-
Limmud on Sunday - “Who by fire, who by water”: reflections on the Unetaneh Tokef prayer
Posted: 11/08/10
“Who by fire, who by water”: reflections on... read more
-
We welcome Rabbi Kim Ettlinger
Posted: 10/08/10
We welcome Rabbi Kim Ettlinger to... read more
-
Limmud: Parshat Hashavu'a
Posted: 11/12/09
Parshat Hashavu’a - Tuesday evenings, 7.30 – 9 pm... read more
Full Calendar
...........................................
Who are we?
Jews have been part of Australia’s history since the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788.
Founded on 8 August, 1930, as the Beth Israel Congregation by Mrs Ada Phillips, Temple Beth Israel is now the largest congregation in Australia, with more than 2,750 members, and the mother congregation of a family of like-minded synagogues that stretch from the Indian Ocean to the South Pacific.
We can look back on a remarkable record of achievement. In 1938 we reached out to found Australia’s second Liberal Synagogue, in Sydney. Following the War two more Liberal Synagogues were established in the suburbs of Melbourne—the first being in the eastern suburbs, followed by the Bentleigh Progressive Synagogue in 1952. That same year Temple David in Perth was founded, followed in succession by Auckland, New Zealand and then Wellington, the North Shore of Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Central Coast and, most recently, another Melbourne congregation in Armadale.
In both Melbourne and Sydney, Day Schools were established and a vigorous Progressive Jewish Zionist Youth Movement (NETZER) was created which spread around the world. From a loose-knit relationship of two congregations in Melbourne and Sydney, a Union for Progressive Judaism has developed, together with its own Council of Progressive Rabbis.
We strive to embody the best of our tradition. At TBI, we consider one of the most important aspects of the brit between the Jewish people and God to be the pursuit of Tikkun Olam—repairing the world. The Temple has long reached out to a changing world; now, as we navigate a new century, our need to enhance Progressive Jewish life is stronger than ever.
Our congregation is proud to sponsor many activities, for affiliates and non-affiliates alike, including religious services, Matan Hebrew and Jewish Studies, b'nei mitzvah programming, youth and adult social and educational programs. The Temple’s rabbis represent our community at civic functions and also perform the normal duties traditionally associated with ministers of religion.
Temple Beth Israel has three sanctuaries. Our main sanctuary, where most Shabbat services and all festival and High Holyday services are held, seats up to 1800 worshippers. Our second, smaller sanctuary, the Friedlander Synagogue, is beside a beautiful Jerusalem-style courtyard, with a wall of Jerusalem stone. The Friedlander is also used as our Beit Midrash. We have a third sanctuary for alternative services located in the Magid Resource Centre.
The complex of synagogue buildings includes a congregational office, a day care centre and creche, the Beit Midrash and library, a youth centre and a social hall.
...........................................
Where are we?
Located in the beachside suburb of St Kilda on one of the most picturesque points of Port Phillip Bay and less than 6 km from the centre of Melbourne, Temple Beth Israel serves a membership of more than 2800 people, and a wider community.
Victoria located in the south-eastern corner of Australia and is the smallest mainland state. The state is geographically compact and all regions are within easy reach, from sandy beaches, to sweeping rural countryside, snowfields and untouched native forests.
Victoria has a mild, temperate climate with warm to hot summers, mild autumns, cool to cold winters and sunny springs. The average maximum winter temperature is 14°C, while the summer average is 25°C - although scorching 40°C summer days are not unusual. The climate varies across the state, with the north experiencing much drier and warmer weather than the south.
About 5 million people live in Victoria - the second largest population of any state in Australia. More than 70 percent of Victorians live in Melbourne, the state's capital city. Victoria is one of the world's greatest migration success stories. Victorians come from over 200 countries, speaking over 180 languages and dialects and follow over 110 religious faiths. Almost one quarter of Victoria's population was born overseas - 43.6 percent were either born overseas, or have a parent who was born overseas.
Some tourism links for visitors to our congregation:
