A powerful final gathering

The rain cleared just in time for a moving memorial service at Bondi Pavilion on Sunday night, the last before future gatherings move to Archer Park itself – the site of the December 14 Chanukah massacre.

Addressing those present, Sky News host Chris Kenny said attending the Chanukah by the Sea event was “the very essence of being Australian”.

“They were celebrating friends, family and faith here at one of the most beautiful beaches in the world,” he said.

Journalist Sharri Markson paid tribute to the resilience of the community, telling those present that what they had lived through, survived, lost and endured was beyond horrific.

British commentator Brendan O’Neill said the attack “was first and foremost an Islamofascist assault on the Jewish people”.