Nestled in the heart of St Kilda, Melbourne, Australia, St Kilda Hebrew Congregation with a membership of around 1,500, is a Modern Orthodox synagogue and one of Victoria’s oldest and most vibrant Jewish institutions. Founded in 1871, the congregation, whose Hebrew name, Ohavei Shalom, means “Lovers of Peace”, recently celebrated its 150th anniversary, marking a rich legacy of faith, community and tradition.

I would like to thank Amanda Brown, Daniella Gozlan and Karen Klein for their guidance and support of this article.

Historical Background

Jewish life in Melbourne dates back to the earliest years of European settlement. Among the fifteen members of the Port Phillip Association, who formally established the Melbourne settlement in 1835, two were Jewish, highlighting the community’s presence from the city’s very beginnings.

In 1839, Jewish settlers gathered for Melbourne’s first recorded Rosh Hashanah service, held in a local shop. Just two years later, the community formally established the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation (originally known as the Jewish Congregational Society) with a membership of 57 people. The opening of Melbourne’s first permanent synagogue on Bourke Street, Melbourne in 1847 marked another significant milestone in the development of Jewish communal life.

The discovery of gold in the 1850s transformed Victoria and brought a substantial influx of Jewish immigrants from Britain and continental Europe. As a result, the Jewish population of Victoria grew dramatically, from approximately 350 people in 1851 to nearly 3,000 by 1861. During this period, Jewish communities established synagogues, not only in central Melbourne and East Melbourne, but also in the thriving goldfields towns of Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong.

As Melbourne expanded, many successful Jewish families were drawn to the fashionable bayside suburb of St Kilda, renowned for its seaside setting and growing prestige. By the late 1860s, the area’s Jewish population had grown sufficiently to support its own communal institutions.

Founding of the St Kilda Hebrew Congregation

On September 3, 1871, a public meeting was convened to establish a Hebrew school and synagogue to serve the growing Jewish population of St Kilda and surrounding suburbs. At that historic gathering, Moritz Michaelis was elected the congregation’s first President, Israel Blumberg Treasurer, and H. E. Hart Honorary Secretary. Later that year, High Holy Day services were conducted in the St Kilda Town Hall, marking the beginning of organized Jewish worship in the district.

Soon afterwards, premises were acquired at 17 Charnwood Grove, St Kilda, providing the congregation with its first permanent home. The site served as the center of congregational life for more than half a century, until the completion and consecration of the current synagogue in 1927.

From these modest beginnings, the St Kilda Hebrew Congregation grew into one of Australia’s most significant and enduring Jewish institutions, preserving a rich heritage while continuing to serve generations of Melbourne’s Jewish community.

Current Synagogue

The current synagogue, located on Charnwood Grove, was completed in 1927. Significantly larger than its predecessor, which stood across the road and served the congregation from 1872 to 1904, the new building was designed to accommodate up to 1,000 worshippers, reflecting the remarkable growth of Melbourne’s Jewish community during that period.

Designed by Joseph Plottel in the Byzantine style, the synagogue is renowned for its rich history and distinctive architectural character. Its most striking feature is the large, low-slung dome, which lends the building an elegant and exotic presence. Visitors are welcomed through a grand three-arched portico adorned with impressive bronze doors, added in 1955, while gleaming gold lettering above the façade catches the sunlight, creating a memorable first impression.

The Shule membership goes back many generations and includes members who are descendants of the founders. WW1 military leader, General Sir John Monash, served on the Board for 11 years, from 1920 until his passing in 1931 at age 66.

The Torah Ark (Aron Kodesh) is a magnificent, centrally featured cabinet positioned on the eastern wall of the main sanctuary. Designed in the classic 1920s’ architectural style of the synagogue, it is crafted from polished dark timber, and features intricate decorative details, traditional carvings, and a velvet parochet (curtain) that conceals and houses the congregation’s sacred Torah scrolls.

Rabbinical Team

The Shule is led by Senior Rabbi Yaakov Glasman, who is particularly prominent in interfaith dialogue and collaboration. Assistant Rabbi Hillel Nagel coordinates the B’nei Mitzvah Program.

Culture and Religious Events

The Shule blends its Orthodox tradition with German and Anglo-Jewish customs. The all-male choir, led by Choirmaster Avraham Yee, contains choristers of all ages, remains a pivotal part of congregational life and often performs at major community events.

Renowned for its architectural beauty, the Shule is one of the most photographed synagogues in Australia and a popular venue for weddings. At the heart of the sanctuary stands a beautifully ornate chuppah, beneath which countless Jewish wedding ceremonies have been celebrated, creating a stunning focal point for these joyous occasions.

The congregation places great importance on marking and celebrating the milestones of Jewish life, providing spiritual guidance, communal support, and meaningful ritual at every stage of the journey. These lifecycle events include births, circumcision, a child’s first haircut ceremony, Bat Mitzvah, Bar Mitzvah, weddings, funerals and burials, the consecration and unveiling of a headstone and Yahrzeits (anniversaries of a loved one’s passing.) Through these sacred moments of celebration, remembrance and reflection, the congregation accompanies its members throughout the entirety of life’s journey, strengthening the bonds of faith, family and community.

Established in 2001, the Library Fund supports educational programs, publications, and the acquisition of religious books and artifacts, helping to enrich the intellectual and spiritual life of the congregation.

Music

Liturgical music has been an integral part of Jewish worship and communal life since the time of the First Temple, and St Kilda Shule has long maintained a distinguished tradition of sacred music and choral excellence.

Chazzan Brett Kaye is highly regarded throughout the Jewish community and has performed with world-renowned chazzanim (cantors) and performers, showcasing the beauty and richness of Jewish liturgical music.  The Shule is a magnificent venue for concerts.

Religious Activities

The Shule marks all the Jewish Festivals with a diverse range of educational and fun events for all ages. Its thriving B’nei Mitzvah program teaches participants about Jewish rituals and customs in an engaging environment. Both rabbis run regular shiurim on a wide range of topics.

Visitors

The Shule continues to welcome non-Jewish school students from city and country areas, many dignitaries, and visitors from other Australian states as well as from overseas. Senior Rabbi Yaakov Glasman leads the student tours, explaining Judaism and the Shule’s history. For many students, it is their first encounter with the Jewish community.

Community Events

St Kilda Shule hosts a variety of cultural, educational and social events for the wider Jewish community throughout the year, including guest-speaker luncheons, panel evenings and concerts. It often collaborates with other Shules and Jewish organizations on important community events and has been particularly prominent in hosting a range of Jewish and non-Jewish guest speakers since October 7.

Publications

The Shule produces a weekly e-newsletter, ‘Shabbat Shalom’, and an annual, glossy magazine, ‘Under the Dome’, for the High Holydays.

Contact Information:

12 Charnwood Grove, St Kilda, VIC 3182, Australia

Phone: (03) 9537 1433

Email: exec@stkildashule.org

Website: stkildashule.org.au