At 100, Ella’s still as bright as a penny

SUZANNE BELLING

PHOTOGRAPH BY SUZANNE BELLING

Pictured Ella Elk

Politically astute, with a sound knowledge of world affairs, Ella celebrated her 100^th birthday at the Savoy home of her son-in-law and daughter Jerome and Barbi Chaya Davis, surrounded by family and friends, which included a few rabbis.

“It is amazing that I, as an only child, now have such a big family,” she said.

Born in Poland in 1914, Ella came to South Africa at the age of seven with her mother Ethel Luckoff, having survived the First World War. Her father, Morris Luckoff, already was in Cape Town to put down roots but, by the time his family joined him, he was ill and died shortly afterwards. Many of the family later perished in the Holocaust.

On completion of her schooling at Cape Town High, Ella started studying social science at the University of Cape Town, but she met Michael Loon, fell in love with him and they got engaged before she completed her course.

Instead she worked as a secretary for the Cape Jewish Board of Deputies.

After their marriage, the couple moved to Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal, where Michael was a senior lecturer in academic and practical agriculture.

After moving back to Cape Town with her family, she became intensely involved with the Bnoth Zion Association (WIZO), becoming chairman of the Bat Yam branch in Sea Point.

She also was very active in B’nai B’rith Bar Kochba Lodge, becoming the first president of its co-ed unit from 1985 to 1989.

Ella and Michael were later divorced and she married Lou Elk about 50 years ago. He passed away many years ago.

Ella was a regular shul-goer, first at the Great Synagogue, the Gardens, and then at the Green and Sea Point Hebrew Congregation in Marais Road, having served on the ladies’ guilds of both shuls.

She was also prominent in the Union of General Zionists for 10 years, until the party disbanded.

Ten years ago she moved to Johannesburg to live with her daughter Barbi Chaya Davis and her husband Jerome.

Ella is super-alert and active for her years – she doesn’t wear glasses and can converse on any topic. “She just has problems with walking,” said Barbi Chaya. “The entire family pitches in to look after her.”

Ella also had a son, Leon, who died at the age of 40. She now has four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. A tenth great-grandchild, Elliet Hodayah Shani sadly passed away at the age of 15.

The family has compiled a book in honour of Ella’s milestone, of which she is very appreciative.