SAJBD Remembers Argentina

During the meeting earlier this month of the World Jewish Congress in Buenos Aires, delegates including representatives from the SAJBD attended‎ a ceremony at the Israeli Embassy to mark the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attack there. They also visited the AMIA Jewish community centre, where several years later an even more horrific terrorist atrocity took place . The latter attack in particular forced  the Jewish world at large into realizing that  individual Jewish communities needed to implement their own security measures in order to supplement those provided by their respective governments. It was around that time that the then Jewish community leadership in South Africa established the Community Security Organisation (CSO).

‎In the early 1990s, terrorist attacks were still comparatively rare events. Since 2000, however, the global situation has steadily and significantly worsened, to the point that no country can now truly feel safe. Ever since the massacres in Paris last November, it was anticipated that Belgium would be next, and last week that sickeningly came true. The country's worst incident prior to this had been the attack on the Jewish museum. Similarly, the most lethal terrorist attack in France prior to last year's outrages were the murders of several children at a Jewish school in Toulouse. Both cases only underline the truth that while acts of violence and hatred might start with Jews, they never end with us.

Because of the greater affluence and international standing of European countries, terrorist incidents there have tended to overshadow those of equal or often even greater seriousness ‎elsewhere in the world. That is particularly true when it comes to Africa. Not only have a high proportion of the very worst attacks taken place right here on this continent, but the scourge of terrorism is clearly spreading. Mali, Burkino Faso, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Chad have now joined Nigeria, Kenya, Somalia, Egypt and Tunisia amongst the African countries that have suffered major terrorist attacks in recent years . In the last couple of weeks we have also seen horrific attacks in Turkey and Pakistan. While South Africa has mercifully been spared so  far, we need to remember how during the late 1990s Cape Town experienced a prolonged series of bombings by suspected local Islamist groupings, including on a synagogue and a Jewish book shop. 

The lesson for all of us, as always, is to be constantly vigilant, while working at all times with the CSO to ensure that proper security measures are in place for all our installations and for all our communal functions. We allow the terrorists to win if they prevent us from  continuing to live our normal lives, as proud Jews and as South African citizens. That being said, we must be realistic enough to recognise the reality of the threat posed and adopt whatever measures we can to confront it.

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.