Celebrating untold stories of Israel’s action heroes

JORDAN MOSHE

The community celebrated South African Jewry’s special bond with the Jewish state through these remarkable stories.

“We have the privilege and the responsibility to support and defend this country’s connection with Israel,” said outgoing SAZF National Chairperson Ben Swartz. “We continue to stand our ground at the coalface, and make our voice heard.

“We live in a privileged time. Israel is the realisation of a dream of generations of Jews, and we are lucky to be here to live it and see it for ourselves. Yes, some of us live in Israel, and some of us live here, but that doesn’t preclude those of us beyond Israel’s borders from supporting and being part of this special dream.”

Swartz said we have the responsibility to ensure that we do our part for the Jewish state, and the SAZF in particular must ensure that no one can deny us the opportunity to fulfil that responsibility.

“We remain at the fore, building and focusing on our mandate to work with the closer and broader community,” he said. “We engage consistently with the leadership structures of South Africa, reaching tens of millions of South Africans.

The Israeli dream and the accomplishments of its extraordinary people were well illustrated by various speakers at the event. Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Isaac Herzog, former Mossad commander Daniel Limor, South African-born war correspondent Paula Slier, and other equally accomplished guests shared their stories and insights with a riveted audience, bringing untold stories to light for all to share in and cherish.

The SAZF also paid tribute to its outgoing leadership, and those who have contributed significantly to the community. These included Swartz, who is succeeded as national chairperson by Rowan Polovin, the current chairperson of the SAZF Cape Council.

Also recognised was National Director Nicci Raz, who will be stepping down from her position to make aliyah in August. Swartz applauded the staff of the SAZF for their commitment, thanking them for maintaining the bond between Israel and South Africa.

“Thirty years ago, it was all about the blue box,” said Swartz, alluding to the iconic Jewish National Fund money boxes used to collect funds for Israel as it developed. “Israel was still growing, and it needed support. Today, it’s a financial power, and we have moved beyond that.

“We’re responding to a new reality. The job of the SAZF is big, and we need the support of the community. Talk is cheap, so we are not about talking, but doing. It’s about action, and we must continue to engage.”