NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2012
Shalom from Israel!
It’s been a few months since we last reported to you – the wonderful global family of all those who have been touched in some way by the Ochberg orphan saga... a saga that has had a stirring beginning but happily - no end ......
And we are happy to report there has been ‘no end’ to our activities here as we meet frequently with the JNF/KKL, Ministry of Tourism, tour guide organisations and school boards involved in plans for the inclusion of the Ochberg saga in the curriculum for 14-year-olds. Various individuals and organizations abroad have committed themselves to be part of the future of what will finally emerge an enormous and most impressive development at Park Ramat Menashe, where the 'jewel in the crown' will undoubtedly be The Isaac Ochberg Memorial Site. We would like to think that Isaac Ochberg z"l can only nod approvingly from his celestial perch.....
Hardly a week goes by without people calling our committee members asking for directions to the park – be they locals or visitors from abroad.
When possible and when they represent leaders in communities from abroad, every effort is made to host these guests so that we may address them.
Visitors to the Ochberg Memorial Site over the past few months have included -
Dennis Rudnick (a sprightly 85!) and son and daughter from Australia. Dennis's wife, Edna, was regrettably unable to make the trip. Edna’s mother was Salka Blind, Ochberg orphan, who arrived in Johannesburg in 1921 and went to live at the Arcadia Jewish Orphanage. Her name was changed to Sadie. She married and became Sadie Saus.
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| Bennie Penzik - Dennis Rudnick - Charlene Green - Aubrey Rudnick |
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| Dennis Rudnick
Dennis read a moving tribute from Edna while standing at the monument to Isaac Ochberg at the Site.
Dennis was a young soldier, arrived as a Machal volunteer, during the War of Independence of 1948. He fought with Chativa 8 in Operation Yoav in the Negev. After the war, in 1950, Dennis was recruited to join a group of technicians sent to the USA in order to bring to Israel the first Super Constellations which, upon arrival to Israel, marked the foundation of El-Al.
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Josh Cooper, Executive Director of JNF Canada was accompanied by Jessica Lawson-Stein, Director of the Canada Desk at Head Office - Jerusalem on his July visit.
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| Bennie Penzik - Jessica Lawson-Stein (JNF) - David Kaplan - Josh CooperJNF Canada) |
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Marna Meyer, daughter of Jinny Segal of Houston TX whose late mother was Rosie Hans, Ochberg orphan, who then became Rosie Flink of Bertrams, Jhbg. Marna was accompanied by her son and daughter Ayli and Darren (not pictured) and Zvi and Dot Pantanowitz who graciously assisted with facilitating the visit. Dot herself has a direct Ochberg connection via the Gonifas family.
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| Bennie Penzik - Zvi Pantanowitz - Marna Meyer - Dorothy Pantanowitz |
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The DVD!!
Now that the DVD of the July 2011 2-day Ochberg Memorial Event finally reached those who prepaid at the time and endured the long wait, recollections have been spiked as evidenced by extracts from recent messages received.
This from Jerome Ruch of Cape Town -
"I have just had my first opportunity of watching the Ochberg DVD – it really brought the memories flooding back – I only wish it had been a bit longer and more in-depth.
Thanks to all concerned for putting this piece of memorabilia together and a special thank you to you for your continuous follow-up – all in all, it was a truly fantastic effort to condense so much into around a 30 minute DVD.
A perfect ending would however have been, showing everyone singing “Hatikvah” together at the “Hill of Names” – that would really have sent shivers and goose pimples down everyone’s spines."
And from Lynne Michel of Sydney -
"It was truly a mammoth task - brilliantly organised and well executed. We were all shellshocked for days after. I was so thrilled that the content of the event was so well thought out and delivered so well. We all gained much from our time spent there - it was well worth the long hike from Australia. Reconnecting with people from our past and making new friends (like the Nadelmans) who we now feel strongly connected to. It was especially meaningful for us to have three generations share that time and thankfully two of my four children were able to be there. They have learned a fortune about their (and all of the larger Ochberg descendent's collective history) and will now hopefully transmit this information to the generations below.
Thanks so much to all of you for an incredible job well done!
This presents a great opportunity to show the Hill of Names which is a major attraction of the Memorial Site:
PLEASE NOTE!!
The DVD's are available for instant mailing! Price is 80 Shekels and credit card payments from around the world will be accepted.
Contact David Kaplan for details - email - hildav@netvision.net.il
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Extracts from the prominent South African Jewish newspaper, The Zionist Record, December 1937.
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SAVE THE DATE!!!!
CAPE
TOWN,
THURSDAY,
20 DECEMBER 2012
10.30AM
DEDICATION
CEREMONY
TO
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| "DADDY" OCHBERG |
75TH
YAHRZEIT OF ISAAC OCHBERG Z”L
FOR
FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT
LAUREN
SNITCHER lsnitcher@iafrica.com +27
82-8802257
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"Ochberg's
Orphans" - The Documentary
Difficult to
know how long this will last but I came upon this link which enables the
viewing of the complete and original 58-minute version of the "Ochberg's
Orphans" documentary from which many will have seen the edited version (38-minutes) which was entered for the 2008 Oscars.
Try it here - http://dai.ly/kkpa2W
This is an experience to be savoured!
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The Committee -
Bennie Penzik - Chairman
Adv Hertzel Katz - Vice-Chairman
David E Kaplan
Leon Segal
Ian Rogow
The Committee -
Bennie Penzik - Chairman
Adv Hertzel Katz - Vice-Chairman
David E Kaplan
Leon Segal
Ian Rogow
