Australian Jewish History

June 25, 2020September 1, 2020

#43 Communities in Search of Meaning: Jewish History of the 17th Century (part 3)

A Jewish History Podcast

In this podcast episode, David examines the lives, contributions, and influences of six significant Jewish women from the 17th century. In exploring the individual stories of these poets and scholars, merchants and messianic figures, David provides fascinating insight into different areas of Jewish life in the 1600s as well as into the remarkable – and sometimes unexpected – responsibilities, opportunities, and accomplishments of Jewish women from the time.

Réunion de dames, Abraham Bosse, 17th century. Public Domain.

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February 27, 2020February 27, 2020

#26 Dinkum Diaspora: Highlights of Australian Jewish History (part 4)

This final lecture in the Highlights of Australian Jewish History series examines the years between the 1930s to 1960s. In this podcast episode, David Solomon discusses the contributions made by a number of the key rabbis of this period. He also explores the debate within the Australian Jewish community around Zionism; its response to Jewish migration from Egypt and Eastern Europe; and the remarkable impact of the Jewish day school movement on the community.

Moshe Vilenski playing piano and Shoshana Damari singing at DP camps in Cyprus (ca. 1947–48). Public Domain.

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February 13, 2020February 27, 2020

#24 Dinkum Diaspora: Highlights of Australian Jewish History (part 2)

The beginnings of community and the rise of independent colonies are the underpinning themes of this podcast episode, the second of David Solomon’s four-part series on Australian Jewish History. In this episode, David examines a period of 22 years, between 1828 and 1850. He looks at the impact of Jewish free settlers with means and ideas on the new colonies of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, and the emerging Jewish communities within these colonies. David also provides a fascinating insight into a selection of influential and notorious characters whose reputations and contributions loomed large in the new settlements.

Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, Shearith Yisroel, Remnant of Israel, Bourke St West Congregation. Watercolour from an illuminated address presented by the Victorian Jewish Community to Sir Benjamin Benjamin, Lord Mayor of Melbourne, in honour of his Knighthood in 1889. Publisher: Valentine Sands, Melbourne. Flickr. Creative Commons.

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February 6, 2020February 27, 2020

#23 Dinkum Diaspora: Highlights of Australian Jewish History (part 1)

After a short break, David’s podcasts are back! We are very excited to share the upcoming lectures with you.

The story of Australian Jewry begins with the First Fleet and the earliest moments of European settlement of the Australian colonies. In this podcast episode, the first of a four-part series on Australian Jewish History, David Solomon maps out the historical conditions that led to the transportation of convicts to the penal colonies, including a number of Jewish prisoners, and the early days of European settlement. David explores the remarkable stories of some of the first Jewish Australians and the contributions they made to the creation of this new society.

Sydney Cove by John Lewin. Public Domain.

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