AJHS Time Line
Where was the first synagogue opened in NSW? When was the Hakoah Club bombed? Who was Australia’s second Jewish Governor-General?
The Australian Jewish Historical Society maintains a dynamic timeline of Jews and the Jewish experience in Australia since the start of European Colonisation in 1788, highlighting major events and figures in the participation of the Jewish people in Australia history, and the development of its community.
Jewish History in Australia can be explored via the Timeline at a high level or in detail, extracting important dates by subject area, including: Politics, Military, Synagogues, Events, etc.
Highlights
The First Fleet arrives at Sydney Cove. Of the 751 convicts transported to the fledgling NSW colony, at least 8 were Jews.
Territory: NSW
Over a thousand people of Jewish descent estimated to have been sent to Australia as convicts during the next 60 years.
Joseph Levy, the first Jew to die in NSW
Territory: NSW
John Harris, first policeman in colony of NSW
Territory: NSW
Proposed to Judge-Advocate David Collins to establish a night watch, ‘to be selected among the convicts for the purpose to stem the frequent commission of offences in the settlement’.
8 Jewish convicts at short-lived settlement at Sorrento in Port Phillip Bay.
Territory: Vic
Hobart, Tasmania is established as a penal colony at Sullivan’s Cove, Van Diemen’s Land. Of the orginal 270 convicts, 8 are Jewish.
Territory: Tas
Jewish convicts arrived from the then failing colony of Sorrento on Port Phillip Bay to Sullivans Cove – now the city of Hobart.
Governor Bligh deposed by Lt. Col. George Johnson
Territory: NSW
Johnson’s common-law wife was Esther Abrahams of the First Fleet who was Jewish.
First free Jewish male settler – Isaac Leo Lyon
Territory: NSW
Came as schoolmaster but did not claim any religious affiliation. However, father had a small boarding school in Cambridge reputed to be the first Jewish boarding school in England and was also a Hebrew teacher to the university.
First free Jewish woman settler – Esther Isaacs.
Territory: NSW
The first Jewish communal organization in Australia, the Chevra Kaddisha (Burial Society), is formed in Sydney.
Territory: NSW
The first Jewish services conducted in private homes by emancipist Joseph Marcus
Territory: NSW
One of the few convicts with Jewish knowledge
Merchant Phillip J Cohen arrives in Australia. Convenes regular religious services at his Sydney home
Territory: NSW
Cohen is authorized by the British Chief Rabbi Solomon Hirschel to perform Jewish marriages. Cohen superintended the formal establishment of the Sydney Hebrew Congregation in 1832.
Solomon Levey independently finances Thomas Peel’s private venture, the Swan River (free-immigrant) Colony.
Territory: WA
This eventually became the Colony of Western Australia.
Levey trusted Peel as he was 2nd cousin of British P.M., Sir Robert Peel, and that Peel deigned to become the partner of a Jewish former convict. Levey paid dearly for this misjudgment.
The first organised services in Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) are convened.
Territory: TAS
Reverend Aaron Levi arrives in Sydney.
Territory: NSW
Sefer Torah purchased by subscription. Services become more regular.
The earliest Jewish marriage, of John and Rebecca Moses, is officiated by P J Cohen.
Territory: NSW
The marriage of Moses Joseph and Rebecca Nathan in 1832 has commonly been taken to be the first Jewish marriage in the colony. However this Katubah still exists. As the organised Jewish congregation was only constituted in 1832, this earlier marriage may have preceded official records. .
The first formal congregation is formed in Sydney.
Territory: NSW
Services held in rooms above John Rowell’s pharmacy in George Street.
The first Jewish Cemetery in Sydney established at Sandhills Cemetery in Surry Hills.
Territory: NSW
It was resumed in 1901 for Central Railway Station.
Bridge Street Synagogue in Sydney is consecrated
Territory: NSW
First synagogue in Australia was opened in rented premises
First Jewish marriage in the colony by P J Cohen of Moses Joseph and Rosetta Nathan
Territory: NSW
Jewish convicts were also married prior, but such marriages had been performed by the Anglican ministers, hence historians do not accept these as Jewish weddings.
Hebrew Philanthropic and Orphan Society established
Territory: NSW
Now incorporated with the Sir Moses Montefiore Jewish Home
Jacob Montefiore is among the 11 Commissioners who establish the settlement of Adelaide.
Territory: SA
One of the venture’s backers is Sir Moses Montefiore.
The first minister in Sydney, Rev. Michael Rose, arrives.
Territory: NSW
There is no indication that Rose, who left the country after three years, acted as a minister at Bridge Street, though the Minutes do show that he performed the duties of a collector. He also appears in the official Bridge Street Birth Register as a mohel.
Jewish services are initiated in Melbourne for the High Holy days.
Territory: VIC
The foundation stone for the first purpose built synagogue in Australia on York Street Sydney laid.
Territory: NSW
Synagogue in use 1844-1877
George Moss publishes a Sydney edition of the London Voice of Jacob. Australia’s first Jewish Newsletter.
Territory: NSW
Short-lived.
Hobart synagogue is consecrated.
Territory: TAS
Constructed on land donated by Judah Solomon. Foundation stone laid 1843. Now the oldest synagogue in the country and is still in use
The first congregation forms in South Australia for High Holy days observance.
Territory: SA
At the Adelaide home of Burnett Nathan
Launceston Synagogue consecrated
Territory: Tas
Second oldest synagogue in Australia
The first synagogue in Melbourne is constructed on Bourke Street.
Territory: VIC
Victorian Jewish population increases from 200 in 1848 to 3000 1861.
Lionel Samson is elected to Western Australia’s Legislative Chamber, becoming the first Jew to be elected to an Australian Parliament.
Territory: WA
Over 50 Jewish MPs served during the colonial period. 1849-1900
Australia’s first Jewish Day Schools open in Sydney and Melbourne with support from respective colonial governments.
Territory: Australia
When government funding ended, both schools disband: in Melbourne in 1872 and Sydney in 1880.
Adelaide’s first Synagogue completed on the corner of Rundle Street and Synagogue Place.
Territory: SA
Eureka Stockade, Ballarat stormed by troops.
Territory: VIC
Teddy Thonen, a German Jew was the first of 24 miners killed defending the stockade. Earlier Manastra Flatow, another German Jew, was one of those arrested in connection with the burning of the Eureka Hotel.
Magistrate, merchant and pastoralist, Saul Samuel is the first Jew to be a minister of the Crown
Territory: NSW
Serves numerous terms as NSW Treasurer and Post Master-General.
Macquarie Street Synagogue is established in Sydney
Territory: NSW
Formed by a split from the York Street synagogue. The split lasted almost 20 years, until the two congregations reunited to establish Sydney’s Great Synagogue in 1878.
Rev A B Davis appointed Minister York Street Synagogue in Sydney
Territory: NSW
Accidental death of Isaac Nathan “the Father of Australian Music” in Sydney
Territory: NSW
1790-1864.
Australia’s first tram fatality
Australian Israelite published by Solomon Joseph in Melbourne
Territory: VIC
First Australian Beth Din is established.
Territory: VIC
Headed by Rabbi Herman of Ballarat.
The Great Synagogue on Elizabeth St. Sydney is consecrated.
Territory: NSW
Margaret Street Synagogue in Brisbane opens.
Territory: QLD
Foundation stone laid 7 July 1885
Jewish community formed in Freemantle WA
Territory: WA
Sir Moses Montefiore Home opens in Dowling St. Sydney.
Territory: NSW
Perth Hebrew Congregation is established.
Territory: WA
The Australian Jewish News is first published in Sydney under the name, the Hebrew Standard.
Territory: NSW
Editor Alfred Harris
Vaiben Louis Solomon serves as the Premier of South Australia for one week (1.12.1899-8.12.1899).
Territory: SA
He is the first and only Jewish head of an Australian executive government.
Federation of Australia. Among the first Members of Federal Parliament are four Jews , in the House of Representatives.
Territory: Australia
Isaac Isaacs, Vaiben Louis Solomon, Elias Solomon and Pharez Phillips,
WWI commences when the Austro-Hungarian Empire declares war on Serbia.
Territory: World
13 per cent of the Jewish community enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces, compared to 9.2 per cent of the general population.
Colonel John Monash leads Australian troops of the 4th Infantry Brigade at Gallipoli.
Territory: Australia
57 Jewish ANZACS were killed in action at Gallipoli.
Leonard Keysor AIF First Battalion at Gallipoli awarded VC
Territory: Australia
For the ‘most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty’ at Battle of Lone Pine
General Sir John Monash becomes Commander in Chief of the AIF.
Territory: Australia
Leads the Australian Corps through the victorious battles of the closing stages of the war.
The Council of Jewish Women (CJW) is founded in Sydney by Dr Fanny Reading.
Territory: NSW
Later became the NSW branch of the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia, NCJWA.
Sir John Monash opens the Maccabean Hall.
Territory: NSW
Now the Sydney Jewish Museum.
