Jewish Life Digital Edition November 2013 | Page 14

nerve-wracking, they became an important
part of my experience and integration into
South African culture and society.” Meisler
bought kosher food in Maritzburg, and was
often given kosher food after Shabbos to
take with her to the rural areas.
She explains that being immersed in a

completely different way of life was fascinating. “It was so interesting to learn about
the interplay of traditional Zulu religion
and Christianity and the central role that
traditional ceremonies and customs still
play. While being aware of the many differences between the traditional Zulu religion

CHABAD IN SWITZERLAND
David Bloomberg (83), from Cape
Town, has chosen to live far from
home, in the city of Lugano, Switzerland. Although there isn’t a thriving
Jewish population, there is a shop selling kosher food, and Chabad, which
arrived in Lugano five years ago.
Bloomberg, who had a column in
the Cape Times many years ago, is
the author of five books and has
worked as an attorney, business entrepreneur, and theatre producer and director. He was also the youngest person to hold the office
of mayor in Cape Town. He was mayor there from 1973 to 1975.
For the past eight years, however, he has concentrated on his writing. His fifth book, a novel, Simon’s Destiny, was published in 2012,
and he is busy with his sixth book, also a novel, which will be published in 2014.
For Bloomberg, living in a country that doesn’t boast a large
Jewish population, didn’t deter him from identifying as a Jew.
“Wherever I am, I go to pains to find other Jews. I have lived in
Cape Town, Miami and London, and I always make the effort to
cont