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1945-1954: A Community Unites
The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (JBD) emerged from the earlier NSW Jewish Advisory Board (est. 1932), which had originally represented only synagogue interests. As WWII intensified and the Holocaust unfolded, the need for a broader, democratic and more representative body became urgent. In 1944, a landmark constitution created the modern JBD, and in 1945 Saul Symonds presided over its inaugural meeting, establishing a unified voice for a rapidly growing community.
The post‑war years saw the arrival of thousands of Holocaust survivors and refugees, expanding the NSW Jewish population from around 15,000 to more than 26,000 by 1954. The JBD responded by strengthening its representative structures, widening consultation, and building mechanisms to combat antisemitism and misinformation. The creation of the Bureau of Jewish Affairs in 1942 and the establishment of Moriah War Memorial College reflected this new era of communal organisation.
A defining achievement of the decade was the entrenchment of democratic representation. Constitutional reforms in 1949 introduced a universal franchise, allowing 25 per cent of deputies to be elected by the community — later expanded to 50 per cent. These reforms cemented the JBD as the democratic heart of NSW Jewry and laid the groundwork for its future leadership in advocacy, education and communal cohesion.
1955-1964: From Local Voice to Global Advocate
Under the presidencies of Gerald de Vahl Davis and Horace Newman, the JBD strengthened its democratic foundations and expanded its influence. The 1955 constitutional reform — making half of all deputies directly elected — marked a major milestone in community empowerment and legitimacy. This shift enabled the JBD to speak with greater authority to government, media and the broader public.
During this decade, the JBD increasingly turned its attention to global Jewish concerns. It became an early voice in the emerging campaign for Soviet Jewry, advocating for Jews facing religious repression and cultural erasure behind the Iron Curtain. The JBD also raised awareness of the persecution of Jews from Arab lands and Iran, broadening its international focus and aligning NSW Jewry with global Jewish advocacy movements.
Domestically, the JBD continued to strengthen its role as the peak representative body of NSW Jewry. It worked closely with government, councils and communal organisations to address issues of security, cultural preservation and community welfare. By 1964, the JBD had firmly established itself as both a respected local institution and a principled global advocate.
1965-1974: From Local Voice to Global Advocate
The late 1960s and early 1970s were transformative years marked by communal mobilisation and major institutional growth. The founding of Masada College in 1966 expanded Jewish education to Sydney’s North Shore, reinforcing the JBD’s long‑standing commitment to strengthening Jewish identity through schooling.
The 1967 Six‑Day War galvanised Jewish communities worldwide, including in NSW. The JBD played a central role in coordinating communal solidarity, advocacy and fundraising. That same year saw the creation of the Jewish Communal Appeal (JCA), which revolutionised communal fundraising and ensured the long‑term sustainability of Jewish institutions.
Leadership transitions brought new direction and professionalism. Presidents Gerald Falk and Harry Goldstein guided the JBD through a period of increasing structure and transparency, including the first formal AGM in 1968. The JBD also intensified its advocacy for Soviet Jewry and began early work in social justice and interfaith engagement — themes that would grow significantly in the decades ahead.
1975-1984: Renewal and a Rising Generation
As the JBD marked its 40th anniversary, it entered a period of renewal and generational change. Leaders such as Maurice Allen, Sidney Muller, Robert Goot and Leslie Caplan brought new energy and perspectives, with Goot’s election at age 30 symbolising a shift toward younger leadership and modernised communal governance.
Jewish education continued to expand, with the founding of Mount Sinai College (1981) and Emanuel School (1983). These institutions strengthened Jewish identity across Sydney’s suburbs and reflected the JBD’s belief that education was central to communal continuity.
The JBD also deepened its involvement in social justice, refugee support and Indigenous engagement. It advocated for Vietnamese refugees, supported rural communities affected by natural disasters, and began building relationships with Indigenous Australians. Meanwhile, global Jewish solidarity remained central, with continued advocacy for Soviet Jewry and Jews from Arab lands. Early communal security structures also began to take shape, laying the foundations for what would become CSG.
