Notes on the Springs Jewish Community

THE first Jewish resident in the place now known as Springs was one Abraham Klevansky, who had a store about 1890 where the railway goods sheds are now. Mr. Herman Michaelis, who lived in Boksburg about 1890, commenced prospecting for coal on the farm Daggafontein in 1891, having heard of the possibilities of this mineral being found through indications shown in the sinking of a well on the adjoining farm Grootvlei. This was before any railway was built to Springs in fact, there was no township or signs of one at that time. Coal was struck in due course. This strike was of vast importance to the gold mining industry since it was the first good-quality coal which had been discovered within easy distance of the gold fields. This coal discovery became the Cassel Colliery, so named on account of Mr. Michaelis's associates in the venture having come from the town of Cassel in Germany. Mr. Emil Michaelis, father of Mr. Herman Michaelis, had a shop on this property for about twelve months.

Solomon Hammerslag came about 1891. He worked for one Neubauer at the President Hotel, which was the site subsequently of the Tyne Valley Colliery.

In 1892 Samuel Epstein arrived. He lived on the farm Geduld, then owned by the late President Kruger. Mr. Epstein is still resident in Springs and lives on the same spot.

About 1893 Messrs. Lewis & Marks opened the Great Eastern Colliery, which caused an influx of new population, amongst whom were numbered naturally a few Jews. Amongst these new arrivals was Elias Lorge. He opened business on the farm Geduld in close proximity to where the railway to Ermelo crosses the Boksburg Road (now Fourth Avenue, Geduld Township). Mr. Lorge still lives in Geduld Township, and the crossing is locally known as Lorge's Crossing.

The Cassel Hotel was opened by Mr. Reuben Alexander about 1894. It was at this place that the then Jewish community, numbering about twenty souls, held their services on High Festivals and Holy Days.

Subsequently the services were held at the Great Eastern Hotel, owned by Gustav Alexander. Mr. Samuel Epstein officiated as Honorary Baal Musaph at these little services.

In 1895 Solomon Lorge came. His was the first wedding to be solemnised in the Synagogue after it was built in 1908. He married Miss Maude Sonnenberg.

During all these earlier years money was collected towards the building of a Shool. This laudable ambition reached fruition in 1908.

The leading communal workers of the days prior to the Anglo-Boer War were Reuben Alexander, Solomon Wilson, N. Kingsbury, Samuel Epstein, I. M. Goodman and Louis Greenberg.

The first Zionist Society was established in this area in November, 1898, by Rabbi Dr. Hertz, S. Lennox-Lowe, Herman Landau and A. Klagsbrun.

During the Anglo-Boer War the late Colonel Goldsmid was stationed in Springs some time towards the end of 1900.

Mrs. Sarah Glueck was Postmistress of Springs for about twenty years. When Mrs. Glueck left Springs at the termination of her services, Mr. J. H. Davey, who was present at the farewell given in her honour as deputy for the Postmaster-General, briefly detailed Mrs. Glueck's invaluable services during the South African War when, in imminent danger, she had filled a breach in the lines of communication, saving valuable stores and often having to ride 15 miles to serve two post offices single handed. "Decorations had been bestowed on men for less services to the State than those rendered by Mrs. Glueck.”

The present Synagogue, named "Gates of Hope" Synagogue, was erected in 1908. The inscription on the corner stone reads as under:-

This stone was laid by Dr. J. H. Hertz, Ph.D., Iyar 2nd, 5668, May 3rd, 1908.

I. M. Goodman, President.

S. Epstein, Treasurer.

I. Greenberg, Hon. Secretary."

The reigning President is Mr. M. L. Lipson, who has held that office since November, 1919.

Messrs. Samuel Epstein and Louis Greenberg has also held the office of President.

In 1922 Mr. S. Redhill, M.B.E., and Mr. Attorney B. P. Goldberg were successful in securing the conversion to freehold title of the land upon which the Synagogue is erected, formerly held under Crown Grant for Religious Purposes.

In the government of the town several Jews have participated. Mr. J. H. Alexander was a member of the original Health Board. Messrs. J. Alexander, S. Wilson, Elias Lorge and I. M. Goodman were members of the minor Council. Since Springs was made a major municipality the following gentlemen have served on the Council: Mr. I. M. Goodman, from October, 1912, to October, 1915; he was Mayor for the years 1913-14 and 1914-15; Mr. A. M. Goodman, from October, 1913, to October, 1916; Mr. S. Epstein, from October, 1915, to October, 1920; Mr. B. P. Goldberg, from October, 1915, to October, 1917; Mr. S. Redhill, elected to Town Council, October, 1927, for ensuing three years.

Mr. S. Redhill was appointed a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in June, 1919, for services rendered in the Great War.

[Since the above was written, Springs, following the example of other Reef communities, has amalgamated its institutions under the title of United Hebrew Institutions of Springs. Details appear in the Communal Directory of this book.—EDITOR, S.A.J.Y.B.]