Thursday, 25 June 2026

Leah Epstein (1913 - 1985)

Leah Epstein is the daughter of Tilly Morris, born Tilly Dik, the sister-in-law of Rachel Levin, my 2x great aunt. Morris family HERE

Parents: Isaac Epstein (1884 - 1941) and Tilly Morris (1886 - 1981)

Tombstones for Leah's parents. Isaac is buried in the Rice Lane Cemetery in Liverpool, England and Tilly (Tova) in Westpark Cemetery, Johannesburg, South Africa

Born: 25 August 1913  in Liverpool, England

Siblings
  • Baruch Epstein (1911 - 1982) married Sarah Ritov (1911 - 2003) in 1950
  • Naftali Epstein (1914 - 2000)
  • Esther Epstein (1915 - 2013) married Marcel Aron Kindler (1908 - 1972) on 4 July 1943 in London, England
  • Sarah Epstein (1920 - 2003) married Michael Avni (Marcus) (1920 - 1991) in Liverpool, England on (Apr - Jul) 1941
  • Zahava Epstein (1927 - 2024) married Martin Dover (1925 - 1995) in Liverpool, England in (July - September ) 1950

Hebrew name: Leah daughter of Yitzhak

Occupation: Rabbi's wife

Married: Oscar Marcus Werner, known as Dov, on 10 June 1945 in Liverpool. England

Children
Their first child was born in 19471 when Oscar was 25 and Leah 23. Their final child was born in 1953 when Oscar was 41 and Leah 39/40
  • Sharon Werner 1947 -
  • Bernard Isaac Werner 1949 -
  • Maxine (Malka) Werner 1953 - 

Census
1921
In the 1921 census taken on 19 June 1921, Leah's parents Tilly and Isaac are living in a 6 room dwelling at 48 Erskine Street, Liverpool, England. Isaac is age 37 years and four months and a travelling draper and clothier working from home. His place of birth is given as Wloclawek, Poland.Tilly is a housewife age 35 years and six months and born in Poneviezys, Lithuania. Their children are Boruch age 10 years and four months, Leah age 8 years and 10 months, Naphtali age 7 years and one month, Esther age 6 years and one month, Sarah age 1 year and one month



1939 Register
In 1939 the family are living at 99 Granby Street, Liverpool, England. Isaac is now a master butcher with his own business. Living with Isaac and Tilly are their children Leah and Esther who both work in the family butchery, and Sara. Baruch and Naftali had already emigrated to Palestine


Migration to South Africa
After going through the rigors of war, they looked at emigrating to greener pastures. Their choice was either Canada or South Africa but because Leah already had an uncle (Ely Morris) living in South Africa they decided to emigrate to the latter. They came to South Africa sometime between 1947 - 1951

Kimberley, 1961/2. Rabbi Dov Werner is 3rd row from the back 1st left and Leah is in the same row on the extreme right

Death
7 August 1985 (20 Av 5745) in Johannesburg, South Africa age 71. Leah was buried in the Westpark Cemetery there on 8 August 1985, grave block H 129

JewishGen burial record for Leah

Westpark Cemetery burial record for Leah

Residence

In the 1921 census the family are living at 48 Erskine Street, Liverpool, England. The building no longer exists


In 1938 until some time in the 1940s the family lived at 99 Granby Street, Liverpool, England

Saturday, 20 June 2026

Sarah Ritov (1911 - 2003)

Sarah Ritov is the daughter-in-law of Tilly Morris, born Tilly Dik, the sister-in-law of Rachel Levin, my 2x great aunt. Morris family HERE

Parents: Benjamin Israel Ritov (1887 - 1941) and Hannah Rachel Factor (? - 1965)

Born: 14 May 1911 in Lithuania

Married: Baruch Epstein in 1950, probably in Israel

Child
Their only child was born in 1951 when Baruch and Sarah were both 40
  • Benjamin Elizur Epstein 1951 -

Death
16 May 2003 age 92, in Israel

Friday, 19 June 2026

Baruch Epstein (1911 - 1982)

Baruch Epstein is the son of Tilly Morris, born Tilly Dik, the sister-in-law of Rachel Levin, my 2x great aunt. Morris family HERE

Parents: Isaac Epstein (1884 - 1941) and Tilly Morris (1886 - 1981)

Tombstones for Baruch's parents. Isaac is buried in the Rice Lane Cemetery in Liverpool, England and Tilly (Tova) in Westpark Cemetery, Johannesburg, South Africa

Born: 12 May 1911 in Liverpool, England

Siblings
  • Leah Epstein (1913 - 1985) married Oscar Marcus Werner (1922 - 2008) in Liverpool, England on 10 June 1945
  • Naftali Epstein (1914 - 2000)
  • Esther Epstein (1915 - 2013) married Marcel Aron Kindler (1908 - 1972) on 4 July 1943 in London, England
  • Sarah Epstein (1920 - 2003) married Michael Avni (Marcus) (1920 - 1991) in Liverpool, England on (Apr - Jul) 1941
  • Zahava Epstein (1927 - 2024) married Martin Dover (1925 - 1995) in Liverpool, England in (July - September ) 1950

