Meet the Jewish Community of

Calitzdorp

The Jews of Calitzdorp

Thirty-one Jewish families were recorded in Calitzdorp, including Gamka West, in the publication Jewish Life in the South African Country Communities, Volume II. They were Abrahamson, Alpert, Brener, Burbeitz, Flax, Gillis, Glesser, Herring, Hirsch, Israel, Isserman, Joseph, Kaminer, Kaplan, Katz, Kramer, Kruth, Landau, Levenberg, Levitton, Lewin, Lichter, Maltz, Manasewitz, Manashewitz, Mann, Miller, Orwin, Rapeport, Silbert and Solomon.

Not all these families could be traced. However, what was very clear when tracing the families associated with Calitzdorp and surrounds was an overlap with numerous of the Oudtshoorn families, who had business interests in Calitzdorp and the surrounding district. The Calitzdorp Museum lists the Jewish inhabitants according to their occupation. They include Leopold Levinkind, an engineer involved in the building of the Nel’s River Dam, the Olinsky family and a number of others not previously listed. These people have been included in the list of Jewish families living in Calitzdorp.

Despite financial hardships that many of the Jewish families of Calitzdorp endured, many managed to educate their children and were successful. Three men who grew up in Calitzdorp served as Mayors in the Transvaal – William Rapeport, Mayor of Rustenburg 1946-7, Ivan Israel Solomon, Mayor of Pretoria 1932-6 and Isaac (Ian) Maltz, Mayor of Johannesburg 1958-9.

These are the details of families I have managed to find out about and verified from information obtained from the National Archives of South Africa (NASA), including documents scanned by FamilySearch from the NASA, the Genealogical Society of South Africa Cemetery Recording Project - eGGSA Graves and the genealogical sites GENI, MyHeritage and Ancestry.

If you have family histories or documents, please send them to me.


ABRAMSOHN

Itzik D. Abramsohn was a general dealer in Gamka East. He had a son, Meiske Iser Abramsohn (1914-1918), who died at the age of 4 years from bronchopneumonia in Gamka East and is buried in the Oudtshoorn Jewish cemetery.


Death certificate, Meiske Iser Abramsohn, Gamka East, 1918


BENJAMIN

Percival Arthur Herbert Benjamin (1870-1928) was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and emigrated to South Africa. He was a widower and lived at Matjes River, where he was a storekeeper. On the 1 November 1911 he married Jennie Kaplan (1889-1936) in Calitzdorp. His wife was born in Oudtshoorn to ostrich feather buyer, Moses Kaplan (b. 1857) and his wife, Jessie Kaplan, née Rauff (1857-1952). Percival and Jennie Benjamin had 2 children, Frank Benjamin (1913-1982) and Fanny Edna Benjamin (1914-1970), who were both born in Oudtshoorn. The Benjamin family moved to Vrede, Orange Free State. Following the death of Percival, Jennie moved to Pietersburg, Transvaal. She died at the age of 37.


Benjamin – Kaplan marriage, Calitzdorp, 1911

Location where Percival Benjamin was a storekeeper

References:

  1. NASA – 1907, 1908, Benjamin, Percival Arthur Herbert. Insolvent Liquidation and Distribution Account.
  2. Geni record.

BRENER

Charles Brener (1910-1999) was an attorney. He was born in Kupiškis, Lithuania and came to South Africa in 1920. His parents were Nathan and Pessil Brener and the family lived in Riversdale. He married Rachel Leah Kamener (1918-2008), daughter of Nathan Kamener and Miriam Kamener née Isserman. Her parents and both her sets of grandparents were residents of Calitzdorp. They were married in 1941 in Riversdale. At the time of their marriage, the young couple were resident in Calitzdorp. They had 2 daughters and the family lived in Cape Town.


Brener – Kamener marriage, 1941

References:

  1. South African Jewry, 1967-8 Edition. A Survey of the Jewish Community; Its Contributions to South Africa; Directory of Communal Institutions; and a Who's Who of Leading Personalities, Feldberg, Leon (Editor). Brener, Charles, page 201.
  2. Charles Brener cemetery record.
  3. Rachel Brener cemetery record.

BOERBAITZ (BURBEITZ)

Nathan Boerbaitz (1882-1969) was a farmer and feather buyer. Following his emigration to South Africa, he applied for naturalization in 1903. He married Sterne Frede Kroll (1885-1915) and they were resident in Oudtshoorn. Their two children, Barnie and Pauline, were born in 1909 and 1913 respectively. Following his wife’s death, Nathan married Leah Mallinick (1895-1965) two years later, in 1917. At that time, he was resident in De Rust. Two children, Ethel and Alexander, were conceived from this marriage in 1918 and 1921 respectively.

References:


GILLIS

Solomon Gillis (1857-1904), an ostrich feather dealer, was born in Kretinga, Lithuania, and his wife, Augusta Gillis née Sandman (1858-1960), in Königsberg, Prussia (Kaliningrad, Russia). The couple were married on the 11 March 1885 in Oudtshoorn. They had 10 children – 7 sons and 3 daughters, who were all born in Oudtshoorn. When Solomon died at the age of 47, his children were all minors, ranging in age from 3 to 16 years old. At the time of his death, his occupation was listed as a farmer and feather buyer. His three older sons, Morris, Harry Zvi and Bernard Lawrence, were all farmers. The youngest 2 sons, Harold and Cecil, were commercial travelers. His eldest daughter, Norina, married Abraham Herman Wulfsohn in 1918 and settled in Rustenburg, Transvaal. Her two younger sisters, Lily and Ethel, moved to Rustenburg where they met their respective husbands and were married in 1924 and 1927 respectively. Their mother, Augusta, lived to the age of 102 and outlived four of her sons – Morris, Harry, Arthur and Harold.

Gillis children:

  1. Morris Gillis (1888-1947) was a farmer and married Tilly Sussman (1898-1961) in 1928 in Kimberley. At the time of their marriage, he was resident in Oudtshoorn and she in Kimberley. The family lived in Oudtshoorn. He is buried in the Jewish cemetery.

  2. Harry Zvi Gillis (1889-1918) was a farmer. He was a bachelor and died during the Spanish Flu epidemic. He is buried in the Oudtshoorn Jewish cemetery.

  3. Bernard Lawrence Gillis (1890-1990) was a farmer and married Freida Esther Holzschneider (1895-1984) in 1924 in Johannesburg. At the time of their marriage, he was resident in Oudtshoorn and she in Johannesburg. They subsequently lived in Cape Town.

  4. Julius Gillis (1893-1967) married Annie Lynn (1897-1982) in 1923 in Johannesburg. At that time, he was resident in Heilbron, Orange Free State, and his wife in Johannesburg. They subsequently lived in Cape Town.

  5. Arthur Gillis (1895-1953) married Leah Lily Isaacs (1895-1961), whose original family surname was Max. They were married in 1922 in Johannesburg. At the time of their union, they both were residing in Johannesburg. The family lived in Oudtshoorn.

  6. Norina Gillis (1895-1976) married Abraham Herman Wulfsohn (1880-1934), a merchant, in 1918 in Oudtshoorn. They subsequently lived in Rustenburg, Transvaal, where her husband was active in civic and Jewish affairs. He served as a town councillor and was President of the Jewish congregation when the Rustenburg synagogue was consecrated in 1924. He laid the foundation stone of the shul.

  7. Lily Gillis (1899-1997) married Isador Lederman (1889-1983), a storekeeper from Rustenburg. They were married in January 1924 in Johannesburg. At the time of their marriage, they both resided in Rustenburg. The family subsequently lived in Johannesburg.

  8. Harold Gillis (1900-1958) married Dora Greenberg (1906-1980) in 1933 in Johannesburg. At that time, he lived in Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, and his wife in Johannesburg. He was a commercial traveler. The family lived in Johannesburg.

  9. Ethel Gillis (1901-1982) married Harry Gawron (1889-1973), a storekeeper from Rustenburg, in 1927 in Pretoria. At the time of their marriage, they were resident in Rustenburg. The family lived in Rustenburg.

  10. Cecil Gillis (1901-1968) married Sophie Kovensky (1906-1994) on the 16 December 1930. They were married at Witput, near Hopetown, where his bride resided. He was a commercial traveler and resided in Oudtshoorn. The family subsequently lived in Port Elizabeth.

References:


GLESSER

Quintin Glesser (1899-1947) was the eldest son of Charles Solomon Glesser (1874-1948) and Chana Rachel Glesser née Blumenthal (1882-1958). The family emigrated from Russia to South Africa and in 1908 his father applied for naturalization. He had 3 younger brothers and a sister – Samuel (1901-1983) and Barney (1904 -1980) were born in Russia, Cecilia (1914-1966) was born in Ladismith and Manuel (1921-1998) was born in Cape Town. Quintin was a shopkeeper in Opzoek, district Ladismith. On the 2 February 1929 he married Annie Lewin (1902-1929) in Opzoek, Ladismith. She died in December 1929 following complications of childbirth and their infant daughter, named Annie after her mother, succumbed 8 days after her birth. In April 1932 Quintin married Emily Ezer (Ezernitsky) (1910-1974) in Cape Town. He was still resident in Ladismith at that time. Following their marriage he and his wife moved to Calitzdorp, where he bought a general dealership from the estate of Edward Eaton Vinson and his widow, Johanna Vinson, on the corner of A. Pretorius and Geyser Street. The couple were childless. They subsequently moved to Cape Town where he died at the age of 48.

References:

  1. Winkeliers/ Algemene Handelaars: Glesser, Quintin. In 1932 word hy die eienaar van Vinson se winkel op die suidwestelike hoek van A. Pretorius- en Geyserstr. Miller & Glesser werksaam ongeveer 1907.
  2. Geni record.

HACKNER

Sam Hackner (1890-1975) was born in Ukmergė, Lithuania, and emigrated to South Africa in 1907. He boarded with the Silbert family on their farm at Welgerust, Gamka Oos, and worked as a feather buyer. He sent for his girlfriend, Rachel Mart (1894-1974), who joined him in South Africa. She was the daughter of Leib Mart (1852-1908) and Bracha Fay Mart née Goldfarb. Upon Rachel’s arrival in South Africa, she also boarded with the Silbert family for a period of 6 months. On the 11 April 1912 the Hackners were married in Calitzdorp. They were married by assistant resident magistrate Henry Haughn Hudson (1874-1957). Their witnesses were Louis Rapeport, a shopkeeper in Calitzdorp, and Samuel Israel Nurick (1883-1954), a hotel proprietor from Ladismith, Cape Province. Following the collapse of the ostrich feather industry the Hackners left the Karoo and settled in Durban, where their 3 daughters, Lily, Pauline and Bertha, were born. Sam was a wholesale merchant. He offered Reuben Silbert, the son of Moses and Zislah Silbert, with whom he had boarded at Welgerust, a job, resulting in members of the Silbert family moving from Oudtshoorn to Durban.


