About the
JCCSA
Who we are
The Jewish Community Council of South Australia is the elected peak body for Jewish organisations in South Australia. The Council represents all Jewish organisations in South Australia.
The Council is affiliated to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the roof body of Jewish organisations in Australia.
The Council’s roles are to:
- Represent the Jewish community of South Australia and its interests, including to the non-Jewish world in South Australia, in Australia and internationally.
- Coordinate and foster the work of member organisations.
- Promote unity of actions within the Jewish community.
- Ensure the sustainability of the Jewish community in SA.
- Promote and foster the religious, political, economic, cultural, education, sporting and social activities of individuals and organisations of the Jewish community.
Our objectives include protecting our religious freedoms to observe and practise Judaism in South Australia. We also monitor and report incidents of antisemitism and advocate for the rights of local Jewish people.
Our supported organisations
Adelaide Holocaust Museum and Steiner Education Centre
The Adelaide Holocaust Museum and Andrew Steiner Education Centre (AHMSEC) was launched in November 2020.
The vision of Andrew Steiner OAM, Holocaust survivor, artist, historian, and self-funded Holocaust educator for over 30 years in South Australia provided the starting point for AHMSEC.
The museum has an obligation to preserve Holocaust history to educate future generations through programs that instil human rights and develop ethical and social awareness of young people and the wider community.
Beit Shalom Synagogue
Beit Shalom, which is registered as Adelaide Progressive Jewish Congregation, was founded by a dedicated group of lay leaders in 1963 in response to the need for a Liberal Jewish presence in South Australia. After renting space for nearly 20 years, the congregation moved to its present home on Hackney Road in the late 1970s.
The congregation was founded on the principles of equality and openness among members. It is inclusive of race, gender, class, ethnic background, sex, sexual orientation and ability.
Adelaide Hebrew Congregation
The Adelaide Hebrew Congregation, established in 1848, opened its first synagogue in Adelaide in 1850. After 140 years of worship in Synagogue Place in the city, the congregation relocated to a beautiful new purpose-built synagogue at Glenside which can seat 300 people. The foundation stone of the new synagogue was laid in 1989 and at that time the old synagogue was the longest continuously used synagogue in the southern hemisphere. The congregation is one of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Commonwealth and continues the Modern Orthodox traditions.
Jewish Community Services Inc.
JCS Home & Community Support (JCS) is a not-for-profit community organisation established in 1994. In the early days, JCS was known as Jewish Community Services Incorporated and provided support to individuals and families in South Australia’s Jewish Community.
JCS now focuses on providing quality in-home and community support services to frail and older individuals over the age of 65 who reside within the metropolitan areas of Adelaide.
Jewish Adelaide Zionist Youth
Jewish Adelaide Zionist Youth, Inc (JAZY) is the Progressive Pluralist Jewish, Zionist youth movement of the South Australian Jewish community. It is a youth movement under the Australasian Zionist Youth Movement body. JAZY’s educational program provides a knowledge of Judaism, Zionism, community building, social justice, leadership training and personal development. Education is carried through youth camps and other activities coordinated across Australia. JAZY strives to provide a meaningful Jewish and Zionist experience to all participants while empowering the leaders of the movement to develop their leadership, informal education and managerial skills.
Tarbut Adelaide
Jewish Adelaide Zionist Youth, Inc (JAZY) is the Progressive Pluralist Jewish, Zionist youth movement of the South Australian Jewish community. It is a youth movement under the Australasian Zionist Youth Movement body. JAZY’s educational program provides a knowledge of Judaism, Zionism, community building, social justice, leadership training and personal development. Education is carried through youth camps and other activities coordinated across Australia. JAZY strives to provide a meaningful Jewish and Zionist experience to all participants while empowering the leaders of the movement to develop their leadership, informal education and managerial skills.
Australasian Union of Jewish Students SA
The Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) is a federation of Jewish student societies at Australian and New Zealand universities and other higher education institutions. It was founded in 1948 at the University of Sydney and is affiliated with the World Union of Jewish Students. AUJS’ constitution lists its four pillars as Judaism, activism, Zionism, and pluralism. AUJS runs social, educational, political and religious events on University campuses.
Adelaide Jewish Museum
The Adelaide Jewish Museum is a virtual museum, working at building up a collection of objects. The website documents interesting objects of Judaica within the community, as well as documents and general objects relating to the lives of the Adelaide Jewish community. However its major focus is the collection of human stories of the community, both of the generation of holocaust survivors and their children.
Report Antisemitism in South Australia
If you have experienced or witnessed an antisemitic incident in South Australia please report it to the Jewish Community Council.
