Positioning statement
The SAJBD is the democratically elected representative body and civil rights organisation of the South African Jewish community. It promotes the religious rights, safety, and welfare of South African Jewry, including combating antisemitism in all its forms. It serves as a bridge between South African Jews and the wider South African society, promoting mutual understanding, co-operation, and friendship.
Our mission
The SAJBD’s mission is to foster strong, respectful relationships between South Africa’s Jewish community, government and political leaders across the spectrum, and broader South African society to promote Jewish interests and foster intercommunal relations.
The SAJBD is the Jewish community’s recognised civil rights body, monitoring antisemitism and safeguarding the civil liberties and religious rights of Jewish South Africans. It is committed to a South Africa free from prejudice, intolerance, and discrimination.
The South African Jewish Community, Then and Now
Early 19th Century: Beginnings of South African Jewry
Small numbers of Jewish immigrants from the UK and Germany settle in the Western and Eastern Cape. Among the 1820 Settlers were three Jewish families.
1841: First Hebrew Congregation
In 1841, 17 Jews established South Africa’s first Hebrew congregation in Cape Town, known as the Tikvat Israel Congregation.
1840s–1880: Gradual Community Growth
The community grew gradually, with additional congregations forming in Port Elizabeth, Kimberley, and other cities. By 1880, the total Jewish population across the territories that now make up modern-day South Africa was estimated at 4,000 people.
1880–1930: Eastern European Immigration Wave
A major wave of immigration from Eastern Europe—particularly from Lithuania and surrounding regions—followed over the next half-century, until restrictive immigration laws were passed in 1930 and 1937, specifically aimed at limiting further Jewish immigration.
1930s: Influx from Germany During Nazi Persecution
During the 1930s, however, a further influx came from Germany as a result of Nazi persecution and so, on the eve of World War II, South Africa’s Jewish population stood at just over 90,000. Most South African Jews today trace their origins to these East European immigrants.
By 1970:
Population Peaks
By 1970—bolstered by additional waves of immigrants from Israel and other Southern African countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Namibia—it had grown to 118,200. Thereafter, largely as a result of political unrest, the population began to decline. Today, it numbers around 50,000.
Post-WWII Onward: Urban Consolidation
Originally, the Jewish population was more geographically dispersed, with active communities spread across the country. However, the rural communities began declining shortly after World War II and are today largely dormant. Despite the decline in numbers due to emigration, South African Jewry remains by far the largest Jewish community on the African continent. Today, most Jews live in Johannesburg and Cape Town, with smaller communities in Durban and Pretoria.
Religious Composition
Religiously, South African Jews are predominantly affiliated with Orthodox Judaism, which accounts for around 88% of religiously affiliated Jews. The Progressive movement accounts for most of the remainder, and there is one small Conservative congregation in Johannesburg.
Community Infrastructure
Remarkably well-organised and cohesive, the Jewish community has a comprehensive network of welfare, educational, political, religious, and Zionist institutions in every major centre.
1912: Founding
of the SAJBD
The SAJBD was founded in 1912.
Our Board
Zev Krengel
National President
Zev Krengel has served in senior leadership roles within the South African Jewish Board of Deputies for more than three decades, including as Chairperson of the Gauteng Council, National Vice-Chairperson, and National Chairperson from 2007 to 2011. Zev has played a key role in fostering strong relationships between the SAJBD and the South African government and political leadership, helping to safeguard the security and well-being of the Jewish community. His broader civic engagement includes serving in the Peace Accord from 1992 to 1994, where he was active in conflict resolution efforts in areas such as Thokoza, Katlehong, and Alexandra township. Zev was also instrumental in co-ordinating Jewish communal relief efforts following the Mozambique floods in 2000 and the Southeast Asia tsunami disaster in 2005.
Professor Karen Milner
National Chairperson
Professor Karen Milner was educated at King David High School Linksfield and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), where she earned her BA Honours, MA, and PhD in Psychology. She has been a faculty member at Wits since 1993 and currently serves as an Associate Professor of Psychology. She is also a registered Industrial Psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Karen has been a committed communal leader since being elected to the SAJBD Gauteng Council in 2010. She plays a leading role in combating antisemitism in South Africa, with a particular focus on university campuses. In 2018, she completed the prestigious ISGAP Summer Institute in Critical Antisemitism Studies at Oxford University.
