Jewish convicts | David Solomon

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.

Continue reading “#24 Dinkum Diaspora: Highlights of Australian Jewish History (part 2)”

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.

Continue reading “#23 Dinkum Diaspora: Highlights of Australian Jewish History (part 1)”