Zionist Federation of Australia is established.
Territory: Australia
Federal roof body of all Zionist organisations and activity in Australia,
Founders include Sir John Monash and Rabbi I. Brodie.
The Liberal (Reform Judaism) movement begins in Australia with the establishment of Temple Beth Israel in Melbourne.
Territory: VIC
Sir Isaac Isaacs sworn in as the first Australian born and first Jewish Governor General.
Territory: Australia
Kimberley Scheme to settle Jewish refugees in WA is established by Freeland League
Territory: Australia
Does not eventuate.
In May 1939, the Freeland League for Jewish Territorial Colonists dispatched Isaac Steinberg (1888-1957) to investigate the feasibility of purchasing 7 million acres in far Northwestern Australia on which to settle 75,000 Jewish refugees. Known as the Kimberely Scheme, this proposal did not proceed, as Prime Minister John Curtin advised in July 1944 that the Australian Constitution did not permit group settlement on this scale.
Australian Jewish Historical Society founded in Sydney
Territory: NSW
Founded by Rabbi Leib Falk, Sydney Glass, Hirsch Munz and Percy Marks. Initially focused on the publication of a journal.
Rabbi Sanger of Melbourne’s Temple Beth Israel conducts first Liberal service in Sydney.
Territory: NSW
Aids the establishment of Temple Emanuel (now Emanuel Synagogue)
Australian government allots 15,000 visa’s for “victims of oppression”. 5,000 annually for three years
Territory: Australia
7000-9000 Jews able to take up the visas before the outbreak of World World II stopped the program.
Australian Aborigines League delegation attempts to present a resolution ‘condemning the persecution of Jews and Christians in Germany’ to the German Consul-General in Melbourne.
Territory: Vic
Led by William Cooper
Hakoah (Soccer) Club is established in Sydney.
Territory: NSW
The club went on to be 4-time National Soccer League champions.
The invasion of Poland by German forces marks the outbreak of WWII.
Territory: World
Last of 8,586 Jewish refugees enter Australia under Australian Jewish Welfare Society (AJWS) sponsorship 1938-40.
Territory: Australia
HMT Dunera arrives in Sydney carrying Jewish refugees from Axis countries.
Territory: NSW
568 Refugees incarcerated as enemy aliens in camp at Hay.
Sydney’s first Jewish Kindergarten and the fore-runner to Moriah College, North Bondi Hebrew School and Kindergarten, opens.
Territory: NSW
Forerunner of Moriah College.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) established.
Territory: Australia
First president: Alex Masel 1945-1946
Second President: Saul Symonds 1946-1948
United Nations General Assembly votes in favour of partition of Palestine
Australian Dr H.V. Evatt was Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Palestine which proposed the partition of Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states (with Jerusalem becoming an international enclave). On 29 November 1947, the United Nations General Assembly voted in favour of partition.
Inaugural meeting of the ACT Jewish Community.
Territory: Australia
Dr Ronald Mendelsohn elected first president.
Moriah College is established in Bellevue Hill, Sydney.
Territory: NSW
Samuel Herbert Cohen is the first Jew elected to the Australian Senate.
Territory: Australia
The first Jewish community centre in the Australian Capital Territory, the ACT Jewish Memorial Centre is consecrated.
Territory: ACT
Features the sharing of facilities for both orthodox and liberal services.
Opening of National Jewish Memorial Centre
Canberra, by Prime Minister The Rt, Hon. William McMahon, MP.
Zelman Cowen is appointed as second Australian Jewish Governor-General.
Territory: Australia
Held office 8/12/1977-29/7/1982
The Jewish Museum of Australia opens in Melbourne.
Territory: VIC
Established in 1977 by volunteers led by Rabbi Ronald Lubofsky AM (1928-2000).
Museum opened temporary premises in the disused classrooms of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, South Yarra in 1982, under the patronage of Sir Zelman Cowen (1919-2011),.
In 1992 the Jewish Museum of Australia purchased a building in Alma Road, St Kilda
On 20 August 1995, Governor General, Bill Hayden, officially opened the Jewish Museum of Australia, Gandel Centre of Judaica.
In Sydney, the Hakoah Club and the Israeli consulate are bombed.
Territory: NSW
First instance of international Islamic terrorism in Australia.
The 40th International Conference of Holocaust Survivors and Descendants is held in Sydney.
Territory: NSW
Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) established
Territory: Vic
The successor to the Melbourne Jewish Advisory Board (est. 1921), the Victorian Jewish Advisory Board (est. 1938) and the Victorian Jewish Board of Deputies (est. 1948).
Melbourne Jewish Advisory Board (MJAB) membership was drawn from the three major synagogue congregations.
In 1936, MJAB formulated a new constitution which allowed input from the secularists and renamed the Victorian Jewish Advisory Board (VJAB).
The Sydney Jewish Museum opens in Darlinghurst.
Territory: NSW
Gordon Samuels is appointed Governor of NSW.
Territory: NSW
Jim Spigelman is appointed Chief Justice of NSW.
Territory: NSW
25/5/1988 – 31/5/2011
Linda Dessau is appointed as Governor of Victoria.
Territory: VIC
Also first female Governor of Victoria
Arts
Barnett Levey officially opens Theatre Royal.
Territory: NSW
Australia’s oldest theatrical institution. Burnt down in 1840.
Arrival of George Barron Goodman, first professional photographer in Sydney
Territory: NSW
The premiere of ‘Don John of Austria’ by Isaac Nathan. The first Opera to be written, composed and produced in Australia.
Territory: Australia
Accidental death of Isaac Nathan “the Father of Australian Music” in Sydney
Territory: NSW
1790-1864.
Australia’s first tram fatality
Eliezer Montefiore, a founding trustee and president of the trustees, is appointed the first director of The Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Territory: NSW
Judah Waten publishes Alien Son
Territory:
The collection of fictionalised autobiographical sketches of immigrant childhood in Australia.
Iconic photographer, Helmut Newton, holds his first exhibition with Wolfgang Sievers at the Federal Hotel in Collins Street, Melbourne
Territory: World/VIC
Ultimately launching him to worldwide acclaim.
Great comic Roy Rene (Mo McCacky) dies in Sydney aged 63
Territory: Australia
Real name Harry Van Der Sluice. Born Adelaide 1891
Judy Cassab wins the first of two Archbald prizes
Territory: Australia
Born Vienna 1920. Won for portait of Stanislaus Rapotec. In 1967 was first woman to win the prize for a second time, for her portrait of Margo Lewers.
Barry Kosky, born in Melbourne. Internationally renowned opera and theatre director.
Territory: Australia
Currently artistic director of the Komische Oper Berlin.
Moral Philospher, Peter Singer publishes his world renowned essay ‘Famine, Affluence and Morality’.
Territory: Australia
Establishment of Ethnic Radio in Australia
Territory: Australia
Following recommendation of Minister for Immigration, Al Grassby, Radio 2EA in Sydney and Radio 3EA in Melbourne commence broadcasting to the Jewish community languages in Hebrew, Yiddish and English.
First Jewish float in Sydney’s Gay Mardi Gras
Territory: NSW
Political historian and commentator, Robert Manne, is voted Australia’s leading intellectual in an SMH survey.
Territory: Australia
Emeritus professor of politics at La Trobe University. Recent books include On Borrowed Time, Making Trouble
First Sydney Jewish Writers’ Festival staged.
Territory: NSW
Features authors from around the world who are Jewish or whose books are of Jewish interest
Emile Sherman wins Oscar for “The Kings Speech”
Territory: World
Producer of Academy Award Winner for Best Picture for The King’s Speech (2010)
Business
The “Jewboy” bushranger Edward Davis active in Hunter Valley.
Territory: NSW
Sidney Myer opens his first store in Bendigo from which grew the eponymous national retail institution.
Territory: VIC
The Myer Emporium opened in Bourke Street, Melbourne, in July 1914.
Helena Rubinstein migrates from Poland to Coleraine Victoria
Territory: Australia
Naum (Norman) Smorgon establishes a kosher butcher’s shop in Carlton, Melbourne,
Territory: Vic
In association with Moses, Abram and some cousins.
The business expanded rapidly and Norman’s younger son Victor developed a wholesaling arm. Norman, and his sons Eric and Victor turned to meat canning and exporting. In 1944 they built large meatworks at Brooklyn.
Harry Lea (Levy) opens the first Darrell Lea shop opens in Sydney’s Haymarket
Territory: Australia
Fay and Sam Gandel open the first Sussan store on Little Collins Street in Melbourne
Territory: Vic
Started by selling hosiery and lingerie. Daughter Eva and husband Marc Besen with brother-in-law John Gandel acquired the business in the 1950’s. It was the genesis of the Sussan retail fashion empire.
Louis Klein founds Anthony Squires suits
Territory: NSW
Founder and later president of the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce which fosters Australian trade with Israel.
