Jews of Breakwater Convict Station in Historical Perspective.

The article focuses on Jews of Breakwater Convict Station in Cape Town, South Africa. It states that the Jewish exodus from Eastern Europe and the discovery of diamonds and minerals in South Africa during the later half of the 19th century led to the influx of Jews to the Cape. The association between the evolution of the prison system and the demands of the capitalist labour market is discussed. An extract which reveals that the Jewish community of the Cape did not see the criminals of Breakwater as outsiders to their community is presented.