In this November edition of the Cape Jewish Chronicle, we pay tribute to celebrated artist and humanitarian Lovell Friedman, whose work has left an enduring mark on Cape Town. We explore the political landscape as elections take centre stage in Israel and South Africa. We also revisit the horrors of October 7th through Doron Libshtein’s moving personal account and the powerful documentary A Letter to David, co-produced by Nancy Spielberg, which tells the harrowing story of a family torn apart by the Hamas attacks.
The passing of Lovell Friedman (Kibel) has robbed Cape Town of an exceptionally talented artist whose creativity, compassion and commitment to social upliftment left an enduring mark on the city.
An accomplished ceramicist, sculptor and mosaic artist, Lovell transformed ordinary spaces into places of beauty, reflection and connection. From the Cape Town Stadium and MyCiTi bus stations to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and hospitals in Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha, her work brought colour, imagination and meaning to countless Capetonians.
Her contribution extended far beyond artistic achievement. Believing in art’s power to unite people, tell stories and create opportunities, she trained aspiring mosaic artists from disadvantaged communities, empowering many to establish independent careers. Her involvement in the Rock Girl initiative, creating colourful public benches to promote safer spaces, reflected her commitment to making Cape Town more beautiful and inclusive.
Her work often carried a powerful social message. The moving We Are Still Here memorial in Cape Town’s CBD, created with Leora Lewis, commemorates vulnerable children from the city’s past. A mosaic bench created by Lovell and her team for UCT’s Perinatal Mental Health Project Hanover Park clinic provides a welcoming refuge for mothers and healthcare workers. Her imaginative hospital murals brought comfort, hope and joy to patients and visitors.
Lovell also made a lasting contribution to Cape Town’s Jewish community. In 2024, a magnificent mosaic she created was unveiled at the Tahara House at the Cape Jewish Cemetery in Pinelands. Commissioned through the generosity of Suzanne Ackerman and Kathy Ackerman Robins, it replaced a deteriorating tapestry, incorporating elements of its original design, including plants, roots and tassels referencing tzitzit. Working with landscape architect Tarna Klitzner, Lovell created a meaningful addition to this important communal space.
For Cape Town’s Jewish community, Lovell was a source of pride – a woman whose artistic excellence and commitment to tikkun olam, the Jewish principle of repairing the world, found expression throughout wider society. Her legacy lives on in her remarkable artworks, the lives she touched and the opportunities she created for others.
Suzanne Ackerman reflects:
“It was truly devastating seeing her coffin in the room at the cemetery, standing in front of the extraordinary mosaic wall that she created over nine months. Yet, it was a fitting ending for the woman who had the vision to reflect the beautiful mood that was required there. It is heart-warming to know that Lovell and my father will forever be linked to the mosaic that is the Cape Town Jewish community.”
“We worked with Lovell for nine months – symbolic really because it was the birthing of a new concept, a new idea.”
“We called Lovell’s mosaic at the cemetery A Thousand Shards of Light, representing the hundreds and thousands of people of every category, of every genre, of every era, coming together in that cemetery – a cemetery that represents to all of us in the Cape Town community a true mosaic of the legacy of South Africa.”
“Lovell used her extraordinary talent to create a work in memory of my late father, Raymond Ackerman, utilising the symbols we all know and recognize: the tassles representing the roots of the growing future generations; the pebbles reflecting the pebbles that we leave at a grave as a sign of remembrance.”
The organisation BRAVE, which Lovell co-founded, says:
“Her unique talent has left a visual legacy across Cape Town and beyond, from her BRAVE Rock Girl Safe Spaces benches to her murals for the World Cup. When asked to help, Lovell’s answer was always ‘Yes, but…’ Her ‘but’ was that community must be an equal partner.”
