View Full Version : #Jewish Village - 20,000m2 - Izinga, Umhlanga


dysan1
March 14th, 2011, 06:49 PM
Interesting development in the heart of the new Izinga development of 3000 homes over the Umhlanga ridge, facing inland.

Top Rabbis at launch in Umhlanga
Wed, 03/02/2011 - 16:58
Story by Lauren Shapiro

Pictures by Marcello Maffeis

Several hundred people gathered in a marquee on leveled ground to celebrate the unveiling of the foundation stone for the new Jewish development at Izinga, in Umhlanga, just north of Durban.

When Rabbi Dr Pinchas Zekry looked out over hectares of sugar cane four and a half years ago, he saw a shul, a school, and a community centre.

Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein says this is “what can only be described as ‘big thinking’.”

Like Adam, who was created to see from one side of the world to the other side of the world, said Goldstein, so we are called upon to look with a broad vision to the future.

“The Durban Jewish community, through the outstanding and visionary leadership of Rabbi Zekry, are showing us the courage to look towards the future, to build, to create new worlds.”

On 28 February several hundred people gathered in a marquee on the leveled ground to celebrate the unveiling of the foundation stone for the new Jewish development at Izinga, in Umhlanga, just north of Durban.

Honoured guests included the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yona Metzger, Chief Rabbi of South Africa, Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein, Rosh Beth Din Rabbi Moshe Kurtstag, Rosh Yeshiva Gedola Rabbi Avi Goldfein and Chazan of Sydenham Shul, Yudi Cohen.

The atmosphere was one of simcha and celebration, heightened by the stirring chazzanut of Chazzan Cohen and the Durban United Hebrew Congregation choir.

Chief Rabbis Metzger and Goldstein, Rabbi Zekry and Dr Jonathan Beare unveiled a plaque to commemorate the occasion and representatives from various communal organizations shoveled concrete into a mould that will create the foundation stone of the aron kodesh in the new shul.

In a touching gesture that represents the continuity of the community and indeed of the Jewish people as a whole, Rabbi Zekry and his one-year-old grandson Lior together added concrete to that foundation stone.

“The community opens a new page today,” commented Chief Rabbi Metzger. He then blessed Rabbi Zekry, the community, and the munificent benefactors who made the project possible.

This venture was made possible principally by the magnanimous generosity and vision of Dr Jonathan Beare together with a number of large-hearted benefactors.

The Project Management Team comprises community members with several years of community leadership experience: Rabbi Dr P Zekry (Chairman), Julian Beare (Project Development), Mary Kluk (Marketing), Lew Heilbron (Community Liaison), Judge Philip Levinsohn (Legal Advisor) and Gaynor Lazarus (Education).

The initiative responds to a natural migration of corporate and residential developments along the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal in recent years.

Following a general trend of enormous growth in cluster communities and concurrent business developments in the area, the new Jewish development at Izinga promises to provide a secure home and magnificent Jewish lifestyle in an environment of unparalleled natural beauty.

The area is one of the most scenic regions in the country, set amongst rolling hills of sugar cane and breathtaking beaches. A natural diversity of coral reefs and tropical fish make it one of the top scuba diving and snorkeling destinations in the world.

The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board promotes a flourishing – yet safely controlled – marine life, while the nearby Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve fosters natural bird and wild life.

Several world class golfing estates in the vicinity ensure a green and peaceful environment for golfers and non-golfers alike.

Economically, it is a rapidly developing area with several new communities and retail developments having been established in recent years.

Gateway Theatre of Shopping (the largest shopping centre in the southern hemisphere), with its world class retail outlets, supermarkets, cinemas, theatre, recreation and sporting facilities, ensures that every resident will find something to suit their taste.

Izinga Estate is just a 15 minute drive from King Shaka International Airport, appealing to families looking to relocate whilst retaining business interests or familial obligations in other cities, or families looking for a second home to escape for holidays.

The new 20,000 square metre development itself will include a 300-seater shul, a Jewish day school, a mikvah, a library, a gym and tennis courts, as well as an auditorium and state of the art kosher function facilities for smachot. The committee is also currently looking into the establishment of a kollel to provide learning facilities for families and adult scholars.

Tongaat Hulett has secured sites alongside the centre for purchase by the Jewish community. Leading realtors Remax and building developers Lorber Projects are offering several development opportunities, which include Plot & Plan and freehold sites, as well as a sectional title development.

Construction is on schedule for completion by the end of November 2011.

romanSA
March 14th, 2011, 09:21 PM
Wow! That's quite a major development for a community estimated to number just 3000-5000 in Durban. Either the Durban Jewish community has been underestimated, or it's growing, or both. With Crawford College off Francois Rd now exclusively a Jewish school again, and rebranded "Eden College", perhaps the Jewish community in Durbs is bigger than thought?

And this is to be ready in Nov 2011? Impressive! I didn't even know it existed, and that work had already commenced!

