From the Herald Sun:
Jewish mother stands up for rights
Mark Buttler
December 20, 2007
A JEWISH woman attacked on Carlisle St, St Kilda, says security cameras should be installed in the area to protect people of her faith.
Two youths attacked Ester Weiss, 54, and her son Sharon, punching their heads, after riding around on mountain bikes shouting anti-Semitic taunts.
Ms Weiss said her son was subjected to anti-Semitic abuse and his yarmulke was ripped off and thrown away.
Ms Weiss, said she had been abused for years on Carlisle St because of her faith.
“Do you know how many times I’ve gone past kids who yell ‘Heil Hitler’?” she said.
“I’m going to make people see that this is happening. I feel embarrassed that my kids and my grandchildren will have to suffer.
“Enough is enough.
“I’m treated as if I’m inferior, and I’m not.”
Ms Weiss said she was assaulted in almost the same place 10 years ago.
She said the youths who attacked her on Saturday night smelt heavily of alcohol and were clearly looking for a confrontation, blocking the footpath with their bikes.
“I said, ‘You smell of alcohol.’ I said, ‘Go home. Get out. We haven’t done anything to you.’ You could see the hate in their face.”
She said when one of the youths abused Sharon, grabbing his yarmulke, throwing it away and punching him on the nose, she grappled with the other.
After she dragged him to the ground, he leapt up and gave her a “mighty punch” to the eye.
Ms Weiss said she wanted Port Phillip Council to install security cameras on Carlisle St to deter troublemakers.
In August, two men shouted anti-Semitic taunts and attacked Jewish man Alon Tam with baseball bats in Carlisle St.
In October last year, Menachem Vorchheimer was walking to his synagogue on Balaclava Rd when he was abused and punched in the eye.
A police spokeswoman confirmed there had been complaints of two teenage males shouting anti-Semitic abuse on Saturday night.
Police are hunting the youths involved in the latest attack, who left their bikes behind after being confronted by onlookers. One is a light-blue Ricardo, the other a light-blue Raleigh M20.
Police said both attackers were about 17 and about 170cm tall.
One had blond or light-brown curly shoulder-length hair; the other, straight red or blond hair and blue eyes.
Port Phillip mayor Janet Cribbes said she was disturbed by the attack.
“The community abhors anti-Semitism and racism of any kind,” she said.
“The council plans to discuss this next month at its regular meeting with the police. Security in local shopping centres is something we often discuss, and it’s a complex matter.
“We’re not sure as yet what can be done, but we doubt whether CCTV cameras run by the council are the answer.
“We would have to employ a small army of people to monitor the footage.
She said even if staff saw an attack, they didn’t have the power to act against the attackers and could only call police.
Anyone with information on the attack should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or go to
www.crimestoppers.com.au
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