Well-loved Russel Lurie calls it quits after 42 years

SUZANNE BELLING

PHOTOGRAPH SUPPLIED

“Although it is mandatory to retire at 65, they kept me on for another eight years,” Lurie told Jewish Report. 

Lurie was referred to by Dr Helmut Heydt in the SA Dental Journal as “the Moses of the Dental Association”, for, as the association’s president, he oversaw changes during the new dispensation in South Africa with the formation of one dental body incorporating all races.

Previously, there had been separate associations for blacks, whites and coloureds, but, during his presidency, he joined these bodies. “I was out of office by the time this came to fruition, hence the analogy of never having seen the Promised Land.”

Lurie made academic contributions not only teaching post-graduate students, but was also invited on numerous occasions to deliver scientific papers abroad. 

He contributed to the College of Medicine of South Africa in ensuring the maintenance of high standards of education for post-graduate students to qualify as specialists, as well as monitoring curricula in his speciality.

Lurie was president, too, of the SA Maxillofacial Society.

But, perhaps, he is best known in the Jewish community for his chairmanship of the Johannesburg Jewish Male Choir and his contribution to this popular group. He has been a member since a year after the choir’s inception 30 years ago. He was chairman for some 15 years, soloist, and duettist and was instrumental in organising and monitoring tours to the US, Australia, Israel and England.

Although retired from Wits, he maintains his private practice and gives courses in his specialty.