In 1967, helped to establish the Joint (later Jewish) Communal Appeal to raise funds for organizations in Sydney. President of the United Israel Appeal (a major fund-raising organization for Israel).
In October 1972 was elected president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
Bought the Australian Jewish Times in 1968. and bought out the Sydney Jewish News in 1973.
Frank Lowy and John Saunders open first Westfield Place in Blacktown
Territory: Australia
Shopping malls world-wide
Harry Triguboff develops his second block of units in Meriton Street Gladesville
Asher Joel knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for arranging tours of Australia
Territory: Australia
Also Knight of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1974. Also knighted by the Pope
Peter Abeles and Rupert Murdoch take over Ansett Airlines
Abeles founded Alltrans, a trucking company which merged with Thomas National Transport (TNT). By the mid-1980s TNT became the second biggest transport empire in the world, operating by road, rail, sea and air.
Abeles and Murdoch jointly controlled Ansett Transport Industries one of the two big airlines in Australia as Ansett’s joint managing directors until 1992.
James Wolfensohn becomes President of The World Bank in New York
Territory: World
Nominated by U.S. President Bill Clinton, Wolfensohn was only the third World Bank President to complete two terms, stepping down June 1st 2005.
Community
Joseph Levy, the first Jew to die in NSW
Territory: NSW
The first Jewish communal organization in Australia, the Chevra Kaddisha (Burial Society), is formed in Sydney.
Territory: NSW
Hebrew Philanthropic and Orphan Society established
Territory: NSW
Now incorporated with the Sir Moses Montefiore Jewish Home
First Australian Beth Din is established.
Territory: VIC
Headed by Rabbi Herman of Ballarat.
Sir Moses Montefiore Home opens in Dowling St. Sydney.
Territory: NSW
Chovevei Zion (Lovers’ of Zion Society) active in Sydney
Territory: NSW
3 years before the first Zionist Conference in Basle, Switzerland.
Aaron Blashki establishes the Jewish Aid Society to provide interest-free loans to poor Jews.
Territory: NSW
The first Australian Zionist movement is formed in Perth
Territory: World
Kadimah established in Melbourne by Eastern European Jews
Territory: VIC
Zionist and Yiddish activities.
The Council of Jewish Women (CJW) is founded in Sydney by Dr Fanny Reading.
Territory: NSW
Later became the NSW branch of the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia, NCJWA.
Sir John Monash opens the Maccabean Hall.
Territory: NSW
Now the Sydney Jewish Museum.
Zionist Federation of Australia is established.
Territory: Australia
Federal roof body of all Zionist organisations and activity in Australia,
Founders include Sir John Monash and Rabbi I. Brodie.
Australian Jewish Historical Society founded in Sydney
Territory: NSW
Founded by Rabbi Leib Falk, Sydney Glass, Hirsch Munz and Percy Marks. Initially focused on the publication of a journal.
Founding of NSW Jewish Board of Deputies
Territory: NSW
Forerunner was the NSW Jewish Advisory Board founded in 1932 and comprising representatives of synagogues only
B’nai B’rith Sydney Lodge is inaugurated.
Territory: NSW
The Sydney Lodge was started by German and Austrian refugees and immigrants fleeing from Europe and the Holocaust. They were trying to normalise and re-establish their lives in their new country, Australia.
Melbourne Lodge inaugurated in 1945.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) established.
Territory: Australia
First president: Alex Masel 1945-1946
Second President: Saul Symonds 1946-1948
Young Men’s Hebrew Association opens hospital in Point Piper
Territory: NSW
Sydney Jewish doctors, the Young Men’s Hebrew Association (MYHA) and the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) opened a hospital in Wentworth Street, Point Piper. The doctors included Dr. Fanny Reading (NCJW), Dr. Joseph Steigrad,Dr. H. Landecker, Dr. A. Owen and Dr. A. Reading. Mr Sam Karpin was President of the YMHA.
The hospital ceased functioning in 1954
Louis Klein founds Anthony Squires suits
Territory: NSW
Founder and later president of the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce which fosters Australian trade with Israel.
In 1967, helped to establish the Joint (later Jewish) Communal Appeal to raise funds for organizations in Sydney. President of the United Israel Appeal (a major fund-raising organization for Israel).
In October 1972 was elected president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
Bought the Australian Jewish Times in 1968. and bought out the Sydney Jewish News in 1973.
Inaugural meeting of the ACT Jewish Community.
Territory: Australia
Dr Ronald Mendelsohn elected first president.
Wolper Convalescent Home opens in Woollahra
Territory: NSW
In April 1949, Gertie Stone bequeathed her house in Coogee in memory of her first husband Aaron Wolper to the National Council of Jewish Women to be used as a convalescence home or hospital for Jewish people. That property was unsuitable for a convalescence home and was sold to help procure the current site in Trelawney Street.
Jewish Communal Appeal (JCA) established
Territory: NSW
Hal Goldstein was one of the founders of the JCA and its president for more than 20 years.
Shalom College established at University of New South Wales
Territory: NSW
Shalom College originally a Jewish residential college at the University of New South Wales. Today, the Shalom Institute offers of Jewish adult education, communal and leadership development and student and young adult activities.
Establishment of Ethnic Radio in Australia
Territory: Australia
Following recommendation of Minister for Immigration, Al Grassby, Radio 2EA in Sydney and Radio 3EA in Melbourne commence broadcasting to the Jewish community languages in Hebrew, Yiddish and English.
The Jewish Museum of Australia opens in Melbourne.
Territory: VIC
Established in 1977 by volunteers led by Rabbi Ronald Lubofsky AM (1928-2000).
Museum opened temporary premises in the disused classrooms of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, South Yarra in 1982, under the patronage of Sir Zelman Cowen (1919-2011),.
In 1992 the Jewish Museum of Australia purchased a building in Alma Road, St Kilda
On 20 August 1995, Governor General, Bill Hayden, officially opened the Jewish Museum of Australia, Gandel Centre of Judaica.
Opening of Jewish Holocaust Museum and Research Centre, Melbourne
Territory: VIC
The Jewish Holocaust Centre was incorporated in November 2000, with a Board of Management, representing: B’nai Brith Anti-Defamation League, Descendants of the Shoah Inc, Friends of the Holocaust Centre, Kadimah Yiddish Cultural Centre, Katzetlers Verband
The 40th International Conference of Holocaust Survivors and Descendants is held in Sydney.
Territory: NSW
Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) established
Territory: Vic
The successor to the Melbourne Jewish Advisory Board (est. 1921), the Victorian Jewish Advisory Board (est. 1938) and the Victorian Jewish Board of Deputies (est. 1948).
Melbourne Jewish Advisory Board (MJAB) membership was drawn from the three major synagogue congregations.
In 1936, MJAB formulated a new constitution which allowed input from the secularists and renamed the Victorian Jewish Advisory Board (VJAB).
Jewish Secular Humanistic Community (NSW) Inc
Territory: NSW
Ian Bersten president. Similar entity in Melbourne (Julie Ruth)
Robyn Lenn becomes President of the International Council of Jewish Women.
Territory: Australia
Discrimination
Full civic equality is extended to the Jewish populations of western and central Europe
Territory: World
German agitator Wilhelm Marr coins the term ‘antisemitism’
Territory: World
Nicholas II, succeeds his father to the Russian throne and instigates pogroms against Russia’s Jews
Territory: World
Dreyfuss Trial – Verdict handed down
Territory: World
Captain Alfred Dreyfuss, a French Jew, was the target for much anti-semitic prejudice. Discussion of his guilt or innocence was carried on in Australia
Kishinev pogrom.
Territory: NSW
Protest (at the Czarist policies that promoted this pogram) meeting held at Sydney Town Hall by concerned citizens of all faiths. Speakers included Abraham Pearlman, storekeeeper in Boggabri (NSW), born in Kishinev.
Formation of several fascist organizations in Australia including the New Guard, the Douglas Social Credit party (forerunner of League of Rights), the Australia First party
Territory: Australia
1931-36
The Nazi party of Australia is established
Territory: Australia
The Nuremberg Laws come into force in Nazi Germany
Territory: World
Kristallnacht in Germany
Territory: World
Australian Aborigines League delegation attempts to present a resolution ‘condemning the persecution of Jews and Christians in Germany’ to the German Consul-General in Melbourne.
Territory: Vic
Led by William Cooper
Increased antisemitism in the USSR
Territory: World
1960-69
Charles Perkins and Jim Spigelman lead the Freedom Bus Ride tours NSW to promote Aboriginal rights.
Territory: NSW
In Sydney, the Hakoah Club and the Israeli consulate are bombed.
Territory: NSW
First instance of international Islamic terrorism in Australia.
Antisemitic attacks increase in Australia
Territory: Australia
Five synagogues attacked by arson in Sydney during the Gulf War
Education
Australia’s first Jewish Day Schools open in Sydney and Melbourne with support from respective colonial governments.
Territory: Australia
When government funding ended, both schools disband: in Melbourne in 1872 and Sydney in 1880.
