Hashalom October 2019 by Hashalom

October 2019

Our Community . Our People . Our Magazine

Volume 96. No 02

June 2019

Our Community . Our People . Our Magazine

Volume 95. No 9

March 2014

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HASHALOM 1

March 2014

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HASHALOM 1

Editorial Current Affairs Through your Eyes Health Above Board In Conversation Bubkes Chasing the Dream Community News

04I

06To 07 08 10 11

Divote 12

UJW 13

Akiva Collage 14

Beth Shalom

SAJBD 16

Eden School

DPJC 19

UJC 20

Durban Holocaust and Genocide Centre

Masada

What’s your slogan? HAYLEY LIEBERTHAL

Wostsup WIZO 21

EDITORIAL

22 23

KwaZulu-Natal Zionist Council 24

Young Israel Centre

Limmud

Cooking with Judy and Linda

Social and Personal 28

Diary of Events 28

My varsity lecturer gave us an assignment in which we were tasked to come up with a personal slogan that if we had to sell ourselves as a product what would the box say I did. After much thought I utilised my maiden surname (Diamond) as my inpsiration because let’s be honest, when your surname is that of a sought after precious gem, well you’ve got to use what’s given, right? And so I formed the slogan “I leave a little sparkle wherever I go” and I have stuck to that ever since. I love to inspire and motivate others and I find myself doing that 90% of the time. I am sure you are questioning why not the full 100%? Well, that 10% is reserved for me and is there to ensure that I am never pouring from an empty vessel. For most of us, we have spent the past few weeks in preparation

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.

Hashalom Editorial Board: 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 NOVEMBER EDTION: 7 October 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.

for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and now Sukkot. We have laughed with family and friends and created some lasting memories. It’s a special time of year for us because it comes with a long line of traditions that have been passed down for generations. We are enriched by our history and it lifts our spirits up every time. However, this is also the time of year where we need to keep an eye on our own fuel tanks. For some people, we start noticing stress appearing here and there and we may feel like we’re running on fumes. It’s at this point when we need to pay a little more attention to what our body is telling us. If you had to ask yourself right now what your box says about you, what would your slogan be? Is this the slogan you want for the years to

Typesetting Supplied. Designed by RBG Studios, email: rowan@rbgstudios.co.za Printed by RBG Studios

come, or perhaps you have noticed that being kinder and gentler

Visit our website: www.hashalom.co.za

sparkle wherever you go?

OCTOBER 2019

with yourself allows you to move forward whilst leaving a little

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CURRENT AFFAIRS

Durban Born Wordsmith Earns Place in Bibi’s Ear BY JACQUELINE HERBST

Evan Cohen and Benjamin Nethanyahu

urban-born Evan Cohen’s bravery to unapologetically speak his mind as a gay rights activist recently earned him a place in Benjamin Netanyahu’s ear as his media advisor.

Cohen - the former founding chair of Likud Pride, the party’s caucus for LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Questioning) drew the prime minister’s attention in an interview on Israel’s international TV channel i24, where he expressed strong views on then newly appointed Justice Minister Amir Ohana becoming the first openly gay minster.

2012 National Scrabble Team A true wordsmith in every sense of the word, Cohen is also a world class Scrabble player having founded and still directs the Tel Aviv Scrabble Club and competed in several World Scrabble Championships. The new job is quite challenging and the hours are long. Besides the privilege of interacting with foreign media and forging relationships with foreign editors Cohen is in essence responsible for communicating narratives that shape the world’s perceptions of the government and Israel in general.

Cohen, now 51, spent the first nine years of his life in Durban before making Aliyah with his parents John and Hermoine and his three siblings in 1977. He has fond memories of living in Wright Place in Carrington Heights, attending Sharona Nursing School and a brief period at Carmel College.

“I feel that I am now contributing a lot more to Israel than ever before, something I believe in very strongly. It’s also a huge privilege to be able to serve under who is, without question, one of the greatest leaders in the world today,” said Cohen.

Today Cohen and his partner of 21 years, Omiri Rosenkrantz, live in Ramat Gan and with both being academics, intelligence is in no short supply. Before being headhunted by the Prime Minister, Cohen had been a linguistics lecturer at Tel Aviv University where he also obtained his degrees.

At the time of going to print the results of the snap Knesset elections had not yet been determined and so the Hashalom asked him about his “plan B”: “I was, am, and will be a university lecturer. My “plan B’ is to go back to university. I cannot see myself working for another Prime Minister.”

OCTOBER 2019

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THROUGH YOUR EYES

Harriet (right) with her daughters in front of her gran’s old flat at Las Vegas on Durban’s Golden Mile

OCTOBER 2019

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Through Your Eyes: BY LAUREN SHAPIRO

