OUR COMMUNITY | OUR PEOPLE | OUR MAGAZINE
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2. Editorial 3. Special Feature 6. Current Affairs
EDITORIAL BY HAYLEY LIEBERTHAL
8. July in History 10. Back to Basics 11. Tribute to Pauline Goldberg 13. Bubkes 14. Israel News 15. Above Board 15. Talmud Torah 16. Masada 17. Durban Holocaust and Genocide Centre 18. Beth Shalom 19. Union of Jewish Women 20. Divote 21. Durban Progressive Jewish Congregation 22. Durban Jewish Social Services
TAKE COMFORT
23. Akiva College
As we face another month of uncertainty with regards to the Novel Coronavirus - unaware when our lives will go back to “normal” - we have been witness to not only a pandemic, but also the psychological ramifications of life under lockdown.
24. Umhlanga Jewish Centre 25. Eden School 26. KNZC 27. Wizo 28. Limmud 29. Young Israel Centre 30. Cooking with Judy and Linda 32. Social & Personal 32. Letters to the Editor 33. Jobs Seeker
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 AUGUST EDTION: 9 July 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 Visit our website: www.hashalom.co.za
In the beginning of June I received a short video on WhatsApp. This same video can only be described as having gone viral on social media within the Jewish community around the world. The video tells a story of how the New York Times ran a millennium edition on January 1, 2000. This coincided with their own 100th year in print anniversary. It was indeed a special issue that featured three front pages. The first contained news from 1 January 1900, the second was actual news for 1 January 2000 and the third page was projected headlines for 1 January 2100. The future page was rather interesting in terms that it mentioned whether or not robots had the right to a vote as well as mentioning a welcome to America’s 51st state and so on. But at the bottom of the page was something intriguing to many of the readers. In black and white it reads the candle lighting time for Shabbat in New York City. Now this is where it gets good, if not great, in my opinion. The Shabbat candle lighting time was not a paid-for insert and it was certainly not requested by anyone, and so questions fell to the IrishCatholic production manager as to why this entry was made. His reply: “We don’t know what will happen in the year 2100. It’s impossible to predict the future, but one thing you can be certain that in the year 2100, Jewish women will be lighting Shabbat candles”. This truth brought me so much comfort. In a world where riots are breaking out, gender-based violence is escalating, lockdowns carry on, people are living in fear and so much confusion, I felt relieved at the fact that no matter what happens - history has shown us this - Jewish women will be lighting Shabbat candles, adding in prayers for loved ones, keeping not just traditions alive but the laws and instilling in their children and even their grandchildren that it is not just our faith, belief or love for who we are as a nation. It is us as a whole. Our roots are deep, our hearts are pure, and we will always be lighting Shabbat candles that will chase the darkness - keeping the light within us alive and shining bright.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
HASHALOM JULY 2020
THE AMAZING RACE The race to find a vaccine and to help treat patients who have tested positive for the Novel Coronavirus is well underway as pharmaceutical companies and various institutions feverishly search for their vaccine and or treatment to be the one. BY HAYLEY LIEBERTHAL
A
t present there are over 70 organisations across the globe experiencing sleepless nights - 30 of them are based in Israel – who are all fighting the good fight towards an enemy that is invisible to the naked eye. Here is a small taste (a rather simplified version) of how some Israeli companies and our fellow Durbanite Daniel Sheward, are passionately working in an attempt to combat the global COVID-19 pandemic. DIAGNOSTIC BATM Advanced Technologies is a leading provider of real-time technologies for networking and cyber security solutions, as well as for bio-medical and biowaste treatment solutions via its two operating divisions. They have included a rapid diagnostic COVID-19 test kit that is able to detect the coronavirus infection in saliva samples within 50 minutes. What’s more is that
the test kit is compatible with current equipment that is being used for Polymerise Chain Reaction (PCR) testing which is a technique used to identify pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and other diseases. Diagnostics.ai is pushing towards a complete automation of PCR testing for COVID-19 utilising artificial intelligence (AI). At present, the AI system is now being tested at King’s College Hospital NHS London, and it will soon include laboratories such as the CLIA labs in the United States. The pcr.ai method would be able to double the number of test samples per day, thus reducing the increase of staff needed to conduct the testing. VACCINES AND TREATMENTS MigVax - an affiliate of the internationally recognised MIGAL Galilee Research Institute involved in multidisciplinary scientific research - has taken the lead from MIGAL’s success in delivering a safe and effective vaccine for Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV), a coronavirus strain that infects poultry. From their research of the IBV vaccine they discovered that the poultry coronavirus contains a similar genetic makeup to that of the Novel Coronavirus, and similarities between how the two viruses infect both humans and poultry. This has led MigVax in their current development of an oral Covid-19 sub-unit vaccine. As with all vaccines, this one will contain a fragment of the pathogen in order for it to trigger an immune response. By utilising a byproduct of the IBV vaccine, MigVax hold a potential Covid-19 vaccine candidate which they are working on modifying and adapting for Covid-19 and for oral administration making it more accessible to the general public.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
on the work they do, they have released information to the media of success with their COVID-19 vaccine and that they have moved on to the next phase of trials with the work they have been doing. Yet, the development, safety and efficacy of any vaccine brings with it many months of trials until approval, therefore the IIBR has also begun working on an antibody-based treatment which utilises plasma from recovered patients and in May, the IIBR successfully isolated in laboratory tests a key coronavirus antibody that neutralises aggressive coronavirus, leaving the IIBR to file eight separate coronavirus antibody patents. What does this mean for the world at large? The antibody – once approved - could be used as a treatment for those who have already contracted the disease. What makes this antibody different from others is that the IIBR was at the time, first in the world to reach three major milestones: finding an antibody that kills the virus; an antibody that specifically targets COVID-19; and that the antibody is monoclonal (made up of proteins that bind to only one substance i.e. COVID-19). “The experiments we have carried out so far show that because the vaccine does not include the virus itself, it will be safe to use in immune-suppressed recipients, and has fewer chances of side effects,” said David Zigdon, CEO of the Migal Galilee Research Institute and interim CEO of MigVax. ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH (IIBR) During a virtual conference held in March, IIBR’s chief innovation officer Eran Zahavy, PhD, said that the entire institute’s focus had been placed on identifying a COVID-19 vaccine. Although the IIBR is quite tight-lipped
IN OTHER PARTS OF THE GLOBE Former Durbanite and Crawford college student Daniel Sheward, is currently working with a team of scientists in Sweden at the Karolinska Institute (KI). The KI is Sweden’s largest centre for medical academic research, and in May they had a remarkable breakthrough when they immunised Tyson a 12 year old Alpaca in Germany with coronavirus proteins (not the actual virus) which led to having isolated tiny antibodies known as nanobodies that may aid in human treatment and could block the infection that has affected the world. This marvellous find allows them to move forward to further trials in the search for an effective treatment.
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HASHALOM JULY 2020
MANAGING COVID-19 PATIENTS With no vaccine at present, healthcare professionals are doing their utmost to assist in treating COVID-19 patients symptomatically as well as holistically. Below is brief summary of some of Israel’s efforts in managing the infected patients. XR Health is part of Israel’s start up nation and was founded in 2016. With their focus on Virtual Reality/ Augmented Reality (VR/AR) telehealth, which comprises of a wide variety of neurocognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms they provide and adapt treatments to individual patient’s needs in not only a fun and engaging way, but that also improve the quality of life. The Virtual Reality (VR) headsets are being utilised for quarantined COVID-19 patients in that they deliver specialized therapeutic applications. Some of the features include stress and anxiety treatments, cognitive and physical exercises, support groups and interactions with healthcare providers. Tytocare is another telehealth company that is assisting healthcare organisations in the US, Europe and Israel to examine and monitor COVID-19 patients - be they in hospitals or at home, remotely. Tytocare’s system allows doctors to gain vital patient information from a safe distance and thus minimises physical contact between the infected and the healthy.
For more information and to keep up to date with these companies visit their websites: BATM – www.batm.com Diagnostics.ai – www.diagnostics.ai XR Health – www.xr.health TytoCare – www.tytocare.com MigVax - www.migvax.com Israel Institute of Biological Research www.iibr.gov.il
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CURRENT AFFAIRS
MENTAL HEALTH:
THE OVERLOOKED RAMIFICATION OF THE COVID-19 ECONOMIC CRASH
Economic uncertainty escalates job uncertainty and social identity disturbance and catalyses a decline in mental well-being.
