GOOD SHABBOS 31 7 2026
Dear All,
The weather in the ‘Ou Transvaal’ has been a Miechel, after that freezing spell a few weeks ago……. We going into August and the weather is normally very good, with strong wind……… Rain is far away, and it could Tukka be a Long Hot dry summer ..? Who knows what will happen……..
This past weekend was a VERY rare ‘sports less’ weekend with nothing on….Niks…
Gave me time think carefully about the much awaited L-O-N-G tour by the All Blacks to the Beloved Country ………When talking to younger Rugger Manne they did not seem to know about what we grew up with…… Most years from the 150’s till the 1980’s we used to get a country doing a L-O-N-G tour which meant that they would arrive, and first play a few provincial teams , Junior Boks etc, and in those days they used to load those secondary teams with Good shpielers so they could soften up the teams……In those days most of the Ref’s were home-grown Manne, and this always brought criticism, and promises of next time we will introduce International referees which only happened much later……
The Provincial games were planned bu the SARB so that the visiting teams really had a rough passage till the first Test, and of course the touring compliments were smaller than now, and injuries always piled up, so by the time the first Test of a long tour took place, and few of the visiting team had lost 2/3 Shpielers to injury…… The problem with L-O-N-G tours was the apartheid era, where non-whites /Maoris/
Aboriginal’s etc were not allowed to be included ….The NZ government would not budge and ALL nations picked were then reclassified as ‘Honouree whites ‘ by the SA Government …..That tour included 26 matches and was mammoth… losing only 3 games…….BUT with the help of the hometown Refs, they lost the series 3-1…….GR888888888 All Black shpielers like Brian Lochore, Bryan Williams, and Sid Going etc….came…..
The current Tour starting in two weeks will be very interesting, with the All Blacks having ‘slumped ‘ under ‘Razor’ Robertson, who was just not right for the National coaching position….. When one thinks of Graham Henry’s give away nothing features before , during and after a game, to Scott carrying on like a Rassie Minnie Me…… Is Dave Rennie the Guy, only time will tell, and he does not have muchg time on his side, as the Boks are here …NOW….. The sad thing about the decline in All Black Rugger , is that it was such E-mazing Rugger to watch (Petry in motion)……The rule not allowing wondering All Blacks to play for the All Blacks is very sad, as there was a time when Souff Effrikka also had that rule, BUT…..Rassie soooon got his way, and the rule was blocked…..It stops good players playing and getting better money, and still representing their country…….Mo’unga, at fly half comes to mind plus others …..as it is I am not mad about Love at Fly Half with Beauden Barret being totally overlooked, which is a huge mistake……The All Blacks for the first time in many years are short of reserves for many positions, and the flow of brilliant Shpielers has totally dried up, wth very few coming through, which I am sure will change….At the moment the “Bulvun” (Ox) Boks are totally in the driving seat, BUT……. A team playing away from those Monster forwards, could just bring the Boks down a few notches…..
Will or lose The All Blacks should produce a good brand of Rugger and if they win one or two Tests could be in line for the World Cup next year, which is the ULTIMATE goal of the Boks……..Time for the Boks & Schvartzers to start looking at France, who could just come into contention for the Wolrd Cup if they can eventually put together the FIRST 15, instead of resting and chopping and changing all the time……Can’t see another country coming close to these 3…….
The Boks play the Puma’s away this weekend and hopefully not tooooo many get injured and also hopefully Rassie sends a GOOD team, and stop with all his Kak…..
Those in the USofA can get their supply Biltong, Droe Wors and other Souff Effrikken 'Gerichten' from the Biltong Guy larryburnettcox@gmail.com …all products are ‘Glatt Kosher’ ( in separate area)…., and they have a wide variety of ‘Lekker’ Biltong/Wors details at https://www.stantgsm.com/category/info/15 …….. Call 1800biltong (18002458664) or direct to Larry 949 500 3431
Ever heard of Chanakya? Me neither! — Shabbat Shalom
Chanakya (also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta) (c. 350 BCE and 275 BCE.) was an ancient Indian philosopher, economist, and royal advisor , and is also widely celebrated for his collection of moral and practical maxims known as Chanakya Niti, which contains teachings on life, human nature, and statecraft.
