Connect, Collaborate, Community
By DANIEL BLOCH, Executive Director, Cape SAJBD
We are all entitled to our own opinions. There are so many contentious issues at the moment which cause much debate and engagement among communities. Not all of these issues are black and white and they can be interpreted in many differing ways. This means my opinion will most likely differ from your opinion and that is ok – as long as we can have a respectful discussion, get across our points, and acknowledge that we may both have compelling arguments to make. We should be able to agree to disagree. I cannot accept people who are not willing to listen to my opinion or any other opinion for that matter – and even more outrageous is how mean and offensive some people become when they do not like what you say.
You may be thinking that I am referring to the anti-Israel individuals – who fit this bracket perfectly. They would rather scream and shout, threaten, intimidate and verbally abuse anyone who disagrees with them, as opposed to trying to listen and discuss. However, I am referencing members of our own community who, after one contentious issue was raised, turned on both myself and the Board with incredibly offensive and disgusting comments – all because they did not agree with a statement we issued.
I am of course referring to the now infamous Elon Musk ‘salute’ which caused worldwide pandemonium, with experts on both sides providing interesting and compelling arguments as to why it was or wasn’t a ‘Hitler salute’. Based on feedback from all over the world as well as Musk’s subsequent comments and actions, this is most certainly not a black and white issue, and I will not be discussing the merits of what he did.
As Executive Director of the Cape SAJBD, I have come to learn that not everyone can be pleased and, in almost every instance, there will be those who applaud our work and those who do not agree with everything we do. And, with this job, comes its fair amount of scrutiny which I have come to accept – however, it doesn’t make it any easier each time a member of our community speaks harshly and insults my colleagues and me.
I was amazed that several people had the time to send messages not only disagreeing with our Musk statement, but going so far as to call the Board “an insignificant organisation” and calling me a “F##king Idiot”. I did respond to those individuals and explained the Board’s point of view whilst acknowledging their complaint.
I requested that, in future, they be less offensive in their condemnation, and rather use a more professional approach. And almost all these complainants have never messaged the Board previously raising more serious concerns, nor have they ever sent messages lauding some of the work we have done in keeping our community safe – not that we need it, but it is nice when people say thank you now and again.
In fact, two people apologised for their nasty messages, especially after Musk was called out by the ADL for his Nazi jokes which he posted on X (following the salute). I accepted these apologies and so we move on.
I encourage everyone to speak up on any issue which affects them, and you are all most welcome to contact me to discuss, debate and argue. All I ask is that you are cordial and polite, and do not insult or berate me when engaging in conversation. That will lead to a more productive and highly constructive engagement which will no doubt have a positive outcome.
Cape SA Jewish Board of Deputies website: www.capesajbd.org, Instagram, and Facebook page.
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