“It’s been a wonderful, nostalgic trip,” beamed Harriet Shapiro. The daughter of Dr Manny and Julie Mankowitz, Harriet moved to Durban from Klerksdrop when she was three years old and spent her childhood and young adulthood in the city’s warm community. After school Harriet spent two years in Israel and began her degree in architecture. In 1997, she obtained a working-holiday visa to the UK. “Then I met Larry Shapiro,” she laughed, her eyes twinkling. As Larry was also a South African (even having spent his first six years in Durban), a friend introduced them, thinking they might hit it off. Hit it off they did, and the pair married in 1999 and settled down in London. There they have raised two daughters, now aged 16 and 12. This August Harriet returned to Durban for the first time in twenty years, bringing her family along with her. “I wanted to show my kids where I was from,” she told Hashalom. “It’s very much a part of my heart; I carry it with me wherever I go.” Harriet’s itinerary included her former home on Manning Road, the site of the Great Synagogue in Silverton Road, and her grandparents’ erstwhile apartment block on the beachfront, Las Vegas. “I love that building,” Harriet declared. “It really is a beautiful building and I have so many happy memories there. It’s still looking really good!” She later paid respects to her grandparents at Stellawood Cemetery, and visited her old stomping grounds like Sharona Pre-primary School, Carmel College, and the University of Natal (now the University of KwaZulu-Natal). The Durban Jewish Centre was on the agenda, and Harriet was very impressed with the Circle Café. She took her daughters for a surf lesson on Addington Beach. The family also spent time in Umhlanga and Ballito, and could barely believe how much the towns have grown in the last two decades. “It was like a twilight zone,” Harriet commented. “So much has changed and so much is still the same.” She was surprised to see that Florida Road, where she worked as an architect in 1996, has exploded into a restaurant strip. The iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium didn’t exist when she left. “Even the airport has moved,” she observed. The changes didn’t bother her, however. “I like seeing things that have adapted,” she said. “It’s good. It’s growing. That’s life!” One thing that has remained constant is Durban’s friendliness: “People are super friendly here,” she said, in contrast to greater formality in mores of the UK. While she has become accustomed to the cultural differences, she said the general approach of Durbanites is still far more positive. “People have a can-do attitude. They just make things work!” Harriet is a member of the international Facebook community “It’s Durban Calling”, which keeps ex-Durbanites abreast of the latest news from their hometown. “Everyone wants to recall happy memories and to share moments of love and warmth,” Harriet said. However, nothing beats experiencing Durban in person. “What can I say?” Harriet concluded. “It’s home.”

Harriet Shapiro recently visited her hometown of Durban for the first time in 20 years

OCTOBER 2019

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HEALTH

From Doctor to Patient BY HAYLEY LIEBERTHAL

“Who we become when everything we believe about ourselves is stripped away is both a revelation and a challenge.” Mark Awerbuch Awerbuch turned to his siblings in the hope that the statistics of 1 in 4 chances would be in his favour for a match. From his three siblings only Janice Ellison, back home in Durban, was a 50% match and thus not an ideal option as opposed to a 100% match donor. However, Awerbuch’s doctors did find the 100% match through the international bone marrow registry in Germany, which meant there was one more hurdle left. Awerbuch awaited his fate from a panel of his peers - whom he had never met - to decide if he was a candidate for the bone marrow transplant that Australia covers at no cost to their citizens. To his dismay, he was denied the right to personalised medical treatment: “I was told even if I survived the ordeal of a transplant, the prognosis of my leukaemia was so poor, a transplant could not be justified,” Awerbuch said.

“

is words suck the oxygen out of the room and a block of dry ice takes up residence in the pit of my stomach where it will remain.” Mark Awerbuch - Flight of Hope. Former Durbanite Mark Awerbuch, went from Doctor to patient on the same fateful morning he had been diagnosed with acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2014 - a rare and aggressive leukaemia with an unfavourable prognosis in adults. At the time of his diagnosis Awerbuch was a sterling rheumatologist and pain physician with a thriving practice in Adelaide, Australia.

Around the time Awerbuch was in the midst of receiving chemotherapy treatment in April 2014 - by coincidence – a good friend encountered one of those I know a guy who knows a guy experiences, who told him about Professor Shimon Slavin, a man with a reputation as a cutting-edge transplant haematologist and Director of the International Centre for Cell Therapy and Cancer Immunotherapy (CTCI) based in Tel Aviv. Although Awerbuch was receiving chemotherapy at the time, as a doctor and academic he was intrigued by Professor Slavin’s work and read up on the various studies and ground-breaking procedures. Seven months after Awerburch’s diagnosis he was face to face with his impending mortality. He pulled out the research and got in touch with Professor Slavin, and in a race against time Awerbuch called his sister Janice Ellison in Durban who accepted her brother’s request within a heartbeat. Together with their other sister and fellow Durbanite, Lindy Hersch, they prepared themselves for the trip to Israel, while Awerbuch had boarded the plane for Israel, knowing that this could be his final flight. His Flight of Hope.

Awerbuch prided himself as a fitness fundi and the diagnosis came as a shock to the author of Live Stronger, Live Longer - an exercise and lifestyle program for over 40’s: “My self-confidence is shaken to the core. I’m bewildered that 50 years of dedicating myself to mostly healthy and physical lifestyle have failed to provide an effective anecdote to this insidious disease. I had run marathons and ultramarathons until I was 43, trained in martial arts and adhered strictly to a rigorous exercise regime, working out between four and six times a week. I have a healthy diet. I drink alcohol in moderation, at least by the high standards set by my friends, and I don’t smoke,” Awerbuch wrote in his book Flight of Hope. Despite weeks of aggressive chemotherapy followed by an experimental drug trial, Awerbuch had learned that the treatments had left the cancer unscathed and that the leukaemia had progressed. There was one last resort left for survival – a bone marrow transplant.

OCTOBER 2019

Extract from Flight of Hope: Professor B then asks me a question I will never forget. ‘Mark, you have to decide how you want to die.’ I’m not quite sure if it’s a question or a command. I’m nonplussed. ‘What do you mean?’ ‘Well, you can either die from systematic (meaning generalised invasive fungal disease (which he predicts may result from the immunosuppressive chemo treatment prior to transplantation), or you can die from the effects of the leukaemia.’

