MICHAEL SIEFF
It’s understandable then, that the structure of the Chevrah Kadisha changes in response to each fluctuation in our society and economy. And when I say “fluctuation” I mean in the broadest sense. Everything that happens to anyone in our community has a direct effect on the Chev – on what, and on how much, it must provide.
Although that may sound like our response is always reactive, the truth is that we are also tuned into the community to sense changing trends and new approaches in all fields. In that way we can anticipate needs and adopt a proactive stance by sharing preventive and educational information, like marriage enrichment, abuse awareness and much more.
While it’s way more complex than this, I like to draw the Chev’s dynamic triangle with “Care” on the left angle, “Cost” on the right, “Fundraising” along the bottom, and in the centre, “Community needs”.
By way of illustration: Years ago when the devastating tsunami occurred in South East Asia, it was holiday season in South Africa and the beautiful beaches in Thailand had attracted hundreds of Jewish visitors from here.
Death and trauma are not strangers to the Chev, but the immensity and horror of that natural disaster presented some uncharted territory and new challenges. At the time, four Jewish South Africans died tragically and a great many more were injured and traumatised by the floods.
There were multiple areas in which the Chev was called upon to provide comfort and help: trauma response; repatriation of bodies for burial; and, in the weeks that followed, trauma and bereavement counselling.
Responding to the community’s needs in those circumstances was demanding, but of course essential. Thank G-d situations of such magnitude are rare, but there are frequently conditions in which needs accelerate, like in response to the current drought and rand-dollar exchange rate, the full impact of which is yet to be felt.
What the Chev never wants to do is to lower standards of care. Therefore, when the centre of our triangle, community needs, is stimulated, our costs skyrocket and our fundraising department is under pressure to access additional donor funds.
Everything is amplified because everything is connected.
May our partnership continue to thrive. Feedback@jhbchev.co.za
