Bellville Jewish Community Timeline
1902: Herman Berkowitz and his family were the first Jews to live in Bellville.
1919: Some 20 Jewish families had settled in Bellville and a congregation was formally constituted under the Chairmanship of Mr. Herman Sacks and Rev. I. J. Herison was engaged as its first minister.
1921: Rev. Moshe Rabinowitz became the minister.
1926: The synagogue was built in Rhos Street on land donated by Mr. F. J. v H. Duminy.
1947: Rev. Rabinowitz retired and was replaced by Rev. M. Kwiatkowski.
1951: The Communal Hall was built.
1952: Alec Sacks became the first Jewish mayor of Bellville. Rev. G. Gad became the new minister.
1954: Rev. S. Zucker replaced Rev. Gad.
1965: Rev. Zucker became a Rabbi.
Ca. 1970: The synagogue was sold and demolished.
1973: Rabbi Zucker died.
1974: The communal hall, now a shul, was renamed "Ohel Moshe" in honour of Rev. Rabinowitz.
1977: Rev. Rabinowitz died at the age of one hundred.
1980s onwards: The Jewish population dwindled. The Bellville congregation joined Durbanville.
Today: Only a handful of Jews live in Bellville.
See also a history of Bellville.
