OUR COMMUNITY | OUR PEOPLE | OUR MAGAZINE
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2.
Editorial
3.
Special Feature
6.
Through Your Eyes
8.
My Full Life as a Blind Man
10.
Lively Landscapes
12.
Back 2 Basics
13.
Health
EDITORIAL BY HAYLEY LIEBERTHAL
14. History 16. Above Board 17.
Bubkes
18.
Durban Jewish Social Services
19. UJC 20. Eden 21. DUHC 22. DPJC 23. Divote 24 KNZC 25. Wotsup Wizo 26. Union of Jewish Women 27.
DGHC
28. Beth Shalom 29. Cooking with Judy and Linda 30. 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 DECEMBER EDTION: 9 NOVEMBER 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
First aid box of happiness Whilst checking the stock of our home first aid box - which is mostly making sure I have enough Disney character plasters for my threenager - a thought came to mind: “is my metaphorical first aid kit stocked?” When my soul aches, what kind of first aid do I need? The love of family and friends usually does the trick. They really are the best proverbial Band Aids. It then occurred to me that the reverse is also true: I can be the salve for my loved-ones’ souls when they are feeling sad. It’s important, then, to make sure that I have enough happiness to spare. If I don’t do things that I enjoy and that keep me energised from within, what would happen? Simply put, I wouldn’t be myself, and therefore I wouldn’t be able to be the support that my loved-ones’ need. Life is always on-the-go and over the past few months our lives were flipped into what can only be described as a parallel universe of chaos and confusion. It is crucial for all of us to stop and take stock of our personal needs, and ensure that our emotional first aid kits are well stocked. Being happy and fulfilled is as vital as disinfectant pads, a roll of Micropore or a good pair of tweezers. According to a two-decade long study (that’s a whopping 20 years) conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, happiness is contagious! In fact, it’s not only highly contagious, but online communities such as social media platforms may actually increase its magnitude. Making yourself happy will in turn make those around you happy and create a beautiful pay-it-forward effect. But how do we make ourselves happy in a world with so much uncertainty, especially when stressors are at an all-time high? A great way to do this is to read! If you have already read all your Hashalom editions cover to cover, then I suggest you open your web browser and type “feel good stories”. Don’t be stunned at how many come up because you will see an array of websites and there will be something to lighten your heart, mind and soul and I have no doubt you will you find yourself hitting the “share” button. Sharing really is caring ❤ Meanwhile, enjoy this latest issue filled with feel-good stories and updates from our wonderful community.
SPECIAL FEATURE
HASHALOM NOVEMBER 2020
LIFE HACK – THE UNIVERSITY OF LIFE BY HAYLEY LIEBERTHAL
Life hack noun Definition of life hack informal : a usually simple and clever tip or technique for accomplishing some familiar task more easily and efficiently “Life hacks,” as they are known, are all about eliminating life’s manifold frustrations in simple and deliciously clever ways. The best involve tricks that are free, efficient and stunningly obvious in retrospect, deploying household items (like the humble toilet roll) for purposes beyond their wildest aspirations.Michael Koziol, Merriam-Webster dictionary
Our time is precious and life hacks are essential in making our days more productive and hassle-free. However, not all life hacks are proven to work for you and so the Hashalom team, along with some community members, are sharing our tried and tested life hacks to bring you the ultimate guide in life hacks that work.
Want to ripen your tomatoes faster? Place them in a box with a ripe banana. The banana will release ethylene gas and speed up the ripening process.
Keeping it fresh Durban humidity isn’t kind to our fresh produce. If you are tired of buying fruit and vegetables that wilt by the next day, fill a container with water, add a pinch of salt and place your veggies in the mix. The salt water solution works wonders for green veggies like celery, cabbage and lettuce and keeps them fresh and crispy for days. The same can be done for unused half an avocado by placing it in a small container with only an inch or two of water. It will keep it nice and soft and won’t turn brown.
Putting citrus fruits and tomatoes in the fridge degrades their aroma and flavour. Instead, opt for room temperatures. Added bonus, the bright colours give your kitchen a burst of colour.
Sue Jacobson has the perfect solution for keeping the fridge and freezer cool during load shedding: “Put some ice and salt in a Ziplock bag. Close the bag and put a few in your fridge and freezer. It will keep everything cold for longer and great for the cooler box when travelling.”
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SPECIAL FEATURE
We all love flowers, however there comes a point when they suddenly droop and the vase gets mucky. That is, until you try Rina’s flower mixture. Add a teaspoon each of Jik, vinegar and sugar to the vase; your flowers will keep fresh for longer and the vase won’t get that gooey coating.
From cooking to cleaning Have you tried to make your perfect boiled or poached egg, but no matter what you do it’s just not right for you? Once the water has started to boil set your egg timer or stopwatch according to the picture below and you will get egg-actly what you like.
For a quick clean, Lorna Harris mixes dishwashing liquid and water in spray bottle: “The spray bottle is such a pleasure to use when you have a few items to wash up. You also save time and money by not filling the sink with water or over using the dishwashing liquid; it’s also great for cleaning your car.” Lorna also keeps a damp microfiber cloth nearby for a quick and easy shine on black or mirror surfaces....
When life happens and you forget to add the spray and cook to the shopping list, open your fridge and pantry cupboard and try Rina Groer’s perfect ‘Pan Release’ instead.
If you have a child that tends to draw on walls or floors with crayons, you don’t have to struggle scrubbing away. Plug in the hairdryer, heat the masterpiece, and wipe away.
115g (1/2 cup) room temperature margarine 125g (1/2 cup) sunflower oil 70g (1/2 cup) flour “Mix all together. Store in small containers. Keep one for the fridge, and freeze the rest. When you’re going to bake, bring the pan release to room temperature. Use a brush to smear your pan. Works like a charm!”
Laundry and money-saving life hacks As hard as you try not to get grease on your clothes, it can still happen. But don’t fret about finding expensive stain-removers; simply take a page out of Sue’s life hack book: “If you get grease on your clothes, soak them in Dettol. Takes it right out!” Those with dry skin should follow Lorna’s hack of mixing shampoo and conditioner into a plunger bottle: it makes a wonderful shower gel and moisturiser. Left over fresh herbs about to go to waste? Fill an ice cube tray with oil or butter, chop up the herbs and freeze until the next time you need to cook.
In and around the home Leanne Antoine has a quick and effortless way to remove wax from glass candle holders: “You know the little glass candle holders most of us use for Shabbat? It can be quite a mission to get the left over wax out, but not if you put them in the freezer for an hour or so. Then you bang them on the kitchen counter (not too hard), and the wax falls right out.”
You need not spend Rands on expensive body scrubs with Leanne’s twoingredient hand and body exfoliator. Mix a tablespoon or more of sugar with hand or body lotion for a quick and highly effective scrub.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
If you find that you are always looking for a missing sock, create a lost sock board. Tie a piece of ribbon around a piece of cardboard or a pin board. When you find a lonely sock, hang it over the string and in time the missing mate will show up to join it. Empty Tic Tac boxes come in really handy for storing just about anything from safety pins, sewing needles, buttons, arts and crafts supplies to lose change for the next time you see a tzedeka box.
