In the words of others
Messages from people, families, students and communities who have encountered my work.
The South African years
“Our rabbi encourages participation, spontaneity and the unexpected.”
Beit Emanuel community profile · Temple Israel 80th-anniversary magazine, 2016 · printed page 56
A historical description of my congregational work
Read the source
“all here to learn and teach and bond through the singing of sacred chant.”
Participant describing the interfaith gathering · SABC1, I-dentity, May 2014
Interfaith SACRED chants at Beit Emanuel · segment beginning at approximately 3:44
Watch the broadcast excerpt
“Every Thursday morning, Rabbi Sa’ar Shaked heads to Hillbrow in the Beit Emanuel shul-mobile, filled with sandwiches donated by congregants.”
World Union for Progressive Judaism · October 2020
Read the report
“Rabbi Sa’ar Shaked, Chair of the Rabbinic Council also wrote her a beautiful letter of blessing.”
Rev. Dr Judy Lee · 25 January 2019
Writing about Dianne Willman’s ordination in Johannesburg and interfaith support for her ministry
Read Judy Lee’s account
Public service & interfaith work in the press
These brief summaries describe documented contributions. They are reporting references, rather than personal testimonials.
- Interfaith prayer at Ahmed Kathrada’s funeral. Named among the faith leaders offering prayers, alongside Molana Bham, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba and Guru Jay Naidoo. Ant Katz, SA Jewish Report · 6 April 2017.
- Jewish–Muslim encounter at Nizamiye. Delivered a blessing at the interfaith iftar hosted by Turquoise Harmony Institute and the Nizamiye Complex, and spoke about relationships across communities. Politurco · 13 April 2022.
- Religious dialogue on women’s dignity. A speaker at SACRED’s Constitution Hill gathering during the 16 Days of Activism campaign, examining faith and male dominance. Ant Katz, SA Jewish Report · 24 December 2013.
- Food relief following xenophobic violence. The report documents Rabbi Shaked receiving donated food for Beit Emanuel’s anti-xenophobia appeal, through which 4,500 meals were delivered with support from MDA-SA and e’Pap. Ant Katz, SA Jewish Report · 28 April 2015.
Wedding couples, in their own words
Selected excerpts from Hebrew reviews published on Mit4Mit during my years in Israel. English translations accompany the originals; reviewers are credited by their published usernames.
״וידעת להקשיב למה שנאמר גם בין השורות.״
“You knew how to listen to what was said between the lines.”
havoynik · Mit4Mit · historical wedding review
English translation of the Hebrew excerpt
Read the source
״הוא הבין מי הזוג שעומד מולו מהר מאוד וזרם על הכיוון שלנו ועל האופי שלנו.״
“He quickly understood us as a couple and worked with our direction and personalities.”
morandayagi · Mit4Mit · historical wedding review
English translation of the Hebrew excerpt
Read the source
״מבחינתנו הוא בן בית. מקווים לראותו גם באירועים משפחתיים אחרים!״
“To us, he is part of the family. We hope to see him at other family occasions too!”
ma3010 · Mit4Mit · historical wedding review
English translation of the Hebrew excerpt
Read the source
״הוא רב של קהילה. כלומר רב של אנשים.״
“He is a community rabbi. In other words, a rabbi of people.”
omritis · Mit4Mit · historical wedding review, displayed as more than ten years old
English translation of the Hebrew excerpt
Read the reviewer’s published account
Sources & historical context
Quotations are short excerpts linked to their original publication. Hebrew reviews include English translations. Community publications, individual accounts and news reports each offer a different perspective; dates and original contexts are retained.
Further published references
- Liebe Kellen, then chair of Beit Emanuel, 13 July 2017. A published letter describes applause for Rabbi Shaked’s sermon and messages of support. The letter concerns his remarks on religious freedom at the 2017 ANC Policy Conference. Read the letter in SA Jewish Report.
- Jane Thandi Lipman, 13 July 2017. A letter supporting his statement on religious freedom, in the same 2017 context. Read the online letter; consult the complete newspaper edition.
- Mitzvah Day, 23 November 2018. SA Jewish Report names Rabbi Shaked alongside Rabbi Adrian M Schell and Reeva Forman in the leadership of the community volunteering initiative. Read the report, page 18.
Share your experience
If we have studied, worked or marked a moment together, you are welcome to write about your experience. Specific recollections help others understand the work.
Submissions are reviewed before publication. Permission to publish is optional. Your email is kept private, and no submission is automatically posted.
You can also email your experience directly. Please say whether you are happy for your words and first name to appear here.
© 2026 Rabbi Sa’ar Khai Shaked. All rights reserved.