Last Friday, Israel’s Foreign Ministry Director-General Dore Gold arrived in South Africa for a historic three-day visit. It was the first such visit by an Israeli diplomatic official of his rank in a decade, and it was surely galling to the local ‘Boycott Israel’ lobby that it coincided with the latter part of their “Israel Apartheid Week”. In the various meetings between Gold and his South African counterparts it was agreed to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in water management, agriculture and technology, fields which are crucially important to South Africa’s national interests. We are encouraged to see that our government is no longer choosing to cut itself off from such beneficial partnerships simply to appease the radical anti-Israel lobby. Apart from the obvious lost beneficial opportunities for South Africa, such a policy would have (and has in the past had) no impact on Israel, done nothing whatsoever to advance peace prospects and would obviously not improve one iota the position of the Palestinians, the very people for whose sole benefit the BDS lobby claims to be acting.
Recent Articles
Jewish Report 11 - 18 September 2025
Above Board in this week's Jewish Report
by Prof Karen Milner
Connection, recollection, condolence
This week has seen the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) continue its vital international engagements, fostering connections that strengthen our community on the global stage. Our national director, Wendy Kahn, joined her counterparts from 60 communities around the world at the World Jewish Congress (WJC) National Community Directors Forum in Bratislava, Slovakia. This gathering provides an invaluable space for open dialogue, where they share experiences, exchange ideas, and learn from one another in a spirit of collaboration and mutual support.
SAJBD National Director Represents South Africa at Global Jewish Leadership Forum
SAJBD National Director Represents South Africa at Global Jewish Leadership Forum
This week, SAJBD National Director Wendy Kahn attended the World Jewish Congress’s 10th National Community Directors Forum, held in Bratislava, Slovakia. The gathering brought together over 75 Jewish community leaders from 50 countries to share experiences, strategies, and mutual support at a time when Jewish life faces significant global challenges.
Wendy Kahn's column in the latest edition of Jewish Life: Hidden Treasures - Our Living history
Wendy Kahn's column in the latest edition of Jewish Life:
Hidden Treasures - Our Living history
There is a little-known treasure trove in the Beyachad building that few have experienced. I have worked at the SAJBD for nearly 20 years, and I have used the archive periodically in my day to day work life, getting information for articles, legal cases or correspondence.
Over the past month we have been in the process of moving our archive into the heart of Beyachad, making it more accessible and exciting for our community and the many people who use it.