Introduction

South African Jewry 1967-68. A Survey of the Jewish Community; Its Contributions to South Africa; Directory of Communal Institutions; and a Who's Who of Leading Personalities, 2nd edition, was edited by Leon Feldberg and published by Feldhill Publishing Co, Johannesburg, South Africa in 1968.

It provides an invaluable snapshot – forever frozen in time – of South African Jewry and its immense contribution to South African life in the late 1960s.

This website includes 2,425 biographies and several longer articles. Every word in the biographies and articles is searchable through the search box. This is useful if searching for locations, spouses, type of employment etc. Use the page, label or search box to find the information you are seeking

The longer articles are, to quote from Leon Feldberg’s introduction: “Contributions to South African Jewish historiography. Louis Herrman has written the first comprehensive survey of the role which Jews have played in Medicine in South Africa. Gustav Saron studies some of the forces which went into the moulding of South African Jewry at the turn of the century. Edgar Bernstein presents a broad panorama of our Jewish community as it is today, Jacob Newman extends the picture with a survey of Jewish religious life, and Eugene Duschinsky with a survey of Jewish life in the small towns of the Platteland. Eric Rosenthal calls to notice some interesting Jewish associations with the field of Science in South Africa. Muriel Rathouse depicts one of Johannesburg's notable Jewish pioneers [Hyman Morris]". They can be accessed Here.

This project is in memory of my father, Lionel Harris Hodes, General Secretary of the South African Zionist Federation from 1969 – 1973, for his communal service and contribution to South African Jewry.

NOTE: I have started adding the 1929 Yearbook entries as well. These records will have 1929 Yearbook at the top of each record to distinguish them from the 1967/8 edition records. They can also be found using the label "1929 Yearbook". Where a person appears in both Yearbooks I have put their entries on the same page

Jeremy Hodes PhD

Albury, Australia

May 2026

Alexander, Jacob

1929 Yearbook 

ALEXANDER, Jacob, Secretary, South African Zionist Federation, Graduate, Oxford, London and Witwatersrand. Born in London in 1887. Educated at City of London School, London, and Queen's College, Oxford. Came to South Africa in 1911. Lecturer, Rhodes University College, Grahamstown, 1911-1917; Lecturer, Witwatersrand University, 1918; Secretary, South African Zionist Federation since January, 1919; Editor, Zionist Record, 1919-1924; Executive, South African Zionist Federation, 1916-1918; Executive, South African Jewish Board of Deputies, 1921-1923, and Treasurer, 1923-1926; Past Member of Executive of Relief Fund, and a Past Vice-President. Postal Address: P.O. Box 18, Johannesburg.

Alexander, Bernard

1929 Yearbook 

ALEXANDER, Bernard, Solicitor, Justice of Peace, Member of the Inner Temple and Barrister at Law. Born in Mogilno, Province of Posen, in 1872. Educated at Educаtional Institute, Cape Town, and Inner Temple, London. Came to South Africa in 1877. Married Hannah Danziger in 1901; has four children. Past Member of the Town Council of Johannesburg and of the Witwatersrand Central School Board; for many years on the Executive Committee of the Witwatersrand Old Hebrew Congregation, and was President at the time of its amalgamation with the Johannesburg Hebrew Congregation; was first Chairman of the Council of the United Hebrew Congregation on the amalgamation; was first President of the Jeppe Hebrew Congregation; was one of the founders of the Jewish Board of Deputies of Transvaal and Natal, and was President at the time of its amalgamation with the Cape Jewish Board of Deputies; on the establishment of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, by the fusion of the two former bodies, became Vice-President for the Transvaal and later President; as Transvaal President, he was Chairman of the Jewish War Victims Fund from its inception in 1915 till 1925; during this period the sum of £600,000 was collected and forwarded to Jewish War Sufferers in the various war zones; the Fund brought out to South Africa 200 war and pogrom orphans who were housed at the South African Jewish Orphanage at Johannesburg and the Cape Jewish Orphanage at Cape Town; the Fund also established the Children's Colony at K'far Yeladim, in Palestine, where 135 orphans have been maintained for five years; was Member of the Advisory Board and Committee of Management of the South African Jewish Orphanage; was Member of the Management Committee of the Talmud Torah; as President of the Board of Deputies he presided at the first meeting called for the formation of Federation of Synagogues; while on Town Council was Chairman of the Finance Committee, Works Committee, first Municipal Pension Fund, and of the Valuation Court has served on the Council of the Law Society. Postal Address: P.O. Box 2590, Johannesburg.

