Welcome to the website of the
Jewish Community of Grahamstown
Grahamstown (known as Makhanda since June 2018), a town of about 75000 people, is located inland in the Eastern Cape province, about 125 kilometres (80 miles) northeast of Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) and 160 kilometres (100 miles) southwest of East London.
It was founded in 1812 after the Fourth Xhosa War as a military outpost by Lieutenant-Colonel John Graham as part of a campaign to secure the eastern frontier of the Cape Colony. Jews were among the earliest settlers in Grahamstown, arriving as part of the 1820 Settlers from Britain. This period marks the 'Anglo' phase of the community, characterized by pioneers who laid the groundwork for Jewish life in the nascent frontier town. However, by the 1870s, the initial 'Anglo' congregation waned due to assimilation, Grahamstown's decline as a commercial hub and internal migration to the diamond rush in Kimberley, leading to the effective cessation of its formal functions.
The late 19th century witnessed a significant revitalization of the Grahamstown Jewish community with a the 'Litvak' phase, a new wave of Lithuanian immigrants. Jewish staff and students at Rhodes University helped keep the Grahamstown community active. In 1960, to cater for the growing number of students, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies purchased a house for the use of the Students' Jewish Association which later became the SA Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS) in Somerset Street. This remained the centre of Jewish student activity until declining student members led to the sale of the property in 2002.
This website is managed by Jeremy Hodes. For additions and information contact Jeremy (pictured) directly at jeremy@chol.website.
Click here for a map.
Website of the Grahamstown Jewish Community
Hosted by CHOL – Community History On-Line
Compiled by Jeremy Hodes, Sydney, Australia.
Acknowledging information and pictures from
Jewish Life in the South African Country Communities, Volume III,
researched and published by the South African Friends of Beth Hatefutsoth.
Also, information and photos collected by Eli Rabinowitz, Perth, Australia.
Formatted and uploaded by Bramie Lenhoff, Delaware, USA
October 2025
