OWN CORRESPONDENT
Rabbi Margolis joined a lawsuit instituted by two Capetonians against the SA Jewish Board of Deputies (Cape) in her capacity as chairman of SACRED (the SA Centre for Religious Equality and Diversity).
The action in the Equality Court arose from an SAJBD decision not to allow women singers at the annual Yom Hashoah services throughout the country.
“Taking this matter to the Equality Court was a decision taken by an individual which I’m sure will be supported by a sector of our men and women, both Progressive and Orthodox. It was not supported by the SAUPJ,” Kushner said in a statement.
“However, we share the frustration felt by women who are prohibited from singing at the Yom Hashoah memorial services throughout South Africa. Over the years our representatives, who serve as members of the Board of Deputies, have pleaded for equal rights for women at this event. To date this right has not been given recognition by the BOD. We are deeply concerned that this action was not again considered by the Board of Deputies.”
The concern of the SAUPJ, he says, is that the nature of the Yom Hashoah event, as a Jewish commemoration of the Holocaust, is an open ceremony and is attended by Jews throughout South Africa regardless of affiliation.
“We all accept that Yom Hashoah is the day of observance that all Jews grieve together, pray together and sing together as we reflect on the horrific social injustices of the past as well as the present.
“This memorial event intensifies the anguish felt by Progressive Jews as we once again are forced to heed the ruling that the singing voices of women are to be muzzled by the organisers.
“The issue of gender equality is one close to the hearts of every Progressive Jew. I am particularly sensitive to the anguish that Progressive and many Orthodox women experience by extreme discrimination against them.”
But taking the issue to the Equality Court by co-respondent SACRED, did not have the blessing of the SAUPJ, Kushner said.
