The building that is now "Pier Place," the museum and meeting place for the Whitney Pier Historical Society, was originally the synagogue for the Jewish community of Whitney Pier.
This building, formerly the Adath Israel Synagogue, is now the Whitney Pier Museum.
The synagogue took shape in April 1913, when members of the Whitney Pier Jewish community met to plan the building of a "shul" or synagogue. Land was purchased only a few weeks later and the cornerstone of the new synagogue was laid in July of that year, and in September of that year, services for the Jewish High Holidays were held by the Adath Israel Congregation. The Young Men's Hebrew Association building, the centre of the community's social life, was located on the lot near the synagogue.
The Young Men's Hebrew Club, 1919
Young Men's Hebrew Association Minstrel Show, 1944
The synagogue initially served approximately 60 Jewish families from both Sydney and Whitney Pier. The central European orthodox tradition of their religious life was evident in many features of the building. The "Bimah", for the reading of the "Torah", was centrally located; upstairs was a gallery for the women, so that they could sit separately during services; the "Mikvah", or ritual bath was located in the basement. Curiously, the altar was facing south. Other standard elements of design gave the traditional continuity that has been part of the Jewish faith over the centuries: the "Menorah" and the "Ark of the Covenant," and the "Eternal Light." The "Talmud Torah" or Hebrew School was also located in the basement.
The "Mikvah", or ritual bath, is still located in the basement of the former Adath Israel Synagogue
A wedding at the Adath Israel Synagogue. To the right is the "Menorah".
The Adath Israel Synagogue was a two-story wood frame structure with four large windows on each side which lighted both the main floor and the gallery. Over the main door, at the north end of the building, was a circular window encompassing a Star of David.
The original structure was destroyed by fire in 1960. Immediately a committee was formed to rebuild, comprised of Ephraim Feder, Hymie Moraff, and Ephraim Newman. The entire Jewish community of Whitney Pier assisted in raising money to build the new synagogue; the "Daughters of Jacob" Aid Society played a major role in this activity. The new synagogue was built on the foundation of the old, and the basement remains as it was originally. Even today, the "Mikvah" can still be found in its original location. It is a one-story building basically similar to its predecessor. The design by Norman Weiner had significant changes; first, the new altar was facing East in keeping with tradition. Second, women sat on the same floor as the men but on a raised level indicated by a decorated rail. The Memorial Lights dedicated to the deceased members-symbol of remembrance and continuity-were presented on a panel along with the Memorial Lights of the New Waterford synagogue, closed since 1967. Both were placed in the Sons of Israel Synagogue in Sydney in 1985 when the Adath Israel Congregation joined the Sydney congregation. Many of the original Jewish families of Whitney Pier have moved to other locations, and there is currently only one Jewish family remaining.
