Rabbi David Shaw, member of the SAJBD and Rabbi of Sandton Shul, Wendy Kahn and Gabi Farber Cohen hosted a meaningful interfaith engagement, welcoming a group of seminarians from the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference led by Bishop Graham Rose. The group, currently in their eighth year of formation for the priesthood within the Catholic Church, are spending a semester focusing on interreligious dialogue. As part of this programme, they chose to visit a synagogue to

This week, SAJBD Vice President Mary Kluk and Chairperson Prof Karen Milner attended the World Jewish Conference in Geneva. Both hold leadership positions on the WJC. Prof. Karen Milner presented a session titled “Making Engagement Count: Community and Government Action on Antisemitism,” sharing the South African experience as a case study in navigating challenging - and at times hostile - political environments, while continuing to achieve meaningful outcomes through princip

We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the United Kingdom as they join fellow British citizens in confronting the growing antisemitism in the UK. We were deeply inspired by the words of Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis: “We will never lose our hope.”

On 9 May, outside the Durban Holocaust and Genocide Centre, anti-Israel activism crossed into political theatre. Unable to find an actual local branch of “South African Jews for a Free Palestine” in Durban, activists from the South African Palestine Movement simply put on SAJFP t-shirts themselves and protested outside a Jewish communal institution as “friends of” the organisation. Apparently, when there were no Jews available for the protest, the protesters improvised some.

The SAJBD strongly condemns today's terror attack in Golders Green, London, with the stabbing of two Jewish men. It is alarming to see the spate of antisemitic incidents targeting the British Jewish community, including arson attacks on synagogues, Jewish communal institutions, and Hatzola ambulances. We stand in solidarity with British Jewry as they face this ongoing barrage of hate. As Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said: "Words of condemnation are no longer sufficient. Th

We mourn the passing of Dr. Edith Eger - a Holocaust survivor, healer, and extraordinary voice of hope. In this video, captured during her address to the SAJBD Conference amid the uncertainty of COVID lockdown, she reminded our community that even in the darkest moments, we still have a choice: to find meaning, to choose courage, and to hold onto hope. Dr. Eger was more than a survivor she was a lesson in resilience, hope and healing. Her words and her life show us that heali

Our freedom is our shared legacy - let’s also make it our shared future. 🇿🇦🗳️✊

Together we united. Together we stood. Together we will endure. 🕯️🕯️ View video on YouTube https://youtu.be/2-LsVmwosnk

SAJBD stood in solidarity with the Iranian people, who continue to fight for freedom in the face of brutal repression. In recent months, tens of thousands have reportedly been killed and more than 600 executed — a stark reminder of the human cost of this struggle. We stand with those demanding dignity, justice, and the fundamental right to live freely.

“We are witnessing the deliberate distortion of one of humanity’s darkest chapters. Not to honour the dead. But to weaponise them against their very descendants. Holocaust inversion has arrived at our doorsteps” Danny Mofsowitz SAJBD Gauteng Chairperson speaking at Yom Hashoah 2026. Now more than ever this is a video which must be watched.

“Tonight, Pretoria and Johannesburg stand shoulder to shoulder, and in doing so, we honour the six million who perished and the survivors who taught us that our strength lies in one another. Let this evening not be an ending, but a beginning. Let us build upon this unity: community to community, family to family, generation to generation” - Gary Nowosenitz SAJBD Pretoria Chair at Yom Hashoah Ceremony 2026 Thank you to the over 1000 Jewish communal members who joined us last n

SAJBD National Chairperson Karen Milner attended the Democratic Alliance Federal Congress as part of the SAJBD’s in line with our engagement with political parties on behalf of the Jewish community. We extend our congratulations to the newly elected leadership and look forward to finding meaningful ways to work together in building our country’s democracy.

“News of the brutal way in which he was killed, and his tragic death, went around the world in days. The loss is being felt widely. People from so many different walks of life have paid tribute to him, with many reaching out to me personally. Steven was both loved and respected. His loss has impacted us all.” - Charisse Zeifert Read full article in link here

This Yom HaShoah, join the Gauteng Jewish Community for a deeply moving evening of remembrance. Together, we honour the Six Million and hear the powerful testimony of Holocaust survivor Wanda Albinska. For decades her story remained untold. Join us for the rare opportunity to bear witness to her story firsthand. Tuesday, 14 April 2026 17:00 Johannesburg (venue details provided upon registration) Together, we remember. Together, we commemorate. Together, we ensure their st

We were shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the horrific murder of our esteemed colleague and friend Steven Gruzd, obm. His loss will be deeply felt by those privileged to have known and worked with him. The SAJBD benefited immeasurably from the many impressive skills that Steven brought during his years with the organisation. Beyond that, he will be remembered as someone of the utmost integrity, both in his personal and professional life. For all his many gifts, Steven w

We are shocked and horrified by this latest act of terror aimed at British Jewry. Torching Jewish ambulances is reprehensible by any standards. No political belief can ever justify this act of hate. This is the latest in an alarming series of hate crimes against British and World Jewry.

This week, SAJBD National Director Wendy Kahn and Cape Chair Simone Sulcas and Director Daniel Bloch represented South Africa at the Anti-Defamation League’s National Leadership Summit in New York — the world’s largest gathering of Jewish leaders tackling antisemitism and hate, with participants from 26 countries. Wendy presented on a panel at the conference on South Africa’s current situation on the topic of “One People: How Jewish Communities Around the World are Working To

In a time of heightened tension, a conversation between Aubrey Masango and Mary Kluk on Radio 702 reminds us what respectful dialogue can look like. Their discussion on Jewish identity and antisemitism models meaningful dialogue. As Charisse Zeifert reflects in her article, these moments of thoughtful, nuanced engagement remain essential to a healthy democracy. They create space not only for understanding, but for listening across difference. Listen to the interview and rea

“Helen Suzman was not only a towering figure in the struggle against apartheid, but she was a proud member of the Jewish community, deeply committed to its welfare and values. It is a profound betrayal of her legacy for the foundation’s chairperson to lend his platform and authority to the targeting of Jewish learners.” Read Wendy's article here

Today the SAJBD attended the Regina Mundi Church for the memorial of Mosiuoa Lekota — a courageous freedom fighter, statesman and devoted public servant. Over the years, many leaders have come and gone, and political winds have shifted. Yet throughout these changes, Mr Lekota remained a consistent and loyal friend to the Jewish community. He stood with us in times of celebration, but perhaps more meaningfully, he stood with us during times that were difficult and challenging.