Melbourne Hebrew Congregation

The Melbourne Hebrew Congregation (Hebrew: ק"ק שארית ישראל), or Toorak Shule, is the oldest Jewish congregation in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Formed in 1841, the congregation was originally located on Bourke Street before moving in 1930 to Toorak Road, South Yarra.

Melbourne Hebrew Congregation
Toorak Shule
Hebrew: ק"ק שארית ישראל‎
Melbourne Synagogue, pictured in 2006
Religion
AffiliationModern Orthodox Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organisational statusActive
StatusSynagogue
Location
LocationToorka Road, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria
CountryAustralia
Location in South Yarra, Melbourne
AdministrationMelbourne Hebrew Congregation
Geographic coordinates37°50′11″S 144°58′36″E
Architecture
Date established
Website
www.melbournesynagogue.org.au

History

The first Jews in Melbourne arrived around the time of the city's founding in 1835. Jewish High Holiday services were first held in 1839,[1] and in 1841 the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation was formed. The congregation's first synagogue building, located at 472 Bourke Street, was erected in 1847, with a seating capacity of 100.[2] Reverend Moses Rintel arrived to serve as the congregation's rabbi. After a number of disputes, however, Rev Rintel left the congregation in 1857 and formed the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation.[3][4] He was replaced by Rev EM Myers, who was followed by Rev WI Marks and Rev AF Ornstein.[2]

The 1850s saw the arrival of some 300 Jewish families from London and the Province of Posen, Prussia to Melbourne, prompting the construction of a new larger synagogue on the Bourke Street site. Benefactor David Benjamin laid the foundation stone of the 650-seat building in March, 1855.[2] The synagogue was re-consecrated in 1877, at which time Rabbi Dr Dattner Jacobson was appointed rabbi. In 1883 he was succeeded by Rabbi Dr. Joseph Abrahams, who went on to serve the congregation for some forty years. Notable members during this period included Sir Benjamin Benjamin, the Hon Edward Cohen, and Ephraim Zox. In 1891 the congregation celebrated the marriage of John and Hannah Victoria Monash.

In 1923 Rabbi Abrahams was succeeded by Rabbi Israel Brodie, who later became chief rabbi of the British Commonwealth.[5][6] In 1930 the congregation moved to Toorak Road, South Yarra, where the current 1300-seat synagogue building stands.[7] In October 1932 the congregation celebrated the Bar Mitzvah of Zelman Cowen, who later became Governor-General of Australia. In April 1937 Rabbi Brodie returned to England, and in August 1938 Rabbi Dr Harry Freedman succeeded him. Following World War II the synagogue had a full membership for the first time in its history. In December 1947 Rabbi Hugo Stransky was appointed rabbi. In February the following year the congregation conducted the funeral service of Sir Isaac Isaacs, the first Australian-born Governor-General. Rabbi Dr Izaak Rapaport was appointed rabbi in September, 1952.[7]


The congregation today enjoys a large and diverse membership with its chief minister, Rabbi Ephraim Lever.[8]

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See also

References
  1. "page not found". www.naa.gov.au.
  2. Melbourne Hebrew Congregation – beginnings Archived 13 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Photoexhibit 8". judaica.library.sydney.edu.au.
  4. Levi, J. S. Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University – via Australian Dictionary of Biography.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 October 2009. Retrieved 25 March 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. Rubinstein, Hilary L. Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University – via Australian Dictionary of Biography.
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 October 2009. Retrieved 25 March 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 October 2009. Retrieved 25 March 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

Bibliography
  • Aron, Joseph; Arndt, Judy (1992). The Enduring Remnant: The First 150 Years of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, 1841–1991,. Melbourne University Press. ISBN 0-522-84479-0. ISBN 978-0-522-84479-5.
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