Hashalom JULY 2018 Our Community. Our People. Our Magazine
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Hashalom
JULY 2018 Our Community. Our People. Our Magazine Volume 22. No 10
Marc Chagall 1911, “I and the Village”
March 2014 █ HASHALOM 1
Editorial 02 EDITORIAL
Special Feature 04
Snippets 06
Israel 07 Full speed ahead
Hayley Lieberthal
Israeli Foreign Ministry Said To Send Out
Very Skeptical Paper On Trump-Kim Meet 07
Special Feature Israel’s Population Nears 9 Million 08
Eurovision 2018: Don’t ‘Toy’ Around With Our ‘Kapara’ 08
In Operational First, IDF Destroys Hamas
Underwater Terror Tunnel 09
Jewish World 10
US Embassy move to Jerusalem 10
New Cyprus Jewish museum aims to build bridges with
Arab world 10
Past Tense 11
Bubkes 12
Community News 13
Standing at the Editor helm, I look at the journey to this point and
Naches News 13 find myself unable to remove the smile plastered on my face.
Beth Shalom 14
DIVOTE 15
CSO 16 I have truly loved every minute of overseeing the July edition.
DHC 17 Sure, there is a lot of work that goes into getting a magazine
Durban Jewish Social Services 18 out from choosing content to the design and layout, yet I know
Durban Progressive Jewish Congregation 19
that anything worthwhile is worthy of the time that is put into
Durban United Hebrew Congregation 20
Young Israel Centre 20 it and if you love what you do, does it really count as work?
Eden College 21 The same can be said about a gap year (see page 4 for this
Limmud 22 month’s feature article) yes, you are abroad working, travelling or
KwaZulu Natal Zionist Council 23 studying but it’s enjoyable and enriched with endless growth and
SAJBD 24
possibilities. Speaking about enrichment and possibilities turn to
Talmud Torah 25
Umhlanga Jewish Centre 26 page 14 for this month’s ‘Naches News’ and read about how a
Union of Jewish Women 27 dog has inspired many and even was named UMhlanga’s tourist
Wotsup Wizo 28 ambassador. From ambassadors to coaches, check out the
Akiva College 29 Pillemer’s love for all things soccer and how a Maccabi athletic
Temple David Hebrew School 30
father keeps the love of the game going within his family and
Diary of Events 30
Cooking with Judy and Linda 30 community in ‘Chasing the Dream’ (page 31)
Sports 31
Social and Personal 32 For those that didn’t notice yet, Hashalom has a new slogan. One
The views expressed in the pages of Hashalom are not necessarily those of the that is apt to who we are, be it local or abroad.
Editorial Board or any other organisation or religious body unless otherwise
Hashalom merely reflects views of particular organisation or individual. Our community. Our people. Our magazine. Seeing it is Our
community, for Our people and in Our community we value your
Hashalom Editorial Board: opinions. Please feel free to contact us with your thoughts and
Editor: Hayley Lieberthal
Sub Editor: Colin Plen
perhaps some compliments to hashalom@djc.co.za
Editorial Board: Diane McColl, Hayley Lieberthal, Michelle Campbell,
Lauren Shapiro, Mikki Norton As a community magazine we want to feature you in our ‘Naches
Production Manager: Jacqui Herbst
News’ and our sports section ‘Chasing the Dream’. If you, or
Notice to Organisations/Contributors: if you know of anyone who striving for glory in athletics; know
All material to be submitted by email to
hashalom@djc.co.za
of someone who inspires and gives Naches please contact us
DEADLINE FOR THE AUGUST ISSUE: 10 JULY Hayls.diamond@icloud.com or hashalom@djc.co.za
Advertisements
Contact: Jacqui Herbst P.O. Box 10797 Marine Parade 4056 Don’t forget to subscribe and ensure you don’t miss an edition.
Tel: (031) 335 4451Email: hashalom@djc.co.za You can also donate a subscription for family and friends. No time
Hashalom is issued under the auspices of the SAJBD KZN Council,
for diddle-dadling - get “ZAP”ping!
KwaZulu-Natal Zionist Council and the Durban Jewish Club.
Typesetting Supplied. Hope you love this months edition as much as we have loved
Designed by RBG Studios, email: rowan@rbgstudios.co.za
putting it together.
Printed by Fishwick Printers
Visit our website: www.hashalom.co.za
See you in the next edition
2 HASHALOM July 2018
July 2018 HASHALOM 3
SPECIAL FEATURE
TAKING THE GAP
Hashalom speaks to Durbanites who’ve done it
By Lauren Shapiro
A “gap year” has become a rite of passage, especially for down to the Negev.
South African kids who are often quite sheltered while growing
up. Through exposure to new cultures and global networking, “I’m so glad I took a gap year. It gave me time away from academic
“gappers” learn independence and life skills which equip them for studies to focus on my Judaism, make wonderful new friends and
the real world. give me life-long memories. It also gave me time to figure out what I
wanted to study.”
There are many reasons to take a gap year after school, says
Tanya Izaki, Israel Programmes Coordinator at the Israel Centre Moshe returned home in November 2013 and moved to Johannesburg
in Johannesburg, who specializes in this age group. “You’ll get to to study Bcom Law and Finance at WITS University.
adventure at your prime, you’ll experience personal growth, and
so you’ll perform better in university,” she explains. Soldiering on
Everybody is different and there are many options out there, so it’s Oren Cohen, 19, always wanted to
best to consider them carefully. To get you started, here are some join the army. “It was my calling,”
inspiring first-hand stories: he affirms. So after matriculating
from Eden College in 2016 he flew
Movement-Minded to Israel to join the Israeli Defense
Forces. He was drafted into the
As a stalwart of Netzer, Nigel Golani Infantry Brigade.
Budlender decided to do Shnat
Nezter – the movement’s year- “During the time I’ve spent in the
long leadership programme in army I’ve grown as a person,”
Israel – after he matriculated reveals Oren. “I’ve matured. The
from Glenwood High School in army really opens your eyes to
2006. The programme included the real world.” In addition to discipline (Oren points out that if he’s
study in Jerusalem, community not up and back at base on time “there are consequences! It’s not
upliftment work in Beer Sheva, like rocking up late to a lecture”), he says he’s learned people skills
and time on a kibbutz in the and street smarts. “And I’ve made new friends – I’ve met people
Negev. from all different walks of life and experienced their cultures.” Oren
completes his military service this October and plans to return home
“It was my first time in Israel,” recalls Nigel, now 29. “I was only to attend Bnei Akiva year-end camp as a madrich (leader) and spend
18, so communal living with people from around the world was
some time with his family before studying towards a degree in
a big change for me. It was also a big change adapting to the
Government, with a post graduate degree in Counter Terrorism, at
culture and way of life in Israel.
