The Morning Edition Holocaust survivors chose Sydney after the war. Then came the Bondi attack
Dec 16, 2025
Michael Visontay, an author and former senior editor at The Sydney Morning Herald, shares his compelling story as a descendant of Holocaust survivors. He reflects on the impact of the Bondi Beach shootings and how his family's history of persecution shapes their responses to modern threats. Visontay discusses Australia's unique position as a home for Holocaust survivors and the communal vigilance that stems from this legacy. His personal fears and the anxiety felt by the Jewish community reveal a profound connection to safety in everyday life.
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Family Trauma That Shaped Identity
- Michael Visontay describes his family's Holocaust history and how it shaped his life in Australia.
- He explains his father and grandfather survived camps while his maternal grandmother was killed in Auschwitz, which cast a long personal shadow.
Australia's Unusually Survivor-Rich Community
- Australia has the second-highest proportion of Holocaust survivors in its Jewish population after Israel.
- That demographic shaped a communal ethos of vigilance and sensitivity to antisemitic threats over generations.
Recent Events Intensified Longstanding Fears
- Visontay links rising antisemitism to recent global and local events, not just historical memory.
- He cites October 7, COVID lockdown politics and growing violent incidents as factors increasing community dread.