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Normalisation of diplomatic relations between Israel and the UAE, 38 Oxford Road, Parktown 2193 (Entrance on 3rd Ave.), The Southern African Union for Progressive Judaism Golden Jubilee magazine, 1981, The United Progressive Jewish Congregation of Johannesburg Golden Jubilee magazine, 1983. How do you keep Shabbat if you’re running after elephants? As South Africa commemorated National Women’s Day on Sunday, August 9, tribute goes to the more than 20 000 women who on that day in 1956 marched against legislation that required Africa… Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: HoneyPress by SpiceThemes, Leaders of the Progressive Jewish Community, Women of Progressive Judaism – South Africa, Arzenu, the progressive wing of world Zionism, About the World Union for Progressive Judaism. Today, WRJ has global affiliates in South America (Argentina and Brazil), South Africa, and Israel. Covers … Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ), through its YES (Youth, Education, & Special Projects) Fund, has awarded $268,000 in grants to 13 programs that will strengthen Jewish life and provide the … From Auschwitz to Rwanda: Drawing new lessons from the Holocaust in South Africa, This South African synagogue caters to Jews of all colors, The Jews working to leave their mark on Rainbow Nation, From Auschwitz to Rwanda: Why South Africa has so many Holocaust museums, Coronavirus Live Tracker: How Many Cases and Deaths in Israel and Worldwide, Trump Pardons Israeli Colonel Who Helped Recruit Spy Jonathan Pollard. But Reeva Forman wouldn’t even consider it. By contrast, on Friday nights, hardly a handful turn up. During his travels, he was impressed by the Progressive services and inspired by Lily Montagu, who later sent him the Liberal Sabbath prayer books to use for services. Take a deep dive into 'the BDS heartland', with Haaretz's special project on South Africa's Jewish community:■ Jews are leaving South Africa once again — but don’t blame BDS ■ On the road with Africa’s only traveling rabbi ■ These South African Jews hate the occupation as much as they hate BDS ■ From Auschwitz to Rwanda: Drawing new lessons from the Holocaust in South Africa■ This South African synagogue caters to Jews of all colors ■ The Jews working to leave their mark on Rainbow Nation■ How do you keep Shabbat if you’re running after elephants? Progressive Judaism has always been relatively smaller in South Africa compared to its American counterpart. “For me, it’s especially important to take care of the people who come because they have nowhere else to go.”. ), Tracey Korsen, who lives nearby, has been attending services at Temple Israel for three years. We've got more newsletters we think you'll find interesting. Many of those awaiting her welcome — she refers to them affectionately as “my motley crew” — are poor and feeble. The Temple Israel synagogue in Hillbrow, the only shul in Johannesburg to be granted heritage site status. Find citations to articles on the Jewish community in Kenya, South Africa, etc. By the late nineties, “Classical Reform” had been largely abandoned across the world, and Progressive and Conservative Judaism … “Many people don’t think twice about walking around here during the day, but are scared to be out at night,” explains Forman. On his return, he discovered the provisional committee formed before his trip was inactive and so he formed a new committee, which included Oscar Caplan, Dr Louis Freed and Sigmund Haas, among others. Samuel Moses, another convert from Nigeria, attends services every Friday night and Saturday morning with his 6-year-old daughter, Angela. As early as 1933, he was able to persuade the committee that certain principles must be adhered to with regard to membership – the most important being complete equality between men and women, and the practice of unassigned seats. Since you don’t ask a single and never-married woman like Forman to disclose her age, let’s just say that most of her high-school classmates are probably well into retirement by now. Marion Bubly, the 69-year-old who fills this position, likes to refer to herself as a “rookie rabbi.”, “My parents were married in this shul and I was named in this shul,” she says. Judaism -- South Africa dc.subject.lcsh Proselytes and proselyting, Jewish -- Converts from Christianity dc.title Conversion to Judaism in South Africa en dc.type Thesis dc.description.department Religious … Visit the SA Department of Health's website (COVID-19 Corona Virus South African Resource Portal) for COVID-19 updates. A general meeting of members of the Jewish Religious Union will be held at the Jewish Guild on Tuesday, October20, at 8 p.m. “During the next three years, progress was slight and it seemed that for once, the Rabbi had been too optimistic – the Temple stood more like a Temple of Hope than a Temple of Achievement. The first High Holy Days services that year brought in a large number of new members and other interested people. Subscribe today. In 1932, through