Brasch, Rudolph Rabbi

Personal Papers Archives

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Authority Biography/Administrative History

Rudolph Brasch AM OBE (6 November 1912 – November 2004) was an Australian rabbi and author

He was born in Berlin, Germany and moved to London when Hitler gained power in 1933. He eventually emigrated to Australia, arriving in 1949, and was the Chief Minister of the Temple Emanuel in Sydney for the next thirty years.

Among his honours were the Coronation Medal (1952), Officer of the Order of the British Empire (1967 the Silver Jubilee Medal (1977) and Member of the Order of Australia (1979)

He wrote several books, mostly focusing on customs and their origin.

He died in November 2004, aged 92.

Books published

2005	The Book of Beginnings: A Miscellany of the Origins of Superstitions, Customs, Phrases and Sayings
2001	A Bee in Your Bonnet?
1998	Reminiscences of a Roving Rabbi
1997	The Cat's Pyjamas
1996	Circles of Love
1995	A Book of Forgiveness
1994	A Book of Friendship
1994	The Book of Anniversaries: Loving Ways to Celebrate Your Marriage
1994	Christmas Customs & Traditions: Why We Do What We Do at Christmas
1994	That Takes the Cake
1993	A Book of Good Advice
1991	A Book of Comfort: To Help and Inspire in Troubled Times
1991	The Book of the Year: Special Days and Their Meanings
1989	Even More Permanent Addresses, Even More Australians Down Under
1987	Permanent Addresses: Australians Down Under
1987	Thank God I'm An Atheist: Religious Origins of Expressions, Customs and Institutions
1985	How did it Begin?
1983	Mistakes, Misnomers and Misconceptions
1982	There's a Reason for Everything
1977	Australian Jews of Today: And the Part They Have Played
1976	The Supernatural and You!
1973	How did Sex Begin?: The Sense and Nonsense of the Customs and Traditions That Have Separated Men and Women Since Adam and Eve
1971	How did Sports Begin?: A Look Into the Origins of Man at Play
1969	The Unknown Sanctuary: The Story of Judaism, its Teachings, Philosophy and Symbols
1969	Sir John Monash
1967	Mexico: A Country of contrasts
1958	The Eternal Flame
1955	The Star of David

ProvenanceBRASCH, Rudolph Rabbi (BRASCHR)
Scope & ContentThese papers were created or gathered in the capacity of his role as an author and Australian Rabbi. These papers and scrapbooks were selected for long-term preservation as primary sources for the many books written by him mostly focusing on customs and their origin and in his capacity as a Rabbi. Additionally, these papers include many pieces of personal ephemera that were collected for long-term preservation as records of life events of the Rabbi and his wife. These papers include many newspaper publications by Rabbi Brasch that concern both religious topics and his many other areas of research such as sports, sex and social customs and histories. There includes personal correspondence of Rabbi Brasch between him and a number of figures and organisations such as publishers, other members of the Jewish community, the Vatican, politicians, as well as family and friends. There includes many documents and ephemera related to his travels across the world, including everything from tickets, photographs and maps, to napkins, dinner menus and stickers. There are also many newspaper clippings from the Jewish press where others have reported on the Rabbi's professional and personal life. There are many documents and ephemera of Rabbi Brasch's professional life outside of the Jewish community including speaking tours, university work, his work as an author as well as his work as a member of numerous rotary clubs.
Related RecordsAJHS AB Collection
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