Perth Hebrew Congregation

The Perth Hebrew Congregation (or the PHC) is at the heart of the Perth Jewish community, being the oldest and largest Shule in Perth. It is currently situated in Menora. The shule is among one of ther three main Jewish prayer institutions in Perth, along with the Beit Midrash of Western Australia (located in Dianella), Northern Suburbs Hebrew Congregation (located in Noranda and formed in the 1990s, mainly by South African migrants). There is also a Progressive congregation, Temple David, in the Mount Lawley area.

History of the PHC

The PHC was established over 110 years ago and is still as strong and dynamic a community as ever. The Shule was originally located in Brisbane Street, Northbridge. It moved to its current location in [[Menora]] in the 1970's.

The Perth Hebrew Congregation Inc. (PHC) has exercised an overriding role in the history of Western Australia Jewry. The organisation was founded in 1892 when members of the small Jewish community of Perth inaugurated regular religious services. With the colony embarking upon unprecedented expansion due to rich gold discoveries the population of Perth increased rapidly. In the process the Perth Hebrew Congregation became the premier institution of WA Jewry and retained that position in the decades which followed. Today the PHC is the oldest and largest organisation of Western Australian Jewry and continues to flourish as the core institution of orthodox Judaism in the State. Up till his death in 1939, Rabbi David Freedman was the minister of the community, which was founded in 1896, with the first synagogue being built in Brisbane Street (1896 - 1974), until it was reloctaed to Menora.

Up until the extraordinary growth of the community in the 1980's this was the sole Orthodox shule serving the community. It is a large shule located in the more established area of the community, within the Eruv and within walking distance of most Shomer Shabbat families.

Return of the ANZAC Torah

An Egyptian Sefer Torah, donated during WWI by Moise Cattaui Pasha, President of the Jewish Community of Cairo, to Rabbi David Freedman of Perth, Western Australia, chaplain to the Australian & New Zealand Jewish soldiers, was at long last found at the Museum of Western Australia and restored to the property of the Perth Hebrew Congregation. It appeared that the scroll had been contained in a wooden tiq, covered in turn by a cloth mantle.

Rabbis of the PHC:

• Rabbi David Isaac Freedman (1897 - 1939)
• Rabbi Louis Rubin-Zacks (1939 - 1964)
• Rev Emanuel Fischer (1964 - 1967)
• Rabbi Dr Shalom Coleman (1965 - 1985)
• Rabbi Michael Orelowitz (1986 - 1987)
• Rabbi David Freilich (1988 - Current)

The Shule

Being the oldest and largest Shule in Perth, the PHC is a vibrant centre for Jewish communal life. It provides daily services, educational programmes, a day care facility, a library, a mikveh and a bookshop.

There is seating for 544 men downstairs and 532 females upstairs and in a small area downstairs behind a mechitza for ladies who would have difficulty with the stairs. The Shule is surrounded by beautiful gardens where various events are held in the summer months. An elegant boundary fence is in the process of being constructed around the Shule complex.

Furthur reading

• "The Perth Hebrew Congregation 1892 - 2002" by Dr David Mossenson (ISBN 095959812X - paperback, ISBN 0959598138)

External links

• Home page of Perth Hebrew Congregation
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