THE SWARTZBERG FAMILY IN SOUTH AFRICA- THE BEGINNING As remembered by Isaac Swartzberg

 Once upon a time in the years gone by, there was a young Jewish boy who lived in Roskis Lithuania and  had to do undergo military service. He soon became an expert horseman, trained by the Russian Cossacks, his name was Gerson Silberman.

During this time, he met and cast his eye on a fair damsel named Gazera “Rose” Fleishman.

Gerson, as I will refer to him from now on, “escaped” Lithuania and went over to England. On his arrival there, the “Brits” wanted to send him back to Lithuania,but on finding out that he was an expert horseman, he, Gerson, was given the choice,to go back or join the British Expeditionary Forces and go to South Africa to fight the “Boers” and there be a courier on horseback carrying military communiqué between the troops.

Of course he chose to came to South Africa. During his service he met another “Rapport Rider” an Englishman named “Tarlton”. They became good friends and were issued two horses each.

 Their service was extraordinary and when the war ended there was a choice, go back or stay. Gerson decided to stay so did his friend “Tarlton”. As a reward each was given his two horses to keep.

To make ends meet, the two friends hired a buggy and became two of the first “cab drivers” (taxis) in Johannesburg .

 In the course his work Gerson came across his friend from Roskis (Rakesik as it was then called) one Nathan Fleisman who had come to South Africa at the time of Sammy Marks (the mining magnet  who had a great deal to do with the history of South Africa)

Nathan, who was now a trader, had opened a business in Johannesburg.

Gerson was excited, as his friend was the brother of “Rose” his love from Roskis. Soon Rose was brought out to South Africa where she and Gerson were married. With the passage time children were born. Gerson  had shortened his surname from Silberman  to Silber.

The children born to the Silber union were : Maurice (who became a famous lawyer also nicknamed Pompy) Hilda, who married Zelieg Josman ,the parents of Gerald Josman a well known Judge of the South African Cape High Court. Sarah Judith Silber (keep your eye on her)). Max who became a great Latin scholar and Abe, a well-known freelance journalist and photographer.

Both Max and Abe had distinguished careers in the South African Air Force during the 1945 2^nd World War.

Back row left to right: Alfred Reuben, Sarah Judith Swartzberg, Rosaline, Isaac Swartzberg, Max, Hilda Silber, Maurice (Pompy) Silber. Fron t row left to right: Gerson , Bella Swartzberg, Rea Singer(Swartzberg), Monty Swartzberg and Rhoda Silber

Gerson and Rose purchased a small farm in the district of Potchefstroom known as Katdoorenbosch 127. Due to the fact that the farm had the “Mooi River” passing through it, Gerson started a “water mill” which served all the farmers in the district. Grinding corn to maize meal and also a “malt yard” which produced “Sorghum” for beer used by the local black community mostly as a staple drink.

 Sarah Judith, when aged 2, was visiting Johannesburg with her mother “Rose Silber” when she unfortunately contracted polio. There was no cure at that time and as a result many operations had to be performed on her. Her left leg became paralyzed and for the rest of her life she had to wear a metal support “brace” and have special shoes made.

Sarah – J was a beautiful girl even with this handicap. She attended school at a convent and soon showed a flair for figures and had great style despite her handicapped leg.

She was now 17 years old on 'the farm' and helping out by doing the books and correspondence. Hand writing letters and using an old  fashioned 'sling' farm telephone. (It took two hours to place a call to Johannesburg through the Post Office in Potchefstroom)

Rose now had the question ‘who would marry my beautiful but handicapped child’??? She had a sister in Lithuania. Chana – Leah who was married to one of the Schwartzenberg brothers, some of whom had left for Boston in the USA. Her husband Hessel Schwartzenberg, a woodsman, who later became a baker and living in No.3 Kamaier Street “Roskis had remained behind as he had an eye problem and was unable to immigrate to the USA and follow his 10 brothers to Boston.

Chana Leah and Hessel had 4 children. Alfred- Reuben, Ethel (who later became Aarons,(Arsh) Ralph was her husband) Judith (who became Kark, husband Joe) and Chaita, who was killed in the war.She was unfortunately left  in Roskies as she could not immigrate.

Decline and Destructon

My Evidence

by Bryna Rotholz-Kur

Translated by Rae Meltzer

"Fifty-eight hundred (5,800) Jews, in 5-7 "brother" graves (mass graves) are buried there in the above-mentioned PLACE. Those buried there include Jews from Rakishok and nearby shtetlach: Abel, Kamai, Ponidel, Suvianishok, and Raduteh.
Before the execution, the following committed suicide by taking poison: the apothecary, Mishl Sher, together with his family; the doctor/dentist Henuch Gandelman and his wife; Dr. Miriam Farberyteh-Gandelman, and their two children. Dr. Farberyteh-Gandelman, an aunt of Yrachmiel Arons (Arsh), administered injections of morphine to her husband, the dentist/doctor Henuch Gandelman, her two children, and also Chyeh-Eyten Shwartzberg, a sister of Etl Arons (Arsh)."        from page 398    http://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/rokiskis/rokiskis.html
 

 Rose sent letters, by ship, written in Yiddish saying “Send Alfred Reuben as I have a beautiful daughter for him”.

