Rising Antisemitism and the Voices of Jewish Australians

Curated by Jeffrey S. (Micha) Turtletaub July 22, 2025

INTRODUCTION

On October 7, 2023, a massacre of Israeli civilians shattered global consciousness. In its wake, something else shattered too — the sense of safety, trust, and belonging felt by many Jews living in Australia.

What followed was not simply a rise in protest or political criticism — that’s to be expected in a free society. What followed was something older, deeper, and more dangerous: the surfacing of antisemitism in forms both blatant and insidious. From graffiti and threats to social ostracism and public silence, Jewish Australians — including some of our most prominent cultural voices — found themselves isolated, questioned, or even vilified.

This is not an abstract concern. It’s deeply personal. And while each story is unique, the pattern is familiar. Below are the unedited reflections of several Jewish Australians from diverse backgrounds — artists, communal leaders, strategists, and activists — who have each experienced this moment with raw clarity. Their words speak for themselves.

Statement from Deborah Conway

International Musician and Cultural Icon

“On October 8th there was a surreal element to what we were seeing, how much more normal this strange new reality becomes daily is the tragedy. But the reality is that the new normal is the old normal, the normal my parents, grandparents & great grandparents lived. The respite from Jew hate that Jews experienced after the Holocaust, was the outlier. That bright hall is the period of time I have been alive. Now the windows on the stormy night are thrown open

Op-Ed Submission: Rising Antisemitism and the Voices of Jewish Australians – 22/7/2025,

again. I should have taken my parents more seriously. I no longer understand the country I grew up in. I hope the fever breaks, that the music community I have been part of for more than 4 decades & those who I would once have described as dear friends, come back off the edge to a more nuanced understanding but I am not optimistic. Something has broken, irretrievably, irremediably and no amount of gluing the pieces back together will conceal the cracks. I don’t know what’s next but I will hold my head up & I will not be shamed into parroting their words of contrition to redeem myself. As if it would make the blindest bit of difference. I am a Jew, I am a Zionist.

— DC”

Statement from Willy Zygier

Musician, Writer, and Creative Collaborator with Deborah Conway

“The antisemites are always justified in their mind. The current crop express their Jew hatred by denying they hate Jews — it’s just the Zionists they hate. Israel is illegitimate, they say. It should be destroyed. Their genocidal thoughts are justified. Always. The Jew is a cartoon or symbol or something… the feeling towards us seems to be eternal. The people in my life who have no nuance, no deep understanding — I have waved bye bye to. Their loss. Accept reality, friends, enemies & frenemies. If you don’t, I can’t be bothered. Israel is not going anywhere. The Arabs are not going anywhere. If you’re still fighting ’48, your level of delusion is beyond Freud’s (whoops — Jew) help. If you’re Jewish, you know this story ends badly unless you’re OUT, STRONG & PROUD like a Sabra. Rock on.

— WZ”

Statement from Sergio Brodsky

International Brand Strategist and Cultural Commentator

“It’s the story, stupid. It’s always the story. Of crushing guilt, of blood and blight,
Of whispered plots in dead of night.
Of states and plagues and secret deals,

Op-Ed Submission: Rising Antisemitism and the Voices of Jewish Australians – 22/7/2025,

Of Yids recast on others’ reels.

The war of guns is born of tales.
The Iron Dome deflects the shells. But Jews abroad need StoryDome— A shield of truth to guard their home.

It started with Bilaam’s scheme—
A man enslaved to others’ dream,
Who sought to curse but blessed instead. So now must we lift up our head.

Above the lies we have to climb,
To free our story, once for all time.”

Statement from Dr. Suzanne Zyngier

President, Kehilat Nitzan Conservative (Masorti) Community Inc.

“I have always taken pride in being Jewish. I was in Israel for a joyous wedding in June. I felt ‘normal’ in Israel. I saw friends and family, galleries, museums, and all the usual sights. I caught buses, trains and cabs. I shopped and I ate out.

I was unexpectedly delayed getting home by missiles from Iran. A surreal experience — yes — but my Zionism was not disturbed for a moment.

I, and our Kehilah, are proud that our synagogue is a member of the World Zionist Organisation. But right now, Australia feels foreign. More than before, we are called to consider communal security at every moment.

This is the ugliness of Nazi sympathisers using the Middle East conflict as a smokescreen — to exploit it and to dislocate society. No, this is not a new phenomenon, but rather an undercurrent that requires us to strengthen our communal bonds and step forward with courage.

Op-Ed Submission: Rising Antisemitism and the Voices of Jewish Australians – 22/7/2025, Am Yisrael Chai!”

Statement from B. Klein

Adass Board Member

“The streets of Melbourne have changed since October 7, 2023.
I was born and grew up in this beautiful city and had never ever felt fear on the streets.

Since that fateful day, life has truly changed and being identified as Jewish and automatically instantly connected to the conflict in the Middle East is now part of everyday living in Melbourne.

My work takes me to all suburbs in this great city and I have been harassed, screamed at and intimidated countless times just for dressing as a Jew.

My synagogue was firebombed, creating a true sense of fear within my family and community.

I continue to beg government and police to bring back the respectful and fair Melbourne I am used to and desperately crave.”

Statement from Timmy Rubin, OAM

Community Activist and Spiritual Leader

“Some women, deeply affected by the rising antisemitism, are worried about their children’s futures in an environment where the government has allowed hate to fester!

Some women are expressing that if things get worse, they want to make plans to leave Australia!!!

When women express fear, I encourage them to focus on the spiritual world when they immerse, and on their own spirituality.

Op-Ed Submission: Rising Antisemitism and the Voices of Jewish Australians – 22/7/2025,

I would just add that every person has their divine mission. That’s why we were put on this earth — this dimension — and we cannot let haters, ignorant racists, impede our mission in this world! On the contrary, that’s giving them oxygen.

Our goal is to give, do, help, and fulfill our mission.

Praying and sending love and positivity and light to our fellow women is greatly powerful!!!

To beg for Moshiach, for peace and victory while immersing — knowing that we have the power to affect the world — since the Jewish neshama is directly attached to Hashem!!!

Physical distance means nothing. Spirituality transcends space and time!!! We Jewish women, together, can bring the redemption!!!

Warmest regards, Timmy Rubin (OAM)”

Statement from “CM”

Young Wife, Mother, and Soon-to-Be Emigrant

“I don’t wear an obvious head covering anymore. Not a tichel, not a mitpacha. It’s not because I’m less proud to be Jewish. It’s because I don’t want to draw attention to myself.

My husband, though, wears a kippah. He’s visibly Jewish. And because of that, he gets things yelled at him in the street:
‘F*** you.’
‘Free Palestine.’

‘F***ing Jew.’

He shrugs it off. But it bothers me more than I can explain, especially when we’re with our toddler. How do I explain to her that her father’s Jewish appearance can trigger so much hate from strangers? How do I explain that while I’m so proud to be a Jew, I avoid looking like