"A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and honest people are screwed first." — Chanakya
"Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous." — Chanakya
"The biggest guru-mantra is: Never share your secrets with anybody. It will destroy you." — Chanakya
"There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth." — Chanakya
"Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions - Why am I doing it, What the results might be and Will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead." — Chanakya
"Once you start working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest." — Chanakya
"As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it." — Chanakya
"The world's biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman." — Chanakya
"The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all directions." — Chanakya
"A man is great by deeds, not by birth." — Chanakya
"Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next five years, scold them. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend. Your grown up children are your best friends." — Chanakya
There is no austerity equal to a balanced mind, and there is no happiness equal to contentment; there is no disease like covetousness, and no virtue like mercy. — Chanakya
You have two options. You can either give in, or you can give up - Shabbat Shalom
“It takes ten times as long to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart.” ― Suzanne Collins
"Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn." ― Harriet Beecher Stowe
“Come in, defeat, come in and make yourself at home.” ― Iris Murdoch
"Never give up on something that you can't go a day without thinking about." ― Winston Churchill
“If you think the most courageous and difficult thing you can do is stubbornly stand your ground, try graciously giving in.” ― Richelle E. Goodrich
Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. ― Dale Carnegie
Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn. ― Harriet Beecher Stowe
It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. ― Confucius
"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside... If I quit, however, it lasts forever." ― Lance Armstrong
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. ― Thomas A. Edison
Believe you can and you're halfway there. ― Theodore Roosevelt
"The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect, and beginning the work of becoming yourself." ― Anna Quindlen
Lay of the Land News from ‘The Land of Milk & Honey’…& the World …… https://layoftheland.online/2026/07/22/lay-of-the-land-weekly-newsletter-22-july-2026/ ….Lay of the Land…. https://layoftheland.online/
Media 24’s continual ‘bashing’ of Afriforum is being over ‘Cooked’…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRDx-tsZ3RU
A tsunami of lies…….New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani should be held to account for libellous incitement against Israel and the Jews. https://www.jns.org/opinion/column/melanie-phillips/a-tsunami-of-lies
The Mid East is starting to ‘Kook’ again with I-ran trying to call the shots…..Really is sad that I-ran has been allowed to bomb the Arab states surrounding it at will, and Donald just does not put his Defence force where his mouth is…… Only way is for the USofA to bomb them to smithereens, and the nonsense will stop…. Absoluuuuutly no idea why the allow the ‘Chazerse’ Houthi’s get away with all the nonsense they are making plus being ‘pirates’….My understanding is that it would not be difficult to take them out of the equation………. In Israel itself life goes on, BUT…..they are on ‘Shpilkes’ as these Mishugoyim can attack anytime……”Am Yisrael Chai….
TWO IRISH ENGINEERS and a BLONDE
Two Irishmen were standing at the base of a flagpole, looking up.
A blonde walks by and asked what they were doing.
Paddy: "We're supposed to find the height of this flagpole, but we don't have a ladder."
The blonde took a spanner from her purse, loosened a few bolts and laid the flagpole down. She pulled a tape measure from her pocket, took a few measurements and announced that it was eighteen feet and six inches.
She then walked off.
Mick said: "Now, to be sure, isn't that just like a blonde!
We need the height and she gives us the length." (Even the Kaylikka’s will get it 2nd. Time)
The 'Koppie' & Mountain’ climbers... posting the most E-mazing Pichaaaaaa’s on their website http://lazarowhike.blogspot.com/ ….. 'Gib A Kuk’ ……… On a well-deserved break…..Hopefully will be back sooon….
The ‘Bren’ is on…..A group formed to advocate to change the South Africa name to Azania ….Anti-apartheid activist (Oy…. vy) and theologian Dr Allan Boesak has called for South Africa to be renamed Azania……..Boesak made the call at the launch of Vuka Azania in Sandton on Friday. He joined Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane SC, Professor Isaac Shai and former intelligence chief Arthur Fraser at the event.
