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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
The Jewish Synagogue
The Jewish Synagogue, situated on the Wellington Terrace, was built early in the year 1870. It is a compact wooden building, mostly ornamented within and without. The portion occupied by the male members of the community is on the ground floor and has eighty-two numbered seats. In the centre is the rostrum or platform where the reading desk of the officiating minister is fixed; the ladies' gallery is luxuriously cushioned in crimson velvet, and has numbered seats for sixty-two worshippers. The ark is enclosed behind sliding doors in front of which is a handsome curtain. The various scrolls, which contain the five books of Moses in Hebrew, pointers, silver bells, silver breast plate, and mantles are kept on the ark. They are as beautiful as they are valuable. A record within the synagogue tells of the liberality of several members of the congregation—a scroll, set of silver bells, and mantle are the gift of Mr. Jacob Joseph, a scroll, a mantle, and a pointer were presented by Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, a similar gift was made by Mrs. Isaac Philips in memory of her late husband, and a silver breast plate, bells and mantle were presented by Mr. H. Phillips, who has also recently added a magnificent curtain of heavy maroon silk velvet richly embroidered in gold. During the last year especially, many valuable gifts have been offered to the synagogue, and among the most notable of these may be mentioned the electric light fittings which were installed at the expense of Mr. Jacob Joseph and Mr. H. Phillips, the switches being placed beneath the reading desk of the Rabbi. On either side of the ark is a prayer for the Royal Family, tastefully gilded on a black background in English on one side and in Hebrew on the other. During the first ten days of the holidays or days of atonement—known as tisbri — which fall between the 8th of September and the 1st of October, according to the time of the full moon, the synagogue is draped in white. The present year (1896) is according to Hebrew reckoning 5656 years from Adam. The site occupied is a very fine one, a charming view of the city and harbour being obtainable. Behind the synagogue is a large and convenient residence for the rabbi and his family.