Meet the Jewish Community of

Beaufort West

Beaufort West People page

Wool sellers and brokers in Beaufort West in 1918, including Natie Finkelstein's grandfather (second left).

The first Jews who came to this substantial central Karoo town of Beaufort West were from Germany and Britain before the turn of the 20th century, later joined by Jews from Latvia and Lithuania after 1881. They were mainly traders and by 1920 they were involved in farming (sheep, cattle and ostriches) and trading in general produce, motor cars and wool, feathers, hides and skins. The Jewish community played a significant role in the development of and in the commercial and cultural life of the town and surrounding area.

The Jewish population was a moveable one, with many Jewish families staying for just a few years before moving on to become some of the movers and shakers in Johannesburg or Cape Town. The peak was in 1936 when 123 Jewish persons were recorded by the census. In 1940 there were 16 Jewish shopkeepers, a hotelier, doctor, lawyer and two farmers. But this was to diminish quite rapidly. In 1977 there were only five Jewish families in the town and by 1990 there were no more Jews in Beaufort West. Many of their children and grandchildren became renowned professors and professionals as doctors, lawyers and accountants across the country and around the world. No fewer than three professors in the field of paediatrics hailed from Beaufort West, viz. Professor Victor Dubowitz, my first cousin, and an expert in muscle research at Imperial College, London; Professor Cyril Karabus, paediatric oncologist at Red Cross Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town; and Professor Eugene Weinberg, asthma and allergy expert, also at Red Cross.

These are the names of some of the Beaufort West families that I recall. Some were the early pioneers, others people whom I knew. Where we have a more substantial family story, their name is a link that you can click to read their story. If you know about them or any of the other families of Beaufort West and would like to add some details, please contact me – Natie Finkelstein