The movement describes itself as a decolonial advocacy movement and think tank (Einaaaaaaaaaaaaaah)….Methinks that when a guy like Boesak is involved it can only be for the money, and he has been under the ‘Kosh’in his time, and there have been some shady parts in his career….. Boesak recons that “A liberated people must name themselves if dignity is to be restored.” …… Boesak stressed that Vuka Azania is not a political party. Instead, it advocates for decolonisation, land restoration, economic transformation and constitutional reform….He said the movement wants to build a self-determined Azania where black South Africans own their land, control their wealth, govern their lives and live with dignity.
“Our vision is a self-determined Azania where black people own their land, control their wealth, govern their lives and walk in dignity. Where all are fed, housed, educated, safe, employed, culturally rooted and free to dream.”
GR88888888888888 dream, BUT unfortunately that’s where it ends…… “Like the Chevra Kadisha “Yours eventually, someone will get the name change done”, BUT…..like we have seen with streets/towns/cities it’s a mess and to be honest not many have a clue what towns/streets are where…… Such a waste of energy and money, especially when it is driven by an ‘old’ Gonnif……… Time will tell….
A woman was found guilty in traffic court and when asked for her occupation she said she was a schoolteacher.
The judge rose from the bench.
"Madam, I have waited years for a schoolteacher to appear before this court."
He smiled with delight. "Now sit down at that table and write
'I will not run a red light' five hundred times." ( Revenge is shweeeet)
From a passenger ship one can see a bearded man on a small island who is shouting and desperately waving is hands.
"Who is it?" a passenger asks the captain.
"I have no idea. Every year when we pass, he goes mad like that." (Yislaaaaaaik…)
At the UJW women’s AGM today, they announced the winners of their Bobba & Zaida overseas trip winners and my Brother/Sister in law Dave & Dilyce Abelman won it….. What an E-mazing AGM with superb speakers in Rob Katz & and his associate Khanyi Mlambo ….They were truly the real thing….. The Trip was sponsored by Howard Lowenthal in honour of his Late Mom Pamela & Norman who worked with the UJW for nearly 50 years …An anonymous donor sponsored another trip for Vanessa Chesno to go to see her Kinderlach….. ….Pictures;
https://www.stantgsm.com/category/pictures/4
Eli is a Genealogist of note…Eli Rabinowitz – 'Gib A Kuk' at his blog… https://elirab.me/about/ ……. E-mazing news from 'Der Heim’s' & The 'Beloved Country' … Doing what he does best ….Everything …
Eli’s updates ….. https://www.facebook.com/elirab1 Eli’s latest project is “The “In my Pocket” project , which has really grown ….. https://docs.google.com/.../1sQAVq314pl1Y0TFRPR3W.../edit … Eli is back in Lithuania at the moment……any is moving around….catch up on his blog
Cape Town over the past few years has seen a steady growth in ‘Frum’ families, which was not the case when Joburg had its ‘Frum’ revolution from the 70’s…… The latest organization to hit Slaaaaaaapstad is ‘Elevate’, which is an events platform through which they educate, inspire, connect and build the local Yiddisher community and all are welcome…...They have just launched their latest series called Inspire 2026 ….An ex Stan & Pete waiter & Chaver Steven Liptz is behind the drive to offer various exciting projects for the Yiddisher community……Steven is one of the Directors of the very successful 36one financial institution…… When you go to Slaaaaaaapstad hook up with Elevate …. Join the Elevate WhatsApp group and be a part of this inspiring and exciting new Jewish Learning platform. Created in Slaaaaaapstad for Cape Town! …………Simply click on the link below:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/ET4dzbQrboXHnQEqgVAtx9
Get your online copy of the Jewish Report @ or @ your Local Shopkella’s… https://www.sajr.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2027-07-31_compressed.pdf …. Anyone wanting to join their mailing list https://bit.ly/jrmailinglistsignup The latest news always available online, so why not click on the Link and sign up for your digital copy in case u don’t get the hard copy
People living in Kakamas are starting to get desperate about the crime rate in there.
