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“It’s like we’ve gone back in time.” “I feel like in the old days.” “The crowd just kept growing …” “The energy and excitement feels like Yom Tov …”
These were some of the comments heard as the crowd mingled for a Shabbat experience on the steps of the Gardens Shul on Shabbat 7 November.
‘The Glory, The Grandeur, The Gardens’ was the billing for what will definitely go down as one of the most memorable Friday night Shabbat experiences in Cape Town’s history. Highlighting the first anniversary since the launch of the monthly ‘Friday Night Live’ programmes at the Gardens Shul, the occasion was marked by the opening of the historic grand entrance of South Africa’s first synagogue into the Company Gardens.
The evening was truly magical, as a crowd of over 1000 men, women and children packed out the lively services (130 teens at the teen service!) led by Rabbi Osher Feldman, Cantor Ian Camissar and choir and a team of youth leaders. A ‘Sushi and Glenlivet’ brocha was then served in a beautifully decorated, brightly lit marquee in an eruv enclosed area outside the original Grand Front entrance of the Shul, where the crowds enjoyed the excitement of the evening.
It began with the cantor and choir singing Sholom Aleichem outside on the front steps of the shul, which was beautiful and moving — and a sight to behold — especially with the magnificent shul as the backdrop.
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| The frontage of the Shul from the Gardens side |
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“The grand front entrance of our shul represents our rich history,” said Rabbi Osher Feldman in his welcome to the community, “and tonight at the FNL anniversary, we are celebrating the fact that we’re not just a shul of the past, but that the same glory of the Gardens Shul of old — of the Golden Era — is still very much alive today. Tonight is testimony that we are indeed a thriving community with a bright and promising future.”
“Friday Night Live is change we can believe in,” said guest Rabbi Asher Deren in his sermon, touching on the US elections earlier that week.
“Lech Lecha” is G-d’s eternal message to our people, that we remain in a perpetual state of journey and change, and an evening like tonight reflects our fulfilment of that directive.”
“It was awesome to see the shul so full of congregants and visitors who came to enjoy the Friday Night Live with us,” said Charles Odes, chairman of the Gardens Shul. “It certainly made me proud to be a part of the Gardens Shul and it is a clear indication of the tremendous growth we are experiencing. Yasher Koach to Rabbi Osher and Sarah Feldman and the rest of the team!”
While it remains proud of its heritage as the ‘Mother Synagogue‘ of South Africa, the Gardens Shul still retains a position at the forefront of Cape Town’s Jewish renaissance. Its children and teen services, young adults’ events and activities for all ages and levels signal a truly bright and exciting future for this glorious congregation.
