Mrs. Selma Bacher, who was one of the founders of the Jewish community in Johannesburg, South Africa, and a beloved educator for many decades, passed away on Monday, 21 Iyar, 5781.
She was 78.
Selma was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1943 to Rabbi and Mrs. Shlomo and Helen Goldman.
Her maternal grandmother was active in the Lubavitch Ladies Auxiliary, in which she assisted in raising funds to participate in rescuing the Frierdiker Rebbe and his family from war-torn Europe.
In 1964, she married Rabbi Koppel Bacher of Johannesburg, and soon after they settled in South Africa, then a barren wasteland of Yiddishkeit.
Together with her husband, she was instrumental in laying the foundations of Yiddishkeit in South Africa.
She was a beloved educator to thousands of students, in her capacity both as the founding principal of the Torah Academy Girls High School, and for many years afterward as an Elementary School Limudei Kodesh teacher.
Selma was extremely learned, constantly learning and giving shiurim and Torah classes. She completed an in-depth study of the entire Tanach twice over.
She is survived by her husband, Rabbi Koppel Bacher, and her children, all of whom are shluchim of the Rebbe: Mrs. Rivky Chaikin, Rabbi Shaul Bacher, and Rabbi Sholem Bacher, all of Johannesburg, South Africa.
She is also survived by her siblings: brother Dovid Goldman of Flatbush and sister Rochel Weiner of Queens.
The levaya will take place today in Johannesburg.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
I am honored to have been her student . She was both my teacher and principal and she truly cared about each student explaining with patience and love . I still remember what she taught me . What a loss . Wishing the family comfort during this difficult time
She was my teacher/principal, so dedicated. Fond memories.. very hard to see this.
She was my teacher in 5th grade which was over 20 years ago and to this day she left in me many lessons of life. She will be dearly missed
Mrs Bacher was a very special lady with deep and profound insight, eidel and gentle ways and a twinkle in her eye.
We feel honoured that Hashem brought her to SA as part of our chinuch program for all ages.
We will miss her warmth, acceptance and happy chuckle.
Definitely good company for H’
unty Selma ran a beautiful Toradike home where mitzvos were done in a loving way. Her and Uncle Koppel had an open home where everyone felt welcome. Mrs Selma Bacher was a talmida chachoma who learned each day and taught thousands