OUR COMMUNITY | OUR PEOPLE | OUR MAGAZINE
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2.
Editorial
3.
Obituary
4.
Special Feature
6.
In Conversation
7,
Current Affairs
8.
Gardening
9.
Through your Eyes
EDITORIAL BY HAYLEY LIEBERTHAL
10. History 12.
Bubkes
13. Above Board 14. Masada 15. Beit David 16. Beth Shalom 17. Akiva 18. Divote 19. KwaZulu-Natal Zionist Council 20. Union of Jewish Women 21. Talmud Tora 22. Young Israel Centre 23. Durban Holocaust and Genocide Centre 24. Durban Jewish Social Services 25. Cooking with Judy and Linda 26. Social & Personal .
The views expressed in the pages of Hashalom are not necessarily those of the Editorial Board or any other organisation or religious body unless otherwise Hashalom merely reflects views of particular organisation or individual.
Editor: Hayley Lieberthal Sub Editors: Colin Plen, Cookie Isaacs, Maureen Caminsky Editorial Board: Hayley Lieberthal, Michelle Campbell Lauren Shapiro, Mikki Norton Production Manager: Jacqui Herbst Notice to Organisations/Contributors: All material to be submitted by email to hashalom@djc.co.za DEADLINE FOR THE FEBRUARY EDTION: Friday, 8 January Get in touch with the editor: editor@djc.co.za
Advertisements Contact: Jacqui Herbst P.O. Box 10797 Marine Parade 4056 Tel: (031) 335 4451Email: hashalom@djc.co.za Hashalom is issued under the auspices of the SAJBD KZN Council, KwaZulu-Natal Zionist Council and the Durban Jewish Club. Typesetting Supplied. Designed by RBG Studios, email: rowan@rbgstudios.co.za Printed by RBG Studios
2020’s lesson to me Life is a balancing act. It’s clichéd, but it’s true: it’s no different to learning how to ride a bicycle. Place both hands on the bars, position your feet against the pedals, look in the direction of your destination and push one foot, forward followed by the other. Sounds simple enough, right? But of course it takes skill and practice – after all practice does make perfect and mastering riding a bike is part and parcel of childhood. All through the above steps – even as our loved ones stood close by, ready to catch us if need be – we concentrated on the task at hand, reminding ourselves to keep moving forward all while maintaining our balance. And, of course, our hands were firmly gripped around the handlebars to the point where our knuckles began showing through. Learning to ride a bike gave us a sense of accomplishment, joy and freedom of movement. However (aside from those daredevils who took their hands off the bar shouting, “look, no hands!”) many of us are still holding on tight. We haven’t learned to loosen our grip on everyday life. Why do we hold on so tight? Is it because familiarity brings us comfort? Or, to mix metaphors, is it because we’re trying to control the multiple balls we have in the air? (You try juggling whilst riding a bicycle! Some of our lives are so crazy it can feel like that’s what we’re doing.) 2020’s Corona-coaster put us through more dips and peaks than we’d have liked. But there were some positive things that came out of this pandemic. We began to learn about ourselves on a deeper level. Some of us got started on turning our dreams into reality, be they personal or professional goals. Others found new hobbies and there were some who realised what those roses smell like. We became closer as a community and stopped taking small moments for granted. Yes, without a doubt 2020 was the most stressful year in living memory, yet I discovered that by letting go of the things we don’t have control over we open ourselves up to let energy, love and peace of mind flow freely through us. If we could master riding a bike, we can master riding this Corona-coaster. Loosen the grip... better yet... let go!
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2 | OUR COMMUNITY, OUR PEOPLE, OUR MAGAZINE
OBITUARY
HASHALOM JAN 2021
REST IN PEACE, JACK DURBAN’S LAST HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR, JACK PUTERMAN, IS LAID TO REST Southern California’s Shoah Foundation Institute in 1996, still Jack did not reveal much of his past to his family and friends. It was only in 2008, when he was asked to give an address at the opening of the Durban Holocaust and Genocide Centre (DHGC), that he began to speak publicly of his experiences. In 2010 Jack published a memoir titled: Testimony: The Story of a Holocaust Survivor. The book combines stories and recollections with photographs and documents to preserve the history of this terrible period. “I came to understand how important it is not only for my family and friends to know about the terrible events that have shaped my life, but also how crucial it is for the world to hear testimonies of those who survived so that these events will never be forgotten and, hopefully, will never be repeated,” he wrote in the book’s introduction. He subsequently became involved in the activities of the DHGC, offering his support to events, museum tours and other functions. In his final years, failing health kept him from public life. He cherished this time with his family.
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talwart of the Durban Jewish community Jack Puterman (Yaakov Meir ben Yosef) sadly passed away on 4 December at the age of 91.
Jack was a kind and caring man who went out of his way to help anyone he could. He was patient, generous and hardworking. Belying his quiet disposition, he was always ready with a friendly smile and had a wonderful sense of humour. Jack’s incredible story will be told for many generations to come. Jack was born in Skarzysko Kamienna in Poland in 1929. A young boy of ten when war broke out, he was barely 13 when his family – along with 10 000 other Jews from the Skarzysko Ghetto – were rounded up by the Nazis in September 1942. Of his extended family of around 150 people, only 17 survived, including Jack and his mother Bronia, with whom he had been separated during the latter stages of the war. After the war Jack returned briefly to Poland and was reunited with his mother. Shortly afterwards, they joined his uncle who was living in Sweden, where Jack completed trade school and began work as an upholsterer. In 1953 Jack and his mother moved to South Africa to join another uncle who had settled in Durban. Jack barely spoke about what he had been through during the war. He was a natural businessman, and threw himself into a long and successful career, starting with the purchase of Bartlett and Dunster Fabrics in 1956. Two years later he met and married his wife Marcia, with whom he would raise five sons. Together with his sons, Jack developed the family business into one of South Africa’s leading distributors of furnishing textiles and trimmings. Meanwhile, he welcomed four daughters-in-law and eight grandchildren into his growing family. Jack became an active member in the Durban Jewish community and a regular shul-goer. Although he consented to an interview with the Spielberg Holocaust Project via the University of
Jack was KwaZulu-Natal’s last living Holocaust Survivor. He was laid to rest on Sunday 6 December 2020 at Redhill Cemetery. Due to COVID-19 concerns, the funeral was also broadcast on Zoom where dozens logged in from around the world to pay their respects to this special soul. “Jack was a tzaddik, a righteous man who epitomised the victory of the Jewish spirit over the evil of the Nazis,” said Rabbi Doctor Pinchas Zekry, who recited the Shma together with Jack over Zoom the day before Jack passed. “From a horrendous childhood, losing most of his family in the Holocaust, suffering in the concentration camps, he emerged as a hero and built his own dynasty together with his beloved wife Marcia, whilst succeeding in the business world as well. Despite all the hurdles in his life, he remained faithful to Hashem, faithful to his people and was beloved all who knew him: a true mensch.” Jack is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marcia, sons Jeffrey, Allan, Ivan, Colin and David, his daughters-in-law and grandchildren. He will be remembered fondly by all who met him. Testimony: The Story of a Holocaust Survivor is available at the Durban Holocaust and Genocide Centre Gift Shop in the Circle Café. Message from the SAJBD (KZN Council) Jack Puterman was a wise, kind and generous person and an incredible role model to the generations who followed. Jack was a devoted member of the Durban Jewish community and played an important role in creating understanding, with his personal testimonies of the genocide conducted by the Nazis, between the younger generations of the community at large. Jack leaves behind him an incredible legacy which will live on through his wonderful family and through the written and oral testimonies which he provided. We hope that all of this will give his family some kind of comfort and peace in their tragic loss.
3
SPECIAL FEATURE
NEW YEAR, NEW START Tips, tricks and products to ensure 2021 is the year of home organisation BY LAUREN SHAPIRO HAPPY HOMES
WARDROBE WONDERS
“I think lockdown gave people time to go through their homes and get rid of things they’re not using, especially to help others in need during this time,” says Toni-Lynn Sweet, Home and Wardrobe Analyst and Stylist at Call Me Toni. “People have realised that they can live with a lot less.”
“Your wardrobe should work for your lifestyle,” says Image Consultant Carolyn Thom. As your needs change, adapt your wardrobe appropriately. “For example, outfits that worked the boardroom can be dressed down with sneakers and a denim jacket; blouses can be tied or layered to achieve a whole new look, and accessories can add a pop of colour to bring new life to plain, simple staples.”
