An arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne, the city with the highest proportion of Holocaust survivors outside Israel, has left the local Jewish community reeling.
The horrors of the old world, with its painful personal memories of persecution, were stirred up for Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann when he learnt a Melbourne synagogue had been torched.His grandfather, Joseph Kaltmann, was a Holocaust survivor and an early member of the Adass Israel congregation prior to his death in 2016.tore through it on Friday morning, forcing early morning worshippers to flee for safety.
For many within the community, images of a burning synagogue have stirred painful memories of the atrocities their loved ones witnessed and endured, and have sparked fears of growing anti-Semitism in Australia.Breann Fallon, head of exhibitions and programming at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, drew parallels between Friday's firebombing and Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, which resulted in the burning of more than 250 synagogues in Germany and elsewhere in 1938.
A focal point of Melbourne's ultra-orthodox Jewish community, the synagogue was founded by Holocaust survivors, and it broadly avoids weighing in on political matters."Members of that community and its founders came to Australia in search of a life free of anti-Semitism, a life free of hatred," he said.
Ripponlea Jewish Anti-Semitism Adass Israel
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Suspected Arson at Adass Israel Synagogue in MelbourneA suspicious fire broke out at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne's southeast, forcing congregation members to flee and resulting in significant damage to property and holy items. Witnesses reported that someone threw a liquid through a door, which was then set alight.
Read more »
Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea, Melbourne destroyed by ’suspicious’ blaze7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Who are the members of the Adass Israel community?The Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne’s inner south-east, which was firebombed in the early hours of Friday, is a central meeting point for prayer and study for this ultra-orthodox Jewish group.
Read more »
Police suspect fire that engulfed Melbourne synagogue was deliberately litAround 60 firefighters and 17 trucks called to Adass Israel synagogue at Ripponlea in Glen Eira
Read more »
Arson Attack on Melbourne Synagogue Alarms Jewish CommunityEarly Friday morning, an arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne left the building heavily damaged and sparked concerns for the safety of historic religious texts housed within. The attack has alarmed the local Jewish community and led to visits from Jewish leaders and politicians.
Read more »
Suspicious fire leaves Melbourne synagogue heavily damaged, shocks Jewish communityThe fierce blaze was started just a few hours before morning prayers in the place of worship.
Read more »