The Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea.
There were no guards at the front entrances
Adass men at prayer on a normal day
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, visited the scene on Friday afternoon, saying she was disgusted by the attack as she pledged $100,000 for rebuilding work at the synagogue. Allan was joined by members of Victoria’s Jewish community as she spoke at the synagogue on Friday. She said she stood with the community on one of their darkest days in Melbourne, condemning the hateful and violent act. What else is an attack on a synagogue other than an act of anti-semitism? Asked if the incident was domestic terrorism, Allan said police were not ruling anything out.
Allan said every available resource would be deployed to find these criminals who tried to tear a community apart. We stand with the Adass Israel congregation who are heart broken. We stand with the entire Jewish community who have every right to go to shule, pray openly and be proud of who they are – without fearing personal crises. And we stand against anti-semitism, now and for ever.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the suspicious fire at Adass as a deliberate, unlawful attack, saying anti-semitism has no place in Australia. In his statement, the prime minister said he unequivocally condemned the attack. I have zero tolerance for anti-semitism. It has absolutely no place in Australia. This violence and intimidation and destruction at a place of worship is an outrage, Albanese said. This attack has risked lives and is clearly aimed at creating fear in the community. He said counter-terror police were involved in the investigation. Police say two people were seen spreading accelerant inside Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea There are two persons of interest who were there and were witnessed using accelerant and then spreading it with a broom, clearly designed to maximise the damage that could occur, he said.
Allan said every available resource would be deployed to find these criminals who tried to tear a community apart. We stand with the Adass Israel congregation who are heart broken. We stand with the entire Jewish community who have every right to go to shule, pray openly and be proud of who they are – without fearing personal crises. And we stand against anti-semitism, now and for ever.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the suspicious fire at Adass as a deliberate, unlawful attack, saying anti-semitism has no place in Australia. In his statement, the prime minister said he unequivocally condemned the attack. I have zero tolerance for anti-semitism. It has absolutely no place in Australia. This violence and intimidation and destruction at a place of worship is an outrage, Albanese said. This attack has risked lives and is clearly aimed at creating fear in the community. He said counter-terror police were involved in the investigation. Police say two people were seen spreading accelerant inside Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea There are two persons of interest who were there and were witnessed using accelerant and then spreading it with a broom, clearly designed to maximise the damage that could occur, he said.
Fire still out of control
Firemen having the fire under control
Front door closed off,
What remains of the synagogue interior
The Age
Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton said the shocking attack was predictable amid a rise in anti-semitism in Australia. To see the firebombing of a synagogue, a place of worship, is something that is not welcome and has no place in our country whatsoever, he told reporters.
Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann said two thugs broke the synagogue’s windows, outrageously threw fuel on the floor and set it alight as people were preparing to pray very early Friday. Tonight is the Sabbath, we must all go and find a sense of calmness, camaraderie and community by gathering for the sabbath tonight and praying together as one community.
Det Insp Chris Murray, Arson and Explosive Squad, confirmed a witness who had entered the synagogue for morning prayers had seen two masked individuals inside. He said the police had yet to identify the accelerant that was used. Murray said one witness was injured. He said police wanted to assure the community they were treating the incident absolutely seriously as he stressed patrols in the area would be ramped up. He was there to give that reassurance to the community that they will do everything to bring these individuals before the courts, he told reporters.
Murray said he believed the incident was captured on CCTV, but footage had not been obtained. Police are urging anyone with CCTV and dashcam Stoppers to come forward since they were looking for vehicles, and for the two individuals. He said the motive behind the attack was unclear and that they needed some starting points. Other viewers thought the motives were clear.
Victoria’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Brayden Sinnamon, said the building was fully involved in the fire since the synagogue had sustained significant damage and crews had to use breathing apparatus. 60 fire fighters and 17 fire trucks were called to the synagogue at about 4.10 am.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s president, Daniel Aghion, said it was a tragic day. We have been warning about the risk of this since last year 7 October, he said. There is absolutely no way that any rational person can justify what has happened here. The Jewish Community Council of Victoria’s chief executive, Naomi Levin, said the incident was not just a crime against a place of worship, but an affront to the values of religious tolerance. Synagogue Board Member Benjamin Klein told Channel 9 that the men had just wanted to pray in peace.
Thank you to The Guardian Fri 6 Dec 2024.
Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann said two thugs broke the synagogue’s windows, outrageously threw fuel on the floor and set it alight as people were preparing to pray very early Friday. Tonight is the Sabbath, we must all go and find a sense of calmness, camaraderie and community by gathering for the sabbath tonight and praying together as one community.
Det Insp Chris Murray, Arson and Explosive Squad, confirmed a witness who had entered the synagogue for morning prayers had seen two masked individuals inside. He said the police had yet to identify the accelerant that was used. Murray said one witness was injured. He said police wanted to assure the community they were treating the incident absolutely seriously as he stressed patrols in the area would be ramped up. He was there to give that reassurance to the community that they will do everything to bring these individuals before the courts, he told reporters.
