The Synagogue's foundation stone was laid on Wednesday August 9th, 1843. The building was designed in the Egyptian Revival Style by James Alexander Thomson, a Scot who had been transported in 1825 (at the age of 20) for attempted jewel robbery. He was later assigned as a draftsman to the Public Works Department where he worked with architects John Lee Archer and David Lambe. A Free Pardon was granted to him in 1839 and he set up in business as a valuator, estate agent, map printer, engineer, surveyor and architect. The building was created in the 'New Age of Enlightenment' and the 'Dawn of Science'. It was the age of reason. Napoleon's invasion of Egypt had opened up a new world of knowledge and a sense of history. Egypt meant antiquity and the Hobart synagogue building was meant to indicate, amongst other things, Judaism's ancient roots. The front is bold and massive, the entrance being decorated with two carved pillars supporting an architrave and cornice and upon this appears the following Hebrew inscription from the Book of Exodus: Wherever my name is mentioned there will I come and bless you