The Jewish Press in South Africa By J S Judelowitz

The Jewish Press in South Africa

By J S Judelowitz.

ALTHOUGH it is not quite forty years since the first Jewish paper was published in South Africa, the "Voortrekker" Jewish journalist arrived in Cape Town over a hundred and ten years ago.

Joseph Suasso de Lima, LL.D., was a Hollander lawyer of Jewish birth. L. H. Meurant in his book "Sixty Years Ago," published by Saul Solomon, Cape Town, 1885, describes de Lima as follows: Mr. J. Suasso de Lima was a Dutch lawyer, a clever man, and a linguist. He was always in trouble, never paid anybody, especially his house rent.

JOSEPH SUASSO DE LIMA.

Sydney Mendelssohn in his paper "Jewish Pioneers of South Africa," published in the transactions of the Jewish Historical Society of England, and reprinted in the Ivri Onouchi, Johannesburg, mentions de Lima as one of the Jewish Pioneers.

De Lima is noted in a Cape Government publication of 1822, as a schoolmaster engaged to instruct slaves in the Christian religion. He was historian, poet, dramatist and journalist

His literary rival in Cape Town at the time was a Frenchman named Charles Retienne Boniface, and the two were continually engaged in lampooning each other. Boniface published a play in which the hero was a burlesque of de Lima. The character was entitled “Clasius Stupidus Bavianus," juris, doctor, dichter, drukker, boek-handelaar, taalmenger, kuntsplater, verkoper, brievensteller, and de Lima is referred to as "Limacon Senior, J.D. (Joodsche Dwergje)—(The Jewish Dwarf.)"

Mr. Graham Botha, Government Archivist, in his article "The Early Jew at the Cape," says that de Lima obtained official permission to publish a paper, The Cape Koerant, but no copy of this appears to exist. In 1828, however, de Lima edited and published a paper called the Verzamelaar, which existed for several years, died, and was revived in the forties.

In his Verzamelaar of 22nd September, 1847, the following notice appears: “We heartily congratulate the members of the Jewish Persuasion with their New Year on this day." This is one of the earliest notices in the public Press of the Cape, conveying greetings on the New Year, a feature which has now become customary.

De Lima was a member of the Masonic Order, and in 1847, published an interesting booklet, "Jaarboek van Vrymetselaren," to commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the oldest Lodge in South Africa, "De Goede Hoop.'

Sydney Mendelssohn in his "Bibliography of South African Literature" mentions several books in Dutch by de Lima, but they are not of specifically Jewish interest.

Mr. S. A. Rochlin in an article "The Jew in English and in early South African Jewish Literature" believes that de Lima translated into English the poem "Israel," by the great Dutch poet of the nineteenth century, Isaac de Costa (1798-1860). It was included in "Poetry of the Good Hope edited by R. J. Stapleton and published in 1828.

When de Lima died at the age of 67, he was not "gathered to his people," but was interred in the vault of the Teron family in the Old Dutch Cemetery in Somerset Road, Cape Town.

Nehemia Dov. Baer Hoffmann.

The pioneer of the Jewish Press in South Africa was Nehemia Dov Baer ben Zeev Wolf Hoffmann (1860-1928).

Hoffmann wrote for many Hebrew papers, from the Orthodox Lebanon to the Socialistic Hakol. He lived in New York for a while where he was on the staff of the Jewish Gazette. He was the author of several books in Hebrew and Yiddish, some of which have been favourably reviewed by the Jewish Press.

S. M. Dubnow, the critic of the well known Russo-Jewish Journal Voskhod, reviewed his books "Hanosea" and “Sipure Hateba" favourably in the years 1884 and 1887.

Hoffmann's path was strewn with troubles. The older generation of Hebrew readers will remember the remarks of the Editor of the first Hebrew daily Hayom concerning Hoffmann's advertisements in that paper.

Hoffmann arrived in South Africa in 1889 and imported the Hebrew "lead alphabet" and became the "father" of the Jewish Press.

Hoffmann wrote three articles about the bibliography of the Jewish Press in South Africa. One appeared in the last number of the Yiddish monthly Der Afrikaner, Cape Town, April, 1914, in the "Jews of South Africa," Cape Town, 1916, and in the Ivri Onouchi, Johannesburg, May, 1925.

The writer of these lines dealt with the first two articles in the Yiddish monthly Dos Naye Wort, Johannesburg, 1916.

