OpEds
Closeness between Board and SAUJS advantageous
With the new academic year about to get underway, the focus is shifting once more to our university campuses. Orientation week commenced at Wits, with SAUJS using the opportunity to introduce itself to first-year students and sign up members.
JEFF KATZ
For Jewish students, many of who are finding themselves for the first time in a much broader environment, SAUJS provides a wide range of social, educational, religious and outreach activities in which they can remain connected to and build on their heritage.
Where required, SAUJS stands up for the rights of Jewish students, including taking action against anti-Semitism and related activity on our campuses.
Over the years, a close working relationship has developed between the Board and SAUJS. We regularly collaborate in running various community outreach projects, an example being the participation of a Jewish delegation in last year’s Human Rights Day commemorative events in Sharpeville.
The national chairman of SAUJS sits on the Gauteng Council and National Executive Committee of the Board and through regular reports-back on these bodies keeps the broader communal leadership in touch with what is happening on campus.
The Board, working with SAUJS, also assists in resolving various difficulties that arise affecting Jewish students, including the setting of exams and tests on Shabbat or Yomtov.
As has been frequently stressed in previous columns, it is up to the relevant students to carefully check their timetables and timeously bring to our attention any clashes that occur. The earlier we are alerted to scheduling problems, the better chance we have of arriving at an acceptable alternative arrangement with the institution concerned. The relevant contact details are (011) 645-2521/ sajbd@sajbd.org.
Over the years, the Board’s Cape Town and Durban branches and the National Office in Johannesburg have been entrusted with administering a range of bursary portfolios on behalf of needy and/or academically deserving Jewish students.
In the case of Cape Town and Durban, bursaries are only granted for study at a local institution within those particular provinces; more flexibility is allowed regarding those administered in Johannesburg. Most of the bursaries are also open to similarly qualified students from the broader community.
The awards for the current academic year have now been finalised. Those interested in applying for 2018 can contact one of the relevant branches: sajbd@sajbd.org (National), cknj@djc.co.za (Durban) and joshua@ctjc.co.za (Cape Town).
One of the things that will inevitably be on everyone’s minds is whether we will see a renewal of last year’s violent protests that caused such havoc on campuses throughout the country.
While it is still early days, there appear to be hopeful signs that this time round, clearer heads will prevail when it comes to addressing the various issues of the day. Whatever transpires, the Board will continue to carefully monitor the situation and, as required, work with SAUJS and the administration concerned to ensure the continued safety and well-being of our students.
Listen to Charisse Zeifert on Jewish Board Talk, 101.9 ChaiFM every Friday 12:00 – 13:00