Beit Emanuel, Johannesburg

Beit Emanuel is a progressive synagogue located in Parktown, Johannesburg. The synagogue was established in 1954 and is one of the largest progressive Jewish congregations in South Africa.[1] Israeli-born, Rabbi Sa'ar Shaked has been Beit Emanuel's congregational rabbi since 2013.[2] It is an affiliate of the South African Union for Progressive Judaism (SAUPJ), which is part of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ).[3] Congregational rabbi, Shaked is currently involved in efforts to establish a Rabbinic Academy and Higher Education Institution in Gauteng.[4]

Beit Emanuel
Religion
AffiliationProgressive Judaism
LeadershipRabbi Sa'ar Shaked
Year consecrated1954
StatusActive
Location
Location38 Oxford Rd, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
Geographic coordinates26.16891911255478°S 28.045129180472834°E / -26.16891911255478; 28.045129180472834
Architecture
TypeSynagogue
Website
www.beitemanuel.co.za

History

Jocelyn Hellig, professor of religious studies and one of the best-known interpreters of South African Judaism, described the Progressive community as conservative in religious practice. This was also given as an explanation for the relatively modest presence of Masorti Judaism in the country (Hellig 1987; Shain 2011). In 1986, the synagogue's US-born rabbi, Norman Mendel told an audience Progressive Jewry in the country were leading the Jewish struggle against the “indefensible, immoral and evil.” policies of apartheid. He said that Progressive Jews are opposing apartheid “against a backdrop of Jewish discrimination” from the Orthodox community. “There is day to day diminishment in the Reform movement in South Africa. Reform are considered a second class Jewish community,” he added.[5]

In 1993 there were divisions in Johannesburg's Progressive community when Beit Emanuel's congregational rabbi, Ady Asabi declared that it and the Imanu-Shalom congregations would become independent and Masorti synagogues, breaking with the SAUPJ and Progressive Judaism.[6] A court case ensued to retain both of the congregations under the SAUPJ. Beit Emanuel returned to the SAUPJ following an agreement and Shalom became independent and Masorti (Dubb and Shain 1995). Today the synagogue has moved away from the formality of conventional Reform Judaism and instead concentrates on prayers (ancient and modern) that encourage greater congregant participation.[1]

In 1995, president Nelson Mandela addressed 2,000 people at the synagogue and made appeals against white emigration; “Don’t leave, don’t let us down. You have nothing to fear... My duty is to unite the people of South Africa. I have no time to indulge in party politics”[7]

Notable members

References
  1. Beit Emanuel South African Union for Progressive Judaism. Accessed on 5 December 2019
  2. Rabbi Sa’ar Shaked Beit Emanuel. Accessed on 5 December 2019
  3. Congregations South African Union for Progressive Judaism. Accessed on 6 December 2019
  4. November 2019 SAUPJ. Accessed on 5 December 2019
  5. South Africa’s Reform Jews Leading Jewish Struggle Against Apartheid Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 6 January 1986
  6. Rabbi Ady Assabi The Independent. 26 June 2003
  7. Around the Jewish World: Elections Have S. African Jews Thinking About Crime, Emigration Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 25 October 1995
  8. Paying tribute to fierce, prophetic Helen Suzman Business Live. 7 November 2017
  9. South African Jewish journalist Jeremy Gordin murdered in home burglary at 70 Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 1 May 2023

Bibliography
  • Dubb, Allie A. & Shain, Milton (1995). "South Africa". In Adler, Cyrus (ed.). American Jewish Year Book, Volume 95. The American Jewish Committee. pp. 360–369. ISBN 0-87495-108-9.
  • Hellig, Jocelyn (July 1987). "The Religious Expression of South African Jewry". Religion in Southern Africa. 8 (2): 3–17.
  • Shain, Milton (February 2011). "Jewish cultures, identities and contingencies: reflections from the South African experience". European Review of History. 18 (1): 89–100. doi:10.1080/13507486.2011.543584.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.