Jewish Congregrations in Sydney

Sydney's Jewish community dates back to 1788, with the arrival from England of the First Fleet, on which there were at least eight, and perhaps as many as 14, Jews. Throughout the 19th century most of the small community was based in English orthodoxy, which was complemented by the arrival of some central and eastern European immigrants in the decades before World War II.

What has made today's local Jewish community so dynamic and vital, however, has been the immigration since World War II. In various waves of immigration over the past 60 years, Jews have come here from all over Europe, bringing the strength of their heritage and connection to traditional Judaism.  

Immigrants from Central Europe have helped boost the presence of Progressive Judaism as well. In addition, major contributions have been made by Jews from South Africa, Israel and the former Soviet Union in more recent years. Accordingly, Sydney currently has a broad and diverse Jewish population of about 40,000. Jews can be found in all parts of the Greater Sydney area, although approximately two-thirds reside in the Eastern Suburbs, from Vaucluse, through Randwick, Bondi and Double Bay, to Darlinghurst-East Sydney, where the Jewish Community Centre, the Sydney Jewish Museum and the B'nai B'rith Centre are located. Most of the remainder live on the north side of the Harbour, predominantly in the suburbs situated between Chatswood and St Ives. There are five Jewish day schools catering for about 50 per cent of Jewish children in Sydney.

The range of Jewish practice in New South Wales today is diverse, including:

Hasidism, particularly through the Chabad movement, is strongly represented through the Sydney Yeshiva and many of the rabbis serving the Orthodox synagogues of Sydney.

Orthodox Judaism itself is varied, depending on the immigrant backgrounds and current constitutions of the many strong Orthodox synagogues here.

There are two Progressive synagogues, one of which is also affiliated with the Masorti/Conservative movement and Jewish Renewal.  

In addition to the synagogues, there are chavurot that represent Jews who choose to organise around more common interests in geographical areas. Of course, like everywhere in the Jewish world, the presence of Jews identifying through Zionism, culture and secular humanist values can also be found.

Anyone coming to Sydney either to reside or visit will be able to find in this open and tolerant community a place for engaging Jewish expression. Judaism exists throughout the world, and the world of Judaism can be found in Sydney.

SYNAGOGUES
[O] = Orthodox, [S] = Sephardi,
[R] = Reform / Progressive, [L] = Lubavitch, [C] = Conservative

Please note that the telephone and fax: numbers listed are sometimes those of the Synagogue President or Minister.

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

The Great Synagogue   [O]
187a Elizabeth St, Sydney
(For Daily Services, please enter from 166 Castlereagh St)
tel: 9267 2477;   fax: 9264 8871
email: admin@greatsynagogue.com.au

EAST

Adath Yisroel   [O]
243 Old South Head Rd, Bondi
tel: 9300 9447

Beit Yisrael Abihsera / Baba Sali (at South Head Synagogue)   [S]
tel: 9337 2143

Bet Yosef (Caro) (at Adath Yisroel)   [S]
tel: 9369 4146;   fax: 9387 4464

Bondi Mizrachi   [O]
339 Old South Head Rd, Bondi
tel: 9130 7221

Central Synagogue   [O]
Bon Accord Ave, Bondi Junction
tel: 9389 5622;   fax: 9389 5418

Chabad House of the Israeli Community   [L]
36 Flood St, Bondi
tel: 9365 2489;   fax: 9389 7652

Chabad House of Bondi   [L]
25 O'Brien St, Bondi
tel: 9365 2777;   fax: 9365 5506

Dover Heights Synagogue (at Kesser Torah College)   [L]
Blake & Napier Sts, Dover Heights
tel: 9387 3822

Emanuel Synagogue   [C] (Progressive & Conservative / Masorti Services)
7 Ocean St, Woollahra
tel: 9328 7833;   fax: 9327 8715

JCC Chabad Double Bay   [L]
Kiaora St, Double Bay
tel: 9327 1644

Kehillat Moriah (at Moriah College)   [O]
Queens Park Rd, Queens Park
tel: 9387 3555

Rambam Synagogue   [S]
257 Old South Head Rd, Bondi
(entrance Francis St)
tel: 9665 3034

Roscoe Street Synagogue   [O]
54 Roscoe St, Bondi
tel: 9365 1812

Sephardi Synagogue   [S]
40 - 42 Fletcher St, Bondi Junction
tel: 9389 3355;   fax: 9369 2143

South Head Synagogue   [O]
666 Old South Head Rd, Rose Bay
tel: 9371 7300;   fax: 9371 7416

Yeshiva   [L]
36 Flood St, Bondi
tel: 9387 3822;   fax: 9389 7652

NORTH

Chabad House of the North Shore   [L]
97 Killeaton St, St Ives
tel: 9488 9548;   fax: 9488 8142

Cremorne Synagogue   [O]
12a Yeo St, Neutral Bay
tel / fax: 9908 1853

Kehillat Masada   [O]
9 - 15 Link Rd, St Ives
tel: 9988 4417;   fax: 9449 3897

North Shore Synagogue   [O]
15 Treatts Rd, Lindfield
tel: 9416 3710;   email: info@nss.asn.au

North Shore Temple Emanuel   [R]
28 Chatswood Ave, Chatswood
(Progressive / Traditional / Egalitarian Services)
tel: 9419 7011;   fax: 9413 1474

Ryde & Districts Synagogue / Beth Eliyahu   [O]
4 Cutler Pde, North Ryde
tel: 9808 1437;   fax: 9878 1789

SOUTH-EAST

Coogee Synagogue   [O]
121 Brook St, Coogee
tel: 9315 8291

Southern Sydney Synagogue   [O]
cnr Railway Pde & Noble St, Allawah
tel: 9587 5643

Maroubra Synagogue   [O]
635 - 637 Anzac Pde, Maroubra
tel: 9344 6095;   fax: 9349 6727

WEST

Newtown Synagogue   [O]
20 Georgina St, Newtown
tel:  0412 340 212 

Parramatta Synagogue   [O]
116 Victoria Rd, Parramatta
tel: 9683 5626

Strathfield Synagogue   [O]
19 Florence St, Strathfield
tel: 9642 4803

MIKVAHS

Sydney Mikvah
117 Glenayr Ave, Bondi
tel: 9130 2509 or 9365 1812

North Shore Mikvah
97 Killeaton St, St. Ives
tel: 9440 0025

ERUV
For Information call 9388 1701 or e-mail:   www.sydneyeruv.org.au