Murray said he believed the incident was captured on CCTV, but footage had not been obtained. Police are urging anyone with CCTV and dashcam Stoppers to come forward since they were looking for vehicles, and for the two individuals. He said the motive behind the attack was unclear and that they needed some starting points. Other viewers thought the motives were clear.
Victoria’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Brayden Sinnamon, said the building was fully involved in the fire since the synagogue had sustained significant damage and crews had to use breathing apparatus. 60 fire fighters and 17 fire trucks were called to the synagogue at about 4.10 am.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s president, Daniel Aghion, said it was a tragic day. We have been warning about the risk of this since last year 7 October, he said. There is absolutely no way that any rational person can justify what has happened here. The Jewish Community Council of Victoria’s chief executive, Naomi Levin, said the incident was not just a crime against a place of worship, but an affront to the values of religious tolerance. Synagogue Board Member Benjamin Klein told Channel 9 that the men had just wanted to pray in peace.
Thank you to The Guardian Fri 6 Dec 2024.
Hello Hels, This is terrible news indeed, and unfortunately is not too surprising given events in the world lately. I am assuming that no one was killed or seriously injured. I am also assuming, since worshippers left the temple during the fire, that the holy books were saved. What this world is coming to I cannot imagine.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Parnassus
DeleteBecause the fire was so early in the morning, there weren't as many people around as there would have been 4 hours later, thank goodness - not members of the synagogue, nor people going to work and shopping etc. So although there were no desperate crowds blocking the exits, there were few people to save the holy books and holy items in the ark. In any case, all the furniture was timber and the interior burnt to ash in a relatively short time.
This was such a terrible news I saw on TV yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI live only a few ks away from the synagogue, but thankfully I didn't smell the burning or see the red flames in the sky. However the tv reporters and cameramen were admirable, taking risks with their own lives to get the reports.
DeleteThere is nothing I can say that hasn't been said. May justice for such a crime be served.
ReplyDeleteAndrew
Deletetwo criminals were witnessed yesterday and another one was identified today. But I hope the police and other emergency services will find those who gave the orders, who provided the transport and who paid for the criminals' resources. It may take a long time :(
I'm sorry that such terrible things happen...
ReplyDeleteIrina
DeleteAustralians don't like to think of themselves as violent or racist people, at least during the last 100 years. And guns were largely banned in the 1990s, except for police and army. So I think the destruction of a centre of religious services and learning came as more of a shock than it might have been in other countries.
I was rather shocked when I read the dreadful news and saw pictures online, Hels. I just don't understand why some people have to be so destructive at times.
ReplyDeleteMargaret
DeleteEvery night we turn on the news and sadly watch destruction, riots, oppression, injuries and deaths. But destroying a religious centre was something I thought would never happen here. Especially once Jillian Segal was named the first special envoy to combat anti-Semitism and Aftab Malik was named Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia in 2024.
Anti-semitism does not belong in Australia. I would go so far as to say it does not belong anywhere. ANYWHERE!! Cathoilcs, Protestants and other religions are not vilified for their religion, so why are the Jewsih people??
ReplyDeleteRiver
Deleteeven with criminals who believe in violence, I would still think that men at prayers are exempt as victims, be they Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim or any others.
And these Adass men in particular don't have normal jobs, providing goods and services to the community instead eg teaching, manufacturing kosher foods or religious articles.
The Jewish envoy, lawyer Jillian Segal, said the Jewish community in Australia was “feeling ever more rattled by what is going on. Here is one major escalation in terms of burning synagogues which has resonance as to what happened during the Holocaust.” Victoria state Premier Jacinta Allan noted in a statement that the synagogue was built by Holocaust survivors. Many of the synagogue’s original worshippers were post-war immigrants from Hungary.
ReplyDeleteFederal Australian law in Jan 2024 banned the Nazi salute and the public display of Nazi symbols in response to growing anti-semitism The government appointed special envoys this year to combat anti-semitism and Islamophobia in the community.
The Star
Deletefor my generation (born 1946-55), our parents and teachers referred to the Holocaust every time a bad event occurred. But that disappeared over the decades; oppression and anti-Semitism had long passed.
So it is ironic that the public display of Nazi symbols were banned, and special envoys were appointed, in the very same year as the arson at Adass. I hope both new legislations will also be helpful.
Dear Helen, such awful news! To not be able to feel secure anymore - I think about the Israeli blogger on my blog list, her life in Israel changed from one moment to the other - and how easily this can happen.
ReplyDeleteI had never thought that Australia has anti-semitism too . Good that your politicians will help the community!
Britta
Deletemany countries have had little racism or anti-Semitism for decades, including Australia. But everything has changed recently. Democratic elections are overturned, martial law is declared, borders are moved and religious communities are exiled. It seems to be a horrible time.
