Kesher Talk

Jews in odd places: South Africa: At a time when South Africa’s Jews are anxious over the future of the Jewish community, the religious body representing most Jews has taken a bold step by choosing a young man with little experience as chief rabbi.

The decision by the Union of Orthodox Synagogues to appoint as chief rabbi Warren Goldstein, 32, has been hailed by many as an inspired move that will inject fresh energy into the troubled Jewish community of 80,000. Goldstein will take over in January 2005 when the current chief rabbi, Cyril Harris, retires after 17 years. Goldstein is rabbi of a dynamic Orthodox congregation in Johannesburg and a scholar of Judaism and law — but some say he’s too young to be chief rabbi.

He is this country's first homegrown, fourth-generation South African chief rabbi, he has just completed a doctorate on Jewish law's relevance to human rights and modern constitutional law, and he and Dumani Mandela (Nelson's grandson) are the authors of African Soul Talk, a dialogue debating their visions for South Africa.

Goldstein began his rabbinical studies at 17, and studied law and philosophy through Unisa at the same time. He married Jina and completed his LLB while working as a rabbi. His intention was to practise law, but that fell by the wayside as he grew to enjoy his work as a rabbi. He has recently completed a PhD in law at Wits university.

In their book, subtitled When Politics is not Enough, Mandela and Goldstein debate - in the Talmudic tradition of seeing the other's view - spirituality, leadership, love, guts, family, poverty, generosity, women, dignity and nation-building through morals and values.

posted by William @ 1/28/2004 09:03:00 AM