Inferno of Hate: Melbourne Shul Torched in Horrific Arson Attack

In a harrowing act of anti-Semitic violence, Melbourne’s iconic Adass Israel Shul was firebombed in a brazen overnight attack. Two perpetrators shattered windows in the early hours of the morning, doused the building with gasoline, and ignited a fire, devastating the beloved center of Frum Jewish life.

The incident occurred at approximately 4:10 a.m. while community members were inside. Tragically, two Jewish men were hospitalized, one with severe burns, R”L, after attempting to extinguish the flames. The sacred space, home to invaluable Seforim and Tefillin, has suffered irreparable damage.

Initial assessments reveal that significant portions of the building, including a main Shul, have been destroyed. This attack underscores the troubling rise of anti-Semitism globally, leaving Jewish communities increasingly vulnerable, even in places once considered havens of peace and security.

Eyewitness accounts describe the suspects using Molotov cocktails to intensify the blaze. The Adass Shul, among the most prominent synagogues in Australia, served not only as a place of Tefillah but as a vital cultural and spiritual cornerstone for Melbourne’s Orthodox Jewish community.

The worldwide Jewish community has expressed outrage and grief over the desecration of this holy site. The attack serves as a chilling reminder of the persistent and violent hatred facing Jews across the globe.

Authorities are investigating the arson as a hate crime, vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.