On Friday night and Saturday morning I felt I had to wait for the guards outside my two synagogues. Lots of other congregants also waited nervously :(
ReplyDeleteSafe Family
DeleteSadly I heard the same anxiety from a number of people, and not just members of Adass.
There are 32 orthodox synagogues in Melbourne, one traditional and four progressive, so will the violence stop at the ultra-orthodox Adass? Perhaps those synagogues surrounded by high concrete barriers and guards on the metal gates knew what they were building. Adass was apparently less protected.
This is disgusting behaviour. It should not happen anywhere but especially not in Australia. We should be free to pray in church. We should be tolerant of all religions.Why blame innocent people in Australia for what is happening overseas.
ReplyDeletediane
DeleteAustralians were always thought to be mega-tolerant of their fellow citizens, to the point that they didn't care enough! Now if I don't care what country your parents came from or which football team you barrack for, it is quite endearing. But if a particular church or temple is destroyed, it is hideous.
It's truly frightening how quickly antisemitism reared it's ugly head after 7th October. I am sorry that you have experienced it in Melbourne too.
ReplyDeleteLisa
DeleteOver the last few years, anti-Semitic slogans were occasionally painted on Jewish school walls etc but the community was not too anxious when they saw guards placed in the school gates and at the synagogue boundary gates.
You are correct that the fear and violence seems to have escalated since the 7/10/23. In Sydney as well.
Its just awful . I feel so sad that this has happened in wonderful and largely peaceful Australia . Maybe this will awaken the idea in people to remember that our peace isn't to be taken for granted and has to be guarded and worked for . Every single person has a responsibility for tolerance and decency to be our way of being . I have been disappointed in my people at time se ( the recent referendum) but I do feel that when push comes tto shove Australia is still a country of decency where we still have compassion and empathy for each other . Its just that we have to stop and think and make an active choice to cultivate it .I think even many in the weekly gatherings who are protesting the plight of the Gazans will be horrified by this act .
ReplyDeletemem
DeleteEven if we just count Australia since WW2, it was always possible to note the anti-Semites in our newspapers, and in Parliamentary speeches. The _most vicious words_ came from the Returned Services League of Australia, those advocating for the White Australia policy etc. Another common example was when my father and his colleagues started Cranbourne Golf Club in the early 1950s because Jews were banned by some important Victorian Golf Clubs.
Now violence is more physical and more public, and I am not sure what happened to our view of ourselves as a country of decency and compassion.
I noticed an article which said antisemitic incidents have risen in Australia by over 300% since Oct-7 - including physical attacks on Jews.
ReplyDeleteThis is a tragedy.
My heartfelt condolences to their loved ones. Awful.
Liam
ReplyDeleteExcept for Australia's disgusting treatment of aboriginal communities, most Australians have always believed we were amongst the fairest and most equalitarian of nations. Now I have told my grandchildren to take their visible jewellery with Jewish symbols off their necks... how sad is that?
Yes my son had to that when he was at Wesley . Some people are not in themselves wicked but are lead and just don't think about what their casual slurs and bullying do to others . I always bite back when I hear this rubbish . Its a matter of principle to me . I don't care what people think of me I just don't put up with this bullshit but I have to say that Netanyahu and co are making that harder IMO
DeleteI am disgusted by the attack as well, I don't understand why people can't just accept that there are different religions and such and judge someone on what type of person they are and not on their religious believes.
ReplyDeleteJo-Anne
Deleteyou are quite right. Religious beliefs are private, to be seen _inside_ family homes, churches and religious schools etc. Unless people are breaking the nation's laws (eg marrying off 12 year old daughters), their beliefs and practices are nobody else's business.
There is no excuse for such wicked criminality except perhaps educational ignorance and how do we mend that?
ReplyDeletethelma
Deletethe premiers of Victoria and NSW are setting up government bodies and looking for appropriate legislation to deal with that very problem, yes! Will that be enough to control the violent terrorism? I am not sure terrorists will put down their knives and flame-throwers, and say "sorry, we were wrong".
Sydney’s eastern suburbs community have been left feeling “vulnerable and under attack” after cars were set alight and properties painted and vandalised in an anti-Semitic attack. Many Jews live in the eastern suburbs where the emotional MP said there had been a pattern of intimidation and hatred, with the community feeling under attack.
ReplyDeleteEmergency services responded to reports of a car fire on Magney St in Woollahra at 1am. Fire and Rescue NSW did extinguish the fire; however, the cars were vandalised along with two buildings with the words “Kill Israiel” on the walls. NSW Premier Chris Minns said he wouldn’t rule out legislation changes after an anti-Semitic attack in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
I am not sure whether the Melbourne and Sydney terrorist acts were coordinated, even though they happened within a few days of each other. But not surprisingly, people in both Jewish communities are terrified by the hatred they were exposed to. At least parents, schools and synagogues seem to be uniting in an attempt to protect their children and their members.
Deletemem
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned your son's very respectable school, which must have been horrible. It seems even worse when children are targeted, rather than adults.