Alternative SA Jewish Report: 28 March 2008

Surprisingly enough, I only found two items to whinge about in last week’s edition of the SAJR. I haven’t yet received this week’s edition. In fact, it hasn’t been delivered for the last 3-4 weeks…

Without a ‘meaning in life’, crime will flourish in SA

Page 3 carried a lengthy interview with Prof. Gill Marcus, once a comrade in The Struggle and now the chairman of Absa Bank. When it came to crime, the gist of her response was “Without a ‘meaning in life’, crime will flourish in SA”. I beg to differ, and I think I speak for many in SA (judging by the response to a recent poll on the death penalty). The answer is much simpler than that: Without effective law enforcement, crime will flourish. Dealing with the root causes of crime is something that may take generations, and many innocent victims will not survive the process. Right here and now, criminals are committing crimes of the most violent, horrific nature, because they believe (with good reason) that they will escape the consequences.

Of the crimes reported, few are effectively investigated beyond taking the victim’s statement. Of those investigated, few result in an arrest. Those arrested seem to find it laughably easy to get bail (many crimes appear to be committed by those out on bail). Few of those arrested ever make it to trial, few of those brought to trial ever receive a prison sentence. Our prisons resemble revolving doors, with parole, amnesties and escape the order of the day. Incompetence, corruption and inefficiency reign supreme.

This is not about a struggle to find meaning in life, this is about the total absence of consequences, no matter how callous the deed.

We have to get away from divisions

The letters page (Page 14) carried a letter from a Justin Bachmann concerning a statement Orthodox Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein apparently made to the effect that “those who are not Orthodox are not Jews”.

I will limit my response to saying that SA Jewry was blessed to have a long succession of truly great Orthodox Chief Rabbis, the last of whom was Rabbi Goldstein’s immediate predecessor, Rabbi Cyril Harris OBM.

Distribute the Reform Judaism Magazine at synagogues?

Posted this comment on the SAUPJ website.  Personally, I think it's a great idea, but we'll have to see...  :-)

I would like to suggest that the Reform Judaism Magazine be distributed at Reform synagogues affiliated to the SAUPJ. I don’t think the magazine is available or well known in SA, although it is apparently “World’s largest circulated Jewish magazine”.

My feeling is that Reform communities/members could greatly benefit from the magazine by getting a Reform perspective on issues (as opposed to our usual diet of The Jewish Report), put us in touch with trends in Reform elsewhere in the world, etc.

Here’s the blurb from the “About us” page:

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1st Place Award Winner for Excellence in Jewish Journalism and a Benefit of Membership in a Union Congregation

ABOUT US

REFORM JUDAISM is the official voice of the Union for Reform Judaism, linking the institutions and affiliates of Reform Judaism with every Reform Jew. Received quarterly by 310,000 member households (members of more than 900+ Union congregations) as a benefit of their synagogue's Union affiliation, RJ strives to convey the creativity, diversity, and dynamism of Reform Judaism. RJ covers developments within our movement while interpreting world events and Jewish tradition from a Reform perspective.

An American Jewish Press Association first-place Simon Rockower Award winner for excellence in feature writing, Reform Judaism's feature stories are controversial, probing problems, exploring solutions, teaching, and inspiring. A special "Focus On" educational section presents multiple perspectives on a specific theme---Jewish ritual, history, beliefs, and issues---to stimulate further reading, study, and discussion. Subjects covered include: Jewish history, ethics, the Holocaust, Israel and Zionism, Jewish movements, family, texts, holidays, theology, and more. Our lifestyle columns showcase contentious opinions and model programs and services which enhance Jewish life.

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Reform Judaism Magazine

http://reformjudaismmag.org/