Messages from the SA Jewish Report team

Every birthday and celebration, the SA Jewish Report team sends a card with messages to the person celebrating. It seemed fitting for us to create space to write about Steven Gruzd, whose birthday we marked shortly before his death. 

Nicola Miltz, journalist 

I keep going back to years of WhatsApp messages between Steven and me, stories we worked on, ideas we threw around, the many times I asked him for his take. He was always there. Thoughtful, steady, and generous with his time and insight. 

I feel so lucky to have worked with him, and to have had him as someone I could rely on. He just got it – the nuance, the bigger picture – and he brought a calm, balanced perspective to everything. 

I will really miss his insight, his quiet presence, and his dry wit. He was funny. 

Thursday editorial meetings won’t be the same. I’ll miss you, Steven. Always. 

Britt Landsman, senior account manager and sales executive 

It has been a true privilege and honour to have known and worked alongside Steve for more than 14 years. As one of the original stalwarts of the team, you were part of its very foundation, helping shape not only what we do, but who we are. 

You were so much more than a colleague. You were a truly kind and genuine person. You always had a warm smile and a kind word for everyone, and you made each of us feel seen, valued, and supported. That is a rare gift, and one that will never be forgotten. 

Your absence feels surreal, and the space you leave behind is immeasurable. You will be profoundly missed, not just as part of the team, but as a friend and a remarkable human being who touched so many lives. 

Our hearts go out to Mandy and the girls during this incredibly difficult time. We are holding them in our thoughts and sending them all our love and strength. 

Tali Feinberg, journalist 

From when I began writing for the SA Jewish Report, Steven was there. I never stopped to notice what a constant presence he was, always willing to make the time to share his wisdom, encouragement, and support. He was so much part of the newspaper that it is only now, with his life ripped away so brutally, that it is clear how interwoven he was in the newspaper and the community. He leaves behind a gaping void that I don’t know we will ever be able to close. Instead, we must learn to live with the loss – senseless, dark, and endless. 

Because he was a political analyst, I often approached Steve for comments on my stories, and he did his best to share his insights at short notice, even with his own heavy workload. We shared contacts, ideas, jokes, and words of encouragement. He once told me he was surprised at my young age, as I had “wisdom beyond my years”. In that moment I felt like he really saw me for who I was and what I had to offer, and I think he did that for a lot of people. 

Steve was highly respected in both his work and his Scrabble, locally and abroad, but he never acted like he was above anyone else. In fact, the opposite. He was so humble and so excited about the little things, like getting an article on the front page or finishing a tough story. He shared his Scrabble passion and accomplishments with such joy that it was infectious, and it was special to see someone throw themselves into their hobby with such enthusiasm. 

He still had so much to do. He had made it his mission to get an interview with the new United States ambassador to South Africa, and was persistently working on making it happen. He was teaching a Melton course on Jewish and Muslim relations. He was supporting his wife and daughters through the loss of their mother and grandmother. He was planning what he was going to write next week. 

So, he was a constant, a steady presence in the lives of his family, colleagues, and friends around the world. Now, we are all left shaken, broken, lost and flailing. I only hope his steady, assured, and calm strength can now guide us from above. 

My thoughts are with his beloved family and everyone he impacted around the globe. He will never be forgotten. 

Kim Hatchuel, proofreader 

I’m not sure I have the right words for this, which feels strange when writing about Steven Gruzd. 

Steve was someone I trusted completely. As a proofreader, you get used to second-guessing everything, but not with him. His writing was clear, careful, and just made sense. And if he ever queried something or pointed out a mistake, I knew to take it seriously, because he was almost always right. I learned so much from him, often just by reading his work. 

He really loved language. You could see it in everything he wrote, and in the way he played Scrabble, which he was exceptional at. Words mattered to him, and he treated them with respect. 

More than that, he was just a lovely person to work with. Kind, funny, and quietly brilliant. 

A true mensch, and someone I will miss very much. 

Gillian Klawansky, journalist 

Steve was simply a mensch. He took a real interest in people, and was warm and intelligent. He approached his many interests with a passion I admired and lived a very full life. At a Jewish Achievers breakfast last year, we sat together and he told me about some of his many travels, an interest we shared. 

He took great pride in his daughters with his beloved wife, Mandy, and was a consummate family man. I remember when he connected me with one of his fellow Scrabble fundis for an article on couples who had been married for more than 50 years. We chatted about what a special couple she and her husband were, he let me know how much they enjoyed chatting to me, and later messaged me when they passed away. He was a man who truly cared, a rare quality these days. He will be missed. 

Claudia Gross, journalist 

Steve was one of the best colleagues I’ve had. He was always quick to help me with a comment or suggest contacts for me to speak to for articles. He had a great sense of humour and would have been an amazing host if he had started a current affairs podcast. I will miss him in our team meetings and extend my wishes of long life to his family. 

Lee Tankle, journalist 

Steven had an immeasurable impact on everyone at the SA Jewish Report. Whether it was asking for comment or guidance on a story about international relations, or Scrabble, he was ready and willing to help in any way he could. 

I remember how, after he won the South African Masters Scrabble Championships in June 2024 for the second time in a row, I was assigned to write the story about his win. He was the most gracious winner, and wasn’t annoyed at my constant messages and calls asking when he would be available, given that we were chasing a deadline. Even though I was the one nagging him, he sent me a message thanking me for being so patient and persistent. I think that tells you everything you need to know about Steve. 

He will be sorely missed, not just by those who work at and read the SA Jewish Report, but the community as a whole. 

Bryan Maron, layout and design 

I was so shocked and saddened to hear the horrific news early on Saturday morning. 

Steven was kind, easy to be around, and always willing to help all of us. It’s hard to believe he’s gone, and he’ll really be missed. 

To Mandy and the girls, I’m so sorry for your loss. Please know how much he meant to the people he worked with, and how many lives he touched in his own quiet way. Thinking of you during this incredibly difficult time. 

May his memory always bring you strength and comfort. 

Sandy Furman, sales and office coordinator 

It was a true pleasure to have known and worked with Steve. He was a remarkable man, kind, warm-hearted, and a true gentleman, whose gentle smile will always be remembered. My heartfelt wishes go to Mandy and his daughters for strength, comfort, and a long life. 

Gilana Lab, digital media coordinator 

I haven’t been at the SA Jewish Report for long, but Steve made me feel so welcome. He was always willing to help with story ideas, contacts, and just a smile to the team. He will be sorely missed and has left a big hole in the team. 

May his memory forever be a blessing, Baruch Dayan Ha’emet. 

Julie Leibowitz, former subeditor 

You never got to the end of a Steven Gruzd story convinced of your opinions. That’s because he researched every issue and strove to be fair. On reading his pieces about whatever global, geopolitical, international issue he was writing about, you were left questioning. That is excellent journalism. 

He was also a joy to work with. As a South African Scrabble champion, Steven loved words and knew what they meant. But he often praised my headlines. It meant a lot. 

He attended almost every SA Jewish Report editorial meeting, even though he had a hectic “real” job. He had gravitas – if Steven said something, everyone would listen because they knew that he knew. 

He was often invited to share his expertise, and would mention these appearances casually, a sort of “You may be interested, but I’m speaking on 702 on some such …” Almost apologetic, never blowing his own trumpet. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t sharp. 

I wish his wife, Mandy, and their children long life.