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Walter Whall Battiss, untitled, silkscreen
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south african n Volume 25 – Number 14 n 23 April 2021 n 11 Iyar 5781
T h e sour c e of qual i t y co n tent, n ews an d insights
www.sajr.co.za
Community fights fire on all fronts
TALI FEINBERG students find places to history, we as Jews have dad’s flat in Sea Point. We came back to an
stay. Bram Freedman lived with the image untouched home and a fire truck stationed
J
ews across the Mother City watched is from Vereeniging of books burning. And at the top of the road. The embers on the
in horror as an unseasonably hot and lives at Kopano although this wasn’t mountain looked like a Christmas tree. I felt
Sunday, 18 April 2021, turned into an Residence. “At the first intentional, I think relief and gratitude.”
apocalypse. What started as a small fire on note of the severity of the horror is deeply As the fire spread to the City Bowl,
the slopes of Table Mountain quickly became the fire, our warden ingrained – that burnt residents picked up and ran. Vet Reena
a raging inferno lasting three days. acted quickly and books are irretrievable. Cotton, whose home backs onto the
The flames engulfed the Rhodes made the call to It’s a good time to mountain, says, “When it was apparent the
Memorial Restaurant, a University of Cape evacuate,” he says. “We realise what treasures fire was coming our way, we packed the
Town (UCT) library, and other university had about 10 minutes we have in this country.” cats, birds, and dogs in the car to get them
buildings and heritage sites, before moving to pack essentials. I Kaplan Centre to a safe place. They were all extremely
towards the City Bowl. As fire, smoke, ash, took my tefillin. People director Adam traumatised. We phoned our children to ask
and wind wreaked havoc, many members started contacting Mendelsohn says, “It if there was anything they wanted us to take,
of the community bore the brunt of the me, saying I could was surreal watching and packed those items, as well as a change
destruction. stay with them for as the fire grow”, as he of clothing and a few precious things.
Chabad on Campus Rabbi Nissen long as I needed. I lives a few kilometres “When you know the fire is coming, you
Goldman put duty first as the fire threatened decided to stay with my from campus. “Archival can’t relax. I went out every hour to watch
his home, workplace, and a precious Torah Muslim friend, even collections are first the smoke, then the flames grow and
scroll housed in the Isaac & Jessie Kaplan though I had received irreplaceable. This is our get closer,” she says. “At 04:00, we were told
Centre for Jewish Studies at UCT. offers from about 30 heritage that has been to evacuate, so we went to where our dogs
“I live about 600m from upper campus. Jewish families. This is so carefully preserved were and walked them on the Sea Point
We were out for the morning when someone because this particular Rabbi Nissen Goldman evacuating the for many years.” He promenade at 05:00. We spent another
sent a photo of the fire right outside Chabad friend was adamant Kaplan Centre Torah on Sunday night says most of the Kaplan sleepless night at friends.” Their home was
House [Goldman’s home]. Our neighbour’s in helping me out. He Centre archive is at saved but “the damage to the vegetation and
roof caught on fire, and other houses nearby picked me up and welcomed me into his for their support. the centre and is therefore safe, but “some wildlife is devastating. The community spirit
burnt to the ground.” Miraculously, his home home. The whole family is so friendly and On the other side of campus, the Jewish-related material was stored at the and generosity of strangers is magnificent.”
remained intact. accommodating.” JW Jagger Library caught fire – home to a Jagger Library, and we are uncertain of its Architect Roxanne Kaye says, “Living right
Goldman managed to procure an Daniel Cohen, originally from Durban, is number of prominent archival collections. condition”. on the mountain means we have had to
emergency vehicle to take him to the Kaplan in his first year at UCT studying mechanical “The destruction is immeasurable,” says Analyst Nadine Shenker, who lives in evacuate before, but this was by far the worst.
Centre. “Thank G-d I had a key to the centre engineering. “At times like these, I feel devastated library manager Michal Singer. University Estate not far from where the On Monday morning at 04:00, our doorbell
as well its beit midrash. We went through very blessed to have such an amazing “We adopted a policy of compassion in fire began, describes her experience. “On rang with panicked instructions to leave.
three blockades to get there. We had no clue community,” he says. “Yesterday [Sunday], tackling research requests during lockdown. Monday, we woke up with tight chests – the We grabbed passports and documents, but
if it was safe, we just went. It’s miraculous the smoke started spreading and they told Today [Sunday], we saw that kindness fire was metres away. I kept running to see before we could pack more, we were told we
how the Kaplan Centre was untouched, as me to grab anything valuable. Being in a directed back at us. While there were fire if it had jumped the highway, in between had to go. When we got to my sister, we could
it’s on top of campus. It was full of smoke, rush, I grabbed only my laptop. From what doors preventing the spread of the fire, hosing down the roof and the trees in our see the fire skimming the back of our road.”
but we managed to get the Torah out. It was I’ve gathered, my res hasn’t been damaged the impact of the water damage isn’t to be garden. My neighbours were packing their Their house and other homes were saved,
really exhilarating – you had a feeling like too badly, although there were videos of underestimated. We will be undertaking cars. At that moment, I realised that the only “but it was a close call”.
you’re just ‘plugged in’, and you know you’re fire outside it. UCT is being very strict about emergency conservation efforts.” thing that was really important was life. The Charly’s Bakery owner Jacqui Biess co-
not running on your own power. You know letting people onto campus, so we haven’t Consultant Shelagh Gastrow, who drove air quality was worse and visibility was bad. ordinated volunteer efforts in Vredehoek. “It
you’re on a much bigger mission.” been able to fetch our stuff.” Both students fundraising for the modernisation of UCT We got a voice note to evacuate, and the was absolute insanity. Residents described
Goldman also helped evacuated Jewish are grateful to Goldman and the community libraries in the 1990s, says, “During our sirens started blasting. We hurried to my Continued on page 5>>
From
the very
youngest to the
very oldest
No Jew Gets Left Behind
www.jhbchev.co.za
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2 SA JEWISH REPORT 23 – 30 April 2021
ew
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rld
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r i e f • • Wo
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Dutch compensate
r i e f • • Wo r l
Bernardo Strozzi, the Noordhollands Wesley Fisher, the A high court recently ruled that the to help address a rise in hate crimes in
owners of Nazi-
in B
Dagblad reported on Monday, director of research killer, Kobili Traore, shouldn’t stand New York City.
