Lions Shul still roars after donors step in

A synagogue rumoured to be closing its doors for good has been given a new lease on life after overseas donors stepped in to save the Doornfontein Lions Shul from auction.

For more than a century, the Lions Shul, formally known as the Doornfontein Hebrew Congregation, stood as a landmark of Jewish life in Johannesburg. Once one of seven synagogues in Doornfontein, the heart of Jewish Johannesburg in the early 20th century, today, it’s the only one in continuous operation. But just a year ago, its future looked uncertain.

When long-time caretaker and benefactor Stan Rothbart passed away in 2022, the shul was left in crisis. “He single-handedly ran the shul for the past couple of years,” said the current chairperson, Aron Ziegler. “When he passed away, no-one knew exactly how things worked. We discovered debts, unpaid municipal bills, and no funds in the account to keep the shul going.”

With dwindling attendance – from more than 40 worshippers on Shabbat mornings in years past to barely a minyan today – the committee reluctantly began preparing to sell the building. Rumours of an impending auction quickly spread through the community.

That’s when former members, now living abroad, stepped in. “Some of the older members overseas said they didn’t want the shul sold to non-Jews,” said Ziegler. “They offered to cover the running costs and settle outstanding debts. Thanks to them, the shul can carry on, at least for the next few years.”

These benefactors, who have asked to remain anonymous, contributed enough to cancel the auction, pay municipal arrears, and keep the doors open. For now, they are funding the synagogue’s basic operations.

Today, the Lions Shul holds Shabbat services every Saturday at 06:30, with festive prayers planned when holidays coincide with Shabbat. The shul’s unique rooftop sukkah, a permanent structure with a retractable roof, will once again host celebrations this year.

Weekday services and high holy day minyanim are no longer held, reflecting the shrinking numbers in the area as many Jewish families have either emigrated or moved away from the city centre. “There hasn’t been a Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur service here for about six years,” the chairperson said. “Now it’s just Shabbat mornings and yom tov if it falls on a Saturday.”

Attendance is modest, usually between 10 and 12 people, though occasionally the congregation falls short of a minyan. “It used to be different,” said Ziegler. “Thirty years ago, the crowd was younger, with more energy to get up early. Today most are retired, and it’s harder in winter. Still, we keep going.”

Ziegler, who first began helping at the shul soon after his Barmitzvah in the 1990s, now oversees the services and day-to-day needs. “I was unanimously appointed as chairperson because nobody else wanted the role,” he said with a laugh. “But I’m just here to make sure that the shul continues.”

Though smaller in number, the Lions Shul remains rich in symbolism. Known affectionately for the gold-painted cast iron lions flanking its entrance, it’s a visible reminder of the once-thriving Jewish community of Doornfontein and the determination of those who refuse to let that legacy fade.

“People still walk past and assume it’s closed,” he said. “But it’s alive. Thanks to support from overseas, the doors are still open, the lights are still on, and we are still davening.”