Flight of Hope is available to purchase online at: www.bookdepository.com or www.wakefieldpress.com.au

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ABOVE BOARD

Above Board

Mary Kluk, National Chairman

A column of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies

Constitutional Court grapples with ‘hate speech’ conundrum On 27 August, following a decade of complex legal proceedings that included an initial ruling by the SA Human Rights Commission and two subsequent court cases, the Board’s hate speech case against Cosatu’s Bongani Masuku finally came before the Constitutional Court. The matter revolves around threatening and abusive statements made against Jewish supporters of Israel by Masuku in the aftermath of the 2008-9 Gaza conflict. While Cosatu has sought to portray the matter as an attempt to silence legitimate ‘criticism’ of Israel, what is really at stake is the right of Jews to express support for Israel without being threatened with violent reprisals. The court’s ruling is expected to have significant implications for how the law concerning the anti-hate speech provisions in the Constitution and Equality Act is interpreted and applied in South Africa. While the case concerns attacks on our own community, the widespread support we have received for our stance has been very heartening. To quote one of the supportive tweets received, “Hate speech has no place in any society that sees itself as free and democratic. You take up the cudgels for every citizen, irrespective of race, colour, creed or gender”. It is one of the ways in which the Board has been able to combine fulfilling its mandate to protect the rights to dignity and equality of the Jewish community with making a meaningful contribution to building South African democracy as a whole. Welcome to our American visitors We had hardly had a chance to catch our breath after the whirlwind visit of our Women Wage Peace guests from Israel when it was time to welcome another prestigious delegation to South Africa, this time from the American Jewish Committee (AJC). Every year, an AJC delegation visits a different part of the world to meet with the local Jewish community and engage with leaders and opinionmakers. This year they visited South Africa and Mozambique, and the SAJBD partnered with them in organising the itinerary, which included meeting with the Jewish community leadership, government officials, senior political figures, academics and business leaders. The Board has an excellent working relationship with the AJC going back many years. Indeed, it is largely through such relationships that our community, despite its relatively small size, continues to be a connected, relevant and respected component of global Jewry. Meeting with Dirco On 20 August, I was part of an SAJBD delegation that met with Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor in Pretoria. The discussion revolved around advancing peacebuilding between Israelis and Palestinians, and was very cordial and constructive. We reiterated our view that our country has a potentially unique and important role in this process, but that in order to do so it needed to engage with all the parties. While we differ over details, we share a common desire for the parties to work towards a negotiated, two-state solution. Minister Pandor committed herself to continuing the dialogue with us on local and international issues, and in all, we felt that our concerns had been heard.

OCTOBER 2019

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IN CONVERSATION

JUDGE ALAN MAGID â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A TRUE PUNDIT! BY JACQUELINE HERBST

OCTOBER 2019

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n the July 2019 edition of Hashalom when Pundit penned his final monthly column of the immensely popular and informative Past Tense, he dropped a few bread crumbs as to his identity. Hashalom thought it appropriate three months later, to reveal the identity of the mysterious author whom some may not quite have figured out yet. When the column was born he knew his parents may from time to time be mentioned, and therefore insisted on anonymity to avoid being accused of nepotism for mentioning them. Consequently the editor at the time, Professor Anthony Arkin named the author Pundit – a pseudonym that although fitting of the author’s stature, was eons removed from his humble nature. Month after month, year after year Judge Alan Magid anonymously resuscitated decades old information contained in some very old issues of Hashalom and Hasholom - as the magazine was known 75 years ago - for a new generation. Philip Alan Mendell Magid, or Pam as he was known since his Standard one teacher dubbed him so, was born on 24 May 1929 and matriculated from Durban High School in 1945 before attending the University of Cape Town where he attained a BA degree in 1948 followed by an LI.B two years later. A career so outstanding that a brief run through his professional and sundry resume is still a peregrination, got under way when Judge Magid had done his articles from 1951 to 1953 before being admitted as Attorney in June of that year. During his long and illustrious career he had some truly remarkable experiences, some that made international news but before delving into his most memorable; let us view the road map.

OCTOBER 2019

May 2004. Before then President FW de Klerk announced a moratorium on the death penalty in February 1990, Magid was not willing to accept a Bench appointment as he was not comfortable in handing down the death penalty sighting the ever present possibility of sentencing an innocent person to death. The highlight of Judge Alan Magid’s time at the Bar and an event that made international headlines was in when in 1987 he was as senior council, granted unprecedented permission by the court to interview Nelson Mandela at Pollsmoor Maximum Security Prison as a witness in the defense of 13 young ANC activists. At the time the Criminal Procedure Act prohibited a prisoner from being called as witness in the High Court so the only way to get his testimony was to interview him in prison and relay what he would have said, had he been in court, to the court. The Apartheid regime dictated that Mandela had to be interviewed in sight of but not hearing distance of a prison warden, Council was not allowed to make any notes and only a limited scope of conversational topics were permitted. The court was in effect approving hear-say of a witness who had not been sworn in. Junior council on the case was none other than Pius Langa who would later be appointed Chief Justice and head of the Constitutional Court by then President Thabo Mbeki in 2005. On top of a stellar professional career, the list of the sundry communal activities the honorable Judge kept and still keeps himself busy with at 90 is just as impressive and one wonders how one human being can achieve so much in a lifetime: •

Judge Alan Magid practiced as an Attorney, Notary and Conveyancer for 20 years until 28 February 1973 when he became an Executive Director of a listed public company of which he had been a non-executive director while in practice. However, trying economic circumstances during the turbulent Apartheid years derailed his corporate career, directing him back to the Bar on 1 September 1975. Taking silk in July 1981, Judge Magid was surprised to learn from a judge presiding over one of his cases that nobody had ever taken silk in as short a time as he had – the norm is ten years and he did it in just under six.

•

After 16 years as an Advocate, he was appointed to the Bench from 1 March 1991, having acted a few times previously, until he retired on 24

•

• • • • •

•

Honorary Life Vice president of the KZN Tennis Association. Trustee of the Durban United Hebrew Congregation. Trustee of the KZN Performing Arts Trust. Former President or Chairman of, inter alia, Natal Tennis Association, Durban Tennis Association. Durban Jewish Club, Durban United Hebrew Congregation. Member of the Council of Natal Law Society: 1965 to 28 February 1973 and Vice President from 1971 until he left practice. An accomplished equestrian: bred racing horses and trained at the Muriel Higgs School of Riding. Guide at the Durban Holocaust and Genocide Centre. Volunteer at Tape Aids for the Blind.