Another thing lockdown has transformed is people’s approach to shopping. Toni-Lynn has worked in retail since 1985 and says the digital marketplace has revolutionised many families’ routines. “It saves you schlepping through shops and you’re less tempted to buy what you don’t need,” she observes. It also prevents you from doublebuying because you can check what you actually need before you hit ‘add to cart’, she points out. TONI-LYNN’S TIPS FOR AN ORGANISED HOME “The key is to know what you have,” Toni-Lynn maintains. • Sort out your cupboards! You may be delighted to find treasures you’d forgotten you have. • Clearly label things so everyone in the family can tidy easily. • Use drawer-dividers to organise small items like socks, belts and underwear. TOP PRODUCT Toni-Lynn loves clear stacking boxes for shoes, or anything else! “You can see what you’ve got, plus things last longer when they’re stored well.” Click interlocking shoe boxes: www.homechoice.co.za R999 for 12.
CAROLYN’S TIPS FOR AN ORGANISED WARDROBE During a professional wardrobe consultation, Carolyn helps clients organise their clothes so that they know exactly where to find things: • Arrange clothes by colour. • Face all garments the same way. • Group shoestring tops, strappy tops, cap sleeves, three-quarter shirts and then long sleeves. Apply the same logic for pants, skirts and dresses. TOP PRODUCT “If, like me, you have a small cupboard, hanger size is so important. When hangers take up less space, you can fit more in!” Non-slip Chrome Hangers: The ultra slim design maximises closet space and can be purchased from Woolworths. R110 for 5. Contact Carolyn: 082 941 8584 facebook.com/fashionstylistandbodyshaper
Call Me Toni: 082 671 7366, tonixtwo@hotmail.com Instagram: ToniSweet81
CLUTTER-FREE KITCHENS “It does take time, thought and planning, but anyone can have an organised kitchen,” promises Durban’s kitchen queens Judy Druck and Linda Nathan. “The bottom line is to work systematically and to keep storage areas clean and easily accessible.” They recommend always having one countertop clear to use as a work station. “Measure out ingredients and do all chopping, dicing, etc. before you start cooking, to save you running around kitchen,” Linda advises. “Keep a damp cloth at hand and wash dirty dishes and countertops as you go.”
4 | OUR COMMUNITY, OUR PEOPLE, OUR MAGAZINE
HASHALOM JAN 2021
JUDY AND LINDA’S STORAGE SOLUTIONS: •
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Transparent plastic containers keep small items neat and organised. Store baking ingredients like vanilla, baking powder, bicarb, etc. together. Decant dry ingredients into containers for easy stacking (this also minimises insect infestation). Kosher kitchens should have different-looking crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils for milk, meat and parev. Using colours to signify each section makes it easy to stay organised (e.g. blue for milk, red for meat and green for parev).
For Judy and Linda’s mouth-watering recipes, turn to their regular cooking page.
too busy and uneasy on the eye,” she warns, whereas “a fresh look re-energises your space, which in turn has an effect how we feel in that space.” Bev recommends starting with bigger pieces (sofas, tables, beds, etc), then adding carefully-chosen accessories like paintings and ornaments to complete the room. This year, she suggests, focus on collecting memories, not things. “Living without clutter creates a more embracing and welcoming home environment.” There are ways to maximise space in your home without promoting clutter, reveals Stan Oshry of Living Image Interiors. “Many homes have a lot more space than you think, for example, that awkward area under the stairs can be transformed into a practical and stylish organisation station with the right treatment.” Adding a cupboard just 15 mm deep to a blank wall (or the exposed side of another cupboard) can tidily house brooms, brushes, cleaning products and even a folded ladder. The same trick can create an elegant yet unobtrusive bar stocked with bottles, glasses and cocktail tools. Contact Bev: 082 822 7157, mazinteriorz@iafrica.com Contact Stan: 082 565 5667, www.livingimage.co.za
Linda’s dried goods storage PIC: Supplied
GREAT GADGETS “People are loving being in their kitchens – we have never done as many kitchen revamps as we have since COVID hit!” reveals Margaret Hirsch, Executive Director of the biggest privately owned home appliance store in South Africa. Kitting out your kitchen with the right tools can make all the difference to your productivity. For example, look for compact appliances that won’t take up your entire kitchen counter or hall cupboard, or choose gadgets that can do more than one job, saving you space and money.
PIC: houzz.com
PAY IT FORWARD TOP PRODUCT Hirsch’s most popular small appliance is the Instant Pot, a 7-in-1 sauté pan, steamer, slow cooker, rice cooker, pressure cooker, food warmer, yogurt maker and more. “You can literally do everything in this compact machine,” Margaret enthuses. It saves space, time and energy and reduces the washing up. Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 8L Smart Cooker, Hirsch’s. R2,699. Contact Margaret: 082 770 0007 www.hirschs.co.za SPACED OUT “Your home is your haven; your sanctuary,” insists Bev Selikow of Maz Interiorz. “Overfilled rooms become
Durban Jewish Social Services is looking for gently used clothing, furniture and small appliances for their clients. Electronics in good condition (newish cell phones/tablets with their charging cables) will also be appreciated. Contact Anne on 083 446 1557 The Union of Jewish Women supports many organisations that are in constant need of clothes, linen and toys. Contact ujwdbn@djc.co.za. Humphrey says the SPCA can turn your clutter into cash to help care for animals in need. Call 031 579 6534. @HumphreyImmerman
5
IN CONVERSATION
JEWELS OF LIFE THE JOY IN THE JOURNEY BY HAYLEY LIEBERTHAL
How she came to shine Fellow Durbanite Justine Barrington started her own business making bespoke jewellery almost six years ago. Her mom Eleanor – unbeknownst to either of them - was the catalyst behind her sparkling business: “My mom gave me some beautiful gemstones that were all served up and scattered in silk and old paper in a silvered tureen. As I watched the light reflect off the family heirloom gemstones, an intense excitement came over me. It was if I was ignited from within to culminate my years of creative and interior design skills in other areas to start working with fine jewellery,” Justine said. From there Justine met up with various jewellers and it wasn’t long before she found the perfect fit and started to create oneof-a-kind jewellery. Her life was a constant buzz of meetings with clients, jewellers, creative energy and her beautiful eight year old daughter Mia. However there was one item in her life that wasn’t as beautiful as the gems she was working with. You can always go home In December 2019, Justine and her daughter returned to her hometown in Durban, and although she was processing a new life after separating from her husband as well as being a single parent, she was still excited to be back on the East Coast and with her mom again. As Justine and her daughter found their seaside legs, Covid-19 struck and along came the hard lockdown. “Covid-19 stopped a lot of life as we know it, and I wanted to be nestled at home where it’s safe and I can look after both my 84 year-old mother and my daughter.” She continued saying that lockdown was an interesting place for her with the additional responsibilities of home schooling and a home to run but as with many other parents, she battled to keep what was their norm and start to look for a new normal.
