In a gesture of solidarity and hope, Melbourne’s religious leaders came together on the steps of an East Melbourne synagogue yesterday to denounce antisemitism and affirm their shared commitment to unity, peace and mutual respect. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
The interfaith gathering followed an alleged arson attack on the synagogue last Friday night, as members of the Jewish community gathered for Shabbat dinner. That same weekend, a protest outside Israeli-owned restaurant Miznon in the CBD turned aggressive, further fuelling community fears.
At the initiative of Archbishop Peter A Comensoli, the media conference drew together senior representatives from Melbourne’s Jewish, Christian, Muslim and broader interfaith communities. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Rabbi Dovid Gutnick and Rabbi Ralph Genende on the steps of the synagogue, they offered statements of support and solidarity.
“I want to say that antisemitism isn’t a Jewish problem. It’s a societal problem,” Rabbi Genende said. “It’s driven by hatred. Hatred, as you all know, knows no religious, racial or cultural boundaries. It’s a hatred of the other. It’s scapegoating. It’s a sickness. It’s a virus that cannot be cured by Jews. We, Jewish people, cannot cure antisemitism. Only the anti-Semite can do that – together with the society to which they belong.”
While strongly affirming “the sacred right of people to protest in a democratic society”, he also defended “the fundamental right of all citizens to feel safe and secure in Australian cities”.
Addressing Rabbi Gutnick, Archbishop Comensoli said it was an honour “to be able to stand here with you” outside the East Melbourne Synagogue.
“To be able to stand together,” he said, “to come together in healing and in reconciliation and in respect of one another is … a message that is so much needed for our city at this moment.
“There is no place for intimidation. There is no place for violence by way of what we say or even by our actions. There is a place to be able to speak with one another and to grapple with one another … to come to a better sense of truth. And all of that needs to be a part of what we might do as people of faith in the one God and [in] the hope that … we can move towards a way of walking together, rather than a walking and acting apart.”
Joining the group was Batul Gulani, a representative of the AMAFHH Federation, a Shia Muslim organisation, and a member of Victoria’s Mulitfaith Advisory Group.
“An attack on a place of worship is an attack on the shared values of peace, safety and sacredness that unite all faiths,” she said. “We condemn such hateful acts and offer unwavering support for your right to gather, pray and live without fear.”
Also speaking at the media conference were Anglican Bishop Philip Huggins and Rev Helen Summers, director and founder of the Interfaith Centre of Melbourne and a member of the Victorian Multifaith Advisory Group.
Earlier, Rabbi Gutnick welcomed the visiting faith leaders to a roundtable discussion inside the synagogue. While he spoke of the trauma his community felt, he also expressed gratitude for the support and friendship offered in the wake of the attack.
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Calling for ‘the world’s longest love’, faith leaders unite against anti-Semitism (Melbourne Catholic)