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BUBKES

Of Confessions and Consolations

Lauren Shapiro

y husband received a phone call from our son’s teacher this week. She was laughing so hard she could barely speak, but said she felt she had to inform him of what had just happened on the playground. Our eight-year-old had fallen while trying to traverse the monkey bars. Teacher had crouched in the sand and offered words of encouragement for him to get up and try again. The eight-yearold was having none of it, wailing his little heart out. In an attempt to draw on fatherly support and wisdom, Teacher had asked him, “What do you think your Daddy would say to you about this?” Apparently the kid answered: “‘Get up, Toss.’” Sometimes I worry that we’re a bit hard on our kids, and ourselves. There’s immense pressure to do everything “right” and few of us manage to live up to the high standards set by Instagrammed pics of yummy mummies serenely supervising their pristine children colouring in (in the lines) with crayons on their beige couches! I admit I occasionally fall into the trap of comparing myself to these social media goddesses, but the truth is that those pictures are simply not realistic. And although I confess to less-than-stellar parenting techniques, I find consolation in the way my kids are turning out anyway. Confession: My house is usually a mess. My kids’ junk piles up, my floors are always filthy, and there are normally dirty dishes in the sink. Sometimes I use glasses, serviettes or teaspoons more than once. And I still haven’t gotten around to fixing the kitchen cupboard or replacing the blown lightbulb in the bathroom (or the one on the porch) (or the playroom) (or the boys’ room) (or my daughter’s room) (or our bedroom) (or the garage). Consolation: I recycle. I compost. I eco-brick. I grow herbs. I get my kids involved with these activities (which is why my floors are always filthy). I wish I could do all this and have a spotless house, but there are limited hours in a day and, sometimes, in the time I should be cleaning, I read my kids bedtime stories. I say prayers with them. I hug and kiss them abundantly. Home maintenance just isn’t as important as heart maintenance. Confession: I let my kids dress themselves. I don’t fight with them if they want to wear dress-up clothes or three pairs of underpants or if they share clothes with their sibs so the sizes are not spoton. Yes, I let them go out in public like that. Their cupboards are disorganized and their clothes are creased. They almost never have matching socks. Consolation: I don’t mollycoddle my kids. I let them exercise their autonomy in a safe area and express their personalities – whilst maintaining shalom bayit. They are learning responsibility by being responsible for putting their own clothes away (that’s why everything is always a bit rumpled, but one day practice will make for a perfect Kon-Marie’d closet). And who really cares about matching socks at the end of the day? Life’s too short! Confession: I yell at my kids sometimes. Consolation: I tell them I love them. Often. I apologise. We talk

OCTOBER 2019

about what happened and how, perhaps, we both could have acted a bit better. Confession: I let my kids fight and usually only step in when tufts of hair become detached from skulls. Consolation: My kids learn to problem-solve. They negotiate with each other. They sort out most skirmishes without my assistance, which gives me confidence that they will be able to assert themselves and come to fair compromises when they one day hit the real world. Ironically, letting them fight a bit is turning them into real, empathetic little menschen. Confession: I lick the top of the tomato sauce bottle when the kids aren’t looking. Consolation: There’s no consolation for this. When I get caught, I bribe them with biscuits not to tell the other kids, or their father. Please don’t blow my cover. Confession: When I’m feeling exhausted or frazzled, I sometimes send my kids out into the garden and tell them I don’t want to see them for an hour unless there is vomit or blood. Consolation: When I’m feeling stronger, the kids and I bake cookies, conduct science experiments, build forts and host tea parties for their teddies (and dragons, Barbies, turtles both Ninja and fluffy, and Pokémon. Is that a plural? Pokémons just doesn’t sound right). Confession: I laugh at my kids when their Judo kicks land them on the floor. Consolation: I laugh at myself when I try to drive the car with the house key or absentmindedly leave my coffee in the fridge when I go scouting for cheesecake. They learn not to take life too seriously. Confession: I deprive my children of modern comforts for 25 hours every week. I remove their screens. I force them to go to shul. Consolation: I spend much of those weekly 25 hours spending quality time with them, reading, playing, and driving the Cuddle Train (it’s a family thing, don’t ask). Shul gives them an opportunity to develop social skills without the structure of school or the safe selection of play dates with kids they choose. They learn to play with kids younger and older than they are. They learn to be polite to grownups. And they get chocolates from the Rabbi. Confession: I let my kids wear their PJs all day during school holidays. Even when we go to the supermarket or the beach. Consolation: What? Do I seriously need to justify this one? So, yeah, I confess that Warren and I are sometimes a little slapdash in our parenting, but the consolation is that we’re focusing on the important things, and the kids are learning these lessons. And by the way? The Toss got up and tried again, and came home smiling and telling me all about how great he is on the monkey bars. So excuse the mess; if you need us we’ll be out at the playground – until next time.

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CHASING THE DREAM

Shredding with Anat Lelior BY JACQUELINE HERBST

Anat Lelior became the first ever Israeli surfer to win a World Surf League (WSL) event when she shredded her way to the top of the podium at the QS1500 Deeply Pro Anglet in France in August

