Cape Council Conference

The theme of this year’s well-attended SAJBD Cape Council conference was ‘Thrive or Survive’, with keynote speaker Rabbi David Rosen focusing on global forces shaping the Jewish future while community members Lisa Klein, Alana Baranov and Yaron Wiesenbacher provided a local perspective on the future for Jewish life in South Africa. One of the distinguishing features of the Cape Council is the importance it has traditionally placed on fostering dialogue within the Jewish community, and providing platforms for its constituents to express their views and concerns. It was through this kind of process that it was possible to arrive at a mutually acceptable resolution to the question of women singing solo at Yom Hashoah ceremonies earlier this year. I congratulate Chairman Eric Marx and his team on all they have accomplished thus far and wish them continued success in the year ahead.