Certified Denominational School – First Jewish Day School in NSW
Territory: NSW
Operated till 1882 when Government aid for denominational schools stopped.
Bialik College opens in North Carlton.
Territory: VIC
Originally a Sunday school and kindergarten. Now in East Hawthorn
Sydney’s first Jewish Kindergarten and the fore-runner to Moriah College, North Bondi Hebrew School and Kindergarten, opens.
Territory: NSW
Forerunner of Moriah College.
Sholem Aleichem College begins as a Sunday school
Territory: VIC
Becomes a primary school in 1975.
The first Jewish School in Victoria, Mt Scopus War Memorial College, opens.
Territory: VIC
Established in St. Kilda Road with 143 students.
Yeshiva Beth Rivkah Colleges open in East St. Kilda.
Territory: VIC
Moriah College is established in Bellevue Hill, Sydney.
Territory: NSW
Carmel School opens in Menora.
Territory: WA
Leibler Yavneh College opens in Caulfield North.
Territory: VIC
Masada College opens in Lindfield.
Territory: NSW
High School opened 1982
Shalom College established at University of New South Wales
Territory: NSW
Shalom College originally a Jewish residential college at the University of New South Wales. Today, the Shalom Institute offers of Jewish adult education, communal and leadership development and student and young adult activities.
Australia’s first Progressive Jewish day school, King David School, opens in Armadale.
Territory: VIC
Mount Sinai College opens in Maroubra.
Territory: NSW
The Emanuel School opens
Territory: NSW
Moved to Randwick in 1985
Sinai College, the first Jewish primary school in Brisbane, opened with 14 students.
Territory: QLD
Increased to 53 during 1991
The first Jewish primary school in Brisbane, Sinai College, opens in Burbank.
Territory: QLD
Increased to 53 during 1991
Kesser Torah College opens in Dover Heights.
Territory: NSW
Yiddish accepted as Victorian Certificate of [High School] Education subject.
Territory: VIC
David Gonski issues his committee’s final report ‘Review of Funding for Schooling’
Territory: Australia
Government Law
John Harris, first policeman in colony of NSW
Territory: NSW
Proposed to Judge-Advocate David Collins to establish a night watch, ‘to be selected among the convicts for the purpose to stem the frequent commission of offences in the settlement’.
Governor Bligh deposed by Lt. Col. George Johnson
Territory: NSW
Johnson’s common-law wife was Esther Abrahams of the First Fleet who was Jewish.
Lionel Samson is elected to Western Australia’s Legislative Chamber, becoming the first Jew to be elected to an Australian Parliament.
Territory: WA
Over 50 Jewish MPs served during the colonial period. 1849-1900
Eureka Stockade, Ballarat stormed by troops.
Territory: VIC
Teddy Thonen, a German Jew was the first of 24 miners killed defending the stockade. Earlier Manastra Flatow, another German Jew, was one of those arrested in connection with the burning of the Eureka Hotel.
Lord Rothschild becomes the first Jew elected to British Parliament
Territory: World
Magistrate, merchant and pastoralist, Saul Samuel is the first Jew to be a minister of the Crown
Territory: NSW
Serves numerous terms as NSW Treasurer and Post Master-General.
Julian Salamons appointed Chief Justice of New South Wales.
Territory: NSW
Declined to be sworn in “because of the hostility of the then current members of the bench”
Vaiben Louis Solomon serves as the Premier of South Australia for one week (1.12.1899-8.12.1899).
Territory: SA
He is the first and only Jewish head of an Australian executive government.
Federation of Australia. Among the first Members of Federal Parliament are four Jews , in the House of Representatives.
Territory: Australia
Isaac Isaacs, Vaiben Louis Solomon, Elias Solomon and Pharez Phillips,
Suffrage is extended to women in all Australian states
Territory: Australia
Isaac Isaacs appointed Commonwealth Attorney General
Territory: Australia
Legislative Assembly had to close on Yom Kippur because both Speaker John Jacob Cohen and Deputy Speaker Daniel Levy were Jewish.
Territory: NSW
Jews in New South Wales constitute only 0.4% of the population.
British official, Sir Mathew Nathan, serves as Governor of Queensland.
Territory: QLD
1920-25. Earlier Governor of Gold Coast, Hong Kong & Natal, Chairman of the British G.P.O. and Chairman of the Inland Revenue.
Sir Isaac Isaacs sworn in as the first Australian born and first Jewish Governor General.
Territory: Australia
Israeli Consulate-general established in Sydney.
Territory: NSW
This was “the first diplomatic mission of Israel for 2000 years”.
New Zealand recognizes the State of Israel.
Territory: Israel
Sydney Einfeld is elected president of the Australian Jewish Welfare and Relief Societies.
Territory: NSW
1961 Federal Member for Phillip. 1965 State member for Bondi. Was responsible for establishing Australia’s consumer laws.
Credited with changing Australia’s immigration policy to provide a refuge for Holocaust survivors. Australia accepted more refugees per capita than any other country in the world, and more Jewish refugees than anywhere except Israel.
Israeli Embassy in Canberra erected.
Territory: Australia
Samuel Herbert Cohen is the first Jew elected to the Australian Senate.
Territory: Australia
The Australian Labor party wins government in Australia under Gough Whitlam.
Territory: Australia
The Whitlam government introduces multiculturalism as official policy, bringing to an end the White Australia policy
Gough Whitlam is dismissed as Prime Minister of Australia by Governor General John Kerr
Territory: Australia
Zelman Cowen proposes political solution in public letter. Kerr’s secretary, David Smith, prorogues parliament on steps of (old) Parliament House.
Leo Weiser Port becomes Lord Mayor of Sydney.
Territory: NSW
Served from 1975-78. Original name was Rapoport.
Zelman Cowen is appointed as second Australian Jewish Governor-General.
Territory: Australia
Held office 8/12/1977-29/7/1982
Barry Cohen appointed Minister for Home Affairs and the Environment from 1983.
Territory:
Minister for arts, heritage and the environment until 1987.
High Court Mabo decision, established concept of native title.
Territory: Australia
Claimant Eddie Mabo, a Murray Islander; represented by Ron Castan QC.
Mahla Pearlman appointed as Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court.
Territory: NSW
Served from 1992-2003. The first woman to become chief judge of any jurisdiction within the state of NSW.
Henry Ninio becomes Lord Mayor of Adelaide
Territory:
Gordon Samuels is appointed Governor of NSW.
Territory: NSW
Jim Spigelman is appointed Chief Justice of NSW.
Territory: NSW
25/5/1988 – 31/5/2011
David Bennett serves as Solicitor-General of Australia from 1998 to 2008.
Territory: Australia
Linda Dessau is appointed as Governor of Victoria.
Territory: VIC
Also first female Governor of Victoria
Josh Frydenberg appointed first Jewish Federal Treasurer
Territory: Australia
also deputy leader Liberal Party
Immigration
The First Fleet arrives at Sydney Cove. Of the 751 convicts transported to the fledgling NSW colony, at least 8 were Jews.
Territory: NSW
Over a thousand people of Jewish descent estimated to have been sent to Australia as convicts during the next 60 years.
Jewish immigrants arrive in Ballarat and Bendigo with Gold Rush.
Territory: VIC
Eastern European immigration to Australia after pogroms.
Territory: Australia
Anti Jewish laws are revived in Russia. Sparked by false official statements blaming Russia’s Jews for the assassination of Czar Alexander II
Territory: World
Pogroms generate a mass Jewish migration from across eastern Europe: USA 2,000,000 plus; Canada 120,000; England 220,000; Australia 2-3,000 between 1881 and 1914
Second Aliyah to Palestine consisting mainly of socialist Zionists from eastern Europe.
Territory: Israel
They begin the kibbutz movement and the revival of Hebrew as a modern language. 1903-1914
Kimberley Scheme to settle Jewish refugees in WA is established by Freeland League
Territory: Australia
Does not eventuate.
In May 1939, the Freeland League for Jewish Territorial Colonists dispatched Isaac Steinberg (1888-1957) to investigate the feasibility of purchasing 7 million acres in far Northwestern Australia on which to settle 75,000 Jewish refugees. Known as the Kimberely Scheme, this proposal did not proceed, as Prime Minister John Curtin advised in July 1944 that the Australian Constitution did not permit group settlement on this scale.
Evian Conference on Jewish Refugees.
Territory: Australia
Australian representative, White says Australia would not undertake “any scheme of large-scale foreign migration”. Sydney Morning Herald editorial condemns White’s speech.
Australian government allots 15,000 visa’s for “victims of oppression”. 5,000 annually for three years
Territory: Australia
7000-9000 Jews able to take up the visas before the outbreak of World World II stopped the program.
7000-9000 Jews gain Australian entry visas under the federal government’s “Victims of Oppression” allotment before the program is ended prior to the outbreak of WWII.
Territory: Australia
Isaac Steinberg of the Freeland League visits Australia.
