7. LOUIS3 MELMED (SOLOMON(SHLEIMAH)2MELAMED, ABRAHAM1) was born 1882 in Ponevez, Lithuania, and died 1945 in Capetown, SA. He married (1) FANNY SHER. She died 1963 in Oudshoom, SA. He married (2) BERTHA OCHBERG 1910 in Roeland Street Synogogue, Cape Town, South Africa, daughter of AARON OCHBERG and SARAH. She was born 1880 in Uman, Ukraine, and died 1942 in Capetown, SA.
Notes for LOUIS MELMED:
I. Louis attended both Slobodka and Kovno Yeshivas. Slobodka is one of the most famous Yeshivas in all of Eastern Europe.
II. He visited the USA, and lived at 933 S. 7th Street, Phila, PA in 1902. He sponsored, along with an M. Greenbaum, his brother, Meir, to come to the USA on July, 1902. (This was found in the HIAS / Blithstein Bank Records, Book #3, Page #3, kept at the Jewish Archive Center at 18 South 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA, on December, 1990)
III. He went to South Africa in 1904.
IV. In Queenstown in the Eastern Province, he set up an African trading store selling pots, pans, food and materials.
V. He built up the business with his brother, Meyer, who joined him in 1906.
VI. He was short, nicknamed "Fuchani" (the short one).
VII. Lived near Meir and Jacob Melmed, and Paul Kruger.
VIII. For many years, President of the Queenstown Hebrew Congregation
IX. For many years, Chairman of the Hebrew School Committee.
X. Active in the Bnei and Bnoth Zion Society in Queenstown (see his picture in this society taken 1910).
XI. Founder of the Juvenile Zionist Society.
XII. On the committee of a number of JNF campaigns.
XIII. Frequent delegate to Zionist Conferences.
XIV. Founder of the Child Welfare Society.
XV. Member of the Queenstown School Board.
XVI. Honorable President of the Naawpoort Cricket Club.
XVII. Honorable Vice President of the Football Association of Rugby Clubs.
XVIII. Louis bought the Imperial Hotel in Naauwpoort, near Middelburg, in the Cape Province. It had about 20 rooms.
XIX. Founded the shul, and became its President for many years.
XX. Founded the Zionist Society, and became its Chairman for many years.
XXI. District Grand Master of the Scottish Masonic Lodge.
XXII. "Leined" Torah.
XXIII. Sold the hotel and moved to Cape Town in late 1930's.
XXIV. According to "The South African Jewish Year Book, 1945" Data Base, Page 56, Louis was born in Panevezys, Lithuania in 1881, and arrived at Sea Point, SA in 1904. He married Bertha Ochberg in 1910. There is a picture of him in the yearbook, on Page 56.
XXIV.
The following is an English translation of a letter written on March 18, 1936 by Louis from the Imperial Hotel, Naauport, SA, to Ned (son of Israel-Nathan), and his new bride, Edna Acker. They were living in Philadelphia, PA, USA at the time. The letter was written on the occasion of Ned and Edna's recent marriage. The letter was written in Yiddish script, replete with expressions in Hebrew and English.
My special thanks to Mark Garfein who undertook the painstaking task of translation, and finished his translation on June 22, 1982. The letter follows:
Page 1 of the letter
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TELEPHONE NO. 8. TELEGRAM: "MELMED"
IMPERIAL HOTEL
THE COMFORT OF VISITORS OUR AIM
LOUIS MELMED, PROPRIETOR.
NAUUWPOORT, MARCH 18, 1936
C.P.
My dear and true niece Edna and dear nephew Ned be healthy and live always in happiness and contentment. For peacefulness is the best thing in the world. And not wealth in itself makes people happy.
This fact is brought out daily that wealth is not the "key" of contentment. Be devoted to one another with love and devotion. Be both of you interested in one another body and soul (actually: "in advice and action"). Tell one another of the day by day ("everyday") happenings. Read to each other a book. ... ("...pay yod yod pay aleph") and trust that it should come "and fast" the bond in which two should become one soul - one understanding - one wish - and one goal, then will it be one "body" and "soul", and then when the man (husband) goes away from the house as is the custom, to make a living. Then the wife waits with patience for the husband's return because she remains half a person. And feels the longing for the other half. The same way the husband hastens
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to come home quickly to be the other half of body. Soul. And happiness.
And when it comes to be afterwards when the husband comes home, then they kiss with love and they rejoice that the separated beings met again and united in one being. And they sit together and go for a walk - going visiting (to be a guest) - or just play all together.
My dears, you are young and have good ("well") goals ("intentions"). And you united. Trust that the bond should be a strong bond - that no things, or please G_d storm, should not loosen it "and when you trust G_d helps". Live happily "rejoice" and have always good courage and good hopes to strengthen your "kingdom" that you both be "king and queen". Love one another be close and kiss one another and nothing will disturb you in life ("your life"). Happiness lies always in one's own hands -
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... ("... Ayin Resh Ayin Aleph") take ... also from the same attributes. "Edna" and "Ned" I wish you a happy future and write us often we will definitely answer your letter.
We were glad to hear that you had a fine wedding and you can believe me that were we close I would have been at your wedding. And would have helped you ... ("Nun Ayin Shin Ayin Bet"). And with it I also send "snaps", and my wife certainly will write.
I read in the papers that you have had a severe winter 55 frost. We get here also a little bit of snow. Only then when by your place the parks open in the month of "May". But not for long -
We are sorry to hear that your kind mother is not healthy and hope when you receive the letter she will be complete.
Your kind father is far from us. Only in the month of January did we see one another. And talked about you all - he cries and sheds many tears when we speak of you.
Your photograph came when he had already left on his travels. For sure you must have sent him also your photo (.) I did forward (?) your letter and showed the photo to brother Jacob and his family surely they will write you. Or they have already written - with love and kisses and good wishes for your happy future - from my dear wife Bertha, Ethel and Harry. To all of your kind, true, and devoted, Louie.
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To all of our (family) heartfelt greetings (.) To Simon and his wife Cecelia and children.
To Jane and Samuel and children.
To Elizabeth and David.
And not forgetting the always dear mothers the same.
To my beloved sister Ray, Freida and Irving.
And we wish you mazel tov of the engagement of Freida.
And greetings to every member in the family (?) on both sides.
Your Louis
More About LOUIS MELMED:
Burial: 1945, Front row, Pinelands No. 1 Cemetery, Capetown, SA
Cause of Death: Cancer
More About BERTHA OCHBERG:
Burial: 1942, Front row, Pinelands No. 1 Cemetery, Capetown
Cause of Death: tragic drowning accident
Medical Information: Bertha was not of robust health
Marriage Notes for LOUIS MELMED and BERTHA OCHBERG:
I. AP and his wife were their unterfehrers.
More About LOUIS MELMED and BERTHA OCHBERG:
Marriage: 1910, Roeland Street Synogogue, Cape Town, South Africa
Children of LOUIS MELMED and BERTHA OCHBERG are:
