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A board perspective

The Board fully supports the principle of freedom of expression, recognising that this is one of the cornerstones of any democratic society. There comes a time, however, when the boundaries between fair comment and offensive propaganda are crossed. Such was the case with a cartoon by Zapiro that appeared in all the Independent newspapers on 12 March. In essence, this accused Israeli Jews of celebrating their deliverance from persecution whilst simultaneously committing the same acts of oppression against the Palestinians.

Using the contacts we have built up with the local media over the years, the Board was able to ensure that responses to the cartoon appeared in all the papers in which it was originally published. This included the publication of a full opinion piece in The Star and Mercury and numerous letters in the Cape Argus and Pretoria News.

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Morality and survival

Recent psychology points to a fairness instinct in all humans, which goes along with other similar torturing, beating, bombing and gassing. Around 100 million people met violent deaths in the course of political conflict in the 20th century alone.

How does one reconcile these two apparently mutually exclusive human truths altruism and extreme brutality? And what does it imply for Jews specifically, faced as we so often are by hostility to the point of genocidal intent?

Strangely enough, it looks as if the very instincts we admire, the capacity for kindness and fairness, may be one reason why our species is prone to such extraordinary brutality. Put simply: along with altruism comes hatred and desire to harm those who are perceived to transgress the moral norms of the group.

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‘Diamonds, Divas and Democracy …

It is not every day that the young people of the community are invited to such glamorous events, but everyone was made to feel like a true socialite at the sparkling YAD Launch of 2008. Stepping into the elegantly decorated hall at GrandWest, the guests were greeted with an evening of glitz and entertainment.

In true Jewish style, a delicious buffet started off the evening, catered to perfection by Merle Rubin and her team. The meal was followed by the smooth sounds of the Sterling EQ quartet, adding a touch of diamond glamour to the atmosphere. More entertainment included the slick style of MC and stand up comedian Loyiso Gola, who was voted Stand up Comedian of the Year 2007, showing us a different side of Cape Town and that the best thing for democracy is to laugh with each other and at ourselves!

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2008 April

April issue thumbnailApril and Pesach coincide this year and we celebrate this happy synchronicity with a special and very colourful issue, which we hope readers will savour slowly in the ‘before-glow’ of the sedarim, in order to share discussion on the contents between readings of the Haggadah and the conventional excessive feasting.

In accordance with Parkinson’s Law, that ‘work expands according to the time available for its completion’ – not that we regard your reading of this paper as work – we would suggest that you cover about three pages daily, to fill the time available for the reading.

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Ignorance, bias and odious comparisons

Since to a large extent the attitudes and opinions of the general public are governed by what they see or hear in the media, one would ideally like to have media material well researched, balanced and representing the truth. For nothing, as we are aware, is black or white, and there are two or more sides to every point of conflict or argument.

Unhappily, for this Jewish community a cartoon which appeared in the Cape Times recently exhibited none of the above. Not only was it completely one-sided and offensive, but in one segment in particular, the comparison of present day sufferings inflicted by Israel on her enemies, bent on her total destruction, to the scientifically planned slaughter of 6 million Jews, was the height of exaggeration and insensitivity to the memory of the victims and survivors of the Shoa.

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Reasoned response to an offensive cartoon

I fear there may be an outraged response from some members of the Jewish community to Zapiros tasteless cartoon in todays Cape Times (and other newspapers of the Independent group) which will simply serve to validate him in his own eyes.

Zapiro is too old to be treated as an enfant terrible. Even cartoonists are assumed to have the capacity to mature, to read, to reconsider history and to acquaint themselves with the history of their people.

Let us take simply one reference in the cartoon to collective punishment. Does Zapiro imagine the Holocaust was a form of collective punishment? If so, in response to exactly what?

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Top Donors banquet — a glittering start

TUESDAY, 26 FEBRUARY saw the Rotunda at The Bay Hotel transformed into a shimmering scene, a magical wonderland created with artistic flair by Vincent Shantall and his team. Marc and Fran Le Chat of CelebSA ensured that the evening ran well, their professionalism and attention to the finer details introducing that extra touch of class.

For the second year in a row Village & Life, the owners of The Bay Hotel, generously provided the venue for the Campaign and the valued assistance of their function team, all of which was very much appreciated.

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The Universality of Pesach

The annual celebration of the Israelites liberation from slavery in Egypt is one of the most popularly observed festivals in the Jewish calendar. Most Jews who are not particularly observant during the rest of the year will attend a Pesach seder and will refrain from eating bread. The seder with all its ritual and tradition is appealing to old and young alike.

The question to be asked is: Why does Pesach, especially the first night, evoke such commitment from Jews who do not ordinarily observe the tenets and traditions of Judaism? Many who make a point of attending or even hosting a Pesach seder do not observe the weekly Shabbat or celebrate the festivals of Shavuot and Sukkoth.

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Pesach … and 40 years of Gefilte Fish in the City Bowl

The City Bowl today retains but a remnant of what was once a lebedieke community of Jews, who filled the roads and avenues of Vredehoek, Gardens and Oranjezicht, and packed the pews of the shuls of the area.

While dissipated today, its colourful personalities largely forgotten, one man not even a member of the Jewish community harbours a host of fond memories and insights, and looks back to that era with a smile and a real sense of sadness at its demise.

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2008 March

March Issue thumbnailRead this issue and you’ll see without any doubt that things are really jumping at this tip of Africa. While not launching ships from the Cape Town harbour, we are certainly launching campaigns – and in great style.

Aside from that there are very exciting tours, specially as this is Israel’s 60th anniversary year – tours for young adults and tours for age non-specific. And the Cape celebrations are much in evidence, particularly on page 28.

Other than that there is so much more – honourings and dedications, AGMs and conferences, exhibitions and commemorations, young action and achievements, hellos and goodbyes, thought-provoking perspectives … plus all the usual fare. But not overboard! And, as a special treat, we give readers 4 pages of bridal pics, which we know too well are your first ports of call.

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