  1. Abrahams, Jack and Heidi: Furniture factory.
  2. Baumgarten, Herman and Dora: Children Nina, Jack and Cecil. General dealer on corner of Church and New Streets.
  3. Belinsky, ?: Owned the bottle store in New Street; later settled in Wherry Road, Muizenberg.
  4. Bellon, Mike and Poppy: Children Errol, Venetia, Merle, Charmian. Owned the National Theatre (cinema) and Courier Printing Works and published The Courier weekly.
  5. Blitz, Jacques and Fay: Daughters Avril, Lorraine and Zelda. Lived in Beaufort West for five years, 1953 to 1958. Jacques worked in the motor trade.
  6. Blumberg, Solly: Managed the Masonic Hotel on corner of Donkin and Church Streets on behalf of Mr Keslin, owner of Avalon Hotel, Mill Street, Cape Town.
  7. Broido, Louis and Lilly: Came to Beaufort West in the 1960s. Daughters Sonia Norrie and Muriel Levine, married to Isaac, a mohair farmer in the Rietbron area.
  8. Cohen, August: From Munich, owned a general store in Nuwe Street by 1872 in partnership with a Mr Brasch, also from Germany. They were early trustees of the small Jewish congregation. August Cohen served as a town councillor for 24 years and as deputy mayor. He was also the secretary of the school board. In 1896 he was a member of the water deputation, asking for state aid for pipe-led water to the town for domestic use.
  9. Dubowitz, Nathan and Esther: Grandparents of Nathan Finkelstein.
  10. Dubowitz, Jack and Golda: Children Simeon, Naomi, Bessie and Nathan (Natie). General dealer, owned Gamka Store.
  11. Dubowitz, Charley and Olga: Children Victor, Natalie and Leslie. Owned general dealer and produce buyer business in New Street.
  12. Dubowitz, Benzion and Mary: Children Norman, Leonard, Lorraine and Rosalie. Owned general dealer's business trading as Riverside Store.
  13. Dubowitz, Norman and Heather: Pharmacist who worked for his uncle, Hillel Friedman.
  14. Feltman, Abracia and Manja: Sons Monty and ?.
  15. Finkelstein, Jacob (Jack) and Annie (née Dubowitz): Son Nathan. Owned Jack’s Store, general dealer in Church Street.
  16. Frank, Bennie and ?: Farmed at Kruidfontein.
  17. Friedman, Hillel and Anita: Children Laura and ?. Hillel was s pharmacist and owner of Michael’s Pharmacy.
  18. Garb, Nathan and Janey: Children Esther, Selma and Harold. Managed the Royal Hotel; moved to Muizenberg.
  19. Glatt, Liebe and Miriam: General dealer business in Donkin Street, trading as Glatt and Norrie.
  20. Goldenbaum, Jack and Eve: Children Harold and Mervyn. Jack obtained Dip. Agric. at Grootfontein Agricultural College and farmed at Hansrivier.
  21. Goldenbaum, Louis: Moved to Kimberley, where he owned several software businesses, married Annie Alufovitz from Vryburg, children Joseph (Cape Town) and Pearlie (Israel).
  22. Goldenbaum, Samuel and Annie: Children Jack and Abe (dentist). Samuel owned general dealer's business in Donkin Street.
  23. Gordon, Philip: Managed MG Furnishers.
  24. Gulis, Rev. I.: Minister in Beaufort West from 1929 to 1935. Married Jack and Annie Finkelstein in Beaufort West Synagogue.
  25. Horowitz, Moshe: Was an uncle to Mrs Goldenbaum Senior.
  26. Jacobs, Sam and Hilda: Children Russell and ?. An entrepreneur of note and former owner of Oasis Restaurant and owner of Werda Bakery.
  27. Jacobson, Dr Julius: Practised as a dentist in association with Dr Nico Brümmer. He married after he left Beaufort West and practised in Sea Point, Cape Town.
  28. Javen, Issy and Yetta: Children Arnold and ? Arthur. Issy worked for Karoo Trading Company.
  29. Kaplan, Albert and Ruth: Children Philip and Rael. Owned the Royal Hotel, Donkin Street.
  30. Karabus, Isaac and Becky: Children Alan and Cyril. Owner of Karoo Trading Co., Ford agents.
  31. Karabus, Morris and Erica: Morris is a nephew to Isaac Karabus. Morris's father, Charlie, was the Ford agent in Victoria West.
  32. Karabus, Joe and ?: Children Ruby and Morris. Isaac's brother, who also worked at Karoo Trading Co.
  33. Kromm, Bernard: Owned the Commercial Hotel in 1884.
  34. Lee, Harold and Tilly: Dr Harold Lee was the RMO in Beaufort West from 1926 to 1940.
  35. Lison, Rev. ?
  36. Magid, Liebman (Lippy) and Mary: Daughter Sylvia. Liebman had a drapery business in Donkin Street and was a Grand Master in the Masonic Lodge.
  37. Maimin, Sarah: Children Benjamin and Morris. Sister of Esther Dubowitz.
  38. Miller, Louis and Rose: Children Victor and Irene. Owned the Oasis Restaurant in Donkin Street.
  39. Myburg, Rev Aaron and ?: Rev Myburg was minister in Beaufort West from 1943 to 1969. He taught Natie in cheder and prepared him for his bar mitzvah and to blow the shofar.
  40. Norrie, Emil and Sonia: General dealer business in Donkin Street, trading as Glatt and Norrie.
  41. Pincus, Daniel (Dan) and Estelle: Children Adrienne and Martin. Dan worked for Karoo Trading Co.
  42. Schneider, Teddy and Mary: Children Jack and ?. Teddy owned the butchery in New Street.
  43. Shattel, Leo: Brother of Olga Dubowitz and general dealer in New Street.
  44. Silke, Simon and ?: Daughter Karen? Bottle store owner in New Street and later the owner of the Criterion Hotel, Oudtshoorn.
  45. Soskin, Phillip and Golda: Son Morris. Owner of fish shop in New Street.
  46. Weinberg, Max and Molly: Children Eugene and sister? Max practised as an attorney in Beaufort West before leaving for Bellville. Their son, Professor Eugene Weinberg, was a paediatrician and prominent allergist at the Red Cross Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town. The Sept 2022 issue of Current Allergy & Clinical Immunology contains exceptionally sincere glowing tributes to Professor Weinberg, born in Beaufort West on 11 January 1939, the pioneering paediatric allergologist, covering his brilliant academic teaching, his wonderful rapport with children and their parents and his superb mentoring of students and junior doctors, written by his colleagues who say how much he changed their lives for the better.