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BY JACQUELINE HERBST
hile the world was scratching and scrambling, trying to figure out how to cope with COVID-19 and the looming economic fallout, not many leaders attended to the inevitable mental health crisis that was to sprout from the financial catastrophe. Economic uncertainty affects people in three major ways; by causing a surge in job uncertainty, disturbance of social identity and an overall decline in mental well-being. Pandemics, financial crises, natural disasters and wars cause tremendous amounts of uncertainty in every aspect of life. With the COVID-19 pandemic, job uncertainty, salary cuts, rising debt, social isolation due to lockdown regulations and the fear of contracting the virus, have taken a toll. It wasn’t long therefore before the chickens came home to roost, driving people’s mental-wellbeing into a proverbial black hole. Often the anticipation of a stressful event, like losing one’s job causes more angst than the event itself. That is because confirmed unemployment helps one to focus on planning for the future. Not only marginalised groups, such as low-income families or those with pre-existing mental health problems, but also well-adjusted, highly functional individuals have reported experiencing varying levels of depressed mood, sadness, crying, nightmares, insomnia, irritability and appetite changes. Lockdown regulations that criminalised people’s normal coping mechanisms - like
regular exercise, recreational activities and connecting with people - had a compounding effect on anxiety which was further fuelled by transgressors being persecuted by police and singled out by their communities (such in the case of the Ballito family who were reported to the police for allegedly being on the beach during the allotted exercise time). Precariousness around lockdown regulations, financial assistance, essential services, police and military brutality and government’s frequent about turns on announcements made by President Cyril Ramaphosa on easing the lockdown restrictions amplified anxiety and feelings of having no control over one’s own life – in turn disrupting people’s mental health. Job Uncertainty A study done in 2009 following the 2008 Great Recession that brought about a 28% rise in unemployment within the European Union, showed an increase in suicide rates within the EU, which highlighted the need for public mental well-being programmes in times of crisis. Disasters like the COVID-19 pandemic cause global economic uncertainty which sets in motion a dominoeffect of job uncertainty, general depression, increased suicidal tendency and eventually, measurable mental disorders. Having a job not only ensures money in the bank, but also access to medical care, actively organized time, social status, a higher purpose, organisational participation,
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HASHALOM JULY 2020 access to training, statutory entitlements and a feeling of accomplishment.
therefore dynamically linked with societal conditions, fear of poverty and societal exclusion and so marginalisation leads to low self-esteem.
Job insecurity can be defined as an overall concern about the future existence of the job and is a stressor that consumes mental and affective resources and therefore causes psychological strain. During a crisis, people who dwell on their abilities, competency and future employability experience greater anxiety.
It is okay not to feel okay Durban based clinical psychologist, Dr. Kirsten van Heerden, believes uncertainty plays a major role, but thinks that together with that, the loss of normal structure and routine was very difficult for many people to adjust to.
Formulating perceived alternatives to these factors, whether grounded in reality on not, allows one to deal with anxiety in a healthier way. Perception forms a person’s subjective reality and feels as acute as real-world objectivity. It also helps when employers share critical information regarding layoffs and pay cuts while withholding such, causes psychological distress.
She goes on to say that anyone who draws a sense of self-worth from the performance of only one identity will battle when that identity is threatened or taken away (such is the case of job loss).
Social Identity Disturbance An individual’s identity is based on group membership. Groups give people a sense of belonging and affiliation without which one’s mental stability is compromised. Lockdown policies of social distancing caused people’s identities to be disturbed, giving rise to depression, a lack of continuity in self-image, and uncertainty about aspirations, values, choices and long-term goals. Individuals who identify strongly with their social work role define their status and character accordingly. These individuals are typically less flexible and therefore restructuring in companies triggers role ambiguity and role conflict which produces stress and damages psychological well-being. The pandemic created more mental chaos as it triggered cognitive dissonance - a state of contradiction between people’s self-image and the current state of affairs. Cognitive dissonance causes further psychological damage, mental disorders and social dysfunction while people try to adapt to a new normal. When people are uncertain about themselves, they tend to devalue themselves. However, downplaying shortcomings and valuing strong traits that one has, can help to cope with cognitive dissonance as it ascribes status and social position while the economic and objective reality is not quite the same.. Psychoanalyst, Erik Ekikson, known for his theory on psychological development of human beings and for coining the phrase “identity crisis”, described identity as experiencing continuity and sameness of the self that stems from one’s devotion to certain ideals, values and goals. These goals guide an individual in pursuing objectives that fulfill his or her needs. Since identity points to self-definition as part of a wider community, it is
“Not having a daily routine can make people feel really anxious, and sometimes even de-motivated. I think many people have felt out of control during this time, and we know this feeling wreaks havoc on people’s mental health”.
“Knowing your worth is based on more than just what you do makes it a little easier to cope when one aspect of your identity is no longer able to be played out. It is critical that people know they have many aspects to their identity, and are valued for all these aspects.” She said anxiety was one of the most common issues she has come across during lockdown. People have also been battling with feelings of worthlessness, having no direction, lack of motivation, loneliness and fear. However, Dr. Van Heerden cautions against diagnosing depression or any other mental health problen based on people’s reported feelings of sadness, crying, nightmares, insomnia, irritability and lethargy: “Those are certainly symptoms of depression, but to diagnose depression it would have to be that these symptoms were considered out of the norm. I think it was a perfectly normal reaction during lockdown to feel anxious, not sleep, and be irritable. We must be careful not to pathologise something that is actually normal under the circumstances. The problem comes when these symptoms persist and it starts to really affect your functioning over a few weeks.” Being an affectionate society, many people reported a craving to hug a friend. Commenting on the value of physical contact, Dr. Van Heerden said human touch was vital to well-being because it is part of what make us feel connected. “Social distancing is actually not a great term, people need to stay socially connected to each other as much as possible – it doesn’t take away the desire to hug someone, but feeling supported and part of a network is important in the absence of touch. Dr. Van Heerden said there was a monumental need for a COVID-19 public mental well-being programme: “in a nutshell, I think we have to normalise feelings for people, help them understand that there is no ‘normal’ way to cope with this unprecedented situation. There is so much motivational pressure to be positive and look on the bright side; we need to let people know it is okay not to feel okay. Then of course it is important to provide coping skills such as keeping perspective, seeking social support, focusing on controlling the things you can and letting go of what you cannot control.”
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JULY IN HISTORY
July in History 1 July 2 July 3 July 4 July 5 July 6 July 7 July 8 July 9 July 10 July 11 July 12 July
1932 2005 1976 1946 1853 1348
Ze’ev Schiff an Israeli journalist, military correspondent for Ha’aretz and author is born in Lille, France.
1863 1932 2002
Orders barring Jews from serving under the US General Ulysses S. Grant are revoked.
1985 1740 2006
After an unsuccessful attempt to change its formula, Coca-Cola brings back the ever popular original formula as “Classic Coke”.
The Live 8 benefit concerts takes place in the G8 states and in South Africa. More than 1,000 musicians perform and are broadcast on 182 television networks and 2,000 radio networks. Israeli commandoes carry out a raid on Entebbe Airport in Uganda, freeing 103 hostages. The Kielce pogrom against Jewish Holocaust survivors takes place in Poland. This was the first attack on Jews since the end of WWII, killing 42 Jews and more than 40 were wounded. Cecil John Rhodes, British businessman, statesman, imperialist, mining magnate, and politician in southern Africa who served as Prime Minister of the Cape Colony from 1890 to 1896 is born. Pope Clement VI issues a papal bull protecting the Jews accused of having caused the Black Death.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average reaches its lowest level of the Great Depression, closing at 41.22. The African Union is established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, replacing the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The organisation’s first chairman is Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa.
Jews are expelled from Little Russia by order of Tsarina Anne. Hezbollah sparks the Second Lebanon War when they cross the border into Israel and attack an Israeli military patrol, killing eight soldiers and kidnapping two others.
13 July
1898
The radio is patented by Guglielmo Marconi.
14 July
1942
Alfred Nobel demonstrates dynamite.
15 July
1205
Pope Innocent III, states that Jews are doomed to perpetual servitude and subjugation due to the crucifixion of Jesus.
