Eliot Osrin’s Legacy
“Those communal giants had wonderful foresight and, in the process, they’ve allowed us, the subsequent generations, to build on their foundations and establish what I think, is the greatest Jewish community of its size, and something we can all be immensely proud of.”
Eliot Osrin’s Z”L perspective on leadership and succession.

The name Eliot Osrin is synonymous with the architecture of the Cape Town Jewish community, which underpins the structure and viability of our organisations. During more than five decades of communal service, Eliot Osrin proved to be a visionary, a leader with integrity, a strategic thinker, and a skilled diplomat. These outstanding attributes coexisted with endearing humility and unwavering selflessness.
Eliot’s vision and implementation of communal discipline in the area of fundraising has sustained the Cape Town Jewish community. He was a masterful fundraiser, and introduced philanthropic innovation in the establishment of donor legacies and trusts. He mentored the next generation of leadership and indeed, led by example.
He served across 12 communal organisations as Chairman, including Herzlia, United Jewish Campaign (UJC), Israel United Appeal (IUA), Western Province Priorities Board, Highlands House, Trustee of Community Security Organisation (CSO) and 26 Charitable Foundations.

The name Eliot Osrin is synonymous with the strength, structure and viability of the CT Jewish community. During more than five decades of communal service, Eliot Osrin proved himself to be a visionary, a leader with integrity, a strategic thinker, and a skilled diplomat. These outstanding attributes coexisted with endearing humility and unwavering selflessness.
Most Cape Town Jewish organisations owe their continued viability to Eliot. He was a masterful fundraiser, introducing many innovations, including the establishment of trusts to sustain the community. He mentored the next generation of leadership and indeed, led by example.
He served across 12 communal organisations as Chairman, including Herzlia, United Jewish Campaign (UJC), Israel United Appeal (IUA), Western Province Priorities Board, Highlands House, Trustee of Community Security Organisation (CSO) and 26 Charitable Foundations.