A copy of the new Afrikaans translation of the Bible, which has been hailed in South Africa as a great literary work, was presented to the United Jewish Reform Congregation of Johannesburg as a token of Afrikaans goodwill to the Jewish community by the Mayor of Germiston, Councillor H.J. Wannenburg, at a special service of the Congregation at Temple Israel.
The service was also attended by leading ministers of Dutch Reformed circles whose Moderator, Rev, C.B. Brink, read a Scriptural passage to the congregation from the Afrikaans Bible.
Rabbi Dr. M.C. Weiler, spiritual leader of the Reform movement in South Africa, praised the Germiston Mayor’s action as “a symbol of goodwill and mutual understanding which is so necessary in South Africa.” He said Jews and Afrikaaners were learning more about each other these days, and that was to be welcomed. “It was good to see Jewish journals publishing articles on Afrikaans culture, and Afrikaans journals publishing articles on Jewish life and modern Israel.” he declared.
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