Once the Hobart (and Launceston) Synagogues were built, instructions were given by the Government 
that 'all prisoners of the Jewish persuasion not actually under a sentence would have leave to 
refrain from work and attend the Synagogues on Sabbaths'. The Hobart Town Congregation made 
provision for the convicts to receive two free meals on the Sabbath and an enquiry was sent to 
the Chief Rabbi in London, asking whether a convict could be counted as a member of a minyan and 
be called to the Torah. The answers were affirmative to the first question, negative to the second. 

The pictured numbered bench was one of several originally located at the back of the Synagogue
for the use of the convicts and the poor.  The Hobart Synagogue is one of the few places of
Jewish worship in the world with seats set aside for convicts - if indeed there is any other!