Curator's Corner #11-20
#11 Archibald Connections in Our Museum Collection
To mark the Archibald Prize exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney, we share some of the paintings from our AM Rosenblum Jewish Museum collection. Established in 1921, the 'Archibald' is awarded annually to the best portrait. In Australia, perhaps nothing speaks higher of artistic quality than being a finalist or a winner of this coveted art prize. It may come as a surprise that over the years, several artists commissioned by The Great Synagogue reached this status.
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#12 Unique Silver Chanukiahs
Leib Aisack Falk (1889-1957) was born in Latvia and after a few years in Britain he was appointed to The Great Synagogue as an Assistant Minister in 1922, becoming a rabbi in 1936. He was Second Minister for many years and Acting Chief Minister for two periods. Despite exclusion from guilds and other restrictions, Eastern European Jews worked in many trades, and it was probably during his earlier yeshiva studies in Lithuania where the young Falk met Jewish craftsmen and discovered his talents. Later in Sydney, Rabbi Falk's craftsmanship enriched the Synagogue's collection of ritual objects, admired to the present day.
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#13 146 Years Ago
In the midst of the global pandemic, two of The Great's important anniversaries have passed without much notice. Yet, they both mark significant moments in the Synagogue's history and are documented by rare artworks. First, 146 years ago, on 26 January 1875, the Foundation stone of The Great Synagogue was laid. The occasion inspired a group of Sydney Jewish women: they formed a lively fundraising team to hold a 'Ladies Bazaar'. By December, a second milestone was reached when almost £5000 was raised for the Synagogue building fund.
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#14 Happy Birthday Great
4 March 1878 – 4 March 2021
4 March 1878 was Monday in Sydney. The weather was fine and The Sydney Morning Herald - for the price of twopence – was just out. On this day, the Sydney omnibus fares were to be increased and the Original Royal Marionettes performance was to highlight the evening at The School of Arts. The Sydney weekend activities seemed to be too much for twenty-two persons appearing before the Central Police Court and charged for drunkenness, use of obscene language and property damage. The price of wool and gold was steady, transatlantic shipping was on its way … yet, none of these news attracted the usual interest among the Jewish community.
It was the Religious Announcements on the Herald's first page that the Sydney Jews wanted to see. David Cohen, Honorary Secretary was reminding the congregation that the long anticipated consecration of The Great Synagogue on Elizabeth Street will take place on this day, Monday 4th March at 3 pm. The Secretary was also prompting the officials to be in attendance at the Synagogue chambers at 'half-past 1 o'clock precisely' to ensure the success of the ceremonial pomp. And success it was … The Sydney press was captivated with the Synagogue's imposing architecture by Thomas Rowe and the dignified consecration ceremony presented by the Jewish clergy.
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#15 Matzah-Making Tradition
Whether you spell it matzah, matzoh, matzha or matza, it all means one tradition: commemoration of the Exodus and the unleavened bread eaten by the Israelites fleeing slavery in Egypt. The eight-day Festival of Passover or Pesach includes rituals celebrated at home around the dinner table centred on the symbolic matzah. The 1890s matzah-making machine in Waterloo Solomon's factory in Sydney was turned off almost a decade ago. Today, tonnes of boxes of matzah are imported from Israel every year, but have you ever wondered how they were made before the first manufacturing?
When hand-made, the matzah dough – flour mixed with water - required to be quickly flattened by wooden rolling pin, and perforated to prevent the fermentation before baking. While throughout the old Jewish world, the punctures were made either by using a round metal plate or a roller with sharp teeth, Jews in the heart of Europe came up with other matzah contraptions.
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Curator's Corner
#16 The Mystery of Church Furnishings
Tucked between the busy Goulburn Street and tall city buildings stands the Sydney's oldest Lutheran Church. Built in 1883, it may be guarding a century-old mystery linked to the early Jewish community. Carved cedar furniture there looks familiar to those who visit The Great Synagogue, but it is the six-point star that catches the eye. The Star of David has not always been associated exclusively with Judaism, but its presence raises curiosity.
Where did the church furniture originate? It is possible that answers lie in some unexpected twist, involving also The Great Synagogue – today the oldest continuous place of Jewish worship in Sydney.
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#17 ANZAC Day 2021
Today, thousands of young and old across the nation commemorate the Australians and New Zealanders who served and died on the world's battlefields. A century ago, the portico of The Great Synagogue in Sydney was transformed into a memorial to Australian Jews who served and died in combat during the World War I. They fought alongside the 'diggers' and many sacrificed their lives. While the name of General John Monash may be the best known in Australia, three plaques affixed at the eastern side of the Synagogue commemorate those whose courage, contribution and suffering must not be forgotten. This year again, The Great Synagogue's community remembers the sacrifices made by Australian Jewish soldiers, past and present. Lest we forget.
First three images credit: Jono David/HaChayim HaYehudim Jewish Photo Library www.JewishPhotoLibrary.com
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#18 York Street Virtual
What happens when a museum curator meets a 3D specialist in The Great Synagogue? They virtually walk inside the long-lost synagogue built in Sydney in 1844. Interest in Victorian architecture recently brought together Jana Vytrhlik and Zac Levi to create an unrivalled visual reconstructions.
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#19 Where's Wally? In The Great?
Here is a Curator's Corner Challenge for you!
Drawn in 1888 by Sydney cartographer M. S. Hill, the map captures the growing metropolis in the age of coal and steam. It reveals the beauty of Sydney harbour and the bold architecture of Thomas Rowe, just ten years old. Can you find it? And in turn, which of the Sydney's landmarks can't you see?
The City of Sydney (a Bird's Eye View), 1888. Collection of the State Library of New South Wales
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#20 L'Shana Tova 5782
The collection of the Rosenblum Jewish Museum at The Great Synagogue Sydney has many little treasures that can bring big joy during challenging times. Today, in Curator's Corner, we share a few delightful postcards just in time to wish you Happy New Year, L'Shana Tovah 5782.
All three collection of The Great Synagogue, Sydney.
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