BRIAN JOSSELOWITZ
Pictured: Mensch Network members Gina Levy, Debbie Silver and Daphne Miller.
PHOTOGRAPH: MENSCH NETWORK
“The Cape SAJBD historically has created several initiatives which have gone on to be separate organisations, for example Staffwise and the CSO. The SAJBD Cape Council often plays the role of facilitating discussion and bringing different parties together. This created an ideal environment for the formation of a network of Jewish people working for social change in some way.
The Mensch Network brought together Jewish people working in, or running NGOs, social entrepreneurs working in for-profit businesses which have at their core the social upliftment of people and communities.
“Whether people are working in social change or do a lot of volunteering, they are welcome to join the Mensch Network.
“It soon became clear that there was far more potential for Mensch beyond the network, so I negotiated with the SAJBD to allow me to take Mensch out and set it up as an organisation in its own right,” Flash said.
Now Mensch is governed by a board of eight community members and leaders: Dr Jonathan Marks (chairman); Miriam Luyt (treasurer); Helen Lieberman; Michael Bagraim; Dianna Yach; Li Boiskin; Patti Silbert; Roy Silver; and Gina Flash.
Some 50 people attended the relaunch to celebrate that it is now an independent Jewish organisation and to update the Jewish community and broader civil society partners on Mensch’s plans for the future.
A highlight of the relaunch was the facilitated conversation between Helen Lieberman, founder of NGO Ikamva Labantu and Lauren Gillis, founder of fundraising social enterprise Relate.
Social entrepreneur and mentor Roy Silver moderated this session in which the two social change leaders shared their personal journeys and motivation for what they do, as well as their collaboration in how Relate operates.
The Relate model is one where “gogos” from iKamva run seniors clubs and bead the Relate bracelets into large balls of strung bead strands. They are paid for their work per ball. These balls then come to Relate where unemployed youth cut the bracelets to size, join and package them for sale.
“There are 50 Mensch Network members in Cape Town. We are going to expand nationally and are planning a launch event in Johannesburg soon. Mensch benefits the Jewish community in that it connects change makers to increase the impact of their work.
“It benefits our community generally as it showcases the amazing work and commitment of Jewish South Africans to the future of this country and the important role we play – and therefore our relevance as a community of leaders and change-makers.
“Mensch creates a bridge between people and communities and creates ways for our community to play a role in meeting the challenges facing South Africa, proudly as Jews working outside of the Jewish community, primarily in poor and disadvantaged communities,” Flash said.
* To register as a Mensch Network member or to find out more, visit www.mensch.org.za/register
