of the most significant conservation issues faced by South Africa, and time is running out. In response to this crisis, Investec Rhino Lifeline is raising awareness by educating youths in South Africa and Vietnam. The future of rhino depends on the passion of the youth, and by working closely with trusted partners, we aim to inspire young people to become future conservation heroes. By taking an Out of the Ordinary approach, we believe that we can help ensure the survival of one of Africa’s most important assets. www.investecrhinolifeline.com #rhinolifeline We wish our Jewish customers a filled with light. Holiday of Chanukkah www.picknpay.co.za. Customer Care 0800 11 22 88. Toll free landline only. Cellphone rates apply. 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. Dr Elaine Katz University of the Witwatersrand JEWISH AFFAIRS aims also to publish essays Professor Marcia Leveson of scholarly research on all subjects of Jewish Naomi Musiker Archivist and Bibliographer interest, with special emphasis on aspects Professor Reuben Musiker SAJBD Library Consultant of South African Jewish life and thought. Gwynne Schrire SA Jewish Board of Deputies Scholarly research papers that make an original Dr Gabriel A Sivan World Jewish Bible Centre contribution to their chosen field of enquiry Professor Gideon Shimoni Hebrew University of Jerusalem will be submitted to the normal processes of academic refereeing before being accepted Professor Milton Shain University of Cape Town for publication. The Hon. Mr Justice Ralph Zulman JEWISH AFFAIRS will promote Jewish ADVERTISING AND SUBSCRIPTIONS – Shirley Beagle cultural and creative achievement in South ENQUIRIES [email protected] Africa, and consider Jewish traditions and 011 645 2583 heritage within the modern context. It aims TYPESETTING/PRINTING – Bookpress, Johannesburg to provide future researchers with a window on the community’s reaction to societal challenges. In this way the journal hopes critically to explore, and honestly to confront, © South African Jewish Board of Deputies 2015 problems facing the Jewish community both Permission to reprint material from JEWISH AFFAIRS should be in South Africa and abroad, by examining applied for from national and international affairs and their The South African Jewish Board of Deputies impact on South Africa. JEWISH AFFAIRS is published 3 times annually The SA Jewish Board of Deputies is committed Annual subscription R140 including VAT and postage to dialogue and free enquiry. It aims to protect Overseas Subscriptions R300 human rights and to strive for better relations Postal Address: PO Box 87557, Houghton 2041 among peoples of diverse cultural backgrounds [email protected] in South Africa. The columns of JEWISH AFFAIRS will therefore be open to all shades of opinion. Erratum The views expressed by the contributors will In the article by Leon Levy in the Rosh Hashanah 2015 issue, the lady in the be their own, and do not necessarily reflect photograph with Mr Levy was incorrectly identified as Joy Kropman. It is, in the views of the Editor, the Editorial Board fact, Joy Coplan. The editor apologises for the error or the Publishers. However, in keeping with the provisions of Original, unpublished essays of between 1 000 and 6 000 words on the National Constitution, the freedom of all subjects are invited, and should be sent to: speech exercised in this journal will exclude the dissemination of hate propaganda, personal The Editor, JEWISH AFFAIRS, PO Box 87557, Houghton 2041, attacks or invective, or any material which may [email protected] be regarded as defamatory or malicious. In all such matters, the Editor’s decision is final. 810860/fdv Chag Sameach. We hope your holidays are filled with peace, love and light! www.deloitte.com/za © 2015 Deloitte & Touche. All rights reserved. Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited 3 The entire KosherWorld centre is Truly Kosher – all tenants & facilities. • Chabad Bookshop and Montagu Dried Fruit and Nuts are located within KosherWorld. • Kosher shopping has never been more convenient, open from 7am till 10pm daily. • Priced right on all kosher foods and household goods. • The only Truly Kosher Supermarket in Africa • If it’s on our shelves.... IT’S KOSHER! 1 LONG AVENUE CNR RIDGE AND SUMMERWAY GLENHAZEL 011 440 9517 | [email protected] | www.kosherworld.co.za TRADING HOURS: MON-THURS 7AM-10PM | FRI: 7AM-4PM | SAT:1/2 HOUR AFTER SHABBOS -10PM | SUN: 8AM - 10PM SPACEWORX South Africa is once again presenting itself to the World as a lucrative destination for international property investment. As the exclusive African real estate partner to Savills, one of the World’s most established real estate brands with a network of over 500 offices worldwide, we are able to offer our clients access to buyers from across the globe. 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NETWORK OF SAVILLS OFFICES pamgolding.co.za Atlantic Prestige +27 21 439 1614, Camps Bay +27 21 438 3444, City Bowl +27 21 423 2150, Sea Point +27 21 439 7415, Kenilworth +27 21 673 4200, Newlands +27 21 685 7759 VOL. 70 NO. 3 CHANUKAH 2015 Editor: David Saks OBITUARY Marcus Arkin Naomi Musiker .............................................................................................................................................6 JEWISH LITHUANIA – MEMORY AND LEGACY Herman Kallenbach: Lithuania Remembers a Forgotten Son Kathy Munroe ..............................................................................................................................................7 “There was Once a Home….” - Memories of the Lithuanian shtetls in the Afrikaner Idishe Tsaytung, 1952-4 Veronica Belling ........................................................................................................................................10 Hanukah with Shmuel and his family Alec Natas ..................................................................................................................................................14 From Kovno, a Survivor… Masha Geer ...............................................................................................................................................16 Remembering Birzh Bennie Rabinowitz, Gwynne Schrire, Veronica Belling ..............................................................................17 ESSAYS AND REFLECTIONS The Protocols of the Elders of Zion comes to South Africa Hadassa Ben-Itto .......................................................................................................................................23 Chief Rabbi Nathan Marcus Adler – An Appraisal on his 125th Yahrtzeit David A Sher ..............................................................................................................................................29 Dardanelles, Dried Flowers and a Dried Leaf: Who was J Rabinowitz Drechsler? Gwynne Schrire..........................................................................................................................................35 Keeper of the Hearth: The Art of Gwen van Embden Ute Ben Yosef .............................................................................................................................................41 FICTION Honey Cake Eugenie Freed ............................................................................................................................................49 NEW POETRY Maurice Skikne, Charlotte Cohen, Gabriella Hyman ...........................................................................22, 56 READERS’ LETTERS Veronica Belling, Shulamith Kagan ...........................................................................................................57 JEWISH AFFAIRS CHANUKAH 2015 We are greatly saddened study of Zionism and Jewish by the passing of Professor economic themes, resulting Marcus Arkin in Durban on 3 in the publication of the September. Professor Arkin collection of essays, Aspects was a distinguished academic, of Jewish Economic History specializing in the field of (1975) and the editorship economic history, and also of South African Jewry: served as Director-General A Contemporary Survey of the SA Zionist Federation (1984). His final book, from 1973 until his retirement One People - One Destiny: in 1985. His research and Some Explorations in Jewish prolific writings continued Affairs appeared in 1989. throughout his career, earning Besides his numerous him world-wide acclaim. Over contributions to journals, many years, he generously Professor Arkin also contributed many scholarly articles to Jewish broadcast talks on the SABC English Affairs, and was also a long-serving member Service. Six of these