OBITUARY.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1930, Page 6

OBITUARY.

Rabbi van staveren

NOTABLE FIG URES PASSES

By Telegraph—Press Assn., Copylight,

WELLINGTON, January 24

Alost sincere regret is ielt at the death of Rabbi Herman Van Staveren one of Wellington’s oldest, best known and most popular citizens. His long period of hospital and social seivico was unique, and probably consitutes a record, as. it extended to over half a century,... Rabbi Van Staveren, nho had been very seriously ill for some days, died at 10.30 o’clock this morning. He was trujy loveed, because Ins kindly qualities of heart predominated over'those of his keen brain. It was this feature, combined with his cheerful optimism, which made him so loved and esteemed, and his passing’lias left a . blank which it will he very difficult indeed to fill. Personally, he won the regard ami:;affection of all classes and alf creeds. It, was his pride that he always worked on. the principle that any of God’s children—it did not matter what their creed—were brothers and sisters to him. , For over fifty years Rabbi Van Staveren had been prominent in the administration of • charitable aid in and about Wellington, and lie was the Seni-or-Rabbi of the Jewish .community of New Zealand. . • ' j . »

His birthplace was Bolsward, m Freisland, where his father, an Englishman held the office of Chief, Rabin for 54 years. He was born in the year 1849, and was educated, and ordained in England.. He was married when 26 years of age, in London, and a few months later lie .-took his passage to. New Zealand. • having been appointed Minister to the Hebrew congregation in Wellington, which office he had held ever since. Before leaving the Old Country he had engaged in charitableaid work in London, and from the commememei! of Ids , colonial career he undertook the same work. With every charitable institution established in Wellington he had been connected at one time or another. Of the City Benevolent Institution, which was the principal agency of the kind in the early days,, lie., was Chairman for 21 years; and when the Wellington and Wairarapa .Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was Constituted to take its place, Rabbi Van Staveren continued to control its administration, until advancing age compelled him to relinquish the chairmanship. During the fifty. yeqrs.Jie had been in’ Wellington,.,RphbL Van Staveren had steadfastly, declined, to .accept payment of any kind, for the services lie rendered to the community. It was sufficient Ifor him to .know that his fellow citizens idways, returned him at the head of the po)l at the Hospital and Charitably Aid a ßpard elections. On the occasion of their golden wedding on Ist "September,- 1925, Air and .Mrs Van Stavoreirhvere the object of coiigrat'ilatiohes Dominionwide ' and the occasion was cUebrifted with great rejoicings bv their host of friends. The late Rabbi \hiir Staveren is survived by his widow, and by the following family: Messrs Isaac, Belirend and Maurice Vail‘ Staveren (members of the firm of Villi'‘'Staveren Bros, Merchants of Wellingthii)"; Airs Bert Manor.'Mrs Philip Myers, 'Airs Israel (Sydney). Mrs L. Harris (Sydney), Mrs Ronald- Isaac (Auckland), and Misses Minnie, Lena,; Re and Riie Van • Staveren. Another soli, Philip,'died as a. result of war disabilities. *