Latest news with #ShlomoNathanson
The Age
03-08-2025
- The Age
Synagogue targeted with graffiti by man in Scream mask
A man wearing a mask from the horror movie Scream sprayed offensive graffiti on a historic synagogue in South Yarra five times since March. CCTV footage shows a lone man wearing a white mask approach the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation in South Yarra on an e-scooter before vandalising the synagogue. He then fled on the scooter. Police allege he scrawled graffiti on the synagogue on March 11, June 21, June 22, July 22 and July 30. In the July incidents, he wore a Scream mask, police said, but on other occasions, he wore different face coverings, such as a bandana. 'There is absolutely no place at all in our society for hate-based behaviour,' a Victoria Police spokesperson said. Loading Speaking to The Age after his synagogue was spray-painted with 'Iran is Da Bomb' (during Israel's war on Iran) and 'Free Palestine' in June, Rabbi Shlomo Nathanson said it was 'un-Australian'. 'There's going to be a wide variety of opinions as to the politics in the Middle East and where things stand from one extreme to the other, but to translate that into violent acts and antisemitism and criminal activity here in Australia is un-Australian,' Nathanson said. The synagogue is the oldest Jewish congregation in Melbourne, according to its website, and was formed in 1841.
Sydney Morning Herald
03-08-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Synagogue targeted with graffiti by man in Scream mask
A man wearing a mask from the horror movie Scream sprayed offensive graffiti on a historic synagogue in South Yarra five times since March. CCTV footage shows a lone man wearing a white mask approach the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation in South Yarra on an e-scooter before vandalising the synagogue. He then fled on the scooter. Police allege he scrawled graffiti on the synagogue on March 11, June 21, June 22, July 22 and July 30. In the July incidents, he wore a Scream mask, police said, but on other occasions, he wore different face coverings, such as a bandana. 'There is absolutely no place at all in our society for hate-based behaviour,' a Victoria Police spokesperson said. Loading Speaking to The Age after his synagogue was spray-painted with 'Iran is Da Bomb' (during Israel's war on Iran) and 'Free Palestine' in June, Rabbi Shlomo Nathanson said it was 'un-Australian'. 'There's going to be a wide variety of opinions as to the politics in the Middle East and where things stand from one extreme to the other, but to translate that into violent acts and antisemitism and criminal activity here in Australia is un-Australian,' Nathanson said. The synagogue is the oldest Jewish congregation in Melbourne, according to its website, and was formed in 1841.
Courier-Mail
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Courier-Mail
Vandals target Melbourne Hebrew Congregation synagogue
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. An iconic Melbourne religious institution has been vandalised twice in a day. The heritage-listed Melbourne Hebrew Congregation synagogue was targeted by vandals on Sunday. One piece of graffiti read 'Iran is da bomb' inscribed in a mushroom cloud, alongside another piece of vandalism that said 'free Palestine'. 'It is believed a wall of the Toorak Road premises was graffitied by an unknown person sometime on Sunday afternoon,' a police spokesman said. 'That was removed but unknown offenders again graffitied the building sometime on Sunday evening.' The graffiti was scrawled soon after US bombs fell on Iran. Picture: Supplied The original graffitied message also said 'free Palestine'. 'There is absolutely no place at all in our society for anti-Semitic or hate-based symbols and behaviour,' the police spokesman said. Police want anyone with information to come forward. Rabbi Shlomo Nathanson told the Herald Sun: 'We're just frustrated and exhausted by all of this and we hope that is shared by members outside Jewish community'. 'We feel this to be an attack on the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation and it is unacceptable. 'While this is an offence to the Jewish community, it is our hope that people say 'not on my watch, not in my Australia',' the Rabbi said. A pro-Palestine message was graffitied on the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation on Sunday. Picture: Supplied Chair of Australia's non-governmental Anti Defamation Commission, Dvir Abramovich, told NewsWire the graffiti represented an attack on religious freedom. 'There are moments that stop us cold. This is one of them,' Dr Abramovich said. 'This was not random. It was a calculated attempt to intimidate Jewish Australians. 'Let us be clear: an attack on a synagogue is an attack on every church, every mosque, every temple. It is an attack on the very idea that faith can be practised freely, without fear.' The Premier labelled the graffiti 'disgraceful' and 'senseless'. 'It is just so vitally important that we do not allow conflict and violence overseas to divide us here in Melbourne and Victoria,' Jacinta Allan said. The Melbourne Hebrew Congregation is a monumental temple on the high-traffic corner of Toorak Road and St Kilda Road, about 2km south of the CBD. The building was constructed between 1928 and 1930. The synagogue is heritage-listed for its historical, aesthetic and social significance. The graffiti referencing Iran was written about 12 hours after the US bombed Iranian facilities, which are suspected of being used to enrich uranium and develop nuclear weapons. Originally published as 'Iran is da bomb': Vandals target historic Melbourne synagogue