I was standing at the corner waiting for a uber when a fellow walks up to me and asks.
'' Have you seen a cop around here.?''
i said .''No and the next thing he says to me .
Okay , give me your wallet. .'' (Ouch….)
Last night I ordered my whole meal in Bagels restaurant in Yiddish.
Even the waiter was surprised ……. It was a Chinese restaurant.
Understand traffic laws here in Joburg?
A woman driver knocks over a guy who lands six meters from the accident and the cops arrest him for leaving the scene of an accident.
Sharon Aronstam is a first class helper/Caregiver/Shlepper for elderly people who need assistance ….Sharon is E-mazing… You can contact Sharon @ 082 8514929 See https://www.stantgsm.com/category/info/15 for more details...........
The ‘Magic’ Couple who arrived back from the USofA full of beans, are now not so confident with SARS after Mel Viljoen as disbarred lawyer Peet Viljoen fights bail on 400 charges linked to R27.6m fraud case, with court weighing flight risk claims…..His wife Mel in the meantime set up a ‘Backs Buddy’ charity drive to bring in money to help Peet with his charges ( I think it was closed down)…….. Not sure why she is not locked up, as she is in it with him….. and I am sure they hired a half a dozen people to protest outside that court that Peet must be freed…..Surely they won’t give him bail after all the experiences they have had lately with people absconding while out on bail…Preacher Bashir comes to mind , and he is siting up in Effrikka ‘Lagging’ at the authorities here
The Chai FM “Yiddisher’ radio is available from anywhere in the world now…….Tune in to ; (link for ChaiFM) for people to listen live from anywhere in the world: https://app.chaifm.com/listen-live
Sandton Shul will be hosting Rabbi Doron Perez, President of the World Zionist Organisation, whose resilience and unwavering commitment to the Jewish people has inspired communities across the world……Rabbi Perez will be speaking about what it means to be the smallest nation, but the biggest family in a rapidly changing world….. Rabbi Perez will be at Sandton Shul next Shabbos and is a E-mazing speaker……. Rabbi Doron was head of Mizrachi in Souff Effrikka and took over from Solly Sacks, and was involved at Yeshiva College/Shul…..until his Aliya to Isreal, where he joined Solly Sacks and became the world leader of the Mizrachi organization…..His Mom & Dad Gail & Gil Perez are also in Israel……I am sure many will remember the Late Louis & Minnie Gecelter who were Doron’s grandparents and Louis ran Maccabi Sports in the Beloved Country for many, many years and when he made Aliya to Israel he helped create Kfar Maccabi with the Hotels and sports facilities…Louis trade mark was his always had a glass of scotch whisky on the rocks in his hand
While two families were waiting in line to see the Washington Monument, their two 5-year-old boys were getting acquainted.
"My name is Joshua. What's yours?" asked the first boy.
"Adam," replied the second.
"My daddy is a doctor. What does YOUR daddy do for a living?" asked Joshua.
Adam proudly replied, "My daddy is a lawyer."
"Honest?" asked Joshua.
"No, just the regular kind," replied Adam. …… (True story….)
A salesman, and engineer, and a technician are driving in a car when, just outside of town, they get a flat tire.
The three of them get out of the car and scratch their heads.
The salesman says, "Maybe I should walk into town and get us a new tire. I know that I can bargain with the man at the parts store and get us a great deal."
The engineer stops him, saying, "No, before you do that, we'll have to do some computations, figuring the grade of the road, the asphalt temperature, and the average rate of speed we will be traveling to know what kind of tire you should buy."
The technician laughs and shakes his head. "No, no, no! What's wrong with you guys?
We have a spare tire in the trunk - now all we have to do is start swapping tires until we find the flat one!"…. (Their surname must be Van Der Merwe….)