Alexander. Adam

1929 

ALEXANDER, Adam, Advocate, Barrister at Law, Gray's Inn, London, and Advocate of the Supreme Court of South Africa. Born Mogilno, Posen, in 1870. arrived in South Africa in 1877. Educated at Educational Institution, Cape Town, and Gray's Inn, London. Formerly on Executive Committee, Witwatersrand Old Hebrew Congregation and Chevra Kadisha: Delegate to S.A. Jewish Board of Deputies. Postal Address: Box 49, Johannesburg.

Albow, Saul

1929 Yearbook 

ALBOW, Saul, Councillor of the City of Cape Town; Merchant and Director of Companies. Born in Tauroggen, Lithuania, in 1879. Educated in Tauroggen; also received Higher Talmudical Education in the Talmudical College of Tauroggen. Came to South Africa in 1895. Member of the Executive Cape Publicity Association; President of the Jewish Board of Guardians; Vice-President of the Jewish Benevolent and Helping Hand Association; Vice-Chairman of a number of sports clubs in the Peninsula; a Past President of the Cape Town Chess Club. Postal Address : 45 Waterkant Street, Cape Town. Residential Address: 35 Belmont Avenue, Oranjezicht, Gardens, Cape Town.

Adler, Pearl

1929 Yearbook 

ADLER, Pearl, Teacher of Dancing. Born in Johannesburg in 1896. Educated at Roedean School, Johannesburg. Licentiate of Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing; Intermediate Certificate of the Cecchetti School; Holder of Lydia Kyasht's Full Certificate, Russian Imperial Ballet School Method; Monsieur Pierre's Certificate, Teacher of Ballroom Dancing; Assisted in Founding S.A. Dancing Teachers' Association, and formerly Vice-President; Secretary, S.A. Branch, Imp. Soc. Teachers of Dancing. Postal Address: P.O. Box 1059, Johannesburg.

Adler, Max

1929 Yearbook 

ADLER, Max, Medical Practitioner, M.B., Ch.B. (Witwatersrand). Born in Cape Town in April, 1901. Educated at King Edward VII. School, Johannesburg, and Witwatersrand University. Postal Address: Abrahamson's Buildings, Heidelberg, Transvaal.

Barnett, Louis

1929 Yearbook 

BARNETT, Louis, Shipping Agent. Born in London in 1886. Came to South Africa in 1889. Educated at Port Elizabeth. Married Tillie Jacobs in 1912; has three children. Youngest Jew in British Forces Anglo-Boer War: Served in World War 1914-1918; Hon. Treasurer Durban Jewish Benevolent Society. Postal Address: Box 1372, Durban.

Barnett, Charles

1929 Yearbook 

BARNETT, Charles, Solicitor. Born in South Africa in 1902. Educated at Normal College, Cape Town, and University of Cape Town. Married in 1926 to Ada Cumes; has one son. Postal Address: 97 Victoria Road, Woodstock.

Baranov, Rose

1929 Yearbook 

BARANOV, Rose, Medical Practitioner, M.B., B.S. (London). Born Vryheid, Natal, 1901. Educated Johannesburg High School, and University College, London. Hon. Physician, South African Jewish Orphanage. Postal Address: 30 York Street, Berea, Johannesburg.

Baranov, Monty

1929 Yearbook 

BARANOV, Monty, Ophthalmic Surgeon, M.D., B.S. (Lond.), M.R.C.S. (Eng.), L.R.C.P. (Lond.), D.O.M.S. (Eng.) Born in Vryheid, Natal, in 1895. Educated at King Edward VII. School and University. Married in 1926 to Clara Rosenberg. Assistant Hon. Opthalmic Surgeon, Johannesburg Hospital; Hon. Opthalmic Surgeon, Jewish Aged Home. Died in 1928.