Sky News AU
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Vandals target Melbourne Hebrew Congregation synagogue
An iconic Melbourne religious institution has been vandalised twice in a day. The heritage-listed Melbourne Hebrew Congregation synagogue was targeted by vandals on Sunday. One piece of graffiti read 'Iran is da bomb' inscribed in a mushroom cloud, alongside another piece of vandalism that said 'free Palestine'. 'It is believed a wall of the Toorak Road premises was graffitied by an unknown person sometime on Sunday afternoon,' a police spokesman said. 'That was removed but unknown offenders again graffitied the building sometime on Sunday evening.' The original graffitied message also said 'free Palestine'. 'There is absolutely no place at all in our society for anti-Semitic or hate-based symbols and behaviour,' the police spokesman said. Police want anyone with information to come forward. Rabbi Shlomo Nathanson told the Herald Sun: 'We're just frustrated and exhausted by all of this and we hope that is shared by members outside Jewish community'. 'We feel this to be an attack on the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation and it is unacceptable. 'While this is an offence to the Jewish community, it is our hope that people say 'not on my watch, not in my Australia',' the Rabbi said. Chair of Australia's non-governmental Anti Defamation Commission, Dvir Abramovich, told NewsWire the graffiti represented an attack on religious freedom. 'There are moments that stop us cold. This is one of them,' Dr Abramovich said. 'This was not random. It was a calculated attempt to intimidate Jewish Australians. 'Let us be clear: an attack on a synagogue is an attack on every church, every mosque, every temple. It is an attack on the very idea that faith can be practised freely, without fear.' The Premier labelled the graffiti 'disgraceful' and 'senseless'. 'It is just so vitally important that we do not allow conflict and violence overseas to divide us here in Melbourne and Victoria,' Jacinta Allan said. The Melbourne Hebrew Congregation is a monumental temple on the high-traffic corner of Toorak Road and St Kilda Road, about 2km south of the CBD. The building was constructed between 1928 and 1930. The synagogue is heritage-listed for its historical, aesthetic and social significance. The graffiti referencing Iran was written about 12 hours after the US bombed Iranian facilities, which are suspected of being used to enrich uranium and develop nuclear weapons. Originally published as 'Iran is da bomb': Vandals target historic Melbourne synagogue
West Australian
23-06-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
‘Iran is da bomb': Vandals target historic Melbourne synagogue
An iconic Melbourne religious institution has been vandalised twice in a day. The heritage-listed Melbourne Hebrew Congregation synagogue was targeted by vandals on Sunday. One piece of graffiti read 'Iran is da bomb' inscribed in a mushroom cloud, alongside another piece of vandalism that said 'free Palestine'. 'It is believed a wall of the Toorak Road premises was graffitied by an unknown person sometime on Sunday afternoon,' a police spokesman said. 'That was removed but unknown offenders again graffitied the building sometime on Sunday evening.' The original graffitied message also said 'free Palestine'. 'There is absolutely no place at all in our society for anti-Semitic or hate-based symbols and behaviour,' the police spokesman said. Police want anyone with information to come forward. Rabbi Shlomo Nathanson told the Herald Sun: 'We're just frustrated and exhausted by all of this and we hope that is shared by members outside Jewish community'. 'We feel this to be an attack on the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation and it is unacceptable. 'While this is an offence to the Jewish community, it is our hope that people say 'not on my watch, not in my Australia',' the Rabbi said. The Premier labelled the graffiti 'disgraceful' and 'senseless'. 'It is just so vitally important that we do not allow conflict and violence overseas to divide us here in Melbourne and Victoria,' Jacinta Allan said. The Melbourne Hebrew Congregation is a monumental temple on the high-traffic corner of Toorak Road and St Kilda Road, about 2km south of the CBD. The building was constructed between 1928 and 1930. The synagogue is heritage-listed for its historical, aesthetic and social significance. The graffiti referencing Iran was written about 12 hours after the US bombed Iranian facilities, which are suspected of being used to enrich uranium and develop nuclear weapons.
