29 January 2026 For the first time since 2014, there are no Israeli hostages in Gaza. This is a momentous inflection point, marked by emotions as complex as they are profound. While the instinct might be to celebrate, we carry with us the sobering reality that so many of those returned came home as mortal remains, their lives brutally cut short, their families forever incomplete. Yet there is undeniably relief and definitely a measure of joy at the conclusion of Israel’s long

The SAJBD KZN Council was pleased to host its Annual General Meeting at the Durban Jewish Club on Thursday, 13 August 2026. It was a meaningful evening of reflection and appreciation, as we celebrated the dedication and contribution of our leadership, Board, affiliates and community partners over the past year. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and to all those who continue to contribute to the strength, unity and vibrancy of the KwaZulu-Natal Jewish com

📍Highlights from the SAJBD delegation at the 70th National Women’s Day Commemoration at the Union Buildings Together, we heard powerful messages from Mme Sophie Williams-De Bruyn, one of the last surviving leaders of the historic 1956 Women’s March, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, and President Cyril Ramaphosa. Together, we honoured and celebrated the legacy of the women of 1956, women who stood up, spoke out and helped shape the South Africa we know today. And

Women are not only central to Jewish communal life, but they run the main communal organisations, too. Wendy Kahn is the national director of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD); Stacey Dembo is executive director of the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF); Ariellah Rosenberg is chief executive of ORT South Africa; Bev Schneider is national director at the Jewish National Fund South Africa; and Sasha Said is national chairperson of the South African Union o

Empowered women empower nations. 🇿🇦 Today, on National Women’s Day, we honour the courageous women of 1956 who stood together and changed the course of our country and the women who continue to lead, inspire and build South Africa today. At the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, we are proud to be an organisation where women lead from the front. From our National President and National Chairperson to our National Director and provincial leadership, women are at the hea

“Imagine walking through the centre of almost any major city in the diaspora in 2026 wearing a T-shirt celebrating your Jewish identity. For many Jews, that would feel like an act of courage. Yet on Sunday, 26 July, a team of Johannesburg Jews did exactly that. As part of 702’s Walk the Talk, our team proudly wore shirts emblazoned with the words “Jews 4 Jozi”. We weren’t simply taking part in a walk. We were making a statement: Jews belong in Johannesburg, and we are proud t

From boarding the Gautrain to shlepping through the inner-city streets of Jozi and past its iconic landmarks, we walked proudly as Jews and as South Africans, celebrating the city we are so privileged to call home 👟🇿🇦✡️

What a powerful experience for the Jews4Jozi Walk the Talk team! From boarding the Gautrain to shlepping through the inner-city streets of Jozi and past its iconic landmarks, we walked proudly as Jews and as South Africans, celebrating the city we are so privileged to call home. At a time when Jews around the world are feeling increasingly isolated, we are incredibly fortunate to live in a country where we can be openly and proudly Jewish, while feeling an integral part of th

This Mandela Day, the SAJBD was proud to partner with the incredible Maharishi Institute to serve Johannesburg’s inner-city community. Together, we helped provide more than 5,000 meals and learned about the Institute’s inspiring work, led by its Jewish CEO and founder, Taddy Blecher. Through education and holistic support, the Maharishi Institute is transforming lives and helping build a brighter future for the inner city. As a Jewish community, we are guided by the value of

On 13 July, alongside our incredible community volunteers, we packed and delivered hundreds of food parcels to members of the Congolese community in Johannesburg who are facing severe humanitarian challenges. This community is especially vulnerable with no citizen registry and very limited support from official representatives, countless families have nowhere to turn. We were made aware of their urgent needs by a trusted partner organisation with whom we have worked since 200

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies was honoured to attend the U.S. Embassy in South Africa’s celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America. The event brought together leaders from across South African society to commemorate a significant milestone in American history and to reflect on the longstanding ties between South Africa and the United States. Former President Thabo Mbeki spoke about the shared history of our two nation

The SAJBD is closely monitoring the situation surrounding 30 June and will continue to assess developments and keep the community informed. At present, we are particularly concerned about the spread of misinformation. We therefore encourage the community to rely only on information from verified and credible sources. The SAJBD will use its official platforms to provide updates on the evolving situation in the coming days. We are engaging on an ongoing basis with HIAS South Af

As xenophobic tensions rise across South Africa, vulnerable migrant families in KZN and Gauteng are facing fear, displacement, hunger, and uncertainty. The SAJBD has been approached to provide emergency relief for those affected. Please donate using the following options and help us in helping those affected EFT: SAJBD Standard Bank 051001 200305190 Ref: Name Xen Alternatively, please use this URL ***Donations qualify for a Section 18A tax certificate.

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) unequivocally condemns xenophobia, anti-migrant violence and the scapegoating of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. As a community shaped by a history of persecution, exclusion and displacement, South African Jewry is acutely aware of the dangers of blaming vulnerable minorities for society’s challenges. We know that when fear and frustration are directed at those perceived as “outsiders”, the results can be devastating.

Youth day 2026 message from SAJBD Gauteng Chairperson Danny Mofsowitz “In our book of Sages it is written that, we are not obligated to complete the work, but nor are we free to abandon it. As we remember and honor the youth of 1976, we speak directly to the youth of 2026, the work of that generation is not yet finished and we are not free to abandon it” 🇿🇦✊🖤