From Australia’s Jewish Past
Saul Symonds – barrister and Australian communal leader
Saul Symonds
Saul Symonds was born on 23 March 1894 in Sydney. He was the second son of Morris, a Russian-born furniture dealer, and his mother Celia, who was from London.
He was educated at Sydney Grammar School, winning the Junior Knox Prize in 1908 for languages, and becoming the school captain in 1911. He then studied law at the University of Sydney together with French and German, both subjects achieving first-class honours.
In 1916 he returned to Sydney Grammar while still studying at university, as an assistant master. On 12 September 1917, he married Lorna Trenn at her Bronte home. In 1921 Saul was admitted to the Bar and practiced until 1939 following which he joined the family business – Symonds Furnishing Ltd, situated on Pitt Street, selling new and second-hand furniture. In an article found in Trove, the company was described as follows: ‘’The showrooms were stocked with all styles of bedsteads, sideboards, fancy china vases, plaques, tea and dessert sets, iron safes, office fittings, counters and showcases. In fact, the firm can furnish anybody’’.
Saul began his interest and commitment to the community around the 1920s. He joined the New South Wales Board of Jewish Education and for some years was a councillor, and later became president. Like, his father, Saul became a leader of the Great Synagogue, serving on its board from 1933 and holding positions of treasurer, and then president from 1940-44 and 1946-50.
During World War II, Saul worked for the Anzac Buffet, an amazing organisation, run on donations and by a ladies’ auxiliary. It was first established in London during World War I and, with the onset of World War II, it was set up in the Domain in Sydney to provide breakfast and a meeting place for Australian service men and women on leave. A kiosk in Hyde Park was also set up. Saul was also involved with the Australian Comforts Fund. This, too, had been established during World War I, by women’s groups to provide ‘luxury items’ to supplement the Australian soldier’s army rations plus personal kits for those serving overseas. When World War II began, the ACF established itself nationally and, through the support of the Australian Government and fundraising, it provided service men and women throughout the war years with items such as singlets, socks, pyjamas, cigarettes, reading materials, hygiene products, and writing materials.
Saul was prominent in the affairs of the New South Wales Jewish Advisory Board and, in 1945 that organisation became the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies. Saul served as its president from 1945-52. For many years, he served as treasurer of the Sydney Jewish Aid Society, and from 1938 to 1950, he was very involved with the Australian Jewish Welfare Society, serving as its treasurer and later president from 1948-52. He strongly supported Jewish immigration and helped many European refugees to establish themselves within the Australian community.
Saul was known as a ‘patrician’ by his background and was most sympathetic to newcomers. He was also a forceful negotiator with the government. He exerted himself when president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry for two terms between 1946 and 48. At this time the character of the community was being transformed with the arrival of thousands of Holocaust survivors and migrants from other countries. Saul oversaw the successful arrival and assimilation of these amazing survivors. However, he was criticised for his self-important and forceful manner which, was in contrast to the more welcoming attitude of Melbourne’s immigration leaders. It was noted that he was one of the most important communal leaders in New South Wales of the immediate postwar era.
Saul possessed a keen intellect, a sharp wit, and a decisive nature. He was a noted patron of art and was thought to have influenced the work of Elioth Gruner – one of Australia’s most well-known landscape artists – whose paintings Saul collected. Saul was an avid art collector and often lent his paintings from his collection to galleries for exhibition. He lived in Wahroonga and his garden was known for its orchids and admired for its beauty. Saul died of a cerebral haemorrhage on 9 April 1952 and was buried in Rookwood cemetery. He was survived by his wife daughter Naomi, and two sons Bruce and Leonard. As Saul passed away on the eve of Passover, a special memorial service was held at the Great Synagogue.
Saul had served the Jewish community with tireless devotion gaining the respect and allegiance of those who worked with him. He had dynamic energy, great leadership qualities, and a loveable personality.
The AJHS acknowledges the following references in the preparation of this story:
Australian Dictionary of Biography – M Z Forbes; Encyclopaedia Judaica – 2007; The Hebrew Standard of Australasia April 1916; AJHS Journal 1953; Jewish Virtual Library; Sydney Jewish News April 1952; Sydney Morning Herald 21 December 1905
