IAW turns nasty – again

JEFF KATZ

It is clear that as in the past, IAW activists are solely intent on imposing their views and silencing those who challenge them by whatever means are necessary.   

The first day of the campaign at Wits was marked by a series of acts of intimidation and disruption against SAUJS students trying to display their own exhibitions, including attempts by IAW activists to destroy SAUJS’ posters and literature.

The university authorities have been alerted to these incidents, and hopefully the necessary steps will be taken to ensure that those wishing to put forward a different view, will be allowed to do so without further harassment or intimidation. 

In responding to IAW, it would be quite easy to indulge in tit-for-tat mudslinging and similar undemocratic activities. To the great credit of our students, they are instead running a campaign promoting peace and dialogue, based on the theme “See Israel for yourself”.

Similarly, the Board and the SAZF, decided this year to bring out Craig Dershowitz of Artists 4 Israel, an NGO that promotes peace and social change through arts and culture, to run a series of graffiti art projects and workshops in the Johannesburg inner city.

The Board was instrumental in obtaining publicity for the visit, including organising radio interviews where Craig referred to his work in promoting peace and co-existence in Israel. The Board also had a number of opinion articles published in the print media, and has been active in combating attempts to push for an academic boycott of Israeli institutions. We continue to work closely with SAUJS, assisting as much as we can in ensuring that they can freely carry out their activities.        

The SAJBD’s The Guide to Jewish Southern Africa 

In 2000, the Board brought out the first-ever edition of what was then called The Guide to Jewish South Africa, a comprehensive listing of every Jewish organisation countrywide, including in the smaller towns and country areas. It was an immediate success, particularly among those involved in Jewish communal service.

Now called The Guide to Jewish Southern Africa, since it today also includes Jewish communal organisations in other sub-Saharan African countries, it provides the contact details, addresses and current contact persons of over 300 Jewish institutions, grouped under such categories as religious, educational, Zionist, fundraising, welfare, outreach, youth, women’s groups and kosher establishments.

The Guide, which appears biennially, embodies a lesser known but still vital function of the Board, namely to provide an overall co-ordinating role for and source of information on South African Jewry.

It has become one of the most valued services provided by the Board to the community, particularly to its affiliates.

I commend Shirley Beagle for once again doing so meticulous a job in compiling the latest edition. As always, she went to all possible lengths to ensure that the information was as accurate and up-to-date as possible. Copies of the Guide can be obtained free of charge from all our regional offices.  

         Listen to Charisse Zeifert on Jewish Board Talk, 101.9 ChaiFM every Friday 12:00-13:00