Synagogue of the Outback Museum, Former synagogue museum in Broken Hill, Australia
This synagogue museum in Broken Hill is housed in a stone building that once included a Rabbi's residence and now displays religious objects and documents about Jewish life. The collection tells the story of how this community developed and what daily worship looked like for its members.
The synagogue was built in 1910 to serve the Orthodox Jewish congregation and remained active until 1962, when the local population declined sharply. This decline led to the closure of the place of worship, which was then converted into a museum to preserve its heritage.
The exhibits reflect the presence of Lithuanian and Ukrainian Jewish settlers who built this community in the outback. Visitors find religious objects and records that show how they lived and worshipped here.
The museum is open on select weekdays and is located in the town center where you can walk around easily. If you want to visit outside regular hours, it is best to contact ahead to arrange access.
This building is one of only three purpose-built synagogues in rural New South Wales, making it an rare example of Jewish architecture in the outback. The collection also includes a replica Torah scroll that reflects the religious practices of its former community.
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