HASHALOM NOVEMBER 2020
Bicarb is also a wonder for cleaning scorched pots. Add a few teaspoons to the pot with boiling water and wait a few minutes before you wash it out. Rina increases her washing powder by adding a large box of bicarbonate with a packet (about 500 grams) of course salt: “Mix it all together with your washing powder and you have stretched your washing powder quite far.” She also uses it for cleaning silverware and advises to place tin foil in a silver dish, pierce some holes in the foil and add 2-4 teaspoons of bicarb followed by boiling water. She says it’s imperative that the silverware must touch the foil so that it gets the job done right. Thereafter, rinse in warm water and dry immediately.
The many uses of Bicarbonate of Soda Bicarbonate of soda is an all-round useful powerhouse that can be used not only around the home, but also for personal hygiene. For troubled skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and even sunburns, add bicarb to your bath and soak for about 30mins. Always apply a moisturiser afterwards as the bicarb can leave your skin feeling dry afterwards. Fruits and veg may come with pesticides and rinsing them in a bowl of water and a pinch of bicarb will leave your produce fresh and clean of any unwanted products.
5
THROUGH YOUR EYES
Umhlanga Tourism’s mascot Humphrey on Chartwell Drive with his owner, Alwyn Immerman. Picture: MH
SAFE: Alwyn Immerman wears one of the special Humphrey SPCA & Umhlanga masks
A paw-sitive influence BY LAUREN SHAPIRO
No one exactly knows Humphrey Immerman’s pedigree (the word terrier has been thrown about), but anyone who’s met him can tell you exactly what kind of dog he is. He’s a warm, loving, patient soul with a special mission on this earth
W
hen this local canine celebrity was last featured in Hashalom in July 2018, he had raised a staggering R340 000 for the SPCA and had just been appointed as an Umhlanga Tourism Ambassador. Today, the priceless pooch has pulled in R710 000, and is well on his way to his R1 million target. From homeless to hero Humphrey was found wandering the streets of Phoenix in 2011 and taken to the SPCA, where Alwyn Immerman adopted him. A pharmacist by profession, Alwyn nursed Humphrey back to both physical and emotional health. The following year - in honour of Mandela Day - Alwyn reckoned Humphrey could put in his 67 minutes looking adorable to collect a few coins for the SPCA from pharmacy patrons. Humphrey was a hit, and has since worked a regular beat at Umhlanga MediSport. Together, he and his human have received a vocational award from the Rotary Club of Umhlanga as well as a certificate of appreciation from the SPCA. Such Nachas Humphrey has become a fixture in the Jewish community as well, having put his paw forward as a senior fundraiser for Chabad of Umhlanga Rocks and occasionally even joining Alwyn in CSO duty. “I want him to be one of the few dogs that do tzedaka,” Alwyn says. “He’s a lesson to people that there are many ways to help others.” It seems mazal tovs are in order. “When I adopted him in 2011, he wasn’t a puppy,” Alwyn puts it delicately. The hound is now likely nearing his bar mitzvah and – pandemic
dependent – plans are underway to celebrate the simcha. Flattening the curve Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Humphrey visited schools, homes for the elderly, sheltered employment and children with special needs, bringing hope and joy wherever he went. Since lockdown, Humphrey has been doing his part to flatten the curve whilst spreading the same hope and joy. He’s now the poster pup of the pandemic, with his lovable face featured on a range of “I [heart] Humphrey” branded face masks. Alwyn and Humphrey were recently nominated for the News24/Adcock Ingram OTC “Sponsors of Brave” award, celebrating healthcare professionals who have gone above and beyond the day-to-day call of duty. The pair made it to the top ten out of 3800 entries, and the SPCA received R5000 for their efforts. Big plans The SPCA was badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, so Humphrey is redoubling his efforts to help his lost and lonely friends. Prior to lockdown, Alwyn was working on an event inspired by the successful Honouring Humphrey Big Walk on the Umhlanga promenade in 2018. This time, he’s planning a 25km route from Umhlanga to Ushaka, with the aim of raising even more awareness and funding for the SPCA. He hopes that, once it is safe to do so, the walk will still take place. For now, he and Humphrey have resumed their daily sunrise walks on the prom. Like and follow Humphrey’s journey: www.facebook.com/ HumphreyImmerman/
Help Humphrey become a dog in a million Pop into Umhlanga MediSport on Thursdays or Sundays to drop a contribution into the collection box, or donate to: A IMMERMAN Alternatively, donate directly to the SPCA: ABSA acc 0100 3711 133 Durban and Coast SPCA Reference: “Paw”sitive FNB acc 6208 7236 925 All proceeds go towards the PLEASE text Alwyn on 083 792 4709 Durban and Coast SPCA. so he can add the amount to the running total
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Local writer Brenda Bryden is currently working on a biography of this incredible dog.
COMMUNITY NEWS
HASHALOM NOVEMBER 2020
7
MY FULL LIFE AS A BLIND MAN BY JONATHAN ABRO
I
n 1992, aged 25, I met up with my parents in Colorado. As I was driving them around, my father said to me, “You just went through a red light!”
I replied, “What light?” That was the beginning of a journey I could never have imagined. I returned to South Africa. A battery of tests revealed I had an eye condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). I haven’t driven since. I spent the next few years working in IT. South African public transport was erratic, I would hitchhike if there were no buses. Colleagues would offer to fetch me, usually turning up late. I decided I could not live where I could not lead an independent life. Fortunately, my mentor invited me to work in the UK. I joined the RP Society, now RetinaUK and built them a website which I ran for 15 years. I learned that even though I could see and do everything apart from drive,
no-one could tell me what the future held and that RP could lead to blindness. That was a very scary prospect to be facing in my twenties when I was supposed to be thinking about life ahead of me. Being a single Jewish man new to London I was constantly set up on blind dates – excuse the pun! My first lesson in bias was someone not wanting to meet me after hearing about my eyes. From then on the first thing I told any date was about RP. This was a good lesson in being bold: RP is just part of what makes me who I am. The best and last such date was set up as a friendship. I was reluctant, as was Annie, but we met for coffee at her flat. We got off to a good start with Annie shrugging a “so what” at learning of my RP and then making me, a coffee snob, a great cup of coffee. 23 years later we still have much to talk about. RP starts with losing central or peripheral vision or, as
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COMMUNITY NEWS
HASHALOM NOVEMBER 2020
mostly by bus, taking in the vastness of Antarctica along with its characterful penguins, the mysteries of Easter Island and Machu Pichu and the wonders of the Galapagos. I still had enough vision to continue with my passion of photography, moving from my trusty Canon to a large screen digital camera. In 2014 everything changed when, in Havana, I took out my camera to take a photo and could not see the screen. That was devastating! It was yet another step in my vision journey, but would not stop us from travelling. In 2016 I completed a journey I am immensely proud of: we climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to celebrate my 50th birthday and raise funds for RP research. Standing on the summit, watching the sunrise, even with the last remains of my peripheral vision, was incredible. Climbing down was one of the most difficult and exhausting things I have ever done! I have no depth perception so my guide had to tell me where to put my feet every step of the way. I’ve had to learn the hard lessons of bias and how to cope with being a blind man. My career went well until my eyesight worsened. Despite using screen readers, people assume that with my vision loss went my ability to carry out my role with the same efficiency I had shown in the past.
