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 |
| 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 in Western Australia. The congregation was established in 1952.[1][2]
Early 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.[3][4][2]Jewish refugees and Holocaust survivors from Europe were among the founding members of the congregation.[5]
In 1956, Rabbi George W. Ruben became the congregation's first permanent rabbi and the congregation was renamed Temple David.[2]
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. A separate building housing a sanctuary and religion school was built in 1963 and then a third building consisting of a social hall and caretaker's residence was constructed in 1973. The architect responsible for the designs was Harold Boas, a founding member of the congregation.[6]
Leadership
[edit]The congregation was served by Israeli-born rabbi, Adi Cohen from 2014 to 2021.[7] 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.[8]
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]- ^ 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
- ^ Temple David Synagogue Heritage Council (Government of Western Australia)
- ^ 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. ISBN 9780855643140.
- Berman, Judith E. (2001). Holocaust remembrance in Australian Jewish communities, 1945-2000. ISBN 9781876268596.
- Rutland, Suzanne D. (23 January 2006). The Jews in Australia. 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