The SAJBD sends its condolences to the Catholic community in South Africa and globally following the passing of Pope Francis this morning. We recognise Pope Francis' commitment to interfaith dialogue. Our leadership were privileged to participate in a meaningful engagement with the Pope at the Vatican in Rome in 2022.

MAGEN DAVID’S ARE BACK UP. The SAJBD have engaged with the leadership of Pick n Pay following their removal of the Magen David in the Pesach food aisle in the Norwood store. We shared with them the hurt felt by our community of the Magen Davids (Stars of David) and they expressed their deep regret that they were removed. They have subsequently returned the Jewish symbol to their rightful place. Pick n Pay further expressed that there was never an intention to cause hurt and t

"Contrary to what is often claimed, no credible Jewish leader equate any criticism of the State of Israel with antisemitism, that is, hatred towards people of the Jewish faith and/or ethnicity. Pretty much without exception, all accept, as per the formulation of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, that “criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic”. What, then, would be the case when the above-mentioned

It is 18 months since Hamas brutally murdered my friend Vivian Silver in her home in Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7, 2023. I travelled to her home last month to pay tribute to her. For over a decade I worked with Vivian where she trained hundreds of South African government and civil society leaders in community development, agricultural development and cooperatives at NISPED and at her beloved Be'eri. As a founder of Women Wage Peace we brought a group of Muslim, Jewish and Chr

Wendy Kahn , National Director of the SAJBD, received the Moses Award for leadership at this year’s Jewish Africa Conference in Cape Town. Recognized for her tireless work, she’s been a driving force in safeguarding Jewish life within South Africa’s vibrant community. In her heartfelt acceptance speech, Wendy highlighted the how inspired she is to see the formation of a united 'African Jewish' bloc, bringing together communities from across the continent. She also celebrated

The SAJBD was delighted to celebrate Greek Independence Day with the Hellenic Federation of South Africa at Saheti School. It was wonderful to experience the cultural vibrancy of the South African Greek community. While our communities have distinct histories, we share the experience of being vibrant minority groups in South Africa, contributing to its rich diversity.

We congratulate the IFP on their 50th anniversary. We were delighted to attend the celebration.

This Friday, 21 March, marks Human Rights Day in South Africa. The day was chosen as it is the anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre of 21 March 1960, one of the darkest episodes of the Apartheid era. On Human Rights Day, South Africans remember those who lost their lives during the struggle to bring freedom, democracy, and equality for all in our country, and commit themselves anew to safeguarding the hard-won rights and freedoms we all enjoy today. We wish everyone a publ

There has been much confusion, following last week's failed motion to rescind the renaming of Sandton Drive by the Johannesburg City Council. We would like to clarify as follows: There remains no decision to change the name at this time, and the status remains as per our statement issued on this matter on 29 November 2024: "The outcome appears to reflect a willingness by the political parties in the City of Johannesburg to explore alternate solutions to the renaming of Sandto

Yesterday, a motion was raised in the Johannesburg City Council to rescind a decision to rename Sandton Drive. The motion was defeated. The SAJBD will continue to vehemently oppose the renaming of Sandton Drive after a plane hijacker and member of a recognised terror organisation. In this regard we have worked tirelessly with all our friends in the Johannesburg City Council and we will continue to work with them to find a solution that will unite and not divide.

Friends and enemies: ADL probes rise in antisemitism. Article by national director Wendy Kahn in the Jewish Report. Read article here

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) notes with contempt the attack on the South African Jewish community in Parliament by Al Jama-ah. On 4 March, Al Jama-ah tabled a Motion without Notice in which they accuse the SAJBD, the 121 year-old democratically elected representative body of the Jewish community, of curtailing freedom of speech. We note the irony of their statement, as it is the anti-Israel lobby that is doing whatever they can to threaten Jewish voices,

Over the past few days our National Director Wendy Kahn along with Adam Charnas and Simone Sulcas participated in this year’s @adl_national conference #NeverIsNow. Wendy Kahn represented the South African Jewish Community in a high level discussion with her counterparts from around the world. She has been among speakers such as Gal Gadot, David Schiller, Montana Tucker, Sheikh Moafaq Tarif, @capesajbd Jonathan Grennblatt, each sharing their insights into ways to combat the ha

Jews United in Anxiety writes Charisse Zeifert, deputy director of SAJBD, in Politicsweb. She says Jewish identity has strengthened post October 7th in face of increased antisemitism. Read article here

Our national director Wendy Kahn represented the South African Jewish community during the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations programme in Israel. It was an incredible opportunity to engage with top Jewish US communal leadership during this exceptional week visit. Together with them, she met with Israeli political and other leadership, traveling from the north to the South to gain important insights at this critical time.

Media coverage from our Bibas memorial - may your memories forever be a blessing. We will never forget the fight you fought and the light you bought #bringthemhomenow #bibas #orangeforbibas🧡

Please see an Open Letter to President Ramaphosa from SA Jewish Board of Deputies national chairperson Prof Karen Miller. The letter calls out President Ramaphosa for his signal failure to even acknowledge, let alone condemn and express empathy over the heinous murder of the Bibas children, their mother and another, elderly hostage by Hamas in his recent address to the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Johannesburg. Dear President Ramaphosa We write to you as our President, h

My heart is broken. Ariel and Kfir crept into our hearts and felt like our precious little cousins. I remember first getting to know those little boys, days after October 7. I wore the Ariel t-shirt at times daily. I took Ariel to the Nelson Mandela bridge and to the beach in Durban as we raised awareness of the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza. He joined me at the solidarity events in our community in Johannesburg, at Wits university and at a Church event in Katlehong. H

The Palestinians need an FW De Klerk, not a Mandela. Opinion Greg Mills Read article here

500 days too long !! #bringthemhomenow