The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) is the largest Jewish communal and civil rights organisation in South Africa. It was formed in 1912 from the merger of the Board for the Transvaal and the Board for the Cape. It serves as the central representative institution of most of the country's Hebrew congregations, Jewish societies, and institutions.It is affiliated to the World Jewish Congress.South Africa World Jewish Congress. Retrieved on 27 January 2026.
During much of the National Party rule, the Board adopted a policy of non-intervention, or neutrality towards the system of Apartheid. However, in 1985, it passed a resolution condemning apartheid.S. African Jews Oppose Apartheid Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved on 27 January 2026. The Board has since expressed regret concerning its earlier stance of neutrality and has honoured Jewish anti-apartheid activists in its conferences.Miltz, Nicola (29 November 2018). Board apologises for apartheid-era errors South African Jewish Report. Retrieved on 27 January 2026.
The Board has historically been Zionist.Sachs, Bernard (June 1950). South Africa: Life on a Volcano:The Jewish Community in a Caste Society Commentary. Retrieved on 27 January 2026. It has also historically supported a two-state solution, advocating for a negotiated settlement between Israel and a future Palestinian state.South Africa Jewish Board of Deputies: Response to SA Jews for a Free Palestine Parliamentary Monitoring Group. Retrieved on 27 January 2026.
History Early history (1898-1948) The board is predated by another Jewish communal organisation, the South African Zionist Federation (formed in 1898), and Dan Jacobson explains: "It is a measure of the enthusiasm of South African Jewry for the Zionist cause that it had a single body uniting its various Zionist groups some years before a similar body [SABJD] devoted to local affairs could be formed."Jacobson, Dan (January 1957). The Jews of South Africa: Portrait of a Flourishing Community Commentary. Retrieved on 27 January 2026.
In 1923, the board adopted a resolution in protest against immigration restrictions mostly targeting Jewish migrants.Charge South Africa Treats Jews As Asiatics The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 27 August 1923Jewish Immigration to South Africa “practically Stopped” The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 25 September 1923 In response to the Quota Act of 1930 that would effectively deny Eastern European Jewish migration to South Africa, the board's secretary, Harry Carter, proposed a day of mourning and prayer on its day of enactment.Kittridge Blames South African Government for Quota Bill, Charges Bias The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 5 March 1930
In 1926, the board advocated for the end of discrimination against Jewish teachers that were not being seriously considered for positions in government schools.Discrimination Against Jewish Teachers in S. A. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 14 July 1926 The following year the board advocated for the end of discrimination against Jewish students applying to certain schools in Johannesburg.S. A. Jewish Boad Hears Charge of Discrimination The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 13 December 1927
In 1931, amid an economic depression in South Africa, the board launched a fundraising campaign to raise $150, 000 to benefit impoverished local Jewry.Economic Depression Drives South African Jews to Suicide The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 23 July 1931
In 1940, the board condemned the “narrow and exclusively racial approach” of the recently formed Afrikaner Economic Institute, cautioning that such an approach would lead to boycotts.‘racial Approach of So. African Body Seen Leading to Boycott of Jews The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 22 March 1940
In 1948, the board condemned the withdrawal of US political support for the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine.South African Jews Condemn U.S. Abandonment of Partition; Pledge to Jewish State The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 29 March 1948
Apartheid era (1948-1994) In 1949, the board sponsored a Jewish art exhibition, with 250 original works by both local Jewish artists and those overseas, as well as works on Jewish themes, including a work by Rembrandt.Jewish Art Exhibition Opens in South Africa; Construction of New Reform Temple is Begun The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 4 September 1949
In 1949, the board responded to an attack by Minister of Justice, C. R. Swart on a political meeting, with Swart alleging that a board member was in attendance. M. Kuper, chairman of the board, confirmed that the allegation was false, as the man named by Swart was not a board member. Kuper also added that the board does not take a stance on national party politics. He affirmed that the board's scope was to protect the civil rights of Jewish citizens and protect them from discrimination and antisemitism.South African Board of Jewish Deputies Clarifies Position on National Party The Jewish telegraphic Agency. 8 March 1949
In 1951, the board supported Israel's claims for reparations from Germany, that culminated in the Reparations Agreement between Israel and the Federal Republic of Germany.
In 1955, the board opened the country's first Jewish museum in their new headquarters in Johannesburg. Chief Rabbi Louis Rabinowitz, officiated at the opening ceremony, adding that it would be a “cultural stimulus” to local Jewry. The decision to open the museum came after the board received a gift of Jewish ceremonial silver objects from the Jewish Reconstruction Foundation.
