H eadlines
Jewish Australia
You can walk across the Sydney
Harbor Bridge … or climb to the
top. The koala is arguably the most
adorable animal on the planet.

Photos by Jill Perlin
• Rent a car and drive the
Great Ocean Road.

• Visit local wineries.

In the Outback
• Visit Ayers Rock/Uluru.

This Destination at a
Glance Over 50 Advantage: It can be
expensive to do everything in
Australia you might want to
do. It also takes more time. It’s
a vast country, and there’s a lot
to see.

Mobility Level: Generally
low to moderate. The Sydney
Harbor Bridge Climb requires
a higher level of mobility.

LIKE MANY OF AUSTRALIA’S early European settlers, the first
Jews in Australia were transported there as British prisoners in the
18th century. An Australian Jewish presence began on Jan. 26, 1788,
the day that approximately 16 Jews — 15 convicts and one baby —
arrived in what is now Sydney Harbor with a large contingent of
non-Jewish prisoners.

Those early Jews were the first of several waves of immigrants
that would repeatedly change the Australian Jewish community,
including Russians and South Africans, as well as Britons.

Despite its diversity, Jews were and remain are a tiny minority in
the land Down Under, comprising about 0.4% of the first cohort of
British convicts shipped off to the Australian colonies. Interestingly,
that remains about the same as the Jewish proportion of the total
Australian population today.

Population estimates number Australian Jews today at well above
110,000, although just 91,022 Australians identified as Jewish in
the government’s 2016 census. Most live in Sydney, Melbourne and
Brisbane. Melbourne has the largest contingent.

Until the 1930s, all synagogues in Australia were Orthodox, and
about 70% of them remain so. There are Reform congregations in
Melbourne and Sydney.

Australian Jews have played a prominent role in Australian society.

The nation has had a Jewish head of state (twice), a Jewish head of the
judiciary and a Jewish head of the armed forces.

The seamless integration of Jews into Australia allowed them
to flourish in all spheres but religion. The Jews’ incorporation into
society led to a rise in intermarriage, a drop in synagogue attendance
and a lack of affiliation with Judaism in general. Nonetheless, there are
still many who maintain their Jewish institutions and congregations.

Australian Jewry in the 21st century is not particularly religiously
observant but has a vibrant Jewish identity. Major traditions are
widespread, such as seder night at home and Rosh Hashanah and
Yom Kippur at the synagogue. The community gives generously to
fundraising causes and has a good record of making aliyah to Israel. l
— Jeffrey Orenstein
AKILADELPHIA CREATIVE CONTRACTING, LLC
CUSTOM BUILDING
When to Go: Check out: trave-
landleisure.com/travel-tips/ best-time-to-visit-australia.

Where to Stay:
• Sydney – Sydney Harbor
Marriott • Ayers Rock – Sails in the
Desert • Cairns – Hilton Cairns
Special Travel Interests:
• Aboriginal history and culture
• Unique natural wonders l
Jill Perlin is a freelance writer and
an avid and intrepid traveler.

JEWISHEXPONENT.COM GENERAL CONTRACTING
LICENSED & INSURED
215.589.5405// AKILADELPHIA.COM
RESIDENTIAL KITCHEN & BATH SPECIALISTS
A PORTION OF TOTAL CONTRACT PRICE WILL BENEFIT
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FEBRUARY 24, 2022
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