History
By the 1840s, there were sufficient numbers and prospered sufficiently to enable the building of synagogues in Hobart Town (1845) and Launceston (1846). The first Jewish minister was appointed in 1846, and religious practices were established.
The 1848 census recorded 435 Jews in Tasmania, the highest number of Jews recorded for Tasmania. Numbers declined as some settlers returned to England, and others left for mainland colonies and New Zealand. The Launceston Synagogue closed in 1871. The Hobart Hebrew Congregation continued its communal life. Though there was no minister in the periods 1873–1911 and 1922–1942, Sabbath services were conducted by members.
European refugees arriving from 1938 rejuvenated the Jewish community in Tasmania. The Launceston Synagogue was reopened between 1939–1961 and 1984–1992. In Hobart, ministers were appointed from 1943, but from 1956 members were again required to conduct services.
Read more about this topic: Hobart Synagogue
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