in my case, the ring in between. Like looking through a bagel: you can see through the centre and around the edge, but there is something in the way between that. I remember standing on Putney Bridge trying to figure out where the tunnel was that people were walking through. I finally realised it was my area of blindness that they were disappearing into. By 1998 my vision had deteriorated further and, though I could see a little, I was Registered Blind. What felt like an awful event was a really important step. Another lifechanging moment was in 2006 when I used a White Cane for the first time. I went from being that rude man who bumped into people to being someone with a Vision Impairment who people should get out of the way of or even offer help to. Walking stopped being so stressful and scary: what an amazing moment. Travel is a great passion. Annie and I have had amazing adventures, from “51 Days East” in China, Mongolia and Tibet to travelling the Trans-Siberian railway to Irkutsk and Lake Baikal in Siberia. We spent 388 days travelling from Antarctica to LA,
I’m always trying to improve awareness of accessibility and ability. Working with Richard Verber of United Synagogue to ensure their newsletter is accessible to me and people with other impairments has been both positive and successful. It shows how “attitude is everything” and where people are receptive to learning they can make a positive difference in people’s lives. Without being able to read, the challenge in Shul is about listening and praying. As I don’t know the Services all by heart it is very special when someone offers to read the Silent Amidah out loud for me to hear or when a man nearby annunciates so beautifully and clearly that I can partake and he only becomes aware when I thank him. The fantastic way the US, Rabbis and communities have embraced technology during the pandemic has made so much more available online allowing me to participate. World Sight Day, on Thursday, October 8, draws attention to blindness and visual impairment. This year’s theme is Hope In Sight. Being blind is very tough and I can never turn it off. I hope that scientists will find a treatment for RP, but know I can’t sit around and wait for them. I hope sighted people will use their vision positively, offering help to a blind person without fear of being rebuffed. Receiving a “no thanks” shouldn’t put you off helping the next blind person. Thank you to all of you who do this!
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T
he foundation of a lively garden, teeming with butterflies, bees, birds and graced with an occasional visit by the local gaggle of mongooses, is healthy soil.
However, healthy fertile soil is not just about dirt and worms, in fact, it goes much deeper than than that. Fertile soil hosts underground plant and animal activity such as fungi and earthworms and tends to be darker in colour and crumbles off the roots of plants when unearthed. It is rich in organic material and is often said to consist of living, recently dead and very dead material. The “living” portion of soil consists of plant roots, microbes and other living organisms that break down organic material to improve soil structure. “Recently dead” material refers to deceased soil organisms, green plant material like fallen leaves and fresh manures that decompose and release nutrients quickly. Humus – the final residue of organic matter breakdown – makes up the “very dead” portion and plays a key role in disease suppression and soil structure. The simplest way of cultivating healthy soil is by earthfriendly gardening practices such as planting indigenous vegetation, mulching and saying no to pesticides. Hashalom sat down with landscaper, Jenny Dean from Jenny Dean Wild Flowers to chat about earth-friendly gardening. If her name sounds familiar, it’s because Jenny created the DJC’s water-wise garden last year which was featured in the September, 2019 edition of Hashalom (A new garmet for the Grand Old Lady). As we see in other spheres of life, every action has a knock-on effect. From the fertile soil grows flourishing plants that produce flowers, fruit and seeds which in turn
attract birds, bees and insects. In a healthy eco-system, critters classified as pests due to their appetite for our favourite plants – like snails or caterpillars – have natural predators to keep them in check but if exterminated by means of pesticide, animals that feed on “pests” as well as the living organisms in the compost you just brought home from the nursery, also perish at the hand of these nonselective slayers. Snail bait is effective in killing unwanted mollusks, but did you know that it also kills the olive thrush that ends up eating the poisoned snail? A better solution is found in the kitchen: rather than trashing eggshells, crush and sprinkle the shells in the flower beds as snails despise crawling over these sharp objects and will avoid the area at all cost. Jenny draws a clear distinction between indigenous and sterile plants. She says exotic plants are sterile, meaning they are of no use to the soil or any part of the native eco-system as they add no value. While indigenous plants and animals have evolved together over millennia, supporting one another and fertilising the native soil to survive, sterile plants add no value to the environment, extracting water and nutrients from the soil without replenishing it. Here in Durban, some of the most popular sterile plants include Crotons, Acalypha wilkesiana (copperleaf/ Jacob’s coat), Monstera deliciosa (delicious monster/ Swiss cheese plant), Aglaonema (Chinese evergreens) and Duranta (Sheena’s gold). These exotic plants don’t do your garden any favours and should be declined in favour of its indigenous counterparts.
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HASHALOM NOVEMBER 2020
Xylotheca kraussiana (African dog rose tree) with its beautiful flowers and woody fruits is a great plant to bring nature back to your garden as it hosts the Acraea butterfly that brings with it a micro eco-system of its own. Although the caterpillars that hatch from eggs laid by this fluttering beauty feed on the tree’s leaves, they also attract and are eaten by Diederik and Klaas cuckoos. African dog rose trees should be planted close to the house to ensure a clear view of the birds it attracts. Also known as the “Engen One-Stop” for birds, Fuchsia excorticate (tree fuchsia) attracts both nectar and fruit eating birds while the various species of Anthericum grasses (affectionately known as fairy grass) not only attracts seed eating birds, but is also ideal for planting on banks as it holds soil. For gardeners who have an affinity for grasslands gardens, Jenny recommends Melinis repens (Natal red top grass) as it serves both as a source of food for seed eating birds as well as nesting when the red tops turn silver. Many of the grasses that are currently fashionable are sterile and should therefore be avoided. While gradually replacing exotic plants with indigenous alternatives, Jenny has one more piece of advice for cultivating healthy soil: “lose the rake and skoffel!” So where to from here? Grewia occidentalis (crossberry), with its star-like pink flowers, is a wonderful small indigenous tree that hosts 19 moth species, two butterfly species and bears fruit for birds. Dracaena aletriformis (large leaf dragon tree) adds lush greenery to shady areas and produces sweetly scented, tiny yellow-green flowers during summer, followed by orange berries that attract birds, especially robin-chats.