Israel’s Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) in Herzliya.
Nigel wanted to experience as much as possible and to make great
memories. “I certainly got that!” he enthuses. “These experiences A Bit of Both
will last with me forever. It was really great to do it in a unique and
cultural place like Israel.” Sarah Morgan, 19, took a gap year
last year after matriculating from
After returning home in November 2007, Nigel remained involved Westville Girls’ High School. “I was
with Netzer until 2010. He then went on to study Computer
unsure what I wanted to study,
Science and works in the industry.
so before impulsively deciding
and then regretting it, I thought it
Spiritual Sojourn best to take a year to think about
what I was passionate about,” she
“I‘d heard many enlightening explains.
shiurim by Rabbi David Aaron.
I enjoyed the way he taught and Sarah spent seven months at
gave across the ideas of the home in Durban volunteering at
Torah,” shares Moshe Unterslak, Pathways, a school for disabled
23. After matriculating from Eden children. “I fell in love with the children and staff members,” she
College in 2012, Moshe chose beams. “They taught me as much as I taught them – maybe more.”
to spend a year at Rabbi Aaron’s
yeshiva, Orayta in Jerusalem. She then spent four months traveling around the UK. “I’m passionate
about film and as I have a British passport I thought it would be a
“I felt that it would give me a year to grow and learn more about good idea to scout out some schools over there – well, that was my
myself and life,” Moshe maintains. When he wasn’t in yeshiva, excuse at least!” She was lucky to have family willing to feed and
Moshe traveled around Israel, from the Golan Heights all the way house her, but she got a job to earn spending money.
4 HASHALOM July 2018
SPECIAL FEATURE
The responsibility working, and having to organise trains, almost impossible to get enough time off to have an experience
hotels, flights and busses was a learning curve,” she admits. “I like this.”
learnt more in my gap year than any textbook could teach me,
not only about myself but about the world I live in.” What the parents say
In 2018 Sarah enrolled at AFDA in Durban “I couldn’t be happier “We were concerned about Shannon travelling alone but
with my decision,” she affirms. we’ve managed to stay in contact through WhatsApp. We
also have a Find a Friend app so we can track her phone’s
location 24/7, which gives us peace of mind” – Karen Krausey
“We are very proud of Oren and admire his sense of duty and
active responsibility. We daven for his safety and the safety
of all Tzahal soldiers and Israelis every day” – Bev Cohen
“Moshe came back more mature and confident, with
increased knowledge of Israel and Judaism. He made
wonderful friends and they still are good friends today”
– Cheryl Unterslak
Israel programmes
Kibbutz Ulpan
Live and work on a kibbutz whilst learning Hebrew and
experiencing Israeli communal culture.
Eco-Israel
Learn about permaculture and sustainable living through
first-hand experience, coupled with Hebrew lessons, tours,
hikes and more.
Magen David Adom
Become a qualified medic and serve Israel’s community
whilst learning Hebrew and touring the country.
The Gap that Keeps on Giving
Academic gap year
“I had (and still have) a long list of places that I really wanted to Do mechina (prep year) or a short or long term course at
travel to, and I thought that if I was committed to a job, I might one of Israel’s nine universities, 32 colleges or 21 teacher
never find the time,” confesses Shannon Krausey, 23. So after training colleges.
completing her Honours degree at UCT in 2016, Shannon spent
the northern winter ski season in Aspen, Colorado, working as a BIG IDEA Gap Year
waitress at a Jewish deli and as a barista at a bakery. Earn a certificate in app development, web or graphic design
in between field trips, Hebrew classes and internships at
This funded her travel through Europe, plus a ticket to spend leading startups.
a month with family in New Zealand. She then headed back
for another winter in Aspen before backpacking through South Maslul Ishi – I-Track
America. “I’ve hiked up a volcano. I’ve been canoeing, white Design your own programme to make your gap year the
water rafting and tubing. I’ve snorkelled with sharks, rays and most memorable of your life.
turtles. I’ve scuba-dived in underwater caverns. I’ve visited
fascinating ruins like Machu Picchu,” Shannon recounts. MASA offers funding and assistance for all these programmes
and more. For more information, contact The Israel Centre
“I’ve become a lot more independent, especially spending so on 011 645 2561 or email israelprog@israelcentre.co.za
much time traveling alone,” confides Shannon. “In America, I
had to find a place to live, open a bank account and file my tax Around the world
returns all by myself. When I got sick I had to take myself to
hospital and stay there alone. That kind of thing really teaches Nearly 8000 people work abroad each year through
you to be self-sufficient. But those experiences made me aware programmes on www.statravel.co.za/gap-year.htm (think:
of how capable I am – I feel like I can do anything!” au pairing, teaching, working on yachts, in hospitality,
agriculture and more).
“I’ve gotten more than I could have wanted out of my gap year –
which is why it keeps getting longer!” Shannon returns to Durban With more than 30 000 hosts in 170 countries, www.
in July to study TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) workaway.info offers volunteers opportunities to live and
which will allow her to teach English in Vietnam in 2019. work all over the world.
“Don’t give into the pressure to get a ‘real’ job straight out of Whether you’re into touring, working, studying or volunteering,
university,” Shannon cautions. “Most of my friends are pretty find advice and inspiration on www.gapyear.com
miserable in their first jobs, and once you start your career it’s
July 2018 HASHALOM 5
SNIPPETS
ISRAEL
NEW YORK – SAYING “MAZEL TOV” ON HEAD OF CHICAGO’S JEWISH COMMUNITY TO
FACEBOOK NOW ACTIVATES A COLOURFUL STEP DOWN AFTER ALMOST 40 YEARS
CONFETTI ANIMATION BY BEN SALES - TIMES OF ISRAEL
BY JOSEFIN DOLSTEN - TIMES OF ISRAEL
Since taking helm in 1979,
New York – The use of certain positive
key words and phrases on Facebook Steven Nasatir’s Jewish
activates quick animations. “Best United Fund has distributed
wishes,” for instance, triggers a stream nearly $7 billion to charitable
of colorful shapes. “You can do this” causes, serving around
activates a trail of thumbs up emojis.
300,000 Jews in Chicago
Now Facebook users who want to wish someone “mazel tov” get Steven Nasatir, the outgoing CEO of Chicago’s Jewish area
federation, pictured in 2017. (YouTube screenshot).
a colorful surprise too.
