Cape Jewish Chronicle

We are very happy to have you reading us again after a most unfortunate website technical ‘breakdown’ last month, over which we at the Chronicle had no control. This was particularly disappointing for us as the December/January paper, which came out well on time, was our very special 25th anniversary celebratory issue.

Not only was it our largest edition ever, but it had a very striking glossy 8-page ‘wrapper’, with pictures going back to the very first issue in November 1984, providing a tapestry of special moments and including personalities and members of our community who have filled our pages for quarter of a century.
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The Melton graduating class of 2009 at Cafe Riteve.

This will be a night to remember, as the Melton 2009 graduating class and their significant ‘Jewish Journey’ partners attended an evening of reflection and acknowledgement in December.

Each year group has its own dynamic and each student ends his or her 2-year commitment to the Melton programme in a different and unique place, which also marks their new beginnings.
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Hyman today, holding a poor substitute for the original.

After a recent stay in a hospital near my home in California, I received a questionnaire from the administrator. I responded that I’d been delighted with the courtesies and professionalism of the staff, but I resented the antisemitism. On my second morning there, my breakfast tray contained a curious item: wrapped in cellophane was a round, cold, soggy bread-like substance, ashamed of its own pallor. The menu labelled it a “bagel”. I told the administrator that anyone calling that deeply offensive object a bagel must be a rabid antisemite!
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Yvonne Verblun, Cynthia Maresky, Rosalie Wollach, Diane Bloch, Sara Pascall, Pauline Hoffman, Icky and Avril Kurgan, Janine Diamond.

Wednesday 18 November 2009 was a proud day for the former chief librarian of the Jacob Gitlin Library, Yvonne Verblun when she celebrated the completion of the first set of tapes produced from the collaborative efforts of the Gitlin Library and Tape Aids for the Blind.

At the Albow Centre, Dr David Scher, chairman of the Library, thanked her personally for her hard work in organising this project and thanked the volunteers who contributed their time and skills: the narrators, Avril and Icky Kurgan, Sarah Pascall, Cynthia Maresky and Prof Dudley Werner; the proofreaders, Rosalie Wallach, Diane Bloch and Chad Stolper and the monitor, Janine Diamond.
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Narrative of the Israel-Palestinian Conflict, Evenhandedness Gone Mad

It’s a heartening story just made for this season and the Western media: two seriously injured children, one Israeli and one Palestinian, becoming friends together in a hospital, with an innocence that transcends the hatred of their peoples. The New York Times article is written precisely balanced, two families, two causes, absolutely identical. Oh how foolish is this unnecessary conflict! What folly drives humanity!

On one level, who can object to such a story, so fair, balanced, so humane and touching? Nowadays, to treat Israel on an equal footing with the Palestinians is rare enough and thus should be sufficient. Yet something bothers me about this story; everything it leaves out and misleads about.
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Richard Kommel (left) selling raffle crackers to Rodney Stein

This year’s Race Day launched the 60th Anniversary of Astra Jewish Sheltered Employment Centre (to take place in 2010).

It was undoubtedly the event at which to socialise and be seen. Enthusiastic supporters added sparkle to the wonderful atmosphere. The financial success of the day was achieved through the support of the 240 guests and in particular the generosity of the main sponsors namely Macsteel, ICA Laboratories, President Hotel, Tantalum Capital, Berk Enterprises, Market Toyota, Cane Time and the Camps Bay Consortium.
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