STAFF REPORTER
Ernest Leibowitz
Hazel Cohen, of the RCHCC, described Leibowitz as a pillar of strength, a source of inspiration, wisdom, fairness and diplomacy.“He was so proud that the dream he shared with Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris of a vibrant, active community centre had been realised.”
Rabbi Dovid Hazdan, spiritual leader of the Great Park Shul, said at the funeral the Leibowitz’s presence and involvement in the shul had been a game changer.
“Eighteen years ago it was difficult to envisage the potential of the Great Park Shul. It was a time of pessimism, resignation. It was the heyday of naysayers and prophets of doom in the South African Jewish community.
“He mustered every strength to see the Great Park project become reality,” Rabbi Hazdan said.
Leibowitz had knocked on many doors of business leaders to invest in the project and remained undeterred by numerous failures. He also conceived the idea of the community centre, which lay at the heart of the Great Park Shul and had been its chairman since its inception 18 years ago.
“He saw the invaluable asset of its success long before it was achieved. I can say categorically that the Great Park Shul would not have been achieved without his Herculean effort,” Rabbi Hazdan said.
Another example of Leibowitz’s leadership and giving, was to the SA Associates of Ben-Gurion University, where he served as a committee member and was closely involved in the huge contribution South African Jewry had made to that institution.
“He was a man of deep integrity, honesty and fairness,” Rabbi Hazdan added. “He was a rare combination of formality, dignity, respect and warmth and embracing love.”
Anthony Spitz, of London. Leibowitz’s brother-in-law, said Leibowitz was “a very determined person with every project he undertook. He left no stone unturned to achieve what he wanted personally and for the community.”
Spitz termed the RCHCC one of the jewels of Johannesburg Jewish life with social and cultural activities that could not be found elsewhere in the Jewish environment.
Leibowitz had been involved in Hippo Holdings, a listed trading and quarrying company, the forerunner of the ready-mix concrete industry in this country. The business also dealt with wholesale leather goods and blankets throughout the country. The company was eventually sold to Anglo Vaal.
Leibowitz spent some time in New York in the 1970s, where he also worked for a large cement business, before returning to South Africa in 1979.
Back in South Africa he became a senior executive for Leo Raphaely & Sons, before acquiring his own import and export company.
He is mourned by his partner Brenda Lasersohn, his children Mark, David and Sandy, his sister and brother-in-law Shirley and Anthony Spitz and his seven grandchildren in South Africa and the United States.
