A Jewish bakery in Sydney has closed permanently following the Bondi beach terror attack, citing an inability to ensure the safety of its staff and customers. Avner’s Bakery in Surry Hills, run by celebrity chef Ed Halmagyi, shut after Sunday’s massacre at a Hanukah celebration.
A notice on the bakery’s window read: “The world has changed. Our world has changed. In the wake of the pogrom at Bondi one thing has become clear – it is no longer possible to make outwardly, publicly, proudly Jewish places and events safe in Australia.” The message added that after two years of “almost ceaseless antisemitic harassment, vandalism and intimidation”, the bakery could not ensure safety.
NSW police said they were called to the business on 22 October after reports of threatening phone calls. A 17-year-old boy attended Surry Hills police station on Wednesday and was dealt with under the Youth Offenders Act. Inquiries continue.
Halmagyi has previously detailed numerous antisemitic incidents, including threatening notes, graffiti and vandalism. In October last year, he shared an image of a note shoved under the bakery door reading “Be Careful”, describing it as “Being Jewish in Sydney, 2024 edition”.
