This will be a Zoom Event Only:

Go to the JGS Toronto website Members page to register.

Speaker: Ralph Cilevitz

JEWISH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF TORONTO
A History of the South African Jews: From The Pale to Pretoria
…Carrying a Small Suitcase Filled with Courage, Faith and Hope

Sunday, 01 June 2025 at 10:30 a.m.

ZOOM ONLY

In this powerful presentation, Ralph Cilevitz tells the story of Jewish immigrants who journeyed
from the cities and shtetls of the Pale of Settlement to the cities and dorpies at the southern tip
of Africa. Most arrived young, alone, and with little more than their determination and quiet
strength. Ralph explores how thousands of Jewish families built new lives and preserved their
faith and hope while adapting to unfamiliar places and languages. He offers a vivid look at
courage, migration, resilience, and community. Whether you’re interested in genealogy, Jewish
history, or human endurance, this presentation brings the past to life in a way that is deeply
personal and richly human.
Ralph Cilevitz was born in South Africa and studied electronic and mechanical engineering
before emigrating to Canada in 1979. Based in Toronto, he is a board member of the Jewish
Genealogical Society of Toronto. With over 50 years of genealogical research, Ralph combines
historical insight with a passion for storytelling. When he’s not digging through archives, you’ll
find him competing on the track in multi-event athletics, playing field hockey or pickleball, or
strumming the guitar.