Adass Israel board member Benjamin Klein described the synagogue as the busiest in Melbourne. It is particularly busy on the Sabbath,which begins every Friday evening and ends on Saturday night. But it is common to see activity at the synagogue at all hours and days of the week with congregants coming,going and milling outside.

What are their beliefs and customs?

This congregation adheres to strict interpretations of biblical and kosher law. Like all observant Jews,they will not use electricity or do anything that is considered work during the Sabbath. That means no driving,shopping or using phones. A threat to human life is an exception to these rules.

Adass Israel congregants adopt traditional styles of dress,and men can often be seen wearing round fur hats known as “shtreimels”,particularly on the Sabbath.

Many congregants also converse in Yiddish,which is spoken only in some pockets of Melbourne’s Jewish community. Some members of Adass Israel shun the internet and other aspects of modern life. They are an insular community and generally do not seek to recruit Jews from outside into their congregation.

Why were people there at 4am?

Men often use this synagogue to study and pray at all hours. During some festivals,it is customary to stay up all night to engage in prayer and learning. At other times individuals or even rabbinical students might study and argue over religious texts into the early hours of the morning.

What has the congregation said about the Middle East conflict?

In short,nothing publicly. Adass Israel does not generally involve itself in the public political arena.

Has this synagogue been targeted before?

This is not the first time the Adass Israel synagogue has been the target of an attack. The synagogue was badly damaged in 1995. The St Kilda Historical Society reports the community launched a rebuilding effort and the synagogue reopened later that year.

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