Lifestyle/Community
Time now to look into our spiritual mirrors
During the month of Elul and the days of Tishrei, preceding and including Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we are supposed to engage in introspection and answer the call to repentance. We look into our own spiritual mirrors, and examine our actions over the past year in the act of cheshbon hanefesh. We atone for our sins through prayer, penitence and charity. The Jewish Report spoke to members of the community on what Rosh Hashanah means to them, individually and collectively. Also what they would like to see in the year 5777.
SUZANNE BELLING
Joanne Benjamin, director of operations and human resources at the Cape Town Jewish Community Centre, says the new year provides an opportunity to reflect on the past. “It is also a chance for something new and exciting.
“For me the coming year brings my 50th birthday and a whole new start to life. There is a feeling of unity, with chances for further democracy – I am positive about the country. If you are determined, you will succeed,” she said.
Elton Krawitz, cantor at Waverley Shul in Johannesburg and a legal adviser for Discovery, says: “For me the Yamim Noraim present an opportunity to refocus and reformulate my goals in all areas of my life. To the extent that the five predominant areas in my life – family, job, health, community and spiritual – may be unbalanced, I like to use Yomtov as a time for introspection and to make the necessary tweaks.
“It goes without saying that my hopes and prayers for 5777 revolve around the good health of my family. Absent this factor, the five areas I referred to above become insignificant and impossible to manage.”
As a community, he feels we have to be mindful of the many issues that affect us, as Jews, in our country. “Politics aside, I would hope that the community would make a conscious decision to re-engage in our own communal affairs and thereby strengthen ourselves. I would love to see the classic, traditional, Friday night Jew reassert himself as a key player in the community. He/she is vital in my view for our success and growth.
“As far as the country is concerned, I was encouraged by political developments in the past year. We just need a break and an indication that all stakeholders are working towards the common good and the country will, with Hashem’s help, fly again.”
Natalie Liknaitzky, founder of art galleries, curator and lawyer, says spirituality is her most important concern during the High Holy Days. Reflecting on the past year, she says her main emotion is gratitude for all the blessings bestowed on her.
“I feel we are living in Messianic times when we look forward to fulfilment of the prophecies.”
Liknaitzky and her husband visited Jerusalem on Yom Yerushalayim and she visualised the rebuilding of the Temple, after seeing a model of the Second Temple next to the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum.
“I could picture it and hope I will be around when it happens.”
Natalie, whose biography has been written recently by Lana Jacobson, is having it expanded in a second book.
“I would like to have the health and the strength to live up to it.”
Communally, she is impressed with the leaders “who step in every time to stop the glitches. Personally, I am focusing on family and health and, like everyone, taking steps to remember mistakes and rectify them.”
Nadav Ossendryver, founder of Latest Sightings, says for him the new year means a new, fresh start, as well as reflecting on the previous year.
“My passion is wildlife and I hope more people in the community and country will become aware of wildlife and conservation.
“My wish is for everyone to enjoy the festive season
Ossendryver, who is spending Rosh Hashanah with his family, leaves after Yom Kippur for Boston, US, where he will attend a summit for under-30s, networking and idea sharing with young people from other countries.
The focus of Linksfield resident Nola Fox is on her hopes for world peace and “spirituality, love and harmony in abundance”.
Fox recently returned from a trip to Mauritius and, in her party was a Jew (her), an Arab and a German “and we all got along famously without any tension or problems. I think the younger generation sees things differently [from the historical perceptions].
“If only the world can be this way in the new year.”
Fox says, she is looking forward to sharing apples and honey with her children and grandchildren.
Dov Klatzkin, of Highlands North, wanted to give his own greeting:
“What can I say about the new year. It can only PG be an improvement on the present one. One thing’s for sure. This Elul is turning out to be one that we won`t forget in a hurry.
“I am extremely optimistic about what 5777 will be. Things are coming right in South Africa, although it’s very hard to see. If they get their act together in Israel and show a bit of unity, then the sky’s the limit. America is very interesting, Brexit will also be good.
“This further goes to show that the Aibishter (G-d) runs the world. We should only know good things and have a good gebentchde yohr (a good and blessed year), be blessed begashmiyus ooberuchnios (blessed materially and spiritually).
“PG the rain will come soon, both locally, in Israel and in California where they’ve had terrible drought.”
Barry Levitt, director of the Israel United Appeal-United Communal Fund campaign in Cape Town, feels Rosh Hashanah is an exciting time of the year.
“It is a time when families get together and a time to reflect on past events and to plan and look forward to the year ahead.
“We are fortunate to have a close-knit community in Cape Town which offers diverse activities across the Jewish spectrum as well as organisations which cater for the many needs and education of the community. There have been some trying times which have faced us, but, thankfully, due to our resilience as a people, we have overcome them and have emerged as a more united community.
“I am optimistic that the future of South African Jewry will be bright and I hope and pray that Diaspora Jews will be safe and secure in whichever country they wish to live,” he said.