nat’s trademark mature and methodical surfing saw her defeat Australia’s Isabella Nichols in the final to earn herself the valuable 1500 world ranking points. With the 19-yearold goofy footer out of Tel Aviv currently ranked 47 out of 375 in the women’s World Qualifying Series (WQS), Isabella’s number one ranking on the WQS at the time makes Anat’s Deeply Pro Anglet victory extra sweet. “This is the first of many, hopefully. Go big or go home! I’m happy with the way I surfed that week. I trusted my surfing and had fun doing it. It was great to share the final with Isabella; she’s such a good surfer. I look up to her and want to be in her shoes on that number one spot someday,” Anat said. Her next stop was Kisakihama Beach in Japan for the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games held in early September - her performance secured her a spot in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. The event had eight quota spots up for grabs for the top finishing men and women from each of the participating continents, excluding the Americas and with the 2020 Olympic Games only allowing two spots per gender per nationality, competition was fierce. The ISA considers Israel part of Europe and so finishing as the top European woman at the ISA World Surfing Games earned Anat a slot in the historical first ever Olympic surfing event. Her mother, Eti Jacobi, was over the moon: “I am truly proud. Me and my husband are really enjoying our daughters.” (Anat’s younger sister, Noa, is also a rising star on the world surfing stage). Born on April 29, 2002, Anat made her tour debut on the Women’s WQS in 2014. Her favourite surf spot is Manta Ray Beach in the Bahamas (oh the life of a professional surfer!) and like any surfer, she is also an excellent skater. Anat is no stranger to South Africa, having competed in three world-ranking events along our beautiful coastline at Lamberts Bay, Nelson Mandela Bay and Victoria Bay this year. It would be great to see her in action at next year’s Durban Surf Pro (also a world-ranking event) which unfortunately had to be called off this year due to the major sewer spillage in the habour just days before the contest.

OCTOBER 2019

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COMMUNITY NEWS

BY CHERYL UNTERSLAK On the day of my sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wedding, Rav Kuttner delivered Divote wedding gift boxes to brides and grooms that have been affected by terrorism. Both chossen and kallah appreciated the love and support given to them during this special time in their lives.

The groom in this photo is remarrying a lovely woman. His first wife was shot and killed in the Sarona market terrorist attack in 2016.

The brideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brother was killed in Gaza.

OCTOBER 2019

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COMMUNITY NEWS

COM

Union of Jewish Women

The Shabbat Project 2018

Well done to Sue Jacobson, Exec Chair and Convenor of the 31st event and the UJW Team – Linda Nathan (Players), Frances Herr (Sponsorship), Gayle Lewenstein (Biscuits), Judy Druck (food liaison), Prizes (Tessa, Sharon, Marion, Sas), Tanya Altshuler (raffle) and “Stop doing and start being” was the theme of all the Executive members for their enthusiastic participation on the day.

the 2018 Shabbat project. In order to do this one needed to CONNECT and the UJW JCF Challah Bake helped thegenerous ladies from our and community Thanks as always to the sponsors prize donors and above all the players for their constant support which is appreciated do just that. The ladies were reminded that the more than words can say. Challah Bake is not really about the challah… it’s about Connecting as Jewish Women of Durban; Connecting our Jewish Heritage by making The Gavin Jacobsonwith Memorial Award to the winners was presented by Kendyll Jacobson. The beneficiaries for 2019 are the Masada challah together, an age old tradition passed down Workshop, Stgeneration Martins Children’s Home, Open Air School Hostel and ongoing UJW projects. from to generation ofThe Jewish women; Connecting with Hashem as we prayed for our families and our friends and for all who are ill and Connecting with The Shabbath… a day of rest, reflection and connections. The event began with an uplifting and memorable Shiur about Emunah (Faith) by Lana Meltzer from Johannesburg. Her advice of strengthening our faith by changing attitudes to everyday situations gave us all much food for thought. We were also so privileged to, once again, have Robyn Smookler lead our Challah Bake. Robyn brought an incredible energy, passion and depth to our Challah Bake, ensuring an unforgettable experience for the 150 ladies and girls present. We all reluctantly floated away after a really meaningful, magical and uplifting evening of Israeli dancing and beautiful singing by Leah Meltzer, Arielle Levitan as well as Galia and Yael Meltz. Kol Hakavod to the UJW Women of Action. Until next year……….

JOIN THE UNION OF JEWISH WOMEN WHO WILL HOST ITS 32ND ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF DAY. 22 HASHALOM

OCTOBER 2019

December 2018/January 2019

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COMMUNITY NEWS

WWW.AKIVACOLLEGE.CO.ZA

AKIVA COLLEGE HASHALOM – SEPTEMBER 2019

Above: The grade 6s and 7s had a lesson on the life of a sofer stam -a scribe. The boys and girls learnt about the various holy objects that are made by hand, written with a quill and ink. Each learner was able to examine and read from the scrolls of the: Tefilin, Megilat Ester, Torah, Tefilin and Mezuza. Mezuzot should be checked twice every 7 years. It can take a full year to write a Sefer Torah by hand.

Above: The grade 2 and 3 learners did a beach clean-up on the Umhlanga beach as a part of their Anti-Litter Campaign. Right: Grade 1 learners reading Principal Mrs Ducasse their creative writing essays.

OCTOBER 2019

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COMMUNITY NEWS

BRAAI

The UJW treated Beth Shalom residents to a wonderful braai in their own â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;back yardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on 4 September 2019. The braai masters who made this event extra special were Marcel, John, Martin and John Goldreich. Delicious food was enjoyed by all who attended.

CONCERT

Boris performing Kol Nidre

KZN Philharmonic Orchestra

Westville Primary

A full house audience

Violinist Solo

A full house audience

KZN Philharmonic Orchestra

Kearsney College Choir

Beth Shalom held a Musical Extravaganza on Sunday 25 August 2019 and what a show it was! On display was a range of talent from youngsters to our most experienced KZN Philharmonic Orchestra - Westville Senior Primary School Marimba Band, Galia and Yael Meltz singing, and the thrill of the day had to be Kearsney College Choir. This was followed by a delicious afternoon tea made by our very own Beth Shalom kitchen. The Durban Jewish Club main hall was packed to capacity with everyone thoroughly enjoying this outstanding concert supported by the Friends of Music.

AGM

OCTOBER 2019

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88th SAJBD KZN AGM

espite the rain the 88th AGM of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies KwaZulu-Natal (SAJBD KZN) was well attended by community members on Thursday, 5 September at the Durban Jewish Centre.

