‘Our world has changed’: Sydney Jewish bakery closes after Bondi beach terror attack | Bondi beach terror attack

A Jewish bakery in Sydney has closed – apparently for good – following the bondi beach terror attack, with a message hung in the shop’s window saying it could no longer keep its staff and customers safe.

Avner’s Bakery in Surry Hills, run by celebrity chef Ed Halmagyi, closed following Sunday’s massacre at a gathering to celebrate the Jewish festival of Chanukah.

“Closed today, closed forever,” said a man who did not give his name outside the store Wednesday morning.

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A notice posted in the bakery window Wednesday morning by “Ed and Avner’s team” read: “The world has changed. Our world has changed.”

“After the pogrom in Bondi, one thing has become clear: it is no longer possible to visibly, publicly, proudly secure Jewish sites and events in Australia,” the message said.

“After two almost continuous years of anti-Semitic harassment, vandalism and intimidation against our small bakery, we must be realistic about the current threats going forward. These concerns are now clearly more urgent and serious. Even after this terrorist incident, threats have continued.

“As a business that is open at all hours and is highly public, we cannot ensure the safety of our staff, customers and families.

“And so we made the only decision we had, the one that truly broke our hearts. Avner’s is closed.”

NSW police said they were called to a business in Surry Hills on October 22 following reports of threatening phone calls. Police were told the owner of the house had received numerous phone calls alleging threats and anti-Semitic comments.

Following an investigation, a 17-year-old boy attended Surry Hills police station on Wednesday morning and was charged under the Youth Offenders Act. Police said investigations are continuing.

Halmagyi detailed numerous anti-Semitic incidents since the bakery opened its doors, including threatening notes, graffiti and vandalism.

In a post shared on Instagram in October last year, Halmagyi said she could not be intimidated by a threatening note left under the bakery door by “cosplay radicals”.

Halmagyi shared an image of the note that read “Be Careful” in shaky handwriting. He said it was “Being Jewish in Sydney, 2024 edition”.

“But the truth is, it’s hard to be intimidated by inner-city middle-class Cosplay Radicals who finished grade school without a pen licence.”

The chef known as “Fast Ed” was featured on Better Homes and Gardens for 20 years.

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