Kimberley, South Africa

Kimberley ExPats Newsletter no 17

June 2018 – Family updates

This no 17 edition of the Newsletter is about you – and the great pictures and articles and updates you have sent for the website.

As the site adds many new threads, we really begin to see the tapestry of Jewish community life Kimberley emerging.

 

Many Kimberley families have moved, lock stock and barrel, to more promising locations. Harry and Lila Klein’s 4 children Jenny, Louis, Malvin and Bentley are all comfortably settled in Melbourne since the 1980s. Betty and Louis Levinsohn’s son David and daughter Norma and their families are so appreciative to be all together in Los Angeles.

 

Norma Levinsohn of Kimberley married Milton Friedman of Kimberley, 17 February 1962. Picture supplied by bride Norma from California. Posted April 2018

 

Back Row: Lynn Berman (now Kalmin) bride’s cousin from Bloem, behind the bride is Milton’s sister Lucille Friedman and behind Milton slightly obscured with the hat is one of the pole holders, a Kimberley friend Effie Pick. The others were cousins of Milton from out of town.

 

Front Row:  Louis and Betty Levinsohn, bride’s parents, Bride, Norma, Groom Milton, Ethyl and Saul (Solly) Ginsberg, Milton’s mother and step-father

Jenny and husband Roy Lipsitz, (from Melbourne) as well as Norma and Milton Friedman (from Los Angeles), have sent their family pictures and stories that are now posted on the family pages. Their wedding pictures on the steps of the synagogue are posted on the wedding gallery. 

 

Marshal Hotz (in Israel) and his sister Shelley (in Boston) have sent family pictures for their family page and a lovely picture of their parents, Hilda (nee Lincow) and Charlie Hotz with their family in Israel – and for the wedding gallery.

 

Leon Chonin (in Toronto) who has written several significant articles for the website, about youth and business activities, has updated his own profile and included his Johannesburg wedding pictures. He has also written a loving tribute to his brother Seville who sadly died in London in 2009 aged just 57.

 

Mark Steinberg (from Auckland) son of Alma Frank has written about his nostalgic visit to Kimberley where he used to visit his grandparents Hannah (nee Bergman) and Jack Frank at Lyndale Flats.

We have also added on the family pages, a tribute to Barbara Dave who sadly died in March 2017 (pictured here on the extreme right, at a youth picnic at Riverton in about 1954). Barbara was a popular member of our Jewish 'crowd' of teenagers in Kimberley in the mid-50s. We used to walk together down ‘Pan Road to the Plaza or Astra or Vaudette on a Friday afternoon to see lovely films, musicals and biopics - not violent or sexy films like today. We had parties on Saturday nights at each other’s houses, where we listened to jazz and swing LPs, danced (bopped) and played 'postman’s knock'!! you can read articles and see pictures about these carefree days of youth activity with Barbara playing a prominent part, written by Leslie Stein and Leon Chonin – and excerpts from my teenage diaries here: https://kehilalinks.jewishgen.org/kimberley/Youth.html

 

We have also posted a profile of Cyril B Harris, journalist and news editor of the DFA who also wrote ‘The Conning Tower’ with his by-line ‘Rockshaft’.  Did you know that Cyril was the inspiration for and instigator of the Big Hole Museum and that it was he who first took this proposition to De Beers in 1952?  You can read all about this under Harris, Cyril. and you can read the postings of all the other families mentioned, here https://kehilalinks.jewishgen.org/kimberley/Families.html

 

As each generation left school, they went away from Kimberley to study or to work, and very few came back to settle.  Kimberley was a great launching pad and transitional opportunity for those who arrived with nothing but faith and determination to support their families, escaping poverty and persecution in Eastern Europe at the turn of the last century and then Western Europe to escape the horrors of the Holocaust. With the freedom and free education, the lid was lifted on their aspirations and achievements. We all knew in our hearts, that Kimberley, or even South Africa, was never going to provide the security and the opportunities of academic, business, artistic and family Jewish life that Jews rose and aspired to for their children. Inevitably with the passing generations, the fledglings have flown the nest – never to return.

 

The further we go on the website, the more I realise what an important historical document it is. Since we started in June 2014 – four years ago, many more Kimberley people have passed away and there may soon be nobody left to tell their stories. 

