‘Goldene Medina also gives voice to ‘ordinary’ Jews

JEFF KATZ

Today, the opposite is true. It is not uncommon for political leaders who address our communal event, to express concern over perceived high levels of Jewish emigration as well as a desire that more Jews should choose to make their homes here.

This was the case at Monday’s opening of the exhibition “The Goldene Medina: Celebrating 175 years of Jewish Life in South Africa”. Observing that Jewish history would “always be intertwined in the history of South Africa”, Mayor Herman Mashaba reiterated how much the Jewish contribution is valued and commented on how he would welcome seeing many more Jews settling in Johannesburg.   

In part, the attitudinal shift can be attributed to the disappearance from public life of open anti-Semitism; mainly however, the reason is the extraordinary and multifaceted role that Jews have played in the development of South Africa.

While it is clear that leaders and politicians addressing a particular community, will as a matter of course highlight the positive contributions of that community, the warmth with which South African Jewry’s record is often described, goes beyond polite pro forma niceties and for that we remain justifiably appreciative and proud.

The SAJBD Gauteng Council has partnered with the SA Jewish Museum in Cape Town in bringing the “Goldene Medina” exhibition up to Johannesburg, where it is being hosted at the Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre until June 18.

The exhibition has had an enthusiastic reception, for which credit is due to Museum Director Gavin Morris and everyone else involved in putting it together. Their challenge was to bring to life our community’s history in a way that would go beyond a simple display of facts, figures and, personalities, and they did so admirably.

What they have come up with is people’s history at its best, an innovative, thoroughly engaging interpretation of the unfolding South African Jewish story. 

Traditionally, historical perspectives on South African Jewry have focused on the lives and achievements of our business leaders, famous politicians, cultural icons and similar such individuals.

This exhibition, by contrast, presents things that the average South African Jew will readily identify with: “barmy” lessons, end-of-year Zionist youth camps, Jewish day school memories, growing up in a small-town community and various other commonly shared experiences.

The exhibition has mostly been constructed around first-hand stories, published writings, personal interviews and other primary sources. As such, it gives a voice to those “ordinary” Jews who seldom appear in the history books, and captures something of the feel and flavour of what being a Jewish South African was and is all about. I would recommend that everyone go and see it while they have the opportunity.  

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