A capacity crowd at Beyachad last night was enthralled by Rabbi David Rosen’s account of the extraordinary revolution in Jewish-Catholic relations that has taken place over the past fifty years. Rabbi Rosen, one of the world’s foremost Jewish leaders in the field of inter-faith relations, was in the country last week to participate in the fiftieth anniversary commemorations of Nostra Aetate, a landmark declaration in which the Church decisively turned its back on more than fifteen centuries of antisemitic dogma and embarked on a new era of outreach to and friendship with the Jewish people. In recent decades, he has been intrinsically involved in the ongoing building of bridges between the two faith communities, for which work he has been recognised by, inter alia, the bestowing of a Papal Knighthood from the Vatican.
Rabbi Rosen observed that even today, the Jewish world has not fully grasped the significance of the Catholic Church’s transformation in terms of how it views not only Jews and Judaism, but the State of Israel. Whereas Theodor Herzl had been told by Pope Pius X that the Vatican would never recognise a Jewish homeland until such time as Jews recognised the Christian Savior, it today had diplomatic relations with Israel and was staunchly opposed to attempts to delegitimize it.
Rabbi Rosen was introduced by SAJBD Gauteng Council Chairman Shaun Zagnoev, while Gauteng Council member David Kuming gave the thanks and closing remarks.
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.