- SA Jewish Report

US ACADEMICS
RAIL AGAINST
‘ISRAEL LOBBY’
INJE’S YOUTHFUL
CHARM POWERS
MUSICAL REVIEW
PAGE 11
www.sajewishreport.co.za
Friday, 19 October 2007 / 7 Cheshvan 5768
PAGE 12
Volume 11 Number 38
ASA: Controversial advert
‘offensive’ to Orthodox Jews
THE ADVERTISING Standards Authority agreed with the UOS that the advertisement stating
“Ten out of ten Jewish doctors recommend Jesus?” was offensive to Jews since it falsely claimed
that from a religious perspective one could consider oneself as Jewish and still believe Jesus was the
Messiah. The ASA reiterated its previous finding that the advertisement was in effect an attack on
one of the central tenets of the Jewish faith. PAGES 9 & 10
Max Price - UCT
vice-chancellor / 3
Hellig: The Tutu
fiasco / 10
Israel-SA trade on
the up / 17
Pietersburg
Jewry’s heyday
recalled / 17
Spring is
in the air
JOHANNESBURG-BORN Esme Kimmel
has been an avid gardener for many
years and her seven foot tall wall of
sweet peas has been the talking point
and envy of many a landscaper every
spring when the profusion of flowers
come into bloom.
This year, however, it is her orchids
which have come out larger and more
beautiful than ever before with many of
the sprays being so heavy with flowers
that they have to be tied up to prevent
them from falling down.
She started off with three or four cymbidium plants some nine years ago and
has been constantly dividing these until
today an entire wall of her garage is covered with the massive blooms which
she has growing in pots. She said she
didn’t have a secret for the quality of her
plants but the area was quite protected
from the wind and cold so maybe this
suited their needs.
She says she is always willing to swap
different colours with others to enlarge
their collections. She can be contacted
on (011) 786-5563.
PHOTO: RITA LEWIS
RITA LEWIS
JEWISH ‘IDOLS’ COMPETITION / 19
LETTERS / 14
CHASKALSON LAUDS SA CONSTITUTION / 20
CROSSWORD-BRIDGE / 21
2
SA JEWISH REPORT
19 - 26 October 2007
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Leaving home - for good
THE STORY is told of an encounter
between two famous rabbis of yesteryear - the Vilna Gaon and the
Dubner Magid. Apparently, the
Magid, or Preacher of Dubna, once
visited Vilna and went to pay a
courtesy call on the great Sage,
Rabbi Elijah of Vilna.
The Gaon asked the Dubner
Magid to preach to him, as was his
specialty. “Give me mussar (words
of rebuke). Chastise me,” said the
Gaon. “G-d forbid that I should
have the chutzpah to chastise the
great Gaon of Vilna,” replied the
Magid, quite horrified at the suggestion. “No matter, that is your
forte and I want to hear mussar
from you,” insisted the Gaon.
So the Dubner Magid thought a
while and then, most reluctantly,
acceded to the wishes of his illustrious host. Said the Magid: “Is it a
great achievement to be a Gaon sitting in Vilna in your little secluded
kloiz (small study)? Go out into the
world, mix with the people, and
then let us see what kind of Gaon
you will be.”
Indeed, it is much easier to be
scholarly and pious in our
sequestered ghettoes than it is in
the outside world, so often oblivious
- or even hostile - to Torah and its
values.
This, in fact, was more or less the
test of Abraham in this week’s par-
PARSHAT
LECH LECHA
Rabbi Yossy Goldman
Sydenham-Highlands
North Shul
sha. “Go from your land, from your
birthplace, from your father’s
house to the land I will show you.”
And it was there - far from his
natural environment and immediate comfort zones - that Abraham
accomplished G-d’s mission of
monotheism. He spread the name of
the One G-d to a pagan world and,
in the process, his own name and
reputation was established for eternity. It was only after leaving home
that
Abraham
became
the
Founding Father of the Jewish
People.
A hundred years ago, a generation of Yiddish-speaking, observant
Jews migrated from Europe. They
came to America, the golden land of
opportunity, to escape pogroms and
persecution. With blood, sweat and
tears they transformed themselves
from rags to riches and soon came
to personify the American dream,
an amazing and inspirational success story. But the fact is that for the
most part, as their businesses succeeded, their religious lives failed.
Unquestionably, Judaism took a
severe body blow. Most were unable
to sustain their old world values in
new world America. The transition
from shtetl to suburbia proved too
formidable and children and grandchildren grew up blissfully
unaware of their own sacred traditions. And the South African
Jewish experience wasn’t so different.
Today, we see this phenomenon
playing out on a lesser scale when
families emigrate or move from city
to city. Displaced from their spiritual support systems, they flounder.
The bulk of their efforts are directed at just resettling and reorganising their lives. Putting religious
infrastructures in place often
comes last - at great cost in the long
run.
And on a more subtle level, the
very same tests of conscience face
us when we take our annual vacations. Away from home and our
ingrained norms of behaviour, we
are challenged to maintain the code
of conduct we are committed to all
year long.
It’s like the story of the shadchan,
the old-fashioned matchmaker, who
suggested a young lady to a fellow
and absolutely raved about her.
After their first date, the fellow calls
up the shadchan and gives him a
piece of his mind.
“How dare you introduce me to
such a girl, didn’t you know she
limps!” Quite unflustered, the shad-
‘We’re partners with Hashem in creation’
ALISON GOLDBERG
THE ISSUE of safety in the world is
not a South African issue and not
an issue of our times. The world
became unsafe with the expulsion
of Adam and Chava from the
Garden of Eden. At that point death
came into the world and people had
to work in order to make the world
hospitable for human existence.
From the moment of conception,
death is our constant companion
and we live with the vulnerability
of that knowledge from the earliest
dawning of our consciousness. For
some the knowledge of death is the
greatest teacher and source of
inspiration. For others it’s a reason
for fear and dread, a great tyrant.
This was the thesis of clinical
psychologist Leonard Carr who
addressed SAIJE’s third meeting in
a five part series at Sandton Shul
recently.
The Maharal connects the Angel
of Death, the Satan and the Yetzer
Hara (the evil inclination). From
this we can infer that the Yetzer
Hara is also the voice of self-doubt
and fear, undermining our faith
and trust in Hashem, and inhibit-
ing us from investing our full potential in the world.
The ultimate role of the Yetzer
Hara, says Carr quoting his Teacher
Rabbi A C Goldfein, is to take a person out of the world.
This concept can be understood
as meaning that anything that stops
someone fulfilling their personal
potential in the world is a manifestation of the Yetzer Hara.
In order to put fear and anxiety in
context, one needs to recognise that
there are many dangers in life and
not all of them, or even most of
them, are physical. If one looks
through the world, one notices that
many children, possibly even the
majority of children, are growing
up in very dangerous environments.
Many children are losing their
cultural roots through migration
and displacement, there are the
dangers of which most parents are
blissfully unaware like the internet
and cellphone chat services that
threaten the safety of children in
their own homes and schools.
The placement of attention, the
choice to focus on either upon what
makes us feel safe, our faith, trust
and hope in Hashem or our vulner-
Women’s rights and Jewish law
ALISON GOLDBERG
CONTRARY TO popular belief,
Rabbi David Masinter, heading
Chabad in Johannesburg, told his
audience at the Pine Street Shul on
Succot Chol Hamoed that Jewish
courts of law protected women’s
rights far more than would appear
at a glance.
The occasion was the bestowing
of the Rebecca Sieff awards on
World WIZO Bible Day inaugurated by David Ben-Gurion, to look at
women’s rights.
Rabbi Masinter cited the law of
marriage as an example and
explained how at times the court of
ability and the ever present dangers determines our reality.
Our placement of attention and
the stories that we tell ourselves
about what we focus on in the
world, often becomes habitual.
Thus placing attention in ways that
keep us feeling secure and at ease
with the world, often needs to be
practiced. The practice begins with
the practice of hakarat hatov, gratitude. Teaching children the practice of gratitude for all that they
have in their lives is one of the
greatest gifts that anyone can give
them and the foundation of their
feeling secure in the world.
If one looks at one’s life through
eyes that seek to find the good then
one finds that one’s life is being
supported and guided by Hashem
at every instant. Perceiving that
one’s life is being guided and supported, brings a person to the realisation that they have intrinsic
value and worth, because Hashem
Himself cares enough to watch
over and guide their lives.
In observing how the process of
one’s life has ultimately moved
towards good, one is also able to
recognise that we have all been
Jewish law could even enforce an
abusive husband to give his wife a
divorce - whether it was physical,
emotional or financial abuse.
After teaching the laws of marriage and divorce from the Jewish
court’s point of view, Rabbi
Masinter then went into the laws of
marriage and divorce on a mystical
level but with a down to earth lesson.
He says there are three types of
marriages, firstly that between a
SHABBAT TIMES
October 19 / 7 Cheshvan
October 20 / 8 Cheshvan
Starts
17:59
18:10
17:51
18:09
18:00
18:06
Ends
18:49
19:38
18:42
19:00
19:10
18:59
Johannesburg
Cape Town
Durban
Bloemfontein
Port Elizabeth
East London
chan retorts, “But, what’s the
problem, it’s only when she
walks!”
It is when we walk away from
our comfortable cocoons and spiritual safety nets into the wider
society that we may find ourselves
limping somewhat, losing our
Jewish equilibrium. It is then that
our faith, our values, our morals
and beliefs are truly challenged.
Please G-d, the children of
Abraham will emulate their forefather who left his land and
remained strong in faith and family, going on to achieve remarkable success, both spiritually and
materially.
blessed with gifts and talents,
resources and skills that allow us to
be effective human beings.
We come to recognise that while
we have the capacity for great pain,
we are often subjected to profound
loss and seemingly unbearable circumstances; we have the corresponding capacity to recover and to grow
wiser and stronger through embracing and working with the potential
inherent in our challenges.
We even have the power to put
more goodness into the world,
because our pain further enlivens
us and connects us more profoundly
with our shared humanity.
When we look at our live through
grateful eyes, we also realise the
abundance with which we have been
blessed.
This moves us to want to give of
our goodness and gifts to the world.
In so doing we have a direct experience of the G-dliness inherent in us.
This sense of our own G-dly power
gives us further reason to feel
secure, realising that rather than
being sitting ducks awaiting fate to
deal us a harsh blow, we are partners with Hashem in creation and
thus in a sense invincible.
Herein lies our ultimate source of
security as well as our most profound challenge.
man and a woman, then secondly,
the marriage between G-d and the
Jewish people and thirdly, the marriage between the soul and body
(you and your self). This includes
the place where the soul finds itself
in this world.
He explained that everybody is
given different talents by G-d,
therefore we need to live life to the
fullest and use the talents that G-d
has given us.
19 - 26 October 2007
SA JEWISH REPORT
3
Max Price is new UCT vice-chancellor
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPH BY
MOIRA SCHNEIDER
CAPE TOWN
UCT’s vice-chancellor-designate Dr Max
Price, describes himself as a “traditional”
Jew whose respect for diversity of religions
and values and concern with human rights
and oppression have been shaped by his
heritage.
“If I look to the roots of my own value
system and my political involvement over
the years, both during the apartheid era
and afterwards, I attribute it very strongly
to the values that I got through that
upbringing,” he said at a media conference
held last Friday where his appointment
was announced.
Making the announcement, the chairman of UCT’s Council, Geoff Budlender,
said Price had a “proven record of championing transformation” during the 10 years
When the
honeymoon
is over
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPH BY
MOIRA SCHNEIDER
CAPE TOWN
SOUTH AFRICA had had a “wonderful first
decade honeymoon period” since democracy
but was in for a “rough ride” in the next couple of years, said Cape Town mayor and leader
of the Democratic Alliance, Helen Zille, who
was guest speaker at a YAD breakfast event.
She described the “crucial vote” concerning
the ANC succession in December as “one of
the most pivotal moments we’ve had, fraught
with danger, risk and possibility”. She also
referred to the suspension by President Thabo
Mbeki of National Prosecuting Authority
head Vusi Pikoli as “perhaps” the first major
assault on the Constitution.
YAD chairman Warren Kaimowitz with Cape
Town mayor and DA leader Helen Zille.
Describing Black Economic Empowerment
as “often a fig leaf to make sure the right people are in the right places”, Zille said the ANC
was being controlled by “a smaller and smaller group on whose favour other people rely that’s what we’re seeing emerging in the succession race.”
The ANC had used institutions of state that
should be independent of the ruling party to
counter resistance, which it regarded as “an
act of hostility”.
There were, however, some “fantastically
good signs”, she noted, referring to the independent media as “one of our most promising
platforms”. “Most of the best journalists happen to be black - what a resource that is for
sustaining an open society in South Africa.”
Stating her belief that challenges provided
“major opportunities”, Zille referred to the
“great breakthrough” when the DA won the
city of Cape Town in 2006 by “the smallest of
margins”.
“If we can govern the city and the province
and implement our vision, we’ll show the
alternative in practice. I think we’ll reach a
tipping point sooner than you can imagine,”
she said, adding that a Zuma succession would
provide “a real opportunity” for a “complete
realignment” of South African politics
“depending on the critical moves that we
make and that democrats in the ANC make.”
Appealing to the audience not to “run
away” from the period of “major challenge”
that the country was facing, she said: “As
leaders of civil society, you have far more
leverage than I think you understand.”
he served as dean of the faculty of Health
Sciences at Wits. As a student, he had led
opposition to apartheid and had been
detained without trial.
Referring to his “passion and energy”,
Budlender said Price had for over 30 years
shown “sustained commitment to the principles that guide UCT”. He was selected
from a field of 27 applicants, 15 of whom
were international candidates.
Commenting on his communal involvement, Price said he had served on the
South African Board of Jewish Education
for three years “because I thought that the
(Jewish) community was isolating itself
significantly from the community around
it and needed to become more integrated.
“I was part of that community and therefore needed to play a role in trying to break
that isolation and create more integration I have to say I wasn’t successful.”
After completing his medical degree at
Wits, Price was awarded a Rhodes
Scholarship and enrolled for a Bachelor of
Arts degree at Oxford as he felt that the
traditional medical training was “quite
narrow”.
“I’m committed to developing the university curricula so that the professions are
given more exposure to the humanities and
social sciences to ensure that graduates are
educated citizens as well as being technically efficient,” he said.
Asked if the decision to appoint a white
male could be construed as “politically
incorrect” in the light of transformation
imperatives, Budlender said the Council
had appointed the person who was “best
able to give the university the leadership
which it needs now. If we’ve learned anything, we should have learned by now that
transformation is not only the job of black
people, it’s also the job of white people who
can and must do it.
Dr Max Price and Geoff Budlender, chairman of the UCT Council, at the press conference held to announce Price’s
appointment as vice-chancellor-designate of the university.
“It’s important to send the message to
the university and more broadly that this is
everyone’s responsibility and when outstanding candidates are found, that should
be welcomed and endorsed. The Council
believes that Dr Price is the best candidate
for the job at this time.”
19 - 26 October 2007
SA JEWISH REPORT
5
Kerzner brings upmarket
One&Only to SA
INTERNATIONAL hotelier Sol Kerzner
returned to South Africa recently to launch
the development of a R900 million luxury
hotel at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront.
Scheduled to open in two year’s time, he
expects that the One&Only Resorts Cape
Town will lead a new wave
of upmarket tourism to
this country, ahead of the
World Cup Soccer tournament in 2010.
A media release states
that the seven-storey, 130room resort will be sited at
the city’s premier tourism
attraction, flanked by
Table Mountain and overlooking the yacht marina.
Kerzner estimates the
building costs at a million
dollars a room. “It’s quite
expensive,” he said, “but
when you’re building quality that’s what it costs.”
The top two floors will
comprise three 600-squaremetre, duplex penthouses
with panoramic views of
Cape Town’s legendary
setting. Fully serviced by
the hotel and secured with
private lifts, he expects
they will later be auctioned in the heavy demand for premium
residential properties at the Waterfront.
The One&Only Cape Town is the first
new project Kerzner has started in South
Africa since he completed the final phase of
the Sun City resort, the Lost City, in 1992.
Since then, the 72-year-old, Johannesburgborn entrepreneur has established his
Kerzner International group at the forefront of innovative resort design world-
wide.
Its One&Only Resorts and Atlantis
brands of hotels, lead a $3,6 billion (R25 billion) portfolio of five-star properties
stretching from the United States, the
Caribbean and Central America to Dubai,
Mauritius and the Maldives.
“It’s good to be back,” he
said in Johannesburg last
Friday, explaining that the
start-date of his latest project
had been delayed by the
Waterfront changing ownership.
“The timing is right for us,
however, and in our view it’s
right for the high end of
South Africa’s tourism market. We only have six
One&Only hotels in operation so far but each of them
has had a significant influence on the development of
the tourism trade in those
destinations. In many ways
the One&Only Cape Town
will help do that too.”
There was already another
One&Only Resorts hotel
being planned for this country, Kerzner said. He expected the brand to break open a
new marketplace at the
upper end of the $7 trillion global tourism
industry and also to help generate business for other destinations across South
Africa.
“For example, the quality of South
Africa’s game lodge development is very
high,” he said. “It has happened that way
with other One&Only Resorts hotels and
I’d expect we will break new ground in the
tourism business here as well.”
6
SA JEWISH REPORT
19 - 26 October 2007
SOCIAL SCENE
Rita Lewis [email protected]
Dafi Kremer (centre) hugs her two friends Melissa Chipkin and Hilary Segal who hold
up her massive “farewell” cake for all to see.
Graduates hold up their certificates. Standing extreme left. Dafi Kremer and Carmen
Emanuel, head of MiBereishit. Standing right, behind. Rabbi Ephraim Levitz.