Artist and art curator Christopher Peter, widely known as the long-standing Director of the UCT Irma Stern Museum, comments:
What a loss to us all in the realms of the visual arts, public art and the teaching thereof! I admired Lovell greatly for her work and her generous outreach to others. She gave tirelessly to others, nurturing, participating and guiding with a sure hand but a light spirit – with much humour.
Projects executed under her watch at UCT were always meticulously overseen by her. And to this end none of her projects ever faltered.
For the current edition of the Cape Jewish Chronicle, click here.
Habonim Dror Southern Africa was honoured to stand alongside Doron Libstein at the recent October 7 commemoration in Cape Town. Doron’s brother, the late Ofir Libstein, was a proud member of Habonim Dror, reflecting the deep connection between our movement, Israel and the values of community, leadership and Zionism.
On October 7, Ofir demonstrated extraordinary courage and selflessness as he fought to defend his community of Kfar Aza, tragically losing his life while protecting the people and home he loved. His bravery and unwavering commitment to his community continue to inspire us all.
As we remember the past and look towards the future, we are reminded of the importance of creating meaningful Jewish experiences for the next generation.
This December, Habonim Dror will once again bring together Jewish youth from across South Africa for Machaneh Achshav U’Letamid, taking place from 6–23 December on our beautiful campsite in Onrus.
Through friendship, education, Jewish identity and unforgettable experiences, Machaneh continues to inspire young Jewish leaders and strengthen the bonds that connect our community.
Knowing that well over a thousand people were murdered in the October 7 attacks three years ago is in itself shocking. But, when one is exposed to the stories of individual families, one’s understanding of the true impact on ordinary people is much greater.
Leading Israeli businessman, international life coach and author, Doron Libshtein, brought home that reality when he spoke to over 650 Capetonians at a commemorative event on 7 October this year. The consequences for Doron’s closest family were huge.
He spoke movingly about his brother, Ofir, and nephew, Nitzan, both of whom were tragically killed while defending the residents of Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the onslaught.
Ofir, Doron’s “little big brother”, was a well-known leader in Israel, having demonstrated strong leadership skills even during childhood. Elected to the office of Mayor of the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council, the region saw significant economic growth during his tenure. In addition, he and his wife established a much-loved project in Israel, Darom Adom (Red South), an annual event celebrating the blooming of wild red anemones in the Western Negev near Gaza. Ofir also served as the Chair of Habonim Dror.
At the commemorative event, video footage of Doron’s sister-in-law, who lost both her husband and her son, left many in the audience feeling very emotional. One was left with the thought: How does a person continue living after such loss?
But Doron also gave us a positive message. He challenged all of us to ask a simple but powerful question: “How can I help?”
It is a question he lives by every day. His philosophy is that we can all be heroes when we ask how we can help – and then act on the answer. His words were inspiring, thoughtful and deeply poignant, reminding us that, even in the face of profound loss, each of us has the capacity to make a difference. This message is particularly significant for us in the Diaspora: being a community that has stood up and helped our brethren in Israel in truly meaningful ways.
With an audience packed to capacity, the evening confirmed that, even in the darkest of times, our community stands united. We will not forget those who were taken from us. We will continue to stand proudly with Israel, to honour the memory of the victims by living our values openly and unapologetically, and to ensure that the world never looks away from what happened on October 7.
The commemorative event was hosted by the South African Zionist Federation Cape Council, in partnership with the Cape South African Jewish Board of Deputies, The Base, and the Jewish National Fund.
The event was sponsored by the Wilfred and Fay Back Charitable Trust.
The harrowing impact of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks on one Israeli family was brought home to a Cape Town audience recently through the Nancy Spielberg-produced documentary, A Letter to David.
The film tells the story of David Cunio, who was held hostage by Hamas for 738 days, from 7 October 2023 until 13 October 2025.
The film’s title refers to the narration by Israeli director Tom Shoval, who worked with David and his identical twin brother, Eitan, in the 2013 feature film Youth. In an eerie coincidence, the film centres on the brothers kidnapping a young woman – a fate that would befall David, his younger brother Ariel, and six family members or close contacts a decade later. All were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz.
