Jewish Community Offers a Helping Hand

Seeing images of foreign nationals beaten and expelled from their homes in Alexandra this week and listening to the hate-filled callers ranting on 702 about how every evil in this country is the result of foreigners, I could not help but think that this is a small taste of what pre-war Germany must have been like for Jews. What has been particularly distressing is the silence of the leadership of this country in the face of such grotesque racism.

I am very pleased to report that the leadership of the South African Jewish community is standing up to the plate on this issue. They are coordinating a campaign to provide the victims of the recent violence with humanitarian relief. Wendy Khan, National Director of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies has issued a statement calling on the Jewish community to help by donating clothing, blankets, non-perishable foodstuffs. It’s important that we all do our bit to support this project!

In addition to this type of humanitarian aid, a political response is also needed. South Africa desperate needs some sort of anti-Xenophobia campaign. While some foreign nationals may be responsible for crime, many have made a significant positive contribution to this country. In the economic arena alone, the foreign doctors, artisan and teachers are crucial to this country’s future success. The Jewish community is a model of what poor immigrants over 3 generations can contribute to a nation. Thus it would be extremely appropriate if organisations like the SAJBD and Holocaust Museum could spearhead such an education drive.

Letter from SA Jewish Board of Deputies "The stranger that sojourneth with you shall be unto you as the home-born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God" (Vayikrah, 19:34). Over the past few days, thousands of foreign residents in Alexandra have become the victims of xenophobic violence. Many have been injured and many more have been left destitute by the loss of their homes and property. As the historical victims of pogroms and orchestrated mob violence, Jews in South Africa cannot fail to empathize with the plight of those whose only ‘crime’ has been to try to make a better life for themselves in our country. As the Jewish community, we would like to extend a helping hand to our fellow human beings who are in need, and to this end are coordinating the collection of clothing, blankets, non-perishable foodstuffs and any other basic necessities for the victims of the recent violence. We appeal to all members of our community to assist us in this endeavor. Donations can be made at the following collection points: Union of Jewish Women, 1 Oak Street (off Louis Botha Avenue) - phone 011 648 1053 Jody Beyachad, 2 Elray Street, Raedene - phone Elilzabeth 011 645 2523 or Sophie 011 645 2500 Sandton - Bet David, 3 Middle Road, Morningside, Sandton - phone Dianne or Glynnis on 011 783 7117 Kind regards WENDY KAHN NATIONAL DIRECTOR SA JEWISH BOARD OF DEPUTIES

These sentiments were also well captured by this comment posted earlier at IAS.

Comments

[JoeTalin]

Well done SABJD

[Wessel van Rensburg]

Yes, well done