Faith leaders unite against antisemitism in Sydney’s north
'This was a wonderful demonstration of good Australians wanting to stand with the Jewish community,' Member for Berowra Julian Leeser said.
Religious leaders from across Sydney’s northern suburbs gathered at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral in Waitara on Thursday evening for an interfaith service condemning antisemitism in Australia.
Member for Berowra Julian Leeser said the event, led by Bishop Anthony Randazzo, brought together representatives from Christian denominations, the Jewish community and the Bahai faith in a show of solidarity.
“I know that the vast middle of Australia abhors the antisemitism we have seen on our streets. But this was a wonderful demonstration of good Australians wanting to stand with the Jewish community,” Leeser said.
The service included prayers and reflections from Reverend Nich Cole of Mt Colah Uniting Church, Pastor Tim Kay from Thornleigh Community Baptist Church, Pastor Fabian Edian of Waitara Seventh Day Adventist Church, and Saman Samini representing the Bahai Community. The North Shore Synagogue’s Rabbi Paul Lewin, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip and Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin also participated.
To mark the rare convergence of Chanukah and Christmas this year, faith leaders are encouraging residents to place a lit candle in their windows alongside Christmas trees on Christmas night as a symbol of solidarity with the Jewish community.
“Both festivals deal with miracles of light, joy and hope. It will be another 100 years until this crossover occurs again,” Leeser noted.
The Member for Berowra said the initiative demonstrates that throughout the Broken Bay diocese, “whatever our faith backgrounds, we stand against antisemitism.”
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