Pesach in Israel is also fondly known as Chag Aviv — Spring Holiday. For our ex-Southern African community in the Jerusalem, Modi’in and Beit Shemesh regions, spring always kicks off with a community braai at Kibbutz Tzora.
Hol Hamoed Pesach saw over 100 people — Southern African new and veteran Olim — gather to enjoy the weather and activities organised by David Hyde, Telfed’s Beit Shemesh regional volunteer. A free tour of the Tzora Winery was provided by the winery owner, former South African Shula Solomon, and a bottle of Tzora’s prize-winning wine was raffled.
Remembering the fallen
Following Pesach and prior to Yom Ha’atzmaut every year, Israel mourns all those who have fallen in defense of our country, on Yom Hazikaron. Registered tour guide Beryl Ratzer* wrote the following: “Every year, on the National Day of Mourning for those who have fallen while serving the country, we, the Southern African Jews in Israel under the auspices of Telfed, collectively remember the 86 fallen from our community. Their names are engraved on a memorial wall in the heart of the JNF-KKL Lavi forest close to the Golani junction and on a plaque in the offices of Telfed in Raanana.
For the grieving families, each name encapsulates the individual life story of their beloved children. In addition, they tell the story of Israel’s long battle for security. As I read them and made my own notes, I realised to what extent these 86 soldiers not only fought in all Israel’s wars, but are a cross-section of Israeli society.
Some came on Aliya with their parents; some came on their own. Some were very young, still doing their national service, while others were older, serving in the reserves. Prior to the establishment of the State of Israel they served in the Irgun (Etzel), the Hagana and the Palmach, and thereafter in the paratroopers, the armoured corps, the artillery, the navy and the air force viagra priser i danmark. A few had even served in the SA air force and navy. They were in Nachal, Givati, the Security Services and the border police. The last South African to fall was felled by a sniper on the Lebanese border in 2010.
The intrinsic involvement of the Southern African community in Israel, illustrated by these stories, extends not only to those serving in the IDF but also those who were killed in terrorist attacks and those who volunteered in Machal and Nachal. Indeed, a community of which to be proud”.
Women’s Circle
A most successful Women’s Circle has grown in Ra’anana over the past half year. 115 women — both new Olim and Vatikim — have registered and meet every month, to enjoy volunteer activities or cultural events. The Women’s Circle is the result of cooperation between Telfed, the Jewish Agency’s Babayit Beyachad and the Ra’anana Municipality. It provides a forum for women from all walks of life and age to meet and enjoy undertakings together.
Telfed continually aims to encourage Aliya by promoting projects that make Israel a country of inherent attraction to Olim. Through its absorption (Klita) services, Telfed endeavours to ease the transition of Southern African Olim by rendering every support along the way.
In the new Telfed employment initiative, we have joined forces with Michal Merten (certified HR Manager, Behavioural Studies and ICA certified Life Coach), to provide an additional resource to new Olim with a ‘hands-on’ approach to Israel’s employment market, during their first year of Aliya.
*Beryl Ratzer is the author of ‘A Historical Tour of the Holy Land’.
A complete list of the fallen can be found on www.ratzer.com
