‘Keeping the kids in Cape Town’ — how and why young Jews should stay in South Africa

Daniela Peiser

“Are you mad? Cape Town? What do your parents think about you moving back?” Never in my life did I think that I would be living in South Africa again.

Having left with my family when I was five, I grew up in the States, fully aware of the sacrifices that my parents had made so that my brother, Gary, and I, would have a better future. With family still in South Africa, trips back to Joburg were a regular occurrence, often with an added week or two in Cape Town, which I loved. On one of those trips, I decided I would let my company in the U.S. know that I would be taking a six month extended break in South Africa. Five years later, I am still here in Cape Town and have become one of the city’s biggest fans.

Most people that have emigrated would agree there is something special about South Africa that cannot be replicated overseas. Although they may not regret their decision to leave, there is a strong sense of nostalgia and a connection that does not go away. I often feel that people that have never left do not appreciate the specialness that exists here. So what is so special about South Africa that I left America to move back?

To begin with, South African Judaism is one of a kind. I often felt in the States that I couldn’t find a ‘brand’ of being Jewish that really matched how I felt. I have a strong connection to Judaism that includes feeling very comfortable in an Orthodox environment, leading a Jewish life and having Jewish friends of all different practices. Being Jewish here feels different. The vibe at shul, the warmth, the friendships with the rabbis, the traditional Friday night dinners at home, and the general familiarity with and affinity towards Jewish life all create something uniquely open and at the same time steeped in tradition.

Next, I truly believe that people here ‘work to live’ rather than ‘live to work.’ While people do work hard, at the end of the day, the hard work is all to enable a focus on family and enjoyment of life. People truly value their time away from the office and this is evident in the number of people you see walking along the beachfront after work during the week; on the beach on any given afternoon; sitting leisurely in cafes; and doing fun outdoor activities on weekends. It seems obvious, but, in many other places around the world, the energy and passion for work and success often outweigh the more meaningful joys in life.

Finally, what a privilege to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth! Not a day goes by that I don’t appreciate the sea, the mountains, and the beauty that surrounds us. We often underestimate the power of nature and how invigorating and soothing it can be, especially given the complex and technologically-driven world in which we live. Cape Town uniquely balances this and we shouldn’t take it for granted!

Keeping the connection
But, all that being said, young people are still leaving Cape Town and South Africa. In my opinion, there are three key things that will help to keep our young adults here: Firstly, creating a better support system for singles — a key reason people leave is because they want to get married and feel that it is challenging in South Africa, given the size of the community and the sense that they know everyone. My involvement over the past several years has been in this area, and I firmly believe that there is opportunity here and work to be done. With more support, we can make Cape Town a place where people meet others who share the desire for a smaller, but vibrant, Jewish community.

Secondly, ensuring that the community has the schools needed to sustain a young Jewish community. The availability of a solid Jewish education makes a place a viable option for families for whom a Jewish education is not a negotiable item. We should not be losing people for that reason — in fact, it could be a reason people come!

Finally, people specifically leave Cape Town so that they can find a job. But we live in a place that should have enough job opportunities — yes, it’s much smaller than Joburg or London, but there are jobs and people are hiring. What we need is to make sure that we are looking out for each other, that we leverage the great resources and connections we have, and that we support our young adults in their job searches and careers. In all three areas above, I believe we have the resources; we just need to be more active about leveraging them. It is critical to realise that we each are responsible for creating a sustainable community that continues to get stronger, and is a place our kids will choose to live and thrive in 2025!

Daniela Peiser is Managing Director of consulting and coaching company Bold Aspirations; runs the J-Link organisation for singles in Cape Town; is the Programme Coordinator of the Professionals Beit Midrash for Women; and was a Nahum Goldman International Fellowship participant and is one of the NG coordinators in Cape Town.