Renée was born in Cape Town to Germaine (Silbermann) and Meyer Hirsch Goldschmidt. Her first years were spent in Hamburg, Germany, before resettling in Cape Town in 1932.
After matriculating (1942) she studied nursing at Groote Schuur, where she met her lifelong friend, Joyce Sacks (Lasovsky, now of Rehovot).
Following marriage to Ernest Samson — a German refugee who had fled to the US in 1936 — they raised two daughters, Jeanne and Claire. Renée worked part-time in the UCT Child Guidance Clinic, helped found the UJW Flower Group, and assisted Ernest fundraise for Jewish Education and Israeli causes. For the Cape Town Jewish community, where her father had played a leadership role, a charitable foundation was established, and contributed significantly to the city’s Jewish continuity and welfare.
Renée’s brother, Paul Arieli made aliyah with his wife, May Chait, in 1948. Sadly, their only child, Louis, was killed in an accident in 1971. Renée was a devoted sister, backing their charitable endeavours. In parallel with the Cape Town foundation, the family established an Israeli Goldschmidt Foundation to assist South African Olim, focusing on educating their descendants to play a full role in Israeli society.
In 1986 Renée and Ernest moved from Cape Town to Stamford Connecticut. They both volunteered with the Jewish and secular communities, particularly the local hospice and the Jewish Day School. After Ernest died in 2009, Renée fundraised for many charities, such as Alzheimer’s — planning walks and other events. She devoted time and effort to the wellbeing of those living and working in her long-term care facility, and was adored by all. She continued to entertain, cooking and baking for friends and family alike. Israel remained central to her strong Jewish identity.
Renée maintained close contact with her extensive and devoted worldwide network. She particularly enjoyed hearing about her fourteen great-grandchildrens’ activities. Covid sadly meant fewer visits, but she retained keen interest in their daily lives. She is survived by them, by Jeanne Katz (London / Jerusalem), Claire Ellman (San Diego / Herzliyah) and five grandchildren.
At her funeral her eldest great-grandson quoted a shiur for 6 Tevet, the day she died, which he felt expressed her perspective — that learning is never enough, and that true understanding is only achieved when one uses learning to grow oneself, to become a better person and help those around one.
She will be missed. May her memory for a blessing.
The David Susman Community Foundation
• Published in the PDF edition of the March 2022 issue – Click here to get it.
• To advertise in the Cape Jewish Chronicle and on this website – contact Karyn on 021 464 6700 ext. 104 or email advertising@ctjc.co.za. For more information and advertising rate card click here.
• Sign up for our newsletter and never miss another issue.
• Please support the Cape Jewish Chronicle with a voluntary Subscription for 2022. For payment info click here.
• Visit our Portal to the Jewish Community to see a list of all the Jewish organisations in Cape Town with links to their websites.
Follow the Chronicle: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn
