Jewish House has officially launched Unbreakable, a new self-guided online resilience program designed to support Jewish adults facing antisemitism.
The program was launched alongside NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper and Multicultural NSW CEO Joseph La Posta, with generous funding support from Multicultural NSW and the NSW Government. Jewish House is deeply grateful for this partnership, which recognises the importance of community-led support during difficult times.
Unbreakable was developed in response to the crisis of rising antisemitism since October 2023 and the Bondi attack in December 2025, and the very real emotional toll it has taken on individuals and families across Australia.
Why Unbreakable, and why now?
In recent years, antisemitism has shifted from something many experienced at a distance to something increasingly personal. It has appeared in workplaces, online spaces, social settings and in moments where people should feel safe.
The Bondi attack last year marked a particularly painful chapter for the community. In the week following the incident, visits to Jewish House’s Navigating Antisemitism platform increased by 2000 per cent. Overall traffic rose by 175 per cent, alongside a significant rise in calls from people experiencing acute distress. For those directly impacted, and for members of the Bondi and Jewish communities more broadly, it was a deeply unsettling time.
As Rabbi Mendel Kastel reflected:
“Since October 2023, many Jewish Australians have been living with a heightened sense of vulnerability. Antisemitism has moved from something abstract to something deeply personal. It is experienced at work, online, in social spaces and in moments where people should feel safe.”
“In the wake of the traumatic incident in Bondi, communities need more than reassurance. They need tools for support. Unbreakable is about giving people practical ways to steady themselves, regain their agency, and carry on with courage.”.
While government agencies have been working to provide broader recovery support, Jewish House continues to work on the ground at an individual level, supporting people’s mental wellbeing, safety and sense of stability. Unbreakable is an extension of that work.
A practical framework for resilience
Unbreakable is structured around three core pillars of psychological resilience:
1) Empowered: helping individuals maintain agency by focusing on what they can control, reducing helplessness and strengthening confidence in how they respond.
2) Realistic: providing proven cognitive tools to manage thoughts and emotions, process distress and stay grounded without minimising lived experience.
3) Positive: cultivating realistic optimism, strengthening social support and finding meaning and growth without forced positivity.
Each module includes guided reflections and practical exercises designed for everyday life. The program is fully self-paced and accessible online via the Navigating Antisemitism platform, allowing participants to engage privately and confidentially.
As Rabbi Mendel said at the launch:
“Not everyone is ready to ask for help. This platform meets people where they are, helps them understand antisemitism, and reminds us to support each other as Jews and as Australians.”
“Antisemitism affects more than physical safety. It affects how people think, feel and move through the world. Unbreakable is about protecting mental wellbeing. It gives people practical tools to respond with calm rather than fear, and to remain connected to their Jewish identity and community, even in difficult times.”
Built on frontline experience
Unbreakable builds directly on the Jewish House’s frontline experience in supporting vulnerable individuals and families for more than four decades.
It was originally developed by The Wellness Institute, a US-based organisation specialising in resilience and wellbeing education, led by primary contributor Rabbi Zalman Abraham and its multidisciplinary team. Jewish House partnered with the Wellness Institute to adapt and deliver the program for Australian audiences through a dedicated digital platform.
Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper acknowledged the importance of the initiative at the launch, affirming the NSW Government’s commitment to supporting the Jewish community and backing programs that build resilience and provide help around the clock for people facing hatred.
Jewish House is grateful for this recognition and support. Programs like Unbreakable are made possible when community organisations and government work together to ensure people are not left to navigate distress alone.
Moving forward, together
Resilience is not about denying fear or pretending everything is fine. It is about equipping people with tools to respond thoughtfully, maintain their sense of connection and protect their mental wellbeing.
Unbreakable is designed to be accessible to anyone who may be feeling unsettled, overwhelmed or unsure how to respond to antisemitism, and to those who want to better support friends, family or colleagues.
If you or someone you know would benefit from practical tools to build resilience in the face of antisemitism, we invite you to explore the Unbreakable program at:
https://navigatingantisemitism.org.au/unbreakable-intro/
And if you are in immediate distress or need urgent support, Jewish House’s 24-hour crisis line is available on 1300 544 357.
At a time when many feel uncertain and unsafe, we remain committed to one simple truth: resilience is stronger when we build it together.
