By Rabbi Adam Saffer, 2010 Chairman of the SSSFF
Presented at the Fund AGM 28 April 2011

Welcome everyone to this momentous evening in the Saffer family calendar.

This is an evening when the fund configures, and resets itself for the coming year. The fund also looks at itself tonight ,and takes stock of its position in the lives of its members, a sort of Rosh Hashana for the fund.

As outgoing chairman I would first and foremost like to thank all the committee members who have done all that needs to be done to keep the fund alive and strong. From the finance people to the communications, and from the gifts to the events organiser, and all those in between, thank you.

After 2 years as chairman of the fund, following my tenure as vice chair, I believe my opinion of the state of affairs to be well informed.

The sad reality is, and sad because it is the reality, the Fund is no longer what it was. The fund, due to no fault of its own whatsoever, is now playing, and must play, a different role.

I don't believe this is the first time such a change has taken place. I'm certain that over the many decades of it's existence it played different roles as the family needed it to, whether expressed or not.

The Fund is no longer a body of first or even second cousins, and the meetings are no longer intimate gatherings to chat with each other about family events. That still happens, but it can no longer serve as the goal, due to the scarceness of that activity.

What the fund is, and what meetings create is a sense of belonging and unity that are seldom experienced in today's world. Meeting with cousin's, albeit forth or fifth, but sharing in some fun gathering, or receiving financial help because you are a cousin, is what today's families need and appreciate.

That we belong to a united body, to a heritage, a legacy from our first settling in this dark continent shine brightness on our future. We have a single source, a tradition, an identity in the world of digits and numbers. There are those who care about us, our birthdays are noted, emailed to seven hundred members some of who may not know us but many who do. I am counted and noticed.

Our jewish tradition is furthered by marking births and brises, bar and bat mitzvahs and weddings. Gifts are sent out for Yom Tov and meetings (like the Succot one) often higthlight our jewish tradition.

If we have a source, we have a goal, if we appreciate our beginnings we will merit to see the end. The Saffer family will continue, with Hashem's blessings to great as a single unit Moshiach our ultimate redeemer speedily in our day

Thank you

Adam Saffer, SSSFF Chairman, 2010 / 2011