Hackner – Mart marriage, Calitzdorp, 1912

The South African Jewish Year Book, 1929

References:

  1. Geni record.
  2. NASA – 1912, Hackner, Sam. Insolvent Liquidation and Distribution Account.
  3. The South African Jewish Year Book: Directory of Jewish Organizations and Who's Who in South African Jewry, 1929, page 328.

HERRING

Two sons of Yaakov Eliyahu and Sarah Herring of Tytuvėnai, Kelmė district, Lithuania, emigrated to South Africa and settled in the Karoo.

  1. Louis Herring (1884-1918) was a feather buyer and speculator and lived in Oudtshoorn. He applied for naturalization in 1905. He married Jeannie (Sheina) Lewin (1885-1949) in 1906 in Oudtshoorn and they had 4 children, Barney (1907-1928), Joseph, Lily (1919-2002) and Bertha. In 1916 his business was declared insolvent. He died at the age of 35 from the Spanish Flu, leaving 4 minor children.

  2. Moses Herring (1890-1952) was a farmer. In 1915 his business was declared insolvent. He married Rachel Schneider (1902 -1983) in 1926 in Oudtshoorn. Her parents were married in Tukum, Kurland (Latvia), and settled in Oudtshoorn. The Herrings had 4 children, Sarah Cotton (1927-2002), Libby Meltz (1931-2012), Elliah (Ellie) Louis Herring (1935-2018) and Isaac (Ike) Jacob Herring. Their home language was Afrikaans. In 1932 the family moved to the farm Warmbad near Calitzdorp. Their eldest son, Ellie, was sent to Herzlia School, Cape Town, where he was a boarder. He left school at the age of 16 to help his ill father manage the farm. Following his father’s death, he took over the running of the farm and supported his mother and 3 siblings. Ellie married Ellen Mary Dawson (1937-1996) on the 21 July 1962 in Calitzdorp and they had 4 children. Following a devastating drought, the family left Calitzdorp. Ellie subsequently returned to the farm, which was renamed Moses Hope in honour of his father. When Ellie died at the age of 82, his wish was to be buried on the farm. Following the assistance of the Oudtshoorn Chevra Kadisha and Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft, country community Rabbi, a Jewish cemetery was consecrated on the farm and Ellie was buried. To date, the farm, known as Moses Hope Boerdery, has passed through 4 generations and cultivates ostriches, lucerne and prickly pears (turksvy).

Warmwater - Moses Hope Jewish Cemetery

Location of the Herring farm, Moses Hope

References:

  1. NASA – 1916, Herring, Louis. Insolvent Liquidation and Distribution Account.
  2. NASA – 1915, Herring, Moses. Insolvent Liquidation and Distribution Account.
  3. NASA – 1934, Application for building of a small dam. Farm: Warmwater. Applicant: Herring, Moses.
  4. Oudtshoorn Kehilalinks site.
  5. The Story of a True and Dedicated Friendship, Cape Jewish Chronicle.
  6. Geni record.

HYMAN

Abraham Abel Hyman (1877-1921) married Malka (Mildred) Solomon (1874-1941) on the 18 May 1904 in Jonava, Kaunas, Lithuania. Following the birth of their son Max in 1905 in Jonava, the family emigrated to South Africa and settled in Calitzdorp where Malka’s brother, Louis Solomon, and his family were residing, as well as her sister, Leah Modlin and family. Abraham Hyman was a shochet in the village. He was listed as a butcher in the village and his name appeared in ledgers of local businesses in Calitzdorp from 1907 to 1911. Four children were born in South Africa, Morris in 1908, Hymie in 1912, Joseph in 1915 and Dorothy in 1917. The family left Calitzdorp and settled in Mossel Bay, where Hymie was born. They then moved and lived in Reitz, Orange Free State, before settling in Cape Town. Abraham Hyman died in 1921 at the age of 42 and is buried in the Maitland cemetery. His widow was left to bring up 4 minor children. She died in 1941.


Listing of the marriage of Abraham Abel Hyman and Malka Solomon, Jonava, 1904

Hyman children:

  1. Max Hyman (1905-1958) qualified as an attorney. He married Paulin Friedmann in 1937 in Johannesburg. They lived in Ventersdorp. He died at the age of 52 of complications of renal disease. He was survived by his wife, son and daughters. He is buried in Ventersdorp.

  2. Morris Hyman (1908-1993) qualified as a pharmacist. He married Florence Suritz (1911-1983) in 1933 in Cape Town. The family lived in Cape Town.

  3. Hymie Hyman (1912-1985), also known as Harold, was born in Mossel Bay. He was a bachelor and lived in Cape Town. He died at the age of 73.

  4. Joe Hyman (1915-1919) developed lymphatic leukaemia. He died at the age of 4 years at the Johannesburg Hospital and is buried in the Braamfontein Cemetery. At the time of his death, the family were resident in Reitz, Orange Free State.

  5. Dorothy Hyman (1917-2005), known as Dolly, married Abe Slovin (1916-2000) in 1946 in Cape Town. She was a secretary at the time, and he was a wholesale merchant on active service. The family lived in Cape Town.

References:

  1. Slagters. Hayman. Sy naam kom voor in grootboeke van plaaslike besighede, 1907-11.
  2. JewishGen List of marriages, Jonava, Kaunas, Lithuania.
  3. Zara Aginsky, relative, Ra’anana, Israel.

ISRAEL

Reverend Aron Solomon Israel (right) (1886-1963) was born in Varniai, Lithuania. He was resident in Calitzdorp in the early 1900s and subsequently lived in Oudtshoorn. He married Annie Millie (Milah) Silpert (1889-1923) at the Roeland Street Synagogue, Cape Town, on the 25 September 1910. At that time his occupation was listed as a general dealer in Oudtshoorn. His wife was listed as resident in Pennsylvania. She was originally from Kovno and in 1906 emigrated to Pennsylvania, USA, before coming to South Africa. The Israels had 7 children. At the time of Annie Israel’s death in 1923, the family were living at St Georges Street, Oudtshoorn. He subsequently served as the Reverend in Theunissen, Orange Free State, and in 1952 married the widow Esther Seligman, born Minsker (1885-1984), in Theunissen. They subsequently moved to Standerton, Transvaal.


Marriage of Solomon Israel and Millie Silpert, 1910; profession – general dealer

References:

  1. Reverend Aron Solomon Israel
  2. Geni record.

ISSERMAN

Meir Isserman (1851-1943) and Sarah Isserman née Broude (1854-1924) emigrated to South Africa from Kurshan, Russia (Kuršenai, Lithuania) with their 6 children, a son and 5 daughters, of whom two were twins. Meir came to South Africa in early 1890 and was followed by his son and subsequently his wife and daughters. The Issermans settled at Welbedacht, district Oudtshoorn, where Meir was a shopkeeper. They also ran a boarding house in Calitzdorp. Meir served as president of one of the two Jewish congregations in the village.

Isserman children:

  1. Simon Sender Isserman (1881-1965) (alias Harry Osrin) applied for naturalization in 1899. He went into business with his brother-in-law, George Maltinsky, and in 1906 their business was declared insolvent. In May of that year, he emigrated from South Africa to the USA and settled in Philadelphia, where he established the South Africa Feather Company, a manufacturer of ostrich feathers. He married Bella Weiner (1889-1959), whose family originated from Žagarė, Lithuania. They were married in 1909 in Philadelphia.

    2. USA Declaration of Intention – Simon Sender Isserman

  2. Dora Isserman (1882-1965) married Abel Louis Wallis (1873-1952), a shopkeeper in Oudtshoorn, on the 2 February 1904 in Oudtshoorn. They were married by Reverend M. Woolfson. The Wallis family subsequently settled in Johannesburg.

    3. Wallis – Isserman marriage, Oudtshoorn, 1904

  3. Hannah Mina Isserman (1887-1965) married George Maltinsky, a feather buyer from Oudtshoorn, on 20 June 1905 in Oudtshoorn. At the time of her marriage, she was living in Welbedacht. They were married by Magistrate E. Theron, and the witnesses were her brother, S. S. Isserman, and her brother-in-law, L. Wallis. Three years later, in 1908, she got divorced. She married Samuel Katz (1876-1955), a feather buyer from Calitzdorp, on the 5 June 1909 in Calitzdorp. They were married by assistant resident magistrate G. J. A. Reid. They had 4 children. The two older, Joseph and Lily, were born in Calitzdorp in 1911 and 1913 respectively. The family moved to Johannesburg where their two younger daughters were born, Tilly in 1917 and Dora in 1920.

    4. Maltinsky – Isserman marriage, Oudtshoorn, 1905

    Katz – Maltinsky marriage, Calitzdorp, 1909

  4. Bertha Isserman (1889-1967) was the twin of Rebecca. She married Morris David Daneman (1883-1931). He was from Latvia and applied for naturalization in 1905. He was in business with his brother, Herman Daneman (1875-1955), in Prince Alfred Hamlet and they traded as Daneman Brothers. At the time of his marriage, he was resident in Calitzdorp. They were married on 28 March 1908 in Calitzdorp on the same day as Bertha’s twin, Rebecca Isserman’s marriage to Abraham Benjamin Kavonic. Both couples were married by assistant resident magistrate G. J. A. (Graham John Alexander) Reid. The witnesses at both marriages were M. Gerber and L. Monfried. Daneman was a butcher in Calitzdorp and also worked as a barman. The Daneman family subsequently emigrated to the USA in 1908. Bertha died at the age of 80 in Washington, D.C., USA.

