Torah Academy is a Chabad community school in Johannesburg, South Africa, educating 600 students.
History was made this past Sunday with the grand opening of Torah Academy’s new Girls High School and Campus Leah.
After years of planning, hard work, and fundraising, the vision and impossible dream has finally come to fruition.
The new campus stands as a beacon of hope not only for the students of Torah Academy but for the entire Johannesburg community, symbolizing Torah Academy’s commitment to staying, building, growing, and igniting positivity in the South African Jewish community.
The new buildings stood tall and bright under clear blue skies, with the air filled with laughter and excitement. The energy was palpable as students, parents, teachers, and community families admired the magnificent, state-of-the-art campus.
The day was filled with an array of activities, including jumping castles, an ice rink, balloons, and stands offering bagels, coffee, and hot chocolate. Music filled the surroundings, and smiles and pride were tangible.
The crowd was moved by speeches from Rabbi Mendel Lipskar, Head Shliach of South Africa, Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein, the school’s Managing Director, Yossi Liberow, and project benefactors Saul Goldstein and Mark Stein whose mother Leah’s memory is preserved in the name of the campus.
Yossi Liberow inspired the huge gathering: “We are standing in a Jewish Johannesburg often said to be in decline. We constantly hear about mass emigration and the loss of community members. We hear about the lack of funds from donors. Yet, here we are, standing in a brand new campus that cost over R40,000,000 to build.
“Here we are with our girls, our future mothers and leaders, sitting excited in front of us. Here we are with a growing community, welcoming new families every day. We will never stop in our quest for growth, our mission to spread light, our directive from the Lubavitcher Rebbe to build, and our commitment to Chinuch and the Jewish community of Johannesburg.”
The steadfast commitment of the entire building committee, donors, parents, and their principal, Morah Rebecca, to the girls’ education and schooling experience served as a beacon of hope for the Jewish community in South Africa, championing a path toward a brighter and better future for students.
The day stands as a testament to the vision of the Rebbe and the power of collaboration, generosity, and dedication to the students of Torah Academy today and those to come, guiding them to launch dreams and build futures.
VIDEO:
“South Africa will be good until Moshiach comes and even better thereafter”
Nothing like the Chabad community in Joburg!
This is amazing!
Is it really growing? so many moved to u.s., Australia, Israel, England +more. is the frum community growing? staying put? what’s the Jewish population now? I loved the time I spent in SA. Amazing place and people.