Ultra-Orthodox worshippers were begged to do the right thing

An ultra-Orthodox community in Melbourne was begged not to go ahead with illegal gatherings but did the wrong thing anyway.

The lengths that community members, politicians and police went to in order to prevent ultra-Orthodox worshippers gathering for Jewish New Year celebrations in Melbourne’s east has been revealed. And it was all for nothing.

Police have handed out more than 100 fines — each totalling $5452 — to those who gathered on Tuesday for Rosh Hashanah services in violation of the Victorian Government’s lockdown rules.

Tensions spilled over at the synagogue in Ripponlea where worshippers clashed with members of the media and police worked to calm the situation.

Some of the Ripponlea worshippers finally emerged after 8pm - media forced around the other side of the building after things got hairy @theagepic.twitter.com/Ez9l5laGXo

— Cassie Morgan (@cassieemorgan) September 7, 2021

A cameraman, who did not wish to be named, said he would pursue charges after he was allegedly assaulted while filming outside the Addas Israel Synagogue on Glen Eira Road.

As news of the breach makes news around the country — and overseas — it has emerged the group was begged not to go ahead with the gathering.

Local rabbis gave lengthy instructions about how to mark the reflective season in a safe manner, state Liberal MP David Southwick wrote letters directly to worshippers for months and the Prime Minister even urged the community not to congregate together in shule.

Mr Southwick said the group had been holding gatherings for “months” and were untouchable because “they were operating under an (Alcoholics Anonymous)-type meeting and mental health group that allows you to have 10 people congregate at a time”.

He said the Victorian Department of Health could not enforce powers “because the group was operating in a certain guise”.

Police speak to locals near an illegal gathering at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a statement marking Rosh Hashanah last week: “The Covid-19 pandemic has cast its shadow over all our lives and kept us from the rites and gatherings we yearn to celebrate.

“I know this year your celebrations will once again be subdued, but I have faith that you will find inspiration and sweetness in these days of awe, as the sound of the shofar echoes in your hearts.”

Rabbi Ralph Genende from the Caulfield Hebrew Congregation wrote a message to worshippers published by The Australian Jewish News.

“This may be the most challenging of times, but we, as a people, have experienced far worse,” he wrote.

“The generations who preceded us had an unshakeable determination; they came through. They taught us how to find the light of the Lord in the darkness.

“I don’t know why God chose us to be the children of Covid, but I do know that he has given us a unique opportunity: A chance to seize the moment, to discover a different kind of connectedness, a deeper type of spirituality, a more discerning kind of meaning.”

A man is seen on the roof of a building near the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea. Picture: Mark Stewart

Rabbi Daniel Rabin from the South Caulfield Hebrew Congregation shared similar thoughts.

“In the unfortunate event that we are in lockdown, all hope is definitely not lost. We can most certainly still make this High Holy Day period a meaningful one.”

But those messages were lost on the many who broke the rules for prayer. It is not the first time ultra-Orthodox Jews have gathered against a backdrop of lockdown in Melbourne.

In March last year, weeks after churches, mosques and synagogues were ordered to close around the country, dozens of men gathered at homes in St Kilda East.

Witnesses said they were shielded by a bed sheet inside a courtyard trying to meet the minimum requirement of participants for ‘minyan’ — prayers in the presence of 10 men.

In a statement at the time, the Rabbinical Council of Victoria said it was a small minority doing the wrong thing.

“We decry and condemn anyone who breaches these guidelines and places the health of the community at risk,” the council said.

The Times of Israel, which wrote three weeks ago about an illegal engagement party in St Kilda, also covered this week’s news.

Police and onlookers outside an illegal gathering at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea. Picture: Mark Stewart

“Australian police on Tuesday issued fines to worshippers at a synagogue in Melbourne where a group of Orthodox Jews held Rosh Hashanah services in apparent violation of pandemic lockdown ordinances,” the Times’ report read.

“According to local reports, some 100 worshippers gathered inside the synagogue at around 5am and refused to leave until nightfall.”

A police spokesperson said: “Victoria Police has spoken to a number of people who attended an address on Tuesday 7 September. All adults who attended will be issued with a $5452 fine.

“A number of children who were present will not be fined. Investigators believe a number of other people were present and are yet to be spoken to by police. Investigators are working to identify them.”

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Premier Daniel Andrews rejected the suggestion by a journalist that “people aren’t listening” to lockdown rules.

“Some people are. Let’s be clear,” he said.

Police fine people coming out of an illegal gathering in Ripponlea. Picture: Wayne Taylor

“The vast majority of Victorians are doing the right things. To them I say thank you. I get angry that the focus is being taken off them.”

He called the alleged assault of a cameraman “appalling conduct”.

He continued: “I understand this has been a difficult year for lots of people … if you break the rules we will be in lockdown longer.

“I have not seen the footage and I do not want to cast aspersions on any groups or any section of our community.

“The Jewish community called out that behaviour and were very quick to do it and I am very grateful to Jewish leaders for doing that.”