Banet, Louis Edward

1929 Yearbook 

BANET, Louis Edward, Merchant. Born in Savel, Russia, in 1897. Came to South Africa in 1903. Educated at St. George's College, Bulawayo. Married in 1929 to Sarah Rosenstein. Associated with all sport clubs; Secretary and Treasurer, Salisbury Zionist Society: Committee Member, Salisbury Hebrew Congregation and Young Judeans. Postal Address: c/o Meikles Hotel, Salisbury.

Back, Isaac Louis

1929 Yearbook 

BACK, Isaac Louis, Manufacturer. Born in Lithuania in 1882, and educated there. Came to South Africa in 1903. Married in 1912 to Sarah Bloomberg; has three children. Supporter of all Jewish causes. Postal Address: P.O. Box 1902, Cape Town. 

Asherson, Raphael

1929 Yearbook 

ASHERSON, Raphael, Attorney, Notary Public and Conveyancer. Born in Cape Town in 1899. Educated at South African College School, Calvinia High School, and University of Cape Town. Married in 1927 to Gladys Apirion. Postal Address: Colonial Mutual Buildings, 106 Adderley Street, Cape Town.

Asherson, Benjamin

1929 Yearbook 

ASHERSON, Benjamin, S.S.C., Attorney, Notary Public and Conveyancer. Born in Cape Town in July 1903. Educated at South African College School, Cape Town, Sea Point and Calvinia: University of Cape Town. Treasurer of the Kimberley Jewish Guild. Postal Address : P.O. Box 84, Kimberley.

Ash, Sidney Hubert

1929 Yearbook 

ASH, Sidney Hubert (Major), A.M.Inst.,C.E., A. M. I. Mech. E.; also Member of the South African Institution Engineers, Mechanical Engineer. Born in Leeds, England, in 1889. Younger son of the late Sigismund Ash, of Leeds. Educated at Leeds Grammar School and Durham University. Prior to the war, engaged in locomotive design and building, and subsequently on the North-Eastern Railway; served in the Corps of Royal Engineers during the European War in Gallipoli and France (twice mentioned in despatches); sole partner of the firm A. and S. Ash Bros., Engineers, Cullinan Buildings, Johannesburg; Member of the Royal Automobile Club, London.

Aronson, Harold Sydney

1929 Yearbook 

ARONSON, Harold Sydney, Dentist, D.M.D., Harvard University. Born in Pretoria in 1902. Educated at Witwatersrand and Harvard Universities. Postal Address: Box 1577, Johannesburg.

Apter, Solomon

1929 Yearbook 

APTER, Solomon, Produce Merchant. Born in Dvinsk, Latvia, in 1874. Educated in Russia. Came to South Africa in 1901. Married in 1903 to Tetsa Fleisher; has five children. Committee Member of Kimberley Hebrew Congregation and Benevolent Society; supporter of all Zionist causes. Postal Address: P.O. Box 328, Kimberley.

Andrews, Frederick Benjamin

1929 Yearbook 

ANDREWS, Frederick Benjamin, Solicitor. Born in Manchester. Postal Address: Aegis Buildings, Commissioner Street, Johannesburg.

Altschul, Israel Victor

1929 Yearbook 

ALTSCHUL, Israel Victor, Hotel Proprietor. Born in Lithuania in 1870. Immigrated to Germany in 1880. Educated in Lithuania and Germany. Came to South Africa in 1889. Married to Flora Rosa Rubin in 1898; has one son and two daughters. Supporter of all Jewish causes. Postal Address: 12 Kloof Street, Cape Town.

Alper, Minnie

1929 Yearbook 

ALPER, Minnie, M.B., Ch.B., Ba.O., B.A., L.M., Medical Practitioner. Born in Vilna, Russia, 1900. Came to South Africa 1901. Educated at the University of Cape Town and Trinity College, Dublin. Honorary Surgeon, Red Cross Society, Durban. Postal Address: 310 Vause Road, Durban.

Beinasowitz, Abraham Leib

1929 Yearbook 

BEINASOWITZ, Abraham Leib, Woollen Merchant, Commissioner of Oaths. Born in Poswohl, Lithuania, in 1876. Educated at Riga. Married in 1902 to Sarah Meyer; has five children. Ardent Communal Worker; Chairman, Poswohl Hebrew Congregation, 1906 to 1913; Treasurer of same, 1913-1929; Committee Member of the Jewish Burial and Helping Hand Society, 1917-1927; Committee Member, Jewish Aged Home for several years. Takes part in all Zionist effort. Postal Address: P.O. Box 4359, Johannesburg.