“I have never been so busy doing the most important job in the world – caring for our loved ones which entailed household chores, safe shopping, cooking, cleaning all whilst I agonised over the thousands of starving people who were desperate for my privileged lifestyle.” She further went on to say that these thoughts and feelings turned into unfiltered angst and found herself working at a panicked pace just to get through the day: “But none of the life-saving or amount of nurturing was earning me any money, and then a long restless thought that was similar to a scratched CD kept coming into my brain – there has to be a gentler place?” The stillness of lockdown “I stopped! I stopped baking banana bread and planting veggie patches, and I started to work on being still, grateful and most of all I tried to be kind – not just to myself, but to others,” Justine said. There was a calmness that settled within her, and there were choices that needed to be made about how she wanted to live her life. Justine opted for living in the present, in the here and now and that meant finding joy in each day, just as she had found when she was creating jewellery: “Mia’s math project became ‘bake a cake day’ or ‘play cards with granny until she kicked us out the room for being cheeky or too loud’. This change brought me comfort. For the first time since lockdown I started to make sense of what being still meant and how important it was to be present. “I believe we all have a place of gentleness, of stillness from which we can not only work successfully and navigate the new normal, but work from joy – work that makes us fulfilled and happy and commercially viable. And if you allow the stillness (to settle in), you have time to think, to unpack and that opens up options where we can grow and learn.” Just the beginning Covid-19 hasn’t detoured Justine’s love for what she does. In fact it has given her more insight to what the real gem of life is: she is driven to find the meaning and purpose in her loved ones and this has filtered through to her creative process where she has kept her focus on creating authentic bespoke fine gemstone jewellery from home. “We drive ourselves for perfection in distraction in that we are unable to just be in the moment, I have fooled myself thinking that if I add more onto my ‘to-do’ I would be more productive. However, the opposite is by far better for me and every day I allow myself to be still and the rewards have been bountiful. The challenges and the worry led me to a place where I am more inspired and even more humbled. I absolutely love making jewellery, and I love seeing my pieces come to life. It’s taken time, focus and practice, but after six years I am suddenly seeing the fruits of my labour with jewellery making – I have learned so much, and I am taking the time to work joyfully, to trust the journey and the process.” Get in touch with Justine If you would like to spoil yourself with your own unique piece of jewellery you can make contact with Justine on: Justine Barrington Interiors justine@justinebarringtoninteriors.co.za +27(0)83 777 9999 www.facebook.com/Justinebarringtoninteriors
6 | OUR COMMUNITY, OUR PEOPLE, OUR MAGAZINE
CURRENT AFFAIRS
HASHALOM JAN 2021
THIS IS HOW COVID-19 AFFECTED YOUR POCKET BY JACQUELINE HERBST
W
hile the total number of salaries decreased between October 2019 and October 2020, the average take-home pay and the cost of food items increased. That is to say, more people are unemployed, those who have jobs are earning slightly increased and everybody is paying more for food, including core food items such as rice, cake flour, bread, cooking oil, potatoes and cabbage that cannot be replaced. BankservAfrica Take-home Pay Index (BTPI) data shows that those earning R30,000 and below were most affected during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. As was the case in the rest of the world, where daily and weekly workers were the hardest hit. With that said, the real damage to personal incomes may yet emerge. Despite the worst economic numbers being recorded in April, salary numbers only reached their lowest point in July. This is due to employment and employee salary figures lagging economic events by a month or two as well as the fact that payrolls are also predefined a month or two in advance. At the time of going to print, the latest BTPI indicated a 10.4% decline in number of salaries paid between October 2019 and October 2020. The real take-home pay increased slightly from R12,382 in October 2019 to R12,760 in October 2020 (See image below) but that extra cash is rapidly gobbled up by
soaring food prices. Recording an aggregate annual increase of 5.8%, up from 5.4% in October, food and non-alcoholic beverage prices continue to climb. While the cost of transport goods and services are lower, prices moved notably upwards into a number of food categories. Those who have taken to baking banana loaves during lockdown would have felt the steep increase of 11.9% in cake flour prices over the last year. Your favourite sarmies have also become pricier as brown bread prices rose by 9.2% and white bread by 7.9%. As a category, bread and cereals recorded an annual price increase of 4.2% in November; however, super maize meal prices have dropped by 7.4% over the last year. If you have considered giving up eating meat, now would be a good time. The meat index recorded an annual rise of 6.6% with beef products being the main contributor. A juicy beef steak is now 16% more expensive than it was a year ago, while beef mince prices have soared by 9.2% and stewing beef by 8.6%. Meanwhile, prices in the fish category have risen by 4.5% over the last year. You may have also noticed a price increase on your favourite fatty foods, which is due to prices in the oils and fats category are up by 8.3%. Peanut butter now costs 6.6% more while cooking oil is up by 9.3% and margarine by 7.9%. Your favourite hot beverages like coffee, tea and hot chocolate now set you back on average 6.2% more than it did a year ago, with the price of black tea having skyrocketed 10.8%. Interestingly, the prices of products related to transport, such as vehicles, public transport and fuel, have recorded an annual decrease of 1.3%. Fuel prices are on aggregate 10.4% lower than they were a year ago. With the world still wrapped in a blanket of uncertainty about how long the pandemic will still be lurking about the streets, living below your means is probably not a bad idea. Analyse your spending and see where you can cut back on luxuries and save some money for a rainy day.
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LIVELY LANDSCAPES
HOW TO MAKE A KOKEDAMA BY JACQUELINE HERBST
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okedama balls, commonly called the “poor man’s bonsai”, are hugely en vogue at the moment. Adding these must-have natural and organically crafted balls to any home, patio or small garden is not only a treat for the eyes, but a welcome challenge for those who are novices wanting to master green thumbs. These little beauties are easy to make and can be displayed on a decorative surface or hung by a string in a window, from the ceiling, or on wallmounted hooks to create a charming string garden or decorative display. Kokedama is a ball of soil, covered with moss, in which an ornamental plant grows. They originated in Japan, combining the nearai bonsai and kusamono planting styles and today are very popular in Japanese gardens and trendy Western homes. Versatile and easy to maintain, kokedama balls make great personalised birthday or house warming gifts and can be made from a variety of plants adding some fun pops of colour to the home. From flamboyant orchids to the whimsical heartleaf philodendron, elegant wax hoya with its porcelain-like white flowers or more structured succulent arrangements, there is a kokedama to suit every style, design and taste. By following the step-by-step guide below, you can create and care for
your own kokedama at a fraction of the price asked by local supermarkets and garden shops. Materials • Peat moss • Potting soil • Sphagnum sheet moss • Jute twine or fishing line • Scissors • Bowl • Gloves • Measuring cup Plant Selection When choosing a plant, think of where your kokedama will be displayed. Will it be displayed in bright sun or shade? Plants with small root systems or slow growing varieties are ideal. Some of our favourite plant suggestions include: wax hoya, orchid, bromeliad, jasmine, xanadu, heartleaf philodendron, ficus, various ferns, peperomia, ponytail, love palm, and a variety of succulents. Prepare the soil. To make a 10cm ball, measure two cups of potting soil in a bowl or bucket. 2. Slowly add water to the potting soil until it just holds together when pressed firmly. 3. Firmly press the soil mixture into a ball so that is stays together. If you toss it into the air and it holds together, you are all set to move on to the next step. 4. Prepare the plant. Remove the plant from its pot and gently
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shake as much soil off the roots as you can. Split the soil ball in half and lay the plant’s roots in the centre before gently putting the two halves back together with the plant’s roots inside. Dampen the sphagnum moss in warm water to make it pliable so that it can be wrapped around the soil ball. Lay the sheet of moss face down, place the soil ball in the centre and gather the moss around the soil ball and up to the plant. Tie the moss ball to keep it all together. Hold the ball in one hand and with the other, start wrapping string around the ball, leaving an approximate 20cm tail at the bottom to tie off when done wrapping. Wrap in all directions and tie off just below the plant neck when done. If you are going to hang your kokedama, add a tie of the desired length of string for hanging. Be careful not to damage the leaves when picking the plant up to hang. To water, briefly soak in a shallow dish of water with a dash of liquid fertiliser. Soak until the ball feels heavy. Allow to drain thoroughly before re-hanging. Repeat when the ball feels light. Keep plants out of draughts to avoid dehydration. If the plant grows too large for the ball and starts to look stressed, move it to a larger ball or a pot.
HASHALOM JAN 2021
THROUGH YOUR EYES
VALUES TO GET YOU THROUGH 2020 was quite a year. With hopes for a better fare in 2021, we spoke to inspirational couple Natie and Shirley Klein about what it takes to get through tough times and always come out on top. BY LAUREN SHAPIRO Generosity Natie learnt about giving from his late mother Frieda and internalised her ethics. Today, he declares, “I can’t do enough for anyone, especially my wife and family”. Shirley is as devoted, and they’ve passed their values on to their children. This generosity has also overflowed into their business, Trouser Shirts Pty Ltd. Since 1980 Natie has had wonderful relationships with his staff, which comprises multiple generations of the same families. “I take care of them,” he explains. “If they have problems, I’m there to help.” Natie continued to commute to the office until the national lockdown began. Family They miss going to work, gym and shul, but the biggest impact the pandemic has made on their life is that their family out of Durban have not been able to visit as often. The couple has three children, eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren to keep up with!
Natie and Shirley Klein have made silver, gold, diamond and platinum – in wedding anniversaries. They are one of the richest couples in the world when it comes to love, and they love nothing better than to share this wealth. These are the values they hold most dear: Community I spent a morning in their home eating platefuls of Shirley’s exquisite home-baked biscuits and pouring over photographs and press clippings that chronicled nearly half a century of Durban Jewish communal life. Their journey to Durban was convoluted. Shirley (91) left England to come to Durban as a young girl with her parents. Native Joburger Natie (98) was hooked up with Shirley for a game of tennis on a holiday to the coast in 1944, and they married as soon as she turned 18. The pair spent their early marriage in Johannesburg and were active members of Bnei Brith and Rotary. Natie helped raise over R100,000 for charities – no mean feat in the 70s! In 1975 they moved permanently to Durban, where they have continued to inspire all who meet them on a personal, professional and communal level. Healthy bodies and minds They take care to maintain their physical and mental health. Both avid runners in their time, they make a point of keeping fit (they never missed a day of gym until the facility closed due to the COVID-19 lockdown, and they still walk around the estate on which they live). A positive attitude gives them consistent energy.
