I'm a mum living where violence against Jewish people has escalated - in Sydney

"When I saw the news, I had to think: Can I send my kids to school today? Should I?"

As a mother of three Jewish children and a grandchild of Holocaust survivors, in Sydney, Australia, I never thought I would find myself in a world where fear and caution would dictate how my children navigate their own community. 

This is a real fear that I now face daily.

The night violence in Woollahra in Sydney's eastern suburbs (cars being torched and offensive slogans written) this week has increased that unnerving feeling; attacks are becoming more frequent, and now they're in my backyard. 

As a mum, it's terrifying.

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“Do I send my kids to school today?”

When I woke up and saw the news, I thought to myself, do I send the kids to school today (a Jewish day school only one suburb away from the attack)? Do I wear my Star of David today?

Should we take down our Mezuzah (is a sacred parchment, enclosed in a case that is affixed to the doorpost at the entrance to a Jewish home), ironically a symbol of protection that could now be used for identification? 

The school and community security assured us that it was safe, but the fact that I questioned it again put me on high alert. However, the outpouring of support and solidarity from our community has been a source of strength and comfort during these trying times.  

I drove them to school with my Star of David around my neck because the fear and apprehension that I've experienced since October 7th, 2023, is not even close to the horrors that my grandparents went through.

I am here because of their determination and survival, so how can I now turn my back?  

A car attacked this week. Not the author's. Image: supplied/ AAP

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"I told them not to tell people we're going to Israel"

While I miss my grandparents dearly, I am grateful they aren't alive to witness the tidal wave of anti-semitism that has reached our shores.

And yet, here we are. It is heart-wrenching. 

On a recent trip overseas, for the first time in my lifetime, I knew I had to actively hide my Judaism. But what hurt more was telling my children they would have to do the same. I told them it was best if we kept it to ourselves that we were going to Israel and about being Jewish. 

I watched their glow of innocence dim a little as the words fell out of my mouth. 

They were so confused. They knew that every day, I sent them off to a school that encouraged them to be proud of their Jewish heritage and embrace the customs and traditions of their ancestors. 

But what could I do? I'm their mother, and it's my job to keep them from harm. I just wish I could do that without shattering the illusion that the world is safe.

They've had to grow up realising that there are people in the world who would rather they not exist.

"This is not just a headline to me"

This rise in anti-semitism, this spike in attacks, is not just a headline for me. It's personal. It simply terrifies the community, our children and sadly the very few living Holocaust survivors we have.  

I hold onto the hope that one day, we will look back at this moment and see it as a turning point—a time when we collectively decided to stand up against hatred and embrace the diversity and beauty of all people.

Until then, as a mother, I will continue to fight for my children's safety and their right to be proud of who they are, no matter the world around them.

Originally published as I'm a mum living where violence against Jewish people has escalated - in Sydney