Representatives of the South African Government and of various Christian denominations attended this week-end the silver jubilee anniversary of the Federation of Synagogues of the Transvaal and Free State.
Minister of the Interior Tom Naude, one of the featured speakers at the banquet, said that the Jews could justify their claim to having contributed their fair share to the achievement of South Africa’s national ideals. The Jews of South Africa, Mr. Naude continued, are “good Jews and good citizens” and it is a “privilege to wish the Federation of Synagogues continued success in its important communal work.”
F.C. Odendaal, Administrator of the Transvaal, expressed his deep respect for the Jewish religion as the “main force of Jewish survival and the vital ingredient which had imbued the Jew with ideals of public service. “These, he said, had contributed “richly” to the progress of the Transvaal.
Chief Rabbi Louis I Rabinowitz drew a comparison between South Africa and Israel, noting that in both the government was commanded by one dominant race and religious group. This, he cautioned, laid a responsibility on both countries to resist the temptation of favoring one’s own where equal consideration was required of representations made by Jews, Anglicans, Catholics and others. Other speakers included representatives of the Dutch and Anglican churches.
Israel Consul General Gabriel Doron, speaking Afrikaans to the delight of the government guests, expressed Israel’s appreciation for South Africa’s pro-Zionist and pro-Israel record.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
