Netzer Cape Town issued the following statement regarding the tragic passing of Ellie Visser, one of their Madrichim: Chaverim, It is with great sadness that we announce the untimely passing of one of our Madrichim, Ellie Visser. Ellie was an active part of Netzer SA and our Cape Town branch for the last six years. […]
The SAUPJ and its affiliates issued the following declaration of solidarity and condolence with the Muslim community of Malmesbury following the recent horrific attack on the mosque there: Tamuz 5778 – Ramadan 1439 – June 2018 To the Muslim community of Malmesbury Shalom dear friends! Kindly accept our solidarity with you during this sad and […]
First new Progressive Synagogue built on the African Continent in decades – Bet David opens its new Synagogue In a meaningful and moving ceremony Bet David in Morningside opened and dedicated its new synagogue on Wednesday, 20 September 2017, Erev Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year). The dedication service was led by Rabbi Adrian Michael […]
I have just returned from an exhilarating few days in Jerusalem the 37th World Zionist Congress. Since Theodore Herzl convened the first Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland on March 29, 1897, the gathering of world Jewry has been the forum to move forward the Zionist enterprise, the national liberation of the Jewish people. While the […]
21 Cheshvan 5776 3 November 2015 The 2015 Annual Desmond Tutu Peace Lecture held at St Joseph’s Church hall in Durban on the evening of Thursday, 29 October featured Rabbi Hillel Avidan, Cardinal Wilfred Napier and Sheik Saleem Banda addressing two Vatican statements, “Nostra Aetate” (from Pope Paul VI in October 1965) and “Laudato Si” […]
Press Release on behalf of the South African Union for Progressive Judaism (SAUPJ) and the South African Association of Progressive Rabbis (SAAPR) 20 Oct 2015 It has been reported in the media that Hamas representatives will meet with a “Progressive Jewish Group” during their visit to South Africa. We have no knowledge of the source […]
Muslim scholar talks on progressive Islam The South African Centre for Religious Equality and Diversity (SACRED) recently hosted Professor Taj Hargey (pictured at left), a distinguished Oxford-based academic on Islam and the Middle East, at Bet David in Johannesburg, with a lecture on “Progressive Islam: Tolerant or Intolerant?” by OWN CORRESPONDENT | Jul 07, 2015 […]
In his immediate response to this court decision their president, Barack Obama, proudly declared to the world, “This ruling is a victory for America. This decision affirms what millions of Americans already believe in their hearts…when all Americans are treated as equal, we are all more free.” We wholeheartedly agree and as a worldwide movement […]
On May 27, Beit Emanuel Progressive Synagogue in Johannesburg hosted a talk by the South African Centre for Religious Equality and Diversity (SACRED) entitled ‘SACRED geometry’. This was the first event held under SACRED’s new Chair, Rabbi Julia Margolis, and was very well attended. SACRED Geometry was the first in a series of monthly ‘Evenings […]
The South African Association of Progressive Rabbis (SAAPR) has reacted with dismay to the alleged arson attack on the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes (attached to the Benedictine Monastery Tabgha) at the Sea of Galilee, Israel. The monastery has been the target of repeated attacks by radical religious Israelis in recent […]