Joy and sadness at Beit
Midrash graduation
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY RITA LEWIS
Rabbi Ephraim Levitz visiting from
Israel shows off his musical and singing
skills.
Popular teachers and lecturers, Malka
Bender and Ilana Stein.
THE RECENT ceremony at which 47
Emunah teachers/graduates received their
certificates for the completion of the Tanach
course from Boston City Campus, was both a
proud and a sad occasion for everyone as this
was the last event at which Emunah Beit
Midrash’s principal, Dafi Kremer would be
officiating.
Kremer and her family are returning to
Israel after their three year stint in South
Africa is finished. Her place at the Emunah
Beit Midrash is being taken by Melissa
Chipkin.
The graduation ceremony coincided with
the start of the Israeli Book Fair launch and
guests were able to view and buy the educational books and material which were on display. It is believed that some 500 children visited the exhibition.
On the subject of her retirement, Kremer
said she had no intention of doing nothing.
She would be taking up a position at
MiBereishit in Jerusalem.
During their stay, Kremer and her husband Shai, proved to be both the most popular, as well as the most effective shlichim, to
have come to this country.
Carmen Emanuel, MiBereishit’s educational director, praised Kremer and all the
input she had given and innovations she had
instituted to the Emunah Beit Midrash programme, saying that they could never have
managed to have achieved everything that
they did without her behind them - especially when it came to their recent tour to Israel.
She said what they had all learnt while in
Israel, seeing how Israeli schools operated
and the institutions they visited, as well as
the interaction with Israeli teachers, would
be invaluable and unforgettable and this
information would be passed on to others.
She added that these were thoughts reiterated in the words by (former US President) Bill
Clinton who said: “When you educate
women, you educate the nation.”
She said many of the students had been
positively changed by the course and the
“interaction and tolerance experienced
between the religious and non-religious students was unbelievable and totally unexpected by us all”.
She said ORT now planned to train all
Jewish teachers and make them computer
literate. This had come about as it had been
found that many teachers were not sufficiently IT competent.
A short slide show of the teachers’ trips
was also shown.
Rabbi Ephraim Levitz whose visit to
South Africa was organised to give teacher
enrichment programmes for MiBereishit in
Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town and
to coincide with the Book Fair where his
mission was story-telling, spoke on the fortune of the South African community having teachers of the calibre of Malka Bender
and Ilana Stein - Stein, was once a learner
at Yeshiva College and is now a teacher
there. He asked the gathering: “Does the
South African community know what a
fountain of knowledge you have in your
midst?”
The group of preprimary schoolteachers who went to Israel in
December 2005 and completed the course in 2006.
Dafi Kremer addresses graduates, guests
and Emunah supporters for one of the last
times.
Some of the gathering in the marquee. On the right is Carmen
Emanuel, educational director of MiBereishit.
19 - 26 October 2007
SA JEWISH REPORT
7
8
SA JEWISH REPORT
COMMUNITY BUZZ
LIONEL SLIER
082-444-9832, fax: 011-786-5036,
[email protected]
HEILBRON
Rollo Berman continues:
“At night we used to go to the bioscope.
There was no formal cinema and the
screening of films took place at the Town
Hall. One paid a nominal price for a ticket.
“The man who showed the films was a
Mr Howell. He ran an electrical business
in the town. One thing that I remember
about the film evenings was the hard seats
and the breaking down of the projector. In
those years the community had Friday
evening services in a small shul which, in
later years, became a museum.
“Could I ever forget the late Solly and
Barney Shapiro? Their parents ran a business in the Main Street. Solly used to
come and visit Rodney and ask my aunt:
‘Mrs Sallis, is Rottney home?’ Solly was a
tough guy and he would playfully give me
a hard punch on the arm. I must say that
the punch lasted for a long time afterwards.
“Another Shapiro family, connected to
the ‘Commercial Hotel’ served very tasty
food and the atmosphere there was always
great. The Sallis family stayed there while
their house was being built.
“The winters in Heilbron were very
severe and the water from the taps on the
lawn froze and formed icicles.
“I remember that I struggled to get out
of bed in the mornings.
“Presently Rodney and his sister,
Gillian, live in Johannesburg. He married
Boenie Witten from Kroonstad. They have
two married children, one of whom lives
overseas and one in Johannesburg. There
is a son who also lives there.
“I hope that you have enjoyed reading
about ‘the good old days spent on the
Platteland.”
19 - 26 October 2007
PRETORIA
Sent in by Sylvia Shapshak:
“The article about the Germiston Home
Guard called to mind the Pretoria Civil
Defence. My father, Richard Siskind, was
too old to join the army so he enlisted in it,
as did some of his friends. Every evening
after work, Dad put on his uniform and
went on duty. They had training in the use
of rifles but luckily seldom had occasion to
shoot.
“The Civil Defence had men guarding the
vulnerable sites such as the Union
Buildings. One evening Dad was on guard
duty there and the men were given the
password and instructed to ask for it before
letting a person through. Dad heard somebody approaching, asked for the password,
heard nothing, asked again, and again
heard nothing and shot at the noise. The
next thing he heard was his commanding
officer yelling: ‘For G-d’s sake Richard,
don’t shoot- it’s me!’
“They also did duty as police, as many
policemen were in the army. They were
called out by householders who thought
they were in any sort of danger.
“If there was any form of trouble, the
exits from the city were guarded. When
(rightwing extremist and Nazi) Robey
Leibbrandt escaped from prison, my father
was on duty with several men of his unit
and also a young police constable at the
east end of Church Street, quite near the
Dolls House.
“The road had been barricaded and all
cars were stopped. One car, however,
refused to stop and crashed through the
barricade. The young constable promptly
fired at it and probably by luck and not
skill shot out a tyre and stopped the car.
The driver, unhurt, got out in a rage and
shouted at the amazed men— she was a
midwife on her way to an urgent delivery
and hadn’t noticed the stop signs.”
* Robey Leibbrandt was a boxer who represented South Africa at the 1936 Olympic
Games where he met Adolf Hitler and
became a confirmed Nazi. He underwent
military training in Germany and was sent
out to South Africa on a German yacht and
landed on the western coast.
He had instructions to assassinate Prime
Minister Jan Smuts and set up a Nazi government. Leibbrandt was captured and
sentenced to death for high treason. The
sentence was later commuted. One of the
first acts of the Nationalist government
after they came into power in 1948 was to
release Leibbrandt.
JOHANNESBURG/YEOVILLE
From Dave Berkowitz (now of White
River):
Henry Ginsberg, Denis Port, Monty
Hacker, Leon Herbert, Bernard Green and
the Buntman brothers, Percy and Johnny.
“At one stage, for two seasons, the club
had a West German junior international by
the name of Jurgen.
“During these years, three Jewish players of great ability represented Transvaal,
SA Maccabi and the South African national team. They were Aubrey Kaplan (Jeppe
Quondam), Robbie Schwartz (Wits) and
Leon Nahon (Old Edwardians), probably
three of the finest players ever to represent
South Africa.”
JOHANNESBURG
“The article by David Shapiro (August 3)
brought back wonderful memories of
Yeoville in the 1950s and 1960s.
“The hub and buzz of this wonderful
suburb centred on the Apollo Café and the
Yeoville Swimming Baths. The baths was a
popular gathering point and attracted fine
youngsters, budding hoodlums and lovely
young ladies who travelled from the northern suburbs and even from Mayfair and
Greenside to be part of ‘the scene’.
“Based at the Yeoville Baths was the
most competitive swimming and water
polo club, Yeoville Municipals.
“I was fortunate to serve on the committee under chairman, Jack Friedman, his
wife, Daphne, Barney Furman, Esther
Green and many others who all did such
wonderful work. It was a pleasure to be
associated with such committed club members.
“During the 1950s and 1960s South
African water polo was highly ranked in
world terms and competed on the world
stage with giants such as Hungary and
Russia at the Olympic Games in Helsinki
1952, Melbourne 1956 and Rome 1960.
“Transvaal water polo was hugely competitive, and while never managing to win
the league title, Yeoville Municipals always
fielded strong teams that were able to compete with the powerhouses such as
Southern Suburbs, Jeppe Quondam, Wits
University and Old Edwardians. The
Yeovile teams had strong players such as
Abe Katz, Morris Belnick, Des Cohen,
From Mrs S J Fishman. (A little late for
Succot, but nevertheless interesting):
“I was personal assistant to Mr H Lory who
was the manager of the Federation of
Synagogues. I also worked for the Beth Din
rabbonim under the leadership of the
(then) Chief Rabbi Louis Rabinowitz,
Rabbi A Lapin, Rabbi S Rosenzweig and
Rabbi I Aloy (to name a few). These gentlemen were incredible leaders of our community.
“Before Succot Mr Lory would go to the
airport to collect the etrogim, imported
from Israel and I was privileged to check
them to ensure that the pittoms were
intact. Afterwards I assisted in packing
them into boxes where they nestled in cotton wool for protection, labelling all the
parcels ‘fragile’ and posting them to shuls
all over the country.
“The Beth Din and Federation of
Synagogues were housed at 24 Raleigh
Street, Yeoville; later a building for them
was built on that stand.
“The chairman of the Federation was the
charming and dedicated Mr I Kuper. I was
requested by the committee to organise the
golden wedding celebrations for the
Kupers and it was a great success and a
real surprise party for the couple.
“Succot has passed, but I wish to share
the above information with the Jewish
community through the medium of your
paper.”
19 - 26 October 2007
SA JEWISH REPORT
Offensive ads finally bite the dust
DAVID SAKS
AN EVANGELICAL Christian group that
targets Jews for conversion has been
unsuccessful in its attempt to reverse on
appeal a ruling by the Advertising
Standards Authority of South Africa
(ASA) that one of its advertisements
should be withdrawn as it was offensive to
the Jewish faith community.
In July this year, ASA upheld on review
a complaint by the Union of Orthodox
Synagogues (UOS) against a Jews for
Jesus advertisement depicting a surgeon
and stating “Ten out of ten Jewish doctors recommend Jesus?” The advertisement was displayed on a bus shelter in
Greenside.
ASA agreed with the UOS’s contention
that the advertisement was offensive to
Orthodox Jews since it falsely claimed
that from a religious perspective one
could consider oneself as Jewish and still
believe that Jesus was the Messiah.
In dismissing the appeal, the ASA reiterated its previous finding that the advertisement was in effect an attack on one of
the central tenets of the Jewish faith,
namely that Jesus was not the Messiah.
Given its religious context, it was reasonable to expect those of the Jewish
faith to be offended by the suggestion that
ten out of ten Jewish doctors recommended Jesus since they were likely to see this
as ridiculing a basic and fundamental
principle of the Jewish religion.
It was stressed that the ruling should be
read solely in relation to the specific
advertisement under consideration. It did
not prevent Jews for Jesus from advertising in any manner that was consistent
with the Advertising Code, nor from seeking to convert others to its beliefs.
UOS director Darren Sevitz was quoted
in the Sunday Times of October 14 as saying that his organisation was in no way
opposed to Christians or Christianity, but
took issue with a campaign that “unapologetically targeted Jews for conversion”.
The “Ten out of Ten...” advertisement is
based on the promotional blurb for a book
distributed by the group, entitled Jewish
Doctors Meet the Great Physician.
According to the blurb: “Ten out of ten
Jewish doctors recommend Jesus... and
we have the stories to prove it! You will
love these ten first-person accounts of
Jewish doctors who came to know Jesus
as their personal Messiah and are excited
for other Jews to hear the Gospel as well.”
Two other ads by the group also
appeared on bus shelters. In the first,
using the Hebrew name for Jesus, it
asked: “Y’shua. Who do you think he is?”
The other ad stated: “The only hope for
peace was born in the Middle East.” This
did not attract any complaint.
Raymond Isarow of Johannesburg had
been the first to complain to the ASA,
maintaining that the “Ten out of ten...”
advertisement was misleading as it
implied 100 per cent of Jewish doctors
recommended Jesus. Jews for Jesus in
turn countered that Isarow did not give a
reason why he maintained the poster was
AROUND THE
WORLD
NEWS IN BRIEF
AMIR CAN'T ATTEND BRIT
JERUSALEM - Yigal Amir will not be
permitted to attend his soon-to-be-born
son's brit.
The Israel Prisons Authority has
turned down a request by Prime
Minister Yitzhak Rabin's assassin to be
allowed a furlough to attend the circumcision ceremony. The authority
also declined to allow the brit to be held
at the prison.
Amir, who is spending life in solitary
confinement in prison for the 1995 murder of Rabin, married Larissa
Trimbobler in a proxy ceremony and
was permitted conjugal visits. (JTA)
misleading, adding that the advertising
slogan was “an invitation to dialogue”
and ended with a question mark “which is
appropriately positioned because it is
intended to cause people to engage with
and question the preceding statement”.
According to the Sunday Times article,
Michael Sischy, a Jewish doctor who
believes in Jesus - and who is also a director of Jews for Jesus - insisted that the
advertisements were not meant to cause
offence. He is quoted as saying: “We feel
they are light-hearted hyperbole aimed at
stimulating the kind of dialogue and
debate you want to stimulate in an open
and democratic society.”
Isarow’s complaint was dismissed by
the ASA in December last year after it
had found that the statement ended in a
question mark, indicating “that the sentence is not stated as fact”.
At the time the ASA added: “If anything, it is an attempt to get readers to
probe the juxtaposition of Judaism and a
clearly Christian belief statement.
“It is unlikely that consumers would be
misled into believing that all Jewish doctors ‘recommend Jesus’.”
Then the UOS entered the fray after
receiving numerous complaints. The UOS
argued that the question mark did not
detract from the false claims Jews for
Jesus were making. It also contended that
the Star of David used in the ads by Jews
for Jesus was “highly offensive” and
evoked “outrage”, as Jews for Jesus were
9
bent on converting Jews away from
Judaism.
Jews for Jesus maintained it acted
“within the bounds of religious freedom
and freedom of expression”, that it could
use the Star of David as they were Jewish
and that its advertising did not force anyone to believe in anything they did not
want to.
But the ASA ruled in favour of the UOS.
Jews for Jesus appealed this ruling, but
the ASA rejected the appeal, saying it was
“indisputable that the advertisement
attacks, or is aimed at, the central tenet of
the Jewish faith... that Jesus is not the
Messiah...
“(It) is reasonable to expect people of
the Jewish faith to be offended by the suggestion that 10 out of 10 Jewish doctors
recommend Jesus. They are likely to see
the advertisement as ridiculing a basic
and fundamental principle of faith.”
10
SA JEWISH REPORT
19 - 26 October 2007
OPINION AND ANALYSIS
FORUM FOR DIVERSE VIEWS
The Tutu fiasco
An admirable choice
THE INCUMBENT of the post of vice-chancellor
of a prestigious university with an impressive
history and an international reputation for academic excellence like the University of Cape
Town (UCT) carries a tremendous responsibility
on his shoulders.
He must be its philosophical figurehead, evoke
deep respect, make certain that its ethos embodies the highest values of the academic world and
ensure that it plays a constructive role in the
broader society.
In looking for the person to replace its outgoing
vice-chancellor, Njabulo Ndebele, UCT had a
wide range of eminent applicants to choose from
- a field of 27, 15 of whom were international candidates.
In selecting Dr Max Price, a white male (as
reported on page 3), UCT has made a bold statement in a country where “transformation” is one
of the key political imperatives of the day - interpreted crudely by many to mean the replacement
of whites by blacks, or men by women in the
working world. UCT’s decision was based on the
premise that it is a much more nuanced thing that “transformation is not only the job of black
people, but is also the job of white people who can
and must do it”, according to the chairman of
UCT’s Council, Geoff Budlender.
Price’s record over three decades as a political
activist against apartheid with an enduring passion for promoting diversity and integration in
society, combined with his proven skills as a
leader and administrator, make him eminently
suitable.
For South African Jewry, Price’s appointment
should also be a source of pride. In his involvement with the Jewish community - he describes
himself as a “traditional” Jew - he has often been
critical of what he has seen as their tendency to
isolate themselves from the broader society, and
has tried to influence them in a different direction, particularly regarding Jewish schools. His
thoughts and efforts for social change represent
the best of the Jewish tradition of striving for a
better world. Not everyone in the Jewish community agrees with his particular take on what this
means, but - ironically - that argument in itself is
an example of the diverse thinking that exists in
the Jewish world regarding “inwardness” and
“outwardness”.
Congratulations, Dr Price. We are sure that as
vice-chancellor of UCT, you will bring credit and
pride to the university and to all South Africans.
The dignity of faith groups
The sensitive question of the parameters of the
precious right to freedom of expression, in a
country whose recent history contains the most
severe repression of that right, has been tested
recently in the matter of an advert placed on a
bus shelter in a traditionally Jewish area by Jews
for Jesus, saying: “Ten out of ten Jewish doctors
recommend Jesus?” and other similar adverts.
As reported in the story on page 9, the
Advertising Standards Authority has ruled that
the ad was offensive to Orthodox Jews and
should be removed.
The obvious question this raises is: Are Jews
attempting to deny freedom of expression to others who believe differently to them?
The line is a subtle one. The ASA attempted to
draw it in ruling that the ad would be seen by
Jews as “ridiculing a basic and fundamental
principle of faith” for them. The executive director of the UOS, Darren Sevitz, stressed in an article in a Sunday newspaper that the UOS was in
no way opposed to Christians or Christianity,
and had no problem with billboards that said
“Jesus Christ is lord and saviour of the universe”, but did object to a campaign that
“unapologetically targeted Jews for conversion”.
