Primary contact
PO Box 536 Potts Point NSW 1335
Sydney, New South Wales 1335
Identity area
Identifier
daa/35
Authorized form of name
Australian Jewish Historical Society (NSW) Archives, Sydney
Parallel form(s) of name
Other form(s) of name
Type
- Community
Contact area
Head Archivist and Archives Manager
Type
Address
Street address
PO Box 536 Potts Point NSW 1335
Locality
Sydney
Region
New South Wales
Country name
Postal code
1335
Telephone
02 8036 0143
Fax
archivist@ajhs.com.au
Note
Description area
History
Founded in August 1938 by Rabbi Leib Falk, Sydney Glass, Hirsch Munz and Percy Marks, the Australian Jewish Historical Society (AJHS) was initially focused on the publication of a journal. The Society expanded to Victoria in 1949 and the Australian Capital Territory in 1984.
After many years of adding to, storing and preserving its archives at various sites around Sydney, a home was ultimately found at the Sydney Jewish Museum – former Maccabean Hall in Darlinghurst. In 2020, funded by a bequest from the late Louise Rosenberg and named in her honour, a secure, climate-controlled archive storage was established within the Darlinghurst building. In 2021, the holdings of the Archive of Australian Judaica which had been stored in the Fisher Library, University of Sydney were consolidated with those of AJHS in the new building.
Here, material is available to the public and academics and are used by the community to source material for education, displays and publications.
In 2023, the Society amalgamated with the Australian Jewish Genealogical Society, New South Wales to create a single point of contact for researchers into the story of Jewish life in Australia.
Geographical and cultural context
Mandates/Sources of authority
Administrative structure
Officer in charge: Head Archivist
Records management and collecting policies
The Australian Jewish Historical Society Archives acquires records through official donations and transfers from individuals within the Australian Jewish community due to their prominence, contribution or impact and from all existing Australian Jewish communal organisations.
Buildings
Holdings
The Society holds in its custody the archives of over 71 organisations and 72 collections of Personal Papers.
This is a unique collection of documents spanning books, manuscripts, newspapers, historical records, photographs, oral histories, audiotapes, videotapes and other printed electronic or audio-visual content and various memorabilia and ephemera. Records include genealogical information, personal papers of contributing individuals within the Australian and Jewish community, and institutional records sourced from synagogues, schools, community groups and institutions and Jewish organisations.
The Australian Jewish newspapers dating to 1800s to present have been digitised and are available on TROVE, being a collaboration between the National Library of Israel, National Library of Australia and the Australian Jewish Historical Society.
Other records such as military, burials have been digitised and are available on the website.
Finding aids, guides and publications
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Archives Management System: Details of the collections are entered into the System and are published on the website for search and retrieval.
-
Publications: The Society publishes an academic Journal with articles covering a vast array of topics relating to the Jewish experience in Australia from literally the first day of British settlement through to contemporary times. The Journal was first published by NSW in 1939, and Victoria followed suit in 1988. Today, the Sydney-produced Journals are published mid-year and the Melbourne-produced towards year's end. Both Journals are sent in electronic form to all members worldwide with print editions optional.
Access area
Opening times
Open Monday to Thursday 10am-4pm by appointment only.
Closed public and Jewish holidays.
Access conditions and requirements
Email the Head Archivist with details of research interest.
Accessibility
Services area
Research services
General reference assistance available.
Education Program
- Internship placement program: Since 2022, AJHS has partnered with several universities both nationally and internationally to provide internship placement programs for those studying within the Masters of Information Studies, Museum and Heritage Studies and History and Archaeology and Honours in Arts and Humanities. University placements include The University of Sydney, Macquarie University, Australian Catholic University, Charles Sturt University and Boston University. Many of our interns have pursued careers within the Archives profession as a result. The articles from our interns on the collections can be accessed on the AJHS website.
- School Visits: Since 2022, AJHS has partnered with schools for onsite visits to the Society’s archives and curriculum activities.
- Talks and workshops: The Australian Jewish Genealogical Society holds workshops on tracing family histories and hosts guests’ speakers from time to time. Information is published on the website. The Head Archivist is invited to provide talks to historical societies and schools.
Contact the Head Archivist, should you require more details on our educational program.
Reproduction services
Scanning/copying services available for original records including photographs, documents and plans to name a few.
Public areas
Control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation, revision and deletion
Revised 30 January 2025
Language(s)
Script(s)
Sources
Maintenance notes
Access points
Access Points
- Genealogical (Thematic area)
- Immigration (Thematic area)
- Social Organisations and Activities (Thematic area)