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What special voting says about South Africa
Last Shabbat, appropriately enough on Freedom Day, South Africans living abroad cast their votes at 121 South African foreign missions around the world. When the day ended, most of those embassies closed, but four – in Tel Aviv, London, New York, and Los Angeles – remained open for a few hours longer. This was to enable shomer Shabbat (Shabbat observant) Jewish citizens to vote after Shabbat was out.
SHAUN ZAGNOEV
On learning that special voting for citizens abroad would be taking place on Shabbat, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) met the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to discuss how Jewish voters might be accommodated.
We were assured that Saturday had been chosen simply because it was the day when the greatest number of people would be able to vote. While that date could not be changed, it was agreed that voting hours would be extended at stations where there was a Jewish community, and the board was asked to assist by establishing who wished to vote, and where.
It wasn’t an easy task, especially at such short notice, but we were able to compile the necessary information, and arrangements were eventually made for the four embassies listed above. On the night, everything went smoothly thanks to embassy staff who, in spite of having to work extra hours, could not have been more friendly and co-operative.
The way in which everyone worked together to resolve the problem, in spite of the relatively small number of people affected, is much to our country’s credit. One of the enduring achievements of South African society post-1994 is how the religious rights and practices of all citizens have been respected and upheld.
Through this, the SAJBD, as the representative voice of the Jewish community, has been able to work successfully with relevant bodies to ensure that members of our community are not disadvantaged because of their religious commitments. This has occurred primarily in the area of university exams falling on Shabbat or Yom Tov, but also in other meaningful ways, such as in the case described above. For all the formidable challenges currently facing our society, it is something to bear in mind and be grateful for.
Yom Hashoah 2019
As I write, preparations are being finalised for this year’s Yom Hashoah commemorative ceremonies in all the main Jewish centres around the country.
As in the past, ceremonies will be held in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Bloemfontein, East London, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town. We are honoured to have Lord Shinkwin as our keynote speaker. Shinkwin is a distinguished British human-rights activist who, amongst other activities, has become one of the most committed non-Jewish advocates of Holocaust education and remembrance.
We will also be fortunate to have survivors of that unspeakable tragedy participate in the various ceremonies as speakers or lighters of the memorial candles. The time will soon come, however, when those who are able to testify first hand will no longer be with us. It is incumbent on our own, and future generations, to ensure that their story is not forgotten.
- Listen to Charisse Zeifert on Jewish Board Talk, 101.9 ChaiFM, every Friday from 12:00 to 13:00.