    5. Daneman – Isserman marriage, Calitzdorp, 1908

    Photographs of Morris and Bertha Daneman

  5. Rebecca Isserman (1889-1975) was the twin of Bertha. She married Abram Benjamin Kavonic (1883-1966), a tailor from Calitzdorp. The couple was married on the 28 March 1908, on the same day as her twin, Bertha Isserman, married Morris David Daneman. The assistant resident magistrate was G. J. A. Reid and the witnesses were the same, M. Gerber and L. Monfried. They had 4 children and settled in Potchefstroom. He was a merchant and farmer in the Free State and Transvaal. The family subsequently moved to Salisbury, Rhodesia (Harare, Zimbabwe).

    6. Kavonic – Isserman marriage, Calitzdorp, 1908

    The South African Jewish Year Book, 1929

  6. Miriam Isserman (1894-1971) was the youngest daughter. She married Nathan Kamener (1884-1950) on 23 May 1910 in Calitzdorp. The marriage was officiated by assistant resident magistrate G. J. A. Reid. Nathan Kamener arrived in South Africa in 1900, and he applied for naturalization whilst resident in Kimberley in 1905. He settled in Calitzdorp in 1908. He was a watchmaker and ostrich feather buyer.
Kamener – Isserman marriage, Calitzdorp, 1910

Photograph of Sarah Isserman and her 5 daughters taken in Shavli

References:

  1. NASA – 1906, Record of Proceedings of Provisional Case. Hudson, Vreede and Co. versus Simon Isserman and George Maltinski, trading as Isserman and Maltinski.
  2. NASA – 1906, Isserman, Simon, and George Malinsky. Insolvent Liquidation and Distribution Account.
  3. NASA – 1904, Application for Letters of Naturalization. Abel Louis Wallis.
  4. NASA – 1905, Wallis, Abel Louis. Insolvent Liquidation and Distribution Account.
  5. NASA – 1905, Application for Letters of Naturalization. Morris David Daneman.
  6. NASA – 1905, Herman Daneman and Morris Daneman, trading at Prince Alfred Hamlet as Daneman Brothers.
  7. Winkeliers / Algemene Handelaars: Isserman, Meyer (Meir) 1853-1943 getroud Sarah Broude. Die Cape Directory 1904 verwys na hom as winkelier van Welbedacht. He het ook ‘n losieshuis in die dorp bedryf en sy winkel kon in dieselfde gebou gewees het. Sy losieshuis is teen 1912 reeds ‘n anneks tot die Bawden’s Hotel.
  8. NASA – 1894, Mortgage Bond. Meyer Isserman.
  9. Slagters: Danneman, Morris David, 1883 in Latvia. Hy was slagter hier tot met sy troue in 1908 met Bertha Isserman. Was ook kroegman. Hulle emigreer in 1908 na Georgia, Amerika.
  10. Kleremakers / Snyers: Kanovic, Abraham Benjamin, getroud Rebecca Isserman. Werksaam 1912.
  11. Michael Gerber (1880-1953), an ostrich feather buyer, married Sarah Rebecca Sanders (1882-1958) in 1904, Oudtshoorn.
  12. Geni record.
  13. The South African Jewish Year Book: Directory of Jewish Organizations and Who's Who in South African Jewry, 1929, page 314.

JOSEPH

Chaim Joseph (1842-1917), his wife, Sarah Joseph née Shier (1843-1920), and their 5 children emigrated to South Africa. They lived in Oudtshoorn.

Joseph children:

  1. Their eldest daughter, Clara Joseph (1874-1947), married Morris Joseph (1875-1937), a shopkeeper from Gamka, Calitzdorp, on the 20 February 1894. They were married in Oudtshoorn. Morris and his brother-in law, Moses Joseph, were in business trading as M. Joseph and Co. Morris subsequently farmed and owned property in the Calitzdorp district at Welgerust and on the farm Goedverwachting. He and his wife had 5 children. Their son Abraham Joseph (1898 -1940), a chemist assistant, lived at Gamka West, district Calitzdorp. He died aged 42.

  2. Moses Joseph (1876-1939) was a grain farmer. He married Bertha Feinstein (1885-1968) in 1903 in Port Elizabeth. They had 2 daughters, Pearl and Gertrude, and 2 sons, Samuel and Lionel. Moses Joseph and his brother-in-law, Morris Joseph, were in business trading as M. Joseph and Co. Moses bequeathed to his two sons all the landed property in the district of Calitzdorp that he had purchased as well as all the livestock and farming implements.

  3. Annie Joseph (1878-1960) married Joel Isidore Mann (1874-1936), a farmer, and they lived in Ladismith, Cape Province. Her husband was naturalized in 1899. They had 6 children. Their daughter Rosie (1905-1987) married Leopold Levinkind, a civil engineer who partook in the construction of the Nel’s River Dam in Calitzdorp.

  4. Max Joseph (1881-1944) was a bachelor. He had a shop in Gamka West and was also a general farmer at Gamka. He died at the age of 63 on 17 October 1944 at his residence in Gamka following a heart attack and fractured hip. He was buried in Oudtshoorn and was mourned by his two sisters, Clara Joseph and Annie Mann.

  5. Jack Benjamin Joseph (1881-1917) was a civil engineer. During World War One he volunteered in the Union Defence Force. He was killed in action in Flanders.

Location of Welgerust where Morris Joseph had a farm

References:

  1. Winkeliers / Algemene Handelaars: Joseph, Max, Rusland (1884-1944). Sy winkel was in Gamka-Wes naby die afdraai van Gai se middelpad, maar die gebou bestaan nie meer nie.
  2. Geni record.

KAMENER (KAMINER)

Harris (Hersh) Kamener (1857-1935) was born in Mir, Minsk province, Russian Empire (Belarus), to Meir Eliyahu and Chana (Annie) Kaminer. He and his brothers Aharon Kaminer (1863-1939), Woolf Meyerson (1865-1941) and Nathan Kaminer (1873-1913) all emigrated to South Africa. Harris and his wife, Gertrude (Gutta) Zuchatwisky (1863-1930), had 5 children, who were all born in Mir. In 1908 Harris and his 2 older sons, Nathan and Barney, settled in Calitzdorp where he was a general dealer. In 1912 his wife and 2 younger children, Annie and Henry, sailed to South Africa via England and joined the family in Calitzdorp.

Kamener children:

  1. Nathan Kamener (1884-1950) was a watchmaker and feather buyer. He applied for naturalization in 1905. He married Miriam Isserman (1894-1971), daughter of Meir Isserman and Sarah Isserman of Calitzdorp. In 1948, Nathan Kamener was regarded as the oldest pioneer of Calitzdorp.

  2. Mirel (Milly) Perlkowitz (1887-1981) married Jacob Pelkowitz (1886-1960) in Russia. They settled in Pretoria, where their 3 sons were born. They subsequently lived in Johannesburg.

  3. Barney Kamener (1889-1932) was a farmer in the Calitzdorp area. He died at the age of 42 from enteric fever. He left his entire estate to his father.

  4. Annie Kamener (1893-1929) arrived in Calitzdorp in 1912 with her mother and brother Henry. She married Samuel Teperson (1890-1943) in Johannesburg on the 25 January 1924. She died 5 years later.

  5. Henry Kamener (1893-1963) arrived in Calitzdorp in 1912 with his mother and sister, Annie. He married Jeannie Godin (1906-1977), a music teacher, on the 20 February 1931 in Johannesburg. They were divorced in 1943. Henry was a general dealer in Calitzdorp.

Kamener – Godin marriage, Johannesburg, 1931

Second generation:

Nathan Kamener arrived in Calitzdorp in 1908. In 1948 he was regarded as the oldest Jewish pioneer in Calitzdorp. He married Miriam Isserman (1894-1971) and the family lived in Calitzdorp. He was a shopkeeper (winkelier) and at the time of his death, the family were living at New Street. They had 8 children.

Kamener children:

  1. Hannah (Annie) Kamener (1912-1964) married Isaac Leventhal (1913-1997) in 1939 in Uitenhage. They lived in Port Elizabeth.

    2. Levinthal – Kamener marriage, Uitenhage, 1939

  2. Max Alexander Kaminer was born in 1913 and died at the age of 2 months on 13 November 1913 in Calitzdorp from whooping cough (pertussis).

  3. Abraham Kamener (1915-2003) was born in Calitzdorp. He was a general merchant and lived in Queen Street. In 1943 he married a Cape Townian, Sonia Rachel Jacobs (1922-2009), in Cape Town. In that same year he bought a house on the northwest corner of Calitz and Kerk Street. The family subsequently moved to Cape Town where he died on the 10 August 2003.

    4. Kamener – Jacobs marriage, Cape Town, 1934

  4. Rachel Leah Kamener (1918-2008) married Charles Brener (1910-1999), an attorney, in 1941 in Riversdale. They were both residents in Calitzdorp at the time of their marriage. The family subsequently lived in Cape Town.

  5. Arthur Louis Kamener was the fifth child. He died in 1969 in Oudtshoorn. He was survived by his wife and daughters.

  6. Jack Kamener (1923-1930) died at the age of 7 years in Calitzdorp from meningitis.

  7. Alexander Kamener (1925-1946) was a shop assistant. He died from bronchopneumonia at the age of 21.

  8. George Kamener (1932-2005) was the youngest child. He was born on the 26 November 1932. He married Elizabeth Mollen Pio (1945-2012) in 1965. He died in Mossel Bay.

References:

  1. Winkeliers / Algemene Handelaars: Kamener, Nathan, Rusland, 1883, getrou Miriam Isserman. Hulle woon moontlik in Barrystr. 13.
  2. Winkeliers / Algemene Handelaars: Kamener, Abraham. Hy is 27 jaar oud in 1943 toe hy met Sonia Rachel Jacobs trou. In dieselde jaar koop hy die huis op die noordwesterlike hoek van Calitz- en Kerkstr.
  3. Geni record.
  4. Geni record.

KAPLAN

Abraham Moses (Avram Moshe) Kaplan (1853-1934) and Golde Freide Kaplan née Goodman (d. 1923) emigrated from Kelmė, Lithuania, to South Africa. They had 7 children and resided in Calitzdorp. He possessed a Sefer Torah and daily services were held in his home as there was no synagogue. He ran a boarding house and employed a shochet for his boarders.

Kaplan children:

  1. Fanny (Faige) Kaplan (1884-1952) married Morris Katz in Kelmė, Lithuania. They emigrated to South Africa with their 4 older children. Their 3 younger children were born in South Africa. The family resided in Calitzdorp.

  2. Chaya Miriam Kaplan (1885-1960) was married to Rabbi Dov Behr Baitz (1872-1948). He was naturalized in 1907. The family lived in Van Wyksdorp. They subsequently moved to Cape Town.

