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May 2017
HASHALOM
31
COMMUNITY NEWS
COMMUNITY NEWS
Above Board
Mary Kluk,
President of SA Jewish Board of Deputies
A column of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies
Non-Negotiable – South Africa’s Right to Democracy and
Good Governance
Since its founding in 1903, the core mandate of the SAJBD has been
to uphold the civil rights of South African Jewry. However, while
remaining apolitical, we also have a moral obligation not to turn a
blind eye in the face of unethical conduct at government level. Last
month, we added our voice to the broader national debate over the
cabinet reshuffle and the resulting political and economic fall-out.
Our approach was not to single out particular factions or individuals,
but rather to call for citizens to unite in confronting corruption and
maladministration, protecting the Constitution and fostering a stable
economic and political environment.We stressed how critical it was
for the independence and integrity of our democratic institutions to be
upheld. Should this be compromised, it would be impossible to achieve
the stability, efficiency, economic growth and good governance that this
country so desperately needs.
At the same time, we also stressed the inherent strengths of the South
African people: “South Africans have come too far and achieved too
much together to allow their country to become a failed state. By
working together in a spirit of shared commitment to meeting the
challenges of the day, we will ensure that it does not happen”.
Our National Holidays
The Board today puts much emphasis on leading the Jewish community
in being an active part of fostering a human rights culture in our
country.This includes identifying with the symbols and institutions that
encapsulate our shared national heritage and values. Public holidays
are amongst the most important of these institutions. Accordingly,
on Human Rights Day last year, the SAJBD led a Jewish community
delegation to take part in in the commemorative events in Sharpeville,
scene of the infamous massacre of anti-pass law protestors on 21
March 1960.This year, there was again a Jewish presence in Sharpeville,
including SAJBD lay and professional leaders, students and Jewish day
school learners. Participants met with survivors of that tragedy, visited
and laid wreaths at the memorials to those who died and listened as
the various speakers sharing their views on what Human Rights Day
means to South Africa.
Regardless of background, all citizens have a duty to ensure that their
hard-won democratic rights and humanitarian values continue to be
the core of South African society. Our own community must strive to
be part of that process, not just through upholding democratic, non-
racial values, but by learning about what happened to our fellow South
Africans under apartheid and empathizing with those who suffered
during those years.
The SAJBD’sThe Guide to Jewish Southern Africa
The latest edition of the Board’s popular Guide to Jewish Southern
Africa has just come out. This provides information on over 300
Jewish institutions, grouped under such categories as religious, Zionist,
welfare, educational, fund-raising, outreach, youth, women’s groups and
kosher establishments. Copies can be obtained free of charge from all
our regional offices.
THE CHICKEN
ROAST WITH
THE MOST!
LEMONAND HERB ROAST CHICKEN
1Whole chicken, butterflied 2 Sprigs fresh rosemary,finely chopped
1Tablespoon fresh thyme chopped
1Teaspoon crushed garlic
3Tablespoons olive oil
Salt and coarse black pepper
300mlWhite wine
¼ Cup fresh lemon juice
Mix the herbs and the garlic with 1 ½Tablespoons of the oil and some
salt and black pepper.
Rub the chicken all over with the herb mixture,
Heat the remaining oil in a large pan and brown the chicken for 2
minutes on each side.
Transfer chicken to a roasting pan.
Add the wine and lemon juice to the pan juices and bring to the boil,
stirring.
Boil for 3 minutes then pour over the chicken. Leave to marinate all
day in refrigerator.
Remove from fridge an hour before roasting
Roast the chicken 180degC for 1 hour. Set aside for about 30 minutes.
Increase oven temperature to 220degC and return chicken to oven for
another 45-60 minutes.
Serve immediately with the cooking juices spooned over chicken
ROAST CHICKENWITH PANZANELLA
1Whole chicken
Sea salt
Olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper
1 Ciabatta loaf, cut into large cubes 1 Red onion, thinly sliced
6 Celery stalks, sliced
1 Cup sundried tomatoes in oil, diced
1 Cup quartered artichokes ½ cup chopped chives
1Tablespoon chopped garlic Fresh thyme sprigs
¼ Cup white wine vinegar 1 Cup chopped Italian parsley
Rub your fingers between the flesh and skin of the chicken and rub in
salt and black pepper.
Rub the outside and inside of the chicken with some olive oil and
sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Place in a large bowl and add onion, celery, sun dried tomatoes,
artichokes, garlic, chives and thyme.
Season and add ¼ cup olive oil. Toss well.
Place bread mixture in a large roasting pan and place chicken skin side
up on top of bread.
Roast 200degC for 30 minutes.
The juices from the chicken will keep the
bread moist!
Return chicken to oven and roast for a further 30 minutes. Remove
chicken and carve.
Add the parsley to the bread cubes and add vinegar.
If you want the bread a little crispier, return to oven for a few minutes.
Serve carved chicken on a nice platter surrounded by bread cubes.
GOOD“OLD” FASHIONED ROAST CHICKEN
1Whole chicken
1Teaspoon garlic salt
1Teaspoon paprika
1Teaspoon mixed herbs
½Teaspoon ground ginger Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Olive oil
Place all the spices in a slam bowl and mix well. Season the chicken
inside and out with the spice mix Place chicken in a roasting pan and
drizzle with some olive oil. Cover with foil then roast 180degC for
1 hour - Remove foil and continue to roast until golden brown for
another 30-45 minutes.
By Lorna Harris
We have just completed celebrating our Festival of Passover at DPJC with all the traditional and dearly
loved rituals, which are the essence. We love the customs re-enacted year after year and could not
imagine Pesach or our lives without them. Our Pesach Eve Service was packed out with extra chairs
having to be brought in which created a vibrant atmosphere. The Seder at the DJC was, literally, a
resounding success: the treasured stories were retold; ; the wine was drunk; the questions asked; the
songs sung with gusto.The handed down recipes were found in the dog-eared book - or on line. Every
year we vow to not only eat Charoset at Pesach because it is so delicious - (what about trying it on ice-
cream?) and we complain about being forced to eat Matzah - (but how scrummy is it with Avo?) and then
buy a box the next week because if we are honest, we actually love it! All these facets are what make
Pesach the special Festival it is and how vital it is for us to make sure that we get the most out of it as
it will not be around again until next year...! But most of all we celebrate our Freedom, especially here
in this perplexing Country of ours, where we live in the luxury of being able to enjoy our Jewishness
with pride.We walk with our heads held high.We do not have to hide or ever be in fear of being who
we are.We are not marginalised.
The Temple David Cheder children decorated their own Matza covers.There was great excitement and
friendly bantering to see who could create the prettiest cover amongst the girls.The boys took a more
practical approach to their handy work and got on with it, especially when eats and treats were being
offered if they got on with it! The covers turned out really well and hopefully found their way to each
of our families Seder table.
30 HASHALOM May
2017