'Bankstown District Synagogue' by Bertha Podobransky
Object numberM2024/013
Title'Bankstown District Synagogue' by Bertha Podobransky
Creator Bertha Podobransky (artist)
DescriptionPainting of Bankstown Synagogue by Bertha Podobransky.
Bertha created the piece through the Montefiore art project, she stated; 'I just wanted to show people that there really was once a wonderful Jewish community there... [the project] helped me to bring the synagogue back to life, so I could see it in colour again.”'
Bankstown Synagogue was established in 1913 with an official opening of the building in 1914. After further growth in the area, a new Synagogue was designed by Harold Smith and built on Meredith Street, opening on 3 April 1960. The design was based on the Star of David, a motif repeated in floor mosaics along with a Torah and Shofar. The building could hold 250 people, Bertha and her daughter, Susan, recall how busy it felt at the time. It was the central hub for cheders, community luncheons and bar and bat mitzvahs.
In 1991, the synagogue was subject to an arson attack and was never rebuilt. The congregation later merged with Illawarra Synagogue, now Southern Sydney Synagogue.
Bertha created the piece through the Montefiore art project, she stated; 'I just wanted to show people that there really was once a wonderful Jewish community there... [the project] helped me to bring the synagogue back to life, so I could see it in colour again.”'
Bankstown Synagogue was established in 1913 with an official opening of the building in 1914. After further growth in the area, a new Synagogue was designed by Harold Smith and built on Meredith Street, opening on 3 April 1960. The design was based on the Star of David, a motif repeated in floor mosaics along with a Torah and Shofar. The building could hold 250 people, Bertha and her daughter, Susan, recall how busy it felt at the time. It was the central hub for cheders, community luncheons and bar and bat mitzvahs.
In 1991, the synagogue was subject to an arson attack and was never rebuilt. The congregation later merged with Illawarra Synagogue, now Southern Sydney Synagogue.
Production placeHunters Hill, New South Wales, Australia
Production date 2020
Subjectsynagogues, art
Object nameartwork
Dimensions
- width: 432.00 mm
height: 350.00 mm
Language
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, donated by Bertha Podobransky