  3. Sarah Kaplan (1889-1956) married Abel Moses (Abraham Morris) Chasen (1887-1958), a general dealer at Buffeljagtsfontein, on the 13 May 1914 in Calitzdorp. Sarah was also resident at Buffeljagtsfontein at the time of her marriage. The Chasen family moved to Potchefstroom and subsequently lived in Port Elizabeth.

    4. Chasen – Kaplan marriage, Calitzdorp, 1914

  4. Barte Kaplan (1889-1941), also known as Betty, married Samuel Herman (1881-1949) in Calitzdorp in 1910. He was naturalized in 1909. At the time of their marriage, he was a general dealer at Groot Rivier, district Ladismith, and she was resident at Buffeljagtsfontein. They were married by Assistant Resident Magistrate G. J. A. Reid (1871-1907). One of the witnesses was her brother, Jacob Kaplan. The second witness was M. Fischer. In 1912 Samuel Herman’s business was declared insolvent. He subsequently farmed at Welbedacht. Barte and Samuel Herman are buried in the Jewish Cemetery, Oudtshoorn.

    5. Herman – Kaplan marriage, Calitzdorp, 1910

  5. Jacob L. Kaplan (1890-1933) was a bachelor. He was a farmer and feather buyer and lived at Armoed, district Oudtshoorn. He died at the age of 44 at in the Royal South Western Hospital, Oudtshoorn. He is buried in the Jewish Cemetery, Oudtshoorn.

  6. Susan Kaplan (1896-1956) married Samuel Harry Batzofin (1880-1956), a storekeeper from Doorn River, district George. He was naturalized in 1903. They were married on the 29 April 1918 in Calitzdorp. Their marriage was officiated by resident magistrate, Henry Haughan Hudson. One of the witnesses was her brother-in-law, Abraham Morris Chasen. At the time of the marriage, Susan Kaplan was resident at Jan Fourie’s Kraal, district Calitzdorp. The Batzofin family lived in Oudtshoorn and subsequently in Port Elizabeth.

    7. Batzofin – Kaplan marriage, Calitzdorp, 1918

  7. Joseph Kaplan (1897-1970) married Rebecca Kanter (1900-1984) on the 20 March 1923 in Calitzdorp. They subsequently lived in Oudtshoorn.

    8. Kaplan – Kanter marriage, Calitzdorp, 1923

References:


KATZ

Morris Katz (1883-1953) and Fanny (Faige) Katz née Kaplan (1884-1952) were married in Kelmė, Russia (Lithuania), and emigrated to South Africa with their 4 older children. Three more children were born in South Africa. Morris Katz was a general dealer in Calitzdorp and had the shop 'M Katz en Seuns', which was situated at 17 Koningin Street. It was built in 1939. In 1943 Morris Katz bought the property at 14 Queen Street. The Katz family were the best-known Jewish shopkeepers in Calitzdorp. One of their sons was a butcher.



Katz children:

  1. Asher Joseph Katz (1891-1985) was a bachelor. He lived and died in Calitzdorp.

  2. Ethel Leah Katz (1904-1981) married Frederick Moss Levenberg (1904-1938) on the 16 March 1937 at the Great Synagogue, Cape Town. She was widowed a year later and moved back to Calitzdorp. She died in Calitzdorp.

  3. David Louis (Leib) Katz (1906-1980) was a bachelor and was a general dealer.

  4. Philip Sidney Katz (1907-1979) was a clerk. He married the widow Judith Susarah Baldwin née Coleman (1903-1990) on 20 November 1941 in Oudtshoorn. When he got married, he was living in Koningin Street and his wife was resident at Hoofstraat (Main Street), Calitzdorp. His wife was the widow of Peter William Baldwin (1887-1940), and they were married in 1921. Baldwin was a storekeeper at Welbedacht. Prior to his death, he worked as a bar steward (bar kelner). Philip Katz owned the Highway Café, which was situated on the southwestern corner of Voortrekker and Pretorius Street. He and his wife are buried in the non-Jewish New Cemetery, Calitzdorp.

    5. Katz – Baldwin marriage, Oudtshoorn, 1941

    Tombstone of Philip and Judith Katz

  5. Sylvia (Sarah) Katz (1912-1974) was a spinster and lived in Cape Town.

  6. Benjamin Katz (1914-1965) was a bachelor. He was a general dealer in Calitzdorp and lived in Queen Street.

  7. Gertrude Rachel Katz (1921-1986) married Jacob (Jack) Berg (1921-1982) on the 28 March 1948 in Cape Town and the family lived in Cape Town. They had a son, Aubrey Berg.

    8. Berg – Katz marriage, Cape Town, 1948

Fanny Katz died in Calitzdorp in 1952 and her husband Morris in Cape Town in 1953. They and 5 of their children, Asher Joseph, Ethel Leah, David, Sylvia and Benjamin, are all buried in the Oudtshoorn Jewish Cemetery. Their son Philip Sidney is buried in the Christian cemetery in Calitzdorp.

References:

  1. Slagters: Katz. Een van die Katze was volgens oorlewering ook 'n slagter.
  2. Winkeliers / Algemene Handelaars: Katz, Morris, Litaue, 1883-1953, getroud Fanny. Hul winkel, M. Katz en Seuns, was in Koninginstraat 17 en is in 1939 gebou, maar dit brand in 1990s af. Die ou winkel geboutjie skuins oorkant die St. Markus Kerk was die Katze se oorsponklike winkel.
  3. Winkeliers / Algemene Handelaars: Katz, David Leib, Rusland, 1906-1980. Hy was 'n seun van Morris en Fanny en ongetroud.
  4. Koffiehuise / Kafees: Katz, Philip Sidney, Rusland, 1907-1979, getroud Judith Susarah Baldwin née Colman. Katz was 'n seun Morris en Fanny Katz. Sy kafee, Highway Café, was op die suidwestelike hoek van Voortrekker- en Pretoriusstr, maar is gesloop met die straatverbreding in die 1970s.
  5. Geni record.

KRUTH

There were 3 Kruth siblings who resided in Calitzdorp:

  1. Louis Kruth (1885-1938) emigrated to South Africa and applied for naturalization in 1908. He took out a mortgage bond with George Johannes Gundling in 1910. Two years later, his business was declared insolvent. He then worked as a shop assistant in Warmwater. He married Bertha Brown (1900-1977) on 22 April 1924 in Oudtshoorn. Her parents, Samuel Brown and Sarah Dinah Brown, had emigrated from England and settled in Oudtshoorn. He died on the 11 June 1938 in Calitzdorp and is buried in Oudtshoorn.

  2. Isidore (Israel) Kruth emigrated to South Africa and applied for naturalization in 1905. He and Bernard Wolff applied for a mortgage bond in 1904. He took out further mortgage bonds in 1907 and 1908. In 1912 he and his brother-in-law, Samuel Miller, had a court case against his brother, Louis Kruth. By 1915 his business was declared insolvent. Isidore remained in Calitzdorp and in 1934 applied to build a small dam on the farm, Warmwater. All his children were born in Calitzdorp - Elizabeth (1911), Moses (1915), Charles (1922) and Isaac (1929). All his children married out of the faith. Isidore Kruth died on the 7 April 1948 and is buried in the Oudtshoorn Jewish Cemetery.
    3. Location of Isidore Kruth's farm

  3. Sarah Kruth married Samuel Miller (1877-1966), a tailor, in 1908 in Calitzdorp. Her husband had been resident in Calitzdorp from 1896. They had 4 children. The family subsequently moved to Johannesburg. (See Samuel Miller.)

References:

  1. Geni record.
  2. NASA – 1910, Mortgage Bond. George Johannes Grundling and Louis Kruth.
  3. NASA – 1912, Kruth, Louis. Insolvent Liquidation and Distribution Account.
  4. Geni record.
  5. NASA – 1904, Mortgage Bond. Bernhard Wolff And Israel Kruth.
  6. NASA – 1907, Mortgage Bond. Isidore Kruth.
  7. NASA – 1908, Mortgage Bond. Isidore Kruth.
  8. NASA – 1911, Record of Proceedings of Provisional Case. Isidore Kruth versus Arthur Kinnear.
  9. NASA – 1912, Record of Proceedings of Provisional Case. Isidore Kruth and Samuel Miller versus Louis Kruth.
  10. NASA – 1912, Motion. Isidore Kruth and Moses Joseph and Morris Joseph Trading as M Joseph and Co. versus Gerhardus Petrus Lategan.
  11. NASA – 1914, Motion. Opposed Application. Frederick Andries Calitz versus Isidore Kruth. Removal to Circuit Court.
  12. NASA – 1915, Kruth, Isidore. Insolvent Liquidation and Distribution Account.
  13. NASA – 1934, Application for building of a small dam. Farm: Warmwater. Applicant: Kruth, Isidore.
  14. Geni record.

LANDAU

Moses Landau (1855-1920) and his wife, Rebecca Leah Landau née Kabaker (1861-1941), arrived in the village in 1888 with their infant daughter Ada (1885-1967). He applied for naturalization together with his brother-in-law Lazarus Rapeport. His sister, Hena Mindel Solomon (née Landau), and her husband, Louis Solomon, emigrated to South Africa with their 2 children and also settled in Calitzdorp in the mid 1890s. Landau was a shopkeeper in the village and incurred a huge debt. In 1895 a request to sequestrate his estate was filed in the Supreme Court of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope by Prince Vincent and Company and Lazarus Rapeport, who had signed surety for him. In 1900 the Landau family left Calitzdorp and emigrated to Chicago, USA, where his parents-in-law lived. The Landau family subsequently returned to South Africa and lived in Johannesburg. Ada Landau married David Leo Behrmann (1881-1936), a chemist, in 1911 in Johannesburg. She was a teacher at Athlone Boys’ High School. The couple were childless. Following her death, she bequeathed her estate to the blind. Her tombstone is inscribed with her first name as Ida Behrmann.


Arrival record of the Landau family in New York on S.S. New York, 15 April 1900

References:

  1. Schamroth Rapeport, N. The Rapeport Meyer family sojourn in South Africa. 2014.
  2. Geni record.
  3. Zara Aginsky, relative, Ra’anana, Israel.