He went on to give an equivalent example in
another context where the line would also have
been crossed if - hypothetically - “SAB were to
advertise beer with a picture of a Muslim drinking beer”. This would be slandering a basic tenet
of the Muslim faith and be highly offensive to
Muslims.
The debate over where the line should be
drawn between the right to freedom of expression and the right of faith communities to dignity in the public realm is not an easy one.
We applaud the ASA for engaging so sensitively with this issue.
THE DECISION by the president of St
Thomas university, Minnesota, Dennis
Dease, to “disinvite” Archbishop
Emeritus Desmond Tutu from speaking
at a human rights conference there next
April, has fortunately been reversed and
this, ironically, after pressure from the
American Anti-Defamation League.
Hopefully, Tutu will agree to participate in the Roman Catholic college’s
annual programme in which Nobel laureates teach young people about peace and
freedom.
Although Dease has egg on his face, his
motives were misguided rather than
malicious. He reached his decision, not
through pressure from Minnesota’s
Jewish community, but through concerned consultation, in order to avoid
offending it.
Sadly, the primary evidence used by the
community spokesperson for Tutu’s
alleged anti-Semitism, was a distorted
version of an old speech given by him in
Boston in 2002. The right-wing Zionist
Organisation of America (ZOA) had, at
the time, inaccurately quoted Haaretz’s
report, supplying its own provocative précis, “Israel is like Hitler and apartheid”.
Given the historically strained relationship between the Roman Catholic Church
and Judaism, Dease’s caution is no bad
thing. His error was his poor assessment
of the moral giant he was attempting to
silence, particularly in that Tutu will,
anyway, be speaking in Boston later this
month on “The apartheid paradigm in
Palestine-Israel”.
Tutu actually said: “I’ve been deeply
distressed in my visit to the Holy Land; it
reminded me... of what happened to us
black people in South Africa... I have seen
the humiliation of the Palestinians at
checkpoints and roadblocks, suffering
like us when white police officers prevented us from moving about...
“Why are our memories so short? Have
our Jewish sisters and brothers forgotten
their humiliation... the collective punish-
ON
BALANCE
Jocelyn Hellig
ment, the home demolitions in their own
history so soon?”
“The apartheid government was very
powerful, but today it no longer exists”.
The Jewish lobby, too, is powerful, Tutu
said, but this should not intimidate the
community into silence.
“Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Pinochet,
Milosevic, and Idi Amin were all powerful,
but in the end they bit the dust. Injustice
and oppression will never prevail.”
Tutu’s speech, though harshly critical
of Israel and the Israel lobby, was not antiSemitic. He asserted the possibility of
peace in the Middle East, clearly noting
Israel’s security needs and affirming its
right to exist.
But he also called for an end to the
Israeli occupation of Palestinian land
while appealing, too, for the cessation of
Palestinian violence against Israel.
Additionally, Tutu highlighted the disproportionate role that South African Jews
had played in defeating apartheid.
There are two revealing signs of
whether one’s intent is malign or fairminded.
The first is the willingness to entertain
the possibility of the two-state solution to
the Arab-Israeli conflict, because the
accusation that Israel is an apartheid state
is most often accompanied by the conviction that the “occupation” includes, not
only the West Bank, but Israel in its
entirety.
The second is moral consistency, and it
is precisely that that makes Tutu’s message so compelling. Nothing and no one
frightens him. He voices his disappointment at some of the actions of the current
South African government, condemning its
silent acquiescence to the situation in
Zimbabwe.
He is prepared to excoriate Robert
Mugabe once “one of Africa’s best leaders,
a bright spark, a debonair, well-spoken and
well read person”.
The reality is that, as long as the occupation endures, Israel’s restrictions on the
Palestinians’ daily lives will bear strong
resemblances to apartheid, especially for
those who suffered under it, and will continue to fudge the very real differences
between the democratic ethos of Israel
proper and the exigencies of being an occupier.
This is not the first time that Tutu, who
often compares apartheid to the Holocaust,
has fallen foul of the Jewish community.
“We don’t have gas chambers,” he said in
a 1988 study by Tzippi Hoffmann and Alan
Fischer, “but if you put people in... resettlement camps where they will starve and
children die every day, it’s the same sort of
thing,...maybe less tidy”.
Noteworthy, however, is that when South
African blacks use the Holocaust as an
analogy to their suffering, they usually do
so to emphasise its enormity rather than to
trivialise it - the very opposite of Holocaust
denial.
The intention of the apartheid regime
was never identical to that of Nazism, but
there was a basic parallel in that both were
systems of humiliation based on race.
Critics of the comparison are insufficiently sensitive to the fact that, from a
Third World African perspective, praise,
even of the likes of Hitler, may not be as
horrific as it is from a Western viewpoint.
The Holocaust’s uniqueness may seem
alien to those who have, themselves,
endured centuries of persecution, with suffering and genocide as part of their emerging self-image.
“Sometimes strident, often tender, never
afraid and seldom without humour,” as
Nelson Mandela once put it, “Desmond
Tutu’s voice will always be the voice of the
voiceless.”
Any victory we may feel we score by
silencing it is, ultimately, a defeat.
Struggling with Israel’s ‘character’
NAOMI CHAZAN
JERUSALEM
UNINFORMED readers of the general
American press these days learn only two
things about Israel. One is that it is consumed with war and peace. The other is
that this small state of seven million people deploys - or does not, depending on
whom you are reading - the most powerful, homogenous lobby in Washington,
bending the American government’s
actions to its interests at will.
American Jews know better, of course.
The quest for a fair and sustainable settlement to conflict in the Middle East is
indeed central, but the peace process is
not the only challenge of Israel’s continuing struggle for survival as the state its
founders intended it to be.
Important, too, are issues that define
Israel as a society, as a homeland for
Jews, as a democracy. In the long run
these and related topics will contribute as
much as military and diplomatic matters
to answering the question of whether
Israel will survive another 60 years.
Since serving as deputy speaker of the
Knesset, I have spent more of my time on
what I call the struggle for Israel’s character. As a democracy with a thriving
civil society, there is plenty of scope for
argument in Israel over issues ranging
from minority rights to religious freedom.
However, there are also voices of
extremism, intolerance and ultra-nationalism that threaten not just the Israeli
ideal of a liberal, democratic state but the
very mechanisms that allow us to fiercely
debate the issues that will define our
future.
For example, the independence of
Israel’s High Court, the most important
guarantor of rights in a country without
a written constitution, is under siege
from right-wingers inside and outside the
government who would like to subject it
to political manipulation.
The struggle to impede the theocratic
objectives of religious parties continues,
with progressives working hard just to
prevent further encroachment on what
should be a firm religion-state divide.
Perhaps most important, and difficult,
is the growing chasm between Israel’s
Jewish and Arab citizens, as some of the
former continue to perpetuate de facto
inequality, and the latter react with an
increasingly radicalised vision of an
Israel bereft of any identifying Jewish
characteristics.
Moreover, Israel is a country facing
increasing socio-economic discrepancies.
Overall, the prospects for immigrant
youth, Israeli Arabs, mizrachim - citizens
from Middle Eastern and North African
lands - residents of development towns,
Bedouin and all the other outsiders to
Israel’s thriving economy, remain severely constricted.
Women confront gender rights issues
every day, and not just in the Orthodox
and Israeli Arab communities. The disgusting parade of Israeli politicians
accused and found guilty of sexual
harassment and worse is the most visible
indicator of a society struggling to overcome serious problems with patriarchy.
These and similar issues constantly, if
not always consciously, affect the relations between Israel and world Jewry.
The notion of a single-minded American
pro-Israel lobby that only reflects
the worldview of the American Israel
Public Affairs Committee - Walt and
Mearsheimer notwithstanding - is ridiculous.
In the next week I will be engaging,
along with other Israeli progressive social
activists, in a nine-city national conversation sponsored by the New Israel Fund
titled “Towards a Progressive Vision for
Israel”.
Anyone attending these events for even
an hour no doubt would conclude that
Naomi Chazan. (PHOTO: NEW ISRAEL FUND)
much of the American Jewish community
is to the left of some of its “official”
spokesperson organisations, and that this
large segment deserves a louder voice on
key Israel-related issues.
Achieving a more powerful voice for
these Jewish voices in the United States is
crucial for two reasons. First, the taboo of
criticising Israel must be broken. The
issue is not whether Israel is always right
or always wrong, as the current discourse
aridly asserts. Rather the question is how
to deal constructively and creatively with
Israel’s very real problems. The debate
about Israel must be reframed.
Second, the majority of Israeli citizens who have achieved real successes advocating in an open, argumentative, self-critical
society - need support from their
American counterparts. When the most
visible American backers of Israel are the
Likud-fellow-traveller Jewish groups and
the Christian right, it is almost impossible
to counter those powerful and wellfinanced voices and the retrogressive values they champion.
It is time for true democrats in both
Israel and the United States to challenge
themselves with the reality of Israel in its
60th year: a vibrant, thriving country still
striving for ideals not yet attained. (JTA)
Naomi Chazan, former deputy speaker of
the Knesset, is professor emerita of political science at the Hebrew University of
Jerusalem and head of the School of
Government and Society at the Academic
College of Tel-Aviv-Yaffo. She is a member
of the New Israel Fund board of directors.
19 - 26 October 2007
SA JEWISH REPORT
11
OPINION AND ANALYSIS
FORUM FOR DIVERSE VIEWS
Critics of pro-Israel lobby gather
BEN HARRIS
CHICAGO
COLLECTIVELY they have published more
than a hundred books and countless articles.
Four are tenured professors at elite
American universities. Internet searches
reveal them to be widely cited experts on
international affairs and American foreign
policy. In short, it’s difficult to imagine a collection of academics more secure in their
posts or more prominent.
But there they were - Noam Chomsky,
John Mearsheimer, Tony Judt and fellow
travellers - at a conference last week hosted
by the University of Chicago warning that
pressure from American Jewish groups is
having a chilling effect on unpopular scholarship and free-wheeling debate on university campuses.
“Universities are the one place in the
United States where Israel tends to get treated like a normal country,” said Mearsheimer,
the University of Chicago professor and coauthor of The Israel Lobby, which asserts
that the pro-Israel community stifles debate
over US policy in the Middle East.
“Some find this situation intolerable,” he
told a nearly packed 1 500-seat auditorium,
“which causes them to work hard to stifle
criticism of Israel and to instead promote a
positive image of Israel on campuses.”
Barely a month into the academic year,
university campuses are beset by controversies related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
and the related issue of American policy in
the Middle East.
To many in the pro-Israel community, the
Chicago conference featured a rogue’s
gallery of Israel’s most vehement critics, a
group that opponents say lavishes attention
on the supposed crimes of the Jewish state
while ignoring the terrorism directed at its
citizens.
That many of the speakers are Jewish
themselves hasn’t muted criticisms of their
writings as anti-Semitic, self-hating and
Nazi-sympathising.
On Sunday, the Committee for Accuracy in
Middle East Reporting in America, a proIsrael media watchdog, will host a daylong
conference on the subject titled “Israel’s
Jewish Defamers”.
The October 12 conference, titled “In
Defence of Academic Freedom”, brought
together not only Jews and non-Jews, but
professors whose ideological differences are
so vast they likely agree on little else than the
notion that Jewish groups have degraded the
quality and breadth of discussion in the
media and in Washington.
Mearsheimer is a proponent of the realist
school of international relations, which
resists the intrusion of moral considerations
into cold calculations of national interest.
Chomsky’s belief that American policy in
the Middle East is motivated solely by imperialist aggression is greatly informed by the
moral consequences of American behaviour.
Nevertheless, they came together around
the view that universities are the final
redoubts of robust criticism of Israel.
Naturally, they added, these institutions are
now coming under assault.
“It’s a reversal of the real situation,” said
Daniel Pipes, director of Campus Watch, an
academic watchdog group that was cited several times by conference speakers as one of
the forces allegedly suppressing academic
freedom. Pipes noted that when he speaks at
universities, he does so under intense police
protection and is frequently interrupted by
hecklers.
“When I go on universities, I can barely
give a talk,” Pipes told JTA. “Whose academ-
ic freedom is being infringed? Noam
Chomsky doesn’t have this problem, I do.
David Horowitz does. Ann Coulter does.
Benjamin Netanyahu does.”
The Chicago parley was most immediately
inspired by the case of Norman Finkelstein,
a vigorous critic of Israeli policy and the
author of the controversial books The
Holocaust Industry and Image and Reality
of the Israel-Palestine Conflict.
Finkelstein was recommended for tenure
at DePaul University by his department and
the college-level tenure committee, but the
school’s dean overruled them following a
concerted campaign against him led by
prominent Harvard Law Professor Alan
Dershowitz.
Mearsheimer professed to not always seeing eye to eye with Finkelstein on Israel, but
nevertheless supported his application for
tenure and delivered an impassioned
defence of his scholarly credentials. Denial
of tenure, Mearsheimer claimed, only has
one possible explanation: outside pressure
from the pro-Israel community.
“There’s no other plausible explanation
for the top administrator’s decision to override the recommendations of the political
science department and the college-wide
tenure committee,” Mearsheimer said.
For those at the conference, Finkelstein
has become Exhibit A in the case against
what they see as the pernicious effect of
Jewish pressure on universities. Speakers
mentioned other tenure battles, including
the one now being fought over Nadia Abu ElHaj at Barnard College in New York City,
and plenty of instances of failed attempts to
have controversial professors fired.
No other examples were presented, however, to buttress the claim that pro-Israel
groups had made any significant headway in
blocking professorial appointments.
Neve Gordon, a tenured professor of politics at Ben-Gurion University in Israel, said
professors in his country enjoyed much
greater freedom to discuss Middle East
issues than their counterparts in the United
States. He further observed that had
Finkelstein been teaching at Ben-Gurion, he
would have received tenure.
Gordon said the main pressure involving
his own controversial words came from outside Israel. In a letter to the university’s
president at the time, the Zionist
Organisation of America urged Avishay
Braverman to withdraw support for Gordon,
citing several examples of his writings,
including those in which he called Israel’s
separation barrier an “apartheid wall”.
The ZOA warned that it intended “to make
our members - many of whom are supporters of Ben-Gurion University - aware of
Neve Gordon’s activities and of his position
on the faculty of the university.”
Chomsky, a tenured professor of linguistics at MIT, was unable to attend in person
because of his wife’s illness. In videotaped
remarks to open the conference, he offered
his own explanation for what he described
as efforts to suppress Middle East and peace
studies departments.
“State power is focused on the war in the
Middle East, so impediments have to be
removed and conformist subservience to
those in power has to be ensured in these
areas,” Chomsky said. Middle East and
peace studies departments were targets
since they were “inherently subversive if
they’re at all serious”.
Judt, a tenured professor at New York
University and author of the controversial
essay “Israel: The Alternative” - it called the
idea of a Jewish state an “anachronism” cited two examples in which he was disinvited to speak at universities because of his
views on the Middle East.
In one instance, Judt said he had been
asked not to mention Israel in his speech - he
turned down the invitation rather than comply. In the other, the Jewish studies instructor who had issued the invitation, backed
out, saying that if the event went forward,
the instructor’s tenure might be at risk as a
result of outside pressure on the university.
“Universities are very vulnerable - that’s
Norman Finkelstein
clear,” Judt said.
Judt also dismissed the argument made
often by Israel’s defenders that the proIsrael lobby is but one of many interest
groups in Washington. The pro-Israel lobby
is the only one, Judt suggested, that denies
its own existence.
“That makes it a different kind of lobby,”
he said. “It exists in part to silence as well as
to voice. And it operates, of course, through
a particularly unpleasant moral leverage the leverage that comes out of being able to
accuse someone of anti-Semitism.”
The conference was sponsored by the
DePaul Academic Freedom Committee, a
group set up amid the controversy over
Finkelstein.
Finkelstein, who received a standing ovation, chose not to discuss the conference
topic but to defend his occasional recourse
to uncivil speech - a transgression of which
he has often been accused. He said there was
never an excuse for incivility in the classroom; professors should seek to teach, not
argue for a position. But outside the university they had the same rights as anyone else,
including the right to outraged expression.
“There are moments that require breaking out of constraints of polite discourse to
sound the alarm that innocent people are
being butchered while we speak due to the
actions of our government.”
Still, Finkelstein called the whole argument over civility a “red herring”, considering “indubitable war criminals” like Henry
Kissinger and Donald Rumsfeld had been
offered posts at prestigious universities.
(JTA)
12
SA JEWISH REPORT
19 - 26 October 2007
TAPESTRY
ART, BOOKS, DANCE, FILM, THEATRE
ARTS MATTERS
COMPILED BY
ROBYN SASSEN
Call 084-319-7844 or
[email protected] at least one
week prior to publication
Acacia
Road,
Northcliff:
Gerald Zwirn pays tribute to
Luciano Pavarotti, October 20.
(011) 268-0855.
Artspace Gallery, Fairland:
“Tact”, a group show, with LeeAt Meyerov, Bev Price and others. October 21 - November 10.
(011) 678-1206.
Civic Theatre, Braamfontein:
In the Nelson Mandela, Mozart’s
“The Magic Flute”, directed by
Kentridge, until October 21. In
the Tesson from October 25,
Esther Nasser’s Jozi Dance Co.
(011) 877-6800.
Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg: Walter Oltmann, until
November 3. (011) 788-1113.
Gordart Gallery, Melville:
Jackie Joffe and others show new
work. Until November 3. (011)
726-8519.
Liberty Theatre on the Square, Sandton: Until November 3,
Mark
Sampson’s
“Missing
Links”. Lunchtime concert features Ivo Ivanov (violin) with the
Lyric Ensemble on October 19
and Serge Cuca (violin) on
October 26. (011) 883-8606.