They’ve embraced WhatsApp. Their son Mervin calls each afternoon at 430 from New York, and they speak to daughter Janine Solarsh in Johannesburg daily. “Whatever we’ve been through – through ups and downs – my parents know that I am there for them 100%,” says daughter Fiona Melloul, who lives with them. “Whenever I’m needed, I’ll be there, and it’s a pleasure for me to do it.” Faith The pair has always taken challenges – from business failures to global pandemics – in their stride, and their faith is stronger than ever. “Hashem is with me all the time,” Natie maintains. He feels blessed to have spent his life extending this devotion to others. “The Torah tells us to help people. So we do.” Regular shulgoers, they look forward to returning to services. A strong marriage In love for a quarter of a century (and married for 73 years last November), the Kleins clearly know the secret for a great marriage. Natie’s said it before, and he’ll say it again: “Always say yes.” Yet amidst the laughter, it’s obvious that the devotion in this relationship is reciprocal. What problems? On dealing with what life throws at us, Natie gives the following advice: “Problems are manufactured by yourself”. Gesturing to his beloved Shirley, he concludes, “we could create problems, but we don’t – so we don’t have any!”
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JANUARY IN HISTORY
JEWISH DOCTORS IN NATAL 1945 – 2000 BY DR MICHAEL MORRIS
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ollowing the Second World War with the return of servicemen from “up North”, the impact of Jewish Doctors on the general community, gained considerable momentum. In South Africa, post graduate internship was compulsory in a recognised teaching hospital. Clinical appointments at Durban’s Addington and King Edward hospitals were highly sought after. Teaching was at a high standard and the social life legendary. Career decisionmaking often took place during the internship year with Doctors either specialising or going into general practice directly thereafter. Migration of Jewish Doctors to Natal peaked in the 1960’s at which stage there were 605 registered Doctors in Durban and the environs, 149 of whom were Jewish, equally divided between General Practitioners and Specialists. The advent of Medical Aid Societies in the 1950’s saw a fundamental change in the relationship between patients and Doctors - the middle-man was now introduced. Medicine had become commercialised altering the old type of relationship with “your Doctor” for many. Anti-Semitism in the Durban medical fraternity was prevalent with Jewish Doctors denied access to certain hospitals. To counter the selective admission policies these hospitals practiced, it was decided to build a new hospital on the Berea, Parklands Hospital. The initiative and financial input was by a group of businessmen and Jewish Doctors. There was a clear mandate that it was to have an open policy for both patients and Doctors. The religious and ethnic division and suspicion between Doctors remained for years and was later to cost the Durban Doctors dearly. An opportunity to erect and own their personal consulting
room building in the centre of Durban occurred. Coinciding with this was the offer to Durban Doctors to purchase St Augustine’s. Vacillation, compounded by the inherent suspicion between the Doctors, scuppered the deal. This once again provided big business with an important foothold in the lucrative medical scenario. Emigration of Doctors from Natal followed a triphasic wave pattern beginning with the tragic events at Sharpville in 1961. The second wave followed the Soweto uprising in 1976. The 1980’s and 1990’s witnessed the continued haemorrhage and brain drain of Doctors affected by the political uncertainties in the country. The college of Surgeons and Physicians of South Africa was only established in 1956. Prior to this all Doctors wishing to specialise had to travel abroad to write higher qualifying academic exams. Names of Specialists who have served the Durban and surrounding community can be viewed in Appendix A. Medical Politics Jewish Doctors gave considerable input into medical politics. They campaigned actively for equality and the establishing of a medical school in Durban. The following is a list of Jewish Doctors who were Presidents of the Medical Association of South Africa’s Coastal Branch Natal. 1951 Dr A Broomberg 1952 Prof H Grant-Whyte 1961 Dr Sam Disler 1962 Mr Audrey Beiles 1966 Dr Bert Asherson 1967 Mr Cyril Kaplan 1971 Mr Gerald Kane 1972 Dr Ben Rogoff 1997 Dr Mandy Goldman 1956 saw the establishment of the University of Natal Medical School based in Durban. Second World War The outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 saw many
of the Durban Jewish Doctors enlisted. Many saw action “up north” in Abyssinia, Egypt, the Western Desert and Italy. Others were attached to military hospitals around South Africa and Rhodesia. See appendix B for a list of Doctors that did service in the Second World War. Mention must be made of the award of the Military Cross to Captain Koffie Reznek by Major General Everard Poole, Commander of the Sixth South African Armed Division. The citation read “that on the morning of July 22, 1944, during attack on the approaches to Monte Fili, Captain Reznek made two separate excursions into a confined locality known to be thickly sewn with antitank mines. He was to render medical assistance to the crew of a blown out armed car and then to aid engineers wounded by mines whilst engaged in sweeping. With utter disregard for his personal safety, Captain Reznek proceeded under concentrated mortar and shell fire to render first-aid and having no stretcher himself, lifted and carried out one of the wounded. Once again at the height of shelling and at a time when it seemed humanly impossible that he could escape personal injury he took his ambulance jeep forward to the tanks, making no fewer than three trips down the exposed road to evacuate the wounded. In a subsequent attack Captain Reznek unhesitatingly continued with his team throughout the ensuring night and assisted them in the treatment and evacuation of their wounded. He displayed courage of the very highest order and set an outstanding example of sustained devotion to duty which was an inspiration to all who were near him“. He later became a General Practitioner in Pietermaritzburg. Cyril Kaplan enlisted in the South African Medical Corp in
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July 1942 serving four years in South Africa and the Middle East. He was demobbed in Britain for Post Graduate Surgical Studies in Edinburgh, Liverpool and London. With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, he volunteered for Israel’s army medical corp and served as Orthopaedic Surgeon at No 10 Military Hospital, Haifa until August 1949. Jack Alberts interrupted his studies at Medical School to become a pilot in the South African Air Force. Syd Atlas became a Royal Marine. Possibly the most famous of the South African Doctors was Sydney Cohen. He had trained as a pilot in the South African Air Force and saw service in North Africa and Italy. He returned to South Africa following demobilisation and then continued his career in Medicine. The war of liberation in Palestine was about to start. The British refused to train Palestinian Jews as members of combat air crews. RAF volunteers were shuffled to the ground crew and support service and only the persistent made it later to flight courses. The full might of Arab nations descended on Palestine. Jewish pilots from all around the world including thirtythree from South Africa flying scavenged Messerschmitt’s and Spitfires, rallied to the critical scenario. He continued to distinguish himself and rose to second in charge of the Israeli air force. After that war he returned to General practice in Durban for some years, but went on aliyah to Israel in the 1960’s. Sporting Scene It wasn’t all work and no play for many of the Doctors achieved distinction in the sporting field. Harry Miller achieved national and provincial status as a soccer player, Len Siemon was a provincial and Maccabi water-polo player, Dave Levick
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won the Comrades Marathon in 1973, Rube Maller completed 15 Comrades Marathons, Jack Usdin completed 11 Comrades Marathons, Ivan Coll completed 20 Comrades Marathons and 8 New York Marathons. Selwyn Levitan continues to run and has many Comrades Marathons “under his belt”. Gerald Baise achieved provincial recognition as a rugby referee. Socially The medical scene in Durban has changed significantly. Memories are still fresh of Doctors in the 40’s and 50’s being chauffer driven, either to visit patients in hospitals or do house calls on ailing patients. The foyer of the hospital was where the Specialists and General Practitioners usually congregated for a brief “chit chat”. More often than not it was the state of the share market or an exchange of the latest jokes. From there the General Practitioners would begin their house calls which could amount to twenty or thirty per day. It was a status symbol to have the current model of usually, an American, car and a large house, preferably on the Berea; a prerequisite for a successful medical practitioner. Prestigious buildings in the centre of town accommodated the consulting rooms. No parking garages were available and the doctor’s car had a prominent green cross which allowed parking for an extended period in either West or Smith Streets. This was usually abetted by a friendly “Mr Plod”. Advertising one’s skills in the medical profession was non-existent as the South African Medical Council took strong exception to this practice and many doctors were reprimanded. However, before the advent of radio pagers and mobile telephones, when attending a cinema it was usual to leave your seat number at the box office in the event of being called urgently. Gaining a bit of advertising was assisted by the friendly projectionist flashing the doctor’s name on the screen. What about those doctors who descended in a crowded lift with their chain of office, the stethoscope prominently displayed around the neck into a busy West Street. Was this construed as advertising? Fashionable attire was not high on the agenda of the average doctor, but three piece suits were still common
attire during the 40’s and 50’s. Slowly the advent of the white safari suit became acceptable, ideal for the Durban climate. It has now become passé for the doctors to be seen so attired. It is not possible to tell the full story or describe in any detail the significance of many of the Jewish Doctors in a single chapter. For many of us King’s Park is associated with the glorious Natal rugby scene with the inevitable braaivleis after the match. For many years Jack Sweidan did noble service as the Doctor for the various Natal teams. Who can forget scenes of a felled gladiator on the hallowed turf of King’s Park and the crowds baying for Doc Sweidan to do his magic! In his inimitable way, armed with a bottle of water, he would rapidly assess the casualty. The crowds knew well the routine of pouring water over the gladiator and then out would come the inevitable “needles”. Doc Sweidan was an expert acupuncturist and the stricken hero would have needles inserted, rise unsteadily and hopefully resume playing. Dr Sol Feinberg of Margate gained world-wide fame for his treatment of shark attack victims in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Prior to the installation of shark nets along the Natal coast there were numerous shark attacks on humans, often with tragic consequence. Sol Feinberg developed the technique of resuscitating them on the beach with intravenous fluids prior to transporting them to a hospital for definitive care. This radical new form of treatment was to save many lives along the South African coast. Dr Reggie Hegy achieved fame as an author of many books particularly on spiritualism. Dr Morris Cohen became recognized in the field of antique furniture and his hobby of making figurines out of shells, ultimately received international recognition. The remnants of what was a vast collection is now to be seen in the University of Rhodes in Grahamstown. As we entered the new millennium the number of Jewish Doctors in Natal, both general practitioner and specialists, totaled less than twelve, a far cry indeed from the halcyon days of yesteryear. It is my considered opinion that the country, the city and the medical fraternity are the poorer for the loss of the Jewish Doctors.
