The Bottom Line - 5 June 2003
A PROUD JEWISH COMMUNITY
Being proud of who we are and what we do comes from being involved in those areas of society that are worthy, noble and of value. To stand up for what is important and protect those things that we hold dear is a powerful representation of identity - individually, communally and nationally. Belonging to a community which holds these tenets dear, can instil and promote much pride and strength.
Since the establishment of a democratic government in South Africa, acknowledgement of the diversity of peoples, cultures and values has come to the fore throughout the country. Every one has a role to play in the new South Africa. Freedom of speech has become the tool for all to express their views, and this is a good thing. It is important to know what other communities and groups think and to assist in becoming an integrated rainbow nation. We should be proud South Africans for what we have achieved in the last 9 years.
However, with this mix of cultures, it has become even more important to maintain identity while simultaneously being part of the bigger picture. Perhaps being exposed to so many new ideas and traditions, people can become threatened. Holding on to our traditions and Jewish heritage and being part of a community that provides the support that is needed to cope – even thrive – in the new South Africa is essential.
The United Communal Fund is central to this. The UCF is proud to support the beneficiaries we do because they do good work. The Office of the Chief Rabbi, the South African Union of Jewish Students and the South African Jewish Board of Deputies promote both a free society and encouragement of a strong Jewish identity so that we can stand up and say, without any fear: “I am Jewish.”
The Jewish Day schools who receive funding from the UCF to subsidise tuition fees provide vital Jewish education. The successes of past students and the rewards we as a community reap because members of the community received a Jewish education can only be to our benefit.
The CSO protects Jewish lives and the Jewish way of life and provides the security that is so vital to our community at this time. With the threat of global terrorism and the rise in anti-Semitism, the CSO allows us to continue our day to day activities with peace of mind in a safer environment.
These organisations falling under our umbrella protect and build the Jewish community. They guarantee Jewish continuity – but can only do so through the community’s support.
It is time to stand up for what is important. It is time to be proud of the community we have and are. Now is when we need to support in concrete terms the communal structures that make our community what it is. Jews and South Africans – we have grown and achieved much. We must protect this – for if we do not, we will become a weaker community. We have a responsibility to ourselves, our children and grandchildren to make sure that they will be provided for and that they too will be proud of the South African Jewish community.