Linder Auditorium, Parktown: On October 24 and 25, the
JPO performs “The Noon Witch”
(Dvorak), Violin Concerto No 1
(Prokofiev), Symphony No 3
(Rachmaninov).
Conductor:
Martin Yates. Soloist: Lidia
Baich (violin). (011) 789-2733. On
October 28, Jan Palinicek (cello)
and Jitka Cechova (piano) play
Fantastiestucke
(Schumann),
Sonata in F Major (Brahms),
Sonata in A Major (Beethoven),
Variations on a Slovak Theme
(Martinu), for the Johannesburg
Musical Society. (011) 728-5492.
Market, Newtown: In the
Barney Simon, “Reach”, until
October 21. In the Main Theatre,
“Joe Barber 4” until November
25. In the Laager, “Grimm Tales”,
October 24 - December 16. (011)
832-1641.
Montecasino, Fourways: In
the Main Theatre, “It’s a Dad
Thing”, until November 11. In the
Studio, “Defending the Caveman” until November 11. In
Teatro, “Lion King”, until December 2. (011) 511-1988.
National Children’s Theatre,
Parktown: “Puss in Boots”,
until October 21. (011) 484-1577.
RCHCC, Oaklands: Work by
Frank Startz, until November 4.
(011) 728-8088.
SA Jewish Museum, Cape
Town: “Between Hearth, Heim
and Home” by Leora Farber,
until November 16. (021) 465-1546.
Wits University, Braamfontein: In the Theatre, Athena
Mazarakis’s
“Touch”,
until
October 20. In the Amphitheatre,
Gina Shmukler’s “iNje” until
October 20. (011) 717-1376.
Revue’s unaffected charm
wows the audience
Show: “iNje: just us’” (Amphitheatre,
Wits University complex, Braamfontein
(011) 717-1376
Cast: Bronwen Anderson, Gabi Harris,
Lesedi Job, Adam Pelkowitz, Bandile
Seleme, Matthew Short, Laura Jean
Smelting, Claudia Jean van den Berg;
Kaz-Leigh Wills and Sane Zondi
Director: Gina Shmukler
Musical Director and Collaborator:
Louis Zurnamer
Until: October 20
REVIEWED BY ROBYN SASSEN
IN THE face of student riots and loadshedding, of miserable weather and
crises in Zim, the prevalence of hijacking and rape, we cannot allow ourselves
to lose faith in the future, and that is the
understated message embraced in the
10-song repertoire of “iNje” a musical
revue with a local spin, not in its songs,
but in the performers’ personal take on
the material.
Workshopped under Shmukler’s able
hand, the production is about songs, by
lyricists of the ilk of Leonard
Bernstein, Charlie Smalls and William
Finn, and how they resonate with the
sensibilities of contemporary local
youngsters.
Each performer has a unique voice,
honed and shaped by their talent and
sense of personal worth, as well as their
university training. Yes, this is a student show, although it is hard to believe
so. Shmukler blends the voices to
achieve extraordinarily beautiful harmonies, allowing the music to speak
messages
beyond
their
lyrics.
Collaboration between drama and music
students enables a lovely freshness
toward the material.
This show segues dialogue with songs
with polish. While the performers say
many things, perhaps personal comments, perhaps scripted words, the give
and take is never self-conscious, and
maintains the unaffected charm of the
show. They speak of their fears, their
identity, their loves, in a manner unassuming and bold. This is the glue that
binds the show, and raises it above just
another revue.
The work is tightly choreographed,
and with ten straight-backed chairs
against a stark black set, the piece is constructed to create engaging visual
dynamics without being busy.
Like a photographer developing wellmodulated prints by allowing for light
and dark to play with one another, without destroying a satisfying balance,
Shmukler knows exactly when to layer
sound with sound, and when, not. Each
student, from Wills (BMus 1) to
Anderson (MMus), offers sincere commitment to the project-their belief in
“iNje” shows, and the fun that they have
in making this work is infectious.
Each shows his or her ability as a
soloist, yet each supports his or her
peers in bringing songs and gestures to
cohesion.
It’s a pity its season is so brief, and the
theatre space so awkward for audiences,
but these are certainly names we’re
going to see within the next couple of
years on our professional stages.
Lesedi Job (fourth year, drama) and Adam
Pelkowitz (second year, drama).
Back from left: Adam Pelkowitz, Sane Zondi and
Gabi Harris. Centre, Bronwen Anderson, Laura
Jean Smelting, Matthew Short. Front: Kaz-Leigh
Wills, Claudia van den Berg, Bandile Seleme.
(PHOTOGRAPHS: SALLY GAULE)
Buskaid’s tenth: a concert of note
REVIEWED BY REXLEIGH BUNYARD
YOU DON’T need to be a string player or
teacher to appreciate the incredible
achievements of Buskaid learners under
the expert guidance of their teacher
Rosemary Nalden.
However, it increases your awe if you
recognise the effortless bowing techniques
exhibited by youngsters, many of whom
have played for less than the 10 years of
Buskaid’s existence.
These would challenge the resources of
professionals, but moreover, they are executed with relaxed bow arms working at
the correct balancing points of the bow,
flexibility and variation in vibrato, impeccable intonation in terrifying double stops,
octaves, and double thirds, a sweet, irre-
FELDMAN
ON FILM
Peter Feldman
Hot Rod
Cast: Andy Samberg, Ian McShane,
Sissy Spacek, Isla Fisher, Jorma Taccone,
Bill Hader
Director: Akiva Schaffer
Andy Samberg is an actor who, like Will
Ferrell and Adam Sandler, cut his teeth on
“Saturday Night Live”, the American TV
comedy show. And, like them, he has
extended his range to the big screen.
Samberg plays a character named Rod
Kimble, a wannabe stuntman who has tried
- unsuccessfully - to make a series of jumps
on his moped. Yet he’s now planning an even
bigger stunt in which he’ll jump over 15
school buses. The jump is supposed to help
raise the necessary funds for a heart-transplant for Frank, his nasty, tough-as-nails
stepfather, played with acidity by British
sistibly perfumed tone quality and the
ability to follow even the tiniest nuance
indicated by the conductor.
This concert was extraordinary above
all in the intensity and integrity of marvellous musicmaking which one hears
rarely in local concert halls. The levels of
precision, focus, articulation, dynamic
shadings, textural complexities, perfectly
turned ornaments, unity and cohesion in
disciplined ensemble and general vitality
were a constant delight to the ear.
Soloists in works of treacherously challenging proportions and demands were
Innocentia Diamond in Haydn’s ‘Cello concerto in C, negotiated with passion,
humour and freedom. Samson Diamond’s
Introduction and Rondo Cappricioso of
Saint SaÎns was a finely veiled, sensuous
actor Ian McShane.
The success of the jump will also earn
Frank’s respect, for which he dearly craves.
His mother, veteran actress Sissy Spacek,
out for an easy payday, is placid and allows
things to take their course.
Rod has a support team of amusing losers, played by Jorma Taccone, Bill Hader
and Danny R McBride. There is also the
attractive Isla Fisher (of “Wedding
Crashers” fame), as his prospective love
interest, but played with little passion.
Director Akiva Schaffer, who is also a
“Saturday Night Live” contributor, is
unable to elevate his production beyond the
level of trite.
Marigold
Cast: Ali Larter, Salman Khan, Nandana
Sen, Suchitra Pillai, Ian Bohen
Director: Willard Carroll
“Marigold” is a leaden “Hollywood meets
Bollywood” romantic comedy about an
obnoxious American actress named
Marigold (Ali Carter) who is hired for a
movie to be shot in Goa, India. But once she
19th century seduction which finally
exploded into its virtuosic finale. Kabelo
Molhomi in Praeludium and Allegro by
Pugnani-Kreisler and Simiso Radebe (a
born gypsy) in Lehar’s Hungarian
Fantasy gave well-considered, exciting
performances.
Buskaid members and Dance for All
presented a highly entertaining suite of
Baroque inspired-African fusion dances
by Rameau, and the haunting and sensitively conveyed melodies of Grieg concluded this concert, which included
catchy kwela with even the tiniest and
newest beginner players participating,
and a snatch of Karl Jenkins.
It is incomprehensible why the Buskaid
educational project is not supported
financially by the state, when it clearly
provides a desperately needed healing factor for the youth within a torn social fabric.
arrives in the country she discovers the
deal has fallen through.
Now stranded, she is offered a bit part in
a Hindi musical and before long she’s the
star and head-over-heels in love with the
choreographer, Prem (Salman Khan).
The striking Larter, who can be seen on
TV in “Heroes”, never convinces. On offer,
too, is a preposterous script, loads of wooden acting and the usual energetic song-anddance routines one expects from the genre.
But this cross-cultural concoction, however, is simply flat and unexciting.
The Breed
Cast: Michelle Rodriguez, Oliver Hudson,
Eric Lively, Taryn Manning, Hill Harper
Director: Nicholas Mastandrea
This mangy doggie horror story has no
bite. Five college friends on a remote island
have their party plans disturbed when they
are attacked by a vicious pack of genetically-enhanced canines.
The actors are far too old to play students, just one improbable aspect of a risible production.
19 - 26 October 2007
SA JEWISH REPORT
13
Read the
Jewish Report
TAPESTRY
ART, BOOKS, DANCE, FILM, THEATRE
Charming, tragic, touching
coming-of-age story
The Night of the Burning by Linda
Press Wulf (Jonathan Ball, R102)
REVIEWED BY GWEN PODBREY
THERE IS no better way to
acknowledge the good work of philanthropists than to allow their
beneficiaries to tell their own
story. Accordingly, this novella is
related in the first person by
Devorah Lehrman, the elder
daughter of a Jewish family who
were brought to catastrophe in
their Polish shtetl of Domachevo,
near the Russian border, shortly
after the end of the First World
War.
Battling, like all their fellowJews, to eke out a living, the
Lehrman family - headed by their
balogole father - suffered one misfortune after another over the
course of two years: first their
uncle was recruited by the Czarist
army and returned a year later emaciated, frostbitten and delirious - just hours before his death.
Then, as revolution broke out in
neighbouring Russia, famine
struck the village - and, with it,
any prospective trade for their
father. Forced to sell his horse and
draw his wagon himself, he rapidly succumbed to starvation. His
wife contracted typhus shortly
afterwards and died as well, leaving the two Lehrman daughters aged just 10 and six - in the care of
their paternal aunt, Frydka.
Worse was to come, in the form
of a pogrom which erupted without warning one night. As the
shtetl swarmed with drunken,
marauding Cossacks and crazed
Christian Poles, the Lehrman girls
and their aunt fled to the safety of
a nearby barn loft. However, they
were followed there by other terrified Jews, who were spotted and
pursued. As Domachevo’s synagogue and holy artefacts burnt in
the background, the Jews of the
shtetl were hacked to pieces.
Devorah Lehrman and her little
sister, Nechama, however, hiding
under their aunt’s dead body, survived and were rescued by a kindly Catholic neighbour, who managed to organise transportation
for them - concealed under straw
in a farm wagon - to an orphanage
in Pinsk.
Here they were spotted by Isaac
Ochberg, a welfare agent who
made it his business to round up
Jewish orphans from all over
Eastern Europe and then organise
for their emigration to South
Africa, where they were either
adopted by Jewish families or
cared for by the Cape Jewish
(Oranjia) Orphanage.
Thus it was that Devorah
Lehrman - a highly intelligent, but
severely traumatised young girl and her high-spirited sister,
together with 198 other Jewish
orphans, made the perilous train
journey to Warsaw, followed by a
voyage to England, and another
one to Cape Town, led by “Daddy”
Ochberg.
Devorah’s inability to find closure to the deaths of her parents
and the murder of her aunt is
exacerbated by the gaiety and natural ebullience of Nechama.
Slowly, the realisation comes
that her little sister has not only
relinquished her ties to the past,
but is actively seeking a new
future. Accordingly, when Nechama is adopted by a wealthy Jewish
family, and assumes a new name,
Devorah is devastated. Her feelings of betrayal will not subside not even when she herself is
adopted by the Kagans, a less affluent, but intensely compassionate
couple.
Academically gifted, conscientious and reserved, she can neither
allow her adoptive parents emotional access, nor respond to their
kindliness - and the knowledge
that her sister, by contrast, has
fully adjusted to a new identity
sticks in her craw.
It is only when Nechama openly
sneers at Devorah’s circumstances
- far less privileged than her own that her elder sister finds herself
PERSIAN-BORN, Rhodesian-raised novelist Doris
Lessing, 88, has been
awarded the 2007 Nobel
Prize for Literature.
Lessing - who, at 88, is
the oldest person to have
received the literature
prize and the second-oldest Nobel
Laureate in any category - was
described by the Swedish Academy
as “that epicist of the female experience, who with scepticism, fire and
visionary power has subjected a
divided civilisation to scrutiny”.
Having left school at 13, Lessing born Doris May Taylor - moved
with her family to (now) Zimbabwe
and initially worked as a telephone
operator and nursemaid. After her
first marriage ended, she remarried Gottfried Lessing, a German
Jew who greatly influenced
her Communist leanings.
This marriage, too,
ended in divorce, whereupon Lessing and the
youngest of her three children, Peter, moved to
London, where she began
her 57-year literary career.
Lessing has produced 62
works, including novels, short stories, poetry, science fiction and two
autobiographical volumes. Her
recurrent themes have straddled
both racial and gender issues.
Her first novel, The Grass is
Singing, denounced the white
supremacist regime of Rhodesia
and explored the relationship
between political and sexual control.
Her best-known work, The
Golden Notebook, informed much
of what would become the feminist
www.sajewishreport.co.za
not only defending the Kagans, but
asserting her place in their life.
This confrontation between the
Lehrman girls marks their final
rupture, and allows Devorah to let
go of Domachevo and its memories.
Although based on a true story,
and using real names, the work is
essentially fictional. Devorah
Lehrman grew up, married and
had three sons, one of whom married the author of this book. The
two women never met, but Linda
Press Wulf - intrigued by the story
of her mother-in-law’s background - has reconstructed the
Lehrman girls’ long and difficult
journey, both in geographic and
emotional terms, from Warsaw to
Cape Town. At a time when the
nascent anti-Semitism of Eastern
Europe was steadily intensifying,
against the time of its cataclysmic
expression two decades later with
the rise of Adolf Hitler, the
destruction of the girls’ family and
village was one of thousands of
similar cases.
Pogroms were an ever-present
threat, unpredictable and needing
nothing more than one or two
embittered individuals, or an
inflammatory word from a priest,
to spark them off.
Equally important, though, is
Wulf’s tribute to the astounding
courage and tenacity of Isaac
Ochberg, whose work was continued by the foundation later set up
in his name.
The Oranjia Orphanage saw
hundreds of stricken Jewish children pass through its gates and not
only housed and fed them, but provided the guidance, understanding
and healing they required in the
wake of their shattered backgrounds.
Those seeking a substantial read
will be disappointed, for the novella reads much like a simplistic
fairytale: the kind of book a child
might enjoy. However, its disarming candour (particularly in passages describing Devorah’s insecurities and her growing resentment
of her sister), as well as the
poignant naiveté of her attempts
to integrate into the South African
Jewish milieu, will appeal to all
ages. Charming, tragic and touching by turns, the book combines a
coming-of-age story with insights
into a remarkable segment of
Jewish history.
Doris Lessing wins Nobel Prize for literature
GWEN PODBREY
e-paper on our website:
movement, although Lessing has
repeatedly dismissed attempts to
label her work under any specific
category.
“What the feminists want of me is
something they haven’t examined
because it comes from religion,”
she told the New York Times in a
1982 interview.
“They want me to bear witness...
Do they really want people to make
oversimplified statements about
men and women? In fact, they do.
I’ve come with great regret to this
conclusion.”
Lessing’s many previous accolades have included a Companion of
Honour, a Companion of Literature
by the Royal Society of Literature,
the Somerset Maugham Award, the
WH Smith Literary Award and the
James Tait Black Memorial Book
Prize. She has also been offered a
damehood, which she declined.
DON’T SELL IT! AUCTION IT!
William
Kentridge
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c 083 675 8468
14
SA JEWISH REPORT
19 - 26 October 2007
LETTERS
Disclaimer
The letters page is intended to provide opportunity for a range of views on any given topic to
be expressed. Opinions articulated in the letters are those of the writers and do not necessarily
reflect the views of the editor, staff or directors of the Jewish Report
TUTU IS ‘AN AVOWED ANTI-SEMITE’
THE EVENTS surrounding the banning of
Archbishop Tutu to speak at the St Thomas
University in Minnesota USA and particularly your editorial (SAJR October 12) call
for a response.
Archbishop Tutu is an avowed antiSemite, he has never denied or debated this
ugly character trait. In fact his anti-Semitic
remarks following his visit to Yad Vashem
in December 1989 confirm this, suggesting
inter alia that “Jews should forgive the
Nazis, that “Israel was the new Nazi entity”
and that “if I am accused of being an antiSemite, tough luck”.
Rabbi David Hoffman (formerly from
Cape Town) in responding to the insensitive
Tutu, (Sunday Times 14/1/1990) strongly
suggested that forgiveness (the quality Tutu
demands of the Jews) does not come easily
to him and in fact is singularly absent in his
make-up when Tutu requires that the world
should care more about the suffering of his
people, he refuses to allow that we react
sensitively and factually to the destruction
of one of three Jews on the face of the
world at the time.
Your own insensitive and presumptuous
editorial on this issue reflects a sycophantic ignorance. You quote a probably detribalised Jew, a Jew who conveniently forgets
history as it occurred within the scope of
his own lifetime.
