Trees were planted on Tuesday at the Beth Weizmann Community Centre for the Jewish festival of Tu B’Shvat in honour of the 15 victims of the terrorist attack on Bondi Beach on 14 December.
The festival is the Jewish New Year for Trees, when it’s traditional to plant trees.
The tree planting was hosted by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) and the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV).
Speakers at the event included Cr Simone Zmood – Mayor of the City of Glen Eira, Daniel Aghion – ECAJ President, Rabbi Daniel Rabin – Senior Rabbi of Caulfield Shule and Sheina Gutnick – daughter of Bondi heroic victim Reuven Morrison.
The ECAJ is encouraging community members to ‘Plant4Bondi’ by planting trees in honour of the 15 victims. Aghion said, “Just like our community, these trees will establish firm roots in Australia. And just like our community, they will blossom and thrive.”
Rabbi Rabin provided a brief religious and historic overview of Tu B’Shvat and its place in the modern Jewish world.
Aghion spoke about the heroism of Reuven Morrison and how the festival connects to the recovery from Bondi saying, “Bondi will not be our defining element – but it will be how we respond.”
Gutnick spoke eloquently, reflecting on the parallel between our Jewish roots and the roots of trees. She talked about the importance of roots and said, “There are no trees without roots.”