The Annual Yom Ha’atzmaut Picnic

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The Annual Yom Ha’atzmaut Picnic 1960. Are these kids Jewish or what? Back row: Helen Spengler (Gatooma), Yetta Ehrman, John Loebenstein (Gwelo), Lynette Samson, Miranda Bloom (Gwelo). Behind:  Elmer Phillipson, Rabbi Ehrman, Brian Hirsch.  In front of the Rabbi, Albert and David Hatchuel, Leslie Brom, David Hirsch, ? , Morris Sloman. 3rd row 2nd from left Alan Malkow, Lucille Keril, ?.  Front Brian Brom, Barbara Brom 5th from left is Barbara-Lee Malkow, Gillian Schattil, Michelle Fine, Leonard Loebenstein (Gwelo)

The Annual Yom Ha’atzmaut Picnic 1960

The Phillipsons had escaped Hitler’s Germany just before the war. They settled in Que Que. They were the only Jews from Germany.  Starting with a butchery in due course they bought Forestvale Farm on the Bembezaan River, which became renowned, with prize bulls imported from England.

My brother Brian and their son Elmer were best friends and our family used to visit Forestvale. We’d tour the farm before it got too hot and then settle down in their big screened-in verandah to Sunday breakfast of the very best steak and eggs.

The Annual Yom Ha’atzmaut Picnic 1960

Once a year the Phillipsons hosted the Midlands Jewish community children for a picnic on the anniversary of Israel’s Independence. All the children from Gatooma, Que Que and Gwelo came.  Yetta Ehrman, Rabbi Ehrman’s daughter, always rode the mare because it hardly moved. There was a zebra, too.

Rabbi Ehrman spoke about Yom Ha’atzmaut.  The declaration of the State of Israel was made on May 14, 1948 by the future Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion. He declared it 8 hours before the end of the British Mandate of Palestine. The British left virtually overnight without the ceremony which occurred in every other part of the British Empire.  The Egyptian army invaded the very next day, shortly followed by four other Arab armies, including one actually commanded by a formed British officer, Glubb Pasha.

When an armistice was arranged, the Jews had a tiny state two thousand years after the Romans had destroyed Israel.

Que Que’s WIZO  (Women’s International Zionist Organization) had always done its part to fund raise for Israel, with cake sales at the Saturday market beside the Town Hall. The Jewish women were all good cooks, and they all basically went there to exchange cakes.  My father claimed Mrs. Teperson made the world’s best cheesecake. (In those days cheesecake was an exotic specialty.)

WIZO jumble sales were a gold mine of dresses, sparkling gowns and plush furs for Mom’s pantomimes.  She always got a preview at the sorting party, which was often held at our house.  Here the clothes were separated into those that were rugged and practical for shipment to Israel, those that were suitable for African sale or donation to the missions.

Then there were the WIZO poker games in each other’s homes. The women brought the food and the men played and drank whisky. A cut of the winnings went to Israel.

Many thanks to Yetta Harnik (nee Ehrman) for this very special photograph and everyone who has given me input in securing many of the names.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14 Comments

  • sue knight

    Reply Reply June 18, 2011

    I think it was David Hatchuel who was in Patrick’s class at school. Many years later when Patrick bought land in Port Alfred and built his holiday home, he discovered that David was a neighbour as he also had a holiday home there. Whenever they are in Port Alfred at the same time, they always get together. I also remember the Phillipsons as I am sure my mother bought meat from either their butchery or Chapple Butchery. Your articles always bring so many memories back.

    • Diana

      Reply Reply June 28, 2011

      Sue, Its a small world really. Have you got David Hatchuel’s email address?

  • Ed Goldberg

    Reply Reply June 18, 2011

    Great picture. John and Leonard Loebenstein from Gwelo are first cousins of my ex-wife and therefore first cousins once removed of my children.

    • Diana

      Reply Reply June 28, 2011

      Ed, Maybe they have some recollection of the event to add to the story.

    • Chaim Freedman

      Reply Reply May 3, 2012

      Ed
      I am trying to contact Leonard Loebenstein.
      Do you have his current email ?

      • Diana

        Reply Reply May 7, 2012

        I dont have it. Anyone know?

      • Ed Goldberg

        Reply Reply May 7, 2012

        Hi Chaim – I have sent you an email with the information that I have.

        Ed

  • Ed Goldberg

    Reply Reply June 28, 2011

    Hi Diana – this was after my time. We left Que Que in 1956.

    Ed

    • Diana

      Reply Reply June 28, 2011

      Ed, What about John and Leonard Loebenstein when did they leave? Perhaps they can expand on the event?

  • Ed Goldberg

    Reply Reply June 28, 2011

    Diana – I don’t know very much about the Loebenstein family. When I got married in 1977 they were still living in Gwelo. I believe they had a butcher shop in Gwelo. The last I heard is that one of the sons is in Sydney Australia now and the other was in Cape Town. The meat trade seems to have been a popular trade with Jewish immigrants to Southern Africa. The Philipsons in Que Que started off as butchers and one of my grandfathers brothers had a butcher shop in Port Elizabeth.

    • Diana

      Reply Reply June 29, 2011

      Ed, Back in those days the only the trades were open to Jews and they prospered but I am sure that in the Philipsons case, being German they were well educated, but being refugees had to start again.

  • sue knight

    Reply Reply June 28, 2011

    Diana, I have sent Patrick an e-mail to ask if he has any contact details for David Hatchuel. I will let you know once he has replied. Once again I really enjoy your blogs, especially those connected to Que Que as it brings back so many memories.

    • Diana

      Reply Reply June 29, 2011

      Oh, Good. Look forward to hearing back from you in due course.

    • David Hatchuel

      Reply Reply October 10, 2011

      I’m David’s second cousin. I’ll point him to this blog; I’m sure he will be very happy to make contact!

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