Behrmann, Louis Harris

1929 Yearbook 

BEHRMANN, Louis Harris, Estate Agent (L. H. & A. Behrmann). Born Schadow, Lithuania, 1871. Educated at Riga and Hamburg. Came to South Africa in 1889. Married in 1903 to Dora Broda; has five children. was First President North Johannesburg Hebrew Congregation; on retiral after 14 years' Presidency was elected Life Member, 1927; Supporter of all communal institutions. Died 31st March, 1928.

Behrmann, Abraham

1929 Yearbook 

BEHRMANN, Abraham, Estate Agent (L. H. & A. Behrmann). Born in Schadow, Russia, in 1876. Came to South Africa in 1891. Educated in Johannesburg. Married Flora Gordon in 1906; has four children. One of the Founders and Trustees of the Berea Synagogue: Director of Companies: Past President, Real Estate Agents' Institute of the Transvaal. Postal Address: Box 257, Johannesburg.

Beemer, Heyman

1929 Yearbook 

BEEMER, Heyman, Merchant. Born in Lithuania in 1890, and educated there. Came to South Africa in 1907: Treasurer S.A. Board of Jewish Education: Member of Council, United Hebrew Congregation: has taken a leading and active part in every sphere of Jewish communal endeavour. Postal Address: P.O. Box 4753, Johannesburg.

Basson, Oscar

1929 Yearbook 

BASSON, Oscar, Merchant. Born in Russia in 1880, and educated there. Came to South Africa in 1898. Married in 1903 to Dora Cohen; has three children. Committee Member of the Cape Jewish Board of Guardians last 28 years: Chairman Poneves Hebrew Congregation over 20 years. Postal Address: 90 Short Market Street, Cape Town.

Baskin, David - Solicitor

1929 Yearbook

BASKIN, David, Solicitor, Notary and Commissioner of Oaths; Sworn Translator to Supreme Court, Cape Town. Born in Courland, Russia, in 1899. Educated at Piquetberg and University of Cape Town. Arrived in South Africa in 1906. Married in 1926 to Florrie Cumes; has one son. Postal Address: 136 Adderley Street, Cape Town.

Bernstein, Asher

1929 Yearbook 

BERNSTEIN, Asher, Landed Proprietor. Born Sunderland, 1873. Educated in London. Came to South Africa in 1894. Married Rachel Josephs in 1897; has four children. Treasurer of Talmud Torah: Foundation Member of Park Synagogue, and Member of other Jewish Institutions. Postal Address: Box 6042, Johannesburg.

Bernstein, Alexander

1929 Yearbook 

BERNSTEIN, Alexander, B.A., M.B., B.Ch., Β.Α.Ο., L.M., Medical Practitioner. Born in Oudtshoorn, С.Р. in 1899. Educated Cape Town and Dublin Universities. Town Councillor, Theunissen: Medical Officer of Health; Chairman, Theunissen Golf Club: Vice-President, Police Sports; Member Committee, Theunissen Zionist Society. Married in 1929 to Rosa Lewis, of Paarl. Postal Address: Theunissen, O.F.S.

Bernberg, Louis

1929 Yearbook 

BERNBERG, Louis, L.D.S., R.C.S. (Eng.), Dental Surgeon. Born in Russia. Educated in Edinburgh. Came to South Africa in 1906. Married Sarah Paradise in 1922. Postal Address: Castle Mansions, Johannesburg.

Berman, Joseph

1929 Yearbook 

BERMAN, Joseph, Dental Surgeon, L.D.S. Born in Cape Town. Educated at Normal College, Cape Town. Married in 1928 to Nancy Stolpinsky. Postal Address: Cor. Main and Frere Roads, Sea Point.

Berman, Barnet

1929 Yearbook 

BERMAN, Barnet, Wholesale Merchant. Born in Russia, 1873. Educated there. Came to South Africa in 1894. Married Lina Schmulian in 1902; has six children.  Member of all Jewish Institutions. Postal Address: 79 Davenport Road, Durban.