looted painting
ws
dN
19 April. for the Conference trial for beating Sarah Halimi to death Its five volunteer members will include
Ne
e
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A Dutch museum will compensate The painting, which was sold by on Jewish Material and throwing her out the window of her Devorah Halberstam, a Hasidic woman
nB
••W rief
the rightful owners of a Nazi-looted Richard Semmel of Berlin, is one Claims Against Germany, third-story apartment in 2017. whose son, Ari, was murdered by a
painting the government said it could of several artworks that the Dutch wrote last year in an op-ed. The CRIF umbrella group of French terrorist in the city in 1994.
keep because displaying it would be government’s restitutions committee The best-known looted item on display Jewish communities called it a Spurred by a spike in hate crimes
in the public interest. has acknowledged as looted art. The in the Netherlands is Painting with Houses “miscarriage of justice”. The founder of against Asian Americans, the diverse
Museum de Fundatie in Zwolle committee holds, however, that the by Wassily Kandinsky, whose worth the National Bureau for Vigilance Against panel will help advise if incidents
has agreed to give $240 000 (R3.4 museums should be allowed to keep is valued at $20 million Anti-Semitism, a communal watchdog involving any group should be deemed a
million) to the descendants of Jewish the paintings because the public’s (R28.5 million) at least. Amsterdam’s known as BNVCA, said he “no longer hate crime.
Holocaust victims who under duress right to have access to culturally municipal museum, Stedelijk, had full confidence that antisemitic hate The NYPD already has a Hate Crimes
sold the 1635 painting Christ and significant works outweighs the acknowledges it was looted, but hasn’t crimes in France are handled properly”. Task Force and has set up an undercover
the Samaritan Woman at the Well by interests of the rightful owners. offered to compensate the rightful owners, Traore, who is Muslim, called Halimi Anti-Asian Hate Crimes Task Force in
This approach, unique who have sued the museum and lost. “demon”, as he hit her for more than response to attacks on members of the
among countries that 30 minutes and shouted about Allah, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
Appliance Repairs on Site say they are interested Macron calls for witnesses said. After defenestrating her, community.
s ,
sher
in resolving ownership he shouted, “A lady fell out the window”, The task force said 135 hate crimes
w a reform after French
D ish St ov es issues among Nazi-looted
killer avoids trial
and tried to escape but was detained had been reported in the city in 2021,
, ,
hines
art, has exposed the nearby. He was placed in a psychiatric compared to 93 last year. Through to the
g es ac
id M Netherlands to criticism. facility and may be released. end of March, there were 20 antisemitic
Fr shing
Photo: Jean-Francois Badias POOL AFP
It risks “turning the acts and 31 anti-Asian acts.
a & more
W ble Dryers Netherlands from a Warsaw unveils
Tum Call Jason leader in art restitution
monument to ghetto Dutch soccer fans
082 401 8239 / 076 210 6532 to a pariah”, restitution
expert Anne Webber and archive chant ‘Hamas, Jews to
FREE QUOTATIONS
A group of Jewish organisations has the gas’
unveiled a monument marking the area Fans of Dutch soccer team Vitesse
where a group of Jewish writers and chanted, “Hamas, Hamas, Jews to the gas”
activists buried an archive of material at a fan rally before a scheduled match
documenting their Holocaust experiences. against Ajax, an Amsterdam-based team
The commemoration of the Ringelblum known for its history of Jewish supporters.
Archive was timed to coincide with the Police began examining footage from
78th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto the action on Wednesday, 21 April, which
Uprising on Monday, 19 April. occurred in Arnhem, where Vitesse is
A group of historians, journalists, based. The two clubs played on Sunday,
writers, and social activists led by and Ajax won 2-1.
Emanuel Ringelblum and known as Oneg Supporters and rivals of Ajax often
Shabbat collected the material – from affectionately refer to the club and its
reports and diaries to posters, drawings, fans as “Jews” out of recognition of the
and even candy wrappers – documenting centuries-long strong presence of Jews in
French President Emmanuel Macron
the horrid conditions in the ghetto Amsterdam. It’s a pattern across Europe
After a man who killed his Jewish and hid the cache underground in used for fans of teams in England, Italy,
neighbour successfully pled that he metal boxes and milk cans. Most of the and Germany.
was unfit to stand trial because of what documents have been found. But in the Netherlands, the “Hamas,
a court called a marijuana-induced The monument at 28 Nowolipki Street, Jews to the gas” chant has become more
psychotic episode, French President designed by Łukasz Mieszkowski and commonplace in recent years.
Emmanuel Macron is calling for legal Marcin Urbanek, centres on a transparent
cube containing a copy of an archival • All briefs supplied by JTA
reform.
“Deciding to take narcotics and then document.
Shabbat times this week
‘going mad’ shouldn’t, in my view,
remove your criminal responsibility,” NYPD creates Starts Ends
Macron told the Le Figaro newspaper in
an interview published on Sunday, 18
civilian panel on 17:26
17:56
18:15
18:47
Johannesburg
Cape Town
April. “I would like the justice minister to hate crimes 17:10 18:00 Durban
present a change in the law as soon as The New York Police Department 17:30 18:20 Bloemfontein
possible.” (NYPD) is creating a civilian panel 17:27 18:18 Port Elizabeth
17:19 18:10 East London
Torah Thought Rabbi Yossi Chaikin,
Oxford Shul
Why we should shun Egypt and Canaan
A
s the Jewish nation camps destination ahead, is the symbol of back, following
in the wilderness linking the our constant search for innovation. traditions and
land of the Pharaohs and Too often, we become impatient rituals. South
the promised land, they are warned with the status quo, and seek African Jewry
not to emulate the behaviour of novelty for the sake of originality prizes time-honoured customs,
their place of origin or that of their not necessarily improvement. The and this has held our community
destination. The verse, in this week’s allure of newness and freshness in together through generations. At
Torah reading, instructs them, “Like its own right draws us to abandon the same time, we must constantly
the practice of the land of Egypt, in the tried and tested ways, and re-evaluate whether a practice is still
which you dwelled, you shall not do, venture into uncharted territory. relevant (if it ever was), or is actually
and like the practice of the land of In this instant-gratification 21st standing in the way of progress.