Myron Michel’s is a very reliable Shlepper, and is very versatile, doing lifts to anywhere ….Contact Myron on 082-3273686 and e-mail ; See https://www.stantgsm.com/category/info/15 for details......
The MAJOR’’ crime is shocking that is taking place….. 5 years ago, whistle-blower Babita Deokaran was murdered for exposing corruption at Tembisa Hospital. …..The State has stripped one of the scheme’s alleged masterminds of four Lamborghinis, a Bentley and luxury properties worth R326m – a rare victory in the long fight against State Capture…..BUT….. 5 years later Hangwani Morgan Maumela is still walking around…..????? Stealing and fraud from a hospital…..How low can these Galeria’s go free …. Businessman Hangwani Morgan Maumela remains free and has not been arrested or charged, despite the Johannesburg High Court granting a final forfeiture order on July 20, 2026, to seize R326 million of his luxury assets tied to the Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal……surely if you get permission to attach, the main man should be in ‘Tronk’… ??? ~What the hell does anyone need a half a dozen VERY expensive cars ????? Especially if you can’t afford to buy, except by Fraud….???
An exercise for people who are out of shape: Begin with a five-pound potato bag in each hand. Extend your arms straight out from your sides, hold them there for a full minute, and then relax. After a few weeks, move up to ten-pound potato bags.
Then try 50-pound potato bags, and eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-pound potato bag in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute.
Once you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each bag …… (Oi………….)
A man has been in hospital for a month.
One day, he's so sick and tired of being in hospital, that he sneaks out and down to the nearest pub.
He orders a beer and swallows the lot in 10 seconds flat.
He then orders a second beer and does the same. …Then a third and a fourth.
As he orders a fifth beer, he says to the barman,
"I shouldn't be drinking this with what I've got."
The barman gasps in alarm, "What have you got?"
To which the hospital patient replies, "I've got no money." ( Grooot Klap….)
How do you get a squirrel to like you?
You drive him nuts
As I mentioned, give Fay Arluk a call if you need a Tombstone….. Contact Fay @ bobbifayarluk@gmail.com or call her on 082-4899054 or 011-4850511 https://www.stantgsm.com/category/info/15
Chabad are bringing Avraham Fried for ONE concert only @ the Teatro theatre at Monte Casino……The Yiddisher community have been starved of Chazzonis & overseas concerts the past few years, and I am sure that it will be an E-mazing show….. End of August….Remember only ONE show……
Avraham Fried Live in Concert @ The Teatro
To Book - https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/performance.aspx?itemid=1599423963
A young seminary student went home for Christmas break. A horrible snowstorm stranded the regular minister in another town.
The leaders of the congregation asked the young man to substitute for the regular minister.
The young preacher started his sermon by explaining the meaning of a substitute. "If you break a window," he said, "and then place a piece of plywood over the hole -- that's a substitute."
After the sermon, a well-intentioned woman wished to compliment the young man. As she enthusiastically shook his hand, she said:
"You were no substitute. You were a real pane!" ( Einaaaaaaaaaaaah….)
Minsker the Shlepper”… Paul Minsker has been singing in the Sandton Shul choir, and he does ‘Shlepping’ ….Besides Airport runs, Sun City etc., he also does ‘Shlepping’ of confidential documents…… 083-5426480 see https://www.stantgsm.com/view-post/pauls%20driver%20service/8242
OUR new Ambassador in the USofA Roelf Meyer, who did such E-mazing negotiations in the early negotiations with Mc Buffalo in the 90’s, is back, and this time he hopes to make Chavers with Donald Trump’s Manne….
