Hobart Synagogue, Religious building in Hobart, Australia.
Hobart Synagogue is a religious building on Argyle Street with an unusual Egyptian-style architecture distinguished by trapezoidal windows and lotus-topped columns. The interior preserves the original layout with defined seating areas that have characterized the building since its creation.
Built in 1845 by architect James Thomson, the building arose from the garden of formerly convicted Judah Solomon to serve the growing Jewish population. This founding came at a time when Tasmania attracted significant Jewish immigration.
The synagogue holds hard benches at the back of the building, set aside for Jewish convicts who in the early days were marched in under armed guard. It is believed to be the only place of Jewish worship in the world with seats reserved for convicts. Services today are run for both Orthodox and Progressive Jews, and the congregation welcomes all Jews.
The synagogue stands at 59 Argyle Street, and its trapezoidal windows and lotus-capital columns are visible from the street. Seating capacity is 150, and the hard benches at the back of the building were for Jewish convicts once marched in under armed guard. The building is listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register.
At the back of the building are hard benches for Jewish convicts, who in the early days were marched in under armed guard. It is believed to be the only place of Jewish worship in the world with seats set aside for convicts.
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