News from the Telfed Jerusalem Regional Committee

News from the Telfed Jerusalem Regional Committee:
March 10, 2010
After a successful Friday night function in 2009, the Telfed Jerusalem Regional Committee, chaired by Dori Braude and Ilan Osrin, decided to continue the tradition this year. The word must have spread about the warm South African spirit, as the dinner attracted an international group of people!

This time, the dinner was held at the Shir Chadash Shul - an apt location as they were hosting a group of Australian students and potential immigrants over the Shabbat. With more than fifty people attending, a choir of Zemirot could be heard reverberating from the small hall. The feeling of unity and Jewish pride was highlighted by our speaker, South African Oleh David Kramer (founder of the NU organisation to promote Israeli causes, see www.nucampaign.org), who reflected on the nature of Israel as a democratic state as well as on his experiences as a victim of anti-Israel sentiment. David stressed the important role each of us can play on the Hasbara front. All sat spellbound and inspired by his words.

The evening was brought to a close with two Divrei Torah from Allan Shapiro and Ayelet Penkower.

A quote from one of the participants summed up the function, “Let me emphasize what an incredible dinner Telfed Jerusalem put together: the crowd, the food, the ambience - Madhim! I look forward to our next Shabbat meal together.”