Southern African Oral History Project is underway

The Southern African Oral History Project, under the auspices of TELFED,  is underway. The aim of the project is to interview olim both young and old, veterans and newcomers with the aim of documenting Southern African immigration to Israel.

Southern African immigration to Israel makes for a unique study.  A number of immigrants were not born in South Africa but immigrated to South Africa from Eastern Europe, and subsequently to Israel, thus migrating twice in their life time. There are immigrants who are first generation South Africans, born in South Africa, grew up there and then immigrated to Israel. There is another group, whose parents and sometimes grandparents were born in South Africa.

A project of this nature is of utmost importance as it not only documents Southern African immigration to Israel, but also serves both an historical and sociological function. The questionnaire incorporates questions relating to intergenerational migration patterns, life in South Africa prior to aliya, (communal and religious identity), motivations for immigration to Israel, acclimatization, the contribution of Southern African olim to Israel and Southern African Genealogy.

A number of years ago I carried out a pilot study to assess the feasibility of a project of this nature.  I would like to thank all the interviewees who took part in this study.  Each interview, reiterated the importance of documenting our Southern African History.

In order for the project to succeed, we need both interviewees and interviewers.  If you are able to interview, or wish to be interviewed please contact me at: SAOHP

rlerercohen@gmail.com

All interviews will be electronically stored at Telfed and the archive of The Oral History Department, Hebrew University, Jerusalem. These interviews will preserve history and will serve scholars as a basis for research.

ROSE LERER COHEN PhD

Genealogist and Family Historian

rlerercohen@gmail.com

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