From The Pale to Pretoria … Carrying a Small Suitcase Filled with Courage, Faith and Hope – Part 2

In this continuation of Ralph Cilevitz‘s presentation of 01 June 2025, he 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.

On Zoom only