SOUTH AFRICAN JEWISH MUSEUM

The South African Jewish Museum was officially opened by Nelson Mandela in December 2000. The brainchild of Mendel Kaplan, the museum's founder and one of the benefactors, the project took about four years from planning to completion. Set in the heart of the Company's Garden in Museum Mile, it is a major attraction for local and international tourism.

The exterior of the South African Jewish Museum is clad in Jerusalem stone.

Situated in the "Museum Mile" in central Cape Town, the South African Jewish Museum offers visitors a truly unique experience with its bold architectural design, interactive multi-media displays and engaging accounts of South African Jewish history.

The SA Jewish Museum commands two views. One section borders the National Gallery and Company’s Garden – arguably the most interesting urban square mile in the country. This environment is rich in historical, cultural and religious associations and the stately
white-washed buildings, walkways, stairs, fountains, ponds, statues and gnarled oak trees all exude an old fashioned colonial charm.

The main body of the museum faces onto a paved landscaped court linking the Old Synagogue (1863) - the first synagogue built on South African soil, the Great Synagogue (1905), and the Albow Centre, which comprises the South African Jewish Museum Shop, the Gitlin Library, the Café Riteve, the Cape Town Holocaust Centre, and the Israel Abrahams hall.

Admission fee

Museum hours

Sun. to Thurs.: 10H00 – 13H00

Fri.: 10H00 – 14H00

Closed Saturdays and Jewish Holidays

Open Public Holidays

Overseas bookings
Bookings can be made overseas to tour the South African Jewish Museum individually or as part of a special group.