South African Jewish Report Newspaper

08/06/2026

Three weeks after a chance encounter on a storm-battered Sea Point promenade captured the hearts of South Africans, Sidney Miller’s life looks very different.

The homeless wheelchair user, whose story sparked an outpouring of support after videographer Chad Nathan, (otherwise known as Ginger with a GoPro), shared it online, has gone from facing another winter on the streets to navigating a future made possible by hundreds of thousands of rands in donations.

Supporters offered everything from medical assistance and accommodation to practical help and words of encouragement, with Miller receiving winter gear and getting fitted for an electric wheelchair. As plans began to take shape, the focus shifted from immediate relief to a more difficult task: ensuring that the generosity sparked by a viral moment would lead to meaningful and lasting change in one man’s life.

Nathan explained that he has handed the funds for Miller over to The Angel Network charity organisation to manage.

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Three weeks after a chance encounter on a storm-battered Sea Point promenade captured the hearts of South Africans, Sidney Miller’s life

08/06/2026

For two decades, Rabbi Greg Alexander has been one of the most recognisable faces of Progressive Judaism in Cape Town. He has stood beside congregants during births, Barmitzvahs, Batmitzvahs, weddings, illnesses, and funerals. He has helped shape Temple Israel into one of the largest Progressive Jewish congregations in South Africa and has become known simply as “Rabbi Greg” to most of the community.

Now, he is preparing to leave for London, where he will become senior rabbi of Alyth, one of the United Kingdom’s largest Reform congregations. The move ends a significant chapter in both his life and the history of Temple Israel.

After 20 years of teaching, leading, and building community at the foot of Africa, Rabbi Greg Alexander is preparing for a new chapter. Yet the values that shaped his journey from Johannesburg to Cape Town remain unchanged: education, compassion, inclusion, and a belief that Judaism can help build a better world.

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For two decades, Rabbi Greg Alexander has been one of the most recognisable faces of Progressive Judaism in Cape Town.

07/06/2026

Few South Africans get to shake hands with the Pope. Yet two weeks ago, Professor Benji Rosman did just that after attending an international conference, titled “Preserving Human Voices and Faces”, at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Vatican City.

Organised by the Dicastery for Communication, the gathering on 21 and 22 May brought together experts from around the world to discuss the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI), culminating in an audience with the Pope.

Rosman, a professor in the School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics at the University of the Witwatersrand and a leading figure in AI research, was the only African participant among a select group of 15.

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Few South Africans get to shake hands with the Pope. Yet two weeks ago, Professor Benji Rosman did just that after attending an international

05/06/2026

A man living in a township is carried into a welfare office because he is blind and unable to walk. A family of five squeezes into a one-bedroom flat after losing everything. Elderly people who never saved for retirement face homelessness. Children are removed from abusive homes and placed in care.

These are some of the realities confronting South Africa’s Jewish welfare organisations as they support thousands of vulnerable community members across the country.

While many people associate welfare with food parcels and financial aid, organisations such as the Chevrah Kadisha (Chev) in Johannesburg and Jewish Community Services (JCS) in Cape Town provide a far broader range of services. These include housing, child protection, counselling, rehabilitation, elderly care, disability services, healthcare support, and education assistance.

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A man living in a township is carried into a welfare office because he is blind and unable to walk. A family of five squeezes into

05/06/2026

The Community Security Organisation (CSO) in Johannesburg says it has seen a spike in antisemitic incidents in Gauteng in recent weeks. There have been 15 aggravated cases over the past two months, compared with two in the previous two-month period, according to a CSO letter to the community this week.

The incidents have included verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, harassment in public spaces, and, in a low number of cases, physical assault.

“While recent incidents are concerning, and must be taken seriously, they should not deter us from continuing to live openly and proudly as Jews, participating fully in communal life and supporting our institutions,” said CSO leadership in the letter. It will continue to monitor the situation and update the community as needed.

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The Community Security Organisation (CSO) in Johannesburg says it has seen a spike in antisemitic incidents in Gauteng in recent weeks.

