GEORGE – MAKOM TORAH BY THE SEA - FEBRUARY 2006

 

For most the calendar year Jewish life in George follows a similar pattern to other small Jewish communities in the outlying towns. Religious services are held and members get together occasionally for special events, but one could not in all honesty use "hive of activity" to describe its Jewish communal life. All this changes dramatically in December, however, as holidaymakers from some of Johannesburg's most strictly Orthodox congregations descend en masse on the picturesque Southern Cape coastal town, transforming it virtually overnight into a vibrant Makom Torah by the sea.

George has been the holiday destination of choice for scores of religiously observant Jews, largely members of the Kollel Yad Shaul congregation in Orchards, but increasingly from other strictly observant Orthodox shuls as well. For several weeks, the town's small synagogue becomes the venue for daily minyanim and constant shiurim and learning programmes, and yarmulkes and tzitzit become a common sight in the shops and streets.

Family purity, along with Shabbat and Kashrut, is one of the pillars of Orthodox Jewish observance, and in this regard the lack of a kosher mikveh is always a serious drawback for those wishing to spend their holidays outside the main urban centres. One of George's greatest attractions from the Jewish religious point of view is that it boasts such a mikveh. The facility is open throughout the year (by appointment), with the Aronowitz and Karp families in Johannesburg being especially involved in ensuring its maintenance and halachic suitability.

Last December, Jewish locals and holidaymakers came together for an morning tea on the eighth day of Chanukah. The event, organized by Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft from the SAJBD's Country Communities Department, was a resounding success, with over a hundred people in attendance. Speaking at the function Jack Rubin, a prominent local businessman and an active member of the congregation, thanked George Jewry for the friendly and accommodating way they went about making holidaymakers feel at home and thanked the latter for in turn making every effort to involve the local community in their activities.

Myron Rabinowitz, President of the George Hebrew Congregation, also emphasized the warm, reciprocal relationship that existed between his community and its visitors.

"We appreciate the fact that our Johannesburg brethren have made George their Spiritual home away from home, and the Jewish residents of George are in turn honored that we can in our limited way provide them with the services they need" he said.

The Jewish community in George and its environs comprises 31 affiliated households. Friday nights services and a regular study group session take place in the community centre, whose facilities include a shul, hall, the mikveh and accommodation for visiting rabbonim and other guests.