Australia

Information

Demography

The Jewish population in Australia is approximately 120,000. There is well organised Jewish life in every State, even in remote areas.

History

British prisoners began arriving in Australia in 1788. Among the first arrivals were possibly 8-15 Jews, accused of petty theft, including 15 year old Esther Abrahams who stole some lace. She came with her baby girl.

In 1845, the Hobart Synagogue was built - it is the only known synagogue to have had seats reserved for convicts! They were granted permission to attend services, to not work on Shabbat, and were fed meals by the congregation!

The Gold Rush in the 1850s resulted in further immigration. By 1861, there were approximately 3,000 Jews living in Australia, which increased to 15,000 by 1900.

In 1878, the Great Synagogue, Sydney, was inaugurated. This became the flagship synagogue in Australia.

Pre-WW1, Jewish refugees from the pogroms of Russia and Poland settled.

In the early 1930s, 4,500 German and Austrian Jews fled the Nazis to Australia. A further 2,542 arrived during WW2 and were interned in camps in New South Wales as 'enemy aliens' for the duration of the war.

Post-WW2 brought Holocaust survivors seeking refuge. Australia became home to the highest percentage of survivors  outside of Israel.

By 1960, the Jewish population had reached 60,000.

During the 1980s/90s, further immigration came from the USSR and South Africa. 

Public Life

Jewish people have been involved in all aspects of public life in Australia.

WW1: General Sir John Monash is to date the only Jew outside of Israel to have full command of an army.

1931-36: Sir Isaac Isaacs was the first Jewish Governor General of Australia.

Community Life

There are about 80 synagogues in Australia - in Melbourne, Sydney and other major cities.

All streams of Judaism are practiced freely. 18% of the population is Orthodox, 4% Haredi and 15% Masorti.

To celebrate Chanukah, there is an annual Park Event in both Sydney and Melbourne attracting 10,000 attendees (Jewish and non-Jewish).

Kashrut

Kosher food is readily available in all cities and rural areas.

Education

There are 19 Jewish schools in Australia, all well attended. Australia has the highest rate (outside Israel) of Jewish children attending Jewish schools.

Jewish Studies is taught in major universities. The Union Of Jewish Students represents Jewish university students.

There is a yeshivah in East Victoria.

Youth

There are several organisations and camps that cater for the Jewish youth: Chabad Youth, B'nei Akiva, Habonim Dror

Media

Paper/Journals: The Australian Jewish News, Australia-Israel Review, Australian Jewish Quarterly

Online: J-Wire

Radio: weekly programmes

Affiliations

Commonwealth Jewish Council

World Jewish Congress