1. Botswana
2. South Africa
3. Moçambique
4. Zaire
5. Zambia
6. Zimbabwe

The following list of synagogues consists overwhelmingly of data which have been taken from The Jewish Year Book, 1969, SBN 900498-10-2, published by Jewish Chronicle Publications, London, and is published with the permission of the publishers. Additional information has been submitted by readers - they are acknowledged below. Yet more information has been taken from items which were circulated in the 'Safrica' electronic newsletter, books, newspapers and Internet newsgroup postings.
 
The intention behind this file has two parts. Firstly, to present a listing of as many of the functioning and defunct synagogues and Jewish houses of prayer in South Africa as possible. It was in these Batei Tefilah that births, marriages and deaths were recorded and solemnised. Secondly, to add to the listing whatever factual or anecdotal details might become available so as to build a genealogical resource. A future page is planned for the South African Jewish diaspora.
 
If you have some information or pictures which could be added to this file then please contact Dr Saul Issroff, Editor.
 
In some instances a synagogue may have more than one name, e.g. official, religious or colloquial. For example, Cape Town Hebrew Congregation, Great Synagogue, Gardens Shul and Kehilla Kedusha Tikvat Yisrael all refer to the same synagogue building and congregation. To these four could be added a fifth name since the congregation of the adjacent Old Synagogue (now the Jewish Museum) merely moved next door into new, larger premises. There may also be confusion where once geographically separate congregations share the same building but retain their individual identities. There are thus likely to be some ambiguities in the list. If you can supply some information to improve the descriptions then please contact Dr Saul Issroff at the address above.
 
The names of the four pre-1994 Union and Republic provinces, Cape, Natal, Orange Free State and Transvaal, and that of South West Africa, now Namibia, are used here to reflect the position when the data was current. Where the data have been updated with more recent details so have the names been altered where appropriate.
 
According to The Jewish Year Book 1969, page 148, "The Jewish community began as an organised body at Cape Town on the eve of the Day of Atonement, Friday, September 26, 1841. Its first title was "The Society of the Jewish Community of the Cape of Good Hope," but there had been Jewish residents at the Cape long before the foundation of the Hebrew Congregation. In fact, Jews have been connected with the Cape of Good Hope from the earliest days of South African history."
 
Roger Harris.

Abbreviations:

 

C = Congregation

est = established

HC = Hebrew Congregation

J = Jewish

S = Synagogue

UHC = United Hebrew Congregation

UHI = United Hebrew Institutions

According to South African Jewish Report for 30 November 2001, page 14:

• In March 2000, there was only one Jewish grave in the Jewish section of the general cemetery.
• During the 1990's the community dwindled to about 30 members. It has since grown to about 70 identifying members with a further 30 unaffiliated persons.
• Friday Night and all Festival services are held in a specially designated room in a fully kosher home. The shul also functions as a cheder.
• The loan of a Sefer Torah from the African Jewish Congress has been requested.

Blue text indicates additional information.
Cross-references are shown in italic.

1. Aberdeen Hebrew Congregation, Cape
2. Adath Yeshurun Congregation, 41 Hunter Street, Yeoville 2198. (affiliated to United Orthodox Hebrew Congregation, London)
3. Aish HaTorah, Johannesburg
4. Aliwal North HC, Cape
5. Arthur's Road Orthodox Hebrew Congregation, Sea Point, Cape Town

 

6. Baal Shem Tov, Johannesburg
7. Barberton Hebrew Congregation
8. Beaufort West Hebrew Congregation, Cape
9. Bellville Hebrew Congregation, Cape
10. Benoni United Hebrew Institutions, Tvl
11. Berea Hebrew Congregation, Tudhope Ave, Berea, Tvl
12. Bertrams Hebrew Congregation, Bertrams, Tvl

Bet Hamidrash Hachadash, see Cape Town Orthodox Hebrew Congregation (Vredehoek)
13. Beth Hamedrash Hagadol, Doornfontein, Johannesburg.

