NSW Jewish War Memorial

On 11 November 1923, the NSW Jewish Memorial Hall, in Darlinghurst, Sydney, was officially opened to much fanfare by Sir John Monash, then thought of by many as the greatest living Australian. The opening of the hall by Monash - the nation's most decorated solider and significant Jewish citizen - demonstrates the importance of this event to the Jewish community of NSW.

Designed by Sydney architect and Jew, Gordon Keesing, the hall was commonly known as the Maccabean Hall, honouring the 'fighting Maccabees' of ancient Hebrew fame. It was built as a memorial to the Australian Jewish soldiers and sailors who had served in the Great War of 1914 to 1918, and also stood as a symbol of the strength of commitment of Australian Jewry to king and country.

The hall had two main functions: it operated as a venue for all the social, educational and sporting activites of the Jewish community in Sydney, and provided a focal point for the newly arrived to encourage integration.

> See images of Jewish social activities and sporting life

In his opening address, Sir John Monash confirmed the future role of the Memorial Hall:

'It has the aim of keeping the Jewish people together and preserving the creed, perpetuating the faith...to prevent the regrettable drift that is making many of our people cease from owing allegiance to the religion of their fathers...'

Since 1983, the NSW Jewish War Memorial Hall has been home to the Sydney Jewish Museum.