Historical Synagogue — Attraction in Broken Hill

From the beginnings of its settlement around 1885, Jews have been part of its colourful and sometimes turbulent history.

The first headstones in the Jewish section of the Broken Hill Cemetery date from July 1888, the year in which a typhoid epidemic claimed 123 lives in the new town.

While Jewish religious services were held in the Masonic Hall from 1900 when the Jewish community numbered about 150, it was not until 1910 that a Synagogue was erected in Broken Hill on land purchased in July 1907 by Abraham Rosenberg, Samuel Dryen Snr., and Albert Edelman. On November 30 1910 the foundation stone was set in place on the newly erected Synagogue. A famous photograph taken on the day shows Rev Zev Mandelbaum, the first Minister, and Solomon Saunders, President of the Adelaide Hebrew Congregation, together with members of the Synagogue committee at the ceremony.

The Synagogue was consecrated in 1911 and Rabbi Francis Lyon Cohen of the Great Synagogue, Sydney, attended.

As the Jewish community grew to around 250 in the 1920s and 30s the Synagogue on Wolfram Street with its adjoining residence for the Minister and family became a vibrant hub for residents and visitors.

During and following the Second World War Broken Hill’s Jews began to leave for Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide and beyond.

The Synagogue finally closed its doors in 1962 and the scrolls were transferred to the Yeshiva on Hotham Street, St Kilda, Melbourne.

The last Jew of Broken Hill, Alwyn David Edelman, died in August 2005 and is buried in the Jewish section of the cemetery.Following closure the Synagogue became a private residence. Then in a stroke of good fortune, the building was heritage listed and then purchased by the Broken Hill Historical...

Excellent example of Broken Hill's diverse and rich history which is lovingly maintained by the local...

Very interesting museum! Great exhibition and friendly guide. This was one of the best small museums I...