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HASHALOM JULY 2020
1990 1917 1918
The ANC sends a report on police violence to President F.W. de Klerk and demands an end to “the shocking inhumanity” of police action in rural areas of South Africa.
1955 1944 1969
Yarkon Water Project opens to supply water to Negev desert in Israel.
1598 1253 1969 1946
William Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice, is entered on the Stationers’ Register. By decree of Queen Elizabeth, the Stationers’ Register licensed printed works, giving the Crown tight control over all published material.
26 July
1944
World War II: The Red Army enters Lviv, a major city in western Ukraine, capturing it from the Nazis. Only 300 Jews survive out of 160,000 living in Lviv prior to occupation.
27 July
1866 2016
The Atlantic Cable is successfully completed allowing transatlantic telegraph communication.
29 July
1988
South African government bans anti-apartheid film “Cry Freedom”.
30 July
1942
German occupiers set night curfew on Jews in Netherlands.
31 July
1961
Israel welcomes its one millionth immigrant.
16 July 17 July 18 July 19 June 20 July 21 July 22 June 23 July 24 July 25 July
28 July
Royal Proclamation by King George V changes name of British Royal family from German Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor.
Nelson Mandela is born in the Eastern Cape.
Death March of 1,200 Jews from Lipcani Moldavia begins. In “one small step for man, one giant step for mankind”, Astronaut Neil Armstrong becomes the first person to walk on the moon.
Jews are expelled from Vienne France by order of Pope Innocent IV. Apollo 11, the U.S. spacecraft that had taken the first astronauts to the surface of the moon, safely returns to Earth. Jewish born Jerry Lewis teams up with Dean Martin at Club 500 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for their first show as a comedy team.
Earliest evidence of cancer found in 1.7 million-year-old toe fossil from Swartkrans Cave, South Africa, published in “South African Journal of Science”.
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BACK TO BASICS
PART 4: GROW YOUR OWN BY JACQUELINE HERBST Repurpose that old canoe stashed in the backyard into a herb or vegetable garden
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ith Plastic Free July in mind, we look to our own backyards for ways in which to eliminate the need for single-use plastic while also feeding the family nutrition-packed home-grown food on a smaller budget. Growing your own fruit, vegetables and herbs eliminates the need for buying prepared vegetables, fruit and expensive herbs that come in plastic packaging as well as the shopping bags needed to take your shopping home in. Just over a year ago, Hashalom explored growing your own fresh produce to help heal the earth (Green Fingers: Charity Begins at Home; (Repairing the World) Tikkun Olam Begins in the Garden – Hashalom March 2019). This month we delve a little deeper into small space gardens and fast-growing microgreens – affectionately referred to by five-star chefs as “vegetable confetti”. Small Space Gardens Urban gardening in small spaces is as easy as grabbing a few containers, selecting seeds or seedlings and savouring the beautiful, delicious and nutritious results. The key is to know which container to use for which plant. A bigger container produces more yields; just remember to ensure ample drainage holes. Urban gardening beckons your wildest creativity. Why not up-cycle that old canoe taking up space in the garage into a herb garden or repurpose empty jam tins, plastic coke bottles and old wooden pallets into DIY vertical gardens? Tomatoes, spinach, peppers, lettuce, cabbage, strawberries, various herbs and green onions are only a handful of the multifarious edible greens that can be grown in containers at home.
Microgreens Microgreens are fast-growing, producing a yield within two to three weeks to add a powerhouse of nutrition as well as colour, crunch and diverse taste to many dishes like salads, sandwiches, soup and stir-fry. The list of microgreens available today is endless and include basil, lemon grass, radish, kale, carrot, onion and cilantro, to name but a few. Microgreens grow from seeds in shallow containers and because they can be harvested after as little as two weeks, it is best to plant a try or two every week to ensure a fresh harvest every couple of days and also replant as you harvest to maintain a constant supply.
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HASHALOM JULY 2020 continued to attend events at her junior school, where she was something of an icon. A lively and imaginative teacher, Pauline’s curiosity about life – and especially education – never abated. She was at home in the company of all age groups and, throughout their lives, she extracted “grains of knowledge” from her children’s friends.
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ith her joie de vivre, her genuine interest in everyone she met, her undiminished curiosity and her dedication to education, Pauline Goldberg (née Hackner) was an inspiration to all she met. An active member of the Durban Jewish community, she died peacefully in her Berea home on 19 January 2020, just months after reaching her 100th birthday. In this touching tribute, Suzanne Brenner, Pauline’s youngest child, tells the story of her mother’s life. Pauline’s parents, Sam and Rachel Hackner, arrived in South Africa as Lithuanian immigrants after the First World War. The middle of three daughters, Pauline attended Gordon Road Girls School and Durban Girls College before heading to UCT. She chose UCT because of its speech and drama department and was an enthusiastic and dynamic member of the UCT dramatic society.
Pauline was an inspiration not only to her family but to everyone with whom she came into contact. Comments about her joie de vivre, her genuine interest in everyone she met, her undiminished curiosity and her dedication to education were common responses to obituaries posted on social media. Pauline leaves behind her children Melvin Goldberg, Elaine Potter, RoseLee Goldberg and Suzanne Brenner, their husbands David Potter, Dakota Jackson and Richard van der Westhuizen, eight grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren.
Her interest in drama had begun as a child when she was the first private pupil of Elizabeth Sneddon, who went on to become Professor of the Speech and Drama department at the University of Natal, Durban. While studying at UCT, Pauline met and became engaged to Allan Goldberg, a medical graduate of the University of Witwatersrand. They married in 1941 and apart from a brief stint in Mpumalanga, where Allan was a locum, Pauline lived all her life in Durban. Soon after setting up home, Pauline was approached by a former school friend to join her as a volunteer teacher at Clairwood Coloured School, which she duly did. The beginning of a long association with the coloured community at many schools across Durban, it provided a learning curve for Pauline, who gained insight into some of the degradations her colleagues faced daily. She also taught at a school for cerebral palsied children, read to youngsters at the Musgrave library and was among Rabbi Pinchas Zekry’s “granny teachers” at Berea Primary School. Pauline was a supportive doctor’s wife and a busy mother of four children. As a couple, the Goldbergs were community-conscious, charity-driven and active members of diverse societies. Pauline was chairwoman of the Durban branch of Magen David Adom (the Jewish Red Cross) and in 1976 she joined the educational group of Women for Peaceful Change Now. After her husband died in 1985, Pauline sought out new challenges. She took French lessons, played bridge and tennis, and joined the Shakespeare Society and the Peripatetic Society, to name but some. It was a tribute to Pauline that family and friends crowded into her flat in Durban to celebrate her 100th birthday last year and it was a great joy to her that she was serenaded on the day by children from Gordon Road Girls School and Durban Girls College. Until relatively recently, Pauline had
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BUBKES
HASHALOM JULY 2020
ORA AND THE CLOUD remained while she exhausted herself.
“It means light,” Ora answered.
One day, tired of running and fighting, Ora dropped down on a patch of grass and decided to try a different approach.
“That’s right,” said the cloud. “And did you know that no matter what their names are, all people have a heavenly light shining inside them that is much stronger than any cloud?”
“Okay, cloud,” Ora said with her arms across her chest. “Why are you here? Where did you come from? And why are you imprisoning me like this?” To Ora’s great surprise, the cloud answered her!