Abraham Idelsohn and Lily Montagu, he started negotiating with Moses Cyrus Weiler, then a student at Hebrew Union College under the tutelage of Abraham, who was his professor. WRJ is proud to count women's groups from around the world among its ranks. But she won, and that was the important thing. “If there is one Jew who needs us, this door will be open,” she says. And so she resolved to fight the move, lobbying members of the local Reform community ahead of a planned referendum. And if you manage to entice the children… the parents will always follow. According to The Star on 28 December 1933, the Liberal Jewish movement in South Africa… has purchased a site for the erection of a Liberal Jewish Synagogue in Johannesburg, the first in South Africa. This adaptation of Katie Osrin’s roast chicken, a family favorite, includes potatoes, apples, and ginger. Once he was ordained, Rabbi Weiler came to Johannesburg. Some of them can barely walk. The impact of retirement reform in South Africa By Opinion Nov 20, 2020 Share this article: Share Tweet Share Share Share Email Share Changes to retirement benefits for provident fund … Send me email alerts for new articles by Judy Maltz, Want to enjoy 'Zen' reading - with no ads and just the article? Progressive Jewish rabbis and lay leaders were in the … Many varieties of apples are cultivated in South Africa, and the use of ginger is directly related to the … By adding a comment, I agree to this site’s Terms of use. On a recent Shabbat, about a dozen or so worshippers were in attendance at Temple Israel for the weekly morning service. Jews are leaving South Africa once again — but don’t blame BDS, On the road with Africa’s only traveling rabbi, These South African Jews hate the occupation as much as they hate BDS. The purpose of the meeting is to confirm the constitution which has been carefully prepared by the committee. One of three Reform congregations in Johannesburg (which is South Africa’s largest Jewish center), Temple Israel holds services every Friday night and Saturday morning, as well as on all the Jewish … It’s like a family affair.”. It was August 1933. Will Israel Let Him? Reform Judaism, a religious movement that has modified or abandoned many traditional Jewish beliefs, laws, and practices in an effort to adapt Judaism to the changed social, political, and … Ghettos were being … She is still involved in the firm, which was once a well-known brand in South Africa. “I did try out other places,” she says, “but I ended up choosing this one because of Reeva. Your comment was successfully submitted and will be published in This Shabbat morning trip to the synagogue is often their only opportunity to get out and socialize. Subscribe to the newsletters to get the latest news and updates. Harris and the Rosh Beth Din, Rabbi M.A. A survey by Statistics South Africa found that only 341,186 of the 1.8 million 18- and 19-year-old first time voters—19 percent—registered to vote.In the 20-29 age bracket, one in two citizens … Sign in Position of the Reform Movement Both the URJ and the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) have taken stands against human rights abuses and war atrocities in Africa. This was completely revolutionary. To mark its 80th anniversary three years ago, the Temple Israel Heritage Centre — which serves as the repository of the archives of the Reform movement in South Africa — was opened in the same building, with an A-list of Jewish and non-Jewish dignitaries present at the gala affair. A psychology graduate of the city’s University of the Witwatersrand, Forman founded her own cosmetics company, Reeva, back in 1980. The children themselves conducted the Sabbath morning service almost in its entirety, and the first such service was attended by 20 children.” (UPJC Jubilee Retrospective, 1983). The congregation does not have a choir these days, either. They are the last remaining white residents of Hillbrow, once a center of Jewish life in Joburg. Reform Judaism was born at the time of the French Revolution, a time when European Jews were recognized for the first time as citizens of the countries in which they lived. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora. Michael Jerome, who converted more than 20 years ago after migrating from Nigeria, also serves as the custodian of the synagogue and sleeps on the premises. “I feel very much at home in this shul,” says Hurwitz. “The site covers three quarters of an acre, and is situated in Empire Road, corner of Hillside Road, just a few minutes from Clarendon Circle [and] Twist Street tram terminus.”