Beth Hamedrash Hagadol, see Central Orthodox Synagogue
14. Beth Hamedrash, Fox Street, Johannesburg
15. Beth Menorah Congregation, Pretoria. (Rabbi Wallach, circa 2001)
16. Beth Yisrael, Johannesburg
17. Bethal HC, Tvl
18. Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation, OFS
19. Blairgowrie Synagogue, Johannesburg
20. Bloemfontein United Hebrew Institutions, OFS
21. Bloemhof Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
22. Boksburg United Hebrew Institutions, Tvl

Booysens, see Ophyrtown & Booysens HC
23. Bothaville Hebrew Congregation, OFS
24. Braamfontein Shul, Johannesburg, better known as Wanderers View Shul
25. Brakpan UHI, Tvl
26. Brandfort Hebrew Congregation,OFS
27. Brits Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
28. Bronkhorstspruit Hebrew Congregation, Tvl

Brooklyn, see Maitland-Brooklyn
 

29. Caledon Hebrew Congregation, Cape
30. Calvinia Hebrew Congregation, Cape
31. Camps Bay Hebrew Congregation (Cape Town), Cape
    cbhc@netactive.co.za

Cape Town - Camps Bay HC, see Camps Bay HC
32. Cape Town Hebrew Congregation, Gardens, Cape Town
33. Cape Town Jewish Reform Congregation, Cape
34. Cape Town Orthodox Hebrew Congregation (Vredehoek), Cape Town
35. Carletonville Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
36. Central Orthodox Synagogue (Beth HaMedrash HaGadol), Johannesburg
37. Ceres-Wolseley Hebrew Congregation, Cape
38. Chabad House, Cape Town
39. Chabad House, Umhlanga, North Coast, KwaZulu Natal
    E-mail: chabadnc@global.co.za
    Web: http://www.chabadnc.com
40. Chabad Synagogue, Sea Point, Cape Town
41. Chassidim, Doornfontein, Tvl
42. Claremont Hebrew Congregation, Cape Town, Cape
43. Clocolan Hebrew Congregation, OFS
44. Constantia Hebrew Congregation, Cape Town, Cape
45. Constitution Street Shul, Cape Town

Constitution Street Shul, Cape Town, see also Cape Town Orthodox Hebrew Congregation (Vredehoek)
46. Cradock HC, Cape
47. Cyrildene-Observatory Extension Hebrew Congregation, Tvl

 

48. Darling Hebrew Congregation: merged into Malmesbury Hebrew Congregation
49. De Aar Hebrew Congregation, Cape
50. Delmas HC, Tvl
51. Dewetsdorp HC, OFS
52. Doornfontein Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
53. Durban - Progressive J Congregation, Natal
54. Durban United Hebrew Congregation, Natal
55. Durbanville Hebrew Congregation, Cape

 

56. East London Hebrew Congregation, Cape
57. East London Progressive J Congregation, Cape
58. East London Reform Temple, Cape
59. Emmarentia Hebrew Congregation
    [Shul Hall at 105 Komati Road, Emmarentia.]

Englische Shul, see Queen Street HC, Oudtshoorn
60. Ermelo Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
61. Etz Chayim Congregation, Berea, Tvl

 

62. Ferreirasdorp Shul, Johannesburg
63. Ficksburg Hebrew Congregation, OFS
64. First Johannesburg Hebrew Orthodox Congregation, Tvl

Florida, see Roodepoort-Florida HC
65. Frankfort Hebrew Congregation, OFS

 

Gardens Shul, see Cape Town Hebrew Congregation
66. George Hebrew Congregation, Cape
67. Germiston United Hebrew Institutions, Tvl

Glendinningvale, See Port Elizabeth US Glendinningvale
68. Glenhazel: Yeshiva College: 'Synagogue 1': (est about 1965)
69. Glenhazel: Yeshiva College: 'Synagogue 2': (est about 1975)
70. Glenhazel: Yeshiva College: 'Synagogue 3': Tzeirei Tzion
71. Glenhazel Hebrew Congregation, Long Avenue, Glenhazel 2192.
72. Glenmore Minyan, Durban
73. Goodwood Hebrew Congregation, Cape
74. Gouda Hebrew Congregation: merged into Malmesbury Hebrew Congregation
75. Graaf-Reinet Hebrew Congregation, Cape
76. Grahamstown Hebrew Congregation, Cape
77. Great Park Synagogue, Johannesburg
78. Great Synagogue, Cape Town, (Gardens Shul), see Cape Town Hebrew Congregation
79. Great Synagogue, Wolmarans Street, Johannesburg (UHC - Jbg), Tvl

Great Synagogue - Cape Town, see Cape Town Hebrew Congregation
80. Green & Sea Point Hebrew Congregation (Cape Town), Cape

Greene Shul, see St John's Street S, Oudtshoorn
Greenside, see Parkview, Greenside & Districts HC
81. Griqualand West Hebrew Congregation, Kimberley, Cape

