Know your Board

Rael Kaimowitz and David King

Each month we shine a spotlight on two individuals who make up our Board! After all, they are there to represent you and ensure your voice is heard when engaging with leading figures in the political, media and administrative spheres. Each month, two Board members will answer a series of questions that shed light on their reasons for serving on the Board, and their response to key issues relevant to our community. So, keep an eye out, and get to know your Board!


Rael Kaimowitz 

Why did you join the Board?

My communal involvement began when I joined the Community Security Organisation (CSO) after leaving school. Over the years I formed a close working relationship with the leadership of the Cape SA Jewish Board of Deputies. It felt like a natural progression to join the Board as the objectives of the two organisations are so similar.

What do you hope to achieve during your term of office?

As an immediate past-Chair, I serve currently in an ex-officio position. I hope I have been able to be a voice of balance, reason and perspective around the table and a resource to the current members and leadership.

What other community organisations are you involved in?

I have been involved in many community organisations over the years, spanning multiple sectors in our community. I was a member and operational chair of the CSO for many years. This gave the basis for viewing the community holistically and interacting across all spectrums of it. During that time I was also involved in the Young Adult Division (YAD) of the United Jewish Campaign and chaired their fundraising subcommittee. YAD focussed on fundraising and networking in the 25-45 year age group. 

I was privileged to be selected as a fellow of the Nahum Goldman Fellowship, an international programme for Jewish Leadership. Through my involvement with this unique body, I assisted in holding the first international fellowship in South Africa as well as incubating the idea of a regional mini-fellowship along with other alumni in Cape Town. The Nahum Goldman Fellowship falls under the umbrella of The Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture, on whose board of governors I now serve. I have previously served on the committee of Ohr Somayach and currently serve as a board member of the Phyllis Jowell Jewish Day School, which my two sons attend. 

What are your passions?

Family and Padel of course! But I assume you mean communally?! I am passionate about creating the environment in which our community can operate and thrive. I have chosen to focus my energies largely on organisations like the Board, the CSO and the UJC that are umbrella in nature — enablers of other organisations, shuls or schools to focus on their objectives and mandates. I have always enjoyed this bird’s eye, high-level view of our community. I enjoy bringing people from different perspectives around the same table to engage with each other even if we have divergent views on things. This is a sign of a healthy, functioning community.

What is your vision for the community?

Our communal forefathers were astute in setting up structures and facilities that would serve our community from cradle to grave, and be the envy of other communities around the world. My vision is that, despite changes in demographics and the challenges we face as a community and country, we continue to offer these and other improved services in a more streamlined fashion in line with global best practices and our changing needs. 

What do you think is unique about our Jewish community?

No community of our size around the world can boast the breadth of service and offerings that we provide members of our community. The passion of our lay and professional leadership in safeguarding existing structures while at the same time innovating and improving them is exemplary. We should acknowledge the foundation we have and not take it for granted. 


David King

Why did you join the Board? 

The community has always been in my blood. My family have been very fortunate to benefit from the great work of many of the affiliates over the years. Giving back and contributing to the community has been instilled in me by my family members as well as by the many communal leaders I have worked with over the years. After several years of serving on the executive of CSO, the natural progression was to join the umbrella body of the community. 

What do you hope to achieve during your term of office? 

Having served on the Board since 2007 I have sat on many subcommittees. During that time I have been involved in trying to grow and promote young leaders. I currently chair the Country Communities subcommittee — working with the leaders and members of these smaller communities and ensuring their Jewish identity in these small towns, is not only extremely rewarding but important for the well-being of all Jews in the Western Cape. Going forward, trying to find innovative ways of growing the Cape Jewish Community is essential and offering the Cape as an alternative to Jews from other cities is an area of focus I hope to be part of.

What other community organisations are you involved in?

My communal journey started as a volunteer for the CSO. As time progressed I worked my way to the executive, holding the position of treasurer for a number of years. I was involved in resurrecting WP Maccabi some years back, which I am pleased to see continues to grow with a large Cape contingent attending this year’s Maccabiah. I have also sat on the local Board of Afrika Tikkun. I was a graduate of the UJC’s P2K leadership programme in 2006, which culminated with a conference in Beit Shemesh with young leaders from across the globe. Outside the community, I have also sat on the executive of NGOs.

What are your passions? 

I am crazy about sport and have been fortunate enough to travel to some of the leading stadiums to watch incredible events. Until recently I was incredibly passionate about my running; however, an unfortunate accident has temporarily hindered that. I am however motivated and committed to getting back to my previous levels. My family and friends play an incredible role in my life and spending time with them provides great satisfaction. Finally, I am driven to uplift people, especially those at work and others around me. I am a firm believer that we should all strive to improve.

What is your vision for the community?

Like any Jewish community around the world, we have challenges. We have an ageing and shrinking community but yet live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country and the world. Offering the Cape as an alternative to emigration needs to be considered. Having the correct blend of experienced and young leaders, and making tough leadership decisions is going to be essential to the sustainability of the community going forward. We have a resilient community and I remain optimistic about it!

What do you think is unique about our Jewish community?

We have a wide, diverse and unique offering to Jews for a community of our size. Our institutions, organisations and structures built by past and current lay and professional leaders are world-class. Our community is spoken about in high regard, for its ability to care for and look after each other while keeping the Jewish light burning bright.

• Published in the PDF edition of the July 2022 issue – Click here to read it.

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