…….. Roelf Meyer (79), who negotiated South Africa’s constitutional democracy with Cyril Ramaphosa in the early 1990s, was appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa as ambassador to the US in May. …The Americans gave their approval sooner than Pretoria expected, so Meyer had to rush to Washington to formally present his diplomatic credentials to President Donald Trump almost immediately. Then he returned to Souff Effrikka to complete legal and other formalities such as signing a contract. Methinks he knows his mission is virtually impossible, as Trump is cross with the Beloved country and the past year and a half there has been no Ambassador to champion Souff Effrikka’ s needs …… He has a good relationship with Ambassador Bozell,” he said about his US counterpart, Leo Brent Bozell III. “And, in certain ways, we are Seeing Eye to eye about the subjects which are relevant. I think he has done a good job so far in reaching out to the South African environment…. ……. As a seasoned mediator in conflicts around the globe and in South Africa for some 30 years, he has the objectivity and realism to tackle one of his most difficult assignments….. Methinks he should do well, as he has got “Scheichel’….. Right-wing Afrikaner groups such as AfriForum, Solidariteit and the FF Plus criticised Meyer’s appointment, complaining that he was an ANC member and so would not represent their interests……Roelf claims he has not been part of a political party for the past 15 years….In fact he has been called a ‘Vereirer” (Turncoat….) …..He can’t be worse than previous candidates that were put forward…..
Patient: Doctor, I have a tendency to gain weight in certain places.
What would you recommend?
Doctor: Stay out of those places! (Mmmmm…)
A new widow requested the epitaph "Rest in Peace" for her husband's tombstone.
When she later found he had left his fortune to his mistress, she attempted to get the engraver to change the carving.
This was impossible; the words were chiselled into the granite and could not be changed.
"In that case," she said, "please add Until We Meet Again." (Otazay….)
Sue Lyons has more than 30 years’ experience teaching all grades, language, literature and creative writing and teaches TEFL (English as a foreign language). …. Sue also runs Engleeeeesh classes……. Who knows, the Good Shabbos letter might become more refined. Contact Sue at ; suzannelyons625@gmail.com …….. Mobile; 082 8511510
Next weekend is Women’s Day on Sunday 9th, so the 10th. Becomes a Public holiday, and there are many, many events planned for the long weekend…… Not sure that many people will hit the roads again as virtually the whole of July was school holiday…… The JNF/UJW have their Yom Tov cookery exhibition on the public holiday https://www.stantgsm.com/view-post/womens%20day%20cooking%20experience%20with%20batsheva%20phillips/10080 why not book in ??
‘GOKO’ Safaris offer Kosher Safaris Tanya & David Libesman are the Originators of the Tours when they take all the hassle out of Booking/Air tickets etc, and of course arrange for a Kosher Chef to accompany the Tour….. In Hoedspruit (has an Airfield) Devorah & Jesse Lemmer are there to do the finer details….. info@gokosafari.co.za
A woman answered her front door and found two little boys holding a list.
"Lady," one of them explained, "we're on a scavenger hunt, and we still need three grains of wheat, a pork-chop bone and a piece of used carbon paper to earn a dollar."
"Wow," the woman replied. "Who sent you on such a challenging hunt?"
"Our baby-sitter's boyfriend." ( Eishhhhhhhh….)
A man is driving down a country road when he spots a farmer standing in the middle of a huge field of grass.
He pulls the car over to the side of the road and notices that the farmer is just standing there, doing nothing, looking at nothing.
The man gets out of the car, walks all the way out to the farmer and asks him, "Ah excuse me mister, but what are you doing?"
The farmer replies, "I'm trying to win a Nobel Prize."
"How?" asks the man, puzzled.
"Well I heard they give the Nobel Prize to people who are out standing in their field." (Ag Neee)
Steven Kuper is a New Shlepper on the block and does any kind of driving; to most area’s any time of the day….Steven also runs a Home & Pet sitting service….. Contact Steven @ 082 – 8544361
Some Lekker ‘Lags’ @ https://www.stantgsm.com/category/jokes/5
Chappies……. Did U know ………. ?????