 

82. Harrismith Hebrew Congregation, OFS

Heidelberg, see Riversdale & Heidelberg S
83. Heidelberg Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
84. Heilbron Hebrew Congregation, OFS
85. Hennenman Hebrew Congregation, OFS
86. Hermanus Hebrew Congregation, Cape
87. Highlands House Home for the Jewish Aged, Cape Town, Shul in the

Highlands North, see Sydenham-Highlands North HC
88. Hopefield Hebrew Congregation: merged into Malmesbury Hebrew Congregation

 

89. Jagersfontein Hebrew Congregation, OFS
90. Jeppestown & Eastern Districts Hebrew Congregation, Jeppestown
91. Johannesburg Hebrew Congregation (est 1891, now obsolete) (UHC - Jbg), Tvl
92. Johannesburg J Reform S (obsolete), now United Progressive J C of Jbg, qv.
93. Johannesburg Synagogue

 

94. Kalabaskraal Hebrew Congregation: merged into Malmesbury Hebrew Congregation
95. Keetmanshoop Hebrew Congregation, SWA

Kehilla Kedusha Tikvat Yisrael, see Great Synagogue (Gardens Shul), Cape Town
96. Kempton Park United Hebrew Institutions, Tvl
97. Kensington Hebrew Congregation, Kensington

Keren Kayemet Tikvat Yisrael, see Great Synagogue, Gardens, Cape Town
98. Kimberley Hebrew Congregation, Kimberley, Cape
99. Kingwilliamstown Hebrew Congregation, Cape
100. Kinross Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
101. Kirkwood Hebrew Congregation, Cape
102. Klerksdorp Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
103. Koffiefontein Hebrew Congregation
104. Koppies Hebrew Congregation, OFS
105. Kroonstad Hebrew Congregation, OFS
106. Krugersdorp UHI, Tvl (includes West Rand HC)

 

107. Laingsburg Hebrew Congregation, Cape
108. Lichtenburg Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
109. Linksfield Senderwood Hebrew Congregation

Lions Shul (a.k.a. Two Lions Shul), Sivewright Avenue, see Doornfontein H.C.
Named for the two lion statues which are placed one at either end
of the steps at the entrance.
110. Louis Trichard Zoutpansberg Hebrew Congregation, Tvl

 

111. Mafeking Hebrew Congregation, Cape
112. Maitland-Brooklyn Hebrew Congregation (Cape Town), Cape
113. Malmesbury Hebrew Congregation, Cape.
     Includes Darling HC, Gouda HC, Hopefield HC, Kalabaskraal HC, Morreesburg HC, Philadelphia HC, Piketberg Hebrew C, Saldanha HC.
114. Marquard Hebrew Congregation, OFS
115. Mayfair Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
116. Messina Hebrew Congregation, Tvl

Meyerton, see Vereeniging & Meyerton UHI, below
Michau Street Synagogue, see Strand HC, below
117. Middelburg Hebrew Congregation, Cape
118. Middelburg Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
119. Milnerton Hebrew Congregation
120. Moorreesburg Hebrew Congregation, Cape
121. Morreesburg Hebrew Congregation: merged into Malmesbury Hebrew Congregation
122. Mossel Bay Hebrew Congregation, Cape
123. Mowbray, see Observatory & Mowbray
124. Muizenberg Hebrew Congregation, Cape

 

125. Namaqualand Hebrew Congregation, Springbok, Cape
126. New Hebrew Congregation (Schoonder Street), Cape Town
127. Nigel Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
128. Northfield Minyan, Johannesburg
129. North Eastern Hebrew Congregation
130. North-Western Reform S (obsolete) (United Progressive J Congregation of Johannesburg)
131. Northcliff & District Hebrew Congregation
132. Northern J Reform C (obsolete) (United Progressive J Congregation of Johannesburg)

 
Observatory, see Valley-Observatory HC
Observatory, Tvl, see Cyrildene-Observatory
133. Observatory & Mowbray Hebrew Congregation (Cape Town), Cape
134. Odendaalsrus Hebrew Congregation, OFS
135. Ohr Somayach, Regent Road, Sea Point, Cape Town [E-mail]
136. Ohr Somayach, Shingwetzi Road, Gallo Manor
137. Old Synagogue, Gardens, Cape Town, Cape. See also Cape Town HC.
138. Ophyrtown & Booysens Hebrew Congregation
139. Orange Grove Synagogue

