the jews of south africa
before, during, after
Presented by Gavin Morris
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Date: Tuesday 11 February 2025
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Time:
USA 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET
UK 8:00 pm / France 9:00 pm / Israel 10:00 pm
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The talk will last approximately 90 minutes
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The story of the Jews in South Africa officially began in 1841, when a congregation of 17 British Jews, known as the Gardens Shul, was founded in Cape Town. From that point, it was the mass arrival of Lithuanian Jewish immigrants during the years of the "Gold Rush" which defined the character of South African Jewry. This presentation will explore the community's Litvak roots, its impact on South African commerce and politics, and its current trends of urbanization and migration.
About gavin morris
Gavin Morris has a BA degree in History and Jewish Civilization and MBA both obtained at the University of Cape Town. Following an early career in film and advertising, he became the director of the SA Jewish Museum in 2012 where he has overseen the development of numerous exhibitions, a digital social history archive, and educational and cultural diversity programs.