Disgraceful Antisemitism

Just over a kilometre from where we worship in complete freedom, our Jewish neighbours worship and go to school behind security guards and high fences. This has been true for years. 

I don't know if you've noticed the disparity before, but in recent weeks, following the rise of nasty antisemitic activity across Sydney (including here in St Ives), that difference of experience of worship has become starker.

Sadly, when Elliot and I have talked to people in our local Jewish community, though they are deeply disturbed, they also know that this is nothing new. This has been the Jewish experience for generations. They have learnt not always to trust governments and politicians, on the left and the right, to protect them. Sadly, politicians that speak most loudly about equality, rights, and freedom, seem not to include the equality, rights, and freedoms of Jewish people.

What we are seeing is a resurgence of violent acts against Jewish property as a deliberate attempt to intimidate the Jewish community. 

This is a moment when we, as their neighbours, must not turn a blind eye. 

I know many of us don't want to buy into the complexity of the crisis in the Middle East, or would prefer to forget the plight of those suffering in Gaza. Jewish people themselves have a range of views on the conflict and I have been at pains not to take sides in a situation it is impossible to fully understand. But you don't have to have signed up to 'a side' in the war to be able to say a loud 'No' to antisemitism on the streets of Sydney. I have been personally reflecting on this and have come to see that for fear of being seen to take a side in the very, very complex international situation, I've been too silent about antisemitism here in Australia. I am sorry about this and I say today that it is time for change. 

But what can we do? 

Firstly, pray that these attacks would stop and that our neighbours would be able to worship in peace. Pray that the perpetrators would be brought to justice, and pray that our governments would take a strong stance against these acts. Pray for the friends and colleagues that you know who might be feeling afraid at this time.

Secondly, reach out to your Jewish friends, neighbours, and colleagues and let them know that you are praying for them. Let them know that you are standing alongside them. This week I wrote to our local Rabbi Nochum Shapiro to express my dismay at what is happening in NSW and to express my love and support for the local Jewish community. My letter is here and your neighbour or colleague may be encouraged to hear that you and your church are alongside them, so feel free to pass it on if you think they would appreciate it.

Thirdly, can I encourage you to contact our politicians and ask them to take a strong stance against antisemitism in Australia. 

Let it never be said that the churches of 21st century Australia (as it has been in so many sad episodes of history) abandoned the Jewish people to their attackers.