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’ve been giving a go at writing kiddies stories and it’s dawned on me that perhaps they’re not just for children. The books we like to read to our kids often teach the simple lessons we need in our own lives. So maybe I’m not writing a kiddies story after all (which would be a relief as neither Quentin Blake nor Axel Scheffler are returning my calls and my illustrations are so abysmal it looks like my stick figure is attacking itself with a burning hairy rhinoceros.) Lucky, lucky you get to be the beta readers! Ora and the Cloud There once was a little girl named Ora. Ora had friends, enjoyed going to school, and loved her family, but there was something that bothered her. Occasionally, a grey cloud hung around Ora. When it was there, it was heavy and gloomy and made her feel sad, even a little scared. Nobody else could see Ora’s cloud. When she asked, her mom looked at her quizzically and her friends called her silly. Her teacher tried to convince her there was nothing there, but Ora could see and feel it even if her teacher couldn’t. The cloud bothered Ora and sometimes even on sunny days she could feel it floating about her. She wished it would go away, but it didn’t. She shouted cruel words at it, but that only made her feel worse. She wanted to run away from the cloud, but it followed her. She tried to hide from it, but it always found her, like a game of hide-andseek. She even tried to fight it, throwing kicks and punches that she’d learned in karate class, but the cloud calmly
“I am not imprisoning you, Ora. A prisoner cannot free herself from prison, but you have full power to free yourself. Do not behave like a prisoner.” “Where did you come from?” Ora asked suspiciously. “I was sent by Hashem.” “But why?” Ora wailed. “Why would Hashem send me a horrible gloomy cloud?” “The Talmud tells us that we must bless Hashem for the bad just as for the good,” the cloud responded kindly. “To you, something might look bad, but it may be an important message. The darkness of night lets us know that it’s time to sleep. A black cloud can be full of rain to grow plants. Overcast skies help us to appreciate the sun when it comes out.” “I guess that makes sense,” Ora said with her eyebrows together. “But what is the message that Hashem wants you to tell me?” “Ah, that I cannot tell you, because I do not know. But perhaps I can help. Sometimes we need to get away from the distractions of the world and be by ourselves to connect to Hashem. Sit quietly in my shade and let me shield you while you think.” Ora sat and thought. The cloud rolled around her, humming a tune. As she mulled over her worries, the cloud began to feel a bit lighter, softer. She decided to trust Hashem with her problems, and she felt Shechinah (Hashem’s presence) wrap around her, melting through the cloud. Perhaps her cloud had even been sent so that she would call out to Hashem, she wondered. When she focused on Hashem’s light, the cloud didn’t seem so dark anymore. “Do you know what your name means, Ora?” asked the cloud.
“I do now,” Ora smiled. And then Ora released the cloud and it floated up, up, up – back up to Heaven. Ora felt light and free and happy. For the first time in a while, she felt the sun on her face. Why does Hashem sometimes send us dark clouds? It can be hard to see through the haze, but sometimes they’re not prisons; they’re a place to contemplate our lives. By shading us from everyday activities, the discomfort of our mental fogs may force us to face the Big Issues. Have you faced yours? Don’t be a prisoner of uncomfortable thoughts. Welcome them. Work with them. In the wilderness, Hashem led and protected the Children of Israel in a Cloud of Glory. Sometimes He still sends holy clouds. It’s up to us to recognise and take advantage of their protective powers. Oh, and in case I do decide to pursue the book idea, I hereby copyright/ patent/claim the intellectual property and ensuing profits of all the ideas in this column. Except the Talmud. Obviously. Until next time. Public Service Announcement: Life naturally comprises ups and downs, joy and sorrow, light and dark. If, however, you are unable to deal with your darkness alone – if you cannot release yourself from your “prison” – please seek help in the form of a rabbi, a friend, a therapist or a doctor. The Talmud refers to this unworldly prison as Beit Ha’Assurim, the House of the Forbidden, perhaps because we’re not supposed to end up there. But if you’re stuck in the spiritual slammer, don’t fret. You’re in the esteemed company of Rav Chiya bar Abba, Rav Yochanan, Rav Elazar and more, all of whom were “afflicted” with suffering, and all of whom are recorded to have been “revived” when they reached out and took their learned friends’ hands (presumably the hand-holding healing was metaphorical). You, too, can reach out for support. *The content of this column was partially inspired by the meditation “Transforming Fear” Sarah Blondin
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ISRAEL NEWS
Tel Aviv, Jerusalem nab sixth place in list of 150 best global tech ecosystems Cities are tied with LA; survey by research firm Start-up Genome maps the tech industry to see where start-ups have best shot for success; Silicon Valley No. 1 since 2012 BY SHOSHANNA SOLOMON, 28 JUNE, 2020 WWW.TIMESOFISRAEL.COM
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el Aviv and Jerusalem are ranked together as the sixth most attractive ecosystem for start-ups and innovation by a global survey held by research firm Start-up Genome. The study maps the global start up industry in over 150 cities worldwide. The two Israeli cities are tied with Los Angeles, which also takes sixth place on the list.
The top ten list concludes with Shanghai, Seattle, and Stockholm, Start-up Genome said in a statement on Sunday.
California’s Silicon Valley maintains its first-place position in this year’s report, followed by New York City and London, which are tied. Beijing and Boston rank fourth and fifth, respectively. The Start-up Genome Ecosystem report, published annually since 2012, is a comprehensive study of the global start-up scene, and comes this year as 40 percent of the start-ups across the globe report disruptions to their operations due to the COVID-19 spread.
London has crept up from eighth in 2012 and third, tied with Beijing, in 2019, to share second place with New York this year.
The higher the ranking the better the shot of an early-stage start up at building global success, according to the Start-up Genome’s model. For the 2020 ranking, the research firm measured six success factors: performance, which takes into account the number and growth of exits and how many start-ups succeed; access to and quality of funding; market reach, or the ability to tap global markets; how easy it is to recruit top talent; how connected start-ups are to others in the ecosystem; and knowledge, a measure of publication impact and patents. Silicon Valley scored 10 in all of these success factors except connectedness, where it got a score of 8, while Tel Aviv and Jerusalem scored nine in performance and funding, 10 in market reach, eight in connectedness, nine in talent and four in knowledge.
For the second year running, the top seven ecosystems have remained unchanged, the report said, with Silicon Valley ranked at the top position since 2012, when Start-up Genome’s first ranking was released.
The section devoted to Tel-Aviv – Jaffa points out that the city’s main strengths include AI, big data, and cloud technologies, which account for almost 41% of the start-up companies. Cybersecurity is also a strong suit of Tel Aviv’s ecosystem, accounting for $3.4 billion in exits, either initial public offerings or merger and acquisition deals in 2019, the report said. Some 100 multinationals have opened their development and innovation centres in Tel Aviv for human resources considerations. Some of the multinationals attracted to Tel Aviv in 2019 include the Ford Motor Company, Yandex, and SAP, which established its innovation lab in Tel Aviv. The city of Tel Aviv operates municipal entrepreneurship and innovation centres that provide accelerator programs, support, and mentoring from the earliest stages, as well as opportunities to implement their developments in the City Hall or municipal companies. Examples include the Ratzif Innovation Centerint Naveh Shaanan in the south of Tel Aviv, and CityZone in Kiryat Atidim, which specializes in technologies that address urban and smart city challenges.
The Jerusalem section of the report highlights the life science, biotech, and AI strengths of Israel’s capital. Some 150 life science companies in Jerusalem benefit from a municipal support net. Examples include the BioHouse work compound at the Hadassah Medical Centre Campus in Ein Kerem, and BioGiv, a lab compound for young companies in the Givat Ram campus of the Hebrew University. Jerusalem also boasts some 80 AI companies, including Mobileye and Lightricks, the statement said. Jerusalem’s technological edge in general, and biotech and AI, in particular, relies heavily on its academic institutes, such as the Hebrew University and the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, as well as a growing local community and significant state and municipal support. Recent years have seen the Jerusalem high-tech scene developing at an “unprecedented pace,” the statement said. “Within a few years, Israel’s capital has become a start-up and innovation incubator,” partly due to efforts by the Jerusalem Development Authority, the Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage, and the Municipality of Jerusalem. Approximately 500 technology companies are headquartered in Jerusalem today, the statement said. In May, a report by Start-Up Nation Central said that Jerusalem has become “a magnet for entrepreneurial activity and cuttingedge innovation” due to its diverse population, made up of secular and religious people, Jews and Arabs, new immigrants, men and women.
COMMUNITY NEWS
HASHALOM JULY 2020
ABOVE BOARD
BY MARY KLUK NATIONAL CHAIRMAN A COLUMN OF THE SA JEWISH BOARD OF DEPUTIES NO TIME TO RELAX OUR GUARD Much as we welcome the gradual easing of lockdown conditions, it is critical to understand that returning to work does not mean going back to normal. For the foreseeable future we must continually adapt our behaviour to minimize risk to ourselves and to those around us. As always, our day-to-day behaviour should be governed by what the medical experts recommend, and here I again refer you to our COVID-19 Jewish Community Platform for up-to-date advice. Both COVID-19 and its dire impact on the economy will be with us for a long time to come. The extent to which we succeed in negotiating these tough times very much depends on how much we help one another, especially those whose livelihoods have been compromised. We applaud the life-saving work being done by Jewish organisations and individuals and are gratified, through the SAJBD Food Aid Fund launched in May, to be able to participate in it. Much remains to be done, but when looking back on these difficult times we can know at least that at this moment of great crisis in our country’s history, South African Jewry was not found wanting.
