the great synagogue Archives – J-Wire

Lecture: Is free will an illusion?

Rob Klein — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 07:43:38 +0000

That question will sit at the heart of a major public lecture by internationally renowned Jewish philosopher Associate Professor Samuel Lebens when he visits Australia in July. Rabbi Dr Lebens, from the University of Haifa, will speak in Sydney and Perth in a University of Notre Dame Australia program exploring Jewish philosophy, ethics and human […]

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Sanctuary of Sydney’s Great Synagogue rededicated after 148 years

Rob Klein — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 05:27:53 +0000

Sydney’s Great Synagogue has rededicated its sanctuary in a ceremony led by the Chief Rabbi of the Commonwealth, Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, marking the completion of a major restoration of one of Australia’s most significant Jewish heritage buildings. Yesterday evening’s ceremony marked the culmination of the synagogue’s most significant restoration since the 1907 alterations. The […]

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The Great Synagogue welcomes 1000 visitors for Sydney Open event

Rob Klein — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 06:39:29 +0000

The Great Synagogue, Sydney, welcomed nearly 1,000 visitors on Sunday, 2 November, as part of the Museums of History NSW’s annual Sydney Open event. This offered many their first opportunity to see inside one of Australia’s most striking examples of Victorian architecture. Now in its 21st year, Sydney Open invites the public to explore more […]

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The Great not advised it was a target

AAP — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 06:46:22 +0000

Sydney’s The Great Synagogue’s chief minister, Rabbi Benjamin Elton, said authorities never informed him the synagogue was a potential target and he only learned of the development through the media. The discovery of an explosive-laden caravan with a list of possible Jewish targets has put communities further on edge amid rampant antisemitic attacks. Jewish leaders […]

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The Great’s Bat Mitzvah program spreads its wings

J-Wire Newsdesk — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 04:54:12 +0000

The Great Synagogue is offering its Embracing Bat Mitzvah: Sisterhood and Tradition program to non-members and women across the wider Sydney Jewish community. The program is now open to all Jewish women aged 20+ who did not have a Bat Mitzvah at age 12 and want to participate in this milestone moment. Sharon Schach, Chair […]

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A Bat Mitzvah at 99

J-Wire Newsdesk — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 06:40:16 +0000

There’s a new initiative at Sydney’s The Great Synagogue, ’12 Over 12’ – a program devised for 12 women over the age of 12 to finally celebrate a Bat Mitzvah. So many women grew up without the opportunity, or even right, to have a Bat Mitzvah, and so to have experienced one in their later […]

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Eight Seasons – at the Great Synagogue: a music review by Shirley Politzer

Shirley Politzer — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 04:58:51 +0000

Vladimir Fanshil, conductor, pianist and founder of Live at Yours, promised us “an immersive musical experience in the architectural marvel that is the Great Synagogue” and that’s exactly what we got on Tuesday night for the “Eight Seasons” concert. Audiences obviously believed him as Tuesday was a sellout, and a 2ndconcert was organised for Wednesday. […]

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Diverse religious Australians make moral case for the voice referendum

Agencies — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 05:55:32 +0000

The Voice Referendum “Week of Action” has launched Statements from the Soul, a collection of passionate essays by Australians of diverse religions, making the moral case for Indigenous constitutional recognition through a Voice. The event was held at Sydney’s The Great Synagogue. Stan Grant joined Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh contributors, demonstrating leaders from diverse […]

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Service to mark the beginning of the Law Term

J-Wire Newsdesk — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 04:21:08 +0000

Sydney’s The Great Synagogue has host once again the Jewish service to mark the start of the Law Term. Present were the Chief Justice, Attorney General, judges, barristers and solicitors, Jewish communal and other faith leaders, parliamentarians and councillors and other members of the community. David Lewis, President of The Great Synagogue welcomed the congregation […]

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Women of Worth

Hilary May Black — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 00:11:46 +0000

Brainchild of Vice-President, Caroline Lewis, the forthcoming WOW (Women of Worth) Weekend to be held at Sydney's The Great Synagogue next month promises to be a must-do event for Jewish women from all walks of life.

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