Jewish House launches ‘Unbreakable’ program to support Jewish adults facing antisemitism
Jewish House has launched ‘Unbreakable’, a new self-guided online resilience program to support Jewish adults facing antisemitism, at an event in Sydney on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, alongside Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper and Joseph La Posta, Coordinator General for Bondi Support.
Delivered by Jewish House with the support of the NSW Government, the program was developed in response to rising antisemitism and aims to provide practical, evidence-based tools to help people manage anxiety and emotional stress while remaining grounded in dignity, agency and Jewish identity.
Joseph La Posta, Steve Kamper, Rabbi Mendel Kastel and Roger Clifford, co-CEO of Jewish House (supplied)
The course was developed in partnership with the New York-based Wellness Institute and the Jewish Learning Institute, making it available online for the first time. It is hosted on Jewish House’s ‘Navigating Antisemitism’ platform and can be accessed privately at any time through an online portal on the organisation’s website or completed using a downloadable workbook in PDF format.
Jewish House CEO Rabbi Mendel Kastel said the program was created amid growing concern about the emotional toll antisemitism has taken on Jewish Australians, particularly following attacks against the community since October 2023 and the Bondi terror attack last year. Rabbi Kastel was personally affected by the attack. His brother-in-law, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, was among those killed.
He said the need for accessible, individual level support had been immediate. In the week following the Bondi attack, visits to Jewish House’s ‘Navigating Antisemitism’ platform increased by 2000 per cent, overall traffic rose by 175 per cent, and there was a marked increase in calls from people experiencing acute distress.
“Since October 2023, many Jewish Australians have been living with a heightened sense of vulnerability,” Rabbi Kastel said. “Antisemitism has moved from something abstract to something deeply personal. It is experienced at work, online, in social spaces and in moments where people should feel safe.
The home screen of the ‘Unbreakable’ site
“In the wake of the traumatic incident in Bondi, communities need more than reassurance. They need tools for support,” he said. “’Unbreakable’ is about giving people practical ways to steady themselves, regain their agency, and carry on with courage.”
The course focuses on maintaining agency, managing thoughts and emotions, and cultivating optimism. Participants can complete the program at their own pace, with pathways to further support where required.
Mr Kamper said the government remained committed to backing the Jewish community as it continues to recover.
“The Minns Labor Government is committed to supporting the Jewish community each step of the way to help them recover and rebuild,” he said.
“Our state’s Jewish community have shown extraordinary resilience in the wake of December’s terrorist attack at Bondi, including Rabbi Kastel, who has been a beacon of strength.”
Jewish House also acknowledged the support of Multicultural NSW in making the program possible.
Mr La Posta, who was appointed coordinator general for Bondi support in January, said Jewish House was well placed to deliver the program.
“No one knows better than the Jewish community themselves what support they need right now,” he said. “Jewish House is perfectly positioned to deliver a service that is needed now more than ever.”
Click here to access the course: https://navigatingantisemitism.org.au/unbreakable-intro/