REPATRIATION The Board was very active on behalf of Jewish community members unable to return home from Israel because of the lockdown. It was a highly complicated process, involving continual interaction with, among others, the respective South African and Israeli embassies, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure, various international airlines and the relevant individuals and families themselves. Fortunately, it all bore fruit in the end, allowing the stranded community members to finally return. It is precisely for such reasons that the SAJBD exists and our National Director Wendy Kahn, as ever leading from the front, cannot be praised too much for bringing it all about. RESPONSES TO ANTI-SEMITISM It did not take long before Covid-19-related anti-Semitic conspiracy theories began doing the rounds. In South Africa at least, such notions have not gained major traction, but even so, we have been called upon to address a number of anti-Semitic incidents during lockdown. One concerned the persistent abuse of a young community member on an online chat forum. I was involved in a dialogue with the perpetrator, who afterwards published a sincere apology and is currently undergoing a course in sensitivity training through the SA Holocaust & Genocide Foundation. Another involved a Pretoria woman who posted a series of blatantly anti-Semitic messages on her Instagram page. In her case there was no contrition whatever; rather, she has to date stridently insisted on her right to continue propagating “the truth”. The Board laid a criminal charge against her and is following up through our legal representatives. As we stressed in our media release on the matter, racist and inflammatory rhetoric of this nature is not only criminal but dangerous and has to be confronted as strongly as possible, particularly at a time when so many people are already feeling anxious, angry and frustrated.
Talmud Torah There is a lot happening with Talmud Torah during COVID-19. Jewish education continues. Our teachers are teaching via Zoom every day and we actually have more students learning with us during COVID-19 than we did before because now our lessons don’t clash with the children’s extra murals. Some learn Jewish studies and some learn Hebrew. Our teachers are loving teaching the students on their computers or phones. Now that the restrictions are lifting and schools are going back, I am teaching at Eden again and the High school students are coming to my weekly lessons. We all wear masks and keep adequate social distance. PJ Library has made some excellent videos and our own Terri Pillemer did a book reading which was sent to all the
children in SA that receive the PJ Library books. We were so excited to have someone like Terri involved and felt so proud. Talmud Torah has also been working closely with Norma Bloch at Eden College to ensure that all the children in all the grades are receiving their Jewish education during COVID-19. Rav Shlomo from CHABAD does davening via Zoom three mornings a week and it’s wonderful to see the children joining in order to daven before they start their school day via zoom or at school. I want to thank our amazing and dedicated Talmud Torah team of Rabbi Vegoda from Aish in JHB (who does the lion’s share of teaching every single day), Helene Cohen, Rav Shlomo Weiner and Norma Bloch from Eden College.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
TABEL OF CONTENTS
Masada and our beloved Masadaniks - a name synonymous with a holy project - a long standing organisation that provides dignified employment for the less fortunate in our community.
“UPON ENTERING THE MASADA HOUSE THEY BECOME OUR BELOVED MASADANIKS” Some of our workers live within the community and the majority from Jewel House/ DJSS. However, upon entering the Masada house they all become our beloved Masadaniks where they are offered the dignity of work and are cared for by our dedicated staff from 8.30am – 2.30pm, 5 days a week. Masada is an independent entity. The Durban United Hebrew Congregation-Masada Trust is totally financially independent from Durban Jewish Social Services and Jewel House. It is a separate entity with its own Board. During the early part of the Covid-19 period, Masada closed for reasons of good health practice and safety of our workers.
”DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME MASADA HAS PAID OUR WORKERS SINCE APRIL 2020” Throughout this difficult time Masada has paid our workers since April 2020 while they were home in Jewel House and their respective homes within the community. We once again appeal to the business community to consider Masada for suitable work to keep our willing and able workers occupied when they return to work to share companionship, support and the dignity of work. Masada is not supported by the UCF or for that matter, any other Jewish Organisation. Through good financial governance we can self - fund the running of our wonderful Masada Workshop even though it is difficult during these unique economic times. We remain appreciative of the generous support from the Jewish Community.
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.
16 | OUR COMMUNITY, OUR PEOPLE, OUR MAGAZINE
COMMUNITY NEWS
HASHALOM JULY 2020
WHILE OUR PHYSICAL SPACE IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED, OUR VIRTUAL COMMUNITY IS BUSY AND VIBRANT.
#41 | July 2020
As we approach our fourth month of working out of the office, we are certainly missing our volunteers, visits from learners and events together. However, we are grateful to have been able to utilise this time to learn, to collaborate with our sister centres, to connect with our guides and volunteers and to work on a number of exciting projects! In addition to creating podcasts, we've been working with schools, sharing resources and developing online lessons.
One of our Zoom sessions collaborating with the CTHGC and JHGC
INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL COLLABORATION While we miss our in-person gatherings, virtual platforms such as Zoom have allowed our teams and volunteers to learn from many excellent speakers and educators from around the world. We have also had the pleasure of collaborating with both the Cape Town and Johannesburg Centres
in
organising
guide
enrichment
sessions. Among many other topics, we've hosted
two
sessions
addressing
the
1994
genocide in Rwanda targeting the Tutsi.
WEBSITE REFRESH
With our strong connection as a Centre to the life and story of Anne we one were delighted DuringFrank, this time, of our exciting projects when the Anne Frank House has been working on a new look for our released a video series asking the website. We have been Frank working question, "what if Anne hadaround the a camera instead of a diary?" clock to create an updated site that is true to
teams focussed on the topic of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. These sessions were attended by over 60 volunteers from all three centres.
ANNE FRANK VIDEO DIARY With our strong connection as a Centre to the life and story of Anne Frank, we were delighted when the Anne Frank House released a video series asking the question, "what if Anne Frank had a camera instead of a diary?" Anne shares her life in the Secret Annex, her thoughts and her feelings with the camera. All characters, locations, and events in the series are based on Anne Frank's diary letters. We have been sharing these episodes weekly on our Facebook page. Click here to watch the first episode.
the have essence of sending who we an are episode and can't wait to We been sharethis it with you! weekly to our of series educator database encourage We plan for our new and site to go live in July! anyone to give it a watch! Watch this space.
As an education Centre of memory, hope and resilience, we believe our mission has never been more relevant. 17
COMMUNITY NEWS
M
ay has been a very busy month with many of our residents celebrating special birthdays. Via Face Time, Sheila Schulman who turned 90, shared her birthday with her good friend Glenda Bernstein who turned 85. They enjoyed celebrating their double birthday which both ladies sponsored for all Beth Shalom residents and staff. Glenda sent a lovely arrangement of roses for every resident which was such a beautiful touch. Due to lockdown, Glenda could not be there in person but did get a delivery of some cake and treats to her home.
Ethel Stiller also had a lovely birthday and celebrated in style with residents and staff.
Sheila Shulman
Jenifer Kaplan
Ivor Kissin celebrated his 90th birthday and was so super excited that everyone from the home came along to celebrate. Family members sent pictures, beautiful messages which were read out to him and he received lovely gifts. The best part of his birthday was when Sharon and David Zolty told us that Ivor had catered for their wedding in the late sixties. Ivor was so touched and there were quite a few wet eyes at that moment. Such beautiful happy memories.
We also had Jenifer Kaplan do a talk about her Mountaineering Days which was so interesting and all who attended loved the many adventures and achievements which Jenifer conquered. One exciting life shared.
Sidney Lazarus celebrated his 60th birthday on the 21st May 2020 and treated the residents to a lovely Braai which was well received. Mazeltov and thank you for sharing with our residents. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their chops. Huge thank you to all our wonderful kitchen staff who ensure that our residents have happy celebrations during lockdown. w
Our happy residents making challah for supper
Ivor Kissin
Next month we will have another resident share their life story. This we have found to be so beneficial to all during this lockdown period. Memories can create such happiness when shared with others and everyone can learn from someone else’s experiences - a gift of life.
COMMUNITY NEWS
HASHALOM JULY 2020
Women of Actiom This report of our activities covers the second year of my term of office and begins in April last year to align with our financial year. This will give you an idea of our varied involvement with the Jewish and General Communities in Durban. •
2019 April The pre-Pesach braai was hosted at Beth Shalom for the residents and Masadaniks. Again our special thanks to our “braai master chefs” for the excellent preparation.
