The History of Jewry in Port Elizabeth Compiled by H. SCHAUDER, Rhodes University College, Grahamstown

THE history of Jewry in Port Elizabeth starts at a comparatively early date. Although, as is only to be expected, no Jewish names are to be traced in the lists of early settlers, as far back as in 1845 we find that a certain Moses Britton had established himself in business. Among the first, too, was S. Rudolf, who is found advertising in the papers of 1846. A Mr. Samuel Nathan opened a shop in Queen Street towards the end of 1850. From that time the number of Jews slowly increased until about 1855 they were able to hire a room in Queen Street, opposite St. Paul’s Church, for use as a temporary house of worship. In 1857 a congregation was formed and services were regularly held on Sabbaths and Festivals, and occasionally lessons in Hebrew and religious knowledge were given to the then small number of Jewish children.

Mr. A. M. Jackson arrived at Port Elizabeth in 1859, and shortly after his arrival he took definite steps to place the congregation on a firm and stable footing. Mr. Jackson possessed great energy, enthusiasm and personality, and his influence was soon felt both within and without the Jewish community. He was appointed Marriage Officer shortly after his arrival.

In 1859 the sale of what was then known as the Rudolf Estate marked the beginning of what is to-day South End.

The First Synagogue.

As the members of the community continued to increase in numbers, the need for a larger place of worship was soon felt. In 1862 a building known as Lutheran Church was acquired at the top of White’s Road Hill. The first general meeting held in the new building was held on December 19th, 1872. Mr. S. Godfrey, the President of the Congregation, presided, and there were also present Messrs. I. Wallach, Hon. Treasurer, A. M. Jackson, Hon. Secretary, and Messrs. H. Godfrey, M. Wallach, A. Gumper, G. Gumpert, A. Abrahamson, L. Abrahamson. Messrs. H. Godfrey and I. Wallach were accorded special votes of thanks for their successful efforts to raise funds for the building of a synagogue.

It may be said that the Congregation was firmly established by the middle of 1864. At this period the active workers of the community were Messrs. Philip Barnett, the Gabriel Brothers, the Solomons, the Benjamins, the Abrahamsons, the Beers, S. D. Marks, L. A. Levyno and S. Rudolph. These men not only worked in the interests of the Jewish community but also laboured with their fellow citizens for the progress and welfare of Port Elizabeth. In fact, the interest taken by the Jewish inhabitants in the affairs of the town may be seen from the three Jewish names—Maurice Joseph, L. Lippert and S. Cohen—which appear on a petition for local self-government in 1860. When, in September of that year, Prince Alfred visited Port Elizabeth, Mr. B. N. Goldmann and Mr. J. Mosenthal had the honour of being introduced to him. A requisition to Mr. S. Julius Mosenthal further asked that gentleman to stand for a vacancy in the Legislative Council. Mr. Ernest R. Moses was appointed Honorary Dentist to the Hospital and was the first practitioner in Port Elizabeth to use anaesthetics for operations; and Nathaniel Adler was for some time French Consul in Port Elizabeth.

The First Minister.

At a general meeting of the members held on September 5th, 1869, under the chairmanship of Mr. H. Godfrey, it was felt that the time was opportune for a permanent minister to be appointed to meet the spiritual needs of the Congregation. The committee which was appointed to carry the resolution into effect opened up correspondence with the then Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Empire, Dr. Nathan Marcus Adler.

After three years of correspondence and negotiation, the Junior Minister of the Portsmouth Hebrew Congregation, the Rev. Samuel Rappaport, was appointed Minister in September, 1872. The reverend gentleman occupied the office of Minister of the Port Elizabeth Hebrew Congregation for nearly 25 years. During his tenure of office he ministered not only to the wants of the Port Elizabeth Jewish community but was also called upon to perform religious rites and ceremonies in various parts of the Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Natal.

Mr. Rappaport officiated at the first Jewish wedding ever held in Bloemfontein and at the first Abrahamic initiation in Durban, Natal. Mr. Rappaport was also present by invitation at the first Jewish meeting ever held in Johannesburg, on Sunday, July 10th, 1887, shortly after the proclamation of the Witwatersrand Gold Fields.

