|
About the Community |
The A.C.T.
Jewish Community was formally constituted in 1951, and the National Jewish
Memorial Centre was opened in 1971, with generous financial assistance from
individuals and organizations interstate, and the continuing assistance of the
NSW Jewish Communal Appeal. The membership reflects the distinctive nature of
Canberra, with many public servants and professionals, some academics and
students, and a few businessmen.
The Canberra Jewish community is small, and has taken advantage of its size to avoid the disharmony that larger communities often face.
In cities with a larger Jewish population, communities form around different synagogues and temples which reflect a particular local consensus, and relations between these organizations are not always good. By contrast, Canberra has a single Jewish community run by an elected Board, which needs to accommodate spiritual and temporal needs across the full spectrum of Jewish diversity. It provides for religious needs through both Orthodox and Progressive services, run in different parts of the Jewish Community Centre. It is also responsible for such activities as adult education, cheder, youth activities, social activities, welfare, and relations with the general community and Jewish organizations outside Canberra.
Because of this unusual structure, we do not have separate memberships for Orthodox and Progressive congregations, with members of both groups standing for the Board as individuals.
For our size the community is very active. However we are keen to grow and to provide even more activities, and welcome the involvement of new and existing Canberra residents, even if it is some time since you last participated in Jewish activities. Because we are small and because there are no professional staff, there are more opportunities for active participation in running the Community and in running the religious services than in the larger cities.
AUJS (Australian Union of Jewish Students)
Australian Jewish Historical Society
Australian Jewish Genealogy Society
