A TV documentary on the work of Rabbi Silberhaft in Platteland communities & darkest Africa & further afield. Today, the Travelling Rabbi opened his own Youtube Channel where users can see this and over 100 other vids.

AJC head Shtetler Rabbi Moshe pointed us to this week's CNN Africa Report which had a feature on the Jews of Zambia. He's off travelling soon, to restore a cemetry he last did in 2005. A vagrant wreaked havoc, & now he's off to fix it again!

Chabad/Lubavitch SA are holding a Yud Shvat Melave Malke celebrating the launch of Shnas Ho'arboim for 40 years of the Rebbe's Shlichus in South Africa at the Orchid Room of the HOD Centre in Oaklands Road Orchards.

2011’s story with the happiest ending was of the victory of a small Shul over corrupt City of Joburg officials & office-bearers. MyShtetl lost its naïveté when Board members told us to stop supporting the Shul. We refused such injustice, of course.

Statement by Chabad Lubavitch World HQ titled: “Silence of Jewish Community of Lithuania Conspicuous.” Organisation expresses dismay in the manner a Lithuanian newspaper made a Rabbi look bad, and the lack of reaction from Jewry.

Rev Faith Whitby to deliver 8th Franz Auerbach Lecture at Beit Emanuel. The lecture is titled: ‘Living from the inside out’ & the community is invited. There is no cost but booking is essential.

The Sisterhood of Bet David Progressive Synagogue have been awarded the prestigious Or Ami award from WRJ, whose chairman wrote: “Your Sisterhood’s outstanding efforts are a great source of pride to WRJ.”

The SA Union for Progressive Judaism is not taking any chances on people double-booking or forgetting their 80th Anniversary celebrations. They've sent out save-the-date reminders today for the June 8-10 2012 conference!

Shabbas marked the 5th anniversary of Gilad Shalit’s kidnapping. Bet David’s Sisterhood ensured that he was remembered in an unique way – with a seat on the Bimah, an Aliyah in absentia and a Mishebeirach.

Helen Zille gets award, R97k endowment to fund SA Progressive rabbinical students in Germany. “Fitting tribute,” says SAUPJ chair Steve Lurie, she makes “principles & ideals she shares with Progressive Judaism into public policy.”