By: Benseon Apple

Benseon Apple — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 06:56:07 +0000

It is well known that the GS was not particularly welcoming of European refugees in the first half of the 20th century and – arguably – after the Holocaust (though Rabbi Porush was very helpful to survivors who made it to these shores). However, what is this suggestion by the interviewer that the Great was not welcoming of South Africans?! There are many immigrants from SA who joined the shul, sang in the choir, participated in shul life, served as staff members (including a former shul administrator) and sat on the board of management (including a former VP)! Perhaps given the shul’s location in the CBD, it has primarily been families with a historic connection to the shul who have remained members and newer immigrants have attended shuls that are more geographically accessible. However, the shul has definitely been welcoming of new arrivals in recent decades and any allegation that South Africans were discouraged in some way from joining is simply incorrect.

Comments on: A first Rosh Hashanah

By: Benseon Apple