LEVENBERG

Frederick Moses Levenberg (1904-1938) married Ethel Leah Katz (1904-1981), daughter of Morris Katz and Fanny Katz of Calitzdorp, on the 16 March 1937 at the Great Synagogue, Cape Town. He worked as a salesman. He died a year after their marriage in Cape Town. His widow returned to live with her family in Calitzdorp.


LEVINKIND

Leopold Levinkind (1892-1963) was the eldest son of Nathan Levinkind (1855-1945) and Fanny Levinkind née Solewitzik (1870-1953). He was born in Colesberg, Bo Karoo. He was a civil engineer and was an assistant engineer during the building of the Nel’s River Dam (1913-1918) at Calitzdorp. The dam was built for irrigation purposes and was completed in 1918. It was South Africa’s first concrete gravity dam. In 1919 Levinkind was appointed Assistant Engineer in the Department of Irrigation. He married Rose Mann (1905-1987), daughter of Joel Isidore Mann (1874-1936) and Annie Mann née Joseph (1878-1960) of Ladismith. They were married on the 14 December 1926 in Oudtshoorn. At that time both he and his wife were resident in Oudtshoorn. They were married by Reverend M. Woolfson. In 1948 the couple got divorced. In 1950 he married Pauline Frank née Barnett, a widow, in Cape Town.


References:

  1. Ingenieurs: Levekind, L. Asistent ingenieur met die bou van die Nelsrivierdam (1913-1918).
  2. Geni record.

LEVITTON

Max Lewitton (1889-1961) was a farmer and speculator. He married Helen Bertha Sagor (1898-1930) in 1920 in Worcester and they had 4 children, Joseph Louis (1920-2001), Cherry (1922-1998), Harry (1924-1992) and Florence (b. 1928). The family lived in Oudtshoorn. After he was widowed, he married Bessie Lewis née Waldman (1905-1994), a widow, in 1933 in Cape Town.

Eva Lewitton (1889-1917) was the daughter of Zisleh Lewitton. She was born in Shavli, Russian Empire (Šiauliai, Lithuania). She married Philip Noll (1880-1918), son of Juda Noll (1847-1901) and Etta Dinah Noll née Sejevitz (1839-1919) of Oudtshoorn. He was a general dealer at Opzoek, district Ladismith. They were married on 18 June 1913 in Oudtshoorn. Eva died in Calitzdorp in 1917 and her husband died a year later in Ladismith during the Spanish Flu epidemic.

References:

  1. Geni record.
  2. Geni record.

LEWIN

Hermann Lewin (1838-1923) and Bertha Lewin née Alexander (1845-1907) emigrated to South Africa from Prussia and settled in Oudtshoorn. He was a farmer and was one of the wealthiest ostrich feather buyers in Oudtshoorn. They had 6 children. Three of their children resided in South Africa. A son emigrated to the British Mandate of Palestine and 2 daughters remained in Germany.

Lewin children associated with Calitzdorp.

  1. Moritz Lewin (1870-1925) was born in Znin, Żnin County, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland. He married Jenny Sachs (1871-1949) in Posen, Germany (Poznan, Poland). In 1893 he applied for naturalization in South Africa. In 1899, following the arrival of his wife to South Africa, the couple registered an antenuptial contract. They lived in Oudtshoorn with their 6 children. He was a feather merchant.

  2. Benjamin Lewin (d. 1971) was a feather buyer. He applied for naturalization in 1902. He married Rebecca Woolfson (1882-1965) in 1907 in Oudtshoorn. He was in business with his father and they traded as Herman Lewin and Son.

  3. Paulina Lewin (1877-1963) married Dr Israel Stusser (1877-1973) on the 15 October 1907 in Oudtshoorn. The family lived in Port Elizabeth.

References:


LICHTER

Moses Lichter (1853-1928) and Hanna Lichter née Kaplan (1855-1930) had 5 children. They emigrated from Kelmė, Lithuania, and resided in Oudtshoorn. He was an ostrich feather buyer as was his oldest son, Barney Lichter (1874-1934). His son Goodman Lichter (1886-1950) was a shopkeeper in Calitzdorp. Goodman Lichter married Sarah Meirowsky (1894-1953) on the 28 June 1917 in Oudtshoorn.


References:


MALTZ

Jephiem (Jechiel) Solomon Maltz (1878-1962) lived in Calitzdorp, where he worked as an ostrich feather buyer from the late 1800s until the early 1900s. He was also a member of the firm Stusser & Co.1 and was a speculator. He was naturalized in 1903. He married Hannah Solomon (1885-1954), the daughter of Louis Solomon and Hena Mindel Solomon née Landau of Calitzdorp. The couple were married on 16 November 1904 in Oudtshoorn. Reverend Myers Woolfson of the Queen Street synagogue officiated at their wedding, and their witnesses were M. Sanders and N. Sanders2. They had 5 children, who were all born in Calitzdorp. The family subsequently lived in Johannesburg.

Maltz children:

  1. Meyer Maltz was born in 1905. He qualified as a lawyer. He married Jane Ethyl Davidson (1912-2013) and the family lived in Krugersdorp. He died in his nineties and his wife at the age of 100.

  2. Isaac Maltz (1906 -1993), known as Ian, was an attorney and was active in the Maccabi movement in South Africa. He served as Mayor of Johannesburg from 1958-1959.

  3. Ida Rachel Maltz (1909-2005) married Harry Kaplan (1906-1978) and the family lived in Durban. She was active in Jewish communal affairs in Durban.

  4. Jennie Maltz (1911-2001) was born in Warmbad, district of Calitzdorp. She married Israel Gevisser (1899-1970), a widower from Durban, in 1953. They lived in Durban. She was active in Jewish communal affairs.

  5. Miriam Maltz (1913-1989) married Philip Kalinko (d. 1981) and they lived in Johannesburg. Following her husband's death, she moved to Durban and is buried in the Redhill Cemetery.

Maltz – Solomon marriage, Oudtshoorn, 1904

Isaac Maltz, South African Jewish Year Book 1945 and South African Jewry 1967-8

Jennie Gevisser née Maltz – South African Jewry 1976-77

References:

  1. In 1901 Abraham Stusser took out a joint loan with his two brothers-in-law, Robert Sladowsky and Adolf Wolff, and the three men went into partnership in a store, "A. Stusser and Co.". This was a large general store in Oudtshoorn at the corner of High St. and St. John St., selling a wide variety of goods from farm implements to household wares, bedsteads, furniture and bicycles.
  2. The witnesses of his marriage were most likely the Sander brothers, Moses and Nahum, ostrich feather buyers.
  3. Spekulante: Maltz, Jephiem Solomon. Hy was ook lid van die firma Stusser & Co. wat volstruisveerkopers was. Volstruisveerkopers. Maltz, Jephiem Solomon, werksaam laat 1800s tot vroeg 1900s.
  4. The South African Jewish Year Book: Directory of Jewish Organizations and Who's Who in South African Jewry, 1945, page 55.
  5. South African Jewry 1967-8 Edition. A Survey of the Jewish Community; Its Contributions to South Africa; Directory of Communal Institutions; and a Who's Who of Leading Personalities. Feldberg, Leon (Editor). Maltz, Ian, page 346.
  6. South African Jewry 1976-77 Edition. A Survey of the Jewish Community; Its Contributions to South Africa; Directory of Communal Institutions; and a Who's Who of Leading Personalities Feldberg Leon (Editor). Gevisser, Jennie, page 185.
  7. Geni record.

MANASEWITZ

Louis Manasewitz (1862-1928), Sheva Manasewitz née Woolf (1853-1909) and their 6 children emigrated from Shavlan, Russia (Šiaulėnai, Lithuania) to South Africa and settled in Calitzdorp. Louis was a skin and hide buyer. In 1909 his wife died at their home in Calitzdorp, apparently following complications sustained in a horse cart accident. Their youngest daughter, Hannah Leah, was a minor of 10 years old. Following his wife's death, Louis Manasewitz married Agnes Rosina Saber (1879-1918) in Johannesburg, and they lived in Witbank, Transvaal. Louis subsequently moved to Cape Town and is buried in Maitland Gate 8 cemetery.

Manasewitz children:

  1. Chaim Harris Manasewitz (1879-1951), known as Harris, was a general dealer in Oudtshoorn. He applied for naturalization in 1903. The following year, in 1904, he married Bessy Epstein (1887-1978) in Oudtshoorn. They had 6 children. The family subsequently moved to Witbank where he was in business with his younger brother Morris and they traded as H. and M. Manasewitz (Harris Manasewitz and Morris Manasewitz). In 1919 the family emigrated to the USA and lived in Nashville. At the time of their emigration, Harris's father, Louis, was living in Witbank. (Box 20, Witbank, Transvaal.)

  2. Aron David Manasewitz (1879-1969) was an ostrich feather buyer in Calitzdorp. He was naturalized in 1902. In 1904 he owned 'Manasewitz en Kie'. He married a Cape Townian, Rachel Sakinofsky, on the 20 June 1909 at the Great Synagogue, Cape Town. They lived in Calitzdorp, where their eldest son Sidney (1910-1932) was born. The family then moved to Maitland, Cape Town. Their daughter Rebecca (Reeva) (1913-1991) was born in 1913, and their son Meyer Anzil (1919-1945) was born in 1919. Their eldest son, Sidney, died at the age of 21 from valvular heart disease in Cape Town. Their son Meyer Anzil died on active service during World War Two, whilst serving in the South African Medical Corps. Their daughter, Rebecca, married Solomon Chaim Osrin (1909-1978) in 1939 in Cape Town. The family lived in Durban and following her husband's death Rebecca lived in Johannesburg.

  3. Morris Selig Manasewitz (1882-1952) applied for naturalization in 1903. In 1914 he married Eva Anolek (1889-1973) in Johannesburg. At that time, he was resident in Ladismith, Cape Province, and his wife was resident in Benoni. He was in business with his older brother Harris, trading as H. and M. Manasewitz (Harris Manasewitz and Morris Manasewitz). In 1921 the National Bank of South Africa Ltd. applied for compulsory sequestration of the business, which was opposed by the court. However, in 1923 there was an application for business rehabilitation. By this time, his brother Harris was living in the USA. Morris and his family lived in Benoni.

  4. Dora Zellie Manasewitz (1887-1956) moved from Calitzdorp to Oudtshoorn and in 1912 she married Israel Hoberman (1896-1974) in Oudtshoorn. He was a merchant from Cape Town. The Hoberman family subsequently lived in Cape Town.