04/06/2026

South Africa’s growing xenophobia crisis couldn’t have less to do with the Middle East, and yet the hatred on the streets is being blamed on the world’s only Jewish State. Conspiracy theories abound, from the idea that Israel is fuelling unrest in retaliation for South Africa taking it to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), to Israel trying to weaken South Africa so that it can “take over” the country.

The recent resurgence in xenophobic sentiment has seen vigilante groups targeting foreign nationals, mostly Africans, giving them a deadline of 30 June to leave the country. Protests have resulted in violence and looting. The crisis has led to diplomatic tensions with and emergency repatriations by other African countries.

But according to people like social media influencer TJ Katana, “If South Africa withdraws from the ICJ case against Israel, xenophobia will disappear like the night when the sun rises.”

It’s not only at grassroots level that such narratives are being spread. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola said last week that “with South Africa’s role in the international space, including our case at the ICJ, you cannot exclude state and non-state actors trying to erode the human rights standing of South Africa”.

IMAGE: An image on social media promoting conspiracy theories about Israel being behind xenophobia in South Africa

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South Africa’s growing xenophobia crisis couldn’t have less to do with the Middle East, and yet the hatred on

04/06/2026

South Africa’s “genocide” case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to drag on for at least another three years after Pretoria requested an 18-month extension to file its response to Israel’s defence.

The move has sparked widespread criticism from those who believe it undermines South Africa’s longstanding claims that the case was so urgent that the world’s highest court needed to intervene immediately.

The ICJ, based in The Hague, has now given South Africa until November 2027 to submit its reply to Israel’s defence. Israel will then have until May 2029 to file its response, meaning the case remains years away from a final ruling.

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South Africa’s “genocide” case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to drag on for at least another three years after Pretoria

03/06/2026

🌟 Download our latest issue, free & online now! 🌟
Filled with news, opinions & insights you don’t want to miss, including…

🌍 SA’s xenophobia crisis blamed on Israel
🚨 CSO calls attention to antisemitism uptick in Gauteng
🥪 Thousands turning to Jewish welfare in tough times
🤖 Benji Rosman talks AI with the Pope
🕍 Renowned Rabbi Greg heading to new role in North London
🏠 Sudden, sad closure of Silwood Lodge
☀️ Chad Nathan & Sidney Miller look ahead to bright future after viral fundraising campaign

… and much more!

𝑫𝒐𝒘𝒏𝒍𝒐𝒂𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚:https://www.sajr.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-05.pdf

03/06/2026

“President Isaac Herzog’s is a rare voice of decency and tolerance in a governmental arena far too often epitomised by the jingoism and narrow-minded illiberality embodied by Itamar Ben-Gvir and others in the Netanyahu coalition, such as Treasury Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli, Likud Knesset member Tally Gotliv, and, except on the rare occasions when he is trying to curry favour outside his far-right base, Netanyahu himself.

Throughout his presidency, but especially as a counterweight to Netanyahu, Herzog has personified the values and principles on which Israel was created. As made clear in its 1948 declaration of independence, Israel is meant to be a Jewish and democratic state. Herzog is committed to these values. Netanyahu and the members of his government are not.”

- Menachem Z Rosensaft, Adjunct Professor of Law at Cornell Law School, Lecturer-in-law at Columbia Law School, and General Counsel Emeritus of the World Jewish Congress

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Countries, like individuals, have consciences. For those of us who reject the extremism, bigotry, and intolerance of Benjamin Netanyahu’s

03/06/2026

At just 10 years old, Emily Yakcobi is about to take part in the national acrobatic dance championships in Johannesburg. She has made it there in her very first year competing.

At district level, competitors need a mark of 6.8 or higher to qualify for the interdistrict competition. The pressure then intensifies. “When I reached interdistricts, I had to get a 7.5 to pass,” Yakcobi says. “And I got it exactly on the dot to pass to nationals.”

The young dancer surprised herself. “I was very surprised and happy because in all the other competitions I haven’t got anything close to 7.5,” she says. “It was really a miracle when I got it on the dance and I passed.”

Now preparing to travel to Johannesburg later this month, Yakcobi will compete on the national stage representing the Western Province region.

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At just 10 years old, Emily Yakcobi is about to take part in the national acrobatic dance championships in Johannesburg. She has made it there in her very first year competing.