A Handful of Sand: Genesis 22:17 Jewish Cape Town, 5779, by Tony Raphaely

A Handful of Sand: Genesis 22:17 Jewish Cape Town 5779, by Tony Raphaely. Penguin Random House South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa 2020. ISBN 9781775847229 / ISBN 978-1-77-584722-9

A Handful of Sand: Genesis 22:17 Jewish Cape Town, 5779, by Tony Raphael, is dedicated to the memory of those men and women who - not knowing the languages spoken in South Africa and hardships that lay ahead of them - set out with courage, determination and fortitude, and through the generations, built a community that is widely respected in the Jewish world.

A Handful of Sand: Genesis 22:17 Jewish Cape Town, 5779, by Tony Raphael is a unique compendium of nearly 300 photographs, taken in 2019 (or the Jewish year 5779), to showcase - and record for posterity - the people whose professions and services have enriched not only the community from which they come, but also the greater society in which they live.

Acknowledgements

Jewish Cape Town 5779 would not have reached retailer's bookshelves without the help and encouragement of many people. Roman Vishniac lit the candle, and initial advice from Rabbi Feldman and Lindy Diamond made sure it wasn't extinguished. The book's photographs are the result of these seventeen talented photographers' endeavours: Adele Goldberg, Adrian van Heerden, Andrew Gorman, Angie Aube, Dewald Kirsten, Greg Nates, Guy Lerner, Jacques Stander, Jason Palmary, Jesse Kramer, Jonx Pillemer, Kristie Agier, Marc Berman, Sheldon Moultrie, Stefanie Walzl, Steve Thistle, Wil Punt and Yolande Kretzmer. Most of the pictures were taken by Guy Lerner, whose kindness and consideration towards all the subjects with whom he came into contact put them immediately at ease. In addition, his knowledge of Cape Town's Jewish community, both religious and secular, was invaluable, and this book would not have been as representative as it is without his guidance and input. Unbeknown to many, Gina Flash founded and runs The Mensch Organisation some of whose menschen appear on the pages of this book. Unfortunately, the few who do not live in Cape Town could not be included. Pippa Parker bought into my dream when it was nothing more than that, and without her support this book might never have come into print. Also at Penguin Random House, Gillian Black did the hard yards of pulling all the threads together, and the book's 'cradle to grave' composition is largely thanks to her. Natalie Bell ensured accuracy of the text and Roelien Theron helped keep us all focused. Success has many parents, and those who helped turn can idea into a project into a book' are too numerous to mention, but special thanks are due to Brad Berger, Cindy Bacher, Doron Cohen, Elsje Stander, Gary Vogelman, Glenn Stein, Ivor Sindler, Jason Sive, Keith Getz, Lisa Heilbron, Lisa Sandler, Philip Krawitz, Rabbis Hecht and Liebenberg, Peter Stuckey, Ronen Cohen, Stuart Diamond, Tracy Klass and Vanessa Valkin. Lastly, and most importantly, this book would not have made it onto the shelves without the support, encouragement and understanding of my wife, Penny, who, despite not being a Capetonian, helped ensure that Cape Town's wonderful Jewish community will be remembered in perpetuity.

Tony Raphaely, whose grandparents came to South Africa in the 1800s from Australia, Lithuania and Prussia, was born and raised in Cape Town. At the age of 18 he boarded a boat for England, setting out on an adventure that encompassed investment banking and resource-based production and trading. His career was spent in London, Johannesburg, Peru, Iran and Hong Kong. He now lives in London, where he manages a charitable trust supporting underprivileged students at South African universities. He is happily married to his wife, Penny, with whom he travels to visit their children and grandchildren in America, England and Australia.

This is an excerpt from A Handful of Sand: Genesis 22:17: Jewish Cape Town, 5779, by Tony Raphaely.

Title: A Handful of Sand: Genesis 22:17: Jewish Cape Town, 5779
Author: Tony Raphaely
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa 2020
ISBN 9781775847229 / ISBN 978-1-77-584722-9
Softcover, 21 x 25 cm, 296 pages, 300 colour photos