by Natasha Horvath

The SA Jewish Board of Deputies have been engaged in many activities. Below are their enterprises in Joburg and Durban as well as Cape Town.

In Johannesburg WIZO held an event honouring women who have made an important contribution to South Africa. Wendy Kahn attended and former SAJBD President Marlene Bethlehem was among the honorees.

Work continues apace on the Board's book on Nelson Mandela and SA Jewry, which is being researched and written by Associate Director David Saks. It is largely based on personal accounts from Jews who knew and worked with Mandiba over the years.

Durban

Linda Nathan, Vice-President of the CKNJ attended a workshop given by the UNISA Social Work Department and the Bright Site Project. This is an initiative for fourth year social worker students. The CKNJ was the only non-service based organization represented.

Cape Town

Mickey Glass and Gwynne Robins attended the Baha'i Faith's 2011 Celebration of World Religions event. The function was held to celebrate the centenary of the Baha'i Faith in South Africa.

The Cape Board Executive met with Paul Berman (Chairman of Jewish Community Services), Ann Marks (Executive Director) and Philip Todres (Chairman of Jewish Care Cape) to discuss the situation of welfare in Cape Town. A very productive discussion was held and some ‘tachlis’ ideas were put forward.

Cape Director David Jacobson was interviewed by Karl Lallerstedt, who was in Cape Town conducting interviews with a range of actors concerning political developments in South Africa and expectations of the future on behalf of the Swedish International Liberal Centre.

He was focusing particularly on constitutional and minority rights and was interested in hearing how the Jewish community perceives the situation in South Africa.