Posted: 31 August 2023
A new show on SBS features the synagogue!
Stunning new series Great Australian Walks with Julia Zemiro is set to take viewers across our Great Southern Land by foot in an entertaining waltz through history, geography, science, travel, and culture.
The episode aired on 21 September 2023 and is available to stream as well (the synagogue segment starts around 16:35 in)
Posted: 10 August 2023
A video clip of a livestream tour is now on YouTube. This tour occurred in November 2022 and was with Alexander Moller and congregation president Jeff Schneider.
Posted: 25 December 2022
SBS News profiles the Hobart Jewish community in these two features:
Thank you to SBS News Tasmania journalist Sarah Maunder for her interest in our tiny community!
Posted: 22 December 2022
On Monday 19 December, The Hobart Hebrew Congregation hosted Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, Governor of Tasmania and His Excellency Mr. Amir Maimon Ambassador of Israel for a Menorah Lighting ceremony at the Hobart Synagogue. The Hobart congregation was well represented with their diverse group of members and were joined by State Politicians, former Senator Eric Abetz, and local interfaith leaders. Music was provided by the violin and accordion duo Meyers & McNamara, who filled the Synagogue with traditional Hanukkah songs. After the musical performance, sufganiyot were enjoyed by attendees.
Ambassador Maimon enjoyed the event. “It was so good to visit the beautiful synagogue of Hobart and to celebrate Hanukkah with our beloved community and many good friends from Tasmania. Hanukkah for me was, is and forever will be all about the Jewish spirit.”
President of the Hobart Hebrew Congregation, Jeff Schneider was very grateful for the opportunity. “It was wonderful to share Hanukkah with the Tasmanian community. Thank you so much to Ambassador Maimon for visiting us and giving us this opportunity. Events like this strengthen our relationships both to Israel and the greater Hobart community.”
Posted: 09 October 2022
Congregation president Jeff Schneider recently did an interview with ABC Radio National program Soul Search.
Dr. Meredith Lake talked with Jeff about what makes our congregation unique and also about Yom Kippur.
The talk with Jeff starts approximately 34 minutes into the program:
https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/soul-search/danya-ruttenberg-on-repentance-and-repair/14073406
Posted: 15 September 2022
Congregation president Jeff Schneider did an interview with the radio show L’Chaim – To Life.
The interview is mostly about the history of Hobart’s Jewish community and the synagogue, and there is some talk about the present as well.
Link: https://omny.fm/shows/lchaim-to-life/jeff-schneider-jews-in-tasmania-an-update
Thank you to Morry Frenkel and L’Chaim for the lovely interview!
Posted: 04 August 2022
Plus61J’s Nomi Kaltmann takes a look at Jewish life in Tasmania:
Why does Australia’s smallest state have the fastest growing Jewish community?
Posted: 30 June 2022
The 2021 Australian census shows a 50% increase in Tasmanian Jews. 376 people identified as Jewish in the state, up from 250 in 2016 and 248 in 2011.
This is reflected in the congregation’s expanding membership numbers, and with new and exciting programs such as regular Hebrew classes for both children and adults.
It is clear that there’s interest in relocating to Tasmania’s beautiful scenery and quality of life. We feature a growing and diverse Jewish community, a historic synagogue, and exciting opportunities to help shape the congregation. If you are considering a move here, please get in touch!
Posted: 15 March 2022
Former congregation member Joe Rose’s artwork will be on exhibition at the Masterpiece @IXL Gallery. The exhibition opens at 2:00 pm, Sunday 20 March and will run for a fortnight. The gallery is located at 4/19A Hunter Street.
If you’re curious, one of Joe Rose’s paintings is displayed upstairs in the synagogue.
Posted: 03 March 2022
We’re often asked why the synagogue has such a unique design. The motivation behind the design is unknown, since no there’s no known documentation that gives a clear reason.
Local architect Peter Cripps has done extensive research on this matter, particularly involving the synagogue’s architect, James Alexander Thomson. Peter has uncovered some key information, and was kind enough to let us post his article on our website.