South African Jewry – 175 Years

As featured in last week’s SA Jewish Report issue, preparations are underway to commemorate 175 years of organised Jewish life in South Africa. The Cape Council of the SAJBD is already very active in this regard, given that Cape Town is the ‘Mother community’ of South African Jewry. A series of events – co-ordinated to engage the community, civil society and government – will take place throughout the year. Their purpose, as the Cape Council’s monthly bulletin to the community expresses it, will be to “showcase the Jewish community’s great commitment to and involvement in the development of South Africa”, while also using the occasion as an opportunity to “address how our community, together with fellow citizens, will continue to add to the growth of a free, democratic and prosperous South Africa”. Amongst the events being planned are a lecture series highlighting Jewish contributions to various aspects of South African life and an exhibition on the community’s history at the South African Jewish Museum. While the events will largely be Cape Town-based, we hope in the course of the year to ensure that this milestone is appropriately celebrated throughout the country as well.