Stellenbosch Synagogue
| Stellenbosch Synagogue | |
|---|---|
 Stellenbosch Synagogue, in 2013 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism |
| Rite | Nusach Ashkenaz |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Ownership | Stellenbosch Hebrew Congregation |
| Leadership | Lay-led |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 44 Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch, Western Cape |
| Country | South Africa |
  Location of the synagogue in the Western Cape region | |
| Geographic coordinates | 33°56′08″S 18°51′47″E / 33.93567°S 18.86296°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Synagogue architecture |
| Date established | 1900 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1923 (hall:1932) |
The Stellenbosch Synagogue, formally the Stellenbosch Hebrew Congregation, is an Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 44 Ryneveld Street, in Stellenbosch, in the Western Cape region of South Africa. The congregation was established in 1900 and moved into its current building in 1923.[1]
History
[edit]The congregation dates from 1900 and was then known as the Agudat Achim Hebrew Congregation, with Rev Zeidel as its first lay leader. Membership numbered 40 at its inception, yet increased as Jewish refugees arrived during the Second Boer War. Services were held at a private home before a house in Bird Street was rented exclusively for the congregation and a mikvah built on-site. Rev A. P. Bender, spiritual leader of Gardens Shul, consecrated the house as a synagogue in 1903. In 1905, the president of the synagogue and other senior members addressed the congregation to lament the pogroms in the Russian Empire and appealed to the mayor of Stellenbosch to garner local support for the victims.[1]
The congregation decided to build its own purpose-built synagogue and purchased a stand. Rev Bender lay the foundation station in 1923 in a ceremony attended by the town's mayor, Dutch Reformed Church minister and a local magistrate. The new building served the spiritual needs of the 23 Jewish families living in the town at the time. In 1932 the congregation built a communal hall. The congregation also operated a Hebrew School. In 1950, Israel Brodie, Chief Rabbi of Great Britain and the Commonwealth attended a special jubilee celebration at the synagogue.[1]
The synagogue is operational, with Friday night shabbat and other Jewish holiday services being held. As well as serving resident Jewish families, it serves Jewish students at Stellenbosch University.[2] Students are also served by Chabad on Campus. Between 2019 and 2024, the number of Jewish students has increased from 40 to more than 150. In response, Rabbi Chananyah Duthie became the Stellenbosch University Chabad on Campus rabbi in 2024.[3]
Since inception, the congregation has been led by lay clergy.
Gallery
[edit]-
Stellenbosch Synagogue -
Communal hall -
Front doors of the synagogue -
Foundation stone
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "The Jewish Community of Stellenbosch". Anu – Museum of the Jewish People. Tel Aviv, Israel. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "1923 – 2023: A century of Jewish religious life in Stellenbosch". Cape Jewish Chronicle. 1 November 2023.
- ^ Stellenbosch campus rabbi caters for growing Jewish presence The South African Jewish Report. 8 August 2024
External links
[edit]
Media related to Skuinshuis, Stellenbosch at Wikimedia Commons
| Active |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Former |
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- 1900 establishments in South Africa
- 20th-century synagogues in South Africa
- Ashkenazi Jewish culture in South Africa
- Ashkenazi synagogues
- Buildings and structures in Stellenbosch
- Jewish organizations established in 1900
- Orthodox synagogues in South Africa
- Synagogues completed in 1923
- Synagogues in the Western Cape