Beth Shalom is a Progressive Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest progressive congregation in the country.[2][3] The congregation was started in 1952 and later a temple was constructed and consecrated in 1960.[3][4] It is a member of the Union for Progressive Judaism.[5] The congregation has over 500 members, hosts a Hebrew school, and also has a burial society.[3]
| Beth Shalom | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership | Rabbi Dean Shapiro[1] |
| Year consecrated | 1960 |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 180 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland 1023 |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Geographic coordinates | 36°52′57″S 174°46′34″E / 36.88250°S 174.77611°E |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Albert Goldwater |
| Type | Synagogue architecture |
| Date established | 6 March 1952 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1960 |
History
editThe congregation was formed on 6 March 1952 at the home of the Pezaro family, a founding family of the synagogue.[3] The congregation was at this point known as the Liberal Jewish Congregation of Auckland.[3] The congregation held its first Shabbat service on 14 April and thereon regular services took place at the Auckland City branch of the Royal Commonwealth Society.[3] A decision was made to establish a more permanent home for the congregation. A plot of land consisting an old foundry was subsequently purchased on Manukau Road in Epsom in 1953.[3] The foundry was renovated and converted into use as small temple serving one hundred congregants.[3] Rabbi John Levi, then a student rabbi from Australia, served as the congregation's first rabbi.[3]
As the congregation outgrew the old foundry, the congregation commissioned a new temple building by local architect, Albert Goldwater.[3] Building work was completed in 1960 and the temple was consecrated in the same year.[3] A second building project was undertaken in 1989 to expand the synagogue. The old foundry building that had been serving as a Hebrew School and social hall was demolished and rebuilt with a new, improved design. The original sanctuary of the 1960 temple was converted into a social hall, with a new sanctuary, offices and classrooms built.[3]
In recent years, Beth Shalom has been in discussions to relocate to the large former campus of Saint Kentigern Girls' School in Remuera.[6][7] Auckland Hebrew Congregation (AHC), with the assistance of the Woolf Fisher Trust, purchased the site in 2019.[8] Schools and Jewish organisations are also relocating to the site, creating a new Jewish centre in Auckland.[9]
Notable members
edit- Jo Aleh, sailor and Olympic gold medalist[10]
- Angela D'Audney, veteran broadcaster[11]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ You can celebrate the rest of the High Holidays anywhere in the world without ever leaving home Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 14 September 2021
- ^ Being a Jew in New Zealand requires a strong DIY culture The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved on 4 December 2023
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l The Story of Beth Shalom Retrieved on 3 December 2023
- ^ Kiwi Cool Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 25 January 2011
- ^ The Jewish Traveler: Auckland Hadassah Magazine. January 2014
- ^ Swapping a synagogue for a school: Auckland Jewry makes a brave move Plus 61J Media. 17 February 2023
- ^ 2. Current Status of Beth Shalom moving to Remuera Road Jewish Auckland. 2021
- ^ Auckland private school Saint Kentigern sells $23m campus to Hebrew Congregation Stuff. 8 April 2021
- ^ A new Jewish Centre for Auckland Jewish Lives. 18 April 2021
- ^ Sailing To Gold Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 14 August 2012
- ^ Angela D'Audney's funeral private New Zealand Herald. 10 February 2002