Reflect and renew amidst challenges

As the high holy days approach, we stand at the threshold of a sacred season, a time for renewal and stock taking, as we pause for a moment to reflect and recommit to our values, our community, and our shared purpose. This annual cycle of introspection offers a moment to weigh our triumphs and challenges, to honour our resilience, and to set course for the year ahead.

This past year has tested us in many ways. From the growing shadow of global antisemitism; the ongoing heart-wrenching conflict in Israel; the continued antagonism of our national government and anti-Israel movements; and the ongoing battle to reclaim and remain in our shared public spaces. Countering these challenges has demanded ongoing strength, persistence, and rigour, as well as a conviction to approach each situation in unity and with creativity.

Yet, amidst these challenges, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) has forged some remarkable outcomes. Our diplomatic engagements with universities, social clubs, professional organisations, and government bodies have borne fruit, fostering understanding and countering prejudice. Our advocacy has amplified Jewish voices, ensuring that we are heard and that all efforts to exclude us from the public spaces are met with staunch resistance. And our communal initiatives, commemorations, and events have strengthened the bonds that hold us together. In fact, despite the ever-present threats and trials, the situation for our community in this country remains among the best in the world. We shouldn’t allow the fog of pessimism to cloud our understanding of this, just as we shouldn’t allow this relative success to lull us into a space of apathy.

Our commitment to global Jewish solidarity has also shone brightly this year. Just last week, SAJBD National Director Wendy Kahn and President Zev Krengel led a delegation of community leaders to Israel, engaging with its leadership and bearing witness to national challenges. Their visit included a heart-wrenching tour of Kfar Aza, guided by the courageous Rabbi Doron Perez, whose son, Daniel, was tragically killed on 7 October, his body still held captive.

The delegation traced Daniel’s final day, honouring his bravery and heroism. They also met Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the mother of murdered hostage Hersh, whose strength and insight into trauma, faith, and societal divisions left an indelible mark. Discussions with government officials included the ministry of foreign affairs; Knesset members; and President Isaac Herzog and his wife, Michal. Michal specifically is intimately involved in two eye opening projects, one dealing with mental health, and the other addressing gender-based violence, including the plight of Druze women in Syria.

A political overview by journalist David Horovitz, the founder and editor of The Times of Israel, further enriched understanding. These encounters underscore the power of connection, reminding us of our role in global Jewry, and how our struggles and hopes are shared across borders.

While we’re proud of our achievements this year, we remain ever mindful of the work still to be done. Antisemitism continues to evolve, demanding ever more vigilance and resolve. The path to peace in Israel feels elusive, with the plight of hostages and the toll of war weighing heavily on our hearts. As we gather in synagogues and homes on these high holy days, we carry these challenges with us, but we also carry hope and fortitude to work to solve them.

On behalf of the SAJBD, I wish you and your loved ones a Shana Tova U’metukah (year of peace and renewal).