Ruined Torah scrolls to be replaced
$250,000 government grant for firebombed synagogue
The Adass Israel synagogue will receive a one-off grant of $250,000 to replace precious, religiously significant Torah scrolls which were damaged in last week’s firebombing.
The announcement was made by Macnamara MP Josh Burns at the 25th anniversary of Chabad of RARA.
He said, “The Adass Israel synagogue … was a centre of Jewish life, spirituality and celebration, and at the heart of Jewish culture is the Torah. The sight of burnt Torah scrolls is reminiscent of the worst of Jewish collective memory, but we cannot let hate win”.
The cost of a replacement scroll is in the order of $100,000, and repairs are likely cost up to tens of thousands of dollars per scroll, depending on the nature of the parchment and extent of needed repairs.
The AJN understands that the declaration that the firebombing was a terrorist incident has likely voided any insurance policies that may have applied to the scrolls.
Tony Burke MP, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs said, “When I met with the community at the Adass Israel Synagogue the contrast was clear: a terrorist act of antisemitism steeped in hatred – met by the extraordinary strength and generosity of the community. This announcement is a strong symbol from the government that the synagogue has a permanent home in Australia and will come back from this pain even stronger.”
Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Julian Hill MP said the damage and destruction of the sacred texts is profoundly distressing to Australia’s Jewish community.
“The images and experience of rescuing Torah scrolls from burnt buildings is unspeakably traumatic and scarring, bringing echoes of the past to the present day. The Australian Government stands with the Jewish community in condemning this appalling act of antisemitism and will continue to listen to and work with the community to restore the synagogue” he said.
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