In honour of Steven

It was a real coup for us to get an interview with the new United States Ambassador to South Africa, L Brent Bozell III. The ambassador has hardly done interviews since he got to South Africa, and we had literally been asking for a one-on-one since weeks before he arrived on our shores. 

When I say “we” I am actually referring to my wonderful late colleague Steven Gruzd, who right up until the day he was abducted and killed on Friday 27 March was emailing and calling the US embassy, requesting this interview, once and sometimes twice a week. 

During the dreadful time we were all reeling from the shock of what had happened to Steve, there was an outpouring of love and respect for him and all that he had achieved in his life. One of the many messages was a personal letter from the US ambassador saying he was “deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing” of Steve. “On behalf of the United States government, I extend our deepest sympathies.” 

He went on to say, “We had the privilege of engaging with Steven in his capacity as a journalist, where we benefited from his thoughtful analysis and his commitment to rigorous, informed public discourse. His work always reflected a deep understanding of South Africa’s place in the world and contributed meaningfully to important global conversations on international affairs.” 

I was moved by what a mensch Bozell was to send this to us, whether it was prompted by colleagues or not. He didn’t have to do that. 

At the time, I made it clear to the embassy and our team that when we finally interviewed the ambassador, we would do it in Steve’s honour. Well, we got our chance, and our undoubtedly controversial front-page lead is in Steven Gruzd’s honour today. I have no doubt he is proud of the job that his colleague and friend Nicola Miltz did in tribute to him. 

The ambassador pulled no punches and stuck to his guns in insisting that the South African government reconsiders its friends who are detrimental to its other relations ‒ not least the one with the US. His commitment to Israel and the Jewish world was equally admirable, but is certainly unlikely to impress our haters. But then I am sure he knows this. 

I have to say that it gives me such a feeling of warmth to know we have friends like this in high places. 

In the same week, I initially had a sinking feeling when I read Klaas Mokgomole, who was once a member of BDS and is now a staunch friend of the community and Israel, complaining about his talk at St Mary’s School being canned because of “security threats”. I feared another ugly Roedean saga. 

I worried that antisemitism was spreading through private schools, and that St Mary’s had had two anti-Israel speakers and Mokgomole was unable to give an alternative perspective. I do get that St Mary’s got scared by threats from anti-Israel haters. Who wouldn’t be? But it was disappointing that it didn’t still go ahead with offering a different perspective, as one expects from a school of this calibre. 

Having said that, I am so relieved that this week St Mary’s committed to holding the Mokgomole talk after exams. I understand that it must put the security of pupils first, but it cannot kowtow to threats. And activists have no right to stop schools from hearing all sides of the Middle East situation. If they are so convinced that they are right, what are they scared of? Makes you think! 

Well done to St Mary’s for not allowing threats and fearmongering tactics to stop you doing what is right ‒ even if it is a little later than it was meant to be. 

I have to say the South African Board of Jewish Education also stepped up to the plate this week in letting the King David community, past and present, know about the sexual abuse that took place during 1982 and 1983 at King David Linksfield. What was impressive was the willingness to be transparent and share the information in the interests of finding others who may have suffered under two predators. Also, it showed parents and pupils that abuse was not and will never be acceptable at King David. 

This is modelling transparency and integrity, and I have to say kol hakavod to Rabbi Ricky Seeff and the Board of Jewish Education. 

And while I’m in the spirit of honouring, it was a joy to watch the Eurovision final on Saturday night and to see the incredible support for Israel’s super-talented Noam Bettan as he sang Michelle. I have no doubt Israel was very happy with second place, especially because coming first would have meant being host country next year. Both winning and hosting would have come with all sorts of political fallout, which I don’t believe would be worth it. 

So, taking second place in this competition is winning for Israel. And for us at the SA Jewish Report, finding out that Bettan had performed at a wedding in South Africa not that long ago was also a coup. 

As this is our Shavuot edition, with Shavuot from Thursday to Saturday evening, we have some wise food for thought in terms of spiritual nutrition. One of the esteemed rabbis writing for us is none other than Rabbi Dr Meesh Hammer-Kossoy, who in 2015 became Israel’s first female Orthodox rabbi. She will be joining us for Limmud later this year so you can get to hear more from her then. 

Finally, I want to welcome Yoel Levy to our shores. I am one of the thousands who follow @thejewishfitnesscoach as he runs marathons in cities around the world, making people aware of and jogging people’s memories about 7 October and what’s happened since then. 

He runs in a Batman outfit in memory of Ariel and Kfir Bibas, the ginger-haired little boy and baby Hamas terrorists kidnapped with their mother and killed in captivity in Gaza. 

Astonishingly, he was en route to South Africa at the beginning of the week when his plane had to turn back and was then cancelled. Fortunately, he persevered and will be on the road in Cape Town on Sunday. Good luck, Yoel! We’re rooting for you! 

Chag Shavuot sameach and Shabbat Shalom! 

Peta Krost 

Editor