The documentary brings the horrors of October 7 vividly to life. David and his family were trapped in a burning safe room, fearing they would die. When they finally escaped, they were taken hostage, but David’s three-year-old daughter Emma was separated from the others, leaving her parents terrified for her safety.
For David’s parents, Argentinian Jews who made Aliyah in their youth, the uncertainty surrounding their eight abducted family members – the largest group from one family – was agonising.
Much of the documentary unfolds through Eitan’s experience. Although he escaped captivity, his home was destroyed and he endured the anguish of not knowing whether his twin was alive. Their exceptionally close bond made David’s absence feel like losing part of himself.
When David’s wife Sharon was released after 52 days, Eitan faced another painful reality: Sharon struggled to look at him because his face was a constant reminder of her captive husband.
“This movie proved to be a sell-out event for the SAZF Cape Council Film Club,” said SAZF Executive Director Joshua Schewitz. The SAZF Cape Council hosted the screening in conjunction with the Cape Jewish Chronicle. “Exposing these stories helps us to commemorate the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust, and gives us insight into the personal experiences of people directly affected by the attacks.”
Being a community leader is not an easy job. In fact, it may be one of the most time-consuming and challenging roles out there – and that is saying a lot, considering I spent more than 15 years working in the events industry, regularly ranked among the most stressful industries in which to work.
Over Simchat Torah, I spent a stress-free weekend celebrating our way of life at Marais Road Shul – the shul where my family and I are members. At the annual post-Simchat Torah braai, honouring the Chatan Torah and Chatan Bereishit, several speeches were given. The shul President and both Chatanim spoke brilliantly, but what stood out for me was how each of them ended.
All three have been involved in communal work for many years, whether through the shul or other communal organisations. They have given an extraordinary amount of time, energy, blood, sweat and tears to ensure that our community continues to thrive and prosper. Naturally, they thanked their colleagues and those who had worked alongside them.
But all three ended by thanking their families – and particularly their wives.
Their words made me think about my own family.
I have now been Executive Director of the Cape SAJBD for almost five and a half years and, to put it mildly, it has been an extremely busy period – not only for me, but for my team and our entire Council. And I simply could not do the work I do without the understanding and support of my wife (whom I have thanked in previous articles). The late nights, evening meetings, Sundays, community events, crises and travelling all come at a cost – and that cost is inevitably shared by the people waiting for us at home.
My wife runs her own marketing consulting business, manages our home, and is herself involved in communal life. Somehow, despite my absences, she still manages to get almost everything done.
Almost.
I have banned her from packing the dishwasher. I mean, really – side plates go on the bottom shelf, not the top shelf.
There is an old saying: “Behind every successful man is a woman.” Perhaps today it should read: “Behind every successful individual is their better half.”
That applies equally to the men and women who lead our community. We have extraordinary female communal leaders, and I would like to think the men in their lives are equally capable of juggling businesses, homes, children and communal responsibilities.
Or perhaps I am delusional.
Either way, there is a serious point behind this.
No matter which communal organisation you serve, chances are there is someone behind the scenes making it possible for you to do so. Someone cheering you on, listening to your speeches for the tenth time, offering advice, tolerating the phone calls during dinner, accepting another evening meeting and, most importantly, supporting your decision to give your time to the community.
They may not sit on the committee. Their names may never appear on the programme. They may not receive an award or be thanked publicly.
But they are part of the contribution too.
Whether you serve on a shul or school committee, lead the Board of Deputies, work in welfare, stand outside our community centres protecting us, volunteer with our youth or contribute through one of the many organisations that make Jewish life in the Western Cape possible, every role matters.
And behind so many of those volunteers and communal professionals are families making their own contribution by allowing us the time and space to serve.
So perhaps we need to say thank you more often.
