Chabad St Kilda Synagogue targeted with antisemitic vandalism
Chabad St Kilda synagogue which is also the home of Rabbi Effie Block and his family was targeted with antisemitic graffiti, including the word “Free Gaza” and “Jews Kill babies”, emblazoned on the front gate, door, and defacing the Rebbetzin’s car.
Rabbi Effie called the attack “shocking” and “appalling”.
He said, “It’s unfathomable in Australia…There are no words to describe the disgrace and feelings of disappointment.”
“To come into someone’s home, to come literally up to the front door, to come inside the premises, and to write ‘Jews kill babies’ … we don’t publicly tell people where our address is, but they had the audacity to come into [a] private home”
He expressed appreciation for the support of the community, saying, “We are so grateful for the messages of support we received during this terrible experience. We appreciate the community coming together standing up to fight Jew hatred and call it out.”
Rabbi Effie went on to say, “Much more serious issues come to the fore when these incidents start becoming normalized – the targeting of Jews. There is no excuse or reason that justifies vandalizing anyone’s home or place of worship regardless of their race, religion or ethnicity. I truly hope that local law enforcement will find these perpetrators and clamp down hard to make sure these things never happen again.
“As Chanukah the festival of light approaches one thing is certain: We will not be fazed and we will continue to display our Jewish pride even more than before, as the saying goes ‘even a little light can dispel a lot of darkness’.
“Let’s pray that from now on, may we hear only good news with peace in the world and the return of our hostages! AM YISRAEL CHAI!”
The Rebbetzin said, “While I felt shaken and shocked, I am also now inspired to continue our work promoting Judaism with pride…This is antisemitism pure and simple, but we will not back down.”
Rabbi Effie has an application in process for security grants from the State government and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) to install security measures, including CCTV. They are awaiting an answer on their application.
Josh Burns, Federal Member for Macnamara, whose electorate includes Chabad St Kilda told J-Wire, “To target a synagogue, Jewish community centre or the home of a rabbi is unacceptable and shocking. This needs to be called out for what it is – Antisemitism, and it has no place in Australia.”
Rabbi Moshe Kahn, President of Rabbinical Council of Victoria, told J-Wire, “The attack on Rabbi Block’s family and Chabad St Kilda is a heartbreaking reminder of the challenges our community still faces. Australia is a nation founded on the principles of multiculturalism, tolerance, and respect – values that embrace every individual, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity. This is the Australia I know and am proud to represent.
“The targeting of a spiritual leader’s home and family is not just abhorrent; it is an un-Australian act of cowardice that threatens the very fabric of our shared values. Such actions have no place in our society, and we must stand together, shoulder to shoulder, in condemning them with one voice.
“This incident calls for more than words; it demands action. We must ensure the safety of our communities.
Hate cannot be allowed to take root in the soil of our nation.”
