The Rebbe and South Africa Cape Town Pays Tribute

Close to 200 people joined together at the Chabad Centre in Sea Point to commemorate the Yahrtzeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and his extraordinary relationship with the South African Jewish Community.

Michael Bagraim, National Chairman of the SAJBOD contrasted the current challenge our community faces through the anti-Israel bias we feel from Government with the ever-positive attitude that the Rebbe inspired his followers to bring to South Africa starting from the 1970’s until today. He concluded by sharing his personal story when his own decision not to emigrate was influenced by the arrival of the Chabad Lubavitch Shluchim during that period.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

Rabbi Yossy Goldman, who arrived in SA together with Rabbi Mendel Popack only three months before the Soweto Riots in 1976 delivered a masterful lecture connecting the Rebbe’s lifelong goal of inspiring faith in the face of crisis, with his specific guidance and assurances to the South African community of a bright and positive future. Starting with the previous Rebbe’s assurance to the late Rabbi Aloy in the 1940’s, the Rebbe consistently felt that our community has a bright future that will and should continue to build.

Rabbi Asher Deren opened the evening by introducing a soul stirring JEM video presentation of the Rebbe singing “Tzomoh Lecho Nafshi,” a heart rending melody, as well as other interesting clips of the Rebbe’s talks and interaction with community people.

The evening concluded with Rabbi Popack sharing the hope that we all translate our inspiration from the evening into real and practical changes for the better in our lives and then a final video of the Rebbe leading a resounding prayer and song of “Sheyiboneh Beit Hamikdosh” “may the Temple be rebuilt speedily in our days.”

Following the lectures and memorable videos of the Rebbe, coordinated by Rabbi Deren and Rabbi Pini Hecht, programme director at Chabad Centre, the guests were treated to an elegant dessert reception and a complimentary copy of a booklet on the Rebbe “Portrait of a Leader”.