Bet David Progressive Jewish Congregation (previously Temple David), is a Progressive Jewish congregation and synagogue. It is located in Morningside in the Sandton area of Johannesburg. The congregation has had three synagogues during its lifetime, beginning in 1971. A larger synagogue was then built and consecrated in 1977. More recently, it's present and third synagogue was consecrated in 2017. It is an affiliate of the South African Union for Progressive Judaism (SAUPJ), which is part of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ).
History The congregation was established with its first synagogue in Morningside, consecrated in 1971. A larger rondavel-style synagogue was built on the site and consecrated in 1977. It was designed by architect Jack Jankes, who was also chairman of the congregation.Johannesburg congregations over the years Progressive Jews. Retrieved on 2 February 2025 Rabbi Moses Cyrus Weiler returned to Johannesburg from his home in Israel to attend the consecration. It was set among gardens on a large plot.
In 1986, the Mitzvah School was opened in the congregation's grounds. The school catered to disadvantaged students from Alexandra township in their final year of Matric. This came in defiance of the Group Areas Act which forbade black students from a township from studying in Morningside, then designated as a whites-only suburb. The school received financial support from donors and the Temple David congregation. It closed in 2023 after 37 years of operations.Miltz, Nicola (23 November 2023). Mitzvah School to close after 40 years The South African Jewish Report. Retrieved on 3 February 2025
In recent years a decision was made to sell most of the plot and build a new sanctuary on the remaining plot.The new Bet David Campus and Synagogue Bet David. Retrieved on 3 February 2025 Stained glass windows depicting the Ten Commandments and two large Temple menorah lights from the older sanctuary were removed and refitted in the new sanctuary. The new sanctuary was consecrated on Erev Rosh Hashanah in 2017 and incorporates some of the design of the previous sanctuaries.Bet David opens its new Synagogue Bet David. Retrieved on 3 February 2025
Rabbis Rabbi Leo Michel Abrami (Abramowski) (1931–2018) served the congregation for three years during late apartheid eraBecoming a Master Journey through the Holocaust. Retrieved on 3 February 2025 Rabbi Hillel Avidan, succeeded AbramiSAFCEI's Animal Justice programme to feature in "The Kindness Project" documentary series on SABC 2 SAFCEI. 6 March 2019 Rabbi Adrian Michael Schell served the congregation for six years from 2014 to 2020Frot, Mathilde (8 July 2020). Wimbledon Synagogue appoints new rabbi Jewish News. Retrieved on 3 February 2025
See also
History of the Jews in South Africa List of synagogues in South Africa
References
External links
Photo gallery of the previous synagogue and campus