http://stantgsm.com/view-post/chappies%20 %20fascinating%20story/5408
Barry Hilton does the ‘Chappies’ Shpiel…… https://youtu.be/LlDAhw0LFpY
The average human brain contains around 78% water
The word laser stands for 'Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation'
FOR the MOST 'Jacked up' 'Yiddisher' Wedding registry, 'Gib A Kuk' at : www.binuns.co.za …… Online Helpdesk … 0861 772 665
This past weekend we celebrated the Upsheris of our Youngest Einingkel, Eli Chaim Smookler ….and the weather on Sunday was superb……The little Chavers had the best time in the cars they brought in and Rabbi Michael Katz (Chabad of Illovo) did such a simple ,BUT sweet ,meaningful ‘Meisa’ with Eli which was E-mazing…… Beside the normal GR8888888 ‘Ess & Fress’ Gerichten, they got an E-mazing Birthday cake from Corner Café who also had a Chip .n Dip………. After his haircut, he was a changed little ’Boychik’ Mazzies to Martin & Ricci-Lee ……. Mazeltov to my Machetonim, Elana & Gary Kaplan and my wife Ava……Pictures at ;
Happy 70th Birthday to OUR ‘Cuzzie” Elaine Cohen….. Elaine taught at King David Linksfield for many, many years and has now retired………. Lovely afternoon at the 70th and everyone had a GR88888 time……. Many more Elaine in Good health ….. Mazeltov to the whole Mishpocha……. Pictures; https://www.stantgsm.com/
Happy birthday to my Old Stan & Pete partner, Dennis Cohen, who for the past 50 years normally has to remind me…..Nuuuuuuu Dennis, I remembered this year and wish you many more years in Good health and lots of Nachus from the Kinderlach & Einingklach……. When we were younger we always joked that the way we worked we would not see sixty, and here we are hitting ‘amper’ 75….well done my Chaver….
It’s a privilege many have been denied…….
Mazzies to Sienna Katzen on her Batmitzvah at Sandton Shul……Mazzies to Nicky Deon Katzen & to Doreen Katzen ,Sienna’s Bobba…….The hall looked E-mazing, done by Amy Fuhr and it had an incredible vibe …..The Dinner was E-mazing and Riva Flax Caterers Tukka pulled out all the stops….. https://www.stantgsm.com/
Sincere condolences to the Krowitz family on the passing of their Beloved Eric…..Eric has battled illnesses for many years……His wife Sharron’s’ Schvester is Adana & Zelton Klass….. …..Zelton ‘Amolikke Yoren’ worked at Wachenheimers and ran the successful ‘Nosh Bar’ in Doornfontein…..Zelton then opened up Klass Caterers and he and Adana do Real Estate these days… Sincere condolences to the family on their loss
Sincere condolences to the Ribeiro family on the passing of their Beloved Jose…… Jose was involved in a motor accident many years ago, BUT…..continued to fight and with the help of his wife Tracy carried on for many years…..Tracy was a Zetler from Stellenbosch and worked as the Chief Rabbi’s assistant for many years ….Sincere condolences to the whole family….
Please note that I only list ‘Yidden’ who have passed away, that I know, and the Chevra Kadisha offer a list of daily burials & Unveilings, which lists all people passing away….. Click on the link, and you will have all the details……
https://jhbchev.co.za/funerals-unveilings/ … The Chev has introduced a way for you to visit your loved ones graves online …. https://jhbchev.co.za/search-graves/
When having a Simcha, and you need a Bar controller or Barman contact ; Chris Els …….Been doing it for a ‘Zillion’ years and keeps the ‘Schnapps’ under control ….. elschristo@mweb.co.za Mobile: 082-8237768
FOR ANY EMERGENCY, SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY OR POTENTIAL THREATS SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OR JEWISH INSTALLATIONS, CONTACT THE CSO ON 0861 8000 18
MANTIS SECURITY TIP (Call 011- 487-1000) of the week ……
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Rabbi Emeritus ‘Yossy Goldman,’ BH
C/O Sydenham Shul
Fate vs. destiny
Did God choose us, or did we choose God?
We had a special visitor at our shul in Johannesburg this past Shabbat: Avi Kagan, the newly appointed director of the Israel Center and the Jewish Agency’s representative in South Africa. The timing was perfect, as we have just begun building a protective wall around the outer perimeter of our synagogue and nursery-school campus, substantially supported by the Jewish Agency.
