Temple David (Perth, Western Australia)

Last updated

Temple David
Religion
Affiliation Progressive Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organisational status Synagogue
LeadershipRabbi Kim Ettlinger
StatusActive
Location
Location Mount Lawley , Perth, Western Australia
CountryAustralia
Australia Perth location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Shown within Perth
Geographic coordinates 31°55′45″S115°52′20″E / 31.9293°S 115.8723°E / -31.9293; 115.8723
Architecture
Architect(s) Harold Boas
Date established1952;72 years ago (1952)
Website
templedavid.org.au

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]

Contents

History

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

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

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

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References

  1. Constituent Members JCCWA. Retrieved on 15 November 2024
  2. Personalities and events, Temple David congregation, ten years 1952-1962 National Library of Australia. Retrieved on 14 November 2024
  3. 1 2 3 About templedavid.org.au. Retrieved on 14 November 2024
  4. We 'profile' Ron Taft Profile. June-July 2015
  5. Celebrating Temple David’s 70th anniversary The Maccabean. 29 July 2022
  6. The horror of the Holocaust The West Australian. 3 May 2011
  7. 1 2 3 New rabbi in Perth The Australian Jewish News. 13 March 1959
  8. Temple on television The Australian Jewish News. 27 November 1987
  9. Dedication address on the occasion of the Opening of the Temple David Centre, Perth, on October 27, 1954 The Westralian Judean. 1 November 1954
  10. 1 2 3 4 Temple opened The Australian Jewish News. 1 November 1963
  11. Temple David Synagogue Heritage Council (Government of Western Australia)
  12. Harold Boas Museum of Perth. Retrieved on 15 November 2024
  13. New rabbi not pulling rank The Perth Voice. 14 November 2014
  14. Perth homecoming for Rabbi Ettlinger The Australian Jewish News. 1 December 2022

Further reading