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The South African Jewish Chronicle clippings Collection

  • Collection
  • 2013

This Collection consists of twenty consecutive pages from one Issue of the South African Jewish Chronicle (SAJC), one of the newspapers aimed at a Jewish readership in South Africa around the beginning of the 20th century. This is specifically from the Johannesburg circulation of this newspaper, which is where the largest proportion of Eastern European (especially Lithuanian) Jewish immigrants settled. These pages - numbered 1062 to 1081 - consist of fifteen pages of articles and snippets from articles, and five pages of pre-paid advertisments, taken from Volume IV, Issue 65 of the New Series of the SAJC. This specific issue was distributed on the 29th of December, 1911, meaning that is one of the earlier Editions of this newspaper, reflecting the newsworthy content for South African Jews in the period before World War I.

Each item represents one page from this Issue of the newspaper, with multiple articles or advertisments on each page. While these page numbers are in the early thousands, it should be noted that it is characteristic of this newspaper to continue with the previous Issue's last page number as the precursor to the first page of the next Issue. The item descriptions aim to capture what the main highlights of that page are and what attitudes and norms are portrayed by these pages.

The SAJC was a weekly newspaper that was established in 1902 in Cape Town as an offshoot of the London Jewish Chronicle, later transferring to Johannesburg in 1905.

It is believed that these pages were preserved as they are a full Issue of the SAJC, from the first page to the back page. The Issue progresses from a Publisher's Notice, to other adminstrative details at the beginning of the Issue, to current affairs, a recurring theme of addressing and combatting anti-Semitism, promotion of Jewishness, a social & fashion section, Jewish Diaspora news, provincial/local news, arts & culture updates, political questions, opinion pieces, fiction writing, mining & financial news, and ending off with pre-paid advertisments.

Some notable examples in this Issue of Anglo-Jewish undertones, representing the general theme throughout the SAJC newspapers, can be found in articles specifically about charities that support British colonies, reporting on media and theatre that the King and Queen approve of or commend, and most notably the article about a former British Prime Minister (Benjamin Disraeli) as part of the longest article in the Issue.

The Finkelstein Letters Collection

  • Collection
  • YYYY-

The Finkelstein Collection of letters includes correspondence between fashion designer Arnold Finkelstein when he was a student and his parents from the early 1950s. Arnold Finkelstein received a bursary to study fashion design in London, England in 1952. This collection is of particular interest to SAJM as it was discovered in a box at Milnerton Flea Market. A treasure such as this is valued greatly by SAJM. The Finkelstein Collection of letters includes correspondence between fashion designer Arnold Finkelstein when he was a student and his parents from the early 1950s. Arnold Finkelstein received a bursary to study fashion design in London, England in 1952. This collection is of particular interest to SAJM as it was discovered in a box at Milnerton Flea Market. A treasure such as this is valued greatly by SAJM. Reading through these letters uncovers insight into the fashion design industry of the 1950s, as well as historic evidence of culture and communication between London and Cape Town.

Arnold Finkelstein is known for being a prolific fashion designer in the 1950s and 1960s. During his bursary in London he wrote many letters to his parents. There are also letters to and from close family friends. Mr Finkelstein begins his letters to his parents by sharing “wonderful news”. He met with Mr Brian Hart of the London fashion industry and was to be staying with Mr Hart and his wife. This news was received very positively by folks back home, and Arnold’s mother immediately thought to ask, “Is Brian Hart Jewish?” Arnold did not yet know the answer but was thrilled nonetheless to be boarding with such an esteemed member of the industry.

Arnold was told by his college principal the course he had taken was very difficult and he would have to work like a bomb. Arnold Finkelstein made a prolific success of his career in Cape Town, and one can only deduce he must have worked hard and successfully during his time in London.
Speaking of bombs, Arnold shared with his parents the Great Synagogue Orthodox of London was bombed during World War Two in the Blitz, and the community would not rebuild it. Arnold also travelled briefly to Paris, France, as well as Copenhagen, Denmark and Goteborg, Sweden. During his time in Copenhagen he experienced anti-Semitism and felt miserable, and so quickly made his way back to London. As a result he almost cancelled his trip to Sweden, but ended up going, due to the demands of his father, and in fact had a wonderful time there.

