
Visitors Book
The visitors book is just that – a space to record comments made by visitors to the website of the Jewish Community of Maitland. If you would like to leave a message in the visitors book, please e-mail Philip Stodel. He would love to hear from you. If you would like to be in touch with anyone who has left a message in the visitors book, e-mail Philip and he will arrange to connect you.
From: Geraldine Auerbach (5 August 2024)
Wow Philip, Jy is en egte CHOL-nik! Even before CHOL was invented, you were compiling and preserving the footprint of a Southern African Jewish Community online! So welcome to the fold. CHOL was created to bring together people who were doing this kind of thing.
Congratulations first for the work in creating the Maitland reunion of 2005, and also for preserving it online.
The material you have compiled is as you say from an unrepeatable event and it’s wonderful that you have captured the words, images and spirit of the place and the event.
What I would like to offer, with your permission and your participation, is to use some of the material on your event website and create a ‘CHOL community website’ for Maitland. We have designed CHOL community websites to be easy to read and explore and to be logically navigable. We have 50 community entries on the CHOL ‘communities’ pages created by different people on different platforms. Some are more developed than others, some just stubs or random collections of material. https://chol.website/communities.htm
For what I have in mind, please look at the CHOL ‘platform’ ones we have created, particularly the ones for Stellenbosch and specially the one for Malmesbury – which has the connection of Rev Efron, who was so revered and loved in Malmesbury, before going to Maitland.
Let me know if you like this idea and would like to work on this with me in due course.
With best wishes
Geraldine
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From: Gail Lustig (5 August 2024)
Dear Philip,
How amazing what you did regarding the Maitland community event.
It's accessible and easy to follow with terrific details and info. I hadn't heard of it before. Those founders of the community were so consistently conscientious and determined to create a sense of tradition and observing what they knew. Luckily they had additional aspirations too!
Thanks so much for sharing, Philip.
Gail
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From: Geraldine Auerbach (18 August 2024)
Dear Philip
I have been reading your ‘Letters Home’ and I want to say you have really done a magnificent job transcribing all these poignant letters and setting them out so nicely and making sure that all Myer’s sisters have a presence – and so a stake in the beautiful booklet you have made. It’s a great mitzvah you have done for your uncle that you never knew – and for the whole family. It’s really special as it is.
With best wishes
Geraldine
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From: Bramie Lenhoff (25 August 2024)
Hi Philip,
Thanks for taking the lead on Maitland -- I look forward to working with you on this.
Best regards,
Bramie
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From: Rose Miller (13 September 2024)
Dear Philip,
Wish you lots of luck with this undertaking.
Kind regards,
Rose Miller
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From: Diana Henning (17 September 2024)
What a wonderful initiative.
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From: Pauline Leuw (7 October 2024)
Hi Philip
Well done on what you are doing! Kol hakavod!
Best regards
Pauline
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From: Barbara Barnes (19 October 2024)
Hi,
Coincidentally, I was looking at the CHOL website a couple weeks ago, and was rather surprised that Maitland wasn’t included, so it’s very nice that you’re doing this project. Stay safe and well.
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From: Jeff Margolis (21 October 2024)
Hi Phillip,
What you are doing is very commendable. I will work on my family story and let you have my copy in due course.
As a lot of my contemporaries have passed on, I may be able to contribute something to the stories of their families should you require this.
It was a wonderful "shtetl" style community and keeping its memories alive would be great.
Warm regards
Jeff
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From: Elka Arelisky (24 October 2024)
Thank you so much for contacting me....sounds like a wonderful project....I will work on it and send info to you in due course....take care Elka
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From: Geraldine Auerbach (25 October 2024)
Dear Philip
Thanks for showing me this. You have done sterling work. and the community is coming to life.
It’s special how much work you are doing connecting with everyone and how much thought goes into each entry. You are an ideal driver. The material you have assembled is very engaging and the community is coming to life.