We aren’t the only Jewish institution that has received such assistance; the Jewish Agency is funding similar efforts around the world. Still, we were pleased to welcome Avi and express our gratitude personally.
Indeed, Jewish communities internationally are upgrading their security. The sad reality is that we do need to protect ourselves and that Jews have become prime targets in the world once again.
In our own community, we are blessed to have a dedicated, professional Community Security Organization that is organized, highly developed and well-structured. CSO volunteers are outside our shuls and schools whenever there is substantial traffic. I dare say that Jewish communities in the United States and elsewhere could take a few pages out of our local book.
And when it comes to protecting ourselves from organized antisemites or lone-wolf attackers, it doesn’t matter the level of involvement or Jewish practice.
I remember my late father describing how in the early days of World War II, he was huddled inside a bunker in Poland during the Luftwaffe’s indiscriminate airstrikes. Suddenly, a bomb landed right outside their bunker. The explosion was deafening.
Inside that bunker were all kinds of Jews: Chassidim, religious, irreligious, Bundists, Socialists and Communists who proclaimed to be atheists. But when that bomb crashed next to them, every single one shouted Shema Yisrael at the top of his lungs. Indeed, there are no atheists in a foxhole.
The late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks quotes Rabbi JB Soloveitchik, who called this phenomenon our “Covenant of Fate.”
In Israel since Oct. 7, 2023, Jews have witnessed how when the chips are down, we all realize where our lives, safety and security come from. When we are under attack, we understand innately that we’re all in this together.
Israel usually has a government of national unity in times of war. But as soon as the war is over, we’re back at each other’s throats. The civil war in Israel over judicial reform before the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel led our enemies to believe that we were vulnerable. And yet, the Jewish people—with Israel on the frontlines—responded with tremendous unity and resolve.
Of course, now that things have quieted down a bit after nearly three years of battling regional terror groups, we are again experiencing much dissension and anger, particularly regarding the draft exemptions of yeshivah students in Israel.
Since becoming Life Rabbi Emeritus of the Sydenham Shul, I have been able to travel extensively on speaking tours worldwide. In the last few years, when hostages were being held captive in Gaza after being dragged there by terrorists on Oct. 7, it was both beautiful and gratifying to hear prayers for them throughout the Jewish Diaspora, especially in America. Our global unity was quite inspiring.
But we dare not be a community united by pain and persecution alone. That may be fate, but it is negative. We need to be a community that sticks together by choice. We have chosen to be part of the “kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). We’re not opting out of being Jewish, even if it is safer and more convenient to be something else.
We are together in good times and in bad. When we pray Refaeinu for our own health in the Amidah, we conclude: “Blessed are You, Hashem, who heals the sick of His people Israel.” We don’t only pray for ourselves.
When we comfort mourners, we say: “May Hashem comfort you among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.” We always include ourselves with the collective, with all our people.
And we celebrate together as well.
Being proactively and positively Jewish is embracing not a “Covenant of Fate,” but what Rav Soloveitchik calls a “Covenant of Destiny.”
Now, fate and destiny are synonymous, but there is a big difference. Fate is negative—something thrust upon us against our will. Unfortunately, we must live with it. The circumstances of Jew-hatred today are frightening, but we have no choice but to hold our heads high and confront it with pride and resilience.
Yes, some people—many of them in the younger generations—have become cynical, asking about Jews being a “chosen people.”
They lament: “Chosen for what? Pain and suffering?”
As the character Tevye from “Fiddler on the Roof” so famously asked God during a moment of personal stress: “I know, I know, we are the chosen people. But once in a while, can’t you choose someone else?”
Destiny is a choice. How does that graffiti go … the anti-Semite scrawled on the wall: “How odd of God to choose the Jews?” And the Jew responded, “No, not odd. The Jews chose God!”
So it is. We were born Jewish; we didn’t choose it. But we did choose God at Sinai, and we will keep choosing Him again and again—in every generation and in every circumstance.