On 11 November, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies belatedly celebrated its 120th anniversary with a special gala dinner at the Wanderers Club in Sandton. More than 300 people attended the event, among them ministers; deputy ministers; the heads of parliamentary portfolio committees; representatives from eight political parties; members of the diplomatic corps; a 16-person delegation from the American Jewish Council; two chief rabbis; more than 40 journalists; student leaders; interfaith community representatives; industry leaders; and prominent figures within the South African Jewish community. Actually, the SAJBD had reached the 120 milestone as early as April 2023. However, the events of 7 October saw the planned celebratory dinner being put off until this year.
The first keynote address, entitled “The South African Jewish community: recognising past contributions and envisioning a shared future” was delivered by Dr Mathews Phosa. The second was delivered by South African born chief rabbi of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, who highlighted the important role that the Jewish community had played in the struggle against apartheid. We are pleased to be able to publish the full text of Dr Phosa’s speech, as well as of the address delivered by SAJBD National Chairperson Prof Karen Milner.
WELCOME ADDRESS BY SAJBD CHAIRPERSON PROF KAREN MILNER
It feels strange to be standing here, celebrating this amazing milestone of 120 years of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies, in our 121st year. The reason for the anomaly, was of course because our original event was slated to take place just after October the 7th 2023 and we could not dance, drink and make merry while our hearts were broken over the men, women and children so brutally attacked by Hamas. And even now, after the first yahrtzeit of 1200 souls on one day, their memory and our constant awareness of the hostages in Gaza cannot be left unmentioned. In the same way that at the time of our greatest joy – under the Chuppah – the Jewish wedding canopy, we break a glass to remind ourselves of the destruction of Jerusalem, so in this wonderful celebration, we are mindful of all we have lost in the terrible events of Oct 7 and its aftermath – including deep sorrow and compassion for all the innocents who have lost their lives in this terrible war – on both sides.
So we remember … but in their wisdom, our Jewish sages teach us that we mourn for 1 year, and when that year is ended, we fully embrace the joys of life and so, we will dance again.
It was in this spirit of looking forward, that I was somewhat skeptical of the theme of this dinner when it was first proposed. With yet another democratic election under our belts, a peaceful and graceful transition of power from the ANC to the GNU, I wanted to look forward with tremendous hope and optimism to the future of our country, not back to our traumatized history.
But if there is one thing I know as a Jew (and a psychologist) is that you cannot truly move forward without knowing where you came from.
Tonight, we have two chief rabbis with us, both born in SA – Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein and Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and I am going to bring a third Chief Rabbi into this conversation – Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks OBM. Rabbi Sacks spoke about the importance of telling our history, referring to how Moses, on the brink of the exodus to the promised land, tells the Israelites three times to tell the story of their liberation to their children in future generations. And 3000 years later, we still do. “That is extraordinary says Rabbi Sacks – Why this obsession with storytelling?” The simplest answer is that “we are the stories we tell ourselves. There is an intrinsic, perhaps necessary link between narrative and identity. As the late Eli Wiesel said, ”God created man, because God loved stories”. We come to know who we are by discovering which stories we are part of. As Jews and as South Africans, we understand the importance of storytelling to keep a people’s memory and culture alive.
The story told by that magnificent exhibition in the foyer is just a fraction of the outsize contribution SA Jews have made to this beautiful country. It, together with the thousands of contributors we could have included – big and small – is a story of tenacity, resilience, family values, entrepreneurial spirit and the value of education. It is the story of my family and so many others – a story of a people fleeing poverty, the pogroms of Eastern Europe and the Nazi war machine and making, not just a life for themselves and their families in this country, but a success in all spheres – business, politics, the arts, academia and philanthropy. As you will hear soon, it is also a story of tremendous integrity and courage. During apartheid, many Jews, though by no means all, gave up their safe privileged lives as White South Africans to fight alongside their fellow Black South Africans for a nonracial democratic South Africa – which is where, thanks to the sacrifices of so many, we find ourselves today. Let us never take our democracy for granted.
In addition to our chief rabbis, South African Jewish icons, parliamentarians, diplomats, and awardees, we are honored tonight to have many who have crossed oceans to be with us and I extend a warm South African welcome to the American Jewish Committee delegation. I particularly urge the non-South Africans in the audience to think of exactly where you are in the world tonight – in Africa, in South Africa, in the Cradle of mankind. Our story here on the southernmost tip of Africa, is also the story of humankind and so, in a way, it is your story too … Just last week I attended an event at the Wits Origins centre – an art exhibition by a Jewish artist – focused on the 2.8-million-year-old Taung child skull. This child’s bones, thousands of millennia old, reminds us all of our origins – our fragility and our endurance. It also reminds us, that if we go back far enough, we are all part of the same story. In the immortal words of Jonny Clegg “We are the scatterlings of Africa”. What both the story of the Biblical Adam and Eve and the story of evolution teach us, is that we all have a common ancestor – white, black, Jewish Christian Muslim, Hindu, atheist, ……May the memory of our common ancestor unite us all soon, in peace.