With best wishes
Geraldine
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From: Harry Buchinsky (27 October 2024)
Thanks for undertaking such a “heavy” job, but I am sure will be much appreciated all ex Maitlanders.
Harry Shooshy
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From: Jenni Frumer (29 October 2024)
Wow, Philip! This is amazing detail. THANK YOU!
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From: Harry Buchinsky (31 October 2024)
You have put together a beautiful story of the Buchinsky family of that era. Known by everyone individually as Butch.
I thank you on behalf of all your Maitland landsleits.
It's been a pleasure to be associated with you.
Harry Shooshy
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From: Geraldine Auerbach (2 November 2024)
Dear Philip
You are getting on fantastically with a very comprehensive and user-friendly site for Maitland.
With best wishes
Geraldine
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From: Michael Odes (3 November 2024)
Dear Philip,
Thank you for your email and I would be delighted to assist in any way I can. Maitland had a very vibrant and viable community at its height in the 1950’s and 60’s, centred around Reverend Efron and populated almost exclusively with Litvaks and their families. Its story needs to be told lest it be lost.
Regards,
Michael
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From: Eve Joffe (4 November 2024)
Hi Philip...I so much admire and appreciate your ongoing family tree and now the Maitland project!..so how can I help you?.....Eve..
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From: Wilma Bass (4 November 2024)
Hi Philip,
This sounds like a very interesting project & I appreciate you taking it on.
Best regards,
Wilma
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From: Jeff Margolis (18 November 2024)
Hi Phillip
Thanks for all the work you are doing to bring this project to fruition. It clearly involves a mountain of work.
Warm regards
Jeff
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From: Geraldine Auerbach (23 November 2024)
Dear Philip – and Bramie
Thank you for your diligence and enthusiasm Philip. Maitland is developing into a great site. I hope that both Bramie and I have been helpful in guiding you along the lines that we have established for the CHOL website, and you are making brilliant progress.
With best wishes and many thanks
Geraldine
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From: Geraldine Auerbach (29 November 2024)
Dear Bramie and Philip
So glad to see the rapid and careful progress for Maitland.
With best wishes
Geraldine
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From: Dawn Norton (2 December 2024)
Amazing. Very interesting. Thank you for keeping the history alive.
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From: Philip Stodel (2 December 2024)
Hi Bramie,
The live site is looking good. Thanx for your efforts and your patience with me.
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From: Charles Frumer (2 December 2024)
Hi Philip, good work. It looks like a lot of effort went in to this.
Thanks again for the effort.
Bigger project than I imagined.
Charles
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From: Lisa Lashansky (2 December 2024)
Thanks, Philip, what Maitland memories.
Warm regards,
Lisa Keschner/Lashansky
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From: Cecily Anagnostakis (2 December 2024)
Thanks Philip for all your hard work…..
So interesting….enjoyed reading all about Mailland.
Be safe.
Regards and love to Michele.
Cecily
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From: Myra Bamberger (2 December 2024)
Philip - you are amazing!!
So many familiar names in that list.
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From: Geraldine Auerbach (2 December 2024)
Well done Philip and also Bramie.
Another fine addition to the CHOL family.
With best wishes,
Geraldine
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From: Ivan Bub (2 December 2024)
Hi Philip,
It was nice talking to you today. Thank you so much for all the work you’ve done for the amazing website on Maitland.
Take care,
Ivan
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From: Diana Henning (2 December 2024)
Thanks for the link, Philip. I can see you have devoted many hours of hard work to this project. I will read the info with interest.
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From: Pam Hartmann (2 December 2024)
Philip, thank you so much. This is absolutely amazing.
Best wishes,
Pam
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From: Barry Bub (3 December 2024)
My brother Ivan forwarded me your email - very impressive. Thank you for undertaking it.
It's a strange feeling, being suddenly back in Maitland after all these years. I've been living in the USA since 1973.
