The Establishment of Judaism in Australia © Karen Devine 2008

The First Fleet There were approximately 8 Jewish convicts on the first fleet. There are Chevra Kadisha records of Jewish burial practices from circa 1817.

The First Fleet A Sydney congregation of Jews founded by Rabbi Levy occurred in 1830 and they had a Sefer Torah scroll and prayer books.

Synagogues In 1844 the first synagogue was built and in 1878 the Great Synagogue was built in York Street, Sydney. When transportation ended in 1852 approximately 1000 Jews were in the colony.

Gold Rush Migration Gold rush migration swelled the number of Jews to over 5000 in 1861. Since the 1840’s Jews have been about 0.5% of Australia’s population and this figure is still current today.

Persecution in Europe In the 1880’s Eastern European Jews fled persecution and came to Australia. The escaping refugees continued to flee and the numbers rose especially after Hitler came to power in Germany.

Persecution in Europe Many of these Jews supported Zionism or the belief that Jews should be returned to the Holy Land. After WWII, approximately 30,000 Jewish refugees arrived in Australia.

Sydney and Melbourne Jews The Sydney Jewish migrants quickly assimilated with other Australians. Melbourne migrants maintained a more orthodox tradition influenced by the refugees from Eastern Europe.

Significant Australian Jews Convict Esther Abraham became wife of Lieutenant Governor George Johnson. Sir John Monash, an engineer, became Commander in Chief of the army in WWI. Sir Isaac Isaacs, a barrister, became Governor General between 1931-1936.

Significant Australian Jews Sir Zelman Cowan became Governor General 1977-1982. Rabbi Porush, migrated to Australia in 1940 and he became a great spiritual leader and was involved in the Sydney Beth Din or communal Jewish law court.

Judaism in Australia Judaism was second to Christianity in becoming the most established faith tradition in Australia prior to 1945.

Question Time? Research the main Jewish organisations that can be found in Sydney today.