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piece of architecture regularly over the last 14 months or so.

December 12, 2024

I have been thinking about this quirky and loved piece of architecture regularly over the last 14 months or so. It was the synagogue in the local government area where I lived the first half of my childhood. I had my bar mitzvah at the nearby and next closest synagogue.

Designed by architect Harold Smith in 1957. Interestingly, Harold also went on to live at a Jewish residential aged care in later years. Its striking design was based on the Star of David, a motif repeated in floor mosaics along with a Torah and Shofar. The magnificent building could hold 250 people.

In 1991, a year after my bar mitzva, Bankstown Synagogue was burn down by arsonists. This was part of a series of arson attacks on synagogues over a 6-week period. For me and my family this was of little surprise. We had already moved to the eastern suburbs after regular and relentless Anti-Semitism that included physical violence from the local kids and intimidation in our home.

Once again, I am not surprised by the burning down of another Synagogue. I have refrained from sharing this post as I did not want to incite action. But the burning down of a Synagogue was inevitable to me and I have been bracing myself for this moment.

The lead up to this moment is familiar to me. Regular and sustained Anti-Semitic attacks. My local bakery has been defaced. Mothers with their children intimidated in the street. Cars set fire to now twice and placards like “Gas the Jews” walking distance from my house. Significant attacks are now weekly.

After an adult lifetime of action for social justice it is now bookended by two burnt down synagogues.

I do not write this as a bleeding heart or a victim. Merely as the only 1970s/1980s Jewish kid from Belmore, the only grandson of holocaust survivors and the only living descendant of many who perished because good people did not stand up.

People should not be conflicted by global events into excusing what is an ongoing threat to me, my family and community. When we look overseas we should be reminded that we must protect and improve what we have.

The standard you walk past is the standard accept.

I personally have never walked past a standard I will not accept.

A huge thank you to those who have checked in on us. Especially my Muslim friends who can think in shades of grey. And to the Premier of NSW Chris Minns who has shown rare balanced leadership.

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