Cape Board holds onto country communities department

TALI FEINBERG

“The Cape Board has always operated a country communities department which has been independent of the national board,” says SAJBD National Chairperson Shaun Zagnoev. “Hence the transition of the country communities department to the Small Jewish Communities Association (SJCA) has not had an impact on the Cape’s country community capability.

“We are sure that the SJCA, acting through its board and Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft, will continue to have a collaborative relationship with the Cape in this regard. In time, if so determined by the two bodies, the SJCA could play an even greater role for the Cape Board.”

Says Cape SAJBD Director Stuart Diamond, “With the closing of the national SAJBD’s country communities department, we felt it wasn’t the time to disconnect from country communities in the Western Cape.” He envisions re-invigorating this portfolio, by “not making it only about cemetery maintenance, but helping Jews in country towns feel connected to their Judaism”.

Last year, Cape Board members visited and spent Shabbat with a number of these rural communities, and will continue to do so this year. They will assist in building databases of country communities’ descendants now living around the world. “We are even thinking about a seminar or weekend away in one of the country communities to build connections,” says Diamond.

The Cape SAJBD will also work closely with municipalities to ensure that former shuls and memorabilia are maintained, cemeteries are protected from vandalism, and Jewish history becomes part of the tourism in these areas.

“Jews from country communities played a vital role in building up South Africa, and we aren’t closing the door on that past,” says Diamond. He says the board manages four community trusts and works with six active communities, including Stellenbosch, Paarl, Hermanus, Plettenberg Bay, Strand, and Somerset West. “They are literally on our doorstep, so it makes sense to keep close contact with them.”

Building these connections has led to more people in these communities reporting incidents of hate and anti-Semitism in their areas as they now know they can reach out to the board. “For example, in January it was reported that a swastika was drawn in the sand at a beach in Plettenberg Bay. This might not have been reported in the past, but now we could deal with it.”

Diamond says that the Cape’s position is unique in that it’s a small community, and the recent community survey by the Kaplan Centre for Jewish Studies shows that “if we are going to survive, we need to collaborate and work together”. In addition, he believes it’s vital to “expand the tent” and include all community members, no matter where they are living.

Practically, Diamond says Rabbi Stuart Serwater has conducted services in the Cape’s country communities for many years, and he will remain the first port of call. The Cape Board will also work closely with Rabbi Silberhaft and the SJCA, and will fly him to Cape Town if needed. In addition, technology will be used to keep in close contact with rural communities.

“We are committed to the Cape’s country communities. We are behind them, and won’t turn our backs on them,” says Diamond.

Rabbi Silberhaft said that through the SJCA, he will continue to work closely with all country communities and individuals as he has done for the past 26 years, should they choose this.