SAJR shares light and warmth across SA

The SA Jewish Report Online Film Festival’s Share the Light campaign has distributed the first 1 300 rechargeable lights and hot water bottles to those in need in the Jewish community as well as townships throughout South Africa.

The campaign has specifically sought to help the elderly, as well as matric students who are struggling to study during loadshedding.

Clive Mashishi, who got involved in the campaign through The Angel Network said, “We’ve been on a campaign to give lights and hot water bottles to our Grade 12 students and elders. We chose Grade 12 students because they are struggling to study during loadshedding because it’s dark and cold. With these lights and hot water bottles, they can light up their space and keep warm until the electricity comes back.”

Recently, Mashishi, along with the South African Jerusalem Prayer Network, visited a youth event in Mamafubedu in the Free State to give matric pupils rechargeable lights and hot water bottles. They spent the next day at Sharpeville with a group of gogos (grannies) and donated hot water bottles so they could keep warm in the cold weather.

“Thus far, along with the South African Jerusalem Prayer Network, we have visited Mamafubedu community in the Free State, the Kasi 2 Kasi organisation, Orange Farm, Kingdom of Hope Ministries, and Elders for Tshepiso in Sharpeville,” said Mashishi. “This weekend, we’ll visit Benoni Be Blessed Ministries to give their Grade 12 students these items, as well as Bophelong Children’s Home.”

Distribution by other branches of the campaign is still taking place. The Union of Jewish Women in Durban has just received the items. Hazel Levin, the executive director of Jewish Community Services in Cape Town, said that the lights and hot water bottles would go to aged members in their community, as well as others who need them. “We’re incredibly grateful for the support,” she said.

From the outset, the response to the Share the Light campaign has been incredible, and now it has begun to reach those in need. Through the Jewish community’s ongoing support, the campaign will continue to help thousands in need during hours of loadshedding.

SA Jewish Report chairperson and webinar host, Howard Sackstein, said, “It’s been an amazing campaign in which people really shared light and warmth this winter. We are so proud that we’re able to do it.”