Many of the letters of correspondence with Arnold’s parents share news of Arnold’s ailing health in London. He repeatedly writes of visits to the doctor, or taking new medication. Other letters relate to money being sent by his parents, or dealings with the bank. Arnold’s parents sent parcels of food as gifts to the Hart family for hosting Arnold, and they were thanked tremendously in more letters from Brian Hart’s wife to the Finkelstein family.

Some of the letters are written between Arnold and his friends in Cape Town. These friends were also in the fashion industry, or they were close acquaintances of the Finkelstein family. These letters also speak of poor health both in London and in Cape Town. Some of the letters share news of relationships and weddings happening in Cape Town, but Arnold does not reveal any news about his relationships in London, other than he had a terrible time one night at a lowdown night club. There is also mention of a girl who Arnold had dinner with one night, and who insisted on paying for herself, although it seems Arnold saw more of her on Television Ballet than a continued relationship. Arnold’s acquaintance Ronnie introduced Arnold to several high profile English actors such as Richard Attenborough, George Formby and Walter Fitzgerald.

Whenever possible research has been conducted to enrich these collections. If you have anything to add please contact us.

The Allengensky Letters Collection

  • Collection
  • 2014-

This collection of letters from General Dealer David Allengensky of Hermanuspetrusfontein. Mr Allengensky was Proprietor of the Royal Hotel. The letters are about his business dealings, and date between 1898 and 1902. There are many letters addressed to Mr Allengensky regarding supply and demand. The collection also includes two wedding photographs and two portrait photographs. David Allengensky’s father was Adel Allengensky, the first Jew in Hermanus. The collection was donated by David’s granddaughter Minette Minitzer.

Mr David Allengensky’s letterhead reads, “D. Allengensky, General Dealer. Hermanuspetrusfontein. Wholesale and Retail, Worcester. Butcher. Private Carts. &c., &c. Proprietor of the Royal Hotel.” The letterhead also includes a printed etching of the Royal Hotel and a large heading which says, “Hermanuspetrusfontein”.
Mr Allengensky’s letters to the military commandant in Caledon suggests his travelling between Hermanus and Cape Town required special military dispensation. This was because his business was running concurrently with the Anglo-Boer War. In one letter, Mr Allengensky writes, “I will hold myself responsible that nothing takes place there contrary to the martial law regulations.”

The letterheads in this collection, which are more clearly legible than the letters themselves, reveal an interesting narrative of trade and communication between Hermanus and Cape Town, as well as Leeds, England. Some of the businesses are wholesalers like Mr Allengensky. Mr Allengensky dealt predominantly with fish and butchery. Mr Allengensky also had dealings with Alex Cameron & Co., sailmakers, from the corner of St George’s and Waterkant Streets. A letter like this suggests Mr Allengensky owned a boat and did his own fishing.

There is also a letter from Cape Times Limited, confirming the pricing of advertisement.

Receipts are also included in the collection. Cape Town Government Railways provided the receipts for transportation of goods from Cape Town to Hermanus.

Mr Allengensky was a goods dealer during the Anglo-Boer War, and required special military dispensation to travel through areas which were under martial law. The letters, each with a uniquely printed letterhead, tell a story of business ventures with dealings at the turn of the century going as steadily as technology and politics would allow.

Whenever possible research has been conducted to enrich collections. If you have anything to add please contact us.

Harris Green Collection

  • Collection
  • 2023

My late father, Solomon Charles Green, served as a Sapper in the Third Field Engineers of the South African Army during World War II. His service took him “up north” through Africa – from his home in Cape Town to Gazala in Libya where he was injured.

My dad kept a hand-written diary spanning the period January 1 through May 30, 1942 – two days before he was seriously injured while detonating a minefield. Although I knew this diary existed, I had never, until relatively recently, read it from cover to cover. For me, it was an eye-opener.

