SHIRA DRUION

AMAZING SOCIAL PICS BELOW STORY

Euro Chai was founded in 2002 by Richard Jaffe and King David Linksfield alumnus Harley Kagan, to encourage South Africans living in the UK to support the charities that they would have supported had they still lived in South Africa and that are now seriously underfunded due to the emigration of potential donors.

They support multiple causes including education, training, community welfare and care.

Ralph Frank, King David Victory Park alumnus and Euro Chai trustee, welcomed the guests and thanked them for their support.

He said: “I benefitted from the infrastructure of the South African community and want to keep it going for future generations.

Even though my future is in the UK, I am not leaving my past behind.”

“South Africa is unique in the world and is remarkable in its chesed,” said Chevrah Kadisha’s chief revenue officer, Saul Tomson. “It is through this that the miracle of the Chev, with its budget of more than R250 million, continues. Euro Chai keeps expats together and gives us much strength knowing we are not forgotten.”

“Everyone who speaks of the South African Jewish community, talks of its decency and warmth,” said Mick Davis, Euro Chai chairman and chairman of the board of trustees of the Jewish Leadership Council of the United Kingdom.

“They marvel at its care and commitment and they describe its sense of collective responsibility. We are still that community; we here, who live in London. We do the right thing, we care, and we remain connected to der heim.”

King David Foundation was there

Director of the King David Foundation, Raelene Tradonsky, attended the event with the legendary Elliot Wolf, who continues to this day to be the quintessential headmaster.

“I am always surprised and delighted by how Elliot Wolf is admired, even revered by former Davidians, especially those living overseas, who see Elliot as a reminder of their ‘good old school days’,” she said.

“’It is really heart-warming to see how many alumni truly value their ‘King David education’ which they believe provided them with a platform for success and a network of friends for life.”

Jon Vlismas made light of Eskom

Comedian Jon Vlismas entertained the large crowd who erupted in uproarious laughter as he made light of Eskom’s continuous power cuts, informing how the country just unplugs with one main switch and is then offline for hours at a time!

He elaborated on Julius Malema’s red beret idiosyncrasies and told of Jacob Zuma’s “washing off Aids in the shower antics”.

Davis implored the audience: “So, I am asking you just one last time, with bated breath but with a sense of hope and expectation too, that you do a little more than you intended to do when you donned your overcoat at the door of your house and stepped out in the cold to be one with your community again.

“Be righteous in your care and grand in your philanthropy for these are noble causes which are your heritage and which need you now in their support.”

Some of the social pictures submitted