Isabella Lazarus Home for Jewish Children

History: The story of the Isabella Lazarus Children’s Home started with the death of Elizabeth Lazarus on 14th July 1926. She and her sister, Rachel, who died 3 months later, both provided in their wills for the establishment of a home for Jewish children.

TIMELINE:

– 1939: Official Opening of Isabella Lazarus Children’s Home at Hunters Hill.
– 1942: Army takes over premises at Hunters Hill. Move to Temporary Home at cnr. Garnet  & Stanhope Roads, Killara
– 1945: Army vacates buildings
– 1946: Children’s Home rededicated
– 1965: Children’s home moves to ‘Parklands” St. Marys Avenue, Waverley.
– 1967: Ceased to function in a residential format

HISTORY:

The story of the Isabella Lazarus Children’s Home started with the death of Elizabeth Lazarus on July 14, 1926. She and her sister Rachel, who died 3 months later, both provided in their Wills for the establishment of a home for Jewish children, to be named in honour of their late Mother Isabella.

The Equity Court agreed to the transfer of the Trusts to the Sir Moses Montefiore Home, which then became responsible for the erection and maintenance of a children’s home. The building was completed and officially opened on the 26th of November, 1939, which was the same date as the opening of the Sir Moses Montefiore Jewish Home on the same site at Hunters Hill.

Although the original children’s home at Hunters Hill no longer exists, the foundation stones have been retained and are on permanent display in the Heritage Gallery.