“It has been another busy year for our community and we have had an incredibly successful year! We should never take for granted how much effort and resource we put into being the KZN Jewish community – we look after our people from cradle to grave – and across our entire community organisations I have seen improvements in the services we provide. Our organisations are continually improving and making us proud, not only within our community by the greater Durban community,” said Jeremy Droyman current president of the SAJBD KZN. Droyman noted that the partnership with Fidelity ADT has shown promise. With their fully functional operations centre linked to the Community Security Operations (CSO) - every Jewish home in the community will have the opportunity to be linked to both control rooms resulting in an increase in security. He added that all members who sign up with Fidelity ADT will have access to the mobile response service: “with a hit of a button on your phone, they will respond immediately and call you,” Droyman said. He continued to say, “We have a reputation of punching above our weight class and I am surrounded by people who deeply care about our community. Each and every one of them wants to do the right thing and ensure our continued survival and our way of life, it is through this team that we have achieved so much in the past few years.”

Honouring members of our community and the greater community. Current vice president Susan Abro outlined two awards that the SAJBD KZN council have introduced. These awards will be granted on a regular basis to honour community members in recognition of the outstanding service that they have rendered to the Jewish community in KZN. SAJBD KZN Council Community Service Award – awarded to Rev. Shlomo Weiner The criteria for this award are based on: • The recipient having contributed significantly to the KZN community Jewish way of life and to the Jewish community in KZN. • The recipients’ Jewish identity. • The extent to which the recipient has been involved in Jewish related matters, and the rendering of assistance by the recipient to members of the KZN Jewish community whether of a spiritual nature, material welfare or a rehabilitation matter. • Whether in a lay or professional capacity, that the recipient has lived a life of honesty, dignity and integrity. • The service rendered should have been for a significant period of time; however this is not necessarily rigid. SAJBD KZN Council Humanitarian Award – awarded to Alan Benn The SAJBD KZN grants this award to honour an individual or family in the KZN Jewish community in appreciation of their outstanding community involvement with a demonstrated commitment to the welfare of the greater KZN community. The criteria for this award are based on: • The worthy recipient would have a mutual connection with the KZN community and would have contributed significantly to the development not only of the Jewish but also of the KZN community at large. Whether personally or as part of an organisation in a voluntary, lay or professional capacity. • The recipient should have an honest and respectful life. • The length of service is taken into account, although this is not necessarily rigid.

Applications are invited for bursaries for 2020 Bursaries from various trusts administered by the

SAJBD KZN COUNCIL

are available to Jewish students for tertiary education Special consideration and support will be given to Jewish students from outside KZN who choose to study in KZN

Applications must be made in writing on the prescribed form which may be obtained from: Liezel Patterson: Tel 031 335 4452 email: cknj@djc.co.za

Applications must be lodged before 31 OCTOBER 2019

October 2019.

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OCTOBER 2019

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BY NORMA BLOCH Deni b A ergel

v Tisha ba shiur

Shalom, Although the seriousness and tragedy of Tisha B’av was explained to the pupils, Shlomo’s shiur emphasised hope and positivity for the future. The importance of fulfilling mitzvot was stressed and discussed. In this regard, I would like to commend Deni Abergel the Head of the Judaica Department for all the mitzvot she fulfilled in this role. She performed her duties with great commitment and dedication. She led by example, always positive and with a just and fair attitude. I am so proud of how Deni has blossomed and grown into such a responsible and mature young lady. We wish her luck as she begins her matric and final exams. Here is what Deni had to say about her school days at Eden. “I remember what it was like when I first came to Eden College 4 years ago. I felt a little lost, and a little out of place, but I guess that’s usually how you feel when you join halfway through the school year. Luckily for me I was privileged enough to have an amazing Jewish family that welcomed me into the Judaica, with open arms, a place that many of us went to get away from the chaos (or to get food when our clumsy selves forgot to bring lunch). The Judaica is our home away from home, and I’m so grateful to be a part of the many experiences we shared here. It has taught me so much about my culture and who I really am. To both Morah Norma and Morah Tammy, thank you for everything you have done for me. I can honestly admit that I’m sad to be leaving. And to the rest of my Judaica family, I wish you all Good luck in the rest of your school career, I will miss you!” Lehitraot until next month.

MaTthew & Rachael

& MatThew l e a Mich

at Shlomo a h is the T r iu h s v a B

OCTOBER 2019

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JUSTICE FOR WOMEN BY KENDYLL JACOBSON The DPJC Cheder classes took to the Durban Promenade on Saturday, 6 September, for a lesson with a difference. A peaceful march had been organized under the name ‘Justice for Women’ (run by six women who had had enough and “wanted to do something” about all the recent violence against women). The March started on the Bike and Bean lawns and marched through to the skate park and back. When they arrived at the skate park, the Justice for Women March met up with the Beset Durban March aptly named, ‘Accountable’. This was for men who had decided to be held accountable for their actions. It was here that we were greeted with poems, readings and messages of solidarity by various speakers and allies. The cheder pupils were briefed on the importance of social justice as part of Tikkun Olam, and of how that contributes to being a Progressive Jew. The learners were excited by participating in the March and were keen to open the dialogue about what it all meant to them. We all strongly believe that the process of becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah means more than just learning a Parsha but rather what it means to be a Jew in everyday life. Thus we look forward to providing many more social action events in which we as a group can participate. A special thank you to Larissa Klazinga for organizing the signs for us.

