ISAAC REZNIK

Wunsch matriculated from Parktown Boys High Schoo, in 1948 with a first class and distinction in Latin. He obtained his BA Law and LL B, both cum laude, from Stellenbosch University in 1953 and later obtained a higher diploma in Tax Law ( with distinction) from the University of the Witwatersrand.

He was admitted as an attorney in 1956, and in the same year as a notary and conveyancer.

He became a partner at Edward Nathan Friedland Mansell and Lewis, which subsequently became Edward Nathan and Friedland Inc.

Wunsch was very involved in the Zionist movement and in Ort SA, of which he was honorary life president and on several occasions chairman, also of the SA Zionist Federation Trust, and patron of the Jewish National Fund.

Justice Wunsch stated that he was proud to be a justice of the South African Supreme Court, the only one in the world where Jewish justices were not expected to work on Saturdays.

Wunsch’s grandfather used to pass around the snyff box to all congregants at the Berea Synagogue. This philanthropic attitude was obviously passed down to his grandson who was instrumental in sending 18 underprivileged children to the JNF summer camp in Israel.

A picture of Wunsch on his barmitzvah, is on the first page of the Golden Book of Honour, which can be viewed at the Keren Kayemeth (JNF) offices in Jerusalem.

Wunsch lived with his parents and siblings in the house which today is the West Street Shul, of which he and his family were members.

A moving and eloquent eulogy at his funeral was given by Rabbi Craig Kacev.

There is so much more that can be written about this wonderful person, his manifold activities in the broader community, his hundreds of publications and addresses – international and national – his principal memberships, his sporting activities, as member of various school rugby and cricket teams and also winner of numerous golf tournaments.

Wunsch married Cynthia Sheina Gitlin in December 1969; she passed away a few years ago. He is survived by his daughters Emma and Gina, sons-in-law Lawrence Rapp and Craig Cowan, grandchildren, brother Ronald and sister Rhona Abrahams.

May his memory be for a blessing.