Caruana’s inspiring Judaism and sporting journey

Catholic-raised 26-year-old Sydney para athlete Matt Caruana – who in late 2023 successfully completed his conversion process to Judaism – embodies a simple yet powerful philosophy: “the only way is up.”

It’s a message he has shared for years, when speaking to young people in schools, universities, churches and synagogues.

Ten years ago, when just 16, he jumped from a seven-storey building in an attempt to end his life.

He survived, but sustained a permanent spinal cord injury.

“I remember waking up in hospital, and I had people around me telling me that things were going to get better, but I didn’t believe it at the time,” he told The AJN earlier this month.