                                                Alfred Swartzberg

Young Alfred Reuben was a fine athlete, a non-commissioned officer during his stint in the army, a gymnast, fit as a fiddle and strong as a horse and also much sought after by all of his sister’s girlfriends.

An old black and white Kodak photo was enclosed in Rose’s letter and with that Cupid’s Arrow struck home. Alfred Ruben boarded a boat and headed for Cape Town, South Africa.

I mention here that first cousins are allowed to marry in South Africa as there was opposition to their union due to the fact that Sarah was handicapped and Alfred’s cousin.

“Love had its way!” Gerson and Rose started the “Buick motor car,” with Alfred Reuben and Sarah Judith sitting starry eyed in the back, and off they drove to Potchefstroom. At the Magistrate’s office, a special license was obtained and on the 6^th of April 1930 after the usual “I DO” was said, the Swartzberg clan in South Africa had begun.

Because of the spelling in Afrikaans, the name of Schartzenberg became and remains to this day as “Swartzberg”.

Alfred and Sarah

Alfred Reuben, having been born 20 days in the month of Tavis, registered the corresponding date in the calendar  being the 1^st of January 1906 as his birthday. Sarah Judith was born on the 27^th of December 1911.

Sarah Judith and Alfred Reuben had 5 children, Isaac , Gerson, Monty, Rea and Simpson. (This despite the fact that to give birth was no easy feat as Sarah Judith’s hip was 4 inches different in shape than the other and she a torrid time giving birth.

Simpson sadly died at 17 days old and is buried on the farm Katdorenbosh, 127.

The  Swartzberg children had a wonderful time growing up on the farm enjoying lots of escapades.

Through the efforts of Sarah – Judith, Hessel and Chana Leah were also brought out to South Africa before the German occupation of Lithuania.

              Hessel and Chana Leah

 

                                                    Sarah Judith (Silber) Swartzberg

From their humble beginnings Alfred and Sarah came to have 4 children. They in turn 10 grandchildren. We are now into the generation of great grandchildren. Some of these still live in South Africa, others now in Australia, Canada and the USA.

 So it is the 'Swartzberg' name and rich history and heritage is being carried to the world.

wisdom of the sages

yesterday i was looking for something to eat. while going through the kitchen cupboards i suddenly realized that i was looking for that something which was good for me!
what?????
 it cant be.....am i really trying to watch what i eat?????
then the sad truth dawned..........i am getting on in years.....nearly middle age.......give or take a bit about my middle.
my mind went back in time and i could clearly recall the 'old folks' telling a youthful me.."don't eat that...its not good for you! too much sugar... your teeth will rot...to much salt..not good for the heart..too much acid..you will get gout....... all that rubbish will gum up your works!" and all i saw were lips moving and hearing...blah blah blah!
now i look for apples, raw carrots.........and dare i say it.....bran flakes.......
so........... to all of you out there who wish to have their teeth in their mouths and not in a glass, a heart sans a pacemaker and the ability to get right up after saying your prayers.....i say watch what you eat so that you too can reach your middle age and always be a regular regular at the health food section.
ps........note that nowhere in these words of wisdom did i refer to vegetables, which if eaten, should be smothered with sugar or salt or if i had my way
                                                 

                                                                  chocolate.

the simple things

life always seems so rushed.  i blinked and another year has past. all see me as another year older but i don't feel so.....well maybe the hair is a bit more wispy and greyer......the mark of distinction? wisdom?
the joints a bit more rusty and the paunch ????? well enough said.

i have always been adverse to gardening but lately my breeze and i have put our thumbs to it. as we don't have a garden of our own we have  bought a few flower trays and pots and tried our hand at growing a few herbs and flowers.we take time to walk and admire the growth, water when needed and generally admire the fruits of our labour.

as success is  attained and tomatoes,parsley,spinach and basil enjoyed i have wondered about what caused the change of heart.
after a bit of thought......yip, that still works... i came to realize that it was not the size of the project that counts  but the time, care and most important, the joy you find in working side by side with someone you love.