 

I am working on documenting more fully the families of those that were in the wholesale sector, so any anecdotes or comments you can add to this will be helpful. I have researched on the internet and found a great article on Harry Brown and Raphael Awerbuck who got together as early as 1907.  I have looked at tombstones in the pioneer cemetery. I have sent the document as far as I have got to families involved. There are still several heirs alive, who could either corroborate or challenge and add more information. I look forward to hearing from them.

 

I am also trying to find out more about families who settled on farms around Kimberley and in places like Upington and Taung. So, any news of communities there will be great. I have pleaded with Barney Horwitz to let me have a copy of the wedding register so that it is recorded for posterity, instead of lying hidden on a shelf in the synagogue.

 

Kimberley in its heyday of the 50s and 60s had about 180 families, about 600 souls. We are keen to document as many of those people as possible. Below is a list of the names you have remembered and something you have told me about them. If we can build up a substantial profile with some pictures, then they can have their own family pages. Otherwise I plan to post this list – with any additional information you can supply –  on the website. Write to me at geraldine.auerbach@gmail.com with any comments and information.   I look forward to hearing from you.  Here is the list. (If you don’t want to read it all – maybe look up your family and see if they are there. It’s in alphabetical order.) 

 

Kimberley Jewish Community members

 

1. 1Arons, Leslie – Sales Representative - for whom? When?
   

2. 2Aronson, Jordy - Diamond buyer
   

3. 3Asherson, Benjamin ??
   

4. 4Chananya, Philip and wife Ethel, were American citizens of Polish origin was a diamond buyer representing his principals in New York; made lengthy stays in Kimberley buying diamonds
   

5. 5Chorn, Abie and his wife Dina worked in an administrative capacity at the SAR in Kimberley. (Dina was a convert). Both Abie Chorn and Caspar Klewansky families were good and worthy people. Milton Jawno knew them well and recons they deserve mention
   

6. 6Cohen, Bernard was an agent for Chevrolet cars at 5a De Beers Road. (Milton recalls seeing. as a child, a rusty old sign on the premises which was then Advance Furnishing Co.) Bernard Cohen was Mayor of Kimberley 1931-32, A widower, his daughter Frances acted as his mayoress. Other daughters were Anita married Masel Frank, brother of Jack and was the mother of Sheila Grant Jeffrey Frank, also Marilyn and Colin. (See Sheila’s complex history of the Franks on the family pages). Another daughter was
   

7. 7Damelin H  ??
   

8. 8Dave, Monty – wife Becky, children Alan and Barbara. worked for A David & Co
   

9. 9Davidson – Haberdashery ??
   

10. 10Davies, Leo ??
    

11. 11Ellis, Sam – Tattersalls
    

12. 12Finberg, Micky – Had his own business as a manufacturer's representative for V. Katz appliances Cape Town and others. Mick was in Milton’s opinion a war hero having flown very many active missions as a tail end gunner in Liberator bombers. Milton says, I saw his log book. Please believe me, this modest man was a true unsung war hero. His wife Dorothy had a Beauty Salon and they also ran a private boarding house.
    

13. 13Frank, Cyril – brother of Jack Frank the attorney was married to Renee; (Milton remembers he was a great friend of Willie Smith the manager of Plaza cinema – always sat with his wife in the royal circle right at the back  of the old Plaza every Saturday night.
    

14. 14Garsh Alec – worked at Diamond Fields Bazaar for Klein Brothers.
    

15. 15Goldberg Abraham – Was a cattle buyer and speculator who lived near the shul. Probably traded from home and in his own name. Such was the custom of those days
    

16. 16Goldberg Nathan – Natie was a scrap merchant. Lived in a beautiful old colonial-style house. He was the son of Rev Chaim Goldberg (who was Milton Jawno’s mohel.) David Goldberg is his son they had a sister Maureen. They now live in Sydney.
    

17. 17Goldenbaum Annie (born Alufovovitz, Joseph and Pearly's late mother.) She was a fine lady and stood beside her husband Louis and established Bargains Unlimited. Annie died a young woman in childbirth.
    

18. 18Haberfeld Gustave Bowman – Gus was the first Kimberley born Jewish person to be Mayor of Kimberley. He served two terms 1953-55 and 1965-67. He was President of the shul from 1947 – 1954.
    

