Temple David is a Progressive Jewish congregation and synagogue located in Mount Lawley, an inner northern suburb of Perth. It is the sole progressive congregation in the state of Western Australia.Constituent Members JCCWA. Retrieved on 15 November 2024 The congregation was established in 1952.Personalities and events, Temple David congregation, ten years 1952-1962 National Library of Australia. Retrieved on 14 November 2024

History A key proponent for a Jewish congregation under the auspices of Reform Judaism, was Dr Ronald Taft, from the Psychology faculty at the University of Western Australia. Taft had been a member of Temple Beth Israel in Melbourne and took up his faculty position in 1951. In May 1952, a formation known as the "Liberal Jewish Group" was established and began conducting Reform services. Rabbi Herman Sanger, a key figure in the history of Temple Beth Israel, led a service in the same year, addressing 300 in attendance. Taft also became foundation president of the congregation.We 'profile' Ron Taft Profile. June–July 2015Celebrating Temple David’s 70th anniversary The Maccabean. 29 July 2022 Jewish refugees and Holocaust survivors from Europe were among the founding members of the congregation.The horror of the Holocaust The West Australian. 3 May 2011

In 1959, Rabbi George W. Rubens became the congregation's first permanent rabbi and the congregation was renamed Temple David.About templedavid.org.au. Retrieved on 14 November 2024 Rubens, born in the Free City of Danzig had previously served congregations in Melbourne and Hobart. His great-grandfather had been a founder of the Great Synagogue, Danzig's fist Reform synagogue.New rabbi in Perth The Australian Jewish News. 13 March 1959

In 1966, the congregation extended its service offering, with Saturday Shabbat services offered each week rather than fortnightly.Temple change The Australian Jewish News

In 1974, a row unfolded between Temple David rabbi Uri Themal and his Orthodox counterpart, rabbi Coleman of Perth Hebrew Congregation (PHC). The two previously ran end-of-term seminars together at Mount Lawley Senior High School. During rabbi Themal's absence, rabbi Coleman made the decision to split the children into two separate groups, Orthodox and Reform for religious instruction. Rabbi Themal attended the Royal Commission on Human Relationships where he supported the end of the criminalisation of homosexuality. He accused rabbi Coleman as using this as justification to split the religious education of the children into two groups.Perth Jewry faces open disharmony The Australian Jewish Times. 29 August 1974

In 1976, it was reported that Cantor Marshall Stone had introduced several changes to the service music with more "prayer settings specifically composed by Jewish composers for the Cantor-Choir-Organ ensemble". This was a move away from the "arrangements" for the "Reform temple of music originally written for Orthodox and/or Conservative synagogues in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries."Music at Temple The Australian Jewish News. 6 August 1976

In 1979, the Perth Hebrew Congregation rabbi emeritus, Louis Rubin-Zachs made history when he addressed Temple David in a Thanksgiving service for the Egypt–Israel peace treaty. He told the congregation that in addressing them he was honouring the late Brigadier Philip Masel, a member of both PHC and Temple David.Perth minister makes history The Australian Jewish News. 24 May 1979 In 1980, both PHC and Temple David coordinated Jewish courses at Mt Lawley College of Advanced education as part of its community programs. The program covered eight areas of Jewish study, including Bible study, Hebrew classes, Jewish representation in dramatic literature as well as classes pertaining to politics, economics and archaeology of Israel and the Middle East.Resources combined for Perth program The Australian Jewish Times. 17 April 1980

In 1980, the synagogue introduced a new teaching method to learn Hebrew, using the ulpan approach from Israel.Temple Hebrew The Australian Jewish News. 18 April 1989

A specially recorded service at the synagogue in November 1987, was broadcast in early 1988 for the ABC TV Sunday Worship slot.Temple on television The Australian Jewish News. 27 November 1987

In 1989, Rabbi Dovid Freilich, long-time leader of Perth Hebrew Congregation reported to have "excellent relations" with Temple David, expanding: "There seems no positive purpose in Orthodox Jews shunning the Temple."Rift between Perth 'old timers' and newcomers 'misunderstanding' The Australian Jewish News. 28 July 1989

