Collection - Benoni Park Street Synagogue Collection

The Benoni Park Street Synagogue Collection, donated by the South African Jewish Board of Deputies Archives includes a small number of photographs covering a large period of time of the Park Street Synagogue in Benoni, South Africa.

These photographs are well preserved and document the prominent names of those involved in the Synagogue. Those people include statesmen, executive committees, rabbis, the Synagogue choir and nursery school children.

On 15 October 1932, Dr Chaim Weizmann, President of the World Zionist Organisation and first President of the State of Israel, visited Benoni and the new Synagogue in Park Street. A photograph documenting his visit is included in the collection.

Dr Isaac Halevi Hertzog, Chief Rabbi of Israel, is also seen about to turn the first Sod for the Talmud Torah and Hall in 1952.
The Synagogue’s first Bar Mitzvah service, first Bat Mitzvah service and first wedding service are all included in the collection.
The Council photographs range in timeframe from between 1924 and 2009.

The Rose Kirschner nursery school images show children playing, dancing and singing. There are also names of the nursery school children included in the collection.

The collection also includes a photograph of the exterior of the Synagogue building.
This collection is historically fascinating as it deals with a prestigious South African Synagogue. Those involved on the Council are well recorded. The nursery is shown to have been a successful institution. The number of first services recorded shows how proud the Synagogue is of its history. The prestigious statesmen and rabbis who have been involved with the Benoni Synagogue is also testament to Park Street’s status as a premier synagogue in South Africa.

Whenever possible research has been conducted to enrich the information in these collections. If you would like to add any additional information please contact us.