Activities page
The Maitland Jewish Community Reunion, 2005
In May 2005, Jeff Margolis (then living in London) and Harold Cohen (then living in Sea Point), both ex-Maitlanders from the '60s, started mooting the idea of what was to become known as The Maitland Reunion. More accurately, it was to be a reunion of the erstwhile Jewish community of Maitland. Harold started with a list of 150 names and recognizing that a lot of them were living overseas at the time, anticipated an attendance of about 50 people. Such was the interest that 86 people ultimately attended the event, which took place six months later. The youngest ex-Maitlander was aged 28. The oldest was nearly 90.
In the months leading up to the event, many ex-Maitlanders, both those living in Cape Town and abroad, provided photographs of common interest, and these formed the central display for guests to see as they entered the hall. Even the trowel used in the building of the synagogue was brought along and exhibited. For the formal part of the event, messages were read from ex-Maitlanders living abroad, followed by a number of guests sharing stories and recollections from their time in Maitland.
The Bnoth Zion Committee of 1961 (for the names see the reunion website).
Harry Buchinsky entertains 86 guests with some Maitland stories at the reunion on 15 December 2005
A dedicated website was created after the event.
See the reunion website for fully annotated photos of ex-Maitlanders and their activities from the 1920s, including newspaper articles, school magazines, messages, pictures of the reunion, and more.
The full event was captured on video, which runs for 1 hour and 17 minutes and can be viewed in standard resolution or in high resolution.
