Jewish School and Family Bible. The First Part containing the Pentateuch.
Author
Dr Abraham Benisch
(British, 1811 - 1878)
Date1851
Object number00018158
NameBook
MediumLeather, gilt, brass, Ink on paper
DimensionsOverall: 211 mm
ClassificationsBooks and journals
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis Jewish School and Family Bible was given as a gift to Simeon Cohen from his fiancée Cecilia Woolf for his voyage out to Australia on board SS GREAT BRITAIN in 1852. After setting up a successful business in Victoria Cohen returned to England and married the 18 year old Cecilia Woolf before they both returned to Australia on the SS GREAT BRITAIN. Unfortunately Cecilia became very ill on the voyage and died a few days out of Melbourne.
HistoryOn board the SS GREAT BRITAIN's first Australian voyage in 1852 was a 20-year-old Jew called Simeon Cohen. Cohen carried with him a Jewish School and Family Bible containing the Pentateuch, which had been given to him by his 18-year-old fiancée Cecilia Woolf.
Cecelia inscribed a short note 'Trust in God and do that which is right in his sight - Cecilia Woolf to Simeon Cohen on his leaving England, August 16th 1852'.
Cohen arrived in Melbourne in November 1852 and was so impressed with the colony that he returned to England and married Cecilia. They left for Melbourne, again on the SS GREAT BRITAIN, in August 1853. Unfortunately their excitement at setting up a new life together in Victoria never eventuated. Cecilia became gravely ill on the voyage out to Australia and died four days out of Melbourne. The Jewish community on board the ship was grateful to the Captain for allowing Cecilia to be buried in Australia, instead of at sea.SignificanceThis bible reflects the migration of Jewish settlers to Australia in the mid-19th century, a period of economic development and rapid population growth in Australia. It highlights the diversity of people who moved to the colony to start a new life.
Victor Cohen
1933 - 1947
1945
