The power of youth

Jewish, Muslim, and Christian learners with Imam Salieg Isaacs (Muslim Judicial Council), Reverance Berry Behr (SAFCEI) and Craig Nudelman (Cape SAJBD) at the Youth Interfaith Environment Dialogue

By Craig Nudelman

The Cape SAJBD has many initiatives that engage the youth. In honour of this Youth Day, it hosted two events on 12 June to celebrate our youth and ensure that we are building our Jewish and South African youth communities. 

Youth Day commemorates the Soweto Uprising on 16 June 1976, where thousands of high school students in Soweto walked out of their schools. This was to protest the amendments to the Bantu Education Act, including Afrikaans as a compulsory medium of instruction in black educational facilities. At Orlando Stadium they were met with the full force of the South African police force, who opened fire on the assembled students, killing an estimated 176 students, including 13-year-old Hector Pieterson; the iconic photo of him being held by his sister and cousin representing the Soweto uprising taken by Sam Nzima from The World newspaper. The Soweto uprising was one of the most important events in South African history and paved the way for ending apartheid and racial segregation. 

Our first event was a collaboration with the author of Goodnight Golda, Batya Bricker where mothers and daughters were invited to attend a self-awareness journaling workshop on the book, which focuses on brave and mighty Jewish women, past and present, who can inspire us all. Goodnight Golda details the stories of 32 Jewish women who shaped Jewish history and challenged societal norms about women. With innovative techniques, Batya guided the group to find their own journey to become young heroes in their own right and challenge the status quo. Girls got to take a copy of Goodnight Golda home to explore how each lesson could empower them in their own lives.

Our second event was an interfaith youth event focusing on environmental issues. Fifteen learners from the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faiths were hosted at the Groote Kerk Sentrum. Facilitated by Reverend Berry Behr of the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI), the learners were given the opportunity to actively engage with how they can combat the climate challenges we face in South Africa. After brainstorming the current concerns that they have within their own communities, they came up with fascinating insights as to how to tackle climate change. At the end of the session, they came up with a manifesto to share with their peers, families, schools and communities. Beginning with the words, “We, young people of faith, commit to helping our planet to become greener”, their 18-point plan was inspirational to see. This could not have been made possible without the help of Imam Salieg Isaacs from the Muslim Judicial Council. 

Our youth are not to be taken for granted. They challenge what we know, create what is not there, and look to the future. Let us not only celebrate them on Youth Day but every day. 

Cape SA Jewish Board of Deputies website: www.capesajbd.org, Instagram, and Facebook page.

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

• To advertise in the Cape Jewish Chronicle and on this website – contact us on 021 464 6700 ext. 104 or email advertising@ctjc.co.za. For more information and advertising rate card click here.

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss another issue.

• Please support the Cape Jewish Chronicle with a voluntary Subscription for 2022. For payment info click here.

Visit our Portal to the Jewish Community to see a list of all the Jewish organisations in Cape Town with links to their websites.

Follow the Chronicle: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here