Temple Israel (Johannesburg)

Temple Israel
Religion
AffiliationReform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusSynagogue
LeadershipReeva Forman (chair)
StatusActive
Location
LocationPaul Nel Street, Hillbrow, Johannesburg, Gauteng 2001
CountrySouth Africa
Temple Israel (Johannesburg) is located in Greater Johannesburg
Temple Israel (Johannesburg)
Location of the synagogue in Greater Johannesburg
Geographic coordinates26°11′05″S 28°02′53″E / 26.184808926448447°S 28.048148353470182°E / -26.184808926448447; 28.048148353470182
Architecture
Architect(s)Hermann Kallenbach
TypeSynagogue architecture
StyleArt Deco
Date established1935 (as a congregation)
GroundbreakingSeptember 22, 1935
Completed1936
Website
templeisraelh.org.za

The Temple Israel is a Progressive Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in Hillbrow, a suburb of Johannesburg, in the district of Gauteng, South Africa. Designed by Hermann Kallenbach in the Art Deco style, the synagogue was completed in 1936 and is the oldest of eleven Progressive synagogues in South Africa. The synagogue is classified as a provincial heritage site.[1][2] The congregation is affiliated with the South African Union for Progressive Judaism (SAUPJ), which is part of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ).[3]

Temple Israel officially opened on August 23, 1936, as the mother synagogue of Progressive Judaism in the country. Johannesburg mayor Maurice Freeman, a member of the Jewish community, laid the cornerstone on September 22, 1935.[4] The founding rabbi was Moses Cyrus Weiler.

  1. ^ "Temple Israel Hillbrow unveils heritage plaque". Inner City Gazette.
  2. ^ "Madonsela to speak at Temple Israel milestone". South African Jewish Report. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  3. ^ "Congregations". South African Union for Progressive Judaism. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  4. ^ "History of Hillbrow: Part 2". Johannesburg 1912. 9 February 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2017.