SAJBD Pretoria celebrates 70 years

DIANE WOLFSON

SAJBD National Chairperson Shaun Zagnoev confirmed that Pretoria, albeit the smallest of the four regions represented on the national executive, plays an important role in South African Jewry and Jewish life.

Louis Pearlman, the outgoing chairperson of the Pretoria Council, said that over the years, the council’s functions had changed along with the diminishing Jewish demographics. “It remains first and foremost, the co-ordinating body for Pretoria’s Jewish organisations, the publisher of local community magazine the Pretoria Jewish Chronicle, and the organiser of functions including Yom Hashoa,” he said.

Assistance is being offered to country communities in an attempt to strengthen not only Pretoria’s Jewish community, but South Africa’s broader Jewish community.

“In order to maintain relevant, additional projects, namely a Jewish school fee-subsidy programme for Jewish children resident in Pretoria to attend Jewish schools in Johannesburg, as well as six simplex units offering free accommodation to young couples and families wishing to move to Pretoria, are now in place,” Pearlman said. Under the auspices of the SAJBD Pretoria Council, a book on the history of the Pretoria community since 1930 is also being compiled.

Howard Sackstein, guest speaker and the chairperson of the SA Jewish Report, said, “You shouldn’t be sitting here listening to a guest speaker, but rather sitting around a table with the younger members of the community, strategising on the future of your organisations.”

Sackstein said that the South African Jewish community was shrinking with fewer resources, and there was a need to have real and meaningful discussions. “We need to throw away the old rules which no longer apply, and find out how we can sustain our organisations,” he said.

Pearlman made presentations to two stalwarts in the community, namely Allan Shankman, for a lifetime of loyal service to the welfare of our community and distinguished service to the Pretoria Chevrah Kadisha; and Victor Gordon, for a lifetime of loyal service to the SAJBD Pretoria Council, the Pretoria Jewish community, and for his love and dedication to Israel.

A certificate of meritorious service and a gift was awarded to Lawrence Nowosenetz prior to him going on aliyah next month. Nowosenetz was awarded for dedicated and unstinting service rendered to the council as a committed and active member for 37 years and as chairperson for nine years.