MYRON RABINOWITZ - JULY 2005

 

At a time when most Jewish communities in the South African country districts are no more than a fond memory, long-time George resident Myron Rabinowitz continues to maintain by his own example the worthy tradition of small-town Jews who combine sterling service to their respective Jewish communities with working for the good of the general society. Amongst other roles, Rabinowitz today serves as president of both the George Hebrew Congregation and Chevra Kadisha and as an ANC Councillor. This year, he became the first member of a country community to be nominated for the S A Jewish Report Humanitarian Award, and was in Johannesburg for last week's awards ceremony. 

 

Rabinowitz, who grew up in Brakpan and lived for a time in Israel, settled in George, a coastal town about three hours drive from Cape Town, in 1990. Since then, he has been extensively involved in local affairs as well as a prime mover in George's small but still active Jewish community.

 

Rabinowitz is a popular figure in George, as shown by the fact that the local newspaper found it newsworthy to report on the fact that he had acquired new glasses. He works mainly in Pacaltsdorp, an impoverished mainly coloured suburb outside George, where he has almost single-handedly achieved the installation of new street lights, play parks for children and is an active member of the local anti-crime police forum. For this and other community work, he has been described by the ANC Chief Whip in George as "an icon of service to the local community".  

 

Rabinowitz commented that versatility was the key to being a successful community leader. In this regard, he quipped that he was the only Father Christmas who also had the key to the mikveh, a reference to how he had taken on the role of Father Christmas at a child welfare party last year where he distributed gifts to the children. Earlier this year, he was the target of an anti-Jewish slur in an anonymous letter to the same paper objecting to his standpoint on the proposed location of RDP housing. In general, however, he notes that anti-Semitism is virtually non-existent in the town.

 

Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft, Spiritual Leader to the Country Communities Department of the SAJBD, makes regular visits to George, whose airport also provides easy access to other Jewish communities in the area such as Plettenberg Bay and Oudtshoorn. He commended Rabinowitz on his ongoing work for George Jewry.

 

"Myron is  totally dedicated to the welfare of the George community, and his upkeep of the Jewish cemetery is particularly appreciated" he said.

 

In addition to looking after the Jewish cemetery, Rabinowitz also oversees the maintenance of the George mikveh, which was established a few years ago by holidaymakers from Johannesburg who regularly vacation in the George area. A measure of how popular the area has become with religious Jews from Johannesburg is that around December time, neighbouring Groot Brak is jocularly referred to as Bnei B'rak. It is rare to see any identifiable Jews in George outside of the holiday season, but In December youths with payot and tzitzit are a common sight in the streets.   

 

About seventy Jewish souls today live in the Greater George area. This includes such towns as Wilderness, Riversdale, Sedgefield and Mossel Bay. While small, the Jewish population has today stabilised and in fact there has been a small influx of new Jewish residents in recent years. Jewish personalities living in the area include Riversdale resident Max Baise, a former international rugby referee, and former Jewish Herald deputy editor David Abel. Also living in George is Rabinowitz' brother, David, who together with his wife Verne runs a well-known South African photographic business. 

 

After being in use for seventy years the original shul, located in the centre of town, was sold in 1995 and a private house acquired for the community. This is now used for religious services, which are held every Friday evening, as well as to accommodate visiting rabbonim. Originally held in the lounge, services now take place in the converted double garage, which can accommodate over seventy people. Shelves of seforim have been added and Rabinowitz has just finished overseeing the addition of an Aron Kodesh. Study group sessions are held at the shul on the second Sunday of each month.