Cape Town

Our oldest Jewish community in South Africa

• Location: Southwestern tip of South Africa.
• Population: 2.9 million Jewsh Population: 29,000
• Cape Town Fact: Cape Town is both the oldest community and the oldest Jewish community in South Africa.

Jewish history in Cape Town

Founded in 1652, Cape Town had Jews among its early settlers. After the British occupation of the Cape in 1806, a steady flow of Jewish immigrants came from Central Europe and England and later, in larger numbers, from Eastern Europe.

The Arthur's Road Hebrew Congregation in Sea Point, Cape Town.

As the oldest Jewish community in South Africa, Cape Town's organized communal life provided the pattern for the future development of South African Jewry. The Cape Town Hebrew Congregation, the first in South Africa, dates back to 1841. The first synagogue, which still stands, was built in 1849. As the Jewish community grew, other congregations and synagogues were established. The present great synagogue, a beautifully situated synagogue, was inaugurated in 1905. We have made large contributions to the cultural and civic life of Cape Town. These include art galleries, museums and libraries.

Growing beyond Cape Town

While Cape Town was the center of Jewish communal life in South Africa, the discovery of diamonds in Kimberly and gold in Witwatersrand shifted the population northward. This played an active role in the development of trade and industry in the country.

Cape Town today

In 1997, there were 106,000 Jews in South Africa. Cape Town was the second largest Jewish centre and had a Jewish population of 21,000 as compared with Johannesburg's 59,000. The Jewish population is mainly affluent, well educated and has a strong traditional and Zionist bent. Individual Jews were among the most vocal opponents of Apartheid. We also maintain good relations with the South African Government.