Australia's most beautiful & historic Synagogue
The Great Synagogue (in Hebrew, Bet Yisrael – “House of Israel”) is one of Sydney’s most beautiful, historic and significant buildings. Standing proudly on Elizabeth Street since 1878, it has been the spiritual home of our congregation for almost 150 years, with roots reaching back to the 1820s.
When New South Wales was founded in 1788, around sixteen Jews arrived among the First Fleet convicts. By the late 1820s, free settlers such as Philip Joseph Cohen were holding regular services in their homes, and in 1831 the congregation was formally established. In 1844, Australia’s first purpose-built synagogue opened in York Street.
A split in the congregation in the late 1850s saw a second synagogue open in Macquarie Street. Under the leadership of Reverend A.B. Davis, the two communities were reunited in the 1870s. Neither building could accommodate the whole congregation, and so plans began for a new synagogue.
A design competition was won by Sydney architect Thomas Rowe, whose vision blended Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic and Moorish influences into a single breathtaking design. The foundation stone was laid in 1875, and The Great Synagogue was consecrated in March 1878.
Inside, the sanctuary is rich with symbolism and craftsmanship. The Ark housing the Torah scrolls stands on the wall closest to Jerusalem. The bimah, originally positioned in the centre, reflects the architectural intentions of the founders and their commitment to inclusivity. Cedar pews, stained glass windows, brasswork, and detailed carvings create an atmosphere both majestic and welcoming. Restoration work over the years has preserved original features such as 19th-century floral motifs on the columns, rediscovered in 1981 and carefully stencilled to link generations a century apart.
Beneath the building lies a war memorial centre, auditorium and museum. The 1980s saw the addition of an education centre, preserving the Castlereagh Street façade and creating space for cultural, social and educational activity, as well as the AM Rosenblum Jewish Museum, a Judaica shop and a rooftop Succah.
Music is central to our tradition. The Great Synagogue Choir enriches services and festivals, adding depth and beauty to prayer. Our clergy have included some of Australia’s most distinguished rabbis, with Rabbi Dr Benjamin Elton currently serving as Chief Minister and Rabbi Menachem Feldman as Cantor.
Today, The Great Synagogue is home to a thriving community of more than one thousand members, hosting over one hundred events each year alongside weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, High Holiday services and other celebrations.
Steeped in history yet alive with energy, The Great Synagogue remains a place of prayer, learning, celebration and connection - a true spiritual home for generations past, present and future.