Port Elizabeth, SOUTH AFRICA (26/08/2009)

 

 

 our Port Elizabeth community….We had a thriving community years ago and there were three shuls,2 orthodox and a progressive congregation.The orthodox shuls were,the Summerstrand congregation and the Port Elizabeth Hebrew Congregation.The progressive congregation was the Temple Israel.In all there are some 500 Jewish souls living in Port Elizabeth and there is also a Jewish Day school ,The Theodor Herzl School which has a small proportion of jewish children in attendance in these times.We have a full time rabbi at our orthodox shul who also teaches at the day school.We are what I would call an ageing community with a small proportion of young married  couples with children of school age and also with children of university age.If one looks around there are many bobbas and zeiders.The community is tight knit with functioning committees running Chevra Kadisha,benevolent,Wizo,and other cultural organizations,The Union of Jewish Women doing voluntary community services for both the jewish and non jewish population of our city.We also have a small but active Hebrew Order of David Lodge operating here doing communal and charitable service as well.We have a Beyachad organization here which organises all the functions like Yom Hazikaron,Yom Haatzmaut and Yom Hashoa as well as providing events of a cultural nature as well as bringing all types of entertainment to the community in the form of guest speakers,,films, musicians both classical and the lighter side of musical entertainment.In all a very small community with a big heart and a warmth.We also have an active small group of people who run the Israeli United Appeal and the United Communal Fund working to raise money for both these organizations and we are all very conscious of the importance of Israel to the wider community and Israels need for as much financial support that our small     community is able to afford during these difficult financial and economic times.

 Contact person: Michael Simmons e mail adress: michaelpe@mweb.co.za

 

Shalom Motti,

I have just thismorning taken Lior to the airport for his onward flight to Durban and he just made the flight as he was late getting ready when I arrived to fetch him.

Just to let you know that the weekend here was a great success all round.He led the Kabbalat Shabbat service on Friday evening at the Theodor Herzl School as they were celebrating their 50th anniversary.He was also our guest at a huge Shabbat dinner at the school.

On Saturday evening I managed to get him the prime spot on the bill of a special variety concert which had been organized by the school itself as part of their celebrations.It was held in a local special theatre and there was an attendance of well over 300 people who absolutely were enchanted by Lior’s performance on stageThe sound equipment was first class as was the lighting as well.In all it was a great success.I would love to have him back again some day .He really had a wonderful time with our community and felt very much at ease and at home with us.Thanks for sending him to us.

 

Kind regards,

Michael

Beyachad

Port Elizabeth

South Africa