"In 1842 Mr. A. H. Hart obtained from the Government a grant of land in the Old Cemetery for Jewish interments, and, sad to say, the first participant of the melancholy privilege of being buried in that consecrated ground, was Mr. Lewis Hart, a brother of the gentleman whose career of usefulness has been faintly indicated, and 'who died suddenly after a few months' residence in the Colony. In this case the last duties and services to the departed were rendered by Mr. A. H. Hart himself. A tombstone erected to the memory of the deceased bears thefirstHebrew inscription, which was written by the hand of the bereaved brother.
"The Melbourne Jewish Philanthropic Society, which has been of vast benefit to the needy of the Jewish Faith, was founded by the late Mr. A. H. Hart, in 1849. "They (the Jews) possess six synagogues which are governed independently of each other, two being in Melbourne —one in the west, and the other in the east of the city. There is also one at St. Kilda, one at Ballarat, one at Sandhurst, and one at Geelong.
"Mr. A. H. Hart and Mr. David Benjamin left this colony for England in 1854; the former died there in 1870; the latter continues to labour for (and contributes from his purse liberally to all matters appertaining to) the social, moral, and intellectual advancement of his co-religionists. Many other Jews have also acted nobly and supported the cause of their religion in the Metropolis of the South, such as the late Hon. Edward Cohen, M.L.A, Mr. Nathaniel Levi, Mr. Henry Harris, and others."
The Chief Rabbi.
In January, 1846, a beautifully prepared address was transmitted by the Jews of Port Phillip to the Rev. Dr. Adler, the Chief Rabbi of the United Congregation of Jews in the British Empire. It was written by Mr. A. H. Hart, President of the Synagogue, transcribed on vellum by Mr. Craig, and embellished by the pen of Mr. Joseph Pitman. In the succeeding November a reply was received, couched in grateful and complimentary language, and thus concluding:— "May the Almighty favour you with all His temporal blessings, and may His holy law find a home in your distant isle, and His precepts be duly venerated and followed amongst you. Such are the fervent wishes of, Mr. President and gentlemen, your faithful servant N. Adler, Dr., Chief Rabbi, London, 7th day of Tamuz, 5606 A.M."
Founding the First Synagogue.
At eight a.m., on the 25th August, 1847, was laid the first stone of the first Synagogue in Melbourne.
The ceremony was performed in the presence of nearly all the Jews in Melbourne, and a sprinkling of the other residents.
The President took his stand at one end of the stone, the Honorary Reader opposite, and the Honorary Secretary on one side, with a Scroll.
The ceremony commenced by the Reader reciting a prayer, and then reading the Scroll, which bore an inscription in Hebrew, of which the following is a translation:—
By favour of Almighty God, the Foundation Stone of this Building, to be denominated,
"House of Prayer of the Holy Congregation of Remnant of Israel,"
Being the first in the district of Port Phillip dedicated to the worship of the MOST HIGH,
Agreeably to the Laws of Moses and Israel,
Was laid by Solomon Benjamin, President, on Wednesday, August 25th, 5607 (1847),
In presence of the Members of the above Congregation,
In the Eleventh year of the reign of Queen Victoria the First;
Sir Chrles Augustus Fitzroy, Knight, Governor of N e w South Wales;
Charles Joseph Latrobe, Superintendent of Port Phillip;
Charles Laing, Architect; James Webb, Builder; Asher Hymen Hart, Past President, Hon. Reader.
Trustees:- Asher Hymen Hart, Michael Cashmore, and Solomon Benjamin.
The Scroll, deposited in a bottle, was duly placed in the stone, which was then adjusted by the President with a plumb, level, and square, the mortar spread with a silver trowel, and the upper stone