Tilling soil disturbs the balance in the soil and can damage or even kill plants. Jenny says soil should be covered with mulch or ground covers and left undisturbed - as nature intended. When tilling, bottom soil is brought to the top and vice versa, exposing soil that doesn’t need sun to sunlight and plunging soil that requires sunlight, into darkness. It also damages feeder roots and releases carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
EXOTIC PLANTS TO AVOID
Delicious Monster
Acalypha
Sheena’s gold
Aglaonema
INDIGENOUS ALTERNATIVES
Anthericum
Crossberry
African dog rose tree
Large leaf dragon tree
Natal red top grass
Tree fuchsia
11
BACK 2 BASICS
CAMPING IN COMFORT
D
BY JACQUELINE HERBST
o you recall how much hard work camping used to be in the past? Back in the day when the Sharp Pocket Computer, the Apple Macintosh 128K and the floppy disk were the pinnacle of high tech; when every cool kid had to own a Nintendo Game Boy and a Sony Walkman (a Barbie Rocker for the girls), not forgetting the cringe-worthy fashion trends like snow jeans, box jackets and big hair were all the rage?
mobile devices charged and even power a hairdryer or straightening iron to keep the Mrs.Instagram-ready. Imagine going on an extensive overland trip to isolated parts of Mozambique or Botswana and being able to savour ice-cold beers and wine after a long day on the beach or hiking trail, or perhaps succulent aged steaks under the stars and ice-cream to treat the kids. Solar gadgets that will change your camping life
Those were the days when camping meant exerting Herculean strength to pitch a tent, surviving on field ration pack (rat packs) type meals or “refrigerating” perishables on ice in a cooler box which would inevitably melt leaving the contents of food looking like an ill-fated ship’s life rafts, waiting to be pulled from the icy waters.
A definite must-have when adventuring in remote areas where there is little or no water infrastructure – or even parts of our own country - is a solar water purifier. Water from pristine mountain streams is mostly safe to drink, but even those streams could potentially carry bacteria that may lead to diarrhoea and spoiling a fantastic getaway.
In the dark ages of camping, light was a luxury and because you forgot to pack spare batteries for the flashlight that had just died moments before, you found yourself searching hopelessly in the dark for your toothbrush whilst asking yourself sincerely if it was better to have a cold shower or no shower at all until returning to the creature comforts of home.
With a solar powered car battery you can say goodbye to the days of worrying if your car will start up again after many days of standing still. Just remember to keep it plugged in to maintain the car battery’s charge as it’s always a long walk to the nearest battery centre when both run flat.
Fortunately, today there is a gadget for everything. Technological advancement in outdoor living has over the years dramatically revolutionized the camping experience, making it possible for even the most finicky city slickers to go back to basics and embrace their inner Yossi Ghinsberg.
Another camping wonder is the inflatable lantern which takes up very little space in your backpack when deflated, it’s also waterproof and thus making it a necessity for when those evening thunder storms roll in – let’s not forget that it provides up to 12 hours of light so you can stay up all night, reading that new book you bought for the trip.
Mazeltov to the invention of solar backpacks to charge your mobile devices while hiking in the mountains to your overnight cave and l’chaim to pop-up tents and portable outdoor showers that make adventuring in the wild a lot more comfortable.
As previously mentioned, cold showers are the pits and there is nothing like a hot shower after a full day of exploring. A solar shower is a lot more cost-effective than the various pressurised camping showers on the market and is also user-friendly. Simply fill it up with water and hang it up in the sun for a while to allow the solar panel to do its thing. Ideally you may want to set up camp near a water source as these contraptions can be heavy and difficult to carry when full.
Perhaps the biggest game changer of all is the portable solar pack. Thanks to this technological marvel, there is no reason to be without electricity for your next off the grid holiday adventure; you can charge your LED lights, keep the portable fridge/freezer running, keep all your
Isn’t camping in the 21st century heavenly?
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HASHALOM NOVEMBER 2020
HEALTH
PART TWO:
FOOD PREP BY HAYLEY LIEBERTHAL
B
elieve it or not, how we prepare the food we eat has a profound impact on how our bodies absorb the nutritional content they hold. In this second edition of how to derive maximum nutritional value from the food we eat, we highlight the importance of how some foods should be prepped in order to achieve the greatest benefit from them. Strawberries: eat whole Strawberries are best eaten whole, and eating only eight of them will give you more vitamin C than an orange. However, slicing up this summer fruit which is sodium-free, fat-free, and cholesterol-free will diminish their nutritional value. When strawberries are sliced, they are exposed to light and oxygen which ultimately causes the breakdown of their high vitamin C content. If you are serving them as part of your dinner meal to guests, preferably leave intact or wash and cut the strawberries right before you use them.
(all of them) contain good sources of vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium and folate, while garlic is rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6, thiamine, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, copper and manganese. Let’s not forget that both are low in calories and add flavour to any dish without having to add additional ingredients like butter or salt. However, did you know that crushing, chopping or mincing an onion or garlic releases alliinase, which is an enzyme that helps form a nutrient called allicin, which in turn when eaten helps form other compounds that may protect us against diseases by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure and helping to prevent chronic conditions including cancer and cardiovascular disease. Various research has been conducted on the benefits of eating garlic raw; from these scientific studies, many recommend leaving the crushed or chopped garlic to stand for at least 10 minutes, to allow enzyme-catalysed reactions to occur before the cooking process.
Flax seeds: grind
Potatoes: best served cold
Flax seed is the perfect example of how dynamite comes in small packages. Not only are they considered a ‘superfood’, but one tablespoon (approximately seven grams) of ground flax seed contains two grams of polyunsaturated fatty acids (one of the omega 3’s), two grams of dietary fibre and equates to a mere 37 calories. To get the best out of this powerful SEED, you will want to grind them before you eat them, as the hulls are incredibly hard which if eaten whole will result in them just passing through you undigested with no benefit whatsoever. Top tip: buying pre-ground flax seeds comes at a risk of them losing their potency. It is best to buy them whole, grind them as needed or keep additional packets in the freezer. (Calling it a grain is controversial)
Potatoes are rated as a high glycaemic index (GI) food. In a nutshell, high GI foods contain carbohydrates that are digested quickly which lead to a spike and then dip in blood sugar affecting insulin levels. It is for this reason that researchers began to look at the effects of eating potato cold. Research reported in the Medical Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that when potatoes are cooled overnight the chemical structure of the potato is altered and forms a resistant starch - a type of fermentable fibre that may lower blood sugar levels after a meal – turning it from a ‘bad’ carb into a ‘good’ one!!
Garlic and onion: chop, crush and mince Garlic and onions are nutritional powerhouses, onions
Keep your eyes peeled for the December edition of Hashalom, as we delve into the final edition of healthy eating and highlight the importance of pairing foods so that you and your loved ones continue getting the most nutritional benefit possible, and ensuring a healthy lifestyle for years to come.
13
HISTORY
NOVEMBER IN HISTORY 1 Nov
1210
King John of England begins imprisoning Jews.
2 Nov
1898
Theodor Herzl arrives in Jerusalem.
3 NOV
1956
After several days of fighting during the Suez Crisis, Israeli forces capture the Gaza Strip.
4 NOV
1977
UN Security Council proclaims weapon embargo against South Africa.
5 NOV
1930
Jewish actress Norma Shearer won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in The Divorcee, becoming the first Jewish American woman to win an Academy Award.
6 NOV
1962
UN General Assembly adopts resolution condemning South Africa.
