PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM IN THE NEWS
SAUPJ condemns gay attack in Tel Aviv
The SAUPJ issues a statement condemning the attack on a gay youth centre in Tel Aviv.
Report back from the WUPJ conference
Monica Solomon, president of the South African Union of Temple Sisterhoods, reports back on her trip to Jerusalem to attend the 2009 WUPJ conference.
Letters home from Netzer
Letters home from Netzer's shnnaties in Israel give a sense of the fun
SAUPJ's solidarity with Israel
The SAUPJ issues a statement of solidarity with Israel and calls for peace talks for the benefit of both Israelis and Palestinians.
PLUS: SAUPJ statement on the barring of the Dalai Lama.
New siddur for South Africa
Progressive congregations in South Africa will adopt a new prayer book near the end of 2009, a customised version of the new US siddur. Find out how you can help with this project.Ten moving days on Beutel
Each year, a small number of Progressive Jews from around the world are chosen to attend the Beutel leadership seminar in Israel. Giddy Lief was South Africa's representativeWhen women were welcome
Orthodox Judaism says tradition always separated women and men in synagogues. History and archeology tell a very different story ...Sign the Netzer petition
A speech by SAUPJ's Steve Lurie, calling for religious equality, sparks controversy among Orthodox Jews. PLUS: Sign our petition calling for equal rights for Netzer at King David schools (November 2008).Price gives Sherman lecture
The annual Rabbi Dr David Sherman Memorial Lecture in Cape Town is given by Max Price, newly appointed Vice Chancellor of UCT. (February 2009).US Jewish vote stays liberal
Despite predictions that Jews would vote for John McCain, more than three quarters voted for Barack Obama.Recession hurts Israeli Reform
The Israeli Progressive movement has been hard hit by the global recession, which cut funding by 30% in late 2008.UK kids tour Netzer branches
Two British Netzerniks spend six months touring the world, visiting Netzer branches on six continents. They arrive in SA in time to join the December 2008 summer camps.Sisterhood in funding crisis
Gauteng's United Sisterhood faces a funding crisis and key social programmes face closure (July 2008).What United Sisterhood does
Photographs of Israel's 60th birthday celebrations
Jews around the country celebrated Israel's 60th birthday in May 2008, and Progressive Zionists joined in the festivities.
Photographs from Johannesburg
Photographs from Cape Town
The meaning of Yom Ha'atzmaut
Leslie Bergman honoured in Austria
Leslie Bergman, former SAUPJ chairperson and now World Union vice-chairperson, is honoured by the Austrian state for services to the Jewish community and to Austrian arts and culture. (June 2008).Photographs of Purim fun
How we celebrated Purim around the country in 2008, in Cape Town, Pretoria and Magaliesberg.A better world for all?
United Sisterhood chair Marilyn Trujillo speaks at Temple Emanuel on Women's World Day of Prayer. (2008).Mitzvah schools turns 21
The Mitzvah School in the grounds of Bet David, Sandton, celebrated its 21st birthday in 2008. Among the guests were scores of succesful alumni including doctors, lawyers and business leaders.Jews play key role in interfaith council
Members of the Durban Jewish community have played a key role in setting up an inter-faith project to combat poverty.A new building for East London
East London's Temple Hillel consecrates a new building with a ceremony that draws visitors from around the country
Durban Sisterhood wins world award
The Durban Sisterhood wins the international Or Ami Award for Excellence in Sisterhood Programming for its work with the Mavela Creche over the past four years.Number three for Phina
Cape Town's Phina Hoberman has been chosen a third time by the SA sisterhoods to serve on an international Progressive Jewish women's board
Landmark 'yes' to gay marriages
In a landmark decision in May 2007, the National Assembly of the SAUPJ agreed that there be no distinction in the status of same-sex and heterosexual marriages.PLUS: Questions and answers about same-sex marriages and Judaism.
Personal impressions of the WUPJ
SAUPJ treasurer Jeff Carel gives his impressions of the South African delegation's experiences at the WUPJ convention in Jerusalem .PLUS: Pictures of the delegation
Tributes to Benny Stalson at 90
Benny Stalson, spiritual leader of Temple Israel in Hillbrow, celebrates his 90th birthday.PLUS:
Tribute by Rabbi Charles Wallach
Biography of Benny Stalson
Pictures of the service