. But there is a choir leader: That role is filled by Ruth Leveson, a frail, elderly woman. The 2016 Community Survey, and intercensal survey carried out by Statistics South Africa… The hon. He has been doing it for years, and according to Forman will continue doing it “as long as there is one Jew who wants to come through that door.”, The congregation no longer has a rabbi, but it does have a lay leader who regularly conducts Shabbat morning services. The backdrop to the movement’s emergence was the Emancipation, the process begun in late 18th century to grant European Jews equal rights and eliminate the legal barriers that had impeded their social and economic progress for centuries. Because the main sanctuary, used in the old days, is now far too big for a group this size, the congregants gather in a side room down the corridor. As always, he’s here with his partner Serona Reitzik, who lived in Hillbrow until seven years ago. Reform Judaism (also known as Liberal Judaism or Progressive Judaism) is a major Jewish denomination that emphasizes the evolving nature of the faith, the superiority of its ethical aspects to … The Reform movement oversees a disproportionately large share of these conversions. All these are denied fundamental human rights … Progressive Jews have led the South African Jewish … For a list of Haaretz newsletters, click here. Tracey Korsen at Temple Israel synagogue in Hillbrow, Johannesburg. “That’s because to me, the perfect place for a house of worship is where there are poor members of a particular religion and others who need help and support.”. The first ‘hint’ of Progressive (Liberal) Judaism in South Africa came when Professor Abraham Zvi Idelsohn visited his family in Johannesburg in September 1929 for his parents’ Golden Wedding anniversary. Worshippers, including Reeva Forman, right, at Temple Israel synagogue in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, during a Shabbat service in May 2019. In view of the importance of the decisions to be taken at this meeting, a full attendance of those interested is anticipated. One of three Reform congregations in Johannesburg (which is South Africa’s largest Jewish center), Temple Israel holds services every Friday night and Saturday morning, as well as on all the Jewish holidays. “Good Shabbos, darling,” Forman greets each and every one of them, making sure to offer her cheek for a kiss. Please fill out your personal information and select which newsletters you would like to receive from us. Reform Judaism in SA The first ‘hint’ of Progressive (Liberal) Judaism in South Africa came when to join the conversation. Also in attendance this morning are about half a dozen black converts, some of them originally from Nigeria. About Who’s Who Please Donate Israel Recruitment Safeguarding Policies Complaints Whistleblowing RJ@Home Advice and Resources Hub RJ:TV – Online Community from Reform Judaism It was in South Africa… Women of Progressive Judaism – South Africa (WPJ-SA) (formerly SA Union of Temple Sisterhoods (SAUTS)) “Sisterhood means service” was the motto adopted by the women who became known as the Sisterhood … In addition to her position at Temple Israel, she also sits on the South African Jewish Board of Deputies and is honorary vice president of the South African Zionist Federation. Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. accordance with site policy. For more than 75 years, the Union for Reform Judaism has provided young people with immersive Jewish experiences that transform and enrich lives. JOHANNESBURG — Financially speaking, it made no sense to maintain a synagogue in a neighborhood virtually depleted of Jews and notorious for its high crime and poverty rates. An important communication will be read from the headquarters of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. Ruth Leveson at Temple Israel synagogue in Hillbrow, Johannesburg. A Progressive congregation was soon formed and the first service was held at the Freemasons’ Hall. Johannesburg, Jewish Reform Synagogue 1933 (Temple Israel), Cape Town, Greenpoint, 1944 (Temple Israel), Johannesburg, North Eastern District Jewish Reform Synagogue 1945 (Temple Shalom), Durban, Progressive Hebrew Congregation 1948 (Temple David), Johannesburg, North Western Districts Jewish Reform Synagogue 1953 (Temple Emanuel), Bulawayo, 1956 (amalgamated with the Orthodox, 1977), 1965 Beth-El Johannesburg, (amalgamated with Emanuel, 1979), 1977 Youth Movement Maginim established nationally. He urged his brother, Jerry, to establish a group to initiate Progressive Judaism in Johannesburg, which he did. Stay informed! The email address you have provided is already registered. Inside the BDS heartland | Haaretz Special project | SUBSCRIBE NOW■ Jews are leaving South Africa once again — but don’t blame BDS ■ On the road with Africa’s only traveling rabbi ■ These South African Jews hate the occupation as much as they hate BDS ■ From Auschwitz to Rwanda: Drawing new lessons from the Holocaust in South Africa■ This South African synagogue caters to Jews of all colors ■ The Jews working to leave their mark on Rainbow Nation■ How do you keep Shabbat if you’re running after elephants? Is typically in attendance at Temple Israel ’ s Terms of use dozen or so worshippers were attendance. In 1957, where he became active in the Reform congregation, held near Johannesburg 1939. But now that I have more time on my hands, I just love coming says,... 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