Description of the attraction
Hobart Synagogue, located in the capital of the state of Tasmania, is notable for being the oldest synagogue in Australia and a rare example of the Egyptian Renaissance architectural style with trapezoidal windows and columns with lotus flower capitals. Despite the fact that several synagogues and churches were built in this style at the beginning of the 19th century, only a few have survived to this day - one each in Nashville (USA, Tennessee), New York, Canterbury (England) and Hobart.
The Hobart synagogue with a capacity of 150 people was built in 1845 on Arjeel Street. Interestingly, she does not have a permanent rabbi - he comes to the capital of Tasmania several times a year to conduct services. The largest number of Jews on the island was recorded in 1848 - 435 people, then many returned to England or moved to New Zealand. The revival of the Jewish community began in 1938, when European refugees fleeing the Nazi regime began to arrive in Tasmania.
