1972

To be a Jew in a Christian Society

Mendel Kaplan, 1972

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A Battle for Religious Freedom

In 1972, South Africa’s government intensified Christian religious education in public schools. The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) responded swiftly, forming a Religious Instruction (RI) subcommittee to assess the impact on Jewish students.

They sent out surveys, revealing that not all government schools taught the New Testament—yet.

At the meeting to discuss the findings, most Board members opted for a diplomatic response. But Mendel, the youngest and least experienced in the room, vehemently opposed this stance, warning that “Jewish children are being taught about Jesus” and “the Board was avoiding its duty.”

Mendel demanded action. Jewish students should receive Jewish religious instruction instead. Other members pushed back, arguing the law didn’t provide for it. The meeting ended in deadlock, but Mendel had made his presence felt.

Minutes of the Meeting of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies held on 24 October 1972.
Minutes of the Meeting of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies held on 24 October 1972.
Minutes of the Meeting of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies held on 24 October 1972.

Church and State

The push for Christocentric education, articulated in the National Education Policy Act No.39 of 1967, was central to the agenda of a deeply Calvinist government. This posed a serious challenge to the Jewish community’s religious freedom—Jewish children were being taught the New Testament in school.

The issue would haunt Mendel and the Board for years. In 1974, when his own children encountered compulsory Christian classes at their government school, he took the fight to the top. First confronting the principal, then the Transvaal’s Director of Education, he secured the right for Jewish parents to withdraw their children from Bible classes.

A letter from Mendel to the Assistant Director of Education, dated 15 November 1974, accompanied by a copy of his correspondence to the Transvaal Director of Education.
A letter from Mendel to the Assistant Director of Education, dated 15 November 1974, accompanied by a copy of his correspondence to the Transvaal Director of Education.
A letter from Mendel to the Assistant Director of Education, dated 15 November 1974, accompanied by a copy of his correspondence to the Transvaal Director of Education.

With official approval in hand, Mendel convinced Jewish parents across the region to follow suit, eventually making withdrawal the community norm.

A letter from the Transvaal Director of Education to Mendel, dated 30 December 1974, officially approving the right of Jewish parents to withdraw their children from Bible classes.
A letter from the Transvaal Director of Education to Mendel, dated 30 December 1974, officially approving the right of Jewish parents to withdraw their children from Bible classes.
A letter from the Transvaal Director of Education to Mendel, dated 30 December 1974, officially approving the right of Jewish parents to withdraw their children from Bible classes.

Cast of Characters

Mendel at 36

Mendel had just joined the Oxford Shul committee and was co-opted to the SAJBD Executive in May 1972.

Tobias ‘Teddy’ Schneider (1905-1991)

Former SAJBD President, physician, and head of the Diabetic Clinic at Johannesburg General Hospital.

Michael Geoffrey Fredman (1928-2001)

SAJBD Executive member, attorney, and trustee of the SABJE.

Gustav ‘Gus’ Saron (1905-1989)

The long-serving General Secretary of the SAJBD. A former academic, Saron had contributed to and edited A History of South African Jews.

Henry Shakenovsky (1929-2024)

SAJBD Executive member, Senior Counsel advocate.

Aleck Goldberg (1923-2008)

Deputy General Secretary of the SAJBD.

Organisations

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD)

Founded in 1912, the SAJBD serves as the representative body for South African Jewry, addressing communal needs and safeguarding Jewish interests across the region.

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