Sustaining our Community Forever

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Message from Chairman Marco van Embden

Welcome to the Friends of the UJC Cape Town. If you are currently living out of town, elsewhere in South Africa or further abroad, this website has been designed with you in mind.

We welcome you back to our lovely shores and to the vibrant Jewish community that exists in Cape Town. I have no doubt that you share my passion for the beauty and warmth of our City and for the well-being of its Jewish members and institutions.

With this in mind, we created the Friends of the UJC Cape Town, in 2009. We wanted to provide an opportunity for those who do not reside here all year round, to forge a sense of community and to celebrate Cape Town and its Jewish life.

I am pleased to report that since those humble beginnings, we have grown in terms of numbers to over 500 Friends.

All the donations we have received thus far have been invested in the David Susman Community Foundation which has grown significantly and has been created to stand as a stabilization fund in case of need.

We have held fourteen memorable functions, at which our Friends have socialised with each other and inspired us with their goodwill and generosity.

If you are already a regular to our end-of-year event, or if you feel you would like to join us, we would love to hear from you. You can reach us by submitting a message through our contact form.

With warm Cape Town regards

About The Friends of the UJC Cape Town

The Friends of the UJC Cape Town was conceived with the aim of welcoming South Africans who live outside of Cape Town to local Jewish communal affairs. Most of these visitors gather here each summer to see family and friends, enjoy the beauty and facilities of the city and meet with other holidaymakers, many of whom have established homes in the city. Jewish life in Cape Town offers unique and varied facilities to locals and visitors alike and Friends see the importance of investing in and supporting the community to safeguard its future existence. These are the people who commit themselves to becoming Friends of the UJC.

The United Jewish Campaign (UJC) is the one umbrella fundraising body for the entire Cape Town communal infrastructure. The UJC supports over 35 Jewish beneficiary organisations in the areas of welfare, culture and education as well as the Israel United Appeal. All contributions from the Friends of the UJC go to the David Susman Community Foundation (Community Foundation). In the event that the UJC cannot meet its financial commitments, any shortfall is made up from the income of investments from the Community Foundation.

Special mention must be made of the Friends of the UJC’s magnanimous patrons whose extraordinary philanthropy has inspired others to support the Friends of the UJC Cape Town.

The David Susman Community Foundation

The proceeds of the Friends of the UJC Cape Town support the David Susman Community Foundation. It is the Community Foundation that will step in, in the event that the community is unable to raise sufficient resources locally to sustain the Jewish Welfare and Communal organisations in Cape Town. This Foundation is crucial to the sustainability of the Cape Town Jewish community as it is a protection against any future adversity that may befall the community.

The Community Foundation also supports strategic initiatives, which will ensure the strength and longevity of the Cape Town Jewish community.

Innovative projects and ideas are provided with seed funding in order to ensure that new and relevant ideas are permeating the community. Thus, the Cape Town community is ensured of a stable and vibrant existence. In certain instances, and subject to the approval of the Allocations Committee, a portion of the income from the Foundation might be used to fund entrepreneurial ventures for the Jewish Community of Cape Town.

In 15 years the Community Foundation has reached R280 million. Under the leadership of its trustees the funds have been invested so as to garner positive growth and returns for this community.

The Fountain

A Tribute to The Friends of the UJC Cape Town and Patrons

The fountain is a symbol of gratitude to Patrons and Friends by naming those who have provided financial support for the sustainability of the Cape Town Jewish community.

Water represents life – It gives all things life. The ever present sound of the running water serves to soothe as well as to remind us of the role of community within our lives.
The colours of the marble and stone reflect the golden Jerusalem sandstone which clads the impressive Jewish museum on the other side of the piazza.

The beautiful fountain which stands inside the entrance to the Jewish Community Centre in Hatfield Street Gardens welcomes guests to the hub of Jewish communal life in the city.

The integration of alternating layers of acknowledgement strips and stone in low horizontal planes resonates with the architectural language of the surrounding buildings.
The seating provides a playful interaction with the cascading water and a place for repose and meditation for young and old.

About becoming a Friend of the UJC Cape Town

Click here to pledge an amount online

If you would like to become a Friend or Patron of the
Friends of the UJC Cape Town, please let us know.

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