A New Synagogue.

On October 4th, 1874, twelve years after the opening of the first synagogue, a general meeting of the Congregation resolved, on the proposition of Mr. Philip Barnett, seconded by Mr. L. A. Levyno, “That a special meeting be convened at an early date for the purpose of taking into consideration the necessity for purchasing a piece of ground on which to build a synagogue.” In December, 1874, at a quarterly meeting of the members, it was agreed “That the three erven or lots of ground marked 61, 62 and 63, measuring 95 feet by 160 feet, situated on the hill in the Western Road, be purchased for the sum of £260.”

The Building Committee was formed and an appeal issued for funds to purchase the ground and to erect a building. The Minister, assisted by the members of the Congregation, laboured unceasingly, with a result that the sum of £2,500 was collected. The Rev. Mr. Rappaport undertook a trip through the country districts with very gratifying results. The Congregation, in appreciation of his outstanding services, at a special meeting of members held on Sunday, 29th August, 1875, placed on record its appreciation of his successful effort and presented him with the sum of £50 as a token of its esteem.

In 1876 the Congregation, in response to a request from Kimberley, donated the sum of £25 towards the building of the first synagogue at the Diamond Fields of Griqualand West.

Messrs. A. M. Jackson and L. A. Levyno were elected as trustees of the building, and called for tenders, eventually accepting the tender of Messrs. Connolly, Trent & Bell for the sum of £3,010 12s. 6d.

Consecration of the Synagogue.

The foundation stone of the new building was laid towards the end of 1876 by Mr. A. M. Jackson and on September 2nd, 1877, the new house of worship was consecrated by the Rev. Samuel Rappaport. The consecration service was very impressive, and there were present representatives of all public bodies, including the Hon. C. Brownlees, Minister for Frontier Affairs, and the Hon. H. W. Pearson. An interesting sidelight on the building of the synagogue is given in the following words in the “Observer”, in December, 1876: “Some unprincipled vagabonds recently displayed their mischievous propensities by destroying valuable castings, mouldings, etc., at the Hebrew Synagogue. We hope they will be detected and made an example of.”

As years passed the Congregation grew in dignity and importance. The membership roll increased, including many from up-country districts. The synagogue was the centre of all Jewish philanthropic, intellectual and social work. At this period the following additional institutions were established: The Port Elizabeth Philanthropic Society, the Port Elizabeth Jewish Social Club, the Sabbath School and a branch of the Anglo-Jewish Association. On October 4th, 1877, a meeting of the Congregation was called to consider an appeal from the Anglo-Jewish Association on behalf of distressed co-religionists in Turkey, and £150 was collected.

On October 28th, 1884, an illuminated address was forwarded through the President of the Congregation, Mr. Albert Sytner, to Sir Moses Montefiore, Bart., on the occasion of his 100th birthday.

In 1889 the sum of £500 was subscribed for the purpose of paying off the mortgage bond and repairing the synagogue building. In 1890 modifications in the service of the Synagogue were introduced.

The Rev. S. Rappaport tendered his resignation as minister towards the end of 1895, and this was accepted with deep regret. The Rev. D. Wasserzug, of Cardiff, was the next minister appointed, but he resigned in October, 1896. In June, 1897, the Rev. Jacob Phillips, of Sunderland, was appointed minister. In the same year provision was made for a house for the minister adjoining the Synagogue. Mr. B. Frankel headed the subscribers’ list with a donation of £100.

A committee, consisting of Messrs. J. Burman, Joseph Benjamin, George Bendon, E. H. Cotton, Maurice Joseph, with the addition of the Rev. Isaac Phillips, of Portsmouth, all of whom were then in England, was delegated to present to the Rev. S. Singer, of London, an illuminated address in appreciation of the services he had rendered to the Congregation.

The Boer War.

