Jewish Communists in South Africa

Jewish Communists in South Africa

Irwin Manoim, who has for many years researched and written about the forgotten “outcasts” of South African Jewish history, presented a talk at Limmud Johannesburg last weekend on Jewish Communists. The talk received some acclaim, and he has been asked to repeat it. He will do so next Wednesday, September 2nd, at a free Zoom session to which all are all invited.

The talk asks why there were a disproportionate number of Jewish communists in South Africa; traces their heritage back to the earliest South African movements to practice non-racism; discusses how Jewish communists became vilified as a threat to white South Africa and a source of shame to the Jewish community; and then, after 1994, how they were suddenly embraced by the mainstream Jewish community as heroes.

When: Wednesday, September 2nd 2026 at 7.30pm.

Where: Over Zoom

YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A LINK ON BOOKING, BUT YOU WILL RECEIVE ONE ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT.

(* The session is hosted by the Jewish Democratic Initiative but is open to everyone.)