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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Up To The Year

Up To The Year 1861 there were only five Jewish residents with their families in Dunedin. But the gold discoveries of that year brought many newcomers, amongst whom there was a noticeable percentage of Jews. This change led to the establishment of a congregation and synagogue. With this object, fourteen gentlemen met at the house of Mr. H. E. Nathan in January, 1862, and pledged themselves to form a congregation. A committee was appointed to obtain subscriptions for preliminary expense; the congregation was formed and office-beareres were elected as follows: President, Hyam E. Nathan; treasurer, Henry Nathan; committee, Henry Hart, Benjamin L. Farjeon, R. da Costa, Ezekial Nathan, Abraham Myers, Issac Herman, and George Caspar. Mr. H. Joseph was secretary. Mr. Farjcon, who was manager of the Daily Times and Witness in the early sixties, afterwards became noted in England as a writer of popular novels and stories. A leasehold area in George Street, on which stood a small wooden building, was acquired, and this building, to which some necessary repairs were made, was the first Jewish synagogue in Dunedin. The membership was forty-three, and services were regularly conducted. The first couple united in the synagogue were Mr. Abraham Myers and Miss Ehrenfried, who were married in September, 1862. The scroll of the law was presented by Mr. H. E. Nathan, and a canopy by Mr. Myers, as an offering on his marriage. The scroll consists of the Pentateuch or the five books of Moses, in manuscript, in Hebrew character, written on the skin of a Kosher calf, by scribes, who are carefully trained for this occupation. The characters used are supposed to be identical with those employed by Moses, and are believed to be an accurate reproduction of the language of Moses. The Pentateuch is divided into fifty-two portions, one of which is read every Sunday; thus the whole is read in the course of one year. About 1863 steps were taken to acquire a more central site for a synagogue, and to obtain a minister. Mr. D. Isaacs, a layman, was appointed minister, and the first choice of a site for a synagogue was in View Street where the Congregational church now stands; but this was lost through a hitch in the negotiations. At a cost of £600 a site was secured in Moray Place. There a synagogue was erected at a cost of £1,850, and was opened for service in September, 1863. The building afterwards became the property of the Masonic body. The present site was purchased for £1000 in 1875, and on the 11th of November, 1880, the corner stone of the present building was laid by Mr. Maurice Joel, then president of the congregation. The synagogue is a handsome building of stone, and was erected at a cost of £4,830. The first minister was Mr. David Isaacs, a lay preacher, who was appointed on the formation of the congreagtion, and retired in 1864. From 1864 until the appointment of the Rev. Jacob Levy, in 1867, the duties of the synagogue were performed by Mr. Joseph Myers, Mr. Lazar, and Mr. Nathan. Mr. Levy resigned in 1874, and was succeeded in 1875 by the Rev. Bernard Lichtenstein, who filled the position until his death in 1892. For eighteen months afterwards there was no minister and the duties were performed by members of the congregation with the assistance, when necessary, of the Rev. A. T. Chodowski, then minister of Christchurch. The Rev. J. L. Harrison became minister in 1893, but resigned in 1897, and in April, 1898, the present minister was appointed. At present (January 1904) Mr. Julius Hyman, J.P., is President, Mr. M. Montague Heineman, Hon. Secretary, and Mr. Saul Solomon, B.A., Treasurer.

Corner of Princes and High Streets, Dunedin.

Corner of Princes and High Streets, Dunedin.