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22 HASHALOM February
2017
February 2017
HASHALOM
23
By Michael Greenbaum
COMMUNITY NEWS
The DUHC: Moving Into the Future
The sale and deconsecration of the Great Synagogue sees the end of an era in the Durban Jewish community. But the end of
one era means the beginning of a new era. The sadness of losing our beloved and beautiful Shul is mixed with feelings of joy,
anticipation and excitement about re-locating our Shul to nearby Silver Oaks where a magnificent new Shul is currently being
constructed. No expense has been spared to make this a superb Shul in design and content. The Shul will seat approximately
400 congregants. There will be a function hall for brachot and simchas and administrative offices. Throughout South Africa,
population movements and emigration have led to the closure of long-cherished places of worship due to the decreasing
Jewish populations in these areas. Centres of Jewish life and worship may come and go but the DUHC has ensured that the
congregation and the community have a home at our new location, and that our new Shul will continue to be the spiritual,
communal and administrative hub of the Jews of Kwazulu Natal.
ABriefHistoryofTheGreatSynagogue:
The Great Synagogue was consecrated in 1961 and is one of the largest shuls in South Africa. Primarily viewed as a place of prayer and
worship, the Shul has developed as the core of the Durban Jewish community. As a structure of aesthetic splendour and dimensions, the
Shul has a distinctive classic exterior design and beautiful interiors of wood, marble and mosaic which have made the Great Synagogue
a landmark on Durban’s Berea. The structure was considered so impressive that in 1987, the DUHC was honoured to have a scale model
of the Great Synagogue built in Minitown at the Durban beachfront. While the exterior of the Great Synagogue has not changed since the
original construction, the property has seen many additions and changes including the Minor Shul, a beautiful modern Mikveh and the
Perling Hall which has seen many memorable communal celebrations of simchas, including weddings, barmitzvahs and batmitzvahs,
Festival and Oneg Shabbat dinners, Shabbat brachot and Seudot Shlishit as well as hosting lectures and meetings. The Sukkah area
adjacent to the Great Synagogue has also seen many enjoyable Sukkot events and celebrations. The area was redesigned featuring
an edifice made of Jerusalem stone representing the Western Wall. The restoration project was sponsored by the Martin Sternberg
Foundation and formally opened as the Martin Sternberg Terrace.
But most importantly, the DUHC has been most fortunate to have a spiritual leader with vision and foresight in Rabbi Dr Pinchas Zekry.
Rabbi Zekry has been the longest serving Rabbi in the history of the Great Synagogue and his accomplishments and successful efforts
of community building over the last 32 years are a tribute of gratitude due to the pioneering efforts of the spiritual leaders and committed
congregants of the past.
The success of the achievements of the DUHC over the past 55 years
would not have been possible without the contributions of the loyal and
long-serving staff of the Synagogue who will continue in their positions
at the new location. Rev Brian Lurie will continue as Shammas while the
Shul Office will remain the operational hub of the community’s activities.
This busy office is currently staffed by Val Cohen and Rachel Shalem, all
of whom perform their numerous responsibilities in a helpful, friendly and
professional manner.
The Valedictory service on 29 January 2017 at the Great Synagogue will
mark the end of an era but it will also be the start of a new beginning at
our new holy home which will remain the centre of Orthodox Jewish life
in Durban as we move forward into the future.
www.djc.co.za
Margo Botha