Shabbos in the suburbs

HOWARD SACKSTEIN

But “doing” is part of my nature, and besides, who is crazy enough to listen to a bus stop, especially as my mother keeps on reminding me, I don’t even listen to her.

If I were in the habit of following the adverts I read on bus shelters, I would probably have followed the instructions of one of those penis-enlargement posters plastered onto the side of most bus stops instead.

I am not entirely convinced that my target demographic stands at public-transport nodes in Sandton, but hell, Shabbos is Shabbos, and all are entitled to a day of digital drought.

And so, in the spirit of “doing” rather than “being”, and feeling slightly guilt-tripped into action by all of those commuters standing waiting for their minibus taxis in Sandton, I decided to organise the Shabbos Project communal dinner for Melrose North.

WhatsApp erupted as the residents of Westwood Ave all started offering assistance. Chairs, tables, urns, flags, lights, wine – when you set off on a communal enterprise, the community joins in. Lisa Tolkin, my architect neighbour, reminded me that I am a man lacking in aesthetic taste, so she would take over the layout and design.

In typical fashion, everyone loved the menu, but required slightly amended versions. “Please put the dressing on the side. Don’t forget a veg option. Can we do this, but in vegan? I want the exact menu, but with fish, and don’t worry, I’ll bring my own dinner in a Tupperware.” Now I know what broke Stan & Pete.

What was most heart-warming was that many of our non-Jewish neighbours were delighted to come and share a Shabbat dinner with us, some for the very first time. The great grand-daughter of President Paul Kruger sipped Unorthodox kosher wine with guests from London and Australia.

And while the gin and tonics flowed, the colonies were heading for a potential clash of civilizations as my Hindu neighbours – newly arrived from India – hosted 60 people in a competing dinner to celebrate the upcoming festival of Diwali.

Some of the guests wandered between the very flat singing of birkat hamazon (grace after meals) and the festive lights of the Diwali celebration in apartment 2. Eventually, some of our Hindu neighbours joined our Shabbat dinner to celebrate the multicultural marvel that is South Africa, with a strong toast of Scottish whisky.

The Melrose North Shabbos Project was about sharing and community. Now we can go on ignoring each other until Shabbos Project 2019.