Israeli park commemorates SA Jews who opposed apartheid

A memorial park was inaugurated in Israel on Monday, 7 November, to commemorate the many South African Jews involved in the struggle against apartheid, as well as those who supported Israel.

“At a time when some are trying to divide South Africa and Israel for their own sectarian interests, this garden will be a living testament to the bond between the two peoples in the struggle for freedom,” said Jewish National Fund South Africa Chairperson Michael Kransdorff at the ceremony. Kransdorff championed the garden in Tel Mond.

The 5 000m² memorial garden is surrounded by trees in Tel Mond park, a 22 000m² area located in central Israel. The community in Tel Mond is mostly English-speaking and is close to Ra’anana, where many South Africans have settled, and Netanya.

The park will commemorate the likes of Helen Suzman, who for many years was the official opposition to the Nationalist Party-led apartheid government, and the lawyer who represented Nelson Mandela and other African National Congress activists in the Treason Trial. It will also honour anti-apartheid Rabbi Myer Benjamin, and veteran Rand Daily Mail journalist Benjy Pogrund, among many others.

The garden will house a sculpture by a South African artist, 36 trees will be planted, and there will be stones throughout Gan Siyabonga (We Thank you Garden) for each activist with QR codes. When the QR codes are scanned, a short personal history of the activist will be revealed. The number 36 was chosen because according to Jewish tradition, each generation is saved by 36 righteous people.

“There were many South African Jews who contributed to South Africa’s liberation and who were supportive of Israel’s establishment and development,” Kransdorff said at the ceremony. “These heroes have never been recognised, and many aren’t well known, yet they were instrumental in helping to build better societies in South Africa and Israel. We’re researching the stories of honourees to be commemorated in Gan Siyabonga, which include artists, rabbis, musicians, lawyers, educators, doctors, parliamentarians, those who went into townships to feed the hungry, and even those who took up arms in South Africa against the apartheid government.”

Rowan Polovin, the national chairperson of the South African Zionist Federation said, “This memorial garden, a first of its kind, is a powerful testament to a group of South African Jews who fought against injustice in South Africa while also embracing the need for the Jewish state of Israel to exist and thrive.”

David Benjamin spoke at the event about his father. “My late father, Rabbi Myer [Sonny] Benjamin, was an outspoken critic of the government during the apartheid era and played a major role in the struggle for human rights. He held multiracial prayer meetings at a time when it was illegal. He housed hundreds of displaced people in his synagogue who were expelled from their homes by the Nationalist government. It’s heartening when people who never sought recognition are acknowledged for their actions.” Benjamin was a staunch supporter of the state of Israel and emigrated there in 1988.

Said Ruth Wasserman Lande, a South African member of the Israeli Knesset (parliament), “As someone who grew up in South Africa and immigrated to Israel, I’m immensely proud to witness the bridging of those two worlds with the opening of this park, donated by the South African Jewish community, which is known for its staunch support for and loyalty to South Africa on the one hand and its love of Israel on the other.

“It also bridges a divide between two countries that unfortunately are experiencing a difficult stage in their relationship. South Africa has been through tremendous hardship, and so has the Jewish people. There are deep connections between us that have been kidnapped. This project is another stone in a bridge to bring South Africa and Israel closer.”

It’s anticipated that the statue and special song to commemorate the garden will be unveiled early in 2023.

As the list of those who will be commemorated is still a work in progress, families, friends, and comrades are invited to submit names for consideration. Please email admin@sazf.org