An open letter to a friend: why South Africa still feels like home

For so long now, Jewish South Africans have spoken about emigration. “Are we leaving; are we not leaving?” has been the topic of so many dinner tables throughout the years. Once, we received a Barmitzvah booking at the shul where the mom of the Barmy boy said, “We’re not sure where we will be living at that point, but just in case we are still in Johannesburg, please put us down in the shul diary.”

These sorts of conversations around the Shabbos table or the school parking lot generate lots of chit chat among members of the community who feel that they are the losers who are still “stuck” in this country. School students feel sad when their friends leave them for a new home on the other side of the world. And obviously, shul membership takes a knock each time another family emigrates overseas.

However, my feeling is that the topic of conversation is changing, ever so slightly. Already in 2018, the SA Jewish Report published a story, “After emigrating, there is nothing better than coming home”.

“Many enquiries have come from young families who want to return home and raise their children with family and friends close by,” [Loane] Kalk said. Lifestyle, a sense of belonging, exciting career opportunities, and a sense of purpose are some of the reasons why many of their clients are keen to return.”

As the world has been changing since 7 October 2023, and antisemitism is rearing its ugly head all over the world – even down under in Australia – the cards are changing, and South Africans are seeing South Africa as an ideal place for their family to live. One congregant recently told me, “I’ve been pushing my older children to explore other countries of the world, and they aren’t interested. They are adamant about living in South Africa.”

Not long ago, I received a message from a friend who emigrated from South Africa a few years ago. In reply to my message of ‘Hello and how are you’, he wrote,

“Hi Rabbi, we are good and all is well. We are working out if we should come back to South Africa. It’s been tiring these last few years.”

This message stuck with me. It’s not only the voice of one couple, but the echo of a question that I know lives in the hearts of many South African Jews scattered across the globe. Life abroad may bring certain opportunities, but it can also be demanding, stressful, and at times, lonely. And so, the thought of coming back home, to familiar ground, never quite leaves.

To my dear friend – and to so many others considering returning home to South Africa – we say, “We are waiting for you, and we will welcome you with open arms. Our country, with its phenomenal and unique Jewish community, has so much to offer your families.”

To help make the decision easier, I highlight 10 reasons why South Africa still feels like home, and why life here, for a Jew, isn’t just possible, but deeply meaningful.

1. A warm, tight-knit community

South African Jewry is small enough that you’re never just a face in the crowd. Walk into shul; attend a simcha; or join a shiur; and you are greeted as family. There is a natural closeness and an instinct to support and care. This isn’t something to take for granted. In many larger communities abroad, Jewish life can feel fragmented and individuals can slip into anonymity. Here, every Jew counts, and you’re always part of the circle.

2. World-class institutions

For a community of our size, our infrastructure is extraordinary. From outstanding Jewish day schools to dynamic shuls; from vibrant youth movements to strong welfare organisations; South African Jewry has built an ecosystem that nurtures every age and stage. Whether it’s Torah learning; community service; or Jewish culture, there’s a framework for every community member to participate and contribute.

3. Affordable Jewish life

One of the unspoken blessings of living in South Africa is that it’s possible to live a full Jewish life without the overwhelming financial pressure that so often burdens Jewish families abroad. Kosher food, Jewish schooling, shul membership, and community engagement, while challenging for some, are realistically within reach of the average family. This allows us to focus not on surviving, but thriving.

4. Rich heritage, proud future

Ours is a community that has produced activists and leaders. South Africa Jewry has produced hard working professionals; leading Torah scholars; philanthropists; and builders of Israel. We live with a legacy of courage, creativity, and commitment, and we continue to carry that flame forward. Living in South African means being part of that story – contributing to a proud tradition that inspires future generations.

5. A place for your children

There are few places in the world where children can grow up as immersed in Jewish life as they do here. Our schools aren’t only academically strong, but spiritually enriching. Youth groups instil love for Yiddishkeit and Israel. Friendships form in an environment where Shabbos, chaggim, and Jewish values are woven naturally into everyday life. For parents wanting to raise children with a strong Jewish identity, South Africa remains one of the most nurturing environments.

6. Resilience and responsibility

Yes, South Africa faces challenges – economic, social, and political – but our Jewish community has always demonstrated resilience. We look out for one another, and our welfare organisations are second to none, ensuring that no-one is left behind. In the face of difficulty, South African Jews respond with strength, creativity, and faith. Our communal organisations, which offer services in every sphere of life, are world-class and often a source of inspiration to local municipalities and government officials. This resilience is a source of pride and a powerful life lesson for our children.

7. Sunshine and spirit

Life isn’t only about survival and duty, it’s also about joy. South Africa offers something unique: blue skies, warm weather, and a lifestyle that encourages balance, family time, and meaningful community connection. We take the weather here for granted until we travel overseas and experience the hot summers or freezing cold winters of other countries. South Africa’s climate makes the lifestyle here one filled with a warm spirit and genuine hospitality.

8. A community where you make a difference

One of the blessings of South African Jewish life is that every individual truly matters. In larger communities abroad, it’s easy to feel like just another face in the crowd. Here, your presence counts, your voice is heard, and your contribution makes a real difference. Whether it’s volunteering in shul; supporting a school; mentoring youth; or lending a hand to someone in need, each Jew has the chance to help shape the future of the community. South African Jewry thrives not because of its size, but because every member feels a sense of responsibility and pride in building it together.

9. The South African people

The government has taken positions on Israel that have been painful for our community, including the recent referral to the International Court of Justice. Yet, it’s equally true that the everyday people of South Africa are overwhelmingly warm, friendly, and inclusive. Across cultures and backgrounds, South Africans are known for their big hearts, openness, and genuine respect for difference. In countless interactions, Jews are embraced with kindness, and our connection to Israel is met with admiration and curiosity. To live here is to feel part of a society that, despite its struggle, is built on ubuntu – the belief that a person is a person through other people.

10. The gift of family

Perhaps one of the greatest blessings of returning home is the chance to live near parents, siblings, and extended family. In Jewish life, family isn’t a luxury, it’s the foundation. Sharing Shabbos meals together; celebrating milestones side by side; and supporting one another through life’s challenges creates a richness that cannot be replicated from afar. Children gain not only the love of parents, but the wisdom and presence of grandparents. In an age where so many live scattered across cities and countries, the ability to live near family is a gift beyond measure, and South Africa offers that possibility.

To my dear friend who wrote to me – and to every South African Jew abroad considering this question – the community in South Africa awaits you. You will come back not just to a country, but to a family. South African Jewry isn’t without its challenges, but it remains one of the most vibrant, resilient, and passionate Jewish communities in the world.

When Rabbi Koppel Bacher went to see the Lubavitcher Rebbe before returning to South Africa, the Rebbe gave him a blessing that has echoed for decades: “It will be good for the Jews of South Africa until Moshiach comes – and after that, it will be even better.” These words continue to resonate. They aren’t just a blessing, but a promise – that South Africa is a place where Jews can live with strength, faith, and pride.

• Rabbi Yehuda Stern and his wife, Estee, moved to South Africa 18 years ago from Melbourne Australia. Today, he is the senior rabbi of the Sydenham Shul.