                         basil, parsley and small avo trees


it is sharing the simple things of life that make the big things more bearable.

gone fishing

last year i started trying my hand at fishing and found that it is not as easy as it looked....not so much the fishing part...... but the 'catching' bit.
lately i have got  up early on a saturday and rode off onto the sunrise to attempt catching 'the big one' only to discover that 'it' is still asleep at that time of the morning....that is the only explanation for the absence of success.                                      

                                          sunrise from my fishing spot


well today i was certain i had 'it' beat......the odds were stacked in my favour....this could not be another catchless day.
as the beautiful sun rose i rode towards the sea.......nearer to the'big one'.......as i approached close to where i fish i saw little orange cones along the road.
had the word got out????were the crowds expecting me????were they here to cheer me on???? i drew closer to my fishing spot ...and ..yip there they were waiting!!!

but not for me!

they were there to start a road race .....and that put pay to my fishing.....and also gave 'the big one' another day as i did not even have the chance to load my fishing rod!

purrfection.....ist!

i was thinking how blessed i am to have a perfect sweetheart and companion in my breeze. i tried to think of her faults and could find none. i am looking forward to spending forever and a day with her.

one of her little quirks is that when she sets her mind to accomplish something ...she starts.....and does not stop till it is finished and it is done right. take for example putting new white grouting on the floor of the apartment we live in.  she was up at 2 am this morning and off she went......on hands and knees work,work work(thats where the the name  "worker bee" originates)....i get tired just thinking of it.

 i joked with her that i am pleased  i am not rich enough to build her a house. if i was, she would never sleep and the builders would have to literally work eight days a week to finish the job....and it will be done ....perfectly. perfectly straight walls at 90 degrees...exactly placed and aligned tiles and everything a 100% straight.

what may you ask has that to do with helping to make me perfect? well my love and desire to be and do things perfectly for her does. happy to work with and beside her. laughing as i begrudgedly  make sure my lines are straight......the mirrors and pictures are hanging as they should. smiling as it takes 3 hours for me to hang one curtain rail. huffing and puffing with joy as i climb up and down the ladder 50 times more than i should because i drop things from my hands of thumbs.........but the smile of love and appreciation i see on her face and in her eyes makes it all worthwhile.

who would not want that shared feeling of love to last for ever and a day?

the handyman can?????

i have always been the exceptional type of handyman that always had more parts at the end of a project than i bought when i started.the things built always came with the wrong plans, legs supplied were never the same length and they always required tools that i did not have. did that stop the handyman??? no...it only seemed to spur me on to greater ingenuity and shorter temper.

my children might recall the time i used all my great improvisation in fixing a leaking water pipe in the garden by using pratley mixing putty, clamps and a coke tin. this all done dressed in suite pants and a used to be white shirt. after digging a hole half way to china, getting muddy up to my lily white elbows and running to the hardware store half a million times....the job was done.
the call went out to my son kylen...."turn on the water"......and the sweet voice of my daughter leah saying...." dad, you missed the hole!" i had plugged, glued and clamped the pipe to perfection ...except...i missed the hole. so, at least i showed the plumber how to...or not....do it.

since being with my sweet breeze i have become more adept at fixing and making things that are not the plot of disaster stories, but are workable and not unsightly. i have been racking my brain to fathom why now has my talent blossomed into leonardo da vinci like genius. the answer came to me .....i follow the instructions of someone who can see the end result in her imagination.

                                       mosaic framed mirror by breeze


eureaka...that is what was missing. i could not see the end result in my mind but at least now i can rely on someone who can. so a visionary sees ,and a monkey do!

the results:-

                               one cat tree.....all hand made...mine!

                          cat climbing shelves...

and for the peace de resistance........or  whatever....

                           my broken couch!

writers blog

i have been neglectful in putting pen to paper (so to speak) and have realised it is a touch of writers blog. we all suffer from it at some stage. is it only an old age malady??....... i forget.

when last i wrote it was a week to leah and wilhelm's wedding. that went off very well and leah made a beautiful bride, i only cried now and again instead of from start to finish.

                         beauty and her dad.

                                       kylen, leah and hannah

that was the 3rd march. on the 21st we did the trip up to pretoria again. this time to spend a short time with roy, diane and their family who were visiting from canada. it was nice spending time together and for breeze to meet some more of my family. on the saturday we enjoyed a visit to the Temple and a lunch with my folks. it was bitter sweet to think that it might be the last visit we may have as father and sons.

                            my dad (not colonel sanders) roy and me.

roy's children now know what he is going to be like when he is 81 years old and mine think that i am already like that.........but i forget.

i blinked.......and it is april, and the easter weekend is half way over.
my sweet breeze and i have spent time at home and in our little garden.
little as in length of 5 metres and width of 1metre. full of odds and ends.
my breeze has spent more time there than me because i have spent my time lying on the bed with my eyes closed imaging and planning the garden before the work.

we do have an enthusiastic assistant.....if he could get out ,and that is mr bojangles who is now 6 and a half months and weighs 6.5 klos of pure muscle,fur and a little fat.......or is that pure fat,fur and a little muscle.........but i forget.

                                mr bojangles....young blue eyes.

he loves to go outside and wander around and if he can, escape to the road. so when he goes out my nerves have a breakdown and i start crying hysterically for breeze.....but i forget.
he is a handsome fellow like me and also likes to lie down with his eyes closed and plan things.

                              planning mode

well it looks like my writers blog is over....at least till next time....
but i'd better not forget.