Canaan, to which I am bringing you, century, anything that doesn’t Generally, the younger generation
you shall not do, and you shall not smell fresh and different is quickly restlessly head for the greener
follow their statutes.” (Lev. 18,3). dismissed as irrelevant and passé. pastures down the road less
Literally, the instruction is Egypt, the land from which we travelled. Older folk tend to shelter
to refrain from the notoriously came, represents custom. This is our in the sanctuary of convention.
decadent and immoral conduct natural tendency to resist change, to The Torah teaches us to shun both
of both nations. It remains as continue doing what we have always Egypt and Canaan, to critically
pertinent now as it was then. The done. An approach may have failed analyse why we are refusing to
ways of these two lands also refer to us in the past, but we still retreat change our ways, and why we are
common pitfalls in our lives. into the safe cocoon of the habitual. often in such a hurry to abandon
Canaan, the exciting new It’s crucial that we reflect and look the old ways for the new.
Editor Peta Krost Maunder – editor@sajewishreport.co.za • Sub-editor Julie Leibowitz Journalists
Nicola Miltz • Tali Feinberg • Mirah Langer • Photographer Ilan Ossendryver • Editorial co-ordinator
Martine Bass – editorial@sajewishreport.co.za • Proofreader Kim Hatchuel CEO Dani Kedar
T h e so u r c e o f q u a lit y c o n t e n t , n e w s a n d in sig h t s
–
ceo@sajewishreport.co.za • Advertising Britt Landsman: 082 292 9520 – britt@sajewishreport.co.za • New business development manager • Laura
Kaufman laura@sajewishreport.co.za • Design and layout Bryan Maron/Design Bandits – bryan@designbandits.co.za • Distribution Sandy Furman
• Subscriptions Avusa Publishing (Pty) Ltd. Tel: 0860 525 200 • Board of Directors Howard Sackstein (Chairperson), Dina Diamond, Herschel Jawitz, Shaun Matisonn,
Benjy Porter. • Advertisements and editorial copy do not neccessarily reflect the views of the editor, staff and board of directors. Tel: 011 430 1980.
23 – 30 April 2021 SA JEWISH REPORT 3
Johannesburg shul I want to
robbed in broad daylight buy your
bobba! old or new,
NICOLA MILTZ most sanctified space. we’ll pay you
a wow price
“This was definitely a criminal incident
F
ollowing what appears to be one of and not based on antisemitism, as reported
the first armed robberies at a shul in a number of international fake-news for your car.
in Johannesburg, Chief Rabbi Dr reports. It’s disappointing that this
Warren Goldstein has described armed incident was portrayed in international
robberies targeting shuls and schools as media in a sensationalist manner without
previously “unheard of ”. providing any real context.”
Call Alan: 082 850 0004
www.alfinauto.co.za
Last Thursday, 15 April, at 11:30, two The chief rabbi said that the community
armed men robbed Kehillas Shomer had set up Community Active Protection
Emunim synagogue in Percelia Estate. They (CAP) as a community-based, non-profit
entered the shul on foot and robbed Rabbi organisation precisely to counter the threat
Adam Saffer and two of his congregants, of violent crime. Sean Jammy, the chief operating officer suspects apprehended by our tactical teams
Chaim Blumenfeld and Daniel Segal. The “In the more than 14 years of its holy at CAP, said his team was “deeply distressed and subsequently arrested by the SAPS
suspects allegedly had been seen loitering work, CAP has managed to bring down by the trauma experienced by the victims of since the beginning of 2020.”
nearby before entering the open gate. violent crime in its areas of operation by up the robbery at Kehillas Shomer Emunim. He said the tireless work of its special
The robbers allegedly gagged the men to 90%. It does so through its combination “We are committed to bringing the intervention teams, controllers, field-
with their yarmulkes, and tied them up of proactive patrol and investigation, a perpetrators of this crime to justice. intelligence agents, and ongoing proactive
using tallit which they cut using a knife highly responsive call centre, and other CAP’s security and legal division is security patrols of its areas, coupled with a
from the shul’s kitchen. innovative crime-fighting tactics. Of assisting the SAPS [South African Police deep commitment to the latest technology
They asked for car keys, and to be shown course, one crime is one crime too many, Service] to investigate the robbery. We are interventions such as CCTV and LPR
where there may be a safe (license plate recognition), continued to
containing money. bear fruit. “The combined crime rate across
The suspects stole cell phones, all CAP areas has reduced every year for the
laptop computers, and a black past three years, and the trends are similar
Toyota Run X vehicle belonging for the start of 2021,” Jammy said.
to one of the victims. No one The Community Security Organisation
was injured. (CSO) immediately sent responders to the
The incident has shocked the scene, and to surrounding shuls, schools,
community and horrified Jews shops, and restaurants.
around the world as a number “Although we do work with security
of distressing photographs and companies and the police, we can’t be
stories have been disseminated everywhere at all times. Our facilities also
via social media and need to take the threat of crime seriously,
international news sites. and put in the necessary measures to keep
The photographs that were themselves and the community as safe
circulated appeared to be staged as possible,” said Jevon Greenblatt, the
after the fact for dramatic effect, director of CSO Johannesburg.
making the story that went Greenblatt said it was imperative to take
around even more shocking. all necessary steps to secure yourself, your
Photo: Ilan Ossendryver
The photographs exacerbated family, and your community as much as
fear in the community over possible.
rising crime, and lead to “The key is to prevent something from
antisemitic comments online Chaim Blumenfeld holds up a tallis happening, not to react when something
by people doubting the incident similar to what the robbers used to tie happens,” he said.
