17 January 2008.

 

Dear Fellow Southern Cape Jewish residents,

 

For some time now we have felt the need for an informal association of Jews who are lucky enough to live in this wonderful part of South Africa.

At a time when our numbers are dwindling in all but the major centers, it seems that more and more of our fellow Jews are settling along the Garden Route, and are joining up with those of us who have already been here for some time, and in some cases, have always lived here.

 

All of us, to a greater or lesser extent, feel the need to “belong” and to share our “Jewishness” with others who feel the same.

What we have in mind is an association for members of the Jewish faith living in the Southern Cape. It will be primarily social in nature. We are not concerned with how “frum” you might be, or how often you go to Shul, but feel that such an Association could play a role in promoting and protecting the common interests of our members. We could organise gatherings to celebrate Yom

Ha’atzmaut (Israel turns 60 this year), or to commemorate the Holocaust, or just a casual get together to meet and get to know each other and have a chat about things which affect us all as Jews.

 

The possibilities are endless. All we need are some members, and a little enthusiasm.

 

At an outing of some 70 of us at Uniondale on 4 November 2007 a formal proposal to establish such an association was adopted. Howard Ross was mandated to ‘drive “ the process. He immediately sought the assistance of Myron Rabinowitz and Gordon Buchalter, both of whom had already expressed keen interest and support for such a project.  Together, and with considerable help and input from Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft, a Constitution and Membership Application were drafted, and an approach was made to the South African Jewish Board of Deputies for recognition and affiliation. The SAJBD is the overall controlling body for all Jewish organisations in the country, and our affiliation to it would enable us to enjoy all the benefits of their expertise and experience in running communal affairs, whilst at the same time ensuring that we become and remain a vibrant part of the South African Jewish community. We would be kept fully informed of all matters which affect us as Jews, and would also have a platform to voice our particular concerns and to seek guidance in any of the many challenges which might confront us in our area.

 

A copy of the Constitution can be accessed at   www.africanjewishcongress.com/rsascjc.htm It is not cast in stone, nor is our proposed name necessarily the final choice, other possibilities are: Union of Garden Route Jewry or  Southern Cape Jewish Association . If you have any suggested changes to the Constitution or any other proposed names, please communicate them to Howard Ross at baross@worldonline.co.za. They will be considered and discussed at our inaugural meeting.

 

You will see from the draft Constitution that we envisage 4 main areas as being represented:  George/Mossel Bay/Wilderness; Knysna/Sedgefield; Plettenberg Bay; and Oudtshoorn/Little Karoo. We also intend levying a small annual membership fee to cover basic costs of printing, stationery and communicating with our members. We do not intend to be involved in any fundraising, and our list of members will be kept strictly confidential.

 

We intend holding the inaugural meeting at once we receive confirmation from the SAJBD National office. At this meeting we will elect our first chairman and committee, and will approve, either with or without amendments, our draft constitution. We will also finalise the name of the association.

 

Kind regards,

 

HOWARD ROSS, MYRON RABINOWITZ & GORDON BUCHALTER

 

CONVENERS