Temple David (Perth, Western Australia)
| Temple David | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Progressive Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership | Rabbi Kim Ettlinger |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Mount Lawley, Perth, Western Australia |
| Country | Australia |
  Shown within Perth | |
| Geographic coordinates | 31°55′45″S 115°52′20″E / 31.9293°S 115.8723°E |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Harold Boas |
| Date established | 1952 |
| Website | |
| templedavid | |
Temple David is a Progressive Jewish congregation and synagogue located in Mount Lawley, an inner northern suburb of Perth. It is the sole progressive congregation in the state of Western Australia.[1] The congregation was established in 1952.[2][3]
History
[edit]A key proponent for a Jewish congregation under the auspices of Reform Judaism, was Dr Ronald Taft, from the Psychology faculty at the University of Western Australia. Taft had been a member of Temple Beth Israel in Melbourne and took up his faculty position in 1951. In May 1952, a formation known as the "Liberal Jewish Group" was established and began conducting Reform services. Rabbi Herman Sanger, a key figure in the history of Temple Beth Israel, led a service in the same year, addressing 300 in attendance. Taft also became foundation president of the congregation.[4][5][3]Jewish refugees and Holocaust survivors from Europe were among the founding members of the congregation.[6]
In 1959,[7] Rabbi George W. Rubens became the congregation's first permanent rabbi and the congregation was renamed Temple David.[3] Rubens, born in the Free City of Danzig had previously served congregations in Melbourne and Hobart.[7] His great-grandfather had been a founder of the Great Synagogue, Danzig's fist Reform synagogue.[7]
A specially recorded service at the synagogue in November 1987, was broadcast in early 1988 for the ABC TV Sunday Worship slot.[8]
Buildings
[edit]The congregation established a permanent home in 1954, by purchasing a family home on Clifton Crescent in Mount Lawley, that was converted to use as a synagogue. The synagogue was officially opened on 27 October 1954.[9] The synagogue was dedicated in 1963, following an 18-month building and renovation process, with the construction of separate building housing a sanctuary and religion school. As part of the ceremony, a plaque was unveiled in commemoration of the Jewish dead from both World Wars.[10] The new Ark acted as a focal point, surrounded by stained glass windows with menorah designs.[10] Three classrooms and a function hall were also constructed.[10] The works were completed at a cost of £28, 000.[10] A caretaker's residence was constructed in 1973. The architect responsible for the designs was Harold Boas, a founding member of the congregation.[11][12]
Leadership
[edit]The congregation was served by Israeli-born rabbi, Adi Cohen from 2014 to 2021.[13] In 2022, Cohen was succeeded by the congregation's current rabbi, the South African-born Kim Ettlinger. Rabbi Ettlinger studied at rabbinical school in the United States and served Temple Beth Israel in Melbourne from 2010 to 2021.[14]
See also
[edit]
- Perth Hebrew Congregation
- Carmel School
- JHub Maccabi Community Centre
- List of synagogues in Australia
- History of the Jews in Australia
References
[edit]- ^ Constituent Members JCCWA. Retrieved on 15 November 2024
- ^ Personalities and events, Temple David congregation, ten years 1952-1962 National Library of Australia. Retrieved on 14 November 2024
- ^ a b c About templedavid.org.au. Retrieved on 14 November 2024
- ^ We 'profile' Ron Taft Profile. June-July 2015
- ^ Celebrating Temple David’s 70th anniversary The Maccabean. 29 July 2022
- ^ The horror of the Holocaust The West Australian. 3 May 2011
- ^ a b c New rabbi in Perth The Australian Jewish News. 13 March 1959
- ^ Temple on television The Australian Jewish News. 27 November 1987
- ^ Dedication address on the occasion of the Opening of the Temple David Centre, Perth, on October 27, 1954 The Westralian Judean. 1 November 1954
- ^ a b c d Temple opened The Australian Jewish News. 1 November 1963
- ^ Temple David Synagogue Heritage Council (Government of Western Australia)
- ^ Harold Boas Museum of Perth. Retrieved on 15 November 2024
- ^ New rabbi not pulling rank The Perth Voice. 14 November 2014
- ^ Perth homecoming for Rabbi Ettlinger The Australian Jewish News. 1 December 2022
Further reading
[edit]- Mossenson, David (1990). Hebrew, Israelite, Jew: The History of the Jews of Western Australia. University of Western Australia Press. ISBN 9780855643140.
- Berman, Judith E. (2001). Holocaust remembrance in Australian Jewish communities, 1945-2000. University of Western Australia Press. ISBN 9781876268596.
- Rutland, Suzanne D. (23 January 2006). The Jews in Australia. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781139447164.
External links
[edit]
- Jews and Judaism in Western Australia
- 20th-century synagogues in Australia
- Religious buildings and structures in Perth, Western Australia
- 1952 establishments in Australia
- Synagogues completed in 1952
- Jewish organizations established in 1952
- Reform Judaism in Australia
- Union for Progressive Judaism
- Mount Lawley, Western Australia