JTA — Steven Nasatir, the longtime CEO of Chicago’s Jewish
When a user types in the congratulatory Hebrew phrase, balloons federation, will be moving into another role next year, after four
and confetti pop up on screen.
decades on the job.
Facebook has been adding to and tinkering with this “Text Delight
Animations” feature for a while. The animation used to appear Nasatir, 73, is the longest-serving CEO of any Jewish federation.
only when “mazel tov” was written out in Hebrew letters and not His organization, called the Jewish United Fund, has distributed
in English letters. The newest update, reported by Chabad.org, nearly $7 billion to charitable causes since he took the job in
makes sure that English speakers who want to wish each other
1979. According to Bloomberg, it is the largest social service
“mazel tov” don’t miss out on the fun.
agency in Illinois. It serves some 300,000 Jews in the Chicago
Facebook is currently mired in a scandal over user privacy, area.
involving a data firm that the site says may have improperly
gained access to information about as many as 87 million users. JUF also reports that its fundraising has increased in recent
The firm, Cambridge Analytica, said it was shutting down on
years, even as other federations have seen declining numbers.
Wednesday.
Last year, it raised a total of $300 million that it, like other
Jewish federations, then distributed to charitable causes locally,
ISRAEL WITHDRAWS FROM RACE FOR UN nationally, and internationally, in Israel and elsewhere.
SECURITY COUNCIL SEAT
BY DANIEL J. ROTH, REUTERS- JERUSALEM POST “We, who have dedicated ourselves to JUF/Jewish Federation
and who continue to devote our lives to serving our community,
A source at the UN told
are privileged,” Nasatir wrote in a letter Monday announcing the
Reuters that the decision to
withdraw from contention was move. “We helped create a Jewish community whose strength
made after Israel realized it had and impact are unprecedented.”
a very low chance of winning.
Nasatir wrote that he was most proud of the federation’s resettling
NEW YORK – Israel withdrew
Jewish refugees from the Soviet Union and elsewhere, as well as
on Friday from the election for
one of two seats on the United its work funding institutions locally and financial support of Israel.
Nations Security Council in In 2004, during the second Palestinian uprising, or intifada, JUF
2019 and 2020. raised more money for Israel per capita than any other Jewish
federation.
“After consulting with our partners, including our good friends,
the State of Israel has decided to postpone its candidacy for
a seat on the Security Council,” a statement from the Israeli JUF will convene a yearlong search for its new CEO, with the
mission said. “It was decided that we will continue to act with our aim of replacing Nasatir in June 2019. He began working for the
allies to allow for Israel to realize its right for full participation and
organization in 1971, and will continue to work there as executive
inclusion in decision-making processes at the UN.”
vice chairman, with a reduced portfolio. According to Haaretz, as
The statement added: “This includes the Security Council as well of 2015, he was one of the highest-paid federation executives in
as an emphasis on areas related to development and innovation.” the country.
A source at the UN told Reuters the decision to withdraw was
made after Israel realized it had a very low chance of winning. “He’s really unparalleled in his accomplishments and his
Israel, Germany and Belgium were competing for two seats leadership, and we’re just very happy he’ll continue with us in
allocated to the Western European and Others Group. a new role,” JUF Chairman Michael Zaransky said. “He is an
The 193-member UN General Assembly is due to vote next extraordinarily rare individual who’s had an extraordinary career,
month on two new members of the five-member Security Council and he’s affected not just the Chicago Jewish community, but the
for a two-year term starting January 1, 2019. broader philanthropic world.”
6 HASHALOM July 2018
ISRAEL
ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTRY SAID TO SEND OUT
VERY SKEPTICAL PAPER ON TRUMP-KIM MEET
Document reportedly distributed to diplomatic missions and PMO warns of
‘significant’ concessions made by US president, says ‘many’ in Japan, South
Korea, US Congress are doubtful
MICHAEL BACHNER -TIMES OF ISRAEL
Netanyahu on Tuesday hailed the summit, linking it to the US leader’s
“tough stance” on Iran.
“I congratulate US President Donald Trump for the historic summit in
Singapore,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “It is an important step in
the effort to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.”
“President Trump also takes a tough stance against Iran’s attempt to
arm itself with nuclear weapons, as well as against its aggression in
the Middle East. This is leaving its mark on the Iranian economy,” he
continued, referring to Trump’s withdrawal from the landmark 2015
pact last month.
“Trump’s policy is an important development for Israel, the region and
the entire world,” Netanyahu added.
A classified document written and distributed by the Israeli Foreign Trump and Kim held the unprecedented meeting in Singapore, after
Ministry after the historic summit between US President Donald Trump which they signed a joint document praised by both leaders.
and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore reportedly raises
skepticism about the result of the talks and concern over several The summit — unthinkable only months ago — comes after the two
concessions made by the US president. nuclear-armed foes appeared on the verge of conflict late last year
as their leaders slung personal insults at each other and North Korea
“Regardless of the smiles in the summit, many in Japan, South conducted nuclear and missile tests.
Korea and the US Congress doubt that North Korea is sincere in its
intentions,” the document said, Channel 10 reported Thursday.
Despite Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,
praising the summit as an “important step” in denuclearizing North
Korea, the reported document said there were “significant gaps”
between the United States’ tough stances before the meeting and
parts of the agreement signed Tuesday by Trump and Kim.
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The document was said to have been sent Wednesday to Israeli
diplomatic missions around the world, as well as to senior Foreign
Ministry officials and the Prime Minister’s Office.
“Our assessment is that regardless of President Trump’s statements
about quick changes that are expected in North Korean policy, the
road to real and substantive change, if it ever happens, will be long
and slow,” the ministry’s researchers wrote, according to Axios.
“There are significant gaps between the American declarations
before the summit regarding the need for a ‘complete, verifiable and
irreversible denuclearization,’ and the joint statement’s language
which only included a ‘complete denuclearization’ of North Korea,” the
document continued.
Another Trump concession pointed out in the reported document
was his commitment to halt joint military drills with South Korea, in
exchange for China stopping joint exercises with North Korea — an
arrangement said to have been opposed by the US before the summit.
