DANIEL BLOCH Exec. Director Cape SAJBD
On 17 September 2025, the Cape SAJBD held its Annual General Meeting, marking a moment of transition and renewal.
A new Council for the 2025-2027 term was elected, with five fresh faces stepping forward to serve, alongside ten experienced members who remain. This blend of continuity and change ensures that, even in a time of crisis, our community has both steady guidance and fresh energy to rely on.
Adjusting to Board life takes time. But just as our new council members can lean on the wisdom of those who came before them, so too must we, as a community, trust that they will quickly find their footing and dive into the work ahead.
At the Cape SAJBD, we recognise the delicate balance between consistency and change. Last year, understanding the severity of the crisis we faced, we extended the term of the previous Council – a decision unanimously supported by our affiliates. This year, while the challenges remain and the road ahead is far from simple, we believed it was the right time for elections and for a changing of the guard.
The past two years have tested our leadership like few others. We have been pulled in every direction, working tirelessly to protect Jewish life in the Western Cape and to defend our constitutional freedoms. We believe we have steered the community in the right direction, but we also know there is always room to grow. The new voices joining the Council not only affirm what has been achieved but also bring with them fresh perspectives, opportunities, and solutions.
By the time you read this, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur will have passed. How fitting that the beginning of a new Cape Board coincides with the Jewish new year – a season of reflection, forgiveness, and hope. We are not perfect, and we do not always have the answers. But our mission remains clear: to safeguard our way of life, to navigate the bumps in the road, and to seize every opportunity to grow stronger together.
It has been an honour and privilege to serve alongside the Cape SAJBD Council of 2022-2025. I thank each member for their support, guidance, and friendship. To those stepping down, I wish you well in the opportunities that lie ahead. To our outgoing chairperson, Adrienne Jacobson, I extend special gratitude for her strong yet calm leadership during one of the most challenging periods in recent times.
To the incoming Council and new chair: together with myself as Executive Director and the professional team, I look forward to working alongside you, continuing the vital work of the Board, and ensuring that Jewish life in the Cape remains resilient, secure, and vibrant. ●
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