In 1992, Carmel School, Perth's only Jewish day school made changes to its enrollment policies, enabling more children affiliated with Reform Judaism and Temple David to attend.Kleerekoper, Victor (26 February 1993) Can we be one community? The Australian Jewish News. Retrieved on 3 January 2025 It would, for the first time, begin to accept children that are not Jewish according to Orthodox Jewish halacha definitions.Alhadeff, Vic (9 October 1992) Perth's Carmel School changes 34-year-old enrolment policy The Australian Jewish News. Retrieved on 2 January 2025 The school's prior admissions policy had been criticised by Temple David rabbi, John Spiro in 1979.Perth row over 'communal school' The Australian Jewish News. 23 November 1979

Buildings The congregation established a permanent home in 1954, by purchasing a family home on Clifton Crescent in Mount Lawley, that was converted to use as a synagogue. The synagogue was officially opened on 27 October 1954.Dedication address on the occasion of the Opening of the Temple David Centre, Perth, on October 27, 1954 The Westralian Judean. 1 November 1954 The synagogue was dedicated in 1963, following an 18-month building and renovation process, with the construction of separate building housing a sanctuary and religion school. As part of the ceremony, a plaque was unveiled in commemoration of the Jewish dead from both World Wars. The new Ark acted as a focal point, surrounded by stained glass windows with menorah designs. Three classrooms and a function hall were also constructed. The works were completed at a cost of £A28,000,Temple opened The Australian Jewish News. 1 November 1963 equivalent to in . A caretaker's residence was constructed in 1973. The architect responsible for the designs was Harold Boas, a founding member of the congregation.Temple David Synagogue Heritage Council (Government of Western Australia)Harold Boas Museum of Perth. Retrieved on 15 November 2024 Boas's nephew Harold Krantz' firm Krantz and Sheldon, established by Krantz and Robert Sheldon, a Jewish immigrant from Vienna, designed the temple's kindergarten.Krantz and Sheldon State Library of Western Australia. Retrieved on 3 August 2025

Leadership In 1973, rabbi Uri Themal (1940-), a Berlin-born Holocaust survivor was appointed to lead the congregation. He stayed in the role for nearly four years before taking on a new role in the Federal Government, involving the development of Australia's multiculturalism policy.Arrivals: From Brisbane to Tivon: Uri and Geraldine Themal The Jerusalem Post. 12 February 2009

In 1979, a German-born, Israeli-raised rabbi, John Gabriel Spiro (1937–1997), was appointed rabbi of congregation, succeeding Cantor Abraham Jacobi.New rabbi for Perth temple The Australian Jewish News. 12 July 1979 Spiro was a former professional opera singer, had performed at Carnegie Hall and studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He had also fought in both the Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War.New rabbi in Perth The Australian Jewish News. 16 November 1979

In 1984, Rabbi Ian Morris (1956-), an Australian Hebrew Union College graduate, was appointed to lead the congregation.Perth Temple's rabbi Morris was succeeded by Rabbi Charles David Wallach, from Johannesburg, serving from 1988 to 1995.Rabbi Charles David Wallach, Z’l Sussex Jewish News. October/November 2019Perth Temple's English rabbi The Australian Jewish News. 24 June 1988 American rabbi Joshua M. Aaronson served the congregation between 1998 and 2002.New rabbi The Australian Jewish News. 21 August 1998

The congregation was served by Israeli-born rabbi Adi Cohen from 2014 to 2021.New rabbi not pulling rank The Perth Voice. 14 November 2014 In 2022, Cohen was succeeded by the congregation's current rabbi, the South African-born Kim Ettlinger. Rabbi Ettlinger studied at rabbinical school in the United States and served Temple Beth Israel in Melbourne from 2010 to 2021.Perth homecoming for Rabbi Ettlinger The Australian Jewish News. 1 December 2022

See also Perth Hebrew Congregation Carmel School JHub Maccabi Community Centre List of synagogues in Australia History of the Jews in Australia

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