July 2018 HASHALOM 7
ISRAEL
ISRAEL’S POPULATION EUROVISION 2018:
NEARS 9 MILLION DON’T ‘TOY’ AROUND
Israel’s population stands at 8.84 million
on the eve of its 70th birthday, and there
WITH OUR ‘KAPARA’
are 8,000 active high-tech companies. BY ILANIT CHERNICK - JERUSALEM POST
BY ANNA AHRONHEIM - ISRAEL21C In Israel, Kapara Alayich
is slang for “We love you,”
or “What a sweetheart” but
etymologically Kapara is a
word that comes from the
holiest day in the Jewish
calendar - Yom Kippur.
Israel’s Netta performs “Toy” during the Grand Final of
Eurovision Song Contest 2018 at the Altice Arena hall in
Netta, kapara alayich!
Lisbon, Portugal, May 12, 2018 (photo credit: REUTERS/
PEDRO NUNES)
These are the words used to describe Israel’s newly crowned
musical hero and Eurovision champion Netta Barzilai. Her name
Crowds of Israelis celebrate Independence Day at the Dolphinarium in Tel Aviv. Photo by Miriam Alster/Flash 90 and that phrase is on everyone’s lips – from Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu to reporters, startups like Made in Jerusalem
Israel’s population on the eve of the country’s 70th birthday stands and her massive fan base have taken to using the phrase. But
at 8.84 million according to the Central Bureau of Statistics, 10 what does it mean? In modern-day Israel, “kapara alayich” is slang
times more than it was in May 1948, when the population was just for “We love you” or “What a sweetheart,” but etymology-wise,
806,000. “kapara” is a word that comes from the holiest day in the Jewish
calendar: Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement.
The Jewish population now stands at 6.59 million (74.5% of the
total), the Arab population is 1.85 million (20.9%), and others “Kapara” literally means “atonement,” and is the root behind the
(Christians or members of other religions) make up 404,000 (4.6%) name of the Jewish ritual of using a chicken (or its monetary
value) on the morning before the Day of Atonement to atone for
of the population.
your sins. People “swing” the chicken in circles around their head
while saying a symbolic phrase asking God to transfer all their sins
Over the last year, Israel’s population grew by 163,000 people, committed over the past year to the chicken, which is then ritually
some 28,000 of them new immigrants to the country. slaughtered and donated to charity.
Since Israel was founded, more than 3.2 million people have (Well, isn’t that ironic: Netta’s song – “Toy” – famously has chicken-
immigrated to the country – most arriving in the 1950s, when the clucking noises as part of its pre-chorus.) Another time the word
population doubled within four years, and then again in the 1990s, has historically been used is when something good doesn’t work
as nearly one million immigrants from the former Soviet Union out despite hoping it will, or when losing or breaking an expensive
made their way to Israel. item: “A kapara on it,” people will say, which similarly means that
your sins should be transferred to that item or bad experience.
Over the last 70 years, Israel has undergone massive societal
changes. In 1948, the average life expectancy in Israel was 64 For the last 24-hours, the No. 1 auto-complete on Google when
years for men and 67 for women. Today that figure has risen to typing “What is” into the search bar is (yes, you guessed it): “What
80.7 years for men and 84.2 years for women. In the UN World is kapara?” If you type “Netta, kapara alayich,” in Hebrew into
Happiness Report earlier this year, Israel was ranked fifth on the Google Translate – it translates into “Netta, you’re a cow,” which,
longevity scale, after Japan, Korea, Switzerland and Italy. like the chicken, also has the animal connotations.
In the same report, Israel came in at 11th place in overall happiness. This is because “para” means cow.
In 1948, 43% of the population owned their own homes, and just
3% owned a car. Today, 68% of Israelis own their own homes, and However, while the word has had a long list of meaning, it is
70% own at least one vehicle. mostly used as a term of endearment similar to “motek” (sweetie)
or “hamud” (cutie).
Tourism has also seen 10-fold growth, rising from 33,100 tourists
Over the last few years, it has become an integral part of Israeli
in 1948 to Israel’s highest-ever figure of 3,863,400 tourists in 2017.
slang when referring to someone endearing, for Ashkenazi and
Israelis also love to travel out of the country. In 1948, the population Sephardi Jews alike.
made some 30,000 trips abroad. In 2017, they made a staggering
7,597,400 trips overseas. Some Twitter users were assuring their fellow users who did not
understand the meaning of the word (and were Google Translating)
Today, 44% of Israelis live in the country’s 15 largest cities, and that the word was not in any way an insult to Netta or her talents.
Jerusalem is the largest of them all with some 882,000 residents.
By 2048, Israel’s population is predicted to reach 15.2 million. In fact, the contrary. “It means my beloved,” one user told another
who was confused about whether or not Netanyahu had insulted
In the high tech industry, there are now 8,000 active high-tech the superstar.
companies operating in Israel, according to Israel Venture Capital
Research Center. The center also reported there are 1,487 life So perhaps with the bad wrap Israel gets in the international
science companies, 505 cyber security companies, 356 Israel media, Netta and her miraculous win has become our Kapara –
accelerators and incubators, and 365 active foreign R&D centers. our atonement, or a symbol for our redemption.
8 HASHALOM April 2018
ISRAEL
IN OPERATIONAL FIRST, IDF DESTROYS HAMAS
UNDERWATER TERROR TUNNEL
BY ANNA AHRONHEIM - JERUSALEM POST
has civilian, underwater motorized scooters which can bring the
frogmen out several kilometers to sea.
“The IDF will not allow harm to the security of the State of Israel,
and will continue to act resolutely against terrorism of all kinds,”
read the IDF statement, adding that the military “is determined to
continue its mission of protecting the citizens and sovereignty of
the State of Israel.”
In February, a senior Naval officer warned that Hamas was
increasingly turning to the sea to carry out attacks against IDF
troops and Israeli civilians, saying that “Hamas sees potential in
the sea like they saw potential in their tunnels.”
The navy has placed more emphasis on training for underwater
The IDF has for the first time neutralized a naval terror tunnel
water infiltrations, and in late May Israel’s Defense Ministry started
belonging to Hamas, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit cleared for
construction on an underwater barrier which will stretch from the
release on Sunday.
southern Israeli community of Zikim into the Mediterranean to
The tunnel, which was operational but did not actually extend into stave off Hamas infiltration by sea.
