The Moorish architectural style relates to the area where most of the congregants originated.
The following is quoted from the website of The Sephardi Association of Victoria:
THE HISTORY OF OUR SYNAGOGUE
In the mid-1950’s a wave of Jewish immigrants, mainly from Egypt, arrived in Australia. Most settled in Melbourne, Sydney or Adelaide.
Those settling in Melbourne found it difficult to adjust to the minhag of the local Ashkenazi synagogues. They had a thirst for Sephardi traditions and a yearning to pass on their cultural identity and individuality to their children. They wanted their own synagogue with a Sephardi Rabbi.
In August 1965, 14 members of the Melbourne Sephardi Community, of whom nine were from Egypt, decided to start their own synagogue.
This group founded the Sephardi Association of Victoria. At a larger meeting attended by fifty people on 1st November 1965, a draft Constitution was submitted, voted upon and the first executive committee was elected. For the next twelve years, services were held in various hired halls with Sefarim obtained from London, Baghdad, Singapore and Canada.
The first home of the Sephardi Association was in Darling Road, Malvern, purchased with the financial assistance of Albert Yehuda. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser inaugurated the building in 1977. From 1977 to 1994, the community worshipped in this small converted house, with regular Shabbat services and High Holyday services led by various visiting Rabbis.
By 1990 the community was growing and the location of the Darling Road Synagogue created difficulties. Observant congregants needed a place of worship within walking distance from their homes and most lived in the Caulfield area. Land was found in East St Kilda, which has a large Jewish population and an Eruv surrounding the area.
With very few funds, the Sephardi Association purchased the land in Hotham Street, East St. Kilda. With further financial assistance, a new building was erected, providing a larger home for Sassoon Yehuda Synagogue.
The building was designed by prominent Melbourne Jewish architect Ben Alexander and officially opened by the Governor General of Australia Sir Zelman Cowen in November 1994. The structure is evocative of similar Moorish buildings around the Mediterranean, where most of the congregants originated, with its whitewash finish, arches and long narrow windows. It is built on two levels and incorporates an elevated ladies gallery, a boardroom, Library, Rabbi’s office, a kosher kitchen, a multi-purpose area for Kiddushim, an upstairs study area, and an area for a large Succah at the rear.
In August 2008, as the community flourished, work commenced on the construction of a significant extension to the building. The new Adler Wing includes offices, learning rooms, boardroom, an expanded Library and a formal function hall named after the late Albert Yehuda. Respecting the beautiful customs and traditions of our faith, Sassoon Yehuda Synagogue is an orthodox Sephardi synagogue, with services on Friday evening, Shabbat morning, and all Hagim. Our Shabbat services are followed by a bountiful Sephardi kiddush, providing members with an opportunity to socialize, greet visitors, and informally meet.
Our kehilla has a diverse membership, from old to young, and a variety of observance levels. The diversity of Melbourne’s current Sephardi community derives from countries including: Algeria, Bukharan, The Netherlands, Egypt, England, France, Georgia, India, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Greece, Latin America, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Persia, Singapore, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.
With an array of community-wide events the Association offers a warm, inviting, spirited communal place for all.