•
May* Members of the UJW Executive attended the Yom HaShoah and Yom HaZikaron commemorative events and assisted at the Communal Yom Ha’Atzmaut function.*The UJW’s 81st AGM was held with Raymond Perrier the guest speaker. *Added to the donations from Exec committee members, a magnanimous donation of baby clothes/ toiletries was received which enabled us to help pack dozens of gift bags for new born babies. Together with EMBRACE these were delivered to various hospitals on Mothers’ Day. Sue, Kendyll, Tanya & Maureen participated.*Anew wheelchair was donated to Masada Workshop and their “old” one repaired.
•
•
June* The 35th Jewish Community Fund Campaign was launched with great success and much laughter. A really memorable evening with entertainment provided by Harry Sideropolous. Funds raised are used solely for the Durban Jewish Community.*“sock toy” a knitted toy project continues with enthusiasm by Gayle, Bev, Tessa, Frances. The toys are handed over to Umduduzi & Choc for their patients. July*Mandela Day event hosted in conjunction with SAJBD-KZN Council. UJW projects were invited to send “helpers” who then took an allocation of sandwiches back. Theresponse from our Community was heart-warming. 1000’s of sandwiches were made and distributed to those in need.*Masadaniks were taken on an outing to Tala Nature Reserve. Lunch and treats were provided. The day was thoroughly enjoyed and our sincere thanks to the Victor Daitz Foundation for sponsorship, Andy for accompanying them, Kalvin for guiding, Sipho for driving and Eden College for the loan of their bus.
•
August *The UJW again provided the “welcome to Durban” snacks and drinks for the Cycalive team before their braai hosted by the SAJBD-KZN Council. *The 31st Annual Golf Day was held in perfect weather. Well done to all the convenors - Sue, Linda, Judy, Frances, Sharon & Sas. Beneficiaries were various children’s homes and projects dealing with youth. The hampers sponsored in place starter gifts were donated to the staff at Beth Shalom, Jewel House and Masada.
•
September *The pre-Rosh Hashanah braai luncheon was another enjoyable event for the Beth Shalom residents, Masadaniks and UJW Exec members. We are always pleased to have our “braai chefs” join us. After lunch the kitchen staff were handed their generous food hampers with which they were absolutely thrilled.*Teiglach were “sold out” at the UJW stall at the Wizo Yomtov Market. *sing-a-long morning was held at Jewel House. Song books were provided and everyone participated. An enjoyable musical morning was followed by tea with scrumptious eats sponsored by the UJW.
•
October *Members attended the Open Air School Prizegiving at which the UJW have sponsored prizes for more than 40 years.
•
November *The Challah Bake once again beautifully arranged by Tanya and her team was a great success.
Participants were asked to donate biscuit/sweet treats on arrival.The response was overwhelming and the treats were distributed at the Nkosinathi Feeding Scheme for the homeless. *International Mitzvah Day was celebrated with a very special morning of musicalentertainment provided by Paula and Tammy and delicious eats at Beth Shalom.*An Interfaith meeting at which Rev. Gilad Friedman was a speaker, was attended.*The Chesterville Schools end of year party was almost rained out, but fortunatelycould be moved to a nearby hall. Hot dogs and treats were sponsored by the UJW with the help of Steffi at the Glenwood Spar. Thanks Tanya and Julie for attending.*Prize giving events were attended at Akiva College, Eden College and Talmud Torah. The long awaited move into our new office space took place. •
December *The final Friendship Club morning for the year was held at Beth Shalom with the addition of doughnuts for tea as a “taste” of Channukah. Denis Hurley Centre Meal of Reconciliation at which Gaynor and Evelyn assisted in setting up and decorating, hosted and fed over 300 homeless people and volunteers. Selma Lurie very generously donated briyani for which the UJW and Jewish Community received grateful thanks and a great deal of publicity. • 2020 January *Everyone returned from recess refreshed and at the January meeting plans were put in place for exciting events. •
February* Several Exec members attended a meeting with the Domino Foundation to learn more about their future plans and ongoing projects.
•
March *Linda attended the NEC meeting in Johannesburg.*The Communal Offices were closed as the Country went into Covid-19“lock down”.
•
ONGOING PROJECTS Akiva College, Eden College – Gemilut Chassidim Awards in memory of Jean Kluk z’l. Beth Shalom – monthly bingo mornings held with prizes and birthday gifts. Chesterville Schools Association – cleaning supplies donated each term. CHOC – donations given to assist families of children dealing with cancer. Denis Hurley Centre – weekly duties undertaken at Nkosinathi Feeding Scheme. DIVOTE - Rosh Hashanah gift parcels packed to be sent to Israel. DJSS – Pesach & Rosh Hashanah vouchers to value of R55,000-00 donated to clients.Domino Foundation – weekly sandwich making for distribution to schools. Durban Holocaust & Genocide Centre – sandwiches & juice provided for rural school learners. Jewel House – birthday cake and gift given to each resident. Talmud Torah – award sponsored for commitment and participation. Umcebo – practical waste donated for use in outreach/educational projects. Umduduzi – assistance given to this project to help with palliative care for children. Donations are given to various other projects when possible.
•
•
The generous support of our members, community and the public are acknowledged with thanks. It is the recognition of the importance of our efforts which makes everything worthwhile. I thank the committee for their support & dedication to our organisation. It is their commitment which makes everything, not only possible, but successful. My sincere thanks to those mentioned as well as Jenny, Marion K, Marion L, Arlene & Sylvia. We are grateful for the support from the Beare Foundation, JAKAMaR , the Lazarus Family Trust, Victor Daitz Foundation. We would all welcome your support. Please contact us if you would like to help in any way. Sue Jacobson, Executive Chair.
19 | OUR COMMUNITY, OUR PEOPLE, OUR MAGAZINE
19
COMMUNITY NEWS
DIVOTE continues in SA and in Israel but in a different way Yomtov clothing has been bought from cash donations and has been packed and will be ready to leave for Israel in July when ELAL starts flying to SA again. Sadly our list of children has been cut short so less children will receive the clothing. It was hard but in the end the children most in need of a “hug�, and who needed warm clothing for the Chagim and for winter after that, will be receive their packages. Due to the Schools being closed I was not able to do a collection in the schools around the country. I did launch the appeal in the community but I know how hard it is for people to go out and purchase the clothing at the moment. From my office, I did a zoom talk with the girls at Beis Yaakov Girls High School in Johannesburg. They were so excited to see how everything is sorted and packed, and to see all the photos on my walls of many of my heroes. I spoke about how DIVOTE started and I told them about some of the very inspirational heroes of terror that I have met and learnt from over the years. It was a great success and the girls are all making cards and writing letters for each of the children who will be receiving Yomtov clothing bags so that they can see and feel the love and support that comes from the South African community. Members of the DIVOTE team in Israel will be delivering the bags of clothing to the children in their homes, (or on the pavement outside their homes), and once again they will be told about the love and support from South Africa. I have asked for photos to be taken so that I can send them to the donors. I will not be doing the deliveries but I will be in telephonic contact with all the families. I will be wishing them all Chag Sameach.
During the shutdown members of the DIVOTE team have done some special deliveries. One of our affected families traumatised and injured in the Har Nof shul attack became parents after trying unsuccessfully for a number of years. We were all so happy and one of our team dropped off a DIVOTE baby bag outside their apartment and they were able to see the new mother and wish her Mazeltov. She was so touched and excited to receive the bag with all the clothing and accessories. Over and over she expressed how the support from South Africa meant so much to her and she was so grateful that we have never forgotten about all the families affected in the Har Nof shul attack. I received such a lovely WhatsApp and video from the mother which I have sent to the donor.