Oudtshoorn: Queen Street HC, see Queen Street HC
Oudtshoorn: St John's Street S, see St John's Street S
140. Oudtshoorn UHI, Cape
141. Oxford Synagogue, Killarney Johannesburg
142. Oxford Synagogue, North Avenue, Riviera, Tvl (UHC - Jbg)

 

143. Paarl Hebrew Congregation, Cape
144. Parkview, Greenside & Districts Hebrew Congregation
145. Parow Hebrew Congregation, Cape
146. Parys Hebrew Congregation, OFS
147. Philadelphia Hebrew Congregation: merged into Malmesbury Hebrew Congregation
148. Pietersburg Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
149. Pietermaritzburg Hebrew Congregation, Natal
150. Piketberg Hebrew Congregation: merged into Malmesbury Hebrew Congregation
151. Piquetberg Hebrew Congregation, Cape
152. Ponevez Hebrew Congregation, Doornfontein, Jbg
153. Ponevez Shul, Maynard St (formerly Vandeleur St), Cape Town

Ponevez Shul, Cape Town, see also Cape Town Orthodox Hebrew Congregation (Vredehoek)
154. Port Elizabeth Hebrew Congregation, Glendinningvale
155. Port Elizabeth Progressive J Inst
156. Port Elizabeth Raleigh Street Synagogue
157. Port Elizabeth Summerstrand Cong
158. Port Elizabeth UHI
159. Port Elizabeth US, Glendinningvale
160. Poswohl Hebrew Congregation, Mooi Street, Johannesburg, Tvl
161. Potchefstroom Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
162. Potgietersrus Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
163. Pretoria Adath Israel Synagogue, Sibelius Street, Pretoria, Tvl
164. Pretoria Great Synagogue, Paul Kruger Street
165. Pretoria Hebrew Congregation, Schroder Street, Groenkloof, Pretoria
166. Pretoria Progressive J Congregation Temple Menorah
167. Pretoria United Hebrew Congregation, 721 Pretorius Street, Tvl
168. Prieska Hebrew Congregation, Cape

 

169. Queen Street HC, Oudtshoorn. [Englische Shul]
170. Queenstown Hebrew Congregation, Cape

 
Raleigh Street Synagogue, see Port Elizabeth Raleigh Street S
171. Randfontein UHI, Tvl
172. Reitz Hebrew Congregation, OFS
173. Riversdale & Heidelberg Synagogue, Cape
174. Robertson Hebrew Congregation, Cape
175. Robben Island: On 23-24 November 2001, some 62 members of the South African Jewish community, including the Chief Rabbi Cyril Sacks and Rebbetsin Ann Sacks, Rabbi Lewis Furman (Ohr Somayach) and Jonny Altman (Cape Town Yeshivah) attended the first ever Shabbaton on the island. The Shabbaton was organised by the Cape Town Yeshivah and the Union of Orthodox Synagogues (Cape Council).
176. Roeland Street Shul, Cape Town
177. Rondebosch Hebrew Congregation, Cape
178. Roodepoort-Florida Hebrew Congregation, Tvl

Round Shul, see New Hebrew Congregation, Cape Town
179. Rustenburg Hebrew Congregation, Tvl

 

180. Sabie Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
181. St. John's Street Synagogue, Oudtshoorn. [Greene Shul]
182. Saldanha Hebrew Congregation: merged into Malmesbury Hebrew Congregation

Salt River, see Woodstock & Salt River HC
183. Sandton Synagogue, Johannesburg, Tvl

Schoonder Street shul, see New Hebrew Congregation, Cape Town
Schoonder Street shul, see also Roland Street Shul
Sea Point, see Green & Sea Point
184. Senekal Hebrew Congregation, OFS
185. Sephardic Hebrew Congregation, Cape Town
186. Society of the Jewish Community of the Cape of Good Hope
187. Somerset West Hebrew Congregation, Cape
188. South-Eastern Hebrew Congregation, Rosettenville, Jbg
189. Spanish & Portuguese Jews, Congregation of
190. Springbok Hebrew Congregation, Cape
191. Springs & District Progressive J Cong
192. Springs UHI, Tvl
193. Standerton Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
194. Stellenbosch Hebrew Congregation, Cape
195. Strand Hebrew Congregation (Michau Street S), Cape
196. Strand Hebrew Congregation (Wesley Street S), Cape
197. Sydenham-Highlands North Hebrew Congregation, 24 Main Street, Rouxville, 2192, Jbg