7 NOV
1918
The SS Talune arrives in Western Samoa. The acting port officer at Apia was unaware that there was a severe epidemic at the ship’s departure point in Auckland. All passengers disembarked from the ship, including six who were infected with influenza.
8 NOV
1937
The Nazi exhibition Der ewige Jude (The Eternal Jew) opens in Munich.
9 NOV
1938
Kristallnacht or Night of Broken Glass riot broke out with a message from Heinrich Muller to the SA and SS commanders to use “most extreme measures” were to be taken against the Jewish people. The windows of about 7,500 Jewish stores and businesses were shattered and close to 100 Jews died during the pogrom.
10 NOV
1871
Henry Morton Stanley meets David Livingstone at Ujiji, near Lake Tanganyika in Central Africa,
11 NOV
1942
Jews in the Free Zone of France ordered to wear
12 NOV
1975
Jewish Maccabean and Olympic gold medallist Jason Lezak is born.
13 NOV
1856
Birthday of the first Jewish Supreme court Justice, Louis D. Brandeis
14 NOV
1935
Nazis deprive German Jews of their citizenship.
with the immortal words: “Dr Livingstone, I presume?”
a yellow star of David.
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HASHALOM NOVEMBER 2020
HISTORY
15 NOV
1727
New York General Assembly permits Jews to omit the phrase “Upon the faith of a Christian” from abjuration oath (a renunciation or abandonment by or upon oath of one’s citizenship or some other right or privilege).
16 NOV
2002
The first case of SARS is recorded in Guangdong Province, China,
17 NOV
1959
De Beers of South Africa announces the synthetic diamond.
18 NOV
1970
Jewish born Chemist, biochemist, Nobel Peace prize and Nobel chemistry prize winner, Linus Pauling, declares large doses of vitamin C could ward off colds.
19 NOV
1942
Birth: Jewish fashion designer Calvin Klein, New York City, New York, USA.
though is not identified until much later.
1949
Jewish population of Israel reached 1 million; 1.5 years
21 NOV
164BC
During Maccabean revolt, Judas Maccabaeus recaptures Jerusalem and rededicates the Second
22 NOV
1918
Polish forces attack Jewish community of Lemberg
23 NOV
1928
Birth: Jewish American musical theatre composer Jerrold Lewis “Jerry” Bock, winner of the
24 NOV
1905
Jewish photographer Alfred Stiegllitz, who was instrumental in making photography an
25 NOV
1357
Charles IV issues a letter of protection of Jews of Strasbourg Alsace.
26 NOV
1940
Nazi Germany began cordoning off the Jewish Ghetto in Warsaw.
27 NOV
1952
28 NOV
1963
The Beatles “She Loves You” returns to #1 in UK record chart and reaches 1 million copies sold.
29 NOV
1349
Jews of Augsburg Germany are massacred.
30 NOV
1938
Germany bars Jews from practising as lawyers.
20 NOV
after Israel is declared a Jewish State.
Temple, commemorated since as Jewish festival Chanukah.
Tony Award for Best Composer and Lyricist for the 1964 musical Fiddler on the Roof.
accepted art form, opens the Little Galleries of the Photo-Secession in Manhattan, New York.
Birth: First president of Israel, Dr Chaim Azriel Weizmann is born in Motal, Russian Empire (now Belarus).
*Whilst we do our utmost to ensure that all information is correct, errors can occur.
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ABOVE BOARD ever, we rely on community members to alert us to all incidents that they experience or otherwise become aware of. When reporting these cases (write to sajbd@ sajbd.org), it is vital to include as much detail as possible, including any information that might help in identifying and tracking down the perpetrators. In Memoriam
Hate speech under the spotlight Hate speech cases in South Africa have been on hold since the Supreme Court of Appeal declared last November that sections of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act to be unconstitutional. In September the Constitutional Court convened to adjudicate this all-important matter (Qwelane versus SA Human Rights Commission and Another, 13/20). A complex matter, it entailed doing a difficult balancing act between determining where to draw the line between legitimate freedom of expression and hateful speech that violates equality and human dignity. The outcome will have significant ramifications for how the SAJBD approaches the courts in terms of confronting antisemitism, as well as for our current longrunning complaint against Cosatu International Relations secretary Bongani Masuku. Consequently, the Board worked with the SA Holocaust and Genocide Centre, who were an amicus curia in the case, to ensure that the concerns of our community were given expression.
The last few months have seen the passing of three longserving and much esteemed Board members, Rabbi Avraham Tanzer, Judge Ralph Zulman and Dr Micky Hellman, all of whom made a unique imprint on our community. Rabbi Tanzer, as Chief Rabbi Goldstein aptly put it, was “a builder par excellence, and the thriving institutions he left behind are eloquent testimony to everything he achieved”. Amongst many other positions held, he served on the SAJBD Gauteng Council for some thirty years, during which time he was an unfailing source of guidance and support to successive generations of Board leaders. Judge Zulman combined a stellar career on the Bench with over three decades of dedicated service to the Jewish community. It is largely thanks to him, and people like him, that the SAJBD has been able over the decades to realise its mandate of ensuring the safety and upholding the civil rights of SA Jewry, while also preserving and promoting the heritage of the community in general. Dr Hellman, before retiring to Cape Town a few years ago, was the popular and much respected chairman of our Free State committee. They will all three be missed.
Returning to ‘normal’ On the Covid-19 front, South Africans are cautiously adapting to a situation where ‘normal’ pre-lockdown life is being resumed, but where the pandemic itself is still far from over. That our own community has seen an upsurge in infections in recent weeks is a warning to all of us to continue to conduct our daily affairs with due care and caution. ‘Normality’ unfortunately also means having to deal with higher levels of such things as crime, road accidents and, in our case, antisemitic incidents. These have ranged from online threats and insults, direct verbal abuse, bullying in the schools and graffiti, not to mention the bizarre inclusion of a stereotypically antisemitic image in an African Languages university workbook. Working where necessary with the CSO, we have followed up on all these cases or are in the process of doing so. As
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16 | OUR COMMUNITY, OUR PEOPLE, OUR MAGAZINE
COMMUNITY NEWS BUBKES
HASHALOM NOVEMBER 2020 We humans are awfully independent and proudly protective of our autonomy and self-determination and all that jazz, but when we’re hit with something our scientists can’t manage, we turn to Hashem. He breathed life into man and woman. He still does so every single day. He can take it away by drowning us in an enormous flood, or by asphyxiating us with a tiny virus. Every breath is a blessing. A miracle. When will we learn to make the most of every breath? Noach did his best. As the only righteous man, “perfect in his generations”, he saved humanity. But it wasn’t without sacrifice. He lost everything that was familiar and safe. He was cooped up on that ark for nearly a year with no certainty of salvation. And he didn’t even have Uber Eats.
