Police hunting two masked men who firebombed Adass Israel Synagogue

Two masked men are on the run after Adass Israel Synagogue was set alight as millions of dollars worth of religious artefacts were salvaged from the blaze.

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Two masked offenders are on the run after setting fire to a synagogue in Ripponlea in a “clear act of anti-Semitism”, as millions of dollars worth of religious artefacts were saved from the burning building.

The Adass Israel Synagogue was firebombed about 4.10am, with early morning worshippers forced to run from the blaze.

Among the items salvaged from the synagogue were the Torahs – ancient handwritten parchment scrolls that hold deep historical meaning to the community.

The Herald Sun has been told the Torahs – worth millions of dollars – had been kept in a fireproof safe inside the building.

Prayer shawls were also among the items recovered following the targeted arson attack.

Victorian arson squad detective Inspector Chris Murray said the “deliberately lit fire” was first reported by a witness who had arrived at the synagogue to being morning prayers.

“A witness who was attending morning prayers entered the synagogue, and upon entering has seen two individuals who were wearing masks,” Inspector Murray said.

Detective Inspector Chris Murray said the police were hunting two masked men over the incident. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Benjamin Klein, Yossi Aron, Daniel Aghion KC and Naomi Levin speak to the media after the fire tore through the synagogue. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“They appeared to be spreading an accelerant of some type inside the premises. This individual has left. Police were subsequently called to the premises.

“We believe (the attack) was captured on CCTV. To what extent, we don’t know. That’s something we’ll undertake as it’s only early days at the moment. We haven’t been able to retrieve that but that’s certainly an avenue of inquiry we’ll look at.”

Adass Israel Synagogue is one of the busiest in Australia, board member Benjamin Klein said.

“For the jewel in the crown to be burnt like that is horrendous.”

Yumi Friedman, who was inside the synagogue at the time of the fire, with Caulfield MP David Southwick. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Yumi Friedman, who was inside the synagogue at the time of the attack, suffered minor burns to his hands.

“I was inside there studying and I heard a big bang on the door,” he said.

“I heard a loud bang and thought it was something outside. Then I heard another bang and it was glass shattering inside.

“I jumped up and ran out of the synagogue (and we) called police.”

Police and fire investigators outside the Adass Israel synagogue at Ripponlea. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Macnamara MP Josh Burns meets people gathered outside the synagogue. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Inspector Murray said the “first priority” of police was to secure an arrest.

“In my capacity as officer-in-charge of the arson squad, I’m here personally to provide some reassurance to the community that we are taking this absolutely seriously,” he said.

“Patrols will be increased. (Police are) going to do our best to make sure that (the Jewish community) can return, as they should to their local synagogues, doing what is absolutely Australian – that is, to be able to worship without fear.

The blaze tore through the Adass Israel Synagogue on Glen Eira Rd about 4.10am. Picture: Supplied

“Our first and foremost priority is to identify those individuals that are responsible for this.

“We will do everything we can to bring these individuals before the courts.”