BOOKS: Fighting for freedom in Tiananmen Square / 10 www.sajewishreport.co.za Friday, 17 February 2012 / 24 Shevat, 5772 Volume 16 Number 5 - IN THIS EDITION - 3 Vandalism of Jewish graves a growing Chabad Umhlanga’s new problem 3 When 50 young Torah arrives with great joy innovators meet 4 The doctor is in! - Rabbi Akiva Tatz 5 Emigration - the loneliness of those left behind Last Sunday was a joyous one at Chabad in Umhlanga, when a new sefer Torah arrived by helicopter, for use in the community. But the 10 Dancer Robyn Orlin: day was also tinged with some sadness, because the sefer Torah was a tribute to Steven Lutz, who had passed away tragically, and to ‘I’m totally famous in perpetuate his memory. The Lutz, Shankman and Novick families undertook to purchase a sefer Torah in his name. Lance Novick and Paris’ Howard Shankman are brothers-in-law of Steven. Pictured escorting the new Torah on its inaugural journey under the chuppah are David Jankelow; Alex Fisher; Lance Novick; Howard Shankman; Alex Pitch; and Michael Hirshovitz. (PHOTOGRAPH: LAUREN SHAPIRO) PAGE 2 2 SA JEWISH REPORT 17 - 24 February 2012 SHABBAT TIMES SPONSORED BY: PARSHA OF THE WEEK Doing is believing MISHPATIM SHEKALIM Rabbi Gidon Fox Pretoria Hebrew Congregation NO McDonald’s, no golf on a Saturday, no prawns and no fine sherry, not exactly the most saleable concept. These are but a few of the daily impacts that a Torah observant lifestyle makes on the indi- vidual. When taken together with the full gamut of restrictions and obligations demanded of a Torah authentic lifestyle, one can appreciate that no Rabbi Chaim Klein completes the final letters, making the Torah kosher. matter how amazing the rabbi’s sermon was, it is highly improbable that any great oratory would entice an individual to change his entire lifestyle and turn it on its head. New Sefer Torah for February 17 / 24 Shevat Remarkably, here in South Africa we are privi- February 18 / 25 Shevat leged to see one of the most outstanding surges in Parshat Mishpatim Shekalim Torah observance that the world has ever seen. Chabad in Umhlanga 18:15 19:21 Johannesburg What does it take to change one’s lifestyle so dra- matically? While each case may have its own STORY AND PHOTOGRAPH BY and danced up the road to Chabad 18:15 20:11 Cape Town story, this week’s parsha gives us a few tips on 18:15 19:14 Durban LAUREN SHAPIRO House, where a ceremony took place to how to achieve religious change in our lives. celebrate its completion and inaugura- 18:20 19:33 Bloemfontein Blind faith is often derided for that very reason: WHEN STEVEN Lutz passed away trag- tion. 17:46 19:42 Port Elizabeth it is blind. It has no reason, no logic and, living in ically in December 2010, his family was Overseen by Sofer Rabbi Chaim Klein, 18:15 19:32 East London the information age of today, blind faith is the left in shock. The 48-year-old pharma- family, friends and congregants were antithesis of the knowledge generation which we, cist was a devoted husband to Lianne given the opportunity to have individual generation Google, are characterised by. and father to Tammi and Kerri, and letters written in their merit. Lianne Even the Talmud indicates that the blind faith adored by his extended family. Lutz was given the final letter (or, as she of the Jews was mocked by other more “enlight- “He spent his life helping others and quipped, “the final say”!) when she Published by S A Jewish Report (Pty) Ltd, ened” individuals. looking after people,” remembers his blessed the letter Lamed, completing the PO Box 84650, Greenside, 2034 When, in this week’s parsha, the Jews made brother-in-law Howard Shankman. “He last word in the Torah, “Yisrael”. Tel: (011) 023-8160 | Fax: (086) 634-7935 that immortal declaration prior to receiving the was unbelievably kind. I think he dis- The Torah’s concluding word reminds Printed by Caxton Ltd Torah, Na’aseh Venishma, we will do and we will pensed more medicine than he charged us that, in the end, we are all part of Am EDITOR - Geoff Sifrin hear, they were effectively making a declaration for!” Yisrael, and it was particularly apt that [email protected] of blind faith. Steven’s wife Lianne recalls him as, this massive mitzvah of purchasing a COMMERCIAL MANAGER G-d offered us the Torah, an enigmatic unchart- “just the most incredible person. He Torah has brought a whole family – and, Sue Morris - [email protected] ed text and the Jews, oblivious to its content and was an amazing husband and father.” indeed, a whole community – together Sub-Editor - Paul Maree its concomitant expectations and demands on the But from the grief of such a tragic again. Ed Co-ordinator - Sharon Akum