Mary Kluk
National Vice-President
Mary Kluk is a prominent educator, human rights activist, and Jewish community leader in South Africa. She is the Director of the Durban Holocaust and Genocide Centre, which she founded in 2008 to provide support to educators and students following the inclusion of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust in the South Africa’s national school curriculum. In 2011, Mary became the first person from KwaZulu-Natal — and only the second woman — to be elected as National Chairperson of the SAJBD, serving two terms in this pivotal role and three as President. On the international stage, Mary serves as an Executive Member and Head of the Security Committee of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), representing Jewish communities in 100 countries. She is also President of the Africa Australia Region of the WJC and sits on the Leadership Council of the Claims Conference. Beyond her communal leadership, Mary is deeply involved in broader civil society. She is a trustee of several prominent Durban-based charitable foundations, including the Beare Foundation, the Dennis Hurley Centre, the Israel South Africa Foundation, and HIAS South Africa.
David Kuming
National Treasurer
David Kuming matriculated from King David High School Victory Park in 1983. He went on to earn a BCom, Bachelor of Accounting, Postgraduate Diploma, and Postgraduate Diploma in Management from the University of the Witwatersrand. He completed his CA(SA) qualification and articles at Fisher Hoffman Stride. David joined Investec in 1993 as a credit analyst. In 1995, he moved into structured finance, where he eventually headed the division until 2018. He currently serves in Investec’s Investment Banking Origination division and is a member of both the ICIB Credit Forum and the Group Investment Committee. His communal work includes serving on the Pine Street Shul committee, the CSO, and the SAJBD. He was elected to the SAJBD Gauteng Council in 2016 and has held the role of National Treasurer since 2018.
Tzvi Brivik
National Vice-Chairperson
Tzvi Brivik is the director of Tzvi Brivik and Malcolm Lyons Inc, South Africa’s first law firm to specialise in personal injury law and medical malpractice claims. He sits on numerous professional and communal boards and committees which advance the rights of injured, disabled, and disadvantaged persons. Tzvi previously served as the Chairperson of the Cape Council.
Adrienne Jacobson
Chairperson, Cape Council SAJBD
Adrienne Jacobson is a counsellor in private practice, specialising in family therapy, relationship and individual counselling, trauma, bereavement, domestic violence, and group process facilitation. She has authored and facilitated FAMSA workshops on conflict resolution, personal growth, and relationship dynamics for the Desmond Tutu Foundation. As Chairperson of the Cape SAJBD, Adrienne brings a wealth of experience from her work across diverse sectors. This has enabled her to bridge gaps within civil society while advocating for social justice, personal development, and stronger relationships. She is passionate about engaging young adults and is committed to working with affiliated organisations to ensure the SAJBD remains relevant, inclusive, and forward-thinking.
Gary Nowosenetz
Chairperson, Pretoria Council SAJBD
Gary Nowosenetz is a third-generation Pretorian and the grandson of an Ochberg Orphan on his maternal side. While his background is primarily in business, Gary is a dedicated communal leader and has served on the Pretoria Council of the SAJBD for more than 15 years. He is also a long-standing council member of the Pretoria Hebrew Congregation and currently serves as Vice-President of Jaffa, Pretoria’s home for the aged. Gary is married to fellow Pretorian, Ingrid (née Hack), and together they have three daughters and five grandchildren living in both Israel and Johannesburg.
Geoff Herman
Chairperson, Port Elizabeth Council SAJBD
Geoff Herman has dedicated more than 45 years to Jewish communal leadership in Port Elizabeth. He served as Chairman of Theodor Herzl Schools for 13 years, later becoming Chairman of the United Hebrew Institutions of Port Elizabeth, where he now holds the title of Honorary Life President. Geoff currently chairs the local IUA/UCF and is a recipient of the prestigious Yakir Award in recognition of his service. He is also a past Treasurer of the Port Elizabeth Hebrew Congregation and serves as Chairman of the Raleigh Street Museum.
Alana Pugh Jones
Chairperson, Durban Council SAJBD
Alana Pugh Jones is the Country Director of HIAS South Africa, an international Jewish humanitarian organisation that supports and advocates for refugee rights. Previously, she served as the Diplomatic and Social Justice Liaison for the SAJBD and the Social Justice Liaison at the Durban Holocaust and Genocide Centre. Alana was a founding member of the Steering Committee of the Hate Crimes Working Group, a civil society network promoting legislation against hate crimes, and the former Deputy Chair. Alana is a Steering Committee member of the Jewish Diplomatic Corps at the World Jewish Congress (WJC) and co-chairs the Women’s Representation Task Team, and has represented the WJC at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva and at the UN General Assembly’s Commission on the Status of Women, delivering statements on human rights issues. She is the Jewish representative on Religions for Peace South Africa and the African Women of Faith Network, and also represents the Jewish community at Religions for Peace South Africa and the African Women of Faith Network. Alana holds a Master of Philosophy in Transitional Justice from the University of Cape Town and is studying in Yeshivat Maharat’s Beit Midrash Program, the first Orthodox yeshiva to ordain women.
