Antisemitic graffiti attack on home of former president of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies
When Lesli Berger, a former president of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, returned recently from a family vacation, he was horrified to find antisemitic graffiti defacing the back wall of his property in Sydney’s Bellevue Hill.
Grafitti in Bellevue Hill
The graffiti included a mirrored swastika and the phrase “Jordan Gayter,” which it is speculated could be a distorted attempt at the German phrase “Juden Gatter” (Jewish Gate).
Berger was horrified. “It’s clear this was a hate crime targeting the Jewish area, although not me personally,” Berger explained to JWire. “The perpetrators likely understood this is a predominantly Jewish area. It’s highly unlikely that anyone would specifically identify my home—it was more opportunistic.”
The graffiti was over a metre wide and prominently displayed in a dark area at the rear of Berger’s home. Police conducted an initial investigation, deploying forensic teams and examining CCTV footage, but the secluded location of the graffiti hindered their efforts. Authorities have just concluded the investigation due to insufficient evidence. Berger expressed disappointment with the outcome but acknowledged the challenges faced by investigators.
Despite the distress caused by the incident, Berger highlighted the overwhelming support he and his wife received from friends, neighbours, and the local council. Within hours of his wife sharing the news on Facebook, several friends offered to help clean the graffiti themselves. “That response was incredibly emotional for my family and me,” Berger said. “It shows there are so many amazing and decent people out there, ready to stand up and help.”
Berger also commended the council’s swift action in removing the graffiti the following day after being notified. “We saw some of the best in people during a very difficult time,” he reflected. “It’s moments like these that remind us of the overwhelming decency in our community.”
The incident has reignited broader concerns about antisemitism and the need for stronger legal consequences for hate crimes. Berger voiced frustration with gaps in the current legal framework, stressing the need for more robust action. “The authorities have the powers to deal with these issues but often don’t exercise them to their full extent. Where the law falls short, we need to see real legislative reform,” Berger argued. He praised Premier Chris Minns for his supportive stance but emphasised the need for a whole-of-government approach to tackle these issues.
Lesli Berger
The event has left a lasting impact on Berger and his family. “Seeing this on our property was incredibly traumatic,” he admitted. “While I’ve processed it, it’s taken longer for my wife and children to move on. And even weeks later, seeing it in the media has brought those emotions back.”
Berger’s decision to speak publicly about the incident stems from his commitment to raising awareness and fostering resilience. “We now have an environment where people think they can behave this way, targeting Jewish people on the pretext that they’re pro-Israel or Zionist, and they believe they won’t be punished” he stated.
The graffiti is part of a disturbing trend of antisemitic incidents reported across Australia, including online harassment, targeted vandalism, and physical insults and abuse. This trend has included two major graffiti incidents in Woollahra and culminated in the horrific arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne. In recent weeks, a neo-Nazi protest took place on the steps of Melbourne’s Parliament House, where participants displayed antisemitic signs.
Berger affirmed: “The authorities have the powers to deal with these issues, but they’ve got to be willing to use them. And where there are holes in the law, they need to be fixed.”
“We must condemn these actions publicly and send a clear message that this behaviour is unacceptable. Enough is enough. We cannot allow our community to be targeted in this way.”…“As a community, we must maintain our resilience because the overwhelming majority of Australians are decent people who support us. There is no doubt in my mind about that.” Berger concluded.
