Working for Our Students

If you were to ask our National Director, Wendy Kahn, which aspects of the Board’s work are the most complex, time-consuming and stressful, there is no doubt that resolving problems of university exams set on Shabbat or Yom Tov would rank high on the list. Whether timetable clashes involve many religiously observant Jewish students or even a single individual, the Board will exert itself to the utmost in order to come to an acceptable alternative arrangement with the university concerned. That we have in the vast majority of cases to date been successful in this regard has in large part been due to the absolute dedication with which Wendy has devoted herself to such cases. It can truly be said of her that she feels a personal obligation to help each and every individual and that will not rest until every door has been knocked on and every possible option pursued. For this innumerable Jewish students, and indeed the entire community, owe her a particular debt of gratitude.

A second area in which the Board has become involved is in assisting Jewish medical students wishing to be placed in reasonable proximity to a Jewish community when doing their post-graduation year of community service. Students accept that they will be placed in areas where their skills are most needed, but wherever possible we assist them in obtaining posts not too far removed from one or other centre where there exists an organised Jewish presence. Once again, Wendy has taken this particular task on her shoulders.

As in previous columns, I would like to reiterate the need for students who require our assistance in these or any other such areas to contact the Board as timeously as possible on 011 645 2521/ sajbd@sajbd.org

Recent Articles

SAJBD Responds to DIRCO's Abandonment of South Africans stuck in Israel

The South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) on Sunday issued a travel advisory urging South African citizens in Iran to exercise caution and register with the South African Embassy in Tehran. It is outrageous that DIRCO did not offer similar assistance or services to its citizens in Israel. With the Advisory the Government and DIRCO have clearly shown disinterest and abandoned the many South Africans, be they Christian, Jewish or Muslim who are stranded in Israel. The Government's stance on this current situation confirms once again its lack of concern for not only the citizens of Israel, but its own citizens in Israel.

​DIRCO supports terror regime once again

DIRCO supports terror regime once again

South Africa’s expression of concern and condolences for the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran serves once again to show their decision to always side with dictators, terror organisations and human-rights abusers. DIRCO supported the Assad regime in Syria, Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir in Sudan, Sadam Hussein in Iraq, Hamas in Gaza and now Ali Hosseini Khamenei in Iran. All these dictators have a strong history of oppressing their own people and exporting terror.