Board elects new KZN president

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) has elected Alana Pugh-Jones Baranov president of the SAJBD KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) council. Described as a dynamic leader with an inspiring track record, Baranov brings a wealth of experience, passion, and commitment to the role.

Baranov’s longstanding dedication to the SAJBD includes serving as the first diplomatic liaison for the Board’s national office and as political and social justice liaison. She is a steering committee member of the World Jewish Congress’s Jewish Diplomatic Corps and co-chairperson of its Women’s Representation Task Team. Locally, in Durban, Baranov serves on the Jewish sub-committee of the Victor Daitz Foundation, was previously vice-president of the Council of KwaZulu-Natal Jewry, and has acted as social justice liaison at the Durban Holocaust & Genocide Centre.

Born in Zimbabwe, Baranov is a social justice advocate and the first South Africa country director for HIAS, the global Jewish humanitarian organisation supporting refugees and asylum seekers. As a founding member and co-deputy chairperson of the Hate Crimes Working Group, she has driven advocacy for hate crimes legislation and awareness. Baranov also spearheads impactful refugee and interfaith initiatives, including co-ordinating the groundbreaking Make Us Count interfaith, multinational election observer team.

Baranov has a Master of Philosophy in Justice and Transformation from the University of Cape Town, and is in the Beit Midrash Program at Yeshivat Maharat, the first Orthodox Jewish institution to ordain women. Her unique blend of social responsibility, Yiddishkeit, and leadership has defined her remarkable career.

The SAJBD is thrilled that Baranov is stepping into this role, and eagerly anticipates the positive impact she will make in KZN and across South Africa.