Hoffman mentioned 13 Jewish publications but he did not give the exact dates of their issue. The first Jewish paper Der Afrikaner Israelit was published in 1890 in Johannesburg. It was a weekly and contained eight pages, and dealt with news, politics and belles lettres, almost all written by the Editor-Publisher, N. D. Hoffmann. The paper had an existence of about six months. When we remember that it was started only four years after the proclamation of the Witwatersrand Goldfields, we must admire the courage and the enterprise of the pioneer-editor.

Hoffmann left Johannesburg for Cape Town in 1891, and started a Yiddish weekly paper Ha-or, on April 1st, 1895, and its career came to an end on 5th July, 1897. Later Hoffmann, in partnership with a Jewish journalist from London, Isaac Stone, published a weekly called Der Judisher Herald, which flourished at Cape Town for two years. Its successor was Der Afrikaner Telegraph, which existed from 1st August, 1898, to the end of 1902. This was published by Hoffmann in partnership with Eigel Kaplansky and Goldblatt.

On 11th September, Hoffmann launched a new newspaper venture with new partners, Rev. J. L. Schriro and M. Matuson, a journalist from Warsaw. The paper lasted until October, 1905. By this time Hoffmann came to the conclusion that there was no room for a Yiddish weekly, and on the 1st January, 1909, he commenced a monthly publication called Der Afrikaner. This continued its existence until April, 1914. Hoffmann also added a Hebrew Supplement to The Ha-or, under the name Ha-oheb.

In 1905 (14 Nissan 5665) he published a Hebrew bi-monthly Kinereth, but it ceased after the twelfth number. Kinereth appeared as a supplement to Der Afrikaner until April, 1914.

Hoffmann's former partner, David Goldblatt, came to Cape Town from London. According to Z. Rejzen's Lexicon (Wilna, 1926), David Goldblatt was born in the seventies of the last century in Lithuania. When the writer met Mr. Goldblatt, he was informed that Mr. Goldblatt was born in Poland, near Radom, and that he was a step-brother of Dr. Israel Fraenkel, (1857-1910), who was a regular contributor to Ha-Zepirah almost weekly for about twenty years. During the Anglo-Boer War, Goldblatt published at Cape Town a Yiddish daily newspaper called Der Kriegsstaphet.

Yiddish as a European Language.

Immediately after the Boer War, Goldblatt was in the forefront of the agitation for the recognition of Yiddish as an European language. He published a pamphlet, “Yiddish: Is it a European Language?" (1905). In 1904 he published a Yiddish weekly, Der Judische Advocate, and continued it until 1914. He also published a Yiddish Lexicon. In November, 1914, he left South Africa. He now resides in New York, and is associated with The Jewish Forum. In 1920 he published "Die Algemeine Illustrierte Enziklopedia," Vol. I., and Vol. II. in 1923.

According to Die Welt, Vienna, 24th September, 1897, “Auch Johannesburg hat seit August 20 eine Judische Wochenschrift, The African Jewish Gazette." The Editor was Isaac Berman who died on 27th June, 1898, aged 35. Mr. W. Belfort, now of Bloemfontein, informed the writer that he published the paper for about three months after Berman's death. One of the contributors to the African Jewish Gazette was Solomon Vogelson (died 23rd July, 1920, aged 56).

In 1898, Vogelson published a Yiddish weekly, Der Express.

Die Welt of 2nd December, 1898, says that an attempt was made to publish an Anglo-Jewish paper in Johannesburg to be called The South African Jewish Chronicle and Zionist News, but the attempt was unsuccessful.

The first Anglo-Jewish paper, The S.A. Jewish Chronicle, was published in Cape Town on 7th February, 1902, as a fortnightly and continued until 12th August, 1904. From 5th May, 1905, it appeared as a weekly in Johannesburg until December, 1927, when it was re-transferred to Cape Town, where it is now continued under the editorship of Mr. J. Carasov.

On 17th June, 1903, The Jewish Star (Hacochav) was published in Johannesburg. Mr. Israel Michael Traub was the Editor-Publisher. During its first year, the paper had a Hebrew column. It continued its existence until 1907.

The Jewish Free Press, a Yiddish weekly, was published and printed by Mr. L. S. Schmulian in Johannesburg from 26th January, 1904. Mr. Baruch Levitzky (1867-1904) was the editor and Mr. Benzion S. Hersch was sub-editor. The paper lasted five months and was revived at the end of 1907 for a short while with Mr. B. S. Hersch as editor.

