Relaunching Launceston shul

LAUNCESTON is home to Australia’s second oldest synagogue, but according to the latest census figures, there are only 19 Jewish men and 30 Jewish women in the town.

Despite the dearth of congregants, a Progressive group is coming together to try and revive the community through regular shul services.

“The synagogue is beautiful, but it has only been used twice a year,” Launceston resident Maxine Manifold told The AJN this week.

“For Tu b’Shevat this year Rabbi Fred Morgan came to Launceston and we managed to pull together 45 people in the synagogue.

“After that a couple of similar-minded people have come together and we are going to hold a Progressive service every second month on Shabbat followed by a meal.”

Manifold is hoping that the new congregation will save her driving to Hobart, which is 200 kilometres away, to attend synagogue. “I’m a member of the Hobart Synagogue, but because I live in Launceston it would be great if we could have regular services at the old synagogue.”

The Launceston Synagogue is a heritage-listed property that was built in 1844.

It is held in trust jointly by the Jewish community of Launceston and the National Trust, who have agreed to allow the shul to be used regularly.

National Trust community heritage officer Matthew Smithies, who previously worked at the Sydney Jewish Museum, said he’s pleased to know the synagogue will become functional.

“We see our role as looking after the fabric of the building and promoting the community to start re-using the building,” Smithies said.

JOSHUA LEVI

The Launceston Synagogue building.