Object numberM2012/013:002
CreatorAustralian Government
DescriptionUniform worn by Rabbi Dr Alfred Fabian, OBE, ED, RFD (father of the donor), senior chaplain to the Australian Army (from 1962 to 1988), the position extended during his term to include all the armed services. It consists of (a) a khaki drill, silk lined jacket, with four pockets, epaulettes indicating the rank of Colonel (Crown and two pips), blue lapels and the letter “R”. All buttons were oxidised brass featuring a Crown and Australia; (b) trousers with an old “dry-clean” label pinned on the inside; (c) a cloth belt (with no buckle). It was also known as No 4 Dress.
Part of a collection of military clothing belonging to Rabbi Dr Alfred Fabian OBE (1910-1989), a leading member of the Australian rabbinate for nearly 50 years. Rabbi Fabian was born in Breslau in 1910, the son of a rabbi who was director of the Jewish communal orphanage. He attended Freiburg and Breslau universities, graduating as a Doctor of Law in 1933. Subsequently, he studied for five years at the Breslau Jewish Theological Seminary, gaining his rabbinical diploma in 1939. At that time the clouds of war were gathering fast and he escaped for Australia, arriving in 1939. Initially he served as rabbi of the Adelaide Hebrew Congregation from 1940 till 1946 when he became chief minister of the Brisbane Hebrew Congregation for 16 years, and headmaster of the United Board of Hebrew Education. In both cities he played a major role in public life. In Brisbane he was involved in the post-war expansion and reconstruction of the community and encouraged the foundation of the Gold Coast Congregation.
From 1962 till 1975, he was rabbi of the North Shore Synagogue in Sydney and in 1964 was headmaster of its religion school as well. In 1953, Rabbi Fabian was appointed as the Hebrew chaplain to the Australian army and Air Force, succeeding Rabbi Jacob Danglow as senior Jewish chaplain in 1962, a post he held until 1988, when illness forced him to retire. The Religious Advisory Committee to the Services noted his unstinting devotion to the welfare of his chaplains and troops, his concern for ex-service personnel, his loyalty and wise counsel as a member of the Chaplains-General Conference. His humility, sound judgement and broad scholarship, and faith in God and humanity, endeared him to his colleagues and the many organisations he served: the Australian Jewish Historical Society, the Scout Council, the Prisoners' Aid Society, the Council of Christians and Jews, Zionist activities, B’nai Brith, the United Jewish Overseas Relief Fund and the Jewish National Fund. He was also involved in civic events, including the centenary of Brisbane, royal visits and visits of the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain. From November 1978 till January 1979, he was the acting rabbi of the Great Synagogue during the absence of Rabbi Raymond Apple overseas.
Part of a collection of military clothing belonging to Rabbi Dr Alfred Fabian OBE (1910-1989), a leading member of the Australian rabbinate for nearly 50 years. Rabbi Fabian was born in Breslau in 1910, the son of a rabbi who was director of the Jewish communal orphanage. He attended Freiburg and Breslau universities, graduating as a Doctor of Law in 1933. Subsequently, he studied for five years at the Breslau Jewish Theological Seminary, gaining his rabbinical diploma in 1939. At that time the clouds of war were gathering fast and he escaped for Australia, arriving in 1939. Initially he served as rabbi of the Adelaide Hebrew Congregation from 1940 till 1946 when he became chief minister of the Brisbane Hebrew Congregation for 16 years, and headmaster of the United Board of Hebrew Education. In both cities he played a major role in public life. In Brisbane he was involved in the post-war expansion and reconstruction of the community and encouraged the foundation of the Gold Coast Congregation.
From 1962 till 1975, he was rabbi of the North Shore Synagogue in Sydney and in 1964 was headmaster of its religion school as well. In 1953, Rabbi Fabian was appointed as the Hebrew chaplain to the Australian army and Air Force, succeeding Rabbi Jacob Danglow as senior Jewish chaplain in 1962, a post he held until 1988, when illness forced him to retire. The Religious Advisory Committee to the Services noted his unstinting devotion to the welfare of his chaplains and troops, his concern for ex-service personnel, his loyalty and wise counsel as a member of the Chaplains-General Conference. His humility, sound judgement and broad scholarship, and faith in God and humanity, endeared him to his colleagues and the many organisations he served: the Australian Jewish Historical Society, the Scout Council, the Prisoners' Aid Society, the Council of Christians and Jews, Zionist activities, B’nai Brith, the United Jewish Overseas Relief Fund and the Jewish National Fund. He was also involved in civic events, including the centenary of Brisbane, royal visits and visits of the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain. From November 1978 till January 1979, he was the acting rabbi of the Great Synagogue during the absence of Rabbi Raymond Apple overseas.
Production placeAustralia
Production date 1962
SubjectAustralian armed forces, Australian Army, Australian Defence Force, Australian Jewish history, uniforms
Object namemilitary uniforms
Materialfibres (fabrics), fibres (fabrics), fibres (fabrics)
Production reasonAustralian Army
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Carmel Sharpe , daughter of Rabbi Dr Alfred Fabian