(Vol. 70, No. 2, Rosh Hashanah 2015)
Richard and Erwin Jonas, who arrived in South Africa as refugees from Nazi Germany in the 1930s, both served in North Africa, Richard as a staff sergeant in the Medical Corps and Erwin as a tank driver. After being captured at Tobruk, they were for a time united after meeting on the ship transferring them to Italy. Thereafter, Erwin was transferred to Germany, only being repatriated after the war. Richard remained in Italy, where he was liberated by Allied troops in 1944 and returned to South Africa.
Staff-Sergeant Richard Jonas,SA Medical Corps
Erwin Jonas as a POW in Germany
Durban Jewry made its premises, the Durban Jewish Club, available as a soldiers’ canteen. Some two million Allied personnel ultimately made use of the premises
Union of Jewish Women packing Pesach items for soldiers
Rest and Recreational centre, Johannesburg Jewish Guild
Temple Israel Sisterhood preparing beds for soldiers, JHB Jewish Guild
The Union of Jewish Women was very active during the war. In the coastal towns soldiers and sailors often came into the cities for short periods of time and UJW members would ensure that there was accommodation for the Jewish men in Jewish homes. In the minutes of meetings during the war years mention was made of dances that were held, shul services that included the soldiers and sailors, and how some men came to say Kaddish on yahrtzeits.
The same activities took place in Johannesburg. Jewish men and women were cared for and made to feel at home, dances were held and meals prepared at kosher venues. Women knitted and crocheted gloves, socks and scarves for the troops. They also collected money to buy what was needed at the front, and arranged for letters to be sent to the soldiers.
Clothing depot of the SA Jewish Appeal, Johannesburg