happened in the first place. It the victims up during the robbery This includes being vigilant about what’s
was also portrayed as an act of happening around you, keeping your
antisemitism. and our vision at CAP is to aim for zero actively pursuing a number of leads, and facility’s doors and gates closed and locked
In the wake of it all, the chief rabbi crime,” said Goldstein, who was the driving have offered a large reward for further at all times, and if possible, hiring security
visited the shul last Friday night, and force behind CAP. information leading to the arrest of the guards from a reputable security company.
addressed the congregation. “What gives me confidence going forward criminals responsible for this attack. We are You should ensure your alarms, panic
He told the SA Jewish Report the incident is that CAP is getting more effective all the hopeful that we will be able to apprehend buttons, electric fences, perimeter and
was “an outrage which is deeply upsetting”. time, effecting more arrests than ever, and suspects in this case soon.” interior lighting is in good working order
“I offered words of support to the rabbi achieving the lowest crime rate we have had He said CAP together with the SAPS and checked regularly. Ensure that you have
and congregants whom I found to be strong in a long time. provincial head office serious and violent a trained team of community volunteers
and undeterred in their attitude,” he said. “The brilliance of its senior leadership, crime unit and other stakeholders had made to protect your communal facility during
“Any incident of violent crime is deeply the professionalism of its call centre, and “great progress in targeting serious violent- key times such as Shabbos, yomim tovim,
shocking and causes great trauma to its the bravery of all its tactical officers and crime offenders”. and larger communal events. Immediately
victims. It’s even more shocking when it investigators is inspiring. May Hashem “This has led to the arrest of 102 serious report anyone or anything you deem
happens in a shul, but of course, any attack, continue to bless their holy and brave work violent-crime offenders in just the past suspicious.
even in a home, is also a desecration of our in protecting us.” eight months. It’s in addition to the 592 The victims have declined to comment.
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4 SA JEWISH REPORT 23 – 30 April 2021
Charlotte Maxeke fire was like being in a movie, doctor says
NICOLA MILTZ our healthcare workers to save and make a difference in “There was confusion, we didn’t know where the “We managed to find hospital beds throughout the
people’s lives will never be extinguished,” he said. smoke was coming from, and didn’t know where to take province. Some of our sicker patients were transported
J
ewish healthcare workers this week described His involvement on the day was peripheral, he said. our patients. We were literally in the dark. We decided with nursing staff to continue their care. The evacuation
incomprehensible scenes of mayhem and “The real heroes were the men and women across the to take patients to the other side of the building by the went on through the night. By late Saturday morning,
camaraderie as smoke from a fire at one of spectrum who were there making sure that patients’ entrance on the ground floor to get fresh air. we had emptied most of the hospital.
Johannesburg’s biggest public hospitals forced them to safety came first.” “The whole night was spent moving patients. At one “Initially there was confusion about what to do. A lot of
rush to evacuate hundreds of patients. One of the Jewish doctors on call that day said point, they were breaking windows to get air. Some lifts extra doctors came to help, and there was a strong sense
The disastrous fire at the Charlotte Maxeke nothing could have prepared her for this. weren’t working. At one stage, I was genuinely scared of leadership. It’s a compliment to the medical and
Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH), which “It was an the building emergency fraternity that the operation went off fairly
broke out on Friday, 16 April, has been eclipsed by the awful experience, would give way. seamlessly without casualties. When the going gets
fires which ravaged the University of Cape Town and one I will never This was disaster tough, people in their numbers show up and go above
surroundings this week. forget,” she said. management, and beyond,” she said.
The hospital has been temporarily shut while the Speaking nothing could Intensive-care nurse Ricki-Lee Serebro wasn’t on call
extensive damage and destruction to the building is on condition of have prepared when the fire broke out.
assessed. No less than 800 patients have been relocated anonymity, she me. People came “Seeing your ‘home’ on fire is the most terrifying
to already over-burdened hospitals in the province. said she was still from their homes experience,” she said, “especially when it was happening
Dozens of adrenalin-pumped healthcare workers recovering from to help. It made a and we didn’t know how bad it would get and how far
and emergency personnel worked through last Friday smoke inhalation. huge difference, it would spread. Even though I wasn’t at work, I was
night in suffocating smoke to ensure patients’ safety and What began as we had a great stressed about our patients and my colleagues and all
continued care. a normal shift at team. the stock including PPE [personal protective equipment],
Some patients could walk, others were speedily 07:00 on Friday “It felt like a which has been like gold this past year. I’m in awe of
carted around in beds, and dozens were transported in turned into a movie the whole the hospital management, doctors, and nurses who
wheelchairs, many with IV drips and attached to oxygen. horror movie a time. At some transferred the patients so quickly to other hospitals.
Miraculously, there were no fatalities from the fire few hours later. point, I thought “At the moment, I’m working in Steve Biko Academic
itself, but it’s believed many severely sick patients “At about things would Hospital in Pretoria. The commute takes a lot longer – it’s
suffered during transportation to other facilities. 09:00, I was slow down but more than 50km compared to 10km to the CMJAH.
Professor Mervyn Mer, the head of intensive care at working in one of they never did. Being in a different hospital is exciting as we are
the hospital, was looking forward to his first weekend off the clinics on the I was running learning different ways of doing things, however we are
in 13 months and spending time with his family when fifth floor when I Hospital staff evacuating patients during the fire at on adrenalin. disorientated so everything takes longer. We miss our
he was called with the news. He immediately helped smelt smoke and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital I didn’t realise home. Hopefully we will be back there soon.”
from afar with emergency logistical arrangements. it began to irritate how much Dr Barri Strimling, who recently moved to
“It has been a truly devastating saga. It’s my airways. I thought at that stage we should clear out, smoke I was taking in until much later.” the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital from the
heartbreaking for me,” he told the SA Jewish Report. but people said the fire was under control,” she said. A Jewish senior trauma surgeon said it was a logistical CMJAH said, “The CMJAH is a very special place.
