Overview
- Organizers canceled the June 28 Sydney Town Hall concert after the Australian Hellenic Choir withdrew, citing political objections to sharing the stage with the Sydney Jewish Choral Society.
- A majority of the roughly 50 Greek choir members voted against the joint show, and some raised fears about their personal safety at such an event.
- The event had secured a $15,000 New South Wales grant and a Town Hall booking, with all proceeds pledged to families affected by the Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack.
- Sydney Jewish Choral Society chair Anne Spira filed a submission to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, with several singers lodging anonymous personal accounts.
- Greek choir president James Tsolakis called the decision a shock, noted antisemitism in parts of his community, and said he would seek a future collaboration after the groups’ 2022 performance of The Ballad of Mauthausen.