Five Torahs beyond salvaging
Members of Melbourne’s Jewish community have gathered in a park near the burnt-out Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea in solidarity after it was firebombed by two men who are on the run from police.
Solidarity in Melbourne Photo: Photo credit: Dan Rotman
Hundreds waved Australian and Israeli flags, joining together to stand with the Adass community after the horrific arson attack.
The Jewish Community Council of Victoria’s CEO Naomi Levin said of the Adass community, “they are not angry, they are devastated, but they are resilient, and they will rebuild.”
Levin went on to say, “We were there when the torah scrolls were brought out of the most damaged parts of the building…. They were significantly water damaged, smoke damaged and some of them also burnt.
“Unfortunately, about five of them will not be able to be salvaged. But we will ensure the community comes together to ensure that those torah scrolls are replaced and that the community has what they need.”
The granddaughter of one of the architects of the Adass Israel Synagogue says its blackened walls are not too different to the synagogue it was based on, after it was destroyed by Nazis
Miriam was one of hundreds of Jewish people who gathered outside the synagogue in a show of solidarity after Friday’s targeted firebombing.
She said her grandfather Philip Ermst, who arrived in Australia after fleeing Budapest in 1948, modelled the Adass Synagogue on one that was destroyed during the Holocaust.
“I’ve been to the ruins of his synagogue in Budapest, and I’ve seen what looked black after the Nazis finished with it,” she told AAP.
“And this brings back some pretty bad trauma for me, because it’s eerily similar.”
Others at the rally sang and danced to demonstrate the strength of the community but spirits were dampened with news that precious religious articles and artefacts were damaged in the blaze.
Jewish community leaders from Adass, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and the Jewish Community Council of Victoria spoke at the event, amongst many religious and community leaders.
Over one thousand community members gathered to “stand against hate” on Sunday.
J-United organised the rally, saying, “This rally is a moment to unite, reflect and reaffirm our shared commitment to resilience and togetherness in our community.”
J-United describes itself as Melbourne’s Largest Jewish Activist Network and has over 4,000 members online. It is a Facebook group allowing the local Jewish community to “share anything to help each other through this horrific time and is an avenue for discussion.”
The Adass Israel Synagogue has been gutted by the fire-bombing, and it remains closed to the public. Police are on the hunt for the three perpetrators.
Victoria Police have confirmed they are also investigating a bullet found on a footpath near the synagogue on Saturday afternoon.
ECAJ President Daniel Aghion said the attack on a place of worship, which was built by Holocaust survivors, has led to a heightened sense of fear in the community.
Showing their support at the rally were Victorian Leader of the Opposition John Pesutto, Member for Macnamara Josh Burns, Liberal Candidate for Goldstein Tim Wilson, and Member for Caulfield David Southwick.
Labor MP Josh Burns, who himself is Jewish and grew up in Caulfield, spoke at the rally amongst cries of “shame” and booing by rally attendees.
Rabbi Moshe Kahn, President of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria led the substantial Rabbinical contingent attending the rally in support of the Adass community..
Opposition leader John Pesutto and his deputy David Southwick attended the rally alongside Senator James Paterson.
The firebombing continues to fuel political division with cabinet minister Murray Watt alleging Opposition Leader Peter Dutton had politicised the incident.
Mr Watt also rejected Mr Dutton’s claims that the government had made Australia less safe for Jewish people and that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had not done enough to address anti-Semitism.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu linked the synagogue attack to Australia’s decision to support a non-binding UN General Assembly resolution.
Although not part of the Adass Israel congregation, Caulfield resident Hallely Kimchi said it was time for more to be done to protect Jewish people.
“It is not about Israel. It’s about Jews in Melbourne – forget about Israel at the moment,” she told AAP as the rally was getting under way.
“Jews living in Melbourne should feel safe and proud to do whatever they want and to work without being doxxed or boycotted.”
The synagogue remains closed to the public after it was set alight by two masked men in what police have described as a targeted attack.
Two of its three buildings were gutted and two congregants who were inside at the time preparing for morning prayers were evacuated, one suffering minor injuries.
The attack has led to a heightened sense of fear in the community, Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed increased police patrols to bolster safety into the coming week and pledged $100,000 towards rebuilding.
The incident has meanwhile prompted NSW to consider new laws to better protect religious freedoms and regulate protests outside religious institutions.
A pro-Palestine rally is planned outside the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne CBD on Sunday that will end with a march through the CBD.
By: Melissa Meehan, Caitlin Powell and Kat Wong/AAP and David Marlow/J-Wire
