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Joburg participants say leadership training will support diaspora
Two young Johannesburg-based leaders, Saul Jassinowsky and Ariel Goldberg, hope their selection for the prestigious Zionist Leadership Academy (ZLA) will enhance their leadership skills and help them address challenges facing the Jewish community.
Jassinowsky, 35, was nominated for the 10-month programme, which starts this month, by the Jewish National Fund (JNF) South Africa, for which he serves as an executive committee member. Jassinowsky, who has helped support hostages and injured soldiers, said he was honoured to be nominated.
Goldberg applied after being encouraged to do so by alumni of the programnme. “I’m passionate about fighting antisemitism and finding ways to improve and grow our Jewish community,” he said. Goldberg, 26, gained leadership experience in the South African Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS). “My attitude and experience in various communal spaces gave me the opportunity to participate in this programme,” he said.
This year marks the fourth ZLA programme, a joint initiative led by Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) and the World Zionist Organization. The programme aims to empower a select group of young leaders hailing from Jewish communities around the world to create future generations of strong leaders who can play a significant role in their communities and the continued development of Israel.
Jassinowsky believes his selection is “less about me personally, and more about the work I’ve been privileged to do throughout the local and international Jewish community and the opportunities I’ve had to support meaningful projects. I’m grateful that through the academy, my efforts will be part of a collective commitment to strengthening the connection between Israel, Jews, and the broader diaspora community.”
He said the programme, designed to build knowledge and real-world skills, offered opportunities to engage with leading thinkers and practitioners in Zionism, leadership, and diplomacy “who may otherwise be unreachable to the average diaspora Jew. There are also in-person visits and practical sessions that give participants hands-on exposure to Israel’s history, culture, and innovation.”
He hopes the experience will equip him with practical leadership skills that he can apply to bridge the divide, inspire collaboration, and address challenges facing the Jewish community. “I’m particularly interested in learning how to communicate effectively about Israel’s realities and counter misinformation, as well as how to cultivate and empower the truth among South Africans,” he said.
Goldberg sees the programme as a chance to “continue learning more about leadership and gain insights and strategies from other communities around the world to help face the unique problems that our community faces in South Africa.”
He plans to increase his activism in the community and across the globe. “I was a madrich in Bnei Akiva and Bikkur Cholim,” he said. At SAUJS, he held the position of national chairperson, and leadership positions in other university clubs and organisations.
“Through the JNF, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to meaningful projects locally and during my time in Israel,” Jassinowsky said. “JNF-KKL’s commitment to supporting and engaging diaspora Jewry is inspiring. By fostering connections and empowering leaders from around the world, JNF-KKL continues to strengthen the bonds between Israel and Jewish communities globally. I’m grateful to have the chance to be a part of this commitment and vision.”
Jassinowsky has been part of efforts to support hostages and their families, working alongside his wife, the Base community, Rabbi and Rebbetzin Zulberg, Ronit Beleli, and JNF South Africa. “This incredible team has shown me the profound responsibility we share as a people, no matter the physical distance that separates us. It has highlighted the strength of community and the unity that emerges during times of crisis,” he said.
He has also helped injured soldiers navigate challenging transitions and to build resilience through his involvement with Brothers for Life, an organisation that assists injured Israel Defense Forces soldiers.
“Though I don’t see myself as a traditional leader, preferring the concept of service, I don’t undermine the incredible blessings and experiences that my wife, children, and I have had, all of which I hope to continue applying in the future,” he said.
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