Meyer (Mike) Allen and his wife Minnie were partners in the International Hotel with the Brodovcky family. They both hailed from Somerset West and were married in Cape Town in 1936. Meyer was born in Lithuania, and Minnie in South Africa.

 

Minnie was the daughter of Samuel Perel and Jane Rachel Tolpas. They were married in Stellenbosch in 1901. The Perel family came from Plungyan, and the Tolpas family. from Telze. Jane Rachel was the third of seven children born to Solomon and Esther Miriam Tolpas of Stellenbosch. Her sister, Pauline, married Isaac Perel. Samuel was the son of Elias and Minnie Perel. Less is known about the Allen family. It's possible they are related to the Allengensky family from Vilna, which settled in Hermanus and changed their surname to Allen. 

 

The Allen family arrived in Vryburg in 1946 and departed in 1964. Mike and Minnie had two children, Charles and Beverley. The family made a significant impact on the Vryburg Jewish community and the broader society. Mike served as the leader of the Jewish community (chairman for ten years) and was President of the local Bowling Club. He was also an avid Freemason and Rotarian. The Stellelander described Mike and Minnie Allen as follows: "In a small town like Vryburg the personalities of the people endear themselves to the community - such is the case of Mr. and Mrs. Allen. Mike we think of as a man with a quiet and humble personality, always kind and friendly, a man who achieved great success working as a co-partner in the International Hotel, and who also found success with his farming interests and at Tattersalls. Minnie, always so friendly and willing to contribute to the Jewish affairs of the town, is someone whose personality will be remembered for a long time." After leaving Vryburg, Mike and Minnie moved to the Strand, where they are buried. Minnie passed away in 1971, and Mike in 1976.  

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