Community Support

TBI STATEMENT

Following October 7 2023 – TBI Stands with Israel

On 7 October 2023, terror reigned upon our Jewish homeland. Since that fateful day, Israel has been fighting its longest war in the history of the Jewish State. The remaining hostages have yet to be released. Hundreds of rocket and drone attacks continue to threaten the nation almost daily. Sixty thousand Israelis are displaced and no Israeli family remains untouched—each bearing the loss of loved ones. The number of injured and maimed continues to grow, contributing to the ongoing trauma.

As Israel fights a physical war for its survival, we face another battle here in Australia and across the Diaspora. A pandemic of antisemitism is becoming normalised, as the line between legitimate critique of Israel’s government and the vilification of the Jewish people is increasingly blurred. Double standards and overt bias against Israel are on full display on the streets of Melbourne, leaving many of us feeling distressed, angered and deeply saddened.

And yet, amidst these challenges, our community has come together in solidarity. Many have found solace in coming into the synagogue, including those who had been distant from Jewish community.  Our partnership with Zionism Victoria has brought incredible Israeli musicians into our space, filling our souls with music and our hearts with joy, hope and connection to Israel. We march together. We cry together. We laugh and dance together. We support Israel and her people through countless acts of love, generosity and advocacy.

In these moments, we draw inspiration from the resilience and courage of the Israeli people, who continue to face immense challenges with unwavering strength and resolve. As they defend against physical threats, we stand against an existential threat to our Jewish homeland.

Throughout history, our people have prevailed against adversity—and we will again. Let us find comfort and strength in the timeless words of Israel’s national anthem, Hatikvah:

כֹּל עוֹד בַּלֵּבָב פְּנִימָה נֶפֶשׁ יְהוּדִי הוֹמִיָּה

. וּלְפַאֲתֵי מִזְרָח קָדִימָה,עַיִן לְצִיּוֹן צוֹפִיָּה

עוֹד לֹא אָבְדָה תִּקְוָתֵנוּ ,הַתִּקְוָה בַּת שְׁנוֹת אַלְפַּיִם

.לִהְיוֹת עַם חָפְשִׁי בְּאַרְצֵנוּ ,אֶרֶץ צִיּוֹן וִירוּשָׁלַיִם

As long as the heart within the Jewish soul yearns forward toward the East,
an eye looks to Zion, our hope is not yet lost. Our hope is two thousand
years old: To be a free people in our land, the land of Zion and Jerusalem.

Your team at TBI are here and available to support you however possible. We encourage you to utilise the resources we have collected, which includes ways to assist those affected, as well as resources to support you and your family through these difficult times.

 עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי

  Am Yisrael Chai

TBI STATEMENT

On the Bondi Beach Shooting

As we gathered with family and friends to celebrate the first night of Chanukah, we were shocked to our core to learn of the shooting at the “Chanukah by the Sea” event at Bondi Beach, NSW. Our hearts are heavy as our festival meant to celebrate light was so painfully marred by violence.

Chanukah reminds us not only of the miracle of the oil, but of the enduring miracle of the Jewish spirit. We grieve with our extended Jewish family and with all those who have been injured or lost loved ones on this tragically tainted Festival of Lights.

We wish all of those affected – the injured and the traumatised – a refuah shlemah, a complete healing of body, mind, and spirit. Chanukah teaches us that light dispels darkness, that fear must not define us, and that our response must be to support one another and to continue shining brightly.

As the prophet Zechariah reminds us:

לֹ֤א בְחַ֙יִל֙ וְלֹ֣א בְכֹ֔חַ כִּ֣י אִם־בְּרוּחִ֔י אָמַ֖ר יְהֹוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת

“Not by might and not by power, but by spirit, says the Eternal of Hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).

May the lights we kindle this Chanukah strengthen our resolve, deepen our compassion, and help bring healing and peace in their glow.

Your team at TBI are here and available to support you during this difficult time. On this page, you’ll find resources to assist your family and we encourage you to utilise them or call us on (03) 9510 1488 (Pastoral Care: (03) 9039 1818).

DRASH FROM RABBI ALLISON CONYER

Following Israel’s strikes on Iran

“Living with Cognitive Dissonance”

“And so, on the 13th day of the 12th month – that is, the month of Adar – when the king’s command and decree were to be executed, the very day on which the enemies of the Jews had expected to get them with their power, the opposite happened, and the Jews got their enemies with their power” (Megillat Esther: 9:1).

And so, on the 28th day of the second month – that is, the 11th of Adar – when the strongest and most vicious regime, the notorious enemy of Israel and the Jewish people everywhere, the very regime that has financed and trained terrorists groups including Hezbolah, Hamas, and the Houthis (among others), the very regime that murdered tens of thousands of its own people for protesting the government for more humane treatment of its citizens, on that very day in broad daylight, the unexpected happened, and the Jews with their greatest ally got their enemy with their power.

I was always taught that Judaism instils a sense of compassion for those who are oppressed or less fortunate (Ex. 23:9), not to judge anyone one until you are standing in their shoes (Pirkei Avot 2:5) and to pursue justice for all (Deut. 16:20). We’re also taught “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls” (Proverbs 24:17). The Talmud even chastises the Israelites when they emerge singing and dancing from the red sea, celebrating their freedom as the Egyptians (their oppressors) are saying: “My creatures are drowning in the sea, and you sing songs?” (Megillah 10b; Sanhedrin 39b).

And yet, on Purim, we are literally commanded to celebrate the downfall of our enemies – Haman and his 10 sons (innocent or not, we only presume), and all the people armed for the destruction of the Jews. The idea of rejoicing in the collapse of anyone is challenging to me. I like to think of the Jewish people, and our religion and teachings, to be that of rodef shalom – pursuit of peace and justice, not of hostility and aggression. And yet, in recent times, the international community has painted not just Israel, but all Jews as being a violent, aggressive and hostile people who cannot be trusted anywhere. Recently, a Reform synagogue in Canada was the most recently reported victim of a shooting, luckily no one was injured, even though the rabbi was still inside. Why?

I grew up challenging the notion that violence can bring about peace? It is an illogical concept. And yet, when Israel and the US launched a pre-emptive attack on Iran, it made sense to me. Totally illogical, yet perfectly sensible. How can we live peacefully in Israel, and as Jews around the world, when a violent, corrupt, authoritarian regime that has the wealth, the intelligence, the opportunity, and proven record to fund, train and support terrorist groups around the world for the sole, explicitly stated purpose of eradicating the Jews and the Jewish state, and have a proven record of oppressing and murdering their own citizens, how can we and the world stand idly by and do nothing? Negotiations did not work. Iranian citizens were continuously in harms way and the world did nothing. Iran’s proxis caused countless deaths and terror in Israel, Australia and around the world. So what do we do to pursue peace and justice?

We fight. We take down our enemy. We do not rejoice in the innocents who are dying for the peace and justice for others. We mourn the loss of innocent lives. We pray that our family and friends in Israel will be safe. We pray that the innocents in Iran, the entire Middle East and those vulnerable to the trickle down effects around the world will be safe. We pray for healing of bodies, hearts, minds and spirits. We do not take sides or blame others for seeing things differently. We remember our teachings of empathy, compassion and non-judgement. We express gratitude to Israel and the US and our allies for their brave pursuit of justice and ultimate peace. And we work to live with this cognitive dissonance as we navigate ourselves, our community, our nation and our people in this complex world. And we rejoice, and celebrate our survival, our strength and our perseverance. May our Jewish values continue to guide us and may our People always be a source of pride.

Rabbi Allison Conyer