Jewish Democratic Initiative

The mass starvation of an entire population of Palestinians cannot save them. Our safety cannot be found through violence and destruction; it can only be found through justice.

The part of the story we usually brush over is when, in the name of protecting our own people, another group is brutally murdered. So, as ever, we are back to discussing Gaza. The remaining hostages, living under brutal conditions, can only be brought home through negotiations.

Purim is a holiday marked with great joy, full of costumes and treats.
This year however, the joy is harder to summon, as we are forced to reflect not just on our peoples’ survival, as recounted in the Megillah, but on what happens after.

#Israel/Palestine

Wishing our Muslim friends all the blessings in this holy month. Ramadan Mubarak to you, your families and loved ones.

#SouthAfrica

even though the Chief Rabbi himself, in the video, quoted the Talmud saying that leaders must listen to criticism. He said it in relation to President Cyril Ramaphosa, but clearly he himself is sheltered from criticism from within the community.

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The Jewish Report declined to run this piece on the grounds that “we cannot take him [the Chief Rabbi] on publicly”. Editor Peta Krost said it was “too divisive in an already divided community”,

His rejection of diversity and inclusion? His hatred for trans people and migrants (at least those who are not white)? His famously unethical business practices? His cynical use of religion?
Or maybe it is just his support for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza.

His treatment of women? The way he mocks the weak and disabled? His abuse of state power to chase down his rivals? His pursuit of media that criticizes him? His and his cabinet’s rejection of climate change, science and modern medicine?

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If we followed the likes of President Trump, he suggests, we would also be highly successful. Which part of Trump’s behavior would you have us mimic, Chief Rabbi?

Rabbi Goldstein criticizes South Africa’s relationship with the “murderous terrorist state” of Iran. But he does not criticize President Trumps’ switch from an alliance with the democracies of Europe to the tyranny of Russia, nor what this means for democracies such as our own.

How can he presume to speak on behalf of black South African land rights, if he does not care for Palestinian land rights?

If he is so opposed to the expropriation of land without compensation, why does he not apply this to the ongoing confiscation of Palestinian land and destruction of Palestinian homes on the West Bank and East Jerusalem?

Rabbi Goldstein is very critical of the ANC government and he is quite entitled to be so. But if he is to do it with any credibility, he needs to find a way out of his own contradictions.

Something is very wrong when a Chief Rabbi sings the praises of political and business figures without mentioning their neo-Nazi affiliations. The Jewish community’s religious leadership has abandoned its moral compass and is floundering in a morass of confusion and contradiction.

He called them “highly successful” and Musk “one of the greatest business creators of all time”, without any qualification or recognition that they might have values, beliefs and friends that should raise the eyebrows of any caring human being, let alone a Jewish communal leader.

This week, South Africa’s Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein sided with these two friends of white supremacists. “Thank you, President Trump,” he said in a video statement. Sounding more like an amateur economist than a serious spiritual leader, Rabbi Goldstein thanked them for caring for South Africa.

Again this is in keeping with other expressions of his view, where he has dined with, praised and defended neo-Nazis.

Trump made it clear that his concern was racially based: he was worried about and offered refuge to Afrikaners, one of the wealthiest demographics in the country, and showed zero concern for the majority of impoverished South Africans.

Trump said white South Africans were threatened with expropriation without compensation of their assets, even though there are no examples of this happening and the new law goes no further than US law on the power of the state to seize land, and is subject to judicial oversight and review.

In early February, Donald Trump relied on blatant disinformation to criticize South Africa and justify action against our government.

In a world where neo-Nazi politics – targeting migrants and trans people – has shifted from the periphery to the centre, Musk and Trump have been prime movers.

It was consistent with other expressions of his views. He also gave his support to the far-rightwing Alternative for Germany Party (AfD), which has neo-Nazi links, and the far-rightwing Reform Party in Britain.

The Chief Rabbi who lost his soul

By Anton Harber

On 20 January, Elon Musk gave a Nazi salute during celebrations of Donald Trump’s presidential election victory. We all saw him do it, twice, and he made no attempt to deny that it was anything but intentional.

The Jewish Democratic Initiative and our members extend our sincere condolences to Imam Muhsin’s family, colleagues, and faith community.

His tragic loss is felt deeply by all who were touched by his life, his words and his teachings. May his legacy as a tireless builder of inclusive and affirming communities of faith continue to inspire.

#SouthAfrica
JDI and its members condemn the horrific murder of Imam Muhsin Hendricks. Imam Muhsin Hendricks was a brave and inspirational spiritual leader within the LGBTQA+ community in South Africa and around the world.

Jewish people say NO to ethnic cleansing

Proud to be one of the 350 rabbis signing this statement — an ad in the NYT today and a declaration of our values.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

For more—and to sign— go to

saynotoethniccleansing.org

"He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the Lord demands of you; but to do justice, to love loving-kindness, and to walk discreetly with your God."

חהִגִּ֥יד לְךָ֛ אָדָ֖ם מַה־טּ֑וֹב וּמָה־יְהֹוָ֞ה דּוֹרֵ֣שׁ מִמְּךָ֗ כִּ֣י אִם־עֲשׂ֚וֹת מִשְׁפָּט֙ וְאַ֣הֲבַת חֶ֔סֶד וְהַצְנֵ֥עַ לֶ֖כֶת עִם־אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ: Micah 6;8

Let us – as a community and as a people – take to heart the ancient teachings of our faith: -