JCCSA

The Jewish South Australia is a thriving, friendly and diverse community of more than 1,500 people. Jewish immigration to Adelaide commenced in 1836, initially primarily from the UK and Germany, with later waves of immigration from Egypt, Hungary, South Africa and the former Soviet Union. 

Our community today continues to welcome migrants from across the world, particularly the United States, Israel and the UK. We have also welcomed a number of Jews from Europe, South Africa and other parts of Australia in recent years. With ongoing immigration, the size of the community has remained relatively stable over the last couple decades, even as some community members move to larger communities in Melbourne and Sydney. 

The cornerstones of the Jewish community in Adelaide are two synagogues, the progressive synagogue Beit Shalom and the modern Orthodox Adelaide Hebrew Congregation. Tarbut, the South Australian Israeli cultural society, has also become an important institution for the community in the last decade. Jews who dot rural and regional South Australia are supported through outreach from Adelaide-based community leaders, supplemented by occasional trips to Adelaide for Jewish holidays and major life events. 

The Jewish calendar in Adelaide belies our size, with everything from meditation and youth camps to Shabbaton retreats on offer throughout the year. We may not have a Jewish day school, but Adelaide boasts a growing cheder for children 4 to 13 years old, a Hebrew library for children and adults, and JAZY (Jewish Adelaide Zionist Youth), our own non-denominational Jewish youth group for primary and high school children. Older community members stay active with culturally-appropriate activities and in-home care. The newest Jewish institution in SA, the Adelaide Holocaust Museum and Steiner Education Centre, tells the stories of local survivors to educate the broader community about human rights and encourage action against hate.

The Jewish Community Council of South Australia (JCC) represents all Jewish organisations in South Australia. We are particularly proud of our history of nurturing multicultural and interfaith relationships. JCC also coordinates between Jewish organisations, including to organise whole-of-community events. Community celebrations of Purim and Hannukah have proven very successful and provide an opportunity for young people to share their culture with non-Jewish friends in a fun atmosphere.

Unfortunately, Adelaide has not been immune from the world-wide growth in anti-Semitic sentiment in the last couple of years, which has brought greater importance to JCC’s role in supporting community security.

Far from our size being a hinderance, the strength of the Jewish community in Adelaide is that we are petite–and with a big heart. Because we are relatively small, community members volunteer their skills and passions to ensure our children have a future here. Intergenerational friendships are common, with young families often befriended and supported by older, more established families. And with a large portion of migrants, the Jewish community has become the extended family for many people in the community. 

For anyone looking for a mild climate, beautiful landscapes and a warm, welcoming Jewish community, please come say Shalom to us here in Adelaide.