As I grow older, I think of the kids in my age group - Aron Back, Ivor Peltz (deceased) Malcolm Mendolson, Selwyn Odes, Charles Odes, Ian Barlin, Belinda Kark, Maureen Barron, Lazarus sisters, Pamela Brodie - so many names I don’t see in your list.
Barry Bub
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From: Joan Smith (3 December 2024)
BRILLIANT….. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK.
HUGS.
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From: Harry Buchinsky (3 December 2024)
Hi Philip,
Congratulations on your 1st list of ex Maitlanders.
Very well written, researched, and easy on the eye to read.
Take a bow, Philip.
Regards,
Harry
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From: David Stodel (3 December 2024)
Sterling effort, and well done!
Now I understand all those weird questions you were asking me .... and why you've been so quiet lately.
I take it the list of Maitland residents is still a work-in-progress?
D
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From: Myeva Brett (3 December 2024)
Thank you for sharing!!! - wow… lots of hard work - great article.
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From: Shirley Tomson (3 December 2024)
In awe and with huge gratitude for your input into the Maitland Community history.
Just remarkable. I can see it's also so logical and the style is perfect for its purpose..concise but really interesting salient points..
Once again...huge gratitude Philip
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From: Ada Kaplan (4 December 2024)
Wow, Philip, What wonderful memories you have given to many of us. THANK YOU.
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From: Sol Zieff (4 December 2024)
Great project.
Regards.
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From: Leah Sack (5 December 2024)
Hi Phillip
The history of the Maitlanders is quite an undertaking. Kudos to you.!!
Harry passed your email on to me with the website link which kept me busy and in the loop.
I must admit I felt very nostalgic and sad reading about the history of so many people I knew, both living and deceased. The community was very cohesive in its heyday.
I have memories of Regina Court, playing with Michael Forman, Rael and Leon Joffe, but not with you! Also played with the late Jonathan Zetner.
Look forward to any follow-up.
Regards
Leah Sack Buchinsky
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From: Barbara Barnes (7 December 2024)
Absolutely amazing! So very well done, good for you, you’ve put an amazing amount of energy and time into this project, congrats on a great job.
Please keep me in the loop.
Barbara
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From: Debby Myers (12 December 2024)
Hi Philip
So pleased you're doing a Maitland kehilalink.
Regards Debby
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From: Sandra Goldberg (13 December 2024)
Hi Philip,
Love what you’re doing - so interesting. Will look at the website. You seem to know / remember a lot about the Bermans.
That looks great Philip! 👍 🙏
Many thanks for your research, coordination and article.
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From: Renee Krantz (14 December 2024)
You are truly amazing Phillip.
Brought our family to light in 2024.
We all thank you
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From: Renee Krantz (15 December 2024)
Phillip, thanks so much for all the interesting information and all the time you have put into the Sieff / Saacks family. I have learnt so much thru you.
I will try fill in the gaps.
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From: Harry Buchinsky (20 December 2024)
Thanks for forwarding on to me.
Brings back plenty of familiar, and not so familiar memories.
Of course, this is still far from complete, Lang, Joffe, Taviansky, Boob, Bub, Ostrin, Samson (Eric’s father and grandfather), etc.
Must congratulate Philip Stodel for his mammoth effort, thus far.
Harry B
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From: Cecily Anagnostakis (21 December 2024)
Hi Philip,
Wow You are brilliant….what lot of work this entailed?
Lois Goldberg is not on the list. Her email address is ###############
Take care and love to the family.
Cecily
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From: Geraldine Auerbach (21 December 2024)
Wow! Philip and Bramie.
What fantastic work you two have been doing. Maitland is looking great!
With best wishes,
Geraldine
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From: Jenni Frumer (22 December 2024)
Wow, Philip - you are just amazing! I can't wait to read all these stories.
Sending love to you all,
Jenni
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From: Renee Krantz (22 December 2024)
Phillip, what an amazing accomplishment. Your research is an invaluable record of the Jewish connection to Maitland.