I look now into this very audience with its captains of industry, religious leaders, parliamentarians, diplomats, community leaders and most encouragingly students – Black and white (some of whom I even teach) and ask you to think about what your stories will be; to be inspired by the stories you see around you to make your own mark, your own contribution to this phenomenal land.
“The South African Jewish Community: Recognizing Past Contributions and Envisioning a Shared Future”
Dr Matthews Phosa
Rabbis, Ladies and Gentlemen, Honored members of the South African Jewish community, Today, I stand before you with deep respect and gratitude, recognizing the remarkable contributions of your community to our shared history, to the struggle for justice, and to the hope of a brighter, unified South Africa. In gathering here, we acknowledge that our country’s story is a tapestry of countless voices, acts of courage, and unwavering convictions, of which yours forms an indelible part.
From the early days, Jewish South Africans contributed to the economic lifeblood of this country. Through determination, ingenuity, and resilience, Jewish businesses created jobs, established industries, and nurtured growth during times of great challenge. You built not only businesses but livelihoods and stability, often in the face of misrepresentation and political obstacles. And even then, the Jewish community remained steadfast in its commitment to South Africa’s development, placing the needs of the nation above personal I am particularly moved as I reflect on the early relationships between Jewish mentors and our nation’s leaders, including Nelson Mandela. Men like Lazer Sidelsky, who opened doors for a young Mandela, demonstrated a commitment to equality that went beyond words. In that act of mentorship, Sidelsky gave Mandela not only a chance but also a foundation upon which he could build a vision of justice. It is no exaggeration to say that your community’s embrace of justice and inclusivity has left a mark on the values of this nation, values that Mandela would later champion on the global stage.
Let us not forget the many Jewish South Africans who took their commitment to justice even further. From Joe Slovo to Ruth First, from Helen Suzman to Arthur Goldreich, these remarkable individuals stood shoulder to shoulder with Black South Africans in the battle against apartheid. They took personal risks, enduring imprisonment, exile, and even death, in the pursuit of freedom for all. Their sacrifices remind us that justice is never simply given; it must be fought for, often at great cost. These heroes were living proof that South Africa’s struggle was a struggle for all its people, irrespective of race
This spirit of solidarity extended beyond the political realm. Through philanthropy, the Jewish community invested in social upliftment and education, establishing schools like the Morris Isaacson School—a symbol of resistance during the 1976 Soweto Uprising. Such contributions reinforced the idea that every young person in this country deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and lead. It is these actions that continue to serve as powerful reminders of our collective responsibility to uplift each other and to build a more just society.
Nelson Mandela himself recognized the exceptional contributions of the Jewish community to the anti-apartheid struggle. He spoke with deep gratitude, acknowledging that Jewish South Africans were disproportionately represented in the liberation movement. He knew that the bonds forged during those turbulent times would not be forgotten, that these relationships would continue to inspire future generations to stand up for what is right.
However, as we look at South Africa today, we recognize that a great deal remains to be done. In recent years, the voices of the Jewish community in our political and civic spaces have been less prominent. This absence has, at times, allowed radical, fringe elements to step into the void, distorting the narrative and misrepresenting our nation’s values. This does not represent the heart of South Africa. We know that South Africa is a nation that believes in peace, in coexistence, and in the power of diversity.
And so, today, I call upon the Jewish community to once again take an active role in shaping the future of this Rainbow Nation. Just as your forebears once stood alongside us in our fight for justice, today we need your voices, your leadership, and your commitment to preserve the progress we have made and to prevent forces of division from undermining our unity.
I urge you to embrace the legacy of those who came before, those who sacrificed for the freedom we now enjoy, and to step forward with the same courage and resilience. Stand proud of your Jewish heritage, celebrate the contributions of your community, and engage in our nation’s future. Reaffirm your role in the civic, economic, and cultural landscape of South Africa, and honour the legacy of those who fought for this freedom by preserving it.
Nelson Mandela once said, “South Africa belongs to all who live in it.” This was his vision—a South Africa where all communities, bound together by shared dreams and diverse backgrounds, can stand united. That vision still calls to us. It calls us to rise above division, to resist forces of hatred, and to remain committed to a future that is inclusive, just, and respectful of all. The legacy of the Jewish community in South Africa is one of courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Today, as we look to the future, let us answer the call of that legacy. Let us remember that the fight for a fair, just, and united South Africa continues. And let us walk this journey together, as one nation, in the spirit of unity, courage, and hope. Thank you.
