On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to congratulate Temple Israel on its upcoming 80th birthday celebrations. Despite the challenges posed by changing demographics in the Hillbrow area, Temple Israel continues to serve as a place of worship, but at the same time it has succeeded in transforming itself into a vibrant centre of social outreach for the broader Johannesburg population. In doing so, it has given practical expression to the timeless Jewish values of caring and compassion for those in need of a helping hand, and indeed in realizing the noble Jewish ideal of Tikkun Olam – Healing the World. In congratulating all the dedicated people who are or have been involved in this unfolding story, I would like to pay a special tribute to Reeva Forman, a long-serving and highly valued member of the SAJBD whose name, in addition, has become synonymous with Temple Israel over the decades.
Recent Articles
Above Board 27 August
Desperate Dangor’s antizionist rant
In recent weeks, the SAJBD has observed a rise in increasingly hostile efforts to challenge the perspectives of our community organisations and silence “mainstream” Jewish voices. In this case, “mainstream” Jewish refers to community members who are traditionally Jewish in observance (be it orthodox or progressive), and Zionist in orientation. Yet, the discourse has shifted, increasingly framing Zionism itself as beyond acceptable bounds, thereby deeming aligned groups inherently problematic. What stands out, however, is that the campaign against mainstream Jewry is increasingly desperate, incoherent, and too often driven by a quest for attention rather than substantive dialogue.
Unpacking Holocaust Inversion: A Deep Dive into Jewish Plurality and Ideological Battles
Unpacking Holocaust Inversion: A Deep Dive into Jewish Plurality and Ideological Battles
Above Board 21 August 2025
Last weekend, I had the privilege of attending and presenting at Limmud, an event that over the years has truly become a cornerstone of our communal calendar. It stands as the most invigorating platform we have for exploring the rich diversity of Jewish views and topics that shape our community, dealing with issues that simply aren’t addressed with such depth and openness in any other forum.