THE Durban Progressive Jewish Community (DPJC) hosted the South African Union for Progressive Judaism and its affiliated bodies for their Biennial Conference.

In attendance were representatives from Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, East London, Port Elizabeth and Durban, as well as the congregational Rabbis. Special guests included Rabbi Rich Kirschen of the Anita Saltz Education Centre in Jerusalem, and Dalya Levy, Executive Director of ARZENU, the Progressive Religious Zionists based in Israel.

Kabbalat Shabbat saw all delegates gathering for a wonderful service. This was followed by a Shabbat Dinner which was also attended by the Sisterhood delegates. Shabbat morning services were led by all of the SAUPJ Rabbis including Rabbi Anne Folb (Bet Menorah, Pretoria), Rabbi Robert Jacobs (Bet David, Morningside), Rabbi Greg Alexander (Temple Israel, West Cost) Rabbi Malcolm Matitiani (Temple Israel Green Point), Rabbi Richard Newman (Temple Israel, Wynberg) and Rabbi Hillel Avidan (Temple David, Durban). The Progressive Jewish Youth Movement, Netzer, added their flair to proceedings as well.

It was a privilege to have all of our Rabbis in attendance over the weekend, and having Rabbi Rich Kirschen lead the Torah study sessions added a new dimension to the weekend. The Executive were able to meet with both Rabbi Rich and Dalya on Saturday afternoon, to discuss both Beutel and Arzenu.

Saturday's Seudah Shlishit allowed for an interfaith discussion on Challenges facing the Abrahmic faiths in the 21st Century. Cardinal Wilfred Napier, Sheikh Rafeek Hassan and Rabbi Hillel Avidan participated in the discussion, which was moderated by Rabbi Ash (See picture below). The panel discussion was really well attended by delegates and congregants alike.

Havdallah preceded the gala dinner on Saturday evening, where Judge Mervyn King delivered the keynote address entitled Transient Caretakers - the title of his recent book on corporate responsibility for a sustainable environment. Laura Siegel represented the JNF and delivered a talk on greening synagogues.

As in Eretz Y'Israel - Sunday was a working day, where a number of reports and presentations were delivered, and matters affecting South African Progressive Jewry were robustly debated and discussed. Conference is the platform for delegates to interact with one another, study Torah together, and build relationships with one another.

The National Executive and Regional Executives were elected for the next two years, with Steve Lurie being voted in as National Chairman, N'tanya Gordon Davis Western Cape Regional Chair, Professor Antony Arkin East Coast, and Lynton Travis elected to PR and Marketing . Rabbi Robert Jacobs was elected as Chairman of the South African Association of Progressive Rabbis (SAAPR), and Paddy Meskin and Ruth Avidan as co chairs of the South African Union of Temple Sisterhoods with Giddy Lief the Gauteng Vice Chair.

Presentations or discussion points included:

1. A National Quarterly Magazine similar to Jewish Life, but focussing on Progressive and Jewish issues. (Rabbi Ash)

2. TAMAR - Julia Rubinstein Solomon delivered her vision for Tamar, and the activities that are going to be planned.

3. Netzer - Jared Durbach delivered the Netzer Report, and spoke passionately about everyone's commitment to growing our Youth Organisation organically.

4. Lynton Travis presented an overview of the Beutel Leadership Seminar which takes place annually in Israel, and discussion was held to try establish a South African Beutel Seminar - bridging South African spaces with Israeli/ Jewish relevance in the curriculum.

5. A PR and Marketing report was delivered by Lynton Travis, with a focus on branding the SAUPJ, and creating a far more visible profile through media and coordination of press releases.

6. Rabbi Jacobs presented two resolutions - the Formation of the SAFPJ - The South African Foundation for Progressive Judaism, and SACRED - The South African Centre for Religious Equality and Diversity. The SAFPJ is a Section 21 Company that will allow for Tax Free donations to be made to Progressive Judaism, giving the donors a tax break. Some of the funding will also be used by SACRED to pay for support costs, and advertising where required. Funding will also be made available to our struggling communities to ensure we maintain our footprint and presence.

7. A further resolution was passed to restart the Educational Sub Committee as a forum for educators to share knowledge and information where applicable and relevant.

8. Further discussions were held with regards to Minhag, with the Rabbis committed to working through certain elements to ensure that Minhag reads correctly, and that certain halachic elements are studied carefully and completely to ensure appropriateness, applicability and relevance in line with our philosophy.

9. Discussions were held with regards to the Face to Face in Cape Town in 2011 being extended to a weekend so that work can be done more thoroughly and completely.

10. Biennial Conference will take place in Gauteng in 2012.

By all accounts, this Conference was a resounding success, with delegates enthused and inspired, ready, willing and able to take Progressive Judaism forward in response to the growing needs of the Jewish Community in South Africa.

Rabbis on the beach. From left, Rabbi Malcolm Matitiani (Temple Israel Green Point), Rabbi Anne Folb (Bet Menorah, Pretoria), Rabbi Greg Alexander (Temple Israel, West Coast), Rabbi Robert Jacobs (Bet David, Morningside), and Rabbi Rich Kirschen of the Anita Saltz Education Centre in Jerusalem.

Cape Town committee. BACK: Greg Flash, Rabbi Richard Newman, Adelaide Wade, Rochelle Weinreich, Phina Hoberman, N'Tanya Gordon-Davis. MIDDLE: Rabbi Malcolm Matitiani, Eric Beswick, Rabbi Greg Alexander, Talia Mayson. FRONT: Rina Epstein

BACK: Lynton Travis, Greg Flash, Rabbi Dr Robert Ash. MIDDLE: Dayla Levy (visitor - Exec Director Arzenu), Rabbi Robert Jacobs, Jacob Hurwitz, N'Tanya Gordon-Davis; Steve Lurie (SAUPJ Chairman). FRONT: Hayley Brown, (visitor - Rabbi Rich Kirschen - Saltz Academy Director), Jarred Durbach; Rabbi Malcolm Matitiani.

Gauteng Committee. BACK: Jeff Davies, David Bilchitz, Jacob Hurwitz, Lynton Travis, Simon Hochschild, Rabbi Dr Robert Ash. MIDDLE: Rabbi Robert Jacobs, Dayla Levy (Visting Guest Executive Director of Arzenu), Julia Rubinstein Solomon, Giddy Lief, Stephen Finn, Desmond Sweke, Marion Block. FRONT: Hayley Brown, Jarred Durbach, Jackie Maris.

Durban Committee. BACK: Rabbi Hillel Avidan, Shelley Harris, Glen Sol, Karen Krausey. MIDDLE: Marlene Keats, Marion Arkin, Diane McColl, Prof Antony Arkin, Paddy Meskin. FRONT: Ruth Avidan