19. 19Harris, Cyril – Journalist on DFA and later editor De Beers Diamond News journal. His daily DFA column was entitled “The Conning Tower” and his byline, or pen-name, was “Rockshaft”. This column was a hotch-potch of Kimberley and regional gossip and included many quite amazing interviews and stories from the early diamond days. Harris married late in life, tying the knot with Sophie Zweiback (nee Ettin), a widow, in 1946. (Sophie’s first husband, Dr Solomon Zwieback, had represented Beaconsfield in the Cape Provincial Council in the 1920s and been a town councillor for some time. He died in January 1943). He was Chairman of the Red Cross Society and the editor of the Diamond News and SA Jeweller when he died in Kimberley on 1 October 1967. Cyril Bertram Harris is buried in the West End Jewish cemetery.  It was Cyril Harris who was the instigator of the Big Hole Museum. See the full entry on the family pages here: https://kehilalinks.jewishgen.org/kimberley/Harris,_Cyril.html   
    

20. 20Hendler Nate. Although Geraldine has no recollection of Nate Hendler being in the Motor business, Milton Jawno says that in the Jewish Year Book of 1929, 5689/90, on page 342 there is an advert Hendler’s Motors. This was  in Stockdale Street and in 1929 the phone number was 773;  P.O. address Box 91, Telegrams Henmotor. They were distributors for Buick, Cadillac, La Salle, Vauxhall , and Pontiac cars. I am wondering if this could have been Nate’s father’s business with brother Alec who later went to Johannesburg and imported Catalina Swimwear. Alec and his wife Chrissie’s beautiful daughter Lorraine, married Bobby David, son of Louis David of A David and Co. They lived in Kimberley where Bobby worked in the business and had 4 sons.  Bobby’s brother Aubrey David, became an architect/artist and a pioneer property developer at Malaga on the Costa Del Sol
    

21. 21Herman J. ??
    

22. 22Hertog Lucien - Attorney partner in old firm of Haroff, Hertog and Moult.  He lived in a beautiful old colonial mansion at 28 Carrington Road. Their Law offices were definitely in town. I remember his partner Moult first name was Finley also lived in Carrington Rd.
    

23. 23Hofman Ch – ??
    

24. 24Hyam Jackie – broker ??
    

25. 25Jacobson Solly – was a sales representative for A David & Co
    

26. 26Jawno, Lionel – apart from running a leading firm in the furniture business, Lionel was Mayor of Kimberley 1959 - 1961
    

27. 27Klenerman B ??
    

28. 28Klein, Harry, Mike and Philip began Diamond Fields Bazaar business in the iconic building that was on the corner of ‘Pan road and Jones Street- and is now lock stock and barrel at the Big Hole Museum. Harry Klein went off on active service during the war years while Philip minded shop. In later years they formed Klein Brothers wholesale merchants and the Dubowitz family owned the Diamond Fields Bazaar. (Ray Dubowitz was born Klein, a sister of the brothers)
    

29. 29Klewansky, Casper (his wife was Betty) worked for many years in an administrative capacity for the SAR. (South African Railways.) He and his family came from Maritzburg, Natal. He was the active Secretary of the shul committee in 1973. 
    

30. 30Levine, Sam (an old bachelor in the 50s) came out from England and took this role of Secretary of the shul full-time from 1900 – 1935. After his ‘retirement’, he continued in this capacity part-time until 1952.  Who remembers Sam?
    

31. 31Lewis – ?? worked at SAR&H
    

32. 32Lowenthal Hal, Doctor of German-Jewish origin. Was in general practice from the 1930s – then went on to the specialist register as a surgeon in 1950s. Had a son Allan.
    

33. 33Marcus Norman – Diamond Buyer. Lived at 38 Carrington Road – then sold the house to Icky and Helen Brown.
    

34. 34Maross Family? Sister a spinster was a teacher? and son was a bachelor who worked at SAR ticket office.
    

35. 35Nastor J. ??
    

36. 36Peisach, Dr Harry – was a General Practitioner. Killed in tragic motor accident on the corner of Dalham Road Carrington Road late one night.
    

37. 37Pollen Abe – Abe bought L. Isaacson from the founder. Later he was in partnership with the Haberfeld brothers Gus and Cyril. He lived at 8 Carrington Rd. Active in the shul benevolent society. Keen bowler.
    

38. 38Rabinowitz S ??.
    

