Cape Town’s Jewish community is ageing. While the city is seeing new residents coming in – with a semigration trend largely from Johannesburg – the numbers are small compared to the older cohort. In fact, almost a quarter of the Jewish population is aged over 70.
A major factor underpinning this trend is the emigration of younger people to other parts of the world: the ‘packing for Perth’ phenomenon has certainly not declined.
As a result of this, increasing numbers of aged people are living on their own. While this may be good for a sense of independence, numerous problems may arise: loneliness, the risk of people falling and injuring themselves, and the chance that the aged person is not eating properly or taking their medication correctly.
You may have an elderly parent or relative in this position, and you quite possibly find yourself worrying a great deal about the person. And, if you’re one of the many adult children living overseas, your concern becomes even more marked.
That is where the Cape Jewish Seniors Association (CJSA) can step in. This organisation, which falls under the umbrella of the newly-created Care Services function within the Jewish community, provides a range of services to the aged in our community. In many instances, ageing in place – in other words, staying on in one’s own home – is appropriate. If your family member is currently healthy and able to live independently, it may not be a suitable time for them to go into residential care. But ageing in place can be enhanced through the person’s involvement in the CJSA.
The goal of CJSA goes beyond keeping a watchful eye on the vulnerable members of the community. Our byline, “Keep people active and part of the community, instead of being alone and apart from the community,” sums it up. The many activities on offer at our various centres in different parts of Cape Town allow the person to be involved in numerous social activities. Whether it’s exercise classes, playing card games, participating in art classes, or attending the many weekly outings arranged, the individual is making human contact, meeting other like-minded people, and enjoying some mental stimulation, while at the same time the social worker who is with them can note anything untoward and immediately step in to assist.
Through these activities, our social workers become familiar with our members. And so, if something has happened that may require an intervention that a child would otherwise get involved in, CJSA will provide the necessary support. The information that the social worker gleans from interacting with the aged in our society means that they can become involved in the move from independent living to residential care, or that they can assist someone to get medical care, or help a person cope with grief or loneliness. The person could otherwise have a far greater struggle on their own if they had never met up with others, including the CJSA social workers.
Speak to your parent or other relative about joining the CJSA – and reaping the many benefits on offer. ●
Social and Personal
We congratulate our members who have had joyous occasions during the last month.
Birth: Eileen Meilach – Great Grandson
Special Birthday: Rochelle Goldschmidt 80th, Debbie Epstein – 80th, Rika Ressel – 90th
Our thoughts and wishes of strength are with those members who are ill or grieving.
Get Well wishes: Edie Schneider, Dorothy Bagraim, Hilda Wilk, Susan Honor, Michael Blumenthal, Dorothy Woolf, Sylvia Seeligson
Death: Wishing Long Life and wishes of strength to the family of our members: Mikaela Plen, Marcia Orlin.
Cape Jewish Seniors Association
Director: Diana Sochen, 021 434 9691, director@cjsa.org.za
Admin: Amanda, 021 434 9691, admin@cjsa.org.za
CJSA on Facebook
- JULY 2025: Read the June 2025 Digital Edition in your browser as a Flipbook or a PDF.
- SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the Cape Jewish Chronicle for just R450/year (or R38/month debit order) and you will remain connected. Simply email us at subscriptions@ctjc.co.za and click here for payment info.
- ADVERTISE in the Cape Jewish Chronicle and on this website. Contact Lynette on 021 464 6736 or email advertising@ctjc.co.za.
