Inside AJHS: Personal Papers of Earle Hoffman

The Personal Papers of Earle Hoffman

Ashli Fryer, Intern, Bachelor of Archaeology – Macquarie University

Earle Hoffman
Earle Hoffman

There were many prominent members of the Jewish community in Australia, one of whom was Earle Hoffman. Earle was a principal founding member of the ACT Jewish community. He was born in Melbourne in 1921 and died in April 2013.  He moved to Canberra with his wife Anne in 1948 to join the new Bureau of Agricultural Economics.[1]

Throughout his lifetime Hoffman achieved many things, beginning with his education to founding committees and advocating for the Jewish community he was a part of. After finishing his undergraduate degrees in agricultural science and commerce at the University of Queensland, then a Master of Science at Iowa State University, USA[2], Hoffman continued his working life in the Australian Public Service and became a prominent member of the Jewish community within the ACT. Hoffman was president of the ACT Jewish Community for seven terms between 1955 and 1967 and a board member for 25 years.

From 1982 Hoffman worked within B’nai B’rith, a Jewish community organisation,  to make the organisation more active,  hosting memorial events, communal ceremonies and holiday events, including the Kristallnacht remembrance, a Holocaust exhibition opening and the Wallenberg memorial ceremony.

During his lifetime, Earle Hoffman also worked with many different Jewish organisations including the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), where he served as a board member for 25 unbroken years. During this time, he also worked with government officials and other Jewish communities, both within and outside Australia. Hoffman was able to host many events, pass along world news and discussions with other prominent figures in the Jewish community. Both his work within B’nai B’rith and the ECAJ are documented within the Australian Jewish Historical Society.

Outside of his work in these two organisations, Hoffman also founded and worked with and within many different organisations and communities including as a founding member of the ACT Jewish community in 1951; playing a key role in the development of the National Jewish Memorial Centre which opened in 1971 and founding the ACT branch of Australian Jewish Historical Society in 1984.[3] He served in the position of AJHS president for 24 years.[4]

On top of his work within many Jewish and non-Jewish societies and organisations Hoffman,  was always active within the community, organising annual tours, attending discussions, and speaking for boards.[5] By doing this Hoffman became a well-known member of the Jewish community within the ACT and Australia.

Due to his voluntary work throughout his life, Hoffman was granted many awards and honours. These include being awarded a Medal in the Order of Australia for his services to the Jewish community in 1990, as well as a certificate of achievement in 2007 awarded to him by the Royal Australian Historical Society in Sydney.[6] Hoffman was also granted honorary life membership of the ACT Jewish Community, the ECAJ and AJHS, with the AJHS also granting him honorary life president, due to his work within the organisation over many years.[7]

Become a Volunteer with AJHS

Societies like AJHS rely on volunteers to be able to function. Whether you have retired or are just starting out on your professional journey, consider volunteering your time and expertise to help preserve our community's heritage and help others discover their own family story. Click the heading to email AJHS for more details.