Israeli waters, would have enabled terrorists who would enter from
a Hamas military post in the northern Gaza Strip to exit into the The barrier, which is expected to be completed by 2019, is made
sea unnoticed, making it possible to carry out terrorist acts from up of three layers, including one below the sea level, a layer of
the water. armored stone and a third layer with barbed wire. In addition to
the three layers, a fence will surround the breakwater in order to
The route of the tunnel, which reached a depth of two to three provide a final security measure.
meters and was three kilometers from the border with Israel, was
identified by the IDF as part of a campaign against Hamas’s naval The decision to build the naval barrier was decided upon after
force in the past year. five Hamas frogmen (naval commandos) tried to infiltrate Zikim
during Operation Protective Edge in 2014 armed with automatic
The tunnel was destroyed on June 3 by an air strike, which was weapons, fragmentation grenades and several types of explosives
part of the IDF’s retaliation to a barrage of mortars and rockets devices. They were engaged and killed by the IDF in a combined
from the Gaza Strip by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. attack from the sea, ground and air.
According to a senior naval officer, the navy knew about the tunnel Hamas has significantly expanded their naval commando unit
for several months and it was decided it was the “right time” to in the four years since the last conflict, with a reported 1,500
destroy it. frogmen. The new barrier, which has been designed to withstand
severe sea conditions and serve the defense establishment for
“The bottom line is that it was a tunnel that would allow for the many years, is aimed at preventing similar incidents.
departure of Hamas naval commando forces,” the officer said,
adding that Hamas invested a great deal of money in it and trained “This is the only obstacle of its kind in the world, which will
forces in the tunnel. effectively block the possibility of infiltrating into Israel via the sea,
and this will further thwart Hamas’s strategic capabilities,” said
“We estimate that there may be more such naval tunnels,” the Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman.
senior officer said, and that Hamas’ naval commando unit has
dozens and dozens of fighters with “civilian diving equipment The border with Gaza is Israel’s most explosive, and thousands
that allows undetected movement underwater without creating of Palestinians have demonstrated along the Gaza-Israel security
bubbles. Such measures are effective in the three kilometers fence since March 30.
between the tunnel and the border.”
At least 119 have been killed by IDF fire and over 14,000 wounded
According to the senior officer the navy estimates that Hamas also since the “Great March of Return” began.
July 2018 HASHALOM 9
JEWISH WORLD
US Embassy move to Jerusalem
BY ISRAEL21C STAFF
Among the officials in Israel for the momentous occasion are US
Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan, US Treasury Secretary
Steve Mnuchin, Israel adviser to President Trump Jason Greenblatt,
and Trump’s daughter Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner.
About 170 journalists from the United States, United Kingdom and
European Union been arriving over the past week alone to cover
the ceremony, according to Israel’s Government Press Office.
A statement from US State Department Spokesperson Heather
Nauert explained that the May date was chosen to coincide with
Israel’s 70th anniversary celebrations.
“The Embassy will initially be located in the Arnona neighborhood,
in a modern building that now houses consular operations of US
Declaring “a historic day for our people and for our state,” Prime Consulate General Jerusalem,” she said.
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed a US delegation to the
Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem on Sunday, ahead of this afternoon’s “Consulate General Jerusalem will continue to operate as an
ceremonial move of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. independent mission with an unchanged mandate, from its historic
Agron Road location. Initially, the interim Embassy in Arnona will
“President Trump’s decision to move the embassy to Jerusalem contain office space for the Ambassador and a small staff. By the
affirms a great and simple truth: Jerusalem has been the capital of end of next year, we intend to open a new Embassy Jerusalem
the Jewish people for the past 3,000 years. It’s been the capital of annex on the Arnona compound that will provide the Ambassador
our state for the past 70 years. It will remain our capital for all time,” and his team with expanded interim office space.
said Netanyahu, acknowledging US Ambassador to Israel. David
Friedman’s role in the process of moving the embassy to Jerusalem. “We are excited about taking this historic step,” Nauert concluded.
New Cyprus Jewish museum aims to build bridges with Arab world
Abu Dhabi to learn about Jerusalem,’ says local rabbi
BY MENELAOS HADJICOTIS - TIMES OF ISRAEL
In this May 30, 2018 photo, Rabbi Arie Zeev Raskin, the leader of The rare scrolls dating back to the 19th century tell the stories of
Cyprus’ 3,500-strong Jewish community, holds a rare 200 year-old Torah once-thriving Jewish communities in Europe that were wiped out,
scroll that comes from Germany at a Synagogue inside Cyprus’ Jewish says Silver. She said Russian authorities have agreed that the
Community Center in the town of Larnaca. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) scrolls — which remain under their legal jurisdiction — could be put
on exhibit in Cyprus because of Moscow’s traditional bonds with
LARNACA, Cyprus (AP) - A new Jewish museum in Cyprus aims to be the island.
a bridge-builder to the Arab world and beyond, a place where visitors
who may never set foot in Israel can learn about the Jewish faith, the Raskin also keeps two Torah scrolls at the Cyprus Jewish Community
Holocaust and the tumultuous beginnings of the Jewish state. Center in the southern coastal town of Larnaca that will eventually
be put on display at the museum, which will be built adjacent to the
Items going on display in the seven-story structure in Larnaca will center. The oldest of those scrolls is over two centuries old, hails
include some of more than 100 Torah scrolls - Judaism’s holiest book from Germany and is written in a very rare handwriting style.
- that Russian authorities discovered in the Nazis’ possession and
which for decades were kept at a military installation 450 kilometers In this May 30, 2018 photo, Rabbi Arie Zeev Raskin, the leader of
(280 miles) east of Moscow. Cyprus’ 3,500-strong Jewish community, holds a Yad or traditional
Jewish pointer used to read the Torah, Judaism’s holiest book, at a
A key selling point for the eastern Mediterranean island nation as the synagogue inside Cyprus’ Jewish Community Center in the town of
venue for the museum is its proximity to the Middle East. It plans to Larnaca. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
open in May 2019.
With Cyprus experiencing record numbers of tourists, Raskin aims
Through a number of state-of-the-art virtual reality exhibits at the new to attract vacationers and businesspeople from Arab countries,
museum, visitors donning head-mounted gear will get a sense of the Russia and Israel. He estimates the overall cost of the museum will
internment camps of Cyprus, where the island’s then-British rulers reach around 9 million euros ($10.47 million).
held more than 51,000 Jews fleeing post-World War II Europe. Another
floor will give visitors a sense of the Nazi concentration camps where The rabbi, who moved to the island in 2002, also wants to shine
millions of Jews and others were exterminated in the Holocaust, while a light on Cyprus’ link to post-World War II Jewish history. He
a third floor will exhibit the sights and sounds of Jerusalem. says a dedicated exhibit would honor those Cypriots, like the late
Prodromos Papavasiliou, who helped thousands of Jews during
“Through education, we can make a big difference and a big change,” their time in British-run internment camps in the late 1940s.
says Rabbi Arie Zeev Raskin, the leader of Cyprus’ 3,500-strong
Jewish community. “It’s an opportunity for a prince from Abu Dhabi “One of the most important things for me to complete my mission is
to learn about Jerusalem, to open the door to these people and learn to show these righteous people,” says Raskin.
about the Holocaust.”
