The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) condemns the latest utterances by EFF Leader Julius Malema against the Indian community. Alana Baranov, the SAJBD representative of the Hate Crimes Working Group (HCWG) notes that “racially divisive rhetoric such as this creates an atmosphere in which hate and discrimination directed towards a certain group of people may flourish and become socially acceptable. We should be working to build bridges between communities, not to

For hard-core haters of Israel, merely defaming and demonising the Jewish state is no longer enough.  Now, they are using blatant threats and intimidation to punish and silence anyone who dares to challenge their bigoted narrative. Shashi Naidoo has become the latest victim of this thuggish vendetta. For tweeting comments expressing support for Israel and condemning its enemies, she has become the recipient of multiple death threats, in addition to being subjected to a flood

Earlier this year, the ANC repeatedly denounced artist DJ Black Coffee simply for exercising his democratic right to perform in Israel. Then civil society went for journalist Gareth Cliff, depicting him as a moral pariah for daring to put forward an alternate opinion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Now Dr Mpho Phalatse, MMC for the DA in Gauteng, has become the target of hysterical condemnation for having expressed support for Israel at a South African Friends of Israel

Feelings continue to run high over the recent deaths and injuries along the Israel-Gaza border. In view of the completely one-sided nature of the confrontation, it is easy to buy into the “brutal massacre of innocents” narrative being assiduously propagated by anti-Israel agitators. Emotional, knee-jerk reactions are nevertheless unhelpful when trying to understand how such a tragedy could have taken place in the first place and, more importantly, how they might be prevented

Alana Baranov, SAJBD representative on the Hate Crimes Working Group, writes on fighting xenophobia in Sunday Tribune and Sunday Independent:  https://bit.ly/2sEsd3D

The SA Jewish Board of Deputies is appalled by the unambiguously antisemitic statements made by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday. In a chilling revival of classic expressions of anti-Jewish hatred, Abbas sought to justify the historical persecution of Jews by claiming that Jews had brought this upon themselves by their alleged immoral and harmful actions. Even the Nazi Holocaust, in which one-third of World Jewry were systematically murdered, was portrayed as bei

As we celebrate Freedom Day tomorrow, our country continues to be devilled by racism. There is hardly a day that passes, in which there isn’t an incident. At the same time, we have a strong democracy that allows for different opinions on all matters. It is something that we can be proud of. Yet the recent “hanging” of an effigy of Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi, is an offensive and inappropriate way to express differences. Our violent past, including the cruel and degra

Mary is pictured in Okopowa with the President of Poland Andrzej Duda, The Chief Rabbi of Poland Michael Schudrich, The President of the Polish Jewish Community Leslaw Piszewski and the President of the Warsaw Jewish Community Anna Chipczyńska

This is a powerful message shared from the Jewish Leadership Council and the Deputies of British Jews: #EnoughIsEnough Watch the video here:  https://twitter.com/JLC_uk/sta ...

The SAJBD are saddened to note the passing of politician #Zola Skweyiya, and extends its condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.  Mr Skweyiya will be remembered as a dignified and committed leader who always put his responsibilities to the betterment of the South African people first.   The SAJBD worked closely with him when he was one of the envoys appointed by former President Jacob Zuma to finding a lasting solution to the Middle East. To this end we appreciate

In October 1934, my great-grandfather was the last Jew in Germany to be buried with full military honours. That same year his son, my grandfather, was at a university class when another student warned him that he shouldn’t go home - the Gestapo were at his house.  He cycled from Cologne to his cousin in Amsterdam.  Eventually he made his way to South Africa.  My grandmother, born in a small village in Lithuania, also in due course made her way to this country.  She never knew

On the 30th of April 2013, former resident of Brandfort Faisia Shaskolsky with assistance from the SAJBD’s Travelling Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft, published a booklet recording the history of the town’s Jewish community. At the launch event, Winnie Madikizela Mandela, who was banished to the town during the Apartheid era, wrote a moving piece about the Brandfort Jews which was read at the event.  Futher information about the event  click here . Letter from Winnie Madikizela Mandel

On Thursday, South African Jewry will gather in cities around the country to mark Yom Hashoah, the annual Day of Remembrance for the estimated six million Jews who died at the hands of Nazi Germany during World War II. This year, the focus will be on remembering those who, despite the impossible odds, physically resisted their persecutors, with a particular emphasis on the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. However, the prevailing mood will, as always, be one of sorrow and sombre reflec

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) deplores the divisive statement of ANC international relations subcommittee ‘Reiterating the call for cultural boycott of Israel’. Imposing a boycott against Israel over and above every other country in the world is itself immoral and inconsistent with how South Africa normally conducts its foreign policy. Prejudice rather than any genuine concern for human rights is what appears to be behind this decision. Why, when it comes

Shaun Zagnoev writes for The Star: Ms Thokozile Xasa would like to give her support to the Palestinian people (Star 27/03/18). The goal is a worthy one. However, one of the best ways of finding a solution to any given situation, is to first properly identify the problem. Notwithstanding her emotive ramble, and her evocation of a range of admirable people whom she quotes, the Israeli – Palestinian conflict cannot be resolved by sensationalising the issues. Nor can it be resolv

The SA Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) pays tribute to Winnie Nomzano Madikizela Mandela, a woman of courage whose name was synonymous with the determination of the South African people to resist racism and injustice. Determined to break her will to fight back, the apartheid regime subjected her to  continual harassment and intimidation, but her courage never faltered and her fiery spirit remained unquenched. For this, she became an iconic figure in the liberation struggle,

OPINION: Slandering Black Coffee for visiting Israel is hypocritical. Here's why:  https://www.news24.com/Columnists/GuestColumn/slandering-black-coffee-for-visiting-israel-is-hypocritical-heres-why-20180405

We are happy to announce that the Pesach 2018 issue of Jewish Affairs has just come off the presses and has been posted on the SAJBD’s Website. The printed version will be mailed to subscribers shortly. This issue is largely devoted to South African Jewry, and what its members have accomplished, or are accomplishing. It kicks off with an erudite, engaging and in fact long-overdue overview of the influential role that Jews have played in the South African newspaper industry,

Could it be that die-hard Israel bashers are realizing that the “Israel Apartheid” ploy is a kite that just won’t fly? This might explain why the Media Review Network’s Firoz Osman, one of the most vociferous local proponents of the analogy, has now chosen to go a step further. According to him (, 10 March), Israel is no longer ‘merely’ guilty of apartheid but of the ultimate crime against humanity – genocide. This means that in his view, Israel is carrying out a deliberate p

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) notes the 54th National Conference Report & Resolutions, under the theme, Remember Oliver Tambo: Towards Unity, Renewal and Radical socio-economic transformation.   The SAJBD is firmly supportive of the ruling party’s efforts and commitment to improve the lives of all South Africans and make meaningful its promises to improve economic growth and meaningfully address inequality and unemployment. We however, once again, strongl