The Adelaide Progressive
Jewish Congregation was formed in mid 1963. By the end of that year, the
pioneers of the Liberal Movement had established a program of services,
commenced religion classes for the young, and purchased burial plots in the
main cemetery. The Ladies Guild raised the funds to purchase a torah scroll
from England that was dedicated by Melbourne Rabbi John Levi in 1964.
In the early stages,
religious services were conducted by volunteers in the basement of the
Freemason building in North Terrace before moving to other temporary
locations.
The first Liberal
Synagogue was at Prospect, bought in 1967 for 16,000 Pounds, the loan being
under-written by Ray White. It served the then small community well for nine
years until membership growth made it no longer suitable.
In 1976 the Board of
Management purchased its present property on Hackney Road. The Board
appointed the congregations first Rabbi, Jeffrey Kahn, in 1981. During Rabbi
Kahn's tenure, the congregation built classrooms to accommodate its growing
religion school. Following Rabbi Kahn's return to the U.S., Rabbi Ian Morris
was appointed and served the congregation for nine years. Rabbi Morris was
deeply involved with the Council of Christians and Jews and was Chairman of
the Interfaith Association.
Beit Shalom currently has
300 members and is noted for its innovative programs, including two Jewish
women's conferences in 1993 and 1994, staging an original play based on
Jewish divorce laws entitled "Getting your Man", and an annual inter-faith
seder.
Rabbi Lenore Bohm, the
first serving female Rabbi in Adelaide, instituted a successful outreach
program during her tenure from 1997-1999. Rabbi Adam Morris took up his new
appointment in August 1999.
Founding members in front of the Masonic Hall, North Terrace, 1963.
The Synagogue at Prospect, known as Temple Beth Shalom.
Religions School held at the Wayville Institute, 1964.
Rabbi Jeffrey Kahn, 1981-1986 (left) officiating at a Bat Mitzvah.
Rabbi Ian Morris, 1987-1996, officiating at a Bat Mitzvah.
Rabbi Lenore Bohm, 1997-1999, officiating at a Bar Mitzvah.
Former Presidents of the Board at the 25th anniversary of the congregation.
Guest speakers Eleanor Bourke (left) and Mona Tur (right) with then
Sisterhood President, Kitty Goode, at the conference "Concerning Jewish
Women" organized by the Beit Shalom Sisterhood in 1993 that received an
international award for excellence.
The final wedding scene from the play "Getting your Man" presented by the
Beit Shalom Sisterhood in 1997.
Characters from the annual Purim Spiel.
Decorating the succah for Succot, the harvest festival.
Rabbi Jackie Ninio, former member of Beit Shalom, currently serving Temple
Emanuel congregation in Sydney.
Stained glass window "Eternal Dream" designed by Andrew Steiner.
Beit Shalom, Hackney Road.
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