In the book’s cover picture (RIGHT) is Isadore Bernitz, who was then a recent Lithuanian immigrant who joined the Free State forces
The community are invited to the launch of a new book, “Boerejode – Jews in the Boer Armed Forces, 1899 -1902” by well-known South African historian and journalist David Saks.
The launch is being held at the Rabbi Cyril Harris Community Centre, in association with the Christa Maria Trust and the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre.
This is the first full history of Jewish military participation on the Boer side during the Anglo-Boer war of 1899-1902. An estimated 300 Jews served in the Boer armed forces. These ranged from those fighting in the commandos through to medical officers, POW guards, commissariat officers and town guard members.
Individual Jews were involved in nearly all of the war’s best-known incidents, including the famous battles of Magersfontein, Colenso, Spioenkop and Paardeberg, the sieges of Mafeking, Ladysmith and Kimberley, the capture and escape of Winston Churchill and throughout the guerilla campaign. Many were interned for lengthy periods in POW camps on St Helena, Bermuda, Ceylon and elsewhere.
Based on original research conducted largely in the archives of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies, it weaves individual narratives of Jewish participants into a broader narrative of the war’s best-known events. The reminiscences of some of these “Oudstryders” (veterans) were subsequently recorded by, amongst others, Rabbi Dr L I Rabinowitz, and provide compelling and unique perspectives of the war from Jews who devoted themselves to fighting for the Boer cause The book features an annotated Nominal Roll of all known Jewish participants in the Boer military as well as photographs from the SAJBD Archives.
The launch, which will be dedicated to the memory of the late Harry Schwarz, will take place on Thursday 6 May at 7.30pm. There will be no charge for admission.
It is all happening at the Clive M Beck Auditorium of the Rabbi Cyril Harris Community Centre situated on the corner of Glenhove Rd and 4th Street, Houghton.
Booking is recommended. Contact Hazel or René at 011 728-8088 or 011 728-8378, or after hours at 011 728-8378. You can also e-mail the ladies at: hazelc@greatpark.co.za or renes@greatpark.co.za.
About the Author
David Saks is a writer, historian and Jewish communal professional. He has written extensively on South African Jewish, political and military history for a wide range of local and international publications. He is editor of the journal Jewish Affairs and the Associate Director of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies.
The book is available at a number of Jewish stores. If you have trouble obtaining a copy of the book, contact the author at: david@beyachad.co.za. For out-of-towners, David will also do packing and posting and the whole megilla will only cost you R180!
