Connection, recollection, condolence

This week, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) continued its vital international engagements, fostering connections that strengthen our community on the global stage. National Director Wendy Kahn joined counterparts from 60 communities around the world at the World Jewish Congress (WJC) National Community Directors Forum in Bratislava, Slovakia. This gathering provides an invaluable space for open dialogue, where they share experiences, exchange ideas, and learn from one another in a spirit of collaboration and mutual support.

Kahn had the honour of speaking on a panel addressing five pressing challenges facing Jewish communities worldwide: resilience; antisemitism and online hate; security; diplomacy; and youth engagement. Her address focused on diplomacy, drawing from the SAJBD’s successful efforts to engage with universities at various levels, yielding meaningful outcomes for our community.

The meeting was timed to coincide with the “Day of the Victims of the Holocaust and Racial Violence” which marks the adoption of the 1941 “Jewish Code”, the most extensive anti-Jewish legal measures of the wartime Slovak state. The code introduced a racial definition of Jews, leading to their exclusion, impoverishment, and deportation. By the end of the war, tens of thousands of Slovak Jews had been murdered in Nazi extermination camps. A solemn ceremony was held on the site where the synagogue once stood, forging a profound connection between the WJC’s work and the painful lessons of our history. Such moments ground us, urging us to remain vigilant and committed to remembrance.

I, too, have been immersed in reflecting on our people’s harrowing past. This week, alongside Vice-President Mary Kluk, I attended the Claims Conference directors’ meeting in New York. The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, or “Claims Conference”, represents the world’s Jews in negotiating for compensation and restitution for victims of Nazi persecution and their heirs. As a member organisation, the SAJBD holds a seat on its board, and it’s a privilege to contribute to this essential work. With the number of survivors dwindling each year, the Claims Conference’s role grows ever more crucial, ensuring that those who endured unimaginable suffering can live their remaining days with dignity and security. We owe it to them to honour their resilience and preserve their stories.

Our hearts are heavy with the tragic news of the deadly shooting at a bus stop in Jerusalem this week, which claimed at least six lives and left seven others critically injured. This senseless act starkly reminds us of the persistent and grave threats facing Israel’s citizens and the broader Jewish world. The hatred and violence that ignited the 7 October 2023 attacks linger as a constant shadow, in Israel and beyond.

We extend our deepest condolences and unwavering support to the victims’ families, praying for the swift and complete recovery of the wounded. We continue our call for the immediate release of the hostages, and an end to this devastating war that has weighed so heavily on Israel and our global community for far too long.