Ambulances are not political

Ambulances aren’t political. They save lives, Jewish and non-Jewish alike. Hatzolah doesn’t discriminate. In fact, no organisation better demonstrates the positive impact of Jewish communities on their surroundings than Hatzolah, a volunteer organisation providing a critical service at life-or-death moments. 

The targeting of a Jewish ambulance service is an act of unremitting evil. Let’s call it what it plainly is: an antisemitic terror attack. Torching civilian vehicles, especially ambulances, is never acceptable. Not in London. Not at Nova. Not when extremist Jews do it in the West Bank. Never. 

I agree with United Kingdom political leadership that the firebombing of four ambulances must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. But I believe it’s time such statements translate into tangible action. Condemnation without consequence is just noise. 

On Monday evening, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) held its Freedom Seder, an event designed to engage our non-Jewish friends in the Pesach story while exploring the key themes of this critical festival. The event was hosted by KZN chair Alana Pugh-Jones Baranov, who delivered a meaningful opening address dealing with the meaning of freedom and how the story of Pesach resonates with South Africans of all backgrounds and races. 

Also on Monday, in Johannesburg, the Union of Jewish Women held its interfaith seder. The event was attended by SAJBD Gauteng chairperson Danny Mofsowitz and led by Rebbetzin Temmi Hadar, who spoke of the powerful symbolism of redemption and its relevance in our own lives today. 

As is so often the case in these moments, and as we felt at the KZN Freedom Seder, there was a strong sense that sharing our traditions with those of other faiths creates space for understanding. On Wednesday evening, the Cape SAJBD will hold its Unity Seder. I am certain that it, too, shall be a success in bringing our community closer to fellow communities in the city. 

For Jews, the concept of freedom is at the core of who we are. As Alana so beautifully said, “Freedom calls on us not only to remember but to act: to stand against injustice, to protect the vulnerable, to welcome the stranger, and to contribute meaningfully to the world around us.” In many ways it is this responsibility that sits at the core of the Hatzolah mandate, the very ideal that was targeted in London. 

As this is the last column before Yom HaShoah, I want to remind the community of our commemorations, to be held in Johannesburg on 14 April at 17:15 at King David School, in Cape Town on 14 April from 12:00 to 14:00, and in Durban on 13 April at 18:00. 

Yom HaShoah, and Holocaust memory as a whole, has taken on new meaning as the number of survivors dwindles and antisemitic incidents appear to become ever more violent across the world. The sacred duty to carry the memory of this unique catastrophe falls on us now. This year the international theme of Yom HaShoah is “The Family in the Holocaust”. In this light, for the first time, Pretoria and Johannesburg will be holding a unified Yom HaShoah, coming together as a family, unified, and in strength. I urge everyone who can to attend and assist as we take on the duty of Holocaust remembrance in this new era. 

The generation that survived is leaving us. We are becoming the custodians of their memory. We cannot afford to treat this lightly. 

Wishing everyone a Chag Pesach Sameach.