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How SAJAC San Diego Began
Leah Levin, First President and Founder
In 1987 The South African Jewish community was the fastest growing
group in San Diego county, but newcomers were not integrating into
the general community.
My concern was the loss of of a meaningful and vibrant group to the
community. With this in mind I called a meeting at my house, which
included concerned members of the
South African community and representatives of the UJF.
After much discussion it was agreed that human contact would not only
speed up the absorption process, but that a community group like
SAJAC would be a platform for dialog
and integration with all Americans.
At our inaugural meeting at the JCC, we were overwhelmed by the 300
attendees. This initial success revealed the need for an
organization where people could find support
from others who had similar values and traditions and from those
Americans willing to reach out to them.
The initial committee comprised Leah Levin (Chair): Celia Levy and
Norman Sarkin (Membership); Ilana Silverman and Merle Datnow
(Welcome); Mervyn Kodesh (Publications); Les Kacev (Advertising and
Gemilut Chesed);
Felicia Mandelbaum (Events); Beulah Koz (Secretary); Neville
Berman (Treasurer), Leon Snaid ( Constitution); Avrille Copans;
Karen Marcus, Ronnie Diamond, Michael Silverman, Barry Broomberg.
The Publications Committee: Brian Marks (Editor), Linda Rosenberg,
Mervyn Kodesh, Jeff Chalmers, Michael Rudnick.
Inaugural Committee: Felicia Mandelbaum, Pam Berman, Glenda Kacev,
Heather and Ingrid Sarkin, Helen Josephson, Rochelle Saloner, Myra
Monk, Jennifer Broomberg. Peter Sacks provided the Proteas.
Lang's Laof provided Challas for our Welcome baskets.
Membership Directory: Sharleen Wollach, Myron and Laura Jucha.
My apologies if I have omitted anyone by name. There were many
dedicated volunteers who added to the success of SAJAC, who will
always have our admiration and gratitude.
Within a year SAJAC had achieved great success and had established
itself as an important part of the Community. It was recognized and
respected as a medium through which issues and problems of
immigration were addressed.
Our Gemilut Chesed handled many calls and assisted in supporting
members through a discreet network of caring and understanding people.
Our First Braai attracted 450 people!! We enjoyed tennis
tournaments, picnics, film screenings, meetings with Aipac and the
UJF, fulfilling our commitment to the community by assisting at Super
Sunday, and enjoying a night to remember
- "The American Bash" - an integrated gala event.
We were all there because we believed in the richness, the vibrancy
and spirit of our South African heritage and all it could offer to
the community that had become our home.
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