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East Melbourne shul’s history is interwoven with the story of Melbourne Jewry almost from the city’s foundation and was initially established in the gold rush days of 1852. In 1857, the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation was established after separating from the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. A grant of land was obtained at the top of the city on the corner of Little Lonsdale St and Stephen St (now known as Exhibition St.)
A building, which incorporated a synagogue and school, was erected on the site. Membership grew and the small building became inadequate. In 1873 land for the existing synagogue at 488 Albert St East Melbourne was purchased for the sum of 2261 pounds. The foundation stone was laid in March 1877 and the Synagogue was opened in September of that year in the presence of communal leaders of all denominations.
The East Melbourne Synagogue opened its doors for the first time in its current location to serve the needs of the vibrant burgeoning Jewish community established in the surrounding inner areas of Melbourne. It fulfilled that role admirably for ninety years until social change saw it begin to cater for a wider clientele including city workers, tourists and a new wave of inner city Jewish residents
East Melbourne Synagogue has played a vital part in the life of Melbourne Jewry for the past 150 years. With the many wedding, barmitzvahs and other simchas conducted there, it has deeply touched the hearts and the minds of thousands of men, women and children in the Melbourne Jewish community and beyond. There are countless stories about East Melbourne, and each family has one to tell.
Despite its distinguished past, It seemed that memory would ultimately be all that was left of the East Melbourne synagogue. With the relocation of the Jewish community from the North to the South of the Yarra in the late 1950’s and 1960’s, East Melbourne's memberships steadily declined in number. An aging band of dedicated individuals lead by the late Rabbi Honig struggled though the 1970's and 1980's to keep old memories alive but it seemed demographics would eventually defeat them.
Then the tide turned and East Melbourne began to experience a resurgence. Spearheaded by the dynamic young Rabbi, Rabbi Levy Tenenbaum a new group of congregants joined forces with longer standing members to breath new life into the old shule. Rabbi Shamir Caplan and most recently Rabbi Dovid gutnick have perpetuated and accelerated that growth.
Without fuss or fanfare, and with very few resources, East Melbourne Synagogue is once again expanding its presence in Jewish Melbourne. The shul now hosts regular Shiurim, shabbatons, seminars, chagim programs and of course Shabbat and Yom Tov Services.
Today, the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation is the only synagogue in the City and serves as its Jewish Heart and centre. Originally a grandiose Shule serving the needs of thousands of Jews in the Carlton-City area, it is now enjoying a wonderful renaissance as more people, particularly young, professional families, move into inner city and city fringe dwellings.
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