Appendix A Specialists Accident and Emergency / Trauma Morris, Michael Anesthetist Cohen, Andy Ezekowitz, Kalman Grant-Whyte,Harry Price, Sam Rogoff, Ben Rome, Paul Rubin, Joe Schmahmann,Oscar Sher, Gerald Silberman, Slick Cardiologist Gottsman, Mervyn Mattison, Rodney Cardio Thoracic Surgeon Barnett, Ivan Melzer, Harris Taitz, Solly Dermatologist Abromowitz,Issy Fine, Sam Ear, Nose & Throat Immerman,Gerry Mervis, Gerald Samuel, Julian Woolf, Leon Gastroenterology Moshal, Michael Gynaecologist Baskin, Micky Brenner, Harry Clennar, Colin Edelstein, Wolfie Margolis, Frank Margolis, Jack Margolis, Ken Massel, Peter Notelovitz, Morris Sacks, Sammy Schechter,Monty Silove, Dudley Skowron, Arthur Maxillae/Facial Surgeon Levitan, Selwyn Neurologist Barnett, Arnie Wolpe, Harold Oncologist Goldman,Mandy Opthalmologist Chait, Harry Phillips, Gerald Schaffer,Max Ziman, M Orthopaedic Surgeon Bear, Joe Kaplan, Cyril Schweitzer, George Schein, David Seimon, Lennie Usdin, Jack Paediatrician Friedlander,Frank Klenerman, Pauline Kaplan, Max Kaplan, Sophie Nestadt, Alan Sagorin, Leonard van den Horst, Ronnie Walt, Frank Widrich, Fred
Pathologist Berger, Mike Gordon, Okkie Rosenberg, Ellis Rifken, Syd Physical medicine Gitlin, Max Physiology Gillman,Ted Physician Morris, Michael Psychiatrist Cohen, Morris Koz, Gabe Levinson, Colin Webber, Harry Radiologist Bortz, Joel Ellman, Brian Fine, Edgar Forman, Alan Gentin,Syd Isaacs, Barry Kramer, Bobby Mann, Julian Movsas, Israel Movson, Issie Navid, Ben Navid, Harry Rubin, Dave Sacks, Nathan Shapiro, Ben Shulman, Ralph Weintraub, Leon Wolpert, Lionel Surgeon Angorn, Bunny Bader, Eli Beiles, Aubrey Bryer, Johnny Coll, Ivan Goldberg,Mike Kane, Gerald Kark,Allan Urologist Brukin, Morris Fine,Harry Appendix B Addleson,Jules Alberts,Jack Asherson,Victor Atlas, Lionel Atlas, Syd Barnat, Ivan Beiles, Aubrey Berger, Morrie Cohen, Syd Ezekowitz, Kalman Gitlin, Max Goldberg, Mike Gordon, Charles (R.A.M.C) Hairman, Markie Harris, Mike Hegy, Reggie Kaplan, Cyril Levin, Harry (R.A.M.C) May, Jack Mendel, Sonny Moshal, Barnie Reznek, Koffie Sacks, Sammy Silberman, Slick Taitz, Solly Walt, Frank Wassying, Sydney Weinberg, Con Wolfowitz, Leon
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COMMUNITY BUBKES NEWS
THE JEWISH PRINCIPLES OF DECLUTTERING I needed help. In other countries there are actual professional Jewish Organisers (Seri-yaas! See www. jewishorganizers.com and www. jewish-life-organized.com). But until such time as that divine miracle hits SA, I turned to our heritage for inspiration on how to live a clutter-free life. Here’s what I came up with:
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hen this column reaches you, it’ll be almost a year to the day that the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 lodged itself snuggly into human society. In the ensuing pandemic, we’ve spent more time at home than ever before. Some high-risk individuals haven’t left their residences since last March! That’s a lot of time to putter around your place. Like many of you, I’ve been casting a critiquing eye over my environment, and I’m challishing for a change of scene. The new calendar year seemed a tidy opportunity to declutter and organise, so I enthusiastically embarked on my mission. Are you chuckling yet? I’m chuckling just typing this. As you may know from reading this column over the last decade and a half, I can be a bit of a squirrel when it comes to sentimental stuff. I hoard it away to see me through the winter of my discontent. But this year I decided to try something new: a summer of dis-content – that is to say: a summer of eliminating content. It sounded like a good idea at the time, okay? And I’m not just talking about the name (Shakespeare Z”L will have to forgive me for that one). The appeal was great: a chance to declutter and release a year’s worth of fear and empty sanitiser bottles. I started with some ground rules: I could keep all my old camp T-shirts, my kids’ milk teeth, and my books. Including the ones still in boxes in the garage from the move six years ago. Also my AfrikaBurn costumes. And anything with leopard print. Obviously. With that settled (well, not completely settled – I reserved the right to add to the list at my discretion), I began to look around my home with dwindling optimism. So. Much. Stuff.
One step at a time Moses didn’t climb Sinai in a day. (Well, maybe he did. But he spent 40 days and nights up there recovering, so take warning from that.) The lesson I draw from this is to not try and conquer a mountain of clutter in a day. Take it one step, one drawer, one cobwebfestooned pile at a time. Keep it simple Too much stuff complicates everything. Take Pesach cleaning for example. It was so simple when we lived in tents in the desert. You took your few cooking utensils and blankets outside.
A note on heirlooms Your great-grandmother’s brass candlesticks from the shtetl don’t spark joy for you? But they’ve been in the family for generations! It doesn’t matter. We shouldn’t hold onto things for the sake of holding onto things. Take a photo if you want to preserve the memory, then go out and get a pair of sticks that make you excited to light Shabbat candles each week. It doesn’t matter if they’re from Sterns, Mr Price, or the wire artist on the corner. You’ll feel lighter (hehe, see what I did there?) letting go of the sticks that burden you. The bonus of this strategy is that by letting go of things you don’t even really like, you could be enriching someone else’s life. There are people out there who like and want the stuff you don’t, I promise. If it’s worth anything, by all means sell it. Otherwise, donate it. You’ll be decluttering as well as bringing joy to others. Homes should be filled with love, joy, peace, kindness and gratitude. A few tzatzkes too, perhaps. But they’re not the focus.
You swept the tent. You replaced the items. Now I’m not suggesting that we abandon our homes and live in tents (that’s a whole nother festival anyway), but we probably don’t need quite so much stuff in our fully-kitted, en suite, overstuffed abodes. [At this point troll dolls were added to the Keep List. They’re collectables, right? Really, it’s an investment in my kids’ future.] Be specific Are you holding onto 15 pairs of jeans in various styles (13 of which no longer fit you)? Note that Hashem didn’t say unto the Children of Israel: “Keep all the tunics just in case the Kohen Gadol loses those extra four kilos. Or in case he runs out of clean ones and needs to grab something to throw on to take the kids to school while the laundry’s on.” No, He gave very specific instructions of what the KG needed, down to the golden bells and pomegranate trim. Perhaps we could be a little more discriminating with our wardrobes too. [Added to the Keep List: those dusty dumbbells, because, you know, maybe one day…]
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The challenge is to strike a balance; there’s no need to live like a minimalist monk with an extra-small cupboard. Material things have their place. Judaism celebrates the worldly as well as the spiritual. The idea of hiddur mitzvah (beautifying a mitzvah) encourages us to celebrate with pretty things. I’ll keep my favourite wedding gifts, the clothes that fit and the kids’ most recent fine art masterpieces. But perhaps it’s time to let go of some of the things that have simply piled up since the last purge (back in 2016, I think). I find it amazing that we have a bracha for when we acquire new things (“shehecheyanooooo…”) but not for letting things go. Hashem gave us goats and expected sacrifices. He gave us grain and expected tithing. He mandated sharing in the fields and on the threshing room floor. Giving is part of our culture. It just so happens that we can combine the chore of decluttering with the mitzvot of tzedakah (righteous charity) and gemilut chasadim (loving kindness). This year especially, we have been truly blessed by Hashem, Who “grants us life and sustains us and brings us to this time” – until the next time, and the next time.
