Echoes of Parow at the South African Jewish Museum

Parow is the focus of the exhibition Echoes of Parow at the South African Jewish Museum, based on the book by Richard Mendelsohn, The Jews of Parow – The History of a South African Community, who joins Director Gavin Morris on the Arts Round Up.

Listen to the Arts Round Up on Fine Music Radio FMR 101.3fm on Fridays at 17h30

Richard Mendelsohn & Gavin Morris

Richard Mendelsohn explains that the book was conceived of as a celebration of the approaching 95th Anniversary of Cape Gate, that was established in Parow by the Kaplan Family. The Kaplan Centre at the University of Cape Town was commissioned to research this obscure suburb of Cape Town, At that time it was essentially a separate outlying village.

Gavin Morris, Director of the South African Jewish Museum notes that the museum has always had a close association with the Kaplan Centre for Jewish Studies and Research. The book was an opportunity to work together to develop an immersive exhibition, that reflected on Parow, and more generally as an example of small Jewish communities scattered throughout South Africa. There was the local rabbi and Hebrew school. The characters are archetypal . And the exhibition introduces and engages you with these people.

As an historian, Richard was excited to see his book brought to life. He grew up in Parow, and for him it’s a deeply personal experience seeing your own family and community reflected in this way.

You are welcomed into the exhibition by some of the people in the book. There is an excellent time line and a map that shows how the community grew over time and then moved on in later years. You then enter an audio-visual exhibition where you get to meet the people and get involved with them and their lives.

Welcome to their world. It’s an exhibition that needs to be experienced! 

To win a copy of ‘The Jews of  Parow’, send an email with the answer to the question ” what area does the exhibition focus on?”  Email info@sajewishmuseum.co.za and please add FMR Competition as the subject. A bonus to listeners of the Arts Round Up on Fine Music Radio. 

WHAT:  Echoes of Parow – The Story of a South African Jewish Community 
WHERE:  South African Jewish Museum, 88 Hatfield Street, Gardens, Cape Town 8001
WHEN: until the end of February 2025.
INFO: T 021 465 1546 | E info@sajewishMuseum.co.za | VISIT  |  Book and exhibition dedicated website  | See also Echoes of Parow – New Exhibition at SA Jewish Museum 

South African Jewish Museum [18]

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