  5. Jacob Elias Manasewitz (1888-1976) was born in Shavlan (Šiaulėnai) Lithuania. He came to South Africa in 1905. He was educated at South African College School, Cape Town. He was a solicitor and notary. In 1921, he married Annie Feinberg (1898-1982) in Pretoria. They had 3 children and the family lived in Witbank. He and his wife retired to Muizenberg.

    6. The South African Jewish Year Book 1929

  6. Hannah Leah Manasewitz (1892-1975) moved with her father to Witbank when he married Agnes Rosina Saber (1879 -1918). She married Louis Joshua Scolnik (1881-1942) in 1919 in Johannesburg and the family lived in Kroonstad.

References:

  1. Volstruisveerkopers: Manasewitz, D (Manasewitz & Kie) werksaam in 1904.
  2. The South African Jewish Year Book: Directory of Jewish Organizations and Who's Who in South African Jewry 1929, Manasewitz, Jacob Elias, page 354.
  3. The South African Jewish Year Book: Directory of Jewish Organizations and Who's Who in South African Jewry 1945, Manasewitz, Jacob Elias, page 55.
  4. Geni record.

MANASCHEWITZ

Wulf Manaschewitz (1853-1925) and Sarah Rebecca Manaschewitz née Baitz (1853-1934) emigrated to South Africa with their 5 children, Jeannie Cohen née Manaschewitz (1873-1964), Isaac Herman Manaschewitz (1875-1943), Israel David Manaschewitz (1879-1966), Herman Manaschewitz (1881-1973) and Dora Regensburg née Manaschewitz (1886-1974). In 1891 Wulf applied for naturalization together with Louis Rapeport in Oudtshoorn. Wulf was listed as a general dealer in Langverwacht in 1904. His sons were also general dealers in the Calitzdorp region.


Location of Langerwacht

Manaschewitz children:

  1. Isaac Herman Manaschewitz (1875-1943), known as Chaim, applied for naturalization in 1904. He married Bertha Berelowitz (1879-1938), whose family resided in Oudtshoorn. They were married on the 21 June 1904 in Oudtshoorn. They had 4 children, Moses (Monty), Hessel, born in 1905, Daniel in 1907, David Kopel in 1914 and a daughter Evelyn. Their home language was Yiddish. The family lived in Calitzdorp, where he was a dealer and shochet and was permitted to slaughter poultry. He was also a farmer and owned a horse and cart. He spoke Afrikaans and English. He moved the family to Oudtshoorn where he owned an ostrich farm and became very wealthy. After the 1916 ostrich feathers crash, he lost his business and found life very hard. He opened a store in the town and traded as an 'algemene handelaar' (general trader). The family apparently struggled financially. His two sons changed their surname from Manaschewitz to Mann.

    2. Isaac and Bertha Manaschewitz

  2. Israel David Manaschewitz (1879-1966), who applied for naturalization in 1902, was a merchant in Nooitgedacht when he married Fanny Rachel Seinker from Middelburg. They were married on the 8 February 1910 in Middelburg. In 1933 they got divorced. He never remarried. He died at the age of 87 at the Jewish Aged Home, Johannesburg.

    3. Manaschewitz – Seinker marriage, 1910

  3. Herman Manaschewitz (1881-1973) was the youngest son and was born in Šiauliai (Savel), Lithuania. He was educated at South African College School, Cape Town. After school he qualified as a land surveyor. He married Dora Gordon (1883-1959) in 1906 in Ladismith. In 1912 he served as a land surveyor in Calitzdorp. He and his wife had 3 children. The family settled in Pietersburg.

Herman Manaschewitz

The South African Jewish Year Book 1929

References:

  1. NASA – 1891, Memorial Received. Spencer J Rose Innes. Requesting Letters of Naturalization for Lewis Rapeport and Wulf Manaschewitz.
  2. Winkeliers / Algemene Handelaars: Manasewitz, W. Werksaam in Langverwacht in 1904.
  3. Geni record.
  4. Winkeliers / Algemene Handelaars: Manasewitz, I. Werksaam in 1904 in Nooitgedacht. Manasewitz, J. Werksaam in 1912.
  5. Landmeters: Manasewitz, H. Werksaam in 1912.
  6. The South African Jewish Year Book: Directory of Jewish Organizations and Who's Who in South African Jewry 1929, Manaschewitz, Herman, page 354.

MANN

The three sons of Isaac Herman Manaschewitz, a farmer in Calitzdorp, changed their surname to Mann.

  1. Moses (Monty) Hessel Mann was born in 1905 in Oudtshoorn. He was educated at Oudtshoorn Boys' High School. He was a journalist and served on the editorial staff of the Oudtshoorn Courant. He married Annie Geffen in 1936 in Paarl. They had a daughter and the family lived in Johannesburg.

  2. Daniel Mann (1907-1978) married Sarah Esther Fedler (1916-1992) in Johannesburg in 1939 and the family resided in Johannesburg.

  3. David Kopel Mann (1914-2008) was born in Calitzdorp. He married Rahlyn Woolf (1922-2015) in 1948 in Bloemfontein. He was an advocate. The family lived in Johannesburg, where he was involved in Jewish communal affairs. He and his wife emigrated to Australia to join their children.

South African Jewry, 1967-8 Edition

References:

  1. Geni record.
  2. Geni record.
  3. South African Jewry, 1967-8 Edition. A Survey of the Jewish Community; Its Contributions to South Africa; Directory of Communal Institutions; and a Who's Who of Leading Personalities. Feldberg, Leon (Editor). Mann, David Kopel, and Mann, Monty Hessel, page 347.

MILLER

Samuel Miller (1877-1966) was a tailor and settled in Calitzdorp in 1896. He applied for naturalization in 1907. The following year, he married Sarah Kruth (b. 1885) on the 15 September 1908. She was the sister of Isidore and Louis Kruth. Their marriage was officiated by the resident magistrate. They had 4 children, who were all born in Calitzdorp. The family moved to Johannesburg. Samuel died at the age of 89.


Miller – Kruth marriage, Calitzdorp, 1908

Miller children:

  1. Bertha (Blume) Miller (1911-1979) married Simon Firer (1906-1957) in Oudtshoorn in 1936. They settled in Pretoria.

  2. Moses (Mossie) Miller (1913-1984) initially married Freide Libe Rikaite on the 29 November 1939 in Prince Albert. At that time, he was a shopkeeper and was resident in Oudtshoorn. Following their divorce, he married Bertha Lewenthal (1923-1949) in 1943 in Johannesburg. She died 6 years later, at the age of 26. He subsequently married the widow Sarah Bella Richman née Schnider (1925-2020) in 1951 in Johannesburg and they lived in Bloemfontein.

  3. Diana (Dinah) Miller (1913-1998) married Israel (Solly) Leventhal (1907-1971) in 1942 in Johannesburg. At that time, he was serving in the Union Defence Force. His family lived in Port Elizabeth.

  4. Pauline Miller (1920-1981) married William Barlin (1915-1970) in 1942 in Johannesburg. They lived in Parys, Orange Free State.

References:

  1. Kleremakers / Snyers: Miller, S. Snyer vanaf 1897: St Jude, Oudtshoorn.
  2. Geni record.
  3. NASA – 1912, Record of Proceedings of Provisional Case. Isidore Kruth and Samuel Miller versus Louis Kruth.

MODLIN

Meier Modlin (1872-1938) was born in Druya, Vilna, Russian Empire (Belarus). He was a divorcee. He married Leah Solomon (1872-1924) in Jonava, Lithuania, on the 19 January 1901 and they emigrated to South Africa. He was an ostrich feather buyer and the family lived in Calitzdorp. His wife's brother, Louis Solomon, and her sister, Malka Hyman, were also resident in Calitzdorp. The Modlins had 6 children. Their eldest son Leib Peretz (Louis Pierre) was born in December 1901 in Calitzdorp, Samuel Harris in 1904 in Ladismith, Mordechai David in 1905 in Calitzdorp, Joseph in 1906 and Rose in 1909 in Calitzdorp and Hyman Simon in 1910 in Oudtshoorn. Two of his sons changed their surname to Modlinne. Meier was naturalized in 1904. In 1924 Leah Modlin died from pulmonary tuberculosis. At that time, she was living at Hottentotskraal, in the Karringmelksrivier district near Swellendam. She is buried in the Riversdale Jewish cemetery. Meier died in Oudtshoorn in 1938 and is buried in the Jewish Cemetery.

Modlin children:

  1. Louis Pierre Modlinne (1901-1977) married Rachel Radowsky (1902-1980) in Germiston. He was a businessman and they subsequently lived in Hermanus.

  2. Samuel Harris Modlin (1904-1982) married Rebecca Firer in 1932 in Cape Town. They lived in Johannesburg.

  3. Mordechai David Modlin died at the age of three weeks from convulsions in October 1905 in Calitzdorp.

  4. Joseph Modlin (1906-1984) married Lena Cohen (1909-1949) in 1936. Following her death, he married Hilda Lipshitz in 1955 and they lived in Cape Town.

  5. Rose Modlin (1909-1979) married a farmer, Cornelius Johannes Petrus Meyer (1894-1950), who lived in the George area. They were married in the Dutch Reformed Church in 1930 in George. She changed her first name to Rosina. The couple subsequently moved to Bellville, Cape Province.

  6. Hyman Simon Modlinne (1911-1994) married Hessie Zinman (1910-1998) and they lived in Cape Town.

Listing of the marriage of Meier Modlin and Leah Solomon, Jonava, 1901

Photographs of Meyer Modlin and his eldest son, Leib Peretz, known as Louis Pierre Modlinne

References:

  1. NASA – 1904, Application for Letters of Naturalization. Myer Modlin.
  2. JewishGen List of marriages, Jonava, Kaunas, Lithuania.
  3. Geni record.

OLINSKY

Jacob Olinsky (1851-1930) and Miriam Olinksy née Sladowsky (1851-1931) were married in England and emigrated to South Africa. They settled in Oudtshoorn, where he was a general dealer. They had 10 children - Abraham Olinsky (1877-1943), Annie Wolff née O’linsky (1876-1953), Lazarus O’linsky (1877-1943), Dinah Olinsky (1878-1899), Samuel Olinski (1879-1939), Joseph Olinsky (1885-1937), Isaac Olinsky (1889-1952), David O’Linn (1893-1941), Louis Olinsky (1895-1918) and Robert O’Linn. The two youngest sons, Louis and Robert, served in World War One with the 3rd Infantry Battalion. Some of the sons changed the spelling of their surname to O’Linsky and O’Linn. Three of the Olinsky sons as well as the husband of Annie O’linksy, Herman Wolff, were associated with Calitzdorp.

