Jewish Life Digital Edition September 2013 | Page 3

FROM THE TEAM FROM THE PUBLISHER WWW.JEWISHLIFE.CO.ZA SERVING HASHEM WITH JOY J oy runs through our service of Hashem. This special edition covers the calendar from Rosh Hashanah to Sukkos, and it is at Sukkos that this is meant to be most visible. Uniquely, this festival is called the time of our joy, our happiness – zman simchaseinu. Simcha is a special happiness. It comes from the recognition of a future rich with potential. That’s why a birth, a barmitzvah, a wedding – are all called simchas. “Because you did not serve Hashem amid joy and goodness of heart when everything was abundant.” Here, in Devarim 28: 47, the Torah tells us that the curses it is describing happen as a result of a lack of joy. It is essential to serve Hashem joyfully in good times as well as bad. Now read it this way: “Because you did not serve Hashem, amid joy and goodness of heart, when everything was abundant”, tells us that when things are going well, we tend to forget about Hashem, and do so with no remorse – feeling joy about it! That is what angers Hashem, and the tochachas (rebukes) are the result! A businessman once said to Rav Sternbach, “Things are going very well for me at the moment, so this Rosh Hashanah, I want Hashem to stay away from me and simply let things continue as they are.” The Rav told him he was missing the point entirely. Nothing can happen without Hashem’s providence and constant protection. At Sukkos, the clouds of glory are our joy because they were the protection Hashem gave us in the desert – the protection that made us fulfil our potential and survive. And Hashem’s protection has never left the Jewish people. We are still protected by the One who controls everything. It is our recognition of this that should imbue us with deep happiness. Although Sukkos is the zman simchaseinu, as we enter Rosh Hashanah, the thought of the Divine Chesed and Hashem’s daily hashgacha pratis (Divine Providence) for all Creation, should make us feel that joy as intensely. At Rosh Hashanah it is the Malchius, the Kingship of Hashem, that we acknowledge. With our hearts full of the appreciation of how fully He protects and guides us, recognising His total Kingship should become the easiest thing in the world. May we all merit a joyful 5774. As in previous years, this special issue would not be possible without the massive effort and inspired work of the JL team – thank you. Thanks also to all our loyal readers and to the many advertisers, without whose amazing support none of this would be possible. This is our sixth Rosh Hashanah edition, and we hope you all enjoy it as much as in previous years. Like all good Jews, the JL team, Baruch Hashem, hasn’t run out of things to say. MARTYN SAMUELS, PUBLISHER EDS PHOTOGRAPH: ILAN OSSENDRYVER O ur annual bumper Rosh Hashanah magazine is truly a work of heart. From the design and photography, to the powerful voices of our regular contributors, to the thoughtful and soulful approach of our professional writers, each person (too numerous to mention by name) involved in this incredible magazine brings passion and a fresh perspective to their task. And behind the scenes, Heidi, Linda, Liz and David work hard all year round to bring you this polished finished product both in print and online in our digital edition, headed, of course, by our publisher and MD, Martyn Samuels. I feel so blessed to have played a role in enriching Jewish life in this country and abroad, and will miss my brilliant team as I take maternity leave. I leave our sixth birthday edition in the very capable hands of Chandrea Serebro as she takes Jewish Life into its seventh year of publication. I can’t wait to finally enjoy the magazine cover to cover from the stress-free comfort of my couch! Wishing you all a good and sweet New Year, and well over the fast, as well as hours of inspiration, direction and reflection within these 112 pages. ON THE COVER: THE SUN RISES OVER PLANET EARTH AS G-D RENEWS AND SUSTAINS HIS CREATIONS WITH THE BIRTHDAY OF THE WORLD. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER: Raelene Tradonsky who wins a copy of Around the Maggid’s Table – More classic stories and parables from the great teachers of Israel, by Rabbi Paysach J Krohn. Congratulations to Karolynn Vuren, Adrienne and Ian Bogatie, Chava Joffe, Stephanie Liebowitz and Annette Germon who each win a delicious gourmet kosher hamper to the value of R300 courtesy flowers.co.za. WELCOME CREDITS PUBLISHER & MANAGING DIRECTOR Martyn Samuels [email protected] EDITOR Paula Levin [email protected] OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Linda Superfain [email protected] FEATURES WRITER Chandrea Serebro COPY EDITOR/PROOFREADER Heidi Hurwitz ART DIRECTOR Rizelle Hartmeier [email protected] PHOTOGRAPHER Ilan Ossendryver [email protected] DIGITAL MANAGER David Blumenau [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS Nicky Barnes, Efi Bibi, Rabbi Benyamin Buxbaum, Leonard Carr, Dan Chaitowitz, Rachel Falkson, Rabbi Yerachmiel Fried, Dr Linda Friedland, Bev Goldman, Rabbi Yossy Goldman, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein, Anna Harwood, Wendy Kahn, Serenne Kaplan, Rabbi David Masinter, Tracy Milner, Ilan Preskovsky, Rabbi Ilan Raanan, Andi Saitowitz, David Samuels, Liz Samuels, Sarah Sass