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The Auckland Jewish community has a rich history and tradition, dating back to the earliest days of British sovereignty in 1840. Today there are over 4,000 Jews in Auckland from a wide range of backgrounds; some, many generations Kiwi, some from England and Scotland, others came as refugees from Nazi Europe and more recently, immigrants from the former Soviet Union, South Africa and from Israel.
The Auckland Hebrew Congregation (AHC) represents the modern orthodox part of the community, and has 600 member families, equating to over 1,300 individuals. The AHC and its Rabbi take their halachic guidance from the London Beth Din.
The AHC, located at the Community Centre in Greys Avenue in Auckland City, is currently being refurbished and renovated. The main shul will hold around 300 people but open up to over 600 for Chagim and special events. There is also a small shul with a seating capacity of about 150, with split-level seating and men and women separated by a mechitzeh. This small shul is used for most Friday night services, and midweek minyanim.
A suburban Stiebl has also recently been established close to where many of the community live. Friday night and Saturday morning Shabbat services and some Yomtovim are held there, with a seating capacity of about 40. These services are conducted by lay readers.
There are services on Friday evenings and Shabbat mornings with minyanim on Sunday, Monday and Thursday mornings, Rosh Chodesh, and all Festivals.
The Auckland Hebrew Congregation operates a fully kosher Mikveh for members and visitors.
At the moment there is no Eruv in Auckland.
The synagogue shop stocks a wide variety of kosher produce, meat and dairy, together with snack meals and imports from Israel, South Africa, the USA and Australia. It is also the principal outlet for kosher challot, cheese and wine though these are also available elsewhere. The shop is open every day except for Monday and Shabbat. The Kosher Kiwi Directory is a regularly updated list of those products available in local supermarkets which are under supervision. There are several Kosher caterers in Auckland offering a wide variety of quality menus for functions.
The AHC has developed its own Hechsher, the Kosher Kiwi, managed by the Rabbi.
There are no kosher restaurants in Auckland (yet).
Kadimah College is the Jewish Primary School, located as part of the AHC community centre. There are around 170 pupils at present, of whom 70% are Jewish.
See an overview of our Organisation's Structure
The AHC is managed at a high level by a Trust Board, responsible for overseeing the assets of the community. At an operational level there is the AHC Board of Management, an elected body of volunteer lay leaders. The Board of Management consists of a president, treasurer and eight members.
The AHC professional staff consists of:
