FROM THE TEAM
FROM THE EDITOR
WWW.JEWISHLIFE.CO.ZA
H
appy birthday Jewish Life! We are turning six, and the pre-Shabbos
excitement is in the air, almost tangible, as we enter our seventh year
(the Shabbos year). Not that we will spend it resting, mind you – another
year of outstanding reads, jam-packed with Torah, is G-d willing, heading
your way. A year even better than the ones before, as the Jewish Life team,
and its reach, continues to grow. It has been a privilege to be a part of it
since conception, and oh, the places we have been! It has been six learning
years, and for me personally, it is the most amazing thing that to mark this
milestone, I will be attempting to fill Paula’s very large stiletto-studded
boots as editor for the next few issues while she is away on maternity leave.
But I cannot start captaining until I wish her, and Adam, Leor and Ari, a big
mazeltov on their beautiful baby girl, Aliya, who arrived just before Sukkot. May she grow to be a wise
and compassionate Jewish woman, who gives much nachas to her parents and her brothers.
It has already been a wonderful experience getting to know this dynamic team of people, and I am
struck by how true the old cliché is of the importance of each link in the chain. This is why I thought it
was time for you – our loyal readers, in your thousands and across many continents (our greatest
achievement to date) – to unearth some of the lesser-known facts about the people behind the pages.
So from me, I hope I make you all proud as I steer you through the never-ending and ever deeper
waters of our Jewish tradition – and it gives me pleasure to share with you some fun info about the
Jewish Life team.
After that – take a look at the significance of the Jewish birthday, on page 10; join us in celebrating
with a birthday Shabbos table adorned with the most colourful challot in town (recipes on page 66);
and see why we are still celebrating our childhood – until we hit the exciting and scary world of
adolescence (page 52)!
Chandrea
INTRODUCING…
DAN CHAITOWITZ, freelance journalist
AT JEWISH LIFE, I… juggle words, in a column on Jewish business people. MY REAL
FORTE IS… eyeing out a great t-shirt. WHEN I’M NOT AT MY DESK, YOU CAN FIND ME…
stationed in front of my record player. MY FAVOURITE DOWNTIME IS SPENT… watering
my new azalea. I AM CURRENTLY READING… a used copy of The Tipping Point. MY IDEA
OF A FUN NIGHT OUT IS... having the ‘spirited’ courage to do the limbo on the dance
floor. MY MOTTO IS... there is always space for one more t-shirt. MY CRAZIEST DREAM IS TO
BE… the lead singer of a rock ‘n roll band from the 70s. BUT NEXT YEAR, I’LL MOST PROBABLY BE… eating
frozen yoghurt in an air-conditioned shopping mall.
EDS PHOTOGRAPH: ILAN OSSENDRYVER
RIZELLE HARTMEIER, art director
AT JEWISH LIFE, I… am responsible for the layout of the publication, right through to
making sure the magazine goes to print and liaising with the printers. MY REAL FORTE
IS… anything graphic design and print media. WHEN I’M NOT AT MY DESK, YOU CAN FIND
ME… in the park, at the zoo, or anywhere outdoors with my family. MY FAVOURITE
DOWNTIME IS SPENT… doing simple things with my family. I also love having friends
over for lunch, and at night I Google documentaries on YouTube on my PlayStation. I
AM CURRENTLY READING… The Frog on the Log and The Goat that Gloats. But before my
daughter was born, anything by Carl Haaisen. MY IDEA OF A FUN NIGHT OUT... is a date
with my husband. MY MOTTO IS… if you can name it you can claim it. MY CRAZIEST DREAM IS TO BE… a
member of the crew on the Sea Shepherd. BUT NEXT YEAR, I’LL MOST PROBABLY BE… doing what I love best...
graphic design.
ON THE COVER: JEWISH LIFE IS SIX, AND OH THE PLACES WE HAVE GONE!
ARTWORK BY RIZELLE HARTMEIER
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER: Mazeltov to our star
letter writer Maxine Silverstone, who wins a copy of The Travelling
Rabbi: My African Tribe - by Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft as told to
Suzanne Belling
WELCOME
CREDITS
PUBLISHER & MANAGING DIRECTOR
Martyn Samuels
[email protected]
EDITOR
Paula Levin
[email protected]
GUEST EDITOR
Chandrea Serebro
[email protected]
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Linda Superfain
[email protected]
FEATURES WRITER
Chandrea Serebro
COP d