Well-known communal leader, Li Boiskin, passed away in early August, having battled illness for some time. The many tributes below reflect the significant impact she had on a variety of Cape Town Jewish communal organisations.
David Jacobson, former Executive Director of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (Cape Council)
Li Boiskin epitomised all that is best about being Jewish; living and demonstrating many of the foundational values of Jewish life: Faith; Family; Community; Tradition; Learning; and Tzedek – justice.
Li was a community leader with a deep moral conscience and a remarkably sensitive historical and contemporary consciousness. Li’s immense contribution to the Cape Town Jewish community is well documented through her involvement with and leadership of so many seminal Jewish organisations, helping shape much of the communal architecture. Yet, it was her thought-leadership, her relentless pursuit of justice and fairness, and her gentle and kind humility that leaves a unique legacy. We have all been enriched through our connection to and relationship with Li Boiskin. My heartfelt condolences to her family. BDE.
Gina Flash, Executive Director, Mensch
Li Boiskin was a professional mentor, an inspirational leader, and a champion of Jewish commitment to social justice. ‘Tzedek Tzedek tirdoof’ – ‘Justice, justice shall you seek’ – was the mantra she often charged us all with, to remind us of our responsibilities to others as Jews and to motivate us to act. Li’s passion for Tikkun Olam was instrumental in the establishment of Mensch; initially as The Mensch Network, a project of the Cape SAJBD that we launched while she served as the Chair.
Li understood and lived her life with her Jewish and South African identities proudly interwoven. Li was a bridge-builder in the community, and her involvement allowed me to leave the Cape SAJBD and start Mensch without losing the vital connection to the organised Jewish community, which remains central to Mensch’s mission and work today.
More than leading, Li loved to be involved. She joined in, gave of herself, her perspective, her wisdom and experience.
Li championed Mensch. She served on our board from its inception in 2015 until she passed. She chaired the board for four years, was my key partner in fundraising and building the donor pool of Mensch, and spoke at every opportunity about the work of Mensch and how proud she was to be a part of an organisation that fore-fronted her love and passion of proudly Jewish social justice and the Jewish people in our network putting this into action.
I was fortunate to work with a woman who could command an audience of global Jewish leaders at a conference, sit on the floor for a workshop, and then do yoga with change leaders. She stood up for women’s rights in communal leadership, sought to understand the underrepresented youth, and created inclusive spaces for the side-lined members of our community. She was open, humble, caring, thoughtful, and deeply principled.
May her memory be a blessing and her light shine on in all of us. Tzedek, Tzedek, tirdoof.
The Cape Town Holocaust & Genocide Centre (CTHGC) By Richard Freedman
The Cape Town Holocaust & Genocide Centre is profoundly saddened by the passing of Li Boiskin, who served as a dedicated voluntary educational guide from the Centre’s establishment in 1999 until ill health prevented her from leading groups through the exhibition.
Li was a strong advocate for Holocaust education, believing it to be a vital tool for addressing contemporary issues in SA and combating antisemitism. Alongside her husband, Stan, she was a generous benefactor of the Centre and took a deep interest in all public programmes and workshops offered.
Li held numerous voluntary community positions with distinction, yet she consistently made time to educate high school students, university students, teachers, magistrates, and police officers at the Centre. She brought diligence, compassion, and expertise to her role. Many remember her for her kindness and empathy.
Mauerberger Foundation Fund By Dianna M. Yach, Chairperson
I know that Li will live on in all those she inspired, her legacy as a courageous woman leader, unafraid to challenge the powers that be as a passionate advocate for social justice.
The Mauerberger Foundation Fund established the Li Boiskin Social Justice Fellowship in April 2023, to honour Li’s commitment to Tikkun Olam, the Jewish obligation to act to better our world.
Li Boiskin cared deeply about the Jewish community. However, she also acknowledged that caring for the wider community within which we live and work is vital for everyone’s collective wellbeing.
The work of a social justice changemaker is not easy. And the challenges from within the community to change may be even more pressing than those from outside. Change can seem threatening and overwhelming. But this work involves more than providing charity or being a compassionate and caring bystander. It requires becoming an active social change agent who is willing to stand up and be counted, who demonstrates leadership, who takes time to work with others to mobilise collective efforts and who takes risks, ‘going where angels fear to tread’. Li exemplified this special kind of ethical leadership in action. We will miss her but cherish her memory in our continuing work to better our world.
Viv Anstey, past Cape Council SAJBOD committee member, Director Eliot Osrin Leadership Institute & Director Midrasha Adult Education Institute
Li lived her life courageously until the end. She remains an example of a life lived to the full, a justice seeker, a champion of rights and responsibilities, a mediator and broker and many times a bridge – in the front line and behind the scenes. She found her voice and empowered others to find theirs, across ages, stages and genders. She led from the front, and often from the side, always thoughtful, intentional, and with conviction. She had humility and compassion, and I valued her wisdom and guidance; whether we agreed or not, I had the utmost respect and trust.
Li also had a strong quest for Jewish knowledge and learning, and for many years was an enthusiastic Melton student,
who enriched our discussions. Thank you to Stan and the entire Boiskin family for sharing much of Li’s life with us, the community, the organisations and those she mentored – I am deeply grateful to claim Li as mine. Li’s legacy, courage and selflessness will be remembered.
WIZO – A Tribute to Li Boiskin – An Eshet Chayil and Stalwart
Li’s love for Israel and her deep commitment to Zionism shaped every aspect of her life. She was a dedicated Zionist, mentor, and leader whose wisdom, warmth and strength inspired all who had the privilege to know her. As Chairman of Bnoth Zion WIZO Cape Town from 2000–2002, Li led with vision. Under her guidance, WIZO became a force to be reckoned with, and its members stood proudly as the foot soldiers of Zionist activity. Li’s ability to mentor, guide and advise knew no limits. Those who worked alongside her will remember her smile, her determination, and her unwavering belief in the WIZO mission. As we remember Li, let us be inspired by her example. May her passion ignite our own, may her commitment guide us forward, and may her memory forever be a blessing. Baruch Dayan Ha’emet.
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