Welcome to the website of the
Jewish Community of Beaufort West
Here we celebrate the life and times of the Jews who came to live and work in this town and surrounding areas over the decades. It documents their milestones and activities, both sacred and secular.
If you or your family have connections to this place and would like to develop your own family pages, we look forward to receiving your stories, photographs and biographies. Time is of the essence as the number of people that can 'tell the story' is dwindling.
By contributing your material, the fabric of Jewish life here will unfold and be available for your children and grandchildren wherever they may be. We hope that future generations will enjoy looking at this site and learning about Jewish life in this town in South Africa in the twentieth century.
This website, created in March 2023, is driven by Natie Finkelstein (left), who was born and grew up in Beaufort West. Click this link to see Natie Finkelstein's presentation on Beaufort West to the CHOL community (8 March 2023). To make contact and start your own family page, please answer the questions on the Contact page.
The website is hosted by CHOL – Community History On-line, an initiative inspired by Geraldine Auerbach MBE, who grew up in Kimberley and now lives in London, UK. The website is managed by Bramie Lenhoff, who grew up in Upington and now lives in Delaware, USA.
Please join the CHOL interactive email list where you can post information and ask questions of like-minded people. To join, send an email to listserv@jiscmail.ac.uk. Leave the subject line BLANK and in the message say: SUBSCRIBE CHOL followed by your First name and your Last name only (please delete any automatic signatures).
Click here for a map.
Website of the Beaufort West Jewish Community
Created and hosted by CHOL – Community History On-Line
For information and to join the CHOL mailing list, email info@chol.website
Compiled by Natie Finkelstein, Cape Town, South Africa
Edited and illustrated by Geraldine Auerbach MBE, London, UK
Formatted and uploaded by Bramie Lenhoff, Delaware, USA
March 2023
Acknowledging information and pictures from
Jewish Life in the South African Country Communities, Volume II,
researched and published by the South African Friends of Beth Hatefutsoth.
