Beyachad pre-election debate

JEFF KATZ

The event was organised by the Board as part of our election awareness and education project and I want to thank the representatives of the ANC, DA, Cope and ACDP who participated in the debate, as well as Mandy Wiener for the professional manner in which she chaired it.

Given the pressing issues facing our country, the discussion was understandably robust at times. That being said, the civil and constructive nature of the exchanges, with participants focusing on the issues rather than on personalities, was encouraging. This, after all, is how democracy should work, with everyone being given a fair and respectful hearing.

Ultimately, we all want the same thing – a well-run, corruption-free city whose elected leaders are fully committed to finding solutions to the kind of problems experienced by ordinary citizens, from crime through to unemployment and the deterioration of public services in particular healthcare and education.

Ideally speaking, all those elected to office on August 3, must see themselves as a team working towards common goals, regardless of which particular party they represent.   

What is true for our political democracy is just as true for how we, as a Jewish community, deal with our own internal affairs. The Board likewise encourages open and honest discussion between our constituents on issues of common concern, with the proviso that this at all times be civil.

We must never become so polarised and distrustful of one another that those holding different perspectives come to be regarded as “the enemy”. The colloquium held in Cape Town two weeks ago to discuss the question of women singing solo at Yom Hashoah ceremonies, was a successful example of various constituencies within the Cape community coming together to debate, frankly but without unnecessary antagonism, a matter over which there are strongly-held and widely differing viewpoints. 

Temple Israel – 80 years of service

On behalf of the Board, I am extremely pleased to congratulate Temple Israel on its upcoming 80^th birthday celebrations. Despite the challenges posed by changing demographics in the Hillbrow area, Temple Israel continues to serve as a place of worship, while at the same time it has succeeded in transforming itself into a vibrant centre of social outreach for the broader Johannesburg and Hillbrow populations.

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 realising 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 respected member of the SAJBD whose name has become synonymous with both Temple Israel and tikkun olam through our country.

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