Silver says the project has the backing of Holocaust educators
The museum is the brainchild of the Israeli-born Raskin and Sibyl including Rabbi Michael Berenbaum, the former project director
Silver, director of the US-based Jewish Heritage Foundation. Silver of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the head of Steven
will also provide the museum with objects the Nazis stole from Eastern Spielberg’s Shoah Foundation. Jewish and Israeli celebrities will be
European countries and that were recovered by the Soviet Red Army. on hand to promote the museum at its opening next spring.
10 HASHALOM July 2018PAST TENSE
PAST TENSE By Pundit
Dave Cohen and his orders opened up the first half of the show with an
overture and played again before the second half.
After the interval, a breath of Tonic Honolulu climate “featuring the “hula
lovelies”, including Susan van Os, Karmah the magician, the Lailvaux Trio, and
Elsie Havenga the acrobat, and Doreen Tomson, the tap dancer.
Then came Tex and Peggy Shamyu, a pair of comics from London – in transit
it says here - and Marjorie Smith, whose impersonations “were Perfect”.
HASHOLOM – June 1943 extracts
After the show Mr. Sol Moshal congratulated Mr. and Mrs Kentridge for
EDITORIAL having produced Tonic Night Shows in the Canteen every Sunday night for
Under the heading THE GENERAL ELECTION, the writer, one N.E. a year. This evening’s show had been in aid of Canteen funds and would be
Abahams, who identified himself at the foot of the article in accordance with repeated on July 12th at the City Hall, with the proceeds being directed
the Electoral laws then in force as “c/o Durban Jewish Club, Old Fort Road towards medical aid to China.
Durban, to represent the views of Hasholom,” made an impassioned plea for
members to support the coalition government led by General Smuts and thus HASHALOM – June 1968 – Extracts
challenge all those who expressed support for harshly anti-Sematic policies.
The article contained one sentence, which I had to read out loud three times EDITORIAL - THE UNITED COMMUNAL FUND
because it seemed at first blush to express an opinion directly contrary to The readers of the editorial were reminded, as I am reminding my readers
anything the Mr. N.E. Abrahams I know could ever have expressed: (if any) 50 years later, that the Emergency Israeli United Appeal the previous
year (1967, you will remember, involved the Six Day War) had broken all
“It matters not whether the malevolent virus of anti-Semitism manifests itself molds, which had caused the 1968 UCF to become under some pressure.
overtly or covertly, whether in one party or another, whether it is personal or Members were therefore asked to volunteer as canvassers but in any event
abstract: we shall fight for it.” to respond generously when approached.
Doesn’t that last little word “it” means that the author is saying that “we shall A wedding photograph of Michael, son of Claire and Lex Levine, who had
fight for anti-Semitism”? It certainly does, until on a re-reading to try to make been married to Marilyn, daughter of Mr. and Mr. Max Rosin of Bulawayo was
sense of it, one concludes that “it” relates to something said two sentences superimposed on an article by Rose Magid on her tour to Israel. It appears
earlier – “our right, nay, our duty, to fight with determination and humanity” that she had extended her stay in Israel from four to seven weeks and that
any political use of the Jewish question to further the ends of unscrupulous extension had enabled her to attend the wedding at Kibbutz Tsorah. She
individuals. In other words, we must fight for that right and certainly not for gave what I suppose I should not describe as a blow-by-blow account of the
anti-Semitism. wedding but like a good reporter she mentioned in the article the names of all
the previous Durbanites she had seen at the wedding. In case the names are
THE MAYOR OF THE WARSAW GHETTO still remembered, here they are.” The grounds were beautifully illuminated
This was a tribute, published with acknowledgements to “Jewish Frontier”, for the occasion by the Kibbutz electrician, Theo Stone, son of Eve and
to the late Adam Czerniakow, who, having been appointed President of the late Bill Stone.” “Faiwel Metzger sang truly beautifully, as became the
the Warsaw Ghetto Communal Council by the Nazis, had committed occasion. Quite the old farewell.” Also mentioned were Eve Stone and Judy
suicide rather than obey an order from the Gestapo to punish the list of Kepsel, her daughter, May Bierman and her family, Sara and Philip Patz, Viv
100 000 residents of the Ghetto who were to be “transported elsewhere”. and Frankie Klaff, Anthony and Doreen Levy, Gilad and Naomi Hodes and Mr.
Czerniakow was, by that time fully aware of what that order meant and and Mrs. H. Hadani. By the way, there were about 600 guests at the wedding.
refused to be responsible for carrying out that order.
THE H.O.D TOUR TO ISRAEL
APOLOGIA TO 5 000 000 MARTYRED JEWS Basil Ostilly described in some detail the 20th Anniversary Parade in Jerusalem
This was a poem, which rhymed appropriately and had a completely accurate on 2nd May 1968. Present were the Prime Minister (Levi Eshkol), Army Chief
metre written by NEAS, who, as everybody in 1943 knew, was the very same of Staff (Moshie Davan) and the President (Zalman Shazar). As Basil puts it,
N.E. Abrahams who wrote the Editorial. Sorry it’s too long to repeat in full. the “piece de resistance” was a flight by a lone Russian needle-nosed MIG21,
streaking across the sky, which had been brought to Israel by an Iraqi defector
TRIBUTE TO THE CHIEF RABBI two years earlier.
In commemoration of the 70th birthday of Dr. J.H. Hertz, Chief Rabbi of the
British Empire, a forest was to be established in Palestine and donations were PROFILE – DULCIE JACOBS
sought in support of the scheme. This was the third article by a named DJC member, namely Pam Levy, who
described in some detail the lengthy and extensive work Dulcie had done in
JEWISH DESIGNER OF THE LANCASTER BOMBER various executive positions she held in the Union of Jewish Women and more
It was revealed that Charles Goldberg, who is the designer of England’s first recently as Regional Vice-President of the Union.
bomber, “the Lancaster”, had relations in Johannesburg.