Berman, Abraham

1929 Yearbook 

BERMAN, Abraham, Merchant. Born in Russia in 1881. Educated there. Arrived in South Africa in 1895. Married Rachel Son in 1909; has six children. President Durban Jewish Benevolent Society. Postal Address: 434 Currie Road, Durban.

Berkovitch, Isidore

1929 Yearbook 

BERKOVITCH, Isidore, Attorney and Notary Public. Born in Cape Town in 1907. Educated at South African College School, Cape Town, and University of Cape Town. Chairman of Western Province Wrestling and Weight-lifting Association; holder of Western Province

amateur wrestling and weight-lifting championships: Captain of Radiant Health School; Chairman and Captain of Gordon's First League Water Polo Team; Past Vice-Captain of Western Province Water Polo Team. Postal Address: 33 Adderley Street, Cape Town.

Bennun, Max

1929 Yearbook

BENNUN, Max, Managing Director, Union Chrome Tanning Co., Ltd. Born in Lithuania in 1890. Educated there. Came to South Africa in 1909. Married Esther Dora Silberman in 1924; has one son. Postal Address: Box 70, Port Elizabeth.

Benjamin, Frank

1929 Yearbook 

BENJAMIN, Frank, Attorney. Born in London, 1889. Educated at Marist Bros. School, Johannesburg. Arrived in South Africa in 1892. Married Fanny Goldstein in 1917; has two children. Postal Address: Box 7236, Johannesburg.

Bengis, Morris

1929 Yearbook 

BENGIS, Morris, L.D.S., R.C.S. (Eng.), Dental Surgeon. Born Johannesburg in 1905. Educated Marist Bros. College, Johannesburg, Royal Dental and Charing Cross Hospitals, London. Prize Winner in Materia Medica; holds Certificate of Honour in Sir Alfred Woodhouse Scholarship; Certificate of Honour, Dental Mechanics in Royal Dental Hospital. Postal address: 33 Sanderson's Buildings, Harrison Street, Johannesburg.

Belcher, Lewis Levy

1929 Yearbook 

BELCHER, Lewis Levy (of firm Belcher Bros., 31 Sauer Street, Belcher Bros. Buildings, Johannesburg), Pawnbrokers, Jewellers, Diamond Merchants and General Dealers. Born in 1863, at Newcastle-on-Tyne, England. Educated at The Newcastle Government School. Came to South Africa in November, 1879. Married Ray Leventhal in 1900; has three sons. On the Committee of the late President Street Synagogue; on the Committee, and Hon. Treasurer of, the Hebrew High School; Past Master Prosperity Lodge of Freemasons 2607, E.C., 1909/10, Johannesburg. Past Z. and Past Secretary of Royal Arch Chapter, E.C., 1913/14; Past Master Transvaal Master's Lodge, 3745, E.C., 1924/25; Preceptor Goldfields and Prosperity Lodge of Instruction, E.C.; Past Assistant D.C. and Past Junior Grand Deacon, District Grand Lodge; Rand Pioneers (Member) 1888. Postal Address: Belcher Bros. Buildings, 31 Sauer Street, Johannesburg.

Beinkinstadt, Moses

1929 Yearbook 

BEINKINSTADT, Moses, Bookseller and Printer. Born in Russia in 1876. Educated there. Came to South Africa in 1905. Married Olga Braude in 1903; has one daughter. Address: 38 Canterbury Street, Cape Town.

Blumenfeld, Herman Lewis

1929 Yearbook 

BLUMENFELD, Herman Lewis, Produce Merchant. Born in Courland in 1886. Educated there. Arrived in South Book Africa in 1913. Treasurer and Examiner, Sir Matthew Nathan Lodge XII., Hebrew Order of David, 1925; Treasurer, Pietermaritzburg Hebrew Congregation, 1922-24. Postal Address: Box 345, Pietermaritzburg, Natal.

Blumberg, Louis

1929 Yearbook 

BLUMBERG, Louis, Medical Practitioner, Β.Α., M.B., B.Ch., Β.Α.Ο., D.P.H. Born in 1893. Educated at Normal College, South African College, Cape Town, and at the University of Dublin. Hon. Medical Registrar and Lecturer, New Somerset Hospital, Cape Town; late Port Health Officer, Cape Town; Cape Town No. 1 Company, South African Medical Corps, A.C.F.; Member M.A. of South Africa. Postal Address: 106 Adderley Street, Cape Town.