In 1904, a Yiddish weekly was started in Cape Town, Der Strahl, edited by Mr. Lazarus Manfrid (of Schadov, Kovno).

According to the Jewish Encyclopedia, an Anglo-Jewish weekly, The South African Jewish Standard, appeared in Durban in 1904, but the writer has been unable to trace any proof of its existence.

In 1906, a Jewish monthly for juveniles, was published in Johannesburg, Israel's Messenger, edited by Mr. Marcuson.

The Zionist Record.

On 15th November, 1908, The South African Zionist Federation published the first number of The Zionist Record as a monthly. In 1924 it was converted into a fortnightly, and in 1926, it became a weekly. Its Editors have been M. Abrahams, Isaac Goodman, Lennox L. Loewe, I. H. Harris, B.Sc., J. Alexander, Μ.Α., Morris De Saxe, B.A., LL.B., and its present editor is David Dainow. It is published by the Kadimah Press, Ltd., and apart from being a general Jewish weekly paper it is the official organ of the South African Zionist Federation. It is the only Jewish paper in South Africa which goes into practically every town and village in the country.

On 25th February, 1909, Mr. Benzion S. Hersch published a Yiddish paper The Jewish Standard (Die Yiddische Fohn) as a fortnightly until 1910, when it became a weekly. From 2nd May, 1913, until 1st July, 1913, it was published five times a week, and from that date until 22nd August, 1913, twice a week, when it ceased publication.

In 1910 there was published in Johannesburg the Rosh Hashona Annual of The S.A. Jewish Chronicle.

On 17th June, 1910, a Mr. Rubinstein published a Yiddish weekly, The Jewish Voice. Mr. Simon Joffe was the Editor and it appeared regularly for about a year.

In 1910, The Progressive, the official organ of the Unionist Party published a Yiddish supplement edited by Mr. Solomon Vogelson. Only two numbers of this supplement were issued, and this was the first occasion when a paper printed in English issued a Yiddish supplement.

In July, 1912, an English supplement to the Yiddish paper The Jewish Standard was published by Mr. Benzion S. Hersch, and in December, 1913, David Goldblatt published an English supplement to his Yiddish paper The Jewish Advocate.

A Yiddish supplement, edited by Elias Gewürts, was published by the S.A. Jewish Chronicle, and a Yiddish supplement to The Zionist Record (Nissan-A b, 5674) was issued by the S.A. Zionist Federation and edited by the writer of this article.

Prominent members of the community approached the present writer with promises of moral and financial support, to publish a Yiddish weekly, and the “Judische Volksstime" was prepared. Owing, however, to the attempt made by some of the promoters, to make the paper a political organ for the Unionist Party, the paper never came into actual existence.

About this time, Mr. Solomon Vogelson promoted a Yiddish weekly, Der Afrikaner, which was first issued on 10th November, 1911, and has regularly appeared up to the present day. Mr. H. Polsky is the editor and Mr. Percy Cowen is in charge of the English supplement. This latter originally appeared in July, 1917, under the direction of Dr. Ch. Spiro. The sub-editor of the paper was the late Jacob Israel Davidson, after the present writer had been offered the post and declined it.

In June, 1912. Mr. Max Slonimsky published the Wechendliche Najes. Only one issue appeared. Mr. Slonimsky, who was a printer, organised a group of young Yiddish writers and published a paper Di Naie Zeit from August to October, 1912. The first two numbers appeared monthly, and the last four, weekly.

In 1912, Rabbi Dr. J. L. Landau proposed the publication of a Hebrew monthly magazine "Barkai," but beyond the issue of a prospectus and an advertisement in the Ha-Kinereth of August, 1912, nothing materialised.

In 1912, Mr. E. Rendel edited and published the Yiddish paper The Johannes-burg Daily. The first number appeared on 12th December, 1912, the second on 17th December, and then daily (Saturdays excepted) until 31st January, 1913.

Di Naie Heim, edited by the present writer, appeared five times a week from 22nd January to 3rd March, 1913.

Mr. Isaac Goodman, a one-time editor of the Zionist Record, edited and published an Anglo-Jewish weekly, The Jewish Tribune, from May until September, 1913.

