Divote
Durban Israel Victims of Terror Enterprises

In an effort to instill greater Zionist feelings and empathy with Israelis, a new initiative by the Jews of Durban has galvanized the whole community to participate in creating hand-made packages of gifts and sweets for victims of terror and for soldiers.

The initiative launched in the summer, called DIVOTE (Durban Israel Victims of Terror Enterprises), brings together in workshops all segments of the 3,000-member Durban community, from kindergarteners to senior citizens, from women's groups to residents in the home for the aged.

Participants prepare gift boxes including hand-painted T-shirts, bags of parve sweets, and bracelets labeled "This comes with love and support from the Jews in Durban, South Africa." Also included are individual messages and e-mail addresses from the people who made them.

"The project offers the Jewish community a vehicle through which to channel their feelings of solidarity and Zionism, above and beyond putting their hands in their pockets," said Lydia Weitzman, international relations coordinator for the municipality of Ra'anana, which helps coordinate the distribution.

The first packages were distributed this week by a 52-person solidarity mission from Durban, which brought the first 200 of thousands of expected packages over the next year.

"What makes this project special is the direct involvement of the youngsters, and it raises the awareness of Israel which prior to this was not on the top agenda of South Africans because of their local concerns," said Rabbi Adi Sultanik, the United Jewish Appeal emissary in South Africa who also helps coordinate package distribution together with Partnership 2000.

"Because of this initiative, it has awakened not only the community of Durban, but it has raised the empathy quotient of the entire Jewish community in South Africa to the pain and trials of Israel because of the war here," Sultanik said. "By them connecting to individuals who they know are going to receive these packages, it is not just a news event on TV, or an historic event in Jewish history, but a personal event that has touched their lives."

The project was first launched in September 2001, when Ze'ev Bielski, the mayor of Ra'anana, delivered an emotional address at an Israel solidarity rally in Durban. A local businessman, John Moshal, responded by setting up a fund which offers long-term financial and emotional support to victims of terror and their families.

The additional initiative of making packages to distribute in Israel was aimed at actively involving the entire Jewish community, including 4,000 youth in schools throughout South Africa and in the various Zionist summer camps. Next month some 400 high school students will arrive on a birthright Israel trip, bringing more packages. "The workshops in Durban are working day and night," said Sultanik.

Cheryl Unterslak, who initiated and runs the gift packages workshops, said, "One of the by-products of DIVOTE is how it has brought everyone together in their support for Israel and its victims. People here feel that they are no longer 'arm-chair' Zionists."



	At a meeting on December 18th 2002 at Beit Loewenstein, Rabbi Adi Sultanik, on behalf of DIVOTE, presented the first of the gift packages prepared by members of the Durban Jewish community to Kfir Levi, a 20 year old Givati soldier who was critically wounded in the head, neck and upper part of his body by an RPG missile while on active duty at Netzarim in June 2002.

		Levi's father, Zion, spoke movingly of his son's fight for life and his determination to win. Pointing to Kfir and the Givati baseball cap which he proudly wears every day, Zion put into words the thoughts of everyone present in the room - "My son is a true hero." Kfir, unable to speak because of his injuries but clearly understanding Rabbi Sultanik's translated words of encouragement and support, was visibly moved by the support and love he received. Dozens of gift packages brought by the group will be distributed separately to in and out patients at the hospital.