Flame burns for lost soldiers in SA and Israel

JORDAN MOSHE

The South African Jewish ex-Service League on 6 October paid tribute to the Jewish men and women who served South Africa, Israel, and the Jewish people, many of them with their lives.

At the outset of World War II in 1939, about 70 000 Jews lived in South Africa, 14% of whom volunteered to take up arms against the Axis powers, according to league chairperson Hilton Kaplan. The national average for volunteers was 7%.

Members of the league and the wider Jewish community gather every year at West Park Cemetery on the Sunday between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to honour the fallen soldiers and martyrs who gave their lives for the sake of others.

The poignant memorial service pays fitting tribute to those lost. These include Jewish South Africans who served in World Wars I and II, in Israeli conflicts, and in South African border conflicts, as well as those soldiers who perished in the Holocaust.

Featuring powerful addresses, Sunday’s ceremony included the lighting of memorial candles, the recitation of Tehillim (psalms), the sounding of the last post, and a two-minute silence.

“No matter where you served, in whatever capacity and for however long, committing yourself to service was a brave and selfless act that came with few guarantees,” said Kaplan. “You could not be sure of the duties you had to execute, where you might be deployed and, in some cases, if you would return home in one piece, if at all.” 

“Today’s message is simple,” he said. “Jewish citizens have played their part in the defence of their country and people. This annual act of homage brings this into sharp focus. We recall the sacrifices made in honour of duty, country, our people, and Israel.”

Kaplan said that we have to accept that remembrance doesn’t have the same appeal for those who didn’t serve. “Our members are dwindling in number, but it’s imperative that our younger generations, schools, and youth groups become involved to keep the memory alive,” he said.

“Remembrance is a fading priority in this fast-changing world of ours. The men and women we remember gave up everything, including their lives, in service of our nation. As proud South Africans and Jews, it’s our duty to remember the service and sacrifice of our nation’s fallen. It’s up to us to ensure that every one of them is assured that their service to this country, our people, and Israel is appreciated.”

It’s important that the ceremony takes place between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, said Israeli ambassador to South Africa, Lior Keinan. “At this time, we reflect on our actions, and try to see where we stand,” he said. “In my work, I reflect on Israel, the Jewish communities around the world, and the connection between them.”

Two phenomena are simultaneously dominant today, said Keinan. “One is the ugly uprising of anti-Semitism around the world, and the other is that Israel has never been better. While we see Jewish communities around the world threatened and suffering hostile acts, Israel has never been stronger politically, economically, or militarily.

“A strong Israel will never allow what happened 75 years ago to happen again. A strong Israel means that each of you is a flight away from a haven.”

It’s for this reason, said Keinan, that the situation in Israel should concern every Jew around the world. “It’s a joint venture,” “Together, we can eliminate those forces which rise up again like they did years ago in Europe.”

He believes the memorial ceremony best represents the bond between Israel and the South African Jewish community. “What better represents this joint venture than standing here looking at the names of heroes who not only defended South Africa but also left their families, went to Israel, and helped us carry the burden?” he asked. “Eighty-seven heroes left South Africa, and died in the wars of Israel.

“They are part of the success story we see in Israel. The co-operation between the Jewish community here and Israel makes me proud to stand here and talk to the ex-military personnel who were willing to give the most valuable thing in order to serve and protect their societies and Israel.”

Before reciting kaddish and the memorial prayer, Rabbi Ron Hendler (whose late father served in World War II) emphasised that Jews never forget. “We always remember,” he said. “For how long should a ceremony like this carry on? It gets smaller every year.” 

He cited two halachic (religious legal) opinions. “One says that yizkor for a parent should be said for 50 years. Another says there is no limit, that as long as there is someone to remember, it’s worth continuing.”

Applying the latter to the ceremony, he said, “Our memory never stops. We remember the destruction of the temple as we remember the first and second world wars, and the wars of Israel. We don’t stop remembering.”

The lesson we need to learn from those who gave their lives is to live in a way which honours them, Hendler said. “Every conversation we have needs to be one of hope, light, and comfort. In that way, we honour those who are not here, and carry what they gave us into a better world.

“It’s my hope that we meet here for many years to come, even if there are less of us. By being here, we prove the meaning of honouring and appreciating those who are no longer in this world.”