Rabbi Mendel Kastel launches support portal amid ‘Australia’s anti-Semitism crisis’

One of Sydney’s most influential rabbis has launched an online portal for victims of anti-Semitism as he decried rising hatred of Jewish people.

Rabbi Mendel Kastel, CEO of Sydney’s Jewish House. Picture: Jane Dempster

One of Sydney’s most influential rabbis has launched an “anti-Semitism crisis” online portal for victims, as he decried rising hatred of Jewish people while urging all Australians to work with each other to alleviate fraying social cohesion.

It comes as NSW’s Turkish community lent their support to besieged Jewish Australians – saying it was “heartbreaking” to see synagogues desecrated and neighbourhoods vandalised – and as Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan prepared to roll out new legislation to protect places of worship and ban the public display of terrorist symbols.

Jewish House chief executive officer Rabbi Mendel Kastel this month launched the crisis centre’s “navigating anti-Semitism” online platform, which connects victims with legal support, emergency accommodation, counselling or help addressing safety risks.

The day after speaking with The Australian last week, Rabbi Kastel donned his NSW Police uniform – he has worked as a chaplain for the state force for more than two decades – to stand alongside Mr Minns after last Wednesday’s Woollahra anti-Semitic vandalism attacks.

A progressive social voice – the rabbi has previously called on Mr Minns to accelerate drug reform – Rabbi Kastel said the platform was to better help victims of anti-Semitism across the state, not just those at Jewish House, the Bondi-based crisis accommodation centre.

“Jewish House is a crisis organisation and we recognise that at the moment anti-Semitism is a crisis here in Australia,” he said.

“And it’s important that when we respond in a crisis, we make sure that the appropriate resources are there and we all work together.”

The portal’s launch comes as Rabbi Kastel joined political leaders to denounce Woollahra’s latest attacks in an escalation of rising anti-Semitism in Australia.

Speaking last week alongside Mr Minns, state Police Commissioner Karen Webb and NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip after the anti-Semitic attack in Woollahra – a suburb across from Jewish House – Rabbi Kastel said the community was “going through a really difficult time”.

“It’s been tough … people are feeling intimidated and fearful,” he said.

“But what has shone through is the support within our community but also across the wider community, where people have reached out to a Jewish person and asked ‘how are you?’.”

Rabbi Kastel said Jewish House had been inundated with calls for help relating to anti-Semitism since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war, and its new support panel ensured it was better equipped to help members of the community across NSW.

“(We are) a crisis centre, our (aim) is to respond in times of crisis, whether that be Covid, or any other that have happened over the years,” he said, adding that the organisation helped those impacted by April’s Bondi Westfield stabbing attack.

“At the moment, anti-Semitism is a crisis. It’s a crisis for the Jewish community, it’s a crisis for the Australian community, and we need to step up.

“That’s why this platform is important, that’s our little bit, and hopefully others will step up and we’ll see a reduction in anti-Semitism.”

Rabbi Kastel revealed he was at Sydney’s Great Synagogue earlier in December when anti-Israel activists protested outside.

“The shouting (outside the synagogue) … the fear was palpable and concerning,” he said.

“People were locked down inside the synagogue and told to not bring attention to themselves (when exiting) … to hide any sort of Jewish or Israeli symbols. That (experience) really shapes people.”

The platform’s launch and rabbi’s plea come after two near-identical anti-Semitic vandalism attacks in Woollahra – a notable Jewish Australian suburb – and the firebombing of Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue, now being investigated as a terrorist attack.

Rabbi Kastel said the community had “stepped up” to help one another and the platform was designed to help Jewish Australians further afield from Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

“People reaching out (for help) is a big step and sometimes they’re not sure what type of help they need, so the platform allows people to look for the best information (and support), and realise they’re not alone.”

Rabbi Kastel said even amid the anti-Semitism surge, he was encouraged by the support of Australians from all faiths and communities.

“It’s important that the general community understands that the Jewish community is having a difficult time,” he said.

“You see wonderful people who do stand up (against anti-Semitism), pick up the phone, take an interest and see what they can do.

“I think it’s important as a society that we make sure (social cohesion) doesn’t break down, and we learn from this and build on it to be a stronger and more respectful society, and more kind to each other.”