L
ike an annual event, this time of year I find myself inundated by paintings, drawings, cut-outs and various arts and crafts depicting animals, arks and rainbows that my kids bring home from school. This is all due to having just read the Torah portion of Noach (the anglophiles among you may drop the c). This is one of the more popular Bible stories, probably because of the charming imagery of animals marching two by two (hurrah, hurrah) and the ark floating merrily along above the hydrous annihilation of the planet. A nice, simple story, isn’t it? Very few “Thou shalt not”s and minutiae of sacrificial procedure. None of that tedious detail about legal statutes and fiduciary obligations. Animals, rain, salvation. Even kids can understand it, right? Yet this parsha (portion) is simultaneously one of the deepest and most insightful portions, because we are compelled to ponder the fragility of the world and the vulnerability of mankind. This year in particular, the story has taken on a whole new perspective as life as we know it has been washed away, leaving us adrift on a sea of uncertainty. Without wanting to push a point, “God saw the earth and behold it was corrupted” (Gen 6:12). Ringing any bells? He then decided to scrap the whole sorry project and start over. Today: corruption, ergo… But then why not another aquatic inundation, necessitating another ark? Perhaps this time there wasn’t enough gopher wood left (deforestation. Our bad). Perhaps because no one’s exactly sure how long a cubit is anymore. Maybe Hashem figured we would put the job out to tender, and we all know what happens then! Whatever the reason, it appears that this time Hashem has been more selectively devastating, and devastatingly selective. The biblical flood destroyed every living thing, from man to beast, bird and every thing that creeps on the ground, but the 2019 novel coronavirus seems aimed specifically at homo sapiens. While research shows that animals can contract COVID-19, it is far rarer and less fatal than in humans. (Nadia the Bronx Zoo tiger has recovered fully, thank you for asking.)
We, too, have had nearly a year of oppressive isolation with no clear end in sight, slapped by the repeated waves of the coronavirus. We have (at least temporarily) lost our economy, our commerce, our sports and recreations, our houses of learning, even our places of worship. But all of these can be rebuilt. Civilization starts in the home, and we’ve all been granted extended family responsibility leave to think, to learn, to make meaningful connections (even if it is through a screen). It’s made me realise that Noach wasn’t the only one with an ark. What is an ark, really? In English, it’s a kind of catch-all word for a vessel. Noah’s Ark (teva in Hebrew, incidentally the same word used to describe the reed basket in which Miriam floated her baby brother down the Nile) held the people and animals that were saved from oblivion; the Ark of the Covenant (Aron haKodesh in Hebrew) holds our treasured Torah scrolls. In this sense, an ark can be anything that houses something valuable. And now that we’ve had all this time on our hands to think, I wonder what we will choose to put in our own personal “arks”, those capacious repositories of our hearts, our sacred chests? What do we want to save from the devastations of modern life? Because life happens. The rainy day (literally or metaphorically) comes. The parsha tells us that “the windows of the heavens were opened”. This let the rain out, but you know what? It also let prayers in. That’s the thing about windows: they work both ways. I guess we could call this whole wretched situation a window of opportunity. Our flood hasn’t ended yet, but it will. This too shall pass. Perhaps in forty days and forty nights? Perhaps by 2021? Perhaps longer? But eventually, we will see the rainbow, the sign of Hashem’s promise never to give up on us again. The many colours of the rainbow signify the variety of people on earth. Because we are all unique and special (yes, your mommy was right), we will each experience this new “flood” differently. And at the end of all this, there will be a rainbow waiting for each of us. Let’s not lose our heads; we need to keep them above water (so to speak). If the Flood was one whopping huge mikvah, maybe this virus is somehow a means to a clean, fresh start for humanity. Thankfully, we have a say in how this turns out. We can fix this! When we pull together and take care of each other, we can overcome the virus and become better people, righteous and perfect in our generations. Not just until next time, but for all time.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
HASHALOM NOVEMBER 2020
Mazal Tov to Rabbi Itamar & Tagel, on the birth of a baby daughter ELISHEVA, sister to Achinoam & Raaya. We bid farewell to Orli Essers who is relocating to Johannesburg. Orli was involved with Bnei Akiva from a young child and continued as a madrich in the youth movement. He became one of the ‘legendary’ and long serving youth coordinators in Durban. Orli’s commitment to the Shul and community life are to be praised, keeping the connection to the shul for the 3rd generation in the family. Orli has been an active member of the CSO and shul choir, is a natural leader and an especially kind individual. We will miss him as he relocates to Johannesburg, a big loss for Durban, which is a big gain for Johannesburg. Hazlacha Raba Shul is BACK and Shul is SAFE. The UJC daily minyan has restarted with great success. Akiva College students were able to build a real Sukka, whilst learning the halachot and create decorations. 19
COMMUNITY NEWS
Although we were unable to celebrate the chagim in our usual way, our pupils still enjoyed learning about them. PJ Library and the Zionist Council spoilt the pupils with lovely gifts depicting the chagim, We are looking forward to our short holiday and then back to school for preparation for our end of year exams. Lehitraot.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
HASHALOM NOVEMBER 2020
THE CHAGGIM OF TISHREI: THREE WEEKS OF HAPPINESS BY MICHAEL GREENBAUM
A
lthough the pandemic presented a challenge this year to have the regular festive atmosphere that we have become accustomed to, we nevertheless prevailed under the strict health guidelines for Shuls and made the best of the High Holy Days and the Chaggim. While the Silverton Road Shul itself was not approved
by the UOS for services, a compliant temporary Shul was constructed on the terrace and we held services on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. As Silverton Road Shul services were restricted to 30 participants, services were intimate and meaningful for those attending. However, there was much joy in returning to Shul after 7 months. The DUHC was most fortunate to have Rabbi Itamar Greenblum doing shiurim through Zoom and WhatsApp before Rosh Hashanah and during the Chaggim. He spoke on the important spiritual themes and practical lessons to know about Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and the Chaggim of Sukkot and Shmini Atzeret. He said it is a mitzvah to learn and study the laws and customs of a Yom Tov or Festival thirty days before the start of the Chag. On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Rabbi Zekry and Chazan Martin Goldstein led the services each day. On Yom Kippur, an early pre-Yom Kippur Yizkor service was given on Zoom for those who could not attend Shul while a preYom Kippur Kol Nidrei was recited by our much-admired former Chazzan Yaron Kalmonowitz on Zoom from Israel. Rabbi Zekry had previously announced the two Sukkot awards which were awarded, firstly, to Norman Ganz for his dedication and commitment to our Shul; his longstanding service on the Shul Council; his regular Shul attendance and his pleasant disposition. The second recipient of the Sukkot Award was Michel Aronoff who received his award for being a most dedicated congregant whose love, commitment, generosity and support for the Shul and Yiddishkeit were instilled in him by his parents. We wish Norman and Michel much happiness and bracha for the future. On Erev Shemini Atzeret, an early pre-Shmini Atzeret Yizkor service was given on Zoom. While we all missed the singing and dancing of Simchat Torah, we enjoyed the informal atmosphere of Simchat Torah and this year we honoured Chatan Torah Mark Werner and Chatan Bereshit Sam Ziegler. The DUHC especially thanks Martin Goldstein for his outstanding leadership and organization of all the services and dedication to making the Chaggim a spiritual and meaningful experience for everyone. Farewell to Orli-Shein Essers We bid farewell to Orli-Shein Essers who is relocating to Johannesburg. From a young child, Orli has always been involved with Bnei Akiva and as a natural leader, he continued as a Madrich in the youth movement. He became a popular and long-serving Youth Coordinator in Durban. Orli’s commitment to the Shul and Jewish community life in Durban continue the connection his family has had in the past over three generations. Orli has been an active member of the CSO and the Shul Choir. We wish him hatzlacha raba in his new life in Johannesburg.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
After many months of online lessons, the parents and children of our Hebrew School enjoyed a pre Rosh Hashanah picnic on Saturday 12 September. After reciting the blessing, everyone tasted some apple and honey. It was wonderful hearing the sound of the Shofar thanks to Michelle Campbell and her son Jesse.
