The SA Association of Progressive Rabbis
The South African Association of Progressive Rabbis (SAAPR) embraces all rabbis serving congregations of the South African Union for Progressive Judaism (SAUPJ).The purpose of the SAAPR is to pool Rabbinic expertise, to provide collegial support and to agree on a common policy regarding minhag (custom) as included in Minhag SA. Because of the small number of rabbis within the SAAPR, it is only necessary for one person to convene and co-ordinate meetings and activities. That person is termed the Chairperson and is elected for a two-year period, though re-election at the time of such a period is possible and at times desirable. Minhag SA is a document that includes the rules and regulations of the SAUPJ in areas such as the Jewish status, marriage, adoption, conversion, divorce, burial and cremation. These rules and regulations are updated when deemed necessary as a consequence of proposals submitted by both rabbis and lay leaders. Amendments to the document have to be ratified at a National Assembly of the SAUPJ. All members of the SAAPR are bound to abide by the rules and regulations of Minhag SA. Minhag SA is important in order to avoid different standards on matters of Jewish status within the SAUPJ.
Rabbinic qualifications
The SAAPR accepts rabbinic ordination from the following institutions:
- Leo Baeck College, London
- Hebrew Union College, Cincinatti
- Hebrew Union College, New York
- Hebrew Union College, Los Angeles
- Hebrew Union College, Jerusalem
- Abraham Geiger College, Berlin
- Jewish Theological Seminary, New York
- Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Philadelphia
We also accept rabbinic ordination from the following Orthodox colleges:
- Jews College, London
- Yeshiva University, New York
Rabbinic ordination from one of the above does not guarantee the social skills necessary for successful work in the field.
Related articles
- Overview of the SAUPJ
- Contact details of congregations
- Leadership of the SAUPJ
- Netzer (Youth Movement)
- SA Union of Temple Sisterhoods
- Constitution of the SAUPJ
South African Rabbis
The following are current South African rabbis in our movement:
Rabbis Expelled, Suspended, or Censured for Violations of the Code of Ethics
Expelled Rabbis:
Sa’ar Shaked had been charged with violating Ethics Code Section V (Sexual Boundaries). He was temporarily suspended pending an Ethics Enquiry during which time he resigned from the SAAPR. The Ethics Panel concluded its process and recommended his expulsion which was ratified by the SAAPR members in February 2024. He is no longer a member of the SAAPR.