WHAT AN honour to be able to write the foreword for this year ’ s Pesach edition . It has been an incredibly enlightening process to see what goes into a magazine of such stature . I must commend Rav Ramon , Ronit Janet and their team for putting every edition together , year after year , with such passion and skill . The South African Jewish Observer is a leading brand and the effort that goes into it is truly remarkable .
FOREWORD FOREWORD PESACH 5777
ferences between our current healthcare model in South Africa and the National Healthcare system in Israel . There ’ s a whole lot more , with the usual recipes , movie reviews , fashion and the indomitable Stan the Good Shabbos Man .
On behalf of the entire team we wish you a chag kasher vesame ’ ach !
Aharon Chemel Executive Director Mizrachi SA
WHAT AN honour to be able to write the foreword for this year ’ s Pesach edition . It has been an incredibly enlightening process to see what goes into a magazine of such stature . I must commend Rav Ramon , Ronit Janet and their team for putting every edition together , year after year , with such passion and skill . The South African Jewish Observer is a leading brand and the effort that goes into it is truly remarkable .
As we approach Pesach 5777 , we reflect on the challenges facing world communities today and use the Torah as a tool to find the answers . We look at the Torah ’ s approach to inclusivity in a multicultural and diverse society . We are also tremendously privileged to offer insights from our Chief Rabbi , Dr Warren Goldstein , who portrays the Torah as not just a book of laws , but an influential guide to life . In a similar vein , Rabbi Doron Chitiz , who is currently on our YAD Rabbinic Programme , reflects on the ever critical concept of freedom .
On to the holy land ! We are blessed to witness the 50th anniversary of Jerusalem , our eternal capital of Israel . Rabbi Doron Perez , director of the World Mizrachi movement , delves into the beautiful stories about Jerusalem at 50 . We look at Israel ’ s involvement in the war of terror in Syria and the beautiful meaning behind the famous Ode to Jerusalem .
We explore the architectural brilliance of the new Arcadia building , gain an insight into the Filipino Jewish community , and , for all the George Lucas fans , we reveal the surprising parallels between Judaism and Star Wars .
Is National Health Insurance a remote possibility in South Africa ? Robyn Shapiro takes a deeper look into the dif-
PUBLISHER : Mizrachi South Africa PO Box 29189 , Sandringham , 2131 60 Mejon Street , Glenhazel
EDITORIAL BOARD : Saul Adler , Aharon Chemel , Melissa Chipkin , Ryan Davis , Joshua Gavronsky , Julian Gecelter , Wendy Kahn , Avrom Krengel , Natalie Liknaitsky , Beth Matisonn , David Rabinowitz , Jolene Shapiro , Warren Sher , Rabbi Ramon Widmonte
EDITOR : Ronit Chaya Janet
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS : Jo Becker , Monique Bondi , Batya Bricker , Sue Chalom , Aharon Chemel , Rav Doron Chitiz , Ryan Davis , Tracy Essers , Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein , Ronit Chaya Janet , Rabbi Shmueli Kagan , Rabbi Doron Perez , Robyn Shapiro , Stan Smookler , Rabbi Rafi Zarum , Keren Zwick
ADVERTISING TEAM : Ilana Emdin , Gabriel Levy , Aharon Chemel , Josh Gavronsky , Gaby Lazarus , Ashley Lazarus 011 485-3624 observer @ mizrachi . org . za
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PHOTOGRAPHY : Jason Crouse Photography
PRINTER : D & S Press
GENERAL CONTACT DETAILS : ( 011 ) 485-3624 , observer @ mizrachi . org . za
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