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14 HASHALOM March
2017
March 2017
HASHALOM
15
Project Ten officially launched in Durban
Wednesday, 15 February saw a day of activities around
the official launch of the Project Ten Centre in Durban (if
you are one of the few people who have still not heard
about Project Ten, go to www.tenprogram.org for more
information). Our guest of honour for this wonderful
occasion was Mr Natan Sharansky, Chairman of the
Jewish Agency for Israel, former Deputy Prime Minister
of Israel and well known “Refusenik”. Mr Sharansky, was
accompanied by his wife, Avital, a woman of great
achievement in her own right, and Mrs Vera Golovensky,
special advisor to Mr Sharansky. His Excellency, the
Ambassador of Israel to South Africa, Mr Arthur Lenk, and
his lovely wife, Ruth, also joined us for the day. Also in
Durban for the events were Mr Ben Swartz, Chairman of the
South African Zionist Federation, Mr Aviad Sela, Director
of Israel Centre in Johannesburg, Mrs Ariella Rosenberg,
Director of ORT South Africa, Mrs Naomi Hadar, Director of
the IUA of South Africa, and Mr Avrom Krengel, President
of the South African Zionist Federation.
The day began at Project Ten partner NGO, the Denis
Hurley Centre. Dennis Hurley Centre director, Mr Raymond
Perrier, led a tour of the facilities, highlighting areas
where Project Ten volunteers have been cooperating on
initiatives such as their meals for the homeless, a primary
health care clinic, and a foreign migrant assistance
program. This was followed by a drive out to Amaoti
No3 Combined School, near Phoenix, where we met
with the school headmistress, Ms Swazi Shabangu, who
enlightened us as to the difficulties faced by poorly
resourced schools, located within communities faced
with many social and economic problems. Despite the
light drizzle, the Project Ten volunteers led an enthusiastic
group of learners, together with our VIP’s, in a number of
laughter filled group games.
In the afternoon, a visit was made to the Ten Program
Centre. The visitors were able to see how and where the
volunteers live, and get a more comprehensive idea of
the volunteer experience by having a chance to chat
with the volunteers in an informal setting.
A cocktail event held at the Durban Jewish Centre in the
early evening, hosted jointly with the South African Jewish
Board of Deputies KZN, marked the beginning of the formal
part of the launch. Mr Sharansky, Mr Lenk and the rest of
our honoured guests, joined the leadership of the Durban
Jewish community, as well as representatives of Project
Ten partners, such as Mr Brian Moshal, Managing Trustee
of the Victor Daitz Foundation, and other supporters of
Project Ten and Israel, in a splendid repast, ably catered
by the ever so talented team of David Jacobsohn and
Russel Wolman.
Guests at the final and most important of the day’s events,
the community plenary event, were welcomed by Prof
Antony Arkin, the chairman of the Kwazulu Zionist Council.
Mr Arthur Lenk then spoke on the influence that the idea
of Tikkun Olam has on Jewish thought and therefore on
Israeli policy. He emphasised the deepening relationships
between African countries and Israel, and the way in
which Project Ten dovetails so exactly with Israel’s policies
in Africa. Following a short video presentation about
Project Ten, Mr Ben Swartz provided some context to the
setting up of this project, as an extension of the goals
of the SAZF. The director of Project Ten Durban, Micaela
Brody, shared her vision of that which lies ahead for
Project Ten in Durban. Mr Brian Moshal then introduced
our guest of honour, Mr Sharansky, apprising us of his
many achievements.
Mr Sharansky kept the audience enthralled as he
described his experiences in Russia, his awakening to his
Jewish roots, his imprisonment and the fight for the right to
emigrate to Israel. In speaking on the goals of the Jewish
Agency, which he described as “taking the world to Israel
and taking Israel to the world”, he detailed the direction
that the work of the Jewish Agency is taking, through
initiatives such as Project Ten. The evening was closed by
Mrs Suzanne Edmunds, who thanked Mr Sharansky and all
our guests on behalf of the community. No function should
end without tea and cake, and this was no exception.
The attendees took the opportunity to meet and talk with
Mr Sharansky and all the other visitors, while enjoying the
delicious cakes and eats on offer.
By Michelle Campbell
COMMUNITY NEWS
COMMUNITY NEWS