Memorial in the suburbs
Sydney’s Southern Sydney Synagogue hosted a communal gathering to live stream Chabad of Bondi’s “Light Will Win” memorial, marking thirty days since the tragic Bondi attack in which fifteen innocent people were murdered.
Approximately thirty-five members and friends of the synagogue gathered to watch the live stream together as a community. The broadcast from the Sydney Opera House was deeply moving, featuring short and poignant video tributes from family members who spoke with love and dignity about the relatives they lost. Their words brought the reality of the tragedy into sharp and heartbreaking focus.
At the synagogue, fifteen candles were lit in memory of the victims, followed by a minute’s silence held during the live stream. Experiencing these moments together rather than in isolation was profoundly meaningful.
As one attendee reflected, “Grief is lighter to bear when it is shared, and remembrance is stronger when a community stands together.”
The evening was strengthened by the presence and support of civic, faith and community leaders, which provided great comfort to the congregation and to the wider Jewish community. We were honoured to be joined by Cr Elise Borg, Mayor of Georges River Council; Cr Edward McDougall, Mayor of Bayside Council; and our local Federal Member, Ms Ash Ambihaipahar. Also present were Councillors Natalie Mort and Leon Pun of Georges River Council; Reverend Gary Bennetts and Emma Pfahlert from Park Road Anglican Church; Aleksander Mladenovski, Vice-President of the Macedonian Orthodox Church St Petka Rockdale; Inspector Herren of St George Police; and Mary Wirrick, Multicultural Community Liaison Officer.
Their attendance, along with messages of support from other interfaith and community leaders who were unable to be present, was a powerful expression of solidarity at a time when Jewish communities are facing heightened anxiety, antisemitism and security concerns. Twelve months after Southern Sydney Synagogue itself was the target of an antisemitic graffiti attack, the sense of shared humanity and mutual respect was especially resonant.
The theme of the evening, Light Will Win, was reflected not only in the memorial itself, but in the simple act of people from different backgrounds coming together to mourn, to remember, and to affirm a shared rejection of hatred and violence.
Many attendees expressed appreciation for the opportunity to experience the memorial as a community. In moments of darkness, it is these acts of togetherness across faiths and civic life that remind us that light, ultimately, will prevail.
Dr George Foster is the president of the Southern Sydney Synagogue