Territory: WA
Proposal for settling Jewish refugees in the Kimberley region of Western Australia is a public issue.
Last of 8,586 Jewish refugees enter Australia under Australian Jewish Welfare Society (AJWS) sponsorship 1938-40.
Territory: Australia
HMT Dunera arrives in Sydney carrying Jewish refugees from Axis countries.
Territory: NSW
568 Refugees incarcerated as enemy aliens in camp at Hay.
MV Struma crammed with 750 Jewish refugees refused landing in Palestine, was towed into the Black Sea where it sank, with just one survivor (David Stoliar).
Territory: Israel
A critical event in Australian Jewish history as British apologists, notably Sir Isaac Isaacs, lost all community credibility.
The Australian Labor government establishes a sub-committee on immigration.
Territory: Australia
Recommends that after the war Australia should foster immigration from Britain and the European continent
The Australian Department of Immigration is established
Territory: World
Arthur Calwell, the ‘architect of post war Australia’ as first Minister for Immigration
Arthur Calwell becomes Minister for Immigration in the Chifley government.
Territory: Australia
Radical changes are implemented in immigration policy to allow for massive post war migration to Australia. Continues under the Menzies governments.
17,768 Jewish refugees enter Australia under auspices of the Australian Jewish Welfare Society (AJWS).
Territory: Australia
1945-1954
Jewish migrants are excluded from all Australian government sponsored programs. 1947-52
Territory: Australia
Jewish migration depends entirely on private and communal sponsorship and support.
17,000 Jewish refugees settle in Australia between 1947-54 sponsored by Australian Jewish Welfare society and individual sponsorship.
Operation Magic Carpet brings Yemenite Jewry to Israel
Territory: Israel
Judah Waten publishes Alien Son
Territory:
The collection of fictionalised autobiographical sketches of immigrant childhood in Australia.
Riots Sharpeville, South Africa.
Territory: World
Stimulated Jewish immigration to Australia.
Estimated total of 35-40,000 Jewish immigrants who had been victims of Hitler arrived 1933-1963.
Territory: VIC
Melbourne becomes the Diaspora community with the highest percentage of Holocaust survivors.
Beginnings of emigration from the Soviet Union
Territory: World
1970–79
Leningrad hijack leads to a more open campaign to allow Soviet Jewry to emigrate
Territory: World
Soviet Jewish immigration to Australia peaks.
Territory: Australia
Estimated over 7000
Re-imposition of restrictions on Jewish emigration from the Soviet Union
Territory: World
‘Let My People Go’ campaigns for emigration of Jewish ‘Refusniks’ from the USSR
Territory: World
1981-87
Operation Moses brings first wave of Ethiopian Jewry to Israel
Territory: Israel
Mass Jewish migration from the former USSR following the collapse of Communism
Territory: World
1990-96
Judaism
The first Jewish services conducted in private homes by emancipist Joseph Marcus
Territory: NSW
One of the few convicts with Jewish knowledge
Merchant Phillip J Cohen arrives in Australia. Convenes regular religious services at his Sydney home
Territory: NSW
Cohen is authorized by the British Chief Rabbi Solomon Hirschel to perform Jewish marriages. Cohen superintended the formal establishment of the Sydney Hebrew Congregation in 1832.
The first organised services in Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) are convened.
Territory: TAS
Reverend Aaron Levi arrives in Sydney.
Territory: NSW
Sefer Torah purchased by subscription. Services become more regular.
The earliest Jewish marriage, of John and Rebecca Moses, is officiated by P J Cohen.
Territory: NSW
The marriage of Moses Joseph and Rebecca Nathan in 1832 has commonly been taken to be the first Jewish marriage in the colony. However this Katubah still exists. As the organised Jewish congregation was only constituted in 1832, this earlier marriage may have preceded official records. .
The first formal congregation is formed in Sydney.
Territory: NSW
Services held in rooms above John Rowell’s pharmacy in George Street.
The first Jewish Cemetery in Sydney established at Sandhills Cemetery in Surry Hills.
Territory: NSW
It was resumed in 1901 for Central Railway Station.
Joseph Barrow Montefiore -elected president of first Jewish congregation in NSW.
Territory: World
Cousin of Sir Moses Montefiore
Bridge Street Synagogue in Sydney is consecrated
Territory: NSW
First synagogue in Australia was opened in rented premises
First Jewish marriage in the colony by P J Cohen of Moses Joseph and Rosetta Nathan
Territory: NSW
Jewish convicts were also married prior, but such marriages had been performed by the Anglican ministers, hence historians do not accept these as Jewish weddings.
The first minister in Sydney, Rev. Michael Rose, arrives.
Territory: NSW
There is no indication that Rose, who left the country after three years, acted as a minister at Bridge Street, though the Minutes do show that he performed the duties of a collector. He also appears in the official Bridge Street Birth Register as a mohel.
Jewish services are initiated in Melbourne for the High Holy days.
Territory: VIC
The foundation stone for the first purpose built synagogue in Australia on York Street Sydney laid.
Territory: NSW
Synagogue in use 1844-1877
Hobart synagogue is consecrated.
Territory: TAS
Constructed on land donated by Judah Solomon. Foundation stone laid 1843. Now the oldest synagogue in the country and is still in use
The first congregation forms in South Australia for High Holy days observance.
Territory: SA
At the Adelaide home of Burnett Nathan
Launceston Synagogue consecrated
Territory: Tas
Second oldest synagogue in Australia
The first of just three dedicated Jewish cemeteries in NSW is opened in Maitland.
Territory: NSW
The others were Goulburn (1848) and Raphael’s Ground (1867).
The first synagogue in Melbourne is constructed on Bourke Street.
Territory: VIC
Victorian Jewish population increases from 200 in 1848 to 3000 1861.
Adelaide’s first Synagogue completed on the corner of Rundle Street and Synagogue Place.
Territory: SA
Ballarat Jewish community founded.
Territory: VIC
Weekly Shabbat minyan took place at the Clarendon Hotel.
Original Ballarat Synagogue dedicated.
Territory: VIC
Wooden construction.
The East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation is founded.
Territory: VIC
After separating from the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation.
Queensland becomes an independent state
Territory: Qld
A number on Jewish families left Sydney for Brisbane where a synagogue was formed in 1886.
Macquarie Street Synagogue is established in Sydney
Territory: NSW
Formed by a split from the York Street synagogue. The split lasted almost 20 years, until the two congregations reunited to establish Sydney’s Great Synagogue in 1878.
The oldest mainland synagogue still in use, in Ballarat, is erected.
Territory: VIC
Cornerstone laid
Rev A B Davis appointed Minister York Street Synagogue in Sydney
Territory: NSW
Fifteen Jewish families form the first congregation in Brisbane.
Territory: QLD
They meet in rented auction rooms and a Masonic temple pending the consecration of its first synagogue in 1886.
New synagogue erected/dedicated in Albert Street for the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation
Territory: VIC
Now oldest in Melbourne and only synagogue in the CBD.
The Great Synagogue on Elizabeth St. Sydney is consecrated.
Territory: NSW
Maitland Synagogue established – the first country synagogue in NSW
Territory: NSW
Closed 1898
Newtown Shule (2nd oldest ongoing synagogue in NSW – 3rd in Australia after Hobart and Launceston)
Territory: NSW
Religious services at the home of Abram & Naomi Solomon
Jewish community formed in Brisbane
Territory: QLD
Margaret Street Synagogue in Brisbane opens.
Territory: QLD
Foundation stone laid 7 July 1885
Jewish community formed in Freemantle WA
Territory: WA
Perth Hebrew Congregation is established.
Territory: WA
Synagogue constructed at Coolgardie, on the Western Australian goldfields.
Territory: WA
Rabbi I Bramson lived in Sydney from around 1898 to 1902.
Territory: NSW
Was not affiliated to any particular congregation and performed a number of Chupahs.
Broken Hill Synagogue foundation stone laid
Territory: NSW
Closed 1962
Opening Bankstown Synagogue
Territory: NSW
Closed following arson attack in 1991.
Central Synagogue Sydney established in Paddington
Territory: NSW
Corner Dowling and Napier Streets Paddington. 150 members.
Relocated to corner Grosvenor and Grafton streets Bondi in 1921
Rabbi David Freedman of WA becomes the first Jewish Chaplain in WWI.
Territory: WA
Laying of the Foundation Stone of The Newtown Synagogue first Suburban Congregation in NSW.
Territory: NSW
Newtown Synagogue is consecrated.
Territory: NSW
Australia’s first suburban congregation
Opening Newcastle Hebrew Congregation (Bet Yisra’el)
Territory: NSW
The Liberal (Reform Judaism) movement begins in Australia with the establishment of Temple Beth Israel in Melbourne.
Territory: VIC
Opening Mizrachi Synagogue (Bondi)
Territory: NSW
The first Female Rabbi, Regina Jonas is ordained in Berlin
Territory: World
Later perishes in Auschwitz
Sir Isaac Isaacs lays foundation stone for Temple Beth Israel, St Kilda
Territory: VIC
First Liberal/Progressive Synagogue built in Australia.