DJC YOUTH SECTION – YOUTH PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH
IN TOWN AND OUT This was Hymie Negin, who had been born in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia
Congratulated (Harare, Zimbabwe to you), where he had had an extremely active
Mr. and Mrs. Z Goldblatt (nee Hilda Hertz) on the birth of a daughter. membership in Habonim. He came to Durban in 1964 and in short order
Mr. and Mrs. S Richter of Johannesburg on the birth of a son. became Bakoach of Natal Habonim. In 1966 he registered as a student at
Elisa (Lieut. W.A.A.S.), daughter of the Rev. S. and the late Mrs. Levy, of Port the University of Natal. The author of the biography (I.B., whose full name
Elizabeth, to Capt. Isidore Kaplan S.A.M.C., son of Mrs. and the late Mr. was not disclosed) tells us, not surprisingly, that “He is held in high esteem by
Herman Kaplan. (Hasholom didn’t say what the happy couple had done to those who know him”.
deserve congratulations - I infer either a marriage or an engagement).
Capt. and Mrs. Arthur Safir (Gertie Wesseik) and Sgt. Major Isel Krinsky and THE JEWISH DINING ROOM
Mrs Maisie Isakow on their respective marriages. This was an article by Pat Lewis, the fourth in his issue written by a member
of the DJC whose full name rather than anonymous initials was credited with
LET’S CLUB TOGETHER ON SATURDAY NIGHT authorship. (Is this a word?). This appears to have been prepared as one of a
This was a distinctly favourable review of a very well-attended Saturday Night series “How to run a Jewish Home” presented by the Women’s Organisations.
show at the club. The following were critiques of some of the artists who Pundit has no recollection of anything called the Women’s Organisations, but
appeared: assumes they represented a means of cooperation between the Union of
Jewish Women and WIZO. The article itself is an interesting discussion of
Avril Kentridge directed the show and herself appeared in a monologue and religion and practical issues relating to domestic culture.
a spectacular ballet.
Myra Patz put over the prologue “with dash and appeal” and appeared I have had to limit the excerpts from two very interesting issues of
throughout the show in well-chosen sketches. HASHOLOM and HASHALOM, but I wanted to include everything which
“When Rose Alper appeared before the footlights, we all settled down to might still be of interest 50 or 75 years later. If I have failed, the Editor knows
listen to an exquisite voice.” what to do and there will be no hard feelings!
July 2018 HASHALOM 11BUBKES
Paws for Thought
By Lauren Shapiro
My sister’s been out of the country for the last two weeks, so Shabbat candles?
we’ve been looking after her dog.
Despite their sacerdotal shortcomings, however, animals still
My husband and I are not really “dog people”, but my kids have have worth in this world. As a parent, I’ve seen that looking after
very much enjoyed their time with their canine cousin. It was puppy animals can teach kids many things about life:
love at first sight. Well, she’s not exactly a puppy but a (sorry, Sis!) • It certainly teaches responsibility. Kids learn very quickly and
episodically cantankerous middle-aged mutt. Nevertheless, the very literally that, along with the fun, we also have to deal
kids love her. with the cr@# (but at least they now manufacture specialised
scented bags for this purpose).
For me, it was like having another child around the house – one • It teaches them that love is shown in many forms, even if it means
more thing that needed feeding, cuddling, cleaning up after and being jumped on and licked on their faces with dog breath.
taking care of. Sure, it wasn’t exactly the same as a human child… • It teaches them to be accommodating (and to sleep at
for one thing, I couldn’t expect her to clean up after herself. For accommodating angles).
another, I couldn’t expect her to help out around the house. And • But most of all, it teaches that sometimes we need to put
I couldn’t put her in the Thinking Corner or dock her star chart something else’s needs before our own. Our faith teaches us
when she misbehaved. But, I continually reminded myself, she is that we must feed our animals before ourselves – in fact (if
one of Hashem’s very special little creatures, and she deserves I’m not straying too far into my husband’s Talmudic territory
our love and affection. here), our Sages word it so strongly that
it is “forbidden to eat anything” until we
Showing consideration for animals has have first fed the animals that depend on
always been a defining feature of tzadikim us for sustenance (Brachot 40a). My kids
(righteous people) and a quality we have may be a bit young to learn Daf Yomi (a
striven to emulate. The Torah records how page-a-day Talmud programme), but they
our matriarch Rebecca watered Eliezer’s thirsty camels – thus can get this very clear message: there’s no macaroni cheese
scoring her a worthy shidduch with Isaac – and the way Moses until Doggie has had her kibbles.
cared for Jethro’s sheep.
Humans have been given power over animals. And, as a
Speaking of Moseses, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzatto (known great Sage once pointed out: with great power comes great
popularly as the Ramchal, though probably as Moishie to his wife) responsibility (okay, that might have been Spiderman, but the
postulated that all living things have souls, but that humans have sentiment remains).
a higher level of soul than animals. This is probably derived from
Hashem’s mandate in Genesis 1:26: “And Man shall rule over the Doggie went home this morning. Her adoptive mommy, freshly
fish of the sea and the birds of the sky and the animals”. back from her trip, is overjoyed to be reunited with her baby.
For my part, I can’t say I’m going to miss her shedding fur all
It’s hard to argue against the fact that humans are more evolved over my couch (Doggie, that is, not my sister). I won’t miss her
than animals. For example, we’ve developed clothing while yapping at the neighbours, at the kids’ friends, at the doorbell,
animals feel no shame sporting their nakedness. If anything, I at the birds in the garden, and at basically anything that moves
felt shame for poor Doggie when my five-year-old daughter tried and doesn’t offer her food. I won’t miss her leaving her calling
to dress her up in her dolls’ clothes. Neither can animals enter cards to decorate my lawn. But blow me down if I won’t miss
into meaningful discourse with others. Any attempts of mine to that little mutt.
philosophise with Doggie went right over her furry little head.
In the end, we couldn’t teach her to do tricks, but we learned that
the real trick is simply to enjoy the moment together. Funny how
Animals don’t pray. Although there’s no way to know for absolute
an old dog ended up teaching me a new trick. And how an animal
certain, I really do doubt whether Doggie was praying on all those
can bring a human family closer together.
times I caught her staring meaningfully into the distance – there
was usually an Indian Mynah or a Hadedah in her sights. Animals
These are lessons we will be taking forward. My family had to
also can’t fulfill mitzvot. I mean, have you ever thought of a dog
look after my sister’s dog for two weeks; we all have to look
laying tefillin? (Don’t answer if you work for Hallmark’s Bar Mitzvah
out for all of Hashem’s creatures forever. And just to sweeten
division.) Animals can’t give tzedakah – when last did you see a
the deal, the Ramchal posits that whoever is compassionate
dog portioning off 10% of its biscuits for less fortunate pooches? towards Hashem’s creatures is, in turn, treated compassionately
Even if its paws could manage it, can you imagine a dog lighting by Heaven. Until next time.
