Adass finds many friends

Victorian Governor visits firebombed shule

Adass Israel grateful for community support

21-1-25 Governor of Victoria Margaret Gardner visited the Adass synagogue in Ripponlea, sight of the December 6, 2024 domestic terrorist fire bombing. Photo: Peter Haskin
21-1-25 Governor of Victoria Margaret Gardner visited the Adass synagogue in Ripponlea, sight of the December 6, 2024 domestic terrorist fire bombing. Photo: Peter Haskin

The Victorian Governor, Margaret Gardner, visited the Adass Israel Synagogue on Tuesday morning, demonstrating support after the recent firebombing.

Shule board member Benjamin Klein expressed gratitude for the visit, which came about after community representatives extended an invitation during a meeting at Government House a month ago.

“We’re very grateful that the Governor came to stand with us,” said Klein, who said she emphasised that the attack represented a broader assault on Australian society.

“She really felt that this is an attack on the Australian fabric, not just necessarily the Jewish community,” he said.

“Jewish people got attacked now, but really it’s an attack on the wider community, and that’s something that she recognises and that really disturbs her.”

In a statement after her visit, the Governor described the Adass Israel Synagogue as an important place of connection and community.

“It is distressing to see the extensive damage from last month’s attack, but it is pleasing to learn that recovery efforts are well underway. Our State is one of many people and many voices – violence and antisemitism are never acceptable … it is vital that we stand together and respect the rights of all the people of Victoria”, Gardner said.

The synagogue is currently pursuing multiple avenues for reconstruction, including insurance claims, government assistance, and crowdfunding efforts.

“Between these, we hope to get a nice, big building here for the future generations of the Adass community,” Klein explained.

The incident has brought unprecedented support from the wider Australian community.

Klein shared a touching anecdote about an elderly gentleman who travelled by three different modes of transport to donate £1,000 in cash, despite never having met a Jewish person before.

While the traditionally private Adass community has found the publicity challenging, he acknowledged the positive aspects.

“We have typically been a community that flies under the radar, and that’s where we like it. We are simple people that just go about our daily lives and have a community and have a synagogue … but at the same time, we have found lots of friends also,” Klein said.

The congregation has secured temporary arrangements for services, initially at a facility nearby.

They have now leased a former supermarket in the neighbourhood for two years, which is being converted into a temporary synagogue to accommodate the community’s needs whilst rebuilding takes place.

Klein expressed gratitude to emergency services, media outlets, and the wider community for their ongoing support during this challenging period.

Those wishing to contribute to the rebuilding efforts can do so through the community’s fundraising website.

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