Object numberM2012/037:002
DescriptionPouch or bag belonged to Paul Alfred Cullen and inside was his tallit and two kippot. The bag has been embroidered with the initials P.C. Cullen was born Paul Alfred Cohen at Newcastle, NSW on 13 February 1909. His father was Sir Samuel Cohen and his grandfather was George Judah Cohen. Both men were astute businessmen and communal leaders, serving as presidents of the Great Synagogue, Sydney.
Cullen distinguished himself in military service, being awarded a DSO (Distinguished Service Order) in 1943 for service in New Guinea and a bar was added to this later. After the war Cullen continued his involvement in the Citizen Military Forces attaining the rank of Major General and was awarded an Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his work.
Cullen was active in many charitable endeavours. During his 17 years as President of the Royal Society for the Blind (now Vision Australia), Cullen developed the organisation’s programs considerably, especially its outreach and children’s services.
His passionate concern for refugees saw him serve on the board of the German Jewish Relief Fund (later JewishCare), and take a leading role in organizing World Refugee Year in 1960. He was appointed Founding Chairman of the humanitarian aid organization Austcare in 1990. He was awarded a Nansen Medal in 1981 by the United Nations High Commissioner for his work with refugees.
Putting on Tefillin is the first mitzvah assumed by a Jewish male upon his Bar Mitzvah at age 13. Tefillin, an item of Jewish ritual, are worn each weekday morning by observant Jews, except on the Sabbath and most Jewish holy days. Tefillin consist of two black leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah, and straps to hold them on. One is worn on the biceps, and its strap, tied with a special knot, is wound by the wearer seven times around the forearm and hand. The second box is worn on the forehead at the hairline with its straps going around the back of the head, connected at the top of the neck.
Cullen distinguished himself in military service, being awarded a DSO (Distinguished Service Order) in 1943 for service in New Guinea and a bar was added to this later. After the war Cullen continued his involvement in the Citizen Military Forces attaining the rank of Major General and was awarded an Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his work.
Cullen was active in many charitable endeavours. During his 17 years as President of the Royal Society for the Blind (now Vision Australia), Cullen developed the organisation’s programs considerably, especially its outreach and children’s services.
His passionate concern for refugees saw him serve on the board of the German Jewish Relief Fund (later JewishCare), and take a leading role in organizing World Refugee Year in 1960. He was appointed Founding Chairman of the humanitarian aid organization Austcare in 1990. He was awarded a Nansen Medal in 1981 by the United Nations High Commissioner for his work with refugees.
Putting on Tefillin is the first mitzvah assumed by a Jewish male upon his Bar Mitzvah at age 13. Tefillin, an item of Jewish ritual, are worn each weekday morning by observant Jews, except on the Sabbath and most Jewish holy days. Tefillin consist of two black leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah, and straps to hold them on. One is worn on the biceps, and its strap, tied with a special knot, is wound by the wearer seven times around the forearm and hand. The second box is worn on the forehead at the hairline with its straps going around the back of the head, connected at the top of the neck.
Production placeSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Subjectritual prayer, Judaica, Judaism, Australian Jewish history
Object nametefillin bags
Dimensions
- width: 260.00 mm
height: 250.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Ms Dinah Harvey