- 22 August 2025 – 28 Av 5785 – Re’eh
- SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING EARLIEST 5.33pm LATEST 6.04pm
ABOUT OUR SHUL
MARAIS ROAD SHUL HISTORY
The Marais Road Shul, officially known as the Green & Sea Point Hebrew Congregation (G&SPHC), is a Modern Orthodox synagogue situated in Sea Point, a suburb of Cape Town, South Africa.
Established in 1926, the congregation laid the cornerstone for its synagogue in 1934, with Prime Minister Jan Smuts officiating. The building was consecrated in September 1934 by Rev. A.P. Bender, the spiritual leader of the Gardens Shul.
Architect J. Lonstein designed the synagogue, which features an octagonal shape and was constructed to accommodate over 900 people. Notably, it was the first purpose-built synagogue on Cape Town’s Atlantic seaboard. The interior was originally furnished with hardwood seating upholstered in red leather, a teak-paneled Aron Kodesh (Torah ark), and innovative lighting in the form of fluorescent tubes arranged as a Magen David (Star of David).
Initially intended as a branch of the Gardens Shul, the G&SPHC opted for independence and eventually became the larger of the two congregations. By 1994, it had grown to become the largest Jewish congregation in South Africa and, by some accounts, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.
Throughout its history, the Marais Road Shul has played a significant role in the Jewish community of Cape Town. It has served as a center for religious worship, education, and community events. The synagogue’s Weizmann Hall has been utilized for various functions, including hosting concerts and community gatherings. For instance, in 1958, it hosted a concert for the families of those involved in the 1956 Treason Trial.
The congregation has also been notable for its progressive stances on social issues. In the 1970s, Rabbi David Rosen, who led the Marais Road Shul from 1975 to 1980, was an outspoken critic of apartheid. He refused to attend events honoring government officials who supported apartheid policies and co-founded the Cape Inter-Faith Forum, promoting interfaith dialogue among Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
The Marais Road Shul’s history reflects its resilience and adaptability within the evolving religious and political landscape of South Africa, maintaining its significance as a cornerstone of the Jewish community in Cape Town.
marais road shul team
RABINICAL TEAM
CANTOR AND bA'AL KORCH
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ADMIN TEAM
RUTH BAGG
OPERATIONS MANAGER
JOS DICKMAN
ADMIN MANAGER
HILLARY MURCIA
RABBI’S ASSISTANT
PORTIA CHIBINYA
Accounts Manager