Latest news with #Hasofer
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
'Relentless drip-feed of hate': Principals reveal horrific incidents of antisemitism at Sydney's Jewish schools as children taunted by strangers shouting 'Heil Hitler'
A principal has told a parliamentary inquiry the "unacceptable has been normalised" after lifting the lid on the horrific antisemitism Sydney's Jewish school children have been subjected to since October 7. On Friday morning, the inquiry heard from multiple principals that strangers were approaching Jewish school kids and tormenting them with chants of ''Heil Hitler'', "F*** the Jews'" and "free Palestine". Moriah College principal Miriam Hasofer said a Year 9 girl was "chased'' up Queen's Park Road by a woman repeatedly shouting abuse at her. "This was a child walking to school. She was terrified," Ms Hasofer said. "What was once repugnantly un-Australian has become disturbingly routine. "The unacceptable has been normalised." The principal said the eastern suburbs school, which has experienced at least one security incident per week, has been exposed to a "relentless drip-feed of hate" since the Israel-Gaza war. Ms Hasofer said the school received an anonymous Instagram message after the October 7 attack which labelled the school as a "disgrace". It included a message reading: "I hope all the children, parents and staff get cancer and die a slow painful death, praise Hitler." Ms Hasofer spoke on a separate appalling incident which occurred in 2024 when two men "exposed themselves" to the school's security cameras in an attempt to "intimidate" Jewish children. "Our teachers are drained. Our wellbeing team is overstretched. Our leaders are operating like a counterterrorism unit, and this has become our normal," she said, adding the antisemitism has had a "corrosive" impact on the school. Emanuel School principal Linda Emms said students would hide their Jewish identity in public by covering their uniforms to avoid any harassment while travelling to and from Randwick school. "I couldn't have imagined anything like this before taking a role at a Jewish school," she said. Ms Emms said the school had to "reallocate significant funds to cover the costs of additional guarding measures". Earlier in the year, the National Children's Commissioner raised the alarm about the impact of rising antisemitism on the wellbeing of young Jewish people in Australia. The Commissioner revealed the heightened abuse is forcing Jewish families to now move their children to non-denominational schools to protect their safety.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Jewish school security like 'counter-terrorism' squad
Jewish school principals say their security teams resemble counter-terrorism squads in an effort to keep students safe after a rise in anti-Semitism. Giving evidence to a NSW parliamentary inquiry examining anti-Semitism in the state, leaders revealed schools had dealt with a barrage of incidents including frequent verbal abuse laden with Nazi references. The inquiry was set-up in February after a swathe of incidents in Sydney, including the firebombing of a non-religious childcare centre located near a synagogue and Jewish primary school in the city's east. That the centre was targeted for simply being near Jewish institutions highlighted the scope of the issue, Moriah College principal Miriam Hasofer said. She said her school was spending $3.9 million a year on security, an 86 per cent increase compared with before October 7, 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel. "We comfort students, call families, write reports, put together briefs, and then try attending to the teaching until (another anti-Semitic incident) happens again days later," she told the inquiry. "Education is constantly disrupted, our teachers are drained, our wellbeing team is overstretched, our leaders are operating like a counter-terrorism unit, and this has become our normal." Moriah College has dealt with one security incident per week in 2025, Ms Hasofer said. Emanuel School principal Linda Emms, who started the school this year, said the childcare centre firebombing had created a heightened sense of tension among the community. "My first communication to parents and staff should have been that of setting my vision for our school," she told the inquiry. "Instead, it was a communication outlining the steps being taken to ensure the safety of students and staff for term one, there was nothing normal in the measures to make our community feel safe." A spate of high-profile attacks over summer included the targeting of a Jewish community leader's former home and the spray-painting of anti-Semitic slurs in various prominent locations. At a previous hearing, Jewish Australians labelled the inquiry "troubling" because it risks exacerbating anti-Semitism by focusing on just one form of racism. Those advocates said the inquiry itself and potential subsequent action could stoke the fires of anti-Semitism by treating one form of racism separately from others. Jewish school principals say their security teams resemble counter-terrorism squads in an effort to keep students safe after a rise in anti-Semitism. Giving evidence to a NSW parliamentary inquiry examining anti-Semitism in the state, leaders revealed schools had dealt with a barrage of incidents including frequent verbal abuse laden with Nazi references. The inquiry was set-up in February after a swathe of incidents in Sydney, including the firebombing of a non-religious childcare centre located near a synagogue and Jewish primary school in the city's east. That the centre was targeted for simply being near Jewish institutions highlighted the scope of the issue, Moriah College principal Miriam Hasofer said. She said her school was spending $3.9 million a year on security, an 86 per cent increase compared with before October 7, 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel. "We comfort students, call families, write reports, put together briefs, and then try attending to the teaching until (another anti-Semitic