Danielle Mofsowitz
National Vice-Chairperson, Gauteng Council Chairperson
Danny Mofsowitz matriculated from King David High School Linksfield in 2000. She went on to earn a BA in Marketing and Communications from RAU (now the University of Johannesburg), before moving to New York to study at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. On her return to Johannesburg, Danny joined Atlas Finance, where she established a property finance division specialising in mortgage origination and bridging finance. In 2008, she was appointed to the board of Atlas Finance, where she heads up Marketing and Communications, and is involved in strategy and innovation for the group. She also serves on the Social and Ethics Committee. Danny served on the Chabad Young Drivers Committee from 2011 to 2014, and joined the World Jewish Congress as a member of the JD Corps in 2019. She has served as Vice-Chair of the SAJBD Gauteng Council since 2020.
Professionals
Wendy Kahn
National Director of SAJBD
Wendy Kahn has served as the National Director of the SAJBD since 2006 and was previously an elected leader at the SAJBD and the Vice-Chairperson of the Gauteng Council. She was a founder of the He’atid Leadership Programme, which took South African leaders to Israel, and was its Executive Director for 13 years. The programme later evolved into the SA Israel Forum, which continues to facilitate exposure programmes to Israel. In her role at the SAJBD, Wendy is deeply involved in governmental relations, combating antisemitism, and fostering stronger ties between the Jewish community and the broader South African society.
Charisse Zeifert
Deputy Director of SAJBD
Charisse Zeifert has headed up communications at the SAJBD for the past two decades, where she interfaces between the mainstream media and the Jewish community. She holds Master’s degrees in both Social Anthropology and Museology. Charisse hosts a weekly show on ChaiFM, the local Jewish community radio station, where she highlights news and events from Jewish communities in South Africa and around the world.
Roseanne Rosen
Personal Assistant to National Director
Roseanne Rosen is the primary point of contact between the SAJBD and key stakeholders, including community members and leadership, SAJBD leadership, and partner organisations. She plays a pivotal role in ensuring smooth communication and operations. Roseanne has been with the SAJBD for nine years and previously spent 15 years in a similar role at the Council of KwaZulu-Natal Jewry. She has a strong passion for event co-ordination and management, overseeing the planning and execution of all SAJBD events, from concept to completion.
Adam Charnas
Analyst
Adam Charnas joined the SAJBD in 2024 after spending 15 years in Israel. He holds a BA from Wits University and a Master’s degree in Political Science from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Adam is a former political and intelligence analyst with a specialisation in sub-Saharan African affairs.
Gabriella Farber Cohen
Youth Liaison
Gabriella Farber Cohen holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Law, as well as a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), both from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). A passion for activism during her student years led Gabriella to the role of Chairperson of the South African Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS) at Wits and became the first Jewish student to run on the PYA slate for the Wits Student Representative Council, where she was elected as Legal and Policy Officer. She was later appointed Gauteng Spokesperson for the ANC Women’s League, a position she resigned from following the events of October 7. At the SAJBD, Gabriella manages university relations, political party outreach, and all matters relating to youth engagement.
Daniel Bloch
Cape Town Representative
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Daniel Bloch was born in Cape Town, South Africa. He was educated at Herzlia School and carries a matric certificate. He holds a national diploma and a bachelor of technology degree in sports management from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Since 2021 he has served as the Executive Director of the Cape South African Jewish Board of Deputies which protects the civil and religious rights of more than 12,500 Jewish community members. He spent the previous 15 years working in the events industry organizing international and local conferences and exhibitions. Daniel has been serving on the Green and Sea Point Hebrew Congregation management committee since 2017 and is its current vice president. He also served on the United Herzlia Schools Board of Governors.
Eric Mathobo
The Archivist
Eric Mathobo was born in Soweto and raised in Venda. Eric started his career at the Board in maintenance in 2003 and has held the positions of assistant audio-visual librarian, assistant archivist, Full time senior librarian and today functions as the archivist for the SAJBD. In his capacity as archivist Eric aids researchers and students from around the world, and has built a famous reputation for his canny ability to identify the correct source, piece of information or document. In his free time Eric pens letters to the local newspapers about Israel’s rights to defend herself and condemning antisemitic behaviour by our leaders and South Africans in general.