Unveiling a bench at Ndaba Street Park, the national director of the Jewish Board of Deputies Wendy Khan reads the plaque

RELATED LINKS: Jews mark 120 years in Joburg TREES will be planted in Soweto, a bench will be added to enjoy their shade and an exhibition will be opened, all to mark the 120 years that Jews have made Joburg their home. Read more Dozens of trees planted in Kliptown TREES have been planted at 45 homes in Kliptown to beautify the area and cut down on carbon emissions, so adding to the fight against global warming. Read more Millions poured into Greening of Soweto THE governments of Norway and Denmark have pledged to pour millions of rands into the Greening of Soweto legacy project. The plan is to plant more than 300 000 trees in the township over the next four years. Read more

The choir from the Pimville Primary School helps celebrate

Trees mark joyful anniversary There have been Jews in Johannesburg for the past 120 years, during which time the community has made an indelible mark on the city. It has celebrated this history by planting trees in Soweto. November 20, 2007 By Tabisa Mntengwana A DOZEN trees have been planted in Soweto to mark the 120 years that the Jewish community has had a strong presence in Johannesburg. "These trees represent each decade we [have] spent in Joburg as the Jewish community and they contribute to the Greening of Soweto project," said Doron Joffe, the chairman of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) Gauteng Council. 120 years in Johannesburg: members of the Jewish community plant trees in Soweto to commemorate the occasion The 12 trees were planted on Monday, 19 November at Ndaba Street Park in Pimville. It was a collaboration between the SAJBD, the Union of Jewish Women, and Johannesburg City Parks, and a secondary element was to take part in the Greening of Soweto legacy project. According to the organisers, the partnership aims to build a pleasant, clean and green environment and to enhance tourist appeal by capitalising on the momentum of the 2010 Fifa World Cup™. Through its Greening of Soweto initiative, the City aims to plant at least 300 000 trees in the area over the next four years. "These trees will also help in our fight against global warming," said Jenny Moodley, the manager of media relations at City Parks. The planting started at 11am, with a group of children from Pimville Primary School singing a jubilant song. The SAJBD added a wooden bench and unveiled a 120th anniversary plaque. "This is part of a celebration of life and a contribution to having a better and improved environment," Joffe said. Jews first settled in Johannesburg 120 years ago; since then the city of gold has had 22 Jewish mayors. "The Jewish community in the city loves being here and is involved in various developments," said Wendy Khan, the national director of the SAJBD. The day concluded with songs from Pimville Primary School and a dance performance. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za