Lifestyle/Community
Reichental’s tale resonates with SA audiences
Tomi Reichental, a survivor of Bergen-Belsen Concentration camp, had audiences in South Africa spellbound with his harrowing tale of survival. Reichental was a boy of nine at the time and has written a book called I Was A Boy In Belsen. He has spoken all over the world.
MARLENE BETHLEHEM
The Nashua Children’s Charity Foundation and the Jewish Women’s Benevolent Society brought him to South Africa. He spoke in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. One of the remarkable events associated with his visit was a dinner at Investec on Tuesday March 3, where he addressed 250 people, including Israeli Ambassador Arthur Lenk.
The evening commenced with a very unusual musical item. The MC Garbai School from Lenasia, a Muslim school for hard-of- hearing pupils, played a selection of music on marimbas, traditional African xylophones.
At a brunch on Sunday, March 1 for 400 people and at a dinner for 250, Reichental received a standing ovation. He also spoke in Cape Town on March 4 and in Durban the following day.
The Benevolent, which has given 121 years of service to the Jewish community, is the oldest women’s organisation in Johannesburg. As well as making sure the memory of the Holocaust is never forgotten, The Benevolent also strives to build bridges of friendship with other communities.