| Doornfontein Synagogue | |
|---|---|
 Postcard of the synagogue, dated in 1905 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 120 Siemert Road,New Doornfontein,Johannesburg,Gauteng |
| Country | South Africa |
  Location of the synagogue in GreaterJohannesburg | |
| Coordinates | 26°11′39″S28°03′30″E / 26.194035755764038°S 28.058213272790876°E /-26.194035755764038; 28.058213272790876 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect | Morrie Jacob Harris |
| Type | Synagogue architecture |
| Style | Eclectic |
| Established | c. 1880s(as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1906 |
| Construction cost | £4,000 |
TheDoornfontein Synagogue orLions Synagogue is anOrthodoxJewish congregation andsynagogue, located at 120 Siemert Road,New Doornfontein, in GreaterJohannesburg, in the region ofGauteng,South Africa. It is the oldest synagogue in use in South Africa.[1] The synagogue is located two blocks fromEllis Park Stadium.
The neighbourhood ofDoornfontein was founded in 1886,[2] and after wealthy residents moved to more affluent neighbourhoods in the aftermath of theAnglo-Boer War, Doornfontein became popular with Jewish immigrants from the United Kingdom and Western Europe.[1] Beit Street in Doornfontein was once the commercial hub of the neighborhood, with Kosher butchers and other Jewish merchants.[3] During the 1880s, religious services were held at the nearby Rand Club and at private residences.[4]
The Lions Synagogue was the third synagogue to be built in the neighbourhood.[4] It was built in 1905 at a cost of £4,000 and nicknamed the "Lions Synagogue" (also commonly known asLions Shul) after the twocast iron lions watching over either side of the entrance.[2] The architect was Morrie Jacob Harris.[4] A fire damaged the building in 1930. It has been completely restored, but the original look has therefore changed.
The synagogue was documented and photographed by renowned photographer,David Goldblatt in 2014.[5][6]
To the left of the synagogue was aJewish Community Center, which was added in the 1950s as part of an extension to the building. This was later sold off and converted for other uses as the congregation's membership resettled to other suburbs.[4] The synagogue was led by Rabbi Ilan Herrmann until 2017. Herrmann had served the congregation for the last 18 years.[2] Today, the synagogue usually has about 60 congregants for weekly Shabbat services and about 200 congregants for theHigh Holy Days.[3][4] Most current congregants live outside of Doornfontein, inSandton, Morningside and Highlands North.[3]
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