South Africa

The history of the Jewish people in South Africa mainly began with the general European settlement in the 19th century. It is estimated that around 80% of South African Jews are descendents from Lithuania. Jews played a prominent role in the development of the diamond and gold fields and many Jews were involved in the anti-apartheid movement. South African Jewry differs significantly from those in other developing countries in that the majority of Jews still remain in South Africa.

The Jewish community, mostly nominal Orthodox, peaked in the 1970s and today, the community has become more observant. In Johannesburg, the largest center of Jewish life with 66,000 Jews, there is a high number and density of Kosher restaurants and religious centers.

Chosen People Ministries partnered with Emet Ministries South Africa in 2011 when Manfred and Isit Nochomowitz attended the Chosen People Ministries Global Conference in London.

Emet Ministries works with the local church body and has been involved in various forms of Jewish evangelism such as personal ministry, Shabbat services – to which Jewish people are invited – numerous equipping events, in which we teach the local body on how to reach Jewish people with the Gospel, and through this, by the grace of God, Jewish people (as well as Gentiles) have come to salvation.

We also partner with local Messianic ministries and congregations in South Africa as well as with Messianic ministries and churches in Israel, America and the Ukraine, working with them to share the Gospel with Jewish people in South Africa and around the world.

Emet Ministries’ vision is to expand Jewish ministry throughout South Africa and to take the truth of God’s heart for the Jewish people and Israel to the church.

For more information, visit Emet Ministries’ website: www.emetministries.co.za