Welcome to the Gardens Shul
More than a Community the Gardens Shul is a Family!
The Cape Town Hebrew Congregation, Gardens Shul was founded in 1841 making it the first Jewish congregation in sub-Saharan Africa.
The ‘Mother Synagogue of South Africa’ continues to serve as a vibrant, communal hub and beacon of light to the South African Jewish community and beyond.
The Gardens Shul is a beautiful space where history meets destiny.
Service Times
WEEKDAY MORNING SERVICES
Sunday: 8:00 am
Monday & Thursday: 7:15 am
Rosh Chodesh: 7:15 am
Public Holidays: 8:00 am
EVENING SERVICES
Mid-May to Mid-September: 5:45 pm
Mid-September to Mid-November: 6:00 pm
Mid-November to Mid-March: 6:15 pm
Mid-March to Mid-May: 6:00 pm
SHABBAT SERVICES
Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat led by Chazzan & Choir
(same time as weekday evening services)
Shabbat morning: 8:45 am
Mincha followed by Seuda Shlishit, Maariv and Havdallah (As per Shul newsletter)
Where History Meets Destiny!
More than a Community the Gardens Shul is a Family!
The Cape Town Hebrew Congregation – Gardens Shul – is situated on the historic Company Gardens and located a stone’s throw from the South African Parliament complex.
The Gardens Shul is a thriving, warm and welcoming, traditional orthodox community led by a world-class team of Rabbi, Rebbetzin, Chazzan and Choir.
It offers daily prayer services with full choral services for Shabbat and Festivals. The music style is a blend of traditional Chazzanut and contemporary music.
To pray at the Gardens Shul is to enjoy a unique and inspiring Spiritual experience at the tip of Africa.
The Cape Town Hebrew Congregation, Gardens Shul was founded in 1841 making it the first Jewish congregation in sub-Saharan Africa. The ‘Mother Synagogue of South Africa’ continues to serve as a vibrant, communal hub and beacon of light to the South African Jewish community and beyond, living up to its vision of being the space where history meets destiny.
The original Synagogue known as the Old Shul, was built in 1863 and currently serves as the entrance to the South African Jewish Museum. The Old Shul stands alongside the Great Synagogue built in 1905 and currently used for daily services.
With its twin towers, impressive dome, beautiful mosaics, stain glassed windows and expansive sanctuary, the Great Synagogue radiates a rich sense of history and tradition. It is an architectural masterpiece and a source of great pride for the South African Jewish Community.
You can join a tour of the Synagogue from 10 am – 4 pm Monday through Thursday. No booking is necessary. Please bring a valid form of ID for security purposes.
Visitors looking to attend a prayer Service at the Gardens Shul on Shabbat or Festivals please fill out our visitor’s form.
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