This applies also to you as you demand
(what chutzpah) that “we should all reject
with outrage this banning” and that “Tutu
understands how we feel about this matter”. This is offensive to caring Jews everywhere.
Let me spell it out: Tutu is an antiSemite. Let’s condemn him whenever we
can.
Frank Startz
Johannesburg
A BIG THANK YOU TO THE CHEVRAH
MY GRANDMOTHER passed away on
September 19 2007 in Cape Town , but in her
will she asked to be buried next to my
grandfather in Johannesburg. According to
my family, money was requested upfront in
Cape Town before this could be put in
motion.
The Johannesburg Chevrah Kadisha had
a totally different and more courteous attitude. On my family’s arriving before the
funeral at West Park Cemetery, we were
met by Laurie Kushner, the funeral director, who assured us everything had been
organised and no further paperwork was
necessary.
He took his time to explain to myself, my
sister and cousin, the rituals involved in
the Taharah. The way he and Braam Shevel
conducted the service was not only dignified but impressed my uncle who is normally sceptical.
A special thank you should go to all of the
West Park team who have to deal with a
family at a very stressful time.
Gary Rubin
Orchards
Johannesburg
The Editor, Suite 175, Postnet X10039, Randburg, 2125 email: [email protected]
Guidelines for letters
Letters up to 400 words will get preference. Please provide your full first name and surname,
place of residence, and a daytime contact number. We do not publish letters under noms de
plume. Letters should preferably be e-mailed. Letters may be edited or shortened.
WE DIDN’T SEE THE SAME ‘FLUTE’
WILLIAM KENTRIDGE’S production
of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” is visually spectacular and intellectually
stimulating, at all levels of musical and
artistic literacy, so as to arguably jeopardise the entertainment value of
future standard operatic productions.
It was with surprise that I read,
“Alas, the magic is missing...” in the
edition of October 12, in which the production is described as, “lacking the
‘wow’ factor that fans know of both
Kentridge and Mozart”.
Though the hierarchy of the implied
draw card is amusing and possibly true,
the production can hardly be considered a disappointment to Mozart in
vision or reception, and as both artistic
and musical director, Magic Flute is
arguably Kentridge’s crowning achievement to date.
Kentridge’s “illustrative novelties”
are, without exception, deeply imbedded within the iconography and symbolism of Masonic and Jungian theory,
and create a subversive and brilliantly
ironic subtext, within the context of
the conventions of the genre and mainstream musical discourse.
They could not be more “polished
or idiosyncratic” to the score or dramatic characterisation, and it is due
to, rather than despite the “consider-
able depth (of ) Kentridge’s engagement with the music and narrative”,
that through a 19th century representation of an 18th century production,
he is commenting on today’s social climate with an honesty that is perhaps
difficult to come to terms with in a
South African context.
Notwithstanding
the
recurring
metaphor of the art of magical conjuring, the references to magic in the
libretto and characterisation, nor the
“magical” quality modern technology
has brought to suspension of disbelief,
the production can be read as somewhat less “magical” in its deliberate
deviation from fantasy, evident from
casting choices to makeup design,
which arguably increases its accessibility.
That said, the production retains
and reveals new depths to the essence
of Mozart’s Magic Flute, which, incidentally, was hardly “Mozart’s last
composition”, in a breathtakingly
beautiful and profoundly cohesive production.
Chaya Laya Singer
(B-Mus IV, currently registered
for MA History of Art)
Orchards
Johannesburg
MORE ON TUTU AND ANTI-SEMITISM
I WOULD like to give the reference to the
text of Tutu’s April 2002 speech, given in
Boston, at a time when Israel was fighting
for the defence of its citizens against terrorist attacks.
The
link
is:
http://media.startribune.com/smedia/2007/10/03/19/Arch
bishopTutuTranscript.source.prodaffiliate.2.doc
Even though he didn’t actually say that
one thing equals the other (as for Hitler,
Mussolini or Stalin), it seems to me that
the conclusion of his thesis was clear
enough. I would just like to know if Tutu
ever condemned Nato, for instance, over
bombing more houses and killing more
people than Israel ever did, or over its ill
treatment of Serbs and Roma in KOSMET.
And on the latest matter, I would like to
refer to the following link: http://emperors-clothes.com/articles/tika/new.htm
Avner Eliyahu Romm
Sea Point
Cape Town.
ANGST OF THE 80S NOT A DILEMMA AT ALL
I REFER to the article “Between a rock
and a hard place” by David Saks, in your
October 12 edition.
The late 1980s were no more uncomfortable for Jewish students at so-called
liberal university campuses than they
were for any other students who believed
in fairness, democracy and liberal principles.
There was some distress due to the
criminal rioting and violent striking of a
small minority of students with their farleftwing agenda and hatred for all
Western and liberal institutions, whether
it be the State of Israel or hatred for the
liberal opposition in South Africa.
Those who disagreed with these socalled “progressives” were often threatened or even physically assaulted.(I
myself was a student at Wits during this
time.)
Many, although not all, of the opponents of the right of Israel to exist, considered themselves part of this “progressive” camp. Ditto for those comparing
South Africa with Israel.
The angst-ridden chest-beating, clothes-ripping, teeth-gnashing supposed
dilemma (moral or otherwise) that David
Saks found himself in was not a dilemma
for most of the Jewish students I knew,
and there were an awful lot of us in those
days at Wits.
We vigorously and completely supported Israel and its legitimate right of selfdefence against its uncivilised and bar-
baric enemies, just as most of us do to
this day.
The completely false comparison
between the old South Africa and Israel
is one that is always raised by the enemies of Israel in their never ending campaign to delegitimise Israel. For many of
these people it is not hard hitting enough
to compare Israel to Nationalist South
Africa, but it has now become common to
compare Israel to Nazi Germany.
George Orwell would have had a field
day with the twisted logic of these terrorists, fellow travellers and their sympathisers. As an example, a defensive wall
raised to prevent the murder of innocent
Jews is called an “apartheid wall”.
Who knows, perhaps “Animal Farm”
could have a new chapter added in as
“Israel Animal Bad Terrorist Animal
Good”. It is ironic to note that many of
the people who draw the comparison
between Israel and any awful entity they
can think of, are fervent supporters of
fascist and terrorist regimes in such
countries as Iran, Cuba, Sudan, Zimbabwe and Syria.
They further supported and received
support from the Soviet Union, a country
that butchered more people than the
Nazis.
Adrian Gary Skuy
Killarney
This letter has been shortened - Editor
Read the Jewish Report
e-paper on our website: www.sajewishreport.co.za
19 - 26 October 2007
SA JEWISH REPORT
15
COMMUNITY COLUMNS
ABOVE
BOARD
Zev Krengel,
National Chairman
Things are pumping
at the Board
A column of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies
Our new website
The Board’s new website (www.jewishsa.org) is
set to go live this week. It includes regular
updates of the Board’s forthcoming activities
countrywide, our latest media releases (as well
as an archive of previous releases) and detailed
focuses on the work of our various departments. The latter include the Communications
Department, Country Communities, the
African Jewish Congress, our Jewish Affairs
journal and reports on the Board’s latest interactions with government and civil society.
There are also links to organisations associated with the Board and information on the history and current make-up of the South African
Jewish community.
An important feature of the new website is
the Communal Diary. This enables Jewish
organisations to post the details of their upcoming functions online, which not only helps to
advertise those activities but will help ensure
that different organisations do not schedule
their functions on the same day.
We urge all Jewish organisations to make use
of this facility and encourage the Jewish community to regularly visit the site.
Exciting new Goethe-Institut exhibition
We will be involved in a forthcoming photographic exhibition at the Goethe-Institut. The
Board has previously collaborated with the
Goethe-Institut on two exceptionally successful
Holocaust-related projects, namely Visas for
Life, an exhibition remembering those diplomats who facilitated the escape of Jews from
Nazi-held Europe (2003) and “Seeking Refuge”,
on German-Jewish refugees who settled in
Johannesburg (2005-6).
The forthcoming exhibition, entitled “Absence
and Loss”, depicts the work of the renowned fine
art photographer Marion Davies and focuses on
the remarkable number of Holocaust memorials
in Berlin (including sculptures, art installations,
unusual plaques and public signs).
It juxtaposes images and text, revealing the
destructive impact of the Nazis on the daily life
of German Jews and other minorities, and the
void left in post-war Germany by their annihilation and emigration.
The exhibition opens at the Goethe-Institut
(119 Jan Smuts Avenue, Corner Newport Road,
Parkwood) on November 8 and will be open to
the public until the end of the month.
Interfaith and outreach
The Board’s regional branches continue to be
very active, both in terms of their internal activities on behalf of their respective Jewish communities and also in the interfaith and outreach
sphere to the general communities.
In Durban, for example, a group of 15 children
from Habonim, Bnei Akiva and Netzer recently
joined other members of youth groups of different faiths to be part of a live audience when
SABC 1 filmed “Spirit Sunday” at Ushaka World.
In Cape Town, the Board participated in the
Iftar Interfaith Dinner, hosted by Fountain
Educational Trust. Michael Bagraim spoke at
the dinner and presented the Trust with a certificate representing a donation made on behalf of
the Trust to MaAfrika Tikkun.
Finally, I am pleased to congratulate our longserving East London chairman Theo Blumberg,
who has received a citation by the Eastern Cape
Legislature for his more than 50 years of work on
behalf of the disabled in the province.
FED FOCUS
Avrom Krengel
Chairman
A column of the South African Zionist Federation
THERE HAS been a welcome relief in the
media recently from the usual continual
Israel bashing and anti-Zionist attacks,
although the occasional barbed pieces,
from journalists like Khadija Bradlow (in
the Weekender and the Mail & Guardian)
have still managed to creep in.
This respite (which is definitely temporary, all signs indicating that when the
Peace Conference is held in Annapolis
under the auspices of the US government
next month, the barrage will begin
again), has given the Media Team time to
prepare any and everything.
Over the years the Team has garnered
enormous respect from those community
members who are aware of what they do;
those who actually understand and
empathise with Israel’s position in the
Middle East landscape and who recognise
the enormous odds facing that country.
Media Team members do so much
more than merely reacting to negative
press. They are currently involved in
delivering a series of excellent talks to a
group of young students and adults on
contentious and tough issues in Israel, at
the same time giving them tools to deal
with the media and with accusations that
may come from fellow students or in
social arenas. These lectures will be continued and extended next year.
They have researched the three most
dangerous problems facing Israel today:
Iran, Syria and Hezbollah.
Team members vary in their skills and
their fields of interest. Some are most
Behind the
scenes - Media
Team Israel
competent and professional on radio and
television, presenting Israel’s case in a
forthright but balanced and articulate
manner. Some prefer writing hard-hitting
letters and op-ed pieces, not only for the
national media but for educational purposes as well.
Some address communal groups, thereby increasing the community’s general
knowledge about Israel; some specialise
in studying and understanding legal
issues relating to the media; some present
excellent analyses of events both local
and Middle East-related; and some have a
definite journalistic bent.
In the past few years, a number of team
members have been fortunate enough to
go to Israel and join Hasbarah groups run
by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the
World Zionist Organisation. These groups
have included people from Zionist communities around the world - the UK, the
USA, Australia, the Scandinavian countries and many European countries.
Our Team members have scored highly
both in the extent of their knowledge, and
in the fact that we have such a strong and
competent Media Team operating at full
swing in South Africa and increasing and
enhancing our reputation as one of the
most active Zionist communities in the
Diaspora.
It’s a source of great pride to me to
know not only that the Team has an international reputation in other Diaspora
communities, but that members are
called on by their overseas counterparts
to provide information and give assistance at various times.
16
SA JEWISH REPORT
19 - 26 October 2007
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Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in South Africa and is increasing in incidence. There is a great need to promote breast cancer
awareness and the benefits of early detection. The Breast Health Foundation, which is a Section 21 Company, was established in April 2002 in
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What is mammography?
A MAMMOGRAM is an X-ray examination of the
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and interpreted by the radiologist.
Screening mammography is for women who have
no symptoms. This is done by the radiographer and
read by the radiologist at a later date. If a problem is
detected, the patient will be called back for an ultrasound and further examinations.
At the Linksfield Practice, a "Full Field Digital
Mammogram" machine has recently been installed. It
is the latest and most efficient machine presently
available worldwide.
Reduction of radiation exposure, earlier detection
of breast cancer, increased patient comfort, quicker
examination time, are some of the benefits received
by the patient.
What is an ultrasound?
Ultrasounds are done by the radiologist when the
breast tissue is dense or to assess any abnormalities
which might be picked up on a mammogram. It is the
preferred procedure for women under the age of 40.
If further investigations are required, Dr Lipschitz
and her team have the most up-to-date equipment
available to give the patient optimum care and efficiency with the minimum of discomfort.
What is a biopsy?
A biopsy is done when a sample of breast tissue is
required for further analysis by pathologists. It is
done under ultrasound or stereotactic guidance. A
state of the art biopsy table has been installed at the
Linksfield Practice.
What is bone densitometry?
Bone densitometry is the testing procedure most
often used to diagnose osteoporosis, a condition
that often affects women after menopause, but may
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Osteoporosis involves a gradual loss of calcium,
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bone density is low, the patient and physician can
work together on a treatment plan to help prevent
fractures.
With mammograms and bone density scans, the
old adage remains - early detection can save lives.
The Practice charges medical aid rates to all
patients with valid medical aid membership.
• For all queries, advice and appointments,
kindly call (011) 640-7637/8 or (011) 257-2083.
RITA LEWIS
Yes, size does count," said Janet Muller seriously. But she was referring to the size - and fit - of
the bras which she supplies in her Pandora Bra
Studio in Parkmore, which is part of a national
network of bra-fitting studios throughout South
Africa.
The idea of such studios was first mooted in
1993 when Muller realised the difficulty for people
who did not conform to a standard size and fit, to
find bras on the normal clothing market.
She started off at her home, offering clients a
unique concept regarding personal service, individual attention and a 100 per cent guarantee in
finding the perfect size and style to suit every figure type, from a selection of bras sourced from
overseas. She said each and every bra was graded to give a perfect individual fit to each client.
She added that some 80 per cent of women
did not wear the right fitting bra and in South
Africa that figure was much higher because of the
size of many breasts in relation to the size of the
woman's back.
Talking about the wide spectrum of sizes she
could supply, she said her three overseas suppliers between them had over 300 years of experience and could make bras from a size 30 A cup
to a 58 J cup and the cost of these ran between
R599 and R799.
She said her company kept an enormous
stock on hand and could even supply a tiny size
30 with an enormous J cup - but this was not the
norm she added. Most sizes were available all
the time as new shipments came in virtually
every two weeks.
On arriving in South Africa in 1971, prior to
starting Pandora's Bra Studio she created "It's a
Pleasure" a line of ladies' underwear which was
sold on party-plan. Starting from scratch, she
built up its sales force to 4 500 people.
It was from working with the manufacture of
this underwear that she learnt the importance of
pattern grading and measuring and fitting.
Muller said she herself was a cancer survivor
and she recommended regular mammograms.
"They saved my life," she said.
From this experience she realised the needs of
those women who have had surgery as they also
supply prostheses for women who have had
mastectomies and partial prostheses for those
who have had lumpectomies.
She said: "All our sales people are well trained
with the emphasis on not making anyone feel
uncomfortable or embarrassed. We keep over 3
000 sizes and styles in stock, so every woman
who comes here feels she is normal and we can
supply her every need."
19 - 26 October 2007
SA JEWISH REPORT
17
Israel-SA trade increases at a steady pace
STAFF REPORTER
TRADE BETWEEN Israel and
South Africa is on the increase.
Recent figures released by the SA
Israel Chamber of Commerce
(SAICC) show that in 2006, exports
to Israel were up by nine per cent
and imports from Israel to South
Africa by eight per cent.
The SAICC has been actively
recruiting new members in an
attempt to building its local network
base.
Executive director Stephen Dan-
SAICC New Logo
ziger said: “We realised that local
networking has worked. The chamber has done about 4 500 introductions from member to member, with
a success rate of about 60 per cent of
transactions.
“We continue to assist members
with marketing of their products
and have now started a procurement division of products and services. From the Israel side, we continue to field enquiries and pass
them on to our relevant members
for action,” he said.
Since creating a strong local network, the chamber is now looking at
other opportunities in Israel.
In November, the chamber will be
taking a trade mission to Israel
involving about 15 to 20 companies
to meet Israeli businesses in similar
fields, to see what business can be
conducted.
Crucial government department
officials and parastatals will also be
going along and will be attending
Israel’s Prime Minister’s Conference, which is a conference for
countries with growth and development opportunities, to hear about
the latest economic developments
and where Israel is going in terms of
world markets.
Danziger said the SAICC was
using its facilities to become instrumental in improving the trade
between the two countries.
“We will be focusing on exports
from South Africa and on responding to queries on imports from
Israel. We have strong relations
with the Department of Trade and
Industry, especially with the
Israel/Africa desk and with the SA
embassy in Tel Aviv and with the
Israeli embassy in Pretoria.
“We have been able to promote the
buying and selling of products and
services, we have introduced investment opportunities to clients, as
well as introducing entrepreneurs
to venture capital and BEE organisations,” he said.
The chamber is also assisting the
Free State provincial government
and has forged a close relationship
with the director general of the
Free State who, together with his
team visited Israel to study agriculture opportunities and Israeli technology at the Galilee Institute.
“On their return, with Israel’s
Pietersburg Jewry
highlighted in MA thesis
DAVID SAKS
CHARLOTTE WIENER today lives in
Israel, but remains fondly committed to
the memory of the Jewish community in
South Africa of which she was an active
member. She has just been awarded a
Masters degree by Unisa for her thesis on
the
history
of
the
Pietersburg
(Polokwane) Jewish community.