During the Boer War a Refugee Relief Committee was formed to assist Jewish Refugees who had come to Port Elizabeth from the Transvaal and the Free State. The following gentlemen served on the Committee: Councillor M. Gumpert, J.P., Messrs. H. J. Rogaly, E. H. Cotton, Albert Sytner, I. Hirschberg, Hillier Holt, N. Rosseinsky, and Mr. Alfred Rogaly was Hon. Secretary. A large number of men also joined the colours. At this period funds were collected for the relief of distress in Roumania and Russia. The sum of over £150 was handed to the Cape Town Committee.

In December, 1901, Mr. Albert Sytner was presented with an illuminated address by the Congregation in appreciation of his services. Mr. Sytner had been a member of the Town Council, Chairman of the Health Committee thereof and a Vice-President of the Port Elizabeth Institute.

As a result of the Russian pogroms, a meeting of protest was held in 1905, and a Relief Committee formed, with the support of the leading men of the town.

In 1906 Mr. David Wolffsohn, President of the World Zionist Organisation, visited Port Elizabeth and was accorded a great welcome.

Fiftieth Anniversary.

On September 2nd, 1907, the Congregation celebrated the 50th anniversary of its establishment. A special service was held in the synagogue, which was attended by the leading citizens. The synagogue was beautifully decorated. Mr. E. H. Cotton, the President, and Mr. (now Sir) Lewis Richardson spoke, and Rev. Jacob Phillips preached a sermon.

In 1909 Rev. L. Phillips accepted a call to Pretoria as Minister of the Hebrew Congregation there, and in 1912 Rev. E. D. Lyons came from Johannesburg as temporary Reader. In 1913 Rev. A. Levy was appointed minister to the Congregation and filled the post eminently till 1922, being twice reappointed. In that year he left for Brisbane, being presented with a purse by the Congregation as a mark of esteem. He returned in 1925.

The Orthodox Congregation.

The Orthodox Congregation started its history much later than its sister institution. At first, owing to the small number of members, it had no definite organisation or even regular place of worship. Services were held from time to time in a private house or shop. Then, as the increase of membership warranted it, a building in Hartman Road was made use of for the purposes of a synagogue. This building continued to serve for a long time. The necessity for a proper synagogue, however, came to be keenly felt, and a fund for building a new one was started and liberally subscribed to. In 1912 the building was completed, Dr. Landau having come down from Johannesburg to perform the ceremony of laying the foundation stone.

Since that date it has played an important part in the life of the community, and was at first the focussing point of all communal activities. Gradually, however, as each branch grew in importance it formed itself into a separate unit. A Talmud Study Circle is carried on under the aegis of the Congregation.

Among those who worked on behalf of the Congregation over a long period may be mentioned the following past presidents: The late Mr. C. Jabkovitz, Messrs. I. Platzky, J. Bergman, B. Dubb, A. Schauder, M. Mitchell, I. Kerbel, S. Abrahams.

The excellent attitude which the Congregation still keeps up towards other communal enterprises, however, is shown by the annual donation it has recently decided to contribute towards the support of the Hebrew School.

The War.

The outbreak of the war brought inevitably to the community many new problems to face. In common with their fellow citizens the Jews of Port Elizabeth worked, organised, and sent forth their manhood in loyal response to the call of the land of their adoption. The war also perhaps gave a new outlook to many who, accustomed hitherto to look to the older countries of Europe for guidance and inspiration, now felt the urge and necessity for development along their own lines. The result of this development may be seen in the growing sense of communal consciousness which has given rise to the present movement towards communal unity.

The outstanding events in the history of Port Elizabeth Jewry since the war have largely been those of common interest to South African Jewry in general, and it is unnecessary to detail them here. The community has raised its voice from time to time against immigration restriction, has sent aid when called on by stricken brethren in Europe, and responded to a hundred other necessities of the times. To a succession of Zionist emissaries—Dr. Schmarya Levin, Dr. Goldstein, Rabbi Zlotnik, Sokolow and Colonel Kisch—Port Elizabeth has shown itself more than worthy.

Communal Institutions.

