Spate of vandalism in Jewish Melbourne
NAOMI LEVIN
MELBOURNE’S Jewish community was preyed on last weekend with a synagogue, two eateries and a local phone box all targeted by vandals.
Caulfield Hebrew Congregation (CHC), one of Melbourne’s largest and most prominent synagogues, and Caulfield North’s kosher Park Grill Restaurant were daubed with swastikas.
In addition, Glick’s Bakery in Balaclava’s Carlisle Street suffered thousands of dollars of damage when its two shopfronts were partially smashed in a rock attack.
A phone box on Bambra Road in Caulfield was also spray-painted with a swastika.
A spokesperson from Victoria Police said it was too early to link the attacks and said there was no evidence at the moment to suggest the Glicks vandalism was racially motivated. The spokesperson said local police were investigating.
Victorian parliamentarian Helen Shardey, member for Caulfield, called on the police “to use the full extent of the law to prosecute the perpetrators” once they are found.
At CHC, a concrete fencepost outside the shul’s main entrance was sprayed with a large black swastika late on Saturday night or early Sunday morning.
The congregation’s honorary secretary, Allen Milner, told The AJN the vandalism had been reported to the Community Security Group (CSG) and Victoria Police.
He said no witnesses had come forward and he had no clues as to who had perpetrated the incident.
Milner said he thought last weekend’s incident was an isolated instance of vandalism however, he said the shul, which was founded by Holocaust survivors, would consider installing extra security, including closed-circuit security cameras. These cameras would be in addition to the existing precautions, including a full-time caretaker and security guards when prayer services are underway.
On Sunday night Glick’s Bakery, one of Melbourne’s most recognisable Jewish icons, was vandalised. Glick’s was the only store in the long shopping strip that was damaged in the attack.
Penina Glasman, shop attendant and the daughter of bakery founder Mendel Glick, said that between 10pm and 4am, somebody had thrown large rocks at the bakery and Mister Glick’s pizza restaurant next door.
Glasman said they were lucky the store windows were shatterproof glass because it prevented more damage inside the shop. She added that after two attacks in six months they are considering upgrading security to possibly incorporate metal security shutters or cameras.
In August last year, two Orthodox teenagers were assaulted outside the store and a chair was thrown through the store window. No person has been charged over the incident.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said the motive for the Glick’s attack was unknown and local police were investigating a possible case of breaking and entering or a racial motive.
Local parliamentarian Shardey said the rise in anti-Semitic incidents in the area was “of great concern”.
She called on the police to work quickly to find the perpetrators and said once they are caught she hoped they would be charged under the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act.
“That legislation has been passed for these kind of acts and it is time that the Government took these crimes seriously,” Shardey said.
She said she would speak up in state Parliament about the incidents and would attempt to encourage a greater police presence in the area, particularly on Carlisle Street.
CSG would not comment on the specific incidents, but both the CSG and the B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission reminded the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the CSG on (03) 9523 0434.
The police are also calling on any witnesses to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Topic: Spate of vandalism in Jewish Melbourne (Read 1374 times)