The Great Synagogue on Wolmarans Street, Johannesburg, is known as the city's mother synagogue and "the crown jewel of Orthodox Judaism in South Africa." All large-scale Jewish events in the Gold City were held in the building, and for all its existence it was the seat of the country's chief rabbi. Northward migration by congregation members led to the synagogue relocating in 1994, to be replaced by the Great Park Synagogue on Glenhove Road, Oaklands, built on the model of the Great Synagogue, whose own architecture in turn was inspired by the Hagia Sophia.
The Great Synagogue on Wolmarans Street, Johannesburg, is known as the city's mother synagogue and "the crown jewel of Orthodox Judaism in South Africa." All large-scale Jewish events in the Gold City were held in the building, and for all its existence it was the seat of the country's chief rabbi. Northward migration by congregation members led to the synagogue relocating in 1994, to be replaced by the Great Park Synagogue on Glenhove Road, Oaklands, built on the model of the Great Synagogue, whose own architecture in turn was inspired by the Hagia Sophia. (en)
The Great Synagogue on Wolmarans Street, Johannesburg, is known as the city's mother synagogue and "the crown jewel of Orthodox Judaism in South Africa." All large-scale Jewish events in the Gold City were held in the building, and for all its existence it was the seat of the country's chief rabbi. Northward migration by congregation members led to the synagogue relocating in 1994, to be replaced by the Great Park Synagogue on Glenhove Road, Oaklands, built on the model of the Great Synagogue, whose own architecture in turn was inspired by the Hagia Sophia. (en)
