Bloemfontein Jewry Timeline — The Four Phases
Phase I: The German Pioneers (1848–1880s)
- 1848 onwards: Jewish families from Germany, including the Baumanns, Leviseurs, Ehrlichs, and Haarburgers, settle in Bloemfontein and become deeply involved in the civic and economic development of the city. Although Jewish religious life existed during this period, it remained informal. Services were held in private homes, and life-cycle events often required the assistance of visiting ministers from other towns.
- 1880: There were only 28 Jews in Bloemfontein, and without further immigration the community may not have survived as a distinct Jewish centre.
Phase II: The Lithuanian Immigration (1880s–1930s)
The arrival in the Orange Free State of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe, particularly from the Lithuanian provinces of Kovno, Vilna, and Grodno, transformed Bloemfontein Jewry. New businesses were established, population numbers increased, and communal life became more organised.
Many communal institutions were created. Leadership largely remained in the hands of the established German-Jewish families, but the growth and vitality of Bloemfontein Jewry depended heavily on the arrival of the Eastern European immigrants.
Milestones of phase II:
- 1893: The Bloemfontein Hebrew Congregation was formally established.
- 1890: Bloemfontein's Jewish population reaches 41 residents.
- 1899-1902: During the Anglo-Boer War the Jewish population temporarily increases to approximately 150 due to British military personnel stationed in Bloemfontein.
- 1902: Jewish Helping Hand and Burial Society (Chevra Kadisha) founded. Rabbi Hertz revisits Bloemfontein. Decision taken to appoint a minister and begin synagogue construction.
- 1904: First synagogue in the Orange Free State opens.
- 1904: Census shows 716 Jews reside in Bloemfontein out of 1616 Jews living in the area.
- 1912: Bloemfontein gains national prominence by hosting the conference that established the South African Jewish Board of Deputies. Wolff Ehrlich helps unite the Cape Town and Johannesburg Jewish Boards of Deputies at a congress held in Bloemfontein with Senator Wolf Ehrlich playing a central role in uniting South African Jewry.
- 1918: Communal Hall built. Membership reaches 111 paying members.
- 1927: New Talmud Torah building completed.
Phase III: Expansion and Zenith (1930s–1980s)
Bloemfontein reached the peak of its Jewish population in the 1950s and 60s with nearly 1500 Jews in the area.
Major milestones included:
- 1932: Union of Jewish Women and Habonim Youth Movement established.
- 1953: Construction begins on a new communal centre in Fairview Street.
- 1954: Orthodox communal centre in Fairview Street opens.
- 1956: The creation of the 'United Hebrew Institutions' by amalgamating the various communal bodies.
- 1965: The consecration of a new synagogue for the Bloemfontein Orthodox community next to the communal hall.
- 1966: The breakaway Reform community consecrate their new Bloemfontein Reform Temple in a residential area in Dickie Clark Street.
- 1967: The David Davidson Nursery School opens with 32 pupils.
- 1967: The Jewish population numbered 1,347 out of a total population in the city of 119,000.
Phase IV: The Declining Era (1980s to the present)
From the 1980s the numbers in both the Orthodox and Reform communities decreased dramatically as younger generations migrated to the larger centres of Johannesburg and Cape Town or emigrated. The Orthodox community made the decision to sell the large property and purchase and use the Reform Temple, altering it to their needs, including building a Mikveh.
- 1990: The Orthodox community sold the large synagogue complex to the Seventh Day Adventist Church and purchased the smaller Reform Temple and refurbished it for their needs.
- 1996: The new synagogue complex, formerly the Reform Temple in Dickie Clark Street, was officially opened on the 28th April by Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris.
- 2001: The ‘Joseph and Fanny Hodes’ archive was established, funded by Mr Harold Hodes of London in honour of his parents. Its aim was to preserve the memory and achievements of more than 150 years of Jewish life in Bloemfontein. Dr Sheila Aronstam and Mr Ronnie Rosen collated material and photographs for this wonderful project.
- 2020s: The ‘new’ synagogue complex was also sold and the 30 or so remaining members used the conference section of this building for their purposes.
- 2020s: The archive was transferred to the Jewish Museum in Cape Town.
- 2025: The ‘new’ synagogue complex was also sold to a church. The new owners have consented for the 23 remaining members of the Jewish community to continue their services in the boardroom of the complex which has been converted into a small shul.
- 2026 January: Services were started and the congregants all feel homely in the small shul. Even though they don't have a minyan on Shabbos morning, they have a regular Shabbos morning service. Allen Berelowitz is the Chairman and Joseph Shein a Committee Member.
- 2026 February: Due to the dwindling numbers of the community, approximately 23 people, the United Hebrew Institutions of Bloemfontein took a decision to become part of the SJCA (Small Jewish Communities Association of South Africa). The SJCA will maintain the upkeep of the cemeteries and at the same time look after the finances once the community is defunct.
Further reading
Read a more detailed history of the Bloemfontein Jewish Community by Sheila Aronstam on the Articles page; about religious life on the Synagogue page; and see pictures on the Images page.
