National Jewish Dialogue
Shrinking community should turn inward to prosper
As a South African living abroad for 40 years, my heart remains with the country and its people, especially the Jewish community I deeply cherish. I write as an outsider, yet my identity and love for South Africa endures.
With only about 35 000 Jews in a nation of 60 million – 0.05% of the population – our community’s influence is limited, despite our historical role in the liberation struggle. Once celebrated, we now face disproportionate hostility from parts of the African National Congress government and broader society. Like frogs in slowly boiling water, we risk complacency in the face of looming threats.
Our focus must turn inward to ensure the resilience, well-being, and longevity of the South African Jewish community, whether in South Africa or abroad. Communal leadership should demand a clear, unequivocal statement from the government affirming its commitment to our safety and dignity.
Rather than spreading resources thin on broad societal goals, we must prioritise strengthening our community through robust educational, cultural, and spiritual programmes that foster pride in Jewish identity and prepare our youth for future challenges.
Drawing on our heritage as descendants of Jewish immigrants from Lithuania and Rhodes, we must empower our children to thrive, whether through local opportunities or supported pathways for emigration to realise their fullest potential.
By building a united, self-reliant community, we honour our past and secure a vibrant future for South African Jews, wherever they choose to call home.
- Grant Arthur Gochin lives in Los Angeles, and is engaged in international affairs with a focus on Jewish interests.
Marion Hoffmann
August 22, 2025 at 5:51 pm
Beautifully written and uplifting article,Loren Lachman. You have three very fortunate children.
Michael John Bass
August 22, 2025 at 7:06 pm
Thanks Grant for your always insightful positive views and comments. A very difficult time for us all and your input is valuable and very much respected.
The challenges are many, as we are all so aware these days, but as always we must and will cope, adapt, rise above the threats and prosper.
Take care
Michael
Take care
Michael
Mark Wade
August 22, 2025 at 7:32 pm
Factors that dominate Jewish life in South Africa are overwhelming; from the demonisation of Jews, Israel and white people by government and their allies, to the racist and discriminatory apartheid laws of BEE, EE, AA and quotas. There’s the uncertain political and economic environment, and the crime and corruption. It’s not a healthy society, in fact, staring into the abyss of being a failed state. While Jews have made invaluable contributions to South African society; from anti-apartheid activists to Nobel Prize winners, industrialists, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, artists, doctors, politicians and scientists, they’re ignored, written-out of history, and relegated to second class citizens.
Wendy Roth
August 23, 2025 at 11:22 pm
Loren Lachman’s article is amazing and very intuitive.
Kol Hakavod Loren. Hope all parents are thinking in the same direction as you are. One does have to put the children and how to manage their issues first.