For more than two years, we have been praying and hoping for an end to the war between Israel and Hamas.
We have pleaded for the release of the hostages and fought continuously against hatred and antisemitism.
As a Jewish community, we have experienced a spectrum of emotions – anger, fear, despair, resilience – and now, finally, hope and a
belief that things may very well change for the better.
The ceasefire agreement was a monumental moment that has, hopefully, brought an end to the war. Watching the twenty living hostages return to their families – seeing the hugging, the embracing, the sheer joy on those faces – must have brought a tear to us all. And, while the return of the bodies of those who were murdered can never bring the same comfort, the relief of knowing their loved ones are home and laid to rest allows their souls to move on and their memories to truly be for a blessing.
Back home in Cape Town, we watched, we wept, and we rejoiced. While Simchat Torah 2023 and even 2024 will be remembered as among the least celebrated Yom Tovim in recent memory, Simchat Torah 2025 will go down as one of the most joyous. I was fortunate to spend this Yom Tov with my family in shul. The evening and morning of Simchat Torah were absolutely incredible – the vibe, the energy, the party atmosphere as we celebrated both the joy of the festival and the joy of our brothers and sisters finally coming home.
You could feel the intensity of prayer, the sense of relief at being able to let loose, and the passion in every song of joy and gratitude. The last time I remember such spirited celebration was at my son’s barmitzvah last year. There was no holding back as we danced in the middle of shul, holding all the Sifrei Torah, waving Israeli flags, and singing Hebrew, Israeli and Jewish songs until our voices went hoarse. The following day, the celebrations spilled into the streets – men, women, and children dancing with the Sifrei Torah as cars drove past hooting in celebration, their drivers giving us thumbs-up signs. For the first time in a long time, our Jewish identity was on display for all to see – loud and proud.
On Yom Kippur, I was honoured to deliver the Yom Kippur Appeal annual address. My message focused on how our shuls are our home away from home – our safe spaces where we can be proud Jews without worrying about the stress of the outside world. Shuls have always been the one constant in our lives, the places where we celebrate, pray, mourn, and connect with our Yiddishkeit. They are also investing in our future – upgrading buildings, hiring professional staff, and offering exciting programmes and events. Shuls have always been sanctuaries where we can pray and express our Judaism freely.
For the past two years, I have often said that Cape Town remains one of the safest and most vibrant places for Jews to live. We have been able to showcase our identity proudly – every single day. With the ceasefire holding for now, we can only hope that real change is on the horizon, and that peace is no longer just a dream.
Let us continue living our lives as proud Jews – and encourage everyone in our community to do the same. ●
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