History of the Shul
History of the Shul
The beginning was a small one and at times very frustrating. Mr Sack brought his Torah, which was on loan at the Chassidic Shul in Doornfontein to the house and every Saturday morning, he would go to the corner and ask passers-by, Ir zait a yid? (are you Jewish?) If the answer was affirmative, he invited them to his home where the dining room was set aside as a Shul. Slowly more and more people started coming and after the service they were treated to a wonderful brocha spread prepared by Mrs Lichter. As Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur drew near, Mr & Mrs Lichter found an empty shop in Durham Street, Raedene and it was decided to hold the Holy Day services there. The seats were lent by the Zionist Federation and in return they received the money collected from the sale of seats. The price was 10/6 per seat. The service was conducted by Mr Lichter's nephew, Abe Lichter.
This was the beginning and Shabbat services then continued until Erev Purim 1943. By this time there was a nucleus of regular attendees and a meeting was called to form a committee to plan for the establishment of a congregation.
The donations from the area however were not very generous. Most of the money raised came from our co-religionists in business, for example, Crystal Confectionery and several wholesalers in the city.
The stand in Main Street was transferred to the congregation and the building of the hall began. This task had to be completed in six weeks in time for Rosh Hashanah 1943. The effort expended was superhuman.
Donations of fittings and sundry began coming in and a member of the committee, Mr S Druckman, who was a furniture manufacturer undertook to make the pews and these were put in place just a few hours before the services began.
Rabbi Osher Altshuler came from East London's congregation and was engaged as the first Rabbi, Chazan, and Teacher of the Congregation. A joyful procession carried the Torah from the Lichter's house in Kinfauns Street to its new home in the Sydenham Shul.
On the 12th December 1943, Sarah Lichter married Henry Kaganas. The chuppah was set up in front of the Aron Kodesh, with all the guests as spectators. After the ceremony, the Chuppah was removed and the guests proceeded to enjoy the reception in the same hall. This was to be the first of many hundreds of wedding celebrated in the new Sydenham Highlands North congregation.
Mr & Mrs Lichter continued to work for the congregation until age and ill health forced them to give up. However, their life's dream was fulfilled as they saw the building of the magnificent new shul and the growth of the Nursery School and Talmud torah.
On Sunday 4th December 1955, the beautiful new synagogue was opened. Present were dignatories including the late Chief Rabbi LI Rabinowitz and the Minister of the Interior, Dr T Donges.
Sat, 9 November 2024
8 Cheshvan 5785
WEEKLY SERVICES
Shacharis on Sunday:
6:30am & 8:00am
Shacharis Monday to Friday:
5:40am & 7:00am
Weekday Mincha & Maariv:
- Mincha & Maariv: 5:45pm
FRIDAY SERVICES
Friday Mincha: 5:45pm
Kabbalat Shabbat: 6:00pm
SYDTeens Services: 6:00pm
shabbos day services
Shabbos Shacharis: 9:00am
Followed by a Communal Brocha in the Seeff Hall.
shabbos children & youth services
Children Services: 10:15am
SYDTeens Youth Service: 10:30
CONTACT US
24 Main Street, Rouxville
Gauteng, 2192
South Africa
Tel: +27 (11) 640 5021
WhatsApp: +27 63 613 4685
Email: sydshul@sydshul.co.za
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OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Thursday:
8:00am - 4:30pm
Friday:
8:00am - 3:00pm
BANKING DETAILS
Sydenham Shul
Standard Bank
Code: 051001
Acc Number: 001846973
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