Messages of support from ordinary Australians and community leaders standing with the Jewish community after the terrorist attack on Adass Israel Synagogue.
We have been overwhelmed by messages of support and solidarity from the Australian public since the horrific terror attack on Adass Israel Synagogue. Here is a selection of the messages we have received:
Messages from the public
I support every single Jew in Australia. I am devastated by what happened.
I love you Jewish people. Hang in there and prevail. We love you.
From regional Victoria: I wanted to express my utmost support for the Jewish people to live freely in Australia. I ring my local MP once a week to express mu support for the Jewish community.
From Queensland: My heart is with you. I am so proud of you – don’t let those evil acts destroy you. We love you.
I am so sorry about the violence and hate in Victoria. No matter who you are, where you are from and what religion you follow – we should all want to keep Australia peaceful. This is not the Australia we know and love.
I am not Jewish. I just want you to know that we support you. This is not the Australia I grew up in and not the Australia I want to live in.
I am so upset. I can’t believe we have stooped to this level.
I am calling as a Christian. I am so disgusted that this has happened to your community. Know that we are praying for you and care.
In response to Anthony Albanese failing to support you, Israel and the fire bombing at your place of worship I suggest, this being a terrorist act, that your community boycotts the visit this week of the prime minister. Obviously he is not sincere as he voted against you in the UN resolution recently. He doesn’t represent me or the majority of Australians with this vote.
So sorry to hear of the damage to your synagogue. Unacceptable. I am an Anglican and I know that Anglican and Church of England places of worship will welcome your members to our Churches while yours is being repaired. Similar in some ways you can just participate as is acceptable to you.
SHALOM , as an Australian citizen I am appalled at our Government’s lack of support for your community. As a Christian I offer you prayer to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for you.
I pray for you and for the peace of Jerusalem.As one who gives thanks for your people, for God has used your people to bring His message of Grace and Salvation through Jesus Christ.
Numbers 6:24-26: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
My deepest sympathies – I just wanted to express my shock and outrage at the recent attacks in Victoria on the synagogue. I have watched in alarm since Oct 7 the growing hate and just wanted to express that I stand in solidarity with the Jewish community here in Melbourne, who even now in all this provocation remains peaceful and dignified.
Please know there are many that see what is happening and many do not agree with this government. I would like to donate to help rebuild the synagogue.
Melbourne used to be great and in no small part due to the thriving Jewish community here. The haters are doing their best to tear it down. Please stay strong and know we are not all like this. Melbourne would be a shell of its former self without the Jewish presence here.
I pray for peace and tolerance going forward.
Sending love and solidarity.
I’m not a Jewish person but have many Jewish friends and have consulted for many different Jewish schools in past years.
I am horrified at what is happening in our country and Victoria.
If there is anything I can do to support your community in any way please let me know.
I am so very sorry for what is happening.
Good friends
As a former faith leader here in Victoria I write to assure you of my prayerful concern over the grievous arson attack on the Adass synagogue last night.
Prime Minister Albanese on ABC radio today spoke on behalf of us all when he deplored this unrighteous and illegal attack which is an affront to all fair minded Australians. All places of worship should be treated with reverent respect irrespective of political and social tensions here or abroad.
In my previous formal capacity I have been delighted to be twice received as an invited guest to worship at Temple Beth Israel following which a rabbi from that congregation spoke to my staff at a retreat to which we invited him.
Be assured of my continuing concern on the behalf of your membership.
Our support, thoughts and prayers are with you
What strange times we live in. We are not Jewish probably not really religious but we respect our Jewish community and hope this stupidity of hate is just a passing act. We wish you well and anything we can do.
