On Sunday 22 June 2025 Rabbi Dan Lieberman entertained and informed a large group of attendees, including distinguished guests Dr Gabriele Maluga Honorary Consul of Germany, Mr Frank Paolino MLA, and descendants of Rabbi Freedman.

Rabbi Dan Lieberman shared the extensive contributions made by Rabbi Freedman, both in service of the Jewish community in Perth, and in the wider community of Perth and beyond. He detailed his roles as the first Jewish Chaplain of The Australian Imperial Force, State President of the RSL, and Rabbi of the Perth Hebrew Congregation.

We learned about Rabbi Freedman’s work ethic and ability to get things done, including designing a new badge for Jewish Chaplains (still in use today) incorporating a Magen David rather than a cross. He carried out his duties as Chaplain with honour, serving the Jewish soldiers in some of the most notorious conflicts including at Gallipoli, as well as on the Somme.

In recognition of Rabbi Freedman’s work, he was presented with a Sefer Torah by the Jewish community of Alexandria, Egypt.

Upon returning to Perth, Rabbi Freedman oversaw the construction of the Jewish War Memorial in King’s Park (the only one in Australia on public land), with the foundation stone laid by General Sir John Monash; and subsequently, in his role of State President of the RSL, prompting the State Government to build the State War Memorial.

Rabbi Dan Lieberman is himself following in the footsteps of Rabbi David Freedman, recently being commissioned as a Chaplain for the Australian Defence Force.

Rabbi David Isaac Freedman was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1874, and was educated at Jews’ College London. He arrived in Perth in 1897 to serve as Reverend for the Perth Hebrew Congregation. Later that year he married Anne Florence (Mollie) Cohen.

In 1914, Rabbi David Freedman embarked on a journey that would etch his name in the annals of heroism.

Joining the ranks of the ANZAC forces, Rabbi Freedman carried with him a small Sefer Torah gifted by the Jewish community of Alexandria, Egypt, where he had stopped during the arduous journey to Gallipoli.

The ancient Jewish community of that famous city wanted to show its appreciation for his and the Jewish soldiers’ war effort and to do something to protect them. They gave him that small Sefer Torah, which he took and kept with him at all times.