Blumberg, David Abraham

1929 Yearbook 

ELUMBERG, David Abraham, Manufacturer's Representative. Born in Neustadt, Lithuania, in 1880. Educated in Germany. Came to South Africa in 1902. Married in 1910 to Lillie Cohen. Has three children. Treasurer, Bulawayo Hebrew Congregation. Postal Address: P.O. Box 409, Bulawayo.

Bloom, Samuel

1929 Yearbook 

BLOOM, Samuel, Merchant. Born in Poland in 1867. Educated there. Has two sons and four daughters. Arrived in South Africa in 1894. President, Durban Hebrew Congregation: Past President, Jewish Benevolent Society: Member Executive, Durban Publicity Association; Past Master, Lodge of Israel, Durban, P.D.G. Sup. of Works, Natal. Postal Address: 367 Currie Road, Durban.

Bloom, Abraham Rubin

1929 Yearbook 

BLOOM, Abraham Rubin, Merchant. Born in Lithuania 1879. Educated there. Arrived in South Africa 1898. Married Jennie Moross 1913; has four children. Town Councillor; Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce: Vice-Chairman and Treasurer, Jewish Burial Society; Inspector of Hebrew School. Postal Address: Box 146, Middelburg, Transvaal.

Block, Isidore Jack

1929 Yearbook 

BLOCK, Isidore Jack, Surgeon, O.Β.Ε. (Military Division), M.B., Ch.B., F.R.F.P.S. (Glas.), F.R.C.S. (Edin.). Born 1893. Educated at St. John's College, Johannesburg, and Edinburgh University. Married 1924, Ann Hillman. Late Resident Surgeon, Hospital for Women, Soho Square, London, Chalmers Hospital, Edinburgh, and Queen's Hospital, Birmingham: Captain S.A.M.C.; O.B.E. and Mentioned in Despatches. Postal Address: Mount Carmel, 162 Louis Botha Avenue, Johannesburg.

Bloch, Mones

1929 Yearbook 

BLOCH, Mones, Merchant, Cape Town. Born in Lithuania, and educated there. Has nine children. Came to South Africa in 1892. Treasurer and Foundation Member, Roeland Street Synagogue; one of the first supporters of the Zionist movement in South Africa. Postal Address: St. George's Street, Cape Town.

Blank, Thomas

1929 Yearbook 

BLANK, Thomas, Merchant. Born in Poplani, Lithuania, in 1892. Educated at Dundalk, Ireland. Came to South Africa in 1913. Married in 1919 to Esther Peimer; has two children. Hon. Secretary, Bertrams Hebrew Congregation from 1924 to 1926: Hon. Secretary, Doornfontein Hebrew Congregation, 1926-1929. Postal Address: 4 High Street, Berea.

Bishko, Isidore

1929 Yearbook 

BISHKO, Isidore, L.D.S., R.C.S. (Eng.), Dental Surgeon. Born Bloemfontein in 1903. Educated at Grey College, Bloemfontein, and Royal Dental Hospital, London. Honorary Dental Surgeon Bloemfontein Hebrew Schools. Postal Address: Box 678, Bloemfontein. 

Bernstein, Nicholas

1929 Yearbook 

BERNSTEIN, Nicholas, Merchant. (One of the brothers who established the firm of Bernstein Bros., Ltd., in Johannesburg in 1898, and an active member of the firm since then.) Born in Courland in 1874. Educated there. Came to South Africa in 1894. Married Sarah Kark in 1912: has four children. Member of all Jewish Institutions. Postal Address: 198 Musgrave Road, Durban.

Bernstein, Morris

1929 Yearbook 

BERNSTEIN, Morris, Proprietor Algoa Sweet Manufacturing Co. Born in Russia in 1870. Educated in Manchester, England. Married Annie Fisher in 1892; has seven children. Came to South Africa in 1893. Postal Address: Box 693, Port Elizabeth.

Bernstein, Joseph Harris

1929 Yearbook 

BERNSTEIN, Joseph Harris, Dental Surgeon, L.D.S., R.C.S. (London Hospital). Born in Cape Town. Postal Address: 60 Plein Street, Cape Town.