Religion
Rabbi Bernhard zt”l passes away, funeral today
A great pillar of SA Jewry, Rabbi Norman Bernhard zt”l passed away on Wednesday. The funeral is at 15:30, Thursday at West Park Cemetery.
OWN CORRESPONDENT
Rabbi Norman (Nachman) Bernhard, Rabbi Emeritus of the Oxford Synagogue-Centre, which he served as rabbi for 35 years, founder of the Oxford Synagogue Social Action Centre, later the Oxford Synagogue Skills for Adults Centre (OSSAC), the first “frum” primary school in sub-Saharan Africa – now Torah Academy – and the organiser in the early 1980s of Jews for Social Justice, in his own words “during the dark, dark days of the pernicious apartheid regime”, passed away yesterday evening (Wednesday, October 1) at the age of 81.
His funeral will be held at 15:30 today (Thursday) at West Park Jewish Cemetery.
Rabbi Bernhard was known to have said that JSJ and OSSAC had been “two things that saved the honour of South African Jewry”.
He leaves his wife, Joan, children, Lisa Milner, Tova Rubenstein, Deeni Singer, Nami Friedman, Kivi Bernhard and Laia Uzvolk, and many grandchildren.
Also read on SAJR.CO.ZA
- Rabbi who spoke out for SA justice and Jewish values – SUZANNE BELLING
- SA Jewry’s great debt to Rabbi Nachman Bernhard – RABBI YOSSY GOLDMAN
- Huge funeral for rabbinical pillar of SA Jewry – SUZANNE BELLING
- My memories of Rabbi Norman Bernhard – RABBI GAVIN MICHAL
Denis Solomons
October 2, 2014 at 11:36 am
‘Rabbi Bernhard was a legend and will be truly missed.
\nI remember when I was at res. in Parktown, the nearest shul was Oxford shul and his sermons and the service were inspirational.
\nHe will be sorely missed.
\nI wish all the family members a refuah shlema. I
\nthink today’s rabbis should take a leaf out of his book.
\nHe will be missed!’
Marion Urfig
October 6, 2014 at 12:14 am
‘Our family wish all the Bernhard family, long life.
He was an amazing man and Rabbi, and will be sadly missed.
I remember many years ago, while working at the Waverley Crisis Centre, that Rabbi and I, had a few chats. What a wonderful learned man he was.
Sincere condolences to his family.
Warmest regards,
Marion Urfig’