Olinsky children associated with Calitzdorp:

  1. Annie O’Linsky (1876-1953) married Herman Wolff (1870-1919), a shopkeeper, on the 6 September 1898 in Oudtshoorn. They subsequently lived at Welbedacht. (See Herman Wolff).

  2. Lazarus Olinsky (1877-1943) was the eldest son and was born in England. He was a farmer. In 1904 he lived at Andrieskraal but he subsequently moved to Uitenhage. In 1927 he married Magdalena Susanna Aletta Fourie in Uitenhage.

  3. Samuel Olinski / Olinsky (1879-1939) was born in South Africa. In 1904 he worked as a clerk at Goedverwachting. He married Alberta Magdalena Gertruida Wilhemina Lombard (1872-1949) on the 14 February 1906 in Oudtshoorn. At that time, his occupation was that of a speculator. Following his marriage, he converted to Christianity and was baptized in August 1906. He died in Oudtshoorn and is buried in the Hollandse Kerkhof cemetery.

    4. Olinsky – Lombard marriage, Oudtshoorn, 1906

  4. Isaac Olinsky (1889-1952) was born in South Africa. He was a kosher butcher in Calitzdorp. He married Maria Marietjie Theresia Alida Kryns (1890-1971) on the 15 January 1913 in Calitzdorp. The couple were married by Henry Haugham Hudson, assistant resident magistrate. His wife's younger sister, Kana Kryns, married Isaac's older brother, Joseph Olinsky. The two sisters were the daughters of Hendrik and Johanna Kryns n&ecute;e Mostert from Oudtshoorn. The young couple moved to Oudtshoorn where their son, Sidney Olinksy (1927-2016), was born in 1927. Isaac worked as a kosher butcher in Oudtshoorn. In 1935 the family moved to Cape Town. Apparently, he advised his children to change their surname from Olinsky to O’Linn. His son, Sid O’Linn (Sidney Olinksy), played Test cricket in seven Tests for South Africa between 1960 and 1961 and was a professional footballer. Isaac Olinsky died in 1952 in Cape Town. He maintained his Jewish roots and is buried in Pinelands 1 Jewish Cemetery.

Olinsky – Kryns marriage, Calitzdorp, 1913

References:

  1. Winkeliers / Algemene Handelaars: Olinsky, L, werksaam in Andrieskraal in 1904.
  2. Klerke: Olinsky, Samuel, getroud Alberta Magdalena Gertruida Johanna Lombard. Werksaam in Goedverwachting in 1904.
  3. Geni record.
  4. Geni record.
  5. Wikipedia entry: Sid O'Linn.

ORWIN

The Orwin brothers, Berel and David Orwin, settled in Bredasdorp, Cape Colony. Berel Orwin (1893-1960), a butcher and produce merchant, was widowed and married Fanny Baetz (1909-1996) of Oudtshoorn on 25 June 1939 in Oudtshoorn. His brother, David Orwin (1895-1967), also a butcher, married Esther Teper (1910-1985) on the 4 October 1939 in East London and they lived in Bredasdorp. Their son, Isidore Orwin (1945-2016), was an ostrich farmer, hide and meat trader. He married Sandra Merle Perel, a kindergarten teacher.

References:

  1. Geni record.
  2. Geni record.

RAPEPORT

  1. Lazarus Rapeport (Rappeport) (1856-1924), his wife Rose Rapeport née Kabaker (1870-1950) and infant daughter, Ida (1888-1940) arrived in the village of Calitzdorp in 1888. In that year Lazarus applied for naturalization together with his brother-in-law Moses Landau, who also settled in the village. Lazarus was an ostrich feather buyer and speculator. Rose Rapeport gave birth to two sons in Calitzdorp – Samuel in 1891 and Joseph in 1894. In 1909 Rose and the three children emigrated to Chicago, Illinois, USA. Lazarus Rapeport remained in South Africa and never saw his family again. He moved to Queenstown. He continued to work as a speculator and was also a commission agent. It appears that he changed the spelling of his surname from Rapeport to Rappeport after he left Calitzdorp. He died in 1924 in hospital in Cradock, where he was buried as Lazarus Rappeport. He bequeathed his estate to his wife and children in the USA, who also spelled their surname as Rappeport. His son Samuel subsequently changed his surname to Rapp.

  2. Louis (Lewis) Rapeport (1859-1926) was born in Horodok, near Minsk, Russian Empire (Belarus) in 1859. He arrived in South Africa in 1890 and settled in Oudtshoorn, where he was a hawker. In 1891 he applied for naturalization together with Wulf Manaschewitz (1853-1925). He moved to Calitzdorp where he worked as a shopkeeper. In December 1892 he married Yetta Fleischer (née Sebasewitz) (1868-1894), a widow, at the Jewish Synagogue, Oudtshoorn. He stated on the marriage certificate that he was a widower. His wife Yetta died 18 months later in Calitzdorp and was buried in the Oudtshoorn Jewish cemetery. Following her death, Louis Rapeport moved to the Transvaal Republic where he met Louisa Etten (née Kantor) (1871-1930), a widow with 2 young daughters. They were married on the 23 June 1895 in Johannesburg. A year later, William Rapeport (1896-1952) was born in Fordsburg, Johannesburg. Following the birth, the family moved from Johannesburg to Calitzdorp. Two more sons were born in Calitzdorp. They were Martin Rapeport (1899-1976) and Lazarus Rapeport (1903-1961). Whilst resident in Calitzdorp, from 1903 to 1907, Louis Rapeport incurred significant debt on a property which formed part of the Calitz family farm Buffel's Vallei (Valley). The debt amounts incurred from numerous mortgage bonds exceeded £12 575. During this time, the flourishing ostrich feather trade collapsed and the Rapeport family, together with other families, were left destitute. In 1916, the Rapeport family moved to Rustenburg, Transvaal. In December 1916 the oldest daughter of Louisa Rapeport, Rosa Etten, married Solomon Goldstein, and the couple went to live in Pretoria. During the Great Flu epidemic of 1918, Louisa's younger daughter, Annie Etten, died and was buried in Rustenburg. Regarding the three Rapeport sons, the eldest, William and youngest, Lazarus, remained in Rustenburg. In 1933, William opened a clothing outfitter and draper's store. He was active in civic affairs, serving as a town councillor. He was elected Mayor of Rustenburg during 1946-1947 and was the only Jew in Rustenburg to serve in this position. Lazarus, who was born 'deaf and dumb', remained in Rustenburg and lived with his mother. The middle son, Martin, moved to Kensington, Johannesburg, after he got married. Louis Rapeport died on the 6 April 1926 in Pretoria. He is buried in the Rebecca Street Cemetery, Pretoria. His English name is inscribed as Max Louis Rapeport.

Rapeport – Sebasewitz marriage, 1892

References:

  1. Schamroth Rapeport, N. The Rapeport Meyer family sojourn in South Africa. 2014.
  2. Winkeliers / Algemene Handelaars: Rapeport, L, werksaam in 1904.
  3. Geni record.
  4. Geni record.

SANDERS

Moses Sanders (1854-1932) and Nahum Sanders (1860-1918) were brothers. They were born in Kelme, Lithuania, to Bernard and Rebecca Sanders. They emigrated to South Africa with their wives, Chana Finkelstein (1861-1917) and Nechame Finkelstein (1863-1939). Both men were ostrich feather buyers, and they traded together as M. and N. Sanders. It appears that at the turn of the 19th century they established the business Sanders Bros. & Co. in Calitzdorp. Moses Sanders' family lived in Oudtshoorn. Nahum Sanders' family were resident in Aliwal North, where he was an ostrich feather buyer and farmer. It appears that the two brothers were witnesses at the marriage in 1904 of Jephiem Solomon Maltz and Hannah Solomon, who settled in Calitzdorp. Moses Sanders is buried in the Oudtshoorn Jewish cemetery. His wife, brother and sister-in-law are all buried in the Orange River Cemetery, Aliwal North.

Another Sanders family settled in Oudtshoorn but did not have business interests in Calitzdorp. Wulf Sanders (1842-1910) settled there in 1885. He and his wife, Lena Sanders (1848-1918), had 12 children. He was a businessman and established W. Sanders & Sons, a draper and outfitters store in High Street. He served as President of the Queen Street Synagogue, where numerous of the Calitzdorp Jews were married. He was Noble Master of the Oudtshoorn Lodge of the Grand Order of Israel. His great-grandson Derrick Lewis has published a comprehensive document of the family history.

References:

  1. Sanders Bros. & Co. Hul besigheid was moontlik op die perseel tussen Voortrekkerstr en die kerk, voor Prince Vincent & Kie., dit aan die begin 1900 beset het.
  2. NASA – 1918, Motion. Opposed Application. National Bank of South Africa Ltd. versus Moses Sanders and Nahum Sanders trading as M and N Sanders. Compulsory Sequestration set aside.
  3. Geni record.
  4. Geni record.
  5. The Sanders Story: A Family History.

SILBERT

Moses Aryeh Silbert (1871-1934) was born in Ponedel, Russian Empire (Pandėlys, Lithuania) and was the son of Jacob and Nechama Zelbovitz. In 1895 he came to South Africa. He travelled to Cape Town on the Doune Castle and was listed as M. Selbowitz on the shipping manifest. He headed to the Transvaal. Following the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1903) he returned to Russia in 1900. He married Zislah (Cecilia) Prozer (1880-1920) and they had 3 children. He then returned to South Africa and settled at Gamka, district of Oudtshoorn, where he worked as an ostrich feather buyer. He apparently adopted the surname Silbert when he discovered how difficult it was for English speakers to pronounce or spell the word Zelbovitz. In August 1905 he applied for naturalization, stating that he had been in the Colony for 5 years and 7 months. In order to qualify for naturalization, he juggled the date of his arrival in South Africa, stating that he had arrived in 1899 when he in fact had only returned in 1905. Once he had saved up enough money, he sent for his wife and children. He bought a farm in Welgerust and farmed ostriches. He prospered and bought a second farm in the area. Sam Hackner, a feather buyer, boarded with the family on their farm at Welgerust. Following the collapse of the feather industry, the Silbert family left Welgerust and settled in Oudtshoorn. Two sons were born in Oudtshoorn. When Zislah Silbert died at the age of 40, her two youngest children were only 2 and 6 years old. The family remained in Oudtshoorn until Moses and his 4 younger children moved to Durban, when Reuben was employed by Sam Hackner, who had boarded with the family. However, Moses was unhappy in Durban, and he returned to Oudtshoorn, where he died at the age of 63 following a stroke. He and his wife are buried in Oudtshoorn.

