Ben-Zion S. Hersch, one of the builders of the Zionist movement in South Africa, and a founder of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, died here today.
Mr. Hersch was born in Janishky, Lithuania, and came to South Africa in 1902. He was fifty years old. Two children survive him.
Ben-Zion S. Hersch was one of the most prominent Jews in South Africa. He was associated with the national movement from the early days of Herzl. He helped organize the South African Zionist Federation and served as a member of the Executive Council of that body from 1910.
Mr. Hersch, the first immigration officer of the Board of Deputies in Capetown, rendered extensive services to the Jewish community in matters of immigration and naturalization.
The deceased also contributed to the local and overseas press. For a period he was editor and publisher of the Jewish Standard of Johannesburg. He helped develop the Zionist Record from a monthly official magazine to a weekly journal of large circulation. Up to his death, he was honorary chairman of the editorial board of the paper.
The entire Jewish community of South Africa greatly mourns the passing of Mr. Ben-Zion S. Hersch.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