Regards,
Ian and Renee
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From: Ivan Bub (22 December 2024)
Hi Philip,
Hope all is going well. Congratulations on the amazing work you are doing. It really is a spectacular achievement. Thanks for including my family’s info.
Look forward to chatting again soon.
Regards,
Ivan
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From: Charles Frumer (22 December 2024)
Thanks Philip. it's quite a body of work you are putting together. Good work!!
Charles
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From: Avril Rom (22 December 2024)
Hi, Very interesting, that’s amazing, don’t know half the people. u must have lots of patience. Kind regards avril
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From: Caryn Levin (22 December 2024)
Hi Philip,
Thanks for adding me to the mailing list- I enjoyed looking at the site and reading the stories. I learned a thing or two about my family! Hope you are doing well.
Thanks,
Caryn Levin
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From: Selwyn Horowitz (23 December 2024)
Well done on getting the further 36 families. Worth a Mazeltov. How accurate. A big Mazeltov.
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From: Ruth Mibashan (23 December 2024)
You are a fantastic copy writer!!
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From: Barry Bub (23 December 2024)
Philip, You are doing an awesome job.
I think of the Peltzes, the Braudes, the Karks, the Barlins who are not here. Don't have contact information, unfortunately.
It would be nice to gather memories of Maitland - the Grand cinema, the schools and the teachers, (boring) that sort of thing.
All the best,
Barry
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From: Joan Smith (24 December 2024)
Thank you Philip, you are doing an amazing job and I am very proud of how you managed to get so much history from so many Maitlanders.
I wish you and your family a happy, healthy and prosperous 2025.
Love to all the family.
Regards.
Sincerely,
Joan
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From: Oscar Solomon (25 December 2024)
Hello there..
Well done for putting this project together..
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From: Heather Berman (27 December 2024)
The stories on the Maitland website are so good.
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From: Harry Buchinsky (29 December 2024)
Thanks Philip, for all your research and effort, in building up, beginning early 1920, ending up appropriately now with Where are They Now?
Over the next few days, I am sure I can find some photos, and you can decide if suitable.
Kind Regards
Harry and Shooshy
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From: Harry Buchinsky (7 January 2025)
Dear Philip
Not only am I VERY satisfied with the Buchinsky family story as you portrayed it from the information that Leah and I filtered through to you, but must congratulate you on your sterling effort (thus far) on assembling all the information of early Maitland +/- 1920 onwards. I have enjoyed reading not only our little family saga, but those of our “landsleits”, both those whom I knew quite well, to a few others, of whom I had little knowledge, or even a few that I had never heard of. Maybe I just passed them (not knowingly) in Shul over Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, which everybody always attended.
Thanks for the Habonim photos. I think I already did, and commented that unfortunately there is not one in those photos with whom I can reminisce.
Once again thank you for what must have been hours, days, weeks, months, spent by you on this project. You will gain not only personal satisfaction, but sincere appreciation and affection from the readers and the few remaining residents of Good Old Maitland, also remembered by some as “the Butcher Boys”.
With kind regards and thanks
Harry
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From: Bennie Bub (8 January 2025)
Congratulations on your efforts and success on behalf of Maitland Jews.
Best regards,
Bennie
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From: Ivan Bub (10 January 2025)
Hi Philip and Bennie,
Thanks for the email. I think you have done a remarkable job of combining the two family stories. I think it would work well to keep it combined if Bennie is in agreement.
Thanks
Ivan
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From: Diane Sandler (12 January 2025)
Dear Philip
My sister Lorraine Rabinowitz forwarded me your email regarding the Maitland Jewish Community with the link to the extraordinary collation of material.
I have many memories of visiting my grandparents' Voortrekker Hotel.