In 1952, the board distanced itself from an allegation in a police report that it controls the South African Communist Party. The police report had quoted Jewish anti-apartheid activist, Michael Harmel as its source.So. African Jews Submit Statement to Parliament; Refute Slander The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 30 June 1952 As early as the late 1950s, Jewish anti-apartheid activists had brought anti-apartheid resolutions to the board of deputies that were routinely voted down. Benjamin Pogrund alleged that the board played a role in defending Pretoria's ties with Israel ties and in supporting the government. The board, at times, distanced itself from the activities and views of individuals Jewish activists, asserting the board's political neutrality on national politics. The editor and board associate director, David Saks, wrote about the context of the distancing. Saks highlighted the lack of meaningful Jewish identification among some of the activists. He cited Ray Alexander Simons, who rejected identifying as Jewish, instead seeing herself as primarily an "internationalist" (citizen of the world). Saks also explained that disagreements were not exclusively rooted in discussions of national politics. Anti-zionist positions among some radical activists, scornful attitudes towards Judaism and an unwillingness to promote Jewish education to their offspring, were among the differences between the board and the activists.
In 1960, the board assisted Jewish refugees from the Congo with urgent support and ensuring that they had housing in either South Africa or Southern Rhodesia.Graphic Report on Congo Jewish Refugees Presented in So. Africa The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 5 August 1960 In the same year, the board, together with the Board of Deputies of British Jews and B'nai B'rith submitted a memorandum to the United Nations. The report demonstrated an anti-Jewish emigration policy maintained by the Soviet Union and North Africa governments.
In 1961, when the board's vice-president, Israel A. Maisels, was appointed Judge of the High Court of Southern Rhodesia in 1961, he was described by The Guardian newspaper as a strong foe of apartheid who has championed the rights of the African in South Africa.Israel Maisels, So. African Jewish Leader, Named Judge of High Court The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 1 March 1961 During a farewell speech of the same year, Maisels said: “Jewish organizations, of course, cannot take sides and may not throw themselves into political affairs. That is a different thing from saying that Jewish citizens must keep out of such affairs. This attitude is morally indefensible and ethically wrong. I do not exclude the Jewish clergy. Ethics cannot be confined to the walls of synagogues.”So. African Jewish Leader Urges Jews to Take Sides in Country’s Issues The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 3 May 1961
In 1962, the board urged parliament to consider legislation that would prevent the publication of anti-semitic material in the country.So. African Jews Seek Legislation Against Anti-semitic Material The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 6 March 1962
In 1968, the board condemned comments made by Police and Home Affair Minister, Lourens Muller. Muller reportedly warned Jewish parents to do more to ensure that their children do not get involved in student protests against government policies. The board wrote in a statement: “to fasten responsibility on the Jewish community for actions of individual members inevitably furthers anti-Semitism, even if unwittingly.”South African Jews Angered by Police-interior Minister’s Admonition to Parents The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 4 September 1968
In 1972, the board responded to international press reports of a speech made by Prime Minister B.J. Vorster where he referred to the board as a "secret society". Upon a careful reading of the speech, the board determined that Vorster did not intend to criticise the board when he drew parallels with the Broederbond.Vorster Did Not Criticize South African Jewish Board of Deputies The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 2 November 1972
The board officially condemned apartheid in 1985, having previously maintained a neutral position on national politics.S. African Jews Oppose Apartheid The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 13 June 1985 Upon the release of Nelson Mandela from jail in 1990, the board published a statement in support of the decision: “It earnestly hopes Mr. Mandela will use his considerable political experience and wisdom for creating a suitable climate for reconciliation and negotiation, which would be to the benefit of all peoples of South Africa regardless of race, color or creed."World Jewry Reacts with Elation to the Freeing of Nelson Mandela The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 13 February 1990
In 1992, the board urged Jewish voters to vote "yes" in the 1992 South African apartheid referendum, in response to the ballot question “Do you support continuation of the reform process which the state president began on Feb. 2, 1990 and which is aimed at a new constitution through negotiations?”Behind the Headlines: South African Jewry Takes a Stand Backing Political Reform Referendum The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 16 March 1992 Later that year, Nelson Mandela On the eve of Passover in 1992, Nelson Mandela conveyed a message to the board, publicly acknowledging South African Jewry's “particularly outstanding contribution” to his people's “struggle for freedom and social justice.”Mandela Thanks South African Jews for Contribution to Black Struggle The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 16 April 1992
In 1993, the board led a delegation of Jewish leaders paying their respects at a Soweto stadium for the slain political leader, Chris Hani.South African Jews Pay Respects to Slain Communist Party Leader The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 20 April 1993
Post-apartheid era (1994-present) In 1996, the board criticised Mandela for meeting with Nation of Islam leader, Louis Farrakhan on his African tour. In a statement, the board said that it: “would have preferred it if our esteemed president – who is the world symbol of reconciliation and nonracialism – would not have met with Minister Farrakhan.”