After many months of online lessons, the parents and children of our Hebrew School enjoyed a pre Rosh Hashanah picnic on Saturday 12 September.
After many months of online lessons, the parents and children of our Hebrew School enjoyed a pre Rosh Hashanah picnic on Saturday 12 September.
After reciting the blessing, everyone tasted some apple and honey. It was wonderful hearing the sound of the Shofar thanks to Michelle Campbell and her son Jesse.
After reciting the blessing, everyone tasted some apple and honey. It was wonderful hearing the sound of the Shofar thanks to Michelle Campbell and her son Jesse.
Pictured below are some of the our Cheder children who joined a
Zoom service for Yom Kippur.
22 | OUR COMMUNITY, OUR PEOPLE, OUR MAGAZINE
COMMUNITY NEWS
HASHALOM NOVEMBER 2020
A
pproximately two years ago on one of my visits to Israel, I met a remarkable young woman by the name of Shira. She had been badly injured in a terrorist attack and when I visited her in her home, I brought a DIVOTE bag full of gifts and letters from high school students at a Jewish school in Johannesburg. After being badly injured in the attack, Shira was rushed to hospital. In the emergency room the doctors x-rayed her before taking her into surgery. When they examined her x-rays, they saw that Shira had a cancerous tumour; Baruch Hashem this miracle happened so that they could find and remove the tumour while it was still small. There had been no sign of the cancer before the attack. Shira received the appropriate treatment and I am happy to say that her wounds have healed well and she is cancer free!! Shira joined a group of young men and women whose lives had been affected by acts of terror. In the meetings she met a wonderful young man whose little brother was severely injured when a rocket from Gaza landed on their house. This is another miracle because he survived and is able to walk and talk now after lots of treatment. The couple clicked immediately and they got engaged and married during Covid. In the photos attached you can see Shira and her mother with a wedding gift box from DIVOTE. In the other photo are Shira and her chattan under their chuppah. The DIVOTE team and their guests watched their wedding via zoom and we all felt very emotional and happy seeing this Chattan and Kallah under the chuppah. They had so many reasons to celebrate. They appreciated the gifts from South Africa and all the love and support which came with them. My they both be blessed with many happy and healthy years together and build a home together with love and Torah values.
Throughout the pandemic the DIVOTE teams in Israel and South Africa have continued to be in touch with the numerous families affected by terrorism in Israel, giving them chizuk (strength) and assistance wherever we can. DIVOTE was able to provide food vouchers for groceries before Rosh Hashanah that were desperately needed for the Chagim. Sadly we keep hearing of more and more of the DIVOTE families that are contracting Covid-19. DIVOTE constantly shows these special families that the South African community cares about them. BH a stock of wedding gifts and baby bags were left in Israel on my last trip so these can still be given to the families when they celebrate a simcha.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
A SWEET SURPRISE FROM THE KNZC
I
n any normal year, the KwaZulu-Natal Zionist Council hosts many Israel oriented events, at least half of which are aimed at school age children from the Durban Jewish community. Many of these have traditionally taken place at the Young Israel Centre, at the Durban Jewish Centre, or at Eden College or Akiva College. This year has been so very different! With “in-person” gatherings not possible, we have had to move what we do online, including events and programs for young people. Netzer, Habonim and Bnei Akiva have also continued their activities online, hosting many events throughout the lock down. As Rosh Hashana approached, the KNZC decided to bring a small bit of Israel, to each individual school child, delivered to them at school or at home. Each child received a KNZC bag containing a mini pot of honey,
Chag Sameach from the KwaZulu Natal Zionist Council
Netanya, Gil and Michal Dogan love their Rosh Hashana bags from the “KNZC”
an apple, and a small wooden decorative wall hanging of the Seven Species of the land of Israel. This was accompanied by a laminated explanation of each of the species and their relevance to the land. Many of the children decorated their Seven Spices mobile and used them to decorate their Sukkot at home three weeks later. The response from the children and the parents was so gratifying. “It was the sweetest surprise - the Zionist Council delivered these Rosh Hashanah gifts for Judah and Ezrah. So special!!! Thank you so much to all involved in organising this.” shared mom, Kerry Katz on her Facebook post the day her sons’ gifts were delivered to them – just one example of the many lovely thank you messages received from children and parents. It really was our pleasure to stay in touch with the children in this way.
Elon, Shay and Sivana Stout decorate their Seven Species in the sukkah
Rachel Williams delighted with her suprise gift
24 | OUR COMMUNITY, OUR PEOPLE, OUR MAGAZINE
Stephen Williams with his gift bag
NEWS FROM THE WIZO WHEELCHAIRS OF HOPE TEAM BY PAULA GREEN
Mason Lincoln Special School On a blustery, cold Wednesday in August, Michelle, Laurienne and Paula went to Mason Lincoln Special School in V Section, Umlazi to donate six wheelchairs for disabled youngsters in Grade R, 1 and 2. Although, because of the covid19 regulations, the younger children had not yet returned to school, we had already received the school’s 10 application forms and were able to assign the chairs to the first 6 children. They will receive a delightful surprise when they do return. We were warmly welcomed by the wonderful principal, Ms Happy Shoba-Morolong, her deputy, Mr Zondi and many staff members. The school caters for children with a range of different abilities and special needs, from Grade R to Grade 12. There are about 300 students on roll, most of whom are boarders. Some come from as far away as Vryheid and Empangeni. Our contact person, Annie Webber, formerly the school’s physiotherapist and now an active member of the school board, showed us around. The dorms, though extremely basic, are brightly decorated and spotlessly clean. We were not able to see any classes in progress but did interact with the grade 10-12s who witnessed the handover of the chairs and one of whom gave a heart-warming speech of thanks. Though the older children are not candidates for this type of wheelchair because of the 40kg weight limit, all of them happily received lollipops, thanks to Viv’s Stiller’s kind donation. Even we received a surprise something! In the short time that we were at the school, the principal organised for a certificate of appreciation to be printed, framed and ceremoniously handed over to us. So we were able to leave with a memento of this excellently run though grossly under-resourced school.
