Behaviour of a minority does not represent values of Jewish tradition

DEBORAH STONE: 'Like the overwhelming majority of Jews, I am angry and hurt' by the selfishness of a small group of ultra-Orthodox Melbourne Jews over Rosh Hashanah

I AM ONE of the many Jewish Melburnians who has had a very hard week, celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, in lockdown for a second year.

I tried to maintain the traditional sense of an oasis in time for the holy day, so I didn’t look at the news. I didn’t hear until Wednesday morning that a small group of ultra-Orthodox Jews had breached lockdown and barricaded themselves in a synagogue.

A cameraman was treated for a concussion after a tense stand-off outside an illegal gathering at an ultra-Orthodox Jewish synagogue in Ripponlea.

Like the overwhelming majority of Jewish people, I am angry and hurt by this selfish behaviour. In no way does it represent the values or beliefs of Jewish tradition and culture.

Most Jews in Melbourne had Rosh Hashanah like I did. Instead of the traditional feast shared around a long, loud table with my extended family, my husband and I ate the round bread and apples and honey alone.

Instead of singing the ancient prayers of reflection and meditation in community, I watched a Zoom service from the sofa.

FULL STORY Behaviour of a minority does not represent values of Jewish tradition (Age/SMH)

Andrews blasts ‘bad behaviour’ as six fined after Ripponlea synagogue stand-off (Age/SMH)

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Wednesday criticised the “very bad behaviour” of those who had gathered and thanked the leaders of the Jewish community for condemning the public health breaches.