incident) happens again days later," she told the inquiry. "Education is constantly disrupted, our teachers are drained, our wellbeing team is overstretched, our leaders are operating like a counter-terrorism unit, and this has become our normal." Moriah College has dealt with one security incident per week in 2025, Ms Hasofer said. Emanuel School principal Linda Emms, who started the school this year, said the childcare centre firebombing had created a heightened sense of tension among the community. "My first communication to parents and staff should have been that of setting my vision for our school," she told the inquiry. "Instead, it was a communication outlining the steps being taken to ensure the safety of students and staff for term one, there was nothing normal in the measures to make our community feel safe." A spate of high-profile attacks over summer included the targeting of a Jewish community leader's former home and the spray-painting of anti-Semitic slurs in various prominent locations. At a previous hearing, Jewish Australians labelled the inquiry "troubling" because it risks exacerbating anti-Semitism by focusing on just one form of racism. Those advocates said the inquiry itself and potential subsequent action could stoke the fires of anti-Semitism by treating one form of racism separately from others. Jewish school principals say their security teams resemble counter-terrorism squads in an effort to keep students safe after a rise in anti-Semitism. Giving evidence to a NSW parliamentary inquiry examining anti-Semitism in the state, leaders revealed schools had dealt with a barrage of incidents including frequent verbal abuse laden with Nazi references. The inquiry was set-up in February after a swathe of incidents in Sydney, including the firebombing of a non-religious childcare centre located near a synagogue and Jewish primary school in the city's east. That the centre was targeted for simply being near Jewish institutions highlighted the scope of the issue, Moriah College principal Miriam Hasofer said. She said her school was spending $3.9 million a year on security, an 86 per cent increase compared with before October 7, 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel. "We comfort students, call families, write reports, put together briefs, and then try attending to the teaching until (another anti-Semitic incident) happens again days later," she told the inquiry. "Education is constantly disrupted, our teachers are drained, our wellbeing team is overstretched, our leaders are operating like a counter-terrorism unit, and this has become our normal." Moriah College has dealt with one security incident per week in 2025, Ms Hasofer said. Emanuel School principal Linda Emms, who started the school this year, said the childcare centre firebombing had created a heightened sense of tension among the community. "My first communication to parents and staff should have been that of setting my vision for our school," she told the inquiry. "Instead, it was a communication outlining the steps being taken to ensure the safety of students and staff for term one, there was nothing normal in the measures to make our community feel safe." A spate of high-profile attacks over summer included the targeting of a Jewish community leader's former home and the spray-painting of anti-Semitic slurs in various prominent locations. At a previous hearing, Jewish Australians labelled the inquiry "troubling" because it risks exacerbating anti-Semitism by focusing on just one form of racism. Those advocates said the inquiry itself and potential subsequent action could stoke the fires of anti-Semitism by treating one form of racism separately from others. Jewish school principals say their security teams resemble counter-terrorism squads in an effort to keep students safe after a rise in anti-Semitism. Giving evidence to a NSW parliamentary inquiry examining anti-Semitism in the state, leaders revealed schools had dealt with a barrage of incidents including frequent verbal abuse laden with Nazi references. The inquiry was set-up in February after a swathe of incidents in Sydney, including the firebombing of a non-religious childcare centre located near a synagogue and Jewish primary school in the city's east. That the centre was targeted for simply being near Jewish institutions highlighted the scope of the issue, Moriah College principal Miriam Hasofer said. She said her school was spending $3.9 million a year on security, an 86 per cent increase compared with before October 7, 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel. "We comfort students, call families, write reports, put together briefs, and then try attending to the teaching until (another anti-Semitic incident) happens again days later," she told the inquiry. "Education is constantly disrupted, our teachers are drained, our wellbeing team is overstretched, our leaders are operating like a counter-terrorism unit, and this has become our normal." Moriah College has dealt with one security incident per week in 2025, Ms Hasofer said. Emanuel School principal Linda Emms, who started the school this year, said the childcare centre firebombing had created a heightened sense of tension among the community. "My first communication to parents and staff should have been that of setting my vision for our school," she told the inquiry. "Instead, it was a communication outlining the steps being taken to ensure the safety of students and staff for term one, there was nothing normal in the measures to make our community feel safe." A spate of high-profile attacks over summer included the targeting of a Jewish community leader's former home and the spray-painting of anti-Semitic slurs in various prominent locations. At a previous hearing, Jewish Australians labelled the inquiry "troubling" because it risks exacerbating anti-Semitism by focusing on just one form of racism. Those advocates said the inquiry itself and potential subsequent action could stoke the fires of anti-Semitism by treating one form of racism separately from others.
