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Featured Judaica Articles

  • GIL-ADI - Dina is a well-known at markets. She does Rosebank every Sunday and is presently at the Norwood Mall Pesach Mart. Ask

    Stop by at Dina’s market tables or pop in to hubby Itzik’s shop. Either way you’re in for a Pesach treat. Their unique home, gift and Judaica items are a treat.
    And almost all of their lines can be personalised, too.

  • Idelsohn1.jpg

    The composer of Hava Nagila, legendary musicologist Abraham Zevi Idelsohn, has a fascinating story & 2 links to SA, one involving Nelson Mandela's treason trial.

    This is absolutely a must-read

  • Sephardic Jews in Portugal home.jpg

    Two newly-published genome surveys refute historian Shlomo Sand’s theory that Jews have no common origin but are people who converted to Judaism at various times. The studies also shine a new light on Ashkenazi/Sephardi contact over the centuries.

  • 2nd Temple destruction.jpg

    Two new studies published last week using new human genome database validate exile after destruction of the Temple. They refute Shlomo Sand’s theory that Jews have no common origin and shine a new light on Ashkenazi/Sephardi contact.

  • Kollel - Oral Law1.jpg

    Jo’burgers are being consumed by the Kollel clearance sale. Owner David Aronowitz promises to “have more than 200 popular titles [at] 75%-off" through Friday & Sunday.” One of his picks this weekend is “The Oral Law of Sinai” by Rabbi Berel Wein, which we review. Read on...

  • bracelet.png

    US artist Susan Fischer Weis’ on-line business, “Yontifications" has grown into a full offering of Jewish jewelry. And Yontifications’ newest product is “Words to Live by Bracelets.”

  • Boerejode.jpg

    The community are invited to the launch of a fascinating new book, “Boerejode – Jews in the Boer Armed Forces, 1899 -1902” by well-known South African historian and journalist David Saks. David's day job is as deputy director of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies.

  • PnP hagaddah cover.jpg

    Rosh Beth Din thanks staff at the UOS and PnP for their efforts.

    The 2010 bumper Pesach Guide is expected to be available in PnP stores early next week.

  • deco2 - The Keystone.gif

    A 2000-year old stone unearthed in Ohio in 1860 and inscribed in square Hebrew letters? Read on, because it gets so much weirder.

  • Leo Frank.jpg

    A 1913 murder spawned an Atlanta trial that's still talked about today. CNN and the PBS channel have both aired comprehensive documentaries on this story in the past week. Click headline to read more, and view two short videos.

  • Norwood Mall

    A freak storm last Friday put popular “House of Judaica” at Norwood Mall out of business for “between 6 and 12 weeks.” But the resilient owners promise to be back.

  • tsotsitaal.jpg

    TOP READ OF THE WEEK

    “Jewish,” “Beshugen” and “Katz en Lurie” are among the commonly used words in township-speak, and their origins and meanings are most interesting.

  • Chamsa By Seeka

    High-tech meets fine art in this collection of jewellery and Judaica by the Israeli born artists, Nachshon Peleg and Stavit Allweis who trade under the name Seeka.

  • The Jewish Museum in Cape Town.

    Situated in the "Museum Mile" in central Cape Town, the South African Jewish Museum offers visitors a truly unique experience with its bold architectural design, interactive multi-media displays and engaging accounts of South African Jewish history.

  • The ‘Lindo lamp’

    The Jewish Museum in London is closer to saving the 300-year-old silver Chanukah lamp known as the ‘Lindo lamp’, which is one of the most important treasures of British Jewish heritage in the museum.

Holiday News

  • Zim Fund.jpg

    Sonnyboy, Carla Sher and Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft load up Pesachdik goods destined for Zimbabwean Jews outside a supermarket on Monday. And it is all paid for by the AJC Zimbabwe Fund the “Travelling Rabbi” administers to support this “Community in Crisis”. Read more...

Book Reviews

  • Nicholas Wolpe.jpg

    A most appropriate article by Nicholas Wolpe in the Sunday Times reinforces SAJBD project to publish “Jewish Memories of Mandela later this month. Order your copy today & save R50! A wonderful Yom Tov gift.

  • IBM and the Holocaust.jpg

    The Nazis' persecution was brutal, methodical, & horrifyingly efficient. However, their perverse efforts were only realized with the assistance of IBM's custom-built tabulation system as explained in a new book. "The word THINK was everywhere!"

  • Harry Bernstein.jpg

    Acclaimed US author Harry Bernstein, whose memoir of an English childhood haunted by anti-Semitism "The Invisible Wall" was published when he was 96, died at 101 on Friday at his daughter's Brooklyn home.

  • Ideally speaking.jpg

    Stephen Hellmann & Lindsay Talmud have published “Ideally Speaking” - interviews with a cross-section of SA & expat Jewry. The authors say the book explores the “role of ideology for Jews who grew up under the apartheid.”

  • Saul Issroff.jpg

    SA-born Saul Issroff, a 'Litvak' living in London, will be lecturing on Litvak culture, Holocaust history & migration at a seminar in Vilnius in August. A great break for culture vultures.

  • JJRC book.jpg

    ON TODAY! “You’ll enjoy this delightful trip down memory lane,” says Marcia Parness about the launch of Jack Shapiro’s much-anticipated new book on old Doorfontein. The book will be introduced at next week’s launch by Rabbi A Tanzer.

  • David Saks - Associate Director - SAJBD.jpg

    A new improved second edition of ‘Boerejode – Jews in the Boer Armed Forces, 1899-1902’ by journalist & historian David Saks includes new information. The book has been eagerly awaited since the first edition sold out in a month.

  • Jhb - Cover .jpg

    “A beautiful book that captures the essence of Joburg,” is how Mandla Shongwe of SAFM described ‘Joburg – through my lens,’ a coffee table book by well-known Jewish editor and professional photographer Brian Koping.

  • Albie Sachs book.jpg

    Hear Judge Albie Sachs speak about his latest book, “The Strange Alchemy of Life and Law,” two days after he finds out if he won the Alan Paton Award.

  • Boerejode.jpg

    The first edition of David Saks’ book “Boerejode: Jews in the Boer Armed Forces, 1899-1902,” has been sold out. A second edition is in print. Saks says thanks to his fellow Shtetlers - from whom he had a great response. We will advise users as soon the reprints are available.

  • kollel - Positive Word Power.jpg

    The acclaimed bestseller, The Chofetz Chaim: A Daily Companion, has shown the world profound wisdom. Now, Positive Word Power will enrich and, ultimately, transform your relationships. Read the review, grab it before the sale ends Friday.

  • Kollel sale - kids.jpg

    A blogger wrote to the publisher last week: “The Kollel booksale was so fun. I was like a kid in a candystore but wish I had an unlimited budget. I spent a lot there today!” She posted a comment to a review of sale books: “I got some really great books at ridiculously low prices.”
    Read what’s up for kids.