The Cape Town Hebrew Congregation, the first congregation in South Africa, founded in 1841, is situated in the Cape Town Botanical Gardens. It is the Mother Synagogue and is universally known as the Gardens Shul. The present magnificent Shul building was erected in 1905 and major recent developments in the past year have seen our Shul now incorporated into an exciting Jewish Campus, which includes the Holocaust Museum, the new South African Jewish Museum, The Gitlin Library, the Community Administrative Centre, and the Cafe Riteve, a restaurant cum gift shop.
The Gardens Shul Choir
The Shul Choir was founded during the latter part of the 19th Century and was formalised in 1912. At one stage there were 46 choir members with 26 sopranos. Our present choir has 20 regular choristers. In addition to the High Holydays & Festivals, the choir sings every Friday night and Saturday morning to the joy of the members and regular visitors to the Shul, who delight in the feast of a true liturgical concert. The choir stands on the Bimah, and sings with the Chazan, producing an awesome sound which fills this magnificent Shul.
CHORAL ENGAGEMENTS 2008
- Yom Hashoah Ceremony at Pinelands with Cantor Camissar.
REGULAR CHORAL WORK
- All Shabbat Services.
- All High Holyday & Festival Services.
- Regular Rehearsals.
- Weddings at Gardens Shul
and Outside Venues.