We hope to revisit the school when the younger children have returned and when coronavirus is not the dominant concern, to see the wheelchairs in use, and to provide 4 more wheelchairs for the remaining children whose forms we have on file. Finally, it is interesting and touching that the motto of Mason Lincoln School is “We can make a difference”. They certainly are, and they even made a difference to us; we left the school inspired at what they are achieving, and humbled by the challenges they overcome to do so. Nkubeko Radebe On the same theme of making a difference, we are so appreciative of the generosity of all who have contributed towards the purchase of these amazing Wheelchairs of Hope. Through your kindness, we have been able, this week, to provide a wheelchair for little Nkubeko and his parents. Mandy met Nkubeko, age 9, and his mother in a waiting room a couple of weeks ago. From that meeting, we were able to establish that a wheelchair would make a difference. It was only when we met Nkubeko and his parents face to face that we were able to see how much that difference makes. Yet again, on a blustery cold day, we met in the car park of Entabeni Hospital. A picture tells a thousand words, so here are some pictures, telling it all: On the left, is Nkubeko, in his mother’s arms on the day Mandy met them, on the right here he is seated and happy already showing the potential for more independence than would have seemed possible from the first picture. We feel so privileged, because of the support of our donors, to be able to continue making positive changes in others’ lives.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Women of Actiom At another delicious pre-Yom Tov Braai, a very festive atmosphere was created with the residents getting into the spirit of Spring. After a morning of UJW Bingo - thank you to Sylvia Heyman for her help - the ladies arrived in their “finery”. Well done to Michelle Hummel, Josie Woolf and Joan Truscott for the care they took and thanks to everyone who participated. Very special thanks to the “stand-in” braai chefs, their efforts were appreciated and the chops & wors were enjoyed by everyone. We appreciate the assistance, as always, from the Beth Shalom chefs, kitchen and general staff who help ensure the success of the luncheon.
“Chicks with sticks” – again! Several years ago “Chicks with Sticks” was a knitting/crochet project in which the UJW participated and due to Covid 19 reintroduced but differently. How fortunate that for the ladies at Beth Shalom the question “whether to knit or crochet or not” was not a consideration. They have been very busy using up the wool donated by the UJW to help keep them occupied during these long days of “lock down”. The beautifully made items – blankets, beanies, jerseys are crafted with love and concern for people in need. We, the Union of Jewish Women, are very grateful indeed for this commitment and appreciate the participation of every one of the ladies. Thank you all SO much.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
HASHALOM NOVEMBER 2020
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COMMUNITY NEWS
A
s we step into the first months of 5781 exciting things are happening at Beth Shalom. The best news is that our residents can now receive visitors and it has been so lovely to see them enjoying quality time with their friends and families in our beautiful garden. We have always been guided by medical scientists on the Covid-19 protocols and are delighted to say that our Home has been covid-free since the end of July. If everyone continues to the wash and sanitize their hands, keeps social distancing and most importantly wear their masks then we pray that BS remains so. Our residents have enjoyed a few outings since the regulations have been lifted. These include a morning to the beachfront, a delicious braai in Nola’s beautiful garden in Drummond and more recently they enjoyed a morning having tea and refreshments at Circle Café. More outings are being arranged and we all look forward to celebrating Ida Ezekowitz’s 100th birthday on Sunday 25 October! What a celebration and what a lady!!! More in the next issue of Hashalom.
Talking about food we must compliment Nola and her kitchen team for the delicious fare they provided over all the Chagim. We have received wonderful compliments from the residents that, albeit under very difficult circumstances the celebrations were enjoyed by all. All the employees at Beth Shalom deserve to be commended. No words would suffice in expressing our gratitude to each and every one of them for their hard work and dedication throughout the lockdown period. We, the committee are delighted that normal routine has returned and all are back home enjoying time with their families outside of working hours. We sincerely appreciate the huge sacrifice they all made in the interests and wellbeing of the residents in their care. True heroes! We look forward to life returning to some sort of ‘normal’ in the very near future, but until then, please understand that we are doing our very best to protect our residents and staff and every decision we make is in their best interests.
Avril Binks, Isabel Miller and Neville Klein enjoying their tea at Circle Café
Our newest resident Hannah Lurie with the lulav and etrog
Joan Sandberg and Barbara Daniels loved being ‘out’ in new surroundings at Circle Cafe
Rolene Lyons and Michelle Hummel at Circle Café
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Roy Klein performing the mitzvah with lulav and etrog
COMMUNITY NEWS
HASHALOM NOVEMBER 2020
COOKING WITH JUDY AND LINDA COOL AS A CUCUMBER CHILLED CREAMY CUCUMBER SOUP 4 x English cucumbers, peeled & seeded 3 Tablespoons butter / margarine 1 ½ Tablespoon flour Salt and white pepper 1 ¼ Cup vegetable stock 1 Cup milk 1 Cup cream Slice 3 of the cucumbers. Fry in the butter for 5 minutes. Stir in the flour and some salt and pepper. Add the stock and milk stirring till blended. Simmer for 15 minutes stirring occasionally. Cool slightly then puree till smooth. Add the cream. Chill well and serve with some finely diced cucumber mixed with some chopped spring onion.
TUNA & CUCUMBER MOUSSE 2 Tins tuna 2 Tablespoons tomato sauce 2 Tablespoons lemon juice ⅓ Cup plain thick yoghurt or cream 1 Tablespoon gelatine 1 Cup thinly grated cucumber (peeled & seeded)
½ Small onion finely chopped Drop Tabasco sauce Salt & pepper 1 Cup mayonnaise ¼ Cup boiling water
Place tuna, onion, tomato sauce, Tabasco sauce, lemon juice, yoghurt and mayonnaise in a food processor. Puree until smooth. Season with salt & pepper. Dissolve the gelatine in the boiling water and add to the tuna mixture. Add the grated cucumber then pour into an oiled mould and set. Tinned salmon can be substituted for tuna. Orly whip can be substituted for yoghurt.
YUMMY PICKLED CUCUMBER SALAD 2 – 3 English cucumbers cut into chunks 3-4 cloves peeled garlic Place in a glass jar or large container Bring to boil: 3 Cups water 1 Tablespoon salt ½ Teaspoon mustard powder
1 Cup white vinegar ¼ Cup sugar A few peppercorns
When cool, pour over cucumber chunks and garlic. Refrigerate for two days before serving.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
SOCIAL & PERSONAL NOVEMBER 2020 BIRTHS Mazeltov to: Ida Ezekowitz on the occasion of her 100th birthday.
WEDDINGS Mazeltov to: Stephen and Denise Abrahams on the marriage of their daughter Rachel.
DEATHS Condolences to:
Glenn Brazil on the passing of his mother Hilda Brazil in Canada at age 104. Rob Sinclair on the passing of his mother Jean Margaret De Ravel. Zelda, Jeffrey, Hillary and Shelli on the passing of their mother Sylvia Miller. To the family and friends of the late Michael Cohen. Herbert, Julian and Sandra on the passing of their father Charlie Hotz.
LET US ADD YOU TO HASHALOM’S JOB SEEKER DIRECTORY, ITS FREE • • •
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