COMMUNITY NEWS
ABOVE BOARD
BY MARY KLUK NATIONAL CHAIRMAN A COLUMN OF THE SA JEWISH BOARD OF DEPUTIES
W
ho at the beginning of 2020 could possibly have predicted the unprecedented set of challenges that South African Jewry would shortly be confronted with, both to the lives and livelihoods of its members and the viability of its communal institutions? It was only in early March that the first official Covid-19 case in South Africa was confirmed, but thereafter the infection rate began rising with frightening speed, turning the world as we knew it upside down and forcing us all to adapt our personal and professional lives to the new reality. As the community’s representative body, the SAJBD has striven throughout to provide the responsible and forwardlooking leadership so urgently required in these troubled times. On 11 March, the very day the first coronavirus case in the Jewish community was announced, the Board convened a meeting of the community leadership from Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, and Cape Town to plan and coordinate our responses together with experts in the field of infectious diseases. Thereafter, the forum met regularly to determine how to respond to ever-changing circumstances and make crucial decisions over such issues
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as when to open shuls and schools and how to educate the community in terms of safe practices. The KZN Council response commenced with the convening of an urgent meeting with heads of all community organisations, where President Jeremy Droyman addressed the steps taken and protocols implemented by the Council to safeguard the KZN community. A KZN WhatsApp helpline was established to provide ready advice and assistance to community members and the Council began sending out daily updates. Space does not allow me to list the many services, projects and initiatives that the SAJBD, on the National and Regional level, has implemented since then. I will thus limit myself to commenting on the phenomenal level of cooperation and coordination between all our communal organisations in banding together to meet the crisis. To all those organisations, as well as the many individuals who contributed so much time and effort to serve the community, thank-you and yashar koach. Throughout 2020, even during the hard lockdown months, the Board continued to fulfil its core mandate as the community’s representative spokes body and civil rights lobby. All cases of anti-Semitism that have come to our notice have been thoroughly investigated and appropriately dealt with, whether through a process of conciliation and education or, in more serious cases, instituting civil or criminal proceedings against those responsible. Yom Hashoah this year was marked with a single online ceremony for the whole country, and was a signal success. At the time of writing, normal life has largely been resumed, but Covid-19 itself is still very much with us and hence various safety protocols and restrictions necessarily remain in place. In wishing our community a peaceful, safe and fulfilling end-of-year break, I urge everyone to be vigilant and act responsibly at all times so as to minimise risk to themselves and those around them until the pandemic is finally behind us.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
MASADANIKS LOOKING BACK AT 2020 2020 was a year of change and not without challenges, but Masada faced these challenges head on and has survived. Strict Covid-19 precautions are adhered to and keep us all safe, our Masadaniks are kept busy with a steady flow of work. We look forward to 2021, going forward from strength to strength with positivity and health. SANDY GETZ - MANAGER
‘It’s been a very frustrating year, missed a lot of events, we had to adapt to a new norm, we had a lockdown, but we are out of it now and back at work. I am hoping next year that this Covid 19 will go away and things will be more normal than 2020. That’s all I’m hoping for.’ LORENCE ISRALLS
It’s been a very, very hard year with lockdown and with finances, we are just lucky to come to Masada every morning to do what we have to do. Hopefully, next year we will get more work and see everyone again. MICHELLE PEVSNER 2020 has hit us hard financially and socially. 2021 is going to be a good year, we are hoping to get a vaccine and to get back to normal. I thank Mr. Brian Moshal for being wonderful and fighting to keep Masada open and to keep our jobs. I’m so grateful.
I’m hoping that next year will be better than this year, which has not been so great. I am very grateful for the work I am doing here and being able to keep busy and occupied. I hope next year we come back to work and see our friends again like the good old days.
ZOLA
PHILIP BLUMBERG
EITAN FRIEMAN This year 2020, has been dull and disappointing. Hopefully 2021 will be a better year.
MASADA THANKS THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND WISHES A HEALTHY, SAFE AND EASIER 2021 WE DO NOT RECEIVE ANY FUNDING FROM THE UCF Should you wish to make a TAX DEDUCTABLE donation, please do so by EFT or depositing into our Bank Account: DUHC – MASADA TRUST – STANDARD BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER: 050768581 BRANCH CODE: 051001 TAX DEDUCTABLE DONATIONS CAN BE MADE AT: 99 Bellevue Rd, Musgrave, Durban. Tel: 031-202-3419. 14 | OUR COMMUNITY, OUR PEOPLE, OUR MAGAZINE
2020 in a Nutshell for the DPJC and Cheder Cheder 2020 Kendyll Jacobson Our school year started off strong, with regular lessons every Saturday morning and a strong sense of community building between our young learners. We saw friendships forming and interest being shown in the curriculum. We had the most successful Purim event with fun activities for the children and our infamous dress-up competition – little did we know that this would be our last communal event for a long time. Lockdown coincided with our school holidays, and so we took a few weeks break. We also decided not to add more stress or workload to the learners who were already transitioning and trying to understand online learning. Once the children were more settled into their new routines of life, we commenced our online lessons. We decided then and still maintain the notion of doing our lessons via Zoom until such time as the shul opens its doors. It goes without saying that there have been plenty of ups and downs while conducting these virtual lessons. We have had faulty cameras and microphones, chat rooms being spammed with silly messages, distracted learners, and even the occasional sleepyhead who needed a gentle virtual nudge to get back on the same page, but what I can say is that this would – and does – happen in face to face classrooms so it is nothing we have not seen before. In actual fact, our attendance has been spectacular and on average our lessons are full. During our lessons, a lot of emphases has been placed on the theme of kindness, especially during this time of unsettled lives and changes. Throughout this process, there is one big lesson to be learned; the perseverance and resilience of the children is unbridled. These little people have gone through so many life and routine changes for reasons they may not entirely understand and yet they still show up for lesson after lesson with enthusiasm and determination. We adults should only be half as positive about our ‘new normal’ as they are! We do not know what the future holds, when we will be able to enter our classrooms again or when we will go back to shul and communal life but what we do know is that whatever we do, we do it with kindness, compassion, and love for one another. We are looking forward to 2021 with a few bnei mitzvot lined up and another year of learning Yiddishkeit.
DPJC Thanks to Covid, 2020 saw Shabbat, High Holy Days, and festival services canceled with the closure of our shul and simchas having to be postponed. We have however been fortunate enough to join online services offered by shuls in Johannesburg and Cape Town; while others preferred to daven in their own way at home. This is something none of us knew how to deal with but we have made the best of our new situation. Covid-19 also closed our borders and embassies which unfortunately prevented our new rabbi from taking up his post with us. We look forward to continuing the process of getting him here soon. Our hope for the new year is that we can welcome our new rabbi and can once again hold services in our beautiful shul. That we can once again celebrate simchas and connect with our fellow congregants and friends within our beautiful religious home. May the light of the Chanukkah candles brighten our days and bring good health and prosperity to us all. Wishing you all a wonderful year ahead. Chag Chanukkah Sameach 15 | OUR COMMUNITY, OUR PEOPLE, OUR MAGAZINE
COMMUNITY NEWS
THE YEAR THAT’S BEEN AND THE ONE TO COME!
A
s we reflect on 2020 for most of us it’s a year we want to forget! Little did we know when the lively group of young volunteers from Project 10 visited us on 12 January this year that it would be one of very few events to take place in our Home during the year. Most visitors are always welcome, but we were determined that ‘Corona’ would not be one of them, nor wherever possible would we allow that threat to influence the events that were still able to take place. All the chaggim have been celebrated with the usual enthusiasm and gusto none more so than Sukkot when we had to rebuild the sukkah four times after it had blown down! Shabbat shul services continued throughout the year when all other shuls were not able to do so. Our grateful thanks go to Frank Schneider and the Beth Shalom ‘minyanairs’ for their dedication in maintaining this mitzvah throughout lockdown. Many birthday celebrations have taken place, the highlight being Ida Ezekowitz’s 100 birthday which was celebrated in a unique way with all her family and friends around the globe thanks to modern ‘Zoom’ technology. Despite the fact that our residents could not enjoy events outside the Home they were still able to participate in weekly musical and cultural appreciation, bingo, bridge, tile rummy and quizzes. At times this confinement was very challenging and our appreciation and acknowledgement goes to our incredible, loyal and dedicated staff lead by Sylvia Collins, our General Manager and every other ‘hero’ who ensured that the home continued to run at its normal high standard, while watching over, and caring for, our wonderful residents who were faced with this unprecedented challenge in their lives. We also offer our appreciation and thanks to David Unterslak and the SAJBD Crisis Management Team for their efforts in protecting our Home, residents and staff from Covid-19 throughout this time. We salute you all!
