Jewish community gains access to information
Members of the Jewish community can now access reference books pertaining to the religion.
This as the South African Zionist Federation officially re-opened the Isie Maisels Reference Library in Raedene.
Librarians Maxine Fine and Norma Shulman recently took the North Eastern Tribune on a tour of the place, which according to them, has a wide variety of reference material suitable for researchers, as well as any member of the public interested in Zionism and Israeli history.
Shulman said the library was first started in 1947 and was situated on Commissioner Street, and had seen many management changes to date. She said, “It was in recent years that the federation took it up and re-launched it.”
The library has an audio-visual department which has DVDs, which people can rent. This unit is headed by Eric Mathobo who also assists with the day-to-day running of the library.
Fine said they were excited to welcome people who want to do research in the facilities and encouraged even more to make use of the library.
She added that they were looking for volunteers willing to donate their time at the library. She said, “We would like committed and reliable people to come forward and help out.”
Shulman said the library was also open to receiving book donations from members of the public. “We have also received a number of bequests from people who passed on and donated their books to us,” said Shulman, adding that the books needed to be of Jewish-related content.
People willing to make such donations are encouraged to email the librarians with the details of the books.
Fine said the library also has press cuttings which are made available to anyone conducting research.
The library is located at Beyachad, 2 Elray Street, Raedene, on the first floor and opens from 12.30pm to 4.30pm from Monday to Wednesday and from 8am to 12pm on Thursdays and Fridays.
Details: 011 645 2567; library@beyachad.co.za
