MEMBER COMMENTS

  Our shul is unique in that it has no permanent structure, no permanent chazzan and has a small congregation - but what it lacks in frills it makes up in unity, warmth and hospitality, vibrancy, community participation and kavanah.

Dr Ryan Karro (Doctor)

  Constantia Shul plays an important part in our family life.  It is no coincidence that our Shul shares premises with the Herzlia Primary school, as we are a youthful community.  It is a warm and friendly community where visitors are welcome and made to feel at home.  A strong commitment to Yiddishkeit and a daily Minyan form an integral part of our lives.

Dawn Norton (Model & Talent Agent)

  We have been members of Constantia Hebrew Congregation soon after it was established approximately 20 years ago, and it is like a home from home.  Seeing the "regulars" at shul each week have, in a sense, made them part of an extended family, and everyone is caring and supportive through simchas and sorrows.  Rabbi Kornblum and his wife, Gilah, play an active role in the Constantia community.  The shul services encourage participation of the congregants, particularly the children and teenagers, who always take a very active part.  The regular shiurim offer opportunities to extend one's understanding of Judaism, while the brochot offer opportunities to establish closer bonds with others.  I feel privileged to be a part of such a warm, close-knit community.

Shirley Kaminer (Computer Teacher)

  As a founder member of our shul in Constantia, which has now been in existence for the past 19 years, I feel it's like "Home From Home".   That's why I say "our" shul, belonging to all the members who wish to take or make the best out of its services and what it offers.  Having always been a keen shul attender (as regular as possible), I always feel comfortable in the surroundings of our synagogue, knowing most of our members and making our new members welcome.  For most of our main services (ie. Shabbat & the minor festivals) all congregants participate in a kind of homely manner and only during the major festivals is a cantor assisted by a choir in attendance, the former making it possible for all congregants to learn and to participate like an extended family in all the services.  This is why this shul is so meaningful to me and why I enjoy being a member of "our" shul in Constantia.

David Shapiro (Sales Manager)

  Our Shul - a place where prayer and worship take place in somewhat spartan surroundings BUT in a spirit that is warm, friendly, accepting and religious.  CHILDREN are made to feel welcome and are encouraged to participate fully in prayers and activities.  There is a true sense of community and belonging.

Paulette Eliason (Beauty Therapist)

  Being a small and involved community, we are able to offer the type of support to members which a larger Shul cannot provide.  Members are made to feel a part of the community, who are there to share their simchas or to support them when things are not going so well.  The Shul offers less formality and more involvement on whatever level the member wishes to become involved, and children are made to feel an integral part of the community rather than unnecessary hangers-on who should be seen but not heard.

Paul Von Zwiklitz (Electrical Consultant Engineer)

  The reserved yet sincere warm friendly caring attitude of the rabbi and his rebbetzin are echoed in the welcome of the congregation.

Prof. Lennie Handler (Radiologist)

  We have been members of the Constantia Hebrew Congregation since we first moved into the area 15 years ago.  During this time, we have seen it grow from a grassroots initiative of a few families, to the well-established community that it is today.  It is a very relaxed and informal community, which welcomes and values the involvement of every member.  I particularly appreciate some of our local traditions, which have grown up over the years.  An example of this is the way in which the Yizkor service is conducted where, during the communal Haskarot, the individual names of relatives are read out, giving the prayers a very personal basis.  On a lighter note, our communal wine-making day, which takes place a few months before Pesach each year, is a very special event.  There is something quite Biblical about sitting with friends and family in the warm Constantia sun, with a view of the mountains, and making wine from grapes gathered in the Cape Winelands.  Our family has experienced good and bad times over the past years, and has felt the support of the Congregation during both.  It is, indeed, a community which sustains both spiritual and social aspects of Jewish life.

Val Abratt (Microbiologist)

  The Constantia Hebrew Congregation is an intimate and caring community where a spiritual and religious identity is inculcated with warmth and sincerity.  We always feel welcome and at home here and a special effort is make to accommodate and include young children.

Ros Halliday (Nursery School Teacher)