By DANIEL BLOCH, Exec. Director Cape SAJBD
Being a community leader is not an easy job. In fact, it may be one of the most time-consuming and challenging roles out there – and that is saying a lot, considering I spent more than 15 years working in the events industry, regularly ranked among the most stressful industries in which to work.
Over Simchat Torah, I spent a stress-free weekend celebrating our way of life at Marais Road Shul – the shul where my family and I are members. At the annual post-Simchat Torah braai, honouring the Chatan Torah and Chatan Bereishit, several speeches were given. The shul President and both Chatanim spoke brilliantly, but what stood out for me was how each of them ended.
All three have been involved in communal work for many years, whether through the shul or other communal organisations. They have given an extraordinary amount of time, energy, blood, sweat and tears to ensure that our community continues to thrive and prosper. Naturally, they thanked their colleagues and those who had worked alongside them.
But all three ended by thanking their families – and particularly their wives.
Their words made me think about my own family.
I have now been Executive Director of the Cape SAJBD for almost five and a half years and, to put it mildly, it has been an extremely busy period – not only for me, but for my team and our entire Council. And I simply could not do the work I do without the understanding and support of my wife (whom I have thanked in previous articles). The late nights, evening meetings, Sundays, community events, crises and travelling all come at a cost – and that cost is inevitably shared by the people waiting for us at home.
My wife runs her own marketing consulting business, manages our home, and is herself involved in communal life. Somehow, despite my absences, she still manages to get almost everything done.
Almost.
I have banned her from packing the dishwasher. I mean, really – side plates go on the bottom shelf, not the top shelf.
There is an old saying: “Behind every successful man is a woman.” Perhaps today it should read: “Behind every successful individual is their better half.”
That applies equally to the men and women who lead our community. We have extraordinary female communal leaders, and I would like to think the men in their lives are equally capable of juggling businesses, homes, children and communal responsibilities.
Or perhaps I am delusional.
Either way, there is a serious point
behind this.
No matter which communal organisation you serve, chances are there is someone behind the scenes making it possible for you to do so. Someone cheering you on, listening to your speeches for the tenth time, offering advice, tolerating the phone calls during dinner, accepting another evening meeting and, most importantly, supporting your decision to give your time to the community.
They may not sit on the committee. Their names may never appear on the programme. They may not receive an award or be thanked publicly.
But they are part of the contribution too.
Whether you serve on a shul or school committee, lead the Board of Deputies, work in welfare, stand outside our community centres protecting us, volunteer with our youth or contribute through one of the many organisations that make Jewish life in the Western
Cape possible, every role matters.
And behind so many of those volunteers and communal professionals are families making their own contribution by allowing us the time and space to serve.
So perhaps we need to say thank you more often.
To our husbands and wives, partners, children and families: thank you for sharing us with the community. Thank you for understanding why we sometimes miss dinner, why the phone never seems to stop ringing, and why “I’ll be home shortly” does not always mean what it should.
And to those who are not yet involved in communal life, I have a challenge for you: step up and get involved. It is never too early and never too late.
A strong Jewish community does not happen by accident. It survives and grows because people choose to participate, volunteer, lead, protect, educate, care and contribute.
If we want to protect our community, preserve our way of life and ensure that Jewish life in the Western Cape continues to grow and has a bright future, then all of us have a role to play.
Just remember to thank the people at home who make it possible.
And please – put the side plates on the bottom shelf.
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