Ida and her very proud daughter Carol
Our very own centenarian Ida Ezekowitz. An amazing lady!
Residents enjoyed a wonderful morning at the beachfront and tea and carrot cake at Circus Circus
Residents were treated to tea and cake at Circus Circus
Special occasion Ida Ezekowitz’s 100th birtrhday
We all celebrated Ida’s BIG day in style
While the threat of Covid-19 is sadly not yet over, restrictions are slowly being lifted. Our residents are allowed visitors, have been on a few organised outings and are once again enjoying the luxuries of being pampered with hairdos and manicures etc. 2020 is in fact Beth Shalom’s 50th anniversary and unfortunately we were not able to celebrate this milestone as we had planned to do, but look forward with great excitement to doing so in 2021 – Covid-19 permitting! As we come to the end of a very difficult year we look forward to a vaccine being available ASAP and a year free of lockdown restrictions. May the lights of Chanukah shine brightly as they lead us into a brighter 2021.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
HASHALOM JAN 2021
WWW.AKIVACOLLEGE.CO.ZA
AKIVAÂ COLLEGE JANUARY
FEBRUARY
Save the planet with Spekboom!
MAY
MARCH
Purim Fun!
JUNE
JULY
APRIL
Lockdown learning in uniform for some
AUGUST
Work packs done at home Back to school, with a difference
Creative mask making in Lockdown
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
It is so good to be back!
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER We are billions of caterpillars forced into our cocoons, being called on to change from the inside out, to rest, reflect and sprout wings! That being said, we want to start a movement of positivity and hope using the image of the butterfly!
Spring has sprung!
Jello Joy
Creation celebration!
We reflect and move to 2021 joyful and 17 positive
COMMUNITY NEWS
D
IVOTE has always been committed to giving as many people as possible the opportunity to donate, love, support, provide happiness and comfort to the children and families in Israel whose lives have been affected by acts of terrorism and war. There are numerous projects run throughout South Africa where gifts and messages are distributed to those affected in Israel and the response from the families is always so heart-warming with many connections made in the process. The project has been a great success for nineteen years. Covid-19 started and we just carried on doing what we could for the families and in a different way which demonstrated to them that the South African community cared. Shopping was still done, donations continued to come in, and packing has continued to take place throughout Covid-19. The DIVOTE offices are filled to capacity with boxes ready to leave for Israel as soon as we are able. Please G-d soon! The clearing and delivery of all the gifts to the families has been arranged with members of our DIVOTE team in Israel, we just need to get the goods there. I am extremely grateful to the many donors to DIVOTE who continued to give money which we released in Israel and enabled us to provide food vouchers before Pesach, Rosh Hashana and last month to many of our families suffering numerous financial challenges during this year.
Thank you to everyone who has cared so much about these special families. The gratitude from the families has been enormous. I’m glad that we have been able to show them that we care and support them even during these hard times, and help to make a difference. During Covid-19, for the first time, I have also had donations from ex South Africans living in Israel. A huge thank you to Mickey Blumberg who co-ordinated the knitting group in Ra’anana and Kfar Saba who made the most magnificent blankets. These blankets were delivered to an injured soldier whom you can see at his sister’s wedding last year, and to some children in Jerusalem that were orphaned in a terror attack as well as a few Chattan and Kallahs. I want to thank our Masadanicks and members of Jewel House who have been an enormous help during Covid-19. I normally have volunteers coming in to help with sorting the donations which makes packing the parcels for the children in Israel easier. During Covid-19 nobody could come into my office to help, and it’s a huge job. The Masadanicks came to the rescue and donations were delivered to the Masada Workshop and for all of this time they have been working hard to sort everything into sizes, colours etc… I’m so grateful to them for the chesed they did for the families and for me! In 2021 DIVOTE will continue to bring as much happiness and comfort to the families affected by terrorism in Israel, and we will continue to give as many people in South Africa the opportunity to show the families that they care.
The wonderful Masadanicks sorting DIVOTE donations
Netanel was badly injured in a terror attack. He is in his wheelchair at his sister’s wedding. He also received a blanket from the Renana knitting ladies
Naava whose son was killed in a car ramming attack with the DIVOTE wedding box for her daughter who is getting married. The couple also received a blanket from the ex-South African ladies in Ranana
A chattan and Kallah with their blanket made by the knitting group in Ranana
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Michelle from Masada working hard sorting DIVOTE donations
COMMUNITY NEWS
HASHALOM JAN 2021
THE KNZC IN THE YEAR OF CORONA A very strange year indeed The year 2020 started off fairly normally, with no hint of things to come. January through to March were filled with activities along our usual lines. Regular activities such as the Israeli Film Club were well attended. Our community youth worker, Cameron Wulfsohn, held activities and events for the community children. In late January, together with South African Friends of Israel (SAFI), the KNZC hosted an extremely successful event around the subject of Christian support for Israel with around 280 attendees. Thought leader and political commentator, Jamie Mithi was a great MC, with Deputy Israeli Ambassador Ayellet Black, South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) Chairman Rowan Polovin, and Chris Eden from Bridges for Peace, as speakers. This was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Jamie, including all the speakers, as well as Clive Mashishi from SAFI. It was truly delightful to see almost 300 people on their feet, singing and clapping to “Hevenu Shalom Aleichem” with such extraordinary enthusiasm! March saw the dedication of the Suzanne Edmunds z”l plant nursery at the Jewish National Fund Victor Daitz Eco Education Centre in Hammarsdale. The official launch program was put together by the staff at the centre, and included Suzanne’s daughter Terri Edmunds, educators and learners from some of the nearby schools, senior staff of Durban Solid Waste, and representatives from the KNZC and Project Ten. Suddenly, towards the end of March, the Covid-19 pandemic changed everything. Sadly, we had to cancel our two biggest live events of the year: the community observance of Yom Hazikaron (Israel Memorial Day) and our much enjoyed, and usually well attended, annual Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) celebration, which was a great disappointment to us. In addition, we had to cancel a lovely Israel-focussed Passover Seder for SAFI supporters which had been planned for late March.
Since then, our work has been restricted almost exclusively to online events and activities. We have cooperated very closely with SAZF National, Cape Council, Israel Centre, SAFI and other organisations, to create content and bring online events to our community and to South African supporters of Israel. Since March our energy has been directed at advertising and promoting more than 70 different events, activities and programs to our email databases! In an effort to keep our communities connected to Israel, we also created our own email newsletter which has been going out weekly, since the beginning of April. The newsletter is published in two different versions, one with content tailored to the Jewish community, and the second, tailored to non-Jewish supporters of Israel. The newsletters have been extremely well received, with a great rate of interaction, and positive feedback from readers. If you have not been receiving our newsletters or the promotional materials for the various events, please let us know. Send your email address and cell phone number to us at knzc@djc.co.za and we will gladly add you to our database. Many of our past events have been recorded, and are still available on the SAZF and SAFI Facebook pages under the video tab. Youth activities have been severely curtailed since March. Live events for kids, visits to schools etc. have not been possible, especially during the initial severe lock down period. The youth movements did however continue to offer a variety of online offerings. In lieu of live youth activities, at Rosh Hashana, KNZC branded gift bags containing honey, an apple, a wooden “Seven Species of Israel” mobile and a laminated seven species of Israel explanation, were distributed to each child in the community from GrR12. The grade 10-12’s also received a personalized letter from our Chairman, Grant Maserow. This initiative went down extremely well, with many thankyou messages received from children and parents. There has been a surge of enquires about aliyah this year, with members of our team conducting both face to face
meetings and providing information to prospective olim. In addition, most of the Israel gap-year and study programs available to South African young people at a highly subsided cost, are operating despite Covid-19, and there has been ample interest in these. During March, the staff and volunteers of Project Ten left Durban to return to their homes in Israel and elsewhere, because of the pandemic. The decision was taken to close the Project Ten house temporarily. The house was packed up and the Project Ten furniture etc was placed in storage. At this stage it is planned that the director and coordinators will return to Durban in February set up a new house, and the next cohort of volunteers is set to arrive in May. This plan, of course, may change depending on Covid-19 restrictions, both here and in Israel. This program has done such amazing work in the impoverished Inanda communities, thanks to the support of the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Victor Daitz Foundation, and we are determined that it will continue post-Corona. The JNF Victor Daitz Eco Education Centre out at Hammarsdale has continued to operate, despite the pandemic. They have been unable to receive school groups because of Covid-19 restrictions, but they have carried on with adult education and community outreach programs in small groups. The time has also been used for general repairs and maintenance to the centre, and the development of new educational materials and content. Going Forward into 2021 It is very difficult for us to plan ahead, since uncertainty around Covid-19 remains. We have not planned any physical events for the foreseeable future, but will continue to promote online activities and events, until such time as live events again become feasible. The health and welfare of our community remains our priority, but that won’t stop us from achieving our goal of bringing you the best Israel related content. We wish you all health, happiness and success in 2021 and we hope to see you at our events, be they online or in person.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Women of Actiom
INTERNATIONAL MITZVAH DAY 2020 The UJW does not need reminding about being kind and doing good deeds. For us every day is a Mitzvah Day. Since Rabbi Silberhaft brought the idea to South Africa from the UK the UJW Durban has participated fully. Unfortunately this year it was scaled down and committee members missed all the fun of sharing the day with the Beth Shalom and Jewel House residents as each home had to have their own events. Special thanks to Nola and her
team for the scrumptious cheese cake sponsored by the UJW and to Martin for setting up the video donated by Jenny. The Andre Rieu “concert” was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience and had them clapping and singing along. Thanks also to June and her team for making sure that the UJW sponsored “boerie roll” lunch – with extras – tasted as good as it looked. We look forward to celebrating together and not apart for 2021.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
HASHALOM JAN 2021
Talmud Torah
W
e started 2020 with our Talmud Torah teaching and production of Talmud Torah material and then Covid-19 happened and everything changed.