In 1913, the late Dr. B. Liknaitzky issued an advertisement concerning a Yiddish magazine "Vun Zeit Zur Zeit," but the paper never appeared. The advertisement appeared in the Jewish Standard on 15th July, 1913.

The War and After.

During the world war, a Jewish quarterly appeared in Cape Town, Judea (1915-1918), edited by Mr. J. Lewis and published by the Junior Zionist Society.

In July, 1916, the Yiddish Literary and Dramatic Society of Johannesburg published a monthly magazine, Dos Naye Wort. Five issues appeared.

On 15th October, 1917. Mr. A. Revinson published The Bird's Eye (Hinneraug) at Benoni. It was intended to be a fortnightly. Only one number appeared. On 6th December, 1917, Mr. A. Revinson published Der Strom (The Current). It appeared somewhat irregularly until 21st March, 1919.

In 1919, the Poale Zion Society issued a monthly, Unzer Weg, which appeared at intervals from 1st May, 1919, to November, 1921. It was edited by Mr. S. Kartun.

In September, 1919, a quarterly, called The Jewish Guild Journal, appeared in Bulawayo, Rhodesia. It was published under the supervision of the Rev. M. I. Cohen, B.A. Seven issues appeared.

In 1920, the late Mr. N. D. Hoffman published in Yiddish The South African Jewish Year Book (Cape T\town). No other issue has appeared.

In 1920, Der Africaner issued a literary supplement, Freie Beilage Zum Africaner.

In September, 1920, Unser Onhoub (Hectograph) was published in Johannesburg. There was no further issue.

In October, 1922, the United South African Jewish Relief Reconstruction and Orphans Fund published The Fund Bulletin, and this appeared periodically, printed in Yiddish and English until June, 1925,

Dorom Afrika, a monthly magazine published by the Yiddish Literary Society of Johannesburg, appeared from December, 1922, to August, 1923. It then ceased, and was revived in July, 1928, by the Jewish Publication Society, Ltd., and now appears regularly each month. The editor is Mr. J. M. Sherman.

Ivri Onouchi, a monthly magazine printed in English, was launched in January, 1923. It was founded, published and edited by Mr. I. M. Goodman, primarily as the Journal of the Jewish Guilds of South Africa. It is now a monthly magazine of general Jewish interest. In January, 1929, Mr. I. M. Goodman disposed of his interest and relinquished the editorship. It is now edited by Mr. A. I. Ovedoff. From Ellul 5684 until Iyar 5685, there was a Yiddish supplement edited by the present writer.

In 1923, Our Magazine, edited by Abraham Pincus and others, and run by the pupils of the Jewish Government School, appeared and had an existence for about two years.

The Judean, a quarterly printed in English, as the organ of the South African Young Israel Federation, appeared in Cape Town. It is still published quarterly.

Hasholom, a miniature Anglo-Jewish magazine published by the Durban Jewish Circle, made its first appearance in September, 1923. It is devoted to the interests of Durban Jewry and is still regularly issued every month.

The Rising Generation, the official organ of the Bloemfontein Young Israel Society, appeared at intervals. No. 1. in September, 1923, edited by Sol Belfort, No. 2 in January, 1925, edited by Leon Klatzow, No. 3 in March, 1926, edited by Naomi Phillips, and No. 4 in September, 1926, edited by J. Rubin.

The Jewish Voice (Yiddish), edited by A. Revinson, appeared on 24th April, 1924, and lasted for fourteen weekly issues.

The Jew, intended as a quarterly and edited and published by Rabbi W. Hirsch, B.A., in Pretoria, appeared in April, 1928. There was only one issue.

The Bulletin, issued periodically in English and Yiddish by the Jewish Colonisation Fund for the Settlement of Jews on the land in Russia, first appeared in 1926. It continues to appear under the editorship of Mr. A. Ovedoff at intervals.

In 1928, the children of the Cape Jewish Orphanage published a magazine, Our Friend.

This is the first attempt to compile chronological data concerning the Jewish Press of South Africa. There may be sins of omission and commission, which the writer will be grateful to have pointed out to him. The publishers of this volume will forward correspondence to the author.

[Since the above was written, the Kadimah Press, Ltd., proprietors of the Zionist Record, have acquired the South African Jewish Chronicle, Cape Town. The two papers will be issued with separate Editorial Boards. Editor, S.A.J.Y.B.]