Stellenbosch Synagogue

The Stellenbosch Synagogue, formally the Stellenbosch Hebrew Congregation is an Orthodox synagogue in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. The congregation was established in 1900 and moved into its current building in 1923.

History
The congregation dates back to 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.

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.

Today, the synagogue remains operational, with Friday night shabbat and other Jewish holiday services being held. As well as serving resident Jewish families, it serves some of the 80 Jewish students at Stellenbosch University.

Clergy

 * Rev Zeidel, lay leader in 1900
 * Rev H Natas, lay leader in 1904
 * Rev Jacob Hurwitz, lay leader from 1905 to 1910
 * Rev E K Sher, lay leader from 1913 to 1916
 * Rev E S Walt, lay leader in 1916
 * Rev M A Helman, lay leader from 1917 to 1920
 * Rev Kassel, lay leader in 1923
 * Rev J Herison, lay leader in 1925
 * Rev I Goldberg, lay leader from 1929 to 1934
 * Rev I Reichenberg, lay leader from 1937 to 1940
 * Rev H Shatz, lay leader in 1941
 * Rev G Golub, lay leader in 1945
 * Rev Hillman, lay leader in 1946
 * Rev Isaac Pakter, lay leader from 1945 to 1964
 * Rabbi M Kaye, lay leader from 1964 to 1966
 * Rev M Cantor, lay leader in 1967
 * Rev Eli Lagnado, lay leader from 1968 to 1970
 * Rev David Lapin, lay leader from 1973 to 1974
 * Rev Philip Koein, lay leader from 1974 to 1975
 * Rev Harold Walt, lay leader in 1976