Our History

YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW

NSTE started from humble beginnings in 1958, when the local Jewish community held Wednesday afternoon religion classes and Liberal Shabbat services in the Chatswood dispensary hall. Although a small congregation, our energy and enthusiasm were infectious. In 1960, we purchased the land on our present site at 28 Chatswood Avenue. In 1961, with 81 families in the rapidly-expanding congregation, we laid the foundation stone of our synagogue.

The 30th November 1980 was a seminal day in our history, as the community dedicated the current Sanctuary – our beautiful house of worship. Ever-inclusive and dedicated to Progressive ideals, NSTE became the first synagogue in Sydney to offer access to those with disability, including the hearing-impaired. Our passionate community continued to play a critical role in the growth of NSTE, even down to the lovely stained glass windows that grace our Sanctuary, designed by NSTE member, Dee Hart. The windows that face the foyer were designed by the late Lou Rose MBE, Honorary Life Member.

Today, we are a thriving congregation of around 470 member families, and have a vibrant and accepting community that warmly embraces Jews of both matrilineal and patrilineal descent, as well as Jews by choice and interfaith families.  Our congregation and Rabbinic leaders stood proudly in support of marriage equality and continue to affirm the sacredness of loving, committed relationships and weddings between Jewish couples, regardless of gender.