Rabbi Sanger of Melbourne’s Temple Beth Israel conducts first Liberal service in Sydney.
Territory: NSW
Aids the establishment of Temple Emanuel (now Emanuel Synagogue)
The first Liberal synagogue in NSW, Temple Emanuel, is founded in Woollahra.
Territory: NSW
Now known as Emanuel Synagogue
Opening North Shore Synagogue
Territory: NSW
Northern Sydney Hebrew Congregation held services in the Warringah Hall, 43 Yeo Street, Neutral Bay.
Opening Adass Yisroel
Territory: NSW
Opening Illawarra Hebrew Congregation (Southern Sydney Synagogue )
Territory: NSW
Opening Kingsford/Maroubra Synagogue
Territory: NSW
North Shore Synagogue
Territory:
Opening Parramatta Syngagogue
Territory: NSW
The Australian Government officially recognizes the state of Israel – the first country to do so
Dr H.V. Evatt presides over the vote which admitted Israel to the UN.
Opening Strathfield Synagogue
Territory: NSW
Closed 2013
Opening South Head (South Head and District Synagogue)
Territory: NSW
Closed 2017. Now Kehillat Kadimah
Opening Manly Warringah Synagogue
Territory: NSW
No longer existing.
Opening Coogee Synagogue
Territory: NSW
Opening Roscoe St Synagogue
Territory: NSW
Now Nefesh
Opening Yeshivah
Territory: NSW
Opening Cremorne Synagogue
Territory: NSW
Opening Machzika Hatorah Congregation Inc
Territory: NSW
North Shore Temple Emanuel opens in Chatswood
Territory: NSW
In 1958, Classes and Liberal Shabbat services conducted in the Chatswood dispensary hall. Foundation stone laid in 1961 at 28 Chatswood Avenue.
Earliest Sephardi Synagogue in Australia was consecrated in Sydney
Territory: NSW
Opening Cyril Rosenbaum Synagogue- Sir Moses Montefiore Home
Territory: NSW
The first Jewish community centre in the Australian Capital Territory, the ACT Jewish Memorial Centre is consecrated.
Territory: ACT
Features the sharing of facilities for both orthodox and liberal services.
Opening Chabad Lubavitch House of Bondi Beach
Territory: NSW
Opening Kehillat Masada Synagogue
Territory: NSW
Opening Beit Menachem (Chabad House of the North Shore)
Territory: NSW
The Sydney Jewish Museum opens in Darlinghurst.
Territory: NSW
Opening Bet Yosef (The Caro Synagogue)
Territory: NSW
Rambam Sephardi Synagogue opens in East St Kilda
Territory: Vic
Opening Baba Sali Synagogue
Territory: NSW
Closed 2003
Opening Kehillat Moriah- The Hugo Lowy Synagogue
Territory: NSW
Opening Ohr Chadash
Territory: NSW
Opening Dover Heights Shule
Territory: NSW
Opening JCC Chabad Double Bay
Territory: NSW
Opening The Shtiebl- Chinuch Foundation
Territory: NSW
Opening Nefesh Synagogue – Bondi
Territory: NSW
Australia’s first Humanistic Jewish congregation, Kehilat Kolenu, is established in Melbourne.
Territory: Australia
Similar congregation established in Sydney, Ayelet HaShachar. Services are loosely based on the Humanistic Jewish movement in the United States and the musical-prayer group Nava Tehila in Israel.
Opening Kehillat Kadimah
Territory: NSW
Follows the winding up of South Head synagogue as a consequence of a dispute with the rabbi.
Media
George Moss publishes a Sydney edition of the London Voice of Jacob. Australia’s first Jewish Newsletter.
Territory: NSW
Short-lived.
Australian Israelite published by Solomon Joseph in Melbourne
Territory: VIC
First permanent Jewish newspaper the Jewish Herald established in Melbourne
Territory: VIC
The Australian Jewish News is first published in Sydney under the name, the Hebrew Standard.
Territory: NSW
Editor Alfred Harris
Louis Klein founds Anthony Squires suits
Territory: NSW
Founder and later president of the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce which fosters Australian trade with Israel.
In 1967, helped to establish the Joint (later Jewish) Communal Appeal to raise funds for organizations in Sydney. President of the United Israel Appeal (a major fund-raising organization for Israel).
In October 1972 was elected president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
Bought the Australian Jewish Times in 1968. and bought out the Sydney Jewish News in 1973.
Establishment of Ethnic Radio in Australia
Territory: Australia
Following recommendation of Minister for Immigration, Al Grassby, Radio 2EA in Sydney and Radio 3EA in Melbourne commence broadcasting to the Jewish community languages in Hebrew, Yiddish and English.
Military
Start of the American War of Independence.
Territory: World
Following the defeat of the British forces England lost the ability to ship its excess convicts to Georgia and Louisiana. Ultimately led to Lords Melbourne & Sydney looking at the newly chartered east coast of Van Diemen’s Land as an ideal destination to rid England of its excess convicts.
Eureka Stockade, Ballarat stormed by troops.
Territory: VIC
Teddy Thonen, a German Jew was the first of 24 miners killed defending the stockade. Earlier Manastra Flatow, another German Jew, was one of those arrested in connection with the burning of the Eureka Hotel.
WWI commences when the Austro-Hungarian Empire declares war on Serbia.
Territory: World
13 per cent of the Jewish community enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces, compared to 9.2 per cent of the general population.
Colonel John Monash leads Australian troops of the 4th Infantry Brigade at Gallipoli.
Territory: Australia
57 Jewish ANZACS were killed in action at Gallipoli.
Sir John Monash is charged with the withdrawal from Gallipoli
Territory: Australia
Is the only General to survive unscathed
Issy Smith (Ishroulch Shmeilowitz) of the 1st Manchester Regiment is awarded VC. Later Member for Melbourne in the Australian House of Representatives.
Territory: Australia
For bravery and gallantry in voluntarily rescued wounded men during the second batlle of Ypres.
Leonard Keysor AIF First Battalion at Gallipoli awarded VC
Territory: Australia
For the ‘most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty’ at Battle of Lone Pine
October revolution in Russia leads to communism and Civil War
Territory: World
1917-1920
Britain conquers Palestine under General Allenby, ending 400 years of Ottoman rule
Territory: Israel
Australian 4th & 12th Light Horse Brigade captures Beersheba in last cavalry charge prior to the capture of Jerusalem six weeks later
General Sir John Monash becomes Commander in Chief of the AIF.
Territory: Australia
Leads the Australian Corps through the victorious battles of the closing stages of the war.
The invasion of Poland by German forces marks the outbreak of WWII.
Territory: World
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The United States enters the war
Territory: World
WWII ends in Europe. Nazi Germany is defeated and its concentration camps are liberated.
Territory: World
Following the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, WWII officially ends with the announcement of Japan’s surrender.
Territory: World
Nuremberg Trials of Nazi War Criminals
Territory: World
20-Nov-1945 to 1-Oct-1946
Arrival of Nazi War Criminals in Australia as part of the IRO program
Territory: Australia
including Konrad Kalejs, who serves as immigration officer in Bonegilla from 1950 – 53
The Australian government refuses to extradite Ervin Viks for trial in Estonia as a war criminal
Territory: Australia
Six Day War.
Territory: World
Return of Old City of Jerusalem to Jewish hands
Yom Kippur War
Territory: World
Vietnam War ends
Territory: World
Lebanon War
Territory: World
Andrew Menzies’ report on war criminals in Australia is published
Territory: Australia
Rabbi Raymond Apple became senior Chaplain of the Australian Military Forces
Territory: Australia
Nominal rank of Brigadier
First Gulf War
Territory: World
1990-1991
Australian War Crimes trials take place in Adelaide.
Territory: Australia
The Special Investigations Unit closed in June 1992
Second Gulf War begins
Territory: World
Dedication of Australian Jewish War Memorial
Canberra, by Governor–General of Australia, Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC & Lady Cosgrove.
Science
First Nobel Prizes awarded
Territory: World
As of 2017, 201 out of 892 Nobel Prize winners were Jewish.
Albert Einstein develops special theory of relativity
Territory: World
Harry Seidler is the first Australian elected to the prestigious Académie d’architecture.
Territory: Australia
For contribution to international architecture.
Sigmund Freud develops his theories of psychoanalysis
Territory: World
Alan Finkel is appointed as Australia’s 8th Chief Scientist.
Territory: Australia
Former Chancellor of Monash University
Sports
Herbert ‘Bert’ Rapiport plays in the first season of the Victorian Football League.
Territory: Vic
Played three games for Fitzroy in 1897.
The first fore-runner to the annual interstate Jewish Sporting Carnivals – a cricket match between NSW and Victoria – is held.
Territory: Australia
Myer Rosenblum plays first of four Rugby Internationals for Wallabies
Territory: NSW
Son Rupert played three games for the Wallabies in 1969–1970.