39. 39Raichman, Harry and Rene and son Gerald (b c1937) and daughter Naomi (b. c1940) were furniture merchants on the Market Square. (Herman Poddy Shein worked for him – and he sold the business to Poddy.) Harry was also a director in Hodgetts Timbers. Geraldine's father Dr Noel Kretzmar was also a director of Hodgetts Timbers with Harry Reichman and Mr Van Zyl.
    

40. 40Sacks Julius and brother Alec – Printers who owned a property top end Jones Street. Known as Sacks the Printers. Retired and sold property to an old Chinese guy who redeveloped same circa 1964.  Trevor Toube writes: Julius Sacks was the brother of my maternal grandmother (bertha Sacks who married Max Blumenthal). His wife's name was Zepherine, but was always known as Girlie [perhaps understandably!]. They had 2 sons, Ivan and Dennis. I don't know what happened to them. Alex Sacks was another brother. He married Rose Arvan. She died in 1923, so I know nothing about her nor about their [I think] 2 children. Julius was a commercial traveller. Girlie and Alex ran Sacks 'Printers and Die Casters'. Yet another brother, Solomon [Shlaima - I guess a Litvak version of Shlomo] had several children, one of them Aubrey Sacks who was a quantity surveyor in Kimberley. He married Phyllis Miller [I think she was a piano teacher]. They had 2 children, Sidney and Ida [who married Jeff Selman].
    

41. 41Sagar, William was an auctioneer. But he was much more! He was a Justice of the Peace and the Mayor of Kimberley, 1906 – 1908. Sagar served as the popular and efficient President of the GW Hebrew Congregation for more than 25 years and was made a Life President. In 1929 a special presentation was made to him by the community for his great service to the community for 40 years!  That means from 1889.  He was also chairman of the Hospital Board and the School Board and did other great service to the civic and Jewish communities. His son Harold Sagar, presented a lectern to the community, in memory of his late father, in 1952. 
    

42. 42Schrire Samuel was a qualified lawyer but never practiced law. He married the daughter of well-to-do Raphael Senderowitz and came to Kimberley to run his father-in-law’s wholesale business and Mill. They lived in the family house 17 Carrington Road. Sam was the father of Louis Schrire (father of Gwynne) who practiced briefly in Kimberley as an Ophthalmologist before going to Cape Town and the brilliant Velva (Val) Schrire (who at KHS got the best matric results in the country in 1933) and who created from scratch, the Cardiac Department at Groote Schuur Hospital which went on to perform the first successful Heart Transplant in the world, (on Jewish patient Louis Warshansky.)  In addition, that same year, 1933, Val Schrire won an award for the top student in Matric Hebrew. Hellen Maresky, (later Brown) of Kimberley also won a City Council award as the first Jewish girl to pass her Hebrew matriculation examination. For this subject they were both students of Rev M Konvisser, minister of the GW Hebrew Congregation. A Further council award went to Samuel Klein, the top Junior Certificate student in the city.  I know Cecil Sussman, as Mayor, presented a certificate for the top matric results to Brenda Frank (Jack’s daughter) in about 1962. I wonder how many others of the Jewish Community won awards for top matric student?  I imagine quite a few?  
    

43. 43Seiradsky  ??
    

44. 44Slosberg – Optician with Van der Heim – sold to Irwin Tenin
    

45. 45Strawbaum ?
    

46. 46Sussman, Cecil Jack, Joined Sussman Bros Premier Meat Supply in 1946. They had a kosher counter in operation for many decades. Mayor of Kimberley, 1964 – 1965
    

47. 47Van Der Heim - optician sold his business, Van Der Heim and Slosberg opticians, sold to Irwin Tenin, whom Milton remembers clearly was Jewish to the core. 
    

48. 48Talmud, Jack – Lived in the district Christiana?. A hotelier?
    

49. 49Tenin, Irwin optician, bought the firm of Van Der Heim and Slosberg opticians and ran the business for many years. He was killed in a motor accident driving to Cape Town. His wife was Sadie and his sister-in-law Florrie Schreiber lived with them. They lived near the shul (the Business still is active in Kimberley 2017) 
    

50. 50Teukolsky Bros in 1929 owned the Savoy Hotel Kimberley – later owned by Natie and Fay cohen. 
    

51. 51Zolty B.
    

Geraldine Auerbach MBE

T: 020 8907 1905    M: 07971 818 262

geraldine.auerbach@gmail.com