South African Jewish Museum

The South African Jewish Museum, located in the downtown neighbourhood of Gardens in Cape Town, is a museum dedicated to South African Jewish life, history, and identity. It is situated in the grounds of Gardens Shul and is part of the same complex as the Cape Town Holocaust & Genocide Centre and the Gardens Jewish Community Centre. The museum is also in close proximity to the Iziko South African National Gallery and Houses of Parliament.

Founding and Purpose of the South African Jewish Museum

The South African Jewish Museum was founded by the late philanthropist, Mendel Kaplan. It documents the historical roots of the South African Jewish community in Lithuania and other places, and their role and contributions in South African society. The museum was established as a national museum about the South African Jewish community, funded through the Kaplan Kushlick Foundation.

Permanent Exhibitions at the South African Jewish Museum

One of the permanent exhibitions at the South African Jewish Museum is a reconstruction of a Lithuanian shtetl. This exhibition provides a glimpse into the life and conditions of the Jewish migrants before their arrival in South Africa. It offers a unique perspective on the history and heritage of the Jewish community in the country.