Original Research

Truth and Reconciliation in South Africa: Jewish Voices and Perspectives

P G J Meiring
Verbum et Ecclesia | Vol 25, No 2 | a288 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v25i2.288 | © 2004 P G J Meiring | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 06 October 2004 | Published: 06 October 2004

About the author(s)

P G J Meiring, University of Pretoria, South Africa

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Abstract

The author who served on the South African  Truth  and
Reconciliation Commission (TRC) focuses on the Jewish experience in South Africa  during  the apartheid years. At a special TRC Hearing for Faith Communities (East London, 17-19  November 1997) Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris submitted a statement on behalf of his community. Two earlier documents were also put at  the TRC’s disposal: a statement on Reconciliation  presented by Gesher (a Jewish movement for social action) as a well as a comprehensive volume containing 27 interviews with Jewish activists (Cutting Through the Mountain). Taking his cue from both the Chief Rabbi’s presentation and the earlier documents, the author discusses the role of the Jewish community in overtly and covertly supporting the apartheid regime, as well the experiences of many Jews in struggling against apartheid. Finally the contribution of the Jewish community towards healing and reconciliation in South Africa comes under the spotlight.

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