Mr. Morris Alexander, K.C.

MR. MORRIS ALEXANDER, K.C., and M.L.A. for 21 years up to the time of the last General Election, is one of the best known figures in South African Jewry. Described by a well-informed writer on South African politics as a man who would be capable of holding all eleven portfolios in a South African Cabinet himself, he was born in Znin, Poland, in 1877. Coming to South Africa with his parents as a child, he entered the South African College at the age of 15. In 1896 he won the gold medal on the literature side, and in 1897 took his B.A. degree, being awarded the University Prize. After taking his B.A. and LL.B. degrees at Cambridge, where he was awarded a foundation scholarship for two years, he was called to the Bar in 1900, being in the same year admitted to the Cape Bar. His status and progress in his profession may be gauged by the fact that he was appointed a King's Counsel in 1919.

He is, however, best known for his arduous services on behalf of the general public of South Africa. In 1905, he was elected unopposed as a member of the City Council of Cape Town. For eight years he served in this capacity, giving to the Mother City the benefit of his great experience and advice, despite the fact that for nearly the whole of that time he was serving his country in the House of Assembly, having in 1908 entered Parliament on the Progressive ticket. From that time until June of this year, when he was defeated in the Gardens Division of Cape Town he has sat continuously in the Cape and Union Parliaments.

A man of strong, independent views, he has fought strenuously for those principles he holds dear, and has earned for himself a distinctive place in the legislative world. His services on behalf of the Civil Servants, and especially the Postal services, are well known, and earned for him the sobriquet of “the Hon. Member for the Post Office.”

But, in spite of all this, Mr. Alexander has managed to find time for a very large number of other activities. His work on behalf of the Jewish community in South Africa is so well known that it is hardly necessary to mention it here. But it is of so varied a character and so important that its omission will not give this sketch the correctness desired; and so it must be catalogued.

First and foremost must be mentioned his labours towards recognition of Yiddish as a European language. Mr. Alexander introduced a deputation to Mr. (now Sir Thomas) Graham, the Attorney General, and interviewed Dr. Jameson and Sir Gordon Sprigg, and succeeded in getting the recognition of Yiddish legalised in the Act of 1906.

Since 1906, Mr. Alexander has filled the position of President of the New Hebrew Congregation in Cape Town; until the amalgamation of the Provincial Boards of Deputies to form the present South African Board, he was President of the Board in the Cape Colony. To-day he is Chairman of the Cape Town Committee of the South African Board. The Cape Town Talmud Torah, Philanthropic Society and Cape Jewish Orphanage have had the value of Mr. Alexander's time and energy.

As Chairman of the Cape Jewish Relief Fund for Pogrom Orphans, and, since the foundation of the South African Relief Fund, as Chairman of the Cape Branch, he has given of his best towards this great charitable work.

To tell of Mr. Alexander's work in Zionist circles is really to relate the history of Zionism in the Sub-continent during the past quarter of a century. His interest in the greatest Jewish movement of all times is shown in every possible manner. He had the pleasure of attending the Hague Congress, and has been a member of the Greater Actions Committee.

In 1907, Mr. Alexander married Ruth H. Schechter, daughter of the late Prof. Solomon Schechter, M.A., Litt.D. (Cantab.), President of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.

Mr. Alexander occupies a well-earned position; loved, honoured and respected, and looked up to as a natural leader by the Jewish community in South Africa, he is returning this confidence and trust by an ever-ready interest in, and watchfulness over, Jewish interests.

(We are indebted to the “Judean,” for many details of the above.—Ed. S.A.J.Y.B.)