Beth Shalom
Religion
AffiliationProgressive Judaism
LeadershipRabbi Dean Shapiro[1]
Year consecrated1960
StatusActive
Location
Location180 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland 1023
Architecture
Architect(s)Albert Goldwater
TypeSynagogue
Completed1960

Beth Shalom is a Progressive Jewish congregation in Auckland and 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]

History

The 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] Auckland Hebrew Congregation (AHC), with the assistance of the Woolf Fisher Trust, purchased the site in 2019.[7] Schools and Jewish organisations are also relocating to the site, creating a new Jewish centre in Auckland.[8]

Notable members

See also

References

  1. You can celebrate the rest of the High Holidays anywhere in the world without ever leaving home Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 14 September 2021
  2. Being a Jew in New Zealand requires a strong DIY culture The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved on 4 December 2023
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 The Story of Beth Shalom Retrieved on 3 December 2023
  4. Kiwi Cool Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 25 January 2011
  5. The Jewish Traveler: Auckland Hadassah Magazine. January 2014
  6. 2. Current Status of Beth Shalom moving to Remuera Road Jewish Auckland. 2021
  7. Auckland private school Saint Kentigern sells $23m campus to Hebrew Congregation Stuff. 8 April 2021
  8. A new Jewish Centre for Auckland Jewish Lives. 18 April 2021
  9. Sailing To Gold Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 14 August 2012
  10. Angela D'Audney's funeral private New Zealand Herald. 10 February 2002
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