Dr Jacob Jona, first Jew to be elected President of a VFL/AFL football club. (Hawthorn Football Club (1931-1949)
Territory: VIC
Other Jewish presidents of VFL Clubs in the 1930’s were Dr D. Berman of North Melbourne; Reuben Sackville of St Kilda, Ewart Joseph of Fitzroy.
Hakoah (Soccer) Club is established in Sydney.
Territory: NSW
The club went on to be 4-time National Soccer League champions.
Melbourne Olympics. Maurice Nathan, Chairman of the Olympic Civic Committee, key organiser.
Territory: VIC
Later became Lord Mayor of Melbourne
The Australian Judean Sports Council is established to coordinate Jewish sport nationally.
Territory: Australia
Later called the Australian Maccabi council, and today Maccabi Australia.
The Maccabiah bridge over the Yarkon River in Tel Aviv collapses.
Territory: Australia
4 Australian athletes killed and 60 injured
Jessica Fox wins the first of 7 World Championships in canoeing
Territory: Australia
Statistics
The Australian census records 17,287 Jews
Territory: Australia
The Australian census records 59,329 Jews
Territory: Australia
The Australian census records 97,331 Jews
Territory: Australia
World Events
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels publish the Communist Manifesto
Territory: World
WWI commences when the Austro-Hungarian Empire declares war on Serbia.
Territory: World
13 per cent of the Jewish community enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces, compared to 9.2 per cent of the general population.
Versailles Peace Treaty and formation of the League of Nations
Territory: World
Wall Street Crash.
Territory: Australia
Start Great Depression.
Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany
Territory: World
The Anchluss of Austria
Territory: World
After the Nazi occupation of Austria in 1938, many Austrian Jews fled Nazi persecution. During World War II people carrying Austrian passports and stateless people formerly from Austria faced restrictions and even internment. By 1942, 2,144 Austrian refugees had arrived in Australia. Of the 4,562 Austrian-born Victorians recorded in 2011, 4% were Jewish.
The invasion of Poland by German forces marks the outbreak of WWII.
Territory: World
The United Nations (UN) is formed.
Territory: World
United Nations General Assembly votes in favour of partition of Palestine
Australian Dr H.V. Evatt was Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Palestine which proposed the partition of Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states (with Jerusalem becoming an international enclave). On 29 November 1947, the United Nations General Assembly voted in favour of partition.
The State of Israel is proclaimed.
Territory: Israel
Outbreak of War of Independence
The Australian Government officially recognizes the state of Israel – the first country to do so
Dr H.V. Evatt presides over the vote which admitted Israel to the UN.
Hungarian Revolution
Territory: World
After the Soviet repression of the Hungarian revolt in 1956, the Australian Government offered settlement assistance to around 14,000 Hungarian refugees.
By 2011, 8% of the Australian Hungary-born community were Jewish.
European Economic Community established
Territory: World
Berlin Wall built
Territory: World
Riots in Soweto, South Africa.
Territory: World
Further Jewish South African emigration to Australia.
Peace Agreement between Israel and Egypt
Territory: Israel
Egyptian president Anwar Sadat and Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin, and witnessed by US president Jimmy Carter
Proclamation of the Palestinian State
Territory: World
Fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of Communism
Territory: World
End of Apartheid (legalized discrimination) in South Africa
Territory: World
Prime Minister de Klerk agreed to hold South Africa’s first all-race, democratic election.
Oslo Accords
Territory: Israel
Nelson Mandela elected President in South Africa.
Territory: World
First free all race elections
Peace agreement between Israel and Jordan
Territory: Israel
9/11 Attack on the Twin Towers, New York City
Territory: World
All Events
Start of the American War of Independence.
Territory: World
Following the defeat of the British forces England lost the ability to ship its excess convicts to Georgia and Louisiana. Ultimately led to Lords Melbourne & Sydney looking at the newly chartered east coast of Van Diemen’s Land as an ideal destination to rid England of its excess convicts.
The First Fleet arrives at Sydney Cove. Of the 751 convicts transported to the fledgling NSW colony, at least 8 were Jews.
Territory: NSW
Over a thousand people of Jewish descent estimated to have been sent to Australia as convicts during the next 60 years.
Joseph Levy, the first Jew to die in NSW
Territory: NSW
John Harris, first policeman in colony of NSW
Territory: NSW
Proposed to Judge-Advocate David Collins to establish a night watch, ‘to be selected among the convicts for the purpose to stem the frequent commission of offences in the settlement’.
8 Jewish convicts at short-lived settlement at Sorrento in Port Phillip Bay.
Territory: Vic
Hobart, Tasmania is established as a penal colony at Sullivan’s Cove, Van Diemen’s Land. Of the orginal 270 convicts, 8 are Jewish.
Territory: Tas
Jewish convicts arrived from the then failing colony of Sorrento on Port Phillip Bay to Sullivans Cove – now the city of Hobart.
Governor Bligh deposed by Lt. Col. George Johnson
Territory: NSW
Johnson’s common-law wife was Esther Abrahams of the First Fleet who was Jewish.
First free Jewish male settler – Isaac Leo Lyon
Territory: NSW
Came as schoolmaster but did not claim any religious affiliation. However, father had a small boarding school in Cambridge reputed to be the first Jewish boarding school in England and was also a Hebrew teacher to the university.
First free Jewish woman settler – Esther Isaacs.
Territory: NSW
The first Jewish communal organization in Australia, the Chevra Kaddisha (Burial Society), is formed in Sydney.
Territory: NSW
The first Jewish services conducted in private homes by emancipist Joseph Marcus
Territory: NSW
One of the few convicts with Jewish knowledge
Merchant Phillip J Cohen arrives in Australia. Convenes regular religious services at his Sydney home
Territory: NSW
Cohen is authorized by the British Chief Rabbi Solomon Hirschel to perform Jewish marriages. Cohen superintended the formal establishment of the Sydney Hebrew Congregation in 1832.
Michael Hyam arrived in NSW (Hyam Beach)
Territory: World
Michael Hyam received a grant of 41 acres of waterfront land in 1859 and the beach and town arenamed after him.
Solomon Levey independently finances Thomas Peel’s private venture, the Swan River (free-immigrant) Colony.
Territory: WA
This eventually became the Colony of Western Australia.
Levey trusted Peel as he was 2nd cousin of British P.M., Sir Robert Peel, and that Peel deigned to become the partner of a Jewish former convict. Levey paid dearly for this misjudgment.
The first organised services in Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) are convened.
Territory: TAS
Reverend Aaron Levi arrives in Sydney.
Territory: NSW
Sefer Torah purchased by subscription. Services become more regular.
The earliest Jewish marriage, of John and Rebecca Moses, is officiated by P J Cohen.
Territory: NSW
The marriage of Moses Joseph and Rebecca Nathan in 1832 has commonly been taken to be the first Jewish marriage in the colony. However this Katubah still exists. As the organised Jewish congregation was only constituted in 1832, this earlier marriage may have preceded official records. .
The first formal congregation is formed in Sydney.
Territory: NSW
Services held in rooms above John Rowell’s pharmacy in George Street.
The first Jewish Cemetery in Sydney established at Sandhills Cemetery in Surry Hills.
Territory: NSW
It was resumed in 1901 for Central Railway Station.
Joseph Barrow Montefiore -elected president of first Jewish congregation in NSW.
Territory: World
Cousin of Sir Moses Montefiore
Bridge Street Synagogue in Sydney is consecrated
Territory: NSW
First synagogue in Australia was opened in rented premises
First Jewish marriage in the colony by P J Cohen of Moses Joseph and Rosetta Nathan
Territory: NSW
Jewish convicts were also married prior, but such marriages had been performed by the Anglican ministers, hence historians do not accept these as Jewish weddings.
Hebrew Philanthropic and Orphan Society established
Territory: NSW
Now incorporated with the Sir Moses Montefiore Jewish Home
Barnett Levey officially opens Theatre Royal.
Territory: NSW
Australia’s oldest theatrical institution. Burnt down in 1840.
Jacob Montefiore is among the 11 Commissioners who establish the settlement of Adelaide.
Territory: SA
One of the venture’s backers is Sir Moses Montefiore.
The first minister in Sydney, Rev. Michael Rose, arrives.
Territory: NSW
There is no indication that Rose, who left the country after three years, acted as a minister at Bridge Street, though the Minutes do show that he performed the duties of a collector. He also appears in the official Bridge Street Birth Register as a mohel.
John Batman leader of a Tasmanian group with several Jewish members negotiated for the site of Melbourne with Aboriginal leaders.
Territory: Vic
Batman’s Treaty was denounced by the Crown as contrary to “terra nullius” principle.
Jewish services are initiated in Melbourne for the High Holy days.
Territory: VIC
The “Jewboy” bushranger Edward Davis active in Hunter Valley.
Territory: NSW
The foundation stone for the first purpose built synagogue in Australia on York Street Sydney laid.
