Great Synagogue (Sydney) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Great Synagogue |
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The Great Synagogue facade and front entrance in Elizabeth Street
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Active |
| Leadership | Rabbi Dr. Benjamin Elton, Chief Minister and Senior Rabbi.
Rabbi Menachem Feldman, Chazzan and Assistant Rabbi David Lewis, President |
| Year consecrated | 4 March 1878 |
| Location | |
| Location | 187a Elizabeth Street and 164-166 Castlereagh Street, Sydney CBD, New South Wales, Australia |
 Location in Sydney
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| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) |
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| Architectural style | Victorian eclectic, incorporating revival styles based on Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic and Moorish models. |
| Completed | 1878 |
| Construction cost | over £23,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | East |
| Capacity | 1100 |
| Length | 43 metres (140 ft) |
| Width | 20 metres (64 ft) |
| Materials |
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| Official name: The Great Synagogue | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Criteria | a., b., c., d., e., f., g. |
| Designated | 10 September 2004 |
| Reference no. | 1710 |
| Type | Synagogue |
| Category | Religion |
| Builders | Aaron Loveridge (stonework) |
The Great Synagogue is an Orthodox Jewish congregation located in a large heritage-listed synagogue at 187a Elizabeth Street in the Sydney central business district, in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia.
The congregation is the oldest in the Sydney Jewish community and comprises around 550 families. There are services every day of the week with the exception of Sunday. The service is Orthodox and traditional, with a professional choir singing on Shabbat and Festival mornings and at some evening services.
The synagogue runs adult education classes, a bar and bat mitzvah program, a course for those who wish to convert to Judaism and provides pastoral care to its members. Its Chief Minister is traditionally regarded as a primary representative of Judaism to the wider community.
Situated opposite Hyde Park, the synagogue building extends to Castlereagh Street. It was designed by Thomas Rowe and built from 1874 to 1878, with stonework by Aaron Loveridge and stone carving by Thomas Wran. The synagogue was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 September 2004. The building is also listed on the (now defunct) Register of the National Estate.
Description and history
The Great Synagogue was designed by architect Thomas Rowe (who was Cornish not Jewish), and consecrated in 1878. It combines elements of Byzantine style and Gothic characteristics. This grand building is often described as the "cathedral synagogue" of Australia.
The Sydney Jewish community, which dated to the earliest days of the colony, met in rented spaces before building its first synagogue, designed in Egyptian style by James Hume in 1844. It was the first Egyptian Revival building in Australia.
The present synagogue has the 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 a 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
The building is listed on the Register of the National Estate.
Gallery
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Bimah of The Great Synagogue
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Architectural detail. This inscription reads Beth Israel (House of Israel)
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Elizabeth Street wheeled window. Reinforced concrete spokes were added to the inside of this window during World War 2 for protection against blast damage.
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Detail of entrance
Images for kids
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Porch capital, Elizabeth Street by Thomas Wran
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Rabbi Dr Benjamin Elton, Chief Minister
See also
In Spanish: Gran Sinagoga de Sídney para niños
