Sydney rabbi vows ‘zero tolerance’ after son abused in antisemitic incident
November 12, 2025 by Rob Klein
Rabbi Yossi Friedman has vowed to ensure an alleged antisemitic attack on his eight-year-old son in Dover Heights does not “go unchecked”, after the boy was verbally abused and subjected to an obscene gesture while walking home from school.
NSW moves to tighten protest laws
November 11, 2025 by Rob Klein
The NSW government has moved to restore police powers to disperse protesters harassing or intimidating worshippers, introducing new legislation after a successful Supreme Court challenge.
Queensland Jewish community celebrates 160 years with “less oy, more joy”
November 11, 2025 by Rob Klein
The Queensland Jewish community is celebrating 160 years of Jewish life in Queensland, marking the milestone with events highlighting resilience, contribution and unity with the theme “less oy, more joy”.
From Kristallnacht to Kindertransport: Sydney commemoration unites generations of hope
November 10, 2025 by Rob Klein
Last night, close to 800 people gathered in Sydney for the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies’ annual Kristallnacht commemoration, an evening that powerfully linked a notorious moment of the Nazi pogrom with the subsequent act of rescue. The event, themed “From Kristallnacht to Kindertransport”, was a moving reflection on memory, compassion, and resilience.
Neo-Nazis chant antisemitic slogans outside NSW Parliament
Almost 70 neo-Nazis from the National Socialist Network (NSN) rallied outside New South Wales Parliament House on Saturday targeting Jewish groups with hate speech. Read more
The Great Synagogue welcomes 1000 visitors for Sydney Open event
November 7, 2025 by Rob Klein
The Great Synagogue, Sydney, welcomed nearly 1,000 visitors on Sunday, 2 November, as part of the Museums of History NSW’s annual Sydney Open event.
Shoshana Eisner honoured by Jewish House for outstanding humanitarian leadership
November 7, 2025 by Rob Klein
Community leader Shoshana Eisner has received a special humanitarian award from Jewish House in recognition of her leadership of Operation Golda, a grassroots initiative that brought thousands of Australians together to provide urgent support to Israel and displaced families.
Australian parliament clears path to list Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation
November 7, 2025 by Rob Klein
Australia’s Parliament has passed new counterterrorism legislation allowing the federal government to list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, following confirmation from intelligence agencies that the Iranian regime directed two antisemitic attacks in Australia’s largest cities.
Sydney Jewish Museum seeks guides in preparation for expansion
November 6, 2025 by Rob Klein
The Sydney Jewish Museum (SJM) is calling for new volunteer guides to join its team through an innovative training programme, as it gears up for a major expansion set to double visitor numbers by 2027.
Pillay Peace Prize pick pilloried
The decision to award former UN human rights chief Navi Pillay the 2025 Sydney Peace Prize has drawn fierce criticism from Jewish leaders, human rights monitors and other officials who accuse her of long-standing bias against Israel and of minimising Hamas atrocities.
ASIO chief warns Hizb ut-Tahrir spreading antisemitic hate in Australia
November 5, 2025 by Rob Klein
ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess has compared Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir to neo-Nazis, accusing it of using anti-Israel sentiment to fuel antisemitism and deepen social divisions.
Israeli study finds parental emotional support protects children during war, even when parents suffer trauma
November 5, 2025 by Rob Klein
A new Israeli study conducted in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attacks and the ongoing conflict has revealed that emotional support from parents plays a decisive role in protecting children’s mental health during war, even when those parents are struggling with trauma themselves.
Police release CCTV after Melbourne antisemitic graffiti attacks
November 5, 2025 by Rob Klein
Victorian Police have released CCTV images of two men following a string of antisemitic vandalism incidents in Elsternwick and Abbotsford in July.
Government defends Israeli defence deals amidst violent protests at maritime expo
November 4, 2025 by Rob Klein
Thirteen people were arrested after violent clashes broke out between pro-Palestinian protesters and police outside a major defence and maritime expo in Sydney.
Jewish and Catholic students explore antisemitism at Nostra Aetate anniversary forum
October 31, 2025 by Rob Klein
Jewish and Catholic high school students from across Sydney have come together to mark 60 years since the Vatican’s historic declaration Nostra Aetate, in a special forum aimed at deepening understanding and countering antisemitism.
