‘We’re scared’: Jewish residents respond to Dover Heights attack

When a loud bang woke Dover Heights residents in the early hours of Friday morning, many assumed it was a car accident. But those who left their beds to investigate the noise saw it was something much more sinister.

Two vehicles were torched in an anti-Semitic attacked on Friday morning.

When a loud bang woke Dover Heights residents in the early hours of Friday, many assumed it was a car accident. Others thought it was just another thunderclap from the stormy weather hanging over the city.

But those who left their beds to investigate the noise saw it was something much more sinister.

Two cars had been set on fire in an anti-Semitic attack, the latest to hit prominent Jewish areas in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Huge flames were caught on camera as vehicles exploded in the middle of the street. Plumes of smoke shot high into the air.

But it wasn’t until after emergency services doused the blazes that residents saw vulgar slurs printed across the vehicles: “F..k Israel. F..k Jews.”

“It was written so clearly,” one Jewish resident told The Weekend Australian, recalling the moment she saw the damage to her car. “They’ve attacked us in our house, even though it wasn’t really directed to us. But it was us. It was awful.”

The woman lives next door to the suspected target of the attack; the former home of prominent Jewish leader and Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin.

A Jewish couple whose car was vandalised during the Dover Heights attack. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers/The Australian

She and her family are Jewish, and have lived in the area for years. But, while she is deeply saddened by the rising levels of anti-Semitism in Australia, she and her family fear for their safety if their names are attached to their story.

“Every day it’s on the TV. It’s in the paper. But it’s not on your doorstep,” the woman said. “It wasn’t nice. It’s not a good feeling.”

When she woke up, she was shocked by the “pops and bangs” just outside the house. Her elderly husband grabbed their garden hose and tried to fight the blaze.

The couple’s adult children, who live locally, rushed to the crime scene after learning their parents had been involved in the attack, but were unable to cross the police tape to join them.

The three children of a Jewish couple caught up in the attack. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers/The Australian

“It’s just horrific. This is our home. This is where we came from the hospital,” one daughter told The Weekend Australian. “My dad was out fighting the fire … I’ve never felt scared … but this whole thing has started to scare us.”

Sheri Borman, a Jewish eastern suburbs resident, said she was “sickened” by the latest attack on her community. “All we want is to live in peace,” said Ms Borman, believing the attackers “just want the sensation of a news item”.

Sheri and Neil Borman have considered moving to Israel.

Mr Borman said his family had discussed moving to Israel, where they believed they could be safer than in Sydney.

“It’s been the centre of many dinner table discussions,” he said. “Everyone in the area is concerned. It’s shocking and scary.”

Rabbi Shmueli Feldman was staying with his family just a few doors down from the attack and said the Jewish community’s response to anti-Semitism is pro-Semitism – strengthening their commitment to Judaism.

Rabbi Shmueli Feldman prays outside the former home of Alex Ryvchin. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers/The Australian

“Our community must collectively and actively oppose those propagating hate, making such views socially unacceptable,” he said. “Make no mistake, this doesn’t end with the Jews. We are like the canary in the coalmine. Our entire way of life as Australians is being tested.”