Robertson Jewish Community Timeline
1881: Evidence suggests that a sufficient number of Jews were living in Robertson to assemble a minyan on occasion.
1885: The earliest known Jewish burials take place in Robertson, including the infant sons of Lewis Rosenzweig.
1895: The Robertson Hebrew Congregation is formally established. Reverend B Klein is appointed as shochet, cantor and mohel until about 1912.
1895: Knesset Israel Synagogue is erected.
Late 1890s: A Talmud Torah (Hebrew School) is established.
Early 1900s: The community develops a Burial Society, Philanthropic Society and various youth organisations.
1912: Reverend J I Levine is appointed until 1922.
Photograph provided by Solly Epstein
(Cape Town). Solly is
a grandson of Reverend Josefowitz.
1912: A Robertson delegate attends the conference in Bloemfontein that establishes the South African Jewish Board of Deputies.
1912: The Robertson Zionist Association is established following a visit by Morris Alexander.
1920s: Philip Buirski and Lewis Rosenzweig serve on the Robertson Municipal Council.
1922: Reverend M L Mazur is appointed; Reverend S J Josefowitz is appointed and serves until the mid-1970s.
1935: The congregation affiliates with the Cape Council of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies.
1939–1945: Members of the community serve during the Second World War. Sydney Lazarus becomes the first South African Jew killed in action during the conflict.
1950s: Norbert Pinto pioneers large-scale coriander cultivation in the district.
Source: Riverton Stud
1967: The community is no longer able to consistently assemble a minyan.
1972: Abraham Josefowitz serves as Deputy Mayor of Robertson.
1977: Only four members of the congregation remain in Robertson.
2005: Flood damage necessitates major restoration work at the Jewish cemetery.
2009: The synagogue is sold and converted into a private residence.
