A suspected arson attack at the renowned Adass Shul has left the Jewish community in shock. At approximately 4:10 a.m. local time, two individuals learning inside the shul heard banging at the door. Opening it to find out what the commotion was, two masked men stormed in, poured gasoline over the front of the shul and set it on fire. The shul, one of the most famous in Australia, is a central hub for the Orthodox Jewish community.
The two people who had been learning inside the shul at the time were bichasdei Hashem unharmed. Emergency services responded quickly, with approximately 70 firefighters battling the blaze, which was extinguished after about an hour. However, the building and surrounding streets remain closed due to ongoing investigations.
Baruch Hashem, no injuries have been reported. However, at least several pairs of tefillin were severely damaged in the fire. The status of the sifrei Torah remains unclear. The shul features fireproof aron kodesh in its main Shul, providing hope that the Sifrei Torah were spared significant damage.
In the meantime, Yeshiva Chabad has graciously opened its mikveh, and the Yeshiva Ketana building is hosting minyanim, including a Cheder Minyan at 7:00 a.m. Despite the disruption, the community is rallying to maintain their Minyan schedules.
Adass Shul, which typically hosts minyanim every 30 minutes from Netz until mid-morning, serves hundreds of Mispallim daily.
Authorities are investigating the attack as a hate crime, and CCTV footage is being handed to police.
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8 Responses
Burn down ALL mosques in Melbourne
The Australian government is allowing so many ‘refugees’ into Australia. Oddly enough, these are mainly men! My son who does many immigration visas told me that most of them who come here on special visas for a few months will quietly blend into the community.
The government here is courting the muslim vote by ignoring and allowing attacks on our community. They sit back and quietly let it occur.
My families came to Australia after WW11 and until October 7th we felt quite safe. Now, when my 15 year old einekel who runs the post Bar Mitzvah minyan on Shabbos at a shul 45 minutes away from his home, I am so worried for his safety.
Thanks to UN, ICC, Amnesty International & BBC among most other international organisations and media outlets wrongly attacking Israel – Just shows; for the general public [not talking about heimishe Yidden opposing the Medinah] Anti-Israel is Anti-Semitism!
scy4851, that’s awful to say, moderator should review this comment!
Every racist Arab-Muslim attacker (London, Antwerp, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Melbourne, etc.) knows Haredim, are non Zionists, by in large, object serving in IDF. But this, again, like that fascist Arab who who pulled side-locks and spat in Jerusalem, proves, everything is about bigotry.
So are those ‘swastika palestine’ riots by WOL/SJP. Paid by Iran/Qatar.
“Thanks” so much for the UN under the boot of Islamist lobby OIC, and its affiliate ICC who never acted against the real genocidal entity”palestine”) who uses its civilians, nor against chemical Assad whith genocidal Islamic fascist republic of Iran have brought about almost 620,000 dead Syrians.
“Thanks” to Hamas’ hosts: Qatar’s owened media (AJ, M.E.E.) who propagates with false narrative and fake news.
Oh, and “thanks” for that hate-site Haaretz, too.
“We are
just anti zionists.” Right.Witnesses reported seeing two masked men speaking Arabic at the scene. The kehila estimates it will take a year to rebuild the shul, a significant challenge given its central role in Melbourne’s vibrant Yiddish life. As one of the busiest shuls in Australia, it serves 500-800 people daily for davening, learning, and other activities, with attendance swelling to over 1,000 on Shabbos. The shul is a cornerstone of Melbourne’s magnificent Yiddish kehila.
Baruch Hashem, other institutions have stepped up to help during this difficult time. Yeshivas Betzel Hachmah, 770, Viyaziv, Heichal HaTorah, and Kollel Bais HaTalmud have all hosted additional minyanim to ensure the kehila’s needs are met.
Er. “Suspected arson”???
LAmother,
Yes. That’s how crimes are referred to until everything is sorted out.
I’ve never received a good answer to my question so perhaps you can indulge me.
“Why does it bother you if the police spend a few days covering every angle to make sure they get it right the first time?”
Is there a deep seated need to feel validated by having a hate crime called a Hate crime in 1 day instead of 3 days?”