To our husbands and wives, partners, children and families: thank you for sharing us with the community. Thank you for understanding why we sometimes miss dinner, why the phone never seems to stop ringing, and why “I’ll be home shortly” does not always mean what it should.
And to those who are not yet involved in communal life, I have a challenge for you: step up and get involved. It is never too early and never too late.
A strong Jewish community does not happen by accident. It survives and grows because people choose to participate, volunteer, lead, protect, educate, care and contribute.
If we want to protect our community, preserve our way of life and ensure that Jewish life in the Western Cape continues to grow and has a bright future, then all of us have a role to play.
Just remember to thank the people at home who make it possible.
And please – put the side plates on the bottom shelf.
If we condemn aggression, intimidation and abusive conduct when directed at Jews, we must be equally prepared to condemn it when it comes from within our own community. Anything less turns principle into convenience.
Over the past few years, our community has rightly spoken out against hatred, incitement and abusive public discourse. Through campaigns such as Words Matter, we have reminded society that language has consequences, that every person deserves dignity, and that disagreement must never become dehumanisation.
That principle cannot be something we demand only of others. It must begin with us.
Two recent incidents in Johannesburg have raised uncomfortable but necessary questions about how we engage those with whom we disagree. One involved the abusive verbal treatment of a member of the public by a member of the Jewish community. The other involved a Jewish individual aggressively confronting a business owner over the display of a Palestinian flag outside the shop premises.
The first incident should trouble all of us. This was not merely an ill-chosen phrase or a strong view expressed badly. It represented a profound failure of respect, decency and self-restraint. Whatever frustrations or convictions prompted it, no cause is advanced by treating another human being in that manner. An apology does not erase the seriousness of the conduct or end the need for honest reflection.
The second incident, although different in its circumstances, raises the same essential concern. Whatever one’s view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, there is no justification for aggressively confronting a business owner over a political symbol or expression of opinion.
Neither incident should be confused with robust debate, passionate advocacy or firmly expressed disagreement. Judaism has never been afraid of argument. Respectful disagreement lies at the heart of Jewish learning and communal life. But there is a profound difference between challenging ideas and attacking people.
Many Jews are carrying genuine pain, anxiety and anger amid rising antisemitism, the trauma of 7 October and the continuing conflict in the Middle East. Those emotions are understandable. They do not excuse unacceptable behaviour.
Communities demonstrate integrity not by defending every action of their members, minimising misconduct, or treating an apology as the end of the conversation, but by saying plainly when conduct falls far short of the values they profess.
Our tradition teaches that every person is created b’tzelem Elohim – in the image of God – and demands derech eretz — decency, civility and respect. Those values are tested not when we meet people with whom we agree, but when we encounter views we find offensive, upsetting or deeply objectionable.
Words Matter was never intended as a lesson only for everyone else. It is also a challenge to ourselves. Conduct that is unacceptable does not become acceptable because it is committed by someone who shares our identity or supports our cause.
The standard we apply to others must be the standard we apply to ourselves. If we expect people to engage respectfully with Jews, we must engage respectfully with others. If we condemn abusive conduct directed at our community, we must condemn it when it emerges from within our own ranks.
The true test of values is whether we apply them when doing so is difficult, uncomfortable and close to home. No political disagreement, provocation or strength of conviction entitles us to humiliate, verbally abuse or aggressively confront another person.
Words Matter is not merely a slogan. Our words matter. Our conduct matters. Our example matters. And our willingness to hold ourselves to the same standards we expect of others matters most of all.
Sebastian Faulks’s new historical novel A Farewell to Eden is a timely addition to the slew of stories coming out of the Middle East. But it is so much more than that.
Set as it is from 1946 in Palestine, to the England of the 1950s and beyond, through to the 80s, the tensions of the time and places are seen through the eyes of ex-Army officer Philip Deval. This is an unspooling of a life whose soul is touched and influenced by what he experiences; a life with emotional scars that take him on an unexpected path. Masterfully written, Faulks takes you on a journey that asks questions of morality and humanity.
