Reverend Leon Goran: Reverend Goran was the much-loved founding minister of the congregation. He served as its religious and spiritual leader from its inception until his death in 1959. Click here for his biography, composed by his daughter Trudie Collins and kindly provided by the Archives of the Australian Jewish Historical Society.
At the end of 1958 Reverend Goran was asked to fill in the questionnaire below. His handwritten answers to the various questions clearly describe the state of the community at that time. A transcript of some of the answers appears below the images. |
Transcript of Rev. L. Goran’s 1958 Handwritten Report
B. RELIGIOUS EDUCATIONS
13) Tues. Thurs. & Sundays
4-5 4-5 9:30-12 a.m.
C. YOUTH
15) a) Strathfield Youth [illegible]
b) Betar
c) Habonim
16) Once a week for tennis. Social activities. Film evenings (Israeli films)
D. AUXILIARY ORGANISATIONS
17) Strathfield District Hebrew Congregation Ladies Auxiliary
E. FINANCE
19) Purchase of property at Strathfield £4,500
Erection of Synagogue and Communal Hall £14,000 approx.
F. GENERAL
The Strathfield and District Hebrew Congregation has developed from the original Strathfield P & C Association, which consisted of the parents of the children attending the classes on on a Sunday morning, supplied by the N.S.W. Board of Jewish Education.
With the enrolment into active membership of more than the parents only and with the much more varied activities entered into, the name of the organisation was changed into the Strathfield Jewish Centre. One of the first activities entered into by The Centre was the provision of a place of worship, and a room in the building owned by the N.S.W. Board of Jewish Education was furnished as a small synagogue, and a Sefer Torah purchased. Saturday morning services were started, and were followed by festival services. With these services there followed naturally a very deep interest in Jewish religious life, and this spirit is growing and [illegible] itself
B. RELIGIOUS EDUCATIONS
13) Tues. Thurs. & Sundays
4-5 4-5 9:30-12 a.m.
C. YOUTH
15) a) Strathfield Youth [illegible]
b) Betar
c) Habonim
16) Once a week for tennis. Social activities. Film evenings (Israeli films)
D. AUXILIARY ORGANISATIONS
17) Strathfield District Hebrew Congregation Ladies Auxiliary
E. FINANCE
19) Purchase of property at Strathfield £4,500
Erection of Synagogue and Communal Hall £14,000 approx.
F. GENERAL
The Strathfield and District Hebrew Congregation has developed from the original Strathfield P & C Association, which consisted of the parents of the children attending the classes on on a Sunday morning, supplied by the N.S.W. Board of Jewish Education.
With the enrolment into active membership of more than the parents only and with the much more varied activities entered into, the name of the organisation was changed into the Strathfield Jewish Centre. One of the first activities entered into by The Centre was the provision of a place of worship, and a room in the building owned by the N.S.W. Board of Jewish Education was furnished as a small synagogue, and a Sefer Torah purchased. Saturday morning services were started, and were followed by festival services. With these services there followed naturally a very deep interest in Jewish religious life, and this spirit is growing and [illegible] itself