1985-1994: Culture, Security and a Community in Full Voice
This decade saw the JBD expand its cultural, educational and political influence. The relocation of Moriah College to Queens Park and the launch of the first Jewish Book Fair reflected a flourishing of Jewish cultural life. The opening of the Sydney Jewish Museum in 1992 became a landmark moment in Holocaust remembrance and education.
The JBD strengthened its advocacy on multicultural and anti‑racism issues, joining the Ethnic Communities’ Council and successfully campaigning for the reinstatement of medical benefits for brit milah. It also responded decisively to rising security threats, including arson attacks on Bankstown Synagogue during the Gulf War, leading to strengthened communal security protocols.
Internationally, the JBD continued its work on behalf of persecuted Jewish communities, including Soviet Jewry and Syrian Jewry. Domestically, it expanded interfaith and multicultural partnerships, reinforcing Jewish values of justice, compassion and solidarity.
1995-2004: From Local Voice to Global Advocate
The JBD’s Golden Jubilee in 1995 marked 50 years of coordinated Jewish life in NSW and reaffirmed its mission to lead, protect and inspire the community. The publication of With One Voice documented the organisation’s history and strengthened communal identity.
The JBD played a central role in supporting the community after the 1997 Maccabiah Bridge disaster, coordinating vigils, advocacy and support for affected families. It also expanded Jewish education and strengthened ties with multicultural and Indigenous communities, including leading a Jewish delegation in the 2000 Sydney Harbour Bridge Reconciliation Walk.
During the Second Intifada, the JBD intensified its advocacy, strengthened political relationships and unified the community across religious and ideological lines. Discussions with the JCA led to closer cooperation and greater professionalisation, particularly in communal security.
2015-2025: A Decade of Resilience and Renewal
From 2015 to 2025, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies entered a period defined by resilience, innovation and renewed communal strength under Presidents Jeremy Spinak AM z”l, Lesli Berger and David Ossip, with Vic Alhadeff concluding 17 years as CEO. The JBD expanded its interfaith and multicultural engagement, deepening ties with Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Nepalese, Maronite, Hillsong and Indian communities, including a landmark meeting between Jeremy Spinak and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Political advocacy reached new heights, highlighted by the historic 2017 visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and strengthened bipartisan relationships through Shabbat dinners and parliamentary engagement. Responding to rising antisemitism, the JBD launched the Keep NSW Safe campaign, uniting more than 30 community groups and securing landmark legislation criminalising incitement to violence. This decade also saw major advances in community security, the passage of laws banning Nazi symbols, and the establishment of new legal protections for vulnerable communities.
The JBD coordinated a community‑wide emergency response during COVID‑19, secured safe outdoor minyanim during lockdowns, and strengthened social justice initiatives, including First Nations and LGBTQ+ working groups.
The JBD’s role became even more critical as antisemitism surged globally and locally. Collaborating closely with NSW Police, the JBD became an indispensable partner in safeguarding the community and providing reassurance during periods of heightened anxiety. Strong relationships with NSW Premier Chris Minns and senior ministers enabled continued lobbying for measures to counter rising antisemitism. President David Ossip and newly appointed CEO Michele Goldman emerged as authoritative public voices, leading media engagement and combating hate speech and misinformation across digital platforms. Following the October 7, 2023 Hamas massacre, the JBD mobilised swiftly, organising a 10,000‑person vigil and leading advocacy during an unprecedented crisis. Its leadership proved equally vital in the wake of the Bondi terror attack in December 2025, when the JBD again became the community’s anchor—supporting traumatised families, guiding media and government responses, and working intensively with NSW Police to restore safety and confidence. As the organisation marked its 80th anniversary, it stands as a dynamic guardian of Jewish life in NSW—committed to security, education, representation and unity—and ready to ensure that every Jewish person in NSW is protected, supported and heard for generations to come.
(This summary by Yehuda Feher based on The Origin and Development of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, by Dr G F Bergman, Australian Jewish Historical Society Journal & Proceedings Vol VI, Part 8, 1970).
Note: In 1949 the Board of Deputies agreed to change the Constitution to allow 25 per cent of representatives to be elected by universal franchise, and in 1955 the proposal of 50 per cent elected by the general franchise was adopted.
