ALVIN KUSHNER

READ GEOFF SIFRIN’S PIECE & USER COMMENTS

Attention: Geoff Sifrin

I need to take issue with the following paragraph that you had written in the Jewish Report.

“The Reconstructionist and Conservative streams are all but non-existent in South Africa, while the once-vibrant Reform/Progressive stream has shrunk dramatically and has little influence today.”

The Progressive movement in South Africa is still vibrant with 10 very active Synagogues throughout SA.  We all realise that there had been a long term drastic decline in the SA Jewish population that affected ALL our communities. However, there has been no sign of membership waning in recent times in any of our Progressive congregations throughout South Africa. In fact we are showing positive growth in some areas.

The proportion of Progressive Jews in relation to Orthodox varies depending on the region where they are based.

As a matter of interest, In Cape Town one in five Jewish families are Progressive and we are proud to say that the entire South African Progressive community has far more than proportionate representation on the Board of Deputies and Zionist Fed committees.

I’m pleased to report that In the Western Cape Region the capacity of at least one of our Shuls has expanded in order to cope with increased attendance. Some of our congregations have remained constant in spite of migration and the passing of the elderly. We are pleased to report that there are currently plans underway to make a substantial investment into securing and transforming our communities Durban and Gauteng. 

You refer to the non-existence of the Reconstructive and Conservative Shuls.

I have not seen any interest by the Conservative movement in having elected to have involvement in SA   As a matter of interest. The Liberal, Reform and Reconstructive movements are all Progressive and are members of the World Union for Progressive Judaism which is the World body that we are all affiliated to.

The centrality of Eretz Israel in our lives is built into the mission statement of the WUPJ.  In spite of the odd individual comment, the commitment to the Jerusalem program is an integral part of the Progressive movement’s ethos.

Alvin Kushner

• National Chairman, South African Union for Progressive Judaism
• Member of the Executive Board, World Union for Progressive Judaism