We write as members of an Australian family, of Christian heritage, whose contact with
Jewish people, both in Australia and abroad, has been part of our lives for 50 years.During that time, half a century, we have each, in different ways, been blessed by the
presence and influence of Jewish friends and neighbours, classmates and colleagues. We
have admired Jewish values and traditions, marvelled at your contributions to societies,
learned from your wisdom and been inspired by your resilience.We were shocked and profoundly disturbed by the premeditated slaughter of innocent
civilians in Israel on 7 October 2023. We mourn the ongoing effects of that terrible day,
triggering a bloody war on multiple fronts, the tragic loss of so many lives, and a global surge
in antisemitism.The escalation of antisemitism in our own nation of Australia is deeply distressing to us and
to all fair-minded Australians. Over the 14 months since October 7, we have seen hateful
words and menacing actions turn into the burning of an electoral office, of cars and now a
synagogue. Arson attacks threaten not only property, but human lives. These are appalling
developments and utterly unacceptable.We write to express our solidarity with the Jewish community and our ongoing commitment
to doing all that we can, each in our own way, to challenge and educate against antisemitic
influences in society and to inculcate values that strengthen social harmony and stability for
all Australians. Our sphere of activity traverses a range of endeavours: parenting and
education, science and medicine, theology and music, art and sport, business and law
enforcement, mental health advocacy, neighbourhood friendships and faith-based activities.In a particular way, at this time, we extend our heartfelt concern to the community of the
Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne as they come to grips with the destruction of their
place of worship and the impact of this violent action on their families and way of life. We
also continue to join our prayers and voices with all who call for the safe and immediate
return of each and every hostage being held in Gaza.As diverse as we are as individuals, we write as a family, with the hope that all Australian
families, by whatever means possible, in small ways and large, in private and in public, will
step up to protest the rising tide of antisemitism, demand stronger action by our government
to this distressing trend, and stand with the Jewish community in its hour of need.With gratitude and respect, Your sincerely
Prof Ron Pirola OAM KCSG
Mrs Mavis Pirola OAM DCSG
Dr Byron Pirola KSG
Mrs Francine Pirola DSG
Dr Teresa Pirola
Mr Scott Henderson
Ms Claire Pirola
Ms Kristina Pirola
Mrs Kiara Black
Messages from community leaders
Archbishop of Sydney
Antisemitic attacks
The latest attack on the Jewish community in Sydney is egregious, cowardly and
despicable.All people of good will, faith or none, will condemn this outrage. It follows the terrorist
attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne, and more than a year of increasing
hostility and intimidation of the Australian Jewish community in multiple, grotesque ways.This is totally unacceptable.
The Jewish community in Sydney is resilient and peace-loving, contributing to the welfare
and harmony of our city in myriad ways. Jewish people arrived in Sydney with the First
Fleet. Sydney is the home we all share.I urge all political, community and religious leaders to unite and I offer the support of
Sydney Anglicans as together we stand against hate.Archbishop Kanishka Raffe
Australian Federation of Islamic Councils
The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) strongly condemns the
attack on a synagogue in Melbourne’s southeast. This attack, which caused
significant damage to a place of worship, represents a violation of the peace
and security that every faith community deserves.Dr. Rateb Jneid, President of AFIC, expressed, “We are deeply disturbed by
the violent attack on the Melbourne synagogue. There is absolutely no
justification for such acts of aggression against any community, regardless of
the circumstances.”AFIC extends its deepest sympathies to the Jewish community for the
distress and damage caused by this incident. We support the prompt
restoration of their place of worship and the well-being of its congregation.
Dr. Jneid added, “Such acts of hatred and violence must be met with a swift
and firm response from law enforcement. We urge the authorities to
thoroughly investigate this matter and ensure that those responsible are
held accountable.”AFIC calls upon the community at large to uphold respect for all religious
groups and their sanctuaries. We commend the efforts of all involved in
responding to this crisis and reaffirm our stance against any form of violence
aimed at religious communities.Dr Rateb Jneid
President
Australian Multicultural Foundation
“The Australian Multicultural Foundation condemns the attack on the ADASS Israel Synagogue. This is a distressing time for the members of the synagogue and the Jewish community more broadly.” Dr Dellal said.
“We are a multicultural and multifaith society where people have the right to practice and express their religion without fear of vilification or violence. This is not who we are as a multicultural nation.
There is no place for such criminal behaviour and hatred towards innocent people and on a place of worship.
There can be no tolerance of antisemitism nor for any other acts driven by hate towards any community.”
Dr Hass Dellal, AO
Executive Director
Catholic Religious Australia
Catholic Religious Australia condemns arson attack on synagogue in Melbourne
Catholic Religious Australia (CRA), the peak representative body for the Leaders of Religious Institutes and Societies of Apostolic Life, condemns in the strongest terms the arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne.
People of faith must be safe and secure to practice their religion. There is no place in Australia for attacks on places of worship. No person or group should be subject to hatred, intimidation or violence based on their faith, and antisemitism cannot be tolerated.
We remember in our prayers our Jewish brothers and sisters in their distress and fear, at this time. These weeks preparing for the Festival of Hanukkah, a celebration of light and hope, is a special time for the Jewish community and we pray that they can look forward to this festival in peace with family and friends.
