Genesis and objectives:
This website was inspired by a WhatsApp call between my brother Wayne (Johannesburg), Issy Lieberthal (Melbourne), and me (Tel Aviv) just before Passover Eve in 2020. It was the year of COVID-19. The pandemic upended our routines, devastated our economies, and claimed many lives. However, it also gave many of us the time to pursue things we had always (or never) dreamed of doing. The goal of this project is to create a digital treasury—a place to record and share oral histories, documents, and old photographs. The opportunity to build this repository is closing.

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This website celebrates the resilience of our siblings, parents, and grandparents, both personal and collective. Ultimately, it’s an effort to record history. I originally dedicated this project to my grandparents, Benno and Gertie Sussman, whom I never met, and to my brother Dale and my father Isaac, both of whom were tragically lost too early. I also dedicated this website to Boytjie Rohloff, who, along with his wife and family, did so much for my family and our community. When I started this journey, our mother Marie, a dedicated local teacher, was still alive. On September 15, 2023, she suddenly passed away. I am forever grateful to her for nurturing my love of history.

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Special mentions:
I would like to acknowledge the indefatigable Geraldine Auerbach, who shepherded me with the patience of a saint. Geraldine is the driving force behind the Kimberley Kehilalinks site. I had all but given up early on when she sent me an email imploring me not to surrender. We all owe a great collective debt of appreciation to Graham Brodovcky for preserving vital material. My sincere thanks to Anney Garnett for her help with the research. She spent hours reviewing old copies of The Stellelander, Bechuanaland News, and The Northern News. Her efforts yielded amazing items and insights. I am also grateful for the assistance provided by Keith Brodovcky, Phil Toube, and Lauren Rohloff, who joined me in the archives. Marina Geldenhuys helped with research. Darren Sevitz of the Chevra Kadisha always responded promptly to information requests.

 

We are all indebted to the South African Friends of Beth Hatefutsoth, on whose shoulders our research stands. It serves as our Bible. I would like to thank Elona Steinfeld for all her help. During my research, I found a touching note from my Mom, when she gifted me the Beth Hatefutsoth study covering Vryburg. She wrote: "so maybe Vryburg is not so unique after all! However, no matter where one steps, somehow there is a Vryburg connection." In plain speak, my Mom understood that all roads lead to Vryburg.

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An invaluable resource in this effort was an outstanding dissertation by Paul Cheifitz on the Potchefstroom community. I discovered his study because the Potchefstroom community lured Reverend Kemelman, and I learned a great deal about Jewish rural life in South Africa. Paul has been gracious with his time and wisdom throughout my journey.

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Avi Hechter, Gertrude Wald, Myra Sutin (Joffe), Phil Toube, Mervyn Lieberthal, and Maurice Joffe not only contributed their remarkable memories but also extensive photos and anecdotes. Each photo and new person who joined kept this ongoing process alive. My thanks to Charlotte Halle for editing the content. My wife Dorit (nee Bodenheimer) and our kids endured countless calls about Vryburg. Finally, my deepest thanks to everyone who helped me.

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Important caveats:
This project combines oral history with limited archival research. History is rarely objective. Errors are inevitable, and I commit to correcting them when I am made aware. This site is not perfect. When I was working on my PhD, Roelf Meyer wisely said at the end of our interview: "Gary, a good thesis is a done thesis." With that in mind, I present to you this good – meaning completed – website.

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This is not the end but rather the beginning. The photos and stories here reflect those I was able to reach and who contributed. As others add photos and memories, the project will evolve. Think of it as a virtual museum that belongs to all of us. The more you share, the more your family can claim its rightful place in our history.