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28 HASHALOM May
2017
May 2017
HASHALOM
29
COMMUNITY NEWS
COMMUNITY NEWS
KNZC/SAFI Israel Advocacy Conference
O
n Wednesday evening 22 March, the Kwazulu Natal
Zionist Council, together with South African Friends of
Israel (SAFI), an affiliate organisation of the South African
Zionist Federation, held a very successful Israel advocacy
conference at the Durban Jewish Centre. Just under 100
delegates attended the conference which kicked off with
an audio-visual presentation about the work of SAFI, followed
by a welcome speech by the founder and Co-Chairman of
SAFI (and also the current Chairman of the South African Zionist
Federation), Mr. Ben Swartz. This was followed by a very inspiring
televised address by Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein.
Speakers Chris Eden from Bridges for Peace, Luba Mayekiso
national director of the International Christian Embassy in
Jerusalem, and Tshepo Ndlovu and Mithi Jamie from the SAZF,
all kept the delegates enthralled with their diverse and thought
provoking viewpoints on the subject of advocating for Israel.
The evening concluded with keynote speaker, Ms Chloe Valdary, director of Partnerships and Outreach with Jerusalem U,
an Israeli organisation that in the words of its mission statement “breaks old moulds, forges new approaches to Jewish and
Israel education through the creative use of film and technology all distributed via the Internet, social media, television,
grassroots campaigns and partnerships with mainstream pro-Israel and Jewish organizations”. Chloe’s address focussed on
the emergence of Jewish nationalism in the 19th century as a direct result of the oppression and exclusion experienced by
Ashkenazi Jews in Europe, and her own awakening to the Zionist narrative, growing up in a home steeped in Christian values
in New Orleans.
Following a closing address by Prof Antony Arkin, Chairman of the KNZC, the delegates thoroughly enjoyed their tea and the
opportunity to chat with the various speakers.
By Michelle Campbell
Age 18-30? Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity!
The steering committee for MASA Israel recently announced
that they have approved automatic grants of up to US$9100
(depending on the length of the program, t’s & c’s apply) to
each and every South African participant in their programs.
Masa Israel is the leader in immersive international experiences
in Israel for young people ages 18-30. Their diverse portfolio of
2-12 month programs includes:
• Volunteer and community service programs
• Internship & career development programs
• Undergraduate & graduate academic programs at
Israeli universities
• Jewish studies programs
• Gap Year programs
Masa’s immersive Israel experiences, among the best in the
international experience space, empower participants to
develop as individuals, while also developing a robust global
professional network that includes Israelis and Jews from
around the world. Since its founding in 2004 by the Prime
Minister’s Office of the Government of Israel, together with
The Jewish Agency for Israel, over 120,000 young people
from more than 60 countries have participated in Masa
Israel Programs.
Every Masa Israel program is an authentic venue for
building personal connections with people, places, and
stories. Among them:
• A fascinating immersion in today’s Israel through
organized trips and unfiltered encounters
• Engagement with Israeli society and Israeli and Jewish
culture in its richness and diversity
• Career development opportunities: networking,
professional training and mentoring
Their programs are the best springboard to live Israel like
a local and make Israel a platform for meaningful growth.
For more information about MASA programs go to www.
masaisrael.org, email israelprog@israelcentre.co.za or call
Tanya Izaki on 011 645 2561
Another month has flown by!
Project TEN SA has been busier than ever. Our sincerest thank you
to al l our partners for the continuous support.
We continue to grow, adding new projects and spending more
valuable time with the very welcoming Jewish community of
Durban.
The second cohort is already nearing the end of their time here,
and we are so thankful for the amazing experience thus far.
OUR PROJECTS
International Women’s Day in
the Youth Movements
On the 8th of March, the world celebrated
International Women’s Day. Project Ten
decided that all of our activities in our Tumaini
and Amaoti youth movements would be
connected to this subject. In these activities
we spoke about women empowerment and
their rights and showed them that women and
men are not different. We taught them about
strong women in Africa and around the world,
and told them their stories - how these powerful
became strong and influential.
Holiday camp in Phoenix
One week of school holiday is a perfect
opportunity for a short camp! The Domino
foundation and Project TEN joined hands and
created a camp for the children of the Amaoti
Township. We had approximately 200 kids
every day, between the ages 3-14.
Each day had its own theme - sports day,
elements day, around the world, Peter Pan
day, and a talent show for the last day of the
camp.
The main goal was to have fun and to learn
new things!
A new project with Protect!
This month we started a brand new project, partnering
with an organisation called Protec. In this project we have
a group of 15 adults that come twice a week to Protec
(a computer learning center) and learn how to use a
computer from the basic skills to advanced ones.
So far we have taught them how to use a keyboard and a
mouse, how to write in Word, and opened emails accounts
for all of them.
We are very excited about this project. It is extremely
empowering for the group and we can feel the positive
change that we are making.