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Avner’s Bakery Closes After Ongoing Antisemitic Attacks

12/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Avner’s Bakery, a Sydney Jewish bakery owned by celebrity chef Ed Halmagyi, has permanently closed after a terror attack during a Hanukah celebration.
A notice on the bakery's window said it can no longer ensure staff and customer safety.
Ed Halmagyi cited ongoing antisemitic harassment and threats as the reason for the closure, expressing heartbreak over the decision.
The bakery faced numerous incidents of vandalism and intimidation since opening.

History

Historical Context

The 1938 Kristallnacht marked a pivotal escalation of antisemitism in Nazi Germany, resulting in the destruction of over 7,500 Jewish businesses and the arrest of approximately 30,000 Jewish men. This violent pogrom foreshadowed the Holocaust, as it intensified efforts to isolate Jews economically and socially, leading to widespread emigration and highlighting the ongoing vulnerability of Jewish communities worldwide.

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Story summary

Avner’s Bakery, a Sydney Jewish bakery owned by celebrity chef Ed Halmagyi, has permanently closed after a terror attack during a Hanukah celebration.
A notice on the bakery's window said it can no longer ensure staff and customer safety.
Ed Halmagyi cited ongoing antisemitic harassment and threats as the reason for the closure, expressing heartbreak over the decision.
The bakery faced numerous incidents of vandalism and intimidation since opening.

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