Farewell to visionary Jewish leader, Li Boiskin

Li Boiskin was rav chesed – filled with loving kindness that she poured out onto all, no matter age, stage, gender, race, or class. She was a rare leader, who led with kindness, a value not associated often enough with leaders.

I was lucky to be able to call Li my leader, my mentor, and my friend.

In 2011, the second year into Li Boiskin’s tenure as chairperson of the Cape SA Jewish Board of Deputies (Cape SAJBD), I joined Li on a trip to New York and Washington, D.C. It was there I discovered that to judge Li on years was folly. I schlepped Li, first through New York City, from meeting to meeting, taking subways, getting lost, walking – sometimes running because we were late – and then through Washington, from museum to museum, all the way to the Lincoln Memorial – me in my sandals, and Li immaculately attired, as always. Our trip included a ride at the Space & Science Museum in Washington that had Li hanging upside down!

Behind Li’s meticulous attention to detail, her ubiquitous notetaking, and her sartorial elegance lay a remarkably vibrant, dynamic, seeking, and visionary Jewish leader.

Li exhibited elements of both Jewish prophet and priest. She was relentless in her pursuit of justice and was unafraid to speak truth to power, at the same time valuing Jewish traditions, ritual, and text.

Li eschewed the status quo, and opted for innovation. She was deeply committed to nurturing young Jewish leaders, and championed many such initiatives. She was incredibly well read, informed, and global in outlook, and new ideas never scared her.

It was during her time at the Cape Board that she supported the creation of two initiatives: B-JEN, the Black and Jewish Entrepreneurial Network that ran for a few years and created meaningful engagement and connection between Jewish and Black South Africans. And although she encountered some opposition, she also championed the creation of a new social justice initiative, the Mensch Network, which has now become a stand-alone Jewish organisation committed to social change.

I was inspired and humbled by Li’s unshakeable integrity. She was incorruptible, had a strong and contagious moral compass, and wasn’t influenced by money, power, and populism. She was, in my opinion, the ultimate Jewish leader, caring solely for the welfare of others and championing what’s right.

Her leadership was in her character. Li was first and foremost a wonderful human being. A mensch. She treated everyone with kindness and compassion, and lived a life of loving generosity.

Spending as much time as I was fortunate to spend with Li over my years at the Cape SAJBD had a palpable impact on my own Jewish life. Li represented all that’s best about being Jewish, and lived and demonstrated many of the foundational values of Jewish life: faith; family; community; tradition; learning; and tzedek (justice).

It was from Li that I learned that tzedek doesn’t stand outside Judaism, but is built on a strong foundation of a committed, rich, and meaningful Jewish life.

In the coming weeks, a lot will be written about the legacy of truth, compassion, and community that Li leaves behind.

A bright light has left us, and the world feels a little darker without her.

Heartfelt condolences from me and my family to Stan, Grant, Michelle, Jonathan, and families.

COMMUNITY WORK

Cape SAJBD

Li’s lifelong commitment to bettering both the Jewish community and the wider world is honoured through the Li Boiskin Jewish Social Justice Fellowship through the Kaplan Centre for Jewish Studies at the University of Cape Town. In 2022, she was awarded the Cape SAJBD Jewish Vision Award for her extraordinary service to Jewish life in South Africa.

She was the first person to be elected to two successive terms as Cape SAJBD chairperson – from 2010 to 2013 – guiding the community with wisdom, integrity, and principled advocacy. Across nearly two decades around the Board table, she championed inclusion, interfaith engagement, and the promotion of diversity within the Jewish community.

WIZO

She dedicated 60 years of her life to WIZO, having been chairperson of Bnoth Zion WIZO CT for many years. Thereafter, she served on the executive committee as national hasbarah convenor and on the board of honorary officers.

Mensch

Li was the original driving force behind Jewish involvement in social justice in South Africa, believing it was part of Jewish DNA to help those we live among. She was Cape SAJBD chairperson when she and Gina Flash conceptualised the Mensch Network to ensure that the Jewish community was involved in transformation. When Mensch went on its own, Li continued as a founding board member.