Lion’s Shul in crisis as congregants and funds dry up

Taking its popular name from a pair of cast-iron lions flanking its entrance, the Lion’s Shul in Doornfontein has been part of Jewish life in Johannesburg for more than a century. With fewer people attending minyanim and dwindling finances, however, the iconic landmark may soon have to close its doors for good.

“Fundraising this year has been an enormous problem,” says Stan Rothbart, a member of the shul for the past 45 years. “We’ve had none of our weekly pledges, nor could we raise anything as we usually do over Simchat Torah.

“We depend on our die-hard members who do their best to keep us going, and there’s less money available than before.”

Constructed in 1905, the shul is the last of 10 shuls which originally stood in the area. In spite of being restored after being severely damaged by a fire in 1935, it retains its early glory inside and out.

“It became a businessman’s shul,” says Rothbart. “When I started work in the 1960s, I worked a five-and-a-half-day week, with Saturday morning being a work morning. Many Jews who lived and worked in the area attended the shul’s 06:00 service, which ended at 08:00 with a brocha.

“I went to say kaddish there myself as I couldn’t be in shul the whole morning. It suited me to start early, finish by 08:00, and I could do my thing. I kept going there because of the environment and the sense of warmth I felt. It was quite unique and marvellous.”

Over the past few decades, the shul continued to hold regular Wednesday mincha ma’ariv services, Friday night, and Shabbat day services, as well as services on major chaggim like Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah. Men needing to say kaddish for a loved one and work at the weekend found the Saturday minyan times convenient, drawing together a close-knit core of members who became regulars even after their mourning period.

Says Rothbart, “We have a base of about 30 core members, but it can get to about 70 if there’s a function. Unless you’re a part of it, you can’t really understand the chavershaft[comeraderie] that connects everyone – it’s something special.”

While a considerable sum was spent on renovating the shul, there has been a significant decline in attendance in recent years, with funding sources dwindling at the same time. Various properties owned by the shul were sold off, but further fundraising efforts were needed to ensure that the shul could remain afloat.

These included the sale of bronze sculptures depicting the shul crafted by plastic surgeon cum sculptor, Dr Laurence Chait, with nine of the 10 commissioned pieces having been sold to date. In addition, an arrangement was made in 2014 with the late renowned photographer, David Goldblatt, to have photographs of the shul building reproduced as prints to be sold to the public.

“David had always been really interested in the Lion’s Shul since taking photographs of it in 2014,” says Neil Dundas, senior curator of the Goodman Gallery. “When the shul appealed to him to use the photographs to raise funds, he was anxious to do what he could to help conserve the building.”

At the time, Goldblatt didn’t print photos on demand, having been a photo documentarian and later joining a gallery as an exhibiting photographic artist. In this instance, however, he not only agreed to the prints, but also broke from the standard limited edition of 10 works and to make 30.

Fourteen prints were produced initially, and while they were launched at a dedicated event, attendance was poor and only three were sold. A further five were subsequently sold before Goldblatt passed away in June 2018, resulting in a problem with obtaining permission to print.

“David’s will was clear that no posthumous printing was allowed,” says Dundas. “Unfortunately, photography is problematic in the art world as it’s too easy for people to reprint. Even though this was a charity case, the will made no distinction, and nobody had the right to print anymore.

“Only the first eight were signed, leaving us with six that were handed over after years of negotiation. Certificates were issued to confirm that these were seen and approved by David, but they are the last that will ever be printed.”

Although some funding has been secured, the shul has remained closed since the onset of lockdown in April this year, compounding an already pressing issue of a shrinking community.

“Fewer and fewer people were coming,” says Sol Gordon, previously the shul’s secretary. “Doornfontein has become a dangerous part of the world, and people are reluctant to come here and park their cars in the road. It’s also too far away from areas like Glenhazel, so people can’t walk here either.

“People are immigrating, youngsters aren’t interested. We really don’t know what will happen to the shul.

“We had our last minyan there on 23 March. We hoped to reopen in November, but that isn’t going to happen because of COVID-19. We’re aiming to try again in January, but I don’t think that’s realistic either. People just won’t come.”

The pandemic also caused the loss of the shul’s long-serving chairperson, Michael Baum, who passed away after contracting the virus in hospital earlier this year.

“A rich history will be lost if the shul doesn’t open again,” says Gordon. “One doesn’t know what will become of the shul. There’s a funeral parlour next to the shul, and I wonder if they might want to take it over. It’s very sad.”

Rothbart agrees, “The shul is very close to my heart, and I would hate to see it close. Once it’s closed, it’s gone forever. At worst, we could keep it going as a museum, but that would be such a pity. This needs to continue.”

Funding would go a long way towards helping the shul to remain open, says long-time shul member, Kevin Handelsman, and the Goldblatt prints offer a valuable asset in return for a contribution.

“The Lion’s Shul is a major part of the history of Johannesburg itself. We would love to see the artwork sold, and have the proceeds help us sustain the shul. It would be a real shame to see it all come to an end.

“It’s a building that’s beautiful inside and out, which represents the history of Johannesburg Jewry. This was the shul of the Jewish community in Doornfontein.”

Says Dundas, “David’s work has quadrupled in value, even unsigned. He has captured a truly magnificent building, an important part of cultural history, and a place that the Jewish community must want to see preserved.

“We hope that the last six prints are sold and raise enough funds to help keep the iconic shul in existence.”

The prints are available for purchase at R60 000 each. Enquiries can be directed to David Behr on 082 447 7477.