FROM THE TEAM
FROMTHE EDITOR
WWW.JEWISHLIFE.CO.ZA
PHOTOGRAPSH: ILAN OSSENDRYVER
T
his, dear reader, is the last letter I write to you as editor of Jewish Life
magazine, the best Jewish magazine in the world. And that’s not just
my opinion – it’s a feeling conveyed to me by countless people, in
countless scenarios, over the last seven-and-a-half years, from the letters
I receive, to overseas travellers, to people who stop me as I do my
shopping just to comment on the quality of this publication (or ask me
to investigate the price of kosher chickens!) I hope I have reiterated
enough over the years that this is thanks to the talented team with
whom I have had the privilege of working, who have helped craft this
into a world-class product, from the contributors near and far to our core. Head of it all,
publisher and sales director Martyn Samuels; operations director Linda Superfain; art
director Rizelle Stander Hartmeier; copy editor Heidi Hurwitz; features writer Chandrea
Serebro; writer, head of subscriptions and general administration Liz Samuels;
photographer Ilan Ossendryver; and digital manager David Blumenau. I will miss working
with you all very much.
I believe there is another secret to JL’s success. The value system it broadcasts, grounded
firmly in the same Torah given to our People more than 3 000 years ago, as a light to both our
own families and to the nations. These Torah values are consistently reflected in our choice of
articles, in our themes, in our editorial direction and even in our design, and far from an
insular, elitist, cloistered result – what you have is what I have always hoped would result – an
inclusive, vibrant, colourful publication embracing the complex realities of life itself.
I am excited to hand over to the new editor, Robert Sussman, who I believe will
continue to provide you with access to Torah wisdom for living, whether on parenting,
marriage, business, existential questions and, of course, the Jewish holidays that
punctuate our year so joyously, shaping our family stories and childhood memories. I
believe Robert will, G-d willing, take this magazine and community of readers to new
heights, and I’m excited to follow his adventure from the comfort of my couch, finally
having something to read on a Shabbos afternoon!
I’m excited to resume my own journey as a full-time writer, so thank you to the
people who have loved this little column, whose feedback has given me the courage to
follow my heart. I’m talking about ‘Uncle’ Hymie down in Muizenberg, and so many
other readers, and of course, my loyal friends and family. But mostly, thank you to my
courageous, generous husband for the real go-ahead to really follow my dream. I pray
I’m worthy of his belief in me.
And now to the issue at hand – the Israel Issue. My dear friend and talented JL contributor
Sarah Sassoon has written about her upcoming aliyah on page 10. The thing with aliyah vs
emigration is that it’s not about running down South Africa, where, let’s face it, we live like
kings (when we happen to have electricity and running water). It’s not so much about
leaving a country as it is going up, ascending to the Holy Land. Our loss is the Jewish State’s,
and Am Yisrael’s, gain. We wish Sarah, David, the boys and their big black Labrador, Blitz, a
truly beautiful life in Jerusalem! You can follow the family’s journey on her blog.
To be a lone soldier, as many of our young matric graduates choose to do, is a brave
and noble choice – read about what it might be like on page 20. We chose an American
because of the sinister anti-Semitism here in SA, where locals volunteering in the IDF
can find themselves targeted. So, as proud as we are of our children who volunteer, we
have been advised not to expose them too much. Alas, I have run out of space, and
there is still so much to say. The rest you will have to find out by turning the page.
Continue to enjoy this magazine and I will, please G-d, be enjoying it alongside you.
WELCOME
CREDITS
PUBLISHER & MANAGING DIRECTOR
Martyn Samuels
[email protected]
EDITOR
Paula Levin
[email protected]
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Linda Superfa