I’m a rabbit hole person. When my curiosity is sufficiently piqued, I can become somewhat obsessive. Through my deep dives, I come to feel (fallaciously, I know) intimately connected to some of my subjects. For over a decade now, Australia has been one of those. Because of my committed viewership of “Masterchef Australia,” I consider myself familiar with Australian society. I’ve learned about its ethnic minorities, its socioeconomic differences. I can even identify a “bogan” accent.
So when I see the anti-Semitism that has sprouted up there post-Oct. 7, it hits me differently.
Swastikas painted on Sydney shuls over the course of 24 hours?
A Melbourne shul firebombed?
Gatherings at the Sydney Opera House calling for the expulsion of Jews?
What about the pro-Israel Australian forcibly removed by police from the fringes of an anti-Israel demonstration because his mere presence qualified as disturbing the peace? The latter has happened more than in Australia, elsewhere around the world.
This is not the Australia I’ve come to know. Viewers love MasterChef Australia because of the camaraderie and diversity. It’s a program where contestants are encouraged to celebrate their unique heritage. Because of that, I’ve learned an enormous amount not only about Australia and its different regions, but about Vietnam, Armenia and Sri Lanka, to name a few.
It’s a program where contestants — even in head to head competition during a pressure test — will come to each other’s rescue, sharing ingredients or lending an actual helping hand.
I know that the purveyors of anti-Semitism are the minority of Australians, not the majority, just like in America. I’m counting the days until MCAU’s 2025 season starts; I need the reminder of why I love Australia.
• • •
A Bologna, Italy synagogue was also attacked last weekend, defaced with the words “Justice for Gaza.” The event that prompted the attack was the killing of an Egyptian-Italian man by the police. It had nothing to do with the Jewish community or even Israel, yet Jews were targets.
That community’s leader, Daniele De Paz, said that by the municipality displaying the Palestinian flag at City Hall, it gave backing to anti-Israel activists, who police say were part of the attack.
I tend to agree. In the current environment, flying a Palestinian flag is a very clear statement — that one supports Palestinians but not Israel; that one believes Israel is committing genocide; that the hostage taking and murder of civilians who resided in Israel are not a crucial issue.
When such messages are communicated by government to the public, when people are told over and over that Israel is committing genocide, one is encouraging violent protest. Bologna, heal thyself!
Shana Goldberg may be reached at shana@ijn.com
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