Perhaps the oldest continuously operating Orthodox congregation in the English speaking world.

The Melbourne Hebrew Congregation’s history dates to almost the very beginning of British presence in the Melbourne area. Established in 1841, it is Victoria’s oldest Jewish congregation and one of the oldest continuously functioning orthodox congregations in the English-speaking world.

Designed in the Corinthian Baroque style, the current synagogue building was constructed 1928-30. Its principal sanctuary seats 1300 people and is covered by a dome rising 30 meters above the bimah. The coffered dome interior is stylistically similar to that of Ancient Rome’s Pantheon. Twelve clerestory windows below the dome illustrate the twelve tribes of Israel in colored leadlight glass.

A graceful horseshoe shaped balcony serves as a women’s gallery while the sloped main floor focuses on the raised bimah. The bimah and wood details created by Harry Goldman are possibly the finest examples anywhere of hand carved Tasmanian Blackwood.

Melbourne architect Naham Barnet designed the Synagogue, deliberately choosing a restrained classical style. Quoting Barnet “I selected classic lines for the design” to “make it plainly obvious that we are loyal British Jews”. Barnet raised the bimah “in order to give what I consider the most important feature of a synagogue, a more dignified setting”. Barnet had previously designed a number of theatre buildings, early cinemas and concert halls. This experience is reflected in his arrangement of the seating on what he termed “amphitheatre lines” to focus attention on the bimah.

When proposals were received from builders for the construction of the synagogue they were well above the anticipated budget. In order to build within the budget it was decided to proceed with construction without the magnificent dome. As the building proceeded a generous donor enabled the construction of the dome as originally designed.