Philip is an ordinary man, steadfast, calm, philosophical, respected, not a risk taker. Deployed as a peacekeeper to Palestine after his Army service, when the British Mandate was about to expire; when the drawing of state lines would have far reaching consequences. In the Holy Land he makes solid friends, such as padre Matthew Kilvert who challenges his faith; he participates in undercover operations; contemplates the question of coexistence and politics; experiences terrorism in the King David Hotel attack; and contemplates the future he sees for this country. His belief in justice and moral obligation sees him become an unlikely player in a deadly game.
1951 and Philip is in Britain as he becomes a teacher at a girls’ school. He meets and befriends the enigmatic, quiet, controlled music teacher Frances Darwood whose story has also shaped her, but it is their enduring friendship that threads and supports through the years ahead.
Faulks is the master of the slow reveal, hiding events within his words. Unfurling them. Shocking the reader, making you backtrack in case you missed anything. His research brings people and environments to sparkling life, enriching the reader with facts and characters, interlinking stories. It is a reflection of a time of huge upheaval, when everything was questioned. He crafts a tension that ebbs and flows. Written in 50s-style vernacular, it is a picture of a fractured generation. Above all, it is a beautifully told story of a man’s battle with his conscience and his humanity.
Sebastian Charles Faulks is a British novelist, journalist and broadcaster. He is most notable for his historical novels set in France – The Girl at the Lion d’Or, Birdsong and Charlotte Gray.
For the current edition of the Cape Jewish Chronicle, click here.
There is a notion in Jewish culture that, after the destruction of the Temple, prophecy was given to fools.
The origin of this saying is to be found in the tractate Bava Batra where Rabbi Yochanan says, “From the day the Temple was destroyed prophecy was taken from the prophets and given to children and fools”. The context is the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE, and I feel duty bound to give the original Talmudic version – in spite of having wonderful, bright grandchildren – as I am on my way to Tel Aviv at just before 8 in the morning and all around me men are Davening Shacharit with talitot and tefilin.
By the time you read this the results of the Israel elections will be known, and half of Israel will be in mourning and half of Israel will be overjoyed. This is a prophecy I am willing to make as I am totally convinced of it. I am living in an Israel more divided than ever. And this is the reality, in spite of the ‘Together we will Win’ and other slogans produced by our government and other influencers after October 7th.
We love exaggerating in Israel. Everything is an existential threat – well almost everything. From Maccabee Tel Aviv losing a basketball game to the Kinneret dealing with aggressive algae.
But the upcoming elections are an exception to this rule. It is a make-or-break election. Israel will be a place in which one half of the population will have lost their dreams – their big dreams – of what the Jewish State is to be.
The question on the table is ultimately not the issues with Iran or the Palestinians. The question on the table is whether we will be living in an open, liberal, democratic, inclusive society WHICH ALSO KNOWS HOW TO DEFEND ITSELF AGAINST EXTERNAL ENEMIES WHILE DEFENDING ITSELF AGAINST INDIVIDUALS IN THE SOCIETY WHO USE THE EXTERNAL THREATS AS A WEAPON AGAINST THE OPEN SOCIETY, or whether we will be living in a society which begins to LIMIT OUR FREEDOMS AND DEMAND THAT WE ARE ON MESSAGE AND, IF WE ARE NOT, WE ARE THEN DEFINED AS TRAITORS.
Am I exaggerating? I think not. I grew up in an on-message society in South Africa, and I recognise the language and the first steps taken by those who wish to limit freedoms.
An I not taking the external threats seriously? I am. Every Jewish political leader in Israel is aware of the threats and have the wherewithal to defend our country. The notion that only one leader can defend us is in itself a very dangerous one.
I hope and pray that my next article will be filled with joy – not with pain.
For the current edition of the Cape Jewish Chronicle, click here.
