Litvaks Gone South: South African Jewry & Rabbi Avraham Tanzer

2021-01-05

South African Jewish history is unique in several ways. Composed primarily of Jews of Lithuanian origin, it grew in the early decades of the 20th century with the waves of immigration from the Lithuanian area of the Russian Empire. Entering the diamond trade and politics, they integrated into South African life, often standing at the forefront protesting the racial injustices of the apartheid system. The Bais Din had prominent rabbis such as Rav Yitzchak Kossovsky, and the chief rabbinate was led by dynamic leaders...

Entering the diamond trade and politics, they integrated into South African life, often standing at the forefront protesting the racial injustices of the apartheid system.

The Bais Din had prominent rabbis such as Rav Yitzchak Kossovsky, and the chief rabbinate was led by dynamic leaders as well, but it was the investment in education in the post war which transformed the South African Jewish community.

The Brooklyn born Rabbi Avraham Tanzer arrived from Telz, Cleveland to Johannesburg in 1963 on a two year contract. He'd remain for 57 years. Through his leadership of Yeshiva College, the Benhazel Hebrew Congregation and the general community, he and other dedicated educators and activists, ensured that the Jewish youth of South Africa would have a proper Torah education and that the community at large would flourish.

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