About the Australian Jewish Historical Society

Newtown Hebrew Congregation
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Through this website, listings and many of the holdings of the Australian Jewish Historical Society (AJHS) are electronically accessible. AJHS has a unique collection of documents spanning books, manuscripts, newspapers, historical records, audiotapes, videotapes and other printed electronic or audio-visual content. Material on almost every aspect of Jewish life is available, such as genealogical information, personal papers, bound newspapers and institutional records sourced from individuals through to synagogues, communities, and Jewish organisations.

As per the AJHS Constitution, AJHS is dedicated to promoting the study of Jewry in Australia from 1788. AJHS has sought to compile and make available unique and authentic records relating to the Jewish people in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands via the acquisition and preservation of historically significant documents and materials. 

Equally, AJHS has pursued the conservation of places of Jewish interest and continues to foster the interchange of information through its journal,  lectures, discussions, publications and exhibitions of historical interest or value. 

Founded in August 1938 by Rabbi Leib Falk, Sydney Glass, Hirsch Munz and Percy Marks, AJHS was initially focused on the publication of a journal and operated without an official address. Yet, under the long and dedicated stewardship of the Great Synagogue’s Rabbi Israel Porush, AJHS flourished, in time expanding to Victoria in 1949 and the Australian Capital Territory in 1984.

After many years of adding to, storing and preserving its archives at various sites around Sydney, a home was ultimately found at the Sydney Jewish Museum – former Maccabean Hall in Darlinghurst. Here, AJHS’s assets are available to the public and academics and are used by the community to source material for displays and publications.

In 1971, Prof Alan Crown of Sydney University identified a need to establish a repository for communal archives which was housed within the Rare Book Department of Fisher Library at Sydney University.

In 2017, with the ongoing financial support of JCA, AJHS became the official repository of the ever expanding archives of many of the community’s Jewish institutions.

In 2020, funded by a bequest from the late Louise Rosenberg and named in her honour, a secure, climate controlled archive storage was established within the Darlinghurst building 

In 2021, the holdings of the Archive of Australian Judaica were consolidated with those of AJHS.

In 2023, AJHS amalgamated with the Australian Jewish Genealogical Society to create a single point of contact for researchers into the story of Jewish life in Australia.

 

N.S.W. Executive Officers
Australian Jewish Historical Society INC.

First Floor
Sydney Jewish Museum
148 Darlinghurst Road
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Phone: +61 2 8036 0143
email: admin@ajhs.com.au

Founded 21 August 1938 (Incorporated 1988)

Patrons

  • Suzanne D. Rutland OAM
 

President

Peter Philippsohn OAM

Vice President

Barbara Simon

Honorary Secretary

Kym Morris

Honorary Treasurer

Simon Havas

 
 

Committee

  • Michael Eisman
  • Rabbi Dr Benjamin Elton
  • Robert Gescheit OAM
  • Keith Masnick
  • Suzanne D. Rutland OAM
  • Anna Marks OAM
  • Danny Hochberg

NSW Journal Editor

Suzanne D. Rutland OAM

Head Archivist

Sabrina Elias

Victoria Executive Officers
Australian Jewish Historical Society
Victoria Inc.

311/95 Ormond Rd
Elwood VIC 3184
Phone: 0407 389 919
email: vic@ajhs.com.au

Founded 17 October 1949 (Incorporated 1989)

President

Gavin Silbert KC

 

Honorary Secratary

David Marlow

Honorary Treasurer

Allan Nahum

Committee

  • Liz James OAM
  • Dr Hilary Rubinstein OAM
  • Prof William D Rubinstein
  • Prof Andrew Markus AO
  • Dr Erica Cervini

Research

Liz James OAM

VIC Journal Editor

ACT Executive Officers
Australian Jewish Historical Society ACT

Address:
PO Box 3105
Manuka ACT 2603

Founded 9 April 1984

President

Adele Rosalky

Vice-President

Margaret Beadman OAM

Honorary Secretary

Aston Kwok

Honorary Treasurer

Peter Taft

Committee

  • Rosalie Balkin AO
  • Cohava Rubenstein-Sturgess
  • Sally Markham
  • Rosalie Aroni