 

198. Temple Beth Am, Hillbrow, Tvl (United Progressive J Congregation of Johannesburg)
199. Temple Emanuel, 38 Oxford Road, Parktown, 2193. (United Progressive J Congregation of Johannesburg)
200. Temple Hillel, see East London Reform Temple, above
201. Temple Israel, Paul Nel Street, Hillbrow, Tvl (United Progressive J Congregation of Johannesburg)
202. Temple Israel, Upper Portswood Road, Green Point, Cape Town (Reform)
203. Temple Israel Wynberg, Cape (Reform)
204. Temple Shalom, Louis Botha Avenue, Highlands North, Tvl (United Progressive J Congregation of Johannesburg)
205. Thaba'nchu Hebrew Congregation, OFS
206. Theunissen Hebrew Congregation, OFS
207. Tifereth Israel Synagogue, Upper Schoonder Street, Cape Town.

Tzeirei Tzion Synagogue, see Glenhazel: Yeshiva College: 'Synagogue 3'
 

208. Uitenhage Hebrew Congregation, Cape
209. Umtata Hebrew Congregation, Transkei Dist
210. Union of Orthodox Synagogues (UOS)
211. Uniondale Hebrew Congregation, Cape
212. United Hebrew Congregation, Johannesburg
213. United Progressive J Congregation of Johannesburg (est 1946)
214. Upington Hebrew Congregation, Cape

 

215. Valley-Observatory Hebrew Congregation, Jbg
216. Vanderbijlpark Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
217. Vereeniging & Meyerton UHI, Tvl
218. Volksrust Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
219. Vrede Hebrew Congregation, OFS
220. Vredefort J Soc, OFS

Vredehoek, see Cape Town Orthodox Hebrew Congregation (Vredehoek), Cape
221. Vredenburg & District Hebrew Congregation, Cape
222. Vredenburg Hebrew Congregation: merged into Malmesbury Hebrew Congregation
223. Vryburg Hebrew Congregation, Cape
224. Vryheid Hebrew Congregation, Natal
225. Vryheid Memorial Beach Synagogue, Durban

 

226. Wanderers View, Johannesburg, (also known as Braamfontein Shul, Johannesburg)
227. Warmbaths Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
228. Waverley Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
229. Welkom Hebrew Congregation, OFS
230. Wellington Hebrew Congregation, Cape
231. Wepener Hebrew Congregation, OFS

Wesley Street Synagogue, see Strand HC, above.
232. West Rand Hebrew Congregation, Tvl: merged with Krugersdorp UHI
233. West Street Shul
234. Willowdale Hebrew Congregation, Cape
235. Winburg Hebrew Congregation, OFS
236. Windhoek Hebrew Congregation, (SWA)
237. Witbank Hebrew Congregation, Tvl
238. Witwatersrand Old Hebrew Congregation (est 1887, now obsolete) (UHC - Jbg), Tvl

Wolseley Cape, see Ceres-Wolseley HC
239. Woodstock & Salt River Hebrew Congregation, Cape Town
240. Worcester Hebrew Congregation, Cape
241. Wynberg Synagogue, Cape (Orthodox)

Wynberg Synagogue, see Temple Israel, Wynberg, Cape (Reform)
 
Yeoville, see Adath Yeshurun Congregation
242. Yeoville Synagogue, Hunter Street, Johannesburg (UHC - Jbg)

 

243. Zastron Hebrew Congregation

Zoutpansberg, see Louis Trichard Zoutpansberg HC

1. Maputo

These refer to communities rather than to actual synagogues

1. Kinshasa (formerly Leopoldville)
2. Lubumbashi (formerly Elizabethville)
3. Likasi
4. Kannga
5. Kisangani

1. Lusaka Hebrew Congregation
2. Ndola Hebrew Congregation

According to an article in South African Jewish Report for 5 October 2001, page 14, Zimbabwe Jewry is almost entirely concentrated in Harare (500 souls) and Bulawayo (250 souls) and the Jewish population of the country had declined by 90% since Zimbabwe gained its independence in 1980. The Zimbabwe Board of Deputies mainly attends to cemetery maintenance in rural parts.

1. Bulawayo Hebrew Congregation
2. Gwelo Hebrew Congregation (defunct)
3. Gweru community
4. Harare Hebrew Congregation (formerly Salisbury HC)
5. Harare Sephardi Hebrew Congregation
6. Kadoma community
7. Kwe Kwe community