Next to the Congregations the BENEVOLENT SOCIETY is the oldest communal enterprise of the city. It was formed in 1900 by the late Mr. H. Levy, and in 1903 the Helping Hand Society, which had hitherto worked under the aegis of the Hebrew Congregation, amalgamated with it. The society has done much good work from the troublous days of the Boer War, when it started, till to-day. The following gentlemen gave their services to the society for twenty years or more: Asher Kaplan, Esq., J. Schumacher, Esq., M. Mitchell, Esq., the late Mr. A. Taitz, A. Schauder, Esq., H. J. Rogaly, Esq., I. F. Rabinowitz, Esq., A. Lewis, Esq. The present executive is as follows: Chairman, M. Mitchell; Vice-Chairman, A. Kaplan; Secretaries, Dr. P. J. Jabkovitz and G. Luntz; Treasurer, S. J. Weinberg. H. J. Rogaly and A. Schauder are Hon. Life Presidents of the society.

The next society in point of age is the CHEVRA KADISHA. As far back as November, 1857, Sir George Grey had made a grant of land to the community for use as a burial ground. At that early date, there being no definite society yet for the purpose, the members of the newly formed Hebrew Congregation undertook the task of levelling the ground, erecting a mortuary hall, and of repairing it from time to time. It is interesting to find that many graves are those of people comparatively far from Port Elizabeth.

As the community grew in size, however, the position altered considerably, and this method of control by one section of the community—originally undertaken only as a matter of convenience—became unworkable. Matters came severely to a head in 1913, and a serious rupture was imminent. After much negotiation, however, a compromise was arrived at, and the Chevra Kadisha, an impartial body embracing all sections of the community, was formed to take over the management of the affairs of the burial ground. Mr. A. Schauder, to whose efforts largely this satisfactory arrangement was due, was elected President of the Society, a position which he has held till to-day.

In 1924 the Chevra Kadisha saw a long-felt wish accomplished. In that year it concluded the building of a new Tahara House, as well as a beautiful wall round the old ground and the new plots which had been obtained free from the Municipality. The foundation stone had been laid the previous year by Sir Lewis Richardson, who had also made a munificent donation towards the cost. The opening ceremony was performed by Mr. A. Schauder.

The Chevra Kadisha occupies a unique position in that it is “undenominational.” It is thus playing a very important role in the present movement towards communal unity. The following are outstanding among the indefatigable workers of the society: A. Schauder, E. Hurwitz, A. Eliasov, J. Prussof, E. Baker, A. Lewis. Ladies’ Committee: Mesdames A. Ress, R. Schauder, sen., R. Castle and E. Greenblatt. The following is the present executive: Chairman, Councillor A. Schauder; Treasurer, E. Hurwitz; Secretary, M. Gosschalk. Mr. N. Jacobs did yeoman service for the society as its secretary prior to his departure for England this year.

The Hebrew School.

The Port Elizabeth Hebrew School, one of the leading Jewish educational institutions in the country, was established in 1918 by a small band of voluntary workers, representing all sections of the community, prominent amongst whom were A. Schauder and Nissen Wulf Lurie.

For many years prior to the establishment of this institution the need for communalising Jewish education had been keenly felt, and some desultory efforts had from time to time been made without any permanent results.

By 1917 the community had grown to such an extent that the need had become very apparent, and as a result a number of public meetings were held. After several fruitless efforts a school was eventually established on a firm foundation. Temporary premises were secured in the Central Public School, and Mr. D. Mierowsky, one of the leading Hebrew educationalists of South Africa, then Headmaster of the Oudtshoorn Hebrew School, was invited to take charge of the classes. Regular classes started in June, and the formal opening ceremony took place on July 21st, 1918. The function, which was presided over by Mr. A. Schauder, Chairman of the School, and honoured by the presence of Dr. J. L. Landau, was a turning point in the communal life of Port Elizabeth Jewry, it being the first occasion where all sections of both communities rallied round one purpose. The opening ceremony was performed by the late Mr. K. Richardson, father of Sir Lewis Richardson, Bart., and a Building Fund was inaugurated on the same day, resulting in over £1,000 being subscribed. Three months later school buildings and a hall were acquired, Madame R. L. Lurie contributing £500 towards their cost in commemoration of her late husband.

