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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Auckland Hebrew Congregation

Auckland Hebrew Congregation. Amongst the earliest founders of this congregation was the late Mr. David Nathan, who, with his wife, arrived in 1839 from England, via the Bay of Islands. He was the father of Messrs L. D. and N. Alfred Nathan. Other early settlers were Mr. Henry Keesing and family, Mr. Samuel Brown, Mr. P. A. Philips. Mr. Charles Davis, and others. Sabbath and festival prayers were at first read in Mr. Nathan's residence, and a room was afterwards fitted up for the purpose in his store. Afterwards a lease was taken of an allotment and building in course of construction in Emily Place, at the top of Shortland Street; the premises were subsequently purchased and ultimately sold to advantage. For a time the congregation depended upon the assistance of Messrs C. Davis, R. Keesing, and a very good Hebrew scholar and lecturer, the late Mr. P. S. Solomons, at one time Acting-Attorney-General at Fiji. A minister, the Rev. Moses Elkin, selected by the Chief Rabbi in England, was engaged, and arrived with his family early in the fifties, and for many years conducted the services and taught in the Hebrew school to the satisfaction of all the members. Mr. P. A. Philips (first Mayor of Auckland under the Municipal Corporation page 237 Act, 1867, who for about twenty-five years was either president, treasurer, or secretary of the congregation, in conjunction with the late Mr. David Nathan and the late Mr. Charles Davis, tried to obtain a free site for a synagogue from the Government, and after repeated and persistent applications, Mr. Philips succeeded in obtaining from the Government (Mr Weld being Premier) a site in Alten Road. This site was afterwards exchanged with the City Council for the present admirable position in Princes Street, next to the Northern Club. The erection of the present synagogue was then taken in hand, and the foundation stone was laid by the late Mr. David Nathan. After Mr. Elkin resigned his office as minister, and returned to England, there was an interregnum, and then the Rev. S. Goldstein was appointed, and has continued to fill the position with satisfaction to the community and credit to himself. At present (1900) the officers of the congregation are:—Mr N. Alfred Nathan, president; Mr. Sydney J. Nathan, treasurer; and Mr. W. M. Neumegen, solicitor, secretary. As a building the Hebrew Synagogue is an ornament to Auckland. The Hebrew school attached to the Synagogue, always a distinct feature in a Hebrew community, has been successful in training the young in the tenets, duties, and obligations of their religion. The teachers are honorary, and at present consist of Mr. Claude Moses, Miss Hart, and the Rev. S. Goldstein.

The Jewish Synagogue.

The Jewish Synagogue.