OCTOBER 2019

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BY REV. GILAD FRIEDMAN

n Rosh Hashanah we have the custom of dipping apple into honey. We take something sweet and amplify it with the further sweetness and goodness of honey. Rosh Hashanah is also known as Yom Hadim (The Day of Judgement). It is a serious day - the head of our year, yet we wish to begin with goodness, sweetness and focusing of good deeds. As we begin our process of reflecting on the past year, we open ourselves to the possibility of Teshuva (repentance). The Umhlanga Jewish Centre daily minyan continues to march on, we are now in year four of services 3 times daily. The shul service is the engine room of the campus and we are appreciative of the great effort made by many of the men and women alike who wake up early to attend services. Three families went on Aliyah to Israel this year and we welcomed new members into the fold.Akiva College, the heart of our campus,

continues to grow and remains dedicated to offering the best of Jewish Education and excellence in General Studies. We are privileged to have full time Jewish Education available to us in Durban. The UJC hosted 11 Bar and Bat Mitzvot and 2 weddings this year and already we have semachot booked for next year, may we continue to meet at semachot. As this year 5779 comes to an end and we focus on the year ahead, may we look upon one another without judgment and do so with kindness and love. May this be a year to focus on removing Lashon Hara from our world. Tracey, Tehila Noa, Yehuda Yaakov and I wish you a Shana Tova Umetuka. As the new year comes into being, we wish you all of Hashemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest brachot. May you and your families be written and sealed in the Book of Life.

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By Michelle Nathan

WHEELCHAIRS OF HOPE Empowered by mobility, these smiling children and their parents from the Valley of 1000 Hills each with their Wheelchairs of Hope donated by WIZO Durban.

Sipho Sithole places Snakho Mtheyine into his newly acquired wheelchair as WIZO Durban co-chairpersons Michelle Nathan and Laurienne Baitz look on approvingly.

OCTOBER 2019

Proud Gogo Miriam Mkhize accepts a wheelchair for her grandchild Amahle Mkhize from WIZO Durban co-chairpersons Laurienne Baitz and Michelle Nathan together with project co-ordinator Paula Green.

Some of the children who were presented with special wheelchairs together with their families, members of WIZO Durban who donated the wheelchairs and members of The Valley Trust together with learners from Crawford College La Lucia who helped to assemble the chairs on behalf of WIZO.

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#34 | October 2019

Join us for a public lecture by Carl Wilkens. He is the former head of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency International in Rwanda. In 1994, he was the only American who chose to remain in the country after the genocide in Rwanda began. Don't miss this incredible opportunity!

From 9th to 10th November 1938 Nazi officers damaged Jewish homes, synagogues, schools and cemeteries in Germany and Austria. The name 'Kristallnacht' or Night of Broken Glass, comes from the shattered glass that littered the streets after over 8000 Jewish owned stores, buildings and synagogues were destroyed.

THE CHIUNE SUGIHARA STORY 6 NOVEMBER 2019

The DHGC will be partnering with the Embassy of Japan in South Africa for Kristallnacht commemorations this year. We will be screening the film Persona Non-Grata on 6 November 2019. This film details the heroic efforts of Chiune Sempo Sugihara who against the orders of his country, saved 6000 Jews from the Nazis by issuing Japanese visas. Sugihara is honoured at Yad Vashem as one of the Righteous Among the Nations. In conjunction with the film the DHGC will be hosting the Chiune Sugihara exhibition which run until the end of November.

FUMIKO ISHIOKA VISIT 12 NOVEMBER 2019

Fumiko Ishioka will be visiting the DHGC on 12 November this year! Fumiko is the director of the Tokyo Holocaust Education Resource Center and the woman behind Hanna's Suitcase. In 2000 Ishioka wrote to Holocaust museums around the globe asking for artifacts. She received several items from Auschwitz Museum - among them a suitcase with name 'Hanna Brady'. Ishioka has used Hanna Brady's story to enhance Holocaust education, particularly for primary school learners, through the use of this artifact. Follow us online for updates on these events and more DHGC news!

OCTOBER 2019

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• Work with dignity •

SPCA - Durban Volunteer Elizabeth with the generous Masadaniks who donated food for SPCA – Durban shelter

WE WELCOME YOUR SUPPORT MASADA DONATIONS 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 050768581 BRANCH CODE: 051001 TAX DEDUCTABLE DONATIONS CAN BE MADE AT: 99, Bellevue Rd, Musgrave, Durban. Tel: 031-202-3419.

OCTOBER 2019

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Who wants to study in Israel? BY MICHAL ILAN – ISRAEL CENTRE SHLICHA

More and more South Africans realise that studying in Israel is a real viable option. In the last few years, a few developments have made studying in Israel more accessible and affordable for South African students. Firstly, more Universities now offer full degrees in English. There are now six institutions that offer BA degrees and a few more that offer MA degrees in English. In most institutions, the English degrees cost more than the Hebrew programmes but some Universities, like Bar Ilan University, have changed their prices to make it more affordable and the English degrees cost the same as the Hebrew ones, which is about the same as UCT tuition. To help those who decide to study in Israel, there is financial assistance. MASA, an umbrella organisation for long-term programmes in Israel, is giving each South African student $9,100 towards their first year’s tuition. This grant can be used once and is significantly higher than other places in the world. For further assistance, Telfed is offering a number of things. Their SASI (South Africans Studying in Israel) scholarship helps students to pay for their housing while they study in Israel. They also offer small scholarships for students who give of their time and volunteer. Those who wish to study in Hebrew can enjoy much lower tuition and can use their MASA grant towards a 6 months’ predatory course, which will enable them to learn Academic Hebrew and be better prepared to start their studies.

Vicky Gounaris

Oh, and did you know that if you choose to make Aliyah and make Israel your home, your studies are paid for by the State of Israel?

www.djc.co.za

For great education and an opportunity to experience Israel as a resident, studying in Israel is a great choice. If you want to learn more, feel free to contact us at the Israel Centre on (011) 645 2561 or email us at israelprog@israelcentre.co.za, or go to www.studyabroad.masaisrael.org

OCTOBER 2019

Cell: 079 073 5492

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August has proven to be a very busy month at the Young Israel Centre. Events included the showing of Sarah’s Key for Tisha B’Av, a Shabbat lunch with a special guest from Josh Poyurs who came down from Johannesburg and a pleasant DUHC youth Shabbat lunch. The highlight of the month was definitely our Tu B’Av Breakfast Shmooz, which had a Friendship Day theme. With over 35 children

attending, together with their parents, the children painted, made friendship bracelets and packed chocolate packets for their friends. There was also a fun photo booth and it wouldn’t be a Breakfast Shmooz without waffles! Thank you to Habonim for sending a madricha from Cape Town specially for our event, as well as to the Netzer madrichim from Durban for helping facilitate the different stations.

