Jewish community rallies in solidarity
Firebombing labelled domestic terrorism
Almost a thousand people gathered in Ripponlea on Sunday to show support for the Adass Israel community following a devastating firebombing of their synagogue on Friday morning.
The rally at Burnett Grey Gardens, home to the Jewish Serviceman’s monument to 127 Jewish soldiers who served in war was organised by J-United and brought together Jewish community leaders, local politicians, faith leaders, and supporters from diverse backgrounds.
Naomi Levin, CEO of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV), said the Adass community’s primary concern was the preservation of their sacred Torah scrolls.
“When we first arrived at the Adass Israel congregation, what struck me was the absolute devastation, but also the enormous resilience of that community,” Levin told the assembled crowd. “All they wanted to know was whether their Sifrei Torah and tefillin were safe, and that they could continue living proud Jewish lives here in Melbourne.”
Unfortunately, the damage to these sacred texts was significant
“Those scrolls were significantly water and smoke damaged,” Levin explained. “But as a community, we will come together to ensure these and more will be replaced.”
“Over Shabbat, the Adass leadership told me they sang Ani Ma’amin, a song from the Holocaust that reflects our community’s strength, resilience, and continued rising from the ashes. Nobody can destroy our community, and nobody will destroy the Adass Israel community,” Levin said.
Levin also highlighted a growing public response to recent antisemitic incidents.
“The silent majority has started to speak up,” she said, mentioning that faith leaders and radio callers had expressed their devastation and solidarity.
Daniel Aghion, President of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, noted this was the third fire-related incident targeting the Jewish community since 7 October.
It followed an attack on Josh Burn’s office in Melbourne and cars in eastern Sydney.
“This antisemitism has become a cancer in this country,” Aghion stated emphatically. “But the solution can be found in unity. This is not just a problem for the Jewish community, but for the entire Australian community.”
A moving moment came when Rabbi Moshe Khan, President of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria, recounted attending a three-year-old girl’s birthday, where she participated in the Jewish tradition of lighting Shabbat candles.
“Some people use fires to bring destruction, hate, and chaos,” Rabbi Khan said, “while others light fires to bring love, warmth, and unity.”
Federal Labor MP for Macnamara, Josh Burns, who had previously experienced an attack on his own office, spoke about combating antisemitism.
While his speech attracted some mixed reactions, David Southwick, Liberal state member for Caulfield, quickly and publicly demonstrated support for Burns, despite them being from rival political parties.
“Look, it is tough for Josh,” Southwick noted. “Let’s just acknowledge the fact that he also has had his office targeted and burnt, and he may be from the wrong party, and his leadership hasn’t stood up, but he’s here today, and he’s been here with the community, and I think we should at least acknowledge that and the work that he has done as a Local member.”
Southwick then delivered a passionate, forceful address that received strong applause.
He explicitly labelled the synagogue attack as “domestic terrorism” and demanded immediate governmental action.
“When a synagogue is attacked with congregants inside, this is domestic terrorism,” Southwick declared.
“We must act accordingly. You can’t fix a problem unless you acknowledge it first.”
He emphasised the Jewish community’s significant contributions to Australian society, highlighting a nearby memorial commemorating 127 Jews who sacrificed their lives fighting for Australia.
“We are not just Jewish. We are proud Australians,” he stated. “We ask for nothing except to be treated like everybody else, and to be safe.”
The rally was remarkable not just for its size, but for its composition.
While predominantly composed of Jewish community members, it also included numerous supporters from other backgrounds, demonstrating a broad-based rejection of hate.
The speakers unanimously stressed themes of unity, resilience, and hope.
They repeatedly called on both state and federal governments to take decisive action against what they described as escalating antisemitic incidents.
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