The Sinai Indaba unites Cape Town and country

‘Historical proof for the Sinai Revelation’ drew a packed crowd in the Nelson Mandela
Auditorium.

“So 3,300 South Africans went back in time 3,300 years.” Well, not exactly. The national Sinai Indaba in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban did exactly the opposite — bringing together about 4,000 people to ‘go forward in time.’

Or as Rabbi Pinchas Teitz says, “the Torah speaks the language of tomorrow.” The Sinai Indaba was a huge hit in Cape Town, where over the two evenings, Saturday 18 June and Monday 20 June, well over 500 people came together to hear from some of the greatest Jewish thinkers of our time.

The Sinai Indaba is a national Torah convention led by Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein in partnership with leading rabbis, shuls and outreach organisations, bringing together a wide range of international Jewish thinkers and experts to apply the intellectual and spiritual power of the Torah to every part of our world and lives.

Whilst the focus of the indaba was definitely the intellectual stimulation motivated by the compelling speakers, the opening ceremony Havdalah was one of the more emotional moments of the conference. As Rabbi Altman began the moving melody concluding Shabbat, the candles held aloft around the room cast their glow and the scent of the aromatic cinnamon sticks made this truly an experience of the senses.

After greetings from our local rabbinic leaders, Rabbi David Milston explored the choices or consequences that our tradition offer — do we really have free choice?Rabbi YY Jacobson tackled tough questions in his talk entitled ‘The Chosen People — Judaism in a Muticultural Society.’ In his memorable style combining wit and wisdom, he captivated a crowd of close to 300 with a timeless message of diversity in Judaism, both in our place at the table of nations, and within our own community. Melanie Van Emmenes, a community social worker from West Beach was overwhelmed by his fascinating talk: “Wow! What an inspirational, passionate and wise man, and an awesome evening!”

Interesting and uplifting
The Sinai Indaba included amazing speakers, wonderful unity, powerful lessons, inspiring talks, vibrant interaction, and so much more. But more than anything, it was the people — the hundreds upon hundreds of men and women, from seniors to teenagers — that made the energy electric. “I was amazed by the number of attendees, even at the start, at 4pm” said Jackie Sachar. Discovery Health held a medical ethics talk with Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz and Investec Bank with Chief Rabbi
Goldstein. “It was wonderful to have such a choice of erudite speakers,”said Jackie. “I was very inspired!”

As the regular programme began at 5pm, more chairs had to be brought into already over-full lecture halls, and an extra talk was added, as Sarah Riegler’s remarkable story of journeying from India to Israel enthralled her audience. Young people were crammed into the aisles of the Nelson Mandela auditorium to catch the compelling argument energetically put forward by Rabbi David Ordman; and Jonathan Rosenbloom’s take on the State of Israel in the eyes of the media reflected his tremendous knowledge and expertise in defending Israel’s right to defend itself. On the quieter side of things Bronya Shaffer’s soft-spoken exploration of Judaism’s secrets exposed the ageold beauty of the Jewish marriage. Many more ideas were discussed and deliberated in the classes that went until well past 10pm on the Monday evening.

“I was faced with an unbelievably difficult task of deciding which lecture to attend as the choices were so amazing,” said Eric Berger, Executive Director of the UOS. “I look forward to experiencing the wonderful vibe and positive energy that the Sinai Indaba created in future years.” “It was a wonderfully stimulating, thought-provoking and inspiring two nights,” said Estelle Manoim from Flamingo Vlei, after enjoying both evening sessions of the indaba.

And not just for the old and wise — “It was a most uplifting experience,” said Arielle Wolffs, one the many young high school and university students who participated. “I was very impressed to see young and old attending.” It seems like Sinai is still as ageless as when it happened over 3,000 years ago.”

“Cape Town is a multicultural city and it is wonderful how we can celebrate together,” said Deputy Mayor Ian Neilson in bringing greetings from the City of Cape Town. As he left the Albow Centre a few hours later, he expressed how much he enjoyed the fresh perspective on what multiculturalism really means.

‘Like one person with one heart’
As a project under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein, the Sinai Indaba was a huge success all around the country. In Johannesburg there were 1,500 people on Saturday night 18 June at the Sandton Sun, to hear special guest Chief Rabbi Lau and others, and on Sunday 19 June there were another approximately
2500 people in attendance. Due to the overflowing crowds an extra hall had to be found at a nearby conference facility at the last minute, to accommodate the hundreds who could not get into the main venue. Durban saw over 200 people flock to their own Indaba held on Thursday 16 June.

Following the outstanding success of this ground-breaking initiative, the Chief Rabbi’s office was inundated with calls and emails for weeks after the Indaba. “I have been inspired and amazed at the intensity of the emotions that people have expressed at how moved they were by Sinai Indaba” said Rabbi Goldstein. “On the day and since then there have been a deluge of messages expressing an outpouring of emotion and inspiration from the experiences of event. One common theme throughout all of these responses has been the power of the unity of the day, with guest speakers representing all of the different parts of our community united around our shared Torah values.

“There is no better way to sum it up than with the immortal words of our sages, ‘like one person with one heart.’ The other major common theme was the excitement and inspiration of new Torah insights presented in an intellectually and spiritually challenging and stimulating way. The passion and energy of the Sinai Indaba experience made it unforgettable for us all.” Stay tuned for details of next year’s Sinai Indaba!