$250k for East Melbourne
"The Jewish community contributes so much to Australia, but there are extremists who every day cause grief to our Jewish community across not only Victoria but right across the world."
East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation (EMHC) is to receive a quarter of a million dollars from the federal government to increase and improve safety measures.
The announcement was made this week by Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood, who was joined on a visit to the shule by Senator David Van.
The grant has been made in round six of the Safer Community Grant scheme, which saw just under $5.5 million go towards bolstering security for Jewish institutions.
Wood told The AJN, “The Jewish community contributes so much to Australia, but there are extremists who every day cause grief to our Jewish community across not only Victoria but right across the world.”
Marvelling at the beauty of the newly-renovated 144-year-old shule, the oldest in Melbourne, he said, “We have to preserve it and make it a safe place,” adding, “I’m just delighted to come out here today and be so warmly greeted.”
Echoing Wood’s security concerns, Van said, “I’m thrilled to be here to announce this $250,000 grant … keeping the community who worship here safe and helping to promote and get rid of antisemitism from our world. It’s a blight on our world and we all need to work together to do as much as we can to break down that anger and that hate.”
Expressing his gratitude at receiving the grant, EMHC’s Rabbi Dovid Gutnick noted the shule has already drawn up sophisticated security plans.
“We will apply it to a very discreet and sensitive fortification of the synagogue,” he said, adding, “It means that we’re not imposing and don’t look forbidding to the community, but it’s very safe for families, for the children, and for the groups that come here, so that everyone feels really secure and relaxed in the space.”
The successful grant application means a great deal to the community, according to synagogue president Danny Segal, who said, “I look around and I see the faces of people that give so much to the community and this really is a reward for them.”
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