Police name man sought over firebombing of rabbi’s car in St Kilda East

The Bondi massacre and other recent attacks have strengthened the desire of many people in the community to express their Judaism more strongly, rabbi and school principal Elisha Greenbaum said Friday afternoon. More people were lighting Hanukkah candles and praying.

“This is the Jewish reaction,” he said.

Greenbaum said he focuses on responding to acts of anti-Semitism committed against the Jewish community with kindness and piety, not anger.

“You are in control of your own emotions. You can choose how you respond.”

Greenbaum, who traveled to Sydney earlier in the week, said he was inspired by the response of rabbis there and how they supported their communities.

“You could see them making a conscious decision to be there for others rather than letting emotions get the best of them.”

Jewish leaders on Thursday described the St Kilda East attack as antisemitic and said it was “open season on Jews”.

“Bondi Beach is now soaked in Jewish blood. Is this what we expect here in Melbourne?” said Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann.

St Kilda Chabad rabbi Effy Block, who was carrying the same menorah on her car, said the burning vehicle belonged to a friend.

“It’s traumatizing. They’re coming from the Bondi massacre. They saw fire outside, they ran away from the house. It was very traumatic for them mentally,” he said.

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“It was an anti-Semitic attack because they saw the menorah.”

Prime Minister Jacinta Allan said on Thursday afternoon that a firebombing was not something any family deserved to wake up to on Christmas Day.

“This little car was driving around town spreading Hanukkah and holiday cheer. I even saw one go by while I was in Caulfield on Monday afternoon,” he told X.

Police will patrol the area and the burned car will be subjected to forensic analysis by an arson chemist.

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