First there was the lockdown and the children were no longer going to school. Immediately our dedicated Talmud Torah teachers started teaching via zoom. It was a new experience for all of us and we had to learn and adjust as did the parents and students. I am happy to report that the zoom lessons have been very successful with students from grade one to matric being taught both Hebrew and Jewish studies. Doing the zoom lessons have enabled us to teach more students now as we no longer have clashes with their many sporting activities. Helene Cohen and Rabbi Vegoda have been teaching Hebrew from the basics of the Aleph Bet, reading, writing and speaking. They have done the most outstanding job and have mastered a way to teach in an interactive way, doing tests, exams and worksheets. I’m proud to call them colleagues. Rav Shlomo has been doing prayers in the morning via zoom, also a new experience which has worked well. Kol Hakavod to the children, parents and Rav Shlomo who davened so early in the mornings before school. Both Rabbi Vegoda and I worked with Mrs. Norma Bloch who runs the entire Judaica department at Eden. I was blessed to have the opportunity to teach some of the High
School students at the school every week for the last year. Rabbi Vegoda feels the same way about his opportunity to teach the students at both Eden and Talmud Torah this year. It has been a pleasure working with Norma who is so committed to her students. The Moshal family has funded the PJ Library books that have been distributed to all the younger Jewish children in Durban at Eden College, Akiva College as well as those who attend other schools, or are home schooled. This has been a very successful project and it’s wonderful that the Durban children have been given an opportunity to be part of this huge International program that teaches and touches the lives of so many children in such a fun way. Our goal for 2021 is to continue with Jewish education for as many Jewish children who would like to learn about Hebrew, Jewish history, Jewish thought, sacred texts etc in a fun way. Our Durban students are wonderful and the community is truly blessed to have such wonderful Jewish students, and such committed Jewish teachers! Talmud Torah would like to wish a hearty mazeltov to Galia and Yael Meltz for winning tickets to go to Israel at the Eden/Talmud Torah prize-giving! And a hearty mazeltov to all the other winners who have excelled in Jewish studies and Hebrew at Eden and Talmud Torah. All of your teachers are so proud of you! Kol Hakavod! 2021 is going to be a good and successful year!
Some of the enthusiastic students at Eden in their Jewish studies lesson. All Covid protocols are observed strictly at the school.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
2020 started with the promise of being an exciting and jam packed year for the Young Israel Centre. We had huge plans: 6 weekly Breakfast Shmooz’s, with waffles of course. Plans for Pesach, Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Lag B’Omer, my personal favourite Sukkot….just to name a few. The Young Israel Centre held Breakfast Shmooz’s in February and March for Tu B’Shvat and Purim respectfully. We even squeezed in a very special group trip to Beth Shalom to hand out Mishloach Manot to the residents. We hosted a talk by Project 10 and a CSO Appreciation braai. And then everything shut down. The Young Israel Centre has been able to host two
CSO Braai
functions/activities since South Africa has started opening up a bit, handing out Rosh Hashana gifts and hosting a Brocha in a Box and Shabbat Bingo morning for The Shabbos Project. While these were small functions, not nearly on the scale that we are used to, it was very special to be able to see some of our regulars again. Our wish for 2021 is to be able to implement all of the amazing plans we had made for 2020. May we see the Young Israel Centre full again on Sunday mornings, with waffles and ice cream being served! May we get the chance to host massive Shabbat/Yom Tov meals as well. May we all be able to sit around the Lag B’Omer bonfire and sing loudly together.
Project 10 talk
Rosh Hashana Gifts
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Brocha in a Box for Shabbat Project
COMMUNITY NEWS
HASHALOM JAN 2021
YEAR IN REVIEW
Looking back on a challenging, yet fulfilling year.
#46 Special Edition
JANUARY - MARCH '20 The first three months of 2020 were delightfully busy, beginning with guide training and educator workshops conducted by Linda Hackner and Janine Cohen, colleagues from our sister centres. We had hundreds of learners through our doors and confirmed bookings for further thousands of learners in the upcoming months. Before the lockdown, we also had the pleasure of hosting three outstanding guest speakers at our public events, including Professor Omer Bartov, Alberto Rollo and Dr David Deutsch.
APRIL - SEPTEMBER '20 While lockdown brought our normal school visits and inperson events to a halt, it was a wonderful time of virtual learning and enrichment for us as a Centre. Our team hosted a number of webinars, both with our sister centres in Cape Town and Johannesburg and with international friends of the Centre, including the Anne Frank House, Dr Michael Berenbaum, The Defiant Requiem Foundation and author Daniel Lee. Other projects included the updating of the SAHGF learner resource, our survivor story project, the creation of online learner resources and a brand-new website.
OCTOBER - DECEMBER '20 As lockdown restrictions eased, the DHGC and Circle CafĂŠ reopened to the public. With all the necessary Covid-19 protocols in place, we were so excited to welcome school and adult groups back to the Centre. We have also facilitated workshops off-campus, taking our programme to schools unable to travel to us. Finally, our artefact project is near completion which has focused on locating and preserving documents, photographs, and artefacts from local Durban families with connections to the Holocaust. We look forward to welcoming you to view these exciting new additions to the exhibition.
The DHGC wishes you and your family a safe and happy festive season. 23
COMMUNITY NEWS
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COMMUNITY NEWS
COOKING WITH JUDY AND LINDA PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN ROOIBOS FRUIT CAKE 1 cup light brown sugar 3 cups dried cake mix 1 cup diced dried cling peaches 180g butter 1 teaspoon mixed spice 1 cup boiling water 2 rooibos tea bags
½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda ½ cup brandy or port 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups flour 3 eggs, beaten 1 teaspoon baking powder
Preheat oven to 160degC. Grease and line a 22cm cake tin or microwave container. Infuse the tea bags in the boiling water. Dissolve bicarbonate of soda in a little warm water. In a saucepan, mix sugar, raisin mixture, cling peaches, butter and bicarbonate of soda. Remove tea bags from the water and add the water to the saucepan. Either simmer on the stove for 5 minutes, or zap in the microwave for 5 minutes. Cool then add rest of the ingredients with a pinch of salt. Mix well. Pour into the prepared tin and bake for 1 – 1 hours. Microwave – Cook on HIGH for 22 minutes.
CAPE MALAY CHICKEN 8 - 10 chicken pieces 2 teaspoons curry powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon coriander powder 1 tablespoon oil 1 tablespoon apricot jam
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard cup fruit chutney teaspoon cinnamon 2 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon lemon juice Fresh coriander
Preheat oven to 180degC Place chicken pieces in a greased casserole dish. Combine rest of ingredients and smear all of it over the chicken pieces – massage it well into the chicken with your hands. Cover with foil. Bake for 1 hour then remove foil and bake for 15 minutes longer. Sprinkle with chopped fresh coriander. Serve with rice and sambals.
LEKKER SNOEK PATE 250g smoked snoek ¼ cup thick cream 60g soft butter 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 2 or 3 drops Tabasco Pinch of mustard powder De-bone and flake the snoek. Mix everything together in the bowl of a processor and blend until smooth. Spoon into small ramekin dishes and serve with Melba toast or crackers. Note: This recipe serves about 4 – 6 guests, but doubles beautifully for a bigger quantity.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
SOCIAL & PERSONAL BIRTHDAYS Mazeltov to: Faith Basckin on her 80th birthday. Eddie Cohen on his 80th birthday. DEATHS Condolences to: The family of Jack Puterman. The family of Selwyn “Tubby” Bloch.
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