Telfed Netanya Regional Committee AGM - a salute to the pulse of the country communities

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Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft, the South African Country Communities Rabbi, spoke at the Telfed Netanya Regional Committee function on Wednesday 4 January 2012, 9 Tevet 5773.A large crowd of ex-South Africans, mainly from the country communities, came to listen to the Travelling Rabbi talk about his visits to the remaining Jews in the small country towns of Southern Africa. Rabbi Silberhaft enthralled the crowd with stories gleaned from his travels to diverse places such as Oudtshoorn, Kimberley, Swellendam, Zimbabwe and Mauritius.

He spoke of the lone Jews who remained in these small towns and kept up their faith. “Wally Levy was a member of the Pietersburg Shul from the day he was born. He was registered as a member by his father. Two weeks after the shul was closed, he died. Here is an example of a man whose life was intertwined with the pulse of his Jewish Community,” said Rabbi Silberhaft.

He told of the work he does in the cemeteries by laying the headstones flat to prevent their desecration by vandals, the assistance he brought to the Zimbabwe Jewish community in the form of food and medicines when the shelves were empty and the romantic weddings he performed in Mauritius.

Telfed was represented by Dave Bloom, Sid Shapiro and Dorron Kline. The chairman of Telfed Dave Bloom was in charge of proceedings and he ably conducted the formalities of the Annual General Meeting of Telfed Netanya.

Charlotte Wiener was elected chairperson and the committee members are Hilary Starkowitz, Rona Kruger, Franklin Plein, Bebe Feldman, Dorothy Silver and Basha Rick. Ruth Omsky, a past chairlady, brought her greetings and support for the new committee.

To view an online video clip of his speech - click here

Written by Charlotte Wiener