History of Emanuel Synagogue
Emanuel Synagogue (formerly The Congregation of the Temple Emanuel) celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2008, a vastly expanded organisation from its first service led by Rabbi Herman Sanger from Melbourne in 1938. In its first year, the synagogue not only ran Shabbat services, but also began a Hebrew and Religion School, a youth group and a women's guild.
The congregation has had stable leadership from its rabbis (Max Schenk 1938-1956, Rudi Brasch 1956-1979, Brian Fox 1980-1999) and cantors (Gunter Hirschberg 1944-1949, Max Warse 1949-1953, Joseph Toltz 1994-2008 and Michael Deutsch, OAM 1952-2010).
Emanuel's current senior rabbi, Jeffrey Kamins, joined the congregation as assistant rabbi after his ordination in 1989. Jacqueline Ninio started in 1998 after her ordination and Rabbi Paul Jacobson joined the synagogue in 2006. In 2002 Michael Deutsch was appointed Cantor Emeritus.
The synagogue now runs a broad range of educational programs for all ages and backgrounds, including through its affiliated pre-school (founded in 1956) and day school (founded in 1982). It also conducts a wide range of programs for all ages: children, youth, young adults, ‘baby boomers’ and elders. The synagogue conducts diverse and joyful prayer services and all the various services a synagogue can provide an individual living in the Jewish community.
The congregation has had stable leadership from its rabbis (Max Schenk 1938-1956, Rudi Brasch 1956-1979, Brian Fox 1980-1999) and cantors (Gunter Hirschberg 1944-1949, Max Warse 1949-1953, Joseph Toltz 1994-2008 and Michael Deutsch, OAM 1952-2010).
Emanuel's current senior rabbi, Jeffrey Kamins, joined the congregation as assistant rabbi after his ordination in 1989. Jacqueline Ninio started in 1998 after her ordination and Rabbi Paul Jacobson joined the synagogue in 2006. In 2002 Michael Deutsch was appointed Cantor Emeritus.
The synagogue now runs a broad range of educational programs for all ages and backgrounds, including through its affiliated pre-school (founded in 1956) and day school (founded in 1982). It also conducts a wide range of programs for all ages: children, youth, young adults, ‘baby boomers’ and elders. The synagogue conducts diverse and joyful prayer services and all the various services a synagogue can provide an individual living in the Jewish community.
