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Voices

Moments to remember

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Every so often, we experience moments destined to leave an indelible mark on our collective memory. Last weekend was such a moment, as we witnessed the cautious implementation of the Gaza ceasefire and the profoundly emotional release of the first three hostages.

What an overwhelming relief it was to see Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher, and Romi Gonen returned to Israel, alive and in good health, reunited with their families. The image of these three brave individuals, poised, brave, and calm despite the hostility surrounding them, stood in stark contrast to the masked gunmen escorting them. It poignantly captured the inhumanity and cruelty of the kidnappers.

We know that their path to recovery will be long and strenuous, and stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world, sharing gratitude for their safe return. We continue to call for the secure and immediate return of all of our hostages so that this most terrible conflict can finally cease. May their return mark the beginning of a path toward healing and peace.

Congratulations

As part of our outreach efforts, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies partnered with the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in a project to improve the conditions and outcomes at Hanyani Secondary School in Thohoyandou in Limpopo. Hanyani used to be one of the worst-performing schools in the country, but it obtained a 92.1% pass rate in its 2024 matric results. The steps taken by the Board and UJ have revolutionised learning and teaching in the region, and is a model that can be copied and applied across rural areas in the country. It’s extremely gratifying, especially as an educator, to see a revolutionary project like this having real-world impact on the ground. Mazeltov to all the pupils! We hope Hanyani and its students will go from strength to strength.

Special congratulations also to the ophthalmologists in our community who stood firm against bullying by rejecting a proposed boycott of an Israeli academic at the Ophthalmological Society of South Africa’s upcoming conference. Their commitment to academic freedom and dialogue is a courageous stand that deserves commendation.

Further congratulations to our national director, Wendy Kahn, who was included in the Algemeiner’s list of 100 people making an impact in the Jewish world. The South African Jewish community is in no doubt about how lucky and privileged it is to have someone of the calibre of Kahn representing the Jewish community at all levels, including the highest levels of government.

Huge congratulations goes to Israel-based community member Rabbi Doron Perez, who was also included on the Algemeiner list. This puts Kahn and Perez in the same prestigious group that includes global leaders and innovators, including President Donald Trump, Sheryl Sandberg, and Tiffany Haddish! What’s even more impressive is that our two representatives on this list matriculated from Yeshiva College in the same year! Additionally, Jerusalem-born Dan Goldfus, the son of South African parents, also made the list, adding to our community’s collective nachas.

  • Listen to Charisse Zeifert on Jewish Board Talk, 101.9 ChaiFM, every Friday from 12:00 to 13:00.
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