Jewish Life in the South African Country Communities, East Rand, Midrand, Southern Great Escarpment

      Jewish Life in the South African Country Communities, Vol. VI : East Rand, Midrand, Southern Great Escarpment, Southern Highveld

 Published by the South African Friends of Beth Hatefutsoth, Johannesburg, 2020, softcover, large format, illustrated, 616 pages, condition: new.

This volume deals with four very varied regions where Jews lived. The Northern Great Escarpment where gold was discovered in 1870s is a place of wonderful scenery, beautiful mountain views and waterfalls. Quite different is the Lowveld where the Kruger Park and other game reserves are situated.

The Highveld in contrast is rich in mineral resources and is home to larger communities which benefitted from the coal mines. The Bushveld holds much of the worlds important mineral reserves including platinum, chromium and nickel.

The very act of documenting the minutiae of the Jewish rural past, in addition to the date it contains for the benefit of future scholars, has become in itself a respectful tribute to those who have gone before. No effort has been spared to uncover even the most minor instance of Jewish activity in the most nondescript, out-of-the-way hamlets which few, if any, Jews visit nowadays. The uplifting message is that every Jew counts, not just the millionaires, mayors and various communal machers, but also the saddler, tailor, smous or bootmaker.