Great Synagogue (Sydney)

The Great Synagoge is a synagogue in Sydney, Australia. It was designed by non-Jewish architect Thomas Rowe and consecrated in 1878. It combines elements of Byzantine style and Gothic characteristics. [ [http://www.greatsynagogue.org.au Welcome to the Great Synagogue, Sydney] , " [http://www.greatsynagogue.org.au/Visiting.html Visiting The Great Synagogue, Sydney] ", 19 February 2008.] This grand building is often described as the "cathedral synagogue" of Australia.

History

The congregation, which dates to the earliest days of the colony, met in rented spaces before building its first synagogue, designed by James Hume in 1844. [http://www.greatsynagogue.org.au/history.html]

The present synagogue has traditional feature of an elevated ladies gallery. When first erected, the bimah was central, as is traditional. However to increase seating capacity the bimah was moved forward to the western wall in 1906.Over the years extensive additions and alterations have been made to the other facilities appurtenant to this building, including the construction of a succah, excavation and construction of large reception area below the synagogue itself,construction of the Rabbi Falk Memorial Library, installation of electricity in the chandeliers, and installation of a "shabbat" elevator.

A useful overview of the synagogue's history is provided by the recent book edited by Rabbi Raymond Apple [Raymond Apple (Editor), "The Great Synagogue: A History of Sydney's Big Shule", UNSW Press, 2008 ]

Gallery

References

External links

* [http://www.greatsynagogue.org.au/ Welcome to the Great Synagogue, Sydney]
* [http://www.amyisrael.co.il/australasia/australia/nsw/great_synagogue/ The Great Syngagogue of Sydney]