Hovsha, Jewish Board’s point man in Cape Town, has got what it takes

SUZANNE BELLING

“He brings with him a range of expertise and experience that will take our organisation to new heights,” said Cape Chairman Eric Marx. “He is a community organiser, legal and political analyst and project manager with a passion for social justice and empowerment.”

Hovsha holds masters degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand, in political science (MA), and in international and comparative law (LLM) from Trinity College Dublin, as the recipient of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution’s (CASAC) Kader Asmal Human Rights Fellowship.

Prior to Dublin, Hovsha worked at the Helen Suzman Foundation, an NGO dedicated to promoting liberal constitutional democracy in South Africa through public interest litigation, advocacy and education. In his time at the Foundation, Hovsha took part in litigation over “state capture”, notably in cases involving the Hawks and IPID as well as leading the Foundation’s xenophobia response. 

He has managed large teams in diverse organisations and has worked in educational capacities as both a director of education and hands-on teacher.

In the past he has served as the national educational director of Bnei Akiva, South Africa, helped found the Academy of Jewish Thought and Learning, and led as co-chair of Limmud Johannesburg in 2015 and 2016. Through these experiences Hovsha has been able to engage with a wide audience including adolescents, university students and established professionals of all backgrounds.

He has a particular passion for the nuances of Jewish tradition with a special love for Jewish philosophy. He has written on and taught the Hebrew bible as well as Jewish political thought, and served as a faculty member for Melton, Johannesburg.

In 2013 he was selected among a group of young South Africans chosen to meet US President Barack Obama in Soweto.

“We feel that the experience and skills that he brings will enhance the Board’s mandate to serve our community in its key areas of combating anti-Semitism, representing and lobbying for our community.

“We hope his background and competencies will complement our efforts in regard to communication, young adult development, transformation and inter-community dialogue,” Marx said.