individual, blindly accepted it in totality, stating loss has emerged a great joy. As a tri- Although the family live in Sandton, [email protected] that we will do whatever is required of us and at a bute to Steven and a way to perpetuate they wanted the Torah to go to a com- Sports Editor - Jack Milner later stage, will study what that actually entails. his memory, the Lutz, Shankman and munity where it would be used regular- [email protected] The Talmud reflects that the Jews were derided Novick families undertook to purchase ly. “Small Jewish communities are Books Editor - Gwen Podbrey for being a hasty nation, committing to something a sefer Torah in his name (Shalom ben something that are close to my heart,” without knowing what it really was that we were Arts Editor - Robyn Sassen R’ Yehudah Hillel). Since the Torah is a says Lianne, who grew up in Pretoria [email protected] committing to. While the nations of the world first symbol of life, this is a particularly fit- (and went to school with Shlomo) and asked about the content of the Torah before ulti- Cape Town correspondent ting mitzvah. has spent many happy holidays in Moira Schneider: 021-794-4206 mately rejecting it for its restrictions, we made no Rabbi Shlomo Wainer of Chabad in Umhlanga. “This just feels so good. I Pretoria correspondent such enquiry and simply accepted it blindly. Umhlanga, whose congregation re- think it’s what Steven would have Diane Wolfson: 082-707-9471 It is herein, says the Ba’al Shem Tov, that the ceived the new scroll, is overwhelmed wanted.” Advertising - (011) 023-8160 answer to the question of commitment to by the family’s generosity. For while the This sefer Torah will remain tightly [email protected] Yiddishkeit can be found. The beauty of Shabbat Torah contains our Jewish history, it linked to the Lutz family. Be’ezrat Adi Lew: 083-407-8034 observance cannot be conveyed by a brilliant ser- also embodies our communal future. Hashem, Lianne’s nephew Zach (now [email protected] mon or masterful shiur. “The Torah is the Torah of life. As just a toddler) will read his barmitzvah Britt Landsman: 082-292-9520 The trepidation of the laws of family purity Jewish people, we celebrate life. What portion from this very scroll. [email protected] cannot be assuaged by a beautiful story. The only better way to do this than to welcome a With the completion of the final let- Manuela Bernstein: 082-951-3838 way Yiddishkeit and Torah observance can be new sefer Torah into our community ters, which made the new Torah kosher, [email protected] truly understood and assessed, is simply by and to have the community celebrate came a conclusion of a spiritual pas- Freelance Advertising Executives Na’aseh, by trying it, by keeping one Shabbat; the with us in such unbounded joy?” says sage. Says Lianne: “It’s been a very diffi- Marlene Bilewitz: 083-475-0288 experience will speak volumes. Rabbi Wainer. cult journey for us, but now we feel it is [email protected] By keeping kosher, its value will be appreciated After more than a year of hard work complete. Our house is now filled with Classified Sales and by observing the laws of family purity, the and logistical challenges, the nearly complete peace.” Charissa Newman - [email protected] profundity and sagacity of these laws will truly be complete holy scroll arrived by helicop- For more information and photo- Manager: Distribution appreciated. It is only once we have experienced ter in Umhlanga on February 12. It was graphs of the Hachnasat sefer Torah, Britt Landsman the beauty of the Na’aseh, of the action, that we welcomed by a crowd of well-wishers see www.chabadnc.com Design and layout can reach the Nishma, the understating and Frankie Matthysen | Nicole Cook appreciation of its value. Website This is the blind faith that the Jews displayed at KASHRUT ALERT www.sajewishreport.co.za the time of the Giving of the Torah and it is ulti- Ilan Ossendryver - [email protected] mately this blind faith that has ensured the PARMALAT YOGHURTS ARE NOT KOSHER Subscription enquiries integrity of our people and our Torah throughout Avusa Publishing (Pty) Ltd. Tel: 0860-13-2652 the ages. For, when we commit to living a Torah None of the Parmalat yoghurts are currently kosher certified, according to BOARD OF DIRECTORS observant lifestyle, its value ultimately becomes Howard Feldman (Chairman), Issie Kirsh (Deputy the kashrut department of the Union of Orthodox Synagogues. Chairman), Marlene Bethlehem, Norman apparent. One batch of Parmalat Fabulite Yoghurt, Vanilla, Fat Free and Sugar free, Lowenthal, Bertie Lubner, Benjy Porter, Let us take the plunge and, rather than wait to erroneously bears a Beth Din logo.