I worked in the city for nearly 40 years, and didn't even know that this building existed until just a couple of years ago. The building is situated at the top of Margaret St, just down from George St. I can only assume that I must have passed it many, many times, usually in a car, but evidently didn't notice it enough to understand what it was. The building was erected in 1885 and consecrated as a Jewish synagogue in 1886. The following picture is dated 1906.
(Photo: State Library of Queensland and John Oxley Library; #145942)For those interested in the architectural detail, there is a good deal of information here, at the Queensland Government Cultural Heritage (CHIMS) site. I am pleased that we have managed to retain such an old temple in the CBD, and that it is still active. On the CHIMS site, I learned that the synagogue was substantially renovated around the time of the celebration of the centenary of Jewish life in Brisbane - there were Jews here as far back as the separation from NSW. Here is the synagogue now, surrounded by the type of building that is more typical of the modern Brisbane CBD.

I am certain that there have been prominent Brisbane citizens who were Jewish, just as there would have been prominent Muslims, Catholics, Protestants and atheists. However, I don't propose to list any because I have a general objection to that kind of labelling. I am far more interested in knowing that the history of the city was enriched by these differing cultural backgrounds, even back in the nineteenth century. For those who might be interested in learning a little more about Jewish life in Queensland, I recommend a browse of this site published by Jewish Queensland.
Click here for a Google Map.
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