We must always strive to nurture peace and respect for each other to keep our multicultural and multifaith society safe, secure, and free from violence.
Chinese Community Council of Australia (Victoria Chapter)
CCCAV Condemns the Arson Attack on a Synagogue in Ripponlea, Melbourne
We, at the Chinese Community Council of Australia (Victoria Chapter), are deeply shocked and saddened by the recent arson attack on the synagogue in Ripponlea, Melbourne. We strongly condemn this abhorrent act of antisemitism and violence.
We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community, acknowledging the trauma, fear, and distress that this attack has caused. We recognise that an attack on one community is an attack on all communities.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Jewish community during this difficult time. We offer our heartfelt support as you heal and recover from this traumatic incident.
We are committed to working together with all communities to reject hate and promote
understanding, inclusivity, and kindness, and to build a safer and more harmonious
society for all.
David Davis MP
I am deeply concerned with the arson attack at the Adass Israel Synagogue at Ripponlea.
As constituents of the Southern Metropolitan Region, the Jewish community at the Adass Israel Synagogue and the wider Jewish community within Southern Metropolitan Region are deeply concerned that a place of worship has been attacked. The Synagogue was built by holocaust survivors.
All Victorians of good will will stand in support of the Adass Israel congregation and the broader Jewish community. I and the Liberal Party certainly stand strongly behind the Jewish community at this difficult time and support Victoria Police who must now urgently find those responsible and bring them to justice. This is a clear case of antisemitism that appears part of a very worrying trend since 7th October 2023.
Meaningful action must now occur. Many are asking what Premier Jacinta Allan will now do to ensure the safety of Melbourne’s Jewish community, largely residing within Southern Metropolitan Region.
To date, the Victorian Labor government has not stood as clearly and strongly against what appears a tide of antisemitism as it should have.
The Hon. David Davis, MP
Member for Southern Metropolitan Region
Hindu Council of Australia
Condemnation of the Attack on the Synagogue in Melbourne and Action against Hate Crimes
The Hindu Council of Australia unequivocably condemns the recent arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne. This heinous antisemitic act is an assault not only on the Jewish community but also on the very fabric of Australian society, built on respect, haromony, and shared values of coexistence.
This incident is not an isolated one but a disturbing escalation in hate crimes targeting religious and cultural communities across Australia. It is a wake-up call that demands tougher government action and a zero-tolerance approach to such violent extremism.
We urge the government to prioritise the security of all Australians by adopting robust, enforceable measures against hate-motivated crimes.
The Hindu community believes that decisive immediate action is the need of the hour. Every Australian deserves to feel safe and respected, regardless of their faith or cultural backgrounded individually and at our places of worship. Incidents like the synagogue attack challenge our core values as a nation, and we cannot afford to be complacent.
We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and all others who have suffered the impacts of hate. The Hindu community firmly believes in “Dharma” the path of righteousness and we support any measures that uphold justice and harmony in our shared society.
We urge the government to act now, not only to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice but also to prevent future atrocities. The time for dialogue has passed; we need strong and decisive leadership to protect the rights and safety of all Australians.
Sai Paravastu
National President
South African Jewish Board of Deputies
We send our support to the members of the Adass Israel Shul and the Jewish community of Melbourne following the arson attack on the shul.
The SA Jewish Board of Deputies, on behalf of SA Jewry stand with you at this very disturbing and frighting time and join with the condemnations of this appalling attack.
Our prayers are with the injured congregant and our thoughts are with Australian Jewry.
Victorian Council of Churches
“Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come… he will come and save you.” Isaiah 35:4
“When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom.” Luke 4:16
Beloved Brothers and sisters of the Jewish Community,
This morning, we woke to hear of the shocking news of the arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea. We can only condemn this appalling act of violence. To attack a place of worship is to strike at the very heart of the people who worship there. To attack a synagogue is to attack the Jewish community.
As the gathered Christian Churches, we stand opposed to antisemitism in all its forms, but most vehemently when it takes the form of violence. Such acts of hatred cannot be tolerated, not against the Jewish community nor against any other community of faith. The freedom to worship in peace, without any threat or intimidation, is fundamental to our Australian way of life.
As they face the emotional trauma of this event, we stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters and assure them of our support and prayers.
Believing in the power of the one, true and living God, in whom we all place our trust.
