“Mr Fakir takes the conduct of two men, neither of whom holds any position in our community or speaks for it, and stretches it to cover an entire community, its institutions and its beliefs. The aim is not to understand what happened in Norwood. It is to drive a wedge between Jewish and Muslim South Africans who have lived side by side for generations.” SAJBD National Director Wendy Kahn responds to a Mail and Guardian article relating to incidents which occurred in Norwood,

Last December 2025, following a complaint by the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD), the Film and Publications Board (FPB) issued a “Refused Classification” ruling regarding the film ‘Hebrews to Negros – Wake Up Black America’. In terms of the ruling, the distributor has been requested to remove the film from all platforms in South Africa. This ruling has now been published in the Government Gazette. The film was first screened in South Africa in June 2023. It was

SAJBD National Director, Wendy Kahn attended an antisemitism conference in Dublin which highlighted what Global antisemitism looks like in 2026. Read in article below: https://www.sajr.co.za/call-exclusion-of-jews-what-it-is.../

October 22, 2026 Summer has certainly arrived, and with it a feeling of renewal and vitality throughout our special community. On Monday, at the first sitting of the newly elected South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) Gauteng Council, Danny Mofsowitz was unanimously re-elected as chair for the region. She took on the job at an extremely challenging moment, when few were prepared to step forward and fill this role. She has been exceptional, guiding this community wit

In Dublin this week, Wendy Kahn, National Director of the SAJBD, represented the South African Jewish community at the 15th SECCA Forum, hosted by the World Jewish Congress. The forum brought together Jewish community leaders, government envoys from 28 countries, international organisations and technology companies to address antisemitism on social media and in Artificial Intelligence. Through engagements with TikTok, Meta and leading AI experts, Wendy raised issues specific

The SAJBD has honoured two of our longstanding members by appointing them as Honorary Vice Presidents. Bernard Shull has served continuously on the SAJBD National Executive Council since 1988 and has been a member of the Gauteng Council since its establishment. Reeva Forman has a communal career spanning close to four decades. Many of the SAJBD’s most important relationships with faith leaders and communities across South Africa were built through her efforts and have endured

20 candidates. 15 seats. 150+ delegates. One representative community. Last weekend, more than 150 delegates from the organisations affiliated with the SAJBD voted to elect 15 Council members from 20 nominated candidates. Our delegate and affiliate system ensures that the election reflects the diversity of our community, with representatives from across South African Jewry having a voice in choosing its leadership. The process was overseen by National Vice President Mary Kluk

October 15, 2026 Last weekend the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) elected a new Gauteng Council. Voting took place throughout the day at our Gauteng Council Conference, the first half of a rare double event that ended with the Great Mayoral Debate, where more than 400 community members heard from this year’s Johannesburg mayoral candidates. Twenty people were nominated for 15 seats on the Gauteng Council, and more than 150 delegates from the affiliated organis

What an incredible evening of engagement and meaningful conversation, with over 450 people in attendance! Thank you to all the mayoral candidates representing Democratic Alliance, ANC, DA, PA, FF Plus, ACDP and BOSA for taking the time to participate, share their perspectives, and engage meaningfully with our Jewish community. Open dialogue and meaningful engagement are vital to building a stronger, more connected future, and we are grateful to all the candidates who contribu

Members of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies gathered at Nelson Mandela Bridge in Johannesburg on the anniversary of Hamas' 2023 attacks in Israel.

October 8, 2026 This weekend, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) will hold its Great Mayoral Debates. These traditional pre-election events give our communities in Johannesburg and Cape Town the chance to hear directly from the mayoral candidates and their parties and to hear them address our concerns. The Johannesburg debate will take place on Sunday evening, 11 October, and will be moderated by journalist-writer Mandy Wiener. Democracy is about more than vo

Today, the leadership of the South African Jewish community took to the streets in Cape Town, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Sandton and Durban to mark three years since the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023. Seven people stood in seven different locations, holding posters highlighting seven documented facts that we believe must remain part of the public record. hold and Our action is a direct response to the intimidation experienced by South African Jews here at home. Over the past t

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies is shocked and horrified by the shooting outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year. The attack left Constable Jeff Smith, who was stationed outside the synagogue to protect worshippers, critically injured, and we pray for his full and speedy recovery. Tragically, this is not an isolated incident. Nor is it the first time Canadian Jewry has been targeted on the holies