Mer was instrumental in setting up the innovative, This couldn’t have been further from the truth. challenge to relocate hundreds of patients. We have all given hours of our life to that facility.
ground-breaking intensive-care unit at the hospital last “Two hours later, the nursing sisters told us to move Also wishing to remain anonymous, she said, “I was COVID-19 has taught us to think on the spot, and
year, doubling the size of the unit and saving dozens of our cars. I started to fill out scripts and tell patients to involved from the outside with contingency plans and go to plan B. It has blown my mind how medical
lives during the pandemic. His vision was to improve come back as they couldn’t just wait in the smoke.” moving patients. We started by making plans to move personnel and emergency services managed to
outcomes in the unit long after the pandemic. He She said there was heavy smoke throughout the day. patients to the other side of the hospital. As the day orchestrate this evacuation to perfection. They are
doesn’t want to think about what the repercussions At about 16:00, she was needed in one of the wards progressed and the fire worsened, it became too hot true heroes.”
could be should the structural damage from the fire put on the ninth floor in Green Block. for the firefighters and we realised the building itself Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said the blaze had
an end to this dream. “I noticed the lift was full of smoke, so I decided to may lose structural integrity. We then started plans to caused severe damage to parts of the hospital. PPE
“Life throws you curve balls, but you have to move take the stairs. The corridors were full of smoke, and so evacuate the entire hospital.” to the value of R40 million that was stored at the
forward. If we have to start again, we will. The damage is was a lift shaft coming from the parking lot all the way There was a united front with additional help from the hospital was lost in the fire. The cause of the fire and
done, but the message is that the fire that was ignited in up to the ward.” private sector, she said. the extent of the damage is being investigated.
Cliff finds faith in interview on religious tolerance
JULIE LEIBOWITZ He holds senior positions in interreligious affairs and many who aren’t religiously affiliated, but define assist AIDS orphans. Why? Because so much care and
intercultural dialogue across the religious spectrum. themselves as deeply spiritual and are searching for social services are provided by religious institutions.”
G
areth Cliff, a long-time religious sceptic, The rabbi spent five years in South Africa in the meaning,” Rosen said. He pointed out that mental health had become
had a moment of revelation on Wednesday, 1970s as rabbi of the then largest Orthodox Jewish “Young people are looking for their identity in an equally pressing issue during the COVID-19
14 April, when he interviewed Rabbi community in the world – Sea Point’s Marais Road areas like politics, which gives them less fruit than pandemic. “Religions give a sense of security, value,
David Rosen on national television for his ENCA Shul. He regards this time as being seminal to his religion,” Cliff said. and meaning beyond the material. It has become
programme, So What Now. career. “It determined my future,” he said of seeking “Many of the problems of affluent society with more important to people when facing challenges
Rosen is known for his work on promoting to break down apartheid’s divisions. Out of this drug culture, cults, and so on is that people are like the existential challenges faced this year.”
interfaith dialogue around the world. Cliff is known commitment to social justice, Rosen discovered searching for stimulation because they find their Asked by Cliff about religion’s history of
for being a “shock jock” who airs controversial views, interfaith relations. lives boring or meaningless,” Rosen said. “However, intolerance, Ruben quipped, “Just because there’s
including his opposition to religion and religious In response to Cliff’s question about growing religions haven’t stepped up to the plate adequately. such a thing as the mafia, doesn’t mean that families
practitioners. atheism and intolerance between religions in a Institutional religion globally hasn’t succeeded in are bad. We have an awful history as humanity in how
“For a very long time, I’ve made no secret of the “progressivist” society, Rosen said, “What sells responding to the search of young people.” we have addressed the diversity and glory of creation.
fact that I’ve been a vehement critic of religion,” Cliff media is sensation, and that’s mostly negative news. Rosen maintained that some religions had dealt with We need to take responsibility for that, and confess
said in the interview. “I’ve laid the blame for some of However, the truth is that never in the history of pandemic restrictions better than others. Faiths which our guilt for the failures of the past.
the world’s major tragedies at the door of religion. time has there been as much communication and depend on mass gatherings or services have struggled “Difference is part of the glory of creation. We
But I do appreciate the profound, positive influence collaboration as we have in our time. more than those that “infuse daily life with a sense of should be able to identify commonalities, but there’s
of religion for so many people. Religion “Generally speaking, the world is getting more holiness”, like Judaism, for example. nothing wrong with being able to admire something
has helped many people through “For Judaism, synagogue is a that’s not part of your own identity, culture, and
this tough time, and so much good Gareth Cliff and Rabbi David Rosen secondary institution. Home is religious tradition, and celebrate that.
is being done by religious leaders.” the primary religious institution “Something only religion can teach is that human
Cliff explained why he chose – major celebrations are around beings are created in the divine image, and the way
to feature Rosen on his national the family table. It’s okay to pray you treat the other is ultimately the way you relate
television programme. “He is at home by yourself,” although he to G-d. This is basic to all religions, but we haven’t
the foremost voice in the world admitted there were challenges actually preached it. We need to reconnect with the
on interfaith dialogue. It was around marriages and burials. authentic moral, ethical message of our traditions.”
interesting to hear his thoughts on “One of the fascinating He maintained that much of our current progressive,
how much we have in common, things is the alacrity of religion’s liberal framework is built upon the scaffolding of
and how the differences we have response to modern technology,” Judeo-Christian and Islamic tradition. “Values of justice,
can be respected, whether Jewish, Rosen said. “There has been a righteousness, love, caring for the vulnerable in society
Christian, Muslim, or non-religious. remarkable collaboration between don’t come from the materialistic world view. Moral
In the interview, I reflected on my science and religion. Often these impulse is rooted in the religious world. Secular society
own changing opinions with respect are stupidly juxtaposed as polar is the beneficiary of this.”
to religion. This pandemic has been opposites. Science tells us how Nevertheless, Rosen pointed out that the tension
particularly difficult for many people things work, religion tells us what between secular society, modernity, and religion was
and connection, religion, and spirituality religious,” Rosen said, referring to a recent United they work for.” necessary to contain religion’s power, which when
has helped many through it.” States Pew Research Center poll in which 84% of the On the subject of religion and philanthropy, he unchecked, could be abused.
