BASSATINE NEWS ISSUE No. 32

RALPH COSTI

 

RALPH COSTI PASSED AWAY LAST NOVEMBER IN PARIS DUE TO ILL HEALTH.

Ralph was one of those Egyptian refugees who left in the 1950s after being arrested as a leftist.

Later he worked as a journalist in Paris giving him the opportunity to return to Egypt as a correspondent for the AFP.

In 1988 the JCC chose him as Vice president during the presidency of Emil Rousseau. As a member of the Goutte de Lait benevolent Society we worked together to save Bassatine Cemetery.

He and his wife Vicky remained in Egypt till the late 90's.

After Vicky died in Paris Ralph, due to ill health, shared his time between France and Switzerland. Glorice Weinstein, herself a resident of Geneva remained in close contact with Ralph. Below is a touching poem written by Glorice for Ralph.

WHY THEY STAYED ON by Cheryl Wikas

 

(photo Samir W Raafat)

Cairo is unlike any place I have visited. I live in Cleveland, Ohio, but because of my son’s work, I have been to Damascus, Aleppo, Beirut, Amman, Aqaba, Petra, and a few other places. I also have spent a bit of time in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Havana, London, Rome, Calais, Paris, Nice and Cannes.

But Cairo is unique among them all.

Within 90 minutes of my arrival, I experienced the city’s overwhelming air pollution and was astonished by the piles of trash that are seemingly everywhere. As for the drivers on the city’s streets, I can only compare them to racecar drivers I’ve seen on television, as both are constantly jockeying for the “lead” position, weaving in and out of traffic without warning. Conditioned as I am to traffic signals and lane markers, I saw few of either to ease the flow of battered vehicles or silence the constant honking of car horns.

As I reached my destination, my driver, Osama, briefly got out of the van, but he left it in gear and I started to roll backwards into a crowded roundabout. The driver quickly realized his error and mercifully stopped the van, saving his vehicle and my neck. What an introduction to the city!

But, enough of my cynicism. Let me tell you what I like about Egypt. First of all, the people (except those trying to sell me something) are gracious and kind. Our tour guide to the Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx, various churches and mosques, Khan al Khalili and the Egyptian museum was outstanding. Funny and well informed, he laughingly said he does not go shopping with his wife, but he accompanied us to a few shops in the khan to purchase the obligatory T-shirts to take back to loved ones in the U.S.

The Jewish community of Cairo embraced me upon my arrival. My son, a Cairene for only a few months now, met two sisters at the annual Chanukah celebration at Shaar Hashamayim and we were promptly invited to supper a few days later. As we left, I walked arm in arm with one of the sisters until we parted in opposite directions. A few nights later, the grande dame of Cairo’s Jewish community, Carmen Weinstein, took us to dinner. What a special lady!

Cairo’s synagogues deserve special mention. I will not soon forget the wondrous stained glass windows at Shaar Hashamayim with its beautiful and sacred courtyard; the Ben Ezra Synagogue which housed the Geniza; or the Maimonides Synagogue deep in the heart of Old Cairo. I loved all of it.

Next we traveled to Alexandria and its environs. I sought out Jewish head stones at the cemetery at El Alamein. A solemn yet beautiful memorial to the sanctity of fallen heroes and the value of democracy, we lingered there for some time.

The Eliyahu Hanavi synagogue in Alexandria is comparatively “young” as compared to several of those in Cairo, since it was built in 1836. What a beauty. Now used only a few times a year, I was mesmerized by the dozens of Nerot Tamid (eternal lights) on the bima that have been gifts from a multitude of donors. The kindness of the president of the Jewish community of Alexandria in opening the building just for my son and me will not be forgotten.

The folks at the spectacular library in Alexandria were also very kind. Free tours are available upon request. The architecture of the biblioteca and its exhibits are extraordinary.

I am now back in the United States, but despite media warnings and a few roadblocks (literally) caused by demonstrations during my visit, I plan to return. I understand why the few remaining Jewish people chose to stay in Egypt when thousands left. I actually asked several people that specific question. Egypt is their home and they love their homeland. I can see why that is so.

INTER-DENOMINATIONAL HANUKA

 

Hanukah 2012 was celebrated on December 13 at Shaar Hashamayim's community hall with members of the US embassy and Students Abroad program in attendance along with several members of the JCC.
The JCC was pleased to welcome Christian and Muslim guests including US ambassador Ann Patterson.
A VERY special thanks to Seth Wikas for the rallying of this year's event.

youngest attendee lighting a candle

guest of honor HE US Ambassador Ann W. Patterson flanked by spouse David R. Patterson and JCC president Carmen Weinstein with Rebe Maimonides looking on

Bassatine News editor-webmaster
photos by Samir Raafat

(photo Samir Raafat)

To continue reading this article click on: FOREIGN POLICY MAGAZINE

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

 

On 13 December 2012 a prime ministerial decree (1218/2012 ) was published in the Official Journal as follows: “The Government is changing the name of a building on Adly Street from “Jewish Synagogue” to “Number 19”."

No further elaboration was given since none are usually given in cut and dry decrees.

No sooner had the printed and social media taken cognizance of subject decree when, depending on its propensity to sensationalize, each gave its own interpretation. One rabid online news service known to go overboard on most issues went as far as claiming in its headline “PRIME MINISTER DECREES REMOVAL OF SYNAGOGUE.”

None of the media bothered to consult with the JCC, or with the Council of Ministers for that matter, in order to get a clarification of above decree.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Antiquities put out a statement on 19 December clarifying the situation, which of-course received minimum attention. Ironically, it was the same rabid newspaper that bothered to publish it.

Below is the Bassatine News edited version of the Antiquities statement (appearing in box below).

In 2009 the Ministry of Culture conducted a survey of Cairo's downtown buildings in an effort to identify buildings with unique character or history. Among those surveyed was No. 19, a building bordering Shaar Hashamayim. In the ministry's subsequent report No. 19 was erroneously described as "Jewish Temple" whereas it is an ordinary residential building with its ground and first two floors leased to a commercial bank. Thereafter the building was listed as “Jewish Temple” in most official documents. The prime minister's decree was a simple rectification of that mistake and nothing else should be read into it.

As for Shaar Hashmayim, it shall continue to be referred to as “Jewish Synagogue” (or No. 17).

Rest assured the JCC is vigilant and alert in all matters concerning its assets and heritage. Next time, and here BN is referring those alarmists who quickly relayed the rumor in many foreign capitals, PLEASE CONTACT THE JCC BEFORE you jump to conclusions based on dubious media reports.

Remember that old adage “The reports of my death were greatly exaggerated.” The same can be applied to the above.

Under the title "Building appropriates Jewish Temple name" Egypt's leading quasi-government daily repeats the Antiquities explanatory statement.

MYSTERIOUS SHIPMENT

 

HOW MANY ARE YOU? by Carmen Weinstein

 

"About 50," is my usual reply to all those who ask "How many Jews remain in the Community?"

But there are many more. Some are married to Christians or Moslems. Others are secular and keep away from all religious and communal manifestations. And for whatever reason there are those who choose to remain in the shadows. EXCEPT...

Except when death comes calling...