Great initiative, but will leaders respond to feedback?

This National Jewish Dialogue is a wonderful initiative that is long overdue. There are many spheres of Jewish leadership, each running with their own initiatives or priorities, and as a community, we are missing out on valuable unity and synergy.

I support this process, and hope that it will uncover the real sentiments of South African Jewry and be a gauge for Jewish leadership to help it improve institutions and the plight of the Jewish people in their communities and beyond.

The National Dialogue is seeking to unify and get ears closer to the ground. Unfortunately, history has shown us that an expensive exercise like that with a broad base in which sectors are or not represented, can only end in a talk shop and nothing tangible. Based on the representatives picked on the national stage, one is already inclined to understand the agenda.

Having a wide call for written submissions and keeping the questions open ended, the SA Jewish Report has shown how it could consult widely and gauge the sentiment of a nation with minimal resources yet maximum return.

The challenge we have is what will be done with the input received from the submissions. Will leaders and organisations be open to constructive feedback, and will it lead to necessary change?

My humble observations based on conversations with community leaders and friends of the community, is summarised in five key points:

1. Inclusive leadership;
2. Vocal and visible campaigning to balance the narrative propagated against the community;
3. Organisations that are sincere and empathetic to the plight of this community, and have their finger on the pulse of the sentiment of this community;
4. Broad-based representation on local, domestic, and international bodies; and
5. Promotion, unity, and productivity among the top Jewish leaders in the community. By celebrating each other’s achievements; opening doors for each other rather than slamming them in each other’s face; and building bigger and better bridges intra and inter-community style.

I wish for strong and passionate leaders that empower and grow the people beneath and beside them. Leaders that will inspire, motivate, and give the community hope and represent it collectively.

Good luck with this wonderful initiative!

• Darren Bergman is Democratic Alliance spokesperson in the Office of the Presidency for planning, monitoring, and evaluation. He has a BCom and MPA (Master of Public Administration).