Rosen’s international accolades are long, including world described religion as important in their life. It said, “Mosques and churches get to numbers that Cliff said the interview had generated a positive
knighthoods by the Vatican for his work in promoting contradicts many other surveys which show people no NGO [nongovernment organisation] can reach. response, saying, “People are hungry for conversations
reconciliation between Catholicism and Judaism, and defining themselves as not having a particular faith. The largest world interfaith body, Religions for Peace, that don’t just scratch the surface, or deliver watered-
by Queen Elizabeth for promoting interfaith relations. “What we can conclude from that is that there are received a large grant from the Gates Foundation to down opinions and social-media rhetoric.”
23 – 30 April 2021 SA JEWISH REPORT 5
COVID-risky simchas ‘like Russian Roulette’
TALI FEINBERG drank and for photos. People were generally drink, or alcohol into the premises except it does, we will only know after a delay, and the
quite dispersed as there was an outside section, wine/grape juice for the chuppah. No dancing rise will be helped by super-spreader events –
A
s COVID-19 numbers remain low, but I suppose I’d be lying if I said it was proper should be done at any time. No communal particularly in the early part of the rise. I appeal to
many young Jewish couples are taking social distancing – a bit hard at a wedding.” singing should be done at any time except the people not to provide those super-spreader events.
the opportunity to get married. But That may be the crux of the matter – having designated performer. Remain in your seat “My colleagues in India are having an incredibly
at every simcha, one can see social media and a COVID-19-safe wedding isn’t easy. And after the traditional glass has been smashed rough time, and when that variant makes it here,
livestream images of maskless retinues and yet our community has been advised by until the bride and bridegroom have left the again our knowledge about it will be delayed,” he
guests, hugging, kissing, dancing, group selfies, top experts in the field to make it possible. chuppah area. You may clap at the appropriate says. “Even for people who feel comfortable about
large family photos, and Horah dancing. Even Professor Efraim Kramer, who actually chose time as often and as loud as you wish. Please relaxing their guard, that shouldn’t extend to large
some rabbis aren’t wearing masks or keeping a to cease advising the community because of leave the premises immediately after the in-person events. Please, don’t contribute to a new
social distance. its flouting of COVID-19 protocols, says the wedding ceremony without any socialising.” wave, and don’t allow you and your loved ones to be
Wedding musicians, speaking on condition recommendations he wrote “are the standard Kramer has also laid out protocols for every hurt by it. Stay away from large in-person events.”
of anonymity, say it has become too much, wedding protocols that have always been in aspect of the wedding, from the pre-wedding Professor Barry Schoub, emeritus professor in
and feel that COVID-19-safe simcha protocols use [during the pandemic], irrespective of the reception to the bride and groom’s table, to virology at the University of the Witwatersrand
need to be widely distributed and closely and the former director of the National Institute
enforced for the safety of the community, for Communicable Diseases, agrees that lower
wider population, and vendors who put their COVID-19 numbers aren’t a signal to relax
lives on the line every time they work at a vigilance.
wedding. “Being a respiratory spread infection, the coming
They say they have seen reckless behaviour cold winter weather may well herald the anticipated
by adults at many simchas. They are speaking third wave. These precautions still apply equally
out after a respected videographer landed up to those who have been vaccinated. Particularly
in hospital in January on oxygen, and a well- problematic are simchas, when many of us seem to
known bass player died from COVID-19 last lose our common sense and throw caution to the
year. They fear they’ll be next. wind, risking tragic consequences.”
The performers say that on previous Kramer makes no bones about what these tragic
occasions, they have been pressurised by consequences might be. “The COVID-19 pandemic
families to forget about COVID-19 rules. is a classic case of Russian Roulette. Sometimes
Some have been told that “COVID-19 is over” there are many bullets in the gun chamber, and
and that guests flying in from overseas (some sometimes there are few, but there are always
of whom have been vaccinated) don’t need bullets in the chamber. Remove COVID-19
to wear masks, or that guests don’t need to precautions at mass gatherings, and you pull the
abide by the curfew. trigger and wait to see if someone dies. To ignore
But when performing at Barmitzvahs and standard precautions at these events is against
Batmitzvahs, they say that children and teens the law, against expert medical advice, and against
are stringent about wearing masks and keeping COVID-19 level. The protocols were given to the bedeken, chuppah, and civil-marriage common sense. We cannot wish COVID-19 away,
a distance, which shows that it’s possible to the Beth Din and any rabbi doing a wedding registration. He also provides a “wedding kit” and sadly, because of our irresponsible behaviour,
have a COVID-19-safe simcha. who wanted them. They are a public resource. list – everything needed for a Jewish wedding we will bring on the next COVID-19 tsunami.
“They all dance and eat apart. They really are All rabbonim are aware of the protocols, in the COVID-19 era, including a medical When it comes, we will only have ourselves to
leading the way. It’s like that campaign that told legislated precautions, and expert medical screening register document. blame.”
children to get their parents to ‘buckle up’. They advice. They have the power and authority to Says Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein, “As
choose to take it seriously. They don’t want to ensure everybody is COVID-19 compliant for a chuppah is a religious event, there are Beth • Please see our website sajr.co.za for the full wedding
remember it as ‘when granny died because she the chuppah ceremony, which they control. Din-mandated health and safety protocols protocols written by Professor Efraim Kramer.
caught COVID-19 at my Batmitzvah’,” says a Whether they choose to exercise their power to endorsed by our medical panel which have
performer. ensure safety is the million-dollar question.” been communicated to the rabbonim and
They have witnessed some families thinking In the document, Kramer sets out COVID- shul committees. Regarding private events,
carefully about how to make a wedding joyful 19-safe guidelines for all Jewish weddings including wedding receptions and other
and safe. “For example, one mother of the during the pandemic. He recommends that simchas, we have strongly recommended and
bride got a guarantee from the retinue that each family should appoint a COVID-19 safety requested that people follow the Hatzolah
they would quarantine for 10 days before supervisor for the event. At the wedding, each health and safety guidelines for private
the wedding and have COVID-19 tests two person must go directly to a labelled chair gatherings. I joined in the Hatzolah video plea
days before, and only they would dance at the with his/her name on it. They must remain in to our community to maintain caution and all
wedding,” says another vendor. their seat for the entire ceremony, and wear an protocols to prevent a third wave.”
