Herzog celebrates ‘tikkun olam’ in rural South Africa
“You fill the heart of the entire Jewish people with warmth and love when we see you receive the tools you need for a successful life from young Jews who have traveled across continents and thousands of miles to come here and help in the name of the Jewish value of tikkun olam,” Jewish Agency Chairman Isaac Herzog told a group of young Africans on Thursday.
Herzog was in Durban visiting Jewish Agency volunteers, who are assisting disadvantaged people as part of the Jewish Agency’s tikkun olam initiatives.
The volunteers run an educational program to help children and teens acquire life-improving skills. They also subsequently shed a positive light on the Jewish State in a part of the world where Israel’s reputation needs strengthening.
It has been nearly 18 years since the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance was held in Durban. Ironically, the conference sought to demonize Israel.
Herzog learned to play soccer without a ball, and a traditional dance. He also visited a local school with a unique chess program – developed by Durban Volunteer Center Director Natalie Moyal and Education Coordinator Meshi Hazan – that helps boys and girls in the village learn critical and independent thinking.
“We strive to develop Jewish social activists and leaders who promote the Jewish value of tikkun olam,” Herzog told the volunteers. “Your faces are the beautiful faces of the State of Israel in the most difficult areas of the globe, and in countries where Israel and the Jewish people are struggling to maintain a good name.”
The Jewish Agency operates volunteer centers in areas of distress and poverty around the world as part of its Project TEN international development program. The Jewish Agency Volunteer Center in Durban partners with South Africa’s Jewish community, the Victor Daitz Foundation, and other local leadership in the Inanda township.
This article was written in cooperation with the Jewish Agency.