Hallelujah! Monsieur Camembert and guests bring Leonard Cohen memories to Sydney
October 30, 2025 by Rob Klein
Monsieur Camembert, the three-time ARIA Award-winning ensemble, will cap off a national sell-out tour when their acclaimed Leonard Cohen tribute, Cohen Noir, hits the State Theatre on Saturday, November 8.
Jewish House supports launch of landmark housing initiative in Sydney’s Inner West
October 30, 2025 by Rob Klein
Jewish House has played a leading role in the launch of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest “meanwhile use” housing initiative in Sydney’s Inner West, a landmark project that will provide more than 36,500 safe nights a year for people experiencing homelessness.
Man charged after alleged firearm incident at Cremorne synagogue
October 30, 2025 by Rob Klein
A 23-year-old delivery driver from Lurnea, Mr Vincent Filemu Faasii, has been charged in connection with an incident outside Cremorne Synagogue on Sydney’s Lower North Shore on 7 October 2025.
Minns praises Jewish Museum redevelopment after “summer of rolling hatred”
October 29, 2025 by Rob Klein
NSW Premier Chris Minns today toured and praised the Sydney Jewish Museum’s redevelopment, meeting with Holocaust survivors and students amid mounting concerns over antisemitism across New South Wales.
Music, poetry and stars align in “Custodians of the Sky”
October 29, 2025 by Rob Klein
Woollahra will be bathed in celestial splendour this November when Emanuel Synagogue hosts the Australian premiere of “Custodians of the Sky”, a landmark contemporary work by Australian composer Luke Styles. Read more
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies celebrates eight decades of strength and service
October 29, 2025 by Rob Klein
The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies celebrated eight decades of resilience and service with a major function at Parliament House on the evening of October 28. Read more
Lush shutdown described as selective outrage
October 24, 2025 by Rob Klein
Cosmetics retailer Lush has drawn sharp criticism from within Australia’s Jewish community and beyond after closing all its stores, website, and Sydney factory for a day in protest over what it called the “starvation in Gaza.” Read more
Sydney MPs face tough questions from Jewish community
October 23, 2025 by Rob Klein
Three Sydney MPs, representing electorates where most of the city’s Jewish community lives, met with Jewish voters this week in an online forum hosted by the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, confronting tough questions about antisemitism, Middle East policy, and national unity.
Stepping into the future of the Sydney Jewish Museum
October 23, 2025 by Rob Klein
Visitors to the Sydney Jewish Museum were recently invited to step into the future. Read more
Bondi’s Palestinian flag horseback ride sparks beach ban
October 23, 2025 by Rob Klein
A man who galloped his horse across Bondi Beach waving a Palestinian flag has prompted Waverley Council to rewrite the rules.
JIFF launches with a deadly dinner party in “Bad Shabbos”
October 21, 2025 by Rob Klein
The Jewish International Film Festival has opened with a lively farce in Bad Shabbos, a sharp, fast-paced comedy that turns a well-intentioned Shabbat dinner into complete mayhem.
Tear gas used as ‘March for Australia’ protest turns violent
Riot police deployed pepper spray, tear gas, and rubber bullets as violent clashes erupted between anti-immigration protesters and counter-demonstrators in Melbourne’s CBD on Sunday.
Sydney Uni Vice-Chancellor apologises after staffer’s antisemitic tirade
October 10, 2025 by Rob Klein
University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor Mark Scott has personally apologised to Jewish students and staff after a university employee was filmed shouting antisemitic abuse during a peaceful Sukkot celebration on campus.
Australian Singing Competition crowns Sidra Nissen after moving rendition of Kaddish
September 30, 2025 by Rob Klein
When 23-year-old mezzo soprano Sidra Nissen walked on stage at The Concourse Concert Hall in Chatswood, she made a bold choice. In the finals of the 2025 IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition, she was the only singer not to perform exclusively operatic repertoire. Read more
Surveys show recognition of Palestine would reward extremism, not peace
September 19, 2025 by Rob Klein
Palestinian opinion surveys reveal that President Mahmoud Abbas’ recent pledges to disarm Hamas, reform governance, and end anti-peace messaging are almost certain to remain unfulfilled, according to a major new report from the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC).
