Shifra Jacobson The Counselling Hub Foreshore

Shifra Jacobson: Management and Coordination Specialist

About Shifra Jacobson

For over forty years, Shifra Jacobson has worked tirelessly as a human rights and social justice advocate. She proudly describes herself as a lifelong learner, adult educator, and popular education promoter. After spending fourteen years abroad, she returned to South Africa and joined Grassroots Educare Trust. There, she helped develop early childhood education materials and programmes. Moreover, she contributed to women’s building cooperatives, supporting community development.

In the late 1980s, Shifra became deeply involved in children’s rights. She co-founded Resources Aimed at the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (RAPCAN). Through this initiative, she built partnerships with the Red Cross Children’s Hospital, The Children’s Institute at UWC, and the University of Cape Town.

Later, she joined the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation. She developed continent-wide networks for human rights responders across eleven African countries. Additionally, she was commissioned by the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund to research and design a neighbourhood response to prevent child abuse.

At the Cape Town Holocaust and Genocide Centre, Shifra served as Assistant Director of Education. She trained teachers, learners, and police personnel on anti-racism and the dangers of prejudice and bias.

From 2009 until 2019, she worked at a Jewish welfare organisation. During this time, she helped establish a coordinated network of mental, physical, aged, and indigent care providers.

Services and Expertise

Advocacy, Training, and Education

Shifra’s areas of expertise span human rights advocacy, child protection, and adult education. She designs and delivers workshops focused on resilience, bias reduction, and community healing. Furthermore, her educational methods balance theory with real-world experience.

Mental Health Integration

Currently, Shifra leads an exciting new project at the Counselling Hub. She is spearheading the development of creative arts and expressive therapies. This innovative work aims to amplify and expand integrated mental health practices, offering new healing avenues for clients.

Leadership and Facilitation

In addition to her counselling work, Shifra is a trained facilitator and leadership coach. She offers training to individuals and organisations seeking growth, awareness, and greater community impact.

Additional Information

Shifra holds a Diploma in Urban Community Studies from the London School of Economics. She also completed an Advanced Diploma in Adult and Popular Education and a Postgraduate Diploma in Women and Gender Studies at UWC. Furthermore, she undertook a two-year study in addiction care through UCT’s Medical Sciences Department.

Adding to her unique profile, Shifra trained as a movement specialist at Goldsmith College’s Laban Centre for Movement and Dance. She was also a professional contemporary modern dancer until the age of twenty-eight.

Through her diverse experience and unwavering commitment, Shifra continues to empower individuals and communities across South Africa.