The Age
a day ago
- Politics
- The Age
Jewish children approached by strangers shouting ‘Heil Hitler', principals tell inquiry
Children at Sydney's Jewish schools are afraid to wear their school uniform and have been approached by strangers shouting 'Heil Hitler', principals have told a parliamentary inquiry into antisemitism. Moriah College principal Miriam Hasofer told the inquiry on Friday morning that a year 9 girl had been 'chased' up Queen's Park Road near the eastern suburbs school by a woman repeatedly shouting 'F--- the Jews' and 'free Palestine'. 'This was a child walking to school. She was terrified,' said Hasofer, adding that 'what was once repugnantly un-Australian has become disturbingly routine'. 'The unacceptable has been normalised,' she said. Hasofer said the school has been exposed to a 'relentless drip-feed of hate' since the war in Gaza began in 2023, and was averaging 'at least one security incident per week' this year. Loading The NSW Legislative Council launched an inquiry into antisemitism in NSW in February. Its purpose is to consider the 'underlying increasing incidents of antisemitism across the state, and the threat that these incidents present to social cohesion'. Hasofer revealed that, in the days after the October 7 attack, the school received an anonymous Instagram message which described the school as a 'disgrace' and said: 'I hope all the children, parents and staff get cancer and die a slow painful death, praise Hitler.' In a separate incident that year, a person drove past the school gates and 'gave a Nazi salute', while in September 2024, a man driving along the road adjacent to the school yelled 'F--- the Jews', and two men 'exposed themselves to our security cameras' in June, to 'intimidate Jewish children', she said.
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Jewish children approached by strangers shouting ‘Heil Hitler', principals tell inquiry
Children at Sydney's Jewish schools are afraid to wear their school uniform and have been approached by strangers shouting 'Heil Hitler', principals have told a parliamentary inquiry into antisemitism. Moriah College principal Miriam Hasofer told the inquiry on Friday morning that a year 9 girl had been 'chased' up Queen's Park Road near the eastern suburbs school by a woman repeatedly shouting 'F--- the Jews' and 'free Palestine'. 'This was a child walking to school. She was terrified,' said Hasofer, adding that 'what was once repugnantly un-Australian has become disturbingly routine'. 'The unacceptable has been normalised,' she said. Hasofer said the school has been exposed to a 'relentless drip-feed of hate' since the war in Gaza began in 2023, and was averaging 'at least one security incident per week' this year. Loading The NSW Legislative Council launched an inquiry into antisemitism in NSW in February. Its purpose is to consider the 'underlying increasing incidents of antisemitism across the state, and the threat that these incidents present to social cohesion'. Hasofer revealed that, in the days after the October 7 attack, the school received an anonymous Instagram message which described the school as a 'disgrace' and said: 'I hope all the children, parents and staff get cancer and die a slow painful death, praise Hitler.' In a separate incident that year, a person drove past the school gates and 'gave a Nazi salute', while in September 2024, a man driving along the road adjacent to the school yelled 'F--- the Jews', and two men 'exposed themselves to our security cameras' in June, to 'intimidate Jewish children', she said.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Jewish school security like 'counter-terrorism' squad
Jewish school principals say their security teams resemble counter-terrorism squads in an effort to keep students safe after a rise in anti-Semitism. Giving evidence to a NSW parliamentary inquiry examining anti-Semitism in the state, leaders revealed schools had dealt with a barrage of incidents including frequent verbal abuse laden with Nazi references. The inquiry was set-up in February after a swathe of incidents in Sydney, including the firebombing of a non-religious childcare centre located near a synagogue and Jewish primary school in the city's east. That the centre was targeted for simply being near Jewish institutions highlighted the scope of the issue, Moriah College principal Miriam Hasofer said. She said her school was spending $3.9 million a year on security, an 86 per cent increase compared with before October 7, 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel. "We comfort students, call families, write reports, put together briefs, and then try attending to the teaching until (another anti-Semitic incident) happens again days later," she told the inquiry. "Education is constantly disrupted, our teachers are drained, our wellbeing team is overstretched, our leaders are operating like a counter-terrorism unit, and this has become our normal." Moriah College has dealt with one security incident per week in 2025, Ms Hasofer said. Emanuel School principal Linda Emms, who started the school this year, said the childcare centre firebombing had created a heightened sense of tension among the community. "My first communication to parents and staff should have been that of setting my vision for our school," she told the inquiry. "Instead, it was a communication outlining the steps being taken to ensure the safety of students and staff for term one, there was nothing normal in the measures to make our community feel safe." A spate of high-profile attacks over summer included the targeting of a Jewish community leader's former home and the spray-painting of anti-Semitic slurs in various prominent locations. At a previous hearing, Jewish Australians labelled the inquiry "troubling" because it risks exacerbating anti-Semitism by focusing on just one form of racism. Those advocates said the inquiry itself and potential subsequent action could stoke the fires of anti-Semitism by treating one form of racism separately from others.
