The Progressive Movement has lost one of its earliest members By Darryl Egnal On behalf of the SAUPJ and Temple Israel

SAUPJ HISTORY Ruby Caplan: Our last link to the earliest days RUBY CAPLAN, one of the first members of Temple Israel and the South African Progressive Movement, passed away on Wednesday 14 February 2007 at age 98. Not only is this an upsetting occasion for her family, but it is also a sad moment for the Progressive Movement. A little over six months after celebrating the 70th anniversary of Temple Israel in Johannesburg, the Mother synagogue of the Progressive Movement, in which she was one of the first members, Caplan has succumbed to her illnesses. At 98, she had lived a full and extraordinary life. In 2006, while doing research for a Tribute to Temple Israel anniversary brochure, I met Ruby for the first time. She may have been bedridden at the time, but her mind was active and her memory clear. She spoke of the early days of the movement and how she and her husband, Oscar, had been involved in bringing Progressive Judaism to the fore in South Africa. She showed me photographs and articles, told me how philanthropic her husband had been, and spoke of him with such respect and love. What she failed to mention was how instrumental she, herself, was in providing for those less advantaged, and how she participated in and continued her husband's work within the Jewish community and without. In the early 30s, Oscar, together with Jerry Idelson, Dr Louis Freed, Sigmund Haas and a few others sat on the founding committee of the United Progressive Jewish Congregation in South Africa. He played an important role in bringing out its first rabbi, Rabbi Moses Cyrus Weiler, and was instrumental in purchasing and developing the property on which Temple Israel now stands. Ruby and Oscar met at Temple Israel and they were married by Rabbi Weiler in 1940. They had two children and four grandchildren together. Even after new Progressive synagogues were opened in the suburbs, Ruby and Oscar remained members of Temple Israel, while helping to develop and grow the Progressive community. In 1963, the Caplans donated about 20 acres of land near Hartebeespoort to the congregation. The plan was to create a non-denominational inland retreat for young and old along the same lines as the successful Alan Isaacs Camp in Margate. In The Star of 13 February 1963, Oscar was quoted as saying: "It has always been our idea that it [the camp] should provide amenities chiefly for the less privileged of our community. For those who can afford them, there is no dearth of holiday resorts in this country. "For the underprivileged, however, whether they be young or old, the problem of a venue is one of real concern. Now, with Camp Caplan virtually established, we hope to be able to fill the need," he said. Camp Caplan was officially opened in March 1966 by then mayor, Councillor Aleck Jaffe. It was run by Ruby as chairperson and Ida Harman as honorary secretary for nearly 20 years. During this time, many successful youth camps were run by Maginim, the predecessor to Netzer, and the site was used for a variety of other non-denominational camps for people young and old. In the late 80s, Camp Caplan was sold to Selwyn Segal (Camp David) and the Camp Caplan Trust was started with the money raised from the sale. The camp site is still used on occasion by the Progressive Movement and extensively by the wider Jewish community. The Camp Caplan Trust's aim was to support Jewish education and was used to sponsor South Africans who were interested in the Rabbinate. Oscar continued his involvement in Temple Israel until his death aged 101. Ruby was still a member of Temple Israel until she passed away at 98. Between my first and second meetings with Ruby last year, I met and spoke to numerous others who had been involved in the early days of the movement. During that time, I decided I had to find a way to film an interview with her and these other members, all of whom were in the "winter" of their lives. I knew if we didn't do this soon, we would lose all these memories, and the history of the Progressive Movement would be buried with them. While gathering content for the new website for the South African Union for Progressive Judaism (SAUPJ) at the beginning of 2007, we decided to include various articles on its history from the Tribute to Temple Israel brochure, and so, once again, I was reminded of my idea to use the colourful stories that these members could provide. When I discovered that Ruby had taken a turn for the worse and had moved into a care facility, I committed myself to doing this, whatever it took. Then I heard Ruby had passed away. My window of opportunity had closed. I never thought I could feel so sad about the loss of someone I'd met only twice. It may sound selfish, but I had wanted to preserve her memories for generations to come… to perhaps find a place for the Progressive Movement in the annals of the South African Jewish community. I'm sorry I waited for money to come in before taking action. I'm sorry I left my idea to simmer for so long. I won't make the same mistake twice. I will find a way to interview the others who have stories to tell! Ruby Caplan was a caring, compassionate and generous person, a humanitarian and a lover of life. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends, the entire Progressive Movement, and especially the Temple Israel community. May her dear soul rest in peace!

Ruby Caplan Ruby and Oscar Caplan Ruby and Oscar Caplan on their wedding day. From left, Oscar, Rabbi MC Weiler, Ruby, her sister Millicent and Jerry Idelson Message from Reeva Forman, chairman of Temple Israel DURING my 12 years as chairman, Ruby Caplan and her late husband, Oscar, played a most significant and important role in the life of Temple Israel. They were the exception when it came to encouraging me in my goal to keep Temple Israel open. They also supported me in my desire to ensure the synagogue's unique place as the Mother synagogue of the Progressive Movement. They too understood Temple Israel's importance to the city of Johannesburg in its contribution to the upliftment of Hillbrow. Any shul, to remain open and function, is dependent on its congregational base, no matter how small. Some of our members come to Temple Israel for Pesach, but most of them attend services during the High Holy Days. Temple Israel does not have a resident Rabbi, and although our Shabbat services have been ably led by our spiritual leader, Benny Stalson, in order to maintain our membership over the years, it was essential to have the services of a Rabbi for the High Holy Days. For over a decade, the Camp Caplan Trust committee, chaired by Oscar and subsequently by Ruby, agreed to finance a Rabbi for this period. So each year, our congregants can look forward to the stimulation of an overseas Rabbi, bringing a taste of the wider Progressive Jewish world to Temple Israel. When the Trust was closed, all resources were put under the control of the South African Union of Progressive Judaism, and chairperson, Steve Lurie. Ruby's wish when this was done, was that the financing of a Rabbi at Temple Israel for the High Holy Days, be adhered to for as long as we may need it, and the Trust could afford do so. I thank the SAUPJ for honouring Ruby's wish. It is because Ruby believed in a future for Temple Israel and in its unique importance as the Mother synagogue that Temple Israel stands proudly today, having celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2006. My grateful thanks and love to Ruby, my friend and confidante, who in the face of seemingly impossible odds, said to me: "You can do it."