Business

Illuminated address presented to Moritz Gotthelf by the employees of Messrs. Feldheim, Gotthelf Ltd, 1911. Manuscript. MLMSS 7103

The contribution of Jews to Australian business has been immense, and disproportionate to the percentage of Jewish people in Australia at any given time. From the First Fleet onwards, Jewish convicts served their sentences and went on to open their own businesses, such as general stores, hotels and tobacco shops. Through the efforts of succcessful convicts-turned-merchants including Solomon Levey, many more English Jews were encouraged to emigrate to Australia to try their fortunes in business. 

Networks of Jewish Australians were forged across the country, many of which centred around their synagogue of choice, in the cities and towns in which they resided. The following pages tell stories of just a handful of the many Jewish business people who have made great names for themselves during more than two centuries of settlement in Australia.

> Learn about First Fleet convict Esther Abrahams, later Johnston

> Read the story of Sydney merchant Solomon Levey

> Read tributes to the hectic life and successful career of George Judah Cohen

> View an illuminated address presented to businessman Louis Phillips