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Overview
The NSW heritage-listed Great Synagogue in Elizabeth Street, Sydney has been a principal centre of Jewish worship since its consecration in 1878.
The building is a major work of Victorian design, construction and decoration. Its interior was originally built according to traditional Ashkenazi design with a central bimah (reading desk).
In 1907, with congregation numbers growing, the bimah was relocated from its traditional central position to the steps on the western end of the Synagogue to allow an additional central block of seating to be installed. In the later 20th century several more synagogues were established in suburban Sydney, leading to a decrease in Great Synagogue congregation numbers and the opportunity to restore the bimah to its original location.
Following initial designs by Philip Abram, heritage conservation architects Orwell &Peter Phillips were commissioned to develop and document the designs. International Conservation Services was then engaged to manage the procurement and construction of the work, under the leadership of Chief Minister Rabbi Benjamin Elton and a committee of the Great Synagogue Board led by Senior Vice-President Max Freedman. Work began in 2023, with the final touches completed in 2025.
Year
2024
Client
The Great Synagogue
Services
- Built heritage
- Project management
Awards
2025, Conservation Interiors & Objects
Condition
Project activites
- The original 1878 posts, lanterns and reading desk were carefully removed from the old bimah for reuse in the new design.
- The central pews were removed and a prototype model of the new bimah was constructed – for a short time, the Synagogue was home to two bimahs!
- The original arched panelling on the front pew was reused on the front of the bimah. And a printed likeness was attached to the side panels while new replica panels were being carved.
- Conservators supervised the careful plank by plank dismantling of the old bimah, so that posts, lamps and decorative elements could be reused on the new bimah.
- The 20th century steps were removed, revealing the original 19th century stairs beneath.
- The revealed stairs were then retiled with authentic encaustic tiles sourced from the UK and Australia and returned to their original ornate design using old photographs and remaining tiles.
- New tiling replaced the floorboards where pews had been removed in the central space.
- Newly carved, wooden arched panels were added to the remaining sides of the new bimah.
- New brass handles were made for the bimah’s railings and for the Ark steps
- The new Bimah was reinstalled in its original central location, and the old brass fittings were repurposed to become a portable reading platform for the new stairs.
Treatment
Project outcomes
The Synagogue, one of Australia’s national treasures with its glorious Ark, cedar Bimah and pews, stained glass windows, shining brasswork, intricate tiles and star-studded ceiling has been returned to its original, inspiring design.
The relocation of the Bimah to the centre of the sanctuary honours the intention of original architect Thomas Rowe to allow the service to rise from the centre of the congregation. It once more reflects the traditional Jewish ethos of fairness and engagement with the congregation.
The project received a Highly Commended Award Highly Commended Award in the National Trust NSW Interiors and Objects category of the 2025 Heritage Awards.
Further information/Awards
2025 National Trust NSW Awards booklet, p20, for Highly Commended in the Objects category of the 2025 Heritage Awards:
https://issuu.com/nationaltrustsaustralia/docs/2025_national_trust_nsw_heritage_awards_results_
The Great Synagogue Prototype Bimah Installation:
https://www.greatsynagogue.org.au/prototype-bimah-installation
Video story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAkfbxxbWAg
Before project
Before treatment
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After project
After treatment
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