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Identity

This section explores the nature of Jewish life in the Kalahari.

I review the five Rabbis and Hebrew teachers. I also reflect on religious observance, especially Sabbath observance, Kashrut, Passover Seders, and the High Holidays celebrations. This section also discusses holidays like Purim and Yom Haatzmaut, as well as youth activities such as Habonim. It also covers weddings and the issue of mixed marriages. Additionally, I explore the Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations. Lastly, I document the cemetery, highlighting the 42 tombstones located in the Jewish section. It appears that there are graves of Jews buried in the general cemetery before the Jewish cemetery was consecrated in 1905. These graves still need to be found and documented. I have also included the death certificates of those buried in the Jewish section. 

Yom Kippur 1915

Yom Kippur 1915

Notice from the Northern News, Services were held in the local Masonic Lodge

Yom Hazikaron 1954

Yom Hazikaron 1954

Letter shared by Pearl Kay

Selma van Gelderen, Purim 1952

Selma van Gelderen, Purim 1952

Taken outside the shul, dressed as a doll. The outfit was sewn by Zara Katz .Jeanette and I used to visit her very often. Even though we were much younger than she was she was a good friend.

Vryburg Jewish Ladies - early 1930s

Vryburg Jewish Ladies - early 1930s

Photo from the early 1930's: Left to Right: Rhina (Zelda Lieberthal's sister - became Rhina Savel), Helen Toube (nee Lieberthal), Celia Poliak, Pessa Wald, Rose Slonim, ?, Zelda Lieberthal,?

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