Since then the school has carried on its work with varying success, and in the face of many difficulties inevitably associated with Jewish education in this country.

The curriculum of the school has always been very comprehensive, calculated to meet the diverse conceptions of Jewish education. It comprises courses of study in ancient and modern Hebrew, Talmud, Rashi, History and Religion. Great encouragement has always been given by the school authorities to the taking of Hebrew as a subject in High School and University examinations, and the proportion of the students who included Hebrew in their Junior Certificate and Matriculation has probably been larger here than in any other South African centre.

When the Education Department of the Cape Province instituted its own examinations and withheld from Hebrew the recognition granted it by the University authorities, a deputation consisting of the late Mr. Gumpert, M.P.C., Mr. D. Mierowsky and Mr. A. Schauder, waited upon the late Dr. Viljoen, and as a result Hebrew received the same recognition as accorded to it by the University authorities. Considering the growing importance of these examinations, this obtaining of recognition for Hebrew must be noted as a great achievement.

Besides the Principal, the teachers who have given their services to the school for varying periods are Mrs. G. Lichter, Rev. Sandler, Rev. Levy, Rabbi Wilentzick, Miss Wilentzick, Miss Kalmin, Miss Lewin and Mr. P. Porter, the last three being past pupils of the school. It is a noteworthy fact that a number of past pupils of this school have from time to time filled teaching posts with marked success in other prominent South African Hebrew Schools.

The school has, during all these years, formed a centre of intellectual activity whence cultural influences were radiated. The school concerts, annual prize distribution, picnics, Hebrew Reading Circle and Juvenile Societies have all helped to stimulate interest among the local youth in Jewish matters.

In June, 1928, Mr. D. Mierowsky relinquished his appointment and accepted the invitation of the newly established S.A. Board of Jewish Education to act as its organising secretary. The Headmastership was then offered to Dr. J. Mibashan, of Jerusalem, who, assisted by Mr. Silbert and Mrs. Mibashan, took up his duties in November, 1928.

The Jewish community of Port Elizabeth has during the last few years grown rapidly, and has come to realise that new modern premises are needed to house the school. As a result a movement is now afoot for the erection of an up-to-date school building and communal hall. There is every hope that should this scheme come to fruition the school will be assured a yet more successful future.

The present Executive is as follows: President, Mr. A. Schauder; Hon. Secretary, Mr. B. Schneider; Hon. Treasurer, M. S. Cohen.

Other Societies.

The P.E. community also possesses several smaller societies of considerable importance. The Jewish Ladies’ Association, headed for a large number of years by Mrs. H. J. Rogaly, and whose present chairlady is Mrs. B. Weinronk, has done and is doing much good work. The Zionist Society, in whose interests Mr. B. Weinronk, Mr. J. Schumacher, Mr. I. Sacks, Mr. N. Lurie and Mr. Joffe have been prominent workers, has been reorganised this year, and its present chairman is Mr. S. Kaplan. The Ladies’ Zionist League, recently started under the leadership of Mrs. A. Schumacher, is making excellent progress. It also sponsors a Dramatic Section.

The needs of the youth of the community are catered for by two healthy societies, the P.E. Jewish Boys’ Guild and the “Asephah.” These two societies are about to be combined.

General.

The present Ministers of the Congregations are:—

The P.E. Hebrew Congregation: Rev. A. Levy.

The P.E. Orthodox Hebrew Congregation: Chazan, Rev. A. Sandler; Rabbi Wilentzick.

The present Executives are as follows:—

The P.E. Hebrew Congregation: President, Mr. J. J. Kaplan; Vice-President, Mr. Sch. Karstaedt; Treasurer, Mr. J. S. Gluckmann.

The P.E. Orthodox Hebrew Congregation: President, Mr. S. Abrahams; Gabba, Mr. Friedman; Treasurer, Mr. S. Weinronk; Secretary, Mr. S. Jacobs.