Silbert children:

  1. Their eldest daughter, Minnie Silbert (1901-1981), was born in Lithuania. She was sent from the family farm to attend Girls' High School in Oudtshoorn. She then studied at the Teachers Training College in Oudtshoorn, where she qualified as a teacher. She married Isaac Jechiel Kahn (1895-1977), an accountant, on the 10 September 1924 in Oudtshoorn. They had 2 daughters and the family lived in Oudtshoorn. Minnie moved to Cape Town following the death of her husband and died in Cape Town.

    2. The South African Jewish Year Book 1945

  2. Rebecca Silbert (1903-1992) was also born in Lithuania. She also attended Girls' High School in Oudtshoorn. Following her mother's death, she left school two years before matriculation and helped look after her younger siblings. She did a secretarial course and got a job in Oudtshoorn. She moved to Durban with her father and brothers, Reuben, Philip and Neville, when Reuben was employed by Sam Hackner.

  3. Reuben Silbert (1905-1988) was born in Lithuania. He was sent from the family farm in Welgerust to school in Oudtshoorn so that he could attend Hebrew School. He subsequently attended Boys' High School. After he matriculated, he was unable to study further due to financial constraints. He worked for merchants in Oudtshoorn. He was subsequently employed in Durban by Sam Hackner, who had boarded with the family on their farm at Welgerust. After Reuben bought a house in Durban, he brought his father, sister Rebecca and 2 younger brothers to live with him. His father returned to Oudtshoorn as he was unhappy in Durban. The rest of the family remained with Reuben. He married Rose Rabinowitz (1906-1984) and the family lived in Durban.

  4. Philip Silbert (1914-1998) was born in Oudtshoorn. Following the death of his mother, he moved to Durban and lived with his older brother Reuben and siblings. He attended Mansfield Boys High School, Durban. During World War II he served in the Union Defence Force and was taken prisoner of war in North Africa. He was interned in Italy and managed to escape to Switzerland. During his escape he met up with his younger brother Neville, who also was a prisoner of war. Philip married Hilda Morris (1922-2013) on the 5 August 1945 in Springs. At that time, he was a general merchant. The family lived in Durban.

  5. Neville Silbert (1917-2010) was born on the 15 December 1918 in Oudtshoorn. He was 2 when his mother died. He moved to Durban and lived with his older siblings, Rebecca, Reuben and Philip. He attended Mansfield Boys High School, Durban. During World War Two, in 1940 he volunteered in the Union Defence Force and was taken prisoner of war at the fall of Tobruk in June 1942. He was interned in Italy. Following the Italian Armistice, he escaped and was reunited with his brother Philip. They managed to flee to Switzerland. After he was demobilized, he managed to get a British certificate for admission to the British Mandate of Palestine and in 1945 he emigrated to Israel.
Letters of Naturalization, Moses Silbert, 1905

Location of Welgerust, where the Silbert family had a farm

Testament of Moses and Zislah Silbert, 8 December 1913, Welgerust

Silbert family, Oudtshoorn. Standing L-R: Reuben and Minnie. Sitting L-R: Moses, Philip, Neville, Isaac Kahn holding his daughter Cecily and Rebecca Kahn.

Samuel David Silbert (1871-1953) emigrated from Russia and was a speculator in the early 1900s in Calitzdorp. He was not a relative of the Silbert family who lived in Welgerust. He subsequently moved to Johannesburg. He was a retired merchant and was widowed. He died at the age of 82 and is buried in the West Park Cemetery, Johannesburg. There is no tombstone on his grave.

References:

  1. The South African Jewish Year Book: Directory of Jewish Organizations and Who's Who in South African Jewry 1945, Kahn, Isaac Jechiel, page 45.
  2. Nadine Peimer née Silbert and Norman Silbert, grandchildren, Israel.
  3. Transcription of an interview of Minnie Kahn, conducted by her cousin, Morris Silbert (1912-2008), son of Menachem Mendel Silbert (1869-1933), Canada.
  4. Geni record.
  5. Spekulante: Silbert, Samuel David. Werksaam vroeg 1900's.
  6. NASA – 1912. Illiquid Case. Moses Silbert versus Coenraad Fourie. Appeal against the decision of the Magistrate of Calitzdorp.
  7. Death Notice.
  8. Grave photo, Johannesburg.

SOLOMON

Louis Solomon (1860-1937) married Hena Mindel Landau (1862-1945) on the 25 June 1882 in Nayshtot Shaki (Wladyslawow, Russian Empire)1,2. Following the birth of their two children, Hannah in 1885 and Himie in 1890 in Jonava, he left for South Africa. Seven years later, he returned to Lithuania and brought his family to Calitzdorp. His wife’s brother, Moses Landau (1855-1920), and family were already resident in the village, having arrived in 1888. The two younger Solomon children, Ivan and Bertha, were born in Calitzdorp in 1897 and 1899 respectively. A brother and two sisters of Louis Solomon emigrated to South Africa, Bene Solomon (1868-1930), Leah Modlin (1872-1924) and Malke Hyman (1874-1941). Bene Solomon settled in Hankey, where he was a general dealer. Both sisters lived in Calitzdorp for a period of time. Following the collapse of the ostrich feather industry, the Solomon family left Calitzdorp in 1913 and settled in Potchefstroom. Louis and his wife are buried in the Potchefstroom Jewish Cemetery. Hena Mindel's first name is inscribed as Hannah Mindel on her tombstone.


Listing of marriage of Louis Solomon to Hena Landau, 1882, Wladyslawow

Solomon children:

  1. Hannah Solomon (1885-1954) married Jechiel Solomon Maltz. (See Maltz).

  2. Himie Solomon (1890-1962) married Florence Gerson (1895-1949) in 1916 at the Fordsburg Synagogue, Johannesburg. At that time, he was already resident in Potchefstroom. The family lived in Potchefstroom, where their 5 children were born. In 1946, once all their children had left Potchefstroom, they moved to Johannesburg.

  3. Ivan Israel Solomon (1898-1987) was born in 1898 in Calitzdorp. He was educated at the South African College, Cape Town. He completed his schooling in Potchefstroom and then went to the University of Pretoria, where he qualified as an attorney. He married Lilian Goldin (1897-1969) on the 5 October 1920 in Pretoria. Their son, Dennis Ivor Solomon (1927-2006), was born in 1927. Ivan Solomon was a businessman and art collector. He served as Mayor of Pretoria from 1932 to 1936. He became the sole owner of the Crocodile Estates, a consolidation of 601 plots, each 5 acres in size, which was previously predominantly owned by British investors. The estate became a significant exporter of citrus by 1939. He inaugurated the Irma Stern exhibition at the Macfadyen Memorial Hall, Pretoria, in 1933, which introduced the artist to the South African public. He and his wife, Lilian, contributed to the success of the event by commenting on her style in newspapers. On his recommendation, the Pretoria City Council decided to acquire two of her paintings, Pondo Girl and Kalk Bay Boats. In 1955, he gave the city of Pretoria a painting by Walter Battiss entitled Faun of Pretoria, which remained on display in the foyer of the city hall until 2011.

    4. The South African Jewish Year Book 1929 (left) and 1945 (right)

  4. Bertha Solomon (1899-1987) was born in Calitzdorp. She married Jacob Rottanburg (1899-1972), a farmer, on the 8 September 1924 in Potchefstroom. They had a small farm in Potchefstroom and owned an ice cream factory. They were childless. Following Bertha's death, she left money to Keren Kayemet L'Yisrael.

References:

  1. Wladyslawow, Russian Empire was known as Nayshtot Shaki in Yiddish. It is now known as Kudirkos Naumiestis, Lithuania.
  2. JewishGen. Wladyslawow marriages – Solomon Landau, 1882.
  3. The South African Jewish Year Book: Directory of Jewish Organizations and Who's Who in South African Jewry 1929, page 385.
  4. The South African Jewish Year Book: Directory of Jewish Organizations and Who's Who in South African Jewry 1945, page 72.
  5. Ivan Solomon – Wikipedia.
  6. Geni record.
  7. Zara Aginsky, grandchild of Himie Solomon, Ra’anana, Israel.

WOLFF

  1. Bernhard (Bernard) Wolff (1869-1944) was born in Germany. He worked as a clerk in Warmwater in 1904. He was documented to have taken out a mortgage bond in 1904 with Israel Kruth, who was also resident in Warmwater. He was a general dealer. He and his wife Miriam moved to Port Elizabeth. At the time of his death, he was retired. They had no children.

  2. Herman Wolff (1870-1919) was born in Prussia to Wolf and Bailey Wolff. He emigrated to South Africa in the late 1800s. He married Annie O'Linsky (1876-1953) on the 6 September 1898 in Oudtshoorn. At that time, he was a shopkeeper. They had two children. Their daughter Dinah, born in 1903, died at the age of 9 months. Their son Lazy (1913-1974) was born 10 years later. It appears that Herman incurred a large amount of debt, and his business was declared insolvent. In 1919, whilst working as a clerk in a store in Welbedacht, Herman committed suicide. He was buried in the Oudtshoorn Cemetery.

Wolff – O'Linsky marriage, 1898

References:

  1. Klerke: Wolff, B, werksaam in Warmwater 1904.
  2. NASA – 1904, Mortgage Bond. Bernhard Wolff And Israel Kruth.
  3. NASA – 1907, Mortgage Bond. Bernard Wolff.
  4. NASA – 1910, Mortgage Bond. Bernhard Wolff.
  5. Death notice.
  6. Death certificate.
  7. Winkeliers / Algemene Handelaars: Wolff, H, werksaam 1904 in Goedverwachting.
  8. NASA – 1908, Wolff, Annie and Herman. Insolvent Liquidation and Distribution Account.
  9. Geni record.