Warm regards
Diane Sandler
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From: Jeffrey Immerman (15 January 2025)
Hi Philip
Let me say at the outset that I think that what you are doing is admirable and if I can help in any way I am happy to do so.
Kind regards
Jeffrey Immerman
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From: Harry Buchinsky (16 January 2025)
Hi Philip
I think you have put together a very readable story of the Buchinsky family of Maitland. Much thanks.
Thank you for all the time and effort you put, not only in ours, but all the available of Maitland families.
Best wishes and thanks again
Harry
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From: Harry Buchinsky (19 January 2025)
Dear Philip
Once again our sincere thanks to you for the massive effort you put into compiling the Buchinsky Story. Only another 99 more still to do!
The family, Leah, Lauren, Roy and grandchildren and a few personal friends all love it and are highly impressed.
And congratulations to you. In replies to me, many have commented how well the story was correlated and written.
Kind Regards
Harry & Shooshy
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From: Joan Smith (20 January 2025)
Thank you, Philip. You are doing an amazingly difficult job. Well done. It’s a lot of work! So keep up the good work with the Maitland tribe.
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From: Leah Sack (28 January 2025)
Hi Phillip
You have really excelled in your research, kudus to you. Harry forwarded me your email as I did not receive yours. It was jam packed with so much, had to read it over 2 sessions. I must congratulate you on all info received via Harry.
Sent you a WhatsApp.
Regards
Leah
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From: Lauren Morris (8 February 2025)
Hi Philip,
Thank you for all the information. I will look into it and look for some photographs and send you some more information once I have it. It’s a wonderful thing you're doing. Thanks very much.
Lauren.
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From: Sharon David (9 February 2025)
Hi Phillip,
It is wonderful that you are doing a Jewish community project about Maitland families. I am happy to help in any way I am able to.
Take care, Shavua tov,
Sharon.
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From: Geraldine Auerbach (9 February 2025)
Dear Philip and Bramie
Well done on all this progress
With best wishes
Geraldine
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From: Belinda Farber (11 February 2025)
Hi Philip. Lionel printed your story off for me.😍 It was excellent!! I have made copies for my daughters.
We are all sooo impressed how much trouble you've gone to in collating all the information from so many families. Kol Ha-kavod to you!😍
Beila.
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From: Debby Myers (12 February 2025)
Thanks so much for the hard work you have put into the Maitland website and these Maitland Echoes.
Most appreciated.
Regards
Debby
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From: Ian Alperstein (12 February 2025)
thank you ......well done on doing all this research for your paper...
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From: Dena Lomofsky (17 February 2025)
Hi Philip
Great project.
Regards, Dena
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From: Lilian Lomofsky (18 February 2025)
Dear Philip
Good luck with your publication and very worthwhile project.
Best regards
Lilian Lomofsky
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From: Geraldine Auerbach (5 March 2025)
Wow Philip, amazing content. You definitely get the ‘Project Prize’ for such superb work. Maitland is becoming the standout site! And of course thanks to Bramie too – a great partnership.
With best wishes
Geraldine
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From: Ruth Mibashan (10 March 2025)
Fantastic! Thanks. As the wider family read it they have comments!!!!
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From: Ruth Mibashan (29 March 2025)
Thanks Philip.
I read and enjoyed the stories of some I remember.
Ruth
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From: Geraldine Auerbach (29 March 2025)
Well done Philip and Bramie.
Wonderful work and great results.
You have done every one of Maitlanders proud. The community of Maitland is well and truly commemorated.
Can I send parts of your email below to the whole CHOL list - so that they can see your site and see what to aspire to?
With best wishes,
Geraldine
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From: Elaine Chernotsky (30 March 2025)
Fabulous.
Hope you, Michele and your families are well and safe.
Thinking of you & sending much love.
Elaine
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From: Debby Myers (30 March 2025)
Wow Philip - the Maitland site is amazing. Brilliant I might add!! Well done.
You have put an enormous effort into this website - it's absolutely wonderful.
