Beit Emanuel, Progressive Jewish Congregation
Beit Emanuel is the largest Progressive congregation in South Africa.

We offer a wide range of services and facilities, including Shabbat and festival services, adult education, social events and a weekly Religion School.

We are developing new facilities which will be available for hire for social functions and conferences. Visitors are welcome.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES

We hold services every Shabbat and for every major Jewish festival.

Shabbat evening services are held every Friday from 6.00 p.m. to about 7.15 p.m.

Shabbat morning services are held every Saturday from 10.00 a.m. to about noon.

CHAVURAH: On the second Shabbat of most (secular) calendar months there is an evening 'chavurah' service in parallel with the main service. For information contact Dr David Bilchitz at davidb@saifac.org.za

FESTIVALS: Information about Festival services and High Holy Days services can be obtained by contacting the synagogue office 011 646 6170.

RELIGION SCHOOL

Our Religion School meets on Mondays during school term times from 4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. We offer a three-year giving a grounding in basic Judaism for pre-bar/batmitzvah children. The course may be shorter, for example, if a child attends a full-time Jewish day school. Contact the Religion School Principal, Giddy Lief initially through the synagogue office 011 646 6170.

LIFE CYCLE EVENTS

We offer special services and celebration facilities to mark all major life cycle events.

These include 'Baby Blessings'; Barmitzvahs and Batmitzvahs; Weddings; and Memorial Services.

In all instances, including bereavement, please contact the synagogue office on 011 646 6170.

ADULT EDUCATION & CONVERSION CLASSES

We offer a regular programme of classes and lectures on a wide range of topics. For those who wish to improve their basic Jewish knowledge we offer an Introduction to Judaism course which runs from January to December each year.

This course is one component of the requirements for conversion under the auspices of Beit Emanuel and the Beit Din of the South African Union for Progressive Judaism.

The synagogue reception office can supply details of current programmes.

Rabbi Ash

RABBI

We have a full-time resident Rabbi, Dr Robert Ash Ph.D.

Before training to be a Rabbi, Robert Ash pursued a career in the UK Immigration Service for 14 years. During this time he took a three-year sabbatical and studied for a London University degree in Education and Religious Studies.

After leaving the Civil Service Robert Ash worked in the private sector for three years before studying for a Doctorate in the Sociology of Religion at Leicester University. He has published articles on Jewish topics in journals and encyclopaedias.

He began his rabbinic training in his early 40s at Leo Baeck College in London, where he read for Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Hebrew and Jewish Studies and was ordained in 2002. He served as rabbi of Newcastle Reform Synagogue for five years, joining Beit Emanuel in October 2007.

Please contact the Rabbi through the synagogue reception office or, in genuine emergencies, on his cell phone 082 851 6628.

CONTACT US

All general enquiries may be directed to our synagogue office.

  • Telephone: 011 646 6170
  • Fax: 011 646 2035
  • Email: office@beitemanuel.co.za

    • SISTERHOOD

    The Sisterhood of Beit Emanuel supports a range of outreach projects in the community and supports Jewish families in need.

    The Sisterhood supervise and organise most of the catering needs for the synagogue, in particular the weekly Shabbat kiddushim and 'brochas'.

    For information on their charitable work or catering for functions contact: Gail Rogaly on 083 400 3164 or Marcelle Meisel on 082-448-5761.

    CARE COMMITTEE

    The Care Committee can assist members of the congregation, and their families, in the following ways:
  • Visit anyone who is ill at home or in hospital;
  • Visit members who find it difficult to go out of their homes;
  • Arrange lifts to synagogue services and events (if we have sufficient notice);
  • Refer people in financial need to sources of help.
  • If you know anyone whom we might be able to help, please let us know. All information will be kept in the STRICTEST CONFIDENCE
    • Care Committee Contacts:

    Rabbi Ash 011 646 6170 or cell 082 851 6628

    Rahle Lurie cell 082 573 5128

    YOUTH SERVICES

    Activities for children and youth at Beit Emanuel are organised under the auspices of Netzer, our Zionist Youth Movement.

    Contact our shaliach Michael Michael Szczupak through the synagogue office 011 646 6170.

    YOU CAN HELP!

  • Sponsor a Shabbat Kiddush.
  • Volunteer to help the care committee.
  • Make a donation to the shul.
  • Make a donation to the Sisterhood.
  • For all such enquiries contact the synagogue office on 011 646 6170.

    • WHERE ARE WE?

    Beit Emanuel is at 38 Oxford Road in Parktown. The entrance is on Third Avenue.

    Oxford Road (M9) is a major north-south route in Johannesburg.

    FROM M1 SOUTH

    Visitors using the M1 highway, travelling south, can reach us by leaving at the Riviera Road off-ramp. Follow Riviera Road past the Killarney Mall to the third set traffic lights. Turn left onto Oxford Road. Third Avenue and Beit Emanuel are about 300 metres further, on the left.

    FROM M1 NORTH

    Visitors travelling north on the M1 should leave at the Oxford Road off-ramp. Beit Emanuel is at the foot of the off-ramp slope, after the grassed area, on the right.