Jewish community helping bushfire relief

Victoria’s bushfires have burnt over 4,040 square kilometres, destroying over 500 structures including 179 homes, and at least one person had died.

The bushfires have also impacted Jewish summer camps.  Hineni camp was forced to end early after three days, on being advised that the fires were a risk. Hineni madrichim (leaders) told the AJN that while their 35 participants from Melbourne and Sydney were disappointed, they understood why they needed to leave and did so calmly.

The fires also forced Habonim Dror (Habo) madrichim to evacuate a campsite on January 8. The Habo leaders were at the campsite to prepare for its upcoming federal camp. Following the evacuation they were told they could return to the camp, which delayed Habo camp’s start date from January 11 to January 14.

The Jewish community has sought to help with bushfire relief. The Rabbinical Council of Victoria together with Caulfield Shule and CCare joined together with Australian Sikh Support, to travel to a CFA hub in Longwood on January 14 to bring supplies and assist. The supplies were donated by the Good Box, Care and Animal Welfares charity.

Rabbi Rabin told The AJN, “Since the Bondi attack, the Jewish community has experienced an outpouring of care and solidarity. In the wake of the devastating bushfires, being able to turn that kindness outward and offer practical help to others affected by the fires felt both important and deeply meaningful. Standing alongside colleagues, community members, and friends from other faiths was a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility and common humanity.”

Help has also come from community members. Yair Cohen posted a callout for supplies to help friends affected by the bushfire in Ruffy, and said he received support from many people including donations from Little Sister Bakery, The Tails of Lost Paws and Socks4Support. Cohen told The AJN it was easy to organise help, “One Facebook post, two calls to friends, a four hour trip and that’s it! Sometimes it’s that easy to help, and they were so chuffed for it.”

The Victorian Emergency Relief and Recovery Foundation (VERRF) has launched the January 2026 Victorian Bushfire Appeal to raise funds to support affected communities. The Appeal said it would provide, “immediate assistance, relief and delivery of services to support individuals and their communities through this traumatic event; community identified projects and programs that support and instil a strong sense of community spirit and community recovery; and critical programs identified by the community which regenerate the region’s natural environment and wildlife.”

To donate to the 2026 Victorian Bushfire Appeal visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/2026-Victorian-Bushfire-Appeal