by Howard Feldman
As is the case with many emerging markets, South Africa has relied on its vast amount of natural resources to drive the economy. Gold, diamonds, platinum, copper, manganese and chrome are some of the commodities that have sustained and fed the development of the country.
But commodity prices fluctuate, and costs rise and infrastructure ages and governments steal and so a country that had great potential is listing dangerously. The headwinds are massive, the clouds are dark and South Africans struggle to hold on as they are assaulted and battered by the harsh conditions they have encountered.
Jewish South Africans are faced with the same stresses as the rest of the country. The community has no immunity from the rising cost of living, the stagnant economic growth and the negativity of corruption that has consumed government. In addition, they are also faced with a barrage of anti-Israel, BDS inspired negativity that assaults them constantly.
And yet, in the middle of the chaos there is an island of tranquility that serves remind the community just what they are capable of.
South African Jews have much to be proud of; most arrived in the country battered and bruised, lonely and damaged from the ravages of a very cruel Europe. They had little money, could not speak the language and most didn’t have a family infrastructure. And yet they huddled together, helped each other with what little they had and together started to build a community. Friends helped each other out and acts of kindness bound the community together.
There were those who felt forced to begin to work on Shabbat and those who resisted the temptation. There were those who found a Shabbat minyan that started at 6:30am and those that only observed Friday night. But there was little judgment as because there was an inherent understanding as to how significant the challenge was.
The tolerance and positivity of South African Jews makes it little of a surprise that The Shabbos Project was borne in the country. South African Jews have always been more inclined to invite fellow Jews to dinner (even if they were not shomer Shabbat) rather than to throw stones at them. It is a community that is proud of its heritage and one that values tradition, no matter the level of religious observance.
The Shabbos Project is the brain child of the South African Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein. In the short space of 4 years more than one million people have committed to the project that is being observed on every continent and in more than 95 countries.
There is unlikely to be a South African export that matches this level of market penetration. And probably not one that will change the world quite like this one does.
Along with Chromium and biltong. Mrs. Balls Chutney and Rooibos tea. Marmite and Nandos. Elon Musk and Charlize Theron. Lion Lager and Braaivleis, the Shabbos Project will no doubt take its place as one of the greatest South African exports.
South Africans should take a moment to be proud. And of course, to keep it together.