What makes the entries so fascinating is that they were written in real time. This is not a memoir. The entries haven't been re-written to make punch lines more dramatic. They are written as my dad witnessed the events. Editing wasn’t an option. Once the words landed on the page, they were there to stay. He wrote this diary for himself. He had no intention of turning it into a best-seller. That’s what makes it so authentic.
The diary relates requests from officers seeking volunteers for "suicide missions", of saying goodbye to friends who volunteered for these missions and my dad’s "farewell letter" to his sister on the eve of such a mission.

I wasn’t there. I never experienced the oppressive heat, the freezing cold or the blinding sand storms. I wasn't subjected to food and water rations. I never had to contend with rats or swarms of flies and mosquitoes. I never had to dig holes to lay thousands of land mines and then dig them up to create escape routes for retreating forces. I never had to seek shelter from air strikes and artillery shelling. I wasn't subjected to the dangers, the despair and the drudgery these soldiers faced on a daily basis for months, even years, on end. Even the most vivid imagination cannot begin to conceive the routines and realities these soldiers were subjected to.

Considering these soldiers were volunteers, makes the overall picture even more complex. They were soldiers, not career officers. They risked their lives to make our world a better place. Their battlefield was thousands of miles from where they lived, in the heart of one the world’s most desolate regions.

These volunteers had no idea what they were volunteering for. They never knew where they were going, or for how long. Would it be for a few months, a year or a few years?
What motivated them to volunteer? Was it the fear of Adolf Hitler and the threat he posed to the existing world order? Was it their sense of duty to defend their country in its hour of need? Or were they seeking some illusionary adventure to satisfy a lust for action?
What thoughts passed through their minds when they hugged and said good-bye to their nearest and dearest? Where did their minds roam in those moments of solitude, lying in their dug-outs or standing in the freezing cold, manning road blocks and observation posts?

So many died. Nobody ever called them Dad. They never experienced the joys of life. Their unshared dreams and ambitions simply dissipated. They died without a wrinkle on their faces.

Thousands more suffered physical and mental injuries condemning them to lives of pain, anguish and unrealized dreams. For them, the war never ended. Life became one long, lonely, sleepless night after another.
Others were taken prisoner. Often humiliated and tortured, they were robbed of some of the best years of their lives and denied the opportunity to pursue their passions.

And there were those who did make it home after six long years of unforgettable experiences along with sad memories of dear friends who were less fortunate.
These heroes gave our generation a much better life than the ones they experienced. We are duty bound to remember them, to recall their bravery and document their stories.

Wikipedia describes World War II as the deadliest military conflict in history. An estimated 70–85 million people perished in the war – around 3% of the world’s population in 1940.

My book focuses on the transcribed diary. To fully appreciate the contents of the diary, understanding the historical, political, social and economic contexts is essential. To this end, I have added sections on my father’s humble background, the diary and its journey, the battlefield, the Battle of Gazala in which my dad was injured and some personal reflections.

I was 36 years old when my father died. We were very close. I never saw him flustered. He never complained. He was always so patient and tolerant. In the diary, there are a few entries in which his frustrations got the better of him. These entries are so out of character with the father I knew. Those days must have been especially tough.

For me, writing a book around my father’s handwritten war diary has been an inspirational and emotional experience. I finally got to reading it from cover to cover. It opened my eyes and filled them with tears on more than one occasion. The diary made me aware of the realities of war and the dangers these heroes voluntarily exposed themselves to – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

It made me ask myself so many questions. The what-ifs are too numerous to list. I’ve enjoyed the search for answers and speculating the potential outcomes. Thanks, Dad, for the wonderful legacy you left us.

Whenever possible research has been conducted to enrich the information in these collections. If you would like to add any additional information please contact us.

Feinstein Family Collection

  • Collection
  • 2021-

The Feinstein Family Collection gathers photographs and documents inherited by Jessica Feinstein from her grandmother Rose Hurwitz. It includes items from the Hurwitz family (originally Gurvich, from Svencionys) and the Feinstein family (originally from Polangen, Lithuania).

Whenever possible research has been conducted to enrich the information in these collections, if you would like to add any additional information please contact us.