A member of the community who attended appropriate face mask at all times. If these protocols aren’t followed, the
a recent Jewish wedding in Cape Town, The protocols show that during a pandemic, a ramifications could be serious. Jeffrey
speaking on condition of anonymity, says, wedding must just be a chuppah – no dancing, Dorfman, associate professor in medical
“When we walked in, everyone was sanitised eating, drinking, or socialising. But it’s clear virology at Stellenbosch University, says, “The
and temperatures were taken. There were also that most weddings under COVID-19 don’t rate at which people are being diagnosed in
masks at the door and kippot. People were abide by these recommendations. South Africa with COVID-19 is low for the
mostly wearing masks, but as expected, they “Don’t socialise away from ones designated moment. However, that will surely change,
came off later in the night when people ate and chair,” the protocols state. “Don’t bring food, although no one really knows when. When
Community fights fire on all fronts
>>Continued from page 1
flames behind their houses as metres high. We had to get fire engines to different the schools closed again on Tuesday.” Amidst all this, “We decided to evacuate the
places, and phone people to evacuate. This morning [Tuesday] I woke up, heard the schools’ Torah scrolls. It was an easy decision – they’re a symbol of who we are.”
helicopters, and just burst into tears, because I knew it was going to be okay.” Photographer and videographer Chad Nathan captured the scene across the city.
Four United Herzlia Schools (UHS) campuses sit in the shadow of the mountain. “I’m fascinated with fire fighters – I see them as real life superheroes,” he says. “It
“As the fire was getting closer, the roads alongside Herzlia Highlands Primary were was literally just me on the [closed] highway. At one point, it was very intense – I
evacuated,” says UHS education Director Geoff Cohen. “At 06:20 on Monday morning, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t see – that’s when I thought I had better get out of there. It
we made the call to keep the UHS City Bowl campuses closed. There was a huge was really sad seeing people evacuate their homes. And I saw some people refusing
amount of smoke. In addition, the traffic from getting 1 000 pupils to school would to leave.”
have got in the way of the firefighters. We asked the district commander his advice Says Shenker, “I will forever be grateful to the fire-fighting heroes. Let’s hope we can
yesterday afternoon [Monday], and he said the fire was still unpredictable, so we kept rise from these ashes stronger, more mindful, and more protective of our planet.”
6 SA JEWISH REPORT 23 – 30 April 2021
Jewish Report
south african
Extreme fear or unfettered activity
The source of quality content, news and insights
both unhealthy during COVID-19
Fiery message in the embers OPINION DR DANIEL ISRAEL
I E
t’s one week before Lag B’Omer, and it seems to very time we drive our vehicles into contract COVID-19, and pushed
me that all we are hearing about right now is fire. the streets in South Africa, we embrace for resumption of “normal” life, in spite of not
Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic real risk. The Automobile Association being vaccinated.
Hospital in Parktown was severely damaged by a fire of South Africa has previously quantified that Balancing risk is the most important task
last Friday, and Cape Town was burning from Sunday risk as 1 in 101 (1%). Almost every facet of our incumbent upon every community member,
until late Tuesday this week. lives is strewn with inherent risk. This concept especially at this perplexing time between a
It has been said that Johannesburg firefighters is apparent in larger life decisions: the risk in second and probably third wave. I strongly
didn’t have the infrastructure to contain the hospital making a career choice, the risk in choosing believe that, other than in exceptional high-risk
fire with speed, hence the extensive damage. There who we marry, the risk of emigration. It’s also individuals, aversion to all risk is detrimental
were also disparaging words about the hospital not equally apparent in smaller life choices: the risk to well-being. COVID-19, with its variants,
having an emergency plan, and its fire hydrants not in making a worthwhile investment, the risk of vaccination challenges, and higher-than-ever
being in working order. trying out a new restaurant on an important worldwide infection rates, is here to stay for
However, in spite of everything, not one person occasion, or of swapping smartphone brands! the short-term future at least. I have treated
was injured in the fire, and the hospital team Risk taking with our most valuable resources significant numbers of patients with mental-
managed to get each of about 800 patients out safely and to other hospitals. Some seems counter-intuitive. Surely, the greater health challenges and neglected chronic
might say it was miraculous. the value, the less risk we should tolerate? diseases because of irrational risk aversion.
In Cape Town, the fire raged for days and seemed to be stretching further and further Our children ought to grow up in risk-free Children need to develop friendships and learn
into suburbia and the City Bowl. It gutted beloved iconic Mother City landmarks like environments. Yet, we know that risk is the important formative skills of outside-world
the Windmill on the side of the M3, and University of Cape Town’s (UCT’s) Jagger inseparably paired with opportunity. It’s a independence. Keeping them cooped up at
Library, which forms part of the UCT Libraries Special Collections. catalyst for growth, and a necessary ingredient home or preventing them from playing sport
A ministerial home was gutted, as well as so many other houses. About 4 000 for daily life. We gladly put our children through (for example) will damage their development.
students in residences were evacuated, and many others who live and work on and daily risks for their own development: contact Grandparents need to spend time with their
around the mountain. sports, unaccompanied travel, and so on. families, especially if COVID-19 prevails over
Firefighters didn’t sleep as they focused on their mission to put out the fire. The COVID-19 pandemic, which is now the last years of their lives. Businesses need to
Helicopters flew backwards and forwards with sea water, dropping it onto the fire to try developing a somewhat endemic flavour in take on expansion and new ventures. Treading
and douse it. Firefighters’ nerves were frazzled, but they kept going until they finally South Africa in its 15th month (in the absence water is a poor approach to build prosperity and
succeeded in putting out the fire late on Tuesday. The problem was, the firefighters of mass-population vaccination), preventing income
explained, every time they thought they were gaining control over the fire, it kept is no exception to this risk loss.
