Rugby runs for refuge

Of all the international Jewish organisations with which the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) has had close working relationships over the decades, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) is one of the most venerated. For most of its history, HIAS focused on assisting Jewish immigrants fleeing persecution, while today, it acts as a humanitarian and aid agency that assists all displaced people throughout the world. On 7 February, we met a delegation from HIAS, including its chief executive, Mark Hetfield, on a visit to South Africa to assess the situation regarding refugees in the country. The Board’s political and social justice liaison, Alana Baranov, assisted with arrangements for their visit, including facilitating meetings with relevant local refugee organisations.

Tribute to Dr Lydia Meshoe

Last Friday, 3 February, SAJBD National Director Wendy Kahn attended the funeral of Dr Lydia Meshoe. We were saddened to learn of Dr Meshoe’s untimely passing. Together with her esteemed husband, Reverend Kenneth Meshoe, she was in both her public and private life, a warm and loyal friend of the Jewish community. As a deeply committed Christian, she was unwavering in her love of and support for the state of Israel, and never deviated from this regardless of whether or not it was fashionable to do so. We extend our sincerest condolences to Reverend Meshoe and the Meshoe family at this sad time.

SA Rugby Union disappoints

A backlash from activists of the local Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) coalition was inevitable once it was learned that the Tel Aviv Heat would be participating in the upcoming Mzansi Challenge. The South African Rugby Union (SARU), indeed, was warned of possibly violent protests and disruptions, and reportedly even received death threats. That’s par for the course for BDS, which routinely resorts to threats and intimidation to get its way. We remember, for example, its failed boycott against Woolworths, and equally unsuccessful attempt to prevent then Miss South Africa, Lalela Mswane, from participating in the Miss Universe competition in Israel. Sadly, unlike Woolworths and Mswane, SARU caved in immediately, and withdrew its invitation to the Israeli team.

We can only endorse the statement of the Anti-Defamation League, which observed that by its  “unsportsmanlike and an unprincipled capitulation”, SARU “missed an opportunity to model sport as a vehicle for inclusion and understanding”. Our national vice-president, Zev Krengel, was interviewed by several mainstream TV channels, putting forward the community’s point of view with passion and eloquence, and our press statement featured prominently in many news reports. Inter alia, we reject SARU’s preposterous claim that it acted in the interests of maintaining “social cohesion” when in fact by its very nature, its actions caused divisiveness and ill-feeling – doublespeak at its worst!

Earthquake tragedy

The reported death toll from the disastrous earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria earlier this week continues to rise. We’ve written to the Turkish ambassador and leadership of the Jewish community in Turkey to express solidarity and extend our condolences in this appalling tragedy. To assist, donate to the Turkish Chief Rabbinate Foundation, Vakıfbank Istanbul Courthouse Branch, TL account TR 31 0001 5001 5800 7296 0611 88; USD account TR 19 0001 5001 5804 8020 7546 10; Euro account TR 78 0001 5001 5804 8022 2899 31, reference: “Donation for Earthquake”.

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

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