Back to Life at the 2022 Absa Jewish Achiever Awards

A celebration with a difference, this year’s Absa Jewish Achiever Awards moved from traditional formality to a vibrant party atmosphere. Honouring hundreds of nominees and 10 inspiring winners, the evening was an uplifting look at the hope that our community inspires in a brighter future for South Africa.

“Welcome back to life,” said Howard Sackstein, the chairperson of the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards and the SA Jewish Report, opening the evening’s festivities. The first in-person ceremony since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the event exuded positivity and a spirit of celebration that embodied the theme “Back to life”. With hip- hop dancing, aerial acrobatics as well as an aerial, Matrix-inspired fight scene, wall dancing, tap dancing, and musical numbers, the entertainment was on another level.

Multiple bars were dedicated to wine, whisky, gin, Jägermeister, and tequila, while a delicious 10-course meal catered by Delores Fouché, included citrus sea bass, Indian Osso Buco, and “Big Macher” vegan burger boxes. Attended by 914 people and hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre, the awards topped off a recent series of exciting events in South Africa’s small but flourishing Jewish community.

“Whoever is worried about our diminishing numbers and the vibrancy of our community just has to look at the past seven days to understand that the dynamism of our community is unparalleled anywhere in the world,” said Sackstein. “Our community simply pulsates with energy.”

“Nowhere else in the world would more than 700 people have been nominated for Jewish Achiever Awards with four panels of judges – 30 judges in total – with more than 8 300 people voting and 11 000 votes cast by members of the public. Our community is remarkable, and we’ll not be defined by size.”

Not glossing over South Africa’s huge problems, Sackstein said that it’s sad that we’ve learned to live with constant loadshedding. In fact, two of the multiple generators brought in for the occasion blew out, yet each time, the power returned, symbolising South Africa’s resilience. “We deserve a lot better as a nation,” Sackstein said.

“Sometimes, it’s a bit difficult to be optimistic in the dark. Before you get pessimistic, though, look around this room, look at the awards this evening. Look at the nominees and the winners. If that doesn’t bring you hope, nothing will.”

With pumping hits and party poppers, complemented by streamers and balloons falling from the ceiling, the jubilant spirit was palpable. Hilarious master of ceremonies, Harry Sideropoulos, kept the audience entertained, while winners provided inspiration, reflecting on their journey and paying tribute to the pioneers in our community. They expressed a hope in a better tomorrow, something they’re all actively working to realise.

Sackstein recounted a story that Philip Krawitz, a previous Lifetime Achiever Award winner, told him about a meeting he attended with then Israeli President Shimon Peres. When someone asked Perez how he remained an optimist after dedicating his life to peace but only knowing war, Peres answered, “Optimists and pessimists, they all die the same, but they live very different lives.”

And so, said Sackstein, “My wish for all of you tonight is to live a very different life.”

• Money raised by the event supports the free publication of the SA Jewish Report. The paper is read by 50 000 people in hardcopy format each week, and its website has been visited by 400 000 people this year so far. https://www.sajr.co.za/donate/