The Bottom Line - 25 April 2003
Did you know that since the creation of the Diaspora, wherever Jews have founded a community, they have elected a body of persons to represent them?
South Africa is no exception and thus the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (the Board) is the central representative body acting on behalf of the South African Jewish community, especially in its relations with government.
The Board relies for 95% of its funding on the United Communal Fund. We have found that many incorrect perceptions and a marked lack of knowledge of their activities and the important role they play, exists. This column attempts to assist in changing this attitude.
The Board saw to the founding of the Community Security Organisation (CSO) and is still its parent. We surely do not need to detail the fantastic work that this professionally run outfit undertakes to ensure the protection of Jewish lives and property.
The wonderful work of the Country Communities Rabbi is under the aegis of the Board. The writer of this column has personal knowledge of tefillin bought for youngsters in far-flung communities, of Bar Mitzvah age, who would not otherwise have been able to afford them. A variety of religious services are provided to the small communities of our brethren throughout Southern Africa.
The Board is the central conduit on information on Holocaust restitution funds that have been set up worldwide and deals with frequent enquiries on this subject. A major project conducted in recent years has been the administering of the funds for South African Holocaust survivors, made available by the Humanitarian Fund established by the Swiss government.
Some of its most important work is in dealing with issues of anti-Semitism. The Board takes up the cudgels in matters of Jewish civil and religious rights. It is a watchdog on the ever-increasing vitriol directed against us in the media and is not afraid to lay formal complaints where necessary.
The SAJBD maintains links with Jewish communities throughout the world and represents S.A. Jewry in a number of international forums. In
the recent past it received high praise for its handling of matters at the World Conference on Sustainable Development.
The above is just a brief overview of some of the myriad activities undertaken by our representative body on behalf of us all. It thus behoves us all to ensure that it can continue to function and to serve the community.