News

    • LanaMarksCover

    Experts say plot to assassinate US ambassador is ‘plausible’

    Sep 17, 2020 Go comment!
    United States ambassador to South Africa, Lana Marks, may have to alter her Rosh Hashanah plans and lie low as the community prepares to usher in the New Year. This, as revelations of an alleged Iran-backed plot to assassinate her on home soil reverberated here and across the diplomatic world this week.
    Full story
    • ChiefRabbi

    Chief rabbis take on COVID-19

    Sep 17, 2020 Go comment!
    “We have never had greater technological control of the human condition, and yet at the same time, one tiny little virus has brought humanity to a standstill. It’s dramatic.” So says Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, the former chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth.
    Full story
    • Zoom2

    Trolls add insult to injury on SAJR webinar

    Sep 17, 2020 Go comment!
    As people were giving heartbreaking accounts of life after tragedy at the SA Jewish Report webinar last Thursday, 10 September, the live stream on YouTube was attacked by internet trolls. Nonsensical phrases, anti-Israel blasts, cruel taunts, and antisemitic outbursts flooded the comment section.
    Full story

  • Experts say plot to assassinate US ambassador is ‘plausible’

    United States ambassador to South Africa, Lana Marks, may have to alter her Rosh Hashanah plans and lie low as the community prepares to usher in the New Year. This, as revelations of an alleged Iran-backed plot to assassinate her on home soil reverberated here and across the diplomatic world this week.

    Full Story

  • Battle over will breaks down East London community

    The East London Chevrah Kadisha (ELCK) is in an ugly dispute with the former rabbi of the coastal city’s community, which has led to the breakdown of the congregation in spite of extensive efforts by the Beth Din to mediate a resolution.

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  • SA-born pilot flies historic Israel – UAE voyage

    When South African-born pilot Tal Becker, 64, touched down at Ben Gurion Airport on the return leg of the historic, first-ever direct journey from Israel to Abu Dhabi, he shut down the engines on El Al flight LY972 and was instantly flooded with emotion.

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  • Pandor hints at more pragmatic approach to Israel

    South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, has openly acknowledged Israel’s right to exist in peace and security as a Jewish state, and that South Africa’s planned embassy downgrade could be stopped or reversed.

    Full Story

  • Congregants euphoric about reopening of shuls

    After five months of silence and stillness, the sound of prayer is once again reverberating around shuls across South Africa as doors are opened to welcome congregants back.

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  • SA pours cold water on Israel’s deal with UAE

    As widespread international support for the recent deal to normalise diplomatic ties between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel continues to grow, the South African government has slammed the deal calling it “regrettable”.

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SA News

    • LanaMarksCover

    Experts say plot to assassinate US ambassador is ‘plausible’

    Sep 17, 2020 Go comment!
    United States ambassador to South Africa, Lana Marks, may have to alter her Rosh Hashanah plans and lie low as the community prepares to usher in the New Year. This, as revelations of an alleged Iran-backed plot to assassinate her on home soil reverberated here and across the diplomatic world this week.
    Full story
    • ChiefRabbi

    Chief rabbis take on COVID-19

    Sep 17, 2020 Go comment!
    “We have never had greater technological control of the human condition, and yet at the same time, one tiny little virus has brought humanity to a standstill. It’s dramatic.” So says Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, the former chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth.
    Full story
    • Zoom2

    Trolls add insult to injury on SAJR webinar

    Sep 17, 2020 Go comment!
    As people were giving heartbreaking accounts of life after tragedy at the SA Jewish Report webinar last Thursday, 10 September, the live stream on YouTube was attacked by internet trolls. Nonsensical phrases, anti-Israel blasts, cruel taunts, and antisemitic outbursts flooded the comment section.
    Full story
    • Seef

    Moving forward from the unimaginable

    Sep 17, 2020 Go comment!
    When 19-year-old Johannesburg medical student Adam Seef took his own life on a trip to Israel in June 2019, it rattled the community to its core. Since then, many have attempted to find their way back from that dark day.
    Full story

Israel News

    • Paula

    Finally … Israel forms a government

    May 21, 2020 Go comment!
    After the longest political deadlock in Israeli history – more than 500 days – the country finally has a new government. With 36 ministers and 16 deputy ministers, it’s the most bloated government to date.
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    • Paula

    Will Israel head to the International Criminal Court?

    Apr 30, 2020 Go comment!
    As if the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the crisis in Israeli politics isn’t enough to keep senior policymakers and military officers awake at night, there’s another important debate.
    Full story
    • Paula

    An Israeli marriage not made in heaven

    Apr 23, 2020 1 Comment
    In one of the most spectacular U-turns in Israeli political history, the former army chief and leader of the Blue and White party, Benny Gantz, on Monday night signed a coalition agreement with incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
    Full story
    • Paula

    Playing a politics game that Netanyahu always wins

    Apr 02, 2020 Go comment!
    There’s a joke that in Israel, you play politics for 90 minutes and then, in the end, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu always wins. That’s certainly true three elections and 16 months without a government, later.
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    • Paula

    Israel to go on full lockdown

    Mar 26, 2020 Go comment!
    I write this hours before Israel goes into a full lockdown (on midnight, Wednesday 25 March). Still, it hasn’t been easy living under a partial one until now. Restaurants are closed, but you can walk or drive to one for takeaways. Soon that will stop, and only home deliveries will be possible. There’ll be no public transport, although the trains already ceased working days ago.
    Full story
    • Paula

    Under lockdown, Israel focuses on creating a government

    Mar 19, 2020 Go comment!
    Israeli coalition talks have begun in earnest. On Monday, Benny Gantz, the leader of the centrist Blue and White Party, was tasked by President Reuven Rivlin to try and form a government after he received the backing of 61 members of Knesset (Parliament).
    Full story

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World News

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Chief Rabbi reiterates his call of a year ago for Jacob Zuma to stand down in this Pesach Video, likening the SA saga of today to our flight from Egypt 3329 years ago. “With that freedom comes a voice” he says. He will be marching in Pretoria on Friday.  

Religious News

    • RabbonimSong1

    Rabbis find perfect pitch for Rosh Hashanah

    Sep 17, 2020 1 Comment
    A video by the South African Rabbinical Association of 40 South African rabbonim and chazzanim singing Avinu Malkeinu is being shared around the world as a symbol of hope and harmony ahead of the high holy days, which so many people will celebrate alone or apart from one another this year.
    Full story
    • semanim

    Sefardim do Rosh Hashanah with eastern flair

    Sep 17, 2020 Go comment!
    If you thought that the Rosh Hashanah experience was universal and uniform, think again. While many Ashkenazi Jews may be used to eating a few traditional New Year foods, Sefardim partake in an uplifting and colourful yom tov experience that goes well beyond apples dipped in honey.
    Full story
    • HowardAspan

    Fire and rebirth

    Sep 17, 2020 Go comment!
    This will be a high-anxiety Yom Kippur. Even the wave of relief from the shofar blast signalling the end of the fast will be short-lived.
    Full story
    • RabbiAriKievman

    Blasting our way out of our tears

    Sep 17, 2020 Go comment!
    When you think of Rosh Hashanah, what comes to mind? While there are so many customs, rituals, and traditions associated with this holiday, no doubt the shofar stands out as the featured highlight.
    Full story