Mizrachi SA Jewish Observer - Rosh Hashanah 2016 | Page 2

FOREWORD FOREWORD ROSH HASHANAH 5777 A huge shkoach to our team of editors and contributors who make this happen! Thank you to all the readers for your generous input (please keep it flowing, we always appreciate feedback – [email protected] ) May we all merit a blessed year. Rabbi Ramon Widmonte WHAT A privilege to be amongst those celebrating the beginning of our new year, 5777! In this edition we celebrate the privilege of the transformative leaders which our wonderful country enjoys, amidst all its difficulties. We are also tremendously privileged to host contributions by both Chief Rabbi Mirvis of the UK as well as our own Chief Rabbi Goldstein. Rabbi Mirvis examines the triple formula of repentance, prayer and charity, while Rabbi Goldstein focuses on the power of living your life with a mission. To the Holy Land, we turn for an uplifting take on the incredible spark of chessed at the heart of the State of Israel’s citizenry. We also examine the amazing Water Week run in our country which showcased the potential contribution Israel can make to water strapped South Africa. Additionally, we examine the character and contribution of outstanding Israeli businessman and leader, Stef Wertheimer. Wearing our communal hat, we profile one of our own stalwart Jewish leaders, Mary Kluk; and we take a peek into a revolutionary social entrepreneurship program run by Chivas Regal. On the tech side of things, we review a personal finance app called 22/7 which aims to empower people to take control of their spending and budgeting. We review a marvellous holocaust-related film, Remember, which starred Christopher Plummer, a wonderful book, Orchestra of Exiles, on the creation of the Israeli Philharmonic, as well as Natalie Knight’s upcoming “arto-biography”. We journey with Rabbi Greg Bank into a world of more meaningful prayer this Rosh Hashanah. We have some wonderful décor and recipe pages this edition as well as a first – men’s fashion for Rosh Hashanah! And as always there is the indomitable Stan the good Shabbos Man. PUBLISHER: Mizrachi South Africa PO Box 29189, Sandringham, 2131 60 Mejon Street, Glenhazel EDITORIAL BOARD: Saul Adler, 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 SUB EDITOR: Janice Leibowitz EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Rabbi Greg Bank; Monique Bondi; Batya Bricker; Susan Chalom; Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein; Ronit Chaya Janet; Rabbi Steven Krawitz; Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mervis; Yaella Orelowitz; David Sacks; Robyn Shapiro; Natan Shapiro; Stan Smookler; Rabbi Ramon Widmonte; Keren Zwick ADVERTISING TEAM: Illana Emdin, Joshua Gavronsky, Gaby Lazarus, Ashley Lazarus, (011) 485-3624, [email protected] DESIGN AND LAYOUT: Terri Dedeu PHOTOGRAPHY: Jason Crouse Photography PRINTER: D&S Press GENERAL CONTACT DETAILS: (011) 485-3624, [email protected] 3