The Pietersburg community was one of
the most active Jewish communities outside the main urban centres and continued to function until only a few years ago
when the congregation was finally wound
up.
Wiener was born in Johannesburg, the
daughter of Dr Leslie and Ethel Chazen,
and grew up in East London, where her
father was the medical officer of health.
After qualifying as a pharmacist at
Rhodes University, she married Dennis
Wiener in 1973 and moved to Pietersburg.
The couple had three children (the
youngest of whom, Mandy, has since been
making a name for herself as an awardwinning radio journalist).
In their more than three decades in
Pietersburg before making aliyah, both
Charlotte and Dennis were prominently
involved in local Jewish affairs.
Charlotte was active in the Pietersburg
Women’s Zionist League and Jewish
Women’s Guild and on the shul committee and was the community’s cheder
teacher after the departure of the last
reverend.
Dennis was treasurer of the Pieterburg
Hebrew Congregation, and was involved
in winding it up shortly before leaving for
Israel.
Wiener based her thesis on her
research in the national and SAJBD
archives, the minutes of the Pietersburg
Hebrew Congregation and numerous personal interviews. She says she had chosen
the topic for her Masters thesis as she felt
it was “vital to record the history of the
once vibrant and active country communities”.
She is proud to have been able to contribute in this way to Jewish history and
to provide a gift for this generation to
hand on to their descendants.
A limited number of copies of Wiener’s
thesis were printed for distribution to former and current Jewish residents of
Pietersburg. A copy can also be viewed or
loaned from the Beyachad Library in
Johannesburg or from the Gitlin Library
in Cape Town.
assistance, they started the redevelopment of certain land in the
province with the purpose of creating jobs and turning land into economic ventures. We have found
there are lots of advantages in
bringing Israeli technology and
know-how to South Africa for the
ultimate benefit of both countries,”
he said.
Danziger said the chamber was
actively looking for new company
membership for the SAICC which
would benefit from doing business
in Israel.
Another area where the SAICC is
assisting Israel is in looking for
opportunities for the Fifa 2010
World Cup to be hosted in South
Africa.
A representative of the Israeli
Ministry of Trade and Labour came
to South Africa recently and the
chamber assisted in setting up key
meetings to discuss investment
opportunities.
“We are confident that trade
between the two countries will continue growing. Year-on-year, we
have seen the number of enquiries
increasing,” he said.
Stephen Danziger,
Executive Director of
SAICC.
Yaron Pilcer, vice
chairman of SAICC.
Marc Lubner, chairman of SAICC.
AROUND THE WORLD
NEWS IN BRIEF
OLMERT HINTS JERUSALEM IS DIVISIBLE
JERUSALEM - Ehud Olmert has hinted
that he would be willing to give up eastern
Jerusalem neighbourhoods in a peace
deal.
During a speech on Monday at the
Knesset, Israel's prime minister questioned whether it had been necessary to
annex Palestinian villages to Jerusalem
when the city map of Jerusalem was
approved on July 27, 1967.
"It is thanks to that decision that we now
have wonderful and vibrant neighbourhoods such as Ramot, French Hill, Ramat
Eshkol, Givat Hamivtar, Pisgat Ze'ev,
Armon Hanatziv, Har Homa and Gilo, not
to mention the Jewish Quarter in the Old
City," Olmert said.
"Was it necessary to also add the Shuafat
refugee camp, Sawakra, Walaje and other
villages and define them as part of
Jerusalem? On that, I must confess, I am
not convinced."
Olmert was speaking at a special
Knesset session to mark the sixth anniversary of the assassination of former government minister Rehavam Ze'evi, who
drew up the 1967 map.
The prime minister's mention of
Jerusalem has caused a stir since the issue
of Jerusalem will likely be on the table at
next month's peace conference in
Annapolis, Maryland. (JTA)
EGYPT DISCOVERS SMUGGLING TUNNELS
RAFAH - Egypt has found new armssmuggling tunnels linking it with the Gaza
Strip.
Three Palestinians found inside one of
the smuggling tunnels connecting Rafah
in Egypt with Rafah in Gaza, were arrested when the tunnels were discovered on
Tuesday.
A tunnel uncovered on Monday was
found to contain a bomb, bullets and
drugs.
Egypt claims smuggling through the
tunnels has decreased since Hamas took
over Gaza, Reuters reported. (JTA)
18
SA JEWISH REPORT
19 - 26 October 2007
YOUTH TALK
Dani
Goldsmith,
Ashleigh
Smaller,
Melissa
Goldberg
(organiser), and
fashion coordinator
Darren
Lurie from
Daluzion.
Getting Jewish youth
involved - Beyachad’s aim
ROMY SALANT
PHOTOGRAPHS: ILAN OSSENDRYVER
BEYACHAD, THROUGH a highly successful fashion show, eminently succeeded in
its aim to welcome the youth into its bayit,
getting them to not only be involved with
the building but rather with the broader
Jewish community.
Beyachad, the Jewish community centre
in Johannesburg, hosts a wide variety of
Jewish organisations such as WIZO, IUA,
the Zionist Federation, CSO, SAUJS, Betar
and many more. It has a well-equipped
library and other great facilities that the
youth are able to utilise in a safe environment.
In fulfilling Beyachad’s aim to “give
back to the community” as Melissa
Goldberg phrases it, the fashion show, celebrating the ethos of Beyachad, was hosted.
Goldberg, who organised the fashion
show, explains that the aim of the show
was to “enrich Beyachad and bring the
youth back to the building”.
The fashion show, a fusion of different
styles, from the smart sophisticated fashions of Eurosuit and Bride & Co to the
more casual trends of Dirty Spoon and
Meltz, accomplished Beyachad’s aim of
getting the youth involved. The show
allowed for community participation, with
“models” from King David Linksfield,
Yeshiva College, Crawford College, SAUJS
and CSO.
The show was held at the voguish nightclub, The Venue in Melrose Arch. The
vivid lighting, hip soundtracks and professional dance moves from the dancers of
Phenix Dance School, set the tone for the
vibrant show that followed. The tone for
the vivacious essence of the show was set
in the opening scene. With the audience
blowing bubbles and the sassy moves of
the models and dancers, it displayed the
stylish but bubbly personality of the
Daluzion and Dirty Spoon brands.
The audience quickly picked up on the
playful mood of the show, throwing
“ladies’ garments” at the “models”, holding up congratulatory posters and cheering and whistling along to attest their
enthusiasm. The master of ceremonies,
Adam Hirshman displayed a humorous
charm with his funny anecdotes between
scenes. The show’s success lay in providing a professional fashion show while
adding a zest and “edge”.
Darren Lurie, who co-ordinated the
fashion show and helped with style advising and the recruitment of models, was not
only involved with the show, but it also
gave him a platform to publicise his
Daluzion brand. It captivated the fresh and
stylish nature of the evening, with a funky
graffiti theme with spray paint, street style
props and break-dancing moves.
He describes his brand as, “a fusion
between funky styles with classic formal
wear as well as a casual T-shirt line”,
which together with other trendy brands,
such as Meltz, Marmalade, Rage, Nicci,
Circus and Afrimoda, gave succour to
Beyachad’s aim of appealing to the youth,
by associating it with the hip and happening brands of today.
The crowded venue and the vibrancy of
the participants and audience alike,
vouched for the success of the show. As
“model” Talya Brest exclaimed: “It was a
great experience. I had a lot of fun and it
gave the models great exposure.”
Another participant, Mark Broido
remarked: “I am proud to be part of (the
show) because it allows me to give back to
charity while having fun.”
Broido’s comment indicates that the
social aspect of the evening was enhanced
by the commendable objective of raising
funds for the improvement of Beyachad’s
facilities.
* The success of the fashion show was
largely attributed to the dedication of the
“models” who enthusiastically gave of
their time and effort. They were: Amy
Grodzicki, Amy Isaacs, Chaya Finger, Dani
Graiser, Daniel Jacobson, Darren Lurie,
Dean Marcus, Eitay Balaly, Gabrielle
Schlosberg, Gavin Pearl, Gedalia Tobias,
Gila Barrit, Jade Reichman, Jenna
Solarsh, Jonty Nurunsky, Kaeli Epstein,
Mark Broido, Megan Segal, Michelle
Kahn, Romy Genende, Ryan Kalk, Sahar
Chen, Shannen Krok, Talli Arbel and
Talya Brest.
The “boys”.
Back: Mark
Broido,
Gavin Pearl
and
Gadaliah
Tobias and
kneeling,
Dean
Marcus
and Ryan
Kalk.
Romy Salant [email protected]
A compelling hip-hop
Joseph at KDL
ROMY SALANT
PHOTOGRAPH: FRANK TAPNACK
KING DAVID High School Linksfield’s
musical production of “Joseph and the
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” lived up
to its title - and expectations - as a colourful
and memorable performance.
Learners from the school recently showcased their extraordinary talent in a
vibrant mix of singing and dancing that
eloquently complemented the colourful
setting. The ancient Egyptian scenery,
with backdrops displaying the desert landscapes, iconic pyramids and palm trees, set
the atmosphere for the production which
together with the biblical costumes transported the audience back in history, to the
time of Jacob and his sons.
The Narrators lyrically translated the
story of Jacobs’s most beloved son Joseph.
Joseph (played by Gregg Horwitz), one of
12 of Jacob’s sons, representing the 12
tribes of Israel, is thrown into a pit by his
jealous brothers, who decide to tell their
father Jacob (Saul Tenzer), that Joseph
was eaten by an animal.
A group of Ishmaelites come riding past
and the brothers revise their plan, selling
him to the Ishmaelites instead. Joseph is
thus sold into slavery and made to work for
the military commander, Portiphar (portrayed by Dean Joffe).
Portiphar’s promiscuous wife (the sassy
Jacqueline Katz) attempts to seduce
Joseph. When Portiphar finds out, Joseph
is thrown into jail. Joseph, played by
Horwitz, who showcased his outstanding
musical talent as he portrayed the message
of the story of Joseph, namely that we
must believe in ourselves and our abilities.
In prison Joseph encounters Pharaoh’s
butler and baker whose dreams he successfully interprets. Pharaoh hearing this, asks
Joseph to interpret his dream about seven
cows (seven healthy cows and one lean)
and seven sheaves of wheat (seven luscious
and one thin and scorched).
Joseph realises the dream alludes to
seven years of plenty, preceding seven
years of famine and is consequently
appointed in charge of the agriculture of
Egypt.
When Jacob and his sons go to Egypt in
search of food, Joseph encounters them.
Before revealing his identity, he tests
them by accusing Benjamin of stealing his
cup. Joseph realises his brothers have
changed when they beg for Benjamin’s
forgiveness.
The play highlights the powerful dual
message of this legend: that dreams can
come true and the virtue of forgiveness.
In the modern take, the Rastafarians
arriving on a beach buggy to capture
Joseph, humorously portrayed the
Ishmaelites. The Elvis-inspired Pharaoh,
brought to life by Jared Morris, with glitzy
costume and hip-shaking moves en suite,
the mix of contemporary ballet and hiphop dance moves (choreographed by
Tracey Kalish and Terri Krawitz), vibrant
songs and apt props, made for a compelling
production that showcased the exceptional
talent of King David Linksfield learners.
The production involved a great deal of
hard work co-ordinating 95 pupils from
grades 8 to 11 and the seamless product is
accredited to not only the learners but also
to dedicated teachers Gary Block and
Sheryl Benjamin, who respectively produced and co-ordinated the production
with the help of well-known talents; Clive
Morris as the production’s director, Yael
Benjamin as the associate director and
Matthew Vlok as musical director.
The play’s success lay not just in a
retelling of the story, but rather in its ability to portray the lessons of the story in a
light-heated entertaining way.
Joseph Brothers. Back: Shaun Brown, Martin Skudicky, Evan Kotton, Daniel Jacobson,
Jonathan Weiner and Zack Fouche.
Front: Dani Dayan, Kim Glajchen, Jayde Kaftel, Ryan Fisher and Tanna Goott
KDL head prefects past and present
Pictured at the outstanding
reunion of the 1987 King David
matriculants, are Oren Kaplan
(far left) and Karin Mervis (nee
Kopenhager) far right, head prefects of 1987 with the present
day head student leaders, Ariela
Carno and Kim Glajchen.
19 - 26 October 2007
SA JEWISH REPORT
YOUTH TALK
Jewish youth now
have their Y-Idols
ROMY SALANT
IF YOU think you can sing and have the
nerve to prove it, the South African
Jewish Arts and Culture Trust (Sajact)
gives all Jewish singers (or aspirant
singers) the opportunity to compete in an
exciting Idols competition.
A new competition has stepped into the
spotlight and it’s giving all young Jewish
singers the opportunity to have their voices heard. Sajact’s aim is to promote
Jewish arts and talents within the Jewish
community and in line with this mission,
they have initiated the Y-Idols competition.
Y-Idols is a nationwide innovation
allowing all Jewish singers between the
ages of 14 to 18 and 19 to 25, to realise
their dream of being in the limelight and
becoming a superstar.
With lots of prizes to be won, including
a recording session and the issuing of
your own CD, the opportunity to compete
against other talented youth and the platform to express your singing talent, this
competition will give you the exposure
you need to become a singing sensation!
Helen Heldenmuth, one of the pro-
gramme’s organisers and a well-known
producer and writer, claims: “There is so
much hidden talent in our country.
Through this competition, we offer a platform for Jewish youth to live their passion.”
The competition is not only about
advancing your singing career, but is also
about having fun. With upmarket, sassy
venues, well-known judges, voice training
from celebrities in the music business,
the opportunity to meet new people and
promote yourself, creates the perfect mix
of work and play.
For all those aspirant idols that want
their names in the hall of fame, there is
still time to enter. All entries must
include a photograph, a brief synopsis of
your musical talent or experience and a
letter about yourself, discussing why you
love singing and want to be a singer. The
cost per entry is R120 and the first round
opens on February 17 2008. So, unleash
that inner diva and don’t miss this chance
to shine!
* For more information, or to enter, contact Helen Heldenmuth on 083-272-8541 or
[email protected] or Nadine Lazarus on
082-891-8252 or [email protected]
Jordan is a
maths whiz
King David Victory Park High School learner
Jordan Bortz has made it to the third and final
round of the grade 8 and 9 Junior 2007 Maths
Olympiad.
The final exam was written on September 6
and he is awaiting his results. Jordan is the
first learner at KDVP in 10 years to make it this
far.
Shannon Lautenberg, Chad Ossip, Danielle Yuter, Brandon Finn, Jason Baron and
Dean Benjamin.
6 Jews in Crawford
Pretoria 2008 executive
DIANE WOLFSON
PRETORIA
CRAWFORD COLLEGE Pretoria has chosen its executive for 2008 and it contains a
record number of six Jewish learners.
Congratulations to Shannon Lautenberg,
Chad Ossip, Danielle Yuter, Brandon Finn,
Jason Baron and Dean Benjamin.
Furthermore, three of the four head prefects (head boys and girls - or in Crawford
terms, members of the Judiciary - are
Jewish. They are Danielle Yuter, Brandon
Finn and Jason Baron.
19
Romy Salant [email protected]
Nursery school tots
delight with their concert
NADINE HURWITZ
MOMS, DADS, bobbas and zeidas of
Ohr Somayach Sandton Nursery
School were recently treated to a
delightful year-end concert presented
by the playschool, 3s and 4s unit children of the school.
The theme of the concert was “All
around the year” and months of practice went into the performance. All
the pupils, including the tiny
playschool kids, memorised a huge
repertoire of songs, covering all the
Jewish holidays.
In preparation for the concert, the
children were required to make their
own, unique crowns which they wore
during the performance. This form of
parent-child activity is fostered by
the nursery school.
The children are often given exciting home activities to complete with
their parents. An example of this is
the recent “Kid of the week” programme originated by Morah Tova
Goldstein. Each pupil, with their parents’ assistance, created their own
distinctive “Me” poster and was given
added individual attention during the
duration of their designated week.
* Ohr Somayach Sandton Nursery
School caters for children from age
15 months to grade O. For further
information regarding placements,
please contact Tova Goldstein, school
directress, on (011) 802-1210 or 082574-9541.
Ohr Somayach kids enjoying the concert.
20
SA JEWISH REPORT
19 - 26 October 2007
Constitution-wise SA is a world leader - Chaskalson
STAFF REPORTER
SOUTH AFRICA has an extraordinary Constitutional Court which
has the authority to hold the legislature or executive to account, wellknown lawyer Matthew Chaskalson
said when he addressed the Union
of Jewish Women in Johannesburg
recently, on the Constitution of
South Africa.
Chaskalson, son of former
Constitutional Court Chief Justice
Arthur Chaskalson, is a leading
constitutional lawyer and co-author
of the leading works on the subject.
With Jonathan Klaaren, Anthony
Stein and Michael Bishop, Chaskalson is a contributing editor for
the second edition of the comprehensive
and
authoritative
“Constitutional Law of South
Africa”. The work is being published incrementally. Already comprising well over 1 000 pages, it will
on completion be a multi-volume
work dealing comprehensively with
all aspects of the Constitution, not
just the Bill of Rights.
Chaskalson told his audience
there appeared to be a sense of dissatisfaction with the Constitution
among members of the public, yet it
was one of the finest in the world.
The first, single most important
provision in it was the supremacy
of the Constitution and the rule of
law.
“This is very detailed and every
concern has been written down in
180 pages which is different to other
countries where constitutions are
often one-pagers. In South Africa,
the Constitution is above everything else, including government.
