Those who stand bravely against Jew-hatred

It is with profound sadness that we learnt this week of the passing of Abraham Foxman, former director of the Anti-Defamation League, tireless campaigner against antisemitism and other forms of hate, and, not incidentally, a Holocaust survivor himself. Abe was, quite simply, a legend. A towering figure in the history of the Jewish people and in the broader struggle for human dignity and decency. He believed that the world could be made better and that hatred could be defeated, and he worked courageously and genuinely towards this end. 

What strikes me most, reflecting on his legacy, is the extraordinary way in which he transformed the weight of a devastating personal history into a force for good. Abe didn’t allow the trauma of his past to diminish him. He channelled it, with discipline, and purpose, into a lifetime of advocacy, education, and action. That’s a lesson for all of us, in every community, in every generation. May Abe’s memory be a blessing, and may his life’s work continue to inspire all of us to carry it forward. 

In this light, we were so proud to watch the march against antisemitism in London at the weekend. The turnout was powerful and, notably, the crowd extended well beyond the Jewish community. Many allies chose to stand with us, lending their voices and their presence to a message that needed to be heard. 

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis addressed the march with the grace and gravitas his role demands, and with a directness that the moment required. “A poisonous antisemitism has become normalised in the UK. It is unacceptable that our communities can only function behind high fences and with security guards. It is unacceptable that social media platforms continue to spew out Jew-hatred with impunity. It is unacceptable that Iran is inspiring violence against British citizens on British soil.” 

In directly naming Iran and calling for political intervention, Chief Rabbi Mirvis stepped beyond the customary restraint of his office. That he felt compelled to do so is itself a reflection of the gravity of this moment, not only for British Jews, but for Jewish communities across the diaspora. 

This week, South African Jewish Board of Deputies Vice-President Mary Kluk and I are attending the World Jewish Congress (WJC) conference in Geneva. The WJC was founded in this very city in the historically urgent year of 1936, and this conference marks its 90th anniversary. 

The conference featured a remarkable address by Axel Springer chief executive Mathias Döpfner, who provided one of the most forceful defences of Israel and the Jewish people I have heard from a non-Jewish public figure. 

“Antisemitism is no longer a dark shadow from Austria and Germany,” he said. “It has become a global export hit.” His call for zero tolerance towards Jew-hatred, stronger action against online incitement, and expanded Holocaust education resonated deeply. As did his simple, unequivocal declaration: “I am a Zionist.” The willingness of allies like Döpfner to stand with us, publicly and without qualification, is something we must acknowledge and cherish. 

I was honoured to address a session on community and government action on antisemitism, presenting our South African experience as a case study in operating under a challenging political environment, and drawing practical lessons about achieving meaningful results in spite of difficult conditions. It is always a privilege to represent our community on the global Jewish stage, and always a reminder that, whatever the local burdens, we are never facing this alone.