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The Danzig and Ruff Family Collection comprises a number of family photographs, which includes individual and group portraits.

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

The Rummel Family collection contains images of two shtetls in Friederichstadt in Latvia. Also in this collection is an invitation to the opening of Highlands Place – a set of apartments for the elderly in Cape Town, held in 1979.

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.

South African Jewish Museum archives a collection of war medals. This collection is fascinating for its historic value. The medals each come with an interesting back story. The collection includes three WWI medals, donated by Keith Collins; medals and biography of Lawrence Charles Levy, who served in WWII; a collection of Israeli military badges; and the Queen’s South Africa Medal, awarded to Joseph Rabie.

The three WWI medals are the Victory Medal, the British War Medal and the 1914-15 Star. They were donated by Keith Collins, who found them in a tree in his garden in Sea Point in 1944.

The biography of Lawrence Charles Levy tells of Lawrence's time in WWII, and how a German tank commander spared his life. His brother Isaac (a.k.a. Jack) was taken prisoner in an unknown location until the camp was abandoned on account of the Russian Army's offensive. Both brothers were fortunate to return to South Africa after the war. Lawrence Charles Levy was awarded the following medals: 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45; and Africa Service Medal.

The collection also includes eighteen Israeli military badges. It is not clear whether these badges all belong together, nor who donated them. One badge includes the inscription, “A Nahala in Memory of Barnett & Rachel Cantor and Saul & Hannah Geffen”.

The Queen’s South Africa Medal was awarded to Joseph Rabie, Philip Rabie’s uncle. Included in the collection is a letter addressed to Mr A Rabie, from the Director of Recruiting and Organization, asking for proof of identity regarding deceased Joseph Rabie, who died in WWI, and his legal representation, who was to receive the deceased's war medals.

This collection is fascinating, informative, as well as valuable. The back stories of each medal are insightful and unique.

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.

The Pincus Family Collection, donated by David Pincus, brings together photographs and correspondence relating to generations of the Pincus Family who were also relatives of the Kaplan family. Particular emphasis is on the Free State town of Winburg, situated 116 kilometres north of Bloemfontein.
" The first Jewish settlers arrived in 1870 from Germany and Eastern Europe. Several well known families settled there and members of the community fought on both sides in the Anglo-Boer War. The Winburg Congregation was started in 1900, the first Synagogue was built in 1922 and reached 120 persons in 1936. By 1951 only five families were left. When the synagogue closed in 1977 much of its furniture was sent to new Kempton Park synagogue near Johannesburg. Rabbi Casper sent one Sefer Torah to Israel" [Source:https://kehilalinks.jewishgen.org/Seduva/descendants/pincus/pincus.htm; https://elirab.me/jewish-life-in-country-communities-in-south-africa/] .

The Denis Goldberg Collection comprises, at a present, one interview with Denis Goldberg where he discusses his family history and migration to South Africa, his parent's political views and his own, and his time spent in the fight against the Apartheid regime, notably his experience as accused number 3 in the Rivonia Treason Trial, in South Africa between 1963 and 1964.

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.

South African Jewish Museum archives a greatly fascinating collection of photographs that have been handed down from the Port Elizabeth Jewish Museum for digitising. All the content is focused on Jewish life in Port Elizabeth. This large historical collection covers social areas such as weddings, families, entertainment and youth activities. It also covers institutional life such as SA Jewish Board of Deputies, SA Ex-Service League, Wedgwood Park Country Club and Theodor Herzl Schools.

Many of these photographs are from the first half on the twentieth century. The entertainment in Port Elizabeth at the time involved concerts, operas, local plays and orchestras.

Important to the youth at the time was Scouts and Habonim camp. This collection features a photograph from the very first Habonim camp held in South Africa.

Judaism institutionalised itself in Port Elizabeth. This collection contains sections on SA Jewish Board of Deputies, Hebrew Order of David, Masonic Lodges and the Zionist League.

Other important institutions included Wedgwood Country Park Club for sport, SA Ex-Service League for the military, Theodor Herzl Schools for education, and PE Civic Leaders and Mayors for politics.

This collection also contains some history of the Port Elizabeth Jewish Museum, for example, Chanuka 2006 in the Shul, the photographs featured downstairs and in the reception area, the 85th anniversary of the Raleigh Street Synagogue, and the visit of Rabbi and Mrs Harris in October ’94.

History is captured beautifully in the section about Synagogues from around South Africa.

The collection also features a small section on the Uitenhage Hebrew Congregation; Uitenhage being a small town near Port Elizabeth.

Photographs and phone numbers of the Museum curators are also included in this collection.

This collection is greatly fascinating, and South African Jewish Museum is grateful to PE Jewish Museum for giving us the opportunity to digitise their content. This collection includes social history of Jewish life in Port Elizabeth, as well as the institutions set up to ensure a thriving community.

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.

South Africa was the fifth hardest afflicted country worldwide during the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 -1919 with most deaths occurring during October 1918. Within the South African Jewish community, at least 1 in every 200 persons died from the Influenza. Most were young adults in their early thirties. Many were breadwinners and many children lost a parent. The documents include death certificates and memorabilia which highlight the devastating effect of the pandemic on the community.

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.

This small collection of photographs, documents, and an interview were gathered by Phina Hoberman. The collection documents various events hosted by The Women of Progressive Judaism (Sisterhood) outreach organisation of Temple Israel, Cape Town.

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.

The South African Jewish Museum Collection holds a number of series relating to the output and activities of the South African Jewish Museum.

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.