Territory: NSW
Synagogue in use 1844-1877
George Moss publishes a Sydney edition of the London Voice of Jacob. Australia’s first Jewish Newsletter.
Territory: NSW
Short-lived.
Arrival of George Barron Goodman, first professional photographer in Sydney
Territory: NSW
Hobart synagogue is consecrated.
Territory: TAS
Constructed on land donated by Judah Solomon. Foundation stone laid 1843. Now the oldest synagogue in the country and is still in use
The first congregation forms in South Australia for High Holy days observance.
Territory: SA
At the Adelaide home of Burnett Nathan
Launceston Synagogue consecrated
Territory: Tas
Second oldest synagogue in Australia
The first of just three dedicated Jewish cemeteries in NSW is opened in Maitland.
Territory: NSW
The others were Goulburn (1848) and Raphael’s Ground (1867).
The premiere of ‘Don John of Austria’ by Isaac Nathan. The first Opera to be written, composed and produced in Australia.
Territory: Australia
The first synagogue in Melbourne is constructed on Bourke Street.
Territory: VIC
Victorian Jewish population increases from 200 in 1848 to 3000 1861.
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels publish the Communist Manifesto
Territory: World
Lionel Samson is elected to Western Australia’s Legislative Chamber, becoming the first Jew to be elected to an Australian Parliament.
Territory: WA
Over 50 Jewish MPs served during the colonial period. 1849-1900
Australia’s first Jewish Day Schools open in Sydney and Melbourne with support from respective colonial governments.
Territory: Australia
When government funding ended, both schools disband: in Melbourne in 1872 and Sydney in 1880.
Adelaide’s first Synagogue completed on the corner of Rundle Street and Synagogue Place.
Territory: SA
Jewish immigrants arrive in Ballarat and Bendigo with Gold Rush.
Territory: VIC
Ballarat Jewish community founded.
Territory: VIC
Weekly Shabbat minyan took place at the Clarendon Hotel.
Eureka Stockade, Ballarat stormed by troops.
Territory: VIC
Teddy Thonen, a German Jew was the first of 24 miners killed defending the stockade. Earlier Manastra Flatow, another German Jew, was one of those arrested in connection with the burning of the Eureka Hotel.
Original Ballarat Synagogue dedicated.
Territory: VIC
Wooden construction.
The East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation is founded.
Territory: VIC
After separating from the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation.
Lord Rothschild becomes the first Jew elected to British Parliament
Territory: World
Queensland becomes an independent state
Territory: Qld
A number on Jewish families left Sydney for Brisbane where a synagogue was formed in 1886.
Magistrate, merchant and pastoralist, Saul Samuel is the first Jew to be a minister of the Crown
Territory: NSW
Serves numerous terms as NSW Treasurer and Post Master-General.
Macquarie Street Synagogue is established in Sydney
Territory: NSW
Formed by a split from the York Street synagogue. The split lasted almost 20 years, until the two congregations reunited to establish Sydney’s Great Synagogue in 1878.
Forbes “Synagogue”
Territory: NSW
A small timber building during the gold rush, possibly burnt or washed away in a flood. Till 1990’s thought to be a synagogue.
The oldest mainland synagogue still in use, in Ballarat, is erected.
Territory: VIC
Cornerstone laid
Rev A B Davis appointed Minister York Street Synagogue in Sydney
Territory: NSW
Accidental death of Isaac Nathan “the Father of Australian Music” in Sydney
Territory: NSW
1790-1864.
Australia’s first tram fatality
Fifteen Jewish families form the first congregation in Brisbane.
Territory: QLD
They meet in rented auction rooms and a Masonic temple pending the consecration of its first synagogue in 1886.
Certified Denominational School – First Jewish Day School in NSW
Territory: NSW
Operated till 1882 when Government aid for denominational schools stopped.
Australian Israelite published by Solomon Joseph in Melbourne
Territory: VIC
First Australian Beth Din is established.
Territory: VIC
Headed by Rabbi Herman of Ballarat.
New synagogue erected/dedicated in Albert Street for the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation
Territory: VIC
Now oldest in Melbourne and only synagogue in the CBD.
Full civic equality is extended to the Jewish populations of western and central Europe
Territory: World
German agitator Wilhelm Marr coins the term ‘antisemitism’
Territory: World
The Great Synagogue on Elizabeth St. Sydney is consecrated.
Territory: NSW
First permanent Jewish newspaper the Jewish Herald established in Melbourne
Territory: VIC
Maitland Synagogue established – the first country synagogue in NSW
Territory: NSW
Closed 1898
Eastern European immigration to Australia after pogroms.
Territory: Australia
Anti Jewish laws are revived in Russia. Sparked by false official statements blaming Russia’s Jews for the assassination of Czar Alexander II
Territory: World
Pogroms generate a mass Jewish migration from across eastern Europe: USA 2,000,000 plus; Canada 120,000; England 220,000; Australia 2-3,000 between 1881 and 1914
Newtown Shule (2nd oldest ongoing synagogue in NSW – 3rd in Australia after Hobart and Launceston)
Territory: NSW
Religious services at the home of Abram & Naomi Solomon
Jewish community formed in Brisbane
Territory: QLD
Margaret Street Synagogue in Brisbane opens.
Territory: QLD
Foundation stone laid 7 July 1885
Julian Salamons appointed Chief Justice of New South Wales.
Territory: NSW
Declined to be sworn in “because of the hostility of the then current members of the bench”
Jewish community formed in Freemantle WA
Territory: WA
Sir Moses Montefiore Home opens in Dowling St. Sydney.
Territory: NSW
Sidney Myer opens his first store in Bendigo from which grew the eponymous national retail institution.
Territory: VIC
The Myer Emporium opened in Bourke Street, Melbourne, in July 1914.
Eliezer Montefiore, a founding trustee and president of the trustees, is appointed the first director of The Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Territory: NSW
Perth Hebrew Congregation is established.
Territory: WA
Chovevei Zion (Lovers’ of Zion Society) active in Sydney
Territory: NSW
3 years before the first Zionist Conference in Basle, Switzerland.
Nicholas II, succeeds his father to the Russian throne and instigates pogroms against Russia’s Jews
Territory: World
Dreyfuss Trial – Verdict handed down
Territory: World
Captain Alfred Dreyfuss, a French Jew, was the target for much anti-semitic prejudice. Discussion of his guilt or innocence was carried on in Australia
Aaron Blashki establishes the Jewish Aid Society to provide interest-free loans to poor Jews.
Territory: NSW
The Australian Jewish News is first published in Sydney under the name, the Hebrew Standard.
Territory: NSW
Editor Alfred Harris
Synagogue constructed at Coolgardie, on the Western Australian goldfields.
Territory: WA
Theodor Herzl writes Der Judenstaat (The Jewish State)
Territory: World
Heralds the emergence of modern Zionism as an organized political movement
Herbert ‘Bert’ Rapiport plays in the first season of the Victorian Football League.
Territory: Vic
Played three games for Fitzroy in 1897.
Formation of the Jewish Labor Bund (Union) in Eastern Europe
Territory: World
Jewish Labor Bund formed in Melbourne in 1928
The First World Zionist Congress is held in Basel, Switzerland
Territory: World
Rabbi I Bramson lived in Sydney from around 1898 to 1902.
Territory: NSW
Was not affiliated to any particular congregation and performed a number of Chupahs.
Vaiben Louis Solomon serves as the Premier of South Australia for one week (1.12.1899-8.12.1899).
Territory: SA
He is the first and only Jewish head of an Australian executive government.
Federation of Australia. Among the first Members of Federal Parliament are four Jews , in the House of Representatives.
Territory: Australia
Isaac Isaacs, Vaiben Louis Solomon, Elias Solomon and Pharez Phillips,
First Nobel Prizes awarded
Territory: World
As of 2017, 201 out of 892 Nobel Prize winners were Jewish.
The first Australian Zionist movement is formed in Perth
Territory: World
Helena Rubinstein migrates from Poland to Coleraine Victoria
Territory: Australia
Suffrage is extended to women in all Australian states
Territory: Australia
Kishinev pogrom.
Territory: NSW
Protest (at the Czarist policies that promoted this pogram) meeting held at Sydney Town Hall by concerned citizens of all faiths. Speakers included Abraham Pearlman, storekeeeper in Boggabri (NSW), born in Kishinev.
Second Aliyah to Palestine consisting mainly of socialist Zionists from eastern Europe.
Territory: Israel
They begin the kibbutz movement and the revival of Hebrew as a modern language. 1903-1914
Albert Einstein develops special theory of relativity
Territory: World
Isaac Isaacs appointed Commonwealth Attorney General
Territory: Australia
Broken Hill Synagogue foundation stone laid
Territory: NSW
Closed 1962
Kadimah established in Melbourne by Eastern European Jews
Territory: VIC
Zionist and Yiddish activities.
The Australian census records 17,287 Jews
Territory: Australia
