2011 February

It’s a new year, a new month and a new decade, and in this spirit of new beginnings our new editor has brought you some exciting new aspects to the Chronicle, while at the same time maintaining the nature and quality of the paper that you know and love.

“What does heritage mean to you? Being part of the Cape Town Jewish community gives us access to a rich and abundant inheritance, whether it is in our religion, history, family, customs, language, values, ideals, literature, art, food or communal organisations. As I take over as editor of the Cape Jewish Chronicle, I feel the weight of this heritage in my hands, as I hope to capture it on these pages for both the present and future,” writes Tali Barnett in her new editorial, aptly entitled “Tali-vision”.

Tali is following in the footsteps of Irma Chait, who, along with Ben-Zion Surdut, Myra Osrin, Willie Katz, incoming chairman Lester Hoffman and many others, achieved this and more as they shaped the Cape Jewish Chronicle to be a vessel that would hold this community’s history and heritage.

This is also the end of an era as we bid farewell to Willie Katz, who has written his last ‘Honourable Menschen’ piece, which you can find on page 6. The column has been a cornerstone of the Chronicle, and the Shammash has entertained us for over twenty years with Willie’s witty words. Willie, we bid you the fondest farewell and know that your name will always be associated with the Cape Jewish Chronicle.

Heritage may seem like it is the property of the past, but it is also a source of sustenance for our community today. On page 5, Claudia B. Braude discusses how the community should connect to our rich, tragic yet uniquely powerful Lithuanian heritage, and what it can offer us today. Further in the paper, we look at discovering Cape Town’s hidden Jewish history, where we continue the story of the Lieberman Doors; and on the same page Abe Wollach shares his story of a piece of the past that was lost and found across generations.

The Lieberman Doors depict our history, beginning in Biblical times and ending with the arrival of Jews in South Africa. Indeed, migration is another aspect of our heritage that continues to impact on us today. In our exclusive interview with author Joanne Fedler on page 4, she explores this issue as it relates to her most recent novel. She also discusses the almost inherent connection between Judaism and food, and why Judaism’s richness and spiritual nourishment is passed down in the form of abundant eating. Her words will surely whet your appetite for both heritage and herring!

“To reap all the benefits of our heritage, we need to know when it is time to adjust it. A museum curator may tiptoe around his collection, never changing it, but eventually it will no longer be relevant,” says Tali. Rabbi Greg Alexander explores this idea as he discusses the need for a new siddur on page 21, and so provides a compelling argument for heritage to be treasured and yet attuned to the tides of time.

“As I go forward as editor of this paper, I hope to hold our heritage and history, while at the same time bring new adjustments, aspects and acquisitions to our collection of communal treasures. This balance, I feel, is what keeps the heart of heritage beating strong. I hope you will join me as we continue to record the history of this tiny yet vibrant community on the tip of Africa,” says Tali. Write to us, talk to us, email us, join our Facebook page, and be a part of your own heritage.

The Cape Jewish Chronicle is on Facebook! Join the page here.

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