Netanya Dogan

ArielleLevitan

Elon Stout

Gil Dogan and Cameron Wulfsohn

Michal Dogan

OCTOBER 2019

Abby Van Der Wyk

Danielka Scher

Daniella Scher and Sivana Stout

Eyal Scher and Shay Stout

Ezra Levitan and Jesse Shapira

Leah Elran

Maria and Max Bronzin

Michal Dogan

Netanya Dogan, Leah Elran and Sivana Stout

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Durban

AUGUST 21 2019 A MEMORABLE DAY

Sonja Vilicic Educator on Jewish communities in Serbia

Edwin Shuker - Vice President of the British Jewish Board of Deputies

Irwin Kula Rabbi and Innovator, seeing Judism in a diï¬&#x20AC;erent light

Calev Ben Dor Part of the Think Tank on Israel and the Middle East Jonathan Webber Expert on the Holocaust

We were treated to such an amazing variety of presenters and topics. Food for thought at every turn.

Be part of this journey, and help us make 2020 even better. Be involved in the planning of this exciting event or register as a volunteer. Contact: durban@limmud.org.za for more information

CHAG SEMEACH AND WELL OVER THE FAST 26

OCTOBER 2019

Jessica Kate Meyer Film star and now Rabbi

0 2

A 0 2 NEW YEAR

A NEW DATE AUGUST 10*

*A PUBLIC HOLIDAY Our Community, Our People, Our Magazine

COMMUNITY NEWS

Cooking with Judy and Linda STRAWBERRY SEASON STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD 1 packet spinach/butter lettuce 4 baby Israeli cucumbers, sliced ¼ cup raisins

1 small tray strawberries, halved 2 avocados, sliced ½ cup toasted slivered or flaked almonds

Place salad ingredients on a platter Dressing: Mix together and pour over salad just before serving. Do not toss! 1 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon dry mustard 1 teaspoon paprika 1 tablespoon grated onion

¼ cup honey ½ cup white vinegar 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 cup oil 2 tablespoon poppy seeds

FRESH STRAWBERRY TART Pastry: 2 cups flour 125g butter, cubed

½ cup sugar 1 egg

1 teaspoon baking powder pinch salt

Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend till breadcrumbs form – Slowly add cream to bind CHILL - Line a tart dish with pastry – Bake blind for 15-20 minutes until golden 1 large tray fresh strawberries, halved Filling: Beat the instant pudding with the milk, cream and brandy - Chill 1 packet vanilla instant pudding 1 cup milk 1 cup cream 1 tablespoon brandy Fill the cooled pie shell with filling. Arrange fresh strawberries in a circular pattern Glaze: 1 cup orange juice 2-3 tablespoons strawberry jelly powder

1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon corn flour

Bring the orange juice and sugar to the boil, and then add the jelly and the corn flour (mixed to a paste with a little cold water. Cool slightly before pouring over the strawberries.

STRAWBERRIES WITH A CITRUS SAUCE 1 large tray of strawberries Finely grated rind of ½ orange and ½ lemon Juice of 1 lemon Juice of 1 orange 3 tablespoons castor sugar 1 tablespoon honey Place all ingredients except the finely grated rind in a small pot and warm until the sugar dissolves. COOL – when cool add the rind. CHILL – Just before serving drizzle over strawberries.

OCTOBER 2019

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BIRTHS Mazeltov to: Clive and Andy Bernstein and Clarice Sternberg on the birth of a grand/ great grandson born to Gary and Courtneigh Bernstein. Glenda Bernstein on the birth of a great grandson born to Mark and Daniella Gamsu in Australia. Malcolm and Pam Smith on the birth of a granddaughter born to Leanne and Michel in London. Stan and Bernice Hart on the birth of a granddaughter, Yael Meira, born to Darren and Ayala in Jerusalem.

BIRTHDAYS Mazeltov to: David Altshuler on his 50th birthday Neville Nathan on his 75th birthday.

BAR/BATMITZVAH Mazeltov to: Laurence and Julie Levy on the forthcoming Barmitzvah of their grandson Kade, son of Brett and Gayle in Aus.

OCTOBER 2019 Date

Event

Venue

TBC

Sisterhood Meeting

DPJC

16 Oct

Sisterhood Bingo

BETH SHALOM

24 Oct

DHGC Event

DHGC

28 Oct

HOD meeting

DJC

6 Nov

DHGC Event

DJC

ENGAGEMENTS Mazeltov to: Morris and Rina Groer on the engagement of their daughter Amy to Jarrod du Plessis. Eric and Alice Rosen, Stella Aronoff on the engagement of their son/ grandson Jeff to Tali Williams.

WEDDINGS Mazeltov to: Dov and Cheryl Unterslak on the marriage of their son Moshe to Helena Kahanovitz. Ronen and Adele Kassuto, Max Nathan on the marriage of their daughter/granddaughter Chantal to Kyle Solarsh.

DEATHS Condolences to: Bentleigh Cowan on the passing of his wife and Brenda Gouws on the passing of her mother Fran: to the family of Solly Rudansky.

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Please urgently pay your outstanding 2019 HASHALOM subscriptions to help us cover our production costs.

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Hashalom is not responsible for errors and omissions. Please submit your information in writing to The Editor, PO Box 10797, Marine Parade 4056 or fax to (031) 3379600 or email hashalom@djc.co.za.

OCTOBER 2019

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