COMMUNITY NEWS
F
or us we really miss attending Shul every Shabbat morning, not only for the actual service, but also a hug here and there and chatting with other congregants around the brocha after the service which is so important as well. To alleviate this obstacle of not being able to attend Shul we decided to have our own little service every Shabbat morning at home which has proved to be very enjoyable and fulfilling. We wish our friends and the community comfortable staying power during lockdown and good health. Shalom to all. Robert & Anita Gresak
HASHALOM JULY 2020
We are very much missing our Shabbat and festival shul services at Beit David, Durban. However, we have been fortunate to be able to join several services online on Friday evenings as well as over Pesach and Shavuot. These have been via Zoom, You Tube and Facebook, and have been accessible through platforms offered to us by Progressive synagogues at Bet David Johannesburg, Temple Israel Hillbrow and Temple Israel Cape Town. At Friday’s Shabbat service offered by Temple Israel Cape Town, the singing/chanting was accompanied by various musical instruments, with participation from several Rabbonim and an address by the President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism Rabbi Bergman from Argentina, which was a real treat. However, the customary kiddush and social interaction of our congregational Shabbat services at Beit David is still sorely missed. Gary and Vivienne Budlender
______________________________ To be brutally honest, I have found it difficult to relate to the on-line services. Sitting at my computer, on my own at home, just does not work for me. While I have the greatest admiration for all who have made such a sterling effort in keeping it all together and owe them a huge debt of gratitude, I just wish that I could feel more devout and less angry. Lorna Harris
______________________________ As we are regular Friday night Shul goers, this lock down has really left us feeling both lost and lonely! Our spiritual understanding and alignment seem to kick in when we attend our Shul services and sing Adon Olam with Steve Abrahams which is a real highlight! We also love the blessing over the challah and the little chit chat with friends afterwards. So, we are both really looking forward to our shul re-opening (again) and eagerly awaiting (our) services to resume. Larry & Lori Goldberg
21
COMMUNITY NEWS
Jewel House offers a home away from home for our most vulnerable community members. During the Covid-19 lockdown our family decided to help other families in distress. Supporting The Angel Network who offer assistance to desperate and vulnerable communities struggling at this time, we prepared soup to feed a family of 4. Thanks to all the people who donated supplies to support this project.
COMMUNITY NEWS
HASHALOM JULY 2020
AKIVAÂ COLLEGE
IS BACK!
We are so proud of our students who have worked hard at home to keep up to date. Akiva is back to school and compliant with COVID regulations. We are back to working hard and positively for the future.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
HASHALOM JULY 2020
COMMUNITY NEWS
“How to engage with community when we cannot congregate?”
Life under lockdown continues to be busy. The shul has moved davening and shiurim online with an incredible response from congregants. This past months events included: Yom Yerushalayim, Friday night shul, Super Sunday Torah, Shavuot TED Tikun Leil, Yizkor, Nach Shiurim and prayers for the house of mourning as well as international guest speakers. Erev Shavuot gift parcels made up to symbolize the ‘10 commandments’ and the book of Ruth were sent to those living in the vicinity of the Shul. We look forward to the shul re-opening once permitted.
23
COMMUNITY NEWS
HASHALOM JULY 2020
BY NORMA BLOCH
Shalom, The face of education has been totally renewed. Zoom lessons, WhatsApp meetings, Google classrooms have become the new normal. As teachers and pupils return to school, they have to adapt to the new protocols that involve a day in the life of returning to the classroom: screening procedures, learning to wear a mask all day and sitting quietly in your own space, are just a few of the systems that we are faced with. Here are some thoughts on online learning written by some of our pupils. Brandon Taitz writes: I think normal school is better than online school, because you have to do the work when it is given to you. You can see your friends. You have a teacher with you so if you are stuck she can help you. There is less of a struggle doing normal school than online school because you get more vitamin d and you are not on your phone, laptop, computer or TV all day.
Brandon Taitz back at school
Hannah Norton
Hannah Norton writes: My lockdown started 3 months ago. It was very boring. For the first month I sat at home doing nothing, until my teachers started sending work to do. The work kept me busy. After work, I would play on my phone in bed. Every Friday I went on a walk with my friend, because she lives in my neighbourhood. I also did exercises. I was supposed to go back to school on the 1st of June 2020, but I ended up going back on the 2nd of June.
Netanya Dogan
Netanya Dogan says: I am finding home schooling very easily. The zoom lessons are fun and educational. The work I am receiving I feel is difficult, but not too difficult. It would be really nice though, is to actually be in school with all my friends and peers. But until this all ends, we should just keep strong and stay safe. Gil Dogan says: It is very hard because I can’t focus on doing my work from all the music I hear. I would LOVE to see my friends and teachers again at school.
Gil Dogan
I really want to go back to school. Lehitraot till next month
home schooling
Grade 7’s at break
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COMMUNITY NEWS
LAUNCH OF THE SUZANNE EDMUNDS PLANT NURSERY In terms of timing, it was most fortunate that the official opening of the new plant nursery at the Victor Daitz Jewish National Fund Eco Educational Centre in Hammarsdale, took place just before the national Covid19 lockdown came into effect. The nursery has been dedicated to the memory of the late Suzanne Edmunds z”l, who was the driving force in the establishment of the centre. The launch of the nursery was celebrated by pupils and educators representing a number of schools in the Hammarsdale area, members of the KwaZulu-Natal Zionist Council, Project Ten, and staff from EThekwini Municipality’s Solid Wasted Department. Also in attendance, was Terri Edmunds, Suzanne’s daughter, who presented the Eco Centre with a beautiful lemon tree to mark the occasion. The children treated the guests to poetry, stories and songs, all with an environmental message, as well as an exhibition of art works made from recycled materials.
THE COMMUNITY The Eco Centre has trained a number of NGOs and NPOs in the area, which in turn assist communities. Individuals benefit in having their own organic vegetable gardens to feed their families and even generate income. There are also cases of child headed households trained to plant vegetables, that are now surviving on the harvest from their own gardens at home. JOB CREATION The Eco Centre garden has trained unemployed young people, assisting and mentoring them in planting and maintaining vegetable gardens, which provide them with income to sustain themselves and their families. OTHER ORGANISATIONS The local Scout troops visit the Eco Centre regularly, and through the training they receive, are able to work towards the “Food for Life” Badge, as well as spreading the knowledge far and wide. The Animal Anti-Cruelty organisation has created a garden for their rabbits.
THE RIPPLE EFFECT Mrs Nana Ndlovu, Manager of Education and Waste Minimization at DSW, in her very informative talk, emphasised the ripple effect that the Eco Centre is having on the Hammarsdale community and even influencing change in other areas of EThekwini. SCHOOLS She reported that the children visiting the Eco Centre derive environmental knowledge and are taught about organic planting, which they in turn replicate in their family homes, schools and communities. In addition, educators from local schools, trained at the Eco Centre, are able to teach the school syllabus at a much higher level. For example, landfills and waste management which form part of the Matric examination, and bees as social animals, part of the Grade 5 syllabus. One great success story is that of Vukuziphathe school. The children, having been trained in organic planting, turned all their school flowerbeds into vegetable gardens. This has resulted in the school supplying vegetable orders to local Spar and Boxer stores, and also feeding disadvantaged children and their families. This school is now the reigning champion of EThekwini’s School Beautification Competition, and has taken on a mentorship role to other schools.
A number of churches around Hammersdale, such as the Roman Catholic and Holy Ghost, now boast green organic gardens thanks to the skills acquired at the Eco Centre. Churches in other areas, such as Montclair Roman Catholic Church and New Forest Congregational Church, have taken a leaf from the book of the Hammarsdale churches and are now doing the same. The harvests from these gardens feed the poor and facilitate a soup kitchen in these areas. Local clinics too are among the beneficiaries of skills acquired at the Eco Centre. Clinic health workers realised that the sick and elderly they visit are often malnourished. Clinics in Hammersdale, Peacevale and Lamontville now have organic vegetable gardens, grown and maintained by the staff of the clinics, enabling them to distribute fresh food to their patients along with their medications. A WONDERFUL LEGACY The KNZC is extremely proud to be associated with The Victor Daitz Foundation, the KZN Department of Education and Durban Solid waste, in the amazing work of the Eco Education Centre. The Centre is indeed a meaningful and on-going tribute to Suzanne Edmunds z”l, in who’s life environmental advocacy played such an important part.
COMMUNITY NEWS
HASHALOM JULY 2020
MIRACLES ARE SEEDS OF KINDNESS (MASK) In response to the Covid-19 Pandemic, on 28 March our country went into a state of national lockdown. In the wake of this disaster a devastating ripple effect left millions destitute, vulnerable, jobless and starving. These unprecedented events prompted the launch of our MASK (Miracles Are Seeds of Kindness) initiative. WIZO Durban, in collaboration with Angelika Anastasis Art embarked on this undertaking to raise funds and secure face MASKs and food hampers for severely distressed households in the Valley of 1000 Hills. These lifesaving hampers consisted of maize meal, baby food, laundry and bath soap, sugar and other canned and dried food. Several of the families in this area are very dear to WIZO as last year these children with disability where recipients of our WIZO Wheelchairs of Hope. It was a double mitzvah to once again be able to support these special children and their families. At the outset of the project we were aiming at feeding 40 families but with exceptional support and generosity of people near and far we were humbled raise funds for over a hundred families.
