COMBINED FAITH MEMORIAL PRAYER
SERVICE
10 November, 2003
The Bulawayo Hebrew Congregation
thanks you for coming together to commemorate the
tragic passing of the synagogue devastated by fire
on the 4 October 2003, just a day before Yom Kippur,
the Day of Atonement.
Although the loss of the building
has been overwhelming, the precious Sifrei Torah,
many Ark curtains and cloths used in the Synagogue
were heroically saved by Rodney Lepar and Raymond
Roth. Each of these items carries a story and history
that echoes the journey of Jews around the globe.
Indeed, many were carried to safety from the flames
that consumed Jews in the holocaust of World War Two.
Also, most importantly no life was
lost in the fire.
The Bulawayo Hebrew Community began
its services in a canvass tent in 1894. Emanuel Basch,
Bulawayo Mayor and Congregation President, laid the
foundation stone of this historically beautiful synagogue
on May 17 1910 and the building was consecrated in
April 1911. In the 1960s the building was extended,
with the front the original magnificent Cape Dutch
style complimented by the stylish red brick and stained
glass modernist side – Both are now gone.
Services are now being held in the
Sinai Centre, the future of the ruined site remains
uncertain.
The Bulawayo Hebrew Congregation
is eternally grateful to the greater Bulawayo community
for their remarkable support - emotionally, spiritually
and physically.
Thank you for being part of the Combined
Faith display of unity.
The Programme:
Carmel choir singing "Yedid Nefesh" (Beloved
of my Soul)
and “Love in any other Language”
Address by Mr A Feigenbaum, President of the Bulawayo
Hebrew Congregation
Address by Rabbi C Harris, Chief Rabbi of Southern
Africa
Psalms by Anglican Rev Scott and Baptist Pastor Motsi
Reading from the Qur'an by Mr Kebalker, President
of Muslim Society
Candle lighting ceremony
Candle 1 - Prayer for Peace by Mrs Sohaili from the
Bahai Community, candle lit by Mr Stenberg a visiting
Bahai dignitary
Candle 2 - Mr Desai President of the Hindu Society
Candle 3 - Father Odilo representing the Catholic
Church
Candle 4 - Alderman Charles Mpofu, Deputy Mayor of
Bulawayo
Candle 5 - Raj Yoga representative, BK Bhaviksha
Candle 6 - Duncan Sibanda who has worked for the
Bulawayo Hebrew Congregation for more than 61 years
Candle 7 - Reb Leizer (104 yrs old) to be accompanied
by Jewish children under the age of 12
Rabbi Asmoucha - Prayers and address
Mr Rodney Lepar - Vote of thanks
Zimbabwe National Anthem
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A member of the Bulawayo
hebrew Congregation writes:
I have to tell you about the most
moving and memorable evening we had last
night.
Firstly, Rabbi Harris, the Chief Rabbi of Southern Africa, davened Mincha in
the burned out shell. Brian Sher had cleared out the area in front of the
Ark for us. Peeps Golden was in tears reciting the final mourners kaddish.
We then moved out to the road in front
of the shul, which had been roped
off. 500 seats were arrayed facing a platform in front
of the shul. Shelly
Lasker was the MC and had also organized the whole
thing. She was really
fantastic and all her remarks were touching and meaningful
as she introduced
the function and the various speakers.
The Carmel School kids sang Yedid
Nefesh and "Love in any language"
(I have got a lump in my throat as I am writing this).
Alan Feigenbaum
spoke well. Rabbi Harris gave a fantastic speech and
he broke down at
one stage (later he told us that he could not help
thinking about all
the old friends like Max Gordon from Bulawayo who
had passed on).
Top church dignitaries from the Anglican,
Catholic, Muslim, Hindu, Ba'Hai
and Hari Krishna either made a little speech, or quoted
from their holy
scriptures - all were based mainly on the theme of
the brotherhood of man or
rebirth or courage in adversity. Most were asked also
to light a candle.
Candles were also lit by a representative from the
City of Byo, by Lazer
Abrahamson (104 years old!), by Duncan (the African
building custodian, who
has worked the community for six decades) and by the
Jewish kids from Carmel School.
Our new Rabbi (a charming young man) then spoke and
said a prayer in memory
of all the previous congregants who had passed on.
Rodney Lepar, hailed as
a hero for rescuing the Sefrit Toras with Raymond
Roth, gave the vote of
thanks to all who attended and especially to the representatives
from the
other faiths, and spoke brilliantly. All in all, a
very moving and
meaningful and dignified ceremony.
Some of us then went back into the shul and davened Mariv. After which we
went to the Feigenbaums to pay our respects to Rabbi Harris, but did not
stay long.
I am sure that you will be getting a report from Ronit together with photos.
Love to all,
C & N
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