By DANIEL BLOCH, Exec. Director Cape SAJBD
Can you believe it’s already time for apples dipped in honey? Where has this year gone?
By the time you read this article, we will be just a week-and-a-half away from celebrating Rosh Hashanah – the Jewish New Year.
Dipping apples in honey on Rosh Hashanah symbolises our prayer and hope for a good and sweet new year, invoking divine blessing, abundance and the spiritual sweetness of the Garden of Eden. There are also deeper interpretations, including the connection to the bee – a symbolic reminder that something sweet can come from a creature that also has a sting, representing life’s challenges ultimately turning into positive outcomes.
Now, I’m not going to get too philosophical or spiritual on you, but I would like to focus on the symbolism of the bee and how it connects to what we do at the Cape SAJBD.
I have mentioned in previous articles that the Cape Board will be ‘dominating’ the Equality Court over the next several months as we tackle antisemitism and hatred head-on. In fact, by the time you read this article, we will have been in court for our second of several cases, which takes place on 25 August 2026.
So why do I compare the Cape SAJBD to a bee?
Sure, we may have a bit of yellow and black in our logo colours. But, like the bee, we represent a minority community (small in size) in comparison to many others – yet we punch well above our weight. Some may even say we pack a mean sting. (I know it should be ‘punch’, but I’m trying to keep the mighty bee analogy going!)
There are those who seem to think they can get away with spewing hatred online, targeting members of our community, attempting to boycott Jewish businesses, or trying to silence and repress our Jewish identity.
But they consistently underestimate the resilience, determination and strength of our community.
The Cape SAJBD is sending a clear message: we will not tolerate hatred directed at our community, and we will stand up and fight back when necessary. And, yes, we will deliver a mighty sting to those who attack us.
Our legal approach to combating antisemitism is often our last resort – what some might call the tip of the blade; the point designed for piercing. Our preference is always to focus on restorative justice, education, engagement and dialogue. But sometimes a more assertive approach is required when dealing with individuals who persist in spreading hate.
And just like the tip of a blade, the bee’s stinger is designed to pierce through and serve as a reminder that actions have consequences.
For the record, only honeybees die after stinging, while other bees, such as bumblebees and carpenter bees, can sting multiple times. The Cape SAJBD is a very different kind of bee: we possess multiple stingers, and we will continue to use them wherever hatred rears its ugly head.
But enough about stinging. What about those apples dipped in honey?
This Rosh Hashanah, we must all celebrate the Chag with our family and friends. Go to shul. Sing along with the choir and chazan. Stay awake during the Rabbi’s drosha. Eat as much brisket and tzimmes as possible. And, of course, take a large slice of apple and dip it generously into the honey – making sure you get a fair chunk of that sweet goodness!
And as you say the brocha, take a moment to think about our amazing community. Think about how vibrant and thriving our Jewish way of life remains. Think about our resilience, our strength and the way our community continues to stand together.
And pray for another sweet, healthy and prosperous year for us all.
Wishing everyone a Shana Tova Umetuka!
Cape SA Jewish Board of Deputies | http://www.capesajbd.org | Instagram | Facebook
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