The relationship between Durban’s Jewish community and the Domino Foundation has been nurtured over a number of years with a faithful band of ladies from the Union of Jewish Women gathering each week in the foundation’s kitchens to assemble a small mountain of peanut butter sandwiches for its nutrition programme.
In 2016, the trans-global network, for 25 to 35-year-old Jewish volunteers working in local communities, partnered with the foundation to establish its first South African centre. After the devastation of the the raging flood waters in April and May this year, the KZN Jewish community once again rallied to the call.
The Domino Foundation along with The Robin Hood Foundation received a whopping R54 000 each for their various outreach efforts, thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Jewish community. Susan Abro, president of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies KwaZulu-Natal Council, said the Durban Jewish Club is the heart and home of the KZN Jewish community, and also houses the Durban Holocaust and Genocide Centre where thousands of school children receive free education about tragic historical events.
She said: “The KZN Jewish community truly appreciates the outstanding work which the Domino Foundation does within greater society and we look forward to continuing our journey in making a difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate.”
The spokesperson for the Domino Foundation, Rowan Phillips said: “The Domino Foundation is excited to be working alongside Susan Abro, who is a partner of Afrika Tikkun, a national NGO which has, in turn, partnered with the Domino Foundation and others to revive township economies affected by the civil unrest of July 2021 in KZN and Gauteng and by the recent floods, one business at a time.”
Domino’s Donor Relations’ Tarin Stevenson, described how the funds donated would be used. “The immediate needs of many affected by the floods have been met. We are now looking at how we can come alongside those tackling the rebuilding process. Obviously, a significant portion of this rebuilding is in the area of physical infrastructure such as homes, schools and businesses that have been destroyed. This money, however, will be going towards psycho-social initiatives to help people affected by the floods deal with the trauma and great emotional upheaval they have experienced.”
Stevenson added: “We know that much damage is way below what is seen on the surface. The healing of communities and individuals must take place at those very deep levels. This generous donation will make a great difference in our work here.”
