Kimberley, South Africa
News 12
Kimberley Ex-Pats Newsletter #12 - 19 September 2017
Dear Ex-Pats and those with an interest in the Kimberley Jewish Community.
Following hard on the heels of the Newsletter 11 of only a week ago, I am moved to write another short Newsletter no 12 to you all.
Charting business and professional life of the Jews in Kimberley
The reason for this is that Leon Chonin (in Toronto) has, since then, initiated a project to document the business and professional life of Jewish people in Kimberley. In this he has been enthusiastically supported by Milton Jawno (in Israel.)
Between them, they have amassed an amazing amount of fascinating material on business people and professionals. Milton particularly is a font of knowledge even knowing in many instances from which shtetl in Lithuania, the family came.
They have created a table of their findings on over 80 families – so far. They have listed those in the furniture business, in men’s and women’s clothing, in appliances, book-making, butchery, wholesale and retail trading and even diamonds. They look at the doctors and dentists, attorneys and accountants. They realise there are many more families and life’s activities to document. I am attaching this table which you may find interesting and also in the hope that you can fill in some gaps and add your own story to it. We all look forward to your responses.
You can write on the form, as long as you do so in a bright colour like red – or in capital letters so that it stands out and we can see what amendments you have added. Save it in your documents and then attach it to an email to me. (Please remember that this is just the beginning of an exciting project and if your family name does not appear, then please don’t take this personally. The info you send us will be valuable to fill in the picture.)
To help you, I have added below and also attach to this email, a short questionnaire of the sort of things we would like to know about – such as the name of the family, name and location of the business, the nature of the business; when it was started and when it was either sold on or ceased to be. And please add any special comments about it. If you have pictures that would be grand, but pictures can follow later.
Perhaps while you are with your dear family members over the High Holydays you will be able to discuss this so that you can provide the threads that make up this beautiful tapestry. Please give as much info as you feel able to – but even skimpy basic information will be welcome.
Milton and Leon both feel that this information is vitally important to preserve. In this way, one will be able to see eventually, on the Kehilalink Kimberley website, the full extent of the huge contribution made by Jews not only to the Jewish community, but to the commercial and civic life of Kimberley.
Here below is the questionnaire – which is also attached
JEWISH COMMUNITY BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY QUESTIONNAIRE
Leon Chonin, with support from Milton Jawno, is embarking on a project to document the business and professional life of the Jewish Community in Kimberley. They point out that this is a most interesting topic deserving of a full and proper memorial to the huge contribution made Jews to the commercial and civic life of Kimberley. Please help them by telling us what you know about your own family business or professional work and also that of anyone else who might have been associated. Below we have asked a few questions to jog your memory. You can fill it in for as many people or businesses as you like. I look forward to hearing from you. (you can hit return, fill it in and send it to me or save and send as an attachment.
Family Name
Business Name
Nature of the business
Wholesale/retail /industrial /professional
Location/ address of business
Family members involved
Date Started
Date Sold or Ceased
Notes and comments and Achievements
Notes to this table:
The dates need not be precise just an indication of the approximate period would be sufficient.
Nature of the business would cover what the main products and activities are/were, like furniture and household appliances, men’s or ladies outfitting, leather goods, sporting goods, general dealer, hardware and building materials, construction to name but a few. Professional would then suggest doctor, dentist, pharmacist, lawyer, advocate, accountant, teacher etc.
Notes and comments can include a short description and things like expanding beyond Kimberley, sale of business to another national group, gaining recognition or awards, business survived more than one generation.
Best wishes for a meaningful year ahead for you and your family.
Leon, Milton and I eagerly look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible
Best wishes
Geraldine
Geraldine Auerbach MBE
Tel 020 8907 1905 mobile: 07971 818 262