Over the past two weeks, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies has been involved in a Western Cape High Court case: Professor Adam Mendelsohn versus University of Cape Town (UCT) Council. The case centres on the alleged lack of correct process followed by the UCT Council in its decision to pass a boycott resolution against Israel. The resolution that was passed ultimately contained two key elements which are highly problematic for us as a community: a boycott of all co-o

. A night of hope and unity hosted by the SAJBD, Chabad and Kosherworld with meaningful messages by SAJBD Chairperson Prof Karen Milner, The Australian Acting High Commissioner and United States Charge d’affaires. Together we will bring light in this time of darkness.

Dear Community Members Please report any incidents of antisemitism, hate or intimidation to the SAJBD Antisemitism and Intimidation hotline 078 259 4147. You are not alone the SAJBD are here to help. In the coming weeks, SA Jewry will be traveling for the summer holidays. We remind the community to maintain vigilance. If at any point you are concerned for your safety or aware of any threat to the community you can use any of the following numbers: CSO JHB/DBN/PTA/ or anywhe

The SA Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) expresses its heartfelt solidarity and sympathy with the Australian Jewish community following the heinous terror attack in Sydney as the community joined to light Chanukah candles. We condemn this despicable shooting against Jewish people congregating for the first night of Channukah. This horror of this vicious terror attack resulted in the callous death of 11 community members with 29 seriously injured. We remember the antisemitic

We are devastated to hear of the terror attack targeting Australian Jewry who were gathered to light candles for the first night of Channukah. We stand with our Australian brothers and sisters and send our solidarity and prayers. We are in contact with our counterparts in the Australian Jewish community and we will continue to offer our support.

A meaningful day at the G20 Social Summit, where voices from civil society, grassroots groups, and faith-based communities came together. The SAJBD is proud to continue engaging with the broader South African society on behalf of our Jewish community. 🤝🌍 #G20SouthAfrica #g20socialsummit

From Pretoria to Johannesburg! A day that began at the University of Pretoria and concluded at the University of Johannesburg 20th Anniversary celebration - a testament to the power of connection, collaboration, and community. The SAJBD remains committed to engaging with universities across South Africa, fostering partnerships and meaningful dialogue on behalf of the South African Jewish community.

Today the SAJBD stands strong outside the Cape High Court to hear SC Adv Fagan’s legal response to UCT’s legal arguments on behalf of Prof Adam Mendelsohn. The case regards UCT Council’s adoption of resolutions to boycott Israel and on the definition of antisemitism. This is a watershed case, the outcome of which will help determine whether Jewish South Africans can continue to rely on constitutional protections when their dignity and safety are at risk in public institutions

Today Prof Mendelsohn’s legal Council Advocate Fagan will be responding to the oral arguments which were made on behalf of UCT last week in the Cape High Court. A brief summary of this case and why it is important for SA Jewry is below: UCT’s Head of the Kaplan Centre is taking UCT to court challenging the Council’s process, lack of consultation and the impact of these resolutions. In June 2024, UCT’s Council passed 2 resolutions 1.⁠ ⁠To Boycott Israel 2.⁠ ⁠To reject the IHRA

Read article here

Adv Geoff Budlender SC made submissions for South African Jews for Free Palestine. He questioned whether it was necessary to consult the Jewish community on how to define Antisemitism on campus stating that SAJBD and Mendelsohn are merely using this as a tactic to stop criticism of Israel on UCT. He argued against the need to engage with those impacted by Antisemitism ie Jewish staff and students saying that it was as important to also consult non-Jewish people on Antisemitis

Resolutions taken on by the UCT Council in 2024 are being taken on review by Prof Adam Mendelsohn

📍The SAJBD appreciate the Cape Jewish and Christian community who came to support our case both inside and outside of the Cape Town High Court today.

Adv. Thembeka stated that the UCT Council chose to bear the financial consequences of its resolutions because of the “moral imperative” to boycott Israel. Yet it seems UCT felt no comparable moral imperative to protect its own Jewish students and academics from the antisemitism and discrimination they have faced on the UCT campus — the very community the Council is meant to SAFEGUARD!! Nor did the Council appear moved by the plight of the 288 students whose funding would be j

Two suspicious objects were found in the Glenhazel area. The bomb squad was called in. They have checked both devices and they weren't explosive. The area has been fully opened.

SAJFP legal team challenging the legal requirements of UCT Council to consult stakeholders, say non-Jews should be included. We see the claim that "those who would be accused of antisemitism should also be spoken to" would be like demanding the AWB be consulted on definition of racism. #StopAntisemitismOnUCT @BroadattheBoard @CapeTimesSA @CapeTalk @sajewishreport @ADL @uctjustkidding @News24 @SABCNews

Read article here

A key issue in this case is UCT Council’s decision to reject the IHRA definition of antisemitism without consulting the Jewish community, who are the ones directly affected by antisemitism. The SA Jewish Board of Deputies has stepped in as a friend of the court, challenging the UCT Council decision. Ultimately, as Adv Adhikari eloquently points out, definitional debates are interesting, but one must not ever forget that antisemitism is experienced by people - their lived real

Adv Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC is presenting the UCT council’s case Judge Sher has debated that weight needed to be attached to the financial consequences of the decision to adopt the resolution including financial loss of R200 million donation to the UCT from Donald Gordon Foundation, 288 students not being funded by the Dell foundation and the donation of a hospital to UCT. This was due to the fact that the resolution to change the definition of Antisemitism was in conflict to