Board looks at alternatives as public events cancelled

JULIE LEIBOWITZ

The South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) told the SA Jewish Report on 17 March that it had cancelled the annual Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut events “due to coronavirus concerns”.

“This doesn’t mean that there won’t be opportunities for us to commemorate and celebrate these important occasions, or that they will go unnoticed in South Africa,” the SAZF notice said. “Our communal love for Israel and proud Zionism will never waver. Over the coming weeks, we will be working on innovative ideas and alternate plans for these two events.”

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) confirmed that its International Refugee Shabbat (next weekend) and Yom Hashoah would be cancelled.

SAJBD National Director Wendy Kahn said, “We are busy arranging an innovative alternate online programme for Yom Hashoah.”

Kahn said that the implications of the cancellations/postponements were “devastating”, but wherever possible, the board would try to find creative new ways to hold the events. She said the events were cancelled well in advance, so no financial outlay had been made.

The Cape SAJBD has also cancelled communal gatherings, social functions, and events.

It has closed the Cape Town Holocaust & Genocide Centre, South African Jewish Museum, and the Gitlin Library until further notice. And it’s enforcing strict access control at the Jewish residential homes Highlands House, Glendale, Astra (Rosecourt), and Oranjia.

In Johannesburg, the Chevrah Kadisha has since 13 March closed access to all its residential facilities, including Our Parents Home and Sandringham Gardens, to everyone except residents, staff, and service providers.

The Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre has suspended public events and large groups of visitors until 20 April. The organisation said its permanent and temporary exhibition, “Through the Eyes of Youth: Life and Death in the Bedzin Ghetto” would stay open with “heightened hygienic measures, including hand sanitiser stations and the continuous cleaning of surface areas”.

All shuls will be closed, and all kosher restaurants are required to observe strict access control including restricting access to those who have travelled abroad over the past 14 days or who are displaying flu-like symptoms.

Jewish communal leaders have reminded the community that other than the national guidelines, they should also avoid unnecessary public and social gatherings, and limit attendance at funerals and simchas.