12 HASHALOM July 2018NACHES NEWS
A DOG WITH A “FURRY” POSITIVE INFLUENCE
Humphrey Immerman helping those who can’t speak for themselves
Hayley Lieberthal
Humphrey blossomed and soon enough he was thriving and tail
wagging loving towards everyone he met. Alwyn, who openly
admits to Humphrey being his best friend heard an announcement
on the radio in 2012 calling South Africans to do their 67 minutes
of charity for Mandela day. Alwyn thought that Humphrey could
accompany him to work and for 67 minutes he would raise money
to buy a few tins of dog food and donate them to the Durban and
Coast SPCA. Alwyn had hoped that Humphrey would raise a few
Rands, yet what happened that day sparked a wave of love and
inspiration. “It felt absolutely great that my beautiful dog could do
beautiful things for the SPCA especially when the SPCA’s funding
from Lotto had been cut.” Alwyn spoke to the owner of the
pharmacy and it was agreed that Humphrey would come to work
on a weekly basis. A donation jar was placed on a table next to
Humphrey and a new “tail” was in the making. Halachah stipulates
that we must feed our animals before we feed ourselves. But what
about animals that don’t have owners to feed in? Humphrey steps
in! The money that Humphrey raises feeds an average of 30 dogs
for the month at the Durban and Coast SPCA.
The Heart of a Child
Humphrey has also inspired others to raise money for his
cause. Sophie Duke (now 13) was 6 years old at the time, her
parents Ruth and Rowan proudly supported and encouraged her
Tzedakah and thought that Sophie could manage a garage sale
With one quick glance into Humphrey Immerman’s soulful amber in their complex. Her mother gave her a few items to sell and was
eyes, you know you are in the presence of something special. pleasantly surprised at the end of the day to see that not only
had her 6-year-old worked hard, she also raised R700 through
Humphrey may look like an ordinary dog but we all know that her efforts. “Sophie sold slime, cupcakes, lemonade, candy, even
it’s what’s inside that counts the most. If you have made your homemade cosmetics – almost anything saleable,” Ruth says.
way into Medisport Pharmacy Umhlanga in the village on a
Thursday afternoon or Sunday morning, you would have probably
met Humphrey whose primary job is fundraising and creating On the days that Humphrey is working he is taken for walks
awareness for his lost and lonely friends at the Durban and Coast around the village by his myriad of friends. “Every year without
SPCA. fail I receive an email one month in advance for a UK couple to
book Humphrey’s 3pm walk,” Alywn says.
To date Humphrey has raised a staggering R340 000 and in 2018
Humphrey was named the Umhlanga Tourism Ambassador. To help Humphrey become a dog in a million and raise one million
rand please feel free to donate
Where it Began Bank: Absa
Branch no. 632005
Found wondering the streets of Phoenix in 2011 Humphrey, Account: A IMMERMAN
looking like a Russian wired-hair terrier (exact breed unknown) Account no. 01003711133
was taken to the SPCA in hope of finding a loving home. It wasn’t Reference: “Paw”sitive
until Humphrey’s sixth week at the SPCA that Alwyn Immerman All proceeds go towards the Durban and Coast SPCA
showed up looking to adopt a puppy. “I looked into his eyes and
I knew he was the one for me. He was very withdrawn lying in
the back corner of his cage and nervous.” Humphrey’s transition SEND US YOUR NACHES NEWS!
with his new family was slow and Alwyn spent many hours trying
to coax him out from under the table, “we thought he didn’t have Space is limited so although all submissions will be given
a voice as he never uttered a sound for a couple of months. One consideration, we cannot guarantee that they will all be
published.
day my late mother in law came running upstairs so excited as
Humphrey was barking at her.” Contact: hashalom@djc.co.za or 031 335 4451
July 2018 HASHALOM 13COMMUNITY NEWS
By Sylvia Collins
Our residents were treated to a lovely moving ceremony by
Matron Wendy Robinson, Nursing Sisters, Staff Nurses and
carers to celebrate International Nurses Day in honor of Florence
Nightingale. All the nursing staff wore white, held lighted candles,
sang and read the Nurses Pledge. Dr Elaine Goldberg said on
behalf of the residents I should like to thank them and you for
all that they do, always willingly and professionally. It is much
appreciated and they deserve recognition.
This was enjoyed with tea and cake for all staff to participate in
this beautiful day of celebrations.
The nursing staff takes their pledge and commitment seriously
and was so happy to celebrate this special day with our residents.
14 HASHALOM July 2018COMMUNITY NEWS
By Cheryl Unterslak
A
ll the donations for DIVOTE are sent to Durban to
the DIVOTE offices and there they are unpacked,
checked, sorted and then packed into the appropriate
DIVOTE bag or box to go into the boxes to leave for Israel.
The boxes go on ELAL to Israel and we have very stringent
security rules that we adhere to to ensure that our cargo
is safe and that that there are no security issues with the
airline.
DIVOTE has very few volunteers that are trained to pack
each project and when asked to come they give their time
and expertise. At the moment we don’t need any extra
volunteers but the ones that we do have are as committed
and as passionate about the project as I am.
In one of the photos you can see Sarah holding the “wand”
checking all the soft toys for any security risk. Sarah is
studying at the moment and in-between has been a huge
blessing to me as she comes in with so much energy and
enthusiasm; a delight to work with.
In another photo you can see Lara and her friend from
Hillcrest who are dedicated DIVOTE supporters who collect
new donations, motivate others to Support the children in
Israel and here you can see them packing the baby bags that
they bought the gifts for.
The Project 10 volunteers working in Durban have also
helped packing the boxes (which is physically exhausting
and tough), and they come in an do an enormous amount
as they come in with so much energy!!! The volunteers are
terrific and I appreciate their involvement enormously.
A huge thanks also goes to Robyn and a few others who give
of their time.
DIVOTE has dedicated volunteers in Durban and around the
whole country that does so much to ensure that DIVOTE is
the success that it is.
Our dedicated DIVOTE volunteers Carol, Riki and others in
Israel also help the whole year to make sure that contact is
made throughout the year with the families which keep us up
to date with the family’s needs, and makes sure that gifts are
delivered around Israel to the families. This team has done
so much for the families that have made a huge difference in
the lives of so many.
A huge thank you to our devoted DIVOTE volunteers; we
appreciate you all!
July 2018 HASHALOM 15You can also read