“There are no laws which derogate from the Constitution. It is different from most countries in that
the rule of law extends everywhere
in South Africa. There is nothing
outside judicial control. Even
national interests cannot trump the
rule of law,” he said.
There have been a number of
landmark decisions to back this up:
* In 1995, during the first local
government elections there was a
transitional government regime.
Parliament decided the president
would be able to change all laws of
local government.
The Constitutional Court, however, found that South Africa had a
system of separation of powers and
making laws was Parliament’s
power and the president could not
legislate by decree, even if it was
critical, because the Constitution
was supreme.
“This was the first assertion of
judicial authority over government,” said Chaskalson.
* The second such instance was
the case dealing with the certification of the Constitution. When the
interim Constitution was drawn up
in Kempton Park, there had been a
compromise between the ANC and
NP. After it had been adopted, the
ANC wanted certain guarantees
enshrined. There was a 98 per cent
acceptance and Government tried
to certify it because of the vast
majority consensus - but the
Constitutional Court said it was not
good enough and sent it back to be
rewritten and to be amended and
three months later it was enacted.
“This is completely unprecedented anywhere else in the world
where the Constitution-making
authority opposes Parliament and
it is an extraordinary indication of
how quickly political authorities
accepted the rule of law and
supremacy of the Constitution,”
said Chaskalson.
* The third case was when a pharmaceutical manufacturer took the
government to court. In 1998/99
government made a mistake with
the new Drugs Act by not making
provision for schedule 1, 2 and 3
drugs.
The pharmacists, said Chaskal-
son, went to court and the
Constitutional Court found that
nothing government did which was
irrational or arbitrary or objectionable, and which did not match up to
the rule of law, would be held up
and struck it down. The court found
the Constitution had the right to
question government.
“The question which has to be
asked is whether there is a rational
explanation for it. If not, the court
reserves the right to strike it down.
This is a far-reaching principle
again, which is not recognised anywhere else in the world,” he said.
* The fourth example was the
Grootboom case in the Western
Cape where a flood left people homeless and they then occupied municipal land.
The Constitutional Court found
that although national, provincial
and local government had a housing
plan, they had not done enough for
those who did not have houses, especially in the case of an emergency.
Prior to this, the Constitutional
Court hadn’t known how to
approach socio-economic rights,
said Chaskalson.
“The Constitutional Court is
supreme and it cannot be said that it
has no jurisdiction, even in such
cases.”
WHAT’S ON
NOTE: Deadline for all entries is 12:00 on the Friday
prior to publication.
Key to organisations, venues, contact details
and cost:
• The Jewish National Fund (JNF) Choir, Beyachad, 2
Elray St, Raedene. Contact Crystal Kaplan. 083-3765999.
• The Jewish Women’s Benevolent Society (JWBS) Sandringham Gardens, 85 George Avenue Sandringham 2192. Contact Carolyn Sabbagh. (011) 4855232.
• The Jewish Outlook Team. Contact Ryan Cane,
Support line: 27 76 215 8600; e-mail [email protected]; website http://www.jewishoutlook.org.za
• Nechama Bereavement Counselling Centre - Room
A304, 3rd Floor, hospital wing, Sandringham
Gardens, 85 George Avenue, Sandringham, 2192.
Contact (011) 640-1322.
• New Friendship Ladies Group - A group for single
women - contact Lucille (011) 791-5226 or 082-9275786.
• ORT and ORTJET South Africa - 44 Central Street,
Cnr 10th Ave, Houghton. Contact (011) 728-7154.
• Rabbi Cyril Harris Community Centre (RCHCC) and
Great Park Shul, Johannesburg. Contact Hazel, (011)
728-8088 or Rene Sidley (011) 728-8378. Cost usually R50, including refreshments.
• Second Innings, Johannesburg - Jewish Community
Services - Donald Gordon Centre, 85 George Avenue
Sandringham. Contact Grecia Gabriel, (011) 5329616.
• The Simcha Friendship and Cultural Circle (SFCC),
Johannesburg - Sandton Shul. Contact Sylvia Shull,
(011) 783-5600.
• The United Sisterhood, 38 Oxford Road Parktown.
Contact Helen (011) 646-2409. website: http://www.unitedsisterhood.co.za
• South African Zionist Federation (SAZF), Johannesburg - Beyachad, 2 Elray Street, Raedene.
Contact Froma, (011) 645-2505.
• South African Jewish Board of Deputies (Jhb) Beyachad, 2 Elray Street, Raedene. Contact (011)
645-2500.
• United Zionist Luncheon Club (UZLC), Johannesburg
- Our Parents Home. Contact Gloria, (011) 485-4851
or 072-127-9421.
• Union of Jewish Women (UJW), Johannesburg - 1
Oak Street Houghton. Contact (011) 648-1053. Cost
R10 for the Friendship Luncheon Club.
• Union of Jewish Women (UJW), Cape Town - (021)
434-9555, email: [email protected]
• WIZO Johannesburg - Beyachad, 2 Elray Street
Raedene. Contact Joyce Chodos (011) 645-2548 or
Sandy Kramer (011) 645-2515.
• Bikkur Cholim - Jewish Society for Visiting the Sick,
7A Chester Road, Greenside East, Johannesburg.
Joy Gafin (011) 447-6689.
• Tiyulim (Jewish Outdoor Club) - Contact Greg 082959-9026 or Martin 082-965-7419.
• King David Schools’ Foundation. King David Alumni
[email protected] (011) 480-4723
Please note that all contact and venue details can be
found in the key.
Shelley Elk [email protected]
Today Friday (October 19)
Sunday (October 28)
• United Zionist Luncheon Club (UZLC) invites you to
Ellen Oppenheimer’s “Dini Oppenheimer’s Story Surviving 5 Years of German Occupation of the
Netherlands”.
• Second Innings is hosting Phyllis Berger and
Solange Cziernicwicz on “Pain in Women - And
The Men Ought to Know About This Too!” At the
Gerald Horwitz Lounge, Golden Acres.
Sunday (October 21)
• SA Friends of Beth Hatefutsoth will be hosting a
“Come and Talk” session on remembrances of life
in the Orange Free State. Bring photos etc. Time
15:00 for 15:30 at Beyachad. Host, Stephen
Katzew. Phone 011-645-2598. Cost R25.
• Second Innings is hosting a “Dance Therapy
Workshop”, with Tracey Farber (clinical psychologist)
and Louis Fourie a professional ballroom dancing
teacher. Venue: Greenside Shul, 7a Chester Road,
Greenside East.
• RCHCC presents Digby Ricci who will screen a documentary at 19:30 on “Leni Riefenstahl”. E-mail:
[email protected]
• Jewish Genealogical Society meets at 19:00 at
Beyachad. Entrance R15. Marc Kopman - “Orange Free
State- Southern and Central Areas” (011) 887-7764.
Monday (October 22)
• UJW, Johannesburg is hosting Prof Ivor Chipkin on
“Do South Africans Exist?” at 09:30.
Tuesday (October 23)
• WIZO Fortnightly Forum - is hosting forensic pathologist Patricia Klepp at Beyachad, 2 Elray St, Raedene, at
09:30.
Wednesday (October 24)
• SAZF, Israel Centre and SA Zionist youth movements
invite you to join them for a special memorial service
for Yitzhak Rabin at Beyachad at 19:00.
• UJW, Johannesburg presents “In the Fiddler’s House”
with Itzhak Perlman at 09:30.
• SAJBD is hosting executive director of UN Watch,
Hillel Neuer at 17:30 at Beyachad. RSVP essential. Email: [email protected]
• WIZO Cyrildene branch is hosting an Israeli breakfast
and Thousand Club Draw. All welcome. Phone Crystal
for details 083-376-5999.
• UJW, Cape Town Adult Education Division is hosting
Meryl-Sue Oppenheimer - “The Spirit of Creativity” at
10:00. Cost R12.
• Federation of Synagogues Women’s Guilds of South
Africa is hosting the annual Succah prize awards and
Annual Kosher Poster awards ceremony at 15:00.
Guest speaker is Ros Basserabie. Call Hannah (011)
485-4865.
Thursday (October 25)
• ORTJet Best (Business Education and Skills Training
Course) “Best 3” Programme presents Gidon Novick,
Joint CEO Comair, on “Marketing Your Business” at
19:30 to 21:30, at Sasfin Bank, 13 Scott Street,
Waverley.
• WIZO Bramley branch is having a book sale at Balfour
Park Shopping Centre, at 09:30.
Friday (October 26)
• United Zionist Luncheon Club (UZLC) is hosting Oshy
Tugendhaft on “The Synagogue Music”.
* The fifth case was the
Neviropene case. The ministry of
health would only allow the drug to
be administered in two pilot sites in
each province, but hospitals said
they were in the position to offer
them for free, but government
refused to allow them to do so.
The Constitutional Court said
there was no rational reason for
this and ordered the hospitals to
hand the free drugs out.
* The sixth example was the redelimitation of provinces. Matatiel
was shifted from KwaZulu-Natal to
the Eastern Cape. There were
protests and it went to the
Constitutional Court which found
that this had been enacted without
proper consultation and public participation and it was struck down.
“We have an extraordinary
Constitutional Court which has the
authority to hold the legislature or
executive to account. The realities
are that ultimately, the Court cannot run government, but it can hold
government to account. It is one of
the most developed in the world and
it is extraordinary in its independence of government and its ability
to hold it to account,” he said.
Chaskalson stressed that despite
concerns, the courts in South
Africa remained independent.
• “Jewish Learning Institute” of Chabad House in
Savoy begins a six-week programme exploring
the Soul of Israel, at 19:30, presented by Rabbi
Daniel Rabin, 072-493-5511. [email protected]
• Tiyulim will be going for a leisurely 2-3 hour walk
on a 2 500 hectare reserve 60 minutes from
Johannesburg. Meet at Balfour Park at 08:15
(near the car wash). Members R15. Non-members R25.
Monday (October 29)
• UJW, Johannesburg presents Neuma Grobbelaar
on “Perceptions about South African Corporates
in Africa - ‘Big Brother or Development Partner’!”.
At 09:30.
Wednesday (October 31)
• “Jewish Learning Institute” presents a six-week
programme which explores the Soul of Israel. At
19:30 at Chabad Sandton, in Gallo Manor, presented by Rabbi Daniel Rabin. Contact 083-2671730, Rabbi Yossie Hecht.
• UJW, Johannesburg presents Dr Lorraine
Chaskalson on “The Novels of Jane Austen” at
09:30.
Thursday (November 1)
• ORTJet Best (Business Education and Skills
Training Course)”Best 3” Programme presents
Peter Finkelstein, MD Daisho Marketing & Sales
on “Achieving your Sales Target” at 19:30 to
21:30, at Sasfin Bank, 13 Scott Street, Waverley.
• “Jewish Learning Institute” - Six week programme
exploring the Soul of Israel at Chabad in Sea
Point, Cape Town. Contact Rabbi Pini Hecht, (021)
434-3740. [email protected]
Shishler’s weekly Young Adult Shiur at 20:00. Call
(011) 440-6600.
• UJW, Johannesburg presents Tali Nates at 09:30 on
“Lessons for Humanity from Man’s Inhumanity to
Man”. What can the individual do to make a better
world?
• SAZF is hosting a “Meet the Media Team” and find
out about their Middle East agenda at 19:30 at
Beyachad.
Tuesday (November 6)
• RCHCC in association with The Viktor Frankl
Institute of SA presents a series of talks by a variety
of experts in the field of logotherapy and existential
analysis, “What is Life Expecting Of Us?” Raymond
Ackerman on “How I have Used Viktor Frankl’s
Teachings in my Business Career”. Cost R130 and
R95 for students and pensioners. RSVP essential.
Wednesday (November 7)
• UJW, Johannesburg will be going on an outing to
the Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG). Meet at the
gallery at 10:00, or join a car pool from UJW House.
Thursday (November 8)
• ORTJet Best (Business Education and Skills Training
Course) “Best 3” Programme presents Alan
Greenstein, Group MD Sasfin Bank on “Financing
your Business” at 19:30 to 21:30, at Sasfin Bank, 13
Scott Street, Waverley.
• YAD (Young Adults Division) of the United Jewish
Campaign in Cape Town is hosting an annual Charity
Golf Day. Contact [email protected]
• UJW, Cape Town Adult Education Division Na’arot
branch is hosting a cooking demonstration
“Sunshine Feast” at the Pick ‘n Pay School of
Cooking in Kenilworth at 19:00. Contact (021) 7976340.
Thursday (November 8) to
Friday (November 30)
• SAJBD in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut is
hosting an exhibition entitled “Absence and Loss”
featuring the work of photographer Marion Davies.
Friday (November 9)
• UZLC is hosting Jack Bloom member of Executive
Council for Gauteng - “Jews versus Israelis”.
Friday (November 2)
Sunday (November 11)
• UZLC is hosting Alan Swerdlow. Topic to be
announced.
• Second Innings hosts Julienne Sackstein, psychotherapist on “Living an Authentic Life” at The
Floreum, Emmarentia Botanical Gardens.
Sunday (November 4)
• Second Innings hosts a kaleidoscope of song with
Evelyn Green and Prof Russel Lurie (choirmaster
of Waverley Shul) at the Gerald Horwitz Lounge,
Golden Acres.
Monday (November 5)
• Israel Philately Society is meeting in the boardroom of Waverley Shul from 19:30 where senior
members will exhibit material from their collections. Contact Maurice Daniels (011) 485-2293.
• Chabad House of Savoy hosts Rabbi Ari
• Second Innings invites you to join them for “Africa
Umoja”, a matinee at the Victory Theatre in Orange
Grove, Johannesburg. Cost R90. Information: Ros
Berman (011) 880-6864 before 18:00. Own transport required.
Monday (November 12)
• UJW presents Stanley W Sapire, acting judge, High
Court of SA, Gauteng and former Chief Justice of
Swaziland, at 09:30 “Swaziland reminiscences:
Public Figures, Private Lives”.
19 - 26 October 2007
SA JEWISH REPORT
THE BRIDGE LOUNGE by Jeff Sapire
CROSSWORD No 44
LEAH SIMON
ACROSS:
1. Throw it to the actors (4)
3. Haul over the coals! (8)
8. Thorn - except for band leader (4)
9. The end of the strike means it will die down
(4, 4)
11. Grammar at a stretch - a very long one (4, 8)
13. Trees for the aged (6)
14. A sweet that’s twice as good in Paris (3, 3)
17. Not a single hangman doing this (5, 3, 4)
20. Sent stud around to learners (8)
21. I return to swamp in desert (4)
22. Effects of new-wave drug? (4, 4)
23. Boast about new garb
1
2
(4)
DOWN:
1. Dessert meant to last?
(8)
8
2. Randomly fired at road
feast, somehow (7)
4. I align again, being ill (6)
5. Batsman thunderstruck!
11
(6, 4)
6. Either way, it’s about
the town (5)
7. After hesitation, turns
right to south - mistak- 13
enly (4)
10. North-east
starting
anew - it’s sharp and
bitter (10)
12. It keeps us in stitches
(8)
15. A good day for those 19
enjoying 14 across (7)
16. Said to have tasted dif- 20
ferent (6)
18. No guy is upset - or old!
(5)
19. Sholem ——, Polish- 22
American novelist (4)
SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD NO 43
ACROSS:
1. Paws; 3. Gavottes; 8. Reap; 9. Ardennes; 11.
Long division; 13. Settee; 14. Assail; 17.
Forward march; 20. Half time; 21. Eden; 22. El
Dorado; 23. Peas.
DOWN:
1. Paralyse; 2. What not; 4. Arrive; 5. Open
Sesame; 6. Tango 7. So so; 10. Added water; 12.
Old hands; 15. Abridge; 16. Framed; 18. Oiled;
19. Thee.
3
4
5
6
7
9
10
12
15
14
16
17
18
21
23
21
IN A France / Poland friendly
played last year, a choice of bids
at a low level made such a difference.
Declarer lost a club and a
trump, making 11 tricks for +650.
East's 3D bid was fairly standard
passed- hand bidding, showing a
genuine 3H raise, with some diamond length and strength.
In the Open Room, the Polish
East decided to bid 2C, which was
Drury (a relay bid - asking for further information about partner's
hand). Though both South's had
decided not to open 3C originally,
it looked okay to bid now, so
South decided to overcall 3C.
Unfortunately for him, this was
not a good time to have done it,
and West doubled happily. By the
time the dust had settled, declarer
was 4 down for -1100, and 10 imps
to Poland.
South was pretty unlucky to
have walked into this particular
disaster, but one question that
was asked was what a double of
2C meant? Take out for the other
two suits, or just showing clubs?
Generally, it is best to play that
when opponents make an artificial bid, double shows that suit.
NS would have saved a bundle
here if the double would have
shown the latter, because then
South could have shown clubs
without having to commit himself
to the 3 level.
I was a bit surprised that neither South elected to open 3C. I
guess they were deterred by the
vulnerability, the fact that they
were in 2nd seat, and also the
poor club spot cards (nothing
NORTH
S Q10965
H K107
J954
7
WEST
AK4
Q9642
K
KJ108
EAST
872
AJ83
A10873
9
SOUTH
J3
5
Q62
AQ65432
East dealer, both vul
Room - France EW)
(Closed
West
North
1H
4H
P
All pass
South
P
P
East
P
3D*
Opening lead: C7
higher than the 6).
In this day and age, people leap
about all over the place on any pretext. One commentator summed it
up when he asked how come South
got to overcalling 3C (when opponents had already shown some fair
strength) but yet couldn't open 3C?
I agree, and though there are
risks attached, I prefer 3C immediately, though I know others would
differ.
