HaMakom Or

Our Values:

We are an evolving Jewish home of people who strive for tikkun olam and are co-creating a space for Jewish community and spiritual practice; a home for all who seek justice, meaning and belonging in their Jewish life in South Africa. Our community is centred on the values of Diasporism, Showing Up, Spiritual Freedom, and Kehilla Kedosha.

These values are an aspirational, spiritual, and ethical guideline for our community. This is a living document that we invite everyone engaging in/with this community to ask themselves: “Given these values, is this a community I would like to belong and commit to, though I might not accept every one of the values?”

Diasporism☟

We make our spiritual home where we live, here in Cape Town, South Africa. We ground ourselves in the rich social and historical texture surrounding us. This concept is known as Doikayt, or hereness. Just as Rabbinic Judaism and Yiddishkeit were formed in the diaspora, we affirm the centrality of the diaspora in Jewish life. We promote a Judaism rooted in anti-racist and anti-colonialist values. We are a non-zionist community committed to promoting strong values-driven coalitions that combat systemic racism and pursue justice and equity for all. We interrogate our ways of life and ethical responsibilities in the colonial context of land here in Cape Town. Our vision of Jewish safety is premised on safety for all, not safety at the expense of others. We want to contribute to a vibrant diasporic Jewish culture, borrowing from diasporic Jewish traditions and innovations from around the world.

Showing Up☟

We orientate ourselves towards tzedek (justice) in all that we do – justice amongst ourselves, in our communities, in our country, in the world, and for the environment. The Jewish tradition obliges us to improve the world in which we find ourselves. We aim to embody menschlichkeit by engaging in tikkun olam (active repair of the world), tzedakah (mutual aid), and gemilut chasadim (acts of loving-kindness). We interrogate how power operates around us and consciously apply codes of ethics to each new context. As members of a Jewish community, we stand together with all people throughout the world who are targeted as “other.” We show up to realise a vision of a just world for all.

Spiritual Freedom☟

We are an egalitarian Jewish community welcoming all to participate in, develop, guide, and lead spiritual practices. We draw from traditional, modern, and creative expressions of Jewish prayer and learning, free of denominational constraints. We use liturgies sourced through the ages to express the intersectionality of our identities, desire for inclusivity, and our values. We promote spiritual exploration and encourage members’ diverse beliefs about G-d. We understand Jewish tradition to be a flexible and adaptive legacy, and are committed to change based on learning and svara (moral intuition) in our search for truth. We welcome all those pledging to foster meaningful Jewish practices and ensure a Jewish future in South Africa. We honour and respect individual spiritual paths, whether you are: Jewish, Jew-ish, considering converting to Judaism, inter/multi-faith, secular, or not Jewish.

Kehilla Kedosha☟

We co-create our sacred community through active participation, recognising that everyone has something to contribute—whether it’s joining a minyan, organising events, leading prayers, or supporting services. Every presence enriches and strengthens us. We celebrate the diversity of our community, welcoming Jews of all identities and backgrounds, especially those who have felt marginalised elsewhere. Rooted in lay leadership and DIY efforts, we value the unique expressions of communal life that emerge when all contributions are celebrated.

We are created b’tzelem Elohim—in the image of G-d—we strive to make our space inclusive and accessible to all who share in our community. Together, we honour Jewish traditions and the rhythms of Jewish time, sharing in life’s joys and sorrows while supporting one another through challenges. We embrace differences of opinion, recognising the value of respectful machloket l’shem shamayim (disputes for the sake of heaven) to create clarity, justice, and beauty. In conflict, we recommit to lovingkindness, accountability, and courageous, compassionate communication.

Contact

hello@hamakomor.org.za

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