reigniting. model. Perhaps I believe
Amidst the mayhem, all sorts of people did incredibly brave deeds to save human and COVID-19’s that advising
animal lives, precious items, and memorabilia. Read our story on page 1. greatest patients to “stay
The young Rabbi Nissen Goldman rushed into the Kaplan Centre of Jewish Studies challenge home and save
on UCT campus, close to the Jagger Library that burned down. He risked his life to save to the lives” is now
the Torah housed in Kaplan Centre. individual is inappropriate
Across town the following day, Herzlia’s director of education, Geoff Cohen, to embrace and
evacuated four Torah scrolls from Herzlia Highlands Primary. The whole school was risk responsibly. detrimental
closed on Monday and Tuesday as the fire was way too close for comfort, and smoke Let’s explore. (other than in
hung over the school like a pall, dropping ash everywhere. A basic tenet extraneous
You can, of course, think what you want, but I believe there is something very of Judaism circumstances).
symbolic in these fires. Fire in Judaism is an extremely powerful symbol. Remember, is the value Furthermore,
G-d convinced Moses of his existence when he spoke to him from a burning bush. of preserving this approach
We light fire to welcome the Sabbath, and we light up to end the Sabbath and begin human life over all. creates a far bigger
a new week. We light candles to remember those who have left us, and we speak of our The Torah commands us contingency in our society
eternal flame being the light within us, our souls. This flame is also believed by many to “live by the mitzvot”, that swings to the other
tzaddikim to be Torah, which is believed to keep Judaism alive. not die by them. This concept is translated into extreme and exercises no caution. The danger in
Now, in Judaism there are two types of fire, the fire that burns, which is the unruly a strict principle – pikuach nefesh – in other this latter approach is far worse.
fire as experienced in Cape Town and at the Johannesburg hospital, and then the fire words, any risk that threatens life must be I also believe that throwing off masks,
that gives light (as in domestic fire). Wildfires, while they may be caused by humans, extinguished. Even the mere possibility of a life- attending indoor packed events, and not
are uncontrolled and forces of nature. They take with them everything in their path, threatening risk is intolerable. When COVID-19 limiting social-event sizes (for example) is just
burning the good, the bad, and the ugly. By destroying iconic landmarks and a massive hit our shores in February 2020, the risk of as inappropriate and unacceptable, especially in
library filled with historic books, there is a message for us about protecting the old, but death based on the experience in Wuhan was light of the possible increase in new cases.
also letting go what we can’t save because we don’t have total control. Could it be that palpable. The government took the decision to It requires every family and individual to
it’s a message to let go of the old and make way for the new? shut down the country in deference to pikuach decide on an approach that will allow them to
Or to preserve what you can, but remembering that lives are so much more nefesh. Saving lives supercedes all. Even with function in the long term without incurring
important than belongings or things. Even iconic buildings aren’t as important as lives. strict lockdown measures, both nationally and unnecessary risk. Masks, hand sanitising,
It’s astonishing that with all that could have gone wrong with both fires, there were communally, the loss of life and devastation and social distancing still save lives. It’s up to
no deaths. And in the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, not one of over the next few months in South Africa each unit to decide on balanced measures like
the many sick people – some of whom were in intensive care and on ventilators, hooked became formidable. small social circles to mitigate risk, strict mask
up to drips, and unable to walk – were injured or harmed because of the fire. The appropriate societal knee-jerk reaction wearing in public places, outdoor socialising,
It’s mind-blowing that in spite of what sounded like fiery mayhem, they were all was to tighten measures and remain socially individual family member isolation after
safely transported and accommodated in another ward in another hospital. Read our isolated. In fact, preserving an approach of inadvertent high-risk behaviour, and so on.
story on page 4. “hiding away until the pandemic is over” seemed Although the answers aren’t always clear
In both fires, there were people who risked their lives to save others. I’m always achievable for most South Africans. However, or even consistent, I firmly believe that
amazed at how in times of crises, heroes emerge. Sometimes it’s those you least expect as the indicators surfaced that this pandemic every individual in our society has a personal
who step up to the plate to help. And of course the firefighters and medical staff who may indeed last a couple of years and as several responsibility to create for himself/herself a list
put their own lives in jeopardy for other people were simply incredible. Kol hakavod! months of social and economic dysfunction of COVID-19 rules in an attempt to stay safe,
followed, it became more and more apparent prevent danger to others, but as importantly
Crime and weddings that the “no risk” approach was damaging us still to allow himself/herself the opportunity
Fires and crime seem to be on the increase all over Johannesburg and Cape Town. We economically, developmentally, spiritually, and for growth. We imminently await a mass
have to take every precaution to prevent it happening to us. I know that’s easy to say, socially. Ironically, after the first and second rollout of vaccination, but the reality is that
but we have to ensure we have adequate security and use it at all times. (See page 3.) waves, we re-engaged in outside life with new never before has the world attempted such
And we have to make sure our protection against fire is up to date and ready just in case case numbers significantly higher than they had a widespread vaccination programme. It will
we need it. There are people who can advise us on this. Take their advice, and safeguard been, even in the initial no-risk-tolerated pangs take a long time. On an individual level, even
yourself and your families. of the pandemic. after receiving a vaccine, risk still exists.
In this edition, we also look at how many weddings have taken place this year where This was, perhaps, the juncture at which I If you are someone who has either kept
COVID-19 protocols have been mostly ignored. Now, I would never want to dampen noticed, as a GP, our community’s approach every one of your guards up since Level 5
the happiness of newlyweds, but we would all hate it if one of these weddings became to COVID-19 becoming polarised. Individuals lockdown or you have gone to the other
a super-spreader event. We have put the COVID-19 wedding protocols on our website. who had been personally affected by COVID-19 extreme and are even doubtful about whether
Take a look at it, and let’s be responsible. Again, take precautions to avoid distress and seemed to maintain strict measures of infection “COVID-19 poses much danger in South
trauma. prevention. Those who hadn’t either chose to Africa anymore”, please think again. Find a
continue the same strict approach, or to deflect balance. Embrace risk responsibly, and review
Shabbat Shalom! and nurture the importance of risk taking. your approach often.
Peta Krost Maunder The vast majority of patients felt that risk
Editor investment in their personal lives outweighed • Dr Daniel Israel is a family practitioner in
the risk of serious complications should they Johannesburg.
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