RJ INSIDER’S GUIDE
JOHANNESBURG: Culture & Community Interview with Robert Jacobs
Rabbi Robert Jacobs serves as rabbi of Bet David Congregation in Johannesburg, South Africa
Lion Park Photo by A lan de Sousa Caires
What do tourists find most interesting about your country and city?
Greetings from a springbok and blessboks in Lion Park Court, Women’s Jail, and Awaiting Trial Block Prison, highlights not to be missed are staircases from that dreaded prison and a fine collection of South African art and beaded work in the lobby. For a great day trip, visit a sanctuary to see elephants, cheetahs, or other rare or endangered species.
Most tourists come for the wealth of animal life in national What Jewparks and ish sites private aniare most mal preserworth vation “game visiting? farms” dotTemple ted across Israel in South Africa. Hillbrow It is a land of (1936), great variaBET DAVID MEMBER KAREN TURIS LEADS A YOGA CLASS FOR designed by tion of terthe studio rain, climate, ORPHANS IN THE SYNAGOGUE GARDENS ON MANDELA DAY. of the Jewflora, and ish architect Hermann Kallenbach, is fauna; the Western Cape is one of the one of many splendid art Deco strucworld’s most diverse plant habitats. tures found throughout the older areas Johannesburg offers many museums and monuments documenting our nation- of Johannesburg. Kallenbach’s home on the Linksfield Ridge also served al story from the Boer Wars (1890– 1910), through Mahatma Ghandi’s devel- as Ghandi’s home during an early stay in Johannesburg. opment of passive resistance, into the There are three Progressive congreApartheid period and the current democratic society. For example, the Cradle of gations in the city—Bet David, Beit Emanuel, and Temple Israel. Ours, Bet Humankind exhibits some of the oldest David, offers a garden setting and a and most extraordinary fossils of human ancestors to be excavated in the Sterkfon- warm English-speaking congregation graced by a splendid choir. In addition, tein and surrounding caves, one hour if your travels take you to the adminisnorth of Johannesburg—and the excavatrative capital of Pretoria (Tswhane), tion process is ongoing. The occasional, you can visit Bet Menorah; and Proseasonal tours of the Sterkfontein Caves gressive synagogues are also to be are fascinating. The Apartheid Museum found in Cape Town, Green Point, offers the most complete history of Wynberg, West Coast/Milnerton, DurApartheid. At Constitution Hill, which ban, East London, and Port Elisabeth. encompasses Old Fort, Constitutional reform judaism
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What are the culinary delights?
You name it; you can find it on the menu! As South Africans especially enjoy meat dishes, exceptional and reasonable steak houses exist in many locales. Also prominent are spicier curries and a variety of pan-African dishes. Several certified kosher restaurants offer varied menus. Boboties (curried meat casseroles) as well as typical East European dairy dishes are frequently found along with butternut soup and beautifully presented salads. Produce is varied, local, and splendid! What are your top travel tips?
Dress is almost universally informal. Don’t be put off by the too frequent reports of violence, yet be cautious about walking in isolated areas. Hotels and tours provide excellent guidance about avoiding problems, safe storage of valuables (don’t leave valuables unattended or wear flashy, expensive jewelry), and general conduct issues that might differ in South Africa. Service in hotels and restaurants is inconsistent, but well given when requested politely; and questioning receives a better response than demanding or criticism. Tipping for service often starts at 10% of a bill. South Africa is a right-hand drive country, and not for the timid; although most roads are excellent, I would not necessarily say the same of the drivers! Public transit in town is not very usable, although the Gautrain (high speed train) to and from the airport is brilliant. Contacting the Progressive Jewish community in advance offers the opportunity to experience Jewish life in a personal way. continued on page 38
spring 2013
1/18/13 10:40 AM