In addition, we have also made a donation to Singakwazi Aid. These funds have gone a long way into supporting four soup kitchens which are a lifeline to many orphaned hungry children in the Mount Moriah area. On average each kitchen feeds 200 tummies a day.
The beautiful original artwork by Angelika Anastasis, aptly entitled “Batya” (Daughter of G-d) was raffled online. In a live zoom call on 19 May, Viv Stiller was announced as the lucky winner. Mazeltov Viv!
Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change. We cannot describe the gratitude we feel for everybody who supported the MASK Project – THANK YOU. Despite all the pain and suffering in the world at the moment it is still clear that there is an abundance of generosity, love and acts of pure kindness out there. We at WIZO are inspired and love changing lives together!
A Centre for Health Promotion
Registration No.: NPO 002-280; PBO 18/11/13/2817 PO BOX 33, BOTHAS HILL, 3660, KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA TELEPHONE: +27 (31) 716 6800; FAX: +27 (31) 777 1114 E-MAIL: info@vtrust.org.za; WEBSITE: www.thevalleytrust.org.za
05 June 2020 To:
WIZO Durban
Dear Wonderful Ladies of WIZO THANK YOU!! I write to express the heartfelt appreciation of the The Valley Trust’s Board of Trustees, staff and local communities for WIZO’s very generous donation of funds towards TVT’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Drive. The funds were used to purchase 76 food hampers for community members who were hard hit by the lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The beneficiaries included the households of children who previously received donations of wheelchairs from WIZO, as well as other households with young children and who are participants in TVT’s Khula Kahle Mntwana (isiZulu for Grow Well, Child) Project. To date, TVT has provided 840 food hampers to households in desperate need of food assistance. With the easing up of the lockdown, we are looking to continue efforts to set these and other households up for greater self-sufficiency, and in particular to ensure that their children grow in stable, loving and thriving environments. We are thrilled to have been able to partner with WIZO in these initiatives, and we look forward to continued warm relations between our organisations. We have attached photographs from the food distribution for your records. Regards,
S. Vilakazi Executive Director
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COMMUNITY NEWS
What a wonderful afternoon. 1700 people from all corners Of the world joined us and our 32 NATIONAL AND International presenters to Celebrate our jewish journey of Learning.
oon n r e a ft t! ne a e l e o r b t t a x t a memor the ne a h W d a ait for a h We an't w d. c and me roun o to c
Loving the new format with the ability for all Limmudniks to learn together no matter where you are. Maza lT You g ov on eLim u It wa ys pulled o mud. s u spirit amazing t t all the st o shinin o g thro feel the Li ps! m ugh e ven o mud ver zo om!
Kol Hakavod to the team it was superbly put together and sessions were very interesting and enriching. Thank you Lim mud South Afri ca. You made a HU GE difference o our community .
A intell mazing an ec d I wish tually stim so ul it was twice ating a year .
cellent. x e e r e w was. The talks hat I thought it u d) m m w i L l l a a t o a t isn't er been v e n Limmud 'd o one wh e m o s m (this fro
Thank you for such a soulfully nourishing afternoon.
PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE NEXT eLIMMUD ....JUST AS EXCITING, JUST AS INFORMATIVE AND JUST AS MUCH FUN.
COMMUNITY NEWS
HASHALOM JULY 2020
With the lockdown in place since March, Cheder has unfortunately been unable to continue as normal. We have strived to make sure that our students have not lost out and lessons have continued on various platforms. Below are pictures of a video call lesson with Gil Dogan, who has already started learning his Bar Mitzvah Parsha for next year, as well as continuing with his lessons diligently throughout the lockdown period. We all hope and pray that soon we will be able to meet and learn together in person again.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
TABEL COOKING OF CONTENTS WITH JUDY AND LINDA
GLOBAL FLAVOURS - Part 2 SOUTH AFRICAN MELK TART Pastry: 2 cups flour 125g butter cup sugar pinch salt
1 egg 1 tablespoon oil 2 teaspoons baking powder
Cream butter and sugar - add egg, flour, baking powder and salt to form a nice dough. Line a greased tart dish with the pastry, making sure dough is thin! You can keep left over pastry for another tart! Prick pastry with fork. Bake 180degC for 15 minutes, until golden brown. Filling: 4 cups milk 1 tablespoon butter 1 cup sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla
2 ½ tablespoons flour 2 ½ tablespoons corn flour 2 eggs cinnamon
Bring milk and butter to the boil - mix the rest of ingredients to a smooth paste. When milk boils, remove from stove and add flour mixture. Return mixture to the stove and over medium to low heat, gently stir until mixture thickens. BE CAREFUL AS IT BURNS EASILY! Pour into baked shell and cool - sprinkle with cinnamon. Refrigerate.
FRENCH CHOCOLATE MOUSSE 200g dark chocolate 3 eggs separated
1 box orly whip / cream 1 tablespoon sugar
Melt the chocolate either in a double boiler or in the microwave. Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff. Whip the orly whip / cream with the sugar until thick. Gradually add the melted chocolate to the beaten egg yolks, then using a whisk, fold in the orly whip. Lastly using the whisk, gently add the egg whites. Pour into a glass bowl and chill till set. AUSTRALIAN PAVLOVA 1 cup egg whites 2 cups sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla
pinch of cream of tartar or salt 1 teaspoon white vinegar 1 level dessert spoonful corn flour
Preheat oven to 200c. Grease a 23/25cm spring-form tin or baking dish. Beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar or salt until thick, then very, very gradually, beat in the sugar and keep beating until mixture is glossy and stiff. Add the vanilla and vinegar; beat a little longer then fold in the corn flour. Carefully pile the meringue into the prepared tin / dish and gently spread to fill the tin and smooth the top. Reduce oven heat to 125degC and immediately place pavlova into the oven for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tin. Top with cream and fruit. ToppIng: Whip the cream and sugar until stiff. 1 cup cream or orly whip 1 cup chopped pineapple
2 teaspoons sugar Pulp of 3 granadillas
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COMMUNITY NEWS
HASHALOM JULY 2020 | 31
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COMMUNITY NEWS
SOCIAL & PERSONAL BIRTHS Mazeltov to: Larry Goldberg on the birth of a grandson.
BIRTHDAYS Mazeltov to: Andy Bernstein on her 60th birthday. Glen Sol on celebrating his 70th birthday. Lynette Douglas on celebrating her 80th birthday.
ENGAGEMENT Maseltov to: Matthew & Karen Krausey on the engagement of their son Asher.
ANNIVERSARY Mazeltov to: Bernard (Dov) and Ra’aya Goodman on their silver anniversary.
DEATHS Condolences to: Sean Moss on the passing of his father Hilton in Johannesburg. Jonathan, Martin, Carole and Kenneth Kaplan on the passing of their mother Sylvia.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR I would like to thank Judy for the enjoyment I have had - and the many fabulous meals - over many years all because of her “Cooking with Judy and Linda” articles in Hashalom. I have a scrapbook dedication to her articles which I refer to often, and I have yet to find a disappointing recipe.I wish her a happy retirement. Thank you once again. Regards, Hymie Herr
JOB SEEKER Good afternoon Due to Covid-19 I am currently working half-day for a Real Estate Company, unfortunately this has put a huge financial strain on me as I have two children to support. I am currently seeking new secure employment where I can work to my full potential. I have been an executive PA in the Real Estate Industry for over 10 years. I have been in sales and customer service for over 5 years. I have a paralegal diploma and obtained 12 distinctions in the assignments and exams. I am also a skilled typist with 80 words per minute and zero errors. I am loyal, honest and very reliable. I enjoy being busy. I work hard and I get things done. My cell phone number is 0677665655. Thank you Robyn Nel
LET US ADD YOU TO HASHALOM’S JOB SEEKER DIRECTORY, ITS FREE
• Send us your name • Skill Set • Contact Details Email by the 10th of every month to be included in the next edition
email: hashalom@djc.co.za
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