Australia. As in ancient days the Jewish exiles carried fire from their altars to the strange land whither they went forth to dwell, so do the Jews of the present day, whithersoever they wander, carry with them the fire of Judaism, to burn on the new altars which they raise in their wanderings. Yes, even in this 'Ultima Thule' this remote region, where the Jew must turn Westward rather than Eastward if he would look towards Jerusalem—where Passover occurs in the Autumn, and the Feast of Tabernacles in the Spring of the year—still, longing eyes are lifted towards the 'Holy Home,' and pious hearts beat for the Restoration.
First Jewish Worship in 1839.
"The commencement of the celebration of the Rites and Ordinances of the Jewish Faith in Melbourne, was a singularly modest one, and dates far back in the annals of the Colony. Even as the Israelites of old in the wilderness had to content themselves with a Tabernacle as their place of worship, so their descendants in this far Southern land, erected their tent in the, then, almost wilderness, for the worship of the Most High, in accordance with their ancient usages and traditions.
"Divine Service was held for the first time in Melbourne on the Festival of the year 5600 (A.D. 1839). The Jewish residents then in Melbourne were not sufficient in number to form a Minyon.
"On the New Year Festivals of 1840, Divine Service with a full Minyon was held for the first time in Port Phillip, Messrs., Edward and Isaac Hart having arrived a few days before the New Year, they completed the number (10) of male adults required for that purpose. Mr. Edward Hart rendered valuable aid in the performance of the services. During the year 1841 the late Mr. A. H. Hart arrived. This gentleman must be regarded as the pioneer who cleared the way and acclimatised, so to speak, the practices and ordinances of the Jewish religion in this Colony. He not only gave time and means in aid of the congregation, but also acted for many years in the capacity of Honorary Lay Reader, and performed the functions of a Minister until the services of a duly authorized and properly qualified Rabbi could be secured. The New Year and Yom-Kipur services in 1841 were held at the newly built (but unoccupied) Port Phillip Hotel, Flinders Street. The number of attendants was from twenty to twenty-five. Mr. A. H. Hart was on that occasion assisted by his brother, Mr. Edward Hart, and Mr. Lewis Nathan, the latter gentleman being on a visit to this Colony from Hobart, Tasmania.
"At a general meeting held on Sunday the 29th day of 'Tiveth,' 5604 a.m. (21st January, A.D. 1844) it was unanimously resolved:— That this congregation be designated—'The Holy Congregation of a Remnant of Israel.'
"The laws as prepared by the Committee were read seriatim, and after some verbal amendments, unanimously approved of.
Sunday, 28th January, 5604 a.m., 1844.
"At a general meeting held this day, at the residence of Mr. A. H. Hart, the foregoing laws as amended were read and unanimously confirmed.
Officers and Committee.— Mr. A. H . Hart, President; Mr. S. Benjamin, Treasurer.
Committee.— Messrs. John Hart, I. L. Lincoln, Edward Hart, John Levy.
Hon. Secretary.— Mr. M. Cashmore.
"From the foregoing it will be seen that the first regularly constituted congregation of Jews for public worship, in Melbourne, was founded in the year 1844, and that the first President of that congregation was the late Mr. A. H. Hart.
"In 1844 a valuable and central piece of land, situated in Bourke Street West, was procured from the Government, mainly through the exertions ofthe zealous and indefatigable Mr. A. H. Hart. In 1847 an unpretentious but suitable brick building was erected thereon. This was the first structure erected for public Jewish worship in this Colony.
"Soon after the discovery of gold in Victoria, the influx to the Jewish population became so great that it led to the necessity of raising funds to build a Synagogue commensurate with the requirements ofthe times. This was speedily accomplished, though the cost of doing so was about £12,000, Mr. David Benjamin (now residing in London) heading the list of contributors with £1000, his brother, the late Mr. M. Benjamin, following with £500.
