New blood for the SAJBD in Joburg

A crop of new leaders has stepped forward, offering to help shape the future of Jewish life in Johannesburg. Several fresh faces are standing for election to the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) Johannesburg Council on 11 October. 

Among them are influential lawyers, educators, and politicians. They bring experience from different areas of Jewish communal and professional life and have their own reasons and ideas about how to contribute to the Board’s work. 

The election of Joburg’s Jewish representatives on Sunday will bring affiliate organisations to the ballot box. These include shuls, schools, women’s organisations, youth movements, and many others. They will have the opportunity to review the 20 candidates and make their selections for the 15 seats on the council. 

Many of the candidates have worked with the SAJBD in some capacity before. However, they are still excited to have the opportunity to have more of an impact. 

“It is important that our affiliates elect leaders that will represent them effectively and stand up for their interests,” says Wendy Kahn, national director of the SAJBD. “This is a remarkable Jewish community, renowned globally, and it is the role of our leadership to promote, protect, and ensure that this continues to flourish.” 

Attorney Sarah Levy was co-opted onto the SAJBD Gauteng Council after initially advising the Board on a matter in 2025. Since then, she has gained insight into how the organisation operates and a deeper appreciation for its work. 

“Standing for election is an opportunity to use my professional expertise to serve our community. I share the Board’s commitment to ensuring that South African Jews can participate fully in all aspects of life in our country,” she says. 

Gila Abramson, who has practised construction law for 17 years, is standing for election because she believes she can help advance the Board’s goals, particularly its work to uphold the civil and religious rights of South African Jewry. 

“This work is all crucial to maintaining a vibrant Jewish way of life and creating a safe and positive future for South African Jews. For me, raising three daughters in South Africa makes the work of the Board and its goals that much more personal,” she says. 

Darren Bergman brings decades of community service and political experience, including as a ward councillor and member of Parliament. Having often been asked why he’d never put his name forward for the SAJBD, he felt the time was right to see how his experience and the organisation could mutually benefit each other. 

“I believe that it’s at a time like this – for all bodies that share a common identity or cause, albeit in religion or in the love for our Constitution and the country that she protects – that unity and networking are key to our continued stability and contribution. I believe that I can add value positively and productively, and that is exactly how I intend to contest these elections,” he says. 

Monica Solomon has been involved in communal affairs since 1996, holding leadership roles in the SA Union of Temple Sisterhoods, Women of Reform Judaism, and the SA Union for Progressive Judaism. A member of the SAJBD Gauteng Council and national executive since 2016, she is standing for election to ensure Progressive Jews are represented. 

“If elected, I hope to continue working together with the amazing members of the Board for our community, whatever their affiliation. It has been an absolute privilege to have been part of this amazing organisation that does so much incredible work for our community,” she says. 

Mark Oppenheimer plans to bring his experience as an advocate, involvement in university governance, defence of constitutional rights, and confronting of antisemitism to the SAJBD. 

“If elected, I would focus on strengthening the Board’s response to antisemitism through public advocacy and, where appropriate, legal action. Supporting Jewish students would be a particular priority. Universities must be places where students can learn and debate freely, including expressing support for Israel, without being targeted or excluded. 

“I would also work towards greater transparency and accountability within the Board. Members of the community should understand how decisions are made, have meaningful opportunities to contribute, and be able to hold their representatives accountable,” he says. 

Bethia Milner, a former national chairperson of the South African Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS), has served on the SAJBD Gauteng Council since 2024. With a background in youth leadership and communal organisations, she is passionate about combatting antisemitism and believes she can continue making a valuable contribution to the Board. 

“As the youngest member of the Board, I hope to bring a youth perspective. As former SAUJS national chairperson, I also bring a wealth of experience in dealing with issues that Jewish students face on campus and an ability to engage across communities to achieve my vision of making a South African Jewish community that is strong and proud and not insular,” she says. 

A complete newbie to the SAJBD, Joseph Gerassi, executive head of Redhill School, has more than three decades of experience in educational and community leadership in South Africa and internationally. Gerassi decided to run because he believes leadership should reflect the breadth and diversity of the community it represents. 

“If elected, I hope to help strengthen the connection of younger generations to Jewish communal life, broaden participation, and ensure that different Jewish voices feel that they belong and are heard. I would also like to contribute to building meaningful relationships beyond our community. For me, a strong Jewish future in South Africa depends not only on protecting who we are, but on creating a community that the next generation actively wants to be part of,” says Gerassi. 

Benji Falkson, who combines a decade of Torah study with experience in Jewish education, business, and communal initiatives, is also running for the SAJBD for the first time. “I am seeking election to the Board to advance the objective of peace through complex dialogue, bringing communities together by navigating difficult conversations with nuance and empathy,” he said.