Hobart Synagogue
Encyclopedia
The Hobart Synagogue, in Hobart
, Tasmania
, is remarkable both for being the oldest synagogue building in Australia and for being a rare example of the Egyptian Revival style of synagogue architecture. The Egyptian Revival building was constructed in 1845. The trapezoidal shape of the windows and the columns with lotus
capitals are characteristic of the Egyptian Revival style.
The synagogue is located in Argyle Street, Hobart and has a seating capacity of 150. It does not have a full-time resident rabbi. A rabbi visits Hobart a couple of times a year to conduct services. Currently the Hobart Synagogue is used by Orthodox and Progressive groups.
Although several synagogues and churches were built in the Egyptian Revival style in the early nineteenth century, only a few are known to survive, they include the Downtown Presbyterian Church, Nashville
, Tennessee, the First Presbyterian Church (Sag Harbor)
, New York. and the Old Synagogue at Canterbury
, England.
The 1848 census recorded 435 Jews in Tasmania, the highest number of Jews recorded for Tasmania. Numbers declined as some settlers returned to England, and others left for mainland colonies and New Zealand. The Launceston Synagogue closed in 1871. The Hobart Hebrew Congregation continued its communal life. Though there was no minister in the periods 1873–1911 and 1922–1942, Sabbath services were conducted by members.
European refugees arriving from 1938 rejuvenated the Jewish community in Tasmania. The Launceston Synagogue was reopened between 1939–1961 and 1984–1992. In Hobart, ministers were appointed from 1943, but from 1956 members were again required to conduct services.
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
, Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
, is remarkable both for being the oldest synagogue building in Australia and for being a rare example of the Egyptian Revival style of synagogue architecture. The Egyptian Revival building was constructed in 1845. The trapezoidal shape of the windows and the columns with lotus
Lotus (plant)
Lotus identifies various plant taxa:* Nelumbo, a genus of aquatic plants with showy flowers** Nelumbo nucifera, the Sacred or Indian lotus** Nelumbo lutea, the American or Yellow lotus...
capitals are characteristic of the Egyptian Revival style.
The synagogue is located in Argyle Street, Hobart and has a seating capacity of 150. It does not have a full-time resident rabbi. A rabbi visits Hobart a couple of times a year to conduct services. Currently the Hobart Synagogue is used by Orthodox and Progressive groups.
Although several synagogues and churches were built in the Egyptian Revival style in the early nineteenth century, only a few are known to survive, they include the Downtown Presbyterian Church, Nashville
Downtown Presbyterian Church, Nashville
The Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee, affiliated with Presbyterian Church , was formerly known as First Presbyterian Church. The church is located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Church Street. As Old First Presbyterian Church it is designated a National Historic...
, Tennessee, the First Presbyterian Church (Sag Harbor)
First Presbyterian Church (Sag Harbor)
First Presbyterian Church in Sag Harbor, New York, also known as Old Whaler's Church, is a historic and architecturally notable Presbyterian church built in 1844 in the Egyptian Revival style...
, New York. and the Old Synagogue at Canterbury
Old Synagogue at Canterbury
The Old Synagogue in Canterbury is considered to be the best example of an Egyptian Revival synagogue. The earliest record of a Jewish community in Canterbury dates from 1160. The community is known to have been prosperous and to have traded in corn and wool as well as banking...
, England.
History
By the 1840s, there were sufficient numbers and prospered sufficiently to enable the building of synagogues in Hobart Town (1845) and Launceston (1846). The first Jewish minister was appointed in 1846, and religious practices were established.The 1848 census recorded 435 Jews in Tasmania, the highest number of Jews recorded for Tasmania. Numbers declined as some settlers returned to England, and others left for mainland colonies and New Zealand. The Launceston Synagogue closed in 1871. The Hobart Hebrew Congregation continued its communal life. Though there was no minister in the periods 1873–1911 and 1922–1942, Sabbath services were conducted by members.
European refugees arriving from 1938 rejuvenated the Jewish community in Tasmania. The Launceston Synagogue was reopened between 1939–1961 and 1984–1992. In Hobart, ministers were appointed from 1943, but from 1956 members were again required to conduct services.
