About 20 members of the ACT Jewish community, under the auspices of the ACT Australian Jewish Historical Society (AJHS), toured Old Linton and the Yass Jewish cemetery on Sunday, February 11.
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The ACT branch of the AJHS has for many years researched and visited sites in the Canberra region and the Monaro where Jews had settled in the 19th century, usually as hoteliers and storekeepers, contributing to the development of rural towns throughout the region.
Adele Rosalky, president of the AJHS ACT, said she had Old Linton on mind for a while.
“The branch puts on four events each year for members and they’re a way for us to keep memories of people alive,” Ms Rosalky said.
Stephe Jitts, the current owner, delivered an account of the extended Moses family and other Jewish families, many members of which were prominent citizens of Yass.
Mr Jitts then led a tour of the house.
“I knew Stephe Jitts. We’ve been neighbours 20 years ago when he lived in Canberra, so I contacted him and he was very willing to open the house,” she said.
Old Linton in Glebe Street is the colonial home built in 1857 by Moses Moses, the ex-convict turned successful and respected businessman.
The group then visited the Yass Jewish cemetery where Rabbi Shimon Eddi consecrated the small Jewish cemetery and recited memorial prayers over the graves.
“He delivered a moving ceremony where those early settlers, including Moses Moses and his 15-year-old daughter, Sarah, were remembered,” Ms Rosalky said.
