Community at a crossroads

After four decades of working in Zionist organisations, I feel compelled to speak frankly. Our community is changing dramatically and it’s time we took a good, hard look at where we’re heading.

When I started, the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) was a powerhouse, home to vibrant political parties and dynamic youth movements. We used to hold regular Zionist elections in which thousands of community members across the country voted for positions on the federation. Today, it’s a shadow of its former self. Most of those parties are gone, and even our once-mighty women’s organisations like WIZO (Women’s International Zionist Organisation) have experienced steep declines in membership.

Much of this is due to immigration. We are now just a third of the size we once were, but we still carry the burden of maintaining the same – if not more – communal infrastructure. Frankly, it’s unsustainable.

Take Johannesburg. We have more shuls here than many much larger Jewish communities around the world. Some of these synagogues sit half-empty, but must still be cleaned, secured, insured, and maintained. Who’s paying for that, and for how much longer? We urgently need to rationalise.

Meanwhile, Zionist organisations face ongoing funding challenges. The cost of tours and programmes in Israel have become exorbitant for us with our rands. If Israel wants a strong Zionist presence in South Africa, it must invest in us.

What’s even more concerning is the lack of collaboration among our many Jewish organisations. We waste money duplicating efforts instead of streamlining activities. At a time when Israel is at war and global Jewry is under pressure, this kind of fragmentation is a luxury we cannot afford.

We are also failing to implement succession planning. Where are the future leaders? We cannot rely forever on the same ageing leadership. If we don’t mentor and empower the next generation, who will take our place?

I often ask myself what the South African Jewish community will look like in 10 or 20 years? Will we have the funds, the leadership, the unity to survive?

Cape Town provides a successful model for the future. Years ago, it put financial planning in place, and today, it’s more disciplined and secure. Cape Town’s strength lies in its centralised fundraising through the United Jewish Campaign; its well-managed endowment fund; and its community-wide co-ordination through a priorities board. Its Jewish organisations collaborate, avoid duplication, and operate with a long-term vision, something we urgently need to replicate elsewhere.

Along these lines, a national, long-term Jewish planning process must be initiated. We need a serious, strategic conversation about how to keep this precious community strong, not just Zionistically, but structurally and financially.

Playing a role in building a better South Africa has always been close to my heart. That’s why, 20 years ago, I pushed for the Jewish National Fund to establish the Walter Sisulu Environmental Centre in Mamelodi so that township children could benefit from Israel’s world-leading innovations in water and agriculture. Many other Jewish organisations have done incredible work to uplift poor communities in this country.

However, with the South African government’s decision to take Israel to the International Court of Justice, Israel and the global Jewish community are fed up with helping South Africa. Jewish charities are getting hit from both sides. Jews no longer want to support local outreach projects; and corporates don’t want to be seen supporting Jewish initiatives. Tragically, it’s the poorest of the poor in South Africa who will suffer most from this.

Despite these challenges, Jewish life in South Africa remains strong. Antisemitism exists, yes, but compared to many other countries, it’s far less prevalent. That’s thanks in large part to the tireless work of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, which deserves our gratitude.

So, yes, I’ve offered criticism. But I do so with love and with hope. Because even now, Israel and world Jewry look at us with admiration. They still see the South African Jewish community as among the best in the world.

Let’s not take that reputation for granted. Let’s work together – strategically, united, and with purpose – to ensure that future generation.

• Isla Feldman is the president of JNF South Africa, and honorary life vice chairperson of the SAZF.