Thanks so much.
Wishing you a kosher chag Pesach sameach.
Best regards,
Debby Myers
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From: Harry Buchinsky (1 April 2025)
Dear Philip
Thanks for all your detail and attempted accuracy, which I am delighted with to be associated.
Regards and thanks again.
Harry
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From: Dena Lomofsky (2 April 2025)
Thanks for all this amazing work and well done.
Dena Lomofsky
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From: Harry Buchinsky (2 April 2025)
Dear Philip
Perfect, the way everything, has been incorporated. I can’t think of any improvements.
From my dad’s day as a POW, further advancements to eventually building the 2 attached shops makes quite exciting and interesting reading.
In the name of Buchinsky, and Maitland Community, I salute and thank you for such a wonderful, inspiring research project.
Regards and much thanks.
Harry and Shooshy
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From: Barry Bub (3 April 2025)
Philip, what an outstanding record!
The details are really remarkable. I’ve learned a lot our own family.
I wonder if you could contact Beila Kark asking if I can have her email address. She and I used to play together as children and we grew up together as neighbors.
All the best,
Barry
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From: Leah Sack (3 April 2025)
Dear Harry had a lump in my throat whilst reading all the input.
Grateful to you Farrell and especially Phillip for undertaking the Maitland Project.
Good to know that those who have passed on are not forgotten.
Chag sameach to all.
Leah
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From: Harry Buchinsky (3 April 2025)
Dear Philip
Thanks for the final “tie up” of the Lazar Buchinsky family, or is it? Better hurry, I am now 91!
On behalf of Leah and myself, and a special thanks to Farrel, I greet you with thanks, and a loud “Yishakach”.
Harry
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From: Farrel Buchinsky (7 April 2025)
Hello All
@Philip Stodel, what an excellent job. Thank you.
Farrel Buchinsky
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From: Naomi Stone (19 April 2025)
I have been telling friends about you sterling work in compiling all the info on the Maitland Community and referring them to the CHOL site.
You have done a Herculean task.
What are you up to next?
Be well.
Naomi
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From: Wilma Bass (29 April 2025)
Thank you so much for all this wonderful work you are doing to record and memorialize the fun place that was Maitland. It was such a vivid and strong community and I had a great childhood there.
Take care and thanks again for your patience (and persistence). I appreciate it!
Kind regards,
Wilma
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From: Adam Futeran (13 May 2025)
Your summary on my parents seems great.
Thank you so much all the hard work you are doing to preserve our family memories.
Regards
Adam.
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From: Wilma Bass (23 May 2025)
Hi Philip,
Let’s go with this.
Thanks, as always, for your patience, persistence & excellent sleuth work in this ancestry effort.
Have a good Shabbat!
-Wilma
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From: Adam Futeran (24 May 2025)
Thanks so much - all great.
Other than that, what a great effort to preserve history.
Best wishes from all of us in Australia.
Adam.
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From: Maureen Sacks (3 June 2025)
Hi Philip,
Thanks for all that you are doing on the family history. It is so meaningful to us.
Hope that you are all doing well,
Maureen
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From: Geraldine Auerbach (1 August 2025)
Dear Philip
You have achieved so much – and so timely as time marches on and claims the active people of the area. The Maitland site is quite exceptional in its attention to detail. And the missing pieces will be harder to find.
With best wishes
Geraldine
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From: Arnold Ostrin (8 August 2025)
You are quite amazing with what you have put together – thank you.
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From: Ivor Jacobson (8 August 2025)
The Maitland project was, I believe, huge and very beneficial to all of us kol hakavod.
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From: Marion Rom (9 August 2025)
Thank you Philip,
I think you have done an excellent job!
Regards
Marion Rom
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From: Wilma Bass (15 August 2025)
Okay thanks. For all your amazing work on this.
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From: Gail Lustig (16 August 2025)
You're working hard Philip! Kol hakavod...
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