The latest information on the Synagogue Centenary Celebrations may be found on the event website

Back to Broken Hill for the synagogue centenary

by Leon Mann

From the beginnings of settlement of Broken Hill (circa 1885), a mining town in far north-west New South Wales, Jews have been part of its colourful and sometimes turbulent history. The first headstones in the Jewish section of the Broken Hill cemetery date from1893.

The first recorded Jewish religious service was held in Taits Masonic Hall 1890. A congregation was organised in 1900 with Mr. Rosanove leading the services for a Jewish community estimated by Broken Hill historians as numbering about fifty families, approximately 150 people. It was not until 1910 that a Synagogue was erected in Broken Hill on land purchased in July 1907 by Abraham Rosenberg, Samuel Dryen Snr, and Albert Edelman.

On 30 November 1910, the foundation stone was set in place on the newly erected Synagogue. A famous photograph taken on the day shows Rev Zev Mandelbaum, the first minister, and Solomon Saunders, president of the Adelaide Hebrew Congregation, together with members of the Synagogue committee at the ceremony. The Synagogue was consecrated in 1911, and Rabbi Francis Lyon Cohen of the Great Synagogue, Sydney, attended.

The Jewish community fluctuated in numbers throughout the first half of the twentieth century in accord with economic opportunities and Depression, waves of migration from overseas and wartime requirements. But throughout the 1920s and 1930s the Synagogue at 165 Wolfram Street, with its adjoining premises for the Minister and family, was a vibrant hub for residents and visitors. Before and after the Second World War, Broken Hill’s Jews began to leave for Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide and beyond.

The Synagogue finally closed its doors in 1962, and the scrolls were transferred to the Yeshiva on Hotham Street, St Kilda, Melbourne. The last Jew of Broken Hill, Alwyn David Edelman, died in August 2005 and is buried in the Jewish section of the cemetery. Following closure of the Synagogue, the Rabbi’s residence was rented to help cover the costs to the few remaining members of the communityof maintaining the synagogue. Then, in a stroke of good fortune, the building was Heritage listed and then purchased by the Broken Hill Historical Society in 1990.

The Broken Hill Historical Society has been dedicated in its efforts to preserve the Jewish origins and significance of the Synagogue building. Today, the building has been faithfully restored by the Society and the integrity of the Synagogue complex maintained. The adjoining former residence of the Rabbi is used by the Society as office, library and supper room and a Research room has been added at the rear of the property.

The name of the congregation appears above the Synagogue entrance in Hebrew. The ark, bima and pews are in place. A MagenDavid is painted on the ceiling. And the spirit of the Synagogue lives on for visitors who come each month to see the handsome stone building and view the small collection of Judaica, photographs and artefacts.

The Broken Hill Historical Society has invited the Australian Jewish Historical Society (AJHS) to assist in organising three days of events in Broken Hill on November 27-29 2010 to mark the centenary of the Synagogue.

The events will include a ceremony in the Synagogue, a program of historical talks and personal reminiscences about the Jews of Broken Hill and their contribution to the town, a bus tour of places where Jews lived and worked, a walking tour of the Jewish section of the cemetery and of central Broken Hill, visits to the Miners’ Memorial Arch, art galleries, the Living Desert Sculpture Park and the historic town of Silverton, as well as a Civic reception by the Mayor.

Committees have been formed in Melbourne and Sydney under the umbrella of the AJHS to assist the Broken Hill Historical Society in planning and implementing the three-day program of events.

Anyone with an interest in Broken Hill is welcome to attend the centenary celebration events. There are flights from Sydney and Adelaide to Broken Hill on Rex regional airlines, as well as a Sydney–Broken Hill train service. From Melbourne, there are daily flights to Mildura on QANTAS and Rex Airlines, then rental cars from Mildura airport to Broken Hill, which is a three hour drive.

Built in 1910, the Synagogue at 165 Wolfram Street is now the home of the Broken Hill Historical Society

FAMILY NAMES ASSOCIATED WITH BROKEN HILL

Barnett, Beebe, Berman, Berliner, Bernstein, Bier, Birrell, Boas, Boob, Bub, Burleigh, Cock, Cohen, Cronenberg, Dane, Davis, Dias, Dowling-Simpson, Dryen, Dubin, Edelman, Efron, Ermer, Feldman, Flesfader, Griff, Goldberg, Goldman, Golletzky, Gordon, Gould, Gurewitz, Hains, Hamery, Harris, Hince, Hirsch, Hyman, Jona, Jonas, Joseph, Kahle, Keen, Kleinberg, King, Krantz, Kronenberg, Lake, Landi, Lazarus, Levy, Luber, Lundi, Lakovsky, Mann, Marks, Milne, Mandelbaum, Marcus, Mendalawitz, Mendelson, Marmott, Myer, Nurrick, Nurrock, Oberman, Press, Podgur, Randle, Roden, Rodenovski, Rosanove, Rosenberg, Saunders, Seifestone, Serry, Shenker, Silver, Simons, Shnukal, Slonim, Solomon, Symons, Taite, Tobias, Watchman, Wein, Wolf, Zarkin

If you know people who relate to or descend from these families please let them know and ask them to contact us (see contact names and addresses below)

PLANNED EVENTS FOR THE SYNAGOGUE CENTENARY CELEBRATION

Saturday, November 27 2.30 - 5.00 pm.

A program of historical talks, reminiscences and displays together with BHHS at the Synagogue.

Sunday, November 28 morning Tour of Jewish section, BrokenHillCemetery

4.00 - 5.30 pmThe Synagogue centenary event at the Synagogue, followed by the Mayor’s civic reception 6 - 7 pm in the BrokenHillArtGallery

Monday, November 29 A full day of tours, with walks and visits in and around Broken Hill.

For general enquiries, contact Margaret Wise on 0431 153 439

To lend or donate memorabilia, letters, documents, and photos, contact Howard Freeman on 0419 399213, Liz James on 03 9822 2849 or Lionel Sharpe on 03 9523 6738.

To express your interest in attending this exciting event, and to keep you up to date on transport arrangements,accommodation and activities please email Ruth Lew in Melbourne. Sydneyand Canberrapeople can also express their interest and receive information by emailing

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