1991 Sydney synagogue attacks

Series of arson attacks on Australian synagogues in 1991 1991 Sydney synagogue attacks.png Locations of the five attacks 1991 Sydney synagogue attacks Sydney, Australia yes 1991 01 26 to yes 1991 03 28 AEDT; UTC+11:00 Members of Jewish congregations, five synagogue buildings Arson attack Petrol 0 1 At least two unknown perpetrators Four synagogues damagedPermanent closure of one synagogueInjury of one synagogue security guard The 1991 Sydney synagogue attacks were a series of arson incidents, occurring between 26 January and 28 March 1991, targeting synagogues in Sydney, Australia.Rutland, S. (2006). Negotiating Religious Dialogue: A Response to the Recent Increase in Anti-Semitism in Australia. Negotiating the Sacred: Blasphemy and Sacrilege in a Multicultural Society, 17-30.Jones, J. (2006). The Jewish Community of Australia and Its Challenges. Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Five synagogues were attacked by arsonists within two months, resulting in one injury and over A$700,000 in damages. The attack also resulted in the permanent closure of the Bankstown Synagogue.Sydney's synagogue fires 1991-93 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/261924158 14 December 2024 The Australian Jewish News 4 62 Melbourne 30 September 1994 Melbourne 4 Overview Antisemitism in Australia The series of attacks began on 26 January 1991, at the North Shore Temple Emanuel, in Chatswood, with arsonists setting fire to and destroying the synagogue's kindergarten, causing A$385,000 in damages.Waingarten Tara Muslims condemn attack on kindie https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/261601100 15 December 2024 The Australian Jewish News 19 96 Sydney 1 February 1991 Sydney 3 en Trove The following attack occurred on 26 February, at the Sephardi Synagogue, in Woollahra, arsonists broke into the synagogue kitchen and set it ablaze, causing A$25,000 in damages. On 5 March, at the Bankstown Synagogue, arsonists broke into the sanctuary and set it ablaze, causing A$140,000 in damages. The Torah scrolls at the Bankstown Synagogue were pulled from the building before they could be damaged in the incident.Jones Jeremy Fire at Synagogue in Sydney is Fourth Arson in Six Weeks https://www.jta.org/archive/fire-at-synagogue-in-sydney-is-fourth-arson-in-six-weeks 14 December 2024 Jewish Telegraphic Agency JTA 46 69 7 March 1991 New York, NY 3 en Jewish Telegraphic Agency archiveWaingarten Tara Bankstown Synagogue torched https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/261602803 14 December 2024 The Australian Jewish News 24 96 Sydney 8 March 1991 Sydney 3 en Trove The synagogue subsequently closed and its assets were transferred to other synagogues in Sydney.Ende, T. "Bankstown Synagogue closes its doors." The Australian Jewish News. Fri 1 Nov 1991 Page 3. Accessed 16 December 2024. On 12 March, at the North Shore Synagogue, two masked arsonists attempted to set the synagogue ablaze when the attack was foiled by a security guard. The guard was injured in the altercation.Secord Walt Greiner calls in police after fourth shule fire https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/261741853 14 December 2024 The Australian Jewish News 28 58 Melbourne 5 April 1991 Melbourne 3 en TroveSecord Walt Premier's concern on shule arson https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/261603956 15 December 2024 Australian Jewish News 28 96 Sydney 5 April 1991 Sydney 3 and 30 en Trove On 28 March, at the Illawarra Synagogue, in Allawah, arsonists set the synagogue sanctuary ablaze, causing A$155,000 in damages. The Illawarra Synagogue was repaired shortly after the 28 March 1991 attack. The synagogue was later targeted by arsonists in 1993, although the damage was not as extensive as the 1991 attack."A church/shule visit." The Australian Jewish News Fri 11 Mar 1994. Page 2. Accessed 16 December 2024.Lenthen, S. (1993). "Petrol bomb hit on shule." The Australian Jewish News Fri 6 Aug 1993. Page 3. Accessed 16 December 2024. Hours before the attack on the Illawarra Synagogue, a delegation of Jewish community leaders had been meeting with Prime Minister Bob Hawke discussing legislative measures relating to racial vilification and racial violence.Jones Jeremy Fifth Synagogue Fire in Sydney Unites Christians, Jews for Law https://www.jta.org/archive/fifth-synagogue-fire-in-sydney-unites-christians-jews-for-law 14 December 2024 Jewish Telegraphic Agency JTA 62 69 29 March 1991 New York, NY 4 en Jewish Telegraphic Agency archive Police investigations resulted in no arrests. And the incidents prompted changes in the security measures adopted by Australian Jewish institutions.Lenthen Shoshana Lauer:"book still open" on fires https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/261550304 14 December 2024 The Australian Jewish News 7 100 Sydney 21 October 1994 Sydney 7 en Trove Following these events, New South Wales Premier Nick Greiner ordered an increase of police security to Jewish sites,Alhadeff, V. (1991). "Premier concerned: Police upgrade security." ⁨⁨The Australian Jewish News. 12 April 1991⁩. Page 3. Accessed 16 December 2024. and established a police taskforce to work with Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and other intelligence groups to thwart attacks."NSW Jewry thanks Nick Greiner." The Australian Jewish News. Fri 20 Nov 1992. Accessed 16 December 2024.Nemes, I. (1997). "Antisemitic hostility." C. Cunneen, D. Fraser, & S. Tomsen (eds) Faces of Hate: Hate Crime in Australia, Leichhardt, NSW: Federation Press, 44-74. On 20 June 1991, the Australian Senate agreed to a motion by Senator Robert Hill which noted the violence, intimidation and vandalism against the Jewish community in Australia, specifically, the arson attacks on five Sydney synagogues. The senate condemned the attacks and called on the Federal Government to respond to the issue."Jewish Community in Australia." Senate Hansard. Parliament of Australia. Thursday, 20 June 1991. Page 5076. Accessed 16 December 2024."Senate condemns shule arson." The Australian Jewish News Fri 28 June 1991. Page 7. Accessed 16 December 2024. That same year, synagogues in other Australian cities were targeted by vandals. Bricks were thrown through a window at the Newcastle synagogue, and a bloodied pig's head was placed at the Brisbane synagogue.Secord Walt Antisemitism in 1991 The year of 150 attacks https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/261479340 14 December 2024 The Australian Jewish News 18 58 Melbourne 10 January 1992 Melbourne 3 en TroveSecord Walt Steep rise in Australian antisemitic incidents https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/261552921 15 December 2024 The Australian Jewish News 18 97 Sydney 10 January 1992 Sydney 3 en Trove The Adass Yeshurun Synagogue in Doncaster, Melbourne, was targeted with a flaming tyre placed at its entrance. And the National Jewish Centre in Canberra, was broken into and a large brass menorah was stolen from the premises.Deutsch Sylvia Canberra community centre break-in https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/261607597 14 December 2024 The Australian Jewish News 32 96 Sydney 3 May 1991 Sydney 3 See also 1990 Melbourne synagogue attacks 2024 Melbourne synagogue attack – arson attack 2025 Bondi shooting - anti-Jewish terror attack, 15 killed References Category:Antisemitism in Australia Category:Building and structure arson attacks in Australia Category:1991 in Australia Category:Arson in 1991 Category:20th-century attacks on Jewish institutions Category:Synagogue arson Category:Unsolved arsons Category:Attacks on religious buildings and structures in the 1990s