22
19 - 26 October 2007
SA JEWISH REPORT
Tel (011) 886-0162 • Fax (011) 886-4202 • email: [email protected]
HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED ADVERT:
1. Only adverts sent via email to [email protected] will be accepted.
2. You will be advised on cost & payment details.
3. Payment is prior to the advert appearing.
4. DEADLINE for BOOKING and PAYMENT is Tuesday 12pm. If deadline is missed the advert will
appear (when payment is received) in the next edition. Our banking details: SA Jewish Report,
Nedbank Randburg, Account Number: 1984 514 865, Branch Code: 198405
SOCIAL WORKER /
CLINICAL OR
COUNSELING
PSYCHOLOGISTS
Our organisation, The Johannesburg Jewish
Helping Hand, has the following vacancies
1. Social Worker/ Clinical or Counselling
Psychologist.
This position requires skills in counselling,
Case Management, group and community
work.
2. Social Worker/ Clinical or Counselling
Psychologist
This position requires skills in counselling,
case management, group and community
work. The incumbent must have own
transport to travel within Johannesburg and
surrounding areas,
3. Social Worker at Selwyn Segal Centre
The incumbent needs skill in case and group
work. Experience in working with
intellectually disabled people an advantage
Registration with HPSCA and/or SACSSP is
an essential requirement for all these
positions.
These positions offer an opportunity to
contribute to a dynamic organisation, and to
work within a very committed and supportive
multi-disciplinary environment.
Knowledge of Jewish culture, practice and
religion is an essential requirement for this
position.
Send CV to [email protected] or Post:
Attention HR Dept, Private Bag X1,
Sandringham, 2131 or Fax 0866327774
TEACHER’S AIDE /
ASSISTANT
Our organisation is looking for a qualified
teacher’s aide/assistant to work within our
school for children that have special educational needs. The incumbent must possess a
relevant aid or OTA assistant diploma.
Experience in working within the special
needs population will be a prerequisite. The
ability to work within a multi-disciplinary
team is mandatory.
Interested candidates to forward a comprehensive CV to [email protected] or (fax) 086632-7774 or Attention HR Department,
Private Bag X1, Sandringham, 2131.
Only short listed applicants will be replied to
OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH AND SAFETY
OFFICER
Our organisation requires an Occupational
Health and Safety Officer. This person must
have a detailed knowledge of the
Occupational Health and Safety Act, as well
as be computer literate.
Only candidates with a minimum of 5 years
experience need apply. Own transport is an
essential requirement.
Only short listed applicants will be replied to.
Interested candidates to forward a comprehensive CV to [email protected] or (fax) 086632-7774 or Attention HR Department,
Private Bag X1, Sandringham, 2131.
Business Opportunity
Los Angeles
Kosher Catering
Owners of long-established and highly successful Kosher catering business and fine-dining Kosher restaurant in Los Angeles are seeking a
working partner.
The ideal person should have some
catering experience and funds to purchase equity in the business.
Owners can assist with USA Visa
application if necessary.
Principals only please express your
interest to:
[email protected]
All enquiries will be treated in the
strictest confidence
NOTICES
COMMUNITY NOTICE
WIZO WINNERS
The winner of the
3RD DRAW in the WIZO
South Africa’s “Progressive
Jackpot” Competition was
V. Arenson, ticket No.
16930. Second prize went
to L. Joffe, ticket No. 30090.
The winner of the 4TH
DRAW was B. Farber ticket
No. 28550. Second prize
went to F. Gordon ticket No.
28132.
CONSECRATIONS
PERSONAL
MATURE FEMALE
COMPANION WANTED:
Elderly lady seeks mature
female companion in a kosher
townhouse in Glenhazel. Board
& lodging provided.
Rate to be negotiated.
Occupation soonest.
For more details e-mail:
[email protected]
or fax 011 7282695.
YOU TOO WILL MEET
YOUR SOULMATE
(EST 1975)
CHOICE OF 2000 STUNNING
UPMARKET SINGLES
RESULTS: 166 WED
255 MATCHES!
ALL AGES WELCOME!
COUNTRYWIDE INCL CAPE.
(011) 6401657/
O823573616
SERVICES
AIRPORT SHUTTLE
JHB
Reliable,
Reasonable Rates!
Contact Arnold,
082-447-0185
011-454-1193
19 - 26 October 2007
SA JEWISH REPORT
BEAUTY & HEALTH
TUITION & EDUCATION
AT LAST
Affordable faradic pads (slimming machines) R320 per
month. The best cm loss.
Call Helene 083 391 4400
(Mornings only)
Hebrew Lessons
For Beginners & advanced students, by graduate Hebrew
University Jerusalem
Israel.
Tel: 011 440 7661 cell:
076 071 8884
FOR HIRE
CASTLEMANIA
Circus Playstation, Monkey
Tunnel, 2 in 1 Activity, Candy,
Helicopter, Obstacle, Slide,
Gladiator.
Weekend deliveries
Elaine (011) 609-1217
FREIGHT / MOVING
FREIGHT/MOVING
Moving to West Coast USA.
Have container space to share.
Send contact landline
number and details to:
[email protected]
LIFTS
SMILE-LEE'S LIFTS
A reliable lift service.
Specialising in lifts to and from
airports,shops,appointments,
casinos and courier.
Call Charna 083-391-6612
GENERAL
P RO P E RT Y F O R S A L E
HOUSES
FOR SALE
5 Bed, 3 bath home, 4 reception
and pool 2 bed cottage proximal
to Cyrildene Shul and King
David Linksfield.
R2.9 Million neg
Michael 083-273-7458
FOR SALE
TOWNHOUSES / SIMPLEXES
/ CLUSTERS / DUPLEXES
MISCELLANEOUS
ISRAELI PRE-PAID SIM
CARDS
("Starter Packs") available now.
R 350.00 while stocks last.
Asher: 072-270-0460
P RO P E RT Y T O L E T
ACCOMMODATION TO/LET
SHARE
FLATMATE WANTED
SEA POINT
Female flatmate required from
December. Non smoker. Quiet
duplex in Sea Point.
Enquiries Shana
(021) 433-0521 (a/h)
or 083-241-4284
HOME SERVICES
FRIDGE REPAIRS
The Fridge
Doctor
Dk000326
DIAL-A-LIFT
Reliable safe transport,
door to door,
airport transfers, etc.
Phone Pip Friedman
(011) 728-3998
cell: 083-267-3281
MELROSE
2-bed, 2-bath, loft and 2 big
patio's; 1 parking bay.
Upmarket complex with pool &
laundry. R8500 pm plus elec
& water and the deposit.
Call Barbara
011-440-4405
Extra lessons,
homework
supervision, arts
and crafts. Ages
two till fifteen.
Phone Debbie
082 923 5795
011 640 3013
EVETTE AT YOUR
SERVICE
You name it; I take you with a
smile, day or night. Airport,
shops, appointments, long
distance and courier services.
Please telephone me
082-851-6608 or (011)
786-2250 Extension 113.
ZAIDA’S TAXI SERVICE
We specialise in transport,
house-to-destination, school
service, old age homes
and airport trips.
Call Zaida (011) 646-5265
or 083-751-4229 or
082-921-1090
083-228-2277
GENERAL
TO LET
Shomer Shabbat" apartment for
rental in Umhlanga Rocks, 3
bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully
equipped, sea view, close to
shul and shops.
Phone 082-899-6000
ACCOMODATION
TO SHARE
WESTPOINT SANDTON
Stunning, modern 2 bed apartment in Westpoint Sandton to
share with a fellow young
Professional. R3000 pm incl en
suite bathroom, house-keeper,
DSTV, full use of fully furnished
flat, W/machine etc.
Please call Jonathon
on:082-222-0444
GARDEN FLAT/COTTAGES
ARTHUR’S SCHLEPPING
SERVICE
We will schlep you wherever
you want to go. Supermarkets,
hairdressers airport etc. etc.
We work very early. We work
very late. But please don't ask
us on a Shabbos date!
083-788-2509
011-440-5455
MISCELLANEOUS
Professional Artist:
Silver Medallist Winner at
Rand Show 1981 & 1983,
Will paint anything
You require in any medium .
Eleanor cell:
078 516 5669
Home: 011 615- 8738
GARDEN FLAT/COTTAGES
FLAT TO RENT
Lovely 2 bedroom garden cottage, bathroom-en-suite plus
separate toilet, big kitchen, fully
secure, DSTV, MNET, own
garage, W/L included. Available
mid December. Rental only
from January.
Call Tony: 082-444-8740
Read the
Jewish Report
e-paper on our
website:
www.sajewishreport.co.za
23
Herzlia learners
wow Jozi audiences
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY
SHELLEY ELK
A HARMONY of angelic voices in cultural
extravaganza - this was Cape Town’s
Herzlia’s ensemble’s jazzy and uplifting performance.
Herzlia Middle School and Primary School
learners visited Johannesburg to enchant
audiences at Beyachad in Johannesburg.
Accompanist and choir director Ivor Joffe
told Jewish Report that “this is a wonderful
platform for showcasing their talent, and
for the audience to enjoy songs from various cultures”.
With Joffe on keyboards, and Bev Ryder,
Sandy Segal and Gabi Sulcas, musical
arrangers, the learners performed songs
in Yiddish such as - “Oifn Pripertchik” and
“Der Rebbe Elimelech” and in Hebrew
“Lechayim”. Their lively renditions of
“Good Morning Starshine” and “Paradise
Road” highlighted their tremendous musicality.
Cluster House for Sale:
Oaklands Rd, Orchards.
Beautiful contained house, spacious, lock up and go with lift to
top floor.
Phone Michael
083 326 3064 or
Rina 082 854 5692
VACANCIES
EMPLOYMENT AVAILABLE
DATA ADMINISTRATOR
Large Jewish Organisation
seeks fulltime admin person to
manage database. Computer
literacy essential. Good administration skills a must. Salary
negotiable.
Please fax Serena on
(011) 440-6601
Position Available at
Perfect 10, Norwood
Qualified nail & beauty therapist.
Experience is a bonus and own
car essential.
Contact: Virosha
0824459408
Back from left: Arnaud-Claude Bal, Jordy Sank, Asher Stern, Yuan-Yuan Chang, Emily
Bagg, Mira Freedman, Jaime Uranovsky, Gabi Tadmor, Gina Reingold, Jenna Kassel, Alix
Reingold, Tarryn Kawalsky and Cara Davidson.
Front: Leora Sacks, Jenna Goldberg, Kayo-Fay Tilley Kahn, Kim Asher and Martine
Kawalsky.
EXPERIENCED
EXECUTIVE OFFICE MGR
Male or female, required to
administer the Sandton
Shul office. Person to be self
motivated, computer literate,
able to handle staff, have organisational skills, able to liaise with
members of the community and
be innovative and responsible.
Salary negotiable.
Kindly forward CV to [email protected]
OR contact Stephen at
Tel No: (011) 807-8370
HOD remembers Savyon
Lodge in Bulawayo
VEHICLES
IVOR DAVIS
WITH A dwindling Jewish community in
Zimbabwe - from a peak of 6 000 during
the sixties to fewer than 200 souls in
Harare and Bulawayo - and faced, like the
rest of the population, with empty shelves
in the department stores and gigantic,
rampant inflation, Bulawayo’s Jewish
aged home, Savyon Lodge, somehow survives as an “oasis of comfort” for its 28
elderly residents.
Thank goodness, the lodge gets welcome support from the American Joint
Distribution Committee and within South
Africa from the Hebrew Order of David,
who in the past supplied wheelchairs for
the residents.
Last week, the Johannesburg HOD
lodges sent up to Savyon Lodge a bumper
supply of 200 kg flour, 150 kg sugar, 100 kg
rice, 60 litres of cooking oil, all in very
short supply in this diminished country,
together with butter-beans, jam, soap bars
and powder, toothpaste and medications.
Meanwhile, the Hon Abe Abrahamson,
chairman of the Jewish Report’s board of
directors, has donated a generator to the
lodge - something badly needed in a country with regular electricity outages - in
memory of his uncle Leizer, a long-time
lodge resident who died last May at the
remarkable age of 108.
Said Abrahamson: “I am not playing
G-d, but He said on another occasion: ‘Let
there be light’.”
As a former president of Harare
Hebrew Congregation, my only comment
for anyone who remembers Savyon Lodge,
must be Kol Hakovod.
24
SA JEWISH REPORT
19 - 26 October 2007
Many Harvard accolades for Gideon Valkin
JACK MILNER
IT IS NOT too often that an amateur South
African tennis player gets to share a court
with the likes of Pete Sampras and Jim
Courier, but that is exactly what happed to
Gideon Valkin.
Valkin (22), is a former King David
Victory Park pupil who matriculated in
2002. He first picked up a tennis racket
when he was two year old and as a junior,
was regularly ranked in the top five in
South Africa.
He also won the under-16 South African
national title and in that year was ranked
number one in the country.
He was head boy at both the primary and
high school.
Valkin has twice represented South
Africa at the Maccabi Games - in 2001 and
2005 - and at the latter he and Jacqui Boyd
won gold in the mixed doubles. He also
reached the semifinals of the men’s singles,
but lost to the top ranked Israeli.
In September 2003 Valkin followed in the
footsteps of his brother Adam and began
his studies at Harvard University in the
United States. Adam, also a pretty useful
tennis player, attended the famous Ivy
League college 10 years earlier.
Valkin played for the varsity team
throughout the period of his degree until
May this year. This commitment demanded
three to four hours of tennis and fitness
training a day, six days a week, throughout
his four academic years.
Despite some rocky patches and a wrist
injury after his Maccabi success in 2005,
Valkin achieved All Ivy League status for
doubles and was elected co-captain of the
men’s tennis team for his senior year.
As co-captain he led the team to a firstever victory over Stanford University. The
team narrowly missed the Ivy League title
this year but Valkin himself had an out-
standing season, winning the Harvard
Invitational singles title in January and he
achieved 13 consecutive singles wins in the
spring season.
He remained undefeated against all seven
other Ivy universities. This year he
achieved All Ivy Status for singles and a
reputation for consistently winning at doubles with many different partners.
His team mates chose him as this year’s
“Most Valuable Player” and the “Most
Improved Player”, while his coaches named
him recipient of the rarely given “Above
and Beyond” award.
Valkin was Harvard’s one male nominee
from among 41 Crimson varsity sports for
the prestigious NCAA (National College
Athletic Association) Sportsmanship Award. This award is given to an outstanding
sportsman, who on the sports field exemplifies the values of integrity, responsibility
and respect and in addition, embodies good
citizenship and making a difference to others outside of sport.
“College tennis was a fantastic life experience for me because I was valued more by
how much I contributed to the team than by
my personal victories,” commented Valkin.
He also received an accolade from his
coach, Dave Fish. “There are plenty of guys
who are good sports, but Gideon plays with
èlan. He’s a real sportsman. He always
plays with passion, but without the ugly
side.”
Valkin was certainly in great company as
his predecessors include names such as
John McEnroe and James Blake.
During his time at Harvard, Valkin also
had the opportunity to practice with some
of the best, including South Africa’s nowretired Wayne Ferreira. Valkin, who ended
the season on an 11 game singles winning
streak, cited a robust work ethic as the reason for his success this season.
“I’ve put in a lot of effort into the team
Kaylea gets a second
crack at world’s best
JACK MILNER
KAYLEA SHER will be off to Turin, Italy,
this week to represent South Africa at the
Nike Junior Tour International Masters.
This is the second time the 14-year-old has
been to this event as she was the South
African representative at the International
Masters in Nice two years ago.
Kaylea was one of three Jewish players
to qualify for the SA Masters, the others
being Nicholas Bernstein and Adam
Gordon. Nicholas has performed extremely well at this tournament over the past
three years and once again reached the
semifinals where he lost to Wesley
Montgomery.
This was the first time that Adam had
made it into the top 10 in his age group but
he did not progress through to the knockout stage.
Kaylea has had a remarkable run over
the past few months and had just come off
a win in the SA Nationals where she captured the under-18 section. Not bad for a 14year-old!
But now she will need to prepare to take
on some of the best in the world at the
International Masters where she will face
players from 21 countries.
“The prospect of playing at the
International Masters is very exciting. I
don’t really know what to expect this time
because some of the countries taking part
do not always send their best players,” said
Kaylea.
She will have to beat some of the
Europeans on clay if she wants to progress
at the International tournament but she
has come on superbly since her last visit in
2005 and should give a good account of herself.
Kaylea Sher and Nicholas Bernstein at
the Nike Junior Tour SA Masters in
Vanderbijlpark last week. Kaylea will be
off to Turin, Italy, this week to play in the
International Masters.
South African Gideon Valkin (second from right) with some of the All-Time Stars who
visited Harvard to practise with the team. From left: Jim Courier, Shantanu Dhaka (senior), Valkin (senior co-captain) and Pete Sampras.
this year,” he said. “I spent the whole year
working toward having a good personal season, and toward getting the team as good a
season as possible. This is just one of those
things - an external award - it feels like I’ve
been rewarded for a whole bunch of hard
work I would have done anyway.”
The honours may have eased the pain of
having his personal win-streak snapped at
the hands of Ferreira, who beat Valkin in a
baseline rallying contest that the Harvard
senior took to match point.
“Ferreira’s got one of the best groundstroke games ever,” Valkin said. “We played
a baseline game that lasted 10 minutes, but
I felt like I played a three-set match. At the
end of the day, he could hit a forehand winner from pretty much wherever he wanted.”
Valkin graduated from Harvard on
June 7 with a degree in Government and
Economics and after a short holiday he
began work at Citigroup in Manhattan,
New York.