Temple Shalom (Johannesburg)

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Temple Shalom
Religion
Affiliation Reform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organizational status Synagogue
Year consecrated 1950
StatusDefunct
Location
LocationLouis Botha Avenue, Highlands North, Johannesburg
Country South Africa
Architecture
Architect(s) Harold Le Roith
Type Synagogue architecture
Style Modernist

Temple Shalom (formally North Eastern District Jewish Reform Synagogue) [1] was a Progressive Jewish congregation and synagogue situated on Louis Botha Avenue in Highlands North, a suburb of Johannesburg. The congregation was established in 1945 and the synagogue was consecrated in 1950. [1] [2] It served the community for over 65 years before its closure. [3]

Contents

History

The congregation was established in 1945. [4] A synagogue was designed in the Modernist style by architect Harold Le Roith and consecrated in August 1950. The opening of the synagogue was attended by Rabbi Moses Cyrus Weiler and William Nicol, Administrator of the Transvaal province. [2] During the Rosh Hashanah service of the same year, Rabbi Weiler led a memorial service for the former Prime Minister, Jan Smuts. [5] In February 1951, Rabbi David Henry Arrow from the United States was inducted by Rabbi Weiler as the leader of the congregation. [6] In 1965 it had a membership of 2, 500 congregants. [7]

In August 1966, two Orthodox rabbis in Johannesburg, Rabbi Prof. J. Newman and Rabbi S. Poupko sent a congratulatory letter to the congregation as it celebrated its 21st birthday. The Johannesburg Beit Din intervened, warning Orthodox clergy against “fraternization with Reform.” [4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 A history of Reform Judaism in SA SAUPJ. Retrieved on 3 February 2025
  2. 1 2 Johannesburg congregations over the years Progressive Jews. Retrieved on 2 February 2025
  3. ↑ Joel Alswang – educationist and religious leader – passes on The South African Jewish Report. 1 October 2024
  4. 1 2 Johannesburg Beth Din Bans ‘fraternization’ with Reform Congregations The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 10 August 1966
  5. ↑ Entire Jewish Community of South Africa Goes into Mourning for Field Marshal Smuts The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 15 September 1950
  6. ↑ American Rabbi Inducted As Spiritual Leader of Reform Congregation in South Africa The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 7 February 1951
  7. ↑ Feldberg, Leon. (1965). South African Jewry: A Survey of the Jewish Community, Its Contributions to South Africa, Directory of Communal Institutions, and Who's who of Leading Personalities. Ohio: Fieldhill Publishing Company/Ohio State University. p. 165.