Hebrew name: Baruch son of Yitzhak

Occupation: Rabbi

Married: Sarah Ritov in 1950, probably in Israel

Child
Their only child was born in 1951 when Baruch and Sarah were both 40
  • Benjamin Elizur Epstein 1951 -

Census
1911
In the 1911 census taken on 2 April that year, Baruch's parents Tilly and Isaac had been married for one year and are living in a 6 room dwelling at 15 Vine Street, Liverpool, England. Isaac is age 26 and a travelling draper and clothier on his own account and Tilly is a housewife age 24. Living with them is their infant son Baruch who was born on 12 March 1911. Also living there is a boarder, Milly Morris age 21 who is a dressmaker, and a domestic servant, Maggie Graley, age 15


1921
In the 1921 census taken on 19 June 1921, Tilly and Isaac are living in a 6 room dwelling at 48 Erskine Street, Liverpool, England. Isaac is age 37 years and four months and a travelling draper and clothier working from home. His place of birth is given as Wloclawek, Poland.Tilly is a housewife age 35 years and six months and born in Poneviezys, Lithuania. Their children are Boruch age 10 years and four months, Leah age 8 years and 10 months, Naphtali age 7 years and one month, Esther age 6 years and one month, Sarah age 1 year and one month



Education
Baruch had a B.A. degree from Jews College and B.A. Hons and M.A. degrees from University College London. The degree subject was Hebrew

Baruch's University College London student registration card. It indicates he received his B.A. Hons. degree in 1935 nd his field of study (Heb.) was Hebrew

Another University College London student card for Baruch. He obtained his Honours degree in 1935 and was awarded the Hollier Scholarship in Hebrew in July 1936 while studying for his M.A. degree

This image shows an official, historical student academic registration document from the University of London, University College (UCL). It is a "Re-Entry Form" designed for matriculated students returning for consecutive academic terms.
Below is a breakdown of the key sections and details recorded on this form:
Administrative and Session Information
  • Academic Session: The top right corner indicates this form applies to the 1936 – 1937 academic session.
  • Document Status: The form is officially signed off and dated 15th July 1936, meaning it was filled out prior to the autumn term.
  • Official Markings: There are administrative notations in the "For Office Use Only" grid on the upper right, along with a stamped reference number (998).
 Student and Family Profile
  • Student's Name: The form is for a student named Baruch Epstein.
  • Addresses:
    • While attending college: 29 Greenfield Gardens, N.W.2 (a London district code).
    • Home Address: 99 Granby St., Liverpool, 8.
  • Date of First Entry: The student initially entered the college in October 1935, confirming that this re-entry form is for their second year of study.
  • Parental Information: The form lists his father, Isaac Epstein, living at the same Liverpool address. A circled structural note indicates that the parent or guardian is held legally responsible for any outstanding college dues.
Academic Qualifications and Course of Study
  • Scholarships: He was awarded a Hollier Hebrew Scholarship.
  • Prior Degree: The text notes he previously passed a B.A. Honours in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Syriac.
  • Target Degree: The next examination in view is for an M.A. in May or December 1937.
  • Department: The course of study falls under the Faculty of Arts.
  • Timeline: The session is marked as beginning in October 1936 and ending in July 1937.
Course Selection and Fees
The centre table breaks down the classes chosen for the academic year:
  • Subject 1: Hebrew for the M.A.
  • Subject 2: Psychology 
  • Class Index Letters: These classes are mapped to structural index system codes: H1 for the Hebrew track, and A.17 and A.11 for the Psychology modules.
  • Financial Fees: The payable tuition fees are detailed in traditional pre-decimal British currency as 8 pounds and 8 shillings (written as 8 8 -).
Baruch receiving his B.A. Hons degree from University College London in 1935

Military
On 1 February 1942 Baruch was ordained a chaplain. His service no was 238537 (Supplement to the London Gazette, 1 September 1942, p. 3808)

Newspaper articles about Baruch
1942

CHAPLAIN 
CAPTAIN Baruch Epstein whose appointment as Chaplain to Jewish troops in the British Forces in Palestine and Syria was announced yesterday, has been educated in both England and Palestine English-born, he received his secondary education in the Tachkemoni trade school in Tel Aviv and, on leaving, in the "Hebron" Talmudical College in Jerusalem. Returning to London, he studied at Jews College and London University receiving the B.A. and M.A. Three years ago Captain Epstein come back to this country, and was admitted to the rabbinate by Chief Rabbi Herzog. Before joining the Army he was in Kvutzath Sdeh Ellahu and also conducted services in Tirath Zvi (The Palestine Post, 20 May 1942⁩)

1950

ENGLISH SPEAKING CIRCLE of HAPOEL HAMIZRAHI - Tel Aviv Branch.
Sunday, February 12, 1950. A lecture will be given by: MR. BARUCH EPSTEIN
on: "The "Structure of the Ministry of Interior" at 108 Ahad Haam St., 3rd floor, commencing at 8.15 p.m. Soldiers and friends cordially invited.

Death
12 January 1982 age 70, in Israel

Residence

In 1911 Tilly and Isaac and family are living at 15 Vine Street, Liverpool, England. The building no longer exists


In the 1921 census the family are living at 48 Erskine Street, Liverpool, England. The building no longer exists