EduardSA
March 15th, 2011, 01:31 PM
I know Joburg has the biggest with 50,000, with Cape Town coming in second at 17,000. After that not sure. According to wiki, Pretoria has 3,000 but doesn't mention Durban. I'm sure Durban should have a larger community though...

I'm sure a lot of Joburg Jews would be attracted to the shores and proximity of Durban.

nomnolence
March 15th, 2011, 01:59 PM
Last thing SA needs is more "separate" type developments. Ethnic groups are South Africa first if they live here, and so integration should be encouraged regardless of whether this prejudices cultural diversity.

dysan1
March 15th, 2011, 03:31 PM
^^ i agree with what you say, but i disagree with what you infer about this development. It is basically a Jewish community centre and school and is encouraging the Jewish community to get involved and provides the option for some to live closely too.

This is commonplace worldwide, it is private development and in my mind is no different from a gated golfing estate, except that this is actually in no way gated.

musiccity
March 16th, 2011, 05:10 AM
So it isn't a gated Jewish community? If you look at it from a demographical viewpoint its kind of neat for there to be an all-Jewish community in Southern Africa on the Indian Ocean.

SA BOY
March 17th, 2011, 07:16 AM
so a muslim can buy a plot and there are no issues?

Sand-Shark
March 17th, 2011, 08:54 AM
so a muslim can buy a plot and there are no issues?

:lol: - yes, but only if you don't mind your garden being "settled". :)

dysan1
March 17th, 2011, 10:11 AM
Muslims do live in Izinga already, a new mosque is also planned down the road from this development

dysan1
June 28th, 2012, 06:06 PM
http://www.myshtetl.co.za/files/slideshow/UJD%20-%20long%20shot%20of%20whole%20project.jpg

Shul
http://www.myshtetl.co.za/files/slideshow/UJD%20-%20Shul%20building%20-%20by%20library%20and%20upper%20veranda.jpg

Back of the school
http://www.myshtetl.co.za/files/slideshow/UJD%20-%20back%20of%20second%20school%20building.jpg

http://www.myshtetl.co.za/files/slideshow/UJD%20-%20school%20-%20both%20buildings.jpg

http://www.myshtetl.co.za/files/slideshow/NEW%20SCHOOL%20-%20Kiera%20Keates,%20Adam%20Levin%20and%20Galya%20Meltz%20are%20thrilled%20to%20be%20at%20their%20brand%20new%20school%20(in%20background)%20PIC%20Lauren%20Shapiro%20.jpg

The new 20,000 square metre development itself will include a 300-seater shul, a Jewish day school, a mikvah, a library, a gym and tennis courts, as well as an auditorium and state of the art kosher function facilities for smachot. The committee is also currently looking into the establishment of a kollel to provide learning facilities for families and adult scholars.

Tongaat Hulett has secured sites alongside the centre for purchase by the Jewish community. Leading realtors Remax and building developers Lorber Projects are offering several development opportunities, which include Plot & Plan and freehold sites, as well as a sectional title development.

dysan1
June 28th, 2012, 06:09 PM
Here is the completed Shul

http://www.durbanshul.co.za/Uploads/image/2012-06-21/USED%202012-06-21%20PIC%20shul%20pan%20PIC%20Lauren%20Shapiro.JPG

http://www.durbanshul.co.za/Uploads/image/2012-06-21/USED%202012-06-21%20PIC%20shul%20angle%20PIC%20Lauren%20Shapiro(1).jpg

http://www.durbanshul.co.za/Uploads/image/2012-06-21/USED%202012-06-21%20PIC%20windows1%20PIC%20Lauren%20Shapiro.JPG

http://www.durbanshul.co.za/Uploads/image/2012-06-21/USED%202012-06-21%20PIC%20pillar1%20PIC%20Lauren%20Shapiro.JPG

http://www.durbanshul.co.za/Uploads/image/2012-06-28/USED%20RESIZED%202012-06-28%20Auditorium%20Siyum%20Shmot%20PIC%20Robert%20Sussman.jpg

dysan1
June 28th, 2012, 06:12 PM
Look how far we’ve come – and we’re only just getting started!
07 June 2012

http://www.durbanshul.co.za/Uploads/image/2012-06-07/blogimage11.jpg

It’s hard to believe that a little over 15 months ago the Umhlanga Jewish Community Centre was just a pile of red sand and grand ideas. Today there’s a thriving school with playground facilities and a multimedia library, a state of the art auditorium and library facility for the grown-ups of the community, the kollel residential houses are going up at lightening speed and any second now the new shul and function facilities will be ready for the big reveal (watch this space!)

At the bottom of the campus, the Umhlanga Jewish Day School children are developing too. In addition to the first class spiritual and secular education guaranteed by the hand-picked staff, learners are treated to an exciting range of activities to stimulate growing minds and bodies. As I type this, the Grade 000s and 00s are exploring Mini Town.

SA BOY
June 28th, 2012, 07:04 PM
Jonathan beard is developing this

Durbsboi
August 2nd, 2012, 09:34 AM
Jews spending money...something isnt right here :sly:

only kidding, this is a very good development. well planned and well executed.