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Overview
Before the Second World War Australia absorbed 7000-8000 refugees from Nazism, many from Austria. Of these, more than 5000 arrived in 1939, so that they became known as the thirty-niners. In 1940, a further 2000 were deported to Australia by the British government on the infamous ship, the Dunera, and were interned at Hay in NSW as enemy aliens, despite the fact that they had fled to Britain as refugees from Nazi Germany.
The largest number of immigrants arrived in the period after the war, between 1946 and 1961, the vast majority being Holocaust survivors. Between 1946 and 1954 more than 17,000 Jews arrived from Europe and Shanghai. A further 10,000 had arrived by 1961, with a significant number coming after the Hungarian uprising of 1956. A small number of Egyptian Jews also arrived in that period as refugees from the persecution which followed the overthrow of the Egyptian monarchy and the subsequent Suez Crisis. Thus, between 1938 and 1961 Australian Jewry almost trebled in size from a tiny group of 23,000 in 1933 to 60,000 in 1961.
The next phase 1961-1981, was a period of consolidation, attracting a smaller number of immigrants, with most coming from South Africa and the USSR. Since 1981 immigration has again increased, with most immigrants still coming from South Africa and the former USSR and a small number coming from Israel.
In 2007 the Australian Jewish population was appro9ximately 120,000.
Perth
Perth is the capital and largest city in Western Australia. It is Australia's forth largest city, with a population of approximately 1.5 million. Perth was founded in 1829 as the political centre of the free settler Swan River Colony. The metropolitan area is located between the Indian Ocean and the Darling Range.
The central business district is situated on the beautiful Swan River which winds itself through Perth's suburbs. The climate in Perth is typically Mediterranean - with wet, rather mild winters and warm, dry summers and the standard of living is very high. The original Jewish settlers in Perth were largely from South Africa and tended to be very orthodox in their practices. Other Jewish groups concentrated themselves in other Australian cities like Melbourne or Sydney.
Today's Jewish Perth is a growing and vibrant community that is diverse and inclusive. The community numbers over 7,000 and there are a number of different religious congregations catering to the diverse interests, beliefs and traditions of this active community.
The oldest congregation, established over 110 years ago, is the Perth Hebrew Congregation, led by Rabbi David Freilich. The Perth Hebrew Congregation, also referred to simply as the Perth Synagogue, has more membership than all the other synagogues combined in Perth and thus caters for the vast majority of the Jewish population. They have erected an eruv making travel to and from the shul easier for the large number of orthodox families.
The Dianella Shule also called The Beit Midrash of WA forms a small but significant part of the Perth Community. It is primely located opposite the Jewish Centre, the Maccabi Sports Fields and Carmel School. It is also within the eruv. Besides the three regular minyanim daily, the shul is a hive of activity as it is the home of the Torah Mitzion Perth Yeshiva. There are four bachurim from Israel in attendance at the yeshivah where they learn with the Rosh Yeshivah, Rav Eitan Cahn, every morning. With a strong emphasis on continuing education, they spend the afternoons and evenings in shiurim and chavrutot teaching and learning with members of the community - young and old alike. Typical of their characteristic warmth and welcoming, they are known for their Shabbat hospitality to travelers passing through Perth. Approximately six kilometres north of the Perth Hebrew Congregation is the Northern Suburbs Hebrew Congregation in Noranda. This smaller synagogue was formed in the 1990s, mainly by South African migrants.
This project is for Jews born, lived or died in Western Australia, Australia.
If you don't know what state they lived in - you can add them to
TIME
If they were in Australia prior to 1901, you can should also add them to
LOCATION
If they also lived in other states, please add them to the relevant project
- Jews of Australia - New South Wales
- Jews of Australia - Victoria
- Jews of Australia - Queensland
- Jews of Australia - South Australia
- Jews of Australia - Northern Territory
- Jews of Australia - Tasmania
PROFILE BIO's
Add a link to the profile of prominent persons in the Jewish Community and a short bio on them.
Examples (not meant to limit profiles)
- First Jewish settlers
- Significant member of Jewish society