Amanda Miller: We cannot ignore the rising tide of anti-Semitism in Melbourne

We often hear that there is a “silent majority” of Australians who support the Jewish community and reject hatred and violence. But too often, that support remains just that — silent.

Last Friday night, I sat in the warmth and glow of Shabbat candles at the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, Australia’s oldest mainland synagogue.

About 60 members of St John’s Anglican Church Toorak joined our community for a Shabbat service, a tour of our beautiful synagogue, and a shared Shabbat dinner.

Together, we prayed, sang, and shared blessings. We spoke about our traditions, our history, and the meaning of Shabbat, a ritual that has sustained our people for generations.

At dinner, conversations flowed freely – about faith, family, and how much our communities have in common. It was not simply a meal; it was a profound moment of connection and mutual respect.

The Reverend Dr Peter French, the vicar at St John’s Anglican Church who spoke on the night, assured our community he would pray, with us, for “peace, tolerance and joy to be the hallmarks of our shared Melbourne society”.

The presence of the St John’s community was a powerful show of solidarity at a time when such gestures mean more than ever.

To see friends from outside the Jewish community choose to stand with us – to show up in person, to listen, to learn, and to support – was both moving and deeply comforting.

Members of St John’s Anglican Church Toorak joined a Shabbat service Friday night. Picture: Supplied

At a time when so many in our community feel isolated and unsafe, their decision to stand with us – to be there, shoulder to shoulder – reminded us that goodness is still present, that bridges can still be built, and that we are not alone.

In the words of Mr French: “Your welcome this evening is all the more powerful – and timely – when too many in our world and our community seek to hate rather than love, divide rather than unite, disturb or denigrate rather than comfort and raise up.”

Yet, while we broke bread and shared stories, darkness was unfolding just streets away.

At precisely the same moment, the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation was set alight in an attempted arson attack. And at the same time, Miznon, a Jewish-owned, Israeli-themed restaurant on Hardware Lane in the city centre, was violently targeted by masked pro-Palestinian protesters chanting “Death, death to the IDF” and “Heil Hitler”, causing violent chaos and terror.

The contrast between these hatred-filled incidents, and our peaceful Shabbat of solidarity, could not have been more jarring, or more symbolic of the moment we’re living in. This is the reality for Jews in Melbourne today: moments of hope and connection shining alongside fear and hatred.

Anti-Israeli protesters outside Israeli restaurant Miznon on Friday night. Picture: Josh Stanyer

We are deeply grateful for allies such as those from St John’s, who remind us that we are not alone.

Their solidarity provides light in our darkness, and it renews our hope that bridges can still be built, even in times of great division.

Yet we cannot ignore the rising tide of anti-Semitism in our city and our country that is now part of our daily lives.

Nor can we ignore the painful reality that many in our community feel abandoned, by the silence of those who claim to support us, and by the inaction of those entrusted to protect us.

We often hear that there is a “silent majority” of Australians who support our community and reject hatred and violence. But too often, that support remains just that – silent.

We need it to become visible.

We need it to translate into public acts of solidarity and vocal rejection of the anti-Semitism that threatens the social fabric for all Australians. We need to hear it. We need to feel it.

Surely the love in our city is greater and more abundant than the hate.

Staff console each other after a group of anti-Israel activists targeted Miznon restaurant in Hardware Lane. Picture: Nadir Kinani

Yet so often, it’s the hate that we feel most sharply – loud, threatening, impossible to ignore.

We need the love to be louder.
We need it to come forward, to wash away the hatred, to drown it out, and to make it clear that there is no place for such darkness in our shared home.

Solidarity matters. Interfaith connection matters.

But they are not enough on their own. They must be matched by meaningful government action, to uphold safety, protect vulnerable communities, and ensure that hate has no home here.

Our city, our country, must choose which story it wants to write: one of light, unity, and mutual respect, or one where violent hatred is allowed to flourish unchecked, putting all of us at risk.

The events of Friday night make it clear that the time to choose is now.

Amanda Miller OAM is a Melbourne philanthropist, impact investor and community leader.